COLLECTIVE MADNESS



Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."
Part of a gas pipeline near the Iranian town of Gonaveh exploded early today, a local official told state TV, adding that it was not an act of sabotage."There were no fatalities and nearby villages have been evacuated ... part of the gas pipeline ... exploded near Gonaveh ... No dead has been reported," a local official told state TV."Fireworkers are in the area, trying to control the fire." REUTERS AKC 0515 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-874001.Xml
Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favor with his party's establishment by endorsing US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week.Yesterday "I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star.""We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said,Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet" - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.Ryan, the top US elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryan's Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman.Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers.Trump's endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the November 8 election.In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released yesterday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday.Trump said yesterday he wanted a "big tent" party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their "shared mission to make America great again."Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team.Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected.Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. "It's going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy," Moore said.At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the "queen of corruption" and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House."All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament,'" he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events."If you don't like me, that's okay. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing," Trump said.Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. "I love babies," he said."SHORT-CIRCUITED"Clinton sought to take advantage of Trump's dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform.And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters.She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was US secretary of state and continuing skepticism among voters about her trustworthiness.Clinton conceded that she had "short-circuited" earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server.Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBI's probe in July, when he rebuked her for "extremely careless" handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed.Yesterday, Clinton maintained, "I never sent or received anything marked classified," while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies.Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material.The email controversy has fueled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. "I take it seriously," she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans.FINANCE AND INDUSTRY LEADERSTrump's campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd ; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin.Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named.Trump's moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week.The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had criticized Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trump's insistent attacks on the pair.REUTERS AKC 0726 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-874009.Xml
As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.Turkish officials insist Erdogan's visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch.But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, comes as Ankara's relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious.Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate.So damaged are relations that Germany's foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that "we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets." Austria's chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended."For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkey's partners in the West that it could have other strategic options," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank."There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate towards Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATO's cohesiveness," Ulgen said.Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president yesterday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity."Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry."On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries," he told Reuters.Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region."The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership," Kortunov said.MORE REUTERS JW PR1204 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-874173.Xml
Dahal's Secretariat in a statement said the delegation led by FNCCI President Pashupati Murarka also expressed the belief that the Prime Minister's term would be successful and industry-friendly.

The meeting was held at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar.

Stating that his government wants to move ahead collaborating with the private sector, Dahal said that he is ready to do anything to achieve quality progress in the economic sector. (ANI)
China's air force sent bombers and fighter jets on "combat patrols" near contested islands in the South China Sea, in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalise such drills and respond to security threats.The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the disputed waters after an arbitration court in The Hague ruled last month that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea.The air force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said, according to state news agency Xinhua.The patrols included surveillance and refuelling aircraft, Xinhua said, although it did not say when they occurred."The Air Force is organising normalised South China Sea combat patrols, practising tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests," Shen said.China has refused to recognise the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines.A dispute over the shoal, 124 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines mainland, was one of Manila's main reasons for bringing international legal action against China in 2013.Beijing has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to and has released pictures of aircraft flying over the shoal since the ruling.China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stoking tension through its military patrols in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than 5 trillion dollars of trade moves annually.China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims in the South China Sea.The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing's anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there. REUTERS PS RAI1552 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-874556.Xml
Somali Islamist group al Shabaab today shelled residential areas in the town of Baidoa, west of the capital Mogadishu, hitting a hospital and likely causing casualties, the African Union (AU) peace keeping force AMISOM said in a Twitter post.The al Qaeda-allied group, which wants to topple Somalia's Western-backed government and rule the country according to Islamic Sharia law, has been ramping up attacks on both civilian and military targets in recent months."Al Shabaab militants fired mortar shells at densely populated civilian residential areas in Baidoa town this morning," AMISOM said on its Twitter account."One round of the mortars hit a hospital. Civilian casualties are unknown but expected."Security analysts have warned that the group could step up attacks, taking advantage of the distraction caused by campaigning for a presidential election due in August.The group has also launched attacks in Kenya and Uganda which have contributed troops to the 22,000-strong AMISOM force.In the most recent attacks, al Shabaab late last month used vehicle-borne suicide bombers to launch assaults on an AMISOM base and the headquarters of Police's Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) both in Mogadishu.The attacks left at least 23 people dead.Somalia has been gripped by violence and lawlessness since early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. REUTERS PS RAI1605 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-874566.Xml
A Hindu doctor has been shot dead outside his clinic by unidentified men at the Pak Colony here.The police has identified the deceased as Dr Pritam Lakhwani, a general physician. "He was returning home after shutting down his clinic as per routine when he came under attack," Lakhwani's young son, Rakesh Kumar told The Express Tribune."Someone called me from my father's cellphone and informed me that he had been killed," Mr Rakesh said. ''My father had no personal enmity nor he had received any threats,'' he said.Soon after the incident, Lakhwani was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital from where his family took him to Aga Khan University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries today.Meanwhile, senior police officials have suspended Pak Colony SHO Musarrat Malik over the incident.An FIR had been registered against unidentified people, police said.UNI XC PR SHK 1628 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-874535.Xml
A leading Iranian Sunni Muslim said the execution of Sunni Islamists last week could inflame sectarian tensions in the Gulf region, while Tehran said it was merely taking a tough stance on foreign-backed terrorism.Iran executed up to 20 Sunni Kurds accused of attacks on security forces. There were no public trials and rights groups said the convictions may have been based on forced confessions.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday that "overly broad and vague criminal charges" had led to "a grave injustice".Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed surprise at the remarks."The Islamic Republic of Iran has always taken forceful policy measures to counter regional terrorist groups supported by foreign countries," ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.Molavi Abdolhamid, a leading Sunni cleric in Iran said the executions lacked "forethought and tolerance" at a time when Iran and the whole region were suffering from extremism."Our main complaint is that the sensitive situation in our region has not been considered in these executions," Abdolhamid, who is regarded as a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni minority, said on his website.Iran and the Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia - the Gulf region's two rival powers - accuse each other of trying to exploit sectarian differences to sow discontent in the other country. In January, Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric along with dozens of Sunni militants, causing outrage in Iran.Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world. Amnesty International says at least 977 people were put to death there in 2015, compared to 320 in Pakistan and at least 158 in Saudi Arabia. REUTERS PS BL1659 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-874687.Xml
The head of the separatist-controlled Luhansk region in east Ukraine was wounded today after an explosion near his car that regional officials said was an assassination attempt.Igor Plotnitsky, head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), received shrapnel wounds in the blast, a source in the hospital where he was being treated told Russia's Interfax news agency.His life was not in danger, according to rebel mouthpiece the Luhansk Information Centre.The incident follows a sharp increase in violence in east Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government's forces despite a fragile ceasefire."Today at 7:50 an assassination attempt on the head of the LNR was carried out. Facts from the scene speak of the fact that it was an act of terrorism," regional official Sergei Kozlov told the Luhansk Information Centre.A spokesman for Ukraine's presidential administration said Kiev had nothing to do with the blast."The Ukrainian side is not involved in this assassination attempt, since it's absolutely without any logic and does not solve a single question," Oleksandr Motuzyanik told a news conference.Motuzyanik said the incident could be the result of a local power struggle.Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations' human rights chief said earlier this week.More than 9,000 people have been killed in the Ukraine conflict, including soldiers, civilians and members of armed groups, since an armed rebellion started in the Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in spring 2014. REUTERS PS BL1659 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-874709.Xml
Asking Pakistan in categorical terms to close all safe havens of terrorists, the US today told Islamabad not to be selective while dealing with menace and target all militants groups, including those that attack its neighbours. The warning to Pakistan comes days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh forcefully raised the issue of terrorism with Islamabad at a SAARC ministerial meet where he demanded strict action not only against the terrorists but also on those who provide safe havens to them. Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department Mark Toner said the issue has been raised at the highest levels of the Pakistan government. "We've been very clear with the highest levels of the Government of Pakistan that they must target all militant groups, and that includes those that target Pakistan's neighbors, and they must also close all safe havens," Mr Toner said. In his address at the SAARC meeting, Mr Rajnath Singh had asked Pakistan not to glorify the killings of terrorists, and don't make them martyrs. However, he said Pakistan is not listening because at least three terrorists wanted by India Dawood Ibrahim and Hafiz Saeed and Zakir ur-Rehman Lakhvi, among others which he said were in Pakistan. To this, Mr Toner said the US encourages regional dialogue regarding counter terrorism efforts. "We advocate for closer cooperation, certainly, between India and Pakistan to deal with terrorist threats in both their countries. Terrorism is obviously a reality in both countries, and they need to in order to effectively confront it, they need to work together," he said. Observing that there were some areas of disagreement and concern between the two countries, he said, "I'm not going to get into the specifics of the back-and-forth except to say that we obviously believe that Pakistan needs to do all it can to confront all terrorists operating on its soil. We've seen it make progress; we want to see more progress on its part." UNI MK SW SB 1901 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-874895.Xml
This file photo taken on June 7, 2016 shows Miami-Dade mosquito control worker Carlos Vargas pointing to the Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae at a home in Miami, Florida. US regulators on July 28, 2016 called for a halt to blood donations in the Miami area as investigators probe four potential non-travel associated cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which can cause birth defects. If confirmed, the cases would mark the first time that mosquitoes carrying the virus are known to be present in the mainland United States. (AFP Photo/Rhona Wise)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved a British company's field trial that would release genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes in Florida to fight Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.

The FDA said in its final environmental assessment that it considered thousands of public comments and found the proposed trial by Oxitec "will not have significant impacts on the environment."

But that does not mean that Oxitec's GE mosquitoes are approved for commercial use, it said, noting that the company should work together with its local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, to determine whether and when to begin the field trial.

The purpose of the trial is to determine the efficacy of Oxitec's GE mosquitoes for the control of the local population of Aedes aegypti in Key Haven, Monroe County, Florida.

The method involved using modified male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease.

Once these mosquitoes are released to mate with wild females, over 95 percent of their offspring die before reaching adulthood, therefore reducing the population.

Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have tested this approach, and in these trials the population of Aedes aegypti was reduced by more than 90 percent, the company said.

"We've been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials," Oxitec's Chief Executive Officer Hadyn Parry said in a statement.

"We're delighted with the announcement today that the FDA, ... We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward," Parry added.

Zika virus infections often begin with a headache. Within a few days patients may develop a rash, bloodshot eyes, and run a fever. Some patients may also develop joint pains in their wrists, knees, and ankles, as well as muscle pain, and pain behind the eyes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) sits next to Israeli Supreme Court Justice Menachem Mazuz (L) during an official memorial ceremony marking the 10th year anniversary of the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem July 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

JERUSALEM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Friday strongly rejected an assertion by U.S. President Barack Obama that Israel recognizes the efficiency of the Iran deal, comparing it to the 1938 agreement with Hitler.

Obama told a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that senior Israeli officials now support the nuclear deal.

"The Israeli defense establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the deal is based on," said the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which was signed on July 2015 between Iran and the world powers.
Children and women are pictured next to their shelters at the UN Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Wau, in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, on August 2, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

KHARTOUM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four people died and six others injured at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Sudan's South Darfur State due to heavy rain, Sudan Tribune reported Friday.

"The heavy rainfall during the past three days has left great loss in lives and properties, which created difficult humanitarian conditions at the IDP camps," Adam Abdalla, deputy chairman of the IDPs, was quoted as saying.

He added that about 183 houses in the camp have also been destroyed.

Abdalla urged humanitarian organizations to urgently provide shelter materials such as tents and tarpaulins for the IDPs, stressing that any delay would lead to disastrous health consequences.

Sudan's Interior Minister Ismat Abdel Rahman on Wednesday announced that 76 people died and around 1,300 houses collapsed due to the recent heavy floods and rains in Sudan.
CAIRO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A minor Islamist military faction claimed responsibility for failed assassination attempt of Egypt's former highest Islamic official Ali Gomaa on Friday.

In a press release published on its website, a military faction named Hasm said a group of its fighters were behind the failed assassination attempt of Egypt's former Grand Mufti Dr. Gomaa.

Hasm is an acronym of Aarbic phrase "Haraket Sawid Misr," which literally means "Egypt's Forearms Movement."

The movement emerged recently as it announced its first operation in mid July when its gunmen assassinated a high-ranking police officer in the Delta province of al-Fayyoum.

Friday's failed assassination attempt is the group's second operation.

According to the press release, Gomaa and his bodyguards were ambushed in front of his home in 6th of October City on the outskirts of Cairo.

The group added that its militants halted shooting because of "the sudden appearance of innocent civilians on the scene."

Earlier on the day, two gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire at Gomaa and his bodyguards on his way to a mosque near his home where he was supposed to lead Friday prayers.

State-run MENA news agency reported that only one of his bodyguards was slightly injured, while the assailants managed to flee.

In statements to state TV, Gomaa said the assassination attempt would not discourage him, adding that the failed attack proves the terrorists' inability to carry out their plots.

In the meantime, interior ministry formed an investigation team to quickly determine the identities of the attackers and catch them, according to MENA.

The assassination attempt came hours after Egypt's army announced the killing of the leader of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), an Islamist group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, which has so far killed hundreds of Egyptian army and police members.

Observers believe the assassination attempt of Gomaa, who remained in office for almost a decade until 2013, came as a response to the killing of the terrorist group's leader, dubbed Abu Doaa al-Ansari, in the country's restive North Sinai province.

ABM has carried out hundreds of anti-security attacks following the ouster of the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi by the army in response to mass protest against his rule in 2013.

Gomaa, an outspoken critic of Islamist opposition, is seen by Mosri's supporters as an important tool that helped the government intensify its crackdown on Islamists through his advisory opinions on death rulings made by criminal courts against members of Morsi's banned Muslim Brotherhood group.

According to Egyptian law, judges should refer all preliminary death sentences to the Grand Mufti for his religious judgment.

However, the Mufti's opinion is not obligatory to the court as it is usually considered a formality.

Official and public reactions to the failed assassination attempt came quickly, with condemnations and pledges to retaliate.

Right after the attack, Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi telephoned Gomaa to inquire after his health condition, strongly condemning the failed assassination attempt, according to MENA.

The Egyptian Cabinet, a number of members of the parliament and the current Grand Mufti also condemned the failed assassination.
OTTAWA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.9 percent in July from 6.8 percent the previous month, an increase in line with economists' forecasts, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

It said the Canadian market lost 31,200 net jobs in July, an unexpectedly steep decline that included the biggest one-month drop in full-time work in nearly five years.

Meanwhile, the country's exports fell 4.7 percent in the second quarter to 124 billion Canadian dollars (one Canadian dollars equals 0.71 U.S. dollar), the steepest slide since the second quarter of 2009.

Therefore, Canada's quarterly trade deficit rose to a record 10.7 billion Canadian dollars in the second quarter, up from 6.4 billion Canadian dollars in the first quarter.

It means the trade is going to subtract from growth in the second quarter and is basically reinforcing a view point that Canadian GDP actually contracted about 1.5 percent annualized in the second quarte.

However, some analyst said that a strong rebound is expected in exports in the second half of 2016 due to the strengthening United States economy and the still-weak Canadian dollar.
TUNIS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) expects further cultural cooperation in more fields between China and the Arabic world, the organization's general director said on Friday.

Abdullah Hamed Muhareb, General Director of the ALECSO, said the organization's objective is to spread its culture to the world, praising China as a country with a distinguished culture, which makes China a cultural power.

Muhareb appreciated China's efforts for cultural communications with Arabic countries, saying by the means of the culture and the dialogue, the two parts could share their cultures and reach a better understanding.

Establishing a culture and education center in China specialized on Arabic language teaching is one of ALESCO's priority projects, in order to make a direct access for the Chinese youth to the Arabic culture, said Muhareb.

The restoration of the historical monuments is a new field in which China, with its well-known expertise, could help Arabic countries where many historical sites are in damage, he stressed.

Muhareb also showed his concerns over the neglect of education in some Arabic countries during past three decades, which leads to radical ideas and some young people could not judge the wrong and the right.

"The education system must be renovated and upgraded from the training of teachers to the method of teaching," concluded Muhared, adding a viable, solid and revolutionary education system in the Arabic countries could help them to share the universal values of human beings.
TEHRAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A blast in a gas pipeline in southern Iranian port city of Genaveh killed one and injured three on early hours of Saturday, local media reported.

The injured have been taken to hospital and one of them is in critical condition, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Antonio Guterres, former prime minister of Portugal, held his lead on Friday in a second round of unofficial voting conducted by the Security Council on the standings of candidates for the post of the next UN secretary-general.

Guterres, also the former UN high commissioner for refugees, garnered 11 "encourage" votes, two "discourage" votes and two "no opinion" from the 15-nation council in its second secret straw poll on candidate selection, diplomatic sources said.

Compared with the council's first balloting, despite losing one "encourage" vote and picking up two "discourage," Guterres remains on top of the list of all the candidates.

Currently, 11 candidates are still running for the campaign to become the world's top diplomat. Former Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic announced her withdrawal from the campaign on Thursday after she got the lowest score in the first round of voting.

Pusic has said the first poll showed her chances for the position were slim, and the post would likely to go to someone who has already worked or works with the UN.

This point of view has been somehow reflected in the leaking results of the second round of voting, with the only three candidates who don't have UN experiences receiving less "encourage" votes than the others.

The three candidates came last are Natalia Gherman, former foreign minister of Moldova with three "encourage" votes, Igor Luksic, Montenegro's former prime minister with two "encourage" votes, and Miroslav Lajcak, foreign minister of Slovakia with two "encourage" votes.

Under the UN Charter, the UN secretary-general shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. In practice, the Security Council, particularly its five permanent members, will make the final choice and send a single candidate to the General Assembly for approval.

Straw polls, conducted by the Security Council behind closed doors, are unofficial voting which aim to inform the candidates of where they stand in the race and also encourage candidates who don't do well to drop out of the race.

POLL RANKING CHANGES IN SECOND ROUND

In the second round, Serbia's former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic moved up from fourth place to second place with eight "encourage" and four "discourage" , unseating Slovenia's former President Danilo Turk who dropped to fourth with seven "courage" and five "discourage."

Argentina's Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra received eight "encourage" and six "discourage", making a third place in the second round, up markedly from an 8th place ranking last time.

Bulgaria's Irina Bokova, chief of the UN cultural agency UNESCO, was in fifth place this time with seven "encourage" and seven "discourage", down from the fourth place in the first round.

The Security Council -- the UN' s most powerful body -- has made no official announcement of the voting results. Analysts said the council is still under negotiations for reaching consensus on a single candidate.

The incumbent UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is going to conclude his term at the end of 2016. The council's decision to select the top leader of the world organization shall come later in the fall.

At present, there has been a widespread call from UN member states to select a woman as the world's top civil servant; it is also expected that the next secretary-general shall come from Eastern Europe due to an unwritten rule of regional rotation in UN chief selection.

President of UN General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft, who has been trying to make the selection process as much transparent and inclusive as possible, said the person who is going to lead the UN shall be a moral authority and is capable of leading the organization with political and diplomatic skills.
The memorial statue of Comfort Women is seen in the city of Glendale, southern California, the United States, Aug. 4, 2016. A U.S. appellant court Thursday dismissed a case against a memorial statue in Glendale, southern California, dedicated to victims of sexual slavery by the imperial Japanese army during World War II. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. appellant court Thursday dismissed a case against a memorial statue in Glendale, southern California, dedicated to victims of sexual slavery by the imperial Japanese army during World War II.

The statue was erected after the proclamation of "Comfort Women Day" by the city of Glendale on July 30, 2012, and the passing of U.S. House of Representatives Resolution 121 on July 30, 2007, urging the Japanese government to accept historical responsibility for war-time crimes.

Michiko Shitota Gingery, a Japanese-American, sued the city of Glendale and called for the city to remove it, alleging it exceeds the city's power and infringes upon the federal government's power to conduct foreign affairs. She was joined by several members of Japan's House of Representatives.

Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which chambers in Pasadena, California, wrote in the ruling that the statue meant to advocate against "violations of human rights" and therefore was "well within the traditional responsibilities of state and local governments."

"Here, by dedicating a local monument to the plight of the Comfort Women in World War II, Glendale has joined a long list of other American cities that have likewise used public monuments to express their views on events that occurred beyond our borders."

In the 23-page ruling, Judge Wardlaw agreed with the finding in late 2014 by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California about the case that "plaintiffs had not plausibly claimed that Glendale' s actions were preempted under the foreign affairs doctrine," and "the district court properly dismissed Plaintiffs' preemption claim."

The memorial statue of Comfort Women is seen in the city of Glendale, southern California, the United States, Aug. 4, 2016. A U.S. appellant court Thursday dismissed a case against a memorial statue in Glendale, southern California, dedicated to victims of sexual slavery by the imperial Japanese army during World War II. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Following Glendale's suit, Board of Supervisors of San Francisco voted unanimously in September 2015 to pass a resolution urging the creation of a comfort women memorial. Once erected, it would be the first major U.S. city to have one.

The U.S.-based Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia, a world-wide consortium dedicated to disclosing truthfully the facts about the Asia-Pacific War in 1931-1945, issued a statement applauding the appellant court's ruling.

During the district court's proceedings, the Global Alliance submitted an Amicus Curiae Brief in May 2014 to assist the court in deciding whether to dismiss or proceed with the case.

The organization said on Thursday that the appellant court's decision strengthens its "continuous call on the government of Japan to squarely face its responsibility and to bring a proper closure to this tragic chapter in history without further delay."

During World War II, Japanese forces enslaved more than 200,000 Asian and Dutch women who were removed from their homes in Korea, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, East Timor and Indonesia before the war ended in 1945.
HAVANA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla announced on Friday a protocol and time-frame to implement the ceasefire and disarmament agreements signed in June.

Under the protocol which will be supervised by the UN, FARC troops will come together at 26 locations around Colombia and will hand over their weapons within six months after a final peace deal is inked by both parties.

"With this plan, we show that we have reached a consensus on issues of great importance, such as the disarmament of FARC members and their transition to become a political movement," said the government's top negotiator Humberto de la Calle at a press conference.

The protocol and time-frame stipulate that 50 FARC members would be free to monitor the disarmament and ceasefire process nationwide, while 10 more would be assigned to each of the 26 locations.

If any dispute arises, the UN is empowered to have the final say and decision.

"The peace process continues its irreversible path toward the end of the conflict and a final agreement," said the rebels' main negotiator Ivan Marquez.

The rebels' top leader Timoleon Jimenez and President Juan Manuel Santos signed the accord in June, which established other technical details to end the hostilities and let FARC members rejoin society, while Cuba and Norway remain guarantor nations.

The negotiating process, which began in November of 2012 in Havana, saw Colombia and the FARC reach agreements on mechanisms for access to land for poor farmers, on transforming the guerrilla movement into a political party, on the fight against drug trafficking, on mine clearance, and on the search for missing persons.

Colombia's conflict has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions since 1964.
A man from Seongju county holds a banner to protest against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), during a rally in Seoul, capital of South Korea, on July 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) reportedly fired a ballistic missile Wednesday morning. The launch, if proven to be true, would be a new violation against UN resolutions, but it also deserves deeper thinking at a time when regional security is in peril.

The launch, already the third missile fired by the DPRK after Washington and Seoul announced their decision on July 8 to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile shield in South Korea, could easily be interpreted as a protest against the planned installation of the system.

It also serves a reminder to policymakers in Seoul that by allowing THAAD deployment, South Korea is putting the cart before the horse in their pursuit of national security, as the key to security lies in good neighborly and friendly relations with its neighbors, rather than a bunch of U.S.-made missiles.

Seoul's decision to host a battery of the U.S. global missile defense system has triggered massive protests in the country, threatening to rip apart the society.

The Washington-Seoul agreement also drew criticism from China and Russia as the X-band radar of the system could easily snoop on the territories of the two countries.

A woman walks past a poster expressing opposition to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in Seongju county, South Korea, Aug. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Considering strong opposition from both the domestic front and neighboring countries, and the fact that the THAAD system is useless against low-altitude missiles from the North, it would be wise for South Korean decision makers to give a second thought.

As many analysts and geopolitical pundits have pointed out, the deployment of THAAD fulfills U.S. intention to sustain its military supremacy in the region, rather than the declared purpose of protecting South Korea from nuclear and missile threats from its northern neighbor.

Regarding Seoul's security predicament with Pyongyang, the system could only make it worse, as testified by what happened Wednesday.

Achieving lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula is no easy task, but Seoul should know better than simply giving nod to whatever Washington proposes.

Northeast Asia faces better prospects for peace without THAAD. If Seoul is not moved by pleas of its own citizens, or persuaded by China and Russia, it should at least take heed of the launch and rethink: Does THAAD really make it safer?
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Indian police and paramilitary troops Friday fired protesters across Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing three civilians and injuring over 200 others, officials said.

The protesters took to roads following Friday afternoon congregational prayers defying curfew and restrictions in the restive region that is seething with protests for the past 27 days.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris.

According to police officials, two civilians were killed in Budgam district, while as the third one was killed in Sopore town of Baramulla district.

Reports said police and paramilitary troopers fired bullets, pellets and tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

"The situation was tense throughout the day in almost all the places, with protesters shouting anti- India and pro-freedom slogans filling the roads and alleys," a police official authorised not to talk to media told Xinhua. "Today three deaths were reported and the number of injured is said to be over 200."

Friday's killings has brought the number of people killed in ongoing wave of unrest at least to 55.

Health officials put the number of civilians injured since the out break of protests to more than 3000. More than 100 people have also lost eyesight after being hit by pellets.

A senior police official said government forces fired to stop violent crowds from attacking them.

Authorities in the morning had extended restrictions and curfew to almost all the major towns and villages in Muslim majority areas of the region. The move was aimed at foiling the anti-India protest march to Hazratbal shrine, a main shrine in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. The call for march was given by separatists.

Police and paramilitary troopers closed all routes leading to the shrine by laying coils of concertina wire and steel barricades, besides deploying their contingents.

The local government has detained key separatist leaders fearing their participation in demonstrations would intensify anti-India protests and mobilize people in large numbers.

Reports pouring in from other places said people offered prayers in the mosques and took out protest demonstrations in more than two dozen places. The government forces continue to use shotguns for firing pellets on angry crowds despite warnings from India's home ministry and government to minimize their use.

On Thursday a rights group, Amnesty International, called upon India to end use of pellets guns.

The youth throw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

Shops, businesses, schools, government offices, banks and other institutions remained closed for the 28th straight day. The public transport is also off the roads.

The locals are complaining about dearth of eatables and essentials in most of the towns including Srinagar city. Health officials said they were also experiencing shortage of medicines.

Protests in the region broke out following the killing of a top militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Burhan Muzaffar Wani, along with his two associates, on July 8. The 22-year-old Wani was poster boy of HM, region's indigenous militant outfit.
File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows an aerial view of expressways linking Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at night in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is the host city for the 2016 G20 summit on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. With one month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

MOSCOW, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2016 Group of 20 (G20) summit to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in early September will give the country a great chance to present and promote its ideas on global development, a Russian expert has said.

China's "One Belt One Road" initiative, which aims to promote infrastructure construction in countries along its way and push forward the economic development of the whole region, would be a key discussion at the summit, said Alexey Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics Research.

"I think the debate will be more about the ways of developing the infrastructure ... about who will be the leader of infrastructure restructuring," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Maslov also suggested that China should find its own approach on promoting its idea of a green economy, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also free from corruption and from any external influence.

"China is doing the right thing, by not just defending itself from alleged charges (of non-compliance with environmental regulations), but creating its own concept and inviting others to join," he said.

The discussion on green economy should also be concentrated on countries' investment capacities and the sustainable growth of the world economy, especially considering the current complex and multilateral economic crisis, Maslov said.

The expert hoped the G20 summit would consider methods to stimulate the economy, facilitate foreign trade, remove customs barriers, and promote interaction between countries in creating free trade zones or common development zones.

Maslov said the G20 summit could lead to greater freedom of trade and play a more responsible role in resolving global economic problems, adding that technology transfers should also be facilitated among countries.

According to Maslov, it is more important for the summit to "show that countries share common concerns and see common problems and trends," rather than providing final solutions.

He stressed that the G20 summit has to become a real working body, not just a platform for discussion.

"How China will be able to consolidate the views of different parties is a great question and a great responsibility," he said.

"Perhaps, only China is capable in today's world of making different countries with different methods of regulating economies to sit at the negotiating table, to make them try and work out a common solution," said Maslov.

By implementing a "fairly correct" model of economic structural reform, China has proved its strong political will to the world, he said.

"But the state of the economy, both Chinese and Asian in general, requires the most rapid implementation of these reforms," Maslov added.

Related:

Spotlight: World expects G20 summit to revive economic growth, eye China's leadership

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- As the Group of 20 (G20) summit is a month away, people worldwide are expecting leaders to promote global economic recovery and enhance the role of emerging economies, especially China, the second-largest economy and chair of the G20 this year.

"For us Europe, the urgent priority is to get through the economic crisis," said Melinda Brindicci, an employee in tourism industry from Rome, Italy. "Employment problem of Italy and other European countries, especially related to young people, awaits to be solved." Full story

Commentary: Current world calls for G20 to play bigger role

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of weak global economic recovery and uncertain political situation, countries in the world look forward to the Group of 20 (G20) playing a bigger role in global governance and economic growth. Full story

Xinhua Insight: One month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20

HANGZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) - Hangzhou resident Yang Chizhen does not speak a word of English, but has decided to spend the next month picking up some simple English phrases.
CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday signed nine mining investment agreements worth 4.5 billion U.S. dollars, as part of the country's push to reduce its reliance on oil exports.

At a ceremony at the Central Bank of Venezuela attended by industrialists, Maduro said the Arco Minero project to develop mining over 111,800 square km in the country's southern Orinoco region, was designed "to break with the reliance on oil."

"We cannot continue to depend on oil, nor pray to OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) for a rise in oil prices," said Maduro, referring to historically low market prices for crude.

The contracts signed with both national and international companies "are part of the most ambitious and important sovereign project ever launched in Venezuela in the area of mining," said Maduro, adding it was both "of national interest" and "win-win" for all parties involved.

Maduro also said the authorities had consulted with leaders of indigenous communities in the south of the country to assure them the projects would be environmentally responsible.
People lay bouquets to mourn victims of the atomic bombings at the Peace Momorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2016. Hiroshima, the city that suffered U.S. atomic bombing in 1945 during World War II, commemorated the 71st anniversary of the bombing on Saturday at the city's Peace Memorial Park. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

by Xinhua Writer Zhu Feng

TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The time has come for Japan to mark the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by also making the solemn period an opportunity to reflect upon its history of aggression.

While full sympathy should be given to the innocent lives who perished in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the cities that were targeted by the U.S. in the atomic bombing in 1945 during WWII, it should also be kept in mind that those lives were, by no means, victims of the war Japan had initiated.

Millions of innocent people were mercilessly massacred, cities and villages pillaged, as the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) army invaded China and other Asian countries purely to satisfy its militaristic ambitions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said "victims deserve sympathy, but perpetrators can never shirk their responsibility."

In Japanese society, it is commonly believed that Japan was the victim when its comes to the atomic bombings of its two cities. Few people, however, fully opt to think and probe the reason why Hiroshima and Nagasaki suffered such attacks in the first place. This has hindered Japan from reflecting upon its responsibility for the war.

Nor has there been due attention paid to victims in neighboring countries who cannot forget the atrocities the Japanese aggressors once committed or due condemnation for Japan's crimes of aggression before and during WWII.

Instead, the administration of Prime Minster Shinzo Abe is more interested in highlighting the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while ignoring the suffering of the countries that it brutalized before and during WWII.

Japan is, once again, trying to downplay its role as an aggressor and attempting to portray itself as a victim.

The rabidness of Japanese militarists during WWII is the fundamental reason the two cities were vaporized into mushroom clouds. Even facing a certain failure, Japanese militarists rejected the Potsdam Proclamation in 1945, because in their eyes the lives of civilians were irrelevant in comparison to their ambitions.

The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, along with the heinous crimes the IJA committed in other countries, are both horrid examples of what frenzied militarism can result in.

Instead of admitting to war crimes, right-wing politicians in Japan are now keen on taking advantage of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings by claiming that Japan made such a great sacrifice in order to liberate Asia from colonial rule by Western powers.

At the time of commemorating the atomic bombings, right-wing forces in Japan, who owe a heartfelt apology to Asian neighbors victimized by fascist island country's brutal aggression and colonial rule during WWII, show no remorse or choose to reflection upon their nation's war past.

All peace-loving people should heighten vigilance against their evil intentions and encourage them too, to honestly reflect on Japan's past militaristic wrongdoings.

As the only country in the world that has ever been hit by atomic bombings, Japan has been extremely sensitive to "nuclear" issues. However, nowadays, some Japanese politicians are openly calling for Japan's possession of nuclear weapon. Japan's huge stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material and the government's statement in April that using nuclear weapons is not against its constitution have put its neighbors on edge.

Another dangerous signal is that Abe did not mention Japan's long-held Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons on its soil in his speech at the Hiroshima ceremony last year, the first time for a Japanese prime minister to make such an omission since 1994. Such an "oversight" on Abe's part fueled suspicions.

In the cabinet reshuffle this week, Abe appointed Tomomi Inada, policy chief in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as defense minister, which fueled worries from neighboring countries in Asia. Inada is known as a political hawk, with contentious views on history and a right wing stance on the future course of the nation's politics.

She has regularly visited Yasukuni Shrine, which is regarded as a symbol of the past Japanese militarism.

As a close ally of Abe, she urged amending Japan's pacifist Constitution, including scrapping the war-renouncing article 9 to allow Japan's self-defense forces to act more like a conventional army. The clause forbids Japan from using force to settle international disputes and restricts its land, air and naval forces to a strictly defensive role.

Though 71 years have passed, it seems that the only lesson the Japanese right-wing force has learned is that as long as it ties up with the world's top power, it can continue its beggar-thy-neighbor policy and trouble-making behavior without worrying about any ramifications.

In a statement delivered by Abe on Aug. 15 last year at a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, instead of offering an unambiguous apology for war atrocities committed by Imperial Japan, Abe, the revisionist premier and also a hawkish nationalist, hinted Japan's wartime aggression and colonial rule deserved credit. His statement put its neighbors on high alert.

While commemorating the victims of the atomic bombings, Japan should not forget the reason why Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in the first place. Only through deep and sincere reflection upon its history of aggression and all sorts of crimes committed upon neighboring countries in Asia, can Japan truly recover from the painful memory of war.
By Victoria Arguello

CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- State-run oil companies of Venezuela and China are joining hands to boost oil output from the Orinoco oil belt in southeastern Venezuela, which boasts one of the world's largest oil reserves.

The Venezuelan government is seeking to export up to 1 million barrels of oil a day to China. Venezuela's PDVSA and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are working together on an expansion plan to raise the export from the current 600,000 barrels per day (bpd), turning the South American country into a reliable oil exporter.

"We want to ensure a steady supply regardless of oil prices," Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino told Chinese media after a recent visit to the oil belt.

The expansion plan involves improving infrastructure for the joint venture Sinovensa running in the oil belt between the two countries, in the hope of raising its oil output to 275,000 bpd from the current level of some 170,000 bpd.

The two state-run oil companies are also planned to improve Venezuela's capacity for oil processing, by building a new dehydration and desalination plant and doubling the capacity of the Jose Processing Plant, based in the state of Anzoategui, to at least 330,000 bpd of extra-heavy crude oil in 2017.

"We also have approved loans of 5 billion U.S. dollars from the China Development Bank for other sides," including inputs in other joint ventures, said del Pino.

Meanwhile, China and Venezuela are trying to make the transportation of crude oil from the Orinoco oil belt to China faster and more efficient.

"Currently, a super oil tanker leaves Venezuela every three days for China and it takes 45 days to reach China. We will be able to shorten the voyage by traveling via the newly expanded Panama Canal," said del Pino.

To this end, a new terminal for oil tankers will be built this year on the Araya peninsula in the state of Sucre.

Furthermore, the southern Chinese city of Jieyang in Guangdong Province is building an oil refinery aimed at processing up to 400,000 bpd of oil coming from Venezuela.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen gestures from a plane in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Aug. 6, 2016. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen left here on Saturday morning for Vientiane, the capital of Laos, where he will receive the "ASEAN Lifetime Achievement Award". (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen left here on Saturday morning for Vientiane, the capital of Laos, where he will receive the "ASEAN Lifetime Achievement Award".



The award, which has been conferred upon the longest serving Head of Government in ASEAN, will be presented to the prime minister by Michael Yeoh, chief executive officer of Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, during the 13th ASEAN Leadership Forum to be held on Aug. 6 and 7, said a Cambodian Foreign Ministry statement.

Hun Sen said earlier this week that so far, only three distinguished personalities have received these Lifetime Achievement Awards, namely former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and Sultan Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Perak of Malaysia.

"I am the fourth person that receives this award, but if say about the head of government, I am the third person that gets it," he said in a public speech on Tuesday. "I would like to share this with all the Cambodian people who support my policy on international issues."
SAN JOSE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica on Friday ratified the Inter-American Convention Against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance to fight against discrimination.

The convention creates a committee across the Americas to prevent and eliminate all forms of racism, while establishing steps that all member countries must follow to eradicate it.

President Luis Guillermo Solis, who signed the convention in a ceremony attended by Margarette May Macaulay, the vice-chair of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), said the convention is in line with Costa Rica's fight against discrimination and is "an important step to guarantee the principles of equality" in the country.

"This Inter-American Convention Against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance is becoming, through our own will, a supra constitutional instrument which we must abide by," the president said.

The document allows any citizen of a member state of the IACHR to alert the court on any potential action by their governments which violates the convention.

According to the Costa Rican government, the Convention also reinforces Article 1 of its Constitution, which states "Costa Rica is a democratic, free and independent Republic."
PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and six others injured, mostly teenagers, in a bar fire in the French city of Rouen early Saturday, local media reported.

The fire started from the basement of the Cuba Libre bar, but the cause of the fire is still unclear.
PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and six others injured in a bar fire in the French city of Rouen early Saturday, local media reported.

The victims were between the ages of 18 and 25, the Paris-Normandie newspaper said.

A private birthday party was being held in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar when the fire broke out, according to local authorities.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
HOHHOT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Archeologists have discovered over 1,000 cliff paintings dating back more than 1,000 years in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The paintings are surprisingly well preserved, and feature sheep, camels, elks, tigers, wolves and people hunting, said Liu Bin, head of the Cultural Relics Bureau of Urad Middle Banner, on Friday.

The images are believed to have been engraved by the ancient tribal people known as the Tujue, and the Dangxiang, of which the modern day Qiang are descended from, about 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, said the archeologist.

The new findings are among many found across the Yinshan mountain range, and will greatly inform research into ancient nomadic people, he added.

Over 10,000 ancient cliff paintings have been discovered in the Yinshan Mountains.

In 2012, 18 cliff paintings dating back over 4,000 years were discovered in the same area. Among the paintings, seven faces were exaggerated and monstrous, and have been interpreted as the seven stars of the "Big Dipper" constellation.
SUVA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has congratulated his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and the people of Singapore on its upcoming 51st National Day, Fiji's Department of Information announced Saturday.

"Singapore has been an inspiration to Fiji of what peace and stability can forge for the development and progress of your populace in the midst of an increasingly turbulent world," Bainimarama said, describing Singapore as an example and inspiration to small island developing states like Fiji.

"I am happy that during our 45 years of bilateral relations, we have been able to pick a leaf or two from your experience to strengthen our young democracy and modernize our nation to contribute, like yours, to the peace and stability of our regions and the world at large," the Fijian prime minister added, wishing Singapore continued prosperity and success.

Singapore's National Day is marked on Aug. 9 every year in commemoration of the island city state's independence from Malaysia in 1965.
XINING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Shaka, a Tibetan herdsman, has fought with a fellow villager for years over a piece of land, but solving the dispute in the courtroom seemed out of the question.

"I never went to school, I don't speak mandarin and I know nothing about the law," said the 48-year-old, who lives in Gongcha County in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

More than 63.4 percent of the county are Tibetans. During the summer, many, like Shaka, are involved in animal husbandry in the county's remote mountains. For them, going to court is too costly and time consuming.

This summer, however, Shaka had his day in court thanks to the bilingual circuit court service.

JUSTICE ON WHEELS

These mobile courts see judges travel to remote areas to solve disputes, bring the court service to the people.

Qinghai will develop the practice further, said Man Zhifang, vice president of the Higher People's Court in Qinghai.

"We will train more bilingual judges, improve working conditions for the judges and create opportunities for the circuit court service," he said.

Herdsman Shaka's case was heard on Aug. 1 near his yurt on the pasture land where he herds his cattle.

The judge was Lhamo Dorje, from Gongcha County People's Court. He is a native Tibetan born and raised in Gangcha. He arrived in a van carrying the national emblem, court banner, desks and chairs needed for the trial. Four people arrived as jurors.

The defendant Gongbaocha was in hospital, so his wife represented him. The trial lasted four hours, and judge Dorje adjourned the trial for the verdict to be given in a few days.

"It was a good day, no rain or snow, and we had enough time to return to the county," said Song Jizhu, presiding judge of civilian cases in the county court.

A growing number of bilingual judges like Dorje are making sure people's rights are not lost in translation.

Dorje recalled a criminal case where an interpreter translated the verdict "suspended sentence for two years" as "go home and we'll see if you die in two years."

"Many interpreters lacked legal knowledge, so now the focus is on training bilingual magistrates," said Dorje, who joined the county court five years ago.

Over the past five years, the bilingual circuit court has handled 229 cases and its judges have traveled over 100,000 kilometers.

The court also offers villagers the opportunity to learn more about the law.

FOR THE PEOPLE

The travelling court used to be called horseback court, said Song, and now judges travel by vans. Even though the means of transportation has improved, trips can still be arduous and take days.

The vans are loaded with tents, food, cooking utensils and heavy clothes as the team may have to spend many nights in the wilderness.

The journeys are not without danger.

In early spring a few years ago, a jeep carrying three female judges was trapped by a piece of collapsed ice on the river. They had no other choice but to wade into the freezing water and push the jeep out of the river.

"When the rescue team arrived, they found my three colleagues huddled tightly against each other to stay warm, their faces and lips were blue," said Song.
URUMQI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua)-- The first Chinese tour group to go on an organized trip of Kazakhstan left on Saturday for the central Asian neighbor.

The 55 tourists, organized by China National Travel Service (HK) Group, flew to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, from the international airport in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at 1:36 p.m. Saturday.

They are among nearly 300 tourists to visit the region, a trip organized by six travel agencies. The other groups will start their trips over the following three days.

The tour follows a memorandum on Chinese-Kazakhstan tourism cooperation, signed between the two countries in December.

"My parents studied in Almaty, so my sisters and I have always wanted to go there," said Tong Nina, 70, from Urumqi, who went on the tour with her sisters.

Shi Dagang, vice chairman of Xinjiang regional government, said the tour was an important stage in the China-Kazakhstan tourism development story and the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

A senior tourism official with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Investment and Development came to Xinjiang to welcome the first tour group.
by Xinhua Writer Wang Fan, Yuan Yue

NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Monday, to most people, was just the beginning of another week. But to cartoonist Lucio Zago, it marked the onset of a new journey: the printing of his very first book to be completely funded by hundreds of strangers all over the world.

Thirty days ago, in his cozy apartment in Brooklyn, New York, Zago decided to try a thing he had never done before: launch a 30-day crowdfunding campaign for his graphic novel entitled Williamsburg.

Having lived in the now trendy, hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg for 23 years, he had a story to tell through the graphic novel about the fast-changing community where once nobody wanted to live.

"Honestly (at first) I didn't really trust the crowdfunding process very much," he told Xinhua.

But to his surprise, the first day had gone stupendously. The goal of the 30-day campaign was to raise 7,800 U.S. dollars. Twenty-four hours into the crowdfunding campaign, he had raised nearly one third of the goal.

"I felt encouraged, and also a bit scared, because at the time I get a backer, I know that I owe them something," Zago said.

Since the advent of the first crowdfunding platform in 2008, the economic trend has been simmering for years and seemed to blossom in 2016.

It is estimated that global crowdfunding investments reached 34 billion dollars in 2015, and in 2016 it will surpass the annual amount venture-capital funds received globally.

Like Zago, hundreds of thousands of kindred spirits share their ideas, from high-tech gadgets to food to the film industry and even to real estate. Crowdfunding brings their inspirations to life.

This comes as no surprise for Slava Rubin who, along with two other partners, launched Indiegogo in 2008, the first rewards-based crowdfunding site, with an ambition to "democratize the access to capital."

"That (crowdfunding is on fire) is not a surprise. And we have lots of work left to do because the world needs an alternative way of funding," he said.

To Zago, what crowdfunding brought to his life was never about the money, but the connection with his fans all over the world.

On May 30, after the cartoonist collected 15,475 U.S. dollars from 318 supporters, a sense of emptiness kicked in. "No more notifications, no more new backers," he said.

Zago, an obscure cartoonist in the comic world, saw the crowdfunding campaign as a way to reach out to his backers.

"If I hear it rings, I would run over to see if there is anything new. It is not about the money, it is about who it is, where is he or she from. Then I feel most excited when there is a phone far away."

He got responses from backers all over the world, such as the Philippines, Australia, Germany, Austria, Italy, South America, and Chile. "It is encouraging to know that my work is being seen somewhere on the other side of the world."

Having done a lot of research on the subject, Anindya Ghose, professor of marketing with New York University, also believes that money is actually the secondary outcome of crowdfunding.

"Its primary benefit is generating market awareness and buzz or word-of-mouth of your idea," he said.

Have raised more money than his original target, Zago plans to add some elements to increase the quality of the book, including printing the entire book with recycled paper, inserting a certain amount of pages in color, and giving the book a protective sleeve.

"I have gone through the entire experience of doing a crowdfunding project, I am a fan of it. But don't just jump into it, prepare yourself really really well, create a very good program," he said. "It is a lot of work."
MANILA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The burial of late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at the country's heroes' cemetery will take place on Sept. 18, local media reported Saturday.

The daily newspaper, The Philippine Star, quoted Marcos's son as saying that the date has been agreed upon during the family's meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the presidential palace earlier this week.

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. disclosed the details of the burial during lunch on Friday with selected editors of The Philippine Star.

The report quoted Marcos Jr. as saying the Marcoses have started preparations for the interment rites that include a 21-gun salute military honors.

Marcos Jr. also told the Philippine Star that he and his elder sister, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, have been coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that administers the heroes' cemetery.

The burial of Marcos in the heroes' cemetery has been a divisive issue in the Philippines.

But Duterte said he would allow the burial to "erase hatred" and initiate healing in the country.

"I will allow the burial of President marcos at the Libingan ng mag Bayan (heroes' cemetery) not because he is a hero but because he was a Filipino soldier. Period," Duterte told a news conference in May.

Marcos died in Hawaii in 1989. His body, which was brought back to the Philippines in 1993, is now on display inside a glass box in an air-conditioned crypt in the family's ancestral home in Laoag, north of Manila.
AMMAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syrians stranded at the border with Jordan received this week much-needed food and other supplies in a unique operation that saw the aid hoisted by cranes across the closed frontier, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) Saturday.

In a first delivery of humanitarian assistance since the border was sealed in June, food provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), bread from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF hygiene kits were lifted from the Jordanian side by 70-metre-high cranes and lowered into encampments for the displaced in the Syrian desert.

More than 75,000 people seeking to escape the conflict in Syria are living in an area of earthen embankments between the two countries known as the "berm," the WFP said in a statement a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua.

"Most are women, children and the elderly, many of them sick or wounded, who have no access to food or medicine. They are living in tents, enduring temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius," said Mageed Yahia, WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan.

Jordan sealed the area following an attack in June on Jordanian military personnel. Before the border closure, UN agencies and aid organizations regularly delivered supplies from the Jordanian side to people stranded in no man's land.

The 650 metric tons of aid was delivered to two locations, Rukban and Hadalat, over three days.

"We are very grateful for the support of the Jordanian government and the Jordan Armed Forces, Arab Army to make this happen," said Yahia.

It was the first time WFP used cranes to deliver relief items. Community and tribal leaders were trained to organise and carry out the distributions. Drones flying overhead monitored the operation to ensure it was conducted in an orderly fashion.

The berm operation was made possible by a contribution from The Kingdom of the Netherlands which funded half of the food delivered by crane.

Prior to the June suspension of humanitarian activities in the area, and since March this year, WFP was regularly delivering food parcels thanks to contributions from the European Commission's humanitarian aid department (ECHO), Germany and the Republic of Korea.

The success of the operation was a result of joint UN efforts led by the World Food Programme, involving support from the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan and the Embassy of the United States of America in Amman.

There are some 1.3 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, according to official figures.
GUANGZHOU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 bombers and Su-30, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha and Huangyan islands in the South China Sea, said a spokesperson Saturday.

The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, said Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.


PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The French city Lille won't be holding its 2016 La Braderie de Lille, a globally famous flea market, for fear of terrorist attacks, the city's mayor said Friday.

The annual street market, dating back to the 12th century, is known as the biggest and oldest flea market in Europe. It is supposed to take place on the first Sunday of September in Lille, northern France, and used to attract millions of visitors from all over the world.

When announcing this decision at a news conference, the city's major Martine Aubry, a presidential candidate in 2012, said, "It's heart-wrenching to make this decision."

Though some local vendors expressed regret and even anger over the decision, Aubry insisted that upgraded security measures such as sharpshooters, riot police and helicopters go against the spirit of the annual event.

France is still in a state of emergency after a spate of terrorist attacks. Last month, over 80 people were killed by a truck ramming into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day in Nice. Two weeks later, a priest was murdered by a man in Normandy.

The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for both attacks.

On Friday, French police arrested an Afghan asylum seeker who may have been planning "an imminent terrorist attack," according to local state-run radio.
CHONGQING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have defined a subset of a type of virus-specific cells that play a vital role in the control of viral replication in chronic viral infection, possibly paving the way for new ways to treat chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer.

According to research published online by Nature magazine on Aug. 3, virus-specific cells, CD8 +T, appear to deplete during chronic viral infection.

However, according to the research findings, the cells are able to control viral replication in both animal models and HIV infection.

Researchers found a unique subset that offer higher anti-viral potential than previously known, thus, showing greater therapeutic potential.

The research also identified an important regulator for the generation of this subset.

The research was led by the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing Municipality, with a number of partner institutions. It began in early 2013 with government financial support.

"Through certain means, to increase and stabilize the type of cells can strengthen their virus-purging ability, thus, providing new possibilities for cures," Ye Lilin, co-author of the paper and professor at the Third Military Medical University, told Xinhua Saturday.

Current therapies can only contain the viral replication, but cannot purge them completely in chronic diseases like HIV.

Chinese researchers will now use the findings to further research into immunotherapy in cancer and HIV, Ye said.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles raged on Saturday between the Syrian army and rebel groups inside a key military base in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, just hours after the militants stormed parts of that military installation.

A military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that violent battles have raged between the Syrian forces and an array of extremist rebel groups inside the the Artillery College base in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo, amid continuous shelling by the Syrian forces against the rebels in that facility.

A day earlier the rebels Jaish al-Fateh, or the Conquer Army, unleashed a wide-scale offensive against a compound of military colleges in southwestern Aleppo, with the aim of storming them and opening a route into rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city, after the army fully besieged those areas nearly three weeks ago.

The violent battles continued throughout Friday and the rebels couldn't achieve gains, however, the militants of Jaish al-Fateh, an array of ultra-radical groups, renewed their attack at 4.00 a.m. Saturday, managing to storm parts of the facility after carrying out suicide bombings.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said the militant groups stormed parts of the artillery college amid intense battles and shelling in that facility.

Meanwhile, the Syrian national TV said the Syrian army and allied forces are fighting intense battles with the radical groups in the military colleges south of Aleppo.

Capturing the artillery base is crucial for the rebels to lift the three-week-long siege by the government forces on eastern Aleppo city districts.

The fortress-like artillery college is located in the al-Ramuseh town in southwestern Aleppo. It's deemed as one of the largest bases in Syria.

The base is only two kilometers from the besieged rebel-held districts in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

If the rebels managed to take hold in the base and control more of the adjacent colleges, the government-controlled part in the western side of Aleppo city will be threatened with isolation.

A military source told Xinhua that the Russian warplanes are striking the rebels inside the artillery base to prevent them from fortifying their positions.

Last month, the Syrian army severed the last rebel supply route connecting rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo with rebel-controlled parts in the eastern part of the city.

With the progress made, the Syrian army has fully besieged eastern Aleppo, urging the rebels to surrender themselves and the civilians to cooperate.

Moreover, President Bashar al-Assad announced an amnesty for the rebels who surrender themselves and their weapons to the authorities.

The Syrian authorities in cooperation with the Russians also opened three safe passages for civilians wishing to leave eastern Aleppo. They also opened a fourth one for the rebels who would want to surrender themselves.

On Tuesday, SANA said dozens of families evacuated eastern districts in Aleppo, the second batch to leave the city since the government offered the safe passages.

SANA also said rebel fighters surrendered themselves to the authorities. Video clips of rebels surrendering were aired on several Syrian TVs.

Still, the bulk of the rebel groups inside the eastern part of Aleppo city refused to surrender, prompting their comrades outside the city of Aleppo to unleash attacks to break the government siege from the countryside of Aleppo.

The rebels inside Aleppo city attempted to break the siege repeatedly, but when failing to do so, the militants in the countryside attempted to break the siege from the al-Ramuseh area, more specifically through capturing and storming the artillery base.

Aleppo, Syria's largest province and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed intensified violent battles lately as the Syrian army advances against the rebels in the north.
People lay bouquets to mourn victims of the atomic bombings at the Peace Momorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2016. Hiroshima, the city that suffered U.S. atomic bombing in 1945 during World War II, commemorated the 71st anniversary of the bombing on Saturday at the city's Peace Memorial Park. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Hiroshima, the city that suffered U.S. atomic bombing in 1945 during World War II, commemorated the 71st anniversary of the bombing on Saturday at the city's Peace Memorial Park, with its mayor calling for a nuclear-weapon-free-world under a legal framework banning nuclear weapons.

"A nuclear-weapon-free-world would manifest the noble pacifism of the Japanese Constitution, and to ensure progress, a legal framework banning nuclear weapons is indispensable," said Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui while making a peace declaration at the ceremony, attended by survivors of the attack, their descendants, peace activists and representatives from about 91 countries and regions.

Earlier, despite nation-wide protests, the Abe administration forced passage of controversial security bills that would allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to engage in armed conflicts overseas, in defiance of the country's pacifist constitution, a move closer to the Japanese prime minister's long-held goal of revising the pacifist constitution.

Japan's pacifist constitution bans the country from using force outside Japan. The new security bills have become legal foundation for the country's right-wing to take control of Japan's defense.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended the ceremony and delivered a speech, pledging to continue to uphold Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into its soil.

Last year, Abe did not mention the principles in his speech, the first time for a Japanese prime minister to have made such an omission since 1994. Such an "oversight" on Abe's part fueled criticisms.

About 1,000 people from all over the country rallied around the park early Saturday morning, protesting against Abe's attendance at the ceremony and his right-minded policies including the controversial security bills. They held banners and shouted "Retract the war bills," "We strongly oppose the security-related bills" especially when Abe was delivering the speech at the ceremony.

Hiroshima citizen Jeong Izua told Xinhua that Abe has rolled out various right-wing policies since he took office in 2006.

Last year, the Abe administration forced the passage of new security bills, which changed Japan's long-held principle of "not engaged in wars," said Izua.

"A premier intending to wage war like Abe is not eligible to come here," he said.

Ishihama Motoki, a citizen from central Aichi prefecture, told Xinhua that he "absolutely opposes Abe's attendance at today's ceremony."

Referring to the Imperial Japan's repeated aggression against neighboring countries including China since the Meiji period, Motoki said "the Abe administration has kept whitewashing the country's history of aggression and seeking excuse for it."

"I oppose Abe's visit to Hiroshima as well as his talk of peace," said Motoki, who is also against Abe's attempt to revise the country's pacifist constitution.

Hoshino Fumio, a citizen from northeastern Niigata prefecture, told Xinhua that atomic bombing is a human tragedy brought by war; however, as for the reason why the tragedy took place, "postwar Japanese politicians including Abe have never reflected on it and never really taken responsibilities."

In addition, Fumio said, Abe's words and deeds on nuclear weapon are contradictory. Despite his calling for abolishment of nuclear weapons, Japan has huge stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material and the government's statement in April said using nuclear weapons is not against its constitution, which wilfully distorted the pacifist constitution, said Fumio.

"Abe's attendance at the ceremony is just a show deceiving the public," said Fumio, who travelled over 800 km from Niigata to Saturday's ceremony here.

To accelerate Japan's surrender in the WWII, the U.S. forces dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

Another atomic bomb hit Nagasaki on Aug. 9 the same year, and Japan surrendered to Allied Forces on Aug. 15, six days after the Nagasaki nuclear attack, bringing an end to the war.

Related:

Commentary: Japan must reflect on more than just the tragic atomic bombings of Hiroshima, Nagasaki
Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk with their weapons past rubble after they advanced on the southern side of the Castello road in Aleppo, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on July 28, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles raged on Saturday between the Syrian army and rebel groups inside a key military base in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, just hours after the militants stormed parts of that military installation.

A military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that violent battles have raged between the Syrian forces and an array of extremist rebel groups inside the the Artillery College base in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo, amid continuous shelling by the Syrian forces against the rebels in that facility.

A day earlier the rebels Jaish al-Fateh, or the Conquer Army, unleashed a wide-scale offensive against a compound of military colleges in southwestern Aleppo, with the aim of storming them and opening a route into rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city, after the army fully besieged those areas nearly three weeks ago.

The violent battles continued throughout Friday and the rebels couldn't achieve gains, however, the militants of Jaish al-Fateh, an array of ultra-radical groups, renewed their attack at 4.00 a.m. Saturday, managing to storm parts of the facility after carrying out suicide bombings.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said the militant groups stormed parts of the artillery college amid intense battles and shelling in that facility.

Meanwhile, the Syrian national TV said the Syrian army and allied forces are fighting intense battles with the radical groups in the military colleges south of Aleppo.

Capturing the artillery base is crucial for the rebels to lift the three-week-long siege by the government forces on eastern Aleppo city districts.

The fortress-like artillery college is located in the al-Ramuseh town in southwestern Aleppo. It's deemed as one of the largest bases in Syria.

The base is only two kilometers from the besieged rebel-held districts in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

If the rebels managed to take hold in the base and control more of the adjacent colleges, the government-controlled part in the western side of Aleppo city will be threatened with isolation.

A military source told Xinhua that the Russian warplanes are striking the rebels inside the artillery base to prevent them from fortifying their positions.

Last month, the Syrian army severed the last rebel supply route connecting rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo with rebel-controlled parts in the eastern part of the city.

With the progress made, the Syrian army has fully besieged eastern Aleppo, urging the rebels to surrender themselves and the civilians to cooperate.

Moreover, President Bashar al-Assad announced an amnesty for the rebels who surrender themselves and their weapons to the authorities.

The Syrian authorities in cooperation with the Russians also opened three safe passages for civilians wishing to leave eastern Aleppo. They also opened a fourth one for the rebels who would want to surrender themselves.

On Tuesday, SANA said dozens of families evacuated eastern districts in Aleppo, the second batch to leave the city since the government offered the safe passages.

SANA also said rebel fighters surrendered themselves to the authorities. Video clips of rebels surrendering were aired on several Syrian TVs.

Still, the bulk of the rebel groups inside the eastern part of Aleppo city refused to surrender, prompting their comrades outside the city of Aleppo to unleash attacks to break the government siege from the countryside of Aleppo.

The rebels inside Aleppo city attempted to break the siege repeatedly, but when failing to do so, the militants in the countryside attempted to break the siege from the al-Ramuseh area, more specifically through capturing and storming the artillery base.

Aleppo, Syria's largest province and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed intensified violent battles lately as the Syrian army advances against the rebels in the north.
CANBERRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned Australians fighting with Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East that they face "almost certain" death, as coalition forces in the area begin to take control of key battlegrounds.

On Saturday, Turnbull warned Australians both in the Middle East and those thinking of joining the fight in Iraq and Syria to strongly reconsider, as any IS "myth of invincibility" would soon be destroyed.

"Would-be recruits can see that travelling to Syria to fight with IS is joining a losing battle (leading to) almost certain death on the battlefield," Turnbull told News Corp on Saturday.

The prime minister said that not only has IS's "momentum" been halted, control is beginning to return to coalition forces.

"IS has not yet been defeated in Syria and Iraq, but it is being rolled back. We have not just halted IS's momentum, it has been turned back," Turnbull said.

"This is critically important to demolish IS's myth of invincibility and inevitable victory. Far from sweeping across Europe to stable their horses in the Vatican, IS is now seen on the defensive, losing territory, resources and lives."

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has said that up to 110 Australians are fighting in the Middle East, while 40 have died since conflict began in 2014.

Turnbull said information given to him indicates that IS has lost "half of its territory" in Iraq since initiating fighting.

"Now, thanks to the efforts of the Iraqi armed forces and their coalition partners, including the ADF, IS has lost close to half of the territory it held in Iraq and up to 20 percent of its territory in Syria," Turnbull said.

"In June, IS suffered its highest net territorial losses in over a year, including key ground near the Turkish border and the last city it controlled in Iraq's Anbar province, Fallujah."

While Australian soldiers are not engaging in combat against IS forces, Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are training local soldiers and police near IS-held areas, while the nation's air force - in conjunction with the United States - is conducting missions over the Middle East.
Syrian refugee children take part in activities organised at by the non-profit organistion "Beyond Association" in Saadnayel on July 16, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

AMMAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syrians stranded at the border with Jordan received this week much-needed food and other supplies in a unique operation that saw the aid hoisted by cranes across the closed frontier, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) Saturday.

In a first delivery of humanitarian assistance since the border was sealed in June, food provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), bread from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF hygiene kits were lifted from the Jordanian side by 70-metre-high cranes and lowered into encampments for the displaced in the Syrian desert.

More than 75,000 people seeking to escape the conflict in Syria are living in an area of earthen embankments between the two countries known as the "berm," the WFP said in a statement a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua.

"Most are women, children and the elderly, many of them sick or wounded, who have no access to food or medicine. They are living in tents, enduring temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius," said Mageed Yahia, WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan.

Jordan sealed the area following an attack in June on Jordanian military personnel. Before the border closure, UN agencies and aid organizations regularly delivered supplies from the Jordanian side to people stranded in no man's land.

The 650 metric tons of aid was delivered to two locations, Rukban and Hadalat, over three days.

"We are very grateful for the support of the Jordanian government and the Jordan Armed Forces, Arab Army to make this happen," said Yahia.

It was the first time WFP used cranes to deliver relief items. Community and tribal leaders were trained to organise and carry out the distributions. Drones flying overhead monitored the operation to ensure it was conducted in an orderly fashion.

The berm operation was made possible by a contribution from The Kingdom of the Netherlands which funded half of the food delivered by crane.

Prior to the June suspension of humanitarian activities in the area, and since March this year, WFP was regularly delivering food parcels thanks to contributions from the European Commission's humanitarian aid department (ECHO), Germany and the Republic of Korea.

The success of the operation was a result of joint UN efforts led by the World Food Programme, involving support from the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan and the Embassy of the United States of America in Amman.

There are some 1.3 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, according to official figures.
Dancers perform dance drama "Tian Chan Di Nuo" in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 8, 2016. The Colorful Guizhou Cultural and Art Festival kicked off on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

TUNIS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) expects further cultural cooperation in more fields between China and the Arabic world, the organization's general director said on Friday.

Abdullah Hamed Muhareb, General Director of the ALECSO, said the organization's objective is to spread its culture to the world, praising China as a country with a distinguished culture, which makes China a cultural power.

Muhareb appreciated China's efforts for cultural communications with Arabic countries, saying by the means of the culture and the dialogue, the two parts could share their cultures and reach a better understanding.

Establishing a culture and education center in China specialized on Arabic language teaching is one of ALESCO's priority projects, in order to make a direct access for the Chinese youth to the Arabic culture, said Muhareb.

The restoration of the historical monuments is a new field in which China, with its well-known expertise, could help Arabic countries where many historical sites are in damage, he stressed.

Muhareb also showed his concerns over the neglect of education in some Arabic countries during past three decades, which leads to radical ideas and some young people could not judge the wrong and the right.

"The education system must be renovated and upgraded from the training of teachers to the method of teaching," concluded Muhared, adding a viable, solid and revolutionary education system in the Arabic countries could help them to share the universal values of human beings.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday took control over a key stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria, near Turkey, a monitor group reported.

The SDF, which is led by the Kurdish People's Protection Units, finally succeeded to capture the town of Manbej, following months of battles with the IS militants.

The SDF took Manbej, located in the northern countryside of the northern province of Aleppo, under heavy air support of the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said the SDF is "almost in full control" of the town.

It added that the SDF is combing the town in search of remnants of IS militants, some of who are believed to be still hiding in the central part of the town.

A couple of months ago, the SDF with the help of the anti-terror coalition unleashed a wide-scale offensive to dislodge the IS from Manbej, the last IS stronghold on the Syrian-Turkish borders.

In the process, dozens of civilians were killed in the town as a result of the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, according to the monitor group.

The SDF, a relatively new rebel alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, said their aim is to root out the IS presence in northern Syria.
NANNING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Police in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have arrested 183 criminal suspects of an illegal fundraising gang.

Under the disguise of western development, the gang organized "one-day" trips to Qinzhou, Nanning, Beihai and Fangchenggang cities in Guangxi and coaxed their victims into investing, said the Public Security Bureau of Qinzhou City on Friday.

The pyramid-style scheme involved 3,000 people and 760 million yuan (114 million U.S. dollars), the bureau said.

Nearly 500 police officers raided 66 locations in the provinces of Henan and Guangdong, and Guangxi, it added. Twenty-five senior gang members were among those arrested and the group's bank accounts, which contained more than 10 million yuan, were frozen. Eight luxury cars were also seized.

The investigation continues.
NEW DELHI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- India's anti-terror agency Saturday took over the investigation of Friday's terror attack in the northeastern state of Assam, in which 14 people were killed and over 20 others sustained injuries.

"A team of the National Investigation Agency reached the Balajan Tiniali market outside the state's Kokrajhar town, around 220 km from Guwahati, scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of the terror attack," a senior police official said.

Four to five militants reached the weekly market in the afternoon of Friday and hurled grenades and opened fire indiscriminately at a crowd of people who had gathered there for trade. One militant was also neutralised by the security forces.

Assam's Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site, said that the militant who was killed has been identified as Manjay Islari. "He is a self-styled area commander of the 16th battalion of a faction of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland," he told the media.

The Assam Police have suspected that the militants who carried out the attack were rebels of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland in Kokrajhar, which has been fighting for a separate homeland for the region's ethnic Bodo people.

Meanwhile, the security forces are combing nearby areas for the other militants who managed to flee after the attack. "Specialised troops, tracker dogs and other sophisticated equipment have been pressed into service," the official said.

Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who rushed back to his state from the Indian capital, also visited those injured in the hospital and asked doctors to do their best. He had condemned the attack and vowed strict action against the perpetrators.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also condemned the terror attack and tweeted that he was saddened by the loss of lives.
La Yifan, Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, delivers his speech during a donation ceremony at Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China will continue working together with African nations to push the China-Africa cooperation forward despite all ups and downs of global economic situations, said a Chinese envoy.

La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, said that the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held on July 29 in Beijing, convened in a manner further promoting the cooperation between China and Africa.

He said the two sides have inked a number of new agreements during the Beijing meeting, showing the dynamic development of China-Africa cooperation.

The ambassador made the remarks on Wednesday during a ceremony in its embassy to award the Chinese Government 2016/17 scholarship to Ethiopian students, who will be pursuing their postgraduate studies of masters and PhD programs in China.

Ethiopian students attend an awarding ceremony for the 2016/17 Chinese Government Scholarship to Ethiopian students at the Chinese embassy in Addis Ababa. , capital of Ethiopia, Aug. 3, 2016. 26 Ethiopian students have been awarded the Chinese government scholarship to pursue their higher-level studies of masters and PhD programs at different universities in China. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

La said the Beijing meeting deliberated on ways of jointly pushing forward the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of FOCAC.

The Summit opened a new era of win-win cooperation and common development between China and Africa, and was a milestone in the history of China-Africa relations, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his message to the Coordinators' Meeting.

Over the past six months, China and Africa have worked together to overcome the negative impact of the sluggish world economy, reached consensus on jointly implementing the outcomes of the summit, and achieved tangible results, Xi said.

"It is not the end; it is a new beginning. We believe this South-South cooperation between China and African countries. We could work together to overcome the downward pressure of the world economy and moving forward," said La.

China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET) senior representative Rong Hulin (2nd R) and Ethiopian Transmission and Substation Projects Program Officer Reta Nigussie (3rd R) take part in a commencement ceremony in Welayita Sodo Zone, Ethiopia, Aug. 1, 2016. China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET) on Monday officially commenced the construction of the Ethiopia-Kenya high voltage electric power transmission line project within Ethiopia.(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

"China will continue working together with African countries, with Ethiopia, despite all ups and downs of the current economic situations," he added.

Recalling that China would host the G20 summit in Hangzhou next month, La expressed China's commitment to using the summit as a platform for deliberation on issues of sustainable development in Africa.

"We certainly believe that it is not the club of the wealth and most powerful; it is the club that should pay attention to development of the south, so for that purpose we have to make sure to take on board the achievements of sustainable development goals, in particular African countries, as one of the component of the G20 summit," said the ambassador.

"We will always work together with the countries in the South to achieve common progress, common prosperity," he added.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (3rd R, front) tightens the screw during his inspection of a construction site of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project near Sultan Halmud, Kenya, May 28, 2016. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Saturday China-funded high speed railway which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi will be completed ahead of the schedule. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

NAIROBI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government has invested in robust training programs for personnel to manage the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) once it is commissioned in June 2017.

Principal Secretary for transport Irungu Nyakera said in a commentary published by a local daily on Thursday that the government has prioritized creation of a large pool of trained professionals to operate the modern railway.

China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is implementing the 472 kilometer high-speed railway project connecting the coastal city of Mombasa to the capital, Nairobi.

Photo taken on May 28, 2016 shows a view of track-laying at a construction site of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, near Sultan Halmud, Kenya. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Saturday China-funded high speed railway which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi will be completed ahead of the schedule. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

So far, an estimated 30,000 Kenyans have been recruited by CRBC to work in various sections of the standard gauge railway project.

Irungu said a partnership between CRBC and the government has boosted skills transfer to local technicians working at the modern railway project that is expected to unleash economic transformation in the eastern African region.

He revealed that Kenya Railways Corporation has teamed up with CRBC to deliver cutting-edge training programs to a diverse cadre of professionals to operate the standard gauge railway.

"To its credit, CRBC has offered partial scholarships to qualified Kenyans with diplomas either in engineering or business related courses to undertake basic training in a number of areas, including traffic management, telecommunications control, locomotive and rolling stock engineering," Nyakera said.

He disclosed that 102 Kenyans have benefited from the four-month courses on railway management sponsored by CRBC that kicked off in April.

A locomotive is seen at a construction site of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, near Sultan Halmud, Kenya, on May 28, 2016. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Saturday China-funded high speed railway which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi will be completed ahead of the schedule. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

CRBC has also sponsored 25 Kenyans to study degree courses in railway engineering and management at China's Southwest Jiaotong University.

Irungu said the skills gained by Kenyan youth studying in China will boost the east African's nation capacity to operate the high speed railway.

"Kenyan trainees will understudy the Chinese and eventually take over from them, thus engendering much needed sustainability. The trainees will also get internship and attachment opportunities on the new railway sites, giving them invaluable exposure," he said.
CAPE TOWN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) suffered a considerable drop in support from voters in the local government elections, results showed on Saturday.

With most of the votes counted, the ANC's nationwide support has collapsed from 61.9 percent in 2011 to 54 percent in 2016, while support for the largest opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) has grown from 23.9 percent to 27.1 percent.

The DA's support increased in all communities, and particularly in places that were previously ANC strongholds.

More importantly, the DA won the strategic Nelson Mandela Bay metro, dubbed as "home of the ANC".

In the metro, the DA emerged as the largest party with 46.71 percent of the vote, up from 40.13 percent in 2011.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane on Saturday claimed victory on the national executive capital of Tshwane (Pretoria), although final results have not been announced.

In Tshwane, the DA's support has grown from 30.69 percent in 2006 to approximately 43 percent in 2016. By contrast, the ANC's support collapsed from 56 percent to approximately 41.5 percent in the same period.

The DA's mayoral candidate, Solly Msimanga, will be seeking to lead a coalition government in Tshwane.

In Cape Town, the DA increased its share of the vote from 60.92 percent in 2011 to 67 percent in 2016.

For the economic powerhouse Johannesburg, the DA set out to bring the ANC below 50 percent. It is clear that the ANC will end closer to 45 percent. DA's mayoral candidate, Herman Mashaba, will be seeking to lead a coalition government in Johannesburg.

Outside of the metros, the DA won 19 municipalities with an outright majority. They span three provinces, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

The elections, seen by many as being the most contested since 1994, took place on Wednesday. For the first time in history, the elections saw 200 political parties and over 61,000 candidates participating to seek control of eight metros and more than 200 municipalities. The number of registered voters stood at 26 million.

As a result of the DA's growth, the party is now preparing to form governments in four metros and 46 local municipalities, he said.

"Whatever happens in the next few weeks, there can be no doubt that the tide in our country is turning. Our party's task now is to build on this growth as we head towards the 2019 provincial and national elections," the DA leader said.
KIEV, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Igor Plotnytsky, the leader of independence-seeking insurgents in Ukraine's eastern Lugansk region, was severely wounded in an explosion Saturday morning, local media reported.

Plotnytsky, leader of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic, was injured when an explosive device went off near his car, according to a statement published by the insurgent-run Lugansk information center.

Several others have also been injured in the blast, the statement said.

Later in the day, Yury Tandyt, the aid to the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, confirmed that Plotnytsky was in serious condition in the hospital after an apparent attempt on his life.
TIRANA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian Ministry of Agriculture said some 240,000 doses of vaccines will be used to immunize cattle affected by dermatosis nodular, the Albanian Daily News reported Saturday.

The ministry said that 150,000 doses of vaccines were delivered on Friday, while 90,000 more doses will be delivered on the third week of August with the support of the state budget.

The disease of dermatosis nodular has affected a total of 425 cattle so far in Albania and in order to prevent it, the agriculture ministry has started a broad vaccination campaign, while the trade of meat from Albania has been banned in the market.

The disease, which is infectious and could be fatal for cattle, does not represent a danger for people. It is now present in Turkey, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece.
PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and six others injured in a bar fire in the French city of Rouen early Saturday, local media reported.

The victims were between the ages of 18 and 25, the Paris-Normandie newspaper said.

A private birthday party was being held in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar when the fire broke out, according to local authorities.

Local media said the fire may have been caused by candles lit on a birthday cake, which created toxic fumes that asphyxiated the victims and caused their death.

"It's a totally accidental fire ... in a basement probably too small for the number of people who were there," Rouen's Mayor Yvon Robert told Europe 1 radio.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the interior ministry said.

More than 50 firefighters put out the fire, it added in a statement.

On his Twitter account, Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his "deep sadness at the tragedy that claimed 13 young lives."
DUBAI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi police said Saturday they have foiled an attempt by two Arab men to smuggle one million pills of illegal Captagon drug into neighboring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) state news agency WAM reported.

Abu Dhabi police said it had closely cooperated with the UAE Interior Ministry to foil the smuggling attempt.

Acting upon intelligence shared by Saudi security agencies, Abu Dhabi police monitored the movements of the two suspects between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, said the report.

The report did not unveil the nationalities of the two Arab men arrested in the operation.
HELSINKI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Internal tensions in Finnish asylum seekers reception centres have increased as the inhabitants there have started receiving predominantly negative decisions, according to the Finnish Migration Authority.

Senior inspector Kati Vahtera on Friday confirmed a violent incident in a centre in Kotka, southeastern Finland earlier this week. A man of Iraqi background stabbed two fellow inmates and held a knife on the neck of a third, but no fatalities were reported.

Vahtera said to Finnish national broadcaster Yle that such severe incidents are "not totally unusual" but fairly rare.

Following the decision of Finnish parliament in May 2016 to toughen the criteria for staying in Finland, the number of negative decisions for Iraqi asylum seekers has increased steeply.

From the start of the influx of Iraqis last year until June this year, 28 percent of Iraqi applications were rejected, but from June until now the rate of rejection suddenly rose to 77 percent.

The trend of issuing residence permits has not changed retroactively, which means that those who received responses earlier had a better chance of staying than those reaching the process now, even if some of them had arrived at the same time.

Vahtera said that when several negative decisions reach a centre at the same time, the mood may become bitter. Recent fights and skirmishes in the centers have nearly always been between the inhabitants and not directed against the staff of the facility.

Arja Vainio, the regional Red Cross director for Southeastern Finland, told Yle that the incident in Kotka was not a surprise.

She said the alleged stabber, an Iraqi born in 1989, had been suffering from psychiatric problems.

Vainio said that the refugees are only eligible for acute level mental care, and thus not all symptoms lead to further treatment and diagnostics.

In May this year, Finnish parliament deleted the category of humanitarian protection from the Finnish Alien's Act and the Migration Authority also changed the specific criteria regarding Iraq.

As a result, refugees can be sent back if they are considered to be able to resettle in another part of Iraq, although the area they came from may be risky. The concept of "internal escape within Iraq" has caused public debate in Finland.

Out of the the total 32,000 asylum seekers in Finland in 2015, 20,000 were from Iraq. The number of arrivals from Iraq in 2016 has been 700. As of early June, 10,000 Iraqis were still awaiting for the decision their fate.
Delegates pose for a group photo during the 15th China-ASEAN (10+1) economic ministers' meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on Aug. 4, 2016. Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua ) -- After 25 years of fruitful dialogue relationship, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are looking forward to fostering stronger ties especially in economic and trade fields in a time of global economic uncertainties and instabilities.

As ASEAN economic ministers met in the Lao capital this week for the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) as well as talks with their partners, China and ASEAN took the opportunity to reiterate their will to further boost cooperation.

The China-ASEAN relations have grown to a level that exceeds the expectations 25 years ago, said Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng after meeting with his ASEAN counterparts.

"Our developments, from economic to social fields, are tightly bound to one another," he told reporters on the sidelines of the AEM meeting.

Chinese leaders have vowed to build a community of common destiny with ASEAN as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship. Bilateral trade reached 472 billion U.S. dollars last year, up from 7.96 billion U.S. dollars in 1991, with an annual growth rate of 18.5 percent.

Despite the uncertainty in the global economy, China maintains its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner while ASEAN is China's third biggest. By the end of May, their two-way investment exceeded 160 billion U.S. dollars.

The two sides, which signed an agreement to upgrade their free trade area (FTA) late last year, are targeting bilateral trade at 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020.

It is timely to further strengthen ASEAN-China trade and economic cooperation, economic ministers from both sides said in a statement issued after their meeting.

Gao said participants at the meeting shared the same concern over the slow recovery of global economy and the increasing emergence of new challenges, who jointly called for more attention on global cooperation and warned against excessive trade protectionism.

In a move to enhance bilateral cooperation, ministers from both sides also agreed to recommend the adoption of a joint statement between ASEAN and China on industrial capacity cooperation as a deliverable of the commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary for China-ASEAN dialogue relationship in September.

This is in line with a five-point proposal raised by the Chinese side, who also vowed to work with ASEAN on the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance regional integration and expand new cooperation areas.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is aimed at reviving ancient trade routes which span Asia, Africa and Europe.

Ministers from both sides agreed that China's cooperation proposal is in the right direction for jointly combating economic downside pressure and pushing forward regional cooperation, according to Gao.

"We all agree that globalization is still a trend that benefits all countries and brings them closer ... only prosperity and close relations would make this world a safer place," he said.

Related:

China vows to deepen economic, trade cooperation with ASEAN

VIENTIANE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday vowed to deepen economic and trade cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The pledge was made during the 15th China-ASEAN (10+1) economic ministers' meeting which was held here in the Lao capital on Thursday. Full Story

ASEAN-China strategic partnership is crucial: Cambodian PM

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Tuesday that the strategic partnership between the ten-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China is very important and gives huge benefits to ASEAN.
People from Seongju county hold banners to protest against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), during a rally in Seoul, capital of South Korea, on July 21, 2016. More than 2,000 people from Seongju county, where one THAAD battery will be deployed, gathered at a square in Seoul for a rally on Thursday, to protest against the deployment of THAAD. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

MOSCOW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system is a serious policy mistake made by South Korea, which is expected to escalate tension on the Korean Peninsula, a Russian political analyst said.

"The decision to deploy THAAD missile defense system in South Korea is a provocation from the American side ... the system provides no additional benefits for the defense of South Korea," Oleg Barabanov of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, its deployment will serve to escalate tension on the Korean Peninsula, forcing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to take countermeasures, he noted.

The DPRK on Wednesday fired two ballistic missiles, one of which was reportedly landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone. The launch was the latest in a volley of missiles fired by the DPRK, apparently in protest against the deployment of THAAD in South Korea.

On July 13, Seoul and Washington announced an agreement to install one THAAD battery in the Seongju county by the end of next year, claiming that it is aimed to deter ballistic missiles from the DPRK.

Barabanov said this decision undermines the constructive relations between Seoul and Moscow, which have been strengthened in recent years and withstood the test of the Ukrainian crisis.

China and Russia are strongly opposed to the deployment of THAAD, as the X-band radar of the system could easily snoop on the territories of the two countries, a potential threat to regional peace and stability.

Russia earlier indicated the possibility of deploying missile units in the country's eastern region in response to the deployment of THAAD.

"Neither Russia nor China wants a new round of militarization on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region ... The deployment of the THAAD system will only exacerbate the DPRK nuclear issue," said the expert.

In his opinion, the short-sighted decision Seoul was talked into by Washington would justify Pyongyang's development of nuclear capabilities as in a "quite natural and even legitimate response."

In a broader view, Barabanov believes that the THAAD deployment fits into Washington's strategy to contain both Russia and China.

The expert believes that the U.S. moves in the Asia-Pacific region are aimed largely at curbing China.

"We see this not only in the economic sphere, for example in the project of Trans-Pacific Partnership, but also in the military and political sphere, given that the United States is behind the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea."

THAAD deployment in South Korea indicates a new arms race initiated by the United States, he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the welcoming ceremony of G20 Summit held in Antalya, Turkey, on Nov. 15, 2015. (Xinhua/He Canling/File Photo)

MOSCOW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Aug. 9 is expected to pave the way for restoring bilateral cooperation, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday.

Russia intends to gradually lift the special economic measures, introduced against Turkey earlier due to the downing of Russia's Su-24 aircraft by Turkish air forces last November, Ushakov said.

"The Turkish president is coming to (Russia's) St. Petersburg despite the substantially difficult internal political situation. And this is an indication that our Turkish partners are interested in restoring multidimensional cooperation with our country indeed," Ushakov was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

According to the official, Putin and Erdogan would discuss a range of economic issues, "including the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey, as well as issues regarding the Turkish stream and the participation of Turkish companies in construction projects in Russia."

Military experts from both sides are also expected to join the two leaders on discussions of the Syrian crisis, Ushakov added.

"The Syrian crisis will be discussed in great detail, and we hope that the Turkish position will have a more constructive character in the given context," Ushakov said.

Meanwhile, the compensation of the downed Su-24 would be raised during the meeting of Putin and Erdogan, according to the presidential aid.

Ushakov also noted that the high-level meetings between the two countries are being resumed under various frameworks on issues in politics, trade and economy, as well as foreign relations.

Earlier in the day, Turkish ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim said that the "historic" meeting between the two countries' leaders would witness a roadmap drawn to bring bilateral relations to a "qualitatively new level."

Yardim noted the meeting would stimulate the implementation of energy projects between the two countries, including the Turkish stream natural gas pipeline and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

The Moscow-Ankara ties soured after Turkish forces shot down a Russian Su-24 jet near the Turkish-Syrian border on Nov. 24, 2015 for alleged airspace violation.

Russia started a range of restrictive measures against Turkey after the incident. Moscow didn't start tempering its anger until Erdogan sent a letter in June to Putin containing both an expression of regret and an apology for downing the Russian bomber, voicing readiness to mend ties.
Image provided by Venezuela's Presidency shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivering a speech during the meeting with workers of Orinoco Belt, at the Morichal Oilfield, state of Monagas, Venezuela, on Aug. 1, 2015. (Xinhua/Venezuela's Presidency)

By Victoria Arguello

CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua)-- State-run oil companies of Venezuela and China are joining hands to boost oil output from the Orinoco oil belt in southeastern Venezuela, which boasts one of the world's largest oil reserves.

The Venezuelan government is seeking to export up to 1 million barrels of oil a day to China. Venezuela's PDVSA and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are working together on an expansion plan to raise the export from the current 600,000 barrels per day (bpd), turning the South American country into a reliable oil exporter.

"We want to ensure a steady supply regardless of oil prices," Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino told Chinese media after a recent visit to the oil belt.

The expansion plan involves improving infrastructure for the joint venture Sinovensa running in the oil belt between the two countries, in the hope of raising its oil output to 275,000 bpd from the current level of some 170,000 bpd.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets with a Chinese enterprises delegation, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 6, 2015. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

The two state-run oil companies are also planned to improve Venezuela's capacity for oil processing, by building a new dehydration and desalination plant and doubling the capacity of the Jose Processing Plant, based in the state of Anzoategui, to at least 330,000 bpd of extra-heavy crude oil in 2017.

"We also have approved loans of 5 billion U.S. dollars from the China Development Bank for other sides," including inputs in other joint ventures, said del Pino.

Meanwhile, China and Venezuela are trying to make the transportation of crude oil from the Orinoco oil belt to China faster and more efficient.

"Currently, a super oil tanker leaves Venezuela every three days for China and it takes 45 days to reach China. We will be able to shorten the voyage by traveling via the newly expanded Panama Canal," said del Pino.

To this end, a new terminal for oil tankers will be built this year on the Araya peninsula in the state of Sucre.

Furthermore, the southern Chinese city of Jieyang in Guangdong Province is building an oil refinery aimed at processing up to 400,000 bpd of oil coming from Venezuela.
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Saturday that it had no plan to hold a "victory party" for the local government elections.

The ANC made the announcement hours before the final results of the elections were announced.

The ANC "notes information being circulated on social media platforms suggesting the organization has cancelled a victory party supposedly to be held following the announcement of the election results", ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

"The information is incorrect and pure conjecture," he said.

Although the ANC traditionally holds a function at the end of an election to thank its supporters, volunteers, members and staff for their efforts during the campaign, no concrete plans had yet been made in this regard, Kodwa added.

Kodwa said both the party's leadership and membership have been immersed in campaigning in the lead-up to the elections, and "the holding of a post-election function has not been prioritized. There is no ANC victory party".

It has, however, been reported that the ANC cancelled the celebration party due to its poor performance in the elections.

The ANC suffered a considerable drop in support from voters in the local government elections, results showed on Saturday.

With most of the votes counted, the ANC's nationwide support has collapsed from 61.9 percent in 2011 to 54 percent in 2016, while support for the largest opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) has grown from 23.9 percent to 27.1 percent.

The DA's support increased in all communities, and particularly in places that were previously ANC strongholds.

The elections, seen by many as being the most contested since 1994, took place on Wednesday.

For the first time in history, the elections saw 200 political parties and over 61,000 candidates participating to seek control of eight metros and more than 200 municipalities. The number of registered voters stood at 26 million.
A farmer shows corn crops lost due to the drought in Santa Cruz in the south of Honduras, on Aug. 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Rafael Ochoa)

ROME, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- By the look of it, rarely had a new law been so overwhelmingly welcomed by Italians, who are known to become easily quarrelsome on politics.

A new legislative approach to deter waste of food in the country has been introduced by the Italian parliament this week. Senators passed the bill with a large majority of 181 votes in favour and two against in the last reading held on Aug. 2.

The provision comprised a series of measures aimed at cutting the waste of food averagely registered in the country each year by at least one million tonnes.

Most important, it is based on the principle of rewarding good behaviours among citizens and businesses instead of punishing bad ones.

Consumers who were shopping in supermarkets and vegetables shops on Friday sounded quite favourably impressed.

"It seems a good step, and a due one, considering the huge amount of food we trash away here and in other developed countries," Daniele Fonde, a 47-year-old teacher, told Xinhua.

"I just doubt the measure will not be much effective in changing private behaviour on food, which I believe plays a large role," said Fonde.

Indeed, some 5.1 million tonnes of food for an estimated value of 12.6 billion euros (13.9 billion U.S. dollars) are wasted each year in Italy, according to a 2012 study by Politecnico University in Milan on which Italian lawmakers based their draft bill.

Overall, some 94 kg are wasted per capita on average, some 53 percent of which originates from the food chain and 47 percent from the families, the study said.

The domestic waste of food would amount to 0.5 percent of Italy's national gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Ministry of Environment.

Global figures are also alarming. Some 1.3 billion tonnes are lost or thrown away worldwide each year, according to the "Global Food Losses and Food Waste" study published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011.

"This is one of the most beautiful and tangible legacies of the Milan Expo 2015," Italian Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina commented on the law after its definitive approval.

The provision was also hailed by food charities.

"With the new law, we now aim at doubling the tonnes of food we gather and distribute (to other charities assisting poor)," Marco Lucchini, director-general of Italian Food Bank Network foundation, told local media.

"We expect to reach one million tonnes in few years, from some 500,000 tonnes we collect on average now," he said.

The package removed some bureaucratic hurdles concerning the laws that supermarkets, shops, and farmers had to follow in order to donate food to charity.

It also eased health and safety rules for donating food that have just passed their sale-by date, and for maintaining sanitary and traceability standards.

Companies like supermarkets will be allowed to record their food donations to charities with one simple form each month. There will be no sanction for those giving away food past its sell-by date.

Furthermore, businesses will be granted a tax cut: the more food they donate, the less they will pay in terms of waste taxes.

Farmers will face no extra cost for donating their unsold products to charity organisations.

Finally, the new law encouraged the practice of so-called "doggy bag", which allows dines to take home food they have not finished in restaurants.

The practice has never been common among families dining out in Italy. Yet, a pilot project called "The Family bag" promoting this habit was launched by Italy's Ministry of Environment in Feb. 2016 in the northeast province of Padua, and would be extended nationwide.

Italy has taken a "non-punitive" approach to the issue, with no penalties for those who do not want to donate, unlikely similar provisions in other countries in Europe, Italian analysts highlighted.

Indeed, a bill against food waste was recently passed in France, providing fines for supermarkets failing to sign contracts with charities in order to donate unsold food.

"I think our approach is a good one, especially considering Italy's legislative system is already very bureaucratic and punitive, if you miss to obey some rules," 33-year-old Adriana Volgi from Rome told Xinhua.

"For once, we will be awarded for making something useful, and not punished for doing nothing. This is likely to be appreciate by Italians, who do not like being forced, generally speaking."

Most of all, the woman believed the measure granting a progressive tax break for businesses donating the unsold food would be the most effective one in changing, day after day, behaviours and awareness in the country.
VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Progress on negotiations continued towards a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, with accord still anticipated by the end of 2016, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s Deputy-Secretary General for the Economic Community Lim Hong Hin said here Saturday.

The remarks came after economic ministers from ASEAN and their counterparts from dialogue partners met for talks in the Lao capital.

The talks were concluded on Saturday.

Trade negotiators from 16 RCEP countries are set to meet again in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City from August 15 to 19, meeting chair Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena told media at a press conference held at the conclusion of the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Vientiane.

Not ruling out agreement in time for September's ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit, which are set to see world leaders converge on the Lao capital, Lim Hong Hin said the upcoming Ho Chi Minh round was one of the six scheduled for 2016 to finalize the free trade agreement which was firstly proposed in 2011.

"It's very difficult to prejudge the outcome, but we have a very clear mandate from the leaders (of respective countries)... that they would like to ask senior officials to finish negotiations by this year," said the deputy secretary-general.

RCEP could potentially transform the region into one of the world's largest free trade areas that comprises over 3 billion people in the 10 ASEAN countries as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
Opposition fighters drive a tank in an eastern government sieged neighbourhood of Aleppo as jihadists and their rebel allies pressed an offensive on August 5, 2016 with a massive attack aimed at seizing a military academy south of the northern embattled Syrian city and breaking a three-week-old siege of insurgent neighbourhoods. (AFP/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army recaptured military positions the rebels had stormed earlier on Saturday in southern Aleppo province in northern Syria, according to pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV and a military source.

A military source told Xinhua on condition of annoying that the Syrian army restored positions the rebels stormed earlier in the day at the Artillery College base in the southern countryside of Aleppo.

He added that large numbers of the rebels were killed, while the rest were from positions they stormed an adjacent military college near the artillery base.

The source said the Syrian forces and allied fighters are targeting the withdrawing rebels with heavy artillery.

Meanwhile, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV cited its reporter in Aleppo as confirming that the rebel were no longer in control of any part of the military colleges.

The TV also stated that the rebels could not take control over the al-Ramuseh town, whose control would enable them to break the government forces' siege on the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo.

Still, battles are still raging back and forth and the decisive results are yet to appear clearly.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian air force intensified airstrikes on the areas the rebels stormed inside the artillery collage, also cutting all routes the rebels could possibly open into Aleppo city, the national Syrian TV said.

The airstrikes destroyed tens of vehicles with their occupants on several routes that could lead the rebels into breaking the government siege on the eastern part of Aleppo city.

The report said the airstrikes isolated the battle sites in the vicinity of the military colleges in southern Aleppo, supporting the ground operations fought by the Syrian army against the sites infiltrated by the rebel groups in parts of the artillery college base.

"The airstrikes paralyzed the movement of the terrorist groups southwest of Aleppo, cutting by fire all routes into the city," said the TV.

The fresh development came after an array of extremist groups, mainly the Fateh Army, succeeded to storm parts of the artillery college base in southern Aleppo, engaging in intense battles with the Syrian army in that base and the adjacent military colleges.

The aim of the rebels was to open a route from the al-Ramuseh town in southwest Aleppo into the besieged rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo.

Last month, the Syrian army intensified battles against the rebels in Aleppo, cutting their last supply route into the eastern part of that city, in a bid to force them to surrender.

But battles flared as several rebel groups in Aleppo unleashed repeated attacks to break that siege.
By Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- With both two candidates strongly disliked by people outside their bases, many Americans are seeing the 2016 U.S. presidential race as a choice between "the lesser of two evils."

The race has up until recent days been neck in neck, with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton getting a post-convention bounce in the polls that has put her nearly 7 points ahead of Republican nominee Donald Trump in Friday's Real Clear Politics average of polls.

But that doesn't mean people particularly like Clinton, as the candidate has been embroiled in scandals for her entire three-decade political career, and a fresh spate of controversy over the use of a private email account while she was secretary of state continues to dog her.

Rather, analysts surmise that many voters may be supporting Clinton not because they believe she'd be a good president, but rather because they feel Trump would be a disaster.

"Each candidate has clear negatives. Clinton is viewed as untrustworthy, while Trump's temperament is not seen as suitable for the presidency," Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

"But right now, Clinton is winning the polling. Voters see Trump's deficiencies as much more fundamental than hers," West said.

Trump has made racist statements and contradicts himself all the time; He has been so erratic that voters worry about him having his finger on the nuclear button, he added.

Indeed, Trump's comments comparing Mexicans to rapists continue to haunt him, and many see his statements as racist and anti-immigrant in a country seeing a surge of immigration from countries worldwide.

Moreover, Trump has flip flopped on a number of issues, and has been slammed as making statements off the cuff that he believes to be true at the time but does not know for a fact whether they are true or not.

The lesser-of-two evils mentality among American voters is likely to spark a high voter turnout, as voters fret over the consequences of the other candidate clinching the White House and then wreaking havoc with the economy and national defense.

"There is likely to be a high voter turnout because people on all sides see the stakes as being quite high. When voters think their vote matters, they turn out to vote," West said.

Indeed, Gallup said in a report released earlier this week that many voters will focus on the unprecedented high level of unpopularity of both major party candidates. But rather than keep voters home, the negative tone may instead ignite a much higher turnout at the polls than anyone is expecting.

"We could see 10 million more voters go to the polls this year than in 2012, a prediction made, in part, based on turnout patterns in the past two open-seat contests, 2000 and 2008. In both instances, turnout was significantly higher than in the incumbent re-election year that preceded it," Gallup said in a report.

Past elections have also been seen as a lesser-of-two evils scenario, but this sense is stronger in this election than past ones.

"Many elections have had a 'lesser of the two evils' flavor to them. But what is unusual this year is the large number of voters who think the candidates are deficient on very fundamental dimensions," West said.

That could foreshadow at least four more years of the bitter partisan rivalry that has characterized Washington over the last two terms of Barack Obama's presidency.

"That creates a big problem in terms of the legitimacy of the winner. It will be hard for the winning candidate to unite the country behind him or herself," West said.
A plane of Atlas Atlantique Airlines going to Algiers is seen on the tarmac, at the Paris Vatry Airport on August 1, 2016 near Vatry. (AFP/Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- An Algerian flight on its way to Marseille in France on Saturday was forced to make U-turn in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea after enduring technical problem, local media reported.

The Boeing 737-600, belonging to the state-run Air Algerie, endured "technical problem after half an hour of taking-off from Algiers international airport," TSA news website quoted a spokeswoman for Air Algerie as saying.

"The plane was due to make U-turn, and it safely landed on the International Airport of Algiers, while all the passengers and the crew are safe and sound," the source said.

After half an hour of taking-off, the crew sent a distress message, and then the plane disappeared from control screens, according to several foreign media sources, citing radar data.

However, the Air Algerie spokeswoman denied reports that the flight had disappeared from radar screens, saying "the captain detected an anomaly, as he preferred to return to Algiers as a precaution."

Two years ago, an aircraft chartered by the Algerian state-run airline company from the Spanish Swift Air firm was flying from Burkina Faso to Algeria, but lost contact with radar 50 minutes after takeoff.

All of the 116 passengers who were aboard the crashed AH 5017 flight of Air Algerie in Mali were killed.
GAZA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- An Islamic Hamas movement militant died on Saturday when he was in a tunnel that collapsed in southeast of Gaza city, the group confirmed and medics said.

Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of Gaza health ministry, said Khaled al-Hour, 23, arrived dead at a central Gaza hospital after he was taken out from underneath a collapsed tunnel.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing in Gaza, said in an emailed leaflet that al-Hour died as he was in a mission in one of the tunnels in Gaza.

Hamas armed wing and other military groups have been digging and building up tunnels used for military purposes.

Since January this year, more than 20 militants died in tunnels while digging underground.

In the summer of 2014, Israel waged a large-scale military offensive on the Gaza Strip that lasted for 50 days to destroy dozens of tunnels Hamas militants used in carrying out attacks from Gaza into Israel.

Israel prevented the shipment of cements and raw materials to the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas and other groups are using the cements in building up tunnels underneath the borders to attack Israel.
The deteriorating security and humanitarian situation across Syria's Aleppo city. (AFP Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is concerned about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation across Syria's Aleppo city, a UN spokesman told reporters here Friday.

The UN relief agency is particularly concerned over the humanitarian situation of the estimated 250,000 to 275,000 people trapped in eastern Aleppo, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.

The UN and its partners had been providing assistance including regular food supplies from across the border in Turkey to some 144,000 people, as well as assistance to thousands of others, up until July 7, when the last available route into eastern Aleppo, the Castello Road, was cut by fighting, he said.

"While the UN had pre-positioned basic assistance inside the city, reports are that with the lack of access and the ongoing fighting, the situation is deteriorating," Haq said

Aleppo has seen intensified battles and violence recently with the Syrian government troops tightening the noose on the rebel-held areas in the eastern part, while the rebels unleashed several offensives to break government siege on rebel-held areas.

"Our humanitarian colleagues consider any initiative that can provide relief to people in need as a positive step, including the recently announced proposal to establish corridors, provided that humanitarian and protection guarantees are met by all parties," Haq said. "It is critical that the security of such corridors is guaranteed by all relevant parties."

"Movement through the corridors must be two-way, meaning allowing humanitarian access in and civilian movement out and in," Haq said. "Any movement of civilians must be fully informed, voluntary, to a location of their own choosing, and temporary."

"For any humanitarian operation to be successful, including the proposed corridors, the UN proposal for having, at a minimum, weekly 48-hour humanitarian pauses or a full-fledged ceasefire to reach those trapped in eastern Aleppo is essential," he added.
SANAA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government requested Saturday the international financial institutions to stop dealings with rebel-held central bank and to prevent accessing to the state funds in overseas banks, the government-run sabenew.net news agency reported.

"As duty of the Yemeni government to save the funds and belongings of the Yemeni people, and in order to preserve the remaining public funds, and in line of orders by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the Yemeni government decided to take this step, which includes stopping dealing with Central Bank Governor Mohammed Awad bin Humam," the agency quoted an official source at the prime minister office.

The capital Sanaa and the central bank have been under control of two dominant Shiite Houthi armed group and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh since they stormed Sanaa and forced Hadi with his government into exile in 2014.

Since then, the rival parties were sharing central bank under a UN-backed economic agreement.

The new move came hours after Houthi and Saleh installed a unilateral ruling governing council and appointed a president and vice-president after UN-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait collapsed.

UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said Saturday that the talks would be suspended for a month before to be resumed in another country.

Talks after talks have all failed to bring peace to over 25 million Yemenis and end more than a year of devastating civil war.
Left: Donald Trump takes the stage on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, July 21, 2016.(Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Right: U.S. Democratic Nominee for President Hillary Clinton speaks on the last day of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, July 28, 2016.(Xinhua/Li Muzi)

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- With both two candidates strongly disliked by people outside their bases, many Americans are seeing the 2016 U.S. presidential race as a choice between "the lesser of two evils."

The race has up until recent days been neck in neck, with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton getting a post-convention bounce in the polls that has put her nearly 7 points ahead of Republican nominee Donald Trump in Friday's Real Clear Politics average of polls.

But that doesn't mean people particularly like Clinton, as the candidate has been embroiled in scandals for her entire three-decade political career, and a fresh spate of controversy over the use of a private email account while she was secretary of state continues to dog her.

Rather, analysts surmise that many voters may be supporting Clinton not because they believe she'd be a good president, but rather because they feel Trump would be a disaster.

"Each candidate has clear negatives. Clinton is viewed as untrustworthy, while Trump's temperament is not seen as suitable for the presidency," Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

"But right now, Clinton is winning the polling. Voters see Trump's deficiencies as much more fundamental than hers," West said.

Trump has made racist statements and contradicts himself all the time; He has been so erratic that voters worry about him having his finger on the nuclear button, he added.

Indeed, Trump's comments comparing Mexicans to rapists continue to haunt him, and many see his statements as racist and anti-immigrant in a country seeing a surge of immigration from countries worldwide.

Moreover, Trump has flip flopped on a number of issues, and has been slammed as making statements off the cuff that he believes to be true at the time but does not know for a fact whether they are true or not.

The lesser-of-two evils mentality among American voters is likely to spark a high voter turnout, as voters fret over the consequences of the other candidate clinching the White House and then wreaking havoc with the economy and national defense.

"There is likely to be a high voter turnout because people on all sides see the stakes as being quite high. When voters think their vote matters, they turn out to vote," West said.

Indeed, Gallup said in a report released earlier this week that many voters will focus on the unprecedented high level of unpopularity of both major party candidates. But rather than keep voters home, the negative tone may instead ignite a much higher turnout at the polls than anyone is expecting.

"We could see 10 million more voters go to the polls this year than in 2012, a prediction made, in part, based on turnout patterns in the past two open-seat contests, 2000 and 2008. In both instances, turnout was significantly higher than in the incumbent re-election year that preceded it," Gallup said in a report.

Past elections have also been seen as a lesser-of-two evils scenario, but this sense is stronger in this election than past ones.

"Many elections have had a 'lesser of the two evils' flavor to them. But what is unusual this year is the large number of voters who think the candidates are deficient on very fundamental dimensions," West said.

That could foreshadow at least four more years of the bitter partisan rivalry that has characterized Washington over the last two terms of Barack Obama's presidency.
ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN Yemen envoy officially declared on Saturday the end of the peace talks in Kuwait without making any breakthroughs to stop a 16-month civil war in Yemen.

The envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed also said during a press conference that the peace negotiations between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Shiite Houthi group and their allies will resume within a month.

"We are leaving Kuwait today but the Yemeni peace consultations will continue," he said, adding that "we received guarantees from the Yemeni warring parties about their commitment to resume the talks again in a month, and the location will be decided later."

Ould Cheikh also expressed his gratitude for the Kuwaiti government and denied the reports that Kuwait will host another round of the Yemeni peace talks.

According to the UN envoy, the two Yemeni peace delegations will have another chance and more time in order to discuss their leaderships and the next steps to achieve peace during the upcoming talks.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Abdul-Malik Mekhlafi, who heads the government delegation to the Kuwait-based talks, tweeted that "consultations ended today without achieving the peace that we sought for our people and country due to the putschists' intransigence."

Yemeni political experts said that the talks of over 112 days failed because the Houthis and their allies insisted on being part of a unity government and refused to sign a UN-proposed draft introduced last week.

However, the UN envoy rejected claims that the talks in Kuwait have failed or collapsed, saying that "bringing the two sides to a negotiation table was an achievement in itself."

On Sunday, the Yemeni government announced that its peace delegation agreed to sign a UN-proposed agreement in a bid to bring security and stability to the war-torn country.

The draft agreement called on Houthi militias to withdraw from Sanaa and other Yemeni provinces, hand over heavy arms and return government facilities they occupied.

It also demanded the Shiite Houthi group to release the political detainees, lift siege imposed on Yemeni cites within 45 days and allow the entrance of humanitarian aids to hard-reaching areas.

Earlier in the day, Houthi rebels and political allies of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh officially announced names of the power-sharing political council to govern Yemen.

The political council is made up of 10 senior officials, who dominate the decision making in the country, said a joint statement carried by Houthi-controlled Saba news agency.

The declaration was made in a ceremony in the presidential palace in the capital Sanaa.

They said the council's next missions are to jointly run the country, cooperate militarily against Yemeni government forces and form a new "national government."

Pro-government forces backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition launched on Saturday fresh military offensives in an effort to gain more territory near Sanaa and expel the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Yemeni military sources said that heavy shelling and intensified armed confrontations rocked the eastern part of Sanaa, particularly Nehim district.

They said that Saudi-led warplanes provided air power to help the pro-government forces make more ground advances towards Sanaa.

Over 16 Saudi-led airstrikes have targeted different positions held by pro-Houthi forces in Nehim district since Saturday morning.

More than 25 fighters and 14 government soldiers were killed during the fighting that flared up just few hours before the announcement of ending the Kuwait-based talks.

According to local media outlets, the government forces warned the residents of Sanaa not to shelter Houthis or allow them to enter their homes, and to stay away from Houthi-controlled military positions.

Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition share control of the rest of the country.

The civil war with ground battles and airstrikes have already killed more than 6,400 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over two millions, according to humanitarian agencies.
LUSAKA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Saturday dismissed a complaint letter raised by the country's main opposition leader to the United Nations (UN) and other regional and international bodies over alleged threats on democracy and the breakdown of law and order.

Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), has written a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, seeking intervention over President Edgar Lungu's threats on democracy and the breakdown of law and order in the country ahead of next week's general elections.

The opposition leader said recent acts of violence have put the county in a state of uncertainty and the potential for breakdown of law and order which could degenerate into a civil war, and asked the UN and other bodies to intervene.

But Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said the move was "an act of desperation and hopelessness by the opposition leader in order to attract international attention to himself".

"We have learnt with sadness that the United Party for National Development leader has written an unpatriotic letter to the United Nations and copied it to the African Union, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and other bodies," he said.

"The gist of this letter is the preposterous claim that democracy and freedoms have been eroded in Zambia by the government of President Edgar Lungu. We suspect that Mr. Hichilema is smelling a clear electoral defeat, a straight 5th personal loss for him that he can't appear to stomach," he added.

According to him, the basis and foundation of the letter hold no truth, and it was an attempt to merely scandalize the credible electoral process.

"We therefore call upon Zambians and the recipients of this desperate letter to dismiss its contents and disregard it as only worth fr its nuisance value," he added.
DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Tanzanian court on Aug. 9 will begin hearing of a case in which seven people, including two foreigners, are accused of attempting to smuggle out of the country live animals on March 23 this year.

One of the accused is an Assistant Director for Wildlife Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Charles Mulokozi.

Others are two nationals of the Netherlands, Robert Rogath and Artem Verdanian, and three officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Nyangabo Musika, Martina Nyakangara and Gerald Anthony, and a businessman identified as Iddy Misanya.

They were charged with conspiring to smuggle out 61 live monkeys captured in the east African country worth 7,320 U.S. dollars, which were being ferried from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Albania.
ZAGREB, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Croatian parties have started their campaign for an early election, set for September 11 this year, but the latest poll has showed no party would win an absolute majority.

The People's Coalition, led by the biggest opposition Croatian Social Democratic Party (SDP), won 29.2 percent of the votes, while Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the main party in the government which fell in June, got 28.3 percent. The junior partner in the former cabinet MOST was the third most popular option winning 11.4 percent of the support, according to a poll released on Friday.

Zarko Puhovski, a political analyst and professor of political philosophy, believed the center-left People's Coalition would have some advantages in the coming election, but would not be able to form a new government without a partner, for example, the MOST.

He believed MOST would play a key role again in forming a coalition government like the previous election in November 2015 when both SDP and HDZ did not have a majority in the parliament. After months of negotiations, HDZ and MOST reached an agreement and formed a government with a non-partisan prime minister.

"The MOST has a bigger chance to form a coalition government with the HDZ again", Puhovski said, adding "I believe that will happen in the end."

"It may be absurd since their coalition failed after being in the office only for five months. But similar things have happened in other European countries", he added.

Puhovski said his analysis was based on the reshuffle of HDZ's leadership. Andrej Plenkovic, a former diplomat, replaced former vice prime minister Tomislav Karamarko as the new president of HDZ. Karamarko resigned as vice prime minister and president of HDZ after alledged interest conflict involving his wife's business deals with a lobbyist from the Hungarian oil company MOL, which holds 49 percent stake of the Croatian energy company INA.

Plenkovic, the new face of HDZ, was struggling to improve his party's image and some analysts here believe so far he's doing well.

According to a poll in June, HDZ lags by 10 percent of the votes behind SDP, but the latest poll showed the gap narrowed to about one percent.

For MOST, HDZ would become a more acceptable partner under the leadership of Plenkovic. MOST's leader Bozo Petrov has said clearly that his party would not form a new government with the People's Coalition if Zoran Milanovic, the president of SDP, would become new prime minister.

Analysts also pointed out the likelihood of a grand coalition between the two biggest parties HDZ and SDP. "If the new government fails again after a couple of months, a grand coalition would be a serious option", Puhovski said.

By now SDP has allied the Croatian People's Party-Liberal Democrats, the Croatian Party of Pensioners and Croatian Peasant Party to run the election, while HDZ is heading to the election without national coalition partners.

Croatian economy emerged from a six-year recession with 1.6 percent growth last year, but political instability has hampered the growth momentum. The three international ratings agencies Standard and Poor's, Fitch and Moody's recently gave the country's economy a rating of 'BB', below investment grade, with negative outlooks.

Analysts here warned that Croatia, one of the weakest European Union economies, desperately needed political stability to boost growth. Any further political turmoil, including prolonged post-election negotiations, or a hung Parliament would put the country's economy at risk, they warned.
CARACAS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua)-- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday thanked the Brazilian Senate for its support in Venezuela's quest to be named as rotating president of the Mercosur bloc.

Writing on Twitter, Rodriguez said that "we thank the Brazilian Senate's Foreign Affairs Commission...for its statement on the legality of the Venezuelan rotating presidency of Mercosur."

In recent days, Mercosur has been divided, with Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil who all oppose Venezuela, saying the country's economic crisis prevents it from assuming the role. Uruguay, however, supports Venezuela and maintains that the country should be allowed its time as planned.

However, while Brazil's interim president Michel Temer stands against Venezuela, the Senate's foreign affairs commission rejected his position.

"The decision by the interim Brazilian government directly contradicts the main legal instruments of Mercosur. Venezuela is a member state...which is not under any sanctions from the bloc. The stated reasons to not comply with Mercosur's legal norm are fundamentally flawed," said a statement from the Senate.

This week, Venezuela has repeatedly denounced a "boycott" from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. On Friday, it held a ceremony in Caracas where it hoisted the Mercosur flag outside the Foreign Ministry with the government now acting as rotating president, despite the crisis not being resolved.

In its statement, the Brazilian Senate wrote that "Venezuela is also vital for the development of our northern Amazon border and plays a crucial role in the supply of electricity to our northern states."
Opposition fighters drive a tank in an eastern government sieged neighbourhood of Aleppo as jihadists and their rebel allies pressed an offensive on August 5, 2016 with a massive attack aimed at seizing a military academy south of the northern embattled Syrian city and breaking a three-week-old siege of insurgent neighbourhoods. (AFP/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army retreated from some military positions it was controlling in the southern countryside of Aleppo province, repositioning behind new defense lines, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported on Saturday evening.

The rebels, mainly Jaish al-Fateh, and the Jabhet Fateh al-Sham, previously known as al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, unleashed a sweeping offensive on Saturday evening against a number of adjacent military colleges, mainly the Artillery College base, in the southern countryside of Aleppo in northern Syria.

The evening attack is the seventh to take place in a bid by the rebels to break a three-week-old siege by the government forces on rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

The military colleges are located in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo, near the town of al-Ramuseh.

Opposition activists said the rebels also captured parts of al-Ramuseh, whose control will enable them to break the government siege.

The control of that key town will turn the table against the government forces, as it will enable the rebels to reverse the siege from the eastern side on the government controlled parts in western Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said Jaish al-Fateh was able to advance through al-Ramuseh and meet with the rebels inside the eastern Aleppo city.

Still, the Observatory made it clear that the rebels couldn't open a safe route into eastern Aleppo, due to the heavy airstrikes by the Russian air force, and the intense shelling by the Syrian army on their positions.

It, however, said that the route opened by the rebels was a military one, not for the civilians use.

The UK-based group added that the rebels controlled parts of al-Ramuseh, while the army is still in control of another part of the town.

It claimed that the entire Artillery College base has fallen to the rebels as well as a number of military positions in southern Aleppo.

The Syrian national TV, meanwhile, said Saturday evening that the rebels have failed to break the siege imposed on eastern Aleppo.

It added that the Syrian forces are continuing to fight intense battles in southern Aleppo and confronting the attack of the terrorist groups.

It said the army is engaged in intense battles in the positions that have been infiltrated by the rebels in the military colleges area.

Meanwhile, Jabhet Fateh al-Sham released a video clip, purporting to show a group of rebels from the countryside of Aleppo reaching their comrades inside eastern Aleppo city.

The Jaish al-Fateh rebels declared that it had broken the army siege on eastern Aleppo.

The Syrian national TV said the pro-rebel media outlets were unleashing a psychologic warfare, by disseminating tens of pictures and fake videos to mislead the public opinion and cover for the huge losses the their militants have suffered.

A military source told Xinhua that intense battles are currently raging on all fronts in southern Aleppo, adding that the army has declared the area as an open military zone.

The southern countryside of Aleppo has been the scene of tit-for-tat battles since Friday, when the rebels attacked the Artillery College, but failed several times to storm it before Saturday evening, when they have finally made into that military installation.

The rebels also showed pictures of what they said weapon cash they have captured inside the base.

The rebels have feverishly trying to break the siege from the al-Ramuseh town toward Aleppo to break the weeks-long siege.

Related:

Spotlight: Aleppo in focus as Syria endures decisive tit-for-tat battles

DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles raged on Saturday between the Syrian army and rebel groups inside a key military base in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, just hours after the militants stormed parts of that military installation.
Tourists visit the scenic spot of Jiangjunfen, or the General Tomb, in Ji'an, northeast China's Jilin Province, Aug. 5, 2016. The income of tourism industry in Ji'an has reached 1.6 billion yuan (about 240 million U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2016. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
File photo taken on May 24, 2016 shows an aerial view of expressways linking Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at night in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. Hangzhou is the host city for the 2016 G20 summit on Sept 4 and Sept 5. With one month to go, Hangzhou looks forward to G20. [Photo/Xinhua]

MOSCOW - The 2016 Group of 20 (G20) summit to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in early September will give the country a great chance to present and promote its ideas on global development, a Russian expert has said.

China's "One Belt One Road" initiative, which aims to promote infrastructure construction in countries along its way and push forward the economic development of the whole region, would be a key discussion at the summit, said Alexey Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics Research.

"I think the debate will be more about the ways of developing the infrastructure ... about who will be the leader of infrastructure restructuring," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Maslov also suggested that China should find its own approach on promoting its idea of a green economy, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also free from corruption and from any external influence.

"China is doing the right thing, by not just defending itself from alleged charges (of non-compliance with environmental regulations), but creating its own concept and inviting others to join," he said.

The discussion on green economy should also be concentrated on countries' investment capacities and the sustainable growth of the world economy, especially considering the current complex and multilateral economic crisis, Maslov said.

The expert hoped the G20 summit would consider methods to stimulate the economy, facilitate foreign trade, remove customs barriers, and promote interaction between countries in creating free trade zones or common development zones.

Maslov said the G20 summit could lead to greater freedom of trade and play a more responsible role in resolving global economic problems, adding that technology transfers should also be facilitated among countries.

According to Maslov, it is more important for the summit to "show that countries share common concerns and see common problems and trends," rather than providing final solutions.

He stressed that the G20 summit has to become a real working body, not just a platform for discussion.

"How China will be able to consolidate the views of different parties is a great question and a great responsibility," he said.

"Perhaps, only China is capable in today's world of making different countries with different methods of regulating economies to sit at the negotiating table, to make them try and work out a common solution," said Maslov.

By implementing a "fairly correct" model of economic structural reform, China has proved its strong political will to the world, he said.

"But the state of the economy, both Chinese and Asian in general, requires the most rapid implementation of these reforms," Maslov added.
Four in court for beating sisters

The accused men are private hire (PH) taxi driver Lester Beckles, 28; security officer Jumal Mush Ramkumar, 20; painter/straightener Michael Jaws Mohammed, 49; and Ganesh Socks Samaroo.

The three joint charges against them alleges that on July 24, they robbed sisters Rajdaye and Tarmatie Balkissoon, ages 53 and 40 respectively, as well as their cousin Indira Lackhansingh, 50, of cash, jewelry, a Kodak camera and other valuables all together valued $60,500.

Samaroo of Waterloo, Perseverance in Couva, was slapped with an additional charge.

Cpl Umaid of the Gran Couva Police Station laid the charges, all of which were indictable and so the accused men were not called upon to plead.

The charges as read out in court are that on the morning of July 24, the victims were beaten and planassed (struck with flat side of a cutlass).

Sgt Kistow, Cpl Umaid, PC Balkissoon and other police conducted investigations and subsequently arrested the men. Yesterday, defence attorneys Taradath Singh and Darryl Heeralal represented Mohammed and Beckles respectively while Ramkumar and Samaroo were unrepresented by counsel.

Attorney Singh told the court that his client, a father of two, lives at Hillpiece Road, Phillippine, near San Fernando.

Attorney Heeralal informed Magistrate Cardenas-Ragoonan that his client lives at Orange Field Road, Carapichaima. Sgt Lincoln Bonnett prosecuted.

The magistrate granted Mohammed, Ramkumar and Beckles $85,000 surety bail each to cover the three joint charges of robbery with violence with a $20,000 cash alternative.

She granted Samaroo $90,000 surety bail to cover the four charges against him.

As a condition to the bail bonds, Magistrate Cardenas-Ragoonanan ordered that they must refrain from communicating with the virtual complainants directly and indirectly.

Beckles has to report to the Freeport Police Station on Mondays and Wednesdays while Ramkumar on Saturdays at the said station.

Mohammed has to report to the San Fernando Police Station on Wednesdays and Saturdays while Samaroo at the Couva Police Station on Mondays and Saturdays. The accused men are to reappear in court on September 23
UTT guard beaten by jilted lover

A video recording of the incident which was posted to online social media, has since gone viral. After the The video which has since sparked an outcry from several workers and students of the campus who are calling for improved security measures.

A disgruntled official at the campus, who said the attacker was originally believed to be homeless, is in fact the jilted ex-lover of a female student of the campus. The official said the man who is 28-years-old, had a restraining order lodged against him after the 17-year-old student ended a relationship with him. The man, who visited the campus both on Monday and Tuesday, reportedly entered the campus and stayed in the library and cafeteria without arousing any suspicion from staff.

I dont understand how a grown man can just walk on to a campus where there are children and not be stopped at least once by security. If he happened to be carrying a gun...

well then this would have had a very different ending, the official said.

He added that the incident took place on Wednesday, when a member of staff, did not recognize the man as any of the regular workers and notified security.

The man who was then confronted by security officials, began cursing before he landed cuffs to the face of a security guard before he attempted to re-enter the compound. As the guard slumped to the ground unconscious, the man ran off.
Cops: Marchan looking to buy gun

Police believe he may have had intentions of using the weapon to commit a crime.

Although it is unclear how the couple met their demise, police suspect that it is a case of murder/suicide. Newsday learnt that Marchan, 48, had been so frustrated after being recently estranged from his wife Ardia Yearwood- Marchan, 45, that he went on leave for ten days. Marchan worked as a civilian mechanic at the Mon Repos Fire Station.

We learnt that he was asking co workers and friends where he could purchase a firearm, but we cannot say at this stage if he was able to purchase or obtain a firearm and for what use, said a senior police source. Autopsies are yet to be performed on the bodies of the couple which remain lodged at the Forensic Science Centre.

Yearwood-Marchan worked as a dance teacher at the La Romaine High School.

According to a police report, at about 7.02 pm on Wednesday, an anonymous caller alerted Fyzabad Police that a vehicle was seen on fire at 42 Forres Reserve.

Police officers responded where they observed an Izuzu pick-up on fire and contacted the Fire Services.

Fire-fighters doused the blaze and on checking, the charred remains were found in the front seat of the twin-cab pick-up. The vehicle was traced to Peter Marchan.

At the couples home, police officers found blood splashes inside but no sign of forced entry or missing items to suggest robbery. The couple had no children
Convicts treated better

In February 2012, both claimants were remanded at the Remand Prison in Golden Grove, Arouca, where they remained until May last year. They were 21 and 26 respectively when imprisoned.

Court documents say the State placed both prisoners in cells that were: small, overcrowded and cramped; lacked lighting; lacked ventilation; contained vermin and debris; were permeated with foul odours; contained no sleeping facilities; and had no running water or any bathroom and toilet facilities.

A claim form also states the prisoners were: provided with inadequate and poorly prepared meals which which were unappetising and lacked any nutritional benefit; given water that was not fit for human consumption; given limited airing time; and had unsanitary showering facilities.

Of medical facilities, the lawsuit states these were substandard and the claimants were exposed, to contagious illnesses and diseases from other cell mates.

Finally, lawyers state, claimants were exposed to the risk of being beaten, raped and sexually abused by other prisoners and prison staff .

The State has been aware of these conditions of detention for remand prisoners but has thus far failed and/ or refused to make sufficient improvements to rectify the deficiencies and remedy the breach of the fundamental human rights of prisoners not to be subject to cruel and unusual punishment, the claimants say. The conditions, they say, were, contrary to the dignity of any human being.

The lawyers say while a 2004 court ruling described conditions in remand as a hell hole, there was no appeal against the findings and judgment in this matter.

The horrific and terrible conditions have been allowed to continue, the claimants say.

Prisoners with contagious diseases are housed together, they also say. Both claimants fell ill with chicken pox, athletes foot and the flu.

Of sleeping facilities, the claimants state they, slept on thin, unclean mats that were ridden with ants, dirt and carried a foul odour.
Trinbago Callaloo Adventure

This is the fourth time TT is hosting the Adventurous Journey having done so in 1996, 1998, 2007.

Participants from Guyana, Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and TT engaged in physical fitness training, disaster management, marine safety training and basic fire fighting training practical.

At the opening ceremony at Daaga Auditorium at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine on July 24, CAS C chairman, Stephen Smith said, The award programme has grown spectacularly exceeding most things to become a self-achievement programme thereby making all better citizens. Every journey has a purpose. Secretary general of the Duke of Edinburghs International Award, John May, told participants they are a part of one million young people from 140 countries to benefit from the awards programme.

May told his life story from being a shy 14-year-old who was not so good in class but one teacher saw the good in him and introduced him to the Duke of Edinburgh award. The rest is now history as I stand here before you. President of the Presidents Award, Commodore Anthony Franklin said the programme is about developing young people who can affect their neighbourhood, community and their country.

The programme ends with a treasure hunt from Port-of-Spain to Chaguaramas today and the closing ceremony is tomorrow at the Daaga Auditorium in St Augustine.
Ecstatic NYLO interns take to the field

The participants were dispatched to various departments within the company, including sports, features, special publications, pagination and photography where they would work actively alongside experienced staff. Three of the interns have been assigned to the Tobago office, four to the San Fernando office and 16 to the office in Port of Spain.

The eager youths were introduced to the detailed workings of designing and proper layouts for newspapers as well as techniques associated with creating the most eye-catching cover page by manipulating design programs like NEO, according to Amelia Thomas, one of the lucky NYLO participants.

They were briefed by Newsdays Sunday Editor Camille Moreno, on the work flow process which goes into the production of a newspaper.

She, along with Damian Jones, Pagination Supervisor, demonstrated how content management software is used to unify work of the different departments.

The NYLO project has been running smoothly so far and the youths are ecstatic about learning more about the inner workings of producing a newspaper and are excited to continue their journey in the field of journalism. The young adults were then immediately exposed to the work field by being assigned testy hands-on tasks by various experienced Newsday personnel that brought truth to how intricate the line of work really is.

As the program progresses, the NYLO youths will get to experience different departments and gain skills in different areas such as photography and design. When asked to comment on the experience of the NYLO program thus far, another NYLO youth, Shaakirah Medford, said the program is amazing and well structured. The NYLO participants agree that the project is a gift and they appreciate the opportunity theyre being given by Newsday, although they think it is challenging at times. Tenisha Sylvester, another passionate aspiring journalist in the NYLO project, said, Journalism is competitive and creative. In this field I understand you need to be fair and balanced. Speaking about her appreciation of the project, she said, Newsdays NYLO project is the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

Ive longed for this opportunity Im being given now to shadow these professionals. I wish that the program lasted the whole month! These first-hand experiences are amazing and surely memorable.

I know that I will take everything I learn in this program into any profession. By August 20, the interns will produce their own edition of the paper.
Arima celebrates with military parade

Participating in the parade were members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, The Defence Force, the Coast Guard, Fire Service, Air Guard, Special Reserve Police, Prisons, the Girl Guides, Cadets and Youth Path Finders.

The parade began at about 11.30 am at the Arima Veledrome.

After Arima Mayor George Hadeed inspected the parade and took the salute, the parade then made its way through the streets of Arima. Speaking to reporters after the second salute at the Arima Town Hall, Hadeed said this was the first year they had the parade on a Friday. He explained the parade is usually held after the annual church service at the Santa Rosa RC Church.

This year, we thought we would change it up a little bit and have the military parade on the Friday so that as much burgesses as possible could enjoy the parade, he said. To facilitate the parade many of the streets were blocked off causing traffic in different parts of Arima. As it is the first time we are doing this on a Friday we did put things in place to try and alleviate the traffic as much as possible. I think we would do more adjustments to control the traffic a lot of better, he said. As Arima celebrates 128 years as a Borough, Hadeed feels a lot more could be done for Arima adding that he looked forward to local government reform.

So that as a council we can now truly develop Arima. We are in for exciting times and we will no longer be dictated by the powers that be and we can have our own development the way we would like it to happen, he said. He added that one of the things he would like to see in the near future is a very clean Arima. I am very conscious of keeping a clean borough and I will do everything in my power to try and keep arima clean as possible, he said.
TT to host Conference of Defence Ministers meeting

During this threeday conference, an unprecedented number of Ministers of Defense and delegates from the 34 Nation States representing the Americas are carded to attend.

Prior to this conference, a two-day Preparatory Meeting was held in April (12 and 13) at the Hyatt marking the initial rounds of discussions among nations, officially launching this conference.

Although this is the 12th biennial Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas since its inception in 1995, Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean country privileged to host this prestigious conference.

Previous host nations have included USA(1995), Argentina (1996), Colombia (1998), Brazil (2000), Chile (2002), Ecuador (2004), Nicaragua (2006), Canada (2008), Bolivia (2010), Uruguay (2012) and Peru (2014).

With the worlds eye on defense and security, the theme of this 12th conference is: Strengthening Defense and Security Cooperation in the Hemisphere in an Increasingly Volatile Global Environment.

The overall purpose of this conference is to foster mutual knowledge, analysis, debate and exchange of ideas and experiences on defense and security matters in attempts to better contribute to the development of its member states (CDMA Regulations - Title II, Article 2).

There are three Thematic Axes that will govern this conference in light of the priority concerns facing this Hemisphere...Axis I.

Security and Defense of the Americas in a Changing International Environment: The Evolving Role of the Armed Forces; Axis II.

Environmental Protection and Resilience and Axis III. Hemispheric Security and Defense Cooperation Policy: Beginning with Strengthened Humanitarian Emergency Assistance. According to the release, Axis I will address the changing role of the military and will look at the militarys response when providing humanitarian assistance and in the event of a disaster; its provision of security at major events; critical infrastructure protection; countering of transnational crime and how it deals with the issue of cyber threats.

Meanwhile, Axis II will focus on how the military can be used in the area of environmental protection. Areas of discussion will be as follows: an examination of the militarys role in protecting the environment and ensuring its resilience; an examination of how military actions affect the environment and an examination of how environmental factors and energy factors could affect military actions.

Axis III will look at the development of a Hemispheric Security and Defence Cooperation Policy, and will commence with discussing of measures on how the provision of Humanitarian Emergency Assistance can be strengthened. 34 states comprise the CDMA.
PSC: Govt plans a threat

Further details were not given by the PSC.

PSC chairman Dr Maria Therese Gomes was not immediately available last week. Among the opportunities was, Governments intention to amend the procedures for appointment of a Police Commissioner and his Deputies. The PSC foresaw the possibility that its own recommendations for reform would not be approved by the Ministry of the Attorney General or the Parliament.

In January, PSC chairman Dr. Maria Therese Gomes described as disrespect the tabling of measures by the Government to reform the recruitment process without consulting the PSC first.

The new process was challenged in court by the Opposition UNC.

Though the process was largely upheld, two key aspects were struck down by the High Court as being unconstitutional and in breach of the PSCs autonomy. These related to the role of the Minister of National Security and NIPDEC.

The PSC last month confirmed it would, of its own initiative, pursue an appointment of a Police Commissioner by way of open tender, but gave no further details
What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames

news
Address of Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu on the occasion of launch of 'Swachh Survekshan-2017'

New Delhi, Sat, 06 Aug 2016 NI Wire

I am extremely happy to launch the Sanitation Survey in the name of 'Swachh Survekshan-2017' today. This round of Survey in urban areas, the second since the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission in October,2014 is to assess the levels of sanitation, efforts being made by respective States and Urban Local Bodies and to capture the improvements made since last Swachh Survekshan, results of which were announced in January this year. Besides, this also helps in ranking the cities in relation to others in respect of sanitation levels.

-While the last round of survey was conducted among 73 cities with a population of one million and above each, this second round of survey will cover 500 cities and towns, including those with a population of one lakh and above each besides capital towns with less than one lakh population and towns of importance from the point of view of heritage, tourism and hilly locations etc.

-These 500 cities to be ranked after this round of Survey account for about 70% of urban population in the country. The results of this survey accordingly, will help us understand the scenario regarding sanitation in urban India, the distance travelled since the launch of Swchh Bharat Mission about two years back and the distance still to be travelled towards achieving the goal of Open Defecation Free and Swachh Urban India.

-For the benefit of friends from media gathered here, I would like to inform that Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, Municipal Commissioners and other concerned officials from these 500 cities and towns from 324 districts of the country are connected with us from respective district headquarters as we launch Swachh Survekshan-2017 today.

-On this occasion, I wanted to reach out to the elected and executive chiefs of these 500 cities and towns sharing the Governments views and concerns and to motivate them into stepping up their efforts to ensure Clean Urban India.

-Among the different kinds of transformation taking shape in our country over the last two years, the changing attitudes of the people towards sanitation and their growing concerns about it is an important one. What are the indications of this change of attitudes towards cleanliness? I would like to refer to a few of them which include:

1.Kunwar Bai, an old woman of 104 years of age belonging to Damtari district of Chattisgarh sold her goats to build a toilet;

2.An old woman in Gujarat visiting households in Ahmedabad every day morning to find out if they had dustbins to throw the waste into and urging them not litter public places with household waste;

3.Growing instances of young women refusing to get married into households without toilets;

4. A mother-in-law in a muslim family in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh only recently presenting a toilet to her new daughter-in-law stating that she did not want her daughter-in-law suffer the way she did for long;

5. Lakhs of children urging their parents and grandparents not to chew tobacco and spit in the open;

6.Millions of school students telling fellow students not to throw chocolate wrappers and other waste in the open urging them that Modi will not like it;

7. A doctors couple in a village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh dedicating themselves continuously for over an year now working with people promoting the culture of sanitation.

8. In SangamVihar in New Delhi, as reported only a couple of days back, about 45 families have come together to convert municipal waste being generated by them into compost, instead of throwing it in the open as was being done for long.

-These are only some examples that capture the new quest for sanitation and hygiene in our country since the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission and this is an indication of the success of this mission, launched by Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi.

-The question that I would like to pose to all the elected and executive chiefs of 500 Urban Local Bodies today is  Are we doing enough to translate this new found consciousness about sanitation into tangible outcomes? All of us need to seriously introspect about this. I am sure you will do so in order to identify the deficiencies if any so that they could be addressed to.

-Swachh Bharat Mission has two principal components viz., achieving physical targets like construction of individual household toilets and community and physical toilet sets and ensuring outcomes in the form of Open Defecation Free urban areas.

-As far as physical targets are concerned, as against the five year mission target of construction of a little over one crore individual household toilets, 21 lakh individual household toilets have been already constructed as on date against only 9.50 lakh toilets built till January this year. Another 21 lakh such toilets are under construction.

-90,000 community and public toilet seats have been built so far as against only 33,000 such toilet seats put in place till January this year. Another 1.40 lakh toilet seats are under construction. The mission target in this regard is over 5.00 lakh such toilet seats by October, 2019.

-Since the announcement of the results of the last survey in January this year, I am happy to inform you all that 115 cities have reported to have achieved Open Defecation Free status while no city reported ODF status in January last year. Another 739 cities out of the total 4,041 statutory cities and towns in the country in which the Swachh Bharat Mission is in progress, will achieve ODF status during this financial year. Three States namely, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have committed to be 100% Open Defecation Free by March next year.

-We are going to have claims of such ODF status independently verified by third parties as per ODF protocol.

-This goes to prove that the mission is gaining momentum with each passing day overcoming the initial hurdles.

-Putting in place such physical infrastructure is important. But what is even more important is to ensure the desired outcomes like putting an end to open defecation in urban areas. This requires making people change their habits towards using toilets.

-While further speeding up construction of toilets, Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, Municipal Commissioners and other concerned officials should spend more and more time meeting people, talking to them and motivating them towards using toilets and desist from open defecation.

-You may like to take the help of change agents in this regard. You involve people who can influence the people towards using toilets. These change agents include local Self Help Groups, NGOs, leading women of the area, teachers, other icons and even students. We need to be with the people for the next three years to ensure the success of Swachh Bharat Mission.

-I am happy to state that the last round of survey of 73 cities was very revealing and rewarding in several ways. It helped us understand the impact of Swachh Bharat Mission. When the results of this survey were compared with the results of the survey conducted before the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission, it clearly revealed that many of the 73 cities were propelled by a new found sense of commitment to ensure sanitation. Many of those cities who fared poorly in the earlier survey made significant strides after the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission. Several cities that were identified with poor sanitation levels improved their rankings challenging the widely known well performing cities.

-That spirit of competition is very essential to improve levels of sanitation in respective cities and also in relation to other cities. That is why we are scaling up the scope of this round of survey to 500 cities and towns that account for most of the urban India. Mysuru in Karnataka which did very well in the last survey will now be challenged by 499 cities and towns. I am sure the results of this round of survey would be even more exciting and revealing when the survey results will be announced after about six months from now.

-The clock starts ticking today for this round of survey. We are giving such a lead time for all of you representing 500 cities so that you get enough time for preparing for the survey and improving the levels of sanitation.

-The survey methodology and sources of data collection for evaluation would broadly remain the same as that of the last survey, which includes: data collection from urban local bodies on mission progress and performance, citizen feedback using ICT channels and independent observations by the survey agency.

-However, to be in line with the growing public awareness and concern about sanitation, weightage for citizen feedback in this round of survey has been increased to 30% from 25% in the last survey and the weightage for the reporting by ULBs has been decreased to 45% from 50% last time. Weightage for independent observation has been retained at 25%.

-This time, the questionnaire has been revised incorporating new features. These include marks for strategy to achieve the desired outcome of achieving Open Defecation Free status, going beyond focusing only on creation of physical infrastructure like building household and community and public toilet seats. Efforts of ULBs under the series of fortnightly thematic drives besides media coverage including uploading of media coverage details on swachhbharat urban and mygov portals by the ULBs will also be taken into consideration and given marks.

Any competition is a serious exercise and all the participants need to prepare well for better results. To help these 500 cities and towns with such adequate preparation for this round of survey, we have come out with a Swachh Bharat Survekshan Guidebook which provides step-by-step guidance on each survey parameter by way of best practices, tool kits and recommendations.

-Further, a Swachh Survekshan Self-Assessment Tool has also been launched today to enable these 500 ULBs know as to where they stand today in terms of level of sanitation on various parameters. Using this web based application, they can monitor progress made from time to time over the next six months, undertake gap analysis and position themselves for the final survey to be held in January next year.

-These surveys are guided by the philosophy of What gets measured can be achieved. To make progress, we need to know where do we stand today, where to go, how to go forward and also where do others stand, what they are doing and how they are doing.

-Besides, these surveys are also aimed at identifying the best practices being followed by different cities so that they can be adopted by others. The last round of survey among 73cities helped in identifying some such practices. These include: the GPS based solid waste collection by Mysuru, conversion of about 100 kg of green waste in the form of floral offerings in the famous Khajrana Ganesh Temple in Indore into compost on-site, integration of rag pickers into the solid waste management system in Pune, involvement of industry associations for adoption of some public areas for ensuring sanitation in Faridabad etc.

-After the earlier survey, 8 cities including Surat, Mysuru, Sholapur, Ambikapur and Mohali have hosted exposure visits and workshops attended by over 200 cities. More such visits are taking place. This is what is learning from good performers is all about. I am very happy about this sharing of experiences among the cities. This will go a long way in achieving the mission targets. I am confident that the Swachh Survekshan-2017 will further expand the pool of best practices that can be followed by others.

-Since the last survey, the Government of India has taken several policy and other initiatives to give a further momentum to the Swachh Bharat Mission. Briefly, these include:

1.To promote conversion of Waste to Energy, purchase of electricity so generated has been made mandatory by DISCOMs, along with tariff determination. We are targeting Waste to Energy power of 411 MW by 2018, as against the present generation of 53 MW;

2.To promote conversion of Waste to Compost, Market Development Assistance of Rs.1,500/- per ton of such compost has been announced. I am glad that Shri Amitabh Bacchhan has agreed to promote this effort;

3.Swachh Bharat Mission Guidelines have been revised enhancing Viability Grant Funding(VGF)/Grant from Rs.26,000/- to Rs.39,200/- per each community toilet seat to be built;

-Even public toilet seats are now made eligible for this VGF/Grant for the first time at the rate of Rs.39,200/- per seat; and

-VGF/Grant for Municipal Solid Waste projects has been enhanced from 20% to 35% of project cost.

-Construction of urinals now allowed for the first time under Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas to prevent urination in the open.

4. Over 150 Waste Management equipment have now been notified with DGS&D, almost representing the whole range of equipment required in this regard enabling easy procurement as against only 47 items notified by DGS&D at the time of last Swachh Survekshan.

-Prime Minister has time and again made it clear that Swachh Bharat Mission can not succeed if it is looked at as a government programme. He made it clear that this should become a Jan Andolan. To associate people more and more with this mission, today we have launched two initiatives  SwachhataMobile App and Swachhata Helpline.

-Through the single national Mobile platform of Swachhata App, citizens across the nation can report sanitation by posting photos. All urban local bodies are mapped to this App and in a defined timeline, they will take necessary action and inform the concerned citizen. All citizens may download this App and help urban local bodies in ensuring cleanliness.

-A pan-India four digit SwachhataHelpnine has also been launched under which anyone call up on the toll free number -1969 and seek information about any aspect of Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas including the ways in which they can contribute to the mission. Applicants can also seek the status of their applications for construction of toilets on this number.

-What is AsliTarakki?. Having scooters, air coolers, TV sets, mobile phone but defecating in the open is not tarakki. It does not convey right priorities. We are soon going to launch AsliTarakki campaign both on TV and in print media highlighting the need to get our priorities right. We want to speed up behavioral change through this sustained campaign.

-Ensuring cleanliness is not a mere slogan. It needs to be translated into reality on ground. In any endeavor or under any new initiative, there will always be some who perform well right from the beginning. But those, who are slow to start with, shall step up momentum as we go along. Swachh Bharat Mission was launched about 20 months ago. There cant be any excuses anymore for not putting up your best efforts. States and Cities who are lagging behind in this regard, should get their act proper to ensure a clean Urban India by 2019 as was envisaged.

-The objective of this round of Swachh Survekshan is to further accelerate the momentum of implementation of cleanliness mission by enabling 500 urban local bodies to look inwards and also at others.

-The clock has begun to tick today for the 500 cities and towns. I am sure all of you will make the best out of the available time of about six months before you are evaluated and ranked. The results of this round survey shall help all of us.

-I am happy that the Quality Council of India who have done a very good job of the last survey are associated with this Swachh Survekshan-2017.

-I wish all the Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, Commissioners and other concerned officials and the States and UTs as well in your efforts to ensure a Swachh Urban India.

-I am particularly grateful to the media for their support to this mission and for attending this launch event.

Thank you all !

Source: PIB
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This was an interesting week in Next Generation Communications Community news and insights to say the least. From insights about hackers taking advantage of the Pokemon Go craze to the FCC (News - Alert) providing fascinating maps of broadbands impact on the provisioning of healthcare based on gaps in connectivity there was a lot of food for thought.





News

Before getting to the aforementioned items which are feature stories this week there was also some news of note. This included:

The announcement from GSMA (News - Alert) of the creation of what it is calling its Ecosystem Accelerator Fund aimed at supporting individuals and organizations in Africa and select countries in Asia. There has never been an doubt about the importance of communications technology, particularly now mobile, in helping developing countries prime their pumps for economic growth. And, GSMA rightly is looking to help local talent in such countries bring their ideas to fruition.

Community members know that G.fast in the next generation communications technology specification for rapidly accelerating broadband reach by enabling existing copper to deliver high speed services reliably. We are now past the product realization stage and G.fast is beginning to be rolled out as evidenced by Windstream (News - Alert) equipping multiple multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in Lincoln, Nebraska with Calix AXOS G.fast nodes and GigaFamily solutions. Targeting MDUs is an interesting use case as it shows that even in more densely populated places fiber connectivity may not be literally and figuratively just around the corner.

M&A activities also made the news this week with Nokias finalization of its acquisition of cable TV solutions provider Gainspeed who helps cable companies get more capacity out of their existing outside plant, and Verizons (News - Alert) purchase of fleet management services provider Fleetmatics.

Features

Typically, a product-related announcement would be in the news section of the community, but as you can tell from my posting, I felt that the unveiling of the Public Safety-LTE (PS-LTE) portable solution thanks to the combined efforts of Nokia and SK Telecom (News - Alert) was worthy of being featured. Making public safety networks not just high performance and ubiquitously available has been an area of innovation going all the way back to the invention of the walkie-talkie. And, giving first responders the ability to leverage a combination of NFV and advanced wireless technologies to create instantaneously, via an all-in-one box that can fit in a back pack, a dedicated mobile broadband network that can scale at the scene of a disaster is impressive.



As my colleague Paula Bernier turned her attention to the just released series of maps from the FCC that highlight where in the U.S. broadband is available and where they are gaps in terms of its availability for healthcare service providers. By all means you should consider going to the FCC site and checking out all of the maps.

In our final feature, special guest Kevin McNamee, Director, Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab, points out how Nokia has had visibility into how hackers are taking advantage of the Pokemon Go craze using a variety of tactics to create havoc and expose the security challenges such game-based phenomena can cause.

Weekend Reading

This is the weekly reminder that the community home page has been designed as your place to navigate to constantly up-dated news, whitepapers, videos, podcasts and case studies.

Items worth spending some time with this weekend, along with the Nokia 2016 Acquisition and Retention Study and the accompanying series of more granular reports we have been commenting on, are the following postings from Nokia Insight:

Cloud interconnect  where network and cloud meet: How to use cloud interconnect - or cloud data center interconnect (cloud DCI) - in private, virtual private, hybrid and public clouds.

Manage VNF deployment for IP routing and EPC: Commercial IP routing, EPC VNF deployment is accelerated by using a proven carrier-grade virtual network function manager pre-integrated with OpenStack.

Plus, dont overlook links to other outstanding community resources such as the Digital Ideas section, along with links to eBooks and blogs. And, make sure you are signed up for Nokias newsletter, Insight.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
If Republicans cant beat her, they can always claim she has no mandate to advance her policies. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

With the conventions over and Hillary Clinton enjoying a convention bounce that may be the beginning of an enduring lead, its legitimate (if a bit presumptuous) to look ahead to another Clinton administration.



Indeed, one prominent conservative writer, the Washington Examiners Philip Klein, is doing just that. And he thinks the Clinton campaigns apparent decision to campaign primarily on the theme of Trumps dubious and unstable character, while smart politically, could come back to haunt her after November.



Given where the race is headed, the most likely outcome of the election is this: Clinton wins as Americans reject Trump. But, despite a victory, she will still remain broadly unpopular and distrusted among a public that probably wont have paid much attention to her actual policy proposals, Klein says.



But it would get worse, Klein argues: A President Hillary Clinton without a policy mandate would immediately get into hot water with the left wing of her own party, which has developed revolutionary expectations thanks to Bernie Sanderss campaign and the left-bent Democratic platform.



Is Klein right? Id say hes half-right.



The lack of a policy mandate is probably irrelevant or, at most, a problem Hillary Clinton cannot do anything about.



If there was any recent president who lacked a mandate it was George W. Bush, who lost the popular vote and only made it to the White House via a disgraceful intervention by a politicized Supreme Court. This did not keep him from implementing much of his domestic-policy agenda and then invading two countries (yes, 9/11 intervened and supplied its own foreign-policy mandate, but its clear in retrospect that the idea of invading Iraq was on the Bush radar screen even before he and Dick Cheney took office).



Conversely, Barack Obama won by a comfortable majority in 2008 after campaigning on a very detailed policy agenda, and secured a solid majority in the House and a working supermajority in the Senate. Yet Republicans and much of the media denied him any mandate on the fictitious grounds that all he ever campaigned on was bipartisanship, interpreted as meaning that he ought to abandon his own plans entirely.



So even if Hillary Clinton began each day of the rest of the campaign reciting a 27-point policy agenda, the results, if she won, would be interpreted by Republicans and hostile media as being all about Trumps craziness. And in truth, its how well Democrats do in congressional races, and how aggressive they are about using the tools available to overcome obstruction that will determine what Clinton can accomplish.



Klein does, however, have a point about progressive expectations. It was never all that clear how Bernie Sanderss policy revolution was supposed, mechanically, to work. Presumably it involved creating and mobilizing a hidden majority that included marginal voters and nonvoters and people who were voting Republican because Democrats didnt give them a choice, etc, etc. But unless it produced a House Democratic landslide and another Senate supermajority as good as or better than the one in 2008 (all entirely delusional prospects for this November), it still would not have overcome entrenched Republican opposition. Some objects of the revolution, like the overturning of Citizens United, would probably require multiple Supreme Court appointments and extensive litigation, which take time.



So progressives ought to have tempered expectations of a Clinton presidency, just as they should have had tempered expectations of what Bernie might have accomplished had he won. But you have to figure many skeptics on the left who reluctantly supported her after she won the nomination are going to view any failure to chase the money-changers from the temple of democracy as a function of Clintons impure motives and associations on Wall Street.



The problem of unrealistic progressive expectations is probably not a top priority for Team Clinton as they battle to win the presidency. But someone should be thinking about it sooner rather than later.


Officers stand guard near the police station where their colleagues were attacked. Photo: Virginie LeFour/AFP/Getty Images

An assailant was shot and killed after attacking two female police officers with a machete outside their police station in the city of Charleroi, Belgium, on Saturday, the BBC reports. According to Charleroi police, the man reportedly shouted Allahu Akbar as he began his attack. Both of the officers were wounded, one seriously; she was taken to a local hospital after suffering deep cuts to her face and neck. Her injuries are not life-threatening. A third officer shot the assailant, who later died as a result. The attacker has since been identified by Belgian authorities as a 33-year-old Algerian man, in the country illegally, who was known to police as a common criminal, but was not known to have had any ties to terrorist groups. ISIS claimed on Sunday that the attack had been carried out by one of their soldiers, according to The Wall Street Journal, but that does not mean there was any coordination between the group and the assailant.

Belgian prime minister Charles Michel has condemned the attack and expressed his support for the victims and other police officers in the country. Belgiums terrorism-risk analysis agency, OCAM, is now investigating the incident. In addition, two locations in Charleroi were subsequently raided by authorities following the attack. This comes less than six months after 32 people were killed in Brussels by Islamist suicide bombers who were linked to the Belgium-based, ISIS-affiliated terrorist cell which perpetrated the Paris attacks last November.
Photo: William Reavell/Getty Images

Like literally or LOL (or, if you are Bachelor host Chris Harrison, most dramatic season ever), superfood has been thrown around so much that its become effectively meaningless. Youre not literally dying from that puppy video, or whatever. Youre not really sitting there belly-laughing at a Slack comment that was mildly witty at best. To be honest, Chris Harrison, this season actually kind of sucked. And the very definition of super means that not every healthy food can be a superfood. Some of them, unfortunately, have to be regular old healthy foods.

So which ones are actually deserving of the superfood label? None, technically, because the label never really had a definition to begin with. Superfoods are marketing gimmicks, Duane Mellor, a nutrition scientist at the University of Canberra in Australia, told New Scientist earlier this week. Superfood, in other words, isnt an indicator that the food in question has crossed some nutritional threshold  its just a buzzword created to make you think it has.

Despite thousands of websites and lifestyle articles devoted to superfoods, there is hardly any published research in peer-reviewed scientific journals, the magazine noted in a separate column. What is out there is, more often than not, industry-funded, published in alternative health journals and too eager to jump to scientifically questionable conclusions. In 2007, New Scientist reported, the European Union forbade food companies from using the term on food labels unless they could use an approved piece of research to back up a particular health claim. The U.S. has no such regulations, but we do have headlines like this and this and this touting any number of nutritious ingredients as super.

Look, no ones denying that kale and acai and chia seeds have their benefits. But the bottom line, as New Scientist put it, is that while some things marketed as superfoods are nutritionally superior to other, similar foods, many more are not. Those claims of nutritional superiority are most meaningful when theyre used in moderation  if you can figure out what that even means.
Photo: Courtesy of The Press of Atlantic City

We may not know what happens to us after we die, but heres some comforting news about the great unknown: Drama can follow us even after we shuffle off this mortal coil.

Take Leroy Blast Bill Black, a New Jersey resident who passed away from lung cancer on Tuesday at the relatively young age of 55. When Blacks fellow New Jerseyans opened their copies of Press of Atlantic City on Friday, they may have noticed that he received not one but two side-by-side obituaries.

The photos are identical and the content very similar, save for one key difference. In the first, he is listed as being survived by his loving wife, Bearetta Harrison Black. In the second, Bearetta is not mentioned  but his long-tome [sic] girlfriend is.

Photo: Courtesy of The Press of Atlantic City

An employee at Greenridge Funeral Homes, the establishment hosting Blacks funeral, told Philly Voice that there were two obituaries because the wife wanted it one way, and the girlfriend wanted it another way.



RIP, Leroy.
Photo: Getty Images

Great news: Body-related self-loathing is on the decline. Researchers from the College of Wooster in Ohio analyzed results from 250 studies involving more than 100,000 people between 1981 and 2012 to look at trends in how they felt about their bodies, specifically in regard to their weight.



During that time, womens body dissatisfaction fell by 3.3 points on average while mens stayed consistent. (Overall, women consistently reported being less happy with their bodies than men, they said.)



The researchers say that body dissatisfaction can be predictive of eating disorders and can also play a role in depression. One caveat: The paper, presented Friday at the American Psychological Associations annual convention, has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.



So whats going on here? One theory is that as people become larger, others are less concerned about their bodies, and another is changing images of women in the media.



One things for sure: This decline in dissatisfaction started long before headlines about epic clapbacks to body-shamers became unavoidable.
COPYRIGHT NZCIVAIR

All information and photographs used on this blog are copyright to NZCIVAIR.


On June 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin received a letter from President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, expressing Turkeys willingness to restore ties with Russia (Kremlin.ru, June 27). Immediately, Gazprom spokesperson Sergey Kupriyanov announced his companys openness to dialogue with Ankara on the construction of the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline (RT, June 27). Turkish Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m also expressed Ankaras support for the project (Sputnik News, July 15). Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that Turkey confirmed its willingness to resume dialogue with Russia on the construction of Turkish Stream (News.az, July 26). Gazproms Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said that the establishment of a working group on project implementation was agreed and the intergovernmental agreement can be signed when Putin and Erdo?an meet in St. Petersburg later this August (TASS, July 26).

The construction of Turkish Stream under the Black Sea to the Turkey-Greece border was announced during Putins visit to Turkey in 2014 and endorsed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Turkeys BOTA? and Russian Gazprom (Kremlin.ru, Gazprom.com, December 1, 2014). However, the two sides failed to sign an intergovernmental agreement. No permission was granted for offshore construction in Turkeys watersonly for engineering and surveying (Oxfordenergy.org, February 2016).

Although Gazprom had earlier agreed to a 10.25 percent price discount for BOTA?, that agreement was not fulfilled. Therefore, BOTA? brought a suit against Gazprom at the International Arbitration Court. Russia wanted to link the price discount with pipeline implementation (as a prerequisite to Turkish Stream), but Turkey wanted to treat both separately (Hurriyet Daily News, September 11, 2015;Independent Turkey, March 20). In September 2015, Gazprom announced it agreed with the Turkish partners that they would only be working on the first line (between Russia and Turkey) of Turkish Stream, reducing the pipelines total capacity from 63 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year down to 32 bcm (Novinite, September 7, 2015; Interfax, October 8, 2015). After the November 24 jet incident (see EDM, December 3, 2015), Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak announced the suspension of further negotiations over Turkish Stream (RT, December 2, 2015). Related: Oil Soars 6 % As Andy Hall Warns Of A Violent Reversal

The ambiguity over Turkish Stream notwithstanding, Russias Gazprom, Italian Edison and Greeces DEPA signed an MoU in February on natural gas deliveries across the Black Sea from Russia via third countries to Greece and from Greece to Italy by using the Interconnector TurkeyGreeceItaly (ITGI). On February 29, Gazproms CEO Alexei Miller spoke with President Putin about the prospects of utilizing the Poseidon project (a proposed offshore leg of ITGI under the Ionian Sea), which was previously designed to transport Azerbaijani gas from Greece to Italy (Gazprom.com, February 24, 29).

The plan is to connect the ITGI and Turkish Stream pipelines at the Turkish-Greek border. However, it is still not clear via what route Russian gas will actually reach Greece. Nevertheless, the Poseidon pipeline has already been included in the European Unions list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIwhich eases financing, planning, and so on). The project has received all the necessary authorizations for construction and operation as well as a 25-year exemption on third-party access to the pipeline (Eur-lex.europa.eu, January 1; Igi-poseidon.com, accessed August 1).

Apart from ITGI, the proposed Tesla pipeline, which was also included on the EUs PCI list in 2016, can be an extension of Turkish Stream to reach Austria from Greece via Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia (almost the same route as Russias aborted South Stream gas pipeline proposal). In 2015, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece discussed the possibility of signing an MoU for the construction of Tesla (Vedomosti, August 18, 2015). Turkeys Daily Sabah reported then that the EU had expressed its full support for three energy projects that are of critical importance for Turkish Stream (Daily Sabah, November 19, 2015). Related: Six Weeks In A Row  Rising Rig Count Pushes Oil Down

Nevertheless, the United States stance on this issue has been much tougher. In May 2015, the U.S. State Departments special energy representative, Amos Hochstein, during a visit to Athens, declared that Turkish Stream doesnt exist. Lets put that to the side and focus on whats importantthe [Trans-Adriatic PipelineTAP] we already agreed to (RT, May 8, 2015). TAP is the final leg of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which will deliver Azerbaijani natural gas via the South Caucasus, Turkey and the Balkans to European markets, entirely bypassing Russia. At the February 2016 meeting of the SGC Advisory Council (in Baku), Hochstein said that South Stream, Turk[ish] Stream, Nord Stream [Two] are simply restatements of political projects with questionable economic value (Region Plus, March 3).

Meanwhile, financial hurdles continue to drag down the prospects for Turkish Stream. Gazprom was notably exposed to serious financial losses as a result of South Streams suspension in December 2014 (RT, March 31, 2015). The price tag for Turkish Streams planned four lines is supposed to be 11.4 billion ($12.8 billion, or half the cost of South Stream), however, these costs may overrun, given fluctuating oil prices (Rbth.com August 13, 2015). Since most Russian revenues come from energy exports, falling oil prices have heavily affected the countrys economy (New Europe, January 15). Moreover, Gazprom has been focused most heavily on the doubling of the Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea (Nord Stream Two), which means that Turkish Stream is unlikely to come on-stream anytime soon, and Ukraine will remain a major transit country for Russian gas to Europe (see EDM, March 8).

Yet, the state of emergency declared following the latest coup attempt in Turkey could enable the government in Ankara to legislate without going through the parliament. In other words, the intergovernmental agreement on Turkish Stream (earlier delayed in the Turkish Parliament) might now be pushed forward for signing (Natural Gas Europe, July 21).

By pressing ahead with Turkish Stream, Gazprom seeks to build the pipeline and deliver more gas to Europe before the SGC is complete or Iranian and Turkmenistani gas can make it to European markets (most likely via the SGC, once it is working). The throughput capacity of ITGI (which was shelved in favor of TAP in 2012) is supposed to be boosted from an initial 12 bcm per year up to 20 bcm per yearequal to the maximum (Stage II) capacity of the competing TAP project. Nonetheless, Azerbaijans state energy company SOCARs vice president, Elshad Nasirov, does not consider Turkish Stream to be a rival to the SGC. In fact, he has voiced the possibility of using Turkish Streams proposed extension pipelines to channel increasing gas production from Azerbaijans newest gas fields (Trend, June 21, 2015). It is far from clear whether Moscow would allow this.

By Ilgar Gurbanov via Jamestown.org

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If youve passed the corner of Wisconsin and Water over the past few weeks, you may have witnessed an interesting phenomenon: two hot dog carts parked side by side competing for the same business.

One of the carts, Real Doggs, has been a fixture at the Downtown corner for 18 years, often attracting lines of hungry consumers over the lunch hour.

The other, Mike Mikes Dogs, is a newcomer who showed up at the corner near the Chase Bank tower about three weeks ago. To feed the fire of our curiosity, the sign on the side of the cart reads "Competition Dogs."

We took a moment today after the lunch rush to chat with both cart operators to find out if the competition was friendly  or not. And it turns out its definitely the latter.

"When they first came, we were friendly," says Jeremy McCown, who has owned and operated the Real Doggs cart at Water and Wisconsin for the last 10 years. "We did tell them they might be better off parking elsewhere, since weve been here a long time and our customer base is very loyal."

But Mike Mikes Dogs wasnt fazed.

When we asked one of the cart workers at Mike Mikes, who chose to remain anonymous, why he chose to park next to another hot dog cart, he commented, "We wanted to be here. We like it here."

After a moment he added, "Were doing all right here, and theyre not going to chase us away."

Marcus Lucas, another employee at the Mike Mikes cart, says hes working the cart to get experience to run his own cart. He also noted that Mike Mike's is differentiating itself by serving rib tips and rib tip sandwiches made from his grandmothers recipe, in addition to hot dogs.

McCown says that things have gotten tense at times, and allegedly there have been a number of relatively minor altercations between himself or his crew and the owner of Mike Mike's.

Nonetheless, he says hes taking it in stride.

"We don't consider them to be competition," he says. "Our business hasn't suffered one bit."
For Donna Jones, the memories are still fresh. Two years ago this week, she was one of hundreds of workers at the Cargill Inc. beef slaughterhouse in the Menomonee Valley herded into a large break room and told their services would no longer be needed.

"We were shocked. One day we had a job, and the next we didnt."

Jones worked 35-40 hours a week as a bagger on the kill floor at the slaughterhouse, at 1915 W. Canal St., for three years. Like most of the employees  some of whom had been there for decades  she had no inkling that her job had run its course. More than 600 jobs would eventually be lost.

Like Jones, Beatriz Hernandez, who worked for 11 years in Cargills parts department, remembers the intense emotions she and others felt after losing their jobs.

"We didnt know what to do with ourselves," Hernandez recalled. "Now what, we were all asking."

Cargills former beef slaughterhouse facility, 1915 W. Canal St., was purchased in 2015 by the Potawatomi Tribe, but it remains closed.

Jones and Hernandez were among 438 displaced Cargill workers seeking out services through the Hire Center at Employ Milwaukee. According to Julie Cayo, director of policy and fund development for Employ Milwaukee, 2338 N. 27th St., services include help applying for unemployment, remedial math and reading, transportation, childcare assistance, resume writing, job training and job search. The program is still providing services to 37 former Cargill workers, Cayo added.

Jones earned her high school equivalency diploma at Employ Milwaukee, and is preparing to enter her second semester at MATC, where shes working toward an associates degree in early childhood education. When shes not taking classes at MATC, Jones spends 10 hours a week at the Hire Center, receiving help in math.

Hernandez also went back to school, completing an office technical assistance program at MATC. She then was offered a four-month internship as an office technical assistant for Employ Milwaukee. Upon completion, she got a full-time job.

"I experienced the program from both sides, first coming here needing the help and now Im able to help others," Hernandez said.

Because of the cattle shortage that led to the closure of Cargills slaughterhouse, Employ Milwaukee was able to file a petition on behalf of former workers with the U.S. Department of Labors Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which allowed workers to continue receiving benefits and other training for two years after their unemployment benefits ran out. Recipients also can file for an extension after that time period.

Ricardo Ybarra, director of adult services at Employ Milwaukee, had recently started his job when he was called upon to help hundreds of former Cargill workers in August 2014. Though it isnt the largest group of displaced workers hes served during his tenure, Ybarra said Cargill presented several unique challenges, many related to the diversity of its workforce.

"There were Spanish speaking, Somali, Burmese, and within the Burmese there were subgroups, and there were Arabic speakers as well," Ybarra said.

Maung Pa Aye, a displaced Cargill worker, now works as a resource room specialist for Employ Milwaukee.

The organization was able to provide services to workers in their native tongues, according to Ybarra. Originally from Burma, Maung Pa Aye, operated a cutting saw on the kill floor at Cargill for six years, and then was hired by Employ Milwaukee to work with displaced Burmese workers and others. First an outreach worker and then a resource room specialist, he created a Burmese forklift certification training program for former Cargill workers. CNining was also offered in Spanish.

Aye also earned his high school equivalency diploma and is now taking online courses in graphic design. He said that while he and others have gained sound training for new careers through Employ Milwaukee and TAA, not all the former workers have taken advantage of the opportunity. According to Aye and Jones, some displaced workers found factory jobs in the meat and other industries, while others are waiting for their benefits to end before they look for another job.

"The majority of us did what we had to do to take advantage of the opportunity to gain an education," Jones said.

Despite the slaughterhouse closure in 2014, Cargill is still active. According to spokesman Michael Martin, the Cargill company has approximately 1,000 workers in the Milwaukee area, including 500 at the Butler ground beef facility, 220 at the Milwaukee ground beef facility and 250 at a recently acquired cocoa and chocolate facility, formerly the Ambrosia chocolate plant. NNS reported in Sept. 2014 that 50 laid-off Cargill workers were hired at other Cargill facilities, of 300 who applied.

Cargill no longer tracks the former workers, said Martin, though the company did conduct a series of job fairs and provide other support for the displaced workers in the months following the plant closure.

The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe purchased the shuttered Cargill slaughterhouse and another Cargill property last year for $6.3 million. Both of the properties sit adjacent to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. According to Potawatomi spokesman Ryan Amundson, the tribe is still deliberating about the best use for the building that housed the slaughterhouse. Federal laws prohibit the property from being used for gaming.

For Jones, the closure of Cargills beef slaughterhouse remains a bittersweet memory. While she acknowledges that without the educational training shes received as a result of the closure shed be further from realizing her goal of opening a daycare center, she misses the camaraderie at Cargill.

"All of us there, we were like a family. We talk about how much we miss each other all the time," Jones said.
It is lodged somewhere between an Orwellian nightmare and Dickensian wet dream. Two, count em, two, political parties disintegrating in mid-flight. In Cleveland, the saner wing of the Republican Party tried in vain to stop Donald Trump. In Philadelphia, the saner wing of the Democratic Party (irony) also tried in vain to stop Donald Trump. In both camps, the question begs, who do parties answer too? What is the correct protocol?

The Democrats, (irony) worked tirelessly from day one, to strangle the will of the people. The Republicans did the same, but lost control. The Democrats, (irony) succeeded, giving you Hillary Clinton, the Republicans failed, giving you Donald Trump. Do the parties work for the people or do the people work for the party? Here in Cleveland, where the city and state spent millions, sprucing up downtown, expecting tourist dollars. Well"it turns out, there isn't much nightlife in a police state. I've heard, Pyongyang is a drag that way too. Besides, this was a disaster for Republicans. Who wants to go party after condemning the country to Donald Trump? No, I think I'll just go back to my room.

For Democrats, (irony) Hillary's dirge was the point after touch down. Success! Mission Accomplished! That's one small step for Fascism, one giant defeat for mankind. Hillary is a part of the machine and the machine is a part of Hillary Clinton, just like the Terminator. UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson (irony) called Ms. Clinton "A sadistic nurse in a mental hospital" referring to her as "Lady Macbeth". Okay, how do you really feel? A fellow politician, out of her control gives such a scathing denouncement, combined with the cloud of corruption which follows Hillary Clinton. Combined with her own right wing, neoliberal agenda, paints a picture of Guernica.

From the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003, till now has been thirteen years, six months. Heading into our second decade of non-stop war. Of wars of nebulous and distant causes, smokey and imaginary. A war of resource conquest, no differently than Germany invaded Poland. The policy of we can, because nobody can stop us, is in force. Hillary Clinton, as a Senator, whole heartedly supported it. As Secretary of State, she encouraged it. As President, she'll instigate it. A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for authoritarian war.

But wait, let's go down the rabbit hole and see the Queen of hearts. A convention locked down with thought police, cruising the aisles, hunting down transgressors. Papers Please! You vill not hold this sign up! Es ist verboten. A political convention with the enthusiasm of a wake for a distant uncle. It's somewhere between Monty Python, Firesign Theater and the Twilight Zone. The slurry of professional speakers, all dryly repeating the same message, sort of. My favorite were the two young people who got fired for questioning their pay at the pizza parlor. The man made $9.25 and the woman only earned $9.00 per hour, they got up and spoke in favor of a Democratic (irony) Candidate, who is against raising their pay to $15.00 an hour.

Speaker after speaker, frenzied the crowd into a bored tedium. Politician's, Clergy and General's. Because, there are never enough "oohrah's" around when you need them. The self-professesed Progressive Party of the United States cheers war, cheers waste and cheers death, shouting down any talk of peace. The Goldwater girl with Nixon's tongue, learned at the foot of the master.

"I get it that some people just don't know what to make of me.

So let me tell you.

The family I'm from"well, no one had their name on big buildings.

My family were builders of a different kind.

Builder's in a way most American families are.

They used whatever tools they had - whatever God gave them - and whatever life in America

provided -- and built better lives and better futures for their kids." -- Hillary Clinton

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Reprinted from Consortium News



U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at a United Nations Security Council Session on the situation in Syria at the United Nations in New York City, New York on January 31, 2012.

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The Nusra Front's adoption of the new name Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and claim that it has separated itself from Al Qaeda was designed to influence U.S. policy, not to make the group any more independent of Al Qaeda.

The objective of the maneuver was to head off U.S.-Russian military cooperation against the jihadist group, renamed last week, based at least in part on the hope that the U.S. bureaucratic and political elite, who are lining up against a new U.S.-Russian agreement, may block or reverse the Obama administration's intention to target Al Qaeda's franchise in Syria.

The leader of the Syrian jihadist organization Mohammad al-Golani and Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri both made a great deal of the public encouragement that Zawahiri gave to separation from the parent organization. The idea was that the newly rebranded and supposedly independent jihadist organization in Syria would be better able to fulfill its role in the Syrian revolution.

But to anyone who has followed the politics of Nusra Front's role in the Syrian war, the idea that Zawahiri would actually allow its Syrian franchise to cut loose from the central leadership and function with full independence is obviously part of a political sham.

Charles Lister, the British expert on Syrian jihadism who is now a fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, observed in May that Al Qaeda's senior leadership has acquired a huge political stake in Nusra Front's success in dominating the war against the Assad regime, which it views as the jewel in the crown of its global operation, along with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the group's Yemeni franchise.

This was not the first time that the issue of possible independence from Al Qaeda had come up in the context of the international politics of the Syrian conflict. A year ago last spring, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the external sponsors of the Nusra Front-dominated military command that had taken over Idlib in April 2015, were concerned about the possibility that the Obama administration would come down hard against their Nusra-based strategy.

Qatari intelligence reportedly met several times with Golani and offered substantial direct funding in return for a formal move to renounce his loyalty to Al Qaeda. Influential figures in Washington were being told by Nusra's external supporters in May 2015 that an important faction of Nusra Front was likely to split from Al Qaeda. That never happened, of course, and Golani himself repeated his allegiance to Al Qaeda in his first on-camera interview with Al Jazeera in June 2015.

Al Qaeda's Islamic State

Golani's loyalty is now a core interest of Al Qaeda. The Nusra Front's success in northwest Syria, and in Idlib governorate in particular, has given Al Qaeda its first opportunity to have its own sovereign state. (The so-called "Islamic State" made a clean break from Al Qaeda in 2014.)

Al Qaeda's hopes for its Syrian franchise were so high last spring that Nusra Front began to make the first preparations for its transformation into an "emirate." It began holding consultations with other jihadist groups in Syria as well as clerics that the leadership believed would be sympathetic to the idea of the first Islamic state based on Al Qaeda's ideological outlook.

Al Qaeda's ambition for its Syrian affiliate also explains why a number of senior Al Qaeda figures have moved to Syria over the past three years -- and especially after taking control of Idlib -- according to Lister. The stakes for Zawahiri and his colleagues at Al Qaeda central transcend Syria, moreover. The project for an Al Qaeda emirate is vital to counter the attraction that Islamic State has exerted at the expense of Al Qaeda since the 2014 break.

So despite Zawahiri's ostensible magnanimity in giving his blessing to the independence of his group's Syrian affiliate, and the soothing reassurance of such independence from the new spokesman for the organization, there is no way Al Qaeda could actually allow such independence.

In the newly renamed "Jabhat Fateh al Sham," the term "Sham" refers to the entire area that includes Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. But the entire rebranding involved is also a "sham," in the sense of something that is bogus being presented as real.

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Charles M. Blow - The New York Times

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The Politicized Mind - NYTimes.com

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Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) August 5, 2016: As readers of OEN know, Donald J. Trump has emerged as the Republican Party's presidential candidate in 2016. As a result, columnists at the New York Times have devoted numerous columns to discussing him and his candidacy. I want to reply to two recent columns: Charles M. Blow's "Trump Reflects White Male Fragility" (dated August 4, 2016) and David Brooks' "Trump's Enablers Will Finally Have to Take a Stand" (dated August 5, 2016).

DAVID BROOKS' OP-ED PIECE

First, I want to turn to Brooks' piece about Trump's so-called "enablers." Brooks, as self-styled conservative, draws on psychiatry to characterize Trump as manifesting "the classic symptoms of medium-grade mania." I note Brooks' careful qualification here "medium-grade." But I have no idea how Brooks could possibly know if Trump is experiencing sleeplessness, one of the classic symptoms of medium-grade mania (also known as hypo-mania).

Brooks says, "His [Trump's] speech patterns are like something straight out of a psychiatric textbook. Manics display something called 'flight of ideas.' It's a formal thought disorder in which ideas tumble forth through a disordered chain of associations. One word sparks another, which sparks another, and they're off to the races."

But I have a bit of difficulty squaring "medium-grade mania" up with Trump's penchant for short Tweets.

As an alternative to Brooks' use of a psychiatric category to characterize Trump's ways of expressing himself not only in Tweets but in numerous other presentations, I want to suggest a literary analogy.

I would liken Trump's uncensored expressions to stream-of-conscious expression that the Jesuit-educated Irish novelist James Joyce (1882-1941) uses to portray the thoughts and feelings of three characters in his famous novel Ulysses (1922): a young man named Stephen Daedalus (a semi-autobiographical character), middle-aged Leopold Bloom, and his earthy wife Molly Bloom. In Joyce's famous novel, stream-of-conscious expression proceeds by associations.

Of course the British novelist Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) also pioneered stream-of-conscious expression in novels.

My point is that we should not pathologize Trump's stream-of-conscious expression, as Brooks does. Granted, it is extraordinary in American political discourse. But Trump is an extraordinary presidential candidate, to say the least. And his uncensored style of expression enables him to communicate effectively enough with his supporters.

Put differently, I see his uncensored style of expression as a kind of trickle-down stream-of-conscious expression pioneered by James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

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Reprinted from Smirking Chimp

The conventions are over and the general election has officially begun. In the primaries, I received 1,846 pledged delegates, 46% of the total. Hillary Clinton received 2,205 pledged delegates, 54%. She received 602 super-delegates. I received 48 super-delegates. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her.

Donald Trump would be a disaster and an embarrassment for our country if he were elected president. His campaign is not based on anything of substance -- improving the economy, our education system, healthcare or the environment. It is based on bigotry. He is attempting to win this election by fomenting hatred against Mexicans and Muslims. He has crudely insulted women. And as a leader of the "birther movement," he tried to undermine the legitimacy of our first African American president. That is not just my point of view. That's the perspective of a number of conservative Republicans.

In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion, not someone who lacks an understanding of what our Constitution is about.

On virtually every major issue facing this country and the needs of working families, Clinton's positions are far superior to Trump's. Our campaigns worked together to produce the most progressive platform in the history of American politics. Trump's campaign wrote one of the most reactionary documents.

Clinton understands that Citizens United has undermined our democracy. She will nominate justices who are prepared to overturn that Supreme Court decision, which made it possible for billionaires to buy elections. Her court appointees also would protect a woman's right to choose, workers' rights, the rights of the LGBT community, the needs of minorities and immigrants and the government's ability to protect the environment.

Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that his Supreme Court appointees would preserve the court's right-wing majority.

Clinton understands that in a competitive global economy we need the best-educated workforce in the world. She and I worked together on a proposal that will revolutionize higher education in America. It will guarantee that the children of any family in this country with an annual income of $125,000 a year or less -- 83% of our population -- will be able to go to a public college or university tuition free. This proposal also substantially reduces student debt.

Trump, on the other hand, has barely said a word about higher education.

Clinton understands that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, it is absurd to provide huge tax breaks to the very rich.

Trump, on the other hand, wants billionaire families like his to enjoy hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax breaks.

Clinton understands that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is one of the great environmental crises facing our planet. She knows that we must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and move aggressively to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.

Trump, on the other hand, like most Republicans, rejects science and the conclusions of almost all major researchers in the field. He believes that climate change is a "hoax," and that there's no need to address it.

Clinton understands that this country must move toward universal healthcare. She wants to see that all Americans have the right to choose a public option in their healthcare exchange, that anyone 55 or older should be able to opt in to Medicare, and that we must greatly improve primary healthcare through a major expansion of community health centers. She also wants to lower the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs.

And what is Donald Trump's position on healthcare? He wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, throw 20 million people off the health insurance they currently have and cut Medicaid for lower-income Americans.

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Precisely how did Korryn Gaines die? We don't know, and probably never will.

The Baltimore County, Maryland Police Department admits that one of its officers shot her dead on August 1. In fact, the department admits that the officer shot first and that Gaines then returned fire in self-defense and defense of her five-year-old son (no, the department does not use those terms) before being gunned down.

The police also admit that before forcing their way into Gaines's apartment and killing her, they went out of their way to ensure their actions would be hidden from public view. The department contacted two social media services, Facebook and Instagram, asking that Gaines's accounts be disabled so as to cut off her photo and video streams of what was happening. To their everlasting shame, the two firms complied with the request.

So we don't know what happened. But we have a pretty good idea what happens next: The Baltimore County Police Department will "investigate" itself and announce that it has cleared itself and the unidentified officer who killed Gaines (he or she is currently on paid vacation, aka "administrative leave," until the "investigation" is over) of any wrongdoing.

Baltimore County police chief James Johnson characterizes his department's desire for "peace" as the overriding priority justifying the concealment operation. Social media contacts needed to be stopped from urging her "not to comply with negotiators' request that she surrender peacefully," he says. "For hours, we pleaded with her to end this peacefully."

Let's dispense with the risible claim that "peace" was the priority here. Had that been the case, Johnson could have just called it a night and directed his officers to get in their cars and drive away. Problem solved. Easy, peace-y.

If the priority was not "peace," then what was it?

Officer safety? No. Sending an officer into an apartment occupied by an armed woman isn't very safe for the officer at all.

Public safety? No. At least one police officer fired multiple rounds -- firing first, remember? -- in an apartment building. Those rounds were probably 9mm, 10mm or .45 caliber rounds which could have penetrated walls (Gaines was allegedly armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a much safer weapon for people on the other side of a wall).

The Baltimore County Police Department's number one priority, their overriding concern, wasn't peace, or officer safety, or public safety. It was -- as has become the case with many American police departments, much of the time -- successful exercise of authority at any price.

That's why the Baltimore County PD covered up the details of their killing of the ninth American woman of color to die at police hands this year. Just like a cat in a litter box.
Reprinted from Gush Shalom



Trial Continues For Sergeant Elor Azaria, IDF Soldier Who Killed Wounded Palestinian Assailant

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ON JUNE 28, 1914, the Austrian heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visited Sarajevo, the main town of Bosnia, then an Austrian province.

Three young Serbian inhabitants of Bosnia had decided to assassinate him, in order to achieve the attachment of Bosnia to Serbia. They threw bombs at the car of the archduke. All three failed to harm him.

Later on, one of the assailants, Gavrilo Princip, chanced upon his intended victim again. The archduke's car had made a wrong turn, the driver tried to reverse, the car stalled, and Princip shot the duke dead.

That was "the shot heard around the world." This small incident led to World War I, which led to World War II, with altogether some 100 million dead, to Bolshevism, Fascism, Nazism and the Holocaust. Yet, while the names of Lenin, Stalin and Hitler will be remembered for centuries, the name of Gavrilo Princip, the most important person of the 20th century, is already forgotten.

(Because he was only 19 years old, Austrian law did not allow him to be sentenced to death. He was sent to prison, where his death from tuberculosis went unnoticed in the middle of World War I.)

For some reason, this insignificant person who made history reminds me of an insignificant young Israeli named Elor Azaria, whose act may well change the history of the State of Israel.

THE FACTS of the case are quite clear.

Two young Palestinians attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife in Tel Rumaida, a settlement of extremist Jews in the center of Hebron. The soldier was slightly wounded. The attackers were shot, one died on the spot, the other was severely wounded and lay bleeding on the ground.

What happened next was photographed by a local Palestinian with one of the many cameras distributed by the Israeli human rights association "B'Tselem" to the local population.

The crew of an Israeli ambulance was treating the wounded soldier, ignoring the seriously wounded Arab who was lying on the ground. Several Israeli soldiers were standing around, also ignoring the Palestinian. About 10 minutes later Sergeant Elor Azaria, a medic, appeared on the scene, approached the wounded Palestinian and shot him point-blank in the head, killing him.

According to eye-witnesses, Azaria declared that "the terrorist must die." Later, on the advice of his phalanx of lawyers, Azaria claimed that he was afraid that the wounded Palestinian had an explosive charge on his body and was about to kill the soldiers around him -- an assertion clearly disproved by the pictures which showed the soldiers standing nearby obviously unconcerned. Then there was a mysterious knife which was not there at the beginning of the clip and could be seen lying near the body at the end.

The film was widely distributed on social media and could not be ignored. Azaria was brought before a military court and became the center of a political storm that has been going on for weeks. It is splitting the army, the public, the political scene and the entire state.

LET ME interject a personal note. I am not naive. In the 1948 war I was a combat soldier for 10 consecutive months, before being severely wounded. I saw all kinds of atrocities. When the war was over, I wrote a book about these atrocities, called "The Other Side of the Coin"(in Hebrew). It was widely condemned.

War brings out the best and the worst in human nature. I have seen war crimes committed by people who, after the war, became nice, normal, law-abiding citizens.

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Afghan govt ordered security mission to rescue helicopter crew 06 August, 2016



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Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites ISLAMABAD: The Afghan government on Friday ordered a security mission for rescuing the crew of a helicopter owned by the Punjab government that crash-landed in Afghanistans Logar province the previous day.



The government has launched an investigation and security forces have been ordered to carry out a rescue operation, the Afghan defence ministrys spokesman said in Kabul.



He confirmed that the helicopter, which was en route from Lahore to Russia via Uzbekistan, had been permitted to fly through Afghan airspace.



TTP faction claims captivity of hostages, threatens to kill them if attempt is made for their release

Afghan envoy Dr Omar Zakhilwal told Dawn that President Ashraf Ghani had asked troops in the area to try to recover the helicopter and rescue its crew.



The Afghan governments action followed requests from Islamabad for help.



The Mi-17 helicopter, with seven crew members on board, had crash-landed in Logar on Thursday evening while flying over Afghan airspace. The crew were later taken hostage by militants believed to be Afghan Taliban.



However, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban has claimed that the crew members are in its captivity and threatened to kill them if any attempt is made by the Afghan or US forces for their release.



Formal and informal channels are being used to ensure safe recovery of the entire crew, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement issued by his office. He said the government was in contact with the Afghan authorities and state resources were being utilised for rescuing the crew.



Mr Sharifs statement showed that in addition to contacts with the Afghan authorities, informal channels with the Taliban had also been activated for rescuing the crew.



We are profoundly concerned about the safety of the whole team that was travelling on the helicopter.  all-out efforts are being made by the federal government and its agencies to guarantee the safe return of each member, he said.



Earlier, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif spoke to top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan Gen John Nicholson and President Ghani, seeking their help for early recovery of the crew.



Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in close touch with all relevant authorities in the government of Afghanistan. The Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul is actively pursuing the matter, the Foreign Office said.



The crew is believed to be held by the Taliban militants.



Those traveling in the helicopter were taken hostage by the terrorists, the Afghan defence ministry spokesman said.



Some local Afghan leaders  provincial council chief Dr Abdul Wali Wakil, deputy provincial governor Mohammad Hashim Faizi, governor of Azra district in Logar province Hamidullah Hamid  in media interviews identified the Taliban as the captors.



Separately, there were claims by unidentified Taliban leaders about holding the crew hostage. However, Talibans usual spokespersons were uncharacteristically quiet. Normally, Taliban officials promptly accept responsibility for the activity undertaken by the militants. The area where the helicopter crash-landed has strong Taliban presence.



Local authorities in Logar, according to Afghan media, held negotiations with the Taliban for the release of the crew and they were demanding release of militants in exchange.



Sailab Masud adds from Dera Ismail Khan: Senior Taliban leader Qari Saifullah Mehsud claimed that the crew members were being held by the Hakeemullah Mehsud group of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and, except for the pilot who suffered injuries, all other passengers were safe and sound.



Qari Saifullah, a key commander and spokesman for Hakeemullah Mehsud group, told Dawn by phone from an undisclosed location that all crew members were in the custody of the groups commander, Adam Kochi alias Bilal, in Azra district of Logar province.



He claimed that the pilot was injured in shelling by another Pakistani helicopter. One of our colleagues was killed and two others were injured in the shelling. He said a video showing the hostages with the Taliban would soon be released to the media.



Qari Saifullah made it clear that it was of no use to seek help from the Afghan government or the US military because the Taliban were in full control of the area.



He warned that the detainees would be executed if Afghan or US forces tried to launch an operation for their release, adding that a message had been conveyed to Adam Kochi to fasten bombs to bodies of the hostages and detonate them in case of any such attempt.



Intikhab Hanif adds from Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday remained busy in contacting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and the Foreign Office, urging them to expedite efforts for safe and early release of the crew members of the helicopter.



The main crew members are former army officers and on the list of personal staff of the chief minister.



The chief minister also met families of three senior members of the crew to show solidarity with them. He was scheduled to meet the family of another crew member in Islamabad on Saturday.



Officials said the government did not know exactly what led to the landing of the chopper. We know that the crew is safe, but we dont know whether it was a crash or an emergency landing, and how the chopper was destroyed, a senior official said.



The officials who control the chief ministers air transport said the helicopter had not outlived its utility. It was sent for the second overhauling before the completion of another 1,500 flying hours which necessitated such service. The first overhauling was conducted in 2011 and the second was necessary after the completion of 1,500 flying hours.



This does not mean that the chopper was not airworthy, a senior official said.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...




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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



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OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


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URUMQI- The first Chinese tour group to go on an organized trip of Kazakhstan left on Saturday for the central Asian neighbor.

The 55 tourists, organized by China National Travel Service (HK) Group, flew to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, from the international airport in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, at 1:36 pm Saturday.

They are among nearly 300 tourists to visit the region, a trip organized by six travel agencies. The other groups will start their trips over the following three days.

The tour follows a memorandum on Chinese-Kazakhstan tourism cooperation, signed between the two countries in December.

"My parents studied in Almaty, so my sisters and I have always wanted to go there," said Tong Nina, 70, from Urumqi, who went on the tour with her sisters.

Shi Dagang, vice chairman of Xinjiang regional government, said the tour was an important stage in the China-Kazakhstan tourism development story and the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

A senior tourism official with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Investment and Development came to Xinjiang to welcome the first tour group.
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.
HOUSTON  As he took the podium at the Green Party National Convention in Houston on Saturday, Matt Funiciello said he had an angry Green speech to give.

He wasnt exaggerating.

In just about seven minutes, Funiciello  the Green Party candidate for New Yorks 21st Congressional District, running against Democrat Mike Derrick of Peru, in Clinton County, and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro  railed against a litany of polices of the last three presidential administrations, both major political parties and their presidential candidates this year, and the electoral system itself.

He was an invited speaker at the event, at which long-presumed Green presidential nominee Jill Stein officially accepted the partys mantle.

I can see this very real struggle of Bernie Sanders supporters right now, as theyre being told angrily that the only adult thing they can do is support the lesser evil, the Glens Falls baker and activist said, cocking his head before the convention crowd at the University of Houston. Im just thinking, Which one is that?

The crowd cheered.

We have an unobstructed warmonger and an obstructed buffoon, he continued, referring to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Thanks for the great menu.

Funiciello lambasted the administration of former President Bill Clinton  whom he voted for in 1992 with his nose held, he said  saying he was horrified by its actions: fake healthcare reform, Kosovo, NAFTA, GATT, Dont Ask, Dont Tell, workfare, deregulation, militarizing of our police forces, sanctions and bombing on Iraq that killed half a million children.

I felt responsible for every one of those things  as every Clinton voter should, he said.

He didnt vote in the next election, he told the crowd.

I felt far too despondent to play this little game anymore.

He questioned whether the country has really moved forward through voting for the lesser of two evils and hoping for incremental change, and said voters have been manipulated into thinking it had.

His evidence: a minimum wage half of what it needs to be for us to live, the replacement of manufacturing jobs with low-wage service ones, fake free trade, mandatory health insurance instead of Medicare For All, a drug war, student loan debt and military spending and action across the globe, among other things.

It seems to me our two corporate war parties are destroying our world, arent they? he asked, saying later, Theyre doing a terrible job, and its because of corporate money.

He called the widely-held belief that Ralph Nader, the Green candidate in the 2000 presidential race, spoiled the election for the Democrats a mythology.

Funiciellos speech wasnt just vitriol, though.

He began it with a birthday wish to his son, John, who turned 22 years old on Saturday.

Were all here today specifically because of a collective desire to start making better decisions, which are truly based on the needs of the next seven generations, he said, addressing both his son and the audience.

As well, he advocated for the implementation of instant-runoff voting, redistricting and campaign finance reform.

And he ended with a simple call to action: Be brave, vote Green.

David Doonan, a convention delegate from Greenwich, was there in Houston and had high praise for his compatriots address.

He spoke very forcefully and very eloquently, he said. He had a great, great reception from the audience (of several hundred people).

In an interview a few hours after his speech, Funiciello said being invited to speak at the convention and then actually doing it had been a humbling experience. He felt recharged by being around like-minded activists and inspired by praise from them on the work he has done in New York.

He devoted particular attention to a Texas woman who had approached him after his speech, nearly in tears, and told him how much it had affected her.

Now she gets it, he said, referring to his belief that the major parties cant be reformed.

The congressional hopeful said he thinks hell garner more than 20 percent of the vote come November  he won 11 percent in 2014  but was concerned that his opponents might not agree to debate in the fall, leaving him with little opportunity to get his message out.
MOREAU  Despite insisting for months that he had gone through the formal request-for-proposals process to repair the flood damage at Town Hall, Supervisor Gardner Congdon never put out a written RFP.

Instead, he met one-on-one with contractors that he knew personally, and asked them if theyd be willing to submit a proposal for the repair job, he said Friday.

He explained what he had done after The Post-Star submitted a Freedom of Information request asking for his RFP. The request was denied on the grounds that there was no such RFP.

Town Board members had begun to suspect that last month, board member Alan Van Tassel said.

When we began to push specifics, he said.

Board members finally voted  over Congdons objections  to publish a written RFP last week in hopes of finding someone who could repair Town Hall. At the time, they said it should be the same wording as the first RFP  the one that turned out not to exist.

Congdon defended his actions, saying that he was trying to pick good contractors to repair Town Hall. He chose to talk to people that wouldve been appropriate, people that I knew would be responsible, he said.

When asked if that meant some local contractors could have been skipped, he said it was possible.

Congdon, a builder, has many contacts in the building industry.

But he couldnt get three written responses on the job, and so the flood damage from February has still not been repaired.

The courtroom at Town Hall  which is also used for Town Board meetings and other official business  is missing some Sheetrock, with insulation and wires exposed.

The baseboards are gone, and some painting and carpet work is also needed.

The room is still functional, but voices echo and are particularly difficult to hear on the audio recordings made of every meeting.

Town Board members have debated how best to do the repairs. The town has already received a $28,000 payment from its insurance company, which Congdon said will be easily enough to cover the work. He estimated the main jobs  Sheetrock and carpentry  at about $10,000. Work to repair the plumbing problems that caused the flood has already been done.

Congdon said his informal method of seeking contractors was proven right by the reaction so far to the formal RFP. No one has responded to it yet, he said, adding, I told ya.

He said that now the board should do what he wanted: give the jobs to four different small businesses, each of which would be specialized in the skill needed. He offered the name of one Sheetrocking and insulation company, and said he could hire skilled workers for the other jobs, too.

The town attorney said breaking up the job was illegal because it could be done to avoid getting three proposals on the job as town code requires. However, municipalities are also sometimes encouraged to break up large jobs so that small businesses, often run by women or minorities, can bid on the work.

Despite the response so far, board members are still adamant that a public search for contractors is the right way to go.

I have not wavered from my position, said board member Todd Kusnierz. The taxpayers can only benefit when we provide an RFP that is made public.

His goal, he said, was to make the job as widely known as possible.

That could lead to lower prices, he said, but could also lead to more applicants for the job.

Youre casting a wider net, he said. Its one of the ways you ensure you have a very good selection to choose from.

Board members are also planning to put the RFP on the town website and are checking into the legality of calling contractors or otherwise calling attention to the project.

Were exploring all the options to get the word out, Van Tassel said. And at least now we can say we followed the process.
One of our board members was present when Kirsten Gillibrand met with The Post-Star editorial board for the first time in 2005.

She was running for Congress.

She was a Democrat.

And she had no chance. That was what we thought at the time.

After all, there were nearly 200,000 registered Republicans in the district compared to just more than 80,000 Democrats.

The district had been in the hands of Republicans for all but four years since 1913 and John Sweeney was a four-term incumbent.

Gillibrand was 38 at the time. She had never run for political office and she was a novice still learning the issues.

There may have been a joke or two that it was too bad that such a nice person was going to get creamed in the election.

Wed like to say that our editorial board eventually came around and saw the light, but we didnt. We endorsed the incumbent Sweeney, even though he refused to meet with our editorial board.

But just days before the election, Rep. Sweeneys wife made a 911 domestic violence call.

The next day, based on those developments, The Post-Star rescinded its endorsement of Sweeney, saying we could no longer support the incumbent.

On Election Day, Gillibrand won with 53 percent of the vote.

This past week, Sen. Gillibrand paid a visit to The Post-Star editorial board. She has come a long way from the inexperienced novice who first sat down in our conference room.

She has an encyclopedic command of the issues and any reporter will tell you that her machine-gun chatter makes a tape recorder a necessity.

As a U.S. senator she has become a star in her own right and rubbed shoulders with people like John Stewart on The Daily Show when she was fighting for benefits for 9/11 responders, and she describes Hillary Clinton as a personal mentor.

As journalists and editorial board members, we admit we are cynical of the motives of politicians who promise much, but often deliver little.

Sen. Gillibrand has always given us a different vibe.

There is a sincerity about her, so when she says she will work in a bipartisan manner, its not a surprise when she delivers.

If you look at some of the issues she has championed, she is consistently on the moral high ground.

You have to admire that.

Sure, she is a polished, professional politician, but the blind ambition of others seems to be missing.

Consider some of the following:

When the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act that provided care for 9/11 responders expired in November 2015, she joined comedian Stewart in leading the fight to get it renewed. It was renewed in December for another 75 years.

She aggressively addressed the epidemic of sexual assaults in the military and got Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to co-sponsor legislation that would take the responsibilities for these cases out of the military chain of command. Unfortunately, she came up short in getting the votes needed to schedule a floor vote. She plans on proposing the legislation again.

Her work with the military sexual assault legislation led her to the issue of campus sexual assaults. She has proposed legislation and worked for reforms at college campuses around the country, including the SUNY system.

Just recently, disgusted by the state of New Yorks failure to hold hearings on the water contamination issues in Hoosick Falls, she jumped into the fray with a town hall meeting and demanded that the state and the EPA get residents help. Before the day was out, the state had agreed to hold hearings.

As we talked to her this past week, we asked about Rep. Stefaniks opposition to her reforms on the military sexual assault. She was frank, saying that Rep. Stefanik needed to talk to the victims and survivors, and not be so quick to listen to the generals.

Yet when we asked her about Rep. Stefaniks support of a new missile system the military says it does not want, Sen. Gillibrand said she stands with her on that issue because it is in the best interest of the future defense of the country.

She said it is her responsibility to make her best judgment, and not always listen to the generals.

When one of our editorial board members asked her to explain her vote on the Iran nuclear deal, she went through her decision-making process in great detail, and she admitted the treaty was flawed.

We dont agree with Sen. Gillibrand on all the issues, and its obvious she has shifted her politics further left from when she was our congresswoman, but we once again got the impression she will vote her conscience and always try to do the right thing.

We wish more of our elected representatives were like that.
The alleged narcotic drug dealer, Kofi Asamoah was arrested in 2015 with 82 grammes of cocaine at his hideout at Atonsu in the Ashanti Region.

A Kumasi High Court granted Asamoah bail to the tune of GHc 100,000 with two sureties one of which was to be justified.

READ ALSO: Woman abandons baby in forest

But Warrant Officer Evans Kubeadzor endorsed the bail without ensuring all the requirements were met.

Ashanti regional Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ackonor told Kumasi-based ultimate FM that "he (the suspect) was granted bail on the 18th and the same 18th, within some few minutes, the bail has been executed and per the condition that was given by the Judge, it means that it will take more than five days even to do the authentication of the documents that has to be brought to the registrar, and within a twinkle of an eye, the Police Officer had endorsed the bail for the guy to go.

He added that an investigation has started to find out what truly happened.
According to Kweku Baako, He [President John Mahama] should withdraw his nomination.  Of course, vetting has taken place but the president should have withdrawn the appointment. The gentleman is damn lucky, how he escaped this whole Supreme Court scrutiny is weird, I cant believe it; he ought not be a deputy minister. The president should just forget it.

Read more: Parliament fails to approve Deputy Ministerial nominee

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday August 6, 2016, he said Its so serious. His (comment) is worse than even the three gentlemens. He ought not to be considered at all. Indeed, parliament should do what the Executive failed to do in the Montie 3 case, which the Supreme Court hinted at. Parliament should not approve  this gentlemans nomination.

Oti Bless was hoping to be approved by the House to enable him to begin his role as deputy minister within five months to go into the December polls.

The Minority in Parliament had earlier initiated a process to stop the appointment of John Bless Oti as a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development after a revelation that he was part of the Montie FM panel on the day contemptuous statements were made about the Supreme Court.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta North was cleared by Parliaments Appointment Committee to be approved by the house as a deputy minister.
The duo, Alister Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn were threatened to kill justices of the supreme court on an Accra-based Montie FM.

READ ALSO:Montie FM Saga Dzifa Ativor visits Montie trio with goodies

Pro-NDC group Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP), opened a petition book gathered over 18 million signatories from government appointees including the deputy minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare and the Education Minister, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang

Speaking on an Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Ofori Owusu stated that the decision by these officials to sign the petition amounts to gross insubordination against the authority of the President.

READ MORE:Montie 3 saga Full text of Supreme Court judgement on the Montie 3

He, therefore, charged president Mahama to sack government appointees who signed the petition book.

We found it bizarre that the Ministers of the President who are appointed by the President and other high party functionaries appointed by the President will embarrass their President openly and tell their President that you are sleeping and that you dont know that there is an Article 72, so me the Minister that you gave me a job, I am openly defying and ridiculing you.
According to him, the police would be better served focusing on monitoring social media platforms to identify persons who might compromise security efforts ahead of the elections.

The Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor revealed that the police service is seriously thinking about flagging down Ghana on social media.

According to him, it will help prevent the abuse of the platform by politicians and Ghanaians at large.

He opined that people use social media to create unwarranted tension during elections.

Social media is used to churn out untruths and half-baked truths and finally lies...we as the Police will not sit down for this to happen. We shall recommend that the Social Media is banned for the seven or eight hours that the election will take place, after all, it is nothing but Ghana first, and I still stand by that, the IGP said.

However, Chukuemeka Eze said Shutting down social media cannot and will never solve any problem".

Chukuemeka Eze, who spoke to Accra-based Citi FM said, "I think the police should focus on how they can regulate the content on social media."
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!
The event strictly for female entrepreneurs living in Lagos has registered over 100 women for the competition- Scale up! but is still ready to take in more participants to get a taste of this life changing experience.

If you arent here yet, here are some reasons why you should-

1. Girl Power: SWEC is an exclusive club for Lagos based female entrepreneurs who are seeking business growth and personal development opportunities. Through its member-based group structure, SWEC is committed to providing key opportunities for female entrepreneurs to succeed. Thats why we are choosing 12 lucky members who join SWEC before the 6 th of August to join our 4 month Business Plan Accelerator Competition- Scale UP! At the end of the competition every woman selected will have a business plan and strategy to scale up their businesses

2. Facilitated sessions with established business owners: Established business owners such as Biola Alabi, Femi Longe, Tara Fela Durotoye, Chika Uwazie, Stephanie Obi and a host of other influential business leaders will provide intensive capacity building sessions in areas of corporate governance, business strategy and design, marketing, leading self, business integrity, finance and accounting for small businesses and a host of other business development topics.

3. Opportunities for innovation, collaboration and creative thinking: SWEC is an ecosystem for female entrepreneurs based in Lagos. We have partnered with Co-Creation Hub-Nigerias first open living lab and pre-incubation space designed to be a multi-functional, space for entrepreneurs and investors to catalyze creative social tech ventures. Members of SWEC and competitors will be able to take advantage of some of the opportunities afforded by CC Hub.

4. Media exposure for your business: SWEC has also partnered with Naija Start-ups, a leading start up community in Nigeria. All participants in the Scale Up competition will be part of the Naija Start-ups directory and receive media exposure on their platform. In addition to this, SWEC has also partnered with various media platforms such as BellaNaija, Guardian Woman, Exquisite magazine, Genevieve Magazine Online, Pulse and Naija Info, competition participants will receive free media exposure through some of these platforms as well as through our social media networks

5. Sector Specific Mentors: We know female entrepreneurs need one-on- one support and the advice of established business owners within their sectors to expand their networks and help them test their ideas. Thats why we are providing one-on- one sector specific mentorship for all the participants who take part in our Scale Up Competition.

6. Seed Financing for Winner: We know financing can be a challenge for entrepreneurs. Thats why we will be providing the winner of the Scale up competition with seed financing to support their business development efforts. We will also ensure that all participants who complete the entire programme have investment ready business plans which will also them to access funding from other sources.

Please apply if you meet the following criteria

1. Women owned/co-founded business duly registered by the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. Please note that for co-owned businesses only female founders will be eligible to participate in the capacity building and mentoring portion of the programme.

2. Business must have been in operation for at least 6 months

3. All business sectors are welcome to apply.

The SME Boutique Womens Exclusive Club Business Accelerator Competition- Scale UP application form takes less than 10 minutes to complete and can be downloaded via this link: http://goo.gl/forms/SqUwzro59m5D0r1v1
Muhammad Shamsuddeen Aliyu was reportedly enrolled into the Professor Ango Abdullahi International School, in Zaria, when he was just one-and-a-half year old.

The toddler is reported to have achieved the rare feat through the school programme which allows kids to be registered into the boarding programme from age one. By age three, Muhammad had memorised the the whole Qur'an.

Muhammad's father, Dr. Aliyu Shamsuddeen, who is also the head of the school, disclosed that the rationale behind admitting children at the tender age of one is that the brain easily assimilates education in its forms.

Speaking on his son's feat, he said:

We have the belief that from the time a child stops sucking the breast of his mother up to adolescence, the brain is wide open and this allows a child to easily assimilate what he or she is taught. This is why we are admitting children from this age, specifically for Quranic memorisation.

Muhammad is not the only boy that can memorise the Holy Quran here, but his difference with others is the fact that he was able to win competitions at various stages up to the international level. We have children from different parts of the country who are here with us studying the Holy Quran and Western education."

Dr. Aliyu went on to reveal that his wife and Muhammad's mother had been uncomfortable with the idea of admitting him at such a young age, but had later relaxed as soon as his talents began to reveal itself.

Muhammad reportedly began attending Quranic recitation competitions from Zaria local government. Following his success at the local level, he went on to represent the school at the state level, as well as the state at the national level.

His pace paved the way for him to represent the country at the International level In Saudi Arabia where he the second in his age category.

As part of his prize, Muhammad was given the privilege of choosing a country where he would be sponsored for a picnic by the Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, while he is in Saudi Arabia.

Apart from his memorisation talents, Muhammad can speak Arabic and English Languages fluently, while carrying out all the normal activities of a Nursery II pupil.

ALSO READ: Pregnant woman sells her unborn baby for N100k in Anambra

The deputy Chief Imam of Tudun Jukun, Zaria Jumaat mosque, Ustaz Bashir Lawal, disclosed to correspondents that it is possible for a 3-year-old to be blessed with the memorisation of the Holy Quran but that in the history of previous generations of Islam, there has never been a time when a 3-year-old was reported to have memorised the complete holy book.

Allah can do anything as part of justifying the sacredness of the Holy Quran, but in the history of Islam, that is the generations that the prophet (SAW) stamped as the best, there was no reported case of anyone who memorised the Holy the Quran at that age. There were instances where children of nine and above were reported to have memorised the Holy Quran, but not three."
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!
The accident reportedly involved an SUV and a commercial between Gegu and Abaji on Friday, July 5, 2016, claiming the lives of 16 victims, leaving a lone survivor.

The Kogi State Governor's convoy was at the scene of the accident with the Senior Special Assistant to Governor, Yahaya Bello on New Media, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, revealing that the commercial bus involved in the accident, was on its way from Lagos to Kano.

The vehicles are reported to have burst into flames following the tragic accident, with 16 of the passengers, 13 from the bus and three from the SUV, engulfed in the fames.

ALSO READ: Bus driver burnt beyond recognition in fatal accident

The three passengers of the SUV were reportedly burnt to death while the sole survivor has reportedly been hospitalised, where he is currently fighting for his life.
Kabir made the call during inauguration of a book on family lineage of late chief Imam of Kano residing in Katsina, Muhammad Zaharaddeen, on Saturday in Katsina.

``It has come to our knowledge that some disgruntled people are castigating President Buhari and blaming the economic problems of the country on him.

``The President cannot solve the economic blunder committed in 16 years within one year.

``President Buhari needs some time to marshal plans that will solve the several challenges facing the country, he said

``The President needs the support and prayers of his brothers and sisters from the North to overcome the several problems facing the North and the country.

The emir commended the author of the book for writing the book on his family lineage that migrated to Katsina in 1894 during Hausa/Fulani civil wars.

He said the book will serve as a reference material for history students in tertiary institutions in the state.

Earlier, Gov. Aminu Masari urged citizens to emulate the late chief imams family by promoting both western and islamic education.

This prominent family has produced lawyers, doctors, university professors, administrators and politicians.

Masari said the family had some prominent politicians like Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa and Sen. Hadi Sirike, a serving minister in Buharis Administration.

NAN reports that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi, who was the chief launcher of the book, donated N1 million. Over N5 million was realized at the launch.
Buhari made the confession on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the graduation ceremony of Course 24 participants of the National Defence College, Abuja.

ALSO READ: President saved Nigeria from economic crisis  Lai Mohammed

In his words, We are, however, not under any illusions that this task is an easy one. But we have put our trust in God knowing that with hard work and sound vision, we will triumph.

Buhari stated that international confidence in Nigeria and its future was beginning to return because of how the country was slowly finding ways to solve its problems.

Continuing, the President said, We hope to continue to build on this progress in the coming years so as to ensure that Nigeria maintains the enviable heights it has achieved thus far. It is a task that all of us must resolve to do.

Yet to this day, corruption and poverty remain our main national problems. Thus far, weve been able to recover billions of naira from indicted companies and individuals. In addition, through the implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account, weve been able to save more for our nation, Buhari stated.

Buhari recalled that though he had he had outlined certain core areas of national life requiring immediate intervention when he was inaugurated, he said the nation is beginning to have faith in the ability of its societys institutional capacity in tackling its problems.
Also arrested were her younger brother, Abdul-Shehu Obaze, who worked at the commercial department of FAAN in Ilorin and Dominic Ojo, an IT officer at the headquarters in Lagos, the EFCC said in a statement.

In the statement issued in Abuja on Friday, August 5, by the Commission's spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the arrest followed an anonymous petition, which indicated that the accountant allegedly diverted the said sum by inserting names of non-FAAN staff into its payroll.

The statement said she allegedly conspired with Obaze, who was found to have maintained not less than eight accounts in seven new generation banks to perpetrate the fraud.

"The funds were being paid into his various bank accounts with the narrative, Furniture Allowance," the statement said.

"However, while the allowance for FAAN's furniture is usually paid once in three years, Obaze received the allowance several times in a year.

It added that investigations by the EFCC revealed that the fraud had gone on since 2013.

It further added that the investigations unearthed a payroll with names of many dead, retired and disengaged staff of FAAN listed against Obaze's different bank accounts.

ALSO READ: EFCC arrests Fayose's aide

"Upon interrogation, Obaze, a level nine officer, confessed that other FAAN officials were involved in the fraud, including Olabode's husband, who works in the human resources department of FAAN.

"Olabode and Ojo currently enjoy administrative bail while Obaze remains in EFCC custody, the statement further said.
Makama told newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday that the officers were in the local government to stem criminal activities in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state has witnessed a resurgence of kidnapping and armed robbery especially in Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum local government areas.

He said that the security of lives and property was the primary objective of the force.

"Our officers are in the local government to provide law and order in the state. We must protect lives and property of the innocent people living in the area.

``Robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities are happening daily along the Benue/Taraba express road leading to loss of lives and property in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer Ismail Noman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lafia that, XJieng AI Jung, 50 and Wenso Ping, 45, were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2.28p.m. on the their way to Abuja.

According to him, security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups, local hunters and community leaders have also been involved in the search of the victims.

He said security operatives had been deployed in to the forests and bush around the area to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.

``The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, has directed that the search operation team should do everything possible to ensure that the victims are rescued, he said.

Noman explained that the police had also increased stop and search activities across the state borders as part of security measures.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a photograph of the former president was wrongly captioned as having been seen arriving at the venue of the PDP meeting.

NAN reports that Obasanjo was at the centre for the Zero-hunger meeting and not for the PDP meeting, a party he openly left.

ALSO READ: Obasanjo storms Inauguration of PDP National Convention Committee

According to a statement by Mr Tunde Arosanyin of the Zero Hunger in Africa in Abuja on Saturday, it was just a coincidence that the two meetings were holding at the same venue.

''He came for zero hunger in Africa-Nigeria chapter meeting with commodity Association stakeholders.

''At closing, some PDP members came to greet him at the boardroom of the hunger meeting venue,'' Arosanyin saidi.
The agency warned in a statement it issued in Abuja on Saturday that flooding might occur at any moment following intense rainfall and rises in water level.

The Director-General of the agency, Malam Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who gave the advice in the statement, said the agency had received alerts of the imminent flooding.

He said information given by the authorities in the Republic of Niger indicated the present water level in the river had reached a point that may result in flooding that could be compared with that of 2012.

He said: ``Niger Basin Authority (NBA) notified Nigeria that rainy season, which started in the Middle Niger (Burkina Faso and Niger Republic) in June, has led to a gradual rise of the level of River Niger in Niamey, Niger Republic.

``This high level of water in Niger Republic is already spreading to Benin Republic, and invariably, to Nigeria.

He further said that the level of water in all the hydrological monitoring stations across the country, as at Aug. 5, had already exceeded the corresponding values at that time.

According to him, this development is an alarming situation that requires the prompt and coordinated action of all governments and stakeholders.

``If the heavy rainfall continues in intensity and duration within these regions of the River Niger, it is imminent that flood situation similar to that of the year 2012 may occur, the director-general quoted the report as saying.

Sani-Sidi, therefore, called on all stakeholders to take necessary actions in line with their various mandates.

He said that states and local governments should ensure observance of the threat to avert imminent loss of lives and property that might arise in the event of flooding.

He identified the states along the river Niger belts as being the most vulnerable and those along its major tributaries such as in Benue river belts , the confluence states and downstream to the Atlantic Coast.

He said NEMA zonal and operation offices had been instructed to continue with advocacy visit to the state governments.

He also urged the states to utilise the flood vulnerability maps given to them earlier by NEMA to identify safer ground for temporary shelters in time of evacuation.
While reiterating his exit from the opposition party, Obasanjo said having announced his exit from partisan politics publicly, it is impossible for him to return to a "divided, factionalized party gasping for breath."

Speaking to reporters in Abeokuta on Saturday, August 6, 2016, the ex-Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT) of PDP referred to the members of his former party, who came to greet him during his meeting at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre as invaders and gate-crashers.

ALSO READ: Obasanjo storms Inauguration of PDP National Convention Committee

In his words,If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now divided, factionalized party gasping for breath?

Those who know me, know that I have publicly announced my quitting partisan politics and those who will believe the purported story will believe anybody who tells him that his or her mother is not a woman," Obasanjo said.

A statement released by Obasanjos media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, explained in details what happened at the meeting in Abuja.

To clear the minds of doubting Thomases and those behind the orchestrated news in circulation and particularly those who had been calling to ascertain what actually happened at the Shehu Musa Yaradua centre.

The meeting commenced but few minutes into the session, his attention was drawn to the presence of some people walking up to where he was seated. At closer glance, he recognized them to be politicians and they exchanged pleasantries, saying they came to greet him and they walked out again from the meeting.

Obasanjo cracked jokes with members of his former party on which platform he was elected as civilian president in 1999 before he later became the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of same party, calling them invaders and gate-crashers," Akinyemi disclosed.

Continuing, he said, The programme ended and immediately he and his entourage headed back to Lagos. He was barely hours in Lagos when he started receiving calls from both far and near, wanting to find out about his presence at a political party programme in Abuja.

The photo as well as the media report in circulation, which claimed that he was spotted at a political party event is therefore mischievous, as a responsible journalist ought to have gone further to ascertain his actual destination in among the number of venues at the centre.

They simply took the photograph of his alighting from his vehicle to read another meaning. It is shocking also to note that the picture was actually taken while on his way out of the Centre after the programme he attended had ended.

This is height of irresponsible journalism, which the former President is calling for its investigation and sanction on anybody involved in order to serve as deterrent to others who may want to be used either by omission or commission to misinform the public on such sensitive issue," Obasanjo's media aide revealed.
The position was initially zoned to the South, which made Dokpesi declare his interest to run, and has been touring states to canvass votes. But the party leaders from the South met in Port Harcourt on Thursday, August 4, and resolved to zone the position to the South-West.

Dokpesi said the leaders are repeating the same mistake that caused the political downfall of the party in the first place.

In statement released by his Media Aide, Mr. Omor Bazuaye, Dokpesi told delegates in Kano to do the right thing by voting their conscience at the August 17 national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Leaders of the South met and decided to micro-zone to the South-West. These are the same things we did that brought the party to its knees.

I have come here pleading and begging that if I become National chairman it is me and you that would be chairman, he was said to have told members of the party during his campaign in the North-West.
The al Qaeda-allied group, which wants to topple Somalia's Western-backed government and rule the country according to Islamic Sharia law, has been ramping up attacks on both civilian and military targets in recent months.

"Al Shabaab militants fired mortar shells at densely populated civilian residential areas in Baidoa town this morning," AMISOM said on its Twitter account.

"One round of the mortars hit a hospital. Civilian casualties are unknown but expected."

Security analysts have warned that the group could step up attacks, taking advantage of the distraction caused by campaigning for a presidential election due in August.

In the most recent attacks, al Shabaab late last month used vehicle-borne suicide bombers to launch assaults on an AMISOM base and the headquarters of Police's Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) both in Mogadishu.

The attacks left at least 23 people dead.
The English-language Gulf News said there were no injuries in the fire, which broke out at mid-day. The newspaper published pictures and a video of the building showing flames and clouds of black smoke.

A spokesman said the fire was brought under control some five hours after it started, Gulf News reported. It was not immediately clear if the building was being developed for residential or commercial purposes.

Last month a fire broke out at the residential 75-storey Sulafa Tower in the upscale Marina District, on New Year's Eve a blaze hit a downtown hotel and in February last year there was a fire at a 79-storey residential tower.

In November 2012, a 34-storey Dubai residential building was badly damaged by fire.

In some of those cases, experts said the flames may have been encouraged to spread by exterior cladding, used for decoration or insulation.
The arrests, reported by an AFP correspondent at the scene, came less than a week after thousands of people from Ethiopia's ethnic Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar.

Some of those arrested and taken away in pick-up trucks appeared to have been beaten to judge from their bloodied faces.

Saturday's rally was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia's main ethnic group. Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital's main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners."

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

Although small Saturday's rally was significant in that it was the first of a series by Oromo and Amhara, the two main ethnic groupings making up some 80 percent of the population, to be held in Addis Ababa.

Both groups say they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Also Saturday, local people told AFP there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the city of Ambo and Nemekte, in the Oromo region, as well as a call for a rally in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.

Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday.
Every Tuesday afternoon during the school year, Amy Follis, 40, and Amber Reyes, 11, meet up at their usual spot at Monroe Elementary School, Davenport.

While hanging out, the pair often either play board games or just have conversations about life. Their favorite go-to board game is Perfection.

"We talk about school and about what books you like to read," Follis said, glancing at Amber. "And what bothers you."

"Yeah," Amber agreed. "I usually talk about what happened on the weekend and just about what's going on."

Follis, like many other working people in the Quad-Cities, is juggling a job on top of volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. Amber became involved in the program after her mother saw her struggle with her parents' divorce, Follis said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national non-profit that aims to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors.

Follis has been a "Big" since October 2015. She works as senior project coordinator for Estes Construction, a general contractor and construction manager based in Davenport.

"I like listening to her talk and to help her out with anything. She likes having that extra person, and it feels good to know that I'm that, for her," Follis said, explaining why the program is satisfying to her.

Like Estes, many other companies in the Quad-Cities are teaming up with the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters in hopes to better the lives of disadvantaged children and their families.

Those already involved include Ascentra Credit Union, Enterprise Holdings and MidAmerican Energy, said Beth Clark, director of development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley.

"What we hear from just about every mentor is that it's one of the most fulfilling things that they've ever done," Clark said. "They understand that so many children are in circumstances where they don't have a lot of hope. Mentors show them that their world is a bit bigger than what they're used to."

In June, the organization launched a "100 Days/100 Bigs" campaign to recruit more mentor volunteers. Currently, more than 300 children are waiting to be paired with a volunteer, Clark said.

For the campaign, businesses hold "Lunch & Learns for employees to learn the needs and benefits of being a mentor, Clark said.

"Usually a business agrees to hold a lunch and learn and commits to buying lunch for the employees who register to attend, and they promote it internally for a couple of weeks in advance," she said, adding that 60 to 70 percent of those who attend do inquire about becoming a Big.

Clark said her organization's relationship with businesses is very important because corporations help fund many of the group's efforts through grants, donations and sponsorship.

Laura Pearson, human resource generalist manager for Enterprise Holdings Heartland operations  which include the whole state of Iowa, and parts of Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota  said her organization provides multilayered assistance to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

She said Enterprise employees either participate as mentor volunteers or volunteer at major activities held by Big Brothers throughout the year. The company also provides financial assistance through its philanthropic arm called the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

The grant, Pearson said, can be used to provide books and activity boxes when the "Bigs" and "Little" meet up. The money also is used to fund events throughout the year.

"We're constantly looking for ways that we can give back, whether that be through grants or through time by volunteering," she said.

Last June, the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation committed a three-year grant of $22,500 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley in its volunteer recruitment program.

Dale Owens, CEO of Ascentra Credit Union, said one key aspect of the Foundation is to help the underprivileged in the community.

"Knowing that 200 children in our community are waiting to have an adult mentor was a huge motivation for the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation to back this effort," he said in a news release. "Our Credit Union Foundation really revolves around making unique and meaningful change in the communities we serve."

MidAmerican Energy, too, has employees volunteering as mentors, said Terry Ousley, MidAmerican Energy's vice president for customer satisfaction. He said the company has an internal website called "Get Involved," where employees can get involved with more community causes.

"We're in a lot of communities, and our employees and customers live in these communities. We want good and strong communities and it's a way for our employees to give back," he said.

According to a 2013 Youth Outcomes Survey, 94 percent of youths enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters community-based, one-to-one mentoring program maintained or improved in their attitudes about risky behaviors. The same survey also showed that 88 percent maintained or improved in parental trust.

Amber Reyes said she has noticed changes in herself after being partnered with Follis.

"I've felt like I've had someone to talk to, and someone is by my side," she said, adding that before being a Little, she didn't have many friends, and wanted someone to talk to. "I'm just happy."

Follis said she's noticed her Little's self-esteem improved, and that she's been more confident.

"I'm glad I met Amy," Amber said, smiling toward Follis. "I'm glad I met you too," Follis replied, returning the smile.
Grace Lutheran Church

"World of Wonder," or Vacation Bible School for the whole family, is planned Aug. 7-11, with a family meal at 5:30-6 p.m. and activities 6-8 p.m. daily.

This Evangelical Lutheran Church in America church is located at 1140 E. High St., Davenport. Register at www.gracewelcomesyou.org; or for information contact Lindsey Briggs-Spies at 563-322-0769.

ChristChurch UMC

The "CaveQuest" Vacation Bible School is at ChristChurch United Methodist Church, 2330 W. 41st St., Davenport.

It is 9 a.m to noon on Aug. 8-12. Children who are 4 years old through fifth grade are invited. Register online at christchurchdavenport.org/vbs call 563-391-5488

Trinity Lutheran

The EWALU Bible Camp of Strawberry Point, Iowa, will host Day Camp at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18137 Criswell St. Pleasant Valley. It is offered to children who will enter grades 1-6 in the fall.

"The Jesus Way" is the theme for the camp, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8-11, and 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 12. Lunch is provided. To register call the church, 563-332-5188.
Community block party today in RI

At the corner of 12th Street and 12th Avenue today, two churches will combine to throw a Block Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Church of Peace and Heart of Hope Ministries will host the event at the intersection of the Rock Island streets. The public is invited to share food, fun and fellowship.

Activities include poetry presentations from Chris Britton and his poetry team from Rock Island Christian Friendliness Youth Hope Center.

Church of Peace United Church of Christ was founded in 1895 by German immigrants. It has been at its current location since 1912. Heart of Hope is a non-denominational fellowship that started in 2009.

West Davenport Family Day

Families are invited to Family Play Day from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel Preschool and Child Care Center, 3834 Rockingham Road, Davenport. The free event is open to all families, with children of all ages.

The site features an "outdoor classroom," with blocks and Lincoln logs, as well as cars, dinosaurs and a doll house. Activities include a puppet show, family board games, dress-up for a tea party, and creativity with recycled products and paint.

Swing, sway at St. John's

A upbeat event, "Swing and Sway with Ray Wierson and the original Celebration Band," will be 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at St John's United Methodist Church, located at 14th and Brady streets, Davenport. Tickets are $12 at the door.
Taylor Westerfield is 10 years old, and she is all ready for classes to begin in the sixth grade at Wood Intermediate School, Davenport.

She spent a couple of hours at her new school this week, taking part in a program called Jump Academy. It provided her and about 100 new classmates the opportunity to learn about the school before classes actually start on Aug. 23.

Taylor, of Davenport, figured out how to open her locker, where her classrooms are located, and how to get to the cafeteria and the library.

"All these books," she said in the library. "There's so many!"

Some 14,000 books in fact, Caitlyn Morrison, Wood's librarian said, with three new ones added each week.

Jump Academy, and other events like "unpack your backpack" nights, are among the many preparations for the 2016-17 school year.

While students started school on Aug. 3 in the Rock Island-Milan district and at United Township in East Moline, nearly every other local district officially kicks off classes on Aug. 23.

Right now, teachers are in training sessions and in the midst of preparing classrooms, districts are wrapping up construction and remodeling projects  and all are on tight timelines.

Still, district representatives are happy to talk about what's coming up, especially in the classrooms.

In Davenport, for example, the district this year launches the Davenport Teacher & Learning Plan. Based on a model from Des Moines, Superintendent Art Tate started the project by asking a committee to look back seven years

, and tally up reform efforts and initiatives.

That involved 88 projects. The committee of administrators worked to pull them together and align them for 2016-17.

"The way I like to look at it ... when all is said and done, let's make life easier for principals and teachers so they can concentrate on the classrooms," Tate said.

All the district's success-driven initiatives are listed in four topic areas. Under mental health and behavior, for example, the district will start a Boys Town model in every school. This is designed to effectively address how behavior directly affects student achievement, he said.

"We want to return to the premise that the classroom is sacred, and that's where our attention should be," Tate said.

"That's a pretty big mind shift."

In Rock Island, officials are looking to better understand their students, and where they come from. Immigrant students in the district represent 39 different languages and dialects, Kathy Ruggeberg, assistant superintendent for learning and teaching, said.

"Basically, we all have childhood experiences that either help or hurt us," she said. A better understanding of a student's background will help educators understand how to help them to achieve more in school.

North Scott and Pleasant Valley school districts are in the second year of a teacher compensation program, financed by the state. This allows North Scott, for example, to devote more time and resources to core subjects like language arts and math, as well as to arts and music education, Superintendent Joe Stutting said.

In Pleasant Valley, the money is used to help teachers learn together and collaborate to benefit the students, Brian Strusz, assistant superintendent said.

Davenport, as one of the state's largest public districts, is in the third year of the program. "We've been very pleased with how it works," Tate said. "It's been a game-changer."

In the Moline-Coal Valley district, administrators have partnered with Purdue University in Indiana to allow teachers to train on how to work better with high-level students, Superintendent Lanty McGuire said.

Chromebooks are the learning choice for several districts. The Chromebooks initiatives for 2016-17 are at Assumption, Alleman, Bettendorf and Moline.

Among personnel changes, Bettendorf has named Michael Raso as the interim superintendent and will launch a search for a new district leader in November.
DES MOINES  Hillary Clinton supporters gathered outside GOP rival Donald Trump's venue on Friday to denounce his "perpetual" attacks and question whether his "reckless" economic policies will help working Iowans.

"We do not think that Trump shares Iowa values," Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller told a news conference near the Iowa Events Center where about 3,000 Iowans later rallied with Trump and running mate Mike Pence. "He's on the attack almost perpetually. Those are not things that we do in Iowa. Those are not Iowa values."

Miller joined representatives of labor and education in touting Clinton's economic plan to grow businesses and create jobs while decrying Trump's opposition to the federal minimum wage, his outsourcing of his business products, and his refusal to release his tax returns.

John Herrig, president of Iowa State Council of Machinists, said Clinton would invest in manufacturing and crack down on trade abuses as president by making companies that move overseas pay an exit tax and requiring them to pay back any government breaks they had previously received.

Erich Schmidt, Iowa Laborers' political director, said he was encouraged by Friday's report that the U.S. economy had added 255,000 jobs last month and unemployment stood at 4.9 percent nationwide.

"After attending countless union meetings, our membership has expressed concern that America is already great and that we do not need to take a step backwards," Schmidt said. "To us, the choice is obvious. Donald Trump is erratic, reckless and ill-tempered. If we put him in charge of managing our economy with no specific details on how he will improve it, he could cost our country millions of jobs."

Miller said Trump is attempting to appeal to working Americans and Reagan Democrats but he said the GOP presidential nominee likely would be "the most anti-trade" and "anti-immigrant" the country has seen, adding "I think a Trump presidency would be a great disappointment for working-class people."

"He doesn't have the plan and he doesn't have the vision to help them," added Miller. "He's promising things that he cannot possibly do, including the politics of nostalgia that he'll return things to previous years."

Demonstrators in attendance held up signs that declared "Trump: Outsourcer in Chief," "Baby Hate," "Not Him" and "Get that baby out of here  Donald J. Trump" as a backdrop to the speakers. A few miles away, members of the Iowa CCI Action Fund paid for an electronic billboard near the Des Moines Airport that read: "Iowans Deserve Better: Dump Trump" to illustrate their opposition to the GOP candidate and his positions.
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Who Is Molly Qerim, How Did She Become a Famous Sports Anchor and Who Is Her Husband? Molly Qerim is an American sports anchor popularly known for moderating First Take, a highly rated sports talk show, on ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN, Qerim hosted Fantasy Live and NFL AM on NFL Network. It is quite obvious that the widely acclaimed television personality is in a class of her own when it comes ...

Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

CNNs Chris Cuomo Biography  Wife, Family & Net worth Chris Cuomo needs no elaborate introduction as he has starred graced many prominent Television cable networks and his voice has been heard through acknowledged radio shows. He is a television journalist and Lawyer who has previously worked for ABC News as Chief law and justice correspondent as well as a co-anchor on 20/20. If you still ...

Neil deGrasse Tyson  Family, Religion & Net Worth Neil deGrasse Tyson is a distinguished American astrophysicist and author who has been able to achieve so much after falling in love with astronomy at the age of 9. He has since attended and become an alumnus of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and also recorded numerous achievements in his field of ...

Is Simon Cowell Gay? Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend and Why is He Famous? Simon Cowell is a well-known talent show judge, TV producer, entrepreneur and one of the most popular TV personalities that Britain has ever produced. In conjunction with his company, Syco, Cowell is the brain behind hugely successful talent hunt shows such as The X-Factor UK, The X-Factor US, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and ...

Everything To Know About Joanna Gaines Life With Chip Gaines, Their Business Pursuits and Kids Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines became celebrities after their television show Fixer Upper began airing back in 2013. The show which was about home renovation and decoration ran for about 6 seasons with a total of 79 episodes before the couple bade farewell to it in April 2018. Apart from their appearances on ...

Who Is Larry The Cable Guy? What To Know About His Wife And Net Worth Larry the Cable Guy is a self-professed country kid renowned for his trademark Southern accent and sensational catchphrase Git-R-Done! The famous comedian who talks about anything under the sun has gone on to become one of the most memorable characters in comedy history. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the former on-air-personality, standup comedy superstar, movie ...

Who Is Patrick Starr, What Is His Net Worth and Gender? The make-up industry over the years has grown to become a billion dollar industry not just because there are probably more women wearing make-up but because a whole lot of men, especially the young ones, have become bold enough to wear it unlike before. A few of these men, like Patrick Starr, have even gone ...

How Did Chris Jansing Become a Senior Correspondent at MSNBC and Who Is Her Husband? An award-winning American television news reporter and journalist, Chris Jansing has succeeded in carving a spectacular niche for herself in the field of TV journalism. Outstanding for not just her excellence in journalism, Chris is also cherished for her incredibly gorgeous looks post 60! For close to four decades, Jansing has continued to soar in her ...

Jaclyn Glenn Biography  Age, Height & Ex-Boyfriend American Youtuber, Jaclyn Glenn, rose to prominence through her self-titled YouTube channel Jaclyn Glenn. She has remained an acclaimed atheist and continues to air her views on hot issues from politics, religion, animal rights, to atheism. During the heated 2016 US Presidential elections, Glenn featured in Hump Trump: Official Donald Trump Song. Her parallel acting career ...

Is Pat Sajak Married to a Wife or is He Gay With a Partner? Pat Sajak is one of the most popular TV game show hosts in America. He commenced his career as a radio disk jockey as well as a TV weatherman before being tapped to host Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. Sajak has hosted the popular game show from 1983 ...

Nayyera Haqs Bio  What To Know About Her Husband, Parents And Family Nayyera Haq can take anyone on political debates as well as discussions on social issues affecting many. Her ability to masterfully deliver her stance on every issue or political debate has made her a regular face in morning and evening news media platforms. This is not a common feat especially for someone from her kind ...

Inside Guy Fieris Family With Wife, Kids and Sister Who Died of Cancer Over the years we have seen men dominate the kitchen and churn out amazing delicacies from it. Some do it way better than their female counterparts and one of such men is Guy Ramsay Fieri  an American TV host, celebrity chef, restaurant owner, bestselling author of four culinary books, and game show host. His ...

Meet Phil Mudd of CNN  The Former CIA and FBI Exec, Is He Married, Who Is The Wife? When it comes to discussing issues surrounding terrorism, American Counterterrorism and National Security Expert, Phil Mudd, occupies a globally significant position. He has voiced his interest in the fight against terrorism and insecurity on many popular media platforms, both print and broadcast, such as CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, al-Jazeera, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, ...

Jim Hoffer: Biography, Wife  Mika Brzezinski, Children and Net Worth Jim Hoffer is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an investigative reporter for Eyewitness News, New York City. In his over two decades of investigative journalism, Hoffer has been at the front lines of several crucial stories from the 9/11 attack to the crash of American Flight 587 to the 2003 Blackout. On top of ...

The Ups and Downs of Erin Mcpikes Journalism Career and Other Facts About Her Personal Life Erin McPike is a journalist working for the Independent Journal Review (IJR) as a White House Correspondent but she gained widespread recognition for her coverage of general news. Whether its breaking news or some mainstream story, McPike has a reputation of baring the facts. As a journalist, her work as a White House Correspondent for Independent ...

Bert Kreischer Is Married To LeeAnn Kreischer With 2 Kids  Meet His Family Those familiar with Bert Kreischer mainly have the image of a large-bellied party man whose college life inspired the National Lampoon film, Van Wilder. It is an image that one would not naturally associate with a wholesome family. The standup comedian still maintains his wild party animal image on stage. But, back at home, he is ...

How Brendan Greene Became a Game Designer to Look Out For and Facts About His Failed Marriage The name Brendan Greene may not easily ring a bell in the larger society but for gaming enthusiasts, he is considered a god and this is because of his invention of the video game, Player Unknowns Battlegrounds, also called PUBG. Based on the popular last-man-standing/battle royale concept, Greenes creation has taken the gaming world by ...

WFAAs Sonia Azad Bio  Does The Reporter Have A Husband Or Boyfriend? Emmy Award-winning journalist and Health & Wellness reporter Sonia Azad is on the news segment News 8 Daybreak for the television station WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, a channel which she joined in October of 2015. Besides her time on the news, Azad is also a marathon runner and a certified yoga instructor. She has covered major news ...

This Is Everything You Should Know About Caroline Heldman, Her Career Portfolio and Other Facts Love it or hate it, there is no escaping the fact that feminism has come to stay in our world. The movement has continued to garner momentum over the years and this is due to the sustained push by several women, and even men, including the likes of Caroline Heldman. A Professor of Politics at ...

Understanding The Enigma That Is Gavin McInnes, The Controversies He Has Stirred and All About His Wife Gavin McInnes is a polemical English-born writer and TV personality, who is best known for his racist and fascist ideologies, as well as his co-ownership of Vice Media and Vice Magazine. He is also an actor a
A Moline couple has died following a two-vehicle crash near Lancaster, Wisconsin.

John Hansen, 69, and Francine Hansen, 66, were killed when a semi-tractor trailer failed to stop at an intersection on Highway 129 in South Lancaster Township, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Friday.

John Hansen was a Moline dentist. His son, Kirk Hansen, joined him in the practice in 2009, and it was renamed Hansen Family Dentistry.

Rafferty Funeral Home, Moline, is handling the funeral arrangements.

According to the Grant County Sheriff's Department, the Hansens were traveling northbound on Highway 129 when a semi-tractor trailer driver from Lombard, Illinois, failed to stop at an intersection, striking their vehicle.

The accident remains under investigation.
They spend half the year hunting for gold in the mountains of Arizona, and the other half camping along the Mississippi River shoreline in Scott County.

If youve recently spent a night at Buffalo Shores, just west of Buffalo, its likely one of them greeted you upon arrival.

Can I help you? a smiling Jackie Lawhorn, 64, asked Thursday, stepping out her 40-foot utility-connected Phaeton motorhome.

As volunteer hosts, Jackie, and her husband, Dan, serve as goodwill ambassadors for the county at the 65-site campground. Midway through their third straight season, which began in May and continues through October, they appear settled.

Clad in matching Scott County Conservation Board shirts and flip-flops, the duo spent much of the day relaxing inside their fully furnished and air-conditioned RV as the heat index outside hovered around 100 degrees.

Were the eyes and ears of the park, Dan, 66, said. Were observers, not enforcers.

The Lawhorns represent a larger group of outdoor enthusiasts  generally retirees  who call various county, state and federal parks home during the late spring, summer and early fall in the Quad-City area.

In Scott County, there are eight host sites  two at West Lake Parks two campgrounds (135 sites), five at Scott County Parks five campgrounds (240 sites) and the Lawhorns at Buffalo Shores.

Roger Larson, who manages Buffalo Shores and West Lake Park, said he purposely seeks retired couples and full-time RVers to fill the volunteer positions.

We look at them primarily because that is their home, and they usually know a lot about camping, said Larson, who returned the favor last weekend by hosting a cookout for the park attendants. We're full almost every weekend, so they keep an eye on the place for us."

Across the river in Rock Island County, Illiniwek Forest Preserve (85 sites) and Loud Thunder Forest Preserve (117 sites) each recruited on-site campground hosts this year.

Jeff Craver, director of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District, refers to his hosts as the parks concierges, who have limited maintenance, cleaning and custodial responsibilities.

Theyre the meeters and greeters for the most part, said Craver, who noted the host at Illiniwek receives payment for seasonal administrative work. They're extra security, and if something goes wrong, they'll notify our rangers.

The Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also enlists hosts at its six campgrounds in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, including two in Muscatine County and one in Rock Island County.

Kelly Thomas, chief of natural resources for the districts Mississippi River Project, said hosts sell firewood and conduct minor maintenance checks.

Above all, interested hosts, who must apply, interview and pass background checks, should possess people skills, Marc Miller, deputy director of the Scott County Conservation Department, said.

According to Miller, they also should be willing to interact with, and educate, strangers and out-of-towners about the park, camping rules and general attractions in the area.

Theyre an eclectic group, but theyre good people, he added, referring to the countys current collection of hosts, who see a lot of repeat campers.

Guests can stay for a maximum of 14 nights at area parks.

"We dont have too many instances," Dan said. Generally, campers are just good people."

The Lawhorns, who retired in 2010 and lived in Muscatine before buying their RV in 2013, still consider this area home.

The couple enjoys their freedom, and their Mondays and Tuesdays off. They spend most of their free time with their daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live in Muscatine.

When October comes, they plan to beat the snow and cold temperatures by hightailing it almost 1,700 miles back to the desert in western Arizona, where they park their RV near the Colorado River.

While theyll spend a chunk of time searching for gold aboard their off-road vehicle, their duties should bring them back to the Midwest next spring.

We can live in any state we choose because this is all we have, said Dan, who doesn't own any brick-and-mortar properties, but maintains a mailing address in South Dakota. We wouldnt have it any other way.
You would be hard-pressed to find another school anywhere in the Quad-Cities that has been the object of as much dedication for so long as the former Marquette Academy at 6th and Marquette streets, Davenport.

Sold in May to a relatively new Christian group called One Eighty, the building and other buildings on the grounds have been a place of education for more than 150 years, since before the American Civil War.

The current brick building was erected between 1911 and 1913 as the parish school of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. In 1969, it was merged with the school of the nearby St. Mary's Catholic Church and became known as Holy Trinity.

In 1999, the Diocese of Davenport merged the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Mary's and announced it was closing Holy Trinity because the building required costly repairs that, considering the diocese's overall needs, it could not afford.

A core group of supporters, passionate about the school's mission as a "beacon of hope" in the inner-city neighborhood, rallied to keep it open.

The diocese eventually sold the school  along with the church, rectory and convent  to a private, nonprofit group called HTMS Inc., for Holy Trinity Mission School.

In March 2002, the name changed to Marquette Academy.

For years, the organization struggled to remain true to its mission and keep the school open, relying solely on donations and grants. Fundraisers were held, and there were direct-appeal mailings.

A leading force was Joseph Seng, an Iowa legislator and Davenport veterinarian, who was the last president of the HTMS board.

In May 2013, Marquette officially closed its doors. At the time, it had an enrollment of about 40 students in its K-5 program. The building was leased briefly to Casa Guanajuato Quad-Cities, a nonprofit organization to provide Spanish-speaking children with preschool services.

The church most recently was owned by Grace Fellowship Church, which vacated this summer and now is headquartered at the former Club Mokan, on Davenport's West Kimberly Road.

Following is an abbreviated timeline of the property, according to research by the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at the Davenport Public Library.

1854: West-end German immigrants buy two lots.

1856: A stone church called St. Kunigunde is completed, the second Catholic church in the city and the 10th overall. It is not the church with the soaring Gothic spire that today stands on the corner of 6th and Marquette. Rather, it is the now-stucco-covered building to the north that, through the years, was used as a school and finally a rectory, or the priest's residence. It now is used as One Eighty's residential housing.

1870s: A rectory (home for priests) is built on the property. In the 1920s, the building becomes a convent for the religious sisters teaching in the school. It now is used as One Eighty's stability housing.

1881: Construction begins on the spired church, and it is dedicated in 1883. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a city landmark.

1911-1913: The present-day school is erected.

1999: St. Joseph's Church is closed by the diocese, and the building is deconsecrated.

1999: The diocese also announces closing of the school, but it remains open until 2013 through the efforts of a private, nonprofit group. (See above.)

2007: The church, rectory and convent are purchased by a newly formed nondenominational Christian church called Legacy Church.

Mid-2009: Following a change in leadership, the church's name changes to Grace Fellowship Church. Grace remains in the building until its last service on June 26. During those years, congregation families live in the former convent and rectory.

Grace has now re-established itself at the former Club Mokan, 4227 W. Kimberly Road, Pastor Mike Reid said. With about 90 members, the former St. Joseph Church "was awfully large for us," Reid said. The new space is a better fit and allows for future expansion, he said.
Food and news profitability became the news that was food for investor appetites for the shares of two area companies, helping to lift our Quad-City Times Key 15 by 1.97 to 2,019.39 in the latest week. Corporate earnings reports from hundreds of companies helped investor insight for a third consecutive week. Among them, reports from Kraft Heinz Company, parent of Oscar Mayer and Heinz operations here, and from Lee Enterprises, parent of this newspaper and others, combined to claim investor interest and lift share prices.

Investors were not without economic inputs to guide them as well. The first week of every month is always a time for guidance from those. Monday mornings latest from the Institute of Supply Management did not disappoint. Their purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector stayed firmly positive with a reading that slipped only from 53.2 in June to 52.6 in July. Over 50 is positive, as the institute reminds us that, loosely interpreted, the new 52.6 reading means a 52.6 percent majority of manufacturers are reporting rising purchases of parts and supplies. Presumably, then, a majority also plan to use those increased parts and supplies to increase manufacturing, a good sign. In fact, the new orders index was even stronger, up from 56.9 in June to 57.0 in July.

Auto sales figures from major manufacturers were firm despite failing to show huge growth. By data from Autodata Corporation, the manufacturers showed U.S. unit sales up 0.7 percent from July 2015. And, this July was annualized at a hearty 17.9 million vehicle pace, stronger even than 2015s full-year record of 17.49 million vehicles. More employment and higher wages are both helping, along with financing interest costs that remain historically low.

But employment itself, is the food that feeds the economys income growth and feeds investor interest, too. Wednesdays report by Automatic Data Processing, nations largest payroll processor, told investors that studies indicated an estimated 178,600 new private sector jobs created in July, quite a healthy gain. The report does not include government employment, which is considerable.

But the Labor Departments Friday report does. It says non-farm payrolls grew by 255,000 in the July estimate. The big employment gain exceeded analysts consensus estimates, and exceeded the 174,500 monthly average reported in the first six months. After a May stumble, the big June and July gains were gratifying to investors, who bid stock markets broadly higher following the report

Not all earnings reports satisfied investor appetites. Consider Monday mornings report from Macerich Companies, parent of NorthPark and SouthPark malls. Macerich did its share, reporting net income per share up from 9 cents one year ago to 31 cents in the just-finished second quarter. The tripling of results exceeded analysts consensus estimates at 23 cents per share. Moreover, Macerich reiterated its guidance that full year 2016 is on track to see $3.83 to $3.93 per share in profits, up from $3.08 per share in 2015. But, last week was one in which investors worried about retailing and malls, which led to selling in a number of those firms shares, including Macerich, which retreated $3.02 to $86.20 (1).

Archer Daniels Midland, with grain processing operations in Clinton and a major U.S. ethanol producer, reported second quarter profits that fell from 60 cents per share one year ago to 41 cents, even below analysts consensus estimate. What hurt? Poorer ethanol profit margins and lower earnings from ADMs agricultural services group, which includes exporting and grain trading operations hurt results. Despite the decline, ADMs report reminded investors that the company continued its strategic growth plans, pointing to acquisition of Amazon Flavors, a leading Brazilian manufacture of extracts. ADM shares retreated 63 cents last week to $44.44 (1).

But, surely, investors were well fed by the news from Lee that its third fiscal quarter brought profits per diluted common share that surged from 5 cents one year ago to 8 cents, a quite healthy percentage gain. Importantly, too, it was yet another quarter of debt reduction, having paid down $16.2 million in the quarter and $104.7 million over the last 12 months, using the interest costs saved to boost profitability. Lee shares climbed 15 cents last week to $2.00 (1).

And, the now-merged Kraft Heinz Company reported profits quadrupling from a pro-forma (as if the two components had been merged one year ago) 15 cents per share last year to 63 cents per share. Pro-forma net sales actually retreated 4.7 percent to $6.79 billion, with most of the retreat the result of currency fluctuations. Canadian and European sales both created negative currency impacts. The report did mention gains from innovation in Lunchables as a positive for sales in the quarter. Kraft Heinz shares surged following the report, contributing to a full week gain of $2.40 to $88.79 (1).

If the week left questions, one was surely on continuing investor concern over the durability of retail sales. The new weeks Friday report on retailing from the Commerce Department might just be the news feed that investors need.
NATION

Missing teen found in Grand Teton

Searchers located an Ohio teen who went missing in Grand Teton National Park on Saturday and tracked her down after she fled when authorities tried to rescue her.

Fauna Jackson, 16, was uninjured and taken to a hospital to be checked out. The National Park Service said Jackson changed her appearance by cutting and dying her hair. She also changed her clothes.

The girl, who is from Cincinnati, Ohio, was found near the Snake River Overlook about 4 miles from where she was last seen on Thursday morning. Jackson is a member of Groundwork USA and was working with about 20 other people on a trail project in the national park when she took a bathroom break but didn't return.

Rangers searched the area, and when they couldn't find her, they called in search crews, a helicopter, dog search teams and other authorities. Missing person notices were posted in the area where she disappeared.

Rescuers said someone reported seeing the girl Friday evening, and they became concerned after they found one of her hiking boots.

Sentenced tossed for woman on death row

The only woman on Pennsylvania's death row had her sentence thrown out by a judge who cited inadequate representation at her trial in the 2003 hatchet killing of her World War II-veteran neighbor.

Clinton County Senior Judge Michael Williamson sentenced Shonda Walter, 37, to life in prison without the possibility of parole, saying she had "totally incompetent counsel in the penalty phase" of her 2005 trial. Prosecutors had agreed not to seek the death penalty again, Williamson noted.

Walter killed James Sementelli, an 83-year-old veteran of the Pearl Harbor attack, in his Lock Haven home so she could steal his car and sell it to pay off court debts and to gain entry into a street gang, prosecutors said. He sustained more than 60 wounds, 18 fractures and 45 bruises, many of them to his head, face and neck, authorities said.

Evidence presented at trial indicated that Walter then drove his car to Williamsport but later returned to flush away a cigarette butt she had left in a toilet. Sementelli's body was discovered six days later. The hatchet, which contained his blood, was found along a rural road near Williamsport.

WORLD

13 die in basement bar fire

A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in northwest France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar in the city of Rouen, Mayor Yvon Robert said, calling the fire "very brief."

The birthday party was "a moment of joy for those involved that ... ended tragically," Robert said.

Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told The Associated Press that the first testimonies from survivors and the early police investigation indicated the "fire was completely accidental."

Syrian rebels launch new attacks

Syrian insurgent groups launched a fresh offensive Saturday seeking to break a government siege on rebel-held neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo, opposition activists and state media said. The militants claimed they had achieved their goal while state media denied that the blockade has been breached.

An unnamed military official told state news agency SANA that "large numbers" of militants had attacked the military college in southern Aleppo, adding that government forces were defending the sprawling base. SANA said the militant offensive was preceded by a number of car bombs that struck the area.

Shortly before sunset Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said that militants were able to reach besieged areas. The Observatory said that although the militants outside the city did reach rebel-held neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo, civilians still don't have a safe route to leave because of intense airstrikes and shelling in the area.

Accused attacker remains in jail

A 19-year-old Somali-Norwegian man accused of carrying out a stabbing rampage in London's Russell Square was remanded into custody Saturday after a court appearance in the British capital.

Zakaria Bulhan of London is accused of slaying 64-year-old American Darlene Horton, a retired teacher. Bulhan also faces five counts of attempted murder in the attack on two Australians, an Israeli, an American and a British citizen. The victims were named in court Saturday for the first time.

Bulhan, who moved from Norway to Britain as a child, mumbled his name, address and date of birth during the hearing Saturday at Westminster Magistrates Court. When asked if he understood the charges, he gave a thumb's up gesture. He will appear at the Central London Criminal Court on Aug. 9.

Horton was visiting London with her husband, Florida State University psychology professor Richard Wagner, who had been teaching summer classes in London. The couple had been due to fly home the day after the Wednesday attack.
Mike Berwick looked like a man who was victorious as he cooled his heels Friday, having already slain a dragon to get to his second Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Berwick went out of his way  by almost 7,000 miles  just to get to the Black Hills, riding from his home in Seattle to the Deep South to challenge a snaking 11-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 129 along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.

That stretch of road, bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is called the Tail of the Dragon for good reason.

It has 318 turns in 11 miles, Berwick said.

Conquering the Tail of the Dragon was a bucket list thing for Berwick, just as his journey to Sturgis was his first two years ago.

The 64-year-old said bikes, women, people and the weather, and oh, yeah, "freedom" make Sturgis a cant-miss happening.

All this time Ive been looking at that little light at the end of the tunnel. I thought it was a train, but its not. Its sunshine from the back of a motorcycle, and Im having a blast, he said
CUSTER STATE PARK | A leisurely two-hour trail ride turned into a tale torn straight from the pages of Western legend Friday morning when a bull buffalo charged a family of four, smacked into their mounted guide, spooked their horses, and spilled everyone into the dirt.

Shortly after the Colorado family had donned helmets, saddled up and followed their female wrangler from the Blue Bell stables in the southwest portion of the 110-square-mile park Friday morning, they encountered a large bull buffalo near the trail.

Bulls are currently in rut, the time in the mating season when the behavior of bison, already an unpredictable animal, can become even more erratic, according to Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder. And, with a herd approaching 1,300 bison, human-buffalo encounters are quite common in the park, he said.

These animals are not tame, Snyder said Friday afternoon. Theyre wild and totally unpredictable. Normally, you can keep your distance from a buffalo, but in the full rut, anything can happen.

And it inevitably did.

According to Snyder, the buffalo, which can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds, out-run a horse and turn on a dime, charged the group of horse riders about 9:30 a.m. near Lame Johnny Road. The unidentified female wrangler, in her early 20s, placed her horse between the advancing bull and the mounted family, he said.

The buffalo knocked her off her horse, which caused the other four horses to spook, causing each of the four riders to fall off, Snyder said. The buffalo then went on its way.

None of the riders was seriously injured, but out of an abundance of caution, Snyder said all five were transported by private vehicle to Custer Regional Hospital for an examination.

My staff said they were in good spirits, shook up, but handling it well, the superintendent said.

Attempts to reach the wrangler Friday afternoon were unsuccessful and Snyder said he did not have an identification of the Colorado family involved in the incident.

Josh Schmaltz, vice president of Regency Hotel Management, the Sioux Falls-based company that operates Custer State Park Resort Co., said the wrangler is a college student in her first summer working in the park as a guide. She wanted to remain anonymous, he said.

She wants to move on and for tomorrow to be just another day, said Schmaltz, who also credited her actions with possibly averting serious injuries to her guests. She did what she was supposed to do, and it sounded like she averted a potentially harmful situation.

CSP Resort Co. Director of Operations Ryan Flick said park wranglers are trained to avoid encounters with buffalo, and credited his employee with taking quick action.

It happened very, very fast, and she took the brunt of the blow from the buffalo, Flick said. I would say it was definitely heroic and Im very proud of her."

He then added: This was a reminder for everybody that this is not a petting zoo.

Snyder said Fridays incident was the fifth visitor encounter with bison this year. Two resulted in serious injuries, a third occurred when a visitor got too close to one of the animals and was knocked down, and a fourth involved a park guest who ran from a buffalo, fell down and was run over by the animal, he said.

The difference with this one, compared to the previous four, was people were out of their vehicles where they should not have been in the previous incidents, Snyder explained. This was a true accident. The guide did what she needed to do to protect the rest of the group.

Although he didnt have the opportunity to meet the family involved in Fridays event, Snyder said he was fairly certain their experience would be the topic of discussion for years to come.

Theyre going to be able to say they had some excitement on their summer vacation, he said.
Belle Fourche Councilman Jim Smit urged the council to recognize and honor the Belle Fourche police, Butte County sheriff, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol in light of recent tragedies in law enforcement.

Jessica Carmichael stepped up to the podium to share her concerns about the plan the city has for the sidewalk repairs project. The city plans to inventory the sidewalks that need repair and will notify owners of what is needed and the date to be completed.

Carmichael said that she believes the majority of the problem sidewalks are those abutting the road, where plows hit them. According to Carmichael, many of them are at the corners. Also, she said much of the damage is done when there has been roadwork and the cracks from the cuts in the road have gone up into the sidewalk.

A lot of the damage that we are talking about needing to replace is sidewalk damage that been caused in part by the city, she said.

She went on to say that she would like to see a longer period of time given to property owners to repair the sidewalks. If repairs are not completed by a specified date, the city will contract out the repair and assess the property owner.

Two events slated by the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce for the Belle Fourche area beginning in September that have Director Gary Wood excited are Fall Flavors and Butte County Manufacturers Week.

Look for Fall Flavors logo on menus in our area, Wood said. This event will target customers for local businesses with a beef and a lamb cookout and various other food events. Local grocery stores will have cooking demonstrations and will be sporting the Fall Flavors logo.

Dont be surprised to see the Fall Flavors logo anywhere, Wood said.

Another event coming in October is Butte County Manufacturers Week. This event will help to educate Belle Fourche residents with what is manufactured in the area.

Holly Stalder with the Belle Fourche Development Corporation said that Belle Fourche is one of the few places in South Dakota that is doing something for the week. Manufacturing brings jobs to this area and its important to acknowledge them, she said.

Six properties were approved for the assessment roll for 2015-2016 nuisance abatements. The assessments were set for snow removal, vegetation removal and a house demolition for a total of $26,430.97.

Unpaid assessments will be certified and filed with the Butte County Auditor on Sept. 30, 2016. However, the assessments are filed with the Belle Fourche Finance Office from June 15, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2016 and may be paid at the Finance Office without the accrual of interest.

On Oct. 1, 2016, any assessment not paid will accrue interest at an annual rate of 10 percent.

A video was shown of the problem with drainage issues at 13th Ave. and Kingsbury St. Councilman Smit said that the school should have some responsibility for erosion control in this issue. Mayor Landphere indicated that a letter should be formatted and sent to the school from the council.

We need communication; keep it going, she said.

In other business:

*The barricades for Hometown Thursdays will be moved to the alley between 7th/8th and State for safety reasons.

*Community Hall rental has been waived for the Community Manufacturers and Area Businesses three-day event in October.

*The resignation of Breanna Schaefer, City Services Clerk, was accepted with regret.

*RHS, Inc from Black Hawk will groove and tape City crosswalks.

*A special liquor license was granted for The Outlaw for a wedding reception to be held at the Community Hall on Aug. 27.
Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater wants both his patrol officers and those in the area on temporary assignment to be highly visible during this year's Sturgis motorcycle rally that officially starts Monday but is already bustling.

But being visible also means the officers may be an easier target, not a typical concern for officers but one that hovers over the upcoming rally in the wake of attacks on several police officers in America over recent months.

VanDewater admits he's had a few sleepless nights thinking about just that.

"It's something I wake up with every day. And, I'm sure it's on the mind of just about every officer in this department," he said. "You don't know when or where it's going to happen, but it can and will happen."

VanDewater, 41, says his philosophy is to take a proactive approach to officer safety.

"If you're not thinking about what is going on in this nation, that's when you are going to get hurt," he said. "We need to make sure that we are prepared."

VanDewater and his officers were pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a warm welcome during the weekend before the rally.

He said some rally goers even presented the officers with cards telling them how much they are appreciated.

His main focus as assistant chief was to put into action the plan of former Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush, who retired last year after 25 years at the helm. "I was the boots-on-the-ground person who enacted the plan," he said.

He admits it may be difficult this year to back away from that mentality.

"I have a hard time being a hands-off person," he said. "I don't foresee myself spending a lot of time in the office. I plan on being out on the street."

It may take a few years to ease into an administrative role, said VanDewater, whose first name is pronounced like "Jody."

"I'll still be out visiting with the officers and citizens and making sure events are going off as planned," he said.

VanDewater has more than 17 years of law enforcement experience in both county and municipal agencies in South Dakota.

He started his law enforcement career as a reserve officer in Hot Springs. Following his work as a reserve officer in Hot Springs, VanDewater worked for two years with the city of Edgemont and then served five years as Deputy Sheriff for the Fall River Sheriff's Office.

He started with the city of Sturgis in November of 2006 as a patrol officer. He has been the assistant chief for the past three years.

VanDewater and his wife, Jayme, live in Sturgis community and have two children, Jarrod and Kaitie. He is an avid mountain bike rider and volunteers for the Black Hills Trails organization.

His preparation for the 2016 rally has taken the form of advising staff to be aware of their surroundings and take nothing for granted.

"That's one of the reasons we have partners. We are preparing to be safe. We watch each other's back," he said.

The rally brings in people from all walks of life, VanDewater says "Some come for the party agenda. Some come with a criminal agenda. They all have their own little agendas," he said.

VanDewater expects that numbers will be down at the rally this year, compared to the 75th rally last year that drew a record crowd of more than 700,000. But that doesn't mean his officers will be any less busy.

"When the numbers are down we are busier because people can move around easier," he said. "I haven't been able to completely figure that out, but for whatever reason when the numbers are lower we seem to be busier."

The city's new chief has three years experience as assistant chief during the annual rally period. But this year is different, because this year the buck stops at his desk.

"Instead of running down the hall and asking Chief Bush, 'hey, how do you want to handle this?' It's now my decision. I need to have my ducks in a row," he said.

VanDewater sees this year and years ahead as a time of learning.

"To be successful, you have to learn from your mistakes," he said. "You can't have someone sitting there holding your hand the whole time. I'm fortunate that I had a very good mentor."

Each rally is what VanDewater describes as "an unknown monster."

He says even with fewer attendees this year, the numbers are still relatively large compared to what any other small U.S. city would attract for a multi-day event.

"You put 200,000 people in a town designed for 6,700 you're gonna be bursting at the seams," he said. "We don't have the infrastructure to support that. In turn, we have traffic incidents, not to mention the heat of August, which can make people crabby and prone to get upset easier."

VanDewater, who will celebrate his 10-year anniversary on the Sturgis Police force in November, has helped for years in recruiting temporary officers to work the rally.

VanDewater says he didn't cut back on the number of temporary officers hired for this year's rally.

"We haven't added any extra from the 74th through the 76th," he said. "We will have the same amount of people we had last year."

VanDewater said it is getting more difficult to get temporary officers just because the workforce they have drawn from for many years is getting older.

"I've got one officer that has been coming for 38 years," he said. "They are getting ready to retire from not only their full time job, but the rally also."

For years, the flow of officers who came to work the rally was steady with only a couple slots open. VanDewater says that in the coming year, he anticipates losing about a third of his temporary officer corps.

"I had several tell me last year that if I were chosen for chief they would give me one year. So, I'll have to replace those guys," he said.

In addition to overseeing full-time city police staff, reserve officers and temporary officers, VanDewater also oversees private security firms hired to watch over locations such as the city liquor store, the city armory and on land the city leases to vendors such as Harley-Davidson.

Just as he does with his full-time staff, VanDewater will share with the temporary officers his philosophy for community policing.

"I've worked with my officers about being more community involved. Sometimes that's easier said than done," he said. "Building relationships, whether it's with our citizens, business owners, other agencies or visitors, is what it's all about."

Instead of just walking Main Street, VanDewater said he will encourage officers to stop and talk with visitors during the rally.

"It puts faces to the name of our department," he said.
The Sturgis rally is a pilgrimage for Vik and Paula Petruschin, feeling like far more than a great motorcycle ride or just a place to party and reunite with friends.

Beyond the beauty of the Black Hills, the Petruschins are especially taken with Crazy Horse Memorial, the in-progress mountain carving of the Oglala Lakota warrior started by late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski near Custer.

The whole Native American experience is moving, inspirational, very poignant. It just reaches my soul what Korczak started and what the family continues, Vik said.

Both are English teachers in Hesperia, Calif., in the Mojave Desert north of San Bernadino.

Hes been doing a concert at our school to raise money for Crazy Horse, Paula said.

They first came to Sturgis before the 2006 motorcycle rally, when Main Street was void of rally noise and excitement.

After watching a documentary on the rally, they returned for the 2008 rally and have been regulars ever since.

Vik and Paula were moved enough by the Hills to tie the knot three years ago in Spearfish.

Our anniversary was a couple days ago, he said. That tells you how much we like the place.
All the prognosticators said the 2016 Sturgis motorcycle rally would be smaller than the monster, record-setting 75th rally held last year.

And yet, by Friday afternoon of this non-milestone year, downtown Sturgis was already a traffic quagmire for some.

All means of bikes, trikes, RVs and cars could be seen heading east of downtown Friday afternoon, most heading to the many rally campgrounds.

"This is looking like a very strong rally," Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie said. "Most of the numbers we are seeing are close to what they were for the 70th in 2010. We will see if we can keep that pace."

Based on information from the daily municipal press conference, and from staff reports from the scene, here is a look at some news from Sturgis on Friday.

Early arrivals

Ainslie said many rally visitors came to the Black Hills last week, well ahead of the official start on Monday. He suggested that the extensive media coverage of the 75th Sturgis rally last year highlighted the large crowds and traffic, and that some rallygoers came early this year to avoid that.

"I think a lot of people purposely came early so they could still enjoy riding in the Hills, visiting Sturgis, but not have to deal with the crowds," he said.

Registration at the rally headquarters in the Sturgis Armory showed that visitors from all 50 states are represented, as well as numerous individuals from foreign countries.

City vendor statistics show that as of 8 a.m. Friday, the city had issued 588 temporary vending permits, a mid-range number historically. That number compares to 773 in 2015 and 510 in 2014.

Parking pursuit

Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater said the major calls for service so far at the rally are parking violations.

"Parking is our number one issue every year. Everybody is vying for a place to park, whether they are a vendor or an attendee," he said.

Although the ticket for parking illegally is $10, the tow bill can range from $100 to $150, Vandewater estimated.

Grass fire

As if first-responders didn't have enough to do, crews responded to a grass fire near the Lamphere Ranch Campground about 2:30 p.m. Friday. Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Trigg said the fire burned about 1.5 acres, but was quickly extinguished.

Welcome to Sturgis

Also on Friday, Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen along with city councilman Ron Waterland welcomed the crowds to the 76th Sturgis motorcycle rally at the official kick-off at Harley Davidson Rally Point.

A brick was presented to Ben Bostrom who will serve as the 2016 Grand Marshall for the annual mayor's ride Monday.

Bostrom said racing on the dirt track in Sturgis launched his motorcycle racing career.

"I want to thank the Sturgis community and everyone who comes to the event. This is the best motorcycle destination in the world," he said.

South Dakota Secretary of Tourism James Hagen spoke on behalf of Gov. Dennis Daugaard, thanking Sturgis for sponsoring the global event. A contingent of Hot Springs American Legion members rode into downtown to raise the American flag over the rally.
Shannon Hanlon of Hanover, Penn., is attending her first Sturgis motorcycle rally.

She and her fiance, Jeff Zinn, rode the entire 1,700 miles on his Electra Glide Standard from Hanover.

Hanlon got her newest tattoo about five months ago. She said she wanted something that represented her family, her fiance and herself.

Hanlon had the artist put the names of her kids and grandkids into the roots of the tree depicted in the tattoo. Unless you look closely, you can't really see the names, but they are there.

"My kids and my grandchildren are my roots. They are my life support," she said.

The artist was Tiffany Weigel at Baltimore Street Tattoos in Hanover.

Hanlon said that in all, it took about 12 hours and four sessions to finish the tattoo.

Hanlon said her 16-year-old daughter informed her that the tattoo pays homage to Baucis and Philemon of Greek mythology. Upon their death, the two were transformed into trees with intertwined branches.
Nearly 25 percent of Rapid City residents are considered to be living at or below the poverty level. There is also a shortage of affordable housing in Rapid City. As a result, several old rundown motels have become apartments, but not affordable apartments. A former motel room fitted with a stove or microwave oven will rent for $550-$600 per month.

Most "real" apartments in our area rent for $700 or more but there are some that are less. So why would someone rent a substandard motel room for $600 per month? Because the landlords (and I use that term loosely) allow late payments, additional occupants, clutter, garbage and other things not usually tolerated by a commercial apartment manager. These substandard apartments are something we have a habit of ignoring, but there comes a time when ignoring it makes us part of the problem.

It must be nice to collect a hefty monthly fee for a room once used by travelers for a single night or two. Even better for those landlords who are comfortable not investing in maintenance and upgrades for the property.

One such property is the Idlewild Apartments on East St. Joseph Street. A filthy, dilapidated building filled with people who apparently have only one other option for living space  the streets. The owner, Gerald Henning of Milwaukie, Oregon, enjoys collecting money while the on-site unpaid building manager works only for rent. Substandard housing is not uncommon in Rapid City but that doesn't make it right.

Henning, while collecting thousands of dollars monthly, has ongoing issues with paying the propertys water bill in a timely fashion. Owing several thousand dollars for several months, Henning has asked for extra consideration and patience from the City.

In March 2016, the City turned off the water due to nonpayment. At that time, Henning owed approximately $7,000. When interviewed by the Rapid City Journal, Henning blamed the tenants for failing to pay rent and boasted of providing a needed service to Rapid City. Henning stated "I was worried sick about my tenants, I didn't sleep for three nights."

Baloney.

Henning owed nearly $4,000 on a delinquent bill, and only made partial payments this week when the City of Rapid City was again placed into the position of turning off the water at the Idlewild property. As the Citys deadline of Friday at 10 a.m. approached, the landlord still owed over $2,500 on one of the buildings and leaving the status of water service to tenants in 13 units uncertain.

Early in the week, the City was forced to place door-hanger notifications on the apartment doors of tenants. Mr. Henning was again notified of his obligations and as the days of this week approached the shut-off deadline, tenants were left in limbo. Tenants should not have to remain victim to a landlord that does not live up to his obligations to them and the City.
There is a move afoot to assure added safety to South Dakota waterways again.

And we are happy to see advocates of buffer strips between farmland and waterways living to fight another day.

Strips of land between fields and water help trap fertilizer, pesticide and sediment before they reach the water.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard rejected the plan to offer tax breaks for buffers in March. Vetoed Senate Bill 136 would have offered incentives in the form of tax breaks to landowners who plant grassy buffer strips along their fields.

Daugaard cited constitutional and property tax concerns about the bill, which overwhelmingly passed the Legislature.

Supporters of the bill plan to try again in 2017. Not totally surprisingly, Daugaard is looking join the fight for buffers.

Naturally, the governor wants to protect the state's waterways like everyone else except for those who want to put their needs first. So, while he supports the concept, he has a different vision about how to go about it.

According to staffers, Daugaard will offer a buffer strip proposal later this year to the Legislature's Ag Land Assessment Task Force. Additional details were not given.

We have been fortunate in South Dakota that we have not been flooded with headlines about polluted waterways. So seeking improved water quality is a seemingly easy rally point for many.

Roslyn native, farmer and new South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Mike Jaspers told the American News that water quality is one of his main concerns.

"There have been problems in other states where soil being washed away has contaminated water for towns, and farmers are being blamed for it," he said. "We want to be more proactive about it now, so it'll benefit agriculture in the long run."

Legislators couldin't override Daugaard's veto. The bill would have allowed farmland along a lake, river or stream that was turned into a 50-foot buffer strip of vegetation to be classified as non-cropland for property tax purposes. That would have meant a lower tax burden for landowners.

Those against the bill had questions about its impact, such as which waterways would be subject to the policy. The governor was concerned that the bill would shift the property tax burden to others.

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association opposed the measure as messing with the tax structure without effectively inducing farmers to install buffer strips. The group instead wants more education efforts, so farmers can learn about available programs, Executive Director Lisa Richardson said.

"We are 110 percent behind buffer strips," she said. "This bill did not address the issue. It's not going to get more farmers to participate. That's what we're trying to do."

So the support is there.

We hope that these groups and landowners get together to find a solution. It is especially important to involve as many landowners as possible.
Nurse Susan Hill, the mother of six children, has worked at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital for over 30 years.

She started in obstetrics, transitioned to director of nursing and has just retired.

There is something in my heart about nursing, Hill said recently. Ive loved every minute of working at Marcus Daly. I love this hospital, the people who work in it and the people who are the patients. It was hard to come to the decision to retire but it is time.

Hill said that as a child her mother, who wanted to be a nurse, sewed nursing costumes for her.

She gave me a childs toy nursing kit but that was the last thing I wanted to do, Hill said. But then I thought what the heck and from the day I walked in the door in the nursing lab, I was hooked. I changed school three times but I never changed my profession.

Hill grew up in Seattle as the only daughter of five children. She married a man from Corvallis who decided he needed to finish his degree at the University of Montana, nearly 43 years ago.

The first time she held the hand of a woman giving birth she knew she had a heart for welcoming babies into the world.

I immediately knew where I wanted to be, Hill said. Ive always seen it as such an honor to be the OB nurse and be invited into a really intimate time in a womans life and seeing a new family being formed. That has never quit being a thrill for me.

Hill taught prenatal classes, worked as the hospital needed her then transitioned to full time.

In about 1986 we had maybe 150 employees, Hill said. I remember feeling such as sense of pride in this hospital. I had such a feeling of Its my hospital. I can have an impact. I have always felt that about the hospital.

Hill has been present at many of the births at the hospital and was amazed at the closeness of the community.

I walked down the street, which Im from Seattle and still astonished that this happens, and I see someone I knew that I bonded with. I could remember their name, name of their baby, what he weighed, how long her labor was and wed visit about how they are doing, Hill said.

She saw the babies grow up and start delivering the next generation.

Over the course of her career she has personally delivered 10 babies that came before the doctor could get there.

Hill has been the director of nursing for 16 years and appreciates the changes the hospital has made, especially the new birthing center.

Our birthing rooms were small and I remember once having 10 people in with the mom, which is okay if thats what she wants, Hill said. I love the new birthing center. It delights me that these rooms are big and comfortable and provisions for dads and grandparents with and a comfortable space to sleep and a waiting room.

Hill said the hospital has closed the formal nursery because now the baby never leaves the mom.

Breastfeeding has evolved and immediately the baby is put on the moms chest, which we did but once that cord was cut I wanted that baby to check him out and make sure he was warm enough, Hill said. Now they are plenty warm with mom and start breastfeeding within an hour.

Hill said she was immersed in nursing day and night, loved the hospital and relished the improvements over the last 16 years. She was ready to retire but needed a strong and solid replacement.

Nurse Kathy Padilla joined the hospital a few years ago after running a very large, for profit, ambulatory surgical center in Belleview, Washington.

Id been a floor nurse and an ICU nurse but a lot of my career has been in surgical services in the operating room, Padilla said. I looked online and was impressed with the pillars and what the Marcus Daly Hospital meant to the community. I loved my Seattle experience but missed that smaller town connection that you have with community members.

Padilla moved to Hamilton and brought the MDMH surgery center to a new level of quality with new technology, the newest techniques and a surgical site infection rate that is the lowest in the Northwest Region.

Im very proud of the technology, physicians and staff that we have, Padilla said. Im proud that I can say come to the hospital and have surgeries with state-of-the-art equipment, quality staff and physicians and go home knowing that youre in safe quality care.

Padilla accepted the director of nursing position and gave Hill the confidence to retire

It was exciting for me to try to take over what Susan has done, Padilla said.

Hill said she knows the hospital is in great hands.

Kathy is going to do a great job, Hill said. She is very capable. She is an excellent manager with a kind heart.

Padilla said health care continues to change including more home care and a nursing shortage.

From different newspapers around the country and nursing magazines they predict a 1.2 million nursing shortage by 2021, she said. Im excited to move forward and embrace these changes and still provide the quality accessible care to Ravalli County and our residents here.

Hills retirement means she is able to spend more time with her grandchildren and is going on a mission trip with her church.

At Marcus Daly the patient is the center of our universe and how we work together so impacts that patient, Hill said. Marcus Daly, the staff and patients, will always have a place in my heart.
NANNING- Police in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have arrested 183 criminal suspects of an illegal fundraising gang.

Under the disguise of western development, the gang organized "one-day" trips to Qinzhou, Nanning, Beihai and Fangchenggang cities in Guangxi and coaxed their victims into investing, said the Public Security Bureau of Qinzhou City on Friday.

The pyramid-style scheme involved 3,000 people and 760 million yuan ($114 million), the bureau said.

Nearly 500 police officers raided 66 locations in the provinces of Henan and Guangdong, and Guangxi, it added. Twenty-five senior gang members were among those arrested and the group's bank accounts, which contained more than 10 million yuan, were frozen. Eight luxury cars were also seized.

The investigation continues.
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Meeting Kansans at Carolyn's Essenhaus in Arlington

Sawyer believes ethanol is a key factor of growth for farmers and the state
Mayor Ed Lee yesterday issued an executive directive designed to both spur safety improvements to the city's streets and increase the speed at which San Francisco meets its Vision Zero goal. KQED reports that the announcement was met with guarded approval by the Bicycle Coalition  the same of which could not be said for previous mayoral actions.

"The one thing that stands out to me about this directive is its breadth, SF Bicycle Coalition Communications Director Chris Cassidy told SFist. "We're looking at considerable safety improvements not just at the sites of two fatalities on June 22, but across San Francisco. This may be the strongest demonstration of Mayor Lee's commitment to safe streets that we've seen during his tenure in office."

Cassidy, of course, is referring to the deaths of 41-year-old Heather Miller and 26-year-old Kate Slattery  both killed by hit-and-run drivers while riding their bikes. These deaths were obviously on the mind of Lee as well.

Recently, we have had tragedies on our streets as a result of criminal behavior on behalf of motorists, said Mayor Lee in a press release announcing the directive. While we cannot control the criminal behavior of a few, we can make our streets safer through engineering, education and enforcement. I am directing City departments to accelerate our Vision Zero goal immediately.

According to the release, the directive takes effect immediately and includes:





SFMTA to deliver near-term safety improvements on 7th and 8th Streets in the next nine months;



The SF Recreation and Parks Department (SF Rec and Park) and SFMTA to deliver near-term safety improvements to reduce speeds and vehicular through traffic on JFK Drive in the next six months;



The SF Rec and Park and the SFMTA to initiate study of expanded traffic calming and traffic restrictions in Golden Gate Park within the next three months;



Commit to continue advocacy to win Automated Speed Enforcement legislation at the state level.



The San Francisco Police Department to meet its Focus on the Five goals and continue quarterly public reports and presentations at the Police Commission;



The SFMTA to begin implementing a comprehensive Vision Zero awareness campaign within the next 30 days to ensure the widespread public knowledge and significant increased awareness of Vision Zero;



Implement proven safety features on the City fleet and contracted vehicles, including the installation of telematics on all authorized City vehicles by January 2017.



City departments will be responsible to track and report progress on the above actions, with reports to be submitted quarterly to the Mayors office through the SFMTA. They will be shared publicly at regular meetings of the Vision Zero Task Force, SFMTA Board of Directors, and SF County Transportation Authoritys Vision Zero Committee meetings.



And while the new commitment to safety is to be lauded, Cassidy reminds us pressure needs to be kept up if the mayor and city officials are going to deliver.

"It's important to realize that, while this is a substantial commitment by City leaders, nothing has changed on the ground yet," he explained. "There is a culture of plodding and delays when it comes to improving San Francisco's streets, and we'll be watching closely to see that these deadlines are met."



Previously: Mayor Announces 57 (Not So) New 'High Priority' Vision Zero Projects
The 2016 Rio Olympic Games are now officially underway with the highly anticipated opening ceremony from Maracana Stadium. But NBC is bogarting the broadcast here in the U.S. and tape-delaying these proceedings until 8 p.m. in your respective time zone. Undaunted, the gang here at Gothamist has tapped an Internet stream of the BBC live broadcast in order to sneak preview and spoil what happens during tonights pageantries.

We know there have been mobs and riots, poop-filled waters and seriously slashed budgets threatening to mar the awesomeness of this years Olympics. But can this opening ceremony transcend those troubles and suspend the global audiences disbelief?

Well, it looks like things are off to a great start!



DETAILS: Police used tear gas & stun grenades to disperse several hundred people protested govt corruption #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/SRRPM9ObYu  RT (@RT_com) August 5, 2016



Buuut seriously, inside the Maracana Stadium they are truly putting on a show for the ages. About an hour in, this Gothamist correspondent is impressed.

WATCH Fire works at Maracana as the opening ceremony begins in Rio de Janeiro #OpeningCeremony #Rio2016https://t.co/yNUW2sIJdt  ANI (@ANI_news) August 5, 2016

Things begin with the Brazilian national anthem, which is nowhere near as rousing or Samba-inspired as one would have thought. We then get projections onto the stadium floor representing the ocean and the first microbes that inhabited the earth, and it is all surprisingly watchable in a Pink Floyd laser show kind of way.

Favelas begin to sprout up, acrobats take to the floor and things are getting very Jerome Robbins. This show is seriously amazing.

Only 30 minutes in and they already bust out Gisele Bundchen! Ms. Bundchen struts out to the strains of the Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz hit The Girl From Ipanema. Gisele does not sing, she does not dance, she simply catwalks. Can Gisele Bundchen do anything else? If so, please let us know in the comments.

[Update: 9 p.m EDT/6 p.m. PDT] We are now into what Brian Williams would call the shank of the evening, except that in Olympic opening ceremonies the shank comes in the middle. That shank, of course, is the Parade of Nations, a long and boring roll call with a mixed bag of fashion sense. This is just as well, considering my pirated BBC stream died and now Im watching this in Russian.

First, can we talk about these bicycles? These day-glo, Sid and Marty Krofft contraptions lead every country out of the tunnel.

As is the custom, Greece gets to go first. Things quickly devolve into boredom and the peanut gallery starts getting cute.

"Who carried the torch in LA?" "I think OJ did it" "oh he did it all right" #Rio2016  Danl (@dj_danl) August 6, 2016

We have our first famous athlete sighting, as Rafa Nadal carries the flag for Spain.

Now its time for the U.S.! Probably stoned Michael Phelps does get to carry the flag as the U.S. athletes enter in outfits that you would totally expect from their designer Ralph Lauren. The US athletes are madly snapping selfies, and even Secretary of State John Kerry (in the stands) whips out his smartphone for pictures.

From a fashion standpoint, Team Canada is winning hands down. (Or up!)

[Update 10 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. PDT] Were three hours into this ceremony and the Parade of Nations continues to crawl along. Indonesia wins on outfits, so far.

Indonesia enter the Stadium during the parade of nations. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/0xO4qQFGYY  Badminton Updates (@badmintonupdate) August 6, 2016

But we do have an honorable mention:

Bermuda is wearing Bermuda shorts. I'm so happy #Rio2016  Maggie Foster (@ohsweetyno) August 6, 2016

Hello!

This seems as good a time as any (Im incredibly bored) to note that Dustin Lance Blacks Olympic diver boyfriend Tom Daley feels his swim trunks are too revealing and has had them redesigned. Its a story well definitely be following in the weeks to come!

Stella McCartney para adidas:

Tom Daley  Olympic Team GB pic.twitter.com/Y8qYFP0jW9  Cincuentamas.com (@cincuentamas) April 28, 2016

Everyone around the world is impressed by the Refugee Olympic Team, who receive a standing ovation.

Brazil finally comes out and the crowd goes nuts! (So do I, this frickin' Parade of Nations is finally over.) Their hats and shorts are fantastic and each athlete seems so comfortable in their own skin.

Cool special effect alert! These rainforest trees make a lovely formation and then spew green confetti.

The Olympic rings are unveiled in spectacular fashion at the #Rio2016 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/cPo631FkDp  7Olympics (@7olympics) August 6, 2016

This happens, which is also outstanding!

Several corrupt bureaucrats now come out and speak way too long about welcoming the world to Rio for the Olympics. They seem to have no idea that they are following a spectacular set of fireworks, and they are are boring the daylights out of an entire planet. They might as well be talking in Charlie Brown teacher voice.

We get another outstanding set of fireworks, another outlandishly boring speech and flag ceremony, and a fantastic little kid breakdancing. But seriously, arent they supposed to eventually light some manner of torch here?

Finally this thing takes on the Carnaval-Mardi Gras vibe it should have had hours ago. And the little kid is still dancing!

And at 10:49 p.m. EDT/ 7:49 PDT, nearly four hours after it started, the Olympic opening ceremony finally lights the torch! It is embellished by a magnificent steampunk contraption.

So many fireworks go off that the stadium looks like a nuclear mushroom cloud, and Jesus gets turned green and yellow. And Jesus, this thing is finally over! Thanks for reading, and enjoy our Olympics coverage here on Gothamist.






As always, a lot happened this week in San Francisco's food scene: Blue Bottle made moves to take over the Bean There space in the Lower Haight, we tried a full meal at the new SFMOMA Restaurant In Situ, and someone tried to make watermelon-feta guacamole a thing. A lot else went down, of course.

Some accolades just hit the Bay Area, with Inside Scoop reporting that Lord Stanley, The Perennial, and Cala all just made Bon Appetits list of 50 Best New Restaurants. Congrats!

On the flip side, Richie Nakano (of Hapa Ramen fame) isn't so stoked about what San Francisco currently has to offer chefs and would-be restaurant owners. As he told Hoodline, "there's too many restaurants, too much money gets dropped into them, rents are really high and labor is really hard to find." He plans to do a new pop-up series sometime in the next several months, and he hints that he may open another ramen spot at some point, but in the Outer Sunset.

In beer news, A new brewery just opened up in the Mission on 14th Street. Hoodline reports that Standard Deviant Brewing starting pouring beers for the public this past weekend, and that owners plan on remaining softly opened before an official September opening date.

Meanwhile, one of the guys behind Mission favorite Beretta has something new in the works. Hoodline tells us that Adriano Paganini's new project has a working name of "The Bird" and is located at Montgomery & Mission Streets. Little else is known about the concept at this point, but this would bring Paganini's restaurant count to 21, including the recently announced takeover of the former Betelnut space.

San Francisco International Airport will welcome some tasty treats with the news that Daniel Patterson is the new executive chef at American Expresss Centurion Lounge. Inside Scoop reports that the menu will be more comfort food than fine dining, but that's pretty much all we know of the menu at this point.

In other chef news, Lazy Bear just got a new pastry chef. Eater tells us that chef Edward Martinez will replace Maya Erickson, whose last night was Saturday.

And while Lazy Bear is welcoming someone new, Old Bus Tavern is saying goodbye to one of their staff. Inside Scoop reports that opening chef Max Snyder is no longer with the restaurant and is in the process of moving to Austin to open his own restaurant there.

A combination restaurant and coworking space just opened in Mid-Market/SoMa, Eater reports, with some help from AQ owner Matt Semmelhack. Covo (981 Mission), as it is called, offers food all day long in addition to space for people to plop down and work. And, with 13 taps, worker bee customers won't have to go far to get their happy hour drink on.

In other Mid-Market news, the San Francisco Business Times suggests that new fast casual spots are seeing success where fine dinning restaurants like Cadence and Oro did not. The idea apparently is to cater to the workers in that section of the city, who, like most people, have limited time to eat lunch.

Berkeley just lost a cafe, with Eater reporting that Flour & Co. was forced to close after being open for less than a year. According to owner Emily Day, it just wasn't getting enough business.

Inside Scoop lets us know that Buffalo Theory, which we heard about in the spring, soft-opened this week on Polk Street, and that consulting chef Tim Luym intends to work Filipino flavors into the meat-focused menu. The official opening is this Monday.

This Week In Reviews

For his Sunday review, the Chronicle's Michael Bauer made his way to Mediterranean spot Tawla (the Weekly's Peter Lawrence Kane reviewed it mid-July). The Valencia Street restaurant was opened by former Google engineer Azhar Hashem, and the kitchen is helmed by Joseph Magidow (previously of Delfina). The design of the restaurant, complex flavors, and enthusiasm of the staff all turn Mr. Bauer into "a major supporter." He is particularly stoked on the $140 leg of lamb (meant to be shared), which not only hit all the right notes for him but allowed for a few days' worth of leftover sandwiches (when you're paying that much, substantial leftovers might ease the pain?). Passing on "mainstream dishes like hummus and falafel," Hashem instead focuses on food that is personal to her: rockfish, cauliflower, and bread topped with walnuts. This wins over Bauer, who gives the restaurant two and a half stars.

The Weekly's Peter Lawrence Kane, meanwhile, headed to Bernal heights to chow down at El Buen Comer  a Mexican restaurant that the Chronicle's Anna Roth reviewed last month. Much like Roth, Kane finds a lot to recommend. Isabel Caudillo is the brains behind the operation, and her focus on Mexico City cuisine  specifically stews  wins Kane over (although he also piles the love on for the homemade tortillas). He really likes the chicken tinga sopes and the citrusy jicama appetizer. Interestingly, he seconds Roth's concern with the service  the restaurant is staffed by Caudillo's adult children  which suggests El Buen Comer still has a few things to figure out. Even with that ding, Kane still loves it, and from his review it's clear that he thinks you will as well.


Opening day of Outside Lands 2016 was predictably raucous, dusty, chilly, and filling. Crowds drifted into Golden Gate Park, where the sun broke through the fog for approximately 20 minutes around 4 p.m. before it returned to being mildly cold and gray, to catch mid-afternoon sets by Ra Ra Riot, St. Lucia, Foals, Polica, and Miike Snow. And I only saw one dude who fell out before 6 p.m., being wheeled away from the mainstage seeming alert, if perhaps unable to stand up unassisted.

Duran Duran, back on tour with a new album, sounded remarkably energized and Simon LeBon's voice is, actually, pretty intact! And while many streamed to the Twin Peaks stage for the late set by J. Cole, the highlight for me and many at the fest was the chance to see LCD Soundsystem live, back together and back on tour as frontman James Murphy promised they never would be again just a couple years back. (Due to some less than fawning coverage of Murphy's plan to add music to subway turnstiles in New York, we and our parent site Gothamist were banned from the photo pit during their set, however.)

LCD Soundsystem crushed it as usual - Dance Yrslf Clean #OutsideLands pic.twitter.com/L2QlbHY7Ll  Cynnthia Leduc (@CynnthiaLeduc) August 6, 2016

Food-wise, the festival remains tops in the country for wood-fired pizza (Del Popolo), cocktails (there's now a new separate bar area with stations by Trick Dog, Forgery, Prizefighter, and more), and all kinds of inventive and/or bougie food offerings, from Azalina's chicken curry nachos to Woodhouse's lobster rolls and Rich Table's popular porcini doughnuts with Raclette dipping sauce. Also tasty: The Italian-style tater tot nachos from Stones Throw.

And while there were a number of Bill Murray totems once again in the crowd, Stranger Things has apparently already crossed into totem-worthy territory.

The Stranger Things presence at LCD Soundsystem's #OutsideLands performance is strong. Miss you @tacorobbie! pic.twitter.com/2qGMmjIod2  Emily Price (@Emily) August 6, 2016

As I dust off my sneakers and gird myself for Day Two, please enjoy the photo evidence.


Gone are the days of keeping the table set and formality in living rooms and family rooms. Functional, aesthetically pleasing and colorful tabletop decor items are now "in." Creative tabletop decor is part of the current trend in styling that for many is also an integral part of how they wish to live and present their home to guests.

Decorative items have long been considered to be for display purposes only (as opposed to actually used). However, these days, in an environment in which people wish to truly use what they own and enjoy their collections and collectibles, placing decorative items front and center is indeed in vogue.

Even so, what are the best decorative items to choose? And what is the best way to display them so they don't come across as crowded knick knacks? In general, there are a number of do's and don'ts to follow to stay on track.

DO

Do display those items that you truly love, but in moderation. There is an art to not overdoing it. Remember, less is more!

Do mix materials as well as color and textures.

Do add greenery. There is nothing that adds life and energy to a space quite like greenery. Aim for living plants as opposed to artificial.

Do consider florals as tabletop items. Simple arrangements can be both colorful and aesthetically appealing.

Do use books. The use of books has long been a secret of designers. Books are an affordable and colorful way to add decor to your tabletop vignette.

DON'T

Don't overcrowd your tabletop. Too much decor can be just as unappealing as too little decor.

Don't follow trends. That color or item that is suddenly "in" can as easily be "out." The best purchases are those that do not follow trends and can stand the test of time.

Don't mix too many colors and materials. While mixing materials can add interest, too many can overwhelm a space.

Don't forget to try using natural materials. Items such as rope, branches and driftwood are very popular right now and perfect for those looking for a seaside, rustic or industrial look.

Don't be too formal. Gone are the days of untouchable display items. These days great decor is seen and heard. Don't be afraid to display favorite pieces!

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com <mailto:info@cathyhobbs.com> or visit her website at www.cathyhobbs.com <http://www.cathyhobbs.com>.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CEDAR RAPIDS | Ag means trade, so when he hears presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump express opposition to trade deals, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey gets concerned.

Iowa farmers and food processors produce way more than 3 million people can consume, the Spirit Lake corn and soybean farmer and third-term ag secretary said Thursday.

Northey made his comments last week as he welcomed delegates to the National Association of County Office Employees convention in Cedar Rapids. They are the people who staff the USDA Farm Service Agency offices.

Iowa annually exports $1 billion worth of pork, for example, and almost 40 percent of its soybean crop, Northey said.

Trade is hugely important to Iowa agriculture, said Northey, a Spirit Lake farmer. We ship almost 40 percent of our soybeans overseas and 70 percent of our exports go to China.

He understands that some people have concerns with Chinese trade, especially enforcement of trade agreements.

But we dont want to lose them as customers, he said. I would argue they need our beans as much as we need to sell them.

So it worries him when the presidential candidates talk about trade, especially their opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

How serious are they? Northey said. Are they really looking at tariffs or blowing up NAFTA?

Trump has called trade a zero-sum game, meaning the U.S. is losing if it imports more than it exports. He has talked of levying high tariffs on companies that move jobs outside the U.S.

Clintons stance has shifted in recent year because of what she calls a different political environment. Although she supported the TPP as secretary of state, she now opposes it as a candidate.

If the TPP is defeated by Congress or never brought to a vote, I dont think anything changes very much tomorrow or next month or next year other than the loss of opportunity, Northey said.

Long-term, however, we will be on the less aggressive side of trade, with less opportunity to decrease barriers in the future and I think it has serious long-term effects.

Theres more, he added. The U.S. stands to lose its leadership on trade if it doesnt participate in the TPP.

Its not only important for the ag community, but for the country, Northey said. It would seem like it would make sense for us to be very careful about things that could damage (trade) and try to be aggressive in those things that could improve that.

Northey also had meetings scheduled in Delaware and Benton counties Thursday.
AUBURN  New York Republican Chairman Ed Cox is feeling good about U.S. Rep. John Katko's chances to win re-election in the 24th Congressional District race.

"We've got a candidate in John Katko who is going to hold it in a presidential year," Cox said during a stop in Auburn Friday.

The visit to the Cayuga County GOP headquarters on Owasco Street was the first of two stops Cox made in central New York. After meeting with local Republicans, including Cayuga County Republican Chairman Jeff Herrick, he headed to Syracuse for a similar event with members of the Onondaga County GOP.

In Auburn, Cox touted the party's ticket throughout the state, including U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik in the North Country and Katko, R-Camillus, here in central New York.

Both GOP members of Congress are facing tough re-election battles. In the 24th District, Katko is squaring off against Democratic challenger Colleen Deacon.

Cox said the first re-election for any candidate is the "hardest race." In Katko's case, he noted that the district is D+5 on the Cook partisan voting index. That figure is based on the results of the past two presidential elections.

President Barack Obama won the 24th District by 14 points in 2008 and nearly 16 points in 2012.

"You all know what that means," Cox told the crowd. "You've got to fight hard to hold onto it, especially in presidential years. Our holding onto it is going to be very, very significant."

Cox briefly discussed the battle for the state Senate majority this year. While Cayuga County's five state legislative districts will likely remain in Republican hands, the 54th Senate District is an open seat due to the retirement of state Sen. Michael Nozzolio.

The state GOP chairman praised Nozzolio, especially for his work as co-chair of the task force responsible for redrawing state legislative district lines.

"What a great senator he was," Cox said. "We owe a lot to him."

At least two of Nozzolio's potential successors attended Friday's event: Canandaigua Supervisor Pam Helming, who received the Republican Party's designation in the 54th District race, and Lyons Supervisor Brian Manktelow.

The presidential race was also on the minds of attendees. Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould expressed concern about the recent performance of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has dealt with some controversies and poor showings in the polls.

"These last two weeks have been devastating," Gould said. He added that Trump's performance can have an impact on other campaigns, including Katko's re-election bid and Assemblyman Gary Finch's campaign against Democratic challenger Diane Dwire in the 126th Assembly District race.

Cox downplayed Trump's struggles. He said it was nothing more than a "summer storm"  a brief storm that's going to pass.

He lauded Trump as an insightful, self-made politician and someone who appeals to working class voters.

Cox acknowledged that there have been some power struggles between Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow Republican. But he believes they will come together for the good of the party.

"Trump just wants to win," he said. "They both need each other. This is going to be a very effective campaign in the end."

Cox's visit isn't the first time he's visited Cayuga County for a public appearance.

Back in 2010, he stopped in Auburn as part of a bus tour through the state to support GOP candidates.

Herrick said he was pleased to have Cox make another trip to central New York for a local GOP event.

"Meeting Chairman Ed Cox gives all Republicans tremendous optimism throughout upstate," he said.
AUBURN, Iowa | Authorities determined the human skull found on a sandbar along the Raccoon River last month in Sac County is that of a 40- to 50-year-old American Indian male.

According to a release from the Sac County sheriff's office, the forensic anthropologist who examined the skull predicted the death of the male was around a few hundred years ago.

The skull was found along the Raccoon River south of the dam at Grant Park-- north of Auburn on July 11. The skull was missing its upper and lower jaws.
Daryl Ingram first thought he won $100 in Monday's Powerball drawing, a total that was exciting enough. After having the ticket scanned where he'd bought it, he realized he'd misread one of the winning numbers and had actually won $1 million.
WASHINGTON -- "What does this say about your party that this is your standard bearer?"

The headlines from President Obama's excoriation of Donald Trump on Tuesday rightly highlighted his flat declaration that the Republican nominee is "unfit to serve as president." But the challenge to Republican leaders who fell in line behind Trump was even more devastating.

Obama was not simply condemning a man whose brutal cruelty finally came home to anyone with a heart after Trump's attacks on a Gold Star family. The president was also indicting the entire GOP leadership for courting the extremism that led to Trump and for acquiescing in his nomination.

Let's focus on the most revealing aspect of this week's turmoil within a party now aghast over the unstable egotist at the top of its ticket.

Trump could falsely claim that Obama was born abroad, but that wasn't enough to disqualify him. He could call Mexican immigrants "rapists," but that wasn't enough to disqualify him. He could lie repeatedly -- about, for example, whether or not he had met Vladimir Putin and whether he had opposed the Iraq War -- but that wasn't enough to disqualify him. He could call for a ban on Muslim immigration to the United States, but that wasn't enough to disqualify him. He could make degrading comments about women and mock people with disabilities, but that wasn't enough to disqualify him.

No, it seems, all this and more were sufficiently within the bounds of acceptability for House Speaker Paul Ryan to tell delegates to the Republican National Convention that "only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way."

So what really set off the crisis in the Republican Party this week? Trump suddenly became unacceptable because, in an interview with Philip Rucker of The Washington Post, he refused to endorse Ryan and John McCain in their Republican primaries.

No matter what Trump said, Reince Priebus, the Republican national chairman, was willing to bow and scrape before Trump for months in trying to pull the party together behind him. Now, and only now, is Priebus reported to be "furious" and "apoplectic" at Trump. The message: Trump can say anything he wants about women, the disabled, Mexicans and Muslims, but how dare The Donald cause any trouble for Priebus' friend Paul Ryan?

The corruption of a once great political party is now complete.

The sense of emergency is so profound that there is now talk of how the Republican National Committee might replace Trump as the nominee. Given how discombobulated and degraded GOP politics has become, anything is possible -- though it's a little late. There was active, organized resistance to Trump before the Cleveland convention. But Priebus, Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put down the Never Trump insurgency. And their reasons for doing so are instructive.

Let's go back to Ryan. At the convention, he declared that the year could "end in the finest possible way -- when America elects a conservative governing majority." Translation: Forget how bad Trump is; he's the guy who'd sign our bills to cut taxes, shred regulation and repeal Obamacare. On "Meet the Press" in June, Ryan explained that Hillary Clinton would not "agree with any of the conservative reforms we're trying to do."

But Trump was A-OK on ideology. "I have spoken with our nominee a number of times about our agenda, about conservative principles, and about the policies we need to put in place in order to save the country," Ryan said confidently. "And we have so much more common ground than any other thing. And that is why I'm voting for our nominee."

Ryan -- unlike Republicans such as Meg Whitman and Rep. Richard Hanna of New York, both of whom endorsed Clinton on Tuesday -- will have to live with those words, whatever happens to Trump.

Of course, all of us have our philosophical leanings, and I freely acknowledge that mine are different from Ryan's. But many other conservatives and many other Republicans saw early on that Trump would be the least appropriate nominee in their party's history: a walking moral disaster, a ticking psychological time bomb, a torrent of prejudices, and a man of bottomless vindictiveness. They refused to submit to the intolerable and were willing to accept four years of Clinton to save their party.

But most of the GOP's leaders thought they could domesticate Trump and use him for their ideological purposes. They are now confronting the consequences of being so profoundly wrong.
As we move into the heart of political campaign season, it would be refreshing for candidates to take a realistic look at the value and innovation behind many of the biopharmaceutical drugs that have entered the market.

In addition to the medical breakthroughs that are curing Hepatitis C and providing hope to other patients facing serious illness, the biopharmaceutical industry has been an essential driver of job growth, employing some 22,000 people across Iowa. All told, biotech research generates $5.6 billion each year for our state economy. Moreover, the industry's employment growth rate has actually outpaced that of the state's overall job market.

Unfortunately, the success of this vital industry is coming under threat from officials in Washington, potentially causing a dramatic slowdown in bioscience innovation - and a major setback for one of Iowa's most promising industries.

A rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services concerning Medicare Part B, which covers medicines like chemotherapy drugs, would cut payments to some three-quarters of physicians and hospitals that provide Part B treatments to seniors.

Many doctors barely break even given current reimbursement rates. If rates drop lower, some health care providers will withhold high-tech drugs from Medicare patients rather than take a financial loss themselves. In this way, patients would have limited access to the newest treatments for cancer, kidney disease and osteoporosis.

Our health care system is complex and while the cost of a new medicine or outrageous comments of a disgraced pharmaceutical rep make for good headlines, the true story behind the value of these products is more complicated.

Elected officials should:

* recognize that effective drugs lower the cost of health care. Prescription drugs account for approximately 10 percent of overall health care spending - a figure that has not changed since 1960.

* understand the industry standard is 10 to 15 years and over $2 billion to bring a successful prescription drug to patients.

* realize the difference between legitimate biopharmaceutical research companies and "predators."

* visit companies like Viewpoint Molecular Targeting, a cancer treatment startup, and Exemplar Genetics, which just won FDA approval on its first product to market.

* learn about the 1,300 clinical trials conducted in Iowa over the past decade. Researchers here welcome the opportunity to educate candidates about the value of their work.

While an easy political target, treating the biopharma industry as a "boogeyman" is not the answer to understanding the value of prescription drugs. Just ask the family members and the loved ones of patients with chronic disease who've been successfully treated by a prescription drug. Most of them would tell you they find value in the additional time a drug has afforded them to spend with a loved one stricken with a chronic illness.

By better educating themselves about the pharmaceutical industry, our political leaders can better serve consumers and drug innovators in this 2016 election and beyond.

Joe Hrdlicka is executive director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association, a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association.
PHILADELPHIAFor the past 13 years, HotMovies.com has been dedicated to the eradication of erectile dysfunction. And the VOD giant thinks it's high time Team HotMovies got some recognition.

"By offering more than 200,000 adult movies from every genre, niche, and fetish ever created and making these movies available online, we believe that our website is a remedy worthy of a gold medal," a spokesperson said. "For a large portion of men, their ED problems stem from a lack of choice rather than a lack of blood flow. Our U.S.-based team, working with others that offer solutions for the more serious medical conditions, believes that 2016 marks a turning point in the international competition against erectile dysfunction."

To promote the company's efforts in the fight against ED, HotMovies.com will celebrate achievements of technology and medicine this August with online sales and the Twitter campaign #2016NoLimpDicks.

The month kicks off with a BOGO sale starting today, August 5. Every customer who purchases a scene on HotMovies.com will get a second scene for free. With a library of more than 1 million scenes, customers can choose from a hardcore cornucopia.

Starting on Monday, August 8, HotMovies.com will offer 50 percent off scenes from a different country each day. The sale will start on August 8, leading off with Brazil (for "no particular reason," a spokesman joked), followed by Mexico, Canada, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Philippines, Japan and Australia.

HotMovies invites the entire global village to champion the cause and help its efforts to vanquish erectile dysfunction.
Running a successful business can be time consuming. So that means you should look for ways to save time on business tasks wherever possible. Members of our small business community have found some of the best ways to save time and get more done. Check out some of their top tips in the list below.

Use These Online Marketing Tools to Accelerate Growth

Growth can sometimes seem to take forever for new businesses. But with the help of the right tools, like the ones included in this post by Neil Patel, you can accelerate that growth. You can also see what BizSugar members had to say about the post here.

Stop Procrastinating at Work

Every business owner and professional has procrastinated at one point or another. But making a habit of it can really put your success on hold. So Alex Shteingardt shares some tips in this Hays post on how to stop procrastinating at work.

Achieve Incredible ROI With Viral Videos

If youre going to use video marketing for your business, you can spend time creating a lot of videos, or you can put your efforts into making fewer videos go viral. In this post by Adam Chandler on the Jonny Ross Consultancy blog, you can see how five brands achieved incredible results and ROI with viral videos.

Consider Your Why

Theres a lot that goes into running a business, so much so that people sometimes lose track of why they go into business in the first place. But the why is important, as Rachel Strella explains in this Strella Social Media post. You can also see discussion about the post over on BizSugar.

Win Mobile-First Micro Moments

Mobile technology isnt just changing the devices that people use to access the internet. It has also changed the ways in which they interact with content, media and advertisements. So how do you navigate those changes? Brian Solis explores the concept of mobile micro moments in this Marketing Land post.

Generate Leads Through Content Marketing

You already know that you can use content marketing to share your expertise and get the word out about your business. But if youre able to also generate leads through your content, you can use it to grow your business even more. This SETalks post by Manam Iqbal discusses how you can generate leads through content marketing.

Demonstrate These Key Factors of Personal Resiliance

Successful business owners need to be resilient, or youll waste too much time trying to pick yourself back up after failures or struggles. In this post, Martin Zwilling of Startup Professionals Musings shares five key factors of personal resilience and how they can lead to business success. And BizSugar members comments on the post here.

Create a FAQ Page for Your Blog

If youre a blogger or business owner, you probably get questions from readers or customers all the time. And lots of those questions are probably asked over and over again. For that reason, having a FAQ page, which Ann Smarty details in this MyBlogU post, can help you save time over the long run.

Use Strategic Planning to Achieve Business Success

If you go into business without a plan, youre likely to waste a lot of time trying to figure things out. But if you have a strategic plan, as Ivan Widjaya discusses in this Noobpreneur post, you can operate with a better idea of what you want to achieve and how to get there.

Use the Best Marketing Automation Platforms

Automation can certainly save you a lot of time in running and marketing your business. But not all platforms are created equal. In this DreamGrow post, William Johnson shares some of the pros and cons of various marketing automation platforms. And the BizSugar community shares thoughts on the post here.

If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com
Entrepreneurs and small business owners may like to believe they can handle just about anything. But there are issues  a leaky roof, a cracked sidewalk in front of your store or a bad head gasket on the company vehicle  that may test this belief.

While you might have the skills to handle some of these jobs, they will still draw your focus away from the all-important task of managing your business. As a result, its good to have some real service professionals on standby.

So here are 10 service professionals your small business should keep on speed dial.

Welcome to the Service Professionals Hotline

Please dial 

1 for a Roofer

A leaking or failing roof on your business can lead to a lot of very expensive problems. Once a leak starts, so does property damage. And the longer the roof issue is left unaddressed, the more serious the damage becomes. Its not only a threat to your buildings integrity  a leaky roof can quickly lead to ceiling and wall damage or electrical problems  but also to your companys valuable merchandise or materials.

Sure, they may be expensive, but your time is far too valuable to find yourself on top of your building trying to do things yourself. Call a roofer instead.

2 for a Plumber

If youve ever tried to handle a plumbing project at home and it turned into a weekend nightmare that ended with you showering somewhere else, you already know the importance of keeping the name and number of a good plumber handy.

Again, anything involving water problems should prompt a quick call to a service pro. This is not an issue you want to leave unaddressed for long. Your business and assets may be at risk.

3 for an Electrician

Focusing on the many ins and outs involved in managing and growing your business probably hasnt afforded you the time to stay up on current building codes. This is one area that a reputable electrician can help. If you need anything wired or re-wired or need repairs or changes made to an electrical outlet or a switch, this is probably not the time for a DIY approach. Contact a professional instead.

4 for a General Handyman

A plumber is the right person to call when you have a leak. And an electrician is the best choice when your wiring needs to be replaced. But neither will be much of a help when you need a new front door hung or a window casing cut into a wall.

A general handyman or contractor will get these jobs done and save you time and the frustration of trying to handle it yourself.

5 for an Auto Mechanic

When you hear a loud and disturbing sound comping from the engine every time you take out the company vehicle or worse yet it leaves you stranded on the side of the side of the road, its time to call a mechanic. But which mechanic will depend upon the experiences you and your company have had in the past. Call on someone you or your company has trusted to do this work before  with good results.

Always get estimates  and do your homework to make sure youre not getting ripped off. Only pay for work thats needed, of course.

If your vehicle goes down, it could bring your business to a halt, so make sure the garage you have on speed dial can get your work done on the double!

6 for an IT Technician

If this isnt an in-house position, theres likely an independent army of IT pros in close proximity to your small business.

When youre looking for someone to handle this work, do some research before problems pop up with your companys technology.

Contact a few IT pros and have them get familiar with how your company operates and the equipment you use. This will save time in the future  when a problem actually does occur  because the person you pick will already be familiar with your companys set-up.

7 for an Internet Provider

For more and more businesses today, the internet is an absolute necessity for survival. So when he internet goes down, contact your provider immediately to determine whether the problem is widespread or confined to your connection  or for that matter whether the trouble might be in your internal system.

Getting in touch with your provider will tell you whether the problem is with the IP or might be resulting from a problem with the modem for your WiFi network  or even some problem with your computer itself.

Have a MiFi or other hotspot you can use until internet service is restored. And if internet problems persist, investigate whether other internet providers are available in your area. Even if costs are higher, it may be worth the added expense for more consistent service.

8 for a Lawyer

If theres one area where you definitely cant afford to go it alone, its probably in a courtroom.

Its likely you already have your companys attorney on speed dial. But given the twists and turns your business may take, it might also be a good idea to have contact with legal professionals in a variety of specialties both civil and criminal, should the need arise.

9 for a Doctor

It may also be a good idea to have a company physician who is on speed dial especially if you have numerous employees working at your place of business.

For example, you may have a doctor you recommend for work related injuries. Depending which state your business is located in, your employees may or may not need to go to the doctor you recommend but you may need to have a physician available all the same.

Depending on the kind of business you run, you may also consider hiring an occupational health physician to help mitigate health risks in the workplace.

* * *

This speed dial list shows that some of the most important people to your small business and its success arent seen on a daily, weekly, or even a monthly basis. Youll likely only call on these people when you need them but without reliable and trustworthy service pros, it could spell disaster for your company.
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.
This Week at NASA: The Future of Aviation and More. NASA

On Aug. 2, NASAs Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Jaiwon Shin, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation industry leaders and the academic research community participated in a workshop hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to discuss Drones and the Future of Aviation.

The event was designed to explore airspace integration issues; public and commercial uses; and safety, security, and privacy concerns related to this emerging technology. NASA is working with the FAA on a traffic management system that will enable pilots of these aircraft to fly safely in the national airspace. Also, Maryland Storms Imaged from Space, Ios Collapsing Atmosphere, Orion Crew Module Moved, AstrOlympics, and more.
KHARTOUM (Sputnik)  Over 13,000 peacekeepers from the eight East African states comprising the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will be deployed in South Sudan, a leader of the local opposition movement, Sabit Majouk, told Sputnik on Saturday.

On Friday, the authorities of South Sudan, where an internal conflict escalated again last month, agreed to the deployment of the IGAD peacekeeping mission in addition to the UN peacekeepers already monitoring situation in the country.

"The number of African forces, which will be deployed in South Sudan, will amount to 13,300 soldiers," Majouk said not specifying the source of information.
MOSCOW(Sputnik)  Suspected Al-Shabaab militants shelled residential areas in the Somalian town of Baidoa, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Saturday.

"Suspected AlShabaab militants fired mortar shells at densely populated civilian residential areas in Baidoa town this morning," the African Union peacekeepers said on Twitter.

Suspected #AlShabaab militants fired mortar shells at densely populated civilian residential areas in Baidoa town this morning. #Somalia  AMISOM (@amisomsomalia) August 6, 2016

One round of the mortars hit a hospital, the mission said. The AMISPM has no information about civilian casualties but says they are expected.
A student from Flagstaff graduated July 29 from the 2016 Helios Scholars summer internship program at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, or TGen, in Phoenix. THelios Scholars at TGen is TGens flagship summer internship and research program for Arizona students pursuing careers in bioscience and medicine.

Each summer, 45 Helios Scholars spend eight weeks working in TGens laboratories  receiving one-on-one mentorship from TGen scientists  as they pursue new discoveries about serious illnesses such as Alzheimers disease, infectious diseases and many types of cancer. The intern from Flagstaff, Laura Coleman, lives in Flagstaff and attends Northern Arizona University.

Online applications for next summers 2017 program will be accepted beginning in January at www.tgen.org/interns.
Liow said, "Until today, this theory is still under investigation. There is no evidence to prove that Captain Zaharie flew the plane into the southern Indian Ocean. Yes, there is the simulator but the (route) was one of thousands to many parts of the world. We cannot just base on that to confirm (he did it)."

Families of the victims believe that Malaysia is engaging in a cover-up to disguise incompetence.

Li Xinmao, whose son-in-law, Luo Wei, and daughter Li Yan were among Chinese passengers on the flight said, "It is sheer nonsense! I don't believe it at all. We were told in the past that both the plane and the pilots had no problem and now we are told there was something wrong with the pilot," adding, "It is another irresponsible thing the Malaysian government has done to try to fool the relatives and cover up the truth and the conspiracy. We relatives strongly protest it and strongly demand the discovery of our loved ones."

Jacquita Gonzales, whose husband, Patrick Gomes, was a crew member on the ill-fated flight, said that it wasnt clear Zaharie flew the route on his simulator. She highlighted a private investigators report that a small section of the aircraft washed up on Reunion Island, near East Africa last year, was broken off, indicating that the plane was intentionally ditched.
TOKYO (Sputnik)  Japan will make efforts to achieve global nuclear disarmament, the countrys Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday at the commemorating ceremony on the 71st anniversary of Hiroshimas atomic bombing.

"We will continue to make efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons," Abe said as quoted by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

Hiroshimas Mayor Kazumi Matsui referred to the last years speech of US President Barack Obama, who also called on the world powers to pursue the world without nuclear weapons. Matsui said that it is necessary to take actions to save the world from the "absolute evil" of nuclear weapons.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Japan summoned Chinese diplomats on Saturday to protests against some 230 Chinese ships approaching the disputed Senkaku islands (Diaoyudao Islands) in the East China Sea

This is a unilateral act that raises tensions  and it is unacceptable to us, Kenji Kanasugi, the Foreign Ministrys Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau director-general, told the Chinese Embassy in Japan, as quoted by the Kyodo News.

About 230 Chinese fishing boats reportedly approached the disputed islands accompanied by six China Coast Guard vessels late on Friday. Some of the Coast Guard vessels were allegedly equipped with guns.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)According to the statement, the military operation took place in the eastern Nangarhar province. Some 10 Afghan soldiers were killed during the operation.

Afghanistan is experiencing political, social and security instability, as the Taliban Islamic movement and other radical extremist organizations such as Daesh, which is prohibited in many countries, including Russia, continue to stage attacks against civilian and state targets.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A total of 21 people were injured on Saturday during violent anti-government protests in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, local media reported.

The incident occurred in the Anantnag district where security forces resorted to "various crowd control measures" against the rally, Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported citing a police official.

Besides, clashes reportedly took place in the Shopian district where protesters threw stones at a police post. Nobody was reported to be injured in the incident.
Six members of the opposition Minjoo Party of Korea are expected to pay a three-day visit to China next week.

"The visit planned by the six first-term lawmakers is an act that benefits China which objects to the THAAD deployment," spokesman for the Saenuri Party Ji Sang-wuk said as quoted by the Yonhap news agency, calling on the opposition to abstain from the trip.
August 6 marks the 71st anniversary of the US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima during the final stage of World War Two. An estimated 140,000 people died as a result of the bombing, and around 74,000 people died after an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later.

Since then nuclear bombs have never been used by any country, and the 1945 bombings remain controversial. While some argue that the use of the atom bomb led to a swift end to the war and prevented millions more being killed on both sides, others have called its use a war crime.

Each year on August 6 the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held at the Hiroshima Peace City Memorial Monument to remember the victims of the attack. The ceremony is attended by survivors, who talk about their tragic experience and campaign for an end to nuclear weapons.
The phrase "thinking the unthinkable" serves as an alarm from a Rand Corporation publication as the think tank often used the phrase as a slogan before pushing the United States government towards some ill-considered Cold War strategy or towards increasing the violence in Vietnam.

According to the studys preface, "This research was sponsored by the Office of the Undersecretary of the Army and conducted within the RAND Arroyo Centers Strategy, Doctrine, and Resources Program. RAND Arroyo Center, part of the RAND Corporation, is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the United States Army."

The study embarks on a number of questionable assumptions most prominently of which is that other major powers would refrain from involvement in the conflict and that battle would remain confined to East Asia. The study also assumes that nuclear weapons would not be used.
"Although the military coup in Turkey on 15 July 2016 failed, events are still unfolding so Moody's will continue to assess the medium-term impact of the failed coup and its aftermath on: Turkey's policymaking institutions and business climate; its external buffers to absorb potential shocks, such as the impaired investor sentiment on which Turkey is very reliant; and ultimately its growth prospects," Moodys said on Friday.

On July 15, an attempted coup took place in Turkey that was suppressed the following day. Over 240 people were killed during the coup attempt and an estimated 2,000 were wounded. Ankara has accused US-based dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the coup.
LUHANSK (Sputnik)  Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Peoples Republic, was hospitalized after an explosion hit his car on Saturday, local media reported.

"The head of the republic was sent to one of the capitals hospitals," the Lugansk Information Center reported.

According to the media, "the assassination attempt" took place in the eastern part of the city, damaging nearby buildings and leaving several people injured.
While the sky was still blue, a small monsoon cloud roamed the streets of downtown Flagstaff Monday morning squirting compliant passers by from a spray bottle of rain.

The cloud was the creation of Sedona resident Michelle Proietto. For Proietto, the costume was part of a scavenger hunt shes taking part in all this week called GISHWHES.

GISHWHES (the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen) involves thousands of participants from more than 100 countries around the globe. Players are placed on 15-person teams and for one week, they work to acquire items on an eclectic scavenger hunt list.

Proietto was working on item No. 49: Cosplay a thunderstorm, in public, complete with sound effects, lighting and rain.

She was wrapped in quilt batting that she had spray painted with grey splotches. A large cardboard lightning bolt crossed her body. Under the batting she had a battery-powered strobe light and in her backpack, hidden behind the batting, she had a Bluetooth device playing a recording of thunder on a three-minute loop. In her hand was the aforementioned spray bottle.

When she approached Josiah and Carla Boone on San Francisco Street, the couple gamely allowed her to spray them. The Georgia couple had stopped in Flagstaff during a road trip through the Southwest when they encountered Proietto, who explained her mission before spraying them.

Its a little unusual, said Carla Boone, but once we got the history its interesting.

Most of the people Proietto encountered were supportive of her mission.

Because its Flagstaff, people were very tolerant, she said. But maybe a little hesitant about the free sample of rain.

Proiettos team includes players across the United States, in Russia and Australia. Because shes on her own in northern Arizona, her mom, Jeanette Proietto of Flagstaff, is helping out by acting as her photographer and videographer. All of the scavenger hunt items require either a photo or video.

Actor Misha Collins, who appears in the television show Supernatural, founded GISHWHES in 2011. In addition to silly tasks, the event also encourages acts of kindness and charity. This is the first year Proietto, a fan of Supernatural, has participated. She said shes having so much fun she intends to compete again next year.

After wrapping up her pedestrian thunderstorm cosplay, Proietto had a full schedule planned to take advantage of her days off from her job at a Sedona resort. First, she was going to don impromptu big box store armor and defend the ladies undergarment department. Then she was scheduled to return to the streets of downtown Flagstaff to act as the town crier. When she returned to Sedona, she hoped to pan for gold in a hotel fountain.

On Monday, as she made her way down San Francisco Street, she encountered Tasha Willie, who accepted a free sample of rain although shed never heard of GISHWHES.

I enjoyed it, Willie said. It made my day.
On July 18 an axe-wielding teenage refugee attacked and seriously injured several people on a train near the city of Wurzburg.

A few days later, on July 22, a German citizen of Iranian descent went on a shooting spree at a shopping center in Munich that claimed the lives of nine people.

Then, on July 24 a Syrian refugee armed with machete slaughtered a pregnant woman in broad daylight on the streets of Reutlingen, and a few short hours later, a Syrian suicide bomber blew himself up in Ansbach.

As Merkels rating sags, her political opponents have become more popular. For example, the leader of the Christian Social Union and Minister President of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer, gained even more popular support as his rating increased from 33 percent to 44 percent during July.

It should be noted that Seehofer is a bitter opponent of Merkel's migration policy, which has become gradually less popular among ordinary Germans: a DeutschlandTrend poll revealed that only one third of the respondents was content with how the Chancellor is handling this issue, according to Focus.

Will Merkel be able to reverse this negative trend or will it ultimately lead to the eclipse of her career? She remains unrepentant regarding her "open-door" refugee policy, and believes that it represents both the country's core values and those of the European Union, despite the disastrous effects that mass-immigration have had on the EU's Schengen border-free area, terrorism aside. On July 28, she announced that the Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) terrorists "want to undermine our sense of community, our openness and our willingness to help people in need. We firmly reject this."
KIEV (Sputnik)  A car explosion, which injured Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Peoples Republic, was an assassination attempt , an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian Security Service said on Saturday.

Plotnitsky was hospitalized earlier on Saturday after a car explosion.

"According to classified data I can confirm that it was an attempted assassination of Igor Plotnitsky," Yurii Tandit said, as quoted by 112 Ukraine TV broadcaster.
LUGANSK (Sputnik)  Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Peoples Republic whose car was hit by a blast earlier in the day, received non-life threatening injuries, his condition is stable, the chairman of the republic's Council of Ministers, Sergei Kozlov, said Saturday.

"At the moment, the condition of Igor Venediktovich Plotnitsky is stable, there is no danger to his life," Kozlov said, as quoted by the Luhansk Information Center.
But whether or not the Western mainstream media continues to take Ukrainian authorities' claims at face values, their leaders' patience for Kiev, and the country's political instability, its depressed economy and the never-ending string of corruption scandals (starting at the top with President Poroshenko himself) is slowly coming to an end.

In a recent article in Foreign Policy, contributor Askold Krushelnycky, a UK-based journalist with Ukrainian roots, repeated the standard line about Russia being "at war with Ukraine." Nevertheless, the journalist admitted, "despite the seriousness of the threat from the East, Moscow isn't the worse enemy the Ukrainians face. Given the self-inflicted [harm] that has infected every facet of business and government, the country's worst enemy may be its own leaders."

Krushelnycky noted that Kiev's Western backers, including the United States and its European allies, are quickly losing patience with the country. "Ukraine fatigue," the journalist wrote, is setting in in the Western capitals, "and the next time they turn to the West for help, they might find that they are truly on their own."

It's not just Western governments which are becoming fatigued with Ukrainian authorities. The country's own political class is becoming increasingly concerned with the state of the country. On Thursday, Evgeny Muraev, an MP from Kharkiv in Ukraine's northeast, went on national television and directly questioned the holiest of holies  the idea that Russian troops were fighting in civil-war-torn eastern Ukraine.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Greek Foreign Ministry is setting up a working panel to examine the consequences of the Brexit vote on the country's economy and Greek nationals residing in Britain, local media reported on Saturday.

According to Ekathimerini daily, the panel will comprise ministry officials, academics and diplomats and is expected to start its work after August 15.

It will be tasked with determining possible repercussions for Greece of the UK decision to leave the bloc, and ways to mitigate the impact of Brexit on the country's economy, notably on tourism, the media outlet added.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)Accordion to the Derniere heure newspaper, the Belgian female terrorist of Moroccan descent, convicted in April, was released from jail because the Court has been postponing the hearings for five months since a cassation appeal was lodged thus exceeding the deadline for hearing.

The woman is now forbidden from visiting the Molenbeek district of Brussels, considered by media "the crossroads of European jihadism", from moving outside Belgium, being outdoors from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and visiting websites promoting terrorism or extremism.

The Daesh is a terrorist group, outlawed in many countries including Russia.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)Saudi Arabia is ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany on investigating terror attacks in Wurzburg and Ansbach, a high-ranking Saudi governments official told Spiegel Online.

"Together we will do everything to reveal the background of the attacks," the official said on Friday.

The statement followed findings of German investigators, who revealed that perpetrators of both attacks had close contacts to possible Daesh masterminds via a mobile messenger. One of the phone numbers in the chat was from Saudi Arabia.
LONDON (Sputnik)  Zakaria Bulhan, accused of murdering a woman and injuring five people in the British capital on Wednesday night appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, local media reported.

Zakaria Bulhan remanded in custody over knife attack in London that killed an American woman and injured five others https://t.co/kjVEMv7bqm  BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) 6  2016 .

On Wednesday night, 19-year-old Bulhan committed a deadly knife attack in London's Russell Square. The suspect was quickly detained by police.

According to the Evening Standard newspaper, the Somali-Norwegian teenager who moved to Britain in 2002, is charged with the murder of retired teacher Darlene Horton, 64, and attempted murder of all injured in the attack. Bulhan has been reportedly remanded in custody.
TBILISI (Sputnik)  Four mountain climbers were found dead on the peak of Ushba in Georgia, the country's Emergency Management Agency said on Saturday.

"Rescuers found four bodies on the peak of Ushba at daybreak. Tourists were reported to be missing a day ago, afterward we started search and rescue operation," the agency's statement read.

According to preliminary data, two climbers were Russian nationals, while the other two were from Israel, the agency added.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A total of 65 percent of French nationals said that the country's President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls failed to take all necessary measures against terrorism, a poll revealed on Saturday.

According to the survey conducted by Elabe pollsters, which results were published by Atlantico media outlet, the number of those blaming the government for indecisiveness in fighting terrorism rose by 19 percent compared to the previous poll results revealed in January.

The anti-terror strategies adopted by Hollande and Valls were considered to be ineffective by 77 percent of those questioned, this number is 24 percent higher than in January, the survey showed.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)Two police officers were wounded in a machete attack in the center of the Belgian city of Charleroi, local police said on Saturday.

Charleroi Police said on Twitter the attacker was shouting "Allahu Akbar." He was shot but alive, the police added.

According to the Belgian Derniere Heure newspaper, one of the police officers sustained serious injuries, and was taken to hospital, while the other was slightly wounded. The attacker himself is in serious conditions and was also hospitalized.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) sent a patrol on Saturday to the scene of an attempted assassination of Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Peoples Republic, the head of the OSCE press service said.

Plotnitsky's car was hit by a blast earlier in the day. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.
At the same time, the Unite Against Fascism group is holding a counterdemonstration, The Nottingham Post newspaper said.

The two groups have a record of clashes, and local police have made preparations for the demonstrations, the publication added.
"Erdogan has to make concessions to us regarding the respect of the rule of law, and it doesnt look like it is happening now," Oettinger said, in the immediate aftermath of the failed military coup in Turkey.

However, on July 31, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu threatened that Ankara will break the agreement unless its citizens are granted visa-free travel to the EU, and gave the EU a deadline of October.

"It could be the beginning or end of October, but we are waiting for a firm date," Cavusoglu told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Cavusoglu warned that if Turkey does not receive visa-free travel, then "we will be forced to withdraw from the March 18 agreement," which contains 72 requirements that Ankara must meet in order to get up to 6 billion euros in financial aid, a speeding up of the EU accession process, and visa-free travel in the Schengen zone for Turkish citizens.

In return, the EU wants Turkey to control its borders and prevent illegal migration via the Balkan route to Europe, which enabled more than a million refugees and migrants to travel to the EU in 2015.

During negotiations over the deal, President Erdogan threatened EU leaders that "we can open the doors to Greece and Bulgaria anytime and we can put the refugees on buses."

In May EU leaders told Germany's Bild they fear the failure of the migrant deal, and said they are working on alternative plans to stop refugees and migrants coming to Europe.
LUHANSK (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, a bomb exploded on a road near Plotnitsky's car. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

"I am alive and well, and any attempts to speculate on my health are intrigues by accomplices of the Ukrainian party. As you know, the war has not yet ended, and US special services and those who try to shake the situation in Ukraine and in the whole world, are of course behind the Ukrainian government," Plotnitsky said in a recorded address to the republic's residents.
The report outlined that this money is a share of some 200 billion in outstanding commitments by all 28 member states of the bloc.

Under EU regulations, each bloc state contributes funds to a joint account that is used for realization of large-scale infrastructural projects within the bloc through the years. In practice that means that if the EU funds a bridge, the full sum spent on it will be returned to the joint budget only when project is completed.
The perpetrator was shot by a third police officer and died later in hospital.

"According to the first indications and first evidence, [the attack] demonstrates the terrorist link very clearly. I want to be cautious at the moment not to impede the investigation but it once again seems to be an attack with terrorist subtext," Michel told the RTL broadcaster.
" the SMM could assess from a distance of approximately 15-30 meters, that an explosion had likely been caused by an improvised explosive device (assessed as approximately 1kg of high explosives) placed next to or in, a lamp post about two meters away from the vehicle, which was damaged and downed, at the side of the road," the report reads.

Plotnitsky accused the Ukrainian government of the failed attack against him.
The protesters believe that a terror threat and security measures could be used by the authorities in order to silence those dissatisfied with the Temer government.

"Potentially, there is a terror threat. But it is directed mainly against Americans and Europeans, but not against us. but since they come here, there is such a risk [of a terror threat]," protester Val Carvalho told Sputnik, adding that a recently detained group of protesters had nothing to do with terrorism.

People chanting "Terrorists are the state" could be heard during the protests, according to a Brazilian teacher who took part in the rally.

Jaime Muniz Martins, the former head of the Federation of Associations of Favelas of Rie de Janeiro, said that major media outlets manipulated the information to their advantage, and accused them of portraying the coup in the country as a positive moment for people.

"People, especially the poorest residents of favelas, are losing their rights," Martins said, pointing out that favela residents gained access to healthcare and education under the administrations of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Rousseff.

Another protester, Mozart Rangel, told Sputnik that the coup in Brazil was serving to isolate the country in terms of energy supplies and space program, as elements of those spheres were sold or transferred under the supervision of other states and foreign corporations.

According to the organizers, about 30,000 people took part in the Friday protests in Rio de Janeiro.
When we signed our contract with the Americans, we had initially asked for $500 per fighter in addition to getting support for injured and killed soldiers, he told the website.

They agreed to $250 for the first half year, and said that wed get an additional $250 per man after six months. We only ever got $250 and never any money for our injured or killed. And thats when they did pay us, which was rare, the rebel revealed.

During the entirety of their year-and-a-half enlistment with the United States military, Sejry claims, his fighters have been paid infrequently and sporadically, the outlet describes.

Weve received only one month worth of salaries in the last three months, it quotes the rebel as saying.

As the town where his brigade has been based was besieged by Daesh in June, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) airdropped ammunition and supplies to the Mutasim fighters, enabling the brigade to break the siege and mount a moderately successful counteroffensive against ISIS (Daesh) in other outlying villages.
DUBROVICHI AIRFIELD (Russia) (Sputnik)  The Russian Aerospace Forces , successfully carrying out their operations in Syria, are "breaking the backbone" of the international terrorism, the Forces' Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Saturday.

"The Aerospace Forces became the most powerful branch of Russia's armed forces thanks to the attention of the country's leadership. We receive advanced weaponry and military equipment in due time. This is why the Aerospace Forces are successfully breaking the backbone of international terrorism in the Syrian Arab Republic," Bondarev said opening the finals of the Aviadarts international flight skills competition.

He added that the International Army Games and Aviadarts competition peacefully demonstrate the military capabilities of the latest combat aircraft and helicopters.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  Senior Taliban leader Qari Saifullah Mehsud told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn that the crew was captured by the Hakeemullah Mehsud group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan organization and being held in Azra district of the eastern Afghan Logar province.

He also said that there was no use in trying to seek help of Afghanistans authorities as the territory was fully controlled by the Taliban.

Mehsud added that the detainees would be killed if Afghan or US forces tried to release them.
DAMASCUS (Sputnik)  The Syrian army has been fighting back insurgents who attacked military school quarter in the northern city of Aleppo for two days, a source in the local militia told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

"This morning fierce fighting resumed on the territory of the military logistics and artillery schools. The operation is supported by air forces and artillery," the source said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  An attempted coup in Turkey is used by some leaders of the European states to prevent the country from joining the European Union, Umit Yardim, Turkeys ambassador to Russia, said.

"We are witnessing that some leaders in the European Union are also trying to exploit the situation in Turkey, especially in relation to the Turkish aspirations to join the European Union And of course it is unacceptable and unnecessary to take seriously the statements made by EU leaders and some politicians concerning this situation. And it may be a sign of double standards," Yardim told Rossiya 24 TV channel in an interview.

He said that some countries regarding themselves as bearers of universal democratic values are facing Nazism, fascism and radicalism thriving there. Yardim also dismissed EU criticism of measures taken by Turkey after the attempted coup.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is now holding active consultations with all the parties to the Syrian conflict.

Hence both the Syrian army with its allies on the one hand and the terrorists and their patrons on the other, are fighting a fierce battle for Aleppo in order to have an ultimate ace up the sleeve by the start of the talks and proudly stand their ground.

Hassan Shemshadi has also commented on the recent allegations of the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat of the involvement of the head of the Irans Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani in the fighting on the ground in Syria.

This is just speculation and rumors, the journalist told Sputnik.

This particular newspaper is an affiliated media outlet of the sponsors and patrons of the terrorists in Syria, he explained. Its sole purpose is to destabilize the balance of information  especially amid heavy losses of the militants when they were circled in Aleppo.

This is not the first time this issue is being raised, Shemshadi said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Yemens supreme political council formed by the Houthis Shia rebel movement Ansar Allah and General People's Congress party supporting the countrys ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh held its first session on Saturday, local media reported.

The participants of the session approved the list of 10 members of the council, Yemen News Agency Saba reported.

The supreme political council was established on July 28.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Participants of the intra-Yemeni peace talks are leaving the venue in Kuwait but the dialogue will continue, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said Saturday.

The UN-mediated peace talks have been held in Kuwait since April 21.

"We are leaving Kuwait today but the talks continue," Ould Cheikh Ahmed told a press conference.
Sibel Edmonds, a Turkish-American dual citizen and former FBI translator, blasted the media outlet saying NBC News was "no longer a news organization."

"Its an extension of the Central Intelligence Agency and Pentagon; this is what they proved here, Edmonds said. They actively and directly participated in a coup."

In an interview with RT on Friday, WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange expressed outrage about the false reporting saying "What the hell is going on there?"

"Turkish newspapers are publishing stories around a theory that the United States was behind the attempted coup, that US intelligence sources have supported Fethullah Gulen, the head of the Gulen cult, and that has been called by the Turkish government as the leader of the coup," said Assange.

"One of the key evidence points cited by Turkish media is that in the middle of the coup, NBC published that Erdogan was on his way to Germany to seek asylum and they say that this was told to them by a US military source so what the hell is going on there because that went all the way around the world and went to further the chances of success of the coup in Turkey because if the President is gone then youve lost control," said the whistleblower.
DAMASCUS (Sputnik)  Armed groups have been pressing ahead with an offensive on the al-Ramusy area in the south of Syria's Aleppo for 24 hours, a source in the militia told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

"Intense fighting is still underway in al-Ramusy and on the territory of the military logistics and artillery academies. The army in al-Ramusy has been reinforced. Despite heavy losses, the terrorists still continue the storm," the source said.
Conflict News (@Conflicts) August 6, 2016

The rebel coalition said it managed to take part of the Aleppo base, which lies about 1.6km (one mile) from rebel controlled areas. The group released videos that supposedly show fighters inside the facility inspecting weapons and equipment that they had seized.

The seizure of the facility would represent a substantial setback for the Syrian Army who has been combatting the rebels with the help of Russian airstrikes.

The situation in Aleppo appeared to have been improving with RT releasing video of civilians and fighters leaving the city through humanitarian corridors with several similar safe passageways planned in the coming week. However, the rebel groups have used the Russian initiative to bolster their resolve blasting it as a ploy for the Syrian regime to recapture the entire city of Aleppo.

However, on Saturday the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group, responsible for indiscriminate violence against civilians throughout Syria, went to Twitter to claim that they opened the route to Aleppo while the Turkey-based Syrian National Coalition said on Saturday that the "Rebels break Aleppos siege."

Syrian Coalition (@SyrCoalition) August 6, 2016

AFP news agency reports that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, previously al-Nusra Front, said on Saturday that rebels pushing out from inside Aleppo city had linked up with those on the outskirts.

The Islamist terrorists continue to take fire with from Russian and Syrian helicopters and warplanes while the so-called 'moderate' rebels have responded with a car bomb explosion in al-Amiriya at the edge of the besieged city.

Ahrar Al-Sham inter (@ahrar_alsham_en) August 5, 2016

The city of Aleppo has been laid to rubble over the past five years of war becoming a hotbed for Islamist rebels. Prior to the outbreak of the civil war, the city served as Syrias business capital featuring some of the countrys most prominent buildings.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the document, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation registered a total of eight violations of the ceasefire regime in Syria, including seven in the Damascus province and one in the Latakia province, in the last 24 hours.

"Over the past 24 hours, truce agreements have been reached with representatives of three settlements in Latakia province. The number of settlements that have joined ceasefire reached 356," the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website.
"The superior mind is playing ruthlessly," said Erdogan during a press conference at the Huber Mansion in Istanbul. "I do not believe this thing [coup attempt] is over. We will not be come by languor."

The Turkish President also downplayed the notion that his life was in peril during the failed coup attempt when a fighter jet controlled by coup plotters followed over his plane within striking distance before having to be grounded for refueling. Instead, Erdogan suggests that the F-16 fighter jets did not have bombs to strike his plane.
BAKU (Sputnik)  Armenia has violated the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh eight times during last 24 hours, the Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said on Saturday in a statement.

"Despite the earlier reached agreement on the ceasefire regime on the contact line in Karabakh, the Armenian side violated the regime across the line eight times in last 24 hours," the statement said.

The Defense Ministry of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic accused Azerbaijan of 25 violations of the ceasefire regime.
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At the same time, Majumdar pointed out that the Tu-160M2 is not going to be introduced to attempt to replace the Tu-95 , NATO codename 'Bear', a strategic bomber which has served as the workhorse of the Soviet and Russian air forces' heavy bomber fleet for over 60 years, and has seen several iterations and many substantive upgrades since its initial appearance. The Tu-95 is now being upgraded to carry the new Kh-101 and Kh-102 cruise missiles, the former armed with 400 kg of high explosives, and the latter with a 250 kiloton nuclear warhead. This, the journalist noted, is sufficient evidence that the plane is not going to be retired any time soon.

Accordingly, Majumdar noted that the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces' basic approach to its strategic bombers considers the payload capability of the cruise missiles onboard the aircraft to be "far more important than the bomber itself."

"The stealthy new Kh-101, which proved itself over Syria, and its Kh-102 nuclear-tipped variant are both designed to penetrate into heavily defended enemy airspace allowing the bomber to strike from afar. Both missiles have ranges well in excess of 1,800 miles [others estimates say 3,400 miles] and will comprise the primary armament for the Russian strategic bomber fleet."

Ultimately, the upgraded Tu-160M2 will be a welcome addition to the Russian strategic bomber fleet.

"As for the Tupolev PAK-DA stealth bomber," the brand new stealth bomber expected to be on par with the best US analogues, Majumdar noted that this plane is "not likely to materialize anytime soon."
NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  Localized production of the US F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft may help India substitute its obsolete fleet largely depending on the Soviet MiG-21 fighters as the long-awaited deal on the Rafale fighter jets between Paris and New Delhi is stalling, Praful Bakshi, an ex-wing commander at the Indian Air Force and former chief spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, told Sputnik on Saturday.

On Thursday, a vice president at the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin said that the company was willing to turn India into the sole producer of the F-16 aircraft by shutting the only active production line in Texas and shifting it to India.

"F-16 can be a nice replacement for the MiG-21 aircraft. Because when Rafale deal will materialize is not clear," he said.
DUBROVICHI AIRFIELD (Russia) (Sputnik)  Various expositions, shows and competitions, including Aviadarts, contribute to attracting international interest to Russian military planes and helicopters, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Saturday.

"If we did not show the achievements of our technology, no one would probably buy it. Representatives of foreign states watch it [technology] joining service with our troops, how we test it, show its capabilities, and they buy our [equipment]," Bondarev told reporters.

He stressed that Aviadarts international flight skills competition contributed to the interest to the Russian military technology at the international market.
"The Director of National Intelligence of the United States said that both the DNC and the RNC were being attacked by a range of actors from philosophical opponents to states engaged in espionage," said Assange. "Now, the head of the DNI, James Clapper, he is the boss of the boss of the CIA. If anyone knows what US intelligence agencies know, he knows. On Friday he had to come out and say that there is a lot of media hype and that they have no idea what the motivation is even if they knew who it was."

"That is the head of the DNI dampening down ideas that they know who it is," said the whistleblower.

"In the US media that has been a deliberate conflation of DNC leaks and DNC hacks which have occurred several times over the past two years a number of times," explained Assange.

"I think the statement by Hillary Clinton on Fox needs to be directly tackled because it involves us directly. What she is trying to do is conflate our publication of pristine emails with the publication of information from other media outlets of information from the DNC and that is purported to be the case and that is a series of Word documents and PDFs published by The Hill, by Gorka, and the Smoking Gun."
Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington should have god relations with Moscow in order to defeat the Daesh terrorist group, banned in range of counties, including the United States and Russia.

Russia and the United States are engaged in separate military operations against Daesh in Syria.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung said on Friday that the German Foreign Ministry is aware of the situation. According to the ministry, the German embassy in Ankara had tried to contact the detained woman for days with no results.

On July 15, an attempted coup took place in Turkey that was suppressed the following day. Over 240 people were killed during the coup attempt and an estimated 2,000 were wounded. Over 13,000 people have been detained during the crackdown launched after the coup attempt.
The United States is among 18 non-Council of Europe states that are party to the convention.

On Friday, Tarasov told RIA Novosti that Yaroshenko had been allowed to buy food at the prison store, something he was prohibited to do last month.

Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to import more than $100 million worth of cocaine into the United States, was arrested in Liberia in 2010 and subsequently extradited to the United States.
"She enabled foreign espionage so that all of our enemies could very easily and quickly read her emails," Trump stated on Friday. "I think, who knows, but I think."

Trump added that Clinton put the lives of all Americans in danger when she deleted thousands of emails.
A Thursday Mercosur meeting, where the issue of the transfer of chairmanship over the Latin American regional economic bloc was discussed, ended with no progress made.

Argentina proposed on Thursday that temporary chairmanship could be implemented on a unified basis, but no agreement was reached on the issue.

According to Deputy Minister of Economic Relations of Paraguay Rigoberto Gauto, Mercosur will meet again in the coming days.

According the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry, Mercosur chairmanship transfer will remain an unresolved issue, despite Venezuelas announcements of it having taken on presidency.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Ambassador expressed hope that, with the participation of Russia, the Syria talks will lead to the happiness and prosperity of the Syrian people.

"The key players, of course, are Russia and Turkey, among others. Of course this issue has always been on our agenda with our Russian colleagues. I think that it is probably inaccurate and unrealistic to think that the solution to the Syrian conflict is possible without the participation of Turkey and the Russian Federation," Yardim said in an interview with Rossiya-24 TV.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is seeing its weakest performance at the municipal elections in more than two decades.

The South Africans headed to polling stations on Wednesday to elect district and local municipal councils in the country's nine provinces.

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the ANC has the support of almost 54 percent of voters, which is its worst result since 1994.
Meanwhile Turkish daily Milliyet says that the US Department of Justice will send a technical delegation to Ankara in connection with Turkey's extradition request before the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Turkey on August 24-25.

Former Turkish diplomat and ex- head of the Economic Section in the Turkish Foreign Ministry Oktay Aksoy told Sputnik Turkiye that the issue is crucial for Turkish-US relations and hence to the relations between Turkey and NATO.

Until the US extradites Fethullah Gulen to Ankara, which claims that the cleric is the mastermind of the attempted coup, it would be very difficult to return Turkish-US relations to the previous level, he said.

Meanwhile, Russian online newspaper Gazeta.ru provided its take on why even if Turkey grants all the necessary evidence for the extradition of the cleric, the US wont be ready to let him go.

It is not just a serious blow to Washingtons authority, which only too often talks about democracy and human rights: in modern Turkey, Gulen could hardly count on a fair trial. A stable Turkey, as a NATO member state, is of particular importance to Washington, especially in the context of the Syrian military conflict, the website says.

The mere presence in the US of an adversary of the Turkish president, who is only too well aware of all his weak and strong spots  is a trump card for the White House, the outlet reasons.

In case there is a shift of power in Turkey, it further says, Gulen could become a key figure who, if not taking a leading post, then would be certainly able to influence the Turkish politics.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner has condemned the sentencing of Chinese lawyers and rights activists to prison as "politically motivated."

The accusations brought by Washington are groundless, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was quoted by the Xinhua news agency as saying, urging the United States to stop making "irresponsible" remarks.

On July 9, 2015, Beijing launched a so called 709 crackdown against human rights activists and lawyers named after the day of its start. Some 300 people were detained during the campaign, although the majority was later released.
As for bomber Mohammed Daleel, who blew himself up (possibly by accident) and wounded 15 people, in Ansbach, Bavaria on July 24, Der Spiegel said that his chat contact had explicitly told him to try and film the moment of detonation and send it to Daesh.

On Saturday, Saudi authorities responded to Spiegel's revelations, offering German investigators help in finding those behind the attacks. According to Spiegel, a senior member of the Saudi government offered assistance, with authorities in Riyadh now in contact with their German counterparts.

This, the magazine added, was highly unusual, since Riyadh usually keeps a "very low profile" when suspicions of its support for Islamist terrorism arise. In any case, Spiegel noted that Saudi cooperation may very well help to establish the identity of the Daesh-connected persons who contacted the terrorists and encouraged them to carry out their vicious attacks.

However, not everyone is convinced of Riyadh's sincerity. On Saturday, German television news network Tagesschau issued a commentary on the reports that the killers in Wurzburg and Ansbach had connections with Saudi-based officials.

Tagesschau commentator Bjorn Blaschke was blunt, recalling that "time and again, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  both its rulers and its subjects, have been suspected of cooperating with Islamist terrorists." The journalist suggested that it's enough to recall the 9/11 investigation, and that 15 of the 19 terrorists were Saudi nationals.
LEMOA is actually a version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) which covers the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the US military and armed forces of other countries.

"US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's three-day visit to India last week proved historic in the sense that a non-aligned India stepped closer to signing a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement," Dr. Dalbir Ahlawat, an Australian security expert, noted in his April article for The Interpreter.

For his part, Rupakjyoti Borah of The Diplomat wrote in May that "the decision 'in principle' by India and the United States" to ink the LEMOA marks "a big leap of faith."

"Gone are the days when New Delhi's foreign policy mandarins kept Washington D.C. at arm's length, believing that India's interests were best served by being close to countries like Russia and espousing things like non-alignment and third-world unity," the journalist insisted.

Chinese Dissidents' Conference in India

Simultaneously, Hindustan Times reported that a three-day conference entitled "Strengthening Our Alliance to Advance the People's Dream: Freedom, Justice, Equality and Peace" organized by a US-based Chinese dissident group took place in Dharamsala, India, with no less than eight Chinese dissidents attending the event on April 28.

The incident was interpreted by some media sources as yet another sign of India's change of heart toward China and its BRICS' partners.

However, it depends on how accurately you are connecting the dots.

"Actually, this supposed tilt by New Delhi is a gross misperception. If India is 'siding' with the US, why would Moscow and Delhi continue with long-planned sensitive military collaborations, involving technology transfers that Russia does not offer to any other nation, including China? Prime examples include the Sukhoi PAK-FA/FGFA 5th Generation stealth fighter project; the joint hypersonic Brahmos cruise missile project; and India's preference for the Russian IL-78MD-90A aircraft, worth $2bn over the Airbus 330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) counterpart, among many others," Mathew Maavak, a geostrategic analyst and doctoral candidate in Security Foresight at University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) told Sputnik.

Remarkably, back in April Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parikkar categorically stated that LEMOA would apply only to supplies like fuel and food and not for stationing US military in India.

On the other hand, "India's hosting of the Dharamsala meeting in April this year was reportedly a tit-for-tat reaction to China's refusal at the UN to ban the leaders of Pakistani terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Jama'at-ud-Da'wah," Maavak explained.

"Remember, that India eventually denied visas to several Chinese dissidents, including Uighur dissident leader Dolkun Isa, New York-based Tiananmen Square protester Lu Jinghua and Hong Kong-based activist Ray Wong," the analyst told Sputnik.

"This was just a brief, rhetoric-filled bump in India-China relations," Maavak stressed.

The strategic analyst underscored that anyone who has followed India-China dynamics for decades would know that both nations resort to cantankerous rhetoric from time to time, only to return to business as usual.

Indeed, the recent incident in the border district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand, where Chinese troops entered Indian territory was instantly downplayed by Defense Minister Parrikar last Saturday as a "transgression" rather than an "incursion."

India Remains Committed to the Concept of a Multi-Polar World

There are no grounds for suspecting a chill between India and its BRICS partners. India remains committed to the concept of a multipolar world.

"India was a proponent of multi-polarity right from the days when it co-founded the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961. India remains the only founding member of NAM that actively promotes the concept of a multi-polar world. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise," Maavak underscored.
An attempt was made in the 1980s to make drug lords the new major threat, but they were too few in number to sustain the media campaign, the author explains.

Similar failures happened with the terrorists who were "found" around the world right after the 9/11.

Saddam Hussein, appointed by the George W Bush administration as a weapons-of-mass-destruction threat, turned out to be a bust.

Tagging Iran and North Korea as members of an axis of evil also failed, because neither one seemed able to do real harm to America despite making a lot of noise.

Osama bin Laden never launched a second attack on the US, and the Taliban was dragged down by a war that seemed to lose its focus after 15 years, the author says.

The US made a good-faith effort trying to label all sorts of others  Gaddafi, Assad, Islamic State  as global enemies worthy of perpetual war, but the Middle East in general has turned into a quagmire, he further notes, adding that meanwhile America likes a winner, or at least the appearance of winning.

So why then President Putin and why now?

Ahead of the next administration, Washington really needs an arch enemy, a poster-child kind of guy who looks like a James Bond villain. And preferably one with nuclear weapons hell brandish but never use, Peter Van Buren explains.
File photo of South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

Some foreign analysts call Beijing's rejection of the recent arbitral tribunal ruling in the South China Sea dispute "China's first international test" as an emerging power. Some foreign media wonder whether a resurgent China will uphold the international order. Will fears of a "China threat" now increase?

Underlying all these issues is what China calls its "core interests". What are China's core interests? Do they include the "dotted line" (often called the "Nine-Dash Line"), which defines China's claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea?

These matters are sufficiently serious to warrant a sophisticated understanding of China's position. What are China's claims and arguments? What will happen now?

To understand China's position and way of thinking, I sat down for a two-hour, in-depth discussion with General Peng Guangqian, a People's Liberation Army major general and military strategist; he is deputy secretary-general of China's National Security Forum and has been focusing on South China Sea issues.

The ground rules were simple: I would ask Peng the tough questions. Peng told me he would answer my questions directly and candidly, stressing that he would express his own personal ideas; he was not representing official positions of the Chinese government or the PLA. I was impressed by his knowledge and candor. To me, the issue is not so much who is right and who is wronghuman groups often disagreebut rather recognizing that only through open and honest communication can misunderstandings be minimized and inadvertent confrontations avoided.

Sovereignty and core interests

While the ruling did not determine sovereigntybecause the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea cannot rule on sovereigntyit did seek to adjudicate territorial and economic zones from maritime features such as islands, rocks and reefs. China asserts this is a distinction without a difference, in that sovereignty is indeed the underlying issue and therefore the tribunal did not have jurisdiction, and China is not about to bargain away its sovereignty. Thus my first question to Peng.

"Why was the ruling so unfavorable to China, especially given that the tribunal said it was not addressing issues of sovereignty, which was not in its jurisdiction?"

"The Philippines and the arbitral tribunal played a trick," Peng said. "They disguised the territorial entitlement of the disputed islands and reefs as well as the maritime rights and interests as an interpretation of the UNCLOS ... The South China Sea issue is the first 'test' for China on the path of the great rejuvenation of the nation. We should adhere to our principles and express our solemn position to the international community."

"Is the South China Sea a 'core interest' of China's sovereignty on par with Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang?" I asked.

"Let me give you a metaphor," Peng responded. "All human beings have 10 fingers. As a Chinese saying goes, the nerves of the fingertips are linked with the heart, which means every finger is closely bound up with one's whole life and we cannot cut off any finger. We attach equal importance to Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, Hainan ... Any part of China is an indispensable 'core interest' for China's survival and development. It's a reality that some of our islands and waters have been occupied by other countries and China's resources have been plundered. We have every confidence of recovering them. But we still advocate a peaceful settlement through negotiation and consultation. Before this issue is settled, we can shelve differences and seek joint development, which fully demonstrates our sincerity. But there is no doubt that the South China Sea is very much a part of China's 'core interests'."
She cites George Friedman, the founder and chairman of the private intelligence and geopolitical forecasting corporation, Stratfor. In February 2015 Friedman delivered a speech at the influential Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

"The primordial interest of the United States of which for century we fought wars  the First [World War], the Second, and the Cold War  has been the relationship between Germany and Russia, because united they are the only force that could threaten us, and to make sure that that does not happen," Friedman stressed, much in the vein of Mackinder's geopolitical paradigm.

The Stratfor founder elaborated that the US is creating a "cordon sanitaire" around Russia, separating it from Germany and engaging the Eastern European nations in the American fold.

"Either way we are back at the old game," Friedman remarked.

Friedman was apparently referring to the formula voiced by the first Secretary General of NATO (from 1952 to 1957) General Hastings Lionel Ismay: "to keep the Russians out, the US in, and the Germans down."
One of the Clinton camp's most prominent members is Stephen Sestanovich, the former US State Department's ambassador-at-large for the former Soviet Union (from 1997 to 2001), and an expert with the US influential Council on Foreign Relations.

In his latest article for The New York Times, Sestanovich attacked Donald Trump for his remarks on NATO's Article 5 and America's "obligations" before its allies, particularly the Baltic States.

"Consider the case of Latvia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has managed an uneasy balance between its ethnic Latvian majority and a large Russian minority. Ethnic Russian leaders have pursued political accommodation and supported the country's Western orientation. Ignoring this success, Mr. Trump would give pro-Russian hotheads an opening  an incentive to challenge their moderate rivals, to attract Russian aid and media attention, and to threaten national unity," Sestanovich insisted.

In response to Sestanovich's assumption, Alexey Fenenko, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of World Politics of the Moscow State University, stressed that there is a fundamental flaw in the ex-ambassador's logic.

"After visiting Latvia many times Sestanovich cannot be unaware of the fact that there is no "ethnic peace" there, particularly because of discrimination of the Russian population [in Latvia]. In the past few months this discrimination has been boosted by the US and EU's suspicions that local Russian inhabitants could kick off an uprising in Latvia's Latgale region," Fenenko pointed out, as quoted by Babich.
Around 200,000 civilians are thought to be trapped in the occupied remainder of the city, but the Syrian Arab Army have opened up several humanitarian corridors for their safe retreat.

Instead of ensuring their safe exit, the so-called rebels have attacked the fleeing civilians in a last-ditch act of desperate retribution against them. Nearby, terrorists used a surface-to-air missile to down a Russian helicopter and kill all of the soldiers on board, while elsewhere in the northwestern town of Idlib, they launched a series of chlorine chemical weapons attacks that they tried to blame on Moscow and Damascus.

Andrei Fedorov, Russias former Deputy Foreign Minister and Director of the Centre for Political Studies (studio guest); Elias Farhat, retired general, the former head of Lebanons armys Staff and Command College; and Afraa Dahger, Syrian political activist joined us to discuss the issue.
While everybody is by now aware of Trumps joking request that Russia turn over Hillarys deleted emails, and might have even heard how his chief advisor Paul Manafort used to work with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, a Washington Examiner article titled Shhhh! Hillary Clinton has a big Russia problem, too takes a different angle and talks about Hillarys Russia-related scandals:

Bill Clinton was paid half a million dollars to give a single speech in Moscow in June 2010. The money came from a Kremlin-connected bank with interests in a huge deal involving American uranium mines. The deal, which ultimately helped a Russian government enterprise gain 20 percent of American uranium reserves, required the sign-off of Secretary Clinton's State Department.

Andrei Fedorov, Russias former Deputy Foreign Minister and Director of the Centre for Political Studies (studio guest); Paul Grenier, prominent author and former interpreter for US State Department and Pentagon; and Anton Fedyashin, Professor of History at the American University commented on the issue.
In 2003, he began writing for Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspapers society section, later moving to the Gazeta.Ru news portal for several years.

In 2008, he took up photography and contributed to RIA Novosti, ITAR-TASS, Reuters, Associated Press and France Press news agencies, as well as to Kommersant newspaper as a freelance photographer.

Stenin began working as a RIA Novosti photojournalist in 2009 and then as a special photographer for the Integrated Photography Directorate at Rossiya Segodnya in 2014.

The photojournalist specialized in documenting the human side of accidents, riots, military actions and armed conflicts. Syria, the Gaza Strip, Libya and Turkey are only a few places he worked during his service.

He received the Iskra mass media award in 2010 and the Silver Camera Award in 2010 and 2013.
In any case, Pushkova suggested that "the talk about a country's 'great power status' has become a very useful tool for politicians who seeking to use it to try to humiliate their political opponents. The most glaring example of the latter was President Barack Obama's recent statement calling Russia a 'regional power', which plays a role in certain macro-regions, but does not have much influence in world politics."

"For fairness sake," the journalist noted, "it's worth pointing out that by all indications, Russia has a right to stake a claim to a far greater role than mere 'regional power' status; it has the resource potential, a geography of interests, and the corresponding international status, provided by its membership in the UN Security Council, and its membership in the nuclear club."

Pushkova noted that when it comes to 'hard' power, here too Russia is a significant force, its military strength ranking second only to that of the United States, according to the Global Firepower Index.

Russia's 'soft' power too is nothing to shake a stick at either, the journalist suggested, pointing to organizations such as RT, which has pejoratively been called 'the most important element of Putin's propaganda machine'.

"This is not a coincidence," the journalist noted. "Thanks to its information policy, RT, which offers access to an alternative point of view, is among the top five most popular international news channels in the United States, according to comScore. In 2016, over 8 million viewers tune in to RT each week."

Effectively, "Russia's the combined 'soft power' undoubtedly gives it a position of global leadership, through its involvement in the search for solutions to global problems, through various cooperation programs and an extensive diplomatic representation. Russian diplomacy has contributed significantly to the development of the BRICS group of countries, to the strengthening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency mechanisms, and to Syria's chemical disarmament in 2013[Russia has also made] a tremendous contribution in the fight against terrorism."
Founded a few weeks before The Pirate Bay, Torrentz was one of the oldest torrent sites still around. When Torrentz first came online the site was hosting torrent files, but it swiftly reinvented itself as a meta-search engine, the biggest of its kind, Torrent Freak reported.

Without warning, Torrentz disabled its search feature on Friday, just weeks after the founder of the world's biggest piracy site, KickassTorrents, was arrested by US authorities in Poland and had his site shut down. It is unknown whether the two sites closures are related.
Speaking to AP, Hyon Kwang Il, the director of the scientific research department of the North Korean National Aerospace Development Administration, told the news agency that his country would defy all efforts to block the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's ambitions in space, and would ultimately plant its flag on the moon.

"Even though the US and its allies try to block our space developments, our aerospace scientists will conquer space and definitely plant the flag of the DPRK on the moon," Hyon said. The official added that his country "has started to accomplish our plan and we have started to gain a lot of successes."

The official explained that the first step to a successful moon launch would be launching several observation satellites into Earth orbit in order to improve the country's communications capabilities, and to provide data for agricultural and forestry assessments. "All of this work will be preparation for our flight to the moon," Hyon noted.
Radio Sputniks Loud & Clear spoke with Mike Prysner, a former US soldier who served in Iraq during the 2003 US invasion, and who later became an anti-war activist with the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), and founder of anti-war veteran group March Forward! about Trumps behavior and how both parties opportunistically use war to gain support.

Prysner commented that the orientation toward the Iraq War by both major parties first struck him during the Democratic debates, as he recalled that during the first day of the debates he had received word that a fellow Iraq vet had committed suicide.

"It showed this big contrast," he said. "For people who experienced the war, its very much still a thing in everyones life, and something thats continuing to take lives, but for politicians its just something that they can refer to in the past, as a vote in Congress, or it could just be a mistake, and now they can run for president, with no accountability or responsibility for any of it."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) hired Nicholas Young in 2003, and the FBI started investigating him in 2010. He remained in his job until his arrest on Wednesday for allegedly providing the Daesh with material support.

"[This] raises serious questions about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's process for conducting background checks for MTPD officers, what public safety and information security safeguards were in place during the investigation and monitoring of Mr. Young," the letter stated.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)The Presidential Policy Guidance (PPG) was issued in May 2013 amid promises by the US administration of more transparency and tougher control over the drone program. However, only a short "fact sheet" on the document has been released for public.

In 2015, the ACLU filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act, demanding that the government release the PPG in full. In February 2016, a court ordered the government to submit the document for the court's review. The government said it would prepare a redacted version of the PPG for public.

"We welcome the release of these documents, and particularly the release of the Presidential Policy Guidance that has supplied the policy framework for the drone campaign since May 2013. The PPG provides crucial information about policies that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, including hundreds of non-combatants, and about the bureaucracy that the Obama administration has constructed to oversee and implement those policies," Jameel Jaffer, the ACLU Deputy Legal Director was quoted as saying in the union's statement.
BEIJING (Sputnik)  Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last week that Moscow and Damascus had launched a large-scale humanitarian operation in Aleppo , opening three escape routes for civilians and one for militants wishing to lay down arms. On July 30, Russia announced opening four more humanitarian corridors in Aleppo.

"China welcomes the Russian humanitarian mission in Aleppo that is being carried out in accordance with a UN mandate. We are supporting all the measures taken by the international community to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Syria," the statement said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also called on all parties of the conflict to remain committed to political settlement of the crisis, to adhere to the ceasefire regime, to fight terrorism, to work on providing people with humanitarian aid as well as to play a constructive role in solving the Syrian issue.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  US State Secretary John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, discussed President Obama's participation in the upcoming G20 Summit in China and North Korea's nuclear problem, a spokesperson for the US State Department, John Kirby, said in a statement.

"Secretary Kerry spoke today by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to preview President Obamas upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 Summit. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea, including efforts to implement fully obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2270," the statement, issued on Friday, read.

The G20 is an international forum for the leaders and senior financial official of the world's 20 major economies. The 11th G20 meeting is scheduled to take place on September 4-5.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Tehran and Russia's Roscosmos space corporation agreed on the general design, development and launching of a remote-sensing satellite for the needs of the Middle Eastern country and are negotiating the financial aspect of the deal, Iranian Communications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi said Saturday.

At the moment, we are in talks with the Roscosmos corporation on the implementation details of the project and are trying to agree on a suitable price, Vaezi told Mehr news agency.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned the West for taking a critical stance on the execution of a number of terrorists, calling it interference in Iran's internal affairs.

Iran executed at least 20 people this week for purported terrorism-related offenses in a move that triggered condemnation from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and human rights groups.

"While Iran is itself victim of terrorism, it will do its best to maintain the safety of its citizens," Qassemi said as quoted in the Ministry's press release on Saturday.
In March, Ukraine and Australia signed a deal on Australian uranium imports for Ukrainian nuclear power industry.

"This document requires ratification of the Australian parliament as an international agreement All in all, if everything goes well, we are expecting first Australian fuel to be delivered at the beginning of 2017," Kulinich said, as quoted by Ukrinform news outlet.
In this week's edition of Rewind coinciding with Hambletonian weekend, Robert Smith recalls a great Hambo victory by a filly named Helicopter in 1953. This marked the first time in the race's then 27-year history that a Canadian owned entry had won the prestigious race.



Helicopter in rein to Harry Harvey leads a huge field of 20 on Hambletonian Day August 12, 1953 to secure victory in the third and final heat at Goshen, N.Y. (Hambletonian Society Photo) Helicopter in rein to Harry Harvey leads a huge field of 20 on Hambletonian Day August 12, 1953 to secure victory in the third and final heat at Goshen, N.Y. (Hambletonian Society Photo)

Ninety years ago in 1926, the first ever Hambletonian was held at Syracuse, N.Y.. A Canadian driver named Nat Ray, originally from Toronto, was the winning driver behind Guy McKinney. Sixty years ago in 1946, the Hon. Earl Rowe of Newton Robinson, Ont. became the first Canadian to own, train and drive a horse in the big race. In keeping a deathbed promise to Van Riddell's breeder, Dr. Wm. Riddell to start the horse, Mr. Rowe made history on that day, despite not earning a cheque.

This year marks the 63rd anniversary of a rather memorable event in harness racing history which involved HELICOPTER winning the 1953 Hambletonian, then held at Goshen, New York. It marked the first ever Hambo victory by a Canadian-owned horse and it also was perhaps the first "giant step" by The Armstrong family of Brampton, Ontario who would go on to author many great harness racing moments in the years that followed. Two mares -- Helicopter, a trotter and Dotties Pick, a pacer -- were very early stars for this family and their influence continued throughout the decades.

This momentous victory by Helicopter occurred very early in the Armstrong's involvement in harness racing. The young filly sired by Hoot Mon, winner of the 1947 Hambo, had been originally purchased at auction as a weanling for $1,150 by Castleton Farm. She was again sold as a yearling for $2,000 to the partnership of John Simpson and Delvin Miller. She eventually made her way into the ownership of road builders J. Elgin and Edwin "Ted" Armstrong early in her two-year-old form for the sum of $7,500, remaining in the care of Delvin Miller as part of the deal. Originally named Belard Monia, her name was changed to Helicopter while in the ownership of Castleton Farm. The reason for the name selection was inspired by Mrs. Van Lennep, who along with her husband owned the Castleton establishment. Due to a severe storm, a helicopter was called in to transport Mrs. Van Lennup to the hospital to deliver a child. (I am glad they chose Helicopter)

Twenty-Three (23) Horses Go To The Post - August 12, 1953

The 1953 edition of the Hambletonian was literally 'one for the books'. It must have been truly a sight to see 23 trotters all start in the same race; especially three-year-old trotters! The race consisted of three heats, but they were not the elimination format. The horses lined up in three tiers 10-10-3. Scoring from post #14, Helicopter got off to a horrible start, finishing a distant 17th in the opener following an early break. Her connections were concerned, but one person who was still confident was trainer Delvin Miller. In the second heat, the same 23 horses again all started. This time Helicopter was flawless despite being saddled with such a poor post position (#17), trotting home a winner in 2:02 4/5. The first heat winner was Morse Hanover in the day's fastest mile of 2:01.3, driven by a young Jimmy Wingfield, the long time groom of the legendary Greyhound.



The Start of the final heat of the 1953 Hambletonian. At the rail is Helicopter (2) the eventual winner of the race. The Start of the final heat of the 1953 Hambletonian. At the rail is Helicopter (2) the eventual winner of the race.

In the third and final heat, three of the entrants were scratched, presumably feeling they had little or no chance. So in a "shrunken" field of 20 starters, Helicopter once again soared to victory, this trip in 2:02 3/5. Her then 29-year-old driver Harry Harvey was jubilant in victory as he became the youngest driver in the history of the Hambletonian up to that point to record a winning effort. His success instantly vindicated trainer Miller, who had opted to drive another entry Singing Sword, firmly believing that the young Harvey was equal to the task. Reportedly the Armstrong folks were more than a bit upset at first, but as the day wore on their fortunes changed. Her victory marked the seventh time in the 28-year history of the event that a filly had won.

The money distribution for the 1953 race was a bit different than most other races with an even higher premium paid to the winner. The purse split was 55 percent to the winner, 20 percent for second, 12 percent for third, 6 percent for fourth, 4 percent for fifth and 3 percent to the sixth place finisher. The $63,126.59 jackpot won by The Armstrongs was a huge payday for the fledgling owners.

Much of the news coverage around this year's race involved discussions about the phenomenal job done by the 'young' driver Harry Harvey. At the age of 29, he became the youngest to ever achieve a victory in this great race, an honour he would retain for 17 years until John Simpson Jr. -- at age 27 -- won with Timothy T in 1970. The young Mr. Simpson was making his first appearance in the big race. Oddly enough this was Harvey's only appearance in the Hambo, so this one day placed him in a very special category.



Left: A joyous winner's circle celebration following Helicopter's upset victory in 1953 Hambo at Goshen, New York's Historic Track. From left: C.E. Armstrong, Mr. Wm. Cane, driver Harry Harvey, Mrs. J. Elgin Armstrong, Mr. Roland Harriman, and J. Elgin Armstrong (Hambletonian Society). Right: Helicopter scores on Hambo Day in rein to a young Harry Harvey. A joyous winner's circle celebration following Helicopter's upset victory in 1953 Hambo at Goshen, New York's Historic Track. From left: C.E. Armstrong, Mr. Wm. Cane, driver Harry Harvey, Mrs. J. Elgin Armstrong, Mr. Roland Harriman, and J. Elgin Armstrong (Hambletonian Society).Helicopter scores on Hambo Day in rein to a young Harry Harvey.

Mr. Harvey recently passed away on July 17th, just three months short of the age of 93, making him even older than the Hambletonian itself. His obituary reads much like a novel, woven with many interesting tales. Born in rural Vermont one of 12 children, his entire life was spent around horses dating all the way back to his early childhood when he drove his siblings to school in a pony cart. His innate ability to assess breeding lines as well as his overall knowledge of the harness racing business as a whole led him through a long and rewarding career. He was also responsible for introducing the great horse Albatross to the world of harness racing. Despite his tremendous talent in a variety of fields he always preferred to shun the spotlight.



From left: Driver Harry Harvey, Helicopter, Elgin Armstrong & Mrs. Vivian Armstrong enjoy the experience of winning a Hambletonian (Hoof Beats Photo, Courtesy of Don Daniels) From left: Driver Harry Harvey, Helicopter, Elgin Armstrong & Mrs. Vivian Armstrong enjoy the experience of winning a Hambletonian (Hoof Beats Photo, Courtesy of Don Daniels)

While the subject of youth in drivers may have occupied the day, another driver was also at the forefront and not based on his youth. The legendary TOM BERRY, at the age of 71 was competing in his 21st Hambletonian behind the heavily-regarded Kimberly Kid. In the third heat, he narrowly missed a victory as his horse broke right at the wire. A win here would have caused a fourth heat, which would have carried the program into near darkness as the first heat went postward at 3:00 p.m. The team of Kimberly Kid and Mr. Berry did win the Kentucky Futurity that year in a time just over 2:00.

As the final heat was decided there was a bit of irony at play as the young Harry Harvey bested the veteran Mr. Berry as his mount Kimberly Kid made a costly break just before the wire. A decade earlier, Harvey had been an understudy to the great reinsman, who he admired for as long as he had known him.

A testament to the strength and durability of a harness driver and his staying power was strongly displayed this day by driver Fred Parks. In his three trips to the post behind the filly Anchora Hanover, he ended the day with a standing of 20-20-20. Mr. Parks was the long-time trainer and driver for The Seymour Stable of Dekalb Junction, New York and certainly experienced many better days than this.

One of the entrants in that year's race later became well known to Canadian race fans. Aerial Gunner, who had a less than auspicious showing this day finishing 14-8-15, did go on to a successful career. First racing on the Montreal circuit for Jimmy Larente, Aerial Gunner later made his way to Southwestern Ontario in the ownership of Ellis Dell of Becher, Ont. He sired many useful race horses who campaigned for Ellis and other owners.

Down through the years Canadian-born drivers have fared well in Hambletonian competition, but even in this year's huge field of 23, there were no Canadian pilots.

Many "Firsts" in the 1953 Hambletonian

A tremendous amount of history or "new ground" was broken in this year's Hambletonian. Listed below are some of the milestones recorded in the 1953 Hambo edition.

 First victory by an ownership outside of the U.S.

 First $100,000+ Purse

 First foal by Hoot Mon to be ever sold at auction

 Hoot Mon became first Hambletonian winner to sire a winner

 First stallion to sire a winner in his first crop

 Largest Field - 23

As the shadows of late afternoon began to gather on that mid-August day 63 years ago, the cast assembled was of the most unexpected group imaginable. New owners racing in their first ever Hambletonian, a young filly whose mother was sold by Hanover Shoe Farm for $50 due to a winged foot, and a young driver who despite his lack of experience showed that he was truly equal to the task.



Dr. Glen Brown appears in this 1986 photo with the great mare Armbro Flight, a daughter of Helicopter and a valued part of the great legacy she created. At this time she was 24 years old. Dr. Glen Brown appears in this 1986 photo with the great mare Armbro Flight, a daughter of Helicopter and a valued part of the great legacy she created. At this time she was 24 years old.

Helicopter went on to be a valued member of the Armstrong broodmare band, eventually producing Armbro Flight and Armbro Jewel. In 1965, another great moment was narrowly missed when Armbro Flight finished second in the Hambo.

Helicopter died at the age of 22 in 1972 at Hanover Shoe Farms while there for breeding. Elgin Armstrong wanted her to be buried at the original Armbro Farm as a tribute to her tremendous contributions. The folks at Hanover arranged to have her embalmed and an Armstrong truck was sent to pick her up. Apparently all went well except that Customs could not find any section in their codes to treat embalmed horses. According to Dr. Brown, after a phone call or two they let her in.

A Great And Memorable Milestone In The History Of Canadian Harness Racing.
This years Mid-Summer Classic day features a stakes-filled program set for Sunday, August 7 at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.

The three-year-old girls and boys will take over center stage at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino. The Ralph Klein Breeders Stakes for the ladies and the Brad Gunn Stakes for the boys will both contest respective finals with a very lucrative $70,000 up for grabs.

Supporting the card will be the two-year-old pacers of the Alberta Sires Stakes program looking to be the future harness racing stars racing for these main events in one year's time. Colts and geldings will clash in a trio of $18,767 divisions of the Alberta Rising Star while the fillies will butt heads in a four-pack of $14,600 Alberta Starburst splits.

Brad Gunn Stakes

Punters had it right sending Its Eds Idea off as the 6/5 favourite in the first elimination of the Brad Gunn Stakes elimination last weekend. He rewarded his backers by notching his first win of 2016. The Western Ideal-Keystone Edna colt went coast-to-coast, posting splits of :29.3, :58 and 1:26.3 before stopping the timer in a sizzling 1:55.1. Trained and driven by Serge Masse for Edmonton-based owner Lucy Raymond, Its Eds Idea will surely get support at the windows again.

Other contenders include Wranglers Cash (Kelly Hoerdt). The 8/5 second favourite used a first-over trip but could not overhaul Its Ed Idea and ended up third. Blue Star Maverick (Mike Hennessy) rallied for place dough. Wranglers Cash will go on the Lasix program on Sunday.

The 4/5 favourite Outlaw Turn N Burn was treated to a nice two-hole trip in the second elimination after an adventurous first quarter. He was forced to go wide when the early pocket rider Keep Coming broke stride. He then tracked the leader Blue Star Jet (Hennessy) through splits of: 28.2, :58.1, 1:27. and really pressed on the gas petal using a devastating :27.4 final quarter to post the win in a sharp 1:55, which was also a lifetime best. Blue Star Jet hung on for second. Despite a tough, long first-over trip Appellate (Keith Clark) did make it to the big show finishing third.

Outlaw Turn N Burn's form is very sharp as evidenced by his effort two starts back as he punished a group of older condition types by using a big three-wide power move down the backstretch to win by almost three lengths in a sizzling 1:55.3.

We definitely had our share of racing luck so far. We have to hope he continues to stay healthy and sound and the luck continues to carry on, said trainer Donna Sarin. With horses now allowed to be treated with Lasix such as Blue Star Jet and Wrangler Cash they could be some very tough customers. A lot of racing goes on in these big stakes. Im sure some horses will be rolling to the half. We will have to race tough and hope for the good trip as we are facing a very nice group of three-year-olds.

Outlaw Turn N Burn has four wins from nine starts in 2016 and is owned by 8113564 Canada Ltd. Last year as a two-year-old, he set a track record for rookie colts in a time of 1:56.3.

Blue Star Jet (Hennessy) did all the grunt work from the rail in his elimination leading all the way through splits of :28.2, :58.1, and 1:27 before succumbing to aforementioned Outlaw Turn N Burn. We may see a different Blue Star Jet this Sunday.

We will be treating him with Lasix. He is not a true bad bleeder but we hope it will reduce his blood pressure. We want him to relax. If he is controllable that would be great. If not, well, anyone to our right will get tired in a hurry," stated trainer Rod Hennessy, who acknowledged this race is loaded with talent.

"This is a tough bunch with five or six horses all capable of winning. This is what the field should look like for a $70,000 purse."

Hennessy shares ownership of the Blue Burner son with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton, AB. He has bankrolled $75,594 and has notched seven wins from 16 career starts.

Ralph Klein Stakes

The first of two $10,000 Ralph Klein eliminations for the fillies saw the rise and fall of the 3/5 favourite Divas Dragonfly (Jamie Gray). She won like a chalk horse should but was disqualified for interfering with One Big Hottie (Redwood) down the backstretch. Senga Napta, a 47-1 longshot was second and moved to first as a result thereby notching her first win of 2016 from seven attempts for trainer/driver Ryan Grundy. Kenneth Gunn owns and is the breeder on record of this Blue Burner filly.

However, the connections of aforementioned Divas Dragonfly (Mystery Chase-Midnight Diva) appealed the disqualification late this week and has now found herself back in the show. The purse money from that race ($10,000) has now been frozen pending a further review of the appeal. She has drawn post eight but is a threat regardless.

I believe she is very capable of winning even from this outside post. She is on her game, excited and just a happy-go-lucky filly. We obviously need luck and a good trip from our outside post. I dont think anyone including myself knows just how good she is, commented trainer Carl Archibald.

The Meadowlark Farms' homebred fillys regular driver, Jamie Gray will again be calling the shots. The top two-year-old Alberta filly last season, she has career earnings of $99,544 with seven wins from 18 career starts.

As a result of the disqualification as it stands now, Cenalta Artistry was moved to second and Jet Blue Burner (Cullen) was awarded third. Jet Blue Burner also had an adventurous journey. Track announcer Murray Slough noted this race got "Western" early for good reason. The Blue Burner filly started out last but used a big power move early in the first quarter of :27.3 right in front of the Century Downs' fans and opened up six lengths on top through middle panels of :58.1 and 1:27.1 before breaking stride. She still rallied to finish fourth-placed-third as a result of the inquiry. If she stays flat in the final she will be a threat.

Outlawsureshotshark claimed the fastest Ralph Klein elimination in 1:56.1, knocking off one-fifth of a second off her lifetime mark. Travis Cullen trains, drives and co-owns the Smart Shark-Fox Valley Cherish filly, with father Ron Cullen and the Don Byrne Stables Inc. This filly was unraced as a two-year-old and was a private purchase from Connie Kolthammer's Outlaw Stables earlier this year. She has had a fantastic year so far visiting the winners circle 10 times already from sixteen starts this year and has drawn a kind post (2) for the big show.

Monstrous (Hensley) and Brighten Your Life (Hoerdt) ended up second and third respectively and these off the pace threats will get some respect from the punters on Sunday. Monstrous gets the rail, a huge improvement from the trailing position she had in the elimination.

Two-year-old pacing fillies and colts will get their second taste of stakes action at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino this weekend in the Alberta Starlet and the Alberta Rising Star stakes.

Alberta Starlet Stakes

In the first division two players are most likely to grab a share of the limelight. Pickles On Top (Camystic-Real Chop) was a $24,500 yearling purchase for the Cullen barn. In her most recent start she demolished a group of condition types in 1:57.2. Outlaw Fireball (Blue Burner-Watchasgirlsgoby) was also visually impressive winning her division of the Emerald Filly stake back on July 23 with a last to first move in a time of 1:57. She was a private purchase from Connie Kolthammer last week by the Gagne barn.

The second division will feature Shesamysterytome (Mystery Chase-Allamerican Boo), who was second to the aforementioned Outlaw Fireball and has finished second in all of her three career starts. Wedding Dance (Mystery Chase-Westart Love) looked sharp finishing second behind Nightime Chase, who equaled the track record for two-year-old fillies at Century Downs in a time of 1:56.1. She was a $6,500 yearling purchase for the Haining barn.

The third division will see Kurt and Kathy Schmidts homebred Lil Bit O Jingle (Blue Burner-Rain Drop Hanover) come into this race fresh off a six-length romp in her maiden-breaking performance. Trained by leading trainer-driver Travis Cullen, she should attract some attention at the windows. Keep an eye on Perfect Mystery (Shaw) was a decent third to Serge Masses Last Time To Play last time out.

The fourth division appears to be a bit of a wide-open affair. Cardinal Rule (Travis Bowman), Tick Tick Kaboom (Dave Hudon), and Keep On Burning (Cullen) are all coming off decent efforts. Keep On Burning (Blue Burner-Sin Queen) is the only horse to have broken her maiden in this division with a 2:00.1 score back on July 30.

Alberta Rising Star Stakes

Mateo could not have looked more impressive in his career debut, destroying the opposition in a quick 1:57. That effort has promoted him to stakes action here in his second ever start. The two-year-old son of the wildly popular sire Blue Burner sat patiently in the four-hole through early splits of :28.2 and :59.1 before using a first-over trip to take the lead down the backstretch (1:28.4) and continuing on to demolish the field by seven widening lengths. The Darryl Cutting trainee could be any kind and will again have Ed Hensley in the bike.

Ima Dude is a youngster that appears to have a bright future. Trained and driven by Brandon Campbell, the two-year-old son of Lil Dude Starrbuck stood firm tangling with older foes, chasing home sophomore Tolly Ho in his career debut while pacing his own mile in a sparkling 1:56.4

Ryan Grundy has a tiger in the second division. Senga Nitro (Blue Burner-Nells Sweet) used a double wide trip down the backstretch to paste the field in his division of the Century Bets Pace by a widening six lengths in 1:58.3.

Heated Exchange (Cullen) took a lot of action at the mutuels back on August 1 in his second ever start but broke stride and deserves another chance.

In the last division for the boys, it may be hard to look beyond Retros Mystery (Mystery Chase-Retro). His times just keep on getting better. The Starkewski trainee posted a neck victory versus condition types in 1:57.4 in a prep for this race.

Tap Man (Mystery Chase-Tapioca Hanover) was a $9,000 purchase from the ASHA sale last year however the connections still feel he has untapped talent.

We continue trying to figure him out. We will eventually find out what he is all about, but we feel we will be better this Sunday, stated trainer Rod Hennessy.

Hennessy hopes Tap Man follows along the lines of some of his siblings. He is a half-brother to a couple of horses I trained long ago in Tip Top Tap (paced 1:52 at Alberta Downs) and to the filly Tap Out (paced 1:53 at Alberta Downs).

Century Downs Racetrack and Casino will feature 11 dashes on both Saturday and Sunday, with a first race post time of 1:10 p.m. scheduled for both days. To view entries for Sunday's card, click one of the following links: Sunday Entries - Century Downs -- Sunday Program Pages - Century Downs (courtesy TrackIT)

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Frank Fontana; videos produced by Horse Racing Alberta)
Next week, Kalama resident Bethany Glenn will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to lay her 20-year-old grandfather to rest, though his remains are over 74 years old.

Glenns maternal grandfather, Navy Ensign John C. England of Alhambra, Calif., was one of 429 crewmen who died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harborbut his remains, which lay in Hawaii, werent identified until recently.

For the last 8 years, weve been lobbying the military and the navy to bring him home, said Glenn.

Glenn found out about the location of her grandfathers remains in 2008, but the process stalled because of the militarys reluctance to dig up any of the graves.

Dealing with any type of military or government thing, theres so much red tape you have to go through, Glenn said. Were so happy they came through.

From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, much of which were commingled bones. The bones were buried in the Halawa and Nuuanu Cemeteries and stayed there until 1947, when members of the American Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of the casualties and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu.

Among the registration service was pioneering anthropologist Mildred Trotter, whose team was able to identify 27 men from partial bone and tooth fragments. But the militarys policy back then refrained from only sending partial remains back to victims families.

The quartermaster general ordered to have the bones she identified buried with the rest of the unidentified remains, Glenn said.

Englands remains lay in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu until 1999, when Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor survivor and historian, discovered Trotters notes. Emory discovered that identified remains had been reburied, and was able to find four different graves where those remains had been placed.

Ray started doing some research to contact families of the 27 to see if he could find any information about their bloodlines, Glenn said. Thats when my sister, my cousin and I did a DNA sample and started that process.

Glenns mother, who was just a month old when England passed, died in 2002 never knowing much about her father. Glenn considers herself lucky to have discovered boxes of her grandfathers belongings, including letters and pictures, in a family members attic in 2004.

At first, Glenn was able to learn more about her grandfather through pictures. Then she began digging further. I contacted the high school he went to and found a class list from 1938. I called friends who were still alive, Glenn said.

But the greatest discovery happened when Glenn called Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, where Englands parents are buried.

There was already a plot waiting for somebody to be put right next to them, Glenn said. Were just assuming that it was for him. I know it disturbed them that they didnt have any place to go to mourn him.

The funeral held set for Aug. 13 will be a big affair for the town, said Glenn.

They invited the entire town of Colorado Springs, Glenn said. I just found out the towns mayor will be there.

Colorado Springs is a military town, home to both Army and Air Force bases and the Air Force Academy, so Englands funeral is a big deal, Glenn said. Patriot Guard Riders will be part of the funeral escort, and a WWII-era biplane will perform a flyover during the ceremony. England will be buried with full military honors.

They are taking it very seriously and we really appreciate that, Glenn said.
For the third year in a row, Longview-based Fibre Federal Credit Union made a national list of the top 200 healthiest credit unions in the U.S.

An annual report from DepositAccounts.com ranked Fibre at number 138 out of 6,003 federally-insured credit unions included in the analysis. The credit union stood out in all of the primary evaluation categories, including Texas ratio (a method for comparing the total value of at-risk loans to the total value of funds the bank has on hand to cover these loans), deposit growth and capitalization.

Deposits have swelled nearly 22 percent at Fibre over the last year, in large part because of the acquisition of the coastal Oregon TLC Federal Credit Union last May. The merger added five new branches to Fibres portfolio, bringing its total number of branches to 14. Total deposits reached $823.4 million in the first quarter of this year, up from $$675.8 million in the same quarter last year.

With $953.6 million in assets with $128.94 million in equity Fibre has a capitalization level of 13.52 percent  about 2 percentage points lower than last year, but was still ranked as excellent, the report found. Higher capitalization allows for a greater buffer if loans fail.

The credit unions Texas Ratio was about 1.89 percent. Any ratio near or greater 100 is a sign of financial distress. Fibres Tax Ratio Trend was given a C+ rating for staying at about the same level over the last years. However the ratio itself was still considered excellent.

Fibre Federal CEO Larry Hoff announced earlier this year his plans to retire after 15 years at the credit union. Chris Bradberry will take over as Fibres president and CEO when Hoff steps down at the end of this year.
A 13-year-old Woodland girl has returned home from the hospital after falling ill last month with her third bout of viral meningitis. And while Elianna Neumann is on the mend, the family still has a lot of unanswered questions.

Miranda Neumann took her daughter, Elianna, to Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland July 18 after the girl complained of a persistent headache and stiff neck.

Elianna suffers frequent headaches because shes twice fallen ill with meningitis. However, this headache worsened. When she developed a stiff neck, Neumann decided to take her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

Nobody thought she would get it a third time, Neumann said in July.

Elianna is now on the mend and has pain medication to help ease her pain. However, doctors still dont know the cause of her headaches.

Theyre pretty confused, she said.

Neumann said shell take her daughter to an immunologist in Seattle once shes feeling better. She took Elianna to the same immunologist about a year ago to see whether she had an immune deficiency that would make her more likely to develop meningitis. However, no deficiency was found. Neuman said she hopes shell have more answers soon.

Its a big feeling of despair because every time she gets a headache, (I think) Is this it? Is this the time?  she said.

Elianna has already suffered irreparable damage to the frontal lobe of her brain from her two previous bouts of meningitis in 2013 and 2014.

She suffers daily myoclonic seizures, which cause quick muscle jerks of her neck and upper body. Neumann said theyre so common she barely notices them anymore.

Neumann said she also uses over-the-counter medications and essential oils to help with Eliannas frequent headaches. The seventh-grade girl also has a more difficult time learning and paying attention as a result of her frontal lobe damage.

The young girl said Friday that the illness has been scary and shes still in a bit of pain.

Neumann said she lives in fear that her daughter will continue developing meningitis.

Im just afraid my daughter is going to have to live the rest of her life looking over her shoulder, medically speaking.
GFX Benchmarking website suggests yet another upcoming launch of a Samsung smartphone after spotting a handset with model number SM-G6100.

A tech-based website, Sammobile reported that a mobile phone with model number SM-G610F, featuring an Exynos 7870 octa-core processor, has been spotted on GeekBench benchmarking website. The speculation suggest that the smartphone might be Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016).

Apart from the benchmark listing, an Indian export import website Zauba has also listed a phone with model number SM-G610F. Hence, it could be assumed that the handset could be soon launched in India.

Talking about the specs, the GeekBench listing reveals that with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS and 1.59 GHz Exynos 7870 chipset bundled with 3GB RAM and Adreno 506 GPU, the Samsung SM-G610F got 742 in single-core test and in muli-core test it received 4152. While, the Zauba listing suggest that the Galaxy On7 (2016) features a fingerprint sensor as the company has imported fingerprint sensor units for SM-G10F in India for testing and evaluation. Citing the Zauba reports, the Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) will be the first mid-ranged smartphone to sport a fingerprint reader.

Whereas, the Samsung SM-G6100 is reported to sport a 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon (Cortex A53) octa-core processor and it is expected that this model could be the Galaxy On7 (2016) variant to be launched in China. The GFX listing further revealed that the smartphone will feature a 4.8-inch display that has full HD (19201080 pixels) resolution and 5 finger gesture support, 3GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, Adreno 506 GPU and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. However, it didnt suggest about phones battery and SD card support.

On photography front, it is expected to offer a 13-megapixel autofocus rear camera with an LED flash, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The listing also suggests that the device will offer connectivity measures like Bluetooth, GPS and WiFi and various onboard sensors such as accelerometer and proximity sensor.

However, we havet heard a word regarding the lauch of Galaxy On7 (2016) in India.
Solar and Heliopheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint venture by NASA and European Space agency (ESA), has observed a comet with a death wish as it was entering into the Sun. The comet plunged to the Sun on August 4 and now we will not see it again ever.

Scientists have made a video of the comet cruising towards the Sun to witness its end. It was reported that the collision led to the brightest sungrazing that happened in past two decades. NASA scientists explained that comets are largely made of dust and large chunks of ice, and when it collides with the superhot Sun, it emanated bright light.

Watch GIF released by NASA:

Comets constantly plunge into the Sun to their death, a phenomenon known as sungrazers. These comets have orbits that take them near to the Sun and in turn, putting the comets existence in danger. Experts say that comets are pieces of bigger bodies that have since broken up due to its proximity to the Sun. Astronomers reacted to the scene and shared their enthusiasm on social media.

This comet didnt fall into the sun, but rather whipped around it  or at least, it would have if it had survived its journey, Sarah Frazier of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center said in a statement. Like most sungrazing comets, this comet was torn apart and vaporized by the intense forces near the sun, Frazier added.

Watch the animated video:

https://youtu.be/W4QhKBcq87Y
tech2 News Staff

Chris Urmson has officially announced his departure from self-driving car project at Google. After working seven and a half years as director on the project, he announced his resignation through a blog post.

After leading our cars through the human equivalent of 150 years of driving and helping our project make the leap from pure research to developing a product that we hope someday anyone will be able to use, I am ready for a fresh challenge. I have every confidence that the mission is in capable hands wrote Urmson. Google hired former Hyundai exec John Krafcik last year as the CEO of its car division and according to The New York Times Urmson was not very happy with Krafciks decisions."

Urmson became a part of Google after working on self-driving car technology at Carnegie Mellon to win DARPA challenges. He made Googles project go from 100,000 miles of self-driving to 1.8 million miles which does include a few accidents here and there. He hasn't confirmed as to where he is headed but he did say that "If I can find another project that turns into an obsession and becomes something more, I will consider myself twice lucky."
Fakhrul, Khasru, Salahuddin make way into BNP standing committee

The party announces full-fledged executive and standing committees

BNP finally announced its full-fledged executive and standing committees on Saturday, over four and a half months after its national council held on March 19. On behalf of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the 502- member executive and 19 member standing committees at a press briefing at BNP's Nayaplatan central office. However, two posts -17th and 18th number positions in the BNP policymaking body-- and four posts -- youth affairs secretary, its assistant secretary, student affairs secretary its assistant secretary--- in the executive committee will be announced later. BNP chairpersons 73-member advisory council was also announced. Mirza Fakhrul, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed, now facing trial in India, got a berth in the standing committee. Besides, 113 new faces were co-opted in the executive committee. At the BNP national council held in the city, party councillors endorsed Khaleda Zia as party chairperson and her son Tarique Rahman as senior vice chairman. They also entrusted Khaleda with the responsibility to constitute the party executive committee and stranding committee. Earlier, the party unveiled the names for 42 posts, including that for secretary-general, senior joint secretary-general, treasurer, joint secretaries general, organising secretaries and assistant organising secretaries. However, some changes were brought in the earlier declared posts. Khaleda Zia is the number one member of the standing committee while her eldest son and senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman the second one. The 15 other names of the standing committee are Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Tariqul Islam, Mahbubur Rahman, ASM Hannan Shah, MK Anwar, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed. Of the previous committee members, 14 were kept in the fresh one while two ---Shamsul Islam and Sarwari Rahman -- were dropped. Two others -- Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Dr RA Gani -- died, while Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury was executed on charge of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Shamsul Islam and Sarwari Rahman were dropped as they have long been suffering from old-age complications. Sarwari is now number one member of the BNP chairpersons advisory council. -- Dhaka, Aug 6 (UNB)
13 dead, 6 injured as fire hits bar in French city

Birthday candles on a cake are thought to have caused the fire -AFP

A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in the northwest French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday. More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar, and it's not yet known how many people were inside at the time, Rouen Mayor Yvon Robert said, calling the fire "very brief." The birthday party was "a moment of joy for those involved that ... ended tragically," Robert said. Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told The Associated Press that the first testimonies from survivors and the early police investigation indicated the "fire was completely accidental." "There was no explosion," Labadie told the AP. "Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement." Labadie said sound-insulating material on the basement's walls quickly ignited and party guests had no time to escape from the basement. Identifications of the bodies were still ongoing, he said. At the scene of the fire, residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning. The bar fire - the deadliest in France since 2005 - came as the country is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was also the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Islamic State extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight Friday. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition. Rouen's archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his "deepest sadness." "Young people, some of them very young, had their lives cut short," said French junior minister Clotilde Valter. "These are extremely painful circumstances for everybody." A bar owner identified as Bruno by French TV BFMTV who was close to the Cuba Libre when the fire broke said customers were trapped inside because the fire moved too fast. "It happened in three seconds," he said. "Some customers exited on their hands and knees. Some of them tried to use a fire extinguisher, but it was too late." In addition to the slaying of the French priest, an IS extremist launched a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, killing 85 holiday revelers with a truck before being shot dead by police.-- Paris, Aug 6 (AP/UNB)
Japan remembers Hiroshima, urges world to follow Obama

A woman lights up candle in front of cenotaph for the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing.

Reuters, Tokyo :

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in US President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

A peace bell tolled at 8:15 am (2315 GMT on Friday), the time a US warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city.

Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

"The president's words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the 'absolute evil'," the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons.

The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year.

US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later.

"I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities," Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun.

"As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart."

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.

"We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself," Abe said.

"It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease towards that aim."

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China.

But Tomomi Inada, Japan's new defence minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year.

On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone for the first time.
Militancy in Islam not allowed, says City Mayor





City Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin termed Islam as a religion of peace and said there is no room for militancy in the religion.

He called upon the people, particularly the imams of mosques, teachers, and parents, to remain alert so that no one could get involved in terrorism and militancy in the name of Islam.

Nasir said the Almighty Allah has not given anyone the authority to kill people is the name of religion.

The city Mayor was addressing a press conference at local circuit house on Friday Chittagong district administration in cooperation with Chittagong City Corporation organized the press conference.

The city Mayor said the government has already shown zero tolerance to militancy, and vowed to root out this menace by any means from the soil of the country.

Nasir said he believed that the government would be able to resist militancy and terrorism. "We have already showed the world that we can do many things," he said.

He urged the parents to remain vigilant about the movement of their children to prevent them from getting derailed.

Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mezbah Uddin, former district Public Prosecutor Abul Hashem, among others, addressed the press conference.
Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, President, Chittagong City Awami League greeting DC, Mesbah Uddin as he was elected the best DC of the country.
Deepika Padukone to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan again

Deepika Padukone to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan againDeepika Padukone just won't quit surprising us. Deepika has been chosen by Vanity Fair magazine as Hollywood's Next Generation, she is reportedly charging a record Rs 12 crore for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati and is now coming together with lucky mascot Shah Rukh Khan in Aanand L Rai's next. Phew Deepika, don't you ever tire?Aanand L Rai's next with SRK has been in news regarding its female lead ever since the announcement. And the filmmaker has always kept mum about the casting of the leading actress in the film. As the curiosity among the fans is rising day-by-day, rumours are abuzz that Deepika Padukone has been roped in to play the leading lady.According to a source quoted by BollywoodLife .com, "Discussions are almost through and she is likely to sign the film soon."Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan's jodi has been successful so far. They have delivered hits like Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year. All these films made it to the coveted Rs. 100-crore list.The film has already created a strong buzz as it will see Shah Rukh Khan playing a dwarf for the first time on screen. And if sources are to be believed, it will be a double treat for fans seeing Deepika and SRK sizzle once again on screen.
Call to eliminate militancy, terrorism



Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on Saturday called for eliminating militancy along with the militants.

"Militancy is more dangerous than militants. The sooner militancy is eliminated, the better is for the country," he said speaking as chief guest at the triennial general meeting of Bangladesh Inter-District Truck Drivers Union under Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation at Mohanagar Natyamancha in the city.

Shajahan Khan is also the executive president of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation.

Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation General Secretary Osman Ali, Covered Van Driver Union President Rustam Ali and Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Organizing Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman also spoke on the occasion, among others.

Shajahan Khan said there should be honest and efficient leaders in labour politics.

The Inter-District Truck Drivers Union had a lot of assets and property, which have been plundered, he said, adding that it happened as there was no good leadership.

The minister said the incidence of accidents on Dhaka-Aricha highway has come down remarkably because of effective steps taken by the present government.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid Taka 100 crore as compensation for the transport drivers and helpers when Khaleda Zia had ordered killing men with patrol bombs to go to power.

The minister said the number of river accidents has also reduced and the government has announced 2016 as river accident-free year.
Stop exploitation of Syrian refugee children

Pierre Salignon :

The war in Syria is raging on with no end in sight to the suffering or human rights violations it brings. We need to rethink how we protect the children displaced by this conflict. This opinion is published courtesy of EurActiv's partner ID4D.

A study by Fondation Terre des Hommes (TDH) published in June 2016 gives chilling insight into the survival conditions of Syrian refugee children, and the different forms of exploitation they are subject to. It draws attention to another tragic effect of the war in Syria and the refugee crisis it has caused. Finally, it calls for the need to change approach in order to increase the protection of refugee children.

According to the United Nations, the war in Syria has caused "the largest refugee crisis since World War Two", with four million people now forced to flee Syria. As with every conflict waged against civilians, children are the first victims. They account for half the people driven from their homes, killed, injured, disabled or traumatised, a "lost generation" according to UNICEF. To support themselves or their families, at a very early age, many refugee children work in the neighbouring countries where they have sought asylum (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq), or set out on the migration routes towards Europe. The survey conducted on farms, in the streets, factories and camps where they now reside, leaves no doubt as to the massive scale of the violations of children's rights (labour exploitation at a very early age, sexual violence, prostitution, various forms of predation on mothers and children, etc.). For them, there is no refuge, nor protection, no respite.

Investigators from Fondation Terre des Hommes (TDH) questioned a sample of around a hundred Syrian child and adolescent refugees, aged between 8 and 18. They all testified and stated that they worked in one form or another. While child labour was already a reality in their country of origin, it has become commonplace in the camps where they are temporarily accommodated, and in the cities and villages where a vast majority of Syrian refugees reside in increasingly precarious conditions, as shown by a study conducted by the World Bank and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the poverty of refugees (The Welfare of Syrian Refugees: Evidence from Jordan and Lebanon). The fact that some of these children are accompanied by their families does not give them more protection and does not prevent them from being exposed to labour and other forms of exploitation.

Firstly, in Syria, over five years since the conflict began, serious violations of human rights and the laws of war are continuing (murders, mutilations, recruitments by armed groups, attacks on schools and hospitals, food deprivation). There are unprecedented internal displacements. The United Nations estimates that there are 8 million internally displaced people, including many children, who are forced to work in "increasingly dangerous and abusive conditions which have a physical, mental or social impact", according to TDH. In the opinion of all observers, living conditions have become quite simply appalling in the besieged zones, but also in the rest of the Syrian territory (regardless of who controls it), due to the lack of sufficient aid. Access to humanitarian aid in the country is most of the time blocked by the fighting forces, who use civilians as human shields in cities that are blockaded and bombed. We read that "many children are severely traumatised and in need of immediate help".

In Syria's neighbouring countries (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq), refugee children often have the role of breadwinner for their families, despite their young age. "Child labor, including its worst forms, has reached an alarming scale" the report states. It is a well-known coping mechanism, "after savings have been exhausted, income depleted or aid services reduced". This is how, from the winter of 2015 onwards, while the United Nations was reducing their rations due to a lack of financing, an increasing number of children joined the exploited mass. Many boys and girls are today working long hours on building sites, farms, markets and in the street, in antiquated conditions, often seven days a week and for a pittance. Access to education is not possible for them. Not to mention the recurrent suspicions of rape and prostitution in refugee camps that have recently been reported by the press.

On the Balkan route, the situation is also far from reassuring. While no evidence has been found that child labour in this transit area spread prior to 2016 ("most people intended to quickly continue their journey" TDH noted), in recent months, following the tightening of controls at the external borders of the Schengen Area, the first cases of labour have been reported to TDH members.

They are "especially from Greece", where refugees are stranded without any proper assistance in detention centres, which are generally closed, before being sent back to Turkey. What is more surprising is that the report indicates that in Germany, one of the main destination countries for Syrian refugees (several hundreds of thousands have been hosted there since the summer of 2015), isolated incidences of labour and exploitation have recently been identified. If further proof were needed, this highlights the urgent need to realise how vulnerable refugee children are in this context of flight and predation, and that there is an urgent need to take action to reduce the risks of exploitation they face.

TDH points out some of the factors that expose refugee children to risks of exploitation at a very early age. They are many, well-known and observed in most situations of displacement.

Given the diversity of these factors, according to TDH, "prevention and protection mechanisms have to follow a multi-dimensional approach". This is the only effective way to fight child exploitation. This means that development actors need to change approach and improve their practices. Instead of establishing specific programmes to fight child labour, TDH in particular notes that "interventions to protect children from exploitation should be generally integrated into all child protection programmes."

Finally, the TDH report can be understood as a thinly-veiled criticism of European policies which, by seeking to contain the influx of refugees towards its borders, actually further expose refugees, especially children, to the predation of smugglers and those who seek to exploit a poor, cheap and docile labour force in an extremely vulnerable situation. Traffickers of human beings have no mercy for the weakest in the economy of poverty that they exploit. This is the case in the countries bordering Syria and at the gates of Europe, but closer to home as well, in the Calais region or near the Gare du Nord station in Paris.

Instead of ensuring enhanced protection for children, most European Union states (with the notable exception of Germany) continue in practice, and in contradiction with European solidarity values, to consider them as "a danger", "illegal migrants", or people just looking for a job, regardless of whether they are minors or orphans fleeing war.

Consequently, TDH is asking European states to review their asylum policies in order to support refugee children. The Swiss foundation stresses in particular the major risk of the labour exploitation of the youngest, emphasising the need to strengthen the work on data collection and field research in order to document and describe this reality, and denounce it if necessary. It is above all a question of changing Europe's inhumane public policies. Border closures, stigmatisation of refugees, keeping exhausted families in overcrowded and unsanitary detention centres, sending refugees, including children, back to Turkey, failing to protect the most vulnerable, etc.

While the conflict in Syria offers no prospects for refugees to return home for a long time to come, the report published by TDH has the merit of reminding us that only a humanist policy that protects refugees, particularly children, and respects their human rights , will reduce their suffering and prevent them from plunging into poverty, or tomorrow into radicalisation and violence out of frustration. To put it simply, the current, repressive European policy makes Syrian refugee children more vulnerable and exposes them to further risks of exploitation. We need to develop an approach focused on the interests and needs of children. Their protection cannot be sacrificed to control migration flows in the name if the fight against terrorism.



(A lawyer by training, Pierre Salignon joined Agence Francaise de Developpement's Health and Social Protection Division as project manager in early October 2013. He is responsible for supervising projects related to the refugee crisis in the Middle East).


Not only the Nepalese, all foreigners over-staying here be under intelligence watch

POLICE detained 44 Nepalese youths from a house of DOHS area under Pallabi Police Station in Dhaka on Friday noon, as reported in a local English daily, for over-staying and working illegally in Bangladesh. Inspector (Investigation) of Pallabi Police Station Mainul Kabir said to the media that they detained those Nepalese and later contacted the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka. According to media reports, the Embassy officials took the 44 detained persons into their custody in the afternoon. The Embassy would arrange their return to Nepal. All the detained Nepalese were male, aged between 20 and 40. They entered Bangladesh through Benapole border on tourist visas on 2nd May. Their visas expired on June 19, but they, instead of returning to their country, over-stayed in Dhaka and got employed without valid work-permit.Nepal is a friendly country of Bangladesh. We are happy that the matter ended peacefully with mutual understanding without creating any complication. But over-staying and working illegally in Bangladesh by foreigners is a deep-rooted problem for over the years. Informal data show that more than two hundred thousands foreign citizens belonging to Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and some African countries have been staying in Bangladesh for a long time illegally and are employed in various sectors and also engaged in trades. It has already exposed risk for the country's security arrangements and emerged as threat to the economic sector. Moreover, their illegal presence in job-market is creating problem, at least partially, in the employment sector where with each passing year millions of youths entering the ever competitive job markets. Surprisingly, the authorities concerned seemed to be not serious about the problem.Bangladesh is now passing through a crucial time. Terrorist activities in the name of religion have created an uncertain environment throughout the country. It is true, the law enforcing bodies are working hard to combat, resist and defeat terrorism. But in this back-drop there remains the chances of infiltration of bad elements from outside the country when the presence of illegally over-staying foreign nationals are huge in number. We are not advocating for witch hunting. But there is genuine grounds of apprehension that such over-staying of foreign nationals in Bangladesh, may pose security threats also. We strongly suggest that as of normal routine those foreigners - whether staying legally or over-staying illegally - be brought under intelligence watch and deported if needed that be as has been the case with the Nepalese in uniform application of laws.
Medicines, drinking water, dry food need of the hour

Flood in northern districts: Water-borne diseases spread

A woman cooking food in appalling situation as flood waters entered the kitchen room in Kamrangir Char area in the city on Saturday.

Staff Reporter :

Medicines, drinking water and dry foods are the crying needs of the flood affected people.

Meanwhile, with the receding of floodwater in the northern districts, water-borne diseases have been spreading sporadically there, intensifying the sufferings of the flood victims.

Diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, respiratory problems, itches, and stomach pain have broken out in some areas. A number of medical teams are working in the affected areas with necessary medicine. Around three lakh people of 43 unions of Harirampur, Daulatpur, Shivalaya, Ghior, Saturia and Sadar upazilas in Manikganj districts are under threat of health hazards.

According to an Agriculture Office source, standing crops amounting to nearly Taka three crore have been washed away due to flood and erosion in four unions of Charbhadrasan upazila. The crops were mainly jute, Aus paddy and vegetables.

The flood situation in Sirajganj and Bogra districts may continue to improve during the next 72 hours, and in Rajbari, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Shariatpur, adjoining the banks of the Padma, may further improve during the next 48 hours, according to Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

According to the WDB, Atrai at Baghabari in Pabna, Dhaleswari at Elasin and Jagir, Shitalakkhya at Narayanganj, Kaliganga at Taraghat, Padma at Goalundo, Bhagyakul and Sureshwar, and Titas in Brahmanbaria are still flowing above danger level.

On Saturday, 63.5 mm rainfall was recorded at Teknaf and 23.5 mm at Noakhali.

River water is most unlikely to rise again unless there is heavy rainfall in the upstream. The flood situation would continue to improve across the country. Water level in the rivers around Dhaka --the Turag, Balu and the Shitalakkha(Narayanganj) registered fall.

Water in river Padma receded further, but still 34 centimeters above the danger level, said FFWC official sources. The normal level is 8.65 meters and now the river is flowing at a level of 8.99 meters.

In the last five days, about 100 meters of flood control embankment at

Gazir Tek union under Charbhadrasan upazila collapsed due to pressure of water inundating a vast area. Few hundred people had to take shelter on high lands when their homesteads submerged.

On Thursday the Arial Khan eroded about 100 meters road at Darga Bazar in Nasirabad union under Bhanga upazila.

But for the efforts of the local people, the erosion was temporarily checked and saved from flooding at least five or more villages. Bricks, boulders and bamboo driving technology were used to check the erosion.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the past weeks and on rush of water from the upstream flooded the low lying areas of seventeen unions of five upazilas in Faridpur district as the water level in Padma and in its tributaries Arial Khan and Madhumati increased, said the Flood Control Department sources.

The affected upazilas are Faridpur Sadar, Charbhadrasan, Sadarpur, Bhanga and Madhukhali.


Xulhaz, Tonoy killers identified

Investigators have identified five individuals who took part in the killing of the gay rights activists Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy.Detectives are trying to arrest these suspects, an official of the Detective Branch, speaking on condition of anonymity, told bdnews24.com.The official declined to identify himself on the ground, as he put it, that there was an order against giving out the names of officials working on high-profile cases. The police have come by some information on the murders after the arrest ofShariful Islam Shihab, a member of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), from Kushtia, said Bahauddin Faruki, the DB officer in charge of the case's investigation. "Shihab supplied weapons to the killers. We got some important information after he was remanded twice in custody. He is now in prison." Xulhaz and his friend Tonoy were killed in a machete attack by a gang of assailants, who posing as delivery men, entered Xulhaz's apartment building in Dhaka's Kalabagan on Apr 25. Xulhaz was a USAID official and also editor of Bangladesh's first LGBT magazine Roopbaan. The 35-year-old was a cousin of former foreign minister and ruling Awami League joint general secretary Dipu Moni. He studied international relations at the Dhaka University and joined the US embassy in 2007 before taking up what would turn out to be his last assignment at USAID.Tonoy, 26, was involved with the theatre group Lok Natyadal. He worked as a drama trainer for children at an organisation going by the name of PTA. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) claimed responsibility for the killings. The two were murdered for being 'pioneers of practicing and promoting homosexuality in Bangladesh,' said a Twitter post by Mufti Abdullah Ashraf, spokesperson for Ansar Al Islam, AQIS's chapter in Bangladesh. The anti-terror unit of the police arrested Shihab from Kushtia 19 days after the attack. He had been 'hiding there' after the 'killings' in Dhaka. "Police have gathered information on the killers after arresting and interrogating members of Ansar Al Islam on various occasions. Then they identified the killers of Xulhaz and Tonoy," said the DB official. "The killers are in the country. The effort to arrest them is ongoing." Over nearly two years, machete-wielding assailants have killed secular bloggers, authors, publishers, teachers and religious minorities in the country. Responsibility for most of the murders were claimed by the AQIS or Islamic States, but the government has insisted that the killings were the work of homegrown terrorists.
53 militants'death references pending before SC

Disposal of Udichi, Aug 21 grenade attack cases also pending before court

M Faruque Hossain :A total of 53 death references and appeals of militants have been pending for long before the Supreme Court. These were not disposed of because the prosecution did not take any steps in this regard, officials and lawyers said.According to sources in the Supreme Court and Police Headquarters, trial courts have handed down death sentences to 62 militants in the past 10 years. Six of them have been executed, while trial proceedings of three have been completed and they would be executed anytime. And the rest 53 militants' death references and appeals have been pending before the apex court.On the other hand, death references and appeals in Udichi bomb blast and August 21 grenade attack cases are also pending before the High Court and the Supreme Court. All death-row convicts are in jail. But those sentenced for various terms, including life, are out of jail after securing bail from courts.Talking to The New Nation, Additional Registrar of the Supreme Court Sabbir Foyez said they are preparing a list of cases relating to Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJi) men that are pending before the High Court and the Supreme Court.According to sources, the Ramna Batamul bombing attack case is now pending before the High Court. Ten people were killed after a bomb exploded during cultural troupe Chhayanaut's programme at the capital's Ramna Batamul on the morning of April 14, 2001.Harkat-ul-Jihad (HuJi) top leader Mufti Abdul Hannan and 13 other militants were accused in the murder case filed over the bomb attack. On June 23, 2014, a Dhaka court sentenced to death eight of the accused and gave life imprisonment to six others.The appeal of five HuJi militants for the assassination attempt on former British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury in 2004 is pending before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The case of bomb attack at the Udichi office in Netrokona is pending before the High Court, sources said.Six militants, including Sheikh Abdur Rahman, were hanged following completion of trial proceedings of a case filed for blasting a bomb at the Jhalakathi court in 2005. The three death-row convicts -- Asadul Islam alias Arif was convicted in the Jhalakathi bomb blast case, Akhtaruzaman was convicted in the Sylhet court bomb blast case and HM Masudur Rahman was sentenced in the Lakshmipur court bomb blast case. They could be executed anytime.
Tenants to get ID card

No bar for bachelors if they show documents

Sagar Biswas :Police have taken initiatives to prepare a digital database with a view to storing accurate information of tenants while country has been facing acute militancy problem in the recent days. In the line with the new plan, all the tenants would get an identity card along with their names from Dhaka Metropolitan Police [DMP]. As per instruction, police must be informed if any tenant change address of his house, according to police. "Police will preserve the tenants' information provided by the house owners. In this way, each and every tenant will get an ID number. The days of hiding information have gone," Asaduzzman Mia, Commissioner of DMP, said on Saturday.The Commissioner revealed the idea after inaugurating new website at DMP Headquarters in the city. He said this arrangement at the same time would bring the house owners under surveillance of security agencies. It was found that, several militants involved in recent terror attacks in different parts of the country were caught recently from some messes in the city. The militants used the messes as base camps for their operational planning and hassle-free retreat.On July 16, the security officials detained Pro-Vice Chancellor of North South University Dr Gias Uddin Ahmed along with manager and caretaker for renting his house [at Bashundhara R/A] to the militants who were involved in Gulshan terror attack. Not only that, the militants had planned the attack sitting in the house.In another raid same night, the police arrested a retired school teacher Md Nurul Islam for his alleged involvement in sheltering militants at his Shewrapara residence in the city. Intelligence officials have got enough evidences about staying of militants on the ground floor of the four-storey building before attacking the Gulshan cafe.Not only that, the law enforcement agencies busted a den of militants at Taj Manjil [widely known as Jahaj Bari] and gunned down nine militants in a overnight shootout. Following the incident, the police nabbed wife of expatriate owner Mamtaj Parveen and issued arrest warrant against her husband.Theses serial incidents have sent a wave of panic among the house owners across the city, and in most cases they started refusing the unknown persons, especially the bachelors, to rent their houses. The house owners, against this backdrop, have also started showing less interest to rent their houses to the bachelors apparently to avoid police harassment. Referring the issue, the DMP Boss further said: "There is no bar to rent houses to the bachelors. The house owners may rent their houses after filling up the 'tenant information form' and verifying ID cards." "When a tenant will change his house to go to another place, the respective person must inform it to the nearby police station.Police have been conducting block raids to ensure security of city people. I've directed all concerned not to harass anyone if he can show ID card. An affected person may phone directly to the numbers given in the website, if he is harassed even after showing ID card," the Commissioner said.The burning issue has also drawn attention of government high-ups, when the social media flooded with the heated statuses of bachelors who were rejected by the house owners. In this situation, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam in his facebook status requested the house owners not to harass bachelors. He also narrated the situation which he had faced to get a rented house as an ordinary tenant in Dhaka city.According to information available, out of 1.25 crore residents of capital city, around one crore is tenants. The DMP started collecting information about the tenants in the beginning of the year based on an intelligence report that the militants, terrorists and other criminals took shelter in different messes and flats in the guise of normal tenants."In the last seven-month effort, the authorities have got information of 75 lakh tenants which were provided in 18 lakh prescribed forms," Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of DMP, said."Police have distributed about 20, 15, 374 forms to the house owners to provide information of tenants. In this regard, around 18.25 lakh forms have already been submitted by the land lords," the DC DMP said.Official sources said, the authorities have divided the city's eight crime divisions in 49 police stations and accordingly to 296 beats in a bid to involve general people in the policing. Each police station has got six beats. However, there are three to ten beats in some police stations depending on their importance. In those beats, the police department has engaged 296 Sub Inspectors under the direct supervision of concerned OCs. These officials are now collecting grassroots-level information about the tenants to prepare the DMP database, the sources said.
Victim of a rare disease

Staff Reporter :

A four-year old boy was admitted to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH)'s Burn Unit yesterday with a rare disease. The boy named Bayezid Hossian from Magura looks like an 80-year old man due to his uncommon disease -- progeria.

With swollen face, broken teeth, hollow eyes, aching joints and wrinkled skin, the boy is now under the supervision of Dr. Hedayet Khan. A medical board will also be formed today, said Dr Samanta Lal Sen, Coordinator of the DMCH burn unit.

The physicians of the Burn Unit said, they are not able to say anything before starting the treatment. The minor boy was released from Magura Sadar Hospital on last Wednesday.

"Bayezid had been born with a awesome appearance. Neighbours fear to come to our residence," his grand father Hashim Sikder said it to a group of journalists.

Bayezid's mother Tripti Khatun and father Lablu Sikder said that their son was born on May 14 in 2012 at Shalikha upazila of

Magura with the face resembling that of an 80-year old man.

He cut all his teeth in three months.

The boy's parents also said, the signs of old age are getting clearer day-by-day. They took their son to many physicians, but there was no sign of improvement.

A kind-hearted person after knowing about Bayezid's such sad conditions and his parents' financial crisis, gave them some money for taking him to Dhaka.

Earlier , a five-member medical team of MSH diagnosed the disease as progeria and suggested for sending him to DMCH for better treatment and research by specialists.

Experts said, the word progeria' comes from the Greek word progeros', meaning prematurely old. They said, the disease is a rare genetic condition that accelerates ageing during infancy and such a case is one per eight million.

Medical history has shown that there is no known recovery from progeria, and few people around the world could exceed 13 years of age suffering from this disease.
Illegal Chinese EV battery factories grab 50pc local market

UNB, Dhaka :

Local battery manufacturers are facing an uneven competition because of the mushrooming growth of unauthorised Chinese factories of such products in the country. According to the industry insiders, about 30-35 unauthorised Chinese manufacturers are now engaged in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries grabbing about 50 percent market share of 1.2 million units' battery market across the country.

They said easy bikes (electric three wheelers) use these batteries, which are now 450,000 in numbers, posting an annual increase by 30,000.

The Chinese brands against whom allegations are raised include Dimitri, Datai, H-power, Extra Power, Fang Yang, Double Power, Eilong, Fungyan, ATL, Power Plus, SR Plus, Typhoon, Power Max, Trojan Power, Heng Li, ZT Plus, Viking, Herculics, King Power, Hien Power, Kin Power, New Power, Lotus, Lotus A+B, Pacific Power, Max power, Alpha, Appolo and Viking.

These Chinese battery manufacturers in connivance with some local unscrupulous businessmen having no license from any authority set up their makeshift factories in rural areas, particularly in Gazipur and other adjoining areas. They just produce such EV batteries and sell those in local markets without paying any tax like value added tax (VAT) or excise duty or supplementary duty.

But, a local manufacturer has to pay Tk 2,163 on the sale of a 120TL battery costing Tk 7800. But, the so-called Chinese factory owners can offer such battery at a price of between Tk 5000-6000 as they do not pay any tax to any authority. "This huge gap between the prices of local and Chinese brands is pushing the local battery manufacturers into an uneven completion," said Munawar Moin, president of Bangladesh Battery Manufacturers Association (BBMA). He said the government is losing revenue amounting to Tk 240 crore every year from the battery sector due to these illegal manufacturers.

According to sources in the industry, the Chinese manufacturers import various components of EV battery from China through under-invoicing and produce batteries in their makeshift factories and directly sell those to local markets for 'easy bikes'. "An investigation by the Customs Intelligence department has proved this and it finally introduced the weight-based import of different batter components instead of quantity based-one," a source told UNB wishing anonymity. Joint Commissioner of Chittagong Customs House Rezaul Karim admitted it saying the under-invoicing has stopped following new rules introduced in the current budget.

But the local industry owners said this initiative cannot fully stop the illegal business of Chinese batteries now being produced in the country with different brand names.

Lokman Hossain, owner of local Panna Battery industries, said if anyone wants to set up a battery factory, he or she has to take a number of licenses from different authorities including Department of Environment, BSTI, and local administration. Secondly, he said, setting up a battery factory needs a big land to meet different compliances of the government. "But the Chinese manufacturers hardly bother about that."

Even, they do not need to invest any money to buy a land for setting up factories since they produce batteries on a rented land with makeshift house, Lokman added.

In case of any drive from the authorities concerned, they either instantly shift their factories or manage them with money, he said.
The elephant still stays stranded

The elephant remains stranded in the floodwater at village Charvatiali at Madarganj Upazila in Jamalpur district on Saturday despite hectic efforts by Bangladesh and India to rescue the wild mammoth animal.

Staff Reporter :The trapped Indian wild elephant, which is now roaming around in a remote village of Jamalpur, could not be rescued amid repeated attempts by the combined team of Bangladesh and Indian forest officials on Saturday. At one stage, the combined team abandoned the rescue attempt. Earlier a pet elephant was sent by the team members to the wild elephant at Charvatiani village under Sidhuli union at Madarganj upazila in the district of Jamalpur.But, officials said, the wild elephant became very angry seeing the pet elephant and chased him violently. The elephant is now staying at Charvatiani village by crossing river. It is very hard to go there by the rescue team, they said. "We have abandoned the idea of sending pet elephant after that. We'll take next course of action after discussing the matter with Indian forest officials, "Asim Kumar Mallik, chief of Bangladesh team, said yesterday.Asim Kumar Mallik, who is also Inspector of Wildlife Crime Control Unit, said: "We're providing security to the elephant and supplying sufficient food. But the elephant has become weak due to staying in the water for a long time." On the other hand, chief of Indian team Ritesh Bhattachariya said: "The elephant is a very mild in nature. It doesn't become angry normally. I urge the local people to stay at a safe distance from the elephant."He said: "If we want to rescue the elephant, we have to close to it and push tranquilizer it the body. But it is not possible, it the elephant doesn't come to the dry land." Veterinary Surgeon Dr Syed Hossain said that they are ready with tranquillizer gun and carrying car to take away the senseless animal. Our Jamalpur correspondent added, the wild elephant was changing its position being panicked following rampant chase by villagers. The frightened elephant was not coming to land; rather it preferred water, which hampered the rescue operation.In the last few days, the elephant damaged several houses. The local administration using loud speakers urged the affected people not to chase the elephant. At present, the Additional Deputy Commissioner [General] of Jamalpur Abdullah -al Mamun has been coordinating the overall rescue operation. The wild elephant entered Kuruigram bordering village through crossing Indian state of Assam on June 28 following heavy pressure of onrush flood water. Later, the animal crossed Jamuna and Brahmmaputra rivers through Sariakandi of Bogra and Kazipur of Siranjganj. On July 28 midnight, the elephant came at char area of Jamalpur.
Social movement must to root out militancy

Staff Reporter :

Teachers, civil servants and police have said there is no alternative but to forge a social movement in a bid to root out militancy and terrorism from the country.

They came up with the observations in two separate programmes in the city on Saturday.

Dhaka District Administration organised a views exchange meeting on militancy with the Principals of 854 educational institutions in the Natyashala Auditorium of Shilpakala Academy in the city.

On the other hand, Dainik Amar Kagoj held a seminar titled "Militancy and Terrorism Eradication - Role of Media and Community Police" in the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club.

"Apart from law enforcers, teachers, students, guardians, civil society members, government officials and employees, and media in association with common people will have to forge social movement to combat militancy and terrorism," Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad said while addressing the views exchange meeting.

Secretary to the Education Ministry Sohrab Hossain said, "The teachers

must play important role to create awareness among the students to bring them under surveillance and provide suggestion every time with a view to eliminating militancy."

Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Salauddin Ahmed said, "Teachers are the pathfinder of the nation. The students make themselves with the inspiration and education of teachers. A teacher can change the whole society and contribute to eliminate the militancy. So, the teachers' role is very important."

Principal of Dhaka College Moazzem Hossain Mollah said, the educational institutions have to increase extra curricular activities to build the students as perfect human being. The extra curricular activities like cultural functions can help curb militancy, he said.

President of Bangladesh Teachers' Federation Badrul Hawlader said, "The government has to increase monitoring and communication to the educational institutions. The committee of the institutions should be formed with Deputy Commissioner and other top officials of the district. The militancy will be eliminated if the government does it."

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque addressing the seminar of Dainik Amar Kagoj underscored the need for social movement to eliminate militancy from the country.

"Police are performing their duties with their all-out efforts and dedication. We will have to resist terrorism and militancy by forging a social movement," he said.

The IGP said that arrested militants prefer to die instead of giving any information.

When a militant is detained he tells police, "We have no tension. We are not in wrong way. Kill us, we will go to heaven," the IGP said.

"Please find out the people who are motivating the militants and how they are being motivated. We should prevent them and try to inform to the law enforcing agencies to make the society as militancy-free," Shahidul Haque said.

"Militancy is a global problem. It is now curse for the world as well as Bangladesh. The young generation is getting derailed as they are being given partial explanation of Islam," the IGP said.

He said the militants have no knowledge about Islam. Even they do not know how to read the Holy Quran. The militants are motivated by others, who washed their brains to do such brutal activities.

The IGP also urged parents to monitor the activities of their children and help them flourish their talents.

ICT Secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder and President of Bangladesh Federal, Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul were present at the programme.
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http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/indian-american-pac-forms-support-donald-trump-n505981

Indian-American PAC Forms to Support Donald Trump

A group called "Indian-Americans for Trump 2016" registered with the Federal Election Commission as a political action committee on Jan. 21. The group hopes to garner the support of Indian Americans to elect Donald Trump as the next president of the United States.

The group's president, A.D. Amar, a business professor at Seton Hall University, told NBC News that discussions about the PAC first started in December. "I was surprised at the strength Trump had among the Indian professionals and Indian community," he said. "I have never seen Indians so united behind a candidate."

New York-based attorney Anand Ahuja will serve as vice president and Devendra "Dave" Makkar will be treasurer, according to a press release issued by the organization. New Jersey local news publisher Sudhir Parikh will be chair of the fundraising and advisory committee.

In the press release, the PAC said, "The officers of the Indian-Americans for Trump 2016 urge all Americans to join in the effort and support Donald Trump in his endeavor to make America great again by electing him the next President of the USA."

Amar cited Trump's stances on illegal immigration and the economy as key factors for the group's support of him. He also said that the group's members were drawn to the fact that Trump has said he will not be taking money from PACs or special-interest groups.

"Trump is going to keep the lobbies out, and he is going to focus on the general population," Amar said.

RELATED: National Asian American and Pacific Islander PAC Endorses Clinton for President

When asked about Trump's controversial rhetoric on the campaign trail, Amar said, "as a business professor, I've been observing his style and management for many years. In his style, there is a kind of unpredictability and a kind of drama. In his actual management and his execution, there is no drama, and there is no unpredictability."

Amar believes the perceived difference between Trump's style and his management will translate to a change after the election.

"Our election process is kind of a revolution," Amar said. "In a revolution, these kind of statements are not unexpected. In my observation, he is going to be a different person once he's nominated."
In light of continued developments, primarily since 2008, there exists in these United States a Legal System which operates on a proved Two Tiered approach to justice rendered, which primarily benefits Democratic Elites and Woke Ideological Virtue Signalers, representing their co-dependent wards, to the expressed exclusion of normal hardworking American citizens: What is your suggestion in remedying this widespread injustice and, if not corrected, its existential outcome for our Constitutional Republic?

Complete overhaul of the Department of Justice and their enforcers - the FBI - to reflect a far more honest justice system to keep patriots remaining calm.

Disband the FBI, and request that congress investigate all unethical and non patriotic practices to partially right the wrongs of a distrusted and politically weaponized "Department of Justice."
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 place to exercise ideas before writing about them with greater discipline.
CARBONDALE  Pastor Paul Waterman began serving the Epiphany Lutheran Church congregation in Carbondale on Aug. 1, according to a news release. He will lead his first worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

Waterman was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Wartburg Theological Seminary, in Dubuque, Iowa, in May. On July 9, Waterman was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Waterloo, Iowa.

He will be installed as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at Epiphany. He succeeds the Rev. Arthur Christian Repp, who now serves as pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Urbana. The Rev. S. John Roth, Bishop of the Central Southern Synod of Illinois, will preside at this installation service.

Waterman is married to the Rev. Melissa Waterman, also an ordained pastor in the ELCA. They have three young children ranging in age from 2 to 4 years old. Melissa Waterman will serve as pastor to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in De Soto and First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro. They will live in De Soto.

Being a part of a clergy couple has challenges, especially with three young children, but ministry is not something we keep at church for our members, Paul Waterman said in the release. All baptized are called into ministry in the various vocations that each of us have.

Epiphany Lutheran, located at 1501 W. Chautauqua, has a worship service every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., followed by adult Sunday school, refreshments and fellowship. More information about Epiphany can be found at www.ELCARB.org.
HERRIN  There are lots of projects that a bunch of eager youth and adults could find to complete in Southern Illinois, but one youth ministry team wanted to expose area youth to needs outside this area.

It is a particular calling for Jeff and Diana Goffinet, who have coordinated missions trip for youth and adults from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Holy Spirit Youth Ministry. This past month, a group of 52 youth and 14 adults went on a missions trip to Anchorage, Alaska; the group is from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin.

By design, the planners take the youth and adults on missions trips to an urban area, Memphis; a rural location, Owensboro, Kentucky; an area with a special population, such as to a Cherokee reservation in Salina, Oklahoma; and a northern destination, Anchorage.

The group has been invited to Anchorage, by Archbishop Roger Schweitz, whom the Goffinets met years ago during previous ministry work.

"We feel like a part of our job working with teenagers is to show them the world," Diane Goffinet said. "And if we are going to show them the world, we want to show them the world through the lens of social justice (concerns). And we took them there, and they got to see the good, the bad, the ugly of Anchorage, Alaska."

The adults and youth work throughout the Archdiocese of Anchorage, pulling weeds, removing shrubbery, raking and shoveling, painting, cleaning windows, building a deck and preparing and serving food in a soup kitchen and performing work for Catholic Social Services.

The 66 of them were organized into six groups of 11, each group with two teens acting as the leaders for the team; one of the teen leaders' responsibilities was to contact clients to coordinate the work projects for each day.

One of the teens on the trip was Sarah Diederich, a 17-year-old entering her senior year at Marion High School.

July's trip was Sarah's second with the ministry to Anchorage; she said she has gone on two or three other occasions with her family.

While there, she was a teen leader of one of the 11 groups formed and helped serve the homeless at a soup kitchen and another day, painted at the church where the group stayed and then sent 'thank you' notes to people who helped with the service-work assignments.

One thing that bothered her, though, was that there didn't seem to be enough work to busy the group. She believes that because there were 66 workers, those needing help underestimated the amount of time it would take the group to complete a project.

One thing she did like, though, was the chance the Southern Illinois teens had to network with youth ministries in that area.

"Sometimes you get so caught up in your daily (routine)," Sarah said. "I think its a good reminder to get in touch with whats important. I just think its important to not take what we have for granted."

The group was also exposed to the beauty of Alaska, and its peculiarities, such as its almost 24-hour days of sunlight.

What the group experienced was 22 hours of sunlight, Diane said  going to bed around midnight when it was "darkish" and awaking by 6 a.m., when the sun had already been up for two hours.
CARBONDALE  School supplies. Clothing. Making good grades. New teachers, new classmates.

The list goes on for worries students may face as new school year begins.

One thing that they shouldn't worry about, according to Steve Murphy, superintendent for District 165 schools, are their free meals.

Despite the budget impasse, Murphy said students at Carbondale Community High School will continue to receive their meals through the National School Lunch Program.

"We were a little bit nervous as the state budget came under the gun at the end of June, you know we were wondering if there was any state budget at all, but we are planning our continual food service throughout the school year," he said.

Under the federally assisted meal program, students are given a nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch that are low-cost or, for students who qualify, free.

"Roughly half of our students are free and reduced lunch, and that depends on family income, and number of kids in the family, along with other factors," Murphy said. "Based on the free and reduced lunch, we've also got to set prices for regular lunch (which is) there for a couple of dollars."

With 1,780 meals serviced to students at District 95 schools over the summer, Assistant Superintendent Justin Miller said the district will continue serving free meals to every student throughout the school year.

"All students qualify for the free breakfast and lunch program," he said. "No student pays for either of these meals."

Funding for the meals, Miller said, is provided through funds from the National School Lunch Program, the federally subsidized School Breakfast Program, and the Illinois Free Lunch and Breakfast Program.

"The majority of our meal and snack reimbursements are from the National breakfast, lunch and snack while the small remaining portion is through the Illinois Free Breakfast and Lunch program," he said.
MURPHYSBORO  The man charged with beating his cellmate to death two months ago is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday.

Richard Powell was charged with beating and using a T-shirt to strangle to death 31-year-old Collin Kotlarz on May 26 in the cell the men were sharing at the Jackson County Jail.

Kotlarz's body was found about 6:45 a.m. May 26 in the cell by a correctional deputy conducting a routine check. Kotlarz was being held at the jail after he was arrested March 5 in Union County for allegedly driving under the influence and related charges, according to Judici.com.

In a pretrial hearing, each side in a case gets the chance to present any remaining concerns before the case proceeds to trial. The trial has been set to start Monday, Aug. 29.

Powell pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder at his preliminary hearing on June 23. A conviction on either count carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison. Powell could be found guilty of only one of those counts, but the two-count charge is a strategy the prosecution will use to allow for a conviction for either intent to murder or the reasonable possibility that an action could cause death.

This case is being prosecuted by a special prosecutor from the Illinois State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor.

Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Carr requested that a special prosecutor be appointed to the case, noting that his prosecution of it could pose a conflict of interest for his office. In a request for the special prosecution, Carr noted that, by law, the state's attorney is a representative of the Jackson County Sheriff, who was the custodian of the jail where Kotlarz died.
CAIRO  Progress seems to have sidestepped this storied community. Empty storefronts line the main avenue.

It could be even worse if not for the Bunge soybean processing plant on the riverfront that hums with purposeful activity. It is one of the industries keeping Alexander Countys frail economic engine running.

If it wasnt for the Bunge plant, I dont know what the city of Cairo would do, said Ken Taake, who farms in Pulaski County. I dont even want to think about it.

The historic citys population has plummeted over the decades, from more than 15,000 in the 1920s to fewer than 3,000 today.

Cairo served as the headquarters of Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, hosted British author Charles Dickens, and was the destination of Huck and runaway slave Jim in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

While Cairo displays vestiges of its former glory, many agree things would be worse if not for agricultural industry in the region.

Besides the Bunge soybean crushing and oil-extraction plant, grain terminals operated by Archer Daniels Midland and Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. occupy riverfront property just up the road in Mound City.

Jerry Smith, Alexander Countys tax assessor, acknowledges the economic impact of the Bunge plant. Even though the facility is in a tax increment financing district which lowers its liability, Bunge is levied about $300,000 annually, more than 20 percent of the countys tax base.

Its by far the countys biggest taxpayer, Smith said. It would be very bad for the community if the plant wasnt here.

Its agricultural impact is also felt by farmers in the region. Taake and others often haul their grain directly to the plant.

It has an effect on our markets, Taake said. Usually, they pay a little bit of a premium over river terminals. Thats probably the biggest difference for us. Its usually a dime to maybe 20 cents better, depending on how bad theyre needing soybeans. It depends on supply and demand.

Bunge did not respond to requests for an interview.

Kenton Thomas, who farms Mississippi River bottom ground near Thebes, agrees the Bunge plant is an important cog in the regions agricultural engine.

It has a tremendous effect, Thomas said.

Like many farmers in the region, Thomass output is heavy on beans, comprising about 70 percent of his planted acreage.

This area is different from the rest of Illinois, he said. We dont grow as much corn here anyway. But the presence of the Bunge plant and the other river terminals makes soybeans more profitable here.

Cairos location at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers is one attribute that hasnt changed over time. Because it is in the southernmost Illinois city, the Bunge plant also draws farmers from the far banks looking to deliver their crops.

Theres basis difference. With their location, theyre able to pull a lot of grain, not only from Illinois, but also from Missouri and Kentucky, said Tammie Obermark, manager of the Alexander-Pulaski Farm Bureau office. It brings a lot of commerce from other states.
A 72-year-old Michigan woman is dead, and her husband and a Missouri man were critically injured after a crash Friday on Interstate 57.

According to a news release from Illinois State Police, Tab R. Barks, 49, of Cape Girardeau, failed to slow down when traffic ahead of him slowed on southbound I-57.

Police said Barks crashed the international straight truck he was driving into the vehicle in front of him, a pickup truck driven by 72-year-old Robert Gean of Harbor Springs, Michigan. Gean had slowed as he entered a construction zone.

The crash caused Gean to crash into a semitrailer in front of him, driven by Gaganjot S. Virk, 28, of Bolingbrook.

Carol Gean, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, was a passenger in her husband's pickup. She died from the injuries she suffered in the crash, Williamson County Coroner Junior Burke said.

Robert Gean was flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, for treatment, Burke said. Barks was flown to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, ISP said. ISP said Gean and Barks are in "critical" condition. Virk sustained minor injuries.

I-57 southbound was closed for several hours, at first at the Johnston City exit at about 12:20 p.m., and then was closed at the West Frankfort exit about 1 p.m., according to alerts from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency. It had reopened to normal traffic at 3:45 p.m. Friday.

ISP said charges are pending.
Delta Airlines is showing an edited version of the film Carol, where all of the lesbian kissing scenes have been removed. Ironic, considering the film depicts life among the backward, closed minds of the 50's. Progress.

Meet the "churk," a real-life government genetic engineering experiment in 1960 that resulted in a chicken-turkey hybrid. This monster was mentally retarded, physically deformed and grew twisted feathers. Science.

Irish police chased down a UFO and pulled it over. Turns out the whole thing was a publicity stunt (false flag operation) that the cops were in on (conspiracy)to promote a children's art festival (Illuminati indoctrination camp). Confirmed.

Two completely different women in Ghana are accused of being reckless witches. Reckless, because they both apparently crash landed while flying. One was in the form of a bird (allegedly) until she smashed into a woman's house and turned back into a human. The other was flying somewhere (allegedly) when she felt an "electric shock" that made her fall from the sky. According to the article: "There have, however, been suggestions that the woman might have been suffering from mental problems." Understatement.

A Florida judge said during a ruling that Bitcoin isn't real money. I can't tell if this is good or bad. Uncertainty.

FBI Director James Comey gave an address to the American Bar Association annual conference and told everyone the awful news: The FBI has a ton of trouble breaking into people's phones. And unfortunately, government agencies have no recourse. That means it's up to usthe little peopleto make it possible for them to spy on us. Cooperation.
The mainstream media and pundits on both sides of the aisle focus an extraordinary amount of time and energy examining public school funding.It is not surprising that they do. Surveys suggest that most Americans believe that public schools should receive more taxpayer money. According to the left-leaning PDK/Gallup Poll,Likewise, when asked if57 percent of respondents to the right-leaning EducationNext poll said that expenditures should increase and another 35 percent said that they should stay about the same.Even when provided the actual per pupil expenditures for their respective school districts, 42 percent of respondents still believed that additional taxpayer money was needed. A plurality of those surveyed answered that the government should hold them harmless.Naturally, the beliefs of the average American voter inform media narratives and political discourse. Throwing money at public schools is a handy political talking point. Not throwing "enough" money their way can be a political liability.Unfortunately, the media, as well as those in the punditry or advocacy business, often decide how much is "enough" based on who is in charge. Regardless of the actual change in the state budget, education budget increases by Democrats are called "sound investments," while Republican efforts to boost the education budget are tagged "insufficient" or, more recently, an "election-year ploy."The truth is that the endless debate over "appropriate" funding increases is bootless. (I am trying to revive the word "bootless," which means "ineffectual" or "useless." Try it out on a friend today!)Don't get me wrong. Assessments of available resources are necessary. But they alone are not sufficient measures of the health of our public schools. Indeed, education researchers have generally found that the relationship between spending and performance is weak. Most agree that how the money is spent is far more important than how much money is available to be spent, that is, a focus on educational productivity As I have argued many times, whether you call it "educational productivity," "return on investment," or "bang for the buck," an assessment of the relationship between educational inputs (money) and outputs (performance metrics) is an essential starting point for good K-12 education policy. Educational productivity researchers use quantitative methods to measure the relative return on investment for schools and school districts. These methods take into account differences in cost of living, household income, English language proficiency, and special education services across districts and states.All things being equal, there are tremendous variations in productivity within North Carolina's public school system. According to a 2014 study published by the liberal Center for American Progress, Union County, Davie County, Mooresville City, and Surry County school districts had the highest return on investment in the state. In general, these districts had below-average per-pupil expenditures but above-average test scores. Schools in Hertford, Anson, Washington, and Halifax counties had the lowest return on investment. Per-pupil expenditures in these districts were relatively high, but their test scores were disappointingly low.Productivity research cannot identify specific causes of unproductive schooling, which obviously complicates the turnaround process. School districts are complex organizations embedded in messy social, cultural, and political institutions. What works well in Union County may not work at all in Hertford County. On the other hand, productive school districts may have policies or practices that could benefit their struggling counterparts.The most valuable contribution of productivity research, however, is that it offers a way of thinking that helps us escape our baseless preoccupation with public school funding, a mind-set that ultimately distracts us from the praiseworthy goal of ensuring that no child is forced to attend a substandard public school.
[It] is essential that the position of the faculty senate chair and the institution of the faculty senate continue, despite the obstacles-the temptations of power, the tendency toward lethargy, the fixation on the inconsequential...

Politics is on many people's minds this year, so this is a good time to write about that topic.But the politics I'm thinking about does not involve the presidency. Rather, I'm thinking about the politics of shared governance in higher education-specifically, the relationship between university senates and their administrations.While shared governance sounds like an oxymoron, large, bureaucratic universities need to ensure an effective interplay between governing boards, administrations, and faculties. But contrary to what some faculty members think, the idea of shared governance does not mean equal authority.In the interdependent university, Faculty Senate organizes the faculty to facilitate policy in areas such as curriculum and scholarship, and to represent the faculty on issues where collaboration is necessary (e.g. budgets). Required courses and new course approvals are examples of topics in the purview of a Faculty Senate. This all sounds like a reasonable idea, but it comes with a host of issues.The idea of a senate representing faculty members is an old one, but in the contemporary university full of credentialism and administrative bloat, the relevance of that body is questionable.With that in mind, I'm entering my fourth year on Faculty Senate at the University of Southern Indiana. The experience has given me much to reflect on, especially because I had the opportunity to be Senate Chair in the 2014-2015 year.Cynics claim that faculty senates are archaic, useless bodies. From experience, I can't say I totally disagree, which will make many readers happy. A quick Google search will unearth articles with titles such as " Thankless But Vital ," where a former senate chair asserted:Let's see, temptations of power, check.In my first year, the senate decided to publicly comment on Indiana State Resolution HJR-6 (which defined marriage as one man and one woman). TV cameras showed up, everyone made public statements, and many felt really important.Yet, as a few of us unsuccessfully pointed out, our handbook specifically forbids faculty from using University premises for organized political activity. Yes, even here in Middle America, faculty members are not immune to the general trend of academic leftists who misuse the university to advance their political goals. We haven't disinvited any speakers yet, but I worry that is coming.Tendency toward lethargy-check.As chair, aside from a heated discussion over whether the administration went over the faculty in implementing an early alert progress reporting system, the workload for senate was quite light. Thus, as someone who deplores wasting time in pointless meetings, I spent my "political capital" attempting to initiate discussion on how to make the senate more relevant.There are a few professors who relish the opportunity to be on faculty senate, but many others feel like they "wound up on it" because their door was open at the wrong time. Senate can also attract Marxists who want to act out revolutionary fantasies. All those variables yield much flexing in the mirror but little in the way of actual achievement.From the chair, I saw the senate as lacking thematic goals to rally around and having poor internal communication. Two-year appointments allowed past presidents to disengage after their term, which hurt organizational memory. Subcommittees report once a year, which stymies the ability to act quickly. We needed to become leaner and meaner.I didn't have all the answers, but from side conversations, I knew many senators had much to offer the discussion. Unfortunately, while some fruitful discussion took place, my initiative went nowhere.If senate were a high priority for everyone, there would have been a sense of urgency about making it more useful. I left the table, however, with a sense that many did not want it to be better so much they just liked having another place to talk. Academics are fantastic at critiquing, not always good at creating.Management guru John Maxwell notes that leading an unpaid volunteer organization is one of the toughest jobs in management. I concur wholeheartedly.Fixation on the inconsequential-check.If my university's Faculty Senate did not meet for the next year, it's possible that nobody would notice. Much time in senate meetings is spent deliberating the finer points of Robert's Rules of Order and wordsmithing motions for the meeting minutes. I appreciate the elegance of Robert's Rules, but for people who are prone to getting caught up in minutiae, they are like drinks for a recovering alcoholic.There is no hope for getting into important academic matters (such as how to elevate standards or strengthen the curriculum) when there are some in the room wondering who made a motion and whether we need two weeks to ponder it.This was the case during my first year when changes were made to USI's core curriculum. While that sounds like a fruitful undertaking, the end product kept the same required courses, merely renaming their corresponding categories. "The Arts" and "History" now fall under "Ways of Knowing," yet students still can graduate with one course in history and minimal study of Western Civilization. Furthermore, it failed to address the many students who don't understand why they have to take a core curriculum. "How will this help me get a job" is a common phrase I hear from my advisees.Looking back on those meetings, there were so many cooks in the kitchen organizing the shelves that there was no hope of productive reform getting off the ground.So yes, the experience was time-siphoning, unproductive, and painful-but only if I focus on the bad.Faculty senate is an acquired taste that faculty members should try at least once. I learned a great deal about my university from serving on the senate. Senate gives you access to important people. If you don't have the Marxist/Union "us against them" mindset, such an experience can be a great learning experience.While it is common to believe that everything that happens in higher education is lefty-approved-such as the HJR-6 ordeal-I have experienced some diversity of thought. After a student with a concealed carry permit accidently carried a gun to a classroom, not all of my colleagues were in favor of "gun free zone" signs on campus. When students from Brother Jed pestered quite a few students on campus, most senate members respected the views of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education when discussing a proposal for a statement of free speech. (A statement about that is now in the works, but who knows when it will be finished, if ever.)I developed great rapport with my provost through one-on-one meetings and by demonstrating my composure ( most of the time ) during senate meetings. Senate meetings are open to the public and the chair is a bit of a shock absorber when faculty get upset. I learned not to add fuel to the fire because what I say can wind up at a minimum in the campus newspaper.I also had the opportunity to network with our board of trustees at a level I'd never envisioned. Even though it was more of a formality, the senate chair gives a report at all trustee meetings and attends an event in Indianapolis with state legislators. I was pleased to find that the USI trustees are genuinely interested in students and learning.My experience leads me to conclude that faculty senates are de facto social clubs where people don't actually socialize. Professors lose interest in this service role when they feel powerless, especially when their "service" doesn't count for much toward promotion or tenure.Perhaps faculty senates are best kept as ceremonial relics of times-gone-by.
BAMBERG -- U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) says the media's focus on disunity within the Republican Party and on the failure of some party members to fully get behind party presidential nominee Donald Trump is unfair.

"I think we are as united as our opponents without any question," Scott said Friday morning prior to taking a tour of the Bamberg Job Corps Center.

"If there is any disunity in this political process, I would not focus too much on Donald Trump but on the entire Democratic apparatus," he added.

Scott noted a litany of scandals plaguing the Democratic Party in recent weeks including the resignation of the party's chairwoman and three top officials due to leaked emails showing party officials conspired to sabotage the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

He said the emails tried to make Sanders out to be an atheist and also made fun of African American women's names in what he described as "racially-laced" content.

When asked about Trump's derogatory comments about Muslims and women, Scott said Hillary Clinton and other Democrats have done the same.

"Hillary Clinton has made comments about Republicans being terrorists," the senator said. "The fact of the matter is if we do justice with the media, we should report both sides of the story and not just fixate on Donald Trump."

Scott said despite the latest national polls showing Trump trailing Clinton by as much as 10 points, people need to keep in mind it's only August.

"I think we are hard pressed to come to any conclusion based on August polls," he said.

Outside of politics, Scott had an opportunity to meet with several students in the cement masonry and welding departments at the Bamberg Job Corps Center.

One of those he talked with was Infynniti Pugh, who is one of five females in the cement masonry class of 18 students. Pugh is the first female since the center opened in 1978 to be accepted into AmeriCorps, a civil society program supported by the federal government.

"You are a groundbreaking person yourself," Scott told Pugh.

Scott asked the students about their time at the center and their goals.

He said he was impressed by their knowledge, noting the students themselves led the tour and taught him what they had learned over nine months in just 20 minutes.

The Job Corps program is critical to training young people for jobs and careers, Scout said, adding that he has consistently supported it.

"One of the ways we create a better country, a healthier country is to make sure the key ingredients every individual needs to be successful is available," Scott said. "There is no guaranteed outcome, but if you have the right ingredients consistently, you will produce the right outcome."

Prior to his departure, Scott offered his well wishes to the students.

"I look forward to reading about you guys in the future," he said.

The Bamberg Job Corps Center currently has about 203 students. The site is self-sufficient, providing on-site dormitories, a cafeteria and a gymnasium.

The center trains students from ages 16 to 24 in welding, masonry, computer networking, plumbing, culinary arts, building construction technology, office administration and distribution operations and other job skills.

"We have trained a lot of young people who have become very successful," Bamberg Job Corps Center Director Omoniyi Amoran said. "They have a chance to get a high school diploma and or a GED."

Amoran said the essence of the center is to enable students to be ready for the workforce.

"Unlike a regular public school, our program is an individualized instructional program," Amoran said. "As soon as they finish what they need, they get a job and they move on to the next phase of their career."

The center is funded by the United States Department of Labor.

The visit to Bamberg was one of several across the state for South Carolina's junior senator this week.

On Tuesday, Scott visited with the staff and children of the Greenwood County Maxwell Children's Home as well as an Edgefield packaging facility.

In addition to the Bamberg Job Corps, Scott visited the Southern Carolina Alliance economic development agency in Barnwell, the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie campus in Allendale and small businesses in Colleton County.

Scott said he annually visits each of the state's 46 counties in order to hear constituent concerns.
Officials: Norbord plant employee suffers severe burns

KINARDS (AP)  Emergency officials say a Laurens County plant employee has been rushed to the hospital after suffering severe burns at the facility.

Local news agencies report that Lauren County EMS officials say incident happened Thursday afternoon at Norbord Industries in Kinards.

WYFF-TV reports that dispatchers say over 90 percent of the employee's body was burned from steam.

The unidentified victim was airlifted in critical condition to JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.

Greenville pastor accused of molesting 12-year-old girl

GREENVILLE (AP)  Deputies say a Greenville pastor is accused of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl.

Media outlets report the Greenville County Sheriff's Office says that 54-year-old James Brian Briley was arrested Wednesday and charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Deputies say Briley is accused of inappropriately touching and molesting the victim at his home on Sunday.

Authorities say Briley was the campus pastor at Summit Church in Greenville.

Master Deputy Ryan Flood says Briley also previously worked at the Frazee Dream Center, a free preschool, before and after school and summer program.

Mother charged with killing 17-month-old by giving her salt

SPARTANBURG (AP)  A South Carolina mother is accused of killing her 17-month-old daughter by feeding her a teaspoon of salt.

Peyton Martines was taken off life support Wednesday afternoon, a day after being declared brain dead, said Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.

Charges against Kimberly Martines, 23, of Fingerville, have been upgraded to homicide by child abuse. She was previously charged with felony child abuse.

Solicitor Barry Barnette told local media outlets that Martines fed the toddler salt to try to win her husband's affection. The two are separated.
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"Clap Your Hands If You Believe in Fairies!"
At the meeting of Azerbaijani, Russian and Iranian presidents, to be held Aug. 8 in Baku, the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), which connects the three countries, is likely to be one of the main topics of discussions, said Deputy Head of Azerbaijan Railways Igbal Huseynov in an exclusive interview with Trend.

Huseynov said Azerbaijan is particularly interested in the project.

Azerbaijan, located on the crossroads of the two major international transportation corridors  from North to South and from East to West, has over centuries strategically played the role of a bridge, he noted.

Forecasts show that once fully commissioned, the North-South corridor will create access opportunities to the Persian Gulf and India for European countries, Russia, the Caucasus region and Central Asia, as well as for intensification of trade relations between the Caspian countries and the Black Sea ports, added Huseynov.

He noted that currently launching the first train from India to Russia through Iran and Azerbaijan as a part of the project is on the agenda.

Railway authorities of Azerbaijan and Russia, as a part of the North-South projects development, agreed to cooperate in luring freight traffic through transportation via the India-Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia route and vice versa, said Huseynov. Russian Railways Logistics JSC and ADY Express LLC will be the projects logistics operators.

He added that currently cargos from India to Russias European part are delivered via the sea, called the route A.

The route from Nhava Sheva Port (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) to Moscow takes about 40 days, explained Huseynov. The new multi-modal route B includes the use of the sea, railway and motor transportation, and will allow reducing the time of cargo delivery by more than twice. This [cargo delivery] period will be 14 days.

He added that according to common agreement, the first test train will depart from Mumbai on this route in the coming months.

The train will deliver cargo to Moscow according to the tariff agreed upon by concrete participants of the corridor, said Huseynov.

He said that on June 2, Russias Sochi hosted a meeting of heads of railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Finland - Javid Gurbanov, Oleg Belozerov, Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei and Mikael Aro within the 11thInternational Rail Business Forum.

During the negotiations, it was decided on the proposal made by Javid Gurbanov to establish a coordinating committee on the North-South project by the example of the Trans-Caspian transport route, in order to accelerate the corridors development, Huseynov said.

A single competitive tariff may be applied in the future on the North-South route, he said. The issue of Finlands involvement in the project was discussed at the same meeting. The representative of Finland said his country is interested in the transportation corridor. Finlands joining this project will further strengthen the corridors potential.

Huseynov said the Rasht-Astara railway will be constructed under the joint cooperation of Azerbaijani and Iranian companies, and the two countries will be investing in this project.

It is expected that the document on this cooperation will be discussed at a meeting in Baku, which will become the beginning of a new stage, said Huseynov.

He noted that implementation of the North-South project will play an important role in expanding relations between Azerbaijan and Iran.

In accordance with the decree of Azerbaijani president regarding the acceleration of work on the project, an excavation work is currently underway at an 8.3-kilometer section of the railroad from Azerbaijans Astara up to the border with Iran.

The work continues to lay concrete, transfer water, electricity and gas lines, said Huseynov. As many as 315 different facilities, including 10 residential buildings, which are to be transferred, are located in the territory, and the transfer of 104 facilities has been completed.

At the same time, construction of an 82.5-meter railway bridge on the border of Azerbaijan and Iran over the Astarachay River is continuing, according to him.

Thirty-two piles have been installed at a depth of 32 meters, piers of two spans of the bridge have been built, and two more piers are being constructed, said Huseynov.

It is planned to commission the railway section stretching from Azerbaijans Astara to the border with Iran and the railway bridge before late 2016.

/By Trend/
Newly-appointed ambassador of Belgium to the country Bert Schoofs has presented a copy of her credentials to Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov.





They praised the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. The parties also exchanged views on development of ties between Azerbaijan and the European Union.





/By Azertac/
The National Achievers Congress, taking place for the first time in the Middle East in Dubai in November, is calling all ambitious individuals to book their seats now for the highly anticipated event.



Bookings to attend the event, taking place on November 18 and 19 at Festival Arena Al Badia, are now open on its official website www.nationalachieverscongress.ae.



The globally renowned event is brought to the region by Najahi and Success Resources, a leading seminar organiser.



The National Achievers Congress aims to provide attendees with the right direction in order for them to materialise their dreams by bringing in a diverse panel of the worlds most prolific speakers, who are experts in their professional fields.



The congress through these speakers will help the audience find the optimum investing platform and business strategies that best suit their personal needs giving them equal opportunity to effectively create and manage wealth. They also get the chance to find fulfilment and happiness in life at the same time, a statement said.



Keynote speakers at the event include Robert Kiyosaki, Ali Al Saloom, Andrew Matthews, and Baroness Michelle Mone of Mayfair, OBE.



Throughout its rich history, the National Achievers Congress has had on its platform iconic speakers such as Sir Richard Branson, Lord Alan Sugar, Tony Robbins, Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair.



Tickets to attend The National Achievers Congress Dubai can be purchased on www.nationalachieverscongress.ae



Established in 1992, National Achievers Congress is an event that brings together the worlds top experts in business, finances, health, and personal development to speak about their success stories to inspire and empower its participants. Every year, each event offers people from all walks of life and industries across the board a platform to meet and interact with legendary business and leadership icons. - TradeArabia News Service


Leo Burnett MEA, a full service agency, has promoted Ahmad Abu Zannad to the position of regional strategy director for the GCC.

Ahmad is a graduate of Concordia University and worked as head of consumer marketing at Zain in Jordan and Saudi Arabia before moving to Leo Burnett KSA as head of strategic planning. He was then promoted to general manager- Leo Burnett Riyadh a year prior to him taking on his current position, based in Dubai.

Ahmad is a published writer in the fields of brand strategy, marketing and advertising strategy. His publications include two books and several articles.

Kamal Dimachkie, executive regional managing director, Leo Burnett GCC, said: This is a highly dynamic phase for us and I am delighted that Ahmad will be leading the strategic planning charge. He has exceptional qualifications, broad experience and a very rich perspective, having worked different sides of the industry and delivered results. I am convinced he will be adding considerable value to our thinking, our product and our clients businesses and brands across multiple industries.

Since its inception in 1981 as the first multinational agency in the region, Leo Burnett Middle East and Africa has grown into a comprehensive integrated communication network. It is a full service agency, offering brand planning, account management, creative/design-print production, below-the-line (BTL), corporate communications, digital communications, direct marketing, database management, event management, interactive marketing/CRM, promotional marketing, retail marketing, market research, media planning and buying, public relations, product launches, outdoor advertising and sales promotion.

Leo Burnett Group MEA is headquartered in Dubai with offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Beirut, Amman, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Cairo and Casablanca, and an affiliate office in Algeria.

Leo Burnett MEA is a part of Publicis Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Publicis Groupe.  TradeArabia News Service
A Saudi woman filed a complaint in Paris on Friday for the theft of a watch that she said was worth 1 million euros ($1.11 million), a French police source told Reuters.



The source said the woman had introduced herself as a member of the Saudi royal family.



According to the source, she said she had been violently assaulted by two men who grabbed her watch before disappearing.  Reuters






Corn prices continued their slow slide this week, falling under $3.20 per bushel for the first time in almost two years.

Field surveys suggest corn plants weathered the heat dome that plagued the Midwest recently; current ratings suggest that this crop could be one of the healthiest and largest on record.

The USDA will update its prognosis of the crop size next Friday, which could put an end to the recent bearishness if it shows a pickup in demand or a threat to yields. Without a boost from the USDA, however, the large corn supply could continue dragging prices lower.

If prices fall toward $3 a bushel, those farmers who havent already presold grain or protected their crop prices will feel financial pain as prices drop below the cost of production.

Hiring lifts stock markets

The U.S. jobs market continues to improve, according to U.S. government data released Friday morning. A whopping 255,000 new jobs were added in July, which has helped to keep the unemployment rate under 5 percent, all while workers incomes are rising modestly. These factors indicate a healthy economy, which is boosting demand for stock market futures.

The S&P 500 futures market, the broadest indicator of stock market strength, hit an all-time high on Friday morning.

King Cotton reigns supreme

Cotton prices topped a two-year high this week, fetching nearly 78 cents per pound. Prices have been rising as foreign buyers, especially China, have been snapping up U.S. supply. China is the worlds largest consumer of cotton and is reportedly in need of high-quality supplies, like that grown in the U.S.

Prices are also rallying on concerns about dry weather in Texas, where almost half of U.S. cotton is grown.

While cotton is primarily grown only in the southernmost states, there is some grown in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Those farmers who planted cotton instead of soybeans or other crops this year are being rewarded by high prices for the fabric of our lives, which traded Friday for 76 cents per pound.
Reveille hears CC president

The Reveille Rotary Club will host Casper College president, Dr. Darren Divine, as its featured speaker during the Wednesday, August 10 meeting. Dr. Divine has been the president of Casper College since 2015. Prior to accepting the Casper College position, Dr. Divine served as vice president of Academic Affairs, interim vice president of Student Affairs, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, department chair, and faculty member at the College of Southern Nevada. He was also a visiting faculty member for the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
SHERIDAN  Farmers and ranchers know how it gets done. Taking care of animals often means early mornings, late nights, weird smells and bruises.

Children participating in the Sheridan County Fair have learned those lessons as well as theyve prepared for this years competitions.

For the Koltiskas, preparing for the fair is a family project. Siblings and cousins pass knowledge on to their younger family members and help show them how to care for the animals.

Amia Koltiska, 9, is in her second year participating in 4-H. She raises goats, cows, pigs and steers. She got started because so many of her family members are involved in the program. Her grandmother even participated in 4-H many years ago, she said.

Koltiska works to halter break her animals and said she spends time just petting and being with them to try and get them used to being around people.

But her cousin, Sage Koltiska, said most people dont realize the work that goes into trying to halter break an animal.

It doesnt mean they are tame, she said. They are still wild animals and people still walk up to them and pet them without asking at the fair. Its not safe. They are still animals.

Sage, Amia and their family gathered recently to show off some of their projects for this years fair and talk about the work that goes into those projects.

Paden Koltiska, 18, has participated in 4-H for many years and said this year he hopes to put the money from the sale of his animals into buying a car for college.

He shows steers, a cow/calf pair, chickens and pigs. Hell also submit a woodworking project to the fair.

It teaches you a lot, Paden Koltiska said of his time in 4-H. It is a lot of responsibility for sure. It teaches you to set goals and how to work hard.

He added, though, that it also taught him that failure happens.

There will be years your animals dont make weight, or you dont win, and thats just part of it, he said, adding that it also teaches participants to understand and respect the agricultural lifestyle.

For Ava Scheeler, 12, participating in 4-H has also brought her closer to her family.

Scheeler said raising animals  she has pigs, sheep and horses  means having to work together with her siblings.

Ive learned to work together and not fight, she said. It takes longer to get everything done if were fighting.

Scheeler described what she does to get ready for the fair. She said she has to gather supplies, wash and shave her animals and pack it all up to take to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds.

She said she likes working with her horses the best because she gets to learn different patterns for showing them at the fair.

The Albrechts in Sheridan are no strangers to 4-H, either.

Will Albrecht, 14, and his brother have been participating for a couple of years.

He said he shows a number of different animals and spends about five hours a week working with them, feeding them and generally taking care of them. He noted that some of them can be stubborn, but he enjoys working with them nonetheless.

Albrecht said he got involved in 4-H because several of his friends were involved, but through the program he has gained a number of mentors, as well.

He will submit a piece of leatherwork for this years contest and said he learned that craft by hanging out at Kings Saddlery and Kings Ropes. Albrecht said he tries to stop into the shop every Saturday morning to learn from the pros.

I cant do the flowers quite yet, I do the stamping, he said, but hes learning and developing his skills both with livestock and with leatherworking.

The Sheridan County Fair at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds will culminate in the livestock sale on Aug. 8.

___

Information from: The Sheridan (Wyo.) Press, http://www.thesheridanpress.com/
A lifelong love of Ernest Hemingway's work inspired a Wyoming writer to follow the famous authors footsteps through Paris, a journey on which she now takes others each spring through her Left Bank Writers Retreat.

Now, Darla Worden of Jackson is bringing that retreat home by offering Hemingways Wyoming this month in Sheridan, the town where she grew up and where Hemingway found inspiration. Through the workshop, set for Aug. 12-14, she said participants will learn Hemingways writing techniques and how he was inspired by his surroundings, much like her Paris retreat.

I take them to a different spot where he was, and we go to the restaurants he went to, and then in the afternoon we usually do some sort of activity like going to a museum," she said. "We write and then see what he saw. So the retreat in Sheridan is very similar to that.

In Wyoming, the group will start each day on the porch of the historic Sheridan Inn, where, she said, Hemingway finished A Farewell to Arms during his visit in the late 1920s. Participants will then embark on a trek to the Spear-O-Wigwam historic site in the Big Horn Mountains to see the cabin where he reportedly wrote the books first draft. After reading a story based in the Big Horns, which, she said, Hemingway likened to the mountains in Spain, writers will sit in the forest there to write about the landscape.

You know, she said, he often made it (the landscape) like a character in his books. Like in 'A Moveable Feast,' Paris, it seems, is actually like a character on its own. So thats what the focus of the Wyoming workshop will be.

The Wyoming workshop is open to anyone, she said. She hopes participants will be inspired by Hemingways writings, like she and others have been.

Ive had letters where people say the retreat really changed them because it taught them to look at the world in a different way, to observe in a different way," she said. "Everyone that Ive talked to has said that their writing has improved from just practicing these really simple things, simple writing techniques, that I feel any genre of writer -- poet, nonfiction, playwright, novelist, journalist -- can benefit from in a really short time.

The inspiration

Worden discovered Hemingway while in high school, when she was writing stories and reading everything she could get her hands on. But, she said, it wasnt until after college that she was able to make the trip to Paris to visit the sites Hemingway made famous in his Paris memoir, "A Moveable Feast."

She called that first trip in the 1980s with a couple of girlfriends a bust because traveling was difficult and the French, she said, didnt seem to like Americans.

In 2009, she decided to give Paris another try. She never expected that visit to turn into a business venture, but a friend suggested she offer Hemingway retreats after experiencing one of Wordens personal Hemingway tours. She took the suggestion to heart and launched a website. The Left Bank Writers Retreat was born.

Now, in its seventh year, the six-day small-group writing workshop and literary tourism experience takes place on the historic Ile Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris. It focuses on the literary landmarks like cafes, bars and museums where Hemingway spent time with other writers living on Pariss Left Bank during the 1920s. This was the time, she said, when Hemingway was working as a foreign correspondent that many of his writing techniques were developed, like his cable-ese briefs.

He got really good at writing these very short vignettes, she said. He called them The Way it Was, like capturing a little scene. He practiced it because he had to send his stories back (to the states), via wire service.

The Wyoming connection

The inspiration for bringing the retreat to Wyoming came from another source, a recent article Worden wrote called Hemingways Wyoming: A Cockeyed Wonderful Country, which appeared in this years spring issue of the Big Sky Journal magazine.

While researching, she said, she discovered Hemingways love for Wyoming -- its landscape, people and trout fishing -- and learned hed spent much of his time in the Sheridan area, where she grew up. So she decided to bring her Hemingway Paris retreats home. The surprise is that some of her Paris writers are coming along for the ride.

Oh, my gosh, she said. I didnt realize that (Hemingway) loved Sheridan, Big Horn and Spear-O-Wigwam. Then someone saw the article and said, Why dont you do a writers retreat in Wyoming and show us around like you do in Paris? Im like, thats a great idea. And so I started spreading the word. I thought it would attract people in Wyoming, but, so far, it has attracted four writers who joined me in Paris that are going to be coming to Wyoming for the first time.

Her assistant, she said, will be Tyler Julian from Sheridan, who is enrolled at the University of Wyoming and attended her writers retreat in Paris.

Hes such a talented writer, she said, and really excited to come and help out.

The writers connection

At this point, she said, shes thrilled that other writers have wanted to join her. Shes not sure why writers are inspired by connections to literary people and places, but its a theory shes exploring while writing a book on Hemingway.

Why are we drawn to that? she said. I mean, so what if an artist, like Hemingway, was in this cabin? Or so what if he sat at this table in Paris? Theres something about that and about sort of being in the same place and seeing what they saw. Its like time travel, almost, and you really feel it. And thats the whole thing about my book. I got started on this literary tourism around the world, following him through Paris, then Sun Valley and then Wyoming. I even went to Spain. So thats my kind of side story about what got me going on my book, but the writers retreat is all part of that.
There never seems to be enough time to get to every event and watch each parade when Cheyenne Frontier Days rolls into town. Yet somehow I foolishly thought that since I now live in the states capital and can walk to Frontier Park, it would provide an advantage. I was wrong.

While on foot, parking was never an issue  time was. My son, Cooper, and I even tried to outmaneuver time by riding our bikes to the park to see more of the vendors and taste the new concession offerings, whose aroma saturated the air and replaced any notion that this was typical carnival-fair food. But even our quicker path to the park couldnt slow the clock.

Thats the beauty of Cheyenne Frontier Days: Its never the same thing twice. In our third year attending, we accomplished many firsts.

The free pancake breakfast offered by the Kiwanis Club, with help from the Cheyenne Boy and Girl Scouts, is something every visitor to Cheyenne has to experience. According to the Cheyenne Frontier Days website, the volunteers serve more than 100,000 flapjacks made from 5,000 pounds of pancake mix, cook 3,000 pounds of ham, serve 9,200 cartons of milk and 520 gallons of coffee and 630 pounds of butter and 475 gallons of syrup.

I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it. The pancake mix is put in a cement mixer, which one volunteer explained prevents it from hardening while they cook for the masses. Its Western hospitality at its best. And its fun. The free pancake breakfast is served at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza, which is within walking distance of my husband Rons office, so he joined Cooper in the indulgence.

On another morning, Cooper and I walked along the parade route to buy my daily cup of coffee. We were tickled to see parade-watchers in vintage western wear. Women in bonnets and petticoats and armed with parasols stood beside cowboys who lined the street.

Each year, four parades march through Cheyenne beginning at the state Capitol and winding their way through downtown. This was the first year we caught the parade. Cooper and I watched the second parade on Tuesday morning that featured myriad antique horse-drawn carriages. It felt like we had stepped back in time to the Old West. My favorite wagon was the undertakers carriage replete with a coffin, which ironically followed closely behind the ambulance wagon.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is known as the daddy of em all and from the awe-inspiring rodeo arena to the diverse concert offerings, its easy to understand why. Each year I hope to make it to a rodeo event, and perhaps next year I will. It wasnt for a lack of rodeo events, but scheduling conflicts worked against me. But it gives me something to look forward to next year when Cheyenne is host city to carry on a 121-year-old tradition.
Editor:

She is an Easterner, not a Wyomingite. Her parents moved her East early in life; however, every choice she has made since graduating from high school has been out of state: for college, to purchase a home, raise her family, work, socialize, she's lived life out of state. By choice Liz has spent her entire adult life in the East; she is a tried and true carpetbagger defined as an outsider who runs for public office in an area where they do not have deep community ties, or have lived only for a short time.

Fits perfectly. Choosing life on the East Coast and then breezing into Wyoming hoping to ride her father's coattails to go back East; sending out massive weekly brochures to convince unsuspecting true Wyomingites she is one of us. The last time she attempted to run for political office in Wyoming, multiple party officials and activists suggested she was/is behaving like an entitled princess.

She continually claims Wyoming roots because some of her grandparents are buried near the home she bought in Wilson, Wyo., in May 2012; in order to meet the one-year residency for a Wyoming fishing license and to run for public office. I have scores of grandparents buried in Oklahoma; that does not make me an Oklahoman; living, working, raising my family in Wyoming for the past 58 years makes me a Wyomingite. Living in D.C. for the past 40 years makes Liz an Easterner.

Federal Election Committee report indicates: Cheney has raised four times more than the other five reporting Republican candidates combined. Over 77 percent of her contributions are from out of state; add the Jackson Hole area contributions where her D.C. friends have summer homes and 92 percent of all her contributions are from out of state. If elected, whose voice do you suppose she'll listen to? The 92.47 percent Easterner/out-of-state friends and co-workers who contributed to her campaign or the 7.53 percent contributed by true Wyomingites? Wake up Wyoming voters, cast your vote for a Wyomingite not a carpetbagger.
Six months after an announcement that airline service would begin between Tucson and Guaymas, Sonora, the flights have yet to materialize.

Interest has been high, with Star readers inquiring weekly as to a start date.

The delay was a conscious decision, said Frank Jackson, owner of Paradise Air, which is coordinating the air service with carrier Caljet Elite Airways, based in Carlsbad, California.

When we first started we were only going to fly Tucson-Phoenix-Guaymas, he said.

Now the airline has signed a code-sharing agreement with United and American airlines so travelers from other parts of the U.S. can book one ticket all the way through to Guaymas, by changing planes in Phoenix or Tucson.

They wont have to claim their luggage or leave security, Jackson said. Itll be a regular change of planes, inner-terminal. Thats a big deal.

Paradise Air also joined the global travel network so Guaymas will be a destination on all travel websites, such as Expedia and Travelocity.

Weve greatly expanded our market, Jackson said.

The goal is for the first flight to take off this fall. The reservation system is expected to be up and running any day now, he said.

Two websites, paradisesandsmex.com and imexicotravel.com, are being updated with the latest information on when tickets will be available to purchase. Theres also a Facebook page that can be found by searching paradise-air-mexico.

Local officials are still anticipating the flights, said David Hatfield, a spokesman for Tucson International Airport.

By all indications, they seem to be moving forward, he said. I dont think its a delay, its just getting everything together. Its a lot of work and the devils in the details.

Once the airline has route authority in the United States, permits from TIA can be pencil-whipped through in days, Hatfield said. Ive got to believe were close.

Antonio Berumen Preciado, director of tourism for the state of Sonora, said the flights will be a nice complement to the new regional flights within the state.

Last month, three regional flights were inaugurated between Puerto Penasco and the Sonoran cites of Ciudad Obregon and Hermosillo, as well as Tijuana in neighboring Baja California.

And, Mexican airline Aeromar will begin nonstop service between Tucson and Hermosillo in October.

Its a done deal, Berumen said of the flights, which will be four times a week between Tucson and Sonoras capital.

Guaymas will be the second wave, he said. And, thats the best season for visiting the beaches in Mexico.

Berumen said Sonora and Arizona are in talks about marketing the region jointly.
Patty Popp looked after four children, along with her two daughters, at her small home day care while her husband worked in commercial printing.

Still, the family was living paycheck to paycheck. Popp had worked in veterinary radiology before she moved to Tucson and started a family, so she decided to attend Pima Community College to earn an associates degree in radiologic technology.

There was one problem. She didnt know how she was going to pay for it. Then she learned about Arizona Jobpath, which helps people earning minimum wage get an education and become skilled workers in various fields.

That was 17 years ago. Today Popp is director of clinical operations for Radiology Limited in Tucson.

The big part of the success I had was because I had Jobpath, she said.

The Pima County Interfaith Council launched Jobpath in 1998. The program offers job training, matches students with scholarships to community college and places students in apprenticeships in the fields they hope to enter.

Popp graduated from Jobpath in 2001. She said one of the most important things she learned was how to be a productive employee. For her, thats a key strength of the program  it teaches technical skills along with soft skills that help graduates succeed out in the workforce.

The college teaches you the technical part of it, she said, Jobpath teaches you the human part of it.

Jobpath receives money through various grants and donations, but much of its funding comes from Pima County and the city of Tucson. In June, the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved $500,000 for the program, a big boost in funds meant to help more people like Popp.

Bruce Dusenberry, a Jobpath board member who is manager of Horizon Moving Group, said thats the most money the program has received from the county since its inception.

The county put in more funding this year with the specific requirement that we serve 26 more students than we did last year, Dusenberry said. We also have city funding to help out the students.

During the 2014-15 school year, the program supported 225 students, Dusenberry said. Students can receive financial assistance for school as well as for everyday needs, which was a big help for Popp while she earned her degree.

Child care was a serious challenge Popp faced while she was in school  her youngest daughter was only in first grade at the time. The program helped with child-care expenses and provided gas cards to help her get her kids to school.

Helping pay for child care, that was huge, Popp said, and the gas cards, it all adds up.

Beyond helping each participant, the program pumps money into the local economy as students find work in their chosen fields.

Last year, 72 Jobpath graduates measured in an economic impact report by Applied Economics earned $2.9 million.

Jobpath graduates find work in a variety of professions. Students meet in monthly support groups focused on the professions students want to pursue.

Last years graduates went into radiology and law enforcement, among other fields.

The students support each other and the staff supports the students, Dusenberry said. Its like giving them a family of people with the same objectives and challenges.

For Popp, support from the program helped her reach the position she holds today.

Looking back on her own Jobpath experience, she said the value of her education helped her entire family  she was able to give her daughters a college education.

Its going to be a generational impact, she said. Its not just those students who went through Jobpath, but its also their children who have witnessed them going through school and seeing them go through successes.
Your opportunity to be photographed next to giant Caterpillar trucks, and to buy raffle tickets for a chance to ride in them, is coming up next weekend. Its part of a car show that benefits the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

The 4th Annual Caterpillar Cruising for United Way Car Show will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Caterpillar Tucson Proving Ground, 6000 W. Caterpillar Trail (off West Duval Mine Road) in Green Valley.

Car show registration and staging begins at 7 a.m. in these trophy categories: Best Car Pre-1972, Best Car Post-1971, Best Truck, Best Off Road, Best Import, Best Military and Best Motorcycle. Trophies will also be presented for Peoples Choice, Caterpillar Management Pick and United Way Pick.

Early registration is $20; late registration on show day is $25. To register your car, contact Caryl Parker at 648-4674 or parker_caryl@cat.com.

The car show is free to the public; however, donations for activities are requested to support the United Way.
Allan Westerfield: Off-World

Written and illustrated by Anderson Atlas. (Anderson Atlas and Synesthesia Books, $12.99)

This first book in a planned series of juvenile fantasy introduces 14-year-old Allan, once a crack competitive swimmer, whos now a mute paraplegic due to a car crash that killed his parents. Hes withdrawn and depressed, but the uncle whos now his guardian pressures him to join him on a fishing trip. Allan seems on the verge of enjoying it when the two of them are hit by a sudden flash flood. Uncle, nephew, and Allans wheelchair roil through the flood, and when it passes, the chair is gone and Allans Uncle Rubic is unconscious. Knowing he must get help, Allan begins the torturous crawl back toward their camp. Before he can reach it, however, he comes upon a weirdly unworldly flower. Leaning in to sniff it for an aroma, Allan inhales its pollen, and suddenly finds himself transported to another world.

With poisonous plants, threatening bizarre animals (fortunately, Southern Arizonan Anderson Atlas has provided entertaining black and white drawings to illustrate their imaginative compositions), and an unfriendly society to contend with, Allan has his adventures laid out for him as tries to find his way back to Earth to save his uncle.

Into Crosswinds

By Monique de Jong (Monique de Jong. Hardback, $34.99; paperback, $23.99; e-book, $3.99. Available at www.xlibris.com)

Not everyones family story is worth rendering into a 400-plus-page novel, but you cant say that about Monique de Jongs. Strasbourg-born de Jong, a former professor at American University in Washington who now lives in Tucson, fictionally re-creates the experience of her Alsatian family during World War II. Some of them were Allies, some were Axis, and her father was a Jewish member of the French Resistance.

The narrative of Into Crosswinds concerns two branches of one family from historically disputed Alsace. Emilie Dekkers lives in Strasbourg; her cousin Kurt Ritters, across the Rhine in Germany. Once Emilies admired older cousin, Kurt is an ardent and ambitious Nazi as the story opens in 1938. Complications soon arise: Kurts father hates Hitler, Emilies war-hating father fought for Germany in the first war. Emilies husband Berry is secretly Jewish, as is Kurts American wif,e Tracey, a reality that Traceys IBM-executive father alters records to hide.

When Germany invades Poland in 1939, Alsace is evacuated, and Emilies family finds itself in bleak barracks in the Dordogne region of Free France. SS Kurts assignment  which he hides from his family  is human extermination  effecting the Final Solution. It takes him to the Russian front. As the war continues, Berry joins the French Resistance and Tracey assists Jews hiding in Berlin. Tragedy is inevitable when Kurt is called home to prepare to expand the Final Solution to France.

De Jong has done a creditable job with this novel: While scene development is not always fiction-workshop polished, the overall story is compelling and suspense is well-constructed. For this reader, though, the most rewarding aspect of Into Crosswinds is the history: de Jongs embedding this family narrative into a comprehensive, comprehensible retelling of the Second World War from inside France. Its history through story, and it stays with you.

Kid Dinosaur

by T. C. Colburn (T. C. Colburn, $17.95)

Songwriter and outdoors enthusiast T.C. Colburn has pulled all manner of genre fiction into Kid Dinosaur, his first novel: fantasy, early Celtic, Native American, Western, 20th-century gangster. The book opens with a band of Norse-type warriors voyaging into a new world, but vexed by a previous loss of a magical harp and some stolen magical stones. The boy Weylyn becomes separated from the group, but hes touched the stones and now has powers of good and evil. The rest of the book follows a Weylyn character through historyfrom mentoring by a sage American Indian to fleeing from fake federal agents into 20th-century Sonora  plus being trapped on the moral dark side.

The copious number of characters and nonstop action in this book make it a challenge to follow. A successful aspect of Kid Dinosaur, however, is what T. C. Colburn might resurrect for his next novel: the voices, senses of humor and irony, and perspectives of his 20th-century characters  blue-collar, self-deprecating, a little macho, a tad flawed.

Office of Strategic Services 1942-45: The World War II Origins of the CIA

By Eugene Liptak with illustrations by Richard Hook

World War II US Navy Special Warfare Units

By Eugene Liptak with illustrations by Johnny Shumate (Osprey Publishing, $18.95 each)

This reviewer never expected to find herself reading passages aloud when she picked up these two pamphlet-sized paperbacks with the WW II black-and-white soldier photos on the cover. Eugene Liptak surprised her, though. A Tucson librarian with an interest in military history, Liptak has written two readable, even layman-engaging books on aspects of American involvement in the Second World War.

Office of Strategic Services 1942-45: The World War Two Origins of the CIA (published in 2009) traces the development of the agency that was established for espionage and covert operations. World War II US Navy Special Warfare Units focuses on the small specialty groups developed to assist in amphibious troop landings. Here Liptak describes the Scouts and Raiders (later, SEALS), Beach Raiders, demolition specialists, and Naval Group China, which fought behind Japanese lines alongside Chinese guerillas.

In both books, he lays out the origins of the groups, along with the equipment and methodology, and operations in which they were employed. His text is well supported with photographs and illustrations. Tactical ingenuity is notable here (and worthy of reading aloud): small groups of sailors could stymie the enemy by staging assaults behind smoke, jamming radar, simulating rocket barrages, playing recordings of ship- and landing-craft sounds, and broadcasting the sounds of officers giving orders. Individuals showed initiative, as well: Demolition units in the field packed explosives in GI-issue wool socks, and waterproofed fuse lighters with condoms. Resourceful.

Resound

By Madelyn Raine (Madelyn Raine, $12)

Madelyn Raine was a junior at Ironwood Ridge High School when she wrote this fantasy novel  Echeux Chronicles: Book 1. Its target audience her peers (she dedicates it to the losers who thought [she] wouldnt go through with it), its main characters are teenagers. Protagonist 16-year-old Alexandra, like other Sounds in the region of Echeux, is endowed with magical power. Tasked with keeping peace in their city, Alexandra and her Sounds cohorts deal with emotional entanglements along with their work assignments. When a higher level of dark magic comes on the scene, their relationships and cosmic presumptions are threatened.

Complete with a pantheon of Echeux deities and a glossary of Echeux terms, this 288-page novel represents notable extracurricular effort.

The Prisoners of Breendonk: Personal Histories from a World War II Concentration Camp

By James M. Deem with additional photography by Leon Nolis (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $18.99)

Two strengths of this history of a World War II Belgian concentration camp are its neutral tone and statistical, factual presentation: Just as the early Nazi identification and deceptive relocation of Jews were slowly revealed to be mass extermination, James M. Deems account, which opens with one Antwerp Jew being picked up off the street and delivered by car to Fort Breendonk, it gradually reveals its horrors. Breendonk, a fort built in the early 1900s to protect Belgium from Germany, was turned into a camp for prisoners to be transferred or released, in 1940. As innocuous as that sounds, its conditions were inhumane (underlying principles being starve them, overwork them, and beat them ....), and only 10 percent of its prisoners would survive.

Deem chronicles the lives of many Breendonk inmates, and by the end, when he reports on the outcomes (and those of their families and children, many sent directly to the extermination camps), the magnitude of the abuse and loss of life is staggering.

Deem includes period photographs of inmates and guards and administrators, copies of identification cards and personal portraits, sketches of individuals drawn by a prisoner (portraits were assigned by an SS officer to be given away as gifts; the prisoner-artist made duplicates, which he managed to smuggle out), and scenes of the contemporary sitenow a museum. The Prisoners of Breendonk will be a valuable contribution to Holocaust literature.

The Prosperity Company

By Phillip Richardson (Philip Richardson, $9.95)

Old Tucson radio station owner (his own words) Philip Richardson dedicates this novel about unionizing coal miners to family members and neighbors of his youth who actually worked underground. Set in 1927, The Prosperity Company tells the story of the family of a union miner who moves his family to a non-union mine to organize workers. The son-in-law of a regional organizer of the United Mine Workers of America, he and his four sons (the youngest of whom, narrator Thomas, having completed eighth grade, now joins them) start to work. But they also start to secretly organize. Its a company town  housing, store, all amenities (and probably local law enforcement)  provided and controlled by the mine owners opposed to unions  so the miners risk losing all if they cross management.

Its a slim book, with a conflict  plus a romantic subplot  that moves quickly. Richardsons depiction of the miners work and conditions deep in an early-20th-century coal mine are vivid, informative and definitely worth the read.
MEXICAN WOMAN IS MORTALLY WOUNDED

Two Men Also Shot in Same Fight at Sasco, Pinal County

The victim, it is believed, of a jealous lover, Josefina Finley, a Mexican girl about 20 years of age, of 141 West Alameda street, lies mortally wounded at St. Marys hospital and sheriffs officers of two counties, Pima and Pinal, are looking for her assailant.

The girl was wounded by a bullet in the left temple at Sasco about 6 oclock yesterday morning, fired by an unknown person, and was brought to Tucson and taken to her home on West Alameda street. Later she was taken to the hospital.

The bullet entered the left temple and lodged above the right eye. Wonder was expressed at the vitality of the girl since the wound is thought to be fatal. Reports from the hospital late last night said that she was still living and conscious at times.

Sheriff Forbes first intimation that there had been a tragedy at Sasco, which is in Pinal county, came from Dr. Gotthelf, who reported that he had been called to attend a woman at 141 West Alameda street who was apparently mortally wounded. Deputy Sheriff Ezekials made an investigation and at the girls home took into custody a Mexican who gave the name of Juan Mesquite, to be held as a witness.

From Mesquite and from several other witnesses who are being held, the outlines of the tragedy were obtained and confirmatory advices were received by Sheriff Forbes from Sheriff Hall of Pinal county, who was at Sasco investigating the shooting.

According to stories told by witnesses, Josefina Finley went to Sasco several days ago to visit friends. Witnesses referred to the place where she was staying as a public place. Friday night Julio Beltran was with her at this place when four men knocked at the door and demanded admission. They were admitted and raised a rough house, being drunk, but were subsequently prevailed upon to leave. As they were departing and Josefina Finley was at the door closing it, one of the four men fired three shots into the door, the third inflicting a bullet wound in the left temple of the Finley girl.

None of the witnesses informally examined yesterday by county authorities could give the names of these four men, one of whom, apparently is the assailant of the Tucson girl.

The Finley girl was brought to Tucson in the automobile of Francisco Valenzuela, accompanied by Julio Beltran, Juan Mesquite and another woman. Their statements were taken yesterday. The four men who invaded the house were drunk, these said. Officers are continuing the investigation in Pima county while Pima and Pinal deputies are looking for others who might be involved in the case.

Advices from Sheriff Hall said that two men were also shot at the same time but no evidence of this was obtained by Pima county officers. The four men who are believed to have started the trouble are said to be miners from Silverbell, who went to Sasco Friday night to carouse after having been paid off at Silverbell.

County Attorney Richardson of Pinal county will arrive in the city this morning to investigate the Pima county end of the shooting.
Top federal law enforcement officials from the U.S. and Mexico shared a message of strengthening ties between the two governments and the broader community during a ceremony Friday at Pima Community College.

Its an opportunity to show partnership with Mexicos federal police and the work that we want to do in the community, to build trust and cooperation, said Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske.

Speaking before more than 250 people at Pimas Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, most of whom were in uniforms representing agencies from both sides of the border, Kerlikowske noted that safety and cooperation were key concerns to CBP and the Mexican Federal Police.

U.S. and Mexican officials have been working on that partnership for some time, with meetings held in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City. Kerlikowske and Mexican Federal Police Commissioner Enrique Galindo Ceballos decided it was time to take their message of cooperation to the border, Kerlikowske said.

Traveling to sister cities in both countries with the 14-piece Mexican Federal Police Mariachi band and the 50-piece Mexican Federal Police Woodwind Symphony, they visited McAllen, Texas, and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, last month.

On Thursday, the event moved to Nogales, Sonora. At the end of the month theyll visit Tijuana and San Diego.

Sharing this message with the community allows both governments the opportunity to show their renewed cooperation, said Damian Canales, chief commissioner for intelligence at the Mexican Federal Police, who spoke on behalf of Galindo Ceballos.

While the two governments have been working together on border issues for some time, he feels theres now a stronger connection between the two agencies.

In Mexico, we understand that if each of us only works on our side, the problems will just be harder to solve, he said.

Their partnership is not just about border security, but also facilitating travel and trade, whether its in produce or manufacturing, Kerlikowske said, adding theres also an emphasis to address the issue of use-of-force incidents involving federal agents.

Customs and Border Protection is much more transparent and open to the public, and theyre much more responsive when it comes to complaints about use of force and telling the public what actually happened, he said.

CBP is addressing the concerns of Mexicos Foreign Ministry regarding Border Patrol shootings, Kerlikowske said, adding that the concerns have been reduced. Violence is down not only because of increased transparency, but less use of lethal force.

To accomplish binational safety, theres an increased focus on both sides of the border working together on joint patrols and using dual communication.

Theyre patrolling on their side of the border; were patrolling on ours, but we can exchange information through a new communications system, so that we can speak directly to them, Kerlikowske said. Theyre seeing things; were seeing things. We need to be able to interdict on either side.

The vast majority of people now entering the country illegally are not from Mexico, but from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, Kerlikowske said.

Hell soon be traveling to those countries to meet with their government officials and CBP liaisons to talk about what can be done, together, to reduce the flow of people attempting the dangerous migration to the United States.

If those three Central American countries had better safety, better security, a better economy, better opportunities for education  that would be one of the better ways of reducing the number of people that want to come to the United States, he said.
Press Release:

Contact: Amy Holcombe

Amy Holcombe amy.holcombe@vidanthealth.com

GREENVILLE Vidant Medical Center (VMC) is one of 22 hospitals in the United States and Canada selected as a clinical site for the InVivo Therapeutics INSPIRE Study: InVivo Study of Probable Benefit of the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold for Safety and Neurologic Recovery in Subjects with Complete Thoracic AIS A Spinal Cord Injury.Experts explain that there are many inclusion and exclusion criteria for the trial, among which a patient must have a complete thoracic spinal cord injury - no motor or sensory function below the level of spinal cord injury. The patient must also have an identifiable spinal cord contusion or bruise in the spinal cord on a MRI and sustained the injury 96 hours or less before the operation.To date there have been 10 patients enrolled in the trial. The ninth patient in the study, Anthony Williams, 37, had a Neuro-Spinal Scaffold implanted, on May 26, following an 18-wheeler accident in which the tractor-trailer overturned, fracturing his T4 or fourth thoracic vertebra with severe spinal cord compression.The implantation was performed by Vidant Medical Group (VMG) neurosurgeons Dr. Stuart Lee, the principal investigator, and Dr. Hilal Kanaan, co-investigator, approximately 40 hours after the injury occurred. "The implantation procedure went smoothly and the patient is doing well," Lee said. "We are excited to be a part of the INSPIRE study and look forward to following the patient's progress."Lee explains that generally in these types of injuries, surgeons place hardware to stabilize the bony spine injury. In this trial, along with placing the hardware, surgeons perform a decompressive laminectomy - removal of the bones on the back of the spine - at the level of the injury. They then open the dura - the covering of the spinal cord - and make an incision called a myelotomy into the spinal cord using the operating microscope. The bruised tissue comes out spontaneously under pressure, creating a small cavity in the spinal cord. The Neuro-Spinal Scaffold is placed into this cavity. Lee explains that the thought is the spinal scaffold, which is made of proteins that have been shown to promote neural recovery, helps with healing of the spinal cord and without it, there is just a cavity hole in the cord after all the contusion material is reabsorbed by the body.Williams said that he is very glad he made the decision to be a part of the trial.he said.Williams has a positive attitude, which he says makes all the difference in his recovery.Williams is recovering at the Rehabilitation Center at VMC before returning to his home in Florida.For more information please visit the company's ClinicalTrials.gov registration site: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02138110
Parishioners and clergy at the south sides St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church see first-hand the affects of spice, the addictive synthetic marijuana sold in the smoke shops and on the streets near the church.

Addicts, most hooked on the cheap drug sold in small packets, walk like zombies in the morning to the churchs social services center  Casa San Juan  looking for handouts of food and water. Once they are helped, church officials ask them to leave to help prevent problems from arising.

They are mostly men, sometimes women, between the ages of 18 to 40, who live on the streets, said Msgr. Raul Trevizo, pastor of the church. Some occasionally show up with bruises, probably from fighting or falling down because of their altered state during their high, he said.

Trevizo said he and parishioners are hosting a public meeting Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. inside the church, 602 W. Ajo Way, to talk about the issue, brought to light last month when the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tucson police and several other law enforcement agencies raided businesses and homes as part of a multi-city investigation into the sale of the synthetic cannabinoids. At least 18 people were arrested in Tucson and two other cities.

This is a societal problem, and we must show compassion and treat those who are addicted with dignity and respect, said Trevizo, who has invited Tucson police officers and firefighters to share their experiences and knowledge about spice addiction.

Cops and firefighters respond to numerous calls of spice overdoses in the area, including the bus stops near the church, authorities said.

Assistant Police Chief Ramon Batista, who oversees patrol officers, said spice overdoses have officers responding often to the business district downtown where sales are commonplace. The Ronstadt and Laos transit centers also attract sellers and buyers of spice.

It is amazing what this drug does to people, said Batista, who grew up on Tucsons south side, attending St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, and then graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School.

You feel bad because they are totally out of it. They do look like walking zombies.

Some go into convulsions, vomit, are violent. ... Some become comatose, said Batista, who rides with patrol officers at times.

Officers will respond to one overdose, and then will see two or three others overdosing around them.

Batista remembered meeting a single mother who wept as she spoke about her 13-year-old son who was hooked on spice. He no longer cared about anything or anyone. He just laid around, looking like a zombie, recalled Batista of the mothers story.

It was heartbreaking, said Batista, who directed the mother to social services agencies for detox programs. He said it is important for families and schools to educate youth about the dangers of the drug, which is a national problem.

Tucson police officers responded to 930 calls for service involving spice across the city, but primarily downtown and on the south side, from Jan. 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, Batista said.

Since May 1, the Tucson Fire Department has responded to 192 calls for spice overdoses, said Capt. Barrett Baker, department spokesman.

Dr. Francisco Garcia, director of the Pima County Health Department, is working with police to get a handle on the effects of spice for emergency rooms and emergency-services providers, Police Chief Chris Magnus said in a recent report to Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and the City Council.

Synthetic marijuana is often sold as incense or potpourri and labeled not for human consumption to get around drug laws. Not all brands are illegal  it depends on the compounds used in the manufacturing of the product.

Spice is a mixture of herbs, spices or shredded plant material that is typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The effects can be up to 200 times stronger than THC.

Its commonly sold in smoke shops, small neighborhood stores and gas stations.

I would like to see the smoke shops restricted in what they sell and the hours they are open, Trevizo said.

There are at least eight smoke shops on South 12th Avenue between West Ajo Way and West Valencia Road, an area that also includes at least three elementary schools and one high school. There also are smoke shops on South Sixth Avenue.

There is a spice epidemic in the city, and no doubt we have a saturation of smoke shops, said City Councilman Richard Fimbres about his ward, which covers the south side. At the Sept. 7 council meeting, Fimbres, along with council members Regina Romero and Steve Kozachik, are scheduled to discuss a measure to give police the ability to stop the sale of spice and spice-related products.

Fimbres said spice is also being sold from businesses, houses and at Santa Rita Park on South Fourth Avenue and East 22nd Street, in addition to the Ronstadt and Laos transit centers. He said the recent raid targeting spice sales on Tucsons south side has helped curb the problem.

Meanwhile, spice addicts who show up in the morning for food and water at Casa San Juan are asked to leave once they get their fill, said Trevizo, who is aware that spice can cause hallucinations and make a person turn violent or suicidal. Parishioners are told not to give panhandlers around the church money because they will use it to buy drugs.

Trevizo said the parish school has hired two security guards because up to 1,000 children can be at the school, either for academic or catechism classes.

We have concerns about the physical and mental condition in which young people on the streets find themselves in when using spice, said Trevizo. We need to look at the safety of the community.

We also need to look at the humanitarian side. These young people are being poisoned.

As a society, we simply cannot allow them to waste away, Trevizo said.
Financial aid could be restored within weeks to students in Pima Community Colleges aviation technology program, who were cut off abruptly in May, the schools top executive says.

Chancellor Lee Lambert said in a blog post Friday that hes hopeful aid will be restored in time for fall semester.

We are optimistic that this will occur before the fall financial aid disbursement date of Sept. 9, his blog post said.

Aviation students were stunned to learn in mid-May  just as many were about to start summer semester  that their federal aid was frozen because PCC neglected years ago to obtain accreditor approval to offer the program off-campus at Tucson International Airport.

The error, which PCC discovered around January, had a domino effect once federal aid officials were notified. Because the TIA site wasnt properly accredited, students attending classes there no longer qualified for aid.

Since then, the college has been using donated money to cover the costs of affected students. Lambert said the school is working to have contingency plans in place if aid isnt flowing again by Sept. 9.

PCCs accreditor approved the TIA location in late June. The college then applied to the federal government to reinstate student aid and is awaiting final approval.

Lambert said aviation program leaders met with students Thursday to update them on progress to date. Some affected students complained of poor communication when they were initially notified.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  A socially conservative Nebraska state senator acknowledged Friday that he had cybersex with a woman on a state computer last year, but he refused demands from Gov. Pete Ricketts and the legislative speaker that he should resign.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for misuse of state property under a settlement agreement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Kintner released details of the July 2015 incident after commissioners approved the settlement with a 7-0 vote.

Kintner said he accepted the woman's invitation for cybersex via Skype, an online video chatting service, while on a trip to Boston unrelated to his legislative duties. Kintner said the woman initiated contact about a week before via Facebook, starting with casual conversation.

When the sexual encounter ended, Kintner said the woman tried to extort $4,500 from him by threatening to post a video of him on YouTube. He said he then contacted the Nebraska State Patrol and confessed the incident to his wife, Lauren Kintner, who works as Ricketts' policy research director.

"I don't always make the best decisions, and that's why we're sitting here today," Kintner said at a news conference from his Capitol office.

The Nebraska State Patrol said the woman who contacted Kintner used an email from a Russian domain. Kintner said authorities told him the woman, who spoke French, may have a connection to an Ivory Coast criminal operation, and she is likely beyond the reach of state or federal laws. Kintner and the woman communicated by typing, and their words were translated.

Kintner, an outspoken conservative Republican, has developed a reputation for making inflammatory comments. Earlier this year, he was criticized for comparing his legislative colleagues to monkeys. He also has drawn fire for railing against "homosexual bills" to promote gay rights, and for joking once that women are a mystery to him and don't understand themselves.

Kintner, 55, said he never visited pornographic websites and never had sexual content saved on his hard drive.

Several top policy makers called on Kintner to resign, and Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha said he is planning to file a motion to impeach or expel Kintner when lawmakers convene in January.

In a statement, Ricketts said Kintner "should resign his office immediately. Period."

Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley said it would leave a "black cloud" over the upcoming legislative session if Kintner doesn't resign. The Legislature's Executive Board plans to meet Aug. 19 to discuss how to proceed.

Kintner, who came to office in 2013, said he doesn't believe the incident will affect his work as a legislator. He said he doubts his colleagues will impeach him.

"One sin doesn't take away all the stuff I've done in the last three years," he said.

Kintner said he "prayed for a week" with his wife, pastor and legislative staff, and decided that he wasn't going to resign. He said his wife has shown "incredible grace and forgiveness" and that he has given her full access to his computer, including all of his passwords and internet browsing history.

Kintner said he had previously tried to insulate himself from temptation by imposing "very strict" rules on himself when dealing with women. For instance, he said he always kept his door open when one was in his office, and he refused to have late-night dinners with women.

"I thought I was so fool-proof, I was so good, that I could walk to the edge  that I could Skype with a woman and not go over the edge," he said. "That's wrong thinking."
Help India!

By TCN Special Corespondent,

Ahmedabad: After Deoband Darul Uloom rector Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanvi and leading businessman Zafar Sareshwala having made strong pleas in favour of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, it is now Bollywood music composer Ismail Darbar and Barelvi Ulema Abdul Sattar Hamdani who are extending their support to Modis developmental and anti-terror policies.

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While Darbar has high political ambitions and is reported to be planning to contest the next assembly elections in December 2012 from Surat, Hamdani has not yet made his political ambitions clear.

Darbar recently also called on BJP national president Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur for his entry into the party. At a press briefing in Nagpur, he reportedly appealed Muslims to forget what happened in 2002 and extend full support to Modi in Gujarat.

Hamdani is surprisingly an accused in the 1993 RDX and rifle landing case at Gosabara in Porbander district which was reportedly used by Dawood Ibrahim and his associates in serial bomb blasts in Mumbai.

The 60-plus Hamdani, having sizeable influence among the Barelvi Muslims in the state, was accused of having provided logistical support to the D-gang members in landing of the explosive materials and firearms and then its transportation to Mumbai.

But Hamdani along with 21 others from Porbander and nearby areas, accused in the case under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act(TADA), were later on acquitted by the court owing to lack of evidence against them.

A pro-Congress man, Hamdani since his release has, however, taken a 180-degree turn politically. Though he has not formally joined any political party so far, at a recent press conference at Porbander, he heaped praises on Modi and dubbed Sonia Gandhis political adviser and Congress strongman from Gujarat, Ahmed Patel, a supporter of terrorists.

Strongly opposed to the Tablighi Jamaat, Hamdani allegedly described the Tablighi Jamaat an outfit supporting terrorism. Stating that Ahmed Patel was a Tablighi, Hamdani said that Ahmed Patel by virtue of being a Tablighi was a terrorist.

Regarding Modi, he said: Modi is fighting terror. But common Muslims hold Modi responsible for the 2002 riots in which about 2,000 persons, mostly Muslims, were killed and Muslim properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees were destroyed.

It may be mentioned here that three senior IPS officers are facing trouble because of Hamdani. They are Atul Karwal, H P Singh and Satish Verma. On June 11, they were served notices by the state government for allegedly not taking prompt action against Hamdani during their posting in Porbander. The notices were issued on the orders of the Gujarat High Court on a PIL filed by senior advocate Yatin Oza.

These developments seem to be in favour of Modi who has been trying to project himself as a man of development with a view to playing a role at the national level in BJP and become prime minister in the event of BJP-led NDA winning enough seats to capture power at the centre. But the only thing coming in this is the stigma of 2002.
Help India!

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

Srinagar: The situation in Kashmir continues to worsen with each passing day, with three more people killed on Friday, taking the toll to 54. Another 400 were injured, but more worryingly, this time the security forces did not even spare hospitals.

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Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, one of the major government hospital of valley which is presently treating thousands of patients injured in last one month became the victim of security forces wrath on Friday. The J&K Police and CRPF troopers fired teargas shells in the hospital to disperse people assembled to offer funeral prayers of Sameer Ahmed of Budgam, who had succumbed to his bullet injuries in the hospital.

The police officials wanted to take custody of the dead body, which was resisted by the attendants.

Security forces fired many shells and there was total chaos in the hospital premises. Everyone was running inside the hospital. Some of the attendants affected by tear gas were later having problems in breathing, a doctor from SMHS, who wished to stay anonymous, told TwoCircles.net.

Commenting on the issue, the Doctor Association, Kashmir said, A strong resentment in this context has been expressed which the association is going to put forward to Director Health Services, Kashmir and Secretary Health & Medical Education Department. We will stress to the authorities that if they want to ensure the smooth functioning of hospitals under these crucial circumstances they have to move way ahead in making our place of postings safe and terror free.

The doctors body have condemned barbaric assaults and spreading a reign of terror at SDH Chadoora, SDH Khan Sahib and Trauma Hospital Kangan.

Hospitals have become battlefield wherein every day we feel we are being attacked, assaulted or humiliated, DAK said.

During this uprising, there have been extensive damages to the hospital property, which is shameful. Unruly incidents of teargas shelling at SMHS Hospital have demoralized and frightened the staff there, the DAK statement added

The J&K High Court Bar Association have also condemned the use of tear gas shells and pepper gas inside Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital

The shelling which was resorted to for about 15 minutes and some of the shells of which landed inside the hospital and made the patients admitted in the hospital and their attendants to run for safety, which not only worsened their condition, but also made the job of the doctors, who are treating them difficult, is a worst kind of violation of the human rights of the people and should be condemned by one and all, the Bar association said.

Meanwhile, an ambulance driver was beaten up by policemen in Pulwama district on Friday when he was ferrying a pregnant lady to a Srinagar based hospital. Dozens of ambulances and staff associated with health department have been either manhandled or beaten by security forces or protestors in last one month of the unrest.
Help India!

By Amit Kumar, TwoCircles.net

Ahmedabad: The Azaadi Kooch (Azadi March) oragnised by Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti from August 5 to August 15, starting from Ahmedabad and ending at Una, Gujarat, entered its second day, with protesters reiterating their demands of not skinning dead cows anymore, apart from demanding compensation for the victim families.

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On July 11, four Dalit workers were beaten up mercilessly by Gau Raksha Dals for skinning a dead cow, and the video of them being beaten up was circulated widely on social media. Since then, the Dalits have risen up in protest and the ongoing march, which culminates in Una on August 15, is being seen as a show of strength by the states Dalits who have decided that they will no more be at the receiving end of such atrocities.

The march, which started with about 500 people being flagged off by school girls, reached Dholka after the first day, where they were welcomed warmly by hundreds of people. The march will continue on to Koth. At Siddharth Educational Trust in Sonar Kui, Gujarat, the Dalits took a pledge never to dispose off dead cattle ever again. Apart from this, the other demands of the protesters include booking the culprits under Prevention of Anti-Social Acts, setting up of special courts for offences under the Atrocities Act to be set up in all 25 districts of the state, and that all city corporations in Gujarat should pay Safai Karamcharis on par with the Sixth pay commission.

According to Manjula Pradeep, Executive Director, Navsarjan Trust, these protests are the results of years of anger and frustration in the Dalits, especially the youth. The Dalit youth have been protesting for years on the local level against the discrimination that they face, and the Una incident worked as a tipping point. In many cases, the youth have joined the protests even though the older generation remains circumspect. Caste-based discrimination has long been swept under the carpet by the state administration, but no longer, she said.

Pradeep added that these protests were just the start of the agitation, and will challenge not just societal norms but also the poltical hierarchy in the state. The protesters will also be working on making a political manifesto which will list all their demands, and it is up to the political parties to accept or reject the demands, she added. Also, the Saurasthra region in Gujarat will witness a Mahapanchayat on August 31 and over 50,000 people are expected to join in.

The protests have left district administration completely helpless, and with Dalits refusing to work, there are multiple efforts being made to convince them to get back to their jobs, said Jayesh Solanki, a social activist working in Una. Until now, the Savarnas (upper-castes) and the district administration could rely on Dalits to do their dirty work. But now that the Dalits have said no, the Savarnas are scared. Some upper-castes have already tried to talk to Dalits but to no avail, he said. Solanki added that one effect of these protests has been that in areas where Dalits are in the minority, they are now being ostracised by upper-castes. To be honest, this was expected, and we will fight against such discrimination at all possible fronts, he added.
Help India!

By TCN News,

Chennai: With an aim to guide the activists on various Human rights issues, the Tamilnadu chapter of National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO) organized a two day Human Rights Workshop at Chennai.

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Adv Rajni is interacting with participants.



The workshop was conducted on July 30 and 31 at Madras Reporters Guild and it was attended by many activists and lawyers.

Prof A. Marx, Chairperson, NCHRO, presided over the programme and delivered inaugural address. The workshop started with the welcome speech of Adv. N.M. Shajahan, State General Secretary, NCHRO and Adv. A. Mohamed Yusuff, National Secretary, NCHRO delivered the introductory speech.





Adv. Karunanithi is interacting with participants.



Following subjects were discussed in brief during the workshop:

Human Rights Situation in India and Need of Human Rights Activism, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Human Rights Conventions, FIR to Trial: Procedures and Documentation in Regular Penal laws and Draconian laws, How to use RTI as a weapon?, Documenting Human Rights Violations and the Illegal Practices of the Police against Citizens, Fact Finding Modalities, Domestic Violation Act and Defending Womens Rights, Media and Human Rights, Human Rights: Theory and Practice, Human Rights Laws in India, National & International Human Rights Organisations and How to Approach them, How to be a Firm and Steadfast Defender of Human Rights.

Other participants including Adv. Bavani. Ba. Mohan, State President, NCHRO, Reny Ayline, National Secretary, NCHRO, Krishnaveni, Human Rights Activist, Chennai, Adv. Rajni, Peoples Union for Human Rights  PUHR, Madurai, Peer Mohamed, Journalist, Chennai, Adv. Karunanithi, Human Rights Activist, Madurai and Adv. K.P. Mohamed Sheriff, Vice-Chairperson, NCHRO also delivered lectures on different human rights issues.

Mohamed Sheikh Ansari, State General Secretary, Popular Front of India delivered concluding speech. Adv. A. Syed Abdul Kather, State PRO, NCHRO delivered vote of thanks.
Help India!

By Amit Kumar, Twocircles.net

Chhapra: Communal tensions gripped Chhapra district in Bihar and several shops, all belonging to Muslims, were damaged after protests over an allegedly derogatory photo uploaded by a Muslim boy turned violent.

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On Friday afternoon, members of the local Bajrang Dal unit ransacked and burnt down the house of a boy in the village of Maker, 10 kms from Chhapra town, after they were informed that the boy, who currently lives in Bangalore, had allegedly uploaded derogatory images of Hindu gods on his Facebook account.

By evening, the protests by Bajrang Dal had reached Chhapra town. By 7 pm, a group of 200 men including ex-MLA Udit Rai, marched on to the streets of the town calling for a Bandh on Saturday. The mob also asked people to join the march at the Nagar Palika Chowk for the march. During this entire time, locals allege that the police remained silent spectators.

On Saturday, almost all in the district decided to observe the Bandh, including Muslims, in order to avoid any communal tension. Ghaus Mohammed, who owns a shoe store in Hathua Market, told Twocircles.net he had decided to stay back home on the day. All shops, including the ones owned by Muslims, remained shut the entire day as no one wanted to take a risk, he says. However, in the minority-dominant area of Khanua, some shops opened after the first few hours of the bandh. Some tea shops, along with sweet shops, opened up and this irked the Bajrang Dal protesters. Within the next few minutes, there were clashes followed by the protesters throwing crude bombs and firing bullets. This left almost a dozen people with minor injuries, and several shops severly damaged in the area.

However, the vandalism on the part of the mob, which numbered around 2,000, did not stop. Over the next hour or so, they attacked and looted several shops, all belonging to Muslims, in the areas of Hathua, Tinkunia and Sahebganj.

The Jama Masjid in the region of Tinkunia was also vandallised; with the mosque door burnt down along with vehicles inside the compound. In the surrounding areas, over 10 shops owned by Muslim men were vandalised and looted, say the locals.

Ghaus Mohammed, whose shop was also severely vandalised, said he had suffered a loss of Rs 45,000.

The mobs also did not spare the shop of local RJD president Balagul Mobin, said Ghaus.

The police, say the locals, remained mute spectators during the entire period.
After a rewarding career in the computer industry, Sybil decided to try her hand at writing mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in

and

, among others. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in Southern California where she enjoys tole painting, studying ancient languages and spending time with

friends and family. Find her at

.

Sybil Johnsons love affair with reading began in kindergarten with The Three Little Pigs. Visits to the library introduced her to Encyclopedia Brown, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a host of other characters. Fast forward to college where she continued reading while studying Computer Science.
Fact checking WRAL's teacher pay documentary

Just kidding about the "fact check" part.Fact checking is the art of using logical fallacies to identify logical fallacies. I'd rather just record my observations for your amusement or ridicule.Last night, WRAL aired "Grading Teacher Pay," a short documentary examining various aspects of the teacher pay debate in North Carolina. It was written and produced by Clay Johnson, a documentary filmmaker and former deputy press secretary for Governor Jim Hunt. WRAL education reporter Kelly Hinchcliffe is the narrator.It featured the kind of balance you would expect from WRAL. On one side, they interviewed former governor Jim Hunt, Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson, Associate Professor Eric Houck of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education, Athens Drive High School teacher Shavonne Hairston, and former teacher Jennifer Lowery. All five agreed that the state does not do enough to support public school teachers.For an alternative viewpoint, they interviewed Nelson Dollar.As a six-term Republican member of the N.C. House and top budget writer, Dollar was a very good choice to explain the political dynamics of teacher pay raises and describe the progress made by Republicans to raise starting pay. A handful of clips of Republican Governor Pat McCrory commenting on teacher pay were included but never added anything substantive to the film.After a short introduction, the documentary tells with the story of Shavonne Hairston, a high school social studies teacher at Athens Drive High School in Wake County. It detailed the typical day for Ms. Hairston, a fifth-year teacher who describes herself as a "nurse, teacher, pseudo-parent." She believes that her nearly $43,000 a year salary does not match the value of her work or the 50+ hours that she works every week during the school year.I have found that most people believe that their salaries do not match the value of their work. In some cases, it is true. In the case of, say, Justin Bieber, it is not. The problem is that attempts to differentiate the former from the latter are rebuffed by folks who say that measuring and/or evaluating the value of an educator's work is not possible or desirable. In other words, if we cannot or will not determine the value of someone's work, how do we reward it appropriately?The second segment addressed the nitty-gritty policy issues through interviews with Hunt, Atkinson, Houck, Dollar, back to Houck, to a clip of Governor McCrory, then a return to Atkinson that gives way to more Hunt, another clip of McCrory, some screen-time for Dollar, and of course a parting word from Hunt. It was like a Jim Hunt Big Mac, hold the Berger.Johnson and Hinchcliffe touched on a number of related issues, including the politics of pay increases, the cost of teacher turnover, the tenuous relationship between compensation and student performance, teacher pay rankings, and connections between education and economic development. Needless to say, they tried to cover too much ground.On the other hand, there was no effort to explain the critical role of federal mandates or local government finance. By doing so, Johnson and Hinchcliffe occasionally exaggerated the role of state government and failed to acknowledge that there are aspects of this issue that are beyond the control of elected officials - yes, even Jim Hunt.In fact, in the companion article online, which is more balanced than the documentary, N.C. Department of Public Instruction official Alexis Schauss pointed out that the variation in teacher pay appears to correspond to changes in the experience level of the teacher workforce. According to Johnson and Hinchcliffe, "When North Carolina's average teacher pay went down in previous years, it wasn't because teachers were paid less. The population just became less experienced."Specifically, teachers are paid based on experience, among other factors, so a less experienced workforce will depress the overall average. Conversely, states with an aging teacher workforce will have a higher average. While lawmakers can and should take steps to retain more experienced teachers, they cannot force them to stay in the profession, nor can they compel school districts, particularly growing ones, to hire more experienced educators. These critical points never make it into the documentary itself, despite their ability to explain some of the drop in teacher pay rankings that spanned both Democratic and Republican majorities.Part three is an interview with former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher Jennifer Lowery. Lowery resigned in December and is now writing curricula for an online education company. She likes working from home and says that she is less stressed and has a better quality of life after she left the classroom. She believes that a "significant" raise would be step in the right direction, but she doubts that legislators will approve such a raise.The documentary ends abruptly. Johnson and Hinchcliffe would have been much better off cutting some of the Lowery interview to give the audience a concluding thought. Surely there was a clip of Jim Hunt that could have been used for this purpose. Otherwise, an abbreviated review of the legislative short session would have made sense here.
The new chancellor, Philip Hammond, will soon unveil the first post-Brexitspending plans in the autumn statement. The Notting Hill Set's (Cameron, Osborne and their cronies) response to this time of economic uncertainty would be a policy of more austerity (and therefore cuts) to confront the endless task of closing the probably widening 70bn Brexit deficit. The vast majority of economists had, for while, been telling Osborne that austerity was failing, in that it has not achieved its supposed goal of bringing the national finances into surplus (though other cynical types say that the realaim, of an upward redistribution of wealth, was achieved).

May's new regimemustpursue a new policy: Investment. It's now Labour's job to fight for it.

Investment

The solution to our faltering economy, according to the CBI, Britain's big business group, is infrastructure investment. Few disagree when the fundamentals of the British economy are so weak. The bestway to strengthen these fundamentals, particularlyproductivity, is through infrastructure and innovation investment. This means more borrowing, which, for the debt averse, may seem ridiculous. However this would be borrowing to invest and, just as companies borrow to invest in new factories or showrooms, it allows us to reap long-term rewards.

NHS funding

There is, however, something else that Hammondcould do.

Something that the Labour Party is fighting for. The chancellor should also invest in strong public services. Cameron, at the last general election, claimed that a strong NHS needed a strong economy, however this is an oversimplified and counterproductive view. In fact, Labour must point out thatfor a strong economy we need a stronger NHS.

Public services are at the beating heart of our economy, just as much as roads and rail tracks. Without an NHS free-at-the-point-of-delivery, our economy would likely be much smaller. The cost of people's sick leaveis huge, with cancer alone costing the economy 15bn a year! If illpeople were refused free treatment, many would delay visitinga doctor, letting illnesses get worse and causing people to take muchmore time off, costing theeconomy billions.

The NHS, according to the independent King's Trust, needs 15bn a year extra. So let's properly fund our NHS, including underfunded mental health services, so that we can swiftly reintroduce people to the working world in order to contribute to building a strong economy.

Strong schools

Another fundamental weakness in our economy is education. Our education system is such that a clever state school pupilis likely to be less successful than a stupid private school pupil. It is not only morally reprehensible to let clever children down because of their family's wealth, it is also economically incoherent.Our economy, depends on people fulfilling their potential. When one of us fails then all of us fail.

The failures add up and make us allpoorer, a number that the OECD, the Remain campaign's second best friend (its best wasthe IMF), puts at 135bn a year! Labour must highlight this.

Stolen narratives

During the last election, the Conservatives were only too happy to park their tanks on Labour's lawn, claiming that they were the party of working people. However their spending promises and promises not to cut (tax credits and disability benefit) were illusory. Nevertheless they won a parliamentary majority and so this tactic of using your opponent's language, in addition to greater integrity in promises than the Tories, needs to beinvestigatedby the left. So Owen Smith and Jeremy Corbyn, listen up!

Britain is a nation of shopkeepers and we need to speak to their economic minds. We need to argue not that public services are a cost that we must continually increase, but an investment for the future. Granted, it won't be enough to win the next general election, particularly with a divided Labour party, but it will certainly help. So Labour: park your tanks on the Tories lawn and claim your victory!
Terrible! Awful! Never Been Worse!...Or is it?

As our Meltdown continues to meltdown, our 9% Approval Rating Congress is very busy finding who to blame. I have written about this Congressional Foolishness before but I'm now going to give it another shot because they are such easy targets. The frenzy is alive and well and growing by the minute.



Our politicians are telling us that this is the worst it has ever been and, of course, the other guys caused it.



In a book I read a few months ago entitled, A Brilliant Solution by Carol Berkin, our 9% Approval Rating Congress may have misspoke. This may not be the worst it has ever been. Hard to believe, is it not?



The Year was 1787...



 "our treasury was empty. Debts to foreign governments and debts to our own citizens could not be paid, and this was a blow to the nation's honor as well as to its future credit."

 "anarchy seemed to threaten"

 "These new ideas threatened a social revolution that would destroy not only their own fortunes but also the rule of law."

 "All around them civil strife seemed to be erupting unchecked, and news of uprisings in western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts during the previous year shook the confidence not only of these wealthy men but also of Americans of all social classes."

 "With no police force of any sort, military, or civil, the restoration of law and order was in doubt."

 Even worse, a political disorder on the highest levels had reached critical proportions."

 "The cooperation among the states, forged in the 1770s and sustained during the war, had vanished with independence."

 "Competition and exploitation reigned, and the revival of a fierce localism pitted Virginian against Marylander, New Yorker against New Jerseyite, Georgian against South Carolinian."

 "the league of friendship called the Confederation that Americans had established as their first government grew more impotent, more lethargic, and more incompetent with every passing day".

 "The nation was on the verge of self-destruction---or, worse, of simply fading away."

 "Animated by a heartfelt ill will and rivalry, state legislators missed no opportunity to exploit the weaknesses of their neighbors. They rushed to enact tariffs and trade barriers, replacing the hated British restrictions with restrictions of their own."

 "With duties to pay at every state border, even the most intrepid merchant or shipper found interstate commerce a nightmare."

 "Connecticut and New Jersey were rumored to be planning a joint assault on New York."



There is more but that's enough and my fingers are tired.



In 1787 Congress did something about the Terrible, Awful, Never Been Worse Situation. They wrote our Constitution. Our current Congress blames those other guys and then goes to Happy Hour with those other guys.



I'm not kidding you. This is historical fact.

Smartfella


With a blast of an air horn from state Rep. Daniel Zolnikov, Uber launched its ride-share service in Billings on Friday.

At least 50 riders whod signed up for the Uber smart phone app were at Uberbrew in downtown Billings to celebrate the rollout, which the San Francisco-based company has been planning for the past month.

Billings Mayor Tom Hanel, who took the services ceremonial first Billings ride around the block in Zolnikovs white Dodge Charger, noted it was the perfect place for the celebration.

Here we are in Uberbrew, and were celebrating Uber! Hanel said to the crowd. The brewery has no direct association with the ride-sharing service.

The crowd was comprised of riders who had downloaded the app, and they received free drink tickets and appetizers at the event. Through Aug. 10, Billings riders are eligible for up to seven free rides using the app.

Uber has already rolled out in Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Butte and Bozeman.

We truly saved the best for last, said Brian Gebhardt, general manager of Uber Montana and a Roundup native.

Gebhardt said that Uber doesnt release driver figures, but he said the numbers in all Montana cities were comparable. He noted that Billings had a high interest in the service compared to other Montana cities, judging by inquiries online.

To use Uber, riders must download the app on their iPhone or other smartphone device. They can then use it to contact drivers, who are independent contractors that clock in through a similar app on their own phones.

Riders can contact drivers through a desktop computer, but Gebhardt said the service works best with mobile devices.

Uber drivers must be 21 years old, pass a background check and have a Montana license and insurance to cover ride-sharing. Drivers cant have DUI or drug-related offenses, fatal accidents, a criminal history or a history of reckless driving within the past seven years.

At the Friday event, Zolnikov, a licensed Uber driver, said the service could make roads safer.

I am a firm believer that in Montana, we do have a problem with a drinking-and-driving culture.  This was a free-market solution to getting people home, said the Billings Republican, a supporter of a 2015 state bill that allowed Uber to come to Montana.

Minimum charge for a ride is $6.50. An Uber ride starts at a $2.50 base fee, $1.75 per mile and 25 cents a minute.

Drivers take home about 75 percent of the fees, and Uber gets the remainder, Gebhardt said.

He added that riders have benefited in other cities where Uber has launched.

It makes the cab companies better because of the competition. They step up their game. The real winner is the consumer, he said.
Candid thoughts on South China Sea disputes Updated: 2016-08-06 09:33 By Robert Lawrence Kuhn(China Daily)

File photo of South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

Some foreign analysts call Beijing's rejection of the recent arbitral tribunal ruling in the South China Sea dispute "China's first international test" as an emerging power. Some foreign media wonder whether a resurgent China will uphold the international order. Will fears of a "China threat" now increase?

Underlying all these issues is what China calls its "core interests". What are China's core interests? Do they include the "dotted line" (often called the "Nine-Dash Line"), which defines China's claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea?

These matters are sufficiently serious to warrant a sophisticated understanding of China's position. What are China's claims and arguments? What will happen now?

To understand China's position and way of thinking, I sat down for a two-hour, in-depth discussion with General Peng Guangqian, a People's Liberation Army major general and military strategist; he is deputy secretary-general of China's National Security Forum and has been focusing on South China Sea issues.

The ground rules were simple: I would ask Peng the tough questions. Peng told me he would answer my questions directly and candidly, stressing that he would express his own personal ideas; he was not representing official positions of the Chinese government or the PLA. I was impressed by his knowledge and candor. To me, the issue is not so much who is right and who is wronghuman groups often disagreebut rather recognizing that only through open and honest communication can misunderstandings be minimized and inadvertent confrontations avoided.

Sovereignty and core interests

While the ruling did not determine sovereigntybecause the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea cannot rule on sovereigntyit did seek to adjudicate territorial and economic zones from maritime features such as islands, rocks and reefs. China asserts this is a distinction without a difference, in that sovereignty is indeed the underlying issue and therefore the tribunal did not have jurisdiction, and China is not about to bargain away its sovereignty. Thus my first question to Peng.

"Why was the ruling so unfavorable to China, especially given that the tribunal said it was not addressing issues of sovereignty, which was not in its jurisdiction?"

"The Philippines and the arbitral tribunal played a trick," Peng said. "They disguised the territorial entitlement of the disputed islands and reefs as well as the maritime rights and interests as an interpretation of the UNCLOS ... The South China Sea issue is the first 'test' for China on the path of the great rejuvenation of the nation. We should adhere to our principles and express our solemn position to the international community."

"Is the South China Sea a 'core interest' of China's sovereignty on par with Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang?" I asked.

"Let me give you a metaphor," Peng responded. "All human beings have 10 fingers. As a Chinese saying goes, the nerves of the fingertips are linked with the heart, which means every finger is closely bound up with one's whole life and we cannot cut off any finger. We attach equal importance to Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, Hainan ... Any part of China is an indispensable 'core interest' for China's survival and development. It's a reality that some of our islands and waters have been occupied by other countries and China's resources have been plundered. We have every confidence of recovering them. But we still advocate a peaceful settlement through negotiation and consultation. Before this issue is settled, we can shelve differences and seek joint development, which fully demonstrates our sincerity. But there is no doubt that the South China Sea is very much a part of China's 'core interests'."
Pub fire in French city of Rouen kills at least 13 Updated: 2016-08-06 11:06 (Xinhua)

At least 13 people were killed and six others injured in a bar fire in the French city of Rouen early Saturday, local media reported.

The victims were between the ages of 18 and 25, the Paris-Normandie newspaper said.

A private birthday party was being held in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar when the fire broke out, according to local authorities.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Eastern Montana tends to be overshadowed by the mountainous and forested western side of the state, but anyone whos lived on the east side knows it has a lot to offer.

This road trip covers some of the most scenic parts of Eastern Montana and includes stops at plenty of beautiful attractions.

Start your morning in Billings with breakfast at the Red Rooster Cafe, where home-cooked meals are served in a comfortable and unpretentious setting. If you can stomach sweet treats first thing in the morning, their cinnamon roll will hit the spot.

When youre full, drive up to the Four Dances Natural Area, stretch your legs and take some photos of the city before you head east to Miles City.

Home of the infamous Bucking Horse Sale, Miles City is a surprisingly fun little town of about 8,600 people. Dont miss checking out the Range Riders Museum, a huge collection of bits and pieces of Montanas cowboys and Indians past.

Then head to the beautiful Tongue River Winery at 99 Morning Star Lane. If youre not the one behind the wheel, try a tasting, but either way, dont leave without stocking up on your wine of choice. They have red and white wines as well as some dark fruit wines and apple wines.

Stop for a bite at Main Street Grind, a local favorite, before moving on.

Next, head east on Interstate 94 to the Terry Badlands. Located three miles north of Terry, this wilderness study area is a great place to go for a short hike and take a few more photos. Youre also very likely to see some wildlife.

Last but not least, drive the 45 miles northeast to the beautiful Makoshika State Park, the true gem of Eastern Montana. Youll find badland formations, fossil remains, hiking trails and wildlife here. There are a few hotel options in the area, or you could always drive back to Billings, but camping near the park will be the most peaceful option  and youll get to see a sunset and starry sky youll never forget.
Montana State Parks announced on Friday that water will be limited at the park until further notice. For now, water is only available at the public drinking fountain in the campground and at the fish cleaning station. Water at all other amenities is unavailable.
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Young Families Early Head Start, a nonprofit organization that provides child care and support services for teenage and low-income parents in Billings, has hired former Tumbleweed executive director Sheri Boelter to lead Young Families.

Boelter was the subject of several employee complaints at Tumbleweed before she stepped down in 2015 despite having the support of the organization's board.

Young Families board member Mary Helgeson said her group hired the best person available for the executive director job.

Were very happy with our decision, she said. She was very up front with us, and we knew of the story and we still felt that she was the best person for the job.

Board member Dan Carter said they discussed allegations regarding Boelters work with Tumbleweed.

The issue that came up was with the other group that she worked with," he said. "(But) I think she rose to the top among the ones who were interviewed. I think she brought a pretty good strong commitment to doing some positive things.

In March 2015, several former Tumbleweed employees said Boelter exaggerated services offered by the group and inflated statistics. Law enforcement authorities also cast doubt on an account of a 50-person homeless child encampment in Lockwood.

However, Tumbleweed's board of directors stood fast behind Boelter.

After an investigation, a written statement from the board released weeks after allegations were published said it found no evidence that funds were misappropriated, statistics were inflated or that any discrepancies in data affected any grants.

The board continues to believe Sheri Boelter to be the right person running Tumbleweed, and she has the support of the board going forward, the statement read.

However, Boelter stepped down later that year. Tumbleweed's board credited her with developing and expanding programs, like the addition of two transitional living houses, a drop-in center with expanded evening hours and a new human trafficking grant that was awarded to only three communities nationwide.

That experience played into Young Families' decision to hire Boelter, Helgeson said.

We just want to take good care of the families and children that we have, she said.

Young Families is largely funded through the federal Head Start program.

The group offers targeted child development services as part of the child care program and has parenting classes. According to its website, Young Families is the only group in Billings that "provides comprehensive child care and support services for low-income parents at no charge to families."
HCM CITY  Many farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta continue the traditional habit of sowing rice at a high density, leading to increased production costs and frequent disease outbreaks.

Despite local authorities recommendation to use 120 kilos of seed per ha, most farmers in Kien Giang Provinces Tan Hiep District, for example, use 150-180 kilos of seed.

Nguyen Minh Tan, who uses the suggested 120 kilos, said his yield was the same as 150-180 kilos of seed sown per ha.

However, only a few people are willing to do this because it requires more labour, and the surface of the fields must be levelled, he said.

Tan learned about the new sowing method by attending a training course, which urges farmers to use less fertiliser and pesticide as well. The course was organised by Tan Hiep Districts Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau.

Known informally as the three reductions, three gains model, the sowing method results in higher yields, quality and profits.

Tan said that initially his family did not want to use the model, so he divided his 3ha field, planting 180 kilos of seed on 1.5ha and 120 kilos on the remaining 1.5ha.

After harvesting, the yields from the two sections were equal, and production costs for the field sown with 120 kilo of seed were lower.

Nguyen Trung Tien, director of Kien Giang Provinces Breeding Centre for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, said the higher-density sowing caused losses of about 20-30 per cent of plants.

Moreover, many farmers do not use high-quality seeds, so the germination rate is low.

If farmers inevest in leveling the surface of their rice fields, they can cut production costs and reduce the seed quantity, he said.

Farmers taking part in the provinces rice-seedling development programme are using the recommended 120 kilos of seed, according to Tien.

The centre targets reducing the quantity of seeds to 80 kilo per ha in the future.

Nguyen Van Ba, who grows 1.5 ha of glutinous rice in An Giang Province, said his family used 130-140 kilos of seed per ha, helping cut costs for seed by VN700,000-800,000 (US$32 - 36) per ha.

He also uses less fertiliser and needs less time to spray pesticide, increasing profits by VN1.2  1.5 million ($55-68) per ha, compared to traditional methods.

Nguyen Huu An, head of An Giang Provinces Plant Protection Sub-department, said the province had instructed farmers in advanced farming techniques, including the use of high-quality seeds and new cultivation models.

New models

Besides the three reductions, three gains model, the province also promotes the "one must, five reductions" model in which certified seeds "must" be used.

The reductions refer to the number of seeds and as well as reduced amounts of crop-protection chemicals, nitrogenous fertiliser, water and post-harvest loss.

In ong Thap Province, local authorities have instructed farmers to use fewer seeds, but many farmers continue to sow 120-180 kilos, and 200-220 kilos of glutinous rice seed per ha.

Farmer Tran Van Liet, who has grown rice in ong Thaps Hong Ngu District for 30 years, said farmers would change their habits if they were shown evidence of the new models results on fields in their areas.

In February, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched a programme in the Mekong Delta to reduce the quantity of sown seed, aiming to reduce the quantity to 80 kilos per ha by 2020.

If the target is achieved, the delta would save about 300,000 tonnes of seed or VN 4.5 trillion ($204 million) a year, according to the ministry.

The deltas rice farmers use an average of 150 kilos of seed per ha, while the rate is only 40 kilos per ha in the north.

The delta, which plants more than 4 million ha of rice every year, accounts for about 55 per cent of total rice cultivation in the country. VNS
HA NOI  More than 95 per cent of commodities between Viet Nam and Laos will have tariffs erased or a 50 per cent reduction in tariffs when the bilateral trade agreement and border trade agreement come into effect.

Le An Hai, deputy director of the Asia Pacific Market Department from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) of Viet Nam made the comment at a conference in Ha Noi between the two countries ministries of Industry and Trade yesterday.

Hai said the bilateral trade agreement was signed in March 2015 with the border trade agreement signed in June the same year. The trade agreement replaces one signed in 1998.

He said under the trade agreement, most goods will access a special tariff that decreases tax to zero per cent or 50 per cent lower than current rates in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement.

The border agreement also gave incentives to enterprises in two countries. Hai said the deals would strengthen bilateral trade and diversify trade between the two countries.

The border trade agreement would contribute to border development in the two countries, making them gateways for goods in the region and the world, said a MoIT representative. The representative said it would also help strengthen cross-border investment.

The conference also heard it was necessary to release documents of the agreements in both countries to best benefit relevant stakeholders. According to MoIT of Viet Nam, trade turnover between the two sides grew from 2010 - 2014, reaching an average increase of 25.8 per cent per year, however, growth had decreased recently.

Last year, two way trade volume reached US$1.1 billion, down 12.6 per cent from 2014. In the first half of 2016, bilateral trade volume reached $433.3 million, down 34.7 per cent from last term.  VNS
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said Viet Nam and the Philippines should consider extending their rice trade deal, which will expire at the end of this year, for a new period of 2017-2020.  VNA/VNS Photo

VIENTIANE  Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said Viet Nam and the Philippines should consider extending their rice trade deal, which will expire at the end of this year, for a new period of 2017-2020.

He made the proposal during a meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Ramon Lopez, in Vientiane, Laos, yesterday, on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meetings.

Minister Anh suggested that the Philippines organise the second meeting of the Viet Nam-Philippines Joint Sub-Committee on Trade at a convenient time to foster co-operation and tackle emerging problems in bilateral trade ties, as well as to discuss specific measures to boost two-way trade in the future.

Lopez lauded Viet Nams proposal to extent the bilateral rice trade deal, affirming that he will discuss the matter with relevant ministries and agencies in his country.

He agreed to organise the second meeting of the Viet Nam-Philippines Joint Sub-Committee on Trade in the third quarter of this year, and invited his Vietnamese counterpart to co-chair the event in the Philippines.

Both sides expressed pleasure at the growing bilateral trade partnership over the past few years, with two-way trade reaching nearly US$3 billion last year and $1.52 billion in the first half of 2016, a rise of 15.3 per cent year-on-year.

So far this year, Viet Nam has exported $1.08 billion worth of goods to the Philippines, up 17.5 per cent, while importing $443 million worth of goods, an increase of 10.3 per cent.

An upturn has been seen in both bilateral trading volume and value, while the goods being traded have become more diverse. Viet Nam mainly exports agricultural products, processed foodstuff and construction materials to the Philippines, while importing computers, electronic accessories and fertiliser.  VNS
On Monday, Bill Kennedy turned in his office keys and left the Yellowstone County offices for the last time as commissioner.

He immediately drove north to his new office, where he settled into his role as president of the Montana State University Billings Foundation.

By Thursday, he was still placing decorations up on the walls. A plaque displaying his photo sat on a shelf behind his chair, waiting to be hung. The meetings began right away.

Kennedy, 58, said that hes a forward-looking guy, even at the end of 24 years in public office. After resigning as Yellowstone County Commissioner on Aug. 1, he said that he began looking at the next 25 years for MSU Billings.

I could have stayed there (as commissioner) until I was ready to not work at all, he said. But thats not me.

Kennedy is the third president in three years for the MSUB Foundation, which is the nonprofit fundraising and scholarship entity of the university. The foundation manages more than $26 million in assets and plans to allocate $1.6 million in scholarships over the coming year.

After a nationwide search, a committee chose Kennedy for the job. He left the County Commission in the middle of his term for the new job.

On Tuesday, he announced the closing of his businesses, Kennedys Restaurant and Kennedys Wine Market and Deli. But Kennedy said those decisions were worth it for what he called the next level.

He did receive a pay bump in the career move he said hell earn about $110,000 as president of the foundation. He made $89,450 as commissioner.

Did I leave my comfort zone? A little bit, he said. Did I have to sacrifice things to make this change in my life? Yes.

Kennedy is a lifelong Billings resident and West High School grad. He earned his masters degree from Eastern Montana College  now MSUB  in 1985. He worked in schools after that, first in Colstrip and later in Billings Catholic Schools. He was also the director of the family literacy program for Billings School District 2.

He was first elected to finish out an unexpired county commission term in 1992 and retained the seat since. Now, as three Democrats vie to take Kennedys place on the commission, hes looking at the big item on the foundations plate.

The top priority for the foundation is construction of Yellowstone Hall, Kennedy said. The project is a 30,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the existing science building. Its success rests on the universitys ability to raise $5 million, which would then be matched by $10 million previously approved by the Montana Legislature.

The capital campaign is getting revamped, Kennedy said. That includes the addition of an official title for the facility: Yellowstone Science and Allied Health Building. Completion of the project would mark a large step in the universitys effort to bolster its health sciences programs.

Another priority is to get in the community and let them know how desperately we need this building, said Robbie Carpenter, who recently joined the foundation as the building campaign manager.

The project has been in the planning and fundraising stages for more than two years, which encapsulated the tenure of the previous president, Chuck Wendt. He took over in March 2014.

Wendts quick departure in January represented a bump in the fundraising effort. Bobby Anner-Hughes, who was chair of the foundation board at the time, called the announcement a surprise.

The current board chairman, Dave Warne, said that there is a lot of respect for Kennedy among foundation backers, and they hope to get the capital campaign rolling again.

Were looking forward to it, Warne said. We had a CEO who said he would raise the money. He had influential friends with deep pockets who lived out of state, and I think we fell for that. But were in a process now to develop a plan thats successful.

The idea is to create a more public campaign with a visible leader in Kennedy, and Warne said that he sees him as a long-term fit for the role.

Kennedy said that there are factors that could make a large healthcare and science program a success for MSU Billings. A large health care industry exists locally, and there is an expected labor shortfall in that sector. Additionally, Carpenter said that a large majority of MSUB graduates stay in Montana to live and work.

And thats where Kennedy sees his new role as an extension of public service, which he did for more than two decades as commissioner. Instead of casting votes for change, he said that he now wants to be a catalyst.

We need to build that workforce, Kennedy said. And we need to push to have the skills and training and degrees for that next generation.
Farming of seaweed, a promising seafood product, will be encouraged, the Directorate of Fisheries has said.  Photo hoitho.vn

HCM CITY  Farming of seaweed, a promising seafood product, will be encouraged, the Directorate of Fisheries has said.

A report it tabled at a conference titled Current State and Outlook for Viet Nam Seaweed Sector in HCM City yesterday projects annual growth in seaweed output at 5.3 per cent and 3.3 per cent in terms of area.

Nguyen Ba Son of the directorate said by 2020 the output would rise to 137,500 tonnes and the total area under seaweed to 12,600ha, up from 101,600 tonnes and 10,150ha last year.

Seaweed would be raised on islands and lagoons to increase yield, he said.

To achieve the goal, research would be done to develop high-quality seaweed products.

He called on processing companies to improve their technologies to meet the high demand in the domestic and international markets.

Experts told the conference that Viet Nam has ideal conditions to farm seaweed, thanks to a 3,260km coastline and 1 million square kilometers of water surface.

Ngo ang Nghia, director of the Institute for Biological Technology and Environment, said the country has more than 800 species of seaweed.

Viet Nam has [good] conditions to grow seaweed, he said, pointing to the large ocean surface area and good environment.

Seaweed has beneficial health effects like reducing cholesterol and preventing certain types of cancers as well as cardiovascular diseases, he said.

It can also be used to make food products as well as cosmetics, he said.

The use of seaweed is becoming very popular in Viet Nam as South Koreans and Japanese come to the country, bringing with them a habit of consuming it daily.

Nghia said many investors have started to explore this new sector on seeing the potential.

He said the Government should study the sectors potential to develop it.

Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, deputy chairwoman of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors, said both the Government and companies have underestimated the potential of the industry because they thought Vietnamese do not like seaweed because of its taste.

It is time to draft plans to develop the sector, she said.

She told Viet Nam News that 90 per cent of the countrys seaweed products are exported to many countries including Japan, South Korea and EU members.  VNS
HA NOI  Taking out mortgages for property projects is a normal practice among developers, and laws would protect the interests of buyers who have bought mortgaged property products, according to experts.

Recently, the HCM City Department of Natural Resources and Environment published a list of 77 apartment projects that have been registered at land registration offices as mortgaged assets. The list has been submitted to relevant offices in the city and also uploaded on the Land Registration Offices website.

The action is said to have been prompted by the Harmona scandal in the city a few months ago. More than 600 buyers of Harmona apartments in the citys Tan Binh District got a rude shock one day when they were told their homes would be seized by a bank because the developer had mortgaged the building and failed to repay the loan. That meant nearly 2,000 people living there had to leave their apartments despite already making full payments.

As a result, the city has decided to make the legal status of property projects public to reduce the risk for buyers.

Later, Ha Nois Department of Natural Resources and Environment also published a list of 26 apartment projects that had taken out mortgages at banks to get capital for developing the projects.

Now, the capital city has a total of 300 property projects, while HCM City has 584 property projects.

The announcement was necessary to protect the interest of buyers, investors and banks, and to ensure transparency on the property market, Pham Ngoc Lien, director of the HCM City Land Registration Office, said at a seminar held by the Phap luat Thanh pho HCM newspaper on August 2.

Vu Thi Khuyen, a representative of the HCM City Construction Department, said it was normal for enterprises to mobilise capital from society, including buyers and banks, to develop property projects. Investors of the projects must be certified by the citys construction department to be eligible investors of mobilising capital.

Bank and financial expert ang Quoc Tien said all enterprises could take loans out for their businesses. Banks pay attention to the ability of investors to repay loans, as well as the legal status and feasibility of the projects, before deciding to give them loans, he said.

Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said it was the responsibility of parties involved in the projects to release public information about the mortgaged property projects. However, Chau said, the parties should carefully consider their announcements regarding mortgage information to avoid misunderstandings from buyers, who sometimes have the misconception that mortgaged projects are weak projects, even though it is a common practice.

Le Hung Manh, general director of Gia Hoa Company, which has mortgaged projects in HCM City, supports publicising information on mortgaged property projects.

But the HCM City Resources and Environment Department had not prepared well for this plan, he said. The department should co-operate with property enterprises and media to hold press conferences on announcing the mortgaged projects in order to provide thorough information on this issue, he suggested.

Protecting buyers

Nguyen Huu Nghia, deputy director of Ha Noi Resources and Environment, said mortgages taken out for commercial projects are both normal in business and in compliance with the law.

State offices have controlled mortgaged projects, and mortgages would not affect the interests of apartment buyers, he said.

In fact, apartment buyers of some mortgaged projects had received ownership of real estate certificates. In addition, investors of those projects had implemented all their rights and obligations in lending capital and selling property products, he said.

In the future, the HCM City Resource and Environment Department and the HCM City Land Registration Office would update information regarding the repayment of loans for mortgaged projects, said Pham Ngoc Lien, director of HCM City Land Registration Office.

The departments expect to organise a meeting between investors, banks and apartment buyers to find the best solutions and ensure more transparency on the local property market, he said.

To protect property buyers, Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said the resources and environment departments should provide more information about investors purpose of mortgaging their projects at banks, including plans for developing and constructing the project. Buyers would need to know this information before deciding to buy the property product, Chau said.

He added that banks should also supervise investors that have mortgaged projects to ensure that investors use loans and capital mobilised from buyers for the right purpose - completing the projects and handing the apartments over to buyers.

Pham Sy Liem, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Construction Association, said some investors mortgaged their property projects to get banking loans to develop the projects, but in fact, they used the loans for other purposes, prohibiting them from handing over apartments to buyers.

Therefore, he said property buyers should take down information at State management offices about the property products they want to buy before deciding to buy apartments that are part of mortgaged property projects.

The buyers could contact the Ha Noi resource and environment department to receive a consultation on property projects to determine if the projects have a certificate of real estate ownership, Nghia said. - VNS
Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) has reported higher six-month revenues and profits as the domestic insurance market saw a six-year high in the first half of this year.  Photo baoviet.com.vn

HA NOI  Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) has reported higher six-month revenues and profits as the domestic insurance market saw a six-year high in the first half of this year.

The insurance company earned VN11.7 trillion (US$525 million) in revenue and VN789 billion as profit in the first half of 2016, a rise of 20.2 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, over the same period last year.

Insurance continued to provide the largest support for the companys takings. Life insurance revenue reached nearly VN6.1 trillion, up 31.9 per cent year-on-year, while non-life insurance proceeds amounted to more than VN3.2 trillion, up 5.6 per cent.

ViEt Nams insurance industry grew nearly 26 per cent in the first six months of this year, the highest growth rate since 2011, the finance ministry said.

Among its subsidiaries, Bao Viet Life Corporation saw the largest expansion with total revenues hitting almost VN7.8 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 27.7 per cent, of which insurance premium comprised VN6.1 trillion, up 31.9 per cent year-on-year.

Bao Viet Life continued to be the market leader with its new business premium taking in more than VN1.2 trillion, a year-on-year rise of 40.3 per cent. The companys net profit touched VN389 billion.  VNS
HCM CITY The Peoples Police Academy has launched the Vietnamese version of a manual by an international counter-trafficking organisation to help officials fight the black market trade in endangered wild animals.

The PPA has adapted the Detection of Environmental Crime Training (DETECT) manual by Freeland for use in the local context.

The Vietnamese version was funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under Asias Rapid Response to Endangered Species Trafficking Programme (ARREST).

Freeland is an implementing partner of USAID.

Wildlife trafficking remains a major global threat to species loss, eco-system degradation, human health and security unless we work collaboratively and as one community, Terhi Majanen of the USAID Mission in Viet Nam said.

This new tool marks an important contribution to help enforcement officers in Viet Nam combat wildlife crime across the country.

Its an important step, and we need many more to bring an end to this illegal trade.

As the primary institution responsible for training law enforcement across the country, the PPA has a vital role to play in supporting counter wildlife trafficking, Freeland deputy director Sulma Warne said.

The aim of the activities supported through the ARREST programme has been to strengthen and enhance the role of the PPA, and the production of this training manual is one of the major outcomes.

The launch comes a week after an 11-day course was held for more than 1,000 PPA officials.

The training was meant to give the participants a grounding in wildlife and environmental crimes and show them what laws are available to prosecute such transgressions.

They were also instructed in how to use the free WildScan app, a species identification tool designed for smart phones and another legacy of the five-year ARREST programme.

Police Colonel and Assoc Prof Dr Tran Minh Chat, also deputy director of the PPA, who presided over the launch of the manual, urged the young cadets to learn all they could from the sessions and be diligent in their duties.

You need to be activists to protect the delicate balance of our eco-systems.

You need to think of this as your mission, your honor. VNS
More than VN 112 trillion (US$5.02 billion) will be spent to improve flood prevention measures and dyke systems along the Hong (Red) River and Thai Binh River in northern Viet Nam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) announced on Thursday.

HA NOI  More than VN 112 trillion (US$5.02 billion) will be spent to improve flood prevention measures and dyke systems along the Hong (Red) River and Thai Binh River in northern Viet Nam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) announced on Thursday.

The money will come from various sources including national and local budgets, Official Assistance Development and private sector or public-private partnerships from now to 2050.

Both the Hong and Thai Binh rivers are key river systems in northern Viet Nam, playing a crucial role in irrigation and waterway traffic.

The scheme, approved by the prime minister in February, aims to help localities along the two rivers in coping with floods and storms, boost socio-economic development and strengthen security in the region.

The scheme is very important. Local authorities will use it to build detailed plans on flood prediction and prevention, dyke construction and other issues relating to resident management and land usage, Hoang Van Thang, MARD deputy minister, said at the meeting to announce the scheme.

At national level, the scheme helps to come up with ways to deal with floods over the whole area of the two rivers.

The scheme covers 15 cities and provinces, including 11 in the Red River Delta and four in the northern midland and mountainous region.

It urges a focus, from now to 2020, on setting up border landmarks to define dyke protection corridors along the two rivers, and improve the quality of dyke systems in the low-land areas of Thai Binh River in addition to dyke systems that protect Ha Noi and urban areas.

It also aims to set up a centre to co-ordinate measures for disaster prevention.

Thang said flood-prevention construction had received much investment in recent times. A system of large upstream reservoirs was almost completed while dyke systems downstream had been upgraded. The ability to forecast floods in the short and long term had been considerably improved.

However, he said over-exploitation of natural resources, like soil and forests, badly affected flood prevention work, in addition to an increase of radical weather due to climate change, rapid growth of population and economy in downstream regions, as well as the construction of upstream reservoirs in China.

Thang urged local authorities to set forth detailed plans to implement the governments scheme.

He called for an emphasis on increasing non-construction solutions such as afforestation, and improving flood forecast and reservoir-operation capability.

Tightening control of sand exploitation in river beds was needed as illegal exploitation would damage river banks and dykes, he said.

Local authorities were also asked to intensify management on lands along riverbanks with high population density.

MARD estimates that more than 2,000 households, most of which are in Ha Noi, must be removed from the 143 riverbank areas under the scheme.

The whole region currently has 56 dykes, covering 2,200km. The dyke system along Hong River is the longest at 1,314km. It currently can withstand flood water level of 13.1m in Ha Noi, while the dyke system of the Thai Binh River can withstand a level of 12.7m in Ha Noi.  VNS
HCM CITY  The cai luong (reformed opera) historical play, Trung Than (Loyalist), a well-known production by scriptwriter Hoang Song Viet, will be performed in a new version designed to attract younger audiences.

The 90-minute tragedy depicts the controversial life and death of Le Van Duyet, a national hero who contributed to the growth of South Viet Nam in the 19th century.

Duyet was born in 1764 in Tien Giang Provinces Cu Lao Ho (now Hoa Khanh Village). He began his career by supporting Emperor Gia Long (Nguyen Phuc Anh), founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, when he was 17.

Trung Than focuses on the period between 1813 and 1820, when Duyet was the commander of Gia inh Citadel, which included Bien Hoa City and the present-day HCM City.

Besides working to build dike and irrigation systems, he was known for his military talent and fight against corrupt officials and sycophantic courtiers.

Thanks to Duyets management, Gia inh developed into a populous and prosperous area.

Directed by Meritorious Artist Hoa Ha, the play is staged by veteran artists Truong Son, Tu Suong and Le Tu, who have worked with younger actors Vo Minh Lam, ien Trung and Le Trung Thao on the production.

The performance is part of a new drama project called Toi Yeu Cai Luong (I Love Cai Luong), launched by HCM City Theatre Association in co-operation with IDECAF Stage, one of the regions leading private drama troupes.

The project will offer historical shows at affordable prices, ranging from VN100,000 (US$4.5) to 200,000 ($9) a ticket, to attract audiences, particularly students and labourers.

It has attracted cai luong stars such as Peoples Artist Kim Cuong and Le Thuy, and Meritorious Artist Minh Vuong, top talents who have developed cai luong for more than four decades.

Our project Toi Yeu Cai Luong preserves cai luong by restaging famous plays which have been performed by different generations. We want to offer quality performances for young people and encourage them to learn more about traditional theatre, said Huynh Anh Tuan, director of IDECAF Stage, one of the projects founders.

Tuan and his staff have worked with several organisations and sponsors that invested in the project.

After staging Trung Than, we will release two plays on social problems written by Tran Huu Trang staged in the 1930s by cai luong pioneers Phung Ha and Ut Tra On, both of which received the title of Peoples Artist from the Government, he said.

The first show of Trung Than will be staged on August 26 at Ben Thanh Theatre at 6 Mac inh Chi Street in District 1. It will be staged every Saturday and Sunday through September.

More than 200 free tickets are available at the HCM City Theatre Association at 5B Vo Van Tan Street in District 3. VNS
Asian Youth Orchestra to perform at Viet Nam National Academy of Music

HA NOI  The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) will return to Viet Nam playing two concerts at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music (VNAM)s Grand Hall on August 17 and 18.

The annual concert is part of the AYOs three-week international concert tour with celebrated conductors and solo artists.

The 110-member orchestra will take the stage at VNAMs Grand Hall. The orchestra first performed in Ha Noi in 1996, and since has performed in Viet Nam in 2000, 2011 and 2013.

In 2000, the orchestra performed in both Ha Noi and HCM City.

It is a rare chance for both professionals and music lovers to enjoy musical masterpieces performed by the finest young musicians in Asian countries, such as mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The musicians were chosen through highly competitive auditions held throughout the region. They are together for six weeks each summer, initially for a three-week rehearsal camp in Hong Kong.

Violinist o Ngoc Thao My is the only Vietnamese representative currently playing in the AYO. Last year the 18-year old student of VNAM also played in the AYO to mark its 25th anniversary.

Im not nervous playing in the AYO for the second time, but it is still fresh and exciting to me, said My.

Joining the AYO gives me a chance of meeting classical music virtuosos who are from the Munich Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Volksoper. I have access to new thoughts and creativity in classical music.

As a VNAM student, Im proud to be a Vietnamese representative playing in the AYO. It will be a precious experiment that I will never forget in my career.

My is among many VNAM students that have been recruited to play in the AYO. Violinist Nguyen Khac Uyen was the first Vietnamese representative to play in the AYO in 1991.

Since AYOs establishment in 1990, about 40 talented music students from VNAM playing different instruments, such as the violin, bassoon, percussion, double bass, French horn, oboe and clarinet have performed with the AYO.

A few of them including bassoonist Nguyen Bao Anh, the two violinists Nguyen Quoc Truong and Tang Thanh Nam and oboist o Kien Cuong have played in the AYO three times.

Since its inaugural performances in 1990, the award-winning orchestra has played some 395 concerts in Asia, Europe, the US and Australia to an audience of more than one million concert goers.

Millions more have seen and heard the orchestra around the world on CNN, CNBC, NHK and Radio and Television Hong Kong.

The AYO was awarded Japans prestigious Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2010 and the Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture in 2015. Its achievements include the first concerts played by musicians from mainland China and Taiwan seated side-by-side in Beijing and Taipei, the first concert by an international orchestra in 50 years in Ha Noi, the world premiere performances of Tan Duns Symphony 1997 with cellist Yo-Yo Ma in Hong Kong and Beijing marking the territorys reunification with China, multiple performances in Beijings Great Hall of the People, and performances in the White House and at the United Nations.

Ha Nois concerts will see the young musicians play pieces such as Symphony No.8 by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak; Symphony No.6 entitled Pathetique by Tchaikovsky; Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring by American Aaron Coplan and The Planets by English Gustav Theodore Holst.

The concerts will begin at 8pm under baton of conductors James Judd and Richard Pontzious. Conductor Pontzious is one of founders of the AYO and is also its art director.

Tickets are sold from VN200,000 (US$18) at 77 Hao Nam Street.

After Ha Noi, the AYO will perform in Taiwan on August 21, 22 & 24; in Nagoya on August 26; Ayase on August 28 and Tokyo on August 29 & 30. -- VNS
HA NOI  Cultural diversity and unity in the ASEAN Community are being celebrated at an exhibition that opened yesterday in Ha Noi.

The exhibition is divided into four parts: books on countries in the ASEAN Community in various genres such as tourism, politics and culture; photos and documentaries; 300 post stamps; and childrens paintings.

The paintings are the result of a contest launched in March in ASEAN countries. The organising board received 27,000 entries sent from member states. inh Thanh Phong, 7, from Ha Noi, won the top prize in Viet Nam for his painting In the Hands of Mother ASEAN. The exhibition displays award-winning paintings from contests held in Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Photos and reportage displayed at the exhibition were awarded at various festivals and contests organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications of Viet Nam.

The entries cover a variety of topics, from the beauty of scenery and people in ASEAN countries to environmental protection and the response to climate change. They all demonstrate high artistic quality.

The exhibition aims to promote ASEAN, celebrate the establishment of the ASEAN Community and benefits brought by the ASEAN Community, and celebrate ASEAN Day (August 8).

The ASEAN Community officially took shape last year with three pillars: the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community. This is a milestone in the blocs history as the regional peoples connect, share interests and develop on a new path.

Through the exhibition, people will understand more about the cultures, people and living environment in ASEAN countries, said Truong Minh Tuan, minister of Information and Communications.

The event also creates an opportunity for ASEAN member states to come closer together towards an ASEAN culture of identity, diversity and unity, Tuan said.

He also expected that Vietnamese people will join hands to build up ASEAN to become a community of peace, stability and development, as well as a people-centred society, raising awareness among residents of the ASEAN Communitys establishment. This is the result of 49 years of collaborative efforts from all member states, marking a milestone for establishing ASEAN, in which Viet Nam is considered an important factor, ensuring solidarity and unity.

The exhibition will run until Sunday at the National Library, 31 Trang Thi Street, Ha Noi.  VNS
Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh yesterday confirmed to voters from Long An Province that there would be no concession on territorial sovereignty.  Photo baochinhphu.vn

LONG AN  Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh yesterday confirmed to voters from Long An Province that there would be no concession on territorial sovereignty.

Binh made the statement when meeting with voters in Long An Provinces uc Hue district to hear their opinions after the conclusion of the 14th National Assemblys first meeting.

He said that Viet Nam respected international law and wants to build a developed country and a strong national defence in order to safeguard national sovereignty.

On behalf of the provinces NA deputy delegation, deputy ang Hoang Tuan briefed local voters on issues discussed and approved by the 14th NA at its first meeting that ended nearly a week ago.

Tuan said the NA elected and approved high-ranking State personnel for 2016-2021, discussed the countrys socio-economic situation, and the NAs law building programme and supervision activities.

Legislators also discussed the governments reports on socio-economic development tasks and the state budget for the first six months of 2016, outlining tasks for the years latter half, he said.

Duc Hue voters expressed their delight at the success of the new NAs first meeting; however, some also voiced concerns over corruption, deforestation, management of officials and national sea and island sovereignty.

Binh thanked the voters for putting forward questions.

Concerning corruption, the deputy PM noted that the fight against corruption had seen positive developments as action had been taken by both the Party general secretary and Party and State leaders. The task requires efforts from the entire political system as well as close supervision, Binh said.

Earlier the same day, Binh visited families of revolutionary contributors in uc Hue District.

Top legislator meets with Can Tho voters

NAChairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on the same day met with voters in Cai Rang and Phong ien districts of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to inform them of the outcomes of the 14th NAs first session and listen to their concerns.

At the meeting, local voters voiced their concerns about several issues including policies for people who rendered service to the nation, health insurance, protection of national sovereignty, environmental pollution, road toll collection and food safety.

Regarding environmental pollution, particularly the environmental risks of a planned paper plant project in Hau Giang province, Ngan said that from the recent environmental incident in the central coast, Viet Nam had learnt a lesson in investment attraction, aiming to develop the economy and protect the environment at the same time.

The paper plant project is under control, she said, adding that the plant would have to ensure its waste is treated carefully to not affect the water resources of the Hau River.

Road toll collection and food safety have been put into the NA Standing Committees supervision programme, the top legislator said.

She told voters that in 2017, the legislature will intensify supervision over laws and policies related to food safety and also over investment in transport facilities.

The NA leader appreciated voters opinions on the fight against corruption.

The Central Steering Committee on Corruption Prevention and Control is directing investigations into several corruption cases.

On the same day, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong met with voters from Son La City in Son La Province. At the meeting, voters suggested that the Government allocate capital to complete some projects like the reservoir project in Mong Village, Hua La Commune, to ensure flood prevention and control, as well as the construction of Highway 6. They also requested housing support for people who benefit from social welfare policies but still live in deteriorated accommodations. Phong suggested that the authorities of Son La City pay more attention to peoples lives, especially ethnic minorities and people facing difficulties. Regarding voters proposals, NA deputies from Son La Province would submit them to the National Assembly and relevant ministries and sectors for consideration. - VNS
THAI NGUYEN  An area covering three northern provinces  Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and Bac Kan  has been designated for the conservation of cultural and historical values and revolutionary war-zone relics, as well as the development of an agroforestry economy.

The areas establishment, scheduled to open by 2030, is a part of the inter-provincial master plan of the ATK revolutionary war zone, issued by the Ministry of Construction yesterday.

AKT is the name of the area  including the three provinces of Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and Bac Kan  that late President Ho Chi Minh selected as a safety zone to build a revolutionary base during the Anti-French resistance war (1946-1954).

The area, covering nearly 5,700sq.km, is expected to become the national-level ecotourism, culture and history centre. It is scheduled to attract about 4.5 million tourists when it opens.

Under the master plan, the area is divided into four sub-areas, with the first located in the districts of inh Hoa, ai Tu, Son Duong and part of Cho on. This area will be scheduled to conserve revolutionary war-zone relics, boost the tourism sector and develop a high-quality agriculture sector.

The second sub-area will be constructed in Chiem Hoa District and a part of Cho on to enhance forestry production. The third sub-area, placed in the districts of Son Duong, Yen Son, Phu Luong and ai Tu, is set to promote tea processing for export and the lighting industry. The last sub-area, situated in Tuyen Quang City, is planned to foster service and industry.

Deputy Minister Nguyen inh Toan said the construction of the area is expected to play a key role in socio-economic development for the three provinces by 2030.

To reach these targets, each locality was tasked with actively preparing suitable plans and policies, Toan said.  VNS
HA TINH  Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Doan Mau Diep underlined the need to accurately investigate information related to the damage caused by Formosas environmental disaster in the central province of Ha Tinh, so as to give appropriate support for locals.

In late June, Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Company acknowledged that its $10.6 billion steel plant had been responsible for massive fish deaths, pledging to pay $500 million in damages.

During a working session with representatives from the provincial Peoples Committee and relevant departments yesterday, Diep stressed that the investigation and collection of information should avoid omission or duplication, he added.

Participants discussed support measures for locals who have been affected by the recent environmental incident, while putting forth ways to exactly define the damage and support level necessary for locals, towards ensuring social security in the locality.

According to reports of the provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the incident has affected the jobs of up to 42,520 locals in Nghi Xuan, Nghi Loc, Thach Ha, Cam Xuyen and Ky Anh districts, and Ky Anh Town, who specialised in fishing, fishery logistics and services business, salt production, aquaculture, and restaurant and hotel trading.

It has also impacted the livelihoods, income and living conditions of over 30,000 local households.

The local authorities have taken many measures to recover production and stabilise living conditions, including providing 3.7 tonnes of food to people in areas directly affected by environmental pollution.

The local chapters of the provincial Calamities Relief Fund and the Vietnam Red Cross Association called on organisations and individuals to fund VN12.3 billion (US$550,000) and 30 tonnes of rice to affected people, while the province allocated money from its budget to purchase health insurance for over 9,000 people in affected families.

Poor and near-poor households hit by the disaster have received assistance to access low-interest loans for building fishing boats and switching to other jobs.

The local authorities plan to collect information concerning the incident in 56 communes with a total of 59,136 households and 215,433 people. The findings are expected to be reported to MoLISA on August 20. In early April, large quantities of fish washed up near the Vung Ang Economic Zone in the central province of Ha Tinh. The incident stretched 200km along the central coast of Viet Nam.

The hardest hit areas were Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue Provinces, where thousands of fishermen lost customers or were forced to sell fish at a loss.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called on the Party, State and society to work with the education sector to improve education quality, which he described as key for the countrys development.

During an online conference yesterday to review the 2015-16 academic year and launch tasks for 2016-17, the PM said investing in education is development investment, which should be prioritised in all socio-economic development plans.

He lauded the efforts of the education sector so far in enhancing the quality of both teaching and studying, which has helped ease study overload on students and improved the education infrastructure, especially in mountainous and remote areas.

He also pointed out a number of problems in the sector, including the ineffectiveness of foreign language teaching, which is leading to poor English proficiency among high school students amidst increasing international integration.

Schools dont focus on equipping students with social skills and promoting good lifestyles, resulting in many regretful incidents in schools, he noted.

The PM also pointed to the limited efficiency of vocational and tertiary training, which has not matched the needs of the labour market, leading to large numbers of unemployed graduates and a lack of highly-qualified workers.

According to initial statistics, Viet Nam spends US$3 billion to send students to study abroad, he noted.

Post-graduate education still has various problems resulting from students race to achieve a diploma at all costs, foregoing a sound education, which should be immediately tackled, he stressed, attributing the problem to slow reforms of the financial mechanism for education, poor performance of education management and ineffective supervision and inspection.

Noting that the infrastructure in many schools is in bad condition, he asked the government at all levels and all sectors to stop children studying in temporary classrooms with a dilapidated toilet or even no toilet.

It is also crucial to speed up the construction of schools in industrial parks, he said.

The Government leader also urged the education sector to help form good personalities for Vietnamese students.

Schools should teach students to comprehend and love the countrys history and tradition of safeguarding and constructing the nation, to love their fellows, to respect other people and uphold social responsibility, he said.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy PM Vu uc am said that communication is a weakness in the education sector.

According to a report by the sector, despite economic difficulties, investment in education and training in 2016 accounted for 20 percent of total State budget spending.  VNS
A NANG  A leadership conference opened yesterday at the University of a Nang focussing on the female role models in Viet Nam in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The conference which also has an exhibition, encourages the exchange of knowledge and paths to entrepreneurship and offers networking opportunities among professionals.

The event is part of the Women in STEM (WiSTEM) Leadership Programme under the Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology (BUILD-IT) Alliance, an initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and announced by United States President Barack Obama during his trip to Viet Nam in June.

The project is implemented by Arizona State University and runs through 2020.

Leaders in STEM career fields will be exploring some of the most exciting realms of discovery and technological innovation and will occupy the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future, USAID Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene said.

As a result, increasing opportunities for women in these fields are critically important in realising greater economic success and equality for women across the board, Greene added.

We want to connect women in the STEM community, Kathy Wigal, Ed. D., BUILD-IT Project Director and Associate Director for Curricular Innovation at Arizona State University explained.

The forum will convene both men and women working in STEM for open discussion on the role of women in the high demand professions of mathematics, engineering, technology and science, Wigal said.

WiSTEM, in addition to hosting an annual conference, is establishing university campus-based clubs and associated academic programmes that provide female mentors and offer scholarships for women earning engineering and technical degrees.

With technology and science advancing at such a rapid rate, and with the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the ASEAN Economic Community launch, many public and private universities in Viet Nam are encouraging women to seek an education that will prepare them for a career in STEM. It is more important than ever to inspire and educate women and girls to challenge the status quo and be a part of this global revolution.  VNS
LAO CAI  At least four people were dead and another seven missing after flooding struck northern Lao Cai Province, authorities reported yesterday.

Lao Cai Peoples Committee said that they believed many others were still trapped under earth and rocks following a flash flood on Thursday night.

Typhoon Nida brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to northern Viet Nam after making landfall on Tuesday night.

The mountainous Bat Xat District suffered the heaviest human loss in the flooding with three people killed while six are still missing.

One of the dead was from Sa Pa District as was one of the missing.

Lao Cai Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Rescue (SCDPR) said that at least 76 households in Bat Xats Phin Ngan and Quang Kim communes were isolated by the flooding as bridges and roads were cut off.

More than 100 households in Coc San commune were partially flooded.

Over 10,000ha of paddy fields and another 1,000ha of vegetables were under water or rocks brought with the flash flood, according to the SCDPR.

Farmers took another blow from the terrible weather as more than 300 animals were killed in the flood.

The SCDPR estimated damages caused by the flood so far at more than VN200 billion (US$8.9 million).

Lao Cai Hydro-meteorological Centre Director Luu Minh Hai said that Bat Xat received 152mm of rain as of yesterday morning, while some 63mm and 72mm fell across Lao Cai City and Bao Yen District respectively.

Lao Cai residents have not seen such a big flood and downpour since 2008, he told Dan Viet (Vietnamese folks) newspaper yesterday.

Traffic suspended

Heavy downpours triggered massive landslides in the region, temporarily halting traffic within Lao Cai and to other localities.

Municipal Department of Transportation (DoT) Director Nong Van Hung said that about 13,000 cubic metres of earth and rocks fell over a section of the 4D National Highway in Sa Pa District. The highway connects Lao Cai and neighbouring Lai Chau Province.

Hung said that all vehicles are now barred from travelling on the Lao Cai  Lai Chau section of the 4D highway. The ban started yesterday and will last until further notice from the DoT.

Traffic jams were also reported on routes leading to Sa Pa and connecting Bat Xat district centre to other communes including Phin Ngan, Quang Kim and Tong Sanh.

Disaster relief

Deputy Minister Trinh inh Dung yesterday afternoon visited Lao Cai to monitor the rescue and the disaster relief work.

He asked local authorities to urgently look for the missing persons and prepare temporary accommodation and enough food for residents who lost their houses in the flooding.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also ordered the National Committee for Search and Rescue and the ministries of Public Security and National Defence to deploy forces based in the region to look for the missing persons and provide disaster relief.

Local health facilities were asked to offer free treatment to the injured and to help residents in the clean-up work for disease prevention after the flood ceases.  VNS
Tran uc Thang, director general of the Public Asset Management Department under the Ministry of Finance, spoke to the Vietnam News Agency about the limitations of utilising public assets. Photo thoibaotaichinhvietnam.vn/

Tran uc Thang, director general of the Public Asset Management Department under the Ministry of Finance, spoke to the Vietnam News Agency about the limitations of utilising public assets

The lack of unified data

Due to the lack of an effective mechanism and unified data system, it is very difficult for the Public Asset Management Department under the Ministry of Finance to manage and utilise public assets for the benefit of the country.

The term public asset management covers buildings, land, cars or anything worth more than VN500 million (US$23,500).

According to the national data, as of December 31, 2015, Viet Nams public assets were worth about US$47 billion. Of the total amount, the value of the land use rights is about $31.8 billion.

Many public land plots are located in prime real estate areas and have greatly contributed to the national economic development and social security, but many of them are inefficiently or under utilised.

Although decisions to sell or transfer lots of land or buildings have been issued, these properties cant be utilised without detailed planning and a lack of responsibility among relevant agencies.

There is still tardiness in determining propertys value before transferring properties to new units in charge so that the properties can be used. Currently we have been able to transfer assets of VND21 trillion (US$9 billion) to units in charge.

In my opinion, if we have a good management mechanism in place, Im pretty sure that the value of prime real estate will increase far more than the current $31.8 billion as written in the national data.

Proper management of public assets

Another thing I want to mention is the poor implementation of Party and State policies on the socialisation of education and training, health care, culture and society.

If these policies are properly carried out, we would be able to mobilise various resources in order to improve our education and training, health care, culture and society.

Last but not least, our compensation policy on land clearance has not been on par with that of the budget collection or spending in public projects.

A case in point I want to mention here is the nearly eight million hectares of land allocated to public farms and forestry enterprises nationwide. Most of these pieces of land have been left fallow or used inefficiently. Meanwhile, many people dont have land for production and have to lease land from others.

It is high time the Government work out measures to generate more revenue from public assets to serve the national course of socio-economic development.  VNS
RENENS, Switzerland - At least 13 people were killed and six injured in a fire early Saturday during a birthday party at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen, officials said.

The blaze was sparked by the candles of a birthday cake, which ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place.

The victims were poisoned by a toxic mix of gases released by the burning plastic, a senior police official said.

"There wasnt an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party," he said.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20am (2220 GMT Friday).

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier said.

Local official Laurent Labadie who was at the scene of the fire described the blaze as accidental.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The priests funeral was held in Rouens cathedral and was attended by more than 2,000 mourners shocked by the brutal killing of the elderly clergyman.  AFP
TOKYO  Japan on Saturday marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.

The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb.

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.

Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands.

About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minutes silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago.

During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the presidents historic speech.

"(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshimas strong wish not to tolerate the absolute evil was shared by President Obama," he said.

The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of "the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion".

Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself".

Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.

But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.

Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated on Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

"I am convinced (Obamas visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms," he said.

The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15.

Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons.

But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings.

Since Obama went to Hiroshima, the park and accompanying memorial museum have witnessed an increase in visitors.  AFP
At least 14 people were killed and 20 others injured on Friday when gunmen opened fire and lobbed grenades at a crowded market place in Kokrajhar district in Assams Bodoland. The site of the incident is Balajan, eight kilometres from Kokrajhar town. The police confirmed the role of Songbijit faction of the Democratic Front of Bodoland, a banned outfit, behind the killings. Some reports said the faction had denied any link with Fridays incident.
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Heartbreaking family update after mother-of-six was killed in horror crash Hannah Fraser's father and stepmother are trying to make it from the United Kingdom to Australia in time for their daughter's funeral.

Firefighter unions latest message to Andrews Government More than a hundred fire trucks in Victoria will carry pointed messages about the Andrews Government as part of a union campaign in the lead up to next month's state election.

Family of Aboriginal teen who died in apparent suicide after sexual abuse back calls for inquiry Police believe 15-year-old Layla Leering took her own life after being raped in the Northern Territory community of Bulla in 2015.

Duttons declaration to voters amid Labors big mess The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister "might write me off" but he believes Australians will vote the Coalition back into power in 2025 to clean up "the big mess" Labor will leave behind.
I served with U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan in Iraq. He was an officer in a mechanized infantry division, the First Infantry Division (aka the Big Red One), and was not in the infantry but rather an ordnance officer in another part of the unit meant for support personnel.

In 2004, the Third Brigade Combat Team of the division deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, and we took pride in our collective name, the Dukes of Diyala. It was, and still is, a restive province about an hour north of Baghdad with a population evenly divided among Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish Iraqis. Khan, like the thousand or so rest of us, survived nearly daily mortar and rocket attacks along with the occasional car bombing at the gates.

Like any of us, he pulled gate guard. One of my good friends was on duty that day. Normally on gate guard, the lower enlisted soldiers deal with the odds and ends while the officer-in-charge communicates or directs traffic. But not Khan. He walked toward a rapidly approaching car because it was out of the norm.

He took those steps forward; then the car exploded. It was one of the loudest sounds I have ever heard. Chunks of engine block flew over people walking to their duty stations on base.

Khan, a Muslim, took the brunt of that hit for everyone at the gate. The killer was a Muslim too. Pause to consider this very important moment  an American Muslim soldier protected his fellow Americans from the chaotic and indiscriminate deaths at the hands of a Muslim suicide bomber from another Arabic land. Khan stepped up when many of us would have stepped back.

There are people alive today who owe their lives to him. No one from the Dukes of Diyala has forgotten that.

'No one answers'

Several days later was the memorial service and the brigade stood in formation. Khans commander called out his name, "Captain Khan, Captain Khan, Captain Humayun Khan" but no one answers, silence fills air, and it just chills your soul. Out front is his rifle, boots, and name tag for all to see.

So when I heard his father speak all these years later, everything came back up. I thought it would end there. Who in their right mind would go up against all Khan did and demean the parents who raised him to act in such a noble way?

Yet here we are. This election cycle has been anything but normal and we are all expected to just adjust. But that is not the right formula. Some things are beyond the pale and demeaning the name of an American officer who gave his life to save countless others and the family who raised him are not the actions of a patriot. Over the past weeks, the Republican candidate for president has done just that. His surrogates have as well and said even worse things in some cases. Anyone who supports this candidacy lacks a moral center.

Some things are supposed to transcend politics. Many of my fellow Dukes of Diyala are staunch Republicans and have posted some awful memes about Democrats. Nonetheless, when Khans family spoke up at the Democratic convention, we collectively went silent for a while, then talked about how wonderful it was to hear from his father and mother.

Zinke's responsibility

In Montana we have a congressman who has run his entire campaign on the idea that he is a valorous officer. As an elite Navy SEAL, Ryan Zinke has a taller order than most to stand up for the military and its members. As someone who used his rank and privilege to gain public office, he should be out there at the forefront to defend the service of anyone who took the pledge for their nation and their family of supporters.

Zinke did not actually call out the presidential candidate he has endorsed other than to say both the candidate and Hillary Clinton should apologize for offending the military and their families. I am not sure what the congressman is accusing Clinton of having done and he does not once mention the Khan name in relation to the Republican presidential candidate he endorsed and stood by in Billings.

Zinke writes about saving military lives when he has endorsed a candidate who wants to torture again, is easily prodded into taking overly aggressive actions, and has a national security team around him that spouts conspiracy theories. Congressman Zinkes preferred candidate would be a horrendous disaster for the military and this country.
WATERLOO  The state rested its first-degree murder case against Steve William Fordyce on Friday, and the defense is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence on Aug. 15 following a one-week break.

Dr. Julia Goodin, who performed the autopsy on 43-year-old Donald Harrington following his Aug. 14, 2015, death, was the prosecutions final witness.

Fordyce is accused of shooting Harrington on Locust Street following a dispute between neighbors. Foryces attorneys said he acted in self-defense, and Fordyce, who said he had a fractured foot and other medical ailments at the time, told police Harrington had rushed him, and he felt threatened.

Authorities said Fordyce fired his .40-caliber Glock four times.

Goodin was chief medical examiner for Iowa in 2015 and has since left to take a similar job in Tennessee. She detailed Harringtons wounds during her Friday testimony. One bullet struck his right chest, nicking his fifth and sixth ribs, rupturing the pericardial sack the surrounds the heart and damaging three lobes of the right lung before coming to rest in the chest.

A second bullet to the left chest fractured the seventh rib and lodged in his diaphragm. She said it was possible this bullet first pierced Harringtons left hand and cracked the cell phone he was holding before it entered the chest.

Goodin said Harrington also had a gunshot wound that entered the back of his left shoulder. It tore through muscle and came to a stop at his chest wall, she said.

Goodin wasnt able to determine the order of the wounds.

The lack of burnt gunpowder and burnt skin around the gunshot wounds meant there were no signs they were inflicted from within 3 feet, Goodin said, but under cross-examination she said it was possible they came at close range and clothing shielded the skin from the powder and heat.

During his interview with police, Fordyce said he suspected Harrington was on dope because he was aggressive.

Goodin said Harringtons blood alcohol was .068, which is below the legal limit to drive, and his blood showed no sign of drugs. A screen of Harringtons urine initially tested positive for amphetamines, but a follow-up test on the urine came up negative, and Goodin believed the earlier test was a false positive.

As a result of the tests, Goodin determined Harrington was not under the influence during the incident.
WATERLOO  Two people were detained following a disturbance in a Waterloo neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

No injuries were reported.

Neighbors called police around 2:20 p.m. Saturday to report two men walking around and threatening people with a rifle.

Officers stopped two men in the 1200 block of Ackermant Street and seized a BB gun that looked like an AR-15 rifle. Police also seized a chain.

Taylor Morrow, 18, was arrested for assault with intent and going armed with intent, and his father Tony Morrow, 44, was arrested for disorderly conduct.
ST. ANSGAR  St. Ansgar School Board members heard two proposals for the future of the districts elementary building at a meeting in July  either demolish it or try to salvage it.

The St. Ansgar Economic Development Commission reiterated its proposal to the board, changing the possibility of profit-sharing on the property to a one-time cash offer of about $50,000 for the empty lot.

In the proposal, the district would be responsible for demolishing the building and filling in the area with black dirt and grass.

The EDC would then place single-family units  approximately four, based on lot size  on the space intermittently, matching the architecture of the neighborhood.

The commission also offered its resources to the board in applying for a Department of Natural Resources grant, valued at up to $74,000 based on credits for the schools infrastructure. The grant would be put toward the demolition of the building. The EDC also would pay for legal work in drafting a purchase agreement.

In the event a feasible community-driven plan to convert the school into a community center is presented, the EDC would back out of the offer and support the community effort.

Ashley DeMaris, a leader in converting the school to a community center, informed the board she had started the process of nominating the building to be a part of the National Historic Registry.

In order for the district to qualify for the DNR demolition grant, the building must be vacant for six months.

DeMaris said if the community can raise enough money for the building, the school would be able to give the building to the community.

DeMaris said a preliminary financial analysis had been done, and it outlines we have to come up with a lot of money. Insurance on the building itself could cost about $50,000 annually.

Grants on rehabilitating the building and restoring it to its original historic quality max out at approximately $5 million, with the community paying for what doesnt get covered in grants.

DeMaris proposed pledge drives over fundraising because no money is donated until the target amount is reached. Any amount incurred from fundraising, in the event the target amount isnt reached, would be donated to causes in the community.

The board expects to make a decision at its meeting Monday.
CHARLES CITY  The community is invited to see the new Charles City Middle School Aug. 28, the afternoon before classes begin.

A 2 p.m. ceremony will be held in the air-conditioned gymnasium with tours of the school, at 1200 First Ave., to follow. The gym seats 1,500 people in the bleachers. Additional seating will be provided on the floor.

School starts at 8:10 a.m. Aug. 29. Teachers will have first access to their classrooms a week prior to the grand opening.

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and empower students and staff in order to maximize learning, and this new middle school absolutely supports that mission, said Dan Cox, superintendent of the Charles City Community School District. The modern spaces have been designed to engage learners in individual, small group, and large group activities.
DES MOINES  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump insisted his campaign has never been stronger during a stop in Des Moines on Friday.

A exuberant crowd of 3,000 cheered his slams on rival Hillary Clinton and chanted support for his get-tough approach to restoring American greatness.

Responding to GOP calls for him to refocus his message on Clinton after recent campaign missteps, Trump peppered his hour-long town hall remarks with attacks on his Democratic opponent.

He called Clinton the queen of corruption and a dangerous liar. He said Barack Obamas terrible job as president.

I can tell you this, Trump said, if Hillary Clinton becomes president you will have terrorism, you will have problems; you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within. Believe me.

Supporters at times chanted lock her up and USA during Trumps critique of Clintons foreign policy history, her immigration views and her jobs plan. He pledged to restore law and order in America, stop illegal immigration and potential terrorist infiltrators and strengthen the U.S. position in international alliances and trade negotiations.

Trumps second trip to Iowa is as many weeks came after a week of dropping poll numbers, a public spat with the parents of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq and disagreements with some fellow Republicans.

Trump said the 2016 presidential race is just beginning, and talk of turmoil put out by the mainstream media has been ridiculous.

The campaign has never been stronger, Trump said.

I think were going to do very well, he added. The crowds are tremendous. The enthusiasm is incredible, so I think were doing very well.

Trump attributed Clintons gains in battleground states polling to heavy adverstising. He expects to turn things around with personal visits like Fridays joint appearance with running mate and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. He also is building a war chest to launch his own ad campaign.

Dont forget shes spent tremendous amounts, hundreds of millions of dollars as I understand it, on ads and we havent spent. Were collecting a lot of money. Were getting ready. We picked up $82 million, much of it from small donors over the last four weeks. So I think were going to do very well, he said.

Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire issued a statement drawing a contrast between Trumps stump speech and Clintons campaign of substance that included laying out a five-point plan to build an economy that works for everyone  not just those at the top with the largest U.S. investment in job creation since World War II.

Donald Trump has insulted a Gold Star family, evaded questions about why he manufactures products overseas and kicked a mother and her baby out of his rally, McGuire noted.

For his part, Trump said he loves coming to Iowa and felt he should have won the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, where he finished second to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

I think we will win it this time, Trump said, adding later: I hope you can get out on Nov. 8th and vote for Trump.

Iowans got their first glimpse of Pence since he won the vice presidential nomination  a job he accepted in a heartbeat last month. He introduced himself as a Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order.

Pence drew loud cheers when he described Trump as a man who is distinctly American  one who never quits, who never backs down, who is a fighter and a winner and has proven himself to be a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers.
CHARLES CITY  A group of northern Iowans will attend a state meeting next week to make the case for an overpass near Floyd.

A group will have 15 minutes at the Iowa Department of Transportation Board of Commissioners meeting in Sioux City on Aug. 9 to detail why an overpass at Avenue of the Saints  U.S. Highway 18  and Quarry Road should be placed on the agencys five-year plan.

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors phoned the Iowa DOT during a meeting Tuesday, asking to be on the agenda.

I think our effort, collectively, would be a lot better if we got our state representatives, senators and a delegation of concerned people to attend that meeting, said Floyd County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Kuhn.

The board also voted to present the Iowa DOT with a letter outlining why it believes an overpass with exit and on-ramps should replace the current at-grade intersection.

Chief among the concerns are the current semitrailer traffic going to and from the nearby Valero ethanol plant; future traffic that could be generated from a Loves truck stop under construction at the intersection and the communitys overall concerns about the roadway.

Though the intersection has been a concern to many for years, the effort to get the overpass approved and on the Iowa DOTs five-year plan found new energy after 23-year-old T.J. Houdek was killed at the intersection July 18.

Nearly 3,000 people have signed an online petition, created by one of Houdeks acquaintances, calling for increased safety measures at the intersection.

The Iowa DOT has taken steps to increase safety at the intersection, such as adding center turn lanes.

And, though it has not approved an overpass, estimated to cost $18 million, the state transportation agency finished a required environmental impact study in June and will present its preferred design alternative for an overpass/interchange at a community meeting in November.

The preferred design was created with DOT staff input and feedback from two designs presented to the public in June 2012, said Peter Hjelmstad, DOT field services coordinator.

Both designs also would close the other at-grade intersections in Floyd.
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When I was commanding men and women on the battlefield, I never asked what their religious affiliation was. It didn't matter in war. What matters is the individual next to you is patriotic, capable, and willing to put their life on the line for their country and their unit. Every soldier, sailor, airman, marine, or coast guardsman who serves honorably and pays the ultimate sacrifice should be honored and their family thanked.

Both of our candidates for president have picked fights with and said extremely regrettable things to the families of service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. As a grateful nation, we cannot allow this to become the norm, and we cannot allow it to go without notice. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton should swallow their pride and apologize to the families and service members they have offended. Politics has no role in the military.

I have been to too many funerals. I've folded too many flags, and I've consoled too many parents, widows, and small children who lost their loved ones. My own daughter is a Navy diver, my son-in-law is a Navy SEAL, and one of their daughters just turned six years old. I cannot imagine losing one of them.

My 23 years of service has taught me about what we should be focusing on: how to make sure we don't have to fold any more flags or console any more families. We need to address the threat that is killing our troops and that is radical Islamic terrorism.

When I fought in Iraq I proudly fought beside Jews, atheists, Catholics, Lutherans, and yes Muslims. We built an American-led coalition of Muslim nations and tribes to defeat tyranny and extremism. We respected each other and defended one another. Going forward it will take the same level of trust and respect to defeat our determined enemy.

Honoring our troops and their families is not a red or a blue issue, it's a red, white, and blue issue. We should come together and embrace our military and Gold Star Families. Use them as an example of what makes us better, not what drives us apart.

United we stand divided we fall.
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HAMILTON  A series of predicted strong thunderstorms over the weekend will test fire lines and could put those fighting the Roaring Lion Fire back on the defensive with a blaze thats already burned over more than 11 square miles.

The meteorologist assigned to the fire, Dan Borsum, was tracking a weather pattern Friday thats normally more associated with early July than August.

The low pressure driving the system appears ready to park itself along the Washington state coast for a couple of days. Borsum said the system will draw moisture up from the southwest, which will result in strong winds and potentially powerful thunderstorm starting late Friday.

The initial onslaught on Friday and Saturday will bring dry thunderstorms that have the potential of creating powerful microbursts, he said.

On Sunday, the thunderstorms will be more organized and moving faster, Borsum said. Those storms have the potential to drop some precipitation, but whatever falls might come too quickly to offer much help for firefighting efforts.

Borsum wouldnt be surprised if a tenth of an inch, or even a bit more, of rain fell on the fire in a sudden downpour.

To be helpful for firefighting, we look for moisture to linger to make a better adjustment to the fuels that are driving the fire, he said. A quick rain like that doesnt penetrate the canopy. It may not do the job for us even if we do get a little bit of moisture.

Any thunderstorms that track near the fire could pack wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Our concern will be keeping the troops safe, Borsum said. There are a lot of burned trees on the fire. Those high winds could knock down a lot of them. In terms of making progress, progress will have to yield to safety for a couple days. Well do what we can.

Across the region, the potential for widespread lightning is creating a good deal of concern about new fires.

Chris Grove of the U.S. Forest Service told the Ravalli County Commission Friday morning the Type 1 team could divert some of its resources to assist with initial attack on any new fires that occur due to lightning strikes.

We dont need any little ones getting big on us, Grove said.

Early Friday, crews were taking advantage of the calm weather to concentrate efforts along the northeastern and eastern flanks of the fire to minimize the potential that it could spread in those areas over the weekend.

Crews were also busy working on the southern parts of the fire to both mop up the existing line and construct some new line.

Bitterroot Forest Fire Management Officer Mark Wilson told the commission that Stage 1 fire restrictions may be coming as soon as Monday.

The restrictions would prohibit any campfires outside of the designated campgrounds. People would only be allowed to smoke inside a vehicle or an area thats been cleared of flammable materials on national forest lands.

Wilson said the fire behavior documented on the Roaring Lion Fire has been off the charts.

Fire behavior has been out-performing the indices, he said. We havent been able to nail down why. It may be that the heavy dead fuel is a little drier than what we thought.

As of Friday morning, the fire had burned over 7,927 acres. The fire is considered to 15 percent contained.

There are 735 people assigned to the fire, including five Hot Shot crews, eight Type 2 crews, two camp crews, five dozers, 51 engines, 15 water tenders, and nine helicopters.

On average, the fire is costing about $875,000 a day to fight.
Aug 6, 2016 | By Benedict

The University of Washingtons College of Engineering and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture have joined forces to 3D print the missing bones of a Columbian mammoth skeleton due to be displayed in the museums new exhibition hall. The project should be completed by 2019.

The latest installment of the Ice Age movie franchise may have received a frosty critical reception, but the general public still has a lot of love for the mammoth, a 13-foot-tall tusked behemoth which walked alongside the earliest humans. Just ask the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, an archaeological and ethnographic museum located at the University of Washington in Seattle, which is currently embarking on what could be described as a mammoth 3D printing project. In collaboration with staff and students at the universitys College of Engineering, the museum is attempting to complete a Columbian mammoth skeleton discovered near Richland, Washington, which has retained only 20% of its bones.

When the museum opens its new exhibition hall in 2019, it wants to impress its visitors with the giant mammoth skeleton, but needs to fill in the missing pieces before it can do so. Traditionally, museums have sculpted missing skeleton pieces with foam and clay, a laborious process which can take a very long time. Therefore, the Seattle-based institution is instead looking to harness the power of 3D printing and 3D scanning in order to more accurately and easily create the missing parts of the skeleton.

While the museum could have attempted to 3D print the missing 80% of the Columbian mammoth itself, staff at both Burke and the universitys College of Engineering decided that a collaborative printing project could be beneficial for both parties. Burke discussed the plausibility of the project with Steven Weidner, an affiliate instructor from UW's mechanical engineering department, to see if he could lead a group of students in the exciting venture. The instructor was keen to get on board, and quickly set up a special 3D scanning and printing course, signing up a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students who were interested in both natural history and 3D printing. By printing this mammoth, were pushing the boundaries of whats possible with large-scale 3D printing, Weidner said.

Students from a number of disciplines have joined the project, which involves 3D scanning mammoth bones from other mammoths in the museums collection, as well as 3D scanning bones of the Richland mammoth which can then be mirrored to represent its corresponding missing bones. Students can then precisely model the scanned images to create 3D printable bone segments. The special course has already run for two quarters, with the Winter 2016 class led by the mechanical engineering department and the Spring 2016 class led by the biology department. Around 20 students signed up each quarter, and the course has even benefitted from guest lecturers. Burke and the participating students have been in constant contact as the students explore different techniques for scanning, modeling, and printing.

Participants on the 3D printing course have, according to the university, enjoyed taking part in a course which is both educational and situated in a professional environment: An opportunity to work with fossils and cutting-edge scanning and modeling technologies? I signed up for the class immediately, said pre-engineering junior Kurt Weiss. These areas deal heavily with 3D renderings and scaled models testing within wind tunnels, he says. So the experience Im getting through this class with the wide variety of scanning equipment, modeling programs, and printing technologies is helping me develop the knowledge and skills Ill need down the road.

The 3D scanning of the mammoth bones has been taking place at Burke. Small or medium-sized bones take around three hours each to scan, while larger pieces like the skull can take more than five hours. Interestingly, the 3D scanning is proving to be beneficial to the museum and students in ways beyond the project at hand. The digital scans are, for example, allowing researchers to better understand the mammoths anatomy. Burke is also planning to make the 3D files available online, allowing researchers from all over the world to take a closer look at them. Our goal is to provide a complete digital atlas of the mammothand eventually, other fossilsthat can be used by researchers and the general public to answer research questions and for education, explained Meredith Rivin, Burkes collections manager.

To work out how to best 3D print the mammoth bones, the students have been working closely with WOOF3D, a 3D printing society at the university which has developed a prototype of its own large-scale 3D printer called Big Blue. With the 3D printing project set to continue over the next few years, Burke has been impressed with the students range of skills and commitment to the cause. Theyre fearless and curious, Rivin said. Theyre not intimidated by the scope of the project or its hurdles but instead are eager for the challenges. Theyve approached this project like real professionals.

If all goes to plan, the partially 3D printed mammoth could be on display at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture by 2019.

Source: University of Washington

Photo credit: Dennis Wise/University of Washington

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Aug.2, 2016 - Researchers from the University of North Dakota are working on an image analysis software solution that can be used to detect and identify errors in the 3D printing process, making 3D printing more reliable and less susceptible to hacking. More

Berok Khoshnevis wants to 3D print houses with Contour Crafting on earth and on the moon

Aug.2, 2016 - Behrokh Khoshnevis, a professor of engineering from the University of Southern California, is developing a method for 3D printing structures called Contour Crafting that could be the solution for both creating low-cost and liveable housing for low-income regions and for efficiently creating housing in space. More


Sameer Rahim in Prospect Magazine:

Despite his shaky poll ratings, Donald Trumps brand of charismatic nastiness has plenty of appeal and could yet propel him to the American presidency. His recent attacks on Ghazala and Khizr Khan, the Muslim parents of an American soldier killed in Iraq in 2004, showed how low he is prepared to strike. (Though is it churlish to ask why it has taken so long to point out the outrageousness of his plans to ban Muslims from the land of the free?) Yet there are already conspiracy theories flying around about Khizr Khan being a Muslim Brotherhood plant; an article he wrote in 1988 about Islamic law has been dredged up to prove his un-Americanness. You can be sure these are the articles being shared by Trump supporters on social medianot the mainstream outrage from Democrats and some Republicans. We are witnessing the paranoid style in American politics, turbo-charged by the internet age. How did we get to this point? Is there anything new to say about Trump and his phenomenal rise? Amid the welter of opinion, it might be worth turning to fiction. In 2004, Philip Roth wrote a brilliant counter-factual novel, The Plot Against America, which imagined the US electing a celebrity far-right leader with bigoted views about minorities and a weakness for foreign strongmen. Reading the novel, you cant help seeing striking parallels with the rise of Trump. Roth, writing about the past but of course also about the present, anticipates the rightward shift in post-9/11 US politics.

Beginning in 1940, The Plot Against America is set in a fictionalised version of Roths own Newark family. The narrator is a young Philip, looking back over the troubled times of his early life. The opening lines, with a couple of adjustments, could apply equally well today to a young Muslim in Florida or a Mexican in Nevada: Fear presides over these memories, a perpetual fear. Of course no childhood is without its terrors, yet I wonder if I would have been a less frightened boy if Lindbergh hadnt been president or if I hadnt been the offspring of Jews. Charles A Lindbergh was a real person. An ace pilot, in 1927, at the age of 25 he flew solo non-stop from New York to Paris. Overnight he became a hero across America. In 1932, his baby son was kidnapped and killed by an immigrant ex-convict, which brought him widespread sympathy. By 1936, Lindbergh was in Berlin for the Olympics, describing Adolf Hitler as undoubtedly a great man [who] I believe has done much for the German people. In 1941 he spoke at America First rallies (the slogan resurrected by Trump), and was touted by many as the next president.
Business roundup: Dunn Bros. to open in November, E Glass's big pitch

In business news, an Aberdeen entrepreneur is making a nationwide pitch, car wash coverts to Tunnel of Terror, Dunn Brothers to open in November.
GREEN BAY, Wis.  Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOPs most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaires presidential candidacy.

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trumps evening appearance in their state.

Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, We have to unite as he vowed to support Ryan in next weeks primary contest.

It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans. His timing was a bit curious, competing with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.

We will have disagreements, Trump said. But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory.

An aide to Ryan said Friday, He appreciates the gesture and is going to continue to focus on earning the endorsement of the voters in southern Wisconsin.

Ryan reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but the Wisconsin Republican noted his support wasnt a blank check and pledged to speak out against the businessmans divisive positions if necessary.

Party divisions were easy to find Friday in Wisconsin, a state that Trumps team insists he can win in November.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner instead of appearing with his partys standard bearer. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominees arrival.

Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Trump, but lets get something straight, Vos wrote in an open letter to his GOP colleagues. We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans.

The Midwest mayhem underscored Trumps mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee  including some who even publicly support for Democrat Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton.

If Hillary Clinton becomes president, he said at an earlier rally in Iowa, you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within.

Trump called his Democratic opponent a dangerous liar, an unbalanced person, pretty close to unhinged, totally unfit to lead, and lacking the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country.

In Wisconsin, Trump added, Shes a monster.

The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.

The former secretary of state sought to clarify and explain a recent statement on Fox News Sunday that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were truthful.

I may have short circuited and for that I will try to clarify, Clinton said, though still insisting she never sent or received anything that was marked classified.

She also acknowledged many people dont trust her.

It doesnt make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do, Clinton said. She added, Im going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people.

Yet Trumps own gaffes have largely overshadowed Clintons problems as the Democrats work to recover from a bruising primary election season.

Complicating the Republican Partys 2016 challenge are fresh signs the nations economy is strengthening under a Democratic president.

The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, a sign of confidence that could point to a resilient economy.

Trumps approach to national security came under fire Friday as well, with former CIA Director Michael Morell contending the Republican nominee would make a poor, even dangerous commander in chief.

Morell, outlining his views in The New York Times, also questioned Trumps praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation, wrote Morell.

Trump conceded Friday he was wrong to claim repeatedly in recent days that he saw a video of a U.S. cash payment going to Iran.

The New York billionaire has cited a $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran this year, delivered on the same day that Iran released four American hostages. Trump charged on Thursday in vivid detail that the Iranian government released a video of the cash exchange to embarrass America.

The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran! Trump tweeted Friday morning.

The White House has insisted the payment had nothing to do with the release of the hostages. Friday night, Trump called that explanation a lie.

In Iowa, he blamed the dishonest media for the fuss over an incident earlier in the week in which he asked a screaming baby to leave a rally.

I dont throw babies out, Trump said. I love babies.

___

Peoples reported in Washington. AP writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, Kyle Potter in St. Paul, Minnesota, Catherine Lucey in Des Moines, Iowa, and Lisa Lerer and Erica Werner in Washington contributed to this report.
LAS CRUCES, N.M.  Authorities say a Sunland Park woman has been indicted for child abuse and aggravated DWI.

Third Judicial District Attorney Mark DAntonio announced Friday that a grand jury has indicted 36-year-old Angelica Lozano on one count of child abuse and one count of aggravated driving while under the influence.

The allegedly occurred May 8 at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

According to investigators, Lozano showed multiple signs of being intoxicated, failed a field sobriety test and had a breath-alcohol content of .21 percent. Thats more than twice the legal limit for drivers in New Mexico.

Lozano also is charged with child abuse because there were three children in her car at the time.

It was unclear Friday if she has a lawyer yet.
LAS CRUCES, N.M.  A Las Cruces woman accused of shooting and wounding her boyfriend two months ago has been indicted in the case.

Prosecutors say 45-year-old April Nastasi is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, obstructing an officer and negligent use of a firearm.

Authorities say the June 19 shooting occurred near the unincorporated village of Dona Ana.

The 48-year-old man told Dona Ana County Sheriffs detectives Nastasi shot him in the left arm after they argued over her not turning off her cellphone.

Nastasi then drove the man to the hospital, where she was arrested.

She allegedly refused to allow the boyfriend to call 911, wouldnt tell investigators where the shooting occurred and told them the firearm was somewhere off Interstate 25.
SANTA FE  A former state Public Education Department employee is said to have duped others into falsifying documents that allowed him to obtain licenses that qualified him for well-paid jobs with the Mora and Pecos school districts.

Officials at the State Police and PED both say that, for now, there is nothing to merit taking action against anyone else in the case, although the Las Vegas, N.M., District Attorneys Office says the investigation remains active.

Charles Trujillo, 43, who served as chief of PEDs professional licensure bureau from March 2013 to April 2104, on Thursday was charged in Mora and San Miguel counties with a total of 11 counts of forgery, five counts of fraud and one count of falsifying an employment application.

The falsified documents enabled Trujillo to first obtain a job as associate superintendent with the Pecos Independent School District at an annual salary of $87,500, then a $100,000 per year job as superintendent of Mora Independent Schools, said a Friday news release from the Las Vegas, N.M., District Attorneys Office.

Trujillo was booked into the San Miguel County jail after he was arrested Thursday night in Albuquerque.

District Attorney Richard Flores filed charges that included four counts of forgery and four counts of fraud in San Miguel County, and seven counts of forgery, one count of fraud and one count of falsifying an application in Mora County after the completion of a more than nine-month investigation by State Police.

State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo said in an email to the Journal that the charges brought to a close its inquiry into Trujillo and that State Police are not investigating anyone else related to his case.

However, until the case is adjudicated, we cannot be certain about any other developments which may arise in the future, she wrote.

But the DAs office in its news release said that continued investigation in other jurisdictions is underway, and additional charges, if warranted, may be brought forward. At PED, numerous educational licenses were issued while Trujillo was in charge of the licensure bureau. A PED spokesman said Friday that the department is not now considering licensure action against anyone else.

The department released a statement that said it would continue to work with Flores to assure that Trujillo is held accountable for his wrongdoing and breach of the publics trust.

Charles Trujillos arrest brings him one step closer to justice. Trujillo went through great lengths to deceive his way into getting licenses and jobs in our schools, and we immediately launched an investigation and forced him to surrender his license when the allegations came to light, the statement read.

The allegations were first brought to light by the Las Vegas Optic newspaper, which reported last October that Trujillo worked the system to obtain fake credentials. In the wake of the newspaper report, Trujillo first gave up his educational licenses, then resigned as superintendent. Trujillos uncle was on the school board when Trujillo was hired and cast a deciding vote in his favor.

The news release from the DAs office states that Trujillo duped and used individuals at both Luna Community College and Highlands University to submit letters with false information regarding his teaching and administrative experience.

One of the letters was written by Highlands Dean of Students Fidel Trujillo, Charles Trujillos cousin, and another came from university human resources employee Marka Trujillo.

Another letter erroneously verifying Charles Trujillos work experience as an adjunct professor at Luna Community College came from school administrator Debbie Trujillo.

Its unclear if Marka or Debbie Trujillo are related to Charles Trujillo. The DAs office says that all three letters were drafted at Charles Trujillos request with information he provided.

Records obtained by the Journal show that Trujillo received three different types of teaching licenses and one administrative license on the same day.

The DAs office also alleges that Trujillo forged two letters of support from PED employees that were submitted to the Mora School Board in pursuit of the Superintendent position. He had worked with both individuals when he was employed at PED.

One of those employees was Michelle Lewis. Officials have said previously that her name appeared to have been forged on a letter that was sent to the Mora school district verifying Trujillos transcripts. Lewis vehemently denied signing the letter.

She has also said she had alerted her supervisors that something was wrong with the issuance of Trujillos licenses, but nothing was ever done. PED maintained that it had no record of complaints by Lewis, who declined to comment for this story.
SANTA FE  A Santa Fe woman and her 13-year-old grandson were arrested late Wednesday night after deputies pulled their car over and found the teen drunk at the wheel and the woman heavily intoxicated in the back seat, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office.

Sanjuana Mercado-Mendez, 52, was charged with child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and having an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle. She was released Thursday night on a $2,500 unsecured bond, meaning she got out of jail with her signature. The teen was charged with aggravated DWI, having an open alcohol container and other traffic violations.

According to the incident report, a deputy was driving behind a blue 1994 Oldsmobile sedan on Airport Road and initiated a traffic stop since the car wasnt staying in its lane. The car turned on Constellation Drive, then onto Riverside Loop before finally coming to a stop. The driver, who had jumped to the back seat, was taken into custody, and the deputy noted that he smelled of alcohol and that his eyes were bloodshot and watery, according to a sheriffs office report.

The report says deputies determined that he drank a 16-ounce beer from a can found in the backseat. A breath test indicated his blood alcohol content was 0.14, nearly twice the legal driving limit of 0.08. He was charged with aggravated DWI for refusing to take a chemical test and was taken into custody.

Mercado-Mendez, the grandmother, was removed from the backseat, and was highly intoxicated and unable to comply with verbal commands, deputies wrote. She, her grandson and a 15-year-old boy were traveling on N.M. 599 and around town while Mercado-Mendez had beer in a cooler in the backseat. Both Mercado-Mendez and her grandson were taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center due to their level of intoxication, while the other teen was released to his mother.

According to online court records, Mercado-Mendez had a driving with a revoked license charge dropped last year and pleaded guilty to driving without a license in 2013 and 2012. She was charged with larceny and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 2014, but the charges were dropped by prosecutors.
LAGUNA PUEBLO  Holly Holm remembers the punch that shattered her left thumb, though shes not sure in what round the injury occurred.

I just thought it was jammed really bad, and thought, Thats really gonna hurt later,' Holm said Friday after attending the weigh-in for tonights MMA card at Route 66 Casino Hotel.

For Holm, the big hurt was her loss by unanimous decision to Valentina Shevchenko on July 23 in Chicago. The broken thumb, she said, played no role in her defeat that night.

Theres no excuses, she said. There were a lot of things that I just wasnt performing in that fight.  (The thumb) isnt the reason I lost. I didnt perform well that night, and, really, thats all there is to it.

After the fight, the thumb was swollen. Holm didnt immediately seek medical attention, waiting for the swelling to go down. When it didnt, she went to New Mexico Orthopaedics for an examination.

After X-rays were taken, there was a lengthy delay. I thought, Theyre kind of waiting on this, so its probably worse than I thought,' she said.

It was. The thumb had essentially been detached from the rest of her hand.

Holm underwent successful surgery Wednesday morning and faces a rehabilitation period of six to eight weeks before she can resume training. The former UFC bantamweight champion is not expected back in the octagon until November at the earliest.

She wont call the injury a blessing in disguise, but said shell try to make it so.

After winning her first 10 MMA fights, including her momentous upset of Ronda Rousey for the UFC title in November, shes had back-to-back losses against Miesha Tate and Shevchenko.

I was pushing pretty hard through the last couple of fights, and maybe that took a toll, not just physically but mentally, she said. I always like to stay active, so Ill take each challenge as it comes, and right now this is the challenge.

Shell have to be careful, she said, to not disturb the pins inserted into her thumb.

I have pins in there that are exposed (beneath the bandaging), she said. Its not like an incision that, once it scabs over, youre fine. I need to be careful with how dirty I get it and things like that, because its an exposed wound in a way.

But the procedure for which she opted, she believes, will speed the recovery process.

(It was) a little less invasive, she said, not cutting through all the muscles to get in there.  (The pins) are kind of sticking out of the skin, but then they can just pull them out, so I feel thats the better option. I told them whatever they think is fastest, easiest and best.

I want it to heal correctly. Thats the main thing.

She also was relieved to learn there was no ligament damage.

Holm said shell use the time off to catch up with commitments that shed postponed because of her focus on MMA. Since the victory over Rousey, her professional life has been a whirlwind.

I have a lot of things (to catch up with) in every aspect of my life, she said.

RUMBLE ON ROUTE 66: Albuquerques Isaac Vallie-Flagg (15-7) weighed in at 160 pounds Friday for tonights main event against Oklahoma Citys Jonathan Gary (11-6).

The bout was scheduled to be contested at the 155-pound lightweight limit, but promoter Lenny Fresquez said the weight disparity  Gary weighed in at 155.8  was successfully negotiated.

Albuquerques Conrad Padilla (6-2) weighed in at 145.8 pounds for his featherweight semi-main event against Cody Walker (7-4) of Laguna Hills, Calif.

Today

MMA: Isaac Vallie-Flagg vs. Jonathan Gary, 7 p.m. Route 66 Casino Hotel. Tickets: $30-$200, holdmyticket.com
The Voting Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965, helped enfranchise millions of African-Americans over the decades.

Speaking before a bipartisan gathering of members of Congress, his Cabinet, civil rights leaders and the press, Johnson said of African-Americans: They came in darkness and they came in chains. And today we strike away the last major shackle of those fierce and ancient bonds.

The Voting Rights Act was renewed and extended several times during the last half-century. Then, in June 2013, a divided U.S. Supreme Court, voting 5-4, gutted the law.

Almost immediately, Southern states began passing restrictive voting laws, disenfranchising hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of voters. Three years later, however, this new generation of Jim Crow-style laws is facing federal court challenges, and they are being thrown out or significantly weakened, one by one.

The most recent, and perhaps most sweeping, of the court decisions came down last Friday in North Carolina. There, the law imposed a strict photo-identification requirement in order to vote. It did away with much of the states early voting, including Sunday voting, which is very important to the African-American community, as church congregations go together after services in what is called souls to the polls.

The state eliminated countywide voting, allowing people to vote outside their specific precinct, and eliminated same-day registration and preregistration of 16- and 17-year-olds. All these were improvements to the states voter-enfranchisement laws that had been enacted when the state government was under Democratic control.

The appeals court wrote, The new provisions target African Americans with almost surgical precision. The judges found that the North Carolina Legislature and governor, under Republican control since early 2011, offered no proof of voter fraud  the primary Republican justification for enacting restrictive voting laws. Or as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump warned with no evidence, We may have people vote 10 times.

This has become a principal electoral strategy of Republicans, especially since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. Ari Berman, a writer for The Nation and author of the must-read book Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America, subtitled his most recent piece, summarizing the court decisions that are rejecting these restrictive voting laws, The Republican war on voting rights is backfiring.

Berman told us on the Democracy Now! news hour about Elizabeth Gholar, one person whose right to vote was denied:

Shes an elderly woman who was born in Jim Crow North Carolina, and then she moved to Texas. She had a Louisiana drivers license, which was not accepted as valid voter ID in Texas. And her birth certificate was not accepted as a valid form of ID to be able to get a government-issued ID in Texas. Because she was born at home to a midwife, she basically had to retain a lawyer to be able to get all her documentation in Louisiana. This was incredibly emotional. She testified in federal court and basically said: I was born in Jim Crow before African-Americans were able to vote in Louisiana, and now I cant vote again. For the first time in 60 years, I am not able to vote in the state of Texas, and this breaks my heart.

For people like Gholar, this new tide of disenfranchisement may be turning, but whether it happens in time for the November presidential election remains to be seen.

As Berman notes: Were less than 100 days from the election now, and this is the first presidential election in 50 years without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. Seventeen states have new restrictions in place for the first time  its still a very uncertain situation.

The North Carolina court decision, like the passage of the Voting Rights Act itself, was preceded by years of nonviolent protest. In 1965, the center of activity was Selma, Ala., where peaceful marchers were brutally attacked by state police as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, named for a Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon. In North Carolina, the state NAACP chapter has organized thousands to engage in civil disobedience during its weekly Moral Mondays protests.

Over half a century after the Voting Rights Act became law, the struggle continues.
A nationwide survey of high school students found that New Mexico youths report some of the nations highest rates of drug use across a broad range of illegal substances.

It ranked second highest for cocaine and Ecstasy use, fifth highest for methamphetamine and eighth highest for heroin.

The survey also found that one in four New Mexico high school students said they had used marijuana at least once in the 30 days prior to the survey. New Mexico ranked second among U.S. states by that measure.

Health officials and advocates for young addicts said they werent surprised by the findings. They point to factors that include ready availability of drugs, a lack of treatment options, and deeply ingrained social behavior in New Mexico.

Historically in New Mexico, there has been more substance abuse and more negative consequences of substance abuse, than in most other states, State Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen said. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey quizzes students about 118 health behaviors in areas ranging from drug and alcohol use to sexual behavior and eating habits.

New Mexico students who took the 2015 survey had the second highest rate in the U.S. in responding that they had used cocaine or Ecstasy at least once in their lives.

Nearly 9 percent of New Mexico students said they had used cocaine, and about 8 percent said they had used the drug Ecstasy, or molly, a synthetic drug chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens.

More than 4 percent reported using meth at least once, and 3.5 percent said they had used heroin, the survey found.

The fact that New Mexico has high rates of substance abuse is consistent with our high rates of alcohol-related deaths and drug-overdose deaths, Landen said.

New Mexico overall has the nations highest rate of alcohol-related deaths and the second-highest rate of drug-overdose deaths.

The findings of the survey were not all grim.

Alcohol use among New Mexico high school students continued a long-term decline in 2015. The rate of students who reported binge-drinking behavior has declined by more than half since 2003. Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more alcoholic drinks on a single occasion within the past 30 days, and is responsible for 90 percent of alcohol use among U.S. youths.

About 15 percent of New Mexico high school students, or fewer than one in seven, reported binge drinking, the 2015 survey found. Thats down from 35 percent in 2003. New Mexico ranked behind 23 other states on the binge-drinking measure in 2015, and below the national average of 17.7 percent.

But the survey indicates that drug use among New Mexico teens remains stubbornly prevalent.

Advocates for addicts point to an abundance of illegal drugs in New Mexico, and a shortage of addiction treatment options.

There is not good treatment for teens or adults for addiction, said Dr. Miriam Komaromy, an addiction specialist at University of New Mexicos Project ECHO.

Particularly in rural communities, outside of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, there is so little, she said. Once somebody gets engaged in this stuff, its so hard to help them.

Many advocates have sharply criticized the states plan to close an adolescent unit at Turquoise Lodge Hospital, a Department of Health-run facility. The unit is scheduled to close on Sunday.

The move will leave New Mexico with no inpatient medical detoxification services for teenagers, said Jennifer Weiss-Burke, executive director of the Serenity Mesa Youth Recovery Center in Albuquerque.

The Department of Health said it is closing the 20-bed unit because it was underutilized, with an average census of only five patients a day in fiscal year 2016, which ended June 30. The agency said it plans to use the space to treat adult addicts.

Weiss-Burke also said that drug use is a multigenerational problem in New Mexico, where some youths are first exposed to illegal drugs in their homes.

Heroin has been around forever, especially in northern New Mexico, said Weiss-Burke, who lost her 18-year-old son to a heroin overdose in 2011. In some counties where it has been a generational problem for years, there is no stigma with heroin.

The survey has found that pot use among high school students has remained at consistent levels for at least a decade, Landen said.

Weve noticed over time that marijuana use is relatively common among high school students, and it really hasnt changed for a decade, he said.
University of New Mexico President Bob Frank said Friday the university has reopened an investigation into an anthropology professor  who was previously suspended, censured and reinstated in connection with sexual harassment allegations  over new complaints.

In light of these additional reports, we will thoroughly review the full case again along with any new material that we obtain, Frank said in a statement. As we carefully consider all of the evidence, we promise to take appropriate actions as warranted.

The statement also comes after some UNM community members, including a professor who had advised an alleged student victim, questioned the universitys decision to let assistant professor Cristobal Valencia resume teaching and advising students.

In his statement, Frank appeared to address those critics.

Let me assure you this issue has our full attention, he said. We are listening to your concerns and are working to address them. The University is committing additional resources to monitor the situation and to respond to students.

The Journal attempted to reach Valencia by email Friday but received no response.

The latest development follows a Journal story and other news reports earlier this week examining the investigation and disciplining of Valencia.

A UNM report provided to the Journal under the Inspection of Public Records Act was heavily redacted and contained few specifics, including what Valencia did to merit his censure and suspension.

But the Journal obtained a memo from anthropology faculty members that was reportedly given to Mark Peceny, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, that includes various complaints and allegations about Valencias alleged misconduct.

In the six-page memo reportedly delivered in January, the faculty said there were incidents of students being encouraged to get drunk and party with drugs at his home, in which they were then encouraged to sleep over at his house where unwanted sexual advances were made.

The faculty members also accused Valencia of inappropriately touching and coming on to graduate students in public venues.

The letter also details complaints about Valencias conduct toward white people, quoting him as saying, I dont take orders from white bitches. At another point, the letter says, he called a colleague a stupid white (expletive) in front of students and a faculty member.

Valencia would allegedly get drunk in social settings and ask graduate students to drive him home or around town. He also created a sexual desirability list of female graduate students  but using a far more vulgar term, the letter said.

The faculty wrote they continue to work in a hostile working environment where they fear retaliation and are concerned about the safety of their graduate students.

Peceny wrote a letter to Valencia in March, informing him that an investigation by the universitys Office of Equal Opportunity had produced findings of an extremely serious nature, and involved sexual harassment and differential treatment. It also said further investigation into a violation of alcohol policies was warranted.

Censure involves a mark on Valencias record and close monitoring by other faculty members.

Valencia, an assistant professor of anthropology, has been with the university since 2002.

Les Field, chairman of the anthropology department, said it was his decision to censure Valencia, effectively lifting the suspension.

DOJ criticism

The investigation comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Justice said UNMs policies failed to comply with some federal gender anti-discrimination laws. The federal agency released that report earlier this year and is negotiating with university officials on how to move forward.

KOB-TV 4 reported Wednesday that former students said Valencia harassed and discriminated against them. The report also featured interviews from an anonymous professor and student who said they left the university because of Valencia.

Provost Chaouki Abdallah acknowledged to the Journal that he knew a professor had left the department, but that his office only recently learned about the students departure. Abdallah told the Journal earlier this week that the findings of the study were troubling, and that every effort has been and will be taken to protect the rights of all students and faculty.

The documents provided by UNM indicate that at least four witnesses were part of the initial investigation and that 44 interviews were eventually conducted of faculty and students.

UNM administrators suspended Valencia from late March to June, and ordered him to avoid contact with faculty and students in the department.
A former Albuquerque city councilor filed a lawsuit this week alleging that he was wrongfully fired from CHI St. Josephs Children because he is not Catholic and supports a womans right to choose.

Former City Councilor Miguel Gomez contends that problems began for him in 2013 after the nonprofits president and CEO, Allen Sanchez, quizzed Gomezs mother about her sons religious beliefs.

Gomezs mother is Evangelical Christian and did not have her son baptized as a Roman Catholic, which Sanchez found offensive, the lawsuit contends.

Gomez filed the lawsuit Thursday against CHI St. Josephs Children, a nonprofit advocacy group for New Mexico children, and Sanchez, who is also is the executive director of the New Mexico Council of Catholic Bishops.

Sanchez said in a telephone interview Friday that he could not comment on a pending lawsuit as a matter of policy. No legal responses to the lawsuit had been filed this week.

Gomez worked as a lobbyist and policy adviser for the nonprofit from 2010 until he was fired in February. His tenure as a city councilor ended with an election defeat in 2005.

Gomez also contends that additional friction with Sanchez developed over the issue of abortion, which Sanchez strongly opposes.

Gomez said he had a long-term relationship with a former employee of St. Josephs, who became pregnant, the suit said. The couple discussed a variety of options, including marriage and abortion, sometimes communicating by text messages, the suit said. The woman abruptly quit her job and gave birth to a son in June 2014, it said.

At least one lengthy text message written by Gomez found its way to Sanchez, the suit said.

In February, Sanchez fired (Gomez) in whole or part because he discussed and gently advocated for an abortion with his girlfriend and because Gomez considered abortion morally permissible in certain circumstances, the suit said.

The suit describes Sanchez as a religious zealot, particularly on the issue of abortion.

Gomez contends that he was wrongfully fired because St. Josephs is not affiliated with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is subject to state and federal labor laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion.

The lawsuit also claims that Gomez was defamed because Sanchez told a prominent and well-respected official that Gomez was fired because he tried to pressure a St. Josephs employee to have an abortion.

The lawsuit seeks lost wages and unspecified damages.
LAS VEGAS, N.M.  A man accused of preying on women released from the state psychiatric hospital has been charged with raping two more women.

The new charges against Benjamin Baca, 75, of Las Vegas, bring to four the number of women Baca is accused of raping after they were released from the Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas and moved into area boarding homes. He is charged with committing battery against a fifth woman and exposing himself to her.

State prosecutors filed the additional charges Wednesday in Magistrate Court in Las Vegas. Baca now faces 15 counts of criminal sexual penetration, five counts of criminal sexual contact, two counts of battery, one count of kidnapping and one count of indecent exposure.

At a preliminary hearing in the case scheduled for Tuesday, a judge will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to put Baca on trial. His attorney couldnt be reached for comment Friday.

Baca has been jailed since the initial charges were filed against him in March. A judge set bail at $100,000 cash only, in part because of his criminal history of violence and drugs.

He pleaded guilty in 2000 to charges of aggravated assault against a household member and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded guilty in 2013 to possession of a controlled substance.

Baca is accused of forcing the four women to perform oral sex on him at his home or in his truck, sometimes while parked at a cemetery. Two women said Baca bought them cigarettes; a third said he gave her $20 to $30 and bought her sodas in exchange for oral sex.

For years, Baca cruised the streets of Las Vegas in a gray Ford pickup, befriending mentally ill women in boarding homes, according to managers of two homes.

According to a statement of probable cause filed in Bacas case Wednesday by prosecutors, the operator of a boarding home said a resident told her about three years ago that Baca had forced her to perform oral sex. Another boarding home manager told the Journal that she became concerned about Baca four or five years ago and told him to stay away from her residents.

The case against Baca presents challenges for the prosecution because of the mental illnesses of the women. The womens cognitive abilities are affected by their illnesses, according to the statement of probable cause filed in the case.
The Sandoval County Commission has unanimously voted to place a property tax question on the Nov. 8 general election ballot proposing to extend a 4.25 mill levy for eight more years to support two hospitals in Rio Rancho, despite strong protests from several taxpayers.

When this mill levy went in, it was understood that it would be a maximum of eight years. The taxpayers met their obligation. The hospitals need to meet theirs, said Melvin Carlisle of Rio Rancho, one of four speakers who lashed out against the measure. I dont care about all the excuses or whitewashing.  This tax is hitting people hard.  Its not helping us.

The levy, initially passed by county voters in 2008, expires this year. It generates about $13.7 million annually, which is split almost evenly between Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and the UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center. It costs the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $141 a year.

Commissioner Don Chapman, who spoke at length at the meeting last week, enthusiastically praised the existence and success of the hospitals, and stated his belief that the mill levy is beneficial and profitable to taxpayers. Ive just got to say Hallelujah one more time, he said.

Commissioners Nora Scherzinger and Glenn Walters indicated their support of hospital funding has not changed since the commissions July 20 work session on the levy.

Commissioner James Dominguez said that, although the commission has the means to support the tax and does support it tremendously, the decision should be up to voters.

Commission Chairman Darryl Madalena responded to Dominguez by saying that commissioners are entitled to their own beliefs as taxpayers and expressed enthusiastic support for the hospitals.

Speakers protested both the levy and the phrasing of the ballot question.

Carlisle, who identified himself as part of a community of retirees, said the hospitals could support themselves without public subsidy and said that the tax was hurting low-income citizens.

We made our commitment. If they (the hospitals) dont meet theirs, thats their problem, not mine, said Carlisle, who resisted being dismissed from the podium due to time limits and demanded the mill levy be removed from the ballot.

Stephen Barro, a retired public finance economist from Placitas, sent a detailed analysis to the board opposing the tax and summarizing his stance.

Although he agreed with the positive contributions of the hospitals, Barro said he doesnt believe the hospitals deserve a continuation of taxpayer funding.

The startup phase is over, said Barro. The hospital tax imposes a heavy burden on county businesses and homeowners to subsidize two of New Mexicos largest and richest institutions  the Presbyterian and UNM health systems.

Barro argued that the mill levy tax constitutes only a small fraction of each institutions annual budget, while taxpayers personally struggle to provide a burdensome amount from their own livelihoods.

Despite the protests, the commission voted to leave the proposed ballot question as a single question and unanimously passed a motion to send the following ballot question to the November general election ballot:

For the purpose of supporting hospitals in Sandoval County, shall Sandoval County, New Mexico, impose a tax levy of four and twenty-five hundredths (4.25) mills each year for eight (8) years, on each dollar of net taxable value of property in Sandoval County, to pay to contracting hospitals in accordance with health care facilities contracts?
Casper police safely reunited a hostage with his family Friday after a man with a knife held him for hours in an office building.

No one was injured during the incident, which led to the evacuation of the Aspen Creek office building. Police also blocked off streets in the area. Heavily armed officers were later seen entering the building with rifles.

SWAT team officers escorted a man out of the building around noon, about three hours after the hostage situation began. He was bald, heavy-set and wearing black. Police later identified the suspect as 35-year-old David Chavis.

Police did not release the identity of the 51-year-old victim or say what organization uses the office where the hostage situation took place. He was released safely to his family after being checked by medical personnel.

This is what you always want to have come out of these things, Lt. Chris Hadlock said.

A man who called the Star-Tribune identified himself as the brother of the victim. Cole Miller said he was grateful the situation ended the way it did.

The detectives and all the people that handled this did a very professional job, he said. They were really compassionate with all of us, and we appreciate that.

Miller said he is thankful his brother was unharmed and that the suspect was also not hurt. He said his brother did not want to identify himself.

The incident began about 8:45 a.m. and officers evacuated workers from the office building shortly thereafter. The Natrona County Special Response Team and Hostage Negotiation Team responded and were able to resolve the situation.

Chavis was being held Friday at the Natrona County Detention Center. Investigators are still working to understand Chavis motive in the incident. The district attorneys office will file charges against Chavis.

Tina Thompson, 62, who works for the Farmers Insurance district office, was in the building where the hostage situation took place.

Around 9 a.m., she said, someone with the sheriffs office came in and told workers in her office to evacuate. Thompson said they were instructed to use the main entrance, not the back entrance.

At around 9:40 a.m., she was at the Ramkota, near the side door.

She said she saw a sheriffs pickup enter a nearby parking lot and stop. About 10 heavily armed officers, in tactical gear and carrying assault rifles, were in the bed of the truck. They crouched low and moved very quickly into the lobby, she said. She couldnt tell which floor they were headed to.

One woman who said she worked on the third floor of the Aspen Creek building told a reporter that officers who evacuated the building said there was a hostage situation on the second floor.

About 30 to 40 evacuated office workers arrived at the nearby Ramkota Hotel shortly after 8:30 a.m., said the hotels general manager, Renee Penton-Jones.

An evacuee at the hotel who declined to be identified said officers entered his office suddenly and told people to leave.

They came in guns down, the sheriff, and said, Hey, got to go, the man said.

The Aspen Creek building remained closed Friday, but authorities were allowing workers in surrounding buildings to return to their offices.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

One of the bells that rings before Mass each day from its perch in the tower beside Bernalillos Our Lady of Sorrows Church is named Maria.

A Bernalillo firefighter on Wednesday morning stood atop an extended ladder, his flashlight illuminating the words cast near the top of the lower, larger bell in the high brick tower. He shouted the spelling down to researcher Bob Gajkowski, who under the Placitas History Project, is conducting a survey of the bells in various Sandoval County churches.

Gajkowski had already examined photos of the two bells at Our Lady of Sorrows, which were taken in January from the top of a much shorter ladder. But using the fire departments ladder truck, Fire Chief Mike Carroll and firefighter Bryan Picchione were able to get a much closer look on Wednesday, providing Gajkowski better quality photos and more accurate measurements.

What Gajkowski already knew is that castings on the bells and yokes indicate that they were made in St. Louis, Mo., by the David Caughlan foundry. Gajkowski was able to track down Susan Caughlan, a descendant of the foundrys owner, who confirmed that the bells were made at the foundry or by one of its partners.

She was surprised, though, to hear that the bells made it all the way to New Mexico, where they still ring each day before Mass and on special occasions.

These are the furthest from St. Louis of any of the foundrys known bells, Gajkowski wrote in a short report on the project.

Gajkowski said the foundry produced bells until it was destroyed by a fire in 1866. So another surprise is the fact that one bell is dated 1899. But Gajkowski said a bell expert suggested that the date could be the result of a casting error, when a 66 was accidentally inverted.

This was not an uncommon thing, Gajkowski said.

The new discovery Wednesday was the Maria inscription.

The bell is named Maria,' Gajkowski said. We didnt know that. We dont know what that means.

He said the bell maker may have named the bell, or it could have been named at the request of the customer, which may or may not have been the Santuario de San Lorenzo, the church next door, which is where the bells hung until Our Lady of Sorrows was built in 1970.

We dont know the road the bells took to get here, he said, adding that its possible that it spent time at other churches before it wound up at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Gajkowski also learned that the larger of the two bells is nearly 3 feet tall, while the shorter top bell is just 19 inches tall.

Both the descendant of the foundry owner and the bell expert said bell measurements would help to confirm their source.

Well put it all together and see what happens, Gajkowski said of the information gathered Wednesday, see if it leads us anywhere.

Gajkowski is trying to locate the sources and histories of the many bells located in churches scattered throughout the Placitas-Bernalillo area.

To date, hes surveyed bells at the San Antonio de Padua Mission and Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, both in Placitas, and at the San Jose Mission in Algodones. He found a signature and 1944 date written in chalk on the inside of the Algodones bell.

Its another mystery, he said.

He hopes to determine whether bells in different parts of the county have anything in common. So far, they dont, though they were all made in relatively the same period.

The bells at both churches in Placitas seem to have roots in Ohio, while the Algodones bells origins are kind of nebulous at this point, he said.

Gajkowski said he wants to gather and document as much of the history of the Placitas area as he can, while its still available.

Were losing it so quickly, he said. Someday, I just know the kids are gonna say, What about all of this? 
AUSTIN, Texas  A state board has rejected a plan to use a shuttered Texas boarding school in Corsicana as a federal immigration center for unaccompanied Central American children who entered the U.S. illegally.

The mayor of Corsicana, about 55 miles south of Dallas, was in favor of the plan, but Gov. Greg Abbott and several state lawmakers were opposed to a project that could be seen as supporting federal immigration policies.

The governing board of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department voted 8-1 Friday against the idea of housing some 800 youths at a time in the school.

Corsicana Mayor Chuck McClanahan promoted the project as a job-creator, and said the unaccompanied children need some place to stay briefly until their relatives take them. He praised the board for hearing him out, but said hes disappointed for the residents of Navarro County and Corsicana who need better jobs with benefits, according to the Corsicana Daily Sun (http://bit.ly/2aCR6rO ).

According to the Texas State Historical Association, the school was established in 1887 and opened two years later as the State Orphans Home. The Corsicana State School closed in 2013 as the juvenile justice system downsized.

This facility has been in Corsicana for more than 100 years  as a place to help children, McClanahan told the Houston Chronicle last week. The only difference is that these are foreign children.

Corsicana officials had signed a tentative deal with a New York firm, Cayuga Home for Children, to operate it as a transitional housing center. If the board had approved, the city would have received title to the center for free, then leased it for $3,000 a month.

But Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Republican from Granbury, wrote the mayor last month saying he doesnt support a taxpayer-funded property being used as a revolving-door facility for illegal immigrants.

Regardless of how attractive the limited, short-term benefit such use of the TJJD property the federal government alleges will be provided to the city and/or county, I will not validate the mass influx of immigrants into a county I represent, Birdwell wrote. I will not be complicit in assisting the federal government in its willful malfeasance of the enforcement of immigration law.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
On Tuesday the Congress MP Kantilal Bhuria from Madhya Pradesh sought permission in the Lok Sabha to discuss the matter of withholding all advertisements by the Central and a few state governments to Rajasthan Patrika Group of publications. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to give the permission. Upon denial of the discussion, the documents regarding the matter were tabled in the House. MP Bhuria said that attempts at controlling media was dangerous for democracy. Once the matter had been tabled the government should explain what did Rajasthan Patrika Group do for the matter to reach such extremes. At what instances have the respective governments sent letters of warning to Patrika Publications, what were the specific reasons and when did the Information and Broadcasting Ministry send out notification regarding banning the advertisements. The issue raised by Patrika should have also been taken up in the House. Without this, all the concerned governments will have to concede that they have absolutely no faith in democracy.

After the previous general elections everyone had hoped and believed that Achche Din (better days) were surely dawning. After the formation of the governments the chronology of events which followed created a very grim atmosphere against Sushma Swaraj, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Vasundhra Raje, so much so that everyone thought they will be removed. In politics everyones feet are shaky. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has certainly made some kind of compromise with them but nonetheless the sword still is dangling above their heads. Our Chief Minister is sure today that BJP will not make her the CM again. Ergo she is busy securing the future of her next seven generations. She is saving the skin of every corrupt bureaucrat. In the past two and a half years many dubious middlemen of national and personal level have sprung up in the state. Some of these brokers are behind bars today. The government is busy with them and has forgotten its people. Today Supreme Court and High Court orders are treated like a laughing matter. The way anti-corruption agencies of the state are nabbing people daily, it appears that there is nothing else but looting, plundering and total anarchy and corruption here. When Rajasthan Patrika highlights these, then the government's ego is hurt. News is not fabricated, nor can we ever blackmail. The fact is, they dont want us to publish anything against the government. It seems the totalitarian rule of the monarchy is back.

Freedom of Press and Right to Expression is not available for Rajasthan Patrika today. But, yes, the governments have the liberty to misuse the power bestowed upon them by the people. The only hurdle in their path is Rajasthan Patrika which exposes all their misdeeds. Gagging it has become an extreme necessity. The government thinks it has a big weapon in its hand -stop giving all government advertisements to the newspaper. As if, this will change their destiny. People have actually started saying now that there has not been a more corrupt government in the state since Independence. Today whole Rajasthan is crying in agony. They may not open their mouth but today BJP ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs , everyone is upset, because in the past two and a half years not a single programme has trickled down to the grassroots. Everyone is worried about their political future. Even the constituency of the CM is shedding tears but it has absolutely no effect on their activities. Nor is Delhi putting a stop to it. They are unable to buy Patrika nor has Patrika asked for any favours from them. This is sheer arrogance of power. Those who were approached every time when there was a crisis are now fired upon.

Patrika always upholds high values and works on its principles ; and it shall continue to work for the people. There is no blemish on it. This is not agreeable to the ego of the government. They want to keep every media institution under its thumb. It is BJP government at the Centre too where people are of same fraternity. With one phone call all the Central governments DAVP advertisements have been stopped. Readers may recall that during the dark days of Emergency Patrika was thought to be anti Congress and the then Information and Broadcasting Minister Vidyacharan Shukla made threatening calls to Patrika. Collectorate office did everything in its power to maintain the censorship but even in those dark days government advertisements were not denied to Patrika. Its surprising that in todays Good Days  (Achchhe Din) they have been stopped without any prior intimation. Doesnt it point to a bigger dictatorship than the Emergency? Our esteemed CM always reiterates that she follows the footsteps of her late mother Vijaya Raje Scindia. She must be grieving in heaven to see her daughter take all sorts of wrong decisions under various pressures.

The Chief Ministers blind love for her son is the hot topic of discussion in BJP. The CM wanted to see Dushyant Singh in the Central ministry but Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned it down outright. Now she has dreams to see him as the next CM of Rajasthan. She has to first understand whether she will be able to even win next elections from her constituency again. There is a lack of positive environment for BJP today. If the governance continues as of now then BJPs days are surely numbered. It is a point to ponder whether the public will be kind to her son.

Angered by our news, the BJP governments, one after the other or rather in a planned systematic manner stopped all government advertisements to us. Chhattisgarh government targeted Patrika in the very beginning. Meanwhile we experienced Good Days in Madhya Pradesh. Though the advertisements did continue later but files didnt move fast. Rajasthan has gone absolutely ballistic. Its been almost eight months since they stopped advertisements to Rajasthan Patrika. One advertisement agency from Mumbai informed us that it had got a call from CM office to stop the advertisements. BJP MP from Rajasthan Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is Minister of State for I & B . What cant be achieved through him? There is no hope that Achchhe Din (Good Days) will emerge while this government is in power. We shall continue our fight with the support and patronage of our loyal readers and survive these next two and half years by disposing of some property, if need be. But the question here is, will BJP retain power in the next election if the present atmosphere continues? Will Dushyant be the new CM? It is better that CM shouldnt become Dhritrashtra in her love for her son and, instead, leave her ego aside and start caring for the people. Maybe then, God might listen to you.
New AF violence prevention specialists training begins

Representatives from the major commands and more than 30 Air Force installations attended training at Dobbins Air Reserve Base July 18-29 to become violence prevention specialists.



The Specialists for the Primary Prevention of Violence is being set up as a new helping agency for Airmen and their families. By using advanced scientific techniques, the agency will be dedicated to preventing all aspects of violence, from domestic to sexual assault, and suicide. SPPVs will be in place on all Air Force bases worldwide in April 2017.



There has been increased interest over the past year and a half to focus on prevention rather than responding to situations after the fact, said Dr. Andra Tharp, an Air Force sexual assault prevention and response prevention expert. The Air Force heard that and created this position to address that issue.



Groups assisting with the training included the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Green Dot Etc.



When we learned the position was authorized by the secretary of the Air Force, we engaged the CDC to give the prevention specialists the strongest training possible into doing what works and using a public health approach to prevent interpersonal and self-directed violence," Tharp said. "We are thrilled that CDC has partnered with us for this training.



The CDC provided a background for the training to give the specialists a strong foundation in the prevention science underlying violence prevention, which will equip them in their roles, Tharp added.



When designing the training, the organizers thought about what key competencies the specialists needed in order to be valuable resources at their installation, Tharp said. One piece was the CDCs ability to provide the prevention background and research; the other was applying the public health to prevention practice, which was where Green Dot came in.



Weve never done training to this extent like we have with the Air Force, said Dr. James Mercy, the director of the Division of Violence Prevention with the CDC. We see the Air Force as a pioneer in prevention. We thought it would be a great opportunity to work together where we could learn from each other.



Dr. Dorothy Edwards, the Green Dot founder and organizer, said that for a long time, interpersonal violence prevention was solely focused on things like telling men not to do it and women not to walk alone at night.



We then realized there was a third role, the bystander, Edwards said. So, instead of focusing on what not to do, we started focusing on what can we do.



Both agencies had a past partnership with the Air Force, but on smaller level. This training allowed them to expand that partnership.



We had been working with the military on violence prevention for a while, Mercy said. We wanted to strengthen our partnership with the Air Force because they have been a pioneer in this, especially with suicide prevention. We thought this would be a great opportunity for us to learn from each other and prevent further violence in the United States.



Green Dot held training sessions at individual bases for few years, Edwards said.



When the (Air Force) decided to do a comprehensive approach, the dialogue began, she said. They didnt want to just wing it. They were driven by the research.



The research and expertise in violence prevention came from the CDC.



The CDC is the largest organization in the world in regards to preventing violence, Mercy said. We have subject matter experts in different types of violence, covering the whole range. That expertise includes how you measure, prevent and protect from different types of violence. Thats the information that was shared in our training, sharing what we have found out through several decades of research.



The CDCs experts taught how to take that information and use it to implement programs on the ground, Mercy added. They also spoke on the magnitude of the problem in the U.S. -- who is at a higher risk of violence, characteristics of victims, who is most likely to be a perpetrator and specific programs that seem to work.



Its a lot of information, but it is easily understood, Mercy said.



The research from the CDC was used to develop Green Dot, Edwards said. So, the flow from the CDC to Green Dot was easily followed as Edwards taught implementation.



The Green Dot strategy is to reinvigorate people and let them know they can do something, Edwards said. This is about being realistic about what the bystanders can do. Its not that easy to just step in. Part of this is acknowledging that good people can get stuck and have barriers. This gives bystanders more natural and realistic tools.



The training group was excited about the future of this position and how they have been able to empower the SPPVs.



The Air Force is so driven right now to getting this right, Edwards said. This is an extraordinary position, and it has been an exciting training to be part of.
Presiding officers of the Maharashtra Legislature may visit the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Mumbais sister-city, to mark the 50th anniversary of relations between the two cities.

The officers evinced interest in visiting Russia during their recent meeting with Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Andrei Zhiltsov.

A Vidhan Bhawan official told PTI that Zhiltsov met Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde and Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar at the Vidhan Bhavan here recently.

The Russian envoy observed the work of both the Houses and held talks with the two presiding officers of the State Legislature, he said.

During the meeting with Nimbalkar and Bagade, Zhiltsov described the working of the state Duma, the Russian Parliament, and suggested that the presiding officers visit the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Mumbais sister-city, to mark the 50th anniversary of Mumbai-St Petersburg relations.

Nimbailkar and Bagade expressed their interest in visiting Russia as official representatives of Vidhan Bhavan and holding meetings with the leadership of the State Duma and a corresponding legislative body of one of the Russian regions to exchange experience, Zhiltsov said.

The presiding officers of Maharashtra Legislature and the Russian envoy have agreed that a memorandum of understanding be signed between the Vidhan Bhavan Maharshtra and interested Russian legislatures, the official said.








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One major concern about the Abdirahman Abdi case is that Ottawa Police Services has had a history of obstructing justice. Such a concern specifically relates to a case in which the Ottawa Police intimidated witnesses who were seeking to testify in behalf of a victim. Could history repeat itself?



On 12 June 2015, Raymond had met his Mom, Dezrin, at the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Resource Centre. He had been forcibly separated from his Mom by Police in late April 2015 after Raymond had witnessed abuse taking place by his father against his Mom. His father, Horace, then had him illegally evicted by the Ottawa Police Services to prevent Raymond from seeking to shelter his Mom from ongoing abuse and neglect by his father. By the time Raymond saw his Mom again thanks to a legal demand letter from a lawyer, his Mom had lost the ability to talk, write and walk having suffered unfettered abuse at the hands of the father. Raymond was shocked and uncontrollably cried for days afterward for days at what his Mom now looked liked. It was apparent that Ottawa Police Detective Isabelle Coady had shamefully and gratuitously lied that his Mom was being looked after.



Ms Alison Timmons who is a social services worker who is from the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Resource Centre told Raymond that she and her colleague were willing to help Raymond by testifying in court that the father had been blocking their ability to provide vitally needed assistance. Such testimony would also uncover the fact that Ottawa Police Detective Isabelle Coady who coordinated the Elder Abuse Unit, was negligent in safeguarding Dezrin from ongoing elder spousal abuse.



Raymond told this information to Detective Robert Griffin on 12 June 2015. Raymond thought that Detective Griffin was a responsible representative of the Ottawa Police Services.



Detective Griffin told Raymond that he would visit Ms Allison Timmons and her staff on Monday, 15 June 2015. But, as it turns out, Detective Robert Griffin was not the honest cop that Raymond thought. It was apparent that Detective Robert Griffin's visit consisted of making unspecific threats against Ms Timmons and her staff that made her retract her previous offer by her and her staff member to testify in court in support of Raymond.



Detective Griffin also apparently directed the social service workers at the Nepean, Osgoode and Rideau Community Resource Centre not to provide their community space any longer to enable Raymond to meet his sick and elderly Mom and further directed this Centre to cease and desist all contact with Raymond. The Centre complied with Detective Griffin's request by sending a letter to Raymond dated 15 June 2015 that he was not to contact them ever against.



Raymond's lawyer who had sent the Legal Demand was shocked at this turn of events that he had said he never before experienced, and especially so with a social services agency.



It became apparent that Detective Griffin and his fellow dirty cops: who he apparently works with was hired by Raymond's father to seek out and intimidate any witness that could testify of seeing abuse. The work of Detective Griffin did not stop at intimidating social service workers and neighbours.



Detective Griffin came to Raymonds residence in broad daylight. While Raymond was just about to enter his residence with his groceries he heard a loud screeching noise behind him. When Raymond quickly turned around he saw a brown-peach coloured car quickly accelerating to fence Raymond's car in the driveway like a scene from a movie.



Detective Griffin then proceeded to make wild threats in broad daylight under the watchful eye of neighbours. One neighbour shouted in support, Do you need any help Raymond.



This is when Detective Griffin began threatening Raymond that if did not discontinue informing relatives of his fathers abuse against his Mom and related matters, Raymond would be charged by him with criminal harassment. Raymond proceeded to tell Detective Griffin that such threats were a violation of his free speech pursuant to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.



Having been rebuffed, Detective Griffin began making more threats that included banging down his door late at nigh in plain clothes for 30 minutes alleging that he wanted to give him a key, as he shouted though the door a variety of harassing utterances. Raymond recalled that the experience reminded him of one of those movies featuring ordinary citizens fleeing from dirty cops. His threats were also accompanied by harassing text messages, phone calls and email.



When Raymond had called the Ottawa Police to complain, Ottawa Police refused to investigate ad referred the matter to basically a Human Resources operative with no substantive accountability. And mass media organizations which included CTV Ottawa, the Ottawa Sun, the Ottawa Citizen and CBC had shown no interest in providing any investigative coverage.



Police abuses in Ottawa occurs in an organizational context in which there's a lack of accountability and where the media only takes interest after ordinary citizens can take video that goes viral



Are witnesses in the Abdirahman Abdi also vulnerable to witness intimidation? If so, they may have no institution to turn to in order to seek relief and especially the police itself that covers up each others atrocities.






MORGAN, Minn. -- Farm issues Roger Johnson faces in the nation's capital are not much different from what he handled in North Dakota.

But politics are an entirely different story.

"The politics in Washington, D.C., are very broken," said the National Farmers' Union president and former North Dakota agriculture commissioner. "It is a very dysfunctional place. It has been my biggest disappointment going out there, trying to run a major national farm organization faced with a Congress that just is not very functional anymore."

Johnson left his native North Dakota when he was elected Farmers' Union president in 2009. He was a third-generation Turtle Lake farmer.

During a visit to southwest Minnesota's Farmfest agriculture show, where he was featured on a panel that discussed federal water issues, Johnson told Forum News Service about life in Washington, comparing it to his North Dakota roots.

As in Washington now, Republicans controlled the North Dakota House and Senate when he was ag commissioner.

"We got along pretty well," recalled Johnson, a Democrat. "It was not a dysfunctional relationship. You come out to D.C., and it is a totally different situation."

However, he said, farmers are optimistic by nature. "We always live to plant the next crop. ... You survive until the next election, and then you do it again. Our members are more engaged than they ever have been."

Farmers' Union members already are looking at how to improve federal farm laws, Johnson added, even though they are not due to be rewritten for two years. They are dissecting current law to see what needs changed and drawing up new ideas.

The same is going on in the other major industry organization, Farm Bureau.

While the Farmers' Union tends to lean more Democratic and Farm Bureau Republican, the two groups agree on 70 to 80 percent of the issues they face, Johnson said. There is a good relationship among leaders of the two groups, he said.

Farm Bureau leaders agree, and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap said the groups find more in common all the time.

"It is not our fathers' Farm Bureau," he said of the partisan differences in the past. "And I don't know if it is our fathers' Farmers' Union."

"There are a lot of ways we work together on a daily basis," Paap said, much like farmers themselves do. "Working together works."

Johnson said the two groups agree on the need for federal farm laws, but do not always agree on specifics.

One difference he pointed out is that the Farmers' Union supports eliminating the estate tax on farms up to $6 million, but backs taxing larger estates. Farm Bureau tends to want to fully eliminate the estate tax.

Johnson took issue with some people who want to change how the farm bill is put together. There is a growing contingent in Washington calling for separating farm-related programs from nutrition spending, such as the program that used to be known as food stamps.

He agreed with Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., who said at Farmfest said that would be the death of farm legislation.

"You cannot pass legislation specific to farmers, who represent less than 2 percent of the population of this country, without urban support," Johnson said. "You just can't do it."

Fewer than 8 percent of U.S. House districts are considered rural, while more than half are solidly urban. The rest are a mixture.

And with each census, urban residents make up a larger percentage of the country's population, giving them more House seats.

"We have always argued for safety net for farmers when times are bad," Johnson said. "That precise argument applies to the nutrition guidelines. Those policies in the nutrition programs are targeted to children who do not have much money, for families who are broke, for those who need a safety net."

Farmers who want to cut nutrition programs are "hypocritical" if they want to cut help for poor people while retaining aid for farmers in financial distress, he said.

With all the serious problems on his plate, what is the biggest difference he notices between North Dakota and Washington? "D.C. doesn't really have winter, but their summers are godawful hot. ... I will take a North Dakota winter over a D.C. summer any year."
trump clinton.jpg

This fall, I will vote in the presidential election for the first time as a resident of Alabama, having previously voted in Oklahoma (my birthplace) and New York (where I lived for 32 years).

It'll be the 11th time I've stepped into a voting booth, closed the curtain (do they do that down here?) and flipped that switch with my selection for the person whom I believe should serve as our leader, the person saddled with more responsibility perhaps than any other human being on the planet, the person with the duty to handle those responsibilities with grace, compassion and wisdom.

Some of the men I selected (yes, they've all thus far been men, of course) won (Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama), others (Carter, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale, Al Gore) were defeated. Some of the beaten were trounced; at least one (Gore) "lost" by such a close margin it took the Supreme Court to settle it.

The pattern is pretty clear. Yes, they've all been Democrats.

I'm of the generation that came of age as Republicans--the party of many generations of black Americans because it was the so-called party of Lincoln, who is overly credited with "freeing the slaves"--staunchly opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and etched themselves (fairly, or not) as the party of segregation now, segregation forever.

Any efforts to change that view since, specifically on the national level, have been tepid, clumsy and erratic, at best. At worst, they've been disingenuous and insulting. In between, they've just been comical.

Now, some of my best friends are Republican (humorous phrase intended). Really. I've know them since high-school, when we all attended a well-regarded, academically rigorous private institution in Tulsa mostly population by children of the city's white elite. I was on scholarship.

To this day, we spar and debate via text messages and social media. Our exchanges began eight years ago as America saw the rise of a young Senator from Illinois who made us begin to ponder the idea of a black man becoming president.

Some of them are what I call "reasonable" Republicans. We don't agree on everything, by any means. But we are symbiotic on many subjects, such as the need to invest in the economy to build jobs, boost our education system, eliminate discrimination in all forms and do our best to ensure that our less fortunate fellow citizens--especially their children--have access to a quality education, decent jobs and affordable healthcare.

I've even made a few new friends in this category right here in Alabama, throughout the state.

Then there are my longtime Republican friends whom I'll call the staunch they-want-to-take-away-my-guns, Obama's-the-worst-president-ever, screw-the-anti-police-Black-Lives-Matter-people, Hillary-is-a-liar-too folks.

Lordy. It seems like they wake up mad every morning--especially these days, as their party is being led by someone who feeds their anger (over what, I'm still not yet truly certain) with divisiveness, hatred and a Grinch-like hardened heart; and whose presidential campaign makes our jaws drop each day.

None of my friends in this group live in our state, and yet my long-held sense of things after two-plus years here is that more of my fellow Alabamians lean toward them than in the direction of my "reasonable" Republican friends.

Though now, it seems, I just may be surprised.

Every day, Republicans nationwide--as individuals and groups--are sliding away from Donald Trump as if his hair was on fire, whether because of his petty, incessant attack on the parents of slain U.S. soldier Army Cpt. Humayun Khan, or that he reportedly just doesn't understand (like a petulant child) why we can't use nuclear weapons (dear, God), or that he is promising to build a wall around him and his ilk, separating them from the rest of us.

On Friday, The Harvard Republicans released a scathing repudiation of Trump, citing him as "a threat to the Republic." It would be the first time in 128 years the group didn't endorse the party's presidential nominee. One hundred and twenty-eight years.

Some loyal, longtime Republicans--like the former Ronald Reagan aide Doug Elmets, Congressman Richard Hanna of New York and Mike Treiser, a former aide to Mitt Romney--have blatantly said they're voting for Hilllary Clinton, the Democratic nominee and potentially the first female president of the United States in history.

Others are simply choosing to stay silent, at least for now, though they still see what more of more of their peers see each disturbing day.

One leading Alabama Republican told me this (anonymously, of course):

"We need more unity and love," he said. "It seems as a conservative, if I say what I am for without putting anyone down I am called out for believing differently. It's a complex problem that needs to be solved."

Heck, Ted Cruz is starting to look like Miss Cleo.

A new poll showed at least one of our neighbors in the Deep South, Georgia, is flipping toward Clinton, who is now four points ahead in the Peach state.

Florida and even Mississippi--Mississippi!--are beginning to be considered swing states now, according to numerous reports.

Alabama and Tennessee are apparently--and not surprisingly--still considered solid Trump thresholds. Not since the first time I voted in a presidential election, 1976, has my new home state swung Democratic.

It won't likely happen here this year, but if the "reasonable" Republicans in our state slip silently (and anonymously) into the polling booths in November and do something all but unthinkable a few weeks ago, hey, who knows?

As one of my other Republican friends said in a text message following Trump's vitriolic speech at the Republican National Convention: "Americans usually figure it out."

Will Alabamians?
Roy Ellis Hunter.jpg

ATF and ALEA agents arrested Roy Ellis Hunter after a 2015 raid into gun trafficking. He was arrested again Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, after being indicted by a federal grand jury.

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A former Fairfield Police Department custodian is under arrest after a grand jury indicted him on federal gun charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Birmingham, along with the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives today announced the arrest of 70-year-old Roy Ellis Hunter. He is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of nearly 50 weapons, mostly handguns. He was indicted July 26, but the indictment was unsealed after his Thursday arrest.

Hunter was first arrested more than one year ago - in July 2015 - suspected of smuggling numerous guns out the department's evidence room and selling them. He was out on bond from state charges that stemmed from that arrest.

The 2015 raid at his home at that time culminated a lengthy investigation into gun trafficking, Dave Hyche, ATF's assistant special agent in charge in Alabama, said at the time. The probe focused on suspected criminals selling to people who are prohibited from having them.

Hunter is a convicted felon who spent time in federal prison on racketeering charges connected to a drug trafficking operation. He was also a member of the Outcast Motorcycle Club.

According to the federal indictment, Hunter was convicted on federal racketeering and cocaine distribution in 1984 and on federal counterfeiting charges in 1983. Count one of the indictment charges him with being a convicted felon in possession of four handguns on June 4, 2015. Count two charges him as a convicted felon in possession of 42 firearms - 39 handguns, one rifle, one shotgun and a trigger group - on July 8, 2015.

The indictment seeks to have Hunter forfeit those 46 firearms, plus five others. "Taking a convicted felon in control of a cache of firearms off the streets is the kind of law enforcement work that greatly reduces the threat of violence in our communities,'' Vance said in a prepared statement. "We should all appreciate the collaborative work of ATF and ALEA agents in investigating this case and bringing it forward for prosecution."

"Putting a stop to this flow of confiscated firearms into the community, no doubt, has had an effect on crime in the area,'' said Hyche, also in a prepared statement. "Firearms that had been used in crimes and recovered by police getting back into the hands of a convicted felon who was selling them had to be stopped as fast as possible."

"Stolen firearms in the hands of violent criminals are an enormous problem for us in Alabama and nationally,'' Hyche said, "so we aggressively work these cases with our law enforcement partners."

Hunter was arraigned today in federal court and released on bond. The maximum penalty for the charge of felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
A Jefferson County Jury on Friday night awarded a $16 million verdict to a Mountain Brook couple on claims against Brookwood Medical Center for medical negligence and reckless fraud for the hospital's natural birth advertising campaign at the time of their child's birth in 2012.

The verdict came in just before 10 p.m. Friday after about 10 hours of deliberations and a two-week trial, said David Marsh, an attorney with the Birmingham law firm Marsh Rickard Bryan that filed the lawsuit on behalf of Caroline Malatesta and her husband, J.T. Malatesta.

The jury awarded $10 million in compensatory damages for the pudendal neuralgia nerve injury she suffered during child birth, $1 million to her husband for loss of consortium, and $5 million in punitive damages for reckless fraud related to a Brookwood ad and marketing campaign that had made certain promises about natural child birth, Marsh said.

"We felt the verdict was reasonable," Marsh said in an interview Saturday with AL.com.

While the verdict is large, it is consistent with the costs and future costs for Mrs. Malatesta's care and treatment for chronic debilitating pelvic pain caused by the birthing procedure, Marsh said.

Two attorneys that represented Brookwood in the case had not responded to email requests for comment prior to publication of this story.

The trial was held before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Joseph Boohaker. The verdict is subject to post-trial review by the judge and if it stands the verdict could be appealed by the hospital to the Alabama Supreme Court.

The Malatestas filed the lawsuit in 2014 against Brookwood Women's Medical Center and its parent company Tenet Healthcare Corporation.

Mrs. Malatesta had given birth to her first three children at St. Vincent's Hospital, according to her lawsuit. Before she became pregnant with her fourth child in June 2011 she became interested in natural birth, including water birth, after seeing a television ad, according to the lawsuit.

"Those Brookwood ads emphasized a mother's choice, individual birthing plans, freedom of movement and even mentioned water births. Caroline met with her newly chosen doctor at Brookwood and asked lots of questions before finally committing to a delivery at Brookwood," according to a blog post Saturday on the Marsh Rickard Bryan law firm website.

Marsh said that before the Brookwood natural birth advertisements were aired the marketing campaign wasn't presented for review by its medical staff or its internal fraud review process.

"The so-called natural childbirth experience at Brookwood turned out to be a nightmare for the Malatestas," according to the blog. "Caroline had no freedom of movement; instead, she was restrained, sometimes forcibly. Caroline was offered no choice; it was the nurses' way or no way. "

Brookwood defended the case by both blaming Mrs. Malatesta and trying to prove her injuries didn't occur during delivery, according to the blog.

Marsh said in the interview with AL.com that Mrs. Malatesta's baby boy was not injured during the birth and is healthy.

Mrs. Malatesta, however, has gone from a very active woman to having chronic debilitating pelvic pain from a condition called pudendal neuralgia, a nerve injury suffered during the birth. She has to spend hours each day soaking in tubs and has had to have nerve block treatments and medication, he said.

Rip Andrews, another attorney representing the Malatestas, said that one of the things that might have affected the jury was that after Mrs. Malatesta was flipped over, the baby was held inside her for 6 minutes until the doctor arrived.

Andrews said that Mrs. Malatesta is "one of the bravest" people he knows and is a lesson on how to live your life even when dealt a tough hand.

"I've never seen a jury more committed to doing the right thing," Andrews said

Marsh said hopefully the verdict means that hospitals who target young women and market to young women to come to their hospitals for natural birth will be prepared to honor the mothers wishes and will be prepared to implement it in a safe fashion.

"Where two lives are involved you must be prepared and ready to deliver what's being sold to the mother," Marsh said. "Hopefully it will prevent other Caroline Malatestas from being injured or have their lives changed forever."

Updated at 7:05 p.m. Aug. 6, 2016 with additional comment from Rip Andrews
Shelby County Murder Conspiracy.jpg

Kirsten Vining, a wife, mother and medical receptionist, and Eric William Lipscomb, of Ohio, were arrested in Shelby County on charges they plotted to kill her husband with Ricin.

(Shelby County Jail)

A Shelby County wife and mother is behind bars, accused of conspiring with an Ohio man to kill her husband.

Kirsten Mae Vining, 32, and Eric William Lipscomb, 23, were arrested today on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Both were booked into the Shelby County Jail late this afternoon, where they are being held on $50,000 bond each.

According to arrest warrants filed in the case, the pair planned to kill Gene Franklin Vining III with castor beans, which are used to make Ricin poison.Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury. Ricin can be made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid.

A dose of purified Ricin powder the size of a few grains of table salt can kill an adult.

Records show the murder attempt took place on July 21, 2016 and said Kirsten Vining brought Lipscomb to Alabama with the plan to poison/ kill Frankie Vining. No other details were immediately available in court records, and Frankie Vining declined to comment on the incident and his wife's arrest.

Efforts to reach Pelham police investigators for more information were unsuccessful. Shelby County District Attorney Jill Lee said the case "evolved quickly" and the investigation is ongoing. Lee said more information may be released next week.

The relationship between Kirsten Vining and Lipscomb wasn't immediately clear. Kirsten Vining lives in Bessemer, and most recently was a receptionist for a Birmingham-area surgeon, coordinating care and assistance with the transition before and after surgery. She and her husband have two daughters and a son.
Rehau Construction LLC, a manufacturer of polyethylene pipes, announced a $5 million, five-year expansion plan at its Cullman plant that the company said would create 50 new jobs.

The expansion is needed because Rehau will be making new gaskets for refrigerator and freezer doors for a "major manufacturer," according to the Cullman Economic Development Agency, which held the announcement Friday at the Cullman City Hall auditorium. Maic von Thuelen, Rehau Construction's plant manager, could not immediately be reached for comment, but the economic development agency said Rehau did not want to disclose the company it was making the gaskets for.

"This gives them a lot of potential in Cullman," Dale Greer, of the economic development agency, told AL.com.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, whose district includes the Cullman plant, praised the expansion.

Happy to hear that Rehau in Cullman is expanding its operation. That means more jobs for the 4th District. pic.twitter.com/Bp1HE6q3oz  Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) August 5, 2016

Headquartered in Switzerland, Rehau makes polymers for a number of industries and first came to Alabama in 1995, when the company's automotive division opened a plant in Cullman and became the first Tier 1 automotive supplier to follow Mercedes-Benz to the Yellowhammer State. About 1,000 employees work for the auto division and its technical center.

Rehau Construction's plant was built on the Cullman campus in 2006. The facility has 86 employees, which will grow to 136 workers by 2021. The additional 50 jobs have a $30,000 average annual salary.

The gaskets are expected to be in full production by the fall.
"I feel we are doing a grave disservice to the people of North Dakota. We are running a $7 billion state, and we are putting forward a bill with a $28,000 ending fund balance."

 Rep. Mark Dosch, R-Bismarck, urging legislators to adopt an amendment to increase the 2.5 percent budget cut to general fund agencies to 5.95 percent. His amendment, which would have left a $55.2 million ending fund balance, failed.

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"I think the overall feeling with law enforcement is 'build more jails.'"

 Bismarck Police Chief Dan Donlin, citing a conflict between police and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, whose director recently advocated for sentencing reform around drug possession and mandatory minimums.

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"Call your legislator. We need the resources for prevention, treatment and re-entry."

 Former U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon, during a forum looking at the growing problem of opioid abuse in the Bismarck area.

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"As our economy grows, we will be able to once again build up budget reserves. For now, belt-tightening is the order of the day, and I'm confident people of North Dakota will be supportive."

 Gov. Jack Dalrymple, opening a special session of the Legislature to deal with a revenue shortfall.

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"Water and oil don't mix. You can't cook with (contaminated water); you can't shower with it; you can't water your animals with it; you can't wash your clothes in it."

 Cante Ohkitika, of Cannon Ball, who joined a group on the Capitol grounds this week protesting the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline's Missouri River crossing.

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"We are in crisis in housing in Indian Country. We need to find new and better solutions."

 Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., during a session on housing problems on reservations. U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro attended the Bismarck meeting.

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"Growing up it didn't matter what school you went to."

 Dan Mayer, who was class president of St. Mary's Central High School in 1966. Mandan High, Bismarck High and St. Marys are holding 50-year reunions this weekend.

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"Just through our constant vigilance, we want to make sure that we're not over-testing, but there isn't a magic number either."

 Ryan Townsend, the Bismarck School Districts director of curriculum, instruction, assessment and teacher development, on how the district avoids having too many assessments for students.

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"They hired all the young people from around the area and trained them on the job. We started that rascal up and it wasn't easy. There was turmoil, upheaval and difficulty. But that group of guys out there was just unbeatable.

 Marvin Leer, of Stanton, who was there when the Stanton Station opened in 1966. The plant will close next year.

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"We know from history that it takes a minimum of five years to really get somewhat of a foundation. We're getting close to that."

 Jeb Williams, wildlife division chief at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, on how pronghorns are doing in the state.

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"The public interest in protecting the most cherished right to vote for thousands of Native Americans who currently lack a qualifying ID and cannot obtain one, outweighs the purported interest and arguments of the State. It is critical the State of North Dakota provide Native Americans an equal and meaningful opportunity to vote in the 2016 election. No eligible voter, regardless of their station in life, should be denied the opportunity to vote."

 U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland, in his decision granting a preliminary injunction in a case involving the North Dakota voter ID law.
New Mexico commemorates the anniversary of a supposed alien spacecraft crash in 1947 and an alleged government cover-up.

Roswell, New Mexico  Each summer, thousands of people descend upon the town of Roswell, New Mexico, for the annual UFO Festival, an event commemorating the anniversary of a supposed alien spacecraft crash and government cover-up that occurred nearby in the summer of 1947.

For four days and nights, this otherwise sleepy, conservative town in southeastern New Mexico is transformed into a carnivalesque scene of food carts, costume contests, light shows and booths brimming with extraterrestrial-themed collectables.

This year, a 20ft blow-up alien presided over the festivities on Main Street as a steady procession of visitors, some dressed in alien-themed garb, made their way towards Saturdays costume contest at a nearby auditorium.

Its like Mardi Gras, but with aliens, says Janet Jones, proprietor of the Roswell Space Center, one of six permanent stores selling UFO and alien merchandise.

Jones was born and raised in Roswell, a town consumed by the otherworldly. Here, light posts are shaped like alien heads, coffee shops sell ET-themed lattes, McDonalds restaurants are shaped like flying saucers, and the biggest draw in town is the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

Its hard to imagine what we would be without the crash, says Jones. We have the mozzarella factory and the pecan orchards, but this is the biggest game in town.

The omnipresence of the UFO in Roswell began in the 1990s as a calculated attempt by the city to capitalise on a niche tourist economy centred around the 1947 incident, considered by most to be the seminal moment in UFO folklore.

This is the place, says Mike Alvarez, who has been coming to Roswell from his home in Texas since 1997 and, like many believers, considers Roswell to be something of a sacred destination for UFO enthusiasts.

The most important cover-up in history, he says, noting the commonly held belief that the United States government withheld information about the true nature of the crash.

The incident of 1947

The undisputed facts (though much remains disputed) claim that, in 1947, a rancher named Mack Brazel came across unidentifiable debris on his ranch and hauled the wreckage to the nearby army airfield. There, an air force officer issued a press release claiming a flying disc had been recovered. On July 8, 1947, the Roswell Daily Record ran a tantalising headline: RAAF [Roswell Army Air Field] captures flying saucer on ranch in Roswell region, and the story was picked up across the country.

Public interest in the crash soon waned after the air force released a statement saying that the debris was from a weather balloon. However, in the 1970s, the Roswell incident was resurrected by ufologists claiming that the balloon crash was a cover-up and that the government had discovered alien bodies at the crash site.

Roswell is the mother of all cover-ups, says Kim Carrier, standing behind his booth, The Martian Collectible Store, and sporting a tinfoil hat on his head.

Anyone with sense knows something happened here.

Prior to 9/11 it was the granddaddy of all conspiracy theories, a cosmic Watergate, says William Dewan, a professor of history at the University of California at Irvine, who wrote his doctorate dissertation on the UFO phenomenon.

The contemporary climate is key to understanding these events, says Dewan, noting the public mistrust of the government that has, in part, fuelled the conspiracy theories surrounding UFOs.

In the 1990s, the government revealed that what had crashed years earlier was not a weather balloon, but one used for surveillance, part of a top-secret US Air Force project to detect nuclear weapons explosions. This omission led to further controversy and conspiracy theories, increasing the interest in the incident among sceptics and believers alike.

READ MORE: Star Wars Desert Rave

Nick Pope, a former employee at the British Ministry of Defence, was involved in investigating reports of UFO sightings, including the Rendlesham Forest incident, among the best-known reported UFO events in the world. He told Al Jazeera: I think its beyond dispute that something crashed in Roswell. Thats pretty much the one point on which believers and sceptics agree.

However, while the idea that the object that crashed was an extraterrestrial spacecraft has become firmly embedded in popular culture, theres no conclusive evidence that thats what happened, says Pope, one of numerous UFO researchers and lecturers speaking at the festival this year.

We have definite evidence that they are [there], even if we dont know what they are, says David Marler, a UFO researcher, lecturer and author who has conducted numerous investigations into alleged UFO sightings.

My passion is the history, and a sense that there must be something behind all of this, says Marler, speaking to Al Jazeera at the festival.

Roswell is ground zero for this subject [of ufology], says Pope, noting that while circuitous debates over the truth or fiction about the UFO visitation at Roswell continue, no one can doubt its role in the media and public fascination that continues today.

The fact that were talking about it 65 years later says a lot, says Marler. Whether its fact, fiction or folklore, everyone has to agree UFOs are part of our culture.

UFOs over America

The modern UFO phenomenon in the US can be traced to 1947, when pilot Kenneth Arnold reportedly saw nine objects flying near Mount Rainier in Washington state. Fearing that what he saw was a foreign weapon, Arnold reported the sighting to a local paper. His description of the UFOs moving like a saucer would if you skipped it across the water was misquoted. Numerous headlines such as Supersonic flying saucer sighted by Idaho pilot ran on front pages across the nation.

In their haste to get the story out, the reporters got it wrong, but it created a new reality, says sociologist Robert Bartholomew, who has written extensively about the sociological underpinning of UFO sightings throughout history, noting the explosion of mysterious sightings that followed the incident. Thus, according to Bartholomew, the words flying disc and flying saucer were soon born.

UFO sightings soon became entrenched in popular culture.

In response, the US government, the air force and then the CIA began investigating UFO claims. They, along with many in academia, worked to explain the phenomenon, placing it at the very periphery of society. According to Bartholomew, early believers were often painted as insane, and their experiences seen as a product of individual or collective psychopathology.

Scientists says these things do not exist, or there is no conclusive proof. Yet, all these people keep seeing these things, says Bartholomew, noting how despite the scepticism over the validity of sightings and experiences, the persistence and prevalence of UFO experiences cannot be denied.





Numerous polls conducted from the 1950s onwards show that belief in UFO sightings may not be the norm, but they are anything but peripheral.

These polls have consistently shown that roughly one in three Americans believe in the existence of UFO visits with extraterrestrial origins. A 2013 Huffington Post and YouGov poll found that nearly half of Americans believe that UFOs have visited earth at some point.

Not since the belief in fairies, which are no longer plausible, has there been such a powerful, yet plausible symbol, says Bartholomew, explaining that while no incontrovertible alien artefact or other verifiable evidence has ever officially been presented to the public, the UFO remains a compelling possibility.

Meanings

In recent years, the scientific and empirical validities of UFOs have become less important to some than what sightings, experiences and representation of aliens and UFOs say about how we see ourselves and our world.

Aliens are, according to Dewan, funhouse mirror distortions of ourselves. If you look at pop culture, theyre either saviours or destroyers. The narratives of aliens speak to very terrestrial concerns.

These terrestrial concerns, at the time of Arnolds sightings, were rooted firmly in the anxieties of the Cold War.

The UFO phenomenon is specifically born out of Cold War politics and paranoia, says Dewan. Communism and nuclear Armageddon were the two things on Americans minds. These fears were manifested in the skies above them, he explains.

This was a product of the Red Scare, says Bartholomew.

[It] coincided with a period of heightened Western fear over the rapid, global spread of communism and the potential threat of atomic warfare and secret weapons, says Bartholomew, noting the proliferation of UFO sightings over military bases, weapons labs, and test sites.

This argument for the correlation between UFO sightings and military and nuclear sites is maybe most evident in New Mexico, a state involved in numerous prominent cases that go well beyond the Roswell incident.

WATCH: NZ military releases UFO files

New Mexicos position as a state associated with the UFO phenomenon is inextricably linked with Roswell, but the fact that its also home to Los Alamos, the White Sands Missile Range, Holloman AFB and Kirkland AFB is also relevant, says Nick Pope, noting the states centrality to both the US nuclear and weapons complex. All these sites are associated with US technological progress during or after the Second World War, and all of them have been linked to UFOs in some way.

Where you see cutting-edge nuclear technology, you see these things, says Marler, speaking to Al Jazeera from his home in Albuquerque, the walls of his study covered with original newspaper headlines from the various UFO events, many of which occurred in the state.

Marlers residence is part living space, part museum. Two rooms and most of the garage house thousands of documents, books, news clippings and magazines that make up an impressive library on the subject of UFOs, a collection which he will bequeath to the University of New Mexicos Center for Southwest Research upon his death.

Going back to the early days, regardless of your take on the Roswell crash story, the debris was found outside Roswell, which at the time was the only atomic bomb facility in existence. This was not that far from the Trinity test site where the first atomic bomb was detonated in July 1945.

Also, after Roswell, there were high concentrations of UFO sightings above and around Los Alamos National Laboratory, the nations premier nuclear weapons lab, according to Marler. The sightings, he says, are outlined in numerous declassified documents that recount these sightings by military, security personnel and scientists there.

New Mexico lies at the heart of the military industrial complex. It is also obviously the home of the Trinity site. The very fears a legend like Roswell speaks to are embodied by this historical presence, says Dewan, who says the conspiracy theories surrounding UFOs can provide a telling lens into our culture and society.

There is a tendency to blame the individual in conspiracy theories, says Dewan, but that is missing the point.

The question is: Are Americans rightly paranoid? How much of our history in recent decades is in part a state secret?

We live in a climate of compartmentalised knowledge and classification at various levels. That kind of climate will produce paranoia, and these stories speak to a very real underlying fear of what is being withheld from them.

Back at the festival in Roswell, families line up along Main Street to watch the parade of lights, the last evening event of the UFO Festival.

We have come for the past three years, says Marie, who came to enjoy an unusual event with her family. It is just a good time.

Am I a believer? That depends on what day you ask, laughs Jones, who, as proprietor of her store in Roswell, meets a range of people from sceptics to believers or the simply curious.

Who can say for sure? We dont need Roswell to know the government isnt telling us everything, says Jones. Whats clear is that there is something else out there.

Its a big universe. Its silly to think were alone.
The movement provides a platform for the aspirations of Palestinians without taking any political sides.

Last May, when the Israeli Interior Ministry issued an order banning nonviolent activist and cofounder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement Omar Barghouti from travel, it was not a simple travel ban. It was yet another proof that Israel is not simply opposed to violent Palestinian resisters, but also to nonviolent ones.

Many years ago, in June 1988, Israel deported another Palestinian nonviolent activist, Mubarak Awad, on the eve of the first Palestinian Intifada, during the Yitzhak Shamir administration.

Both cases certainly prove that Israel cant deal with either violent or nonviolent Palestinians; some would even say that Israelis have a much harder time with nonviolent Palestinians.

The values

The current BDS movement was launched 11 years ago in July 2005 through a call by leading Palestinian organisations, factions and nationalist leaders.

At its launch, BDS called upon the people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the Apartheid era.

The statement  endorsed by a wide group of Palestinians including various political groups and civil society organisations  called for these nonviolent punitive measures to be maintained until Israel meets its international obligations by ending its occupation and colonisation of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall.

Second, by recognising the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and third by respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

Across the globe, Israel and its apologists' efforts to stem the movement of individuals' freedom of expression and choice are the best sign of the righteousness and power of this movement. by

The nonviolent ideas in the pre-Intifada period were never fully matured into an active strategy and action plan, even though many of its ideas of boycotts and civil disobedience were reflected in the Intifadas secret body  called the Unified National Leadership of the Uprising.

This underground leadership was totally committed to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its policies, which eventually led to the Madrid Peace Conference and the secretly negotiated Oslo Accords that included letters of mutual recognition.

Political freedom to campaign

While receiving endorsement from political groupings in Palestine and abroad, the BDS movement and more importantly the Boycott Divestment Sanctions National Committee (BNC) was clear not to act on behalf or represent any of the political movements that many blame for the weakness of the Palestinian position.

Being neither part of the PLO, Hamas nor any other Palestinian organisation  or faction  has given the BDS movement the political freedom to campaign on all fronts and locations, and not to be straight-jacketed with political and ideological constraints.

OPINION: BDS is a war Israel cant win

This meant that they were able to put the Palestinian issue in its larger context and priorities: First the need for an end to the occupation; second, securing the equal rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel; and third, the need to solve the Palestinian refugees issue.

The goals neither oppose nor support the two-state solution, nor do they adhere to the road map and Oslo process that has doubled the number of illegal settlers in the occupied territories.

Even though the UN Resolution 194 has a similar clause about the right of return and compensation for the Palestinian refugees, the attacks on the movement have never ceased.

Attackers, such as paid hasbara students, as well as pro-Israel politicians defenders and some pundits falsely claimed that the purpose of the BDS was to delegitimise Israel and that it was an anti-Semitic movement. The more that Israel and its defenders attacked the BDS, the more the movement became popular.

OPINION: The BDS question at US universities

Across the globe, Israel and its apologists efforts to stem the movement of individuals freedom of expression and choice are the best sign of the righteousness and power of this movement.

Some democratic countries and leaders are succumbing under political and pro-Israel lobbyist pressures to pass anti-democratic legislations  all with the goal of stemming this powerful nonviolent campaign for justice and against tyranny.

Risks ahead

The BDS movement, however, risks becoming weaker if it attempts to become a partisan political party or if it engages in political talks.

The movements power is its ability to provide a platform for the widest possible values and aspirations of Palestinians without taking any specific political side.

Eleven years since its launch, the leaders of the BDS movement understand that using nonviolent tactics is a long process that requires discipline and continued rejection of any attempt of supporting violence, hatred and discrimination.

This patience and continued campaigning will bring an end to injustice and will certainly produce similar results to the global campaign against South African Apartheid rule.

Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris professor of journalism at Princeton University.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Police say attacker who injured two officers in the city of Charleroi was shot and has died in hospital.

A machete-wielding man who attacked two policewomen in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi has died in hospital of police gunshot wounds, according to officials.

The police officers were attacked outside police headquarters in Charleroi, a city 50km south of the capital, Brussels, on Saturday afternoon. One suffered deep wounds to the face while the other was slightly injured, local media reported.

Charleroi police said on Twitter that the attacker, who was shot by a third officer, subsequently died of his wounds in hospital, while the two policewomen were out of danger.

The death of the machete attacker is confirmed, the tweet said.

The assailant reportedly shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest in Arabic) during the attack.

Charles Michel, the Belgian prime minister, wrote on Twitter on Saturday that he strongly condemned the attack, while the countrys Interior Minister Jan Jambon called it a vile act.

Initial indications clearly point towards terrorism, the prime minister later told the television channel RTL.

Public broadcaster VRT said the attacker had taken out a machete when two officers asked to search him at a checkpoint set up outside the citys police headquarters.

One young man told the television station VTM that he and his friends heard five to six shots fired in rapid succession, then, 30 seconds later, three more shots.

There was no immediate indication of the mans identity; Belgian media reported that the attacker had no papers with him.

A spokesman for the federal prosecutor said the authorities expected to be able to issue more information on Sunday morning.

Belgium has been on high-security alert for months since suicide bombers hit Brussels airport and a metro station near the European Unions institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.

Investigations say the country was also a springboard for the attacks carried out in Paris in November, which killed 130 people.
Backing for House speaker and two other Republicans comes as candidate seeks to protect his campaign from setbacks.

Donald Trump has reversed course and endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan for re-election.

The development comes as he seeks to stop his presidential campaigns unravelling after several self-goals and rising criticism from his own Republican Party.

I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make, Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryans home state on Friday.

We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends, Trump said.

OPINION: How Donald Trump could win  and why

Trump made a plea for unity on Friday and pledged to work with the very Republican leaders he had earlier dismissed as Washingtons ineffective establishment figures.

We need unity. We have to win this election, Trump told the rally, as he stressed a big tent Republican Party is the only way to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in Novembers election.





In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, he said to cheers from the Green Bay crowd.

He also announced support for two senators, John McCain and Kelly Ayotte, two Republicans facing tough re-election fights.

Ryan, on the other hand, said Trump could cross a line that would prevent him from backing his own partys presidential candidate.

But where that line is, I dont know, he said on Friday.

Trump has suffered a harsh campaign week that included his refusal to back down in a confrontation with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq.

Ryan, McCain and Ayotte had all criticised Trump for his remarks.

READ MORE: Trump and the Khans

On Friday, Michael Morell, a 33-year veteran of the CIA, who served presidents of both parties and headed the agency in 2011, announced his support for Clinton.

Donald J Trump is not only unqualified for the job, he wrote in a New York Times column, but he may well pose a threat to our national security.





Morell said that as Russian President Vladimir Putin played upon Mr Trumps vulnerabilities by complimenting him. He responded just as Mr Putin had calculated.

Trump has praised Putin as a great leader, and taken policy positions consistent with Russian, not American, interests, including endorsing Russian espionage against US figures like Clinton, Morell said.

In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr Putin had recruited Mr Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation, he said.

Morell also criticised Trump for his proposed temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

This position, which so clearly contradicts the foundational values of our nation, plays into the hands of the jihadist narrative that our fight against terrorism is a war between religions, he said.

He disclosed, without giving a name, that a Muslim American ran CIAs Counterterrorism Centre for nearly a decade after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

OPINION: Republican convention and Donald Trumps party victory

Trump admitted Friday that he wrongly claimed to have seen secret Iranian footage of $400m in hard currency being delivered to Tehran as payment for the release of US prisoners.

He raised eyebrows this week when he made that assertion and gave details of what he said he saw in the video.

But he made a rare backtrack on Twitter.

The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2016

Trumps campaign has insisted that the money was a payment for hostages held in Iran who were released in January.

The White House says it was returning cash from an unfulfilled 1970s Iranian military order.

Republicans are urging Trump to swiftly get back on message and train his fire on Clinton.

During a rally in Iowa, he branded her a pathological liar for her contortions about her emails and said the former secretary of state is close to unhinged.

OPINION: Can Hillary Clinton placate the divided left?

If Clinton wins the White House, he said, you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within.

Meanwhile, Clinton is opening substantial leads over Trump in opinion polls.

A national McClatchy-Marist survey released on Thursday showed Clinton with a 15-point advantage, 48 percent to 33 percent.

In Georgia, which has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1996, Clinton leads by four points, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll.
Six people have been reported killed in the countrys Gondar region, and dozens detained during a rally in Addis Ababa.

At least six people have been reported killed over two days of protests in Ethiopia while dozens were arrested in the capital, Addis Ababa.

A source told Al Jazeera that four people were killed on Saturday in the northern Gondar region, in addition to two others killed in the area on Friday. Located 700km north of Addis Ababa, Gondar is a region dominated by the ethnic Amharas.

Ethiopian authorities would not confirm the death toll.

The reported deaths come as dozens of ethnic Oromo protesters were arrested in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

At least 500 Oromo people  protesting against alleged economic inequality and discrimination  gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capitals main Meskel Square.

The protesters, who shouted slogans such as We want our freedom and Free our political prisoners, were dispersed by police using batons. Dozens were arrested.

READ MORE: The Ethiopia rising narrative and the Oromo protests

A Reuters news agency video of the confrontation showed unarmed protesters being beaten and kicked by police officers, as protesters ran to evade arrest.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which threaten national unity and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

The rally was organised by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopias biggest ethnic group, who have held protests for months against what they say is government discrimination. They have been joined recently by ethnic Amharas, and protests have been reported in other parts of the country.





The Oromo and Amhara together make up the majority of Ethiopias population and claim they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Ethiopian authorities told the AFP news agency that at least a dozen people have been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks.

Local people told AFP there had been rallies and clashes with police in the city of Ambo and Nemekte, in the Oromo region, as well as calls for protests in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.
At least 13 killed and six injured after blaze tears through bar during birthday celebration in northern city of Rouen.

A fire in a bar in the northern French city of Rouen has killed at least 13 people and injured six others, officials say.

The blaze broke out early on Saturday in the basement room of the Cuba Libre bar during a birthday celebration.

According to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firefighters attended the scene, Bernard Cazeneuve, Frances interior minister, said in a statement.

An inquiry is under way to establish the cause of the fire.

The victims were aged between 18 and 25, according to local French newspapers.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, Yvan Cordier, secretary-general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture, told the AFP news agency.

Local official Laurent Labadie, who was at the scene of the fire, described the blaze as accidental.

One source close to the investigation said that candles on a birthday cake may have sparked the blaze.
More than 200 Hamas-affiliated Palestinian prisoners have halted their hunger strike after reaching a deal with Israeli prison authorities to end body searches and improve prison conditions, the Gaza-based Prisoners Media Office said.

The group published what it said was the terms of the agreement on Saturday. The deal reportedly includes an end to strip searches and other types of invasive body checks that are considered humiliating, improving ventilation in prisons and reducing overcrowding in cells, among other issues.

Israeli authorities carried out a crackdown in prisons in recent days, which prompted Hamas, the armed movement that governs the Gaza Strip, to call for an open-ended hunger strike.

Units from the Israeli prison authorities took a large number of Hamas-affiliated prisoners out of their cells and stripped them entirely naked; some were searched with dogs, beaten and humiliated in the prisons shared space, Osama Shaheen, director of the Hebron-based Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies, told Al Jazeera.

The Israeli Prison Service said on Friday that it had moved Hamas prisoners, searched cells and seized mobile phones earlier in the week, acting on intelligence information about direction of terror from inside prisons, according to AFP news agency.

READ MORE: Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners join hunger strike

The Prison Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As part of the crackdown, Israeli authorities also transferred prisoners, including the head of the Higher Commission of Hamas Prisoners, Muhammad Arman, to other prison facilities in different parts of the country.

The deal, according to prisoner groups, stipulates that all transferred prisoners, including Arman, be returned to the prisons they were originally serving time in.

Many of these prisoners have been given life sentences. Their life is inside the prison. When you keep moving them from one place to another, you rid them of any sort of stability, Shaheen said.

The other conditions mentioned in the deal include allowing books to be brought to the prisoners during family visits and allowing prisoners access to an additional news channel.

It is not yet known when the deal will be implemented.

Farah Bayadsi, a lawyer with the Jerusalem-based prisoner rights group, Addameer, believes the deal was a strategic move for Israel, at a time when it is facing pressure inside the prisons from different waves of hunger strikes.

It is clear that the sudden announcement of this deal at this time was planned, with the goal of calming the situation down inside the prisons, Bayadsi told Al Jazeera.

At least 100 other prisoners declared a mass hunger strike in support of Bilal Kayed who has embarked on his own open-ended hunger strike to protest his detention by Israel.

READ MORE: Pressure mounts on Israel to release Bilal Kayed

Kayed was placed under administrative detention  a court order that allows Israel to imprison an individual without trial or charge for renewable six-month intervals  on June 15, the day he was meant to be released after serving his full prison sentence of more than 14 years.

Israels health ministry issued a regulation that requires detainees on hunger strike to be hospitalised after 28 to 35 days since the start of their fast.

The prisons cannot handle dealing with all these cases of prisoners on hunger strike. As such, this act corners the occupation and exposes its policies, Shaheen said.
Tokyo lodges strong protest to Beijing over Chinese vessels sailing into waters close to disputed East China Sea islets.

For the second time in two days, Japan has protested to Beijing over Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels sailing into waters close to disputed islands in the East China Sea.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the uninhabited islets, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China.

Japans foreign ministry said that seven Chinese coastguard ships, including four that appeared to be armed, and about 230 fishing vessels sailed on Saturday close to what Tokyo considers its territorial waters.





In a statement, the ministry called for the immediate withdrawal of the vessels.

Japan can never accept activities by [Chinese] official vessels near the Senkaku islands because it will unilaterally escalate the situation and raise tensions in the area.

Beijing also claims the islands and occasionally sends its coastguard vessels near them. However, it is rare for so many Chinese fishing vessels to be spotted in the area.

Saturdays protest came a day after Japanese vice foreign minister Shinsuke Sugiyama summoned Cheng Yonghua, Chinas ambassador to Tokyo, to protest over intrusions into its territorial waters by Chinese coastguard and fishing vessels on Friday afternoon.

Tensions over the islands have seriously harmed bilateral relations.

The two sides have gradually taken steps to ease tensions through dialogue, but the fundamental divide over the islands remains unresolved and tensions occasionally flare up.

Japan also lodged a protest in June after it said a Chinese navy frigate sailed close to territorial waters near the islands for the first time.

READ MORE: ASEAN bloc breaks deadlock on South China Sea

On Friday, Beijing accused Japans new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops massacred civilians in China during World War Two.

The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions in Asia, less than a month after an arbitration court in The Hague invalidated Chinas sweeping claims in the disputed South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines.

But China has refused to recognise the court ruling, reacting angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to.

Beijing has repeatedly blamed the US for stoking tension through its military patrols in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually.

Show of strength

Michael Cucek, a Japan analyst and professor at Temple University, said Beijings latest move in the East China Sea was a show of strength by China.

Thats a traditional way of the Chinese sending a wake-up call, is to engage in some kind of very aggressive act, he told Al Jazeera.

China has [also] spoken about an air defence zone over the region, Cucek added, noting that Beijing has a vast superiority in air power over Japan.

So from the Chinese point of view, it wants to break up all these different disputes and keep them small and controllable; and one way of doing that is by reminding the Japanese that any cooperation  with the United States, the hegemon of that region, is going to cost them.
Experts concede shortcomings in only two cases out of the eight levelled by UN and aid groups against Arab coalition.

The Arab coalition fighting in Yemen have rebutted six claims by the UN and other aid groups that they have caused civilian deaths while conducting air raids in the country, but acknowledged shortcomings in two other cases.

A team  made up of coalition states Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as Yemen  investigated a total of eight claims, including attacks on a residential area, hospitals, markets, a wedding and World Food Programme aid trucks.

The Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which consists of 14 members experienced in military and legal fields, published a report on their findings on Friday.

READ MORE: UN removes Arab coalition from child rights blacklist

We found shortcomings in two cases, while the rest were in line with international humanitarian law, Lieutenant-General Mansur al-Mansur, JIATs Bahraini spokesman and legal adviser, said in a press conference in Riyadh.

The JIAT said in one case a residential building in the al-Makha directorate was affected by coalitions bombing as a result of inaccurate intelligence information.

The investigating team found that the intended target was a residential complex, which had already been partly affected by unintentional bombing, due to the coalition forces responding to inaccurate intelligence information, the JIAT said in the report.

The team recommended that compensation should be awarded to the families of the victims.

READ MORE: Resolution still elusive in war-torn Yemen

In another instance, according to the report, Haydan Hospital in Saada governorate was bombed after it became clear that the building was a medical facility which was being used by Houthi armed militias as a military shelter.

This was in clear violation of the rules of international humanitarian law, the JIAT admitted, however, no casualties resulted from the bombing.

The report said the coalition forces warned Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), before conducting the operation.

When detailing their findings on six other incidents, the JIAT disputed reported casualty figures and denied any wrong doing by coalition forces.

The team said they determined that there was no breach of protocol or the rules of the international humanitarian law by the coalition forces in any of these incidents.

We accept any independent group

Yemeni Information Minister Mohamed Qubaty told Al Jazeera from Aden on Saturday that reports of coalition forces targeting civilians were not independent, and were coming from groups that sided with the Houthis.

The minister also said that Houthis were purposely using locations near hospitals and civilian areas from which to strike at coalition forces.





Referring to the coalition destroying World Food Programme trucks, the minister said there was no coordination between WFP and the government on the movement of the vehicles.

We know the way Houthis can force people, so that while there might have been food on top of these cars or caravans carrying them, but underneath them there are munitions, the minister said.

All the time they have been using these tactics all across the place.

The minister, however, conceded that some civilians have become victims, but he denied it was deliberate targeting by coalition forces.

It can happen. There are some damages. We dont deny that there sometimes [are] some damages but in all, and overall, the coalition forces have been all the time targeting specific military targets, he said.

Asked about criticism that the JIAT report was not independent as it was carried out by coalition states, the minister said he would have no objection to an independent investigation of the situation on the ground in Yemen  including of the Houthis and other rebels targeting civilians and committing war crimes.

Why not? We accept any independent group to come and assess on the ground whats happening actually on the ground. Not take by hearsay what is being said by the Houthis or some people that are far away from these areas.

At war since 2012

Yemen descended into chaos after the 2012 removal of longtime president Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose forces are fighting alongside the Houthi fighters.

Security deteriorated further after the Houthis swept into the capital, Sanaa, and pushed south, forcing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadis government to flee into exile in March last year.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia formed a coalition of Arab states to defeat the Houthis in Yemen. The coalition now includes Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan and Senegal.

READ MORE: More than 300,000 children going hungry in Yemen: UN

Several of these countries have sent troops to fight on the ground in Yemen, while others have only carried out air strikes.

The US government regularly launches air strikes on al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group targets in Yemen.

As of January 2016, 2,800 civilians had been killed by the fighting in Yemen, with 8,100 casualties overall.

Both sides have been accused of killing civilians: the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has estimated that the coalition air strikes caused almost two-thirds of reported civilian deaths, while the Houthis have been accused of causing mass civilian casualties due to their siege of Taiz, Yemens third-largest city.
Coalition of rebels claims capture of artillery academy in Ramosa quarter but government forces say attack repulsed.

A coalition of armed anti-government groups, the Army of Conquest, has captured all of a strategically important military base in the northern city of Aleppo, Syrian rebels said.

The opposition forces, who already control the countryside and areas southwest and east of Aleppo, said on Saturday that they now control the base in the Ramosa quarter in southwestern Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, also said on Saturday that the same armed rebel coalition took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunition, and a large part of the artillery school.

READ MORE: Life among barrel bombs for Aleppos children

However, Syrian state television disputed the claim, saying that government forces pushed the rebel fighters back, killing hundreds of them in the process.

Saturdays conflicting claims came a day after the Army of Conquest said they had stormed the major army artillery base, and were fighting to take the other military academies adjoining it.

The artillery base is almost 2km from the besieged opposition area.





It has a huge supply of ammunition and is used regularly to shell parts of the city held by opposition forces.

There are two suicide bombers who have driven into regime posts inside the artillery base, Abu al-Walid, a fighter with Ahrar al-Sham, told Reuters news agency on Friday, adding that there was fighting inside the base.

Hundreds of fighters clashed with government troops only a few hundred metres from each other in parts of the artillery base after breaking into government defences around the heavily fortified compound, the rebels said.

For its part, the Syrian army said the attack on the artillery base and two major military academies had been foiled, with hundreds of fighters killed and much of their armoured vehicles and tanks destroyed.

It said the assault was the biggest by rebels against government-held areas in the past few years.

Today there was a large-scale attack by the terrorist armed groups and they used all types of weapons, but we are fighting this attack and will defeat them, Brigadier-General Deeb Bazi, the head of one of the military academies targeted, told Reuters.

OPINION: Syrias civil war is a post-factual conflict

Al Jazeeras Reza Sayah, reporting from Gaziantep, on the Turkish side of the Syria-Turkey border, said the fighting in Aleppo is described by many as the decisive battle for Syria. The impression is that if the government manages to take over Aleppo, they will gain momentum and take away leverage from the rebels  there will no longer be an incentive to go on the negotiating table with the rebels, he said. Rising death toll Once Syrias economic powerhouse and the countrys biggest city, Aleppo has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012. The government siege of opposition-held districts began on July 17 and has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis for some 300,000 people trapped in rebel-controlled areas.

According to the SOHR, at least 115 civilians, including 35 children, have been killed in the city since the fighters began an assault on Sunday to break through a strip of government-controlled territory in order to reconnect their area of control in western Syria with the encircled sector of eastern Aleppo. The deaths include 65 people, among them 22 children, killed in opposition fire on government neighbourhoods, according to the SOHR, which gathers information from a network of activists in Syria. Another 42 people, including 11 children, have been killed in strikes on eastern Aleppo. It reported five more deaths in rebel fire on the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud district of the city. Battle in Manbij In a separate development, a coalition of Arab and Kurd fighters trying to oust fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from Manbij took almost complete control of the key town south of the Turkish border on Saturday, according to the SOHR. Backed by air strikes by the US-led coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had launched its offensive to retake Manbij on May 31. The Syrian Democratic Forces took control of Manbij on Saturday and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists, the SOHR said. The Manbij Military Council  a key component of the SDF  said fighting was still ongoing in the town. The battles are continuing near the centre of the town. We are in control of 90 percent of Manbij, said spokesman Sherfan Darwish. The town in Aleppo province had served as a key transit point along the supply route of ISIL, also known as ISIS, from the Turkish border to Raqqa, the de facto capital of its self-styled caliphate. The Syrian conflict began as a mostly unarmed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011. However, it quickly escalated into a full-blown civil war, with more than 280,000 people now estimated to have been killed in fighting between the government, the opposition and other armed groups.
Opposition groups says rebels end government-imposed siege by pushing into eastern parts of Syrias largest city.

A major Syrian opposition body has announced that rebels have broken a siege of the northern city of Aleppo, while the government has deployed hundreds of reinforcements to the embattled city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said some 2,000 pro-government fighters from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah had arrived in Aleppo since late Sunday.

Both sides are amassing their fighters in preparation for the great battle of Aleppo, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Observatory.

The Turkey-based Syrian National Coalition said on Twitter on Saturday: Rebels break Aleppos siege.

The Ahrar al-Sham rebel group also posted on Twitter that rebels had seized control of Ramosa on the southwestern edges of the city and thereby opened the route to Aleppo.

Syrian government forces encircled Aleppo on July 17 after closing off the last opposition-controlled route into the city.

READ MORE: Syrian army cuts off last supply route to east Aleppo

Al Manar, the television station affiliated with the armed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the Syrian government forces, said the rumours that the seige on the eastern neighbourhoods has been broken is entirely false in a statement on its website.

Zouhir al-Shimale, a journalist in Aleppo, told Al Jazeera that the siege has practically been broken.

A coalition of rebel groups, Jaish al-Fatah (Army of Conquest), announced on Friday it had taken control of a strategic military base in the Ramosa quarter in southwestern Aleppo.

The rebels used the base to launch raids on the government-held area, according to Shimale.





At around 12pm local time on Saturday, a car bomb exploded in al-Amiriya, at the edge of the besieged part of the city, he said.

Shimale said the area between Ramosa and Amiriya is now all under the control of the rebels.

There are heavy clashes and random shelling from helicopters and warplanes, he added.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, previously al-Nusra Front, said on Saturday that rebels pushing out from inside Aleppo city had linked up with those on the outskirts, according to AFP news agency.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group that records daily developments in the country, said the rebels have linked up and advanced into the eastern districts of Aleppo but have not yet secured a safe route due to Russian aerial bombardment and heavy regime shelling on the area.

An estimated 250,000 civilians live in Aleppos rebel-held eastern quarters.

Until recent weeks, Aleppo was roughly divided between government control in the west and rebel control in the east since mid-2012.

READ MORE: Syrias war  Struggle for survival in embattled Aleppo

If cemented, the breakthrough in Aleppo would be a boost for the rebels, who have been fighting for weeks to retake control of the city despite heavy bombardment by Russian and Syrian forces.

The Syrian conflict began as a mostly unarmed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011, but it quickly escalated into a full-blown civil war.

The SOHR estimates that more than 280,000 Syrians have been killed throughout the five years of bloodshed.
First-person account of one the many families who live with the constant threat of gunfire and barrel bombs.

Aleppo was once Syrias commercial hub and a popular tourist destination.

Now, the countrys second city is divided between government forces in the west and anti-government fighters in the east.

Residents, who are caught in the middle, are unable to leave, and are trying to survive with little or no food, water and electricity.

Al Jazeera met one of Aleppos many families, who live with the constant threat of gunfire, barrel bombs and even chemical attacks.
Voters in Thailand are heading to the polls on Sunday for the first time since the army grabbed power in 2014.

They are voting in a referendum on a contentious new draft constitution, which the military says will curb political corruption, bring stability and heal more than a decade of bitter political division.

Critics say the constitution  the countrys 20th since absolute monarchy was abolished in the 1930s  is intended to tighten the militarys grip on democracy.

If people vote to accept the military-approved constitution, the critics say, it will cement the role of the armed forces in Thailand politics for decades, and constrain the populist forces that have arisen in recent times to challenge the countrys powerful generals and their allies in the royalist establishment.





Despite the importance of the vote, public debate has been muted.

Many have yet to see a copy of the draft constitution, while the military government has effectively banned campaigning against the document; they have arrested and detained dozens of activists and politicians in the run-up to the referendum, some of them trying to hand out leaflets urging people to vote no.

A public referendum is supposed to be a democratic tool, but in Thailand it has a very different look, said Al Jazeeras Wayne Hay, reporting from Bangkok.

When opponents of the military coup tried to open centres to monitor possible cheating before the vote, they were shut down within minutes, he said.

Rude or false discussion

In the run-up to the vote, the referendum law allowed for a 10-year prison sentence for those found guilty of rude or false discussion about the draft constitution.

Such restrictions did not apply to the yes vote, and the military government broadcast songs and television programmes to drum up support for a positive result in the referendum.

Under the Referendum Act, we cant lead the public to vote no. We have already made our position clear that we will not accept this constitution. Thida Thavornseth, of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, told Al Jazeera.

One clause in the draft constitution would allow an unelected prime minister to take power in the event of a political crisis  which is exactly what happened when Thailands army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, now prime minister, took power in 2014.

In the draft constitution, a fully appointed senate could block the work of elected politicians.

The 250-member senate will be appointed by the military and six seats will be reserved for security forces.

Amorn Wanichwiwatana, a member of the drafting committee of the constitution, said the planned appointed senate would act like a steering committee on any future governments.

The appointed senate will guarantee that they will check and balance the power of the future government. They wont really overplay or overshadow the future government but theyre acting like a steering committee I would say, he told Al Jazeera.

No single institution which is neutral

Polls show a large majority of Thailands 50 million voters are undecided.

[Thailand] is deeply divided  worse than at any time in its history, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic and former diplomat, told the AFP news agency.

There is no single institution which is neutral that is respected by all sides.

Whatever the result, the draft constitution is unlikely to be Thailands last  the country has seen 19 constitutions since the 1930s. With 12 successful military coups  and more than a handful of failed coup attempts in that time  it is unlikely that Thailands generals are going to bow out of the countrys political life any time soon.

And, as Al Jazeeras Hay noted, if the constitution is not passed, the government says it will write another version and there will be no referendum.

Thailand will hold a general election in 2017 even if the draft constitution does not pass the referendum, the prime minister has said.
NEW TOWN  A former crew member on an oil pipeline under construction in North Dakota claims that pipe installed under Lake Sakakawea was not properly inspected and he fears the lake could be at risk.

But the owner of the pipeline contracting company stands by the work and says the claims are false accusations made by workers who were fired.

Federal pipeline regulators are investigating the allegations, which were also brought to the North Dakota Public Service Commissions attention this week.

The 70-mile Sacagawea Pipeline will carry oil beneath Lake Sakakawea for 7,000 feet, crossing the lake south of New Town. The project required underground boring for 11,000 feet  more than two miles  according to information presented to the PSC.

Pipeline contractor Kenny Crase writes in a sworn statement filed with the PSC and federal regulators that he was ordered to skip a final coating inspection on a section of the Sacagawea Pipeline before another contractor installed the pipe under Lake Sakakawea in July. External coating protects the steel pipe from corrosion.

To me, its an accident waiting to happen, Crase said in an interview with Forum News Service.

Crase said he came forward with his concerns after being fired by contractor Boyd & Co. because he fears there are defects in the pipe coating that could cause oil to spill in the reservoir, which is the drinking water source for several western North Dakota cities.

Crase says he has 34 years of construction industry experience including working for five years in North Dakota as a pipeline inspector. On this job, he was in charge of operating a device known as a holiday detector, which finds defects or bare metal spots in the pipe coating.

The coating is on it to protect it from rusting from the outside in, Crase said.

Crase said the coating crew was not allowed to complete their work. In addition, the crew was told to stay in their trucks and not allowed to do a final inspection of the coating as another contractor installed the pipe under the lake, Crase said.

I cringed when they hooked to it and pulled it because we never made a single run through there when we didnt find holidays, which is bare metal, Crase said. If I was a betting man, Id bet theres bare metal spots.

In addition to Crases statement, an anonymous caller reported to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in late July that there may be issues with the coating of the pipeline installed under Lake Sakakawea, according to a document filed with state regulators. Crase said he is not the anonymous caller.

Mike Boyd, owner and CEO of pipeline contractor Boyd & Co., disputes the claims. Boyd said there was a section of pipe that did not meet the standards, but those workers were fired and the coating work was redone to perfection. The work was also approved by inspectors working for Paradigm Energy Partners, which is part of Sacagawea Pipeline Co., Boyd said.

I have 100 percent confidence in the job that was done, Boyd said. Its going under the lake, we have to do it right.

Boyd said the coating crew was fired for not meeting standards set by the contractor and Paradigm, and now theyre making false accusations.

We fired people over it, Boyd said. When we fired people over it, they got mad. All this amounts to is disgruntled employees that were terminated due to not working at the high standards that we expect.

Crase said Boyds account is a lie and that his crew watched the pipe get installed under the lake without a final inspection or additional coating work.

I dont want to be blackballed from the oil industry, but if it comes to that because of me telling the truth and worrying about the integrity of the pipe, so be it, Crase said.

Crase raised his concerns with the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota. That group sent his statement and a notice of potential violation to the PSC, PHMSA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which all have some level of jurisdiction over the pipeline.

PSC staff have begun an informal investigation to see if the allegations can be substantiated, said commissioner Brian Kalk. Staff will recommend to the PSC whether to launch a formal investigation into the workers statement.

There are some serious allegations in there so this is pretty high priority that staff is working on right now, said Kalk, adding the commission will likely discuss the matter at its Aug. 17 meeting.

PHMSA is conducting an investigation into the allegations, and the Sacagawea Pipeline Co. has provided information the agency requested, said Troy Andrews, Paradigm CEO, in a letter to North Dakota regulators.

Its unknown how often inspectors hired by the PSC have been on the job site. The project has been under construction since early this year but no inspection reports have been filed with the PSC. The pipeline is not yet in use.

Kevin Magstadt of Wenck Associates in Mandan said he expects the first inspection report to be filed within a week. Magstadt said the timing of the reports depends on when crews complete the work being inspected.

Kalk said inspectors will tell the commission right away if they see something of concern.

PHMSA officials were on site to inspect the project twice, on April 26-27 and July 19-20, and their review included inspecting pipe welding and coating, Andrews wrote to the PSC. The pipeline owners have received no notice from PHMSA of any violations, Andrews wrote.

The pipeline was installed under the lake on July 16-17, said Jason Stelzer, a manager with Paradigm.

PHMSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Corps, which issued a permit for the lake crossing, is working with PHMSA to discuss recommended actions, said Corps spokeswoman Eileen Williamson.

Sacagawea Pipeline Co. is a joint venture involving Paradigm Energy Partners, which is responsible for construction of the project, Phillips 66, which will operate the pipeline, and Greywolf Midstream, an entity owned by Three Affiliated Tribes thats an investor in the project.

The $125 million pipeline will transport 140,000 barrels of oil per day from south of Keene in McKenzie County to a rail terminal near Palermo in Mountrail County. The 16-inch steel pipe under the lake is at least 100 feet below the lakebed, with a wall thickness of a half-inch under the lake for extra protection, a Paradigm official told the PSC.

The Laborers Union initially testified in support of the Sacagawea Pipeline when it was proposed to the PSC. In particular, union representatives said they had confidence in the track record of Michels Corp., the contractor selected to do the horizontal directional drill beneath the lake.

However, the same union representatives later raised concerns to the PSC after the non-union contractor Boyd & Co. was selected to the work other than the lake crossing. A union representative testified to the PSC he thought Boyd was underqualified for the Sacagawea project.

Its frightening to think that pipe could have been pulled under Lake Sakakawea without being properly inspected, said Kevin Pranis, a spokesman for the Laborers Union. We hope that the Public Service Commission and the federal and state agencies responsible for pipeline safety and the protection of waterways will get to the bottom of this before the pipeline is placed into service.

State regulators later approved two additional legs of the Sacagawea Pipeline, an 8-mile leg to connect with an Enbridge terminal in Mountrail County and a 15-mile leg in McKenzie County to connect with the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Dr Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist and author and is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. Hill is known for his work addressing the intersections of race, justice, politics and culture. His latest best-selling book is We Still Here: Pandemics, Policing, Protest and Possibility which follows on the success of Nobody: Casualties of Americas War on the Vulnerable from Flint to Ferguson. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the US National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
WASHINGTON  The Indiana Senate race could prove to be the most important congressional race for bank policymaking if handshake deals propel former Sen. Evan Bayh to the top of the banking committee.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is currently the top Democrat on the panel and widely considered the next in line for the chair if his party succeeds in retaking the chamber.

But a Bayh victory in Indiana could upset that plan. The former two-term Democratic senator, who sat on the Banking Committee from 2000 to 2010, may have more seniority than Brown, allowing Bayh to leapfrog his colleague.

The scenario has been quietly discussed among financial services lobbyists, most of whom prefer the more moderate and bank-friendly Bayh to the progressive Brown.

Bayh "has seen upfront a lot of the problems with Dodd-Frank and we are hoping he would be somebody who could stand up to the extremists who don't think there should be any changes to Dodd-Frank," said Howard Headlee, head of the Utah Bankers Association and treasurer of the Friends of Traditional Banking, a financial services super political action committee.

A financial services lobbyist who declined to speak on the record said financial lobbyists are all "talking about this and nobody knows" whether Bayh could get his seniority back and the chairmanship.

Brown's office declined to comment for the story and efforts to reach the Bayh campaign were unsuccessful.

To be sure, any discussion of the chair of Senate Banking is highly speculative. For one, it's not clear which party will control the chamber.

But Democrats have a good shot at retaking control. They need only five seats to regain a majority and most of the battleground Senate races are being defended by Republicans.

Some political observers have said that GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump could drag down Republican candidates by boosting Democratic turnout and alienating independent voters.

If Democrats do win a majority, Brown is the most likely contender to chair the Banking Committee. But Democrats would have to decide if Bayh's previous tenure in the Senate and on the panel counted for the purposes of seniority. If so, Bayh could technically outrank Brown, possibly putting him in line to be chairman.

The decision about seniority is ultimately up to whoever becomes Senate Majority leader, which is widely expected to be Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., another Banking Committee member.

"It would be Schumer's decision," said Justin Schardin, director of the Bipartisan Policy Centers Financial Regulatory Reform Initiative. "Presumably he would consult with plenty of other people and the seniority is negotiated."

However, Bayh's chairmanship would have to be voted on by the Democratic caucus.

Some financial services lobbyists who support a Bayh chairmanship theorize that Schumer may be open granting Bayh his seniority status. Bayh's July announcement to run for his former Senate seat was a surprise after he initially said he was going to sit the race out. That has given rise to speculation about what promises Schumer and other Democrats made to Bayh to encourage him to run.

"What everybody has heard is that Schumer had been talking to him for months, urging him to get back into the race. And then he didn't, but then all of a sudden he did  what changed?" the lobbyist said.

Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute and a former senior staff member on the Senate Banking Committee, said Bayh could make a bid to be chair.

"It is possible, if he gets his seniority on the committee back, which isn't a given, but likely," Calabria said.

Bankers view Bayh, an adviser at a public affairs firm and a board member of Fifth Third Bank, as a potential ally.

"He voted for Dodd-Frank, which is a real problem, but he has been on a bank board for the last several years," Headlee said.

The Super PAC Friends of Traditional Banking has identified Bayh as a possible candidate to support in his Senate race, though it is also looking at his competitor, Rep. Todd Young, R-Ind.

"We are cautiously optimistic on that one, his willingness to approach Dodd-Frank," Headlee said of Bayh.

But picking Bayh over Brown would likely start a fight within the Democratic party. Brown is a progressive who has called for higher capital requirements on the biggest banks. He is a close ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., another Banking Committee member.

"I find it very difficult to think that in the age of Elizabeth Warren  that Sherrod Brown is going to give up his chairmanship to a reasonably pro-bank kind of person without a fight," the financial services lobbyist said.

A Senate Democratic aide also threw cold water on the idea. "If the beloved Hubert Humphrey lost his seniority when he returned to the Senate after serving as vice president, it seems unlikely that Evan Bayh could trade his private equity and Chamber of Commerce advisory gigs for chair of the Banking Committee," said the aide.

In addition, Brown has a high profile within the party, notably having a prime speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention last month. Usurping his spot on the banking panel may alarm the progressive wing of the party, which already fears that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is too moderate.

"The Democratic Party has moved left on financial services policy and those issues are important to the party's base, so if Democrats retake the Senate and Schumer is the majority leader, I don't think he would want to start off with a controversy," Schardin said.

Replacing Brown would also require some deal making and shuffling of other committees as he would have to be appeased with another high-profile assignment.

It's "possible," Calabria said, "but far from a given."


First Hawaiian has taken the first step toward regaining its independence.

After 15 years as a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, First Hawaiian went public Thursday after raising a little more than $485 million in its initial public offering. First Hawaiian Inc., the new holding company of First Hawaiian Bank, sold 21.1 million shares at $23 a share  the high end of its $21 to $23 price range. Its shares are trading on the Nasdaq.

There hasn't been a bank IPO in the United States this size since Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., was spun off from Royal Bank of Scotland in September 2014. First Hawaiian won't see any proceeds from the public offering, however, as the sale merely constituted its French parent company selling roughly 15% of its ownership stake.

The change of ownership won't yield any major changes to the Honolulu bank's operations, according to its chief executive, Robert Harrison. Calling BNP Paribas a "great partner," he said the $96 billion-asset bank never interfered with his plans.

Of the 1.4 million people in Hawaii, about a third are First Hawaiian depositors. "With the market share that we're fortunate to have, you really have to take care of your customers," Harrison said. "People are looking for that conservative culture."

Aaron Deer, an analyst at Sandler O'Neill, echoed Harrison's portrayal of the bank going on with business as usual. "I don't expect that it's going to have any kind of dramatic impact on the environment" in Hawaii, he said of the IPO. "They've been a big, healthy competitor on the island for 150 years."

First Hawaiian, Hawaii's oldest bank, was founded in Honolulu as Bishop & Co. in 1858, more than 100 years before Hawaii became a state. In addition to Hawaii, its markets today include Guam and Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth since 1978. All three have dependable economies driven by tourism and a strong U.S. military presence.

First Hawaiian has no plans to expand further. Asked whether he had identified any other markets that shared these characteristics, Harrison said he had not. "We're always going to stay with areas we know," he added.

First Hawaiian's stock opened on Thursday at $24.20 and was trading at $24.71 on Friday afternoon, giving the bank a market cap of $3.45 billion.

BNP Paribas remains the controlling stockholder for the time being, with about 85% of the bank's outstanding common stock. It plans to sell off its remaining ownership over time, just as RBS did with Citizens. The French bank's decision to cut First Hawaiian loose was driven by the need for more capital to meet regulatory requirements.

One benefit First Hawaiian will receive once completely free of BNP Paribas is that, as a $19 billion-asset bank, it will no longer be subject to Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review requirements.

In its prospectus the bank cautioned, however, that BNP Paribas's ownership may need to fall to as low as 4.9% of First Hawaiian's voting shares before that happens. It may even need to fall to zero. When asked about it, Harrison gave the verbal equivalent of a shrug. It's up the regulators, he said.

But Harrison admitted he would be glad to put CCAR in the rearview mirror. "It's not for the faint of heart. It's a lot of work," he said. "We won't be heartbroken if we don't have to do it."


After witnessing Congressman Paul Ryan's performance as speaker of the House, it's apparent that if he ever had an ounce of conservatism, he left it in his other pants when he flew to D.C. Back in 2012, he could pass himself off as a conservative with a plan to balance the budget, but no more. Reagan's adage, trust but verify, becomes more relevant every day, and after reading the details of the Global Food Security Act of 2016, it will be apparent that Speaker Ryan is not worthy of our trust.

The media has conditioned voters to believe that bipartisan bills are good, and like former speaker John Boehner, Speaker Ryan uses "bipartisan branding" to quietly pass globalist legislation, like the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (GFSA).

First, you need a progressive Republican to introduce the GFSA into the House of Representatives, which was done in March 2015 by Congressmen Christopher Smith (N.J.). (Is it a happy coincidence that six months later, in September 2015, President Obama appointed Congressman Smith to the United Nations General Assembly?)

The GFSA was then introduced into the Senate by Senator Robert Casey (Penn.), a devout progressive. With the force of establishment Republicans and Democrats behind it, there was little congressional resistance to the GFSA, and it was signed into law on 07-20-2016.

As is customary with terrible legislation, the GFSA has a noble title and purpose. However, the GFSA is basically a "cut and paste" of the United Nation's 2015, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The major differences between the GFSA and the U.N. SDGs are who will pay and who is responsible for achieving SDGs. In both cases, it looks like it's America. Speaker Ryan has arranged this bill to ensure that American taxpayers pay to achieve the globalist goals of the United Nations!

Among the GFSA's troubling provisions:

"The UN Food Agriculture Origination has determined that 805,000,000 people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger." Based upon that figure, it seems that in addition to feeding America, we will be feeding about 2.5 times more people. How will we pay for that program when our debt is $19,400,000,000,000? (Section 2[1])

"Place food insecure countries on a path toward self-sufficiency and economic freedom through the coordination of United States foreign assistance programs." This is nothing but propaganda! When we put countries on their path towards self-sufficiency and economic freedom, are we going to use the same model we used for Iraq? This provision seems as though it is setting up a transfer of wealth out of the U.S., to fund bureaucrats and dictators. (Section 3[1]) (See "Clinton Cash" video for examples.)

"Demonstrably meet, align with and leverage broader United States strategies and investments in trade, economic growth, national security, science and technology, agriculture research and extension, maternal and child health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene." This item seems to be in line with other proposals to transfer technology (for free) to undeveloped nation, and give them access to U.S. patents, to be used royalty free. (Section 3[7])

"Sense of Congress. It is the sense of the Congress that the President, in providing assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy, should [c]oordinate, through a whole-of-government approach, the efforts of relevant Federal departments and agencies to implement the Global Food Security Strategy." Does our federal government have the capacity to manage the worldwide distribution of food to three times as many people as we have in the U.S.? This can only cause a massive expansion of the federal government. (Section 3[b][1])

This brings us to a policy designed to transfer U.S. wealth to third-world counties: climate change. Despite the fact that U.N. administrators working in their climate change group (IPCC) state that climate change is about the redistribution of wealth, and the destruction of capitalism, progressives and do-gooders ignore their admissions.

Dr. Ottmar Endenhofer, a member of the U.N. IPCC, stated in 2010: "We [U.N. IPCC] redistribute de facto the world's wealth by climate policy, one has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore."

In 2015, Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the U.N.'s Framework Convention on Climate Change, said: "This is the first time in the history of mankind that we are setting ourselves the task of intentionally, within a defined period of time, to change the economic development model that has been reigning for at least 150 years, since the Industrial Revolution."

While the GFSA does not mention climate change, it provides $1 billion to USAID, which is an advocate of climate change. In addition, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization lists climate change as an issue. Therefore, in addition to the cash given (12-09-2014 budget, Title V) for the U.N. Environmental Program ($344,170,000), and for Climate Change ($10,000,000), some portion of the USAID money will be dedicated to sending more Ph.D.s to back to take more polar bear photos and travel to exotic locales to discuss grant acquisitions with their globalist brethren.

The GFSA advances globalist-progressive ideology and mandates increased government intervention as well as increased international funding. Congressman Ryan is using the GFSA to provide additional funds to the international community, but isn't that imposing a hidden globalist tax on all Americans?

To run a quick and dirty evaluation of congressional bills, see who is sponsoring or voting for the bill. One of the best to assess the GFSA would be Congressman David Brat, a conservative economics professor. He was not a sponsor and did not vote for the GFSA, nor did other conservative congressmen like Ron DeSantis, Ken Buck, Justin Amash, and Gary Palmer.

If the Congress wanted to provide additional assistance to fight world hunger, why didn't they just increase cash payments to the U.N., or work through their own Feed the Future organization?

The Congressional Budget Office analysis stated: "In 2010, the Administration launched a global food security initiative called Feed the Future (FTF). On the basis of information from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)  the lead agency for that initiative  CBO believes that the act's requirements to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for food security and agricultural development are being met through FTF."

The CBO also estimated that in 2017 and 2018, the GFSA will cost $3.8 billion per year. However, after the president has compiled his list of goals (5[c][1]), is there any doubt the budget will increase by orders of magnitude?

This smells like another setup. President Obama will jack up the spending before he leaves, and next year, when Speaker Ryan increases the budget to meet the demands of the GFSA, the speaker will say it isn't his fault, because the president caused the increases. Haven't we seen this act before (Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015), when Speaker Boehner made a budget deal with President Obama and then resigned?

Congressman Ryan has rejected traditional conservative principles such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, and security of the country, and he ignores party positions such as the rejection of the global warming and the protection and security of our borders.

While our veterans are getting the "bums' rush" at VA centers, Congressman Ryan is busy reauthorizing the Ex-Im crony bank (via Highway Bill 2015) and bailing out Puerto Rico.

While Americans want to stop the flow of refugees into American, Congressman Ryan refuses to defund the program, even as contractors seek an additional 200,000 Syrian refugees.

By orchestrating the passage of the Global Food Security Act, Speaker Ryan is broadcasting his new identity as a globalist-progressive. Because he betrayed the trust of the voters, and Republicans in particular, Republicans should remove Congressman Ryan from office before he strikes up another globalist deal with our president.
Our wet-finger-in-the-wind Angela Merkel-in-waiting, Speaker Paul Ryan, played into the hands of President Obama. Obama announced at a joint press conference with Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday that Republicans who are always chiding Donald Trump should take the next step and pull their endorsements of him.

Obama's ploy was pure Politics 101: pointing to contradictions in the opposition's stance and then seeking to drive a wedge. Just like in war, getting the enemy to turn on itself is a path to victory. Not that Trump-disparaging establishment Republicans hindered Obama, giving him, instead, a big, fat opening.

Obama, with cool relish, played "gotcha," with the likes of Lindsey Graham and John McCain...and the Stupid Party's U.S. House speaker.

Ryan, with a surpassing cleverness, is supporting Trump, all right, while working to deliver death by a thousand cuts to him. Outside the Beltway, Ryan's ploy is obvious even to the casual observer. The president and Democrat sharpies didn't need to be clever; they needed only the right timing.

Trump, never a man to refuse a tit-for-tat, has declined to endorse Paul Ryan's re-election bid. Tactically, that's kinda dumb.

But The Donald plays by a different set of rules. Indeed. Trump may have changed the landscape of American politics (or instinctively exploited the changes in society), so his approach is turning conventional wisdom on its head. One suspects there's truth to that, but we'll see the extent come November.

What Trump should appreciate is that while playing the bull has its advantages, so does playing the fox.

About Ryan, Trump could have said something like this: "Yeah, I endorse Paul. I'm sticking to my pledge to support him and others. Too much is at stake for the country for us to be divided. Why Paul would make insinuations about me and my positions, I don't know. You need to ask him. Or, I guess, voters in his district need to ask him. Hey, if Paul wants me in his district to campaign for him, I will. We gotta win in November."

Trump pledged to support the eventual Republican nominee for president. He never said a word about backing Ryan or other GOP incumbents.

What a bind for Ryan: to Trump or not to Trump? Would the Republican speaker deny his party's presidential nominee the chance to stump for him? What if The Donald and his renown for off-the-cuff, "colorful" remarks came to Racine or Kenosha? What would be the consequences?

Well, Trump's not wired that way, you say. And he isn't much for taking counsel, leastwise from folk other than Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka. Even then, groupthink may dominate more often than not. Very smart, the Trump brood, but The Donald rules the roost.

Yet Trump didn't build his business empire by his lonesome, however prodigious his talents and instincts. Sometimes, in some ways, he must be listening, learning, and then leading.

Paul Nehlen is standup guy, say you. Nehlen is Ryan's very determined primary opponent. Trump saying nice things about Nehlen might help him beat Ryan.

That a Nehlen upset would be special goes without saying. That it will occur is more on the order of winning a lotto jackpot. Ryan and other establishment Republicans learned the hard way from Eric Cantor's defeat. Ryan's stayed connected with his constituency and brought home plenty of bacon. Nehlen may dent Ryan's numbers, but a victory  not likely.

Trump's calculation should have been this about the Ryan-Nehlen contest: winning the presidency is Priority #1. Wisconsin in play is a yuge thing. If Nehlen must be a casualty of war to make victory happen, so be it. Play Paul Ryan like a fiddle  play him, and then wait your chance.

We don't need President Hillary appointing federal judges, with go-along Senate Republicans offering only token opposition. We don't need her and the compassionate Speaker Ryan opening the doors wide to Muslim immigrants and refugees. We don't need the Trans Pacific Partnership, which Ryan has election-year reservations about. But don't count on 2017. Ryan changing his tune when safely back in D.C. next year? Working across the aisle and with President Obama, because the people "want to see government work," has been the GOP establishment mantra. Just substitute "President Hillary." Watch Ryan flip on TPP if Hill's in the White House.

The goal: Trump to the White House. There he'll find a bully pulpit suitable to his needs. There he can use his fabled deal-making skills to go over, around, and under Speaker Ryan. Or, if Trump has a mind, he could deal-make to depose the speaker. (Are Jim Jordan and the Freedom Caucus listening?)

Getting Trump to Pennsylvania Avenue is the trick. This week, Rudy Giuliani and Newt publicly counseled Trump to focus on Hillary and Obama and deep-six the battles with minor figures like Khizr Khan. Marginalize Ryan by shrugging him off for the time being. Get back, say those of us pulling for Trump, to the core issues: illegal immigration, trade, law and order, a strong national defense, and unabashedly putting America first. Hammer those issues hard and relentlessly.

Trump would say his way has served him admirably, besting a crowded field of candidates to secure the GOP nomination. "Trump is Trump," say his die-hard supporters, "and  watch  he's going to win being him."

Okay, but don't lightly dismiss Rudy's and Newt's counsel. A bull having a little fox going for him might help more than you believe.
Last night in Green Bay, Wis., the Donald Trump campaign began a new phase. The tone of his speech reminds one of the days during Ronald Reagan. The Donald has finally demonstrated the big tent principle as practiced by Reagan.

He endorsed Paul Ryan, John McCain, and Kelly Ayotte. He mentioned that we must unite to defeat Hillary; he noted that the 80% agreement is not the 20% enemy, and therefore they are friends.

Trump can manage the transition to national campaigning. Hopefully he can continue until he crosses the finish line triumphantly.

Trump does not always follow the classical conservative positions, but can anyone deny that he is closer on more issues than Hillary? I find it perplexing that Mark Levin among other pundits has more negatives for Trump on a daily basis than he throws Hillary's way.

The conservative position is that the Constitution allows the people to determine their leaders via the ballot. Although the Electoral College decides the presidency, it is generally based upon the people's state vote. The Republican Party selected Trump, though the conservatives preferred Ted Cruz. Cruz clearly did not help unify the Party during his speech and demonstrated a lack of grace.

The battle within the Republican Party pits a strong, independent outsider personality who is a populist on the right against the media that wants to destroy him and the entrenched Beltway Republicans bent on stopping him, lest he damage their access to the trough and its financial rewards.

Trump's style and tone are crude and embarrassing at times. He has made mistakes during the past week. But how does that compare with awful decisions and actions that characterize the years during which Hillary was in the White House (such as Hillarycare), the Senate (a poor record for passing legislation and a loss of the jobs promised in upstate N.Y.), and failure as secretary of state (the Russian reset, Iranian negotiations, Libyan war, Syrian war and policies that helped create ISIS, and neglecting the Libyan ambassador's requests for additional security)? There is much to differentiate the two candidates.

The Trump position on issues is preferable to most voters if they are paying attention. On foreign policy, he favors a strong military power in limited winnable wars against enemies such as ISIS. He supports fixing the Veterans Administration hospitals and caring for our veterans. He wants trade deals that are not guaranteed to give other nations advantages over our businesses. He favors tax reductions that benefit all Americans. He wants reduced taxes on American businesses to make them competitive with business in other nations. He wants to allow legal immigration and halt illegal intrusions into our country; this will help protect jobs for our lower middle class and provide security from criminals of all ethnicities. He supports appointing conservative judges who believe in the Constitution. He supports the Second Amendment and actually owns firearms. He opposes the destructive Obamacare and would replace it.

He must advertise and overpower the media that favors Hillary.

In the past, conservatives advocated voting for the most conservative person who could be elected. Is there any doubt who that is?

Why do the Republicans insist on purity? There are fewer registered Republicans than Democrats. Can we continue to eat our own?

Trump is a capitalist, which is becoming rarer in Washington, D.C. He is not an ideologue, which will allow him to negotiate a reversal of many of Obama's policies. He was not my first choice for nominee, but he garnered more votes than any Republican candidate to date.

The media favors Hillary over Trump. Those in the media run more negative articles on Trump. They black out the most negative information concerning Hillary. They push polling meant to dispirit Trump supporters. This has had an effect upon Republican voters (the percentage is down) who still feel uncertain about his personality and stability. In this regard, the media is not just supportive of Hillary, but functioning as a subsidiary of her campaign. But why do conservative pundits and Republican insiders work to help Hillary? They will have to answer for this should they help defeat Trump. They do not realize that his defeat would mean the end of the present Republican coalition. A new party might not include them.

The anger that led to Trump's nomination originated with the disappointments as the Republican majority Congress failed to halt Obama's policies. Despite the Senate filibuster problem, the Republicans didn't deliver adequately. Hence, the citizenry has revolted.

The electorate have the chance to correct the path the country is on. Will they do so?
A federal appeals court has ruled that the IRS has yet to demonstrate that the agency has stopped targeting conservative groups, strongly rebuking the agency for its "discriminatory" treatment of conservative organizations.

Washington Examiner:

"This is a blistering rebuke to the IRS and its defenders," Walter Olson, senior fellow at the Cato Institute Center for Constitutional Studies, said of the court's ruling. "It takes on squarely the defense the IRS had raised in this case which is, 'Whatever happened, we promise not to do it again.'"

"The court goes through and systematically takes that apart in a way that's very damaging to the IRS's overall defense," he added.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, often considered the second most powerful court in the country, reversed two decisions made by lower courts to dismiss lawsuits against the IRS for the targeting of two conservative groups, Linchpins of Liberty and True the Vote.

In reviewing whether to support the tax agency's claim that the targeting practices had ended, the court noted "it is absurd to suggest that the effect of the IRS's unlawful conduct ... has been eradicated" when the two conservative groups in question still had their delayed applications pending before the IRS.

The IRS had argued before lower courts in two separate lawsuits that the cases should be thrown out because officials had taken steps to end the "unequal" handling of Tea Party groups' applications for tax-exempt status.

But the circuit court stated repeatedly in the 22-page ruling that the IRS's actions "continue to affect" groups that still have not received a decision on their applications to become nonprofits.

The tax agency did succeed in persuading the three-judge panel that no individual IRS employees should be held legally accountable for the conduct that landed the agency before the court. IRS officials did not unlawfully disclose taxpayer information, the panel concluded.

Beyond the politically motivated delays imposed by the tax agency, the court focused on the intrusive questions asked of Tea Party applicants, such as demands that such groups provide "Internet passwords and user names, copies of social media and other Internet postings and even the political and charitable activities of family members."
Diversity of ethnic background? Sure. And it certainly would be comically interesting to be a homunculus listening in on just how the quota system at some of our most prestigious (past tense) universities is determined. But as far as diversity of opinion goes  forget it.

Let me take two examples on wildly different ends of the political spectrum to illustrate the muzzle-minded P.C. fascist underbelly of the diversity mantra pumped out of our Ivy League and Ivy League wannabe academic institutions.

Here are the two recent headlines:

Prof who blamed Jews for 9/11 suspended from job

Houston Student Government VP Suspended For All Lives Matter Facebook Post

At ultra-liberal Oberlin college? Pretty daring, really. The professor is a young black woman who is professor of rhetoric or some such. Give Oberlin credit for being consistent. Muzzle the left and right. Students mustnt hear anything bad about any ethnic group except white males.

Professor Joy Karega made a number of far-fetched claims about Jews on social media. But so what? Professor Karega should be judged on the quality of her academic work and not whether she holds weird personal opinions. She should get the same treatment as a racecar driver  it doesnt matter whether a racecar driver believes that the world is flat or not. That is her opinion, and she is entitled to it  provided that in the classroom she does what she is hired to do and meets the academic/publishing standards of her university. In fact, if she were professor of contemporary history or some such and maintained as much in the classroom and marshaled her facts and took up counterarguments  that would still be appropriate.

In the second case, a student is suspended for expressing his opinion outside the classroom. He was not disrupting a class. It is not even a weird opinion. Even if it were, that is his right. But he committed the cardinal sin of countering a meme of an oppressed minority.

Protecting students from even hearing diverse opinion is the very opposite of educating students to challenge their own ideological and largely unanalyzed cultural beliefs. The university is producing little shrinking violets who break down or blow up when they hear an argument that runs counter to the P.C. kumbaya theory that in diversity there is harmony. Actually, it is even worse than that. The authenticity of an opinion is derived not from the evidence that can be marshaled in its support. but from its source  the more oppressed its minority origin, the greater its intrinsic truth.

Even the diversity-obsessed former mayor Michael Bloomberg got it right that diversity, limited to a quota system and forbidden in discourse and thought, is back-assward  and got booed for doing so.

The former New York City mayor gave a commencement speech at the University of Michigan and said the unthinkable:

The fact that some university boards and administrations now bow to pressure and shield students from these ideas through safe spaces, code words, and trigger warnings is, in my view, a terrible mistake. The whole purpose of college is to learn how to deal with difficult situations -- not run away from them.

The mayor went on to point out that there's danger in creating safe spaces on college campuses because they don't exist in the real world. Then came the boos.

Under the banner of diversity, our universities are producing students who cant handle diversity  real diversity, meaning diversity of opinion.
During his pre-vacation news conference (August 4, 2016) President Obama found time to mock Donald Trump's concerns regarding the fairness of the electoral process: "Of course the elections will not be rigged. What does that mean?"

Well, "to rig" stands for "to manipulate fraudulently." In case of an electoral fraud, the term refers to all kind of illegal interference with the procedure.

In the course of the press conference, Obama was asked by a reporter: "Are you worried that comments like this can erode the American public's faith in the outcome of the elections?," as if one statement of Trump's opinion could reduce voters' confidence in democracy more than eight years of cozenage and disrespect for laws and values.

As observed by Sean Hannity: "We did learn the DNC rigged a system with super-delegates, and the DNC was fully behind Hillary Clinton the entire way, and the e-mails proved that."

A nation warned is a nation half-saved, so no wonder that we the folks "wanna pop off and have an opinion." While we are fixin' to vote, we will notice if elections are being fixed.

In 2014, BuzzFeed News observed that Obama said the world "folks" more than any president since 1929, but he acts as unaware that our grandmothers taught us our folk wisdom and in trying times  we won't quit trying. In recent years, the Obama administration tried to turn some old proverbs into "It takes a good many mainstream media shovelfuls to bury the truth" and "A taxpayer is the only animal that can be skinned more than once." Well, there's old wisdom the government did not manage to re-program: we know that a good cause finds weapons to defend it.

Other than his inaugural "Let us pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and remake America," Obama is not into proverbs. Maybe because whenever angered, "folks" in the South say: "Keep it up, and I will cancel your birth certificate."

Electoral fraud is not only about multiple recording of votes, ballot-stuffing, or getting rid of ballots for the "unfit" candidate. In fair elections, a small Wikileak will sink a big ship, and silence of the media means consent. Right now, adversity makes Donald Trump, prosperity makes Hillary Clinton, and in terms of coverage, the procedure that should be unbiased looks like dictatorial show elections, where only "the candidate" can win. Procedure of "gatekeeping" assures "distilled" information, additionally censored through a common selective attention strategy known as cherry-picking.

The media brand Trump's comment on rigged elections as "dangerous," but it seems there's no need to raise alarm when Hillary Clinton receives donations from George Soros who considers that Europe should not only finance the flood of refugees, but also, as stressed by the U.K. Express, "place refugees where they want to go." Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton anticipates that "we are going to follow the money" and, unfazed by shameful evidence, boasts: "Look at my record." Media reports are quoting Clinton: "We have a Republican nominee who is anti-immigrant," but they don't worry if a candidate is anti-American and should run for presidency on a different continent.

Referring to candidate Clinton's endless and crude lies, Charles Krauthammer certainly has a point: "What she needs are lying lessons from her husband," but both Obama and Clinton simply don't care how bare-faced and arrogant their fibs are: even if the dumb folks won't buy it, they'll be forced to accept the government's lack of accountability. Many of Obama's statements are overtly insulting and provocative. He blows his own unvetted horn: "As far as Mr. Trump, we are going to go by the law, which is that both  tradition and the law that if somebody's a nominee, the Republican nominee for president, they need to get a security briefing so that if they were to win they are not starting from scratch in terms of being prepared for this office."

Electoral fraud starts not when ballots are tampered with; it starts with manipulation, corruption, and propaganda, so the rig may be on, but the jig is up.

During the DNC, both Obama and Clinton proved that they are not only disregarding, but also underestimating the fact that an election is a formal decision-making processes by which people choose an individual to hold public office. Some of the angry supporters of Bernie Sanders were storming out of the convention, some threatened to de-register from the party, and some hopefully understood the message: if you act like a donkey, don't complain when Hillary Clinton rides you. It's people and not the politicians who elect, and it depends only on people if they are willing to accept an imposed candidate  or not. The rest is history  of leaders and tyrants who were given power or were brought down whenever people were really fed up.

A man is as big as the things that made him mad, and it looks as though Donald Trump and many "folks" are angry for all the right and world-size reasons.

During the DNC, Obama accorded himself a selfie moment: "I stand before you tonight after two terms as your president to tell you that I am more optimistic about the future of your country than ever before. How could I not be?

Thanks for sharing, but as our "folks" say in our country: after eight years, we are so broke that we can't afford to pay attention.
California is a place where madness rules the day  a place that forever pushes the bleeding edge of idiotic trends, foolish ideas, dangerous public policy, communism masked as socialism masked as progressivism masked as liberalism masked as Democrats, and the whole enchilada of what we now refer to as political correctness.

So it should come as no surprise that California would lead the (wrong) way when Muslim Brotherhood front group CAIR joined forces with dhimmi state assemblyman Bill Quirk to propose a resolution (which passed unanimously) to designate August as Muslim Appreciation Month. Because, as Quirk reminds us, its only right that we recognize [t]he myriad of invaluable contributions of Muslim Americans to California (here, here, and here).

So this month Californians are encouraged to go out of their way  even more than normal  to kowtow to Islam as they celebrate a contrived notion about Muslim contributions to our society. (I guess it will be a kind of practice run for when the stakes are even higher and its a year-round kind of a thing.)

And by the way, so what if Muslims contribute some positive things to our society? I mean, there are enough here that one would hope so. But who knows? Irrespective of said contributions, do we have Hindu Appreciation Month, Jewish Appreciation Month, Working Single Moms Appreciation Month, You Name It Appreciation Month? Not that I want to start with this nonsense, but Im just making the point that this is dhimmitude, pure and simple.

Providing much needed perspective, Creeping Sharia organized a list that highlights some Muslims contributions to the quality of life in California just this year alone.

Invaluable: Having great value that is impossible to calculate, of inestimable worth, priceless.

Hmm.

Hat tips: Counterjihad Report, Steven Crowder
Hassan Saada, a boxer from Morocco who was slated to fight his first bout on Saturday, has been accused of sexually assaulting two women earlier this week, pinning one of them against a wall, trying to kiss her, squeezing one of her breasts, and making obscene hand gestures.

Yahoo News reports that, per Brazilian law, Saada will be detained for 15 days while the alleged incident is investigated. Meanwhile, hes been kicked out of the Olympics.

Heres a thought: if, while a person is a guest in a host country, its confirmed that he sexually assaulted a woman (or committed any crime, for that matter), that person should be ejected immediately. Sent back to his home country post haste. Good-bye. End of story.

Of course, Saada fits right into Rio norms when it comes to sexual assault and rape. Breitbart reports that a few days ago, a female firefighter working at the Olympic Village was raped by a Brazilian security guard.

Apparently rape is common in Brazil, and Rio is the rape capital. Its estimated that twelve people are raped every two hours in Rio. And while women and girls are the prime target, men are also victims of sexual assault, as when a jiu-jitsu champion was kidnapped and groped by some police officers.

Breitbart further reports:

In addition to rape, Rio de Janeiro is home to a variety of criminal organizations and suffers from a high rate of incidents of violent crime. In July, officials were forced to respond to the international communitys alarm at a series of cases of stray bullets killing local residents who were unknowingly too close to a gunfight. Thats how Rio is, lamented the nations Secretary of Public Security Jose Mariano Beltrame.

And so, last month, two Paralympians from Australia were mugged in the middle of the day. Plenty of people were around, but no one stepped in to help.

Sadly, this was not an isolated incident, as other athletes are being mugged. And should they choose to seek care at the hospital designated for them, they may discover more woes, as the hospital has also been targeted for crime.

The situation is so bad that Brazilian athletes warned their peers: Youll be putting your life at risk here.

Who were the knuckleheads who came up with the idea to hold the Olympics in Rio, a filthy hellhole of a city riddled with crime, and why in the world would any civilized country sign on for this?
The climate agreement reached in Paris last year will almost certainly go into effect this year, according to a report from the government of the Marshall Islands.

The Hill:

A tally by the Pacific island nation found that countries representing 54 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions are planning to ratify the pact this year, including the United States, China and Peru. Thats just barely below the pact's threshold. The deal mandates that it take effect 30 days after emitters of 55 percent of the world's greenhouse gas sign on. If it takes effect, it will be difficult for Republican Donald Trump to undo if he becomes president. What we agreed in Paris at the end of last year will likely now have the force of the law by the end of this year, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine wrote in a statement about the report from her foreign ministry. This is a big recognition of the urgency with which we must now get on with the job. The other requirement for ratification is that at least 55 nations ratify it, a threshold that the Marshall Islands expects to be exceeded. The agreement, reached in December, includes emissions cuts or limits that each country determined on its own, such as the United Statess pledge to reduce emissions 26 percent to 28 percent. But the emissions cuts are not binding on the countries that sign onto the pact, so it is up their individual governments and international pressure to meet the goals.

Trump has said he will pull the U.S. out of the agreement. But how can he pull us out if the Senate never votes us in?

Obama will seek to fufill U.S. targets for emissions cuts by executive order and new EPA regulations. There will be no advise and consent vote in the Senate  even many Democrats would vote against the accord. So, by imperial decree, the president will seek to tie the U.S. to this ruinous regimen where we will reduce greenhouse gases by 25%.

If a President Trump could get the Congress to declare the agreement null and void, what are other countries going to do? Nothing. There is no enforcement of the agreement  only the word of governments that they will cut their emissions.

It is likely that the new EPA regulations on carbon emissions will still be in the courts when the next president takes office. Withdrawing those regulations should be one of the first things on Trump's agenda if he wins.
According to legend, in 1796, George Washington asked Betsy Ross to sew the first version of the American flag. Yet unlike during the Republican National Convention, when protesters began burning the descendant of the very flag Betsy Ross originally sewed, during the Democratic National Convention, protesters began burning the blue, white, and not red Israeli flag.

Here in the United States Americans are free to desecrate the any flag in any way, whether they burn, stomp, or spit on it. In Israel, they would not have the right to burn the Israeli flag without getting incarcerated. Earlier in the year, the Knesset passed a law that states that anyone who is caught dishonoring the state flag can be imprisoned for up to three years, with additional time if they were burning it.

Here in the United States, we are free to burn our stripes any way we like. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution written by our founding fathers more than two centuries ago states, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That is exactly why in the year 1989, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the defendant in Texas v. Johnson. Texas, who at the time had a law that prohibited desecrating the flag, was suing Johnson, who burned the United States flag during a protest. Since the lawsuit, a bill called the flag-burning bill was repeatedly tried in the Senate, with the last attempt to pass the bill in 2016, when the bill was not passed by one vote.

I have always looked up to the flag of the United States as a symbol of achievement. Neil Armstrongs first steps on the moon are represented by the flag that stands on the surface of our moon. The freedom of African-Americans not to be enslaved is represented by our flag, which to this day stands on the battlefields where the Union fought Confederates who defended slavery.

And more than that our flag for me is a sign of achievement, from thirteen colonies to fifty states, including the diverse islands of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. While the fifty stars and thirteen stripes are eaten by the flames, every one of the diverse states, every one of the battles we fought for our freedom and liberty, is being devoured and denounced. A veteran who recently protested a flag burning event said, I will stay here until this is all over. ... All throughout history, flags have represented the battlefield. And it was around the flag that everybody came together. At the end of the battle, there was one flag left standing.

When we burn flags, we are desecrating what the flag stands for and not the piece of cloth being burned. Most often people burn flags during political protests that do not represent what the flag does. When burning our flag at a political protest, the flag becomes a sign of division and not unity. The flag, a flag, any flag, represents the country that designed it. The flag of the Islamic State (ISIS) militia represents murder, rape, and violence that ISIS conducts daily. Our flag represents unity  no matter what our political beliefs are, no matter what religion we affiliate with (or if we affiliate with one at all), we still remain standing together to defeat our enemies hand in hand, as the fifty United States of America.

So let us take example from Israel. Lets not desecrate the only symbol in the world that represents as much freedom and unity as the red, white, and blue on our flag.

Batya Goldberg blogs at Republican@15.
President Obama visits Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park.

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first of two atomic bombs on the small island nation of Japan  the only time a nuclear weapon of mass destruction has been deliberately used to annihilate an entire city. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped another atomic bomb on another city in Japan, a mere 261 miles -- less than the distance between Los Angeles and Las Vegas -- from the first.Because of the overwhelming devastation and resulting chaos, the actual mortality of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be known. However, the latest figures indicate the number killed in Hiroshima is now over 192,000 (either instantly or within the following few months) and over 75,000 in Nagasaki. This is more than six times the number of women, children and men living in Culver City, where I reside. In addition to the deaths, over seven decades later, untold numbers of survivors and their children continue to suffer from radiation and other after effects,This year Barack Obama was the first U.S. president to visit Hiroshima while in office, breaking the silence of nine previous presidents since Truman pressed the buttons. During this interval, many scholars have come to the same conclusion that Gen. Dwight Eisenhower voiced at the time: that Japan was already defeated and the bomb was completely unnecessary. Although Obama did not apologize on behalf of the United States, as some have long wished for, his visit, with all the pomp and ceremony befitting of a state visit -- as well as his personal homage to the victims -- was historic and long overdue.Today we, as Americans, don't take the time or effort to collectively memorialize this atrocity, but there was a time when we did. During the Vietnam War, Asian Americans spoke out at national and international commemorations held regularly in August to remember these tragedies -- in large part to remind the U.S. public that the atomic past was the genocidal present. Here is a look back at a few of these tributes and memorials.Before physicist Michio Kaku became a best-selling author and renowned popularizer of science, in 1973 he was the keynote speaker at a Hiroshima Day Commemoration where he and other scientists took a public oath not to participate in war research. Kaku pointed out that although one atomic bomb was quite enough to devastate the small island nation of Japan, because there were two different bombs -- uranium and plutonium -- the U.S. wanted to test both on live targets. He added that the equivalent of a Hiroshima bomb had been dropped on Vietnam and Cambodia every week for seven years. "The casualties of Hiroshima and Nagasaki number in the hundreds of thousands. The casualties of Vietnam and Cambodia number in the staggering millions."Mike Murase was part of an American delegation to the 17th World Conference Against the A & H Bomb held in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and other cities in Japan and Okinawa in 1971. He addressed audiences of many thousands. "I come to you as a citizen of America. I come to you as a person born in Japan. I come to you as a minority person living in racist America. I come to you as a representative of Asian Americans for Peace." Murase recalled that in Hiroshima, seeing the hands on the clock frozen at 8:15, the dark shadows of human beings seared on concrete posts, and the naked skeleton of the atomic dome were so moving, "they melted away any hard line political edges and made me feel softly spiritual."And at a Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day event in New York in August 1971, a multi-generational group called Asian Americans for Action (known as Triple A) distributed 2,000 cellophane packets of ashes, along with a picture of Cambodian Buddhist priest Ta You, who had died on July 8, 1970 from napalm-related injuries. Designed by artists Arlan Huang, Karl Matsushita, and Jim Tsang, stapled to each packet was a card with the following poem by Vietnamese patriot Ngo Vinh Long:On the other side of the card was printed: "HiroshimaNagasaki, August 6, 1945August 9, 1945. Must it continue?"The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki sparked a world wide anti-nuclear movement that continues to this day. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the United Nations in 1996 but the US has still not ratified it. If, as David Krieger the president of the international Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, said, "The path to assuring humanity's future runs through Hiroshima and Nagasaki's past," despite the absence of organized commemorations, it would behoove each of us to remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki and work to assure that nothing even remotely similar ever happens again.
Mobile data traffic is a major source of congestion of networks. Especially in highly populated areas, and the growth of data-hungry smartphones and services, there is a considerable strain on cellular networks, both 4G and 3G. Nowadays, many operators are trying to relieve their networks of the data traffic and re-route them through unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum, making the bandwidth accessible to other users, by a process known as Wi-Fi offloading. With the growing mobile data requirements, this market is predicted to become a whole industry in the next decade. Sprint struck a deal with Boingo Wireless in 2015, which allowed the carrier to offload its traffic from 35 major US airports onto Boingos Wi-Fi networks.

The company, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California struck a new deal with another tier 1 carrier after Sprint, to continue their Wi-Fi offloading service. Boingos CEO David Hagan made this announcement as part of the quarterly earnings call. He also noted that the service is already in the process of the roll-out, and offloading is online at one major airport. He refused to reveal vital details about the deal, including the name of the carrier involved. According to him, the deal will only be profitable only in 2017 after the roll out is complete, and their services are online. Boingos revenue grew to $39.1 million as reported in the quarterly earnings call, but in a grim reminder, the net losses increased to $7.3 million, a $1.4 million increase from the same quarter last year.

The multi-year agreement with Sprint was made in 2015. Boingo reported an addition of about 22 million Sprint customers to their network as a result of the deal. The company provides their Wi-Fi offloading services to about 60 airports across North America. Putting that into perspective, Boingo has spread their Wi-Fi network across for 50% of the busiest airports in the US alone, and 30% of the worlds busiest airports. The company faced significant difficulties over enabling voice over Wi-Fi for Sprint due to the additional load on the network. The company also plans to extend their services to brands held by Sprint, like Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

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Boingo is also working to develop the security and authentication on their network beyond Passpoint. They are working on a technology called Two-Layer Authentication to increase the availability of choices to the subscribers when they log into Boingos networks. Also, this new authentication is not bound by any device manufacturer support, making it a better choice for Boingo but implementing it on a large scale remains a significant challenge.
(The Valley, Anguilla)  The Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating the circumstances surrounding the 2nd shooting fatality for 2016 which occurred in The Valley on Friday 5th August 2016 around 6:45pm resulting in the death of a 23 year old male from West End. The victim who was at the time in the parking lot of the Ruthwill Auditorium received two gunshot wounds to his upper body and later succumbed to those injuries.

As the Police continues their investigation into this matter they are appealing to members of the public who may have been in The Valley in the general area of the Ruthwill Auditorium Parking Lot and may have witnessed this shooting incident or have any information regarding this shooting to contact The Valley Police Station with such information.

The telephone number for The Valley Police Station is 264-497-2333. Persons with such information should ask to speak with an officer of the Major Crimes Unit or any Police Officer of their choice. Additionally information can be sent via the RAPF Tips Website by logging on to www.gov.ai/911 a secure website. The Acting Commissioner of Police and members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force would like extend sympathy to the grieved family and friend of the decease. A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to the family.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh says Azerbaijani forces have violated the ceasefire regime over 25 times along the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

The ministrys announcement reads:Overnight August 5-6 Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire regime over 25 times along the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. Azerbaijani forces fired more than 330 shots from various caliber small arms at Armenian positions.

Defense Army forces refrained from taking countermeasures and continued confidently monitoring the borders.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Political activist Vardges Gaspari has been detained by Arabkir Police Department.

Gaspari has been detained for violating rules of public areas. (Article 172.2 Administrative Violations Code)

A penalty is defined for this violation  20 x minimum wage up to 60 x.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrm has convened a Security Council session in Ankara, according to Anadolu.

The session is closed for media.

Top military commanders, ministers and heads of law enforcement agencies are taking part in the session.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. 12 people remain hospitalized following the armed assault on a police precinct and the events which unfolded later on.

Healthcare Ministry spokesperson Anahit Haytayan told ARMENPRESS as of August 6 , two of the 12 people are police officers, and one of them is in critical condition.

Gunmen had stormed a police precinct in Yerevan on July 17 and held hostages, demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilian  who was arrested a month before for illegal acquisition, possession and transportation of firearms and ammunition.

As result of the ambush, police Colonel Artur Vanoyan was killed. Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt. Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds during the assault. The hostages were released within a week, however on July 27, the gunmen again took hostages, this time the paramedics who arrived to provide medical assistance to wounded gunmen.

On July 30, a sniper opened fire from the seized police precinct, killing police officer Yuri Tepanosyan.

On July 31, the gunmen surrendered.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Terrorists are shelling the highway which leads to Aleppo, Syria, a Syrian Army source told RIA Novosti.

According to the source, terrorists are firing mortars and snipers are shooting at vehicles from the nearby cement factory.

Traffic has been suspended since the morning of August 6 due to the shelling.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Nature Protection Aramayis Grigoryan visited Syunik Province on a working trip.

A discussion was held in the Governorate of Syunik, where nature protection issues were discussed. The discussion also focused on the recent outbreaks of fires in the Arevik national park, as well as in Meghri region.

Minister Grigoryan said the Zangezur biosphere complex is set to be equipped with modern fire-protection technologies.

Governor Surik Khachatryan proposed to form a rapid firefighting response unit and to set additional supervision in the fire-danger period.

A meeting with employees of the Zangezur biosphere complex took place. Achievements, activities and upcoming works were discussed.

Researchers of the complex briefed the Minister on their latest studies and achievements, the results of monitoring, and discussed details of reforestation.

At the end of the trip, Minister Grigoryan visited the family of Armen Gasparyan  soldier who died during the four day war in April. The Minister expressed his support to the soldiers family, and provided material assistance.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. A fire that killed 13 people at a bar in the French city of Rouen was caused by someone carrying a birthday cake with lighted candles, police say, CNN reported.

They say soundproofing material on the ceiling of the basement at the Cuba Libre bar burned and emitted toxic gas in the early hours of Saturday.

Most of the young people who died were killed by this gas.

Another six people were injured. One is in critical condition. Officials have ruled out terrorism.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said more than 50 firefighters were called to the fire. An inquiry is now under way.

A witness told French TV that there was panic in the bar: "Everybody wanted to get out.

"Unfortunately those who were in the basement didn't have the time to get upstairs."

The victims were mostly young people aged between 18 and 25, the Paris-Normandie news website reports (in French).

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in a tweet (in French): "Deep sadness with regard to the tragedy which mowed down 13 young lives. Compassion and support for the afflicted families."

The authorities praised firefighters for the speed of their response.

The fire is the deadliest to hit France since a series of blazes in 2005, according to French media.

The country has been on edge after the Nice attack on Bastille Day (14 July), which killed 85 people, and the stabbing of a priest in a church outside Rouen by Islamist extremists on 26 July.

Polystyrene or other insulation materials have been blamed for previous deadly blazes, including a nightclub fire in Bucharest last year which killed 27, and a fire in a club in Brazil in 2013 which killed 241.

Most of the victims in that blaze, in the city of Santa Maria, died after inhaling toxic smoke produced when ceiling insulation foam caught fire.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. New arrests have been made in Turkey over the murder of Agos daily editor-in-chief Hrant Dink, Hurriyet reported.

Former commander of Trabzon Gendarmerie Regiment Ali Oz and two intelligence officers were arrested.

Hrant Dink was murdered on January 19, 2007, in front of the Agos office.

In 2012, the Court sentenced Yasin Halal  organizer of the murder  to life imprisonment, and Ogyun Samast  the perpetrator of the murder  to 22 years imprisonment.

In 2014, the Istanbul Court ordered to re-start the case.

This time the defendants were charged with forming, managing or taking part in a criminal organization. In addition, the Court decided to start judicial proceedings against 9 people who held high ranking positions during the time of Dinks murder, including former Police Chief of Istanbul.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The suspects were on Batam Island, a few kilometres from Marina Bay, a tourist area in the city-state. According to Indonesian sources, the men belong to a jihadist group linked to Jakarta bombers.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Indonesian police arrested six men who were preparing a terrorist attack in Singapore.

The suspects were on Batam Island, on the Singapore Strait, from where they planned to strike at Marina Bay, a tourist area in the city-state. A 20-30-minute ferry ride links Batam to Singapore.

The authorities suspect the six men wanted to launch a rocket across the strait to strike from a distance.

Karnavian, an Indonesian police general and former commander of Densus 88, an Indonesian Special Forces counter-terrorism squad, said that the six men were planning to be smuggled into Singapore.

Those arrested are thought to be members of Katibah Gigih Rahmat, a fundamentalist group known to have helped some jihadists go to Syria to fight for the Islamic state group.

Karnavian also said that the group's leader, Gigih Rahmat Dewa, had frequent contact with Bahrun Naim, chief suspect in last Januarys attacks in Jakarta now fighting in Syria.

Police suspect Dewa to be directly involved with Nur Rohman, who blew himself up on 6 June near a police station in Surakarta.
The government plans to bring humanitarian and legal assistance, and find a way to repatriate its citizens. Due to the decline in oil prices, migrant workers have not been paid for months, forced to beg and sift through garbage to survive.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Filipino government plans to send a diplomatic delegation to Saudi Arabia to discuss the conditions of thousands of migrant workers who are hungry because they have not been paid by their employers.

The drop in oil prices and the consequent difficulty of Saudi companies have left some 20,000 Filipinos stranded without salary for months, forced to live by their wits.

The first batch of officials plans to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to provide immediate humanitarian, legal, and other consular assistance to the overseas Filipino workers stranded in work camps across Saudi Arabia, a Foreign Department statement said. Once there, the envoys will negotiate with Saudi authorities a long-term solution.

The directive of (President Rodrigo Duterte) is to bring all of them home as soon as possible, Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello said.

Back home, labour rights monitors said last week that some Filipinos have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months or after having been laid off from construction jobs.

The Filipino government estimates about 9,000 Filipino workers are affected, though the Manila-based labour rights group Migrante said as many as 20,000 could be in distress.

A few days ago also the Indian government announced that it was going to repatriate 10,000 workers laid-off or unpaid by Saudi oil companies.

About ten million Filipinos work abroad, 2.2 million in Saudi Arabia. On 30 December 2015, the kingdoms executioner beheaded, Joselito Lidasan Zapanta, a 35-year-old Filipino tiler, who failed to pay blood money.
Ingalls apprentice graduation 1.jpg

Sherri Kovar hands out caps and gowns to the graduating class of the Ingalls Shipbuilding Apprentice School. Commencement exercises were held Saturday morning in Biloxi.

(Warren Kulo/The Mississippi Press)

BILOXI, Mississippi -- Commencement exercises for the 2016 graduates of the Ingalls Shipbuilding Apprentice School were held Saturday morning at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

Since the school was launched in 1952, the apprentice program has graduate nearly 5,000 students.

Now a joint venture with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and housed in the 70,000 Maritime Training Academy just outside the shipyard gates, the program currently has 830 apprentices enrolled in 13 difference disciplines. There are 60 faculty and staff members and over 120 courses available to the apprentices.

"The apprentice program is really the cornerstone of our workforce development," said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls Vice President for Human Resources and Administration. "These are the individuals who end up not only as individuals in our organization, but they go on to be in key leadership positions in our organization."

Hughes noted that George Jones, the Vice President of Operations, started in the apprentice program.

And to Hughes' point, there are more than 1,500 apprentice school graduates working in 50 different jobs at the Pascagoula shipyard. Some 800 of those are in management and professional roles.

Jonathan Brewer finished as this class' top graduate, earning the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year award. The Lucedale native and George County graduate was also the top student in the pipe welding program.

"Pipe welding is something I've been interested in a long time," said the 30-year-old Brewer. "This program has done a great job preparing me for that."

Brewer also said the key to succeeding in the program is to "show up everyday, pay attention and put in the work." As a husband and father, he also praised the program's dedication to safety.

In addition to Brewer, top graduates in the individual disciplines were:

Welder: Cordell Anderson

Machinist: James Baker

Shipfitter: Chris Hixon

Painter: Kevin Kokubun

Pipefitter: Jason Lee

Sheetmetal: Pietro Serra

Another of the 2016 graduates, Paul FitzGerald, has one of the more unique backgrounds.

FitzGerald spent 26 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Iraq -- one in combat -- before retiring in 2012. He spent about 18 months looking for work before the 50-year-old got a call from Ingalls.

"It worked out, because they called me and I said 'heck yeah,'" FitzGerald said. "That was three years ago and I've been here since. I absolutely love it."

FitzGerald, who graduated as a painter, is a native of Pearl and currently resides in Hattiesburg with his wife. They are the parents of four children, including a son who is a pipe welder at Ingalls. FitzGerald said the support of his family is key.

"They really support me and what I do," he said, "and I really appreciate it."

Three other apprentices were honored with the SHIP Awards, presented annually to student who "exemplify the behaviors that have become benchmarks of the program.

The SHIP Award winners were:

CraftsmanSHIP: Coyt Hebert, pipe welder

ScholarSHIP: L'Tra Shund McKnight, painter

LeaderSHIP: Stanley Waldrop, shipfitter

Fifteen of the 51 apprentices in the class graduated with honors. Ingalls is also working with MGCCC to fully accredit the apprentice courses in order to offer a "bridge" into degree programs.

Out of 5,600 applications received this year, 77 have been accepted into the program for 2017.




Highest priority to be given to visa applications from those sponsored under RMS Highest priority to be given to visa applications from those sponsored under RMS

When it comes to immigration in Australia the headlines often mention that it is too high, but now a leading industry chief has actually called for higher levels.Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith says business leaders should stand up and argue for greater levels of immigration to help bolster population growth in the country to boost the economy. He joins a group of individuals who are advocating more immigration as a way of helping the economy.While Australia did not see as great a decline as other countries during the global economic downturn, it is not growing as much as expected.'Often hysterical debate has surrounded Australian immigration in the new millennium. There has been a failure of industry to advocate for an immigration program that will provide economic stimulus to a sluggish economy,' he said in a speech at Melbourne Mining Club.He mentioned the perennial problem which is attracting immigrants to areas in Australia - such as the north - where they are most needed. Many tend to want to live and work in the big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, but skilled labour shortages are often in less well-known regions in the resources, oil and gas industries.'Industry leaders need to both advocate for a balanced mix of skilled and humanitarian migration, then back up our advocacy with meaningful decisions that contribute to legacy. It is only through population growth that economic diversity will be delivered, unlocking the potential of Australia's north,' he told the audience.Smith cited the immigration legacy of Australian gold rush towns like Bendigo, saying the challenge was to realise the same potential in towns like Broome and Gladstone.'Today Australia's economic growth is being driven by Melbourne and Sydney with their diverse economies. These two cities are home to more than half of the nation's population growth, a trend that will catapult both cities to in excess of 8.5-million residents by 2060,' he said.'But as we strive for a more prosperous Australia, we must increase immigration levels and grow population in other areas of the nation. We must look to the economic potential of our regions and our regional centres. And this is where the mining and petroleum sectors can have a great contribution. As a leader in the resource sector, it is the ability of our industry to make a contribution outside the capitals that excites me most.'Smith believes investment in Gladstone, Broome and similar towns will create a legacy for future generations.'This will only happen when we grow the population with a mix of internal and international migration to the regions, creating opportunities for new Australians to find well paid jobs,' he said.Smith also pointed out the obvious advantages for investors in regional cities, such as access to a well-educated local workforce to make running companies both simpler and more profitable.'Local communities will benefit from a critical mass in population that will make investment in schools and hospitals irresistible for government. And sustainable population growth with its associated economic stimulus will help to silence the vocal critics of our industry,' he explained.'But if we are ever see the benefits of population growth in our regions, we must first transcend the hysterical tone that now shrouds meaningful debate on immigration. Industry leaders [...] need to both advocate for a balanced mix of skilled and humanitarian migration, then back up our advocacy with meaningful decisions that contribute to legacy,' he told the audience.'These comments are not a call for more or less 457 visa intakes. Specialised tasks in highly technical sectors like ours will always require the temporary importation of specific skills. We have some the planet's most desirable mineral deposits but we will only unlock this potential, and its economic dividend, if we are able bypass populist protectionist voices on immigration policy, and grow our population,' he added.Smith concluded by saying the current time's greatest need is to host prosperous regional centres of the next century.'Just as Bendigo's growth was fuelled by an influx of Asian immigration in the 1850s, or nearby Geelong's growth was fuelled by Italian and Greek migration in the 1950s, the north of our nation must welcome new Australians.'
Unfortunately it seems to be a system error. Did u find out what the problem was? I didn't even notice that it jumps . I remember I answered yes at the question if I have ever visited Australia and then the next screen came up with a total different section not even related to it. When I printed out a record of my answers it seems that the question is on the paper but with no answer ,which is kinda weird cuz the system doesn't let u move to the next question if u didn't give any answer...

It will help if anyone post here if they had any similar issues and if it was a problem with their visa decision because of it...

Much appreciated



Fingers cross for all of those waiting for a decision .
Automobile company Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) plans to invest $1.48 billion to convert its sub-urban Detroit Sterling Heights Assembly plant. This retooling will make the assembly plant ready for the unibody to body-on frame construction of its next generation Ram 1500 pickup. FCA also confirmed that its Chrysler 200's production ceases in December to make way for the said conversion.

According to Mike Manley, head of FCA's Jeep and Ram brands, FCA is looking into large-scale manufacturing of SUVs which will be based on its Ram 1500. These SUVs eyes to compete against leading models such as Chevrolet Tahoe and as well as make way for the creation of smaller pickup trucks which would then compete with the leading segment-leading Toyota Tacoma along with the Chevy Colorado and GMC.

Manley also posits that the current Ram 1500 platforms can be used for a body-on-frame SUV. With larger SUVs, FCA would then be able to capitalize and go head-to-head with Generl Motors and Ford for the growing SUV market.

With the Ram pickup trucks expected release in early 2018, FCA also said that it also looks into the possibility of moving the production of the Ram 1500 from their plant in Warren to Sterling Heights, both of which are located in Michigan; however there are still no official plans released from the Warren Truck Assembly Plant regarding the said transfer. In a report, the transfer will allow the Warren plant to convert for the production of the Jeep Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer SUVs.
A Newfoundland man faces multiple charges after an alleged joyride in a relatives seaplane that ended with the aircraft upside down in a forest. The 32-year-old man reportedly helped himself to a relatives Cessna 180 Thursday evening near the coastal town of Jeffreys in western Newfoundland. Taking a 59-year-old family member with him, the man took off, but apparently flew for only a few minutes as the floatplane crashed in a nearby wooded area, according to news reports. Authorities responded about 7 p.m. to an ELT signal, the CBC reported. Rescue crews and a local fire department found the passenger on foot with minor injuries and soon after found the younger man, who had fled in a truck, the CBC reported.

A police official told The Canadian Press the man was charged with flying without a license, dangerous aircraft operation and police obstruction, but he is directly related to the owner of the plane, who does not want him charged with theft, adding that the Cessna owner was just happy the two men werent seriously hurt. The older relative reported to police he had a seatbelt on during the flight and bumped his head in the crash, while the other man had a cut to his head and was limping. Police say he knew the aircraft, the Press reported, although it wasnt clear if he had any piloting experience.
Airplane shipments are down for the first half of 2016, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported Friday. There were 970 units shipped for the first six months of the year, a 4.5 percent decline. Billings for new airplanes fell 11 percent to $9.3 billion, while rotorcraft billings saw a 32.5 percent drop over last year, from $2.1 billion to $1.4 billion. In the airplane category, all types saw declines in the 4-percent range, with business jets down 4.3 percent at 292 units shipped, turboprops down 4.9 percent at 235 units and piston airplanes down 4.5 percent with 443 units shipped so far this year. The second quarter of 2016 saw more than $5.32 billion in airplane billings, down from about $5.89 billion for the same period last year.

GAMA said its pushing for regulatory reform to help boost the industrys ability to roll out new products and technology.As we saw at AirVenture last week, general aviation manufacturers are working hard to regain momentum by delivering innovative new products and technologies that enhance safety and provide substantial improvement in capability, GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress has not done its part to support aircraft manufacturers or maintenance, repair and overhaul companies through its collective failure to include reforms of the outdated and overly prescriptive certification processes in the recently passed FAA extension. He cited remarks made this month by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., one of a few who voted against the extension as drafted because it didnt include the proposed measures, a sorely missed opportunity for Congress.
6 August 2016 13:03 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

On the eve of the President Hassan Rouhanis upcoming visit to Baku, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh will arrive in Azerbaijan on August 6 to participate in a ceremony for launching a car joint venture between the two countries.

The minister will attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the car factory in Azerbaijans Neftchala District on Saturday, an informed source told Trend.

Iran Khodro, the giant Iranian automaker, is setting up the venture with Azerbaijans Azeurocar to jointly produce four Iranian car brands of Dena, Rana, Soren and Samand.

The joint ventures annual capacity is estimated to stand at about 10,000 cars.

Rouhani is due in Baku August 7 for trilateral and bilateral talks with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the issues of interest.

In addition to regional and international issues, the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan are expected to follow up on the implementation of already reached agreements in commerce, industry, energy, culture, banking, consular facilities and telecommunications, mainly railway transportation.

Iran Khodro is Iran's major automaker, producing about 600,000 cars a year.

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6 August 2016 10:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Russias Embassy in Azerbaijan commented on the situation regarding the detention of Russian citizen Marat Ueldanov in Baku, who allegedly has an Armenian surname Galustyan.

The Russian citizen was arrested for drug trafficking and no other charges were brought against him, the Embassy told Trend Aug. 5.

Ueldanov was arrested in early June in Azerbaijan on charges under Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, production, storage and distribution of narcotic drugs on a large scale).

So far, the embassy has received the necessary information from the Azerbaijani authorities, the embassy said. The embassys official has met with Ueldanov.

Investigation is currently underway against Ueldanov, according to the Russian Embassy.

His rights as of the accused one are observed, the embassy said. The detainee is indeed an Armenian by nationality. This factor has no impact on the investigation.

The embassy hopes Ueldanovs case will be considered in full compliance with the legislation of Azerbaijan and current Russian-Azerbaijani agreements, said the embassy.

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6 August 2016 11:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani are expected to discuss the issues of trade, transportation and energy as well as regional security during President Rouhanis upcoming Baku visit on Aug. 7.

President Rouhani is expected to arrive in Baku in the coming days for trilateral and bilateral talks with Ilham Aliyev and Russian counterparts Vladimir Putin on the issues of interest.

North-South transportation corridor

An ambitious project for creating the North-South transportation corridor has been in spotlight as a key topic in bilateral and trilateral talks over the past several years as the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in transportation sphere seems very promising.

Azerbaijan and Iran are participants of the large and perspective North-South transportation corridor, which is meant to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia. The project is notable for its benefits not only for development of the economies of two countries involved, but also for other countries, located along the railway route and the region as a whole.

While Iran and Azerbaijan have launched construction works aimed at connecting their railway systems as two major participants of the transportation corridor, the bilateral meeting between Rouhani and Aliyev is expected to give a further impulse in the projects implementation.

Meanwhile, Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayeen told Trend that both sides have taken proper measures to fulfill their commitments regarding the transport cooperation.

Massive construction works are underway to connect the railways of Iran and Azerbaijan in both countries and almost 60 percent of the project has already been completed, Pak Ayeen said.

At the initial stage, it is planned to transport 5 million tons of cargo via the North-South corridor per year and to increase the figure to over 10 million tons in the future. In addition to its international aspects, the corridor will have a significant role in reducing transportation costs as well as booming volume of trade turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan.

Trade

While trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran is expected to shoot up by 80 percent over the coming months, adopting policies in order to encourage traders seems to be on the agenda.

Providing the traders with incentives like easing visa requirements and decreasing customs duties would contribute to growing trade turnover, said Mohsen Pak Ayeen.

The value of trade turnover between the two neighboring countries increased by 66 percent over the first half of 2016 and it is projected to hit $1 billion on the medium-term.

According to the latest statistics by Irans Custom Administration, the Islamic Republic imported worth of $15.4 million of goods from Azerbaijan over the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year which started March 20.

Energy

While Energy sphere has an important role in strategic cooperation between the two neighboring countries, their ties in the energy sector could touch upon oil, gas and power.

Back in February 2016, following President Ilham Aliyevs Tehran visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed for cooperation in oil and gas sphere between the two countries.

Iran is already participating in developing of Azerbaijan's huge Shah Deniz field. The two countries also have gas swap infrastructure via which Azerbaijan supplies its fuel to Iran's northern provinces.

Azerbaijan and Iran are considered as countries with rich gas reserves and they both have intentions to increase their export capacities.

Initiated by Azerbaijan, the Southern Gas Corridor project, aimed at providing the EU with alternative gas supply sources, may also be an opportunity for Iran to reach European market.

The sides have already begun discussions on the possibility of delivering Iranian gas to the Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor.

Speaking of power, both Azerbaijan and Iran are keen to boost cooperation as the two countries have plans to connect their electricity networks and significantly increase electricity trade.

In December, 2015 Azerbaijan and Iran signed a MoU on electricity swap, which envisages linking the two countries' power grids. The upcoming bilateral meeting is expected to contribute further development to cooperation between the two countries in energy sphere.

Security

Terrorism and violent extremism as well as drug trafficking pose threat against regional security therefore the heads of the countries would possibly discuss the ways to counter the existing threats.

Also, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well as escalation of military clashes in April have caused serious concerns among the regional countries.

The Islamic Republic has said that Azerbaijan's integral sovereignty is of high importance for Iran, voicing its readiness to help settling the 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 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

It appears that whatever the outcome of the talks will be, its results would have a positive and lasting impact on improving economic situation and also the security of the whole region.

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6 August 2016 14:15 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with United Nations Resident Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai in his capacity as newly appointed UNFPA Resident Representative, Azertac reported.

Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated Ghulam Isaczai with his appointment as UNFPA Resident Representative in Azerbaijan, and wished him every success in his new capacity.

Ghulam Isaczai presented his letter of credence to Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Elmar Mammadyarov commended the assistance and support of UNFPA rendered to the country since the first days of Azerbaijans independence and added that UNFPA remains one the important UN humanitarian partners for the Government of Azerbaijan.

It was noted that UNFPA Executive Director Mr. Babatunde Osotimehins visit to Azerbaijan last year marked an important milestone in further developing the cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNFPA. It was also stressed that during the visit signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ADA University and UNFPA added new dimensions like education and information communication technologies to the bilateral cooperation framework.

Touching upon the IDPs issues and the measures taken by the Government of Azerbaijan in this field, Minister Mammadyarov stressed the importance of attaching further attention by UNFPA to their problems in running its activity in Azerbaijan.

The sides also exchanged views over other issues related with the functions of United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

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6 August 2016 18:27 (UTC+04:00)

Moroccan Al-Islah wa at-Tanmiya newspaper has published an article headlined First lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and the role of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Azerbaijani society, Azertac reported.The article highlights multifaceted activities of first lady Mehriban Aliyeva as president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador UNESCO and ISESCO, president of Azerbaijan Culture Foundation and Member of Parliament.

The article says she was named Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and was honored with 2007 Golden Heart award for her charity activity, generous and progressive initiatives and her contribution to intercultural dialogue. The newspaper hails the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s tremendous contributions to social and cultural projects in Azerbaijan and a number of Muslim countries. Under the projects of the foundation new state-of-the-art schools are being constructed and latest methodology is applied in the teaching process.

The article notes that Mehriban Aliyeva, who created the Azerbaijani Culture Friends Foundation back in 1995, saved Azerbaijan`s national culture from the crisis and ensured its development through her initiatives, public activity and management skills.

The article focuses on the first lady`s efforts to protect and promote Azerbaijan`s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, arts, folklore and music. The article says that she is also deeply concerned about problems of people and pays special attention to Azerbaijani refugees and IPDs.

The newspaper also commends Mehriban Aliyeva`s initiatives as MP. The first lady`s initiatives to adopt amnesty acts were welcomed by the Azerbaijani society.

The article applauds the first lady`s role in the construction of hundreds of secondary schools, realization of Support for education project, reconstruction of a girls school in Pakistan, launch of the French Lyceum in Baku, and provision of necessary equipment to orphanages and kindergartens.

The newspaper says first lady Mehriban Aliyeva made an outstanding contribution to the country`s healthcare system, which particularly includes constructing hospitals in Baku and regions, addressing acute problems of citizens and building modern Thalassemia Center in Azerbaijan.

According to the Moroccan newspaper, the Azerbaijani first lady`s awards include Heydar Aliyev Award, Senior Commander Cross Order of Merit of Poland, Legion of Honor Order of France and Hilal-e-Pakistan Order.

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6 August 2016 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkey and Russia have overcome the crisis in relations, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference in Ankara with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, TRT Haber news channel reported Aug. 5.

Erdogan added that Kazakhstan has played a significant role in repairing the relations between Russia and Turkey.

Earlier, Turkish presidential administration told Trend that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will discuss a number of important economic and political issues during a meeting in St. Petersburg Aug. 9.

Fighting the terrorist organizations in Syria is among the issues planned to be discussed during that meeting, said the presidential administration.

Moreover, the presidents are expected to discuss the joint energy projects of Russia and Turkey, such as the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the construction of Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

The relations between Russia and Turkey deteriorated after the Su-24 bomber incident in 2015.

On June 27, Erdogan sent a letter of condolences to Putin over the death of Russian Su-24 pilot and expressed regret over the incident.

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6 August 2016 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkey and Kazakhstan discussed the issue of closure of Gulens schools in Kazakhstan, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference in Ankara with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, TRT Haber reported Aug. 5.

Erdogan said that currently there are 33 educational institutions of Fethullah Gulen in Kazakhstan.

He added that the ministries of education of the two countries will take important steps to address this issue.

Istanbul court adopted a decision Aug. 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen. He is accused of organizing the military coup attempt in Turkey.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

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6 August 2016 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Yerevan police officials, including police chief, have been reprimanded, TASS reported.

They were reprimanded after an investigation into the recent events in Yerevan, when there were clashes between Armenian police and demonstrators.

The investigation revealed that the police chief and other officials did not properly perform their duties.

The armed group seized the headquarters of the police and interior troops in Erebuni, Yerevan, July 17, demanding the release of the participant of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, coordinator of the opposition Armenian civil initiative Founding Parliament Zhirayr Sefilyan.

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One of San Franciscos oldest gay bars, the Stud, sometimes called the Stonewall of San Francisco, faced an uncertain future after rent hikes almost forced the bar out of business earlier this year.

Michael McElhaney who purchased the Stud with business partner and vibrant club presence Ben Fiesta in 1996. (Fiesta died in 2011.) recently found out the building had been put in escrow and sold. The new owners wanted to tripled, the rent to $9500 a month.

For us as a small cabaret-type club, that is inconceivable. We just cant do it with the way things are now. said McElhaney.

McElhaney called on the community to collaborate on saving if not the space then at least the club in a different spot. The Stud isnt just a building, its a community. He laid out options that included finding another buyer who could also pay the rent, finding another space and transferring the valuable liquor license, pooling together as the next generation of queers to buy the club, and working with the city to find solutions.

Official word arrived Thursday that a co-op that formed to figure out a path forward to save The Stud has succeeded in securing funds to purchase the business from current from McElhaney, with hopes to preserve the club and keep it alive for decades to come. Organizer Mica Sigourney, whose drag name is VivvyAnne ForeverMore, told SFist, We sent out a call to leaders in nightlife and were overwhelmed by the immediate and enthusiastic response. The co-op for me really is a dream team of creative and brilliant folks. Im really looking forward to the future of nightlife with this team.

Supervisor Jane Kim has stepped in with some assistance, and she says in a release, We cant underestimate the importance of the Stud to the LGBT community. Not only has The Stud been the site of important artistic and political events, it currently serves one of the anchor business for the future Tenderloin/SOMA LGBT Heritage District. She adds, Im honored to be helping lead the efforts to make sure the Stud is open for another 50 years.

The next step, says Sigourney, will be to sit down with the new landlords and secure a long-term lease, and the team is hoping that they will be able to leverage the history and legacy of The Stud in that negotiation. We have the funding, resources and talent to make The Stud a profitable, successful business, says Sigourney. We hope the new building owner will give us the chance to sign a market value lease and allow us to keep this historic bar a space where everyone is welcome.

Also involved are several people with business, operations, and production experience, as well as former David Campos aide Nate Allbee, who helped Campos author the voter-approved Legacy Business Historic Preservation ordinance, which The Stud co-op will be leveraging as well.

Members of the Save Our Stud co-op include DJ and promoter Mark OBrien, Swagger Like Us founder Kelly Lovemonster, artist and DJ Siobhan Aluvalot, and drag star Honey Mahogany.

Well done. It is so important to save and preserve our disappearing historic LGBT landmarks.

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Why did we ship a fortune to our mortal enemy and not get the indicted cybercriminals living in Iran who attacked us, in return?

The U.S. is in a cyberwar. Its common knowledge. If you did have a doubt, it was reported today that The Obama administration is preparing to elevate the stature of the Pentagons Cyber Command, signaling more emphasis on developing cyber weapons to deter attacks, punish intruders into U.S. networks and tackle adversaries such as the Islamic State.

The challenge with cyberattacks is you often cant figure out who specifically is doing the attacking. When you actually can figure it out, it is a fantastic opportunity to set an example so others dont follow in their footsteps.

This past March, Iranian hackers were indicted in the U.S. because they attacked financial institutions and a dam in Rye, New York. The seven accused were believed to have been working on behalf of Irans government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. No one expected the Iranian government to hand them over so the press conference seemed to be designed to show the government is doing something about nation-sponsored cyberattacks. The implication was  we will eventually get these people.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said they conspired together and with others to conduct a series of cyberattacks in all which cost the victims tens of millions of dollars. She went on to say these attacks harmed hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S.

Identifying these people is what the security industry would consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

All we needed now was leverage  something of value to give in exchange for these people who attacked us.

This week, we found out that we sent Iran $400 million dollars in an unmarked plane, at night and in untraceable foreign currency.

Obviously, in exchange for all this cash, we could name our price  get anything we wanted, right?

There is potential proof that this money was given in exchange for four hostages  which president Obama denies.

But if the money wasnt in exchange for the hostages, why did we not get the cyber-attackers?

The biggest threat this country faces is cyberattacks. Ransomware is just one problem  we learned this week that drones can be used to sabotage industrial systems.

The Dark web is making it easy for Russian and Chinese hackers to learn from each other and further allows state sanctioned hackers for hire to attack the U.S. from a distance.

The OPM hack by China puts in the hands of this government, all federal workers  including spies and further, the database had their personal information such as lovers, sexual secrets, where they work and more.

Any foreign government could use this data against American citizens at any time.

For example, in the South China Sea where China and the U.S. dont see eye-to-eye on the islands which China constructed and turned into military bases. If we have an aircraft carrier nearby, the Chinese government would likely know who is on the boat and can also find out about their families via simple Google searches. This information can be used to blackmail anyone on the boat. A simple threat to someones kids or spouse will make them think twice before following orders.

In short, one hack has altered our national security landscape making us far less secure.

And when we had a chance to set an example. To get a hold of hackers who attacked private companies and public infrastructure, potentially endangering American lives, we did nothing.

One wishes something as crucial as this got the media coverage it deserves but instead, the top political news of the day and I kid you not is Donald Trump choosing an advisory team with no women, Donald Trump is Crazy as well as other crucial news like Donald Trumps Campaign Website Wont Let You Cancel Recurring Donations and of course What Happened After I Wrote That Cargo Shorts Story.

We do have a leader and he resides in the White House and this week we learned he sent a secret plane in darkness filled with money to a terrorist sponsoring country and didnt even get the criminal hackers who attacked the U.S. in return.

Will this hurt his approval rating? Will it factor in to who we elect in November? Absolutely not. Because as long as we have journalists and a public more concerned about Melania Trumps softcore porn pics than they are about their own national security, we all get the government, and country we deserve.
I've heard live speeaches at RNC and DNC. One chilled to bone and the other warmed to head. Why?

My favorite movie director Filmmaker Steven Spielberg said it all:

"We are a nation of immigrants." "This world is full of monsters. And theres racism, homophobia, ethnic hatred, class hatred, theres political hatred, and theres religious hatred."

"Atrocities are happening right now. And so we wonder not just, When will this hatred end? but, How did it begin?"

"Because theres no difference between anyone who is discriminated against, whether its the Muslims, or the Jews, or minorities on the border states, or the LGBT community -- it is all big one hate."

"But make sure this empathy isnt just something that you feel. Make it something you act upon. That means vote. Peaceably protest. Speak up for those who cant and speak up for those who may be shouting but arent being hard. Let your conscience shout as loud as it wants if youre using it in the service of others."

"all of you, turn to someone you dont know or dont know very well. They may be standing behind you, or a couple of rows ahead. Just let your eyes meet. Thats it. That emotion youre feeling is our shared humanity mixed in with a little social discomfort."

Ain't you?

!!!!!! Ref. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harvard Commencement Speech: drop-out at CSULB, 37 years to college degree!

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg Speech | Harvard Commencement 2016(ZT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYtoDunfu00





Thank you, thank you, President Faust, and Paul Choi, thank you so much.

Its an honor and a thrill to address this group of distinguished alumni and supportive friends and kvelling parents. Weve all gathered to share in the joy of this day, so please join me in congratulating Harvards Class of 2016.

I can remember my own college graduation, which is easy, since it was only 14 years ago. How many of you took 37 years to graduate? Because, like most of you, I began college in my teens, but sophomore year, I was offered my dream job at Universal Studios, so I dropped out. I told my parents if my movie career didnt go well, Id re-enroll.

It went all right.

But eventually, I returned for one big reason. Most people go to college for an education, and some go for their parents, but I went for my kids. Im the father of seven, and I kept insisting on the importance of going to college, but I hadnt walked the walk. So, in my fifties, I re-enrolled at Cal State -- Long Beach, and I earned my degree.

I just have to add: It helped that they gave me course credit in paleontology for the work I did on Jurassic Park. Thats three units for Jurassic Park, thank you.

Well I left college because I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and some of you know, too -- but some of you dont. Or maybe you thought you knew but are now questioning that choice. Maybe youre sitting there trying to figure out how to tell your parents that you want to be a doctor and not a comedy writer.

Well, what you choose to do next is what we call in the movies the character-defining moment. Now, these are moments youre very familiar with, like in the last Star Wars: The Force Awakens, when Rey realizes the force is with her. Or Indiana Jones choosing mission over fear by jumping over a pile of snakes.

Now in a two-hour movie, you get a handful of character-defining moments, but in real life, you face them every day. Life is one strong, long string of character-defining moments. And I was lucky that at 18 I knew what I exactly wanted to do. But I didnt know who I was. How could I? And how could any of us? Because for the first 25 years of our lives, we are trained to listen to voices that are not our own. Parents and professors fill our heads with wisdom and information, and then employers and mentors take their place and explain how this world really works.

And usually these voices of authority make sense, but sometimes, doubt starts to creep into our heads and into our hearts. And even when we think, thats not quite how I see the world, its kind of easier to just to nod in agreement and go along, and for a while, I let that going along define my character. Because I was repressing my own point of view, because like in that Nilsson song, Everybody was talkin at me, so I couldnt hear the echoes of my mind.

And at first, the internal voice I needed to listen to was hardly audible, and it was hardly noticeable -- kind of like me in high school. But then I started paying more attention, and my intuition kicked in.

And I want to be clear that your intuition is different from your conscience. They work in tandem, but heres the distinction: Your conscience shouts, heres what you should do, while your intuition whispers, heres what you could do. Listen to that voice that tells you what you could do. Nothing will define your character more than that.

Because once I turned to my intuition, and I tuned into it, certain projects began to pull me into them, and others, I turned away from.

And up until the 1980s, my movies were mostly, I guess what you could call escapist. And I dont dismiss any of these movies -- not even 1941. Not even that one. And many of these early films reflected the values that I cared deeply about, and I still do. But I was in a celluloid bubble, because Id cut my education short, my worldview was limited to what I could dream up in my head, not what the world could teach me.

But then I directed The Color Purple. And this one film opened my eyes to experiences that I never could have imagined, and yet were all too real. This story was filled with deep pain and deeper truths, like when Shug Avery says, Everything wants to be loved. My gut, which was my intuition, told me that more people needed to meet these characters and experience these truths. And while making that film, I realized that a movie could also be a mission.

I hope all of you find that sense of mission. Dont turn away from whats painful. Examine it. Challenge it.

My job is to create a world that lasts two hours. Your job is to create a world that lasts forever. You are the future innovators, motivators, leaders and caretakers.

And the way you create a better future is by studying the past. Jurassic Park writer Michael Crichton, who graduated from both this college and this medical school, liked to quote a favorite professor of his who said that if you didnt know history, you didnt know anything. You were a leaf that didnt know it was part of a tree. So history majors: Good choice, youre in great shape...Not in the job market, but culturally.

The rest of us have to make a little effort. Social media that were inundated and swarmed with is about the here and now. But Ive been fighting and fighting inside my own family to get all my kids to look behind them, to look at what already has happened. Because to understand who they are is to understand who were were, and who their grandparents were, and then, what this country was like when they emigrated here. We are a nation of immigrants -- at least for now.

So to me, this means we all have to tell our own stories. We have so many stories to tell. Talk to your parents and your grandparents, if you can, and ask them about their stories. And I promise you, like I have promised my kids, you will not be bored.

And thats why I so often make movies based on real-life events. I look to history not to be didactic, cause thats just a bonus, but I look because the past is filled with the greatest stories that have ever been told. Heroes and villains are not literary constructs, but theyre at the heart of all history.

And again, this is why its so important to listen to your internal whisper. Its the same one that compelled Abraham Lincoln and Oskar Schindler to make the correct moral choices. In your defining moments, do not let your morals be swayed by convenience or expediency. Sticking to your character requires a lot of courage. And to be courageous, youre going to need a lot of support.

And if youre lucky, you have parents like mine. I consider my mom my lucky charm. And when I was 12 years old, my father handed me a movie camera, the tool that allowed me to make sense of this world. And I am so grateful to him for that. And I am grateful that hes here at Harvard, sitting right down there.

My dad is 99 years old, which means hes only one year younger than Widener Library. But unlike Widener, hes had zero cosmetic work. And dad, theres a lady behind you, also 99, and Ill introduce you after this is over, okay?

But look, if your familys not always available, theres backup. Near the end of Its a Wonderful Life -- you remember that movie, Its a Wonderful Life? Clarence the Angel inscribes a book with this: No man is a failure who has friends. And I hope you hang on to the friendships youve made here at Harvard. And among your friends, I hope you find someone you want to share your life with. I imagine some of you in this yard may be a tad cynical, but I want to be unapologetically sentimental. I spoke about the importance of intuition and how theres no greater voice to follow. That is, until you meet the love of your life. And this is what happened when I met and married Kate, and that became the greatest character-defining moment of my life.

Love, support, courage, intuition. All of these things are in your heros quiver, but still, a hero needs one more thing: A hero needs a villain to vanquish. And youre all in luck. This world is full of monsters. And theres racism, homophobia, ethnic hatred, class hatred, theres political hatred, and theres religious hatred.

As a kid, I was bullied -- for being Jewish. This was upsetting, but compared to what my parents and grandparents had faced, it felt tame. Because we truly believed that anti-Semitism was fading. And we were wrong. Over the last two years, nearly 20,000 Jews have left Europe to find higher ground. And earlier this year, I was at the Israeli embassy when President Obama stated the sad truth. He said: We must confront the reality that around the world, anti-Semitism is on the rise. We cannot deny it.

My own desire to confront that reality compelled me to start, in 1994, the Shoah Foundation. And since then, weve spoken to over 53,000 Holocaust survivors and witnesses in 63 countries and taken all their video testimonies. And were now gathering testimonies from genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia, Armenia and Nanking. Because we must never forget that the inconceivable doesnt happen -- it happens frequently. Atrocities are happening right now. And so we wonder not just, When will this hatred end? but, How did it begin?

Now, I dont have to tell a crowd of Red Sox fans that we are wired for tribalism. But beyond rooting for the home team, tribalism has a much darker side. Instinctively and maybe even genetically, we divide the world into us and them. So the burning question must be: How do all of us together find the we? How do we do that? Theres still so much work to be done, and sometimes I feel the work hasnt even begun. And its not just anti-Semitism thats surging -- Islamophobias on the rise, too. Because theres no difference between anyone who is discriminated against, whether its the Muslims, or the Jews, or minorities on the border states, or the LGBT community -- it is all big one hate.

And to me, and, I think, to all of you, the only answer to more hate is more humanity. We gotta repair -- we have to replace fear with curiosity. Us and them -- well find the we by connecting with each other. And by believing that were members of the same tribe. And by feeling empathy for every soul -- even Yalies.

My son graduated from Yale, thank you 

But make sure this empathy isnt just something that you feel. Make it something you act upon. That means vote. Peaceably protest. Speak up for those who cant and speak up for those who may be shouting but arent being hard. Let your conscience shout as loud as it wants if youre using it in the service of others.

And as an example of action in service of others, you need to look no further than this Hollywood-worthy backdrop of Memorial Church. Its south wall bears the names of Harvard alumni -- like President Faust has already mentioned -- students and faculty members, who gave their lives in World War II. All told, 697 souls, who once tread the ground where stand now, were lost. And at a service in this church in late 1945, Harvard President James Conant -- which President Faust also mentioned -- honored the brave and called upon the community to reflect the radiance of their deeds.

Seventy years later, this message still holds true. Because their sacrifice is not a debt that can be repaid in a single generation. It must be repaid with every generation. Just as we must never forget the atrocities, we must never forget those who fought for freedom. So as you leave this college and head out into the world, continue please to reflect the radiance of their deeds, or as Captain Miller in Saving Private Ryan would say, Earn this.

And please stay connected. Please never lose eye contact. This may not be a lesson you want to hear from a person who creates media, but we are spending more time looking down at our devices than we are looking in each others eyes. So, forgive me, but lets start right now. Everyone here, please find someones eyes to look into. Students, and alumni and you too, President Faust, all of you, turn to someone you dont know or dont know very well. They may be standing behind you, or a couple of rows ahead. Just let your eyes meet. Thats it. That emotion youre feeling is our shared humanity mixed in with a little social discomfort.

But, if you remember nothing else from today, I hope you remember this moment of human connection. And I hope you all had a lot of that over the past four years. Because today you start down the path of becoming the generation on which the next generation stands. And Ive imagined many possible futures in my films, but you will determine the actual future. And I hope that its filled with justice and peace.

And finally, I wish you all a true, Hollywood-style happy ending. I hope you outrun the T. rex, catch the criminal and for your parents sake, maybe every now and then, just like E.T.: Go home. Thank you.



Steven Spidelberg

Steven Spielberg is an American director, producer, screenwriter, editor and a father of seven kids. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. In a prolific career spanning more than four decades, Spielberg's films have spanned many themes and genres.

Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films, such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), were seen as archetypes of modern Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking.

In later years, his films began addressing humanistic issues in such films as Empire of the Sun (1987), Schindler's List (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Lincoln(2012). (Source: Wikipedia)
Historic Ship Propeller Joins Central Oregon Coast Museum's Landscape

Published 08/05/2016 at 6:41 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Newport, Oregon) - After more than two years of brainstorming, planning, fundraising, negotiating, engineering, fabricating and permitting, a solid steel,14-foot diameter, 7-ton propeller has found its home at Newport's Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. After lying in a watery grave for decades on the central Oregon coast, it is now installed where the old Smuggler's Cove waterwheel once stood across from Port Dock 5.

This unique project posed a very long check list of challenges, not the least of which was that no one involved had experience installing a 7-ton propeller on a stand, say museum organizers.

The propeller is from the C.W. Pasley, a World War II era concrete-hulled liberty ship purposely sunk in the 1950s to serve as part of the Port of Newport's International Dock. The propeller was salvaged a few years ago when remains of the C.W. Pasley was demolished during a major dock renovation. The Oregon Coast Historical Society negotiated the propeller's loan from the Port of Newport, June 2014, to make it a centerpiece of the Maritime Museum's streetscape project.

This was a unique project: you dont buy a stand for a seven ton propeller complete with instructions off the shelf, said the museum's Executive Director, Steve Wyatt.

The ship was named for Sir Charles William Pasley (1780-1861), a British military engineer who wrote several textbooks and experimented with improving concrete. Another concrete-hulled vessel purchased by the port, the Joseph Aspdin, was also named for a Brit who worked to perfect cement. The Aspdin is remembered as "the ship that committed suicide." It broke loose of its moorings in the dark of night, left Yaquina Bay, went aground, and sank near the north jetty.



In addition to the propeller, the Society will also install interpretive signage on the colorful history of these two ships and Port of Newport, pavers, landscaping and stairs leading up to the Maritime Center. The streetscape/propeller undertaking is a component of a larger project - renovating the lower floor of the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, which will include the Doerfler Family Theater - a multi-use venue complete with a projection system, stage, and seating for over 100.



The Society was recently awarded a $45,000 challenge grant from The Collins Foundation for this project. It must raise $45,000 from businesses and individuals before December 1, 2016 to collect the $45,000. If you are interested in helping the Society meet the Collins Challenge and complete this project, contact Executive Director Steve Wyatt at the Lincoln County Historical Society, (541) 265-7509. Newport Hotels in this area - Where to eat - Maps and Virtual Tours

























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Terry Holcomb Sr. has annoyed a lot of public officials in Texas. He's the executive director of a gun-rights organization called Texas Carry. He has sent letters to more than 75 public entities complaining about restrictions on concealed license-holders from bringing firearms into public areas.

It's a controversial issue, with strong feelings on both sides. That's OK; in a democracy that will happen. What's not OK is Waller County officials suing Holcomb to reinforce their belief that they have the right to ban guns from the entire courthouse building. The lawsuit seeks $100,000 in damages from Holcomb, but the Waller County DA says that was merely included as boilerplate language.
To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below
A team led by Ang Cui (previously)  the guy who showed how he could take over your LAN by sending a print-job to your printer  have presented research at Defcon, showing that malware on your computer can poison your monitor's firmware, creating nearly undetectable malware implants that can trick users by displaying fake information, and spy on the information being sent to the screen.

It's a scarier, networked, pluripotent version of Van Eck phreaking that uses an incredibly sly backchannel to communicate with the in-device malware: attackers can blink a single pixel in a website to activate and send instructions to the screen's malware.





What's more, there's no existing countermeasure for it, and most monitors appear to be vulnerable.

In practice, Cui said this could be used to both spy on you, but also show you stuff that's actually not there. A scenario where that could dangerous is if hackers mess with the monitor displaying controls for a power plant, perhaps faking an emergency.

"Can I get you to shut down the power plant?" Cui asked rhetorically, with a sly smile. "I can do that." The researchers warn that this is an issue that could potentially affect one billion monitors, given that the most common brands all have processors that are vulnerable.

A Monitor Darkly: Reversing and Exploiting Ubiquitous On-Screen-Display Controllers in Modern Monitors

[Ang Cui, Jatin Kataria and Francois Charbonneau/Defcon]

Hackers Could Break Into Your Monitor To Spy on You and Manipulate Your Pixels

[Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai/Motherboard]





(Image: Madonna in Oslo  Game Over, Ivar Abrahamsen, CC-BY-SA)
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton (left) with Stephen Shaw of FinTru at the launch of the fourth FinTrU Financial Services Academy

A Belfast financial firm is hoping to grow its workforce into three figures as it takes on major new headquarters in the heart of the city, it can be revealed.

Fintru's managing director Stephen Shaw says the company hopes to move into its new office at Carleton House in the Gasworks in October.

And he expects the firm's workforce to grow to 90 by the end of year - just two years after setting up shop here.

Work is under way to fit out the building for its new tenants.

Carleton House was also just recently sold to a local investor for 1.975m.

Fintru, which has its head office in London, provides middle-office services to the financial sector, and has created around 60 new jobs over the last year, with help from the former Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

It currently has offices at the European Commission building on the Dublin Road.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, managing director Stephen Shaw said: "We have just recently secured more permanent space in the Gasworks at Carleton House.

"That is based on the fact we have invested in Northern Ireland and Belfast. We originally committed to 80 jobs and we are on the cusp of reaching that target now, this year.

"We are very happy to have committed to Northern Ireland... we have had great success in terms of attracting business."

Mr Shaw said the company provided "cost effective" outsourcing for top financial firms.

The company now employs 70 staff. But that is set to grow to 90 by the end of the year, Mr Shaw said.

And that talent pool is continuing to be fuelled by the firm's fourth financial academy.

It's being delivered by the Department for the Economy, and has already trained dozens of staff.

The company was originally founded by Cork man Darragh McCarthy in 2013. Mr McCarthy has a raft of experience in the world of finance, including 18 years with Morgan Stanley.

Fintru will take on the third floor of Carleton House where it intends to grow further still.

It's currently home to the Strategic Investment Board, and other arms of the Department of Finance.

It neighbours other buildings and businesses, including one of Lloyds Banking Group's main call centres, as well as Killymeal House,

"We are planning to continue growing as long as the clients we have see the demand in what we offer," Mr Shaw said.

The company works with tier one investment banks. Just last month Economy Minister Simon Hamilton announced that the fast-growing financial company was recruiting a further 20 graduates for its training academy.

"There has been a 100% employment rate for the three previous Fintru academies," Mr Hamilton said.

"All 20 graduates from the first cohort of graduates now have the opportunity to be promoted from analysts to associates in October 2016, following a clear career path through the company - highlighting how academies such as this are providing opportunities for our talented young people to progress up the skills ladder.

"The fact that the vast majority of the staff within Fintru are former academy graduates demonstrates the high calibre of graduate participating in the programme."

The minister added: "The financial services sector is a very competitive market and the investment Fintru have made in local graduates is testament to the emphasis it is placing on locating in areas with access to a highly skilled labour force."
Greggs is opening the doors of its third Belfast cafe today.

The low-cost bakery's latest outlet is at Duncrue Industrial Estate.

Several more stores are going through the planning process.

This week it was announced the firm was taking on a new shop at Castle Lane in Belfast.

Last year the Belfast Telegraph revealed the bakery giant was eyeing as many as 50 locations across Northern Ireland, with around 10 in Belfast.

It opened its first store last year at the Applegreen service station between Glengormley and Templepatrick.

The new shop's manager, Kelly Killen, said: "I'm very excited to be leading the team at our new Greggs shop in one of Belfast's main business hubs.

"Duncrue Industrial Estate is home to a wide range of businesses and offices, with many on shifts, so our food-on-the-go offering is perfectly placed to meet their needs throughout the day. We're really looking forward to bringing them a taste of Greggs."
Ulster Bank owner Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has reported huge losses of more 2bn for the first half of the year

Ulster Bank owner Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has reported huge losses of more 2bn for the first half of the year.

The State-backed bank, which is 73% owned by the taxpayer, has put aside 450m to cover payment protection insurance (PPI) claims after the Financial Conduct Authority this week extended the deadline to 2019.

Ulster Bank's operations are now included as part of the RBS results and is separate from the company's business in the Republic. But it does not break down its results for Northern Ireland separately.

RBS was also stung by 630m in restructuring costs and a similar figure for litigation brought by shareholders linked to its bailout. The losses, which have ballooned from 179m last year, also reflect the impact of its 1.2bn payment to the Treasury to buy out a crucial part of its 45bn bailout.

Chief executive Ross McEwan said RBS is "well positioned" for a potential economic slowdown, but RBS warned that Britain's decision to quit the European Union could hit the bank.
Jamie Dornan at the premiere of World War Two movie Anthropoid in New York

Jamie Dornan has jokingly called for a live TV cheek-to-cheek battle with Tom Hiddleston after the English actor pipped him to the top spot in the 'rear of the year' contest.

The Holywood-born actor appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in America on Wednesday night as he continued the promotion of his new film Anthropoid.

Dornan and Cillian Murphy star in the movie which centres on the plot to assassinate SS beast Reinhard Heydrich, one of the architects of the Holocaust.

While on the show the Fifty Shades actor was asked about a Belfast Telegraph article on Dornan coming second in the vote.

He was narrowly beaten to the top spot by fellow actor Hiddleston.

The victors were chosen from more than 10,000 votes cast by the public via the contest's official website between July 2015 and June 2016.

Host Colbert began: "I know that you follow the election. A very important election you have been involved in and it didn't go well for you. This is in the Belfast Telegraph, it says 'Fifty Shades Jamie Dornan has second best rear in the UK'. That must be really hard to take."

To which Jamie replied: "I'm pretty p***** off that you've brought it up, to be honest. I lost to Tom Hiddleston. The Hiddles-bum. I just think the whole way they came about it, wasn't that democratic. Why didn't they have a live show?

"They could have done something with a live show. We could have been on stage."

To which the host quickly replied: "Well I have a live show and we have a stage right there. So please, come on, it's never too early to campaign for next year."

But when Dornan challenged Colbert to go first - he declined. The chat show host and Dornan finished the interview by having a shot of tequila.

Meanwhile, fans of BBC drama The Fall are eagerly awaiting the programme's return where Dornan reprises his role as killer Paul Spector.

It returns to our screens in the autumn.
It's been said that we're in the throes of a golden age of television. There has been an impressive parade of dramas, documentaries and pin-sharp comedies - each one more astute and impressive than the last.

Yet, for every Game of Thrones or House of Cards there's a show to remind us that, at the other end of the televisual spectrum, there is an unseemly race to the bottom.

With each reality show striving to be more audacious and atrocious than the last, Channel 4 really have put their competitors behind in the race with Naked Attraction.

Dubbed an on-screen "meat market" (or, worse, "Blind Date in a brothel"), Naked Attraction featured single hopefuls stripping off entirely in a bid to find love.

Ostensibly exploring the "raw primitive attraction" of potential daters, the show's contestants are shown composite body parts of potential matches in a "blind viewing" ... and, as we've likely come to expect, no body parts are left unseen.

Viewers complained in their droves about the full-frontal nudity, describing it as a "new low". But, one man's nadir is another's apex and the show garnered 1.4 million viewers on its opening episode.

Yet, in the steeplechase to provide reality TV's most outlandish water cooler moment of 2016, Naked Attraction has faced stiff competition.

There is Big Brother (and, latterly, Celebrity Big Brother), a bitching bonkfest featuring the most vapid and pneumatic of hopefuls. What was once an enlightening peephole into the minutiae of group psychology has been a parade of barefaced wannabes with an embarrassing need for attention. Brains are out and voyeurism is in.

That Big Brother contestants are keenly aware of this is at once the show's greatest strength and weakness.

Earlier in the summer, Love Island featured a number of on-air sex sessions; in one memorable moment, contestants cheered on fellow islanders Malin and Terry mid-coitus.

With one eye trained on magazine deals and a half-life of tabloid fodder, the blatant careerism of reality TV contestants now rises from them like steam. It's as blatant, on reflection, as the producer's bid for a ratings boost.

Add to this bizarre brew the likes of Gogglebox, Made in Chelsea and First Dates, and suddenly the golden age of TV is starting to look a bit burnished. And all this talk of the golden age of TV has only served to reinforce cultural snobbery and widen the chasm between "serious" and "trash" TV.

That reality producers have stepped up their game in a bid to win back the water-cooler moment is a given. Netflix, Amazon Prime and their ilk mean that we don't watch television when we are told to. Rather, we gulp a series down in a heady gulp, often bragging about our stealth watching on social media afterwards.

This is the fuel that has given series like Making a Murderer its unique horsepower. If Big Brother was once the petri dish for the accidental "everyman" star, now YouTube and Vine are the places where the ordinary person is likely to find overnight success.

Finding themselves on the back foot, reality TV producers know that they've often been entrusted with a TV format that's as knackered and outmoded as a Ford Fiesta.

Heather Havrilesky, former TV critic at Salon, has noted that "self-consciousness will be the death of the genre. As more and more contestants who appear on the shows have been exposed to other reality shows, the argument goes, their actions and statements will become less and less 'real'. What's to blame here is the popular use of the word 'reality' to describe a genre that's never been overly concerned with realism, or even with offering an accurate snapshot of the events featured."

And, when all else fails, they have resorted to trust tactics: the guilty watch, or the shock value. And it could be argued that Naked Attraction is a sort of reaction to the likes of Versailles, or Games of Thrones, where nudity - often parachuted in for the sake of prurience - becomes a real talking-point.

It takes plumbing to even lower depths to shock jaded TV viewers. And in the quest for ratings, salience - not to mention controversy - becomes the Holy Grail.

Certainly, reality TV's ratings have suffered of late: earlier this summer, Big Brother received the lowest viewing figures for a launch show ever, down 300,000 viewers from 2015, and 600,000 fewer than 2014. Yet rumours of the format's demise may well be exaggerated.

There are commentators that have been quick to defend reality TV. Yet in his book, Everything Bad is Good For You, the author Steven Johnson has argued that pop culture, with its increasingly complex narrative structures actually makes people smarter.

"For decades, we've worked under the assumption that mass culture follows a path declining steadily toward lowest common-denominator standards, presumably because the 'masses' want dumb, simple pleasures and big media companies try to give the masses what they want," he wrote in the New York Times. "But the exact opposite is happening: the culture is getting more cognitively demanding, not less.

"If early television took its cues from the stage, today's reality programming is reliably structured like a video game: a series of competitive tests, growing more challenging over time. Many reality shows borrow a subtler device from gaming culture as well: the rules aren't fully established at the outset. You learn as you play. Reality programming borrowed another key ingredient from games: the intellectual labour of probing the system's rules for weak spots and opportunities."

With that in mind, pop culture, he argues, enhances "our cognitive faculties", and has "intellectual benefits".

Michael Hirschorn, writing in The Atlantic, also makes a case for reality TV. "Reality shows steal the story structure and pacing of scripted television, but leave behind the canned plots and characters," he observes.

"They have the visceral impact of documentary reportage without the self-importance and general lugubriousness. Where documentaries must construct their narratives from found matter, reality TV can place real people in artificial surroundings designed for maximum emotional impact."

Yet even in the face of stiff competition from Netflix and other TV giants, there's another plausible reason to explain the ongoing appeal of trashy TV.

With news and current affairs shows providing a steady drip-feed of violence, upheaval, terrorism and uncertainty, reality TV becomes a sort of soother for the masses. Naked Attraction and its outlandish ilk provide a much-needed antidote and distraction to this ongoing cacophony.

What suffocating lows reality TV's producers may resort to next remains anyone's guess. But given the headlines generated by reality TV's latest offerings, it's safe to assume that things are set to become even more peculiarly offensive.

In the meantime, all we can do is sit, wonder, and stare, one eye-watering body part at a time.
A humid, rainy morning in Williamsburg, New York. High above the city, in an airy, white-walled suite of the hip Wythe Hotel, Carmen Ejogo is talking about the moment, almost 15 years ago, that she walked away from fame.

"I had to make the choice between career and family," confesses the London-born, US-based actress, haltingly, as she sits, legs tucked underneath her, on a vast cream sofa.

"You can lose sight of what your life could have been, which is what happened to me. I did lose sight, for a while there, of what my life could be."

Such a frank expression of vulnerability is striking from an actress who, at 42, seems in the prime of her career. Having won rave reviews for her performance in 2014's Selma, the Oscar-nominated story of the 1965 march for civil rights, in which she played Martin Luther King Jr's wife, Ejogo will be seen in some of the year's most highly anticipated films, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the prequel to the Harry Potter series, in which she stars alongside Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston.

But then, Ejogo is an unusual actress. Though head-turningly beautiful, she could easily walk out of the hotel in her gold-printed cigarette pants and voluminous smock and down the street, untroubled by paparazzi.

Rewind 20 years, however, and she was on the cusp of Hollywood stardom. The daughter of a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother, she had begun acting in her early teens and left school at 16, to front her own satellite TV programme, The Carmen Ejogo Video Show, before landing roles in credible productions such as The Avengers (alongside Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman), and Kenneth Branagh's Love's Labour's Lost, while being hailed by critics as one of the industry's brightest young talents.

Only, things didn't work out quite like that. Having relocated to the US in the mid-1990s, she abruptly stepped back. She met and married the American actor Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter in Casino Royale) and soon became pregnant.

"I chose to take time out and be a stay-at-home mother, because that's how I wanted to do it," she says today, in an accent entirely undiluted by two decades in New York. Her son and daughter, Elijah and Juno, are now aged 14 and 10. She and Wright divorced in 2014. Part of her motivation for returning to acting was, she says, to show her children what a working woman can achieve.

"There are a lot of logistics, and you're probably always going to feel guilty, but you also realise that you're a great role model for your daughter - and your son, which is equally important." It was a brave move: "You wonder if you're ever going to have permission to come back into the business.

"And to find that I have been given that option, at this point in my life, I'm so grateful," she says.

But if she were nervous, she needn't be. After the spectacular success of Selma, this year is set to be a big one for Ejogo. There's Fantastic Beasts, out in the autumn: "Do you know what my character looks like?" she asks excitedly, whipping out her iPhone to show me a snap of her in costume as Seraphina Picquery, the president of the Magical Congress, sporting a gigantic, sequined turban-style headdress. Set in 1920s New York, though shot in London's Leavesden studios, the film seems like The Great Gatsby on acid. "The whole aesthetic is insane," nods Ejogo enthusiastically.

She's also recently returned from filming another high-profile prequel, in Australia and New Zealand - this time to the Alien franchise. With Michael Fassbender and Billy Crudup, Ejogo is part of a team of scientists attempting to recolonise a new planet, "because the Earth is f*****," she says.

But before either of those two big-budget blockbusters, this month sees the release of the infinitely more intimate Born to Be Blue, in which Ejogo stars with Ethan Hawke as the long-suffering girlfriend to his outrageously talented but hopelessly heroin-addicted trumpeter, Chet Baker. When the film was screened at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, it received a rapturous reception from critics and the audience alike.

Jane, Ejogo's character, is not a straight rendering of a real person, but rather a composite of women with whom Baker had relationships. The essence of Jane was, says Ejogo, "that sense of a woman who has arrested potential, because of the love of a man who is demanding all of her attention."

It wasn't a difficult dynamic for the actress to tap into. "I think most of us know a woman - it might have even been ourselves at some point - who has really lost herself in a man, lost her identity and direction.

"It's so easy to do, and it's such a part of the female narrative. You meet a guy, and you start shape-shifting to accommodate his needs over your own." Baker's relationship with Jane may be an extreme case, but Ejogo sees where the attraction lay. "He was a manipulator of women," she says, with a wise smile. "He knew how to tap in to that maternal desire to give."

"Plus," she adds. "He was really f****** good looking. And he could play an instrument."

Ejogo is no stranger to the attractions of a professional musician. In 1998, aged 25, she was briefly married to the triphop star Tricky, though it's not a subject she'll discuss today. After her divorce from Wright she is dating someone new, but remains tight-lipped on the details. Would she ever marry again? "I don't know, maybe," she laughs, gazing out of the window again. "Never say never."

She grew up primarily in Kensington and Chelsea. "It sounds so posh, but it wasn't," she laughs. "I was the council flat kid in those posh areas." Her father died when she was 12 and she and her younger brother, Charles, were raised alone by their mother, Elizabeth, who worked nights as a cleaner to make ends meet. It was, she says, "a good, grounded, Scottish background". She won scholarships to private schools - the Oratory and Godolphin and Latymer. "I was always conscious of the fact that academia was important, but it was so obvious from an early age that the thing I really loved to do was art, in whatever shape or form it took."

Aged just 14, with no acting training or experience, Ejogo was cast in the rock musical film Absolute Beginners alongside David Bowie and Patsy Kensit. "I just got really lucky. People would just spot me and ask me if I'd be interested in doing something," she says. "It always came to me; I was never encouraged to go and find it." She combined acting with modelling and TV presenting. "I was quite cocksure and it all came a little easy, frankly," she admits. "I take all my opportunities very differently now."

Being bi-racial in London was, she believes "a huge advantage, and a large part" of what led to her opportunities. "Growing up in the Seventies, Eighties and onwards, there was just a feeling in the air that this was the new Britain. I think I got lucky in that sense, and I was representative of my time."

For 15 years, she has lived in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Fort Greene. "It's a complete fallacy that New York is a melting pot," she says. Her adopted city, she believes, is far less integrated, racially and ethnically, than her actual home town.

"Everyone comes together or crosses paths on the streets, or in a deli, but then everyone scurries back to their particular ghetto," she says, while shaking her shoulder-length bob. In spite of settling in the US, and raising two American children, Ejogo has no desire to become a US citizen. "I don't really see what the benefits are," she shrugs. "And I am so proud of what it is to be British." This, however, does mean she can't vote.

"But I have very mixed feelings about the vote," she says. "Having made Selma, I understand and appreciate what it took to get the vote in this country. But I think there's something a little illusory about the power of the vote.

"It's the same issue I have with the Oscars," she continues. The Academy Awards this year were famously mired in a furore over their lack of racial diversity. "If there are only certain kinds of film that you're voting for, then your vote only can ever say so much.

"I think changing it from the inside is a healthy approach though."

To that end, Ejogo is moving behind the camera, too; she is hoping to "pull together a horror movie", as a producer.

Producing, and directing, she acknowledges, have never felt female-friendly, and have long seemed like something of a closed shop in Hollywood.

"I think it still bloody is," she insists. "But I think there are more outlets now, more platforms. You aren't relying on such a small group of people to give you the permission.

"Women have got more of a shot than ever," she beams.

"So, it's a good time."

Born to be Blue is available on Blu-ray and DVD
Bombardier's boss says it will be a "pivotal" year for its flagship passengers jets - part-made in Belfast - after suffering losses.

The company is one of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland, with around 5,000 staff in Belfast.

Overall revenue at the Canadian-owned business fell to $4.3bn (3.27bn) in the three months to June 30. That was a drop from $4.62bn (3.5bn) a year earlier.

Bombardier reported wider-than-expected losses amid rising costs for increased production of the new CSeries planes.

Its chief executive Alain Bellemare, said: "We continue to make very good progress executing our turnaround plan.

"This was a pivotal quarter for the CSeries as both variants are now certified and the programme has begun generating revenue."

The Belfast workforce produces the wings and part of the fuselage for the passenger planes.

In April it secured a deal to sell 75 of the CS100 jets to Delta Airlines, with the potential for a further 50 orders.

However, it revealed in February that the company was cutting 1,080 jobs in Belfast over the next two years.
Hank the dog with owner Joanne Meadows (right) visits the Belfast Telegraph office to thank staff and Editor Gail Walker for assisting in his rescue

Hank said thanks to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday when the reprieved death row dog brought his owner Joanne Meadows to meet the media team who'd backed his fight for freedom.

And what a newshound he turned out to be.

The playful two-year-old pooch won the hearts of the newsroom as he wagged his tail and rolled around on the floor, the very picture of doggy joy.

Belfast Telegraph Editor Gail Walker said: "It's great to see Hank back where he belongs, with his owners. And we're delighted that he brought his human Joanne in to see us .

"He's certainly one of the most popular visitors to the newsroom in years. Hank really made our day."

As Tele journalists fussed over happy Hank, owner Joanne spoke of the dog's 20 days in Belfast City Council custody, saying "We're just glad it's over."

Newsroom Hank fans queued up to meet their hero - and shake his paw.

"He's beautiful", said dog lover and business journalist Yvette Shapiro. "His coat's in lovely condition. He's almost as handsome as my English bull terrier."

Colleague Rachel Martin agreed, saying: "He's very chilled, really friendly - and so laid-back."

Owner Joanne is still a little shocked at how quickly momentum built in the Save Hank campaign.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hank the dog visited the Belfast Telegraph offices on Friday to say thanks to helping in the successful campaign to bring him home. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

"We just shared the news about Hank being taken with our friends on social media - and the next minute it was as if millions of people had seen the post.

"But it's great. It just shows you what social media can do.

"A big campaign was never our intention, but when you have massive support you can't just leave it there. You can't just go 'I've got Hank back, thanks' and that's it."

As she spoke, Hank, basking in the media spotlight, enthusiastically posing for pictures and licking our photographer Kevin Scott's face despite wearing a court-mandated muzzle.

Joanne paid tribute to the way Hank was looked after while in Belfast City Council custody.

"He has been really well looked after," she said. "But we're really happy to have him back.

"I know the dog wardens are just doing their job."

Next up for the hero dog and his owners is a big 'thank you' rally to thank everyone who backed Hank.

The rally is set to take place at Stormont on Sunday, August 14 at 1pm. Joanne revealed that senior political figures were coming on board to back changes to the law that permitted Hank to be seized in a joint PSNI/Belfast City Council raid that outraged dog lovers in the UK, Europe and beyond.

But for the moment, Hank looks very happy to be home - though he is enjoying the limelight, according to owner Joanne

"He's a star now," she laughed.

"He'll be turning into a diva if we're not careful!"
Uber's $62.5B valuation is an utterly speculative bet on a company that can only pay out if many sub-bets pay off: the timely arrival of self-driving cars, widespread adoption of car-sharing (rather than private self-driving car ownership), no effective competition from other hailing companies (including those backed by the car manufactuers), regulatory reform to legalize its practices, and smooth sailing for its massive subprime lending program for its drivers.



Uber will "fail" (in terms of returning value to its investors) if it can't earn enough to justify that whopping valuation. A super-successful, dominant, multi-billion-dollar Uber would still be a failure if the "multi" and the "dominant" weren't gigantically hugely titanic enough.

Uber has raised all its capital on the private market and has even eschewed the private exchanges, making it very hard to short. But it does have one avenue of exposure to short sellers: because it borrowed heavily (as well as selling equity), its debt can be shorted with "naked credit-default swaps"  these being bets that Uber will default on its loans. Because they're "naked"  the bets aren't being placed with Uber or its creditors  the only limit on the size of a short-sell is one's ability to locate risk-takers to take the other side of the bet. Given the near-consensus on Uber's inevitable victory, those counterparties might not be so hard to find.

Yet the target remains so tantalizing. With the Didi Chuxing transaction, Uber has stanched its billion-dollar-a-year bleed of cash in China, but it has continued to spend an equal sum to capture India, along with money for subsidies and price-cutting elsewhere as new rivals arise in Africa, in Europe, and so on. It has also found new ways to deplete its $10 billion war chestincluding a reported $500 million and growing to create a proprietary global mapping system to guide its robots. And now Didi, fresh off its victory over Uber in China, is challenging the American firm with a reported plan to invest in Grab, an Uber competitor across Southeast Asia. Should Uber require another cash raise, these factors plus the doubts expressed by the mutual funds would probably generate resistance to a fresh jump in valuation. Uber would face pressure to accept a "down round," a valuation below $62.5 billion, perhaps far below. Even then, it is not clear where Uber would turn for its next billions, apart from digging itself deeper into debt, and hiving off more equity to petro-states, Russian oligarchs, local international rivals, or other investors atypical in Silicon Valley. Some analysts have begun to temper their enthusiasm, scrutinize the substantial complexity of safe, driverless mobility, and suggest that the expectations of ubiquitous robot vehicles could be wildly premature. In a July 28 note to clients, Jonas, the Morgan Stanley analyst, challenged even the moderate view that robot cars will be "the dominant form of vehicular transport" by 2035. He said that conventional cars will keep improving, and that the 1.2 billion-vehicle global fleet may need to turn over several timesto go through the entire, approximately 14-year cycle of manufacture-through-the-scrap-heapbefore the world gets there. Mainstream use of these cars might not arrive for many decades, far longer than any reasonable investment outlook.

Investors have placed a one-way bet on Uberwhich made us want to find a way to short it

[Steve LeVine/Quartz]





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(Image: Taxi on strike, Gyrostat, CC-BY-SA)
Sam Morrissey and Louise Lynn at home in Carrickfergus ahead of the inquest for baby Shea

The distraught parents of a baby who died at just five-weeks-old, having been infected by the superbug MRSA, have revealed they were told by doctors their son had just a common cold.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, doting parents Louise Lynn and Sam Morrissey said they are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of baby Shea in November last year.

An initial post-mortem reported the cause of death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but a second report carried out in February pinpointed the superbug MRSA.

Now Louise and Sam want to raise awareness of the symptoms of the condition, which include a rash, drowsiness and breathing difficulties because they "never ever want another family to go through this suffering".

The Carrickfergus couple, who have been together for two years, said the arrival of their son on October 20, 2015, at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, weighing 5lb 15oz, "was the best thing in the whole world".

They gave him the pet name "our wee ducky" because Shea would pout his top lip, and were amused that he slept with his head resting on his arm and with one leg always poking out of the blanket.

"He was a good baby, very small and really placid," said Louise (30), who is also mum to seven-year-old Jai.

"We called him Shea Matthew John Morrissey after my granddad and dad, and he was so delicate and small that he just seemed to suit the name."

A good feeder, Shea was a "real wee guzzler", said Louise, and soon doubled in weight to 10lbs.

"Shea had big feet and he would always pop one of his legs out no matter what blanket he was wrapped in," she added.

"Every time I looked at him, all I felt was pride.

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"It was so surreal that I couldn't believe he was mine, that this perfect wee boy, my beautiful son, was mine for life."

But at 11 days-old Shea developed a "rasping chest" and a rash on his face which "looked like bites", and he struggled to breathe if laid flat.

He was diagnosed with a common cold and given saline drops to clear his blocked nose but, less than four weeks later, on November 22, he was found dead in his Moses basket at home. Emergency staff rushed to resuscitate him but it was too late. Despite being in shock and racked with grief, however, his parents selflessly offered to donate his organs to give other babies a chance in life, but it was not possible.

A post-mortem confirmed the presence of an MRSA infection which had travelled down Shea's throat to his chest before finally attacking his heart.

Since the tragedy, Sam (20), a student, has been suffering with debilitating panic attacks and Louise said she constantly tortures herself with "what ifs?".

Throughout the pregnancy Sam slept with his arms around Louise so Shea would know his dad's heartbeat when he was born. He tearfully recalled his son's final hours.

"At around 4.30am Shea was really unsettled so I made him a bottle, but he only took an ounce of it," he said.

"He was very drowsy so I put him down for sleep - but he never woke up."

Only hours later, they found Shea was not breathing and called for an ambulance.

"I would not wish this on any child, not anyone, not even on my worst enemy," added Sam, who is also dad to three-year-old Jack.

"I can't explain how awful this has been. I'm trying to stay strong for Louise and keeping it all in but there have been days where we have sobbed and sobbed.

"We want answers from the inquest, including why this infection was never picked up."

Clutching his Rosary beads, he added: "The only comfort I have is that my son never sinned and that he is now in heaven."

Shea's inquest will take place next Friday at Laganside Court where both his parents, police officers and medical staff will give evidence about what happened to Shea.

Louise added: "I am glad to have those four weeks and five days with Shea than to never have them at all because they were the best ever.

"Although Shea is gone, I will never forget him and I'm almost glad that this pain that I suffer every day will be with me forever, because that pain is for Shea."

A spokesman for Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: "We would be unable to comment in advance of the public inquest."
Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face a week of misery after talks aimed at resolving a bitter row over the role of conductors broke down.

Southern Railway will introduce an emergency timetable for five days from Monday, running just 60% of its services across London and the South East.

Three days of talks between the company and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at the conciliation service Acas collapsed.

The two sides blamed each other for the continued deadlock, while the union accused the Government of "sabotaging" the talks.

The company's Passenger Service Director Angie Doll said: "We have gone the extra mile with our compromise offer, but the RMT has made it clear they are not prepared to negotiate. They did not want to discuss the role of the on-board supervisor and remain rigidly opposed to evolving the role of on-board staff to focus more on customers.

"We are deeply disappointed and angry on behalf of our passengers at this stance, which will cause misery for our passengers and untold damage to the local economy in the south east.

"The RMT's strike is unnecessary, unacceptable and unjustified."

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "It was clear right from the start of these talks that there was no serious intent from Govia Thameslink to engage in genuine negotiations and that their script was being written from behind the scenes by their Government paymasters.

"I have been involved in countless negotiations and have never witnessed a farce like this."

The union said it was told by industry sources that Transport Department official Peter Wilkinson, who told a public meeting he wanted a "punch up" with rail unions was responsible for "wrecking" the talks.

Southern, part of the huge Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise, said an offer by the union to suspend industrial action if the company agreed to terms put forward by ScotRail to resolve a separate dispute, was a "complete red herring".

Ms Doll said: "This amounts to a continuation of the current operating model and delivers none of the punctuality and customer service benefits we are determined to deliver to our passengers".

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: "This unjustified strike action from the RMT will do nothing other than cause five days of misery for passengers. It is deeply disappointing that union bosses continue to overlook the impact they are having on hardworking people who want to get on with their journeys.

"The changes GTR are proposing will modernise services and provide better journeys. Rather than working with the operator to resolve these issues, the RMT has clearly decided that it is not on the side of the passenger."

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, said: "This strike action will cause misery for thousands of passengers. The offer to staff set out by Southern demonstrates there are no risks to jobs or pay. We already know that drivers operating the doors on trains is a safe way of working.

"The rail industry has to modernise to deliver the better service today's customers expect and deserve. At the heart of this dispute are changes that would mean a better on board service for passengers and less disruption when problems affect the railway. In the interests of passengers, it's time to implement these changes and end this dispute."
At least 13 people have been killed and six others were injured after a fire swept through the basement of a bar in the French city of Rouen.

More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out during a birthday party taking place in the basement of Cuba Libre in the north-western city in Normandy.

Rouen mayor Yvon Robert said t he fire was "totally accidental", mentioning a possible gas explosion "from the heat in a basement room, doubtless too small for the number of people present".

It is not known how many people were partying at the Cuba Libre club. The area has been blocked off, and French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said a judicial investigation has been opened to discover the cause of the blaze.

One of the six injured people is said to be in a life-threatening condition.

Images from outside the bar on French television showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and tattered awning at the front.

The mayor said the fire was "very brief", adding that the birthday party was "a moment of joy for those involved that ended tragically".

The local Paris-Normandie newspaper said the fire ignited in the basement of the bar, which was rented for the evening for the birthday celebration.

The paper said the ceiling, which was covered in sound-insulating material, quickly ignited when candles were lit.

The deputy prosecutor at the site later denied initial reports of an explosion. Laurent Labadie said the noise reported by neighbours was the sound of windows exploding from the heat.

Expand Close Burned seats are pictures in the bar where a fire broke in Rouen, western France, Saturday Aug.6, 2016. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Burned seats are pictures in the bar where a fire broke in Rouen, western France, Saturday Aug.6, 2016. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

The tragedy comes with France on maximum terror alert following two deadly attacks last month.

A priest was killed in his church outside Rouen on July 26, less than two weeks after a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, where a truck mowed down revellers, killing 85 of them. Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.

A funeral Mass for the slain priest was held at Rouen cathedral on Tuesday.

AP
The boy was left in a day care centre van for more than nine hours

A three-year-old boy was left alone in a van for more than nine hours after day care centre staff in Kentucky forgot about him.

The boy was at the Precious Jewels School of Excellence in Lexington while his mother was at work.

Police said the woman told officers that her son was missing when she came home late on Wednesday. She told them the day care centre was supposed to drop the boy home at 5pm.

Officers contacted the owner who went to the business - which had been closed since 6pm - and found the boy still strapped in a seat inside the van parked outside.

Paramedics checked out the child, who was unhurt.

Authorities believe the child was inside the van from about 4.30pm on Wednesday until 2am on Thursday.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has suspended services at the centre citing its "failure to protect the health, safety and welfare of children".

AP
It has been a bad week for humanity and for Christianity at home and abroad. The butchering of the French priest Fr Jacques Hamel was horrible beyond words, and the graphic description of that poor man's last words and actions were chilling and deeply disturbing.

Mourners at his funeral on Tuesday were told that while the teenage assailants were setting about cutting his throat, Fr Jacques fell to the ground and tried to kick them away with his feet, as he cried "Go away Satan, Go Away Satan".

In the best Christian tradition, the priest's family requested that there would a reading of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, with the exhortation to "Love your enemies".

The Archbishop of Rouen Dominique Lebrun asked: "Must there be further slaughter. Too many violent deaths. It's enough."

The trouble is, there will be more killings in this war where people like the elderly priest will be killed precisely because they are Christians.

Then the Archbishop added a sentence that strikes me as distinctly odd. He said "Evil is a mystery."

I suggest that to most people evil is anything but a mystery. It is the result of people with hatred in their hearts resorting to violence to destroy their supposed enemies.

The comments of Pope Francis were also open to question. He said that the world is at war, but that it is not about religion.

He made the point, rightly, that much of the trouble is due to the huge gap between the privileged and the underprivileged of the world, but he was wrong to dismiss so lightly the role of religion in the many recent acts of violence from militant Islamists.

It is true that most people in today's world are not murdering others because of the finer points of theology - but the militant Islamists are very clear that unless the "infidels" like you and me recant our Christianity we will be killed.

It is important to stress the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful, but a small minority have turned themselves into vicious killers in the name of a warped version of their faith.

The harsh truth is that until the Muslim world and especially its teachers and other leaders win over the minds of those who resort to violence in the name of Allah, their religious war against Christians will continue. The peaceful Muslims need to condemn such actions loudly and clearly, and again and again.

There is no point in trying to ignore the Islamist elephant in the room. The Pope is a very sincere Christian, but his remarks about religion not playing a part in this war perpetrated by militant Islam are at best naive, and at worst misleading.

It has also been a bad week for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, with Archbishop Diarmud Martin refusing to send young priests to Maynooth because of its alleged atmosphere of " strange goings on there". There are other allegations of bullying, of a "poisonous atmosphere" and a "gay sub-culture".

Archbishop Martin is one of the most courageous and credible bishops, and his words and actions should be taken seriously. He said that there was a "quarrelsome attitude that was not the healthiest place for my students." Instead he is sending them to the Irish College in Rome, which has had its own problems.

Is it not extremely sad that during little over a week an elderly French priest is killed for being a Christian, while in Ireland there is further evidence of the deep divisions in the Catholic Church.

Is it any wonder that the serious and possibly terminal disconnect between the clergy and a large number of ordinary Catholics is widening all the time?
Coming from Northern Ireland, a place defined by its sick sectarian politics, I love it when people don't fit neatly into pre-approved boxes. It feels so refreshing and unusual. Adrianne Elson, the trans woman who used to be an Orangeman, is a great example of someone who remains fabulously resistant to those rigid moulds.

When Elson came to Belfast she was a man - a man in headlong flight from his deeply repressed wish to be a woman. Determined to ignore those inner yearnings, Elson became a member of the Orange Order as well as a hardline Christian, who took part in protests against the Belfast Pride parade. Yes, she was one of that grim crew that stands on the sidelines every year waving placards about the wages of sin being death and other doom-laden messages as the noisy, colourful pageant streams on by.

But while Elson was participating in one of those protests, her moment of personal enlightenment came. "I just thought: 'What am I doing here? Why am I protesting against them? They're just human beings like me'," she told the BBC. "I knew at that moment that I had to start living as a woman."

It's not the first time that Elson has talked openly about her struggle. Previously she has spoken movingly of how she "fought a pitched battle for four decades" of her life. "I used to sit at the bottom of Sir Edward Carson's statue at Stormont and think: 'Why can't I just be like others'?" For her, Carson represented a powerful metaphor: "Conservatism and rebellion in the same person - and that made sense to me and how I felt about things."

A Christian trans woman who idolises Carson. It's not what you expect, is it?

Identity politics, with its awful, narrow impulse to conformism and exclusion, demands that people assign themselves to certain inflexible categories, each with their own set of rules. Men, women, right, left, white, black, gay, straight, trans, non-binary - the list grows longer with each passing day.

But the trouble with treating people like members of a category - basically members of a tribe - is that it denies them their individuality. All the things that add up to make them that odd, unpredictable and marvellously contradictory thing - a human being.

Ruth Davidson, the openly gay leader of the Scottish Conservatives, who was in town this week to give the annual Pride lecture, is another person who brilliantly defies the usual tribal rules. As well as being a leading Tory - scary enough - she is a church-going Presbyterian and a unionist, who happens to be engaged to an Irish Catholic woman.

Or take Caitlyn Jenner, the most famous trans woman in the world. It gave some people quite a gunk when they realised that Caitlyn was no fashionably right-on Democrat, but was actually an ardent old-school Republican. Jenner herself joked: "It was easy to come out as trans, it was hard to come out as Republican."

It all makes me think back to the horrendously divisive (and still ongoing) Ashers case, when there was a battening down of hatches, a retreat to the tribal huddle, among some members of the local gay community. For example, because I stated my belief - later echoed by the veteran gay rights activist Peter Tatchell - that people should not be compelled to promote political ideas with which they disagree, I was denounced in some circles as a bigot and an enemy of gay rights. One prominent local activist said that as "a heterosexual journalist" - her words, not mine - I couldn't possibly comprehend the problem with Ashers.

A similar attitude was on display recently when the columnist Owen Jones walked out of a Sky News discussion about the Orlando massacre. He told the presenter "you don't understand this because you're not gay".

Cutting ourselves off from those who express different or challenging ideas - on the basis that if you're not with us, you're against us - and retreating into the safety of the tribe might feel comforting at the time.

But it's ultimately a self-defeating move. Reject our commonality and we consign each other to the cold, hostile wilderness. Come together and we can make important things, like marriage equality in Northern Ireland, finally happen.

As the story of Adrianne Elson shows, becoming your own person is not a box-ticking exercise. It does not involve signing up to a code of approved behaviour and acceptable beliefs.

It is about saying: above all, I am a member of only one tribe, in all its strange, shimmering diversity. It's called humanity.
Deep division: Maynooth seminary is at the centre of a row in the Catholic Church

The hugely popular gay dating app Grindr is banned, or blocked, in countries such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This week, the embattled Irish Catholic hierarchy would be forgiven for wishing that it was also outlawed in Maynooth, the location of Ireland's only seminary.

Grindr boasts that it is the world's largest gay social network, enabling men to see pictures of "100 guys on a location-based grid ... chat, make a date, and have some fun, anytime, any place".

The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, this week announced that he was not sending students of the priesthood to the 200-year-old seminary at Maynooth. Part of the reason given was that some students in the seminary were allegedly using Grindr.

The dating app has become part of normal gay culture among two million users worldwide, in the same way as Tinder is used by heterosexuals to hook up online.

But in the eyes of Archbishop Martin, the app was "inappropriate for seminarians" as it was "something which would be fostering promiscuous sexuality".

Other senior bishops, however, refused to join in the Archbishop's condemnations, on the basis that all there was to go on was rumour and tittle-tattle. This embarrassing public stand-off has divided the troubled Catholic Church even more.

With Martin Ireland's second-most powerful churchman, refusing to send trainee priests to the only seminary in the country, the Church has hit yet another crisis - and it could not come at a worse time.

Pope Francis - through his influential Papal Nuncio, the Irish-American Charles Brown - is attempting to revive the Church by reconnecting the clergy with their flock and appointing younger bishops.

While the sexual proclivities of trainee priests naturally attracted the most attention, one of the startling statistics to emerge was that there will only be three new student priests for the whole of Dublin who are going for training.

That in itself is a much greater crisis threatening the future of the church than any gay activity.

As Archbishop Martin indicated that these young priests would be trained in the sunnier climes of Rome instead of Maynooth, Fr Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests accused him of "moving the deck chairs on the Titanic".

While the Church engages in an increasingly bitter struggle about how and where seminarians are trained, one of the core problems is that there are so few young priests interested in joining the Church.

As Fr Hoban points out, in Diarmuid Martin's archdiocese, there are 99 parishes, serving over a million Catholics, and only one diocesan priest under the age of 40.

Father Seamus Ahearne, the 69-year-old parish priest in the Finglas area of Dublin, says the average priest in the capital is - like himself - "touching 70".

"There are hardly any priests in their thirties, very few in their forties, quite a few in their fifties and the majority in their sixties, seventies and eighties."

The public response to the latest revelations about "strange goings-on" in Maynooth was itself revealing about the esteem in which the Church is now held.

Thirty years ago, the response might have been one of moral indignation and shocked outrage. Now it is one of mild ridicule. To many under 50, it might as well just be another episode of Father Ted for all the relevance it has to their everyday lives.

On social media, observers light-heartedly pointed out that sending seminarians to Rome to avoid a gay scene was perhaps ill-judged. One compared it to David Bowie moving to Berlin in the 1970s to give up heroin.

In its prime, Maynooth College was the largest seminary in the world - an efficient clerical assembly line that has turned out 11,000 priests.

It was built to train 500 trainee priests at any one time but numbers have nosedived to about 60 in recent years with the dramatic fall-off in vocations.

Whether the seminarians become more worldly-wise by doing their training in Rome is certainly open to debate.

Fr Ahearne, who spent three years of his training in Rome, says it may be better for priests to train in their home country.

"Those who are training to be priests should be immersed in the culture of the country where they are going to minister," he said.

"Sending people off to Rome is worse than being in a seminary here if they are going to lead an isolated life."

Fr Ahearne says training for the priesthood should be similar to nursing, where you are spending a lot of time doing the job as well as doing your studies.

"The student priests need to do their studies, but they also need to be out in the parishes, seeing how people live. It's wrong to lock them away in a seminary in a pressurised, sterile atmosphere," he said.

Revelations of homosexuality in the seminaries will not come as any great surprise to those who have followed closely the history of the church. The gay novelist Colm Toibin, who himself considered a life in the priesthood, has described becoming a priest as a "solution to homosexuality" for some priests.

In an article in the London Review of Books, Toibin wrote: "Becoming a priest, first of all, seemed to solve the problem of not wanting others to know that you were queer. As a priest, you could be celibate, or unmarried, and everyone would understand the reasons. It was because you had a vocation; you had been called by God."

Of course many gay priests remain celibate, and would hardly be inclined to use the Grindr app even if they knew how to turn it on.

In his book Thirty-Three Good Me: Celibacy, Obedience and Identity, seminarian Dr John Weafer looks in detail at the personal lives of priests, through personal interviews. He found that most of the priests were heterosexual and led celibate lives.

One of the parish priests interviewed confided that he was in a long-term gay relationship.

Another priest, 'Fr L', was ordained in the 1990s. It was only when he was ordained that he finally ended up sleeping with another priest.

"Although we both vowed it would never happen again, it did and I was really very confused," he said.

'Fr L' then "discovered a strong clerical gay scene in Ireland", although it was not easy to access because of the clerics' need for secrecy.

He suggested that there are "quite a lot of gay guys in the priesthood" and on one occasion when he went into a gay bar in Dublin, he recognised at least nine priests in the bar.

'Fr L' later decided to leave the priesthood, as he found the double standards too difficult to cope with.

The Boston College theologian and Kildare native Professor Thomas Groome believes a whole new approach to training priests is needed.

"Taking young men and putting them in hothouses and expecting them to be in tune with contemporary society is problematic," he said.

"The most chronic issue in the Church is the state of the priesthood. We need to scale back the inflated rhetoric around priesthood in Ireland.

"In Ireland, for historical reasons, there is a tremendous reverence for priests, but when you push them that high on a pedestal, when they fall there is an almighty crash."
Few places in the world have the cultural significance of Israel. This significance, both theological and historic, is tied to from the myriad biblical sites throughout the countryeverything from the town in which Jesus performed his first miracle, to the tomb of King David.

And among even the most sacred sites, there are some which yet stand out, places of such timeless significance that visiting them is virtually mandatory. The ancient churches of Israelthe birthplace of Jesusare just such places, and they are considered some of the holiest sites in the world. Christians from across the globe make pilgrimages to these churches so that they might touch sites of greatest importance to the faith they hold dear.

Visiting the great churches of Israel is an experience like no other, and that journey can help bring your faith to life by pairing geography and history with words found in scripture. Have a glimpse at a few of these great churches, and have a taste of what could be one of the most important journeys of your life.
J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.
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BRAHMOS land attack cruise missile.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Government has sanctioned induction of additional BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, with steep dive capability and 290 km range, to be deployed in the Eastern sector to ramp up its capabilities along the border with China.



Defence sources said the Government has cleared the fourth BRAHMOS regiment at a cost of over Rs 4,300 crore.



The regiment consists of around 100 missiles, five mobile autonomous launchers on 12x12 heavy-duty trucks and a mobile command post, among other hardware and software, sources said.



The missile was under test by the Army and last known test of the missile in the Eastern sector was done in May, 2015.



The steep-dive attack cruise missile can hit enemy targets hidden in the shadows of mountains.



The Indian Army has already inducted three regiments of BRAHMOS in its arsenal. All are equipped with Block-III version of the missile.



The land-attack version of BRAHMOS has been operational in the Indian Army since 2007.



The fire-and-forget BRAHMOS has the capability to take on surface-based targets by flying a combined hi-lo trajectory, thus evading enemy air defence systems. Fire-and-forget missiles do not need further guidance after launch.



BRAHMOS is a stealth supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land and has been inducted in all the three services.


Mewing is a TikTok trend that has blown up in the last few months. It is claimed that it can help shape your jawline as well as cure other ailments by actively pressing your tongue to the roof
Business / Companies

by Nqobile Tshili

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has been slammed for being too heavy handed, thereby causing businesses to hide earnings to evade tax. The National Assembly heard recently that exorbitant taxes and the garnishee system employed by the tax collector made the informal sector, in which about $7,6 billion is circulating, avoid registering businesses or use banks.Informal traders and small to medium enterprises reportedly hold the bulk of the money in circulation in the country. Cash shortages in banks that have resulted in people sleeping in queues to withdraw as little as $100 per day have been partly blamed on reluctance by the sector to deposit money. Zimra has failed to device a system to tax the industry, thereby shrinking the tax base.The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development on the operational environment and economic contributions of small and medium enterprises and the informal sector in Zimbabwe, told legislators that high bank charges and difficulties in accessing cash once it goes into a bank, were stifling liquidity.The committee's chairperson, Gokwe Central MP, Dorothy Mangami (Zanu-PF), said players in the informal sector were not remitting taxes to Zimra due to their lack of confidence in the banking sector.She said SMEs have accused Zimra of being unfriendly to them after it learnt that billions were circulating in their sector untaxed."SME associations informed the committee that since the pronouncement that $7,6 billion was circulating in the informal sector, Zimra had become ruthless in its revenue collection endeavours, creating more animosity between the sector and the agency," Mangami said.She said Zimra's rigidity has seen it failing to device ways of taxing the informal sector without going through the banks yet it was common that SMEs players avoid banks."Major tax contributions by SMEs and informal traders are in the form of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Presumptive tax. The committee was informed by experts from Ernst and Young that tax compliance by SMEs is made difficult by the onerous requirements from Zimra. For instance, a bank account is a necessity for an SME to be on the tax register, yet most SMEs do not have confidence in the banking sector," said Mangami.She said Zimra was too rigid and scaring away SMEs operators by charging them exorbitant taxes."An illustrative example is an SME operator from Gweru who voluntarily approached Zimra to regularise his position but was levied penalties amounting to US$87 000. This meant that the owner would not have been able to get tax clearance to continue with the business if the Ministry had not intervened for a reduction. The committee believes such kind of incidents discourage SMEs from formalising their operations," Mangami said.She said suspended Zimra Commissioner-General Gershem Pasi conceded that their system was flawed owing to the transition from Zim dollar to the US$. Businesses have often complained of abstract figures that Zimra comes up with as tax shortfalls. They say the figures are unjustified and so high that if one pays, they risk closing shop or borrowing additional funds to meet the Zimra bill.
News / National

by Mashudu Netsianda

A FORMER top police detective who shot a mine worker in a fight over the ownership of a mine in Fort Rixon has been convicted of murder with actual intent.Refias Masuna (48) of Mahatshula North suburb, who was employed as an operations manager by Manifest Security Company at the time the crime was committed, was yesterday convicted by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere.He was remanded to August 10 for sentence.Masuna killed Ernest Mudenda, 31, at Zulu 8 Mine Pioneer in Fort Rixon on December 12 in 2014.Justice Bere said although the state relied on circumstantial evidence, Masuna was the only one who fired the fatal shot since he was the only person close to the scene at the time of the shooting."Accused immediately left for Bulawayo after discharging the firearm. From the evidence led during trial, it is clear that accused was on that particular night in no nonsense mood, which could have informed his actions," said the judge.Justice Bere said evidence led by Masuna's subordinate, Cleverness Ngwenya, was credible.Masuna is a former officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigations Department in Beitbridge who was fired following his conviction on extortion charges in 2007. He was jailed for 30 months for demanding a R10 000 bribe from a Congolese national he had arrested on fraud charges.Masuna's security company was hired by Blessing Ndiweni who had just received an eviction order to vacate the mine. Ndiweni was locked in a wrangle with Wilson Nyamhiwa over the ownership of the mine.Prosecuting, Sifiso Ndlovu-Sibanda said on December 9, 2014, the High Court granted an order in favour of Nyamhiwa and two days later the Deputy Sheriff moved to the mine to evict Ndiweni's workers.When Ndiweni heard of the eviction order, he rushed to Manifest Security Company and requested five security guards to be deployed to Zulu Mine."Masuna joined his subordinates and they went to Zulu 8 Mine in Fort Rixon where his guards were deployed. On arrival at around midnight, he discovered that there was a dispute over the ownership of the mine," said Ndlovu-Sibanda.His client's workers had been evicted from the mine and the new miner's employees had taken over the premises. However, Ndiweni's equipment was still being guarded by Masuna's men.The court heard that Masuna allegedly took a Norinco pistol from one of his guards and went towards the new occupants with his guards."When the new tenants inquired who was approaching on hearing footsteps, Masuna identified himself as Ndiweni and indicated that he would shoot one of them," said Ndlovu-Sibanda.The new occupants fled in different directions, but Masuna fired a shot that hit Mudenda in the upper part of his chest and the bullet exited through the upper left hand arm.Mudenda's body was discovered the next morning at around 6AM.A postmortem report indicated that the cause of death was gunshot, homicide and loss of blood.A report was made to the police leading to Masuna's arrest.The pistol was recovered from a guard as Masuna had returned it after shooting Mudenda.In his defence through his lawyers, Thondhlanga and Associates, Masuna said he only fired a warning shot in the air to deter Nyamhiwa's workers who were causing havoc at the mine.He also accused Ngwenya of firing at the violent mine workers.
NP trainer Rosemary Kibaki told KIC News that the recent training in southern Burma focussed on ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection, including providing assistance to victims, collecting information and connecting with authorities.

Thirty-five people, hailing from fifteen villages in Yebyu, Palauk, and Thayetchaung townships, attended the latest training session that ran for three days ending on 3 August.

Naw Tha Lay Htoo from Yebyu Township said: We talked about Nelson Mandela and his achievements and what the government and ethnic armed groups have been doing for the public regarding the NCA (nationwide ceasefire agreement).

Similar training was provided in Dawei in March and in Thandaung Gyi, Karen State in February.

Reporting by Saw Khar Suu Nyar for KIC News

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by BNI staff
Speaking to Shan Herald following Tuesdays Upper House of Parliament session in Naypyidaw, Sai Wan Leng Kham, an MP representing the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, said that a proposal was passed on Tuesday after Upper House lawmakers had urged the Aung San Suu Kyi-led government to take decisive action on those involved in drugs in Burma.

Deputy Minister for Home Affairs [Maj-Gen Aung Soe] has confirmed that this administration is cracking down on drug trafficking. He said that they will bring to justice those who are involved in the illicit production and trafficking of narcotics, whether they be drug dealers or government officials, said Sai Wan Leng Kham, who has been active in drug eradication efforts in Shan States Lashio Township.

He added that the government must speed up efforts to deal with this issue because it has a major impact on so many people.

The government must arrest those who are involved in the drugs trade, he continued. Drug addicts should be given information about the impact of drug use, and they should be treated at rehabilitation centers.

Shan and Kachin states are by far the largest producers of opium and methamphetamines in the country. Burma is ranked second only to Afghanistan as the largest producer of opium in the world.

In an unsuccessful bid to eradicate opiates from Burma in 1999, the then ruling military regime declared a 15-year master plan. Then, in October 2012, President Thein Sein announced that the country would be free of opium production by 2019. Nonetheless production, trafficking and in particular addiction appear to be continuously increasing.

Eyes will be on Suu Kyis new National League for Democracy government to assess whether its efforts bear fruit.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
News / National

by Tendai Rupapa

A POLICE special constabulary stationed at Mbare has been arrested after being implicated in a case in which six policemen reportedly connived with five civilians and mounted a fake roadblock in Belvedere, Harare and robbed an Indian businessman of $57 000.Bekezela Masuku (44) allegedly used his vehicle, a Honda Fit, pretending to drive in front of Mr Junaid Pervaiz's car and was allegedly paid $1 000 for the job by the masterminds of the deal.The court heard yesterday that his car was the first one to be stopped and "searched" before the gang robbed Mr Pervaiz who was following behind.Masuku led the police to the recovery of a television set that he had bought with the proceeds of the crime.His alleged accomplices, Dickson Morosi (32), Kundai Makwarimba (35) and Fortune Sibanda (29) have since appeared in court facing similar charges and were denied bail. Seven other suspects are on the run.Masuku yesterday appeared before Mr Tendai Mahwe charged with robbery.He was remanded in custody to August 18 after prosecutor Mr George Manokore opposed bail.According to the State, the gang knew that Mr Pervaiz was transporting money from his shop to his house in Belvedere and hatched a plan to rob him.Makwarimba and Sibanda are stationed at Harare Central Police Station and Police Protection Unit Escorts at Morris Depot respectively while Morosi's brother  who was still at large  is also a policeman.Acting in connivance and in pursuance to their plan, the gang, the court heard, drove in a silver Toyota Spacio and a Honda Fit both without registration number plates and waylaid their victim along Hudson Road, Belvedere.They had mounted a fake roadblock with two of them wearing police uniforms and traffic reflective sleeves. As the complainant approached the "roadblock" while driving his Toyota Runx, he was flagged down by the gang and he complied.The court further heard that they forcibly pulled out his car keys from the ignition and searched his vehicle. They found a black satchel that was at the back passenger's seat and demanded to know its contents. One of the accused persons then opened the satchel and found cash amounting to $56 800. They suddenly grabbed the bag and jumped into their getaway cars and drove off at high speed.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Vice-President and Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader Joice Mujuru's Mashonaland West star rally today hangs in the balance after police last night banned the event at the 11th hour.ZimPF officials were last night making frantic efforts to reverse the ban.In a letter to the convener of today's rally, the officer commanding Makonde district, Chief Superintendent Grace Ndou, said police had no manpower to provide security."Our personnel has been strained due to other deployments. There is a possibility of violence as the run-up to the rally has recorded clashes between rival groups," she wrote.However, Ndou had cleared the rally on July 26 in a written notification.ZimPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire said the move by the police to cancel the rally at 5pm yesterday was purely an act of sabotage.He said the ZimPF team on the ground had a meeting with Ndou and pleaded with her to give them written confirmation while she insisted on doing it verbally."We believe this was meant to make it difficult for us to approach the courts in the absence of the written cancellation. Our legal team is working throughout the night and by 10pm today (yesterday), they should have filed an urgent chamber application to ensure the rally goes on as scheduled," Mawarire said."As a party, we really wonder why it is only Mashonaland West, the home of President Mugabe and Minister of Home Affairs Ignatius Chombo, where such dirty tactics are played to foil our meetings."This is the third time that the police have attempted to stop our meetings in the province. We suspect there are a lot of things at play here, including personal differences between Chombo and his ex-wife Marian, who is the ZimPF provincial co-ordinator for the province."He urged ZimPF supporters to come in their thousands as he was optimistic the courts would give the party the green light to hold the rally.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

LIVING in South Africa, which has become a comfortable hideout for many locals fleeing Zimbabwe's economic meltdown, has now become sour as Southern Africa's biggest economy has caught a cold.The South African rand took a nosedive against the United States dollar, which has made life an uphill struggle for most Zimbabweans as they now devise innovative ways of survival in a foreign land.A 29-year-old Zimbabwean woman, who identified herself as Mercy, lives with several other women in a crowded flat in the heart of Johannesburg where all sorts of vices ranging from drug abuse to prostitution take place.According to Mercy, many Zimbabwean women were also "hiring" out their babies to other people who then use them as "bait" to attract well-wishers while they pretended to be bona fide beggars."I hire a baby for R100 per day or less and I go along Empire Road or Byersnaude where I ask for help from motorists. Many drivers feel pity when they see the baby and give me money, not knowing I'm not the mother of the baby," she said.A close friend of Mercy identified only as Talent said at times they took turns to share one baby as they begged."Here in South Africa, life has become difficult and sometimes we share one baby as long as the mother gets her money," she said."I can't go back to Zimbabwe right now for I know even prostitutes are suffering more than us there. It's better here."Another woman said she "rented out" her one-year-old daughter to others in exchange for cash."I love my child, but in order for me to feed her I have to do that," she said, insisting that she only gave out her baby to women she knew who would not harm her."I am not the only one doing this. We are so many and most guys you are seeing here sell smuggled cigarettes from Zimbabwe," she said.Mercy said some of the Zimbabwean desperados went to the extent of pretending to be visually or physically handicapped to attract well-wishers.Like many Zimbabweans who found the going tough in South Africa, Mercy said she felt betrayed by her country and has been forced to resort to desperate means of survival as her choices were limited."I feel betrayed by my country for I feel in me no remorse at all for what I have become," she said, adding that it was very unlikely that she would return to Zimbabwe any time soon."Zimbabwe failed to protect me when I was there, so I don't think there is anything for me there," she said. "I am waiting like anyone else for the day when Zimbabwe becomes a country to be proud of."
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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 23-year-old man was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole following a December 2014 fire that killed two people, including Mary Cochran, 72, formerly of Hamiota.

Speaking at court on Thursday in New Hanover County in North Carolina, Judge W. Allen Cobb imposed the sentence in exchange for guilty pleas from Marshall Doran.

As a result, the prosecutor did not proceed capitally on the murder charges, according to the Island Gazette, a newspaper in Carolina Beach, N.C.

Submitted A December 2014 fire in New Hanover County in North Carolina killed former Hamiota resident Mary Cochran, 72, her dog Lady, as well as 43-year-old Darlene Ann Maslar and three other pets.

These fires caused great devastation and shocked the conscience of this community, district attorney Ben David said. Two precious lives were lost, as well as the lives of four pets. Many other people were in harms way and escaped thanks to the kindness of strangers and the bravery of countless first responders.

This sentence will ensure that Doran will die in prison. He will never walk among us again.

Cochran and 43-year-old Darlene Ann Maslar died as a result of the fire. Both were residents of the building.

Four animals, including Cochrans dog, Lady, also perished.

Beth Cochran said the proceedings were emotional.

While the sentence does not bring Mom or the other three people that were killed back, I do feel that justice has been served with Marshall Doran not getting out of prison for the rest of his life where he could hurt other people, she said.

Doran was charged earlier in 2014 with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle after two people died following a hit-and-run collision in Wake County, N.C.

Those charges were later reduced to second-degree murder and Doran was out on bond awaiting trial.

The day was very emotional but we are very thankful for the heroic efforts of the Carolina Beach police department, fire department and the New Hanover County District Attorneys office, Cochran said.

 ctweed@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @CharlesTweed
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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A three-year-old girl was rushed by air to the Winnipeg Childrens Hospital on Thursday evening, after she nearly drowned in a swimming pool at Elkhorn Resort, just outside Riding Mountain National Park.

RCMP Sgt. Bert Paquet said the Mounties and EMS were called to the resort at about 5:30 p.m. for reports that the young girl was found unconscious in the pool. By the time they arrived, the girl had been pulled from the pool, received CPR and was conscious and breathing.

Paquet said a nurse who had been at the pool administered CPR, along with at least one other person.

STARS Air Ambulance spokesperson Cam Heke said the preschooler was taken to the Minnedosa Health Centre by a ground ambulance.

The STARS helicopter completed the rendezvous at a designated temporary landing zone adjacent to the health centre at about 6:30 p.m., Heke said, and flew the child from Minnedosa to Winnipeg.

There was no update on the girls condition by press time.

Last we heard, she was conscious and breathing and the hospital was only going to call us if her condition deteriorated, which has not happen(ed), Paquet said in an email.

The incident occurred hours after Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox announced a review of beach safety in the province will happen as soon as possible.

Coxs remarks came on the heels of the drowning death of an 11- and 12-year-old at Grand Beach, about 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg, on Monday evening.

On Friday, Cox said via email that her department is reviewing regulations and education efforts specifically related to beach safety.

In Manitoba, public and semi-public pools are regulated by the Swimming Pools and Other Water Recreational Facilities Regulation within the Public Health Act. Semi-public pools arent required under the regulation to have a lifeguard on duty, but must display signs to warn users of risks.

Drowning deaths in the province have gone down to 20 to 22 annually from about 37 per year in the 1990s, according to Chris Love, water smart co-ordinator at Lifesaving Society Manitoba.

A person can drown within 10 seconds, Love said earlier this week.

If your mouth is open, you suck back a mouthful of water, it goes into your lungs, you can pass out really, really fast, he said.

Drowning is very silent. Its very quick (and) its very easy to miss. So you need to have someone who is actively paying attention and actually watching.

An Elkhorn employee told the Sun on Friday morning that staff were advised not to speak to the press.

 tbateman@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press

 Twitter: @tombatemann
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It may have taken more time than many had hoped, but the Liberals are doing what they promised. A panel of commissioners are in place to move forward on the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women in this country.

There has been an appetite in Canada for some time to examine why there was  and continues to be  a disproportionate number of MMIW. The need for answers eclipsed the previous government and was long considered a sticking point for former prime minister Stephen Harper. For most of his governments final term in office, there was an outright refusal to budge on the issue, with the Prime Ministers Office noting that resources would be better allocated elsewhere by seeking justice for those who were seen as the cause of the epidemic.

By staying true to the nature of the need though, the Liberals have positioned commissioners with the ability to call on witnesses and draw testimony from that call. They also will have the ability to seek out guidance from members of indigenous leadership to help delve down to the issues being faced by so many people in First Nations communities, as well as in other centres.

The ability to move forward on the inquiry will not come without its challenges, though. The essence of the work given to the panel is to seek out the root causes for violence toward indigenous women, and not so much the prevailing question of police conduct in the face of these disproportionate numbers. Many within both the indigenous community and elsewhere have long believed the need was palpable to look into alternative policing strategies as part of the overall review.

Now to be fair, police agencies have already expressed their support for the inquiry and the willingness to participate wherever necessary. The inquiry could have been so much more thorough if there was an element of review for the practices of police forces nationwide. It also could have provided a better snapshot as to the needs both on reserves and elsewhere based on the structures of policing in both locations.

Surely with their work, the commission will come across cases that require review by law enforcement officials. Furthermore, police forces nationwide are likely to co-operate with the needs of the commission but have stopped short on noting they would reopen cold case files. In absence of that level of co-operation, there will forever be an element of unfinished business on this key point.

Not having a review of conduct also flies in the face of much of the consultation undertaken by the various stakeholders in putting together the process. Police are clearly not directly to blame for the root causes of violence against indigenous women, but the effect of law enforcement on the Canadian reserve system has been evident for some time. Law enforcement involvement spans generations of indigenous people, and by not examining how better to serve the future needs, the commission will essentially be doing Canadians a disservice.

There is also a belief that without the ability to enact real change in Canadian indigenous affairs, as well as portfolios like justice and policing, the resulting report may lack the teeth to have a concrete effect. Or perhaps the government fears making enemies when it comes to police forces and their involvement in so many of these cases  but questions still require answers.

I have and always will support our police services across this country and believe they do a tremendous job in providing for Canadians; but even they, like all of us, could learn from what the commission may come up with on this tremendously important issue.

Policing aside, it was refreshing to see party politics take a step back on the inquiry. The Tories did an about-face by supporting the inquiry provided there is what they deem tangible results and costs remain in line. It is a far cry from the outright no given by the previous Conservative government and was widely respected by the entire house as Conservative MP Cathy McLeod delivered her partys support.

There is a hope that the Liberals will find the answers Canadians seek, and together as a nation we can move forward on a palpable solution. It should not come though at the expense of the report having an asterisk next to a less-than-complete picture of the need.

More than 1,200 voices were silenced prematurely. It is one of the single greatest tragedies in our countrys history. The initial scope of the work may be too narrow, but at least our government has done the right thing in choosing to finally listen, learn and seek answers on a tragedy of such epidemic proportions.
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sometimes its hard to imagine where youll be in terms of your career in 10, 15 or even 30 years after starting out. But local entrepreneur Garnet McBurney has known for many years what his career goals were.

McBurney said he took a leap of faith when he established Venture Accounting Group Ltd. in 2007. He had seen instances where small businesses required assistance with accounting, but there seemed to be a vast shortage of qualified people to fill such roles.

What started out as a part-time venture, quickly turned into a full-time career, and a successful and growing business that specializes in bookkeeping and controllership services, as well as business consulting.

Bruce Bumstead/The Brandon Sun The staff at Venture Accounting pose for a photograph in the foyer of their new location at Sunset Mall at the corner of Victoria Avenue and 34th Street. Venture Accounting Group Ltd. founder Garnet McBurney (far left) started the bookkeeping, controllership services and consulting firm in 2007.

We are now a staff of six professionals serving businesses, farms and non-profit organizations in Brandon, Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.We work with clients both large and small, in a vast array of industries, McBurney said.

With the number of employees doubling since 2014, new space was required to accommodate the changes. As such, the business moved in April from the 700 block of 10th Street to a larger space at the Sunset Mall at the corner of Victoria Avenue and 34th Street.

Our new, professional space gives each of our staff their own private offices in which they can meet and work with clients. We also have the added bonus of a conference room which we never had room for in our previous location.We designed the space with future growth in mind, so we intend to be here for the foreseeable future, McBurney said.

Originally from Elgin, McBurney has been in the accounting field for more than 25 years and is a graduate of the agribusiness diploma program at Assiniboine Community College.

Ive wanted to be in business for myself my entire life. I always thought the best thing about that would be the simple satisfaction of being my own boss. What Ive learned, however, is that the biggest thing I love about what we do is the reality that we can actually help reduce stress levels for our clients, McBurney said.

They can run their business or operation, doing what they do best, and not worry about the complexities of their record keeping. Many would consider the record keeping side of the business as anything from confusing to downright frightening, especially with rules and regulations and government requirements changing regularly. We make it our business to keep our focus on those things, and thereby keeping our clients accounting records clean and accurate.

For more information, visit their recently launched website, ventureaccounting.ca, or call 204-726-3239.

Tattoo regret?

I suspect there might be a few people out there who may just possibly have tattoo regret. Perhaps it was the location, the cute-at-the-time cartoon character, a poor choice of words or a love story that came to an end?

Regardless of the reason, the good news is, it is now possible to have your tattoo removed right here in Brandon.

Jill and Troy Lennon, owners of Warlock Tattoo at 2324 Park Ave., have completed their training are now certified laser specialists, as well as trainers.

Operating as New You Laser Solutions, Jill Lennon said they are excited to offer this new service along with tattooing and piercing.

Many of us have been there. What we thought was reallyawesome at 18 or 20sometimesjust isnt what we want to wear on our bodies as we age. We do remove some homemade tattoos that were done unprofessionally (also known as basement tattoos),buttruthfullythe majority are tattoos that would not be considered ugly or bad  the individual has just decided that they no longer want it, Lennon said.

The process is relatively simple, as the laser targets the ink specifically andboth the light and the energy shatter the ink molecules into tiny fragments within the dermis layer of skin. The tiny fragments of the ink are broken down so small that they are absorbed and removed by the lymphatic system, which will naturally rejectany foreign object.The tattoo fadesover a six- to eight-week period, before another treatment is done.

When clients request laser tattoo removal, they are either looking for full or partial removal. Clients generallyelect forpartial removal when they are wanting to fade the tattoo with the intention of having it covered with another one, Lennon said.

For more information, look for Warlock Tattoo Shop on Facebook or call 204-727-8818.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some time ago, I wrote that Donald Trumps candidacy was among the greatest gifts ever bestowed upon the journalism industry  he just keep giving columnists more fodder. This week, arguably his most obscene ever, is a case in point.

The Democratic National Convention is the setting  just moments before key speeches by both Chelsea and Hillary Clinton, a Pakistani mother and father walk onstage. Their son was a U.S. Army captain slain in Iraq. He heroically stepped in front of his fellow soldiers to inspect a vehicle. The driver detonated a bomb, killing Capt. Humayun Khan.

Khans father spoke to the DNC last Thursday night. His wife stood alongside supporting him. His speech, perhaps most importantly because of its raw intensity and emotion, spoke to the importance of American values and sacrifice, and the lack of same exhibited by Trump, the Republican nominee.

It was a dramatic, historic event.

Rather than reconsider his words about freezing Muslim immigration to the U.S., Trump doubled down by saying he may in fact increase the length of the freeze. He also questioned why Mrs. Khan didnt speak  clearly implying it had something to do with her faith.

To provide a sense of history, the U.S. has always struggled with immigration. In the last century, the immigrants were from Europe  Irish, German, Italian  and they faced discrimination similar, or worse, to that facing Muslim immigrants today.

Along the way, immigrants have always contributed to the broader patchwork quilt that is our society, both in Canada and the U.S.

Did you know, for example, that some 40 per cent of the American soldiers who died at the Battle of the Little Big Horn were immigrants? Or that some 15,000 Arab Americans fought for the U.S. in the Second World War?

As if attacking a Gold Star family wasnt enough, this week Trump refused to endorse the election candidacies of two important Republicans  House Speaker Paul Ryan and Arizona Sen. John McCain. Using Ryans own words against him, Trump said he wasnt ready.

The end result, of course, is an expansion of the open revolt in Republican ranks.

Today, the Republican Party appears to be coming apart at the seams. The great fear among party faithful is that Trump, the standard-bearer, will either cause voters to stay home or, worse, vote Democrat.

Worse still is the fact that down-ticket voting, in which one votes for specific party candidates for governor, senator, representative, and more, is becoming more prevalent with each passing election. Simply, if one votes Democrat for president, it is highly likely the person will then vote for other Democrats.

In other words, if you dont vote for Trump, theres a decent chance you wont vote for other Republicans on the ticket, either. If theres one thing we know about politicians, it is that they tend to like getting re-elected.

So, will they dump Trump?

Major Republican figures, including Meg Whitman and Barbara Bush, have already indicated they dont intend to support Trump. Others, respectfully, will follow this example once it has been made acceptable to do so.

All of this took place before the Donald expelled a crying baby from one of his rallies.

There are three months remaining until the November election. It is a lifetime in politics, but it is very difficult to see how Trumps personality and character will change in the meantime.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This past Tuesday, the prime minister announced a new selection process for Supreme Court of Canada justices.

Promising a process that is open, transparent, and [one that] will set a higher standard for accountability, the new plan will allow any Canadian lawyer or judge who fits the criteria to apply for a spot on the bench.

Applications are to be reviewed by a seven-person board, comprised of four people chosen by professional associations (such as the Canadian Judicial Council and the national Bar Association) and three prominent Canadians appointed by the Minister of Justice.

And, in a surprising twist, the board will be chaired by former Progressive Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell.

The board will come up with a shortlist of candidates who will be vetted by the provinces, House of Commons and Senate committees, and opposition justice critics. An all-party group of MPs and senators will also have a chance to question the final nominee, along with the justice minister and the committee chair, about the selection process and the criteria that was used in reaching a decision.

For the most part, this all sounds good.

If the process runs as it is supposed to  as an independent, more inclusive and transparent way of selecting the women and men who will sit on our countrys highest court  then it will mark a considerable improvement of past practice. While the previous Conservative government did promise to open up the selection process for Supreme Court judges, it degenerated into a mishmash of committees, hearings, public fights with the chief justice and, finally, in the case of the last three appointments, back to the secretive, closed door approach of the past.

Trudeaus new plan is not perfect  after all, the committee can only recommend a nominee, the final decision is still his  but it does attempt to strike a better balance between a more democratic and transparent process on the one hand and the secretive, political approach that has historically been the case.

As citizens, its important that we have an opportunity to gain a better sense of our Supreme Court justices, their views on important legal issues and how they see the courts role in Canadian society. While we dont want to see the adoption of the U.S. system in Canada (akin to reality TV at times), the influence of our court in how we live as Canadians demands a more open process.

The court is a fundamental player in Canadian politics and governance. Its decisions shape the kind of society we live in, and the laws and policies that govern our communities and touch virtually every aspect of our lives.

Despite the promise of Trudeaus announcement, however, I am troubled by a few aspects. The first of these is the potential erosion of regional balance on the court.

The Supreme Court Act (the legislation that governs the court) stipulates that three out of the nine spots must be filled by judges from Quebec, as a reflection of that provinces civil law tradition. And while the other provinces arent mentioned in the act, an important political convention in Canada has been to ensure that the other regions of the country are also equitably represented.

Hence, tradition has dictated that of the remaining six positions, three justices are to be appointed from Ontario, two from the western provinces (one from B.C. and one from the Prairies) and the remaining appointment from Atlantic Canada.

With the retirement of Justice Cromwell, this means that the next judge should be appointed from the Maritimes, and ideally from Newfoundland and Labrador, which has never had a judge on the Supreme Court. By encouraging applications from across the country, Trudeau has indicated that he wont be bound by this convention.

Trudeau also took the further step of announcing that the new justice must be functionally bilingual. Conservative Justice Critic Rob Nicholson said that these moves could be seen as a slap in the face to Atlantic Canada, and indeed other parts of the country where fluency in both languages is not as prevalent.

I share Mr. Nicholsons concern, and wonder why a prime minister who has made representation a cornerstone of other important bodies like cabinet (with his commitment to gender balance) would not apply the same principle here.

While I wholeheartedly supported Trudeaus commitment to a gender balanced cabinet, we are also a country of diverse regions, and it is critical that important institutions like the Supreme Court reflect this kind of geographic lived experience as well. And yes, while we are an officially bilingual country, there are already spots reserved for three judges from Quebec, who, one could presume, would be fluent in French.

Our new prime minister could be treading on some dangerous political ground here, something that we westerners  and Maritimers as well, it appears  will remember in the future.

 Kelly Saunders is an associate professor with the Department of Political Science at Brandon University.

 kellylsaunders@hotmail.com.
Opinion / Columnist

African economies may be severely affected by Britain's exit

By 6:30 a.m. on 24 June, less than 12 hours after a successful referendum on Brexit (Britain's exit from the European Union), South Africa's currency, the rand, took the first blow. It plunged by almost 8% from R14.33 to R15.45 against the US dollar, its steepest single-day decline since the 2008 financial crisis.Brexit sent shock waves through the global markets, including those in Africa.Investors in African markets panicked because many economies (such as Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia) were already reeling from low commodity prices exacerbated by a sluggish global demand. In these countries, Brexit added salt to the wounds of injured economies.On what happens next, experts are uncertain, and African governments may need to redefine their trade and diplomatic relations with a post-Brexit Britain and Europe.Trade and investment will be affected most by Brexit. Most of the trade arrangements the UK has with African countries were negotiated through the EU. This means the agreements will cease to apply or will have to be renegotiated when the UK finally leaves the EU, a process that will take two years from the time it officially informs the EU of its intention to pull out.It will be a difficult time for Africa, as the UK will no longer shape and lead some of the most important initiatives on the African continent that form the basis of co-operation between Europe and the continent. Trade agreements often take considerable time to hash out, and the uncertainty of the intervening period could complicate exports to the UK.The emerging markets and frontier asset markets will be affected too. South Africa, a former British colony and one of Africa's advanced economies, could be hard hit, among others.In short, South Africa's economy suffers whenever the British economy slumps. Many South African companies are listed on both the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges, and several South African banks depend on British cash reserves. Since the country exports 10% of its wines to the UK, for instance, the industry is already bracing for future losses.Impact on tradeSouth Africa, the UK's largest African trading partner, will bear the brunt of Brexit.When Brexit takes effect, considering that the UK is South Africa's eighth-largest import and export market in global terms, according to 2015 data, South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) could shrink by 0.1%, setting the economy on a downward spiral, predict Raymond Parsons and Wilma Viviers, professors at South Africa's North-West University. "Slower economic growth as a result of potentially weaker trade and investment ties with traditional overseas markets means less job creation and yet higher unemployment."Brexit will cost Britain's GDP a cumulative drop of 2.75 percentage points in the coming 18 months, say Jan Hatzius and Sven Jari Stehn, economists working with the investment bank Goldman Sachs. They predict that the GDP could fall to as low as -1%, effectively a recession, described by economists as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.Larry Fink, chairman of the world's largest asset management firm, BlackRock, agrees, noting that Brexit could lead to a slowdown in trade with the EU, lower investor confidence and high unemployment.This is not good news for South Africa and Britain's other African top trading partners, particularly Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt.NigeriaAfter South Africa, Nigeria is Britain's second-largest African market, with Kenya coming third.Before Brexit, bilateral trade between Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, and Britain was worth about 6 billion ($7.9 billion), and had been projected to reach 20 billion ($26.6 billion) by 2020. With Brexit, that projection looks overly optimistic.Nigeria is grappling with falling oil prices, its main income source. Crude chemicals and allied materials make up almost a quarter of Nigeria's trade with Britain. A potential drop in oil demand coupled with low oil prices could dim the Nigerian economy's prospects for recovery.Tunji Andrews, a Lagos-based economist, says Nigeria cannot rely on the EU to make up for the shortfall in earnings if the British economy goes into a recession.British government statistics show that investments in Africa doubled between 2004 and 2014, from 20.8 billion ($27.6 billion) to 42.5 billion ($56.5 billion).KenyaKenya, Britain's third largest market in Africa, could witness capital flight after Brexit, leading to falling exports. This would weaken the Kenyan shilling and make imports more expensive for a country that has already seen a 10% increase in import bills in the past five years.Kenya's lucrative cut flower industry, for which Britain is the second-largest export market after the Netherlands, could suffer. A trade deal on flower exports between the East African country and the EU was in the works before Brexit.If a trade deal between the East African Community and the EU is stalled by Brexit, Kenya stands to lose billions of shillings which could lead to uncertainty for Kenyan exports.Kenya will now have to negotiate separate deals with Britain and the EUa potentially difficult task. Without such deals, Kenya may lose up to 4 billion Kenyan shillings ($39 million) a month, predicts the Kenya Flowers Association, which represents flower businesses in the country.Limping economy, less aidThe direct impact on trade aside, Brexit is expected to affect British development aid to Africa. Britain contributed about 409 million ($543 million), or 14.8%, to the European Development Fund (EDF)'s 2014 budget, which the EU uses to support development in poor countries. Without Britain's contribution, the EDF will have less money, and this will affect EU-funded projects, including road construction projects in countries like Tanzania.Britain can directly finance projects in Africa through its international aid programmes, such as the Department for International Development, but it can only support a small number of countries, says Kevin Watkins, a Brookings Institution non-resident senior fellow.A limping British economy with a potentially weakened currency may not continue the current level of assistance to countries such as Ethiopia and Sierra Leone that rely heavily on British aid. In 2014, for example, Britain provided 238 million ($416 million) in aid to Sierra Leone, which was 6.8 % of the country's economy, according to the World Bank. That same year, Ethiopia received 322 million ($425 million), 0.8 % of Ethiopia's economy.Besides exports and international aid, a sluggish British economy may slow remittances by the African diaspora in Britain. Remittances provide a much-needed cash injection into African economies. In 2014, for example, Nigerian immigrants in Britain remitted $3.7 billion, the most among African immigrants.Prospects for changeDespite fears that Brexit could dislocate African economies, some experts see positive developments for countries like Libya and Zimbabwe, currently under EU sanctions championed by Britain, according to The Herald, a Zimbabwean daily. With Brexit, the EU might be encouraged to review these sanctions and possibly re-engage with these countries."Britain will be able to focus more on our bilateral relationships with Africa and with our traditional partners and to really look at Africa for its needs rather than looking at it through the prism of the EU, that is an outdated model that may have fit in the 1970s but is wholly inappropriate now for the UK or a wholly inappropriate way to define the UK-Africa relationship," says James Duddridge, a former British minister for Africa and a Brexit supporter, in an interview with Radio France Internationale. Without the EU, he said, ties between Britain and Africa will get stronger.Earlier this year, Mr. Duddridge criticised the EU's decision to reduce funding for the African Union Mission in Somali (AMISOM), which is helping to bring peace to that country. The decision was against Britain's wishes, he says, adding that Britain could in the future decide to deploy its own troops to Somalia.The good news is that Africa can actually seek assistance elsewhere. Africa's trade with Europe, estimated at $106 billion in 2016, has been eclipsed by China's. Worth an estimated $300 billion, China is Africa's top trading partner currently.The World Bank confirms that China became sub-Saharan Africa's "most important export partner" by 2013, accounting for 27% of the region's exports "compared with 23% for the EU and 21% for the US." Although at 9%, sub-Saharan Africa's exports to India are the fastest-growing globally.With China, the US, Brazil, India and others strengthening their relations with Africa, the continent could look elsewhere if its ties with Britain or the EU get complicated in a post-Brexit era.For Africa, therefore, it's probably premature to press the panic button.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

These words, written by English wordsmith Evelyn Beatrice Hall and published in 1903 in her work The Life of Voltaire, should still ring as true today in a modern democracy as they did a century ago. We should be able to defend free speech in our modern society, and the right to peaceful disagreement, whether it be on our streets, in our Parliament or on our university campuses.

Such a right should be celebrated and encouraged, so long as those rights do not infringe upon others.

So we have been left scratching our heads over an ideological  and ultimately financial  spat between the leaders of the Brandon University Students Union and the anti-abortion student group Students for Life.

The student group has filed a lawsuit alleging that BUSU revoked the SFLs official student group status last November, and didnt advise the student group until Jan. 22 of this year, when it was denied an application to set up an information table in the mingling space in the Knowles Douglas Student Union Centre on campus.

Ironically, the SFL was denied official club status by BUSU once before  in 2012  until the student group threatened legal action and the union relented.

As the Sun reported this week, the SFL alleges that on Jan. 29, Students for Life president Catherine Dubois and communications director Andrew Madill met with BUSUs then interim-president Nick Brown and then vice-president Rhoni Mohanraj. Brown and Mohanraj told the SFL it had made students uncomfortable by hanging posters in April 2014 and a chalking event in October 2015 which didnt align with the Canadian Federation of Students pro-choice opinion.

The posters, which stirred controversy when they were distributed on campus, compare a pro-choice statement from the Canadian Supreme Court in 1997 to historical statements not recognizing Jews, women, slaves and Indians as people.

The chalking event refers to an instance when SFL members wrote statements related to the issues of abortion, euthanasia, the right to life, and the legal status of persons on public sidewalks owned by the City of Brandon and adjacent to the Brandon University campus.

For its part, BUSU states it revoked the clubs status, in part, due to an alleged affiliation with a Canadian pro-life group and an American anti-gay group, though which groups these may be remains unclear.

Calgary lawyer John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms  which represents SFL members in their court action against BUSU  told the Sun that he wants to see the student union stop censoring and discriminating against people with different opinions.

One of the major sticking points here is that students in the pro-life group still have to pay fees that go to fund BUSU activities  the union claims to represent all students on campus  even though they feel that their voices are being stifled by that same organization.

While we dont necessarily share in the groups stated pro-life stance, were forced to agree with Carpay, whose letter to the editor was published in yesterdays Brandon Sun. In that letter, Carpay wrote that BUSU is being sued because it continues to insist on banning the peaceful expression of pro-life opinion at Brandon University.

If, indeed, the group has been peaceful, and has done nothing essentially illegal in the eyes of the authorities  merely disagreeing with members of BUSU should not be counted as a revolutionary act  what is the problem with letting those views be aired in public?

By their very nature, universities are supposed to be places where free speech and radical ideas flourish. But that historical freedom seems to be eroding in response to what we see as a growing resentment and intolerance to debate over uncomfortable topics in this country. National Campus Life Network executive director Anastasia Pearse told reporters this week that there are 40 pro-life groups at Canadian universities, and that many of them are facing free-speech problems.

So a pro-life message on any given university campus makes students feel uncomfortable? To echo Carpay, so what? What is wrong with a little political, moral and ideological dissent? That does not mean the student union should tolerate hate speech, racism or bigotry. But peaceful disagreement must be part of the university culture. Universities are the proving grounds for our next political and policy leaders, and they must be able to handle honest differences of opinion.

If students have become so coddled on campuses in this country that they cant think for themselves as the adults they are supposed to be, then Canadian society will suffer in the long term, as a result.
Aviation fans had a glimpse of the world's longest aircraft when it was brought out of its hangar for the first time.

The Airlander 10 - part plane, part airship - delicately emerged from a giant hangar at Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire at 4am on Saturday.

The enormous aircraft, measuring 302ft (92m) long, was gently piloted from the hangar in a delicate operation that lasted five minutes, its fin tips passing just six metres from the sides of the hangar doors, before it was towed 30 minutes to its resting point at a primary mast site, one of two specially prepared on the airfield.

It is the first time the aircraft has been publicly visible and comes after tests on its engines, generators and systems were completed last week.

Further ground systems tests will now be carried out before the Airlander 10, christened the Martha Gwyn in April, takes to the skies for the first time at a date yet to be announced.

The aircraft is around 50ft (15m) longer than the biggest passenger jets. It was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft but it fell foul of defence cutbacks.

British firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) launched a campaign to return the Airlander 10 to the skies in May 2015.

The huge aircraft will be able to stay airborne for around five days during manned flights. HAV claims it could be used for a variety of functions such as surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.
ISLAMABAD: The number of cellular subscribers as well as teledensity declined for the second consecutive month in...
Opinion / Columnist

The African Union launches a continental passport while Brexit closes doors in Europe

Visas in Ghana

What are the threats?

The image of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Chadian President Idriss Deby proudly holding the first two copies of the newly launched pan-African passport at the African Union (AU) summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali this month marked the type of historic moment rarely seen at such gatherings, where outcomes are often measured in declarations or resolutions.With the launch of the new pan-African document, the continent moved up a notch towards the free cross-border movement of goods and people - in direct opposite to Brexit, the decision by British voters to exit the European Union.The AU will issue the new biometric or electronic passport only to African heads of state, foreign ministers and diplomats accredited by the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It will bear the AU's name and that of the issuing country. The plan is for African governments to roll it out to their citizens by 2018.Many thought the move was well overdue, since one of the AU's regional trading blocs, the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has been offering 90-day visa-free entry to member states' citizens since the late 1970s.One sign that the region is making progress in dismantling intra-African trade barriers is that while the AU was launching its new passport, Ghana, a member of ECOWAS, was starting to issue visas upon arrival to citizens of all 54 African countries. Prior to the move, Ghana offered visa-free entry only to ECOWAS citizens.According to the African Development Bank's Africa Visa Openness Report 2016, acquiring a visa is a huge challenge for travellers, with Africans still needing visas to travel to 55% of other African countries. Only 13 out of 54 countries offer liberal access (visa-free or visa on arrival) to Africans.Integrationists say restrictions on movement across borders go against the continent's goal of becoming "One Africa" and further negate the spirit of the AU's Agenda 2063, the continent's long-term economic blueprint. They maintain that visa-free regimes promote intra-African trade and investment, facilitate business and create employment opportunities.So far Seychelles is the only country in Africa that has abolished visa requirements for all African countries, with Ghana, Mauritius and Rwanda having made great strides. Namibia and Zimbabwe have also made notable progress.In March, Zimbabwe scrapped its requirement for visas for citizens of members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), another AU regional trading bloc. The country is already one of only nine African countries offering e-Visas, which allow visitors to apply online and pay for a visa on arrival, facilitating easy and hassle-free travelling.Likewise, Namibia scrapped visa requirements in May for all holders of diplomatic or official passports from AU member states. Although the visa exemptions do not apply to all Africans, they are widely seen as a precursor to a continent-wide visa-free regime.Southern Africa ranks as the third most open sub-region in Africa. It allows the highest number of the world's population into its countries without visa restrictions, while East Africa is the continent's most visa-open sub-region.Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda share the East Africa Tourist Visa, an open visa initiative for citizens from the three countries. In the coming months, Rwanda could very well follow Seychelles's footsteps, as it is carrying out a study expected to recommend abolishing visa requirements for all African nationals. In the meantime, Burundi and Tanzania have opted to stay out of the common tourist visa initiative for security reasons.Yves Butera, spokesperson for the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, said removing visa restrictions would promote African unity and help the continent reduce its dependence on donor aid."The idea of an Africa with seamless borders is the way to go. Africa is endowed with vast natural resources, including minerals and rich soil. If we can combine our strength, then we could live without financial help from Western and European countries," he told Africa Renewal.Mr. Butera said his country's non-restrictive visa regime has allowed more visitors to visit Rwanda, which has boosted trade and development and created jobs."We support the idea of visas on arrival; if necessary we should remove visas to Rwanda so that people can freely visit our country and other African countries," he said. "As well, the idea of open visas and/or visas on arrival is beneficial to us because it facilitates the ease of doing business between our country and other countries, and that helps investors to come here easily, and to spend, which creates revenue and jobs."He urged other African countries to adopt visa-free policies, which is one of the many elements that have lifted Rwanda to its ranking among the top three easiest places to do business in Africa. A high ranking on the World Bank's ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is conducive to starting and operating a company.The World Tourism Organization (WTO), a UN body that promotes tourism, notes that Africa has made significant progress in simplifying the issuance of visas since the organisation started monitoring tourism visa policies in 2008."In 2008, Africans comprised on average 88% of the world's population to apply for a traditional visa prior to departure. This has decreased to 57% in 2015, because many African countries have introduced travel facilitation measures such as visa on arrival and e-Visa," Rut Gomez Sobrino, a WTO media officer, told Africa Renewal.WTO research has shown that tourist visa facilitation can deliver important benefits by increasing tourist numbers and generating more income, said Ms. Sobrino, adding that "[visa facilitation] is also a key element in fostering regional integration, and we are thus very pleased to see the progress that is being made in Africa."This is corroborated by the Africa Visa Openness Report, which observes that Rwanda, a country that abolished work permits for East African Community citizens to support its open-visa policy, has increased its trade with Kenya and Uganda by at least 50%, while the visa-on-arrival policy has increased African arrivals in Rwanda by an average of about 22% per year. Foreign nationals, however, may be charged up to $100 for a 90-day East African Tourist Visa or $30 for a 30-day Rwandan visa purchased at the airport.For a seamless Africa to be a success, the WTO says it is imperative to continue to push for the elimination of visa requirements, the continuous liberalization of international air transport to the benefit of all stakeholders, the promotion of initiatives (such as one-stop border posts) that reduce delays, and the creation of interregional and international transport and road transit. A one-stop border post merges two stops in a national border control process into one to reduce transit costs and facilitate the easy movement of passengers and goods.The greatest threats to a borderless Africa lie in the prospect of increased risks to national security and heightened exposure to regional conflicts, contagion from public health crises and the movement of the jobless from many parts of the continent. African countries with strong economies tend to attract a large number of migrants from poor countries. The lack of technological infrastructure and capacity to issue biometric passports is likely to create problems for many African countries. Only 13 of the 54 African countries currently offer biometric passports.However, the experiences of Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles and the ECOWAS bloc show the positive effects of open-visa policies on economies, and that governments can address security concerns and economic migration by investing in new technologies, effective traveller identification management systems and integrated border controls.For full integration, open visas should also be accompanied by free movement of goods and the removal of high, protective tariff barriers.According to the World Bank, intra-African trade costs are around 50% higher than in East Asia, and are the highest of intraregional costs in any developing region. In its December 2015 brief, "Deepening African Integration: Intra-Africa Trade for Development and Poverty Reduction", Anabel Gonzalez, the bank's director of trade competitiveness, notes that because of high costs, Africa has integrated with the rest of the world faster than with itself.Effective regional integration, she suggested, must involve more than removing tariffs; it must also involve addressing on-the-ground constraints that paralyze the daily operations of ordinary producers and traders. This is done through regulatory reforms and building the capacity of institutions tasked with enforcing the regulations.Africa seems to be going where the EU is coming from, given the Brexit experience and the anti-immigration sentiment sweeping Europe; the majority of its citizens are keen on moving towards a more integrated continent, although outbreaks of xenophobia have been reported. Integration starts with making it easier for people and services to move freely across national borders.The new AU passport is an important new addition to the steps Africa is already taking to achieve the goals embodied in the Agenda 2063 vision.
Australia's supermarkets are at war and the battle is only beginning as more entrants start to eye off possible sites.

It comes as Woolworths is undertaking a review of some of its store locations, while Aldi is taking market share from Woolworths ad Coles.

However, the much-vaunted arrival of the German-based Lidl seems to have lost some momentum, with leasing agents saying the tough competition in Australia has been a deterrent for the group.

According to Michael Bate, head of retail at Colliers International, Lidl executives first came out to Australia 18 months ago to have a good look at the market.
As the greyhound racing industry comes under heavy scrutiny across the country, Animal Welfare League Queensland has launched a new program to house-train ex-racing dogs.

'Going Grey' is looking for foster carers who can help prepare greyhounds for life after the track with New South Wales to ban the sport next year, while Queensland has put it "on notice".

By going into household foster care, greyhounds will have the best chance of living a long and happy life after the track. Credit:Animal Welfare League Queensland

"We've been looking at this program for about two years and decided it was timely to launch it now when there is a lot of interest," league spokeswoman Shan Veivers said.

The program will help greyhounds go straight into foster care and then their new adoptive homes, rather than being kennelled at any stage.
An investigation is reportedly underway after a suspected medication mix-up at Fiona Stanley Hospital led to a man's death on Wednesday.

The West Australian reported on Saturday that a 60-year-old man died following complications from suffering low blood pressure.

A CCC investigation has revealed systems at Fiona Stanley Hospital were inadequate to detect drug theft.

His doctors reportedly prescribed a powerful drug called noradrenaline, which is commonly used to treat low blood pressure but can be dangerous if not administered correctly.

It is believed a nurse accidentally gave the man a far higher dose than had been prescribed, causing his blood pressure to skyrocket before he suffered a brain aneurysm and died.
Beirut: An airstrike on a hospital in northwestern Syria on Saturday killed 10 people, including children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The hospital, in the town of Meles, is about 15 km from Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province.

A maternity hospital in northern Syria was bombed last month. Credit:AP

Syrian government and allied Russian military planes operate in Syria but it is not known which aircraft carried out the strike, the Observatory said.

Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for a halt to strikes on medical facilities. Syrian opposition groups say Syrian and Russian forces deliberately target medical buildings.
Opinion / Columnist

"The MDC-T national council that met on Wednesday was deadlocked on whether to lift its election boycott stance which has seen the opposition party surrendering to Zanu-PF parliamentary and council seats that it had won in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections," reported Bulawayo 24."Some of the national council members felt that it was high time the election boycott was lifted ahead of the 2018 harmonised polls while others felt that the conditions were still not yet ripe, according to sources that attended the meeting."That the MDC-T national council should be deadlocked over whether or not to continue boycotting elections is not at all surprising given that no one in the party understood why the boycott was necessary back in 2013; frankly, they are no wiser now!To any outsider landing form Mars Zimbabwe's opposition parties have no choice but to boycott all future elections after witnessing the blatant way President Mugabe had rigged the July 2013 elections by disregarding the law, looting billions of dollars to bankroll his campaign, etc. Elections should be about the electorate voting for whoever they pleased and not about Zanu PF deciding in advance the winning margin the party wanted and manipulating the process to deliver the predetermined result.To someone more familiar with Zimbabwe politics the call to boycott elections, especially by MDC-T, did not make any sense because the party had five years during the GNU to implement the democratic reforms to ensure the July 2013 elections were free, fair and credible and yet failed to get even one reform implemented. To boycott elections to press for someone else to implement reforms that you should have implemented yourself simply does not make sense!If one accepted, for the sake of advancing the cause of ensuring free and fair elections, that it does not matter for is to blame for past failures to implement reforms everyone must boycott elections to press the need for reform. The one thing one must, however, insist on is that all the parties in the boycott know what reforms are required and how they are to be implemented to ensure free and fair elections. Sadly MDC-T did not have a clue what the required reforms were.MDC-T has demanded the realignment of existing laws to the new constitution; the central pillar of the party's National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA); as the key requirement for free and fair elections. It was explained to MDC-T that NERA will not deliver free and fair elections because the 2013 constitution is too weak and feeble to deliver free, fair and credible elections. This is hardly surprising given that President Mugabe "dictated" the new constitution as the Zanu PF co-chairperson on the parliamentary committee tasked to write the new constitution, MP Paul Mangwana, boasted soon after the constitution was adopted.In fact Zanu PF has since carried most of the realignment of the existing laws to the new constitution with the enactment of the General Law Amendment Act (GLAA) on 1 July 2016. Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN), a local NGO whose wishy-washy views are more often than not supportive of MDC-T's position, have this time dismissed Zanu PF's work as a waste of time."The current Electoral Laws still require comprehensive amendments," said ZESN in their report in The Zimbabwean."The most worrying issue is that GLAA, in a number of ways misaligns; the subsidiary law with the Constitution and in some respects actually undermines the letter and spirit of the constitution. For example while the Constitution requires that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) be fully responsible for the registration of voters and maintenance of the voters' roll, the amendments seem to revive the role of the Registrar of Voters - an office that should be abolished and have no further business concerning the running of the election."So MDC-T's call, three years ago, for election boycott on the basis of some wishy-washy NERA demands was stupid. The very fact that MDC-T council is divided today over the same issue goes to show they still have no clue what reforms are required to deliver free, fair and credible election.What is the point of boycotting elections if we still have no clue what reforms we need implemented to get free and fair elections. We, the people, are our own worst enemies by failing to define where we are going to it is little wonder that tyrants like Mugabe have taken us for a ride landing us in this mess.
A fire swept through a bar in the northern French city of Rouen overnight, killing 13 people and injuring six, after a birthday cake with candles and sparklers fell to the floor and set the carpet ablaze, police said.

More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze at the bar in the city center, said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

The French city of Rouen, where tragedy has struck yet again after a bar fire left 13 dead. Credit:AP

He gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started late Friday night or shortly after midnight.
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Community Bookstores pick: White Rage by Carol Anderson

Carol Andersons slim book, subtitled The Unspoken Truth of our Racial Divide is essential reading for unpacking the history of race relations in America. Her painstaking research details the systematic suppression of African-American civil rights by white Americans, drawing a straight line from slavery and Jim Crow laws to modern-day discriminatory school funding and the suppression of voting rights. A short read, but one that will stay with you and hopefully fill you with a different kind of rage.

 Michael Bender, Community Bookstore [43 Seventh Ave. between Carroll Street and Garfield Place in Park Slope, (718) 7833075, www.communitybookstore.net].

Words pick: Grief Is The Thing With Feathers by Max Porters

This genre-bending novel begins with the sudden death of a wife and mother. Her husband and two sons manifest their grief in a shared delusion: a crow who speaks to them, tricks them, defends them, and cares for them  until the day that he is no longer needed. In its brisk 144 pages, Grief Is The Thing With Feathers gives the form of the novel shades of parables and poetry. One page will offer an unsentimental, stark look at grief; the next is filled with darkly funny cacophony and playfulness. The book allows the reader to fill in their own interpretation of grief, but is poignant enough to leave a real mark. Max Porters debut novel is endearing and powerful, and the last page will leave you stunned.

 Steven Tran, Word [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 3830096, www.wordbrooklyn.com].

Greenlight Bookstores pick: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The novel Underground Railroad may be fiction, but really it is a work of history. History that is made up (with a literal railroad that is definitely made up) because it was a tragically undocumented era, but a history that bears unflinching witness to the very real horrors of slavery. Whitehead is a writer Ive long admired, but with this new book he has grown so much. The strength of story that was in his novel John Henry Days remains, but this time it comes with a perfect form, structure, and storytelling arc. This is a perfect book.

 Rebecca Fitting, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 2460200, www.greenlightbookstore.com].
Opinion / Columnist

On the 25th of August 2016, Zimbabweans will converge in a way that has never been seen before, to kick Mugabe out of our State House. At 14:00 on that day, Mugabe will be humbled into an ordinary Zimbabwean and will share our suffrage for the first time in 37 years. In the last two months, the WORD, an invisible word which virtually represents the synthetic WORD of every Zimbabwean, declared that Zimbabweans must converge under no specific Political Party.The WORD clearly explained that Mugabe is an senior architect, when it comes to dividing Political Parties. Because of his undisputed skill to do so, no Political Party will ever kick Mugabe out of our State House. Mugabe uses everyone's money to destroy everyone's Political Party and truly to destroy everyone and every good thing in Zimbabwe. Our money is used against us!The WORD conscientised the Nation to use a new innovative methodology to converge and act against Mugabe outside any Political or group umbrella. Without an umbrella, Mugabe is clueless of how to divide Citizens action.A day ago, the Zimbabwe War Veterans Secretary General, Victor Matemadanda repeated the WORD's vision that the Citizens of Zimbabwe should converge against Mugabe as ordinary Citizens. Matemadanda repeated the WORD's findings that all Political Parties in Zimbabwe have become the source of dividing the Nation. If one is wearing a Political Party shirt, he is sure to provoke other Zimbabweans who otherwise need the same freedom objective he is seeking.Matemadanda told Zimeye that political parties are exploited to divide rather than unite people. No normal Zimbabwean does not know that problem, just that we, as a Nation, do not know how to take a shuttering Political action without involving a Political Party.On the 25th of August, two weeks from now, nine million Zimbabweans will converge at State House and get Mugabe out of our Institution and subsequently installing a Council of Reconciliation which comprises of 26 members to interimly run our country. These will be two individuals, a man and a woman, elected from each of the 13 Zimbabwean tribes.Zimbabwean Citizens will flock to Harare from the 18 of August as ordinary shoppers from all over the country. On the 23rd of August, it is obvious that Mugabe will be feeling something very unusual by the density of people in the streets of Harare. On the 24, there will be little space to drive any vehicle in Harare due to the number of hungry people in the Capital. At 3AM, on the 25 of August, hungry, defenceless, unemployed, desperate, dehydrated, weak and oppressed Citizens of this country will converge at the State House with one voice, "GET OUT!!!!". The disproportionately outnumbered brutal Police will fail to stop anyone due to a high number of vulnerable weak friendly people who will be taking a Citizen action to eradicate poverty.By 11:00 AM, Mugabe will be able to see for himself, while packing his bags, how many Zimbabweans they are in a country he has run down since 1980. On that day, he wont be able to point a finger to Sanctions, Mavambo, Zapu, ZimFirst, People First, MDC or unemployed Graduates, Tajamuka or Mawarire. It will be a day to take stock of the strong WORD of the Citizens and leave our State House in peace and contrived hurry.At 11:30 of that day, Mugabe will see face to face the real-time-faces of angry victims of Gukurahundi, ESSAP, Murambatsvina. Victims of road-side-Pseudo-Police Corruption will be there for Mugabe to see alongside workers who lost jobs due to company closures since 1980. War Vets, who are threatened with Gukurahundi action, will be at the side of the people of Zimbabwe that morning. Pensioners who can't buy bread will come with orphans who lost parents due to dilapidated hospitals. In that crown will be relatives of people who died in car accidents due to unserviced roads since 1980. Marginalised society who can't receive food handouts because they are not Zanu will be in the crowd. Youth who have never seen their father go to work will be helping the tired elderly people at State House.This is the Citizen Mass Action which Zimbabwe will see once and never to happen again once Mugabe would have left.It is Independence Day on the 26th of August and no one should fail to be a Change Maker on that day. No action, other than to present oneself at State House, is needed. From that day, the Civil Savants will be guaranteed full revised pay by support from International Community. By 2019, Zimbabwe will be one of the most attractive investment countries in the World. Jobs will be abundant and no one will ever see corruption again. No one will ever know starvation and desperation. No one will know tribe and marginalisation.Zimbabweans will claim back their dignity within the Nations of the World. The action of all, is the power that is needed to get Mugabe out of our State House in 24 hours. Do not fail to enforce the change you want in our country on that day. Meet you in Harare.
Was there a murder 100 years ago at Yardley's Continental Tavern?

Frank Lyons began excavating the basement of the Continental Tavern in Yardley. He found a gun, bloody corset and part of a woman's purse.
Campus News

Trip to Solar Strand provides fun lesson on solar energy

The pale beads are activated by UV rays, becoming darker in color as sunlight hits them  similar to our skin tanning with sun exposure. Photo: Douglas Levere

Theo Poulin (red shirt) and Gabriel Trummer help stretch out the solar balloon. As sunlight hits the black outer shell of the balloon, the air inside heats up and expands, making the balloon rise. Photo: Douglas Levere

Chris Boyd (orange shirt) shows off his snail, which sits atop the leaf. With him are, from left, Ryan Shisler (glasses), Tanish Singla and Andrew MacConkey. Photo: Douglas Levere

Sustainability Education Manager Erin Moscati (yellow shirt) gives campers from the UB Child Care Center a lesson on solar energy. Photo: Douglas Levere

By CATHLEEN DRAPER

We see our role as engaging the UB community, and that includes reaching out to kids. 

The echo of 40 chattering children rises from the center of UBs Solar Strand on a cloudy August day. Kids enrolled in the UB Child Care Centers nine-week summer program gather on recycled concrete slabs under one of the largest array of panels, curiously taking in the scale of their surroundings.

What do you think our planet would be like without the sun? asks Erin Moscati, sustainability education manager for the Office of Sustainability.

Campers, all ages 5-12, raise their hands, painting a picture of Earth without plants and animals. Moscati explains that the sun is a renewable resource and the surrounding solar panels transform sunlight into energy, powering 700 student apartments on campus.

To give children a more immersive learning experience, Moscati organizes engaging, hands-on activities. After her brief lesson on solar energy, UBCCC instructors gather campers and embark on a nature-based scavenger hunt among the 3,200 photovoltaic panels.

We see our role as engaging the UB community, and that includes reaching out to kids, says Moscati. When kids are exposed to new ideas, they get excited and pass along that excitement to their parents, their grandparents. They become ambassadors for sustainability.

For Frances Teaman, the scavenger hunt is the most exciting part of the day.

We get to find cool things from around here, she says.

Teaman loves to find snails, which she and many of her fellow campers bring back from the scavenger hunt, fascinated by their multi-colored shells and slimy texture.

When the Solar Strand was created, we wanted it to be a destination, a place where people can come and explore, Moscati says.
Lawsuit seeks $5M in wages for Great Adventure hourly workers

The class action lawsuit says workers should be paid for time spent walking across Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson.
Opinion / Columnist

Developments which are taking place in Zimbabwe are all pointing to the fact that Robert Mugabe's days at Munhumutapa building are now numbered and as a result all hell is about to break loose on people who are hiding under his wings the likes of Mengstu Haile Mariam former President of Ethiopia. We are going to extradite him. The new Zimbabwe has no place for murderers like Mengstu.Birds of the same feathers flock together' this is an old adage we all know. Mengstu Haile Mariam committed serious crimes against humanity which left millions of innocent civilians dead in the hands of his military junta. Mengstu who ruled Ethiopia from 1977 to 1987 engineered a serious genocide which massacred millions of his own people.He fled justice and he is now living large in Harare, Zimbabwe where he was granted five star protection by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF government. Of course that was too obvious, murderers will always protect each other. Since 1991 Mengstu has been living large in Harare feasting on taxpayers' money. But his end is nigh because his Godfather Robert Mugabe is also nearing his end and we the people of Zimbabwe shall extradite Mengstu to go and face justice in Ethiopia because we have no place for murderers in the coming new Zimbabwe.If he (Mengstu) is wise he must start thinking about his next move for his days in Zimbabwe are now numbered. Our country is going through tough times, our economy is dead and the government is failing to pay its workers. But they (ZANU PF government) have the money to give special care to a person who killed millions of innocent Ethiopians, Mengstu Haile Mariam. Why? Massacring innocent civilians is it something which is making our government treat him in such a special way? Of course yes, what do you expect from Robert Mugabe a man whose hands are also dripping blood of innocent civilians. Yes they (Mugabe and his clowns) are birds of the same feathers with Mengstu.To add salt to an injury Mengstu is believed to be the brains behind Operation Murambatsvina which left hundreds of Zimbabweans displaced and homeless after Mugabe's government destroyed their houses. He connived with President Mugabe to commit Operation Murambatsvina which grossly violated the rights of the people of Zimbabwe. Mengstu must be arrested and put to trial in Zimbabwe for Operation Murambatsvina before being extradited to Ethiopia to face more charges of the genocide which he committed. If the next government which will soon take over from this dying ZANU PF is afraid of it then we (the people) shall do a citizen arrest and apprehend Mengstu.Whatever Mengstu is doing enjoying life in the hands of the ZANU PF government may he do it to the fullest for his days are numbered and we are coming after him. You can't run away from justice forever. His day is drawing closer each and every day. The souls of millions of Ethiopians which Mengstu massacred are groaning in the air waiting for the day this murderer will be apprehended. Oh yes how I wish to see that day.Watch out Mengstu we are coming for you and we shall extradite you to Ethiopia that day is drawing closer and closer.Justice shall prevail.Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, Snr is an exiled human rights defender, democracy activist and a writer. He is reachable on his whatsapp +263775037579
Ltd (JSPL) said it would ship head hardened rails, a speciality finished steel product to Iran. The product which has applications in tracks for metro rails and high speed bullet trains is manufactured by the steel company at its Raigarh steel mill.
When the policy changes in the Motor Vehicle Act were announced to include like Ola and Uber, both were prepared, according to people in the know.
The ubiquitous in Kolkata are in for a technological makeover. Falling in line with new age cabs, the taxi operators in Kolkata have come up with a proposal to enable the cabs with apps similar to Ola and Uber. The app will help people locate and book taxis from their smartphones. The West Bengal government, after rounds of consultations with the Bengal Taxi Association (BTA), has come up with a notification on the same. According to the plan, the taxis will be GPS- (global positioning system ) enabled and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will also be installed.
Former Prime Minister on Friday urged the NDA government to implement the promises made to Andhra Pradesh to "protect the honour of the house".

Participating in a debate on a private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha, he sought to explain why the UPA government which he headed could not implement the assurance, noting that while an ordinance on Andhra Pradesh was drafted, it could not be issued as the parliamentary election process had started.

"On 20th February 2014 here in Rajya Sabha while passing the Andhra Pradesh reorganisation bill, I, as the then Prime Minister, made six promises on the floor of this august house. The then Leader of Opposition and now Leader of the House  Arun Jaitley  satisfied with the promises  withdrew all the amendments he had proposed," he said.

"On 1st March 2014, the Union Cabinet presided over by me considered and passed all promises made by me in this house. The cabinet sent a draft ordinance to the President but as the election process intervened, the ordinance could not be issued," he said.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill by K V P Ramachandra Rao of the Congress, which has been at the centre of debate for the last two weeks, was to be put to vote on Friday in the Rajya Sabha which has the government in minority.

Jaitley however objected to the draft legislation and said it was a money bill. It was then referred to Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to decide if it was a money bill.

"We must be clear about where we stand as regards jurisdiction of the upper house. There is no distinction between a bill moved by government and that by a private member.

"Article 117 is very clear... money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. A money bill can be only voted in the Lok Sabha, and third, if a dispute arises as to whether a particular bill is money bill or not, it's only the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha who can decide," Jaitley said.

Kurien then sought suggestions from other members on whether the bill tabled by Rao should be considered a money bill.

Congress member Kapil Sibal said every bill eventually entails drawing fund from the Consolidated Fund of India, while Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav said that "common sense says if the bill was introduced in this house, it is not a money bill".

Kurien, however, cited rules for his move to refer the decision to the Lok Sabha Speaker.

While the treasury benches welcomed the decision with thumping of desks, Congress members trooped near the chairman's podium shouting slogans against the government.

Amid the din, the house was adjourned for the day.
Indias aerospace and defence industry is expected to consume electronics worth $70-72 billion in the next decade, as the country rapidly modernises its military by embracing new technologies.
Prime Minister is arriving at Gajwel in the neighboring Medak district on his maiden visit to Telangana on Sunday to lay the foundation stones for six state and Central government projects, many of them remotely, in the state.



Gajwel assembly constituency is represented by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao (KCR). The chief minister had invited the Prime Minister specially to launch Mission Bhagiratha, a massive piped water project taken up by the state government with an objective to provide treated water to all the households in Telangana by the year 2019.



The Prime Minister will unveil a pylon and also turn a tap in a village marking the launch of Mission Bhagiratha. He will lay the foundation stone for a 4,000 Mw thermal power project being set up in two phases by NTPC and also dedicate to the nation a 1,200 Mw thermal power project recently set up by the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The state and the Centre holds 51 per cent and 49 per cent shareholding in this Nizam-era coal mining company.



The other projects lined up for the Prime Minister's visit include laying of foundation stones for Kothapalli-Manoharabad railway line and for the revival of an urea plant.



Modi visited the region prior to the formation of the new Telangana state. And this is his first visit to the new state as the Prime Minister.



The visit comes after chief minister Rao made serious efforts to forge a cordial relationship with the Centre and with the Prime Minister at a personal level following a gap created between the two due to Rao's critical stand on decisions such as the issuance of an Ordinance to merge 11 mandals of Telangana with Andhra Pradesh to facilitate Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh among other things related to the state.
With a view that Digital India is the destiny of the nation, Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday inaugurated the celebrations marking two years of the platform.
Speaking at the Town Hall event on Saturday, Prime Minister criticised self-styled gaurakshaks (cow protectors) and said that many of them were using the cause of protecting cows to hide their illegal activities.



He also stressed on the need for participatory democracy in India.
Life insurance companies are in a fix over the provision of claims, being mandatorily required to be passed after three years of the policy being in force. With the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) asking insurers to keep expenses under control, companies are worried about investigation expenses going up.
Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology at Jammu today. The institution is the first IIT for the state set up to create a learning environment and will be built over 500 Acres of land near Jammu city. .

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Jammu is among the six cities across the country which were set to get IITs. Meanwhile, in the first year, the institute will function from a well-equipped temporary campus in Paloura, Jammu that will have all the facilities to meet the standards. .

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Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State with PMO and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Government of India, Shri Jugal Kishore, Member Parliament, Shri Shamsher Singh Manhas, Member Parliament, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Dy. Chief Minister, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Smt. Priya Sethi, MoS for Education, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and other dignitaries were present during the ceremony which was held at KCS College of Education, Paloura. .

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On the occasion, Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India expressed his delight to inaugurate the campus in the city of temples bestowed with rich culture and heritage. The institution will go a long way in building and harnessing the immense talent of the entire State, he added. .

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Every possible step will be taken with a special attention to bring in all the facilities and trainers ensuring quality generation out of the talent pool in order to fulfil the dream of Shri Narendra Modi, Honble Prime Minister of India, Shri Javadekar further added. .

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Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State with PMO and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Government of India, in his address appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development in making such a prestigious institution possible for imparting quality education keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of the State. .

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The institution will offer a set of programmes across various academic streams that will follow a credit system and the performance in a course will be continuously evaluated. .

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Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India Shri Radha Mohan Singh today inaugurated the College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry in Jalukie village, Peren District, Nagaland under the aegis of the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal. .

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The Minister while inaugurating the College said that agricultural education plays an important role in ensuring food security and human resource development in any society, wherein the role of Universities is pivotal. Considering this need, the Government of India established Central Agricultural University in the region in 1992. The University has so far established seven colleges. Keeping in view the advancement of human resource and agricultural and allied sciences, during the Twelve Five Year Plan, the Government of India added 6 more colleges in the Region. The College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Jalukie is also one of the colleges added during the Twelve Five Year Plan. Recently, Union Cabinet has approved the amendment of CAU Act, 1992 to include the state of Nagaland under the jurisdiction of the Central Agricultural University, Imphal. The state Government of Nagaland has been kind enough to provide suitable land free of cost to establish the College. The Minister expressed happiness over the involvement of the State Government of Nagaland for the establishment of this College. The Minister further expressed hope that this new college will try to maintain higher standards of education and help the state of Nagaland to make rapid development and advancement in term of agriculture and allied sciences and human resource sector. .

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The Minister envisioned the role of this College that would go a long way in helping the State of Nagaland in accessing modern technologies to fulfil the vision of the State Government for self-sufficiency in Animal Husbandry produces, given the reality that livestock, piggery and poultry farming has been an integral part of the Naga people. He acknowledged that animal husbandry practices have been playing a pivotal role in supplementing family income and generating employment to the rural poor apart from efficient utilization of agricultural products & by-products suitable for human consumption. The Minister also expressed his hope that the College will complement the development of Animal Husbandry development in Nagaland and benefit the people of Nagaland. .

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While the College is being established by the Central Government, help and support of the State Government and Veterinary Council of India is also equally important in achieving the mandate of the College in letter and spirit. The Minister also assured that the infrastructure will be developed in a faster speed and all required posts of teaching and non-teaching staff will be filled up expeditiously. .

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After this programme Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated KVK in Peren. He further stated that one Seed Hub is being established under the aegis of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and another in ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre located in Agartala. He further announced that one KVK would be established this year in Kifre District. Further, front line demonstration of pulses and oil seeds would be conducted in 60 hectares and 220 hectares, respectably in the state this year. .

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Shri T.R. Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Farmers of Peren District, Officers, Faculty, Staff Members of the University, representatives of Press and Media were present on this occasion. .

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Finally, Shri Radha Mohan Singh greeted all the residents of Nagaland on this occasion. .

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Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said second-quarter profit rose 25 per cent on earnings from newly acquired manufacturing businesses and improved results at insurance operations. Net income climbed to $5 billion from $4.01 billion a year earlier, the Omaha, Nebraska-based company said in a statement. Operating earnings, which exclude some investment results, were $2,803 a share, missing the average $2,911 estimate of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Berkshire's businesses represent a cross-section of the economy and provide Buffett, 85, with a steady stream of cash for more ...
Canadian plane and train maker Inc on Friday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss as it delivered fewer business jets and warned of weakness in the market for smaller corporate planes.

The results showed Montreal-headquartered faces pressure in its higher-margin business jet segment because of a downturn in global demand, even as it works to win customers for its new CSeries program of narrow body aircraft.

"Business jet weakness is a source of concern to us and has the potential to materially slow down the pace of restructuring progress if it worsens," said an analyst following the company who asked not be identified.

shares dropped 1.26 per cent to C$1.97 in Toronto.

Business jets revenue declined nearly 19 per cent in the second quarter. The sector, a key source of cash flow, accounted for more than a third of total revenue.

Chief Executive Alain Bellemare said on a conference call there had been "significant softness" in the market for smaller size business aircraft.

"It's a very competitive segment of the market so there's significant pricing pressure," he said.

Chief Financial Officer John Di Bert said the company would scale back investment in the CSeries next year, even as it boosts spending on the high-end Global 7000 business jet, which is expected to enter service at the end of 2018.

Bellemare said there is a strong backlog for the new long-range business jet and Bombardier is working to get the Global 7000's production up to 50 aircraft a year as quickly as possible.

Commercial jets revenue rose more than a quarter, but margins weakened as the company spent heavily on the CSeries.

Following two recent pivotal CSeries orders from Air Canada and Delta Air Lines, Bombardier said on Friday Russia's Ilyushin Finance Co reduced the number of CSeries planes it ordered from 32 to 20 of the 150-seat CS300 aircraft.

Bombardier, which has secured $1 billion for the program from Quebec, said it is still in talks with the Canadian government about further investment.

Bombardier reported a net loss of $490 million, or 24 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. A year earlier, it had a profit of $125 million, or 6 cents per share.

Excluding items, the company reported a loss of 6 cents, bigger than the 5 cents analysts on average had expected, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Ever considered taking your bags in an emergency despite those instructions to leave them behind? You're not the only one. If your flight has an emergency and you're told to evacuate, be certain that at least two things will happen. You'll experience the adrenaline rush of a lifetime, for one. But you'll also hear the urgent commands of flight attendants telling you to leave your bags behind. Yes, all of them. Laptops and purses, too. Maybe the adrenaline is causing temporary deafness. Materialism has been winning out over self-preservation as air travellers often ignore the ...
Builders of two power plants in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory have finalised plans to install turbines made by a joint venture of Siemens, three sources said.

In response to questions from Reuters, the German company categorically denied it intends to send them to . Siemens says its joint venture is making turbines for a separate plant on Russia's Taman peninsula, which is separated from by a strait, not for plants inside in Crimea itself.

However, the three sources all said two power plants in Crimea are being built to house Siemens turbines. The sources, who were all familiar with the technical details of the plants, said they are compatible only with Siemens turbines.

The sources include one person involved in the plant project itself, one employee of a company working alongside state builder Technopromexport on the project, and one person from a company that bid on the construction tender. All three spoke on condition of anonymity.

There was no suggestion that Siemens knew of or condoned the planned transfer of its turbines to Crimea.

European Union (EU) sanctions bar European individuals and from providing energy technology to Crimea, and from taking any actions designed to circumvent those rules.

If the turbines end up in Crimea  which one of the sources said could happen as soon as within the next two months  it could test the limits of what is allowable under sanctions imposed by the EU after Russia annexed the territory from Ukraine in 2014. Legal experts say there are no court precedents to say whether Siemens could be held responsible if a third party brought the turbines to Crimea.

"Siemens LLC, all of its subsidiaries and joint ventures in Russia are not supplying any equipment to be used in facilities locate in the Crimea," a spokesperson for the company in Munich said. The spokesperson added in an email to Reuters: "Our supply is for a power station close to Rayevskaya village on the Taman peninsula in Novorossiysk region/Krasnodarskiy kray only," referring to the southern province that includes Taman.

The European Commission in Brussels had no specific comment about the Siemens turbines and said it was up to EU member countries to enforce sanctions rules on their companies: "The restrictive measures adopted by the EU are clear. Their implementation is in the hands of the member states," a spokesperson said.

A spokesperson at Germany's Economy Ministry said she was not immediately able to comment.

Details Redacted



The Russian government has not disclosed the source of the turbines for the two planned power plants in Crimea. Technical details of the turbines were redacted from publicly issued copies of the tender documents during the bidding process to build the plants.

The three sources said that the turbines would be made by Siemens Gas Turbine Technologies LLC, which last year opened a factory in the Russian city of St Petersburg. That firm is a joint venture of Siemens, which has a 65 per cent share, and Power Machines, a company owned by Russian billionaire industrialist Alexei Mordashov, with a 35 per cent stake.

Power Machines referred questions to the joint venture, which in turn referred questions to Siemens. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak declined to comment.

The Siemens spokesperson said in the email the German firm had "contractual provisions with the customer JSC Technopromexport that has confirmed several times upon our request that the final destination clause in the contract will be fully observed."

JSC Technopromexport has also said it will not use turbines from the Siemens joint venture for the plants in Crimea. It has said it could use Siemens turbines in Taman, although it is not in fact clear whether any plant will be built there at all, as a tender to build a plant there received no bids.

Crimea has suffered electricity shortages since being separated from Ukraine's electricity grid, and Technopromexport, a Russian state firm, is building the new power plants in the territory's two main cities, Simferopol and Sevastopol.

According to three legal experts contacted by Reuters, there are no precedents to establish whether Siemens would be in violation of the sanctions if its Russian joint venture built the turbines for Taman and then a third party sent them to Crimea.

However, the experts said they would advise to be cautious about transactions involving technology that could go to Crimea, because of the risk that it could be considered a sanctions violation.

Thomas Heidemann, a lawyer from CMS Hasche Sigle, based in Moscow and Dusseldorf, said: "Sanctions are broadly defined and lack precision in some areas. doing business with Crimea should therefore be very cautious and should study very carefully whether or not goods or services are subject to sanctions."
on Friday strongly rejected an assertion by US President Barack Obama that recognises the efficiency of the Iran deal, comparing it to the 1938 agreement with Adolf Hitler.

Obama told a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that senior Israeli officials now support the nuclear deal.

"The Israeli defence establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the deal is based on," said the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which was signed on July 2015 between Iran and the world powers.

The newly-appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the hawkish leader of the far-right "Yisrael Our Home" party, is also a fierce opponent of the deal.
US Secretary of State has spoken with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the recent "provocative actions" by North Korea and the upcoming G-20 Summit in China.

The two leaders also discussed the next month's China visit by US President Barack Obama, his spokesman John Kirby said yesterday.

"Secretary Kerry spoke today by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to preview President Obama's upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 Summit," Kirby said.

"The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea, including efforts to implement fully obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2270," Kirby said in a statement.
Ali David Sonboly, who carried out the July 22 Munich shooting spree that left nine persons dead, had reportedly visited Iran with his father for a weapon's training stint before carrying out the attack

News magazine Focus said that the 18-year-old with a dual German-Iranian citizenship underwent "weapons training" in Iran in December 2015, Mirror.co.uk reported.

The shooter's family moved to Munich two years ago from Iran.

Sonboly, who was obsessed with violent computer games, bought a 9mm Glock handgun from the 'dark web' for 80 pounds ($104) to carry out the attack, Mirror.co.uk said.

The shooter, who left over 20 injured, was obsessed with Adolf Hitler and expressed shocking racist views, German investigators have said.

The Munich prosecutor's office refused to comment on the report saying: "We cannot make any comment on this aspect of the case due to the ongoing enquiry."

Sonboly's body was found on a side street close to the shopping centre where he reportedly committed suicide.
endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan on Friday in a move aimed at mending an intra-party rift that has put the Republican presidential nominee at odds with his party's highest-ranking elected official.

Trump's endorsement of Ryan came at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ryan's home state, CNN reported.

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory. And very importantly, toward real change. So in our shared mission, to make America great again, I support and endorse our speaker of the House, Paul Ryan," Trump said on Friday night.

On Tuesday, Trump shocked party members when he refused to endorse Ryan, as well as Senators John McCain and Kelly Ayotte.

But he then endorsed the Arizona and New Hampshire senators in their primary races, CNN said.

However, it was not immediately clear that Ryan was keen to receive Trump's endorsement.

He repeatedly told Wisconsin radio stations in recent days that he was only seeking endorsements from the voters in his district.

After the endorsement, a Ryan aide said the speaker "appreciates the gesture and is going to continue to focus on earning the endorsement of the voters in Southern Wisconsin", CNN added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said that Akhilesh Yadav is one of the unsuccessful Chief Minsters of Uttar Pradesh, adding that under his leadership law and order has failed miserably in the state.

Commenting on the deplorable state of affairs, BJP Uttar Pradesh chief Keshav Prasad Maurya told ANI that land mafia, mine mafia and cheating mafia have been getting protection under the guardianship of the Akhilesh Yadav-led government.

He said that the Chief Minister should resign on moral grounds for not only failing to control law and order, but also failing to provide security to women in the state.

"He is one the unsuccessful Chief Ministers in the state. I don't understand why he is still holding the post. He should have resigned on moral grounds. He has failed on all fronts and is responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, He has also failed to provide security to women," he said.

The Samajwadi Party has been facing heat ever since a 34 year old woman and her daughter were gang-raped in Bulandshahr.

Meanwhile, family members of the gang rape victims' have been threatening to commit suicide if the accused are not brought to book at the earliest.

The Congress has also expressed its ire over SP leader Azam Khan's insensitive comments on the gang-rape case.

"With folded hands, I request Azam Khan to spare us. Every morning he says something or the other, I don't know whether he states it intentionally or because of some other reason," party leader Renuka Chowdhury said.

"Whether he speaks on his own or says so with the government's backing. God knows what he wants to say and what he understands. What I am saying is, please spare us," she added.

Khan had said that a desperate opposition could stoop to any level to defame and disgrace the government since the state elections are approaching.

However, the Samajwadi Party leader defended his remarks.

"I never said there is a conspiracy by the opposition. I said that as the elections are near, we all should find from where these protests and incidents are coming from. I never said that this was a conspiracy by the opposition," Khan told ANI in Lucknow.

"If we were not sensitive about them then how such a quick response would have been made. It is because of their pain that we are saying that accused should be arrested as soon as possible and a proper investigation should be done to find out the truth. This case requires strict action," he added.
The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) long march reached German capital Berlin on Thursday evening and held a protest demonstration outside the German parliament on Friday.

The Baloch activists' long march kicked off from Germany's Dusseldorf city on 16 July, 2016 after the pro-freedom Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri had announced an international awareness campaign on 9 July, from the platform of Free Balochistan Movement.

Nearly a dozen pro-liberation Baloch activists took part in the long march and walked for 20 Days to reach Berlin.

The marchers held protest demonstrations and distributed leaflets in different German cities on their way.

It is the first ever long march in Europe that Baloch activists have organised and the response of people has been very supportive and appreciative. People in Balochistan have also showed their support to the long march by wall chalking in support of Free Balochistan Movement.

On Friday, outside the German parliament, participants in the demonstration strongly condemned the Pakistani state for their genocide policies and human rights violations against the Baloch people.

They said that Pakistan was a terrorist state and was violating international human rights laws. They urged the UN and other international human rights organisation to take notice of Pakistan state atrocities in Balochistan.

The speakers also charged that Pakistan was involved in promoting religious extremism in the region and around the . They held Pakistan responsible for religious terrorism in Afghanistan, Balochistan, India and in Western countries.

A message of pro-freedom Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri was also read out during the demonstration. Mr. Marri in his message has congratulated the Baloch activists in Germany for the successful long march. "You have shown your true dedication to the Baloch national struggle, and represent the genuine aspiration of the Baloch nation."

He said that it would have been impossible to organise such a march from one city of Balochistan to another because Pakistan has turned Balochistan into a military garrison where a native Balochistani will be stopped and searched several times before reaching from one town to another.

Whereas in Europe and other Western democratic countries people have freedom to exercise their right to freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration. "We should organise ourselves in Europe and inform the about Balochistan's illegal occupation and the human rights violations that followed the occupation," Mr. Marri said.

Addressing Baloch Diaspora activists, Hyrbyair Marri said, "Today, there are hundreds of Baloch who are forced to live in exile because of on-going human rights violations by Pakistan. We can and should be the voice of our people on the ground, and expose the Pakistani state barbarism in Balochistan. Pakistan conducted four major military operations against the Baloch national liberation struggle - since 27 March, 1948 when it forcibly and illegally occupied our sovereign country - Balochistan."

Mr. Marri said that the Baloch nation has sacrificed much for the freedom of Balochistan, but the occupying state of Pakistan are trying to suppress the Baloch voices so that the doesn't know about the Baloch national struggle.

"Each one of us now have to be the voice of our downtrodden people, and act as the ambassadors of Balochistan. The previous four military attacks on Balochistan, and the countless number of people disappeared, killed and expelled from their home almost went unnoticed because there was no one to speak for the Baloch nation on an international level," he added.

The Baloch leader said, "Currently, Pakistan is engaged in its fifth attempt to destroy the Baloch freedom struggle, but the present phase of the Baloch liberation struggle is better organised and more widespread, that's why our enemy - Pakistan - is carrying out increased brutal military operations and attacks against innocent Baloch civilians, it is because they can see their defeat and the success of Baloch struggle. The enforced-disappearances, extra-judicial killing, indiscriminate bombing of Baloch villages and targeted killing of the most conscientious and educated youth in Balochistan are signs of weakness and frustration of the enemy state - Pakistan."

Mr. Marri in his message thanked the Afghan and Indian people and their social media activists for supporting the Baloch freedom movement. He also reiterated his previous point that the Afghan and Indian governments, and all other free nations should include Balochistan in their foreign policy decision making, and support the Baloch national liberation struggle politically, morally and diplomatically at all forums.

Other speakers included Mahgonag Baluch, Rohail Marri son of late Balach Marri, Beebagr Baloch, Abdul Wajid Baloch, Dr. ShahzavarKarimzadi Baloch, Mohammad Azam aka Azum Noor Baloch, German activist Claudia Heidelberg and Nobat Marri who read the message of Hyrbyair Marri.
Chandigarh International Airports Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the financial year 2016-17.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, IAS, Chairman, AAI with S. Raheja, Chairman, CHIAL. Board Member (CHIAL) and other officers of AAI were also present on the occasion.

This memorandum spells the targets to be achieved by AAI on key performance area during 2016-17.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday accused the Congress of trying to suppress Babasaheb Ambedkar due to fear of being overshadowed by a Dalit leader.

Adressing a meeting of BJP SC/ST wing in Goa on Saturday Parrikar said the Congress feared that the Dalit leader would overshadow everyone in the party.

"They were afraid that his intelligence, if it came to the fore then he would have swallowed all Congress leaders. Therefore the Congress always tried to banish him in the background," he said.

He further urged that everyone should follow Ambedkar and added that there are many people in the country who have mastered the art of twisting things.

"Everyone should emulate Babasaheb Ambedkar, because currently in our country there are many people who are experts at twisting things," he said.
The Congress Party on Saturday took a jibe at Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and said it was not right for him to advise his party workers to stop land grabbing or indulging in other such acts, as he was known for popularising this trend in the party.

"Everyone knows how the Samajwadi Party is performing in Uttar Pradesh. There is an atmosphere of fear in the state. It has been the politics of Samajwadi Party to indulge in land grabbing and other such activities and such an image of the party has been created by Mulayam Singh Yadav," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

"So, I don't think it is right for him to advise other people," he added.

Addressing party workers at Janeshwar Mishra Park in Lucknow on the 84th birth anniversary of socialist ideologue Janeshwar Mishra in presence of Akhilesh and other senior leaders, the Samajwadi Party supremo asked the party workers to pull up their socks for the 2017 Assembly polls.

He also asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and his son Akhilesh Yadav to depute office-bearers with a 'good image' in party's frontal organisations so that people could call the party an 'achhi party'.
With Vijay Rupani being appointed as the chief minister designate for Gujarat, the Shiv Sena on Saturday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was feeling the heat from the Aam Aadmi Party and Patidar community leader Hardik Patel which had resulted in this move.

"AAP has started aggressive campaigning and somewhere the BJP seems cornered or feels the threat from them and Hardik Patel. The BJP seems to be under some stress," Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande told ANI here.

According to reports, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal will announce the party's plans to contest the Gujarat assembly election.

Kejriwal has visited Gujarat twice in July and the AAP has become quite active in the state building its base.

Yesterday, in a crucial meeting attended by Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

Gujarat's health minister Nitin Patel was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The decision came as a major twist as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after Rupani had bowed out from the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for reposing faith in him, Rupani asserted that his team is fully committed to harnessing aspirations of the poor, marginalised, farmers and youngsters.
An indirect link has been revealed between Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 9/11 attack in recently released declassified information from a 2002 US congressional report.

The report on the 9/11 attacks, dubbed the "28 pages" was previously hidden from the American public.

It now reveals a link between the alleged al-Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan, reports the CNN.

During investigations into the attack it was found that 15 of the 19 men who hijacked the planes to carry out the attack were nationals but the possibility of official Saudi involvement has hung over the relationship between the two countries.

While the alleged association with Bandar revealed in the newly declassified pages does not provide direct evidence of hi scomplicity in the 9/11 attacks but it does raise new questions about Saudi Arabia's involvement.

The connection to Bandar was made through Abu Zubaydah's phone book retrieved during the Pakistani raid in which he was taken. He was an alleged recruiter for al-Qaeda and a member of Osama bin Laden's inner circle.

In the phonebook, the FBI found numbers linked to the United States, including an unlisted number for a company that managed Bandar's estate in Aspen, Colorado. An unlisted number was also found for a bodyguard who worked at the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

"Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydah's phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented," said former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages.

The CIA and FBI concluded that there was no evidence anyone from the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the 9/11 attacks. But Graham said the indirect connection to the respected former Saudi ambassador was "one of the most stunning parts of the investigation" and worthy of pursuing further.

Bandar was the Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, during the Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

He later served as secretary general of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council and head of Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency, the equivalent of the CIA, until last year.

The 28 pages were the only part of the initial congressional investigation into the September 11 attacks.

Actually numbering 29 pages, they detail a web of Saudi nationals living in the United States who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers. The George W. Bush administration deemed their publication a threat to national security and kept them confidential.

But, after continuous pressure, the Obama administration agreed to make the pages public last month.

The FBI investigated the phone numbers indirectly linked to Bandar in 2002. A CIA-FBI investigation concluded in 2005 that there was "no evidence that either the Saudi government or a member of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support" for the September 11 attacks or "had foreknowledge of terrorist operations in the kingdom or elsewhere."

However, the 9/11 Commission report and the joint agency memo only offer blanket absolution of official Saudi involvement and do not reference the questions detailed in the 28 pages surrounding the phone numbers that indirectly seem to link Bandar to al-Qaeda.

The 28 pages also raise questions about another possible link between Bandar and the attacks: the prince's relationship with a Saudi national named Osama Bassnan, who was living in the United States on 9/11 and was investigated to determine if he helped two of the 9/11 hijackers. The declassified pages reveal previously undisclosed amounts of money that Bandar and his wife sent to the man's family.

Bassnan, a former employee of the Saudi government's Educational Mission in Washington, according to a 9/11 Commission document, lived across the street from two of the 9/11 hijackers in San Diego: Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar.

Both of them were on the plane that crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

While the clues found in Zubaydah's notebook seemingly never led to concrete evidence linking the Saudi prince to al-Qaeda, Bandar's name was mentioned again in 2014 when Zacarias Moussaoui, thought to be the 20th hijacker, claimed that Bandar was in an al Qaeda donor database.

Graham, the former senator that pushed to have the 28 pages declassified, thinks there's enough to justify a closer look. Graham now wants the FBI and CIA documents pertaining to the questions raised in the 28 pages to be released as well.
A day after Vijay Rupani was appointed as Gujarat's Chief Minister, Patidar community leader Hardik Patel criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stating that a chief minister is elected by MLAs and not the party high command.

He said that there is no provision in the Indian Constitution which allows a party to elect new chief minister.

"First of all, MLAs elect Chief Minister and there is no provision in the Constitution which allows a party high command to choose the new Chief Minister. So how can they do it?" Patel told ANI here.

When asked about their future course of events regarding the Patel reservation agitation, he said that their demand would remain same irrespective of the new chief minister.

"We will only support the chief minister who is focused towards development of the state as well as castes and communities of the state," he told ANI.

BJP state unit chief Vijay Rupani was appointed as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat while Health Minister Nitin Patel was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister yesterday.

In a crucial meeting attended by BJP chief Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

Earlier, the BJP central leadership made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.

Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Governor O.P. Kohli has asked her to continue as the care taker chief minster till the alternate arrangement.
Criticising strongly the attack on innocent people in Kokrajhar, the Congress on Saturday said the method adopted by militants to get their demand accepted by the government is unacceptable.

"The approach adopted by the militant is unacceptable. They thought that pressure would be mounted on the government and the issues would be solved; this is an absolutely ironic assumption. Attack on innocent people must be condemned by one and all," said senior Congress leader Majeed Memon.

Memon said even if the issue of the attackers were genuine, the matter cannot be resolved by killing and hurting innocent civilians, they should have tried to resolve it by discussing it with the government.

"Any matter cannot be solved like this, even if there is a problem and their issues are genuine and deserving enough," he said.

"I would appeal to the people behind this attack that the manner in which they tried to implement is absolutely unacceptable and problem won't be solved by this manner," he added.

Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal visited Kokrajhar to take stock of the situation arising out of Friday's terror attack that claimed 13 lives.

Sonowal briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday about the situation.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia amount of Rs. 5 lakh next of kin to deceased, one lakh rupees to those seriously injured and free treatment to other injured.

Meanwhile, The Assam Police have arrested the driver of the auto used by militants to reach Balajan Tiniali market.

Additional DGP L.R. Bishnoi said three to four militants carried out the Friday's attack.

He said while one militant was gunned down by security forces, efforts are on to nab the remaining attackers.

The Investigation Agency has sent a team to the site of the incident to collect evidence. The Centre is also closely monitoring the situation arising out of the Kokrajhar attack.
Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese's upcoming movie 'Silence' starring Liam Neeson is going to be major 2017 Oscar contender, as director revealed that the film would be ready for release this year.

In a recent interview with Showbiz411, Scorsese, 73, said, "Silence will be golden for an end of year release. "It depends on Paramount," and revealed that the studio have decided for November or December release, reports the Independent.

'Silence', based on the novel of the same name by Japanese author Shusaku Endo, would revolve around two Jesuit Portuguese Catholic priests who face violent persecution when they travel to Japan to seek out their mentor and spread the teachings of Christianity.

The movie which also stars Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, and Ciaran Hinds, is expected to release at the end of this year.
Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting to discuss the expansion of the Cabinet on Saturday.

The meeting was held at Deuba's residence in Budhanilkantha, reports the Himalayan Times.

Reports suggest that the duo also discussed political issues.

Dahal-led government had yesterday decided to provide Rs 1 million each to the families of those who were killed during the protests in the Tarai, honouring the three-point deal signed by the Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist Centre(CPN-MC), the Nepali Congress (NC) with the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati parties.

The compensation will be provided to the families through respective District Administration Offices.

The trio had had signed a three-point deal on July 4, just before Maoist Chairman Dahal was elected for the top post.

The deal also calls for the government to register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament.

The governing parties have also agreed to form a judicial commission within a week to probe into the incidents that occurred during the Tarai protests.

More than 50 people, including police personnel, were killed during the protests following the promulgation of the Constitution in September last year.
Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs has requested Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) commonly known as "Doctors Without Borders" to immediately provide medical assistance to thousands of people allegedly injured in Kashmir.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement said that Aziz made the formal request by writing a letter to the international president of MSF, reports the Dawn.

Meanwhile, curfew continues on the Indian side of Kashmir. Restrictions have been placed in Kupwara, Anantnag, Baramulla, Ganderbal and other district of valley where night clashes and protests had earlier been reported.
After a week-long silence, Orlando Bloom has expressed anger over his uncensored naked pictures that were leaked on the social media.

During his holiday in Sardinia, the actor was snapped with nothing on while

paddle boarding with his girlfriend Katy Perry.

According to an insider close to the 39-year-old 'Lord of the Ring' star, he's "mortified," reports the Mirror.

The censored pictures were initially published in several leading dailies, after which the unpixelated version of it started circulating on the Internet.

However, the 31-year-old 'Dark Horse' hit-maker stands in support of her beau, "Katy (Perry) has been very supportive and understanding of his frustration and anger," a source told Hollywoodlife.

"She's been a calming voice in his ear as he deals with the embarrassment of the situation," he added.
Prime Minister on Saturday said the spirit of a democracy is incomplete if one thinks the citizen's role stops at voting as participative democracy is essential.

"The spirit of a democracy is incomplete if one thinks the citizen's role stops at voting. Participative democracy is essential. If democracy is limited to voting and choosing a government then the spirit of democracy would not develop. After winning elections, the governments usually start thinking about how to win the next elections or what to do to get more votes next time. Their policies are also shaped accordingly," said the Prime Minister, while addressing the concluding session of the Town Hall meeting organised at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex here on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of MyGov.in.

Answering questions from citizens from across the nation and abroad asked via video conferencing, Prime Minister Modi said, "'Last mile delivery' is as important as policies. The benefits must reach the intended beneficiaries. If good governance is not stressed on then regular life of a citizen won't change, won't develop. If we don't focus on good governance then lives of normal people will not change."

"Development and good governance should have a balanced relation, even for a small incident anywhere, Prime Minister is targeted. Holding Prime Minister responsible for everything that happens at every level in the nation can be good politically or for TRP. Every responsible person holding a position should be questioned. People should easily get what they want. We want to develop good governance where processes are less and things get done easy for citizens," he added.

Elaborating on the concept of good governance, he said, "Good governance means those processes that are redundant do not exist. Grievance redressal systems are the biggest strengths of a democracy. Every citizen should have their problems addressed and responded to. Technology and good governance will benefit farmers. The most powerful thing in democracy is Grievance Redress System."

Asserting that India is among the fastest growing economies in the world, the Prime Minister said, "I raise one issue but the whole system is addressed. We are taking few initiatives for good governance. The world is in recession. Despite the purchasing capacity of world going down, we have a growth rate of 7.6%."

"If there is one sector that can power the economy it's the agriculture sector. Further, Khadi for nation and Khadi for fashion, this must be our guiding principle," said the Prime Minister, who launched 'The PMO App' and met the youngsters who developed the app.

He said the unique spirit of our villages must remain and at the same time they must have facilities associated with cities.
'Star Trek Beyond's co-writer Simon Pegg has explained as to why Alice Eve's character Lieutenant Carol Marcus is missing from the latest sequel of the sci-fi franchise.

Pegg said in an interview with Collider that even if they would have cast her, she would have been under-served as not much content was there for her according to the story line, reports The Independent.

"With this it felt like we would under-serve her if we included her, she might end up feeling like she hadn't been given the amount of screen-time she deserves, so rather than bring her in and just have her be a supporting role, like, have her not be in this one, and when the time comes [bring her back," he said.

The 42-year-old producer cum-screenwriter, who also stars in the films as Scotty, further noted, "The worst thing to do would be to have her in the film and have that character be killed, and that felt like a cynical thing to do."

He added, "We thought rather than have Carol Marcus not be used to a reasonable capacity, let's just not include her, have her be alive, in canon, and ready to come back at any time.
External Affairs Minister on Saturday asked the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek consular access to jailed Indian citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari in Pakistan and to report back on the same.

"I have asked our High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek Consular access to Hamid Ansari in hospital/jail and report," tweeted Swaraj.

The minister swung into action after reports of Ansari being attacked by jail inmates came to light.

Earlier on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said in a press briefing that there is a petition in the Peshawar High Court, requesting the court to summon the superintendent of the jail, where Ansari is currently lodged.

The petition was filed after Indian High Commission in Islamabad reported that Ansari was being attacked in prison.

He said the Indian government has also reiterated its earlier stand to provide consular access to Ansari and has asked the Pakistan government to allow him to speak to his family.



I am very much disturbed to read about repeated attacks on Hamid Ansari who is detained in Peshawar jail since 2012. It is inhuman. /1  (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2016

Indian Hamid Nehal Ansari (31), hailing from Mumbai, had entered Pakistan with a fake identity card reportedly to meet a girl with whom he had befriended online.

He was arrested on November 14, 2012, and later sentenced to three years' imprisonment for espionage.

According to Dawn, Ansari was attacked twice in the in the last two months.

Superintendent of the prison Masoodur Rehman also confirmed the incidents, but insisted that they were of minor nature and that such incidents did happen in prisons.

He also said Ansari had been kept in the death cell as he can't be kept in a normal barrack along with other prisoners for the sake of his security.

Qazi Mohammad Anwar, Ansari's lawyer, said his client had been kept in the death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Anwar said the jail superintendent should give an undertaking to the court that attacks won't happen against his client in future, but the latter refused to give a written guarantee in this regard.

The superintendent complained that the jail was overcrowded as it was made for 350 people but presently had around 3,000.

The bench directed him and social activist Rukhshanda Naz, who represented Ansari's mother Fauzia Ansari, to sit together with the Indian citizen to plan his foolproof security in prison.

During the hearing into an application of Ansari on Aug 2, the bench had summoned the jail superintendent.

A petition of Ansari has also been pending with the court seeking the inclusion of his period of detention prior to his conviction by a military court in his jail term. He was held in 2012 but was convicted on Dec 17, 2015 by a military court.

He was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat district in Nov 2012.

Later, on January 13 the high court was informed in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari that Hamid was in the custody of the Pakistani Army and was being tried by a military court.
Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Vijay Rupani who was appointed as the new Chief Minister of the state will meet Governor O.P Kohli today to stake claim to form a new government.

Health Minister Nitish Patel, who was named as the Deputy Chief Minster, will also join Rupani in meeting the Governor at 11 this morning in connection with forming a new government in the state.

The decision comes as a major twist as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after Rupani had bowed out from the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

Yesterday, in a crucial meeting attended by Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

BJP's Central Observer Nitin Gadkari said after the meeting that the decision was taken by the party MLAs unanimously and through a democratic process.

The BJP central leadership had already made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.

Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Governor O.P. Kohli has asked her to continue as the care taker chief minster till the alternate arrangement.

Patel, who took charge as Gujarat's first woman chief minister after Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister, citing age issues had in her Facebook post earlier urged the BJP to relieve her from the coveted post.

Patel said that she had two months earlier sought to resign from the party to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit'.

Her government was criticised for its handling of the outrage created by the public flogging of four Dalit men by self-styled cow protection groups.
Sales decline 20.93% to Rs 846.73 crore

Net profit of Bharat Electronics declined 52.94% to Rs 36.09 crore in the quarter ended June 2016 as against Rs 76.69 crore during the previous quarter ended June 2015. Sales declined 20.93% to Rs 846.73 crore in the quarter ended June 2016 as against Rs 1070.89 crore during the previous quarter ended June 2015.846.731070.89-5.510.7392.05141.5048.59100.7536.0976.69

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Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing Crop Diversification Programme in Original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh as a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) since 2013-14 to divert the area of water guzzling paddy to alternate crops like pulses, oilseeds, maize, cotton and agro forestry system. The programme has been extended to tobacco growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to encourage tobacco growing farmers to shift to alternate crops/cropping system w.e.f. 2015-16.

Under Crop Diversification Programme, assistance is being provided for four major components / interventions viz. (i) alternate crop demonstrations (ii) farm mechanization and value addition (iii) site specific activities and (iv) contingency for awareness, training, implementation, monitoring, etc. Under RKVY, State Government can undertake agriculture including allied sector activities depending on state specific needs/priorities with the approval by State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.

Crop production technology of various agricultural and horticultural crops grown in different regions and ecologies are also promoted through other ongoing schemes of DAC&FW like National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET), Soil Health Card Scheme, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). The technology support to farmers helps in achieving higher productivity, better management for increasing their income.

Government also support allied sector activities like dairy & poultry through Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F) for the benefit of farmers under various programmes viz., National Programme for Bovine Breeding & Dairy Development (NPBBDD), National Dairy Plan, Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) and National Livestock Mission (NLM).

For boosting income of farmers, promotion and development of food processing sector in the country, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a number of schemes, namely Scheme for Mega Food Parks, Scheme for Modern Abattoirs, Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Scheme for Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation, Scheme for Quality Assurance and Scheme for Human Resources and Institutions.

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Loans to rural entrepreneurs are provided by banks and Financial Institutions (FIs).

Government have several schemes for assisting rural entrepreneurs through interest subvention or capital subsidy to effectively reduce the extent of repayments. These inter-alia include, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS), etc.

Government have also taken several measures to increase lending to rural entrepreneurs which inter-alia include, priority sector lending targets to banks for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and weaker sections, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) Scheme, Stand up India Scheme, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro & Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme, etc

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Rajya Sabha passed 5 Bills and Lok Sabha2 bills during the week

The passing of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 relating to Goods & Services Tax (GST) by huge consensus in the Rajya Sabha was the hallmark of the third week of Monsoon Session of Parliament. The amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by Lok Sabha and as reported by the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha, have been now laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha and will be taken up by the House next week.

The Rajya Sabha passed five more Bills during the last week which included Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016; Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016. All these Bills have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. The Upper House, during the week, also held discussions on developments in States of Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh leading to change in the Governments there and role of Governors in respective States, and also on alleged diversion of money from Employees Provident Fund to Stock Market.

The Lok Sabha, during the third week of the session, passed the Enforcement of Security, Interest and Recovery of Debts, Loss and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016. It also voted in full the Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) 2016 - 17 and passed the relevant Appropriation (No 3) Bill, 2016. The House also held discussions on Sustainable Development Goals, and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

During the forthcoming week of the Session, Lok Sabha will take up the Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Employee's Compensation (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and the High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016. It will also consider the amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, as passed by Lok Sabha, after it is passed by Rajya Sabha. The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013, after it is passed by Rajya Sabha, may also be taken up by the House.

In the Rajya Sabha, the Mental Health Care Bill 2013 and the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will be taken up. The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, as passed by Lok Sabha and as reported by Select Committee will be taken up by the Rajya Sabha. Time has also been allotted for the following Bills which are likely to be taken up by the House after passing in the Lok Sabha - the Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the Employee's Compensation (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016; and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016. Consideration and return of the Appropriation(No. 3) Bill, 2016 relating to Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2016-17, as passed by Lok Sabha, will also come up before the House.

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Held on 06 August 2016

Hatsun Agro Product announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 06 August inter alia, has :

1. Declared Interim Dividend of Re. 1.00/- (100%) per equity share (face value of Re. 1 per share) for the financial year 2016-17.

2. Approved as part of expansion plans of the Company, increasing the borrowing limits from Rs.700 crore to Rs.1200 crore subject to approval of the shareholders through postal ballot. The Board has also authorized S Narayan, Company Secretary to take all necessary steps in relation to the Postal Ballot.

3. The Board has appointed S.Dhanapal, Senior Partner of M/s.S.Dhanapal & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, Chennai as Scrutinizer for the conduct of the Postal Ballot voting process in a fair and transparent manner.

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On 13 August 2016

Pacheli Industrial Finance will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 13 August 2016, to consider the Un-Audited Financial Results of the Company for quarter ended 30 June 2016.

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For month of July 2016

Jaguar Land Rover reported its best ever July retail sales of 44,486 vehicles, up 34% compared to July 2015. The month's record performance has been driven by strong sales of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Jaguar XE and the F-PACE. Jaguar Land Rover sold 336,052 vehicles in the first seven months of 2016, up 23% on the same period in the prior year.

In July, Jaguar Land Rover has delivered a particularly solid performance in China and North America with retail sales increasing by 64% and 51% respectively compared to the previous year. Retail sales were up year-on-year across all other regions: 38% in the UK, 24% in Europe and 2% in other overseas markets.

Land Rover strengthened its position as a world-leading manufacturer of all-terrain SUVs, with record July sales of 31,288 vehicles, up 19% year-on-year. The best-seller for the month was the Discovery Sport, retailing an impressive 8,392 vehicles, closely followed by the Evoque with sales of 8,208 vehicles. Calendar year-to-date sales for Land Rover reached 261,194 vehicles, 15% up on the prior year.

Jaguar recorded its best July ever, delivering 13,198 vehicles, up 91% on the previous year, reflecting the strong launch of the F-PACE as well as continued solid sales of the XE. This month, Jaguar performed very strongly across all regions, notably in North America, where thanks to the brand's expanded line up in showrooms, sales more than doubled year-on-year. In China, sales more than tripled versus July 2015. Calendar year-to-date sales for Jaguar were 74,858 up 69% year-on-year.

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Police in China's Guangxi Zhuang region have arrested 183 criminal suspects over an illegal fundraising gang.

Under the disguise of western development, the gang organised "one-day" trips to Qinzhou, Nanning, Beihai and Fangchenggang cities in Guangxi and coaxed their victims into investing, Xinhua news agency quoted the Public Security Bureau of Qinzhou City as saying on Friday.

The pyramid-style scheme involved 3,000 persons and 760 million yuan ($114 million), the bureau said.

Nearly 500 police officers raided 66 locations in the provinces of Henan, Guangdong, and Guangxi.

25 senior gang members were among those arrested and the group's bank accounts, which contained more than 10 million yuan, were frozen. Eight luxury cars were also seized.

--IANS

sm/ksk/vm
In one of his first policy shifts since coming to office, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has lifted a ban on gay pride rainbow flags being flown at embassies and high commissions across the world.

Former Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond last year came under fire when he ordered British embassies to abide by a policy that blocks any flag other than the Union Jack being flown, preventing them from flying a rainbow flag for pride, PinkNews reported.

Johnson overturning Hammond's decision in which he just one month ago rejected a proposal to change the policy, permitted the embassies to fly rainbow flags if they wish.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings can fly the rainbow flag in order to mark relevant international days such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and locally relevant events, such as local pride celebrations," an FCO spokesperson told PinkNews.

It will be up to the envoys to decide whether they wish to fly the rainbow flag for events. The pride flag is already flying at the British Consulate in Amsterdam for Amsterdam Pride.

On July 5, the FCO rejected the recommendation from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, saying: "The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union Flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times."

MPs including Labour's Angela Eagle and Conservative Nigel Evans previously called for a change in the policy.

Evans said it "would send the important signal that we stand by the side of those who are oppressed, and indeed, in some cases, those who fear death for the crime of being born gay".

Eagle said: "We need to redouble our efforts to root out prejudice and discrimination at home and abroad/ The Foreign Secretary's decision to ban the Pride flag from being flown at UK embassies around the world sends exactly the wrong signal."

--IANS

py/vm
Dozens of civilian protesters were injured in fresh violence across the restive Valley on Saturday, a day after three more persons, including a student, were killed in clashes with security forces, taking the toll to nearly 55 in the current unrest.

According to police, at least two dozen persons were wounded in a clash with security forces in south Kashmir's Chee village of Anantnag. Civilian witnesses said at least 40 people were injured in the incident.

Witnesses said the protesters had installed a tent in the village and were planning a sit-in when security forces ransacked the marquee. As people resisted, forces fired tear gas shells and pellets to disperse the protesters.

A police spokesman said that security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse the stone-pelting mob in Heepora, Shopian, also in the south of the valley. At least eight people were reported wounded there.

In another incident in north Pattan area, four persons were injured when security forces fired pellets at an angry mob, the spokesman said. The injured included a teenage girl, Muzamila Bano.

The spokesman added that protesters assembled at the main crossing of Pattan to demonstrate against the killing spree in . The protesters shouted pro-freedom slogans and threw stones at security forces before the latter lobbed tear gas and fired pellets to disperse the mob.

The Kashmir Valley has been on the boil for almost a month now after the July 8 killing of pro-Pakistan rebel commander Burhan Wani. At least 55 people have been killed and thousands wounded in the days of turmoil.

On Friday, a Class 12 student was among the three people killed in firing by security forces. Nearly 150 were injured in some 200 violent protest demonstrations across the valley.

The surge in the violence came as the central government informed the Supreme Court in Delhi on Friday that normalcy was returning to Kashmir and the situation has remarkably improved.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Centre over the continued violence and for misleading the top court.

Abdullah tweeted that more deaths have occurred in the valley and "the Centre tells the Honorable Supreme Court that 'things are improving'. Wow!"

"Seriously? By which stretch of the imagination? I haven't met anyone in the valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!"

He said the situation in the valley was "heart-breaking and worrying in equal measure" and took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on Kashmir.

"At what point will the Centre (read Honorable Prime Minster) wake up to the crisis here," he wrote.

Curfew, restrictions, and separatist-called shutdown continued for the 29th day on Saturday at many places in the Kashmir Valley.

Shops, businesses, and schools remained shut, and traffic was off the roads in the areas where there was no restrictions or curfew.

Separatist leaders have extended their shutdown call till August 12.

--IANS

sar/rn
Rajasthan's Additional Advocate General K.L. Thakur on Saturday said that he had recommended the state government appeal in the Supreme Court against acquittal of Bollywood actor Salman Khan by Rajasthan High Court in the 18-year-old chinkara poaching cases.

"I have sent my opinion to the state government for filing the special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court. It is my opinion ...it is a fit case to file SLP. The state government has to take final decision in this case," Thakur told IANS on phone from Jodhpur.

The Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur on July 25 had acquitted Salman, who was accused of killing chinkaras in two separate incidents, in the poaching cases.

One of the animals was killed at Bhawad on the outskirts of Jodhpur on September 26, 1998, and the other at Ghoda Farms on September 28, 1998.

Shooting for the film "Hum Saath Sath Hain" was on at the time.

Salman had appealed before the Jodhpur bench of the high court challenging a lower court verdict convicting him and sentencing him a one and five year term in the two separate cases of poaching.

However, Salman as well as the state government had appealed before the High Court challenging lower court's verdict on various grounds.

On July 25, Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, while allowing Salman's appeal, acquitted him from all the charges and also dismissed the appeal filed by the state government for enhancement of sentence.

--IANS

as/vd
German auto-component manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen AG will set up here its India Technology Centre, which will be dedicated to software and mechanical engineering, an official statement said.

This will be the company's first technology centre in India and it will support its global development teams while enabling the company to accelerate local product development, said a statement from the office of Telangana Information Technology and Industries Minister K. T. Rama Rao

To be fully operational by January 1, 2017, the facility is expected to have a work force of 2,500 engineers by 2020.

"This new facility is a significant investment for ZF in India. We are harnessing the skilled talent pool that India has to offer in order to develop superior technology solutions for our global as well as local customers," said ZF Friedrichshafen AG CEO Stefan Sommer.

"As demand for software engineering grows, we will exponentially increase our capacity to help meet our customers' growth aspirations. With this Technology Centre, we are reinforcing our global R&D footprint as well as our commitment and investment in the rapidly emerging Indian market," he added.

According to the statement, 13,800 engineers are currently working in R&D with ZF globally. The research and development network consists of more than 100 development locations, including 17 main development locations.

"We have 1,000 external engineers in the field of electronics, software and mechanical engineering with key Indian Engineering Services providers in Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Our ZF India Technology will build on this engineering foundation, and focus not only on bringing advanced technology to India, but localizing more strategic business activities including research, design and development," said Mamatha Chamarthi, senior vice president and executive lead for the new India Technology Centre.

--IANS

ms/vd
IBM, in partnership with Apple, this week launched a global development hub called Garage for iOS apps in Bengaluru that will work with existing design locations in Atlanta, Chicago and Cupertino in the US and Toronto in Canada.

The Garage will enable clients to complete digital mobility projects as quickly as possible.

"With each IBM MobileFirst for iOS client's success, we see the conversation shifting from wanting a single app to cultivating a broader business transformation led by mobile," said Mahmoud Naghshineh, General Manager, Apple partnership, IBM, in a statement.

There are 22 inter-disciplinary teams working at Garage in Bengaluru, using end-to-end DevOps, IBM Design Thinking and agile delivery approaches to deliver iOS solutions in weeks not months.

IBM also announced Mobile at Scale for iOS, a new offering specifically for clients looking to invest in digital transformation projects that include more than three iOS apps over a multi-year period.

Clients opting for this model will have full access to IBM's portfolio of MobileFirst for iOS apps to jump start their digital transformation, iOS App Accelerators for rapid app development and customisation and Enterprise Design Services that align the app experience to the needs of the user.

IBM also plans to open satellite centres in Brazil, China, Romania and ther countries.

--IANS

na/vm
Japan on Saturday lodged a protest with China after it spotted six Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailing near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

"This is a unilateral act that raises tensions ... and it is unacceptable to us," a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told the Chinese envoy.

The sighting of the Chinese vessels comes less than a month after an international arbitration court rejected China's claims over almost the entire South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

The Japan Coast Guard said some of the vessels were equipped with guns, according to The Japan Times.

The development followed a similar incident on Friday when two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and six fishing ships briefly entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus, prompting the ministry to summon the Chinese ambassador.

Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama on Friday told Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua that the vessels' entry into its waters and their activities were a violation of Japan's sovereignty and was totally unacceptable.

The coast guard vessels entered Japanese waters soon after the Chinese fishing ships did so, the ministry said.

"Japan cannot accept coast guard ships' actions that seemed to have been accompanying Chinese fishing vessels," a Foreign Ministry source explained.

It also said this was the first time both types of vessels had entered the waters at the same time.

The islets are administered by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

The incident came as tensions between the two countries has escalated in the East China Sea.

In June, Chinese warships were seen traversing areas in and near Japanese waters in the East China Sea and the western Pacific, including near the Senkakus.

--IANS

py/rn/vm
Actress Lindsay Lohan is desperate to move back to the US and has asked her former bodyguard Mark Behar to help her.

The "Mean Girls" actress has been living in London for the last few years, but following a recent bust-up with her fiance Egor Tarabasov, she called her Behar asking for help with her "transition" abroad and to be her "personal protection", reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Behar, who previously worked for the 30-year-old star in New York two years ago, told Heat magazine: "She called me and said that she'd had it with him.

"She said that she and Egor had a major fight due to his partying and her suspicions about him. She asked me to help her with her transition back to the States, to work as her personal protection," former secirity guard added.

The bodyguard has admitted Lohan told him she had caught businessman Tarabasov, 23, cheating on her with another woman.

--IANS

nv/rb/vm
A 19-year-old man charged with the murder of a US tourist in a mass stabbing attack in London's Russell Square was remanded in custody on Saturday.

Zakaria Bulhan, of south-west London, has been charged with the murder of Darlene Horton, 64, and the attempted murder of five other people, the BBC reported.

Bulhan - a Norwegian national of Somali origin - appeared at the Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier in the day.

A British man who suffered a stab wound in his stomach in the attack remains in hospital in a "serious but stable" condition.

An American man, an Australian, an Australian woman and an Israeli woman were all discharged from hospital on Thursday, after treatment of their injuries, the BBC said.

Police raided Bulhan's home in Tooting, south London, on Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The police said they received numerous calls starting at 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday describing a "man attacking people with a knife" between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street.

Horton was visiting London with her husband Richard Wagner, who was teaching summer classes.

Florida State University said the couple had planned to return to their home in Tallahassee on Thursday - the day after the attack.

--IANS

ksk/bg
When they see tourists from India, Tibetan monks reverentially greet them with a "Namaste". But beyond that, they don't say much.

The monks can be seen everywhere in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, chanting Buddhist sutras with rosaries in their hands.

Beside them sit well-suited men with hands-free plugged into their ears. They keep a close eye on visitors.

The monks are one reason officials in the Tibetan government say there is religious freedom in Tibet.

"There is no restriction on practising religion here. People are free to practise Buddhism," Me Jiang, Vice Governor of Tibet and a Han Chinese, told a visiting IANS correspondent.

Monks can be seen aplenty at the majestic 13-storey Potala Palace - the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th one fled to take exile in India in 1959.

The 7th century structure, which sits atop a hillock, is dimly-lit by yak butter lamps.

Believers offer customary white scarfs in an enclosure which once served as the court of Dalai Lama.

Jokhang Temple is another site which reveals how deeply Buddhism is entrenched in Tibet. Worshippers repeatedly prostrate themselves outside the temple.

On the streets, Tibetans clearly show a liking for Indians and their popular culture. Bollywood songs and actors are popular among the locals, many of whom keep posters of Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor in their homes.

But Tibet today is far removed from the Tibet the Dalai Lama escaped from.

As the Air China flight touches down at Lhasa airport, one can see over a dozen military choppers on one side of the runway.

But the excitement of reaching Tibet gives way to a slight headache and dizziness. It is natural to experience shortness of breath when you are at the "roof of the world" -- 3,656 metres above sea level.

The discomfort subsides when one sees sheep and yaks graze in alpine meadows and the long tunnels on the 57 km-long stretch between the airport and the city.

Closer to Lhasa flutter the Chinese flags. There are numerous posters of a smiling Chinese President Xi Jinping.

There are high-rise buildings, high-end cars ply in Lhasa and locals talk on iPhones.

The Chinese government seems to be trying every bit to change Tibet's image of being a restive region.

It is building infrastructure on a massive scale in Tibet: an expansive network of roads, the world's highest railway and multi-storey apartments in a difficult terrain.

China is bringing development to Tibet, home to 3.23 million people spread over 690 towns and over 5,000 villages.

However, there have been concerns of environment degradation in the region.

"Over the past few decades, the socio-economic developments have brought great changes in the lives of Tibetans," Yingxi Pingcuo, an official in the Tibetan government, told IANS.

Education, healthcare and job creation seem to be among the priorities of the Communist party.

Tibet has not been totally calm of course. Since 2009, some 140 Tibetans have set fire to themselves in protest against Chinese rule.

The Chinese government says these people were incited by the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India. Beijing calls him a "separatist".

With unemployment at 2.5 percent, the government is opening vocational training centres.

In one such centre in Lhasa hundreds can be seen acquiring skills ranging from the packaging of mineral water bottles to carving the Buddha on wood.

"Tibet has achieved a double-digit growth rate in the past two decades," said an official, Wang Niangdong. "We want Tibetans to be part of the mainstream."

Tibetans get a special place in educational institutes and other economic benefits.

Any discussion about the Dalai Lama, however, is off-limits here. When officials do talk about him, he is referred to as a "separatist" who "betrayed" his country.

(Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS who was taken to Lhasa by the Chinese foreign ministry. He can be contacted at sharmagaurav71@gmail.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','sharmagaurav71@gmail.com');> or gaurav.s@ians.in <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','gaurav.s@ians.in');>)

--IANS

gsh/mr/sar
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Friday said that breastfeeding should be promoted at all levels, as it is the most natural and cost effective intervention of human development.

"There is a need to promote breast feeding at every levels. We must appreciate that breastfeeding is a child's first inoculation against death, disease and poverty," said Nadda.

The minister was speaking at the launch of MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection), a flagship programme for promotion of breastfeeding.

The event was attended by newly appointed Minister of States Anupriya Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste and Madhuri Dixit, who is the UNICEF's Celebrity Advocate for the campaign

Emphasising on the awareness of breast feeding, Kulaste, said: "Awareness is the key among people and we have to work on dispelling myths an misconceptions. Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mother and baby and the interaction between the mother and child during breastfeeding has positive impact for life, in terms of stimulation, behaviour, speech, sense of well-being, security and how the child relates to other people."

According to health ministry, poor breastfeeding practices contribute to about 13 per cent of child deaths.

Anupriya Patel said: "Launching MAA-Mother's Absolute Affection is Ato create an enabling environment to ensure that mothers, husbands and families receive adequate information and support to promote breastfeeding practices.a

The ministry said that Athe campaign MAA is a nationwide programme launched in an attempt to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding through health systems.

--IANS

rup/ahm/
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gave Indians an ambitious target of achieving more than 8 percent growth rate for 30 years, saying this will change the entire developmental scenario of the country.

"If we can sustain an economic growth of more than 8 percent for 30 years, if not more, all that is good in the world will be at our doorsteps," Modi said addressing a Town Hall-style event organised to mark the second anniversary of MyGov platform.

He said amid a recession-hit global economy, it is no mean feat for a country of 125 crore to achieve a growth rate of 7.5 per cent despite two consecutive droughts.

"The entire world is passing through recession and the purchasing power has come down significantly. Indian agriculture is also facing pressure. To achieve 7.5 per cent growth rate in such a situation is itself a big feat and I compliment 125 crore Indians for this," he said.

Stressing on the role of proper planning and balanced expenditure in running country's economy, the Prime Minister said there should be an optimal utilisation of natural resources.

"Only with proper utilisation of our natural resources, we can fully utilize human resource potentials," he said fielding questions from citizens from across the country.

On the Occasion, he feliciated people whose suggestions were included in his monthly "Mann Ki Baat" radio broadcast.

He also met six engineering students who designed and developed the new PMO mobile app.

Stating that agriculture remains a most potent sector to push up country's economy, Modi said the farmers should be led towards modern amenities and his government's efforts to distribute soil health cards is a sincere attempt towards that endeavour.

He said in the changing agro-economic scenario, farmers should focus on multiple activities and also take up timber cultivation as a mid-term and lon- term strategy.

The Prime Minister also urged the agriculturists to dedicate a portion of their land and labour on subsidiary activities such as animal husbandary, bee keeping and fisheries to bolster their income.

He also stressed on the need to focus on preventive and affordable health care and said the government is working on widening the scope of health insurance.

--IANS

mak-nd/vd
Police will assign identity numbers to all Dhaka residents who live in rented facilities, Dhaka police said on Saturday, after the Gulshan cafe terrorists were found to be staying in a rented apartment in the city.

"Every tenant will have a unique ID number, so police will be able to monitor any shift to other accommodation," bdnews24 quoted commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia as saying, adding that they were creating a database of tenants.

Three weeks after the terror strike, a gun battle erupted between police and militants in an apartment in the capital's Kalyanpur area where nine suspects were shot dead.

A North South University teacher was arrested for not keeping information about tenants in an apartment he owned, which the Gulshan attackers allegedly used, while the wife of the Kalyanpur building's owner was arrested on similar charges.

Speaking at the re-launching of the DMP's website, Mia urged citizens to cooperate with police and also to report if the law-enforcers harass citizens.

The terror attack on the upscale cafe in Gulshan on July 1 left 22 persons, including 20 hostages dead.

--IANS

sm/rn/bg
Brazilian military police has detained at least 35 people in Sao Paulo protesting against the 2016 Olympic Games.

On Friday, 100 protesters gathered at the Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista), the financial heart of the country. Clashes occurred as they proceeded towards the city center, reports Efe.

Anti-riot branch of the military police used tear gas to clear the Paulista Avenue.

Police detained 35 demonstrators after they pelted stones at officers.

According to authorities, the demonstrators were not authorised to enter the city center as the protest organisers did not take due permission.

The protest occurred almost simultaneously with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium, where a similar demonstration took place outside the stadium.

--IANS

gau/in/sac
The ongoing Rio Olympics has been hit by several violent incidents, including an atempted mugging which left two people dead here on Saturday.

According to reports by the local media, a 51-year-old woman was shot dead by three men when she tried to ward off their attempt to rob her.

One of the accused was later gunned down by police near the Maracana Stadium, which is the main venue of the Rio Olympics.

"The man was carrying out assaults when a military police officer shot him," the local police department said in a statement.

"An officer, who arrived in Rio from another part of the country as security reinforcement, was involved in the incident," the statement added.

Earlier on Saturday, the Rio 2016 organising committee confirmed that a suspicious package was detonated at the Olympic cycle road race venue.

"The security services found a suspicious package close the cycle road race finish line in Copacabana and as a precaution decided to perform a controlled explosion. There is no impact to the race which is ongoing," an orgasing committee spokesman was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

The official added that the item was a small bag and that the police bomb squad's action was a precaution.

"A back pack, which likely belonged to a homeless man, was blown up, in accordance with protocol," the official said.

Also on Saturday, a New Zealand team official narrowly escaped a stray bullet fired at the Olympic equestrian centre.

The bullet landed on the floor of the press room after tearing through a canvas roof in Deodoro, the second largest Rio 2016 venue cluster, officials said, reports Xinhua.

New Zealand communications manager Ashley Abbott said the team's equestrian athletes were being contacted to inform them of the incident.

Press reports said New Zealand press attache Diana Dobson was left "visibly shaken", but physically unharmed.

The Rio equestrian centre is located next to a military base.

Officials said an investigation had been launched into the incident.

On Friday, a man was gunned down outside the Maracana Stadium just hours after an 80,000-strong crowd attended the glittering Olympics opening ceremony.

Images showed the unnamed man lying next to his bike in the street after being gunned down late Friday night.

Police surrounded the body of the man found with bullet wounds after 9 p.m. local time.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the man has not yet been identified but local news outlets reported the Brazilian had committed robberies in the area and was killed when one of his victims reacted.

The killing so close to the Olympic venue is likely to raise concerns about safety during the two-week event in which nearly 11,000 athletes are to compete.

--IANS

ajb/ahm/
The Syrian Air Force intensified airstrikes on the rebels in Aleppo province on Saturday, cutting off all routes that the militants could open into the city.

The airstrikes destroyed tens of vehicles with their occupants on several routes that could lead the rebels into breaking the government siege on the eastern part of Aleppo, Xinhua news agency reported.

The airstrikes isolated the battle sites in the vicinity of the military colleges in southern Aleppo, supporting the ground operations fought by the Syrian army against the sites infiltrated by the rebel groups.

Military sources said that the intense battles were still raging in the military bases of the city, in a bid to prevent the rebels from advancing farther.

In July, the Syrian army cut off the last supply route into the eastern part of that city but fighting flared up as several rebel groups in Aleppo unleashed repeated attacks to break that siege.

--IANS

sm/ksk/bg
Owners and managers of three paying guest (PG) accommodations in Gurgaon were arrested on the charges of not informing police about the foreigners staying in these accommodations, police said on Saturday.

In view of the upcoming Independence Day on August 15, Gurgaon police have been conducting raids on hotels and PGs.

A senior police officer said that during the raid on Friday night it was revealed that foreigners were staying in three different PGs and hotels here.

Sadar Police Station chief Vijay Kumar told IANS that Shamm Habib, 33, an Afghan national, owner of Kabul Hotel opposite the Medicity Medanta hospital, were arrested for not informing the police about the foreigners staying in the hotel.

He said that Habib's visa for staying in India had also expired and he was living here illegally.

The manager of Grace Hotel on New Railway Road was arrested for not informing police about the stay of a Canadian.

The owner of Heritage Guest House in Sector 38 was also arrested.

The trio were arrested under section 14 of Foreigners of Act 1992 after cases were registered in the respective police stations. They were sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the court.

--IANS

pradeep/pgh/bg
US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump targeted Somali communities in Maine and Minnesota during a campaign speech in Portland, saying refugees from "dangerous places" should not be allowed in the US, a media report said.

During the speech at Merrill Auditorium in Maine, Trump said the US does not do a good job of vetting refugees, which he said raises safety issues in Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

"Creating an enclave of immigrants with high unemployment that is both stressing the state's -- I mean the state is having tremendous problems -- its safety net, and creating a rich pool of potential recruiting targets for Islamic terror groups," Trump said.

In Minnesota, 10 young men of Somali or Oromo descent have been charged with conspiring to travel to the Middle East to join the IS terrorist group. Six pleaded guilty, an additional three were convicted, and the 10th is believed to be dead.

In addition, over 20 young men travelled to Somalia to join the ranks of the Somalia terrorist group al-Shabab starting in 2007.

Jaylani Hussein, the Executive Director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, condemned Trump's comments, saying he "demonises" a segment of the Muslim community in the US.

"While there is a challenging issue with disparities which is evident here in Minnesota, I think the overwhelming picture shows that there is tremendous positive coming from this community," he said.

"I think Donald Trump is just continuing his rhetoric of demonising and statements of really what is today's modern form of 'Islamophobia'," he added.

Hussein added that even though disparities exist, Somalis in Minnesota are establishing businesses and creating jobs.

Hodan Hassan, a Somali community leader, said despite the scrutiny of challenges facing the Somali community, many success stories are unfairly overshadowed -- including a rise in local entrepreneurship and growth in college educated professionals, including physicians and attorneys, Star Tribune reported.

Hassan serves on the Somali American Task Force, a group that has offered feedback to US Attorney Andrew Luger on efforts to prevent radical recruitment.

She said Trump's remarks breed fear in the community -- and have inspired a determination to vote against him.

"Statements like that will drive people to hit the polls and vote for his opponent," she said, adding, "In his twisted way, he is empowering us."

Trump has called for a ban on Muslim immigrants. Those statements have been criticised by some in his own party.

--IANS

ask/rn/bg
For want of a systematic study of the crisis facing the Indian diaspora in the Middle East, the government has little information, even on basic things like how many Indians have returned home, an expert has said.

"Today everyone asks me how many have returned following the various issues in the Middle East. The answer is I don't know because such things can be ascertained only after a study," S. Irudayarajan, who heads the migration department at the Centre for Development Studies here, told IANS.

"Now with these questions increasing, I have started to do a quick estimate and it would take a month for the first results to emerge," said Irudayarajan.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on July 30 that the government was making efforts to bring back over 10,000 Indian workers rendered jobless in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and was providing them food in camps.

She also appealed to "30 lakh Indians in Saudi Arabia" to help "your fellow brothers and sisters".

Her ministry said on Tuesday that 7,700 laid-off Indian workers in Saudi Arabia have been sheltered in camps and that information about more workers in distress is being collected.

Irudayarajan said the government finds itself without the necessary information in crisis situations because it has not instituted any regular study to frame short- and long-term policies as far as the diaspora is concerned.

"The time has come to institute an annual review. There is no point framing policies after things turn bad. At the moment no one knows if this is just a passing phenomenon or not," he said.

India's ignorance of short-term issues arises from a failure to take into account the long-term social and economic changes that have taken place in the Middle East, such as the the education profile of the local population there, said Irudayarajan.

"When migration from here began in the 1970s, education of the Middle Eastern nationalities was poor, but today the local youth are all educated and hence there is a job crunch, which is only natural."

The situation is similar to the expression of resentment against "non-Maharashtrians" living and working in Mumbai, said Irudayarajan, who has been doing studies of migration from India every five years since 1998.

He did his last study in 2013 whose findings were published in 2014. Things have changed dramatically since.

"Today it's a double crisis in the Middle East: oil prices have had a free fall and unemployment of their nationals is slowly reaching double digits, which hitherto was in single digits," said Irudayarajan.

According to Irudayarajan's latest published study, 90 per cent of Kerala's 23.63 lakh diaspora are in various Middle-East countries, of which UAE accounts for 38.7 percent of the Kerala emigrants followed by Saudi Arabia which has 25.2 per cent.

The price of oil, on which the Middle-eastern economies depend heavily, has crashed from US$104 in May 2014 and now hovering around US $40.

The deposits of non-residents in Kerala banks touched Rs 1,27,997 crore, up from Rs 1,17,349 crore, as on June 30, 2015, according to the latest State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) report.

--IANS

sg/kb/sac
Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for a meeting with frontal organisations of the Sangh to sort out problems they have with the government. Kisan Sangh is angry, for instance, that the minimum support price has not been raised in any meaningful way. The hike in compensation to farmers following natural disasters was also not discussed with it.
On July 29, at the legislative party meeting of the Grand Alliance at 1 Anne Marg, Patna (official residence of the Bihar chief minister), tensions were running high. The rain had just stopped, but the air was thick with distrust and apprehensions. It was about the new prohibition Bill, which the state government had listed earlier in the day in the Assembly.
The discussion in the meeting of state finance ministers on the empowered committee for the goods and services tax (GST) saw heated debate on the use of the words "may" and "shall". West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said as much when he said the fine print of should be written with no ambiguity. Elaborating on how ambiguous use of words could lead to misinterpretation, he said, "Today the key point is safeguarding states' interest. The language of the constitutional amendment has to be 100 per cent clear. For example, in government files, we often see the use of the word 'may'. In some legal terminology it may mean 'shall'. If it means shall, why not call it 'shall'. I hope, at the end of the day, the language of the constitutional amendment comes out as 'shall'." What people don't know is, things reached such a pass that a dictionary had to be procured to analyse accurately the difference between "may" and "shall".
Arvind Kejriwal has gone to meditate, and it is just as well. He needs to ponder over how he has been conducting himself as Delhis chief minister, and also as someone who apparently thinks he can be a challenger to Narendra Modi on the national political stage. A court has just given Mr Kejriwal a wake-up call, telling him in blunt terms that the lieutenant governor of Delhi is the city-states boss, not the chief minister  and that challenging the incumbent in that office and making wild allegations against him is not going to win Mr Kejriwal any brownie points with the court. It next remains to be seen what another court will say on the defamation suit that Arun Jaitley has brought against Mr Kejriwal  whose tendency to resort to wild accusations crossed a new barrier recently when he asserted that the prime minister might have him bumped off. Such paranoia does not sit well on someone holding high constitutional office.

The irony is that Delhis man-in-search-of-a-fight has made enormous political strides since launching the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) less than four years ago. AAP emerged first as the second largest party in the Delhi Assembly, then swept the next state elections in dramatic fashion. It is now acknowledged to be the front-runner for the Punjab elections next year.

Mr Kejriwal has already started looking further ahead, for the next field of battle. His street-fighter instincts have kept him in the news, and also served to show up the lack of flair in someone who started with much greater political assets, Rahul Gandhi. Indeed, with experiments like mohalla or neighbourhood clinics to bring primary medicare to Delhis aam aadmi, and an emphasis on education (which has got the bulk of the states budgetary resources in the last couple of years), Mr Kejriwal has also shown that he has his priorities rightthough he shares Mr Modis tendency to exaggerate accomplishments. What he needs to do if he is to climb the next few steps of the political ladder is show some maturity, and stop looking for quarrels and the equivalent of reds under the beds.

This may be difficult for a man who has a record of squabbling with civil society compatriots, throwing out founder-members of his political party, picking fights with the Delhi police and the Central Bureau of Investigation, and sleeping on the citys pavements in the dead of winter as a form of protest. Some of this may have made for good theatre, but there is a hard absolutism in his general approach (my way or the highway) that makes many people turn away  especially when the adamancy is expressed in the language of the street.

The problem with alienating compatriots who might have had a moderating influence is that Mr Kejriwal is left with lieutenants who are accused of faking educational qualifications, wife-beating, being drunk inside legislatures and much else. Admittedly, in a body politic where a good proportion of all those who get elected have criminal records, it is unusual that as many as 12 of only one partys legislators should be hauled up in quick succession on a variety of charges; so one might concede that the Delhi police has developed a special love for AAP.

Still, Mr Kejriwal needs to meditate on whether all the cases can be trumped up; if not, was his candidate selection defective? What AAP does not need is classification as plain rabble. Can this mercurial politician (who has age on his side) change his spots, or will he always be a street-fighter and conspiracy theorist? It might depend on the circumstances. He showed an admirable ability to eat humble pie when he apologised to Delhi voters for having walked away from the chief ministership the first time.

At the current juncture, Mr Kejriwal would do well to consider moderating his style and persona before another rap on the knuckles by a court, or a political setback, knocks the wind out of him.
Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, already reeling under the impact of the recent Assembly election debacle, seems to be heading for more trouble with one of its key partners, Kerala Congress (M) (KC(M)), on Saturday indicating its intent to desert the Opposition front.

Former finance minister K M Mani-led KC(M), at loggerheads with the Congress since the past few months over the bar bribery scam, hit out at the party saying that it had received only "insults" and "humiliations" from it and would maintain "equidistance" from the UDF and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

"We have received only insults and humiliations from Congress. Mutual help and trust among parties in the Front has waned in the recent days," said 82-year old Mani, who was forced to resign from the ministry last year over the bar bribery scam.

A defiant Mani came out in full blast against the Congress at a two-day crucial meeting of the party at Charalkunnu in Pathanamthitta district, where the party leaders would take a final decision on Sunday on its future course of action.

KC(M), the third largest partner in the UDF, has been part of the front for the last three decades and has six MLAs and one MP, Jose K Mani, son of Mani.

Saturday's meeting assumes significance as it was held in the background of the reported decision of party leaders to 'sit as a separate block' in the state Assembly.

Apparently hinting that it was eyeing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp, Mani said, "if a good path opens before us, we will tread that path."

However, the party in a statement later refuted suggestions that it was heading towards the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan said that the doors of NDA were always open to those coming out of UDF or LDF.

"However, has to clearly spell out its political stand first. Then we will discuss the political situation," he said.

KC(M), which has a history of switching fronts and suffering many splits since its inception in 1964, has a strong base in the central Travancore belt, especially among Christians.

The rift in relations between Congress and came to fore after Mani announced he would keep away from a crucial UDF leaders liaison committee meeting last month, forcing the front to postpone it.

Subsequently, Congress had deputed former chief minister Oommen Chandy to hold talks with Mani to iron out differences.

Though Chandy met Mani he failed to get any assurance from the leader, who maintained that the "party will take a final call on all matters at its Charalkunnu meeting".

Reacting cautiously to the developments, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President V M Sudheeran said, "Let KC-M make its stand clear. It is not proper to make any comments at this stage."

Attacking both the LDF and UDF, Mani said that KC(M) was strong enough to stand alone politically.

Reacting to Congress leaders' remark that KC(M) MLAs have to resign if the party leaves the front as they fought in alliance with UDF, Mani said Congress candidates had also won the polls with the votes of KC(M).

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said, "We have not thought of taking KC(M) in the LDF now. Taking that party into LDF is presently not an agenda before the LDF."

There were many parties supporting the LDF from outside. Taking them into the front has not been discussed so far, he said in Palakkad.

He also said it would be a 'political suicide' for KC(M) if it moves to the NDA camp.

Opposition leader and former KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said none can think that they can "browbeat" the Congress.

"Congress is prepared to resolve the complaints which are justified. The party, leading the UDF, is trying to take all the front partners together," Chennithala said in Palakkad.

The relations between the KC(M) and Congress over the bar bribery scam worsened recently after Congress leaders Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala attended the betrothal ceremony of the daughter of controversial hotelier Biju Ramesh with the son of Congress leader and former minister Adoor Prakash.

Biju Ramesh, working President of Kerala State Bar Hotel Owners Association, had levelled bribery charges against Mani, which finally led to his resignation in November last year.

KC(M) has maintained that a "conspiracy" was behind the scam.
Congress vice president was today summoned as an accused by a magisterial court in Guwahati to face trial in a criminal defamation case for his remarks against the RSS over temple entry episode in Barpeta last year.

Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika summoned Gandhi on September 21 to face trial under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code which states, whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

Earlier on August 2, the court had deferred for today its decision whether to issue summons against the Congress vice president as an "accused" in the criminal defamation case here.

An RSS volunteer Anjan Bora had filed the criminal defamation case against Gandhi in the CJM, Kamrup's court alleging that he had tarnished the organisation's image by saying that he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastry, in Assam on December 12, 2015.

Bora in his case claimed that Gandhi was supposed to go to the Satra on December 12, 2015 but he did not go there and instead took part in a padayatra.

Two days later on December 14, Gandhi told a press conference in Delhi that he tried to enter the Satra but was instead prevented from doing so by its elected members and RSS supporters, Bora stated in his case.

Describing the Congress leader's assertion as a "blatant lie", Bora said in his petition that a lot of people including women and elected leaders of the Satra were waiting for Gandhi but he never visited the holy place.

Bora alleged that by making his claim in Delhi, Gandhi had brought down the image of RSS in society.

The court had examined several witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.
It was a day out for the government to showcase myGov.in, the government-citizen interface portal launched two years ago, as a winner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi came in last at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in a first-of-its-kind town hall meeting, like the ones usually held by chief executives of multinationals and US President Barack Obama.

The prime minister hit out at recent incidents of violence by self-proclaimed groups of gau rakshak, or cow protectors, on Dalits and Muslims.

Addressing an audience of around 2,000, the PM said people involved in anti-social activities have donned the garb of cow protectors as cover for their nefarious deeds. Modi, who has been criticised for his silence on the issue by his political rivals, even asked state governments to prepare police dossiers of such elements.

As he usually does, the PM chose his moment to hit out at those indulging in violence in the name of cow protection, as well as his political rivals. At the end of his over an hour-long interaction, Modi picked an innocuous question on the importance of volunteerism and social service to give vent to his anger at gau rakshak.

At the venue, the largest indoor stadium of the country, across billboards, Roman-style stage, digital screens and even songs composed for the second anniversary of myGov, Modis image stood out as larger than life. Even so, there were murmurs that the format was not truly that of a town hall as all nine questions may have been pre-recorded.

Some people are running their shops in the name of cow protection. I get very agitated at this Nearly 70 to 80 per cent of these elements are involved in anti-social activities at night but don the garb of cow protectors during the day, Modi said. In recent months, across several parts of north and western India, vigilantes have harassed and beaten up Dalits and Muslims in the name of cow protection. Some of the worst atrocities have been committed in Modis home state of Gujarat.

Besides the PM, finance minister Arun Jaitley, fresh from his GST achievement in Parliament, too sent out a message to the political class and bureaucracy in the midst of celebration of transparency. The FM said there has to be a distinction between airing of views before a decision and after a decision. In a transparent governance system like ours, there is nothing wrong with officers and ministers speaking out freely. Social media is a strong asset that allows alternate view-points, comments and suggestions before a decision is taken. However, it is important that once the government takes a decision, they all speak in one voice.



The day began early with IT and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurating the six-hour event that saw participation of administrators, international and domestic companies, volunteers and most importantly the myGov contributors. However, many top govt officials listed for the sessions, including Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das and Railway Board Chairman A K Mital were missing. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman R S Sharma too wasnt present, nor was Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

Even social media, in which the PM believes and has often relied upon for governance, was not represented by top executives.

The audience did not care much about the absentees though. It was a party over culinary spread ranging from Rajasthani to Punjabi, Thai to Chinese and Italian. The people, who had come to listen to the PM on their own expenses anywhere from Alwar to Thiruvananthapuram, were those who have been giving feedback to the NDA government on its signature campaigns like Make In India, Smart Cities, Digital India and Swachh Bharat. People like Nawaz Shaikh, whose logo for the new education policy was selected from 3,000 entries, or Keshav Marda, whose suggestion for connecting tourist spots through railways was accepted and found mention in the rail budget, or S Kishore Kumar, an employee with a start-up who has spent almost every weekend in the last two years helping myGov as a volunteer, were present.

Modi said more cows die because of choking on plastic than in slaughter houses. He appealed to those who claim to have compassion for cattle to prevent such cow deaths. Social service needs sacrifice and compassion. It shouldnt be used to harass others, the PM said. As Gujarat chief Minister, Modi had surprised his detractors when he had ordered the demolition of over 800 illegal roadside temples in Ahmedabad in 2008, and had even forced Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia out of Gujarat when the latter had tried to drum up protests against the move.

In an answer to another question, the PM remembered how B R Ambedkar, the architect of Indias Constitution and a Dalit icon, returned to his motherland to work here despite having studied in the most prestigious universities of the world. Modi said people needed to learn from Ambedkars example of devoting his life to working in India even when he suffered casteist insults.

Modi appealed to the well off in the society to spend at least five per cent of their income to purchase khadi and handloom, which will go a long way in generating jobs for weavers.

This was also an opportunity to take potshots at political rivals, particularly Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and even media persons. However, Modi didnt refer to anyone by name.

In an apparent jibe at Kejriwal, the PM said for some people it had become a fashion to blame even problems at the panchayat or municipal level on the doorstep of the prime minister. He said it might be good for politics and television ratings, but it wasnt for governance. In a tangential reference to the Gandhi family, Modi said social media has changed the trend where some people would keep lecturing the people, but are now finding criticism in social media intolerable.

Additional reporting by Karan Choudhury, Shreya Jai & Dilasha Seth in New Delhi
Moments before the meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah led meeting of party MLAs and senior leaders to choose the next chief minister (CM) of Gujarat, celebrations had begun in Kadi, the constituency of incumbent Health Minister Nitin Patel.
Opposition Congress on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "win the hearts" of the people of Kashmir, where the situation is turning "too dangerous".

"I would request your kind indulgence for taking urgent steps to win the hearts of the people of the state and also ensure that the law and order situation is restored at the earliest," Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in an open letter to the Prime Minister.

Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, regretted that there was no recognition of the situation at level.

Making a pitch for "political process" to find a solution to the problem, he reminded the Prime Minister that even in the face of worst provocations past governments had never abandoned it both on external and internal fronts.

"The initiative taken by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that problem can be solved within the ambit of 'insaniyat', Jamhuriyat' and Kashmiriyat" followed by Delhi-Lahore bus service, was appreciated by one and all," Azad said.

Similarly, the UPA government under Manmohan Singh took some bold confidence building measures to win the hearts of the people of the state by starting a bus service between Uri and Muzafarabad, and Poonch and Rawalkote.

"But, unfortunately no such initiative is forthcoming from the present NDA Government under your leadership," he said.

"Neither is the government showing any urgency to deal with the situation nor is it taking other political parties into confidence as was demanded during the discussion in the Parliament," he said.

Azad termed as "unfortunate" the government having "forgotten or ignored" lessons from 2008 and 2010 agitations when the then governments had appreciated the political nature of the problem and at least initiated a political process by sending an All-Party Parliament delegation.

He said in 2010 an-all party delegation vsited and met a cross-section of people. Subsequently, the interlocutors were appointed. They carried out wide ranging discussions as a result of which the anger and resentment subsided.

"Today there seems no such effort on the part of the Central Government. What is New Delhi waiting for? When is Government of India going to wake up? The use of pellet guns is not a solution at all," he said.



Azad said there is a complete breakdown of law and order and today even elected representatives are also facing the ire and are not able to connect with the people. They are running away from scene which tells us about the reality on the ground."

He said the "silence" of the Centre has further compounded the problem and asked the government to change its attitude towards Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Prime Minister should open his heart to the people of the state," he said and added that the present "mishandling" of the situation and "wrong policies" of the Centre has disturbed the socio-political and economic scenario of the state.

"The unrest has travelled to places not seen even in worst times," he added.

Azad assured the government that as a responsible opposition, Congress will support any endeavour to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir. "But it is the central and state government which have to reach out to the people and create a sense of security in Kashmir".

"As a responsible member of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, I feel this as my duty to inform you that the situation in the state is turning too dangerous as a result of which, a large population is feeling insecure", he said.

He reminded the Prime Minister that Kashmir has been locked down for one month now. Curfew is in for the last 29 days and communciation blockade is near complete. "So far more than 55 people have been killed and almost 7,000 civilians and security personnel injured".

Noting that more than 100 civilians have lost their vision as a result of pellet guns, Azad told the Prime Minister that today there is complete breakdown of law and order in the valley.
At least 18 people were killed in a collision between a minibus a lorry in western Gabon, the government said in a statement.

Pictures said to be from the crash scene yesterday, shared on social media, showed bloody and dismembered bodies.

The accident happened near the town of Kango, 100 kilometres from Libreville, along a stretch of the country's main highway.

"The tragic provisional toll is 18 dead," Transport Minister Ernest Mpouho Epigat said, adding that bodies of the victims had been taken to the capital.

The cause of the collision was unknown and an inquiry has been opened, the government statement said.

Road accidents are frequent in Gabon, a Central African nation of 1.8 million inhabitants.

The government urged road users "to observe the elementary tules of road safety," especially during the current busy holiday season.

The National 1 highway, where yesterday's accident happened, links Libreville with the interior of the country and is often heavily congested.
As many as 183 people have been arrested in south China over charges of running illegal fundraising under a pyramid-style scheme involving USD 114 million after police conducted a massive raid.

Nearly 500 police officers in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region raided 66 locations in the provinces of Henan and Guangdong, and Guangxi, state-run Xinhua agency reported today.

183 'criminal suspects' of the gang were arrested during the raids.

Under the disguise of western region development, the gang organised "one-day" trips to Qinzhou, Nanning, Beihai and Fangchenggang cities in Guangxi and coaxed their victims into investing, the report quoted the Public Security Bureau of Qinzhou City as saying yesterday.

The pyramid-style scheme involved 3,000 people and 760 million yuan (USD 114 million), according to the bureau.

Twenty-five senior gang members were among those arrested and the group's bank accounts, which contained more than 10 million yuan, were frozen.

Eight luxury cars were also seized and a probe is on.
Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested here for being part of a gang that fleeced Indian men of money by offering them non-existent jobs, according to a media report.

The gang had been taking money by offering non-existent jobs to the Indians through a website that was operating in the sub-continent, police was quoted by the Thai Agency as saying.

Hussein Avid and Aslam Muhammad Adman were rounded up in Charoen Sanitwong area yesterday.

Police said they had been paid about 45,000 baht (90,000 rupees) by about ten Indian men.

They paid a percentage of this money to a man called Manis who reportedly runs a website that was used to entice the victims in India, police said.

They were enticed with job offers with 50,000 rupees or 25,000 baht per month salaries.

Thai police have been in touch with their counterparts in India to arrest the other member of the gang.

The Pakistanis have admitted their involvement and were charged with online fraud.
Three dacoits including one from West Midnapore district of West Bengal were arrested on charges of looting the house of a shop-keeper on late July 16 night at Badajori village under Ghatsila police station, police today said.

Around six masked dacoits had entered into the house of one Shyamal Gorai and looted RS.75,000/, two mobile sets, four goats and other daily essential items on late July 16 night last, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Md Arshi said.

A police team led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Ghatsila), Sanjeev Kumar Besra arrested Sheikh Sharukh, Shekh Samjad, both resident of Dulki under Dalbhumgarh police station, and Ardish Baig alias Raju of Kapasita village under Jamboni police station of West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The arrested persons have confessed their crime while search for other three was on, Arshi said adding that police has confiscated the four-wheeler, which had been hired from Kapali in Seraikela-Kharswan district, to commit the crime, two stolen mobile phones and the mask.
Several AAP MLAs have approached Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel seeking deployment of security guards and installation of CCTV cameras in their offices as they apprehended that they might be "framed" in false cases.

An MLA from East Delhi said it would be better if everything is recorded so that no one can level baseless allegations.

The demand comes after the arrest of 12 AAP MLAs by Delhi Police in different cases.

Sources said that Goel has asked the MLAs to write to him so that he can take up the matter with the Delhi Police Commissioner.

Delhi AAP Convener Dilip Pandey said that the party has not raised demand of any security cover for its MLAs, but "we have requested some remedial measures as false case have been slapped on some AAP MLAs in the recent past".
The AAP today claimed that its workers from Uttar Pradesh are being harassed for protesting against the gangrape of a woman and her teenage daughter in Bulandshahr and the prevailing "jungle raj" in the state.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh said criminals were running scot-free in the state, led by Akhilesh Yadav, while those protesting against the lawlessness in the state were facing the problem.

"Our workers were protesting against the failing law and order in the state. Yesterday, the Ghaziabad police nabbed three of our workers as if they were hardened criminals and bashed them up," Singh said, adding that an AAP team will also meet Ghaziabad district administration officials and police in this regard.

"This is ironic that rapists and murderers, who spread communal tension, go scot-free and our party workers are arrested for protesting," Singh added.

(REOPENS NRG 27)



Meanwhile, Singh told a press conference in Ghaziabad that the AAP will stage a statewide protest on August 8 against the arrest of its workers today for burning an effigy of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the collectorate premises.

Around a dozen AAP workers were booked and four arrested for burning Yadav's effigy on the collectorate premises in Ghaziabad on Thursday.

Singh condemned SP leader Azam Khan's statement in which he accused political opponents of "conspiring against and defaming" the Uttar Pradesh government.
A senior minister and Nepali Congress leader has said that the three-point agreement reached among the NC, CPN-Maoist Centre and the United Madhesi Front has already been put in the process for implementation.

The three political forces last week inked a pact to address the demands of the Madhesi parties, just before the voting for the post of prime minister, to ensure the support of the Madhes-based parties in favour of Prachanda, the sole prime ministerial candidate.

The agreement reached with the Madhesi parties has already moved towards its fulfillment, Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport said.

The 3-point agreement includes providing Rs 1 million compensation to the families of those killed during the Madhes agitation providing free treatment to those injured and amendment to the constitution for re-drawing the provincial boundary forging a political consensus with political parties.

The historical step has created positive impact in the overall political scenario of the country, claimed Lekhak.

He said that the new coalition government was formed as the previous government led by CPN-UML leader K P Oli could not take up national agenda in an appropriate manner.

There is speculation that once the major demands of the Madhesi parties are addressed, they may join the government.
A doctor couple posted at a civil hospital here was today relieved of their charge for allegedly indulging in private practice which has been banned by state government.

Civil surgeon Vinod Gupta today said the doctor couple was relieved immediately after getting orders from the Director General, Health Services Haryana (DGHS) Kamala Singh in this regard.

A probe has also been ordered and would be conducted by SMO Ambala cantonment civil hospital, Satish Kumar.

The couple has been shifted to Mohindergarh, he said.

A complaint was lodged by an unidentified person against the doctor couple with state health minister Anil Vij and DGHS saying that they were allegedly doing private practice even in the duty hours of the hospital.

The civil surgeon said that government is giving 25 per cent of the basic pay to the doctors as non-practicing allowance (NPA) and it was not permissible for a doctor working in a government hospital to do private practice either at his residence or in any private clinic.
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand played out a draw with Fabiano Caruana of United States in the first round of Sinquefield Cup, a part of the Grand Chess Tour, that got underway here.

Up against a French defense from the Italian turned American Grandmaster, Anand had a complicated game on hand but Caruana was quite up to the task in maintaining the balance.

The first day in the third instalment of the GCT saw two decisive games and the hero of the day was Wesley So of USA, who won his first ever classical chess game against compatriot Hikaru Nakamura. Veselin Topalov was the other winner who got the full point at the expanse of Russian Peter Svidler.

Wild-card Ding Liren of China played a solid game with white to start with a draw against defending champion Levon Aronian of Armenia, while in the other game of the day Dutch Anish Giri missed out on a promising position and had to sign peace against top seed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France.

Topalov and Wesley So emerged as the early leader in the 10-player round robin tournament that has a total prize pool of USD 300000 while Anand shares the third spot along with Fabiano, Giri, Liren, Aronian and Vachier-Lagrave. Nakamura and Svidler are at the bottom after the first round.

Anand summed up the day admitting he was surprised by Caruana early.

"He obviously caught me off-guard. I noted he played the French, he even played it against me, but that was some years back," said the Indian star.

Caruana offered to enter into the razor-sharp Winawer variation, but Anand wasn't keen on finding out what was in store for him in the complexities. Caruana was up against an exchange variation something that doesn't find many takers in elite chess and that was probably Anand's point.

As it happened, Fabiano ran a little short of time, making any outcome possible but ultimately made it to the first time control after 40 moves. It was still complicated as the American had a certain draw through repetition and did not risk further.

Wesley So and Nakamura blitzed out the opening moves in quick time but the latter forgot his analysis on move 17 and ended up in a bad endgame. Wesley So was spot on thereafter.

Topalov defeated last-minute inclusion Svidler when the Russian failed to spot a hidden tactic. Losing a piece soon after, Svidler had to call it a day.

Anish Giri came out with a spectacular new idea on move 27 against Vachier-Lagrave and could have pushed for much more. However, the Frenchman is unbeaten this year and this was not the day when his streak would break.

Results after Round 1: Vishwanathan Anand (IND) drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA); Wesley So (USA) beat Hikaru Nakamura (USA); Anish Giri (NED) drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA); Ding Liren (CHN) drew with Levon Aronian (ARM); Veselin Topalov (BUL) beat Peter Svidler (RUS).
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) suffered a historic defeat in the country's capital to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) in local elections, the electoral commission said today.

In Tshwane, the metropolitan area that includes Pretoria, DA won 43.1 percent of the vote over the ANC's 41.2 per cent, according to final results in elections highlighting the declining popularity of the party that led the anti-apartheid struggle.

The loss of Pretoria comes on top of the ANC conceding defeat yesterday in Port Elizabeth, a key battleground of Wednesday's municipal election.

Defeat in Port Elizabeth by a margin of 46.7 to 40 percent was a humiliating blow for the ANC as the municipality is officially known as "Nelson Mandela Bay" in tribute to its past as a hotbed of anti-apartheid activism.

The showings have prompted speculation over their long-term impact on President Jacob Zuma.

At the national level ANC remains the nation's top party. However, the party Mandela once headed has seen a slump in support after landing a national tally of 58.3 per cent of votes, a plunge of eight points from 2011.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane hailed the result as a landmark for his party.

"This is a tipping point for the people of South Africa," he said. "This represents for all of us the fact that we are a party not only of opposition but of government."



Turnout was about 58 per cent as voters chose mayors and other local representatives responsible for hot-button issues including water, sanitation and power supplies.

Problems providing such basics trigger regular and sometimes violent "service delivery" protests in South Africa, where harsh socio-economic divisions remain a grim legacy of the apartheid era.

The setback to the ANC "happened quicker and harder than everyone thought! It's a shocker for everyone," said independent political analyst Ralph Mathekga of the worst poll result for the party since the end of white-minority rule 22 years ago.

Vice-president and party deputy leader Cyril Ramaphosa said the ANC would heed the electorate's message.

"Clearly our people are sending out messages all around, we are going to listen very, very carefully. We are a listening organisation, we are going to listen to our people," said Ramaphosa.

Ahead of final results, the ANC was still struggling to hold on to its outright majority in Johannesburg, the country's economic centre.
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh today said a proposal has been sent to the government to establish regional hospitals across the country for army veterans.

"We have sent a proposal to the government. We have discussed with them, throughout India we will start regional veteran'shospitals ... Ten in the first phase. We have got straight awayacceptance for four, others will follow," Singh said.

Wishing that veterans get good medical facility, he said, "Karnataka may also get one regional veterans hospital."



General Singh was speaking after attending a 'mega veterans' rally here, in an effort to reach out to veterans and war widows and to resolve the problems faced by them.

Listing out various initiatives taken by the Army forthe health benefit of army veterans, he also said a special cardiac surgery and dental centre had been openedfor veterans in (Army) RR (Research and Referral) hospitals.

Stating that it was our duty to take care of our veteransand war widows, General Singh "we will do it".

The rally was attended by about 1,800 veterans and 'veer naris' (war widows) from Kodagu district andneighbouring areas and was organised by Karnataka and Kerala sub-area.

It was held in close coordination with the state administration and Rajya Sainik Boards.

Speaking about "one rank, one pension", General Singh said "what we have got is in accordance with what we had expected".

He said "remittance of arrears has started into the accounts, war widows will get it in one go and veteransabove 80 years in one or two installments. Others will get inthree or four installments."



Noting that a judicial commission had been set up to resolve some of the pending issues of OROP, he said it would be visiting about 20 locations to interact with ex-servicemen, first being Chandigarh.

Earlier, the Army Chief paid homage to late Field Marshal K M Cariappa, at the Cariappa Memorial Park and visited 'Sunny Side', the abode of late General K S Thimayya.

Cariappa was the first Indian Army Commander-in-Chief, while Thimayya was the Army Chief from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962.

The General along with his wife Namita Suhag, President of Army WivesWelfare Association (AWWA), and Madhulika Rawat, RegionalPresident AWWA, also felicitated the war widows at the event.

Calling Kodagu the "great land of warriors" for producing heroes like Cariappa, Thimayya and several others, he recalled about him meeting Cariappa in Bengaluru as a young officer.

The Army Chief during the rally also positively responded to various issues and demands raised by Lieutenant General (Retd) P C Nanda on behalf of veterans and Army community from the region.

The rally among others included a fully equipped medical camp, pension clinic, canteen service, Army Welfare Placement Organisation, Army Veteran's Cell, Aadhar card registration and bank loan facilities, officials said, adding focus was to resolve anomalies in disbursement of pension, land and legal cases being confronted by the veterans and their families.
A fire apparently sparked by birthday cake candles tore through a bar in northern France early today, killing at least 13 people in the nation's deadliest blaze in a decade.

Through the shattered front windows of the bar in Rouen melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged each other and brought flowers to the scene of the tragedy.

Most of the dead were between 18-25 years old, with one person among the six injured still fighting for their lives. Authorities said the bar was crowded with young partygoers.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed "deep sadness at the tragedy that claimed 13 young lives."



Local prosecutors described the blaze as accidental, but an investigation is underway to pinpoint the cause of the flames.

"There wasn't an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party," a senior police official told AFP.

The flames ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place, putting off a toxic mix of gasses that poisoned the victims, police said.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Au Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (0350 IST).

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

The blaze in Rouen was France's deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

France has not seen such a high death toll in a night spot fire since a November 1970 blaze claimed the lives of 146 people, the majority of whom were their early 20s.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

"I was afraid that it was another attack, but right away I was told that it was an accident," witness Rachid Ahmaymi, 36 told AFP. "Still I didn't sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest .
Four members of an inter-state four-wheeler lifting gang were arrested and seven vehicles stolen from various parts of the country and sold here recovered from the steel city, police today said.

Acting on a information that the gang members were driving away a stolen car from Birsanagar police station area of the city to the Industrial township of Adityapur in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district last evening, the East Singhbhum district police launched a massive vehicle search operation in Golmuri round-about, Senior Superintendent of Police, Anoop T Mathew said.

Mathew said three persons in a white car tried to flee on seeing the police team but were caught following a chase.

On verifying the documents of the vehicle, he said the registration number of the vehicle did not match with that of the document, which alerted the police.

The arrested persons Sunil Kumar Singh, a resident of Birsanagar, Tinku Das of Sidgora police station limit and Vinay Mishra of Telco colony have admitted that they have stolen the car to sell it in Adityapur.

Further police interrogation with the arrested persons have led police to apprehend one Manish Agarwal, a resident of Bhalubasa under Sitaramdera police station here, he said adding that Manish, who owned a cyber cafe, was expert in making fake documents including adhar card, driving licenses, PAN cards, Voter ID cards and fake vehicle documents, which were seized in large number.

Manish along with Das with the help of their fake adhar card used to trap customers for selling the stolen vehicles, he said adding a large number of fake adhar cards and the computer set used to prepare such documents were also recovered from Manish.
China on Saturday lashed out at the US for describing jail sentences given to four human rights activists as "politically motivated", saying American accusations are groundless and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

"The US accusations are groundless and China urged the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously, and stop making irresponsible remarks on the case," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

She said that China firmly opposes American interference in its internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Hua was commenting on the remarks made by US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner concerning the conviction of four Chinese human rights activists.

Toner had said the charges against the activists were "vague and apparently politically motivated" and urged Chinese officials to release the detainees and remove restrictions on their freedom of movement and professional activities.

"China is a country under the rule of law, and Chinese judicial authorities deal with related cases in accordance with law so that the legitimate rights and interests of defendants could be effectively protected," Hua was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

She claimed that Chinese people widely supported the trial and generally oppose any actions that endanger the national security and undermine the social stability.

A court in Tianjin had convicted them for subverting state power after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, described by the state media as an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of seven and half years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s, Xinhua said.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse, it said.
China's long-range bombers and fighter jets have "inspected" the airspace over the disputed South China Sea islands in a fresh bid to assert its sovereignty over the area after an international tribunal last month struck down Beijing's claims.

Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 long bombers and Su-30 aircraft, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha (Spratly) and Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) islands in the South China Sea, a Chinese air force spokesperson said.

The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua agency.

China began regular air patrols on July 18 after the international tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in response to a Philippines petition struck down China's claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila's rights in the areas claimed by it.

China, which boycotted the tribunal, has rejected the verdict and initiated measures to assert control over the area.

Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.

China also opposes US naval and air patrols over the area to assert freedom of navigation.

On August 3, China launched a website on the issue to highlight its case.

The website on the SCS is complete with historical maps to assert its claims.
Flagging the huge backlog of cases and abysmal judge-to-population ratio, Chief Justice of India T S Thakur today appealed to the law graduates to join the bar or the judiciary.

Addressing the convocation of Nalsar University of Law here, Justice Thakur said that India needs "centres of excellence" in legal education for the young graduates who otherwise go abroad for higher education.

"In America, you have 150 judges per million (people) and so also in other developed countries. We have just about 18 per million. We have three crore cases pending in different courts and... 18,000 judges to handle those cases," he said.

The target of having no case older than five years pending was found to be "very difficult" because there are "lakhs and lakhs of cases which are today ten years old, 15 years old, and may be 20 years old", he said.

"To bring a case (pendency) to five years old is a great challenge, I would say. Are we ready for that?



"Are we not looking to younger generations who are passing from Nalsar and other national law schools to join legal profession and to join judiciary to help in realising the dreams of our forefathers that justice (is) accessible and justice is affordable and justice is speedy," he said.

Multinational firms may pay you a fat salary, but it will not give the job satisfaction the legal profession gives, the CJI told the young graduates.

Saying that India lacks "centres of excellence" in law, he said, "We have that capacity to build those institutions. I am working on that and told professor Faizan Mustafa (vice chancellor of Nalsar University) that we will have vice chancellors' conference where we look into the next step or next level of legal education," Justice Thakur said.
Congress today protested against "police inaction" over an FIR lodged by a party corporator against four BJD corporators a week ago.

Congress corporator Arun Kumar Sethy, who is a Scheduled Caste leader, had made a written complaint on July 29 with the Purighat police station alleging that four BJD corporators had abused him regarding his caste and assaulted him during the monthly meeting of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) council.

Protesting against the alleged police inaction even after a week, the party workers staged a road blockade in front of the Purighat police station and alleged that the police are trying to hush-up the case under pressure from the ruling party.

"Not taking any action against the accused BJD corporators so far shows that the city police are acting in a biased and unfair manner," city Congress chief Md Moqim said threatening that the party would continue its protest indefinitely.

DCP Sanjeev Arora assured the protesting Congress leader that the police will soon take action on the FIR, following which the road blockade was lifted.
Union Minister today charged Congress party of "adopting double standards and shedding crocodile tears" on Andhra Pradesh special status' issue and sought to know why the UPA government "delay the process till 2014" after it promised to create the separate state 10 years back.

"Congress party and its leaders were now raising a hue and cry inside and outside Parliament for the sake of publicity on the issue. Why the UPA government failed to grant special category status to successor state of Andhra Pradesh when it bifurcated the united state by incorporating the same in AP Reorganisation Bill?" he asked.

Naidu said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should give a "straight answer" on this before raising questions on BJP. Singh had yesterday asked the Rajya Sabha to fulfill the commitments made by him in this regard over two years back as the House took up a private member bill on the issue.

Naidu claimed that Congress party had promised to create a separate state way back in 2004 and sought to know "why did the UPA government delay the process until 2014".

He also alleged that Congress party was "solely responsible" for the death of over 1,000 youth who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana, the state which was carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

"Just before the 2014 elections, the UPA government hastily brought the AP Reorganisation Bill and rendered gross injustice to people of Andhra Pradesh. Why did Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi not raise the issue of granting special status to AP in Parliament at that time?



"What is the rationale behind bringing a bill while in opposition, but not doing the so when in power? Congress must give straight answers...The accused have no moral right to point a finger at others. It will be good if they remember this," he said.

Naidu also asked Congress to remember the statement of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily, who he claimed, had opposed giving tax exemptions and special concessions to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Parliament by stating that there would be flight of capital and industries from the neighbouring states.

"It is time for the Congress to stop adopting double standards...Shedding crocodile tears...And speaking with a forked tongue. It should answer as to what it did when in power on the issues being raised now," he said.

Naidu said the NDA government has fulfilled most of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act and Finance Minister is "attending to rest" and already stated that a solution would be be soon found to the "satisfaction of everybody".

On Polavaram project too, he said the Congress party had promised to promulgate an ordinance, but "failed" to implement the assurance when in power.
Teachers and students of Daulat Ram College of Delhi University today staged a protest against the Governing Body chairperson, alleging that she was "interfering" in routine functioning.

Suneeta Sudarshan, the chairperson of the body, has refuted the allegations and accused college principal Savita Roy of not doing any work despite the Governing Body (GB) sanctioning grants for various works.

The college staff association has alleged that Sudarshan is "interfering" in routine functioning of the college and is allegedly not allowing any work to be done despite the college building being in a very bad condition.

Roy, however, said that GB chairperson is allegedly "not cooperating" to do any work for improvement in college.

She said that for instance, she wants to improve the infrastructure but some papers are not available and GB is not providing those papers. "The chairperson is only interested in appointing her people as staff," she further said.

However, Sudarshan rubbished the allegations and maintained that the Governing Body has sanctioned grants for every work.

Teachers of the college said they will also continue their protest against the GB chairperson on Monday as well.
A local court on Saturday granted bail to expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh, arrested for making derogatory comments against BSP President Mayawati.

Additional District Judge of SC/ST court Ajay Kumar granted bail to Singh on two surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, government counsel Chedi Lal Gupta said.

He will be released on verification of sureties, he said.

Meanwhile, BSP general secretary Satish Misra said the party will move the High court against the bail.

"The Mau court order will be challenged in the high court as it is not in keeping with the law," Misra, who is also a senior counsel, said in a statement.

Singh, who was on the run for nine days after his remarks against Mayawati, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force with the help of Bihar Police from Buxar on July 29 and lodged in Mau jail.

An FIR against Singh was registered on July 20 under the the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other provisions.

The complaint, which was lodged by secretary of BSP Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks in Mau on July 20 hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them.

Referring to Singh's comments telecast on TV channels, he said they were so derogatory that they could not be mentioned in the complaint and so a CD of the same was submitted before the court.

BJP has already sacked Singh, who was recently appointed as the state unit vice-president.

Singh was on the run after registration of FIR against him and was sighted in a temple in Deogarh in BJP-ruled Jharkhand and his photo went viral on the social media.

He had moved the Allahabad High Court for a stay on his arrest but got no immediate relief.
Archer Deepika Kumari expressed bewilderment after a dismal show during the women's team event where the Indian team finished a dejecting seventh in the qualification round of the Rio Olympics Games, here.

All Deepika managed was 640 out of 720 which was good enough for a 20th position while experienced Bombayla Devi Laishram shot 638 to finish 24th and Laxmirani Majhi finished 43rd with 614 points.

"Nothing was wrong apart from the wind. It was difficult to follow and understand. I shot the arrow and it was a miss. Of course is not what I expected, but there's nothing I can do about it now," Deepika said after the event.

The wayward performance will affect India's medal prospects as a top four-finish would have given them a bye to the quarters but the team, which logged 1892 points together, will now begin the elimination stage from the first round of 16 tomorrow.

They will open their campaign against Colombia who were ranked 10th. If they manage to advance, India may face second ranked Russia and third ranked China in their prospective quarters and semifinal clashes.

The double Commonwealth Games gold medalist led by one point after 30 arrows only to slip in the sixth end when she shot a poor 49 with scores of 9,9,8,8,8,7.

The worst happened in the last arrow of the seventh end when she drew a blank by completely missing the target.

Deepika raised her game from the next five ends by securing 13 perfect 10s from 30 arrows but it could only raise her ranking up to 20.

In the individual round, Deepika will face 45th ranked Kristine Esebua of Georgia, while Bombayla will take on 41st ranked Laurence Baldauff of Austria and Laxmirani's first round challenger would be Alexandra Longova of Slovakia.

In the morning session yesterday, Atanu Das showed fine composure and skill to bounce back from a poor start to finish fifth in the qualification round as archery got underway at Brazil's historic Samba street here.

Lying a lowly 10th after first 36 arrows, the 24-year-old Kolkata lad turned it around in style in the final set of 36 arrows by shooting 23 perfect 10s including 10 closest to the centre to finish fifth with 683 out of the possible 720.
To get rid of the dubious distinction of being the 'Dirtiest city of India', the city Mayor suggested it needs experienced officers who can deal with dirt and pollution spread by thousands of coal laden trucks.

Chandrashekhar Agrawal said this to Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in a video conference on progress of Swachh Bharat Mission here.

"Around 90% municipal area of Dhanbad come under BCCL jurisdiction. Per day 8000 coal trucks enter and leave the city creating pollution and spreading dirt," Agrawal said.

He said the Corporation needs experienced officers to deal such type of problems.

On what the Corporation has done to come out of the 'dirtiest city' tag, Agrawal told Naidu that 2000 dustbin were placed in the city, DPR for solid waste management has been prepared and 17,000 toilets have been constructed and 53,000 more would be set up by March 2017.

Dhanbad has been ranked the dirtiest in February in the first survey by the union urban development ministry after the launch of 'Swachh Bharat' mission in 2014. The survey covered 73 cities.

The Mayor said the corporation had only six senior officials till last year but now more officers have joined.

Originally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to hold the video conferencing, but Nadu came in his place due to some unavoidable circumstances.
Examination of all the prosecution witnesses in the case of sexual exploitation of a teenaged girl allegedly by the godman were completed in the trial court here.

Counsel for the victim girl, P C Solanki said the last prosecution witness, a representative of the telecom company which had provided the call details pertaining to the communication among the co-accused of the case, were cross examined by the defence today.

"Now the court has deferred the matter for recording the statements of the accused Asaram on August 23," Solanki said.

There were 59 prosecution witnesses in this case, of which 14 had been dropped while one Amrut Prajapti was shot dead in Surat.

Meanwhile, the arguments on the 9th bail application of Asaram were also completed in the High Court on Friday and the order has been kept reserved by the court.

Trial of the case had begun in the District & Session Court on March 19, 2014 on the day-to-day basis after the High Court had directed the trial court in November 2013 to conduct the trial on day-to-day basis and complete the same in time to ensure timely justice.
Several CDs marked with slain radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki's name were seized from the home of a Detroit man who was arrested after buying five grenades from an undercover federal agent, according to a sealed search warrant obtained by The Detroit .

Federal authorities would not disclose what the CDs contained, but listed them plus seven rifles, two assault rifles, a shotgun, handguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, computer equipment and cellphones that were found at Sebastian Gregerson's west side home, the newspaper reported today.

Gregerson, 29, is charged with possessing an unregistered destructive device. He was arrested Sunday in Monroe, southwest of Detroit.

Court records allege Gregerson spoke about carrying out an unspecified attack, but his defense attorney, David Tholen, has said the government is exaggerating Gregerson's threat.

Tholen said earlier this week that Gregerson is just a survivalist. However, prosecutor Cathleen Corken told federal Magistrate Mona Majzoub on Thursday that Gregerson appeared to be preparing for violent acts. She called him a dangerous man.

Anwar Al-Awlaki, a radical American-Yemeni cleric, was influential among militants living in the West. His English language Internet sermons called for jihad, or holy war, against the United States. Al-Awlaki was killed in 2011 in Yemen by an unmanned drone.

The FBI has said that a US soldier sentenced to death in the 2009 slayings of 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in Texas sent numerous emails to al-Awlaki. And convicted terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is serving a life sentence for trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner in 2009, trained under al-Awlaki.

"When you look through most of the cases of individuals who get arrested for terrorism charges, the vast majority had al-Awlaki on their laptops," Seamus Hughes with the George Washington University's Program on Extremism told the newspaper.
Rapper Fetty Wap is set to go public with his relationship problems on reality show "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood."



The "Trap Queen" hitmaker recently welcomed a baby girl with his ex Masika Kalysha, and now the pair has signed on to play out their personal issues on the show's upcoming season three.

Masika previously made appearances on season one of "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood", reported Contactmusic.

Producers have also welcomed Nicki Minaj's ex-boyfriend Safaree Samuels to the cast as he pursues a new romance with Mally Mall's ex Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby.

Fetty and Safaree join returning stars Soulja Boy and Ray J, whose wedding to Princess Love is expected to be featured in a future episode. The couple will tie the knot in Los Angeles on August 12.
With two more deaths reported from Purnea district, the toll in Bihar floods increased to 91 today with many areas in 14 districts still reeling under inundation in the state.

The Bihar floods have affected 33 lakh people in 642 panchayats of 78 blocks of 14 districts of the state, besides widely damaging crops in different parts of the state.

The disaster management department said two fresh deaths were reported from Purnea taking the toll to 91 from yesterday's 89 in the state.

Purnea district, which accounted for maximum number of deaths, reported 28 deaths followed by Araria (21), Katihar (15), Supual (8), Kishanganj (5), Madhepura (4), Gopalganj (4), Darbhanga (3), Saharsa Saran and Muzaffarpur one each.

Fed by heavy rains in the Terai region of Nepal, Ganga river was flowing above danger mark at various places including at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, Ghaghra-Darauli and Gangpur-Siswan in Siwan district.

The Kosi was flowing above danger level at Baltara in Khagaria and Kursela in Katihar, the Department release said.

The 14 flood-affected districts of the state are Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Saharsa, Supual, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, West Champaran and Saran.

The floods have also damaged crops in 2 lakh hectares of land, the assessment for which was being made by the authorities, it said.

A total of 464 relief camps are being run in the flood-hit areas, giving shelter to 3,86,449 people even as 224 medical teams are providing their services.

Arrangements have been made for food and other items with 7883.00 quintal of flattened rice, 1433.00 quintal jaggery, 9.95 lakh matchsticks, 3,540 candles, besides 96,49,21 litres of kerosene oil and adequate supply of polythene sheets and food packets among others, it said.

The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed in various parts of the flood-affected areas, the release said.
A former Los Angeles county sheriff was indicted here on charges that could result in a 20-year prison sentence for his role in obstructing a probe into abuses at the county jail.

A federal grand jury indicted Lee Baca, 74, on federal charges "alleging that he conspired to obstruct justice, obstructed justice, and lied to the federal government," read a statement yesterday from the US Department of Justice.

The case against Baca (sheriff 1998-2014) is one of several cases "resulting from an investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at county jail facilities in downtown Los Angeles."



As a result, "20 current or former members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department were convicted of federal charges."



Baca, who is in the early stages of Alzheimers disease, had reached a plea deal in which he would admit to one charge - lying to the FBI - and be sentenced to six months in prison.

A federal judge however rejected the deal, saying it was insufficient punishment.

Baca on Monday withdrew his guilty plea so he could defend himself in court rather than risk going to prison for up to five years - but instead yesterday was indicted on more charges.

The case against Baca focuses on covering up beatings of jail inmates by sheriff deputies.

In one case sheriff deputies discovered that a prisoner named Anthony Brown was an FBI informant -- so they registered him under false names and moved him several times so that federal agents would lose track of him.

Sheriff deputies even went the home of an FBI agent and threatened to arrest him.

In June Baca's main deputy, Paul Tanaka, was sentenced to five years prison for his role in the scheme.

Baca, who led the largest US municipal police force for 16 years, retired in 2014 as the FBI probe was picking up steam.
Gujarat Industries Power Company (GIPCL) today said it has entered into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Solar Energy Corporation of India for solar power projects in Gujarat.

"GIPCL...Has signed PPAs with Solar Energy Corporation of India for 2x40 MW Solar Power Projects in Gujarat Solar Park, Village Charanka, District Patan, under National Solar Mission (NSM) Phase-II, Batch IV," the company said in a filing to BSE.

PPA is a contract to buy electricity generated by a power plant.

Last month, GIPCL said it has received letters of intent (LoIs) from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for execution of a solar power project in Gujarat.

GIPCL had emerged as a successful bidder in the e-reverse auction for 40-MW solar power project in Gujarat Solar Park.
A six-year-old girl was killed when an unidentified vehicle hit her on tonk road in the city.

The victim, named Payal, belonged to a nomadic family and used to live on the footpath near B-2 bypass.

Last night, a speeding vehicle hit her when she stood near the footpath, police said today.

She was rushed to Jaipuria government hospital where the doctors declared her dead.

"The matter is being investigated," the police said.
China's regional economies grew stably in the first half of 2016, but were marked by performance divergence, the government said today.

The underdeveloped western region posted the fastest growth rate of 8 per cent year-on-year, well above the national average of 6.7 percent; the central and east regions grew by 7.8 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively; while the northeast rust belt increased by 2.2 per cent, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the top economic planner.

Meanwhile, fixed asset investment and industrial value-added output in the west region expanded by 13.5 per cent and 7.2 per cent.

In the first six months, Chongqing and Tibet in the west led the growth at the provincial level, both posted growth speed of 10.6 per cent, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

In sharp contrast, the northeastern steel-making province of Liaoning saw its economy shrink by 1 per cent in the first half of 2016 from the same period last year, the only province to report a contraction.

Liaoning was one of the last of China's 31 provincial regions to announce its gross domestic product (GDP) data.

Figures are yet to be published for highly industrialized Heilongjiang in the northeast.

The provincial growth imbalance came as China tries to restructure its economy from one that is export driven to consumer driven.

China's economy grew 6.7 per cent year-on-year in Q2, aided by infrastructure investment, a housing boom and bank lending. The growth rate is the country's slowest quarterly growth since the first quarter of 2009.

Last year China's GDP slowed down to 6.9 per cent. The government has fixed this year's target between 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent.

To bolster economic growth, the top economic planner has suggested more policy tools to boost private investment rather than relying on government spending.

The private sector will be important to supporting economic growth, generating about 60 per cent of China's GDP and around 80 per cent of jobs.

However, private investment has been slowing. It increased by only 2.8 per cent in H1, down from 3.9 per cent in the first five months of the year,cry from the breakneck growth seen over the last decade, which was over 20 per cent each year, the Xinhua report said.
The Madras High Court has dismissed the bail application of former Managing Director of First Leasing Company of India Limited, Farouk Irani, in connection with a bank fraud case of over Rs 500 crore, saying his custodial interrogation was very much required.

Dismissing the bail plea, Justice S Vaidyanathan yesterday rejected Irani's submission that his arrest was mala fide and vindictive, the case was only civil in nature and that he had been arrested 'hurriedly' for non-payment of loans, unmindful of his age.

The judge also said the offence of money laundering posed a serious threat not only to the financial system of the country but also to the nation's integrity and sovereignty.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Irani on June 14 this year in connection with the fraud.

ED submitted that Irani had lured and induced IDBI Bank's Saidapet branch here to part with Rs 273.9 crore in September 2014 with a mala fide intention and another Rs 248.4 crore from SBI's commercial branch here.

Irani played a pivotal role in creating wrongful loss to the banks and had illegally enriched himself, along with six others, with these amounts, ED said, adding estimated proceeds of the crime, enjoyed, used and diverted for personal/family benefits by Irani alone worked out to about Rs 100 crore.

Irani joined the company when industrialist A C Muthiah was it's chairman. ED said he was instrumental in making unsubstantiated entries in books of account, thereby inflating the income and assets of the company.

Irani, however, had denied the charge and said it was committed after he quit the company.

The judge while rejecting Irani's submissions said the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was a special act concerning a serious fraud and that whether or not he cheated the banks of the amounts could not be gone into at this stage.

His undertakings not to flee justice and surrendering his passport could not be considered for granting bail, as the court was of the view that his custodial interrogation was very much required in the case, the judge said.

On August 1, two former officials of FLCIL were arrested by the ED in connection the case.

S Dilliraj, former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and L Sivaramakrishnan, former CFO of FLCIL, a Non Banking Finance Company registered with RBI, had been arrested under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. A money laundering case had been registered by ED against the firm in relation to a CBI case filed against it for "cheating" IDBI Bank and SBI of over Rs 500 crore a few years ago.
In the wake of the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley, officials from various forces and intelligence agnecies today reviewed the security in Jammu, to ensure peace and stability in the region.

"The Core group security meeting was held at Nagrota to take stock of the prevailing security situation South of Pir Panjal in the Jammu region," a defence spokesman said.

He said that the meeting was chaired by the General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar.

The meeting was attended by Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Jammu IGP Danish Rana, DK Upadhaya, IG BSF, CRPF DIG Rakesh Sethi amongst other top officials of army, police, security and intelligence agencies, he said.

The spokesman said a joint strategy was chalked out in great detail by all agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region and maintain a incident-free environment.

"The general officer stated that the army and its various formations deployed in south of Pir Panjal have been proactively involved in synergy with civil administration to maintain peace and social harmony in the region," he said.

Lt Gen Nimbhorkar also emphasised that the army is always ready to face all challenges whether on the Line of Control or in hinterland and were prepared in all respects to assist the civil administration.
'India first' is the central point of NDA government's foreign policy which is aimed at protecting the country's strategic interests and ensuring robust economic growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said.

"India first is the central point (of our foreign policy). It is about protecting India's strategic interest, it is to ensure that India marches forward in achieving economic prosperity by leaps and bounds and reaches the position which it is destined to reach," he said.

The Prime Minister was making a Town Hall-style address to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative.

Modi said time has changed and world has become interdependent, and no country can afford to live in a particular group.

"The time of grouping has come to an end. Every country is linked to some other country," he said, adding walking together in most cases has become the norm.

Showering praise on the Indian diaspora, he said they can play an important role in strengthening India's ties with foreign countries and we should utilise their strength.

"The diaspora community has become very proactive, assertive and they can help in improving ties with many countries. India is making its place (in the world) with new energy and prestige," he said.

Answering a query on India's external engagement, Modi said there was no need to use words like aggressive, progressive and proactive in talking about the country's foreign policy which the questioner had used.
Indian government must do everything it can to bring back Hamid Nehal Ansari, lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2012 and was attacked at least thrice by the inmates in recent months, his mother said.

"We have come to know through media and our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid," said Fauzia Ansari, mother of the 31-year-old engineering and management graduate from Mumbai, who was sentenced to jail for three years by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

According to Ansari's lawyer, the Indian prisoner was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail.

"Our request to the Indian government is to help Hamid, who has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this," she said.

It has been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, she said.

"I don't know what crime my son has committed. As per his chats with his friends from on Facebook before he went missing, he crossed over to to help a girl who was a victim of a social evil," she said.

She also requested the government to show mercy on him and send him back.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

On Thursday, his lawyer told a Peshawar High Court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said, adding even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Chairman of Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni termed the incident unfortunate and condemnable.

"Hamid Ansari has suffered this attack inside the Pakistani jail," he said.

"We have been campaigning for his early release and return to India. We are convinced that he hasn't committed any offence," Kulkarni told PTI.

"I urge authorities in Pakistan to ensure his safety and early return to India," he said.
Indian government must do everything it can to bring back Hamid Nehal Ansari, lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2012 and was attacked at least thrice by the inmates in recent months, his mother said.

"We have come to know through media and our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid," said Fauzia Ansari, mother of the 31-year-old engineering and management graduate from Mumbai, who was sentenced to jail for three years by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

According to Ansari's lawyer, the Indian prisoner was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail.

"Our request to the Indian government is to help Hamid, who has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this," she said.

It has been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, she said.

"I don't know what crime my son has committed. As per his chats with his friends from Pakistan on Facebook before he went missing, he crossed over to Pakistan to help a girl who was a victim of a social evil," she said.

She also requested the Pakistan government to show mercy on him and send him back.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

On Thursday, his lawyer told a Peshawar High Court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said, adding even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Chairman of Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni termed the incident unfortunate and condemnable.

"Hamid Ansari has suffered this attack inside the Pakistani jail," he said.

"We have been campaigning for his early release and return to India. We are convinced that he hasn't committed any offence," Kulkarni told PTI.

"I urge authorities in Pakistan to ensure his safety and early return to India," he said.
Kolkata Police claimed to have busted an inter-district gang of motorcycle thieves and recovered seven stolen motorcycles from their possession from different locations in the city, police said today.

Acting on the information provided by Bisu Das (45) arrested by Kolkata Police on July 28 from Beliaghata area, two stolen bikes were recovered from his possession, they said.

After grilling Bisu, police last night arrested Sheikh Fariduddin (32) from Tiljala area and recovered five motorbikes from his possession for which he had no supported documents, they said.

"Both Bisu Das and Sheikh Fariduddin were working together. This person from Tiljala was working as one of the associates of Bishu. We are looking whether there are anybody else working with them," he said.

Meanwhile, Hooghly district police seized 14 motorcycles and three four wheelers and arrested two persons for their involvement in the car theft racket.

Working on an information from a reliable source Hooghly District Police raided an automobile outlet in Pallishree under Arambagh Police Station and arrested Seikh Motiul Alialias Moti (42) and Sheikh Mukhtar Ali (46) and recovered the stolen vehicles.
Japan today marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.

The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the city, paying moving tribute to victims of the first atomic bomb.

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on the western Japanese city at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.

Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands.

Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration during the solemn ceremony.

"(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima's strong wish not to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said.

"It is the time for us to make actions towards the abolition of the 'absolute evil', the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion."



The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15.

Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons.

But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings.

Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his historic visit to the city and its Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself".

Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.

But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly atom bomb survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.

Since Obama went to Hiroshima the park and accompanying memorial museum have witnessed an increase in visitors.

But an association of atomic bomb survivors has criticised his speech, saying he failed to explicitly mention US responsibility for the bombing.

Abe, who also attended the service, faced harsh criticism last year, especially from A-bomb survivors, for his policy of expanding the role of Japan's military and opening the door to possibly sending troops into combat for the first time since the war.
Republican presidential candidate has attacked Japan, one of America's closest allies, saying if the US is attacked, all Japanese would do is "sit home and watch Sony television".

"You know, we have a treaty with Japan where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States.If we're attacked, Japan doesn't have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television. No What kind of deals are these?" Trump asked at an election rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Japan is a key ally of the United States and its crucial partner in the Asia Pacific region.

Referring to the US-Japan treaty alliance, Trump said that the it is particularly worthy of ridicule.

Japan, Trump said, should be forced to pay 100%of America's military costs for protecting the island nation, not the roughly 50% it pays now.

Currently there are some 47,000 US troops based in Japan.

In his speech, Trump reiterated that the US protects not only Japan but other countries like South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia. And these countries don't pay anything near what it costs.

"They have to pay. Because this isn't 40 years ago. It's got to be a two-way street," he asserted.

He also criticised Democratic rival Hillary Clinton policies.

"You know, Hillary Clinton came out and said, 'That's terrible. He's not going to stick with our allies. 'We're going to stick, but once the ally hears her dumb talk, because it's dumb, why would they ever pay?" he asked.
Jharkhand police chief today said the state police would provide adequate security to ensure hassle-free implementation of the Centre and state-sponsored flagship developmental schemes in the state.

"The state police will provide adequate security, if demanded by private or public sector engaged in implementing the flagship development schemes of the government," Director General of Police D K Pandey, who held a meeting with the DIG and the Superintendent of Police of Palamau division, told media persons.

"Whether it was road or dam construction project being carried out by private or public sector, we will provide adequate security as demanded by the implementing agencies," he said.

Suggesting for co-ordination among naxal-affected districts of Palamau, Latehar, Gumla, Garwah, Lohardaga, Pandey said some naxal-activities were being witnessed in these district, which needed to be crushed with strong action.

To a query, Pandey said there was no political pressure on the state police, which investigate cases based on evidences.

About modernization of state police, DGP said it was a continuous process.
Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani today said his party would maintain equidistance from both the Congress-led front and the ruling LDF, and indicated it was eyeing the BJP camp.

Inaugurating a crucial two-day meeting of the party which would decide its future course of action in the backdrop of frictions in the ties with Congress, he said KC-M had received only 'insults and humiliations' from the Congress.

The KC-M was going through a crucial phase, but the party was strong enough to stand alone politically, he said.

"We have received only insults and humiliations from the Congress," said Mani, a former finance minister who was forced to resign over the bar bribery scam last year.

Congress had won seats in the Assembly elections with the votes of KC(M), he said, adding mutual help and trust among parties in the front had waned in the recent days.

Hinting that the party was eyeing the BJP camp, he said "If a good path opens before us, we will tread on it."



Mani, however, said his party would appreciate the good things being done by the ruling front.

Senior party leader P J Joseph, was also on the dias, when Mani made his speech.

The KC(M)'s stand would be known tomorrow after the meeting.

Congress leaders in the state have been seeking to mollify Mani with statements that KC(M) was an integral part of the front and any issues among them would be sorted out.

The rift between the KC(M) and Congress deepened recently after Congress leaders Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala attended the betrothal ceremony of the daughter of controversial hotelier Biju Ramesh with the son of Congress leader and former minister Adoor Prakash.

Biju Ramesh, working President of Kerala State Bar Hotel Owners Association, had levelled the bar bribery charge against Mani, which finally led to his resignation in November last year.

KC(M) has maintained that a "conspiracy" was behind the scam.
Acting on an Investigation Agency (NIA) tip-off, the Kuwaiti authorities have arrested the man who financed stay of Areeb Majeed, an Indian chargesheeted for his alleged association with the terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, in Iraq.

The Kuwaiti authorities informed the in response to a request made under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty existing between the two countries that they had arrested 32-year-old Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rahman Al-Enezi who admitted to having sent $1,000 to Majeed.

The had sought details from Kuwait after the agency came to know that a Kuwaiti had sent money to Majeed and three of his associates while they were staying in Iraq in May, 2014.

Majeed and others used the money for travelling to Syria.

According to the NIA, the Kuwaiti national reportedly admitted to having supported terrorist organisations and having been involved in financing of terrorism after his return from Pakistan in 2013.

The Kuwaiti authorities have registered a case against him.
Upcoming film "MA Pass" is an attempt to mirror life in a more realistic manner, its producer Vinod Kushwaha said.

"The film 'MA Pass' mirrors life in a more realistic manner and is an attempt to show it in a bit different manner," Kushwaha of Bhavishya Films said here.

Premier of the film, shot mostly in and around Bhopal including Narsinghgarh in neighbouring Rajgarh district, was held recently in Mumbai and Bhopal.

"The film has given opportunity to local talent and the lead roles are played by promising artists Kritika Sachdeva and Saurabh Dube," Kushwaha said.

The locals will enjoy the scenic beauty of Bhopal especially its Upper Lake and VIP road around it in the film, he said.

Kushwaha is working on two more projects, he said.
Presiding officers of the Maharashtra Legislature may visit the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Mumbai's sister-city, to mark the 50th anniversary of relations between the two cities.

The officers evinced interest in visiting Russia during their recent meeting with Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Andrei Zhiltsov.

A Vidhan Bhawan official told PTI that Zhiltsov met Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde and Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai recently.

The Russian envoy observed the work of both the Houses and held talks with the two presiding officers of the State Legislature, he said.

During the meeting with Nimbalkar and Bagade, Zhiltsov described the working of the state Duma, the Russian Parliament, and suggested that the presiding officers visit the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Mumbai's sister-city, to mark the 50th anniversary of Mumbai- relations.

"Nimbailkar and Bagade expressed their interest in visiting Russia as official representatives of Vidhan Bhavan and holding meetings with the leadership of the State Duma and a corresponding legislative body of one of the Russian regions to exchange experience," Zhiltsov said.

The presiding officers of Maharashtra Legislature and the Russian envoy have agreed that a memorandum of understanding be signed between the Vidhan Bhavan Maharshtra and interested Russian legislatures, the official said.
More people have been summoned to join the investigation in a money laundering case against the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a special court on Saturday.

During the hearing of the bail plea of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent Anand Chauhan, arrested in the case, Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar was informed by the agency that the probe is still going on in the case, after which the court fixed the matter for hearing on August 16.

Advocate N K Matta, appearing for the agency, told the court that ED has summoned some people to join the probe on August 9, 10 and 11 and presence of Chauhan, who is currently in judicial custody, was required in the matter.

Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Chauhan, also agreed that the application be put for another date after ED's submissions regarding examination of more people.

During the arguments, John submitted before the court that the case against Chauhan and others was documentary in nature and there was no need to keep him in custody.

She also said that in the case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, almost every accused, including and his wife, has already secured anticipatory bail in the matter.

"I (Chauhan) am a small person in this ladder (of alleged offence). I am mere an intermediary. Your (ED) target is someone else. I am in custody for almost a month now. The entire case is documentary in nature and the ED has already taken my statement," John said on behalf of Chauhan, adding that his custody in Delhi was also illegal as the alleged offence took place in Himachal Pradesh.

Opposing the bail application, Matta said the probe was still going on and was at a crucial stage.

Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on January 9 under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with investigating officer of the case.

ED had claimed in the court that during Chauhan's interrogation, it was revealed that as an LIC agent, he had entered into a modus operandi to launder disproportionate assets by investing in LIC policies.

The agency had submitted that Singh, while serving as Union minister, invested huge amount in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and his family members through Chauhan.

"Further, Virbhadra Singh, while functioning as Union minister during the period from May 28, 2009, to June 26, 2012, acquired assets, disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs 6,03,70,782 and further tried to justify the same in the form of agricultural income," the agency said.

"Pratibha Singh, wife of Virbhadra Singh, Chauhan, with whom has signed the alleged MoU for managing his apple orchard and Chunni Lal Chauhan, proprietor of M/s Universal Apple Associates  who purportedly showed purchase of apple of Shrikhand Orchard , have facilitated in justifying the disproportionate assets of and thereby abetted the offence," the ED had alleged.
Immigration authorities today detained Narada CEO Mathew Samuel at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on his arrival from the US following a lookout notice issued against him by the Kolkata police.

Kolkata police have been informed about the detention and asked to approach the immigration authorities with relevant documents about the case before he could be handed over to them, official sources said.

Kolkata Police had registered a case against Samuel on a complaint by city Mayor and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sovan Chattopadhyay's wife.

Chattopadhyay was purportedly seen accepting money in the sting operation video released by Narada .

Chattopadhyay's wife Ratna Chattopadhyay had filed the complaint at the New Market Police Station against Samuel on the basis of which Kolkata Police Detective Department registered the FIR and started a probe into the sting operation,



He was been booked under IPC Sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 171(G) (false statement in connection with an election) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

The controversial Narada sting operation, which surfaced just ahead of the Assembly elections, purportedly showed several Trinamool Congress leaders and an IPS officer accepting money for consideration.

West Bengal chief minister while ordering a probe on June 17 had asserted that her party had not taken "a single penny" from anyone in the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation.
As part of Independence Day celebrations, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is organising a public performance of military music with its team of 32 skilled musician sailors here on August 7.

The programe will be held at the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority Park and is aimed at acquainting the music-loving public of Visakhapatnam with the professional capabilities of the personnel of the Naval band.

The one hour performance from 5:30 pm will include popular patriotic songs in addition to a medley of other flavours and golden numbers of Hindi, Telugu and English.

The Eastern Naval Command Band was commissioned as the Naval Band of INS Circars in the early 50s with 26 men. The band has emerged as a 50 piece Symphonic band today with a vision to develop further, a navy release said here today.

Apart from enthralling the audiences at Visakhapatnam and major cities across the country, the band has enchanted music lovers overseas with its performances.

Under the baton of their present Band director, Lieutenant Commander Satish K Champion, the ensemble relates closely to the mass audience of our country with their wide ranging repertoire making every effort to incorporate the different forms and texture of music of the area of performance.

The band is also scheduled to perform at Kurusura Submarine Museum here on August 14 from 5.30-6.30 pm on the eve of Independence Day Celebrations, the release added.

"TROPEX 17 assumes special significance in the backdrop of



the current security scenario, being aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy, and the assets of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard," the ministry said.

As a part of the exercise, niche capabilities of the Marine Commandoes (MARCOs) and Army Special Forces, including Airborne Assault and Combat Free Fall were undertaken from IAF C-130 aircraft.

Naval forces, while enforcing sea and airspace control all around the affected islands, undertook beaching and heli-borne operations for landing of follow-on forces.

During debrief of the exercise, CNS and Chief of Army Staff discussed various options to further enhance the effectiveness of the joint exercise, the ministry said.

It said the exercise will also strengthen inter- operability and joint operations in a complex environment.

"The CNS during his address to the Fleet congratulated the men for keeping the fleet combat ready at all times and executing all assigned tasks in a most professional manner.

"CNS also mentioned that training during peacetime has to be at par with how we would Fight during war and emphasised on taking bold decisions with due cognisance to risks involved and ensuring safety of men and material," said the Defence Ministry statement.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Saturday held a 'Mahadharna' in Patna to protest against alleged police lathicharge on Dalit students while they were protesting against lowering their scholarship amount on Wednesday.

The sit-in was organised in front of BJP's state headquarters in which all prominent leaders from NDA's four constituents  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Rashtriya Lok Samata Party and Hindustani Awam Morcha  participated.

Coming down heavily on the Nitish Kumar government, senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said the incident of lathicharge had exposed the state government's anti-Dalit face and demanded restoration of scholarship which Dalit students were getting earlier.

The state government could not muzzle the voice of Dalit students simply by power, Modi said while adding that Dalit students, who were pursuing technical studies outside the state, were the worst affected.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reduced the scholarship of Dalit students in the garb of fake colleges, he said and added that officials involved in the scholarship scam should immediately arrested.

NDA would force the state government to give scholarship of Rs 1 lakh to Dalit students, he said.

BJP chief Mangal Pandey said that Dalit, Mahadalit and Extremely Backward Class were the worst victims of the grand secular alliance government.

The state government, which used to give Rs 1.50 lakh as post matric scholarship to Dalit students, had reduced the amount to Rs 15,000 thus forcing the students to come back midway from other states, Pandey said.

LJP Parliamentary Board Chairman Chirag Paswan and said that Kumar's intention was always to muzzle the voice of but he could not get the voice suppressed.

"Nitish Kumar is playing with the future of Dalit students by depriving them of the scholarship. But we are not afraid of such incident of lathicharge," he said.
A Investigation Agency (NIA) team on Saturday scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of Friday's terror attack here in which 14 people were killed.

Meanwhile, a massive combing operation is on to nab the militants of Bodo separatist outfit Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB(S)) suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site, told reporters that the militant who was neutralised on Friday has been identified as Manjay Islari.

"He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will give the body to his parents," he said.

He said that combing operation in the area has been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack on Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 kilometre from here, just days before Independence Day.

To a question, he said that the militants were not part of any suicide squad. "If they were part of a suicide squad they would not have fled," he added.

An NIA team has reached the spot and was speaking to eyewitnesses, officials said.

A combing operation by the police, para-military and army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab militants.

Defence sources said that specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment have been pressed into service.

The army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift actions, they said.

The situation was described as tense but under control by the police.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured at Gauhati Medical College Hospital and inquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advance medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

The Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar on Saturday, accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulge in violent activities in the run up to Independence Day and Republic Day.

Armed militants dressed in army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and threw grenades at the crowded weekly market, killing 14 people. One of the attackers, who were believed to be five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police had said.

Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay had said that the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of NDFB(S). AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

Assam Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary T Y Das also held a high level security review meeting with the district administration where it was decided to continue with the security operations.
Asserting that people are recognised by their values, Infosys Co-founder Senapathy 'Kris' Gopalakrishnan on Saturday advised students to fix a set of values for themselves in life.

He also said that entrepreneurship was not just about starting a new business, but about finding solutions to challenges and creating business around them.

Gopalakrishnan was addressing students of IIT-Gandhinagar at its fifth annual convocation.

"Entrepreneurship is more than starting a new business. It is an attitude towards life. Entrepreneurs thrive on challenges. They find solutions to those challenges and create successful businesses around challenges. They are eternally optimists," he said.

"They (entrepreneurs) are not afraid of failures. They see failures as learning opportunities and try to do better until a problem is solved," he said.

He also advised graduating students to make learning a never-ending exercise.

"We all live by our values. Values govern our behaviour in day-to-day interaction. If you strive for excellence in everything you do, it means striving for excellence is a core value for you. I request you to define a set of values for you to live by. Over the time, others will recognise you by your values," he said.

Gopalakrishnan, one of the seven co-founders of Infosys, who also served as its CEO and managing director, told the students to recognise the power of being transparent.

"With social networking, individuals have tremendous capability especially in communication. Whatever you say or do will get visibility almost instantaneously. If in business what you assume to be doing privately, will make headlines. So there are no secrets. Be transparent in your dealings," he said.

He also urged students to keep learning and cultivate love for knowledge.

Gopalakrishnan, himself an IIT-Madras alumnus, praised IIT alumni's contribution to different spheres of life and exhorted graduating students to keep the tradition alive.

"You have to make sure that the tradition of IITians contributing significantly to India and world, to business and society, to research, innovation and entrepreneurship continues or even increases," he said.

A total of 262 students graduated from the institute on Saturday.
An American national, blacklisted in Pakistan since 2011 under espionage charges, was today arrested from the capital here, authorities said.

Mathew Barret arrived at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International airport in the morning and was granted entry by the immigration officials.

When it came to the notice of interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, he ordered arrest of the American and suspended immigration officials at the airport for negligence, according to a statement by his office.

"He (Barret) was arrested in a raid at a guest house in Islamabad and FIR lodged against him for violation of immigration laws," according to the statement.

The US has so far not responded to the arrest which may further strain the ties between the two countries.

Barrett was deported and blacklisted in 2011 after being found in the area of a sensitive installation, Interior Ministry spokesman said.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) today expressed grave concern over the 'enforced disappearance' of a prominent Balochsocial activist.

The whereabouts ofAbdul Wahid Balochhave not been known since July 26 when he was offloaded from a passenger van headed to Karachi from Digri town in Mirpurkhas district of Sindh.

HRCP said in a statement thatthe continued enforced disappearances of citizensare exceedingly worrisome for the people and must be brought to an end forthwith.

"HRCP believes that the despicable practice can be ended only by taking away impunity for the perpetrators," it said.

According to Abdul Wahid's family,he was travelling with afriend.

At atoll plaza on the highway two men in plainclothes stopped the van and checked identity papers of the passengers.

The men instructed the van driver to leave immediately. Abdul Wahid's friend saw him being taken to a blue vehicle, which then drove away, his family said.

"There is a police station and a Rangers checkpost right next to the toll plaza from where Abdul Wahid was taken away. The proximity of the place to the police station and the checkpost and the manner of his abduction lend support to the family's contention that Abdul Wahid has become a victim of enforced disappearance," the HRCP said.

It saidAbdul Wahid is a social activist, who has organised several Baloch literary, musical and cultural events.
Parents of children who study in a government school at PGIMER campus here today held a protest, accusing the authorities of the prestigious medical institute of "closing" down the school under a conspiracy.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda who was here to attend convocation of National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE) pacified the angry parents and assured them to look into the matter.

"I have been informed about your problem. I will find a way and I will look into your issue and a way out will be found out," said Nadda.

During protest, parents raised slogans against the management of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for allegedly shutting down the school.

Police force was deployed to calm down the angry parents.

Addressing media here, Shiv Murthy, who was leading the protest, accused PGIMER Director and local municipal councillor of "conspiring to close down" the school.
Sri Lankan off-spinner Dilruwan Perera's five-wicket haul took the hosts closer to a historic series win as a struggling Australia were still 280 runs behind their target with three wickets remaining in the second Test in Galle on Saturday.

Australia, who were set a mammoth target of 413, were 133 for seven at lunch on the third day with Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc battling to survive Sri Lanka's spin test.

Overnight batsmen David Warner and skipper Steven Smith offered some resistance with their 51-run fourth wicket partnership but both of them fell to Perera's guile.

Warner, who tried to counter attack during his 31-ball 41, was trapped lbw off a straighter Perera delivery that hit the batsman on the front pad.

Smith (30), who used his feet well against the spinners during his 58-ball stay, was the next to go as he gave away a catch at backward short leg.

Perera, who also took two wickets on Friday, then bowled Adam Voges for 28 to register his fourth five-wicket haul in 11 Test matches.

But it was veteran spinner Rangana Herath who set up Sri Lanka's chances of victory after bagging his maiden Test hat-trick to help dismiss Australia for a record low of 106 in their first innings.

Herath and Perera shared four wickets between them on a chaotic second day which saw the fall of 21 wickets and put the match on the fast track.

Sri Lanka, who last won a series against Australia in 1999, are on the cusp of creating history after winning the first of the three Tests in Pallekele.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said he has asked the Chief Secretary to go into the recent release of a controversial students magazine in Pondicherry University, which has been banned amid protests by ABVP and BJP that it was "critical" of central government.

"I have asked the Chief Secretary to go into the issue and submit a report. Once the report is available we will consider follow up action," he told reporters here.

The central university on Thursday banned the magazine, titled 'Widerstand' (meaning resistance in German), brought out by the Students Council of the Pondicherry University last week.

The Dean of Students Welfare of Hyderabad Central University Prakash Babu released the magazine in the presence of the Vice Chancellor (in-charge) of Pondicherry University Anisa Basheer Khan and the Dean of Students Welfare P Moorthy, who has since been relieved of the post.

However, the magazine encountered protests from ABVP, BJP and some other outfits over its contents. President of the local unit of BJP V Saminathan said it had "critical comments against the Central government."



Activists of the Students Federation of India and the Dr Ambedkar Students Union, condemned the ban on the magazine, saying the university was trying to "gag" freedom of speech and expression.

Registrar of the university (in charge) M Ramachandran in an order yesterday said the university has 'relieved the Dean of Students Welfare from the position. The Assistant Dean of the Students Welfare would look after the routine duties until further orders.
Preventing extinction of large mammals, including gorillas, rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves and bears, will require bold political action and financial commitments from nations worldwide, researchers have warned.

"The loss of these magnificent animals would be a tremendous tragedy. They are all that is left of a once much more diverse megafauna that populated the planet only 12,000 years ago," said Blaire Van Valkenburgh from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US.

"And more importantly, we have only just begun to understand the important roles they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems," said Van Valkenburgh.

Among the most serious threats to endangered animals are illegal hunting, deforestation, habitat loss, expansion of livestock and agriculture into wildlife areas, and human population growth, according to researchers.

"Humans have an abiding moral obligation to protect the Earth's megafauna, or large mammals. We must not go quietly into this impoverished future," they said.

In addition to their significance to ecosystems, animals such as tigers and elephants attract tourists and their money to parts of the world that have few alternative sources of income, said Van Valkenburgh.

As many as 59 per cent of the largest carnivores and 60 per cent of the largest herbivores have been classified as threatened with extinction, and the situation is especially severe in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where the greatest diversity of extant megafauna live, researchers said.

According to William Ripple from Oregon State University in the US, the animals' declines are occurring rapidly.

"The more I look at the trends facing the world's largest terrestrial mammals, the more concerned I am we could lose these animals just as science is discovering how important they are to ecosystems and to the services they provide to people," he said.

Researchers call for comprehensive action, including expanding habitats for the animals and changing conservation policy.

According to them, some conservation initiatives have been successful and if measures are taken now, it may still be possible to rescue these animals from extinction.

Preventing the extinction of gorillas, rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears and the world's other large mammals will require bold political action and financial commitments from nations worldwide, researchers said.

The findings were published in the journal BioScience.
A local court today summoned Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to face trial on September 29 in connection with a criminal defamation case against him over his reported statement on RSS.

In his order, Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika directed Gandhi to appear before the court on September 29 as his statement published in the media appeared to be defamatory.

Complainant Anjan Bora's counsel Bijon Mahajan submitted before the court that Gandhi did not come to visit 'Barpeta Satra' on December 12 last year but alleged before the media two days later in Delhi that RSS workers prevented him from entering the 16th century Vaishnavite monastery.

Describing this as "blatant lie" as, he submitted that there were no RSS people among the crowd that were waiting to greet Gandhi on that day.

The head of the monastery was also among those waiting for the Congress leader who actually took part in a rally instead of visiting the monastery, submitted Mahajan who is also BJP Assam unit spokesman.

Bora, an RSS worker, lodged his case alleging that Gandhi by making his claim in Delhi brought down the image of RSS in society.

The court has examined seven witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.

On August 2, the court had deferred the date regarding issuance of summons as an accused against Gandhi in the criminal defamation case here.
Jihadists and rebels captured strategic military positions on the edges of Syria's second city Aleppo today, turning the tables on Russian-backed regime forces besieging the city.

To the northeast, a Western-backed alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters scored a major victory against the Islamic State group in the town of Manbij after a fierce two-month battle.

The developments have rocked the key northern province of Aleppo, a microcosm of Syria's topsy-turvy, multi-front war that has killed more than 280,000 people.

Rebel and regime forces have fought for control of the provincial capital of the same name since mid-2012, transforming the former economic powerhouse into a divided, bombed-out city.

Today, opposition fighters and allied jihadists captured territory south of Aleppo in a bid to cut off regime forces and open up a new route into besieged rebel-held districts.

"The Army of Conquest... Took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunitions, and a large part of the artillery school" at a military academy, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The coalition of rebels, Islamists, and jihadists "is about to cut off, by gunfire, the supply route into government-controlled districts," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

That road passes through a southwestern suburb of Ramussa and is the last route into Aleppo used by regime troops.

Opposition forces - encircled by the government since July 17 - are hoping to expand their control in the area and use that route themselves.

"Days ago, I was only thinking about how to get a bite to eat," said Ahmad Adna, a 46-year-old resident of eastern Aleppo.

"Now I'm more optimistic after the Army of Conquest's advance. I hope today will be the last day of the siege."



The former Al-Nusra Front - renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after breaking from Al-Qaeda - today announced having captured the two military academies and a third military position.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions in some of those buildings, followed by massive columns of billowing black smoke.

Pictures obtained by AFP show a crumpled body, reportedly of a regime fighter, laying next to artillery weapons lined up in a building newly captured by jihadists.

Abdel Rahman said the advance left the regime forces "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support."



"This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo."



State media reported fighting in the three locations and said the army had dispatched reinforcements in a counter- offensive to take on "thousands of terrorist fighters".

An army officer told state television troops had advanced in the areas seized by rebels and was inflicting "heavy losses" on them.
Accusing Left parties of inflicting violence on RSS-BJP cadre in Kerala, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said people in rest of the country are unaware of the "atrocities" in the southern state as the issue has not been highlighted at the national level.

Rijiju, who is Minister of State for Home Affairs, praised the RSS and BJP workers for fighting the "rein of terror" in Kerala "without picking up arms" at a time when some youths in the state have been drawn towards "political fundamentalists" - an apparent reference to ISIS.

"The central leaders of Left are at the forefront of discussing human rights, ideals and values in democratic society. They keep talking about following the rule of law. But when we see reality (in Kerala) it is tragic.

"...The atrocities committed (by Left cadre) in Kerala deserve national attention, national debate. But it has never gained the kind of space it should have in our national media, electronic of print. That is why, I think, many people in our country do not know what is going on in Kerala," Rijiju said.

He made the remarks during a day-long seminar organised by Navodayam, an NGO formed by RSS member P Parmeshvar, here.

The Minister added, "Those who have access to the ground situation (in Kerala)...They only know what is (happening) there. Otherwise, it (the situation in Kerala) is totally a misrepresented case (in national media). The issue of atrocities on the democratic set up there needs to be raised."



With naming ISIS, he said individuals were attracted to "political fundamentalism" not due to economic reasons but "they were ideologically-driven" and described the trend as "sad".

The Minister claimed the reports of RSS-BJP workers facing "brutality" at the hands of a "particular political group" are often heard. Yet the functionaries, he added, stand tall in adverse situations.

"To save themselves, to secure positions, people have gone to extreme methods, but I compliment, rather I should salute, especially the RSS workers and BJP workers, they are fighting without resorting to arms. This is really unique," Rijiju said.

The event was also addressed by BJP national executive member V Muraleedharan, Communist Marxist Party general secretary CP John, RSS activist Sadanandan Master and author Advaita Kala.

Rijiju said that his ministry will extend help to the



workers if they targted in Kerala.

He also dismissed the charge of intolerance against BJP, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the receiving end of "most abusive language" on social media, yet the latter or the party did not "retort".

He also expressed hopes that given the enthusiasm among RSS-BJP workers in Kerala, the political fortune of the party "will turn" in time to come.

In his speech, Muraleedharan accused the Left parties of unleashing violence on workers of the saffron party. He claimed minorities and members of backward class communities were getting drawn towards the BJP in the state.

Echoing the views, John said leaders of the CPI(M) and other Left parties speak "democracy in Delhi and fascism in Kerala" and asserted that this "double-speak" should be exposed. He also charged Left workers with targeting minorities in the state.

"This Stalinist onslaught must be exposed," he added.
Vijay Rupani will tomorrow be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where BJP is grappling with unrest due to the Patel quota stir and attacks on Dalits ahead of the high-stake Assembly elections scheduled next year.

60-year-old Rupani today met Governor O P Kohli and staked claim to form the government, a day after he was elected by BJP legislators to succeed Anandiben Patel, with the central leadership playing a vital role in the choice.

After the meeting with the Governor, BJP state in-charge Dinesh Sharma said Rupani will take oath tomorrow at 12.40 PM.

While Rupani was accompanied by Deputy CM designate Nitin Patel and other state leaders, outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel was conspicous by her absence.

"We have told the Governor that the BJP Legislature party has endorsed the names of Vijay Rupani as new Chief Minister and Nitin Patel as Deputy Chief Minister," Sharma said after the meeting.

"The Governor has given his go ahead for the oath taking ceremony which will be held tomorrow at 12.40 PM," he said.

He, however, evaded a direct reply to a question on Anandiben's absence, saying, "She was present when she resigned. Today those who have been chosen are present."



In a dramatic turnaround the BJP central leadership yesterday decided on Rupani, an Amit Shah loyalist and state party chief, to replace Anandiben as the chief minister, instead of Nitin Patel who was the front-runner till the last moment.

Anandiben had insisted on Nitin Patel as her successor, while Shah stood firm by Rupani.

As a compromise formula, Patel was elevated to be Deputy Chief Minister after intervention of the central leadership, including Modi.

Selection of Rupani, who belongs to Jain Baniya community, is being seen as a deft move by the party to avoid the impression of favouring any major segment of the society over others.

While the Patel community has been on a warpath with their demand for OBC quota, the state has witnessed Dalit unrest over the widely condemned Una flogging incident which seems to have dented the image of the government.

Rupani, who came up through the RSS, is being assigned the task of leading BJP in the polls at a time when BJP is struggling to retain its political base. The party has also been affected by the absence of leaders of Modi's calibre in the state.

Anandiben, who turns 75 this November, had handed over



her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Under her leadership, BJP had suffered losses in the civic polls last year, with the opposition Congress making handsome gains at the expense of its saffron rival.

In the last two years, BJP has been at loggerheads with its loyal vote bank of Patidars who have been demanding OBC quota and launched violent protests for the same.

A devoted RSS member since his school days, Rupani, hailing from politically significant Saurashtra region, is known for hard work but keeps a low profile.

Rupani, who represents Rajkot West seat, joined Jan Sangh in 1971 and has been associated with BJP since its formation.

His elevation to the top post is also being seen as a recognition to the Jain community, which was recently accorded minority status by the state government.

Born in Rangoon (now Yangon, in Myanmar) to Ramniklal Rupani in 1956, he grew up in Rajkot where he joined RSS as a school boy. He pursued BA and then LLB.

As the chairman of the state tourism corporation, he headed 'Khushbu Gujarat Ki' campaign to popularise the state as a tourist destination.

Between 2006-12, he was a member of Rajya Sabha. During this period he was a part of various Parliamentary committees on water resources, food, public distribution and public undertaking.

In October 2014, he won the Assembly bye-election from Rajkot West after the sitting MLA Vajubhai Vala resigned upon appointment as Karnataka Governor.

On February 19, Rupani became the state BJP president, replacing R C Faldu, which was seen as a victory for the Amit Shah faction in state BJP.

(REOPENS BOM3)



Meanwhile, Rupani, tendered his resignation from the



post of state BJP president.

"I have today submitted my resignation as Gujarat BJP president to party national president Amit Shah," Rupani said.

Rupani and Patel also went to meet former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel at his residence here to seek his blessings.

"They came here to seek blessings. I have wished them for their new assignments," Patel said.
Narada CEO Mathew Samuel was tonight released after being detained by Immigration authorities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on his arrival from the US following a lookout notice issued against him by the Kolkata police.

Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Crime) Vishal Garg told PTI, "Samuel was initially detained at the Delhi airport but was later released after being asked a few questions by the Immigration personnel."



A division bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A Banerjee yesterday ordered an interim stay into the Narada sting operation probe launched by the Kolkata Police till the next date of hearing on August 19. The lookout notice had been issued before the HC order.

Affirming they would go by the HC directive, Garg said, "We respect the order of the hon'ble high court and will abide by the same."



Meanwhile high drama marked after the of the detention spread, as Samuel's counsel Samim Ahhamed shot off a letter to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar which said, "Hon'ble High Court put a stay on parallel investigation initiated by the Kolkata Police. Inspite thereof, as per your instruction, the immigration authority at Delhi has detained my client in violation of high court order..."



In the letter the counsel also alleged the KP has already commited contempt of court and said, "You are requested to take immediate steps to release my client from police custody."



Earlier minutes after Samuel's detention, Kolkata police was asked to approach the immigration authorities in Delhi with relevant documents about the case before he could be handed over to them, official sources said.

Kolkata Police had registered a case against Samuel on a



complaint by city Mayor and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sovan Chattopadhyay's wife.

Chattopadhyay was purportedly seen accepting money in the sting operation video released by Narada .

Chattopadhyay's wife Ratna Chattopadhyay had filed the complaint at the New Market Police Station against Samuel on the basis of which Kolkata Police Detective Department registered the FIR and started a probe into the sting operation.

He was booked under IPC Sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 171(G) (false statement in connection with an election) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

The controversial Narada sting operation, which surfaced just ahead of the Assembly elections, purportedly showed several Trinamool Congress leaders and an IPS officer accepting money for consideration.
"Game of Thrones" actor Sean Bean will be joining forces again with celebrated screenwriter Jimmy McGovern for a new BBC drama "Broken".

The pair previously worked in acclaimed series "Accused," co-starring Stephen Graham.

Bean, 57, will play Father Michael Kerrigan, a modern Catholic priest with responsibilities for a Northern urban parish, reported Digital Spy.

"I was very excited at the prospect of working with Jimmy McGovern again. His scripts are raw and real and he creates fantastic and interesting characters that resonate with society today. I'm also thrilled to have Ashley Pearce on board as director," Bean said.

McGovern added: "It's fantastic, because I've been trying to work with Sean again ever since he played Tracie Tremarco in Accused, which was astonishing stuff, so I'm over the moon he's jumped on board with 'Broken'.
The management of St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School at Padu Bandanthila near here today decided to suspend classes teaching Arabic and Urdu languages following protest by Sri Rama Sene activists on July 30.

About 50 activists of Sri Rama Sene had barged into the school after locals complained about students being taught Arabic and Urdu "forcibly".

They had questioned the school authorities about "forcibly" teaching these languages to students of sixth and seventh standards between 9.15 AM and 10 AM every Saturday.

The attack had forced the headmaster to assure them that the classes would be discontinued immediately.

The management held a meeting with the parents and villagers today and decided not to continue the classes, school sources said.

The Sri Rama Sene activists had threatened to hold protests if the school continued the classes.

Sixteen Rama Sene activists have been arrested so far in connection with the "raid" on the charge of trespassing into the St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School.

Yesterday, Sri Rama Sene's Karnataka unit president Mahesh Kumar had alleged that Arabic was forcibly taught in the institution and there was no government order for the same.

He had also claimed that the Sene took action after gathering credible information on the matter and that they strongly condemned "illegal" teaching of a language as it would pave the way for misleading the children.
Shiv Sena on Saturday took potshots at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mahad tragedy, saying he should stop aerial visits to mishap sites and demanded guardian ministers be barred from flying inside the state to understand its road and bridge conditions.

The Sena also said the present government's ambitious 'Make in Maharashtra' programme should begin with construction of good quality roads and bridges, in the absence of which no foreign nation would be willing to invest there.

"Instead of indulging in blame game and only conducting meetings to gauge the Mahad tragedy, what is needed is to give a serious thought over the issue.

Also, if the CM really wants to understand the situation of roads and bridges in the state and conduct a proper audit, he, along with other ministers need to shun planes and helicopters while touring the state," the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"District Guardian ministers should not be given permission to fly to their respective districts. Let them travel by dilapidated roads and bridges and then conduct an audit. Because, when ministers fear for their lives, audit and repairs, both shall take place," it said.

It further said that if in a progressive state like Maharashtra, a large number of people lose their lives in natural calamities, the government needs to change the structure of its 'Make in India' and 'Make in Maharashtra' programme.

"Start your 'Make in Maharashtra' programme by fixing old and dilapidated bridges. Unless you construct proper roads, do not expect foreign nations to invest money here," it said.

Also, if there was a strong government in the state from the last two years, what did it do to prevent this tragedy, it asked.

Eight more bodies were recovered on Friday during search operation in the Savitri river, where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad, taking the toll in the tragedy to 22.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress slammed the "double standards" of Sena over the and said before the advising the BJP to fix bridges and roads in the state, it should do so first in Mumbai.

"Sena's corruption in the BMC has resulted in thousands of potholes across the city where people are losing lives. Sure, it can play the role of a big brother by advising the BJP but it should also play the role of a responsible brother and fix roads bridges in the city and not play with the lives of people for monetary gains," Congress spokesperson Al-Nasser Zakaria said.
In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today vowed to provide medical help to those injured in violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims.

Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the SAARC meeting here asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange medical treatment for the victims" in Kashmir, especially for treatment of eye injuries resulting from use of pellet guns by the Indian forces, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

"The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan's unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world," it said.

Sharif also called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for "ending bloodshed" in Kashmir and providing access for provision of treatment to the victims in the wake of the "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"The humanitarian crisis, which is of huge magnitude, has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims of brutal state oppression," the statement quoted Sharif as saying.

"Even more gruesome is that healthcare providers" in Kashmir have not been allowed to treat innocent victims, Sharif alleged.

He claimed that "the Indian forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing healthcare to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters".

Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families.

"Nevertheless, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this," he said.

Pakistan shall continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically, the Prime Minister said.

Sharif's call came a day after his Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) to help Kashmiris.

The latest statement by Sharif is yet another effort by Pakistan to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the international level.

(Reopens FGN 11)



Sharif said that his government has a stated policy on Afghanistan which he expressed from the day first after assuming the responsibilities as Prime Minister.

"We have conveyed to the leadership of Afghanistan that the enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan and we have stood by our words," he said.

The Prime Minister said that even yesterday Pakistan announced an assistance of USD 500 million in addition to an earlier assistance of USD 500 million for Afghanistan to help them overcome problems and achieve stability.

"We genuinely believe that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for achieving stability in our own country and the region," added the Prime Minister.

"I myself and the Chief of Army Staff visited Afghanistan and always assured them of our fullest cooperation to root out the menace of terrorism which is a common enemy for both the countries," said Sharif.

The Prime Minister further said that the Pakistani civil and military leadership are in touch with Afghani leadership and have been facilitating the reconciliation process on the request of Afghan government.

"We believe that the Afghan led and Afghan owned reconciliation process is vital for achieving long term peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said.

General Peter Pavel said that Pakistan is an important and traditional partner of NATO.

Chairman Military Committee NATO said that by the virtue of its size Pakistan can play an important role in the region.

"We expect a broader political framework agreement between Pakistan and NATO to unlock further mutual military cooperation," said General Peter Pavel.

Pavel said that his meetings with all the services Chiefs and others were highly satisfactory.
South Sudan accepted the deployment of a regional intervention force after escalating violence put a fragile peace deal in danger, the head of the East African bloc IGAD said.

"The government of South Sudan accepted," Mahboub Maalim said after a summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, adding that the specific scope and mandate of the force had yet to be decided.

But once an agreement on that had been reached, it would be submitted to the UN Security Council for a vote.

The force could be used to help implement an August 2015 peace deal, while protecting civilians and carrying out humanitarian duties, Maalim said.

Juba was rocked by several days of heavy fighting in early July between the government forces of President Salva Kiir and those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar, the latest upsurge in two-and-a-half years of war.

Fighting from August 8 to 11 left 300 people dead and forced more than 60,000 others to flee their homes.

Regional bloc IGAD had raised the possibility of deploying an "intervention brigade" with a more aggressive mandate within the UN mission currently present.

The 12,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, has faced criticism for failing to stem the latest bloodshed or fully protect civilians during the fighting.

The intervention force for South Sudan could be modelled on the Force Intervention Brigade of 3,000 troops deployed within the UN's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which proved decisive in neutralising the M23 rebellion in 2013.

Former vice-president Machar has refused to come back to Juba until the deployment of a neutral force of African troops -- a plan approved by the the US and African Union but until now rejected by Kiir.
Angry Students, mostly girls, blocked a road in Infocity area here today after local TV channels aired reports about alleged sexual assault of a girl student of a premier institute.

However, the road blockade was lifted and the situation brought under control after a few hours as police as well as the authorities termed the report as baseless and maintained no girl student had been raped or molested.

Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi rejected the allegation of rape. "No such incident has taken place. There is no rape victim as alleged," Bhoi told reporters.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday demanded a probe by central agencies into the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) source of funding, as he accused it of hobnobbing with radical elements.

He said while Interacting with reporters in Balachaur, Punjab, on sidelines of the second day of his Sangat Darshan.

"Its source of funding need to be probed by the central government," he said, adding that AAP would meet the same fate as People's Party of Punjab (PPP) met in the last assembly polls.

Badal castigated AAP saying the party was a conglomerate of outsiders who neither had any understanding of the culture and the traditions in Punjab nor any connect with its roots.

He said the AAP is plagued with bitter internal feuds and therefore cannot compete with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance.

Badal also slammed Congress and termed it a party without any progress-centric agenda.

"Capt Amarinder Singh cannot list even a single developmental work he has done as chief minister," he said, adding, "Congress is no match for SAD-BJP either."

Earlier, addressing the people, the deputy chief minister reaffirmed that the SAD-BJP government would never deviate from the commitment it made to the people of Punjab to ensure continuous ascendancy of state on economic, social and other parameters of development.

Badal said it was only the SAD-BJP government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal which worked for the development of the state and initiated measures aimed at welfare of all the sections of the society.

He assured that the Kandi canal would be completed soon at a cost of Rs 540.24 crore and announced that Rs 50 crore would be spent on ensuring water supply for Balachaur region.

Badal disbursed grants amounting to Rs 22 crore during his two-day Sangat Darshan programme.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek consular access to an Indian prisoner who was attacked at least thrice by inmates in a Peshawar jail.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

"I am very much disturbed to read about repeated attacks on Hamid Ansari who is detained in Peshawar jail since 2012. It is inhuman.

"I have asked our High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek Consular access to Hamid Ansari in hospital/Jail and report," Swaraj tweeted.

31-year-old Ansari was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

Ansari's lawyer lawyer Qazi Mohammad Anwar told Peshawar High Court bench on Thursday that his client was attacked at least thrice by jail inmates in recent months.

Anwar also told the court that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said. He said even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

Ansari had gone missing after he was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed on January 13 that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.
A Syrian coalition of jihadists and Islamist rebels today seized key positions south of Aleppo as they press a major offensive to break the government siege of the city, a monitor said.

"The Army of Conquest on Saturday took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunitions, and a large part of the artillery school", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The coalition "is about to cut off, by gunfire, the supply route into government-controlled districts" of the city, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The road, which passes through a southwestern suburb of Aleppo city called Ramussa, is the last open route into Aleppo city.

If the rebels capture it, they would simultaneously cut off regime forces and open up a new road for their own besieged forces in the city's east.

The former Al-Nusra Front - renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after breaking from Al-Qaeda - today announced having captured the two military academies and a third military position.

State television, meanwhile, reported fighting in the three locations.

"The regime forces are in a very difficult position despite Russian air support," Abdel Rahman said.

Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been roughly divided into a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west since 2012.

The jihadist and rebel advance comes three weeks after regime forces backed by Russian air strikes besieged the city's opposition-held districts, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis there.

The jihadists and rebels have been pressing an offensive to break the siege.

More than 280,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Russia launched air strikes in Syria in support of the regime in September last year.
A new elite Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army.

The Taliban regard Helmand as their heartland. They share Pashtun ethnicity with its residents and the province's vast opium output has helped fund the war against the government in Kabul, now in its fifteenth year.

In recent weeks, the Taliban have taken huge swaths of the province and now they appear to be closing in on the capital, Lashkar Gah.

Afghan officials in Helmand say the army is facing an insurgent fighting force that is better-organized and more skilled than ever. They say the Taliban have been sending men into the fight who appear to be members of a commando-like unit, believed to consist of several hundred elite fighters.

A senior Taliban commander confirmed the existence of the new, highly-trained force.

Speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media, the commander said the force numbered "around 300 fighters now, after starting out with 200." The new commando unit is called Sara Khitta, which means Red Group or Danger Group in Pashto.

"This kind of force is giving us very good results, and we have been discussing whether or not we should deploy this sort of unit more widely," he said.

The Taliban would give no further details, and military officials refused to discuss the subject. But civilian officials in Helmand said the force is led by a commander known as Haji Nasar, former operational head of the Taliban operating in Kandahar and Zabul provinces.

The unit was first deployed in the district of Sangin, in north-eastern Helmand, earlier this year and its success has inspired plans to expand the force to 400 fighters, according to the deputy head of Helmand's provincial council, Abdul Majeed Akhonzada. "They are very dangerous and very successful," he said.

It appears to be the latest development in Taliban tactics. Over the past six months, the insurgents have shown that they are able to modify their approach to suit different terrain.

For instance, in southern Uruzgan they have started closing off local roads and intra-provincial highways to cut supplies to villages and towns, putting local government under pressure. This allows them to expand their territory while launching fewer direct attacks on police checkpoints and buildings, minimizing the number of casualties among the insurgents.
With the onset of the outbound tourism season in the Middle East, Kerala Tourism has rolled out a promotional campaign in Dubai targeting Arab travellers and showcasing the state's backwaters and waterfalls on taxis plying in the bustling metropolis.

As many as 200 Kerala-branded taxis will ferry the message of 'A Faraway Land Four Hours Away'- with eye-catching visuals featuring hill stations, backwaters, waterfalls and also Ayurvedic therapies -- through the streets of Dubai, the throbbing heart of the UAE, an official release said here today.

The campaign will see the cabs take to the streets sporting wrappings aimed to promote the state's Monsoon getaways, offering respite from the sizzling Arabian summer.

"Apart from the favourable climate, the relative proximity and excellent air connectivity between Kerala and the cities of Middle East make it easier to attract holiday makers to the state," Tourism Principal Secretary V Venu said.

"Dubai, being the hub for air travel in the region, was the logical choice of location for the marketing campaign. The exposure and footfalls gained by Kerala will bear this out," he said.

The campaign, inspired by the previous highly successful branding efforts on London taxis and the Mumbai metro, will run till August 15.

Besides serving to augment Kerala's destination pull, it was an acknowledgment of the growing importance of the Middle East outbound tourist market, the world's fastest-growing segment with a nine per cent rise in outbound trips in 2015, the release said.

Arab tourists are also the biggest spenders. Kerala received more than one lakh visitors from the region in 2015, with some 20,506 tourists from UAE alone.

The majority came from Saudi Arabia with 51,149 Saudi nationals visiting last year, while Oman accounted for 18,763 footfalls, it said.

"As the holiday season in the Middle East coincides with the Monsoon season here, Kerala is well-positioned to benefit from the influx of travellers looking to trade in the sizzle and dust for cooler climes and greener pastures, Kerala Tourism Director U V Jose said.
A 19-year-old suspect charged with stabbing to death an elderly American woman during a knife rampage in central London this week was today remanded in custody for three days.

Zakaria Bulhan, a London-based Norwegian national of Somalian descent, appeared at the Westminster Magistrates' Court here today for the first time after the Wednesday mass knife attack and was remanded in custody until another appearance at a higher court.

Bulhan, who was charged last night with the murder of 64-year-old Darlene Horton and the attempted murder of five other persons including foreigners, appeared without legal representation and sat hunched throughout the short hearing with his hand over his mouth.

Two women and three men were injured in the attack at the popular Russell Square, a park near the site of a 2005 suicide bombing, in central London on Wednesday. They include Australian, American, Israeli and British citizens.

As the names of the victims were read out in court, identifying them for the first time, he held his face in his hands.

When asked if he understood the charges, he nodded giving the judge a thumbs-up gesture, BBC reported.

Wearing a light grey tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He was remanded in custody and ordered to appear at the Old Bailey court in London, a higher court, on Tuesday.

Bulhan has been described as a "quiet, nice" schoolboy at Graveney School in Tooting, south London and initial probe indicate that tragic incident was triggered by mental health issues. Police said there was no evidence the mass knife attack was terrorism-related.

Horton, a retired teacher and mother of two, had been visiting London with her husband Richard Wagner, who was teaching summer classes.

She was stabbed in front of Wagner, a psychology professor at Florida State University who had brought students to the UK.

The university said the couple had planned to return to their home in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday - the day after the attack.

The university's president, John Thrasher, said "there are no words to express our heartache".

A British man who suffered a stab wound to his stomach in the attack remains in hospital.

Now that charges have been framed, reporting restrictions come into place to ensure a fair trial.
In the backdrop of unrest in Kashmir, former Army chief Gen (retd) J J Singh today said there "cannot be nuances" in dealing with terrorists and "iron fist" policy should be used for them.

"We shouldn't carry nuances, a man who carries a weapon to a hilt, is a terrorist. And he will be killed. We need to follow the 'iron-fist' policy for the terrorists, and 'velvet glove' approach while dealing with innocent civilians," he said.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by thinktank Global Counter Terrorism Council here which was also attended by other defence and foreign policy experts.

Gen Singh was responding to the debate raised in a few quarters in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani, nearly a month ago.

Normal life remained paralysed in the Valley for the 29th consecutive day as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Anantnag and Shopian districts of south Kashmir even as curfew continued in many parts.

Former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Philip Campose said, "Indian Army has been considerate in counter-terrorism operations, right from the nature of weapons to our care for innocent civilians."



Geo-political analyst M D Nalapat said, "Our response to acts of terrorism is in very small silos. We have a very narrow band of consultation. Whether it's Kashmir or Assam, we are repeating the same old policies with no results.
Security personnel today recovered three powerful can-bombs from Gurgaikocha village in Dalbhumgarh area of naxal-hit Ghatsila sub-division, police said.

The recovery was made during a search operation by the security personnel comprising of District Armed Police and CRPF as well as the Cobra battalion personnel from West Bengal, they said.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Ghatssila), Sanjeev Kumar Besra said each can-bombs, which weighed between 20 to 30 kgs, were recovered from a place bordering Jharkhand-West Bengal.

All the explosives have been defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad, he added.
The US military has killed three Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operatives in a strike in Yemen, officials said.

US Central Command yesterday did not provide details on how Thursday's attack was conducted or who was killed, but said the strike occurred in the Shabwa province in central Yemen.

The United States has carried out numerous drone attacks in Yemen to counter jihadists who have exploited a power vacuum created by a conflict between the government and Huthi rebels.

A Saudi-led coalition that is militarily backing the Yemeni government has also turned its sights on the jihadists.
Teaming up with Hollywood star Tom Hanks in "Inferno" was a great experience for actor Irrfan as he found the "Forrest Gump" star welcoming and friendly.

Irrfan will be seen in the role of Harry Sims 'The Provost' in the Ron Howard-directed adaptation of Dan Brown's mystery novel, where Hanks returns to reprise his character of Harvard symbiologist Robert Langdon for the third time.

"Tom is a dear friend, a very warm person and an outstanding human being. I enjoyed every moment of working with him. Whenever two actor are familiar with each other's work and you admire somebody, shooting becomes an engaging affair," Irrfan told PTI in an interview.

"Inferno" revolves around Langdon's attempt to prevent a deadly plague unleashed by a mad scientist.

Irrfan, 49, revealed that he was initially offered a different role in the Florence-set drama but he wanted to portray Sims.

"I was offered some other character but I asked Ron whether I could play this character. He asked me why I wanted to play Sims and when I told him how I looked at the role, he liked it and agreed."



The movie, which boasts an international star cast with Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Sidse Babett, Knudsen Ana Ularu and Ida Darvish, will arrive in theatres here on October 14.
A tripartite meeting among the district administration of Hazaribagh, NTPC and landowners of Barkagaon, who have lost their fertile lands for the Pakri Barwadih Coal Mining project in Hazaribagh district, ended inconclusive today.

Convened by Deputy Commissioner, Ravi Shankar Shukla, the meeting failed to reach agreement after the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha did not give any assurance to the landowners and representatives of 'Budhijiwi Manch' to suspend the coal mining operation by the NTPC at Chirudih.

A magisterial enquiry, which was ordered by the Deputy Commissioner Hazaribag, has begun after the agitators under the banner of t'Buddhijiwi Manch' withdrew their indefinite 'Chita Satyagraha' launched in protest against the NTPC's decision to start coal mining operation on May 17 last.

Earlier the meeting started in a cordial atmosphere when the Deputy Commissioner assured that no land will be taken away from the villagers forcibly and without the consent of the villagers and landowners as per the 2013 Land Acquisition Act provisions.
Ending days of suspense, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump today endorsed his party's two stalwarts House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain for re-election and vowed to make Republicans a "big tent" party as was under ex-president Ronald Regan.

"In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. We need unity. We have to win this election. This is truly one of the most important elections in my lifetime," Trump said at an election rally in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin.

Over the past few days, Trump had refused to endorse either Ryan and McCain fueling speculations that all is not well among the Republicans and the party is not united ahead of the crucial November general elections.

While Ryan is expected to easily sail through his House seat, McCain is facing a tough battle from the Arizona Senate seat.

"While I'm at it, I hold in the highest esteem Senator John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office and I fully support and endorse his re-election," Trump said amidst cheer from supporters.

"This campaign is not about me or any one candidate, it's about America. I understand and embrace the wisdom of Ronald Reagan's big tent within the party," Trump said.

"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make. So I embrace the wisdom that my 80 per cent friend is not my 20 percent enemy," he said at the election campaign in Green bay in Wisconsin.

"Working hand-in-hand we will grow our majority in the House and in the Senate. Arm-in-arm we will rescue the nation from the Obama-Clinton disaster that has bled our country dry and spread terrorism unabated across the world," Trump said.

Later in a fund raising email to his supporters, Trump alleged that the Democrats and the mainstream media are doing everything they can to divide the Republican party.

"We must rise above their dirty tactics and prove that only the Republican Party is offering the ideas and solutions that can truly fix America," he said.

"It's time to unite our Party and deny a third term of Obama. I have officially endorsed Paul Ryan -- and together, we will fight for you, and together we will Make America Great Again!" Trump said.
A machete-wielding man shouting "Allahu akbar" wounded two policewomen in southern Belgium today before being shot dead by police, with Europe on edge after a wave of jihadist attacks.

The attack outside the main police station in the city of Charleroi, around 60 kilometres south of Brussels left one of the policewomen with "deep wounds to the face" while the other was slightly injured, Belga agency said.

Charleroi police said the attacker was shot and killed, while the two victims were out of danger.

Belgium has been on high security alert for months since suicide bombers struck Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union's institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which controls large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria and has claimed numerous terror attacks in Europe in the last year.

Belgian Interior Minister Jean Jambon condemned a "disgusting act in Charleroi" on his Twitter account and said the country's terror threat level -- currently at level three on a scale of four -- would be examined.

Belgian police have carried out dozens of anti-terror raids since the November 2015 attacks in Paris, planned in Belgium and involving Belgian extremists, which left 130 people dead.

Last month they arrested and charged a 33-year-old man, identified as Nourredine H., with attempting to commit "terrorist murder" and "taking part in the activities of a terrorist organisation".

Prosecutors said there was for now no link to the Brussels suicide bombings.

Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadist recruits going from European Union countries to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more radicalised.

The interior ministry said 457 Belgian men and women had gone or tried to join jihadists in the Middle East, including 90 who are missing or dead.

Belgium launched its first attacks against IS in Iraq in late 2014 as part of a US-led coalition. It joined a similar anti-IS operation in Syria this year.

Several of those involved in the Brussels bloodshed in March were directly linked to the November 13 bomb and gun attacks in Paris.

In June Belgian authorities charged two men with terrorist offences amid reports of a planned attack on a Euro 2016 fanzone in central Brussels.

Belgium then beefed up security for its July 21 national day celebrations after a truck attack that killed 85 people in the French city of Nice on Bastille Day, July 14.
The leader of a self-proclaimed separatist republic in eastern Ukraine was injured in a suspected car bombing today, local media reported.

Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the Lugansk People's Republic, "was wounded this morning as a result of a powerful explosion that occurred near his car," the official pro- Russian rebels' agency said.

Plotnitsky, 52, was being treated at a local hospital along with several other people who suffered injuries in the blast in the city of Lugansk, the report said.

The rebels' agency claimed the explosion was an "attempt on the life" of their leader.

A senior rebel official later told Russia's Interfax agency that the explosion was a "a terrorist act" but did not go as far as to point the finger of blame at any individual or group.

Plotnitsky did not sustain any life-threatening injuries in the blast and his condition remains stable, the rebel official said.

Ukrainian authorities have already dismissed claims that they could have been behind the blast.

"The Ukrainian side is not involved in this assassination attempt," Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told journalists, adding that the explosion was likely linked to an internal power struggle among rebel leaders.

Plotnitsky, the former commander of a pro-Russian rebel group, was elected in November 2014 to head the Lugansk region in polls denounced by Kiev as a breach of a ceasefire agreement.

Lugansk is the smaller of two breakaway pro-Russian provinces that have been fighting Ukrainian government forces for more than two years.

A suspected car bombing in the Lugansk region in December killed pro-Russian leader Pavel Dremov in what rebels said was a "terrorist act organised by the Ukranian security forces."



In May 2015 Lugansk rebel commander Alexei Mozgovoi was killed in an attack against his vehicle.

More than 9,500 people have been killed since Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial regions revolted against Kiev's pro-Western government in April 2014.

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of supporting rebels and deploying troops across the border, claims that Moscow denies.
UN peacekeepers abandoned their posts and questioned an order to use force to repel heavily armed soldiers who stormed their base in South Sudan six months ago, according to the findings of a UN board of inquiry released.

The board set up by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon found that the mission "failed to manage the crisis effectively" when its base in the northeastern town of Malakal came under attack on February 17 and 18.

About 30 people sheltering in the Malakal base were killed in the violence and 123 injured.

The board said there was a "combination of causes" that led to the violence, including tensions between Shilluk, Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups who make up the 48,000 people living at the Malakal camp.

It concluded that it was "highly likely" that government forces planned the attack or at the very least supported local militia "to facilitate the ethnic reconfiguration of Malakal."



The violence erupted just hours after UN peacekeepers had confiscated weapons from two men trying to break into the UN base. During questioning, the men identified themselves as government soldiers.

After clashes erupted, targeting the Dinka sector, South Sudan soldiers stormed an entrance to the base.

Some 30 minutes later, peacekeepers on guard duty found themselves "unable to stop the intruders" and "abandoned their positions," the board said in a summary of its report released to the press.

A UN commander ordered troops to "engage the SPLA troops by firing back on them and (said) that under no condition should SPLA soldiers" enter the main base.

The SPLA is the Sudan People's Liberation Army, originally part of a guerrilla movement but now the country's regular army.

"Some troop commanders hesitated about the use of lethal force and sought written authorization for it," the report added.

The order was reissued by the mission's headquarters in Juba, and about two hours later the peacekeepers began an operation to push the gunmen out of the base.

The board also found that the peacekeepers failed to quickly repair a breach in a fence that could have been used to smuggle weapons into the camp.

"This combination of inaction, abandonment of post and refusal to engage made the situation harder to contain and contributed to the negative effects of the incident," the inquiry found.

Malakal is one of eight UN bases providing a haven since the war in South Sudan began in late 2013. The bases, sheltering around 200,000 people, are protected by razor wire and no weapons are allowed in them.
Extending financial assistance to those embarking on the Kailash Mansarovar and Sindhu Darshan pilgrimages, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said religious travellers promote harmony and brotherhood in the society.

"Guru Nanak travelled for 24 years. Buddhists travelled a lot. The yatris bring important messages which benefit the society," Yadav said.

He said such pilgrims promote mutual understanding, harmony and brotherhood in the society.

The people of Uttar Pradesh have given 'Samajwadis' a chance to work and the state government has been continuously making efforts for their progress and prosperity.
The United States' (US) ambassador to Turkey has again said his country played no rule in last month's failed coup attempt, showing exasperation with persistent accusations to the contrary, local media reported on Saturday.

"I just want to say again, as I've said before and as we've said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of July 15 and into July 16. Full stop," US ambassador John Bass said in remarks published in English daily Hurriyet Daily News.

He added that he was deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations targeting his country.

The July 15 military action blamed by Ankara on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has rattled Turkey's relations with the US, with Ankara warning Washington that ties will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennyslvania-based Gulen.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has also described the failed military action as a scenario written from outside in an allusion to foreign involvement.

Shortly after the coup attempt, Labour Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further to say the United States is behind the coup.

And this week, Turkey's former army chief, Ilker Basbug, claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency was also behind it.

Bass on July 18 rebutted claims his country supported the putsch as untrue and harmful.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Saturday chaired a security summit of justice, foreign, interior and defence ministers as well as army chief of staff Hulusi Akar and spy chief Hakan Fidan.

Erdogan's government is readying for a "Democracy and Martyrs" rally in Istanbul's Yenikapi square on Sunday, which hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join.

Other rallies will also be held across the country.

The main Istanbul rally, set to be attended by opposition leaders save for those from Kurdish parties, will be the last of a series held daily since people first took to the streets to answer Erdogan's appeal for support immediately following the coup.

Meanwhile, a US citizen of Turkish origin was arrested in southern Hatay province as part of a probe into the failed coup, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Friday, quoting a local governor.

Acting on a tip-off that he was a member of Gulen movement, police detained 36-year-old Serkan Golge, who said he was visiting his family in Hatay, governor Ercan Topaca said. He was later remanded in custody by a local court.

A German national has also been caught up in the purge, Berlin said on Friday, after books were found at her home suggesting she had links with the Gulen movement or was a member of it.
Two middle-aged persons -- a widow and her distant relative -- were found murdered in a flat at Vikas Nagar in Ranhola area of west Delhi today.

Police said that the victims were identified as Sunita, 42, and her distantly related brother-in-law Rajesh Kumar, 45. They were attacked with blunt-edged object.

Sunita's body was found lying on a bed in her room while the body of Rajesh was found lying in a pool of blood on the terrace of the building, said a senior police officer.

A tenant of the building found Rajesh's body on the terrace and raised an alarm. Police later arrived and sent the bodies for post-mortem.

A case has been registered at Ranhola police station.

Sunita had introduced Rajesh as her distantly related brother-in-law who worked in Haryana Police to her neighbours. He had come to meet her yesterday and his motorcycle was parked outside the building, police said.

Sunita's daughter Jyoti, who had been living with her mother for some weeks due to marital discard, was not present at the time of the incident, said the officer.

Sunita is survived by her two daughters and a 15-year-old son, Sheru, who lived with his elder sister, Sonia who was also married in Haryana. Sunita's husband died ten years ago.
Actress Jennifer Garner says parenting plays an important role in every man and woman's life.

The 44-year-old star said her kids are her first priority, reported E! Online



"Parenting is about... You can't buy parenting, no matter what. You have to actually get down on the floor and spend some time together.

"Whatever it is, there's so much there to draw from that it feels like I've aged into where I should be as far as acting goes. You know what I mean? As far as my career, I feel like I finally fit," Garner said.

The "Miracles from Heaven" star also talked about the state of her marriage to actor Ben Affleck and clarified that they are just good friends now.

Earlier this summer, the family travelled to Europe, sparking rumors the pair had reconciled.

"Ben was working in London on 'Justice League' and I felt like, 'Well, the kids should have that experience. He and I are great friends and we just all went en masse. The kids and I had an amazing time and he worked hard and got to join us for some. I want them to see everything's Ok."



Affleck, 43, and Garner have three children including two daughters, Violet and Seraphina and one son, Samuel.
A city court today issued fresh non-bailable warrant against SSP Srinagar for not being present in the court and directed Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) to file an FIR against a DySP in connection with the killing of a youth in Tengpora area of Srinagar on July 10.

"In order to uphold the supremacy of law, IGP Kashmir is directed to lodge an FIR against the non-applicant (DySP) within 24 hours," Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar Masarat Shaheen said in her order.

"He (IGP) is further directed to cause personal appearance before this court at 10 am on Monday along with the compliance report," she added in the order.

The order was issued after SSP Amit Kumar was not present in the court despite earlier directive to be present today.

"Non-bailable warrants issued against SSP Srinagar through DIG central Kashmir. SSP to show cause as to why contempt proceedings shall not be intitiated against him so that reference can be sent to the High Court," it reads.

The CJM court on July 18 and July 29 had directed the SSP to file an FIR against DySP Yasir Qadri and other personnel over the killing of one Shabir Ahmad Mir allegedly inside his house on July 10.

The Chief Prosecuting Officer appearing on behalf of police, however, had informed the court that they had already registered an FIR in connection with the incident and cannot file a second FIR.

The court rejected the prosecution's plea, saying the FIR registered by the police was for a different occurrence while the killing of Mir seemed to be a different incident.

As the SSP Srinagar failed to comply with the orders, the CJM issued non-bailable warrants against him and he was produced before the court in custody on August 1 by DIG Central Kashmir as per the orders of the court.

He was released after furnishing bail bond and personal bond to the tune of Rs 50,000.

The state then filed a petition before the High Court, seeking quashing of orders of the CJM on registering an FIR against Qadri and other personnel for the alleged killing.

Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, while pronouncing the orders on Thursday, dismissed it with the direction to the CJM Srinagar to proceed as per law.

Abdul Rehman Mir, father of deceased, has filed an application before the CJM court, alleging that DySP Qadri and other police personnel entered his house at Tengpora, Batamaloo at 6:45 pm on July 10.

"I along with the family members was watching TV and police party headed by Qadri forcibly entered my house and started smashing windows and doors. My wife tried to stop the police officer," Mir alleges in the application.

"But on this, the police official was infuriated and he assaulted us and hurled invective's upon my wife. My son, Shabir Ahmad Mir, who was present on the spot could not bear beating of his parents and tried to rescue his mother from the clutches of the said police official and other police personnel.

"On this, the said police official went into rage and started beating my son. Thereafter he fired two shots on my son from his pistol from point-blank range. He died on spot," the application claims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "zeal to fulfil dreams of 125 crore Indians" keeps him in a mission mode as he recalled often being asked how is he able to travel so much or whether he gets 'jetlagged'.

Replying to a query during his first townhall interaction with people, Prime Minister said Indians who live in foreign countries do talk about 'jetlag', but he doesn't get tired.

"He (the questioner) asked me how I travel so much and then (straightaway) go to office. I have been asked this question by many people for several years 'don't you get tired'... 125 crore countrymen, their dreams, their conditions ...I remain connected with them from heart.

"Therefore I see that whatever time I have, strength I have, I should devote to them... Some people say you have so much energy so you do this much work. This is a wrong airthmetic... Once you know this much work has to be done, this is my mission, energy start coming on itself," Modi said.

Modi further said that God has given equal energy to everyone.

Some people let the energy get suppressed, some make it vibrant. I don't have anything extra...I am on a mission mode path to use that energy and it keeps increasing".

Prime Minister took nine questions during the interaction at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here.

On a question related to tourism, Modi said steps taken by the government has led to increase in tourism. More than 40 lakh tourists visited India in the last six months and the cleanliness drive has helped promote the cause.

Modi further said "proper marketing of Indian food and the varieties can make the world go crazy".

Citing an example, Prime Minister said Pizza Hut across the world offers same taste and there is no difference. But on the other hand, if one travels in Tamil Nadu even the taste of staple idli differs from one corner to another.

He called upon Indians living abroad to encourage at least five non-Indian families to visit India.

Prime Minister also launched a crowd sourced app 'PMO App', created by six students, which will provide details related to government activities and notifications. He also unveiled 'merchandise.Mygov.In', an e-market place offering products in categories like stationery, accessories, apparel and home decor, among others.

The profits earned from the site would be spent on the river Ganga cleaning projects.
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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association recognized William J. Ordner of Petronila on July 19 with the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture Award, officials said.

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Ag association honors Ordner

The the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association recognized William J. Ordner of Petronila on July 19 with the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture Award, officials said.

The association selects outstanding men or women throughout Texas each year to be recognized for their outstanding and significant contributions to Texas Agriculture. The first awards were presented in 1962 at the association's banquet in College Station. Since its inception only three other Nueces County residents have received this honor: J.M. Price in 1967, Lucas Rayes in 1983, and Jimmy Dodson in 2003, officials said.

Ordner was selected for this award by the County Agricultural Extension Agents in District 11, which represents the Coastal Bend, officials said.

He serves on many boards, local committees, and as Mayor of the city of Petronila for 28 years until he retired in 2008. He served on the Nueces County Field Crops Committee from 1983 through 1996. He and his family have constantly served as cooperators for on-farm demonstrations and applied research trials since 1973, when they used drag planters to put the first grain sorghum hybrid trial in with their County Agent Bud Nolan.

Group focuses on aiding young vets

Honor Veterans Now a new nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate hunger for veterans who are under age 60, is funding daily meals for over 300 vets in 27 counties, including Nueces, and is striving to provide meals to needy veterans in all 254 Texas counties, officials said. If the program is successful and self-sustaining, it will expand to other states.

HVN is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated and operating as a tax-free entity in Texas. HVN provides grants to meal providers, like the city of Corpus Christi Senior Services, and they prepare and serve meals to the recipient veterans. HVN generates its income via donations from individuals, organizations, foundations, and fundraising activities. Information: (830) 992-3375 or (800) 676-1389 or visit www.honorveteransnow.org.

Community group to go to Aransas Pass

Representatives from Community Action Corporation of South Texas will be in Aransas Pass to take applications for assistance and provide information to residents of San Patricio County for a variety of services Aug. 10.

Applications will be taken from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., officials said.

They will be located in the Senior Citizen Community Center at 250 S. 13th St.

On-site applications will be available for low income and homeless veterans, or those at risk of becoming homeless, to obtain or maintain safe and affordable housing through the South Texas Heroes Housing Assistance program.

A representative from the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program will be available to assist households with the lowest incomes which pay a high portion of household income for home energy. Information about and applications for Federally Qualified Health Center Services will be provided. Health Centers provide affordable medical and health care services such as: behavioral, family, pediatric, women's, dental, laboratory and pharmaceutical.

Other community services provided by the corporation include Expectant Mothers Program, Head Start 0-5 Program, Senior Services Program, Early Childhood Intervention Program, Case Management services, Weatherization and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Information will be available about all of these.

Further details about all the corporation's programs can be found at www.cacost.org 866-688-1125.

For questions concerning the Aug. 10 Aransas Pass CACOST visit, contact Sarah Lee, Community Enrichment Director at (361) 758-0009 or Jessica Carabajal, CACOST Site Aide, MacSwain Senior Center at 361-758-6313.

Compiled by Natalia Contreras
GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES FILE Tenants of the 122-unit D.N. Leathers complex who will be displaced by construction of the replacement Harbor Bridge are being issued vouchers that will subsidize rent for properties on the private market.

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By Kirsten Crow of the Caller-Times

Public housing residents who will be displaced by construction of the replacement Harbor Bridge are poised to look for a new home.

As of last week, tenants of the 122-unit D.N. Leathers complex were being issued vouchers that will subsidize rent for properties on the private market, according to officials.

Most residents will need to move out of the 75-year-old complex by Oct. 30, and it's anticipated demolition would begin Dec. 1, said Gary Allsup, CEO of the Corpus Christi Housing Authority.

The housing authority agreed late last year to close the complex as part of a four-party agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, the city of Corpus Christi and the Texas Department of Transportation to move forward with construction of the $898 million replacement Harbor Bridge. The new bridge, which will have its groundbreaking Monday, is being built to better accommodate larger ships and also to address safety issues.

Eligible residents of the nearby Hillcrest neighborhood, which will also be heavily impacted by the bridge construction, are being offered a voluntary land acquisition and relocation program. Leathers residents, whose apartments would be in the shadow of the bridge, are required to move.

The issuance of housing vouchers is a circumstance that has been good news for some residents who are hopeful the move will mean upgraded housing. For others, it has been an anxiety-inducing and frustrating process.

The vouchers  which expire 120 days after they are issued  enable eligible program participants to secure private market rental housing, where under the program they would pay 30 percent of income for rent. Households can make no more than 80 percent of the area median income.

No one will go homeless, and those who are unable to find private market housing by Oct. 30 can be relocated to other public housing properties, officials have said.

The housing authority ensured there was space made available by stopping its regular leasing about two months ago to create a supply of units for Leathers residents, Allsup said. About 105 such units are currently available, he said, adding that residents can continue to search for private market rentals after being relocated to another public housing property.

Residents who have arrangements in place  for example, those who have secured a lease by the end of October, but have a later move-in date  can stay at the complex through the end of November, Allsup said. But no one can stay after November, he said.

Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has not yet signed off on the demolition, it's thought that demolition would begin on or about Dec. 1, Allsup said.

Some residents began their search for new housing about eight months ago, when it was announced that the Corpus Christi Housing Authority had agreed to close the complex in light of the impending project. But issuing the vouchers represents the launch of the official search for an apartment or house for many of the tenants.

Residents in the past have expressed concerns about the availability of affordable housing, which has been a chronic issue in the city.

"There's been a number of new apartment complexes built in the last few years and it's eased up our demand a little bit," Allsup said. "It's still tight  I'm not suggesting it's not  but it's better than it was."

Jasmine Mosley, who lives at Leathers with her 2-year-old son, started making calls to begin the housing search in February.

When she received her voucher earlier this week, she began making more calls; six to landlords shown on a list provided by the housing authority and about 15 to other property owners.

Some of the landlords will accept the vouchers, others will not, Mosley said. Some have asked her to call back in a few weeks. And some are asking for a deposit that is only a little less than a months rent.

But she's found a couple of possible options that she's looking into to see if they would be a good fit.

"I have a feeling I'm going to find something outside of (public) housing," she said.

Twitter: @CallerCrow
GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Boy Scout Phillip Mourer (center), a member of Troop 3, lays on the ground as other scouts learn first aid techniques during the troop's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi.

SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Posters and photos from past years hang on the wall during Troop 3's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. . GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Boy Scout Phillip Mourer (center), a member of Troop 3, sits on the arms of Assistant Scout Master John Schulze (left) and Scout Seth Sulsh to display proper first aid techniques during the troop's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Boy Scouts from Troop 3 answer questions about first aid during the troop's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Boy Scouts from Troop 3 help set up a cot and kitchen utensils during the troop's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Related Photos Boy Scouts Troop 3 Centennial Celebration

By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times

On one of the walls of the Boy Scout Troop 3 lodge in First United Methodist Church is a framed advertisement for war bonds. When the troop was first established in 1916, the Scouts sold them to support the United States during World War I.

"I was told they were pretty good at it, too," Scoutmaster Carter Benkendorfer said, though he couldn't say how many were sold.

A hundred years later, the troop is still going strong. Boy Scouts of the past and the present came together Friday evening to celebrate the centennial of Troop 3, the oldest continuously active troop in Corpus Christi.

"Tonight is more of an open house celebration," Benkendorfer said. "All ages and generations are here."

In the lodge, memorabilia from the past 10 decades was on display for the public to see. Outside, the Scouts demonstrated their knowledge, pitching a tent and answering questions about how to administer first aid.

Benkendorfer grew up in Boy Scout Troop 3. Now, he oversees 62 Scouts.

"I'm proud I came back to be scoutmaster," he said.

He's not the only one who has continued giving back. John Schulze, assistant scoutmaster, rejoined the troop after coming back to Corpus Christi about 15 years ago.

"We're very fortunate for everyone before us who kept this troop running," Schulze said. "All our predecessors supported the scouting spirit and found it important for the community and the boys."

Jon LaPeer-Donnelly, a 14-year-old Eagle Scout, has been part of other troops before. The history of the troop is what sets the group apart, he said.

"We've done so much in those hundred years," Jon said. "It's more of an honor."

He said he is proud of being part of the Boy Scouts of America and that he values the leadership skills and friendships he has gained.

"I love the feeling of being a part of something," Jon said. "It's hard to describe."

The festivities continue through the weekend, and will include a tour of the South Texas Council Camp Karankawa on Saturday and Scout Sunday during the service at First United Methodist Church on Sunday morning.

Twitter: @Caller_Fares
ASSOCIATED PRESS file PHOTO A female Aedes aegypti mosquito acquires a blood meal on the arm of a researcher at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo's University in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times

Two Nueces County residents are recovering from West Nile virus, according to the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District.

The two cases are the first confirmed cases in Nueces County this year, according to the district's news release.

Both patients, whose ages are between 50-60, were hospitalized and discharged, the release states.

In 2016, 11 mosquito pools tested positive for the virus and one pool tested positive for Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus.

The hospital district recommends residents avoid outdoor activities and use mosquito repellent with DEET, as well as disposing of any standing water.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, confusion, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.

Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their physician and schedule blood testing.

Twitter: @Caller_Fares
| BY Lynchy |

Creative Director and shareholder Paul Coghlan has resigned from Perth creative agency Meerkats. He is the second senior creative to resign from the agency after co-CD Dan Bradley announced his resignation last week.

Campaign Brief understands Coghlan (left) resigned before Bradley but delayed making an announcement while the terms of his departure were finalised.

Coghlan said it was time for a new challenge: Ive had a great nine years with Meerkats. Ive created some award-winning work that Im proud of, worked with some brilliant people, been part of three CB Agency of the Year wins, and helped build the agency to where it is today. But its time to move on and Im really excited about the next chapter.

Coghlan began his career at Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne, before he made the move to WA in 2006. Following brief stints at 303 and Saatchi & Saatchi NZ, he returned to Perth and joined Meerkats in 2008.

One of Perths most highly regarded creatives of the last decade, Coghlan has been responsible for award-winning work across a number of clients, including Brownes Dairy (the recent Effie-nominated and CB Integrated Campaign of the Year Natural Silence, among others), Lotterywest, Murdoch University, and HBF as well as helping to launch P&N Bank into WA.

He was also a key contributor in winning the Brownes Dairy and Synergy accounts for the agency.
A resident of Canberra's south reported the polling in February last year, saying they were asked for their views on the performance of the Barr government and if they were more or less likely to vote for Labor after former chief minister Katy Gallagher resigned in December 2014.
"I think it's been amazing; it's a different way of learning about these things and also quite empowering to a lot of the students who spoke and were in the audience," she said.
Mr Ahmad said the subject, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all disciples, was a fantastic way to broaden understanding and unpack the complex political, social, financial and humanitarian implications as the number of global refugees hits an all-time high.
The defence portfolio has not been split. That's clear from the ministerial list the government has published. Pyne's appointment required no amendment to the Administrative Arrangements Order. There is no Department of Defence Support. Defence remains a single entity with a number of ministers responsible for different aspects of it, as has long been the case. The fourth Howard ministry had two defence ministers and a parliamentary secretary; Rudd's first had ministers for defence, materiel, science and personnel in various combinations, as did the first and second Gillard governments. And these arrangements were not required for the existence of the Defence Materiel Organisation as an executive agency from 2005 to 2015. Moreover, at least since the great machinery of government changes in the mid-1980s, many portfolios have had more than one minister and many still do.
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults received a grant from Westfield Insurance Foundation thanks to the help of RSS Insurance. The grant is part of the new Westfield Legacy of Caring program in which Westfield agencies across the country were invited to nominate a local nonprofit in the areas of disaster relief, insurance pathways, family stability or safety.

The generous donation from Westfield Insurance Foundation will be used to increase our efforts toward eliminating domestic violence, said Pam Ladd, CEO of Partnership. Domestic violence affects all communities regardless of income, education, gender, ethnicity or race. Its a problem in our community that must be stopped.

We value our partnerships with our independent insurance agencies," said Ed Largent, Westfield president, CEO, board chair and Westfield Foundation chairman. "Giving back to our agents communities in support of these key areas is an extension of the fundamental role that insurance plays every day in stabilizing families, businesses and communities.

RSS Insurance and its employees are proud members of the Chattanooga community," said Trey Powell, RSS Insurance principal. "Our collaboration with Westfield allows us to further our citizenship efforts and have impact in critically important initiatives."

Partnership for Families, Children and Adults is one of 45 non-profit agencies nationwide to receive over $400,000 in donations from the Westfield Legacy of Caring program. Westfield is proud of the work of their independent agents in distributing nearly $750,000 since the onset of the Legacy of Caring program last year, said officials.
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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.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
More than 100 parents, family members and friends, including Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Chattanooga City Councilman Yusuf Hakeem, filled the gymnasium at Chambliss Center for Children on Friday for the Early Childhood Education Centers PreK Graduation.

Every year Chambliss Center for Childrens PreK teachers coordinate a graduation program to showcase all the children have learned while attending the center. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke kicked off the program by welcoming parents and family members, stressed how important it is for all children to have access to high quality early childhood education, and praised the work that Chambliss Center for Children does for children and families in the community. Dressed in red and yellow caps and gowns, the children followed the mayors opening remarks by marching in, singing a song, showing off their skills with letters, numbers and colors, and finally entertained attendees with a closing song and dance.



This is definitely a favorite event among the staff of this agency, said Lesley Berryhill, director of Communications for Chambliss Center for Children. We are proud that 100% of the children in our program leave here Kindergarten-ready, setting them up for future success in school. Its exciting and heartwarming to see these little ones and their families moving on to the next chapter in their lives.



For more information about Chambliss Center for Children, visit www.chamblisscenter.org or call 423 698-2456.


When talking through which school a child should go to based on their acceptance levels, I recently asked a parent, "What kind of environment does your son want to be in?"

Her response? "He wants to study biology."

"Okay, sure, but what kind of environment is he looking for?"

The parent was confused. "I told you," she said, speaking more slowly, "he wants to study biology."

The concept of fit in a college or graduate program is very confusing to many Indian students, probably because it isn't a factor in choosing a college within India, and so it isn't a consideration when picking a program abroad. Instead, people look at rankings lists or try to find information about "placement" post college.

When considering college as a kind of machine, a factory, which takes in raw material, or students, and produces, finished products, or jobholders, American colleges and Universities will not be very clear or comprehensible to the average Indian applicant. It is only by thinking beyond this concept that a student finds a school that is best for them.

But that very idea means letting go of a generalized objective concept of "best", as in, I want to go to the BEST school, and accepting a concept of "best for me". The first thing to keep in mind when looking at colleges and graduate programs for fit is that American universities are not technical in the way their Indian counterparts are.

6 Important Criteria To Mind While Researching Colleges Overseas

The philosophy behind them is not to educate students in technical skills, but in transferable ones, so you can't look at an American school the way you would an Indian one. You can learn about gender studies, environmental sciences and robotics, all without giving up that practical major you want so badly. But you might not find options like PR, marketing, civil engineering, or you might find that your economics course is far more theoretical than you would have expected.

The rigidity of the University of Chicago is painful to a student who wants their education to take on a looser and more self-dictated slant, while the openness of Brown is confusing and unproductive to a student who wants the external structure of another kind of university, despite being able to study the exact same things at both.

Students transfer out of these "top ranked" schools yearly because despite them being "the best", they aren't the best for THEM.

MBA Guidelines: 6 steps to mastering the art of MBA!

So if I were an Indian student struggling would start by eliminating the big general factors. Do I want a big school, with primarily lecture classes, or a small school with a ton of seminar options? Do you want to be in an urban space where the city can be a supplemental classroom, or a campus oriented space where you will have a lot of monitoring, guidance, and support? Do you want to be in a more international school, or a more homogenous place? All these questions knock out the big general stuff, and then you might have a smaller, but still overwhelming list.

Then, you start looking at the guiding principles of the program. How strong is the core program? What are the requirements, how much does the school require and encourage interdisciplinary learning? Look through the course catalogue, not just at the majors, but the classes themselves, do they excite you? How much freedom exists within picking your own major, or shaping your own curriculum? How much do you want there to be?

Campus Safety in the USA For International Students

If at all possible, it's a great idea to talk to an alumni of a school, and get a sense from them about the feeling of the college from someone who has recently experienced it. Many schools will put you in touch with alumni, and there are also tons of online forums for people to talk candidly and frankly about their experience with a school, which are magnificent resources for any applicant. Working with a company that can advise you and connect you with alumni can also be really helpful, if you are struggling to navigate this process on your own.

Chances are, if you are applying to a program in the United States, you are already looking for something different than what you can find around you. The beauty of the American system is it's focus on the individual's experience in an educational intuition, and it's time for you to use that, right from the beginning. The right school is that school that is right for you.

For more information visit www.collegify.com
DivorceCare class is designed for those who are experiencing the trauma and pain from a divorce. The series will last 13 weeks. The evening will begin with a potluck at 6:15 p.m. (You are our guest and are not expected to bring anything.) The class will start at 7 p.m. and end around 8 p.m. Childrens activities will be provided.

The church is at 6001 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.

Some of the subjects covered are:

Whats happening to me?

Facing my anger.

Facing my loneliness.

New relationships.

Financial survival

Kid Care.

To register, go to www.Valleybrookepc@gmail.com or call 843-0314.
Reginald Charles Harvey, 47, formerly of 1010-B N. Larchmont Ave., Chattanooga, was sentenced on Friday to serve 25 years without the possibility of parole for a residential burglary which occurred on Oct. 15, 2014 on Wildwood Drive. Harvey received an additional 10 years without parole concurrent for a felony theft arising out of the same incident. Harvey was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks who presided over Harvey's jury trial in June. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bryan Rayburn who also presented evidence at the sentencing hearing including four of Harvey's prior felony convictions, two for burglary and two for theft. Harvey was represented by Michael R. McCarthy of the Public Defender's Office.



Detective Chris Guay of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Through the investigation, surveillance footage from a Whitfield County Parks & Recreation camera placed Harvey in the area of the burglary near the time it occurred. Another video was located at a nearby convenience store which also showed Harvey in the area at the relevant time. Images of Harvey were released to the news media resulting in multiple anonymous calls to law enforcement identifying him. With the suspect's name, Detective Guay was able to track down where Harvey had pawned large amounts of the victim's jewelry in Chattanooga and Atlanta in the days immediately following the burglary. Much of the jewelry was recovered for the victim but many items are still missing. Harvey was arrested and a search of his home produced a distinctive purple shirt that he was seen wearing in the two surveillance videos on the day of the burglary.



Georgia law mandates that persons convicted of their fourth or subsequent felony be sentenced to the maximum period of time allowed for that offense and that any portion of the sentence ordered to be served in confinement be served without the possibility of parole. Harvey's first conviction for burglary occurred in 1986 and he has been in steady trouble with the law ever since. He was last released from prison in 2005 for another burglary.


The increased demand in the latest generation A4 and Q7, along with significant growth achieved in China, Europe and United States, has helped Audi post a 5.6 percent increase in sales.



From January to June, the brand handed over 953,218 vehicles, compared to 902,272 units delivered over the same period last year. Not bad, considering the damage done by Dieselgate.

Despite challenging conditions, we demonstrated the strength of our business operations in the first half of the year. We are building on our strong core business and develop new business areas that megatrends such as digitization open to us. We are investing in sustainable products and developing answers for the questions of urban mobility, said Rupert Stadler, Chairman and Board of Management of Audi AG.

Audis brand revenue has also witnessed an increase, from 29,784 million ($32,999 million) to 30,130 million ($33,382 million), while the operating profit, excluding special items, dropped 8.8 percent, from 2,914 million ($3,228 million) to 2,666 million ($2,953 million). The companys net cash inflow rose from 1,747 million ($1,935 million) to 2,085 million ($2,310 million) and net liquidity is up to 17,150 million ($19,001 million) from 16,420 million ($18,192 million).

Moreover, the German automaker recruited approximately 600 new employees in the first six months of the year, and the number is expected to double by the end of 2016. Roughly 800 young people will start their job training in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm in September, as the company will increase the number of apprenticeships by 10 percent.

PHOTO GALLERY
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recently killed the third-gen Viper, but a few years back a group of enthusiastic investors attempted to buy the rights to the car fearing its imminent death.



While speaking with The Truth About Cars, noted supercar collector and entrepreneur James Glickenhaus revealed that he was approached for financial advice by a group looking to purchase the Viper from FCA.

A private group wanted to buy Viper and approached FCA who were receptive. This private group asked me for advice and I gave it to them. A deal was not reached. They did have the resources to do the deal but in the end decided not to (buy Viper and its facility). I did advise them not to do this deal but why they didnt isnt something I know.

This group of investors were said to have been considering purchasing the rights to the Dodge Viper as well as the factory where the car is built.

According to Glickenhaus, any prospective owner would have had to increase annual Viper sales threefold to just break even, never mind see a return on the investment. Small wonder they walked out, then.

PHOTO GALLERY
A Himalayan train ride at more than 100 kilometers per hour at the foot of the world's highest snow-capped mountains and oldest glaciers is no longer just a dream, Chinese railway experts say.

With more than 19,000 km of high-speed  up to 350 km per hour  railways, China has accumulated the technology and experience to build a rail link between the Tibet antonymous region and the South Asian subcontinent, they say.

The Himalayan railway would start from Xigaze, a city in Tibet, run to Gyirong, a land port on the Chinese border, and extend into Nepal, although it would not be a high-speed railway, the researchers said on Thursday at a forum in Beijing run by the China Tibetology Research Center, a Tibetan studies organization.

In 2006, China built a railway running for more than 1,100 km to connect the highland region of Tibet with the rest of the country. In 2014, it built a 250-km rail link between Lhasa, the Tibet regional capital, and Xigaze, the region's second-largest city.

Trains run at 100 km per hour throughout the Tibetan rail system, which according to China's railway plan for 2016 to 2020, will stretch from Xigaze to Gyirong.

Nepal hopes that China can connect this port with Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, as part of the China-Nepal international railway.

China hopes the rail link will boost economic, cultural and religious communication with Nepal as part of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

"The construction of a railway crossing the Himalayan mountains is now economically and technologically feasible," said Zong Gang, deputy director of the Science and Technology Department at Beijing University of Technology.

The altitude at Gyirong port is 2,800 meters above sea level, while the Gyirong mountain pass to Nepal lies at about 1,800 meters, making the railway geographically feasible.

In contrast, Lhasa is about 3,700 meters above sea level and the altitude at Xigaze is about 3,800 meters.

Losang Jamcan, chairman of the Tibet autonomous region government, said on July 1 that building rail links is the most powerful way to help Tibet open up to South Asian countries.

After a meeting between Premier Li Keqiang and Nepalese Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli in March, the two countries said their governments will further discuss construction of a cross-border railway and also support companies conducting preliminary research.

At least two Chinese companies have shown an interest in developing rail networks connecting China with Nepal, the Kathmandu Post reported on July 2.

China CAMC Engineering Co has proposed building a 121-km railway linking Kathmandu and Rasuwagadhi, a land port in Nepal facing Gyirong.

China Railway Construction Corp has applied to the Railway Department in Nepal for a Kathmandu-Rasuwagadhi railway feasibility study.

Ma Jiali, a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said a trans-Himalayan railway would be of great economic value as it could later connect China, the largest economy in Asia, with India, the continent's third-largest economy.

He said that landlocked Nepal is willing to have a more convenient link to China because it believes that China's development will offer great opportunities for Nepal.

Zhou Yuhui, a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University who has just returned from a field visit to the China-Nepal border, said, "There are rich tourism resources, including virgin forest, canyons and historical relics in Gyirong, which has hardly been developed.

"While bringing tourists and businesses to Gyirong, which will help local people to escape poverty, the China-Nepal railway will also help ... to make people more willing to integrate into modern life."
Another airbag crisis could be just around the corner and it has nothing to do with Takata Motor Corp., as it is centered around ARC Automotive Inc.



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is already looking into more than 8 million airbag inflators supplied by the company that was founded in 1949 and has global manufacturing operations.

According to AutomotiveNews, the decision follows an initial inquiry of 490,000 airbags in mid-2015, when two injuries were reported, and comes after a Canadian driver was killed by an airbag inflator in his 2009 Hyundai Elantra. This part was assembled in China; the feds, however, note that it is not clear yet whether the parts made in the Peoples Republic were sold in the United States, too.

Apart from Hyundai, the defective airbag inflators that could explode with excessive force and send shrapnel towards the occupants are also found in Kia, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors vehicles, but all automakers are cooperating with the investigation. As for the defective parts, these have a different design over the ones made by Takata, but use the same ammonium nitrate propellant, which has been avoided by other manufacturers.

PHOTO GALLERY
Displacement, contrary to the saying, can be replaced.



Six-cylinder cars have always held a special place in the companys heart, even if they were never the meatball-and-potatoes cars. And a performance-minded Volvo has long been fun, even if its never given performance-minded Audis or BMWs much to worry about. The 2016 Volvo S60 Polestar is the last of its kind for Volvo.

This Polestar is an unusual car, destined to be an oddball classic. It manages to be exciting, while also carrying that classic feeling of brute force that is growing rare in cars today, and runs counter to the efficiency song engineers up in Sweden are singing these days.

Which is why you need to pick one up.





At last, an irrational reason to buy a Volvo

You buy a Polestar because its freaking blue. Rebel Blue. The highway patrol sees a streak of it go by and then doesnt pursue you because that cant be a Volvo. Oh, but it is.

The basic S60 is an attractive-enough car, but most versions have anonymous detailing. Not so with the Polestar. Fat 20-inch wheels and skirts and spoilers look out of place, but in a good way. Its your parents dressing up for a charity 80s throwback dance. I swear it works. Parked in the suburbs of Los Angeles one evening, I return to the car only to be greeted by a man standing next to the car.

This is the Polestar, right? You know, I never thought much of Volvo until I saw this.

Backhanded compliment, yes. Flattering? You betcha, if youre Volvo.

Volvo isnt new to sleeper cars. The 850 T-5R, 850 R, V70 R, all had what about cars  the ability for someone to walk by and second guess what they saw, and then examine closer and closer. Thats why we should thank the Swedish performance gods every day for the Polestars.



Its a shame the interior isnt more ridiculous, but in true Volvo fashion, it is functional. The massively bolstered and padded front seats explain why people buy Volvos in the first place. Six-hour runs up the highway are no problem for your back or butt in these things, even if theyre a little more confining than Volvos typical comfort seats. At least they hold you firmly in place should you decide to explore the Polestars limits.

And despite the S60s relatively small dimensions on paper, there is a lot of useable space for four adults. Two six-footers in the back seat didnt complain and the trunk is squarely shaped for suitcases. Of course, this is the part where I mention the wagon sibling, the V60 Polestar, has more rear headroom and usable cargo space and you should just get that.

Time has not been kind to the technology, however. Get into an XC90 or new S90 and the thin fonts, 3G connection and internet browser lifted from the circa-1999 iMac in your schools computer lab.

But no one complains about the interface in a Ferrari, so why should you here?





Until Ferrari builds a $60,000 four-door sedan, this is it

One of my neighbors has an early 2010s Ford Mustang GT with a 5.0-liter V8 that wakes me up around 5:30 every morning. I hope I woke him up one of the mornings with the Polestar.

In addition to wondering what that bright blue thing was that just passed, they also want to know why it sounds so angry. What was historically a powerful but restrained engine in the heavy XC60 and XC70 family haulers, the Polestar treatment made this old 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six sound like it wanted to leap out from under the hood of this car. Knock the shifter to the six-speed automatic into sport, and the growly Volvo starts to bark, even when youre just parking it. Heads turn, and for the right reasons.

Blues are still blue #Volvo #Polestar #carsofsb A photo posted by Zac Estrada (@zacestrada) on May 22, 2016 at 12:06pm PDT

Despite a claim of 4.7 seconds from a standstill to 60 mph, it doesnt feel especially quick off the line. Chalk that up to the all-the-time all-wheel drive and nearly two tons of car to move around. However, the Polestar pulls easily and rapidly up past freeway speeds.

Volvo makes hefty cars well. The Polestar, therefore, never betrays its weight and somehow feels larger than it really is. But it also feels incredibly safe to drive quickly. And better still, the 20-inch wheels and Ohlins shocks havent disturbed the S60s normally soft ride that much, aside from some kicks when running over badly broken pavement. It actually encourages you to speed up a bit, which is welcome from this company.

Lessons learned from this Polestar bode well for the future.





Old Volvos never die, they pass on

A recent Cars.com inventory search showed just several dozen S60 and V60 Polestars at U.S. dealerships. But many had several thousands of dollars on the hood, which sweetens the deal considerably. Not only are you getting a performance bargain relative to anything the German brands can offer, but youre getting a car that feels special  a 2016 model that actually feels special.

Sure, its flawed in numerous ways, but it oozes charm. It isnt the last word on outright handling or performance, but its a safe quick drive. Maybe it wont clobber a BMW M3 on a track, but its fun in a different way in everyday driving.

Efficiency is important. The environment is important. But boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions can be a bitch, and the death of the straight-six, turbocharged, howling Polestar is prime example. I have no doubt the 2017 S60 and V60 Polestar with their ultra-boosted 2.0-liter engines are better cars, but they are different cars.

Savor these final moments.

Photos: Keith Moore/Carscoops

Photos
TVR is gearing up to release a brand-new model, but until then, were left with the car makers past creations, which are utterly bonkers.



Small automakers are often bound to use borrowed parts (from other cars) in order to reduce manufacturing costs and make their products easier to live with. But not TVR.

No, the British car manufacturer had a habit of doing things a bit different, overcomplicating each model by trying to reinvent the wheel  metaphorically speaking; although they wouldve probably reinvented it, given the chance.

Anyway, the Tuscan is as TVR as it gets, being packed of little quirks that make life more interesting. Or unbearable, because why shouldnt there be a car with door release buttons located under the side mirrors? In one of Top Gears episodes, Jeremy Clarkson challenged a group of workers to get in a Tuscan, start its engine and then get out  all under a minute. Nobody was able to complete the challenge, which begs the question: is the Tuscan that complicated to handle?

The simple answer would be yes. The long answer can be seen in Doug DeMuros latest video, which presents some (with emphasis on some) of the vehicles oddities. On the plus side, as he points out, its just one out of five or six examples in North America. Suddenly its idiosyncrasies seem a bit less dissuading, no?

VIDEO
The Dark Knight has the Batmobile (among other things) in his cave, so heres a thought: Why not give those pesky troublemakers from the Suicide Squad a car to reflect their (messed up) personalities?



The movie has just hit the screens and the Joker is seen in a ridiculously-looking pink car. Named the Vaydor, its built on an Infiniti G35 and its obviously just a prop for the movie.

We think Batmans most celebrated (pun intended) foe deserves something more in tune with his, em, colorful character. Come on, a pink what-have-you? Thats a bad joke, lets find the man something with grit.

The Joker



Like a Lykan Hypersport, for instance. This overpowered, brash and outrageous 740 horsepower and 960 Nm machine is pure lunacy. It even comes with 420 diamonds encrusted in the LED lights, on a titanium accent piece, and its whole body and interior are garnished with carbon fiber. Oh, and did we mention it has a 9-inch mid-air Hologram display with interactive motion?

Harley Quinn



Now tell us a better car to suit the edgy Harley Quinn than a 6.5-litre 690 HP Lamborghini Aventador. Like Jokers love interest she looks gorgeous, but you dont want to push her too much. And just like the character, the Lambo has everything it needs to stand out from the crowd, especially if were talking about one with a vinyl wrap like this one.

El Diablo



Chato Santana, better known as El Diablo, is an ex-criminal whos possessed by a minor demon that acts as a Spirit of Vengeance. His body slumbers in a coma while El Diablo roams the earth; similar to what happened to the Equus Bass 770. Based on a barely recognizable 1960s Mustang, the Equus Bass is driven by a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8 developing 640 HP and 605 lb-ft (819 Nm) of torque.

Enchantress



Enchantress goth looks and illusive black mist are best represented by a Rolls-Royce Wraith, especially as the car floats as it goes  just like the aforementioned antihero. Granted, the Roller is more art-deco than gothic, but theres nothing those blokes from the British car makers bespoke program cant do if they put their mind to it.

Killer Croc



Killer Crocs ride would be a Super Snake, as both are as cold blooded as it gets. Like the Croc, the Shelby has become more powerful throughout the years, tickling the baser instincts with the 750 HP from its tuned 5.0-liter supercharged V8.

Rick Flag



As an all-out army guy and leader of the Task Force X-villain group, Rick Flags car should definitely be a modified Jeep Wrangler. The original Richard Montgomery Flag led a division in World War II called the Suicide Squadron, which would make him contemporary with Jeeps first car: The Wyllis MA.

Slipknot



Slipknot  no, not the heavy metal band  is a trained assassin that mastered the use of ropes. Hes the equivalent of a certain British spy, albeit more muscular and good at crafting indestructible ropes (yes, really). A perk which comes in handy if you drive the motoring equivalent of a Swiss army knife: The Range Rover.

Katana



Katana is a quick, highly proficient hand-to-hand combatant and swordswoman with strong tactical skills. She also wields a sword that can trap peoples souls, which is similar to what the Honda NSX does, albeit with a 573 HP high-tech hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive.

Captain Boomerang



Last but not least is a superhero created in 1960 by someone with no imagination. Captain Boomerang is an expert at (yup, you guessed it) throwing boomerangs. The only thing that could make him remotely cool is a proper Aussie beast like the HSV Maloo (Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo, in this case). The one with the 6.2-litre Supercharged LSA Generation IV V8, that boasts 536 HP and 671 Nm of torque is a nice fit.

Thanks Will Hayes from Car Keys!
You could have the missing piece of the puzzle that will help the RCMP put someone behind bars. Here are some recent crimes that Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers hope you can help solve by calling our anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown.

CRIME: THEFT OF CARVING

DATE: August 3, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-44867

On August 3rd an employee of a winery located on the 2800 block of Boucherie Road in West Kelowna noticed that a carving was missing from the front counter of the wine store. Staff viewed video surveillance and discovered that at approximately 4:30 on July 26th a couple entered the store and a male removed the green soap stone carving worth $1400.00. West Kelowna RCMP would like to identify this couple who allegedly left with the piece of art.

Photo: Crime Stoppers

If you know anything about this crime, or any other crime, call the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net. Your information will be kept confidential and could lead to a reward of up to $2000.00.

CRIME: THEFT OF FORD F350

DATE: August 1, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-44470

An employee of a fencing company left a work truck at the Okanagan Lake Provincial Park near Summerland overnight on July 31st; returning the next day to discover it missing. The trucks GPS tracker indicates the truck was taken at 10:50 pm, and was driven to Meadow Valley Road, a rural forest service road in Summerland. The truck is a white 2004 Ford F-350 with BC plate JD7891 and VIN 1FTSF31P24ED19297. It is a short box single cab truck with a pipe rack, black tailgate and Lynx Brand Fencing logo on the doors.

Photo: Crime Stoppers

You can help catch these suspects and qualify for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

It could cost more to rent a hotel or motel room in Kelowna next spring.

Tourism Kelowna is asking city council to approve a one per cent hike in what is known as the 'hotel room tax'.

At the present time, a two per cent tax is levied on all room rentals. Those funds are collected by the vendor and remitted to the province.

The province in turn sends the funds to the city who passes it on to Tourism Kelowna for marketing purposes.

The increased room tax, if approved by council, and the province, could come into effect by April 1 of next year.

Over the past 12 months, Tourism Kelowna has realized more than $1.85 million from the room tax. It hopes to generate an additional $900,000 during the 2017-2018 season.

Tourism Kelowna says it needs the additional funds for specific marketing programs, including:

Increase marketing in Ontario

Promote Kelowna in markets with high potential (such as the Western U.S. and Eastern Canada) which are beyond the reach of current resources

Increase Kelownas exposure in overseas markets through new investment with provincial and national tourism marketing organizations

City council will review the request Monday.
Photo: File photo

The two medical marijuana dispensaries that opened this week in Kelowna, are operating without a business licence.

Tom Wilson with the City of Kelowna says Star Buds and a second shop, on Dolphin Avenue near the Landmark buildings, were both visited by Bylaw Enforcement to notify them of their obligations to apply for a business licence.

They have been made aware of the regulations for the kind of business they are proposing and of the need to get approval from federal government ministries to operate a dispensary, said Wilson.

If they continue to operate without a license bylaw will issue more tickets and the RCMP will be consulted about other possible charges, explains Wilson.

RCMP Superintendent Nick Romanchuk told Castanet there is nothing in law that allows the dispensaries or compassion clubs to operate.

When we have the time and resources, we can certainly look at investigating those but we have to consider that among everything else we have to do and the resources that we have available to us . whether it is really the thing to do or not, he said. Right now with some other issues we have in the community I think our resources are probably better directed to those areas.

Castanet reached out to Star Buds for comment but they declined.
Photo: CTV

A one-day, pop-up dog cafe in Vancouver caused pup-pandemonium, Friday.

Dog lovers lined up hours ahead of the opening at Taxi Cafe on Richards Street to get a 20-minute cuddle session with SPCA animals.

The event was sold out by noon, forcing hundreds of people to be turned away.

The lucky ones snuggled and petted dogs up for adoption through the SPCA.

The animals were brought in from rural areas where there are fewer people to adopt them, said Ryan Voutilainen of the Burnaby SPCA.

"We're able to help so many more animals, and save so many more lives," he told CTV.

Tuffy was one of the stars of the show. The pup lost an eye after being kicked by a horse, and was also injured after falling out of a moving vehicle.

The event's success has the SPCA considering more.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Ed Stephens

UPDATE: 6 a.m.

Residents tell Castanet the power was out for eight hours before being restored.

ORIGINAL: 7 p.m.

FortisBC is reporting a power outage in the Joe Rich and Big White area.

Amy Bunton, corporate communications advisor with Fortis, said the outage happened about 5:15 p.m., caused by a downed tree on a power line.

About 2,500 customers are affected by the outage and Fortis crews are on site working to secure the area.

Bunton said they estimated power would be restored in a minimum of three hours.
Photo: Getty Images

By Sheryl Theessen

I wish I had known in 2003 when I had my breast implants removed about a development that just came out of the Alzheimers Association International Conference.

Perhaps it would have better prepared me for what was to come.

A proposal was put forth at the Toronto conference in July to add a new tool to the checklist used to determine a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease.

This proposal suggests a diagnosis be created, termed mild behavioural impairment (MBI), that recognizes changes preceding the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Mild cognitive impairment is used when people exhibit signs of cognitive problems, but who are otherwise able to lead a normal life.

Many people diagnosed with MCI do not develop Alzheimers or any other dementia, even decades later.

This new recommendation is seeking to measure sudden changes in behaviour, such as displays of unaccountable anger or radical swings in moods, depression, a lack of interest in activities that used to be important.

These changes may be abrupt or out of character, with no known cause.

Its suggested that these behavioural issues could be the first indicator of changes in the brain that may lead to Alzheimers, changes that become apparent years before cognitive problems arise.

I now see my husbands reaction when I had my implants removed as the big red flag that heralded what was coming.

My implants had been in place since 1979 and there had been a problem with a partial rupture in one since the late 1980s.

As long as the leaking silicone was being contained by the scar capsule around the implant, it was felt that this implant could be left in place.

In 2003, it was discovered that the leaked silicone had escaped that scar capsule and into breast tissue. The decision was made, by my doctors, to remove not just the damaged implant, but due to their age, both of them, plus the invaded breast tissue.

I chose not to have the implants replaced.

My husband did not take this decision well. He felt he had been victimized by my decision to live with the body I had been given. He never forgave me for doing this to him and could not seem to comprehend my unwillingness to undergo yet another surgery.

His attitude was a complete surprise. I would never have guessed he would react in such an unloving manner about a matter that was health, not vanity, related.

There were other changes in his behaviour. He lost interest in activities that had played a prominent role in his life. He no longer wished to socialize and chose instead to sit in front of the TV.

Then, came his raging about other drivers who were out to get him. Every time he came home there had been another incident.

By 2008, cognitive changes were apparent. In 2010, he was diagnosed with MCI and in 2011 with Alzheimers disease.

So I am in agreement that behavioural issues may be a precursor to a later diagnosis of Alzheimers disease.

If a protocol can be developed to help define behavioural changes, I am all for it. Let there be the creation of a new diagnostic tool to measure these behavioural changes.

Its being suggested that those who suffer from mild behavioural impairment as well as mild cognitive impairment more quickly decline to develop Alzheimers or other dementias.

Those of us who have lived with Alzheimers know that once the diagnosis is made, nothing can be done to alter what is coming.

If behavioural issues can be identified in the early stages of the illness, before any other changes are apparent, there is more information to work with.

That information might lead to a treatment to stop this illness in its infancy, before the damage to the brain cannot be undone.

For more information, Google the New York Times headline, Personality change may be early sign of dementia, experts say.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
A 19-year-old giant panda gave birth to a male cub at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province during the early hours of Friday.

In terms of a human equivalent, the mother, Dashuang, about 70 years old, said Wu Kongju, a panda expert at the center.

Dashuang has given birth seven times in the past. Her water broke at around 8:40 p.m. Thursday, and the baby, weighing 186 grams, was born a few hours later, Wu said.

Pandas are in the high reproductive season, and staff at the center have gone to great lengths to take care of the mothers and their babies.

There are more than 1,300 wild pandas in Sichuan, 15 percent more than 10 years ago. The number of captive pandas in Sichuan is more than 360, accounting for 86.3 percent of all captive pandas nationwide.
Photo: Carol Pendleton

UPDATE: 6 a.m.

DriveBC reports the Coquihalla Highway reopened about 9:45 p.m.

ORIGINAL: 9 p.m.

People driving by the multi-vehicle crash on Highway 5 on Friday described it as a horrible sight to see.

Carol Pendleton said she and her husband were heading back to Kelowna from Langley at about 3 p.m., when all of a sudden the traffic came to a stop in the Box Canyon area.

"We heard the ambulances coming behind us and the traffic was very good about allowing them through the centre," she said. "There were also two helicopters flying above and it was very windy and they ended up landing on the highway. One was very close to us and the other landed beyond the accident."

After that traffic heading north was allowed to proceed, and as they drove along Pendleton said they were surprised by the extent of the several accidents and the debris.

"It was really shocking, I think it's the biggest accident that ever happened on the Coquihalla and we saw them specifically working on one vehicle," she said. "But people were just sort of very calm and helpful and the first responders were amazing.

We also saw first responders from Merritt quickly close the highway southbound, and it seemed well co-ordinated considering the extent of it."
Bears cooling down in California's Lake Tahoe. No need for them to leave towels on their loungers... Jo pic.twitter.com/WUkcpRAvyx  BBC Weather (@bbcweather) August 5, 2016

Norma Alvarez Gonzalez, a Venezuelan doctor on a three-week vacation to the U.S., was walking on Pope Beach alongside Lake Tahoe with relatives when she saw the mother bear swimming with her two cubs.

"I thought it was so beautiful that I took out my phone to record it," she said.

After the bears splashed around, they walked up on the beach and headed toward a picnic table loaded with food. People nearby started yelling at the bears to make them go away, Alvarez said, and the mother bear took a bag of cookies and headed into nearby woods with the two cubs following her.

"It was real pretty," said Alvarez, who stood about 45 feet away while recording.

Alvarez said another woman who took video of the event had been living near Lake Tahoe for 35 years and had never seen bears splash around in the water before.

"It was quite a show," Alvarez said. "She told me it was the first time she had seen something like that, and it was a real privilege."

The temperature was in the 70s and cooler in the shade, so Alvarez said she wasn't sure that the bears went into the water to cool down with so many people around. They might just have gone in for some fun.
Photo: CTV

A thief without a heart stole a terminal cancer patient's rent money from her hospital room in Surrey.

Sierra Blanchette-Parent was in Surrey Memorial Hospital when the $1,000 was stolen.

Blanchette-Parent has only about a year to live and was at the hospital for cancer treatments.

"I just want to be a mom," she told CTV, Friday. "Knowing that my son's going to a good place and having a good place, that would be good."

The 23-year-old had about $700 she'd withdrawn from an ATM at the hospital, plus another $300 in her wallet, as well as a $300 winning lottery ticket.

"I was so excited about my scratchy. I wanted to show my boyfriend. We realized it was gone. We searched everywhere but couldn't find it."

Fraser Health spokesperson Jaqueline Blackwell said: "The fact that someone would prey on someone in a hospital who is vulnerable is very troubling."

The couple has set up a GoFundMe page to recoup some of the money and help care for their son.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Google Maps

BX-Swan Lake firefighters were back along BX Creek trail to fight another fire Friday afternoon.

Crews were called to the scene of the small grass fire about 3:28 p.m.

Firefighters were able to drive to the scene in a small bush truck to fight the blaze.

The cause of the fire is undetermined, said fire chief Bill Wacey, adding there had been storm activity in the area some days earlier.

Members of Vernon Fire Rescue were also called to the scene but did not have to help out.
Photo: Vernon Fire Rescue.

The driver of a pickup is believed to have fled the scene after crashing into a house on the 2500 block of 36th Avenue in Vernon Saturday morning, causing significant damage.

A Vernon Fire Rescue crew was called to the scene at 6:23 a.m.

We arrived to find a half-ton truck had left the road and struck a house, reported fire captain Dan Walker. A female was being treated at the scene by BC Ambulance Service.

Walker said the RCMP also attended and one person had fled the scene.

The house has some pretty severe damage to the one side, said Walker, who added that no one was in the home at the time of the crash.
Photo: Flickr/BC Gov't

The province is putting another $1 million in the kitty for an ongoing Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon program aimed at helping lower-income families and singles with their food bills.

Each week, program participants receive $15 worth of coupons that can be used at one of the 63 participating markets throughout B.C.

The coupons are used like cash to purchase locally grown fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts and herbs.

"Making healthy food choices goes a long way to increasing quality of life and avoiding chronic illness," said Health Minister Terry Lake.

Lake said the program makes it easier for those who need help to access and afford fresh foods, and supports them in making nutritious choices."

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna Lake Country, made a simultaneous announcement at the Kelowna Farmers Market, Saturday, amid a backdrop of local, Okanagan fruits, vegetables and produce.

The program is expected to support an estimated 10,000 people in 2016, according to a government press release. The province has put $5.75 million toward the program since 2012.

The coupon program runs for 16 weeks, from June through October, and is administered by the BC Association of Farmers' Markets.
Photo: Google Maps

UPDATE: 2:33 p.m.

The highway has reopened 2 km east of Coldstream.

UPDATE: 1:33 p.m.

Highway 6 remains closed in both directions, with an estimated opening time of 2 p.m.

An assessment is currently in progress.

Drive BC says Highway 6 is closed in both directions about two km east of Coldstream due to a vehicle incident.

The estimated time of opening is currently not available.

Drivers can detour via Buchanan Road.
VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis wasted no time in getting back to business following his five-day trip to Poland for World Youth Day. On Aug. 2 he announced the formal establishment of a commission to study the possibility of female deacons or, as the Vatican put it, the diaconate of women.

Deacons date back to early Christian times and have a specific ministry assisting the local bishop. Following the Second Vatican Council, married men were allowed to be ordained to the permanent diaconate; for others it is the stage before priesthood.

The new papal body includes Phyllis Zagano, a theologian who has argued extensively in favor of the female diaconate. She will be joined by another U.S. scholar, Augustinian Father Robert Dodaro, president of the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome. He is an expert in the early church  this is important, given that this topic is a top priority for Francis.

Their job is primarily to look at the history of female deacons  known as deaconesses  during the first centuries of Christianity. That they existed is not denied, given that one is referred to in St. Pauls Letter to the Romans, along with several other accounts from the early church period.

The question at stake is what their ministry was and whether it is one that can be retrieved. One of the hinges that Catholic theology turns on is the notion that the church today is united to the first Christians  like an umbilical cord stretching over the centuries.

The role of deaconesses in the early church has, however, been studied before. In 2002, a Vatican theological commission ruled that deacons were distinct from their female counterparts but said it was up to the pope and bishops to decide whether to bring back this form of ministry.

Pope Francis decided to set up the commission after being asked a question about the topic during a meeting with leaders of women religious back in May. His response to the sisters then and his decision to set up the commission now once again revealed that Francis is willing to listen and act collegially.

His model of a listening papacy, one that is in touch with the people, is something hed like bishops to adopt as well. It was something he focused on during his informal meeting with the Polish bishops during his World Youth Day visit.

A transcript of the discussion was released on Aug. 2. It revealed the pope urging bishops to remain sensitive to the needs of their people while also having the confidence to go out into the world. He stressed that parishes must also make the sacraments available and that churches must be open and friendly  he even colorfully described parish secretaries who scare off newcomers as disciples of Satan.

When he met separately with priests and religious he urged them not to remain enclosed, out of fear or convenience.

His words were important as Catholicism in Poland is at something of a crossroads. While it has an honored place in the countrys history for its opposition to both Nazism and communism  epitomized by the decisive contribution made by Pope John Paul II in ending Soviet rule  more could be done by way of renewal. After all, it has a powerful engine room of faith with 7,000 seminarians, 30,000 priests and a population that is 90 percent Catholic.

One of the other key messages the pope gave the church in Poland was to welcome migrants, particularly those fleeing their homeland due to poverty, war and destruction.

Among the pilgrims who took part in World Youth Day were some Syrians who had fled their countrys protracted civil war. One of them, Rand Mittri, a 26- year-old from Aleppo, told the pope and the crowd about the devastation in her home country. The day before Francis said that the credibility of Christians would be measured by how they treat outcasts.

The gathering in Krakow was a powerful demonstration of different nationalities mingling together. In the citys streets Koreans drank Polish beer in bars sitting alongside Italians while Brazilians played guitars as young nuns danced in the squares.

World Youth Day had, however, started under a cloud after news came of the brutal killing of French priest Jacques Hamel by Islamic extremists near the city of Rouen. It was shocking  especially for the 35,000 French pilgrims. Responding to the news on the plane to Krakow, Francis said the world was at war, later stressing this was not a war about religion.

He instead took the platform of World Youth Day as an opportunity to inspire young people to build a new humanity. Telling them to turn off their video games and stop being couch potatoes, he urged them to find God among the marginalized, such as refugees.

Using faith as an inspiration was something Archbishop Cupich did when he addressed a group of Chicago pilgrims in Poland. Taking place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Krakow, Archbishop Cupich spoke and took questions from the assembly. One of them asked how to become more involved in parish life and to get others to do the same.

You are the best inviters and the best evangelizers, he told the young people. He urged them to be reflective about the big, transitional moments and to ask God what he was calling each of them to. If you do, life wont become boring, it will become an adventure. And you are too young not to take up that adventure. He stressed: faith is not just believing in something, its believing in someone  its about trust. Ive experienced God pushing me so far against the wall until I trust him.

Faith and trust in God were tested to the limits in the face of humanitys cruelty, particularly the mass extermination of Jews during the Second World War.

It was to the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, 30 miles west of Krakow, that Francis went on July 22 in what was one of the most poignant moments of his visit. The pope was silent throughout the entire visit, spending time in prayer at points where executions had been carried out, and meeting Holocaust victims. The only message he left was in the guest book where he wrote: Lord, have mercy on your people! Lord, forgiveness for so much cruelty! For Francis, Auschwitz is a sign of what happens when mercy is forgotten.

It was another big, symbolic act of his papacy and showed the radically improved relationship between Catholicism and Judaism. This is important for Francis when looking at the violence in the world today, much of it perpetrated under a veneer of Islam. The point is this: interfaith dialogue, when conducted with patience and humility, can eventually bear fruit.
Wang Yu, a member of the Fengrui Law Firm, said on Friday that she "strongly protests" against being given an overseas "human rights award."

"Given that I have clearly refused the 'award', but the organization has still made the award against my will, I consider this an infringement of my human rights," Wang said.

Four Chinese were convicted of subverting state power and sentenced by a court in Tianjin after serial trials in the past four days.

Wang, who is currently on bail pending trial for involvement in the case, told journalists that she would "not acknowledge, not recognize and not accept" the "award."

"I am a Chinese and I love my country," she said. "I have done nothing important regarding human rights and those overseas who want to give me this award are using me to smear the Chinese government and the country."

Wang said she will not accept any award from any overseas organization and will not entrust anyone to accept the award on her behalf.

Talking about the trial of Zhou Shifeng, former head of Fengrui, and others, Wang said she believes that the trials of them have been open and fair.

"I hope people like Zhou will truly rectify their wrongdoings," Wang said, adding that she has also reflected on her own misdeeds.

Wang said she has met with her husband, Bao Longjun, who is also on bail pending trial. "He is in good condition."
Over 70 bars and restaurants out of about 90 premises along Yongkang Road have been found to be unlicensed or occupying illegal structures.

Shanghai's Xuhui District government is shutting down unlicensed bars on a downtown road that is popular with expatriates, officials said yesterday.

Over 70 bars and restaurants out of about 90 premises along Yongkang Road have been found to be unlicensed or occupying illegal structures.

They will be shut down by the end of October, said Liu Haisheng, the head of Tianping Sub-district's newly-established Yongkang Road improvement team.

However, about 19 bars and restaurants that have licenses and business certificates can remain open as long as they close before 10pm to avoid disturbing residents living upstairs, he told a press conference yesterday.

The illegal businesses will be turned into boutiques, chain stores or apartments, Liu said.

"Law enforcement officers with the district's urban management team and police authorities will patrol the road to ensure bars do not move tables onto the street or remain open after 10pm," Liu said. "The environment of the street will be greatly improved."

The government launched the crackdown in July in response to complaints from residents about noise and traffic chaos generated by the popular bars along the 550-meter-long road.

Some of the bar owners have structurally altered the four-storey wooden residential buildings, which were built over 70 years ago.

Some bars even took over portions of the road, moving tables outside and operating until late at night.

"It was a total mess, especially on Friday nights," said an elderly resident surnamed Zhou who lives above the bars. "The bars play loud music, while some drunken foreigners sing and dance, which is a nuisance," he added.

The residents have also complained of passing cars honking repeatedly, sparking quarrels between drivers and customers.

However, the road's foreign customers, who enjoy the relaxing environment and cheap drinks, see it differently.

"It's a pity for foreign tourists that most of the bars will be closed because the place is unique and not expensive," Simon Louis, an English tourist who often visits the city, told Shanghai Daily.

"I may not come here after the crackdown, but I'm sure similar places will pop up somewhere else," he said.

The bar strip first gained notoriety when an annoyed resident poured hot water on noisy foreign customers partying below in 2013.
Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech after arriving at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain on July 13, 2016. Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May arrived at Downing Street on Wednesday after gaining consent from Queen Elizabeth II. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

One thing most can agree on about the vote by the U.K. to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23, in an ill-advised referendum: It has made the economic and diplomatic future of the U.K. more complex than it was prior to this date.

Complexity is no bad thing if it leads to new opportunities. But in order to get the best out of them, one usually needs a strategy. The U.K. in terms of trade negotiations has largely outsourced its work with China to the EU. After exiting the Union in the next two years or beyond, it will need to stand on its own. Does it have the ability, and the will, to seek a better quality investment and trade relationship with China?

In a sense, under the former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, that was what it was already seeking. The U.K. took the lead in proactively joining the China-founded Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank in early 2015, despite U.S. misgivings. With the state visit by President Xi Jinping to the U.K. in October that year a raft of new investments were announced. The most eye-catching of these was GBP 6 billion in a new nuclear power station in the west of England. Some started talking of a "golden age" between the two countries.

The new Prime Minister, Mrs. May, in requesting a review pause before delivering final judgment on whether the nuclear deal can go ahead in early August has signaled that the momentum that was building up is being toned down. Some of her advisors have talked about China in more traditional terms - as a country with different values and different security concerns, which the U.K. has to be wary of.

There is an inherent contradiction here. Prior to deciding to leave the EU, the U.K. was in a far less exposed position than now. It's chef trading and economic partners, mostly within the EU, existed in a situation of relative security, U.K. growth looked good, and predictions were that, as long as it navigated the Brexit referendum well and people opted to stay in the Union, that it would maintain steady growth for the foreseeable future. In such a context, the U.K. could just as well have decided to take no risks with its relations with China, and leave things as they are, maintaining the status quo. That it chose to seek an upgraded relationship was mostly due to the personal interest of Osborne.

Under May, the U.K., post the decision to Brexit, is in a situation of much greater uncertainty. It will need to restructure its relations with the EU, doing what it can to preserve its key economic alliances with the single market, but it will also need to seek further afield for new partnerships which will compensate for what it might lose once it leaves the settled framework of the EU. It is in this situation, rather than the one prior to June 23, that the U.K. might want to take chances, go for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with new partners and experiment.

May's decision shows however that the U.K. government, at the moment at least, is extremely cautious. She is unwilling to take any chances until things are a little more certain. In many ways, the government did not expect the vote on the EU to go the way it has, and are still slightly bewildered. This delay symbolizes that.

Whether or not the nuclear deal eventually gets the go ahead, the next step will be to ask how, and in what form, the U.K. might want to approach getting more quality investment and economic support from China. It will certainly want to maintain the strong financial role of London, already a major center for RMB trading. Brexit threatens this at the moment by potentially removing what are called its passporting rights - the ability to undertake financial service work across the single market area.

The U.K. will also have to promote its technology companies aggressively in China, and give much more help in making British companies seek opportunities there. At the moment, only 1 percent of U.K. outward investment goes to China, a figure largely unchanged for two decades. Moreover, the U.K. runs a large trade deficit with the PRC. Both of these figures will need to change in the U.K.'s favor, and change fast.

The simple answer would be to go quickly for U.K.-China FTA. This at least would give Britain a competitive advantage over the rest of the EU which currently does not have one. But there are many problems here. Firstly, the U.K. cannot start to negotiate a deal till it has effectively left the Union, something unlikely for the next two or more years. Secondly, even if an FTA is signed, all this supplies is a framework for business. Businesses then need to go and take up the opportunities available. That could prove hard work. Finally, the U.K. will need to demonstrate its attractiveness as trade, technology and investment partners to China post-Brexit. It will need to show that it has been strengthened, not weakened, by this process, and has become more, not less, attractive.

The most one can conclude at the moment is that, in a very short space of time, the U.K. has gone from being a stable partner to China (and the rest of the world), seeking incremental and manageable improvements to its position, to one that has been forced into a situation of potential vulnerability and uncertainty. As the Financial Times said immediately after the referendum on June 23, scarcely, in peace times at least, can a government in a stable, developed country have ever made such a reckless decision. The priority of the government now is to at least create a little more clarity and stability. Creating good relations with China will be part of that.

Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute, King's College, London, and associate fellow, Chatham House, London, on the Asia Programme.

Opinion article reflected the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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China's Defense Ministry on Friday denounced new Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada's attempts to deny any "killing contest" in Nanjing during WWII.

Tomomi Inada's remarks are outrageous, said the Chinese Defense Ministry in a statement.

Inada said Thursday that she doubted that whether any killing contest took place during the Nanjing Massacre.

Japanese Defense Minister's public denial of the fact was aimed at whitewashing Japan's atrocities and disturbing the post-war order, said Chinese Defense Ministry.

There is no future if Japan denies history, said the Defense Ministry.

The Japanese army occupied Nanjing, then capital of China, in late 1937, and in over 40 days more than 300,000 Chinese were killed.

During that time two Japanese officers, Toshiaki Mukai and Tsuyoshi Noda, had a contest to kill 100 Chinese people using a sword. Mukai beheaded 106 and Noda 105.

The two officers were convicted of atrocities and executed in January 1948.
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At least 13 people were killed and six others injured in a bar fire in the French city of Rouen early Saturday, local media reported.

The victims were between the ages of 18 and 25, the Paris-Normandie newspaper said.

A private birthday party was being held in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar when the fire broke out, according to local authorities.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.


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Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III announced that Tennessee, along with 48 other states and the District of Columbia, reached a $125 million settlement with Cephalon, Inc. and affiliated companies, now part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

The settlement ends a multistate investigation into alleged anticompetitive conduct by Cephalon designed to block generic competition to its sleep-disorder drug, Provigil.

That conduct delayed generic versions of Provigil from entering the market for several years, while at the same time Provigil sales in the United States exceeded $1billion.

The settlement resolves allegations that Cephalon intentionally defrauded the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in an effort to secure an additional patent to protect Provigil from generic competition. For nearly six years, Cephalon was able to prevent generic competition by filing patent infringement lawsuits against all potential generic competitors. Cephalon settled those lawsuits in 2005 and early 2006 by paying those competitors to delay the sale of their generic versions of Provigil until at least April 2012. Because of that delay, consumers, states, and others paid hundreds of millions more for Provigil than they would have if generic versions entered the marketplace as expected in 2006.

The tactics used by Cephalon to prevent competition in the marketplace, harmed consumers and the State, Attorney General Slatery said. Most importantly, this settlement will compensate consumers who overpaid for their prescription drugs.

In total, the states will receive $35 million for distribution to consumers who purchased Provigil. The State of Tennessee and its consumers will receive an estimated $3.32 million consisting of: (1) approximately $1.75 million to compensate for Provigil purchases by certain state entities or authorized purchases off state contracts; (2) an estimated $1.1 million for distribution to Tennessee consumers for payments for Provigil; and (3) approximately $466,000 for Tennessees share of costs associated with the lengthy investigation.

This multistate settlement was facilitated by litigation brought against Cephalon by the Federal Trade Commission. In May 2015, the FTC settled its lawsuit against Cephalon for injunctive relief and $1.2 billion, which was paid into an escrow account. The FTC settlement allowed for those escrow funds to be distributed for settlement of certain related cases and government investigations, such as those of the 48 states.

The settlement is subject to court review, including providing consumers with notice and an opportunity to participate in, object to, or opt out of settlement. The states expect court review will be provided by Judge Mitchell Goldberg of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who is currently overseeing other litigation concerning Provigil against Cephalon and others.

In 2012, Cephalon, a U.S. biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Frazer, Pennsylvania, was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. Conduct related to the settlement happened prior to the 2012 acquisition. The company has denied wrongdoing in the settlement.
In late 2014, fledgling entrepreneur Josh Tetrick persuaded investors to plow $90 million into his vegan food startup Hampton Creek Inc. Tetrick had impressed leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms by getting his eggless Just Mayo product into Walmart, Kroger, Safeway and other top U.S. supermarkets within about three years of starting his company.

What Tetrick and his team neglected to mention is that the startup undertook a large-scale operation to buy back its own mayo, which made the product appear more popular than it really was. At least eight months before the funding round closed, Hampton Creek executives quietly launched a campaign to purchase mass quantities of Just Mayo from stores, according to five former workers and more than 250 receipts, expense reports, cash advances and emails reviewed by Bloomberg.

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In addition to buying up hundreds of jars of the product nationwide, contractors were told to call store managers pretending they were customers and ask about Just Mayo. Strong demand for a product typically prompts retailers to order more and stock it in additional stores.

Expense reports reviewed by Bloomberg show contractors bought back jars of Just Mayo from Safeway stores. Former workers say Hampton Creek also purchased its own products at Kroger, Costco, Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods locations nationwide. While a November 2014 email from the corporate partnerships team said the company would stop store buyouts, three former contractors who worked for the company in 2015 say the practice continued, and directions were given verbally.

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"We need you in Safeway buying Just Mayo and our new flavored mayos," Caroline Love, Hampton Creek's then director of corporate partnership, wrote in an April 2014 email to contract workers known as Creekers. "And we're going to pay you for this exciting new project! Below is the list of stores that have been assigned to you."

Love's memo also referenced a key competitor: "The most important next step with Safeway is huge sales out of the gate. This will ensure we stay on the shelf to put an end to Hellmann's factory-farmed egg mayo, and spread the word to customers that Just Mayo is their new preferred brand. :)"

Tetrick, Hampton Creek's chief executive officer, says the primary purpose of the purchases was to check the quality of the mayonnaise. "Because of this, we now understand the impact of trucking and shipping our product and enabled the system we have today that mitigates the risk of extreme temperatures," Tetrick wrote in an email. "Assessing the product from the customer perspective, more than anything, gets us out of the bubble of typical manufacturing. This was and always will be the primary purpose of it, which is why we'll continue doing it."

Melanie Myers, an executive who worked in the company's corporate partnerships team, says in a statement that the program was primarily for quality-control purposes but "we also thought it might give us a little momentum out of the gate."

Tetrick says the program has cost about $77,000, representing less than 0.12 percent of the company's sales. Tetrick provided Bloomberg with 15 emails to contractors referencing quality-control assignments. He also presented a database showing surveys that Creekers were asked to fill out after going to stores, checking jars for misaligned labels, breakage, or issues involving ingredient separation, which he says occurred when early versions of the jars were exposed to extreme temperatures in transit. The workers were sometimes instructed to purchase substandard merchandise and send it to headquarters, he says.

But the survey database-containing almost 3,900 entries in 15 states from March 2014 to January 2015-didn't account for hundreds of Just Mayo purchases by Creekers during that period, according to emails, receipts and expense report records seen by Bloomberg. Five former Hampton Creek contractors and two ex-senior staff members say the buyback assignments were separate from quality checks at stores. The ex-contractors say in most cases they were told to simply buy up jars at nearby stores and were free to consume or discard them-not look for quality issues, as the company says.

"It is highly questionable for a company to purchase its own goods," says David Larcker, a professor of accounting at Stanford Graduate School of Business. "Revenue is an important number for evaluating growing companies, but the companies need to be transparent about the source of that revenue. They also need to be transparent about their growth. If the sales are not generated from legitimate customers, that needs to be disclosed and is important information for investors to evaluate."

Hampton Creek's approach to quality control is also unusual. Companies typically ensure the quality of products before they leave the factory, says Kurt Jetta, who runs a retail and consumer data company called Tabs Analytics. If they do find problems in stores, food makers usually don't buy the products. Instead, they give the retailer a credit.

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"There's no legitimate explanation for a manufacturer buying significant quantities of their own product from the shelf," Jetta says.

Founded in 2011, Hampton Creek marketed itself as a food technology company that ferrets out new plant proteins and uses them to reformulate everyday grocery items like mayonnaise and cookie dough. Tetrick, now 36, went around Silicon Valley vowing to disrupt the food industry and won over such leading VC firms as Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures. Today Hampton Creek says its backers include several billionaires, such as Hong Kong's Li Ka-shing and Yahoo's Jerry Yang. Despite criticism from other investors who say the company is less an innovator than a deftly run marketing machine, Hampton Creek has raised $120 million and turned Just Mayo into a cherished brand among sustainably minded consumers.

Thousands of new packaged food items are introduced each year domestically; a majority of them fail. For a young company, it's critical to perform in a test market, with those results used by retailers to justify increasing distribution, says Jim Hertel, a grocery industry analyst at Inmar's Willard Bishop. Sales from a major retailer can also be used as part of the pitch to investors. "If you're an early-stage company, there's a lot of pressure to demonstrate results," Hertel said.

In-store marketing is a crucial way for a young company to build a brand and boost sales. Hampton Creek held Just Mayo tastings and other demonstrations in supermarkets around the U.S. Wearing the required uniform of a black hat and t-shirt with the startup's three-leaf logo, the Creekers were to persuade shoppers to try the product and perhaps buy a jar.

In 2014, the job changed, according to five former Creekers who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal. Now they were being asked to not only promote Just Mayo but buy it - an initiative the company dubbed "Special Project" or "Buyouts," they say. Love, who has since been promoted to Hampton Creek's vice president of mission, suggested how Creekers could do this most effectively in an April 2014 email to a contractor.

"I might go through the self-checkout lanes, or make several transactions going to different cashiers each time to avoid questions like, 'Why are you buying so much mayo?!'" Love wrote. "Make sure you are not wearing your HC gear when you go into Safeway. This is an undercover project."

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In interviews this week at Hampton Creek's San Francisco headquarters, executives emphasized that quality control was the main goal of the buyback program. "These folks did an awesome job for us, primarily in helping us improve our quality," Love says in a statement provided by Hampton Creek. "They were our eyes and ears on the ground. I'm proud of what we did and how we continue to do it."

One former contractor assigned to buy Hampton Creek products provided receipts showing purchases of more than 140 jars of Just Mayo in a day. Another contractor described buying at least 20 jars per store and says Hampton Creek gave workers directions to visit more than a dozen stores in less than a week. Ex-Creekers say they were told to do whatever they wanted with the product afterward. Some donated the supply to food shelters or handed them out to friends and family, but most say they threw it in the trash. Emails from Love show the buybacks took place in the Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Pacific regions. The five former Creekers say they happened all over the country.

Hampton Creek also paid contractors to pretend they were customers and call store managers of Whole Foods, Safeway, and Kroger locations to stoke demand, according to emails reviewed by Bloomberg.

"You will be calling Whole Foods Market locations as a customer to create buzz and increase demand for Just Mayo flavors and Just Cookie Dough in these stores, putting pressure on the Regional Buyer," says a March 2015 correspondence signed by Melanie Myers of Hampton Creek's corporate partnerships team. Emails from Myers list some 100 store locations for each contractor to call in places such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The emails also directed contractors to conceal their identities and fib if questioned on the calls. "Remember, you are calling as a customer," says an email addressed to a contractor and signed by Myers, whose title now is Ingredient Sourcer. "The conversation should go something like this: Hi, I'm doing some catering and I'm looking to pick up this new mayonnaise. I think it's called Just Mayo ..."

In another script, contractors were told to say, "Hi! I'm hoping you can help me out. I'm planning a Back to School event and I'm looking to pick up this new mayonnaise. I think it's called Just Mayo ..."

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Two ex-contractors for Hampton Creek, who sued their former employer in February 2016 seeking unpaid wages, reference an assignment to "buy out shelves" of the company's products in a lawsuit filed in a federal district court in New York. The suit also says Hampton Creek failed to provide them with detailed documentation of their compensation and work-related expenses for tax-reporting purposes as required by state law.

In an email, Tetrick says that team of contractors helped improve quality control and "gave us a push when we landed in our first conventional account, which is why all of us will always be proud of their work. A handful of folks don't represent the views of everyone."

In at least some cases, Hampton Creek lumped in expenses related to buying its own products with wages paid to contractors, according to five former workers. All five said money they were given to buy jars of Just Mayo were treated as taxable income, making them liable for a higher tax bill than their actual earnings would require. One former contractor provided H&R Block tax records showing this to be the case. Another Creeker asked the company in an email to separate the expenses from taxable income. But the request was ignored, the contractor said. Hampton creek declined to comment about the alleged practice.

"Treating reimbursement of business expenses creates a compliance burden to the contracted employee," says Joseph Carcello, a University of Tennessee professor who sits on the Securities and Exchange Commission's investor advisory committee. "There's no way this reimbursement approach is in the best interest of the contractor, and there are limitations to what the contractor can deduct."

Two former senior staff who worked closely with Tetrick in 2014 and 2015 say the Hampton Creek CEO initiated the buyouts partly to make sales look better to potential investors. One says Tetrick didn't disclose the practice to would-be backers during fundraising pitches in 2014. Fundraising pitch decks reviewed by Bloomberg do not reference the buyouts. "We always comply with our disclosure obligations to prospective investors," Tetrick said in an email.

Earlier this year, Hampton Creek sought additional money to help fund an ambitious vision that imagined as many as 560 new plant-based products, such as vegan oysters and blue cheese, plus an egg-substitute product called "Just Patty," according to an investor presentation reviewed by Bloomberg. The company is still trying to close the round and is seeking investors in Asia, according to two people familiar with the matter.

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With assistance from Craig Giammona
Family spokesman and activist Ja'Mal Green, right, and attorney Michael Oppenheimer speak with journalists on Aug. 5, 2016, after a news conference in Chicago following the viewing of dashboard camera and body camera videos from the July 28 police shooting death of Paul O'Neal. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

"They murdered this kid," lawyer Michael Oppenheimer said about what Chicago police did to 18-year-old alleged car thief Paul O'Neal, shot dead last month.

Oppenheimer said the word repeatedly at his news conference, standing next to Black Lives Matter activist Ja'Mal Green, after the police videos were released.

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It was murder, he said.

And that word came from Oppenheimer's mouth like a punch, like some heavy left hook landing just under the ribs of a damaged city again and again.

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It is a word for those seeking to animate angry, frustrated people, a word that offers leverage over a weakened mayor in the heat of a violent summer.

It is August, and Chicago is baking.

"What I saw was a cold-blooded murder," Oppenheimer said after viewing the police videos with O'Neal's family. "It was a cold-blooded killing. You don't even shoot  you shouldn't even shoot dogs that are running away."

The steady hand in all this belongs to new Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who relieved the three officers who fired their guns of their police powers.

City Hall clearly learned its lesson from the disastrous handling of the Laquan McDonald fiasco and quickly released the videos of O'Neal rather than try to suppress them.

Given the history of the police and black Chicago, transparency is what's required. But the body camera of the officer who shot O'Neal wasn't functioning. And if you know Chicago, you're probably not surprised. Things happen that way.

On the audio from cameras on the other officers you hear anguish, worry about the political fallout to come, and a question from one about why the other even opened fire in the first place.

Some of it sounded to me like after-the-fact justification from cops knowing they're being recorded and about to have their careers served up on a political platter.

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With O'Neal bleeding on the ground, one officer complained about being put "on the desk for 30 goddamn days now."

This case is a bell tolling a liturgy that Chicago knows by heart.

A black kid is killed by cops. In news stories, the photograph of the dead comes from a high school graduation, a face full of bright promise, not something from Facebook that might undercut the image.

There are street protests, exhausted police retreating into their blue tribe, politicians in fetal positions, whites and blacks talking past each other, at each other, and activists thrilled.

You've seen this movie before: noise, anger, leverage, revenge and power, a loop of urban pathology.

There are others on the edge of this too, but they're not the actors sought out by media. These are people hardly mentioned when the city's blood is up.

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They're young couples with kids, watching this all unfold.

Think of a young couple watching that news conference on TV, just before they head out the door to meet their real estate agent.

They look toward the future, see the great cultural promise of Chicago, the music and restaurants, the museums, the mind of the city lively and active.

But that young couple must see other things too. The violence and the tension and the new taxes City Hall has just imposed, with more to come to pay for the public schools that don't work. And now this.

Do they wonder: Is Chicago the city for us?

The city has plenty of old and plenty of single young, but it desperately needs young families too. Without those young families to pay taxes, to support the political and economic infrastructure, to put down roots, the city will bleed out.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Shooting victim Paul O'Neal's sister Briana Adams, 22, center, briefs the news media at the law office of Michael Oppenheimer, left, on Aug. 5, 2016. The family viewed the Chicago police videos from the shooting death of O'Neal early in the day at the IPRA offices with activist Ja'Mal Green, right. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

The city still hasn't healed from the wounds of the McDonald shooting, that black 17-year-old shot 16 times by a white cop.

And Chicago's mayor hasn't healed either. Rahm Emanuel sat on that Laquan McDonald police video to get through his election.

It was a cynical move, one of fear and self-preservation. He survived the short term, he won re-election, but it cost him.

Because when all that became known and understood, Chicago lost confidence in him, especially black Chicago. And without a reliable bloc of black votes, there is no Democratic Party.

To underscore this, a few days ago at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Emanuel's friends threw him under the bus. He was flattened in a video for his old boss, President Barack Obama, and made to look like some quisling giving Obama a coward's advice on health care policy.

There, in Philadelphia, the mayor was put in political quarantine lest he infect other Democrats. After his Laquan McDonald fiasco, Rahm Emanuel is damaged goods.

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And just days after Philadelphia, O'Neal is in his lap.

Should police have shot at O'Neal, who sideswiped one squad car and crashed into another while driving a stolen Jaguar?

No. There is policy against that, established by former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

Should they have chased the kid down and shot him dead? No.

But is it murder?

I can't say that, not without evidence. This isn't Baltimore, where six officers were charged with the killing of Freddie Gray, only to have those charges recently blow up in the celebrity prosecutor's face.

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But then, Paul O'Neal wasn't my son, a young kid being shot at, running away, terrified and now dead.

And for what?

For a stupid car?

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The DuSable Bridge, where Upper and Lower Michigan avenues cross the Chicago River. (Michael Noble Jr. / Chicago Tribune 2015)

A police sergeant persuaded a woman Saturday morning to not jump into the Chicago River from the bridge along Lower Michigan Avenue, officials said.

About 9:40 a.m., the Chicago Police Department Marine Unit was called to the scene where a woman was hanging on to a rail of the bridge along Lower Michigan Avenue, said Officer Jose Estrada, a Chicago police spokesman.

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A sergeant at the scene was able to talk the woman down, Estrada said.

Officials said the woman, who was in her 40s, appeared to be homeless and was believed to be living nearby on Lower Wacker Drive.

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She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for evaluation, Estrada said.
Cesar Sanabria, 34, was ordered held without bail Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in the 2013 killing of his wife, Lady Diana Sanabria. (Cook County sheriff's photo)

A former Brighton Park man accused of killing his wife in their home in late 2013 has been brought back to Chicago after fleeing to Mexico, authorities said Friday.

Cesar Sanabria, 34, was ordered held without bail Friday in a hearing before Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil, according to prosecutors and court records. Police obtained a murder warrant for Sanabria's arrest in March 2014, four months after his wife, Lady Diana Sanabria, 31, was found with her throat cut in their home in the 4400 block of South Richmond Street, according to court records.

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Lady Diana Sanabria was found dead in the family's apartment about 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2013, after police were called there to check on her, authorities said at the time. The Sanabrias had gone out and left their four children with the mother's parents, who became concerned when they didn't hear from the couple, according to news reports at the time.

Sanabria disappeared before his wife was found, and was thought to have fled to Mexico.

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Sanabria was located and arrested earlier this year in Mexico. This week, FBI agents flew to Mexico to bring him back, and he was taken into custody by Chicago police when he landed at O'Hare on Wednesday, said Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Sanabria is scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 24.
Crowds marched to Marquette Park on August 6, 2016 to honor the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s march for fair housing. To coincide with the march, students from Whitney Young Magnet High School organized a protest and march to Ald. Edward Burke's office. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Unlike that day a half century ago, Saturday's march to mark the anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fair housing walk through the Marquette Park neighborhood brought out no angry mobs or counterprotesters.

Instead, several hundred people retraced King's steps wearing bright purple, teal, red and green shirts to represent groups from different faith and ethnic backgrounds.

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Friday was the 50th anniversary of King trying to lead a march for fair housing through the Southwest Side as part of that year's Chicago Freedom Movement. The civil rights leader and hundreds of demonstrators had barely begun the march when King was hit by a rock. At the time the Tribune reported that he went down on one knee before regrouping.

The marchers' goal then was to make it to a real estate office on 63rd Street in the almost all-white Chicago Lawn neighborhood. But only a few would get there before a riot broke out. Before it was all over, at least 30 people were injured  and more than 40 people, mostly white counterprotesters, were arrested after clashing with police.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 The Rev. Jesse Jackson leads the 1,000 Mile March along a half-mile portion of the original 1966 route taken by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 6, 2016 to Marquette Park. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

On Saturday, Amanda Brown, 28, a resident of Humboldt Park, said this was her first march in Chicago.

"I think it's very powerful, especially all the performers. It's very peaceful. Things like this wake people up if they care enough to come out and be a part of it."

Jon Powers, 67, chaplain at Ohio Wesleyan University, brought 300 students from Ohio to the rally.

He said he was 17 when King marched in Chicago and joined him later that year at a march in Detroit.

Aides shield the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. after he was struck by a rock in Marquette Park during an Aug. 5, 1966, march in Chicago. King moved to the West Side in early 1966 to fight racial inequality in housing. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

"It was very powerful for my personal journey and my faith journey, and I wouldn't be anywhere else but here. It's impacted my entire life. I've been a follower of Dr. King ever since I was a child," Powers said. "His courage, his witness to being a prophet voice for all people. ... Not just the poor, the minorities, but also for people like me who are old white guys."

Powers hopes his students get a sense of how "issues we face today are not that different: The fear, the hate, the violence are still a part of it. The journey for justice continues. And this is a powerful symbol of that vision and that hope. And I will never give up hope."

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After the main march ended and most of those attending went to an all-day festival at Marquette Park, a group of young people gathered at Marquette Road and Western Avenue to march to the 14th Ward office of Ald. Edward Burke and protest his Blue Lives Matter ordinance. A group of police officers stood 50 feet away in an empty parking lot as speakers took turns calling for changes in the Chicago Police Department. A few of the officers were smoking cigars behind their squad cars.

Three 17-year-old seniors from Whitney Young Magnet High School organized the afternoon event: Ashanti Lumpkin, Akilah Smith and Nia Martin.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Black Lives Matter activists march to Ald. Edward Burke's office to protest his Blue Lives Matter ordinance on August 6, 2016, in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

Lumpkin, president of the NAACP Youth Division at Whitney Young, said they planned the event to coincide with the 50th anniversary of King's Marquette Park march.

Gustavo Galvez, 36, said he was walking home with his mother and stopped to protest with the crowd.

"I came in solidarity with people who are victims of police brutality. I've seen the videos and I've seen a difference in how they treat black and brown people versus how they treat white people. Those policies need to change. We need equality."

nmoreno@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @nereidamorenos
GREEN BAY  As she waited in line to enter Donald J. Trumps rally at the KI Convention Center, Sally Anne Werner did not have kind words for the top Wisconsin Republicans who werent joining her in Green Bay on Friday night.

I think theyre acting like little brats, said Werner. If Trump loses, I blame them  Paul Ryan, Scott Walker ... all of the little baby boys that dont want to support the official nominee.

Marianne Pettey, of Green Bay, who stood on the concrete floor inside the convention hall waiting for Trump to arrive, had these words for the governor and house speaker: Pull up your big boy pants and get with the program.

Some of Trumps supporters said the absence of high-profile Republicans  such as Ryan, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Walker, who skipped the rally to attend a spaghetti dinner in a small town 250 miles away  wasnt a concern, chalking it up to elected officials having busy schedules.

But for others, it showed that top Republican politicians, many of whom had only recently come around to endorsing Trump, were going back on their word to support the partys candidate.

Hes the nominee  get over it, said John Sarns, a Navy veteran from Green Bay. If youre not going to support him, why should we support you?

Paul Ryan  as far as Im concerned I would not vote for him, Sarns wife, Jackie Sarns, added.

I wouldnt vote for Scott Walker either, John Sarns replied.

Behind the Sarnses, Trump supporters from around the state stood in a line Friday afternoon that stretched down a block of Main Street in Downtown Green Bay.

In interviews with more than 20 supporters, many said they shared the worries that have sent Republican voters flocking to the New York real estate moguls campaign.

They were concerned about terrorism.

ISIS scares the heck out of me, said Jeanne Thom, of rural Racine County.

They were concerned about immigration.

Im totally against them coming in by the thousands, and were paying for them, said Marilyn Blazejewski, of DePere. A lot of them are bad people.

They were concerned about the economy, frustrated by low-paying jobs and sure that Trumps business acumen was the key to a brighter future.

If anyone can save the economy its Donald Trump, said Brandon Fritsch, of Kaukauna.

And they shared a deep antipathy for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton  several wore buttons or T-shirts with the slogan Hillary for prison, and vendors sold souvenirs with vulgar references to the former senator and secretary of state.

About a dozen protesters stood holding signs denouncing Trump across the street from the convention center. Passing cars honked their horns in solidarity with Trump fans in line, while others shouted out their windows to condemn the nominee.

Cheeseheads and Green Bay Packers jerseys were fittingly on hand; Christopher Handler, known for painting his fence across from Lambeau Field with Packer slogans, said his next goal was to paint the wall Trump has promised to build along the border with Mexico.

After a week in which Trump came under scrutiny from veterans and fellow Republicans for criticizing the family of Humayun Khan, a Muslim solider who was killed in Iraq, many supporters said Trump should have handled the situation better.

Hes got to start acting like a grown up, Army veteran Tony Lutzke said.

But several, including Lutzke and other veterans, instead blamed Khizr Khan, the deceased soldiers father who delivered a sharp criticism of Trump at the Democratic National Convention, saying he incited the controversy.

No one interviewed Friday said Trumps sparring with the Khan family made them seriously reconsider voting for him.

For many supporters, the controversies Trumps comments and tweets have spurred since the start of his campaign are a side-effect of their favorite aspect of the man: His unpolished style.

At times, his comments are stupid, said Roxann Gerrits, of Green Bay. He doesnt think before he speaks, but I think thats the best thing about him: He speaks his mind.
Ponchita Moore stands on the Metra tracks with other protesters in the 7100 block of South Jeffrey Avenue after the release of videos showing the fatal shooting of Paul O'Neal by Chicago police officers Aug. 5, 2016. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Protesters gathered in the South Shore neighborhood and in front of Chicago Police Department headquarters Friday night to protest police brutality and push for accountability following the release of videos related to the fatal shooting last week of Paul O'Neal by Chicago police.

Protesters lay in front of the revolving door and glass walls of the facade at headquarters. Lamon Reccord, an activist who knew O'Neal, was the first to lie down at the feet of officers standing in a row in front of the glass and called for a moment of silence for O'Neal. Others quickly followed.

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Familiar chants of "hands up, don't shoot" and "CPD, KKK, how many Pauls are you going to kill today?" rang through the air. As people got up off the ground, many of them got up close to officers.

Desirea Barnes, 48, who lives near police headquarters, yelled "murderers" at the officers who stood there.

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"They're killing down our kids, they're killing down our brothers, our fathers, our mothers, they're killing us," she said.

Reccord held a microphone up to officers, telling them to answer him about what they think about the killing.

"We don't kill y'all, but y'all kill us," he said to them.

As protesters began to get louder and more agitated, officers with bikes walked in between protesters and police, forming a barrier with their bicycles. For some, this only made them angrier. For others, it was an opportunity to have a larger audience.

"I want you to know that you could be the next thing because you don't wear your uniform 24/7 and they don't care, they don't see, they don't wait for you to pull out your wallet and check and see if you're an officer before they kill you," said Jamela Carrell, 32, of Chicago Heights. "So you know, just know, we here for y'all, too, and we love y'all and we fighting for y'all when y'all can't fight for ya'll selves."

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Just before 9:30 p.m., protesters began to leave the area to go to another protest near where O'Neal was shot.

That protest had continued since the evening. By about 10 p.m. police and protesters had shut down the intersection of 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard, not far from where O'Neal was shot.

"We stopped the train, we stopped the buses, we stopped the traffic," said the Rev. Jedidiah Brown, an activist who lives in the area. "This is epic. There's no words to describe it."

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Protesters held signs with slogans such as "Cops stop killing us" and "Operation body cam cover up." One followed a bicycle-mounted police officer and held a megaphone blaring a siren noise at the officer's head.

Brown said there were people from three gang factions attending the protest. Having them all in the same space, largely peaceful, is remarkable, he said.

There were brief scuffles, including a chaotic incident outside a Walgreen's store.

"They know why they're here," Brown said. "(The scuffles are) expected, but they're easily squashed. We all feel this pain the same way."
DES MOINES, Iowa  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has stocked his economic team with wealthy financiers and billionaires, including some who have had close ties to his companies, in a move that brings a group of powerful businessmen inside his campaign but could also threaten his populist message.

The 13 outside advisers announced Friday include a banker who had loaned Trump's casinos $600 million during their bankruptcies, as well as a hedge-fund manager who famously made a fortune betting against the U.S. housing market before the financial crisis. There are no women on the list.

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In selecting a team on which the typical adviser is almost certainly worth hundreds of millions of dollars, Trump reinforced his pitch to voters that having already achieved financial success is critical to understanding what needs to be done to boost the U.S. economy. In a statement, he hailed "a formidable group of experienced and talented individuals" advising him, declaring, "I am going to be the greatest jobs President our country has ever seen."

But the team drew criticism from liberal and conservative economists who said it badly lacked the policy expertise and economic credentials that have traditionally defined past Republican and Democratic campaigns.

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"The purpose of having any economist on your campaign is it allows the candidate to be schooled on the issues, so if you get questions, you can be prepared to handle them," said Greg Mankiw, a Harvard University economist who advised GOP nominee Mitt Romney in 2012 and served as top White House economist for President George W. Bush. "Trump doesn't seem that interested in being conversant in issues," he added, "so maybe, from his perspective, he didn't need that kind of help."

Mankiw said he will not vote for Trump, citing the nominee's policies on trade and immigration. Trump's team includes no prominent economists from the past several GOP campaigns or senior economic officials from previous Republican administrations. There is only one academic economist in the group and only one well-known tax policy expert.

Trump long led Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in polls on the question of who would better handle the economy, but that advantage has vanished following the parties' national conventions. He has also sought to portray the economy as weak, though that could become more difficult in light of Friday's hiring report, which said that the country added 255,000 jobs in July, higher than expectations.

Trump's new economic team includes Harold Hamm, a self-made oil billionaire who was an energy adviser to Romney's 2012 presidential campaign; Dan DiMicco, a former chief executive of steelmaker Nucor; Steven Mnuchin, Trump's national finance director, who is chairman and chief executive of the hedge fund Dune Capital Management; Steve Roth, founder and chief executive of Vornado Realty Trust; hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson; Howard Lorber, chief executive of the Vector Group; real estate investor Tom Barrack; bankers Stephen Calk and Andy Beal; and financier Steve Feinberg. Calk is chairman of Chicago-based Federal Savings Bank.

Business ties link Trump and several of those men. It was Beal's banks that loaned Trump $600 million during his casino bankruptcies, according to Bloomberg, and Trump once said Beal has "20/20 vision into what is going to happen in the future." Barrack sold Trump the Plaza Hotel in New York for $410 million, shortly before the city's hotel market cratered. Trump still called him "a totally brilliant guy."

The only member who has a doctorate in economics is Peter Navarro of the University of California at Irvine, who focuses on trade with China and who three times ran unsuccessfully for public office in San Diego.

The leading tax expert is Stephen Moore, who founded the Club for Growth and was a longtime columnist for the Wall Street Journal. There is also a former U.S. Senate candidate, David Malpass, who served in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and who now runs an economic consulting firm.

On the campaign staff level, the team is led by policy director Stephen Miller, a former aide to Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, and deputy director Dan Kowalski.

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Justin Wolfers, a liberal economist at the University of Michigan, said the group undermined Trump's promise to voters that he would assemble "the best people" to staff his administration. "This is the least distinguished, least qualified economic team of any candidate in my lifetime," Wolfers said.

"If you said that what I had to do was only formulate an economic policy team exclusively of rich white guys who had business backgrounds and were all named Steve," Wolfers added - referencing the names of six members of group - "I still wouldn't choose Steves only from Wall Street, real estate and mining."

A Trump spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment on the criticism.

Trump also takes economic advice from several people who were not listed in Friday's release, including Arthur Laffer, the former Reagan administration economist who is known as the godfather of supply-side economics; Larry Kudlow, a financial commentator who is a Laffer disciple; and Trump's children, including his daughter Ivanka.

Notably missing from the official list is Carl Icahn, the famed activist investor whom Trump frequently praises on the campaign trail. There are also no researchers who focus on middle-class or family issues specifically, an area Trump aides have suggested they will highlight.

"Issues facing the middle class and working women are especially important this election cycle," said Abby McCloskey, an economist who was policy director for Texas Gov. Rick Perry's short-lived campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. "Trump could have signaled his commitment to these issues by publicly surrounding himself with people who have expertise on these topics. He chose not to."

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Trump's pitch has long been that the most successful members of the business world know what it takes to save the middle class. The advisers reinforce that idea.

Lorber, for example, earned $42.5 million in 2015, and his compensation package, according to the Real Deal, a real estate news site, included the use of a company car and driver, club memberships, corporate plane use and a $90,000 allowance for lodging and expenses.

Voters at Trump rallies frequently cite business success as evidence that Trump could improve their individual fortunes.

Patty Adams said last week before a Trump rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that she has been supporting Trump since he first announced his candidacy last summer, in large part because of his business record. She said that, particularly with two children in college, she is worried about the country's economic future.

"We need jobs. We need people off the entitlement dole. I've never seen so many homeless and street people. [President Barack] Obama has had eight years to fix it and he hasn't," Adams said, adding, "He's a businessman, and I think we need a different direction."

Democrats warned Friday that Trump's investor-heavy crew could muddle his attempt to appeal to Wall Street and paint Clinton as the candidate of Wall Street.

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"He does sell himself as a billionaire and someone who knows all the tricks of the trade," said Jared Bernstein, a former top economic adviser to Vice President Joe Biden who now advises Clinton on policy. "So aligning himself with similar billionaires may be OK in his case. But you couldn't find a group further away from the people he's trying to woo."

Like Trump's, Clinton's inner circle also includes some longtime associates, such as Neera Tanden and Gene Sperling. But she also has spent two years reaching out to more than 200 experts, some of whom she had never met before, to build a sprawling economic agenda.

The contrast is clear in their policy proposals thus far. Trump's are few, and they focus on a few recurring themes. Clinton's are many, and detailed.

The Washington Post's Jose DelReal in Colorado Springs contributed to this report.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOP's most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaire's presidential candidacy.



Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump's evening appearance in their state.



Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, "We have to unite" as he vowed to support Ryan in next week's primary contest.



It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans.



Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.



"We will have disagreements," Trump said. "But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory."

Ryan reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but the Wisconsin Republican noted his support wasn't a "blank check" and pledged to speak out against the businessman's divisive positions if necessary.



Party divisions were easy to find Friday in Wisconsin, a state that Trump's team insists he can win in November.



Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner instead of appearing with his party's standard bearer. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee's arrival.



"Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Trump, but let's get something straight," Vos wrote in an open letter to his GOP colleagues. "We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans."



The Midwest mayhem underscored Trump's mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee  including some who even publicly support for Democrat Clinton.



Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton.

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Donald Trump, appearing at a rally in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 5, 2016, endorsed Paul Ryan in the House speaker's re-election race. (Evan Vucci / AP)

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," he said at an earlier rally in Iowa, "you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within."



Trump called his Democratic opponent "a dangerous liar," ''an unbalanced person," ''pretty close to unhinged," ''totally unfit to lead," and lacking "the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country."



In Wisconsin, Trump added, "She's a monster."



The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.



The former secretary of state sought to "clarify and explain" a recent statement on "Fox News Sunday" that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were "truthful."



"I may have short circuited and for that I will try to clarify," Clinton said, though still insisting she "never sent or received anything that was marked classified."



She also acknowledged many people don't trust her.



"It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do," Clinton said. She added, "I'm going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people."



Yet Trump's own gaffes have largely overshadowed Clinton's problems as the Democrats work to recover from a bruising primary election season.



Complicating the Republican Party's 2016 challenge are fresh signs the nation's economy is strengthening under a Democratic president.



The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, a sign of confidence that could point to a resilient economy.

Trump's approach to national security came under fire Friday as well, with former CIA Director Michael Morell contending the Republican nominee would make "a poor, even dangerous commander in chief."



Morell, outlining his views in The New York Times, also questioned Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.



"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," wrote Morell.



Trump conceded Friday he was wrong to claim repeatedly in recent days that he saw a video of a U.S. cash payment going to Iran.



The New York billionaire has cited a $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran this year, delivered on the same day that Iran released four American hostages. Trump charged on Thursday in vivid detail that the Iranian government released a video of the cash exchange to embarrass America.



"The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!" Trump tweeted Friday morning.



The White House has insisted the payment had nothing to do with the release of the hostages. Friday night, Trump called that explanation "a lie."



In Iowa, he blamed the "dishonest" media for the fuss over an incident earlier in the week in which he asked a screaming baby to leave a rally.



"I don't throw babies out," Trump said. "I love babies."

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Pasquale "Pat" Calomeni takes care of a customer at Pat's Barbershop in the New Jackson Hotel in 2000. (Chicago Tribune)

Pasquale "Pat" Calomeni's barbershops had character and charm, just like the man himself, according to friends and former customers.

He began cutting hair shortly after arriving in Chicago from his home in the Calabria region of southern Italy in 1929. His first shop, appropriately named Pat's Barbershop, opened in the early 1960s on West Madison Street, just a block from the Chicago Stadium.

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The floor directly above him was temporarily rented during the 1968 Democratic Convention by members of the left-wing activist movement, Students for a Democratic Society.

"The students were only there for a short time, but my father was convinced his phones were being tapped by the FBI," his daughter Frances Beatty, said with a laugh.

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In 1978, Calomeni moved his business to 738 W. Jackson Blvd. in Greektown, a rundown four-story brick building and old rooming house called the New Jackson Hotel, where customers had to get buzzed through two doors.

"He was a terrific barber and a wonderful man, whose shop was so unique," said Matt Gallagher, a Chicago attorney and decadeslong customer. "It was always filled with an interesting array of characters  Pat, like the mayor, always at the center of it all."

"His haircuts were the best, but it's the experience of just having been in his shop that I'll never forget," Gallagher said.

Calomeni, 102, who closed his shop in 2004, died of natural causes July 19 in Hinsdale Hospital. He was a former resident of Westchester and Hinsdale.

Born in the town of San Fili, Calomeni came to the United States as a teenager and lived with his uncle on the West Side. His interest in cutting hair came from a friend studying to become a barber.

"He watched how his friend did it and then started doing it himself," his daughter said. "Right from the start he was good at it."

After completing a training program, Calomeni began his first in a series of jobs in small neighborhood shops. He and his wife Rose, who married in 1933, lived on the South and West sides, before moving to Westchester in the late 1970s. She died in 2004.

On the walls of his barbershop on Jackson were pictures of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, as well as those of some of his most well-known customers, including Sam Sianis of the Billy Goat Tavern and Monsignor Ignatius "Father Mac" McDermott, co-founder of nearby Haymarket House treatment center. But he also had photos of neighborhood clients, including one known as "Scar."

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"His clientele was amazingly diverse, everything from cops to lawyers to priests to the indigent gentleman from down the street," said his grandson Brad Beatty. "He gave them all the same personalized care and attention. Every hair cut took an extraordinary amount of time."

To get to his shop, customers climbed the front stairs before getting to a locked door. They'd wave to an attendant, who'd buzz them in. Next was the man at the front desk, who sat behind a small barred window adjacent to a sign advertising the room rates, according to a 2000 Chicago Tribune story.

From there, customers were buzzed through a thick metal door and then climbed another set of steps to the second floor to Room 206. Once inside, though, they were transported to an Old World experience.

"He was an old-school craftsman whose shop was filled with antique furniture and 1940s and '50s music coming out of an oldies radio station in the background," his grandson said. "It was so nostalgic, a step back in time."

"Like a bartender, he was a great listener," his grandson added. "He'd get customers in his chair, throw out a couple of topics, and just let them talk. People liked opening up to him."

After moving to Hinsdale in the 1990s, Calomeni would take the train into the city and hop a bus to his shop  never giving a second thought to his age or the vagaries of Chicago's weather.

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"He never complained," his daughter said. "That's not who he was."

Calomeni also didn't sit much, spoke in a thick Italian accent and liked to exclaim "Absolutely!" or "That's it!" to underscore a point. And his commitment to service made for loyal customers.

"You don't treat the people just to make money," he said in 2000. "Sure, you make some money, but you gotta serve the people. Absolutely!"

Other survivors include a granddaughter and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held.

Joan Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.
When I had cataract surgery in my 50s, friends loyally said, "But you're too young for that!"

Now I'm just past 60 and thinking about hearing aids. I'm too young for that too, right?

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Speak up. I can't hear you.

About 26 million people in the U.S. between the ages of 20 and 69 have high-frequency hearing loss. Apparently I'm one of them. I've been turning the TV up too loud for the past year, using the closed caption feature (especially for anything British), cupping my hand behind an ear. I've been avoiding loud restaurants, begging off calls on speaker phones, mishearing words and getting annoyed at my husband when he mumbles (yes you do, honey).

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I caught a killer cold this past winter. The cold ran its course, but my ears didn't clear. What was that hum? It sounded like the ratchet of cicadas on a hot summer day, overlaid with a high-pitched ring. Where had the silence gone?

A routine visit to my doctor forced me to face it. She entered the exam cubicle wearing a face mask and said, "Sorry, I have a cold. I don't want to share it with my patients." She's soft-spoken, so usually I watch her face. I could still hear her through the mask so it wasn't a lack of volume. It was a loss in clarity. Had I been lip-reading without realizing? I confessed, "I'm having a hard time hearing you."

The doctor referred me to an otolaryngologist who was young, brisk and reassuringly loud. She blew air in my ears and showed me a bell-shaped graph on the computer. "That's a normal tympanogram," she said. "No fluid from your cold." She produced a tuning fork, striking it several times, placing it against my skull. "Hear that? Good. Where is it louder? Good."

She pointed to a plastic cross-section model of the ear. "Changes in the inner ear happen as you get older. They can cause slow but steady hearing loss. You're still young, but you may have presbycusis. It means you have trouble hearing high-frequency sounds, or understanding someone when there's background noise. Let's get a baseline hearing test."

"I've also gotten overly sensitive to loud sounds," I admitted. "It's painful."

She nodded. "As some cells stop working well, others step in to take up the slack. It's called recruitment." (At least, I think that's what she said.)

The audiology technician put me in a soundproof booth that made me feel like a 1950s game-show contestant. She clamped huge headphones over my ears and told me to raise my hand every time I heard the tone. I listened hard. There was a pattern; tones came in batches of three or more. But why were there only two in some of the batches? Was that sensation I thought I felt in my ear actually a tone? Should I put my hand up? Maybe it was just a silent interval. I feared she knew I was faking.

The technician unsealed the booth. "Get hearing aids," she said flatly.

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I'd suspected I had some small hearing loss. But hearing aids? That signals "old" more than going gray, which at least I can hide with hair dye. I was shocked at how dismayed I felt. I've readily worn glasses my entire adult life, yet hearing aids felt more embarrassing. My father struggled to hear too. I often saw him smile pleasantly but knew from his bewildered look that he hadn't followed the conversation. Lately I'd caught myself smiling at a joke only because everyone else was laughing, not because I'd actually heard the punchline. Was hearing loss familial? Still, my father hadn't gotten aids until his late 70s. Did I really need them yet?

"You're in the gray zone," the otolaryngologist said. "You could wait a year or two."

Perhaps I was only staving off the inevitable.

Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition related to aging after arthritis and heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. Severe tinnitus (ringing in the ears) may accompany hearing loss and can be just as debilitating as hearing loss itself. What finally swayed me, though, was a 2011 study at Johns Hopkins University that found that even minor hearing loss contributes to cognitive decline and dementia.

It's hard to process meaning when you're wrestling with the mechanics of hearing. What a relief to admit how much I've been struggling. It's stressful. Exhausting.

Remember that guy in the Verizon ad who kept asking, "Can you hear me now?"

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When I get my hearing aids next week, I will.

Liane Kupferberg Carter is the author of "Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable: A Family Grows Up With Autism."
President Barack Obama vigorously denied that a $400 million cash payment to Iran was ransom money. Obama said cash had to be exchanged because of strict sanctions which do not allow the U.S. to have a banking relationship with Iran. August 4, 2016. (Video by the White House | Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP) (Internet - Fair Use)

One of my all-time favorite lines is from Henry David Thoreau: "Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk."

It came to mind recently when the White House and State Department insisted the charge that the U.S. paid a ransom to get back American hostages was purely circumstantial. Sometimes, a $400 million pay-off in laundered money, delivered in the dead of night in an unmarked cargo plane, isn't what it looks like.

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"Implementation Day" was Jan. 16, 2016, for the nuclear deal between the United States and Iran, in which the state sponsor of terror received sanctions relief possibly worth as much as $150 billion  which would be roughly equivalent to 40 percent of its GDP  in exchange for some guarantees against developing nuclear weapons for awhile. (The merits, and even the nature, of the Iran nuclear deal are hotly disputed, but that's a topic for another time.)

That same day, the Obama administration announced a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran, in which we traded seven Iranian criminals and removed another 14 from an Interpol "most wanted" list. In exchange, they returned four innocent Americans, illegally held by the Iranian regime. Back then, Secretary of State John Kerry boasted about what a masterful diplomatic breakthrough it was. Those Americans were freed thanks to "the relationships forged and the diplomatic channels unlocked over the course of the nuclear talks," Kerry preened.

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Yes, well maybe. But few things really cement a solid working relationship like $400 million in cash. Kerry failed to mention that part in his press conferences or congressional testimony. In fact, the Obama administration kept the whole thing a secret.

The White House concedes that it all looks very bad. But it insists this was in no way a ransom payment; the trout got in the milk for perfectly normal reasons. You see, the Iranians were suing for funds deposited with the Pentagon in 1979 for a weapons purchase that was later blocked when the ayatollahs deposed the shah. The $400 million wasn't a ransom; it was simply the first installment of a $1.7 billion settlement of that dispute. "We would not, we have not, we will not pay ransom to secure the release of U.S. citizens," top White House flack Josh Earnest insisted. That the money was delivered to coincide with the release of our hostages is little more than a funny coincidence.

And shame on you for thinking otherwise, Earnest seemed to be saying. The $400 million drop-off was actually a great success for smart diplomacy, because it saved taxpayers "potentially billions" more if the arbitration over the matter hadn't gone our way.

Still, one wonders why, if it was such a laudable and innocent money-saving maneuver, they kept it all secret from the American people.

Here's one possible reason from The Wall Street Journal expose: "U.S. officials also acknowledge that Iranian negotiators on the prisoner exchange said they wanted the cash to show they had gained something tangible."

Catch that? The Obama administration did not think the huge pallet of Swiss francs, euros and other currencies dropped off in the dead of night was a ransom payment  they just wanted the Iranians to think it was.

And they bought it! "Taking this much money back was in return for the release of the American spies," Gen. Mohammad-Reza Naghdi, a Revolutionary Guard commander, boasted on Iranian state media.

Sometimes you just have to marvel at the way smart people can talk themselves into stupidity. The whole point of not paying ransoms to terrorists isn't to save money. The reason we don't pay kidnappers is that we understand that it will only encourage more kidnapping. So letting the Iranians think the $400 million was a ransom payment is doubly asinine, because it fooled exactly the wrong people, the wrong way. Who cares if the Obama administration "knew" it wasn't a ransom? What mattered was to make it clear to the Iranians that it wasn't a ransom, not give them every reason to believe it was.

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Now, because of this pas-de-deux of asininity, not only have we given the Iranians untraceable walking-around money to give to its terrorist proxies, we've also given them every incentive to kidnap more Americans  which is exactly what they've been doing. But at least the folks at the State Department can sleep soundly knowing that they didn't really pay a ransom  it just looks that way.

Tribune Content Agency

Jonah Goldberg is an editor-at-large of National Review Online and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute

JonahsColumn@aol.com
On Tuesday U.S. District Judge James Zagel will resentence disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The hope here is that Zagel offers as stiff a sentence as the law allows, sending a message to other would-be elected miscreants that there's a steep price to pay for your greed.

In his defense, Blago has offered numerous written testimonials from fellow prisoners ascribing the many kindnesses the former governor has bestowed on his fellow felons. So it would seem he has, at last, found his true calling. Why take him away from that which he is so clearly called?

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Read the editorial, which goes into far greater depth on this case and the reasons the punishment must fit the crime.
High pressure moving slowly from northern Wisconsin on Saturday to northern Michigan on Monday will provide Chicago with pleasant weather. Partly cloudy daytime skies and clear nights will be the rule, and there will be no rain.

Once the high moves east to Pennsylvania then beyond Tuesday, south winds will prevail throughout the area for several days. This means hot weather from Tuesday onward, with daytime highs in the lower 90s and nighttime lows in the lower and middle 70s.

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The atmosphere becomes more unstable Tuesday through Friday, creating periods of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday may become severe, and flood-producing rains are possible.
The new Holiday Inn Express and Suites in downtown Aurora is offering a free way to support police in the city.

The hotel has announced its sponsorship of Mayor Tom Weisner's Project Blue Light Aurora, an initiative in support of the Aurora Police Department.

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Holiday Inn Express and Suites will distribute blue light bulbs for free to Aurora residents. The bulbs are available at the front desk of Holiday Inn Express, 111 N. Broadway, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day of the week. Proof of an Aurora address is required to receive one free light bulb per household, while supplies last.

"We are proud to support our officers here in Aurora," said Rocky Pintozzi, president of Midwest Management Inc. and owner of Holiday Inn Express and Suites. "Our hotel shines blue lights every night as our brand logo, so we felt this would be only fitting. We all depend on the Aurora police to be there when we call. They need to know how much we support and trust them. They need to know they are not alone in this dark time that we all are facing."

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Project Blue Light Aurora is an initiative launched by Weisner to demonstrate citywide support for the work that police officers do every day to help keep the community safe. Residents are encouraged to use blue lights on their front porches to show their support.
West Aurora District 129 will add another new administrator to the roster this school year.

The School Board has filled a position for interim dean at Jewel Middle School.

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Jardon Waller most recently worked as an academic advisor and administrator at Dirksen Junior High in Joliet School District 86. She previously was an English teacher at South Shore International College Prep High School in Chicago. Waller also was an English teacher at Waubonsie Valley High School in Indian Prairie School District 204.

"I am extremely excited to find a home in the West Aurora School District," Waller told the School Board.

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Waller obtained a master's degree in educational leadership from Concordia University in River Forest and a bachelor's degree in English from Northern Illinois University.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
The Darien Police Department warns residents to lock their vehicles or risk losing items from the car or the car itself.

"Subjects will normally pull on car door handles during the late night hours, enter unlocked vehicles and steal anything they find of value. If they find a garage door opener in the vehicle, they can use it to enter your garage and possibly your home, putting your entire family at risk," Darien Police Cmdr. Edward Rentka.

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In less than 24 hours, five vehicles were searched, burglarized or stolen in Darien recently.

Three pairs of sunglasses, a pair of headphones and work identification were reported stolen at about 1:15 a.m. July 28 from two vehicles that were parked unlocked in a driveway on the 2700 block of Woodmere Drive. The total value of the missing items was estimated to be $1,180.

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Another unlocked vehicle on the same block had been entered, but nothing apparently had been taken from it.

While canvassing the neighborhood in response to the thefts, police officers noticed a security camera at one of the homes and asked the homeowner for permission to view the overnight recording. The footage showed a suspect enter an open garage on the 2700 block of Woodmere at 1:22 a.m. July 28 and steal an unlocked black Hyundai Sonata that was parked inside. The suspect closed the garage door after exiting.

Later that day, a wallet and money were reported stolen from a vehicle in a driveway on the 3300 block of Gilbert Court. The loss, which occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. July 28, was estimated at $60. It was not known whether the car was locked or not, but there were no signs of forced entry.

Police advise residents not to leave valuables in the car. If people must keep them there, keep them out of sight and hide docking stations and connector cables that would indicate valuables are in the vehicle.

Drivers should always lock their vehicles even if they will be away only for a short while. Every month, residents who have had items stolen from their unlocked cars tell officers they were gone "just for a second," Rentka said.

kfornek@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @kfdoings
Strolling through her neighborhood just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, April Toney can spot dozens of dead ash trees on the lawns of her fellow residents, their brittle, leafless carcasses no doubt victims of the emerald ash borer that has claimed millions of trees in the region.

As the executive director of the Illinois Arborists Association, Toney is all too familiar with the devastation the ash borer  an invasive beetle native to Asia  has wrought since it showed up in Illinois a decade ago. She knows the importance of clearing away infested trees before they fall over and cause damage to people or property.

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As a homeowner, though, Toney is also sensitive to the costs involved in removing the ash borer's victims, which for a single tree can run into the thousands of dollars.

"I ask neighbors (about the dead trees) and they say, 'I can't afford to take this down,'" she said.

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Throughout the Chicago region, municipalities have spent millions of dollars removing ash trees from parks, parkways and other publicly owned property  in some cases after trying in vain to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer through costly preventive treatments.

Now many suburbs are turning their attention to sick ash trees on private property, and some communities have adopted more aggressive measures, like the threat or imposition of fines or liens, to try to compel homeowners to comply.

"The numbers I've seen say that for every publicly owned (ash) tree ... there are two to three private property trees as well," said Scott Schirmer, emerald ash borer program manager for the state Department of Agriculture. "The majority are on private property, undoubtedly."

In Schaumburg, village leaders have in some cases placed tax transfer stamp holds on properties with dead trees, meaning the properties cannot be sold until the dead trees are removed. Recently, officials adopted another enforcement strategy, to impose $100 fines on owners who fail to remove a dead ash tree after two years.

If that campaign doesn't provide enough incentive for noncompliant homeowners, the village will move toward "more aggressive enforcement measures," such as higher fines, or taking homeowners to municipal court, said Julie Fitzgerald, the village's director of community development.

Schaumburg has identified more than 300 properties that contain at least one dead ash tree, she said.

Other communities give property owners considerably less time to take care of dead trees.

In Evanston, residents are given an initial 30-day warning to remove a dead tree once it's been discovered by city inspectors, who are out almost every day during summer months looking for diseased ash and elm trees, said the city's environmental services chief, Paul D'Agostino.

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The few property owners who don't comply within the first month then receive another notice saying they must appear before an administrative adjudicator, who could impose fines of up to $750 per day.

"Most see that letter and take (the tree) down before their administrative adjudication date," D'Agostino said. "We're not giving them two years like Schaumburg."

In Mount Prospect, property owners are allotted 10 days to remove dead ash trees between April and August and a month during the rest of the year, said Dave Hull, the village's superintendent of forestry and grounds.

Next door in Arlington Heights, residents get 30 days to secure a contractor for the tree-removal job, said forester Dru Sabatello.

In both communities, the village will hire its own contractor to do the work for those who don't comply with the warnings, and then place a lien on the property to recoup the cost when the property is sold.

Since appearing in Illinois in 2006, the ash borer has been discovered in a majority of the state's counties  generally moving southward through the state  and in more than 300 communities, Schirmer said. The larvae of the green beetle feast on ash trees' inner bark, disrupting their ability to move water and nutrients between roots and branches and eventually killing the trees.

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Schirmer estimates that about 2 million ash trees have had to be removed in Illinois, and some experts have predicted that the number will climb well above 10 million by the time the infestation reaches the state's southern edge.

Many foresters in the Chicago area say the scourge has finally started to wane  if only because there are relatively few ash trees left to infest.

In Mount Prospect, Hull said the village has issued 333 notices to residents regarding dead ash trees on private property since 2011. But only nine of those were issued this year, a significant decline from the past few years.

While some view dead ash trees as eyesores and a threat to property values, experts said they also pose safety risks and that, the longer one waits to remove a dead tree, the more difficult and dangerous the process becomes.

Arborists who have seen other infestations like Dutch elm disease and gypsy moths wreak havoc on local forests encourage property owners to plant a variety of disease-resistant tree species.

"That way, if something wipes out everything, it's not wiping out your whole forest at once," Toney said.

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Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter.
Some Bridgeview residents were briefly evacuated from their homes Wednesday evening after firefighters from several communities responded to a report of an explosion in the 8400 block of South 77th Avenue.

The call came in shortly before 7 p.m. from a resident who reported that what sounded like a loud explosion had occurred on the property of the Bridgeview Aerosol Company in that same block.

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Bridgeview Battalion Chief Michael Daly said there was not an explosion, but rather a part failure on a tank filled with liquefied petroleum gas allowing some of the hazardous material to be released into the atmosphere.

"When the material was first released, it caused an extremely loud sound that sounded like an explosion," Daly said. "When we arrived on the scene, we immediately evacuated people whose homes were near the company as a precaution."

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Residents were allowed back into their homes after a hazmat team determined that there was no danger to those living near the facility, he said.

"The release of the material did not cause a fire or an actual explosion, and residents were allowed back inside their homes at about 9 p.m.," Daly said.

Wendy E. Normandy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas walks across the Division Street Bridge on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 following a ceremony celebrating the bridge's reopening (Courtesy of Mark Gordon)

Some six years after the state closed Blue Island's deteriorating Division Street Bridge, the vital artery that connects the north and south sides of the city over the Calumet Sag Channel has finally reopened.

The city-owned bridge, which has undergone an approximately $8 million rehabilitation over the past year, opened to vehicular traffic Thursday evening following a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by dozens of residents and a large collection of city, state and federal officials.

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'Your long suffering and your many years of inconvenience have finally paid off," said Robyn Grange, a district director for U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who spoke at the ceremony on his behalf.

The reopening of the thoroughfare will reduce traffic and congestion, spark Blue Island's economy by connecting more residents to local businesses and, perhaps most importantly, enhance public safety by providing first responders better access to all areas of the city, Grange said.

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The bridge rehabilitation project, which was designed by structural engineer Brad Noack of H.W. Lochner, consisted of a complete bridge deck replacement, the repair and replacement of steel beams under the deck, the patching of concrete piers and abutments that support the bridge, a water main replacement and a new "Blue Island blue" paint job.

The Illinois Department of Transportation contributed about 80 percent of the project's cost with the city of Blue Island picking up the remainder, or about $2.1 million, paid for with tax increment financing funds, Blue Island finance director Matthew Anastasia said.

In addition to providing convenience for local motorists, the reopening of the Division Street Bridge is expected to make a significant difference in emergency response time for Blue Island firefighters and EMTs working out of Blue Island Fire Station No. 2, located just south of the bridge.

"This bridge is going to allow us to get to places a whole lot quicker," said Blue Island Fire Chief Jim Klinker, whose crews have been forced to take longer routes to emergencies and rely on the city's other fire station, or even the Calumet Park Fire Department to respond to calls in recent years.

"We're looking at probably a savings of anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes in response times for these guys to get to that side of town, which is really key," he said.

The Division Street Bridge, built in 1964 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers widened the Cal-Sag Channel, fell into disrepair due to years of neglect compounded by the structure's poor detailing, Noack said.

The bridge's original detailing, which consisted of about 80 deck drains that took storm water off of the bridge and dropped it straight onto the bridge's steal beams, produced severe corrosion and rust damage that eventually made it too dangerous to drive across, he said.

It had been off limits to emergency vehicles since at least 2007 due to load restrictions that grew more expansive with each passing inspection, and was ultimately closed to traffic completely in 2010, Noack said.

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Years passed, and despite repeated pledges from city officials that work was being done to get the bridge reopened, little to no progress was actually made, Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, said.

A letter Rita received from the director of IDOT's Office of Planning and Programming on May 7, 2013 states that the department's Illinois Major Bridge Program had not received applications for either the Division Street Bridge or the Chatham Street bridge, which the state also closed in 2010 for safety reasons.

"Up until May 2013, I was under the interpretation that the city was working with IDOT, and [the former mayor] kept saying, 'IDOT is not doing anything,'" Rita said. "Finally I met with IDOT and they said, 'The city, up to this point, has not applied for anything,' It was like, 'What?'"

Rita said he immediately began working with IDOT and the city's newly elected Mayor Domingo Vargas to secure state funding for the project.

"We started from the beginning, applying for the grant, working with IDOT  you have to go through the different phases of engineering, design, environmental, construction  there's a number of steps that take time," he said. "It was on a fast track and IDOT really was very cooperative and understanding."

Rita said he was pleased that it took only about three years from the time he became actively involved in the project to get the bridge rebuilt and reopened.

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The rehabilitation should extend the lifespan of the 52-year-old bridge by about 40 years, as long as routine maintenance is performed, Noack said.

And because the reconstruction ameliorated the earlier design flaw that exacerbated the corrosion of the bridge's steel beams, the level of maintenance required going forward should be more manageable, he said.

Blue Island officials are hopeful that by the end of the year they'll also be celebrating the reopening of the Chatham Street Bridge, located about a half-mile west of the Division Street Bridge.

The Chatham Street Bridge will be restricted to bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and will form part of the Cal-Sag Trail, a 26-mile multi-use path that runs along the banks of the Cal-Sag Channel and Calumet River from Lemont in the west to Burnham in the east.

The city is contributing about 20 percent of the cost of that bridge's repairs, or about $900,000, Anastasia, Blue Island's finance director, said.

zkoeske@tribpub.com

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A lawsuit filed by a former Matteson School District 159 employee alleges that officials in the district shared a competitors' confidential bidding information with a business and fired her for questioning it.

According to a complaint former Business Manager Demetria Brown filed in Cook County court last month, the district provided Energy Systems Group with a competitor's confidential bidding information, which the company used to lower its bid and undercut the competition.The lawsuit did not allege who specifically provided the information to the company.

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Brown alleges that when she complained about the district's contract to her supervisor and district officials, the school board president ordered her removed from any involvement with ESG contracts. On or about March 22, the district fired Brown in retaliation for her whistle blowing activities, the lawsuit claims.

Earlier that month, Brown had received a positive performance evaluation from her immediate supervisor, the lawsuit claims.

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Interim Superintendent John Sawyer III declined to comment. Board president Traycee Fox also declined comment.

Energy Systems Group released a statement to the Daily Southtown saying the company was unaware of the lawsuit until this week.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment about any allegations in a pending lawsuit that involves one of our customers. Thus, we have no further comment," the statement read.

In an interview, Brown said she knows "the law" and is "well-versed in finance."

"I know what you're supposed to do when it comes to contracts," Brown said.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Brown's lawsuit also alleges that the district's licensed architecture firm evaluated the proposal and found portions were illegal and violated school code.

The district's June 2015 contract with ESG and a subsequent amendment awarded the company at least $4.2 million for "energy saving" related work, according to the lawsuit.

Earlier this summer, the Daily Southtown reported that Matteson board members and administrators spent at least $148,300 using their district-issued credit cards in recent years.

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Much of that figure has gone toward travel, hotels, and meals, records show.

mmccall@tribpub.com

gpratt@tribpub.com

Twitter: @MatthewMcCall_, @royalpratt
Michael Halloran, of Halloran Power Equipment in Palatine, said that most agencies that purchase a propane lawn mower will save on fuel costs, since propane is a historically cheaper fuel than gasoline. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown)

Propane lawn mowers were the focus of a Chicago Area Clean Cities workshop Thursday at the Forest Preserves of Cook County Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont.

Lawn mowers do not have the same emission standards as cars, said Samantha Bingham, an environmental policy analyst for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

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"Off road equipment, those standards aren't as strict," she said. "From a climate change perspective, propane is a better bet."

One of the presenters, Clay Johnson, of Metro Lawn, a company that offers propane conversions for gas-powered small engines, said that propane offers economic, political and environmental benefits.

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For example, because it is a bioproduct of natural gas, which is domestically produced, we do not need to rely on foreign countries.

"From an economic standpoint, propane has been consistently less expensive than gasoline and there's no reason to think that it won't continue," Johnson said. "Pricing is more consistent and less volatile than retail gas."

Tom Thompson, the fleet supervisor for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, said that propane mowers cost about $1,800 more than gas mowers. But fuel savings and reduced maintenance are lower for propane mowers.

"The maintenance is far less than a gas engine," Thompson said. "The oil is much cleaner. (Fuel) savings for us was roughly $1 per gallon compared to gasoline, so your payback is in no time."

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It takes one to two years in fuel savings to recover the costs of a typical propane mower used by industrial landscapers, said Mike Halloran, of Halloran Power Equipment in Palatine, who also spoke at the event. Propane fuel prices also tend to drop in the summer months because it is not being used for winter heating, which is ideal for summer landscapers, he said.

People driving hours on lawn mowers will not be breathing in nearly the amount of pollution on a propane mower compared to gas, Bingham said.

Having grown up with asthma, Jamie Mendez, of AmeriGas, which provides the propane, said that the main reason he works in the industry is that "propane burns a lot clearer than gasoline or diesel."

Johnson said propane has 96 percent less carcinogens than gas.

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"I work on the fleet vehicles and we have a lot of propane vehicles," said Kyle Ames, of McHenry County Conservation District. "We're looking for more."

Ames said he attended the workshop to learn about a propane mower's benefits.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Julie Capuano, left, wife of fallen Chicago firefighter Daniel Capuano, and their daughter, Amanda, watch as a flyover is performed during a street dedication ceremony on Friday. (Nick Swedberg / Daily Southtown)

A stretch of Hamlin Avenue in Chicago was dedicated Friday to a fallen South Side firefighter.

The 10500 block of Hamlin will now be known as "Daniel V Capuano Avenue," named for the 42-year-old firefighter who fell down an elevator shaft after his company was dispatched to a fire in a vacant warehouse in the 9200 block of South Baltimore Avenue during the early morning hours of Dec. 14, 2015.

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A dedication ceremony was held Friday on the South Side street, which is near where the Capuano family lives.

"My dad will be remembered not only by everyone on this block, but also everyone who walks or drives down Hamlin Avenue," said Amanda Capuano, daughter of the fallen firefighter.

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Amanda Capuano said she couldn't fully put into words how much the dedication meant to her and the rest of the family.

"My hope is that as people drive down our block and see his name on the street signs, they will remember what an amazing husband and father" he was, she said.

A proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel designated Aug. 5 as Daniel Capuano Day in the city.

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Daniel Capuano was declared dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center hours after his fall. He and his wife, Julie, had been married 20 years. Amanda is their only daughter. They also have two sons, Nick and Andrew.

The funeral at St. Rita of Cascia High School drew hundreds of firefighters.

In the months following his death, the Capuano family had filed a lawsuit related to the accident. City officials said the building did not have proper permits and that removal of the elevator was not authorized.

The renaming of the street follows an ordinance which was submitted by Alderman Matt O'Shea of the 19th Ward.

The street dedication was held just feet from where Capuano family home, said Richard Ford II, first deputy commissioner for the Chicago Fire Department.

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"Danny made the ultimate sacrifice in December 2015, doing what he loved best, serving and protecting the residents and visitors of this great city," Ford said.

Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Cheyanne Daniels signs a copy of "111th & Roberts: Where Our Stories Intersect," a book published by senior English students at Stagg High School in Palos Hills on Aug. 2, 2016. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

JaQuan's story is how grateful he is that a rare time his dad was there for him was when he needed someone to show up in court so he could get released from jail.

Shiley explains what it's like to be "born in the wrong body."

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Nour has a simultaneous appreciation for the modesty her hijab provides and the outlet her love for applying makeup affords.

They are real people with real stories  stories that have now been captured and published in a book.

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Stories are powerful weapons in promoting understanding and empathy. Yet, in a world overrun with sound bites and social media quips, so many of us don't know each others' stories. We don't know the hardships, joys, fears and dreams of many of the people we see on a regular basis. We don't know their experiences, their successes and their failures. We don't know the qualities that make them who they are.

But imagine if we did. That was the proposal two English teachers at Stagg High School brought to principal Eric Olsen a year and a half ago when they had the seed of an idea for how they might honor the memory of beloved teacher Mary Ogarek.

Kenneth Erdey, a University of Illinois instructor who produced and directed "Voices of Stagg," a documentary about a senior English class's quest to collect stories and publish a book, wipes away a tear as he welcomes parents, students and staff to the film's premiere. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

"The amazing thing is, everybody has a story. Everybody has their own unique story," teacher Lisa Thyer said. "When you take the time to sit and listen to that story and talk about it, you maybe realize connections or see things in a different way."

Thyer and colleague Chris Wendelin last year led 60 Stagg seniors through an experimental elective English class aimed at building empathy through storytelling. They now have a book and a documentary film to show for their efforts. And they recently learned that the project, originally slated as a one-year offering, has been extended.

"We won't write a book again but there are a lot of other things we can do," Thyer said. "A lot of initiatives are coming out of the book. We're just taken aback by it all."

That book, titled "111th & Roberts: Where Our Stories Intersect," contains the student-gathered accounts of fellow classmates and alumni, all of them identified by first name only.

Stagg High School English teachers Chris Wendelin and Lisa Thyer speak at the premiere of the film "Voices of Stagg," which documents an elective English class's quest to collect stories, build empathy and publish a book. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Separately, they are stories about surviving loss and enduring hardship, about finding purpose and overcoming obstacles. Together, they are the story of Stagg and of the human quest to connect, understand and relate.

Some of the stories are heartbreaking, some are inspiring, all are honest.

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Ameen talks about growing up in Iraq when war broke out. Michelle shares her struggle to combat depression, anxiety and self-harm. And Stagg choir director Christopher opens up about losing the love of his life, Ogarek.

All of the narratives were compiled, edited and organized into book form by students.

The documentary, "Voices of Stagg," follows the teachers and students on their journey to publish it. The camera captures teachers, administrators and students as they first define the new program and then work through the logistics of bringing the 271-page book to fruition.

Directed by Ken Erdey, an instructor at the College of Media at the University of Illinois, the documentary was shown for the first time Aug. 2 at the school.

Current and former Stagg students gather after the premiere of "Voices of Stagg," a film documenting their experience writing a book for an elective English class at Stagg High School in Palos Hills. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

In addition to learning essential skills, such as interviewing, transcribing and editing, the students learned about each other and themselves, Erdey said.

Erdey said although his 70-minute film, which is presented in book format, provides insight into how District 230 students deal with everyday life, "The film is not just about Stagg. You can walk into any high school and probably see the same issues. This really is a communication piece about what we could be doing to make them better human beings as far as understanding what others are going through, that it's not just about them."

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Following the premier, Cheyanne Daniels, a class participant who is heading to St. Xavier University in the fall, said, "I thought all of it was amazing. I'm so happy I got the wonderful opportunity to be a part of it. I learned about connecting. I learned how to connect on a human level and understand and appreciate people."

Her mom Amy Daniels, of Palos Park, said, "I'm just blown away (by the project). I'm so proud and amazed by each and every one of these students. I think they've created something that can continue."

People arrive at Stagg High School to watch the premiere of "Voices of Stagg," a documentary on an elective English class's experience writing a book. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

The idea for the class sprung from the untimely passing of Ogarek, an outgoing, compassionate English teacher and aspiring writer.

Before Ogarek fell ill, she and Thyer had received a grant to bring authors to the Palos Hills school for a writing workshop. Among the presenters at that fall 2013 gathering were members of the renowned nonprofit organization Voice of Witness, which collects and publishes oral histories in an effort to affect social change.

After Ogarek passed, staff searched for a way to keep her legacy alive. They devised what they thought would be a one-time English class based on storytelling.

"We were trying to model what Voice of Witness does by collecting real stories," Wendelin said. "But we realized through the process that the book was becoming a journey. Kids would come back amazed at the deep, long personal conversations they'd had, during which no one had a phone out."

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Stagg High School principal Eric Olsen speaks at the premiere of the film "Voices of Stagg," which documents the journey 60 Stagg High School seniors embarked on to publish a book. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

He said, "You start to realize that students want that and need that. We all do. It became very inspiring."

At a time when the national conversation seems to be compartmentalizing people, over generalizing issues, supporting stereotypes and putting an emphasis on fear of the unknown, Wendelin said the need for conversation is even more pronounced.

"To actually focus on the individual and the power of an unknown story, to give people a voice, that can combat stereotypes," he said.

Thyer said the academic lessons that came from the project were "empowering."

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"They edited and they wrote and they published a book. How many high schoolers can say that? They did all of these tasks that seem beyond high school English students," she said. "It was a lot harder than writing a paper for a teacher. They were writing something for an audience, something they wanted people to read. They scrutinized their own work more than they ever had before.

"I hope they came away with a sense of empowerment of what they are able to do as writers and as leaders for social justice and action," she said.

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Among the people Sam Sarli, of Palos Hills, interviewed was Toriano, a senior who'd long struggled to make friends through his parents' many moves and eventual breakup.

The experience, Sam said, has emboldened her.

"I think I'm braver than I give myself credit for. Now, I know that I can go out and talk to people I wouldn't normally think to talk to. I've learned how important it is to honor the people who trust you with their stories," she said.

dvickroy@tribpub.com

Twitter @dvickroy
The argument is: Was it ransom for U.S. hostages held by Iran or just a payment for a debt owed? The fishy part was Obama administration officials said in January 2016 they were going to pay $1.7 billion owed. They never mentioned that $400 million payment would be in cash delivered at the same time the hostages were to be released. Since the U.S. said it is unlawful to have financial deals with Iran, it had to be in unmarked cash. So the U.S. laundered the money (Isn't that illegal?) through the EU and delivered it in a non-U.S. plane at night, and a hostage said they were told they would not be released until the money plane landed. The president claims this is old news, and obviously silly (read stupid) people who are dreaming up ideas of thriller movies and tales of spies. Really?

Orland Park

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Sam from Orland: Why on Earth do you think these people write their own speeches? Watch a little news or an interview, and you will see that no one writes their own speech. That's why people go to school and become speech writers. Chelsea Clinton said on national TV that she wrote down a few ideas and then she gave them to their speech writer. Michelle didn't write her speech either. Wake up. If this election has to be about slamming Trump about a speech and a nude photo, then who's priorities are a problem here? That's what you have on Trump? That's what you want to make this election about? If you want to talk about lies and not backing someone, then look at your precious Hillary. She wrote the book on them. Try to dig a little into her past. The only good thing about the president, is they truly do not make any decisions. They have advisers, so wake up to politics.

You may not agree with my opinion, but I'm saying it anyway. I am so very tired of these thugs who are killed by the police being made to look all sweet and good by the community, and these greedy lawyers. The latest one was shot in the back. Probably because he was running away. He was driving a stolen car, crashed this car into police cars. Instead of staying put and facing the consequences of his actions, he probably decided to run and try to escape being arrested. Instead, he was shot in his back and killed. Now he is being made out to be a victim instead of the thug he actually was. If you commit a crime, don't run. Face the consequences of your actions.

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Chicago

Mr. Slowik: Mr. Kadner never gave comments like you. Maybe you're from the Dead Zone. I'm not on either side, but you are totally one-sided and should never be writing in the Dead Zone. Mr. Kahn used the convention for his means. He has a rift with Muslims taking time to be vetted. We now have 7,900 unknown refugees which will be 10,000 by September. We may end up in the same boat as France and Germany by the election. You best think about it. We were forewarned of trouble in World War II, we ignored it and what happened?

Barack Obama just proved he is unfit to lead and is the worst president in American history. The first sitting president to pay a ransom to terrorists to free Americans. My question is, why didn't he pay for the journalists who were decapitated by Isis? Must not have been in his best interest I guess.

Joe, Tinley Park

Reading Mike Nolan's front-page story about south suburban TIFs, it seems the probability of success depends on the trend of the community. Reasonably strong communities and those on the upswing tend to benefit, while those in decline see little to no benefit. Where will Tinley Park fall in this spectrum? Will they see an upswing, end its stagnation and generate revenue, or will taxpayers be left holding the bag with more debt?

Tinley Park

To Pete from Oak Lawn: We all know what the Democrats have given us: Corruption, collusion, cronyism and higher taxes. This along with poverty, ignorance and violence in Democrat-controlled areas. Thanks a bunch, Democrats.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Jim, Tinley Park

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I keep hearing Trump supporters say they are voting for him because he will take the country in a different direction. That's right. Ronald Reagan's dream of a shining city on a hill will turn into a shack in a swamp under a Trump regime.

Ron, Orland Park

Wouldn't you want an "outspoken" Trump for president and save our country, rather than "giveaway" Clinton and lose our country?

Worth

What's Speak Out?

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Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is selling LED blue light stakes with a plaque reading We Support EPD for $15 to show support for the police department. (Gloria Casas, The Courier-News)

Elgin Deputy Chief Bill Wolf lives in a neighborhood where there are many blue lights flooding porches or lawns. The show of support surprised him.

"It was nice to get the support," he said.

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The Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is giving Elginites a chance to show their support by purchasing a LED blue light with the plaque reading "We Support EPD" on it.

The group purchased a batch of 50 blue lights last fall and sold out, said Michelle Groeper, Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association vice-president. The organization recently purchased another 300 lights, she said. "We've sold through a good majority of those," she said. "People have been so supportive and so generous to the organization and the department. We've had people buy two or three or four to give to their family. It has gotten great community support."

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The idea of the blue light project came after brainstorming different ideas for a new fundraiser, she said. The LED blue light with the "We Support EPD" is not only a fundraising effort but a way to show support to police officers, she said.

"It has been trying times for police officers right now so it is our way to have the community support the department in a very public way as well as raising funds for other projects," Groeper said.

Elgin police officers have had a positive response to the show of support, she said.

"They seem to really like to see the blue light out in the community as they are responding to calls," Groeper said.

The best way to contact Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association to purchase the $15 blue light is through the Elgin Police Department's Facebook page, she said. The organization will be deciding soon whether to order more, she said.

Groeper has been with the alumni association for seven years. Elgin police hold three different academies throughout the year including a Spanish speaking Elgin Citizens Police Academy. Each session is eight weeks and covers different policing topics, Groeper said. Graduates of the academy can then join the alumni association, she said.

"The primary piece of what the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association really does is help with volunteer efforts for the police department and fundraise to help with different items," she said.

Elgin Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association provides grants for items the police department needs, like purchasing a camera for the Major Investigations Division or items for the department's K9 unit or sending children to ROPE camp, Groeper said.

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What she has learned from volunteering with the group is the role the police department plays in the city.

"In general, you learn the police department does way more than we ever expect," Groeper said. "You think of the police as fighting crime and making arrests, but they are out there doing community support and trying to keep kids on the straight and narrow."

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Capstone Development is set to close on the Tower Building with seller the Stickling Foundation on Aug. 16, Elgin City Manager Rick Kozal said. (Mike Danahey, The Courier-News)

The closing on the sale of Elgin's iconic Tower Building is finally set to take place Aug. 16

The delayed deal, which has been in the works since 2014, hasn't prevented renovation work from taking place, though.

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Bill Luchini, president and CEO of Capstone Development Group told The Courier-News in June the developer still plans to place the building in service by the end of the year in order to capitalize on a state historic redevelopment tax credit program.

"The delay was due to the developer and the tax credit investors continuing to finalize the paperwork necessary to complete the deal," City Manager Rick Kozal said,

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Capstone is set to purchase the building from the Stickling Foundation, named after the late William Stickling who bought the building in 1978. After his death in 1999, Stickling's friend, attorney Neal Pitcher, has overseen the foundation and the operation of the beleaguered building.

The final sale price of the Tower Building was reduced from the original $1.2 million to the current $900,000, in part because the building's facade began crumbling over the winter, and also due to interior deterioration, Capstone officials said.

This spring, the City Council amended an agreement with Capstone Development so the city will provide an additional $1.65 million in assistance and variable tax increment financing (TIF) district rebates for a five-year term in an estimated amount of $200,000 for the project.

According to a staff report, unforeseen circumstances delayed Capstone's purchase and stalled its ability to begin renovating the Elgin Tower as planned. So the original construction schedule was revised to accommodate the shortened timeline for completing the redevelopment and the increased construction costs.

Capstone renegotiated terms with its lender, investors and the Stickling Foundation to ameliorate the rising project costs stemming from increased construction costs and Capstone's inability to fully monetize the state historic tax credit benefits expiring at the end of 2016.

The city is providing a total of $6.35 million in development assistance for the Tower Building ,100 E. Chicago St. The project has an estimated $16.6 million construction budget.

Once completed, the 15-story, 1929 Tower Building will house 45 one- and two-bedroom apartments, with rents set at between $863 and $1,200 a month. Residents will pay for monthly parking passes for downtown parking spots - 55 of which will be set aside for Tower residents, city officials said.

Chicago developer Richard Souyoul worked with Capstone on bringing the project to the table. Souyoul noted that among those delays were lawsuits filed by Marco Muscarello, owner of the now-closed Gasthaus Zur Linde and a building close to the Tower Building downtown. Kozal noted the Illinois Appellate Court denied Muscarello's petition for rehearing on July 6. Muscarello has 35 days to file a leave to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court on that case.

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A hearing date on the city's motion to dismiss a federal court case Muscarello has filed against the city is set for Sept. 6.

Work on the building has been taking place since Capstone and the City Council's spring agreement, Kozal said. Exterior repair work is ongoing, Kozal said, as is interior environmental remediation.

Kozal said a "pre-closing" in which the Foundation/Pitcher put everything they needed to have in escrow allowed the work to commence.

The spring deal called for loaning Missouri-based Capstone $600,000 to immediately begin on stabilization work, as pieces of the building's facade had been falling to the ground over winter. The money would be advanced from the city's assistance and repaid once Capstone completes the building's purchase.

The city then will be making payment on its development assistance in two parts. The first payment of one-half of the development assistance will happen when 50 percent of the project is completed, and the second payment when the project has been substantially completed.

The 15-story Tower Building opened in 1929 as a bank just before the start of the Great Depression. The fourth floor sat empty for the first 30 years before finding a tenant, Pitcher had told The Courier-News. Records indicate the building's heyday was in the late 1940s, when it was about 80 percent occupied, and it went into a steep decline with the economic downturn in the 1970s.

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Capstone and Souyoul have been working on a deal for the Tower Building since 2014, after plans for Wisconsin-based Gorman & Co. to purchase the building fell through.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
home World Zimbabwe court dismisses case against pastor accused of inciting protests through Facebook

A Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges hurled against a Baptist pastor who used social media to incite the most widespread protest against the autocratic regime of President Robert Mugabe.

According to Reuters, Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe ruled on July 13 that the court cannot proceed with the trial after the National Prosecuting Authority changed the original charge against Pastor Evan Mawarire of inciting public violence to treason without even reading the charges to the accused.

"A great cry of jubilation went up," wrote Barnabas partner Ben Freeth, on the ruling. "People were dancing and singing and crying and hugging each other. It was a truly historic victory."

Freeth also described how thousands of the pastor's supporters turned the Harare courtroom into something else.

"The court room became a church with people singing and praying. Riot police with guns and water cannons were everywhere but everyone was peaceful," Barnabas Fund quoted Freeth as saying.

Pastor Mawarire took to Facebook on April 19 to express his frustration with the country's corruption, high unemployment rate, and shortages of money. He launched the #ThisFlag campaign that quickly turned viral and called for a one-day shutdown in early July that rattled the regime of the now frail 92-year-old Mugabe, who ruled the country since 1980. He also threatened to mobilise more and longer shutdowns before his arrest on July 12. According to The Guardian, the 39-year-old pastor started the protest after he failed to withdraw money from banks for his two children's school fees.

His movement demanded that Mugabe remove corrupt ministers, including roadblocks that police allegedly use to extort bribes, and for the due payment of salaries.

"The [government] has stolen our money," Pastor Mawarire told The Guardian before his arrest. "It is out of touch with the problems we have. It must begin to listen to the people and stamp out the corruption which has crippled our economy."

The pastor added, "The international community cannot help us if we do not help ourselves."
Nosh on some corn for a good cause this weekend.

The sixth annual Randy's Corn Roast fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Randy's Vegetables Farm Stand, 15N440 Randall Road, Sleepy Hollow.

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Tickets are $15 donation which includes one hot dog and hamburger, a soft drink, and all-you-can-eat fresh roasted corn.

The day's festivities will include live music by bands Clear Confusion and Babin Brothers, kids games, face painting, and raffles.

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The rain date will be Sunday, Aug. 14. For information, go to randyscornroast.info.
With Sleepy Hollow residents only willing to vote in a 33 percent tax hike in March, the Village Board must come up with ways to make up for decreasing revenues.

In March, Village President Stephan Pickett told residents, "We must realize we are between a rock and hard spot. The village has no commercial or retail stores to help fund the village. Without diversity the residents are forced to foot the bill."

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If you have driven down Main Street (Route 72), you will see that a new Dunkin' Donuts has recently opened for business. With the redesign of Spring Hill Mall underway, there are high hopes for a successful business.

Pickett said at the July 18 board meeting that a request was received for a special-use permit application from Bridgeview-based Midway Autohaus for a used-car dealership at 1001 W. Main St., which is the former Sears HomeLife furniture store.

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If you had told me 30 years ago that, while living in Sleepy Hollow, I would be in favor of a car dealership in the village, I most likely would have laughed. Now that the village finds itself willing to join in partnership with a used-car dealer, I am not opposed.

"The Zoning Board and Village Board are in favor of working with this businessman," said Trustee Dennis Fudala. "He seems like a decent guy and is successful at other used-car dealership locations."

"I am ecstatic about the idea, as this will be a boom for the village," Pickett said. "If this business proves to be successful, there will not be a need to go to the taxpayers for another tax referendum in two to three years."

Pickett feels that the car dealership owner is willing "to not distract from the character of the village. He is receptive to our requests to have no flashing lights, limited hours, making sure buyers test-drive cars out of residential areas, and not to allow piles of car parts to be stored outside of the building."

With this particular location not in the center of town and the business owner willing to work closely with the Village Board, this would be an opportunity for an improved tax base to be established.

Why not take the risk?

The village must make some changes in order to keep Sleepy Hollow afloat. If this business venture is successful, raising taxes could be off the table.

Linda McDaniel-Hale is a Fox Valley resident who offers opinion on local topics.
Firefighters regroup as they put together their efforts to put out the fire alarm fire on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at United Propane and Energy in Gurnee. (Mark Ukena/Lake County News-Sun) (Mark Kodiak Ukena, Lake County News-Sun)

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of a rare 7-alarm fire at a propane storage facility in Gurnee just more than a week ago, the Gurnee fire chief said Friday.

Experts from various fields, including federal inspectors, have descended on the facility over the past week, Gurnee Fire Chief Fred Friedl said. Still, authorities have not yet pinpointed the fire's cause, he said.

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"There has been a lot going on," Friedl said. "There have been a lot of people out here."

The July 28 fire at Pinnacle Propane Express, 3895 Clearview Court, brought firefighters from 30 surrounding departments to extinguish the blaze. Nearby roads were closed for several hours during the fire among a pile of small propane tanks adjacent to two larger tanks behind the propane delivery company.

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Village building inspectors, police, fire investigators, the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials, Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials, insurance investigators, company experts and experts from outside the company, all have been to the facility to do inspections, tests and gather information, Friedl said.

The facility is still closed for regular operations, Friedl said.

"OSHA has been involved and the IEPA has been out here dealing directly with environmental issues because of the nearby creek and waterway and how they need to mitigate that," Friedl said.

The rare 7-alarm fire was called to make sure there were enough firefighters available to rotate crews because of the heat and humidity that day.

Crews were exchanged every 20 minutes and their heart rate, blood pressure and hydration were monitored and recorded, Friedl said.

"It was a huge challenge with that much equipment on the scene," he said.

Two PACE buses were at the scene to cool off firefighters and other personnel, but Friedl said they ended up using a nearby climate controlled building where they could spread out after the company that operates there offered it to the fire department.

He said both the insurance investigators and other experts initially were looking at the possibility that a motor caused a spark that ignited the tanks, "But the engineers did a number of tests and didn't come up with anything.

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"So now we are sitting at undetermined," for the cause of the fire, Friedl said.

Next week, officials will be meeting to review certain procedures and to address safety concerns that may of come up from the inspections and investigations.

Friedl said it will take some time before all the reports and investigations are complete.

"But the best thing is we all came away without any employees, firefighters, public works employees, police, or citizens being injured," Friedl said. "We were very, very fortunate."

fabderholden@tribpub.com

Twitter:@abderholden
Three men who solicited sex from undercover female police officers were arrested Thursday in a reverse prostitution sting conducted near Ogden Avenue and Naper Boulevard, Naperville police said.

John Bushman, 70, of the 1400 block of Inverrary Drive, Naperville; William Fang, 64, of the 1300 block of Dunrobin Road, Naperville; and Daniel Wall, 32, of the 1800 block of Simpson Court, Montgomery, were charged with solicitation of a sex act, a Class A misdemeanor.

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The Naperville Police Department's Special Operations Group set up the campaign Thursday afternoon with the assistance of officers from Downers Grove, police Cmdr. Louis Cammiso said.

Simultaneous to the operation being conducted, police learned a woman was allegedly working as a prostitute at a nearby motel and advertising her availability online, Cammiso said. Jasmine Davis, 26, of the 5800 block of East Lake Drive, Lisle, was arrested and charged with prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor.

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Jasmine Davis (Naperville Police Department )

Cammiso said the department sets up prostitution and reverse prostitution stings "periodically" during the course of the year.
A downtown Oak Park developer is seeking $100,000 from the village in order to have Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant occupy space in the soon-to-open Vantage Oak Park building.

The request was submitted as part of the village's consent agenda on Aug. 1, and the village will now prepare a formal agreement to be approved at a later date.

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As part of the request, the developer of the 21-story mixed-use Vantage Oak Park development at Lake Street and Forest Avenue is seeking a village grant to secure and accommodate Cooper's Hawk. In a letter written to the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation by Michael Glazier of Vantage Oak Park, Glazier said Cooper's Hawk has agreed to a 10-year lease for the space with two five-year options.

In addition to offering free rent, the developer is offering more than $900,000 in buildout allowance, which covers extraordinary mechanical, electrical and plumbing costs, Glazier wrote.

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"We are requesting assistance from the village of Oak Park in the amount of $100,000 to help defray our design and engineering costs, leasing commissions and financial costs for this important lease," Glazier wrote. "Without this assistance, the developer would not obtain an acceptable return to allow it to proceed with these improvements."

Oak Park Development Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman confirmed the developer is seeking a financial incentive from the village, and said the matter will be discussed by trustees once a final agreement is reached.

According to Viktor Schrader of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, Cooper's Hawk is seeking to occupy a 12,500-square-foot space at the base of the Vantage Oak Park building.

"Cooper's Hawk has been on our radar for a long time," Schrader said. "We think it fits really well within the Oak Park marketplace. We would like to see them in the space by next spring or summer, but it's a large buildout. Our interest is just for them to make it a priority within their development pipeline. There's still a ways to go on that because of the scale of the project."

Schrader said the OPEDC supports the request, and said the matter will be brought back for the public to provide input at a future village board meeting.

"Things can change, and there will be a public discussion about it in the future," Schrader said.

In a letter from OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch to the village, Lynch said the village's responsibilities include providing a grant of $100,000 to the developer for tax increment financing-eligible costs to secure the tenant, and the village will provide the funds upon opening of the restaurant.

Since direct construction costs of the grease trap and ventilation improvements are not likely to qualify as TIF-eligible expenses, the OPEDC is recommending the $100,000 TIF assistance to compensate for other building modifications and eligible expenses in securing the tenant, Lynch wrote.

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Lynch also wrote the developer is to provide evidence of a lease agreement lasting at least 10 years, proof of project-related expenses and must complete construction and occupancy of the restaurant by June 30, 2017.

According to Glazier, the sidewalks around Vantage Oak Park are expected to be completed soon. He asked for the agreement to be approved at the next village board meeting.

According to its website, Cooper's Hawk has locations in eight states, including the communities of Arlington Heights, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, South Barrington, Wheeling and Springfield in Illinois.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
Carlos Fuente Sr., a cigar industry icon who turned Arturo Fuente Cigars into a powerhouse passed away last night, Known as Don Carlos, Fuente Sr. is credited for taking many risks to grow Arturo Fuente into one of the largest family-owned cigar companies in the world. He was 81 years old.

In the 1950s Fuente Sr. started working for Arturo Fuente Cigars, the company founded by his father Arturo Fuente. At the time Arturo Fuente Cigars was a small operation. He started in sales, an area he had no experience with. Fuente Sr. started opening more accounts in the State of Florida and selling cigars on credit. He then established distributorships in both Miami and Manhattan. By 1956, Fuente Sr. was viewed as the face of the company. When his father retired, he purchased the company from his family for one dollar.

In the 1960s, he opened a two story factory in Ybor City, Florida. Fuente Sr. worked many long and late hours, and according to biographic information on the companys web-site, Fuente Sr.s wife Anna said If you cant come home, well go with you, and she joined Fuente Sr. working in the factory. Over the span of a one year span, Fuente Sr. grew the factorys staff to one hundred people. By 1965, he moved the company into the Charles the Great building on 22nd Street in Ybor City.

In 1962, Fuente Sr. was visiting Cuba and heard rumors of a trade embargo. He purchased a three year supply of Cuban tobacco at $250.00 per bale and took it back to the U.S.. When the embargo became a reality, Fuente Sr. received many financially lucrative offers for his Cuban tobacco, but turned them down. As he started to use the Cuban tobacco, Fuente Sr. started planning for the future when that tobacco supply would run out. The release for Flor de Orlando would be the first handmade cigar to not include Cuban tobacco.

There were struggles in the 1970s  particularly in the post Cuban tobacco U.S. market. Rising labor costs forced Fuente Sr. to go to Nicaragua and Honduras and open factories there. However that resulted in more struggles. In 1978, during the Nicaraguan revolution, the Fuente factory was burned down in Nicaragua. Not only did he lose his factory, but Fuente Sr was forced. to flee the country. In 1979, another fire struck  this time in Honduras and resulting in another factory loss. As a result, the Ybor City location now shouldered the production load.

In 1980, not able to continue to keep up with labor costs in the U.S., Fuente Sr. and his family went to the Dominican Republic, where they would open up Fuente LTD in Santiago. By this time, Fuentes son Carlos (Carlito) Fuente, Jr. was now taking a more active role in the company. The company grew into what is today one of the largest family-owned vertically integrated companies in the cigar business.

In 1986, there was the partnership with J.C. Newman Cigar Company that formed. At the time, the Fuente operation were now well entrenched in the Dominican Republic. Under that partnership, the Newmans would take over the Fuentes Tampa-based machine-made operation while the Fuente family would start producing premium hand-made cigars for Stanford Newmans company. One project Fuente Sr. and Stanford Newman worked on was La Unica  the first premium handmade bundled cigar. At the same time, the Newmans would begin to distribute Arturo Fuente products. This would help enormously grow the footprint of the Fuente brand. Its a partnership that exists to this day.

Of course there are iconic cigar releases that Fuente Sr. has been a part of. The Flor Fina 8-5-8 was made by Fuente Sr. in tribute to his father Arturo Fuente, who had passed away in 1973.

There was also the Hemingway  which was introduced in the early 1980s. In the post-Cuban cigar market, the figurado and perfecto shaped had nearly vanished. The introduction of the Hemingway not only reinvigorated the perfecto / figurado in the U.S. market, but helped grow the company into a global brand.

Of course he had his hand in the Don Carlos blend. It was introduced in 1976, and now has been a staple brand for four decades.

In the 1990s, came another risk  the challenge of growing a premium wrapper in the Dominican Republic. Fuente Sr. stood by his son as he created an all-Dominican puro with a wrapper grown at Chateau de la Fuente, the familys tobacco farm. The result was the creation of Fuente Fuente Opus X  and the rest is history.

Even recently Fuente Sr.s footprint has been seen on the market. In 2015, the Don Carlos Personal Reserve Robusto and Eye of the Shark were released  both based on a personal blend by Fuente Sr.

Back in March to commemorate 25 years of the Fuente and Newman partnership, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn named part of 2nd Avenue in Ybor City Carlos Fuentes Way.

Fuente was also remembered for his numerous charitable and giveback activities.

References: Some references and biographical information from this story came from Arturofuente.com.
Abby Edwards and her friend and pet rabbit pose after winning 4-H Ribbon in 2015. (Courtesy of Edwards family)

Abbey Edwards is going into 7th grade at Wheeler Middle School in Crown Point, but before she can move on, she has one lst 6th-grade honor to tout. She won the 6th-Grade National Pets Add Life Poetry Contest.

Edwards not only loves poetry but she loves music and her pet bunny rabbit. According to her mother she has won poetry contests in the past, but this is the first national contest she has won.

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In 4th-grade, she won the Power of Poetry Project from the Indiana Writer's Association.

"She has a gift," said her mother, Debbie Edwards.

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This contest brings cash prizes not only for Abbey but also for her classroom at Wheeler Middle School. The school's prize was a $1,000 scholarship for their classroom. Her personal prize was for $250.

This artistic young lady also loves to play music. She has won a prize with her violin playing that enabled her to perform at the intermission of the NWI Symphony summer program at Central Park in Griffith, last year. In addition to the violin, Abbey also loves to play her keyboard and the cello.

Debbie said that this daughter's next project just might be writing and composing music.

Award-winning poem

Here is the poem Abbey Edwars wrote that won the contest among all 6th-graders nationwide:

You're my buddy

You're my sidekick.

You're my partner in crime,

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I don't care what you look like,

What you smell like,

Or if you're covered in grime

You mean more to me,

Than all the stars in the sky,

You greet me in the evening,

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And you're my morning goodbye,

I'd go past all the limits

To keep you at my side,

You're my closest friend,

You're my family,

You're my entire world,

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I care more about you,

Than you would know

Without you my life would unfurl,

You're there in my darkest hours,

To help me make them shine,

I can tell you all my deepest secrets,

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I know you'll always be mine

I know how lucky I am to have you,

You're more than just a pet.

You're

My remedy,

My other half,

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The one I will never forget.

Abbey Edwards
World War II veteran Walter Kolasa smiles as he exits a B-25 bomber at the Porter County Airport on Friday after a Collings Foundation Honor Flight. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Walter Kolasa slowly approached the B-25 "Mitchell," a medium-sized World War II bomber, that had just landed Friday at the Porter County Regional Airport for the Wings of Freedom Tour.

"I've been waiting 70 years to do this," the retired Michigan City electrician said.

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Within minutes he'd let go of his walker and, with a bit of assistance, scaled a ladder and disappeared into a rear hatch of the bomber. Minutes later, crammed into the mid-section of the plane, between two wings carrying twin propellers, Kolasa, 91, was flying 180 mph at about 1,500 feet, hugging the Lake Michigan shore to Michigan City.

After the 30-minute flight, Kolasa's daughter, Cindy Block, also of Michigan City, and a volunteer with the foundation sponsoring the tour met Kolasa and asked his opinion.

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"I liked it," he laughed. "I can go for seconds."

Launched by the Collings Foundation in 1989, each year the Wings of Freedom Tour crisscrosses 40 states, a flying classroom for thousands of spectators who can tour the aircraft and pay to fly in them.

The foundation, an educational nonprofit corporation, also honors World War II veterans, like Kolasa, giving them free flights.

Crowds of families and other spectators crowded around the B-25 Mitchell, a P-51 Mustang fighter jet, a B-24 Liberator bomber and the massive, four-propeller B17 Flying Fortress, taking tours and snapping pictures.

"If you only read about history in a textbook, you might remember it," said foundation representative Michael Prentiss, of Valparaiso. "But, if you experience it firsthand, then you're never going to forget that experience."

With a metal frame and wrapped with an aluminum skin, the B-25 Mitchell class that carried Kolasa is barely 5 feet across, but stretched about 66 feet long.

The B-25 bomber at the airport, named the Tondalayo, was a trainer at the end of WWII and did not see combat.

The B-25s were made famous by the Gen. James Doolittle raids by Allied forces on Tokyo early in World War II. They are technically bombers that served as large attack planes, she said.

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After rumbling down the runway, the B-25 lifted off, and its massive engines became deafening. Guests including Bob Westfall, 69, of Valparaiso, a self-described airplane buff, could disconnect their seat belts and crawl to the rear of the aircraft and stick their heads in a clear plastic dome that once housed a gunner operating a 50-caliber Browning machine gun.

Westfall, who retired from the energy industry, said he flew to honor his father-in-law, Simeon Hain, of Decatur, Ill., who logged 1,600 hours in B-24s and B-17s and earned two Flying Crosses in World War II.

"I had him out here a few years ago and asked him if he wanted to go up, and he said 'Hell, no. I was in that thing too many years,'" Westfall said. "He actually flew an airplane before he learned how to drive."

"We're barnstorming. We're going to stop and bring these great, flying pieces of history out to the general public," said Will Dismukes, 48, the volunteer pilot, said after Kolasa's flight. "Of course, we get the opportunity to meet these great veterans and their families.

"So many veterans get very emotional when they see the aircraft they served in. It's a very emotional moment, and it's a very emotional moment for their families," he said.

Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

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Wings on display through Sunday

The Wings of Freedom Tour will be at the Porter County Regional Airport in Valparaiso through Sunday. Tickets to tour the aircraft are $6 for children and $12 for adults. Aircraft rides range from $450 30-minute flights to $3,200 for 60-minute training flights.
The Gary Community Schools' Williams Annex and its maintenance facility are still open after narrowly avoiding the chopping block at Thursday's special board meeting, but a $1 million budget deficit still looms that could delay the start of the school year.

The board voted 6-1 with one abstention Thursday against closing Williams Annex, the former Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School, at 920 E. 19th Ave. It housed almost 400 students in seventh and eighth grades last year.

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The move to close the maintenance facility at 3840 Georgia St., was tabled for further discussion.

Board president Antuwan Clemons said the board normally decides to close schools in the fall prior to the next school year, but the budget crisis means that it's important to act quickly.

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"Making a decision 16 days before the start of the school year, I don't think it's fair for parents and students," Clemons said. "But I do think it's fair to help them understand that if we can't pay teachers, our school doors won't open this fall."

Aug. 16 is the first day for staff, and classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 22. Clemons said the decisions weren't the final say on each building, but a sign that they needed more information on the financial ramifications before making an informed decision.

The district's state-appointed financial manager, Jack Martin, was present at the meeting via speakerphone, but Clemons said the connection wasn't great and the board plans on meeting with him in person soon. Martin did not return a request for comment on Friday. Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt was out of the office Friday and unavailable for comment.

Gary Teachers Union President GlenEva Dunham said the district can't layoff teachers after July 1, so if the board moves to close Williams Annex later on, the teachers would follow students to whatever school they are re-assigned to.

"We would just pray that the same number of students stay (to avoid layoffs)," Dunham said. "We never know how many are going to return each year."

Dunham said many Williams teachers, administrators and community members spoke out against its closing, but she understands the board's dilemma.

"They're trying to reach out to the state for more assistance," Dunham said. "They're pursuing a property tax referendum, and hoping to talk it up in the community and be positive about the district."

Williams Annex has had a tumultuous history. Dunbar-Pulaski was closed due to low academic performance and flagging enrollment in 2009 and its students were sent to nearby high schools. It was reopened in 2013, but the district considered closing it in 2014. The State Board of Education moved to close the school in spring 2015, but Gary kept the school open by renaming it the Williams Annex.

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Clemons said he's in favor of shuttering the maintenance facility since there is unused space at the Gary Area Career Center available for employees and equipment and better security on the premises.

"Nothing is off limits," Clemons said. "The most important thing that we've said is our duty is to the community, but even moreso to the students."

cnance@post-trib.com
Visitors look at a map of a proposed rail line through Porter County on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, during a public meeting with the Surface Transportation Board in Valparaiso, IN. (Kyle Telechan, Post-Tribune)

The fate of a proposed freight train line with a route that would cut through southern Lake and Porter counties is in the hands of the three-person Surface Transportation Board.

The federal agency will determine whether Great Lakes Basin Transportation's proposal for a 278-mile rail line from Milton, Wis., to LaPorte will move forward as proposed, be completed on an alternate route, or not constructed at all.

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The agency's Office of Environmental Analysis will review more than 3,500 comments and documents submitted over the past few months and collected at meetings along the route. That office will put together an environmental impact statement on the proposed freight line, a project officials have said would take two to three years.

GLBT, led by founder and managing partner Frank Patton and company president Jim Wilson, is proposing the line as a bypass around Chicago's congested rail hub for up to 110 trains a day. Patton has said the $8 billion project would be privately funded.

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Victoria Rutson, director of the OEA, said in May that Patton's proposal "is the biggest project we've ever had," with the next biggest being the 262-mile Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad in the late 1990s. The environmental review for that rail line took four years. After a couple rounds of lawsuits, Rutson said, the railroad was eventually sold to Canadian Pacific Railway and the project ended.

GLBT's proposal has generated a wide swath of opposition across all three states where the freight trains would traverse, raising concerns about proximity to schools, loss of farmland, safety, drainage, and jeopardizing natural, cultural and historic sites.

Several people have proposed alternative routes using underused or abandoned rail lines, and the STB has set an Aug. 29 deadline for GLBT to submit an alternative of its own.

STB members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate for five-year terms, according to the agency's website. The current members are Chairman Daniel Elliott, a Democrat from Ohio; Vice Chair Deb Miller, a Democrat from Kansas; and Anne Begeman, a Republican from Virginia.

Elliott, in his second term on the board, is an attorney who previously served as associate general counsel for the United Transportation Union and also worked in private practice in Cleveland and Washington, D.C.

Miller is in her first term and previously was a senior consultant with Cambridge Systematics Inc., a firm specializing in transportation planning and police, primarily for public-sector clients.

Begeman, also in her first term, previously served as Republican staff director for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and on the staffs of two senators.

The STB, according to its Fiscal Year 2015 annual report, "is charged with advancing the national transportation policy goals enacted by Congress and promoting an efficient, competitive, safe and cost-effective rail network."

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The board's primary focus is freight railroads, and it accomplishes its goals "by enabling railroads to earn adequate revenues that foster reinvestment in their systems, attract outside capital, and provide reliable service, while at the same time working to ensure that effective competition exists between railroads, and that reasonable rates exist where there is a lack of effective competition," according to the annual report.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
It was the first time that Makynzee Gibert, 10, joined in Valparaiso's National Night Out, and she was a little nervous.

"I'm scared of the police because I know some people who got in trouble with the police," Gibert admitted while waiting for officers to visit the block party for Wood Street and Parkside and Chester Avenues. But she warmed up after she and Kendra Williams, 9, (who has attended all four years of this block party) got police badge stickers and talked with officers.

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She even petted K9 officer Femmy.

Eleven Valparaiso neighborhoods welcomed the officers with and games, hamburgers, ice cream and salads on Tuesday, the 12th time the Valparaiso Police Department participated in the National Night Out, a 33-year-old program.

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Sgt. Mike Grennes, the department's Public Information Officer, said it's done a little differently in the city.

"A lot of places have events in a park or something. We like going out into the community," he said. "It helps build personal relationships, and "it's amazing what you can accomplish when you get to know people."

Twenty-five officers and nine Volunteers In Police Service trainees circulated among neighborhoods, allowing kids to pet police canines, sit in police vehicles and yes, work the sirens and lights.

This was the fourth year Gibert's neighborhood participated, and residents said it makes a difference in crime and friendliness.

"It's nice to sit down (with neighbors) instead of just waving 'hello,'" said Bernadette Hartsough, who organized the event as part the area's neighborhood watch group. She believes there's less vandalism, slit tires and dumped trash bins from kids, and kids are more respectful to adults now that they know them, she said.

Central Neighborhood north of downtown participated for the first time, having a potluck, live musician Billy Wayne and carnival-type games. Organizer Julie Storbeck said with recent bad press for police, it gave people a chance to know officers and "we just wanted to do something fun for the neighborhood."

She expects to reprise the block party next year.

At Campbell Street Cafe, residents of the nearby retirement community put out a big feast for officers to "show appreciation," resident Judy Schau said. The seniors said they felt safer with police visiting regularly.

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Mike and Ana Michalak of the Oak Grove neighborhood came with Luka, 2, for the second year, and said they enjoyed making the area friendlier by meeting neighbors.

James D. Wolf is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

After watching the Democratic convention the other night I could have sworn I was watching the Republicans with what I was hearing. Did Houdini come back to life or was I dreaming?

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To the person who said, cops do not have the right to act in the capacity as judge, jury, prosecutor and executioner, well, they wouldn't have to if you only followed their simple orders.

How do the pope and Vatican feel now about security walls, border security, foreigners and terrorism after the cowardly ISIS dirtbags beheaded the Catholic priest in France?

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I will not retreat into the past other than to say Mrs. Clinton has a very long record of bad decisions, dating all the way back to the Nixon era.

If you are a Dish Satellite TV subscriber you can tune in and watch Chicago Cubs or White Sox games. All you need is a small, table-top HD antenna connected to your TV. You'll get all the Chicagoland/NWI channels with fantastic reception and hardly any interruptions due to weather.

Well it looks like Russia is not afraid of Trump, but it seems like they are afraid of her.

The west side of Cedar Lake is looking great. But have our town leaders forgotten the southeast side? I live on a cow path. My road has not been paved for over 35 years. Please spread the wealth all around.

I'd like to thank the gentleman who fixed the flat tire for my grandson and I on a recent Saturday afternoon at Countyline Road and Ind. 12. Your kindness is appreciated. God bless you.

I'm single and have no children. Why should my taxes be used to pay for your child to go to school? How selfish to expect every working American to help you educate your child and turn up your nose about letting all the nation's children get a piece of that pie.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

I refuse to vote for Hillary because she is bought and paid for by the unions.

Neither Trump or Clinton seem to understand they have to deal with Congress on legislation. The president is not a dictator.

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You keep bashing the steel workers and presuming they are all out there having a sleep fest, but my question to you is have you ever been there? I bet your opinion would change after about 5 minutes at the blast furnace or the caster.

I remember that Democratic president Bill Clinton deregulated the banks. I also remember that GOP Senator Phil Gramm, R-Fla., is the bankster once-removed who authored the bill that Slick Willie signed into law. Your simple-minded attempts to blame just one party or leader is preposterous, at best.

Mitch Daniels pawned the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years and you congratulate Pence for "continuing that great legacy?"

To Fred Niedner, concerning the column of July 31, it was a very touching, very poignant article. I'm not sure I agree with you. Personally, I think the barbarians will win. But I've been wrong before and hope springs eternal. I know you don't know me, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry about your friend. May God's Love be with you in the days ahead. God bless you, sir.

Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly
Northbrook-based Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, which owns the former American Legion Post 46 building in Wilmette, shown here in June, hopes to present new alternatives for affordable housing on the site to residents after Labor Day. (Kathy Routliffe, Pioneer Press)

Northbrook-based Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, which last year proposed and then withdrew a project to build affordable apartment units in Wilmette, expects to explore alternate proposal options with village residents starting in September, according to Richard Koenig, the corporation's executive director.

"We've been busy working, searching for alternatives" to the 20-unit apartment building first proposed last year for property HODC owns at 1925 Wilmette Ave., Koenig said. "But I've promised to go back to the community before proposing a project to the village. We're trying to figure out when to schedule a series of community meetings, and we hope to do that after Labor Day."

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HODC, which develops and manages affordable housing projects across Chicago's North Shore suburbs, bought the former Wilmette American Legion Post 46 property in June 2015 for $464,000 and the next month announced plans to develop affordable housing on the lot.

Although village officials and local affordable housing advocates at the time praised HODC's purchase and plans, the project quickly garnered opposition.

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Opponents of the project turned out in droves to a November 2015 plan commission meeting to complain that the three-story project's 10 350-square-foot studios and 10 one-bedroom apartments of between 529 to 568 square feet were too dense for the site.

Others argued it would lower area property values, add nearby traffic, fail to prioritize low-income Wilmette residents, and bring possible criminals into the village.

After that meeting, Koenig withdrew the proposal, stating in a letter to the village that, "We have heard the concerns of the community and based on issues raised we would like to take time to respond thoughtfully and consider modifications to better meet the needs of Wilmette families."

HODC held public meetings in December 2015 to answer residents' questions and to get their input. In February of this year, it loaned the building rent-free to the Wilmette-based Actors Training Center as rehearsal space.

Koenig said in June that HODC officials were looking at the possibility of designing space to serve families, rather than simply focusing on studio and one-bedroom apartments. Another option might be a mixed-use commercial-residential project, he said at the time.

The property, which lies just west of the Wilmette Avenue-Ridge Road intersection, is zoned as neighborhood retail, a commercial zone. As such, a mixed retail and residential-use project could be built without developers having to seek village zoning approval, according to Lisa Roberts, Wilmette's assistant director of community development.

kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
Wasnt this supposed to be the year where product was just going to come out of the woodwork? While General was right at the top of the amount of new releases, there actually seemed to be a little less than in previous years. The booth seemed to be slightly smaller as well  continuing a trend from last year. Finally, while in previous years there seemed to be a focus / push on one or two brands, this was not the case for 2016 as the new releases.

Here are the highlights by brand. We will be detailing these releases in more detail on Cigar Coop.

CAO

CAO has brought back the original CAO Sopranos brand and has called rebranded it the CAO Consigliere. The key point is the original blend as when this cigar was released, it featured a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper before it was changed to Broadleaf. Not having to license the name from HBO also has gotten the price down from before as this offering is priced between $7.99 and $9.99.

Cohiba

The brand introduced the Cohiba Macassar  which replaces the Cohiba Comador which we have been told has been discontinued. The name is inspired by high end ebony macassar wood. The tobaccos are all proprietary aged for four years with the last year aging in Dominican rum barrels.

Don Tomas

The Don Tomas Nicaragua, which was introduced to Nicaragua now comes to the U.S. market. In addition, plans are for the Don Tomas brand to be brought under the Foundry Tobacco Company umbrella in the near future.

Dunhill

The brand introduced its first maduro, the Dunhill Aged Selection Maduro. In addition a limited edition humidor with four never released sizes of the Heritage of Heritage by Dunhill will be made available.

Foundry Tobacco Company

Back in 2013 and 2014, Foundry might have led the league in terms of new releases at IPCPR. Last year things became more focused, and this year follows. For 2016, Foundry is teaming up with A.J. Fernandez to produce a new line called Time Flies. There is both a regular production and limited edition available

There are plans to bring more brands into Foundry and its going to start with Don Tomas line.

Hoyo de Monterrey

This year comes a new addition to the Hoyo line called Hoyo La Amistad. This is another collaboration General Cigar Company is doing with A.J. Fernandez.

La Gloria Cubana

As we reported last month, La Gloria Cubana is adding the La Gloria Cubana Serie Esteli Maduro and the La Gloria Cubana Serie Black Maduro. The former is going to brick and mortar retailers only and the latter to internet and catalog companies. These are maduro counterparts to the natural offerings of La Gloria Cubana Serie Esteli and La Gloria Cubana Serie Black.

Macanudo

This years limited edition is the Macanudo Mao  featuring regenerated tobaccos from heirloom seeds in the 1960s grown in the Mao region of the Dominican Republic.

In addition, Macanudo is releasing some remaining (original) cigars from the Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection 1984 and Macanudo Vintage Cabinet Selection 1988.

Partagas

The brand will release Partagas Ramon y Ramon featuring a Cameroon wrapper and regenerated Dominican tobacco. According to General, the seed generates a Dominican tobacco varietal that has not been seen before.

Partagas will also release its remaining supply of the Partagas 160 cigar, which was first released in 2006. At the time, this commemorated the 160th anniversary of the Partagas brand.

Punch

The Punch brand is introducing a line extension to the Punch Signature called Pita. This will add a 6 x 50 line extension to the Punch Signature line.

Torano

The new Torano Exodus, the fifth installment in the Exodus series was unveiled. In addition the recently expanded Torano Vault line was showcased.

Value Brands

General is launching three new brands which it is referring to as value smokes. All of the sizes in these brands are priced under $3.50. These new brands include House Blend, a brick and mortar exclusive.

La Estrella Cubana will be a brand consisting of a Honduran Connecticut and a Nicaraguan Habano blend.

Finally, Odyssey will also have two offerings  a Honduran Connecticut and a Nicaraguan Habano blend.

Photo Credits: General Cigar Company, unless noted.
Four people were convicted of subverting state power and sentenced by a court in Tianjin after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of 7.5 years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s.

Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer who formerly managed the Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Zhai Yanmin, an unemployed resident of Beijing, was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years.

Entrepreneur Gou Hongguo received a suspended three year sentence.

Zhai and Gou may not be jailed if they do not re-offend during the probation period.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse. None chose to appeal.

The four met to "establish a systematic ideology, method and steps" to subvert state power, according to the court statements.

Hu masterminded, spreading subversive ideas and plans and training agents such as Gou; Zhou ran the law firm as a front to carry out subversive activities with Hu and others; and Zhai, the "enforcer," who was instructed by Hu to organize paid petitioners for illegal protests, according to the statements.

Chen Yaodong, vice head of the Law School of Nankai University who observed proceedings, came to the conclusion that the trials were "open and fair," and that China's judiciary handled these sensitive cases with order.

"There's no place for outlaws in our country under the rule of law, and any activities to subvert state power via violence, 'peaceful evolution' or 'street politics' will be punished by law," he added.

"SPIRITUAL LEADER" HU

Hu is a native of Nanchang city in east China's Jiangxi Province. He was a teacher in a Beijing university before engaging in subversive activities.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1994 for "counter-revolutionary" crimes. He returned to his subversive ways not long after he was released in 2008.

Hu has been spreading the idea of "pushing down the wall", namely overturning China's existing system and realizing a "color revolution."

"Hu Shigen is our 'spiritual leader,'" Zhai Yanmin said in his testimony, adding Hu greatly influenced his ideas and concepts.

According to testimony of witnesses, Hu has been engaged in "brainwashing" through alleged "missionary" activities. Hu was proud to make a fuss over sensitive legal cases, often, through conflicts raised by paid petitioners.

Hu even misled the petitioners that "it is an honor to be detained," promising them financial compensations if they were.

A witness surnamed Liu said, Hu regarded petitioners as a force to subvert state power, as they "are bold enough and readily stirred up," and "obey his orders."

Gou Hongguo said, petitioners have one thing in common which is a grudge against governments, therefore, if organized, they can be a powerful force against the government.

The Qing'an incident is one example of Hu's "pushing down the wall." In May 2015, police officer Li Lebin shot dead Xu Chunhe at Qing'an County Railway Station in Heilongjiang Province, after Xu attacked Li despite multiple warnings. CCTV cameras and follow-up investigations confirmed that Li had acted within the law.

But Hu instructed Zhai to organize protests at the railway station and in front of the county government buildings, influencing online opinion and misrepresenting the incident as police brutality.

"I just wanted to smear the judicial organs, police and government," confessed Hu.

Hu also put forward the idea of "three factors" -- stronger citizen power, an internal split within the ruling bloc, and interference of international society -- and "five plans" for "peaceful transformation."

"I instilled these ideas to others with the very aim of achieving a 'color revolution,'" Hu said.

UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER

Zhou, 51, is originally from Anyang City, Henan Province. He was director of the Fengrui Law Firm, which was suspended from operations in 2015 after a police investigation into several of its employees.

Zhou confessed he was unsatisfied with current judicial systems and the government. He has long been influenced by anti-China forces and gradually established ideas to overturn the country's political system.

Since 2011, Zhou has used the law firm as a front for his subversive agenda, recruited like-minded lawyers and other staff and together they discredited judicial organs, attacked the judicial systems and promoted anti-government sentiment by interfering in and inflating the importance of sensitive cases.

According to a prosecution witness who used to work at Zhou's firm, Zhou recruited two key administrative assistants, surnamed Wu and Liu, neither of whom were lawyers. Liu's duty was to analyze sensitive cases and to identify loopholes, while Wu was responsible for promoting them.

Zhou hired them to distort facts, cause confusion and social instability, and attack the country's judicial system.

In March 2015, while a local court in Hebei Province was hearing an extortion case taken on by Zhou's firm, he instructed lawyers to take pictures of prosecutors and judges and post them online, fabricating rumors about their moral characters.

Lyu Hongbing, vice head of the All China Lawyers Association who was present at the court this week, noted that these cases serve as a lesson for all lawyers.

"Revere the law, stick to the facts and protect you clients' legitimate interests," Lyu urged.

FOREIGN SUPPORT

The activities of this group had received foreign supports over the years, investigations found.

In March and April 2014, Gou was sent by Hu to attend a program abroad that trained the participants with theories and techniques of how to subvert a government.

"Some separatists seeking 'Tibet independence' and 'Xinjiang independence' also took part in this 'leader camp' to learn anti-China theories and skills to confront the government and law enforcement agencies," Hu Shigen confessed.

"I found the program was actually a gathering of members from all anti-China groups," Gou said. "Hu himself could not leave the country so he planned to make me his agent in activities of 'civil movements' abroad and a right-hand man in domestic operations. Once the movement picks up at home, I can organize people through what I learnt in the program."

Wang Yu, a lawyer working for Zhou, also went to training programs in Britain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, together with her husband Bao Longjun, sponsored by foreign organizations.

"They contacted me and offered me free chances to learn about the judicial system and humanitarian programs in the West. During these visits, I was instilled with Western ideologies and also learnt how to use encryption softwares and softwares for bypassing Internet firewall," said Wang, who was investigated in a separate case.

Foreign organizations also offered financial assistance. According to Li Heping, another lawyer close to Zhou, he had received funds from a foreign foundation since 2013 for a three-year project.

According to Li's assistant, surnamed Gao, the project trained a selected group of lawyers and paid petitioners to organize protests and manipulate public opinion.

Training programs or operations were approved by the foundation and thus all the cost were covered, Gao said.

The protest organized by Wu in front of a provincial-level court of Jiangxi last year was sponsored by the foundation, he said.

In September 2015, some foreign organizations even helped smuggling Wang's son out of China to Myanmar. Before he left for Thailand on his way to a Western country, the minor was intercepted by Myanmar police and returned to China.

Zhou admitted that foreign organizations showed keen interest in his activities.

"Their purpose of approaching me is to use us to challenge China's court order and judicial system and cause trouble for the Chinese government. Their ultimate goal is to overthrow the rule of the Communist Party of China," Zhou said.

Wang Zeqing, a legislator with the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress, noted that a "color revolution" is in essence a malign political attempt by some Western countries or interest groups to instigate domestic conflicts and collude with the country's insurgent forces to intervene in its domestic affairs, cause chaos, subvert state power and sway international political landscape and then reap benefits.

"It runs counter to real democracy and progress and will cause huge damage to society," Wang said, adding that such attempts -- mere noise compared with the mainstream rhythm of national social and economic development -- are doomed to fail.
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London Metropolitan Police announced Friday that Zakaria Bulhan, the man suspected of killing U.S. tourist Darlene Horton in a stabbing rampage in central London, has been charged with murder.

According to the police, the 19-year-old Norwegian citizen is of Somali descent and moved to the UK at the age of five.

He was also charged with five counts of attempted murder, in relation to the five other individuals who were injured, the police said in a statement.

He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, it added.

Police raided his home in Tooting, south London, on Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The police said they received numerous calls starting at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday describing a "man attacking people with a knife" between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street.

Bulhan was arrested at the scene after police stunned him with a Taser following the attack, near the Imperial Hotel and the British Museum. The suspect was taken to a south London police station after receiving treatment in hospital.

Horton and her husband Richard Wagner were in London for a summer course and were due to return to the United States the day after the fatal attack.

Florida State University, where Wagner is a psychology scholar, issued a statement saying: "There are no words to express our heartache over this terrible tragedy."
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A blast in a gas pipeline in southern Iranian port city of Genaveh killed one and injured three in early hours of Saturday, local media reported.

The injured have been taken to the hospital and one of them was in critical condition, parliamentary member Abolhamid Khedri told the semi-official Mehr news agency.

Rescue operators were dispatched to the scene, but the huge expanse of fire following the explosion has made it difficult for them to further contain the destruction, Khedri was quoted as saying.

The cause of the accident is under investigation and the results will be announced later, he said.
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Indian police and paramilitary troops Friday fired protesters across Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing three civilians and injuring over 200 others, officials said.

The protesters took to roads following Friday afternoon congregational prayers defying curfew and restrictions in the restive region that is seething with protests for the past 27 days.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris.

According to police officials, two civilians were killed in Budgam district, while as the third one was killed in Sopore town of Baramulla district.

Reports said police and paramilitary troopers fired bullets, pellets and tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

"The situation was tense throughout the day in almost all the places, with protesters shouting anti- India and pro-freedom slogans filling the roads and alleys," a police official authorised not to talk to media told Xinhua. "Today three deaths were reported and the number of injured is said to be over 200."

Friday's killings has brought the number of people killed in ongoing wave of unrest at least to 55.

Health officials put the number of civilians injured since the out break of protests to more than 3000. More than 100 people have also lost eyesight after being hit by pellets.

A senior police official said government forces fired to stop violent crowds from attacking them.

Authorities in the morning had extended restrictions and curfew to almost all the major towns and villages in Muslim majority areas of the region. The move was aimed at foiling the anti-India protest march to Hazratbal shrine, a main shrine in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. The call for march was given by separatists.

Police and paramilitary troopers closed all routes leading to the shrine by laying coils of concertina wire and steel barricades, besides deploying their contingents.

The local government has detained key separatist leaders fearing their participation in demonstrations would intensify anti-India protests and mobilize people in large numbers.

Reports pouring in from other places said people offered prayers in the mosques and took out protest demonstrations in more than two dozen places. The government forces continue to use shotguns for firing pellets on angry crowds despite warnings from India's home ministry and government to minimize their use.

On Thursday a rights group, Amnesty International, called upon India to end use of pellets guns.

The youth throw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

Shops, businesses, schools, government offices, banks and other institutions remained closed for the 28th straight day. The public transport is also off the roads.

The locals are complaining about dearth of eatables and essentials in most of the towns including Srinagar city. Health officials said they were also experiencing shortage of medicines.

Protests in the region broke out following the killing of a top militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Burhan Muzaffar Wani, along with his two associates, on July 8. The 22-year-old Wani was poster boy of HM, region's indigenous militant outfit.
Topper Cigars, a company that is based in Connecticut is celebrating its 120th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the company has released a special cigar. The Topper Grande 120th Anniversary is not only a commemorative cigar, but its a cigar that also pays homage to the company roots.

Topper Cigars are known for its high quality short-filler cigars and in particular, the use of Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco for wrapper. For over a half century, the company used machines to make its cigars. The decision to use machines was to offset labor costs, but Topper products always remained 100 percent tobacco. In 2013, company President Chris Topper returned to making his cigars hand-made. To produce the handmade cigars, Topper teamed up with Phil Zanghi of Debonaire House and the Reyes factory for production. The company has been able to keep most of its pricing under $3.00.

The Topper Grande 120th Anniversary switches gears in that it is a premium long-filler 6 1/4 x 54 perfecto. The cigar is being blended with two wrappers  a Nicaraguan Habano and a Pennsylvania Broadleaf. Both blends have a Dominican binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco for the filler. The use of Pennsylvania Broadleaf might seem odd for a company that has built its reputation on Connecticut Broadleaf, but it turns out Topper brand was actually founded in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania  located in the South Central part of the State. Chris Topper informed Cigar Coop that the use of the Pennsylvania Broadleaf pays tribute to the origin of the company.

Each box of the Topper Grande 120th Anniversary consists of five Nicaraguan Habano wrapped perfectos and five Pennsylvania Broadleaf perfectos.

Chris Topper is a fourth generation cigar maker. His image along with his father (Frances Topper), his grandfather (Curtis Topper), and great-grandfather and founder (BP Topper) adorn the inside of the box of the Topper Grande 120th Anniversary.

Production of the Topper Grande 120th Anniversary is limited and each box will be numbered.

At a glance, here is a look at the Topper 120th Grande:

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano or Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (De Los Reyes)

Vitolas Available

The Topper Grande 120th Anniversary is available in one size (for both blends)  a 6 1/4 x 54 perfecto.

Photo Credit: Cigar Coop
A worker checks steel product files at a cold rolling mill of Tangsteel Group Ltd in Tangshan, Hebei province. [Photo/China Daily]

BEIJING - Wearing a red hat and waving a red flag, Jiang Qin now works to assist traffic police, persuading pedestrians and bike riders to obey traffic rules on a street in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province.

Along with 5,000 others, Jiang was laid off late last year when Magang (Group) Holding Co shut down its Hefei steel plant, amid a nationwide campaign to reduce overcapacity in the steel industry.

"It used to take me an hour and a half to get to work on crowded bus," said Jiang. "Now I work near my home, earn 1,500 yuan ($225 ) a month. I am happy with my new job, because the job at the plant is no longer ideal as I'm getting old, "she said.

New jobs for old

Zhou Hanhua, 56, from Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, has a similar story to tell.

Laid off late last year from Wuhan Iron and Steel, Zhou is now a driver with Didi, China's biggest on-demand mobility (ODM) firm.

Besides his earnings from his new job, Wuhan Iron and Steel still pays him around 1,000 yuan a month. "My monthly income is now as much as I earned at the prime time of Wuhan Iron and Steel," he said.

According to Didi, there are now 219,000 ex-steel workers working for the company across China. In Wuhan alone, 7,000 Didi drivers used to work for Wuhan Iron and Steel.

It is alright for some, but many of the laid-off workers are upset and worried about their future. Most are keen to try their luck in a new career.

Young people no longer regard works at a state-owned enterprise as a "job for life" and the salary has halved in real terms, said another Zhou, also a former worker with Wuhan Iron and Steel.

"Nobody knows how long it will take for the sector to pick up again, if ever," he said. "It would be much better to try to find a new career."

Wuhan city government has organized two job fairs this year with 500 employers offering thousands of jobs. Wuhan Iron and Steel plans to cut another 10,000 jobs by December.

Failure is not an option

Despite every possible effort to cut production, China's steel industry set a new monthly record of 69.5 million tons in June.

"Many small steel mills resumed production as prices rose in March and April," said Magang chairman Gao Haijian.

If small steel firms are not closed completely, it will be difficult to meet capacity reduction targets of 100 to 150 million tons by 2020, with 500,000 workers to be laid off. This year alone, the country plans to eliminate 45 million tons with 180,000 workers laid off, according to Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

But according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, only 13 million tons were cut in the first half of the year, 30 percent of the annual target.

The NDRC, however, has ordered authorities to meet their targets, warning that failure would lead to severe punishment.

"A proportion of China's steel mills do not meet environmental standards and should be shut down," said Ma Guoqiang, chairman of Wuhan Iron and Steel.

Better together

With more mergers and acquisitions, the steel sector would run more efficiently, said Chen Derong, president of Baosteel Group.

Ma of Wuhan Iron and Steel said restructuring is a must in cutting capacity and improving efficiency to create globally competitive firms.

In 2015, more than half of China's steel companies reported total losses of 65 billion yuan. Once a profit engine for China, iron and steel boomed while infrastructure investment fed demand for commodities such as steel and cement. As the economy cools, the production glut has become as burdensome as it was once bountiful.

Apart from capacity cuts, steel firms are struggling up the value chain with higher value-added products. Baosteel sees the auto, nuclear power and defense as possible alternatives for the waning construction industry, said Chen.

Magang plans to invest 7.7 billion yuan upgrading 10 production lines. In 2014, it acquired a French counterpart to help it improve products and penetrate the European market.

Magang also has sent 15 teams to learn from auto and home appliance makers to better understand what the customers need.

"We will clearly understand customers' demands and this will help to improve our competitiveness," said Gao of Magang.
London's financial community wants the proposed Shanghai-London Stock Connect plan to go ahead, insisting the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union will not make the London Stock Exchange's listings less attractive to Chinese investors.

They reasoned that London's tougher listing rules compared with EU rules would make the exchange more attractive to high-quality new listings, and London is unlikely to lose its strength as a financial center post-Brexit.

The plan, already the subject of a feasibility study by the LSE, faced delay, according to the South China Morning Post on June 27, because the Chinese regulator - the China Securities Regulatory Commission - was having doubts over Brexit.

The SCMP quoted an anonymous fund manager as saying the plan to go ahead soon with the scheme has been affected, and it would take some time before regulators could consider launching the plan.

The Hong Kong paper also quoted Que Bo, a deputy general manager of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, as saying that Brexit would be a "complicated issue" and the local bourse would enlist the help of other parties to further study and assess the situation.

The LSE has confirmed the feasibility study is continuing.

Charles Bond, a partner at law firm Gowling WLG, said he expects most major multinational firms to continue to be dual-listed in London and New York.

"Importantly, European stocks will still be listed here in London, thereby ensuring that London remains a relevant and viable investment platform," Bond said.

Andrew Monk, CEO of VSA Capital, a London-based boutique investment bank, said that Brexit could even increase European companies' desire to list in London, which has tougher listing rules than the EU.

Monk said earlier that the LSE was forced to split its main board into premium listings and standard listings - the former reflecting the requirements of its own tougher criteria and the latter standard listings satisfying only EU regulations.

The stock connect, initially discussed between the UK and Chinese governments in 2015, follows the footsteps of a similar stock market connects between Shanghai with Hong Kong.

Those eager to see the Connect established cite numerous benefits for investors of both markets.

Alei Duan, managing director of the London advisor Abridge Capital International, said he expects British investors to benefit from access to China's highly liquid stock market, while Chinese investors could have more investment choice through access to London's leading international stock market.
The Chevron logo is displayed at a Chevron station on Oct 30, 2015 in Greenbrae, California. [Photo/VCG]

Chevron Corp, the second-largest US oil company, plans to sell assets in Asia worth $5 billion, including its stake in a Chinese offshore oilfield, sources were quoted by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday as saying.

The US company is expected to sell its shares in the offshore oilfield venture with Asia's largest offshore oil company CNOOC Ltd in August, which could fetch about $1 billion, the report said.

Beijing-based CNOOC and Chevron did not immediately respond to comment.

Chevron said in October that it will sell assets totaling $10 billion by 2017. The oil giant is also looking for buyers for its geothermal assets in Indonesia, and is considering offers worth more than $2 billion, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Oil majors have to cut output and streamline businesses to make their ends meet in the face of headwinds from lower crude oil prices, experts said.

Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, said the company is putting its good offshore assets up for auction in order to sell at good price to cover the balance sheet.

"It is a listed company, so it has to consider the interest of its shareholders and investors. I think the assets are really good ones that may be undervalued giving the current prices of crude oil," he said, adding all global oil majors are planning to trim their lower-margin assets.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc is putting small refineries on the auction block - for example, it is looking for buyers for its Martinez project in California.

He said the move will also help the US company to focus on its natural gas businesses, betting big on China's thirst for clean fuel.

The company's Gorgon project is on track to deliver its first cargo of liquefied natural gas from Australia to Chinese buyers such as ENN Energy Holdings Ltd, beginning in 2018 or the first half of 2019. Chevron had previously disclosed a deal to supply 1 million metric tons of LNG per year to China Huadian Group for a decade starting in 2020.
BEIJING - The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Friday that it has allocated subsidies totaling 137.46 billion yuan (about $20.7 billion) this year to help people living in poverty.

The subsidies will cover households receiving subsistence allowances, people in dire poverty and those who need temporary assistance, the MOF said in a statement.

The MOF said that local governments must determine the allocation of subsidies for poor people according to a weighted average method.

The Chinese government has named poverty reduction one of its top priorities for the next five years. The government has vowed to help the country's remaining 70 million poor people living below the poverty line of 2,300 yuan in annual income rid themselves of poverty by 2020.
GUANGZHOU- Chinese Air Force aircraft, including H-6K bombers and Su-30 fighters, have completed a patrol of airspace above the Nansha and Huangyan islands in the South China Sea, said a spokesperson Saturday.

The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, said Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

Two Su-30 airplanes conducted air refueling twice above the sea, Shen said.

Several types of planes -- bombers, fighters, Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, reconnaissance and tanker airplanes -- performed the patrol, he said, adding that they took off from several airports.

The aircraf have completed a series of training missions, including air defense early warning maneuvers, air combat and island patrolling, in a complicated electromagnetic environment, he said.

The PLA Air Force, which was established 67 years ago, organizes regular South China Sea patrols to safeguard state sovereignty, security and maritime interests, Shen said.
London's financial community wants the proposed Shanghai-London Stock Connect plan to go ahead, insisting the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union will not make the London Stock Exchange's listings less attractive to Chinese investors.

They reasoned that London's tougher listing rules compared with EU rules would make the exchange more attractive to high-quality new listings, and London is unlikely to lose its strength as a financial center post-Brexit.

The plan, already the subject of a feasibility study by the LSE, faced delay, according to the South China Morning Post on June 27, because the Chinese regulator - the China Securities Regulatory Commission - was having doubts over Brexit.
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
On August 5, eight officials in charge of the event from eight main news portals posed for a photo at the end of the launch ceremony in Zunyi, Guizhou province.[Photo by Song Jingyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

A grand gathering celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 80th anniversary of the long March was convened at Zunyi, Guizhou province.

The event, themed "Inherit the Long March Spirit and Keep advancement" launched on August 5, and will last two months.

Seven provinces will co-host the event and eight news outlets will cover the whole activities, including China's leading media China Daily Website and local seven local news portals.

"80 years until now, the Long March spirit is passed on from generation to generation, it is a possession of the Chinese people which should be carried forward." said Zheng Xin, Member of CPC Zunyi Municipal Committee, director of the Publicity Department.

Specially, during this event, more than 40 college students from seven provinces will retrace part of the route of the Red Army's famous Long March this summer to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic event.

"The Long March spirit is the spirit of faithful to the ideal, seeking truth from facts, hard struggle, united, cooperated and optimistic. It is a great heritage for the CPC and the Chinese people." Wang Guoqiang, deputy director of Gansu Provincial Internet Information Office, said during the ceremony.
ZHAI HAIJUN/CHINA DAILY

Hu Shigen, a former college teacher in Beijing, was convicted of subversion and sentenced to seven years and six months in prison by a Tianjin court on Wednesday. Admitting his guilt, Hu said the trial was just and fair and thanked the authorities for making sure he was properly treated for his diseases.

Convicted of a similar crime in 1994, Hu was given a 20-year sentence. He was released in 2008 after his sentence was reduced.

Hu's trial was not only open to more than 40 people from various walks of life, including foreign correspondents, but also broadcast live through videos to journalists at a temporary press center in a hotel near the court. The court also provided timely updates on the progress of the case through social media.

Yet some foreign media outlets have termed the court verdict a "crackdown" on a human rights activist.

According to Hu's confession and the court's statement, he teamed up with some lawyers to embarrass the government over some "sensitive issues" in order to garner more people's support for his "peaceful transformation" theory and overthrow the country's leadership.
Open deck on the 12th floor. [Photo by Long Hua/China Daily]

Summer is a great time for cruising. And being on the Costa Atlantica is like being hosted by an Italian family. Guests enjoy Italian culture, delicious food and the hospitality of the crew, who are passionate about their work.

Typically, the Costa Atlantica leaves Tianjin, its home port in China for South Korea and Japan, with a five-or six-day itinerary.

The Chinese like to cruise with their friends and families, especially with the elderly and children. It's a relaxing vocation for them as you don't have to pack and unpack, and rush to the next destination.

The cruise ship has an artistic air about it, reminiscent of ancient Venice. It also pays tribute to Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini, with drawings inspired by his work displayed on its 12 decks.

Among the tributes, is the La Dolce Vita Atrium named after his classic film. Near the atrium is a bar decorated with black-and-white film stills, showcasing his work that is famous for its baroque images.

The passenger decks are also named after his movies.

When you take the elevators, they give you a bird's-eye view of the spacious atrium and a wall decorated with copies of old paintings.

A favorite place to be is the Florian Cafe. Passengers enjoy afternoon tea here and take photos using the typical European-style decor as background.

A well-decorated gondola reminds you of the cafe's origins.

The cafe is a replica of the historic Florian Cafe in Venice.
HIROSHIMA, Japan -- Hiroshima, the city that suffered US atomic bombing in 1945 during World War II, commemorated the 71st anniversary of the bombing on Saturday at the city's Peace Memorial Park, with its mayor calling for a nuclear-weapon-free-world under a legal framework banning nuclear weapons.



"A nuclear-weapon-free-world would manifest the noble pacifism of the Japanese Constitution, and to ensure progress, a legal framework banning nuclear weapons is indispensable," said Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui while making a peace declaration at the ceremony, attended by survivors of the attack, their descendants, peace activists and representatives from about 91 countries and regions.



Earlier, despite nation-wide protests, the Abe administration forced passage of controversial security bills that would allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to engage in armed conflicts overseas, in defiance of the country's pacifist constitution, a move closer to the Japanese prime minister's long-held goal of revising the pacifist constitution.



Japan's pacifist constitution bans the country from using force outside Japan. The new security bills have become legal foundation for the country's right-wing to take control of Japan's defense.



Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended the ceremony and delivered a speech, pledging to continue to uphold Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into its soil.



Last year, Abe did not mention the principles in his speech, the first time for a Japanese prime minister to have made such an omission since 1994. Such an "oversight" on Abe's part fueled criticisms.



About 1,000 people from all over the country rallied around the park early Saturday morning, protesting against Abe's attendance at the ceremony and his right-minded policies including the controversial security bills. They held banners and shouted "Retract the war bills," "We strongly oppose the security-related bills" especially when Abe was delivering the speech at the ceremony.



Hiroshima citizen Jeong Izua told Xinhua that Abe has rolled out various right-wing policies since he took office in 2006.



Last year, the Abe administration forced the passage of new security bills, which changed Japan's long-held principle of "not engaged in wars," said Izua.



"A premier intending to wage war like Abe is not eligible to come here," he said.



Ishihama Motoki, a citizen from central Aichi prefecture, told Xinhua that he "absolutely opposes Abe's attendance at today's ceremony."



Referring to the Imperial Japan's repeated aggression against neighboring countries including China since the Meiji period, Motoki said "the Abe administration has kept whitewashing the country's history of aggression and seeking excuse for it."



"I oppose Abe's visit to Hiroshima as well as his talk of peace," said Motoki, who is also against Abe's attempt to revise the country's pacifist constitution.



Hoshino Fumio, a citizen from northeastern Niigata prefecture, told Xinhua that atomic bombing is a human tragedy brought by war; however, as for the reason why the tragedy took place, "postwar Japanese politicians including Abe have never reflected on it and never really taken responsibilities."



In addition, Fumio said, Abe's words and deeds on nuclear weapon are contradictory. Despite his calling for abolishment of nuclear weapons, Japan has huge stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material and the government's statement in April said using nuclear weapons is not against its constitution, which wilfully distorted the pacifist constitution, said Fumio.



"Abe's attendance at the ceremony is just a show deceiving the public," said Fumio, who travelled over 800 km from Niigata to Saturday's ceremony here.



To accelerate Japan's surrender in the WWII, the US forces dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.



Another atomic bomb hit Nagasaki on Aug. 9 the same year, and Japan surrendered to Allied Forces on Aug. 15, six days after the Nagasaki nuclear attack, bringing an end to the war.
Some foreign analysts call Beijing's rejection of the recent arbitral tribunal ruling in the South China Sea dispute "China's first international test" as an emerging power. Some foreign media wonder whether a resurgent China will uphold the international order. Will fears of a "China threat" now increase?

Underlying all these issues is what China calls its "core interests". What are China's core interests? Do they include the "dotted line" (often called the "Nine-Dash Line"), which defines China's claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea?

These matters are sufficiently serious to warrant a sophisticated understanding of China's position. What are China's claims and arguments? What will happen now?

To understand China's position and way of thinking, I sat down for a two-hour, in-depth discussion with General Peng Guangqian, a People's Liberation Army major general and military strategist; he is deputy secretary-general of China's National Security Forum and has been focusing on South China Sea issues.

The ground rules were simple: I would ask Peng the tough questions. Peng told me he would answer my questions directly and candidly, stressing that he would express his own personal ideas; he was not representing official positions of the Chinese government or the PLA. I was impressed by his knowledge and candor. To me, the issue is not so much who is right and who is wrong - human groups often disagree - but rather recognizing that only through open and honest communication can misunderstandings be minimized and inadvertent confrontations avoided.

Sovereignty and core interests

While the ruling did not determine sovereignty - because the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea cannot rule on sovereignty - it did seek to adjudicate territorial and economic zones from maritime features such as islands, rocks and reefs. China asserts this is a distinction without a difference, in that sovereignty is indeed the underlying issue and therefore the tribunal did not have jurisdiction, and China is not about to bargain away its sovereignty. Thus my first question to Peng.

"Why was the ruling so unfavorable to China, especially given that the tribunal said it was not addressing issues of sovereignty, which was not in its jurisdiction?"

"The Philippines and the arbitral tribunal played a trick," Peng said. "They disguised the territorial entitlement of the disputed islands and reefs as well as the maritime rights and interests as an interpretation of the UNCLOS ... The South China Sea issue is the first 'test' for China on the path of the great rejuvenation of the nation. We should adhere to our principles and express our solemn position to the international community."

"Is the South China Sea a 'core interest' of China's sovereignty on par with Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang?" I asked.

"Let me give you a metaphor," Peng responded. "All human beings have 10 fingers. As a Chinese saying goes, the nerves of the fingertips are linked with the heart, which means every finger is closely bound up with one's whole life and we cannot cut off any finger. We attach equal importance to Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, Hainan ... Any part of China is an indispensable 'core interest' for China's survival and development. It's a reality that some of our islands and waters have been occupied by other countries and China's resources have been plundered. We have every confidence of recovering them. But we still advocate a peaceful settlement through negotiation and consultation. Before this issue is settled, we can shelve differences and seek joint development, which fully demonstrates our sincerity. But there is no doubt that the South China Sea is very much a part of China's 'core interests'."

China's claims - the dotted line

"From the perspective of foreigners, the 'dotted line' looks aggressive, even imperialistic," I said, "in that it encompasses the vast majority of the South China Sea, extending more than 1,000 kilometers from the Chinese mainland and coming within a few dozen kilometers of the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia."

Peng was philosophical.

"For several thousand years, China had fought with winds and waves, pirates and invaders, in the South China Sea. This is our family property that we have earned; it is the heritage created by our ancestors.

"It is our territory not because we are closer to it," he continued. "Territorial sovereignty does not depend on distance. Consider Guam; it is closer to Asia, yet belongs to the US. The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are close to Argentina, very far from Britain. Why then did Britain go there to fight a war? ... The ownership of islands is not identified by distance; many historical and other factors affect it."

I had a joke that, not wanting to offend, I was reluctant to tell. But Peng's sincere mix of openness and confidence relaxed my inhibitions. "There is a joke that in Vietnam and the Philippines no one is allowed to go swimming in the ocean, because if you start to swim, you invade China's territory."

"I tell you the truth," Peng responded, all business. "I begin with Vietnam. On Sept 14, 1956, the then prime minister of Vietnam, Pham Van Dong, sent a formal note to our premier, Zhou Enlai, stating that Vietnam firmly agreed and supported China's statement on the breadth of China's territorial sea, which included coastlines and islands. As for the Philippines, a series of treaties and the Philippines Constitution indicate the sea area of the Philippines is bounded within 118 degrees east longitude. Never did it say the area to the west of this boundary was its territory."

United States declarations

I decided to repeat US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's assertion: "Now, make no mistake: The United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as we do around the world, and the South China Sea is not and will not be an exception."

Peng was not intimidated. "The truth is that the 'Free Navigation Plan' of the United States began as early as 1979, before the launch of the UNCLOS, and it is a kind of rebellion and boycott against the law. The US alleges that it is not subject to the UNCLOS; it enjoys the freedom to sail in all the waters of the world, and not a single law can restrict it. The US travels the seven continents and four oceans. It suggests that the US does not respect, even despises, international law and the UNCLOS."

"So what will China do?" I asked a bit provocatively.

"We will stand firmly against it; we will make proper response in accordance with the provisions of international law; we will react according to the existing consensus that every country recognizes. For example, if we detect a US vessel entering our monitored area, we will expel it. If you violate our sovereignty, get into our airspace or territorial sea, then it can be interpreted as a violation of our core interest. Suppose China enters Chesapeake Bay (Virginia and Maryland) in the US, or within 12 nautical miles of US territorial waters, how will the US react? We will react the same way."

"Is China prepared for military confrontation?" Everything is now on the table.

"To protect our core interests," Peng said, "China is prepared for war. China's stance on the South China Sea has become clear and resolute. Yet the Chinese government, taking stability and peace in Northeast Asia and the Northwest Pacific as its high priority, has not given a clear response as to whether it will safeguard these core interests by force."

What refreshing clarity and candor!

My next question was obvious: "Is China prepared militarily?"

Peng's answer was thoughtful. "The premise behind what you said is important: only when there is no way out for us will we be forced to do what we have to do. We will not make the first move. We will not use our power to bully others. That will not happen. But if you are driving me into a dead end (corner), we will definitely fight back. But in terms of our capability to counter, I think that depends on whom we are compared with. If with the US, then our naval force is definitely weaker. The US has 10 carrier battle groups. The capability of one US carrier battle group is equivalent to several of ours, and we only have one carrier battle group. In the future, we may establish two or three more of them. Even though we are far behind the US, I think our current naval power is sufficient for us to defend our territorial sea rights. We are confident of that."

Can China and US avoid collision?

It was time for Peng's overarching philosophy of China-US relations. "You have written eloquently how the US and China can avoid the so-called Thucydides trap, where the rise of a new power usually ends up in war with the existing power."

Peng was pleased to present his grand vision. "What I want to stress is that while China and the US are indeed a developing power and a developed power, this does not necessarily mean that these two countries will finish on the path of head-on collision. They can transcend the trap of collision, too often repeated in human history. I have two theories. First, China is not an 'emerging power' because China is a big country with a 5,000-year civilization. These two great powers definitely have different historical backgrounds, but that doesn't mean they will collide. Why? Because in history, the rising power and the ruling power had divided or mutually contradictory interests. However, nowadays, the interests of China and the US are increasingly interdependent, mutually linked to each other. The second reason is that with military power today, no one, except lunatics, would wage unlimited, mutually fatal wars. I am confident that China and the US will avoid the trap."

After speaking with Peng, I reflected on what he had said. I'm told here in China, at all levels, that the country's peaceful rise will not change; conflicts are temporary. China has a massive stake in upholding the international order. Of all major economies, China is most dependent on global trade for which maritime stability is essential. That said, after a century of national humiliation when China's sovereignty was trampled repeatedly and wantonly, China today is not about to compromise its national rights.

Can China make a legitimate case in its historic claims in the South China Sea? Of course it can. But all claimants claim the same. That's the nature of border disputes everywhere in the world.

Personally, I believe the wealth of nations in the 21st century is more the generation of knowledge than the ownership of rocks, but I cannot deny that sovereignty is among the most basic and emotional of human group instincts.

Maritime boundaries, like national borders, were not dictated by God or set by the Big Bang when the universe began.

We must deal with current realities. To appreciate China's position does not mean agreeing with it. It does mean that to manage our world it is vital to understand opposing views - and this means understanding China's.

No party benefits from a blowup. In a globalized world, China and the US will flourish together or flounder together. A temporary solution is simply to maintain the status quo, let time work its magic. Candid communication is vital. That's why I appreciate General Peng, my new friend.

This interview with General Peng Guangqian is excerpted from Closer To China with R.L.Kuhn on CCTV News.

The author is a public intellectual, political/economics commentator, and international corporate strategist. He is the host of Closer To China with R.L. Kuhn on CCTV News.
(Photo : Getty Images/Feng Li) People visit a Unicom booth at China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, China.

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As China and the European Union (EU) moves in the same direction to bring cutting-edge 5G technology to the masses, there have been efforts to promote co-operation between both parties to work together to derive maximum benefit.



Luigi Gambardella, president of China-EU, an association which aims to establish joint research and business partnership in telecommunications and other areas between China and Europe, believes that the EU should intensify cooperation with China in 5G mobile technology.



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In a recent interview with Xinhua Gambardella said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an international industry and 5G is a up-and-coming area for overall cooperation. "I think the cooperation from the outset between China and Europe on 5G matters should be essential for the EU's 5G strategy," Gambardella said.



Gambardella thinks that China is the biggest Internet market in the world and looks forward to playing a leading role in universal 5G development in the coming decades. The first to partner with China will not only take a large market share but also grab a piece of the action by standing at the top of the industry in the development of 5G technology.



He offers a three-pronged strategy that should be implemented by the EU when seeking cooperation with China.



First, the EU should explore harmony between China's and EU 5G policies. Secondly, both parties should help each other to accomplish joint research and trails on 5G. The third step is to set up a collective China-EU digital fund.



In its national five-year plan (2016-2020) China set the target of 5G commercialization by 2020. Luckily that is the deadline by which EU is looking to contemplate early 5G deployment



This helps both partners stay on the same page and ensures harmonious development.



Gambardella reiterated that Europe should maintain its relations with China to facilitate research and development. Initiatives like 'Full 5G Cities,' might be put in place first in Europe and then in China.



Experts have also suggested that a joint fund should be created to support small and medium-sized EU and Chinese 5G enterprises by investing in them.



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(Photo : Moon Express) Moon Express MX-1 lander on the Moon's surface..

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California-based commercial space company Moon Express, Inc. or MoonEx, has received official approval from the U.S. government to launch a mission that will deliver its "MX-1 lunar lander spacecraft" to the Moon in late 2017.



MoonEx becomes the first private firm that will mine the Moon. Previous to this historic breakthrough, only states or groups of states have landed on the Moon to retrieve samples of the lunar surface but have not done so for commercial mining purposes.



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Moon Express submitted an application to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on April 8. It's the first time the federal government has granted regulatory approval for a private mission beyond Earth orbit.



"This is not only a milestone, but really a threshold for the entire commercial space industry," said Moon Express co-founder and CEO Bob Richards.



"Nobody's had a deep-sea voyage yet. We're still charting those waters," he said. "Somebody had to be first."



The U.S. government has given MoonEx permission to explore the Moon for two weeks. MoonEx said its lunar mining operation will start by landing the MX-1 and progress to exploring for resources; mining these resources; learning how to process them and transporting them back to Earth.



MoonEx was founded in 2010 with the goal of winning the Google Lunar X Prize and ultimately mining the Moon for resources such as Helium-3; platinum group metals (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum) and rare earth elements (the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium).



The Google Lunar X Prize will award $20 million to the first team to put a robotic spacecraft on the Moon and deliver data, images and video from the landing site and 500 meters away.



In September 2015, MoonEx signed a rocket launch contract with Rocket Lab, a New Zealand startup company that will use its Electron rocket system to launch three missions for MoonEx. Two launches are set for 2017 with the third to be scheduled at a later date.



The size of a large coffee table, MX-1 will be carried to geosynchronous transfer orbit by Electron and from this orbit launch itself towards the Moon and land on the lunar surface. MX-1 is a spacecraft and mining robot rolled into one.



The main MX-1 rocket engine is a dual mode bi-propellant system. It uses kerosene as an afterburner to give the spacecraft the power to break free of Earth orbit; accelerate faster than a bullet then brake to zero velocity using its outboard thrusters as it touches down on the lunar surface.



MoonEx also hopes to win the Google Lunar X Prize with this breakthrough robotic space vehicle capable of a multitude of applications. These include delivering scientific and commercial payloads to the Moon at a fraction of the cost of conventional solutions.



MX-1 combines proprietary robotic technologies; advanced micro-avionics and a unique toroidal structure to produce a "green" robotic spacecraft powered by sunlight and that uses hydrogen peroxide available in drug stores as rocket fuel.



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TagsMoon Express, Inc., MoonEx, MX-1, Federal Aviation Administration, moon, Google Lunar X Prize
(Photo : JMSDF) Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers in line ahead.

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China's belligerent defense of its illegal claim to own the South China Sea has forced the United States, Japan and South Korea into a tacit military alliance that will make it impossible for China to assert its claims to the East China Sea without recourse to a war China cannot win.



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Already beset by international condemnation because of its refusal to abandon its claim to the South China Sea, China has embarked on a coercive diplomacy offensive that has threatened Australia with war and is provoking Japan by sending its fishing vessels escorted by coast guard ships into the East China Sea.



All this is surprising since China has no maritime ally in Asia. It can only pray that Russia's feckless support will translate into military action when push comes to shove in the disputed Asian seas.



The Russian Navy, however, is just beginning a rearmament process that won't be completed until the next decade. Until then, it has to rely on a few modern submarines and even fewer modern surface ships, many of which are tied-up in the Black Sea supporting Russia's involvement in Syria.



China basically stands against the world in a coming two-front war it cannot win.



Now, China worries South Korea's plan to share missile intelligence about North Korea with Japan will bring Tokyo and Seoul even closer together, and cement a de facto military alliance that will thwart China's claim to own the East China Sea.



South Korea has been wary in the past of bilateral military cooperation with Japan because of ongoing territorial disputes and World War II atrocities inflicted on Koreans by the Japanese.



South Korea's hesitation seems to have changed Aug.4 when its Ministry of National Defense said information sharing with Japan would be possible. A ministry spokesman cited a memorandum signed in 2014 by the U.S., South Korea and Japan about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.



Some military analysts said the beginnings of this information sharing between Japan and South Korea will lead to a broader information sharing and quite possibly a military alliance.



"This could mean a three-party alliance, rather than two-sided alliances (of the US and Japan, and the US and South Korea) and this would pose a damaging threat to the stability of Northeast Asia," said Song Zhongping, a Beijing-based military analyst who previously worked as an instructor for the People's Liberation Army's Second Artillery Corps, the former name for China's strategic missile force.



He noted that if South Korea becomes more military engaged with Japan, China's influence on the Korean peninsula could be badly compromised.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Beijing has opened a new fishing port near the disputed Spratly Islands. Analysts have said this is a way for China to expand its reach in the disputed South China Sea.

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In a bid to help expand its reach in the South China Sea, Beijing has opened a new fishing port near the disputed Spratly Islands.



Last Monday, the Hainan city government opened the Yazhou Central Fishing Port in Hainan province.



Analysts have described the move as an attempt by Beijing to display its control over the islands and reefs in the South China Sea and expand its maritime presence in the disputed waters.



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According to Hainan Daily, the new port can house 800 boats. It would be able to accommodate by as much as 2,000 boats once the project is completed.



3 billion yuan





The Chinese government reportedly spent as much as 3 billion yuan ($450 million) on the project which is expected to be completed within this year.



Once completed, the fishing port would be able to handle 3,000-tonne vessels.The Hainan port is the largest port built in the southwestern part of the province so far.



China has announced that it would start building another port in Hainan, which can house 600 boats.



Fishing militia



Beijing has been accused of deploying a "fishing militia" to expand its maritime claims in the disputed sea. The Chinese government has allegedly been subsidizing expenses of fishermen to builder larger and stronger boats to go further into the sea.



However, Beijing has denied that the new fishing port was built to house its informal fishing militia saying that it was created to benefit local fishermen.



Nonetheless, analysts have noted that building fishing ports is one way for Beijing to support its bid to become a maritime power and extend its maritime reach in the disputed sea.



Lin Yongxin, deputy director of the Hainan-based National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said that with the establishment of large ports, Chinese fishermen could build bigger fishing boats and go further into the sea.



He also said that with a sturdy boat, local fishermen would be able to confront naval elements of Vietnam and the Philippines when they go fishing in the Spratly and Paracel Islands.



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Tagsfishing militia, Yazhou Central Fishing Port, Hainan, South China Sea, china
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Japan has lodged a protest with China after more than 200 Chinese vessels were seen in waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea.



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Japan has expressed its concerns to Beijing over the presence of nearly Chinese coastguard ships and nearly 230 fishing vessels in the waters near the disputed islets in the East China Sea, which both countries are claiming as their territory.



This comes amid rising tensions between China and other Asian countries, less than a month after the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed China's claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines.



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Beijing has since refused to accept the ruling by the UN-backed tribunal but Japan has urged China to adhere to the court's decision, prompting warnings from Beijing to Tokyo over its interference in the dispute.



Japan's foreign ministry issued a statement on Friday protesting the presence of Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels in the waters surrounding the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands and called on the ships to leave the area immediately, according to Reuters.



"This is a unilateral act that raises tensions ... and it is unacceptable to us," the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau director-general, Kenji Kanasugi, told the Chinese Embassy in Japan, the ministry said, according to The Japan Times.



China and Japan have been involved in a territorial dispute over the uninhabited islands, which are known as the Diaoyu Island in China.



On Friday, China accused Japan's new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, of recklessly misrepresenting history after she evaded questions about her stance on the Nanjing massacre, a World War II episode during which Japanese troops killed thousands of civilians in China, according to China.org.



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TagsJapan, china, East China Sea, East China Sea dispute, East China Sea islands, Senkaku Islands, Chinese vessels, South China Sea
(Photo : YouTube Screenshot) The alleged Xiaomi Redmi 4 and Xiaomi Mi Edge smartphones are expected to be released in mid-September.

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Two images of upcoming Xiaomi smartphones have surfaced online. The smartphones have been dubbed as the Xiaomi Redmi 4 and the Xiaomi Mi Edge.



After the successful launch of the Xiaomi Redmi 3S in China, Xiaomi is back in the limelight. The alleged Xiaomi Redmi 4 smartphone was spotted on a website called Playfuldroid. Five images of the device were spotted on the website featuring a metallic body and rounded design, similar to the currently available Redmi series smartphones.



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The leaked images of the alleged Redmi 4 smartphone revealed that a fingerprint reader is on the back panel of the device. A capacitive navigation button was found on the front panel along with a 2.5D glass screen. The images also show that the smartphone will be available in silver color.



At the right edge of the device is where the power button and the volume rack houses. A Micro-USB port with speaker grilles is present at the bottom of the smartphone. The Redmi 4 is likely to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 processor paired with 2GB of RAM onboard.



The smartphone is equipped with a huge 32GB of inbuilt memory and runs on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system along with MIUI 8 user interface. The alleged Redmi 4 smartphone is expected to be released sometime in mid-September this year.



The second device spotted online was dubbed the Xiaomi Mi Edge. According to the leaked images, this device is a premium build featuring a dual curved edge display. The display resembles the one found on the Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone.



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TagsXiaomi, Xiaomi Redmi 4, Xiaomi Mi Edge, Xiaomi Smartphone, Xiaomi News
World Vision's Gaza branch manager Mohammed el-Halabi was accused by Israeli officials on Thursday of giving millions of dollars from World Vision's funds to the extremist group Hamas.

According to Israeli officials, Halabi admitted during interrogations that he had been a member of Hamas since his youth, and that he had joined World Vision staff on assignment from Hamas.

Shin Bet, the internal security service of Israel, said that Halabi had channeled over $7 million from World Vision's funds to Hamas each year, which makes up some 60 percent of the annual budget World Vision had set aside for the Gaza branch, and that Halabi additionally gave the extremist group $1.5 million each year in cash.

Halabi denied the charges, according to his lawyer, Muhamad Mahmud.

"He told me he never, ever transferred any money to Hamas and he has never been a Hamas member," Mahmud told NBC News. Halabi had also been denied a lawyer for over 20 days since his detention, Mahmud added.

"We just really want a fair process, where Mohammad, once charged, gets to present his side, because we want to know the truth about this," Tim Costello, the chief executive of World Vision Australia, told the New York Times. "The truth comes out when you hear both sides."

World Vision said in a statement that it was "shocked" about the charges, and emphasized that it "subscribes to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality and therefore rejects any involvement in any political, military, or terrorist activities."

"World Vision programmes in Gaza have been subject to regular internal and independent audits, independent evaluations, and a broad range of internal controls aimed at ensuring that assets reach their intended beneficiaries and are used in compliance with applicable laws and donor requirements," the statement continues. "We will carefully review any evidence presented to us and will take appropriate actions based on that evidence. We continue to call for a fair, legal process."

The terrorist group Hamas has also dismissed the accusations.

Israeli security services are using this issue to calm the Israeli society, while it is not true at all. Israel can arrest anybody at the Erez Crossing and claim he is a Hamas activist, but that doesnt mean it is true," Hazem Qasem, a spokesman of the Hamas group, told the Washington Post.

Halabi was arrested on June 15 on his way way home in the Erez Crossing, located between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

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Theologically conservative leaders from United Methodist Church have formed a group within the denomination known as Wesleyan Covenant Association.

The organization is endorsed by around 50 ministerial and lay leaders, and theologians.

The WCA will convene in its first gathering in Chicago on October 7 to promote the goals of scriptural Christianity and to welcome new members.

A group of UMC pastors and laity wrote an open letter to the church in June calling for "faithful obedience to the Bible and The Discipline of The United Methodist Church on the part of all clergy and laity."

"Clergy and laity across the nation are rightly concerned about the state of The United Methodist Church in the United States," said Rev. Jim Cowart, pastor of Harvest UM Church in Byron, Georgia. "Although blessed with sound doctrine, a history of personal and social holiness, and a rich heritage, the church seems to have lost its way in the 21st century. The Wesleyan Covenant Association provides us with a wonderful opportunity to gather around the best of what we are with those who are of like commitment to work toward making disciples for the transformation of the world."

In January, a group of UMC members from 15 states met together in Atlanta, and drew a plan to form the new organization, according to a UMC press release.

"We're really working on how to live in a divided church and be productive and kingdom-minded," Rev. Maxie Dunnam, one of the group's founders, told Methodist News Service. "We're just exploring ways to encourage and equip and support people in doing that."

The members of WCA are planning to plant new churches, and to carry out the commission laid out in the Bible.

A statement from a meeting on August 1-2 said that the organization is a membership-driven initiative to connect pastors, laity, and congregations to "promote the ministry of the gospel from a Wesleyan theological perspective within The United Methodist Church and kindred bodies."

"We are excited about sharing resources among member churches and are dreaming of new ways to be in partnership in the planting of new churches and in the raising up of new leaders with a distinctly Wesleyan approach to life and ministry," said the Rev. Carolyn Moore, founder and pastor of Mosaic United Methodist Church in Evans, Georgia.

"My fervent prayer is that we will be able to share our witness in ways that will impact the Bishop's Commission on the Future of the Church positively and contribute to the advance of God's Kingdom among the people called Methodists globally," said the Rev. Keith Boyette, pastor of Wilderness Community UM Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia. "Those who choose to participate in this great endeavor will be better positioned I believe to embrace a fruitful future regardless of what ultimately occurs within The United Methodist Church."

The WCA was formed in the backdrop of continuing divisions surfacing in UMC over the issue of same-sex marriage.

"I am not sure leaders of the church know how serious what's going on is," Dunnam said. "This is what I'm committed to trying to prevent. I don't want that kind of hemorrhage."

Boyette said that WCA was not founded to break away from the UMC.

"WCA is seeking to provide a form for traditionalists to come forward and discern the best way to continue to work in UMC and global pan Methodist family to advance a historic Christianity," he was quoted as saying by Charisma News.

"Evangelicals within the 12 million member UM Church are attempting to be faithful as best they can," Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president of Good News, said. "We are not seeking schism. Separation may occur one day in the future, but the WCA was formed to be a united voice to play by the denominational rules and live with faithful integrity in a very volatile situation."
The United Methodist Church placed Rev. Cynthia Meyer on involuntary leave until the next General conference convenes in 2020 or sooner when a special session on denomination's stand on LGBT issue is conducted.

A complaint was filed against Meyer for openly coming out as a lesbian in January, which was in violation of the Book of Discipline which defines marriage as between one man and one woman and forbids ordination of non-celibate homosexuals.

The decision was made at a 12-hour meeting on August 1, which attempted to reach a just resolution and to find a common ground between the church and the pastor.

Her leave begins on September 1, and she will not be able to serve as pastor of Edgerton (Kansas) United Methodist Church, or as an elder who administers sacraments.

However, she will be allowed to work in church or its affiliated organizations in the capacity of lay staff.

Meyer released a statement in response of the decision by the committee, saying that the church meted out unequal treatment to LGBTQ members.

"I am heartbroken, as I agree to give up the right to serve in ministry as an Elder in The United Methodist Church for an undetermined time. Even as I agree to this resolution, I assert that it is not just and furthers the harm inflicted, not just on me, but on all LGBTQ persons in the church. Again we are told, 'you aren't equal; you aren't good enough; you aren't of enough sacred worth to serve as an ordained leader in your church.' I pray the commission and the denomination as a whole may strive toward a more faithful following of Jesus, who overturned oppression, called the outcast, and welcomed all to be fed and to feed, to be loved and to lead and serve."

The legislative body will take a decision on the LGBTQ issue at the next General Conference, after which Meyer could be either restored to full elder status or face the trial again. However, the church may also approve another provision for her as a conciliatory measure.

"The agreement we reached upholds the Book of Discipline and yet recognizes that the larger denomination is in a time of discernment about a way forward," Great Plains Area Bishop Scott Jones told United Methodist News Service. "So this agreement recognizes that accountability was necessary and yet holds open possibilities for whatever the general church is going to decide."
The Islamic State captured up to 3,000 internally displaced Iraqis who were fleeing from a village near the city of Mosul which is still under ISIS control.

The militants executed about 12 people, and burned six others, according to Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights.

An earlier report by the observatory said that around 1,900 people were seized by 110-120 ISIS fighters while fleeing Hawija district in Kirkuk province. The UN refugee agency received a report that the number of fleeing people is up to 3,000 but the officials have yet to verify the account.

The kidnapped civilians included women and children as well, who were attempting to escape on foot to safer areas on August 4.

An eyewitness told the Iraqi Observatory that "a number of women and children died [in Hawija] because of the lack of food, medicine, water, and electricity."

The agency asked the Iraqi government and the United Nations "to end the crisis in the area and to help rid its residents from the oppression of ISIS while ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance to residents."

"Many of the IDPs die and get wounded by stepping on Da'esh [ISIS] bombs [improvised explosive devices] while escaping from Hawija," a source told Kurdistan24.

Deputy governor of Kirkuk province, Rakan Saeed, asked Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to rescue the captured civilians, but the government did not comment on the crisis.

The UN refugee agency is building two camps in northeast and northwest of Mosul, anticipating the arrival of thousands of people escaping the city.

ISIS captured large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, and kidnapped thousands of women and children to be used as slaves.

Many towns and cities have been taken back from the self-proclaimed caliphate (which is also sometimes called Daesh), but it still retains Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. The IS has used civilians attempting to flee their territory as human shields against battle with opponents in the past.

The UN estimates say that the struggle to take back seized lands from the militant organization has displaced over 3.4 million Iraqis. The battle to retake Mosul could displace about 1 million more civilians, according to Red Cross.
I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up.
home World ISIS captures 3,000 Iraqi villagers who were fleeing extremist group, UNHCR reports

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported Thursday that the Islamic State militants captured up to 3,000 Iraqi villagers trying to escape and executed 12 of them.

"UNHCR has received reports that ISIL captured on 4 August up to 3,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) from villages in Hawiga District in Kirkuk Governorate trying to flee to Kirkuk city. Reportedly, 12 of the IDPs have been killed in captivity," said the UNHCR in its daily report on Iraq, according to Reuters.

The Iraqi Observatory for Human rights also reported that about 100-120 fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS or Daesh) terrorist group captured an estimated 1,900 civilians and executed tens of them, including six who were burnt.

"We are facing the risk of a massacre and the government has to move quickly," Sheikh Anwar al-Assi, a local tribe leader, told the AFP.

Assi estimated that at least 100,000 civilians remain trapped in the Hawijah, one of the remaining ISIS strongholds. An unnamed brigadier general under the Kurdish forces also said that at least 600 people, who managed to escape on Thursday, reported that ISIS held hundreds of families in the area as hostages and executed the young men trying to escape.

The U.N. previously raised the alarms as around 50,000 civilians in Fallujah remain trapped in dire conditions as the Iraqi security forces backed by the U.S. air strikes and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters set out an offensive to retake the Iraqi city in June.

"Although local authorities have suggested that returns to Falluja could begin in September, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement has stated that it may take another three months before conditions are conducive for large-scale returns," said UNHCR.

After claiming victory on Fallujah, the Iraqi security forces sets their next target on Mosul, one of Iraq's major cities and the capital of the ISIS caliphate. The U.N. expects a larger number of internally displaced people as a result of the Mosul battle and already called for $284 million in aid as the assault draws near and up to $1.8 billion for assistance after the battle. The U.N. Financial Tracking Service said they have received nothing as of yet.
home World Franklin Graham: World Summit for Persecuted Christians moved from Moscow to Washington after Russia passes repressive law

Rev. Franklin Graham announced that the anticipated World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians next year would no longer take place in Moscow after Russia passed its repressive law.

Graham took to Facebook to express his dismay as he announced that what he once considered to be "the first event of its kind in Moscow" would no longer be. Instead, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) decided to hold the event on May 10 to 13 in Washington, D.C.

"We were looking forward to this significant event being held in Russia because no one knows modern Christian persecution better than the church that suffered under communist rule," wrote the president and CEO of BGEA on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old evangelical leader blamed Russia's anti-terrorist law for the change of venue and referred to Russia's latest law as one "that severely limits Christians' freedoms."

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the widely criticized anti-terrorist bill on July 7, a day touted by American whistleblower Edward Snowden as a "dark day for Russia." Snowden also dubbed the repressive bill as the "Big Brother law" because it criminalizes any acts perceived as inciting or agreeing to terrorism and public demonstrations. Also known as "Yarovaya law," after its ultra-conservative chief proponent, Irina Yarovaya, the law obliges telecommunication providers to store records for six months and provide state authorities with decryption keys for messaging services such as Facebook and Telegram.

Religious leaders of various faiths in Russia also criticized the law for banning forms of evangelization without prior state approval and for restricting the church's contact with foreign missionaries.

Graham considered the passing of the law as "another example from a part of the globe that shows how critically we need to have" the Christian event.

"Hundreds of Christian leaders, advocates, and persecution victims from all around the world will come together to address the atrocities being done to those who profess the Name of Jesus Christ," said Graham.

He also urged Christians to pray for fellow Christians who face persecution because of their faith.
home US U.S. Christian missionaries & 3 kids killed in car crash; Family were preparing for mission in Japan

A family of five planning to move to Japan for their missionary work died in a multi-car crash accident on Interstate 80 in Nebraska last week.

The tragic accident crushed the plans of Minneapolis couple Jamison and Kathryne Pals, both 29, who planned to move their family of five to Nagoya, Japan as missionaries. The couple traveled together with their three young children, three-year-old Ezra, one-year-old Violet and two-month-old Calvin, from Minnesota to Colorado for the final training of a five-week session on language to prepare for their deployment to the eastern Asian country.

According to Omaha World Herald, Keith County Court charged on Tuesday semitrailer truck driver Tony Weekly Jr. of five counts of felony for vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving.

Nebraska State Patrol trooper reported in their arrest affidavit that the 53-year-old truck driver charged at the Pals' minivan "at a high rate of speed" and that Weekly was "inattentive and distracted by outside influences."

The collision also crushed into the Plymouth minivan driven by 56-year-old Terry Sullivan, the sixth person who died on Monday from the accident.

Andy Carr, vice president of the Christian nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children, described the couple as "the most humble and selfless people that you could ever meet."

"In today's world where it's so much about me, me, me, it was never about them. It was always about others," he said.

Carr added that Jamison brought in more than $1 million when the latter worked for more than three years as a grant writer for the organization. The money provided food for the malnourished children across the world. Jamison also became the go-to person for small organizations that needed guidance.

"He would gladly assist them, and his impact went far beyond Feed My Starving Children," said Carr.

Ministry organization WorldVenture said the Pals' supervisors noted that the couple "were all about the people of Japan being reached for Jesus that they might know the joy of salvation."

WorldVenture also announced that the memorial service for the couple, who shared the good news of Jesus since their college days, and their children would be held at their local church, Bethlehem Baptist Church of Minneapolis, on Saturday.
home US 'Pro-life evangelicals should vote for Hillary Clinton, not Donald Trump,' says Christian writer

Christian author Rachel Held Evans believes pro-life Christians should vote for pro-choice Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton instead of Republican Donald Trump who claims to be pro-life.

The author of The New York Times' best-selling non-fiction e-book "A Year of Biblical Womanhood" shared on her blog Tuesday her views on this fall's presidential elections, particularly on the aspect of abortion.

"Donald Trump is not your pro-life savior. Of course, neither is Hillary Clinton," wrote the 35-year-old Christian columnist and blogger.

However, Evans believes and argued that Clinton has "better policy proposals to help improve the lives of women, children, and families than Donald Trump" and that the former First Lady is "far better positioned to keep the abortion rate at the record low."

The presidential candidates' position on abortion reverted to the forefront of this year's presidential campaign after recent reports surfaced that Tim Kaine, Clinton's vice presidential pick and a Catholic Jesuit who once publicly professed to be a long-time supporter of the Hyde Amendment, agreed to flip-flop on the Medicaid abortions issue.

Pro-life advocates celebrated the legislation of the Hyde Amendment in 1976 as it rules out abortion among the health services provided for by Medicaid.

Evans asserted that providing women the choice of abortion leads to decreased abortion incidences in the U.S. She cited that the country reached its lowest cases of abortion since 1973 under President Barack Obama's pro-choice administration.

The communications director for Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life group, disagreed with Evans' and said that the drop in abortion rates resulted not from the pro-choice policies of the current administration but rather as a result of more people becoming pro-life.

"Hillary Clinton's position on abortion couldn't be more extreme and out of touch with pro-life Christians," Mallory Quigley told The Christian Post in an email.

"She has said plainly that 'the unborn person does not have constitutional rights,' and that she supports the status quo of legal abortion on-demand, up until the moment of birth."
home Sports Olympic gold medalist swimmer Katie Ledecky testifies how important prayer is to her before races

Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky has revealed that she prays the Hail Mary before each of her races. The swimmer testified how important prayer is to her as she prepares to race, and she will be hoping to compete for a gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics, which opened on Friday.

"I do say a prayer a or two a before any race. The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me," Ledecky told Catholic Standard in an email interview.

The 19-year-old Olympic gold medalist, who graduated from Catholic schools Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart last year and from Little Flower School in 2011, will represent the United States once again in Rio de Janeiro for the summer Olympics. She'll be competing for the women's 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle races, where she currently holds world records for what is dubbed the "Ledecky Slam."

The young Christian athlete believes her Catholic faith and upbringing contributed to her success.

"My Catholic faith is very important to me," she said. "It always has been and it always will be. It is part of who I am and I feel comfortable practicing my faith. It helps me put things in perspective," the swimmer added.

Sister Rosemaron Rynn, Ledecky's former principal at Little Flower School described her as an "all-around good kid" and talked about the young athlete's humility.

"You wouldn't know she's an Olympic star," the woman religious told Crux.

According to Crux, the distance swimmer volunteered as a teacher's aid at her elementary school in Bethesda when she entered the senior year in Stone Ridge. She also served as the co-leader of Stone Ridge's ministry program where she volunteered to serve meals for the homeless at the Shepherd's Table soup kitchen, visited the wounded military personnel at the Walter Reed Medical Center, and collected bicycles for the less fortunate with Bikes for the World.

Catherine Ronan Karrels, head of Stone Ridge school, said the champion swimmer "is so grounded in her faith, and supported by a really loving family and community. She's an amazing young woman, who happens to swim."

Ledecky began swimming at the age of six and won her first Olympic gold at the age of 15.
home US Transgender bathroom ruling in Virginia temporarily blocked by U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday to temporarily block a previous court order that allowed transgender students in Virginia to use bathrooms based on their gender identification.

The high court voted 5-3 in favor of Gloucester High School in southeastern Virginia after the school board challenged the decision of a trial judge from the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, who considered the school's bathroom policy illegal.

Gavin Grimm, a 17-year-old female student who identifies as a male, sued the school body last year after it adopted a policy that required students to use bathrooms based on their biological sex and assigned those with "gender identity issues" separate private bathrooms.

"The board continues to believe that its resolution of this complex matter fully considered the interests of all students and parents in the Gloucester County school system," the school board said in a statement.

According to The New York Times, Justice Stephen G. Breyer voted with the conservative justices "as a courtesy" and in order to maintain the status quo for the time being. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan ruled in favor of Grimm.

Another school district in Virginia also passed an ordinance in May that defied President Barack Obama's transgender bathroom mandate for public schools to allow students to use the bathroom according to their gender identification.

"I can't tell you how many calls we had, but we had more calls than we could count asking us to take action on this issue," Grayson County Public School Superintendent Kelly Wilmore told LifeSiteNews.

Wilmore also added that the ordinance was not a political thing but something that parents requested from the school.

"It wasn't the politics of just the Republican side...it was a lot of people on the other side of the fence too [who] are really having concerns with who has access to the bathrooms," he added.
Alabama board denies parole for church bomber

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole has denied parole to a Ku Klux Klan member serving sentence for killing four black girls in a church bombing in 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., 78, the only surviving Klansman convicted in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on Sept. 15, 1963, was denied parole Wednesday due to the opposition of victims' families.

Blanton has served 15 years of a life sentence as part of the group that planted dynamites outside the church, the Associated Press reported.

The bombing killed 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson and 11-year-old Denise McNair.

McNair's sister, Lisa McNair lauded the board's decision.

"Justice is served," she said.

Blanton is serving time at St. Clair prison and will be eligible for parole in five years, the board said. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the bombing.

The four victims were inside the church when the blast occurred. They were killed instantly while Collins' sister Sarah Collins Rudolph was seriously injured.

Rudolph, 65, pleaded the board to deny Blanton's parole.

"We were at that church learning about love and forgiveness when someone was outside doing hateful things," she said.

During the parole hearing, those who opposed Blanton's parole occupied seats reserved for inmates' relatives.

Former U.S. attorney Doug Jones who prosecuted Blanton said the Klansman should not be granted parole since he has admitted responsiblity for the bombing and has not expressed regret.

"Whether it's racial issues, whether it's gender issues, whether it is terrorist activity similar to what Mr. Blanton perpetrated in 1963, the message is we have to stop the hate and we will punish those who kill or maim in the name of hate," said Jones.

Blanton's companions Robert Chambliss was convicted in 1977 while Bobby Frank Cherry was convicted in 2002. The two died in prison.

The FBI reopened the case and indicted Blanton and Cherry in 2000.
California bill threatens to remove exemptions for religious schools

A California bill that aims to remove Title IX exemptions from religious schools is going to the state Assembly.

SB 1146, sponsored by state Sen. Ricardo Lara, was passed by the California Senate.

The bill removes exemptions for religious schools under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in education programmes that receive federal funding.

It will mandate schools to disclose their Title IX exemptions to prospective faculty, students and employees.

Once approved and signed into law, the measure will force religious colleges and universities to abandon their religious beliefs and hire homosexuals, Life Site News reported.

California's assembly committee on appropriations warned that "given the consequences to the institutions that could be impacted by this bill and the legal issues raised by this bill, the probability of litigation against the state appears fairly high."

"The state could therefore incur significant legal costs, at least in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars," it said.

Patti Colstons of the California Student Aid Commission said the measure would open the door for lawsuits against religious schools from students and employees.

"A postsecondary educational institution that is controlled by a religious organization and that receives financial assistance from the state or enrolls students who receive state financial assistance is subject to Section 11135, and violation of that section may be enforced by a private right of action," the measure reads.

Under the bill, only seminaries will be exempted.

Dr. Kurt Krueger, president of Concordia University Irvine, said the bill "would significantly challenge Concordia University Irvine'sand all Christian colleges and universities in Californiaability to continue offering a Christ-centered education to our students."

"The most troubling provision of this bill limits the religious liberty to integrate faith and learning throughout the educational experience," he said. "The bill effectively eliminates the religious exemption under current law that allows religious colleges and universities of all faithsLutheran, Buddhist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jesuit, Jewish, Muslim, and Roman Catholicto operate in accordance with their beliefs, including the freedom to hire only Christian faculty and staff."

Krueger said it would disquality students attending faith-based Christian colleges and universities in California from Cal Grants, a student aid programme.

Matthew Staver of the Liberty Counsel warned that "this recent attempt to force Christian colleges to promote sin by employing those who openly defy their Christian faith and mission is reminiscent of atheistic regimes that tried to stamp out Christianity."

He accused California of leading the charge of secular states against Christianity.
Christian girl recalls horror when Islamist radicals attacked and burned their home in Egypt

Imagine the horror that gripped members of a Coptic Christian family in Egypt when they saw a mob of angry Muslim radicals attacking and burning their home in the middle of the night.

The sight was even more terrifying to a child who described what happened to their family's home, The Financial Times reported.

"I was terrified. I saw men pour petrol on bundles of wood and throw them on our roof. When it began to fall on us, my father dragged us out," 11-year-old Susana Khalaf said in the offices of her family's lawyer in Minya, capital of the Egyptian province where their village of Kom El Louf is located.

Ibrahim Khalaf, the girl's father, said the Muslim mob attacked their home based on a rumour that they were converting their house into a church when they started replacing its wooden roof with concrete.

The attack on the Khalaf family last June was part of the rising sectarian violence against Egypt's Coptic Christians.

Just last month, five Christian houses were burnt in another village after rumours spread that residents were building a church.

Muslims often consider the building of a church in their area as an insult.

The fear of a Christian church rising near their community is not the only thing that keeps the Muslim extremists wary of their Christian neighbours.

In May, an elderly Christian woman was stripped by a crowd and paraded down the street based on a rumour that her son was having an affair with a Muslim woman.

Ibrahim Khalaf is demanding full justice for his destroyed house despite pressure for him to withdraw his police complaints.

Nineteen people have been arrested over the attack.

Khalaf said he has been warned that if he doesn't withdraw his complaints "there will be blood."

Those who issued the warning even threatened his daughters, saying they "can be kidnapped" and that "the security services won't stay in the village forever to protect you."

Coptic Christians say they are being pressured by local security authorities and village leaders into dropping legal complaints against the Muslims who attacked and burned their homes.

Instead of pursuing cases against Muslim assailants, Christian residents have been advised to file their complaints at reconciliation councils in the villages, which give fines rather than prison sentences, according to human rights groups. This is tantamount to impunity and therefore encourages further violence, the right groups say.

"[This method] only serves to perpetuate tensions and creates a climate in which any dispute between citizens is liable to escalate into sectarian violence and collective punishment," the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said in a statement.
Here's how Christians worldwide can help the persecuted faithful in the Middle East

Think that humanitarian groups and big religious organisations are the only ones that can help persecuted Christians in the Middle East? Think again.

Roman Catholic Church leaders recently outlined ways on how ordinary citizens can extend assistance to Christians who cannot fully practice their faith in predominantly Muslim nations in the Middle East.

Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil in northern Iraq, for instance, said prayers and raising awareness can go a long way for persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

"Pray for them. Tell their story. Raise awareness about persecution. Give aid," the archbishop said, as quoted by the Catholic News Agency.

On the political front, Archbishop Warda said Christians in the United States and in Canada can help their persecuted fellow faithful by exerting pressure on politicians "to really adjust the whole political vision of America, Canada and the Middle East."

Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus meanwhile suggested that Christians discuss the topic of persecution in the Middle East among their parishes, so that more people will be made aware of the plight of the faithful in Muslim-dominated nations.

"They [Christians] can speak out. They should talk with their parish. And they should pray," Anderson also told the Catholic News Agency.

He also maintained that Christians in conflict-torn areas still have every right to practice their faith in God.

"These communities that still speak the language of Jesus have the right to continue," Anderson said. "They must have equal rights."

Anderson however said that helping persecuted Christians in the Middle East should not just stop with prayers, aid and political actions. Ultimately, those who persecute them, including the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), should be held accountable for violating the human rights of Christians.

"The perpetrators of genocide must be brought to justice," he said.
Islamic State 'almost completely' ousted from Syria's Manbij city

US-backed forces trying to oust Islamic State militants from the Syrian city of Manbij took "almost complete control" of the city on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighters, launched its campaign two months ago with the backing of US special forces to drive Islamic State from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier.

The official spokesman of the SDF-allied Manbij military council, Sharfan Darwish, told Reuters that battles were continuing but that around 90 per cent of the city had now been cleared of Islamic State.

Pockets of militants are still present in the centre of the city, the Britain-based Observatory said.

On July 31 2016 US forces claimed to have seized control of almost 70 per cent of Manbij after making rapid advances in the previous two days.

The SDF had pushed back the ultra hardline Sunni militants into the old quarter after seizing most of the western, eastern and southern sectors of the city, Sharfan Darwish of the SDF-allied Manbij military council told Reuters.

"They are now mainly in the old quarter of the city and parts of the north-eastern part of the city," Darwish added.

Though at least 2,300 civilians have been able to escape from Manbij, thousands of residents are still trapped inside. The presence of civilians, who the militants were trying to stop from leaving, was hampering US air attacks, Kurdish sources said.

Progress in storming the city had also been slowed by militants using snipers and planting mines, the Kurdish sources said.

Manbij's loss would be a huge blow to the militants since it is a vital conduit for the transit of foreign jihadists and provisions from the Turkish border.

"The military initiative is in our hands and the campaign is now being undertaken to liberate what is left of the city and progress is continuing until this moment," Darwish said.

Manbij is in the northern province of Aleppo, which forms a theatre for several separate battles between multiple warring sides in Syria's five-year-old conflict.
Judge again stops Mississippi's religious freedom law

A Mississippi judge denied on Monday the state's request to enforce a religious freedom law that was signed last April.

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves, appointed by President Barack Obama, declined to lift his earlier ruling that barred the implementation of HB 1523 or the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," according to Life Site News.

The law protects the sincerely held religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, sexual relations are reserved for such marriage and that male or female refers to one's biological sex.

It would allow citizens not to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies, place children under the care of same-sex couples and rent homes to homosexuals.

The law also allows state clerks to decline application for same-sex marriage licence or perform a same-sex wedding ceremony.

"Issuing a marriage license to a gay couple is not like being forced into armed combat or to assist with an abortion. Matters of life and death are sui generis. If movants truly believe that providing services to LGBT citizens forces them to 'tinker with the machinery of death,' their animus exceeds anything seen in Romer, Windsor, or the marriage equality cases," Reeves wrote in his decision. "The baton is now passed."

Gov. Phil Bryant has asked the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the judge's order while the appeal is being heard by the court.

The law was supposed to take effect on July 1 but Reeves issued a preliminary injunction on June 30 blocking it.

In his ruling, Reeves said, "The final element asks whether the public interest is served by a stay. It is not. In this case the public interest is better served by maintaining the status quo  a Mississippi without HB 1523," according to Mississippi Today.

Bryant's lawyers said they are confident that the appeals court will side with the law.

"We respectfully disagree with the district court's ruling and look forward to defending the constitutionality of HB 1523, a good law that affirms freedom in Mississippi, before the 5th Circuit," said Jim Campbell, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom.
Man appears in court charged with murder after London knife attack

A 19-year-old man appeared in court on Saturday charged with the murder of a US woman during a knife attack in central London this week that left five others wounded.

Zakaria Bulhan, a Norwegian man of Somali origin, was detained pending trial, charged with the murder of 64-year-old tourist Darlene Horton, the BBC said.

Bulhan was also charged with five counts of attempted murder.

Armed police were called late on Wednesday after a man began attacking people in London's Russell Square, a park near the site of a 2005 suicide bombing. Police said there was no evidence Wednesday's attack was terrorism-related.

A British man who was stabbed in the stomach suffered serious injuries, police said. Four others - an American man, a man and a woman from Australia and an Israeli woman - suffered stab wounds but were released from hospital.
Mobster involved in at least 6 murders becomes pastor: 'I can never hurt anybody again'

Robert "Bobby" Luisi Jr. is a former mob boss turned pastor from Memphis, Tennessee who has vowed never to hurt anyone again.

Luisi's promise is a big one, given the fact he was involved in six murders in the past. "I was involved between Philadelphia and Boston in at least a half a dozen murders,'' Luisi shares with KGW.

He now goes by the name Alonso Esposito after entering a federal witness-protection programme three years ago. Esposito affirms that the "old me is dead. I love being Alonso Esposito. Bobby Luisi's dead and buried. The blood of Christ washed the blood off my hands.''

Luisi used to roll in the dough, getting $40,000 a week just trafficking in cocaine. Aside from drugs, the former mob boss is also known for the 1990 heist of $500 million worth of artwork, which included three Rembrandts, from a Boston museum.

Back then, nobody ever thought that Luisi had it in him to become a preacher, but he now runs Alonso Esposito Ministries.

"The only way I had to fight this thing was the name of Jesus,'' Esposito says. "I [have] seen the power of his name. I have to follow my faith and what the Lord wants me to do. I'm going to tell you I can never hurt anybody again. I have too much love in my heart."

Esposito admits he is ashamed of the things he did in the past, but he is no longer afraid of facing the consequences of his actions. The only thing he's really concerned about now is clearing his name and serving God to the best of his ability.

"See you got to understand something  I never ratted on anybody. No one seems to understand that. Except for that Rico Ponzo, I didn't rat on anybody. So I want you to express that: I'm not a rat and I didn't rat on anybody," he stresses.

Esposito thinks it's a miracle he was able to give up being "a die-hard gangster, murderer, drug dealer, [and] extortionist" after he accepted Christ, and he says he's now "straight as an arrow.''

Of course, there will always be some people who refuse to believe in his sincerity as a Christian. But Larry Easton, former pastor of an interdenominational church in Boston who knew Esposito years ago, believes in his transformation.

"He was very conflicted. His father was deeply involved in the mob and he idolised him," he says.
Number of U.S. women who use contraceptives that kill babies has doubled

Have American women already imbibed a culture of death because of contraception?

A recent federal survey revealed that the number of women in the United States who use contraceptive devices that have adverse effects on unborn babies has almost doubled in recent years.

According to the poll conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of American women who utilised long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) to prevent pregnancy rapidly rose from 6 percent between 2006 and 2010 to 11.6 from 2011 to 2013.

These figures confirm findings two years ago also by the CDC which showed that 7.2 percent of women used LARCs between 2011 and 2013, which also increased more than twice the 3.8 percent recorded between 2006 and 2010.

Surprisingly, the CDC found out that among the most used contraceptives already considered as abortifacients are intrauterine devices, which nearly disappeared from the market 30 years ago.

Megan Kavanaugh, senior research scientist for the sexual and reproductive health-focused Guttmacher Institute, explained that teenagers may be passing information to each other about the use of these abortifacient contraceptives.

"A lot of that is trickling down to the patient side," Kavanaugh told The Albany Daily Star. "Patients, particularly younger patients, are learning about [LARCs] as an option. As more women use these methods, they're likely to share their experience with their friends, so it grows by word of mouth."

The same study also noted that there is widespread use of other contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including condoms and pills.

"Nationally, although use of LARC methods nearly doubled in recent years, use remains lower than that of other reversible contraceptives such as oral contraceptive pills and condoms, and considerable barriers to access and contraceptive method availability remain," the study stated.

Another interesting note in the CDC study is that teenage pregnancies are still prevalent in the United States "despite the availability of a wide range of FDA-approved contraceptives."
Priest gives this reason for why people can't vote for Trump in the name of Christianity

Joel Weir, a priest in the Orthodox Church in American Diocese of the Midwest, does not have any beef with Christians who want to vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. However, Weir hopes that people won't go voting for Trump in the name of Christianity.

"I have long believed that neither the Republican nor Democratic Party has a platform that a Christian can fully embrace. Choosing between the two always comes down to setting priorities, and Christians of sincere faith can come to different conclusions on party affiliation," he writes in an article for the Washington Post.

"It's typically the same with candidates. But this year's presidential election presents a difficult question: Can you be a Christian and vote for Donald Trump? Yes. But can you support him in the name of Christianity? I have a hard time accepting that," he continues.

Weir does not wish to "manipulate" voters, and he does not plan on telling anyone who to vote for. But whenever he sees faith leaders support Trump and suggest that he makes a better choice for Christians, Weir can't help but shake his head.

"I want Christians to understand that while there are positions, on many issues, on which there's room for genuine disagreement, when you look at Trump's record overall, one has to ask: Does his campaign square with Christian values?" he says.

It's true that Trump is the favoured choice of pro-life voters, but Weir says there are more ways than one to be a pro-life voter. Being pro-life is not limited to just abortion, because it's also about capital punishment, health care, and gun control.

At the same time, Weir says Christians have different opinions on LGBT rights, taxes, and immigration. Some don't believe in war, while others think war is sometimes justified.

"There are some things, though, that a Christian can't support: torture, greed and blatant immorality. But there have been times, before and during this campaign, in which Trump's actions and rhetoric have embodied these," says Weir.

Weir is critical of the way that Trump has insulted women, demoralised immigrants, and called for a ban on Muslims coming to America. The priest does not think America's next president should be morally perfect, but he hopes at least they the next leader would not be at odds with the values Christians hold dear to their hearts.

"I ask all Christians voting this November to consider, prayerfully and earnestly, what the gospel and scripture as a whole teaches about care for the oppressed, the fruit of the spirit, the trappings of wealth and pride, the characteristics of true wisdom and the way we treat one another," he says.
A Harris County employee accused of storing child pornography on his home computer was also a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America.

Steven Stones, 42, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with three counts of possessing child pornography. On Friday, Stones went before a judge in the Harris County courthouse where he had been working as an information technology administrator over criminal data records.

In a statement released Friday, the Sam Houston Council of the Boy Scouts of America acknowledged Stones' past involvement with the youth organization.

"While the allegations are unrelated to Scouting, upon learning of these reports we immediately removed this individual from our programs for the safety of our other youth members and participants and precluded him from any further participation in the organization, as part of our established policies and procedures," they said.

Deputies with the High Tech Crimes Unit of the Harris County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation after they discovered an IP address for a computer allegedly being used to share images of child sexual assault over the internet. Stones was the person associated with that IP address, authorities said.

"This behavior is unacceptable and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands," according to the statement from the Sam Houston Council.

Investigators served a search warrant on Wednesday and uncovered multiple images of child sexual assault at Stones' home. He confessed after investigators contacted him at work. Stones was taken into custody and has been relieved from his job, officials said

He is free on bonds totaling $15,000. His next court date is set for Aug. 30, according to Harris County criminal records.
COLUMBUS  Whether it was their first mission trip or their third, a drive away or a flight, area students returned to Columbus with a change of heart.

It was definitely an eye-opening experience, said Trevor Halligan, a senior at Scotus Central Catholic.

Halligan was a first-time participant in Catholic Youth Missions, youth groups from St. Isidore, St. Anthony and St. Bonaventure churches. The group of Columbus-area students was split up to serve this summer in three locations: San Francisco, California, the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska and Brooklyn, New York.

Halligan went to San Francisco and Blair Stuthman, who was on her third mission trip, ended up in Winnebago.

But they both gained a renewed appreciate for their lives and passion to help others.

Something I struggled with the most coming back home from mission trips in the past was bringing that mission spirit back with me to the community, said Stuthman, a senior at Lakeview.

Stuthman has been across the United States helping those less fortunate than her, and although she didnt plan on going this year, shes glad her friend talked her into it.

It was one of the most-rewarding trips Ive ever been on, she said.

The weeklong stay at the Winnebago Reservation in late July wasn't the mission trip she expected.

Id never done this much physical labor on a mission trip before. It was different, but rewarding, Stuthman said.

Her group of four students and three adults cleared a yard of overgrown trees and tall weeds to make room for a trailer for a mother and her eight children.

Working with the poor makes you realize how fortunate you are, Stuthman said.

The group also cleaned up a cemetery in Winnebago.

It was huge and too much money to pay someone to take care of it, Stuthman said while describing weeds that had overtaken most of the headstones. Everyone was thanking us because it was meaningful that we cared enough to do it.

While Stuthman was using her muscles, Halligan exercised his social skills.

What sticks out in my mind is when we were at the park with these little kids, they were just so happy we were there spending time with them. I couldnt help but smile, Halligan said as he described his work at a day care for inner-city children. I learned that we need to all help each other and stop thinking only about ourselves.

Halligan and four other students and three adult sponsors also reached out to homeless adults at a senior center. They helped organize meal plans and provide those in need with clothing.

Some people say theyre having a rough day and Im like, You have no idea how rough it could actually be, Halligan said after witnessing the needs in San Francisco.

These experiences are the reason behind the annual Catholic Youth Missions, which are arranged by Young Neighbors in Action.

Its about getting a missionary spirit and gaining an awareness of the needs of people while being a messenger of mercy, said Virgil Tworek-Hofstetter, the local mission trip coordinator with Catholic Youth Missions. Young Neighbors make an effort to look at the bigger picture like, Why are they in these circumstances? Is there something in society that needs to be addressed to fix this? along with, How can we fix this right now?

Tworek-Hofstetter has been involved with coordinating mission trips for the three parishes since 2004, a job he finds very rewarding.

I do it because of the feedback from the kids and their parents, Tworek-Hofstetter said. Its out of Columbus, its an immersion experience and they come back and tell me they now know what they want to do with their lives.

Halligan and Stuthman both said they plan on carrying what they learned with them into the future.

I want to continue to help others, Halligan said. And trying to keep up grades is not as bad as it sounds, because there are people out there living on the street starving.

Stuthman said shes going to make a bigger effort to reach out to those around her.

You dont have to clear out a whole cemetery or clean out an abandoned house to serve God, you just have to help a friend or a neighbor, just be there for people, Stuthman said. Its the little, everyday things that count for God, it doesnt always have to be big.
Texas City Police Department investigators are seeking information about a fatal shooting earlier this week.

Police responded around 2:26 a.m. Thursday to a call about a person "down and bleeding" near the Veranda Apartments on the 3700 block of 9th Avenue North, according to a news release.

Tahara Bernard Goins, 40, of Texas City, was found near the complex's main gate with what appeared to be gunshot wounds in his head and abdomen, the release said. He was airlifted in critical condition to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for surgery.

Goins later died at the hospital, according to a second news release issued Friday.

A dark colored sedan was seen leaving before officers arrived. Anyone with more information on the crime is asked to call Detective Earl Mendenhall at 409-643-5833.
Im pleased to report there is a Celebrate Agriculture Lunch scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21 during Columbus Days. The Agribusiness Committee of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event to celebrate local agriculture production.

The cost to have lunch is just $5 per person. Included will be a choice of meat (hamburger, hot dog or bratwurst), chips, Daniels sweet corn on the cob, ice cream and a bottle of water. It will be served at the tent on the east side of Frankfort Square in downtown Columbus.

The lunch also has the support and sponsorship from: the Nebraska Dairy Council and our local dairy producers, Cornhusker Public Power District, Farm Credit Services of America, Platte Valley Cattlemen, Platte County Farm Bureau, Pinnacle Bank, Nebraska Corn Board, Pillen Family Farms, Cargill Value-Added Meats, CSS Farms and Nebraska Pork Producers.

This is our fourth annual lunch. Last year, we served more than 300 and we have the same goal again this year. Special thanks goes to the Silver Star 4-H Club, which helps with serving during the lunch. We look forward to your support by attending. While youre enjoying lunch, you can also learn about the power of agriculture in Nebraska and commodity information available. Come celebrate local agriculture and our role in feeding the world with a great lunch at Columbus Days!

Nebraska Soybean Management Days are occurring across the state this week. The closest one to our area is near Schuyler on Friday. If you need sites or more information, please contact the office or go to http://ardc.unl.edu/soydays.

I would be remiss if I didnt encourage everyone to attend the 2016 Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5. It really is a great way to celebrate the state of Nebraska and the states No. 1 industry, agriculture. It is my impression that the "community" of Grand Island is sincere about hosting the event and doing a remarkable job with being hospitable to everyone attending.
SCHUYLER  Schuyler Public Library Director MeMe Smith said the idea of building a new library has been around at least as long as her tenure.

And it certainly predates Library Foundation President Brian Bywaters time in Schuyler.

But that idea is nearly a reality as library and community officials gathered Thursday in Schuyler for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building.

They have the site  along Colfax Street between 18th and 19th streets  plans and financing for the project that's been years in the making.

Earlier this week, Schuyler City Council approved a contract with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a $250,000 contribution toward the new library and Bywater announced Wednesday the foundation received another donation from former Richland resident James Sindelar on behalf of himself and his deceased wife Delores.

Sindelar, who lives in Boulder, Colorado, has donated approximately $1.5 million to the library project. In the same news release, Bywater announced a donation from Lodge 28 of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Schuyler for $7,500.

As of the groundbreaking ceremony, the foundation had raised $2.25 million for the approximately 11,300-square-foot library, which has an estimated construction cost of $2 million. Bywater said the additional money will be used to fund programs and events.

Bywater, Smith and Mayor David Reinecke gave opening remarks commemorating the years of fundraising, planning and community support that went into making the new library happen.

The lineup of participants included representatives from Schuyler businesses that donated to the project, such as Cargill Meat Solutions ($150,000), Pinnacle Bank ($32,000), Homestead Bank ($10,000) and Dry Creek Farms, which contributed labor and equipment.

On the grassy plot along Colfax Street, where the new library will stand, everyone dug in.

The library, which is being built by Bierman Contracting Inc. of Columbus, is expected to be completed in 2016 or early 2017.
The Green Party nominated Massachusetts physician-activist Jill Stein for her second White House bid on Saturday at its convention in Houston.

"We are not only deciding what kind of a world we will have in this election," Stein said in accepting the party's nomination at the University of Houston. "We are deciding whether we will have a world or not going into the future. The day of reckoning is coming closer...We cannot wait. We have to act now, if we want to stop that sea level rise from happening in 2050."

The party's environmental concerns wove into a series of crises that Stein said only could be solved with transformative change by the progressive movement. She promoted community boards to monitor police brutality, an end to deportation and removal of all college student debt.

Stein denounced Hillary Clinton as a presidential option for leftists, hammering the point that voting for the Democratic Party will exacerbate systemic oppression.

"The lesser evil is a losing strategy because people stop coming out to vote," she said. "Hillary Clinton is the problem. She is not the solution to Donald trump. We are the solution. We are the ones we've been waiting for."

"We are in revolt," she said of the Greens' responsibility to take on the elite.

She extolled Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont for popularizing a progressive platform that inspired his disaffected supporters to band with the Green Party, which Stein described as "burning green."

"On the day that Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton, the floodgates opened in our campaign to more volunteers, more ballot access drivers, more funding," Stein said. "We are a different campaign than we have ever been for having joined forces with you.

She quoted Dr. Martin Luther King: "The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice."

Then she explained the relevance of King's quotation to the Greens: "I know that arc is bending in us and through us right now. We are the actors in something that is much bigger than us, as we struggle for peace, community and healing together.

"That arc of justice is moving through as we mobilize to make sure that every black life matters, as we move to end violent policing, as we sit in and as we lock down to stop fracking pipelines and fossil fuel bomb trains and coal and LNG export terminals and all manner of poisonous fossil fuel and nuclear infrastructure," she said.
The national Green Party's 400 delegates greeted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with a hero's welcome as he spoke briefly Saturday to the small alternative party's convention at the University of Houston via videochat.

Assange blasted Google for controlling communication, the Democrats for conspiring against Sen. Bernie Sanders, and President Barack Obama for cracking down on federal employees who leak classified information. At least one of the convicted leakers, Sgt. Chelsea Manning, passed documents to Assange's anti-secrecy WikiLeaks organization, which publishes U.S. military and diplomatic documents uncensored.

The environmentally minded, antiwar Green Party delegates cheered Assange on as he spoke from the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he remains to avoid extradition to Sweden, where police want to question him over allegations of sexual assault.

Assange delighted the party, which polls around 3 percent nationally, when he said how he responds to questions about choosing between major-party candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. That's like asking him, "Do I prefer cholera or gonorhea?" Assange said to laughter.

However, Assange argued, the White House occupant "doesn't make a difference." Corporations and economic interests control the presidency, he said, whether the president will be Trump or Clinton.

Greens, ever hopeful about their nominee's chances, dissented. Assange corrected himself, saying that the party's presidential nominee Jill Stein could win. An audience member shouted back, "She will win!"

Stein herself was sitting in the audience. After Assange answered a question about suggestions for the next U.S. president, a Green leader told the audience that Stein was "taking copious notes during your answer."

Assange's 20-minute visit ended shortly after noon with a standing ovation and Green delegates' chants of "WikiLeaks, WikiLeaks."

As Assange signed off, a woman's voice rose above the Greens' applause.

"We'll fight for you, Julian," she shouted.
U.S. border inspectors arrested two parents they contend were using their 19-month-old child to help smuggle methamphetamine from Mexico to Houston.

Orlando Ramirez and Cynthia Uresti were stopped Thursday while walking into the United States via Gateway International Bridge, which connects the border cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico.
COLUMBUS  Ina Claire Frischholz has proven it's never too late to pursue a dream.

The 83-year-old Golden LivingCenter resident is a first-time published author.

This is the greatest thrill of my life, getting it published. The only thing that would thrill me more is if it got to be a pop-up book, Frischholz said.

Sitting in an apartment decorated with a collection of dolls and figurines lining shelves, Frischholz had a copy of the paperback book Saltys Great Adventure in her hands. The illustrated childrens book tells a Christmas tale of a lonely puppet named Salty who finds purpose in life with the help of Santa Claus.

The book was released last month through Christian Faith Publishing Inc. and is available online.

Frischholz came up with the story years ago in a writing class. It is based on a puppet she used in the classroom while teaching first grade at Robbins Elementary School in Omaha, a career she had for 38 years. The stick puppet was named Salty after Salzburg, Austria, where Frischholz purchased the puppet.

Though it was written decades ago, Frischholz recently decided to try to get the story published, partly to help herself financially, and also to achieve a dream of becoming an author.

She sought out a publisher and got a call in October that her book was going to print. She was so happy she began to cry after hearing the news.

Frischholz hopes she is an inspiration to others to continue to work toward goals. Despite having a few health problems including arthritis and neuropathy, Frischholz is hoping to get more of her work published. She already has a few ideas, including a collection of stories about her days as a teacher.

In the authors biography of the book, it says she wants to be the Grandma Moses of childrens literature, speaking of the artist who started painting in her 70s.

Frischholz is a Columbus native and graduated high school here before getting a degree in teaching. She always had a love for writing and was the editor of her college newspaper. While teaching, she also wrote for programs held at the school.

After retiring from teaching in 1992, Frischholz returned to Columbus to help her brother and sister care for their ailing mother. For the past six years, she has lived at Golden LivingCenter.

While getting published is a dream come true, Frischholz said one of the most gratifying parts of the experience is seeing how her journey and the book have impacted others.

I like that it has provided pleasure for other people. They are happy about it, she said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Monday's decision by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to delay resumption of bus service in Public Square while studying whether to make the temporary stoppage permanent raises a painful question.

Could the square's widely praised makeover have been even better if the city had decided on removing Superior Avenue and closing the square's interior to bus service permanently before starting the 15-month, $50 million project?

Even more to the point, did Cleveland in some sense blow the renovation and commit a needless, embarrassing and hard-to-fix mistake - a word that around here rhymes all too famously with lake?

James Corner, the internationally respected landscape architect who designed the square's renovation, doesn't think so.

In an interview on Wednesday, he said he doesn't think this is a moment for doubts, recriminations and what-ifs.

Design would not have been very different

He said he and members of his firm, James Corner Field Operations, would not have designed the square's renovation in a drastically different manner if the city and RTA had decided up front to eliminate Superior Avenue and remove buses from the interior of the space.

For example, he said, his firm still would have designed the center of the square, now traversed by Superior Avenue, as a paved plaza to facilitate events such as the July 29 "Star-Spangled Spectacular" concert by the Cleveland Orchestra.

And he said the square could be easily modified in the future by adding more greenery at the east and west ends of Superior Avenue, and removing the avenue's curbs to create an even greater sense that the square is a single, unified space.

He did not offer a preliminary estimate of what the cost might be, saying it was premature to offer such an opinion.

Closing of Superior anticipated by design

But he said the renovation of the square was designed with the possibility of closing Superior Avenue very much in mind.

"We always anticipated that one day it might close anyway," he said. "The design itself always anticipated there might not be a road."

Corner also made it absolutely clear that he'd like to see that happen.

"It should be one square," he said. "It's a shame to have to see traffic lights and signalized crossings and all of the demarcations and other elements that happen."

Eliminating buses would be a "massive advantage to the square and to public life in the square," he said. "It will certainly improve safety and improve the range of activities that can take place."

Prior to it renovation, Public Square had functioned since the 19th century as four traffic islands separated by travel lanes, just as it was designed in the 18th century by surveyors working for city-founder Moses Cleaveland.

Four traffic islands

For decades, the square has also felt entirely dominated by concrete and by traffic - not like the green, welcoming refuge openly desired by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

In 2011, Jackson said he favored closing the square entirely to vehicles and unifying it as a single space.

Corner's firm, known for co-designing New York's highly acclaimed High Line Park, proposed several variations in 2009 on how to redesign the square.

Those proposals evolved into the version completed in June after 15 months of construction, just in time for the Republican National Convention.

The major features of the project included removing the two-block section of Ontario Street that ran north-south through the square, leaving it divided by a two-block, east-west section of Superior Avenue, which was narrowed from 77 to 48 feet in width.

Corner's design struck a balance between the mayor's desire for a unified square, and RTA, which still wanted to continuing using the interior of the square as a transit hub.

Data needed

RTA's announcement on Monday that it would hold off on resuming bus service followed the news after the Republican convention that Jackson was still not content with bringing bus service back to the newly narrowed section of Superior Avenue.

On Monday, city spokesman Daniel Ball told The Plain Dealer that the administration wants new data on how transit is functioning around the square, which has been closed to through traffic since the reconstruction began in March 2015.

The data could verify or contrast with predictions made in 2012 by the San Francisco-based consulting firm of Nelson Nygaard, which predicted that closing Ontario and Superior entirely could displace nearly 18,000 daily bus passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.

The analysis said the delays would cost RTA $2.6 million a year, a figure it can hardly afford at a time when it is raising fares and cutting service for reasons that include extremely low levels of funding from the state of Ohio.

Nelson Nygaard also predicted that if Public Square were closed to buses, RTA would be forced to add new routes to maintain scheduled service, and that the square would be surrounded by a "ring of steel" made of buses and cars, making streets around it harder to cross by pedestrians.

Some RTA riders have said they're opposed to closing the avenue and barring buses from the interior of the square.

For example, Clevelanders for Public Transit, a riders' organization, told The Plain Dealer on Monday that removing buses from the square's interior would increase travel time for riders and hike operating costs for RTA, just as Nelson Nygaard predicted.

On Wednesday, regular bus rider Robert Winn handed out leaflets in the square, saying "Buses should be back on Superior."

Carmageddon didn't happen

But now that the square is finished, and following the 15 months in which it was closed for construction, fresh data could show whether Nelson Nygaard's predictions were accurate.

And that's something Corner thinks is absolutely right.

"The mayor should be commended for recognizing the importance of the square and questioning whether or not buses do make sense and now putting it through a trial," Corner said. "I think that's all really good news and a smart and intelligent strategy."

Corner also acknowledged, however, that RTA and its riders need to be heard.

"You're going to have two sides in your commentary on this," he said. "There's going to be more people concerned about the efficiency of transit and buses and the ease of getting from A to B, and there's going to be a contingent who wants Public Square to be whole and to feel unified and special, and not sullied in a sense by buses and public transit.

"You're going to have these two voices," Corner said. "It will be interesting to see how it all plays out."

Correction: The caption that accompanies a photo of James Corner in this post misstated the area of Public Square, which is 6 acres, not 10 as originally stated.

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The Ohio Department of Transportation will begin constructing a roundabout Aug. 15 at the intersection of Ohio 94 (Ridge Road) and Granger Road, just south of Highland High School and Highland Middle School. The work will impact the school bus schedule as motorists are detoured around the construction site.

(Graphic Courtesy of ODOT)

MEDINA, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Transportation will close the intersection of Ridge and Granger roads Aug. 15 to construct a roundabout.

The $2.5 million project to improve safety will begin just days before the beginning of the school year, impacting traffic traveling to and from Highland Local School District buildings, particularly the high school, middle school and Board of Education offices.

The work will likely take several months, with an expected re-opening in mid-October.

Highland officials said the project will impact the district's bus schedule and that families should expect delays during the construction.

Motorists on Ohio 94 (Ridge Road) and Granger Road will face detours.

The detour route for Ohio 94 northbound will be Ohio 94 to Ohio 18, west on Ohio 18 to I-71, north on I-71 to I-271, and east on I-271 to Ohio 94. Southbound drivers will be detoured in reverse.

The detour route for eastbound drivers on Granger Road is Granger Road to Beach Road, south on Beach Road to Ohio 18, east on Ohio 18 to State Road, then north on State Road to Granger Road. Reverse this for westbound motorists.

The roundabout will be the second constructed by ODOT in Medina County. The first was at the intersection of Ohio 57 and Ohio 252 in York Township.

ODOT officials say the modern roundabout improves traffic safety, reducing collisions common at intersections governed by two-way or four-way stop signs.

From 2008 to 2011, there were 18 reported collisions at the Ridge Road-Granger Road intersection. Fourteen of those resulted in injuries, according to ODOT.

The roundabout project will be paid for through federal and state highway safety funds. Fechko Excavating Inc. of Medina is the contractor for the job.
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- An Akron man is charged with attempted murder after he purposefully crashed his car into a Cuyahoga Falls police officer's cruiser, police say.

Donald Watson Jr., 46, is charged with attempted murder, felonious assault against a police officer and leading police on a car chase. A court date has not been set for Watson.

Watson caused serious injuries to Cuyahoga Falls patrolman Ted Davis, an 11-year veteran of the police department. He was hospitalized for six days with multiple broke bones and injuries to his organs, according to police.

Davis also spent another four days in rehabilitation before being released on Tuesday, police said.

Watson about 1:15 a.m. July 23 crashed into three parked police cruisers in the police department's parking lot, officials said.

He drove off and officers gave chase. Davis was driving towards Watson's 2000 Dodge Ram pickup. Watson aimed his truck at Davis' cruiser and hit him head on.

Davis on Friday released a statement on the department's Facebook page. He thanked his family, fellow officers, firefighters, Police Chief Jack Davis, Fire Chief Paul Moledor, Mayor Don Walters and others who visited him several times in the hospital and offered their support.

"I have either lived or worked in Cuyahoga Falls my entire life. I can't think of a better city to be a part of," Davis wrote. "The reaction of the residents of this city has been absolutely overwhelming. I truly appreciate all the letters, cards, and phone calls. My wife and I read every single card and treasured every one of them. I am proud to be a police officer in this great city."

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland woman is accused of running over her husband with her SUV after the man told her he was leaving her after less than a year of marriage.

Ashley Shutes, 32, is in the jail on $250,000 bond after her initial court appearance on Friday. She is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice.

She appeared in court Friday with her attorney, Brandon Henderson. Henderson said Shutes voluntarily turned herself into police after a warrant was issued for her arrest on July 29.

Shutes was fired from her job as a manager and customer service rep at Safeguard Properties, a job she held for three years, after the charges against her became public, Henderson said.

He also said Shutes is the sole provider for her three kids, ages 16, 8 and 6 months. She's worked at Walmart as a customer service rep and ran a business in which she would sell donated uniforms at discounted prices to area nursing home workers, Henderson said.

She also is a member of the Word Church in Warrensville Heights and regularly volunteers along with her children at the Salvation Army, Henderson said.

"She's been a productive member of society," Henderson said during the hearing.

Shutes and her husband Ronrico Shutes, 35, argued May 28 at their home in the 4100 block of East 138th Street, according to neighbors.

A family member deescalated the fight. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Brian Murphy said Ronrico Shutes planned to leave his wife following the argument.

Another argument broke out about 11:45 p.m., the neighbors said.

One neighbor said she heard a child yelling "You're going to kill my dad." She went outside and saw Ronrico Shutes lying in the driveway in a pool of blood.

Several small children were in the yard and at the home at the time of the incident, police reports say.

Ronrico Shutes gave a neighbor the phone number for his mother to take care of the kids who were at the house at the time of the incident, the neighbor said.

Cleveland police were called to the home and Ronrico Shutes was taken to University Hospitals.

Investigators noted in court records that Ashley Shutes hit her husband with a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. The impact knocked her husband to the ground, according to police.

She drove forward and ran him over. Ashley Shutes put the SUV in reverse, ran him over again and dragged him for 12 feet, police said.

Ashley Shutes drove away and later returned while police investigated the incident. She is accused of lying to police at the crime scene.

Ashley Shutes told police she argued with her husband and went to leave. She said Rodrico Shutes jumped in front of her car as she tried to drive off. She said she didn't see him and hit him, according to police reports.

Ronrico Shutes died June 10 at the hospital. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has not made a ruling on his death.

Murphy said during the hearing that Shutes is also suspected of taking surveillance video from the home's kitchen and driveway that would have shown exactly what happened. Henderson disputed that claim.

The Shutes were married less than a year, according to probate court records. Ronrico Shutes was a father of five, his obituary says.

Ashley Shutes was convicted of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence in 2005.

In that case, she rammed her car into another car driven by her baby's father, according to court records. The man sustained a broken nose, cuts to his face and leg injuries.

She was sentenced to a one-month suspended jail sentence and was ordered to stay away from the man.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.
meth couple barberton

Donald Eagle, left, and Amy Croft, right, were charged Friday during an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Barberton.

(Barberton Police Department)

BARBERTON, Ohio -- A Barberton man is accused of selling methamphetamine from his home.

Donald Eagle, 43, is charged with drug trafficking, a second-degree felony, and drug possession. His bond was set at $50,000 during his initial appearance in Barberton Municipal Court.

A SWAT team raided Eagle's home on Diamond Avenue about 7:20 a.m. Friday.

Officers reported finding 32 grams of crystal meth, "numerous" prescription pills and unknown powders that will be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's crime lab for testing, according to Barberton police.

Police also seized about $950 cash that is suspected drug money.

A woman who was at the home, Amy Croft, 43, of Springfield Township, was charged with misdemeanor drug possession. She was found with a cut straw used to snort the drugs and baggy with suspected drug residue, according to police.

More charges could eventually be added to the case, Barberton police said.

Croft in March was arrested for starving a horse and two chickens at her home in the 300 block of Meadowridge Road. Summit County humane agents found the horse, named Axel, was emaciated and needed veterinary care.

She pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in that case and agreed to give up ownership of the horse and two chickens that were also seized during the investigation. She was sentenced to pay Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary $1,800 and is not allowed to own livestock for five years.

Croft was also charged in an unrelated child endangering case in which she was accused of going on a two-day meth binge while her 14-year-old son was in the house.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - In the heat of the mob wars, his rivals wanted him dead.

They put a bomb in a flower pot on his porch. The blast blew holes in Eugene "the Animal'' Ciasullo's intestines, but he survived. They tried another bomb. Again, Ciasullo survived.

Ciasullo, the most feared man in Cleveland at the height of the city's mob wars in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has died. He was 85. The date and cause of death were not given in the paid published notice.

His death forces Cleveland to recall one of its most violent chapters, when an upstart Irishman named Danny Greene bucked the entrenched La Cosa Nostra and sought control of the city's gambling and vending rackets.

Ciasullo sided with James Licavoli and the Italian mob, a move that made him one of Greene's primary targets.

"He was the most capable and feared enforcer in James Licavoli's crew,'' said Lyndhurst Police Chief Rick Porrello, who wrote the definitive book about the Cleveland mob wars, "To Kill the Irishman: The War that Crippled the Mafia.''

"He was highly feared by the other side,'' Porrello said Saturday. "That's why Danny Greene went after Eugene first. It was a really smart move.''

Ciasullo grew up in Collinwood, where he gained a reputation for a violent temper, said former Cleveland Police Chief Edward Kovacic, who lived in the same neighborhood.



Ciasullo worked a bit in the trades before he veered his life toward Northeast Ohio's most infamous people before he turned 30. He later became close to John Scalish and the Licavoli crime family in Cleveland, FBI agents said. He also became good friends with Alex "Shondor" Birns, one of Cleveland's top mob enforcers, Porrello said.

In an affidavit filed in court in 1987, John B. Sommer, then the leader of the FBI's organized-crime unit, wrote that Ciasullo had "strong ties to organized crime" and "a notorious reputation as being 'muscle' on the street."

"If you needed anything heavy done, you called him,'' Kovacic said Saturday. The former police chief worked in the intelligence unit of Cleveland police during the mob wars and tracked Ciasullo closely.

"He would do it,'' Kovacic said. "That was his reputation. He was the Animal.''

In his book, Porrello said Ciasullo gained the nickname "The Animal" after beating a man in the head with a cue ball during a bar fight. The man suffered several skull fractures. Ciasullo, however, said he was given the name when the FBI interviewed a bookmaker.

When an agent brought up Ciasullo, the bookmaker snapped, "That guy's an animal.''

Ciasullo met with Plain Dealer reporters and spoke with them on the phone. He downplayed but did not dismiss his role during the mob wars. He acknowledged that he was "very close" to mob boss Licavoli and his associates.



"I respected them very much," he said in the late 1990s. "Anybody who was anybody knew that."



Because of his allegiances, Ciasullo suffered.

In July 1976, a bomb exploded in a flower pot on the porch of Ciasullo's home in Richmond Heights. He suffered extensive injuries. He also survived another bomb attempt, according to published reports.

After the incidents, Ciasullo lowered his profile and began spending time in Florida and Pennsylvania, investigators said. The move angered some Cleveland mob leaders, who wanted him to stay and join their battle. Years later, Ciasullo returned to Northeast Ohio, where he raised his family.



The Plain Dealer reported that after he returned, in 1980, he was convicted of stabbing a man who jumped a former police officer outside a restaurant in Highland Heights. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

Ciasullo, in interviews, was gracious. He never ripped Cleveland police or the federal agents who sought to arrest him. In 2005, former FBI agent Joseph Griffin died. Griffin had been the agency's leader in Cleveland and made a point to root out the mob.

"He wasn't a bad guy,'' Ciasullo said of Griffin. "He was a right guy. "I don't care what anyone says. He had a job to do, and he did it."

In 2000, Ciasullo, at the age of 69, had one last scrape with the law. He pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Akron to drug conspiracy charges.

The charges were filed after the FBI used a wiretap to tape calls of Ciasullo's associates, who put nearly $10,000 in drug profits into one of Ciasullo's business accounts. His supporters say the money was the repayment of a loan and that he had no idea the funds were linked to drugs.

Ciasullo, who was battling cancer at the time, was given a sentence of probation.

"It is impossible to predict with any certainty his expected longevity," Ciasullo's doctor said in a letter to U.S. District Judge David Dowd. "I believe that his prognosis for complete neurological recovery is poor."

Ciasullo was able to live 16 more years, time his friends said he spent with his family, much of it in Pennsylvania.

Porrello said many will remember Ciasullo as the violent muscle of the mob. Others will recall a different man.

"He was highly respected, and he was very well liked,'' Porrello said. "There was another side to him.''

Defense attorney Laurence Turbow represented Ciasullo in the federal case in 2000. He also recalls Ciasullo differently.

"He was a family man,'' the attorney said. "He looked out for his family and children.''
Zachary Johnson court

Zachary Johnson makes his first court appearance Saturday, with Assistant Cuyahoga County Public Defender Tim Huber.

(Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland man is accused of fatally shooting a 31-year-old man, who tried to drive away from the gunfire until he crashed into the side of a church.

Zachary Johnson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder in the June 5 fatal shooting of Maurio Ayers, 31. A 38-year-old man with Ayers was shot in the foot and survived.

Cleveland Municipal Judge Emanuella Groves on Saturday set Johnson's bond at $1 million.

Ayers went to visit the 38-year-old man at his home in the 900 block of Thornhill Drive the day of the shooting.

Johnson was one of three people inside the car that drove by the 38-year-old man's home about 8:30 p.m., according to police.

The car turned around and drove back to the home. Ayers walked towards the car after it stopped in front of the home.

Two men in the car, including Johnson, pulled out guns. The duo fired at least 17 shots from three different handguns, according to police reports.

Ayers was shot in the chest and the 38-year-old man in the foot, police said. Ayers told the 38-year-old man he'd been shot and said: "Let's go to the hospital," according to police reports.

Ayers jumped in the driver's seat of his 2000 Buick Century and his friend got in the passenger seat. They took off for the hospital.

Ayers crashed into another car at the intersection of Thornhill and Arlington Avenue. He kept driving, hit a utility pole across Arlington and eventually crashed into the side steps at the Historic Greater Friendship Baptist Church, according to police.

Ayers was taken to University Hospitals, where he died. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has not made an official ruling on Ayers' death.

The crash caused minor damage to the steps, which a church maintenance worker said had been re-built about two years ago.

Cleveland police were able to get DNA swabs from the suspect at the scene, police reports say.

Johnson's criminal history includes a two-year prison sentence for a 2009 pistol-whipping of a man in East Cleveland.

He is currently on probation for a pair of recent drug trafficking convictions.

In 2015, he sold heroin and cocaine in Euclid. Police arrested him with two cellphones and $1,334 in drug money, court records say. He was sentenced to 18 months on probation in that case.

In 2014, Cleveland vice detectives were conducting surveillance on Johnson and saw him sell heroin and crack to man less than 300 feet from Collinwood High School.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.
Porsha Harris court

Porsha Harris makes her first appearance Saturday in Cleveland Municipal Court.

(Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Cleveland woman is charged in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a former Cleveland police officer.

Porsha Harris, 27, is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Cleveland Municipal Judge Emanuella Groves set Harris' bond at $50,000.

Assistant Cuyahoga County Public Defender Tim Huber said during the hearing that Harris is a mother and a manager at an area Rally's restaurant.

"She poses no flight risk and is not a danger to the community," Huber said during the hearing.

Harris is charged in connection with the Wednesday crash that killed former Cleveland police officer Shani Dizard, 41, of Warrensville Heights.

Dizard, who went by the name Shani Hannah while she was a Cleveland police officer, was struck about 5:30 p.m. while riding her 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650R motorcycle on Superior Avenue near East 71st Street.

Harris was driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring in the left lane of traffic. She swerved into the curb lane to pass traffic and hit the back of Dizard's motorcycle, according to court records.

The contact knocked Dizard's motorcycle on its side and caused it to roll over, court records say. Dizard was thrown off the motorcycle and onto the street. She skidded across the road and slammed into a steel pole on the north side of the street, court records say.

It is unknown if Dizard was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Harris drove away from the scene. Her "reckless" driving led prosecutors to charge her with aggravated vehicular homicide instead of a lesser charge, court records say.

A witness to the crash followed Harris and relayed her license plate to police.

Harris called police around 12:40 a.m. Thursday, police said. Investigators went to her home on Pierpont Avenue and arrested her. They also towed her Chrysler.

Dizard was in the middle of a four-year battle to get her job as a Cleveland police officer back after she was fired for stabbing her boyfriend in 2012.

Dizard, grabbed him by the throat, hit him in the face and stabbed his legs and hands, police said. She ran away from the scene and sent text messages to her boyfriend and children saying that she was going to kill herself.

Police found her parked on a dead-end street with a cord around her neck, officials said. An officer smashed a car window and stopped her from taking her own life. Hannah later admitted that the suicide attempt and text messages were efforts to keep her out of jail, police said.

She was indicted on a felonious assault charge, but eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.

The Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association fought to get Dizard her job back. They took her case to an arbitrator, who overturned her firing and ordered the city to reinstate her without back pay. The city appealed the ruling, and in April a panel of appellate judges sided with Dizard.

The city in June appealed that decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. The court had not yet scheduled a hearing on the case at the time of Dizard's death.

Dizard had not yet been reinstated as an officer. Dizard was a mother of three children.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.
NAACP Kasich

Ohio Gov. John Kasich addresses the 2016 National Convention of the NAACP, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Cincinnati.

(Gary Landers, AP Photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich in a CNN interview that aired on Friday sounded off on the presidential race, the Republican National Convention and Gold Star families.

Kasich said he's never voted for a Democrat for president, in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. But the governor refused to say whether he could see himself not voting for a GOP presidential candidate.

"I wish I could be fully enthusiastic," Kasich said. "I can't be."

Kasich has long been at odds with Republican nominee Donald Trump and has called on Trump to change the tone of his campaign.

.@JohnKasich on voting in November: I wish I could be fully enthusiastic... but I can't be https://t.co/oOKM8Wz17f https://t.co/CN81GFzgL1  The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 5, 2016

Check out portions of Kasich's interview below:

Kasich on the Republican National Convention

Kasich did not attend the Republican National Convention because he felt that it would be inappropriate.

"I think it's about manners," he said. "If I wasn't prepared to go there and get up and endorse the nominee, I just thought it was inappropriate to go into that convention hall."

He pointed out that he was in Cleveland during the RNC, and bragged about the city.

"We had beautiful results up there. Now people are saying, 'I should either go to Maui or maybe Cleveland.' It's a hilarious situation."

John Kasich says he didn't go to convention because it was inappropriate if he wasn't ready to go & endorse nominee https://t.co/qojcbL25Gd  The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 5, 2016

Gold Star families

After the Democratic National Convention, Trump launched an attack on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of a American solider killed in Iraq. The Khans paid tribute to their son during the DNC and Khizr Khan issued a strong rebuke to Trump's statements about Muslims and immigrants. Kasich told CNN that he watched the speech, and reflected on his own experiences with Gold Star families as governor.

"One by one these families come in to see me. It's very tough," Kasich said. "I sit and I talk to them."

Kasich's parents died in a car crash, and the governor said he uses that loss to connect with Gold Star families.

"I've seen the black hole," Kasich said. "I've had the deep mourning and the pain."

John Kasich gets emotional talking about Gold Star families.."it's very tough" https://t.co/oOKM8Wz17f https://t.co/Jeh3qO60G9  The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 5, 2016

Kasich on Trump's refusal to endorse prominent Republicans

Kasich said he thought it was "a little bizarre" that Trump refused to endorse Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, of New Hampshire.
Marijuana Decriminalization Illinois

The Ohio Department of Commerce wants to hire a medical marijuana expert to help write rules and regulations for cultivators.

(Seth Perlman, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Department of Commerce is looking to hire an expert in growing marijuana to help write the rules for future Ohio medical marijuana cultivators.

But whoever gets the contract will be held to the state's drug-free workplace policy, which currently doesn't allow for medical marijuana use. A department spokesman couldn't say Friday whether the chosen contractor's employees would have to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Working in the marijuana industry and using the drug for medical or recreational purposes are not necessarily mutually exclusive. But the drug policy requirement highlights a legal wrinkle in Ohio's medical marijuana law that concerns many patient advocates.

The law doesn't require businesses to allow medical marijuana use, and patients can be fired for testing positive for marijuana metabolites despite not being impaired on the job.

The commerce department is one of three state agencies working on implementing the new law, which goes into effect Sept. 8. For its part, the commerce department will establish rules and a licensing process for cultivators and testing labs.

The department wants to hire a contractor to research best practices from other states and recommend how they would work with Ohio's patient needs in the new Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The department budgeted $50,000 for the work.

Requirements include at least three years experience in the medical marijuana industry or equivalent experience in commercial horticulture and "expert knowledge" of the cultivation process and related matters.

The state posted the job Tuesday and will accept applications through Wednesday.

The department has posted two other jobs for the program internally - a business analyst and a project manager. Both jobs require the employee to pass a pre-employment drug test.
rezaian.jpg

In this file photo provided by The Washington Post, from left, journalist Jason Rezaian, his wife Yeganeh Salehi, his mother Mary Rezaian, and brother Ali Rezaian pose for a photo at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center near the Ramstein Air Base, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 in Landstuhl, Germany. Rezaian was freed Saturday after almost 18 months of incarceration in an Iranian prison. Three other Iranian-Americans were freed at the same time under a U.S.-Iranian deal swapping them for seven detained Iranians, but critics now are raising questions about whether $400 million in cash delivered to Iran at around the same time as part of a separately announced legal settlement was actually a hostage payment.

(Martin Baron, The Washington Post via AP, File)

In January, in a move that drew relatively little attention, the Obama administration announced it had cut a $1.7 billion deal with Iran to resolve a legal claim the U.S. government had assessed Iran would win at the Hague Tribunal, where Iran's claim had been pending for about 35 years. U.S. officials said the case was settled to avoid far steeper potential liability, given accrued interest on the remaining $400 million in a fund Iran's since-deposed shah had set up to pay for military equipment that was never delivered -- money that the United States had been holding since 1979.

There were reasons for a lack of attention to this legal settlement: Implementation of the landmark international Iran nuclear deal was beginning and included the potential unfreezing of $100 billion or more of Iranian assets -- dwarfing this settlement, which included returning the original $400 million plus $1.3 billion in accrued interest.

Turns out it's not easy to return assets to Iran. The first $400 million tranche of the legal settlement went back to Iran on pallets in an unmarked cargo plane and all in cash: euros, Swiss francs, and other currencies (not dollars, which can't legally be sent into Iran). The United States has no banking relationship with Iran, so cash had to be sent, the administration says.

However -- and this is the kicker, according to a Wall Street Journal story this week -- the money arrived in Iran about the same time four unjustly held Iranian-Americas were being released. (Iran traded the detainees for seven U.S.-held Iranians, according to official accounts.)

The United States insists the timing was a coincidence, that two different teams were handling the two issues, and that there was no quid pro quo for hostages. Nonetheless, some Iranians trumpeted a connection -- which suggests at the very least that the money transfer, whether an actual cash-for-hostages deal or not, is being construed as such in Tehran, or at least publicly labeled by some Iranians as such.

The Journal followed up its original story with another story asserting that "senior Justice Department officials" opposed the timing of the repayment given the poor optics of making it so close to the hostages' release, but that State Department officials who had negotiated the terms of the legal settlement were insistent.

All this is on top of the usual worries that Iran uses such cash for its own nefarious, terrorism-related reasons.

In that connection, however, it's worth noting that The Wall Street Journal also reports that CIA chief John Brennan recently said there is evidence much of the cash Iran has gotten as a result of the (much larger) sanctions relief in the nuclear deal has gone for straightforward economic development and infrastructure work within Iran.

Is there a larger concern in this, or a larger lesson? The Wall Street Journal's "Planeload of Cash" print headline is resonating in the presidential contest, with Republican officials upbraiding the Obama administration. Administration officials, for their part, believe this is a back-door way for the GOP to try, again, to upend the nuclear deal, which is actually an international agreement that a number of national security experts contend has lessened chance of another ruinous war in the region.

Others question whether even the appearance of a payoff might be encouraging Iran to jail more Iranian-Americans in hopes of further payouts. The United States has longstanding policies against paying ransoms for hostages.

Where do the quid and the quo meet in this instance? Our editorial board roundtable takes a look and we encourage readers to weigh in with their views in the comments that follow.

Ted Diadiun, editorial board member:

It's hard to judge what is most obscene about this move: the idea of shipping $400 million in cash for an enemy country to use against us, conveniently coincident with Obama's ill-conceived nuclear deal with Iran; the strong sense that it was paid in part as a ransom for four detained Iranian-Americans; or the fact that the president tried to sneak the money to Iran in Swiss francs and euros without letting either Congress or the American people know. Outrage over this will be unbounded, as it should.

Thomas Suddes, editorial writer:

If Iran was owed the money, Iran was owed the money. The financial gains Iran would enjoy (from a number of countries, not just the United States) thanks to the so-called nuclear deal were widely publicized. The one thing that's changed is that the GOP has nominated a likely loser for president, so his desperate partisans need something to divert attention from that ever-more-apparent fact. Meanwhile -- and thanks for asking -- what about two genuine Iranian-American scandals never resolved, at least not in the light of day? One is the alleged (and more than just possible) deal Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign made with the Iranian regime to delay release of U.S. Embassy hostages so Jimmy Carter would lose to Reagan. The other, later in the 1980s, was the Reagan administration's blatantly illegal Iran-contra affair. Too bad for the truth -- but good for some alleged Iran-contra principals -- that then-President George H.W. Bush pardoned six of them 28 days before he left office. If anyone in Washington should know about hush-hush deals with Iran, it's the Republican Establishment.

Kevin O'Brien, deputy editorial page editor, The Plain Dealer:

The ability of hostile foreign powers to play Barack Obama and his merry band of willing dupes is limited only by the imaginations of ayatollahs and tinhorn dictators. The Iranians have proven over and over that they're pretty darned imaginative.

Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director, cleveland.com:

As usual when it comes to Iran, there's so much Sturm und Drang that core truths get overshadowed -- particularly given the optics of sending mountains of bank notes into a country opposed to U.S. interests at so many levels. And shame on U.S. officials for allowing a legitimate legal settlement to be too easily labeled a payoff for the release of wrongly imprisoned Americans. But core truths do matter, and the core truth here is that Iran was owed the money, and that when the United States cut a deal for its return, the circumstances were fully and publicly explained -- nearly eight months ago.
As fear mounts around the global impact of Zika, one of Wall Street's most closely followed bulls has an ominous message about how the health crisis could impact markets in the weeks to come.

As U.S. health officials move to halt the virus' spread in Miami, where the disease has raged for weeks, markets have been surprisingly placid in the face of the growing health crisis. Based on previous circumstances, however, Canaccord Genuity's chief market strategist told CNBC that could easily turn on a dime.

"When we study 2014, we were dealing with many of the same issues that had yet to cause a correction," Tony Dwyer told CNBC's "Fast Money" this week.

In 2014, the S&P 500 index experienced a sharp and sudden correction, and according to Dwyer, many of the same ingredients that contributed to the turmoil are bubbling beneath the surface of the current rally. Those factors include persistent fears about the Federal Reserve's next policy move, a weak euro zone and falling oil prices.

Two years ago, "the straw that broke the camel's back was the first confirmed case of the Ebola virus in the U.S.," Dwyer said.
Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan and several other Congressional candidates in their primary bids on Friday, ending a brief feud between the GOP nominee and several of the Republican Party's most prominent stars that threatened to engulf his campaign in a new controversy.

The endorsement comes as Trump campaigned in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin Friday evening with his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.



"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star."

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said,



Earlier this week, Trump made headlines when he told The Washington Post that he was "not quite there yet" on endorsing Ryan in his Republican primary. Trump had previously tweeted out thanks to the congressional Republican leader's primary challenger, Paul Nehlen.

Nehlen had released a statement defending Trump amid criticism over his remarks about the Muslim parents of a slain U.S. solider.

In contrast to Trump, Pence created a split in the ticket by endorsing Ryan this week.

The campaign event in Wisconsin also drew attention earlier Friday for the number of high-profile local Republicans who have declined to attend: Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (who is locked in a tight election battle), Gov. Scott Walker, and Ryan.

--Reuters contributed to this article
Police at the scene of a security operation in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2016.

Two female officers were attacked and wounded by a man wielding a machete and shouting "Allahu Akhbar" outside a police station in the Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday, police said.

They said in messages posted on Twitter that the attacker was shot and later died of his wounds. The attack occurred in front of Charleroi police station.

A police officer reached by telephone declined to make further comments. According to RTBF state broadcasting, one officer suffered severe injuries to her face while her colleague was slightly injured. It said a third officer shot the assailant.

Both officers are "out of danger," Charleroi police said Saturday evening on Twitter.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke to a crowd of journalists during a joint convention of black and Hispanic journalists, submitting herself to questions in an open forum for the first time since securing the nomination.

Writers, editors, and other media professionals from around the country gathered to hear Clinton address the National Association of Black and Hispanic Journalists (NABJ/NAHJ) conference, held this year in Washington, D.C. Yet in a question and answer session following her speech, the White House contender was tripped up once again by the lingering controversy over the private email server she used while at the State Department.

During her speech, Clinton said she wants to expand economic opportunities for Latinos and African Americans. "When the economy catches a cold, communities of color get pneumonia," Clinton said during her speech.

Clinton has granted numerous individual interviews to broadcast and print publications around the country. However, by many accounts her appearance at the convention marked the first time all year that she's fielded questions from more than one media outlet at a time.

At least for now, her reluctance to hold a press conference hasn't hurt her in the polls: In the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal national poll, Clinton held a 9 point lead over her Republican challenger Donald Trump. The real estate mogul has repeatedly attacked her for not holding a press conference.

Although most of the questions were friendly, the former Secretary of State was pressed by NBC News on her recent contention that FBI Director James Comey characterized her remarks on her email server as truthful.

While Clinton is currently leading Trump in most polls, many surveys show broad swaths of the public do not find her trustworthy, and harbor doubts about whether she's told the truth about email server.

Clinton defended her public statements about the issue, saying that her answers were truthful even though she acknowledged using a private server was "a mistake" in hindsight.

"That's really the bottom line here and I have said, during the interview and in many other occasions over the past months, that what I told the FBI, which he said was truthful, is consistent with what I have said publicly," Clinton told reporters.

"So I may have short-circuited it and for that, I will, you know, try to clarify," she added.

The latter part of her comment touched off a furor on social media, with the hashtag "What Makes Hillary Short Circuit" trending for hours on Twitter.

People tweet

"I have acknowledged repeatedly that using two email accounts was a mistake and I take responsibility for that but I do think having him say that my answers to the FBI were truthful and, then I should quickly add, that what I said was consistent with what I said publicly and that's really in my view ties my both ends together," Clinton added.



On Saturday, Trump wasted little time in responding to the remarks despite being under severe pressure to right his campaign. The GOP contender pounced on Clinton's remarks, implying that she was "not fit to be president" because of her self-described memory lapse:

Trump tweet
There's been no shortage of high-profile hacks over the last few years  think Target , Sony and Ashley Madison  but one sector that hasn't made as much news for breaches is financial. According to the Identify Theft Resource Center, out of the 781 data breaches tracked in the United States in 2015, just 71 were banking-related. While that may be welcome news to the millions of people who use financial websites and apps, that number is rising, jumping by about 50 percent from the year before. And with more people using everything from personal finance applications and robo-advisor sites to fraud-detection programs and mobile wallet software, we'll likely see more hacks in the future.

Sneha Srivastava | Mint | Getty Images

"There's a huge amount of benefit to leveraging technology to bring insights to your account, but there's always a risk when you start to consolidate all of that information into one program," said Kennet Westby, co-founder and president of Coalfire, a Westminster, Colorado-based cybersecurity advisory that has a number of financial clients. Generally, apps and websites from banks and other well-known financial institutions are considered fairly safe from intrusion, in part because they have the money to spend on security. Reportedly, Bank of America will spend $400 million in security this year alone, while other banks are also spending copious amounts of money to keep their virtual walls secure. However, even big security budgets can't always prevent a major hack. In 2014, JPMorgan Chase was the target of one of the largest breaches in American history. Hackers broke into its network and stole data  names, email addresses and phone numbers  from 83 million customers. Not surprisingly, the company has increased its cybersecurity budget this year, from a reported $250 million to $500 million.

Of course, not all financial companies have such big security budgets. Many start-up companies don't have the resources to throw at security nor the many decades of history in trying to keep client money safe, said Westby. For instance, in 2010, Blippy, a social-media-meets-financial site that allowed people to share credit card purchases with other users, was found to have accidentally leaked some of its customers' credit card information on Google. The company shut down a year later. While Westby thinks that consumers should use financial apps and sites, they also need to be aware of what they're using and what kind of information they're sharing online.

Read the fine print

It's unlikely you'll find a company that says it has no security, so it's up to the user to make sure the company is protected. Start by reading the company's security and privacy disclosures, which should be somewhere on their site, said Westby. You want to be able to get a sense of how they're managing their security and privacy programs and what kind of responsibility they're willing to take if a breach occurs. The next step is to look at the company's security certifications. A payments card company, for instance, should have the PCI certification, which is given out by a Qualified Security Assessor under the PCI Security Standards Council program. Other financial institutions might be audited and certified under the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFEIC). Mint, the personal finance app, is certified through the TRUSTe Privacy Seal Program, which is another popular data privacy management company. Finally, make sure the company's privacy and security programs have been validated by a third party. The big four accounting firms do this, said Westby, as do businesses like Trustwave, Verizon and Coalfire. "You don't want the company to just say, 'We're secure. Trust us,'" said Westby. "You want someone to validate that they're actually doing it."

Embrace the longer logins

The companies that do have proper security measures will be encrypting all your sensitive data  they convert information into a complex code that's difficult to decipher  but for privacy experts, that's not enough. Companies should also use two-factor authentication for customer logins, according to Adam Levin, chairman and founder of IDT911, a Montreal-based security solutions company, and author of "Swiped." When a site doesn't recognize the device you're using, it should ask you a series of questions to verify that you are the user of the account. It may also send a code to a trusted device, like an email address or mobile phone. Essentially, it's adding another layer of authentication beyond a login and password. Many companies still don't do this  it can be an annoyance for customers, he noted  but it will soon become standard procedure. And users should embrace it, he explains. One extra step goes a long way in keeping your information secure.

Protect yourself

Most financial breaches don't actually happen at the company level, said Levin. Since security is generally strong, hackers tend to hoodwink customers into handing over login passwords or sensitive data. One way they do this is through phishing. That's when a hacker sends an email to users that looks nearly identical to something a bank or another company might send out to a user. Either the user clicks on a file that installs data-collecting malware onto a computer or they click a link that takes them to a page where they're then asked to enter their account information. If you ever get an email from a financial company asking for information, don't click the link, says Levin. "The minute you authenticate yourself, you're not in control of the situation anymore," he said. "If you didn't initiate the contact, then delete the email." It's also a good idea to have different passwords for your money-related apps and sites. Hackers often steal information from non-financial sites that don't have strong security and then use that password to get into a financial application, since most people use the same login information for every site they visit, said Levin.

Don't bank in public
August 6, 2016

 A small white bag that was once used by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong to hold the first-ever lunar samples to be collected from the surface of the moon is now at the center of not one, but two lawsuits over who owns it today.



The zippered cloth pouch, which was labeled in bold black letters "Lunar Sample Return," was used on July 20, 1969 as the "outer decontamination bag" to hold the moon rocks for their trip back to Earth with Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.



Under normal circumstances, one might expect that a bag of such extraordinary significance would be on display in a museum today. Instead, it is evidence in separate lawsuits filed by an Illinois woman who bought the historic bag at a government auction and by the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, who is seeking to return the artifact to NASA.







Apollo 11 moon rock collected by Neil Armstrong. (collectSPACE)

"The lunar [sample return] bag... is a rare artifact, if not a national treasure," Thomas Beall, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, and Annette Gurney, Assistant U.S. Attorney, wrote in a court filing.



Roxana Hegeman with the Associated Press was the first to report the news of the lunar bag lawsuits.



From moon rock storage to stored in a garage



Thirty-four years after it was on the surface of the moon, on Dec. 18, 2003, the execution of a search warrant turned up the same sample return bag inside the Kansas garage of a space museum's former curator. The lunar bag, which NASA long ago emptied of its moon rock stash, still bore small stains of lunar dust.



How the sample return bag ended up at Max Ary's home is not exactly known, but as a result of an apparent inventory error by the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, it was decided that the sack was not among the museum's space artifacts that Ary was later convicted of stealing and selling at auction.







The Apollo lunar sample bag protected the moon rocks from being contaminated. (Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers)

Instead, the bag  which was then thought to be among Ary's legal personal space collection  was forfeited along with other items to help fulfill his sentence to pay $132,274 in restitution. (Ary, who has maintained his innocence and serves as the director of the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Oklahoma today, also served two years in prison.)



As such, the lunar sample bag was turned over by the U.S. Marshals Service to Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers to be sold.



Bidding (and betting) on Apollo history



The Texas-based auction firm described the 11.5-inch-long (29 cm) pouch as containing lunar dust, but did not identify the Apollo mission on which it flew.



Three times the bag was listed for auction, in April, August and October 2014, initially with an opening bid of $42,500, and each time it failed to attract a single bid. Then, on Feb. 17, 2015, Nancy Lee Carlson, an attorney from Inverness, Illinois, won the bag with a bid of just $995.



(The lot Carlson won also included a steel mesh pad of the type used to cushion moon rocks on their return to Earth. The auctioned pad was not flown and is not in contention.)



In August 2015, after taking ownership of the bag, Carlson made contact with Ryan Zeigler, the Apollo sample curator at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for help with verifying the lunar dust inside. Carlson voluntarily submitted the bag for testing, which not only identified the dust as authentic, but also as originating from humanity's first moon landing mission.







Nancy Lee Carlson bid $995 for both the lunar bag (at right) and a mesh moon rock cushion. (Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers)

"It was not until NASA scientifically tested the bag that it was learned that the lunar bag, which had been forfeited and subsequently sold at the Gaston & Sheehan auction, was used on the Apollo 11 lunar mission," wrote Beall and Gurney.



Prior to being contacted by Carlson, NASA was not aware of the forfeiture or auction of the bag. Usually, the agency would have been alerted, but in addition to not knowing of its Apollo 11 history, the Cosmosphere's inventory system had confused and conflated the bag with another one like it that had been flown on Apollo 17, the last moon landing.



Mistaking one moon bag for another



That other bag was among the artifacts that Ary had been found guilty of stealing and selling and, in fact, part of his restitution was to the person who voluntarily returned it to the Cosmosphere.



As such, when the Apollo 11 bag was discovered in Ary's garage in 2003, it did not match any of the items identified as missing and so it went unreported.



Now knowing what happened, NASA decided that the sale was a mistake. The agency retained the lunar sample bag, despite Carlson's request that it be returned.



Gurney, acting on behalf of the government, attempted to settle with Carlson, offering to refund the auction payment and shipping fees, as well as pay an additional $1,000 "in appreciation for your assistance in returning the bag" and "to offset any inconvenience you may have suffered."



Replevin or rescind



Carlson rejected the government's offer, protesting what she described in a letter as the "unwarranted seizure of my personal property... without any legal provocation."







Apollo 11 lunar sample return bag. (Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers)

On June 27, she filed a lawsuit against Ziegler and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for the return of the sample bag and compensatory damages.



Just over a month later, on Wednesday (Aug. 3), Beall and Gurney filed a lawsuit against Ary, seeking the court to set aside the earlier forfeiture and rescind the sale of the lunar sample return bag.



"NASA was denied the opportunity to assert its interest in the lunar bag," the two attorneys wrote. "Had NASA been given notice of the forfeiture action and/or had all the facts about the lunar bag been known, the lunar [sample return] bag would never have gone to a government auction."



"The true identity and ownership of the lunar bag are now known. The failure to give proper notice to NASA can be corrected by setting aside the forfeiture and rescinding its sale," they stated. "These are unusual circumstances that warrant the particular relief sought."




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.
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MU swine center to double its space for modified pigs

An $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will allow the swine center to double its space for animals.
Whats going through Tyrones mind when Fiz and Tyrone read the first extract from The Gazette? After feeling like he has just got through e...
August 4, 2016  Mickey Fuller, a transgender woman, explains a tattoo symbolizing her gender transition. Mickey had her birth name "Carl" tattooed on her arm when she was a teenager. Last year she had it covered with a tattoo of an open cage topped with a bird made of light blue, pink and white; the colors of the transgender pride flag. (Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal)

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By Kevin McKenzie of The Commercial Appeal

Mickey Fuller praises her primary care doctor, but as a transgender woman in Memphis, she's found challenges and sometimes hostility while seeking health care.

After three months, the first endocrinologist overseeing her hormone replacement therapy "told me that he was not comfortable treating someone like me," said Fuller, 46.

Since last September, she's had no success lining up a hospital and urologist covered by her health insurance to perform a key transgender surgery. One hospital denied use of its facilities on religious grounds, she said.

"People are just, you know, especially around here, this being the Bible Belt, people have their own preconceived notions about transgender people," she said.

The issue of discrimination and civil rights in health care for transgender people nationwide, among other protected groups, quietly took a historic step in July.

Six years after its passage, the Affordable Care Act is giving physician practices, hospitals, health insurers and others receiving federal funds new guidelines prohibiting sex discrimination. That includes gender identity, gender stereotyping and pregnancy.

A provision of the health care reform law known as "Section 1557" provided protections based on sex, race, color, national origin, age or disability.

While the protections took effect with the Affordable Care Act in 2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services final rules were published in May and took effect July 18, said David Thornton, a health care and employee benefits attorney with Bass, Berry & Sims in Memphis.

"In all likelihood, it may not change how medical providers treat anyone, but now it's providing basically a federal civil rights law that prohibits a physician practice, or a hospital, or a health insurer who received federal funds from discriminating on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, gender identity and so forth," Thornton said.

It also requires increasing health care access to people with limited English-speaking skills and to people with disabilities.

Estela Ramirez, 39, speaks Spanish and said it was difficult to understand her care and convey her feelings during three weeks in Memphis hospitals. She needed a stem cell transplant because her body stopped producing enough new blood cells.

Ramirez preferred the in-person interpreters available through Methodist Le Bonheur Health Care to the interpreter telephone line provided by Baptist Memorial Healthcare.

"I couldn't understand what the doctor was saying," she said. "I only understood some of the side effects, but not everything. I couldn't ask him any questions or concerns.

"At times, it can be frustrating not being able to tell him how I was feeling," Ramirez said. "I thank God nothing serious happened to me."

Methodist can offer in-person interpreters, live video and a phone service; Baptist offers a service called Language Line available all hours that is compliant with Section 1557, spokespersons said.

More than 25 years since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, issues such as accessible examination tables or restrooms in a physician's office may crop up, said Tim Wheat, program director for the Memphis Center for Independent Living.

Yet, in Memphis and statewide, the biggest obstacle to health care access for people with disabilities is the state's refusal to accept Medicaid expansion dollars that the Affordable Care Act offers, Wheat said.

Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennesse plan would cover an estimated 200,000 low-income people who don't qualify for federally subsidized coverage through the HealthCare.gov insurance market place. The state's Republican-controlled legislature has rejected the governor's plan.

"Often it's people who need preventive care, need basic things to help them live healthy, so they don't get more chronic problems, bedsores, different things like that," Wheat said.

For health care providers, the new regulations will require new steps, Thornton said.

Among them: Naming a compliance coordinator to train workers about the law, notices in various languages informing patients of their rights, and adopting a grievance procedure for complaints. Employee benefits may be affected.

The state's largest insurer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, added gender reassignment coverage this year for fully insured intermediate and large-group customers and will add it beginning in January for small-group and individual insurance, officials said.

Health care discrimination complaints can be filed with the HHS Office of Civil Rights.

"It also created private right of actions where an individual could actually bring a lawsuit alleging violation of this law and seeking damages," Thornton said.

He said gender identity issues are likely to draw the most attention.

The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center maintains a list of doctors who have received good reviews, said Will Batts, executive director for the center.

"I know that it's not just the transgender community, but the whole LGBT community," Batts said.

"Certainly lots of stories about people not feeling comfortable coming out to their physicians because of how they may be treated, especially transgender patients who find quite often that their physicians don't know enough about what transgender means to effectively deal with the issues that they bring up," he said.

Fuller said she's had that experience finding a new endocrinologist, but overcame it by transferring to a more knowledgeable doctor.

Born a boy named Carl and nicknamed Mickey, Fuller said one of her earliest memories was lying in bed and praying that God would change him into a girl during the night.

A motorcycle crash in 1996 left her with dozens of fractures and on disability assistance, which she continues on today, she said. Her landlady died in 2012 meaning to leave her the Midtown house where she lived, but it ended up a in foreclosure and Fuller said she's living there basically as a squatter.

The inflammation that causes her rheumatoid arthritis landed Fuller in a hospital with a heart problem in 2013, she said. It was then that she decided she wanted to spend however many days she has left happy as a transgender woman.

After her first hormone therapy shot, she said she woke up happy, with a life-long depression lifted.

Fuller laughed at the idea that the Affordable Care Act's protections against discrimination will solve her challenges health care.

"I think it's going to take a couple of lawsuits and going probably up to the United States Supreme Court to get a decision," she said.

Commercial Appeal reporter Maria Zamudio contributed to this story.
July 28, 2016: Majestic Grill is now offering waiters and other line workers paid leave. One of the first to take advantage of the benefit was Jennifer McKay, "After 22 years in the service industry it's nice to be able to take off and know you will get paid for the time. Having the owners recognize the employees, that says volumes." (photo by Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE July 28, 2016  Gustavo Barron puts the finishing touch to a lunch order at the Majestic Grill, which offers waiters and other line workers paid leave. (photo by Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) July 28, 2016  Pamas Ross likes the paid time off at the Majestic Grill. The single mother of three says, "I appreciate having the ability to take off with a sick child if I need to and not be short on my check, I applaud and welcome the company's generosity. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

By Cindy Wolff, Special to The Commercial Appeal

For the 10th anniversary of the opening of The Majestic Grille, owners Patrick and Deni Reilly needed a gift that showed not only how much they appreciated the staff for helping make the restaurant successful, but more importantly, how much they loved their employees.

A free steak dinner wouldn't cut it. An employee of the month program wouldn't do.

So when the couple gathered their employees at an anniversary party earlier this year they rewarded their 75 hourly workers with something uncommon for the Memphis area's 42,000 restaurant workers: 40 hours of paid time off.

"I couldn't believe my ears," said Michael Palmer who's worked at the Downtown restaurant for eight years. "It was too good to be true. We were floored."

Throughout the nation, unions are trying to bid up wages for fastfood workers, while in the world of sit-down restaurants, where tips are better, owners like the Reillys have to brainstorm. For the independent restaurant, 40 hours of paid time off for 75 hourly workers bites into profits.

Other businesses might make do while an employee takes vacation, but a restaurant must pay someone to cover the shift. Providing a week off for each employees increased the total spent on employee benefits to just over $100,000, said Patrick, himself a chef in the restaurant.

But the policy gave their staff more than money. For some, it meant a family vacation to the beach, a chance for a daughter to visit parents in Las Vegas, a father to get to know his newborn son, or a day to do "absolutely nothing," which is what Palmer plans to do with his time off.

It can be used for practical purposes, too, such as sick days and doctors visits. The National Partnership for Women & Families for years has insisted paid sick days are key to retaining workers. Notes the Washington think tank: "Paid sick days result in reduced turnover, which leads to reduced costs incurred from advertising, interviewing and training new hires."

Since it opened in 2006, the Reillys increased benefits as the restaurant grew. A major change was when the restaurant offered all of its staff subsidized health, dental and vision insurance. That was about two years before the before the Affordable Care Act made it a federal law.

With that additional expense, many restaurants could never afford paid time off for hourly workers, particularly for the entire staff.

Bert Smythe, an owner of McEwen's, said the Downtown restaurant provides a week of vacation for the back-of-the-house staff. Those are the cooks and dishwashers  employees who make a set hourly wage. The owners don't offer vacation to the servers since their situation gives them more mobility and the chance to make more money.

"The income disparity between those employees and the servers is big," said Smythe. "Servers can switch shifts, make substantially more money, sometimes more than I make, if it's a busy night. The staff in the back makes the same hourly pay whether we are busy or not."

McEwen's also offers a 401(k) plan with a match for all of its employees.

So does Huey's, said Lauren Dean Robinson, president of the Memphis chain.

She said benefits at Huey's have increased as the business grew from the original restaurant at 192 Madison, opened in 1970 by Robinson's late father Thomas Boggs, to a company with eight locations and 425 employees.

"It's really hard for a "mom and pop with just one location to offer those kinds of benefits," Robinson said.

The Majestic Grille doesn't fit that "mom and pop" description in the sense of an aging location passed down from an older generation. But because it's a family-owned business with a close-knit staff, the image isn't too far off.

"We talked about the kind of employee culture we wanted to create since we were all going to be spending a lot of time there," Deni said. "We wrote in our plan how we would treat our vendors, our guests, our employees and investors. One isn't more important than the other, but we knew we'd all be in this together."

The philosophy created a radical way of finding good employees. Candidates filled out multiple application forms with questions that involved scenarios and other indirect ways of getting to know the person they were hiring, she said.

One question: "What brings you joy?" she said, noting this boils down to a simple character trait: Is the person nice?

"It's much more important to hire a nice person than it is to hire an experienced person," Deni said. "You can teach someone how to serve tables or other jobs, but you can't teach nice."

And once they find them, the next step is to retain them. "We believe our employees should have opportunities to enjoy time away from work and to help balance their lives," Patrick said.
He is the life of all,

the salvation of all

faithful and unfaithful,

just and unjust,

pious and impious,

healthy and sick,

young and old

just as the diffusion of light,

the sight of the sun,

and the changes of weather

are for all alike;

for there is no respect

of persons with God.

 John Klimakos
"What does it take to be a G (gangster)? Silence is a must, violence is a plus."

 Tupac Shakur

"Thug 4 Life"

The blogosphere is once again having a field day at the expense of Memphis. Bloggers are making hay over the latest viral video emanating from the Bluff City, one that shows young African-American men viciously attacking an unassuming ice cream truck driver.

The social media chatter is reminiscent of the September 2014 mob attack at Kroger in Poplar Plaza. Only this time, the brutality was far worse.

Late last month, Mamadou Bah, a 54-year-old native of West Africa, was attacked inside his ice cream truck at a Southeast Memphis apartment complex. Bah managed to flee the truck, but the assailants punched, kicked and beat him with a metal bat, and robbed him of $480.

The victim sustained a broken wrist and several facial injuries. The bat qualifies as a deadly weapon, and attempted first-degree murder charges are clearly warranted. Bah easily could have been killed.

Because smartphones are everywhere, a bystander captured the beating on video and posted it to Facebook, where it quickly went viral.

The video also led to unsubstantiated charges that Bah is a predator, because he was seen talking to children in the neighborhood. Well, of course he was talking to kids. Who else is an ice cream vendor supposed to talk to on a hot summer day?

The larger question is: In a civilized society, who commits this kind of viciousness?

The answer: Thugs do.

And I know, that word has become taboo in recent years because it has been appropriated by some to refer only to young African-American criminals. President Barack Obama got pushback for using the word last year to describe rioters and looters in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police.

But I'm sorry. If Dylann Roof, the South Carolina church shooter, is a racist killer, then the guys who attacked Bah are thugs.

Their actions embody the lyrics from "Thugs 4 Life" by Tupac Shakur more than two decades ago in which the late rapper glorified a gangster life full of random violence and misogyny.

Nearly a month ago, hundreds of people  including gang members  shut down bridge traffic in Downtown in a symbolic cry for justice and an end to police brutality.

Mamadou Bah and other innocent victims also deserve our collective cries of outrage.

"I want justice," Bah told WREG-TV last week. "I did nothing to them. They came and beat me, and take my money and broke my truck."

So, what does it take to get rid of a G? An end to the silence is a must, an end to the violence is a plus.
5August 5, 2016 - Michael Key, 9, top left, Kanard Dotson, 6, top right, Jadarreko Austin, 7, bottom right, and Ashton Dotson, 9, bottom left, play a game of Monopoly together in the shade of a porch in Foote Homes. Residents of Foote Homes are in the process of transitioning out of their homes while parents are also enrolling their children in school. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal)

By Jennifer Pignolet of The Commercial Appeal

Despite the sweltering, suffocating, midday heat, Kentanya Wolfe was busy Friday assisting movers packing up her apartment in Foote Homes.

She had to get it done before the weekend  her two children start at their new school on Monday.

"They're ready to go," she said from her porch as the movers continued to work around her. "A new environment."

As Foote Homes  the city's last remaining public housing project  readies for demolition to make way for the city's new South City development, families are beginning their transitions to new homes using vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But of the 385 families who were living in Foote Homes, only about 25 percent have made the transition, according to the Memphis Housing Authority.

With the first day of school Monday in Shelby County, many are facing a push to move now to avoid sending their children to their current school just for a few weeks and then transferring if their new home is in a different neighborhood. The school district fears a third option will seem more favorable  not sending children to any school until the family is settled in their new home.

"There's a lot of them that aren't going to put their kids in school," resident Connie Farley said of her neighbors. She was also speaking for herself  Farley has a 5-year-old child who should be starting kindergarten Monday. But adjusting to one new school is hard enough, she said, and it seemed traumatic to make him adjust twice in rapid fashion.

"If you put kids in some schools and then four weeks later you move  it's going to mess them kids up," she said.

To help families through their transition  and to encourage them to attend a school, no matter which one, on Day 1  the school district has partnered with the housing authority and each family's case worker, providing information about services like registration, transportation and mental health.

Cynthia Alexander Mitchell, the school district's director of family and community engagement, said her office has been working with families to find new schools in the neighborhoods where they end up.

"We encourage them to register at that current school and then do a transfer so that there won't be a loss of instructional time," Alexander Mitchell said.

Helping large numbers of relocating families at once is nothing new for SCS, or for that matter, any urban school district, Chief of Communications Natalia Powers said. Staffing is adjusted regularly, and principals accommodate however many children show up the first day, or at any point during the year.

"I know it seems complex, but it happens everywhere and all the time," Powers said.

This summer alone, the district has helped families moving not only from Foote Homes but also Warren and Tulane Apartment complexes in South Memphis and Whitehaven, which HUD ordered evacuated after the owners failed to provide adequate living conditions in the subsidized housing units.

Among those three areas, the district estimates 800 children already have been or will be uprooted.

Most of the Warren and Tulane families have resettled, with much of that process taking place during the last academic year, Alexander Mitchell said.

The housing authority's new executive director, Marcia Lewis, said all residents from the three properties have their vouchers, but the moving process takes time. Landlords who accept vouchers haven't been as cooperative with making needed repairs to pass HUD inspections as the housing authority had hoped, she said. The housing authority's goal was to have relocations finished by August, but now, the end of October or early November is likely.

Lewis called the partnership with the school district "critical" to the process.

"We are not the education experts," Lewis said. "And without having them as a partner at the table ... we wouldn't be able to provide the key resources for those families to make sure they are successful with their transition."

It remains to be seen how the exodus from Foote Homes will affect enrollment at schools in the area, particularly Booker T. Washington High School. A charter school operating out of a church on Danny Thomas Boulevard already announced it was closing after one year due to low enrollment, and attributed the decline to the loss of residents of Foote Homes.

The school district has offered families the chance to stay in their schools even if they move to a different zone, but they would have to provide their own transportation. For many families, Alexander Mitchell said, that may not be possible. They expect to see a migration both east to Hickory Hill and north to Frayser, although families can go anywhere within a 50-mile radius that will accept housing vouchers and passes an inspection.

"There would have to be available housing in the neighborhood that was accepted by HUD in order for them to stay in the neighborhood," she said. "Nine out of 10 chances are, they will be in a new school in a new neighborhood, in a new setting."

Resident Raquel Austin is moving her family to East Memphis, citing a chance to better all their lives, but will keep her children in school at Downtown Elementary to minimize the amount of adjustment that will be forced onto them. She's just put hundreds of dollars into her van to make sure it's ready to go when she has to drive them back downtown every day.

With its status as a Reward School, the state's list of schools in the top 5 percent for growth, Austin said other parents wish they had the opportunity to send their kids to Downtown Elementary.

"It's best to keep them in there when they're in there," she said.
June 27, 2016- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee congressional candidate David Kustoff as Kustoff's campaign headquarters on Poplar Avenue. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Adrian Sainz, Associated Press

Republican congressional candidate David Kustoff said Friday that he will work to improve national security and cut taxes for farmers if he is elected to the U.S. House in November.

Kustoff, a former U.S. attorney, won the GOP primary for the 8th Congressional District in Tennessee on Thursday. He defeated 12 other opponents who jumped at the chance to fill a House seat that opened up when Republican Rep. Stephen Fincher announced he would not seek re-election after three terms.

The 8th District stretches from suburban Shelby County through 14 other, mostly rural counties in west Tennessee. The 8th District seat is heavily Republican, presenting a challenge to the Democratic primary winner, Rickey Hobson. A loss by Kustoff would be a major upset, experts say.

The top four finishers in the Republican primary were from Shelby County  Kustoff, radiologist George Flinn, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and state Sen. Brian Kelsey. Kustoff won Shelby County and four other counties, with about half of his nearly 17,000 votes coming from Shelby County alone. Shelby County accounted for 40 percent of the votes cast in the GOP primary.

Kustoff insists he will continue to work hard ahead of the general election.

"We're going to be running the same campaign for November that we ran for August," Kustoff said Friday. "I take nothing for granted."

In the run-up to the primary, Kustoff ran television advertisements touting his "law-and-order" background. He served as U.S. attorney for west Tennessee from 2006 to 2008. During that time, his office prosecuted the Tennessee Waltz political corruption cases, which resulted in guilty pleas or convictions for 12 defendants including former state Sen. John Ford.

He returned to private law practice in 2008, but voters did not forget his role as U.S. attorney.

"As I traveled the district, the No. 1 issue people were concerned about was national security and law enforcement," Kustoff said. "Serving as United States attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, it gave me a good perspective on the challenges we face in the nation to protect ourselves, secure our borders and support the men and women who serve in law enforcement."

Kustoff received an influential endorsement from Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and former presidential hopeful. Kustoff said he served as state director for Huckabee's 2016 presidential campaign and they are friends. The endorsement landed strongly with conservative voters.

James Murray, a 57-year-old who works for the engineering department in the city of Memphis, said he voted for Kustoff on Thursday.

"If Mike Huckabee endorsed him, then I voted for him," said Murray, who cast his ballot at a church in Eads.

Murray said Huckabee backed Kustoff "probably because he's honest."

"He'll run it straight down the line; he won't be bought by folks," Murray said of Kustoff.

Kustoff said another important issue for voters in the 8th District is the economy, including the lasting effects of the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2008. He will work to create jobs and reduce tax rates on individual citizens and businesses, including farms, Kustoff said.

"If we can reduce the tax rates on businesses across the board, for those in the farming community, they're going to have the ability to create more jobs, to invest, to pay better salaries and wages, to put more money into research, to buy equipment," Kustoff said.

In a statement, state Republican Party chairman Ryan Haynes called Kustoff a "thoughtful conservative" in the mold of Fincher.

Also running in the November election are independents Shelia L. Godwin, James Hart, Adrian M. Montague, Mark Rawles and Karen Free Spirit Talley-Lane.
State Rep. Joe Armstrong, right, with his attorney Gregory P. Isaacs, arrives for a hearing Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

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By Jamie Satterfield, USA TODAY NETWORK  Tennessee

KNOXVILLE  After just more than an hour of deliberations Friday, a federal jury pondering the fate of state Rep. Joe Armstrong on tax fraud charges had a question and a request.

The eight-woman, four-man jury wanted to know what Tennessee law says about the "culpability of a citizen using a paid preparer," and they wanted a calculator.

Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips refused to answer the question, telling jurors "all the relevant law involved in this case has been provided to you," and denied the calculator request.

With that, the jury opted to go home for the weekend. Deliberations resume Monday.

The question puzzled both sides since Armstrong, D-Knoxville, is charged with violating federal law, not state statutes. But the query was in step with Armstrong's defense that he relied upon the advice of his longtime accountant, Charles Stivers, to handle the taxes on a windfall the veteran lawmaker made on a 2007 sin tax hike.

Armstrong has been standing trial this week on charges he conspired with Stivers to hide from the IRS  and the voting public  his profiteering from a cigarette tax stamp hike that his vote helped pass. He is also charged with tax evasion and filing a false tax return.

The line of demarcation between prosecutors Charles Atchley Jr. and Frank Dale and defense attorney Gregory P. Isaacs is simple  either Stivers, a confessed liar and thief, told the truth when he said Armstrong told him to launder the $321,000 through Stivers' company to hide its source or Armstrong is a victim of Stivers, who lied to the lawmaker and stole the money meant to go toward Armstrong's taxes.

Armstrong may be "a very impressive man," Atchley told jurors. "But greed does funny things to people.  Regardless of the legality of this transaction, I submit to you it just looks really, really bad for a sitting legislator who is voting on a bill to profit from it. Mr. Armstrong is not a stupid man. He knows that."

Isaacs countered that the government, like Armstrong, relied on Stivers to build its case and, in so doing, cast its lot with a man who has now admitted he ran various tax evasion and theft schemes and has repeatedly lied about his role in the Armstrong case.

Prosecutors "made a deal with the devil," Isaacs said. "They were sleeping with the enemy. They invited him to sit right there (on the witness stand) and ask you to believe him."

Earlier in the day, Armstrong spent nearly three hours on the witness stand. He did not sway from his position that Stivers misled him about taxes on the $321,000 he made in a deal with a Knoxville-based tobacco wholesaler, Tru Wholesale, to buy stamps at the pre-hike rate and sell them after the increase was signed into law.

Armstrong readily admitted he made a deal to buy the tax stamps before the 42-cent hike went into effect and earned a profit once the stamps were sold. He insisted there was nothing unusual about that. Nearly all lawmakers are employed outside the Legislature and often vote on bills that could enrich them, he said.

Armstrong conceded he did not list the investment on a financial disclosure form. He called the omission a "mistake," attributable to the newness of the form itself, which he said was put into use in paper form in 2006 and electronically in 2007. He pointed out he cited a House rule signaling a conflict of interest when he voted in a subcommittee on the bill, although the rule number he cited referenced family members serving as lobbyists.
SHARE The Commercial Appeal files August 7, 1952  Senator Kenneth McKellar, who lives at the Gayoso Hotel while in Memphis, cast his vote at 162 South Second Street on Aug. 7, 1952. The elderly senator was beaten in his race for re-election to the Senate by Representative Albert Gore (not pictured), ending the 42-year congressional career of Senator McKellar.

Aug. 6

25 years ago: 1991

The crunch in this fall's election of City Court judges comes in Division 2, where four candidates want to replace General Sessions Judge Larry Potter. The race for the position of City Court clerk is also crowded, with seven candidates. The Oct. 3 election will decide what candidate replaces Judge Potter, who left a City Court judgeship in July to assume the bench of a new General Sessions environmental court. Debra Pace Branan, 39, was appointed to the post until a new judge is seated. She isn't a candidate.

50 years ago: 1966

CHICAGO  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was struck on the head by a rock and a white youth was wounded by a knife thrown at King late Friday as rioting broke out in an all-white neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side. King, who was not seriously injured by the rock, said after the rioting subsided that he had never seen such hate and that the group would return at a later date to the area. King said Chicago was worse than any Southern city.

75 years ago: 1941

WMC, radio station of The Commercial Appeal, has been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to increase its night power to 5,000 watts, H.W. Slavic, WMC manager, said yesterday.

100 years ago: 1916

The plea of his wife after she had caused his arrest secured the release of S.J. Jeffries, Lauderdale Street, yesterday in City Court. Jeffries was charged with beating his wife. Judge Stickley released Jeffries after he had promised to behave in the future.

125 years ago: 1891

The meeting of Mississippi farmers in Memphis the 19th instant, to consider a reduction of price for picking cotton, promises to be a very large one. It is not possible for the farmers to pay more than 50 cents per 100 pounds for picking and derive any profit whatever.
Justin Short waits in the hall to go to his writing class during his first year at Northeast State Community College on the Tennessee Promise scholarship. (Samuel M. Simpkins/The Tennessean)

SHARE Tennessee Promise student Tahj Turnley fills out paperwork while servicing a car at the Nissan dealership in Cool Springs. He attends the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Hohenwald campus in Spring Hill. (Samuel M. Simpkins/The Tennessean)

By Adam Tamburin, USA TODAY NETWORK  Tennessee

NASHVILLE  It would be hard to overstate the impact of Tennessee Promise on Justin Short's life.

The state's innovative and trendsetting scholarship program, which has become one of Gov. Bill Haslam's signature accomplishments, has enabled the Kingsport, Tenn., student to attend community college tuition-free. He says higher education, and a chance at a better life, would have been an impossible dream without it.

But attending college hasn't been easy. The teenager struggled to make sense of remedial coursework, and he couldn't afford to avoid a punishing work schedule that sometimes chipped away at his attention.

Still, Short remains determined to be the first person in his family to earn a college degree. In a recent series of text messages  the communication style of choice for many of his peers in the scholarship program  his youthful enthusiasm shone through the stress.

How did he feel about next semester, only a couple weeks away? It's "on like Donkey Kong," he said.

Going into its sophomore year, the trajectory of Tennessee Promise parallels Short's journey. There have been challenges, but it appears to be aging well, according to interviews with several officials.

Experts tied the scholarship program to a surge of about 4,000 extra high school graduates who went to college in fall 2015, compared to the year before. And Tennessee Promise has repeatedly been singled out as a success story as more states  and the White House  mull their own programs to send students to college tuition-free.

That's not to say Tennessee's program isn't evolving as it prepares to send a second crop of students into college this fall. But changes are being made with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.

"We're not looking to do any large overhaul," said James Snider of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, who helps students understand and navigate the program's requirements.

Officials at the state and college levels said they are smoothing over details of the program. They hope to improve their approach to federal aid requirements and student morale, among other things, while the big picture stays the same: send thousands of high school graduates to community and technical colleges tuition-free.

Snider helped push one of the most significant changes to the program this year, based on what he called a "hiccup" with federal aid that led to some students losing the scholarship during year one.

Leaders have long cited the cumbersome Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which students must file to be Tennessee Promise-eligible, as a key barrier to the program. After filing their FAFSA, some students are required to verify their applications, which can be an especially complicated ordeal for families that are unfamiliar with the process of applying for and going to college.

Last year, some students failed to complete their verification by the Aug. 1 deadline and lost the scholarship. So the corporation, which oversees the financial elements of Tennessee Promise, relaxed the rules this year, meaning students only needed to file paperwork to start  not finish  the process by the verification deadline.

New federal rules surrounding the FAFSA that go into effect this fall are expected to streamline the process for the vast majority of students, allowing them to use older, more accessible tax data to submit their applications months ahead of time.

Mike Krause, the executive director of Tennessee Promise, called that change, announced by the Obama administration in 2015, "an incredible win for students."

"That is going to change things dramatically for this program. In a good way," Krause said. "FAFSA and the FAFSA verification process represent a hurdle for students, particularly low-income students."

To capitalize on that change this fall, tnAchieves, the state's partner organization for Tennessee Promise, will begin pushing high school seniors and their counselors to file the FAFSA in October, before they need to apply for the scholarship. Krissy DeAlejandro, the executive director of tnAchieves, predicted that moving the process earlier could mean more kids ultimately wind up going to college.

Elsewhere, many changes have been based on lessons learned about the best way to work with teenagers, particularly those who are not familiar with the college process. Tennessee Promise was designed to appeal to students who were the first in their families to pursue higher education.

During the first year of the program, one lesson came through loud and clear at several different levels: When it comes to communication, more is better.

Early feedback from students and their parents urged more reminders and messages as students work through the series of scholarship requirements, including meetings and community service. So Snider's team has doubled down on text messages and emails, sending many more out during year two.

"From some of the students' perspectives they might consider it over-communicating," Snider said with a laugh.

The second class of Tennessee Promise students should begin to notice more communication when they arrive on campus this fall, as well. In 2015, the first class of Tennessee Promise students arrived at college to find overflowing parking lots and hallways packed with older, more experienced students.

This fall, the Tennessee Board of Regents, which oversees community and technical colleges, has laid the groundwork for a cheerier welcome that might ease the intimidation factor as students adjust to their new surroundings.

Board of Regents Chancellor David Gregory directed each of the state's community and technical colleges to develop special programming at the beginning of the semester to welcome Tennessee Promise students to campus. School staff will hang special banners and pass out free sunglasses, an illustration of the theme, "My Future's So Bright."

"Many of them are first-generation college students, and we want them to know that we're glad they're here and that help is available by just asking for it," Gregory said in a statement.

Starting this year, the push for more communication reached past students in colleges and high schools. Staff members with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission introduced the program to eighth-graders across the state this spring, and Krause, the Tennessee Promise director, said those efforts would become more intense as the program moves into maturity.

"Ultimately, we'd like to be able to engage the students at fifth and sixth grade," he said. "The reality is the conversation around going to college doesn't start in the junior year of high school."

Tennessee Promise by the numbers

$10.6 million: Estimated cost to the state for sending Tennessee Promise students to school during the 2015-16 school year.

$361.1 million: Size of the endowment for the Tennessee Promise scholarship. Lottery reserves will be added to the endowment as they become available.

$1.3 million: State funding, provided by two rounds of grants, to bankroll college-level improvements related to Tennessee Promise.

16,291: Number of Tennessee Promise students who enrolled in college last fall.

80.6: percent of those students re-enrolled this spring.

59,635: Students who applied to use the Tennessee Promise scholarship during the 2016-17 school year. Although many of those students will decide to go to a university or pursue another option, officials expect more than 18,000 of them will ultimately use the scholarship.
April 18, 2016  Construction workers continue progress on the 75-acre, $975 million TVA natural gas-fired electrical generating plant that will replace the Allen Fossil Fuel plant at the Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park. Roughly 280 workers are working shift around the clock to the keep the project on schedule. (Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Tom Charlier of The Commercial Appeal

On a low-lying plain that bakes in the August sun, some 450 workers are laying the groundwork for really big things: 300-ton gas turbines from South Carolina, 10-story-tall heat-recovery steam generators from South Korea and, from a plant literally just up the road, transformers the size of boxcars that will be rolled in on special buggies.

Costing $975 million, the Tennessee Valley Authority's Allen Combined Cycle Plant in Southwest Memphis is one of the largest construction projects in local history. With construction nearly 20 percent complete, the facility now is receiving the huge components that account for more than half the plant's cost.

By barge, rail and by ships navigating the newly widened Panama Canal, the equipment will continue to roll in during the coming weeks.

"I couldn't imagine a bigger project," said Dan Tibbs, TVA's general manager of major projects.

The federal utility is building the natural gas-fired electrical generating plant on an approximately 75-acre tract just south of the Allen Fossil Plant, the 57-year-old coal-burning facility that it will replace. TVA estimates that the construction, which is slated for completion in June 2018, is pumping $233 million into the Memphis economy.

The new plant will generate 1070 megawatts  a capacity 52 percent higher than the old one and enough power to serve 580,000 homes. All the while, it will emit far less air pollution, with carbon dioxide releases cut 60 percent and smog-causing nitrogen oxides slashed 90 percent.

The plant is called a combined-cycle facility because of the extra-efficient two-phase process it employs. The gas-fired combustion turbines will generate power as they spin, and then the heat leaving the turbines will be captured to produce steam and generate more power.

Planning for the new facility began after TVA entered into agreements in 2011 settling alleged Clean Air Act violations at Allen and other coal-fired plants. The agreements, with state and federal regulators and environmental groups, required TVA to either retire the plants or equip them with costly pollution-control equipment by December 2018. The agency's board voted two years ago to build a new plant in Memphis.

Last year, TVA signed a $452 million contract with Kiewit Power Group Inc. of Lenexa, Kansas, to construct the plant, with equipment accounting for most of the remainder of the project's price tag. Construction activity will peak early next year when the workforce on site grows to as much as 700, Tibbs said.

Currently, the intense heat poses one of the biggest challenges at the plant. Several large and well-marked hydration stations dot the site, but that didn't prevent one worker last week from experiencing a minor heat illness, TVA officials said.

"The heat has been difficult, but it's manageable," Tibbs said.

TVA spokesman Chris Stanley said there have been a half-million man-hours logged at the construction site "with no recordable injuries."

While construction continues, TVA is studying its options for obtaining the cooling water that will be continuously circulating through the plant.

As The Commercial Appeal reported in January, the agency is considering drawing water from as many as five wells drilled into the Memphis Sand aquifer. An average of about 2,400 gallons per minute, or 3.5 million gallons daily, would be pumped to replace the cooling lost to evaporation.

TVA has considered using other sources, including "gray water" from the nearby T.E. Maxson South Treatment Plant, and purchasing water from the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division. But the wells appear least costly of the options, agency officials say.

"Whatever we do, we need a very reliable source of water," Tibbs said.

According to the Supplemental Environmental Assessment issued by the agency in April, a groundwater model developed by the U.S. Geological Survey indicates the pumping would have little effect on the aquifer. The most likely pumping scenario would cause the water table to drop 7 feet at the plant site and 4 feet within a mile diameter of the plant.

The withdrawals would have little effect on the aquifer, which is hundreds of feet thick, and no impact on other water users, TVA said.

"We wouldn't even pursue this option if there was an impact," Tibbs said.
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By Ari Berman

In a span of two weeks, federal courts have struck down Republican-backed voting restrictions in six states, including laws that required strict forms of government-issued ID to cast a ballot, cut back on early-voting days and made it harder to register. The rulings found that the laws  in Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, North Dakota, Kansas and Wisconsin  violated the Voting Rights Act by discriminating against people of color, sometimes "with almost surgical precision."

Rather than see these rulings as a victory for democracy, Donald Trump says they will lead to a record number of fraudulent votes for Hillary Clinton in November. "The voter-ID situation has turned out to be a very unfair development," Trump told The Washington Post. "We may have people vote 10 times. . . . Why not? If you don't have voter ID, you can just keep voting and voting and voting."

Just how easy would it be to rig an election, as Trump suggests Democrats are preparing to do? How many people would it require, what tactics would they have to use, and how many votes would they need to flip a major contest or state?

The most common way to steal an election is through old-fashioned vote buying, using absentee ballots that are cast without the supervision of poll workers. During a 1996 primary election in rural Dodge County, Ga., rival candidates in the sheriff and county commissioner races went so far as to set up vote-buying tables at opposite ends of the county courthouse, offering voters $20 to $60 per ballot. County officials likened it to "an auction" or "a flea market." One race was decided by nine votes, the other by 31.

The not-so-subtle scheme, however, soon attracted federal scrutiny. Absentee ballots accounted for 15 percent of the total votes, in a state where they rarely exceeded 10 percent. And many residents of the county were in on the fraud or knew about it. Forty voters testified at a federal trial that they were paid by one side or the other, and a grand jury indicted 21 locals, a record number for illegal vote buying. The results were overturned, and new elections were held under federal supervision.

There's the rub: Large-scale voter fraud is usually easy to detect and can rarely sway anything but close local races. "The more people it takes to pull off a form of fraud, the more likely you are to get caught," says Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice. "To the extent that there are absentee-ballot fraud scandals, they are in local elections. You could never do it on the scale to effect a congressional, statewide or national race."

If you can't steal an election from the outside, another strategy is to find someone on the inside. In Cudahy, Calif., in Los Angeles County, city officials in 2007 and 2009 systematically opened secret ballots, then resealed and counted them if they were cast for incumbents, or discarded them if they were not.

This sort of scheme can be done in one or two elections, but it's difficult to keep secret  the city manager and mayor confessed to the election rigging after pleading guilty to bribery and extortion. Moreover, it wouldn't be possible in a state or federal election, in which the counting of ballots is closely monitored.

Another way to manipulate an election result is by tampering with electronic voting machines, especially in the 14 states where there is no verifiable paper trail. The machines could be modified by election officials or hacked by outsiders, a particular concern after recent hacks on the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. "We are actively thinking about election cybersecurity," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said this past week, announcing that the Obama administration is planning new steps to protect the country's voting system.

But with the rare exception, such as in a small Kentucky county , elections have not been decided by corrupting the results of electronic voting machines. Nor do Republicans like Trump focus on this as a major threat, perhaps because it has been a much greater concern on the left than on the right.

Election experts agree that voter impersonation fraud, which voter ID laws are meant to address, is exceedingly rare and the most inefficient way to steal an election. Every state requires some proof of identity at the polls, whether it's providing your name and address at the correct precinct, signing a matching signature, or showing a form of ID (a voter registration card, utility bill or driver's license). "Donald Trump said people are voting 10 times  I'd like to see him try to do that," says Lorraine Minnite, a political scientist at Rutgers University at Camden and the author of "The Myth of Voter Fraud."

If Trump wanted to vote 10 times in New York  a state that requires voters to sign their names at the polls rather than show a photo ID  he'd have to vote in 10 different places, know the names and addresses of nine different registered voters in nine precincts, be able to forge their exact signatures, and know that they hadn't voted yet. Each fraudulent vote would carry a penalty of five years in jail and a $10,000 fine, plus additional state penalties.

The risk of getting caught for voter impersonation far outweighs the reward of a few extra votes. That's why there have been only 31 credible incidents of impersonation out of 1 billion votes cast in the United States since 2000 . In comparison, there are about 30 deaths by lightning in the country each year. "I could not find a single example from the 1980s onward where voter impersonation could have swung one election or that there was any kind of conspiracy to do so," says Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine and the author of "The Voting Wars."

Indeed, in the past Trump has had difficulty voting once, let alone 10 times. In 2004, he had to visit three polling places because his son, Donald Trump Jr., had moved to a new address, which inadvertently changed Trump's polling location, too. He angrily cast a provisional ballot after his name wasn't on the rolls at any of the sites.

Voter ID laws in states such as North Carolina actually make voter fraud more likely by requiring strict ID for in-person voting, where fraud is rare, but exempting the ID requirement from absentee ballots, where fraud is more common, thus encouraging some voters to cast ballots using a less-secure method. An exhaustive study of 2,068 alleged election-fraud cases since 2000 by News21, a project of Arizona State University, found 10 cases of voter impersonation vs. 491 cases of absentee-ballot fraud (which is still quite unusual and rarely determines the outcome of an election).

By questioning the integrity of the ballot, Trump is merely amplifying a strategy the GOP has pursued for two decades, one less about stopping fraud than about making it harder for Democratic-leaning constituencies to vote. John McCain said in 2008 that ACORN, the liberal political organizing group, was "on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history." In 2012, after TV networks called the election for President Obama, Trump went on a Twitter rant about the Electoral College. "This election is a total sham and a travesty," he tweeted. "We are not a democracy!" Minnite has called the GOP's fixation with voter fraud "a new Southern strategy" that has energized the Republican base by "tarring . . . Democrats as cheaters."

The real threat of election-rigging lies not in the small number of voting irregularities, which Trump and many Republicans have blown wildly out of proportion, but in the much larger number of people disenfranchised by new voting restrictions.

"A preoccupation with mostly phantom election fraud leads to real incidents of disenfranchisement, which undermine rather than enhance confidence in elections," U.S. District Judge James Peterson wrote in adecision striking down Wisconsin's voting restrictions on July 29.

In North Carolina, for example, the watchdog group Democracy North Carolina documented more than 2,300 cases of voters whose ballots were rejected in 2014 because of the state's elimination of same-day registration and out-of-precinct voting. That was 1,150 times greater than the two cases of voter impersonation committed in North Carolina from 2002 to 2012, out of 35 million votes cast.

In the end, it's much easier to lose your rightful vote than to gain an extra one.

Ari Berman, a senior contributing writer for the Nation, is the author of "Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America." He wrote this for the Washington Post.
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By Charles Krauthammer

WASHINGTON  Donald Trump, the man who defied every political rule and prevailed to win his party's nomination, last week took on perhaps the most sacred political rule of all: Never attack a Gold Star family. Not just because it alienates a vital constituency, but because it also reveals a shocking absence of elementary decency and of natural empathy for the most profound of human sorrows  parental grief.

Why did Trump do it? It wasn't a mistake. It was a revelation. It's that he can't help himself. His governing rule in life is to strike back when attacked, disrespected or even slighted. He judges every action, every pronouncement, every person by a single criterion  whether it/he is "nice" to Trump.

Vladimir Putin called him brilliant (in fact, he didn't, but that's another matter) and a bromance is born. A "Mexican" judge rules against Trump, which makes him a bad person governed by prejudiced racial instincts.

House Speaker Paul Ryan criticizes Trump's attack on the Gold Star mother, so Trump mocks Ryan and praises his primary foe. On what grounds? That the rival is an experienced legislator? Is a tested leader?

Not at all. He's "a big fan of what I'm saying, big fan," attests Trump.

You're a fan of his, he's a fan of yours. And vice versa. Treat him "unfairly" and you'll pay. House speaker, Gold Star mother, it matters not.

Of course we all try to protect our own dignity and command respect. But Trump's hypersensitivity and unedited, untempered Pavlovian responses are, shall we say, unusual in both ferocity and predictability.

This is beyond narcissism. I used to think Trump was an 11-year-old, an undeveloped schoolyard bully. I was off by about 10 years. His needs are more primitive, an infantile hunger for approval and praise, a craving that can never be satisfied. He lives in a cocoon of solipsism where the world outside himself has value, indeed exists, only insofar as it sustains and inflates him.

Most politicians seek approval. But Trump lives for the adoration. He doesn't even try to hide it, boasting incessantly about his crowds, his standing ovations, his TV ratings, his poll numbers, his primary wins. The latter are most prized because they are empirical evidence of how loved and admired he is.

Prized also because, in our politics, success is self-validating. A candidacy that began as a joke, as a self-aggrandizing exercise in xenophobia, struck a chord in a certain constituency and took off. The joke was on those who believed he was not a serious man and thus would not be taken seriously. They, myself emphatically included, were wrong.

Winning validated him. Which brought further validation in the form of endorsements from respected and popular Republicans. Chris Christie was first to cross the Rubicon. Ben Carson then offered his blessings, such as they are. Newt Gingrich came aboard to provide intellectual ballast.

Although tepid, the endorsements by Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were further milestones in the normalization of Trump.

But this may all now be jeopardized by the Gold Star gaffe. (Remember: A gaffe in Washington is when a politician inadvertently reveals the truth, especially about himself.) It has put a severe strain on the patched-over relationship between the candidate and both Republican leadership and Republican regulars.

Trump's greatest success  normalizing the abnormal  is beginning to dissipate. When a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal columnist (Eugene Robinson) and a major conservative foreign-policy thinker and former speechwriter for George Shultz under Ronald Reagan (Robert Kagan) simultaneously question Trump's psychological stability, indeed sanity, there's something going on (as Trump would say).

The dynamic of this election is obvious. As in 1980, the status quo candidate for a failed administration is running against an outsider. The stay-the-course candidate plays his/her only available card  charging that the outsider is dangerously out of the mainstream and temperamentally unfit to command the nation.

In 1980, Reagan had to do just one thing: pass the threshold test for acceptability. He won that election because he did, especially in the debate with Jimmy Carter in which Reagan showed himself to be genial, self-assured and, above all, nonthreatening. You may not like all his policies, but you could safely entrust the nation to him.

Trump badly needs to pass that threshold. If character is destiny, he won't.

Contact Charles Krauthammer at letters@charleskrauthammer.com.
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By Noah Feldman

The entire cash-on-a-pallet debate about the $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran in January rests on a single assumption: that paying ransom for hostages is a bad thing. But it isn't, at least not always.

All negotiations and transactions depend on leverage. Hostages are a form of leverage, and so is money. So is military force. Frequently, paying ransom is the least expensive and most effective way to achieve the goal of recovering hostages.

And on close reflection, ransom payments don't really create new incentives for bad actors to take hostages  because those incentives already exist, and can't be eliminated by insisting that paying ransom is something the U.S. will never do.

Why does a country like Iran take hostages in the first place? Simply put, it's trying to get vastly stronger actors, like the U.S., to do what it wants. In this way, a hostage-taking country is not so different from a brigand in an unpoliced area who takes hostages as a moneymaking venture. The kidnapper is exploiting two vulnerabilities.

First, the kidnapper can get hold of a person who is unprotected, and can't easily be caught without the hostage being harmed. Second, the hostage wants to live freely  and the hostage's friends and family want the same thing for him or her.

There are really only two ways to eliminate hostage-taking, and they correspond to the two vulnerabilities.

One is not to get grabbed in the first place. That isn't very realistic for all Americans, who travel freely around the globe and sometimes make themselves vulnerable to capture.

The other is not to care about the hostage being taken at all. At the personal level, that requires both hostages and their friends and family to be prepared to accept indefinite or even permanent detention. Understandably, that's extremely rare.

At the national level, not caring would require a broadly shared political value that accepts the detention or death of Americans as the price we all pay for our freedom to travel and our nation's global power. Such a Spartan view isn't realistic in our democracy, and I'm not sure it would be ethically desirable even if it were.

The upshot is that American hostages will inevitably be taken, and Americans, including some in the government, will inevitably want to get them back.

The question, then, is whether it's a sensible principle for the U.S. never to pay ransom to do so.

Here the answer is an unequivocal no. The alternative to paying ransom is to use economic sanctions or to threaten force. Those are both good tools of foreign policy, but both are blunt instruments rather than scalpels.

Economic sanctions harm an entire country or industry, and are also often costly to those who impose them.

Force could be directed specifically at recovering particular hostages, but as President Jimmy Carter's failed attempt should remind us, it's hard to execute. Other forms of force may kill innocent bystanders or otherwise strengthen anti-American sentiment.

In contrast, paying ransom is the simplest and most direct way to get back hostages, presuming you want them returned.

But what about the incentive it creates for more hostage-taking? My Bloomberg View colleague Eli Lake points out that "when it comes to Iran, ransom payments are standard operating procedure"  a statement that is 100 percent true. And he adds that the Iranians have learned that hostage-taking works, which is also perfectly accurate.

But Iran didn't need the U.S. to teach it that hostage-taking is effective. The incentive to take hostages is immediately obvious to anyone trying to gain leverage over a more powerful actor. There's a reason hostage-taking is as old as recorded history.

And that's why it's a bit absurd to think that the U.S. should never pay ransom  because refusing to pay ransom will make it much harder to get back hostages without eliminating the incentive to take them in the first place.

It sounds tough to say that we don't pay ransom. But we do; we have; and we will  so long as we care about our citizens, and so long as humans are willing to use other humans as leverage to accomplish their goals.

Noah Feldman, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard.
When Dr. Johnson defined patriotism as the last refuge of a scoundrel, he ignored the enormous possibilities of the word reform.

If the Conservative Party still has anywhere suitable for the carving in stone of an essential motto, I humbly submit that Roscoe Conklings above-quoted jewel be strongly considered for inclusion.

Reform, like modernisation, is a word to whom nobody can object. Who doesnt want reform? Who doesnt want things to be modern? This cunning linguistic formulation allows people to paint change as desirable, even inevitable, even if on closer inspection it isnt actually effective.

I mention this because this mornings Sun reports that Theresa May, in response to David Camerons discreditable resignation honours, is mulling the possibility of an elected upper house.

This is a really bad, not to mention deeply un-Conservative, idea  and if it does indeed get advanced as part of the Governments programme then the rebels who killed it in the last Parliament must kill it again.

Few would claim that the current arrangements in the House of Lords are working particularly well  not least because Liberal Democrat peers are actively subverting it in order to act like senators and oppose, rather than merely scrutinise, legislation.

That should be the first hint that the possibility of having an elected Lords which still fulfilled its expert, subservient function is for the birds.

Yet there are plenty more. A new Senate would almost certainly be elected by some form of PR, filling the red benches with representatives of parties that, for various mixtures of high principle and self interest, firmly believe in electoral reform.

Is it plausible that members elected on what they considered to be a superior democratic mandate would be subservient to the Commons? It seems a remote prospect.

Nor would the expert function last long either. Once access to the Lords was decided by election the only peers remaining  barring some holdout mechanism for an unelected remnant  would be the inexpert, partisan ones.

What youd end up with would essentially be a duplicate Commons, which down the line would entail legislative gridlock and even more constitutional wrangling.

It cant be said often enough: objecting to an unelected second chamber does not, in itself, make the case for an elected one. It merely makes the case for abolishing the House of Lords.

Thats why Steve Hilton was so wrong to say, as he did in a recent Times () article, that: until we have a fully elected legislature, we cannot call ourselves a true democracy. The supreme element of our constitution, the Commons, is elected. It is not essential  indeed it is sub-optimal  for all parts of it to be so.

Rather than being a defect, being unelected is essential to the proper functioning of an advisory arm of the constitution. It enhances the second chambers role in our Parliamentary democracy, just as the Queens hereditary position does hers.

Just the same, but with democracy is simply not an option. A mandate changes the nature of the institution and the character of the people occupying it.

Stripped of the empty rhetoric about the niceness and modernity of elections, what exactly is the case for a Senate?

We already have a strong and maturing system of political legislative scrutiny via Westminsters committee system  and if one wanted more partisan politicians to hold the executive to account, stop cutting the number of seats the Commons

That would also dilute the percentage power of the payroll vote. How can we have several hundred more sort-of MPs who are less able to scrutinise the Government? is not a question anybody is asking.

None of this is to say that the system is fine as it is. Far from it: Tony Blair was the constitutional equivalent of a surgery addict, trying to twist Britain into the United States with all the success of that lady who wants to look like a cat.

Just like devolution, Blairs ill-planned reforms to the House of Lords have created an open-ended bloat which is putting the constitution under strain  and thrusting it constantly back into the limelight.

The Conservatives must, with a steady hand and sharp scalpel, try to fix the damage as best we can.

For the Lords this should include clearer codification of its advisory function, reform of appointments so that the balance of power always rests on the crossbenches, and a sharp one-time cull of the partisan peers.

(It should not focus primarily on the size of the House: a large cloud of expert peers who only turn up when theyre needed, and only get paid when they turn up, is a perfectly sensible system.)

But to abolish the House of Lords and invent a Senate (which is what actually happens, even if youre only electing the Lords) would be an act of vacuous vandalism. Burning down a dirty house is more newsworthy than cleaning it, but not wiser.
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EVENTS

Rummage Sale: 7 a.m. to noon Saturday at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 5501 Washington Ave.

Habitat Jubilee Fundraiser: 1-4 p.m. Aug. 13 at Blue Grass United Methodist Church, 14200 Petersburg Road, food booths, crafts and games for kids, concert with quartets, bands and soloists from different churches in the area. The event will raise funds for the Habitat House the United Methodist churches are building.

A Knight for a Day: Sir Kwain dressed in his custom made 16th-century battle armor will share positive messages to youth of all ages from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, 3007 First Ave. Lunch, bake sale, silent auction and theme items will be available for purchase. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary: will have its annual graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Thomas R. Rodgers Conference Center (Providence Church) on the Trinity campus, 4156 Indiana 261, Newburgh.

Men's Day Service: 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Johnson Temple Church of God in Christ, 216 N. Fourth Ave.

The Summer Speaker Series: at Aldersgate United Methodist Church will feature the Rev. John Trnka, retired UCC minister, and Camille Davis, with Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment, about affordable housing, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Sunday in Room 214 at the church.

Ice Cream Social and Car Show: 2-7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at West Side Christian Church, 1200 N. Red Bank Road. Homemade ice cream, food items and drinks will be available for purchase in the Family Life Center. There will also be live music and a cake walk. Car show prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m.

Lord's Acre Dinner and Auction: Aug. 13 at Old Friendship Church, located 4 miles east of Indiana 61 on Indiana 68 in Lynnville. The dinner will start at 4 p.m. with the auction at 6 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and younger. The menu will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes or barbecue pork and creek fries, corn, green beans, slaw, dessert and drink. There will be a country store, an inflatable for the children and a cake walk during the dinner hour. Call 812-983-4618.

The St. Philip Church Summer Social: Aug. 13 and 14. On Saturday, Mass will be at 4:30 p.m. and a pork chop dinner will be served from 5-7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. and a chicken dinner will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dine-in or Drive-thru carryout and bulk barbecue sales will be available both days. The social will also feature, quilts, games, theme baskets and bingo. A cash prize drawing will be Sunday at 8 p.m. for four $1,000 prizes. St. Philip is located 7 miles West of Evansville on St. Philip Road.

Women's Day: 11 a.m. Aug. 14 at Smithfield Baptist Church, 811 Seminary St., Rockport. Kathey Norman will speak on "Women of God Marching On."

Mission Day: 3 p.m. Aug. 14 at Little Valley Missionary Baptist Church. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Connie Baltzell and members from St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

Homecoming: featuring The McCormicks from Panama City, Florida, in music and ministry on Aug. 14 at Free Pentecostal Church, 3201 Fickas Road. Morning service will be at 10:30 with the Rev. Peggy McCormick Venable. Lunch will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Bring a covered dish. Afternoon service will be at 1:30 with Pastor Tommy McCormick. Call 812-457-3425.

Mariah Hill Picnic: Aug. 14 on Indiana 62, East of Dale or West of St. Meinrad. There will be soup, hamburgers, ice cream, soft drinks, inflatables and children's games. Chicken dinners will be served 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Raffle at 4:30 p.m. Free shuttle service available.

St. John the Baptist Mother to Mother Ministry: Fall and Winter children's consignment sale, 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 20 at St. John's, 625 Frame Road, Newburgh. Due to safety, no children younger than 12 are allowed to enter the sale. Babies may be worn in soft carriers. No strollers or car seats as well. Admission is $1. Call 812-490-1000 or email m2msale@gmail.com.

Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery: St. Meinrad, "The Twelve Great Feasts" by Chicago artist Joseph Malham, through Aug. 31 (free). For library hours, call 812-357-6401 or 800-987-7311, or visit saintmeinrad.edu/library/hours/.

Teaching from the Book of Revelation: 11 a.m. every Sunday until completion at Church of God of Prophecy, 3407 Bellemeade Ave. Speaker is Bishop William Gaddis (free). Call 812-459-2359.

The Mighty Acts of God in Zion: The Storyline of the Bible: 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays in the fellowship hall of St. Ananias Orthodox, 4411 Washington Ave.

Old Friendship Church Celebrate Recovery Program: 7 p.m. on Fridays at Oak Hill Christian Center, 4901 Oak Hill Road.

Traditional Roman Catholic Latin Mass: 3 p.m. every Sunday at St. Paul's Chapel, 629 E. Louisiana St.

"Answers to Your Bible Questions": 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday through September at Gospel of Peace Assembly, 3225 Washington Ave. Call 812-402-0066.

music

Concert: featuring the Mark Mudd Family, 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at Cypress Baptist Church, 5166 Indiana 62 West, Boonville.
Photo furnished A belly dancing demonstration by Laci Tucker of Flow Motion with Maggie Cupka Head watching at last year's Live, Love, Latch.

By Abbey Doyle of the Courier and Press

Live, Love, Latch  in its fourth year  is all about supporting breast-feeding.

The La Leche League does that by raising awareness, connecting nursing moms and their families with resources and by showing nursing moms all the people in the community who are there to support them, organizers say.

The event  at 9 a.m. on Aug. 13 at the University of Southern Indiana's Grimm's House  features food, games for children, yoga, breast-feeding speakers, an auction, raffle and other interactive activities. There will be a photographer on hand with limited spots taking family or nursing photos as well.

This is the main fundraising for the La Leche League, a nonprofit run completely by volunteers. Money goes to purchase educational materials, provide needed insurance and for continuing education for leaders.

"If you look at the Live, Love, Latch logo you'll see four women  a doctor, a pregnant mom, a woman who could be postpartum or never had a baby and a breast-feeding mom  all women together to help support and normalize breast-feeding," La Leche League leader Katie Field said.

The event is family friendly and will have activities for kids of all ages, La Leche League leader Marisa Jones said. And it isn't just for those who are currently breast-feeding, or even those who have ever breast-fed. Instead it is for those in the community who want to support breast-feeding and breast-feeding families.

"It can be a lonely time for moms," Field said. "This is a time we to help empower and encourage moms in their role as a breast-feeding mom."

Registration is encouraged. It is $15 per family, including one event T-shirt, for those registering by Wednesday. It is $20 per family, including one event T-shirt, at the door.

Visit squareup.com/store/la-leche-league-of-evansville to register for photo sessions and for the event.
Photos by ALEX SLITZ / COURIER & PRESS Tom Verkamp, of St. Phillips, wears a hat decorated with various pins and a felt chicken while collecting admission during the Germania Maennerchor Volksfest 2016 in Evansville on Friday.

SHARE Willie Taylor, of Evansville, and (from left), Naomi Cox and Dennis Havel, both of Mount Carmel, Ill., joke around during the German festival. ALEX SLITZ / COURIER & PRESS Plates of bratwurst, sauerkraut, beans and German potato salad sit on the bar during Germania Maennerchor Volksfest 2016 in Evansville on Friday.

By Tori Fater, tori.fater@courierpress.com

Boiled pig knuckles as big as a fist and deep-fried kraut balls were visitors' foods of choice at this year's Volksfest.

Families lined up in the Germania Maennerchor building on Fulton Street for plates of bratwurst, German potato salad and sauerkraut as volunteers hustled to get hundreds of pounds of meat and potatoes from the kitchen to people's plates.

"It's a good time to have a good time," said Harold Griese, the club's media chairman.

Griese came prepared for Volksfest with buttons fastened to his red suspenders that read "Kiss me I'm German" and "Instant German, just add bier."

The annual festival, which lasts three days and features German food and music, is in its 55th consecutive year.

"Come be a little German for a few days," Griese said. "We've got too many problems in the world to not have a good time."

For many visitors, Volksfest is a time to catch up with old friends they don't see any other time of year.

"For a lot of people here, it's a class reunion," said Dennis Havel.

Havel and Naomi Cox, both from Mount Carmel, Illinois, said they used to travel through Indiana, performing German waltzes, polkas and Laendlers at festivals. Now, Evansville is their main stop.

They said Volksfest, an annual celebration of German heritage, is one of few that sticks to the traditional music they like. Aside from the music, Havel and Cox both look forward to meeting people who come into town for Volksfest.

"It's a celebration of Evansville's German culture," Havel said.

Gary Ivy and Jeannette O'Day said they look forward to eating kraut balls at the festival every year. Ivy has been to Volksfest almost every year since childhood, and said he comes back for the food, cold beer and the chance to catch up with people he hasn't seen in years.

Volksfest continues through Saturday. Doors open for lunch at 11 a.m. at 916 N. Fulton Ave. People younger than 21 aren't allowed in after 2 p.m., and anyone younger than 25 needs to bring two IDs, including at least one picture ID, for admission. After 4 p.m., there is a cover charge of $5.

This year's festival also features the first Brat Trot, where runners and walkers return to bratwurst and beer after a 5k starting at 8 a.m.
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By Richard Gootee of the Courier and Press

Law enforcement officials are reminding motorists that school is back in session this week and that means more traffic  including the return of the big yellow school bus.

Thousands of Evansville public school students have their first day of school on Wednesday. Warrick County students start that day as well.

For EVSC, high school classes start at 7:30 a.m. at middle and high schools; elementary students start at 8:15 a.m.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding encouraged people to leave a little earlier, especially during these first few weeks of the school year, if they know their commute will intertwine with bus routes.

"The sheriff's office, along with the other law enforcement agencies in Vanderburgh County, will be monitoring the areas around our schools," Wedding said. "We'll have deputies assigned to every school for the first three days, monitoring the traffic in and around our schools.

"In conjunction with that we're going to doing an aggressive-driving program that is paid for by for by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. We'll be looking for speeding and aggressive driving in and around school zones."

Traffic in the first weeks of the new year will be especially tricky as students and parents get used to the routine again.

"The first few days you're going to have people who haven't been to school yet. They don't know the geography there. There's a lot of confusion: busses are coming in, new parents dropping kindergarten students off. Be very vigilant, be very alert as you approach school zones," Wedding said. "We're not going to be very forgiving  if we see somebody driving aggressively we're probably going to stop you and we're going to cite you for dangerous behavior in and around school zones."

Wedding said law enforcement often sees drivers disregarding the stop-arm signs on school busses, which is concerning.

Speaking of busses, the Indiana State Police is tasked with inspecting area busses, and law enforcement reminded motorists that busses come to complete stops at all railroad crossings.

"We have a particular trooper who is responsible for checking over 850 school busses in our area and so far those inspections are going very well," said Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Todd Ringle.

Wedding also urged parents to remind children who wait for busses to not talk to strangers. Though instances of suspicious strangers are rare, cases are reported every year, he said.

"Make sure your child is old enough to understand, 'don't let some person come up and have idle conversations with you and then entice you into a car,'" he said. "Every year, we always get one or two reports of some person trying to entice a schoolkid into a car."
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Visitors to Indiana State Parks this year can play the Centennial Geocache Challenge for a chance to win prizes.

The Centennial Geocache Challenge is a self-guided activity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Indiana State Parks in 2016.

A Centennial Cache is located at each state park. Participants can download a Centennial Geocache Passport at INStateParks100.com. The passport is a game card that resembles a bingo card with park names inside each square. When participants find a Centennial Cache, they stamp the square for the corresponding park using a property-specific stamp inside each cache.

Completing five parks in at least one row on the passport makes the participant eligible for prizes. Completing more rows increases a player's entries into the prize contest. Twelve entries are possible per passport.

Prizes include a 2017 Annual Entrance Permit, $50 camping gift card to state parks, $50 DNR Inns gift card, $25 gift card to Cabela's and Indiana State Parks Centennial Coins.

Information on the caches is at geocaching.com, where you can search by property name or by property ZIP code.

Caches can be found and documented through Oct. 30. Passports must be mailed or scanned and emailed to the challenge organizers at Indiana Dunes State Park by Nov. 6. The mailing address is Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N. 25 E., Chesterton, IN 46304. The email address is dunesnc@dnr.IN.gov. Learn more about geocaching and how caches can be placed on DNR properties at geocaching.dnr.IN.gov.
Screen capture of Tweet from Rep. Larry Bucshon criticizing Evan Bayh's Washington D.C. residence. July 22, 2016. (Photo: Thomas B, Langhorne / Courier & Press)

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By Thomas B. Langhorne of the Courier and Press

Fired up by a July 22 Evansville Courier & Press story about former Sen. Evan Bayh's residency in Washington, D.C., since leaving the U.S. Senate, Larry Bucshon took to Twitter.

The 8th District Republican congressman supports the campaign of neighboring 9th District Rep. Todd Young, the Indiana GOP's candidate to defeat Democrat Bayh in this year's Senate election.

.@EvanBayh rubber stamped ObamaCare & stimulus then moved to DC. Now he's visiting Indiana to run again. #DontBayhIt https://t.co/sdsOdKeY3C  Dr. Larry Bucshon (@DrLarryBucshon) July 23, 2016

".@EvanBayh rubber stamped ObamaCare & stimulus then moved to DC," Bucshon tweeted. "Now he's visiting Indiana to run again. #DontBayhIt"

But last week Bucshon confirmed reports that his wife and preteen daughter will soon move to D.C. to live with him there.

The Bucshons will live in the Capitol Hill condo he bought for $295,000 after his election to Congress in 2010. Bucshon's wife and daughter will move out of the family's 9,500-square-foot, three-acre Warrick County home. Bucshon, 54, was living alone in the condo when Congress was in session, returning to the Warrick County house at other times.

"I want to spend time with my daughter," Bucshon said, noting he missed chunks of his three older children's lives in Warrick County while he was serving in Congress. Those children, he said, have since left the nest.

"My wife and I talked about it and said, 'You know, my daughter's 12, and it would be good if I could spend some more time with her,' " he said.

The 8th district congressman said it also makes sense to "downsize" from his three-story Warrick County home, given that his other children, ages 23, 21 and 18, are gone. He has tried to sell the property since 2014. When it sells, he said, he will buy a smaller home in Newburgh or the East Side of Evansville. Until then, he'll use the larger house when he is in the 8th district.

But while Bucshon said he doesn't intend to make Washington his long-term home, it is clear his family is putting down at least a few roots there.

District of Columbia Health Department records indicate Bucshon's wife, anesthesiologist Kathryn Bucshon, was issued a license May 4 to practice in D.C. Larry Bucshon, a former heart surgeon, confirmed that the couple's daughter will attend a private day school for girls in Washington this fall.

The move is legal. The U.S. Constitution requires only that members of Congress reside in the state they represent when the election is held.

'I'm all over the place'

Bucshon insisted it is not hypocritical to criticize Bayh for his Washington, D.C., residency, saying his and Bayh's circumstances are radically different.

Bayh, 60, is a son of former Sen. Birch Bayh, who represented Indiana in the Senate from 1963-1981. The junior Bayh has lived significant chunks of his life in the Washington, D.C., area.

Now Republican Young is calling Bayh "a wealthy lobbyist from Washington" who hasn't actually lived in the state since leaving the Senate in 2011.

Bayh owns a condo on the North Side of Indianapolis. He has said Indiana is still his legal residence, pointing out that he pays property taxes and gas bills in the state.

But it is clear Bayh has lived primarily in Washington since leaving the Senate. Bucshon called that a key distinction, saying he has made his primary residence in Warrick County while serving in Congress.

"It would be different if I sold all my stuff in Indiana and came out here," Bucshon said from Washington.

The Washington Business Journal reported last year that Bayh and his wife, Susan, paid $2.9 million for a four-bedroom home in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown community. Since December 1998 he and his wife lived in another Northwest D.C. home.

"In the last six years, have we seen Evan Bayh in Indiana? Absolutely not," Bucshon said. "In the last six years, have you seen me in Indiana  even though I spent a lot of time in D.C. because I work here? I'm all over the place.

"People up in Terre Haute say that they've never had more of a presence of a member of Congress in decades."

Unusual

No federal agency or congressional office tracks the living arrangements of members of Congress, but news accounts and anecdotal reports suggest relatively few of the U.S. House of Representatives' 435 members make their primary residence in Washington.

Running for re-election every two years, House members are less likely than U.S. senators to set down roots in Washington. The term of a senator runs six years.

Some House members have publicly speculated that as many as 75 of their colleagues live in their offices while Congress is in session. The arrangement allows members to save on rent or house payments, utility bills and other costs of maintaining a household. Other House members live in rented row houses and apartments, flying home to see their families and make appearances on the weekends. Sometimes they share living space.

Former Rep. John Hostettler, a Republican who represented the 8th district from 1995 -2007, slept in his office for at least part of his tenure. Former Rep. Brad Ellsworth, a Democrat who served from 2007-2011, lived alone in two rented Capitol Hill apartments and one Capitol Hill condo that he owned and later sold.

Members of Congress earn $174,000 annually in salary, plus benefits. They are eligible for health and life insurance plans and a pension plan and may receive an assortment of reimbursements and allowances to fund duties performed as congressional business.

Re-election

Living with family members in Washington, D.C., may not put Bucshon at odds with the law, but it can subject a member of Congress or officeseeker  like Bayh  to criticism that he isn't in touch with constituents back home.

Bucshon will face voters again in just 93 days, when he seeks election to his fourth two-year term. But Democrats may not be positioned to make a major issue of his residency in Washington.

Potential challengers Ron Drake and David Orentlicher, who are awaiting a recount of their May 3 Democratic primary election, have their own residency issues. Each man has accused the other of making politically expedient and questionable claims to 8th District residency.

Having said after his 2010 ascension to Congress that he would not try to make a career of it, Bucshon said last week he isn't taking re-election for granted.

"I don't know what I'll do after Congress, but I was thinking if the people are gracious enough to elect me, five or six terms would probably be what I'd be looking at," he said. "I never say that because I don't want to be presumptuous that I'll get elected five or six times."

Selling the home in Warrick County hasn't been easy for Bucshon. The local market for a million-dollar house isn't a big one.

The house originally hit the market with an asking price of slightly less than $1.4 million. Bucshon is represented by real estate agent Carol McClintock, the wife of Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.

The property's total assessed value has steadily declined since 2013, settling this year at $725,900  and so has the asking price. It is now $999,800.

A Southwestern Indiana Association of Realtors data sheet describes the home as a wooded estate with custom landscaping, "ten foot ceilings, crystal door knobs, and custom woodworking" and other characteristics of a luxury home. Bucshon said he just doesn't need that much house anymore.

"You want to buy a big house?" he said with a laugh.
Sen. Joe Donnelly (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

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By IndyStar, USA TODAY Network

Four U.S. senators sent a letter to the president of USA Gymnastics late Friday to express their "deep concern" about the organization's handling of child sexual abuse allegations.

Citing an IndyStar investigation published Thursday, Democratic senators Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Dianne Feinstein of California, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut asked USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny to provide information on its policies and how they've changed over the last two decades.

"We urge you immediately to take specific actions to ensure that allegations of sexual abuse are promptly reported to appropriate authorities and law enforcement, so that children are protected," they wrote.
Daniel Messel's Kia Sportage car. (Photo: Madeline Buckley / IndyStar)

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On the fourth day of testimony, the jury left the courtroom to view Daniel Messel's SUV.

By Madeline Buckley, IndyStar / USA TODAY Network

Blood was spattered across the grass whereHannah Wilson was discovered beaten to death on the morning of April 24, 2015.

The pattern was predictable to Indiana State Police Sgt. Dean Marks  except for a void where blood should have been. Something blocked the spread of blood in those early morning hours, Marks said.

Marks testified on Friday, the fourth day in the murder trial for Wilson, a 22-year-old Indiana University senior from Fishers.

The silver Kia Sportage owned by 50-year-old Daniel Messel was spattered with blood on the drivers side  almost exclusively on one side of the car, Marks said.

Is the void  consistent with a vehicle? Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams asked Marks.

Yes, he replied.

A field trip

In an unusual move Friday afternoon, Brown Circuit Judge Judith Stewart allowed the jury to leave the courtroom to view Messels SUV.

A yellow school bus transported the jury from the Brown County Courthouse to the sheriffs office, where the silver Kia Sportage was parked in a garage, after authorities moved it from the Indiana State Police post in Bloomington.

The jury circled the vehicle inside the garage, taking in the vehicle that has been the subject of much testimony because of the blood spatter found in the car.

Messel left the courthouse, as well. He stood in the garage as the jury viewed his car, which has been in police custody since his arrest.

From a distance, media also viewed the car, dotted with with orange evidence stickers to mark drops of blood.

About the cigarette butt

A cigarette butt sat on the ground in the isolated Brown County field where Wilson was found dead. There was no other trash nearby.

This cigarette has been discussed at length thus far in the murder trial that has reconstructed Wilson's last moments. She was last seen alive stepping out of a cab near her Bloomington home around 1 a.m. on April 24, 2015. Messel, a man she did not know, is accused of murder in her beating death.

So far, a tiny, seemingly ordinary object has taken on a big role in the trial. The question is: Is it a red herring put forth by the defense to distract the jury from the evidence prosecutors say links Messel to Wilson? Or is the cigarette butt a piece of evidence that police ignored in pursuit of the suspect they quickly singled out?

The cigarette sits at the heart of the case of defense attorney Dorie Maryan. She argues that police zoned in on Messel as a suspect right away, and declined to examine other possibilities. Yet Adams, the prosecutor, has argued that the evidence overwhelmingly points to Messel. His cell phone was found at Wilson's feet at the crime scene. Her blood was found in his vehicle, he said.

Friends have testified that neither Wilson nor Messel smoked. Maryan has pointed out that no other trash was found in the field, and noted that police collected the cigarette, but never tested it for DNA.

In a deposition, ISP crime scene investigator Sgt. Chris Lewis reportedly said he was "astonished" to find one cigarette butt  and no other trash  in the field. He sent it to the lab, but found that it wasn't relevant, and didn't test it.

The jury learned something new Friday morning, though. In a photograph of Wilson's bedroom at the Bloomington home she shared with several sorority sisters, there was an open pack of cigarettes and a lighter tucked under Wilson's mattress, between the box springs.

Maryan noted that Lewis did not collect the pack of cigarettes as evidence. "Even as you said you were astonished to find the cigarette butt?" Maryan asked him.

Still, prosecutors maintained that the cigarette is meaningless.

"Why didn't you collect the pack of cigarettes?" the prosecutor asked Lewis.

Lewis replied that he guessed perhaps Wilson was a "closet smoker." He didn't think the pack had any relevance, or changed anything in regards to the investigation.

In questioning the string of Wilson's friends who told the jury about the parties and bars they attended the night she disappeared, Maryan asked some of them if they smoke. Some did, some didn't.

But in this case, Lewis said, the cigarette is just a cigarette, nothing more.

The trial will resume Monday morning, when jurors may hear from a DNA expert, among other witnesses for the prosecution. Prosecutors have indicated they will likely rest their case Monday, moving the trial into the hands of the defense.
In just one block, Rachelle Rose found everything she needed in her first voyage into Downtown Carlisle.

Were not even a block down and I know where the farmers market is, I know where to buy childrens clothes, I know where to go to church, and were not even through the block yet, she said.

Those discoveries are perhaps the main goal in combining Carlisles August First Friday with The U.S. Army War Colleges Welcome Jam.

The two events are combined to give incoming war college students and their families an up close look at the boroughs businesses, allow for acclimation to the downtown area and even to allow those bossiness to get acclimated to those who may prove to be their newest patrons.

And getting acclimated was just what Rose and her husband, Lt. Col. Lenny Rose, and their daughter were doing Friday evening.

It seems like its going to be great, Lenny Rose said of the borough.

Lt. Col. Greg Ank, garrison commander at the Carlisle Barracks, called the Welcome Jam a great opportunity for them (incoming students and their families) to get their feet wet.

They come in and learn a little bit more about Carlisle, find out what the citys all about, the great places to go eat and shop, Ank said. Its good not only to get them involved in the events early on, but it also brings, of course, commerce to the city and gets them involved.

Many of the incoming students children took part in a downtown scavenger hunt, while some families opted for a tour of the borough on a horse-drawn carriage, and most ambled throughout High and Hanover streets, talking with residents and others new to the area.

Incoming student Kareem Montague, from upstate New York, said he and his four children arrived two weeks ago and are really enjoying ourselves.

His son took some guitar lessons at a music store downtown, the family then had dinner at the Hamilton Restaurant on High Street, and then they made their way around the block where they took a rest on the steps of the Old Cumberland County Courthouse.

This is a great little town and the people are incredibly friendly, Montague said. Theres lots to do, lots of neat history, and everyones very welcoming to all of us coming in.

Carlisles history is something the Rose family noted as well, and will likely be a draw for most of the military buffs looking to make Carlisle their home for the next year.

Theres so much history. Were in the middle of a lot of Civil War and Revolutionary War history, Rachelle Rose said. Its amazing to drive down the streets and see a blue sign and know something major in our history happened in this town.
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Samsung Throwdown

In the release this week of Samsung's newest large-screened smartphone in the Note series, the company went out of its way to associate the device with its popular Galaxy S series. That is, rather than naming the device the Note6 -- the presumed next in the sequence -- Samsung went with the Note7 as the name, calling to mind the hit Galaxy S7 series of smartphones.

And that's not the only similarity, according to some analysts. Based on a review of the specs, Technology Business Research devices analyst Jack Narcotta told CRN that the Note7 has a lot more in common with the S7 than he was expecting. It's clear that "the company's focus is really going to be on the S7" with other devices taking a backseat, said Narcotta.

Still, the Note7 does have some differences from other models that Samsung is banking on drawing interest from users. The CRN Test Center has been taking a look at the specs and prices of the Galaxy Note7 and Galaxy S7 smartphones to give a sense of what sort of users each device is best for.
The Crystal Cruises Serenity made its inaugural call to the Canadian port of Nanaimo on Friday, August 5.

Our warm Central Vancouver Island welcome will be primed for this luxury ship call to our port. With feedback over the years that we host largest cruise ships very well, the Crystal Serenity with 1,070 passengers, is another line that we look forward to working with as our cruise program evolves," said Bernie Dumas, president and CEO of the port.

With passengers getting off the ship, Tourism Nanaimo Travel Counsellors greeted them with Nanaimo Bar samplings and pointed the way to photo opportunities with the RCMP in Red Serge, the Big Tub and displays of racing tubs from the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society.

Economically, this cruise call will have an average immediate impact of over $100,000 to the region. Additionally, passengers seriously consider our destination for a future multi-day visit," said Dumas.
BRIDGEPORTGetting a drivers license and registering to vote should be easier to do at the same time starting on Monday.

In a joint memorandum with the federal agency that sued it in April, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles admitted that it has failed to implement a 1993 law that requires DMVs to let drivers license applicants register to vote or change their voting address using a single form.
A citizens group is seeking $500,000 in private donations to rebuild the partially demolished Bell Tavern in Silver Spring Township.

The Bell Tavern Association Inc., will have a booth at the BBQ & Bluegrass Festival this Sunday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Willow Mill Park.

Tax-deductible donations can now be made payable to the association and mailed to P.O. Box 323, New Kingstown, PA, 17072. The association received its nonprofit status in mid-July.

Formerly known as the Patriots of Captain Bells Tavern Association, the group formed in early March to acquire the two-story stone building at 7089 Carlisle Pike and restore it into a heritage and cultural center.

Some historians believe the building was the site of the Stony Ridge Convention on July 3, 1788, an event that led to amending the U.S. Constitution to include the Bill of Rights.

Property owner Triple Crown Corporation had legally obtained a permit to demolish Bell Tavern, but the process was abruptly halted in January after reports surfaced of the buildings potential historic significance.

In early June, the township supervisors approved an agreement between the township and developers, Mark and John DiSanto, to gift the Bell Tavern to the township or a separate nonprofit organization in exchange for agreeing to rezone a nearby property to allow for future warehouse development.

The association applied for incorporated and nonprofit status in late June. By becoming a nonprofit, the association is eligible to receive the tavern from Mark DiSanto, chief executive officer of Triple Crown, who has also pledged to donate $100,000 towards the restoration of the tavern.

The association recently received new bids for rebuilding the exterior back walls of the tavern.

The funding needed now is $500,000, a $300,000 drop from earlier bids, said Christine Musser, an association member. A mason and a contractor have been hired to do the restoration.

Both men have experience with 18th-century architecture and have worked to restore other buildings from that era, Musser said. After obtaining ownership of the tavern, the groups goal is to start Phase I, which is to further stabilize the building and begin rebuilding the exterior wall.

Two professors are scheduled to conduct a 3-D laser scan of the tavern building on Monday and Tuesday, Musser said. They are Michael Bodhi Rogers from Ithaca College and Scott Stull from the City University of New York.

The scan will create a full digital record of the tavern that can help with documentation and restoration, Stull said. The scanning will not require our entering any unsafe parts of the building and will have no adverse impact on the building or any adjacent areas.

An emerging technology, the 3-D laser scan can be used to facilitate historic preservation planning, create virtual tours and aid in repairing any future damage to the structure, Rogers said.

Both professors have done scans of President Lincolns Cottage in Washington, D.C.; President Grants Cottage in Wilton, New York; Old Fort Johnson in Fort Johnson, New York; and Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, New York. They recently returned from Ireland after participating in an archaeological field school where they used the 3-D scanning technology on the Trim Castle.

The scanning will be done at no cost to the property owner, The Bell Tavern Association Inc., or Silver Spring Township, Musser said.
Section of GAP closed during bridge work

"The last time the bridges were re-decked was in 1995. They have become almost unsafe to be used," said Lindsay Baer.
Carlisle Police Chief Jesse Cart was taking a risk walking down West Chapel Alley the morning of Aug. 5, 1892.

He had a fugitive in custody charged with felonious assault and battery with intent to kill.

Lookout for Cal Grove, the advisory had warned. Arrest him on sight. Give him no quarter as he is a desperate man.

Almost a month had gone by since a labor dispute turned violent in Homestead, Allegheny County. Nine workers and seven Pinkerton guards were killed following an all-day battle on July 6.

The strike pitted one of the most powerful corporations, the Carnegie Steel Company, against what was then the strongest trade union, the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, according to The History Channel.

Wanted in connection with the violence, Grove arrived in Carlisle with two other men the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 2. They were in hiding almost three days before Cart broke the case and made an arrest.

The chief was alone as he escorted Grove toward the Old County Jail on the corner of North Bedford and East High streets. The two men were nearing the Market House on the Square when Cart heard footsteps.

The veteran officer turned around and saw a man walking close behind them. He asked the stranger if he was a partner with Grove. The man confirmed Carts suspicion.

The officer as a precaution against an attack ordered him (the partner) to walk in front, The Sentinel reported. In one eventful Friday morning, the chief managed to nab two of the three suspects from the Homestead strike.

While Grove had been betrayed by his family ties to Carlisle, the man calling himself Thompson made too much noise. It was unclear whether Thompson was following because he was curious or because he wanted to harm the chief.

Neither of the men manifested any evil disposition here although Grove was rather crusty to the officer who came for him, The Sentinel reported on Aug. 6. While Grove was taken away by an Allegheny County constable, Thompson was discharged from custody. The third man had disappeared.

Gobin Guard deploys

Carlisle became involved in the Homestead Strike on July 11, 1892 after Gov. Robert Pattison ordered the entire National Guard to Allegheny County to quell any further violence. The units deployed included Company G of the 8th Regiment, known locally as the Gobin Guard.

The Sentinel reported how most Carlisle residents favored the decision to send in troops. They believed bloodshed would be averted because the strikers would not dare open fire upon such a large formation of citizen-soldiers.

Some however realized it was war and there was no telling what might result, the newspaper reported. The occurrences of the past week showed that they had to deal with a class of men who are not afraid to shoot and be shot, and there was not much encouragement for the faint-hearted.

A large crowd had gathered at the railroad station that once stood near the corner of Pitt and High streets. There, 55 men and officers of Company G boarded a 12:30 p.m. train. They carried with them a three-day supply of rations unaware they would be away from home two weeks and two days.

Seated on this train was a young newspaper correspondent named R.B. Vale who served in Company G and sent dispatches to The Sentinel describing camp life and conditions in the field. While deployed at Homestead, Vale met Cal Grove and had a long talk with the future fugitive from justice.

At that time Grove said he had not been in the fight against the Pinkertons, but had been in some fusses with non-union members, The Sentinel reported on Aug. 5. Vale knew of the Grove family (and) knew that they had resided in Carlisle about eight years ago.

Grove was mentioned in a July 24 dispatch as the son of a cigar store owner in Carlisle. He is one of the strikers in Homestead and says that when the soldiers leave trouble will ensue at the mills, according to Vale.

Days later, Company G received the news that the 8th Regiment was pulling out of Homestead. On July 27, The Sentinel reported that the Gobin Guard arrived in Carlisle around 7 that morning.

They did not come home the bright, festive looking fellows that went out from here joking and with colors flying two weeks ago, the story read. They were sunburnt, rusty-looking, unshaven and but the uniforms and knapsack would easily have passed for horny-handed farmers. Two weeks of camp life at Homestead have given many of them the experience that usually belongs to the regular army.

They were greeted as conquering heroes and treated to a parade, a formal reception at the armory and a welcome home banquet. D.M. Graham, an ex-private with the National Guard, was the guest speaker at the dinner:

Two evils now threaten the integrity of the state  corruption and anarchy, Graham said. To the church upon the hillside and the school house in the valley we may well leave the first; to the strong arm of the citizen soldier the second. You have helped to demonstrate that this is a government of law, and to vindicate the principle that the only liberty worth having is liberty conserved by law.

Brought to justice

Less than a week later, on Aug. 2, Police Chief Jesse Cart received a message from a constable in Braddock, Allegheny County, warning Carlisle officials to be on the lookout for a fugitive named Cal Grove. The 22-year-old man was described as being 5-foot-7 wearing dark clothes and a derby. The message noted how his father, D.W. Grove, used to live in Carlisle and sold tea from a wagon.

Two days later, on Aug. 4, Cart received a second message from the constable warning Carlisle police that Grove was a desperate man who deserved no quarter. Police questioned sources that turned up a lead that Grove was hiding out in West Chapel Alley where he was arrested Friday morning, Aug. 5.

That evening The Sentinel published a story detailing the investigation that led to the arrest. It was reported how the three men were not backward in making known that they were strikers from Homestead and that even the Carlisle police force knew of their involvement in the violence.

However, they soon disappeared from public gaze and, when the order for arrest came, no one knew where they were hiding, The Sentinel reported.

Cart learned that D.W. Grove had worked as a sewing machine agent in Carlisle back in 1884 before he sold tea from a wagon. Nicknamed Diller, D.W. Grove was married to a daughter of George Knouse of Frankford Township. The family occupied a home and lot on West Chapel Alley near where Cal was arrested.

Some years prior, D.W. Grove moved to Newburg where Carlisle residents lost track of his whereabouts. It was believed Cals father lived in western Cumberland County for a few years before moving to Chicago. His mother had died. Carlisle police had found no evidence supporting a rumor that the mothers family was still residing in the borough.

The Sentinel reported that Cal Grove was married and had a wife living near Braddock, which is located only six miles from Homestead. Chief Cart said the suspect had no trouble with his wife, but had been in a little scrap with another fellow.

There was reason to suspect the Pinkerton Detective Agency was at work that August chasing down strikers suspected of having a role in the July 6 disturbance that killed seven of their agents.

That would explain why officials in Braddock, Allegheny County, were so quick in sending Carlisle police an arrest warrant for Grove, according to The Sentinel.
Boo! What are the scariest spots in Lake County?

The old courthouse. A tea room in Mount Dora. Lake County has several places that are thought to be haunted.
Opinion Wordle

The next day I woke to find myself in a WhatsApp group titled Quordle is Awesome!! A small group of three. There was no getting out of it now.
Theresa May has called time on the Blair/Cameron era and set about bringing back rectitude, sobriety and good sense to public administration

Nearly 20 years have passed since Tony Blair became Prime Minister and inaugurated a revolutionary new way of doing politics.

As Sir John Chilcots report into the Iraq invasion devastatingly proved, Mr Blair repudiated Cabinet government, choosing instead to make decisions with a small group of unelected cronies on the Downing Street sofa.

He was contemptuous of Parliament, making announcements of national importance through allies in the Press, rather than (as is proper) in a statement to the House of Commons.

He concentrated on carefully constructed photo opportunities and soundbites which, on closer inspection, turned out to be meaningless. He turned political lying into an art. Mr Blair was Britains first celebrity politician.

Regrettably, he was not the last. When David Cameron became Prime Minister six years ago, I had hoped he would turn his back on the Blairite school of politics.

In fact he chose to mimic his hero. Mr Camerons resignation honours list, shuffled out late on Thursday afternoon, was characteristic of this meretricious method of governing. It was marred by lavish rewards to Press aides, party donors, and other cronies. George Osborne is not distinguished enough to be a Companion of Honour, one of the greatest accolades any Briton can receive.

Mr Cameron again displayed unfortunate judgment in awarding Craig Oliver, his Press adviser, a knighthood rather than the OBE, which is the most he deserved. In acting this way, David Cameron has diminished British public life.

Admittedly, there are still doubts about whether Mr Camerons successor, Theresa May, possesses the moral and intellectual calibre to become a significant Prime Minister. Nevertheless, there are promising signs that she is quietly effecting a revolution in government every bit as profound as the changes inaugurated by Tony Blair when he became Prime Minister in 1997.

Perhaps restoration is a better word than revolution. She has called time on the Blair/Cameron era and set about bringing back rectitude, sobriety and good sense to public administration. She has replaced soundbites with a language which is intelligible to ordinary people.

I admire the way she has responded to the Chilcot report with a no-nonsense rearrangement of the Downing Street furniture, getting rid of Tony Blairs beloved sofas and replacing them with desks.

Mr Camerons resignation honours list, shuffled out late on Thursday afternoon, was characteristic of this meretricious method of governing

Indeed, she has scrapped a great deal of the gimmickry that came before. Junior ministers no longer enjoy the right to attend Cabinet. Nor have there been any photos of Mrs May in the bright yellow hi-viz jackets so favoured by George Osborne.

She has restored balance to Whitehall by curbing the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Both Tony Blair and David Cameron allowed their Chancellors to exploit their positions at the Treasury to build support through patronage, and interfere in decisions which had nothing at all to do with them.

The new tenant at Number 11, Philip Hammond, seems likely to concentrate all of his attention on the British economy, rather than the niceties of party management, self-promotion and political strategy which obsessed his Machiavellian predecessor George Osborne. It is also encouraging that Mrs May has made an elected politician, Patrick McLoughlin, Conservative Party chairman. There is no danger that he will follow the example of his appalling predecessor, Lord (Andrew) Feldman, and denounce Tory activists as swivel-eyed loons.

Nor will he attract, as Feldmans Conservatives did, the unwelcome attention of the police, who have been investigating whether the Tories broke the law on election funding.

Of course Mrs Mays premiership is only in its infancy, and many questions remain unanswered.

We will learn, when Parliament reconvenes next month, whether Mrs May will end the Blair/ Cameron practice of leaking public announcements to the media before announcing them to the House. (If she does, Speaker Bercow, who said 20 years ago that he saw Mrs May as a future prime minister, will approve.)

Given the challenges ahead, with the economy in the balance and Brexit to be negotiated, it would be a blessed relief to hear less, not more, from our political class.

This should be a time for hard work, sober planning, and deeds more than words. After the endless EU referendum campaign and the Tory leadership election, the public have surely had a bellyful of posturing politicians.

Mrs May has made several astute Cabinet appointments. Now, we will discover whether she has the self-knowledge and wisdom to allow her ministers to establish their own personalities and run their own departments.

Mrs May has come up the hard way. She is the first Tory Prime Minister since John Major who has served as a local councillor. This means she is likely to understand the importance of party activists in a way her predecessor did not.

She has become Prime Minister after long experience of political office. Blair and Cameron moved into Downing Street in their early 40s. They had little knowledge of how Parliament worked, and very little understanding of the world. Thus they were dependent for impact on the charisma and excitement of relative youth, which was wrongly mistaken by enthusiasts for political genius.

Mrs May has reached the top the way that most people reach the top  after a long journey. She marks the end of the cult of youth. At 59, shes 16 years older than Blair and Cameron were when they took over.

The signs are encouraging.

Why fearless Shami has more honour than Dave's cronies

I point blank refuse to join in the outcry against the peerage awarded to Shami Chakrabarti. She has made a huge contribution to British public life

I point blank refuse to join in the outcry against the peerage awarded to Shami Chakrabarti. She has made a huge contribution to British public life.

When she took over the civil rights group Liberty 15 years ago, it had completely lost sight of its principle objective  to stand up for freedom.

It had been captured by a Left-wing clique. The people who ran it, who for a long time included the future Cabinet ministers Patricia Hewitt and Harriet Harman, loved the idea of state control. They used Liberty (then known as the National Council for Civil Liberties) as a front organisation for the Labour Party.

In the Eighties, the NCCL also supported the unspeakably revolting Paedophile Information Exchange, which campaigned to reduce the age of consent to under ten.

This was an organisation which had lost its way. Shami Chakrabarti restored Liberty to the original vision of its magnificent founders, who included the novelists E.M. Forster and H.G. Wells, and the celebrated journalist Kingsley Martin of the New Statesman.

That meant defending individual freedom against an increasingly authoritarian state.

She entered into alliances with Conservative politicians against the illiberal Blair government, of which Patricia Hewitt and Harriet Harman were important members. Liberty then fought a successful campaign to preserve the ancient British freedoms which New Labour viewed with such lacerating contempt.

For example, New Labour was determined to abolish Habeas Corpus, which dates back to Magna Carta and protects any citizen against arbitrary arrest and detention. Chakrabatis Liberty stopped that. Tony Blair then wanted to get rid of the right to trial by jury, in the name of modernisation. Chakrabarti stopped that, too.

Backed by the Mail, she helped lead a powerful campaign to prevent grotesque Blairite plans to suck up to the United States and extradite Gary McKinnon, the Aspergers sufferer who was accused of hacking into U.S. military systems. We won that campaign, too, in part thanks to her superb advocacy, and  in the end  the courage of Theresa May in standing up to the Americans.

Shami Chakrabarti is a force for good. She will be an asset to the House of Lords. It is greatly to the credit of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that he made such a discerning choice.

And what a telling contrast between Shami Chakrabarti and David Camerons morally bankrupt collection of Tory donors and overpromoted spin-doctors.

Why are David Cameron and Ed Balls writing their autobiographies? As Tony Blairs trashy memoirs suggest, they will be too young to reflect wisely and dispassionately on events. By contrast, Ken Clarke, one of Britains best post-war Chancellors of the Exchequer, has written his at the right moment.
She hopes to inspire other women to be

Four weeks after giving birth to her second child, Emily Stein was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The mother-of-twos left breast had been firm and misshaped, but pregnancy and breastfeeding helped masked her symptoms.

It was not until doctors performed a biopsy that the New Zealand woman was given the devastating diagnosis: she had secondary breast cancer that had spread to her pelvis bone.

Mother-of-two Emily Stein was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer after a biopsy

An ultrasound twice failed to detect her breast cancer as breastfeeding and pregnancy helped mask her symptoms

Ms Stein first knew there was something wrong when after breastfeeding her eldest daughter Ava, now three, she had a bloody discharge coming from her left breast.

An ultrasound failed to show anything unusual, and she was given the all-clear from doctors.

I had just finished breastfeeding my first daughter and young breasts are quite temperamental, she told Daily Mail Australia.

I didnt have a mammogram as they arent accurate enough on young breast tissue.

So the discharge was put down to post-lactational changes.

Ms Stein experienced symptoms after breastfeeding her first child that were put down to post-lactational changes, with the all clear, she fell pregnant with her second child

FINDING CANCER SUPPORT You can support Ms Stein and her family through their Give A Little fundraising page. Women with a similar diagnosis can contact the Sweet Louise charity in New Zealand for women with secondary breast cancer. You can also contact the Cancer Society New Zealand or Cancer Council Australia. Advertisement

Having been given the all clear Ms Stein, 30, and her husband Chris McMurtrie, 29, fell pregnant with their second daughter Mabel, now three-and-a-half months old.

During the pregnancy Ms Stein noticed her breast had increased in size and was firm to touch.

Towards the end of the pregnancy, it has started to become misshapen.

I did go up about two cup sizes with my first child, so I wasnt overly alarmed by it increasing in size,' she said.

It continued to get firmer and firmer  and it was a strange shape, but I thought that was down to pregnancy.

Ms Stein, pictured with her daughters Ava and Mabel, found her left breast was firm and misshaped during her second pregnancy

By the time she received a diagnosis, the cancer had spread to her pelvis bone

After giving birth to Mabel Ms Stein was unable to get milk out of that breast, and she went back to her GP.

She had another ultrasound and an MRI scan.

By this time the tumour was so large, about 20cm big, that scans were unable to detect it as it took up the entire breast and there was no normal breast tissue left to compare it with.

A biopsy revealed her diagnosis, and also showed the cancer has spread to her pelvis bone.

It was unfortunate timing as the initial ultrasound was overshadowed by the fact I had just finished breastfeeding, and continuing symptoms were overshadowed by the fact I was pregnant, she said.

It was masked along the way.

'The initial ultrasound was overshadowed by the fact I had just finished breastfeeding, and continuing symptoms were overshadowed by the fact I was pregnant, she said

Ms Steins secondary breast cancer diagnosis hit hard.

There is no cure, and her symptoms can only be managed through treatment and drug therapy.

Her treatment plan includes chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation treatment and continued use of the drug Herceptin.

She has currently had four rounds of chemotherapy, and said she has already noticed a positive improvement in the feel and size of her breast.

Her treatment will see her undergo chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation therapy and continued use of the drug Herceptin

Emily, pictured with her husband Chris McMurtrie, has stayed positive despite her diagnosis

Ms Stein will be on Herceptin for the rest of her life, and said since her diagnosis her family and the local community have shown incredible support.

Shortly after giving birth to Mabel she started to suffer from anxiety, and during that stage was unable to look after her baby.

Her mother and mother-in-law would come and care for her, and as she was no longer able to breastfeed due to the drugs she was taking, strangers donated their breast milk for little Mabel.

Well-wishers donated meals, and a Give A Little fundraising page was set up to pay for any future treatment.

She had the support of her mother and mother-in-law to care for her two young daughters

Emily's husband cradles one of their daughters in his arms

Ms Stein said she wanted other women to be vigilant put their health first and find a diagnosis if they present with symptoms.

She said while women should not worry about every niggle and pain or jump to conclusions about their health, she does wish she had tried to find out the cause of her breast pain earlier.

Rather than thinking youll be right, investigate and check its nothing else, she said.

The mother-of-two wants other women to remain vigilant about health symptoms and encouraged them to seek a diagnosis

Ms Stein said she is staying positive and living her life to the fullest, and urges other women facing a similar diagnosis to do the same.

She said people can get support through the Sweet Louise charity in New Zealand, who focus specifically on women diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, or the Cancer Society.

Just be aware its possible, I didnt really think that it was and I didnt think it would happen to me, she said.
Britt Ekland is not what you think, particularly if you think of the former Bond Girl and Swedish sex kitten as just another ageing beauty with a sizzling past - an actress of a certain age with candy floss hair, pink nails and a pet chihuahua tucked under her arm. Well, she is all that, but she is so much more, too.

I was brought up very strictly, I was brought up with impeccable manners. I had an impeccable education, says the woman who counts Peter Sellers, Rod Stewart, Warren Beatty, Lou Adler, George Hamilton and Lord Lichfield among her menagerie of husbands, lovers and conquests.

Not that 73-year-old Britt is still interested in that sort of thing.

Britt Ekland, 73, reveals that she has not been 'interested in sex' for about 20 years

I havent been interested in sex for about 20 years. I am not looking for anyone and I dont want to be in a relationship.

I sleep in king-sized beds exclusively in my homes in Sweden and LA, so that my tequila has enough room.

Her tequila?

My dog - thats his name. I just want Tequila. I dont want to wake up with a man in the bed, passing wind and snoring and with bad breath and all the rest of it, in his dirty underwear. No thank you!

Where was I? Oh, yes. Britt is of a generation of women who wore white gloves in summer; she has worked since she was 14, speaks four languages, skis like a dream, can cut a pattern, sew a dress, write the notation for a musical score and knows how to drive a tractor.

She is also one of the few septuagenarians who can squeeze so effectively into size 8 hipster jeans, wear diamond cuffs on her ears and boast a tattoo of three roses blooming across her impressively flat, tanned stomach. She also knows how to laugh at herself.

The ex-Bond girl said she doesn't want to be in a relationship and she sleeps with her pet chihuahua

After I had the tattoo done for my 70th birthday, I put a picture of it on Instagram, and someone said: Is that Tequila?  she shrieks, and clomps off to make a pot of coffee. We meet in her agents elegant apartment in Stockholm, where Britt is remarkably calm and collected after an oaf in an Audi reversed into her Mini Cooper, smashing the fog lights and denting her grille.

Today, as always, she is perfectly groomed and makes several pit stops to slick more peach gloss onto her already glossy lips. Spirited and candid, she also has a very Swedish forthrightness about sex. She pours coffee, puts some cakes on the table and, straight away, we are, in a manner of speaking, on to her pelvic floor. It is actually very good, says Britt.

She puts this down to Pilates plus 15 years of power walking and weight lifting, but despite being in such tip-top honeymoon condition, she explains why sex is off the menu.

Women of my age? I dont believe that it does happen very much and I think women should be truthful about this. I have enough girlfriends around my age who are married and who do not want sex, either.

Joan Collins? Somehow she feels the need to be sexy at 83. I love Joan, but this is an image, an illusion. Just like her wigs, it is not reality.

She has been in more than 200 films, including Get Carter, The Wicker Man and The Night They Raided Minskys. She is pictured here in 1974

Im not like her. I dont try to portray myself as sexy. If you call me sexy Britt, I will puke. I am going to be 74 years old, how can I be sexy?

Britt and Joan have been friends for about a hundred years. Joan was a great chum of Britts first husband, Peter Sellers. And it was Joan who introduced Britt to Rod Stewart, at a party at Chers house in LA in 1975.

The women are agreed on most things - including an unquenchable fondness for leopard print and a belief in the redeeming powers of rose wine - but on the subject of sex, they cannot concur.

God had a plan about sex, says Britt. He made men incapable and women disinterested at a certain age. But then, human interference changed that with Viagra. In America, Viagra is advertised on television, warning: If your erection lasts more than four hours, see a doctor. What is the point? By then the poor woman would be dead! Another cake?

We meet primarily to talk about Britts face, in particular when she dented her own lovely grille.

Britt confessed that having cosmetic procedures in her 50s was the worst thing she ever did

On a recent episode of ITVs Loose Women, Britt confessed that having cosmetic procedures when she was in her 50s was the worst thing she ever did. All she wanted was a bit of help in holding back the years and maintaining her celebrated beauty, but that is not what happened.

It destroyed my looks and ruined my face. It was the biggest mistake of my life. When I look at photographs of myself before I had it done, I looked very good. I can see that now, but I couldnt see it at the time.

Britt had just turned 52 in 1994 when she made an appointment to have her lips plumped by a Paris-based doctor with a visiting consultancy in Harley Street. Two years earlier, she had divorced her second, much younger husband, the rockabilly drummer Slim Jim Phantom.

Britt was feeling vulnerable, in need of a boost. Despite her legendary beauty, she had issues, including a lingering body dysmorphia because she was overweight as a child.

When she was new in Hollywood, 20th Century Fox told her to file down her too long front teeth. She also had her ears pinned back.

When she was new in Hollywood, 20th Century Fox told her to file down her too long front teeth. She also had her ears pinned back

I wanted my lips to puff out a bit, but it turned out to be a disaster.

Instead of the moderate treatment she expected, the doctor made multiple injections all around the rim of her lips with Articol, which he said was a new dental material.

Wendy Lewis, an international consultant in cosmetic surgery, says Articol is a bovine collagen that was briefly in vogue as a filler and lip plumper in the Nineties.

A first-generation cosmetic treatment, its use is now regarded as risky. It is rarely, if ever, used in the UK and it was never approved for use in the U.S. The effects are permanent, Miss Lewis tells me. Today, most doctors dont want to use it.

To her horror, Britt discovered that her engorged trout pout was almost impossible to reverse.

She famously appeared in the Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun with Roger Moore and Maud Adams (left)

I looked like a pie where the crust comes up, she says, making crimping movements with her fingers. I got criticised in the media, something that is always worse for a woman.

Mickey Rourke and Sly Stallone look like something out of a horror movie, but no one gives a damn about them. Instead, they were saying how bad I was, how vain I was. Why had I done it? Blah, blah, blah.

Nobody knew I was horrified, too. I was mortified. I wanted to die.

For the past 20 years, Britt has undergone excruciatingly painful corticosteroid injections in a bid to melt the Articol. At one point, she had some stuff put in her lip in Los Angeles, to make her pout look better, but that didnt work out, either: It was just so horrendous. I had to get another doctor to take it all out.

She still looks lovely, even if the botched procedures have left a slight, eldritch cast over the lower half of her face. It is a mistake she doesnt want other women to make. I have friends who say: I am going to have a bit of filler there and a bit of filler there and I say: Please, dont.

She says she's not totally against plastic surgery, but warns her friends against having fillers

Im not totally against plastic surgery. If it is done right, it can be amazing, uplifting. Sharon Stone, Christie Brinkley, Jane Fonda? All beyond unbelievable. But they are women with millions and millions in the bank.

The average woman with a normal income is not going to get what they get. It just will not happen.

So how does she feel about that doctor now?

If I could hurt him, I would. He hurt me. There was a time when I couldnt even move my lips.

Britt grew up here in Stockholm, where her father ran a department store and made sure that his little Britt-Marie did a secretarial course, so that she would have something to fall back on if acting failed.

Britt grew up in Stockholm, where her father ran a department store and made sure she did a secretarial course, so that she would have something to fall back on if acting failed

She has been in more than 200 films, including Get Carter, The Wicker Man, The Night They Raided Minskys, and the Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun in which she played Mary Goodnight opposite Roger Moore.

She has always worked very hard, but even Britt would admit that she is better known for her love life than for her acting.

In 1964, she married Peter Sellers after a whirlwind romance, and the following year they had a daughter, Victoria. The marriage was ravaged by his mental instability, and they divorced in 1968.

Today, he would be called bipolar, says Britt.

In 1973, she had a son, Nicolai, with record producer Lou Adler, and Nic and his wife have given Britt her much adored only grandchild, Cash who is now three.

In 1973, she had a son, Nicolai, with record producer Lou Adler, and Nic and his wife have given Britt her much adored only grandchild, Cash who is now three

A decade after Nics birth, she married Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom, who was 18 years her junior, but they divorced in 1992.

I left him on my 50th birthday, just like my mother left my father on her 50th birthday, she says. It was very sad, I love Jim, and we are wonderful friends, but I couldnt stay with him, it wasnt fair.

If you cant fulfil all of your wifely duties, it is not a real marriage. Im not just talking about sex, I mean intimacy of any kind. I really wanted to be alone.

The couple had a son TJ, who is now 28. On his left breast, he has a tattoo of his mother wearing a folk hat and Swedish national costume when she was five years old, a likeness taken from an old photograph. His poor girlfriends. They cannot escape me, even in bed, chortles Britt.

She also had a celebrated romance with actor George Hamilton (a lovely man, a great laugh), the Queens cousin and photographer, Lord Lichfield (they partied with Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon and he was devastated when she left him), Warren Beatty (in her 1980 autobiography True Britt, she said he was the most divine lover of all with a lethal libido), and she was briefly engaged in 1981 to a rock star called Phil Lewis.

When things went wrong in my life, I pretended I was fine. When my face got wrecked, I learned how to pose and smile so that it didnt show too much. I kept going because I had to

Britt clearly loves a bad boy and, in 1975, they didnt come any badder than Rod Stewart.

During the two torrid years they were together, they became one of the most celebrated and photographed couples of the age, the Posh and Becks of their day.

It was Britt who applied Rods increasingly outlandish make-up and encouraged him into satin trousers so tight he had to wear her knickers on stage to avoid VPL.

You could say it was a passionate romance. In True Britt, she details how he once slapped her, and she punched him right back.

They made love up to four times a day, sometimes becoming so overcome with lust that they would leave the table at their own dinner parties, returning in time for fruit salad and coffee.

It did not end well. Despite the fact that she ran his household in his grand LA mansion, Rod charged Britt $100 a month for her keep.

The only present he bought her was a most unattractive thin gold bracelet with three teeny weeny diamonds. It sounds like the rumours of his meanness are not exaggerated - I leave it up to you, says Britt, primly.

She put her career on hold to be with Rod (I didnt know any better at the time) and, when he was unfaithful to her with Alana Hamilton, the woman who would become his first wife, she sued him for $12 million in palimony, in one of the first cases of its kind. She later regretted doing so, and they settled out of court for less than $500,000.

Uniquely, among the men in her life, Rod is the only one with whom she is not on good terms.

I am not a vengeful or bitter person, but I have a feeling that he dislikes me intensely, she says of the man who wrote two million-selling hits about her - Tonights The Night and Youre In My Heart.

The days of Britt starring in Hollywood films are probably over, but shes not bitter about this, either. Somehow she has always managed to make a living for herself, and her work lately has included Christmas pantos, television appearances and reality shows. She has an exciting project lined up, which she cannot talk about, but I do admire her energy and fortitude, and the fact that she has survived it all with a smile.

I am immensely brave, she says. I could have become an alcoholic, a drug addict or a mental wreck.

I could have killed myself, but I didnt. I got on with it, I had a career, I persisted. When things went wrong in my life, I pretended I was fine. When my face got wrecked, I learned how to pose and smile so that it didnt show too much. I kept going because I had to.
It's kisses all round for Crown Princess Mary as she steps out once more in Rio.

After an array of stylish designer dresses, the Danish royal kept it casual as she visited Denmarks equestrian team in Rio, dressed in light blue jeans and a striped top.

The 44-year-old looked fresh faced as she cuddled up to Cassidy the horse and offered her a smooch.

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Pucker up! The Danish royal looked fresh faced as she cuddled up to Cassidy the horse and offered her a smooch

Mary kept it causal as she visited Denmarks equestrian team in Rio, dressed in light blue jeans and a striped top

It's a similar greeting Princess Mary had from I.O.C President Thomas Bach at the President's dinner on Thursday.

Dressed in Hugo Boss dress made up of blues and dark purples, Mary received a gentle kiss on the hand by Mr Bach, as she attended the dinner with her husband Prince Frederik.

Orange earrings added a pop of colour to the ensemble of the ever-stylish royal, whose toned legs were on display teamed with mauve coloured pumps.

It's kisses all round as I.O.C President Thomas Bach greets Princess Mary as she arrives at the President's dinner in Brazil

Dressed in Hugo Boss dress made up of blues and dark purples, Mary attended the dinner with her husband Prince Frederik, pictured here net to Mary along with I.O.C President Thomas Bach and his wife

In a tongue-in-cheek interview with Daily Mail Online, the Australian born royal confessed she would support Australian athletes in Rio, but only as long as they are not competing against the Danes.

Mary and Frederik were spotted at the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics, showing their support for Denmark.

The sporting event holds a lot of meaning to the couple ,who met and fell in love during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The couple travelled to Rio without their four children.

Denmark's Princess Mary attends the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
How utterly wrong-headed. There are some decisions that are so undeniably misguided that simply shaking your head in disbelief is not enough.

The Mails revelation that three- quarters of NHS hospitals deny life-changing cataract surgery to all but the most visually impaired patients is one such decision.

The result is that people who have paid taxes for decades are being forced to pay for the operations themselves.

The Mails revelation that three- quarters of NHS hospitals deny life-changing cataract surgery to all but the most visually impaired patients is utterly wrong-headed, Dr Max Pemberton writes (file photo)

How dare NHS chiefs do this. Of all the operations to ration, and of all the patients to neglect, theyve really plumbed new depths by penalising elderly people with failing sight.

Given the devastating effect blindness brings and that the surgery is so quick and easy to perform, it is morally reprehensible that we should even consider limiting these operations.

Cataract surgery is one of the marvels of modern medicine. There are very few other treatments that are so simple.

After a procedure lasting less than an hour of treatment, people can walk out of the hospital completely fixed.

I know Im not alone in thinking that it is absurd to have a National Health Service in which vast sums are spent on keeping people alive in their final years  and yet health bosses tend to ignore the issue of quality of life.

Given the devastating effect blindness brings and that the surgery is so quick and easy to perform, it is morally reprehensible that we should even consider limiting these operations

Both the physical limitations and the mental health repercussions of losing your sight, or being visually impaired, are devastating and isolating.

Sufferers struggle with getting around independently  meaning that simple tasks, such as food shopping, can become impossible.

A further cruelty is that many of the tasks and hobbies that they enjoy when alone or unwell, such as reading or knitting, are often out of the question.

T he fact is that cataracts (where the lens in front of the eye becomes cloudy) are a widespread problem. Around half of over-65s suffer to some degree from cataracts.

I have witnessed this misery first-hand because my mum, who is in her late 60s, developed cataracts a few years ago. It was heartbreaking to see how she lost not only her independence but her confidence, too. Her two great joys  theatre trips and reading  were snatched away. She endured this for more than a year as she waited for NHS surgery, albeit only on one eye because doctors said the damage to the other didnt merit it.

There was an immediate improvement in her sight in this eye, though the vision in her other one remained impaired.

Eventually, thanks to the generosity of a family friend, she paid to have the second eye operated on privately. She was given her life back. My gran had the same transformative surgery. But, on the whole, it is typical of NHS managers, when confronted by the need to cut costs, that they start by targeting an area which disproportionately affects older people.

Its so easy  but offensive  to pick on this social group. For they come from a generation that nobly is reluctant to make a fuss.

Neither do they have that arrogant and misplaced sense of entitlement that younger people tend to have  convinced that the NHS is there to act as wet-nurse, providing for their every whim whether for breast implants, gastric bands or even tattoo removal.

Its not just cataract surgery. NHS bosses are also trying to cut back on knee and hip operations. Some health trusts also are rationing the distribution of free hearing aids.

Again, my mum had her knee replaced three years ago. Before the operation, she was practically immobile and, as she could only access her flat by a steep flight of stairs, she had become trapped at home.

The replacement surgery, like the cataract removal, transformed her way of life.

But not everyone is so lucky.

On every level  morally, medically and on a monetary basis  denying such people operations is wrong.

drmax@dailymail.co.uk

For sanity's sake, stop staring at your phone

According to an Ofcom report this week, the average person checks their mobile phone 200 times a day  once every six minutes.

Apparently, more than half of all internet users said they felt addicted to the web and, on average, people spend more than 25 hours a week searching online.

Incredibly, one in four people spends more time on the web than they do asleep.

According to an Ofcom report this week, the average person checks their mobile phone 200 times a day  once every six minutes

There is something profoundly sad about these findings.

Ten years ago, as the internet revolution took hold (and when people spent only nine hours a week online), we were told the World Wide Web would make our lives easier and give us more time by improving communication.

But the opposite has happened. Rather than being freed, the technology has imprisoned us.

Even worse, its limited our ability to communicate properly because we all increasingly interact through text messages, messaging on social media and emails, rather than picking up the phone to have proper conversations or  better still!  meeting up with friends and relatives. The report found that 70 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds say they prefer texting to talking.

I worry deeply about the impact this is having on our ability to interact with others and socialise in a healthy way. Our unhealthy obsession with technological gadgets is damaging friendships and relationships between parents and children.

Whether on holiday, on public transport or in restaurants, you see evidence of this.

I was having afternoon tea in a plush London hotel on my birthday recently. At the next table were two parents with their four children  all six were sitting in silence staring at their smartphones.

For more than ten minutes, they barely said a word to one another. Two of the children didnt even look up when the spectacular tiered cake stand of scones and sandwiches arrived. How sad!

Noticing things and sharing experiences with our fellow humans is a central part of life.

Im not denying that the technological revolution has given us much. But I fear it is now threatening our mental health. Numerous studies have shown that excessive use of social media (and for young people especially, many online hours are spent on sites such as Facebook) can lead to depression, loneliness and anxiety.

A U.S. study this year, for example, found that the more time young adults use social media, the more likely they are to be depressed.

Looking on social media at other peoples narcissistic  and often exaggerated  photographs and comments about their seemingly perfect partners, their idyllic holidays, their opulent lifestyle and exciting parties can make us insecure, guilty and irritated.

We are told to value mindfulness  taking stock of the world around us and focusing on what we are doing in that moment  but being glued to an electronic screen is the antithesis of this.

We need time to think.

It reminds me of lines from the poem Leisure by William Henry Davies: No time to turn at Beautys glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance . . .

A poor life this is if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.

Can you only be a doctor if you're rich now?

I was lucky to go to university before the introduction of tuition fees, and was fortunate to receive a grant.

There is no way that I would have been able to go to college if it hadnt been for the help I received from the State, and certainly not to train for years to be a doctor.

While free university education has long gone, the poorest students have, until now, been receiving a grant to help with living costs. Not any more.

Under changes that came into effect this week, grants for students from low-income homes will be replaced by loans.

I worry what this will mean for the future generation of doctors.

Yes, there will still be plenty of people going to medical school. But I fear the diverse backgrounds of those who study medicine  and go on to become tomorrows doctors  will be dramatically narrowed, as poorer people will be reluctant to take out loans.

The medical profession should try to reflect society. But, instead, we run the risk of returning to a state where it is the preserve of only the privileged few.

Working as a doctor is amazing, and Im grateful to every taxpayer who funded my training.

So its deeply depressing to think that some passionate, capable youngster now might not follow their dreams. I want tomorrows doctors to be chosen because they will become the very best  not simply because they are those who can afford training.

This weeks award for the most crass piece of research goes to the team who found that adolescents drinking habits are strongly linked with exposure to advertising. The whole point of advertising is to reel in customers, and it should be no surprise that younger people are particularly susceptible.
Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, pictured, lived with hepatitis C for three years before her death in 2007 of an unrelated brain haemorrhage

A new daily tablet hailed by experts as a cure for hepatitis C could eradicate the killer virus in just three months, if all patients can access the treatment.

The drug breakthrough means every type of the disease in existence in Britain can now be treated.

However a decision on whether an already cash-strapped NHS will agree to fund it is yet to be made.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that destroys the liver and can cause cancer, leaving sufferers needing a transplant.

The new pill works by blocking two stages of the viruss life cycle, stopping it from making copies of itself.

This gives the body time to clear it completely. Studies show a 98 per cent cure rate in 12 weeks.

There are six types of hepatitis C, with the majority of sufferers in the UK infected by genotypes one and three (46 per cent and 43 per cent respectively).

Genotype three is the hardest to treat and people with this type tend to become ill more rapidly.

The new tablet, Epclusa, which was licensed for use in the UK last month, is a combination of two anti-viral drugs, Sofosbuvir, which was licenced last year, and a newer medication Velpatasvir.

Unlike the older treatments  Interferon and Ribavirin  Epclusa does not cause debilitating side effects.

It works for all types of hepatitis C, including type three, which is unresponsive to other drugs.

At least 5,000 NHS patients in the UK were unknowingly infected in the 1970s and 1980s through tainted blood transfusions, including Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick, who died in 2007, aged 64, of an unrelated brain haemorrhage.

She believed she contracted the disease via a blood transfusion during the birth of daughter Sam in 1971.

Professor William Rosenberg, at The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and UCLH, says Epclusa could potentially help up to 100,000 patients in the UK  but only if doctors are able to prescribe it.

The list price for Epclusa is 38,979.99 for a 12-week course, according to manufacturer Gilead Sciences.

The hepatitis C virus, pictured, is believed to cause around 500 deaths a year in the UK

However they say: As per other hepatitis C medicines, the actual price paid by the NHS is lower due to discounts negotiated.

The innovation comes at an uncertain time for funding of new treatments for hepatitis C.

Prescribing watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellece (NICE) has given the green light for doctors to offer anti-virals.

But in March, NHS England imposed a cap on the number of patients with the disease that hospital trusts are allowed to treat  10,000 a year across Britain as a whole  and introduced financial penalties for those which exceed the cap.

Only patients with advanced cases of the liver disease are being offered curative treatment, with others told to watch and wait.

CASE STUDY: MY ILLNESS VANISHED IN 12 DAYS One patient to have benefited from anti-virals is Kim Crisell, 61, from Witham, Essex. He says: In June 2013, I was feeling sick and my urine was dark. When I turned yellow the next day I went to hospital. 'The doctors said Id probably had hepatitis C for 35 years  though Id been symptom-free all that time. I believe I contracted it from a tattoo in the 1970s. Faced with an uncertain wait, he bought the drugs privately. I began taking the tablets in January this year, with doctors at Addenbrookes hospital monitoring me. 'There were no side effects, and a blood test after just 12 days showed the virus was undetectable. I was cured. Advertisement

UK charity the Hepatitis C Trust is seeking a judicial review on the decision, with confirmation expected in the autumn.

In the meantime, the UK is badly failing to implement World Health Organisation targets to wipe out the disease by 2030, according to campaigners.

Dr Steve Ryder, a liver specialist at Nottingham University Hospital, said: The new drugs might be very effective, but they are also costly.

'We have NICE approval, but the NHS is still rationing them, based on the severity of liver disease.

Hepatitis C causes 500 deaths a year in the UK but doctors are concerned the UK will be unable to meet the WHO directive.

Pamela Anderson, pictured, said she was cured last year of hepatitis C after 16 years by similar drugs

At current rates, the UK is badly failing to hit the target, said Dr Ryder. We have drugs that can cure almost everybody, but were way off achieving it.

In other countries, the more patients treated the bigger reduction in cost they get from the drug companies, said Dr Ryder.

We have to hope that the NHS will step up and get better at negotiating these deals, too.

'We have the means to cure this disease, so failure would be a huge missed opportunity.

Last year Baywatch star Pamela Anderson said she had been cured by similar anti-viral drugs after living with the disease for 16 years.

Prof Rosenberg said of the new drug: It could eradicate infection in almost all cases, improving life expectancy, preventing liver cancer, liver failure, death and liver transplantation.

'But by capping the number of patients doctors can treat, patients with the worst liver damage are being prioritised.
Half A Sixpence

Chichester Festival Theatre Until September 3 2hrs 45 mins

Rating:

What a silk purse has been made out of this rather forgotten Tommy Steele show from the Sixties. Although its not a great musical, Half A Sixpence here emerges as a lavish, spirit-lifting summer treat surely destined for the West End.

The costumes, Englishness and social division are similar to My Fair Lady, but David Heneker and Beverley Crosss show is based on HG Wellss 1905 novel, Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul, about an Edwardian orphan who leaves behind his best girl to work in a drapers shop in Folkestone.

A surprise inheritance launches him into the arms of a proper lady, Helen (Emma Williams), who fails to make a gent of him. He loses his money to her brother but in the process learns a thing or two about himself.

As the gauche Kipps, newcomer Charlie Stemp is just terrific  he rather resembles the comedian Lee Evans and even has Tommy Steele-sized gnashers

Theres a distinct vein of socialism in this parable  but nothing to frighten the horses.

As the gauche Kipps, newcomer Charlie Stemp is just terrific  he rather resembles the comedian Lee Evans and even has Tommy Steele-sized gnashers. Devon-Elise Johnson is good and feisty as Ann Pornick, the working-class girl he has to win back.

This version is written by Downton Abbeys Julian Fellowes  who makes it abundantly clear that its the middle classes who are the worst snobs  and has seven new songs from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Devon-Elise Johnson (above) is good and feisty as Ann Pornick, the working-class girl he has to win back. This version is written by Downton Abbeys Julian Fellowes

Of an excellent company on stage I would single out Ian Bartholomews wonderfully ripe turn as the Victorian actor laddie Chitterlow, who brings good news to Kipps and radiant warmth to the evening. Gerard Carey doubles hilariously as Helens swindling brother (played on Broadway in 1965 by a very young John Cleese) and as a mincing photographer with a vast toupee.

Paul Browns fabulous revolving, Monet-invoking sets (pier, pub, drawing room) give an aura of class to an evening of almost relentless brio. The big number is Flash Bang Wallop  a real roof-raiser  and, throughout, Andrew Wrights choreography gives a zing to the big set pieces, such as Money To Burn.

However, those with a banjo allergy should be aware that this show may cause a severe rash.

Paul Browns fabulous revolving sets give an aura of class to an evening of almost relentless brio. The big number is Flash Bang Wallop  a real roof-raiser

The Game's Afoot

Madame Tussauds, London Until September 30 1hr 15mins

Rating:

Youre in the vaults of Madame Tussauds. There have been three murders, each waxwork stabbed with a pen, a cryptic poem pinned to their chest. Can you crack the case?

Thats the set-up, each member of the audience becoming Sherlock Holmes for an hour. The victims are a theatre critic (whod want to kill one of those?), a newspaper editor and a book dealer; the settings are a mortuary, Holmess Baker Street study, a misty moor, a train, a crypt and a dockyard.

The victims are a theatre critic, a newspaper editor and a book dealer; the settings are a mortuary, Holmess Baker Street study, a misty moor, a train, a crypt and a dockyard

I quizzed a coroner and flirted with a pretty Victorian actress. She knew a lot about arsenic, which she said she used for her make-up. A likely story, Watson!

The good doctor is on hand if you need him. I was soon buried beneath a pile of red herrings. Even when Holmes returns to solve the case in under two minutes, I didnt get it.

Far from elementary  but the clue-dropping actors of the Les Enfants Terribles company are fun, the old London sets terrific and the atmosphere spot-on.

thegamesafoot.co.uk





The Hollow

The Mill at Sonning, Reading Until September 3 2hrs 20mins

Rating:

This dinner-theatre in a lovely setting is a family affair. Agatha Christies country-house murder is directed by the actor Brian Blessed, his wife Hildegard Neil plays batty Lady Angkatell and daughter Rosalind Blessed is a passionate sculptress  an arty type capable of anything.

When arrogant Dr Christow takes a fatal bullet, the suspects include his nervy widow (Emily Stride), blustering Sir Henry (Terence Wilton) and an American film star (Leanne Rowe).

The case is solved by dapper Inspector Colquhoun of the Yard (Noel White).

Agatha Christies country-house murder is directed by the actor Brian Blessed, his wife Hildegard Neil plays batty Lady Angkatell and daughter Rosalind is a passionate sculptress

Not a great plot. But this is set in a world of privilege where crime is an imposter with no manners. The worst of murder is that it upsets the servants so, as the lady of the house puts it.

Pleasing period costumes, a Right-wing butler and Christies cold vein of cruelty help lift the spirits in this old-fashioned, theatrical pleasure.

The Plough And The Stars

Lyttleton, National Theatre Until October 22 2hrs 35 mins

Rating:

Sean OCaseys 1926 play, set during the Easter Rising of a decade before, caused a riot when it first opened in Dublin.

Instead of showing us noble resistance, OCasey depicted the rising as a chance for poverty-stricken Dubliners to get down to some serious looting, bickering and boozing. Its a love letter to, and a libel on, the Irish character.

Rebel bullets zing as the whiskey is downed, while the oratory of nationalism wafts through a pub window.

Most memorable are sozzled carpenter Fluther Good (Stephen Kennedy, above) and pregnant, grieving Nora (Judith Roddy), for whom Bessie sacrifices herself as a sniper picks off the cast

The rotating set is a hugely impressive ruined Georgian tenement. Old bag Bessie Burgess sits upstairs (Justine Mitchells performance is oddly sanitised) and bellows Rule Britannia.

Most memorable are sozzled carpenter Fluther Good (Stephen Kennedy) and pregnant, grieving Nora (Judith Roddy), for whom Bessie sacrifices herself as a sniper picks off the cast.
Peyotito

31 Kensington Park Road,

London W11 2EU

peyotitorestaurant.com

Rating:

It didnt start well. Were totally full, no space at all. Sorry, the man said, as I tried to book a table for Friday lunch. About an hour before I actually wanted to eat. Idiot, I thought. Not the manager at the end of the line, rather me for leaving this all this so late.

Peyotito, a new Mexican restaurant in Notting Hill, had only opened a few days before. And already it was habanero hot. Curses. Still, no harm in wandering down Kensington Park Road, and having a butchers, to get a feel for this obviously throbbing joint, before a gentle stroll over to the tried-and-tested taco charms of Taqueria.

Peyotito is a cracking good modern Mexican in the heart of Notting Hill. Hijole! Chido! No manches!

scallops, left; Chicken pollo con mole, right

Octopus ceviche. Ceviches may be rather more refined than the altogether more robust and gloopy versions youll find in Veracruz  but octopus is light and sprightly, in a delicate clam and tomato broth, while scallops, sublimely sweet and just opaque with lime, have a hint of coconut

So we arrive, and look inside. Then shake our heads and check the name over the door and establish that yes, this is Peyotito, but its very far from full. Deserted, in fact. Ive seen more activity on Mars. The room is small, muted and expensively discreet, with naked brick and concrete walls, artfully scratched walls, and a neon sign that declares, in a curly scrawl, Tequila to wake the living, mescal to wake the dead. An old Mexican saying, although at the moment, it talks to an entirely imaginary audience.

But were greeted by a charmingly effusive manager, who offers any table we want. He looks bemused when we tell him of our previous telephone travails. Who did you speak to? The restaurant. I think. He shakes his head ruefully, then scratches it. Then shakes it once more. Still, were here, and were hungry, and we can sit wherever we please.

To be fair, hopes arent exactly high. Peyotito is the younger sibling of Peyote, an overpriced and underwhelming Mayfair Mexican. They describe themselves as modern Mexican. Oh dear. This isnt Mexico City. Its not even LA. Rather a European city (although not for long), only just getting to grips with doing the traditional stuff properly. A quick glance at the menu confirms our fears. Theres talk of huitlacoche truffle (its not a truffle, rather a corn blight), ginger vinaigrette (about as Mexican as Donald Trump) and basil oil. My friend shuts the menu with a sigh. I give it six months.

We order a Peyotito margarita, which, were told, is unmissable. Oh, yeah? It arrives with a tiny, irritatingly cutesy cork-topped bottle, floating on top. Mescal, says our lovely waitress. But its a margarita! says Bill. With another sigh. Hmm. We decant the mescal and take a sip. Damn its good. Sharp and cold and strong. Like ice through the rigging, in the words of Lawrence Durrell. The neon sign glows more warmly, and tables start to fill up.

And after all our cussing and moaning, our weary resignation, our tired cynicism, our smug, here we go again ennui, a rather remarkable lunch begins. Lamb taco de barbacoa, so softly ovine, rich and running with juice that if we closed our eyes and tapped our heels three times, we could be sitting alongside an Acapulcan street cart. The salsa is charred and smoky, with a deep chilli grunt, and the juices dribble down our hands and onto our fronts. Were gobsmacked with greedy delight. Tacos de pescado are every bit as thrilling, the fish fresh and expertly seared, the salsa singing lustily of green herbs and lime. Layer upon layer of flavour, made by someone well steeped in the tacos great art. We expected pretentious, over-fussy preening. But this is magnificent.

The Peyotito margarita; sharp and cold and strong. Like ice through the rigging, in the words of Lawrence Durrell

Crudos are anything but crude. Yellowtail, the fish sushi-grade spectacular, has a whisper of earth from the huitlacoche, and the pert, verdant jab of serrano chilli. Its Japanese at heart, but with an assuredly Mexican swagger. Ceviches may be rather more refined than the altogether more robust and gloopy versions youll find in Veracruz  but octopus is light and sprightly, in a delicate clam and tomato broth, while scallops, sublimely sweet and just opaque with lime, have a hint of coconut. Both are clean, pure, and joyously acidic.

Mole is a complex and almost infinitely variable Mexican sauce/dish, which can often be, well, disappointing. But this takes a charred poussin and surrounds it with neat pools of a complexly languorous coffee, chilli, sesame and chocolate-spiked sauce that tastes of hard-won experience.

As we finish, the chef, a young Mexican woman, comes to say hello. Shes modestly smiling, and praises her executive chef, Eduardo Garcia. Perhaps hes also in the kitchen. But this lady is a serious cook. Peyotito is rather different from Shoreditchs blessed Santo Remedio. But I expected greatness from them. This place comes as a total surprise. A cracking good modern Mexican in the heart of Notting Hill. Hijole! Chido! No manches!

Lunch for two: 60

What Tom eat this week

Thursday

Lunch at The River Cafe. Grilled langoustines, sea bass carpaccio and vitello tonnato. Flawless. Then home, via the fishmonger, to make sea bream ceviche, with tomatoes, chilli and salt. The mixture sits in lime juice for a minute or two before being served up.

Friday

Saturday: Up at an ungodly hour to fly to Sardinia. Feeling less than pretty, but by lunch am eating proper pizza, cooked in a wood-burning oven, at Forte Village, sun beaming down and sea glittering

A stag (or staggering) lunch at Boisdale Belgravia for my good friend Bill. Smoked salmon, vast seafood platters groaning with langoustines, crab, oysters and cockles. Then fillet of beef on the bone with Jersey Royals, strawberries and cream and lots of cheese. Incredible wines and one of the great feasts of the decade. Staggered home about seven. Might have fallen asleep on the sofa.

Saturday

Up at an ungodly hour to fly to Sardinia. Feeling less than pretty, but by lunch am eating proper pizza, cooked in a wood-burning oven, at Forte Village, sun beaming down and sea glittering.

Sunday
A former high-ranking FBI agent was sentenced Friday to two years of probation for lying on the witness stand during Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger's racketeering trial.

Robert Fitzpatrick, 76, was the assistant special agent in charge of the Boston FBI office from 1981 to 1986, during a time when Bulger led a violent gang responsible for more than a dozen murders and simultaneously worked as an FBI criminal informant.

During Bulger's 2013 trial, Fitzpatrick testified that he tried to end the FBI's corrupt relationship with Bulger, who was protected from prosecution by agents who saw him as a valuable informant on the New England Mob.

Robert Fitzpatrick, of Charlestown, R.I., walks from federal court in Boston with his wife, Jane, in 2015. The former FBI agent pleaded guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice for lying and overstating his professional accomplishments, including claiming he was the first officer to recover the gun used to assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968

Prosecutors said Fitzpatrick lied about trying to close Bulger as an informant and also overstated his professional accomplishments, in part to boost sales of a book he co-authored, 'Betrayal: Whitey Bulger and the FBI Agent Who Fought to Bring Him Down.'

One of his false claims was that he was the first law enforcement officer to recover the gun used to assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

Fitzpatrick's sentence, which spared him any prison time, was recommended by prosecutors and his defense lawyer under a binding plea agreement.

Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to six counts each of perjury and obstruction of justice.

James "Whitey" Bulger in his 2011 booking photo. He was convicted in Boston federal court in August 2013 of multiple murders and other crimes

Bulger, left in an undated photo, ran a criminal mob in Boston during 1981 to 1986 but was simultaneously an FBI mob informant; FBI agent Fitzpatrick falsely claimed he was the first law enforcement officer to recover the gun that killed civil rights legend Martin Luther King Jr (right)

In recommending probation, both sides cited Fitzpatrick's age and multiple health problems, including cancer, kidney disease and diabetes. He was also ordered to pay a $12,500 fine.

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV accepted the sentencing recommendation, but noted that Fitzpatrick could have faced prison time for what he called 'a very serious offense.'

'This is not a happy moment,' Saylor said. 'Mr. Fitzpatrick has earned his punishment. He has perhaps earned something significantly more.'

Fitzpatrick left the courthouse quickly after the hearing, saying he just wants to move on with his life.

His lawyer, Robert Goldstein, said he doesn't view the sentence as a light punishment, despite the fact that Fitzpatrick won't have to go to prison.

'It's an appropriate, fair sentence,' Goldstein said. 'Mr. Fitzpatrick has been excoriated in the press.'

Bulger, now 86, is serving a life sentence after being convicted of a litany of crimes during his racketeering trial, including participating in 11 murders.

Janet Uhlar, one of the jurors who convicted Bulger, attended Fitzpatrick's sentencing hearing and said afterward that she believes he was unfairly targeted by prosecutors.
A teenager who graduated from high school last year was arrested after police raided a west Sydney home and found hundreds of dollars worth of ice, mobile phones, counterfeit money and guns.

Brea Corry, 18, cried in court on Friday as she was charged with supplying 800 MDMA pills.

She was arrested in May following an investigation into the home invasion of a west Sydney property on May 5, according to The Daily Telegraph.

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Brea Corry (pictured), 18, who graduated from high school last year, was arrested after police raided a west Sydney home and charged on Friday with supplying 800 MDMA pills

Timothy Norman (pictured), 25, was arrested on Thursday by police in connection with Corry

Timothy Norman, 25, was arrested on Thursday by police in connection with Corry.

Officers searched Norman's home in Llandilo and claim they found the drugs, phones and counterfeit money, as well as $1,200.

A stolen bobcat, four rifles, two pistols were also discovered at the home, officers said.

Correy (pictured) was arrested in May following an investigation into the home invasion of a west Sydney property on May 5

He was arrested while driving a luxury silver SUV on Adelaide Street, near Oxley Park

He is accused of supplying 330 grams of MDMA, 128 grams of ice and continuing drug supply dating back to June

Norman has been charged with 27 offences.

He was arrested while driving a luxury silver SUV on Adelaide Street, near Oxley Park, and is accused of supplying 330 grams of MDMA, 128 grams of ice and continuing drug supply dating back to June.

Alleged bikie Matthew Sale has been arrested in connection to the home invasion.

Norman appeared in court on Thursday and did not apply for bail. He is allegedly linked to the Penrith Rebels bike gang.

Officers searched Norman's home in Llandilo and claim they found the drugs, phones and counterfeit money, as well as $1,200

Mount Druitt Local Court heard Corry, who works part time at a Lone Star restaurant, was implicated in the trafficking of a large amount of drugs.

Police allegations are based on telephone intercepts of Corry supplying the 800 pills (240 grams) of MDMA on June 29, Mount Druitt Local Court heard.

The maximum sentence for commercial drug supply is 20 years jail.

The maximum sentence for commercial drug supply is 20 years jail. Corry and Norman will appear in court again in September

Corry was granted bail to reside with her aunt. She must report to police daily.

A large group of her family and friends were present in court and watched Corry wipe tears from her eyes while dresses in prison greens.
The toddler who suffered 'head to toe' injuries including a ruptured intestine was taken to McDonald's for burgers instead of the hospital at 3am just days before he died.

Mason Jet Lee, 21 months, was found dead at the Caboolture home, north of Brisbane, of his stepfather William Andrew O'Sullivan, 37, in the early hours of June 11.

Mason had been vomiting for days when he is seen on a neighbour's CCTV footage coming home from picking up the fast food in the early hours of June 7, according to The Courier Mail.

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Mason Jet Lee (pictured) who suffered 'head to toe' injuries including a ruptured intestine was taken to McDonald's for burgers instead of the hospital at 3am just days before he died

His mother Anne-Maree Lee, 27, (left) and her former partner William Andrew O'Sullivan, 37, (right) have been charged with manslaughter along with Ryan Robert Barry Hodson, 17

Ryan Hodson - one of three people charged with the toddler's manslaughter - is heard directing him.

'Come on c---, you walk like a spastic,' he said.

'Hurry up and grab your f---ing bottle. Mason, get here if you want your f---ing bottle.'

State agencies were familiar with the young boy and just a couple of months before his death, Mason suffered from a ruptured bowel, an anal tear, nappy rash and a broken leg, according to the Courier Mail.

This week his mother Anne-Maree Lee, 27, was refused bail, it was revealed she was sent a text message by her child's step-father, William Andrew O'Sullivan, 37, showing the boy laying in bed in 'volumes of vomit', the Courier Mail reported.

The image was taken a day before Mason died. It was part of a correspondence between O'Sullivan and Lee over who should take the child to see a doctor.

O'Sullivan and Lee are also charged with the toddler's manslaughter.

Hodson was denied bail in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on Monday on the grounds he is an unacceptable flight risk.

The court heard Hodson, who had been living in the same house as Mason, refused on multiple occasions to get the child medical help when asked.

Hodson allegedly told one person who said the toddler needed to see a doctor to 'f*** your mouth up, it's not our business, it's not our problem'.

He also allegedly told another person that he wouldn't take Mason to see a doctor because he 'wasn't his child'.

Little Mason Jet Lee was found dead on June 11 after suffering severe injuries, including a ruptured intestine

The court heard Hodson was captured on CCTV verbally abusing the child on three occasions leading up to his death.

On separate occasions Hodson told Mason 'you walk like a spastic, hurry up and grab your f***ing bottle' and 'shut up c*** or I'm going to hit you in the head'.

Police prosecutor Aaron Murray said Mason suffered widespread injuries including scarring and bruising to his legs, abdomen and head.

The connective tissue between his scalp and skull had also been torn indicating his hair had been pulled.

Sergeant Murray said while there were no allegations Hodson physically abused Mason, he clearly showed 'no care, compassion or consideration in any way'.

He also suggested Hodgson should remain in custody for his own protection, given the publicity surrounding the case.

Hodson will appear in the same court on September 28.

Also on Monday, Mason's mother was remanded in custody when she faced the Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

The 21-month-old suffered severe injuries, including a ruptured intestine in the days leading up to his death

The court heard the mother was in an abusive relationship but she had intended to leave her partner, who had refused to let her see her child, ABC News reported.

Her lawyer lawyer Brad Skuse on Monday told the court there was evidence to suggest his client should have known her son was in need of medical attention.

'In terms of the crown case, your honour, certainly there are strengths to it,' Mr Skuse said.

'There are a number of pieces of evidence, your honour, which support that my client should have been aware as to the condition of Mason Lee, her son.'

But he also said Ms Lee, who appeared scared and weak during her appearance, had 'limited opportunities' to observe Mason.

In refusing bail, Magistrate Graham Lee, of no relation, said the case against Ms Lee was 'very serious' and found there was an unacceptable risk of her not appearing at future court dates.

Queensland detectives scoured the surrounding of the Caboolture property following the boy's death in June

The court also heard police were concerned she could interfere with witnesses if released.

Magistrate Lee said although there was no criminal history to consider the crown case seemed to be strong.

'In balancing all considerations, you have no history, (but) this is a very, very serious case,' he said to Ms Lee.

Mason's stepfather also remains in custody after not applying for bail during his brief appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Police allege the trio failed to provide Mason with medical treatment despite his obvious injuries, although they're yet to determine how they were caused.
He will be sentenced on November 10

A former drama teacher at a prestigious New York high school has admitted in a plea deal that he subjected two underage students to sexual contact, say authorities.

Christopher Schraufnagel, 41, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment charges Thursday, said acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty.

But the agreement is not final and still awaits approval from New Castle Town Justice Douglas Kraus, who told The Journal News that he would like to review the deal before signing off on it.

Christopher Schraufnagel, 41, (left and right) pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment charges Thursday

If it is agreed, Schraufnagel, who is battling cancer and has undergone surgery twice, will not go to jail.

A civil lawsuit filed against Schraufnagel, the former drama teacher at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, alleged that he 'engaged in sexual acts with students' and plied them with alcohol and drugs.

He is alleged to have engaged in sex-themed games during his drama classes, one of which was called 'Train Wreck', where students would be asked to discuss intimate details about their sexuality.

Another perverse game was dubbed 'Sick Secret Santa' played by theater rep students which required them to give the most outlandish gifts possible, said the lawsuit.

These included a scone with pubic hair baked into it, a dead bird, a cup of semen and a coffee cup filled with feces.

The prosecutor says the incidents involved students at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua (pictured) between May 2011 and June 2015

The prosecutor says the incidents involved students at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua between May 2011 and June 2015. Schraufnagel resigned last fall.

McCarty says Schraufnagel will face three years of probation with sex offender conditions and will surrender his teaching certificate.

He will be sentenced on November 10.

Attorney David Engelsher represents four students who have accused Schraufnagel. Engelsher calls the guilty plea 'partial vindication' for them.

The 41-year-old was hired in 2003 and started work in 2006 after which he ran a successful theater program for 12 years.
For a man who suffered a heart attack last year, whose political party seems to be sliding  nay, charging  into the abyss, and who faces being sued by one of the richest men in the country, Frank Field doesn't half look chipper.

In the flesh, the Labour MP for Birkenhead isn't the brimming-with-bonhomie type.

He's tall, rather pale and, in his sterner moments, can have the air of an undertaker.

Yet he is, in his own way, clearly doing a little jig inside.

MP Frank Field (pictured, right) locked horns with former BHS boss Sir Philip Green (pictured, left) during a parliamentary inquiry into the collapse of the department store

'I'm relishing it, yes,' he confirms, as a smile plays on his lips. 'What a time to be alive!'

Why the joie de vivre? He says that he does like to have a 'summer project'.

Has this once involved a nice yachting break in Monaco?

Of course not.

'I'd rather cut off my right hand,' he says dryly when asked about that sort of summer recess.

Instead, he has emerged from a much more invigorating encounter, one which saw him locking horns with former BHS boss Sir Philip Green during a parliamentary inquiry into the collapse of the department store.

These things are normally staid affairs, but this one was like an episode of EastEnders in its drama.

Green  playing the part of a cartoon billionaire bully-boy who has flown in for the day, still slick with sun oil  blustered and barked and was outraged to be held to account.

Field, 74, cold and clipped, assumed the role of Victorian schoolmaster itching to get his hands on the cane.

And boy did it get personal.

In the flesh, the Labour MP for Birkenhead isn't the brimming-with-bonhomie type. He's tall, rather pale and, in his sterner moments, can have the air of an undertaker. Yet he is, in his own way, clearly doing a little jig inside

Green  playing the part of a cartoon billionaire bully-boy who has flown in for the day, still slick with sun oil  blustered and barked and was outraged to be held to account

The ensuing report was among the most scathing ever produced by a select committee, accusing Sir Philip of being 'the unacceptable face of capitalism' and declaring that he had a 'moral duty', if not a legal one, to plug the 571 million hole left in the BHS pension pot when things went pear-shaped.

The Topshop tycoon hit back, accusing Field  a long-term campaigner against poverty  of orchestrating a 'kangaroo court'.

When Field then accused him of being 'worse than Robert Maxwell', a reference to the shamed publishing mogul who defrauded Mirror Group pensioners, Sir Philip  never known for his cool temper  went ballistic and threatened libel proceedings.

A courtroom showdown between these two, Mr Chalk and Mr Cheese, would be quite something.

Field  utterly convinced he has right (and public opinion) on his side  seems delighted at the prospect.

When we meet at Westminster he is positively fizzing.

'If it goes to court, if he wants to do that, fine.' Bring it on? 'Yes. Absolutely.'

He does make an important clarification though. 'I want to be tried by a jury.'

He rolls his eyes at the idea that he is responsible for any reputation tarnishing.

'Reputation? What reputation? He doesn't have one any more,' he says, suggesting that it was Green's own performance during the select committee questioning that was 'the rope he hanged himself by'.

Did he find Sir Philip to be a bully? He half smiles. 'I actually find it easier to deal with a bully than someone who is nice to me. If you are nice to me, you can walk all over me. 'But I don't like bullies and they don't frighten me.'

Did he find Sir Philip to be a bully?

He half smiles. 'I actually find it easier to deal with a bully than someone who is nice to me. If you are nice to me, you can walk all over me.

'But I don't like bullies and they don't frighten me.'

Then there is his trump card  the thousands of emails from the victims of this unholy mess.

'I have the weight of emails from BHS staff, people like my mum and your mum, who would have worked loyally and never questioned that the return ticket for that loyalty would be concern for their long-term future,' he says. 'They feel cheated, short-changed, taken for a ride.'

Field points out the unfairness of it all. 'What is the point of living your life like this, by the rules of society, when this person who totally disregards the rules can walk away?'

His loathing for Sir Philip, and all he represents, is perhaps unsurprising. Field, who was elected MP for Birkenhead in 1979, is a man who doesn't do ostentatious; a man who, until recently didn't even own a television.

His loathing for Sir Philip, and all he represents, is perhaps unsurprising. Field, who was elected MP for Birkenhead in 1979, is a man who doesn't do ostentatious; a man who, until recently didn't even own a television

'Even then I only got it because Mother was ill and it was for her,' he points out. 'I never could work the thing. Then she died and I was left with it.' Haydn string quartets are more his thing than reality TV.

Field  a grammar school boy from a working-class family  challenges the idea that he always had it in for Sir Philip.

'Quite the opposite,' he says, admitting that at one point 'before I got dug in to what was happening' he admired the billionaire, who 'seemed like such a perfect example of a working-class boy made good'.

'That idea that he came from nothing, worked his way up, that someone like him could show the toffs that anyone could make it  it was appealing.'

Putting aside whether it's entirely accurate to paint Sir Philip as a working-class boy done good (he did grow up in leafy Hampstead and went to boarding school, after all) even when it was clear the supposed rags-to-riches fairytale had a dark side, Field says he was convinced a happy outcome was possible.

'I wanted him to do the right thing, to show that he was a decent human being,' he says. 'I genuinely, foolishly, thought that he would.'

He can't get over the latest rumours, that there is talk of Monaco  a place built on bling  expelling the billionaire.

He can't get over the latest rumours, that there is talk of Monaco  a place built on bling  expelling the billionaire

'This is a place that has been created for tax exiles, for people who don't want to pay any taxes. That they think he is bringing the principality into disrepute. God! Monaco is only there for people like Lady Green. That idea that even Monaco thinks he is damaging them. Wow!'

He won't be drawn on the legal issues or the insolvency inquiry which will be looking at the movement of BHS assets, but says that in some ways  ie, in the court of public opinion  'punishment has already been handed out'.

Does he think those celebrities who once flocked to Sir Philip's side should be more vocal now? 'What I find surprising is that the Jewish community hasn't,' he says.

'That community has so enriched our culture, but I am amazed that they haven't said, 'Philip, you cannot go on like this'. It seems that nobody he knows will say something to make him reconsider.'

His reference to Sir Philip's religion might seem jarring, but it's something that was a surprising factor during the three month-long committee hearing.

Field says he heard from associates of Sir Philip and was appalled at the anti-Semitic tone of some of them. 'There were a few 'let's get the Jew boy' type comments, which I found disgusting.'

What of the bigger picture of whether Parliament needs more powers to deal with men like Sir Philip?

Field is convinced that Theresa May is already on the case. He says he has written to the new Prime Minister to call for legislation to stop private companies being able to operate 'like personal fiefdoms'.

'What struck me was when someone was giving evidence and referenced Arcadia [Sir Philip's parent company], I said, 'Do you mean the Arcadia board' and he said 'No, I mean Philip Green.'

There was no board! They just did as they were told.'

This is quite a 'summer project' he seems to have embarked on then.

Field is convinced that Theresa May is already on the case. He says he has written to the new Prime Minister to call for legislation to stop private companies being able to operate 'like personal fiefdoms'

Sir Philip must be discovering, too late, that Field, ever the Westminster maverick, is not a man to be underestimated.

He is a true rarity in these parts, a churchgoer who says he puts morality and decency before party or politics.

Not that he uses the word 'morality'.

'I don't like it. I don't say it. It's too Victorian, has connotations of you being a clever Dick. But the idea of having standards, of human decency, is everything, isn't it?'

Field has never married and doesn't have children  and can't decide whether this was a help or a hindrance to his political career.

('A bit of both. It made me single-minded. I was never afraid to say what I thought because I didn't have to worry about the job, about buying school shoes. But in terms of going higher . . . well, we like our Prime Ministers to be married, don't we?')

He's always been something of a loose cannon at Westminster, never afraid to pick a fight from the back benches, never afraid to ignore the party line if it affronts him.

He was a huge fan of Margaret Thatcher, with whom he had regular meetings, pooh-poohing the idea that their party loyalties should prohibit contact.

He's pro-Brexit, anti-open borders, and horrified that the Parliamentary Labour Party is chock-a-block full of Europhiles (when the electorate isn't).

Today, he accuses his own party of being woefully out of touch with what ordinary Labour supporters want.

When the subject turns to leadership battles, whether we are facing a Labour split, whether the decline is terminal, he lifts his eyebrows heavenward again.

'There is talk here of splitting off and having our own leader, and maybe that is what people want to do, but we need to remember that it is the voters who are on the move while we are doing all this navel-gazing.'

The 'sideshow', as he calls it, is deflecting from the real danger to Labour.

For ten years he has been 'bleating on'  his words  about the threat from Ukip.

When the subject turns to leadership battles, whether we are facing a Labour split, whether the decline is terminal, he lifts his eyebrows heavenward again.

When Field then accused him of being 'worse than Robert Maxwell', a reference to the shamed publishing mogul who defrauded Mirror Group pensioners, Sir Philip  never known for his cool temper  went ballistic and threatened libel proceedings

Now he says the very existence of the Labour Party relies mostly on who the next Ukip leader will be.

'At the last election, a million people who had voted for us turned to them. If we lose another million, it will be dismal beyond belief.

'It will be the end of the Labour Party as we know it.

'I don't think we have many more elections to lose before there is no Labour Party and we need to stop the haemorrhage.

'Our problem is that we are antagonising our core voter by pushing through policies they loathe.'

After he's praised Mrs May  'I like her method of working, her command.

Her coming to power ends the whole New Labour era where the objective was spin.

It's a big change'  he's on to Jeremy Corbyn's failings and says an 'open borders' policy is incompatible with protecting wage levels and welfare reform.

However, he'll never quit Labour, saying: 'Providence washes you up on a shore and you stay there,' he says. 'I don't see the point of switching from party to party.'

On the other hand, as he points out, it is not totally clear what the Labour Party stands for these days.

'I am a maverick here, yes,' he says, waving an arm in the busy cafe at Portcullis House.

'But I don't think I am out of step with what Labour voters are thinking. I am not the one who has got it wrong.'

So much of his work, particularly the campaigning against poverty, sounds like an unwinnable war ('I do think that if you'd told me, when I started out, that we would still be talking about people going hungry today I would have been thinking 'you need a straitjacket'.').

Can he win if he ends up in a courtroom with Sir Philip Green, though?
Advertisement

It is known for luxurious furnishing, classic furniture and statement lighting.

But retailer Restoration Hardware could eventually be marking its mark in the property world as well.

CEO Gary Friedman just put his St. Helena, California home on the market for a cool $10.5 million - and has been furnished floor to ceiling by his company's design team.

Restoration Hardware CEO Gary Friedman just put his St. Helena, California home on the market for a cool $10.5 million (pictured)

Friedman paid $5.9 million for the Napa Valley house (interior pictured) in 2013 and initially planned to turn it into a place to relax

The estate has been furnished floor to ceiling by his company's design team - even the garden furnishings (pictured)

Restoration Hardware is an American home-furnishings company headquartered in Corte Madera, California

Friedman told Washington Street Journal that he personally led the design team and that every last detail - from linens to planters - were designed by RH.

Even the wine vault was from a business RH bought that sells wine, antiques and art.

Friedman, 58, paid $5.9 million for the house back in 2013 but then found something closer to his company's new flutter into food, wine, art and design complex.

He then found something closer to his company's new flutter into food, wine, art and design complex - but continued the renovation anyway. Pictured: En suite from one of the six bedrooms

Even the wine vault (pictured) was from a business RH bought that sells wine, antiques and art

Gary Friedman (left) told Washington Street Journal that he personally led the design team and that every last detail - from linens to planters - were designed by RH. Pictured right: Restoration Hardware store

Friedman said he personally led the RH design team - all the furnishings are RH - even the planters (pictured)

He decided to go ahead with the two-year remodel of the Napa Valley house - exclusively in RH.

While Friedman said there were no immediate plans for the company to develop any more properties, he didn't completely rule it out.

He felt there was a 'void in the market for fully designed and integrated homes that deliver the one thing that none of us can currently buy, time.'

The main house stretches 5,140 square-feet, while the guest house is 630 square foot. The estate has six bedrooms, four private outdoor showers and a 'wellness center'.

Straight from the catalogue! The luxurious interiors - living room pictured - are like stepping into a RH shop

One of the garages on the estate has been turned into a 'wellness center', which includes a gym (pictured in the foreground) yoga studio and outdoor massage room (pictured far back)

The Napa Valley may be the first of many under the RH property portfolio. Its CEO explained: 'I do believe there is a void in the market for fully designed and integrated homes that deliver the one thing that none of us can currently buy, time'

The main house stretches 5,140 square-feet, while the guest house is 630 square foot - both of which are furnished with classy RH designs

There are a total of six bedrooms and 5 baths and four of the bedrooms have private outdoor showers (pictured)

Friedman said: 'We believe over time we can move beyond just creating and selling products to conceptualizing and selling spaces.'

A place to relax: The massage parlor has views to die for and is half outside - making the most of the spectacular California countryside
For several years now, I have been an academic with the deep background of a military practitioner. Consequently, one of my duties as a US Army War College faculty member is to engage in professional forums. As a career Army officer, I am very comfortable in military venues. As we teach our students, USAWC faculty members also need to get out of our comfort zones and be exposed to other ideas, people and cultures to broaden our knowledge and experience.

Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Europe. I had been stationed in Germany for a good portion of my active duty military career and had very fond memories of my time there. Maybe I was looking for respite from ever-present media coverage of this summers notorious events -attacks in U.S. cities of Orlando, Dallas, and Baton Rouge, and the ensuing demonstrations, as well as the national conventions of our two major political parties. Perhaps I naively sought a simpler time of a lieutenant and captain who focused on tactical units and missions. I conveniently forgot the attacks of the 1970s and 1980s by the terrorist groups like the Baader-Meinhof Gang and the Red Brigades.

I looked forward to attending the International Political Science Association (IPSA) World Congress 2016 where the conference theme was Politics in a World of Inequality. The IPSA conference had been scheduled to be held in Istanbul but was relocated because of terrorist attacks in Turkey over the past year. Ironically, the week prior to the conference the world witnessed the attempt and failure of a military coup against the democratically elected Turkish president.

My quiet academic retreat did not last long amid the reports during a week of an axe attack aboard a train, youth shooting and massacre, and suicide bombing in the Bavarian region of Germany where I spent several years of my career. I was quickly brought back to the reality of our present time. One can imagine the extra-conference conversations in the hotel lounges and local restaurants. First, there was concern for Turkish scholars, colleagues, and military members-not knowing whether they were involved or implicated in the coup. Second, confirmation that an academic conference has to examine and explain world events in practical ways that can be used to understand and improve the human condition.

The latter was the thrust of the conference where Political Science is the analysis of political activity and behavior that determine as well as reflect the distribution of power and resources. In the plenary sessions and presentations of research papers, the recurring theme was that inequality-economic and political-drives conflict at civic, national, regional, and global levels.

Scholars from the nations represented at the conference provided their research on civil-military relations and the role of the military in politics. Over the past decade, we have several cases to study on how militaries interact with their governments-from the post-Cold War democratization of authoritarian regimes and the Arab Spring to the current security threats posed by violent extremist organizations. Arguably, the relationship between armed forces and the society is inherently about the distribution of power and resources within a nation.

As I return to Carlisle to prepare for the next cohort of resident US Army War College students, I continue to be struck by the magnitude of the strategic challenges faced by our senior political officials and military officers. The US Army War College goals include challenging our students and helping them develop new frames of reference for the types of problems they will face upon graduation.

We strive to assist them as strategic advisors and leaders in assessing the environment, discerning core problems, and establishing priorities while devising approaches to address issues of national security. We seek to provide our graduates with skills needed for success in a world where inequality persists and, thus, conflict is the natural result.
Little more than a year ago, Vicky Balch, then aged 19, passed her foundation degree in international spa management at the University of Derbyshire with flying colours.

Vicky was the youngest of four children and the first in their close-knit family to attend university. Needless to say, her parents, Karen and Brian, a retired postal worker, were extremely proud. 'I hoped that she'd finish her studies, then go travelling and see the world,' says Karen, who works in healthcare.

'She wanted to work at a spa in Japan or China, so she was trying to learn Chinese. Then this happened.'

'This' was the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash on June 2 last year, when Vicky was terribly injured after the steel safety bar of the rollercoaster car in which she was sitting crushed her right leg. For six weeks, surgeons fought to save it but, after six lengthy reconstructive operations, they had to amputate.

Vicky Balch, who lost her right leg after a rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers, posed in a lacy bra and stocking

She was forced to have her right leg partially amputated after the horrific Alton Towers incident

Ms Balch lost her leg after being trapped in the Smiler ride when she was 19 years old

'When the nurse told me, I broke down,' says Karen. 'But look at her. Look how beautiful my daughter is now. She looks absolutely gorgeous, doesn't she?'

She does, in a sweet-faced, girl-next-door sort of way. But what mother and daughter are actually here to talk about is the publication of  well, not your average girl-next-door snap.

Recently, Vicky gave permission for photos of herself from a provocative lingerie shoot to be splashed over the pages of a Sunday newspaper. Casting her inhibitions aside, along with her 60,000 prosthetic leg, she was pictured in the sort of racy shots that would make most mothers blanch.

The photos of Vicky in a black lacy bra and stockings provoked a backlash on Twitter, with users of the social networking site accusing her of 'milking' her injury and calling her actions 'sad' and 'depressing'.

Karen couldn't disagree more. 'If you'd told me a year ago I'd be seeing my daughter half-naked in a newspaper, I'd have been shocked,' she says. 'We brought her up properly. But when I saw those photographs, I didn't look at what she was and wasn't wearing. I didn't even notice the leg. I just looked at her face  how pretty she is.

'Victoria cried when she saw them. She felt she'd never look like that again. That's why we encouraged her to do something with them and show the world you can have control of your body again after losing a leg.'

She stops. Shakes her head.

'My daughter's life  all our lives  changed that day. Everything she was going to be, everything she'd worked for, was taken from her. For months, it was like having a baby again. I had to wash her, dress her, dry her hair. She was in indescribable pain.

'The doctors couldn't control it for five weeks. Some mornings, she'd be clinging to the bed, crying because she was in so much pain.

People were seriously injured after the collision between two carriages on the Smiler ride

This crumpled rollercoaster carriage shows the true horror of the Alton Towers Smiler crash

'But she has been so brave. She wants to help other people with disabilities now. That's what drives her. People need to understand what Victoria is going through before they start judging her.'

Vicky is in tears listening to her mum. She is in pain today, but would never complain. She suffers from stabbing stomach cramps, sweats and insomnia as she tries to reduce her dosage of the strong painkillers to which she became addicted after months of surgery.

'It's always when I think about my mum that I cry,' says Vicky as she wipes her eyes. 'I'm horrible to her sometimes  snappy  and that makes me feel so bad.

'I get irritated with her. I don't mean to, but I hate not being able to do things for myself. I was living an independent life at university before this.'

Vicky remembers every moment of that fateful day. Perhaps, in truth, it would be better if she didn't.

But when I saw those photographs, I didn't look at what she was and wasn't wearing. I didn't even notice the leg. I just looked at her face  how pretty she is Karen Balch, Vicky's mother

After queuing for 25 minutes, she was with her friend, Daniel Thorpe, in a carriage with Leah Washington, who also lost a leg, and Joe Pugh when, at the crest of the ride, the Smiler rollercoaster suddenly stopped.

'We'd been waiting so long, we were that close to walking away,' says Vicky. 'A couple in front of us gave up, so we ended up in their carriage.

'We'd been asked to get on and off several times before the ride, so I was feeling really uneasy, but I didn't want to be a wimp. Then, when you're finally off, they play a tune that's really creepy  it laughs at you.

'When we were at the top of the hill, the car stopped. I wanted to scream 'Get me down', but no one would have been able to hear. There's nothing you can do about it. You're not in control.

'We set off again and I got a really, really bad gut feeling. I was screaming. I didn't like it. I was scared.

'Then we came round a loop and I saw the car in front of us. Dan told me to brace myself. I thought: 'It's not there. This is a trick of the ride.'

But it was there.

Only later did Vicky find out that an empty ride maintenance car had been left on the track.

Ms Balch (pictured) attended the court case involving the owners of Alton Towers

The Smiler ride (pictured) was immediately shut down in the aftermath of the collision

'I didn't close my eyes at any point. We bumped into it . . .' She blinks as if trying to erase the image.

'I remember hitting it. The pain in my legs was . . . I can't remember ever being in that much pain. We rebounded, then went back towards it. That's when I passed out and had a seizure.

'I woke up to Dan shouting my name. We were still swaying. I was in shock  trying to breathe, not hyperventilate. The pain. I didn't know what to do. People were screaming. Crying.

'Over and over, I kept thinking: 'When is this going to end? When?'

'I looked down. My leg was dripping with blood. You couldn't see the bar, it had gone through my leg that much. All you could see was ripped jeans, blood and tissue. Joe was screaming.

'I just remember Dan holding my hand, saying: 'It'll be all right' and telling me to stay awake.

Ms Balch appeared on the Victoria Derbyshire show on the BBC and she spoke of her determination to walk again

'I kept saying: 'I'm never going to be able to walk again.' Blood was trickling out the whole time.' It took 20 minutes for emergency services to arrive and another four hours and ten minutes for Vicky to be cut from the wreckage. They were unable to give her transfusions because of her unstable blood pressure.

'A fire officer was holding my hand the entire time,' says Vicky. 'He was squeezing it and wanting me to respond, but I couldn't care. I just wanted to not be there.'

She wanted to die?

'Yes,' she says. 'It was that painful. They tried to saw through the bars or something. We were all screaming. The vibrations hurt the inside of our legs.'

Vicky was eventually lifted from the wreckage and taken by air ambulance to the Royal Staffordshire Hospital.

'I was constantly asking everyone around me to ring my mum. They wanted to take me to theatre and asked me to sign a consent form to amputate. I can't remember going under, just waking up. Being in agony.

'I had a cage on my leg. I didn't know where I was or what had happened. I just wanted my mum.'

Vicky is crying now.

Karen recalls: 'When I got to the hospital, the anaesthetist said they didn't know if she was going to live or die because her blood pressure was going so high and then so low.

'He explained that she'd injured both legs, but one was much worse than the other. Then he said: 'I've been holding Victoria's hand and talking to her. All she keeps saying is: 'I know this is serious. Thank you for helping me'.'

'I got to the recovery room, saw her and cried. She cried and then she said: 'Mum, who's going to want me like this?' I felt really emotional and said: 'I don't care who wants you. I will always want you. I don't care if you have no arms or no legs. I am your mother and I'll always want you.'

Vicky was taken to intensive care, where she stayed for three weeks while surgeons decided whether to try to save her leg or amputate it. 'I had no concept of time, but I refused to sleep,' says Vicky. 'I didn't want to close my eyes. I was scared I'd have flashbacks. I was on morphine and ketamine, but still in so much pain that I was hallucinating. I kept seeing dragons.'

Surgeons decided to try to reconstruct her mangled leg, so a nine-hour operation followed. The operations continued for five weeks but, after the sixth, Vicky became conscious of a 'foul smell'.

'My friend Hanna was visiting. She'd stay for three days over every weekend. We'd play Monopoly and chat, but that week I slept the entire time. It was as though I'd taken two steps forwards and 200 back.

Two of the carriages ran into each other in June 2015 and an air ambulance was rushed to the scene

'I was supposed to have my last skin graft before going home, but the surgeon said: 'If it smells that bad, we might have to amputate.' He came back with a consent form. I said: 'If you have to, just do it.' '

Vicky had a panic attack as she was taken to surgery.

'I remember struggling to breathe as they put me under,' she says. 'I woke up, looked around and my mum was there. She was really upset.

'I looked down and there was a space where my leg should have been, but the pain was gone.'

Vicky doesn't dwell on those first days of coming to terms with her amputation. Some things are too painful, even for this astonishingly courageous young woman. After eight weeks in hospital, she was discharged to her parents' care.

'I didn't ever see myself being happy again,' she says.

'Because of the medication I was on, I put on nearly 2 st. That brought my confidence right down. I'd always been around 8 st and was used to getting compliments, but I couldn't even get into my clothes. I couldn't wear my heels, either. I'd look in the mirror and think I was fat and ugly.'

But Vicky is, as her mother says, 'stubborn and determined'.

'I saw this counsellor near the beginning who was all about the accident and concentrated on what I couldn't do,' says Vicky.

'She'd say I couldn't go to the cinema without my wheelchair and I couldn't do this and that. I was like: 'I can and I will.' '

Indeed, Vicky was expected to be in a wheelchair until 2018.

But within four months of the accident, she used crutches to walk down the catwalk for a fashion show organised by Models of Diversity, a charity that promotes disabled and ethnically diverse models.

The response on social media was overwhelming. The next month, she relied only on a walking stick to collect her degree at her graduation service. Karen says she and Vicky's father 'couldn't stop smiling, we were that proud'.

Ms Balch arrived at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire where Alton Towers operator Merlin indicated a guilty plea to a charge of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act

There have, though, been 'bad days': two relationships with men haven't worked out and friendships have fallen by the wayside.

Inevitably, Vicky has felt hurt and her mother has shared her pain. The lingerie shoot, which took place in June, almost a year to the day after the crash, was a 21st birthday present from her best friend Hanna, intended to cheer her up.

'When I saw those photographs . . . I never thought I'd be able to look that attractive or sexy again. I was going to keep them for me, but my mum and the rest of the family said: 'You need to do something with these.'

'I hope they show that, no matter what's happened, you can still do what you want to do and still look sexy.'

And what of online trolls such as 'Cully1701', who tweeted: 'Why is Vicky Balch the only one still milking the unfortunate Alton Towers event? Life-changing, yes, but have some pride.'

Vicky tilts her chin, defiantly. 'Those are just comments from people who hide behind pixellated profile pictures, who try to make themselves feel better by putting other people down.'

Since the shoot, Vicky has had the confidence to move into her own flat near her mum and dad in Preston.

'I even got a comment on the street the other day,' she says with a smile. 'The sort I used to get.

'In the past couple of weeks, I've been able to wear my prosthesis all day. It still rubs and nips, but you just power through it. I've started going to the gym and eating healthily. Now, I'm more like my old self.

'People told me I wouldn't be walking and I am. They told me I wouldn't be running and I'm going to do that soon. They told me I wouldn't walk in heels and, if I can help one person by sharing this, I don't care what the trolls say.'

She pauses. 'I know this might sound weird. In one way, I'd love to rewind and walk past that ride, but in another I think I've become a better person. I've realised that life's not all about going out with your make-up on and worrying what people think.
Two men were arrested in Houston and are accused of using pirated computer software on their laptop to steal more than 100 vehicles.

Michael Arce, 24, and Jesse Zelaya, 22, focused on new Jeep and Dodge vehicles, which attract big money on the black market in Mexico, authorities said.

The men allegedly used a laptop computer to reprogram the targeted vehicles' electronic security so their own key worked, according to ABC 7.

Michael Arce (left), 24, and Jesse Zelaya (right), 22, were arrested in Houston and are accused of using pirated computer software on their laptop to steal more than 100 vehicles

The men focused on new Jeep (pictured on surveillance footage) and Dodge vehicles, which attract big money on the black market in Mexico, authorities said. The men allegedly used a laptop (pictured) to reprogram the targeted vehicles' electronic security

The stolen vehicles had a common software that's used by auto technicians and dealers, Houston police officer Jim Woods said.

Houston police said the cars made it into Mexico.

Because of the hack, the men may have exploited an electronic vulnerability to advance auto theft into high-tech crime, authorities said.

'As you get more and more computers installed in vehicles  if somebody has that knowledge and that ability, they can turn around and figure out a way to manipulate the system,' he said.

Fiat Chrysler, which makes Jeeps and Dodges, and police are investigating how the thieves got access to a computerized database of codes used by dealers, locksmiths and independent auto repair shops to replace lost key fobs, said Berj Alexanian, a spokesman at the company's US headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The stolen vehicles (pictured) had a common software that's used by auto technicians and dealers, Houston police officer Jim Woods said

Houston police said the cars made it into Mexico. Because of the hack, the men may have exploited an electronic vulnerability to advance auto theft into high-tech crime, authorities said

He said the code database is national and includes vehicles in areas outside of Houston, although he wasn't aware of similar thefts elsewhere.

'We're looking at every and all solutions to make sure our customers can safely and without thinking park their vehicles,' Alexanian said Friday.

With more automotive tasks becoming computerized and more cars being linked to the internet, such thefts are likely to increase across the globe, said Yoni Heilbronn, a computer security expert.

The auto industry has worked hard in the past year to develop protections, but hackers with multiple motivations will always be looking for ways to get in, said Heilbronn, vice president of marketing for Argus Cyber Security, an Israeli company that works with automakers.

While increased computerization brings safety benefits, Heilbronn foresees more thefts, malicious software being installed that shuts down cars until a ransom is paid, and even attacks that disable many cars at a time.

The industry, he said, has to install multiple layers of defense.

Automakers have been working together to develop best practices and to share information on cyber-security threats.

Companies, including Fiat Chrysler, have their own hacking teams and have offered bounties to outside hackers if they find vulnerabilities.

The Houston investigation began in late May with the theft of a Jeep Wrangler near downtown.

In the Jeep Wrangler case caught on a surveillance video, the suspect got under the hood, cut wires to the horn to disable an alarm and then got inside the SUV

Arce remained in jail without bond and Zelaya is being held on $500,000 bond on a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle

Leads in that case had been exhausted when investigators received information from federal Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers about vehicles being stolen using a laptop.

Arce and Zelaya then were identified as suspects.

The two men, who each have criminal records, were arrested last weekend driving a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee after police had been concentrating on an area of Houston that had been hit previously by auto thieves.

They also recovered electronic devices, keys and other tools believed used in the thefts, along with drugs, firearms and body armor.

In the Jeep Wrangler case caught on a surveillance video, the suspect got under the hood, cut wires to the horn to disable an alarm and then got inside the SUV.

Once inside, he used the database and the vehicle identification number to program a new key fob for the Jeep.

Arce remained in jail without bond on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, felony possession of a weapon, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He was set for a court appearance August 26.
Over the space of three days, Phillip Hoole buried his younger son with full military honours and saw his elder son married. Quite how he managed to hold himself together goodness knows, but he did.

On the Wednesday, I watched the military rehearsal for the funeral in Dumfries, then I got in the car and drove up to Glasgow to get the kilts for the wedding, he says. So, there were different emotions going on, but youve got to get on with things. I wanted to do the best for both my boys.

Phillips son, Corporal Joshua Hoole, 26, who served in The Rifles regiment, died during a training exercise in the Brecon Beacons, Wales on July 19. He was due to be best man at his brothers wedding last Saturday.

Phillip, who brought up both his sons to be respectful, kind and to do their best, has always led by example so, on that day, he stood in for Josh to deliver the speech he had written for his brother, who is also a serving soldier.

Phillip Hoole's son, Corporal Joshua Hoole, 26, died during a training exercise in the Brecon Beacons on July 19

My elder son wanted to read it himself, but it was his day and he needed to enjoy it as best he could, says Phillip. I had to stay objective. I read it quite a number of times to get the emotion out of myself before I did it.

There were little moments that day but very few tears. It was a time to enjoy life and the wedding was gorgeous.

Fit, dedicated, 26-year-old Josh was smashing a gruelling eight-mile run with just 200 metres to go when he collapsed on the hottest day of the year.

The truth is, my son might have dropped down dead any time Phillip Hoole

Joshs death followed those of three soldiers during a SAS selection exercise from heat illness on a similarly swelteringly hot day in 2013. In Westminster, MPs were swift to start pointing fingers at the Ministry of Defence.

Bridgend MP Madeline Moon, who sits on the Commons Defence Select Committee, insisted: This cannot continue. There has to be a change in culture. Something has gone very badly wrong here and we need to look at what steps need to take place to stop it happening again.

But Phillip, himself a former sergeant major, refused to join in, what he calls the blame game.

Over the space of three days, Phillip Hoole buried his younger son with full military honours and saw his elder son married. Pictured, the funeral

He did not demand an inquiry, nor make hysterical claims of Army negligence. Instead, with the integrity that defines him, he dismissed the parliamentary finger-pointing as a knee-jerk reaction.

How right he was.

Joshua, you see, did not die as a result of exerting himself in the heat.

Sadly, as his father reveals in this deeply moving interview, he had an undetected heart defect that was possibly genetic.

Ive talked to the pathologist and it looks like there was something in the heart tissue thats not quite right, says Phillip.

It might be genetic, so there are members of my family who are having to go to the doctor and start getting checked up.

He wouldnt have wanted the soldiers who were with him, or the medics, to feel any blame. He was doing his job and he knew the risks Phillip Hoole

The truth is, my son might have dropped down dead any time. He pauses. Gathers himself. This is a father who feels his sons death deeply, but is determined to do the right thing, as, he believes, Josh would have wished. Now is not the time for tears.

My son is dead. I cant bring him back. But I can speak up for him. Josh wouldnt have been happy with the way people have had a knee-jerk reaction straight away simply because it was the hottest day of the year.

He wouldnt have wanted the soldiers who were with him, or the medics, to feel any blame. He was doing his job and he knew the risks.

He was pushing himself. Josh always pushed himself 110 per cent. He was smashing that run and was at the front throughout, but just before the end he knew something wasnt quite right.

He turned round to someone and told them he wasnt feeling too good, then he collapsed. The medics who were there did the best they could to keep him alive, but there was basically nothing they could do.

Josh, who was a section commander at ITC Catterick and had received his courses Army Leadership Award  given to the instructor who best represents the Armys leadership values  when he passed out in June, was taking part in a pre-selection course for the much-sought-after Platoon Sergeants Battle Course.

Joshua had an undetected heart defect that was possibly genetic, his father has revealed

Like his father, brother and their fellow soldiers, all Josh ever aspired to live up to were the British Armys core values: loyalty, integrity, courage, discipline, respect for others and selfless commitment.

His father last spoke to Josh on his sons birthday just a week before he died. He keeps the last text he sent him on his phone: Thank you Daddy. I love you x.

So raw is his grief, it takes Phillip a full two minutes to steel himself to repeat these final words, but still he says: If Josh was still alive and you put him on that run tomorrow, hed have done the same thing. He wanted that Platoon Sergeants Battle Course, so Josh, being Josh, pushed himself. That was his choice.

A lot of people nowadays tend to go for the blame game and point fingers at other people instead of taking ownership of their decisions. Through life youve always got an option. You can say yes or no.

He, like me, believed we have a duty of care to soldiers not just to give them good equipment but also to train them so they are physically and mentally as resilient as possible to go and do an extremely difficult job in an operational environment.

People die in training. It happens. I know that sounds callous, but its true. People die in all sorts of jobs, but it doesnt always make the headlines like the Armed Forces or the police do.

The last thing I thought would happen is my son would die like he died. He was so full of life and vitality. But even if he had died from heat injuries, he wouldnt have wanted this.

Phillip, who retired from the Army after 24 years distinguished service, having seen action with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment in Northern Ireland and Iraq, now works in a school near his Cumbrian home mentoring young people with behavioural and emotional issues. Seeing young soldiers in his care flourish was always the part of his job he most liked.

Phillip, who was listed as Joshs next-of-kin, had just finished work for the day on July 19 when there was a knock at the door.

I opened it and saw two serving members of the Armed forces there in their suits with their badges on. I knew straight away something was up. I invited them in and said: Right go on then, which of them is it?

Corporal Joshua Hoole is pictured with his fiancee Rachael McKie

They said: You need to sit down. I said: No I dont. Which one of them is it? And then I was told Josh and my heart sort of felt a hand had got hold of it and just squeezed it.

That would have happened if theyd said either one of my sons names. The reason it went like that is there was a part of me that was hoping the two gentlemen stood in front of me had made a mistake and it wasnt my son who was dead. But, when they actually said his name, I couldnt get away from it. I had to accept it.

Josh was fit and had everything to live for. He knew he had a bright future in the Army and was getting married next year.

Phillip did not break down or wail in fury; instead, he put his own grief aside to decide upon the right way to tell Joshs brother, his mother - from whom Phillip had been divorced since the boys were ten and 11 - and his fiancee, Rachael McKie.

Ive been conditioned, trained, call it what you like, in the Army to stay objective and do whats right, he says. There were other people who were important in Joshs life - his brother, his fiancee and his mum - so it was about making sure they found out in the correct way.

He went first to see Joshs older brother - only a year separated the siblings - who was on leave to prepare for his wedding.

He was gutted. I was gutted but again we supported each other, says Phillip. Were both like-minded and we knew we had to do things in the proper way. We had to try to hold back our own grief a little bit.

Then, I took him to his mothers. From there, we went to see Joshs fiancee and told her.

After that I went to tell my mum. My sister lost a son who was in the Armed Forces in a car crash. Its not right having two young people in a family go, so it affected her quite hard.

Cpl Hoole's coffin was carried into Crichton Memorial Church in Dumfries by a military bearer party. His dress hat, belt and a white wreath were on top

But for me the hardest part was telling the young ones and seeing their hurt. I cant tell you how proud I am of both of them. His fiancee is coping remarkably well for someone who has lost the love of her life.

She went to the wedding, which was extremely brave of her.

It would have been quite difficult because shed have been probably looking at Joshs brother getting married and thinking: Next year that should have been me.

Josh would have been proud of the way she handled herself.

T he nature of this exceptional man is such that it is only when he speaks of the pain of others that his own grief threatens to overwhelm him most.

I do my crying pretty much in private, he says. Early in the mornings before people are up, I go on Facebook and look at the kind comments that have been writen, look at his photographs, things like that and get it out then.

I was very aware that, for the family, we needed to get things done before the wedding. Once youve got the emotion out of the way, you can get on with the day, because there was an awful lot to do.

It was not about forgetting Josh, but it was a way of trying to move on. If wed had the funeral after the wedding, that would have been a lot more difficult. My son was dead. There was nothing I could do about that. But what I could do was give him the best send off.

My elder son has been a strength for me. He stood up and gave the eulogy at his brothers funeral. There was a general there who said it even got him in the heart the way his brother did it.

He used humour in it as well. In the Armed Forces, you do use black humour to get over the emotional stuff. He wanted to do his best for his brother.

The next day we had the wedding rehearsal and, on the Saturday, it was the wedding.

Routes through the Brecon Beacon, a set of hills in south Wales, have long been used by the Army for training marches. File photo

When I meet Phillip in Taunton, Somerset, where he is on holiday with his fiancee, Susan, it is less than a week since he saw his firstborn son off on honeymoon, telling him how proud I was of him.

He looks exhausted, but remains extraordinarily strong.

When I walked away from my sons wedding at the end of the evening I actually felt a sense of contentment because wed managed to do it... His voice breaks.

I wanted to give Josh a funeral that was fitting for him and see my other son married with the joy that he deserved. Up to that point, Id held all my emotions together, but when I walked away from the wedding I could let my emotions go and not have to be the father figure or the person there for support.

But being down here [in the West Country], there are lots of memories because before I separated from their mum we lived in Taunton when I was on the Cadet Training Team, so my sons went to school here...

He breathes deeply. Its OK. This is about seeing justice done by Josh. We live in a blame culture, which is probably not a healthy society to live in. The Army is not to blame for my sons death.

For MPs and the media to be making a mini moral panic about Army training because of it is wrong. Do they ever stop to think when theyre giving these soundbites about the emotional fallout  not just for my family, but also for the young soldiers and medics who did their best to save Josh?

Josh would have hated that. He and soldiers like him are worth so much more than these people who sit in their ivory towers.

Indeed. As Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bell wrote to Phillip: There is a generation of rifleman across the infantry who will forever hold Joshua imprinted on their memories as the section commander providing them with an enduring role of how it [leadership] should be done.

The same comments have been repeated over and over: dedicated, professional and simply a good bloke.

Like father, like son.
The chairman of the landmark child abuse inquiry could receive up to 90,000 in severance pay  despite quitting the job.

Dame Lowell Goddard, who became the third head of the mammoth investigation to abandon it, was said to have been overwhelmed by the task.

But she is understood to be in talks with the Home Office about the terms of her departure, which could include a pay-off totalling tens of thousands of pounds.

The judge may also be allowed to keep living in her taxpayer-funded 2,000-a-week rented apartment in Knightsbridge, central London, for some time.

Dame Lowell Goddard became the third head of the mammoth investigation to abandon it

The multi-million pound inquiry, the biggest in British legal history, has been plunged into chaos since she walked out on Thursday.

Under the terms of her contract, Dame Lowell was required to give three months written notice before quitting.

But Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced she was stepping down with immediate effect, meaning she could be paid for a further three months, the equivalent of about 90,000.

Last night a Home Office spokesman said: 'We are working on the terms of her departure. Nothing has been decided yet.'

The New Zealand judge, who had no experience of British courts, explained her decision by saying the job had been 'a struggle in many respects'.

But one inquiry source claimed: 'She couldn't cope with the information coming in, she was just overwhelmed.

'She appeared to have a '24-hour memory' and couldn't get a grip on the detail  it seemed she couldn't remember who anyone was, names, dates and so on.'

The judge could receive up to 90,000 in severance pay  despite quitting the job

Miss Rudd has pledged a new chairman will be found and there will be 'no delay' in the wide-ranging public inquiry, which is feared will drag on for a decade at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.

But yesterday there were calls for it to be wound up or significantly scaled down.

Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP falsely accused of historical sex abuse, said: 'She just wasn't up to the job. At last week's preliminary hearings, she asked a barrister three or four times to go over the point again about what she was being asked to judge.'

Mr Proctor branded the inquiry 'an industry in thrall to every fantasist alive' and called it 'a lawyers' paradise' that 'should be dismantled'. One legal source connected with the inquiry said: 'She's either not reading her briefs, or not understanding them.' There was also concern 'about her ability to retain and digest information'.

Sources close to the inquiry spoke of 'difficult relations' between its officials and the chairman. One said there was conflict, but another suggested Dame Justice Goddard felt she was not getting the support her difficult job required.

Police forces and councils have been left in disarray at the resignation of the 67-year-old judge, whose brief was to investigate historical allegations of child abuse at institutions such as schools, care homes and churches. Some forces committed millions of pounds to setting up specialist teams to respond to demands from the inquiry.

A source said: 'Now nobody knows if it is all a big waste of time and money.' It also leaves Miss Rudd with a desperate search for a fourth chairman of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

More than 17.9million of taxpayer's cash has already been spent, but the inquiry is yet to hear a word of evidence.

The New Zealand judge, who had no experience of British courts, explained her decision by saying the job had been 'a struggle in many respects'

Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz demanded that Dame Lowell appear before MPs to give a 'thorough explanation' as to why she quit. He said: 'I don't really think a resignation letter or a statement is enough.'

She was appointed after two previous chairmen, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, resigned over accusations they were too close to the Establishment. As a New Zealand judge, Dame Lowell was untainted, but despite her credentials, an unofficial recent survey of her country's 63 judges ranked her at 63rd. Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg said: 'Goddard simply does not have the skills to run an inquiry of this sort  either in a courtroom setting or outside it. She seemed not to understand the most basic principles of judging.'

But others pointed out that Dame Lowell was sharp enough to have negotiated herself a pay and perks package worth 500,000 a year, making her the UK's highest paid civil servant.

Her generous package provided a 360,000 salary, a 110,000 accommodation allowance and regular free return flights to New Zealand for her and her family.

She was appointed after two previous chairmen, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, resigned over accusations they were too close to the Establishment

Lawyers predicted the inquiry would spiral out of control as it emerged it is receiving as many as 100 fresh allegations every week. Former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald said the inquiry had become 'unmanageable' and called on Miss Rudd to 'take a whole fresh look at this'.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'As for finding someone to take this on, this is going to be extraordinarily difficult. This is now seen not so much as a poisonous chalice as a lethal injection.'

Child abuse victims expressed deep dismay at the setback and called on Miss Rudd to appoint a new chairman quickly.

Phil Johnson, who has spent 20 years campaigning for justice for survivors, said: 'In the public eye, the credibility of the inquiry is in tatters  so much public money is being spent, and it seems to be achieving so little.'

Announcing her resignation, Dame Lowell said: 'The conduct of any public inquiry is not an easy task, let alone one of the magnitude of this.

'Compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off and with hindsight it would have been better to have started completely afresh.'
The scene is Otaki racecourse on the North Island of New Zealand last Saturday afternoon. The big race of the day is the Ryder Stakes, which carries prize money of more than 25,000.

One of the favourites is a filly called Sophia Magia. The red and black silks worn by her female jockey are familiar to Kiwi racegoers. They belong to Justice Dame Lowell Goddard, who is based in nearby Wellington.

She has bred and owned a string of thoroughbreds that are regularly raced, and sometimes win as far afield as Singapore.

For once, though, 'Godders' or just plain 'God' as the 67-year-old is known in Kiwi legal circles, was not present to see her horse run.

Dame Lowell Goddard was presiding over a preliminary hearing which is set to become the most expensive statutory public inquiry in British legal history

She was on the other side of the world  in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice in London, to be precise, where she was presiding over a preliminary hearing of what is set to become the biggest, most expensive statutory public inquiry in British legal history.

On Thursday night, however, she sensationally resigned as chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

This week, a Mail investigation has not only raised disturbing questions about Dame Lowell. It has also shone a light on the jaw-dropping extent of the sprawling child abuse inquiry she was attempting to oversee.

Now, many will question the sanity of pursuing an investigation which  after a year-and-a-half and 18 million of public money  has still not seen a single witness called.

Certainly, the keepers of the public purse may well be breathing a sigh of relief that Dame Lowell has walked away.

She was being paid a Home Office salary of 360,000 plus a generous expenses package. This gave her a further 110,000 annual rental allowance, 12,000 for utility bills, and a car and driver for official business.

Each year, she would also receive four business-class return flights to New Zealand for her and her husband, plus two return economy flights for her children  with annual costs estimated at 55,000. It was the best deal in public service.

But a series of additional revelations further undermined her position and credibility  and the credibility of the inquiry she chaired.

It emerged that she had admitted in court that she was uncertain about aspects of UK law. Privately, some lawyers involved said that she was out of her depth.

Lowell Goddard was chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

The inquiry had, one lawyer told me, grown into a Hydra, the many-headed monster of Greek myth. Legend has it that when one of its serpent heads was cut off, more would grow in its place.

It is to encompass 13 separate investigations into different institutions  such as churches, schools, councils, Westminster politicians and others  each of which would surely warrant a stand-alone inquiry.

Because of its sheer scale, 155 inquiry staff have been employed in dedicated offices around the country, dozens of lawyers  each costing hundreds of pounds an hour  have been engaged, while hundreds of new allegations are arriving each month.

It could cost 100 million and last for another decade rather than until 2020 as originally anticipated.

The day she quit, it emerged that Dame Lowell had spent 44 working days in Australia or New Zealand since the inquiry began, and another 30 outside the UK on annual leave. A spokesman for the hearings said that the judge had been on 'inquiry business' in New Zealand and Australia, and remained 'in constant contact' with her London office.

She had, they said, 'worked closely' with Australia's ongoing 'Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse' to learn from its experiences.

The Australian Commission, however, said there had been only two meetings with her in that period.

Why did Dame Lowell  surely unwisely  choose to spend so much time during the first months of her new role not only out of the UK, but so close to her home in New Zealand?

On Thursday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the Inquiry declined to reveal when Dame Lowell had last seen one of her racehorses run. Nor would they say what she had been doing this week to further the inquiry's progress.

The spokeswoman said: 'We do not comment on where people working for the Inquiry spend their annual leave, and as regards the Chair's diary commitments, we do not give a running commentary on the work of the Inquiry or the Chair's movements.'

Hours later, they were announcing her resignation.

Dame Lowell is the third person to have been chosen to lead the faltering inquiry, which was set up by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in the wake of abuse scandals such as those related to Jimmy Savile and the Liberal MP Cyril Smith.

But on Thursday night she sensationally resigned as chair of the Independent Inquiry

The result is what we have today: a catch-all trawl of huge  arguably impossible  scope, which seems to have a remit to examine every instance of institutional sexual abuse of a British child anywhere in the world, dating back to 1945.

The first person chosen to manage this vast enterprise was Baroness Butler-Sloss  who resigned after just one week in July 2014.

This followed calls for her to step down because her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, had been Attorney General in the Eighties, when some of the central allegations of abuse by members of the Establishment are said to have taken place.

Three months later, her replacement, Fiona Woolf, a lawyer and former Lord Mayor of London, also stood down amid concerns over her social links to former Home Secretary Lord Brittan, one of the former Ministers alleged to have abused children by the Labour MP Tom Watson  a suggestion for which Watson later had to apologise.

In February 2015, the unknown Dame Lowell was appointed from a list of 150 contenders. The same week, the Home Office paid around 15,000 for first-class return tickets for her and a companion  believed to be her husband  to fly from Wellington to London. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was formally established as a statutory inquiry a month later.

How qualified was she for the job? Well, she was one of New Zealand's first female QCs, and was later appointed deputy Solicitor General. In 1995, she became a High Court judge and was even tipped to be a future Governor General  effectively the nation's state figurehead.

Yet while highly competent, she is not viewed by every colleague back home as being in possession of an indisputably 'brilliant' legal mind.

Dame Lowell had sat on public inquiries, however, and headed the equivalent of our Independent Police Complaints Commission.

She was one of New Zealand's first female QCs, and was later appointed deputy Solicitor General

For all that, her job would be daunting for a very senior member of the British judiciary, let alone an outsider from a small land half a world away.

It did not inspire confidence that she admitted she was unfamiliar with 'local law' in Britain.

So what will now become of the inquiry  and can someone be found with the facility to manage it?

The three-and-a-half days of preliminary public hearings which took place at the Royal Courts of Justice last week afforded a rare, if toubling, sight of the inquiry in action.

The first session, on the Tuesday afternoon, concerned the investigation into allegations against the late Labour peer Lord Janner.

The extraordinary number of 'core participants' in court (individuals or organisations granted a formal interest in the work of the inquiry) gave some warning of the complexities and expense that lie ahead.

Those legally represented that day included the Labour Party, the Chief Constable of Leicestershire  where Lord Janner had been an MP  Leicestershire County Council, the Secretary of State for Education, the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the Derbyshire Chief Constable, and several groups of victims and survivors.

Four of the counsel for these bodies were highly paid QCs.

The opening session of Wednesday morning offered a similar, even more fleeting  it lasted just 31 minutes  glimpse of this impending legal nightmare.

This time, the preliminaries addressed alleged abuses within the Anglican Church.

Another costly cohort of legal representation for police forces, ecclesiastical organisations, government departments and survivors' organisations was present to hear that the Archbishops' Council alone had handed over 7,000 'items of disclosure'. This was, we would learn, a mere drop in the ocean of paperwork.

The second session of the morning concerned the investigation into allegations of abuse by the late Liberal MP Cyril Smith. This took even less time. But again, this part of the inquiry promised many months of court time in the future.

Wednesday afternoon's business was focused on historic alleged child abuse in the London borough of Lambeth. Once again, the session provided a graphic insight into the terrifying complexity of the problems that were facing the good Dame.

Ben Emmerson QC, the leading human rights lawyer and the Counsel to the Inquiry, warned Dame Lowell: 'As you may appreciate, the scale of the disclosure exercise is genuinely enormous.

The three-and-a-half days of preliminary public hearings which took place at the Royal Courts of Justice (pictured) last week afforded a rare, if toubling, sight of the inquiry in action

'There are 100,000 items in the archive, which mostly comprises individual children's files, and some 26,000 boxes of material held in locations around the country.'

He added: 'The sheer volume of material considered by the inquiry thus far underscores the vast scale of the task faced by this investigation.'

Yet, much of the 47 minutes the court was in session for after lunch was taken up by a bizarre intervention from one Brian Pead, who was there to ask Dame Lowell to reconsider her decision to reject his application to be a 'core participant' in the inquiry.

Mr Pead has been described as a 'whistle-blower' of institutional child sex cover-ups, and a victim

himself of childhood sexual abuse. But in 2009, when working as a therapist, he was himself convicted of the online grooming for paid sex of a 14-year-old schoolgirl and narrowly escaped jail.

In a long and rambling address, Mr Pead cited Magna Carta, most of the lyrics of Simon and Garfunkel's song Sound Of Silence, the writer Franz Kafka, the Book of Proverbs and Martin Luther King.

'Yes, Mr Pead, thank you very much for your thoughtful submission,' Dame Lowell told him. 'I will consider it.'

If there are many more interventions like Mr Pead's, it is hard to believe the inquiry will ever get off the ground.

And so it continued in a similar vein.

Thursday morning's 68-minute hearing concerned the Roma Catholic Church and attracted no fewer than 14 separate legal representatives of core participant organisations and individuals.

The lawyers included Lord Carlile QC, for the Benedictine community in Ealing, West London: Ealing Abbey once ran the adjacent St Benedict's School, where a former headmaster and teacher were jailed for carrying out paedophile abuse of the pupils.

Dame Lowell is the third person to have been chosen to lead the faltering inquiry, which was set up by the then Home Secretary Theresa May (pictured)

The Benedictines in England had handed over some 4,000 documents, the court was told. But there would be no witness evidence heard in court relating to them until late 2017 at the very earliest.

That afternoon's session lasted only 20 minutes, and was devoted to the alleged abuse of English children in Australia between 1945-70. This is of slightly more interest now that we know Dame Lowell spent so much time recently in Australia. One day, we might even find out why.

Her week in court had finished before lunch on Friday. By then it was Saturday morning in New Zealand and there was not enough time  even if she had wanted  to catch a flight to see her racehorse Sophia Magia run.

Now that she has resigned, of course, she will have much more time to pursue her equine passions.

As it happens, her horse trailed home last at the weekend. The going was heavy and visibility was poor.
Donald Trump took five minutes Friday during a campaign stop in Iowa to rake the press over the coals for reporting that he had a crying baby ejected from a rally three days earlier in Virginia.

Breathless stories blared headlines about Trump 'throwing out' a young mother and infant who disrupted his speech.

To Trump  and most of his audience  it was a laugh riot.

'A beautiful baby was crying. And I mean, crying like you would not believe,' Trump explained at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

'This baby could have been Pavarotti! In fact, I'm going to find out who that baby is. I'm going to make a deal with their parents because we can take that baby to training school and it will be the next great Pavarotti.'

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WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Donald Trump on Friday mocked reporters who roasted him for asking a mom to leave a rally on Tuesday with her crying baby

WAILING: Trump said the baby was crying so loudly that it 'could have been Pavarotti,' the late operatic legend whose voice soars in Trump's pre-rally playlist every day

The late Luciano Pavarotti's soaring tenor voice can be heard before and after every Trump rally, singing the aria 'Nessun dorma' from the Puccini opera 'Turandot.'

Later Friday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he said the tyke 'had a voice that was superior to Pavarotti.'

'I want to sponsor the baby!' he announced. 'And the baby will sing someday in Philharmonic Hall.'

'This was a beautiful baby, and beautiful mother,' he said Friday in Iowa. 'And the baby was crying, and I jokingly said, "Y'know what, that's okay. Let the baby cry. We love babies." You know, something to that effect,' Trump continued. 'Love babies!'

'And then about two minutes later, it didn't stop. It just went on, and I'm trying to speak in front of thousands  we had thousands of people in the room  And I said, "Alright." I actually said the first time, "Alright, keep the baby here, don't worry about it."

'And after about two minutes, I said, "Y'know what? I'm going to counteract my order. Beautiful baby, eh? If you take her outside, that's not so bad." That was it! The whole place laughed. We had a good time.'

'The whole place was cracking up!' he added in his nighttime Wisconsin event.

'I did it so nicely. She was happy. Even the baby was happy  he stopped crying!'

On Tuesday in Ashburn, Virginia, Trump had initially reassured his crowd about the wailing baby, saying: 'The mom's running around like, "Don't worry about it," you know. It's young and beautiful and healthy, and that's what we want.'

But in time, the tyke pushed Trump off his China-bashing game.

'Actually I was only kidding,' he said at last. 'You can get the baby out of here.'

I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO: Trump was pictured holding two babies at a rally in Colorado last week

ONLY JOKING: Donald Trump initially told the Virginia mother that she could stay, but minutes later asked her to leave

Trump complained Friday that the lighthearted moment brought journalistic cynics out of the woodwork.

'The press came out with headlines: "Trump throws baby out of arena!" So dishonest. So dishonest. I mean, these are dishonest people!' he boomed.

'Everyone's having fun! We're smiling, I'm waving, everyone's having fun. But they say, "Trump throws baby." Do you know how terrible that is? Such a lie. And they know it's a lie!'

He said that just before his rally an Iowa reporter had ambushed him with a question: 'Mr. Trump, how did you feel about throwing that baby out of the arena?'

'I've heard so much about that beautiful baby, beautiful parents. So much!' Trump said.

'I don't throw babies out, believe me. I love babies. I love my children. I love babies! I don't throw babies out, believe me!'

Trump had another less than picture-perfect moment on July 29 with two babies, one in each arm, after a rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As he posed for photos, one of the infants broke into tears.

HE'LL NEVER WASH THAT HAND AGAIN: Trump autographed a mohawked baby's hand with a permanent marker after a February 11 rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

But Trump's most memorable baby encounter as a presidential candidate came in Louisiana on February 11.

After an hour-long speech in Baton Rouge, Trump was working a rope line and signing autographs when a young mom thrust her baby son at him.

Curtis Jeffrey, 1 year of age, was sporting a spiked blonde mohawk that reminded some in the crowd of Trump's own signature hairdo

He was also sucking on a Trump-themed jeweled pacifier.
U.S. Government has requested the sale of the bag be rescinded

Bag was accidentally sold at an auction in 2015 because it was unmarked

The first lunar samples bag used during the Apollo 11 mission is at the center of a legal battle after it was stolen by a former Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center director and accidentally sold by the government after it got the bag back.

The white bag  which was flown to the moon on Apollo 11 in June 1969 and has lunar material embedded in its fabric  was described by the government as a 'a rare artifact, if not a national treasure'.

The dispute is the latest legal twist in the case of Max Ary, the founder and longtime director of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson who was convicted in November 2005 for stealing and selling museum artifacts.

The first lunar samples bag (pictured inside a scientific research package) used during the Apollo 11 mission is at the center of a legal battle after it was stolen and accidentally sold

At issue in his prosecution were hundreds of missing space artifacts and memorabilia. Some were on loan from NASA to the Cosmosphere.

The lunar bag was discovered in 2003 during the execution of a search warrant in a box located in Ary's garage.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office asked a federal judge to set aside the final forfeiture order and rescind the bag's sale, saying NASA was not properly notified of its forfeiture because the bag was misidentified.

The bag was sold at a government auction on Feb. 15, 2015 for $995 to Nancy Carlson in Inverness, Illinois.

The white bag  which has lunar material embedded in its fabric  was described by the government as a 'a rare artifact, if not a national treasure'

Max Ary (pictured), the founder and longtime director of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson who was convicted in November 2005 for stealing and selling museum artifacts - including the bag

NASA learned the Apollo 11 bag had been sold without notice or permission when Carlson sent it to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for authentication.

Carlson separately sued NASA in June in a federal court in Illinois, seeking the return of the bag.

Federal prosecutors want the federal judge in Kansas who handled Ary's criminal case and subsequent forfeiture to rescind the sale and refund Carlson her money.

Apparently, two lunar bags were confused as one and the same after inventory identification numbers of them were combined on spreadsheets, the government said.

The lunar bag was discovered in 2003 during the execution of a search warrant in a box located in Ary's (pictured) garage

The other bag was an Apollo 17 lunar sample bag that was flown to the lunar surface aboard the Lunar Module Challenger.

That bag was sold by Ary at a 2001 auction for $24,150, and it was later recovered by the government during its investigation.

Ary, who was president and CEO of the Cosmosphere from 1976 to 2002, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $132,274 in restitution. He has since been released from prison after serving about 70 percent of his sentence.
He was on parole for assaulting an officer when her tortured the teenager

The 33-year-old wired her mouth shut, stomped on her and bashed her

A man has been jailed for the violent and emotional torture of a 17-year-old woman he tied to a trolley and kept hidden in a shipping container.

Robert Galleghan was on a cocktail of alcohol and drugs  Valium and painkillers  when he brutally bashed the teenager and hid her on a rural property in Tallai, south-east Queensland, in 2012.

Galleghan gagged the young woman using her underwear, wired her mouth shut, banged her head on the table and, stomped on her stomach in a deliberate attempt to stop her from having children, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Robert Galleghan, 33, is jailed for wiring a girl to a trolley and leaving her in a shipping container on a rural property south-east of Queensland in 2012

The 33-year-old also poured beer on his victim before wiring a yoga mat around her head and leaving her alone in the corner of the shipping container.

Judge David Kent was told the young woman was in constant pain.

'[It was] protracted violence in a variety of forms of disablement ... ,' he said.

'I shudder to think what would have happened if the police had just left.'

Galleghan gagged the young woman using her underwear, wired her mouth shut, banged her head on the table and, stomped on her stomach

The 33-year-old also poured beer on his victim before wiring a yoga mat around her head and leaving her alone in the corner of the shipping container.

A Facebook post believed to be written by the victim, shows she began feeling a sense of relief after Galleghan pleaded guilty.

'It was a liberating feeling hearing and seeing this man the defendant Robert James Galleghan stand up and plead guilty....Its finally over I now lay at peace ... I thank all the people that have supported me through this long two and a half years hasnt been easy but justice has finally been served [sic],' the victim said.

Galleghan was known to police before the incident having undertaken a number of robberies and unlawfully wounding a man with a samurai sword.

He was also on parole for assaulting an officer when he tortured the young girl.

Galleghan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

He will be released in 2021 due to having already served three years in custody.

After he pleaded guilty his victim took to Facebook so say justice had been served

After pleading guilty Galleghan was sentenced to eight years behind bars




Giving Shami Chakrabarti a peerage leaves the credibility of her inquiry into anti-Semitism within the Labour Party in tatters, the Chief Rabbi said yesterday.

Ephraim Mirvis criticised Jeremy Corbyns decision to nominate Miss Chakrabarti for the Lords just weeks after she produced a report which has been branded a whitewash.

The Chief Rabbi is the most senior figure in the UKs Jewish community to condemn the appointment.

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Ephraim Mirvis criticised Jeremy Corbyns decision to nominate Miss Chakrabarti for the Lords just weeks after she produced a report which has been branded a whitewash

He tweeted: Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Partys stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised.

The report led by Miss Chakrabarti, the former director of human rights campaign group Liberty, caused an outcry after it denied that anti-Semitism was widespread within Labour.

It also did not criticise Mr Corbyns failure to tackle party members who aired anti-Jewish views or his description of Hamas and Hezbollah as his friends.

Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Partys stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Keith Vaz, a Labour MP and chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, suggested there could be a conflict of interest if Mr Corbyn offered the peerage to Miss Chakrabarti while she was carrying out the anti-Semitism probe.

He has written to the human rights campaigner to ask when she had been offered the peerage.

We were told that this was an independent inquiry and if it transpires that Shami Chakrabarti was offered her peerage before she was appointed or during the time she was appointed to conduct that inquiry then we needed to have been told, Mr Vaz told Sky News.

Shami Chakrabarti has made a mistake. She should have been in the House of Commons rather than the House of Lords.

Her appointment drew fury from Jewish leaders, with the Community Security Trust, an anti-Semitism charity, saying it was a 'shameless kick in the teeth for all who put hope in her now wholly compromised inquiry.'

Shami Chakrabarti has been given a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn weeks after her report on anti-Semitism in Labour was condemned as a 'whitewash'

She is very suitably qualified to be either in the Commons or the Lords. I would have preferred for her to be with me in the House of Commons. She would have done a fantastic job.

Mr Vazs committee is conducting an inquiry into anti-Semitism, and has taken evidence from both Miss Chakrabarti and Mr Corbyn.

Tom Watson, Labours deputy leader, also criticised his own boss for nominating the human rights lawyer. The timing is not great for the Labour Party. I wasnt aware, I wasnt consulted whether Shami was going in, Mr Watson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

I didnt know that wed provided citations for this particular round, and I do think its a mistake.

Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, added: With just one Lord appointment, Corbyn has undermined criticism of Camerons list and the remaining credibility of his anti-Semitism inquiry. Miss Chakrabarti said she was honoured by her appointment, adding: This is a dangerous moment for our country and we share vital human rights values that need defending more than ever before in my lifetime.

Diane Abbott, Labours shadow health secretary, defended the move saying: Shami Chakrabarti is one of the most distinguished people in public life.

She would have had a peerage under a number of Labour leaders. To say her appointment stinks, what message does that give to young women of Shamis background about stepping into the public space? Miss Chakrabarti was Mr Corbyns only nomination to the Lords after he broke his vow not to engage with the honours system.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said the timing was 'not great' and revealed he had not been consulted over the decision

The Labour leader has broken a pledge not to nominate people for peerages by handing the lawyer and human rights campaigner a seat in the Lords

David Camerons honours chief has been told she must wait nine months before she can take up her seat as one of the youngest members of the House of Lords.

Laura Wyld, 38, was the head of the former prime ministers appointments unit, in charge of ensuring more Conservatives got positions on quangos and other public bodies. But the Lords Appointments Commission told Mr Cameron that they would only approve the peerage for Miss Wyld if she waited until May 2017.

They said it was because, unlike Mr Camerons political appointees such as Press chief Craig Oliver, she was technically an independent civil servant, meaning it was not right that she should become a Tory peer straight away.

Miss Wyld and another of Mr Camerons appointments, former Press secretary Gabby Bertin, also 38, will become the two youngest members of the Lords
Donald Trump ended weeks of acrimony and widespread speculation on Friday by endorsing three moderate Republican lawmakers  including House Speaker Paul Ryan  as he spoke to thousands of fans in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin.

'In our shared mission to make America great again I support and endorse our Speaker of the House Paul Ryan,' he said to a chorus of mostly cheers.

Trump called for a return to Ronald Reagan's vision of a 'big tent' Republican Party that includes conservatives, moderates, libertarians and crossover Democrats in its fold.

'I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office,' Trump continued. 'And I fully support and endorse his re-election. Very important. We'll work together.'

Donald Trump called for a 'big tent' Reagan-style Republican Party on Friday nigh tin Green Bay, Wisconsin, endorsing the re-election bids of House Speaker Paul Ryan and two other moderate lawmakers with whom he has feuded in recent weeks

'We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends,' Trump said of his relationship with House Speaker Paul Ryan as he endorsed the Wisconsin lawmaker in his primary fight

A year ago Trump criticized McCain and called into question his status as a national 'war hero,' saying he was only considered heroic because he was captured and tortured by North Vietnamese soldiers.

And just last week McCain sided with a Pakistani-American Muslim family who clobbered Trump on the stage of the Democratic National Convention, thanking them for emigrating to the U.S.

Trump also endorsed Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, another moderate who faces a tough primary battle.

'She's a rising star and will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire very well for a long, long time,' he said.

Trump has increasingly acknowledged his need to meet party stalwarts from politically moderate parts of the U.S. in the middle, according to a campaign aide, setting aside his instinct to fight them on principle in the service of winning a longer game.

And the aide added that Trump's sometimes strained relationship with the Republican National Committee threatened to hamper their joint fundraising efforts in the final 95 days of the 2016 election season.

Arizona Sen. John McCain (right, shown with Hillary Clinton running mate Sen. Tim Kaine) is in the fight of his political life against an insurgent conservative challenger, and Trump is siding with the moderate incumbent

Within one minute of Trump's endorsements, the GOP blasted out a fundraising email to its largest list in the nominee's name.

'Its time to unite our Party and deny a third term of Obama,' Trump says in the message.

'I have officially endorsed Paul Ryan  and together, we will fight for YOU, and together we will Make America Great Again!'

He spoke Friday night to his desire to see a united Republican Washington with the White House and both houses of Congress rowing in the same direction when the next president takes office.

'I need a Republican Senate and House to accomplish all the changes that we have to make,' he said.

'I understand and embrace the wisdom of Ronald Reagan's "big tent" within the party. Big, big tent. Remember Ronald Reagan ... He included Reagan Democrats and independents and Republicans. A lot of people. We're going to have the same thing.'

PARTNERS: Trump and running mate Mike Pence, the Indiana governor (left) arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin on the smaller of the billionaire's two private jets  a Citation X  late on Friday afternoon

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte is in a tough primary fight, and even if she wins she will need support from Trump to beat Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan in November

SAME SHIRT, DIFFERENT DAY: A Green Bay Packers fan showed off a custom-made 'TRUMP' jersey as she listen to her hero speak Friday night

'We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory,' Trump added.

'Working hand in hand, we will grow our majority in the House and the Senate. We need that. We have to get things done.

'Arm in arm, we will rescue the nation from the Obama-Clinton disaster that has bled our country dry and spread terrorism unabated around the world.'

Trump had said just days ago that he was 'not ready' to endorse Ryan, who faces a medium-intensity challenge from his right in the person of businessman Paul Nehlen.

Ryan had lashed out at Trump after he picked a fight with a Hispanic judge who issued unfavorable rulings in a fraud lawsuit filed against the billionaire.

Trump's suggestion that Judge Gonzalo Curiel couldn't preside over the case fairly because of his Mexican heritage led Ryan to call his views 'the textbook example of a racist comment.'

Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence took the plunge before Trump, endorsing Ryan and McCain on his own earlier this week.

McCain in particular is in a pitched battle for his Senate seat, fighting former Arizona state Senator Kelli Ward in a neck-and-neck battle.
Union Government launches MAA, nation-wide breast feeding programme

Published: August 6, 2016

The Union Government has launched MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection), a nation-wide breast feeding programme.

It was launched by Union Health Minister & Family Welfare J P Nadda along with Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit who is brand ambassador of this campaign.

Key Facts

MAA is an intensified programme of the Union Health Ministry that aims to enhance optimal breastfeeding practices in the country.

It seeks to create an enabling environment to ensure that mothers, husbands and families receive adequate information and support for promotion of breastfeeding.

It has been launched in an attempt to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding through health systems.

The programme has been named MAA to signify the support a lactating mother requires from family members and at health facilities to breastfeed successfully.

The chief components of the Programme are (i) Community awareness generation, (ii) Strengthening inter personal communication through ASHA, (iii) Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health facilities, and (iv) Monitoring and Award/recognition.

The Union Health Ministry has allocated 30 crore rupees for the Programme and 4.3 lakh rupees for each district for implementing the various activities under MAA programme.

Importance of Breastfeeding

The practice of breastfeeding is one of the important natural interventions for child survival as it enhances immunity level in child and can greatly help to reduce the under-five mortality rate.

Around 20% newborn deaths and 13% under-five deaths can be prevented by breastfeeding. Besides, breastfeeding can prevent child deaths associated with Diarrhoea and Pneumonia.

Infants who are not breastfed are 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia and 11 times more to die from diarrhoea than children who are exclusively breastfed. Breastfed infant also have higher intelligence quotient.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016

Topics: Government Initiatives  Government Schemes  MAA Programme  Public health

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A painkiller that is more potent than heroin is now reportedly being used by people to get through tough sessions at the gym.

The synthetic drug known as Fentanyl, is said to be 50 times more stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Australians are said to consume the addictive drug more than any other country, with more than 260,000 regular and dependent users, reported Perth Now.

Queensland man Michael Clayton (pictured) died in 2015 after using a Fentanyl patch as pain relief for sore muscles after going to the gym

Queensland man Michael Clayton, a personal trainer, thought he could use a Fentanyl patch as pain relief after he had sore muscles from a workout at the gym.

Mr Clayton's girlfriend Caity Screen said he applied the patch at 8.30pm on March 27, 2015 and went to sleep.

The next morning Ms Screen couldn't wake him and he was rushed to hospital, where he died a month later.

Mr Clayton's mother Lisa said she hoped no other family would have to go through what their family had experienced, and said she hoped something could be done to stop it from happening to someone else's child.

The pharmaceutical drug, which was initially used in operations and severe pain in the 1960s, is now used for cancer pain.

The potency of the drug is what makes it so dangerous, as there is a microscopic difference between the amount that produces a high, and a fatal dosage.

The drug fentanyl (pictured in a patch) is was initially used in operations and for severe pain in the 1960s. It is now used for cancer patients but in 2006 it became available as a prescription drug for non-cancer related pain

National Drug and Alcohol Centre senior researcher Amanda Roxburgh said in 2006f fentanyl became available to be purchased via prescription for patients with chronic non-cancer related pain.

She said the fact fentanyl deaths are occurring among younger Australians 'is of concern' and warned people away from using the drug as a 'first port of call' for pain relief.

In 2008, a US bodybuilder took a lethal dose of the drug to control pain in his lower back, while in 2007 another bodybuilder died after being prescribed the drug by his father.

Mr Clayton's (left) girlfriend Caity Screen (right) said he applied the patch at 8.30pm on March 27, 2015 and went to sleep. The next morning she couldn't wake him and he was rushed to hospital, where he died a month later
Farce master: Brian Rix in A Bit Between The Teeth in 1974

Former actor Brian Rix has pleaded for euthanasia to be legalised so that he can be allowed to slip away peacefully.

The disability campaigner, 92, has revealed that he is terminally ill. In a letter to Baroness DSouza, Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Rix said he hopes Parliament will act as soon as possible to allow those with a terminal condition to be assisted to die.

Lord Rix, the president of learning disability charity Mencap, voted against the Assisted Dying Bill when it came before the House of Lords in 2006.

He was concerned that people with learning difficulties might become the unwilling victims of euthanasia  his daughter, Shelley, was born with Downs syndrome in 1951.

But in his letter, he told Lady DSouza: My position has changed.

As a dying man, who has been dying now for several weeks, I am only too conscious that the laws of this country make it impossible for people like me to be helped on their way, even though the family is supportive of this position and everything that needs to be done has been dealt with.

Unhappily, my body seems to be constructed in such a way that it keeps me alive in great discomfort when all I want is to be allowed to slip into a sleep, peacefully, legally and without any threat to the medical or nursing profession. I am sure there are many others like me who having finished with life wish their life to finish.

His letter continues: I can only ask that once again the House of Lords brings the UK up to date by allowing legal euthanasia after all other avenues have been pursued.

Lord Rix (pictured with his wife) has pleaded for euthanasia to be legalised so that he can be allowed to slip away peacefully

Please raise the question again in the House of Lords so that people like me do not continue to suffer untold misery for want of a kind alternative.

I realise somebody in the House will have to move the question yet again and would ask that my statement is read out and acted upon as soon as possible.

Only with a legal Euthanasia Bill on the statute books will the many people who find themselves in the same situation as me be able to slip away peacefully in their sleep instead of dreading the night.

Born in East Yorkshire, Lord Rix began acting professionally at 18. After entering the RAF he volunteered as a Bevin Boy in the coal mines during the Second World War.

He returned to acting after the end of the war and formed his own theatre company in 1947. For 30 years, he was one of the West Ends best-loved faces. As actor-manager of the Whitehall Theatre, he was a regular feature of its farces, in scripts that usually resulted in him losing his trousers.

Lord Rix, the president of learning disability charity Mencap, voted against the Assisted Dying Bill when it came before the House of Lords in 2006

He went on to be a regular on television, starring in more than 90 comedy plays for the BBC and at one time being one of the Corporations highest-paid actors.

After the birth of daughter Shelley, the eldest of his four children with his wife Elspet Gray, he became a vocal supporter of disabled children and adults, turning his back on the theatre to take up the post of secretary-general at Mencap in 1980.

He was knighted in 1986 and made a life peer in 1992 for services to charity.

As head of Mencap, Lord Rix helped win the battle to restore the Normansfield Theatre at Hampton Wick, which had been built in 1879 as part of a residential hospital for people with mental handicaps by Dr John Langdon Down, who first recognised Downs syndrome in 1867.
Nightclubs tycoon Richard Caring (pictured) has plans to relocate Annabel's in Mayfair

Permatanned nightclubs tycoon Richard Caring settled his feud with rival Robin Birley over lunch at Wiltons, but he has another fight on his well-manicured hands. Rumbunctious Caring has enraged neighbours with his plans to relocate Annabel's, the Mayfair haunt he bought from Birley's late father, Mark Birley, in 2007.

Two Mayfair residents are so unimpressed by plans for a bigger club two doors down at 46 Berkeley Square, complete with spa and alfresco dining, that they have hired lawyers to object 'in the strongest terms'.

The company that manages 48 Berkeley Square fears residents will be kept awake until 4am by music from the basement club, and by 'distressing' noise from year-round dining on the outdoor terrace. 'The level of noise and disturbance from the courtyard will present an intolerable intrusion,' say lawyers.

Locals were also concerned about Caring's plans to extend the two-storey basement of the Grade I-listed town house to four, fearing the 'iceberg' excavations might cause neighbouring properties to collapse.

Caring has already sunk 700,000 into the scheme, so he recently tweaked the plans and scaled back the basement extension.

Following his amendments, the council has indicated it will grant approval  if certain conditions are met.

For four days a year, he must open the Palladian building to the public and architecture scholars.

He'll also pay 1 million to fund affordable housing in the borough  a sizeable chunk of Annabel's 2.7 million 2015 pre-tax profit.

Caring's toxic friend Sir Philip Green paid 60,000 for Robin Birley's half-sister, Jemima Goldsmith, to kiss Kate Moss at a 2006 charity auction at Annabel's.

But will the party go with such a swing in its new home? Caring declines to comment.

Clarkson's girl has body envy

Jeremy Clarkson's daughter Emily, a 22-year-old aspiring photographer and healthy body image campaigner, has previously taken Victoria Beckham to task for using skinny models on the catwalk.

This week, Emily, one of the former Top Gear presenter's three children by his estranged second wife Frances, posted this picture of herself in a bikini in Majorca.

She has admitted she struggles with the pressure to look shipshape. 'I'm not entirely happy with the way I look,' she said recently.

'I want to be perfect. I know people say: 'Oh, you don't need to lose weight', but sometimes you want to  and that's fine. I see so many photos of gorgeous people on beaches, and I'm never going to be that gorgeous person on a beach, so I feel pressured to do something.'

Emily, one of the former Top Gear presenter's three children by his estranged second wife Frances, posted this picture of herself in a bikini in Majorca

Her face is her fortune, but has ageing supermodel Kate Moss's insistence on hanging out with Sir Philip Green  aka Sir Shifty  dented her earning power?

Three years ago, Croydon-born Kate's businesses were worth 16.7 million. Totting up Kate's active businesses, Moss's total assets are 3.4 million at the latest count  although it's an improvement on her annus horribilis in 2014, when her business assets slumped to just 2.8 million. Last year, cash in her biggest modelling piggybank, Tilly Church, fell from 11.7 million to 4.9 million. And new accounts say the company has just 110,698 on the balance sheet, compared with 11.9 million in 2013. It's unclear how party-loving Kate, 42, has spent all her lucre. Taking a cue from the model's mantra of 'never complain, never explain', Moss's aides were unavailable for comment.

Mentioning no names...
Universities are being encouraged to help boost social mobility in the UK. Pictured, Oxford University's Bodleian Library

Elite universities are lowering place offers by up to two grades for pupils whose parents have no degree as part of efforts to fulfil Government diversity targets.

Some are aiming to fill a quarter of new undergraduate places with students who are the 'first in their family to go to university' by the academic year 2019-20.

Parental background is increasingly becoming an important factor in choosing students, amid criticism universities take too many middle class teenagers.

Institutions must submit annual plans for boosting social mobility to the Government's Office For Fair Access or risk losing the right to charge full tuition fees.

Some universities are aggressively targeting schools in impoverished areas and asking teachers to put forward pupils whose families have no experience of higher education.

Three universities  Oxford, LSE and Southampton  have programmes targeting pupils whose parents have not been to university or fulfil other 'deprivation criteria'.

And a further 12 of the elite Russell Group take part in the Realising Opportunities scheme, which gives poorer pupils offers of two grades lower than the standard offer.

The institutions taking part include the universities of Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Warwick, Bristol, Exeter and Birmingham.

The initiatives are aimed at giving a leg-up to disadvantaged students who may not have had as much help or guidance from families.

But critics said yesterday the schemes could be unfair on other youngsters who had attained the right grades but were not disadvantaged enough to benefit.

The only really fair way to admit is on merit, the best available measure of which is school attainment. Alan Smithers, Professor of Education at the University of Buckingham

Alan Smithers, Professor of Education at the University of Buckingham, said: 'It distorts university entry. My family was working class and I was the first to go to university, but these days my daughters would have been penalised because I had had this opportunity.

'The only really fair way to admit is on merit, the best available measure of which is school attainment.'

At Oxford University's summer school for state pupils 38 per cent of youngsters get an offer from one of its colleges  far above the 20 per cent rate for overall applications. The one-week summer course chooses pupils in poor areas from under-performing schools.

The Realising Opportunities scheme allows pupils to receive conditional offers of two grades lower than the standard offer at Newcastle, Leeds, York, Sheffield, Warwick, Bristol, Exeter and Birmingham universities.

The initiatives are aimed at giving a leg-up to disadvantaged students who may not have had as much help or guidance from families. Pictured, the Oxford-Cambridge boat race

King's College London, UCL, Manchester and Liverpool University also take part in the scheme. Oxford and the LSE do not lower their standard grade offers. Meanwhile, 11 of the Russell Group have set ambitious targets to recruit more pupils whose parents work in non-graduate jobs.

These would include occupations such as cleaners and labourers as well as low-level technical and supervisory roles.

Sheffield has boosted numbers from this group from 560 in 2012-13 to 700 in 2013-14 and wants this to increase to 740 by 2016-17.

UCL aims to boost its intake of 19 per cent by 4 percentage points by 2019-20, while Southampton wants its intake of 22.5 per cent to increase by 1.5 percentage points.

It comes after University College, Oxford, announced it would become the first to set aside 10 per cent of its places (10 to 15 students) for disadvantaged applicants.
Holidaymakers are being duped by car hire firms into taking out rip-off insurance that can double the cost of a rental.

Sales staff at airport pick-up desks are pushing the cover by threatening travellers with huge bills of up to 2,500 if they are involved in an accident.

Major firms are using high pressure tactics to charge around 30 a day for insurance to protect against these terrifying bills. But experts say their fees are more than ten times the going rate for that type of insurance.

Sales staff at airport pick-up desks are pushing the cover by threatening travellers with huge bills of up to 2,500 if they are involved in an accident (file image of hire cars)

A Money Mail investigation in Spain found tourists were being routinely told at pick-up desks that they could not collect their vehicle if they refused to take expensive cover or to hand over their credit cards.

The big firms wrongly told customers that cheaper policies that they bought before they travelled were worthless.

Customers were told that to collect the car they had to buy extra cover or put down a deposit for around 1,000 on their credit card. The company keeps this cash if the car is returned damaged.

Last night experts said it was outrageous that firms were charging up to 230 for a weeks insurance on a car that cost 280 to rent.

Bob Atkinson, of website Travelsupermarket.com, said: Sales staff at car fire firms are misleading customers, making them scared and worried when they dont need to be just to bump up their revenues.

Marc Gander, of the Consumer Action Group, said: The cost of this cover sounds outrageously expensive. Its sensible to buy a policy to cover the cost of any damage before you go away but I would never buy it at the car hire desk in the airport. You are unlikely to get a good deal.

When you pick up a car from hire firm there is normally some accident insurance included in the price  but customers are still on the hook for the first 1,000 to 2,500 of any claim. The eye-watering extra insurance is supposed to cover this excess.

The cost of this cover sounds outrageously expensive. Marc Gander, of the Consumer Action Group

Hertz charges 30 a day for excess insurance for a Fiat 500, a small family car. The rip-off effectively means drivers are being charged at an insurance daily rate that works out at 11,000 a year, compared with the average annual premium of 700 to drive in Britain. Often the insurance doubles the price of a rental. Hiring a Fiat 500 for a week in Malaga with Europcar would be 162. But the firms top excess waiver policy would pile 169 onto the cost.

By contrast, independent insurance firm iCarhireinsurance would charge just 24 for a weeks cover if the customer bought online before they travelled. An undercover reporter who approached sales staff in Malaga airport was wrongly told that these independent policies would not pay out in an accident.

And sales desk staff at Spanish firm Goldcar told customers they would be liable for an excess of up to 2,530.

A Money Mail investigation in Spain found tourists were being routinely told at pick-up desks that they could not collect their vehicle if they refused to take expensive cover or to hand over their credit cards. Pictured, Casares in Malaga province

Other companies piled different hidden costs into the final bill, including breakdown cover and insurance to cover administration costs if the motorist was fined.

A spokesman for car rental tradebody, the British Vehicle and Leasing Association, said that the excess waiver policies sold by rental firms would pay out without a quibble but that other standalone policies would demand customers paid for the damage up front and then would have to wait to claim their money back from the insurer.

A Europcar spokesman said: If a customer purchases their own policy then, should the vehicle be stolen or damaged, they will be charged the excesses that apply on the rental.

A Hertz spokesman said: It is our responsibility to remind customers of their liability for damage before they travel, and our counter staff follow a standard script to explain this to customers and offer our excess waiver product.

We have strict operating procedures in place to ensure fair and honest trading by our staff.
A senior British Army officer has been accused of a sex attack on a woman soldier after an alcohol-fuelled night out with colleagues in Canada.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davies, 45, was charged this week following a three-month investigation by military officials and police.

He is one of the Armys top officers, and led the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan in 2014.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davies, pictured, had gone out drinking with colleagues after an event to commemorate Canadian forces who took part in a First World War battle

His alleged victim reported him to police in Kingston, Ontario the day after an event to commemorate Canadian forces who took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War, according to The Sun.

Davies and his alleged victim were part of a group who took a taxi after the ceremony from Fort Frontenac barracks to the centre of Kingston where they then continued to drink.

Police have said that, after spending several hours in a variety of bars, Davies followed the woman back to her hotel and allegedly carried out the attack.

Evidence was collected from the scene and sent off for examination. The charge follows forensic tests.

Davies, from Newport in south Wales, commanded 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment on a nine-month tour of Afghanistan in 2014, where one of his men, Sergeant Major Ian Fisher, was killed by a suicide bomber.

On their return Davies said it had been a demanding experience and all of his men had much to be proud of.

He added: We lost Sgt Major Fisher and there were others for whom life will never be the same.

The battalion was disbanded soon after the tour and Davies, who is believed to be married, was posted to Canada.

He is currently on a three-year assignment as an instructor at the Canadian Staff College.

Constable Steve Koopman, of Kingston Police, told The Sun: A British Lieutenant Colonel who was temporarily posted to Kingston has been charged with sexual assault in relation to a female victim who is an officer with the Canadian military.

Davies and his alleged victim were part of a group who took a taxi after the ceremony from Fort Frontenac barracks (pictured) to the centre of Kingston where they then continued to drink. Fort Frontenac was originally built in 1673 by the French

On August 2 the accused attended police headquarters and was arrested by detectives for one count of sexual assault.

Davies was released but has had to hand his passport over to authorities and must not contact his alleged victim.

He is also not permitted to leave Ontario and is due in court again on September 15.

Last night a spokesman for the Army said: We are aware of an investigation being conducted by Kingston Police into an alleged incident that took place in April this year involving a serving officer. As the case is sub-judice it would be inappropriate to make any comment.

The Mercian Regiment was formed in 2007 when three existing regiments merged and currently has three active battalions: one, two and four.

The Regiment has previously deployed to Cyprus, Lithuania and Uganda as well as Afghanistan.

The regiment describes itself as the heart of Englands infantry and recruits from the five counties which formed ancient Mercia: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.

Davies battalion was disbanded in 2014 as part of government cuts.
A lawyer who was waiting in his office for a client to turn himself in on murder charges instead found himself talking his suicidal client off the ledge of the building.

Immigration attorney Garo Kapikiani was in his office in Manhattan on Wednesday around 2:15pm when cops came to him with a picture of Chit Tse, 72, who was standing 200 feet above Broadway on the ledge of the building, threatening to jump, reports the New York Daily News.

Tse had been scheduled to turn himself in to face charges of the murder of his longtime girlfriend, Huizhen Zhan, 61.

Immigration attorney Garo Kapikian had to talk his suicidal client off the ledge of his building in Manhattan on Wednesday

Reportedly, Tse had confessed to his lawyer on Monday that he'd killed his girlfriend. Cops found her in her Queens basement apartment with cuts to her head, arm, and face, and her face covered with a pillow and sheet.

But instead of heading to his lawyer's office, Tse went to the 22nd floor and out an emergency door and onto a thin steel beam off a metal balcony.

Kapikiani told cops the man in the photo was his client and he went out to try and talk him down, despite a fear of heights.

Despondent client Chit Tse went to the 22nd floor of this building in Tribeca and threatened to jump off rather than turn himself in for the alleged murder of his girlfriend

For several hours, the lawyer tried to talk his despondent client out of jumping.

'I talked and talked to him. He kept telling the cops to back off, but he insisted on talking to me,' he told the outlet. 'I told him, 'I love you.' I even had my partner and my secretary talk to him, telling him that he had so much to live for. At one point I got very close ... I could almost touch his hand, but I didn't want to grab him because he could have gone over.'

After four hours, the lawyer told his client he needed to rest, and went back inside, telling the man if he wanted to continue to talk to him, he would need to come closer.

When the man took the bait, three cops grabbed him.

'They didn't teach you this stuff at law school,' said Kapikiani.

He praised the professionalism of the police, saying he had never seen such bravery.

'I was just glad I was able to help save him,' he said.

Despite the murder charges against him, Kapikiani says he feels bad for the suspect. 'He's an elderly man who is very distraught. He's been here for 40 years and worked hard, but lost hope,' he said.

Kapikiani says he will represent the man in court.
The family of a father who was shot and killed allegedly by his 14-year-old daughter has hit back against allegations he was violent and abusive.

Johnathan Meadows, 41, was allegedly shot in the head shortly before 4am on July 28 by his daughter, Bresha.

Bresha, from Ohio, has been charged with aggravated murder over the incident.

The family of Johnathan Meadows (pictured), who was shot and killed allegedly by his 14-year-old daughter, has hit back against allegations he was violent and abusive

Johnathan Meadows, 41, was allegedly shot in the head shortly before 4am on July 28 by his daughter, Bresha (pictured)

Meadows' family gathered to farewell the father on Friday, and rejected claims he was violent towards his family, Fox 8 reports.

'This had nothing to do with abuse,' his brother, James Blount, said.

'No. He drank a little bit, he had the way he did things, but my brother wouldn't.'

Other family members said they want to know what happened inside the home.

Meadows' brother, James Blount (left), said the murder 'had nothing to do with abuse', and his sister, Lena Cooper (right), said he was killed 'in his sleep'

Mourners were seen outside a church on Friday to farewell the 41-year-old father

'That's what's so disheartening... this was cold and calculated, my brother was murdered,' the 41-year-old sister, Lena Cooper, said.

'He was murdered in his sleep, there were no signs of abuse or anything else in that house.'

It comes after witnesses said Bresha shot her father with the same gun he allegedly used to threaten the family.

Bresha Meadows, 14, has been charged with aggravated murder after shooting 41-year-old father Johnathan in the head just before 4am on July 28

Brandi Meadows, the girl's mother and wife of the dead man, has praised her daughter - calling her a 'hero' and saying she 'saved' the entire family

Sheri Latessa, one of Bresha's aunts, told WKBN that after the shooting the girl turned to her mother and said: 'Now mommy, youre free.'

Brandi Meadows, Bresha's mother who was married to Johnathan for 18 years, has since praised her daughter for helping the family escape him.

Speaking through tears, she told Fox 8: 'I am so sorry she had to go through this. She is my hero. She helped me; she helped all of us so we could have a better life.

'She is my hero; I wasnt strong enough to get out and she helped me.'

Meadows was allegedly shot by his daughter while they were inside their family home (pictured)

Ian Friedman, attorney for the Meadows family, said Bresha was born into an abusive home and often witnessed her mother being abused at the hands of her father.

He said that the father would often drink, and used the firearm to keep those living in the house afraid of him.

Martina Latessa, a Cleveland police officer another of Breshas aunts, said Johnathan kept the family isolated from others, effectively imprisoning them away from help.

Latessa said that Bresha was 'born into a nightmare from day one', and even tried running away to her house for help, but the authorities insisted they could not act against Johnathan.

Brandi admits that she was completely terrified of her husband, and felt powerless to act against him for fear of recrimination.

Sheri Latessa, one of Bresha's aunts, said the family had suffered years of abuse at Johnathan's hands and after the shooting Bresha had turned to her mother and said 'you're free'

Johnathan was shot once in the head in the early hours of July 28 at his home in Ohio (pictured) before dying of his injuries

In 2011 she did file for a protective order in order to keep him away from herself and her children.

Police records show that officers were called to the property after reports that Johnathan had tried to kill Brandi and their three children.

Charges of domestic abuse were brought against Johnathan, but were later dropped by Brandi and he was never convicted.
Just weeks after 28 formerly classified pages of the 9/11 report have been released, a detailed analysis of the supposed links between the hijackers and Saudi officials has been taking place.

The documents say two of the hijackers were 'in contact with, and received support or assistance from, individuals who may be connected to the Saudi government'.

CNN has uncovered evidence that a link that was previously hidden from the American public exsisted between the alleged al Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan.

While the alleged association with Bandar does not provide direct evidence the prince was complicit in the 9/11 attacks, it does raise new questions about Saudi Arabia's involvement.

Scroll down to read the 28 pages

The 28 formerly classified pages of the 9/11 report have been released, revealing a myriad of supposed links between the hijackers and Saudi officials. Above, the Twin Towers on the day of the 2001 attacks

The pages reveal a link between an alleged al Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan, pictured

Incredibly, the connection to Bandar was made through an alleged recruiter for Al Qaeda , whose phone book was obtained during a Pakistani raid in March 2002.

The documents state that U.S. security officers obtained the telephone book of Abu Zubaida - a key al-Qaeda operative.

In it, the FBI found numbers with links to the United States, including an unlisted number for a company that managed Bandar's estate in Aspen, Colorado.

Several of the numbers discovered linked back to the U.S., including the number for ASPCOL Corporation in Aspen, Colorado.

ASPCOL is the umbrella corporation that manages the affairs of the Colorado residence of Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the United States.

Prince Bandar is a key Saudi royal figure known to have a very close relationship with George W. Bush. Here, the pair met at Bush's Crawford ranch in Texas

The revelation about Bandar's indirect ties to tan alleged al Qaeda operative was one of the few pieces of new information contained in the declassified documents

The report makes clear that a later investigation found that 'CIA traces have revealed no direct links between numbers found in Zubaida's phone book and numbers in the United States'.

'Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydah's phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented,' said former Sen. Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages.

The revelation about Bandar's indirect ties to the al Qaeda operative was one of the few pieces of new information contained in the declassified documents.

Graham said the indirect connection to the respected former Saudi ambassador was 'one of the most stunning parts of the investigation' and worthy of pursuing further.'

The FBI investigated the phone numbers indirectly linked to Bandar in the summer and fall of 2002. A CIA-FBI investigation concluded in 2005 that there was 'no evidence that either the Saudi government or a member of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support' for the September 11 attacks or 'had foreknowledge of terrorist operations in the kingdom or elsewhere,' according to an executive summary of the findings, which were released on the same day as the 28 pages.

Putin shakes hands with Prince Bandar. Bandar was the Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, during the Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush Jr administrations

It also states that the FBI and CIA were aware of possible links between terrorists Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi and two Saudi government officials, one of whom had connections to the Saudi ambassador to the U.S.

Both al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 - the plane that was crashed into the Pentagon.

The declassified pages also suggest that Osama bin Laden's half-brother, Abdullah, worked for the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC, and was in charge of an organization believed to support terror.

They also reveal that the FBI had evidence suggesting a 'close associate' of Abdullah was in contact with Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi, who were on board the planes flown into the World Trade Center.

The FBI investigated the phone numbers indirectly linked to Bandar, pictured, in the summer and fall of 2002. A CIA-FBI investigation concluded in 2005 that there was 'no evidence that either the Saudi government or a member of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support' for the September 11 attacks

Despite the vast collection of evidence, the White House say the documents show no evidence of Saudi involvement in the attacks on September 11, 2001, in which 2,997 innocent people died.

The report lays bare the sheer number of links between the hijackers and prominent Saudis that were deemed worthy of further examination by the FBI and CIA.

They detail a web of Saudi nationals living in the United States who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers. The George W. Bush administration deemed their publication a threat to national security and kept them confidential.

After continuous pressure, the Obama administration agreed to make the pages public last month.

The report states that Osama bin Laden's half-brother, Abdullah bin Laden, claimed that he worked as an administrative officer in the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC.

FBI files cited in the report say Mohammed Rafique Quadir Harunami - an associate of Abdullah - was in contact with 9/11 hijackers Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi.

Atta was on board American Airlines Flight 11 when it crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, while al-Shehhi was on United Airlines Flight 175 when it hit the South Tower.

The FBI believed Abdullah had 'a number of connections to terrorist organizations', according to the report.

He was president and director of the World Arab Muslim Youth Association, which the FBI believed was 'closely associated with the funding and financing of international terrorist activities'.

According to a CIA paper in 1998, the group had links to Hamas, Algerian extremists and militants in the Philippines.

The previously secret pages include a finding that while in the U.S., 'some of the September 11 hijackers were in contact with, and received support or assistance from, individuals who may be connected to the Saudi Government'.

The pages provide information from FBI sources that 'at least two of those individuals were alleged by some to be Saudi intelligence officers.'

Although the report said the information had 'yet to be verified' at the time, it was also in the possession of the intelligence community.

It also cited information that people 'associated with the Saudi Government' in the U.S. 'may have other ties' to Al Qaeda.

The documents also reveal that the FBI had evidence suggesting a 'close associate' of Osama bin Laden's half-brothers was in contact with hijackers Mohamed Atta (left) and Marwan al-Shehhi (right)

The report also states that the FBI discovered that a man named Saleh al-Hussayen, who appeared to work for the Saudi Interior Ministry, stayed at the same hotel in Virginia as hijacker al-Hazmi.

When al-Hussayen was questioned by the FBI, he denied knowing the hijackers but agents believed he was 'being deceptive'.

He then 'either passed out or feigned a seizure requiring medical treatment', the report states, citing FBI intelligence.

After several days in hospital, he 'managed to depart the United States despite law enforcement efforts to locate and re-interview him'.

The documents state that the FBI and CIA were aware of possible links between Khalid al-Mihdhar (left) and Nawaf al-Hazmi (right) and two Saudi government officials

The FBI documents reviewed for the report also suggest that 'several Saudi naval officers were in contact with the September 11 hijackers, specifically al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi.

One officer, Lafi al-Harbi, phoned the pair nine times during a 17-day period in March 2000, the once-classified report says.

Among the most chilling pages in the documents one which relates to Osama Bassnan, who the documents identify as a financial supporter of two of the 9/11 hijackers in San Diego.

It states that he had made 'laudatory' remarks about bin Laden and, according to an informant, spoke of him 'as if he were a God'.

During the early 1990s Bassnan had heard that the US government had stopped foreign students from getting visas to America.

But this did not bother him as there were 'already enough Muslims in the United States to destroy the United States and make it an Islamic State within 10 to 15 years'.

Attack: Both al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi hijacked Flight 77 - the plane that was crashed into the Pentagon

The FBI were also investigating a terrorist suspect with 'close ties' to a member of the Saudi royal family, the report states.

The suspect - whose name is redacted - was an employee of Saudi Arabian Airlines and came under investigation after his contact details were found in Zubaida's phone book, according to the newly declassified documents.

Another terrorist suspect who was interrogated at Guantanamo Bay told U.S. security officials that the suspect with supposed links to Saudi royals had a 'source of income through a Saudi prince' named Khalid al-Bandar.

The detainee at Guantanamo - who is not named in the report - said the other suspect did administrative jobs for the prince and his grandmother, and also traveled with him to Europe and the U.S., allowing him to avoid proper customs checks.

The FBI also feared that the man and others were 'using their status as Saudi Arabian Airlines employees as a cover to enable them to tansport weapons in and ut of the United States', the pages say.

The declassified documents also make clear that the in the years before 9/11 the Saudi government repeatedly blocked efforts by the American authorities to investigate bin Laden.

A veteran New York FBI agent is quoted as saying the Saudis had been 'useless and obstructionist for years' - but there was nothing they could do about it.

According to a 1996 memo from the CIA unit set up to look into bin Laden, the Saudis refused to help because 'bin Laden had too much information about official Saudi dealings with Islamic extremists in the 1980s for Riyadh to deliver him to US hands'.

The FBI highlighted the case of Madani Al-Tayyib who was bin Laden's financier and managed all of his expenses during the 1990s.

According to the documents, the Saudis 'continually refused' requests from the US to interrogate him.

Incredibly, the Saudis said at one point he was 'just a poor man who who lost his leg. He doesn't know anything'.

Despite the long list of connections, later investigations found no evidence that the Saudi government or senior Saudi officials knowingly supported those who orchestrated the attacks.

Terry Strada, National Chair of the 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism, had campaigned for the 28 pages to be declassified.

Ms Strada, whose husband Tom died on 9/11, told Daily Mail Online: 'This is just the tip of the iceberg. It might answer 100 questions but it asks 1,000 more.

'I still don't know why they decided to declassify this in the first place, and there should be no redactions. 'We should be getting transparency on this.

'I would still like a full independent judicial committee to look into the links between the Saudi government and 9/11.

'We deserve to have it'.

Former President George W. Bush classified the chapter to protect intelligence sources and methods and perhaps to avoid upsetting Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally.

President Barack Obama ordered a declassification review of the chapter, which Congress released on Friday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the report 'does not change the assessment of the U.S. government that there's no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded Al Qaeda'.

Former Democratic Senator Bob Graham of Florida, who co-authored the 2003 report and pushed for the release of the classified material, told '60 Minutes' in April he believed Saudi Arabia was 'substantially' behind the attack.
A bomb scare at Copacabana brought chaos to the Rio de Janeiro beach area as the Olympics opened.

Brazilian police evacuated part of the area after a suspicious package was found.

A bomb disposal robot was used to examine the package, before it was declared to be a false alarm.

Hi-tech: A bomb disposal robot was used to examine the suspicious package found outside the beach volleyball venue at Copacabana

Close to venue: The package was found directly beside the beach volleyball arena

Disposal: A bomb disposal technician, looking like something out The Hurt Locker moved in to examine the package after a robot opened it

The alert was raised as three miles away thousands watch the Opening Ceremony at the Maracana stadium.

Although it was a false alarm, the incident underlined the fears of organizers of the first games held in the shadow of ISIS.

Rio de Janiero has been subject to a massive security presence, with a combination of police and army flooding the streets.

The main threats to the Olympics have been identified as ISIS-inspired attacks, and domestic disorder.

The FBI was called in by the Brazilian government to advise on improving counter-terrorism in a country with little history of ideologically or religiously-motivate terror attacks.

And other intelligence agencies have been involved from the United States.

More than 1,000 US spies are involved in security efforts to protect American athletes.

The group encompasses all 17 US intelligence agencies, from armed services to electronic eavesdropping and cyber and social media monitoring.

Tension: The area outside the beach volleyball arena was emptied of visitors who had gathered as the Opening Ceremony got under way

Experts: Specialist officers were called in from the country's bomb disposal squad to deal with the alert

Security presence: Frigate Rademaker is the most powerful of the Brazilian navy ships stationed on patrol off the Copacabana beach, which is considered most vulnerable to an attack

Eight hundred intelligence professionals will be operating from the US while another 350 have made their way to Rio, a senior US intelligence official told NBC News.

Analysts, law enforcement and special operations forces, as well as more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos, are also on the ground.

A warship stacked with missiles and an arsenal of lethal weaponry was already on patrol in the waters of a popular Rio beach earlier this week.

Its armaments includes machinery to fire four torpedoes simultaneously, and has four Exocet missile launchers, two 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and two 20mm canons.

There is also a launch pad for two helicopters to enable security teams to hover above the bay and carry out surveillance.
It seems that the Satmar Rebbe is saying that the 6 Day War victory was entirely natural - no miracles and no hashgocha protis. To ascribe ...

Shemos Rabbah (52:03) The story is told of R. Simeon b. Halafta, that he once came home just before the Sabbath and found that he had no fo...

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Oklahoma game wardens have seized a mounted polar bear that had been on display at a Tulsa airport.

Wardens confiscated the taxidermied bear, which is valued at $50,000, Thursday night from Jones Riverside Airport.

Tulsa County game warden Carlos Gomez told KOTV that the bear was legally killed in 1969 in Alaska and brought to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma game wardens have seized a mounted polar bear that had been on display at a Tulsa airport. Wardens confiscated the taxidermied bear, which is valued at $50,000, Thursday night from Jones Riverside Airport

Tulsa County game warden Carlos Gomez said the bear was legally killed in 1969 in Alaska and brought to Oklahoma. But you must have proper paper permits to have a mounted polar bear in the US

But you must have proper paper permits to have a mounted polar bear in the US.

The hunter died decades ago.

Gomez said he tracked the stolen bear in a hangar at the Jones Airport, where the bear had been on display, according to KJRH.

He said the person who had been in possession of the bear didn't have paperwork to prove ownership.

The person had illegally acquired the bear, authorities told KOTV.

Gomez added that charges or citations are expected.
A pedestrian has been killed after being hit by a train in North Hollywood.

The person was struck by Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train 790 about one mile north of Burbank Station at 7:07pm local time on Friday. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the victim was trespassing on tracks at 6879 Vineland Avenue, ABC 7 reports.

A pedestrian has been killed after being hit by a train at Vineland Avenue (pictured), about one mile north of Burbank Station in North Hollywood

The person was struck by Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train 790 shortly after 7pm local time on Friday (stock image)

The train was carrying 241 passengers, and no injuries to passengers or crew were reported in the fatal accident.

It comes just hours after another person in California was hit and killed by an Amtrak train.

A woman in Merced was struck by a train traveling to Sacramento on Thursday night, shortly before 7pm.
Atlanta man killed after getting into a shootout with police on Friday

A man suspected of shooting at Atlanta officers last week has been shot and killed Friday after getting into a shootout with authorities trying to arrest him.

East Point Police said said agents from the U.S. Marshals Service were trying to arrest the suspect in the July 27 shooting after tracking him to the Parkside at Camp Creek apartment complex in East Point.

The dead man has been identified as Jamarion Rashad Robinson, 26, Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman Scott Dutton said in a statement.

Jamarion Rashad Robinson, 26, has been shot and killed during a gunfight with U.S. Marshals

Dutton said he could not confirm, however, that he was the same person who opened fire on police last week.

Marshals were trying to serve an arrest warrant Friday for aggravated assault against police officers but the man would not come out of his apartment, Chandler said.

Authorities eventually breached the front door, and the suspect opened fire on the marshals, who returned fire.

Dutton said no marshals were wounded in the incident.

Robinson, who was suspected of shooting at police last month, was tracked to the apartment where the shootout took place (pictured)

East Point Police said said agents from the U.S. Marshals Service were trying to arrest the suspect in the July 27 shooting at the apartment complex (pictured)

A man who lives in the apartment complex told WSB-TV he was on his way to work when he saw about a dozen patrol cars coming into the apartment complex.

'I thought this was going to be some kind of serve a warrant, knock type of thing, and then all of a sudden I heard, "Drop your gun,", Lance McFalls told the station.

'That's when I knew it was getting serious.'

Jamarion Rashad Robinson (pictured) was seen outside the apartment complex before the shootout

McFalls added the gunfire lasted for more than a minute.

No one was wounded in last week's shooting at the police officers. Authorities said at the time that they thought the suspect was suffering from mental illness.
A neighbour has run into a house engulfed in flames to rescue a nine-year-old girl with autism.

The girl is in a critical condition after suffering severe burns to her face and body when the family's home in Doonside in Sydney's west went up in flames on Saturday morning.

Her parents and four siblings escaped unharmed before Vai Ngaro, the family's neighbour, ran inside the burning house to rescue the disabled girl.

A neighbour ran into a house engulfed in flames in Sydney's west to rescue a nine-year-old girl with autism

The girl is in a critical condition after suffering severe burns to her face and body after the Doonside house fire

'They were all outside screaming and I asked them if anyone was inside and they said the girl was inside the house,' Mr Ngaro said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

'I went in and I couldn't see anything, it was full of smoke. I put her over my shoulder and dragged her out of the window.'

Mr Ngaro's wife Keasi witnessed the dramatic rescue.

The girl's parents and four siblings escaped from the burning house unharmed

The nine-year-old was treated on the front lawn of the family home before being rushed to hospital

Vai Ngaro, the family's neighbour, ran inside the burning house to rescue the disabled girl

'I came outside and saw the house across the road is on fire, and I was looking where is my husband,' she told the ABC.

'The ambulance and the fire engine arrived and took the little girl and I was worried about my husband. He's still a bit shocked.'

The nine-year-old was treated on the front lawn of the family home before being rushed to hospital.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire and are waiting to speak with the family

'They were all outside screaming and I asked them if anyone was inside and they said the girl was inside the house,' Mr Ngaro said

Police said there is nothing to suggest that fire is suspicious

Police are investigating the cause of the fire and are waiting to speak with the family.

Fire fighters managed to contain the blaze to the one house, but it was extensively damaged and will likely be knocked down.

The girl remains in a critical condition at Westmead Children's Hospital.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire and are waiting to speak with the family

The girl was rushed to Westmead Children's Hospital after being treated at the scene
A hardened career criminal has revealed how Australias most violent men follow a strict moral code behind bars.

Christopher Badness Binse is a notorious criminal who has spent 30 of the past 33 years in jail for a brazen series of armed robberies and prison escapes.

In a revealing series of interviews he has described the unwritten rules of prison and the secret thieves code which dictates his perverse sense of right and wrong.

Scroll down for video

Christopher 'Badness' Binse has spent 30 of the past 33 years inside Australia's toughest prisons

Before Pentridge prison (pictured) was closed in 1997, Binse lived there with infamous wing mates such as Mark 'Chopper' Read and Matthew Johnson

Binse was transferred to Barwon prison (pictured) alongside Matthew Johnson. Barwon is a maximum-security jail in Victoria that houses some of Australia's most violent men

As a maximum-security inmate in Australias infamous Barwon prison, Binse shares a wing with violent murderers such as Matthew Johnson and Shaun Price.

Before he was transferred to Barwon, he was an inmate inside Pentridge prison's infamous 'Hell Division' alongside Johnson and Mark 'Chopper' Read.

In 2011 Johnson bludgeoned gangland kingpin Carl Williams to death inside Barwon with full knowledge the prisons CCTV cameras would record the killing.

Earlier this year Price was sentenced to 38 years in prison for ruthlessly stabbing a teenage girl to death because she was 'dressed like a yuppy'.

In a letter to the inmates who also call Barwon prison home, Binse outlined the 'thieves' code' that dictates right from wrong. Pictured is Barwon prison's exercise yard

Author Matthew Thompson has spent hours interviewing Binse and said even though he mixed with vile men such as Johnson and Price, there were certain lines he would never cross in prison.

This prisoners moral code was set out in a letter Binse wrote to his fellow inmates, Mr Thompson said.

He said: Johnson and Price spend all day screaming at each other and taunting each other with death threats.

And Chris is prepared to roll with the worst of them. Hes fearless. Hes taken some huge beatings in jail.

But there are lines he is not prepared to cross. He has actually laid it all out to Johnson in a letter  Whats acceptable in prison and what is not.

Its his thieves code of honour.

Inside Victoria's Barwon prison Binse shares a wing with violent murderers such as Matthew Johnson (left) and Shaun Price (right)

Binse had written a letter to his fellow inmates outlining the 'thieves' code of honour' which governed life inside and outside of prison

Matthew Johnson - the man that killed gangland boss Carl Williams (right) - outlined his own take on prison life in this letter

One of these rules was to never rat on a fellow inmate, Thompson said, although Binse had broken this rule once with good reason.

THE THIEVES' CODE OF HONOUR ACCORDING TO CHRIS 'BADNESS' BINSE Christopher Binse outlined a moral code in a letter to violent inmates at Barwon prison. The letter described how he chose between right and wrong inside and outside of prison. Aspects of his 'thieves' code' included: Never 'ratting' on other inmates - Binse broke this rule when a 'wannabee jihadi' threatened to behead a guard Deferring to inmates who have spent the longest time behind bars Carefully choosing who to rob - typically state institutions or banks and never 'ordinary battlers' Advertisement

Binse is one of the few who doesnt rat on others. He obeys the code of not talking.

The only prisoner he ever informed on was a wannabee jihadist who wanted to capture and behead some prison staff. Binse thought that was unacceptable.

The inmate was believed to be a follower of convicted terror plotter Abdul Nacer Benbrika.

Binses adherence to the code was so strict the serial escape artist would rather remain in prison than flee and break it.

Mr Thompson said: Another time he escaped from prison but the guy he was running away with started having second thoughts.

That inmate had done the most time so Binse felt he had to listen to him.

Thats the rule  if youre escaping together you listen to the guy who has served the longest sentence.

'Badness' Binse shot to infamy for a brazen series of armed robberies and prison escapes. In 2012 he was arrested after a 44-hour siege in which he fired at police (pictured)

Matthew Johnson (pictured) bludgeoned Melbourne drug kingpin Carl Williams to death inside Barwon prison

The rules of the heavily-fortified Barwon prison (pictured) included not ratting on other inmates and deferring to inmates who had spent the longest time inside

From an early age Binse was schooled in underworld etiquette by his father, a Croatian immigrant and petty thief.

THE RAP SHEET OF CHRISTOPHER 'BADNESS' BINSE 1985 Sent to Pentridge Prison as a 17-year-old for a series of robberies 1988 Given the nickname Badness by fellow inmate 1992 Escaped Pentridge prison with smuggled gun and help of dying father 1992 Re-arrested soon after and sent back to prison 1993 Caught organising mass prison break involving 30 inmates 1996 Convicted for armed robbery of Commonwealth Bank 2001 Sent to NSWs Goulburn jail 2005 Released from prison 2012 Re-arrested after shooting at police during 44-hour siege Source: AAP Advertisement

His father bashed him so badly he was put into state care at the age of 13 and he has been in and out of prison ever since his first stint in Victoria's Pentridge prison as a 17 year old.

Binses infamous series of robberies were a way of repaying the state for his mistreatment and were guided by a strict thieves code of honour, Mr Thompson said.

Binse was bashed and beaten inside the boys homes as a deterrent. But instead of deterring him, it started a chain reaction that turned Binse into a hard man.

He knew he could take any beating. Hes fearless.

When he left he saw himself as an enemy of the state. All his robberies are against state institutions.

The state bank and the commonwealth bank. The TAB.

But he doesnt do break and enters. He doesnt want battlers to suffer.
Mazzilli knew details of the death that were kept out of the public domain

Maxamillian Mazzilli was paid $200K for the hit

Mr Maika was the main witness in a massive drug syndicate investigation

Witness Gemahl Maika was shot dead at his home in Glen Alpine in 2011

Maxamillian Mazzilli has been found guilty of the murder of Gemahl Maika

Gemahl Maika, 38, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on the front lawn of his home in Glen Alpine, south-west Sydney

A self-described 'hitman' who gunned down a key witness in a drug case has been found guilty of murder.

Maxamillian Mazzilli gunned down Gemahl Maika outside his Glen Alpine home in Sydney's southwest at about 9.40pm on April 6, 2011.

Mr Maika was the chief witness in the NSW Police Force's Operation Schoale investigation, which saw the police seize hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, $20 million in cash, and firearms including a gold-plated handgun.

It has been alleged that Mazzilli carried out the execution at the request of Luke Sparos, whom Mr Maika gave evidence about in court over a cocaine importation racket, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Maximillian Mazzilli was arrested in 2014 for the murder of Gemahl Maika

WHAT IS THE 'GOLDEN GUN' SYNDICATE? The 'Golden Gun' syndicate was one of Australia's most lucrative crime groups

Ran a multimillion-dollar cocaine syndicate and engaged in massive money laundering

Believed to have imported 700kg of cocaine from Los Angeles worth $700 million

Alleged to have murdered Gemahl Maika who was a Crown witness against them

Police took down the infamous gang in 2007

Discovered key players living the high life in luxury cars and seized almost $20 million in cash

Cops also found a gold plated magnum handgun Advertisement

Police say Mr Maika had declined offers for witness protection after he gave statements to police about the racket.

He was shot five times by Maxamillian Mazzilli using .45 calibre pistol, who was found guilty of murder after an almost four-month trial.

Luke Sparos pleaded not guilty for his involvement to the shooting, he will face a new trial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Sparos' brother-in-law Anthony Saliba, 31, was found not guilty to accessory before the fact and murder.

Sparos' former wife, Christine Saliba, 36, was also acquitted and she was found not guilty of being an accessory before the fact to murder.

Strike force officers took down the highly-lucrative Golden Gun syndicate in a series of dramatic raids in 2007, discovering its key players living the high life.

The syndicate is believed to have imported about 700kg of cocaine from Los Angeles, which they sold to dealers for $133 million. But the drugs had a potential street value of around $700 million.

Maxamillian Mazzilli claimed he collected $200,000 to carry out the killing, during a secretly recorded conversation by an undercover officer

This gold-plated handgun found when police busted the cocaine syndicate

Maxamillian Mazzilli claimed he collected $200,000 to carry out the killing, during a secretly recorded conversation by an undercover officer.

The undercover officer befriended Mazzilli in a 2014 sting and pretended to recruit him to carry out a hit.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports how Mazzilli bragged to the officer about a target, who 'snitched on things he shouldn't have snitched on'

'I have my credentials,' Mazzilli said. 'The last one was a message ... left for everyone to see.'

Mazzilli knew details of the death that were outside the reach of a Google search, including the type of gun used to shoot Mr Maika, a detail that police deliberately kept secret from the public.

He was also aware that Mr Maika's family were inside the home when he was shot.

He was arrested after travelling to Sydney with the undercover officer in July 2014.

A sentence date for Mazzilli is yet to be fixed.

Mr Maika was a witness in relation to Operation Schoale, a NSW Police Force investigation into a multi-million-dollar cocaine supply syndicate
The attacker is now in the same hospital as Cowan after slitting his wrists

An inmate poured boiling water on Daniel Morcombe's killer in prison

Prisoner allegedly yelled 'this is for Daniel' during attack on Brett Cowan

An inmate allegedly screamed 'this is for Daniel' as he poured boiling water on convicted murderer Brett Cowan's head before slitting his own wrists with a razor.

Cowan, who is serving a life sentence for the 2003 murder of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, was rushed to hospital on Friday with severe burns to his head, face, back, chest and thighs.

The attack was carried out by a prisoner who is believed to be mentally impaired and was suspected to have been organised by a third inmate, The Courier-Mail reports.

Daniel Morcombe's killer Brett Cowan (pictured) was transferred from Wocal Correctional Centre to Royal Brisbane Hospital, suffering burns to his head, chest and legs

The boiling water attacker is now in the same hospital as Cowan after cutting himself with a razor while being held in the jail's detention unit.

It is believed the attacker poured water from an urn into a mop bucket before splashing Cowan.

A prison source told the publication the attack occurred in a common area for mentally impaired and high-protection prisoners.

It is believed the attacker smuggled in razor blades and cut his writs and testicles.

The third prisoner is set to be released next week.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted in broad daylight from a bus stop and murdered in 2003

A corrective services spokesman said Cowan was injured at about 9.15am and was 'conscious and lucid' when an ambulance arrived.

He was rushed from the Wolston Correctional Centre at Wacol in Queensland to hospital.

Cowan will spend at least a week in Princess Alexandria Hospital.

Cowan's lawyer Tim Meehan condemned the attack and said it isn't the job of other prisoners to serve justice in jail.

'I understand that there's an awful lot of ill feeling towards him but vigilante justice is something that has never been condoned by the courts,' he told News Corp.

Pictured, a view of inside the prison compound. Cowan was released into a general unit earlier this year

'He is in jail as punishment for his crime and it's not for others who are in jail - serving punishment for their crimes - to serve out summary justice.'

The killer of the 13-year-old Sunshine Coast schoolboy had been confined to his maximum security jail cell because he feared attacks by other inmates.

But he was released into a general unit earlier this year.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted in broad daylight from a bus stop and murdered in 2003.

The killer of the 13-year-old Sunshine Coast schoolboy had been confined to his maximum security jail cell because he feared attacks by other inmates

Cowan was handed a life sentence in 2014 and cannot apply for parole until he has served 20 years.

He launched an appeal which The High Court rejected in March.

The Queensland coroner's office is expected to reopen its examination of the police investigation into the disappearance of Daniel Morcombe.

The inquest was started in October 2010 but remains open following the arrest and trial of Cowan and is reportedly due to re-start.

A spokesman for the Coroners Court of Queensland has confirmed Coroner Terry Ryan has received correspondence from Daniel's parents Denise and Bruce Morcombe.

'The inquest will resume late this year or early 2017,' the spokesman said.

'There will likely be two to three further days of evidence heard to enable findings to be made.

'The State Coroner is still considering the scope of the issues to be considered at those hearings.'

Anyone experiencing personal difficulties can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Mike Penning, the armed forces minister, (pictured) said: 'We are not going to disappear out of our uniform. The terrorists would win if we did that.'

Members of the armed forces have been encouraged to wear their uniforms outside their barracks, despite concerns over targeted terror attacks.

It comes after a kidnap attempt of an airmen close to RAF Marham in Norfolk and a false alarm near an Army garrison in Aldershot on Wednesday.

Mike Penning, the armed forces minister, told The Sun: 'We are not going to disappear out of our uniform. The terrorists would win if we did that.'

The former Grenadier Guardsman added: 'The public love seeing our armed forces in uniform.'

He vowed the same 'mistakes' of the 1970s would not be made, when service personnel were told not to wear uniforms in case of an IRA attack.

There is no nationwide policy on service personnel wearing uniforms outside of their bases, but local commanders will set guidelines for their area.

Members of the armed forces have been on high alert following an attempted abduction of a servicemen at RAF Marham, Norfolk, on July 20 by two assailants.

The men, who are both of Middle Eastern appearance, attempted to bundle an airman into a car as he jogged near the airbase.

Although the force has not ruled out terrorism  it said the attack could have been a case of mistaken identity over a drugs debt or a domestic dispute.

The married serviceman in his late 20s was targeted on July 20 about a mile from the gates of the base, which is home to four squadrons of Tornado bombers flying missions against Islamic State.

The former Grenadier Guardsman added: 'The public love seeing our armed forces in uniform.'

The airman told police one of his assailants had a combat-style knife with a three-inch blade.

He had gone for a run outside the military base when the first suspect leapt out at him from a parked car.

In an Ministry of Defence memo sent to military personnel, protective security chief Rich Curzon said: Following an incident at RAF Marham, it is directed that all personnel keep a low profile and not make themselves vulnerable.

Until the threat subsides, no one is to be on their own on foot, or on a bicycle, within the local area in uniform or clothing which might identify them with the military.
Jeremy Clarkson diverted his yacht to save a group of tourists who had drifted out to sea on their lilos - and then celebrated by going to the pub.

The former Top Gear presenter caught sight of the four men, two French and two German, after they were swept a mile off the coast of Majorca by 'a very brisk wind'.

Mr Clarkson said the men started laughing after realising the identity of their unlikely hero, who put them in a rib which he towed behind his yacht.

Jeremy Clarkson diverted his yacht to save a group of tourists who had drifted out to sea on their lilos - and then celebrated by going to the pub

'They were all in their twenties and a mile out to sea. You'll never paddle back from there,' the 56-year-old told The Sun.

After rescuing the group, Mr Clarkson immediately took to Twitter to boast of his heroics.

He wrote: 'I just saved the lives of two Germans.

'Now I have rescued two French people. I apologised for Brexit.'

And he jokingly suggested the episode had proved his diplomatic credentials, adding: 'I am a better and more constructive foreign secretary than Boris Johnson.'

Mr Clarkson, seen here presenting Top Gear Waterworld, caught sight of the four men after they were swept a mile off the coast of Majorca by 'a very brisk wind'

Mr Clarkson, who now works for Amazon Prime presenting new series The Grand Tour, won praise for his timely intervention.

One user, Eve, tweeted: 'I've heard many tales of the sea from the fishermen at my bar. Yours is true, however.'

Another, Deborah, commented: 'Well done! Sterling effort - see you can behave like an adult when its needed!'

Mr Clarkson has provided his usual colourful commentary of his current holiday in Majorca.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Normally, I take my summer holiday in France. But I hear James May is there. Annoying.'

The television personality said the men started laughing after seeing their unlikely hero, who put them in a rib which he towed with his yacht. File photo

And above a picture of the wake behind his boat he commented: 'Even on holiday, I enjoy turning carbon into speed.'

The television personality recently took part in a parade through the streets of Vicenza in Italy to mark the start of The Grand Tour, alongside the familiar duo of James May and Richard Hammond.
A passenger with cannabis in his bag refused to get off a Sydney bus, urinated from the vehicle and slapped the driver, police say.

The 40-year-old man had fallen asleep on a bus in Hurstville on Friday night and was found by the driver after arriving at the terminal at about 6.20pm.

The bus driver asked the man to leave twice before he allegedly urinated from the bus onto the road and slapped him in the face multiple times.

A sleepy passenger with cannabis in his bag refused to get off a Sydney bus, urinated from the vehicle and slapped the driver, police say

The man allegedly tried to bite and kick police as they arrested him.

The man was taken to St George Police Station where he was charged with wilful and obscene exposure, common assault, resisting police and possessing a prohibited drug.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in Sutherland Local Court on August 23.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in Sutherland Local Court on August 23




         :          , CCTV  
But state TV said late Saturday the army regained control of some areas

Syrian rebels claimed on Saturday they have broken a three-week government siege of the city of Aleppo after more than 500 rebels and 130 civilians had been killed in fighting since Sunday.

But state television said late in the day the army had regained control of several key points in a military complex south of Aleppo that rebels overran earlier.

Meanwhile, a Western-backed alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters has also scored a major victory against the Islamic State group in the northeast town of Manbij after a fierce two-month battle.

Members of anti-regime opposition forces group named Jaish al-Fatah take security measures on Saturday after taking control of an artillery school back from Assad regime forces in Aleppo

A burnt out tank is seen after members of anti-regime opposition forces group named Jaish al-Fatah took control of the artillery school

The developments have rocked the key northern province of Aleppo, a microcosm of Syria's chaotic multi-front war that has killed more than 280,000 people.

Rebel and regime forces have fought for control of the provincial capital of the same name since mid-2012, transforming the former economic powerhouse into a divided, bombed-out city.

Opposition fighters, Islamists and jihadists have waged fierce assaults since July 31 to end the siege of some 250,000 people in Aleppo's eastern districts by government forces.

An armoured vehicle belonging to rebel fighters is pictured in an artillery academy of Aleppo on Saturday

On Saturday, rebel groups successfully broke the siege by opening a new route into the city from the southwest, opposition officials said, turning the tables on Russian-backed regime forces who are now on the defensive.

'Rebels break Aleppo's siege,' wrote the Istanbul-based National Coalition on Twitter.

ISIS BEATEN IN MANBIJ The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance handed a major defeat to IS in Manbij on Saturday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the SDF 'took control of Manbij... and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists'. Manbij had been a key transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border to Raqa, the de facto capital of its self-styled 'caliphate'. With backing from the US-led air coalition, the SDF launched its offensive on May 31 and entered the town less than a month later, but the assault was slowed by a jihadist fightback using suicide attackers and car bombs The Manbij Military Council - a key component of the SDF - said fighting was still ongoing. 'The battles are continuing near the centre of the town. We are in control of 90 percent of Manbij,' spokesman Sherfan Darwish said. Syria's conflict first erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests but has since evolved into a fully-fledged war dominated by jihadist groups. Advertisement

The Islamist faction Ahrar al-Sham said on Twitter that rebels had seized control of Ramussa on the southwestern edges of the city and thereby 'opened the route to Aleppo'.

Sky News reported that Jabhat Fatah al Sham said its fighters were working to 'establish control over (the) remaining positions to break the siege'.

A commander from a different group of rebels had also claimed success, telling Reuters the siege was broken - but warned that it was still early days and matters were 'not easy', Sky said.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also backed the claims late on Saturday, saying that Syrian rebels fighting government forces had linked up with fighters from besieged eastern Aleppo, breaking a month-long siege.

The Observatory and a witness said heavy fighting and air strikes were continuing in the Ramousah area of southwestern Aleppo, home to a major government military base, where the siege was breached after a rebel offensive that began this week.

But the Observatory said no secure corridor had yet been established between the two rebel-held territories.

Rejecting claims of an end to the siege, Syrian state television said late Saturday the army had regained control of several key points in a military complex south of Aleppo that rebels overran earlier.

'Our armed forces took control of the part of the artillery school that had been seized by terrorists... while (rebel) groups withdrew from points in the armament school,' it said, quoting a military source.

Members of anti-regime opposition forces group, Jaish al-Fatah, take security measures on Saturday after seizing control of an artillery school in Aleppo

Al-Manar, the television station of the Lebanese group Hezbollah which has men fighting alongside Syrian government forces, earlier denied that Ramussa had fallen or that the siege had been broken.

The battle south of Aleppo has been accompanied by media campaigns often publishing conflicting information.

Riad Hijab, head of the broad opposition body the High Negotiations Committee, tweeted, 'The liberation of Ramussa and the breaking of the siege are a good omen for Syria's revolution.'

An AFP journalist in eastern Aleppo city said joyful residents were out on the streets and shooting celebratory gunfire into the air.

'Days ago, I was only thinking about how to get a bite to eat,' said Ahmad Adna, a 46-year-old resident of eastern Aleppo.

'Now I'm more optimistic after the (rebel) Army of Conquest's advance. I hope today will be the last day of the siege.'

A Syrian man carries a child who was retrieved under the rubble of a collapsed building following a reported air strike on the northern city of Aleppo

Earlier Saturday, rebels and allied jihadists captured swathes of a military academy south of the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said more than 500 rebels and government fighters had been killed in the offensive since it was launched on Sunday, as well as 130 civilians.

They included at least seven civilians killed on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh, according to both the Observatory and Syrian state news agency SANA.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed the Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- said on Saturday that rebels pushing out from inside Aleppo city had linked up with those on the outskirts.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions on the edges of Aleppo, followed by massive columns of billowing black smoke.

Fighters from Fateh al-Sham Front seized key positions south of Aleppo on Saturday

Fighters from the former Al-Nusra Front - renamed Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda - drive a tank as they seized key positions south of Aleppo, on Saturday

Pictures obtained by AFP show a crumpled body, reportedly of a regime fighter, lying next to artillery pieces lined up in a building newly captured by jihadists.

Abdel Rahman said the advance had left the regime forces 'in a very difficult position despite Russian air support'.

'This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo,' he said.

State media said the army launched a counter-offensive in the afternoon and deployed reinforcements to take on 'thousands of terrorist fighters'.

An army officer told state television that troops advanced in the areas seized by rebels and were inflicting 'heavy losses' on them.

'Of course I have faith in the army, but I can't help being scared. Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult,' said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held western quarter of Aleppo.
A series of holiday photos have been posted online in the hope of finding the owners of a lost camera that washed up on a Gold Coast beach.

Tamara Johansen stumbled across the GoPro camera while strolling along Broadbeach and took it home to find it contained the holiday photos of a happy couple.

She posted some of the photos online in the hope of tracking down the couple.

Tamara Johansen stumbled across a lost GoPro camera on the beach. She was now trying to find the couple in the photos (pictured)

The last images on the camera appeared to have been taken at Surfers Paradise (pictured), Ms Johansen said

The most recent photos on the camera appeared to be taken at Surfers Paradise, about 6 kilometres north of where it washed up.

'We would love to be able to find the owner of it as there are so many amazing images and videos, and lots of different adventures on there,' Ms Johansen told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

'The last images on the camera appear to have been taken in the water at Surfers Paradise beach.

'It would be so great to track these people down.'

The camera also contained photos of the couple snowboarding (pictured) and swimming with seals

Ms Johansen said: 'We'd love to be able to return the camera to its owners (pictured) as there are so many wonderful memories on it'

The photos on the camera include the couple swimming with seals, snowboarding and visiting what looked like a South American village, Ms Johansen said.

She had even posted the photos on her company's website on the off chance a customer might recognise the couple.

'We'd love to be able to return this camera to its owners as there are so many wonderful memories on it,' Ms Johansen said.

'It would be such a shame for them to have lost these photos and videos forever.'
A father has slammed Etihad Airways after his young daughter was not allowed to fly because of her eczema.

Michael Anfield was due to fly from Sydney to London with his two children to meet their mother when his two-year-old daughter's eczema flared up.

Despite his explanation that it was a common occurrence and could be treated with an antihistamine, Etihad Airways staff decided she could not fly.

Michael Anfield took this photo of his daughter, 2, upon returning home after she was not allowed to board an Etihad flight bound for London due to her eczema flaring up

'Ever felt helpless, pushed around by a big company that has no regard for how their decisions affect you and those you love,' Anfield posted on Facebook.

'The eczema usually flares up when something agitates her, it could be a food or heaven forbid the stress of flying,' he wrote.

Anfield was told by Etihad staff that he needed to take his daughter to a doctor and have her checked to determine she would be fit to fly.

But the father-of-two said it was 'impossible to get two kids and my luggage back to a doctor be seen and return in time for check in.'

Anfield said he had produced a letter from his doctor saying that his daughter was fit to fly, who also offered to explain the condition to Etihad staff.

Michael Anfield and his two children (aged 2 and 6) who were unable to board their flight to reunite with their mother after his daughter's eczema flared up

But, staff refused to talk to Anfield or a health professional and inspect his daughter, whose condition settled when the family returned home.

'Etihad you have shown that you are arrogant, inconsiderate and unreasonable,' he said.

'You've delayed a family reunion and have had no regard for the impact of your actions.'

Anfield slammed the 'quality' airline for an inadequate response 'inconsistent' with its advertising.

'You won't get away with pushing this family around or stopping a two-year-old and a six-year-old from seeing their mum because of some faceless person on a phone overriding doctors advice,' Anfield wrote.

Despite Anfield's (pictured with his son, 6) explanation that it was a common occurrence and could be treated with an antihistamine, Etihad Airways staff decided she could not fly

Despite successfully checking in on Saturday night, Anfield says he had to rely on the doctor's note to go through.

'No apology, no acknowledgement of the inconvenience caused. Front line staff inspected my daughters face and spoke to the faceless Medilink people again.'

'I won't let this ruin my holiday but I won't let them continue to use this approach to passenger check in particularly for young children and those suffering from eczema,' Anfield said.
Men may have been attending the first night of the Edinburgh Fringe

A camper was crushed to death in his sleep and another injured after a tree collapsed onto a tent in Edinburgh.

Police arrived at an area of woodland on the south bank of the Water of Leith, in the Dean Village area of the city, at 3.30am on Saturday.

One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene and the other, aged 35, suffered minor injuries that did not require medical treatment.

A camper was crushed to death in his sleep and another injured after a tree collapsed onto a tent in Edinburgh

Police arrived at an area of woodland on the south bank of the Water of Leith, in the Dean Village area of the city, at 3.30am on Saturday

One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene and the other, aged 35, suffered minor injuries that did not require medical treatment

The Water of Leith is a riverside walkway, surrounded by dense woodland on either side, that is popular with walkers and cyclists.

The men may have been staying in the area for the first night of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is expected to attract nearly three million visitors.

Police Scotland is currently working to find the dead man's next of kin and told MailOnline: 'Enquiries are ongoing.'

A spokesman said: 'Police in Edinburgh were called to an area of woodlands on the south bank of the Water of Leith, accessed from Miller Row, around 3.30am on Saturday 6 August.

Police are currently working to find the dead man's next of kin. Pictured is a tent peg found at the scene

A tent peg found at the scene near to where the tree fell on the two men while they were asleep

A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Police in Edinburgh were called to an area of woodlands on the south bank of the Water of Leith, accessed from Miller Row, around 3.30am on Saturday 6 August'

'A very large tree had fallen on a tent in which two men were sleeping and, sadly, one of the men was pronounced dead at the scene.

'A 35-year-old man also suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical treatment.'

The spokesman added that police are confident the tree fell due to natural causes.

'Officers have consulted with the appropriate partners who are confident that the tree fell as a result of natural occurrences.

'We're currently working to trace the deceased's next of kin, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'

The Water of Leith is a riverside walkway, surrounded by dense woodland on either side

A general view of the picturesque area in Dean Village, which is popular with walkers and cyclists

Dean Village, northwest of Edinburgh city centre, viewed from Dean Bridge

More than 3,000 shows are being staged at this year's Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.

In total, it will see 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows in 294 venues across the Scottish capital.

It represents a slight decrease on the number of shows on offer in 2015 but the festival is still substantially bigger than in recent years.

This year's programme covers theatre, dance, circus, comedy, music, cabaret, children's shows, exhibitions and spoken-word events.
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The world's largest aircraft, known fondly as the 'Flying Bum', left its hangar for the first time today.

The Airlander 10, which cost 25million to build over 10 years, is 92 metres long and pumped with a million cubic feet of helium.

The part-plane, part-airship left its hangar in Cardington, Bedfordshire at 4am today to commence a brief series of ground systems tests before its first flight later this month.

Members of the public looking at the world's largest aircraft ,the Airlander 10,out in the open air for the first time today

The world's largest aircraft made its first journey at 4am today. Originally known as the Airlander 10, it was christened Martha Gwyn in March, in honour of the wife of the company's chairman

As dawn breaks the sheer size of the plane can be seen from beyond the perimeter of the airfield at Cardington

It was a delicate operation as there was only a six metre clearance from the fin tip to the sides of the hangar doors

It was a delicate operation as there was only a six metre clearance from the fin tip to the sides of the hangar doors.

It took around five minutes for the Airlander to clear the hangar and then a further 30 minutes to be towed to rest at the primary mast site.

The aircraft which, at 302ft long, is around 50ft larger than the biggest passenger jets, was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft but it fell foul of defence cutbacks.

The Airlander 10 is fondly nicknamed the 'Flying Bum'. From this image (left), it is not hard to see where it got the moniker and the craft was recently parodied on Twitter with an image of Kim Kardashian (right)

Airlander has now formally been granted permission to conduct its first series of flight tests by both European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

The project's technical director, Mike Durham, said: 'Last week we successfully completed our final in-hangar all engines, all generators, all systems testing.

'My thanks to the whole business for getting us here. The entire team is looking forward to the final series of tests outside before taking to the skies for the first time.

The hangar doors at Cardington had to be opened to their fullest extent and even then it was a close thing to get it out

The Airlander 10, which cost 25million to build, is 92 metres long and pumped with a million cubic feet of helium

'It was a very smooth first journey for Airlander and she behaved beautifully. We're delighted to have reached this significant milestone.'

A number of tests still need to be conducted on the Airlander 10, christened the Martha Gwyn in April after the wife of Hybrid Air Vehicles chairman Philip Gwyn, but then the flight test program can start.

The aircraft is designed to stay airborne for up to five days at a time to fulfil a wide range of communication and survey roles, as well as carrying cargo and tourist passenger flights.

From a distance it looks similar to Thunderbird 2, the giant air transporter from the 1960s TV series

Aviation buffs from around the country and even the world are expected to flock to Cardington to take photographs of the monster plane

The Airlander 10, full of helium, is something like a cross between an airship and a plane

The Airlander 10's sheer size is shown by this image in which they dwarf people walking past

Mail on Sunday reporter Sarah Oliver pictured in the cockpit of the behemoth created by Hybrid Air Vehicles as the first of a potential fleet of airships

The Airlander 10, part plane, part airship, is out its hangar for the first time at Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire

Airships had their heyday before the war but they were thought to be unsafe after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937
A Swedish church is preparing to drop thousands of tiny electronic Bibles into Daesh-controlled areas of Iraq.

The Word of Life (Livets Ord) church, based in the town of Uppsala, said it planned to release the devices from drones flying at high altitude.

The Local reported that the church's mission director Christian Akerhielm told a Swedish broadcaster: 'Our ambition is to pass on the hope and love of the Christian gospel to a population living in closed areas where they are being denied human rights.

The Word of Life (Livets Ord) church, based in Uppsala, has been described as a 'cult' and has been criticised for funding illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank

The church plans to use drones to drop thousands of pillbox-sized electronic Bibles into Iraq

'The Bibles are the size of pill boxes and have a display. They require no electricity, but work on their own.'

He said: 'We start our project in a few weeks and hope to drop thousands of Bibles.'

Livets Ord is the leading evangelical church in Sweden and is closely aligned with the Pentecostal movement in the US.

A spokesman told Mail Online the Bible drop was not intended to be provocative and he equated it with the smuggling of Bibles into the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

Christian Today said Livets Ord was founded in the 1980s and is often criticised for being organised like a 'cult'.

The leader of Sweden's Christian Democrat party, Ebba Busch Thor, attended one of the church's evangelical schools.

Livets Ord has also been criticised for donating money towards the building of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The church says on its website: 'We believe in an unfailing and never-ending love, given to us by God. And together we try to spread that love to as many people as possible.'
He details the horrors of war reporting in his book Hack in a Flak Jacket

Stefanovic described the scenes as '

He was in Gaza, Palestine when

Channel Nine reporter Peter Stefanovic has opened up on the 'most confronting and disturbing day of his life' back when he was a Middle Eastern correspondent.

Stefanovic, who has detailed his years in war zones in his new book Hack in a Flak Jacket, was in Palestine on July 17, 2014 when the Israeli defence force announced it was invading Gaza.

He described the night following the announcement as 'bloody and brutal.'

Channel Nine reporter Peter Stefanovic has opened up on the 'most confronting and disturbing day of his life' back when he was a Middle Eastern correspondent (pictured)

Stefanovic, who has detailed his years in war zones in his new book Hack in a Flak Jacket, was in Palestine on July 17, 2014 when the Israeli defence force announced it was invading Gaza

Baghdad, June 2014- 'A lighter moment with an Iraqi troop as Isis militants closed in on the city' (Peter Stefanovic Facebook)

'All I heard was the long, sustained volley of rockets that launched and exploded minute after minute,' he wrote in his book.

The next morning Stefanovic, who is the younger brother of Karl Stefanovic, said he received a phone call from his fixer in Gaza, Ameera.

Ameera told Stefanovic Israelis were bombing homes and dozens of dead bodies were still lying in the street. 'It's a massacre,' she said.

She went home to be with her family and sent her friend Omar to pick Stefanovic and his crew up.

'What was to come was, quite simply, the most confronting and disturbing day of my life,' Stefanovic said.

They arrived at al-Shifa hospital where ambulances pulled up to drop off the dead and wounded, Stefanovic said.

Peter Stefanovic has opened up on 'the most disturbing day of his life' in his book Hack in a Flack Jacket

Stefanovic (pictured) was a Middle Eastern correspondent from 2008 to 2015

A tweet taken from Peter Stefanovic's Twitter dated July 2014, days after the Israeli defence force announced it was invading Gaza

'Most of the people had suffered horrendous injuries, such as missing limbs, broken bones, severe cuts and wounds.'

Stefanovic went around to the back of the hospital to see how the morgue was coping where he said he saw utes pull up and dump dead bodies.

'There was hardly any more room inside the morgue, so bodies were left in the open. Piles of dead children lay on the blood-stained floor,' he said.

The damage was so severe that a two-hour ceasefire had been agreed between Israeli and Palestinian authorities to allow paramedics to get into Shejaia (a neighbourhood district of Gaza) to rescue survivors or pick up dead bodies from the floor.

Stefanovic and his team agreed to go into Shejaia where Stefanovic described the scene as 'apocalyptic.'

Peter Stefanovic (left) and fiancee Sylvia Jeffreys (right)

Stefanovic details the horrors of war reporting in his book Hack in a Flak Jacket

'I felt incredibly uneasy, so after about 15 minutes we sped out of there.'

Stefanovic details the horrors of war reporting in his book titled Hack in a Flak Jacket.

He was the Europe, Africa and Middle East correspondent for the Nine Network from 2008 until 2015.

Stefanovic reported news from around the world for Nine News, A Current Affair and the Today Show, and was nominated for a Walkley award in 2014.
A railing collapsed on Friday during a Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert, leaving at least 42 people injured.

The railing, which separated the crowd from the performance in Camden, New Jersey, yielded after fans surged towards the stage, authorities told Action News.

Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa were performing on a small, temporary stage, the network reported.

Dramatic footage showed dozens of fans tumbling on top of one another when the gate suddenly gave way in the middle of the concert at the BB&T Pavilion.

Scroll down for video

A railing collapsed on Friday during a Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert in Camden, New Jersey (pictured), leaving at least 42 people injured

The concert was halfway through and the star performers were chanting 'Stand up!' just when a front railing collapsed.

The crowd was cheering just moments before, footage shared on Twitter by user @everyleave showed.

Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa stood on stage for a short moment, looking at their tumbling fans, as if unsure of what to do.

A clip shared on Instagram shows security staff rushing to escort them off the stage.

Authorities stopped the concert 20 minutes after the collapse. Another video, published on Twitter, revealed the confusion that followed as fans piled on top of one another.

One person came out critically injured and was taken to Camden's Cooper Trauma Center.

Most of the 42 injured had broken bones, bumps and bruises, county spokesman Dan Keashen told NBC 10.

The concert was halfway through and the star performers were chanting 'Stand up!' just when a front railing collapsed (left). Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa stood on stage for a short moment as if unsure of what to do (right)

A video posted by WorldstarHipHop (@worldstar) on Aug 5, 2016 at 10:09pm PDT

'Everyone all of a sudden started pushing,' witness Abbey Hecht, who was in the audience, told Action News. 'And the gate broke. And all of a sudden I fell like six or seven feet.'

Hecht said she had four or five people on top of her, making it hard for her to breathe.

'I couldn't move. I literally thought I was dying. It was so scary,' she told the network.

The Camden County Sheriff's Office was investigating the collapse.

Security staff eventually escorted the performers off the stage (pictured) and authorities stopped the concert 20 minutes after the collapse

Most of the 42 injured had broken bones, bumps and bruises and one was critically injured, authorities said. Pictured, emergency services arrive after the railing gave way
A dead man's body on a Queensland beach has led to the discovery of a suspected Ponzi scheme that has sucked up $100million from international investors.

Financial advisor Steve Halgryn washed up on a Sunshine Coast beach four months ago, sparking a police investigation into the mysterious circumstances of his death.

Since then 600 people who invested with Mr Halgryn have come forward, raising questions about the missing money he promised them, A Current Affair reported.

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Steve Halgryn (right) was found dead on a Queensland beach four months ago

Investors from as far away as Zimbabwe have sunk a combined $100million into Mr Halgryn's unregistered trading scheme, which promised returns of 24 per cent per year.

An investigation into the father-of-four's estate has turned up no sign of the missing millions, revealing that when he died he had combined assets of less than $500,000.

The furious investors are now turning on the Australian investment watchdog, ASIC, who failed to shut down the scheme despite obvious concerns.

Letters obtained by A Current Affair indicate that as early as 2013 ASIC investigators were raising questions about the business.

An investigation into Mr Halgryn's death has revealed he owed a combined $100million to 600 investors

Senator Nick Xenophon told A Current Affair that ASIC had been asleep at the wheel.

He said: 'To say that ASIC was asleep at the wheel would be unfair to the wheel, because it seems that ASIC wasn't even in the car going about doing their job.

'This big question is: how many victims could've been avoided? How many millions could've been saved if ASIC acted when it was warned of this years ago?

'It beggars belief that ASIC didn't act.'

An autopsy into Mr Halgryn's death is yet to be finalised, although it is suspected he could have simply had a heart attack while walking along the beach.
New questions surrounding Melania Trump's path to US citizenship have surfaced, with one attorney stating she received her green card in 2001 'based on marriage', four years before she wed Donald Trump.

Melania, a Slovenian-born model who worked in Paris and Milan before landing in New York, said she had never been married before she met the business tycoon.

But Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney who worked for Trump Organization 'on behalf of Trump models', alleges Melania was married before 2005, Univision reported.

A spokesperson for Trump shot down the shocking claims, telling Dailymail Online: 'Contrary to inaccurate reports today, Melania was not married prior to her marriage to Mr. Trump in 2005. She obtained a green card on her own.'

New questions surrounding Melania Trump's path to US citizenship have surfaced, with immigration attorney Michael Wildes stating she obtained a green card in 2001 'based on marriage', four years before she wed Donald Trump

Melania Trump issued a statement Thursday where she said she had been in 'full compliance' with the nation's immigration laws

Melania, who became a US citizen in 2006 after her marriage to Trump the year before, had obtained a green card in 2001 'based on marriage', Wildes said.

Wildes added: 'Before that, she had a work visa and was in full compliance on her visas and never disrespected any of them. That has been made clear to me.'

Michael Wildes worked as an immigration attorney for Trump Organization

The immigration attorney, who said he had been authorized by Trump Organization to speak about Melania, could not comment further on her status.

He told Univision: 'There are certain parts of the process that remain private. The immigration authorities don't discuss this nor should we.'

He also called the inquiry into Melania's immigration status 'moot and ridiculous'.

Wildes worked for Trump, ensuring competitors in the Miss Universe pageant obtained legal paperwork when the real estate magnate owned it.

Melania has faced media scrutiny surrounding her journey to the US as the wife of the GOP candidate - whose promises to crack down on illegal immigration have become central to his campaign.

His supporters regularly chant 'build the wall' at his rallies, referring to his plan to block Mexicans without proper documentation along the southern US border.

Italian businessman Paolo Zampolli said his agency Metropolitan Models sponsored Melania in 1996 with an H-1B work visa, which typically allows people to stay in the US for three years at a time, the Washington Post reported.

In March, the Donald said: 'The H-1B program is neither high-skilled nor immigration: these are temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay.

'I will end forever the use of H-1B as a cheap labor program, and institute an absolute requirement to hire American workers first.'

But Zampolli's account is inconsistent with Melania's statements in a January Harper's Bazaar interview.

In the interview, the former model said she would make frequent trips home to renew her visa - a move usually associated with a temporary business visa or a simple tourist visa.

Racy photos of Melania from 1995 also resurfaced in the New York Post this week, with Politico pointing out that they were taken in Manhattan a year before the former model claimed she came to the US.

Melania Trump took to Twitter on Thursday to push back at 'inaccurate reporting and misinformation' about her immigration status  which she has touted as part of the American Dream in interviews as well as her speech at the Republican Convention.

'Let me set the record straight: I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country. Period,' the Slovenian born model said on Twitter.

She continued: 'Any allegation to the contrary is simply untrue. In July 2006, I proudly became a US citizen. Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to live, work and raise a family in this great nation and I share my husband's love for our country.'

Melania Trump has appeared with her husband on the campaign trail, as she did in Waterloo, Iowa in February

She told Harpers magazine in July: 'It never crossed my mind to stay here without papers. That is just the person you are. You follow the rules. You follow the law.

'Every few months you need to fly back to Europe and stamp your visa. After a few visas, I applied for a green card and got it in 2001.'

She used similar language about required trips home in an interview with MSNBC, saying: 'I never thought to stay here without papers. I had visa. I travel every few months back to the country to Slovenia to stamp the visa.'

Paolo Zampolli, on Thursday told the Associated Press he got Melania Knauss her visa when he was a partner at the agency Metropolitan Models.

'She qualified. We got her the H-1B as soon as she came,' he said, mentioning the H-1B visa for 'fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.'

He said he used her work in Paris and Milan as the basis for the application. 'We used whatever she did before to get her a visa. She had enough tear sheets to qualify,' he said.

Melania Knauss married Donald Trump in 2005 at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Her website suddenly disappeared after questions were raised last month about her academic credentials.

Her official website, and her bio published by the Republican National Committee, stated that she earned 'a degree in design and architecture at University in Slovenia.'

CBS reported that she did not graduate and dropped out after a single year.
These are the twin girls who died after their father left them in a roasting hot car in 90-degree temperatures outside their Georgia home.

The 16-month-old girls, Ariel and Alaynah North, died on Thursday after they were found unresponsive while strapped in their car seats in the back of an SUV.

Captain Chris Dobbs in Carrollton said on Friday that 24-year-old Asa North 'had been consuming alcoholic beverages' before leaving his toddlers in the car.

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The 16-month-old twins, Ariel and Alaynah North, died on Thursday after they were found unresponsive while strapped in their car seats inside a hot car outside their Georgia home

Asa North is seen here in his mugshot after he was booked on manslaughter charges for the deaths of his twin girls

Investigators are working to determine how long the girls were left in the car, but with temperatures in the 90s, it would take only a few minutes for the heat to become unbearable.

Police took a blood sample for alcohol and are awaiting results to determine his alcohol level.

North has been jailed on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.

'We do believe they were left in the car for a period of time,' said Captain Chris Dobbs of the Carrollton Police Department.

Regina Cleveland, a family friend, told local news station WSB-TV: 'Only he knows the answer about what happened today, but I hope and pray it was an accident.'

Paramedics took Ariel and Alaynah (pictured) to the Tanner Medical Centre where they were pronounced dead

The twins' uncle, Donnie Holland, said he guesses the father 'forgot about the kids and left them in the car'.

'He should have took care of them kids better than that, what he did,' Holland said.

'He should have never been in the house asleep.

'He should have got the kids out of the car the time he got out of the car, you know.'

Neighbors said North was frantic after the girls were discovered in the car. It was not immediately clear who discovered the girls in the back of the SUV.

'The neighbors heard some screaming  I guess coming from the father  and saw him running around back with the two children,' Carrollton police Capt. Chris Dobbs told CBS 46.

When police arrived around 6.30pm on Thursday at the property on Tillman Drive, North, along with neighbors, was desperately trying to revive the twins in a kiddie pool.

Asa North, (pictured) 24, has been arrested after his children, Ariel and Alaynah, were found dead in the back of a baking hot car

North has been arrested on two counts of reckless conduct and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. He was transported to the Carroll County Jail

Neighbors also arrived with ice packs to try to get the water temperature down, Fox 5 reported.

Temperatures in Carrollton breached 90 degrees in the afternoon, but cooled down later due to a thunder storm.

Paramedics took Ariel and Alaynah to the Tanner Medical Centre less than five minutes away where they were pronounced dead.

On Friday morning, North was charged with two counts of reckless conduct and two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Authorities reported that they do not believe the deaths were intentional.

While authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, Dobbs said they believe North left the children unattended in the SUV for a certain amount of time.

The twins were taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Authorities reported that they do not believe the deaths were intentional

North was transported to the Carroll County Jail after his arrest. It is not immediately clear if he has an attorney.

'It's just a tragic situation, a sad situation for the whole family and for the community,' Dobbs told CBS 46.

Police said the twin's mother was in Atlanta visiting her sister, who had been injured in a car accident.

She arrived at the Tanner Medical Center on Thursday evening, according to police.

Autopsies were being done at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab, and Dobbs said they may help determine how long the girls were left in the car.

However, experts say any length of time in a hot car can kill a child.

The deaths of the twin girls come as prosecutors in another metro Atlanta county prepare for the murder trial of 35-year-old Justin Ross Harris.

Police arrested North Thursday night before charging him the next morning

North was desperately trying to revive them in a kiddie pool when police arrived. Neighbors brought ice packs to try to bring down the water temperature

Harris is accused of intentionally leaving his toddler son to die in a hot SUV for about seven hours on June 18, 2014.

Harris' trial was moved to the coastal Georgia city of Brunswick after a judge agreed with defense lawyers that an impartial jury could not be found in the Atlanta area.

The trial is expected to begin in September.

Nationwide, the girls who died in Carrollton are the 25th and 26th children to die this year in hot vehicles, more than double the number who had died by this point in the summer during 2015, said Janette Fennell, president and founder of KidsAndCars.org, a group that tracks such deaths each year.

By this time last year, 12 children had died in hot cars, Fennell said in an email on Thursday night.

Temperatures inside a car can become deadly very quickly, with 80 per cent of the increase happening in the first 10 minutes, her group warns on its website.
Dame Lowell Goddard, who quit as head of the nationwide child abuse inquiry, could be allowed to stay in her 110,000-a-year luxury London apartment, despite resigning with immediate effect.

Lawyers from the Home Office are poring over the New Zealand judge's contract, but it is thought she is entitled to a three month notice period, with taxpayers footing the bill for her residence and pay.

The former chair of the landmark inquiry could also receive up to 90,000 in severance pay - as well as being able to stay in her Knightsbridge apartment for three months.

Dame Lowell Goddard became the third head of the mammoth investigation to abandon it

It comes as it emerged the judge, on a 500,000 pay and benefits package, had just two work-related meetings in 44 days, during her time in Australia and New Zealand, The Sun reported.

In more than six weeks Dame Lowell met with officials from Australia's Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse twice in 2015 and 2016.

The judge, who became the third head of the mammoth investigation to abandon it, was said to have been overwhelmed by the task.

But she is now understood to be in talks with the Home Office about the terms of her departure, which could include a pay-off totalling tens of thousands of pounds.

The multi-million pound inquiry, the biggest in British legal history, has been plunged into chaos since she walked out on Thursday.

Under the terms of her contract, Dame Lowell was required to give three months written notice before quitting.

But Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced she was stepping down with immediate effect, meaning she could be paid for a further three months, the equivalent of about 90,000.

Last night a Home Office spokesman said: 'We are working on the terms of her departure. Nothing has been decided yet.'

The New Zealand judge, who had no experience of British courts, explained her decision by saying the job had been 'a struggle in many respects'.

But one inquiry source claimed: 'She couldn't cope with the information coming in, she was just overwhelmed.

'She appeared to have a '24-hour memory' and couldn't get a grip on the detail  it seemed she couldn't remember who anyone was, names, dates and so on.'

The judge could receive up to 90,000 in severance pay  despite quitting the job

Miss Rudd has pledged a new chairman will be found and there will be 'no delay' in the wide-ranging public inquiry, which is feared will drag on for a decade at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.

But yesterday there were calls for it to be wound up or significantly scaled down.

Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP falsely accused of historical sex abuse, said: 'She just wasn't up to the job. At last week's preliminary hearings, she asked a barrister three or four times to go over the point again about what she was being asked to judge.'

Mr Proctor branded the inquiry 'an industry in thrall to every fantasist alive' and called it 'a lawyers' paradise' that 'should be dismantled'. One legal source connected with the inquiry said: 'She's either not reading her briefs, or not understanding them.' There was also concern 'about her ability to retain and digest information'.

Sources close to the inquiry spoke of 'difficult relations' between its officials and the chairman. One said there was conflict, but another suggested Dame Justice Goddard felt she was not getting the support her difficult job required.

Police forces and councils have been left in disarray at the resignation of the 67-year-old judge, whose brief was to investigate historical allegations of child abuse at institutions such as schools, care homes and churches. Some forces committed millions of pounds to setting up specialist teams to respond to demands from the inquiry.

A source said: 'Now nobody knows if it is all a big waste of time and money.' It also leaves Miss Rudd with a desperate search for a fourth chairman of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

More than 17.9million of taxpayer's cash has already been spent, but the inquiry is yet to hear a word of evidence.

The New Zealand judge, who had no experience of British courts, explained her decision by saying the job had been 'a struggle in many respects'

Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz demanded that Dame Lowell appear before MPs to give a 'thorough explanation' as to why she quit. He said: 'I don't really think a resignation letter or a statement is enough.'

She was appointed after two previous chairmen, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, resigned over accusations they were too close to the Establishment. As a New Zealand judge, Dame Lowell was untainted, but despite her credentials, an unofficial recent survey of her country's 63 judges ranked her at 63rd. Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg said: 'Goddard simply does not have the skills to run an inquiry of this sort  either in a courtroom setting or outside it. She seemed not to understand the most basic principles of judging.'

But others pointed out that Dame Lowell was sharp enough to have negotiated herself a pay and perks package worth 500,000 a year, making her the UK's highest paid civil servant.

Her generous package provided a 360,000 salary, a 110,000 accommodation allowance and regular free return flights to New Zealand for her and her family.

She was appointed after two previous chairmen, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, resigned over accusations they were too close to the Establishment

Lawyers predicted the inquiry would spiral out of control as it emerged it is receiving as many as 100 fresh allegations every week. Former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald said the inquiry had become 'unmanageable' and called on Miss Rudd to 'take a whole fresh look at this'.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'As for finding someone to take this on, this is going to be extraordinarily difficult. This is now seen not so much as a poisonous chalice as a lethal injection.'

Child abuse victims expressed deep dismay at the setback and called on Miss Rudd to appoint a new chairman quickly.

Phil Johnson, who has spent 20 years campaigning for justice for survivors, said: 'In the public eye, the credibility of the inquiry is in tatters  so much public money is being spent, and it seems to be achieving so little.'

Announcing her resignation, Dame Lowell said: 'The conduct of any public inquiry is not an easy task, let alone one of the magnitude of this.

'Compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off and with hindsight it would have been better to have started completely afresh.'
A passenger jet which 'vanished' off the radar while travelling over the Mediterranean towards Marseilles has returned to Algiers.

Air Algerie flight AH1020 travelling from the Algerian capital to Marseille declared an emergency before disappearing from radars following the planes path.

However the airline has since confirmed the Boeing 737-600 has landed safely in Algiers, having suffered technical difficulties mid-air.

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The Boeing 737-600 left Algiers this afternoon on a flight to Marseilles when it let out an emergency call (file photo)

The jet returned to Algiers and flight radar showed the jet turning back on itself, heading over the Mediterranean and towards Mahon - however it then failed to show any activity.

However some aircraft do not show any activity under 17,000ft on this particular flight path, according to some experts.

Sources claim the plane suffered from a lack of flight-tracker coverage.

Radar tracking the Boeing 737-600 showed the plane turn around and head back towards the point where it took-off.

The last recorded altitude of the plane was some 7,000 meters and pilots let out an emergency call shortly after take-off, according to reports.

The Planefinder.net website was unable to locate the plane, stating the plane's status was 'unknown'.
Nine people are in hospital after a salmonella outbreak at the InterContinental Adelaide.

At least 17 people fell ill with food poisoning after about 400 hotel guests ate the buffet breakfast at the Riverside Restaurant last Sunday, Adelaide Now reported.

A mother of three said she and her husband started showing the telltale signs of food poisoning two days after eating the contaminated food.

At least 17 are ill and nine people are in hospital after a salmonella outbreak at the InterContinental Adelaide

'I had abdominal pain, diarrhoea, a headache and was fatigued  I'm still very fatigued,' she told the newspaper.

According to the woman, Adelaide City Council and InterContinental suspect the cause to be eggs.

A South Australian Health spokesperson said authorities were 'aware of a localised case of food poisoning in a city hotel'.

it is understood that up to 45 could have contracted the disease, but the exact number remains unconfirmed as the hotel chain and SA Health investigate the cause of the outbreak.

Adelaide City Council and InterContinental suspect the cause to be eggs (file photo)

'The issue I have is they (the hotel and the council) know there are 400 people out there potentially infected with salmonella and they're not actively notifying them,' the mother told the newspaper.

But InterContinental Adelaide general manager Colin McCandless said it was 'absolutely safe' to eat at the hotel.

The incident comes after 80 cases of salmonella associated with rockmelon were reported, prompting local health authorities to warn vulnerable groups of people to avoid eating the fruit.
A machete-wielding attacker who shouted 'Allahu Akbar' before injuring two policewomen has died after being shot by a third officer.

The man, who was armed with the knife, stabbed the two officers outside the police station in the Belgian city of Charleroi - 38 miles south of the capital Brussels.

They were injured during the attack and one of the female officers suffered significant 'wounds to the face', according to reports.

B elgian Prime Minister Charles Michel today condemned the attack and said that it appeared to be a terrorist incident.

He told broadcaster RTL: 'Initial indications very clearly point towards terrorism.'

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Armed police officers were seen surrounding the area near the police station in Charleroi after the attack

The man, who was armed with a machete, attacked the two police officers outside the station (pictured)

Emergency services raced to the scene in Charleroi, Belgium, where two female officers were wounded

Officers were carrying guns as they surrounded the premises following the attack on their colleagues

Local police said a third officer then shot the perpetrator who later died from his injuries.

The police force tweeted: 'Two police officers injured by machete in front of police by someone shouting Allah Akhkbar. Individual was shot.'

Prime Minister Michel has cut short his holiday in the south of France and will return to Belgium for a meeting on Sunday with the National Security Council.

The machete attack took place at a wooden hut that had been erected outside the Charleroi police station.

Paul Magnette, mayor of the city in southern Belgium, said the checkpoint succeeded in preventing the attacker from reaching the building and causing more havoc.

The mayor added that in the wake of the attack, Belgian authorities are discussing whether security for police facilities and officers should be beefed up further.

Michel condemned the attack which happened as the country remains on high alert in the wake of the Brussels suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group that killed 32 people in March.

The Prime Minister wrote on Twitter: 'I condemn the attack in Charleroi with force. Thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and the police. We are monitoring the situation closely.'

Officers from Charleroi Police rushed to the local station following the attack on their colleagues

Belgian police have stepped up patrols following a number of incidents and a number were today guarding the station in Charleroi

The attack took place in Charleroi, Belgium, which remains on high alert in the wake of attacks which killed 32 people in March this year

The attack, which came out of the blue, occurred in broad daylight in the industrial city of Charleroi, Belgium

Police officers from the station at Charelroi patrol the place where two policewomen were attacked

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned the attack and wrote: 'Thoughts are with the victims'

Michel added that the identity of the assailant who attacked the officers in the city wasn't immediately known.

He told RTL television he has asked the independent OCAM agency to immediately assess whether there is an increased threat to Belgian internal security.

Charleroi police spokesman David Quinaux says the attacker carried a machete in a sports bag and pulled it out as he arrived at a security checkpoint outside the city's police headquarters in mid-afternoon.

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said it wasn't immediately clear if the assault, which he called an 'act of barbarism' was the deed of a single person or something more elaborate.

He told RTF television: 'We don't know if this is the action of a lone wolf.'

The machete attack took place at a wooden hut that had been erected outside the Charleroi police station to provide an additional layer of security

Officers surrounded the station following the attack on two female police officers

An investigating source said: 'She (one of the female officers) was rushed to hospital and is in a particularly bad way.

'A third officer shot the attacker, and he in turn was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.'

The incident follows a string of terrorists attacks in Belgium and nearby France by Islamic State operatives using a range of weapons.

A witness told local television RTL he heard gunshots at the scene and saw an ambulance. The area has tonight been sealed off.

Two police officers were injured by a machete-wielding attacker outside their local police station (pictured)

The local police force today confirmed that the attacker had died from his injuries

Charleroi has often been associated with extremist gangs, especially as a place where weapons are kept

Charleroi has often been associated with extremist gangs, especially as a place where weapons are kept.

The ISIS unit which attacked Paris last November, killing 130 people in one night, is said to have picked up its AK47 and explosives in the city before heading for the French capital.

Belgium has a large Muslim minority and was the scene of an attack in March by a group swearing allegiance to ISIS.

The Belgian district of Molenbeek was also the home of several of the Paris attackers.

Charleroi is an industrial city in Wallonia which has fallen on hard times economically after the closure of coal mines and steel works.
MPs face a six-year drinking ban after a committee decided they will move to an office block operating under Islamic laws while the Palace of Westminster is refurbished.

Their new home, Richmond House in Whitehall, was transferred to finance an Islamic bond scheme in 2014.

The building, currently the offices of the Department of Health, will house MPs when a multi-billion-pound refurbishment of Parliament begins in 2020.

Richmond House in Whitehall, currently the offices of the Department of Health, will house MPs when a multi-billion-pound refurbishment of Parliament begins in 2020

MPs face a six-year drinking ban after a committee decided they will move to an office block operating under Islamic laws while the Palace of Westminster is refurbished

The parliamentary committee created to decide on options for renovating the Palace of Westminster decided against MPs remaining in the building while work takes place.

Their recommendations, which will be voted on by MPs when they return after the summer recess, was contained in a report leaked to The Times.

A plan to nationalise the nearby Red Lion pub so it could be kept private for MPs was shelved after owners Fuller's Inns spoke out against the idea.

Peers will go to the QEII Centre at the other end of Parliament Square.

Renovating the Palace of Westminster while it is vacant is expected to cost between 3.5billion and 3.9billion and take six years.

The proposal to move to the Department of Health is among the most popular because it is housed just 100 yards from the Commons entrance and many MPs' offices are in the adjacent building at 1 Parliament Street

The committee rejected two other plans, which would have been more expensive.

One was to move MPs and peers out of the Palace of Westminster at different times as the building was repaired, costing 4.4billion and lasting 11 years, while the other would have seen them stay put as repairs were carried on around them.

This third choice would have taken 32 years at a cost of 5.7billion.

MPs will vote on whether to accept the committee's recommendations after they return from the summer recess.

MPs plough through 33,000 pints of guest ale and 50,000 bottles of House Sauvignon every year

The Palace of Westminster has dozens of bars and restaurants, where MPs, peers, staff and other passholders can enjoy pints for as little as 2.90.

This is 70p cheaper than the average price of a pint in London thanks to taxpayer subsidies worth 4million a year.

The landmark, opened in 1859, has a leaky roof, crumbling stonework and faulty cabling.

WHAT PARLIAMENT DRINKS IN ONE YEAR House Sauvignon: 50,000 bottles House Merlot: 26,000 Guest ale: 33,000 Champagne: 8,500 bottles Guiness: 11,000 pints Stella Artois: 5,500 points Corona lager: 12,000 Peroni: 11,000 Baileys: 10.5 liters Gordons Gin: 463 litres Jack Daniels: 13.3 liters Famous Grouse whiskey: 52 litres Malibu: 4.5 litres Advertisement

The Queen Elizabeth Tower, which supports Big Ben, is also tilting by 18 inches.

Richmond House is one of three Whitehall buildings that were transferred to the 200million Islamic bond scheme, which switched their ownership from British taxpayers to wealthy Middle Eastern businessmen and banks.

George Osborne announced the move in June 2014 as part of an effort to make the UK a global hub for Islamic finance.

But critics say the scheme would waste money and could undermine Britain's financial and legal systems by imposing Sharia law onto government premises.

The bonds  known as Sukuk  are only available for purchase by Islamic investors.

The money raised will be repayable from 2019.

But instead of interest, bond-buyers will earn rental income from the three Government offices as interest payments are banned in Sharia law.

The Treasury agreed to make the sukuk fully compliant with Sharia law to ensure investors were not put off investing in the scheme, meaning each of the buildings used to finance the products must meet the terms of Sharia law, including the ban on alcohol.

The Queen Elizabeth Tower, which supports Big Ben, is also tilting by 18 inches

Previous proposals for relocating MPs caused controversy, with a plan to house politicians in an underground car park generating outrage because it was the spot where Tory MP Airey Neave was killed by an IRA car bomb in 1979.
A woman who was seven-months pregnant when she was ambushed by a 'womb raider' has spoken about struggling to come to terms with the attack which claimed the life of her unborn daughter, Aurora.

Michelle Wilkins, 27, from Boulder, Colorado, said: 'There's no answer to the question, why does somebody do this?'

Wilkins was lured to a house in Longmont, Colorado, by Dynel Lane, a 35-year-old nursing assistant who had lost a son in tragic circumstances a decade ago and had been pretending she was pregnant, with a boy, to her boyfriend for months.

Wilkins told the Daily Mirror: 'This woman was sick. My grief has been excruciating.

'It shouldn't be anyone's first moments with their daughter  holding, dressing and singing to a cold body.'

Foetal abduction remains extremely uncommon - there have been 16 cases in the US since 2003.

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Michelle Wilkins will never forget the moment she regained consciousness and reached down to find herself sliced open, her unborn child having been removed from her womb

Earlier this year Wilkins told American TV host Dr Phil of the moment she saw Aurora in the hospital: 'Those were are first moments as a family.'

She also described the terrifying attack that left her close to death at Lane's home.

'The very first moment that I walked in, she laid out the clothes, said "What's your size? I think these fit you",'' said Wilkins.

'She just started conversation and I finally started walking towards the door, was at the door, ready to walk outside, and she said "Oh, I have some girl clothes downstairs that someone gave me before I found out I was having a boy, do you want them?".

'And intuitively, I had that sensation wash over me, I have everything I need.'

Dynel Lane (pictured, far right) was jailed for 100 years in April this year. She said nothing at her trial and offered no words of remorse

Unreal: Wilkins (pictured) fought back tears saying she and her partner Dan thought their daughter Aurora was 'the most beautiful thing we had ever seen'

Wilkins then said: 'But for fear of being impolite, I decided to stay. She actually physically reached across me and closed the door in front of me.'

That is when she claims Lane began to attack her, though at first she suggested she was helping Wilkins.

'When she attacked me, she hit my back. It was very aggressive and hard, and I asked her, 'Was there a spider on me?' and she said, 'Yeah, I think I got it,'' said Wilkins.

'And then she continued. I turned around pulled my hands up and said 'What are you doing?' And said, 'I just want to leave, I don't want to hurt you.'

Evil: Wilkins had gone to the Colorado home of Dynel Lane (above) in March last year after responding to an ad for maternity clothes

'I started walking toward the door, and she grabbed me very roughly, pushing me deeper into the house towards the bathroom. We jostled a little bit in the hallway as I tried to push my way back towards the door.

'She's pushing me deeper into the house. Finally, we get all the way in front of the bathroom and she just lurches me sideways into the back bedroom. There are so many what if's that go through your head.

'We struggle and she keeps telling me she's that going to call the police on me. I pull out my phone and I said, 'well I'll call the police' and that's when the real struggle begins and she just throws me to the bed and tries to suffocate me with the pillow, with her hands and it had this nightmarish quality.

'She broke something over my head and I Just felt the liquid wash over me, and I just kept saying, 'Why, why are you doing this? Why?''

Wilkins also told Dr Phil: 'My core belief is that love motivates. I told her I loved her, and in turn she stabbed me.'

According to Wilkins, Lane said to her during the attack; 'If you love me, you will let me do this.'

She woke up not knowing what had happened, and called 911, saving her own life.
Indigenous fathers have hit back at a controversial cartoon with a social media campaign sharing images of their family life.

The cartoon, published in The Australian on Thursday, depicted an Aboriginal father in the outback clutching a can of beer who is unaware of his son's name.

After sparking widespread furore, the hashtag #IndigenousDads was launched for Indigenous fathers to share their experiences of family.

Bill Leak's cartoon in The Australian on Thursday has been labelled 'racist' by some readers

The director of Cleverman, Ryan Griffen, was among those who hit back at the cartoon

The #IndigenousDads was launched for Indigenous fathers to share their experiences of family

Social media users slammed the cartoon by showing their own affectionate and loving family lives, including posts from Ryan Griffen, the director of hit show Cleverman.

'No [sic] only do I know my son's name but I named a superhero after him. #IndigenousDads #Cleverman,' he posted to Twitter.

Other posts under the hashtag show indigenous fathers sharing tender moments with their children.

The cartoon was labelled 'racist' by the The NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion and scores of social media users.

But on Friday Cartoonist Bill Leak defended his drawing and hit out at 'sanctimonious' social media users.

He said the outrage of 'sanctimonious Tweety Birds' and 'tantrum-throwers' was preventing intelligent debate on 'on serious social issues, such as the rampant violence, abuse and neglect of children in remote indigenous communities.'

Other posts under the hashtag show indigenous fathers sharing tender moments with their children

Scores of social media users took part in the hashtag campaign

The images depicted new and old images offering a window inside Indigenous family life

Other posts under the hashtag show indigenous fathers sharing tender moments with their children

Treatment of Aboriginal children is in the spotlight after The ABC's Four Corners aired footage of prison guards at the detention centre teargassing teenage inmate

Mr Leak said the cartoon was inspired by Aboriginal men who spoke the truth.

'I was trying to say that if you think things are pretty crook for the children locked up in the Northern Territory's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, you should have a look at the homes they came from,' he wrote.

Treatment of Aboriginal children is in the spotlight after The ABC's Four Corners aired footage of prison guards at the detention centre teargassing teenage inmates and strapping a half-naked, hooded-boy to a chair.

Mr Leak's cartoon on Friday used the same outback scene as the original but swapped the Aboriginal child for a caricature of himself.

Bill Leak hit out at 'sanctimonious' social media users in this cartoon on Friday

NSW Reconciliation said the was no place for Mr Leak's racist cartoon in Australia

Roy Ah-See, the chairman of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, said Bill Leak's cartoon insulted and denigrated Aboriginal people.

'Sadly, racism and discrimination is a fact of life for Aboriginal people who have lived on and cared for this country for more than 60,000 years,' he said.

Reconciliation Australia chief executive Justin Mohamed said Australians should show zero tolerance for the racism and hurtful stereotypes depicted by Mr Leak.

'The appalling cartoon we have seen from Mr Leak today speaks to the racism, discrimination and denial of history that still mars the nation.'
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Britons were making the most of the glorious weather today - but they could be in a for a shock on Monday with temperatures set to plummet almost 10C due to a 'plunge of Arctic air' diving south.

Beaches were packed as sunseekers flocked to the seaside to enjoy the weather, while London and Cambridge hit highs of 26C degrees.

Around a million tourists are expected in Cornwall this weekend, with Bournemouth seeing 100,000 visitors a day.

Britons were making the most of the glorious weather today with sunseekers flocking to beaches across the country

London and Cambridge reached highs of 26C degrees, while Southend-On-Sea hit 25C on the mercury. Joggers were seen enjoying the sunshine in Wimbledon Common

But it will begin to feel 'noticeably cooler' from the start of the next week, with temperatures dropping to the high teens

But it will not be quite as hot on Sunday, with temperatures peaking at around 23 degrees, due to breezy conditions across the country.

It will begin to feel 'noticeably cooler' from the start of the next week, with temperatures in the South dropping to the high teens.

Some places across England and Wales could see temperatures drop to 15 or 16C degrees on Monday and Tuesday - well below average for this time of the year.

However, the good news is that most of the country will see largely dry weather, although there will be the odd outbreak of rain further north.

Scotland could be hit with strong winds on Sunday, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning.

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: 'If you're in England and Wales, there's more sunshine on it's way to come.

Families could be seen enjoying the sunshine on Knoll beach in Studland, Dorset on Saturday

Sunseekers should make the most of the good weather, with temperatures expected to be slightly lower tomorrow

A group of youngsters enjoyed a banana boat ride, clearly making the most of the weekend weather

Taking a dip: Holidaymakers cooled off in the sea in Studland when the heat got a bit too much for them

Making the most of it! The beach was packed with children enjoying building sandcastles and paddling in the sea

Temperatures will peak at around 23 degrees on Sunday, due to breezy conditions across the country. On Monday, temperatures could drop to 15 or 16C degrees in some places, with outbreaks of rain further north

'Although it'll be a largely sunny and warm day, the temperature will be down a little on today. It may be a slow-start in the South East corner of the country, which may see a cloudy start to the day.'

She added: 'The general trend is that there will be a lot of dry weather, but there will be a noticeable drop in temperature from Monday following a humid night.

'This is due to a change in wind direction to a north westerly wind'.

Basking in the sun: Londoners made the most of the opportunity to get a tan in the hot weather

Romantic day out: A couple enjoyed the beautiful weather by a lake on Wimbledon Common

Lazy weekend: Sunlovers spent their afternoon in the common, with a number deciding to strip off in the heat

Enjoying the view: A group stop to take in the scenery on the south coast, while a pair of dog walkers have a rest

Beautiful day: Walkers enjoyed a stroll along the coast, before stopping to take some snaps

Domestic tourism spending this weekend is expected to push 1.25bn, according to expert analysis.

The average total daily spend by Britons on day visits is 156million and 66m on overnight trips - with spending increasing 50 per cent in summer, VisitEngland and VisitScotland data shows.

Hot weekends see daily spending two to three times higher than weekdays, business chiefs in Bournemouth and Brighton said.

Channel 4 weatherman Liam Dutton said: 'Temperatures are up this weekend but will fall significantly as a plunge of chilly Arctic air dives south.

'Days will be 5-10C below average. Nights will widely fall into single figures, with a good chance of frost in rural areas in the North.'

Absolutely packed: Sunlovers were definitely making the most of the weather at the beach, taking along their parasols

Glorious sunshine: Families flocked to South Beach in Studland, Dorset, to enjoy the warm weather

Feeling buoyed: They arrived early in the morning to get the best spot on the beach, setting up their windbreaks

Fishing expedition: A toddler paddled in the water with his fishing net in Studland on Saturday morning

Claiming their spot: Families were already out on the beach early in the morning to make the most the day

Early risers: Parents and their children arrived on the beach armed with their buckets and spades

Family day: While the beach was far less crowded earlier on in the day, a fair number were already out enjoying the sun

Having a ball: A group of friends enjoyed a paddle boarding session in the early morning sunshine

Perfect weather: A large number of boats spent the afternoon anchored off the Isle of Purbeck by Harry Rocks

Riding with the waves: A group of watersport lovers paddled along in the waters off the coast of Dorset
Outgunned, outmanoeuvred, hopelessly outnumbered and besieged in the Afghan desert, a small band of British soldiers chose to save a final bullet for themselves rather than fall into Taliban hands.

For nearly two months, the 88 men of Easy Company  a mix of Paratroopers and the Royal Irish  had faced the overwhelming force and firepower of up to 500 Taliban determined to over-run the remote Helmand outpost of Musa Qala.

And their near miraculous survival has been described as a latter day Rorkes Drift, evocative of the 1879 siege in which 140 British soldiers held off a Zulu force of 3,000, later immortalised in the blockbuster film starring Michael Caine.

For 56 days in the autumn of 2006, the men at Musa Qala faced constant fire from fixed machine gun posts and mortars.

Hugh Keir, left, and Jared Cleary, right, were two of the Easy Company snipers under constant attack for two months at the remote Helmand outpost Musa Qala

Hungry and frequently at the point of exhaustion, they were forced to somehow fend off 360-degree attacks from the Taliban, with little protection beyond a series of low mud walls.

They used up a quarter of all the British Armys Afghan ammunition for that entire year.

Yet today their heroism remains little known, not least because the Ministry of Defence has never permitted the full story of what happened there ten years ago this month to be told.

It has taken a Channel 4 documentary team to piece together fragments of testimony from survivors who have now left the Army, to reveal in devastating detail how close the 88 officers and men came to being massacred.

They lost three men and saw 12 badly wounded before a ragged ceasefire was brokered by tribal elders, allowing them to evacuate their Helmand hell-hole. As with Rorkes Drift, the final, devastating assault somehow never came.

Their ordeal began almost immediately when, on August 23, Easy Company was dropped by Chinook to replace a mainly Danish Nato contingent struggling to bring stability and security to the remote region. It was a terrible start.

The Taliban watched in satisfaction as the Danes took with them more than 40 armoured vehicles, eight heavy machine guns and a 12-strong medical team with armoured ambulances.

Their British replacements had just two heavy machine guns, one doctor, two medics and a quad bike. When Taliban spies reported the huge reduction in armour and weaponry, the terror leaders scented an easy victory.

To make matters worse, the village was often too dangerous for helicopter support, and reinforcements  although it is still not entirely clear why  simply never came.

The 'miracle' survival of the 88 soldiers has been compared to Rorke's Drift, immortalised by the Michael Caine film Zulu, pictured, where 140 British soldiers held off 3,000 Zulu

Troop Staff Sergeant Ian Wornham listened with his Afghan translator to the enemys radio communications. He recalled: They were talking about drinking tea in our headquarters by sunrise  which meant they were going to kill anyone in their way.

Or worse. There was, after all, the prospect of being taken alive, with beheadings later broadcast on YouTube.

Sniper Jared Cleary said: It came to a point I actually thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown.

'I swore I was going to get hit by a mortar bomb. I remember standing there, my legs shaking uncontrollably.

'If you got caught, youd probably end up on YouTube having your head cut off. Everybody knew that the possibility of getting captured and executed was very real.

Initially, Taliban tactics resembled scenes from Rorkes Drift as they tried to over-run the compound in a series of full frontal attacks.

They came so close to breaking in that they were able to lob grenades over the walls of the compound.

Wornham, a veteran with 20 years experience, said: Id never encountered fighting like that. It was very intense and it wasnt just from one direction. They were attacking from all sides  all the time.

Sergeant Freddie Kruyer of 3 Para continued: Youre returning fire but for every one that youre knocking down, youre thinking how many more are going to keep coming up?

Youre not dealing with a conventional enemy. So I thought, well Ive got the bullet with my name on it that Im going to fire at myself if it comes to it.

To be blunt, their chances seemed slim. We were totally alone. It would have been very easy to lose the entire compound with us in it, said commanding officer, Paratroop Major Adam Jowett.

Part of the reason for that was the parlous state of Easy Companys defences. They were based in a low-walled compound that Jowett says was not a defensive position in any sense at all.

The former Grenadier Guard whod switched to the Paras and saw service in Kosovo and Sierra Leone, says: Id worked in compounds in the Middle East, in Africa and for the UN and I had a concept of what a compound is. Good walls, security  there was very little of that in Musa Qala.

A British mortar team are pictured in action trying to fend off Taliban attacks

With no help coming from headquarters, Easy Companys survival depended on the skill of the mortar team, led by Corporal Danny Groves, of the Royal Irish, who was ordered to aim for insurgents just over the walls while avoiding his brothers in arms defending nearby positions.

Because they were taking so many casualties thanks to the accuracy of Groves and his teams mortar fire, the Taliban changed tactics and began attacking at long range with mortars, rockets and sniper fire  with deadly results.

Easy Companys first fatality was 22-year-old Lance Corporal Jon Hetherington, a signaller with the Paras.

On August 27, a Taliban bullet found the narrow gap between his body and his armour. He died instantly.

He was right next to me on the headquarters roof, said Jowett, who heard the desperate cry Man down and knew the Taliban had scored their first victory.

But there was no time to mourn. It was strange. We knew that he was dead but we knew that he was all right, if that makes sense, in that we would get him out of Musa Qala. We went straight back up on the building and continued the fight.

Wornham says: You have that initial thought of: Why Jon? Why did he die? But you have to get on with it.

'You cant stop and cower in a corner. You take the fight to them. Its whats instilled in you as a Paratrooper.

Less than a week later, on September 1, the Taliban scored a second hit. Fijian-born Royal Irish Ranger Anare Draiva and his colleague Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead headed for observation duty on the rooftop of the building the men called the Alamo.

Just after they had taken up their position it took a direct hit from a mortar.

Draiva died and Muirhead suffered devastating injuries. It was several hours before it was safe enough to call in a helicopter to evacuate him to British Army HQ Camp Bastion from where he was flown to hospital in Oman. He died five days later.

Machine-gunner Paul Johnstone said: Every time you went in one of the observation posts it was highly likely you were going to get hit.

You had a high chance of getting injured and dying.

In the words of fellow Royal Irish Ranger Phillip Gillespie: It was ferocious fighting. It was death round every turn. You know you could have died at any moment.

Food was running low, and the men prepared for the worst. Yet, against all odds, Easy Company continued to resist. The Talibans response was a firestorm of rockets and mortars.

Even in this tale of 88 heroes, the story of Cleary and his compatriot Hugh Keir, a platoon sergeant with experience in Northern Ireland and Iraq, is extraordinary.

They were the ones who had to stay on exposed rooftops closing down attacks.

We were the vulnerable ones, said Keir.

We were putting ourselves on the line but we also knew it was for a good reason. Wed have a little ritual.

'Wed just look at each other and give an understanding nod. You ready? Yeah ready. Because it could be the last time wed go out and do this.

When more ammunition and fresh reinforcements arrived for the Taliban on September 11, boosting the enemys strength to 500, it looked like the battle would be lost.

Yet what happened next took everyone by surprise. Both sides were preparing for the final, overwhelming attack.

Lance Corporal Jon Hetherington, pictured, was the first casualty of the Taliban attack

Yet it was an attack which never materialised. And for this, the troops could thank the local elders.

Such had been the Talibans losses that, having seen their town virtually destroyed, the elders persuaded the fighters to call a ceasefire.

So it was, that on September 13 Jowett, a married man with two children, found himself leaving the compound to meet the enemy face to face  not knowing if it was a trap. And we just thrashed it out in the middle of town with a growing crowd around us.

Easy Company remained in the compound for another month until, on October 14, the elders provided a convoy of cattle trucks to give them safe passage to a rendezvous with two Chinooks.

The battle of Musa Qala was over.

Yet while Rorkes Drift has been immortalised in film and resulted in 11 Victoria Crosses, Musa Qala has been reduced to a controversial footnote in the history of the Afghan conflict.

It does not serve Whitehall well for details of such a poorly resourced mission to be revealed.

Steve Humphries, the award-winning producer who has painstakingly put the jigsaw of pieces together for broadcast a decade later, says: Its a shocking account of what was supposed to be a peaceful mission to help bring security and stability to the region.

The British Government underestimated the backlash that the arrival of British troops would bring.

Theirs is a story of extraordinary courage that has never been told in full. These ex-soldiers who fought at Musa Qala have come forward. They want the truth to be heard.

Serving soldiers have been banned from participating and the Government has refused access to factual information.

In February this year the Taliban recaptured the dusty little town from Afghan army forces.
Since graduating from West County High School in 2003, Amy Brinkley has left her mark on children and people with disabilities as far away as China and West Africa.

Despite her time spent abroad, Brinkley has recently been bestowed the degree of doctor of philosophy from Saint Louis University. She has accepted a position as an assistant professor of higher education leadership at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis.

While pursuing her degree, she worked with the Ability Institute in St. Louis where she actively promoted the inclusion of people with disabilities in higher education.

Part of the Ability Institute is the Abilities Exhibit. According to the institutes Facebook page, the exhibit is a traveling display designed to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through respect for others, comfort during interactions, and awareness of disability issues. Using a multi-media approach, the exhibit offers suggestions for becoming disability allies and educators. What began as a graduate students project in a course grew into a sophisticated exhibit displayed on college campuses across the county.

As part of her work with the institute, Brinkley traveled to India in 2014 where she hosted a workshop designed to promote the development of allies for persons with disabilities. She plans to return to India in December to establish a research project with a local ministry that supports the educational and social needs of vulnerable children.

Earlier this year, the American College Personnel Association awarded Brinkley the Alice A. Mitchell Ally Award at their annual conference in Montreal, Canada, to recognize her commitment to the disability community.

Throughout the years she spent working toward her numerous degrees, Brinkley also traveled, wrote and conducted research in the global community. In 2007, during her undergraduate work, she had the opportunity to study in China. In 2008, she accompanied faculty and other students on a service trip to Thailand.

In 2010, while pursuing her first master's degree, she traveled to Ghana, West Africa, where she taught English in a government school as part of a larger Christian ministry outreach.

Brinkleys experiences in Ghana taught her many lessons, including patience and the act of letting go.

When I first went to Ghana three years ago, I wanted a ministry born out of expediency, she wrote in her travel blog. I wanted God to deliver me back to Ghana and just make everything wonderful and make me happy and most of all  let me stay. He didnt do that, and I have spent the past three years learning the dance of submission and letting Him lead.

Ive learned how to love and let go, which so far has been the hardest lesson in my walk with the Lord.

Ive learned how to persevere when the times get tough and when no one around me shares in my vision, and Im left with only the Lord to daydream about all the possibilities of how this will unfold.

Despite Brinkleys disappointment in not being able to live permanently in Ghana, since her first trip there six years ago, shes been able to return every year to continue her support of the work of the local organizations that seek to protect and rescue children who are vulnerable to child trafficking in the region's labor industry.

Having fallen in love with the people of Ghana, in 2012, Brinkley made it her official second home by acquiring a residence there. Still, she found it necessary to leave every few months and return to the U.S.

Expressing her deep love for the place and the people of the African republic, Brinkley wrote in a January 2013 blog entry of her sadness at having to leave Ghana.

When your body leaves a place where your heart stays, your memory counts moments, she said. You become aware of each sound, sight, and step you take. I left Ghana a few days ago, but more significantly I left my heart behind in the cupped hands and smiles of a growing group of children I now call mine.

She was back again the following year and in another blog entry in June 2014, she shared a bit about a walk she took on the beach.

I took a much needed respite today and walked myself to the beach, she wrote. In Ghana, the seaside has always been a place of quiet reflection and comfort to me.

My spirit has been really foggy for quite a while, and I thought that I could come to Ghana and get away and get some vision again. Unfortunately, theres no change in locale or trick that can bring spiritual clarity, for it is only borne out of time spent in prayer, building ones faith.

Brinkley is the daughter of Donald and Gayla Brinkley, the granddaughter of the late Doyle and Wilma Brinkley of Piedmont, Sue and the late Diz Allen of Piedmont and Charles and Kate Barker of Qulin.

If you are interested in reading more about Brinkley and her travels, check out her blog at www.raisingloveblog.org.
An Ohio teen who disappeared during a volunteering trip to Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park was found sporting newly dyed hair and different clothes, according to the National Park Service.

Fauna Jackson, a 16-year-old from Cincinnati, was found at 8am on Saturday after authorities launched an 'extensive' two-day search that enlisted about 100 people.

Jackson, who fled when she was approached by law enforcement on Saturday, was uninjured and taken to St John's Medical Center for a welfare check.

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Fauna Jackson, (pictured) a 16-year-old from Cincinnati, was found after she disappeared during a volunteering trip to Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park

She posted this photo to Instagram on Wednesday with the caption: 'Last day in Wyoming is tomorrow!! I can't wait to be home and see everyone. Today I'm going to be blazing a trail, pretty siked. I love you all a bunch and can't wait to see all of you soon!'

Park officials launched a two-day search and said Jackson cut and dyed her hair, wore different clothes and fled when she was approached by officials on Saturday

Possible sightings were reported to the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center, and Jackson was found near the Snake River Overlook about four miles from where she disappeared, officials said.

According to a statement released by park officials, Jackson cut and dyed her hair, wore different clothes and fled when she was approached by officials.

An investigation is still ongoing.

The straight-A student at Clark Montessori High School was last seen on Thursday at 8.30am along the side of US Highway 89 when she took a break from work, officials said.

She was volunteering with Groundwork USA, helping to reroute a trail in the Triangle X Ranch area, after her 'outstanding contribution' to an eight-week project in her hometown.

The organization is 'devoted to transforming the natural and built environment of marginalized communities', according to its website.

The organization's Cincinnati chapter's executive director Robin Corathers told WCPO: 'She's a delight to be around. She got along very well with her peers. She did outstanding work for us the eight week period. And she showed a lot of leadership potential.'

She was selected to participate in a nine-day trip with the environmental group Groundwork USA, helping to reroute a trail in the Triangle X Ranch area (pictured, file photos of Grand Teton National Park)

Park officials posted this photo on Facebook, calling it a 'an all-hands-on-deck effort' including about 100 individuals, 'many of them breaking away from their normal duties to do so'

An 'all-hands-on-deck' search, which included numerous dogs, helicopters, rangers, paramedics, and the FBI, enlisted about 100 people scanning the park on Friday.

They found her boot, but park officials said they did not believe she was wearing it when she disappeared.

Thermal imaging flights were also enlisted overnight, according to Cincinnati.com, with authorities ready to expand to search outside the national park.

Jackson, who was selected to participate in the nine-day program with other teenagers around the country, posted an Instagram photo on Wednesday.

The caption read: 'Last day in Wyoming is tomorrow!! I can't wait to be home and see everyone. Today I'm going to be blazing a trail, pretty siked. I love you all a bunch and can't wait to see all of you soon!'

A week ago, she wrote on the social media site: 'Can't wait to go to Wyoming, it's gonna be a real blast #succulents #alessonbeforedying'

Jackson was uninjured and taken to St John's Medical Center for a welfare check as an investigation continues
A tired pelican who posed a risk to traffic was captured by a California Highway Patrol officer and put in the back of a patrol car before he could cause any chaos.

The bird in question was wandering down an interstate in Truckee, California, when the CHP was called to intervene.

Officer Troy Griesemer, who happened to be a former falconer, approached the pelican on the side of the highway and saw that it was not injured but appeared tired.

Anything you say peliCAN be held against you: A tired pelican (pictured) was caught by police in California and put into a patrol vehicle so it would not wander into traffic

As Griesemer walked toward the pelican it tried to fly off and an extremely short chase ensued.

The pelican flew between the first and second lanes of the highway, recklessly dodging cars as it tried to escape the long arm of the law.

'He looked tired from flying, so I knew I could get a hold of him.

'This isn't the first bird I've caught. I knew what to look for, how he was going to react and how he would try to defend himself,' Griesemer said.

Griesemer has a past catching red-tailed hawks and eagles.

Once he had the big bird in custody, Griesemer placed it in the backseat of his patrol car and took it to the Truckee Police Department.

Officer Troy Griesemer (pictured), who happened to be a former falconer, approached and caught the pelican, later bringing it to an animal shelter

However, instead of spending a night in the slammer, Griesemer delivered the exhausted bird to the department's animal shelter.

A wildlife rescue team took the pelican later on.

Sallysue Stein, board president of Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Loomis, told The Sacramento Bee that CHP will pick up wild animals if they pose a potential risk to traffic.
Artist Dave Poulin who created the old statue called his work 'frightening'

An old statue, dubbed 'Scary Lucy', was an unsettling

A new statue of Lucille Ball has been unveiled in the late actress' hometown to replace one that was dubbed 'Scary Lucy.'

Hundreds of fans gathered Saturday in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the western New York village of Celoron.

They watched as the tarp was removed from the statue made by sculptor Carolyn Palmer.

Carolyn Palmer (pictured in red) was selected from 60 artists to sculpt the new Lucile Ball statue, which was unveiled on Saturday

Hundreds of fans gathered Saturday in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the western New York village of Celoron to catch a glimpse of the new statue that would replace 'Scary Lucy'

An unflattering version by another artist was banished after a Facebook campaign named, 'We Love Lucy! Get Rid of this Statue.'

On Saturday, at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park, those who signed the petition got their wish as the new statue - designed by sculptor Carolyn Palmer - was unveiled.

Saturday would have been Ball's 105th birthday.

The new statue was kept under a tarp until its unveiling at noon on Saturday, which was Lucile Ball's 105th birthday

Celoron Mayor Scott Schrecengost says 'Scary Lucy' (pictured), the old statue, will be given another spot in the park as it has become a tourist attraction in its own right

The 'Scary Lucy' sculpture, Dave Poulin, also acknowledges the statue is 'by far his most unsettling sculpture'. It is supposed to show the famous moment from Ball's show 'I Love Lucy,' in which she pitches an intoxicating health tonic while drunk

The new statue is being shown as part of this year's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in nearby Jamestown.

Celoron Mayor Scott Schrecengost says 'Scary Lucy' will be given another spot in the park.

Palmer was selected from a national competition of 60 artists to craft the new Lucy likeness.

However, the old statue is likely to stay put as it has become a unique tourist attraction in the 'I Love Lucy' star's home.

The 'Scary Lucy' sculpture, Dave Poulin, also acknowledges the statue is 'by far his most unsettling sculpture'.

But Palmer considers her design to be 'her baby' since it took her nine months to make.

She she said she used a red wig, 'I Love Lucy' episodes and models dressed in 50s clothing as inspiration.

But Palmer considers her design to be 'her baby' since it took her nine months to make. She she said she used a red wig, 'I Love Lucy' episodes and models dressed in 50s clothing as inspiration (seen here sculpting Thomas Jefferson)

Palmer made sure Lucy had two-and-a-half inches of heels and hair to keep her true to life.

'I not only wanted to portray the playful, animated and spontaneous Lucy, but also the glamorous Hollywood icon.

'I just hope that all the Lucy fans are pleased and that Lucille Ball herself would have enjoyed this image of her,' Palmer said.

Palmer has a history of sculpting famous daces and her work includes Pope Francis, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Orville and Wilbur Wright and Thomas Jefferson.

Poulin has said he will refurbish the 'Scary Lucy' at his own cost, but the mayor of Celoron declined, saying he'd rather start fresh with a new artist.

Poulin has said he will refurbish the 'Scary Lucy' at his own cost, but the mayor of Celoron declined, saying he'd rather start fresh with a new artist

It's possible the mayor has declined due to the infamy of 'Scary Lucy' brought on by her fan page.

Yahoo reports that the anonymous man behind the page says he's a 'big fan of Lucy's.'

'Lucille Ball was not only an amazing comedienne, but she was a stunning beauty. Her sense of humor only made her more beautiful,' he told the site. 'This statue looks nothing like the beautiful Lucy we all know. If for no other reason than that... the statue should go.'

He added: 'I don't think this can be repaired. Take a look at the beautiful statues Nick at Nite created for 'Bewitched' and 'The Honeymooners' and Bob Newhart it needs to be something more like those.'

While the organizer said he is a fan of Poulin's work, this time he failed to do his subject justice.

'I think it looks like a monster. That is just my opinion,' he told Yahoo. 'When you see it at night, it is frightening.'

The statue depicts Ball during one of her most loved moments on the pioneering show 'I Love Lucy,' her intoxicated pitch for the Vitameatavegamin health tonic.
Spanish police in Barcelona say they have arrested five alleged members of the notorious Pink Panther gang of jewel thieves.

Police caught the thieves on Friday as they tried to make their getaway after robbing a jeweller on a busy street in Barcelona.

All five thieves were of Serbian origin.

Police released an image of one of the disguises used by the gang - a dark, black wig and a pair of glasses.

Spanish police in Barcelona say they have arrested five alleged members of the notorious Pink Panther gang of jewel thieves. Pictured, some of the haul stolen in the raid

Police released an image of one of the disguises used by the gang - a dark, black wig and a pair of glasses

Police say it took the thieves less than a minute to rob the store of jewels worth 400,000 euros (340,000) before police caught them.

A special operations unit from the Catalan police was waiting when the thieves, one armed with a pistol, tried to rob a jewelry store on the city's famous Passeig de Gracia avenue, a police statement said.

The arrests came after German police tipped their Spanish counterparts off that one of the thieves was traveling from Belgrade to Barcelona.

According to Interpol, the Pink Panther gang have stolen more than 280 million in jewels from 380 armed robberies between 1999 and 2015.

Police caught the thieves on Friday as they tried to make their getaway after robbing a jeweler on a busy street in Barcelona

Police say it took the thieves less than a minute to rob the store of jewels worth 400,000 euros (340,000) before police caught them

The Pink Panther gang got their nickname after a 2003 London robbery when a thief hid a diamond in a pot of beauty cream, similar to the plot of one of the Pink Panther movies about an inept French detective played by English actor Peter Sellers.

In 2014 the leader of the gang Borko Ilincic, a 33-year-old Serbian, was detained by officers from the National Police in the town of Alcala de Henares, just outside Madrid.

The Pink Panthers, believed to be made-up of 200 ex-military personnel, mainly from the Balkan states, have been operating for at least 30 years.

In 1984, three machine gun-toting crooks stormed into the jewellery shop at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes on the Cote d'Azur and cleared its shelves of 39million worth of gems.

A special operations unit from the Catalan police was waiting when the thieves, one armed with a pistol, tried to rob a jewelry store on the city's famous Passeig de Gracia avenue, a police statement said

The arrests came after German police tipped their Spanish counterparts off that one of the thieves was traveling from Belgrade to Barcelona

In May 2013 they were back at the same hotel during the city's famous film festival.

One million pounds worth of jewellery was taken from the safe in the hotel room of an American jeweller working for Chopard, one of Switzerland's most famous diamond merchants.

Just two months later, they returned yet again and left the hotel with 88millions worth of Chopard jewellery which had been worn by stars such as Cara Delevingne and Penelope Cruz during the Cannes Film Festival.

The robbery, one of the biggest jewel heists in history, was over in less than 30 seconds.

According to Interpol, the Pink Panther gang have stolen more than 280 million in jewels from 380 armed robberies between 1999 and 2015

The Pink Panthers, believed to be made-up of 200 ex-military personnel, mainly from the Balkan states, have been operating for at least 30 years
An American couple spent 50 hours traveling to the Olympic Opening Ceremony via four countries, five flights and six airports - only to find out their tickets were fake.

Zane Copeland, 29, and his wife Kristen, 29, devised the exhausting itinerary because it was the only way they could reach Rio de Janeiro in time for Friday's curtain raiser.

They flew out of Dallas Tuesday and arrived in Rio's Galeao International Airport two days later after a grueling near 8,000-mile journey taking in Mexico, Colombia and Chile.

But after heading to the Maracana stadium on Friday night and buying last-minute tickets from a scalper they were stunned to find their way inside blocked by security.

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Zane Copeland (left), 29, and his wife Kristen (right), 29, went through a grueling 8,000-mile trip in just two days to reach Rio in time for the Olympics opening ceremony

'When they scanned the tickets and told us they were fake we simply couldn't believe it. It was just heartbreaking,' said Zane, a preacher from Leedey, Oklahoma.

'We could have flown direct a day later but we would have missed the Opening Ceremony.

'It was supposed to be the highlight of our trip but instead we've spent the whole evening staring at the outside of a stadium.'

The couple's epic trek started with a six-hour drive from Leedey to Dallas Fort Worth Airport, stopping off to drop off their three kids, Sophia, six, Aliyah, four and two-year-old William, with their grandparents.

They bought tickets from a scalper at Maracana stadium for the equivalent of $100 each - but found out they were fake once they tried to get inside

The first leg was a three-hour hop to Mexico City where Zane and Kristen slept on terminal benches overnight before boarding a five-hour flight to Bogota, Colombia, on Wednesday morning.

Next up was another five-hour journey to Santiago, Chile, where they bedded down for the night in the airport concourse before boarding a flight to Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International the next day.

A two-hour cab ride later they had arrived at the city's other airport, Congonhas, for the final leg - an hour-long hop to Rio's Galeao International, where they landed late Thursday.

The only advantage to the meandering 7,750-mile slog was the price tag - it cost them $1,100 each compared to direct fares of $5,000 per person.

'We took the kids to Disneyland last summer and this was our gift to ourselves,' said Zane. 'This was the first time we've ever been away from all our children.'

The couple say they struggled to buy their Opening Ceremony tickets from official outlets because kiosks were closed over the weekend.

So they decided instead to head straight for the Maracana and buy from a scalper who offered them two tickets for the equivalent of $100 each.

Security officials took pity on Zane and Kristen and allowed them to wait inside a press pen so they could at least greet their Team USA heroes and pose for selfies (pictured)

'The tickets looked completely legit,' said Zane. 'He was a big guy with muscles and he kept them in his sock.

'But honestly we were more worried about being robbed. When we came away with the tickets we were just relived and excited.'

Zane's family meanwhile were glued to their TV screens back in Leedey watching the ceremony play out from the comfort of their living room.

'They would have been watching it at home and having a fun slumber party,' added Kristen.

'They've ended up with a much better view than us. I'm just such a bad judge of character. I just didn't think the tickets would be fake.'

Security officials at the 79,000-seater Maracana took pity on Zane and Kristen and allowed them to wait inside a press pen so they could at least greet their Team USA heroes and pose for selfies.

Their journey home from the nine-day trip will take a slightly less daunting 35 hours because they will skip the Chile leg.
A search is under way for a pilot after a light aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of Sussex.

The plane plummeted into the water just after 5pm today around half a mile off Rye Harbour in East Sussex.

Wreckage from the plane has been washed ashore and police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The plane plummeted into the water just after 5pm today around half a mile off Rye Harbour (pictured) in East Sussex

Coastguard helicopters and lifeboats were combing the sea, but no survivors have been found so far.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'Just after 5pm on Saturday we received a report from a member of the public that a light aircraft had been seen to go into the sea about half a mile off Winchelsea Beach.

'A Coastguard helicopter has been searching the area, and we are in contact with them.

'Initial reports suggest that the aircraft comes from a local Aero Club and that the man flying it was the sole occupant.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: 'UK Coastguard coordinated a search for a light aircraft which ditched into the sea half a mile from Rye Harbour in East Sussex'

'Some wreckage which is believed to be from aircraft has been found washed ashore at Winchelsea Beach.'

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: 'UK Coastguard coordinated a search for a light aircraft which ditched into the sea half a mile from Rye Harbour in East Sussex.

'The alarm was raised at 5.05pm and reports indicated one person was on board the aircraft.

'The aircraft and pilot have not been found and the current search is likely to continue until dusk.'

Wreckage from the plane has been washed ashore and police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward (File photo)

An RNLI spokesman said: 'Rye Harbour RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched at 5.23pm and Dungeness RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched around five minutes later.

'Both lifeboats and their volunteer crews are conducting searches about three quarters of a mile offshore between Winchelsea beach and Pett Level beach.

'Also involved in the incident are Rye Harbour and Dungeness Coastguard rescue teams and two Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters.'
Said he knew Karina Vetrano and frequented the same social circles

'A Gotti has never run. A Gotti has never skipped bail,' he added Saturday

Gotti says he would have surrendered if cops had told him ahead of time

Police seized $240K in cash and more than 850 oxycodone and Xanax pills

Gotti, 23, was arrested on Thursday in New York City on a drug charge

The grandson of famed mobster John Gotti, who got busted Thursday on a drug charge, has blamed the police for sensationalizing his arrest.

The younger John Gotti also claimed he knew slain jogger 30-year-old Karina Vetrano, who died on Tuesday during an evening run.

Police seized $240,000 in cash during the arrest as well as more than 850 oxycodone and Xanax pills, Queens District Attorney Richard A Brown said.

The arrest marked the end of a long-term investigation dubbed Operation Beach Party, during which authorities say undercover investigators bought $46,000 worth of pills from him in a period of three months.

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The younger John Gotti (pictured leaving the police precinct), 23, was arrested on Thursday on a drug charge after investigators caught him by surprise at his home in Queens

Gotti (pictured) could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Police seized $240,000 in cash during the arrest as well as more than 850 oxycodone and Xanax pills, authorities said

His grandfather, crime boss John Cotti (pictured in 1987) lived in the house in 1980s at the height of his career in the mob

But Gotti blamed the police in an interview with the New York Daily News on Saturday, saying authorities had displayed more fanfare than necessary when they busted him.

They caught him by surprise inside the family home in Queens where his grandfather lived in the 1980s, at the height of his crime boss career.

The arrest looked like 'a five-star dramatic movie scene,' he said, adding: 'Where are the cameras?'

Instead, Gotti wishes authorities had contacted his attorney to tell them he was about to get arrested.

The younger Gotti claimed he knew slain jogger Karina Vetrano, 30, who was found raped, brutally beaten and murdered on Tuesday in Howard Beach, Queens

Then, Gotti said, he would have turned himself in.

'All you had to do was call my lawyer,' he told the Daily News. 'A Gotti has never run. A Gotti has never skipped bail.'

He called the cops 'animals' and said they were 'worse than gangsters'.

Gotti also claimed during the interview he and Vetrano frequented the same social circles.

Vetrano was raped and savagely beaten before being murdered in Howard Beach, Queens on Tuesday, investigators said.

Gotti called her 'drop-dead gorgeous' and told the Daily News she was 'a sweetheart'.

He said Vetrano's death hit close too home, mentioning his mother, his sister and his girlfriend Eleonor Gabrielle, who was also arrested on Thursday.

Gotti could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. His grandfather, who once ran the Gambino crime family, died in 2002 in federal prison after being convicted of five murders, and other charges including conspiracy, gambling, tax fraud and obstruction of justice.
Incident is now being treated as homicide but no arrests have been made

Five others, all teenagers, were hospitalised but have since been released

A teenage boy, 16, has died after seven people were stabbed when a fight broke out at an 18th birthday party.

A total of six males and one teen woman were stabbed just after midnight on Sunday morning at a home on Victoria Road in Ryde, northwest Sydney.

Aidan Smith, the 16-year-old killed, was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after.

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Aidan Smith, 16, has died after a fight broke out at an 18th birthday party in Ryde, northwest Sydney

Aidan died after seven people were stabbed shortly after midnight on Sunday

Friends and relatives have begun flooding social media with tributes for the boy.

'I love you with all my heart,' his sister wrote on Facebook on Sunday. 'I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. I couldn't have asked for a better brother, through everything we went through you were always there for me and I'll always be your number 1 supporter.'

A friend said Aidan was 'taken way too soon' and 'didn't deserve this'.

Inspector Pat Sharkey told reporters the matter is now being treated as a homicide.

'This is a very, very serious matter and we hope to get to the bottom of it,' he said.

Six males and one female were among those stabbed at the party (scene pictured)

Aidan was rushed from the party (scene pictured) to Westmead Hospital, but died shortly after

'We do not believe there was an involvement of gatecrashers. For some reason it's turned violent and that's what we need to get to the bottom of,' he said.

He was not aware if parents were at the party.

Another 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were taken to Westmead Hospital. The man is in a serious condition.

Three boys, two aged 16 and one aged 17, and a woman aged 18 were all taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with stab wounds where they are understood to be in stable conditions.

Supt Duncan could not confirm what weapon or weapons were used, but said it was believed all involved in the fight were among the 50 guests at the party.

Inspector Pat Sharkey told reporters the matter is now being treated as a homicide

A 20-year-old man sustained serious injuries in the stabbing. He, the boy who died, and five others were taken to hospital after midnight on Sunday

'We believe around 50 people were at the party around the time the altercation broke out,' Supt Duncan said.

'At this stage of our inquiries we are trying to establish why the party turned violent.

'A number of people left the party soon after the fight broke out. Our inquiries are continuing and we hope these people will contact Crime Stoppers.'

Police are speaking to witnesses but no arrests had been made early on Sunday.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are speaking to witnesses but no arrests had been made early on Sunday
A Walther PPK that once belonged to Nazi Hermann Goring can soon be yours.

Rock Island Auction Company will auction the infamous Nazi's semi-automatic pistol September 9 - 11.

The Illinois company says the gun's estimated price is $250,000 - $400,000.

A Walther PPK that once belonged to Nazi Hermann Goring can soon be yours

Rock Island Auction Company will auction the semi-automatic pistol September 9 - 11

An online listing for the weapon says: 'This phenomenal pistol was manufactured in 1939 and shows 98 per cent plus of the exquisite engraving on all the metal surfaces.'

'It consists of the traditional deep chiseled relief Germanic oak leaf and acorn type engraving with a very fine stippled background,' the listing says.

Rock Island Auction says the gun's left grip features the initials 'HG' and the right grip includes the Goring family crest.

The Illinois company says the gun's estimated price is $250,000 - $400,000

Detailing on the gold-plated weapon can be seen in this image

The auction company says the Walther PPK comes with a gold ring and a pair of gold-plated cufflinks (pictured)

Rock Island Auction says: 'Inside the ring, it is engraved "Von Deinen/Alten Kameraden" 10.4.1935.H.R.", meaning "from your old friend"'

The company says that Goring designed the crest, which 'consists of a armored fist holding a large ring, which was intended to represent the nickname he used during WWI, which was "Der Eiseme" or the "Iron One"'.

The auction company says the Walther PPK comes with a gold ring and a pair of gold-plated cufflinks.

A gold-plated gun that Goring handed over to American Lt. Jerome Shapiro during his May 1945 surrender in Austria was to go up for auction in 2012, DailyMail.com reported at the time.

Goring had been trying to flee, after Hitler ordered he be executed for trying to seize power over the Reich, the report said.

A gold-plated gun that Goring handed over to American Lt. Jerome Shapiro during his May 1945 surrender in Austria was to go up for auction in 2012. That gun is seen here

Adolf Hitler (left) is seen with Hermann Goring (right) in this file photograph

Auctioneer James Julia told DailyMail.com in 2012: 'Lt Shapiro managed to keep hold of the gun until the end of the war and returned home with it.

'He used to visit local schools with the pistol to show off and use to give talks about the war.

'After Lt Shapiro's death, the pistol ended up in the ownership of an army Major who lived near him in Delaware and the two became good friends.

'Lt Shapiro's widow gave the Major the pistol and dagger after her husband's death.
Cash-strapped Jeremy Corbyn has asked to meet a controversial tycoon who was involved in one of Labours most notorious funding scandals.

The party leader wants talks with property developer David Abrahams amid concerns that Labour could struggle to fund a snap Election campaign if Theresa May tries to take advantage of her political honeymoon, sources said last night.

Mr Abrahams sparked the so-called donorgate scandal in 2007 when The Mail on Sunday revealed how he secretly gave 600,000 to Labour coffers via middlemen, a breach of electoral laws.

David Abrahams said of the request from Mr Corbyn: I was at a function and he said would you be available for coffee

The millionaire last night confirmed Mr Corbyn had asked for a meeting with him.

I was at a function and he said would you be available for coffee, said Mr Abrahams, who did not rule out giving more money to Labour.

I have an open mind on anything, he said.

I am not a high donor at the moment. All options are on the table.

The approach from Mr Corbyn is a surprise considering Mr Abrahams Jewish background and claims that the Labour leader has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in the party.

Jeremy Corbyn wants talks with controversial property developer David Abrahams

Mr Abrahams said: If I have a meeting, thats one of the issues that would be on the table.

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn faces a fresh row over his allegedly lukewarm efforts to keep the UK in the EU.
DESLOGE -- Harold LeRoy Nance, of Desloge passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at NHC Healthcare in Desloge at the age of 88 years. He was born on January 27, 1928, at Newport, Arkansas, son of the late Reverend Harold Milford and Ruth (LeRoy) Nance. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Ann (Roth) Nance in 1984 and two sons Harold M. Nance, II and Robert Nance.

Harold attended high school at Caruthersville, MO, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country. Following his time in the service he began a career in journalism. Locally he worked several years as a staff writer for the Daily Journal.

He is survived by two children Murray Nance of Kansas City, and Rebecca King of the State of Louisiana, his very dear daughter-like friend, Bonnie Schwent of Ellisville, a sister Elizabeth (& Ralph) Crump of Longview, Texas and many other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2016, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. in the Cozean Chapel with Chaplain Shirley Martka officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Fredericktown Christian Cemetery. Arrangements pending under the direction of Cozean Memorial Chapel. View online obituary at cozeanfuneralhome.com.
Families will be offered five-figure cash payouts under a radical plan to boost the drive for controversial shale gas fracking.

The Lottery-style Frackpot windfall scheme, to be unveiled by Theresa May tomorrow, involves paying individual householders cash sums  which could be as high as 13,000  if they are living in areas where the gas can be extracted.

The move marks a further dramatic departure by the new Prime Minister from David Camerons blueprint for Britains energy needs.

Prime Minister Theresa May hopes her bold post-Brexit plan would allow access to Britains untapped energy reserve and give a boost to the economy

Will your village or town hit paydirt in the great shale bonanza?

In just three weeks in Number Ten, Mrs May has scrapped the climate change department, threatened to scupper the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant deal with China and France, and now plans to transform Mr Camerons cautious fracking rewards scheme.

Mrs May hopes her bold post-Brexit plan would allow access to Britains untapped energy reserve and give a boost to the economy.

But the scheme is likely to prove controversial: environmental critics may argue it is a bribe which could undermine local democracy if councillors opposed to fracking find themselves under pressure from voters keen to get their share of the fracking lottery.

Under existing proposals, sums of up to 10million in each affected area were to be taken from business rates paid by fracking firms and given to town halls and community groups.

But the new plan would divert all or some of that money to individuals to ensure, as Mrs May will put it, that ordinary families personally benefit from economic decisions.

The proposal is the latest evidence of a new boldness by Mrs May as PM in contrast to her steady-as-she-goes tenure as Home Secretary.

It could be a game-changer in the politically explosive energy sector, which could override the green lobbys fierce opposition to fracking.

Officials refuse to speculate about how much households could receive, saying details have not been worked out. However, in theory, if the entire 10million were divided between households, a town of 10,000 homes could receive 1,000 per home; in a village of 2,000 homes the sum could be as high as 5,000.

In the sleepy village of Balcombe, West Sussex  focus of huge anti-fracking protests  10million split between its 735 households would result in 13,605 per home.

And if the maximum payments applied to Kirby Misperton in Yorkshire  where the UKs first fracking in five years is set to take place  it would amount to an astonishing 64,935 per household.

A graphic explaining the fracturing process of shale to produce gas

Alternatively, the money could be shared between individual households and community organisations, producing smaller payouts  but still worth thousands in some cases.

In remarks released last night, Mrs May said the initiative was in line with her pledge on entering Downing Street to switch the Governments focus from the wealthy to the less well-off.

The PM said: As I said on my first night as Prime Minister: when we take the big calls, well think not of the powerful but of you.

This announcement is an example of putting those principles into action  making sure people personally benefit from economic decisions that are taken, not just councils  putting them back in control over their lives.

The scheme could be widened to provide similar windfalls for families from other local building projects.

Well be looking at applying this approach to other Government programmes in the future as we build a country that works for everyone, said Mrs May.

Shale oil and gas reserves have been detected under huge swathes of the North of England, the Midlands, the South East and South West, though only a small proportion is likely to be accessible to the fracking industry.

If the Government continues to block the 18billion Hinkley Point deal, it urgently needs alternative energy supplies to stop the lights going out in the UK in the decades ahead.

The new move could spark a shale gas rush in the UK as the cash incentives neutralise opposition to fracking from local residents at a stroke.

A massive shale oil programme in the US has seen domestic fuel bills plummet and fears of environmental damage fade.

Fracking plans have previously been controversial and led to protests

A drop in energy bills would give a boost to British industry.

Among the many unanswered questions about the plan, which is at a very early stage, are whether the payments would be tax-free, capped, and paid over time or in a one-off sum.

Sceptics will also argue that no one knows the long-term effects of the extraction method whose side-effects are fiercely contested by supporters and critics.

Critics claim ground water can become contaminated, but supporters say hydraulic fracking has never caused drinking water supplies to be affected.

In 2011 two small tremors  the biggest measuring 2.3 on the Richter scale  were felt in Blackpool during drilling by energy firm Cuadrilla.

Although activities were suspended, the company said there was no threat to people in the area.

Mrs Mays plans will be discussed as part of consultations on a Shale Wealth Fund announced by Mr Cameron last year.

A well-placed source said: The PM wants to spread the benefits of shale gas so that some of the proceeds are paid directly to local residents.

The Cameron proposals only included money for community trusts or councils.

She is changing the consultation process so that the principle of direct benefit to households can become a blueprint for other schemes to deliver an economy that works for everyone.

If the household fracking payments are a success Mrs May could extend it to the existing Community Infrastructure Levy, whereby councils get a share of the proceeds of major projects  producing more windfalls for households.

Fracking is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing, a method of extracting oil and gas from the ground.

It involves drilling a well then pumping water, sand and chemicals in at high pressure. This fractures the rock, helping to extract the oil and gas.

Q&A - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHALE FRACKING Protestors scale a shale gas rig at Banks, near Southport, England, in 2011 What is fracking? Fracking  shorthand for hydraulic fracturing  is a way of mining vast reserves of shale gas and oil. It involves drilling into the earth and injecting shale rock with a high-pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals to release the gas or oil. The UK is believed to be sitting on enough gas to provide energy for up to 500 years. What are the benefits? It could give us power security and is cheaper than other forms of energy. It is estimated there are only another 30 to 40 years of North Sea oil production left and there are concerns with EDFs plan to build a nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point. In order to keep the lights on, the UK will have to look at ways of expanding where it gets energy. Huge gas reserves have been identified in the UK, particularly in central and northern England. Estimates suggest there could be as much as 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas under 11 counties. The industry says it could create 74,000 jobs. What are the concerns? The way in which the gas is mined has been blamed for causing earthquakes. In countries where fracking is widespread there have been several non-natural quakes and there were two small tremors near Blackpool when fracking began there in 2011. There are also concerns that living near a fracking site could affect house prices. Last year an internal government report revealed fracking was likely to wipe up to seven per cent off the price of homes in a one mile radius of a fracking site. Some are also worried about site traffic and health conditions caused by machinery noise, as well as the potential for contamination of the water table. Will National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty be protected? In total, the Government has granted licences to companies covering around 12,000 square miles across the UK, including around such protected areas as the Peak District, Exmoor, the South Downs and the Lake District. MPs last year gave approval for fracking under National Parks but the wells themselves must be outside  so the companies must drill sideways to get to the shale reserves. In the latest round, licences were granted for exploratory drilling at 53 sites of special scientific interest and three RSPB nature reserves. What will happen next? Britain has changed its planning rules to allow government intervention to approve or reject shale gas drilling permits and it is thought this could lead to a boom in fracking operations, with the first gas expected to come on to the market next year. Many applications have already led to protests. What does Theresa Mays plan change? In 2014 David Cameron said business rates from fracking would go to councils. Mrs Mays move would see this instead go to householders and could lead to increases in shale gas mining as homeowners support schemes in the hope of cashing in. Advertisement

USA black gold rush slashed its energy bills

By Caroline Graham, IN LOS ANGELES

Exploitation of new oil and gas reserves by fracking shale rock has transformed the US economy since it started just 11 years ago  creating at least a million jobs and slashing electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

The scale of this energy revolution is almost unimaginable.

The Marcellus shale bed in Pennsylvania is thought by geologists to contain enough gas to power and heat every home in America for 50 to 100 years. Yet a few hundred feet beneath it lies another giant formation, the Utica, that contains enough gas for a further century.

A natural gas drilling rig in Fairfield Township, Pennsylvania. The area sits above the Marcellus Shale where the search for natural gas uses a controversial method known as hydrofracking

In 2013, the black gold rush caused by shale oil from states such as North Dakota meant America produced more oil than it imported for the first time since 1995. There are also huge reserves in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and other states.

Last year a study found fracking had added 725,000 jobs to the US economy between 2005 and 2012. The US National Bureau of Economic Research calculates there are $243,000 (186,000) in wages generated for every $1million of oil and gas extracted.

In America, unlike in Britain, landowners own the rights to minerals and hydrocarbons from the surface to the centre of the Earth. This means that when firms want to drill, they have to pay large bounties and royalties, if they start to produce  thus transforming fracking areas economies.

Speaking at his home in Dimock, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Marcellus region, former Democrat Congressman Chris Carney, a current member of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign, said fracking had brought his community immense benefits.

Democrat Congressman Chris Carney

It meant farmers who could barely scratch a living had transformed their lives, while the town had built superb new facilities such as a handsomely equipped high school.

Mr Carney added: Fracking means this country is awash with energy  which is a place weve never been before.

He said recent falls in oil and gas prices, caused by competitors flooding the energy market and declining Chinese demand, had reduced landowners royalties, which average 12.5 per cent of the proceeds from a well.

But cheap energy is also a benefit. Overall, fracking isnt a double-edged sword. Its just a good thing.

Elsewhere, fracking created overnight millionaires, and whole new towns to support the armies of oil workers who arrived to cash in.

With the fall in prices, the early boom days are over: of the 80,000 workers who went to North Dakota in 2014, most have now left.

In Williston, once dubbed the booms ground zero, oil tax revenue is down 70 per cent on last year. Blocks of flats which sprang up to accommodate the workers now sit empty.

But industry sources say the downturn will not be permanent.
A British student who skipped bail while awaiting trial for rape fled to Syria to join Islamic State, according to secret documents discovered by The Mail on Sunday.

But despite the heightened terror alert in the UK  symbolised by the Mets new elite squad of Robocop firearms officers  Muslim convert Maarg Kahsay, 25, has now returned and is free to roam Londons streets.

As mainland Europe reeled from jihadi massacres in France and Germany, and Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe warned that a terrorist attack was a matter of when, not if, Kahsays extraordinary case raises serious questions about the authorities handling of the Islamist threat.

Kahsay was given bail when he appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on a rape charge on June 26, 2014.

Muslim convert Maarg Kahsay (pictured), 25, fled to Syria to join ISIS while awaiting trial for rape. He has now returned and is free to roam Londons streets

Four days later he crossed the Turkish border into Syria at the town of Tal Abyad, according to IS files discovered by the MoS.

The town was then under the control of brutal Islamist fanatics who have recruited at least 850 British jihadis in the war-torn region  all of whom are taught to handle guns and explosives as part of their basic training.

This newspaper has obtained a registration form in Kahsays name that shows he spent up to two months inside IS territory as a fighter.

For some reason he decided to leave and return home. The document was one of several relating to jihadis.

Dr Shiraz Maher, a terrorism expert at Kings College London, said: The sheer size and volume of the documents are too big for them to be forged.

Also, IS have executed a number of people they suspected of leaking these papers, which would suggest the documents are genuine and from IS.

Pictured, the Mets new elite squad of Robocop firearms officers. Kahsay was given bail when he appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on a rape charge on June 26, 2014

When Kahsay failed to turn up at a further court hearing on the rape charge in August 2014, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was picked up by police when he arrived at St Pancras Station on Eurostar on September 12 that year.

On his Facebook page, Kahsay posted a picture of himself at the Eiffel Tower the day before he returned to London.

He was sentenced to 14 days in jail for skipping bail. When he stood trial for rape in October he was acquitted. Since then he has also been prosecuted for dangerous driving and given a 12-month suspended sentence.

But inexplicably he has never faced charges for terrorism offences, even though joining IS  a proscribed organisation  carries a jail sentence of up to ten years.

Last week, the Metropolitan Police refused to confirm or deny if they were aware of Kahsays activities in Syria.

The IS registration form is in Arabic with his date of birth and his nom de guerre Abu Salem Al-Britani.

It says he was born a Christian and converted to Islam aged 15. This was confirmed by friends in London last week.

The form states he was from London and lists Eritrea  his parents homeland  as one of the countries he has visited.

But the documents contents raise other questions about Kahsay, who lives in a council flat in Tufnell Park, North London.

It says he left his British passport in Turkey and gave his mobile phone and iPad to his IS commanders at the Department of Borders, which registers all foreign fighters.

He gives three individuals as referees for him in Syria, all of whom have their own chequered histories. One is named only as Faisal.

The MoS understands this is Fasil Towalde, 21, a fellow Eritrean convert to Islam, who also grew up in Camden, near to Kahsay.

Kahsay was registered by his terrorist commanders when he arrived in Syria. The document discovered by the MoS (pictured) shows his nom de guerre, Abu Salem Al-Britani

Towalde, who was known by the nom de guerre Abu Abdullah Al-Habashi, left for Syria in December 2013  six months before Kahsay  and died in November 2014 fighting in the flashpoint town of Kobane.

Towaldes name was also found by this newspaper among the cache of IS documents.

Kahsays Facebook page reveals he was also friends with brothers Ondogo and Bilal Ahmed, both Eritrean Muslims. Ondogo, 26, was jailed for eight years in 2007 for the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl at a flat in Crouch End, North London.

Allowed out on licence in August 2013, he fled to join IS in Syria. Two months later, both Ondogo and Bilal, 27, who slipped into Syria earlier, died fighting in Homs.

Kahsay is also friends on Facebook with Sakaria Aden, 22, who was convicted last December for being part of a gang who conned pensioners out of 900,000 to fund IS in Syria.

The MoS monitored Kahsay for several weeks in London. He routinely got up around 1pm. On one occasion a white Muslim convert stayed with him and they both attended Friday prayer at the Al-Risalah mosque in nearby Holloway.

Despite repeated attempts to contact him, Kahsay refused to speak to the MoS and ran away when a reporter approached him.

One member of the Eritrean community in London said he had heard from two sources that Kahsay went to Syria when he skipped bail.

Fasil Towalde (pictured), 21, an Eritrean Muslim who grew up in London near to Kahsay, left for Syria in late 2013 and died in November the following year in Kobane

The source, who did not want to be named, said: I heard this rumour around January 2015. But from what I know he went to Syria when he fled his bail. I heard it as it is being spoken about in the Eritrean community.

Neighbours of Kahsay said a friend who was a previous tenant at his flat was being monitored by Met counter-terrorism officers last summer.

However, other friends of Kahsay said they had never heard of him going to Syria to join IS and said he was a student at a London university.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the powerful Home Affairs Committee, said: This is most surprising.

In the current climate I would have hoped that the authorities would have been more carefully monitoring him given his history and activities.
Claims he walks around prison in Manchester United jersey just like victims

Inmate at HMP Frankland claims he also wants to say sorry to Maxine Carr

Child killer Ian Huntley wants to apologise to the family of the schoolgirls he murdered

Child killer Ian Huntley says he wants to apologise to the family of the schoolgirls he murdered.

Huntley was jailed in 2003 for the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire in a crime that shocked the UK.

He has seemingly never shown remorse for killing the two 10-year-olds and denied murdering them during his trial, claiming both deaths were an accident.

However, according to The Mirror, the former school caretaker is said to have confessed to a fellow prisoner: 'I lost control of my mind.

'I would like to explain to them what I did. I wish I hadnt done it.'

Despite the apparent change in heart, Huntley is said to walk around the jail in a Manchester United jersey, similar to those worn by the two girls before they died.

A source at HMP Frankland in Durham also claims the killer wants to apologise to former girlfriend Maxine Carr, who was also jailed for providing him with a fake alibi.

Lifelong friends Holly and Jessica had been at a family barbecue in August 2002, when they went to walk to a nearby shop for sweets. Then they vanished.

For 13 days their frantic parents prayed and police launched one of the biggest inquiries ever mounted.

Throughout, Huntley, a caretaker at the girls school, and his partner, their teaching assistant, Maxine Carr, gave endless media interviews appealing for the safe return of two of the brightest, loveliest little girls in the world.

Huntley was jailed in 2003 for the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire in a crime that shocked the UK

Carr even showed off an end-of-term card the girls had sent her, covered in loving comments and kisses.

A wan-faced Huntley befriended the media because he had a sinister motive: his need to know the details of the police inquiry.

For the truth was that he had lured the girls into the home he shared with Carr, as they passed by.

He has never fully revealed what took place there, but within an hour both girls were dead.

Then he hid their bodies near RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, six miles away, and later returned to set fire to them.

A source at HMP Frankland in Durham also claims the killer wants to apologise to former girlfriend Maxine Carr, who was also jailed for providing him with a fake alibi

In court, he would lamely claim that he accidentally knocked Holly into a filled bath while helping her deal with a nosebleed, and she drowned.

When Jessica began to scream he insisted he accidentally strangled her while stifling her cries.

Carr, although not implicated in the murder, gave him an alibi insisting she was with him.

When he and Carr finally faced trial in December 2003, Huntley was sentenced to two life terms, with a minimum 40-year tariff.
days after incident between the pair in the

He was unrepentant after victory and again labelled Yang a cheat

Australian swimming hero Mack Horton launched a scathing attack on the Chinese champion he defeated to win gold in Rio and urged other Olympic athletes to name drug cheats in their sport.

The stirring win in the 400m freestyle came just hours after Horton said he had no respect for his Chinese rival Sun Yang, who he labelled a 'drug cheat.'

The newly crowned champion didn't shy away from his comments and later told reporters he had no regrets about calling out Yang.

'I don't think it is a big statement because it is true, he has tested positive,' he said.

Australian swimmer Mack Horton (centre) is an Olympic champion after beating arch rival Sun Yang (right) in the 400m freestyle. Italy's Gabriele Detti (left) won bronze

Horton shakes hands with silver medallist and arch rival Yang, who he has labelled a drug cheat

Horton, Australia's first gold medal winner at the Games, celebrates the win. He later told reporters he stood by his comments branding is Chinese rival a drug cheat

'No athlete has really come forward and said it. It wouldn't have felt right if I raced against someone who had tested positive and didn't bring it up. Hopefully others will follow.'

Yang served a three-month doping ban in secret in 2014 and news of the suspension was announced retrospectively by China officials.

Horton said he had been planned the attack on Yang after reading Swimming Australia president John Bertrand's account of his famous 1983 America's Cup yachting triumph.

'It was something I thought of beforehand. It was taking a leaf out of John Bertrand's book ....(in 1983) he just referred to it (US) as the 'red boat'.

'He kind of desensitised from it. Sun Yang is just the drug cheat.'

Mack Horton celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle

After beating the Chinese swimmer by a very narrow margin, Horton said it wasn't Yang he had an issue with, but drug cheats in general

Horton celebrates with Australia's David Mckeon and Italy's Gabriele Detti after winning the Men's 400m Freestyle Final

Horton tried to play down a personal rivalry with Yang but clearly there was no love lost.

Yang reportedly tried to 'taunt' Horton in the Rio training pool by splashing water in on him last week.

The 20-year-old gold medalist launched a surprise chip at the controversial world champion when asked about the training incident.

'It got played up a bit but he splashed me to say hi and I ignored him, I don't have time or respect for drug cheats,' Olympic debutant Horton said.

'He wasn't too happy about that so he kept splashing me and I just got in and did my thing.'

After beating the Chinese swimmer by a very narrow margin, Horton said it wasn't Yang he had an issue with, but drug cheats in general.

'Definitely a win for the good guys,' he said in a post race interview.

'I don't know if it's a rivalry between me and him, just me and athletes who have tested positive.'

The 20-year-old is the first Australian since Ian Thorpe in 2004 to win the Olympic 400m freestyle crown

Horton smiles after winning gold in the final of the men's 400-meter freestyle

Horton clocked three minutes, 41.55 seconds to claim the 400m title ahead of defending champion Yang, who swam a time of 3:41.68.

The 20-year-old is the first Australian since Ian Thorpe in 2004 to win the Olympic 400m freestyle crown.

'Welcome to the Australian 400m Olympic Champion Club! Well done mate!!' Thorpe tweeted.

Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren threw his weight behind Horton's bold stance against drug cheats.

'To be honest everyone thinks the same way,' he said.

'As a swimming organisation we have zero tolerance to drugs. It's the same as saying we don't like drug cheats.

'He made a statement not in words but also performance which is fantastic.'

Horton is the first Australian since Ian Thorpe in 2004 to win the Olympic 400m freestyle crown. The Olympic legend tweeted to congratulate him

Horton clocked three minutes, 41.55 seconds to claim the stirring win ahead of defending champion Yang, who swam a time of 3:41.68

Winner: Australia's Mack Horton holds his gold medal after the men's 400-metre freestyle

Australian teammates celebrate Mack Horton's victory in the men's 400m Freestyle Final

Yang is no stranger to controversy. At the 2015 world titles in Russia, he was accused of assaulting a female Brazilian swimmer after an argument in the warm-up pool.

He later failed to show up for the 1,500m freestyle final, citing illness at the last minute.

He has made plenty of news out of the pool in China, including an incident in which he drove a Porsche without a licence and crashed it into the back of a bus.

Yang, pictured, served a doping ban in secret in 2014 and news of the suspension was announced retrospectively by China officials

Gold medal winner Mack Horton, right, is congratulated by his teammate David McKeon after the men's 400-meter freestyle final

Australian swimmer Mack Horton (pictured) has labelled Chinese Olympic champion Sun Yang a 'drug cheat' as they prepare to face off in the 400m final at the Rio Olympics

Sun and Horton stand together for the medal ceremony for the Men's 800m Freestyle Final at the FINA World Championships in Kazan last year

Horton qualified for the final second fastest behind American Conor Dwyer, while Yang was fourth quickest.

Horton said after qualifying he was feeling unusually calm.

'I was surprisingly, stupidly relaxed,' he said. 'I was nervous how relaxed I was but it's all working out.'

Horton could take home more medals from Rio when he competes in the 1500m freestyle and the 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

'It got played up a bit but he splashed me to say hi and I ignored him, I don't have time or respect for drug cheats,' Olympic debutant Horton, pictured, said

Yang, left, and Horton, right, will stand side by side on the starting blocks for Sunday morning's 400m freestyle final at 11.30 AEST

At the 2015 world titles in Russia, Yang (pictured) was accused of assaulting a female Brazilian swimmer after an argument in the warm-up pool
Thieves have figured out a new one to break into locked stolen iPhones and potentially steal the identity of their victims.

The unsettling trick was discovered by website designer Joonas Kiminki, who had his phone stolen from his car during a holiday in Turin, Italy.

Kiminki said he 'immediately did the obvious things' people are told to do after losing a phone - he marked it as lost in the Find my iPhone app, and checked the boxes to receive a notification if it is turned back on - before continuing on with his day.

Thieves have figured out a new one to break into locked stolen iPhones and potentially steal the identity of their victims (stock image)

He forgot about the phone and bought a new one, only to receive a notification 11 days later that his old one had been found.

But that's when he realized something was wrong, and he could be walking into a potential online trap.

'I of course rushed to the address on the link and then started typing my credentials, but then suddenly stopped. Something was just not right,' he wrote in a blog on Hackernoon.

He clicked on a link in the notification, which took him to a website - www.show-iphone-location.com - asking him to enter his Apple ID and password.

But Kiminki said there were 'two things that alarmed' him about the page.

'First, the address seemed a little off. Not really something Apple would use, is it?' he wrote.

'The real thing, however, was that connection to the server is not encrypted  you would see it on the address bar, like on a genuine Apple page.'

After some quick online detective work, Kiminki discovered the email was not from Apple.

The unsettling trick was discovered by website designer Joonas Kiminki, who had his phone stolen from his car during a holiday in Turin, Italy (stock image)

Joonas Kiminki was directed to a fake website (pictured) that tried to con him into entering his Apple ID and password

At that point he knew it was a scam, but the questioned remained, why would someone set up such an elaborate fake?

'As mentioned above, you cant activate an iPhone as long as its connected to someones iCloud account,' he wrote.

'However, when you steal a phone, you can perfect the crime by stealing the poor b*****ds identity as well.

'What strikes me the most is that everything seemed very "right" and professional.

After some quick online detective work, Kiminki discovered the email (pictured) was not from Apple

'The email and the website content looked great, my phone really was an iPhone 6 and they even got the timezone right in the email.'

At the end of the post, Kiminki said he wrote it so any other people who have their phones stolen can avoid the con.

'This is what Google.com and Apple shouldve told me 12 days ago when I searched for what to do,' he wrote.
We all have long-forgotten clothes gathering dust at the back of the wardrobe.

But new technology could see the end of that, with the garments themselves giving owners a gentle reminder of their existence.

'Smart clothes' could help us clear out our drawers by sending messages or tweeting us if they haven't been worn in a while.

If these alerts are ignored, the garments will get in touch with a clothing charity and ask to be recycled, with an organisation automatically sending out donation information. They could also be programmed to put themselves up for auction on eBay.

'Smart clothes' could help us clear out our drawers by sending messages or tweeting us if they haven't been worn in a while (stock photo)

As a society, we own four times as many clothes as we did 20 years ago, but regularly only wear about 20 per cent of them.

Academics at Birmingham City University are developing the 'connected wardrobe' to encourage more ethical clothes consumption.

The concept sees garments tagged using washable contactless technology, known as radio-frequency identification.

Mark Brill, senior lecturer at Birmingham City, said: 'Think of the surprise when an owner suddenly receives bids for items they didn't know were in their wardrobe.

'The connected wardrobe is a practical, engaging concept to encourage people to think about their clothing consumption. Ultimately, I hope it will encourage more ethical fashion consumption.'

He added: 'Perhaps we can even move away from the idea of 'ownership' of clothing, to simply using them as long as we need them. When we've worn them enough, the items will pass themselves on to their next keeper to wear.'

Neglected garments will tweet and text the owners 'asking' to be worn (stock photo)

It follows in the footsteps of the 'Internet of Things'  a concept that sees ordinary household items connecting to the internet in order to share information.

From adjusting your alarm clock to monitoring the temperature of your home, the internet is changing the way we live.

Now, the 'Internet of Clothes' will see that neglected garments will tweet and text the owners 'asking' to be worn depending on the weather and frequency of wear.

Clothes will keep track of other information such as who owned it previously, as well as how much it originally cost, who made it and how much the worker was paid for it.
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Two perfectly preserved pieces of 3,000-year-old thread - one in a ball and another wrapped around a bobbin - have been unearthed during the excavation of a Bronze Age village in Cambridgeshire.

Both roughly a centimetre across, the fragments discovered are in excellent condition despite their age and archaeologists described the find as 'amazing'.

The thread was found at Must Farm near Peterborough in a settlement thought to have been abandoned after a fire thousands of years ago.

Two perfectly preserved pieces of 3,000-year-old thread - one in a ball and another wrapped around a bobbin - have been unearthed during the excavation of a Bronze Age village in Cambridgeshire

Both roughly a centimetre across, the fragments discovered are in excellent condition despite their age and archaeologists described the find as 'amazing'

Archaeologists with the Cambridge Archaeological Unit at the University of Cambridge have been documenting the finds on their Facebook page.

They explained the thread was so well-preserved because it was made from a plant fibre, 'likely flax or nettle' and added 'the quality and fineness of the fibres was just astonishing'.

The team now have the difficult task of painstakingly cleaning the thread and attempting to discover its original colour, as the pigment has been removed by carbonization.

'Excavating and cleaning artefacts this fragile is not easy but seeing them up close like this really shows how remarkable these finds are,' one of the archaeologists explained.

A huge variety of objects have been found in the once bustling community, which was abuzz with trade, farming and culture before it suddenly and dramatically burned to the ground.

Experts believe that the embryonic settlement, built on the edge of a boggy marshland near Peterborough, may have been destroyed in a raid by warriors  perhaps from a rival group  not long after it was built.

The thread was found at Must Farm near Peterborough in a settlement thought to be abandoned after a fire thousands of years ago

Analysis of timber used to construct a Bronze Age settlement discovered preserved in the mud at Whittlesey, Peterborough, (pictured) has revealed it was still fresh when the fledgling village burned to the ground. It has raised suspicions that it was destroyed in a raid

TREASURES PRESERVED IN MUD Archaeologists say far from being a simple house, the structure they have uncovered is a fully formed home, with many of the original fixtures and fittings still preserved in the mud. Among the items they have recovered from the thick, sticky river sediment are exotic glass beads from an elaborate necklace. A bronze dagger, a cauldron handle, a curved brooch and a bronze stick head have also been dug up. Clothes made from lime tree bark and woven textiles that may have been used as a rug or wall hangings were also pulled from the mud. Clay jars, cups and bowls have also emerged from the wreckage. Advertisement

Yet despite this it seems the only victims to have perished in the flames were two dogs, which were living inside round wooden houses when they collapsed into River Nene in Whittlesey.

Artefacts discovered at the site, which has been nicknamed the Pompeii of the Fens, reveal a well-provisioned community that was arguably wealthy for the time.

Decorative beads made from glass, jet and amber were found amidst the ruins and are thought to have been imported from the Mediterranean or as far away as the Middle East.

Textiles along with woven floor and wall coverings  preserved in the thick mud - have provided a rare insight into life 3,000 years ago.

But archaeologists have been most baffled by their discoveries when analysing the wood itself used to construct the buildings.

Timber struts stick vertically out of the mud where they supported the rest of the build while other poles used in the structure radiate outwards in a circle where they collapsed.

But the wood of these timbers appears to have still been fresh when it was charred in the fire.

This, together with a lack of evidence of burrowing insects and beetles in the wood, suggests the structures had only recently been erected.

A statement on the excavation's website said: 'The way in which some of the timber has burnt and the distinct details that are created when charring occurs on a microscopic level could indicate some of the wood was still green when the fire occurred.

'This is research that is still at an early stage of the investigation and will be understood in much greater detail over the coming months in post-excavation.

'As we expand our sampling and analysis of the wood, if much of it proves to still be green when it was burnt this could suggest a very short lifespan of the settlement.

The site is thought to have been a flourishing but closeknit community that was built on a raised platform on the edge of a river. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of five of the round houses that formed the settlement (artist's impression pictured)

The fire caused the buildings to collapse into the thick river sediment, where they were preserved for 3,000 years (excavation pictured)

The Stone Age site was buried under peat and has been unearthed at the edge of Must Farm Quarry in Whittlesey (left). A 1.1million project to excavate artefacts (right) at the site was launched, funded by government agency Historic England, and quarry-owners Forterra

'When this is combined with the absence of synanthropes and a real lack of occupational waste, the duration of the occupation does seem to have been particularly short.

BRITAIN'S OLDEST WHEEL Britain's oldest intact wheel was unearthed at a Bronze Age site dubbed the 'Pompeii of the Fens'. The 3,000-year-old wooden wheel shows Ancient Britons were finding innovative ways to move across land when it was previously thought they only used transportation across rivers. The solid wheel - around three feet (one metre) in diameter - would have been the last word in sophistication at the time, archaeologists said. It may well have belonged to a cart that was pulled either by several human hands or by a horse. Advertisement

'If the settlement was burnt down soon after the site was built, how and why did this happen?

'Hopefully, as we get close to the end of the excavation these are questions we'll start to develop answers for.'

The settlement, which was discovered buried in the thick sediment at a site known as Must Farm, is thought to date from the Late Bronze age between 1000BC and 800BC.

It consisted of at least five houses that were built closely together, suggesting it had been a tightknit community of people.

Each of the roundhouses were built on stilts above a small river and had conical roofs made of long wooden rafters covered in turf, clay and thatch.

The floors and walls were made of wickerwork, held in place firmly by the wooden frame.

During the 10 month excavation archaeologists have discovered pots of many different sizes, wooden buckets, bronze axes, swords and tools like sickles.

Fabrics, balls of thread and textiles, along with intricate glass beads have also been unearthed.

Experts have been amazed at the amount of belongings that have been unearthed at the site, which is unprecedented.

A statement released by Historic England and the University of Cambridge said: 'Even 3,000 years ago people seemed to have a lot of stuff.'

The site is the best preserved Bronze Age settlement to have ever been discovered in Britain. The level of preservation following the fire earned it the nickname Pompeii of the Fens after experts drew comparisons to the ancient Roman city preserved in volcanic ash.

The settlement appears to have been built by driving timbers into the sediment and then constructing a platform above the water (reconstruction pictured). Rafters were supported by the main timbers and the roof was made using thatch, turf and clay

Many weapons including a bronze dagger and a spear head (pictured) have been recovered from the remains of the wrecked homes

Dozens of clay pots have been uncovered at the site, many of which are still intact and some as small as an inch across (pictured)

But it seems the fledgling settlement met a violent end. It collapsed into the river sediment after being destroyed in a devastating fire, where it was then preserved in the mud.

Specialist fire investigators have been brought in to help unravel the mystery of what caused the blaze.

Selina Davenport, Must Farm Outreach Supervisor at the University of Cambridge's Archaeological Unit, told Live Science: 'We've been working with [a fire] investigator who works a lot with modern fires, and he thinks there's a good chance that the fire was set deliberately.

Specialist fire investigators have been brought in by the archaeologists to examine the site and they believe the blaze (artist's impression pictured) was started deliberately, possibly in a raid by a rival group

The findings also give us clues into what people ate in the Bronze Age. Wild animal remains found in rubbish dumps outside the houses show they were eating wild boar, red deer and freshwater fish such as pike

Amazingly, it seems that the settlers embarked in international trade, as suggested by the finding of decorative beads made from glass, jet and amber from the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East

The Must Farm Quarry site revealed the internal and external structure of the houses during the excavation. Archaeologists encountered upright poles that used to support the building's walls and roof, well-preserved wall panels, collapsed roof beams and a row of poles arranged in an enclosure fence

'For that to have spread from something like a spark off a hearth is unlikely.

'These people were really good at living in wooden houses, so I dont think they were just catching fire accidently very often.'

Among the ruins of the settlement are a handful of skeletons of the victims who died in the blaze.

Archaeologists have found the remains of two dogs that appeared to have lived in the buildings and perished in the fire.

This amazing piece of wood is fairly heavily charred, except for a section in its centre where it is virtually untouched. It is very likely that another timber was secured to this one which shielded the original from the main heat of the fire

Each of the houses was fully equipped with pots of different sizes, wooden buckets and platters, metal tools suck as sickles (sickle pictured), weapons, textiles, loom weights and glass beads

Within the houses, a huge array of household goods were found, including complete sets of pots (some with food still inside), wooden buckets and platters, decorative textiles (pictured), tweezers and loom weights

Dr Davenport told Live Science: 'They were the only animals we believe were actually living on the site with the people and they seem to have been the only casualties of the fire.'

A single human skull was found at the site, but it is thought to have been kept as keepsake  possibly from an ancestor  in one of the houses.

Some semi-articulated calf and lamb skeletons were also found among the charred remains, and these too may have been kept on the site.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, who joint-funded the excavation, said: 'Over the past 10 months, Must Farm has given us an extraordinary window into how people lived 3,000 years ago.

'Now we know what this small but wealthy Bronze Age community ate, how they made their homes and where they traded.

'This has transformed our knowledge of Bronze Age Britain, and there is more to come as we enter a post-excavation phase of research.'

Plants and cereals were also an important part of the Bronze Age diet and the remains of porridge type foods were found preserved in amazing detail, sometimes still inside the bowls they were served in

The very dark, thick posts are oak and they usually have prominent tool marks on. The thinner, browner timbers are ash and make up the palisade and some of the interior posts
The Turkish soldier was with us before wed even noticed the manned mini-watchtower on top of the hill opposite, and he gave us a bit of fright, to be honest.

There was what seemed to be a heated debate between him and our guide, during which our mega-zoom-lensed cameras, binoculars, top-notch telescopes and giant tripods were perused and pointed at.

But then, with a jaunty wave, he was gone, back to his post. No drama at all, as it turned out. Everyone shouts here; we were just requested to aim our cameras away from the military installations, thank you so much.

Twitching triumph: Wendy on her tour in Buffavento, where she saw the Cyprus warbler, masked shrike, kestrel, and many others

Youre never far away from a military presence in North Cyprus, aka occupied Cypriot territory since the invasion by Turkish troops way back in 1974.

Life may be a little easier for visiting tourists  you can now fly into the Greek Cypriot south from the UK and have a Turkish Cypriot taxi waiting to take you north, instead of having to change cars at the border.

North Cyprus is certainly looking a lot different from when I last visited around nine years ago. There are more showy mansions, blingy shops, and brand-new mosques.

Youll still find the region quieter, less touristy, and a lot cheaper than the south, especially if you fancy a spot of birdwatching. Hence all the gear.

North Cyprus is already well-known as a good spot for turtle watching, but its also finding more favour among birders.

Exotic: The hoopoe (pictured) was among the many exotic species of birds that Wendy spotted

Wildlife expert Robin Snape, who has an environmental biology masters degree from Swansea University, knows the regions flora and fauna exceptionally well, and takes visitors on birdwatching tours.

So we collected aforementioned kit and headed for the hills for the day.

Due to its geographical location, Cyprus is an important stopover for millions of migratory birds, as well as being home to some interesting endemic species.

My hope-to-see list included the Cyprus wheatear, Cyprus warbler and, with a bit of luck, a Bonellis eagle.

Up in the Kyrenia Mountains, just off the road, the trees were twitching with dozens of birds and I tried in vain to get my inadequate binoculars to focus on even one.

Thats when the mega-telescopes earned their keep, allowing a closer look at a delightful little black and white Cyprus wheatear.

North Cyprus is already well-known as a good spot for turtle watching, but its also finding more favour among birders. Flamingoes are among the species you'll be able to spot

Before we left the Buffavento region, wed ticked off Cyprus warbler, masked shrike, kestrel, and many others.

I could barely keep up with the sightings as we visited different spots: calandra lark, stone-curlew, hoopoe, glossy ibis, garganey, plovers of assorted varieties, ditto egrets, sandpipers and herons, even stunning flamingos.

Then, somewhat unexpectedly, a Bonellis eagle took off and treated us to a fly-past.

Wed seen 61 different species of birds in a day, and not had to share the experience with any other tourists.

More British holidaymakers are discovering the highlights of North Cyprus. The Kyrenia area has a handful of boutique hotels.

But if its a family holiday, your best choice is the Acapulco Resort, which has a huge pool and aqua park.
What better way to kick off the weekend than a trip to Disneyland?

Daisy Ridley took a break from her fast-paced life in showbiz for a day at the world-famous amusement park in Anaheim, California on Friday.

The actress couldn't hide her smile as she strolled through the grounds with her mother Louise Fawkner-Corbett and a pal.

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Child at heart! Daisy Ridley must have been feeling like a kid again when she dropped by Disneyland in Anaheim, California on Friday

Putting comfort first, Daisy kept her cool in a striped playsuit which flashed her legs and was nipped at her waist.

She teamed the ensemble with black converse sneakers and a heart shaped, fire engine red purse that was slung across her body.

Auburn hair partially slicked up into a funky top knot, Daisy also kept her makeup simple and fuss-free.

The star got in an adrenaline rush when she, her mother, and friend got on board a roller coaster ride.

Stopped in their tracks: The star got in an adrenaline rush when she, her mother, and friend got on board a roller coaster ride

Earning her fashion stripes! Putting comfort first, Ridley kept her cool in a striped playsuit which flashed her legs and was nipped at her waist

Daisy gripped the hand rail as the trolley sped ahead.

For an actress who has just completed filming the eighth installment of the Star Wars saga, the trip to Disney was no doubt a well-deserved one.

Daisy was recently awarded the Choice Movie Breakout Star at the Teen Choice Awards for her role on Rey.

The star became a household name after landing a starring role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was released in 2015.

The brunette beauty will be back as her character Rey in Star Wars: Episode VIII, due out on December 15, 2017.
Dogs are widely revered for being the most loyal of creatures.

And model Jessica Hart, 30, discovered this firsthand on Saturday, when she went sunbaking topless with her bare breasts obscured from view by a friendly pooch.

Taking to Instagram to imortalise the cheeky moment, Jessica shared a snap of herself lying on her stomach wearing just a pair of skimpy black bikini bottoms, captioned with: '@theadventuresoffloyd and me.'

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Well that's unusual! Jessica Hart, 30, went sunbaking topless with her bare breasts obscured from view by a friendly pooch on Sunday

The Australian Vogue covergirl is pictured looking down at a small dog, who was lying next to her in the sun.

It comes after Jessica shared a sweet flashback photo of herself and her famous model sister Ashley.

Ashley, 27, was seen sticking her tongue out in the goofy picture as Jessica, 30, flashed her trademark gap-toothed grin.

Throwback: Australian model Jessica Hart posted a sweet throwback snap with her younger Ashley (right)

'Always miss my sis,' Jessica captioned the sweet snap which was posted on Tuesday.

The Victoria's Secret model was seen wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and light brown mac as she posed with her lookalike sister in the stunning shot.

She was pictured enjoying a break from work in the sunny South of France with supermodel Naomi Campbell last week.

Arriba! Ashley was seen posing in a sombrero during her recent holiday in Cancun, Mexico

Jess, who has fronted campaigns for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Sass & Bide and Vionnet, was seen walking arm-in-arm with the model as they soaked up the sunshine in St Tropez.

Not to be outdone, her younger sister was spotted frolicking on the beach in Cancun on Monday.

Ashley sported a strapless bikini top revealing a generous glimpse of her cleavage as she played in the sea.

Inseparable: The lookalike sisters are pictured here at amfAR Gala in Cannes earlier this year

She is currently based in New York with her husband Buck Palmer, but the pair still spend lots of time in her native Australia.

The couple spontaneously tied the knot in April last year.

Buck proposed to Ashley in the south of France in July 2014, after she'd spent four months away from her man on a yoga teacher training course in India.

Her older sister is also based in the US, where she lives with her boyfriend, Greek shipping heir, Stavros Niarchos III.
DEAR ABBY: I have been happily married to my husband, "Mark," for 20 years. My best friend, "Eric," is a gay man. For some reason, Mark is threatened by my friendship with Eric. Whenever Eric calls or texts, my husband becomes resentful. It has reached the point that I feel like I need to hide phone calls and texts, and sneak around in order to talk to my friend.

I have always been faithful, honest and open with Mark about everything, and I am very uncomfortable having to hide my friendship with Eric from him. Mark does not feel this way about any of my female friends. He's fully aware of Eric's sexual orientation, so he knows Eric poses no threat to our marriage.

I don't understand where the jealousy and resentment are coming from. I don't want to hurt my marriage. -- BOTH WIFE AND FRIEND

DEAR B.W.A.F.: Either your husband is jealous of the TIME you spend communicating with Eric -- time that Mark feels would be better spent with him -- or he may not understand the dynamics of a friendship between some gay men and straight women. Sometimes there is a degree of physicality -- hugs and kisses -- that your husband may mistake for physical attraction.

As to your husband not understanding that Eric poses no threat to your marriage, I'm not sure your assumption is correct. Sneaked phone calls and hidden texts ARE a threat to your marriage.

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee and I disagree about a gift registry. We recently completed ours. She thinks only those who are invited to the bridal shower and the wedding should get the registry list. I'd like to post the link to the list on my Facebook page and announce we're being married in September in case friends and family who can't come or aren't invited want to give a gift. I wouldn't ASK them to buy anything, but I'd announce that the registry is up and live. What do you think? -- SHARING IN VIRGINIA

DEAR SHARING: I think your fiancee is 100 percent right. To post the kind of announcement you are contemplating on your Facebook page would be in the worst possible taste. If you do it, it WILL look like you're soliciting gifts, and it will be an embarrassment for both of you.

DEAR ABBY: My aunt, who is the nicest person and has strong moral values, has a sweet pet I have grown fond of. The animal is sick with cancer and has many tumors, but my aunt will not euthanize her.

In the past, her pets would pass away naturally at the point at which they should have been put to sleep because of their suffering. How can the family convince her to do the right thing? -- SENSITIVE NEPHEW IN PHOENIX

DEAR NEPHEW: This isn't a decision the family should make "for" someone. When a beloved pet is terminal and no longer capable of running, playing and enjoying life, this is a subject that should be broached by the family member's veterinarian.

DEAR ABBY: My friend "Camilla" recently learned that she is HIV positive. She became aware of it through a blood test, as she is pregnant. The baby's father has been tested and he was negative. Her future health is of no concern because the situation is under control. Camilla hasn't been unfaithful, and it is clear she has been HIV positive for some time.

My issue is, she refuses to contact her previous lover about her condition, even though she likely got it from him. Her ex may have no idea that he is positive and may not find out until it is too late.

Abby, I understand her concern and embarrassment, but I think her ex deserves to know. Should I contact him anonymously? I know his name and could find his contact information. I feel strongly that he should know, so he can be tested and go on medication. I would, of course, be doing this behind my friend's back. -- CONFLICTED IN THE USA

DEAR CONFLICTED: I took your question to Ged Kenslea, director of communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and this is his response:

"At the time of her diagnosis, Camilla should have been urged to contact her previous partners. It's standard procedure, and not something that a health care worker would just 'skip' doing. As well-meaning as the writer is to want to inform Camilla's previous lover about her condition, it's not appropriate on an individual level to interfere in this situation. There are confidentiality as well as safety issues involved that could bring hurt feelings, harm and possible legal liability to those involved in the disclosure.

"A better option might be to contact the county health department where the individual resides to see if it has the capacity to contact the individual, let that person know there may be a health issue he or she could be facing and urge him/her to get tested and linked to care, if necessary -- all without disclosing who contacted the county with that information."

DEAR ABBY: My daughters resent my second wife. My first wife died two years ago. When I remarried, it caused some friction with my daughters because they want my house when I die. In my will, should I give the house to my daughters with the stipulation that my present wife can live there for the rest of her life? -- UNDECIDED ESTATE PLANNING

DEAR UNDECIDED: If you want to assure your new wife that she'll have a roof over her head, talk to an attorney who specializes in wills and trusts and put your wishes in writing. Be sure it's official, "just in case" your daughters decide they want the house a little early.

DEAR ABBY: I have worked as an armed guard for the last two years. Since the beginning, whenever people find out what I do for a living, one of their first comments is, "Wouldn't it be funny if you got robbed?"

I know these people are being facetious, but it bothers me. I don't think they would find it funny if I were to joke about shooting them. Is there a polite way to discourage this, or should I just grin, bear it and chuckle? -- DON'T SHOOT

DEAR DON'T: You can choose to laugh it off, or you might keep a straight face and say, "It wouldn't be so funny if I or someone else got hurt."

DEAR ABBY: Recently my wife was out for some training all day on a Saturday. Our 11-year-old daughter had been invited to a birthday party on the same day, so I was to drop her off. My wife and daughter told me the birthday party "might or might not" be a sleepover party. My daughter would inform me at the end of the party if she were spending the night.

I wanted to know at the time I dropped her off whether she was going to be sleeping over. My wife claimed I "didn't need" to know. She accused me of being unreasonable, and said it was OK for me to find out at the end of the party. I don't mean to be picky, but as a dad was I being unreasonable? -- RESPONSIBLE PARENT IN OREGON

DEAR PARENT: No. As the parent responsible for your daughter that day, you had every right to know what the plans would be so you could plan your own evening. When the invitation was issued, that information should have been conveyed so your daughter would be prepared and take along her pajamas and toothbrush.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
She walked down the David Jones runway for the final time in their Spring Summer 2016 collection show on Wednesday, after three years as an ambassador for the store.

And it's now claimed that Montana Cox's contract with the retail giant wasn't renewed as part of new cost-cutting measures, reported The Daily Telegraph.

At the helm of these cuts is new CEO John Dixon, who took over from Ian Nairn in late 2015.

Farewell: Montana Cox has reportedly been dropped by retail giant David Jones as an ambassador due to cost-cuts

Dixon was previously director of general merchandise of British retailer Marks & Spencer.

Despite her leaving the retail giant, the 22-year-old model said she is 'excited' about what the future holds as she gears up to revamp her international modelling career.

'I'm really excited. it's been great working with David Jones but I'm ready for new challenges,' she told the publication.

Graceful exit: The 22-year-old gracefully strutted down the David Jones runway on Wednesday in her final show as an ambassador

'I haven't done it (the international modelling circuit) for a couple of seasons because it has been hard to fit in, but I'll be able to give it my all now.'

The Australia's Next Top model winner is now a free agent as she plans to return to New York.

Last month, it was revealed that Montana's contract would not be renewed after three years as an official ambassador as part of a company shakeup.

Bright future: The Australia's Next Top Model cycle 7 winner said she is 'excited' about what the future holds, as she gears up to revamp her international modelling career

David Jones' marketing general manager, Michiel Tops insisted that there is no bad blood as the Melbourne native will remain a part of the David Jones 'family'.

While Jesinta Campbell joined the ambassador ranks for the brand in 2015, there are no obvious front-runners to take Montana's place in the official line up, which currently includes Jessica Gomes and Jason Dundas.

Earlier this year, Montana fronted the department store's 'In My Jeans' campaign, sizzling in the campaign shots.

No bad blood: David Jones' marketing general manager, Michiel Tops insisted that there is no bad blood as the Melbourne native will remain a part of the David Jones 'family'

Long history: The model was an ambassador for David Jones for three years

The news for the leggy stunner comes just months after her colleague Jessica Gomes reportedly inked a one-year deal to stay on with the brand, despite her burgeoning Hollywood career.

In May, PS Sydney reported the 30-year-old will stay on with the department store for another 12 months, for a rumoured $350,000.

The Perth-born beauty has been an ambassador for the department store for three years and regularly appears on the runway during Fashion Week and at new season collection launches.

Sizzling: Earlier this year, Montana fronted the department store's 'In My Jeans' campaign, sizzling in the campaign shots

United front: While Jesinta Campbell became an ambassador in 2015, there are no obvious front-runners to take Montana's place in the official line up

Jessica's renewed commitment to the store, means Jesinta Campbell will continue to be number two to the LA-based model.

At a recent casting call, the exotic model revealed to the Daily Telegraph: 'We're looking for spunk, personality and an X Factor.'

As Jessica swapped the runway for the casting chair she added that she was looking for both men and women who are confident in their own skin.

'I think it's all about no labelling and just embracing everyone's individuality,' she also revealed to the paper.

The stars: She walked alongside Jessica Gomes (centre) and Jesinta Campbell ( second right) in the department store's Spring Summer 2015 launch
His bumbling, very British romcom persona is familiar to millions.

But clearly Hugh Grant decided it was time to mix in a little horror film edginess and New Age wackiness.

His bizarre revelation that he had resorted to using a sage-burning, drum-banging exorcist  when one of his four children saw a ghostly apparition  backfired spectacularly, however.

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Hugh Grant revealed he had resorted to using a sage-burning, drum-banging exorcist when one of his four children saw a ghostly apparition

It led to claims that the 55-year-old actor emits a frequency of cynicism, mixes up his facts and is filled with negativity.

Speaking on James Cordens Late Late Show in the US on Thursday night, Grant said he had summoned the help of a ghostbuster called Wendy Mandy.

Im a rational person, well educated, not an idiot and I find myself ringing a ghostbuster.

Its so shaming, he said, adding that he should have known better than to have hired Miss Mandy.

He claimed the exorcist visited twice a week and played songs and waved sticks around his house in London. When she entered his sons room her sticks went completely wild and she said the presence of the ghost was so strong in here I think I might throw up.

Grant added: She burnt about 7lb of sage then banged a little drum and played an instrument and said all the spirits are gone.

Ghostbuster Wendy Mandy blamed Grants cynical attitude for her failure to get rid of the poltergeist

He described the whole experience as b******s, especially as his son claimed to have seen the apparition  the ghost of a little boy  again the following day.

But yesterday the ghostbuster hit back and blamed Grants cynical attitude for her failure to get rid of the poltergeist. Miss Mandy, who calls herself the genuine article, claims her methods are based on quantum physics which she has studied for several years.

She said: Hugh Grant is a very cynical person. When youre in the presence of a cynical person its quite difficult; theyre emitting a frequency of cynicism.

I see a lot of celebrities and lots of famous people but I keep schtum. Sometimes you have to visit a few times. I went once. I wouldnt go back.

Of Grants claims about her methods, she said: It was a while ago that I went, maybe last year. I use a Peruvian rattle, not sticks. It wasnt exactly a song  I used a Tibetan singing bowl to change the sound frequency. I did not use sage. Hes probably mixing up lots of healers. This is science  quantum physics.

Appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Grant said he should have known better than to have hired Miss Mandy

There are different frequencies that exist and if someone has some kind of energetic disturbance a child or very sensitive person may experience that. You have to settle the frequency in some areas.

Everybody knows that when you walk into a house it feels good or it doesnt feel good. Children particularly, dogs, cats, horses and sensitive people can really feel that.

Miss Mandy said she has been performing similar services for 37 years, as well as acupuncture and reiki, and boasts several celebrity clients, but it was Grants disbelief and emission of the frequency of cynicism that led to the ghost returning. I would have had to make several visits, she said.

I did what I could. When youre dealing with frequency youre dealing with something in the intellectual left brain. Science is proving that plants have their own language, animals have their own language  its a frequency language, its not upper-class English Hugh Grant language.

I only went to his house because I liked the person who recommended me a lot. And because it was a small child and I wanted to help a small child.

Otherwise Hugh Grant would not be one of my clients. I dont treat cynical people  theres no point. It [frequency] is actually quite a complicated subject, I can tell you Ive studied feng shui for ten years amongst other things. People can trivialise it.

The rattle and the bowl are ancient traditions that Ive learnt from travelling around the world. There is no course where you can learn what Ive learnt. Im the genuine article.

Grant did not reveal which of his two sons kept claiming to see a ghost. But the Notting Hill and About A Boy star told Corden: From a very early age whenever you stroked his head hed stare into a corner of the room, then other kids would come round and say Whos that little boy over there?  it was completely out of control.

Grant has a four-year-old daughter, Tabitha, from what his publicist called a fleeting affair with Tinglan Hong, a Chinese-born receptionist. He also has a three-year-old son, Felix, with Miss Hong, the result of a subsequent reunion.

Grant has two children with Swedish TV producer Anna Eberstein  a son John Mungo, three, and a daughter born in December 2015.
The 34-year-old is the latest star to have undergone the Hoffman Process, a week-long residential course favoured by the likes of Elle Macpherson, Annie Lennox and Jemima Khan

Her acting career has often been overshadowed by her tumultuous love life.

Now Sienna Miller believes she has put her problems behind her after taking a 3,000 therapy course dubbed psychological detox.

The 34-year-old is the latest star to have undergone the Hoffman Process, a week-long residential course favoured by the likes of Elle Macpherson, Annie Lennox and Jemima Khan.

The programme is billed as an effective treatment for depression, anger and anxiety and releasing negative emotions by using Freudian analysis.

Miss Miller, who last year split from her fiance and the father of her daughter, has revealed how the course got rid of all the noise in her head. She said: Its terrifying but extraordinary. Its ten years of therapy in a week.

Its focused on Freudian analysis, which is basically how behaviour patterns are all learned, so what the Hoff-man does is analyse who you can trace them all back to, either parents or surrogates, then you kind of let go and examine who you would have been if you hadnt taken on all these negative traits.

Theres an immense amount of space in my head and there is no f****** noise in it for the first time. All that noise has just gone. The Hoffman Process, which has also been used by actresses Thandie Newton and Naomie Harris, was created by American psychic Bob Hoffman in 1967 as a form of psychoanalysis. It has been widely recommended by clinical psychologists, some of whom have branded it a psychological detox.

In 1995, former university lecturer Tim Laurence set up the Hoffman Institute in Arundel, West Sussex, with his then-wife Serena Gordon, the actress best known for her roles in The Bill and the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye.

Now divorced, they still run the institute together and charge 2,950 for the seven-day course, involving 100 hours of tuition from trained Hoffman teachers, which runs at country retreats.

Teachings include the notion of negative love syndrome, which is the belief that, as children, people take on the characteristics of their parents, good or bad, and repeat them throughout their lives. Students on the course then examine those patterns of behaviour and learn to break them.

Her acting career has often been overshadowed by her tumultuous love life. Now Sienna Miller believes she has put her problems behind her after taking a 3,000 therapy course dubbed psychological detox

Speaking about her state of mind before undergoing the Hoffman Process, Miss Miller told Porter magazine: I just got to a point where I just felt  I couldnt dig myself out, I couldnt make decisions, I felt pretty assaulted by life and not in control. Last year, Miss Miller split from fiance Tom Sturridge, 30, having dated the actor since 2011. Next month she is moving to New York with their four-year-old daughter Marlowe.

Previously Miss Miller had a turbulent on-off relationship with actor Jude Law, 43, to whom she was engaged in 2004 before the actor revealed he had cheated on her with his childrens nanny.
Gregg Wallace has tied the knot with Anne-Marie Sterpini - who, at 30, is 21 years his junior - at Hever Castle in Kent.

The 50-year-old MasterChef host married his fourth wife on Saturday in an intimate ceremony where his co-host John Torode served as the best man.

The couple were joined on the day by John's girlfriend Lisa Faulkner and Masterchef: The Professionals' judge Monica Galett.

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Married man: Greg Wallace has tied the knot with his fourth wife Anne-Marie Sterpini at Hever Castle, Kent, on Saturday

The ceremony at the castle was also attended by Gregg's mum Mary Pettman, 72, and his brother Paul, who turned up in an RAC van saying that his original ride had broken down.

Later in the day, the couple attended a bigger party, which welcomed as many as 120 guests, according to the Sunday Mirror

MasterChef host Gregg, who currently appears on BBC One with the 11th series of the cookery competition, met the brunette beauty on Twitter in March 2013 and they've been inseparable ever since.

Busy bee: Gregg stars on MasterChef with John Torode (right)

Speaking about the moment he laid eyes on her after she tweeted him a question about rhubarb he said: 'I looked at her picture and thought, "Oh wow!" so I started flirting and sent her my number.

'At first she couldn't tell if it was me or a lookalike. But she soon realised once we got to a restaurant and people started saying, 'Hello, Gregg'.'

Gregg and Anne-Marie got engaged in December 2014 and at the time, Gregg said 2015 was 'all about the wedding,' claiming that the venue and the pianist were all picked out for the event.

Fourth time lucky:The 50-year-old television host, who postponed his wedding to 27-year-old Anne-Marie due to work commitments in April, is now taking the plunge again- according to The Express

After they postponed their wedding in April it was speculated that Gregg had pushed it back to save up for the special event, having already walked down the aisle on three separate occasions.

A friend told The Mirror at the time: 'It's no secret Gregg has had problems with his businesses and weddings aren't cheap. He knows he's got to get the food spot-on or everyone will be making comments.

'He may have been a bit hasty when they were newly engaged and he's now realised next year is much more realistic.'

Trying again: Gregg - pictured in June - is said to be 'happier than ever' but friends have commented that he was hasty in saying that 2015 would be when the wedding would take place

Gregg's first wife, Christine, left him after six weeks of marriage in 1991 and he married Denise eight years later after a whirlwind romance, within which they had two children.

He met third wife Heidi, on Twitter, but their marriage ended after just 18 months in spring 2012.

Similarly Gregg and Anne-Marie met on Twitter, but in 2013, and at the time of his engagement one year later the TV star said he'd 'never been happier.'

A representative for Gregg has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

Happier than ever: Gregg and Anne-Marie - pictured in Decembr 2013 - have been engaged since 2014, having met on Twitter in 2013
The Bachelor Australia contestants Megan Marx and Tiffany Scanlon left very little to the imagination on Friday when arriving at the Style Aid event in Western Australia.

Stepping out at Perth's Crown Resort, 27-year-old Megan took the plunge in a revealing white gown, while recently eliminated contestant Tiffany also put on a busty display.

Megan, who is vying for Richie Strahan's heart on the Network Ten reality show, flashed a generous glimpse of her cleavage thanks to the daringly low neckline of her dress.

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Dressed to impress: The Bachelor Australia contestant Megan Marx left little to the imagination on Friday night when arriving at the Style Aid charity event in Perth

The sleeveless number hugged her slender figure, and her hair and make-up was also styled to perfection to complete her stunning evening look.

The health promotions officer's golden locks were pulled back on this occasion, with an intricate braid across the side giving it an elegant touch.

She also accessorised with a bold ring and statement clutch bag, and happily posed for photos at the charity event supporting the WA AIDS Council.

Busting out! The blonde beauty revealed a generous glimpse of her ample assets as she posed with model pal Tessa Morris

Glitz and glamour: Recently eliminated contestant Tiffany sported a sequinned gown

Flaunting it: Also featuring a plunging neckline, the blonde beauty's glitzy gown proudly showcased her ample assets

Meanwhile Tiffany, 29, slipped into a sequinned gown, the floor-length number featuring a sultry slit to reveal a glimpse of her trim pins.

Also featuring a plunging neckline, the blonde beauty's glitzy gown proudly showcased her ample assets.

She styled her blonde hair in a sleek fish plait, while dark eye makeup and a hint of pink lipstick completed her glamorous look.

While Tiffany was eliminated from the show this week, Megan is still in with a chance to win the heart of 31-year-old rope access technician, Richie Strahan.

Off you go! Tiffany was eliminated from The Bachelor this week when Richie Strahan didn't give her a rose
She's often flaunting her impressive cleavage in workout gear.

But on Friday, former The Bachelor star Zilda Williams revealed more than she intended in a see-through top while jetting off to Byron Bay.

The 33-year-old Sydney socialite donned a tight white T-shirt, that drew attention to her nipple.

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Peek-a-boob! Former The Bachelor star Zilda Williams, 33, emphasised more than she intended in a see-through top while jetting off to Byron Bay on Friday

Sporting casual chic attire for the short flight, the busty blonde opted for a tight round-neck T-shirt that drew attention to her busty assets and lithe arms.

Teaming the top with black skinny jeans, the glamour model highlighted her enviably toned legs.

The former reality TV star tied a light denim shirt around her waist and wore a pair of white sneakers.

Casually chic: For the short flight, the busty blonde opted for a tight round-neck T-shirt that drew attention to her busty assets and lithe arms

Trim and terrific: Teaming the top with black skinny jeans, the glamour model highlighted her enviably toned legs

Accessorising with a pair of reflective sunglasses and nude choker, she kept her short tresses away from her face with a simple black cap.

She opted to wear a neutral makeup palette and added a pop of colour with her bright red manicure.

Wheeling a significant amount of luggage through the quiet airport, she bid farewell to her mother Gilda with a sweet embrace.

Effortless: Appearing to sport a neutral makeup palette, she added a pop of colour in her red manicure

Family ties: Wheeling a significant amount of luggage through the quiet airport, she bid farewell to her mother Gilda with a sweet embrace

In late October, she underwent surgery at Australia Cosmetics Clinic in Sydney to achieve a more manageable DD-cup.

But she told Daily Mail Australia last month, that she was unable to fit into her bras anymore due to her unhealthy eating habits.

'I'm not fitting into my DD bras any more,' she explained, adding: 'I just got fitted for a bra and I'm up to an E cup again!'

Revealing all: In late October, she underwent surgery at Australia Cosmetics Clinic in Sydney to achieve a more manageable DD-cup

Ample: But she told Daily Mail Australia last month, that she was unable to fit into her bras anymore due to her unhealthy eating habits

The reality TV star said the extra kilos were simply 'winter weight,' saying: 'When I put on weight it goes straight to my boobs and my bum.'

'I guess for a lot of people, that's a good thing!' she laughed.

Zilda rose to fame in 2015 as the breakout star of Network Ten's dating show The Bachelor.

Candid: The reality TV star said the extra kilos were simply 'winter weight,' saying, 'when I put on weight it goes straight to my boobs and my bum'
She has an incredible figure and has never been shy of flaunting it.

But Susan Sarandon, 69, covered up her famous curves as she enjoyed some downtime at Melbourne's Ice Bar on Friday.

The Academy award-winning Hollywood actress sported a blue puffer jacket as she braved the chilly temperature at the popular Fitzroy venue.

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Not her usual style: Susan Sarandon, 69, covered up her famous curves in a blue puffer jacket as she enjoyed downtime at Melbourne's Ice Bar on Friday

Keeping a low-profile, the Thelma & Louise actress layered up her look with what appeared to be a patterned shirt and light blue scarf underneath the faux-fur rimmed jacket.

Sweeping her signature auburn tresses away from her shoulders, she opted for a glamorous makeup look that featured lashings of mascara and a red lip.

Clearly happy to be visiting Australia for the first time, Susan was seen flashing her pearly whites and enjoying an animated conversation.

Taking to Twitter, the mother-of-three shared a playful snap as she posed next to an impressive ice sculpture.

Animated: Taking to Twitter, the mother-of-three shared a playful snap as she posed next to an impressive ice sculpture

'In the @IceBarMelbourne 10 below where your shot of vodka is life saving,' Susan Tweeted alongside the image.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show star's visit marks her first time to Australia, where she will be attending two events run by the La Dolce Italia Festival.

Susan will share stories of her life and career during the events, which will be the only appearances for her stay.

First time visiting! The Rocky Horror Picture Show star's visit marks her first time to Australia, where she will be attending two events run by the La Dolce Italia Festival

The actress, who has Italian heritage on her mother's side, will take part in a luncheon and evening presentation to support Bully Zero - a national charity committed to introducing a culture of zero-tolerance to bullying.

'I'm very excited to visit Melbourne for the first time, especially to participate in events that support such a worthy cause,' she said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the Hollywood siren caused controversy when she wore a cleavage-baring bra top with a white pant-suit to the SAG Awards.

The outfit was met with public criticism and talking head Piers Morgan deemed it 'horribly inappropriate' for such an event.

Susan's son Jack Robbins jumped to the Oscar winner's defence, saying she has a 'right to be proud of her body.'

'If she wasn't 69 no one would be saying anything,' Jack said.

If you've got it! The Thelma & Louise star has never been shy of flaunting her incredible figure
Mark Ruffalo spent his final day of filming on the set of Thor 3: Ragnarok on Thursday.

The 48-year-old American actor, who plays Hulk in the adventure/fantasy flick, took to Instagram to thank director Taika Waititi and his co-stars for a wonderful experience during the shoot on the Gold Coast.

'Waititi and "Ruffles" on the set of #Thor3 last day. Had such a great good fun time making this movie. Thanks @taikawaititi @chrishemsworth , @tessamaethompson @marvel for the love and the laughs (sic),' he wrote alongside a photo of himself with Taika.

The end: Mark Ruffalo spent his final day of filming on the set of Thor 3: Ragnarok on Thursday, and shared this photo of himself with director Taika Waititi

Aerial shots from the set reveal the large crew on-hand as Mark filmed scenes at Queensland's Movie World.

In June, co-president of Marvel Studios Louis D'Esposito said Queensland offered an amazing and diverse backdrop for the action flick.

'We are very excited to bring this film to such an incredible locale,' he told Digital Spy.

On set: Aerial shots from the set reveal the large crew on hand as Mark filmed scenes at Queensland's Movie World

Great view: In June co-president of Marvel Studios Louis D'Esposito said Queensland offered an amazing and diverse backdrop for the action flick

'Marvel Studios would like to thank the Queensland Government for helping to make this a reality,' he added.

According to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Marvel Studios executive David Maise, Thor was intending to spend $100 million in Queensland and create hundreds of local jobs during production.

Meanwhile, the movie is directed by New Zealand's Taika Waititi, who has confessed that he's eyeing a cameo for himself in the blockbuster.

Big project: This is the third Thor movie in the franchise

Movie star: Hollywood star Mark plays Hulk in the adventure flick

'I can't help myself,' the 40-year-old told The Daily Telegraph after revealing that he will 'probably' pop up in the highly-anticipated film.

Thor is slated for release in November 2017 and it is believed to draw some of its inspiration from the Planet Hulk comic book story line, where the iconic green antihero takes over a planet after being beamed into space.

Leading star: Heading the cast of the new film is Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Heading the cast of the new film is Chris Hemsworth as Thor, while Mark Ruffalo will once again star as the Hulk.

Cate Blanchett will be playing a new villain Hela and Jeff Goldblum stars as Grandmaster while Tessa Thompson is to play Valkyrie.

Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as Thor's evil adopted brother, Loki.
She has learned to embrace her curvaceous physique and regularly shares snippets of her active lifestyle across social media.

And Fiona Falkiner appeared to be more comfortable than ever in her own skin, posing seductively on the cover of the latest issue of GT Magazine.

The 33-year-old model was flaunting her ample cleavage in a navy blue dress with a plunging V-shaped neckline.

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Cover star! Fiona Falkiner wowed on the cover of GT Magazine, proudly sharing her own snap of the shot to Instagram on Saturday

The casual frock also featured a cinched waist, accentuating the beauty's enviable curves.

Her trademark blonde locks have been styled in messy waves and pushed into a sweeping side part, framing her face perfectly.

And her makeup, which had been applied in neutral hues, complemented her stunning complexion and natural tones.

Happy in her own skin: The 33-year-old has learned to embrace her curvaceous physique and regularly shares snippets of her active lifestyle across social media

A touch of brown and gold eye-shadow highlights Fiona's features and a layer of pink lipstick adds a subtle touch.

The former Biggest Loser contestant and host shared a photo of the cover to her Instagram account on Saturday, thanking the publication for making her their 'covergirl'.

'Love a bit of support from your home town! Thanks @gtmagazine for a great chat and making me your #covergirl,' she wrote.

A new you: Fiona lost a staggering 30 kilos after appearing on the first series of reality weight loss show The Biggest Loser Australia in 2006

Fiona lost a staggering 30 kilos after appearing on the first series of reality weight loss show The Biggest Loser Australia in 2006.

The plus-size model went from a size 20 to a size 10, before returning to a healthy size 16 after the show, and she says that today, she has finally learned to accept herself.

'I don't train now to become thinner, or skinny, I train for the way it makes me feel  it's for my mind,' she told Body and Soul.

Up and down: The plus-size model went from a size 20 to a size 10, before returning to a healthy size 16 after the show, and now promotes an active healthy lifestyle

Adding: 'I'm never going to have rippling abs - I know that.

'I wake up and go to the gym and everyone around me might have incredible, tight, muscular bodies and y'know, I train just as hard as them but I don't look like that.'

'But then I have to think, "This is my body, this is what I got and I have to love it and embrace it".'
Her family includes some of the most glamorous and stylish women in the world.

But on Friday, reality star Kourtney Kardashian made it clear that she still stands out, even among that bevy of beauties, as she headed to Woodland Hills to film the upcoming season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

The 37-year-old stunner slipped into a form-fitting white jumpsuit that showed off her hour-glass figure and radiated summer chic.

Stunning: On Friday reality star Kourtney Kardashian headed to Woodland Hills to film the upcoming season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians

The ensemble was sexy and sophisticated all at once, with its high neckline keeping her ample assets firmly under wraps.

Her billowing pants featured metallic detailing up the sides and flowed beautifully as she sashayed onto set.

The 5ft star elongated her pins in a pair of pointy silver heels, which helped give her a statuesque quality despite her diminutive frame.

Pristine: The 37-year-old stunner slipped into a form-fitting white jumpsuit that showed off her hour-glass figure and radiated summer chic

Well-balanced: The ensemble was at once sexy and sophisticated, with its high neckline keeping her ample assets firmly under wraps

Making a statement: Her billowing pants featured metallic detailing up the sides and flowed beautifully as she sashayed onto set

The sleeveless top showed off her silky arms, which looked sun-kissed and taut, and at times offered a tantalizing peek at her beige-coloured bra.

No doubt keen to fend off the bright California rays, she wore a pair of on-trend aviator sunglasses with silver rims.

Hoping to preserve the purity of the look, she opted not to carry a handbag and accessorized with just one gold bracelet on her right arm.

On point: The 5ft star elongated her pins in a pair of pointy silver heels, which helped give her a statuesque quality despite her diminutive frame

Kourtney, along with her sisters Kim and Khloe and mother Kris, enjoyed lunch at The Villa Restaurant, which serves classic and modern Italian food with French influences.

The lunch menu includes dishes like wild salmon served with Israeli couscous, and pulled pork served on a brioche bun with garlic aioli.

The turned-out look contrasts sharply with the casual attire Kourtney has worn in recent days during outings with her children - six-year-old Mason and four-year-old Penelope, both of whom she shares with her estranged partner Scott Disick.

The doting mother has been seen dropping Mason off at his art class and pumping her own gas at a gas station.

Shady lady: No doubt keen to fend off the bright California rays, she wore a pair of on-trend aviator sunglasses with silver rims
DEAR HARRIETTE: My family doesn't agree with my career choice. I want more for myself, much more than what my family provides me with.

I've always dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. It's a hard dream to have when your family doesn't support you. Year after year, everyone in my family just married and went into the family business. I love the fact that my great-great-grandparents were brave enough to start their own businesses; however, that's not what I want for myself. I want to save lives and help parents ensure that their child is growing up to be healthy -- emotionally and physically.

I truly believe that children are our future, so we have to look out for them from the beginning. My parents don't quite agree. They understand my mission, but feel as though me being a doctor comes with too many risks. They think it's safer and more reasonable to just go into the family business because a job there would be a lot more secure.

My family hasn't said if they would cut me off for not going into the business, but they've made it clear that they don't support me in this career choice. I understand their concerns, but I don't want to spend my life working somewhere that doesn't make me happy. -- Going Against the Grain, Augusta, Georgia

DEAR GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN: Do your research about completing your education to become a pediatrician. Figure out the costs and how you can pay for your dream. It's likely that you will need your parents' participation on some level. Prepare your argument for becoming a doctor once more, and plead for their blessing. Tell them that your heart assures you that this is what you need to do and you want their blessing. To assuage them, offer that if the medical profession doesn't work out, you appreciate that you could work in the family business. See if that helps.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I spoke to a good friend on the phone the other evening, and after a while, I figured out that she must have been drunk. She was slurring her words, and she even stopped making sense. We got off the phone not long after that, but I worry that she may be in trouble. She was at home alone. That's not a great way to drink, and it wasn't late in the day.

How can I check on my friend to see if she is all right? I'm not sure how to bring that up. -- Inebriated, Cambridge, Mississippi

DEAR INEBRIATED: Invite your friend out for a friend date. While together, ask her about her life. Try to get her to open up about what she's been doing and what's going on for her. Then be direct. Tell her you were worried about her the other day because she sounded drunk. Gently guide her to talking about her situation. Tell her you don't mean to judge her, but you want to support her if she needs it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My brother got himself in trouble with the law, and now has to spend a few months in jail. I still obviously love and support him. He asked if the whole family would be visiting him in jail when he is locked up, but I don't want to bring my children to a prison to see their uncle. I don't want to lie to my brother, but I also don't want him going into prison with a bleak outlook on the next few months. Should I tell him the truth or a white lie? -- Behind Bars, Cincinnati

DEAR BEHIND BARS: The best thing you can do is be honest with your brother so that you can manage his expectations. If you intend to visit him, start with that good news. Do not overpromise. Tell him that you will come and give him some sense of your anticipated frequency of visiting. Keep in mind that he will be there a short time. If you do not intend to bring your children, tell him. Point out that you are sorry he got himself in this trouble, but you do not want to expose your children to jail, so you will not be bringing them to visit.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My parents are immigrants who never learned how to speak English well. They have stayed in their community for the years that they've lived in the United States and rarely use English because they have Brazilian friends, restaurants and even bank tellers.

My parents just told me that they plan on moving out to the Midwest soon, where it is more beautiful and cheaper to live. I don't want my parents to move far away from me, especially since their English isn't good. It'd be incredibly difficult for a 911 operator to understand my father if an emergency were to happen. Is there anything I can do to convince them to stay close to their community? I just can't imagine how helpless I'd feel if something were to happen. -- You're Grounded, Queens, New York

DEAR YOU'RE GROUNDED: Suggest that your parents take a vacation to the area where they are considering moving. You can help them to set it up, but do not go with them. Encourage them to travel for at least one week, preferably two. Since they want to move there, suggest that they visit real estate agents who can show them potential properties to buy or rent. Push them to use the time wisely to learn about neighborhoods and find what they like.

This trip will help them to experience being in a new place with communication limitations. It will also help you to learn how well they can manage on their own. They may be far more resourceful than you would imagine. Rather than pressuring them not to move, let them see for themselves. After all, they had the courage and vision to move from their country years before. They may be far more ready for this move than you think.

Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106
He welcomed his second daughter in March this year.

And Jamie Dornan has revealed that it's been quite the adjustment for himself and wife Amelia Warner as they adapt to living as a family of four.

Explaining that the experience was 'insane', the 34-year-old actor told Popsugar: 'One of my best friends said that one is a pet, two is a zoo.'

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Twice as nice! He welcomed his second daughter in March this year. And Jamie Dornan has revealed that it's been quite the adjustment for himself and wife Amelia Warner

He said that he was making compromises to the way he used to live his life, but was more than happy to sacrifice some of his creature comforts.

The Fifty Shades Of Grey star explained: 'You have to just go with it and accept less sleep and accept less time in your hands and accept less reading of books and washing and all the usual things you do in a day.'

Jamie added that he couldn't be happier with his new brood, even though it meant he was now outnumbered by the women in his house.

Busy bee! Jamie has been kept busy filming the hotly-anticipated Fifty Shades Darker and has been in New York promoting his latest movie, Anthropoid

He revealed: 'I always thought I'd want the boy because . . . I think as a guy you just think, "I'll have a little mini version of myself' or something in a sort of [narcissistic] way, but then once you've had girls I can't imagine having [another one]."'

Jamie and Amelia have not revealed the name of their new addition, but also share a two-year-old daughter called Dulcie.

Their second child arrived a month before they celebrated their third wedding anniversary in April.

Suave and stylish: Stepping out in New York on Friday, the star didn't seem to be showing any signs of fatigue as he enjoyed a stroll around the city

Dapper: Looking remarkably fresh-faced for a new father-of-two, he also appeared to have trimmed down his trademark beard whilst he donned a navy blazer and black chinos

Meanwhile, Jamie has been kept busy filming the hotly-anticipated Fifty Shades Darker and promoting his latest movie, Anthropoid.

Stepping out in New York on Friday, the star didn't seem to be showing any signs of fatigue as he enjoyed a stroll around the city.

Clad in a navy blazer and black chinos The Fall actor looked effortlessly stylish on the outing.

Looking remarkably fresh-faced for a new father-of-two, he also appeared to have trimmed down his trademark beard.

Family of four: Jamie and Amelia have not revealed the name of their new addition, but also share a two-year-old daughter called Dulcie

Cute couple! Their second child arrived a month before Jamie and his wife Amelia Warner celebrated their third wedding anniversary in April

His outing came after he attended the premiere for Anthropoid in the city.

Looking dapper in a navy suit, he was joined by co-star Cillian Murphy as they walked the red carpet.

Anthropoid - which tells the story of two Czech soldiers on a mission to assassinate Nazi leader SS General Reinhard Heydrich during World War II - is slated for release on September 9.

Leading man: On Thursday night Jamie was out and about for the premiere for Anthropoid - which tells the story of two Czech soldiers on a mission to assassinate a Nazi leader
She's not been afraid to show off her incredible figure on her romantic Greek getaway with boyfriend Hugo Taylor.

So with a new day came a new swimsuit snap, as Millie Mackintosh treated her fans to another series of sizzling shots on Saturday.

Clad in a teal bikini, the 27-year-old former Made In Chelsea star showed off her perky assets and impeccably toned abs as she sipped on a beer whilst cruising around the coast.

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Blue-tiful! Clad in a teal bikini, showed off her perky assets and impeccably toned abs as she sipped on a beer whilst cruising around the coast of Greece

Donning another swimsuit for another snap, she wore a skimpy white bikini, layering up in a colourful kimono as she struck a pose on board the yacht.

On Friday, she seemed to be in an adventurous mood, as she shared a clip of herself jumping off a boat and into the crystal clear waters below.

Seeming without a care in the world, the pretty brunette managed to make the feat look elegant as she jumped in with abandon.

Strike a pose: With a new day came a new swimsuit snap, as the 27-year-old treated her fans to another sizzling shot from her Greek getaway on Saturday whilst clad in a white bikini

Hugo also got in on the Instagram action and delighted fans as he posted a new snap of Millie as they took part in a gruelling hike early in the morning.

Sharing the picture on Instagram, the former Made In Chelsea star wrote: 'Pre-breakfast hike another beautiful day in Greece. Feeling very lucky and blessed.' (sic)

Wearing a salmon pink crop top, the make-up free fashion designer revealed her tanned and toned midriff as she enjoyed the view.

Keeping her outfit practical, Millie wore black Nike trainers to make sure she was fit for the rocky terrain.

There she goes! On Friday, she seemed to be in an adventurous mood, as she shared a clip of herself jumping off a boat and into the crystal clear waters below

Take a hike: Hugo Taylor delighted fans as he posted a new snap of girlfriend Millie Mackintosh as they took part in a gruelling hike early on Friday morning

Loved up: The couple went public in May following Millie's divorce from rapper husband Professor Green

Idyllic: Hugo looked the part as he enjoys some time relaxing on the deck of a boat he and Millie appeared to have chartered earlier in the week

On Thursday, Millie once again showed off her slender frame in a fetching burgundy swimsuit while striking a pose in front of an idyllic island backdrop.

She took advantage of soaring Mediterranean temperatures by relaxing in skimpy swimwear on the deck of their yacht.

The brunette beauty looked understandably pleased while standing on the aft of their yacht with her hands pressed against her hips.

Looking good: The former Made In Chelsea star, 27, showed off her slender frame in a fetching burgundy swimsuit while striking a pose in front of a rugged island backdrop

Millie added to her beach-ready look by sporting a pair of tinted sunglasses.

Her damp hair suggested the TV personality had taken a dip prior to posing for her latest social media snap.

The upload comes less than day after she gave her male fans a treat with a very cheeky bikini photo.

Cheeky! Millie went topless as she posed in a pair of red bikini bottoms as the loved-up couple enjoyed a day at sea earlier in the week

Once again taking to Instagram, Millie went topless with nothing but a pair of string bikini bottoms on as she enjoyed a cruise off the Halkidiki peninsula.

The fitness fanatic had her back to the camera, with her head looking over her shoulder peering at her behind.

She captioned the image: 'Does my boat look big in this?'

Millie and Hugo, who started dating in March, are currently holidaying at the lavish Ekies All Senses Resort in Sithonia on the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece.

Cheers! Millie enjoyed an Aperol Spritz while paddling in the Aegean Sea

It's their first holiday with just the two of them, having previously vacation with their former Made In Chelsea co-star Spencer Matthews in Monaco back in May.

Over the past few days, the loved-up pair have been sharing candid Instagrams of their romantic break.

Predictably, Millie has been showing off her fabulous figure in an array of colourful B London Boutique bikinis.

Chillaxed: Millie posed for a smouldering selfie after enjoying a tasting menu dinner

Refreshing: Millie complained her mosquito bites were driving her mad

In a series of images taken on a boat, Millie can be seen reading while perched on a large cushion, flaunting her flat stomach in an emerald green two-piece.

'If you need me you'll have to wait until I've finished reading the new #jillycooper', she captioned the shot.

Another snap sees the fitness rocking a red halterneck bikini from B London Boutique while sipping on a drink.

Living it up: Another snap saw the Quality Street heiress rocking a red halterneck bikini and a cute pom pom bag from B London Boutique

Sunning herself: Millie showed off her bronzed figure in a green two-piece

'Aperol spritz o'clock', she posted alongside the snap.

Millie also captured Hugo taking a nap on board the yacht, posting, 'Boat trip with this pirate @hugotaylorlondon'.

Millie and Hugo have been spending an increasing amount of time together since she was granted a 'quickie divorce' from Professor Green in May with the reality star citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split.

Ahoy there! Millie also captured Hugo taking a nap on board the yacht, posting, 'Boat trip with this pirate'

It was only in May, that Millie and Hugo could go public with their reconciled romance.

The inseparable couple first dated for six months in 2011 when they appeared on the Made in Chelsea series together.

However, their romance came to an end in 2013 when it emerged Hugo had slept with her best friend Rosie Fortescue.

'Catch of the day': The brunette beauty - who previously dated Hugo in 2011 - is relishing being reunited with her former flame

Loved-up: Millie and Hugo have been spending an increasing amount of time together since she was granted a 'quickie divorce' from Professor Green in May
He's recently been enjoying a break in the US, sharing plenty of holiday snaps on social media.

And Michael Klim, 38, appears to be eating his way through New York and looked delighted to have a huge platter of food coming his way at the famous Katz Deli on Friday.

Taking to Instagram, the former Olympic swimmer captioned the shot: 'A man's gotta eat!', adding the hash-tag 'Meat sweats'.

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'A man's gotta eat': Michael Klim appears to be eating his way through New York and looked delighted to have a huge platter of food coming his way at the famous Katz Deli on Friday

Michael cut a casual figure in a plain white T-shirt and flashed a huge smile across his face as he lifted the tray of food off the counter.

Earlier in the week, he travelled though California and managed to squeeze in a workout on Venice beach flexing his muscles while performing chin ups.

The holiday in America is a brief stop before Michael heads to Rio for the Olympic Games.

Sun's out guns out: The 38-year-old travelled though California earlier in the week and squeezed in a workout on Venice beach flexing his muscles while performing chin ups

Final stops: The former Olympian athlete posed below the Hollywood sign and told his Instagram followers he had one more stop before heading to Rio for the Olympic Games

The former Olympian posed below the iconic Hollywood sign with his arms outstretched, adding the caption: 'Goodbye #hollywood one more stop then Rio, getting very excited!!!'

He has been documenting his time in America with plenty of holiday photos, while his estranged wife Lindy Klim has been on holiday with their three children in Singapore.

Meanwhile, he was recently given exclusive access into the Australian swim team's training facility in Sydney to observe a practice session.

Soaking it up: He has been documenting his time in America with plenty of holiday snaps, while his estranged wife Lindy Klim has been on holiday with their three children

Words of wisdom: Michael was recently given exclusive access into the Australian swim team's training facility in Sydney to observe a practice session

To mark the occasion, Michael snapped pictures with the young competitors who are trying to make history at the upcoming Games.

In the images, he was shown speaking with athletes James Roberts, Kyle Chalmers and Cameron McEvoy.

Michael, who was originally born in Poland, made his Australia Olympic team debut in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Shes starred on Home And Away and recently landed a role on Neighbours.

And Jodi Anastas two-year-old daughter Aleeia could be following in her mother's acting footsteps after performing a cute 'bedtime song'.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the 31-year-old filmed her toddler dancing around and performing lines from a popular children's song.

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Like mother, like daughter! Jodi Anasta's little girl Aleeia performed a lively rendition of her 'bedtime song', which the 31-year-old actress later shared on Instagram

Aleeia looked in happy spirits while singing, as her famous mother filmed the pair in the mirror on her iPhone.

Jodis Instagram fans were quick to praise the toddler on her acting prowess.

One follower wrote: Oh my god so cute.

Another added: 'She's got great dance moves!'

How sweet! The Neighbours star filmed her cute toddler dancing around and performing lines from a popular children's song

'So cute': Jodis Instagram followers were quick to praise the toddler on her acting prowess

While others joked the active toddler would not be taking a nap anytime soon.

One fan joked: Yep she looks ready for bed.

Meanwhile, Jodi rose to fame after winning a modelling competition at the age of 13.

She secured a contract with Viviens Models, which represents some of Australias biggest names including the Stenmark twins.

Winning smile: Jodi rose to fame after winning a modelling competition at the age of 13

She's back: Jodi returned to acting this year and secured the role of Elly Conway in Neighbours

Jodi then decided to pursue a career in acting and was cast as Martha Stewart on Home And Away over a six-year period.

She then took a short break from acting to take care of her daughter, but made a return earlier this year in Neighbours.

But while her acting career is going from strength to strength, she had been making headlines again for her private life.

In December, she and husband Braith announced their separation and have since been co-parents their daughter.

The couple put their differences aside for the sake of Aleeia, and Jodi told The Daily Telegraph that she and the ex-NRL player have 'got it down pat'.

Moving forward: In December, Jodi and husband Braith Anasta announced their separation

Sharing responsibilities: Ex-NRL player Braith takes care the toddler during the week while Jodi is filming Neighbours in Melbourne, and she looks after Aleeia on the weekends

Braith takes care the toddler during the week while Jodi is filming Neighbours in Melbourne, and she looks after Aleeia on the weekends

'Aleeia is settled in daycare and I feel like we are doing a pretty good job together. I am pretty grateful for that.

'I have his support and support from my family and Aleeia is great,' she told the publication.

After three years of marriage, the couple released a joint statement saying they decided to part ways after facing challenges 'like all married couples.'

'We are going to continue to support each other and remain best of friends, we only want the best for each other and more importantly our amazing daughter Aleeia,' they stated.
Emma Roberts was back on set and ready for action as principal photography for the much anticipated second season of Scream Queens continued in earnest on Thursday.

Sporting a pair of candy pink hospital scrubs, the American actress looked focussed as she made her way across the exterior set in Los Angeles prior to shooting another scene.

A pair of matching pink trainers completed the colourful look, while her blonde hair fell in tousled waves across her shoulders.

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Quiet on set: Emma Roberts was back on set and ready for action as principal photography for the much anticipated second season of Scream Queens continued in earnest on Thursday

The look was a significant departure from the rather more glamorous ensembles Chanel Oberlin  Emmas sorority girl character frequently modelled during season one.

The actress confirmed her return to the show in February, telling E! News: Yeah, Chanel is back! I'm so excited for season two of Scream Queens because I can only imagine what the writers have in store for Chanel.

While season one played out on the grounds of a college campus, its second series will take place in a hospital  with as many as four new cast-members set to play doctors.

Sporting a pair of candy pink hospital scrubs, the American actress looked focussed as she made her way across the exterior set in Los Angeles prior to shooting another scene

I mean I hope there's four hot doctors because I feel like if there is anything season two needs it's four hot doctors, Emma joke, adding: I hope they bring a couple people back from the first season cause I love all those boys so much.

Principal photography for the forthcoming season began in July, with the show relocating from Louisiana city New Orleans to Los Angeles.

The original thirteen episode run centred on a bizarre murder mystery surrounding Wallace University sorority Kappa Kappa Tau, led by Chanel.

Here she comes: The actress was later seen holding a page of the shooting script between takes

Emma is also set to appear opposite Kevin Spacey in 1980's set Billionaire Boys Club.

It tells the tale of a group of wealthy boys in Los Angeles during the early 1980s who establish a 'get-rich-quick' scam that soon turns deadly.

In addition, she will also appear in forthcoming thriller Spinning Man, which is about a happily-married professor who becomes the prime suspect when a young woman is found murdered.
The Bachelor star Noni Janur has been accused of sexualising a 15-year-old girl and promoting smoking to publicise her Bali-based swimwear business, Balini.

A photograph featuring an underage model published on the 25-year-old's business Instagram account has sparked concerns among childrens advocacy groups, the Courier Mail has reported.

In the image, a teenager is shown posing in a bikini featuring the colours of the Rastafari flag and blowing smoke out from her mouth, despite the health concerns.

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Controversy: The Bachelor star Noni Janur has been accused of 'sexualising' a 15-year-old bikini model (pictured) to promote her Bali-based swimwear business

At the time the photo was taken two years ago, Noni claimed the girl in the photo was 15-years-old.

In a statement to Confidential, the reality TV star confirmed the picture had been approved by the family.

The shoot took place at her family home in Bali, with her parents consent, she stated.

Backlash: In a statement to Confidential, the 25-year-old reality TV star claimed the photo of the teenager had been approved by the family

(The model) was 15-years-old at the time this photo was taken, which was two years ago, and she continues to model today.

The smoke seen in the image was a tobacco-free and legal vapour, she concluded.

In several Instagram photos, Noni refers to the model as her sister, although it is not clear if they are actually related.

The Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Noni for comment.

Response: Melinda Lizewski of child advocacy group Collective Shout said the picture promoted child exploitation

Despite the picture having approval from the models' family, Melinda Lizewski of child advocacy group Collective Shout said the image promoted child exploitation.

To sexualise and sexually objectify a girl in this way is child exploitation, she told the News Corp publication.

She added: Whether or not there is photoshopping involved with the smoke doesnt matter, the suggestion of smoking is there, so the message is pretty clear.

The Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) has investigated after a public complaint, but did not take action as Balini was not founded in Australia.
She described her little sister as a mini version of herself.

And the family resemblance was clear to see as Megan McKenna, 23, took younger sibling Milly, 17, out to film TOWIE in Essex on Friday.

Making their way to Lydia Bright's sister Romana's birthday party, the pair seemed in good spirits as they cosied up for snaps.

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Two of a kind! She said her little sister is a mini version of herself. And the family resemblance was clear to see as Megan McKenna, 23, took Milly, 17, out to film TOWIE on Friday

Clad in a khaki floor length gown, Megan looked effortlessly elegant on the outing.

Featuring a daring thigh high split, the dress also flashed a hint of her tanned and toned legs whilst she rounded off the look with a pair of gold sandals.

Wearing her chestnut coloured tresses in her signature bouncy bouffant style, the Celebrity Big Brother stunner was a vision of beauty.

Sister, sister: Making their way to Lydia Bright's sister Romana's birthday party, the pair seemed in good spirits as they cosied up for snaps in their glamorous gowns

Leggy lady! Clad in a khaki floor length gown, Megan looked effortlessly elegant. Featuring a daring thigh high split, the dress also flashed a hint of her tanned and toned legs

Meanwhile, Milly looked equally as stylish as her older sister in an off the shoulder dress.

Putting a playful spin on the strapless garment, it featured a dramatic ruffled neckline and a striped pattern.

Keeping her accessories simple, the pretty teenager donned a slim white choker, whilst her golden locks were styled in loose waves.

Behind the scenes: Megan took to Instagram to share a snap of herself filming with beau Pete Wicks, and Milly who has joined the show along with their parents Tanya and Dave

Born to ride: Behind the scenes shots taken of Pete filming his calendar in Ibiza show exactly why he's made such a big impression on Megan

Off he goes: Clad in an open floral print gown and straddling a motorcycle, the TOWIE star oozed sex appeal as he snapped away for the 2017 edition

Toucing up: The star was keen to get an even coverage as his make-up was applied by a handy crew member for the shoot

Megan was no doubt grateful to have her little sister by her side as it was inevitable she'd bump into her sparring partner, Chloe Lewis.

Tensions have been running high between the pair since Chloe claimed the TOWIE newbie had slept with her ex-boyfriend, Jake Hall - which Megan strongly denied.

Whilst Megan found solace with Danielle Armstrong, Chloe had back up in the form of Georgia Kousoulou and Lydia Bright - who were also heading to the party.

Here comes trouble! Back in Essex, it was inevitable Megan would bump into her sparring partners, Lydia Bright, Georgia Kousoulou and Chloe Lewis

Awkward: Tensions have been running high between the pair since Chloe claimed the TOWIE newbie had slept with her ex-boyfriend, Jake Hall - which Megan strongly denied

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline last week, Megan revealed that there was no love lost with her co-stars as she claimed: '[Lydia and Chloe] both had bad relationships and they've seen me happy and don't like it.

She added: 'Chloe's always had a problem with me. She called me trash because I'd had sex on telly [EOTB] and she doesn't agree with it.

'She thinks I'm lowering the tone of The Only Way Is Essex. But I think it's disgusting of her to say that. I was with my boyfriend and it's not something I'm proud of, but sex is a normal thing and everyone does it.'

Flirty in florals: Lydia Bright dazzled in a cream dress with navy flowers as she prepared to celebrate her sister's birthday with the TOWIE cast in attendance

Luckily Megan will have the support of her younger sister, who has joined the show alongside their parents Tanya and Dave.

A TOWIE spokesperson revealed: 'Millie is set to be another Megan. She is beautiful and really straight talking.'

And Megan agreed all too well with the observation as she promised her sister 'won't take any s**t from the other girls.'

She explained: 'She's only young but she can have it out with them. She's the same as me.'

'My sister is stronger than me. I know I come across as a bit of a loony sometimes, but I'm quite sensitive. She tells me to pull myself together, she gives me advice!'
Georgia Kousoulou looked sensational as she stepped out to film TOWIE scenes for Lydia Bright's sister Romana's birthday on Saturday.

The 25-year-old reality sensation stunned in a blue and white body-hugging number which flaunted her toned legs.

Her TOWIE co-star Lydia Bright also stepped out in a similar, cobalt blue dress as they reunited with gal pals to film scenes for the ITVBe show.

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Summer style: Georgia Kousoulou, 25, looked sensational in a zig-zag printed mini-dress as she stepped out to film TOWIE scenes for Lydia Bright's sister Romana's birthday on Saturday

Georgia's zig-zag style drew attention to her striking curves, while the sleeves boasted a flared finish.

And understanding the style rules well, the blogger dressed her pink-pedicured feet in strappy nude heels, which elongated her frame.

With her hair flicked to perfection, Georgia added a white choker for an edgy touch while keeping her make-up appropriate for the daytime function.

Essex glam: The zig-zag style print print drew attention to her striking curves, while the sleeves boasted a flared finish

Elegant: Fellow TOWIE co-star Lydia Bright also stepped out in a similar dress, which featured floral detailing instead

Style rules: The blogger encased her pink-pedicured feet in strappy nude heels which elongated her frame

Matching Georgia's colour-sceme, Lydia's garment fanned out in to a midi-length finish while she added a ladylike touch in matching blue heels.

The pals managed to laugh off their similar styling as Georgia took to Instagram to point out the slight fashion blunder.

Lydia has been embracing her single and ready status since breaking up with James 'Arg' Argent back in May.

Meanwhile, Georgia couldn't be more loved up with her on and off screen beau Tommy Mallet.

The couple have been going strong for two years now, and recently decided to move in together.

Stunner: With her hair flicked to perfection, Georgia added a white choker for an edgy touch while keeping her make-up appropriate for the daytime function

Favourite colour scheme: Chloe Lewis also injected a subtle dash of baby blue in to the wardrobe as she stepped out in style

Tommy told OK! magazine that he has 'a date in mind' for a proposal, adding that 'it's definitely going ahead'.

The 24-year-old hunk also revealed that he spoils Georgia with presents every day of the year - including trainers from his footwear brand.

Georgia also chimed in about their plans for a union: 'I think the engagement has got to be private,' the Essex beauty said, explaining: 'If he proposed to me on the show I think Id go mad and walk off, because I'd know what hed be doing. Id kill him!'

Daytime glamour: She teamed the look with white ripped skinny jeans and studded gold heels

The squad: She arrived with glam pals Kousoulou and Bright

What are friends for? Lewis had the perfect back-up team as she would soon be bumping in to her arch rival Megan McKenna

Meanwhile, Kousoulou and Bright were joined by their co-star Chloe Lewis who also injected a subtle dash of baby blue in to the wardrobe.

Lewis' arch enemy Megan McKenna also arrived to the celebratory occasion with her little sister Milly, 17.

Tensions have been running high between the pair since Chloe claimed the TOWIE newbie had slept with her ex-boyfriend, Jake Hall - which Megan strongly denied.

Two of a kind! McKenna looked glam in a figure flattering khaki dress as she arrived to the celebratory occasion with her little sister Milly, 17




Nicholas Lyndhurst was reunited with former co-stars Elizabeth Carling and Emma Amos this week as the cast of Goodnight Sweetheart converged for a script run-through in Central London.

The nineties show about a time-travelling TV repairman is poised to return for a one-off BBC special as part of the broadcasting giants Landmark Sitcom Season.

Gathering for a read-through this week, Lyndhurst, 55, was seen for the first time with his co-stars since the shows six-year run came to an end in 1999.

The old gang: Nicholas Lyndhurst was reunited with former co-stars Elizabeth Carling (L) and Emma Amos (R) this week as the cast of Goodnight Sweetheart converged for a script run-through in Central London.

How it was: Lyndhurst played Gary Sparrow, a time-travelling TV repairman leading a double life - one with ambitious wife Yvonne (played by Emma Amos, left) in contemporary London and another with pub barmaid Phoebe (Elizabeth Carling, right) in the the same area during World War II. The show enjoyed a six-year run before airing its final episode in 1999

The actor played Gary Sparrow in the show - an accidental time traveller leading a double life after he discovers a time portal, bringing him away from his unhappy marriage to ambitious wife Yvonne, played by Amos.

The magical device allowed him to travel between Nineties East London and the same area during the Second World War, where he begins a relationship with pub barmaid Phoebe, who he eventually marries.

Amos stepped into the role of Yvonne after replacing actress Michelle Holmes half-way through its six year spell on the BBC, while Carling took over as Phoebe in 1997, a role initially played by Dervla Kirwan.

Back together: Other returning stars include Christopher Ettridge as PC Reg Deadman (far left) and Victor McGuire. The one-off special will also include a host of new faces, among them Tim Preston as Gary (back, centre) and Phoebe's teenage son Michael (far right) and Amos's real-life daughter Esme Coy as Yvonne's daughter Ellie (centre)

Other returning stars include Christopher Ettridge as PC Reg Deadman and Victor McGuire, who played Gary's best friend Ron Wheatcroft.

The on-off special will also include a host of new faces, among them Tim Preston as Gary and Phoebe's teenage son Michael.

Amos's real-life daughter Esme Coy also joins the cast as Yvonne's daughter Ellie.

Going back in time: Michelle Holmes (L) originally played Phoebe, while Dervla Kirwan (R) was originally cast as Yvonne

Double life: After hitting screens in 1993, the popular series will return as a one-off special as part of an anniversary special to mark 60 years since the launch of Hancock's Half Hour

Goodnight Sweetheart ran for six seasons with 58 episodes before wrapping up in 1999, followed Gary's struggles to maintain his double life in both the past and the present.

In a touching sentiment, the show's writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran said Gary had been 'trying for the last 17 years to find a way back to the present'.

BBC Comedy Commissioning controller Shane Allen revealed the anniversary series 'geared towards giving comedy royalty their due recognition'

Back to the present: In a touching sentiments, the show's writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran said Gary had been 'tying for the last 17 years to find a way back to the present'

He said: 'In Goodnight Sweetheart, we have heavyweight writing and performing talents reunited in this hugely popular and fondly remembered show.

'The conceptual update is sublime and it was heart-skipping stuff to read - it's an absolute belter.'

Other classic shows set to return include Are You Being Served?, Steptoe and Son, Till Death Us Do Part, Porridge, Keeping Up Appearances and Up Pompeii!.
She admitted in December she had ended her six-year relationship with boyfriend Justin Kirkpatrick.

And it seems Charli Robinson has found love again with multi-millionaire race car driver Liam Talbot, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Liam, 31, is the son of late legendary mining entrepreneur Ken Talbot, who was tragically killed in a plane crash in the Congo in 2010.

Moving on: Former Hi-5 star Charli Robinson (pictured) has reportedly found love with multi-millionaire race car driver Liam Talbot, eight months after splitting from her boyfriend

The Ferrari driver is currently in Europe and the former Hi-5 star took to Instagram to confirm she had traveled to France to be with her new love.

Posing against a window sill, the 35-year-old displayed a glimpse of cleavage in a busty crop top and matching check trousers.

Following my love to France! she captioned the photo.

New boyfriend? The Gold Coast Bulletin has reported Charli has found love again with multi-millionaire race car driver Liam Talbot (pictured)

Mystery man? Liam is the 31-year-old son of late legendary mining entrepreneur Ken Talbot, who was tragically killed in 2010 in a plane crash

Back in the day: Charli was part of the successful children's entertainment group Hi-5

In another image from her European trip, Charli is shown posing against a statue in the Chateau de Courcelles.

Love exploring the French countryside, she wrote while posing in a slinky blue dress.

In another picture, she flaunted her slim frame in an open back paisley print shirt while exploring the Arc De Triomphe.

Her blonde locks were styled straight, and she completed her French look with a pair of chic sunglasses.

Lollipops and monuments. Love Paris style, she simply captioned the picture.

Sightseeing: In another image from her French trip, Charli is shown posing against a statue in the Chateau de Courcelles in a slinky blue dress

Famous sites: In another picture, she flaunted her slim frame in an open back paisley print shirt while exploring the Arc De Triomphe

Meanwhile, the Queensland radio star confirmed in February she and ex-boyfriend Justin had gone their separate ways after six years together.

Charli previously told Gold Coast Bulletin she spent three months coming to terms with the break-up before announcing it publicly.

'We just grew apart,' she confessed.

Charli added: 'When youre on radio, your partners life is shared with everyone and I dont believe it should be, out of respect to that person'.

She later told Daily Mail Australia there was no chance of a reunion between the former couple.

'I'm not nor will I ever get back with Justin but I'm sure we'll stay friends,' she said.
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Last week she returned to London after a sun-soaked getaway in Mallorca.

And on Friday evening model Lottie Moss put her radiant, even tan on show as she stepped out of Bodo's Schloss nightclub in London.

Kate Moss' half-sister gave further proof she is fashion's next big thing as she partied at the Alpine-themed restaurant and club wearing spray-on jeans and a very racy white camisole.

Leggy lady! On Friday evening model Lottie Moss enjoyed a night out with friends at Bodo's Schloss, an Alpine-themed restaurant and disco, in London

Lottie's little white top - held up by two tiny straps - featured a neckline that plunged to below her cleavage and a decorative mesh strap beneath her bosom.

Although she went braless, the skin-tight garment protected her modesty by holding everything firmly in place.

The top also featured a blue geometric design pattern along the chest, which really brought out the blue hues of her denim jeans.

She's got it: Kate Moss' half-sister provided further evidence she is fashion's next big thing as she stepped out in spray-on jeans and a very racy white camisole

Body confident: Lottie's little white top - held up by two tiny straps - featured a neckline that plunged to below her breasts and a decorative mesh strap beneath her bosom

The 5ft 5in stunner was literally on-point in a pair of black high heels, which elongated her slender pins and gave her a statuesque quality.

Her spray-on jeans showed off her sculpted legs and were slightly tattered at the ankles, giving the look a raw, unfinished and utterly trendy edge.

Well aware of the importance of making different pieces work with different ensembles, she carried her go-to black fold-over clutch, which she paired with a glitzy bandage dress earlier this week.

Rightly confident in her natural beauty, she played an extremely simple make-up game, wearing the lightest dusting of blush and enhancing her peepers with a bit of mascara and eye liner.

Lottie, who graced the cover of French Vogue's May issue, told the magazine that she feels little pressure to live up to her sister's modelling accomplishments.

She explained: 'I am who I am and I do what I want, whether that is modelling or anything else. The success of my sister does not affect me in my choices. I feel no pressure in that respect.'
He seems to have forgotten that he's dating his Ex On The Beach co-star Lillie Lexi Greg outside of the Celebrity Big Brother house.

And in scenes to air on Saturday night, Stephen Bear once again puckers up to glamour model Chloe Mafia on the couch on the Channel 5 series.

The pair amped up the raunchiness as they locked lips in a steamy embrace, prompting Stephen to seriously consider asking for the glamour model's mum's seal of approval.

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Steamy times ahead: In scenes to air on Saturday night, Stephen Bear once again puckers up to glamour model Chloe Mafia on the couch on the Channel 5 series

Whispering to Chloe that he was glad she was in the house, the pair enjoyed a series of raunchy kisses before Stephen cheekily commented, 'they're flirting, not you!' referring to her ample assets.

After kissing some more, Chloe broke free and spoke in horror, 'I bet my mum's watching!'

And clearly smitten with his new companion, Stephen jokingly picked up his slipper to call her mum and ease Chloe's worries.

'Chloe's mum, you alright? I'm gonna be her new boyfriend, is that alright?' before turning to the brunette stunner and mentioning, 'Yeah, it's fine!'

Pucker up! Stephen- who's currently in a relationship with his Ex On The Beach co-star Lillie Lexi Greg-amped up the raunchiness as they locked lips in a steamy embrace

Breast friends: Whispering to Chloe that he was glad she was in the house, the pair enjoyed a series of raunchy kisses before Stephen cheekily commented, 'they're flirting, not you!' about her ample assets

On good terms with the family! Stephen seriously considered nabbing the glamour model mum's acceptance as he picked up his slipper to jokingly call Chloe's mum

The day before the couple packed on the action once again in the hot-tub, shortly after Chloe teased, 'I have no knickers on,

Their steamy session came after Bear told Sam Fox that he wasn't sure if Lillie was the one for him.

And despite admitting in the Diary Room that she regretted their initial smooch, the Playboy bunny couldn't seem to keep herself away from the EOTB lothario.

Mum approves! Stephen looked at the brunette and stated 'Chloe's mum, you alright. I'm gonna be her new boyfriend, is that alright?' before turning to the brunette stunner and mentioning, 'yeah, it's fine!'

Fledgling romance: Chloe already looked smitten with her CBB co-star

Meant to be: The couple talked about how they were glad that they were in the house with each other

On Thursday, Lillie appeared to have been left broken-hearted after scenes aired of her boyfriend kissing Chloe for the first time as she took to Twitter with a broken-hearted emoji.

Smooching for a Truth or Dare for ten seconds, the pair then snogged again when Lewis Bloor dared them to.

And clearly enjoying the taster, the pair continued to kiss in the bathroom when the housemates had gone to bed.

Earlier Stephen also kissed Marnie Simpson, in an attempt to rile her love interest Lewis Bloor.

Naughty: The day prior, Stephen publicly cheated on his girlfriend yet again as he joined Chloe in the hot-tub for some steamy action

Oversharing: Chloe initially turned down the request to join Bear, Lewis Bloor and Marnie Simpson, explaining: I have no knickers on, she couldn't resist jumping into the pool

Lillie, who has also dated Gaz Beadle, and Stephen- also known as Bear- met on the fifth season of Ex On The Beach which was filmed in Thailand earlier in the year.

Speaking to OK! Magazine before entering the house, Stephen revealed: 'I've promised her I'll stay faithful in the house. I don't want to ruin things for the sake of a quick kiss on telly.

'Hopefully everything will be the same when I come out.'

And earlier this week, hid blonde girlfriend told The Sun Online: 'We had a chat before he went in. He wants to be with me, he wants to make it work and I was just very much like,' well, obviously it's a massive opportunity, go and enjoy yourself and if it's meant to be it'll be'.'

She added: 'Let's just hope he can keep his hands to himself [or] I won't be there on eviction night!'
He oozes a cool persona every time he performs.

And American rapper Macklemore, real name Ben Haggerty, did just that when he took to the stage in a Sydney in double denim on Saturday.

The 33-year-old belted out his well-known hits, including US Billboard number one Thrift Shop, in a jean jacket paired and white T-shirt.

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So much for thrift shopping! Macklemore, real name Ben Haggerty, looked cool in a stylish double denim ensemble as he hit the stage in Sydney on Saturday

The chart-topper kept up the rock star theme in a pair of black trousers that cuffed at the ankles, and a pair of red shoes.

The hip-hop artist seemed to be enjoying himself as he danced animatedly while performing on-stage.

Macklemore and his musical collaborator Ryan Lewis are currently on their packed-out Australian tour.

Staying casual: The 33-year-old wore a jean jacket paired and white T-shirt

Style: He kept up the rock star theme in a pair of black trousers that cuffed at the ankles

Got the moves! The hip-hop artist seemed to be enjoying himself as he danced animatedly while performing on-stage

And their Qudos Bank Arena show at Sydney's Olympic Park was certainly well received among their fans.

One Twitter user wrote: The music tonight was amazing but using your voices for such positive messages was inspiring. Peace!

Another added: Sometimes you just gotta put them hands up and let it all go! Super cool night with @macklemore @RyanLewis. So much respect.

Top act: Macklemore and his musical collaborator Ryan Lewis are currently on their packed-out Australian tour

In March, Macklemore told Musicfeeds he was excited about travelling Down Under to perform.

'If Im honest, out of the whole world tour that were planning, Australia is the place that Im most looking forward to coming back to,' he said.

Explaining what makes Australian audiences different, he explained: 'The fans are crazy, Downtown did really well there and were guaranteed amazing shows every single time.'

'I can promise its going to be huge,' he concluded.

Positive response: The Qudos Bank Arena show at Sydney's Olympic Park was certainly well received among their fans

Australian tour: In March, Macklemore told Musicfeeds he was excited about travelling Down Under to perform

The world tour, named after their latest LP This Unruly Mess I've Made, will also take the duo to Japan, Singapore and the Philippines as well as America.

Featuring songs with Ed Sheeran and Idris Elba, the album has already had three hit singles including Downtown, Dance Off and Brad Pitt's Cousin.

The release comes four years after their 2012 debut album The Heist, which was awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
They certainly know how to make a fashionable entrance.

And Lianna Perdis and her make-up guru father Napoleon did just that when they arrived at Brisbane Airport on Friday.

The father and daughter sauntered through the terminal in flamboyant ensembles, which certainly caught the attention of passers-by.

Making a statement: Lianna Perdis and her make-up guru father Napoleon made a fashionable entrance arriving at Brisbane Airport on Friday

Lianna, Napoleon's eldest daughter, cut a stylish figure as she walked alongside her famous father.

The 16-year-old wore a gold bomber jacket, a mesh T-shirt and a crop top with lace details.

The Instagram star completed her look with a pair of black Puma shorts, criss cross stockings and high heel boots.

It runs in the family! Lianna, Napoleon's eldest daughter, cut a stylish figure as she walked alongside her famous father

Meanwhile, her make-up was applied to perfection - perhaps due to some helpful advice from her dad.

Napoleon was equally dressed to impress.

The father-of-four wore a chic dark green suit paired with a polka dot shirt.

Style: The 16-year-old wore a gold bomber jacket, a mesh T-shirt and a crop top

Napoleon also donned a pair of red fingerless gloves and tinted sunglasses, and rounded off his look with white loafers.

Elsewhere, he was spotted pushing a black suitcase with a large quilted Chanel bag resting on top.

Lianna, who was raised in the US, now splits her time between Athens and Australia with her parents and sisters, Athina, Angelene and Alexia.

The look: She opted for a pair of black Puma shorts, criss cross stockings and high heel boots

The heir to the multi-million dollar Napoleon Perdis brand previously spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the sisters' views on joining the family business.

'Not everyone wants to work with the business,' she said. 'I hope they do, but for right now, that's what I like doing and they're all really proud of me and supportive.

Lianna, who still goes to school, launched her first makeup range 'Total Bae', in April.
She's the leading lady in BBC military drama Our Girl.

And Michelle Keegan's latest project promises to be a dramatic affair if the newly released teaser trailer is anything to go by.

The first look at the former Coronation Street star in the role of Corporal Georgie Lane features her receiving her assignment to go on a humanitarian mission to Kenya.

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Tense: Michelle Keegan's Our Girl promises to be a dramatic affair if the newly released teaser trailer is anything to go by

The pretty brunette, 29, explains to her onscreen beau, 'A Six-week humanitarian mission. You won't even know I've gone.'

But it appears Georgie will get more than she bargained for on deployment, with explosions and mean-looking militia men littering the short clip.

Michelle's handsome co-star Luke Pasqualino also features in the 15-second teaser, calling out to the bloodied star during a tense sequence.

On the front line: The first look at the former Coronation Street star in the role of Corporal Georgie Lane features her receiving her assignment to go on a humanitarian mission to Kenya

A BBC spokesperson previously revealed: 'It won't be an easy posting as she has to earn the love and trust of her fellow soldiers, and the greater respect of her commanding officer, while working alongside aid workers in the world's biggest refugee camp.'

'Kenya will be full of surprises that will challenge Georgie professionally and personally.'

The original series drew 6.3 million viewers, though Stacey Slater actress Lacey Turner has returned to her soap career with EastEnders since the big show.

A BBC spokesman previously said: 'Kenya will be full of surprises that will challenge Georgie professionally and personally'

Loved-up: Our Girl is Michelle's big return to work after settling into married life with television personality Mark, who originally found fame on The Only Way Is Essex

Our Girl is Michelle's big return to work after settling into married life with television personality Mark, who originally found fame on The Only Way Is Essex.

Despite the pair being frequently separated by geography, their relationship was recently defended by Mark's older sister Jessica, to the delight of the radio presenter.

Mark explained to OK! magazine: 'Family are meant to do that. She didnt stick up for me but if shes asked something that isnt necessarily true, shes going to put it straight and say her side of it like we all would.

Goodbye kiss: The pretty brunette, 29, explains to her onscreen beau, 'A Six-week humanitarian mission. You won't even know I've gone'

'Shes just answering questions the way she believes things should be answered. The right way.'

In June, Jess dubbed the rumours 'extremely annoying', adding: 'I feel so bad for them because you dont want to have negative vibes around your relationship.

'Theyre perfect together, theyre so in love and theyre so happy. Its awful for them but they have to rise above it and they do.
Her life is far from 'normal'.

But Kim Kardashian has revealed that is exactly her wish for her children - daughter North, three, and eight-month-old son Saint.

The world's most famous reality star opened up about her decision to shelter her kids as she spoke at the BlogHer conference in Los Angeles on Friday - saying it had even led some to speculate that her baby was 'faked'.

'If you don't share something, it's like it doesn't exist,' explained the social media addict.

'People thought I had a fake baby!' Kim Kardashian speaks at the BlogHer conference in Los angeles on Friday about being accused of inventing Saint

Mom's the word! Kim with her children Saint and North last month

'I wasn't posting about my son [born in December] because I want him to go to the park like every normal human being. But some people thought I had a full fake baby because I wasn't posting.'

And while Kim puts everything 'out there' - from naked full frontal images, to her musings on daily life - she pays close attention to what she reveals about her young children.

'I'm protective of my life with my kids,' she explained to Elisa Camahort Page during the Experts Among Us Conference.

'You might see them on the show a bit, but not real stories.'

Hair she is: Kim wore a wig over her normal hair for the sit-down interview

Sharing: Kim opened up about her life as a mother, insisting she sheltered her children

Although North often appears on her show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim insisted the child is deliberately kept incidental to the plot.

'Selfishly, I am lucky they can be in the other room while I'm filming,' said the working mother. 'Kourtney and I don't have stories about our children. That is one thing I don't share.'

Having made millions from her reality show and, off the back of that, her myriad business interests, Kim has no regrets about her choice of career.

Plenty to say: Having made millions from her reality show and, off the back of that, her myriad business interests, Kim has no regrets about her choice of career

But, she says, she has different ambitions for North and Saint.

'I hope they learn to understand they can do anything they want to do and to always be kind. You can't underestimate kindness.

'I hope they are good people and live as normal of a life as possible.'

Just a normal mom: Said of North and Saint, 'I hope they are good people and live as normal of a life as possible'

And her hopes for her children would ring true to many a parent.

'I hope they are outspoken and follow their truths. I hope they see no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. You can get through anything.'

And Kim, whose family are an integral part of her daily life, hopes that remains the case.

'As long as you surround yourself with family and friends and try not to make the same mistake twice. Learn from your mistakes and grow from that.'

Happily wed: The 35-year-old said she and rapper Kanye West compliment one another

The 35-year-old is married to rapper Kanye West, and says the two compliment one another.

'He's very private, I'm very open. He has taught me how to become more private and I've taught him how to be more open.'

Kim also addressed the criticism she gets for sharing so much of her life online - including nude selfies.

Meeting fans: Kim said she was lucky to have a 'thick skin'

Not shy: Kim said she felt 'so confident all the time, and that helps me'

She said she was lucky to have a 'thick skin'.

'I feel so confident all the time, and that helps me. You should be confident on your own, but my husband also gives me an extra push.'

That doesn't mean Kim is unaware of the 'hate', but she makes it her policy not to read negative comments.

'Workout partners': Kim and sister Kourtney prepped to jog uphill

Better together: The sisters often workout together to stay in shape

Work it: Kim proved that she really does work hard for that trimmer body

'I don't post to get a reaction. I post because I like the photo,' she adds.

And Kim also has an answer for those who ask what she does all day - insisting her show is a full-time job.

'Filming a reality show is a full-time job,' she said, adding: 'I love being on one.'

Bundle of joy? Kim shared a picture of her baby boy Saint with a quizzical expression on his face

There's a smile: Saint smiled and laughed for his mama

So that's how she does it: Kim may not post pictures to get a reaction, but she knew how to make her precious boy giggle with glee
Amber Heard looked somber as she arrived to face Johnny Depp's lawyers over her divorce and domestic violence case.

The actress was 90 minutes late for Saturday's deposition, at the offices of lawyer Laura Wasser's firm, Wasser, Cooperman and Mandles, which is repping Johnny in the split.

The actor has also hired Blair Berk, one of the top trial lawyers in the country, to join his team.

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Late arrival: Amber Heard was 90 minutes behind schedule for her deposition in her divorce from Johnny Depp at the Los Angeles offices of his lawyers on Saturday morning

Amber's lawyer Samantha Spector arrived at 10am on Saturday morning at the offices in Century City, Los Angeles.

Amber was driven to the front of the building at around 11.30am before finding a more private entrance.

TMZ captured film of her getting out of a car with her beefy bodyguard and flanked by her lawyers in an underground parking lot.

Legal entourage: The 30-year-old's lawyer, Samantha Spector, arrived at 10am at the offices of Wasser, Cooperman and Mandles but Amber didn't show until 11.30am

Sombre star: The beautiful blonde kept her eyes hidden behind Krewe du Optic sunglasses as she left the car in an underground car park

Dressing down: She wore a white blouse buttoned up to her neck, an ankle-length black skirt and peep-toe shoes for the deposition

The model-turned-actress looked sombre in a white blouse buttoned up to her neck, an ankle-length black skirt and peep-toe shoes.

She covered her eyes with dark Krewe du Optic glasses and draped her long blonde hair over her face.

TMZ's sources reported that both sides tried to reach a settlement on Friday night but negotiations fell apart at around 9pm, something her lawyers later denied.

Stressed out: Amber wrapped her arms around herself as if to protect herself from the events going on around her

Nervous habit: The star, who recently wrapped filming on London Fields, fiddled with her cuff

Comforting their client: Her lawyers rested their arms on her shoulders and back protectively as they lead the distressed actress away

The deposition is expected to last all day and Blair, the lawyer leading the questioning, will likely bring up Amber's domestic violence claims against Johnny as the settlement is thrashed out. The couple did not have a pre-nup.

Amber filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage on May 25.

Two days later she filed a domestic violence restraining order accompanied by graphic photos of her bruised face and black eye that she said was caused by Johnny throwing his cell phone at her on May 21.

Bruised and battered: Amber filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage on May 25. Two days later she filed a domestic violence restraining order with photos of her black eye that she said was caused when Depp threw his cell phone at her
Device sprays citronella when activated by sound above certain decibel

Its understandable that Cara Delevingne doesnt ever want to be parted from her adorable dog Leo.

But the model and actress has incurred the wrath of animal lovers by fitting her pup with an anti-barking device  known as a pepper spray collar  so that she can take Leo wherever she goes.

Ms Delevingne was spotted with Leo, a husky crossbreed she adopted last year, on Friday night as they left Claridges, the London hotel where she has been staying while on a busy social whirl promoting her film Suicide Squad.

Cara Delevingne, pictured with her dog Leo, has incurred the wrath of animal lovers by fitting her pup with an anti-barking device  known as a pepper spray collar

Around Leos neck was the device, which is activated by sound so that above a certain decibel level it automatically sprays the scent of citronella to stop barking.

Last night Lynn Barber, training and behaviour manager for the Dogs Trust charity, said: At the Dogs Trust we dont recommend the use of any adverse technique or equipment for any kind of behaviour issue.

'You have to find out the cause of the dogs behaviour rather than punish it.

Ms Delevingne and Leo  who bears the same name as her star sign  have been almost inseparable since last year, and they were seen together at the Chanel fashion show in Paris in January.

When asked if she had always wanted a dog, Ms Delevingne explained: Er, no, actually. I wanted a baby for a while. But I thought, well

A spokesman for the model was unavailable for comment last night.

Leo was spotted with the device around his neck as the actress left Claridges with the dog
Christopher Biggins apologised and admitted he was 'very sad' upon being kicked out of the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The entertainer, 67, was booted out for his continuous use of offensive language, culminating in a conversation with Renee Graziano in which he blamed the spread of HIV on bisexuals.

Biggins has since stood by his comments, telling The Sun that 'that's what I've read and that's what I believe.'

Evicted: Christopher Biggins apologised and admitted he was 'very sad' upon being kicked out of the Celebrity Big Brother house

Speaking in the bedroom on Saturday night's show, Biggins said: 'Gays had been really badly treated and suddenly there became a period where gay people were respected.

'And then a killer disease came that was attributed to homosexuals. I think it was a bisexual disease, if I'm honest.'

'What the government didn't realise is that there were bisexuals out there who were having sex with those people.

'They then brought it back to their families over here and in America. That's how it became a worldwide disease. Whoever investigated AIDS f***ked up big time.'

Meanwhile, Renee claimed HIV was a man-made disease created to control the population of third world countries.

Split opinion: Fans flocked to Twitter to comment on Biggins' shock departure

Ignorant, not nasty: One user thought Biggins didn't mean to offend with his comments

What about the others? Another user questioned why Bear and Aubrey were allowed to remain

Unhappy: Lisa Jones was offended that Biggins was removed and not Aubrey and Bear

She said: 'They gave it to kill off third world countries. It was man-made, according to this man who worked for the CIA. He used to come by our house, and he told us this story that it was to be for third world countries to make them smaller and get rid of them, and then it started coming over here.'

Big Brother summoned Biggins to the diary room and highlighted his previous disparaging comments about the bisexual community, as well as offensive remarks about the Jewish community made in front of Katie Waissel.

When asked for his thoughts, the star forlornly said: 'I'm very sorry, and I'm very sad,' before being asked to leave immediately.

He has subsequently tweeted his followers a message of thanks for their support.

On Saturday night, he wrote: 'I would like to thank all my Twitter supporters for their kindness and support, which I shall always wear. Love you all, mean it!!!!!!!'

Grateful: He has subsequently tweeted his followers a message of thanks for their support

Controversial: Biggins was booted out for his continuous use of offensive language, culminating in a conversation in which he blamed the spread of HIV on bisexuals

In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Biggins defended his comments, explaining:

'Renee [Graziano] said she knew a CIA man who told her that the American government had come up with the virus in order to get rid of people in third world countries - I had also heard the rumour.'

'Then I said to her that there were a lot of bisexuals who went to these countries and had sex, and then took it back to their wives or lovers and gave them the virus.'

He added: 'That's what I've read and that's what I believe.'

The star added that he apologised to housemate Katie before he left the house for making an anti semitic joke, and claims she accepted his apology.

Housemates were gathered in the sitting area and told of his departure during Saturday night's episode.

The news came as a shock, with the majority stunned and left questioning what had happened.

Distraught Sam Fox said: 'I cant believe it, Im upset.' With Ricky adding: 'This is not right.'

Not everyone was as upset though. Stephen Bear greeted the news with a crude, 'who gives a f**k?'

Bold claims: Meanwhile, Renee claimed HIV was a man-made disease created to control the population of third world countries

Viewers flocked to Twitter to have their say on the controversy, and opinion was split on whether Biggins should have got the boot.

One user wrote: 'Biggins did all kinds of wrong there but I've seen MUCH worse from past and current housemates who didn't get evicted #cbb'

While another posted: 'It sounds more like Biggins is just SADLY uneducated about AIDS, etc. He wasn't trying to be offensive, he's just ignorant. #CBB #CBBUK'

A third said: 'Biggins comments were DISGUSTING, glad he was removed! But what Bear & Aubrey did was just as bad! Why are they still there? @bbuk #CBB x'

The celebrity now may not receive any of his 150,000 appearance fee, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Shocked: Housemates were gathered in the sitting area and told of his departure

A source told the publication: 'The contract states there is no obligation to pay housemates if they are ejected for breaking rules. Producers made it clear to Biggins before he went in and during his time in the house what was considered appropriate behaviour and what the rules are.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Big Brother and is awaiting a reply.

Despite being a favourite to win, a statement circulated by the Channel 5 show producers announced the TV presenter had left the house, just a few hours after the first live eviction on Friday night.

The newspaper reported that Biggins made a remark about Nazi extermination camps earlier this week, in scenes that were not aired.

The comment was reportedly made in front of Jewish housemate Katie Waissel, with the former X Factor star reportedly 'reduced to tears while other housemates looked on in shock.'

A big price to pay: Biggins now may not receive any of his 150,000 appearance fee

Biggins was later called to the diary room and given a formal warning  and told he could be sent home, with producers removing him from the house on Thursday.

The report states that 'the joke is too insensitive to repeat,' while Channel 5 declined to make any further comment, refusing to deny that the joke was made.

Later, transcripts on the internet appeared to repeat the words of his comments, though CBB representatives made it clear that they were 100 per cent fake.

It's over: Despite being a favourite to win, a statement circulated on Friday evening announced the 67-year-old TV presenter has left the house in disgrace

A Channel 5 spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline: 'We can confirm that a transcript claiming to relate to Christopher Biggins' removal from the CBB house is 100% fake.'

Christopher was originally reported to have been removed for making 'offensive comments.'

The statement from Channel 5 read: 'Big Brother has taken the decision to remove Christopher Biggins from the Celebrity Big Brother house.

'Since entering Big Brother, he has made a number of comments capable of causing great offence to housemates and the viewing public.

Joke: The Daily Star have reported that producers decided to remove Biggins from the house after he made a remark about Nazi extermination camps earlier this week, which was not aired

Housemate: It's claimed Biggins made the joke in front of Jewish housemate Katie Waissel

'Big Brother does not tolerate offensive language capable of causing widespread offence. Christopher Biggins has left the house.'

Later, a statement from his agent Jonathan Shalit OBE, told the MailOnline: 'I have been close friends and worked with Biggins for many years and can confirm that he would never intentionally cause offence

'If something was said in jest which caused offence then I am certain that was not his intention. Biggins is a much loved and wonderful man.'

Reports online: One tweeter wrote: 'Christopher Biggins kicked out of #CBBUK for Concentration Camp joke? Wow. ???? I did NAZI that coming! ???????????? #CBB @bbspy'

At the beginning of the week the entertainer ruffled a few feathers during a conversation about bisexuality with housemate Rene Graziano.

Biggins was seen questioning Renee about her feelings towards gay people, with the Mob Wives cast member responding: 'It's beautiful it's who you are and I think it's natural, but I think today in society, I think they kind of force things on people and confuse you.'

Biggins replied: 'I think the worst type though, I'm afraid to say, is the bisexuals.'

And as Renee went further, adding that bisexuality 'upsets' her, Biggins continued: 'What it is, is people not wanting to admit they're gay be honest, that's what you've got to be.'

Renee then responded: 'You can pick any one you want! But you have to pick a team.'

Frankie Grande, who is gay, agreed with the duo.

Tense: At the beginning of the week the entertainer ruffled a few feathers during a conversation about bisexuality with housemate Rene Graziano

Biggins' comments sparked outrage on social media at the time, with one viewer tweeting: 'Disgusted at the attitudes of Renee and Biggins towards bisexuality.'

Another added: 'Honestly big brother should pull up Biggins and renee for their biphobia, they would be pulled up if it was homophobia or racism.'

Following news of Biggins being removed from the house, Twitter reacted angrily, questioning why Biggins' housemate Stephen Bear, who smashed a mirror in the house on Thursday night's episode, was allowed to stay in.

Mixed reaction: However following news of Biggins being removed from the house, Twitter reacted angrily, questioning why Bear was allowed to stay in

'So Biggins has been removed.. Yet they decide to keep Bear when he trashed the house', one user wrote.

'If Biggins has been removed for anything then Bear the intimidating, nasty, threatening, violent bully should definitely go,' another tweeted.

'Biggins must have said something extremely offensive to have been removed from the Big Brother house after Bear was allowed to stay', another concluded.

Out: The statement read: 'Big Brother has taken the decision to remove Christopher Biggins from the Celebrity Big Brother house

Christopher's stint in the house started off well, when he completed a task set by the Big Brother, unwittingly granting a number of housemates including Saira Khan immunity.

Told by Big Brother that he had the power to choose the housemates up for eviction by planting a 'Judas kiss' on the chosen housemate, he wasted no times planting a sloppy smooch on the Loose Woman panellist as he echoed: 'I hope to be as famous as you.'

Whilst Saira had hoped to be saved by telling Biggins how much she wanted to leave and see her children, her fellow housemates couldn't help but note how quickly he had made his choice.

Uh oh: The joke was on Biggins within hours of entering the Celebrity Big Brother house as he unknowingly gave Saira Khan immunity after choosing her to be his first victim

'That's f***ed that he's put you up straight away,' Lewis Bloor jeered. Adding: 'I'd get a complex if that was you!'

Saira took it in her stride, however, gushing: 'I feel really liberated.'

The former Apprentice candidate came up with a cunning plan to be the first 'nominated' housemate, dragging Biggins aside and moaning: 'I don't think I can last in this house.

'I'm really really missing my kids. All this I'm doing right now is a bit of a front.'

Cunning: The former Apprentice candidate came up with a cunning plan to be the first 'nominated' star

However, her clever ploy didn't go down too well with the other housemates, who seemed put out that they hadn't thought of a ploy first.

But it was Biggins who had the hardest time adjusting to the news, as he whined to Big Brother: 'It's not easy, you don't want to get people out at this early stage as no one has had a chance.'

It wasn't all bad for the star, however, as he revealed he'd already set his sights on his next victims.

'Lewis, Bear and Frankie will be the next on my list as quite frankly I've had enough of beautiful people,' he quipped.
Uganda gay pride postponed after minister threats

A Ugandan gay pride parade planned for the weekend was on Friday postponed after a government minister in the notoriously homophobic country was accused of saying mob attacks on participants would be their own fault.

Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo told AFP that minister of ethics and integrity Simon Lokodo told him ordinary citizens would be "mobilised to defend the moral values of Uganda" and that "if participants were to be beaten by a mob" they would have "brought it upon themselves".

The minister allegedly added that police would arrest anyone attending the parade, Opiyo said.

A Ugandan takes part in the Gay Pride parade in Entebbe on August 8, 2015 Isaac Kasamani (AFP/File)

Organisers said they had postponed the event following the apparent threat, reportedly made at a meeting between the organisers' lawyer and a police representative.

"As the committee, we have agreed that all the remaining events of the pride week be postponed as we await a positive outcome from the already going negotiations," the organisers said in a statement.

"We will be communicating the new dates as soon as the negotiations are completed," the statement added.

Pressure group Human Rights Watch (HRW) last year wrote to the pope ahead of a visit to Uganda urging him to "raise a number of human rights issues", among them gay rights.
Japan's Nishioka reaches first ATP semi-final in Atlanta

Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka continued his remarkable run at the Atlanta Open, by stunning Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 6-4 to reach his maiden ATP Tour semi-final.

Nishioka on Friday did not drop a serve as he posted his most dominant victory so far in a week that also saw him oust fourth seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The 20-year-old Nishioka advances to the semis where he will face second seeded Aussie Nick Kyrgios who won a tight match against fifth seed Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-7 (7/5), 6-3.

Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan hits a forehand return to Horacio Zeballos of Argentina during their ATP Atlanta Open quarter-final match, on August 5, 2016 Kevin C. Cox (Getty/AFP)

"I've been working on my serve a lot. More percentage, more power," said Nishioka.

"And before I was very emotional, throwing racquets and getting frustrated. But I've been more calm since Wimbledon. I think that's why I'm winning more now."

Nishioka, who is ranked 97th in the world, opened the match by breaking Zeballos and then maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the set. Nishioka lost just three points on serve in the opening set.

The second set was identical to the first, with Nishioka breaking the Argentine in the opening game and only dropping three points on serve to clinch the match.

Nishioka broke into the top 100 last month after winning the lower level ATP Challenger Tour event in Winnetka, Illinois. He also reached the quarter-finals of the Memphis Open five months ago.

Kyrgios broke Verdasco to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the final set. He dropped just five points on his serve in the final set to win the match.
Philippines, Saudis to negotiate over stranded workers

The Philippines said on Saturday it would within days send government missions to Saudi Arabia to help thousands of jobless Filipinos left stranded across the kingdom after the plunge in oil prices.

The first batch of officials would fly to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday "to provide immediate humanitarian, legal, and other consular assistance to the overseas Filipino workers stranded in work camps across Saudi Arabia," a foreign department statement said.

The immediate target is to bring aid to "those without food and in dire need of medical care and other support services", it added.

Filipino workers gather near their makeshift tents outside their consulate in the Saudi coastal port city of Jeddah - (AFP/File)

"A high level delegation of senior Philippine government officials will also be sent soonest to negotiate immediate and long-term solutions with counterparts in the Saudi government," the statement said.

"The directive of (President Rodrigo Duterte) is to bring all of them home as soon as possible," Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello told ABS-CBN television in an interview aired Saturday.

Labour rights monitors in the Philippines said last week some Filipinos have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months or after having been laid off from construction jobs.

The Philippine government estimates about 9,000 Filipino workers were affected, though the Manila-based labour rights group Migrante said as many as 20,000 could be in distress.

They could not leave because they lacked proper permits or were still awaiting months of back pay, Migrante added.

Asian activists and officials have said thousands of Indians and Pakistanis are also stranded in Saudi Arabia following the layoffs.

About 10 million Filipinos work abroad due to low wages or lack of jobs in their own country of about 100 million people.
Japan spots 230 Chinese fishing boats off disputed islets

Some 230 Chinese fishing vessels and seven coast guard ships, including four apparently carrying weapons, sailed into waters close to disputed East China Sea islands on Saturday, Japan's foreign ministry and coastguard said.

Six Chinese coast guard ships were spotted earlier in the day and late Saturday afternoon Japanese officials said they spotted another, which seemed to be carrying arms, in the contiguous waters of the uninhabited islands.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the rocky islets -- known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China -- but it is rare for so many Chinese fishing vessels to be spotted in the disputed waters.

One of Chinese coast guard ships is seen sailing near the waters of disputed East China Sea islands on August 6, 2016 Japan Coast Guard (Japan Coast Guard/AFP)

"We cannot be sure about what the Chinese coast guards are doing for what purposes in the waters," a Japanese coast guard official told AFP.

The 230 fishing vessels and seven coast guard boats remained in the area nine hours after they were first spotted, he added.

The fishing vessels appeared to be engaged in operation, he said.

After catching sight of the coast guard ships in the contiguous waters at 8:05 am (2305 GMT, Friday), the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau lodged a strong protest with the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, it said.

The foreign ministry, which also submitted a protest through its embassy in Beijing, demanded the vessels leave the disputed waters immediately and "never enter Japan's territorial waters", the ministry said in a statement.

"Japan can never accept activities by (Chinese) official vessels near the Senkaku islands, because it will unilaterally escalate the situation and raise tensions in the area," it said.

Saturday's protest came a day after Japanese vice foreign minister Shinsuke Sugiyama summoned Cheng Yonghua, Beijing's ambassador to Tokyo, to protest over intrusions into its territorial waters by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels on Friday afternoon.

Tensions over the islands have seriously harmed bilateral relations.

The two sides have gradually taken steps to ease tensions through dialogue but the fundamental divide over the islands remains unresolved and tensions occasionally flare up.
Large number of villagers following a wild elephant stranded in Bangladesh for more than a month by floods are hampering efforts to rescue it, forest officials said on Saturday.

Severe floods in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam separated the four-ton female elephant from its herd as strong currents in the Brahmaputra river washed it across the border to northern Bangladesh, late June.

This week Indian Wildlife officials traveled to Bangladesh to join the local forest rangers and vets in Bangladesh to rescue the animal, which is now struggling to stand on its feet after a journey of more than 100 kilometres (60 miles).

Bangladesh wildlife officials trying to help the wild elephant stranded in Jamalpur District, some 150km north of Dhaka, on August 1, 2016

"It's now standing in a five-feet flood water in Jamalpur district. It is extremely weak. There are more than 10,000 people watching her from a close distance," Bangladeshi veterinarian Sayed Hossain told AFP.

Hossain said the crowd was hampering its efforts to reach higher ground as "thousands of villagers have been constantly following the animal," even at night.

Forest official Tapan Kumar Dey told AFP that a team had brought a dart gun, crane and lorry to carry the animal once it reaches dry ground and can be tranquilised -- but the operation cannot be carried out while the elephant is in water.

"Her condition is very bad. Last night it traveled 12 km, but it mostly avoided dry ground because of presence of so many people," Dey said.

A trained elephant was being brought to the scene in a desperate attempt to lure the wild animal away from the water.

"It is so weak that it can't even lift its trunk. You can see her ribs from a distance," Ritesh Bhattacharjee, a visiting Indian forest official, told AFP.

The rescue bid comes days after Indian wildlife officers appealed for help in caring for eight rhino calves pulled from the floodwaters in Assam.

Scores of people die every year due to flood and landslides during the monsoon rains in India and neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh.
Kayaker stranded on Australian island after croc attack rescued

A kayaker left stranded for days on a small Australian island after his craft was attacked by a crocodile was rescued by helicopter on Saturday, authorities said.

The intrepid man was about three kilometres (almost two miles) from Townshend Island, north of Rockhampton in Queensland, when the animal lunged at him on Wednesday.

He paddled furiously to land at the island, but was then stranded there by a combination of bad weather and tidal problems.

Saltwater crocodiles have become more common in northern Australia since they were declared a protected species in 1971. They are estimated to kill an average of two people each year. Greg Wood (AFP/File)

"He was very fortunate," a spokeswoman from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which coordinated the rescue, told AFP.

"It didn't pierce the kayak. He said he was running on adrenalin (to get to the island)."

The man remained on the island until Saturday when he reluctantly activated his personal locator beacon, alerting authorities to his location, after he ran out of provisions.

Saltwater crocodiles have become more common in northern Australia since they were declared a protected species in 1971. They are estimated to kill an average of two people each year.

Several hundred are culled every year in Queensland and neighbouring Northern Territory to protect the public and livestock.
ANC suffers major poll defeat in S. African capital

South Africa's ruling African National Congress suffered a historic defeat in the country's capital, where it lost to the opposition Democratic Alliance in local polls, the electoral commission said Saturday.

Reacting to the worst election result for the party since the end of white-minority rule 22 years ago, President Jacob Zuma said voters had been heard.

"These elections were hotly contested, that is how it should be in a democracy," said Zuma, who is facing questions about his position after the poll.

A woman casts her ballot at a voting station for the municipal elections in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, on August 3, 2016 Herman Verwey (AFP/File)

In Tshwane, the metropolitan area that includes Pretoria, the DA won 43.1 percent of the vote over the ANC's 41.2 percent, according to final results.

The ANC also lost its majority in Johannesburg, the country's economic centre, where it won 44.5 percent of the vote, and will now have to seek political allies in order to retain control.

The election results have highlighted the declining popularity of the party that led South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

The setback to the ANC "happened quicker and harder than everyone thought! It's a shocker for everyone," said independent political analyst Ralph Mathekga.

The loss of Pretoria comes on top of the ANC conceding defeat Friday in Port Elizabeth, a key battleground of Wednesday's municipal election.

Defeat in Port Elizabeth, by a margin of 46.7 to 40 percent, was a humiliating blow for the ruling party -- the area is officially known as "Nelson Mandela Bay" after the former ANC leader.

At the national level ANC remains the nation's top party, but it has seen its support plunge eight points from 2011, when it won 53.9 percent.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane hailed the results as a landmark for his party.

"This is a tipping point for the people of South Africa," he said. "This represents for all of us the fact that we are a party not only of opposition, but of government."

- 'Dignified exit strategy' -

Turnout was about 58 percent as voters chose mayors and other local representatives responsible for hot-button issues including water, sanitation and power supplies.

Problems providing such basics trigger regular and sometimes violent "service delivery" protests in South Africa, where harsh socio-economic divisions remain a grim legacy of the apartheid era.

Vice-president and party deputy leader Cyril Ramaphosa said the ANC would heed the electorate's message.

"Clearly our people are sending out messages all around, we are going to listen very, very carefully. We are a listening organisation, we are going to listen to our people," said Ramaphosa.

Zuma's position as head of state is in question, even though his mandate still has three years to run, after the poor results of a poll widely seen as a referendum on his leadership.

He has been plagued by scandals since taking office in 2009. One revolves around his using $500,000 of public money to refurbish his private home, money the Constitutional Court says he must repay.

An unemployment rate of 27 percent and zero GDP growth forecast for this year have added to Zuma's woes as frustration builds among poor black communities that have seen scarce improvements since apartheid fell.

Zuma, jailed on Robben Island with Mandela during apartheid, retains deep loyalty inside the ANC and in many rural areas, although he cannot stand for a third term.

"A battle in the party could emerge from these poor results and (the) ANC would have to find a dignified exit strategy for Zuma," independent political analyst Daniel Silke told AFP.

Poor economic stewardship added to voter dissatisfaction, he added.

Despite its strong showings in Port Elizabeth and Pretoria, the DA will need coalition partners, which Silke sees as problematic.

One potential partner is radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The EFF, led by former ANC man Julius Malema, was being credited as winning around eight percent and surpassing 10 percent in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

But Silke cautioned: "I don't think EFF is the best coalition partner for DA as they are diametrically opposed on every issue -- it could be unstable."

Media personnel, Independent Electoral Commission clerks and officers roam the floor of the Independent Electoral Commission Counting center in Pretoria on August 4, 2016 Gianluigi Guercia (AFP)
Yemen rebels name governing body, in blow to talks

Yemen's rebel Shiite Huthis and forces loyal to their ally, former president Ali Abdallah Saleh, on Saturday appointed a council to govern Yemen, in a new blow to UN-led peace talks.

The announcement came as the United Nations prepared to suspend peace talks in Kuwait.

The rebels announced the creation of the council on July 28, shortly before rejecting a UN peace plan because it did not meet their key demand for a unity government.

Yemen descended into chaos after the 2012 ouster of longtime strongman Ali Abdallah Saleh Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File)

That condition amounts to an explicit call for the removal of the internationally recognised president, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The Iran-backed Huthis overran the capital in late 2014 before moving into other parts of Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March last year.

The United Nations says more than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since then, mostly civilians.

The fighting has also driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 percent of the population in need of humanitarian aid.

Hadi's government, which accepted the UN peace plan, has denounced the creation of the council.

UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said it would damage the talks and represented a "grave breach" of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

The governing council includes 10 members, equally divided between Huthi and Saleh loyalists, according to a list published by the Huthi-controlled Saba news agency.

Among them is Salah al-Sammad, head of the Huthis' political wing Ansarullah, and Sadek Abu Ras, deputy head of Saleh's party, the General People's Congress.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed is expected to announce the suspension of the talks on Saturday in Kuwait City, in the presence of rebel and government delegations.

The UN envoy told Kuwaiti TV this week that he hopes to relaunch talks in the future, however.

The Yemeni government had been ready to accept the UN plan, but its delegation left Kuwait on Monday until the rebels agree to the proposed accord.

The draft plan called on the rebels to withdraw from territories they had occupied and give up heavy weapons they had seized from the army.

The two sides would also exchange prisoners before the launch of political negotiations.

The plan was presented as the UN's final proposal to resolve the 16-month conflict.

Despite heavy bombing by the Saudi-led coalition, the Huthis still control the capital and much of northern Yemen.

Despite heavy bombing, Shiite Huthi rebels still control the capital and much of northern Yemen
Forget US politics, rally around Olympians: Obama

President Barack Obama on Saturday urged Americans to set aside political differences and unite to support the US athletes at the Summer Olympics under way in Rio de Janeiro.

Obama, in his weekly Saturday morning radio and online address, praised Team USA's diversity and urged Americans to appreciate "the peaceful competition and sportsmanship" of the event.

"Team USA reminds the world why America always sets the gold standard: Were a nation of immigrants that finds strength in our diversity and unity in our national pride," Obama said.

Michael Phelps waves the star-spangled banner as he leads the Team USA delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro Javier Soriano (AFP)

The US team includes "the most women who have ever competed for any nation at any Olympic Games," as well as "a few athletes who are almost as old as I am, and one born just a year before my younger daughter."

Also among the US athletes is "a fencing champion from suburban Jersey wholl become the first American Olympian to wear a hijab while competing."

The reference is to Ibtihaj Muhammad, a 30-year-old African-American Muslim whose participation in Rio comes in the midst of a US presidential election campaign marked by anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Obama called on Americans to rally around the Olympians.

"In a season of intense politics, let's cherish this opportunity to come together around one flag," he said.

"In a time of challenge around the world, lets appreciate the peaceful competition and sportsmanship well see, the hugs and high-fives and the empathy and understanding between rivals who know we share a common humanity."

The idea "that you can succeed no matter where you're from," Obama said, "is especially true this year.

"We'll cheer on athletes on the first-ever Olympic Refugee Team: Ten competitors from the Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Syria who personify endurance."
At least 500 fighters killed in a week in Aleppo battle: monitor

More than 500 rebels and government forces have been killed in one week of fierce fighting to control the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, a monitor said on Saturday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights could not give a specific toll, but said the majority of those killed since July 31 were rebels and jihadists "because of the aerial superiority of the regime and intense Russian air strikes".

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said at least 130 civilians had also been killed since Sunday, most in rebel shelling of government-controlled districts.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the majority of the over 500 killed since July 31 in Aleppo were rebels fighters and jihadists Fadi Al-Halabi (AFP/File)

He said at least seven civilians were killed on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh.

Regime forces on Saturday struggled to push back a powerful assault on military positions south of the battleground city.

The offensive has brought together rebels, Islamists and jihadists in an attempt to cut off a regime route into Aleppo and break the government siege of eastern districts.

Anti-regime forces have captured the armaments school and most of the artillery school at a large military academy, bringing them closer to the government's access route into the city.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- on Saturday announced having captured the two military schools and a third military position.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions in some of those buildings, and massive columns of billowing black smoke.

Abdel Rahman said the advance left the regime forces "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support".

"This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo," he said.

Repeated attempts particularly by Moscow and Washington to put an end to the fighting in Syria's battered second city have failed.

Russia and the United States support opposing sides in Syria's civil war, which has left 280,000 people dead and forced half the population to flee their homes.

The two world powers have agreed "concrete steps" to revive a tattered ceasefire and tackle jihadist groups in Syria, although details have not been made public.
Teenager in court over deadly London knife attack on US tourist

A teenager accused of murdering a US tourist and injuring five others in a knife attack in central London made his first court appearance on Saturday and was remanded in custody.

Zakaria Bulhan is charged with the murder of 64-year-old retired teacher Darlene Horton plus five counts of attempted murder following the incident on Wednesday evening in Russell Square.

The 19-year-old, who lives in Tooting in south London, is a Norwegian national of Somali origin who came to Britain as a young child in 2002.

Police forensic officers work at Russell Square in London early on August 4, 2016, where a woman in her 60s was killed during a knife attack Justin Tallis (AFP)

After being charged on Friday night, he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a procedural hearing on Saturday, where he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Wearing a light grey tracksuit, he held his face in his hand as the names of the victims were read out. When asked if he understood the charges, he nodded and gave the judge a thumbs-up.

Bulhan was remanded in custody and will next appear at a higher court, the Old Bailey in London, on Tuesday.

Horton, a mother of two, was the wife of a professor at Florida State University, Richard Wagner, who had been teaching summer classes in London.

She died just hours before she had been due to fly home.

The other victims were named as Martin Hoenisch, Lillie Selletin, David Imber, Bernard Hepplewhite and Yovel Lewronski.

Police earlier said the nationalities of the three men were British, American and Australian, and the women were an Australian and an Israeli.

Russell Square is close to the heart of central London and is a popular location for tourist hotels. It is close to both the British Museum and the University of London.
Hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel end hunger strike

More than 300 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday halted a hunger strike after Israel prison authorities agreed to end "humiliating" body searches and return recently transferred prisoners, a rights group said.

The detainees, all members of the Islamist Hamas movement, started the strike on Wednesday to protest a prison crackdown during which some were placed in solitary confinement, personal belongings seized and prisoners transferred to other facilities.

They agreed to end the strike after prison authorities said they would "stop humiliating naked body searches" and "return recently transferred prisoners", the Palestinian Prisoners Club said.

Palestinian supporters hold up poster of Bilal Kayed during a demonstration against his detention by the Israeli authorities, near the Red Cross offices in East Jerusalem, on August 3, 2016 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP/File)

The Israel Prisons Service said on Friday that it had moved Hamas prisoners, searched cells and seized mobile phones earlier in the week, acting on "intelligence information about direction of terror from inside prisons".

But dozens of prisoners from the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) continued on Saturday to refuse food in solidarity with prisoner Bilal Kayed, who has been fasting for 53 days over his detention without trial, said the Prisoners Club.

Kayed was to be released in June after serving a 14-and-a-half-year sentence for activities in the PFLP, labelled a terrorist organisation by Israel, the European Union and the United States.

Instead, Israeli authorities ordered that he remain in custody under the administrative detention law, which allows prisoners to be held without trial for renewable six-month periods.

Kayed, 35, is suffering from failing kidneys and has lost at least 30 kilos (65 pounds), Palestinian officials say.

Israel says administrative detention allows authorities to hold suspects while continuing to gather evidence, while Palestinians, human rights groups and members of the international community have criticised the system.

Of more than 7,500 Palestinians currently in Israeli jails, around 700 are being held under administrative detention, Palestinian rights groups say.
Yemen peace talks on hold after rebels name governing body

The UN suspended talks between Yemen's warring parties Saturday after the Iran-backed Shiite rebels and their allies appointed a council to run the country in a blow to the peace process.

In July, the rebels and forces allied to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh rejected a UN peace plan and announced the creation of a "supreme political council" to run Yemen.

At the time, UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed denounced the council as a "grave breach" of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and a violation of commitments to the peace process.

"We will be leaving Kuwait today but the Yemeni peace talks are continuing," UN special envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (pictured) told a press conference in Kuwait City

On Saturday he said he was suspending peace talks that Kuwait has hosted for more than three months, but also said he would continue to consult with both sides to arrange further negotiations.

"We will be leaving Kuwait today but the Yemeni peace talks are continuing," Ould Cheikh Ahmed told reporters in Kuwait City.

He said he will hold bilateral consultations with the two delegations in the coming weeks to work out details of a peace plan.

"We have guarantees and commitments from the two sides that they are ready to return to the negotiating table," he said, adding that a new round of talks could begin in a month's time.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed refused to call the talks under way since April a failure, although they made no headway.

But he did say the creation of the council by the rebels and their allies was not in the interests of Yemen or the peace process.

"We condemn any unilateral step," he said.

A peace plan submitted by the UN envoy had been accepted by the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi but rejected by the rebels.

The insurgents said the plan did not meet their key demand for a unity government -- a condition that amounts to an explicit call for Hadi's removal.

- 10-member council -

Hours before Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced he was suspending the talks, the rebels named the 10 members to sit on the governing council, a move that also strengthens their control of Sanaa.

The Iran-backed Huthis overran the capital in late 2014 before moving into other parts of Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March last year.

The United Nations says more than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since then, mostly civilians.

The fighting has also driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 percent of the population needing humanitarian aid.

The list published by the Huthi-controlled Saba news agency showed that members of the governing council were equally divided between rebels and Saleh loyalists.

Among them are Salah al-Sammad, head of the Huthis' political wing Ansarullah, and Sadek Abu Ras, deputy head of Saleh's General People's Congress.

The Yemeni government had been ready to accept the UN plan, but its delegation left Kuwait on Monday until the rebels agree to the proposed accord.

The draft plan called on the rebels to withdraw from territory they had occupied and give up heavy weapons seized from the army.

Both sides would also exchange prisoners before the launch of political negotiations.

The plan was presented as the UN's final proposal to resolve the 16-month conflict.

Despite heavy bombing by the Saudi-led coalition, the Huthis still control the capital and much of northern Yemen.

On Saturday, loyalist forces reported heavy fighting in the Naham region northeast of Sanaa that has killed 23 rebels and 12 pro-government soldiers.

"We have launched a military operation to regain what remains of Naham (province) and advance on Sanaa," said military spokesman Mohsen Kasruf.

There were also reports of fighting around the northern province of Al-Jouf.

Yemen descended into chaos after the 2012 ouster of longtime strongman Ali Abdallah Saleh Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File)
Former LA county sheriff indicted for cover-up in abuse probe

A former Los Angeles county sheriff has been indicted on charges that could result in a 20-year prison sentence for his role in obstructing a probe into abuses at the county jail.

A federal grand jury indicted Lee Baca, 74, on federal charges "alleging that he conspired to obstruct justice, obstructed justice, and lied to the federal government," read a statement Friday from the US Department of Justice.

The case against Baca (sheriff 1998-2014) is one of several cases "resulting from an investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at county jail facilities in downtown Los Angeles."

Then Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca pictured on January 6, 2014 in Los Angeles, California announcing his unexpected retirement David McNew (Getty/AFP/File)

As a result, "20 current or former members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department were convicted of federal charges."

Baca, who is in the early stages of Alzheimers disease, had reached a plea deal in which he would admit to one charge -- lying to the FBI -- and be sentenced to six months in prison.

A federal judge however rejected the deal, saying it was insufficient punishment.

Baca on Monday withdrew his guilty plea so he could defend himself in court rather than risk going to prison for up to five years -- but instead on Friday was indicted on more charges.

The case against Baca focuses on covering up beatings of jail inmates by sheriff deputies.

In one case sheriff deputies discovered that a prisoner named Anthony Brown was an FBI informant -- so they registered him under false names and moved him several times so that federal agents would lose track of him.

Sheriff deputies even went the home of an FBI agent and threatened to arrest him.

In June Baca's main deputy, Paul Tanaka, was sentenced to five years prison for his role in the scheme.
7 dead as Ethiopian police and protesters clash: sources

At least seven people were killed during fresh clashes between police and anti-government protesters in western Ethiopia on Saturday, local sources said, while the ethnic unrest also reached the capital Addis Ababa for the first time.

Saturday's rally in the capital was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia's main ethnic group.

Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital's main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners."

Ethiopian authorities say at least a dozen people have been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks Zacharias Abubeker (AFP/File)

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

The other main ethnic group, the Amhara, has also held rallies in recent weeks.

Both groups, which between them make up some 80 percent of the population, complain that they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Sources in western Ethiopia said that at least seven people were killed during the clashes in Nemekte, in the Oromo region Saturday, though no details emerged.

In Addis Ababa, police made dozens of arrests during the anti-government demonstration which came less than a week after thousands of people from the Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar.

"This is a mass movement of civil disobedience which is not organized by political parties," Merera Gudina, chairman of the Oromo People's Congress group told AFP.

"People are totally fed up with this regime and expressing their anger everywhere".

Although small, Saturday's Addis rally was significant in that it was the first of its kind in the capital.

Also Saturday, local people told AFP there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the Oromo city of Ambo. There was also a call for a rally on Sunday in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday.

Internet access was nearly impossible Saturday in Addis Ababa itself, an AFP journalist said.
Hamas militant killed in Gaza tunnel collapse

A Hamas militant was killed on Saturday when a tunnel collapsed in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials and the group's military wing said.

The spokesman of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qodra, identified the militant as Khaled al-Hoor, 22.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades in a terse statement said it "deplored" Hoor's death.

A Palestinian boy walks inside a tunnel used for military exercises during a weapon exhibition at a Hamas-run youth summer camp, in Gaza City, on July 21, 2016 Mohammed Abed (AFP/File)

Israel accuses Gaza militants of building tunnels that could be used to launch attacks against the Jewish State, and destroyed several during the devastating 2014 war with Hamas.

The Islamist movement, which controls the coastal enclave, and other militant groups such as the Islamic Jihad have a network of tunnels in the Israeli-blockaded territory, both for smuggling and military purposes.
Syria rebels say Aleppo siege broken

Syrian rebels said they have broken a three-week government siege of second city Aleppo, turning the tables on Russian-backed regime forces who are now on the defensive.

To the northeast, a Western-backed alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters scored a major victory against the Islamic State group in the town of Manbij after a fierce two-month battle.

The developments have rocked the key northern province of Aleppo, a microcosm of Syria's chaotic multi-front war that has killed more than 280,000 people.

Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, celebrate in a street in the northern city of Aleppo on August 6, 2016 Thaer Mohammed (AFP)

Rebel and regime forces have fought to control the provincial capital since mid-2012, transforming the former economic powerhouse into a divided, bombed-out city.

Opposition fighters, Islamists and jihadists have waged fierce assaults since July 31 to end the siege by government forces of some 250,000 people in eastern Aleppo.

On Saturday, rebels successfully broke the siege by opening a new route into the city from the southwest, opposition officials said.

"Rebels break Aleppo's siege," tweeted the Istanbul-based opposition National Coalition.

Islamist faction Ahrar al-Sham said rebels had seized control of Ramussa on the southwestern edges of the city and "opened the route to Aleppo".

But state television said late Saturday the army had regained control of several key points in a military complex that rebels overran earlier.

"Our armed forces took control of the part of the artillery school that had been seized by terrorists... while (rebel) groups withdrew from points in the armament school," it said, citing a military source.

- 'A good omen' -

Riad Hijab, head of the broad opposition body the High Negotiations Committee, tweeted: "The liberation of Ramussa and the breaking of the siege are a good omen for Syria's revolution."

An AFP journalist in eastern Aleppo said residents were on the streets and firing celebratory shots into the air.

"Days ago, I was only thinking about how to get a bite to eat," said Ahmad Adna, a 46-year-old resident of eastern Aleppo.

An AFP photographer said the first truck of vegetables in a month entered eastern Aleppo via Ramussa on Saturday.

The tomatoes and potatoes were destined for markets in rebel-held districts, which had seen prices skyrocket since the siege began.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that rebels in Sheikh Saeed district in the south of Aleppo had linked up with other insurgents in part of Ramussa but stressed that the rest of that area was still in regime hands.

The Britain-based monitor said rebels and jihadists had expanded their control late Saturday to seize the air force technical school south of Aleppo.

"The western districts of Aleppo are now besieged. There are no safe routes for civilians in government-held districts to use to get into or out of the city," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

The monitor said more than 700 rebels and government fighters had been killed since the offensive began on Sunday -- 200 on Saturday alone.

At least 130 civilians had been killed, among them seven on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh, the Observatory said.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed the Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- said on Saturday that rebels from inside Aleppo city had linked up with others on the outskirts.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions on the edges of Aleppo, and columns of billowing black smoke.

- IS loses Manbij -

Fearful residents of western districts watched the news on television screens in street cafes.

"Of course I have faith in the army, but I can't help being scared. Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult," said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held western quarter.

"We are thinking about how to leave," he told AFP.

Also on Saturday, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance defeated IS in Manbij.

The Observatory said the SDF "took control of Manbij... and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists".

Manbij had been a key transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border to Raqa, de facto capital of its self-styled "caliphate".

Backed by the US-led air coalition, the SDF offensive began on May 31 and it entered the town less than a month later, in an assault slowed by jihadist suicide attackers and car bombs

The Manbij Military Council -- a key component of the SDF -- said fighting was continuing near the town centre, however.

"We are in control of 90 percent of Manbij," spokesman Sherfan Darwish said.

In the northwestern province of Idlib bordering Turkey, raids by either regime or Russian warplanes on Saturday near a hospital in Milis killed at least 10 civilians, the Observatory said.

Syria's conflict first erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests but has since evolved into a fully fledged war largely dominated by jihadist groups.

Battle for Aleppo Omar Kamal (AFP)

Celebrations after rebels said they have broken a three-week government siege on Aleppo Thaer Mohammed (AFP)

Fighters from the former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- advance south of Aleppo on August 6, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP)
Air raids kill 10 near Syria hospital: monitor

A barrage of air strikes on Saturday near a hospital in northwestern Syria killed at least 10 civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said the raids targeted the town of Milis in Idlib province, which borders Turkey and is controlled by a rebel alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch.

The Britain-based monitor said three children and two women were among the dead, adding that the raids were carried out by either Russian or regime warplanes.

In late July, four makeshift hospitals and a local blood bank in Syria's battered Aleppo city were hit by air raids in a single day

The Idlib Media Center, which publishes news on developments in the province, said a hospital was hit in the raid by unidentified aircraft and that at least six people had been killed.

The World Health Organisation said Syria was the most dangerous place for health care workers to operate last year, with 135 attacks on health facilities and workers in 2015.

In late July, four makeshift hospitals and a local blood bank in Syria's battered Aleppo city were hit by air raids in a single day.
N. Korea accuses US of seeking 'pre-emptive nuclear strike'

North Korea has accused Washington of planning a pre-emptive nuclear strike, after the US announced it would deploy its B-1 bomber in the Pacific for the first time in a decade.

The strategic aircraft were to be deployed on Saturday on the US island of Guam, the US military said last month, describing the operation as a routine rotation with the B-52 bomber.

Tensions have been running high since North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a barrage of missile launches that this month reached Japanese waters directly for the first time.

Pyongyang accused Washington of "becoming more pronounced in their moves to topple the DPRK" after the US Air Force announced on July 29 that it would upgrade its hardware on Guam by sending a B-1 bomber for the first time since April 2006 Brendan Smialowski (AFP/File)

Pyongyang accused Washington of "becoming all the more pronounced in their moves to topple down the DPRK by mobilizing all nuclear war hardware," using North Korea's official title.

"The enemies are bluffing that they can mount a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the DPRK by letting fly B-1B over the Korean peninsula within two-three hours in contingency," said an English-language statement on state media.

"Such moves for bolstering nuclear force exposes again that the US imperialists are making a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the DPRK a fait accompli."

North Korea has threatened "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, known as THAAD.

Tensions on the divided Korean peninsula are also building ahead of an annual South Korea-US military exercise later this month.

On July 29, the US Air Force said it would upgrade its hardware on Guam, a US territory in the western Pacific, by sending the B-1 for the first time since April 2006.

"The B-1 will provide US Pacific Command and its regional allies and partners with a credible, strategic power projection platform," it said in a statement.

Pyongyang has repeatedly warned it may carry out pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the South and US targets, domestic and abroad. Ultimately, the North wants to be able to strike on the continental US.

The secretive state, led by supreme leader Kim Jong-un, warned Saturday it would respond to any aggression by reducing the US to a "sea of flames".
Victory for generals as Thais vote for junta constitution

Thailand voted Sunday to approve a junta-scripted constitution, preliminary results showed, in a boost to the army's political aspirations and a body blow to the country's stuttering pro-democracy movement.

The military says its new constitution will curb endemic political corruption, bring stability after years of unrest and pave the way for a general election next year.

But critics say it aims to neuter civilian politicians and introduce a tethered democracy under the stewardship of the military and its royalist allies.

Women mark their ballots at a local polling station during the constitutional referendum in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat on August 7, 2016 Madaree Tohlala (AFP)

Partial results released by the Election Commission late Sunday showed 62 percent of voters had approved the charter, with 90 percent of votes counted so far.

Authorities gave a subdued turnout estimate of 55 percent of Thailand's 50.2 million registered voters, after a poll run-up that saw independent campaigning and open debate barred. Official results will be released Wednesday.

Sunday's referendum was the first time Thais have been able to go to the polls since former army chief Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.

The kingdom is split after a decade of political turmoil that has damaged growth, seen democracy shunted aside and left scores dead in rival street protests.

A triumphant junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has struggled for two years to convince many Thais of his ability to unite the country, swiftly hailed the win as step towards "a bona fide democracy" free from graft.

In a terse message released through the prime minister's office, he also hit out at "interference by foreign elements" using "malicious intent," without naming the parties.

The United States, European Union and United Nations all criticised the junta's bar on debate and campaigning in the lead up to the poll.

- 'RIP Democracy' -

In a hint at the country's stark divisions, pro-democracy social media users were quick to lament a result that kicks back aspirations of a return to full civilian rule.

One Twitter handle called RIP_Thailand said:

"RIP democracy, completely stepping into army dictatorship," it read.

But Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the anti-junta Red Shirt movement, struck a defiant note.

"I want to tell Prayut that your victory is nothing to be proud of as your opponents had no chance to fight," he told reporters, referring to the ban on campaigning before the vote.

The preliminary results illustrated the kingdom's bitter geographic divide.

Only the impoverished, rural northeast -- a region that has voted in droves for successive Shinawatra governments turfed out by the army -- and the deep south -- hit by a Muslim insurgency -- voted against the charter.

But millions came out in favour of the military's charter, especially in the capital and the south.

- Jostling elites -

Thailand has a long history of turbulence.

The military has successfully seized power 12 times since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 and this constitution will be the kingdom's 20th.

But the latest chapter in the political crisis -- dubbed the "lost decade" -- has been particularly painful.

Since a 2006 coup toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's billionaire brother who is now in self-exile, power has flipped between elected governments linked to him and rule by the army and its establishment supporters.

Shinawatra parties have won all general elections since 2001, scooping up votes by promising greater wealth and opportunity to the nation's poor.

Sunday marked the Shinawatras' first loss at the polls for 15 years.

The country's tensions have been compounded by the frail health of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as elites jostle ahead of the transition.

Junta opponents believe the charter will further warp democracy and deepen the divides.

The most contentious clauses call for a junta-appointed senate -- including six seats reserved for military commanders -- to check elected lawmakers and increased powers for courts, which are already accused of political bias.

Another clause makes it easy to begin impeachment proceedings, while a new proportional representation voting system could produce weak coalition governments.

"The coup makers tore up the old constitution and robbed us of our rights, promoting themselves to control the government," 'No' voter Ohm Kontaogan, 35, told AFP in Bangkok.

Prayut had promised to hold elections in the summer of 2017, whether or not the charter was passed.

But his previous election date promises have slipped.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha holds ballot at his local polling station in Bangkok, during the constitutional referendum on August 7, 2016 Lillian Suwanrumpha (AFP)

A portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (top) is seen as people queue to vote at a local polling station during the constitutional referendum, in Bangkok, on August 7, 2016 Lillian Suwanrumpha (AFP)

People queue at a local polling station to vote in the constitutional referendum, in Thailand's north-eastern province of Buriram, on August 7, 2016 Watthana Chancharoen (AFP)
Nigerian army says 11 troops killed in clashes with bandits

Eleven Nigerian troops have been killed in clashes with gunrunners and bandits in the violence-wracked north central region, the army said Saturday.

Military spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement that the troops, comprising soldiers and airmen, came under attack from gunmen during operations to confiscate illegal weapons from the villages of Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw in Niger State.

"While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the three locations. They however responded as necessary in line with the rules of engagement," the army spokesman said.

Military spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement that 11 Nigerian troops, comprising soldiers and airmen, came under attack from gunmen during operations to confiscate illegal weapons from the villages of Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw in Niger State Stefan Heunis (AFP/File)

"Sadly, an officer and eight soldiers of the Nigerian Army and two airmen of the Nigeria Air Force lost their lives in the line of national duty," he added.

Usman said another soldier remained missing while two more were wounded.

The gunrunners also torched four military vehicles and vandalised two others.

He said eight gunmen were killed and 57 others arrested during the army operation during which a cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.

The spokesman did not specify when the fatalities occurred but the army operation in question has been ongoing for a week.

The assailants were suspected of supplying weapons to thieves and other criminals in central Nigeria, including in the capital Abuja.

Central Nigeria has been wracked by clashes between ethnic Fulani herdsmen and local farmers over grazing rights, leaving hundreds dead in recent months.
Deadly NYC pit bull in legal case is now in pet hospital

NEW YORK (AP)  A killer dog at the center of a legal battle over whether he's too dangerous to live is in a veterinary hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia while in New York City's custody.

The Health Department tells the Staten Island Advance in a statement Friday that Caesar the pit bill is getting care and expected to recover.

But his owners' lawyer, Richard Rosenthal, says Caesar fell ill because of "heinous" treatment under the city's care. He says Caesar has become "skin and bones."

City officials want to euthanize Caesar. They say the 7-year-old dog has killed a Chihuahua named Charlie, a Maltese and a cat and attacked Charlie's owner.

His owners say Caesar isn't vicious and officials are denying them due process rights.

A court hearing is set Aug. 15.

___
ACT flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano diagnosed with leukemia

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Christian Leali'ifano, who has played 19 tests for Australia and is a co-captain of the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby, has been diagnosed with leukemia.

The Brumbies issued a short statement Saturday saying "it is with great sadness that we inform fans that Christian Leali'ifano has been diagnosed with leukemia," and that he is in hospital for further treatment.

Brumbies interim chief executive Phil Thomson said it was too early to comment much further.

"At the moment it's just a matter of ensuring Christian receives the best care and support he can at this time," Thomson said. "He is one of the most respected players within this group and this news has come as a huge shock to all of our players, coaches and staff. Everyone knows that Christian is an amazing young man, an important member of this team and of the Canberra community."

New Zealand-born Leali'ifano, a 28-year-old inside center or flyhalf, has scored 124 test points. He missed part of the recent England three-test series due to the birth of his first child.
China tries to end brain drain, lure foreign-educated talent

BEIJING (AP)  As a young biologist at the University of Michigan, Chen Xiaowei had plenty to like about life in the U.S. He was paid well as a researcher and enjoyed raising his family in Ann Arbor, a town he remembers as beautiful, friendly and highly educated.

But an offer from a Chinese university for him to return home to Beijing was too generous not to consider. In addition to a comparable salary, he was promised enough startup research money that he wouldn't have to worry about pursuing grants, and as he saw it, there was a chance to make a bigger difference in China. So in 2014 he moved back with his wife and two children.

"I feel freer to pursue my best ideas," Chen said. He said he has received such generous support that he's able to study a disease through symptoms in both the liver and muscles simultaneously  something he said he would not able to do in the United States because of limitations on grants, which are often tied to projects instead of researchers.

In this April 13, 2016 photo, Li Chenjian, a vice provost at Peking University, speaks during an interview at the school's campus in Beijing. China is recruiting thousands of high-achieving overseas Chinese to come home through the 1,000 Talents program, one of many state efforts launched in recent years to reverse a decades-long brain drain. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Chen, who earned a doctorate in physiology at Michigan in 2008, has joined thousands of high-achieving overseas Chinese recruited to come home through the 1,000 Talents program, one of many state efforts launched in recent years to reverse a decades-long brain drain.

China, the world's second-largest economy and one of the fastest-growing, sees a need to bring home more of its brightest as it works to transform its largely labor-intensive, low-tech economy into one fueled by innovation in science and technology.

Forbidden to study abroad until the 1980s, Chinese students have been attending foreign schools in growing numbers. More than 300,000 studied in the U.S. alone in the 2014-2015 school year.

Most of those students return to China, but the country has had difficulty regaining the most coveted graduates  those with advanced degrees and experience in science and engineering.

A 2014 report by Oak Ridge Institute shows 85 percent of the 4,121 Chinese students who received doctorates in science and engineering from American universities in 2006 were still in the U.S. five years later. Still, that marked an improvement: The stay rate had been 98 percent a decade earlier.

The 1,000 Talents program offers recruits salaries several times more than what a Chinese-educated local hire would receive, as well as heavily subsidized education for children and millions in start-up research funds. The sign-up bonus alone can be as much as $150,000.

Chen, now an assistant professor at Peking University, was given a $1.5 million research fund. "In the states," he said, "it's very hard for young people to get money when they need it the most."

Beijing says the leading 1,000 Talents program since 2008 has brought back 6,000 people who have become vital forces in areas such as science and technology, education and high-tech industry. Similar programs have mushroomed at provincial and municipal levels.

Researchers say 1,000 Talents and similar efforts have worked but with limited success. China is handicapped by a bureaucratic academic system, less-than-friendly political environment, inflexibility in immigration practices and other concerns including pollution.

"I think that the programs to bring back people full time have had some success, but those are not the best people," wrote David Zweig, director of the Center on China's Transnational Relations at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in an email to The Associated Press. Zweig has studied China's efforts to compete for global talents for 25 years.

He said his research shows that full-time overseas recruits are generally better than homegrown talents, although the very best have yet to return to China. He blames that on the bureaucracy on Chinese campuses and in scientific labs, where administrators wield too much power and complicated interpersonal relations hinder research.

In China, leaders are deliberating about reforming higher education and easing immigration policies, but for now, the money-dropping 1,000 Talents program serves as a quick solution.

Still, it has had problems of its own. Some scholars kept overseas positions while taking full-time paychecks from Chinese schools, or had forged credentials, leading to measures to disqualify those who have been dishonest academically.

Younger graduates such as Chen have been a focus of the program only in recent years. Previously, it only targeted senior academics in their 40s.

"That is considered past the prime of a researcher, especially in the field of science and engineering," said Li Xia, a professor of philosophy at Shanghai-based Fudan University. "Why should we pay a good price for someone's declining years?"

Other concerns persist, abroad and at home.

In the U.S., private corporate security officials have raised concerns that recruits are being enticed and compensated for access to sensitive material at American firms and universities. They point to cases like a 2015 federal indictment in which several Chinese researchers  recruited by a Chinese university  were accused of stealing trade secrets from a California company and economic espionage.

In China, concerns center on whether it's fair to give foreign-educated Chinese special treatment.

"The local faculty is not opposed to attracting talent but we want equal opportunity, not increasing disparity," Li said.

Such sentiments were on display last year when Tu Youyou won a Nobel Prize in medicine for the discovery of an effective malaria treatment. She was the first Chinese to win a science Nobel for work conducted in China, and she never studied abroad. Many comments took the moment to mock Beijing's worship of foreign experience.

China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, which helps implement the talent program, did not respond to faxed questions from the AP.

Some returnees see an opportunity  even an obligation  to help change China's education system. They hope to introduce new practices and help set rules, often modeled after the U.S. ones.

Li Chenjian, a neurologist who studied at Purdue University and is now a vice provost at Peking University, is pushing for reforms. Li now considers himself more of a reformist educator and offers a course on critical thinking. He is pushing for more holistic evaluation of high school students in the admissions progress, rather than relying solely on test scores from the annual college entrance exam, and he is building connections between Peking University and foreign universities.

"I think the great thing for U.S. universities is to have their people to go to other places to be leaders," Li said.

"The impact will be 100 times more here," he said. "We're changing a humongous system."

Rao Yi, a prominent neurobiologist, has become a lightning rod in China's academic world. His criticism of China's education and research systems has been published in international journals since he left Northwestern University to take a position at Peking University.

Shi Yigong, an accomplished professor of molecular biology at Princeton University, gave up his U.S. citizenship after returning to China and is now a vice president of Tsinghua University. He says efforts such as 1,000 Talents make it easier for Tsinghua to hire top-notch researchers.

Shi said that during his 18 years in America, "I felt like I had been a bystander, not a contributor. I wanted to be part of the progress."

Chen, the Michigan-educated biologist, said he and his wife still consider themselves "true Wolverines," and that he's putting that American experience to good use. This summer, he is helping create a professional organization for biologists in China.

"There are opportunities to grow with a developing system. There are lots of raw talents in China, and lots of students are willing to work with you," Chen said. "There's a great need to polish minds, and I see opportunities to contribute."

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Associated Press writer Michael Melia in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.

In this April 13, 2016 photo, Li Chenjian, a vice provost at Peking University, speaks during an interview at the school's campus in Beijing. China is recruiting thousands of high-achieving overseas Chinese to come home through the 1,000 Talents program, one of many state efforts launched in recent years to reverse a decades-long brain drain. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

In this April 13, 2016 photo, Chen Xiaowei, an assistant professor at Peking University, speaks during an interview at the school's campus in Beijing. China is recruiting thousands of high-achieving overseas Chinese to come home through the 1,000 Talents program, one of many state efforts launched in recent years to reverse a decades-long brain drain. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump ends standoff with Ryan as he works to repair mistakes

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)  In an effort to repair some of the damage he had inflicted on his presidential campaign, Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan to end a four-day standoff that exposed the deeps chasms in the Republican Party over his candidacy.

Trump struck a rare conciliatory tone at a Wisconsin rally on Friday, imploring his party to unite behind him and opening a full-throttle attack on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

"Arm in arm, we will rescue the country from the Obama-Clinton disaster," Trump told supporters after formally declaring his support for Ryan in next week's congressional primary.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"We will have disagreements," Trump said just days after refusing to endorse the Wisconsin Republican. "But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory."

It was an unusual gesture for Trump, who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and his tendency to double down when he's under attack. Trump's general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans  a habit that has baffled party leaders, who have begged him to stay focused on his Democratic rival.

The refusal to back Ryan had been seen by many as a final straw. Trump had told The Washington Post in an interview earlier this week that he was "just not quite there yet" when it came to backing Ryan  language that echoed the words used by Ryan as he weighed whether to endorse the party's nominee.

In addition to praising Ryan, Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain, saying he held the senator "in the highest esteem ... for his service to our country in uniform and in public office." In the past, Trump questioned McCain's status as a war hero, and told the Post he felt McCain "should have done a much better job for the vets."

Trump also endorsed New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has also sparred, calling her "a rising star."

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump's evening appearance in their state. He reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but he noted that his support wasn't a "blank check" and pledged to speak out against the businessman's divisive positions if necessary.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker also skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee's arrival: "We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans."

The Midwest mayhem underscored Trump's mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee some even publicly support Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton throughout the day.

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," he said at a rally in Iowa, "you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within."

Trump called his Democratic opponent "a dangerous liar," ''an unbalanced person," ''pretty close to unhinged," ''totally unfit to lead" and lacking "the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country."

"In one way, she's a monster," he said in Wisconsin. "In another way, she's a weak person. She's actually not strong enough to be president."

The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington. The former secretary of state sought to "clarify and explain" a recent statement on "Fox News Sunday" that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were "truthful."

"I may have short-circuited and for that I will try to clarify," Clinton said, though still insisting she "never sent or received anything that was marked classified."

She also acknowledged that many people don't trust her.

"It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do," Clinton said. She added, "I'm going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people."

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Peoples reported in Washington. Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Kyle Potter in St. Paul, Minnesota; Catherine Lucey in Des Moines, Iowa; and Lisa Lerer and Erica Werner in Washington contributed to this report.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton leaves her home in Washington, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, after hosting a Latinos for Hillary dinner to head to Reagan National Airport to travel to her home in New York. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the 2016 National Association of Black Journalists' and National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Hall of Fame Luncheon at Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pauses as he speaks during a campaign rally, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives at the 2016 National Association of Black Journalists' and National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Hall of Fame Luncheon at Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during a campaign rally, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Turkey arrests dozens of special forces in post-coup purge

ISTANBUL (AP)  Dozens of special forces personnel were arrested in Turkey Saturday in the latest development in a sweeping crackdown following the failed coup in the country that killed over 270 people, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

Nearly 90 staff members were arrested after being identified by a commission established by the Special Forces Command following the July 15 coup, the agency reported.

The crackdown targets suspected followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accuses of masterminding the coup attempt. Tens of thousands of employees in the military, police force, judiciary and throughout the public sector have been dismissed, detained or arrested.

Turkish Cypriot demonstrators wave Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags during a mass rally in support of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan following a failed coup that aimed to oust him, during a protest in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot half of the capital Nicosia on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Mostly right-wing political parties and groups urged supporters to turn up for the rally that follows similar pro-Erdogan and anti-coup demonstrations in other European countries. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

Turkey has also been reforming its security apparatus in the aftermath of the failed coup, with the military being brought firmly under civilian authority in a series of governmental decrees following the declaration of a state of emergency.

Earlier on Saturday Prime Minister Binali Yildirim hosted a security summit of high-level government and military officials in Ankara. Those attending included the country's foreign, justice, interior and defense ministers, the chief of general staff and the heads of Turkey's national intelligence agency and the national police. No decisions were announced following the meeting.

As part of its anti-coup campaign, Ankara has been encouraging nightly anti-coup rallies throughout the country, with officials preparing for the grand finale to be held in Istanbul on Sunday.

The "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" is meant to represent the unity of the country, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging attendees to bring only the Turkish flag instead of party banners.

"There we will stand together as a single nation, a single flag, a single motherland, a single state, a single spirit," he said.

The event will be attended by the highest levels of Turkish leadership and two of Turkey's three opposition parties. The pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party, or HDP, was not invited.

Anadolu news agency estimates that millions could attend the event.

Turkish Cypriot demonstrators wave Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags during a mass rally in support of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan following a failed coup that aimed to oust him, in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot half of the capital Nicosia on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Mostly right-wing political parties and groups urged supporters to turn up for the rally that follows similar pro-Erdogan and anti-coup demonstrations in other European countries. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

A woman holding a scarf take part at a mass rally in support of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan following a failed coup that aimed to oust him, in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot half of the capital Nicosia on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Mostly right-wing political parties and groups urged supporters to turn up for the rally that follows similar pro-Erdogan and anti-coup demonstrations in other European countries. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

Turkish Cypriot demonstrators wave Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags during a mass rally in support of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan following a failed coup in Turkey, in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot half of the capital Nicosia on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Mostly right-wing political parties and groups urged supporters to turn up for the rally.(AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

Team Turkey arrives during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Syrian militants launch new offensive to break Aleppo siege

BEIRUT (AP)  Syrian insurgent groups launched a fresh offensive Saturday seeking to break a government siege on rebel-held neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo, opposition activists and state media said. The militants claimed they had achieved their goal while state media denied that the blockade has been breached.

An unnamed military official told state news agency SANA that "large numbers" of militants had attacked the military college in southern Aleppo, adding that government forces were defending the sprawling base. SANA said the militant offensive was preceded by a number of car bombs that struck the area.

Shortly before sunset Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said that militants were able to reach besieged areas. The Observatory said that although the militants outside the city did reach rebel-held neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo, civilians still don't have a safe route to leave because of intense airstrikes and shelling in the area.

FILE - In this Friday, July. 29, 2016 file photo, provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center (AMC), shows Syrian citizens inspect damaged buildings after airstrikes hit Aleppo, Syria. Fierce fighting and airstrikes continue in Syria's northern city of Aleppo as insurgents try to break a siege on opposition-held eastern districts in a counteroffensive to government advances. But Syria's war, now in its sixth year, is raging beyond Aleppo, claiming dozens of lives every day. (Aleppo Media Center via AP, File)

Syrian state TV said the attack was repelled and the army has regained control of areas it lost earlier in the day at the military college. It added that government forces targeted militants as they retreated from the area.

Such conflicting claims are not uncommon in Syria when offensives are underway. The militants have launched several attacks over in recent days to try and break the siege.

The government completely closed the main road into the rebel-held areas of Aleppo on July 17, effectively besieging the neighborhoods. The United Nations estimates that between 250,000 and 300,000 residents have been trapped in the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo since mid-July.

The U.N. and numerous relief organizations have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe as conditions there deteriorate.

The powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group, which is taking part in the offensive along with several other factions, posted a video that showed what it said were its fighters inside the college known as the Artillery Academy. An Ahrar al-Sham fighter in the video claimed that militants are in full control of the college showing destroyed tanks and artillery pieces captured by the gunmen. Ahrar al-Sham's coalition includes the Levant Conquest Front, al-Qaida's branch in Syria which recently renamed itself and announced its separation from the global al-Qaida organization.

"It is only a matter of hours before we break the siege imposed on our brothers in Aleppo," an Ahrar al-Sham fighter said in the video as gunfire could be heard in the background.

The video appeared genuine and corresponded to other Associated Press reporting of the events.

A State TV reporter in the area said the fighting was intense inside the college. The Lebanon-based Pan Arab TV station Al-Mayadeen, that has reporters on the government side of the city, reported that Syrian government reinforcements are being sent into conflict zone.

The military college is located about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the besieged opposition areas.

Earlier Saturday, activists said predominantly Kurdish fighters are now in control of most of a stronghold of the Islamic State group in northern Syria after a push under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.

The Observatory said Syria Democratic Forces are in control of most of the town of Manbij amid fighting in northern neighborhoods and the town's center.

Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, said that IS still holds some areas in Manbij, including the major northwestern neighborhood of Sarab.

Bali said "it's a matter of time" before SDF fighters capture the town.

If Manbij is captured by SDF, it will be the biggest strategic defeat for IS in Syria since July 2015, when the extremists lost the border town of Tal Abyad.

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Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria contributed to this report.

Syrian protesters demonstrate against the bombing of Aleppo in Syria, on the Place des Nations in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, August 5, 2016. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
Romanian mothers gather at museum to promote breastfeeding

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  Dozens of Romanian mothers have gathered at a museum in Bucharest to breastfeed their babies to promote the freedom of mothers to breastfeed in public.

Mothers dressed in embroidered traditional peasant blouses sat, chatted and fed their children Saturday at the event at the picturesque Village Museum.

Alexandra Hulea, a 31-year-old marketing specialist, still feeds her 13-month-old twins Eva and Dominic. She says "people look strangely at you, but I don't care because my children are my priority."

Women breastfeed their babies at an event promoting the freedom of mothers to breastfeed in public, during World Breastfeeding Week, at the Village Museum in Bucharest Romania, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Pediatrician Iulia Balint-Boia told The Associated Press that only 12.6 percent of Romanian mothers still breastfeed their babies at six months. She says "it benefits both mothers and children, but not everyone is used to seeing it in our society."

A woman breastfeeds her eighteen-month-old daughter Anastasia at an event promoting the freedom of mothers to breastfeed in public, during World Breastfeeding Week at the Village Museum in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Eighteen-month-old Anastasia plays with a handheld fan during an event promoting the freedom of mothers to breastfeed in public, during World Breastfeeding Week, at the Village Museum, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
NYPD arms cops on the beat to combat rampaging shooters

NEW YORK (AP)  At a time when the New York Police Department is encouraging beat cops to be more approachable to law-abiding citizens, it's also equipping them to do combat with rampaging shooters.

The mass shootings in Orlando, Dallas and elsewhere have prompted the nation's largest police department to accelerate a $7.5 million program to distribute heavy-duty body armor to uniformed patrol officers who might have to respond.

Some 20,000 helmets are set to be distributed by the end of the year. And the department's 3,000 patrol cars will begin carrying pairs of heavy-duty vests that officers will put on if dispatched to a report of an active shooter.

FILE - In this June 12, 2016 file photo, an armed police officer stands guard outside the Stonewall Inn, in New York after a Florida gunman's attack at a gay nightclub spread fear of more attacks. The officer is heavily armed and equipped, in a manner typical of the NYPD's counterterrorism unit and Emergency Service Unit - the NYPD's equivalent of SWAT officers. But the NYPD plans to distribute 20,000 helmets and 6,000 vests before the end of the year to uniformed patrol officers to protect them better during combat with rampaging shooters (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Simultaneously, the city's new police commissioner is championing a neighborhood policing program aimed at bridging the divide between police and minorities.

Here's a closer look at the arming of NYPD officers and some of its implications:

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THE HARDWARE

Currently, NYPD patrol officers wear bulletproof vests thin enough to fit under their dark blue uniforms. The vests are capable of stopping a handgun round but not automatic rifle fire. The new vests provide that extra protection, with ballistic panels on the front and back that fit over the uniform.

The tougher helmets are comparable to one depicted in a photo distributed by Orlando police following the massacre at a gay nightclub in June. There was a large pockmark on it caused by the killer's gunfire  evidence, the department said, that the helmet probably saved a SWAT officer's life.

NYPD patrol officers are armed with 9 mm semi-automatic handguns with 15-round clips. Some have Tasers stored in their cars, but there are no long guns in the mix.

By comparison, the NYPD's counterterrorism officers and others with the Emergency Service Unit  the NYPD's equivalent of SWAT officers  have semi-automatic assault weapons, typically M4 rifles, to go along with their sidearms.

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THE EXPECTATIONS

The new gear reinforces an approach adopted by the NYPD and some other departments around the country that calls on first-responding officers to confront shooters immediately, rather than establish a perimeter and wait for specially trained tactical units to arrive. In addition, the NYPD is giving officers special training on how to deal with multiple shooters.

The response comes amid concerns from civil libertarians and others that ordinary beat cops are becoming too militarized. But police officials see the measures as necessary to protect their officers and save civilian lives in deadly encounters that unfold quickly and demand a swift response.

Career NYPD commander James O'Neill, who next month will replace outgoing Police Commissioner William Bratton, was blunt about the expectations.

"That's just the reality of it," he said. "If something happens in Brooklyn, midtown, up in the Bronx, it's going to be the sector cops who roll up first. And we have an expectation that they're going to go to the danger. They're going to go to the fight."

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WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Police union officials in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere have been complaining for months that they need more training and equipment for their redefined role. Even with the NYPD announcement about the new helmets and vests, Patrick Lynch, president of the powerful Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, is still complaining.

The helmets and vests are fine, Lynch said, but without long guns at the ready "the officers and the public they are sworn to protect will remain in great danger."

That position is open to debate. In a letter to the Daily News, a retired coordinator of the department's Tactical Training Unit, Daniel Modell, wrote that long guns would make sense in departments where officers patrol alone in cars in areas where the response time of SWAT units can be lengthy. But officers in New York, he said, usually work in pairs and can get armored support promptly.

Besides, NYPD patrol officers "have what these killers invariably lack: heart," Modell wrote. "That and a 9 mm more than suffices."

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Follow Hays on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APtomhays

In this July 25, 2016 photo provided by the New York Police Department, Jamal Skinner, left, and Evan Aronowitz, patrol officers with the 84th Precint, model ballistic body armor and helmets during a news conference at the 84th Precinct in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The NYPD plans to distribute 20,000 helmets and 6,000 vests before the end of the year. The equipment will be issued to uniformed patrol officers at a time when the NYPD is also encouraging them to be more approachable to law-abiding citizens. (NYPD via AP)
In 'Scopes monkey trial' home, an evolution debate rages on

DAYTON, Tenn. (AP)  In 1925, two of America's most renowned figures faced off in the southeast Tennessee town of Dayton to debate a burning issue  whether man evolved over millions of years or was created by God in his present form.

Today, only one of the two, the Christian orator William Jennings Bryan, is commemorated with a statue on the courthouse lawn. A group of atheists hopes to change that.

Bryan defended the Biblical account while trial lawyer and skeptic Clarence Darrow defended evolution in the "Scopes monkey trial"  formally, Tennessee vs. John Thomas Scopes. The case became front-page news nationwide and is memorialized in songs, books, plays and movies.

In this July 2016 photo, sculptor Zenos Frudakis works on a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow in his studio in Glenside, Penn. The statue is to be placed near a statue of William Jennings Bryan outside the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn., where the two men faced off in the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial." (Rosalie Frudakis via AP)

Nearly a century later, the debate pitting evolution against the biblical account of creation rages on nationally and locally. Nearly all scientists accept evolution, but many Christians see it as incompatible with their faith. Just two years ago in Dayton, professors at a Christian college named for Bryan were fired in a dispute over whether Adam and Eve were historical people.

One might expect a town that reveres Bryan to resist efforts to memorialize his antagonist, but Reed Johnson, managing editor of The Herald-News in Dayton, said that vocal resistance hasn't materialized. He doesn't recall angry letters to the editor.

County Commissioner Bill Hollin said he doesn't think many people are aware of the effort, but he's against it and thinks others will join him. "I don't see where it would help the community at all to put it up there," he said.

Bryan, on the other hand, represents more than the Scopes trial, Hollin said. His legacy in Dayton includes the college that was founded in 1930 and educates many of the area's young people.

Still, townspeople are resigned to the idea of a Darrow statue, said Christian writer Rachel Held Evans, a Bryan College alumna.

"I think there is a sense that, 'Oh, it's only fair. We have our side, and they have their side. We have our statue, and they have their statue," she said.

Ed Larson, who wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the trial called "Summer for the Gods," said that Dayton has historically been hospitable to both sides, and that outrage over the teaching of evolution in 1925 was manufactured.

The trial is often remembered as the persecution of teacher Scopes for teaching evolution, which Tennessee had outlawed, but it actually began as a publicity stunt for Dayton, Larson said.

Larsen explained that locals had responded to a newspaper advertisement by the American Civil Liberties Union looking for someone to test Tennessee's anti-evolution law in court. No one had complained about Scopes or his teaching; he was recruited to be the defendant, Larson said. Scopes never spent time in jail and was offered his job back after the trial, Larsen said  and Bryan even offered to pay his fine.

Evans said part of the trial's legacy has been negative: a lasting sense that belief in evolution conflicts with Christianity, something she no longer believes.

"I grew up as a conservative evangelical, and we always heard about the trial that William Jennings Bryan was a hero who came in and put everyone in their place," she said. "Even in college, I was told I could either believe in the Bible or I could believe in evolution."

But many say part of the legacy is positive: Dayton has seen a stream of visitors to the red-brick courthouse in the town square that still looks much as it did when the judge moved the trial's action onto the lawn  worried the floor would cave in from the weight of spectators  and Darrow began questioning Bryan's views on the Bible.

The courthouse basement now holds a small museum. On the trial's anniversary in July, a festival is held, with a courtroom play re-enacting trial scenes.

At this year's festival, Dayton resident Richard DeArk sold hand-crafted earrings, some with a monkey theme, on the courthouse lawn near the Bryan statue. Asked about the Darrow statue, he said, "It's about time!"

Tom Brady, the courthouse maintenance supervisor, said he hasn't heard objections to the Darrow statue. "The trial helped Dayton," he said.

Tom Davis, president of the Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society, was asked to make a recommendation to the county executive about the two statues. He said in an interview that the group supported the Bryan statue in 2005 but realized at the time "if we do this, we'll probably face a request for a Darrow statue one day, and we'll probably have to support that."

The American Humanist Association is raising money for the statue, but the creative side is the work of Pennsylvania sculptor Zenos Frudakis, who says Darrow is too important to the story to leave out.

Frudakis said he has the county executive's permission to erect the statue opposite Bryan on the courthouse lawn as long as the county doesn't have to spend any money on it and it is similar in size and style to the Bryan statue. But County Commissioner Hollin said he believes his panel will have to give its blessing first, something he does not see happening.

Frudakis said he is a fan of Darrow but doesn't want his statue to be controversial.

"Right now they only have William Jennings Bryan there, standing alone," Frudakis said. "Add Darrow, and it recreates the historical drama of 1925, the way it played out in the public eye and galvanized the nation."

In this July 23, 2016 photo, a statue of orator William Jennings Bryan stands in front of the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite the statue of Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial." (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, a woman walks by a sign hanging on the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. The sign is a replica of one that was displayed during the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial," and is placed on the courthouse during the annual Scopes Festival. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, a historical marker stands outside the Rhea County Courthouse where the Scopes "monkey trial" was held in Dayton, Tenn. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite an existing statue of Christian orator William Jennings Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the 1925 trial. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, a statue of orator William Jennings Bryan stands out side the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite the statue of Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial." It's an event one Dayton leader deemed unlikely when the Bryan statue was erected in the southeast Tennessee town in 2005. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, Sandy Cook, left; Joyce Jetton, center; and Marilyn Thorla sit near a fan outside the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. The women are dressed in period costumes for the annual Scopes Festival, which is held on the anniversary of the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial" which argued the legality of teaching evolution in public schools. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, the year of the Scopes "monkey trial" is written in a timeline in the sidewalk outside the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite an existing statue of Christian orator William Jennings Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the famous trial. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, Marilyn Thorla, right, adjusts the hat of Levi Pittman, 5, before he has his photo made in a replica of an old car near the Rhea County Courthouse and the statue of Christian orator William Jennings Bryan in Dayton, Tenn. Thorla is dressed in a period costume for the annual Scopes Festival, held on the anniversary of the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial," which argued the legality of teaching evolution in public schools. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, people enter the Scopes Trial Museum in the basement of the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. during the annual Scopes Festival. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite an existing statue of Christian orator William Jennings Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial." (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, people exit the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. during the annual Scopes Festival. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite an existing statue of Christian orator William Jennings Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial." (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, people wait during an intermission in the play "Front Page News" in Dayton, Tenn. The play is presented in the same courtroom in the Rhea County Courthouse where the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial," which argued over the teaching of evolution in a public school, was held. Much of the courtroom, including some of the furniture, is as it was when the actual trial was held. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

In this July 23, 2016 photo, George Miller, center, portrays orator William Jennings Bryan during a presentation of the play "Front Page News" in Dayton, Tenn. The play is presented in the same courtroom in the Rhea County Courthouse where the 1925 Scopes "monkey trial" was held. An atheist group is raising money to place a statue of attorney Clarence Darrow opposite an existing statue of Bryan outside the courthouse where the two faced off in the famous trial. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Judge tests limits of free speech with Facebook jury remarks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A Louisville judge, incensed when a prosecutor questioned his authority to scrap a jury panel because it lacked minorities, did not turn to appeals courts, legal precedent or other avenues typical for aggrieved jurists.

He took to Facebook.

In provocative posts that now threaten to end his judicial career, Judge Olu Stevens, who is black, railed against the white prosecutor, Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine.

He wrote that Wine's request that the state Supreme Court review Stevens' decision to dismiss the jurors amounted to an attempt "to protect the right to impanel all-white juries," a charge Wine vehemently denies. Stevens suggested there was "something much more sinister," and wrote that the prosecutor will "live in infamy."

The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission believes Stevens went so far in misleading the public about Wine's request and undermining his own impartiality that it charged him with multiple counts of misconduct. Stevens is scheduled for a hearing Monday that could usher him off the bench for good.

But his posts ignited a debate about racial fairness, judicial impartiality and free speech that seems far from finished.

Experts say his cause was worthy: Stevens shined a light on a racial imbalance that has dogged the criminal justice system for generations. But his attack on a prosecutor for requesting an appellate opinion could cross an ethical line and threaten to drown out the issue he attempted to highlight.

"I think people in the minority community are grateful that he had the courage to raise the issue," said Reginald Glass, a member of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission and chairman of its advocacy board. "There's not total agreement on whether it was the right way or the wrong way to do it."

The judicial conduct commission wrote in court filings that it believes Stevens' comments violated Kentucky laws that require judges display no bias in cases before them. The commission also said Stevens' posts amounted to publicly pressuring Wine not to legally challenge his decisions.

Stevens and his supporters, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, insist he was exercising free-speech rights.

His punishment could range from a reprimand to removal from the bench. Wine declined to discuss the case. Stevens' lawyers didn't respond to requests for comment.

In April, Stevens agreed to temporarily step down from the bench. He also filed a federal lawsuit against the disciplinary panel, saying any punishment would have a chilling effect on judges, but he withdrew it Thursday without explanation.

The case began in late 2014 during an African-American defendant's trial. In a city that is 23 percent black, 41 potential jurors arrived  only one African-American, according to court records. The defense asked Stevens to dismiss the panel. He declined, noting the lack of diversity was unusual but the panel had been appropriately selected at random.

Neither side struck the black juror. As jury selection neared its end, four jurors too many remained. The clerk drew names randomly to strike. One was the African-American.

Stevens then dismissed the panel because it didn't represent the community's racial diversity.

In January 2015, after the defendant was acquitted by another jury, Wine asked Kentucky's Supreme Court to review whether a judge could dismiss a random jury panel for racial imbalance absent any evidence that minorities were intentionally excluded.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in late 2015, and Stevens launched his social media campaign against Wine, chastising him for "complaining he should have had an all-white jury panel after losing a trial" and trying to "deceive the people."

Activists rallied outside Wine's office. The prosecutor said he had no intent to exclude black jurors, was not to blame for the racial make-up of the randomly-selected panel and merely wanted clarification on the law so it could be applied evenly statewide.

Kentucky's Supreme Court heard arguments but hasn't ruled.

The U.S. Supreme Court case that set the standard for juries' racial makeup  Batson v. Kentucky, born in the same court system nearly three decades ago  doesn't guarantee that black defendants get black jurors, only that the process for eliminating them be fair and color-blind.

But "unless you are totally blind, no judge can help but realize that when 100 people come into a courtroom for jury selection and there are one or two or none, at times, who are visible minorities, it's a severe problem," said attorney Ashish Joshi, a member of the American Bar Association's diversity committee.

The problem has been known in Louisville at least since 2005, when the Courier-Journal reported that people from the lowest-income, predominantly-black neighborhoods were less likely to sit on juries.

Stevens' case reinforces the need to re-examine jury representation, said State Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, but "the personalities in this instance have overshadowed the issue." Meeks has pushed for a comprehensive study on juries' racial makeup but said efforts have been stymied in the legislature.

Underrepresentation is a legitimate issue that should be debated, said Charles Gardner Geyh, an Indiana University law professor. But, he added, there are limits, and the accusations against Stevens hinge on the balance between judicial ethics and a judge's right to speak out.

"It's generally regarded as a bad idea for judges to weigh in outside of court on a matter that could well wind up back in the judge's court," Gardner said.

Stevens  appointed in 2009 by then-Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and retained by voters in 2010 and 2014  has never skirted the spotlight. He's a prodigious contributor to social media  one colleague dubbed him "Judge Selfie," the Courier-Journal reported. In one 2015 post, months before his feud with Wine, Stevens criticized home-invasion victims who said the crime left their 3-year-old afraid of black men. Stevens called their opinions "stereotyped and racist"  echoing his comments in court. The disciplinary commission accused him of misconduct in that incident in its recent batch of charges against him.

Judges must be mindful when speaking out, but Stevens raised legitimate concerns about jury diversity, said Dallas attorney John G. Browning, who writes about judges using social media.

"Do we want judges to be cloistered in their ivory towers, closed off from the very public that they serve and the issues that are of concern to the community?" Browning said. "Or do we allow them to speak publicly on some issues that may very well have some bearing?"

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France returns hundreds of migrants to Italy

MILAN (AP)  France has returned some 200 migrants to Italy who plunged into the sea to cross into France, evading border controls.

They were among some 300 who had moved to the rocky shoals on the Italian side of the border in recent days, in defiance of authorities who had removed migrants from the shoreline last summer.

The No Borders activist group said the action was aimed at forcing the border to re-open. They plan a protest on Sunday.

Migrants walk on the rocks as they try to get to the sea past a Police cordon in Ventimiglia, an Italian town on the border with France, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Italian and French Police reportedly fired tear gas trying to prevent the migrants from reaching France. (Fabrizio Tenerelli/ANSA via AP)

The president of the Liguria region appealed to the government for help amid rising tensions.

Migrants arriving in southern Italy after being rescued in the Mediterranean continue to make their way to the border town of Ventimiglia hoping to continue to northern Europe, despite tighter border controls.

Migrants walk on the rocks as they try to get to the sea past a Police cordon in Ventimiglia, an Italian town on the border with France, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Italian and French Police reportedly fired tear gas trying to prevent the migrants from reaching France. (Fabrizio Tenerelli/ANSA via AP)
Military community split over Trump's feud with Khans

NORFOLK, Va. (AP)  Robin Starck is a retired submarine commander who still lives in the shadow of America's largest naval base, and he's heard all the shouting about Donald Trump and his tangle with the parents of a U.S. Army officer killed in Iraq.

Doesn't matter. He's still for Trump.

"Trump goes to the extreme," said Starck, 79. "Sometimes he goes off the wall." But he added, "I don't see myself changing my mind."

In this Aug. 3, 2016, photo, Jacob Jeske, 28, a commercial diver from Portsmouth, Va., stands outside the Navy Exchange near Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Donald Trump may be losing support from prominent Republicans in the wake of his recent spat with a goldstar family and military icons like John McCain. But many supporters in the home of America's largest Naval base, say they'll still vote for the Republican nominee because too much is at stake, whether it's military funding or picking the next Supreme Court justice. Jeske said Trump's campaign pledge to expand America's military will mean more work for him since he's often hired by private contractors to help maintain Navy ships. (AP Photo/Ben Finley)

The Hampton Roads area of Virginia  home not only to Naval Station Norfolk, but a vast collection of defense contractors, including the shipyards that build America's aircraft carriers  has been a Trump stronghold. The New York billionaire won most of the counties that make up the area along the James River in Virginia's March 1 primary.

It's the sort of place where Trump's days of criticism of Khizr and Ghazala Khan, a Muslim-American family whose son, Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed while serving in Iraq in 2004, might be expected to alienate people, many with deep and personal ties to the military.

But Starck is one of several interviewed by The Associated Press this past week who said they have other concerns that are keeping them loyal to Trump, among them picking a conservative Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia and getting rid of President Barack Obama's health care law, which Hillary Clinton pledges to defend.

The fight with the Khans was a "big mistake," Starck said, but it was also blown out of "proportion."

The feud was set off when Khizr Khan, his wife silent at his side, denounced Trump from the stage of the Democratic National Convention for his views about Muslims. Trump responded angrily and would not back down even as many Republicans expressed revulsion that he would fight with the family of a slain soldier.

Jacob Jeske, 28, a commercial diver from Portsmouth, said the episode was not a "big deal to me."

"He means well," Jeske said. "He's just going by his emotions. He's not sitting there and thinking about it."

Jeske believes a Trump presidency would mean more work for him, given the candidate's promises to invest deeply in the military. As a diver, Jeske often makes his living by helping to maintain Navy ships.

"Trump knows that the military comes first, before any refugees or anyone else," he said.

Richard Cormier, 61, a civilian doctor on a Navy supply ship, agrees.

"If he's going to build a strong military, all the other issues go away," said Cormier, who is stationed in Norfolk. "That directly bears on my job. I don't even watch the news anymore, because it's all mudslinging and people getting shot."

Not all said they could look past Trump's fight with the Khans, joining with the many senior Republicans who condemned his remarks and urged him to apologize. Republican Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL who is running for Congress in Hampton Roads, is one.

"Donald Trump's back and forth engagements with the Khans are counterproductive," Taylor said this past week in a statement. "I encourage him to sincerely apologize to them and to end this issue now."

Another is James Atticus Bowden, a retired Army officer and the president of a defense consulting company, who said Trump was "classless to fuss at a Gold Star family" and should "just keep his mouth shut."

But Bowden, who supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Virginia's primary and is still undecided about whom to vote for in November, said his bigger concern is Trump's lack of military service. Trump received five draft deferments during the Vietnam era, one of which stemmed from temporary bone spurs in his feet.

"He was a draft dodger when he could have served and should have served," said Bowden, who lives in Poquoson, Virginia.

Carolyn Hersh, 52, a psychotherapist from Portsmouth, said she can no longer vote for Trump after the Khan controversy.

"He shouldn't have taken it personally," said Hersh, whose husband is a former Navy doctor. "Coming from a military community, that was just (too much)."

But voting for Clinton is not an option for Hersh. She said she has too many concerns about the economy, which include government spending on entitlement programs, to cast her ballot for the Democratic nominee.

"I would have voted for him a couple weeks ago  not happily, but I would have," Hersh said of Trump. "I've never not voted. But that's something that's on the table."

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Pennsylvania's first Mormon temple to open in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania and prominent addition to downtown Philadelphia.

Public tours of the granite temple will run between Wednesday and Sept. 9 near Logan Circle, an open-space park in the city's center, after which it will be dedicated and only church members in good standing will be permitted to walk its halls.

"We do not build temples all of the time. To visit is a once in a generation or two experience," said Larry Wilson, executive director of the Mormon church's temple department.

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak)

Some 80,000 have already registered to tour the space, and Wilson expects to see that number double.

Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, which prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce plans for the temple.

The faithful travel to Mormon temples, which are called "houses of the Lord," to participate in and receive sacred ordinances, or rituals, such as marriage ceremonies or baptisms for deceased family members.

Philadelphia's temple will significantly lessen the commute for people like Corinne Dougherty, a church spokeswoman for the Philadelphia region. She and a car full of elderly women from her congregation currently travel nearly seven hours roundtrip to the Washington, D.C., temple every other month.

Church officials have not released the cost of temple constructions, but with some of the finest building materials  from Swarovski crystal to Italian marble  the temples are not cheap. Elaborate finishes spread across each of the Philadelphia temple's four levels leave the facility in stark contrast to the much simpler meeting houses church members use for weekly worship.

A massive crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the third floor's "celestial room," inviting visitors to enter and meditate. Each level, more adorned than the previous, is believed to draw you closer to God, Wilson said.

In the temple's highest level, members get married in ceremonies that the religion believes seals families for eternity. There, natural light breaks through large windows and stained-glass in soft white, beige and blue.

"Standing here we are in the world, but we are always striving for greater holiness for ourselves and our families," Wilson said.

The temple's interior and exterior designs are as purposeful as they are ornate. Sweeping Pennsylvania countryside landscapes cover the walls of the lower rooms with depictions of the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers.

Designers also made a "conscious effort" to blend mention of the nation's founding with church history. Two crossed quills embellish moldings and wooden rails as reminders that the church's founder translated its sacred text  the Book of Mormon  in Pennsylvania and the founding fathers' signed the Constitution in Philadelphia.

A painting of the Constitutional Convention mixes with gold framed depictions of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith, the Mormon church's founder.

"If you look around you will see that there are not many flaws. And if a flaw exists, we fix it," Wilson said.

Out of respect, the church intentionally built the towering 208-foot, 2-inch temple a little shorter than the neighboring Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The golden trumpeting Angel Moroni, standing at just more than 21 feet on the temple's eastern spire, marks the temple's highest point.

The signature angel statue will stand atop each of the church's new temples. Plans have most recently been announced in Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Peru.

Wilson expects the Philadelphia temple to spark some interest in Mormonism, calling the church's expansion to more than 15 million members worldwide in 2015 "remarkable."

"We've gone from those two members in the Pennsylvania wilderness to tens of thousands in the region and even more globally," he said.

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak)

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows a 21-foot statue of the trumpeting Angel Moroni sits atop the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak)
Forest fire started by lit toilet paper spreads in Spain

MADRID (AP)  Spanish authorities say that a forest fire started by a German man burning his soiled toilet paper continues to spread on La Palma in the Canary Islands.

Spain's acting minister of agriculture and the environment, Isabel Garcia Tejerina, told COPE radio that the four-day-old blaze has consumed between 3,500-4,000 hectares of forest, up from the 2,000 hectares terrain destroyed through Friday.

The fire claimed the life of one forest worker on Thursday and has caused the evacuation of 2,500 people from three towns on the volcanic island located off the northwest coast of Africa.

A 27-year-old German man admitted to police on Friday that he had started the fire accidentally by burning some soiled toilet paper.

Four planes and eight helicopters equipped to dump water are assisting over 350 firefighters on the ground to control the fire.
2 jailers moved into policing jobs after Bland's death

DALLAS (AP)  Less than two months after the death of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was jailed in Texas after a routine traffic stop, two of her jailers quietly moved to other jobs.

Rafael Zuniga and Michael Serges left the Waller County sheriff's office in September 2015 for the Waller Police Department, a smaller agency with less responsibility, according to state records obtained by The Associated Press. They started work on the same day.

They have kept those jobs even after admitting under oath their roles in falsifying a jail monitoring log that indicated guards checked on Bland an hour before she was found hanging in her cell in July 2015, according to an attorney for the Bland family, which has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and several employees, including the two former jailers. Local authorities ruled Bland's death a suicide.

In this July 22, 2015 photo, The Waller County jail cell where Sandra Bland was found dead is seen in Hempstead, Texas. Less than two months after Bland was found dead in a Texas jail cell, two of her jailers quietly moved to other jobs. Rafael Zuniga and Michael Serges left the Waller County sheriff's office for the Waller Police Department, a much smaller agency with far less responsibility, in September 2015, starting work on the same day. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, file)

Attorney Tom Rhodes told the AP this week that Zuniga acknowledged in a deposition that the log was filled out in advance with times that he supposedly conducted cell checks. Serges acknowledged that he signed the bottom of the log sheet at the beginning of the shift before any actual checks, according to Rhodes, who described the depositions but did not provide transcripts to the AP.

Sidney Johnson, the first black councilman in Waller, said he's suspicious about the jailers' move to the municipal payroll so soon after Bland's death, but that his requests for more information have been ignored. He added that had he known about the men's involvement in the Bland case, "we wouldn't have hired them."

Jail records show Bland had said at booking she previously tried to commit suicide, which means she should have been checked at least every 30 minutes by jail standards. State guidelines say all inmates are to be checked hourly.

Instead, two hours elapsed before jailers noticed Bland was unconscious, which isn't reflected in the jail log, Rhodes told the AP. The sheriff's office has acknowledged the documented 8 a.m. in-person check was done by intercom.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards cited the jail after Bland's death for not observing inmates in person and failing to provide documentation that its staff had been trained on how to deal with potentially suicidal inmates.

"There's a lot more going on here than there's reflected in the documents," Rhodes said. "Because the documents in many cases are just flat-out wrong."

Larry Simmons, an attorney for the county and the jailers, declined to answer questions and is pursuing a gag order.

In a brief phone interview with the AP, Serges confirmed he works for the Waller city police, remembered Bland but said he had no substantive conversations with her and denied in general he'd done anything wrong. Zuniga could not be reached.

At the time of Bland's death, Zuniga had been a Waller County jailer for about six months, according to state records. Serges has been in law enforcement for 11 years.

Zuniga testified in July that it was his practice to "prefill" the jail log with the times of his scheduled checks, Rhodes said, while Serges testified that he would sign blank logs at the start of his shift as a way of noting who was on duty. Rhodes also told the AP that Zuniga testified he'd been trained to fill out logs that way, but did not say who taught him.

When asked whether they had checked Bland's cell at 8:01 a.m., as noted in the jail log, both Zuniga and Serges said they had not, Rhodes said. Bland was pronounced dead at 9:06 a.m., authorities said.

Phil Rehak, who retired as police chief two weeks after Bland's death, said he didn't know anything about the hires. Acting police chief Mike Williams did not return phone messages.

Waller Mayor Danny Marburger said he didn't know about the men's ties to the Bland case when Williams proposed their hires to the city council last August, but that he wouldn't push to have them fired or suspended unless they were indicted or arrested or he received "concrete evidence" of wrongdoing.

The jailers getting new jobs "certainly raises a lot of questions," said Mimi Marziani, executive director of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

"We don't know all the facts yet," Marziani said. "It is clear, however, that there was an utter failure to keep her safe."

The only person who has been indicted by a grand jury investigating Bland's death is former state trooper Brian Encinia, who was charged with misdemeanor perjury after video from his patrol car contradicted his claims that Bland assaulted him without provocation.

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Follow Nomaan Merchant on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nomaanmerchant
No bail for alleged leader in $1B Florida health care fraud

MIAMI (AP)  A businessman accused of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme in South Florida will be staying in jail until his trial.

Court records show a Miami federal judge on Friday denied bail for 47-year-old Philip Esformes, finding he was a flight risk and might obstruct the ongoing investigation. Esformes faces a potential life prison sentence if convicted of multiple fraud, conspiracy and other charges.

Authorities say Esformes ran 30 nursing homes and assisted living facilities that used a network of corrupt doctors and hospitals to refer thousands of patients to the facilities even though they did not qualify for services. Esformes and others also allegedly got kickbacks for steering patients to other health centers.
Taliban's new commando force tests Afghan army's strength

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP)  An elite new Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army.

The Taliban regard Helmand as their heartland. They share Pashtun ethnicity with its residents and the province's vast opium output has helped fund the war against the government in Kabul, now in its fifteenth year.

In recent weeks, the Taliban have taken huge swaths of the province and now they appear to be closing in on the capital, Lashkar Gah.

FILE - In this Sunday, July 24, 2016 file photo, Afghan police soldiers practice, in Lashkargah, capital of southern Helmand province, Afghanistan. A new elite Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army. (AP Photos/Abdul Khaliq)

Afghan officials in Helmand say the army is facing an insurgent fighting force that is better-organized and more skilled than ever. They say the Taliban have been sending men into the fight who appear to be members of a commando-like unit, believed to consist of several hundred elite fighters.

A senior Taliban commander confirmed the existence of the new, highly-trained force.

Speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media, the commander said the force numbered "around 300 fighters now, after starting out with 200." The new commando unit is called Sara Khitta, which means Red Group or Danger Group in Pashto.

"This kind of force is giving us very good results, and we have been discussing whether or not we should deploy this sort of unit more widely," he said.

The Taliban would give no further details, and military officials refused to discuss the subject. But civilian officials in Helmand said the force is led by a commander known as Haji Nasar, former operational head of the Taliban operating in Kandahar and Zabul provinces.

The unit was first deployed in the district of Sangin, in north-eastern Helmand, earlier this year and its success has inspired plans to expand the force to 400 fighters, according to the deputy head of Helmand's provincial council, Abdul Majeed Akhonzada. "They are very dangerous and very successful," he said.

It appears to be the latest development in Taliban tactics. Over the past six months, the insurgents have shown that they are able to modify their approach to suit different terrain. For instance, in southern Uruzgan they have started closing off local roads and intra-provincial highways to cut supplies to villages and towns, putting local government under pressure. This allows them to expand their territory while launching fewer direct attacks on police checkpoints and buildings, minimizing the number of casualties among the insurgents.

The Taliban commander said that casualties among the commando unit had been minimal, but he gave no numbers.

In neighboring Kandahar province, powerful police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq, acknowledged the new force as a "reality." ''We can't deny that the Taliban are now changing their techniques and this new group is part of their new approach and new tactics. They are well equipped and highly armed," he said.

The so-called Red Group deploys snipers who back up gunmen from larger units during night attacks on government forces. Once the foot soldiers have moved in to consolidate and continue the attack, the commandos move on to the next target.

These tactics have enabled the unit to launch attacks on a number of targets in a single night, forcing Afghan forces to spread their resources thinly and preventing them from sending reinforcements into any one battle.

In a development of great concern to the Afghans and Americans, Helmand official Akhonzada said the new unit is using night vision technology, which has enhanced their attack capabilities. The equipment was likely seized from police and army units, he said. "That's why they attack at night, and that's why they can see our men but our men can't see them," he added.

In Sangin, tribal elder Kako Agha shook his head as he talked about recent attacks on the district administrative compound and police headquarters. "This new group is so effective that only four Taliban captured a police compound where more than 20 soldiers were living," he said.

By contrast, Afghan forces are suffering rising casualty numbers, according to U.S. military commanders. Afghan authorities do not release the figures to the public.

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, said last month that the Afghans had suffered about 20,000 casualties last year  and this year, the casualty rate is about 20 percent higher.

The Taliban have been on the offensive since the international coalition withdrew most of its combat troops in 2014. But Afghan forces are fighting back. They are being supported by U.S. troops, who have expanded powers following a June directive by President Barack Obama, including permission to work more closely with Afghan forces on offensive missions.

Afghanistan's military authorities, in conjunction with the Americans, have spent the past year upgrading their army, replacing leaders to wipe out corruption and inefficiency and create a more professional and confident force.

Now that the Taliban have introduced a commando-style unit to the battlefield, the Afghan military may again meet its match during this year's fierce summer fighting season.

The director of Helmand provincial council, Kareem Atal, said hundreds of Afghan security forces have been killed across the province in recent weeks. He said that since late July at least 586 policemen and soldiers have been killed or wounded, as have at least 250 civilians.

"The Taliban are now controlling 80 percent of Helmand," Atal said. "Our officials are corrupt and incapable of controlling this province. Our armed forces are not united and they don't fight in a coordinated and united way."

Taliban fighters had reached the outskirts of the provincial capital on Thursday, he said. "This new force fights in a very technical manner and that's the reason that today they are at the border of Lashkar Gah."

"We keep asking the government to do something about the current situation  if the government can't help, then why are we fighting the Taliban?" Atal added. "At least if we stand with the Taliban, the fighting will stop and we will have peace."

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 file photo, an Afghan soldier, left, and a U.S. soldier guard during a visit of Kabul's officials, in the governor's compound in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A new elite Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 9, 2016 file photo, Afghan security forces stand near dead bodies of Taliban insurgents after a complex attack in Helmand province, south west Afghanistan. A new elite Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army. (AP Photo/STR)

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 file photo, an Afghan Security policeman inspects the site of a suicide truck bombing, in Kabul, Afghanistan. A new elite Taliban force is proving its strength in the strategic southern province of Helmand, pointing to the insurgents' ability to refine their battlefield techniques to match Afghanistan's increasingly professional national army. (AP Photos/Rahmat Gul)
Charting a road to 270, Clinton sets out most efficient path

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Hillary Clinton doesn't appear all that interested in making scenic stops on her state-to-state quest to become president. The Democratic nominee is instead programming her GPS to take her on the quickest route to collect the 270 Electoral College votes she needs to win the White House.

With three months until Election Day, Clinton's campaign is focused on capturing the battleground states that have decided the most recent presidential elections, not so much on expanding the map.

Clinton's team doesn't rule out an effort at Arizona, a state with a booming population of Latino voters that polls find are loath to support Trump. And Georgia, a bastion of the Deep South, echoes recent population trends in other Southeastern states where Clinton is competing aggressively.

In this Aug. 3, 2016, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives at a rally at Adams City High School in Commerce City, Colo. Clinton doesnt appear all that interested in making any scenic stops on her state-to-state quest to become president. The Democratic nominee is instead programming her GPS to take her on the quickest route to collect the 270 Electoral College votes she needs to win the White House. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

But neither is among the 11 battleground states that Clinton's television advertising plans and her travel schedule point to as her focus. Those states are the perennial top-tier targets Florida and Ohio, plus Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. President Barack Obama carried them all in 2008, and missed out on only North Carolina during his 2012 re-election campaign.

"The last two elections have given Democrats an electoral path for victory," said Clinton campaign adviser John Anzalone. "And our strategy is to efficiently use our resources to lock down the support we need to reach 270 electoral votes."

After a bump in support for Clinton in national polls that followed the Democratic convention and tracked Trump's recent gaffes, the number of states where Clinton will invest her time and money may get smaller than 11.

When the Clinton campaign booked more than $23 million in new television ad time late this past week to start on Monday, it spent most of the money in just three states: Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Feeling good about Colorado and Virginia, the campaign passed on giving those states a fresh injection of ad dollars, though they remain heavily staffed with organizers. Likewise, officials with the pro-Clinton group Priorities USA say they have put its advertising plans there on hold.

Meanwhile, Trump's travel following the Republican convention suggests he's given up on plans to force Clinton to defend traditional Democratic bastions California and New York. Beyond that, it's not clear how he plans to chart his course to 270.

"I have states that no other Republican would do well in that I think I'm going to win," Trump told The Washington Post this past week. "But I don't want to name those states."

Trump's campaign has yet to run a single television ad and has made curious decisions about where to send its candidate. This past week, for example, Trump spent a day in Portland, Maine, chasing after the single electoral vote at stake along the state's largely Democratic southern coast.

There have been no such distractions for Clinton since the end of her convention, aside from a quick stop in Nebraska, a visit that was probably as much about spending time on stage with billionaire investor Warren Buffett than picking up the one electoral vote in the Omaha area. (Maine and Nebraska are the two states that award electoral votes by congressional district instead of a statewide winner-take-all vote.)

This coming week, Clinton will be in Florida. So will Trump. That's no surprise, as a win there plus victories in every state (and the District of Columbia) that have voted Democratic since 1992 would give Clinton a winning total of 271 electoral votes. Florida Republican consultant Brett Doster said simply of his state: "If we don't win here, I just don't see how we win."

Despite the 2016 campaign's unscripted form, Democrat and Republican pollsters alike said in the past week that Florida is competitive and is expected to stay that way into the fall. The largest share of single-state spending in Clinton's most recent ad buy came in Florida, at more than $4.2 million, and that, plus an aggressive pursuit of Latino voters, may give her a narrow edge.

In Florida's Orange County, which includes Orlando, the Democratic edge among registered voters has grown by 15 percent since 2008. Since late last year, roughly 1,000 Puerto Rican families a month have relocated to Florida due to the U.S. territory's fiscal crisis, many of them concentrating in and around Orlando's heavy service-sector job scene. Bilingual teams of Clinton employees are registering first-time Puerto Rican voters at grocery stores, malls and community centers.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres said Trump's problems in Florida go deeper than his lack of advertising and overwhelmingly unpopular standing among Latinos. He said Trump's recent criticism of the Muslim family of a fallen U.S. soldier is not likely to sit well in a state with 22 military installations and more than 1.5 million veterans.

"The attack on the Gold Star family makes it unlikely for him to expand in Florida beyond where he is right now," said Ayres, an adviser to Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

While Trump may not have a path without Florida, Clinton can lose the state and still find another way through the battlegrounds to reach 270. That's no doubt why from June 8 through Monday, Clinton and Democratic groups supporting her will have outspent Republican groups by 15 to 1 in those states, according to data from Kantar Media's CMAG political advertising tracker.

The Clinton campaign and deep-pocketed Democratic groups such as Priorities USA have poured a combined $66 million into television and radio advertising in those 11 states. Trump's campaign hasn't spent a dollar on television advertising, while Republican groups have only spent about $4.3 million.

Put simply, Anzalone said, Clinton has options.

"But this is a dynamic race and we will continue to look at all pathways as this race develops," he said.

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Julie Bykowicz, Chad Day and Lisa Lerer contributed from Washington. Jonathan Lemire contributed from Jacksonville, Florida.

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This story has been corrected to reflect the proper spelling of the name of pollsters Whit Ayres, not Ayers; and John Anzalone, not Anzelone.

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Keep track on how much Clinton and Trump are spending on television advertising, and where they're spending it, via AP's interactive ad tracker. http://elections.ap.org/content/ad-spending

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Follow Thomas Beaumont on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/tombeaumont
The Latest: Dozens rally after latest Chicago police videos

CHICAGO (AP)  The Latest on the release of videos of a Chicago police shooting (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

Dozens of people are gathering on Chicago's southwest side to protest police brutality and the latest killing of a black 18-year-old by the city's police force.

In this frame grab from a body cam provided by the Independent Police Review Authority, Chicago police officers fire into a stolen car driven by Paul O'Neal on July 28, 2016, in Chicago. O'Neal's autopsy results showed he died of a gunshot wound to the back. The video released Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, was the city's first release of video of the fatal police shooting under a new Chicago policy that calls for such images to be made public within 60 days. (Chicago Police Department/Independent Police Review Authority via AP)

They carried signs with slogans like "Stop racist police terror" and signs with the name of Paul O'Neal, who was killed July 28. Nine videos from police dashcams and body cameras were released Friday.

Some protesters said they were discouraged by the size of the crowd compared to the crowds that marched in November following the release of a video showing Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times by a Chicago officer.

Several speakers noted they were also upset that 50 years after Martin Luther King Jr. marched on the same streets, they are still having to march today.

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12:40 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department's superintendent says the release of nine videos in the fatal police shooting of a black 18-year-old is the beginning of more transparent process.

Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a news conference Saturday afternoon that there are still a lot of questions to answer to build trust between the community and the police department.

The July 28 shooting, in which videos show Chicago police firing repeatedly at a stolen car as it careens down the street away from them, led Johnson to strip three of the officers of their police powers for violating an unspecified department policy.

Johnson said he was "concerned" over the shooting of Paul O'Neal, but said he could not say specifically why due to the ongoing investigation.

Johnson said the district where the shooting happened had the body cameras for about a week.

Chief of the CPD's Bureau of Professional Standards Anne Kirkpatrick said the department is going to look at changing training for officers and look at best practices around the country.

Johnson said the three officers received the same training that everyone in the department has.

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11:50 a.m.

Protesters are planning to gather near a Chicago park where 50 years ago Martin Luther King Jr. called for fair housing.

Their rally and march, starting about six blocks away from Marquette Park, is expected to focus on last month's police shooting that killed Paul O'Neal, a black 18-year-old.

Nine videos released Friday showed Chicago police firing repeatedly at a stolen car as it careens down the street away from them.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has stripped three of the officers of their police powers after a preliminary investigation concluded they had violated department policy.

Johnson promised Friday that that if the officers acted improperly, they would "be held accountable for their actions."

A memorial was unveiled Friday at Marquette Park, where King held a march on Aug. 5, 1966.

A march, festival, speeches and concerts were scheduled for Saturday, and organizers of the rally said festival officials asked that they not hold the demonstration in the park.

In this frame grab from a body cam provided by the Independent Police Review Authority, Chicago police officers handcuff Paul O'Neal, suspected of stealing a car, after they fired into the vehicle he was driving and then pursued him through a yard on July 28, 2016, in Chicago. The video released Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, was the city's first release of video of the fatal police shooting under a new Chicago policy that calls for such images to be made public within 60 days. (Chicago Police Department/Independent Police Review Authority via AP)

In this frame grab from a body cam provided by the Independent Police Review Authority, a Chicago police officer fires into a stolen car driven by Paul O'Neal on July 28, 2016, in Chicago. O'Neal's autopsy results showed he died of a gunshot wound to the back. The video released Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, was the city's first release of video of the fatal police shooting under a new Chicago policy that calls for such images to be made public within 60 days. (Chicago Police Department/Independent Police Review Authority via AP)

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, second from right, is blocked by three protestors as he tries to deliver a written statement about the recent release of police shooting video to television reporters outside the police department headquarters Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim)

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, right, is blocked by one of three protestors as he tries to deliver a written statement about the recent release of police shooting video to television reporters outside the police department headquarters Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim)
Weather woes for rowing as Serbs capsize in choppy water

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  After all the talk about staying out of the water in Rio de Janeiro, Serbian rowers Milos Vasic and Nenad Benik found themselves immersed in it on Day 1 of the Olympic regatta.

The Serb pair capsized  a rare sight at elite rowing events  in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, where choppy waters left athletes struggling to stay in their boats.

"I can't recall ever being in a race where one of the crews has capsized," said New Zealand rower Hamish Bond, who won the qualifying heat with partner Eric Murray. "It's unfortunate for them."

Milos Vasic and Nenad Bedik, of Serbia, are helped out of the water after capsizing while competing in the men's pair heat during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Vasic and Benik overturned halfway through the 2-kilometer course. Stunned and soaked, they clung to their boat as the other three crews continued toward the finish line.

Normally crews need to cross the finish line to compete in the next round  swimming with their boat if necessary. But to save time race officials dropped that requirement, plucked the Serbs from the water and gave them a pass to compete in the repechage.

Bond said the conditions were at the "upper limit of what you hope to row in," but didn't think it was unfair because it was the same for everyone.

Others said the races should have been postponed.

"I was pretty close to sinking out there," said women's single scull world champion Kim Brennan, who finished third in her heat. "Normally this would have been deemed unrowable."

The world rowing federation decided to keep the competition going despite the rough conditions, because weather forecasts show "it's going to be even worse" in coming days, executive director Matt Smith said.

He said rowing has an extra day on the schedule in case of weather delays, and if that's not enough some rounds may have to be dropped.

Smith said it was the first time a boat had capsized in the Olympics since the Athens Games in 2004.

Before Rio, many rowers said they would try to avoid contact with the water in the lagoon because of concerns about pollution. But that proved hard on Saturday as the wind picked up and rowers struggled to keep their oars from bouncing off the waves on the race course.

British single sculler Alan Campbell said he was surprised by the conditions and that the water was much calmer in the days leading up to the Olympics.
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High around 70F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.
The Pentagon has released a version of President Barack Obama's three-year-old guidance for deadly drone strikes, suggesting pilots can strike if there is a 'near certainty' a terrorist will be killed.

The document, known as 'The Playbook', lays out what it says are safeguards to minimize civilian deaths and errant strikes.

It also lays out how to preserve the capability to take quick action with drone attacks and other means.

The file, otherwise known as the 'presidential policy guidance', stipulates that the U.S., when operating outside areas of active hostilities, will only take direct action when there is 'near certainty' that the terrorist target is present and that noncombatants won't be killed or injured.

The White House has released a version of President Barack Obama's three-year-old guidance for deadly drone strikes. The document, known as 'The Playbook', lays out what it says are safeguards to minimize civilian deaths and errant strikes

Lethal force can also be undertaken only against a lawful target that poses a 'continuing, imminent threat' to Americans.

The principles, released with redactions, provide more detail on the conditions for drone strikes and other direct action than the White House revealed earlier when it summarized the document in a fact sheet in 2013.

Obama or his aides have spoken previously, though, about the 'near certainty' standard at the heart of the guidance  a standard that hasn't silenced criticism over civilian deaths from drones.

Ned Price spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, said in a statement Saturday that the policy standards 'offer protections for civilians that exceed the requirements of the law of armed conflict.'

'As the president has said, 'near certainty' is the 'highest standard we can set,' Price said.

The U.S. 'takes feasible precautions to minimize the risk of civilian casualties' even when the U.S. is not operating in conditions covered by the guidance, he added, 'or when we act quickly to defend U.S. or partner forces from imminent attack.'

The American Civil Liberties Union had sued for disclosure of the guidance under the Freedom of Information Act and welcomed the development.

The release 'will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the government's counterterrorism policies,' said Jameel Jaffer, ACLU deputy legal director.

But Jaffer said questions remain about where the guidance applies, whether Obama has waived its requirements in particular instances, and how the 'relatively stringent standards can be reconciled with the accounts of eyewitnesses, journalists and human rights researchers who have documented large numbers of bystander casualties.'

Obama (pictured arriving in Martha's Vineyard for his vacation) or his aides have spoken previously, though, about the 'near certainty' standard at the heart of the guidance  a standard that hasn't silenced criticism over civilian deaths from drones

Among the conditions set out in the guidance: Approval from the president is required for a lethal strike against a U.S. citizen or when relevant officials in the administration disagree on whether a particular non-American 'nominated' for a deadly attack should in fact be targeted.

In cases where the officials are unanimous in favor of a lethal attack against a foreigner, the president needs to be notified but his approval is not required to proceed.

In July, the administration said it had killed up to 116 civilians in counterterrorism attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and other places where the U.S. is not engaged in active, on-the-ground warfare.

It was the first such public assessment and a response to growing pressure for more information about lethal U.S. operations overseas. Human rights and other groups quickly complained that the administration undercounted civilian casualties.
Woman gets backlash for having invasive bear killed

FOREST FALLS, Calif. (AP)  A mother of three has provoked a backlash for having a bear shot after it repeatedly broke into her Southern California mountain home.

"I haven't regretted my decision at all. But the way the people in this town initially responded was initially disheartening," Julie Faith Strauja told the San Bernardino Sun (http://bit.ly/2aCh7Df). "I've had death threats and my address posted all over social media."

Strauja moved to this community of about 1,000 in the San Bernardino Mountains last month.

A self-proclaimed animal lover, she became worried after a bear repeatedly entered her home two weekends ago.

"It had already come into my house Friday night and then again broke into my kitchen early Saturday morning and attacked my dog," Strauja told the Sun.

"I have three little kids, and it was pretty terrifying to come home to a bear in the kitchen," Strauja told KABC-TV (http://bit.ly/2aCUvE0).

Strauja got a depredation permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a friend shot the animal that Sunday after it tried to enter her home for the third day in a row.

"I understand that people are upset," department spokesman Andrew Hughan said. "We don't want to destroy animals unless we have to. The fact is this bear was inside the residence and had been inside the house several times."

But some residents said Strauja should have used other means.

"Go to a neighbor. Get in a car. They don't hurt you as long as you leave them alone," Pennie Justin said. "My son walks home at two o'clock in morning. No problem."

Strauja said she did try other measures, including taking her trash indoors after the bear broke into the garage and using mace to chase it off.

Hughan said some people in the community may have illegally fed wild animals, which can cause them to lose their fear of humans. "At the end of the day this is not a bear problem, it's a people problem," he said.

Strauja said some neighbors have supported her. Meanwhile, community leaders plan to hold a meeting Monday to discuss living with wildlife.

Strauja said she hopes the meeting will ease tensions.
World War II pilot's remains to return 72 years after crash

TIPTON, Ind. (AP)  The remains of a fighter pilot from central Indiana whose aircraft disappeared more than 72 years ago have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

The remains of Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Robert McIntosh of Elwood have been identified after the wreckage of his fighter plane was discovered in Santa Cristina, Italy, in 2013, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Friday. The government used DNA analysis to positively identify him, linking him to his sisters.

The 21-year-old McIntosh was returning with his squadron from a strafing mission against an enemy airfield in Piacenza, Italy, on May 12, 1944, when his single-seat P-38 Lightning aircraft went missing.

Jeannine Baker, McIntosh's sister, was in high school when she got a telegram around Christmas in 1944 saying he was missing in action. She said their father went to Italy to search for him, but the search yielded no results.

"You just had to learn to accept it because you knew nothing. And you had to live with that," Baker told WTTV-TV. "It's just wonderful to finally get to know that is what happened to him."

The government declared McIntosh dead in November 1945.

"He was a special kind of guy. He loved life," Baker said, "He always wanted to fly."

In 2013, private citizens and then a volunteer group in Italy that excavates World War II sites found the plane's wreckage and McIntosh's remains.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home said the remains are expected to return to Tipton about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police and the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group will escort them to Tipton after they arrive at Indianapolis International Airport.
Fatal police shooting highlights inconsistent body cam usage

LOS ANGELES (AP)  The critical moment when a gunman opened fire on two San Diego police officers, killing one, may never be seen. The surviving officer only activated his camera after the wounded shooter was running away.

San Diego is among departments with policies calling for officers to turn on cameras before initiating contact with a citizen in most cases. But like other departments, compliance is less than perfect.

The result is inconsistent use of an increasingly common tool meant to give investigators and an often-skeptical public a fuller picture of police actions.

FILE- In this Jan. 15, 2014, file photo a Los Angeles Police officer wears an on-body camera during a demonstration in Los Angeles. The critical moment when a gunman opened fire on two San Diego police officers, killing one, wasn't captured on the camera one of the officers was wearing because he didn't turn it on until after bullets flew. It's the latest example of the hole created by policies like San Diego's that allow officers to determine when to start recording. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

"The main motive of body cameras is to provide openness and transparency, and build trust in the police," said Samuel Walker, a retired criminal justice professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

"If officers are not turning cameras on, well, you're not going to build trust," he said. "You're going to reinforce the cynicism that already exists."

He pointed to a study that showed across-the-board low compliance rates of officers in one high-crime Phoenix neighborhood between April 2013 and May 2014, the most recent information available. Officers only recorded 6.5 percent of traffic stops even though the department's policy required cameras to be activated "as soon as it is safe and practical," according to the study, conducted by Arizona State University's Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

The biggest part of the problem, Walker said, is a lack of discipline.

Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New Orleans, New York, Oakland and San Diego are among the cities that don't specify penalties when officers fail to record, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's School of Law.

The American Civil Liberties Union has studied the issue and said clear policies are vital, along with punishment for failure to comply.

"Departments can't look the other way when officers fail to activate body cameras in critical incidents, or they become useless for accountability," said Peter Bibring, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Southern California.

San Diego police have been criticized for failing to record a number of high-profile shootings. That prompted the department to revise its policy to stipulate that officers must turn on their cameras before most types of contact with citizens, but violations have continued.

Last week, the two San Diego gang unit officers on nighttime patrol pulled up next to a pedestrian on a darkened residential street, and the man almost immediately opened fire, police said. The suspect, Jesse Gomez, shot Wade Irwin as he got out of the patrol car and then fired through the open door and fatally wounded Irwin's partner, Jonathan De Guzman, according to police.

Irwin fired back and started manually recording after the shooting, but police haven't said what was captured.

The cameras are on before an officer hits record, and have a recall function to get video from shortly before an officer starts recording. That function allows 30 seconds to be retrieved, without audio.

It's unclear if Irwin activated that feature.

Both Irwin and Gomez were seriously wounded and remain hospitalized.

Victor Torres, a leading civil rights attorney in San Diego, said the department's policy makes it clear both officers should have been recording before approaching Gomez.

Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman has commended Irwin's actions, including activating his body camera when he did, as heroic.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Department changed its body-camera policy following a highly publicized incident last November where two deputies were caught on surveillance video using their batons to beat a car theft suspect in the middle of a street in San Francisco's Mission District.

Eleven officers in all responded and 10 failed to turn on their body cameras. The one who did activate his did so by accident.

Three officers were placed on leave, including two who are charged with assault under color of authority.

No one was disciplined for failing to turn on their cameras because the department's policy at the time encouraged, but did not require, their use, said Sgt. Ray Kelly, an agency spokesman. The agency now requires deputies to use the cameras in most circumstances and lays out the discipline for failure to comply.

The department hasn't had a problem with compliance since, Kelly said.

Some departments are tapping new technology to take the human factor out of body cameras. Los Angeles will be among a handful of departments nationwide to deploy cameras made by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Taser International that begin automatically recording once signaled, such as when a patrol car's siren is turned on or when a shotgun is taken out of its mount

"I believe by the end of three years these things will be built into a badge," said Steve Soboroff, vice president of the civilian oversight board of the Los Angeles Police Department. "These cameras now, they're like the old 10-pound cellphones."

Kelly said his department also is looking at the new technology.

"The body camera is really new to law enforcement," he said. "There are a lot of privacy concerns and body cameras don't always accurately depict what an officer is seeing. But they are a great tool and they are the future. And they're here to stay."

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Follow Amanda Lee Myers on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AmandaLeeAP. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/amanda-lee-myers.

FILE - In this Thursday night, July 28, 2016, file photo, a San Diego Harbor Police officer helps to secure the scene in San Diego near where two San Diego Police officers were shot Thursday night. The critical moment when a gunman opened fire on two San Diego police officers, killing one, wasn't captured on the camera one of the officers was wearing because he didn't turn it on until after bullets flew. It's the latest example of the hole created by policies like San Diego's that allow officers to determine when to start recording. (John Gastaldo/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, File)
Hungary's Szasz wins gold in women's epee

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  In a day of fencing upsets, Hungary's Emese Szasz rallied to win the gold medal in women's epee Saturday at the Carioca Arena 3.

Szasz, ranked seventh in the world, stunned two-time world champion Rossella Fiamingo of Italy 15-13 after trailing by as many as four points  a remarkable rally for the sport.

"I believed in myself and my fencing, and I did it," Szasz said.

Rossella Fiamingo of Italy celerates after defeating Sun Yiwen of China in the women's individual epee fencing semifinal event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

China's Yiwen Sun won bronze, beating Lauren Rembi of France 15-13 on a stab with 37 seconds to go.

Szasz's win capped an opening day marked by big surprises. Top-ranked Anqi Xu of China, third-ranked Tatiana Logunova of Russia and all three U.S. fencers were eliminated in the round of 32.

Second-ranked Sarra Besbes of Tunisia was knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Unlike her highly-ranked peers, the fourth-ranked Fiamingo cruised to the semifinals. Fiamingo then fell behind by three points to Sun before a rally with 10 seconds left and a point in extra time put her through to the finals.

Szasz beat Rembi 10-6 in the semifinals, setting up a matchup of two of the world's top fencing powers in the finals.

Fiamingo forced the action, pushing her lead to 10-6 early in the second period. But Szasz scored nine of the last 12 points, clinching the win on a simultaneous score.

"Only then, when I made the last touch," Szasz said when asked when she thought she had taken control of the match.

France's Marie-Florence Candassamy entered the tournament ranked just 49th in the world, but her aggressive fighting style had Xu on her heels.

Candassamy took a 10-6 lead after the second period and clinched the blowout victory midway through the third period.

Candassamy then got a shot at Nathalie Moellhausen, an Italian fighting for Brazil to honor her Brazilian grandmother. But Moellhausen, backed by the home crowd, drubbed Candassamy 15-12 before losing in the quarterfinals.

"I've done something really good for Brazil. It's a new experience for me. I'm going to keep fencing," Moellhausen said.

Americans Katharine Holmes and sisters Courtney and Kelley Hurley, all ranked outside the top 10, lost their first matches. Courtney Hurley chose to rest up for competition rather than march in Friday's Opening Ceremony, a decision she came to regret.

"It doesn't matter. I should have just marched and had fun," Hurley said. "Everyone's hyping it up all year long and you're done in nine minutes."

South Korea's Shin A Lam, whose protest following a defeat in the semifinals at the London Games four years ago overshadowed the rest of the epee tournament, was upset by Ukraine's Olena Kryvytska 15-14 in the round of 32.

___

Online:

AP Summer Games: http://summergames.ap.org/

Nathalie Moellhausen of Brazil celebrates after defeating Marie-Florence Candassamy of France in the women's individual epee fenceng event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Teenager accused of fatal stabbing spree in Russell Square remanded in custody

A teenager charged with carrying out a knife attack in London which left an American tourist dead and five people injured has been remanded in custody after appearing in court today.

Zakaria Bulhan, 19, is accused of murdering retired teacher Darlene Horton, 64, at Russell Square on Wednesday evening.

Ms Horton, the wife of a university professor from Florida, was just hours away from flying home when she was killed.

A court artist's sketch of Zakaria Bulhan (right) appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The mother-of-two was visiting London with husband Richard Wagner, who was teaching summer classes. The couple had planned to return to their home in Tallahassee on Thursday, Florida State University said.

Bulhan is also charged with the attempted murder of Martin Hoenisch, Lillie Selletin, David Imber, Bernard Hepplewhite and Yovel Lewronski, who were all injured in the same attack.

Mr Hoenisch, a retired fireman from Las Vegas, was visiting London with his wife, Laurie Kelly, when he was injured in the attack.

He said on Facebook: "Thanks to everyone for reaching out, we're still very saddened about the woman who was killed.

"Very unreal experience but we are still having an unbelievable time over here. Thanks and love to you all."

Ms Lewronski, 18, who is called Yovel Lewkowski on her Facebook profile, was visiting London from Tel Aviv. She was stabbed in the upper arm.

She said she did not know whether to call it "luck or fate" that she escaped death, adding that she had watched as Ms Horton "perished in front of my eyes".

Ms Selletin, an Australian national, was also injured in the attack along with Mr Imber and Mr Hepplewhite.

One of the victims was a British man who suffered a stab wound to his stomach. He remains in hospital in a "serious but stable" condition.

Bulhan, a Norwegian national of Somali origin who moved to the UK in 2002 and lives in Tooting, south London, appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

He stood in the dock wearing a light grey tracksuit and carrying a handful of paperwork.

The teenager mumbled his name, address and date of birth to the court with his hand over his mouth.

Bulhan was unrepresented in court and sat hunched throughout the short hearing with his hand over his mouth.

He held his face in his hand as the names of the victims were read to him in court. When asked if he understood the charges, he nodded and gave the judge a thumbs-up gesture.

Bulhan was remanded in custody and ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on August 9.

He was led out of the dock by a custody officer following his appearance.

A spokesman for the Australian foreign office said: "The department of foreign affairs and trade has been providing consular assistance to three Australians caught up in a stabbing attack in Russell Square, London.

"A 40-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman both sustained non-life threatening injuries and have been discharged from hospital.

"Another Australian woman was at the scene of the attack, but was not injured. The Australians concerned have requested that their privacy be respected."
Senior British Army officer accused of sexual assault in Canada

A senior British Army soldier has been accused of sexually assaulting a Canadian servicewoman after a forces event in Ontario.

Afghanistan veteran Lt Col Christopher Davies, 45, allegedly pounced on the 52-year-old Canadian military officer in the early hours of April 10 after following her from a bar to her hotel.

Davies, who commanded 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment during a challenging tour in 2014, had met the woman for the first time the evening before during commemorations for the Battle of Vimy Ridge a t Fort Frontenac, Kingston, police said.

The alleged sexual assault happened in the Canadian province of Ontario

The alleged victim reported the assault to police and detectives launched a criminal investigation, combing the scene for evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Investigators said they had "reasonable grounds" to believe the alleged attack had taken place and Davies was arrested for one count of sexual assault on August 2 after attending Kingston Police headquarters.

The force said: "On April 9, 2016 a military function occurred at Fort Frontenac. During the early morning hours of April 10 the 52-year-old victim left the event and attended a downtown licensed establishment with other guests she had just met that evening, including the accused, 45-year-old Christopher Davies.

"The victim returned to her nearby hotel followed by the accused, where after a detailed investigation Kingston Police detectives have formed reasonable grounds to believe the woman was sexually assaulted by the British officer in her hotel room."

Davies was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in the province of Ontario while the case goes to court, with a hearing scheduled for September 15.

An Army spokeswoman said they would not comment on the case due to the continuing legal proceedings.
Murder probe launched after teenager stabbed to death near house party

A murder investigation is under way after a teenager was stabbed to death near a house party in south London.

The youth, who is believed to have been aged 16, was found with a number of stab wounds to his upper body when police were called to a disturbance in Colegrove Road, Peckham, at 7.19pm on Friday.

Despite efforts to save him by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance he died at the scene a short while later.

Police at the scene in Peckham

Police sealed off the area where a number of weapons were later found.

The teenager has not been formally identified, although police said they have notified his next-of-kin. A post-mortem will be carried out in due course.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command said a large house party was happening in the time in the area and have appealed for witnesses. So far no arrests have been made.
Ofsted chief 'should keep job despite Isle of Wight inbreeding slur'

The chairman of education watchdog Ofsted should keep his job despite provoking outrage by describing the Isle of Wight as a ghetto suffering from "inbreeding", the chief inspector of schools has said.

Chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said that David Hoare had gone "over the top", but had apologised and should be allowed to remain.

And he said Mr Hoare had been right to draw public attention to under-achievement in rural and coastal areas like the Isle of Wight, where until recently school standards had been "terribly, pitifully low".

Chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw has defended Ofsted chairman David Hoare following his controversial remarks

Sir Michael said the Ofsted chairman was "wrong" to rule out teachers from taking the chief inspector's role in future.

But he defended the choice of non-teacher Amanda Spielman as his successor, in spite of her nomination being opposed by the House of Commons Education Committee, which said she lacked the "vision and passion" needed for the job.

Former City banker David Hoare was widely criticised after being caught on tape at a teaching conference making disparaging remarks about the Isle of Wight.

"Most people go there for sailing for two weeks a year. There's a sailing club that is one of the best in the world, where there's champagne," said Mr Hoare in the recording, obtained by the Times Education Supplement.

"But just within inches, there are people who live in a ghetto ... They think of it as holiday land. But it is shocking. It's a ghetto; there has been inbreeding."

Isle of Wight council leader Jonathan Bacon denounced the comments as "truly offensive", while Conservative councillor Chris Whitehouse said they were "absolutely inaccurate, inflammatory, unhelpful, unacceptable and frankly despicable".

Green Party education spokeswoman Vix Lowthion said the Ofsted chair should resign.

But Sir Michael said that it was for Mr Hoare himself to decide whether to stay on, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "That's a decision for the chair, for David Hoare, to make."

The chief inspector added: " My view is that he should stay in his job. He has apologised, he's been big enough to understand that he went over the top, that he didn't use appropriate language and he has apologised profusely.

"He's been a good chair. He's run the board well. And he's been a good support to Ofsted. He is passionate about school improvement. My view is that he should remain."

Although Mr Hoare's words had been "inappropriate", he was raising an important issue, said Sir Michael.

"He has drawn everyone's attention to the problems of areas like the Isle of Wight and coastal resorts," he said.

"It's something that I've been talking about in my time as Ofsted's chief inspector.

"We undertook a focused inspection of the Isle of Wight four years ago and found standards to be terribly, pitifully low.

"Children were being failed in many of the schools in the Isle of Wight. As a result of that, schools are now improving because Hampshire local authority - a very good local authority - has taken over the school improvement service and are doing good things in the Isle of Wight.

"He's not accurate in the language that he used in terms of inbreeding, but he is right to draw people's attention - as I've drawn people's attention - to the problems in isolated communities, in rural areas and in coastal resorts.

"Under-achievement is now not generally taking place in the inner cities and the big towns, it is taking place in these sorts of areas."

Sir Michael called for action to recruit effective staff to rural and coastal schools: "The reason why London and other big cities are doing well is because they've got good heads and they've got good teachers and people are attracted to those areas.

"It's much more difficult to attract staff to areas which are less popular and where the challenges are that much greater.

"This is a big national issue. If we're going to create a really good national system, where standards are good throughout our country, we've got to identify these areas and put good teachers and good headteachers into those areas."

Sir Michael said that teaching experience was not a "prerequisite" for his job, but disagreed with Mr Hoare's suggestion that the post should not go to a teacher.

"You can't rule out that," he said. "He was wrong in ruling out that, but he obviously made a judgment on that one and has said so."

However, he said he believed Ms Spielman, a founder of the Ark academy chain and chair of the exams watchdog Ofqual, would do a good job as chief inspector.

"I know Amanda because before I went to Ofsted I was director of education at Ark, which is one of the most successful academy chains in the country," he said.
Sri Lanka thrash Australia inside three days to seal Test series triumph

Dilruwan Perera wrote himself into the record books as Sri Lanka thrashed Australia by 229 runs in Galle to seal a Test series victory over the world's top-ranked team.

Having set Australia a mammoth 413 to win and then reduced the tourists to 25 for three late on day two of the second Test, Sri Lanka finished the job off on Saturday to clinch the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy with a match to spare.

It is Sri Lanka's first Test series win over Australia since 1999.

Dilruwan Perera, second left, starred in Sri Lanka's win over Australia (AP)

Spinner Perera did much of the damage, finishing with second-innings figures of six for 70 as Australia were bowled out for 183.

That success saw Perera become the first Sri Lankan - and only 25th player in total - to take 10 wickets and score a half-century in the same Test, having made a valuable 64 in his side's second innings. Th e 34-year-old was named man of the match.

Australia were always up against it after losing three wickets in six overs just before stumps on Friday, and the prospects of them making the third-highest successful chase in Test history deteriorated further as they lost key duo David Warner (41) and Steven Smith (30) on Saturday morning.

Perera snared both players following reviews, Warner failing to get his lbw dismissal reversed before Sri Lanka successfully overturned the original not-out decision against Smith, who was shown to have nicked the ball to Kaushal Silva.

That left Australia on 80 for five and, despite most of their middle order making starts, they never looked like making a game of it.

Perera added the wickets of Adam Voges (28) and Josh Hazlewood (seven) to his collection, while Lakshan Sandakan sent back Mitchell Marsh (18) and Rangana Herath did for Mitchell Starc (26).

The victory was sealed midway in the afternoon session when Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill was run out for 24

The final match of the three-Test series starts on August 13 in Colombo.
Man camping in Edinburgh killed after large tree falls on tent

A camper has died after a large tree fell on his tent as he slept in Edinburgh city centre.

Police were called to woodland next to the Water of Leith at around 3.30am. A "very large" tree had fallen on the tent in which the man and another man were sleeping, police said.

The man died at the scene, while his 35-year-old companion suffered minor injuries.

Woodland next to the Water of Leith in Edinburgh where camper died after a large tree fell on his tent as he slept

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police in Edinburgh were called to an area of woodlands on the south bank of the Water of Leith, accessed from Miller Row, around 3.30am on Saturday August 6.

"A very large tree had fallen on a tent in which two men were sleeping and, sadly, one of the men was pronounced dead at the scene.

"A 35-year-old man also suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical treatment."

The spokesman added: "Officers have consulted with the appropriate partners, who are confident that the tree fell as a result of natural occurrences.
Pride parade revellers call for 'equal marriage' legislation

Calls for an end to Northern Ireland's ban on same sex marriage found colourful voice on the streets of Belfast as thousands packed the city centre for the annual Pride parade.

Many of those taking part in the noisy carnival used the opportunity to demand a change to legislation.

Among the chants resonating along the snake of floats were: "What do we want? Equal Marriage. When do we want it? Now."

Participants pass City Hall as they take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

In a clear reference to Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster's opposition to lifting the prohibition, others sang: "Arlene, Arlene hear us clear - we want equal marriage here."

Spirits were high across the city centre as the sun bathed supporters and participants alike.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles that does not allow same sex couples to wed.

Political attempts to change marriage laws in the region have been defeated five times in the Stormont Assembly.

Although a slim majority of MLAs voted in favour of lifting the ban when it was debated for a fifth time last November, the proposal fell when the Democratic Unionists deployed a controversial voting mechanism to effectively veto it.

The DUP, which is the largest party in the powersharing Assembly, have argued that same sex couples already have the ability to enter into civil partnerships and insisted the appetite is not there for further change.

Mainstream churches in the region hold that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Advocates of a change point to a number of recent opinion polls that indicate a clear majority in Northern Ireland do not oppose same sex marriage.

Political parties campaigning for the ban to end, including Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance Party, took part in Saturday's Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

THere are callsfor an end to NI's ban on gay marriage

Crowds during Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

Participants pass city Hall as they take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

A dog takes part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

People take part in Belfast's annual Pride parade.

Crowds during Belfast's annual Pride parade.
Liverpool fire four past Barcelona as injured Daniel Sturridge misses out

Sadio Mane and Divock Origi softened the blow of another Daniel Sturridge injury as Liverpool roared to a surprise 4-0 win over Barcelona at Wembley.

Mane scored for the first time in a Reds shirt and Origi grabbed an assist and a goal in the space of a minute, but Sturridge and James Milner gave Jurgen Klopp a potential headache before the big Premier League kick-off.

There are once again question marks over Sturridge's fitness ahead of next week's opener at Arsenal after the England striker missed out with what the club explained was a slight hip injury.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp applauds after his team's Wembley win over Barcelona

And Klopp was dealt another blow when Milner, who was playing in Liverpool's problem left-back position, limped off moments before half-time.

Nevertheless, the Anfield boss would have been hugely encouraged by his side's display against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and co.

Suarez was facing his old club for the first time since moving to the Spanish giants having scored 82 goals in 133 appearances during three-and-a-half memorable years with the Reds.

The Uruguayan was cheered by Liverpool's fans and hugged his former team-mates, while the convivial atmosphere at the International Champions Cup friendly was also evident on the touchline where Klopp and opposite number Luis Enrique chatted warmly.

Klopp took in much of the action perched on an icebox, while Enrique, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, could hardly have been more casual.

Mane, Liverpool's 34million summer signing from Southampton, looked eager to impress and got off the mark thanks to a slick move after 15 minutes.

Adam Lallana stole the ball from Munir on the halfway line and surged forward, playing a neat one-two with Roberto Firmino before setting up Mane to slot home.

Suarez and Messi almost combined to grab an equaliser but the latter's finish from his strike partner's flick cannoned back off the far post.

Milner then denied Arda Turan with a last-ditch tackle and Simon Mignolet spread himself to keep out a trademark Suarez volley.

After Milner had been withdrawn, Klopp introduced Jordan Henderson, Origi and Kevin Stewart at the break, and their impact was instant.

Just a minute had gone when Origi darted down the right and crossed for Henderson, who bundled the ball home with the help of former Red Javier Mascherano, who got the final touch for an own goal.

And 60 seconds later Stewart, who began last season on loan with Swindon, robbed none other than Spain star Sergio Busquets before playing in Origi to roll home number three.
Chevron to sell assets in Asia worth up to $5 bln-WSJ

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp, the second-largest U.S. oil company, is selling some assets in Asia worth up to $5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The company is set to start selling its offshore China assets this month, the Journal reported on Thursday.

Chevron's stake in an offshore oil field venture with China's state-owned oil company CNOOC Ltd could fetch as much as $1 billion, according to the report. (http://on.wsj.com/2aAtYHU)

Chevron had disclosed in October last year plans to sell about $10 billion of assets by 2017.

The oil giant is also looking for buyers for its geothermal assets in Indonesia, and is considering offers worth more than $2 billion, the Journal reported, citing sources.

Natural gas field assets in Thailand are also part of the company's divestiture plans, according to the report.

A Chevron spokesman said the company does not comment on rumor or speculation.
Bombardier posts loss, says business jet demand weak; stock down

By Allison Lampert

MONTREAL, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Canadian plane and train maker Bombardier Inc on Friday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss as it delivered fewer business jets and warned of weakness in the market for smaller corporate planes.

The results showed Montreal-headquartered Bombardier faces pressure in its higher-margin business jet segment because of a downturn in global demand, even as it works to win customers for its new CSeries program of narrow body aircraft.

"Business jet weakness is a source of concern to us and has the potential to materially slow down the pace of restructuring progress if it worsens," said an analyst following the company who asked not be identified.

Bombardier shares dropped 1.26 percent to C$1.97 in Toronto.

Business jets revenue declined nearly 19 percent in the second quarter. The sector, a key source of cash flow, accounted for more than a third of total revenue.

Chief Executive Alain Bellemare said on a conference call there had been "significant softness" in the market for smaller size business aircraft.

"It's a very competitive segment of the market so there's significant pricing pressure," he said.

Chief Financial Officer John Di Bert said the company would scale back investment in the CSeries next year, even as it boosts spending on the high-end Global 7000 business jet, which is expected to enter service at the end of 2018.

Bellemare said there is a strong backlog for the new long-range business jet and Bombardier is working to get the Global 7000's production up to 50 aircraft a year as quickly as possible.

Commercial jets revenue rose more than a quarter, but margins weakened as the company spent heavily on the CSeries.

Following two recent pivotal CSeries orders from Air Canada and Delta Air Lines, Bombardier said on Friday Russia's Ilyushin Finance Co reduced the number of CSeries planes it ordered from 32 to 20 of the 150-seat CS300 aircraft.

Bombardier, which has secured $1 billion for the program from Quebec, said it is still in talks with the Canadian government about further investment.

Bombardier reported a net loss of $490 million, or 24 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. A year earlier, it had a profit of $125 million, or 6 cents per share.
U.S. closer to testing engineered mosquitoes that could fight Zika

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO, Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators have cleared the way for a trial of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida that can reduce mosquito populations, potentially offering a new tool to fight the local spread of Zika and other viruses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that a field trial testing Intrexon Corp's genetically engineered mosquitoes would not have a significant impact on the environment. The announcement came as Florida officials grapple with the first cases of local Zika transmission in the continental United States.

Florida health authorities have identified 16 Zika cases spread by local mosquitoes and are ramping up aerial pesticide spraying of a Miami neighborhood where all of the people are believed to have been infected.

Pregnant women are most at risk from Zika, which can cause a rare birth defect in fetuses called microcephaly. The Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil and has spread rapidly in the Americas, primarily through mosquito bite.

Intrexon's Oxitec unit has been working for years to kick off a trial in the Florida Keys to assess the effectiveness of its mosquitoes to reduce levels of the insects that carry diseases, including Zika, dengue, Yellow Fever and chikungunya.

The Oxitec method involves inserting an engineered gene into male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. When they mate with female mosquitoes in the wild, they produce offspring that cannot survive to adulthood.

The FDA has been reviewing Oxitec's application for use of its technology as an investigational new animal drug. Its environmental assessment helps clear the way for the company to begin a clinical trial in Key Haven, Florida that would test whether the genetically modified mosquitoes will suppress the wild populations over time.

Results of that trial would be used to support approval of the company's technology, a process that could take more than a year. Similar testing in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have shown that the Oxitec mosquitoes can reduce local Aedes aegypti populations by more than 90 percent.

'THEY ARE USING US'

To begin the trial, however, the company must first await the results of a vote in the Nov. 8 general election seeking community approval for the trial.

Oxitec Chief Executive Hadyn Parry said in a conference call that the vote is non-binding, and the decision about whether to proceed is up to the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, the local body responsible for mosquito control.

Community support in the vote is not guaranteed.

In Key Haven, a suburb of large, waterfront homes near Key West where the trial is slated to take place, yard signs have popped up declaring "no consent" to the release of genetically modified mosquitoes.

Kathryn Watkins, a Key Haven resident recruited by trial opponents, is seeking election to the board overseeing the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.

"It just has everyone scared," Watkins said, adding that local residents see themselves as unwilling test subjects. "The genetically modified male has to mate with a wild female, and the wild female has to bite us in order to lay eggs," she said.

"They are using us in this trial without consent," she added.

As his company awaits the vote, Parry said he intends to ask the FDA for an emergency-use authorization that would make the product available to help battle Zika in the United States. The FDA has approved several diagnostic products under this designation.

But it is not likely to be granted under current statutes. FDA spokeswoman Theresa Eisenman said there is no "fast-track" designation for new animal drugs, and emergency-use provisions in the applicable law do not apply to animal drugs.
Kuwait arrests Filipina accused of pledging allegiance to Islamic State, planning attack

DUBAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti authorities have arrested a Filipina accused of pledging allegiance to Islamic State and planning to launch an attack in the Gulf Arab state, the official news agency KUNA reported on Friday.

The woman, born in 1984, entered Kuwait in June as a housemaid and has been in contact with Islamic State's affiliate in Libya, the interior ministry said in a statement published by KUNA.

Security forces monitored one of the email accounts run by the woman and found messages in which she had contacted the Libyan militant group and had been using "fake name and nickname to evade monitoring," the ministry said.

"The accused confessed ... that she was ready to carry out any terrorist attack once circumstances and means were available to target a specific section of the society in order to undermine security and stability in Kuwait, as well as ignite sedition," KUNA said.

The news agency also published pictures of a veiled, middle-aged women, dressed in an abaya, the traditionally all-black, enveloping gown that observant Muslim women wear in public in the Gulf, identifying her as the accused.

Last month, Kuwait foiled three planned Islamic State attacks on the country, including a plot to blow up a Shi'ite mosque, after launching raids that resulted in the arrest of militants.

A year ago, Kuwait, home to several U.S. military bases, suffered its deadliest militant attack in decades when a Saudi suicide bomber blew himself up inside a packed Shi'ite mosque, killing 27 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility.

A U.S. ally and neighbour of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Kuwait is part of a 34-nation alliance announced by Riyadh in December aimed at countering Islamic State and al Qaeda in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan.
Cuban dissident briefly hospitalized, hunger strike in 3rd week

By Marc Frank

HAVANA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Veteran Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas was briefly hospitalized in Santa Clara on Friday after losing consciousness in his home on the 16th day of a hunger strike to protest government repression, his opposition organization said.

This was the second time the 54-year-old Farinas, who has staged more than 20 similar actions over the years, was rushed to receive medical attention and intravenous liquids since starting the hunger strike after what he said was a beating by police in his home city of Santa Clara in central Cuba.

Farinas, who received the European Union's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2010, is demanding that such beatings cease and a meeting between dissidents and the government to negotiate an end to repression.

Farinas returned home from a hospital after being there for more than seven hours, Juan Carlos Ruiz, a member of Farinas' organization, the Frente Antitotalitario Unido (the United Antitotalitarian Front), said in a telephone interview from the dissident's home.

"They gave him an intravenous solution. But already he is recovering and right now sleeping," he said.

More than a dozen other dissidents around the country, mainly members of an opposition organization called the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UPACU) in the eastern part of the country, also are on hunger strikes, with at least two members hospitalized, according to opposition groups.

A few of the UPACU members began their hunger strikes earlier than Farinas, also to protest repression.

Farinas has been a vocal critic of the detente between the United States and Cuba that began in December 2014, when he said dissidents should have been included in secret talks preceding it that he called a betrayal.

Last week, the U.S. State Department voiced concern about the condition of Farinas and other hunger strikers, and urged Cuba's government to take action.

"We stand in solidarity with those who advocate for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

Communist-run Cuba calls all political opponents U.S. mercenaries with no popular following.

Dissidents are relatively free to talk among themselves, travel abroad and publish on the internet, though their posts are blocked within the country.
Mexico's top retailers see strong sales growth on ample liquidity

By Jean Luis Arce and Luis Rojas

MEXICO CITY, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Total sales from Mexico's major retail stores will likely surpass earlier estimates of nearly 7 percent growth this year, in large part due to abundant liquidity in the economy, the head of retailers association ANTAD said in an interview on Friday.

Earlier this year, ANTAD forecast annual growth of 6.9 percent for total retail sales, and 3.9 percent growth for sales at stores open at least a year.

Data through June already shows total sales growth of 10.1 percent and same-store sales growth of 6.8 percent, a trend that ANTAD President Vicente Yanez expects to continue through the remainder of the year.

"With more than half of the year behind us, there's no doubt we will be ahead of the forecasts that were already good to begin with," said Yanez.

"There's abundant liquidity in the economy in all forms of purchase," he said.

ANTAD includes retail chains Walmex and Soriana as well as other department stores operating in Mexico, Latin America's second-biggest economy behind Brazil.

Yanez said that better-than-expected sales growth is also due to an expansion in consumer credit.

Consumer finance in Mexico grew 11.2 percent year-on-year in June, with personal loans jumping 20.6 percent and credit for durable goods up 12.6 percent, according to data from Mexico's central bank.

Bank data further shows that remittances sent home by Mexicans living abroad totaled $13.16 billion during January to June, up nearly 9 percent over the same period in 2015.

Yanez said lower-income sectors of the economy will benefit the most from the growth in remittances, which is also being boosted by the deprecation of the Mexican peso since last year.

"This provides a significant flow of resources in pesos which stimulates commerce in general," he said.
Japan protests after Chinese coastguards and fishing boats sail near disputed islets

TOKYO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Japan issued a new protest to Beijing on Saturday after Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailed close to what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around disputed islets in the East China Sea, Japan's foreign ministry said.

The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions, less than a month after an arbitration court in The Hague invalidated China's sweeping claims in the disputed South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines.

China has refused to recognise the ruling. Japan called on China to adhere to the verdict, which it said was binding, prompting warnings from Beijing to Tokyo not to interfere.

Three of the six Chinese coastguard ships that were in the so-called contiguous waters on Saturday appeared to be armed, Japan's coastguard said.

On Friday, a Japanese foreign ministry official said Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels had entered what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around the islets.

Beijing claims the uninhabited, Tokyo-controlled East China Sea islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, and occasionally sends its coastguard vessels close to them.

A senior Japanese foreign ministry official on Saturday issued a protest to a Chinese embassy official in Tokyo, calling on the coastguard ships to leave the area immediately and condemning the action as a unilateral escalation of tensions, the ministry said.

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama had on Friday summoned China's ambassador to Japan, Cheng Yonghua, to lodge a strong protest, the ministry said.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in a statement posted on the ministry's website, said China had indisputable sovereignty over the islands and nearby waters.

"At the same time, China is adopting measures to appropriately manage the situation in relevant waters," Hua said.

Japan should make "constructive efforts for stability" and not take actions that might complicate the situation, she said, without elaborating.

China on Friday accused Japan's new defence minister, Tomomi Inada, of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops had massacred civilians in China during World War Two.
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As Turkey's coup strains ties with West, detente with Russia gathers pace

By Nick Tattersall and Alexander Winning

ISTANBUL/MOSCOW, Aug 6 (Reuters) - As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.

Turkish officials insist Erdogan's visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch.

But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, comes as Ankara's relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious.

Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate.

So damaged are relations that Germany's foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that "we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets." Austria's chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended.

"For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkey's partners in the West that it could have other strategic options," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

"There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate towards Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATO's cohesiveness," Ulgen said.

Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president on Friday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity.

"Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries," he told Reuters.

Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership," Kortunov said.

SIGNAL TO THE WEST

Washington is likely to be watching closely. Its ties with Ankara are strained over the continued presence in the United States of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Erdogan of orchestrating the attempted coup.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement in the coup and Washington has said it will extradite him only if Turkey provides evidence, much to the Turkish government's frustration.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Turkey in late August, officials have said, with Gulen's case likely to be high on the agenda.

"At a time like this, Turkish public psychology expects expressions of solidarity and togetherness, but that's not what is forthcoming from the West," said Faruk Logoglu, a former Turkish ambassador to Washington and until recently a senior lawmaker in the main secularist opposition.

While the timing of Erdogan's Russia trip could be interpreted as a signal to the West, Logoglu doubted it meant a full Turkish embrace of Russia or lasting damage to U.S. ties.

"The Turkish-American relationship is like a catholic marriage: there is no divorce. Both sides need each other," he said. "It has experienced severe tests in the past and I think it will weather this one as well."

Closer ties between Ankara and Moscow could be more troublesome for Europe, which sees a plan for a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, a project known as TurkStream, as a complication in its efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy.

"Gas cooperation between Russia and Turkey could be scary for the European Union," said Akin Unver, assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has university in Istanbul and an expert in regional energy.

"The EU wants to diversify suppliers and link eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe in the long run ... if Russia bypasses all that with TurkStream that would not help. But the EU is in no position to bargain. Politically, it is very weak."

"SHORT-LIVED TURBULENCE"

Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Syria would be the main topic at the meeting with Erdogan. TurkStream, nuclear power projects, and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey, which stopped after the downing of the fighter jet last November, would also be discussed.

Tourism revenue, a mainstay of the Turkish economy, has been decimated by the drop in Russian visitors, whose numbers fell 87 percent in the first six months of the year. The sector has also been hit by a series of suicide bombings.

"The Turkish side has given a written guarantee that they will fulfil Russia's recommendations on extra security measures for Russian tourists at Turkish resorts," Ushakov told a briefing in Moscow on Friday, adding that Turkey had granted Russian experts permission to check the measures on the ground.

On Syria, Kortunov said there was room for the two sides to move closer together on options for a political transition to end the five-year civil war and on the shape of a new constitution for the country.

"In cooperation with Russia, we would like to facilitate a political transition in Syria as soon as possible," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency. But he repeated Turkey's long-held conviction that such a move would only be possible with Assad's departure.

Kalin described the recent tensions with Russia as "short-lived turbulence" in a friendship that dated back centuries. Leaders in the West might be hoping the same is true of their relations with Ankara.
Nissan in talks with Panasonic, others to sell battery operations -sources

TOKYO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co is in talks with Panasonic Corp and overseas companies including Chinese firms over the possible sale of its controlling stake in a car battery manufacturing venture, sources said.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday that the Japanese automaker wants to sell its 51 percent stake in Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, which makes lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The company is jointly owned by NEC Corp.

The Nikkei daily on Friday reported that Nissan was looking to sell the company because it would be cheaper to buy batteries for its electric vehicles including its Leaf model from other makers. The newspaper did not say where it obtained the information.

Talk of the sale "is speculation, and is not based on any announcement by us", Nissan said in an email. Spokesmen for Panasonic and NEC declined to comment.

Competition to supply batteries for electric vehicles is heating up due to expectations that a growing number of lower emission cars will be produced in the coming years.

Tesla Motors, which currently procures batteries for its electric vehicles from Panasonic, is planning to boost its total vehicle production to 500,000 in 2018 - two years earlier than its original target.

Nissan and Renault SA, under Carlos Ghosn, who heads both companies, have bet more heavily on electric cars than mainstream competitors. In 2009 the two companies pledged to invest 4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) to build models including the Nissan Leaf compact and as many as 500,000 batteries per year to power them.

Sales of the Leaf and those of other electrical vehicles, however, have been disappointing, meaning Nissan and NEC have been unable to lower battery costs through mass production.

Reuters reported in 2014 that Ghosn was preparing to cut battery production by AESC and instead use packs made by LG Chem .

Nissan is also in the process of selling its 41 percent stake in auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei Corp, sources have told Reuters.
Perera wrecks Australia as Sri Lanka seal series

Aug 6 (Reuters) - Dilruwan Perera laid bare Australia's spin frailties again on Saturday to spin Sri Lanka to a series-clinching 229-run victory inside three days of the second test in Galle.

The 34-year-old claimed 6-70 as the world's top-ranked test team folded for 183 in their pursuit of an improbable 413-run victory target.

The off-spinner became the first Sri Lankan player to score a fifty and claim 10 wickets in the same match as the hosts clinched their first test series victory over Australia since 1999.

Perera also became the fastest Sri Lankan to claim 50 test wickets, achieving the feat in his 11th match, and won the man-of-the-match award for his all-round brilliance.

"Not too many teams do this to the number-one team," home captain Angelo Mathews said after his team prevailed in the bowler-dominated contest that saw 33 wickets tumble on the first two days.

"After winning the toss, we had to put a decent score on the board and once again it was a special effort by Kusal Mendis and what a performance Dilruwan came up with," he said.

Resuming day three on 25 for three, Australia captain Steve Smith (30) and deputy David Warner (41) showed positive intent, frequently using their feet against the spinners even though they were merely delaying a defeat that looked inevitable.

Perera separated them when he trapped Warner leg-before with a straight delivery. The batsman reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned.

The spinner then returned to induce Smith into giving a bat-pad catch to Kausal Silva at forward short leg and went on to complete his five-wicket haul when Adam Voges (28) attempted a reverse sweep only to have his leg stump pegged back.

Mendis displayed tremendous reflexes as he stopped a Peter Nevill shot at forward short leg and flicked it back on the stumps to run out the batsman and trigger wild celebrations at the Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lankan spinners claimed 18 of the 20 Australian wickets to fall in the contest, underlying the tourists' struggle on turning tracks.

"It's incredibly hard to play against (spin), particularly (coming) from Australia. We are not accustomed to that. It's very foreign," Smith admitted.

"Our record shows that we've won a game in about 15 or 16 in the sub-continent. We certainly have a lot of work to do. We have to find ways to score and find ways to take wickets and keep the runs dry," added the Australia captain.

Among the visitors, only paceman Mitchell Starc redeemed himself with a match haul of 11 wickets on a spin-friendly track, while none of the Australian batsmen managed a fifty.
Four arrested in Italy, Hungary, Slovenia for trafficking migrants

MILAN, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Police in Italy, Hungary and Slovenia on Saturday arrested four people in a coordinated operation targeting a group suspected of smuggling illegal migrants into Italy from the Balkans, Italian police said.

Two of the suspects were arrested in northern Italy, one in Budapest and one in the Slovenian city of Maribor, they said. The four are all charged with criminal conspiracy and aiding and abetting clandestine migration.

The suspects are part of a trans-national criminal group of Pakistani origin that is based in Milan, the Italian Carabinieri police said in a statement.

The organisation transported Pakistani, Bengali and Afghan migrants from Hungary into Italy and northern European countries, packing them into delivery vans and using fake documents, the statement said.

The police said the business generated returns close to 500,000 euros a year.

More than one million migrants, many fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, have poured into Europe through Greece since last year, with the Balkans being the preferred route to Western Europe.
Saudi Arabia to help Germany investigate attacks -Spiegel

BERLIN, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has offered to help German investigators find those behind Islamist bomb and axe attacks in July, news magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday, citing a senior member of the Saudi government.

Saudi authorities are in contact with their German colleagues, responding to new findings that show both attackers were in close contact via a chat conversation with possible Islamic State backers from Saudi Arabia, Spiegel said.

Traces of the chat, which investigators have been able to reconstruct, indicate that both men were not only influenced by but also took instructions from people, as yet unidentified, up until the attacks, the report said.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on July 18 near Wuerzburg in Bavaria in which a 17-year-old refugee believed to be from Pakistan or Afghanistan wounded five people with an axe before police shot him dead.

A 27-year-old Syrian who blew himself up in Ansbach, southern Germany on July 24 had pledged allegiance to Islamic State on a video found on his mobile phone, investigators said. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing, which wounded 15 people.
Thailand's Aug. 7 constitutional referendum

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (Reuters) - On Sunday, Thailand will vote in a referendum on a military-backed constitution that the ruling junta has said will usher in political stability in the Southeast Asian nation.

The Aug 7 referendum is an important step for the military government that seized power in a 2014 coup as it tries to shape a new political system after over a decade of turmoil, including military takeovers and sometimes deadly street demonstrations.

Some 50 million Thais are eligible to vote at the 95,000 polling stations around the country. About 200,000 police will be deployed but violence is seen as unlikely under a military government with a tight grip on security.

Preliminary results are expected on the same day as the vote. The following are details on the referendum:

THE QUESTIONS

Thai voters will answer two yes/no questions on the ballot.

The first is whether voters accept the draft constitution.

The second is whether they would approve a junta-appointed upper house Senate to join members of parliament's lower house in electing a prime minister during a five-year transitional period from military rule.

THE CONTROVERSY

The constitution would allow for an unelected prime minister in the event of political deadlock and a unelected senate appointed by the junta with seats reserved for military commanders to check the powers of elected lawmakers during the five-year transition period.

Provisions in the charter would legally oblige any future government to follow the military's 20-year national development plan and allows military allies to take legal action against any government which does not adhere to the plan.

Critics say the charter will give the military too much power over future elected governments and weaken their ability to govern. They say the constitution will do little to heal Thailand's bitter political divisions.

Experts say the referendum is also a vote on the legitimacy of military rule since a May 2014 coup.

BACKGROUND

For more than a decade, Thailand has been divided between rival camps, one is led by former populist premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 coup and later went into self-exile.

Ranged against his allies is the royalist and military establishment, which accuses Thaksin of poisoning politics with nepotism and corruption, charges he denies.

In May 2014, the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, was overthrown by the generals that formed the ruling junta, following months of street protests.

CAMPAIGNING

The government has been intent on preventing criticism of the draft charter, introducing a law that sets a 10-year jail term for campaigning ahead of the vote.

The junta itself, however, has used patriotic songs and television programmes to woo support.

MAJOR PLAYERS

Thailand's two biggest political parties have rejected the draft saying it is undemocratic.

Student activists, among the most vocal critics of the military government, have actively campaigned against the draft and more than a dozen have been detained.

The pro-Thaksin anti-government United Front For Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the "red shirt" group, have attempted to set up election monitoring centres which they said were to prevent fraud. The authorities shut them down and charged members of the group with breaking a junta ban on political gatherings of more than five people.

LIKELY OUTCOME

Public opinion in the run-up to the referendum has been difficult to gauge because of the ban on campaigning.

A one-sided information campaign by the junta has left the majority of Thais undecided about how to vote and liable to make impulsive decisions, a leading pollster said last week.

WHAT NEXT?

If the constitution is approved, the junta has promised a general election in 2017.

There are no guidelines as to what would happen if the draft is rejected. The government has said it will meet on Aug. 9, two days after the referendum, to decide the next steps.
Senior separatist official in east Ukraine wounded in explosion

MOSCOW/KIEV, Aug 6 (Reuters) - The head of the separatist-controlled Luhansk region in east Ukraine was wounded on Saturday after an explosion near his car that regional officials said was an assassination attempt.

Igor Plotnitsky, head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), received shrapnel wounds in the blast, a source in the hospital where he was being treated told Russia's Interfax news agency.

His life was not in danger, according to rebel mouthpiece the Luhansk Information Centre.

The incident follows a sharp increase in violence in east Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government's forces despite a fragile ceasefire.

"Today at 7:50 an assassination attempt on the head of the LNR was carried out. Facts from the scene speak of the fact that it was an act of terrorism," regional official Sergei Kozlov told the Luhansk Information Centre.

A spokesman for Ukraine's presidential administration said Kiev had nothing to do with the blast.

"The Ukrainian side is not involved in this assassination attempt, since it's absolutely without any logic and does not solve a single question," Oleksandr Motuzyanik told a news conference.

Motuzyanik said the incident could be the result of a local power struggle.

Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations' human rights chief said earlier this week.
Italy's economy minister rules out state intervention for banks - paper

MILAN, Aug 6 (Reuters) - State intervention is not required to support Italy's banks but the government will focus on measures aimed at supporting the restructuring of the lenders, Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan told daily il Sole 24 Ore in an interview published on Saturday. He also said:

* A state-funded backstop for Monte dei Paschi's bailout plan is not needed, the role of the state is solely that of guarantor in the sales of bad loans.

* New European rules on bail-in - hitting investors in a troubled bank before public money is used to prop it up - have created unexpected reactions in different countries.

* The government is examining measures that could help the banks to improve their business models - "a process that could have implications even on employment levels."

* The government cannot, however, think of tailor-made rules just for one sector otherwise it translates into state aid.

* The violent reactions of the markets after the Brexit vote and the European stress tests on banks were "as expected."

* When Italy's 1.8 percent target ratio for deficit to GDP was agreed with the European Union, the economic scenario was different and the subsequent growth slowdown has to be taken into consideration.

* Italy's next budget law will have to focus on measures aimed at increasing growth and productivity and to stimulate public and private investments.
Italy's highest court set to approve referendum - paper

MILAN, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Italy's highest court is set to give a green light on Monday for a national referendum due to take place in the autumn on a major constitutional reform, daily la Repubblica reported on Saturday.

The referendum, in which people can vote on a series of changes to the country's constitution, will be a big test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government.

Renzi has said he would resign if people voted against the reforms, one of the main pillars of the agenda of his centre-left government.

The new rules, approved by parliament in April, aim at increasing political stability and ending decades of revolving-door governments that have made it difficult to revive the country's debt-ridden economy.

The court had 30 days to examine signatures in a petition needed to call the referendum, which totalled more than the 500,000 threshold required by law, but reached a decision quickly, la Repubblica reported.

The court is due to hold a press conference on Monday to give its approval, the paper said.

Under Italian law, the government will then have 60 days to set a date for the vote, which must be held on a Sunday.
Austrian far-right leader likens Turkish coup to Reichstag fire

VIENNA, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Turkey's failed coup and President Tayyip Erdogan's subsequent purges of state institutions are reminiscent of the Reichstag fire in Nazi Germany and its use by Hitler to amass greater power, the head of Austria's far-right Freedom Party said.

The blaze in the German parliament building in 1933 was portrayed by the Nazis as a Communist plot against the government and it was used to justify curtailing civil liberties, consolidating Adolf Hitler's grip on Germany.

Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) leader Heinz-Christian Strache said he saw parallels in Erdogan's use of the July 15 coup by a faction within the Turkish armed forces to crack down on his opponents in the army, civil service, academia and the media.

"One almost had the impression that it was a guided putsch aimed in the end at making a presidential dictatorship by Erdogan possible," Strache told daily Die Presse in an interview published on Saturday.

"Dramatically, we have experienced such mechanisms elsewhere before, such as with the Reichstag fire, in the wake of which total power was seized," Strache said.

"And now, too, one has the impression that a bit of steering occurred," he added.

Erdogan has angrily rejected suggestions that he or the government might have been behind the coup, which he has blamed on the followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possible death on the night of the putsch.

Turkey's foreign minister called Austria the "capital of radical racism" on Friday after Chancellor Christian Kern suggested European Union leaders discuss ending Ankara's EU accession talks, citing democratic and economic deficits.

Kern's centrist coalition government is under pressure from Strache's resurgent FPO, which is currently leading in opinion polls. Its candidate narrowly lost a presidential election in May but may win a re-run set for Oct. 2 following irregularities in the ballot count.

Germany rejected Kern's suggestion on Turkey but Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europe's most powerful leader, and other EU politicians have expressed concern over the scale and speed of the mass purges in Turkey.

Erdogan and many Turks accuse the West of focusing more on the rights of the coup plotters and their suspected supporters than on the putsch itself, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

The Turkish authorities blame Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen and his followers in Turkey for the coup attempt. Ankara has demanded the extradition of Gulen from the United States, where he has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999.
Yemen's Houthi-led bloc sets up governing council, peace talks wind down

DUBAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Yemen's two dominant political movements on Saturday announced a 10-member governing council, pushing ahead with plans to run the country as U.N.-sponsored talks to end a 16-month-old war drew to a close without a deal.

The announcement came as supporters of the internationally-recognised President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition, launched a fresh offensive to try to capture the capital Sanaa from the Iran-allied Houthis.

The armed Houthi movement and the party of Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the General People's Congress (GPC), hold most of Yemen's northern half, while Hadi's forces share control of the rest of the country with local tribes.

Fighting in which more than 6,400 people have been killed, half of them civilians, has created a humanitarian crisis in one of the poorest countries in the Middle East.

Al Qaeda and its militant rival Islamic State have exploited the war to try to recruit more followers and establish roots in the country, which control major shipping lanes overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,

In a brief statement issued in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the Houthi-run Saba news agency published the names of 10 officials who would comprise the political committee which would run the country. Both parties would rotate the position of president and vice president, who will be chosen from within the committee.

The Houthis and the GPC last month cited a need to bring in all parties to share in running Yemen in view of what they called the "continuing Saudi-led aggression". But they insisted they would continue peace talks in Kuwait.

The U.N. envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has slammed the proposal saying it gravely violated U.N. Security Council resolutions on how to solve the conflict and warned the warring parties against any "unilateral actions".

The Kuwait talks are officially scheduled to end later on Saturday. The U.N. envoy is said to be pushing to keep a fragile truce that had been in effect in April, and wants both sides to agree to a new round of talks at a future date.

The talks, held off and on since April, have centred on a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for the Houthis to withdraw from areas they had seized since 2014 and to allow the government to resume its duties from Sanaa. The Houthis say any withdrawal must be part of a wider deal on a broad government to run the country.
Six dead in Mexico as remnants of Earl trigger landslides

MEXICO CITY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Six people died in eastern Mexico on Saturday after they were buried in landslides caused by intense rainfall from the remnants of now-downgraded Tropical Storm Earl, an emergency services official said.

The six deaths involved two separate families in eastern Veracruz state, emergency services spokesman Manuel Escalera said.

He added that local authorities were continuing to monitor rising rivers and saturated soil that could trigger additional landslides.

Earl's maximum wind speed dropped to 30 mph (48 kmh) by Saturday afternoon, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

It was located approximately 105 miles (169 km) east of Mexico City, after pounding portions of Central America and crossing Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula over the past couple days.

Forecasters were still warning that the storm could produce dangerous flash floods and mudslides with rainfall up to 18 inches (30 cm) in some areas in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcula and Veracruz.

The Mexican government discontinued the tropical storm warning and there were no coastal warnings or watches in effect.
EDF to take legal action over union's claims about Hinkley Point

PARIS, Aug 6 (Reuters) - EDF Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Levy had no prior knowledge of Britain's decision to review the Hinkley Point nuclear project and will sue a French union for suggesting otherwise, the French utility said.

EDF's board approved the 18 billion pound ($24 billion) nuclear plant project on July 28, but hours later the government of new British Prime Minister Theresa May said it wanted more time to study the plan and would decide on it in the autumn.

In a statement late on Friday, EDF said Levy would take legal action against the Sud Energie union for alleging he had lied to reporters by saying he had not known before the board meeting that Britain would conduct a fresh review.

"Reading the entire internal email sent on August 2 by the Chairman and CEO of EDF to members of the executive committee confirms unambiguously that when the Company's Board of Directors was held, EDF and its Chairman had no knowledge of the intention of the British government to conduct a further review of the Hinkley Point project," the company said.

"All that was known before the press statement issued by the British government on July 28 was that the signing ceremony originally proposed for Friday, July 29, would be postponed," EDF said.

"This potential date of signature had not been confirmed, and therefore had not been communicated either to the board nor the market. There was therefore no requirement to communicate its postponement."

Sud Energie stands by its comments on the issue which were made in an email on Friday to several thousand EDF employees, Jerome Schmitt, a member of the union's national bureau, told Reuters.

EDF said Levy and EDF would also take legal action against any other parties making claims like those of Sud Energie.

EDF's unions have said the Hinkley Point project is too big and jeopardises the company's survival.

The project also led to the resignation of the group's former finance chief earlier this year while a board member quit on the day of the investment vote.

A Paris court on Friday upheld the EDF board's investment decision on the Hinkley Point nuclear project in Britain, rejecting a challenge by the group's works council.

A separate legal challenge by the works council, seeking to obtain the release of confidential documents relating to Hinkley Point, is due to be heard on Sept. 22.
Yemen gov't says aims to stop central bank officials accessing state funds overseas

DUBAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Yemen's government has asked international financial institutions to prevent central bank officials from accessing state funds held in overseas banks, the state-run sabanew.net news agency reported on Saturday.

Yemen's central bank is based in the capital Sanaa, which is controlled by Iran-allied Houthis, while the internationally recognised government of Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghr is based in the southern port city of Aden. There is no end in sight to a 16-month conflict between the Houthis and government forces, which are backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

Bin Daghr has received "confirmed information" that the central bank administration is tapping Yemeni foreign reserves held at banks in Europe and the United States after exhausting funds in Sanaa and elsewhere for the war effort, an official at the prime minister's office told the agency.
Latham century as New Zealand dominate first day

BULAWAYO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Tom Latham scored a century for a second successive match as New Zealand pulverised the home bowling to finish on 329 for two on the first day of the second test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Latham, who made 105 in the first test, scored 136 before being caught and bowled in the last over of the day by part- timer spinner Sean Williams.

Captain Kane Williamson, playing his 50th test, will start on Sunday five runs short of his century and completing a record of tons against each of the test playing nations.

Martin Guptill was the first man out, trapped lbw to a full delivery from Donald Tiripano. Guptill went for 87 after sharing an aggressive opening partnership of 167 with Latham on a slow wicket after Williamson won the toss.

Latham's century came up off 190 balls and he continued to look comfortable until the penultimate delivery of the day when he spooned the ball back to Williams. The partnership for the second wicket was worth 160 runs.

Zimbabwe's bowlers proved wayward, allowing the visitors to set up a consistent scoring rate and dominate proceedings.

Spinner Graeme Cremer took the most punishment as he went for 108 runs in his 25 overs as the track failed to provide any turn.
Dubai firefighters tackle building blaze, no injuries reported

DUBAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Firefighters fought for hours to control a blaze at a multi-storey building under construction in Dubai's Jumeirah Village Circle on Saturday, the latest in a series of fires in the business and tourism hub of the United Arab Emirates.

The English-language Gulf News said there were no injuries in the fire, which broke out at mid-day. The newspaper published pictures and a video of the building showing flames and clouds of black smoke.

A spokesman said the fire was brought under control some five hours after it started, Gulf News reported. It was not immediately clear if the building was being developed for residential or commercial purposes.

Last month a fire broke out at the residential 75-storey Sulafa Tower in the upscale Marina District, on New Year's Eve a blaze hit a downtown hotel and in February last year there was a fire at a 79-storey residential tower.

In November 2012, a 34-storey Dubai residential building was badly damaged by fire.

In some of those cases, experts said the flames may have been encouraged to spread by exterior cladding, used for decoration or insulation.
Intense fighting as Syrian rebels break through Aleppo siege

By Lisa Barrington

BEIRUT, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels broke through to besieged opposition-held areas in eastern Aleppo on Saturday in an assault on a major government military complex meant to end a month-long siege, insurgents and a monitoring group said.

Pro-government media outlets denied the siege had been broken and a U.S. State Department official said the situation was "too fluid" to comment. The heavy fighting and air strikes reported from the area seemed to indicate any passage that may have been opened would be far from secure enough for civilians to travel through.

Rebels have been trying to break through a thin strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect insurgent areas in western Syria with their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo, in effect breaking a government siege begun last month.

The offensive against the government's Ramousah military complex, which contains a number of military colleges, began on Friday. Taking control of Ramousah and linking up with eastern Aleppo would isolate government-held western Aleppo by cutting the southern route out toward the capital Damascus.

It would also give rebels access to armaments stored in the base the Syrian army has used in the five-year conflict as a strategic platform from which to shell opposition targets.

Two rebel groups and a monitor said on Saturday they had broken the siege, but pro-government media outlets denied the claim and said the Syrian army was in fact regaining recently taken territory from rebels.

"We've seen reports but the situation is fluid and we aren't going to provide battlefield updates," the State Department official told Reuters.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, said in an online statement: "Fighters from outside the city met their brother fighters from inside the city, and work is under way to establish control over remaining positions to break the siege."

A commander from more moderate rebel group also told Reuters the siege had been broken but said it was early days and matters were "not easy".

The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said intense fighting and heavy air strikes meant no secure corridor had yet been established between the two rebel-held territories.

WORST MONTH FOR HOSPITAL ATTACKS

In another report, the Observatory said an air strike near a hospital in northwestern Syria on Saturday killed 10 people including children and damaged the hospital. July was the worst month yet for attacks on medical facilities in the war-torn country, a medical charity said, with 43 recorded attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria.

The hospital is in Meles, about 15 km (9 miles) from Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province. Syrian government and allied Russian warplanes operate in Syria but it was not known which aircraft carried out the strike.

The Observatory, in its report on the Aleppo fighting, said rebels had taken control of the Weaponry College, the main Artillery College, the Air Force Technical College and the Ramousah Garage area. Government forces still control the cement factory and some military housing.

"This is the biggest military and symbolic loss sustained by the regime, the Russians, the Iranians and Lebanon's Hezbollah since the start of 2013," the Observatory said, adding that heavy air strikes, thought to be from Russian planes, hit Aleppo on Saturday.

The Syrian military news agency said later on Saturday the Syrian army had restored control over the Artillery College and had made the rebels withdraw from the Weaponry College.

A witness said people in the streets of a part of eastern Aleppo briefly celebrated reports of the siege being broken before the sight of warplanes in the sky scattered them.

A live Syrian state TV report from the outskirts of the artillery base in Ramousah, in southwest Aleppo, broadcast the sound of gunfire, explosions and warplanes flying over.

Videos released by rebel groups claim to show gun battles as insurgents moved into buildings in the complex.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wants to take full control of Aleppo, pre-war Syria's most populous city, which has been divided between rebel and government-held areas. Such a victory would be a crushing blow to the insurgents.

CIVILIAN SUFFERING

A quarter of a million civilians are thought to still live in Aleppo's opposition-controlled eastern neighbourhoods, effectively under siege since the army and allied militia cut off the last road into rebel districts in early July.

Residents on both side of the city are suffering. Government areas frequently come under attack from rebel shelling, and rebel-held areas are routinely shelled and come under air attack from Syrian and allied Russian forces.

Humanitarian groups say the situation in eastern Aleppo is very worrying. The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) charity group said that already depleted medical facilities were targeted by strikes 15 times in July.

Only 35 doctors remain in the city and over 100 people are in need of medical evacuation, SAMS Aleppo Coordinator Dr Abo El-Ezz said in a statement.

The multi-sided civil war in Syria, which has been raging since 2011, has drawn in regional and global powers, caused the world's worst humanitarian emergency and attracted recruits to Islamist militancy from around the world.
Syrian Observatory says rebels link up with fighters in besieged Aleppo

BEIRUT, Aug 6 (Reuters) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday that Syrian rebels fighting government forces had linked up with fighters from besieged eastern Aleppo, breaking a month-long siege.

But it said no secure corridor had yet been established between the two rebel-held territories.
Yemen's Hadi launches military operation east of Sanaa, peace talks end

DUBAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi launched a new offensive east of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday, the military command said, after United Nations-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait ended without an agreement.

The offensive, which is backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, came as the Iran-allied Houthis and the party of ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced a 10-member governing council, against the wishes of the U.N.

The Houthis and Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC), hold most of Yemen's northern half, while forces loyal to Hadi share control of the rest of the country with local tribes.

The fighting in which more than 6,400 people have been killed, half of them civilians, has created a humanitarian crisis in one of the poorest countries in the Middle East.

Al Qaeda and its militant rival Islamic State have exploited the war to try to recruit more followers and establish roots in the country, which controls major shipping lanes overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The pro-Hadi sabanew.net news agency said that the Yemeni army and allied local tribesmen, backed by Arab coalition air strikes, began a major operation to "liberate the district of Nehem east of Sanaa". The area is a key route to the capital, which has been under Houthi control since 2014.

"The army and the resistance have managed to liberate a number of important military positions that had been controlled by the coup militias, most prominent of which is the Manara mount which overlooks the centre of Nehem district," the agency quoted a military spokesman as saying.

Fighting was also reported on the Yemeni-Saudi border, where a Saudi border guard was killed by fire directed from the Yemeni side, the Saudi state news agency SPA said, citing a security spokesman.

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthis of escalating attacks along the border, where the alliance had scaled back its military operations to give the Yemeni peace talks a chance to succeed.

"The militias began military operations along the border after the suspension of the Yemeni consultations," the spokesman, General Ahmed al-Asseri, told the Saudi-owned al-Hadath television, referring to the Houthis. "The Houthi militias are trying to achieve gains on the ground to make up for political losses," he added.

The comments came after the U.N. special envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced that talks in Kuwait had been adjourned, promising they would resume at an unspecified venue within a month.

"We will leave Kuwait today, but peace consultations will continue. We will let the parties consult their leaders," he told a news conference.
Olympics-Beach volleyball-Winning start for Brazil delights partisan crowd

By Stephen Eisenhammer

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Brazil's male beach volleyball pair Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt made a winning start in their hunt for gold on Saturday, beating their Canadian oponents in straight sets on Copacabana's golden sand.

Both games were close, but Brazil's gold medal favorites fed on a festive, partisan crowd to defeat Josh Binstock and Samuel Schachter 2-0.

"It was incredible," Cerutti told Reuters still beaming after the performance.

With beach volleyball one of Brazil's favorite sports, particularly in Rio where nets dot the coastline, local athletes were fired up by an enthusiastic crowd waving green-and-yellow flags, many wearing swimsuits.

"To start an Olympics at home, to see this crowd shouting Brazil, it's a dream come true," added Cerutti.

Brazil were not given an easy ride and fell behind in the second set, but scrambled back to make it 20-20.

The next point proved to be vital with the Canadians left to rue a crucial challenge that did not go their way after Binstock fouled at the net. They said the hostile crowd, which booed at times, had made things difficult.

One point later, the match was over and the crowd erupted as the Brazilian pair signed the ball and launched it into the crowd.

Brazil will now prepare to play Austria on Monday.
Austrian far-right leader likens Turkish coup to Reichstag fire

VIENNA, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Turkey's failed coup and President Tayyip Erdogan's subsequent purges of state institutions are reminiscent of the Reichstag fire in Nazi Germany and its use by Hitler to amass greater power, the head of Austria's far-right Freedom Party said.

The blaze in the German parliament building in 1933 was portrayed by the Nazis as a Communist plot against the government, and they used it to justify curtailing civil liberties, consolidating Adolf Hitler's grip on Germany.

Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) leader Heinz-Christian Strache said he saw parallels in Erdogan's use of the July 15 coup by a faction within the Turkish armed forces to crack down on his opponents in the army, civil service, academia and the media.

"One almost had the impression that it was a guided putsch aimed in the end at making a presidential dictatorship by Erdogan possible," Strache told the daily Die Presse in an interview published on Saturday.

"Dramatically, we have experienced such mechanisms elsewhere before, such as with the Reichstag fire, in the wake of which total power was seized," Strache said.

"And now, too, one has the impression that a bit of steering occurred," he added.

Erdogan has angrily rejected suggestions that he or the government might have been behind the coup, which he has blamed on the followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possible death on the night of the putsch.

Turkey's foreign minister called Austria the "capital of radical racism" on Friday after Chancellor Christian Kern suggested European Union leaders discuss ending Ankara's EU accession talks, citing democratic and economic deficits.

Kern's centrist coalition government is under pressure from Strache's resurgent FPO, which is currently leading in opinion polls. Its candidate narrowly lost a presidential election in May but has another chance in a re-run set for Oct. 2 following irregularities in the count.

Germany rejected Kern's suggestion on Turkey, but Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europe's most powerful leader, and other EU politicians have expressed concern over the scale and speed of the mass purges in Turkey.

Erdogan and many Turks accuse the West of focusing more on the rights of the coup plotters and their suspected supporters than on the putsch itself, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

In a tweet on Saturday responding to Kern's comments, a veteran lawmaker from Turkey's ruling AK Party, Burhan Kuzu, wrote a Turkish abbreviation widely taken to mean "Fuck off foreigner", adding: "The European Union is collapsing. NATO is nothing without Turkey."

It was retweeted hundreds of times within a few hours. Kuzu later tweeted again, saying he had not meant an obscenity, and had meant to say "Oh come on, foreigner".

The Turkish authorities blame Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen and his followers in Turkey for the coup attempt. Ankara has demanded the extradition of Gulen from the United States, where he has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999.
Obama administration releases redacted version of drone policy

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - The Obama administration has released a redacted version of President Barack Obama's policy on drone strikes abroad following a freedom of information lawsuit filed last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said on Saturday.

The release of the Presidential Policy Guidance document, as well as other Department of Defense papers, follows an order by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon in February requiring the Justice Department to produce the document, also known as "the Playbook."

The document sets out the law and rules the government must follow when it carries out targeted attacks.

Obama pledged in 2013 to provide greater transparency about counter-terrorism operations, including drone strikes overseas, amid calls by some U.S. lawmakers and rights groups for more openness.

"We welcome the release of these documents, and particularly the release of the Presidential Policy Guidance that has supplied the policy framework for the drone campaign since May 2013," the ACLU's deputy legal director, Jameel Jaffer, said in a statement.

"Its release now will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the government's counter terrorism policies," Jaffer added.

The ACLU's lawsuit sought information, among other things, on the law and policies used to justify lethal force and how the government picks targets.

The administration has defended its use of drones as essential in the fight against al Qaeda and other militants in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen. Drone strikes have at times killed civilians who were not targets, igniting local anger.

Obama said in April that procedures covering drone strikes targeting suspected terrorists are constantly reviewed, acknowledging there had been "legitimate criticism" of the legal framework for drone strikes.
Olympics-Shooting-Vietnam's Hoang captures gold in 10m air pistol

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Xuan Vinh Hoang of Vietnam won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 10-metre air pistol event on Saturday, holding off the heavy crowd favourite, Felipe Wu of host country Brazil.

The 41-year-old Vietnamese army member racked up a score of 202.5 in 20 shots, just 0.4 of a point ahead of Wu, a 24-year-old who is competing in his first Olympics. China's Pang Wei took the bronze.
Leader of Germany's liberal party compares Turkey coup reaction to Nazis

BERLIN, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) likened Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's purge of state institutions to the actions of the Nazi party in the 1930s in comments published on Sunday.

FDP leader Christian Lindner said he saw parallels between Erdogan's behaviour and aftermath of the Reichstag fire in 1933 portrayed by the Nazis as a Communist plot against the government and used by Adolf Hitler to justify massively curtailing civil liberties.

"We are experiencing a coup d'etat from above like in 1933 after the Reichstag fire. He is building an authoritarian regime tailored solely to himself," Lindner told the Bild am Sonntag.

"Because the rights and freedoms of the individual no longer play a role, he cannot be a partner for Europe," he added.

His comments echo those of Austria's far-right Heinz-Christian Strache who said on Saturday that Erdogan's use of the failed putsch in July to crack down on his opponents was reminiscent of Hitler's use of the Reichstag blaze to amass greater power.

Erdogan has angrily rejected suggestions that he or his government might have been behind the failed coup, which he has blamed on the followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possible death on the night of the attempted coup.

The FDP are not currently represented in Germany's Bundestag but have previously governed as a junior coalition partner to Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU) and are a potential ally for them after federal elections in autumn 2017.

However, Lindner criticised Merkel's response so far to the crackdown on Erdogan's opponents in the army, civil service, academia and media.

"It disgusts me that the EU accession talks (for Turkey) have not been ended long ago. But Mrs Merkel is only cautiously urging 'proportionality'," he said.

Germany's foreign minister on Friday resisted a push by Austria to halt the talks with Turkey on joining the European Union, saying the bloc needed to think more broadly about how to frame its relationship with Ankara in troubled times.
Thais to vote for first time since 2014 coup in charter referendum

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Pairat Temphairojana

BANGKOK/KHON KAEN, Thailand, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Thailand votes on Sunday in a referendum on a new junta-backed constitution that would pave the way for a general election in 2017 but require future governments to rule on the military's terms.

The referendum is the first major popularity test for the junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has suppressed political activity during the two years since he seized power in a coup in 2014.

Polls suggest a small lead in favour of accepting the new constitution, but most voters remain undecided. There are 50 million eligible voters and the Election Commission is targeting a turnout of 80 percent. Preliminary results are expected at around 8.00 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Prayuth has said he will not resign if Thais reject the constitution and that a general election will take place next year no matter what the outcome.

"We need to hold a general election in 2017 because that is a promise we made," he said ahead of the vote. "There has been no charter that pleases people 100 percent."

Soldiers have toppled governments run by the powerful Shinawatra family twice in over a decade of political tumult in Thailand.

Critics say the charter is the military's attempt to make good on their failure to banish former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his brand of populism from Thai politics after the coup that removed him in 2006.

While Thaksin lives in self-imposed exile, he retains a strong influence, particularly with his rural support base in the north. His sister Yingluck swept to power with an electoral landslide in 2011.

Thaksin called the charter a "folly" on Thursday, saying it would perpetuate the junta's power and make it impossible to govern Thailand.

Reuters interviews with senior officers showed the military's ambition is to make future coups unnecessary through the new charter by weakening political parties and ensuring the military a role in overseeing the country's economic and political development.

Under the constitution, which would be Thailand's 20th since the military abolished an absolute monarchy in 1932, a junta-appointed Senate with seats reserved for military commanders would check the powers of elected lawmakers.

"The military wants to conduct state affairs more or less under its supervision," Gothom Arya, director of Mahidol University's Research Center for Peace Building and a junta critic, told Reuters.

"The stakes are high when Thais vote this time."

In the northeastern city of Khon Kaen, a former local leader of the "red shirt" Shinawatra supporters said the military wins either way on Sunday.

"Some people are fed up," said Sabina Shah. "Fed up that regardless of whether or not the vote goes through, the junta is here to stay."

The vote comes against the back-drop of concern about the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88. The military has for decades invoked its duty as defender of the deeply revered monarch to justify its interventions in politics.

NO RECONCILIATION

Whichever way the vote goes, the United Nations would like to see more dialogue between the military and political opponents, said Luc Stevens, the U.N. chief in Thailand.

"There is no reconciliation if one group says 'Lets reconcile on our terms'," he told Reuters. "If you don't want to leave anybody behind in this country, you need to think about an inclusive process, an open dialogue, and ensure that people can express their opinion."

Thailand's largest political parties, including the one loyal to Thaksin, reject the constitution but the government has banned all sides from referendum campaigning.

That has not stopped the junta from deploying thousands of military cadets to carry a message to Thailand's 50 million eligible voters encouraging them to participate in the referendum. The Election Commission is targeting a turnout of 80 percent.

Amnesty International said the junta had created a chilling climate ahead of the vote through pervasive human rights violations.

"If people cannot speak their minds freely or take part in political activities without fear, how can they meaningfully engage in this referendum?" Josef Benedict, Amnesty International's regional deputy director said in a statement on Friday.

Phankamol Trongvanicham, a veterinary student in Khon Kaen, was one of those still undecided.

Phankamol said he had little hope that referendum would help heal Thailand's divisions, given that it only reflected one side's political vision.

"This is unlikely to be the last constitution."
Coincidence can be scarily spooky.

The closing days of the Samajwadi Party (Socialist Party) government in Uttar Pradesh in 2006-07 witnessed the unfolding of a grisly crime that exposed the lawlessness prevailing in Indias largest and most populous province.

The chance spotting of the skeletal remains of a child in the backyard of a semi-detached house at Nithari in Noida, barely 20km from Delhi, led to a hideous discovery.

Children from poor immigrant families were routinely lured into the house, sexually abused, killed, bits of their flesh feasted upon and their remains buried in the narrow yard.

Police and forensic investigations revealed that at least 18 children and a young adult had entered that house, inhabited by a businessman and his domestic help, not to emerge again.

The number of children who had gone missing from the nearby immigrants shanties was twice that number.

Barbaric perversities are not unique to either Uttar Pradesh or India.

Such stomach-churning crimes are reported from all corners of the world.

What set the "Nithari Horror", as this crime came to be known, was the sheer callousness of the district authorities and the police, and the cynical response of those in power.

Lethargic

Like the bureaucracy anywhere else in India, the officials at Noida couldnt be bothered about the nuts and bolts of civil administration.

That tedious task was left to clerks and peons, mostly corrupt and largely lethargic. So no senior official was even remotely aware that a large number of children had gone missing in one particular area under their watch.

Similarly, senior police officers, like their compatriots in uniform in other provinces, had outsourced policing to colleagues way down the pecking order.

Problem was they were busy recovering the money they had invested to get posted in a cash-rich industrial zone where pickings are good.

So they had no time to either register or pursue missing children reports.

All the glaring lapses that came to the fore at Nithari could have been explained away.

Police and bureaucratic indifference no longer shocks and awes India, least of all Indians living in Uttar Pradesh.

But that option was foreclosed by the then chief ministers brother and the current chief ministers uncle who brushed aside popular anger with the most uncaring of statements: "Small things happen in a big state."

At the first available opportunity, people booted out the "socialists" and voted in a party that primarily represents the Dalits, or the "oppressed outcastes".

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav (right), with father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Their leader, perceived to have a rather elastic attitude towards white collar corruption, had the reputation of being tough on criminals.

In the event, Mayawati failed to live up to expectations. Within months of her return to power in 2007, a government engineer was beaten to death for not making a "contribution" to the leaders birthday party.

Through the next five years, her much touted administrative skills were nowhere to be seen as law-breakers acted with increasing impunity.

In 2012, she got booted out, like Mulayam Singh Yadav five years ago.

Baggage

Akhilesh Yadav, son of Mulayam and inheritor of his Luddite "socialist" politics, came to power with a huge majority and little else other than baggage his father had lugged for years.

As his term in the chief ministers office draws to an end, a ghastly crime, the gang-rape of a young woman and her teenaged daughter, has left people angry and afraid.

Angry that a car can be stopped on the highway by thugs, and women and children raped, that the police failed to respond to repeated and desperate SOS messages (apparently the "100" distress call facility is maintained by the state-owned telecom firm BSNL and has been on the blink for ages), that between Nithari and Bulandshahr, where the outrage occurred a week ago, little or nothing has changed.

Afraid because the nightmarish ordeal of the victims could have been, indeed could be, anybody elses.

You may despise thugs, but you are also scared of them, especially when the police abandon you to their not so tender mercies.

Conspiracy

Worse, another "uncle" of the chief minister, a Muslim lawmaker and home minister of Uttar Pradesh, has crudely suggested that the gang-rape in Bulandshahr is "a political conspiracy" to defame the provincial government.

In the past, an entire contingent of policemen was deployed to find the missing buffaloes of this man.

Anybody who has made bold to protest against him through so much as a Facebook post has landed in jail. Writing from the twilight zone where rudimentary urban order ends and the badlands of Western Uttar Pradesh begin, I can only worry about what the future holds  for me, and others like me.

How soon before the bubble of assumed security bursts?

The rotten state of affairs in Indias biggest province, which also elects the largest contingent of Members of Parliament to deliberate and decide policies for India and govern the country, is symptomatic of the decay that has corroded the police, bureaucracy and even the lower judiciary across states, rendering them virtually worthless, while identity politics decides who gets to rule the roost.

Indias economic growth paints a bright picture. The chrome and glass malls spouting like mushrooms present a shining facade. Streets brimming with cars make India appear like a country on the move. Deceptively worded speeches by politicians would make us believe India is changing.

All thats far from the truth.

The ugly underbelly of India renders the countrys success story utterly, horribly meaningless.
Khizr Khan Challenges Donald Trump To Take A Naturalization Test

I challenge Trump to take the naturalization test with me any day. His is demagoguery and pandering for vote. A divider like Trump can never be the steward of this country, he said.

Khizr Khan, the father of a Muslim American war hero who gave Donald Trump a lesson on citizenship at the Democratic convention last month, wants the GOP nominee to take the U.S. naturalization test.Khan, who became a United States citizen after emigrating from Pakistan in 1980, issued the challenge on Monday in reaction to a Trump foreign policy address in Youngstown, Ohio, in which the businessman proposed instituting an ideological test to visa applicants before allowing them to enter the country. Under the test, Trump said, applicants would be subjected to extreme, extreme vetting in order to screen out any who have hostile attitudes toward our country or its principles.But Khan, who lives in Virginia with his wife Ghazala, rejected such rhetoric.This is my country too, Khan told The Huffington Post in an email. We must make it safe  as Muslim Americans it is our obligation to keep our country safe. We reject all violence. We support better immigration policies. We stand as a testament to assimilation and being part of patriotic America as anyone else.He then challenged Trump to take the U.S. naturalization test along with him.
It is as clear as a bell that this was 'Cash for Hostages', and even bama's DoJ opposed this foolishness. Message to world: America will ransom citizens. bama's presser was very telling too. Even he couldn't lie with a straight face.






The nut jobs only submit the out of context testimony that back up what they want to believe, they NEVER post the link to the video where Comey admits he was wrong. Watch the CSPAN video that PROVES Clinton to be innocent of the lies manufactured by the right wing low life liars.
NORFOLK  A former member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors is challenging the legality of a closed-door meeting at which members discussed the schools $2.3 billion Strategic Investment Fund.

Former board member Helen E. Dragas of Virginia Beach also has raised questions about the creation of such a large pool of money, which she calls a slush fund.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that a lawyer for Dragas has asked the state Freedom of Information Advisory Council for an opinion on the legality of the June meeting.

The motion to go into closed session referred to personnel and legal matters, but Dragas says the focus was the strategic fund, which board members were asked not to discuss in public.

The university has insisted that it did not break the law.
$2.13 needs to be done away with, with servers being paid at least the Federal Minimum wage plus tips, and the government can tax the minimum wage salary and just forget it about the tips being taxable because everyone is going to cheat on that anyway.



When I worked tables over twenty years ago, we had to declare our tip rate at up to minimum wage, so one would have to declare $5.12 an hour to make minimum wage. Our manager kept getting on us to declare up to the minimum wage. Also, besides waiting tables, waiters had to perform what's called "side work" which is a duty during the shift one has to perform, like keeping the ketchup bottles filled, or ice in the cooler, or a hundred other things. Then the server has to clean their section, and do "closing side work" plus rolling something like a hundred pieces of silverware into napkins (which was a long, boring, ****** work) before they can be able to get the hell out of the restaurant.



The restaurant business is hard work, with a lot of hard people doing it, many living on the margins, and many with low educations. Some make hundreds of thousands of dollars waiting tables in some fancy *** Manhattan Six Star Michelin Restaurant with a waiting list, but most waiters work for half *** restaurant corporations who could pay more but won't, demanding the moon from management, with a lot of hot, sweaty, disgruntled employees. If people knew what happened in restaurants, they would stay home.



I have always had a problem with the concept of tipping, because it shifts payment of workers fro, the employer where it belongs to directly to the customers. The customers are not legally obliged to give a tip at all. I also worked in casinos as a card dealer. The casino is making about a million dollars a day and the owner a billionaire, but most of the front line workers were making less than $10 an hour, and we made $5 plus tips (about twenty years ago)....Just do not understand not paying good employees a half decent, survivable wage. Pay everyone ****, no matter what. Let the customers pay our staff instead of the management and company.



Retail and restaurants will never pay a decent wage unless the government forces them into doing it, which just devalues the money even more. I know it's been thirty years, but when I was a teen in the 1980's, $7.50 an hour would have been a great wage. $10 an hour would have made me feel rich. Now you cannot live on it, and lots of wage earners are victims of ****** companies and bad economic policies.
MADISON  Innovative agriculture in support of the emerging Virginia craft beer industry is taking root in the rolling countryside of the Northern Piedmont.

A hop yard went in the ground on Mothers Day at the historic circa 1810 Woodbourne estate just off Main Street in the town of Madison as part of an official trial being supported by the George Washington Carver Agricultural Institute in Culpeper and Virginia State University in Petersburg.

Hops are a primary ingredient in beer, along with water, malt and yeast.

Woodbourne owners Dave Fulton and his wife, Julie Haines, allowed the project to grow on the grounds of their scenic property because of their commitment to agricultural-based economic development.

For decades, the couple has worked in global engineering, helping to build basic infrastructure in the poorest of countries. Fulton and Haines vowed to make a difference locally when they moved to Madison four years ago.

This was our idea of coming to the country, living the dream and giving back here since weve been doing economic development in Africa, the Middle East and Asia for 30 years. So now were applying some of the same sustainability principles here, Haines said. We want to help attract people to this area, to come and appreciate both the history and the agriculture.

Its about agritourism, Fulton said. The couple, on a related note, is preparing to launch Bald Top Brewing Company at Woodbourne this fall, pending the completion of state and federal permitting.

In the meantime, its all about the hops.

We want to benefit the community, but not change the feel of the county, to enhance it, Fulton said.

A total of 470 hops plants, representing five varieties, were planted back in May on an elevated parcel on the property with help from friends, family, neighbors, local businesses, the Carver Agricultural Institute, Culpeper Extension Office and professor Laban Rutto, whos part of the agricultural research station at Virginia State. He is helping to oversee three hops trials in Virginia, representing different agro-ecological zones.

Our Madison site represents the cooler, higher elevation zone with the other two sites being a lower elevation  Petersburg  and sea level  the Eastern Shore, Rutto said. The objective is to observe the performance of five selected hops varieties in the different locations.

Weather stations were installed at all three locations for the purpose of recording and comparing weather patterns, the professor said.

The long-term objective is to use the weather data to develop a forecasting system for disease and pest control as these, particularly diseases, are weather driven, Rutto said.

He secured funding for the long-term project through 2018 and hopes to gain valuable knowledge from the effort related to agronomic practices and market access for Virginia hops growers.

The idea is to put the Virginia hops producers in a position where they can claim a larger share of the beer ingredient market as the craft beer industry matures, Rutto said.

The hop yard at Woodbourne is a complex manifestation of the agriculture behind beer making involving 25-foot-tall poles, an irrigation system and an elaborate trellis around which the climbing hop bines (vines) will grow over several years to a maximum height of about 20 feet. Constructing it to exact specifications was a daunting task involving many hands.

Hops need a lot of sun exposure and do not like very moist areas because mildew is our enemy just as in the grape-growing business, Fulton said. The wind is near constant up here on the hilltop and theres no shade. We were able to orient the hop yard relatively parallel to the prevailing winds.

The hop yard at Woodbourne is a high-density field attempting to maximize the number of bines representing varieties with names such as Chinook, Newport and Zeus. The fruit of the effort is the cone that will be harvested, dried and processed into pellets for use in making beer.

Culpeper Extension Agent Carl Stafford is on board with the project as part of his work with the George Washington Carver Agricultural Institute, headquartered in the formerly segregated school on U.S. 15.

We got to do what we said we were going to do  which is provide new information, Stafford said. When this hops opportunity came along, I jumped on it, got donors to provide materials to encourage this producer to implement the trial.

The high ground at the Madison site makes it optimal for growing hops, which are prone to disease.

They have a flow of air coming off those mountains and its elevated, Stafford said. I think they might have the best site of all three of them, so well see.

German-American Mike Nicholson, of Madison, is overseeing the day-to-day care of the hop yard and is the brewer for the anticipated Bald Top Brewing Company. He previously worked as a winemaker assistant at a local vineyard.

Its going really well. The hops are doing good, he said. Its a lot of work, but they are growing. The first plants are starting to flower.

Nicholson said he expects a first harvest by next year, comparing hops growing to growing grapes.

Its a new learning experience, he said. I am treating them like my babies.

Nicholson, well-experienced in beer making, starting home brewing with Fulton a year ago.

We hired him to help with managing our grounds here and when he showed up for his interview he brought a bunch of bottles of beer, Fulton said. It became quite clear that we had something pretty special between our passion and his talent for brewing.

Nicholson attributed the growing popularity of craft beers to taste.

People like to drink good beer and dont want the watered-down beers the big breweries are making, he said. People have found that there are quality beers out there and they can find something that suits their specific taste.

The dual projects at Woodbourne have not been inexpensive.

Fulton and Haines have invested about $10,000 in the hop yard, not including their own labor, and another $100,000 or so in the brewing company, which will feature a tasting room in an old renovated barn within sight of the growing operation.

On a shoestring budget, they are doing a lot of the labor themselves, again with help from family and friends. Their passion is obvious, as is their willingness to learn.

We love it so much, Haines said. This is a way-out-there venture. The idea is 100 percent no-waste, sustainable and then really bringing together our love of nature, our love of history and having people come down and appreciate it.

This is their first serious farming venture, although Fulton and Haines both have backgrounds in geology.

This is old-fashioned farming, she said. This is not for the faint of heart.

The plan is to eventually use the hops grown at Woodbourne in the beer made there and to welcome visitors to enjoy it all.

We hope people will love the idea of what were doing, Haines said. We want it to be a place for our locals to hang out and just feel like an extension of home.

For more information about the projects at Woodbourne, email info@baldtopbrewing.com.

Allison Brophy Champion reports for the Culpeper Star-Exponent.
When it comes to curbing opioid addiction, the cure can be worse than the condition.

A researcher at the University of Virginia says she believes many patients with chronic conditions are needlessly suffering with pain because of measures aimed at reducing the risk of opioid addiction.

Virginia LeBaron, an assistant professor at UVas School of Nursing, has received a $40,000 grant from the UVa Cancer Center to study what she calls the concurrent epidemics of opioid abuse and chronic pain caused by terminal illnesses or severe injuries.

LeBaron said she became interested in the problem while working as an oncology nurse.

As a clinician, I had many patients suffering in pain in part because they couldnt obtain the medicine they needed, she said.

But care providers who prescribe these medications also have to worry about contributing to the epidemic of opioid abuse. Last year, prescription drugs accounted for nearly two-thirds of Virginias 882 opiate overdose deaths, according to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

New guidelines at the state and federal levels were written to combat the abuse of prescription drugs such as fentanyl and oxycodone. In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines advising health care providers to minimize  and, if possible, avoid  prescribing these drugs and to perform urine tests on patients to ensure the drugs are being used properly.

In April, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association issued its own guidelines for the use of such drugs in emergency rooms.

But some patient advocates worry the slew of guidelines could hurt patients. It is not yet clear how Virginia has been affected, but patients in other states are reporting problems.

Media reports in Montana draw attention to the plight of so-called pain refugees  hundreds of patients with chronic conditions who regularly fly to California to get pain relief medications since the state tightened restrictions on prescribing opioids. Patients in Massachusetts have complained their doctors have been more hesitant to prescribe medications theyve received for years after the CDC released its guidelines.

The guidelines are not backed by any laws, but theyve had a chilling effect on health care providers, said Aaron Gilson, who works at the Pain and Policy Studies Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Many of these providers are taking a very strict interpretation of the guidelines out of fear of lawsuits or medical malpractice charges, Gilson said. Theyre playing it safe, but in some cases, they could be subjecting their patients needlessly to pain.

Medical practice is very patient specific  what works with one patient may not work with another, Gilson said. The way its perceived, practitioners are interpreting this guideline as a hard line dosage that cant be passed.

LeBarons project will examine the impact of these policies by looking at two different sets of data: markers of access to opioids  including the number of prescriptions written in a given area and the number of providers allowed to prescribe the drugs  and markers of opioid abuse, including emergency room admissions and overdose deaths.

LeBaron said she wants to know whether theres any evidence the guidelines have cut down on the number of opioid deaths and overdoses, and whether theres evidence that they have cut off access for patients who may need them. She said shes particularly interested in rural Southwest Virginia, which has high rates of cancer deaths, opioid prescriptions and opioid abuse.

Policies really need to be informed by data, she said.

The final product, which LeBaron hopes to have ready by this spring, will be an interactive map showing how these problems affect different parts of the state.

The project has captured the attention of Dr. William A. Hazel, Virginias secretary of health and human services. Opioid addiction is a high priority for Hazels office, which is studying the problem in depth and looking for ways to cut down on the number of overdose deaths.

Hazel said he believes the inquiry will dig up evidence of both undertreatment and overprescription. He said he doesnt know which is more common, but has seen anecdotal evidence that many of these drugs are going unused.

I can tell you there are too many free pills floating around in the world, Hazel said. If there are pills for sale in a black market  which there are  there are too many pills out there.

Hazel, an orthopedic physician by training, said a cultural shift may be in order. Providers should look more closely at alternative treatments that carry less risk, he said, or use a multidisciplinary approach that combines rehabilitative treatment with lower dosages.

Im not trying to say theres no place for it, he said. But I do think weve got to look at the whole issue of pain and suffering in a different way.
As July came to a close, 50 Virginians were reportedly infected with the Zika virus. It is here and it will likely spread, either through bites by mosquito species that are common to Virginia, by sexual contact, or by travelers who become infected elsewhere and bring it back with them.

Back in April, the Virginia Department of Health issued a 72-page report on how it planned to defend Virginia against the Zika threat, putting virtually every state and local agency on alert and recommending steps to be taken to protect Virginia residents and prevent the virus spread.

But Virginia officials cant implement a program without the funds to do it.

On Tuesday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is trumpeting the dangers that Zika presents while urging states to do the same, awarded Virginia $560,000 in a new round of funding aimed at combating the outbreak and containing the Zika threat.

While this money will help, the release of larger sums of more than $1 billion promised by the federal government, which would pay for research into a cure and provide agencies with the resources they need to do what they say they must do, have been tied up in partisan congressional wrangling.

Public health gets short shrift

Americans know well the headaches caused in recent years by political divisiveness in Washingtongovernment shutdowns, sequestration that has affected government employees, and a broad failure to simply conduct necessary businessbut this is beyond shameful. We are talking about a public health issue that doesnt just cause painful passing symptoms in many of those infected, it causes birth defects in the babies of women infected while they are pregnant.

Are we prepared to inflict a generation with Zika-caused microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with a smaller than normal head and suffer possible brain damage? More research into Zika is needed to know what ailments those infected might suffer in the long term.

It is the governments job to provide for the public health and safety of the people. If this is not an example of that, what is? Seldom is there a better use of the adage: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The emergency funds that have been made available without legislationhundreds of millions of dollars being funneled through the Department of Health and Human Services and in turn distributed by the CDCare going to states and territories based on their risk of Zika virus transmission and neediness of their populations.

Carriers found in Virginia

With 50 cases already reported, Virginia is proof that the outbreak is hardly limited to south Florida. The CDC has released maps showing that the species of mosquitoes known to carry the disease, Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), range across much of the southern United States, including Virginia. Aedes aegypti, which is less common in Virginia, is cited as more likely to spread Zika.

Nevertheless, CDC maps show that the range of the mosquitoes and spread of the disease follow a route along Interstate 95 and into the population centers from the southeast to the northeast, with Virginia along the way. Mosquito season in Virginia typically lasts from May 1 to Oct. 31.

The threat has prompted federal health officials to warn against travel into a particularly hard-hit Miami-area neighborhood, an unprecedented move domestically that draws attention to the seriousness of the threat. Potential blood donors in Virginia are now asked to provide information on past travel and the possibility that they may have been exposed.

Individually, homeowners should take the usual steps to limit mosquito populations by removing any standing water that provides a breeding ground for the insects in their yards. Using mosquito repellent can reduce the risk of bites and, in turn, contracting or spreading Zika.

Virginians cant afford to let their guard down once mosquito season ends here. That season never ends in Florida, and the ongoing efforts there and across the deep South will have implications on Zikas spread to the north in summers to come. That makes it crucial for Congress to get past its petty bickering and do what Americans count on it to do.
Noah Blaines summer vacation is almost overand the rising third grader has spent the past two months boning up on math and geography while helping children battle life-threatening illnesses.

The 8-year old is nearing the end of a summer-long effort to raise $15,001 for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

My sister Ellie was treated at St. Jude and she lost her battle, Noah said. Even though we dont have anybody being treated at St. Jude anymore, I still like to raise money. I just want other kids to win their battle.

Last summer, Noah raised $5,000 for St. Jude. This year, the Orange County youngster teamed up with the founder of a local alumni chapter of the Tri Delta sorority to collect donations for the hospital where his sister received treatment for a rare, aggressive brain cancer.

Ellie died on Dec. 22, 2013a month shy of her third birthday.

Her family has remained committed to helping St. Jude, where all of their medical bills, travel costs and lodging were covered.

When you start a journey with cancer, you dont realize all the money that goes into it, you dont realize how much its going to financially impact your family, said Carly Blaine, Noahs mom. And then to be blessed with something like St. Jude, they pay for everything. Ive seen friends going through cancer, theyre struggling financially and we didnt have to do that because we were at St. Jude.

Months after Ellies death, Carly Blaine attended the annual Crop for a Cure fundraiser and spoke to the crowd.

It was nothing short of amazing, said Lisa Diskin, who spearheads the scrapbooking fundraiser.

Last year, Diskin challenged her boyfriend to shave his beard at the crop if she raised $10,000 for St. Jude. She called Blaine to see if Noah wanted to participate in a similar challenge. Diskin asked how much he planned to raise. Noah decided on $3,000.

I thought, Thats a lot of mo- ney for a little kid, Diskin said.

Noah ended up raising $5,000.

Together, the pair raised more than $15,000. So this year, Diskin asked if they wanted to raise money together, setting a goal of $15,001. If they meet that challenge, Noah and Diskin will pour a bucket of green slime on each other.

Noah has worked hard since May to raise the money. He sold his old toys and books at a yard sale, made rubber band bracelets and baked treats. He helped design a t-shirt to make money.

He also took to Facebook, posting regular videos challenging people to donate money to the cause. He wanted to get donations from all 50 states and now only needs a gift from North Dakota to meet that goal.

Noah has excitedly studied maps to see where the donations are coming from and hes been happily adding numbers to figure out how close he is to his goal, his mom said.

Im just so proud that he has become so selfless in what he wants to do, Blaine said. Without Ellie having cancer, I dont think he would have such a huge heart for helping other people. Hes showing kids that they can do simple things to help others.
WAYNESBOROFor owner David Hernandez, it's hard to believe it's been that long. For him, it's gone by so quickly. The El Salvador-born restaurateur, owner of Waynesboro's New York Flying Pizza, is ready to celebrate.

August marks one year that the business has been open at 1107 W. Main Street, specializing in pizza, pasta and sandwiches. Hernandez said he has enjoyed a fine first year by adding numerous regulars, making an impact in the community by giving to the Waynesboro YMCA, Waynesboro High School and more, and he looks forward to keeping it going.

Sitting in the location that used to house Chickpeas, New York Flying Pizza grew the dining room area, decided that only fresh ingredients were to be used and has become a bit of a staple in the area.

"It was a good year, Hernandez said. We have found some clients who have been so loyal, coming two to three, sometimes four times a week. I have some regulars who love the food and have been coming back. You can tell when customers are happy, and that is what we try to do.

Things have gone better than expected, and Hernandez believes it is because of the quality of the ingredients, the effort his team puts in to making quality food and the care that they show, staying hours after closing to clean the place to leave it in a state that would make Mr. Clean's knees buckle.

But it hasnt been without its challenges. Hernandez said the business started slow, as expected, but that: "What they have liked the most is the pizza and pasta. But the sandwiches too. They've liked it all. The people here are kind and respectful."

Moving forward, he wants to celebrate and give back.

From August 7-14, any customer who dines in and spends $15 or more will receive a free order of cheesy garlic breadsticks when they mention the one-year anniversary promotion.

Hernandez said it is just a small token to say thanks.

Its important for us to show customers that we care, because so many have done the same for us, Hernandez said.

New York Flying Pizza is hiring servers and delivery drivers. For more information, stop and ask for David.

Roger Gonzalez is a news correspondent for the News Virginian.
Its fashionable  perhaps even accurate  to declare that Americans face a dreadful choice this November. One candidate is considered untrustworthy; the other is considered a buffoon, perhaps even dangerous. Out of nearly 325 million people, these are the best two options we have?

Has the United States ever faced such unsettling prospects?

Yes  yes, we have.

Today, we kick off a periodic series of editorials examining some of the bad choices that previous generations have faced, and how they resolved those  in hopes that the history might somehow illuminate the present.

The first of these focuses on the election of 1800, which pitted President John Adams against challenger Thomas Jefferson. These may be giants of American history, revered as Founding Fathers. Nevertheless, the campaign that their two sides waged that year painted the nations choice in apocalyptic terms that threatened to tear the young nation apart.

Today its easy to laugh at the overblown rhetoric, but at the time the fate of the republic really did seem to be at stake.

It wasnt just the name-calling, though that was certainly colorful. Jeffersons side accused Adams of being a blind, bald, crippled, toothless man who is a hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.

Adams camp responded that Jefferson was a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father. Jeffersons deist beliefs were easy to mischaracterize as atheist, and Federalists gleefully did so. Jefferson will destroy religion, one line of attack went. A prominent New York minister declared: What is a man who writes against the truth of Gods words; who makes not even a profession of Christianity . . . What is he, what can he be, but a decided infidel?

Both sides accused the other of not simply being wrong on the issues of the day  but of endangering democracy itself.

Jeffersons Democratic-Republicans claimed that Adams tried to arrange to marry his son to the daughter of the despised King George III for the express purpose of importing Monarchy, by wholesale, into the country. In some more colorful versions of the story, only George Washington  dressed in his Revolutionary War uniform and wielding a sword against the president  had been able to stop the re-imposition of monarchy. Never mind that none of this was true; this was what voters were led to believe.

Adams Federalists were quick to use their own scare tactics against Jefferson. None other than the president of Yale University declared that if Jefferson were elected we would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution. One Connecticut newspaper prophesied that under Jefferson murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced, the air will be rent with the cries of the distressed, the soil will be soaked with blood, and the nation black with crimes. A Jefferson presidency would surely lead to the Civil War and ruin.

To voters that year, the choice was between a weak-minded tyrant (an interesting contradiction) who wanted to reinstitute the monarchy and an atheist libertine who would cheer on moral degeneracy.

Surely our choices this year arent that bad. Then again, they werent really that bad in 1800, either  no matter what voters were led to believe. (Well concede that the stakes are higher now; the president then did not have access to nuclear codes. Voters back then had more margin for error, something we should keep in mind today.)

The history buffs among you know that the election of 1800 led to a constitutional crisis, but not between Adams and Jefferson.

Weve mentioned voters several times but there were actually very few voters that year. As we all know, presidents are actually elected by the Electoral College and in 1800, many states chose through electors through the state legislature. Only a handful of states had popular elections. In fact, some states in 1800 took away the right to vote  fearful that the people would not vote the correct way. This was a tendency that infected both sides. Legislatures in Georgia (Jefferson), Massachusetts (Adams), New Hampshire (Adams) and Pennsylvania (split) all voted to repeal previous decisions to hold a popular vote.

Virginia was one of the few states that did hold a popular election but the pro-Jefferson General Assembly gamed the system by deciding Virginia would choose its electors on a winner-take-all basis, thereby potentially depriving Adams of one or two votes he might have gotten in the part of the state that is now West Virginia. (Virginia was the electoral heavyweight then with 21 votes, more than any other state).

In the end, Jefferson won  sort of. The Constitution  written before the rise of political parties  then called for the runner-up to become vice president. Democratic-Republicans had intended to withhold one electoral vote from their vice presidential candidate, Aaron Burr, to make sure Jefferson finished first. They messed up. The result was a tie  between Jefferson and Burr. That threw the election to the House of Representatives, where many Federalists so despised Jefferson that they voted for Burr instead. The result was 35 ballots with no winner.

Those familiar with the popular Broadway musical Hamilton know what happened next. The musical follows the Federalist Alexander Hamiltons lifelong rivalry with Burr  and his intense dislike of Jefferson. As Hamiltons character sings at the climactic moment: I have never agreed with Jefferson once / we have fought on like 75 different fronts / but when all is said and all is done / Jefferson has beliefs and Burr has none.

Jefferson, the actual Hamilton concluded, might be completely wrong, but he was by far not so dangerous a man as the plotting, self-centered Burr. Hamiltons argument carried the day (though it cost him his life; Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel and shot him in the gut).

The question for voters 216 years later: How would you apply Hamiltons reasoning to this years choices?

The Roanoke Times
Heres todays question: Is Virginia ripe for a populist candidate for governor?

Specifically, one campaigning on a platform that includes a tuition freeze at state colleges?

Heres why we ask: We see the potential confluence of two things happening in the political world.

The first is the success of populist candidates in both partys recent presidential contests.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump came out of nowhere  politically speaking  and wound up clearing the field with his brand of conservative-tinged populism. On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders ran a populist campaign from the left  hitting many of the same issues, just in a different way  and took a remarkable 43 percent of the vote against a candidate who many presumed would be the nominee from the start. Why should such populism be confined to a presidential election?

Does the success of Trump  and the relative success of Sanders  suggest a market niche waiting to be filled in a gubernatorial year?

Perhaps now is a good time to stop and define what we mean by populism, since Trump and Sanders otherwise represent two very different political philosophies (to the extent that Trump has a philosophy). Generally speaking, populism seeks to mobilize ordinary voters  what once we called the common man before things became gender-inclusive  against some oppressive elite.

Trump and Sanders both had the perfect foil in big banks and the globalization of the world economy that has seen American manufacturing jobs move overseas  or disappear altogether. Howell, in his day, had another foil  what was then called Virginia Power, or Vepco, the predecessor of todays Dominion Resources.

A populist needs something to stand against. Is the perfect target now emerging from the grounds of the University of Virginia?

In case you need a refresher: Former Rector Helen Dragas alleges that the University of Virginias board has amassed what she calls a $2.3 billion slush fund  even as its been busy raising tuition to the tune of 74 percent over the past seven years. Yes, thats billion with a b.

The university counters that this is not a slush fund at all, but rather a strategic investment fund that is necessary to improve academic quality, help minimize tuition costs and student debt, conduct research that benefits society, and offer world-class medical care.

Were not here today to debate policy. Its entirely possible that the university is correct  that this is actually a far-sighted investment that Virginia will be grateful for several decades hence.

Instead, were here today simply to analyze the politics  which, for better or worse (often worse), is a very different thing from policy.

Dragas has the easier argument: UVa should use that money to cut tuition. In fact, in a commentary piece in Sundays Roanoke Times, she proposed that the school could roll back tuition 74 percent and cut some over-priced administrators. Now that is a populist argument.

Virginia had a tuition freeze once before  imposed under Gov. George Allen in 1996, continued under Gov. Jim Gilmore, and then finally lifted by the General Assembly under Gov. Mark Warner in 2002. Tuition has been rising astronomically ever since.

Colleges hated the tuition freeze, of course, saying it limited their flexibility. That, of course, was precisely the point. How long will it be before some aspiring candidate for governor points to the University of Virginia and says there are 2.3 billion reasons for bringing back a tuition freeze?

The Roanoke Times
Conservative radio host and attorney Hugh Hewitt wrote a column a few weeks ago exhorting conservative Never Trump holdouts to finally embrace the controversial Republican standard-bearer. Basically, Hewitt argued the future of constitutional law is at stake, holding out the prospect of up to four potential future openings on the Supreme Court.

My answer to the court argument is basically: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The five last Republican presidents, five conservatives who made remaking the Supreme Court centerpieces of their administration. And, yet, none were successful.

Further, the most recent criticized rulings from our vantage point have all been written or brought about by Republican-appointed justices, most of whom were touted as textualists or originalists or conservatives, starting with Roe. It was President Nixons strict constructionist appointees Warren Burger and Harry Blackmun who authored and shaped the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that imposed a regime of legal abortion on the nation. It was President Fords conservative appointee John Paul Stevens who authored the Chevron case that further empowered administrative agencies above and beyond their congressional mandates.

It was the Reagan-era appointees, Sandra Day OConnor and Anthony Kennedy, who dashed the hopes of pro-lifers throughout the country with Casey v. Planned Parenthood. And was Father Bushs chameleon on the bench David Souter who grew during his tenure as a justice, eventually helping to push the Court further leftward in the 90s. And it was Bushs son who appointed John Roberts, a Chief Justice who saved Obamacare from being declared unconstitutional.

So my question is: what is the big hoopla over the Supreme Court? Its clear that no matter who is in the White House liberals and moderates manage to somehow retard whatever progress conservatives make. Often conservatives manage to do the same. For example, during the 90s the conservative bloc on the Court received a great deal of praise for its incremental successes in curtailing federal power exercised through the Constitutions Commerce Clause. For decades the clause had been used as a catchall measure for Congress to exercise what amounted to general police and welfare powers, despite the Constitutions clear limitations on the power and authority properly exercised by our national legislature.

But then in the early 2000s it was conservative jurist Antonin Scalia (God rest his soul) who manufactured a rationale to staunch that turning tide.

So anyone who thinks Donald Trump is going to improve upon the record of modern Republican presidents, who were actually conservatives, is fooling themselves. Such an argument, for those in the know, should fall on deaf ears. Trump cant be trusted to appoint the right kinds of judges to the Supreme Court any more than Hillary Clinton can, much less the Republican presidents he hopes to follow into office.

Carl Tate
Someone  the Russian military, say many cyber experts  broke into the computers of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, releasing emails and sensitive documents. Sounds bad, and is. But a worse danger looms: the possibility that hackers (whether Russians or others) will manipulate our voting machines, casting doubt on the elections outcome.

Imagine. Its the day after the election. Either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump has won. But the victors triumph rests on close results in five or six states, where the winner had a few thousand more votes. Assume also that each of these states used  at least partially  electronic voting. Assume then that the loser alleges that cyber tampering stole the election.

The resulting furor would be unavoidable. It would raise partisan anger still further. It would subvert faith in our basic democratic institutions and, probably, excite all manner of conspiracy theories. It would make the combat of the Bush-Gore election in 2000  the disputes over which of Floridas hanging chads should be counted  look like childs play. It would be a disaster.

How likely is this cyber crackup? I dont know; but Im unwilling to dismiss it totally as a journalistic fantasy for two reasons.

First, this campaign has featured the unexpected and the impossible. The hacking of the Democrats computers, coupled with the timing of the release of documents to coincide with the partys convention, is only the latest example. With apologies to Dave Barry, it can be said of this campaign that Im not making this up.

Second, hacking is more widespread than most Americans think. Big companies are constantly under assault. A CNN study in 2014 estimated that more than 100 million Americans had had their personal information hacked in the previous year. With so much hacking  national and international  why wouldnt someone try to sabotage the election? In 2012, 129 million Americans voted for president. In a close race (which this appears to be), shifting a few hundred thousand in the popular vote could change the electoral result.

If these thoughts occur to me, a confirmed non-techie, they must have occurred to others. Sure enough, when I Googled the subject, many stories and reports popped up. One of the best appeared last week on washingtonpost.comand was written by Bruce Schneier, a cyber-security expert at Harvard. Hes worried.

We must ... create tiger teams to test the machines and systems resistance to attack, drastically increase their cyber defenses and take them offline if we cant guarantee their security online, he wrote.

By contrast, there is some good news. Electronic voting machines, which served about 39 percent of voters in 2012 according to one study, may be on the decline. States ditch electronic voting machines, said a story in The Hill newspaper in 2014. (The other main voting technology in 2012, covering 56 percent of voters, involved paper ballots that were optically scanned. The retention of the ballot can be used to verify the outcome. The older mechanical lever machines have vanished.)

Regardless of what happens this year, we are forewarned. Putting voting on the internet invites controversy and chaos. If were lucky enough to avoid this now, we shouldnt tempt the future. Paper ballots may be slower and less convenient, writes Schneier, but they preserve elections integrity. What could be more important?

 2016, The Washington Post Writers Group
In the High Court, Mallya's counsel had argued he was not involved in day-to-day affairs of Kingfisher Airlines, and could not be held liable in the cases filed.

New Delhi: The Patiala House Court on Saturday issued non-bailable warrants against liquor baron Vijay Mallya in a cheque bounce case.

The court has asked Mallya to be present in the court on November 4. It has also asked the Ministry of External Affairs to send non bailable warrant to Mallya as he is currently residing in London.

The court said, "Despite repeated orders, Vijay Mallya hasn't appeared in the court. Need to take coercive steps to ensure his appearance in the court. It is inevitable for state machinery to intervene, assure Mallya's presence."

GMR-led Delhi International Airport ( DIAL), which operates the capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport, had moved the Patiala House Court after three cheques, each for Rs 7.5 crore, issued by the airline were not honoured.

The grounded airline had issued the cheques towards payment for services availed by them at the IGI airport here. Earlier, the Delhi High Court also refused to quash summons issued by a trial court against Mallya.

In the High Court, Mallya's counsel had argued he was not involved in day-to-day affairs of Kingfisher Airlines, and could not be held liable in the cases filed. But the court had refused to quash the summon.
Delhi: Anusha Rizvi, wife of convicted filmmaker Mahmood Farooqui has vociferously spoken out in favour of her disgraced husband. She called the conviction unjust and revealed that an appeal to secure justice will be made in the High court.

Farooqui had been sentenced to seven years in jail with an additional 50,000 rupees by Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain on the 30th of July for having raped a 35-year-old woman from Columbia University, whod been in India for research on her doctoral thesis.

Reacting on her Facebook page, Rizvi said, "Independent record makes the charge of 'forced oral sex' against Mahmood Farooqui simply impossible. The conviction is unjust for it ignores irrefutable evidence on the most flimsy grounds.

"Indeed, it appears that the Judge has given more than the benefit of the doubt to the prosecution but has expected the defence to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. We shall appeal the judgment."

"Lives and reputations are irretrievably lost when there is denial of justice, but our fight for rightful exoneration continues. I firmly believe that we will secure justice in the High Court", she added.

The American woman, who had moved to Delhi in June, 2014, had been in touch with Farooqui to gather contacts for her work in Gorakhpur. The incident in question had occurred on March 28, 2015, when Farooqui had invited the woman over for dinner.

According to the police charge sheet, the woman, who reached his house around 9, was greeted by a heavily inebriated Farooqui, who after a brief interaction, forced himself upon her. The research scholar stood her ground during trial and alleged rape, which were vehemently denied by Farooqui who cited a false implication.

"The complainant is consummately discredited by independent call and cab company records which were presented in court. The defence team has adhered to all feminist principles during the trial and no aspersions on the complainant's character were ever cast by the defence.

"The complainant and the prosecution argued that retribution is a public cry and that the nation would fall into disrepute if enhanced penalty was not awarded in a case where the complainant is a foreigner. Fortunately, the court has ignored this outrageous argument, Rizvi said, ruminating on the trial.

Anusha had co-directed the critically acclaimed Aamir Khan production Peepli Live with husband Mahmood Farooqui in 2010.
The engraving titled "Mary crowned by an angel" dates back to the year 1520 (Photo: AFP)

Long-dead German artist Albrecht Duerer is causing a stir after a collector donated a lost work, bought for a few euros on a French flea market, to a Stuttgart museum.

The bronze engraving titled "Mary crowned by an angel" dates back to the year 1520, Anette Frankenberger of the Staatsgalerie art museum told AFP on Friday, and is in "very good condition".

A retired French archaeologist noticed the work on a bric-a-brac stand in Sarrebourg in eastern France, after the seller cleared it out of a house in the town.

Alerted by his keen eye, he quickly bought the piece -- only to find the stamp of the Staatsgalerie on its back and decide to donate it anonymously. The man came "personally with his wife" to return the engraving, which had been missing since the end of World War II, Frankenberger said.

The museum spokeswoman added that the piece had likely been wrapped in paper for some of the intervening decades, keeping it in good condition.

It was owned by a former deputy mayor of Sarrebourg before ending up at the second-hand stall, she said. The museum has not yet decided how to put the engraving on display. "We have to find the right setting to present it in," Frankenberger said.

Duerer was born in 1471 in the southern German city of Nuremberg and travelled through Italy, becoming one of the first artists to introduce the Renaissance in Germany and northern Europe.
In a rare surgery, state-run Cama Hospitals doctors on Thursday removed a tumour weighing 7.2 kg from the womb of a nine-month pregnant woman. The woman had been carrying the tumour throughout her pregnancy.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal but when 32-year-old Chaya Gaikwad, a resident of Buldhana, gained far more than regular amount. she knew there was something wrong with her. It was only when she began experiencing abnormal abdominal pains and consulted doctors that she learnt that besides a foetus, a tumour had been growing inside her for nine months.

After doctors at her native place failed to detect the tumour in her ovary, Ms Gaikwad consulted doctors at Cama Hospital in Mumbai. The hospitals superintendent Dr Rajashri Katke said, We removed the tumour from Ms Gaikwads ovary in a three-hour-long operation. The tumour had started growing in the right ovary along with her baby. With the baby inside her, we could not conducted a CT scan, as the rays may have been harmful for the child. After observing her complex situation, we got her admitted on June 5. However, we could operate her for the tumour only after she delivered a baby on July 27. She delivered a baby weighing only 1.2 kg, and was kept in incubator. Due to the presence of tumour, the baby was unable to gain weight.

The biggest challenge for us was to perform the surgery, as a vein had turned as thick as the size of a thumb. It was the main blood supplier to the tumour, so we had to be extra cautious. One wrong incision would have proved fatal for Ms Gaikwad. However, we managed to remove the tumour, added Dr Katke.

Talking to The Asian Age, Shrikrushna Gaikwad, Ms Gaikwads husband said, My wife has suffered a lot of pain during the nine months of her pregnancy. Initially, we thought the pains were normal, but when she gained a lot of weight, we consulted the doctors and found out about the tumour. Now, that the tumour has been operated upon, she is fine and recovering.
Despite some doctors making all attempts to educate the public on the importance of screening tests for babies, many parents fail to ensure it is done.

Chennai: Have you ever wondered whether your baby is born with any kind of abnormality? With the possibility of newborn screening tests, diseases can be identified in babies at an early stage.

Despite some doctors making all attempts to educate the public on the importance of screening tests for babies, many parents fail to ensure it is done.

With a number of babies today being born with different kinds of abnormalities, creating awareness on the importance of screening is essentially being felt as the need of the hour.

Newborn screening has three main components, namely hearing, physical examination (heart sounds, femoral pulses, hips, red reflexes) and blood spot testing.

Screening identifies a disease before any clinical signs appear. It helps in the early diagnosis, which in turn, means early treatment of the particular condition prior to any permanent damage taking place, said Gopinath Rao, Neonatal Pediatrician, Motherhood Hospital.

Early screening also helps to save parents from burning a hole in their pockets if their child later shows signs of disease and organ damage, he added. The government still hasnt come up with any sort of recommendations for screening tests, including screening for deafness. As private hospitals are all slowly starting to ensure that all babies are screened, the government may soon start it as well, said a health official.

With India known to see around 25 million births in India every year, it has been found that the incidence of metabolic disorders is about 1 in 3,000 babies, which means there may be just over 8,000 babies who are expected to have an abnormality.

The timing of screening is important. Hearing and physical examination screening should be done after 24 hours of birth and the blood spot testing can be done as soon as possible after 72 hours of birth. The timing is essential. The screening should neither be done too early or late, said Naresh Shanmugam, Pediatric Hepatologist, Global Hospitals.

I had attended a programme that was held for expecting parents and it was there that I learnt of the importance of screening. Until then, I had no idea that something like that existed. It is essential that awareness is created on the same, said Shradha P, a mother of a seven-month-old baby.
The sheer number of genes that contribute to the trait suggests pharmaceutical treatments for alcoholism could be difficult to develop. (Photo: Pixabay)

Researchers have identified 930 genes in rats linked to alcoholism, indicating that it is a highly complex disorder influenced by many genes and the environment.

Alcohol-craving rats provided researchers at Purdue University and Indiana University in the US with a detailed look into the complicated genetic underpinnings of alcoholism.

By comparing the genomes of rats that drank compulsively with those that abstained, researchers confirmed genes previously identified as being linked to alcoholism and uncovered new genes and neurological pathways, some of which could be promising targets for treatment.

However, the sheer number of genes that contribute to the trait suggests pharmaceutical treatments for alcoholism could be difficult to develop, said William Muir, professor at Purdue University.

"It's not one gene, one problem. This probably dashes water on the idea of treating alcoholism with a single pill," said Muir. One of the best predictors of alcoholism in humans is the drinking behaviour of their families.

However, to what extent this link can be chalked up to inherited genetics - versus a shared environment - has been poorly understood and a challenge to study. Separating out the influence of genetics on drinking habits from other factors such as stress, boredom or peers who drink is not possible in humans.

To gain insights into genes that contribute to alcoholism, researchers used a model based on rats, mammals with which we share a majority of genes. Beginning with a population of genetically diverse rats, researchers bred two lines: one group that displayed classic clinical signs of alcoholism and another that completely abstained from alcohol.

Choosing and breeding the rare rats that would take a tipple of pure grain alcohol eventually yielded a line of rats that compulsively drank to excess, preferred alcohol to water, drank to maintain intoxication, performed tasks to receive alcohol and showed signs of withdrawal if alcohol was absent.

The researchers sequenced and compared entire genomes from 10 rats in each line to determine genetic characteristics of drinking and abstaining.

They also repeated the experiment with two additional lines of alcohol-seeking and teetotaler rats to discern which gene alterations were the result of natural selection and which were random genetic crosses. The results highlighted 930 genes associated with excessive drinking behaviour.

While the researchers stressed that the genetic complexity of alcoholism complicates potential treatments, they found a signalling pathway which can control a sense of reward in the brain and may be a possible target for treatments due to the number of alcoholism-associated genes it contains.

The study was published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
The mixtures are named chimeras after the monster in Greek mythology with a lion's head, goat's body and dragon's tail. (Photo: AFP)

Research that mixes human cells into animal embryos could get US government funds for the first time under a new proposal that has stoked concerns about ethics and the limits of science.

Some say the research has the potential to spark major medical breakthroughs in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's or conditions like infertility, and could help grow organs for human transplant, which are in short supply.

Critics, however, worry that these mixtures, or chimeras -- named after the monster in Greek mythology with a lion's head, goat's body and dragon's tail -- raise complex moral questions and go beyond what is acceptable in modern society.

One year ago, the US National Institutes of Health placed a moratorium on research proposing to introduce human pluripotent stem cells into animal embryos, deeming it too controversial. Since then, experts have met to discuss the state of the science.

Now, the NIH is offering to fund research introducing human cells into certain kinds of animals. That could include experiments "where there could be either a substantial contribution or a substantial functional modification to the animal brain by the human cells," said a statement on Thursday.

The NIH will seek public comment for 30 days on the proposed scope of the research. Oversight on funding decisions will be provided by an internal NIH steering committee, it said.

"I am confident that these proposed changes will enable the NIH research community to move this promising area of science forward in a responsible manner," wrote Carrie Wolinetz, NIH associate director for science policy, in a blog post.

- Brain modifications -

The prospect of altering an animal's brain to make it more human alarms some experts. "Let's say that we have pigs with human brains and they are wondering why we are doing experiments on them," said Stuart Newman, a researcher at New York Medical College.

"And then, what if we had human bodies with animal brains, and then you say, 'Well they are not really humans, we can do experiments on them and harvest organs from them," he told AFP. "I am coming up with extreme scenarios, but just making these chimeric embryos 15 or 20 years ago was considered an extreme scenario."

Indeed, Newman filed for a patent on a human-animal chimera almost two decades ago -- not because he wanted to make such a creature, but to make the point that such dangers lay ahead.

The US Patent Office rejected his application in 2005, which Newman saw as a victory of sorts. But now, he fears his warnings are going unheeded. "People get used to things gradually," he said.

Even though the NIH is starting small, and probably doesn't intend to allow animals with full human brains, "we don't have any laws in this country that would stop doing those things," he said. "I think it is just a road that we should not go down."

- Potential benefits -

For some, the notion of brain experiments offers both the greatest promise and the most serious danger.

"If we want to do research on schizophrenia and Alzheimer's and depression, we can't readily do research on brain cells of humans with these diseases because we can't open up the brains of people while they are alive," said Robert Klitzman, director of Columbia University's Master's of bioethics program.

Klitzman said he views the NIH move as a "great step in the right direction" with "tremendous potential to help millions of people with various diseases." Still, he urged the NIH to include ethicists on its funding oversight committee.

"We need to be careful with human brain cells," he said. "What we don't want is a mouse or a chimp that suddenly has human-like qualities, because morally that creates a number of problems."

What rights would the creature have? How should it be treated? What if it escaped the lab and bred with wild animals? "This is the stuff of science fiction," he said.

Far more tame research mixing human and animal cells has been going on for decades. Scientists regularly implant human tumors in mice, and heart valves from pigs and cows are commonly used in human heart patients.

"This area of research has been done in the United States for many, many years and certainly around the world it is commonplace," said Samuel Packer, chief of medical ethics at Northwell Health in New York.

Still, the notion of altering Earth's creatures may upset those who are religious, as well as those who support animal rights. Politics, too, may play a role in what gets funded and what does not.

The administration of President George W. Bush restricted federal funding for research using stem cells derived from human embryos. Bush believed the work devalued human life. The NIH said its latest proposal is in line with the guidelines of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.

"There is a lot of infrastructure to this," said Packer. "It is not as if, 'Oh my God, all of a sudden we are doing something that is crazy.
Army has been carrying out extensive area domination operations in the strife torn District of Kokrajhar. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Kokrajhar: Suspected terrorists of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) on Friday killed 14 civilians and critically injured 15 others including a minor girl in an attack on a crowded weekly market in Western Assams Kokrajhar district.

The militant arrived at the scene of attack in an auto-rickshaw and lobbed a powerful grenade before indiscriminately firing on civilians at Balajan Tinali area, which is about ten kilometers from Kokrajhar, headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Council.

The Director General of Police Mukesh Shahay who was on his way to Kokrajhar said the attack seemed to be the handiwork of NDFB(S) rebels.

We have eliminated one of the militants in an encounter soon after the incident and a massive combing operations have been launched to nab their associates suspected to have been taking shelter in the nearby areas, said Mr Shahay who recently told reporters that NDFB (S) was recruiting youths in Western Assam.

He said they recovered an AK-47 rifle from the terrorist who was killed in an intense gun battle with security forces.

Security sources said that apart from opening fire, NDFB (S) rebels lobbed a grenade, which damaged many shops.

'Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his official Twitter account.

The attack came at a time when security forces were on high alert in view of the intelligence reports fearing attacks by militants in the run up to Independence Day.

Security sources said that incident was unusual in nature as the heavily armed militants not only killed civilians but also waited for 20 minutes for the security forces to arrive at the spot, leading to a fierce gun battle. While one militant was killed in the encounter, security sources said that at least three others managed to escape.

While narrating the incident a survivor, Santosh Narzary, a trader at the market, told local news channels, "I saw one gunman dressed in black raincoat-like gown and another two were sitting in an auto-rickshaw. He wasn't firing indiscriminately but targeting people and taking one shot at a time."

Meanwhile Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was in New Delhi, condemned the dastardly attack. He told reporters that his government has decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the family of each killed in this militant attack. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. two lakh to those critically wounded and Rs. 20,000 for those having minor injuries.

Mr Sonowal also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Rajnath Singh also called him to know the details of the incident and condemned the act of militants.

The state administration has also made an arrangement to shift those critically wounded in the attack to Guwahati Medical College Hospital for a better treatment.
According to sources, the victim girl, a resident of Gourangpur near Athagarh in Cuttack district, was in love with driver Santosh Sahu for the last two years. (Representational Image)

Bhubaneswar: In a chilling reminder of the ghastly December 16 gangrape case in New Delhi that shook the whole conscience of the whole nation, a driver and a conductor of a private bus were on Friday arrested for abducting, raping, murdering a college-going girl.

The accused were identified as Santosh Sahu and Bibhuti Rout. After murdering the girl by hitting her head with a blunt iron object, the accused packed her body into a sack and threw it into the Mahanadi at Jatamundia in Cuttack district, nearly 100 km from here.

With the arrest of the accused, the mystery behind the death of the girl, whose body was found under Jatamundia bridge under Banki police limits on August 2, has been solved. We are interrogating the accused more information and to find out if more people involved in the crime, said Athagarh sub-divisional police officer Amaresh Panigrahi. According to sources, the victim girl, a resident of Gourangpur near Athagarh in Cuttack district, was in love with driver Santosh Sahu for the last two years.

As she insisted for early solemnisation of marriage, the driver hatched a plan with Bibhuti Rout. On August 1, the accused called the girl to a particular place to discuss the marriage issue. When she arrived, they took her in the bus to Ratagarh where they raped her inside the vehicle. Despite the girls fervent requests to spare her, the accused raped her and brutally assaulted with a wrench and iron bars. When she died due to profuse bleeding, they threw her body in the river, the SDPO said.

Both the accused had fled the spot soon after committing the crime. After getting some specific leads about their whereabouts, we arrested them today from Athagarh area, the police said.
As her health condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the Coimbatore government hospital, where she died on Friday morning.

Coimbatore: A 42-year-old Kerala-based woman was offered pesticide-laced cola, brutally raped and killed near Pollachi. The rapist left the unconscious woman in an overgrown scrubland at Poosaripatti village near Pollachi on Thursday, said police.

Public rescued the woman and took her to Pollachi Government hospital for treatment. As her health condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the Coimbatore government hospital, where she died on Friday morning.

According to police, 42-year-old Leela (name changed) worked in a garments shop in Thrissur in Kerala. Leela was married to 47-year-old Sasi, a painter, and had two children. Leela is said to have developed friendship with Sijo, native of Thrissur.

Claiming to be in financial distress, Sijo took Leelas four sovereigns gold chain. A few days ago, Sijo called Leela and told her that he had pledged the chain with a pawnbroker in Palani. He asked her to come along with him to Palani to get back the chain.

An unsuspecting Leela set out with Sijo on a motorbike to Palani and her life came to a brutal end.As they reached Pollachi on Thursday, Sijo offered pesticide-mixed cola to Leela, who drank it and felt giddy.

Sijo then took her to an abandoned farmland in Poosaripatti village in Pollachi. While Leela was in a semi-conscious state, Sijo raped and brutally attacked her and escaped with the jewels she was wearing, police said.

Members of the public who noticed Leela lying in the bush rescued her and admitted her to Pollachi GH. Pollachi police alerted Thrissur police who traced her husband Sasi.

Meanwhile, Leelas condition worsened and she was shifted to the Coimbatore government hospital. Thrissur police came to Coimbatore GH along with Leelas husband Sasi on Friday. But Leela died on Friday without responding to treatment.

Sasi told the media persons that he got married to Leela about 14 years ago and was not aware of her friendship with Sijo. He lodged a complaint at Thrissur police station on Thursday evening as soon as Leelas mobile phone was switched off and she went missing. The body of Leela was later taken to Thrissur for post-mortem. Search is on for the absconding Sijo.
Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a supplementary chargesheet against deported gangster Chhota Rajan in the J-Dey murder case. The investigating agency has come up with some additional witnesses and documents and also converted one witness into an accused, who, according to them, is now absconding.

Special CBI counsel Bharat Badami submitted a copy of the chargesheet to special MCOCA judge Samir Adkar and sought time to provide a copy to all the accused. We would provide a copy of the chargesheet to the accused without the names of witnesses. We need some time to provide a copy to the accused, as our officers would be bringing in truncated copies from Delhi, said Mr Badami.

The CBI has claimed that the voice spectrograph test has suggested that a conversation of Rajans that was intercepted has matched his voice. Rajans voice samples were taken when he was in judicial custody.

As per CBI sources, the name of the absconding accused added in the fresh chargesheet is Ravi Ram Rateshwar. Rateshwars name was there in the list of witnesses in the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai crime branch, but the CBI has decided to make him an accused in the case because he had himself provided 20 global SIM cards to various people, including those accused in the case.

The CBI has said that the motive behind senior journalist Mr Deys murder was that he had referred to Rajan in some of his articles as chindi (miserly) and that he was writing two different books on the underworld. Mr Dey had already written two books in the past and, in an upcoming book  Chindi  Rags to Riches  Mr Dey had planned to write stories about 20 gangsters.

According to the chargesheet, Dey was going to expose Rajans fake patriotic mask that he had used to secure himself and accumulate wealth for his family. The book was to have revealed that Rajan had no concern for those who had made him big.

It is also claimed in the chargesheet that Mr Dey had planned to leave journalism. But before that, he wanted to write the two books and, for that, he had met several people and also visited the Philippines and other countries to gather information. In the meantime, Rajan had called Mr Dey for a meeting, but the latter had refused to meet him.
The accused said that he was looking to sell the data, and also had a few interested buyers in view. (Representational photo: file)

Mumbai: A 48-year-old man from Tamil Nadu was arrested on charges of extortion on Wednesday by the Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell after he threatened a city-based bank of leaking confidential customer details unless he were paid a sum of Rs 1 crore.

According to reports, the man, Sunder Mahakrishnan Rajan, contacted the assistant manager of the bank on July 24 through email, claiming that he had possession Micro-SD chip, which contained confidential data of around 20,000 customers.

Seeking a response from the bank, he added that he was looking to sell the data, and also had a few interested buyers in view.

Perturbed, the bank official immediately appraised his seniors of the mail.

Two days later, he was surprised to receive another email from the same sender, this time with added proof that he had access to the sensitive data. He demanded a sum of Rs 1 crore so as to refrain from selling the data.

In order to convince the bank that the threat was genuine, the sender attached account details of six customers whose accounts were closed and details of 11 others whose accounts were in use. After the sent data got confirmed as the bank's, a complaint was lodged with the police," police sources were quoted as saying.

The cyber cell then laid a snare to entrap the accused.

The bank official, was asked to come to a hotel in Bandra, Mumbai, where police officials in civil clothes apprehended the suspect.

The police is investigating how Rajan got hold of the SD card.
The girl was gangraped by the miscreants when she was on her way to NIFT hostel located inside KIIT University campus. (Representational image)

Bhubaneshwar: Tension prevailed on Saturday in Odishas KIIT University campus following alleged gangrape of a student of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) by some unidentified youths on Friday night.

After the news about the incident spread in the campus, the students staged road blockade demanding immediate arrest of the accused. According to the agitating students, the girl was gangraped by the miscreants when she was on her way to NIFT hostel located inside KIIT University campus.

At around 2 am on Friday night, when the girl was walking down to her hostel room after meeting some of her friends in the campus, she was forcibly taken away by some unidentified youths who were suspiciously moving around the hostel. Although it happened in front of the hostel warden and security guards, no one protected the girl who was screaming for help, the agitating students said.

Alleging that all efforts were being made to suppress the incident, the students demanded for production of CCTV footages to know the identity of the accused.

All attempts are being made to suppress the incident. Eyewitnesses have been asked to remain absent. One of the security guards of the hostel who is suspected to be involved in the crime did not report for work, the students said.

The students blocked KIIT-Sikharchandi road and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

The entire incident has got recorded through a CCTV camera and we demand examination of the video footage by college authorities to identify the accused, the students said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Satyabrata Bhoi denied the charge of gang-rape and said investigation was on to know what exactly had happened.

As far as I know, no such incident (gangrape) has taken place. She was under medication. She is okay now. Further investigation are on, said Bhubaneswar DCP Mr Bhoi.

The police are investigating why the girl was moving in the campus at late night. Besides, they are contemplating to interrogate the warden and security guard.
Security personnel patrolling after an attack by NDFB (S) terrorists in the market area at Balajan Tinali near Kokrajhar town in Assam. (Photo: PTI)

Guwahati: Despite security alerts and intelligence inputs, suspected militants of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) on Friday killed 14 civilians and left 15 including a minor girl critically wounded in an attack on a crowded weekly market in western Assams Kokrajhar district.

The militants who came in an autorickshaw lobbed a powerful grenade before opening fire on civilians at Balajan Tinali, about 10 km from Kokrajhar, the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Council. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal who was in New Delhi condemned the incident.

Security sources said that the incident which shattered the recent lull was unusual in its nature as heavily armed militants not only killed civilians but also waited at least for 20 minutes and got engaged in an encounter with security forces. The attackers were dressed in Army fatigues.

Director General of Police Mukesh Shahay who was camping in Kokrajhar said it was the handiwork of NDFB(S) rebels. We eliminated one of the militants in an encounter soon after the incident. Massive combing operations have been launched to nab their associates suspected to have been taking shelter in the nearby areas, said Mr Shahay who recently told reporters that NDFB(S) was recruiting youths in western Assam. He said that security forces had recovered an AK-47 rifle from the terrorist who was killed in a gun battle with the security forces.

The shooting occurred when security forces were on a high alert in view of intelligence reports of likely attacks by militants in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations.

The Army, which claims to have eliminated many hard-core NDFB (S) militants, was carrying out counter-insurgency operations in the area against NDFB (S) for last two years.

While narrating the incident, survivor Santosh Narzary, a trader at the market, told a local news channel, I saw a gunman dressed in a black raincoat-like gown and another two were sitting in an autorickshaw. He wasn't firing indiscriminately but targeting people and taking one shot at a time.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was in New Delhi condemned the incident. HE said the government had decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of each person killed. He announced an ex-gratia of `2 lakh to those critically wounded and Rs 20,000 for those having minor injuries.

Mr Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh also called him for details of the incident and condemned the act of militants. He rushed back to Guwahati later.

The state administration has made arrangements to shift those critically wounded in the attack to Guwahati Medical College Hospital for a better treatment.

Assam health and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who reached Kokrajhar told reporters that police had concrete evidence on the involvement of NDFB(S). He said all necessary steps had been taken to intensify security in the area.

He indicated that government was facing the shortage of paramilitary forces who were taken away after the elections.
Kokrajhar: An NIA team scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of yesterday's terror attack here in which 14 people were killed while a massive combing operation was on to nab the militants of Bodo separatist outfit NDFB(S) suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site on Saturday, told reporters that the militant who was neutralised yesterday has been identified as Manjay Islari. "He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will give the body to his parents," he said.

He said that combing operation in the area has been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack on Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from here, just days before Independence Day.

To a question, he said that the militants were not part of any suicide squad. "If they were part of a suicide squad they would not have fled."

An NIA team has reached the spot and was speaking to eyewitnesses, officials said.

Combing operation by police, paramilitary and army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab militants. Defence sources said specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment have been pressed into service.

The Army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift actions, they said. The situation was described as tense but under control by police.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured at Gauhati Medical College Hospital and inquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advance medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar today, accused the ruling BJP government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulge in violent activities in the run up to Independence and Republic Days.

Armed militants dressed in army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and threw grenades at the crowded weekly market killing 14 people. One of the attackers, who were believed to be five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police had said.

Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay had said that the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S). AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

The Assam Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary T Y Das also held a high level security review meeting with the district administration where it was decided to continue with the security operations.
New Delhi: At a time when the BJP is going in for a change of guard, the Dailt uprising in Gujarat has emerged as a major cause of concern for the party struggling to stay in the fight in the forthcoming assembly polls in the OBC and Dalit dominated Uttar Pradesh.

Thousands of Dalits on Friday began their ten-day march from Ahmedabad to Una putting the ruling BJP virtually on notice.

Though the Dalits comprise only 7.1 per cent of the total population in Gujarat, the echo of the march is expected to reverberate in the poll bound states of Punjab and UP.

A worried BJP has carved out the tasks for the new chief minister. The main among them are to pacify the Dalits and contain the simmering anger among the Patidar community by isolating its leader, Hardik Patel.

The March for Freedom which started on Friday will reach Una on August 15. After the assault on the Dalits for skinning a dead cow by the Gau Rakshaks Una has emerged as the epicentre of Dalit protests. All the top Opposition leaders, ranging from Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Ms Mayawati had rushed to Una to consoildate their Dalit vote banks.
NEW DELHI: Delhi high court on Friday ordered the Delhi police to provide adequate security to Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa, who was expelled from the AIADMK on Monday last.

Hearing a petition seeking police protection filed by Ms Pushpa, Justice Vipin Sanghi also issued notice to Union Home Ministry, Delhi Government and Delhi Police seeking their responses by November 15.

Let protection be provided for safe functioning of the Member of Parliament. Police should escort the petitioner (Pushpa) while she is attending the House (Parliament), the court said.

The court passed the direction on the MPs plea, which sought security for her while she is attending Rajya Sabha and participating in the monsoon session.

Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, appearing for the MP, told the court that the petitioner faces a grave threat to her life and liberty due to her expulsion from AIADMK and her refusal to resign from the party.

Senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi police, submitted that the MP has been given adequate security and it is looking into the issue seriously. Mr Mehra said that the police are waiting for an assessment report from the authorities concerned with regard to the threat received by the petitioner and if there is positive report, it will do whatever more is needed.

The expelled AIADMK MP had on Thursday evening moved the Delhi High Court seeking directions for adequate police protection for her and her family members.

The petitioner faces a grave threat to her life and liberty due to her expulsion from the AIADMK and her refusal to resign from the party.

The petitioner has expressed her apprehensions on the floor of the Rajya Sabha and despite that no action has been taken to provide the petitioner with adequate security in view of the threat to her life, the petition had said.
Jaipur: What could be more ironical in a country where politics revolves around protecting and serving cow; where a man lost his life over a rumour of eating beef and people involved in animal trade are being routinely thrashed by cow vigilantes than the fact that hundreds of cows died in a government-run shelter due to apathy and negligence of caretakers?

Ironically, this happened in Rajasthan, the first state in the country to have a separate department and minister in charge of the welfare of cow. And, it was here that chief minister Vasundhra Raje had presided over a public oath to protect cows six years ago when she was in the Opposition.

But, cows trembling to death from hunger and thirst at the Hingonia shelter belie the tall claims of the state. Two weeks ago, some 225 employees of the shelter went on a strike to protest wage delays. Jaipurs municipal officials had refused to release their salaries alleging that the company they were outsourced from was blacklisted. The cows are now bearing the brunt of the festering dispute between the shelter employees and the government in Jaipur.

On an average, 40 cows have been dying in Rajasthans biggest government run cow shelter, Hingonia Gaushala. Cows have been living  and dying  in extreme agony. Many of them are barely in a condition to walk in the muddy slush. For almost a fortnight now, no one has drained the rain water out of their sheds. That is when the government claims that it spent Rs 10.78 crore in the financial year 2015-16 at the Hingonia centre alone.

Waking up after the high court pulled up the government and asked for a report that it swung into action. Kunji Lal Meena, secretary for the animal husbandry and Gaupalan department, issued a statement claiming that there are over 8,000 cows at the Hingonia Gaushala which are taken care of by a team of 14 veterinarians, 24 livestock assistants, and about 200 other staff.

He said the deceased cows which died were only recently brought to the facility and most of them were already unwell and suffering from malnutrition.

In November last year, cows had died in a government run shelter in Ajmer as well. However, the cow vigilantes and the Hindu right organizations, which otherwise create ruckus and even thrashed some people only a few days ago in Dungarpur alleging that they were smuggling cows, are nowhere to be seen.
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the first phase of NTPC's Telangana Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) tomorrow.

NTPC will establish the project in two phases, 1600 MW (2x800MW) in Phase-I and 2400 MW (3x800 MW) in Phase-II, it said in a statement.

The project is being set up in the available land in the premises of NTPC's existing Ramagundam station. An investment approval of Rs 10598.98 crore has been accorded for the project.

The AP Reorganisation Act 2014 mandates that NTPC shall establish a 4000MW power facility for the newly carved-out state of Telangana.

Ministry of Coal last year allotted Mandakini-B coal mine in Odisha to NTPC for the 4000 MW Telangana STPP. As an interim arrangement till the development of this mine, tapering coal linkage for Telangana Phase-I (2X800 MW) shall be provided from WCL, the statement added.

Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh E S L Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister of State Power, Coal, New & Renewable energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Bandaru Dattatreya are among those expected to be present on the occasion tomorrow.

However, Modis maiden visit is likely to end without any big announcements such as the release of additional funds to the youngest state by the Central government. Generally states expect some kind of support from the Central government during such high profile visits.

K Chandrasekhar Rao, who met Modi in July, had also submitted a long wish list, which includes seeking Central help for various projects such as Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya.

The Telangana State government, however, it appears, does not expect too much from the Prime Ministers first visit to the state in terms of monetary support to the state.

According to sources in the TRS, the Chief Minister will not seek any assurance from the Prime Minister on fund allocation to state.

"Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao invited the Prime Minister to the state to participate in various programmes and accordingly, the Prime Minister for the first time visiting Telangana on August 7," a state government release had earlier said.

Modi is expected to reach Begumpet airport in a special flight in the afternoon. From there he will reach Gajwel in Medak district in a chopper and address a public meeting there, it said.

Over 5,000 policemen will be deployed for Modi's maiden visit, a senior police official said yesterday. Akun Sabhrwal, Hyderabad Range Deputy Inspector General of Police had said that they expect a crowd numbering close to 1.5 lakh people at the public meeting to be addressed by both Modi and KCR at Gajwel.

Modi will launch also Mission Bhagiratha at Komatibanda of Gajwel tomorrow. In addition to this, he will lay foundation stones for the renovation of Ramagundam Fertiliser Factory at Karimnagar, Kaloji Health University at Warangal, for Kothapalli- Manoharabad railway line in Medak district and dedicate 1200 mw power project by state-run Singareni Collieries.

He will later address party workers meeting in the state capital in the evening, Bandaru Dattatreya Union Labour Minister had earlier said.
Nagpur: Under its new DGP, Maharashtra Police is working on a two-pronged strategy of improving intelligence gathering about terror groups and connecting better with citizens.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is also being equipped with modern gadgets and a strategy is being firmed up to effectively counter propaganda from outfits like ISIS, said Satish Mathur, who took over as DGP a week ago.

"As a first step, police personnel will visit each and every household in their jurisdiction to connect with people to get real-time intelligence inputs from society about anti- social and terror activities," he told reporters last night.

"At another level, ATS will be equipped with modern gadgets to counter any emergency situation," he said.

On his maiden visit as DGP to Nagpur, Mathur said a strategy is being readied to counter propaganda of ISIS and will be implemented soon.

In an effort to improve policing and re-establish their connect with people, the DGP said, "Every personnel will inquire from citizens about their grievances and leave his/ her phone number with them. This baby step will have a huge positive impact on society. This will not only improve the image of police but also strengthen intelligence gathering network."

On tackling Naxal threat, the 1981-batch IPS officer said police have gained upper hand in their fight against Maoists, who are active in a few districts of Vidarbha. Covert and overt operations will be launched to further weaken them.

"Two types of operations would be launched against Naxals -- secret and open. Armed Out-Posts (AOPs) are being increased in Gadchiroli district to enlarge police presence there.

"Also, financial aid is being provided to the families of policemen martyred during Naxal operations," said Mathur. New safety equipment are being procured to protect policemen operating in the Naxal-hit areas, said the DGP, who will have a 22-month tenure.

Mathur said his other priorities include increasing transparency in policing, improving service delivery and providing better working condition to police staff.

"Transparency would be increased in the department. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will soon address the top police brass," said Mathur.
A new app was launched to allow mobile users to connect with website of the Prime Minister's Office. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In his first comments on the violence against Dalits by cow vigilantes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday strongly rebuked them, saying most of them are "anti-social" elements who are running "shops" in the name of cow protection which makes him "angry".

He asked state governments to prepare "dossiers" on the so-called cow protectors as 80 per cent of them do illegal activities at night and become cow protectors in the day, asserting that running such help groups does not mean harassing others.

Modi made the sharp denouncement of cow vigilantes during his Town Hall-style address to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative.

His comments come at a time when his government and BJP are facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

"It makes me angry that people are running shops in the name of cow protection. Most of them are anti-social elements hiding behind the mask of cow protection.

"I will ask state governments to prepare a dossier on such people as 80 per cent of them will be found to be involved in anti-social activities which no society will approve of," he said.

Noting that more cows die from consuming plastics than are slaughtered, he said those who want to serve the animal should rather work towards stopping cows from eating plastics as that will be a bigger service.

Recalling his own work in the service of cow, he said at one health camp organised by him for the animal, at least two buckets full of plastic were removed from the stomach of one of them.

Speaking about the role of khadi, Modi said that if the people spent just 5% of their total expenditure on clothes on handloom and khadi, it will transform lives of the poor. "Khadi for nation and khadi for fashion, this must be our guiding principle," said the PM.

On tourism, the Prime Minister said India should focus on the kind of tourism which exhibits that which is unique to the country's culture and heritage, not that which is common in the world.

Answering a question on his hectic schedule, Modi said, "Everybody has immense energy within them. God has given us all the same capacity to perform. I am just trying to realise it because I have a mission."

The PM also emphasised 'Smart City Plus' mission for villages, to create 300 'Rurban' villages, where the 'soul' of a village will be preserved but the facilities will be urban-level. 'Atma gaon ki, suvidha sheher ki', he says. This was in response to a question about the likelihood of creating Smart Villages on the lines of Smart Cities.

Modi lamented that despite huge advertisement and publicity campaigns about vaccination, many children remained unvaccinated. "Health department is now doing all they can to go to every house to create awareness. We are working towards not only health insurance but also health assurance," he said.

We need to focus on preventative and affordable healthcare, he added.

Questioned about how long it would take for the common man to realise the benefits of a high growth rate, Modi said, "The world is in recession. Despite the purchasing capacity of world going down, we have a growth rate of 7.6%. If India grows at 8% for 30 years, the country will become an advanced nation."

Modi highlighted responsibility with accountability as the hallmark of good governance. Every level of government should be held accountable, he said.

"The benefits must reach the intended beneficiaries. Last mile delivery is as important as policies."

We want to develop good governance where the processes involved are less and things get done easy for citizens, the 66-year-old PM added.

Speaking about quick redress of grievances, he said it is an essential component of democracy and the government is taking steps to make this happen. He called grievance redress the 'most powerful thing in democracy' while emphasising the importance of good governance and modern technology for agricultural development.

Slamming those who hold him responsible for every incident, Modi said, "The PM is targeted even for a small incident anywhere. Holding the PM responsible for everything that happens at every level can be good politically, or for TRPs, but it makes the lower level administration feel they do not have to take responsibility. It is not good for governance."

Modi indicated that his government was different to governments of the past. "After winning elections, governments usually start thinking about how to win the next elections or what to do to get more votes next time. If good governance is not stressed on then regular life of a citizen wont change, wont develop," the Prime Minister said.

On the foreign policy front, the Prime Minister said "India first" is the central point of his government's diplomatic engagements.

"India first is the central point (of our foreign policy). It is about protecting India's strategic interest, it is to ensure that India marches forward in achieving economic prosperity by leaps and bounds and reaches the position which it is destined to reach," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said time has changed and world has become interdependent, and no country can afford to live in a particular group.

"The time of grouping has come to an end. Every country is linked to some other country," he said, adding walking together in most cases has become the norm.

Showering praise on the Indian diaspora, he said they can play an important role in strengthening India's ties with foreign countries and we should utilise their strength.

"The diaspora community has become very proactive, assertive and they can help in improving ties with many countries. India is making its place (in the world) with new energy and prestige," he said.

Answering a query on India's external engagement, Modi said there was no need to use words like aggressive, progressive and proactive in talking about the country's foreign policy which the questioner had used.

Before the question-answer session, Modi honoured the six youth who developed the PMO App, and launched the platform. He also handed out awards to the winners of the contest 'Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat'.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called social media an empowerment tool, empowering every individual both giving and receiving information. It is also an accountability tool, he said in a panel discussion involving Ravi Shankar Prasad, journalist Rajat Sharma and Smita Prasad.

"MyGovIndia is the digital bridge between the citizens and the government," said PP Chaudhary, Minister Of State, Law and Justice, and Electronics and IT.

Journalist Smita Prakash hailed the use of social media by the government, saying it had optimized this more than any other government.

Townhall as a concept is commonly used in the West among politicians as well as CEOs to interact with people directly.

Speaking on the occasion, IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said MyGov has 35.2 lakh registered members.

The minister said achievements of ordinary people of the country must be given positive space in the MyGov platform.

The portal was launched by the Prime Minister in July 2014 to provide opportunity to the people to participate in multiple-theme based discussions and share their thoughts.

The event saw participation from various stakeholders including Cabinet ministers, senior officers from Ministries and Departments, government organisations, representatives from media, IT and social media industry and citizens who have participated in the MyGov initiatives.
Guwahati: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday summoned as an accused by a magisterial court in Guwahati to face trial in a criminal defamation case for his remarks against the RSS over temple entry episode in Barpeta last year.

Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika summoned Gandhi on September 21 to face trial under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code which states, whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

Earlier on August 2, the court had deferred for Saturday its decision whether to issue summons against the Congress vice president as an "accused" in the criminal defamation case in Guwahati.

An RSS volunteer Anjan Bora had filed the criminal defamation case against Gandhi in the CJM, Kamrup's court alleging that he had tarnished the organisation's image by saying that he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastry, in Assam on December 12, 2015.

Bora in his case claimed that Gandhi was supposed to go to the Satra on December 12, 2015 but he did not go there and instead took part in a padayatra.

Two days later on December 14, Gandhi told a press conference in Delhi that he tried to enter the Satra but was instead prevented from doing so by its elected members and RSS supporters, Bora stated in his case.

Describing the Congress leader's assertion as a "blatant lie", Bora said in his petition that a lot of people including women and elected leaders of the Satra were waiting for Gandhi but he never visited the holy place.

Bora alleged that by making his claim in Delhi, Gandhi had brought down the image of RSS in society.

The court had examined several witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the situation in the Valley which he termed as "heart breaking" and "worrying".

"Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?" Omar wrote on twitter late last night.

He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests yesterday.

The opposition National Conference working president had yesterday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.

"1 (one) more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that 'things are improving'. Wow!" Omar wrote.

In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners -- PDP and BJP -- who agreed with this stand.

"Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!" he said.

The Centre yesterday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the outrebrak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

With yesterday's three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.
New Delhi: Opposition Congress on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "win the hearts" of the people of Kashmir, where the situation is turning "too dangerous".

"I would request your kind indulgence for taking urgent steps to win the hearts of the people of the state and also ensure that the law and order situation is restored at the earliest," Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in an open letter to the Prime Minister.

Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, regretted that there was no recognition of the Kashmir situation at national level.

Making a pitch for "political process" to find a solution to the problem, he reminded the Prime Minister that even in the face of worst provocations past governments had never abandoned it both on external and internal fronts.

"The initiative taken by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that Kashmir problem can be solved within the ambit of 'insaniyat', Jamhuriyat' and Kashmiriyat" followed by Delhi-Lahore bus service, was appreciated by one and all," Azad said.

Similarly, the UPA government under Manmohan Singh took some bold confidence building measures to win the hearts of the people of the state by starting a bus service between Uri and Muzafarabad, and Poonch and Rawalkote.

"But, unfortunately no such initiative is forthcoming from the present NDA Government under your leadership," he said.

"Neither is the government showing any urgency to deal with the situation nor is it taking other national political parties into confidence as was demanded during the discussion in the Parliament," he said.

Azad termed as "unfortunate" the government having "forgotten or ignored" lessons from 2008 and 2010 agitations when the then governments had appreciated the political nature of the problem and at least initiated a political process by sending an All-Party Parliament delegation.

He said in 2010 an-all party delegation vsited Kashmir and met a cross-section of people. Subsequently, the interlocutors were appointed. They carried out wide ranging discussions as a result of which the anger and resentment subsided.

"Today there seems no such effort on the part of the Central Government. What is New Delhi waiting for? When is Government of India going to wake up? The use of pellet guns is not a solution at all," he said.

Azad said there is a complete breakdown of law and order and "today even elected representatives are also facing the ire and are not able to connect with the people. They are running away from scene which tells us about the reality on the ground."

He said the "silence" of the Centre has further compounded the problem and asked the government to change its attitude towards Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Prime Minister should open his heart to the people of the state," he said and added that the present "mishandling" of the situation and "wrong policies" of the Centre has disturbed the socio-political and economic scenario of the state.

"The unrest has travelled to places not seen even in worst times," he added.

Azad assured the government that as a responsible opposition, Congress will support any endeavour to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir. "But it is the central and state government which have to reach out to the people and create a sense of security in Kashmir".

"As a responsible member of Parliament from J and K, I feel this as my duty to inform you that the situation in the state is turning too dangerous as a result of which, a large population is feeling insecure", he said.

He reminded the Prime Minister that Kashmir has been locked down for one month now. Curfew is in for the last 29 days and communciation blockade is near complete. "So far more than 55 people have been killed and almost 7,000 civilians and security personnel injured".

Noting that more than 100 civilians have lost their vision as a result of pellet guns, Azad told the Prime Minister that today there is complete breakdown of law and order in the valley.
A child who was injured in the terror attack in Kokrajhar being shifted to hospital on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Guwahati: The Assam Police on Saturday said that involvement of anti-talk faction of NDFB was confirmed but they are yet to identify the slain NDFB militant.

The additional director general of police L.R. Bishnoi told this newspaper that there were media reports that slain NDFB rebel was the dreaded area commander of the outfit  Manjoy Islari alias Maodang.

The parents of Maodang failed to identify the body of the slain militant, said Mr Bishnoi adding that they would identify the militant soon.

However, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday told reporters that slain militant has been identified as commander of 16th Battalion of the NDFB (S).

Police have been asked to carry out DNA test of the slain militant to doubly confirm the identity, said Mr Sarma.

The ADGP heading the police in Bodoland Territorial Council maintained that they are yet to confirm the identity. He also claimed that situation was normal in Bodoland Territorial Council areas.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited the victims of Friday carnage at Guwahati Medical College Hospital. The ministry of home affairs also sent a team of National Investigation Agency to study the crime scene.

Meanwhile, home ministry in a communication to the state government on Saturday directed to intensify the counter-insurgency operations in Bodoland Territorial Council. The union home minister also ruled out the chances of engaging the anti-talks faction of NDFB in peace talks.
HYDERABAD: The Telangana state government is betting big on Prime Minister Narendra Modis maiden visit to the state on Sunday. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is hopeful that the PM would address several pending TS issues during his trip.

The government has made elaborate arrangements to extend a grand welcome to the PM. Over 3,500 buses have been arranged to transport 2,00,000 people for the public meeting that Mr Modi would address in Gajwel in Medak district. There are expectations the PM would announce a Rs 20,000 crore package for the water grid project.
SRINAGAR: Three pilgrims including a five-year-old boy and a local ponywalla were killed and nine others including a 10-year-old boy were injured when a huge rock, part of a landslide, ripped apart a shelter en route Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at a height of around 5,200 feet in Trikuta hills near Jammu overnight, officials said on Saturday.

Reports said that a big stone rolled down and hit the victims near Gate Number-3 of the cave-shrine at a point called Adhkuwari at 1.30 am.

The deceased have been identified as Shashidhar Kumar, 30, from Bengaluru, Bindu Sahni, 32, and her five-year-old son Vishal, of Durg (Chhattisgarh) and Muhammad Sadiq, the 34-year-old ponywalla from Mansa Taanda in Akhnoor area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Abhay from Aligarh who is seriously injured was rushed to Community Health Centre in Katra, the base-camp to the cave-shrine.

The CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, Ajeet Sahu, said that the landslide triggered up Banganga-Ardhkuwari road and the debris fell on a shelter where the pilgrims were sitting.

He said that a rescue operation was launched immediately after hearing about the incident and that ex-gratia is being paid and arrangements for shifting bodies made. The yatra to the cave shrine, which was disrupted for some hours, later resumed, the SMVDSB officials and police said.
The Group of Ministers is likely to table a draft bill in the Cabinet soon. (Photo: Pixabay)

NEW DELHI: In a bid to ensure that surrogacy arrangements are done as an altruistic deed and not for commercial benefit, the government is planning to keep this substitute arrangement of renting a womb confined to the kith, kin and friends.

A meeting among the Group of Ministers (GoM), set up at the behest of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also decided to bar single and gay couples and keep surrogacy eligible only those who are Indian, married and infertile.

Further, the GoM has proposed extra protection for the surrogate mother through mandatory insurance cover. The Group of Ministers is likely to table a draft bill in the Cabinet soon.

The GoM was of the opinion to not extend the network of surrogacy beyond blood relations, family, community, country so as to ban its commercialisation and not let the normal biological function of a womans body get into a commercial contract.The draft has been sent to the law ministry for vetting and will soon come in the Cabinet, sources said.

The GoM was set up by the Prime Minister after the draft Surrogacy (Regulation) bill was discussed in the Cabinet recently. It was opined that singles have an option of adoption, so surrogacy will be allowed only for Indian, married and infertile couples, sources added.

To safeguard the interests of the surrogate mother, the child and the commissioning parents, the draft spells out the mandatory health insurance coverage for the mother throughout the pregnancy and till two months after the delivery.

The draft also invites legal action which includes fine and imprisonment of the prospective parents in case they refuse to accept a baby with health problems or deformity.

After the GoM discussions, everything has been spelt out elaborately on the insurance cover, the rights of the baby born out of surrogacy etc, the sources further said.

Drafted in 2007 by the then Congress government- the Assisted Reproductive Technology bill (ART) bill underwent enormous discussions till 2015 has now been narrowed down and will deal with issues related to surrogacy only.
HYDERABAD: The state government on Saturday entered into a pact with Indian Space Research Organisation to implement the satellite visualisation platform for its water resource information systems.

It was signed by irrigation minister T. Harish Rao and Isro chairman Prof A.S. Kiran Kumar here, considered to be a first of its kind initiative by a state government.

It will enable the government to assess the annual variability of water in surface runoff and devise solutions to deal with it for the benefit of the farming community. The exercise is aimed at developing a water resources map with satellite data which would be updated every 10 days based on the ground information.

Prof. Kiran Kumar appreciated the government for making a bold attempt to make use of technology to ensure effective use of water. He said it was an eventful day for Isro, which tries to make space technology available to the state and Central government departments.
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would arrive at Begumpet airport arou-nd 2.20 pm and head straight to Gajwel to launch Mission Bhagiratha. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had sought financial assistance from the Centre for the water grid project every time he met Mr Modi in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister was impressed by the scheme and had praised the state government for taking up such a massive scheme by way of a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in state.

The Chief Minister had sought a Rs 20,000-crore package for the water grid. The Niti Aayog had also recommended Central assistance for the project. In this backdrop, we hope the Prime Minister would make an announcement in Gajwel. The Chief Minister is also hopeful, said Mr V. Prashanth Reddy, vice-chairman, Telangana Water Grid Corporation.

As of now, the government is relying entirely on loans to fund the `42,853-crore project. Money is being mobilised from the World Bank, Nabard, Hudco and other private lending agencies. This would impose a heavy financial burden on the government as it involves a huge interest pay-out.

If this burden is passed on to consumers, they would have to pay higher water charges. The operational costs for the project are estimated at Rs 1,000 crore per year. Tenders worth Rs 23,330 crore have already been finalised and the state government has spent Rs 3,302 crore so far.

Mr Rao is expected to submit a representation to the Prime Minister seeking early bifurcation of the High Court and funds for development of backward regions as also for Mission Kakatiya and irrigation projects besides seeking national status for the Kaleshwa-ram irrigation project.
HYDERABAD: People can avail of the services of the Telangana State Water Grid, Mission Bhagiratha, for free initially. Water will be charged only after the project is complete by mid-2018.

The government plans to reduce some of its financial burden by supplying 10 per cent of the water to industries for which tariff will be fixed.

The operational costs are pegged at Rs 1,000 crore per year. Most households will be covered by 2017-end itself and all households will continue to receive water for free till 2018-end.

The CM asked us not to levy water charges till the project is entirely completed as per deadline and we can provide uninterrupted water supply to each and every household. Then public opinion will be sought in every village and town on the quantum of charges to be fixed," said Vemula Prashanth Reddy, vice-chairman, TS Water Grid Corporation. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao heads the corporation.

Mr Rao has announced several times earlier that the TRS would not seek votes in the 2019 general elections if it failed to deliver the project by then.

Nearly 65,000 households in Gajwel would start receiving water for free from Sunday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the scheme. In three months, another nine constituencies in Nalgonda, Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagar would get free water.
Chennai: There is expectation. There is excitement. And there is nervousness.

When former telecom minister A. Raja of the DMK put his pen to the paper, he promised the publisher, Penguin India, a bombshell of a book on his side of the sensational 2G spectrum allocation story.

It goes without saying that the kettle has already started boiling with a million and more rumours and expectations from the former MP from Nilgiris on what he is going to reveal.

The Book In My Defence is currently being edited by the publisher and will be on the shelves by November. The book is under editing. Once the work is complete, we will share the date of publication, a source from the publishing house said.

In My Defence, by one of Indias most controversial ministers Raja, is honest, hard-hitting and with no holds barred, an important and utterly absorbing book, Penguin had said while announcing the making of the book.

The book is being keenly awaited in political circles, both in New Delhi and in Tamil Nadu, since Mr Raja is expected to present his side of the story with all necessary evidence.

The former telecom minister, who spent more than a year in the Tihar jail in New Delhi and is currently facing trial in the 2G scam, has time and again alleged that he was being made a fall guy and his decisions related to the 2G spectrum auction and allocation had the approval of the top brass of the UPA-I government.

Sources close to the DMK leader said Mr Raja is expected to shed light on how he kept the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his senior cabinet colleagues like the then finance minister P. Chidambaram and then external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee in the loop on the 2G spectrum allocation and how he had consulted them at every stage.

Even while arguing his case at the special CBI court and in a letter written to the Joint Parliamentary Committee that probed the 2G scam, Mr Raja had said he had taken all decision in consultation with the then Prime Minister.

I did everything in consultation with the PM. After I was arrested, I advanced the same argument in court and at the time of framing of charges. My stand has been very clear, Mr Raja had said while defending himself before the JPC headed by P.C. Chacko.
The liquor ban has prompted a boom in the wedding industry in eastern UP (Photo: file)

Lucknow: There are no high-end heritage hotels, no sprawling resorts and no picturesque locations. Yet, all wedding venues in districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh are booked to capacity from October to December and from January to April next year.

It is not as if suddenly a large number of weddings are taking place in these districts  it is just that people from Bihar are spilling over to eastern UP to host weddings in their families.

And the reason for this is the ban on liquor in Bihar.

Gaurav Anand from Siwan will be organising his sisters wedding in November from Gorakhpur.

The grooms family is insisting on liquor being served during the functions and even my relatives feel that absence of liquor would rob the event of its fun element. So we have decided to have a destination wedding of sorts and both the families will come to Gorakhpur for the wedding, he said.

Hotels in Gorakhpur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Mau, Chandauli, Maharajganj and even Varanasi are already booked to capacity for the wedding season in October- December.

In fact, local residents are finding it difficult to find guest houses and hotels for their weddings.

For a large number of family in the Hindi heartland, serving liquor is becoming a tradition of sorts, especially for the baraatis, and absence of it is seen as an insult to the guests. With the ban on liquor in Bihar, the common man is finding it difficult to make the guests happy kaise guest ko happy karenge, they ask.

Vishwas Rai, a businessman from Vaishali, who is preparing to host his daughters wedding from Varanasi in October, said that despite the added cost of travel and boarding and lodging, he would be spared uncalled for tensions.

If you serve liquor discreetly, the cops come and demand hefty bribes. There is the tension of dealing with cops during the wedding and also that of a guest misbehaving with them. To avoid all such hassles, it is better to pay more but get peace of mind, he said.

For hotels and guest houses in eastern UP district, the liquor ban in Bihar has created a business boom.

We have created packages for families from Bihar that include hotel, food, local transport, flower decorations, band, beauty packages for the bride and even a local guide for last minute shopping. We also make arrangements for pundits if the guests want. In short, if someone is coming here for a wedding, we make sure that there is no problem, said Rajiv Singh, the manager of a well known hotel in Gorakhpur.

Some hotels are even arranging for local sightseeing and visits to temples for the guests after the wedding.




-By Noah





Forget Halloween. Will Herr Trumpfs candidacy for the highest office in the land even last that long? Might it be over by Labor Day? Oh the irony of a Republican nominee for president dropping out on Labor Day. Seems sort of appropriate to me!





It would be the most amazing irony of all if what finally did Donald Trump in were his non-stop attacks on an American Muslim soldier, Captain Humayan Khans ultimate sacrifice and that soldiers Gold Star parents. Its an attack that Trumps supporters are cheering and defending every day at his rallies and on TV.





The Republican sentiments behind the attacks on Capt. Khan and his family happen to be a key factor at the heart of the forces that are now tearing the Republican Party apart. On the one hand, they claim to love the military. On the other, they love to express hate for Muslims, resisting no opportunity to do so.





This situation is a very conflicting thing for Republicans. The Republican Party is in a state of Civil War with some at the top of the party worried that Trumps extremist and bonkers candidacy will jeopardize the partys control of both the Senate and the House; not to mention state and local offices. Its not that they dont like what Trump is and what he stands for; its more in the way he presents himself and constantly, so blatantly, reveals what the Republican Party is really about.





Lets not forget that the Republican Partys current standard-bearer, with his constant appearances as a guest on FOX News, took the lead in the Republican Partys birther movement, a prominent party movement that, to this day, claims that President Obama is a secret Muslim who wasnt born in the U.S.A. Even in the partys recent Kleveland Kook-Fest, invited speakers such as Antonio Sabato Jr. made that charge from the convention stage, to wild cheering and approval from the thousands of Republican delegates and party supporters in the audience. This is more than Trump. Its about the millions of Republican voters who have so eagerly put him where he is today. They built this.









There have always been fringe, wacko candidates for president. In Millburn, New Jersey, the town I grew up in, there was an eccentric dentist named Dr. Cornell Grossman who ran for president about six times, starting, I believe, in 1948. Considering the mutual tooth obsession, maybe he was a precursor to Vermin Supreme (see above clip, if you havent already had the pleasure), but Dr. Grossman was harmless. I just would not have trusted him with the laughing gas. He got about 21 votes nationwide in the 1968 election. He lived and practiced in a large haunted-looking Victorian mansion that was right out of The Adams Family. Our family chose to go to a dentist in a neighboring town.





Times have changed since then. There is no longer a crackpot filter that confines oddballs and crackpots to running as candidates of tiny, insignificant political parties. The best, if not the only, evidence of there being no crackpot filter, in recent years, has come from the Republican Party itself. There is power in social media and nutball radio . Trumps ascension to the very top of his party proves it.

Think about who Trump beat out for the honor of leading his party: Ben Xanax Carson? Rafael Ted Cruz? Carly Pink Slip Fiorina? Chris Not sorry I ate all the pie Christie? 2012 offered the likes of Herman Uzbeckie-Beckie-Stan Caine, Rick Cant count to 3 Perry, and Michele Fema Camps Bachmann? In 2008, a crazy, senile old megalomaniac named Rudy Giuliani spent $50 million on his candidacy and got one whole delegate for his foolishly spent money. Giuliani, like Trump, is a big fan of Vladimir Putin





Really, when you look at it rationally, how are the crackpot politicians I just mentioned any different than Vermin Supreme or any of the other wackos Im about to introduce you to? At least Vermin Supreme knows hes a performance artist. The people that the Republican Party has been trotting before us in recent years are all such sociopathic, narcissistic headcases that they have no idea how they come off to medical people and normally adjusted voters.





The continued digression of potential offerings from the Republican Party is only going down, down, down. I have no doubt that now, after Donald Trump got the Republican nomination, a complete babbling loon like Texas Rep. Louie Bestiality Gohmert is now thinking of himself as viable for a 2020 run. I bet similar thoughts have crossed whats left of the mind of His Royal Pomposity Bill OReilly. Scott Baio anyone?





New York Times would call him just may be Donald Trumps long lost brother, the brother the family kept hidden in the attic, but maybe the family got it backwards. Is it really now such a leap for the Republican Party to go just a little further into the realm of mental darkness and choose someone along the lines of Vermin Supreme. Can it even be called going further? Donald Trump may seem to some people like he is also a performance artist like Vermin Supreme but hes not. Trump is a man who is hanging ten on the doorstep of an insane asylum. There is a Make America Great Again straitjacket in his future. It will be made in China, no doubt, just like the rest of the Trump clothing lines. Vermin Supreme may, in fact, be a better choice for America, no? Mr. Supreme, as thewould call him just may be Donald Trumps long lost brother, the brother the family kept hidden in the attic, but maybe the family got it backwards.





As the world cringes and America shrugs, it is clear from the daily photos and outrageous pronouncements of Donald Trump, that we have a major party candidate who is in the throes of an emotional and mental crack-up. There are even rumblings and murmurs of concern coming from his own party, including, apparently, RNC chairman Reince Priebus who has been the architect of the attempts to legitimize Trump as a reasonable candidate





Do Priebus and other Republicans now have some sort of buyers remorse kind of thing over the monster that they have engineered? Until this week, Washington has been strangely silent on the issue of Trumps mental well-being.





Finally, no less a national figure than the President of the United States, Barack Obama , a man given to being irritatingly phlegmatic and reserved no matter what, has felt compelled to speak out. Its that bad.

The Republican nominee is unfit to serve as presidentand he keeps on proving it.

Brian Duffy, a veteran of Desert Storm and newly elected head of the VFW has issued a statement on Trumps fitness for office

There are certain sacrosanct subjects that no amount of wordsmithing can repair once crossed Giving ones life to nation is the greatest sacrifice, followed closely by all Gold Star families, who have a right to make their voices heard.

Other veterans groups such as VoteVets, the American Legion, and the Vietnam Veterans of America have issued similar statements, with the VVA calling Trumps statements disgraceful and un-American. John Rowan, National President of the VVA says:

VVA joins the chorus of congressmen and senators, veterans, and Military service organizations, in condemning the flagrantly disloyal utterances of the Republican Party nominee for President.

So far, only two of those members of Congress are Republicans. However, as I write this, words like intervention are being tossed around by a few Republicans while most remain silent or openly continue to support their guy. Media outlets such as MSNBC and even some of the staunch Trumpists at FOX News are reporting that Reince Priebus, Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich want to meet with their boy about his need to change his tone. You can be forgiven if you are now humming  Send In The Clowns  to yourself.





So, what is the alternative for the Republican Party? For some Republicans to be even talking about things like intervention goes a long way in telling us just how far into the nutball world their party has gone. Would they dump Trump and put Pence at the top of their ticket? There is an existing mechanism in both major parties to do such a thing. Would they just dump the whole ticket altogether? I would not hold my breath on that but you know what they say about desperate times.





We have the past history of Republican actions to point out what direction they would move in if such an extreme measure was taken. We cannot expect a political party that has steadily moved in the direction of complete, utter insanity for the past 50 years to suddenly reverse course. The current emotional and mental breakdown of the Republican Party and the emotional and mental breakdown of Donald Trump go hand in hand. They are manifestations of each other. The marriage of Trump and the Republican Party was inevitable. Is this a case of til death do they part?





The Republican Party does not move forward. Taking the more positive direction is unknown to them. This is a party of lunacy and low road politics. A small number of Republicans are beginning to issue self-serving, lip-service missives about being marginally appalled by Trumps actions but the truth of their feelings lies in the fact that they have not withdrawn their endorsements or money. For instance, Trump still holds the proud endorsements of Republican Party leaders such as Paul Crazy Eyes Ryan, $enate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and former party presidential nominee John McCain, the man who gave us another nutball, Sarah Palin. Who knows where this will go? Do not expect profiles in courage from what passes for republican leadership these days.





The fact that the recent Kleveland Kook-Fest, chose Donald Trump as their leader is only the latest manifestation of the depths to which Republicans will go when choosing a standard bearer. Insane Dick Nixon? Mindless dementia patient Ronald Reagan? Drug and alcohol damaged Dubya? All of the other 2012 and 2016 Republican Primary candidates? Its worth noting that even the endorsements of former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke and every single other white supremacy group in the land did not give the Republican Party pause and deter them from nominating Donald Trump and singing his praises. Why would they?





The Tea Party, the power center of the Republican Party, created in large part by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey, adopted tri-corner hats with teabags dangling from the brims. Will Republicans soon start wearing boots as hats like Vermin Supreme? Will Mr. Supreme be debating Hillary Clinton in October?





Or will they look to one of these other crackpot possibilities for the top of their ticket? Will we soon see Chris Christie and his wife standing on stage with one of these people? Which one might they choose to lead their party against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats?





First, they could, with typical insincerity, lack of a sense of irony, and/or extreme cynicism, reach out to gay, Latino, and African-American voters in one fell swoop with Pogo Mochello Allen-Reese, aka the Patriot Prancer?





Pogo is a former stripper and Christian crusader from San Antonio. He is already running as a Republican and hopes to create jobs by convincing Oprah to move her production company to San Antonio.





Second, theres the infamous David Jon Sponheim and his Americas Third Party . Why would David Sponheim be an ideal replacement for Trump, you ask? Well, just check out his video!













Sponheim, a former Democrat, also offers nightly video chats. Thats a lot more that Trumps paltry wee hours bizarro tweeting.





To be fair-- and Im always fair-- there is at least one independent candidate for president, Ms. Tami Stainfield, that may actually be more nuts than at least most Republicans, and therefore might not fit the bill as a Trump replacement. One, she is a woman, but she is no ordinary woman. Two, although she gained experience by having run back in 2012, she is a woman who is known for speaking in tongues and claiming that men and robots have taken over her brain and use her to speak for them. So, maybe, on second thought, Tami would work after all. You decide:













There are others, of course, many others, but Mr. Supreme has the advantage of being willing to reach out to all Americans. His offer of a free pony to all Americans is awfully hard to beat!









Vermin even got his name on the New Hampshire Democratic Primary ballot and proudly stated to the media that you could now see Vermin as an honest, transparent voting option on the ballot. Unfortunately, he didnt do very well in the primary. Perhaps that was just due to the fact that he chose the wrong party to run with. Obviously, he would have done better to throw his boot into the Republican ring.





While we can laugh at or with the Vermin Supremes of the world, Donald Trump is no longer a source for amusement. Real vermin are leading the Republican Party. Once youve nominated Trump, you can nominate just about anybody.





Vermin Supreme may not be the only possibility for Republicans, but he may be the most sadly logical one now, if only because he has now run at least three times and has offered every American that free pony. If Trump really has all the money he says he has, maybe he could save his wretched candidacy by also offering us all free ponies. Absurd as things are, maybe it really could save his campaign. Youll all get a great pony! It will be the best pony, a huge pony, believe me! Complete with all the horse manure you could ever want.
















Bengaluru: We woke up with the shock of our lives today when the earthmovers, along with buses filled with policemen, hustled through our street starting the demolition work. We were not intimated about anything about this except for few men who came the previous day doing some markings on our house walls outside and on our compounds, said Srikanth Kanchi, who owns a two-bedroom house on a 30X40 plot in Avani Sringerinagar in Arekere.

I have an A-Khata for this ground plus first floor house on my name. I have all documents including building construction sanction plan. I have been paying property taxes regularly over the last 10 years and how can this be an illegal property? asks Srikanth.

Only God knows where the Raja Kaluve runs through as it is 22 years since this layout was formed. The layout was formed in 1994 by two people named Samiullah and L.K. Sathyanarayana, who sold to all of us residents here, said. Preethi Kanchi, wife of Srikanth, who works as a HR professional.

Each one of us when we built our homes, BBMP officials visited the spot, did their surveys, sanctioned the plans and even told us to plant a tree, she said adding Nobody even hinted to us about an existence of a Raja Kaluve going through this place. Only after these many years, the authorities woke up after a rain flooded Kodichikkanahalli last week.

Both Srikanth and his pregnant wife were seen running around with a file filled with their building documents pleading with the BBMP engineers and even the BBMP commissioner, who visited the spot around noon to consider not demolishing their house at least on humanitarian grounds, but the officials werent considerate enough to listen to their pleas.

Even though the residents have Khatas or plan approvals from the authorities, that all have been fabricated by officials and builders, who have connived and colluded with the irregularity. We dont even have to issue a notice for demolition as the houses have been constructed on the storm water drain as per our records, Manjunath Prasad, BBMP commissioner told Deccan Chronicle.

Nagaraj Ramachandra, a resident who built the first house in the layout will lose four shops that he had given away for rent in the ground floor and his first floor house where he stays as the entire construction sits on the 2.44 metre width of storm water drain. Nagaraj is no exception, house no. 83, belonging to Anantha Padmanabhan, would lose its face to earth movers of the BBMP, which will continue with their drive on Sunday.

Spare our houses, plead residents

The residents pleaded with the BBMP engineers that they could have the Raja Kaluve run through the road running parallel to the storm water drain, which is in front of all their houses, as an alternative.

We are not challenging or opposing the authorities. Let them dig the road and make way for the storm water drain, so that it will not create any problem to any residents. This is an alternative and instead of going eight feet towards our houses, they can take 10 feet of the road as the gradient is towards the road side. We are only requesting them to consider us on humanitarian grounds. But the authorities reiterated that on humanitarian grounds, they are not willing to demolish midway through their properties instead they would take the 8-feet width from the front of their houses, the resident said.
In the face of the demand for reservation being pressed by Hardik Patel-led Patidar agitation, the erstwhile Anandiben Patel government of Gujarat passed an ordinance in May 2015, announcing a 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections, meaning the upper castes. The move has backfired, with the Gujarat high court quashing the ordinance on Thursday, calling it inappropriate and unconstitutional. The court also pointed out that it exceeded the 50 per cent cap on reservations placed by the Supreme Court. It further held that the order  allowing reservation for the upper castes behind the nomenclature of economically backward classes (EBCs)  was without any study or scientific basis.

Gujarat plans to go to the Supreme Court now, but clearly there were many infirmities in the ordinance, which was clearly in the nature of a quick-fix response to a problem. In principle, there is nothing wrong with reservations based on the economic criterion alone. But this requires a conceptual about-turn. Originally, reservations were only for the SC/ST category. And then the OBCs were added following the Mandal agitation. Now, who can bell the cat and suggest that poverty alone is the determining factor? Except the creamy layer among the SC/ST and OBCs, the overwhelming bulk of the beneficiaries at present will still be eligible, but the needy from the upper castes too will be counted in. That is a hot potato.
A measure of the progress of MyGov, the government-to-people interface program, is discernible from the somewhat minuscule number in 35.3 lakh registered users currently and a Twitter following of 4.25 lakh people. It is a reflection of the enormous distrust that the government must overcome if it is truly to interact with the people and their problems. So much of government is so enormously citizen-unfriendly that people may find it inhibiting to just think of connecting. The process has, however, been simplified in the age of instant connectivity through the Internet and through the mobile on the even simpler app-based platform that common people can access easily enough. There are, however, huge issues like connectivity which remain to be tackled.

The Townhall event of Saturday, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a leaf out of the likes of master communicators like US President Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, was threatening to descend into a typically Indian-style mela of handing out of certificates and honours and bureaucratic back-patting more than an interaction with the public, until Mr Modi took over in his presiding role, but mostly as a speaker for the government and only to those who can understand Hindi.

The redeeming feature was the number of young people who became part of MyGov to interact with the government in setting up the PMO mobile app and helping streamline the programs that would make meaningful connectivity possible. To make the program a tool to gauge accountability, as the finance minister promised during the days events, is the challenge. Without that, it is as much use as a citizen with a grievance handing in a petition to various politicians, administrators and government agencies. If the apps and programs help eliminate the middlemen and, more importantly, take away the element of graft from governance, the two years spent in incubating the platform may not go in vain.

The cautionary part of the tale is this project is a work-in-progress, but in keeping with the leaps in technology the programs can be up and running quickly. Thus far there have been several tetrabytes of talk about the information superhighway, e-governance and how an intelligent young India is poised to make the leap. Only now, talk of accountability and the promise of putting online the status of government projects is in the open. Digital India is a concept whose time has come. With the GST to roll out soon, the challenge of digitising data becomes sharper. The government has a lot of catching up to do to translate intention into action.
This image provided by Moon Express on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2015 shows an illustration of the company's landing vehicle on the surface of Earth's moon. On Wednesday, the U.S. government gave permission to the private Florida company to fly a spaceship beyond Earth's orbit and land on the moon. The washing machine-sized vehicle would take hops across the lunar surface. (Moon Express via AP)

Washington: The federal government for the first time has given permission to a private Florida company to fly a spaceship beyond Earth's orbit and land on the moon.

The Federal Aviation Administration gave clearance Wednesday to Moon Express to land a washing machine-sized vehicle on the moon that would take hops across the lunar surface using engine firings instead of roving on wheels.

"Why crawl when you can fly," said Moon Express CEO Bob Richards. He called the company's planned lunar ship a "single-stage hot rod of space."

The Cape Canaveral-based Moon Express plans to launch late next year, probably out of New Zealand, on a rocket that has yet to fly, Richards said. The $10 million flight is the first of many planned missions where they hope to make money extracting lunar resources, like platinum, and selling moon dust and rock collectibles, he said.

Getting the OK  not technically a license but a determination that it would do no harm and the company can go ahead  "is a milestone and it is not implausible that they will succeed," said retired space policy expert John Logsdon of George Washington University.

The company, is also competing with several other groups for the Google Lunar X Prize. The $20 million prize will go to the first private firm to get a lander to the moon that can then move a bit. But Richards said that's not the main way the firm hopes to make money.

Richards said the first flight has five customers, including a company that is selling the opportunity to take people's ashes to the moon. His parents' ashes will be on the flight. He said they used to sing the song "Fly Me To The Moon" to him "and I'm going to." The company uses a Diana Krall recording of the song for its telephone hold music.

However, Richards said his firm hasn't finished building the lander and hopes to unveil a new design in September, which he said is "about the size of R2-D2" from Star Wars and will be propelled by environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide.

The plan is to fly on a rocket built by Rocket Lab, which has yet to launch a ship. If that doesn't work the FAA approval is done in a way that they could just hire another firm, like SpaceX, Richards said.

The governments of U.S., China and the former Soviet Union have landed rovers on Mars, with the Chinese Jade Rabbit rover just retiring. No human has stepped on the moon since 1972.

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This is not the first time that authorities have cracked down on torrent sites.

Chennai: It was a normal Friday morning, or so it seemed until the social media went into a tizzy over the shutdown of torrentz.eu, the largest torrent search engine. Torrentz was a free, fast and powerful meta-search engine combining results from dozens of search engines, the site said. But when someone tried to search for a torrent file on Friday, the message read, Torrentz will always love you. Farewell. Would you say, Thank God its Friday or grieve the death of another popular pirate who let us poor souls wade into the net for content to download without hitting the thin purse in our pockets?

It is no secret that countries and many film production houses have been in a drive to shut down all sites that possess /distribute pirated content. Just 14 days after the shutdown of KickAssTorrents (kat.cr) and arrest of its alleged mastermind, the sudden closing of Torrentz.eu, The Google of torrents comes as shocking news to many. Torrentz, a meta-search engine, did not host any content, but linked to various popular torrent sites. It enjoyed 13 years of popularity among active internet users.

This is not the first time that authorities have cracked down on torrent sites. Yify, a popular torrent site, known for HD and Full HD Blu-Ray rips of movies in small sizes, was shut down in 2015 after the New Zealand based owner reached a private agreement with movie studios to avoid a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

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Google in its war against passwords has found a way to eradicate them all.

Have you ever taken some time off and though about how many accounts and passwords you have to deal with? On an average, an online user has nothing less than 20 accounts, ranging from standard emails to secure banking accounts. Having a different password for each service is a must in todays online world, but it is impossible to remember them all. The search-engine tech giant, Google, has found a way to eradicate them all after they planned to launch a war against all passwords.

Google in collaboration with Dashlane, a password management company, has already started working on a Project, codenamed Open YOLO (You Only Login Once). The Open YOLO project currently exists as an API (Application Programming Interface) and allows Android apps to access login credentials by eliminating the need for multiple passwords on the device.

The project would involve Dashlane and other password manager services, which will provide secure links between the third-party apps and password managers. This will help users and they wont need to remember passwords at all. In a move to secure online security, Google and Dashlane are helping create a seamless, universally-acceptable Android app authentication solution.

This partnership with the password managers is not Googles first attempt to lessen password burden on users. In June 2016, it introduced a yes or no prompt function, where users needs to tap to approve remote login request, instead of manually entering a code for authentication.

Apart from Google, Apple had also introduced a new system that allows Watch wearers to login to their Macs by simply being in the vicinity of the device, without entering any password. This is capable with the help of Bluetooth and Wireless networks.

Also read: Google enables two-factor authentication

In the future, we see this open API going beyond just Android devices, and becoming universally implemented by apps and password managers across every platform and operating system, said Malaika Nicholas, community manager at Dashlane.

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By 1000 GMT supply had been restored to all major regions including the capital Nairobi, West Kenya, North Rift, South Nyanza and the Coast area, the company's spokesman told Reuters. (Representational Image)

Nairobi: Most of Kenya suffered a blackout on Saturday due to a fault on a major transmission line serving the capital Nairobi, electricity distributor Kenya Power said.

By 1000 GMT supply had been restored to all major regions including the capital Nairobi, West Kenya, North Rift, South Nyanza and the Coast area, the company's spokesman told Reuters.

"We experienced a technical challenge that led to tripping of our main supply line ... consequently leading to a power outage in most parts of the country," Kenya Power said in a statement early on Saturday.

Kevin Sang, Kenya Power's chief communication's officer, told Reuters supply was knocked out at 5:34 a.m. local time (0234 GMT) on Saturday when a fault occurred on a transmission line that runs from Olkaria in Kenya's Great Rift Valley region to Nairobi.

Blackouts are common in Kenya, partly because of an ageing energy network and insufficient generation capacity. Many businesses in Nairobi and other big towns operate back-up generators.

"There could be pockets here and there ... which are still off supply but most of the areas are back on supply," Sang said.
Johannesburg: South Africa's ruling party has suffered its biggest election setback since taking power at the end of apartheid a generation ago, with local media reporting that the African National Congress has lost in the metropolitan area that includes the country's capital, Pretoria.

The opposition Democratic Alliance party, which has roots in the anti-apartheid movement and had a white party leader until last year, edged out the former liberation movement ANC in Tshwane, 43 percent to 41 percent, raising the likelihood of a coalition government.

The race for South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, remained too close to call with less than 1 percent of votes left to be counted. Final results of municipal elections were being announced at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT).

Since South Africa's first all-race election in 1994, the ANC has had widespread support on the strength of its successful fight against white-minority rule, while bringing basic amenities to many people who had had none. But this time, its hold has been weakened by corruption scandals and a stagnant economy that has frustrated the urban middle class, while poor communities have demanded better services.

"Election after election, the ANC has hung on to its past glory and kept its place in the hearts of most South Africans. ... This time round, though, it's not enough," the Mail & Guardian newspaper said in an editorial . On social media, South Africans mocked President Jacob Zuma's recent claim that the ANC would rule "until Jesus comes back."

The election has been notable for its peaceful power shift away from an entrenched government in Africa, testifying to the strength of South Africa's democracy. In contrast, 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe in neighboring Zimbabwe has kept control since independence in 1980 with a series of disputed elections and crackdowns on dissent.

Before this election, the ANC had never lost a major black-majority municipality. Now it has lost two, including Nelson Mandela Bay, named for the ANC's star and the country's first black president.

The Democratic Alliance won Nelson Mandela Bay after fielding a white candidate for mayor. The party already runs the country's second largest city, Cape Town, the only major South African city where blacks are in the minority among white and mixed-race residents. It has been pushing hard to win supporters in other regions, saying its brand is good governance.

The party's leader, 36-year-old Mmusi Maimane, had predicted victory in Tshwane.

"For far too long, the ANC has governed South Africa with absolute impunity," Maimane told reporters Saturday. He said the idea that his party was a white one has been "completely shattered."

The Democratic Alliance angered the ANC last month by declaring that it was the only party that could realize Mandela's dream of a "prosperous, united and non-racial South Africa."

Maimane immediately looked ahead to presidential elections. "The 2019 campaign starts now," he said.

The ANC so far has received 53 percent of votes across the country, its lowest percentage ever, with the Democratic Alliance getting 26 percent. A more radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, contested the local elections for the first time and received 8 percent of the vote nationwide after promising measures it says will help the poor.

The results for the ANC could put pressure on the 74-year-old Zuma to leave office before his mandate ends in 2019, political analysts said. Zuma's office said Saturday that he would attend the announcement of the final election results.

The ANC has said "we will reflect and introspect where our support has dropped." It retained support in many rural areas in a country where blacks make up 80 percent of the population.

The South African economy has stagnated since the global financial crisis in 2008, and the World Bank says the country has one of the highest rates of inequality in the world.

Scandals swirling around Zuma have also hurt the ANC. Opposition groups have seized on the revelation that the state paid more than $20 million for upgrades to Zuma's private home. The Constitutional Court recently said Zuma violated the constitution and instructed him to reimburse the state $507,000.
Washington: A former top CIA official emphatically endorsed Hillary Clinton for president today, calling Donald Trump an "unwitting agent" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Mr. Putin played upon Mr. Trump's vulnerabilities by complimenting him," wrote former CIA deputy director Michael Morell in a New York Times op-ed. "In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation."

A self-identified nonpartisan who has worked under both Republican and Democratic governments, Morell called Clinton "highly qualified" to lead the US, having worked with the Democratic nominee when she served as secretary of state.

"Clinton is highly qualified to be commander in chief," Morell wrote. "I trust she will deliver on the most important duty of a president - keeping our nation safe."

"Donald J. Trump is not only unqualified for the job, but he may well pose a threat to our national security."

The ex-intelligence chief also said Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from entering the US "clearly contradicts the foundational values of our nation" and "plays into the hands of the jihadist narrative that our fight against terrorism is a war between religions."

The Republican presidential candidate has repeatedly proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States on counterterrorism grounds.

"My training as an intelligence officer taught me to call it as I see it," Morell said. "Our nation will be much safer with Hillary Clinton as president."
Washington: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has attacked Japan, one of America's closest allies, saying if the US is attacked, all Japanese would do is "sit home and watch Sony television".

"You know, we have a treaty with Japan where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States. If we're attacked, Japan doesnt have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television. No, what kind of deals are these?" Trump asked at an election rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Japan is a key ally of the United States and its crucial partner in the Asia Pacific region.

Referring to the US-Japan treaty alliance, Trump said that the it is particularly worthy of ridicule.

Japan, Trump said, should be forced to pay 100 per cent of America's military costs for protecting the island nation, not the roughly 50 per cent it pays now. Currently there are some 47,000 US troops based in Japan.

In his speech, Trump reiterated that the US protects not only Japan but other countries like South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia. And these countries don't pay anything near what it costs.

"They have to pay. Because this isn't 40 years ago. It's got to be a two-way street," he asserted. He also criticised Democratic rival Hillary Clinton policies.

"You know, Hillary Clinton came out and said, 'Thats terrible. He's not going to stick with our allies. 'Were going to stick, but once the ally hears her dumb talk, because it's dumb, why would they ever pay?" he asked.
It now reveals a link between the alleged al-Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan. (Photo: File)

New York: An indirect link has been revealed between Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 9/11 attack in recently released declassified information from a 2002 US congressional report. The report on the 9/11 attacks, dubbed the 28 pages was previously hidden from the American public.

It now reveals a link between the alleged al-Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan, reports the CNN.

During investigations into the attack it was found that 15 of the 19 men who hijacked the planes to carry out the attack were nationals but the possibility of official Saudi involvement has hung over the relationship between the two countries.

While the alleged association with Bandar revealed in the newly declassified pages does not provide direct evidence of his scomplicity in the 9/11 attacks but it does raise new questions about Saudi Arabias involvement.

The connection to Bandar was made through Abu Zubaydahs phone book retrieved during the Pakistani raid in which he was taken. He was an alleged recruiter for al-Qaeda and a member of Osama bin Ladens inner circle.

In the phonebook, the FBI found numbers linked to the United States, including an unlisted number for a company that managed Bandars estate in Aspen, Colorado. An unlisted number was also found for a bodyguard who worked at the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydahs phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented, said former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages.

The CIA and FBI concluded that there was no evidence anyone from the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the 9/11 attacks. But Graham said the indirect connection to the respected former Saudi ambassador was one of the most stunning parts of the investigation and worthy of pursuing further.

Bandar was the Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, during the Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

He later served as secretary general of Saudi Arabias National Security Council and head of Saudi Arabias General Intelligence Presidency, the equivalent of the CIA, until last year. The 28 pages were the only part of the initial congressional investigation into the September 11 attacks.

Actually numbering 29 pages, they detail a web of Saudi nationals living in the United States who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers. The George W. Bush administration deemed their publication a threat to national security and kept them confidential. But, after continuous pressure, the Obama administration agreed to make the pages public last month.

The FBI investigated the phone numbers indirectly linked to Bandar in 2002. A CIA-FBI investigation concluded in 2005 that there was no evidence that either the Saudi government or a member of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the September 11 attacks or had foreknowledge of terrorist operations in the kingdom or elsewhere.

However, the 9/11 Commission report and the joint agency memo only offer blanket absolution of official Saudi involvement and do not reference the questions detailed in the 28 pages surrounding the phone numbers that indirectly seem to link Bandar to al-Qaeda.

The 28 pages also raise questions about another possible link between Bandar and the attacks: the princes relationship with a Saudi national named Osama Bassnan, who was living in the United States on 9/11 and was investigated to determine if he helped two of the 9/11 hijackers. The declassified pages reveal previously undisclosed amounts of money that Bandar and his wife sent to the mans family.
The girl shot her 41-year-old father once in the head with his .45-caliber handgun as he slept on a living room couch and her mother sleeping on the floor next to her husband. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Cleveland: A 14-year-old Ohio girl fatally shot her father in the head as he slept to stop him from abusing her family, her attorney said on Friday.

The girl denied a charge of aggravated murder on Wednesday in Trumbull County Juvenile Court. She has been held in juvenile detention since the early morning shooting on July 28 at her familys home in Warren, about 55 miles southeast of Cleveland.

This was a classic situation of a battered woman as it relates to mom, said Cleveland attorney Ian Friedman. The girl and her siblings witnessed this every day. It reached a point where its self-defence and defence of others.

Prosecutors havent determined if they will ask a judge to order the teen tried as an adult. Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Stanley Elkins said Friday that his office and police continue to investigate.

Asked about the abuse allegations, Elkins said hed only heard about them from the media.

Im not finding any evidence of that, Elkins said.

The girls 41-year-old mother told WJW-TV in Cleveland on Thursday that she filed for a protective order against her husband five years ago but later dismissed it. The mother called her daughter a hero for her actions.

The girl shot her 41-year-old father once in the head with his .45-caliber handgun as he slept on a living room couch and her mother sleeping on the floor next to her husband, Friedman said. He described the father as controlling and said he required his wife to constantly remain near him.

The shooting was a reaction to abuse that had occurred the previous day and evening, Friedman said. In her mind, this was the only opportunity she had to defend her family and her mother.

Two of the teens siblings, a 20-year-old brother and a 19-year-old sister, were in the home when the shooting occurred, Friedman said.

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for August 30. Friedman said he would be cooperating with prosecutors in their investigation.
Thai police have been in touch with their counterparts in India to arrest the other member of the gang. (Representational Image)

Bangkok: Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested in Bangkok for being part of a gang that fleeced Indian men of money by offering them non-existent jobs, according to a media report.

The gang had been taking money by offering non-existent jobs to the Indians through a website that was operating in the sub-continent, police was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

Hussein Avid and Aslam Muhammad Adman were rounded up in Charoen Sanitwong area yesterday.

Police said they had been paid about 45,000 baht (90,000 rupees) by about ten Indian men. They paid a percentage of this money to a man called Manis who reportedly runs a website that was used to entice the victims in India, police said.

They were enticed with job offers with 50,000 rupees or 25,000 baht per month salaries.

Thai police have been in touch with their counterparts in India to arrest the other member of the gang. The Pakistanis have admitted their involvement and were charged with online fraud.
About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Tokyo: Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in US President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

A peace bell tolled at 8:15 am (2315 GMT on Friday), the time a US warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city.

Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

"The president's words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the 'absolute evil'," the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons.

The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year.

US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later.

"I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities," Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun.

"As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart."

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.

"We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself," Abe said.

"It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease towards that aim."

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China.

But Tomomi Inada, Japan's new defence minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year. On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone for the first time.
One of the terms agreed with the UK Treasury is that the sale of alcohol is forbidden, whereas at their current location in Westminster, MPs have the choice of 10 licensed bars and restaurants. (Representational Image)

London: Come 2020 British MPs will have to move out of their Palace of Westminster Parliament building as it is renovated and face a drinking ban in their temporary premises nearby because it has been leased for an Islamic bond scheme, a media report said on Saturday.

The Times claims to have seen a leaked report which claims that MPs will be relocated to the Department of Health offices in Whitehall while a multi-billion-pound refurbishment of the House of Commons and House of Lords begins in 2020.

Lords' peers will be transferred across Parliament Square to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.

As the new temporary home for MPs, Richmond House, is held under an Islamic bond scheme, it forbids the sale of alcohol.

A Department of Health source told the newspaper that staff was getting ready to move out of Richmond House next year.

That will give authorities three years to transform the property into a functioning parliament. It is thought that the debating chamber will possibly be housed there.

The lease on Richmond House, where MPs are due to move, was transferred to finance an Islamic bond scheme two years ago. This means that it cannot be used for anything that is not sanctioned by Sharia law.

One of the terms agreed with the UK Treasury is that the sale of alcohol is forbidden, whereas at their current location in Westminster, MPs have the choice of 10 licensed bars and restaurants.

The 200-million-pound bonds, known as 'Sukuk', were launched as part of an initiative by former Chancellor George Osborne to make Britain "the western hub of Islamic finance".

Devout Muslims cannot buy traditional government bonds because they pay interest. Sukuk, an Islamic alternative permit guaranteed returns if they are linked to rental payments.

Moving MPs and peers out of the Palace of Westminster will enable the building work to be completed quicker and more cheaply in six years, costing between 3.5 billion and 3.9 billion pounds, the leaked report indicates.

A vote in Parliament on the recommendations is due after the ongoing summer recess.

The move is an attempt to prevent the 19th-century Gothic building from disintegrating beyond repair.

The restoration and renewal unit of the British Parliament has said that since the UNESCO world heritage site's construction in the mid-1800s "many features have never undergone major renovation".

"The roofs are leaking, asbestos is present throughout, corrosion has occurred in gutters and downpipes and internal plumbing regularly fails, causing visible and sometimes irreversible damage to the Palace's carved stonework ceilings and Pugin-designed historic interiors," it says.
The investigation kicked off last year when police received information that the illicit content was circulating on various internet platforms. (Representational Image)

Madrid: Spanish police said on Saturday they had arrested seven people, including a British teacher who lived in Barcelona, for sharing thousands of images and videos of child pornography online.

The investigation kicked off last year when police received information that the illicit content was circulating on various internet platforms.

The probe was subsequently given a major boost when a specialised firm came forward with a damaged hard-drive that a customer had given them to retrieve files, in which they found more than 27,500 photos of child abuse.

Police that examined the content of the hard-drive also found video games that consisted of abusing computer-generated images of very young girls, they said.

They subsequently raided the home of the man who had handed the hard-drive to the company in the town of Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona, where they found dozens of videos of child abuse.

A police spokeswoman said the arrests were recent, but she did not know exactly when they were made.

The investigation also led police to a British man who taught English and lived in Barcelona, who was found to be storing illegal content online.

Another five people were arrested as part of the same operation in Barcelona, Biscay in the Basque Country further northwest, and Castellon in the east.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of supporting the plotters and warned Washington that relations will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennyslvania-based Gulen.

Istanbul: The United States' ambassador to Turkey has again denied allegations his country was involved in last month's failed coup attempt, Turkish media reported Saturday.

"I just want to say again, as I've said before and as we've said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of July 15 and into July 16. Full stop," US ambassador John Bass said in remarks published in English daily Hurriyet Daily News.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations" targeting his country.

The July 15 military action blamed by Ankara on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has rattled Turkey's relations with the United States and the European Union.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of supporting the plotters and warned Washington that relations will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennyslvania-based Gulen.

Erdogan has also accused the US of hiding and sheltering the preacher and described the failed military action as a "scenario written from outside" in an allusion to foreign involvement.

Shortly after the coup attempt, Labour Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further to say "the United States is behind the coup."

And this week, Turkey's former army chief, Ilker Basbug, claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was also behind it.

"Frankly, if we would have had knowledge we would have told the Turkish government about it immediately," Bass said.

He said the US wants to see a "strong, prosperous, democratic, confident Turkey.

"Anyone who thinks that the United States somehow profits from Turkey being divided and destabilised I think is misreading history to a profound degree."

Three days after the failed coup, Bass rebutted claims his country somehow supported the putsch.

"This is categorically untrue, and such speculation is harmful to the decades-long friendship between two great nations," he said in a statement on the embassy website.
Kuwait: The Kuwaiti authorities on Saturday arrested key ISIS recruiter Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi based on a tip-off by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Hadi is believed to have funded Indian ISIS operative Areeb Majeed.

According to reports, Hadi is believed to have funded and recruited Indians for the terror outfit, paying up to USD 1,000 to the recruits, including Mumbai youth Areeb Majid.

He admitted to supporting the terrorist organisation and involvement in financing terrorism, after his return from Pakistan in 2013.

Kuwaiti authorities have registered a case against Hadi and arrested him on these charges.

In May 2015, four youths from Kalyan, including Majeed, had left the country to visit holy places in West Asia but disappeared thereafter. They were suspected to have joined ISIS.

Majeed was arrested by the NIA in the last week of November 2015 upon his return from Iraq, and booked under Sections 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code.

During investigations, it was found by the NIA that Majeed had received some money from Kuwait. The agency sent a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to that country seeking information about the person who had transferred money into the account.

This is the first international arrest made by the officials in connection with ISIS recruitment in India. He will be interrogated by the NIA.
The video shows a woman burning her burqa while another one joins in and reveals how ISIS militants tortured and abused them. (Photo: YouTube Screengrab)

Manbij, Syria: Nearly a month after US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces advanced ISIS-captured Syrian town of Manbij, forcing the terror group out of the region, civilians have been celebrating the freedom in their own unique ways.

Some women were recently filmed burning their burqas and veils which the Islamic State militants had forced on them.

The incident took place in Syria's Manbij. It is located along a route connecting Raqqa -- IS's de facto capital in Syria -- to the Turkish border.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, while the civilians were celebrating their victory against ISIS, one of the women from the crowd stepped in and seized a lighter. She then burnt her burqa while on-lookers cheered.

"Damn this stupid invention that they made us wear, one woman was heard saying as she set her burqa on fire. Were humans, we have our freedom, another said.

The video shows a woman burning her burqa while another one joins in and reveals how ISIS militants tortured and abused them.

They banned television, telephone, they took all the meat, they took all the bread, we've been living in hunger. They took our men and killed them, they trapped our people in prisons, we want them back," she said.

A month back when US-backed forces seized a village in northern Syria from the clutches of Islamic State, a19-year-old girl swiftly tore off the niqab she had been forced to wear since 2014 and smiled.

"I felt liberated," the girl said after swapping her black face-covering veil for a red head scarf. "They made us wear it against our will so I removed it that way to spite them."

Islamic State group has been forcing women in their territory to wear a burqa that covers their entire body, except for eyes, in accordance with their Sharia law.
Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 long bombers and Su-30 aircraft, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha (Spratly) and Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) islands in the South China Sea, a Chinese air force spokesperson said. (Photo: AFP)

Beijing: China's long-range bombers and fighter jets have "inspected" the airspace over the disputed South China Sea islands in a fresh bid to assert its sovereignty over the area after an international tribunal last month struck down Beijing's claims.

Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 long bombers and Su-30 aircraft, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha (Spratly) and Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) islands in the South China Sea, a Chinese air force spokesperson said.

The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

China began regular air patrols on July 18 after the international tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in response to a Philippines petition struck down

China's claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila's rights in the areas claimed by it.

China, which boycotted the tribunal, has rejected the verdict and initiated measures to assert control over the area.

Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.

China also opposes US naval and air patrols over the area to assert freedom of navigation.

On August 3, China launched a website on the issue to highlight its case.

The website on the SCS is complete with historical maps to assert its claims.
The rising middle class has been attracting foreign retail giants to Vietnam.

Vietnams annual economic growth cooled to an estimated 5.52 percent in the first half of this year after it had expanded at 6.68 percent last year, the fastest pace since 2007, due mainly to strong commodity exports and record foreign investment inflows into the manufacturing sectors.

The World Bank has once again revised down Vietnams gross domestic product growth for this year to merely 6 percent from the previous forecast of 6.2 percent.

Adverse weather conditions, sluggish global demand and low world commodity prices have reportedly hammered Vietnams economy, said Sebastian Eckardt, World Banks senior economist, in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.

Buoyant retail market helps the economy to stay afloat

With the population of more than 90 million, Vietnams domestic retail market is growing rapidly, making it highly attractive in the eyes of foreign investors. The country is currently listed in the top five in Asia and ranked 11th globally in terms of retail growth.

Vietnams retail industry has witnessed healthy growth rates of 8  10 percent annually in recent years, said economist Eckardt.

The industry is forecast to reach $109 billion by 2017, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Young population, rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanization and better living standards are said to be the main drivers of the growth.

Eckardt said the robust retail market growth has partially contributed to keeping Vietnams economy from losing momentum.

He forecasts the galloping number of middle-class income citizens with a high shopping demand in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will catch the eyes of foreign investors.

Vietnam has recently emerged as a destination of global retail giants who are trying to set a firm foothold in the local retail market through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Thai billionaires have proven their particular interest in Vietnams retail market by sealing many M&A deals such as the $200 million acquisition of consumer electronics retailer Nguyen Kim, or $1.14 billion buyout of Big C supermarket chains in Vietnam, both by Central Group.

It would be no surprise to see Vietnam to continue attract huge foreign investment inflow into its retail market in the future, said Sebastian Eckardt.

Economist Sebastian Eckardt said free trade agreements will give Vietnam a decent change of growing stronger and faster. Photo by the World Bank.

Agriculture remains the linchpin of the economy

The agricultural sector will remain an important part of Vietnams economy, said the World Banks economist.

The sector now accounts for roughly 15 percent of gross domestic product and creates about half of the total employment.

According to estimates, Vietnams agricultural production, however, has fallen steadily over the past three years. The agricultural sector even recorded negative growth of 0.7 percent in the first half of this year, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, after taking a hit from adverse weather conditions.

Vietnam is currently lagging behind many countries in Asia, including Thailand and Bangladesh, in terms of productivity in the agricultural sector.

Economist Sebastian Eckardt pointed out that it is Vietnams scattered farm land that has hit the overall efficiency of the countrys agricultural production.

The fact that farmland is divided into multiple plots and a considerable proportion of state-owned plots are left unused has dampened investors appetite for the agricultural sector.

Only about one percent of foreign direct investment is currently flowing into the agricultural sector, said the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Eckardt urged the Vietnamese government to change the situation by making state-owned agricultural land available to the public through privatization.

The economist said Vietnam is on the right track in restructuring the state-owned enterprises as the authorities have gradually removed foreign ownership cap, allowing foreign investors to wholly own local companies.

Besides, the government has been trying to create more favorable business conditions and a level playing field for private companies.

The World Bank economist emphasized that openness to the global economy through a variety of free trade agreements including the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership will give Vietnam a real chance of growing stronger and further.

Related news:

> Foreign investors dominate Vietnams M&A deals

> Vietnam's retail sales see slowest growth in 6 years

> Vietnam ranks in top 30 fastest growing retail markets
Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families. (Photo: AFP)

Islamabad: In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to provide medical help to those injured in violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims.

Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the SAARC meeting here asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange medical treatment for the victims" in Kashmir, especially for treatment of eye injuries resulting from use of pellet guns by the Indian forces, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

"The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan's unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world," it said.

Sharif also called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for "ending bloodshed" in Kashmir and providing access for provision of treatment to the victims in the wake of the "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"The humanitarian crisis, which is of huge magnitude, has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims of brutal state oppression," the statement quoted Sharif as saying.

"Even more gruesome is that healthcare providers" in Kashmir have not been allowed to treat innocent victims, Sharif alleged.

He claimed that "the Indian forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing healthcare to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters".

Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families.

"Nevertheless, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this," he said.

Pakistan shall continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically, the Prime Minister said.

Sharif's call came a day after his Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) to help Kashmiris.

The latest statement by Sharif is yet another effort by Pakistan to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the international level.
At a toll plaza on the highway two men in plainclothes stopped the van and checked identity papers of the passengers. (Representational image)

Lahore: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday expressed grave concern over the 'enforced disappearance' of a prominent Baloch social activist.

The whereabouts of Abdul Wahid Baloch have not been known since July 26 when he was offloaded from a passenger van headed to Karachi from Digri town in Mirpurkhas district of Sindh.

HRCP said in a statement that the continued enforced disappearances of citizens are exceedingly worrisome for the people and must be brought to an end forthwith.

"HRCP believes that the despicable practice can be ended only by taking away impunity for the perpetrators," it said.

According to Abdul Wahid's family, he was travelling with a friend.

At a toll plaza on the highway two men in plainclothes stopped the van and checked identity papers of the passengers. The men instructed the van driver to leave immediately. Abdul Wahid's friend saw him being taken to a blue vehicle, which then drove away, his family said.

"There is a police station and a Rangers checkpost right next to the toll plaza from where Abdul Wahid was taken away. The proximity of the place to the police station and the checkpost and the manner of his abduction lend support to the family's contention that Abdul Wahid has become a victim of enforced disappearance," the HRCP said.

It said Abdul Wahid is a social activist, who has organised several Baloch literary, musical and cultural events.
The BJP has urged Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to constitute a probe into the engagement of large number of advocates and alleged payment of crores of rupees as fees to them by the Arvind Kejriwal government .



Nine advocates were paid Rs 50 lakh fees in the case in which the Delhi High Court on Thursday ruled against the AAP government, said Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, demanding a probe into the wasteful expenditure.



Gupta said that the Kejriwal government has also shown undeserving generosity in case of remuneration/fee of its Standing Counsel, Public Prosecutors and pay scales of Prosecuting Officers and their related staff members.



Their revised remunerations as approved by the Cabinet were increased upto 600 percent which is a record in itself, he said. He said public money was being squandered by the Chief Minister.



The issue is so sensitive for the government that it is refusing to give details of the payments made to advocates for different cases, said the Leader of Opposition, in a statement.



Turned away

He said he sought the information in his capacity as the Leader of Opposition but he was turned away. Gupta said the government is in the habit of appointing many advocates in a single case against the normal practice.



He said he wrote a letter on May 2 to Chief Secretary K K Sharma to know how many private lawyers had been engaged and case wise payment made and due to them till date. The Chief Secretary referred the matter to Principal Secretary (Law) but till date the information has not been provided.



The Leader of Opposition said that there is hardly any justification for manifold increase in raising remuneration/fee of Standing Counsel from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1,10,000.



Secretarial assistance to him was increased from Rs10,000- to Rs 30,000. The monthly remuneration for Additional Counsel was increased from Rs. 20,000 to Rs 90,000 whereas Secretarial assistance was increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000.
A 12-year-old student riding a bicycle died after a car driven by a lecturer hit him while he was going to his school in West Delhis Najafgarh area. Police have arrested the driver Anupama, 40, who teaches at Bhagini Nivedita College of Delhi University.



The incident happened on Wednesday noon, when Nitesh, a student of class 6 was on his way to school when a car on the right side took a sudden left tuen and hit the cycle. The car was driven by a woman and two more women were sitting in it, said Sharad, cousin of Nitesh.



According to Sharad, the driver took a sudden left turn to avoid a pit in front of her. Due to the impact of the knock, the cycle was flung to one side while Nitesh came under the cars wheels. My brother fell under the wheel. However, rather than stopping the car, the driver applied the reverse gear and again drove the wheels over his abdomen, Sharad added.



Tried to flee

The woman alleged tried to run away from the spot however passers-by blocked her path and she then took the injured boy to a nearby hospital. She did it under the pressure of the onlookers, otherwise she would have fled from there, Sharad said.



In the hospital, Niteshs family members alleged that the hospital administrators asked for an exorbitant amount as his treatment cost.



First, they wasted two hours in haggling about the treatment charges. And when Nitishs father agreed to it they said that his condition has deteriorated beyond their control, said Sharad. Nitesh was then taken to Rao Tula Ram Hospital where he died during operation. A case of rash driving and causing death due to negligence has been registered against Anupama.




In the last few years, cases of illicit weapons being manufactured in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and western UP are being smuggled into Delhi NCR have been reported, said police.



Nineteen country-made guns and 20 live cartridges were recovered from a man arrested in northwest Delhis Dwarka by Delhi Polices Special Cell for inter-state gun trading.Asad Ali, 27, was arrested by special cell when he was going with his supply of illegal arms to some people in Najafgarh on Thursday.Ali was carrying two bags and was waiting for someone near NSIT college in Dwarka on Thursday. Police searched his bag after they received information about a man who would come near NSIT Dwarka for supply of illegal arms.From his possession, 10 country made pistols of .315 bore, nine long barrels country made gun of 12 bore and 20 cartridges of .315 bore were recovered.Ali, mostly recognised as `pahalwan' disclosed that he has been involved in illegal arms trade for the past two years. He has supplied many consignments of arms in various parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR during this period.He used to purchase country-made firearms of .315 bore with five cartridges for an amount of Rs 7,000 to 8, 000 and long-barrel gun .315 bore (musket) for an amount of Rs 10 to 12, 000. With the sale of every weapon, he used to earn a profit of Rs 5 to 6, 000, police said.Ali sold sohan papri, a sweet, in the villages of his adjoining areas, when he came in contact with some illegal arms manufacturers and suppliers from Jwala, Muzaffarnagar and Falawada in UP.Ali is from Falawada and belongs to a family of farmers. His family has seven bighas of agricultural land in his village.


"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself". Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.

But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.



Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons. "I am convinced (Obama's visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms," he said.



The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later. A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15.



Japan today marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb. American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands. About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute's silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago.During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president's historic speech. "(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima's strong wish not to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said.The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of "the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion". Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
In more trouble for Vijay Mallya, a non-bailable warrant was today issued against him in a 2012 cheque bounce case by a Delhi court which said that coercive steps were required to ensure his appearance.



Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand passed the order for bringing Mallya in court on November 4, with the direction that the non-bailable warrant be sent to him by Ministry of External Affairs as he is reportedly in London.



The court noted that despite repeated orders, Mallya did not appear in the court and it was inevitable for the state machinery to intervene and ensure his presence.



The trial court had summoned Mallya as accused following a complaint by DIAL, which operates the capital's IGI Airport, claiming that a cheque for Rs one crore issued by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) on February 22, 2012 was returned to them a month later containing remarks "fund insufficient".



DIAL had filed four cases in June 2012 against Mallya over KFA's cheques totalling Rs 7.5 crore not being honoured. The grounded airline had issued the cheques towards payment for services availed by them at the IGI airport here.



Mallya, Chairman of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, is facing action after defaulting on over Rs 9,000-crore loan from 17 banks.



Late last month, he had skipped appearance before a PMLA court in Mumbai in connection with a money laundering probe against him in alleged bank loan fraud case. Mallya had left the country in March and is currently said to be in the UK. Several cheque bounce cases have been filed against him.


China's long-range bombers and fighter jets have "inspected" the airspace over the disputed South China Sea islands in a fresh bid to assert its sovereignty over the area after an international tribunal last month struck down Beijing's claims.





Chinese Air Force aircraft, including several H-6 long bombers and Su-30 aircraft, have inspected the airspace around the Nansha (Spratly) and Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) islands in the South China Sea, a Chinese air force spokesperson said.



The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force's response to security threats, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.



China began regular air patrols on July 18 after the international tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in response to a Philippines petition struck down China's claims over the South China Sea and upheld Manila's rights in the areas claimed by it.



China, which boycotted the tribunal, has rejected the verdict and initiated measures to assert control over the area.



Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area.

China also opposes US naval and air patrols over the area to assert freedom of navigation. On August 3, China launched a website on the issue to highlight its case.The website on the SCS is complete with historical maps to assert its claims.


The only star to have had both his films (Airlift and Housefull 3) cross 100 crore this year, Akshay Kumar is now in a comfortable zone of alternating his entertainers (of all hues) with his serious films (of all hues again).





Set to release his latest film Rustom on August 12, the actor meets me for a chat and the first question I throw at him is whether the makers of the film are so confident of their production that they did not see the need to promote it (by todays standards) conventionally, like with a trailer launch as a start and endless hype.



Laughs the actor, I plead guilty to the trailer launch part. I was on a month-long vacation with my family in New York. We had to release the trailer at a particular time, and there would have been no point in calling the media all over again to watch something old after I came back. Anyway, most of the people know what the film is about and what we want them to know about it, so humne paise bachaa liye (we saved our money). Promotions are there to make people want to watch the film and I think the trailer has done it. And I assure you that women, especially, are going to love the film and will watch it again.



The Parsi connect



Since hes portraying a Parsi, what were his reference points for doing so? I have a Parsi manager. The only aspect I completely copied was her fathers moustache.



Many of my close friends are Parsis, like Farukh Elavia. I even have a friend named Rustom! So I have picked up a bit of their language and diction. See, the rest of the presentation is my directors responsibility after I have liked the script.



Is there any added responsibility in playing a real character as in Airlift and now this film? Rustom is about many incidents, not just one. The main fictional part is how these many real incidents have been connected by the script. Which is why there is the question about whether Rustom is a patriot, a traitor or a murderer. In Airlift, it was a dramatic representation of a real person and a real incident.



This is Akshays first film with Special 26-Baby director Neeraj Pandey coming in as a producer. How was this experience? I would not say that he is only the producer  he guided us fully, as he is also the presenter, he says.



Would he have done Rustom had it been some other filmmakers movie? Of course! It is a great script, he answers. But Neeraj being there makes it better. We are good friends and have total faith in each other. We are also doing a couple of more films together. Having said that, it was a great honour to work with the director, Tinu Suresh Desai, whom I have known since he was a young hardworking boy who assisted Abbas-Mustan, Vikram Bhatt and others, and was chief assistant director on Neerajs Special 26. He has a bright future.



Akshay says that his quest for different roles every time is just to avoid boredom at work. When I get up in the morning, I like to know that I am going to do something different. And after two months, that same different becomes boring. I have never played a lawyer before, and thats what I am doing in my next film, Jolly LLB 2. But I will be through with the shooting in 30 days, can you believe that?



The USP of Rustom, according to the actor, is that while many Hindi films show a husband slipping, then asking for and getting forgiveness from his wife to live happily ever after, in this film, it is the woman who slips.



That does happen in real life too, right? he enquires with a mischievous smile.

The actor has been applauded for his whacky gay cameo in Dishoom. And now he is playing a Parsi. How has he avoided caricaturing homosexuals or Parsis? I dont know why homosexuals or Parsis are portrayed in a particular manner in Hindi films. They are all as normal as any of us, but for rare exceptions. I have yet to meet a Parsi, for example, who speaks in a funny way, or someone whose sexual orientation is shown by a specific gesture. Akshay demonstrates both celluloid stereotypes and adds, Why should we caricature them then?



Out-of-the-box roles



Would he be ready to do a full-fledged film on his Dishoom character or the schizophrenic Sandy/Sundi he played in Housefull 3? Why not? If someone writes a good script on the characters, I might consider them, he retorts.



To return to Rustom, what was his research on the Navy? If you mean whether I read books on the Navy, no, I did not, he says. But there was one naval officer guiding me throughout, instructing me on how to salute, how to walk, and how to don my uniform and badges.



How much did the uniform help in portraying the character? Enthusiastically, Akshay replies, I envy people who wear any uniform. I swear to god. I was my usual self till I wore my trousers and vests, but the moment I put on my coat, badges and cap, my walk magically transformed and I was almost gliding. The uniform truly gives you some kind of responsibility, as if you were the chosen man who will take charge. This is why for Rustom, we had organised a selfie contest with any man in a uniform.



We mention that Salman Khan called him the real Sultan, as he gave three to four hits every year and made the industry richer by over 300 crores. Akshay smiles and says that it is just Salmans large-heartedness that makes him say this.



I did a mixed martial arts film called Brothers and it flopped, while Salmans film on the same sport, Sultan, is such a big hit. Now, who is the real Sultan? he quips.



So, which has been his most challenging role to date? I think that all roles are challenging. Meeting the media is challenging, but because I enjoy my work and am passionate about it, the challenge is not too much. But the real challenge is to be in the industry and sustain for so long.



And what does he hold responsible for that? Akshay replies soberly, Luck  to

the tune of almost 70%. Yes, I worked hard, but I have selected good and bad films. When I see strugglers in a studio, some of them look so good and yet are unable to get a break. They have all the ingredients to make it big, but they fail. So what is the ingredient that is missing? Its luck!
Smoking claims one more victim, this time a beautiful one.

Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, the current tiara holder of Miss Vietnam beauty pageant, will no longer accompany Miss Vietnam 2016, both as promotion image of the contest and as the tiara passer to the new queen.

The decision to let Duyen take a break from the show was made following a series of confirmations and consultations with experts as well as a meeting with the Miss.

Last month, the Miss Vietnam made headlines as viral images of her smoking in a cafe and partying in a bar caused public outrage.

Vietnams online community seems to hold the organizer's decision in high regard. A comment by user Le Dung on VnExpress with over 1,000 upvotes reads: Congratulations to the organizers for penalizing Ky Duyen for damaging the contests image and reputation.

Within 24 hours of the decision, it's been discussed by nearly 43 thousand people on Facebook, the most popular social network in Vietnam, with many calling on her to renounce the title. Some defended the young beauty queen, saying she did nothing wrong as smoking is legal.

Duyen insisted that, apart from smoking and gathering with friends at a bar, she didnt do anything else deemed inapropriate for her title as rumors say.

After three meetings, the beauty pageant organizers decided that Duyen can still keep her title. Given her degree of violation and her sincere apology, she was only given a verbal warning and requested to change her lifestyle.

Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen (center) is crowned Miss Vietnam 2014.

Previously, Duyen had written a letter apologizing to the organizers and had publicly said sorry on her official fanpage for having smoked.

Beauty pageants are very popular in Vietnam, where beauty queens enjoy A-class celebrity status and are considered the country's image and role models for young girls to follow. They are thus expected to strictly follow the clean concept of a typical stoic: well-behaved the way the public say it well.

With great power comes great responsibility. Vietnamese authorities, in a very curious case of administration, recently issued a decree that bans taking and distributing nude photos of beauty queens only to have it scrapped later due to harsh criticism from the press. The decree also prohibited beauty queens from acting and speaking in a way that damages social values, standards, customs and cultural traditions of Vietnam.

This is not the first time Duyen was shunned by the public for portraying an image deemed inappropriate for a beauty queen. Last year, she was heavily heavily criticized for a not-so-aethetic sleeping pose whilst flying in a business class cabin.

Beauty queen Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen (L) in her infamous sleeping pose deemed inappropriate.

Related news:

> Measured, assessed and judged: Miss Vietnam 2016 about to kick off

> Miss Vietnam 2016: Unqualified candidate qualifies for final round

> Vietnam to remove contested nude ban for models


At first look, it would appear like an outside army of highly trained commandoes in designated attires and free-flowing robes protecting, perhaps, the most on the hit-list. Their robust intimidating appearance is aggravated with sophisticated arms they carry. On the move, it's an entire cavalcade with maximised paraphernalia to protect a saint from even the unthinkable strike.





For a commoner, it's arguably an overawed inhibiting visual. The saints of the Deras in Punjab are among the most-guarded lot, perhaps, arguably contrary to the philosophy of professed sainthood.



It's hard to determine the exact number of sects in Punjab, but at last count an estimated several hundreds of Deras exist in this border state. The prominent ones have huge following among the people who blindly or otherwise wish to espouse the sect ideology unflinchingly.



Some of these sect heads have Z-security cover provided by the government. Along with this, it's an entire military of private armed men, bullet-proof vehicles, mobile communication jammers and a lot more that form a part of the entourage that moves and stays along 24X7.



The threat perception is largely real, which is why roads in Punjab witness an overload of VVIP and VVIP-alike personalities like sect heads zooming at phenomenal speeds even where traffic flow is restricted for others. Such security set up is now becoming more and more common in Punjab. Deras are increasingly going in for bullet-proof vehicles, state-of-the-art weaponry, see-through protected glass cabinets to deliver sermons and even high- end fast-moving imported luxury sedans.



All this has been propelled by earlier and even recent attacks on sect heads. Such attacks have the high potential to disturb law and order in Punjab which is why the security agencies don't take chances when it comes to providing security to these popular figures of public life. An attack on a sect head also has the potential to rupture the harmonious social fabric of Punjab that once lived through the dark days of militancy of the eighties.



Inter-sect rivalry too has had an effect on the choice and demand for a high-end security apparatus to wean away any possible threat. Only recently, one of the prominent sect heads accused another sect head, owing allegiance to Khalistan ideologue Sant Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale, of orchestrating an unsuccessful attempt on his life. One follower died in the attack. Political parties were quick to throw their hat in the ring given that Assembly elections in Punjab are scheduled early next year.



Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of Dera Sacha Sauda, a sect with enormous following and espousing an egalitarian philosophy, had escaped an attack by some Sikh radical group in 2008. Bhaniara Dera head Piara Singh has also been the target of attack in the past. Dera Ballan's Niranjan Das was killed allegedly by Sikh radicals in Vienna in Austria in 2009. The crime that took place on foreign land led to widespread protests in Punjab then.



Luxury cars, SUVs have been customised to endure attacks from assault weapons, even grenades. Dera Sacha Sauda chief has an entourage of at least three bullet-proof vehicles. Nirankari sect head Hardev Singh, who died in a car accident in May while he was in Canada, had a fleet of bullet-proof vehicles. Budha Dal Nihang Samparday chief Balbir Singh is guarded by trained followers as well as Punjab Police personnel. Singh moves securely along with a paraphernalia of bullet-proof SUVs.



The demand for high-end bullet-proof vehicles is already up in this part of the country. Punjab, incidentally, is among the top three states with high number of licensed weapons.



Many individuals have more than one gun weapon licence. Ludhiana-based Bhaini Sahib sect head enjoys Z-plus security from the government. Early this year, sects matriarch Chand Kaur was murdered on the Dera premises. The cost of providing security is enormous. An advanced bullet-proof vehicle can cost anywhere between Rs 40 lakh and scale up in far excess of Rs one crore.



Some prefer multi-level bullet-proof protection that promises to blunt even a grenade attack. Those with Z-plus security cover dont have to pay for its expense. There are some sect heads like Damsdami Taksal's Harnam Singh Dhumma, who is well guarded by none else than his own motivated men.




The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, off Bengaluru-Tumakuru Highway, from January 7 to 9 next year.





Industries Minister R V Destained told reporters on Saturday that the state government, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, will organise the three-day event. Around 2,500 non-resident Indians (Nevis) from across the globe are expected to take part in the programme.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are among the leaders scheduled to participate. The minister was speaking after chairing a meeting of officials to review the preparations for the event.



On Day One of the event, sessions will be held on the problems being faced by the NRI students and the impact of startups on society. On the second day, the main session of the NRIs will be held. The prime minister, the external affairs minister and the chief ministers of many states will participate. A session on the contribution of NRIs to the development of the country will also be held, he added.



Award ceremony is scheduled for the third day. Individuals with exceptional achievements will be honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award to appreciate their role in the countrys growth.



The Karnataka government will make use of the opportunity to showcase investment opportunities in the state. An exhibition showcasing investment potential in Karnataka will be organised during the event, the minister said.



Deshpande also said the government has recently registered a separate non-profit company by name Invest Karnataka Company to woo investments in the state.
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday announced the decision to set up hospitals for former servicemen in 10 states.





Speaking at a rally organised by the Karnataka and Kerala sub-area in Madikeri for the benefit of veterans and war widows in the region, he said 200-bed hospitals for army veterans will be established in 10 states, four of which have given their nod in the first phase.



The army chief said a few private hospitals, empanelled with the government to treat former servicemen, are creating fake bills and collecting huge sums of money. The new hospitals will help the veterans avoid harassment from private hospitals, he said.



Measures will be taken to hand over skill certificates to ex-servicemen, Gen Singh said, adding that the certificates would help them get employment after retirement.



Elaborating on the initiatives being taken for the benefit of the ex-servicemen, the General said all efforts will be made to strengthen military canteens. The Centre has promised required monetary assistance for the one-rank, one-pension scheme, he added. He said old war tanks will be handed over to the General K S Thimmayya Museum and Sainik School in Kudige at Kushalnagar. The 40-acre land belonging to the Defence department at Galibeedu in Kodagu district will be used for military activities. The chief said an army recruitment rally will be held shortly.



Later, Gen Singh interacted with the cadets at Sainik School and asked them to join the National Defence Academy.



He handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the principal Capt Ben H Berson. Terming it a blessed land, Gen Singh named several people from Kodagu, including late army chiefs Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General K S Thimmayya, who have served in the army. He paid homage at the Field Marshal Cariappa Memorial and visited Sunny Side, the former home of Gen Thimmayya. He said the people of Kodagu have proved their mettle in sports.
The wind in your hair and the scenic beauty with each passing kilometre - the idea of a road trip might sound an ideal getaway from the hassles of daily life. However, planning for one boils down to taking care and giving thought to the most minute details.





Ask Anil Srivatsa, a traveller who is better known for road tripping in 17 countries within a span of three months with his family. He gave a talk in the city on Saturday to a select group of travel enthusiasts. It was organised by GoRoadTrip, a start-up that plans road trips in South India and in California, USA.



Citing the example of a simple requirement like water, Srivatsa explained: There might be one guy in the group who drinks five litres of water and another drinks two. Pretty soon, the latter is going to think how much water is the other guy drinking, especially in times of shortage. Small issues like these could boil down to a major problem. So, an arrangement has to be made beforehand, he quipped.



Berty Ashley, an avid traveller from the audience, spoke about the ordeal he faced when he went on a 48-hour road trip from the Philippines to Malaysia with his friend. I wanted to listen to metal music while my friend was into Ilayaraja. He considered my music noise and I did not like his tastes. Everything went well but this was a major headache, he said.



Srivatsa said a simple solution could be to put music on shuffle as he did in his case. What I did was put the music of everyone in one drive and play it on shuffle, he said.



However, apart from concerns such as these, the experience of a road trip would make one realise things which are quite divine, Srivatsa said. Humans by nature are friendly. It is only governments and religion that divide us. Recounting a particular incident in a town in Kazakhstan, Srivatsa and his family were invited to live in the house of a total stranger.



There are angels everywhere who come to your rescue when you need them most, he said. Beginning his trip from Bengaluru in April, Srivatsa and his family travelled up to Scotland.



He now plans to go on a trip to the Australian Outback, where there is no civilisation for miles.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will chair a meeting of floor leaders in the legislature on the Mahadayi river water dispute, in the Vidhana Soudha on Sunday.





With the Mahadayi River Water Disputes Tribunal rejecting Karnatakas plea for release of 7 tmcft of water, the state government is again looking at approaching Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mediation.



On Saturday, Water Resources Minister M B Patil and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra met senior counsel Fali S Nariman to discuss legal alternatives before Karnataka.



Karnataka can either appeal again before the Tribunal, or wait for the final order. Siddaramaiah had earlier stated that Karnataka would go for another appeal.



Floor leaders of the Legislative Assembly and Council, members of Parliament,

legislators from the districts of Bagalkot, Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, and legal

experts will participate in the meeting.



From the BJP, leaders including Jagadish Shettar, K S Eshwarappa and BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa will attend the meeting.



From the JD(S), leaders including H D Kumaraswamy, Basavaraj Horatti and Navalgund MLA N H Konaraddi, will participate.



No change in BJPs stand



BJP MP from Dharwad Pralhad Joshi said the partys stand had not changed.

There is no question of seeking the Prime Ministers intervention, as the Tribunal has been constituted and the interim order has come out. Let the Congress convince the Opposition leaders in Goa and Maharashtra, we will impress upon the ruling parties in the two states.



He also said the government had not properly briefed the advocates, as a result of which the order went against Karnatakas favour.



PMs intervention vital



Konaraddi, who has been spearheading the farmers movement, said Modis intervention was imperative.



He also said the onus of impressing upon Modi and the Centre for mediation with Goa and Maharashtra rests entirely with the BJP MPs from the state. He also said JD(S) did not want the state to drop the legal battle and focus on convincing the Prime Minister.



When Deve Gowda was the prime minister, he intervened and gave relief to Tamil Nadu. Modi should do the same, he said.Konaraddi reiterated his demand that the government withdraw cases against farmers imprisoned following the protests recently.



As many as 149 farmers have been jailed in Ballari, 57 in Chitradurga and 15 in Dharwad.




Whether or not Bengaluru can learn from more developed cities and nations on aspects of city planning and infrastructural development, it can definitely learn great lessons from the ancient civilisation of the Incas in Peru.





Speaking on the occasion of the 195th Independence Day celebration of Peru in the city on Saturday, Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav, a special invitee, said that there was much to learn from this ancient civilisation.



At its height, the Incan empire had a population of around 20 million. Still, they did not seem to have any problem of solid waste management or flooding, he said. He highlighted how the Peruvians had managed to conserve the near-pristine nature even today. Carlos Jimenez, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Peru in India, talked about the long connection shared by India and Peru of being ancient civilisations and said that he hoped for a better future together.



Both India and Peru have descended from very early civilisations and it is rightful to hope that both should achieve a common destiny of prosperity and happiness, he said. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were formalised in 1963 and since then, there have been widespread trade relations, as highlighted by Luis Cabello, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Peru in India.



There has been an export growth of around 86% to India, he said.


The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has questioned around 35 IPS officers over the single-digit lottery scam. Among those questioned are Karnataka DG&IGP Om Prakash, Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh, ADGP (CID) Pratap Reddy, ADGP T Sunil Kumar, and IGP-rank officers B A Padmanayana, Arun Chakravarthy and Hemanth Nimbalkar, according to a source.



Padmanayana had told the CBI that he was under pressure to delay registration of the FIR and that he was forced to name some officers.



Om Prakash and Kempaiah, the Advisor to Home Minister, were questioned separately at the CBI head office in New Delhi on Friday in view of Padmanayanas statement, said the

source.



Megharikh was ADGP (Law and Order) when the scam came to light.



Since the CID had investigated the case for some time, Megharikh and Pratap Reddy were questioned.



The CIDs Deputy Superintendents of Police, Rajendra Kumar and M N Nagaraj, were questioned on Saturday as they had investigated the case for a while. The CBI has obtained the statement of all the officers. Additional Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru East) P Harishekaran and DCP (East) N Satheesh Kumar are likely to be questioned later, the source said.



The CBI decided to question the officers as it discovered that the CID committed lapses in investigation. The CIDs investigation officers did not question some officers, but named some others in the FIR. They did not immediately register a case though the media reported the scam. There were also lapses on their part while taking the statements, the source said.

The CBI decided to question more officers as the CID had restricted its investigation to IPS officer Alok Kumar and his links with lottery kingpin Pari Rajan.


The RMC Yard police have arrested a man who was trying to sell an antique idol of Lord Krishna. Based on a tip-off, the police arrested Manjulinga, 34, a native of Mysuru, and recovered the idol worth Rs 80 lakh.





The police, posing as customers, tried to strike a deal with him. He was arrested, as soon as he showed them the idol.



During interrogation, Manjulinga revealed that he got the idol from two men Basha and Chandranna, who had stolen it from a temple. Police said they were hunting for the duo.



In total, the Bengaluru North division police arrested 23 persons, including six from Nepal, on various charges and recovered stolen valuables worth Rs 1.17 crore from them.



With the arrests, police said, they solved 11 cases and recovered 2.43 kg of gold and diamond ornaments, 2.5 kg of silver valuables, including the Krishna idol.


With an aim to provide employment opportunities and skills for hundreds of disabled youth, Bangalore Universitys Braille Resource Centre will hold a one-day University Connect Programme on August 9.





The programme has been organised in collaboration with Enable India, an NGO and JP Morgan, a US financial and banking company.



A release from BU said that the programme will work with youth with disabilities to create job and career awareness among them, provide skills, training and placements and handholding them through the first few months of the job for better retention potential.



B Thimme Gowda, Vice Chancellor, BU, highlighted the work of the Braille Resource Centre which was established as a cell to support the educational needs of students with disabilities. The Braille Resource Centre has signed an MoU with Enable India to help students with disabilities secure their future through employment.
Brussels, Aug 6 (EFE).- A man who was shot by a Belgian police officer Saturday afternoon after attacking and wounding two other police with a machete died shortly after being rushed to a local hospital.

The attack occurred near the main police station in the southwestern city of Charleroi, where the assailant pulled the machete out of his backpack and attacked two female officers while shouting "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great" in Arabic).

The assailant caused a deep cut to the head of one of the officers, who was taken to Charleroi's Notre Dame hospital and will have to undergo surgery, the Belga News Agency reported.

The woman's life is not in danger, according to local police, who said her fellow officer was only slightly wounded.

The attacker, meanwhile, was shot by a third police officer in the chest and leg and was taken to a separate hospital in serious condition.

He died shortly before he was to undergo emergency surgery, according to VTM television and the Belga agency.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned the attack on Twitter, expressing solidarity with the two wounded police and their families.

"My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the police. We are following the situation closely," the premier said.
Muslim leaders representing various sects, schools of thoughts, organisations and political parties, joined hands to express their opposition to Uniform Civil Code.





The uniform civil code is not acceptable under any circumstances. We will not tolerate any kind of intrusion in the Muslim personal law and we will do everything to fight against interference in Shariat, said Tahreek Muslim Shabban president Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, while addressing the first meeting of reception committee for all India Tahafuz-e-Shariyat conference.



The meeting witnessed the participation of nearly 200 Muslim leaders, including those from different districts of Telangana.



All the leaders condemned the government for asking the law commission to examine the possibilities of introducing uniform civil code (UCC).
A day after suspected NDFB(S) militants attacked a weekly market in Assams Kokrajhar district which left 13 dead and 20 injured, a four-member NIA team on Saturday took stock of the situation.



Seven additional companies of Central security forces also reached Kokrajhar on Saturday. One of the injured died on Saturday, taking the death toll to 14. Also, the security forces had gunned down one of the three militants on Friday. But despite a massive manhunt to nab the other two militants, there has been no success so far.



The slain militant is Monjoy Islari alias Mowdang, the commander of the 16 battalion of NDFB(S). He had been underground for over 12 years and was trained in Bangladesh, sources added.



We have intensified the operations. A massive operation is on at the Indo-Bhutan border. We have issued a red alert till Independence Day. We are also probing lapses on the part of security forces, DGP Mukesh Sahay told DH.



The Balajan market, where the incident took place, remained shut. The locals said that while the security forces have been able to corner the NDFB(S) militants in the past two years, the security in and around Kokrajhar town were relaxed. Balajan market earlier had an army picket, but on Friday, two constables were present there and they fled when the militants opened fire. Some eyewitnesses have taken pictures of the slain militant, who, in one picture, is seen wearing a rain coat with an AK-56 rifle slung on one shoulder and a backpack.



In the picture, the militant is trying to make a call through his mobile.


A Kuwaiti national, suspected to have recruited and funded Islamic State (IS) sympathisers, including four Indians, was arrested in his home country following a tip from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).



Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi, who had returned to Kuwait from Pakistan in 2013, was apprehended recently by Kuwaiti agencies after the NIA wrote to them on his possible involvement with the IS following interrogation of one Areeb Majeed from Maharashtra, who was arrested here.



Al Enezi is suspected to have sent $ 1,000 for the first batch of Indian recruits - Areeb, Fahad Sheikh, Saheem Tanki and Amand Tandel - to travel to Syria. Majeed is claimed to have told his interrogators that their handler had sent the money from Kuwait when they were stuck in Iraq in 2014.



Official sources said the information about the arrest has been conveyed by Kuwait to the NIA through the Ministry of External Affairs. Sources also said that Al Enezi has admitted to his role in arranging finance for some of the terror recruits.



An NIA team is likely to travel to Kuwait to interrogate Al Enezi.



Majeed, along with three other Kalyan-based youths, had gone to the conflict zone to join the IS in May 2014. He returned to India after six months but was arrested.



During his interrogation, sources said, Majeed revealed that he and others had first gone to Baghdad posing as religious tourists. Their travel was funded by an Afghan national. When they ran out of money in Iraq, they contacted the Afghan national who gave them Al Enezis contact.



The NIA has intensified its efforts to crack the IS modules in India and with the help of the police forces in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, arrested 54 people in the past few months.
More than 500 cows have been reported dead over the past two weeks in Rajasthans Hingonia due to a lapse in the maintenance of the government-run shelter.





This, despite the state having the first-ever ministry for the protection of cows.



On Saturday, Urban Development and Housing Minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat reviewed the situation in the Hingonia Cow Rehabilitation Centre, and suspended gaushala (cow shed) in-charge Ramesh Sharma and deputy commissioner Sher Singh.



The cow deaths have sent shockwaves among cattle rearers and activists working for the welfare of the bovines.



According to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, 250 contractual workers at the Hingonia cow shelter, said to be the biggest of its kind in Rajasthan, went on strike last month.



As a result, no one cleaned the stalls and fed the animals, and many of them starved to death. Their hooves were stuck in the slush caused by heavy rain and cow dung, an official said.



The Anti-Corruption Bureau officials, who had come to take stock of the irregularities and deplorable conditions at the shelter on the directions of the high court, were so moved by the plight of the cattle that they rolled up their sleeves and rescued stunted bovines stranded in the muck and slush.



According to ACB Additional SP Bajrang Singh Shekhawat, The ACB will submit a report on the number of deaths and the reason behind it. The cows have died due to the negligence of the administration.



Th Hingonia gaushala houses over 8,000 cows, which are under the supervision of a team of 14 veterinarians, 24 livestock assistants and about 200 support staff.


Former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused New Delhi of waging a war against the people of the Valley.





His comment came a day after three protesters were killed and more than 400 injured in police and paramilitary CRPF firing across Kashmir.



Has New Delhi declared a war on the people of Kashmir? Hundreds of young boys and girls have potentially life-changing injuries, most of them caused by pellet guns. Thousands of youngsters have sustained injuries in this unrest, he said in a statement.



Abdullah, who is the working president of the Opposition National Conference, said blaming Pakistan for the current unrest or to delude ourselves into thinking this is a law and order situation is criminal.



There is an extreme sense of resentment and disenchantment among the youth of the Valley and that is the basis of this unrest, he said.



Every appeal being made asking New Delhi to engage with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir through a sustained and comprehensive dialogue to resolve the political issue is falling on deaf ears. There is no concern and empathy from the Centre.



Abdullah also blamed the national media for shifting the traumatic situation in Kashmir back to the proverbial back-burner in a perceived effort to distort the reality in the Valley and suit a particular narrative in New Delhi in the larger national interest.



The sense of bereavement, injustice and hopelessness in Kashmir is widespread and deep. New Delhis continued arrogance in refusing to acknowledge this to presumably save its government in J&K with the PDP goes against not only all the tenets of justice and humanity, but also against the interests of the country and its people, against the very fabric of the Constitution, he added.



Just a day after the Centre misinformed the Supreme Court about the situation in the Valley, three youths have lost their lives and more than 400 have been injured. If this is the Centre governments definition of a situation improving or a one that is allegedly under control, God help the people of Kashmir, the National Conference leader said.





Sharif vows to provide medical aid



In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to provide medical help to those injured in the violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for the treatment of the victims, reports PTI from Islamabad.



Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs at Saarc meeting in Islamabad, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an ongoing humanitarian crisis.



Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange treatment for the victims in Kashmir, especially for those suffering from eye injuries caused due to the pellet guns used by the Indian forces, a Pakistan foreign office statement said.


The judge population ratio in the country stands at 18 judges per 10 lakh people, in place of 50 judges recommended by the Law Commission in its 1987 report.





According to data from the Law Ministry, the judge to population ratio in India stands at 17.86 judges per 10 lakh people.



Mizoram has the highest judge to population ratio at 57.74. In Delhi, it stands at 47.33, while in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of the country, the ratio is 10.54 judges per 10 lakh people.



West Bengal has the lowest ratio at 10.45 judges per 10 lakh people.



The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court stands at 31 judges, including the Chief Justice of India, as compared to 25 in 2009. The apex court faces a shortage of three judges. Four new judges were recently appointed to the apex court.



The sanctioned strength of the high courts till 2014 was 906 judges. It increased to 1,079 in June this year. There are 24 high courts in the country. However, despite an increase in the sanctioned strength, the high court, as on August 1, faced a shortage of 478 judges.



Only the Tripura High Court functioned with its total strength of four judges. The Allahabad High Court, with an approved strength of 160 judges, had vacancies for 82 judges.



The Karnataka High Court, having a sanctioned strength of 62 judges, faced a shortage of 36 judges.



The subordinate courts in the country, the backbone of the justice delivery system, have a sanctioned strength of 20,502 judges. But there were only 16,070 judicial officers serving in the courts and the shortage stood at 4,432 as on December 31, 2015.



Addressing the inaugural session of the joint conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts here in April, CJI T S Thakur had said, since 1987, when the law commission had recommended an increase in the number of judges from then 10 judges per 10 lakh people to 50, nothing has moved.



In a written response, Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha recently that the commission in its 254th report reviewed the criteria of the judge-population ratio on a request from the Supreme Court.
Kashmir continues to bleed as scores of protesters were injured in fresh firing on Saturday, as curfew and shutdown continued for the 29th consecutive day.



A 16-year-old boy from Natipora area of Srinagar sustained serious pellet injuries late on Saturday evening. Doctors said the boy is critical.



Two youths sustained bullet injuries at Kawdara area of old city Srinagar during the clashes. They have been shifted to the hospital, and their condituion is said to be serious.



Reports said at least 40 civilians, including seven women, were injured as security forces resorted to pellet firing and tear gas shelling to prevent a protest rally in Chee village of Anantnag district in south Kashmir. A 12-year-old, who was critically injured after receiving pellet injuries in the eye was referred to a hospital in Srinagar.



Reports said four protesters received pellet injuries at Pattan in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, while 22 youth sustained pellet and tear gas shell injuries in central Kashmirs Budgam.



Thousands attended the last rites of two youths killed by forces at Khansahab in Budgam and Wagoora in Baramulla. After the burial, violent protests raged in the area and adjoining localities.



At least 56 civilians have been killed and over 4,000 injured since protests erupted following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Among the injured, according to hospital records, 378 people have sustained eye injuries, many of them on the verge of losing their vision.



On Friday, three protesters were killed and over 400, including over 100 police and paramilitary personnel, were injured in fresh violence across Kashmir after security forces foiled separatists march to the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. While curfew remains imposed in most parts of the Valley, separatists extended the shutdown call till August 12.




Breaking his silence on the spate of violence against the minorities in the name of cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the states to take strong action against such protection groups.





Modi said he felt sad but at the same time angry at the business of cow protection and described most of these activists as anti-social elements masquerading as gau rakshaks (cow protection groups).



I would request the state governments to prepare a dossier on cow protection groups and they would find that 70% to 80% of them are anti-social elements, he said.



Modi had an interactive session in a maiden town hall meet at Indira Gandhi stadium on the second anniversary of the MyGov initiative.



The town hall concept was popularised by US President Barack Obama. I have seen such people indulge in anti-social activities throughout the night and become protectors of the cow during the day, Modi said.



His strong condemnation of the assaults perpetuated in the name of Hindutva comes after the Opposition sought his statement in Parliament on the issue and the outrage over the public flogging of Dalits in Una district in Gujarat, which was one of the reasons for a change of guard in Ahmedabad.



To counter the perception on eating habits, since Muslims and Dalits have been assaulted by vigilantes in a series of cases in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, Modi insisted that more cows died consuming plastics rather than by slaughter.



Doubting the intentions of such people, Modi said that if they really wanted to help cows, they should stop animals from eating plastics and spread awareness against the use of plastics and its disposal.



In a clear message to Hindutva fringe elements, he cautioned NGOs and activists against torturing and oppressing people in the guise of helping or protecting animals.



The prime minister also said that during the medieval period badshahs would use cows as a defence to deter rajas from attacking during battles.



What is town hall meeting



The town hall meeting concept, popularised after US president Barack Obama held one such interaction at Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi on January 27 last year, owes its origin to informal exchanges between public figures and people in New England  a northeastern region of the US, DHNS reports. Modi used his first-ever town hall meet to reach out to citizens at the Indira Gandhi stadium in the national capital and answered televised questions from across and beyond the country.


Is TOMS Different? By: Emily Skarbek

Poverty, Inc. is the title of a recent documentary created by the Acton Institute. The documentary aims to raise awareness about problems of foreign aid that undermine lasting economic development in African countries. The issue warrants attention. There are things aid can do, but there are many problems with foreign aid  propping up brutal dictators, doing more harm than good, a focus on interventions rather than rights and institutions, and lack of transparency. The film does a good job of drawing attention to the importance of entrepreneurship and of dispelling the view of African people as dependent.

But I am troubled by much of the economic argument in the documentary. It portrays the problem of aid as a problem of dumping cheap goods on developing countries and crowding out local production. For example, the film focuses on TOMS Shoes, a company that gives a free pair of shoes to people in developing countries for each pair bought in the West. The film argues that TOMS does harm by crowding out the establishment of local shoe producers.

For economists, producing goods at low cost and dumping them on foreign markets is not a problem. Consumers in the recipient country benefit from lower-cost (and sometimes higher quality) goods. Competition pressures producers in recipient countries to either find more efficient ways of producing, to differentiate their products, or to go out of business and move into a new line of work. Again, this process benefits consumers of these and other products because it helps to move resources to higher valued uses.

The Acton Institute has written about the fallacy of harmful dumping practices. In discussing the lumber trade between the US and Canada, a 2002 Acton commentary writes:

A fundamental point of free trade is at stake here-if Canadian lumber companies are able to produce a high-quality product at a lower cost, then they should not be penalized for doing so simply to protect American interests. While the short-term effects of lower prices may cause job losses and a decrease in the stock price of American lumber companies, in the long run, lower prices will encourage competition and strengthen both the U.S. and Canadian markets.

This could be chapter and verse from the Gospel of Free Trade. So, if the principle holds for Canada and America, why not America and say, Ghana?

One possibility is that the example of America and Canada presupposes good institutions that protect property rights and allow markets to function well. As such, the pressures of competition that would operate on American businesses if Canada were dumping cheap goods dont work through the same institutional channels in Ghana  one cant open and close businesses quickly, the courts are not impartial and dont uphold contracts well.

Another argument might focus on the temporary and uncertain nature of the influx of TOMS shoes. In this case, the alleged harm arises because TOMS shoe shipments send an incorrect signal to local producers not to produce shoes because the market will continually be fully supplied by donations. Lurking behind this interpretation, however, is an infant industry argument for protectionism  if TOMS goes out of business and local producers had not been protected enough to develop an industry, then the people will go shoeless. But as Doug Irwin and others argue, these arguments are unpersuasive.

Perhaps, the Gospel of Free Trade is simply correct. Dumping espadrilles on Ghanaians is beneficial, full stop. The broken window fallacy is equally applicable to developing countries.
Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials have complained that the United States has not lived up its commitments under the Iran deal in not ensuring that Iran fully benefits economically from the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions.

But as Secretary of State John Kerry has said, he has personally gone out of his way to engage with banks and businesses to make clear that legitimate business with Iran is now permitted:

We have lifted the sanctions we said we would lift, and we have completely kept faith with both the black and white print, as well as the spirit, of this effort.

U.S. officials, including Acting Treasury Under Secretary Adam Szubin, have observed that there are reasons why certain banks and companies may be reluctant to do business with Iran:

Some are concerned about their financial transparency, the designation of Iran as a high- risk jurisdiction by FATF, the Financial Action Taskforce, the world standard setting body for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. Others are noting concerns about corruption, as well as regulatory and other obstacles to conducting business in Iran, and still others cite Iran's provocative behavior outside the nuclear file, including its active support for terrorism and its ballistic missile testing.

Mr. Szubin says that while Iran pursues more business in the aftermath of the nuclear deal, it is incumbent on Iran to address such problems, to undertake meaningful reforms, and create an environment in which businesses feel secure. Additionally, Mr. Szubin makes clear, We have been, and will continue to be very careful to deliver on the promises we made to Iran throughout the negotiations. That means proactively providing clear guidance about the type of commerce that is now permitted.
Hungry for comfort food? Here are five destinations to try in Columbus
The money was raised from bank employees donating $5 during a wear jeans on Friday promotion, and through $1 donations by bank clients, all during the month of May. The check was presented in July.

The Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada was founded in 2005 by an impassioned group of parents who saw a need to promote a positive understanding of Down syndrome in Northern Nevada. The network has grown tremendously, expanding the reach of its services to more fully advocate for and with individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Ven Bob Unger passed away on July 17, 2016. He was born June 1, 1924 in St. Louis, MO to Ruth and Chesley Unger. He was the oldest of five children. Bob, Richard, Jeanette, Mary Jean and Art. Bob graduated from Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, MO. After Graduation he went to a sheet medal school at Cape Girardeau, MO. After he graduated, he went to work for Boeing Aircraft Corp in Seattle, WA as a skin mechanic working on B-17s. Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corp on March 25, 1943 as a radio operator. He went to Sioux Falls Radio School for 19 weeks and then to Harlinger Air Force gunnery school, in Texas, for 6 weeks. Bob flew missions over Normandy, Northern France and Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe. Bob was wounded on July 6, 1944. He spent 9 months in a hospital in England. During his tour of duty, Bob was awarded 5 Bronze stars and a Purple Heart. After his Honorable Discharge on October 11, 1945 Bob moved to Stockton, CA to work for the Roda Family at the Stockton Theatre. Bob then took the managers job in Winnemucca at the Sage Theatre. He retired from the Sage after 38 years. While in Winnemucca, Bob meet the love of his life, Ida, who was working as a waitress at the Star Cafe. They were married on November 7, 1949. Their first born son Ron was born on December 22, 1951. Their second son, Mitch, was born on August 12, 1954. Bob loved fishing, hunting, trapping, ranching and the outdoors. Bob was very active in the fish and game serving as a commissioner for 50 years and reserve law enforcement deputy. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ida, sister Jeanette, and brother Richard. He is survived by his sister Mary Jean and brother Art, his sons, Ron, Battle Mountain & Mitch (Peggy), Spring Creek. He has 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. A memorial will be held at the Methodist Church on the August 20, at 11:00 a.m. We would like to thank the nurses and staff at Highland Manor for the excellent care they gave to our dad.
Beijing, which did its most to spoil a thaw in India-China bilateral relations by blocking India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and sending troops across the border, now wants to engage New Delhi in ''serious'' bilateral talks. Amidst an unease in bilateral ties, Beijing is sending its foreign minister Wang Yi to New Delhi next week for ''serious'' bilateral talks. Yi will arrive in India next week to hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on 13 August, during which key regional and bilateral issues will be discussed, including the NSG issue. Wang's visit comes just days after Chinese troops "transgressed" the border on land and by air in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand last month. China also stalled India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid at the Plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the grounds that it was a non-NPT signatory. Earlier, China vetoed an Indian proposal for a UN ban on Pakistani terrorist Azhar at Pakistan's behest at the UN. India too, in a tit-for-tat reaction over China's actions, refused to extend visas to Chinese journalists stationed in India. It had also recently given visas to Uyghur leaders to attend a conference of Chinese dissidents in Dharamsala while refusing to extend visas to three Xinhua journalists, who are employed by the Chinese government. Beijing, on the other hand, has been wary of growing Indo-US ties, which is being viewed by the ruling Communist Party as attempt to check China. China, which has been doing all it could to spoil relations with India, now wants to build confidence besides discussing India's participation at the G-20 Summit in Hangzhou, China during 4-5 September, which will be attended by PM Narendra Modi. Besides India, he will also visit Kenya and Uganda during his three-nation tour from August 9 to 14, the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson as saying.








Kuwait arrests man who funded Indian ISIS recruits' travel to Syria

Kuwaiti has arrested one of its nationals, identified as Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rehman Al-Enezi, who had allegedly helped arrange finances for the travel of the first known batch of Islamic State recruits from India - Areeb Majeed, Fahad Sheikh, Saheem Tanki and Amand Tandel.

The Kuwaiti national is learnt to have admitted to 'terror financing' and supporting travel of ISIS recruits to the ISIS-held territory.

Reports said the arrest has been made on the basis of information provided by Indian agencies and that the Kuwaiti authorities have informed NIA through ministry of external affairs about Abdullah Hadi's arrest a few days back.

Areeb Majeed, the first IS operative to be arrested by Indian agencies, had travelled to Syria in May 2014 alongwith three other Kalyan-based youths.

Areeb, who was arrested upon his return in November the same year, had disclosed that after joining ISIS in May 2014, all four travelled to Baghdad on the pretext of a religious tour. Their travel was arranged by an Afghan national - Rehman Daulati, who is learnt to have arranged finances for other IS recruits as well. They were stuck in Iraq as they had no money left with them.

"Areeb Majeed then contacted Rehman Daulati, who gave him a phone number belonging to a Kuwaiti national, identified as Abdullah Hadi. Areeb told Abdullah that he needed money for further travelling to Syria. Abdullah told him to collect $1,000 from a Western Union Money Transfer branch in Baghdad. The four Kalyan youth took the money and then travelled to Syria," The Times of India quoted an official as saying.

Officials say that Kuwait has not only arrested Abdullah Hadi but has also verified his links with Islamic terror financing ring.

The first Islamic State recruit from India Areeb Majeed had got injured in a fight in Syria and later in a US-led bombing mission. He then decided to return to India and follow the ideology of ISIS here and carry out Jehad. He was in touch with citizens of several countries. He had also met Abu Hammam Iraqi, chief of Islamic State's Tasnia or ministry of defence and development in Raqqah, Syria.

NIA had approached 11 countries including Kuwait, US, Turkey, Luxemburg, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, China and others seeking details on contacts, finances, travel details and chats/email conversations of Areeb Majeed and three others through mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) and letter rogatories (LRs).

While US, Turkey and Luxemburg have also shared crucial evidence with India in the matter, Australia and Canada have sought assurance that Areeb Majeed will not be given "death penalty" before sharing the technical evidence.
ICRA to sell subsidiary to Nihilent Technologies

Credit rating agency ICRA has struck a a deal to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary ICRA Techno Analytics Ltd (ICTEAS) to global consulting and solutions Integration Company Nihilent Technologies for an undisclosed amount.

Kolkata-based ICTEAS is a global information technology organization, with offices in India and the US, and partners across Asia, Europe and America.

Its core strengths are business intelligence and analytics where its frontline BI product, popularly known as the TurfView suite, is currently deployed across more than 15 countries by clients such as British Petroleum.

ICTEAS also offers engineering design services and had revenues of Rs73 crore, or a little over a fifth of Moody's controlled ICRA.

Nihilent's majority shreholder with a is 69.16-per cent is Hatch Investments (Mauritius) Ltd, an investment holding company jointly owned by NTT-owned Dimension Data Protocol BV and South Africa's Adcorp Professional Services Ltd.

Nihilent, which provides consulting and IT outsourcing services, received approval for an IPO in February.

The sale is subject ICRA shareholders approving the transaction and certain other conditions,.

The deal is expected to be finalised in the next 2-3 months. Edelweiss was the transaction adviser to ICRA, the agency said in a statement.

"The sale of ICTEAS contributes to ICRA's continued focus on our core credit ratings and research business. And, I believe the sale is beneficial to stakeholders and employees of both companies, as it will help each business achieve its full potential," managing director and group chief executive officer of ICRA Naresh Takkar said.

HBL

ICRA Limited on Saturday said it will to sell its wholly owned subsidiary ICRA Techno Analytics Limited (ICTEAS) to Nihilent Technologies Limited, a global consulting and solutions Integration Company.

ICTEAS, based in Kolkata, provides information technology and business analytics services to a global client base.

''The sale of ICTEAS contributes to ICRA's continued focus on our core credit ratings and research business. And, I believe the sale is beneficial to stakeholders and employees of both companies, as it will help each business achieve its full potential.'' said Naresh Takkar, Managing Director & Group CEO of ICRA.

The credit rating agency, however, did not disclosed the deal size.

ICRA, in a notice to the BSE, said the sale is contingent upon approval from its shareholders and certain other conditions and is expected to be finalised in next 2-3 months. Edelweiss was the transaction adviser to ICRA.

VC Circle

Credit rating firm ICRA Ltd said on Friday it has struck a deal to sell its software development arm, ICRA Techno Analytics Ltd, to IT firm Nihilent Technologies Ltd for Rs 68.75 crore ($10.3 million).

Pune-based Nihilent, which had filed for an initial public offering in December last year, will pay Rs 32 crore in cash. The mid-sized ....

Pune-based Nihilent, which had filed for an initial public offering in December last year, will pay Rs 32 crore in cash. The mid-sized IT firm will also subscribe to 10% interest-bearing unlisted non-convertible debentures to be redeemed one year and 15 days after the issuance.

ICRA Techno is a wholly owned subsidiary of Moody's-contr ....
The Annual Living with Cancer conference organized by the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust (NECRET) in conjunction with Drogheda Oncology and Hematology Unit will take place on Saturday 17 September.

This event will be a public information day for those living with cancer and their families. It will return to the City North Hotel, Gormanston, Drogheda and will start from 1.30pm.

Those attending on the day can receive updates on the various types of cancer. The event aims to have an interactive approach between attendees and health professionals and indeed others who may have experienced cancer and their experience of same. People can also avail of free complementary therapy workshops.

Professor Bryan Hennessy Consultant Oncologist in the Lourdes Oncology Unit which serves patients from the Northeast including Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North County Dublin will be joined by some of Irelands leading cancer specialists. These experts will discuss emerging developments and the newest treatments options available.

More details about this event including the speaker list and locations where tickets can be purchased will be released in the weeks ahead. Amongst those speakers last year were Chris ODonoghue of Newstalk and celebrity chef Domini Kemp. Both talked about their own battles with cancer.

Professor Hennessy while practicing at a leading US cancer center found that those who attended at events similar to this could receive a real positive benefit and that Irish cancer patients could benefit similarly.
Fine Gael Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick has said that the review of the insurance industry, which is underway, must address the rising costs of motor insurance in Louth.

The Minister for Finance has established a task force in his Department to undertake a Review of Policy in the Insurance Sector.

The work of this task force includes an examination of the issues surrounding the cost of insurance. This work is being undertaken in consultation with the Central Bank of Ireland, other Government Departments, Agencies and interested bodies.

I have been contacted by many constituents recently, who are suffering due to rising premiums and in fact County Louth is one of the hardest hit areas, when it comes to rising insurance premiums.

CSO figures show that insurance costs in Ireland have risen by almost 30% since 2011, with motor insurance prices rising almost 34% over the same period. This is unsustainable and must not be allowed to continue.

The aim of the Department of Finance review is to identify the factors contributing to the increasing costs of insurance, and to recommend measures to improve the functioning and regulation of the insurance sector in Ireland, identifying the issues that can be addressed on a more immediate basis and those that need more long-term policy implementation. This work will be completed over the coming months.

We must tackle the causes of rising insurance costs and bring them under control as a matter of urgency.
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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.
I would really like to see Rio de Janeiro someday. Someday when its not hosting the Olympic Games, that is.

Rio is already a big tourist destination. Why would they want bigger crowds, more traffic, more confusion, more stress? Why would any city beg (and/or bribe) to host the Olympics, after so many host cities have ended up in debt? Its like buying bankruptcy.

They have to build all kinds of new stadiums and venues for all the different events, and mini-cities to house the athletes, and people-mover systems to get the crowds to the venues, and a press village, and a nightly meeting spot. Most cities have enough trouble filling potholes and repairing overpasses.

Isnt that what started Greeces slide into financial chaos? Hosting the Athens Olympics? The Olympics went fine for the athletes, for the spectators and for NBCs bottom line. For your average Greek, not so much.

And look at Montreal. It took the citizens of Montreal 30 years to pay for the stadium they built for the 1976 Olympics. In retrospect, they might have declined the honor.

Does Rio  or Athens or London  really need more tourists? If Rio does need more tourists, it could hold another Carnival. Make it a twice-yearly event. No new stadium or Olympic-sized pool required. Besides, Rio knows exactly how to hold a Carnival, while hosting an Olympics seems to have the city completely flummoxed. The last report says theres still raw sewage floating at the site of the boating events. That sounds like something youd see on Survivor, not at the Olympics. Dont drop that gold medal in the water, because no ones going to dive in after it.

Then theres the unplanned arrival of the Zika virus, keeping tourists and athletes away  the exact opposite of what Brazil hoped would happen. Even without the virus, Rio has enough problems. What Rio needs  like most big cities around the world  is less poverty, addiction and homelessness. Not more stadiums.

New York, Chicago and L.A. dont need the Olympics to tell the world theyve arrived; no world capital does. Why big cities still fight for the chance to host the Olympics is a puzzlement.

And its not just the Olympics. Unless you own a hotel, or a bar near the convention center, would you want your town to host a Democratic or Republican convention? Think of all the added police hours, the traffic jams, the protesters, all the con men and clowns these events attract. When the political parties announce which city theyll be holding their convention in, half the people in town are saying, Oh please, dont let it be us. Maybe more than half.

An easy solution to this is to make one permanent site for the Olympics and for the political conventions. Think of the money the world would save by building only one field house, one stadium and one aquatic center, instead of building new ones every four years. The money we save could go towards the athletes, who, in many places, have to beg for money to train for and attend the Olympics.

My choice for that permanent location would be Las Vegas. Let every summer Olympics and every political convention take place in Las Vegas. Let all those groups that attract protesters  the G9, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund  hold their conferences in Las Vegas. Any protesters who can stand outside with placards in 122-degree heat long enough for the network satellite trucks to show up should be given cash prizes and free merchandise.

The best part is that the locals in Las Vegas probably wouldnt even notice. When the circus is in town every day, you get used to it.
Gawker founder Nick Denton earlier this week said that he filed for personal bankruptcy protection after exhausting his appeals to stave off collection of damages resulting from adefamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit brought by professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan.

The filing followed a Florida courts rejection of Dentons appeal to block Hogan from collecting US$140 million a jury awarded to him earlier this year. The case stemmed from Gawkers publication of a tape of Hogan having sex with the wife of his friend.

In the New York Bankruptcy Court filing, Denton revealed that he had assets of between $10 million and $50 million, and liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million. The filing lists the top three unsecured liabilities as follows: a $125 million claim by Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, pending appeal; a $100 million claim by Chicago lawyer Meanith Huon; and a $35 million claim arising from a pending defamation case brought by Shiva Ayyadurai, the husband of actress Fran Drescher.

It probably heightens the likelihood of Gawker being sold or closed, Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at The Poynter Institute, told the E-Commerce Times.

Asset Sale

Gawker, which was granted bankruptcy protection in July, is set to be sold at auction later this month. Ziff Davis is the most likely candidate to take over the company. Originally scheduled for July 27, the auction was postponed, and Aug. 15 set as the new deadline for bids.

Dentons confirmation that he would be filing for personal bankruptcy, just weeks after Gawker filed for bankruptcy protection, came earlier this week in a memo he sent to staffers. Denton lashed out at billionaire investor Peter Thiel, who secretly backed Hogans legal case against Gawker. Thiel was the subject of a controversial in 2007 article published by the companys Valleywag blog, which outed the conservative billionaire as gay.

Its a personal vendetta, Denton said in the memo to Gawker Media staff, and yes, its disturbing to live in a world in which a billionaire can bully journalists because he didnt like the coverage.

A spokesperson for Thiel was not immediately available for comment. Lawyers representing Hogan in the bankruptcy case declined to comment and referred calls to Hogans publicist, who was not immediately available for comment.

Despite the bankruptcy filing, Denton was in a positive frame of mind, he wrote in the memo, because the companys influential brands will soon be free to thrive under new ownership.

Collection Fight

It appears that Denton filed for personal bankruptcy to avoid personal liability, said attorney Peter Vogel, a partner at Gardere Wynne Sewell. If its granted, Hogan may not be able to collect much.

The bankruptcy courts are uniquely different than the trial courts, as the bankruptcy judges primary job is to pay creditors as much as possible, Vogel told the E-Commerce Times. In this case, its not entirely clear that Hogans trial led to whats referred to as a final judgment, which usually occurs months after a trial, with lawyers on each side making motions to change the jury verdict.

Even if Hogan got a final judgment, he would have to get in line to collect any money owed, and would have to compete with other Gawker creditors to collect, Vogel said.

Bankruptcies can go on a long time, he pointed out, since the objective is to find assets to pay creditors, and it takes time and energy to see if any monies are controlled by others or offshore.
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ELKO  Local law enforcement officials do not find Question 2 to be well thought out public policy, nor do they feel they have access to sufficient manpower for proper enforcement.

Really the question is, is it a good idea to make lawful under any schematic the use of certain drugs for the general public? said Elko Police Chief Ben Reed. I would say its not because we see the problems daily associated with drug abuse.

Question 2 would legalize recreational use of marijuana for those who are 21 years old and older.

Its in direct conflict with federal law. The problem for law enforcement, the same as it is on the medicinal marijuana schematic, is that were relying on local law enforcement officers now to choose, and we took an oath, said Reed.

He delineated how as sworn officers of the law, police are to uphold both the federal and state constitutions.

Nationally, the authority of a police officer is derived from the state and in Nevada it specifically stems from the Nevada Revised Statutes. Cities and counties are political subdivisions of the state.

Both Reed and Elko County Sheriff Jim Pitts said they do not have the manpower to enforce such an initiative as Question 2 on the 2016 ballot.

Pitts cited Colorado, which passed an initiative ballot measure in 2012, as still having issues in enforcement.

How are we going to enforce the DUI under the influence of marijuana when we really dont even have it down to how to test? said Pitts, explaining another issue is the amount of time the substance stays in an individuals system.

Testing for marijuana use is also very expensive for the department, he said.

If this initiative is to pass, these things should be in place beforehand, said the sheriff, discussing how marijuana affects users differently, and determining being under the influence is difficult as the drug could remain in a persons cells.

There is no evidence-based definitive field test for quantifying marijuana influence on a human body, said Reed, explaining, in certain situations, law enforcement officials do not have the luxury of waiting for the results of a urinalysis when a decision needs to be made in the field.

In fact, two years ago Reed was invited to the Rand Corp. in Washington, D.C., for a future technology conference focused on law enforcement. He communicated, at that time, a mechanism for evidence-based field testing was needed.

We just dont know where that technology is going to go, and if and when its going to come, he said.

Question 2 does not support law enforcement either financially or through other resources, said Reed.

It is unknown the amount that would be credited to the State Distributive School Account in the State General Fund, states the initiative under the section defining the marijuana excise tax.

The 15 percent tax collected is initially allotted to the Department of Taxation and each locality to administer the potential law.

Much of the issue with law enforcement officials is concentrated on manpower.

I dont have the resources to start conducting sting operations on an entirely new industry that is not supposed to be doing this, that and the other. Yet, were going to receive those calls, said Reed.

He said there is going to be a greater, more complex burden on law enforcement as there are still various laws that apply. Additionally, new laws are created, such as loitering or remaining on the premises of the establishment, which must be enforced, he said, questioning if the burden to regulate marijuana establishments falls on the Department of Taxation, will it deploy field agents to investigate various complaints?

Pitts questioned how to regulate a cash business. With the dispensaries being an all-cash business, it is not always determined what is documented on the books and what is being sold under the table.

He also said this could create the potential for more burglaries and he would have to place a full-time deputy in the area of an establishment. A cash business could potentially attract those wishing to steal money, marijuana or both.

When I have six guys covering the whole county, were spread thin as it is, said Pitts.

A small percentage of the people are pushing this through, where the majority of people dont want it, he said, discussing how this smaller percentage is pushing the ideas that more taxes and monetary gains will be incurred from the initiative, but are not seeing the potential detriment.

Both officials used Colorado as an example of the increasing impact on health care, including overdoses, and the misconception the economy would see more gains.

The whole schematic is poor, not properly thought out, public policy to allow greater use, distribution or consumption of an illicit drug, which is illegal to possess in any amount under federal law, said Reed, as he believes it is poor methodology to regulate drugs by initiative as they are not thoroughly vetted.

Reed strongly encourages the public to read the initiative on the Nevada Secretary of States website.

If marijuana truly has use as a medicine, the obvious process is to regulate it like the thousands of other medicines in this country, which have federal oversight through the Food and Drug Administration and place it in the hands of doctors, via a prescription, he said.
In March, EcoWatch reported that Costa Rica powered the first 82 days of the year solely with renewable energy. Now that were closing in on the end of the year, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) announced that the country ran entirely on renewables for 285 days between Jan. 1 and Dec. 17.

Costa Rica generated almost ALL of its electricity from #renewables in 2015! https://t.co/GkNMsSdYcu pic.twitter.com/Ow8a1Nj8pL  Climate Council (@climatecouncil) December 23, 2015

We close 2015 with 99 percent clean energy! ICE wrote on Facebook, saying that the energy produced  in 2015 reaches 98.95 percent with renewable sources as of December 17.

We are closing 2015 with renewable electricity milestones that have put us in the global spotlight, ICE electricity division chief Luis Pacheco told AFP.

The majority of the countrys energy (75 percent) comes from hydropower, thanks to a vast river system and abundant rainfall, and the rest of its renewables come from geothermal, biomass, wind and solar. Despite a very dry year, ICE said it was ahead of its renewable energy targets and Pacheco predicted that 2016 would be an even better year because a new $2.3 billion hydroelectric plant will be coming online.

The country reportedly wants to move away from its dependency on hydropower, though, and harness more of its electricity needs from geothermal and wind. It plans to retire its heavy fuel oil-powered Moin plant in 2017 and wants to move its transportation sector away from fossil fuels. The country has made all this progress, while reducing overall energy costs, which fell by 12 percent this year and the ICE expects costs to keep falling.

Ninety-nine percent! Thats how much of Costa Ricas energy came from renewables this year https://t.co/2hXW3tUMQQ pic.twitter.com/kVL8RccObp  Climate Reality (@ClimateReality) December 21, 2015

The government has pledged to build an electric train which will be integrated with public buses, Gabriel Goldschmidt, regional head of infrastructure for Latin America and Caribbean at the International Finance Corporation, which is part of the World Bank, told the Huffington Post. There is also a proposal to start replacing oil-powered cars with electric cars as part of a new bill in congress that aims to offer consumer incentives to lower the prices of these cars. This would have multiple benefits including better air quality.

Costa Ricas heavy reliance on hydropower has been criticized by some. Gary Wockner of Save the Colorado argues that hydropower is actually one of the biggest environmental problems our planet faces and a false solution for addressing climate change.

Hydropower has been called a methane factory and methane bomb that is just beginning to rear its ugly head as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that have so-far been unaccounted for in climate change discussions and analyses, Wockner said last month.

Still, the country is among the vanguard of nations around the world moving towards a 100 percent renewable energy future. Several countries have hit impressive benchmarks for renewables in just a few short years. And many places have already made the transition to fossil-fuel-free electricity. Samso in Denmark became the worlds first island to go all in on renewables several years ago. Most recently, Uruguay, three U.S. citiesBurlington, Vermont; Aspen, Colorado; and Greensburg, Kansasalong with Kodiak Island, Alaska, have all made the transition.

San Diego, Vancouver, Las Vegas and other major cities around the world have pledged to go 100 percent renewable. Sweden made headlines earlier this year when it pledged to be among the first countries to go fossil free. Hawaii pledged to do so by 2045the most ambitious standard set by a U.S. state thus far. Several other islands, including Aruba, Belize, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and San Andres and Providencia have pledged to go 100 percent renewable, through the Ten Island Challenge, created by Richard Bransons climate group the Carbon War Room.

Greenpeace and researchers at Stanford and UC Berkeley have laid out plans for every state in the U.S. to adopt 100 percent renewables and a Greenpeace report published in September posits the world can achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Mark Jacobson, one of the researchers from Stanford, said the barriers to 100 percent clean energy are social and political, not technical or economic.

Just last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview that You could take a corner of Utah or Nevada and power the entire United States with solar power.

And, it looks as if the Paris climate conference earlier this month helped create market certainty in renewables, as fossil fuel stocks tumbled and renewable energy stocks soared. After the landmark Paris agreement was reached, the coal industrys European lobbying association feared that the deal meant the sector will be hated and vilified, in the same way that slave traders were once hated and vilified.

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Portugal just took a huge step forward in the renewable energy arena. The country ran on solar, wind and hydropower energy for 107-hours straight from 6:45 a.m. May 7 to 5:45 p.m. May 11, The Guardian reported.

A large photovoltaic power project, the Serpa solar power plant, in Portugal, one of Europes sunniest areas. Photo credit: Wikipedia

This was a landmark event for Europe and renewable energy. In that four-day period, the European country didnt have to turn to coal or fossil fuels for its electricity needs.

Francisco Ferreira, president of Portuguese sustainability NGO Zero, told The Independent:

Portugal has been investing considerably in renewables, particularly in electricity, since this will be the main final energy within the next decades with the transition from fossil fuels in road transportation to electric vehicles.

Since key decisions in the beginning of the century to greatly expand on-shore wind, with the renew of the equipment in certain dams and the improvement of their storage capacity to handle wind production variability, the electricity system can now achieve 100% of renewable electricity being produced and even export.



However, this was the first time that it happened for such a long period, due to particular meteorological conditions and the great management performance of the electricity network.

Portugal has been moving away from fossil fuels in recent years. In 2013, 70 percent of the countrys energy came from renewable resources and 24.6 percent of that was from wind power. Only Denmark produced more energy from wind power than Portugal.

This is a significant achievement for a European country, but what seems extraordinary today will be commonplace in Europe in just a few years, James Watson, the CEO of SolarPower Europe, told The Guardian. The energy transition process is gathering momentum and records such as this will continue to be set and broken across Europe.

The push toward renewable energy sources is an European Union-wide effort. The union set a goal to produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, the Christian Science Monitor reported.

Portugal shows that it is possible. 107 hours powered 100% renewable energy #futureisclean https://t.co/mj0IwHRYEX pic.twitter.com/DQ6ZkfbMbh  Bertrand PICCARD (@bertrandpiccard) May 18, 2016

Other countries have made recent stridesalthough not as substantial. On May 15, Germany produced 45.5 gigawatts of its 45.8 gigawatt demand, Bloomberg reported. The UK also had several instances of zero-reliance on coal energy last week, The Guardian reported. For more than half of the day, on May 12, there was no electricity from coal.

We are seeing trends like this spread across Europelast year with Denmark and now in Portugal, Oliver Joy, a spokesman for the Wind Europe, told The Guardian. The Iberian peninsula is a great resource for renewables and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole of Europe.

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Editors Note: This is part three of our three-part Elko Daily Free Press series.

ELKO  As the city and county continue to wrestle with the moratorium on medical marijuana and the potential legalization of recreational use, opinions on the drugs place in the community remain split.

While voters will be able to determine the availability of the drug in the city and county, some members of the community are still concerned about the negative impact marijuana could have if it becomes more widely accepted.

One of the main concerns surrounding the drug is its potential as a gateway drug that could lead users to more harmful and addictive substances.

One person who is concerned about more widespread use of the drug is Vitality Center Counseling Service Coordinator Barbara Caskey. Caskey said the symptoms someone would experience as they become dependent on the drug are not drastically different from someone who has consumed a more dangerous substance.

Theres a number of things you can experience. You can experience euphoria but if you have euphoria too much of the time it can interfere with your concentration on more serious matters, she said. It can relax you but it can also agitate you.

Caskey went on say that in addition to the more commonly known effects of the drug, a bad reaction to marijuana usage could also induce a heart attack.

She also mentioned that more widely accepted use of the drug could be problematic as the effects on an individual can be difficult to predict.

Just like with any other substance theres all these disqualifiers when were looking at the impact that that substance may have, she said. If we were on a commercial and we were going to ask you to smoke marijuana to manage your depression we would want to say if your liver starts to become affected or if blood pressure starts to lower please stop using it immediately.

Another concern Caskey and others have is the potential for the drug to hinder a developing mind. Caskey said parts of the brain arent developed until the late 20s and people who begin using the drug as teenagers could suffer in the classroom and with their cognitive abilities in general.

Our brain is not fully developed until were about 28 or 29 years old, she said. If our basic ability to learn how to problem solve or attend to school matters or other things that require concentration is based on a time frame in which a substance was interfering with that ability to grow and develop, then as an adult were going to have less effective problem-solving skills.

Opinions on the drugs ability to lead users to another substance vary. Caskey argues that because the drug is illegal a users access to illegal marijuana can then give them access to other illegal drugs when the initial excitement of using marijuana wears off and the user begins looking for another high.

However, PACE Coalition Director Laura Oslund said that drawing a direct link between marijuana usage and the use of other drugs is not so simple. Oslund said when marijuana users are young they typically start out experimenting with alcohol and tobacco before moving on to marijuana. Despite the pattern, Oslund is still unsure if it can be definitively said that marijuana usage leads to the use of other drugs.

Does marijuana cause the use of other drugs? I cant say it would be a gateway that way, she said. But it is one of the first steps that people use marijuana and move on to others.

Types of addiction

Even though withdrawal symptoms are typically associated with alcohol and harder drugs Oslund said the psychological effects of quitting marijuana can also be difficult to endure. Physical withdrawals can also be an issue due to the mental dependency that users develop.

Emotional addiction is a lot stronger with it, she said. Because of the mental addiction it causes a physical reaction when they stop using; not only is it the use but Im thinking about the use when Im not using.

Because physically draining withdrawals and an apparent physical addiction are not typically associated with marijuana usage, Oslund thinks the effects of the drug can be taken lightly at times. Although marijuana is often used casually, Oslund warned that the drug can cause the same problems of dependency as other substances.

When you think about addiction if its negatively affecting your life and youre still using it, youre addicted, she said. Youre going to have withdrawals because your body is used to certain chemicals. But addiction comes if Im using it no matter what negative effects my life is having, even though I know it would be better for me if I stopped.

Because of the potential issues that could arise from legal recreational use, Oslund is concerned about what the consequences would be if marijuana users were able to consume the drug freely. Though Oslund did not want to sway voters one way or the other on the issue, she personally does not want to see another legalized substance do harm to the community.

Why do we need another intoxicating substance in our society? Weve seen what alcohol does to people, she said. We also have no true knowledge of the effects on a persons body.

Oslunds apprehension in regard to legalized recreational use extends to the medical use of marijuana as well. For her, more research on the potential side effects of the drug needs to be done so medical marijuana users in the county can know what they are dealing with.

We would not let the FDA release any medicine out like its been for marijuana without some long term research, she said. Weve always required research on substances before we put them into society and we havent done that on marijuana.

Oslund continued by saying that the lack of regulation makes it difficult for medical marijuana users to know how much they should consume in a given time period and that no other medication is consumed by smoking it.

Medical vs. recreational

While the research continues on the side effects of medical marijuana usage, one local politician is hoping the county reconsiders their position on the moratorium. City Councilman John Patrick Rice is in favor of lifting the medical marijuana moratorium and allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in Elko.

Rice made a motion to lift the moratorium at a city council meeting but the motion was not seconded. Even though he would have preferred for the moratorium to be lifted Rice said the moratorium is a good middle ground between allowing dispensaries to operate in the area and disallowing them altogether.

I believe its a good thing because it doesnt outright ban medical marijuana, he said. What it is doing right now is giving the city council members and law enforcement more time to examine the whole issue. What I think people are waiting for is to see what the outcome of the recreational referendum is in the fall.

Rice also mentioned that he supports medical marijuana despite the limited research on the topic because the drug appears to provide a lot of the same benefits of pain management of opioids with reduced risk of addiction.

While Rice thinks its unfair that Elko residents dont have medical marijuana available to them in the area, he is still undecided on the issue of recreational use.

I want to hear what the citizens have to say, he said. I have heard stories much like the ones depicted in the movie Reefer Madness and then Ive heard that its actually helped to manage the use of marijuana in an effective way.

Colorados lessons

As politicians and citizens look to other states to judge the effectiveness of legalized recreational use, one consultant from Colorado says Nevada should proceed with caution when it comes to full marijuana legalization.

Consultant and public speaker Jo McGuire spoke at an event with the PACE Coalition about the unforeseen issues that Colorado is facing as result of the taxes placed on the substance. Because of the relatively high taxes on recreation marijuana some customers are finding ways to avoid the steep legal prices.

How are you going to generate revenue when youre going to tax it at 25 percent? she said. Me and my husband can have 6 plants each. Why would we go into the tax structure when we can do it for free?

With an illegal market still existing in Colorado after the legalization of marijuana McGuire thinks the problem of drug dependency across the country needs to be addressed. However, as far as marijuana is concerned, McGuire thinks its time for the country to start looking for another solution to managing the problem.

I think in general, in the U.S., we have a drug problem. And we need to take a look at it and I agree that we need solutions, she said. I dont think legalization is the solution were looking for. I think its proving to be a mistake.

Cannabis Consulting Group is hoping the voters dont see legalization as a mistake this November. The Elko company doesnt provide marijuana to its customers but they do assist them in learning more about medical marijuana.

Supply and demand

Company founder Joshua White said he is optimistic about the chances of Question 2 passing on the ballot and challenges the notion that taxing the drug would lead to legal marijuana being undercut by illegal sales.

In California they have different tiers of growth so supply and demand sets the price, he said. In Colorado they have $3 grams which put it below the black market. The more legal it is, the more opportunity there is to grow, which drops the price.

He added that customers would be willing to pay a little extra for legalized marijuana because it would provide security to know what they are buying.

White thinks it is only a matter of time before the county lifts the moratorium and approves recreational use and hopes his company can be on the forefront of the industry in the area when it happens.

The main issue the company has run into is public perception of the drug. White said organizations like PACE can be misleading in the way they discuss the potential harmful effects of marijuana.

Pace said that there is a lack of knowledge. Nevada has had 17 years of legal medical marijuana, he said. Thats 17 years of knowledge, so I dont know what PACE is talking about. Is it the fact that they didnt pay for it themselves or the fact that they dont acknowledge any other scientific programs? 

White went on to say PACEs point that a lack of research by the Food and Drug Administration should give people pause about the medical properties of the drug is invalid because the FDA will not conduct more research on marijuana because it is still listed as a Schedule I drug.

Company co-founder Terra White said the current restrictions on medical marijuana have contributed to the death of two of her patients so far and hopes that the stigma attached to the drug will change over the next few years.

For now Cannabis Consulting Group and companies like it in Elko will have to wait until November to know how their business will be impacted. With all of her patients paying for the cost of the drug out of pocket, Terra White anticipates that the medical and recreational marijuana business could be highly profitable soon.

I think the corporations and insurance companies will jump on it as soon as we get some more legislative changes, she said. Theyre just waiting for the Feds to lighten up on it.
Montevideo, Aug 6 (EFE).- The third edition of the Platino Prizes for Ibero-American Cinema, an awards gala held in July in the Uruguayan resort city of Punta del Este, received media coverage in 22 countries, U.S. public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller said in a report released Saturday.

The document, published by Uruguay's Tourism Ministry, said there had been 1,685 mentions of the Platinos by digital media outlets in 22 countries between July 23, the day before the awards ceremony, and July 27.

"Ninety-seven percent of the stories mentioned Punta del Este as the Uruguayan city that hosted the third edition of the Platino Prizes and 59 percent were stories published in Spanish, U.S. and Mexican media," the report said.

Over that same period, there were 84 stories in print and online media, as well as on radio and television, in Uruguay.

Some 500 cinema professionals and executives and specialized journalists attended the third edition of the Platino Prizes, organized by the Spain-based Audiovisual Producers' Rights Management Association, or EGEDA, and the Ibero-American Federation of Audiovisual Producers, or FIPCA.

This year's big winner was Colombian filmmaker Ciro Guerra's "El abrazo de la serpiente" (Embrace of the Serpent), which was nominated in eight categories and won seven statuettes, including those for best picture and best director.

The Platinos gala also served to inaugurate the Punta del Este Conventions Center, a state-of-the-art, 8,200-sq.-meter (88,150-sq.-foot) complex in that exclusive Atlantic Coast resort city, a major regional tourist draw in the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The complex includes a main auditorium with the capacity to seat 2,600 people and four additional halls each with a 300-person capacity.

It also boasts a 6,800-sq.-meter (73,100-sq.-foot) exhibition hall and a semi-covered gallery encompassing 3,800 square meters (40,850 square feet).
Vatican City, Aug 6 (EFE) .- Pope Francis sent a letter to the Refugee Olympic Team, praising the "courage and strength" of its members who prepare to compete in the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

"I extend my greetings and wish you success at the Olympic Games in Rio - that your courage and strength find expression through the Olympic Games and serve as a cry for peace and solidarity," the pope said, according to the Vatican Radio.

The pontiff expressed his hope that humanity can understand, through the example of these refugee athletes, that "peace is possible, and that with peace everything is a triumph; while with war everything is a loss."

The refugee team consists of 10 athletes, six men and four women, who all fled violence in their countries.
La Union, Murcia (Spain), Aug 6 (EFE).- Renowned artists on Friday night offered spectacular performances at the International Cante de las Minas Festival of flamenco music in Murcia, southern Spain.

The annual festival of music was established in 1961 in La Union to celebrate the traditional miners' songs of the region.

It has since grown into one of the largest international celebrations of flamenco music in the world, offering performers a chance to show off their talents and compete in singing and guitar playing competitions.

On Friday night, the second day of the festival's program, Jose "El Cabrero" Dominguez and Manuel Cuevas captivated audiences at the Cante Cathedral.

Clad in red neckerchief and a shepherd's hat, El Cabrero opened the evening in the solea style of flamenco: "I don't believe in God, I believe in the air, in the water in the earth and the sun."

El Cabrero, who has been one of the most important figures in flamenco throughout the last 40 years, is famous for his socially and politically motivated songs.

He demonstrated his versatility, singing in a variety of flamenco styles alongside guitarist Rafael Rodriguez.

Manuel Cuevas also displayed virtuosity, launching into his show unaccompanied and without microphone.

His energetic performance drew ovation from a crowd who can rest assured that Cuevas' flamenco talents will be passed down the generations, as proved by a duet performance with his son, Jose Manuel.

The gala is due to run until Aug. 13 and is scheduled to feature dozens of performances ranging from traditional to modern interpretations of flamenco.
Washington, Aug 6 (EFE).- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has reversed course and announced his support for House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain in their GOP primary races, a move aimed at ending a months-long spat with leading establishment figures in his party.

In a campaign appearance Friday in Wisconsin, Ryan's home state, Trump endorsed both leaders and expressed his desire to work "toward real change" and stressed their "shared mission to make America great again."

Ryan faces a challenge from Paul Nehlen in Tuesday's Wisconsin Republican primary, while McCain will square off against Tea Party-backed former state Sen. Kelli Ward in an Arizona Republican primary on Aug. 30.

On Tuesday, the controversial White House contender refused to endorse those two incumbents in their primary races, breaking with U.S. political tradition and highlighting persistent divisions within the Republican Party.

"I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country. We need very strong leadership. We need very, very strong leadership. And I'm just not quite there yet," Trump said then while also praising Nehlen's campaign.

His message was very different on Friday.

"I support and endorse our Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. He's a good man. We may disagree on a couple of things, but mostly we agree," the presidential candidate said.

Trump, who grabbed headlines early in his presidential run when he mocked McCain for having been captured during the Vietnam War, sounded a very different tone on Friday.

"While I'm at it, I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office, and I fully support and endorse his re-election. Very important," he said.

Earlier this week, the New York real-estate magnate criticized the long-serving Arizona senator for not working harder on behalf of American war veterans.

Ryan and particularly McCain have been critical of Trump's campaign, mostly recently slamming him for getting into a war of words with the parents of a American Muslim soldier killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq.

That soldier's father, Khizr Khan, had harshly criticized Trump in a speech at the Democratic National Convention over his calls for restricting Muslim emigration to the United States.
Ely, Cambridgeshire is best known for its majestic cathedral dubbed the 'Ship of the Fens' because it dominates the flat landscape. The city, which is the second smallest in England, is about 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about 80 miles by road from London.

14:55, 28 OCT 2022
We have told you, our readers, what local officials and experts have to say about the proposal to legalize marijuana in Nevada  and now we want to hear what you think about it.

Question 2 could be the most significant issue on the November ballot, making it legal to smoke pot and regulating it like alcohol, as its supporters say.

The limited polling that has been done indicates the measure could be passed. If it is, most penalties would vanish at the dawn of the new year, and Nevada would be required to set up a sales and tax program allowing for retail purchases of the drug.

Our series of articles can be viewed in full at elkodaily.com. We began by looking at the current laws and developments since medical marijuana was approved by voters 16 years ago. The drug is known to ease certain symptoms, yet the state Board of Pharmacy still lists it as a Schedule I hallucinogenic.

It took Nevada more than a decade to get a medical marijuana program going, and the state allowed local governments to opt out of having dispensaries in their jurisdictions. The new law is much different in that the state is given only one year to set up the program, and no city or county may opt out.

While the drug is still classified as illegal on the federal level, President Obama announced three years ago that he or federal law enforcement would not challenge any states that legalize it.

The current laws have left Elko in an unusual situation. People who are legally allowed to smoke marijuana for medical purposes cannot acquire it without driving hundreds of miles to the states metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, illegal users seem to have no problem acquiring the drug around town.

According to local police, marijuana confiscations were up an astounding 6,429 percent last year at more than 32 pounds. Thats enough weed to get the entire population of Elko and surrounding communities stoned, and the confiscated amount is only the tip of the iceberg.

Part two of our series looked at the specifics of the proposal to regulate marijuana and use the profits for education. If the law passes and licenses are sought locally, Elko County would be required to approve at least two retail pot establishments. Anyone who lives more than 25 miles from a licensed dealer would be allowed to grow up to six plants in an enclosed, locked part of their residence.

All adults would be allowed to smoke it, but not in public, and penalties would remain in place for impaired driving. Employers could still demand their workers to be weed-free.

Todays part three looked at opinions about the social and health impacts of marijuana. There is a vast range of opinions as proponents consider the drug to be no more dangerous than alcohol, while opponents raise serious concerns.

Nevadans have three months to decide how they will vote on the question. For many of them, decisions will likely be based upon firsthand experience or secondhand knowledge of the drug and its effects.

In the meantime, please check out our Question 2 poll at elkodaily.com and vote yes or no. Unlike the nuances of this divisive social and health issue, there will be no gray areas come November. Things will either stay the same or marijuana will become openly available and acceptable as a recreational diversion.

Which Elko would you prefer to see when you wake up on New Years Day?
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better

"He's Black Council,", I said.

"Or maybe stupid," Ebenezar countered.

I thought about it. "Not sure which is scarier."

Ebenezar blinked at me, then snorted. "Stupid, Hoss. Every time. Only so many blackhearted villains in the world, and they only get uppity on occasion. Stupid's everywhere, every day." Ebenezar McCoy

This deprecation of individual freedom was objectionable to me. I am convinced now, as I was then, that man is an end because he is a child of God. Man is not made for the state; the state is made for man. To deprive man of freedom is to relegate him to the status of a thing, rather than elevate him to the status of a person. Man must never be treated as means to the end of the state; but always as an end within himself." Dr. M.L. King Jr.

Y'all got on this boat for different reasons, but y'all come to the same place. So now I'm asking more of you than I have before. Maybe all. Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again. Maybe on another world, maybe on this very ground swept clean. A year from now, ten? They'll swingto the belief that they can make people.... And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave. - Capt. MalGeek with a .45A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition
COMMENTARY - Hostage Taking in Bastar Sarva Dharma Sansad, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, Peoples Union for Democratic Rights On 25 January, the CPI(Maoist) abducted ve policemen of the Chhattisgarh police force. A team of human rights activists worked for their unconditional release which took place on 11 February inside Chhattisgarhs dense Abujhmad forest. These activists spoke to the tribal-villagers and the CPI(Maoist) members. What follows is their assessment of the situation at ground zero and how the tribals have been affected by the security operations. This is a summary of the report Of Human Bondage: An Account of Hostage Taking in Bastar. For the full report see: http://www.pudr.org/index. php?option=com_docman&task=cat_ view&gid=108&Itemid=63 O n 11 February, inside the dense forests of Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh, ve policemen of the Chhattisgarh police force, abducted by Maoists on 25 January 2011, were released by the CPI(Maoist) in the presence of a team of human rights activists and media persons. Unfortunately this did not receive much media exposure or form the subject of public discussion. The activists team comprised six members, two each from the Sarva Dharma Sansad, the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and the People U nion for Democratic Rights (PUDR). Shortly after the hostages were released an IAS ofcer V Murali Krishna, Collector of the Malkangiri district in neighbouring Orissa, was kidnapped by Maoists. The similarities in both these incidents, the demands raised by the Maoists about mitigating the impact of development schemes which have adversely affected the tribals there, and the questioning of the current industrialisation plans clearly reect a changing trend which needs to be taken into account. The experience in Chhattisgarh therefore assumes great importance because it brings into focus the unheard voices of the tribals in the remote areas of Bastar and Abujhmad who have been victimised due to security operations. Testimonies of Village Dwellers After the policemen were released, members of the human rights and media teams were invited to listen to the testimonies of the adivasis. They described the abuse and violence unleashed by the security forces not just during the combing operations or targeted searches, but even when the villagers attended to daily chores like shopping in markets, going to school and other routine activities. Many of those who spoke claried that they were not necessarily Maoists or june 4, 2011 - - supporters of Maoists. But they had suffered at the hands of the security forces who insisted that they were or had supported the Maoists. As speaker after speaker pointed out, once they were picked up by the security forces, there was no question of explanation or discussion. It was a grim story of utter lawlessness and the helplessness of a people forced to contend with an alienating and brutalised administrative/security system and complex judicial remedial system. One after another, parents, wives, children and relatives of those who had been thus victimised from numerous villages across the area marched to the microphone. They provided detailed lists of household goods, poultry and livestock looted by the security forces during their regular patrols. One such incident about which a complaint was lodged with the s uperintendent of police is given below. Complaints of Arrest and Looting On 27 December 2010 a police patrol entered the Koodhoor village in Bastar district. The patrol party included policemen from Murdapal. The details are as follows: Arrests: Three persons (Mandhar son of Badhru, Buaal son of Raitu, Manku son of Fardun) Looting: Ten houses were looted Situram son of Bogi resident of Tumdibal (silver Rs 6,000, cash Rs 15,000, clothes Rs 700) Sundar Ram son of Badhru Muria (cash Rs 800) Mandhar son of Badhru Muria (cash Rs 2,500) Buaal son of Raitu (utensils Rs 2,500) Ghasia son of Fasele Muria resident of Kotmatapara (door destroyed, cash Rs 980) Jamdhar son of Hagru (cash Rs 5,000) Kadaru son of Budhu (cash Rs 300) Ganesh son of Kaharu (cash Rs 2,000) Ramnash son of Hadi Raut resident of Kotmetapara (three chickens) Bagdev son of Kamlu (battery one) From Tumribal village (100 arrows, two catapults) Beating: Five women were beaten up Gadri wife of late Deshu vol xlvi no 23 EPW Economic & Political Weekly COMMENTARY Gangadhai wife of Buaal Phoolmati wife of Mandhar Dashri wife of late Lakhan Masan wife of Jagnath Source: Complaint to the Superintendent of P olice, Bastar. The general pattern of police raids on villages was conrmed by many others who deposed before us. The same pattern was conrmed by those present at the Bhoomkal diwas celebrations at Jagdalpur on 10 February. It was also instructive that the issues which gured in the speeches at Jagdalpur were about displacement from forest areas, land acquisition, privatisation of river water and its diversion for industrial use as well as the state administrations pro-corporate sector tilt. Arrests A number of people conrmed that during police patrolling, young men are routinely and arbitrarily picked up and taken away. Their arrests are conrmed only when family members visit the police station or the jail at Jagdalpur. Many of the arrests also occur when people visit the weekly haat (market) or go to the nearest town to purchase goods. According to Jagannath, a large cooking vessel that he had purchased was taken away by the police who said that he must have bought it for the Maoists. When they go to a chemist to purchase medicines, the villagers are accused of buying the medicines for the Maoists. Even local journalists conrm this pattern. This situation is apparently responsible for the men migrating to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to look for work. There are reports of some villages in Narayanpur district that have only women residents. The team was told about the large number of people who have been detained in jails across Chhattisgarh. In most cases the socalled Naxalite inmates are not produced before a magistrate and the families are unaware of the charges against them. While we could not get a list of those arrested, we were told that from the villages which fall under what the Maoists describe as their East Bastar Division, at least 500 people are either in jails or their whereabouts are unknown. Our inquiries revealed the following: Against a capacity of 1,987, there were 5,878 convicts and undertrials in the ve jails in Chhattisgarh. This means that the actual prison population was three times its capacity. Of these, 1,036 were charged with either being Maoists/Naxalite supporters/sympathisers or members. There are also about 300 activists of the Adivasi Mahasabha, a mass front of the Communist Party of India, in the jails of the Bastar region. Anecdotal evidence shows that 90% of the prisoners are adivasis. Jail authorities have shared their concern with civil liberties activists about a collapse of the jail administration due to this as well as its detrimental impact on the mental and physical well-being of the jail inmates. They have told our colleagues in Chhattisgarh that since the cases registered against the accused-alleged Maoists fall under the jurisdiction of other districts, the police department routinely expresses its inability to provide security due to shortage of staff. The Maoists Speak When some team members among the human rights activists raised the issue of child soldiers, Neeti and Rehmati made it clear that children below 16 were not allowed to become members of the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). There was no question therefore of children bearing arms. They pointed out that more than 65 children were going to the alternative school that they had set up in that area. However, the local policeattacked these schools. According to them, in October 2010 in Tirka Village the Janata School was attacked by the forces. Baldev, the teacher of that school, was arrested and jailed. The children in these schools often have to defend their schools, and may thus have to take up arms. Neeti pointed out that even in a situation of war, teachers must have immunity and must not be taken away. She also said that the struggle against superstition and illiteracy and in attempting to provide medical facilities, they had been successful. She talked proudly of the efforts to develop books in the Gondi language which are being read in more than a hundred villages; the schools in these villages are being run under the new educational system. The young Maoist leaders were very v ocal about the attack on the childrens education system in their area and the c losure of schools due to takeover of the buildings by the police and paramilitary forces. They also expressed concern that the teachers were not being allowed to come to their area and teach the children. They said that the accusations that Naxal violence was responsible for the schools being destroyed and the children being deprived of education are false. The revolutionary movement has never been against education. Instead, it has always promoted education. According to them, the real reason for the denial of education was the policy of privatisation of education that has resulted in only the rich accessing it. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the total literacy programmes had failed and in the last 60 years less then 25% of children in this r egion had got any education. In this context, the team was given a pamphlet to explain the Maoist position on the issue of education and schools. One pamphlet, issued on 5 February by the East Bastar Divisional Committee, pointed out that more than 156 schools in Dantewada and Bijapur districts were presently occupied by the security forces. Another pamphlet distributed by the East Bastar Divisional Committee on 8 February claimed that in the ve blocks of Bijapur and Dantewada, the school and ashram buildings in Cherapal, Pamalvai, Cheramangi, Murkinar, Naimarh, Matwara, Jaiwara, Pinkonda, Nelnar, Ranibodli, Toynar, Gudma, Bodli, Polampalli, Injaram, Maraiguda, Aranpur and Palna village, are now used as police camps. Besides, ashrams located in Padera, Pidia, Tamneri, Kadenar, Vechhapal Munder, Tudem, Dharmapuram, Regadgatta, Todka, Torram, Ilingair, Dadli and Dabbakunta have been moved closer to the police or relief camps, rendering the schools inaccessible for the villagers who fear venturing close to the police station. According to them, in the villages of Basaguda, Usur, Gangalur, Mirtul, Kuttru, Bhopalpatnam, Konta and Kistaram, teachers are reluctant to come to the schools because they are suspected of being Naxalite sympathisers. Concerns of the Media We were contacted by a few journalists who wanted us meet their local colleagues at Kanker. They were all members of the Chhattisgarh Shramjivi Patrakar Sangh Economic & Political Weekly EPW june 4, 2011 vol xlvi no 23 COMMENTARY (CSPS). They have been agitating against acts of omission and commission of the administration and local ofcials. A memorandum submitted by the CSPS to the Chhattisgarh chief minister refers to the killing of two reporters, Sunil Pathak at B ilaspur and Umesh Rajput at Chhura in the recent past, and harrassment of N R K Pillai, Anil Mishra and Yashwant Y adav at the hands of a local commander of a central force. It also goes on to detail how the l ocal administration instigated by activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maa Danteshwari Swabhiman Manch (a front oated by Salwa Judum activists, notorious for their attacks on social activists) issued posters warning these senior reporters of dire consequences if they do not mend their ways. Some media persons also told us that the unedited video of the handing over of the hostages programme organised by the Maoists would reach the Narayanpur LIU (local intelligence unit) and all the villagers present at the meeting would be identied. Should any of them visit the nearest haat or go out on other errands, there was the very real risk of being arrested. We asked the journalists why they did not report such things, was there an embargo on doing so? We were told that journalists, and especially stringers, faced many obstacles in the course of their duty. They were threatened; rst information reports (FIRs) were registered against them and the owners/publishers/editors of the publications refused to stand by the stringers (many publications have stringers in remote areas rather than full-time reporters or news bureaus) since they are not on the staff. As for reporters employed by newspapers or the electronic media, their managements discourage reporting on such issues. As one reporter told us, How do you expect media houses to allow such reports when their owners are setting up super-power plants or own sponge iron mills...?. The destruction of the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram and ling of cases against its activists has meant that independent voices have become even more scarce in this region. Conclusion While we recognise that there is an element of desperation behind hostage taking, u sing human beings as bargaining tools is fraught with danger. Yet, the legitimacy of the grievances and the remedy sought c annot be denied. These demands are also different from the usual ones asking for the release of an arrested leader or accused in return for the hostages. Another aspect of reality confronts us when we consider the institutional response to the hostage taking of police constables in Chhattisgarh and shortly thereafter of a district collector of Malkangiri in Orissa. The ve policemen taken hostage received little notice. But the police administration in Bastar went out of its way to remove/tear posters of the CPI(Maoist) which explained what their demands were and why they had abducted the police personnel. The abduction of the district collector, on the other hand, elicited a different response. The national media descended on Malkangiri for the very rst time and for the rst time the rest of the nation got to know that the tribals there who had been displaced by projects had not been rehabilitated even after 50 years! The public also got to know that in Narayanpatna (Koraput), where hundreds of tribals were arrested allegedly for being Maoists, the tribals had been agitating for restoration of lands occupied generations ago by non-tribals. They were forced to work as bonded labour, for the very people who had occupied their land! Would this harsh reality, known to civil right activists for years, have come to the notice of the wider public in any other way? If this was possible, without hostage taking, why was nothing done until now? In long-neglected areas that have become conict zones now, the rule of law does not operate and people are subjected to police raj under the pretext of suppressing Maoist insurgency. Illegal arrests and the plight of the kith and kin of such innocent people put behind bars, count for nothing. What is equally unnerving is that the Chhattisgarh government did not show any inclination to negotiate the release of the ve police personnel. Presumably, they were not senior enough to merit the administrations attention. The local and national media too followed suit and remained indifferent to the issues raised by the Maoists. In contrast, in Orissa, because an IAS cadre ofcer was involved, negotiations took place and the demands raised by the CPI(Maoists) were considered. In both instances, the demands were perfectly legitimate, constitutional and just. This is also a reminder that conict zones in India in general and Bastar (Chhattisgarh) in particular have become no-go areas where the Constitution does not operate and an arbitrary approach takes precedence over lawful conduct. It is this lawless climate, brought about by Operation Greenhunt, which is singularly alarming. If we are opposed to the politics of hostage taking, does not incarcerating people for daring to protest their conditions and making perfectly legitimate demands amount to legally sanctioned abduction? Similarly, if hostage taking by the CPI(Maoist) is wrong but the demands raised by them are legitimate, should we not ensure that the state government complies with the demands? The CPI(Maoist) for its part must stop the practice of taking hostages to press for their demands since risking the lives of these hostages is unacceptable in any situation. On the other hand the government must immediately among other things suspend Operation Greenhunt, review the cases of villagers arrested for having links with the CPI(Maoist), institute a judicial inquiry into the allegations of police loot of villagers belongings, vacate school buildings occupied by the police and paramilitary, lift the ban on the CPI(Maoist) and stop the displacement of people in the name of development. For the Attention of Subscribers and Subscription Agencies Outside India It has come to our notice that a large number of subscriptions to the EPW from outside the country together with the subscription payments sent to supposed subscription agents in India have not been forwarded to us. We wish to point out to subscribers and subscription agencies outside India that all foreign subscriptions, together with the appropriate remittances, must be forwarded to us and not to unauthorised third parties in India. We take no responsibility whatsoever in respect of subscriptions not registered with us. MANAGER june 4, 2011 vol xlvi no 23 EPW Economic & Political Weekly
First study to show ovarian environment changes with age and likely hurts quality of eggs

Older ovaries are scarred and inflamed

Findings could result in treatments to preserve fertility by delaying ovarian aging

CHICAGO --- Women's decreased ability to produce healthy eggs as they become older may be due to excessive scarring and inflammation in their ovaries, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study in mice.

This is the first study to show the ovarian environment ages and that aging affects the quality of eggs it produces. These findings could result in new treatments that preserve fertility by delaying ovarian aging.

Most reproductive research focuses on women's eggs and trying to understand why their number and quality deteriorate as a woman enters her forties. Deteriorating eggs contribute to infertility, miscarriages and birth defects.

But in this study scientists examined the reproductive age-related changes that occur in the environment in which the eggs develop, known as the ovarian stroma. The environment in which cells grow and develop can greatly influence their quality and function, but surprisingly little is known about how the ovarian stroma changes with age.

"Under the microscope, eggs from reproductively young and old animals may look identical, but the environment in which they are growing is completely different," said lead study author Francesca Duncan, executive director of the Center for Reproductive Science at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Ovaries from reproductively old mice are fibrotic and inflamed. There is no way this environment won't impact the eggs growing in it, and it very likely contributes to their decrease in quality."

The study will be published August 5 in the journal Reproduction. Duncan led the study when she was at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

In this study, researchers analyzed ovarian tissue from populations of reproductively "young" (equivalent to women in their early twenties) and "old" mice (equivalent to women ages 38-45). They consistently identified fibrosis in the reproductively "old" mice. This age period is associated with a decline in reproductive function and egg quality in both humans and mice. In some reproductively "old" mice, up to 35 percent of the ovarian tissue was fibrotic.

Researchers also found a type of immune cell (multinucleated macrophage giant cells) in the ovaries of reproductively "old" mice only. When found in other tissues, these cells are associated with chronic inflammation. They also found ovaries from mice of advanced reproductive age expressed genes and produced proteins that are highly inflammatory.

"Our work establishes fibrosis and inflammation as hallmarks of the aging ovary and lays the foundation for considering the use of anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory treatments to delay or counteract the impact of reproductive aging," said Duncan, also an associate research professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Feinberg.

"People tend to overlook that the egg is growing in a complex environment, and no one has taken a deep look at what is happening to that environment with age," Duncan added. "It's an underappreciated area."

The findings have broader implications for women's health because ovarian fibrosis is a key feature of polycystic ovary syndrome, a common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age, and is also a consequence of chemotherapy and radiation, Duncan said.

Duncan's research team is currently investigating how to therapeutically target the ovarian environment to improve reproductive function.

###

This work was supported by the Center for Reproductive Health After Disease (P50 HD076188), the National Centers for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility, the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (P20 GM104936), the National Center for Research Resources (P20 RR021940), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20 GM103549) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 'Training Program in Environmental Toxicology' (T32 ES007079) of the National Institutes of Health.

NORTHWESTERN NEWS: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marla Paul

312-503-8928

marla-paul@northwestern.edu
As far as I remember yes you can. There are two duty free shops, one literally left of the exit, one to the right of the carousels (looking towards exit).

I remember buying at one of those, probably both have them.
katom said: Hey,



Wow it's true when they say everything is long and painful when dealing with French policies!



I was born in Australia to a mother born in France and a father born in Australia and I am now 21 years of age.



I currently live in London and my mother and father live in Australia.



Are the following statements correct?



- I am a French citizen by blood

- My mother needs a CFN

- My mother needs to renew her French passport and her NIC

- Once these documents are renewed, I need to apply for a CFN

- To apply for a CFN I need the following:

- 1 passport photo

- Australian Passport

- Proof of address from last 6 months

- 1 full copy of my birth certificate

- 1 full copy of each of my parents birth certificates

- Mothers CFN (copy)

- Mothers NIC (copy)

- Mothers passport (copy)

- Once I have a CFN I can apply for a French passport and a NIC



Does this seem right? It is so hard to find the correct information. Click to expand...

A recent copy of her French birth certificate (available free from the Mairie for the commune where she was born)

A copy of her French passport or NIC (check with the Consulate as to whether these documents need to be updated)

A copy of her marriage certificate

A copy of your father's birth certificate

A copy of your birth certificate

If you were born in Australia, then you will need to work with the French Consulate in Sydney(NOT the London Consulate unless you were born in the UK).Your mother ideally should register her marriage and your birth with her local French Consulate, for which I believe she will require:But check with the French Consulate to find out exactly what documents they requireThe Consulate would then ensure that your mother's birth certificate is updated with the marriage and your birth, probably issue a livret de famille, and issue a French birth certificate for you. This will be proof of your French nationality and you will then be able to apply for a French passport.You do not need a national identity card if you are living overseas.You will not need a CNF in these circumstances (this is only required if you actually pursue your nationality without your mother's assistance).There is quite a bit of processing to be done, so be aware that to get everything in order may take some time.Contact details for the Sydney Consulate can be found here Les coordonnees et horaires douverture au public - La France en Australie Good luck
Well I suppose it's only to be expected. Here's the Spanish National Police - making hay while the sun shines -over their arrest of five Pink Panthers in Barcelona on Friday which made world headlines last weekend.But what's this ? I see there's still one Pink Panther at large down in Tarifa !!
Hi,

Yes, if the Resident visa's are approved you will have a 2 year travel condition applied which allows you to come and go as you please for the first 2 years only. Once this 2 years ends you then do not have the right to come and go as you please.

If you are out of the country when that condition expires you will not be admitted back in on that visa. If you are in NZ when the travel condition expires but you then leave the country with an expired travel condition you will not be admitted back in.

To get around this you must either :-

(a) apply for a variation of the travel conditions before travelling, or

(b) apply and be approved for a Permanent Residency Visa (PRV).

PRV does not have any travel conditions and you can come and go as you please permanently.



The 184 days rule is only for when you actually come to move from Resident Visa to Permanent Residency Visa after 2 years on the Resident Visa. It is one of the 5 qualifying conditions, so if you wish to apply for PRV and are applying on the basis that you have lived in NZ the majority of the year for the past 2 years then you must have spent at least 184 days in NZ in each of the 2 years immediately prior to application for PRV.

There are 4 other qualifying criteria so you could meet it another way if you don't meet this one - i.e. you may have bought a house here so having a residential investment here is also one of the five qualifying criteria to apply for PRV.



So, you can be out of the country longer than the 184 days, BUT if you subsequently wish to use this method to apply for PRV after 2 years, you wouldn't be eligible until you have spent at least 184 days in NZ in the previous 2 years prior to application.



Clear as mud ? ;-)
That is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!!!!



The banks here in the Philippines might all have the same name on the front of the bank but they are all operated independently of each other as if they were a separate franchise! You need to know exactly where you will be living before you open up a local account because there are many transactions that can only be performed in your original branch. Other transactions can be done in other branches BUT they will charge you an extra processing fee for any transaction not conducted in your original branch!



The peso account should not be a problem...just open the account at a bank branch that is close to your home or your work place as long as it is convenient to you. Get an ATM Card attached to that account and you are good to go...



But be very cautious of the US Dollar account...if you open it in the US...no problem. If you will have the amount direct deposited here in the Philippines in a Philippine Bank, The restrictions are numerous and can create multiple hassles. If you ever want to make a withdrawal for any reason on your US Dollar account...you CANNOT do it on the internet...no online banking for Direct Deposit accounts here. AND No ATM Cards allowed either...and "IF" you do make a withdrawal...it MUST be made in person...face to face in your original bank branch ONLY!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!



And...US Dollar Direct Deposit Accounts made to a bank here in the Philippines...MUST be made to a US Approved Bank...you cannot just choose any bank.
Friday, August 5, 2016

Laughing in the Face of Death: Movies, Medicine and Mortality is a continuing education presentation for social workers and medical professionals. Gail Rubin, CT, will present this one-hour talk at the New Mexico Conference on Aging on Wednesday, August 24 at 12:15 p.m. The two-day conference takes place at Isleta Resort & Casino, 11000 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM.

In hospitals, medical professionals, patients and families focus on maintaining life and returning to health. Despite great advances in medical care, humans still have a 100% mortality rate. Using funny films and television programs, well examine hospital personnel reactions to mortality and offer ways to relieve the pressure of working around death.

After attending this presentation, participants will be able to:

Discuss the Terror Management Theory and its impact on humans ability or willingness to discuss mortality issues in a medical setting. Support co-workers, patients and their families facing death in a hospital setting. Recognize ways medical professionals achieve emotional distancing from death in patient care and treatment.

Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist, is a death educator who uses humor and funny films to teach about end-of-life topics. An award-winning speaker, she knocked em dead at TEDxABQ in 2015. The author of A GOOD GOODBYE: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die and HAIL AND FAREWELL: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, her next book is KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.
The latest incidents from Trump's campaign, such as insulting Gold Star parents Kzihr Khan and his wife and telling ABC's George Stephanopoulos that Russia wouldn't go into the Ukraine, have raised questions about Trump's mental competency. Could these behaviors be due to the onset of Alzheimer's  a question raised by Dr. Gini Graham Scott in an article on the Huffington Post, which has already gotten 274 likes and has led to extended discussions on Facebook. http://tinyurl.com/z64hltk.

As Scott points out, there is more and more evidence of this diagnosis, as an increasing number of members of the Republican Party have disavowed Trump's candidacy, though they are not legally able to force him out without a very good reason  such as if he is too impaired to continue to be a candidate. In the article, Scott cites numerous experts, authorities, and writers who have suggested that a reason for Trump's crazy behavior is that he has early stage Alzheimer's. In fact, they point to him having a half-dozen of the 10 core signs of Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

In her article, Scott provides numerous examples of Trump's behavior which fit this pattern of having Alzheimer's, along with quotes from experts backing up this possibility. Scott has previously written a series of books about who Trump really is and whether he is really nuts. These books include two new satiric cartoon books with commentary  Trump Is Nuts! and Trump Is an Animal! Trump Is Nuts! features Trump as 21 different kinds of nuts, from walnuts and peanuts to mixed up nuts and finally ends with Trump on his way to a nuthouse. https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Nuts-Illustrated-Guide-Coloring/dp/0692738037 Trump Is an Animal! compares Trump to different types of fighting animals including Kangaroos and Meerkats. https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Animal-Illustrated-Coloring-Different/dp/1535223154. These are included in the book Who Is Trump, Really? https://www.amazon.com/Who-Trump-Really-Collection-Extinct/dp/153541314X. Along with each cartoon, the books include a short commentary about Trump's recent behavior.

Scott has also launched a website at www.whoistrumpreally.com (also accessible from www.trumpisnuts.net and www.2016electionfollies.com), which features seven books about Trump which combine satiric humor with pungent commentary about Trump.

Scott brings to the series a background as a sociologist and popular writer  and she is also a registered Republican, after previously being an independent voter. She received her Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and has several MAs, including one in Anthropology and another in Pop Culture and Lifestyles from California State University, East Bay. She is getting an additional MA there in Communication. She has published over 50 books with major publishers and 40 with her own publishing company, Changemakers Publishing. Besides The New Middle Ages, other new books include Lies and Liars, about understanding sociopaths and how to deal with them, Scammed, about recent scams and how to avoid them, and American Justice with Paul Brakke about problems in the criminal justice system and how to fix them. Her websites include www.ginigrahmscott.com and www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com.

A PDF of any of the Trump books is available to members of the media and book bloggers and reviewers.

Nancy Parker

Executive Assistant

Changemakers Productions

Changemakers Publishing and Writing

Lafayette, California

bookpub@att.net

(925) 385-0608
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When Bexar County Sheriffs Office Deputy Pedro Garcia looks into the eyes of a suspected drunk driver, he now can produce crystal-clear evidence of what he sees.

Garcia is one of the first few patrol deputies to be equipped with next-generation, body-worn cameras to provide high-definition recordings of officers close encounters with the public.

Youre able to see the persons face clearly. You see their eyes, which is what were checking for, Garcia said Friday while demonstrating the new gear from Bodyworn.

The county process to acquire the new technology started in December, when Commissioners Court awarded a $900,000 contract to equip up to 300 deputies with the devices. Since then, the sheriffs office has been honing guidelines for use of the cameras, as well as for public access to recordings.

The push to widen use of body cams by deputies intensified after last years controversial fatal shooting of a suspect by deputies, which was captured on citizens videos.

Mounted in a vest over the chest, the cameras dont jostle as much as older clip-on models, and they have automatic features that insure the device is activated in hectic conditions such as when an officer leaves his vehicle for a foot chase, officials said. Coupled with front- and back-facing dash cameras, theyre designed to provide a full view of an encounter.

More Information Learn more about these body-worn cameras: www.bodyworn.com See More Collapse

Its a great system  great video, 1080p high definition, day and night, said Garcia, who operates a interceptor-grade Chevy  one of only two such cars currently outfitted with the wireless hubs that work with the Bodyworn cameras.

You wont see many of us unless were chasing you, Garcia said.

Soon, the public will be more likely to encounter the devices when stopped by a sheriffs motorcycle patrol. Within a couple of weeks, about a dozen motorcycles will be operating with the new systems that are gradually being put on the streets.

Its a brand new product so theres some testing and configuration were going through, said Deputy Aaron Von Muldau, whos overseeing deployment. Once the motorcycle units are outfitted, attention will turn to other patrol units by early next year, he said.

Since many officers already have some experience with body cams, training can vary from a few hours to 16 hours, but that regimen is still being developed.

Its pretty simple. Push on, push off. Its very, very intuitive, Von Muldau said.

In the heat of a pursuit, the devices can activate automatically to ensure crucial moments are captured. Triggering the cameras could be actions such as an officer getting out of his unit while emergency lights are flashing.

With the old system, you cant do automatic triggers, Von Muldau said. The body cameras sophisticated hardware even has the ability to issue an officer down alert if they tumble.

Whats really awesome about this program is the redaction software, Von Muldau added. That feature can quickly obscure the faces of uninvolved parties including bystanders. Its been taking about five minutes to redact a single minute of video, but the new technology can vastly hasten the process, he said.

jgonzalez@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnwgonzalez
The Prairie Doc: We need to be more intentional with antibiotics
Outbreaks of husk (lungworm) in adult beef and dairy cattle, as well as youngstock, are likely to occur across the UK in the coming weeks and months.

Recent warm weather followed by rainfall have provided the perfect conditions for lungworm larvae to migrate from dung pats to grass.

Sudden outbreaks could be severe and, if the early signs of infection are not identified quickly, significant production losses could occur, including death in the worst cases, warns Merial Animal Healths Veterinary Adviser Sioned Timothy.

Whilst youngstock are traditionally thought to be more susceptible to lungworm infection and associated respiratory disease, there is an increasing trend for adult cattle to be affected.

Immunity to lungworm is short-lived, and if natural boosting through low-level exposure to larvae does not occur, animals may be rendered susceptible to disease when the number of larvae present on the pasture increases.

However, even immune animals can succumb to disease in the face of high larval challenge.

Losses due to disease

Losses of up to 137 per animal can be attributed to lungworm infections and include additional costs and loss of income resulting from reduced milk production, disposal of dead animals, reduced fertility, laboratory diagnosis and treatment costs.

Even after recovery, lung damage can leave animals susceptible to secondary infections and affect long term productivity.

"The problem for farmers, and vets, is that lungworm can be difficult to diagnose at an early stage and may not be spotted until a full-blown outbreak occurs," says Ms Timothy.

"The initial signs of coughing can be confused with other respiratory diseases such as Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), particularly in older cattle, but its important not to overlook the risk of lungworm in cattle of all ages as delays in treatment can hit productivity hard."

A rapid loss of condition and sudden milk drop in lactating animals are often observed during the acute stages of disease.

Animals have a deep harsh cough during activity which progresses to coughing at rest, with laboured breathing.

Severely affected cattle will typically stand with neck and head extended in the air hunger position, and dairy cows may be observed resting more often and drinking and eating less than normal.

Farmers are advised not to wait until the whole herd is unwell, and should seek advice early in the course of disease to minimise the longer term impact.
"But by sequencing and cloning the genes involved we can now manipulate and break that self incompatibility down in ryegrass and manage it in a way that we can now utilise the natural genetic variation in ryegrass to our advantage to create hybrids," he said.
Voter Guide: Everything Cumberland County voters need to know
Angelina Jolie is set to take up a teaching position at Georgetown University.

Angelina Jolie

It was previously announced that the 41-year-old actress and human rights campaigner has joined the London School of Economics as a visiting professor and now Us Weekly reports that she "will do the same guest spot at LSE's sister school, Georgetown".

No details about her position at the US institution have been revealed but Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security Ambassador Melanne Verveer held talks with the actress in May.

She said: "I was pleased to meet with Angelina Jolie during my recent trip to London on ways we at Georgetown University can continue the collaboration between our sister programmes on both sides of the Atlantic. We look forward to welcoming Angelina and former foreign secretary Hague to Georgetown in the future."

At LSE Angelina will give a series of lectures to students of the new one-year MSc course on women, peace and security, which will run from the beginning of the 2017 academic year.

Angelina - who helped to launch the MSc last year with Britain's former foreign secretary, William Hague - said: "I am very encouraged by the creation of this master's programme. I hope other academic institutions will follow this example, as it is vital that we broaden the discussion on how to advance women's rights and end impunity for crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as sexual violence in conflict. I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations."

According to the LSE, the course is intended to "develop strategies to promote gender equality and enhance women's economic, social and political participation and security".

Visiting professors including Angelina and Mr. Hague will give lectures, participate in workshops and undertake their own research.

An LSE spokeswoman said they will teach "as often as their schedules, and their commitment as agreed with the director, will allow".
Pete's Dragon is one of the summer movies that I have been looking forward to the most... and there's not long to go now until it finally hits the big screen.

Pete's Dragon

2016 has already been a great year for Disney - the studio has released a string of movies that have been both critical and commercial successes - and it looks like that is going to continue with Pete's Dragon.

The movie is a remake of the 1877 film of the same name, that kids of a certain generation will have grown up watching. This time around, the movie is a mix of live-action performances and great special effects.

The movie is released later this week and we have two terrific new clips for you to take a look at:

Pete's Dragon marks the return of David Lowery to the director's chair for what is his first feature film since Ain't Them Bodies Saints. This is the biggest film of his career and I cannot wait to see him put his stamp on this well-known and much-loved tale.

The director has brought together a fantastic cast as Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban Wes Bentley and Oona Laurence are all on board.

Oakes Fegley will also take on the central role of Pete and is a young acting talent to watch out for.

For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales... until she meets Pete (Fegley).

Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott. And from Pete's descriptions, Elliott seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham's stories.

With the help of Natalie (Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.

Pete's Dragon is a family-friendly film that is set to light up the big screen this August. A must-see for all Disney fans.

Pete's Dragon is released 12th August.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Free State of Jones is one of the September movies that I am looking forward to the most as Matthew McConaughey returns to the big screen.

Free State of Jones

McConaughey is one of the most in-demand and exciting actors around and Free State of Jones sees the Oscar-winner team up with filmmaker Gary Ross for the first time.

And it is McConaughey who takes centre stage in a series of fantastic new images from the film. Take a look:

Ross has brought us movies such as Seabiscuit during his career by Free State of Jones is his first feature film since The Hunger Games back in 2012.

It is great to see him back and tackling a completely different genre. As well as being in the director's chair, Ross has also penned the film's screenplay, which is inspired by the life of Newton Knight.

McConaughey will take on the role of Knight in the film, who led a rebellion army during the American Civil War.

McConaughey is joined on the cast list by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell, Mahershala Ali, Brian Lee Franklin, Jacob Lofland, and Sean Bridgers.

Free State of Jones is an epic drama set during the American Civil War and tells the story of a defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight (McConaughey), and his extraordinary rebellion against the Confederate States Army.

Bringing together an unlikely band of poor white farmers and runaway slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi, to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones.

Free State of Jones is released 30th September.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Director Zhang Yimou has hit back at 'whitewashing' claims aimed at his latest film The Great Wall.

The Great Wall

Matt Damon is set to star in the upcoming film and the first trailer for The Great Wall was released last week. But there have been calls of dismay that the 'hero' in the film is a white actor and not a Chinese star.

But in a statement released to EW, the director insists that Damon is not playing a role that was 'originally conceived' for a Chinese actor and the film brings together one of the largest Chinese casts ever to be assembled for a film.

The statement reads: "In many ways The Great Wall is the opposite of what is being suggested. For the first time, a film deeply rooted in Chinese culture, with one of the largest Chinese casts ever assembled, is being made at tent pole scale for a world audience. I believe that is a trend that should be embraced by our industry.

"Our film is not about the construction of the Great Wall. Matt Damon is not playing a role that was originally conceived for a Chinese actor. The arrival of his character in our story is an important plot point. There are five major heroes in our story and he is one of them - the other four are all Chinese. The collective struggle and sacrifice of these heroes are the emotional heart of our film.

"As the director of over 20 Chinese language films and the Beijing Olympics, I have not and will not cast a film in a way that was untrue to my artistic vision. I hope when everyone sees the film and is armed with the facts they will agree."

Zhang has brought us movies such as Hero and House of Flying Daggers during his career and The Great Wall is his first feature film since Coming Home back in 2014.

The first trailer really does promise much and it looks like it will be another sweeping epic from the filmmaker - which is something that we have come to expect from Zhang.

Andy Lau, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Lu Han, and Zhang Hanyu will all star alongside Damon.

Perhaps we should all reserve our judgment about how 'whitewashed' the movie is until we have actually seen it!!!

The Great Wall is released at the beginning of 2017.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Ranveer Singh worked on his pouting skills with Karisma Kapoor at the Mumbai International Airport last night.



The actors hung out briefly before heading to their respective boarding gates.



Close friends of Singh reveal the actor has been a huge fan of Karisma and was thrilled to meet her at the airport. An onlooker says, "Ranveer was having a fan boy moment and he wasn't even trying to suppress his excitement. He is too cool."



Photograph: Yogen Shah

Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts
The European Commission has released its third annual report on progress achieved in the Bangladeshi garment sector through the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh  an international response to the 2013 tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex.

Since the launch of the initiative, the Compact has contributed to tangible improvements in workplace safety. However, respect of workers' rights remains a challenging area, with a particular urgency as regards freedom of association, says the report.

While some improvements can be noted, sizeable efforts still need to be made to ensure that real change takes place and is sustained over the long term, according to the report.

The European Commission has released its third annual report on progress achieved in the Bangladeshi garment sector through the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh  an international response to the 2013 tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex. Since the launch of the initiative, the Compact has contributed to tangible improvements in...#

As regards to legislative improvements, the EU expects in particular further development of labour-related legislation and enforcement of the existing rules, in full compliance with the fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Those rights should be granted to all workers without exception, including to those in the export processing zones, states the report. Room for improvement also exists as regards registration procedures for new workers' unions, which should ensure expeditious and non-arbitrary processing of applications.

On administrative aspects, the report points at the need for a new strategy for safety inspections and remediation, ensuring effective coordination between key Bangladeshi regulators with competences in that area. The EU also calls for further reinforcement of administrative capacities through recruitment and training of inspectors and for a full transparency as regards the outcomes of factory inspections.

Further to that, the EU report underlines the need for continuous education, training and capacity building on issues such as labour rights, and occupational safety and health.

The report, together with recommendations addressed to the authorities of Bangladesh, also formulates the wish for a strong longer-term engagement of international private companies involved in business operations in Bangladesh, which have been key in bringing progress on the ground over the last years. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Moonbasa, a China-based ecommerce company has partnered International Trade Administration (ITA) in USA, to provide a digital platform for US brands interested in selling to the Chinese market.According to Moonbasa, this platform will offer US companies an opportunity to open a web store on Moonbasa's ecommerce platform.

Moonbasa, a China-based ecommerce company has partnered International Trade Administration (ITA) in USA, to provide a digital platform for US brands interested in selling to the Chinese market. According to Moonbasa, this platform will offer US companies an opportunity to open a web store on Moonbasa's ecommerce platform. It will also give them an...#

It will also give them an opportunity to participate in a three-day online-to-offline experience at Moonbasa's flagship digital store in Shanghai, the company said.China is a difficult market to penetrate, especially for small and medium size businesses, said, Kim-Bang Nguyen, director for the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) at ITA.We believe Moonbasa with a dedicated 'US Brand Mall' and full-service commerce solutions, is an effective way for these businesses to create a new channel of distribution in China, he added.Moonbasa is a fashion only ecommerce platform and launched a 'US Brand Mall' last year supporting more than 25 small to medium sized US brands.US brands currently selling on the site include Ocean Current, Taylor and Sage, Janet Chung, Band of Gypsies, and Halo. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR NAZHAAT.S.KHAN ON OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT





Good morning Your Excellency,On behalf of the Republic of Fiji, I commend you on the work of the Open Ended Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament and on the important steps planned to eradicate the risks of nuclear devastation on humanity. We must not allow stalemates to overwhelm us, we must push forward to rid the world of these unethical weapons that threaten us all.Fiji speaks to you all with first-hand experience of the destruction and the long lasting effects that nuclear weapons have had on its people and on its eco-system. We are still living with the repercussions today. As our Pacific Neighbour Palau stated in an earlier meeting, the Pacific region has faced the environmental and human consequences of more than 300 forced nuclear tests conducted over half a century. This regrettable history puts the Pacific in a position to voice our grievances and to support all measures that look to accomplish global zero. For the people of the Pacific nothing less than a complete prohibition on nuclear weapons, and on the trade of nuclear weapons, and concrete steps to provide effective redress for those who suffer the effects of nuclear testing and use, is acceptable. For the Pacific, this is both a moral and a legal issue. It must be a matter of conscience for those States who argue for the retention of nuclear weapons.The Zero Draft that the working group has so efficiently presented us with contains four particular objectives that Fiji endorses.Firstly, Section B detailed concrete effective legal measures within which provision 27(f) proposes recognition of the rights of victims of the use and testing of nuclear weapons and a commitment to provide assistance to victims and to environmental remediation. Pacific Islanders have suffered such contamination, and Fiji proposes further discourse on this crucial point of contention. Tribunals, such as the Nuclear Claims tribunal, have in the past been established but have failed to sufficiently compensate or provide redress for Pacific Islanders for the destruction they experienced. A cause for great concern is the silence of the offending states. They take no responsibility for the past, they do not agree to legal steps enforcing change or providing redress in the present, and make no commitments for the future. For Pacific Islanders who have lost much as a result of nuclear testing in the Pacific, such attitudes show a gross disregard for humanity.Secondly, the issue of visitation, transit, overflight, stationing and deployment specified in element six of Annex 1 requires particular focus. The Pacific Oceans geographical position and its composition makes the region particularly susceptible to these abuses. The Pacific region is not a nuclear weapons trial zone, it is not a laboratory for nuclear development and proliferation, and it surely must not be a launching pad for nuclear attacks, as the Micronesian island of Tinian was once used as, for the plane Enola Gay en route to Hiroshima in 1945.Another recommendation that Fiji supports is Section B (33) (f): the strengthening of nuclear weapon free zones and the creation of these Zones. The Pacifics own nuclear free zone established within the Rarotonga Treaty, signed by Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Western Samoa in 1985, not only represents the Pacifics strong commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons but is also evidence of the effectiveness of such a measure.Fiji also supports section (C) (43), whereby transparency measures are marked as paramount in achieving the Working Groups objective. Specifically, the establishment of a reporting mechanism that works within the framework of the United Nations is a positive step to enhance accountability, promote transparency and in turn, facilitate nuclear disarmament.Lastly, a legally binding treaty banning nuclear weapons is the ideal instrument that would fill the legal gap that nuclear disarmament negotiations have grappled with. We, and I speak for Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Samoa and Tuvalu, have submitted a Working Paper to the OEWG, for such a Treaty and its necessary elements. I propose we earnestly follow the direction towards a legally binding treaty banning nuclear weapons, for it is after all, our main objective.Your Excellency, Fiji looks forward to participating in this meeting of the Open Ended Working Group for Nuclear Disarmament.Thank you.(Friday, 5th August 2016, 10am, Conference room XIX Palais des Nations, Geneva)
VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - Fitch Ratings affirmed sovereign ratings of Austria at 'AA+' with stable outlooks late Friday. The rating agency said the economic growth is expected to remain on a steady upward trend and average 1.6 percent in 2016-17 after four years of sluggish activity. The underlying growth is forecast to pick up in 2017 as investment continues its steady recovery and net exports make a positive contribution to growth. The fiscal deficit was better than expected in 2015 at 1.1 percent of GDP compared with a 1.9 percent target, Fitch said. Further, the agency estimates Austria's fiscal policy to remain prudent, producing small primary general government surpluses during 2016-2018. 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.
OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - An Afghanistan war hero, Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Davies, serving as British Army officer, has been accused with sexually assaulting a woman soldier in Canada. Davies, 45, was arrested following an alleged incident reported to have took place on April this year in Kingston, Ontario. The officer, who was in Canada on a temporary posting, was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in the country ahead of a scheduled court appearance on 15 September. The alleged victim, the 52-year-old Canadian military officer was assaulted in her hotel room after she took part in an event to commemorate Canadian forces in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War, at Fort Frontenac. 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.
It's Friendship Day. And what better way to celebrate it than by looking at some iconic onscreen friendships? Pop culture has myriad examples that might give you and your pals #FriendshipGoals.

Now this is in no way a comprehensive list, but whenever the subject of friendship comes up, these are the names that are

Jai and Veeru

'Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge,' sang Jai and Veeru as they straddled a motorbike and went off in search of adventure. And in doing so, they entered all of our minds as the best buddy pair Bollywood was ever to offer us. Jai was quiet and broody; Veeru was all about the fun and flirting. They were the yin to the other's yang, and together, they were just the combination that was needed to take down Gabbar. When [spoiler alert if you still haven't seen Sholay] Jai dies, you know Veeru is going to be far more bereft than Radha, with whom Jai's been nursing a silent, respectful adoration. Sigh. Years later, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra enacted the song sequence on the sets of a reality show, and we must say, it made for the sappiest magic. Many are the onscreen friendships Jai and Veeru have been the basis for, including Bikram and Bala in Gunday. Do they match up? Not by a long shot, we say. (Honourable mention: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!)

Thelma and Louise

Thelma and Louise was a classic  it was a road movie, an action caper, yes; but it was also one that had two women at its core (which made it about more than just the crime and the subsequent chase that followed). Thelma and Louise are two friends who decide to take a break from their mundane lives by going off on a short road trip. But shortly into their trip, in fending off an attempted rape, they end up killing a man, and a series of circumstances forces them to flee from the law. How they stick by each other till the end will have you wiping away a discreet tear  or calling up your best friend and telling her/him how much they mean to you. (Honourable mentions for funnier friendships: Romi and Michelle; Bill and Ted. Ooh, Harold and Kumar. We'd better stop now.)

Kabir, Imran and Arjun

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was the Indian film that put Spain on top of everyone's annual holiday destination list. But apart from the stunning vistas, the Zoya Akhtar film also offered a delightful onscreen friendship between Kabir, Imran and Arjun. As three men who've taken off on a bachelor trip before one of them gets hitched, this trip offers a chance not just for them to mend old breaches in their friendship, but also to face up to their own fears about life and the future.

Joey, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe

Ah. The FRIENDS gang. So many are the times we've watched you, through endless re-runs on TV, we've got all your quirks and jokes down pat. Joey, Chandler, Monica et al weren't just each other's friends  they were also our friends (and if that makes us a little sad, in the uncool way, so be it). Admit it: How many are the quizzes you've taken that tell you which TWO characters from FRIENDS you're most like? Yup, we got Monica and Ross too. (Notable mention: the How I Met Your Mother folks)

Harry, Hermione and Ron

So the new generation  Albus and Scorpius, we're looking at you  may be competing in the 'bestest friends ever' category  but Harry, Hermione and Ron still have the edge. For one, we saw them from the time they met in the Hogwarts train (when Ron had something on his nose, as Hermione so helpfully pointed out) to the time that Hermione was trapped in the bathroom with the troll to the time when they battled the dark forces of Old Voldy together and saved the wizarding world. And then went on to become personages of some importance in the Ministry of Magic etc. (Honourable mentions for other fantasy fiction/movie characters: Gimli and Legolas; Ned  that's Lord Eddard Stark to you  and Robert Baratheon.)

Sherlock and Dr Watson

What's the point of having a most delicious mystery to solve, if you have no one to solve it with? Are we right? Sherlock would have had all his insane crime-solving adventures, and all we'd have got out of it would have been cryptic journal entries like: "The murderer wore pointed shoes, in pink, and her name is Ms X" and then nothing further. But with Dr Watson faithfully chronicling every move of his famous detective buddy, we got an insight into how Sherlock arrived at Ms X. Dr Watson is the one who humanises Sherlock  and is possibly the best PR the detective could ever hope for. (Notable mentions: Poirot and Hastings; Chahcha Chaudhry and Saboo; Mandrake and Lothar. No Batman, you and Robin don't get on here.)

Aakash, Sameer and Sid

Dil Chahta Hai! What can we say about this ode to dosti that hasn't been said already. After what felt like ages, young urban audiences in India had characters they could identify with and relate to. Aakash, Sameer and Sid could have been you or me (well, if you or me had very rich parents) and their misadventures together made for fun viewing. Their friendship is momentarily blindsided because of Aakash's immaturity when talking about Sid's relationship with an older woman, but what's a dosti that doesn't overcome the odd argument or two right?

Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda

Sex And The City gave us this remarkable girl gang, and boy, were we pleased! Carrie, Sam, Charlotte and Miranda navigated the travails and triumphs of being independent young (and later not so young) women in the city of New York, and they did it with sophistication and style. They did it without being apologetic about the choices they were making, or why. They were also a pretty fun bunch, and stuck by each other through career shifts, boyfriends, break-ups, family issues, money issues and more. (Honourable mention: the gang from Girls.)

Starsky and Hutch

Starsky and Hutch. Hutch and Starsky. What we'd give for a sight of them doing their "dragon act" for Big Earl. or of them loitering around the locker room in their very short towels. Or mistakenly shooting a hapless pony (no real animals were harmed in the shooting, the shooting of that scene, or in writing that sentence). A toast  to Starsky and Hutch!

There were so many more iconic friendships we could think of  Professor X and Magneto before Magneto went wonky, Buzz Lightyear and Woody, but time and Friendships's Day is running out. We hope you've found enough inspiration here to call up your best bud, set up a lunch (or dinner, or drinks) date and look back over the awesome time you've had.

We'll be doing the same.

Cheers!
A debt-ridden senior supermarket employee gets involved with a street ruffian, with unforeseen consequences.

A little girl befriends a slumkid and is surprised by how those around her respond to him.

A doting housewife on a tight budget is offered a way out of her financial troubles and dull life, but is disappointed by her familys reaction to the opportunity.

A brilliant, level-headed college student starts living beyond his means when he falls for a beautiful, rich young woman, but is taken aback by her take on their relationship.

Multi-strand films work best when they are bound by a solid common theme, irrespective of whether the threads run parallely or eventually tie up, and irrespective of whether that tie is strong or tenuous. Ask Paul Haggis, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu or right here at home, Anand Gandhi. There is no such theme in writer-director Chandra Sekhar Yeletis Vismayam, unless you count a laboured point about discovering ourselves and humanity through unexpected learning experiences and miraculous occurrences, as implied by the title, which means awe/wonderment or bewilderment among other things in Malayalam.

That thematic link is so unconvincing that it feels like a contrivance. Even Yeleti does not seem committed to it. The entire film seems driven instead by the goal of revealing what connects the four individuals pivotal to the four stories, as if this were a thriller. The revelation comes through an inexorably long, melodramatised climactic scene in which you can guess the connection from a mile away, but the director stretches and stretches that mile beyond endurance.

The climax is not the films only problem though. Vismayams grand ambitions are backed by poor execution. Despite the heft in the story of the supermarket manager played by Mohanlal, the remaining segments are insubstantial, silly and further pulled down by mediocre acting.

Mohanlal is M Sairam, a middle-class man in Hyderabad constantly struggling to make both ends meet. When the prospect of a promotion looms on the horizon, his desperation drives him to indulge in uncharacteristic behaviour. Here is the thing though: the results of our actions have a life of their own, the world is unpredictable, human beings are volatile, and we should never assume we can steer anyone but ourselves especially when we adopt a path of evil. Question is: When matters go out of hand, and Sairam finds himself pulled deeper and deeper into a quagmire, will the situation bring out the best or the worst in him?

As Sairam, Lalettan reminds us why he is considered one of contemporary Indian cinemas best actors. His performance embodies the inner conflicts of an inherently good person torn between idealistic philosophies and practical constraints. It is always a joy to watch him in a film where he is unfettered by overtly commercial considerations.

The story of Sairam in Vismayam might have worked wonderfully as a standalone film. The manner in which events spiral out of control is believable, even the supporting cast is well chosen and the director has complete command over his written material here.

The same cannot be said of the remaining three. Veteran Gautami as the housewife Gayathri is hampered by inadequate writing. There are some laughs to be derived from the shenanigans of her shopaholic, freebie-aholic friend Lakshmi (played by Urvashi  why oh why dont we see her more often and in more significant roles?) but the comedic touch unintentionally lends a somewhat frivolous note to Gayathri. Besides, Yeleti is obviously disinterested in an important concern raised by Gayathris former teacher, about a brilliant female student losing herself in an identityless existence as a housewife.

The strand about the little girl Mahitha and her poverty-ridden friend has great potential, but suffers because Raina Rao is a limited actress, the proceedings lack logic and the unrelenting effort to drive home the extent of Mahithas kindness is tiresome. Okay, we get it  she has a golden heart and a sweet face. What next? Move on, for Chrissake!

Mohanlal is M Sairam, a middle-class man in Hyderabad constantly struggling to make both ends meet. When the prospect of a promotion looms on the horizon, his desperation drives him to indulge in uncharacteristic behaviour.

The worst of the quartet though is the one involving Abhi (Viswant Duddumpudi) who is smitten at sight by pretty Aira (Anisha Ambrose). Duddumpudi lacks a screen presence. The far more charismatic Ambrose is the victim of a poorly fleshed out character whose motivations are never revealed to us. Their story is senseless and puerile.

Since Abhi hides his financial circumstances from Aira and since Aira is open with him about her feelings and her goals right from the start, it is unfair that an effort is made to subtly paint her either as a classist snob or a tease or at best a superficial creature. Without putting it in words, by drawing us into Abhis life while skimming over Aira, Vismayam builds her up as a certain type of woman who is derided by our society and cinema, the type who enslaves a hapless, innocent man with her beauty, then abandons the bechara fellow for a better deal or for her ambitions  OMGoodness, how dare a woman have any! The film also appears to view the mere fact of being wealthy with suspicion. None of this is stated clearly. Yeleti reveals himself though with the juxtaposition of Aira against Gayathri: the spirited, well-off youngster with a professional dream for herself versus the middle-class, sacrificing Mommy who turned her back on her impressive academic track record and now has dreams only for her husband and children.

Yeleti has made Vismayam simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu. The Telugu version is called Manamantha. Both have been released across India this week. There is also a dubbed Tamil version titled Namadhu. This review is based on a viewing of the Malayalam film.

Vismayam is yawn inducing and flimsy, patriarchal, populist and contrived. For a film that views the moneyed classes with suspicion, it seems hypocritical that it repeatedly bows to Mammon through numerous product placements. The bow to Narendra Modi too is unmistakable. That elongated finale is the low point in an already dreary narrative. Sairam (an MCP though he is) and Mohanlal make it tolerable. Without them it would have been insufferable. It is almost as if the writer-director wrapped up the portions involving his male superstar, then handed over the reins  of the casting, writing and direction for the rest  to someone else. Yawn.
Adani's controversy-hit $21.7 billion Carmichael coal mine project in Australia faced another legal hurdle after a court on Friday launched a judicial review of the Queensland government's approval to one of the world's largest coal mines projects, with the Indian-mining giant describing the case as "delaying tactics".

Conservation group Coast and Country (C&C), which had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court for a judicial review, argued that the state government's approval to the Indian mining giant's project was not made lawfully and should be overturned.

A one-day hearing as part of a judicial review was held at Brisbane Supreme Court today, Queensland Times reported.

The green group's spokesperson Derec Davies said, "C&C is of the view that the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection made an error of law and did not comply with an important environmental obligation when approving construction of one of the world's biggest coal mines."

He said the department failed in its obligation under state Environmental Protection Act to determine whether its decision would best achieve ecologically sustainable development.

CEO of Environmental Defenders Office Queensland (EDO Qld), the state's non-profit community legal centre for environment and lawyers forC&C, Jo-Anne Bragg said, "The licence, called an environmental authority, was granted by the state government department on February 2,2016, and is one of two main Queensland Government licences the project for Central Queensland's Galilee Basin needed before it could commence operation."

"Our government is entrusted by the community to make lawful decisions, yet an examination of the reasons for deciding to grant this licence has revealed they failed to comply with Section 5 of Queensland's Environmental Protection Act (EP Act). This is a matter of law and it is very important government gets it right," Bragg said.

He said Friday's judicial review was an opportunity for the lawfulness of the government's decision-making on this matter to be scrutinised by the independent Supreme Court of Queensland.

"This judicial review follows, but is a separate legal proceeding from, a Land Court recommendation in late 2015 for tighter conditions to protect the endangered Black-Throated Finch. Last year, that Land Court case also exposed Adani's over inflated job figures to be 1,464 net jobs instead of the company's claimed 10,000 jobs," Bragg said.

Issuing asharp response to the latest legal hurdle, Adani company in a statement said, "The suggestion by serial litigant Land Services of Coast and Country in statements that a five-year approvals process is rushed, or that approvals sought and given under successive governments of both political persuasions is anti-democratic, or that the government has erred in applying the legislation, defies common sense.

"At the heart of this approach is their consistent attempt not to seek their day in court, but years in court. Plainly, this politically-motivated, activist-led challenge is designed to delay the benefits of Adani's Carmichael mine that will flow to workers and communities in central and north Queensland crying out for job-creating major projects such as the company's mine, rail and port projects to proceed," the statement said.

The statement further stressed that the company would not be deterred by such"delaying tactics", and once these challenges are resolved, it would stand ready to build its long term future with Queensland and expressed confidence in state and federal processes.

Adani's project has been hampered time and again since its launch six years ago.

A federal court in August last year had revoked the original approval due to environmental concerns. In October last year, the project got a new lease of life after the Australian government gave its re-approval.
In more trouble for Vijay Mallya, Delhi's Patiala House Courts issued non-bailable warrants against the liquor baron on Saturday, in the 2012 cheque-bounce case filed against him by the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.

Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand passed the order for bringing Mallya in court on 4 November, with the direction that the non-bailable warrant be sent to him by Ministry of External Affairs as he is reportedly in London.

Delhi's Patiala House Court asks Ministry of External Affairs to send non bailable warrant to Vijay Mallya as he is in London.  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

The court said, "Despite repeated orders Vijay Mallya hasn't appeared in Court. Need to take coercive steps to ensure his appearance in Court."

They also said that it is inevitable for the state machinery to intervene, to ensure Mallya's presence during the summons.

Delhi's Patiala House Court issues non-bailable warrants against Vijay Mallya in a cheque bounce case.  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

The trial court had summoned Mallya as accused following a complaint by GMR-led Delhi International Airport (DIAL), which operates the Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, claiming that a cheque for Rs one crore issued by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) on 22 February, 2012 was returned to them a month later containing remarks "fund insufficient".

DIAL had filed four cases in June 2012 against Mallya over Kingfisher Airline's cheques totalling Rs 7.5 crore not being honoured.

The airline had issued the cheque for using the facilities at the airport for the flights.

As per GMR counsel, a total of 17 cases have been filed against Kingfisher Airlines in different courts over outstanding amount of Rs 22.5 crore which it owes to GMR and the cases are in different stages of trial.

GHIAL had in October 2012 withdrawn a case over 'bounced' cheques against Mallya after the airline agreed to pay the outstanding amount due to the airport operator.

However, Kingfisher made only a part of the payment and defaulted on the rest, prompting the airport operator to approach the court.

Mallya has defaulted on payment of loans to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore to various banks.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had also refused to quash summons issued by a trial court against Mallya.

In the High Court, a lawyer handling Mallya's case had alleged that the liquor baron was not involved in the daily affairs of Kingfisher Airlines, and thus could not be held liable in the cases filed. But the court had refused to quash the summon.

With input from agencies
RIO DE JANEIRO Unflappable American teenager Virginia Thrasher won the first gold medal of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Saturday, holding her nerve against two Chinese Olympic champions to clinch the women's 10m air rifle event.

The 19-year-old U.S. college champion edged out China's Du Li, gold in Athens in 2004, with an Olympic-record score of 208 in the sport's new finals format. Defending Olympic champion Yi Siling, also of China, took the bronze medal.

Competing in her first Olympics, Thrasher, as the first champion of the 2016 Games, was awarded her medal by International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach and said the achievement was beyond her wildest dreams.

The youngest of the eight finalists by several years, Thrasher established an early lead after battling with the Russian shooter Daria Vdovina, who stumbled midway through the competition and finished fifth.

"About halfway through when I took the lead it kind of became clear to me that I was in contention for a medal, but I quickly pushed that thought away and focused on breathing and taking one shot at a time," Thrasher said.

Thrasher learned to love shooting while hunting deer with her grandfather when she was in eighth grade.

"I got my first deer and I liked the adrenaline of pulling the trigger," she said.

She then joined her high school air rifle team and was recruited by West Virginia University, where she became a national collegiate champion as a freshman this year.

With her non-nonsense style, Thrasher seemed unfazed by her seasoned field and consistently scored in the 10 points target area over the 20 rounds.

Afterwards, she noted that she had not attended the Olympics' opening ceremony Friday night and had instead gone to bed early for her Olympic debut.

Like all American shooters, Thrasher faced the inevitable question of what she thinks about gun control in the United States, a hot-button issue in this election year.

She responded matter of factly that the controversy over guns in America "really is just distracting from our sport, which is very different."

(Reporting by Mary Milliken; Editing by Ossian Shine, Clare Fallon and Brian Homewood)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Guwahati: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday summoned as an accused by a magisterial court to face trial in a criminal defamation case for his remarks against the RSS over temple entry episode in Barpeta last year.

Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika summoned Gandhi on 21 September to face trial under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code which states, whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

Earlier on 2 August, the court had deferred for Saturday its decision whether to issue summons against the Congress vice president as an "accused" in the criminal defamation case here.

An RSS volunteer Anjan Bora had filed the criminal defamation case against Gandhi in the CJM, Kamrup's court alleging that he had tarnished the organisation's image by saying that he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastry, in Assam on 12 December, 2015.

Bora in his case claimed that Gandhi was supposed to go to the Satra on 12 December, 2015 but he did not go there and instead took part in a padayatra. Two days later on December 14, Gandhi told a press conference in Delhi that he tried to enter the Satra but was instead prevented from doing so by its elected members and RSS supporters, Bora stated in his case.

Describing the Congress leader's assertion as a "blatant lie", Bora said in his petition that a lot of people including women and elected leaders of the Satra were waiting for Gandhi but he never visited the holy place.

Bora alleged that by making his claim in Delhi, Gandhi had brought down the image of RSS in society. The court had examined several witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the situation in the Valley which he termed as "heart breaking" and "worrying".

"Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?" Omar wrote on twitter late last night.

Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here? https://t.co/WdcFlceviy  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 5, 2016

He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests on Friday.

The opposition National Conference working president had on Saturday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.

"1 (one) more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that 'things are

improving'. Wow!" Omar wrote.

In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partnersPDP and BJPwho agreed with this stand.

"Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!" he said.

Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the valley except the BJPDP ostriches who agree! https://t.co/OhaXbo864G  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 5, 2016

The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the outbreak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July.

It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on 9 July to 11 on 3 August.

With yesterday's three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday visited the Gauhati Medical College Hospital to inquire about the health of the five seriously injured persons in the NDFB(S) attack that killed 14 people and injured 21 others at Balajan Tiniali market.

The chief minister met the seriously injured people, including a six-year old boy, and directed the doctors to provide advance healthcare to the victims. Later, he told reporters that doctors had informed him that all the injured were out of danger.

When asked what action his administration would be taking against the extremist outfit and their subversive activities, the chief minister said, "My government is bound to protect the life and property of the people. My government has given directions to the security forces to take strong action against the militants."

When questioned about the identity of the perpetrators, Sonowal said, "evidences show NDFB (Songbijit) is involved". Senior minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that 14 of the injured were rushed to the nearby Barpeta Medical College Hospital and five of them were sent to the GMCH.

Stating that seven others were in the Kokrajhar Civil Hospital, he said they along with those in Barpeta were out of danger. The slain militant who had lobbed a grenade before opening indiscriminate firing was identified as Anjoy Islary alias Monjoy and he was the self-styled commanding officer of the NDFB(S), Sarma said.

The insurgent was identified from his photo in police records and DNA tests would be conducted to establish his identity beyond doubt, he added.
On Saturday a four member Guwahati NIA team visited Kokrajhar to take stock of the situation in Assam where 14 civilians were killed after gunmen opened fire in a crowded weekly market. One of the attackers was killed in retaliatory action by security forces and has reportedly been identified as Monjoy Islari, a member of National Democratic Front of Bodoland- Songbijit (NDFB-S), reported CNN-News18.

#BREAKING | Guwahati NIA team visits Kokrajhar to take stock of the Assam terror attack situation, reports @SubhajitSG  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2016

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited Kokrajhar immediately after the incident said, "Although the family members have identified the slain NDFB commander, we are going to go for DNA test to ascertain his identity scientifically."

On Friday, a group of heavily armed militants dressed in army fatigues had opened indiscriminate fire in a crowded market place and lobbed grenades killing 14 civilians. CNN-News18 has an exclusive video of the attackers right before they started firing.

#BREAKING | CNN-News18's @SubhajitSG accesses exclusive image of Assam terrorists just before Kokrajhar attack pic.twitter.com/aK0YUbrdDn  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2016

A high alert was sounded across the state following the carnage, reported Hindustan Times. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was in Delhi when the incident happened, rushed to Guwahati to hold a high level review meeting with senior police officers and bureaucrats.

He condemned the attack and said that the militants will be dealt with very sternly. "We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups," he said.

I condemn the dastardly attack on innocent people by terrorists in Kokrajhar town which resulted in deaths of 12 people & injury to scores.  Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 5, 2016

The indiscriminate firing on innocent people is cowardly and dastardly and those responsible would be dealt with very sternly.  Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 5, 2016

He announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of the dead, Rs one lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 to those who sustained minor injuries in the attack.

Sonowal directed police officials to continue ongoing operations against NDFB-S and nab the two militants who managed to escape after the Kokrajhar attack. He also appealed to people across the state to remain vigilant and maintain communal peace and harmony.

The Assam government had also sent seven companies of additional forces to Kokrajhar district to help the existing forces in carrying out the operations against the militants and also to instill a sense of security among the people of the district.

The chief minister visited Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to take stock of the injured who were shifted to Guwahati Friday night along with Sarma. "The doctors here informed us that their condition is improving. We have instructed security forces to go all out against the militants. We are committed to providing security to the lives and property of the people," he said.

Guwahati: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal meets victims of Kokrajhar (Assam) terror attack at the hospital. pic.twitter.com/0QWjaXZC2J  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Home Ministry was in touch with the Assam government and is monitoring the situation closely. "Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured," he tweeted.

Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2016

The Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government & is monitoring the situation closely. @HMOIndia  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2016

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Sonowal and said that the Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation.

Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal who apprised me of the situation in Kokrajhar. MHA is closely monitoring the situation.  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 5, 2016

Congress President Sonia Gandhi described the attack as "mindless and dastardly" and said the perpetrators of such acts should be dealt with in the "severest possible manner".

As suspected by the Assam DGP, the attack was carried out by NDFB-S, according to recent reports. It is one of the largest insurgent group active in the region with more than 300 cadres in its folds.

NDFB-S was formed in 2012 and was one of the strongest voices in the anti-peace talk factions, and has been a target of the Indian security forces since then. The group vows not to rest until it has a separate Bodoland.

Since 2012, the group has indulged in multiple attacks and killed over 200 people.

With input from agencies
Nagpur: Under its new DGP, Maharashtra Police is working on a two-pronged strategy of improving intelligence gathering about terror groups and connecting better with citizens.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is also being equipped with modern gadgets and a strategy is being firmed up to effectively counter propaganda from outfits like Islamic State, said Satish Mathur, who took over as DGP a week ago.

"As a first step, police personnel will visit each and every household in their jurisdiction to connect with people to get real-time intelligence inputs from society about anti- social and terror activities," he told reporters last night.

"At another level, ATS will be equipped with modern gadgets to counter any emergency situation," he said.

On his maiden visit as DGP to Nagpur, Mathur said a strategy is being readied to counter propaganda of Islamic State and will be implemented soon.

In an effort to improve policing and re-establish their connect with people, the DGP said, "every personnel will inquire from citizens about their grievances and leave his/ her phone number with them. This baby step will have a huge positive impact on society.

"This will not only improve the image of police but also strengthen intelligence gathering network."

On tackling Naxal threat, the 1981-batch IPS officer said police have gained upper hand in their fight against Maoists, who are active in a few districts of Vidarbha. Covert and overt operations will be launched to further weaken them.

"Two types of operations would be launched against Naxals  secret and open. Armed Out-Posts (AOPs) are being increased in Gadchiroli district to enlarge police presence there.

"Also, financial aid is being provided to the families of policemen martyred during Naxal operations," said Mathur.

New safety equipment are being procured to protect policemen operating in the Naxal-hit areas, said the DGP, who will have a 22-month tenure.

Mathur said his other priorities include increasing transparency in policing, improving service delivery and providing better working condition to police staff.

"Transparency would be increased in the department. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will soon address the top police brass," said Mathur.
Two labourers were reportedly beaten to death by policemen at a checkpoint in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh for refusing to give a bribe of Rs 100.

Mainpuri (UP): 2 labourers allegedly beaten to death by policemen for refusing to give a bribe of Rs 100 pic.twitter.com/ugpFEA3xpI  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 6, 2016

The postmortem report of the two men, identified as Dileep Yadav and Pankaj Yadav, has confirmed that they died due to injuries sustained by them during an assault, reported The Times of India. The police, however, had initially claimed that the two men died after drowning in a pond while running from the cops.

Devranjan Verma, SP of Mainpuri district, has assured that strict action will be taken against the culprits and an FIR has already been registered. Three policemen and two home guards have been booked, reported NDTV.

We are probing and registering an FIR, action will be taken against the culprits: Devranjan Verma (SP, Mainpuri) pic.twitter.com/iUsOrZNa2r  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 6, 2016

The complaint was lodged by a relative of one of the two men. He claimed that four labourers, including the deceased, were travelling in a truck loaded with bricks when it was stopped at a check post near Kosma crossing at around 4.30 am on Friday.

The police demanded a bribe of Rs 100 but, the driver of the truck refused to comply. The two labourers along with the driver fled from the scene. Dileep and Pankaj were however, caught by the police and their bodies were discovered in a nearby pond at about 10.30 am, according to reports.

Following the incident, angry villagers blocked traffic on the main road and beat up two policemen who had reached the area to control the situation.
Dar ke aage jeet hai. That's a tagline that Mountain Dew perhaps popularised with its numerous incredulous advertisements. For some though, the line is not just a smart piece of carefully crafted words but something in which they see real meaning. And one such person is Nidhi Chaphekar.

"I am sure that rules are made to make things better. Human beings must be messiahs of kindness. I would try to change how they treat people in prison. We should try to get a smile on people's face. I can't forgive the terrorists, but help reform them. Revenge is not the answer, love must be taught," Chaphekar told CNN-News18 in an interview.

Had one not been from the list of her family and friends, very few would have known about Chaphekar, the Jet Airways flight attendant who became the face of global terror after she miraculously survived the deadly blasts at the Zaventem Airport in Brussels on 22 March this year. More so, after the picture that was shot by photojournalist Ketavan Kardava after the attack clearly showed her in a state of shock.

Emerging from a state of extreme physical and mental trauma, today Chaphekar is a better person than she was. And this is what she had to say, "I have always been a very positive person. I take things as challenges. I am a more positive person after the terror attack. I have become more easy going, life is too short."

These lines of optimism have not come easy if the clock is rewound to the fateful March day. The Jet Airways stewardess was horrified when she was shown her own picture at the Brussels hospital where she was admitted. A lurking fear soon gripped her if she would be acceptable to her near and dear ones again.

"I was afraid of being accepted after seeing my face (after the blast). It was like there was a blast on your face. How am I going to do my job? How will my kids accept me?" an emotional Chaphekar told CNN-News18 about the most challenging period of her life so far.

Like it did many others, the picture that Kardava had clicked stunned her too. But beyond the gory details that froze the moments of blood and shredded clothes together, the picture also had a hidden message to her family.

"I was stunned to look at my picture in the newspapers. My face was in agony, in pain. It was like there was no life which is being covered. All other aspects were shown but the human factor," Chaphekar told CNN-News18. "It was also a message to my family that I was alive," she said.

The bloody "boom" she heard in March will perhaps ring in her ears forever. However, beyond the deeply distressing experience she endured in the last six months, the Jet Airways staffer discovered the true meaning of life literally escaping from the jaws of death. She discovered love, affection, goodness and the power of prayer.

"We have different cultures. Gods may be different but prayers are the same," Chaphekar said.

The perfectionist she is, Chaphekar is already "missing work, (and) can't wait to get back." But she has also realised, life is not about work alone, it has to be interspersed with some mauj masti (fun).

"My kids are proud of my survival story," she said.

Until she taxis again on a new flight to another destination, life has already taken off from a different runway for the better.
Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Anantnag and Shopian districts of south Kashmir on Saturday even as curfew continued in many parts of the Valley and normal life remained paralysed for the 29th consecutive day.

21 people were injured in violence in Chee in Anantnag when protesters staged a rally, a police official said, adding that the security forces used various crowd control measures to disperse the protesters. Protesters pelted stones at a police post at Herpora in Shopian but there were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the incident so far, he added.

Curbs on movement of people had to be extended on Saturday in view of fresh violence in some parts of the Valley on Friday which left three persons dead and over 150 others injured, the official said.

Just as the valley was limping back to normalcy, on Friday, fresh violence broke out taking the death toll to 54 while over 6,000 people have been injured in the recent bout of violence, following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July.

Apprising the press of the situation, a police officer said, "Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar  Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo  as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," a police official said.

He said curfew was also in force in four towns of Budgam district  Chadoora, Khansahib, Magam and Budgam , Anantnag town and Khanpora area of Baramulla district.

"Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley," the official said. He said the curbs on movement of people had to be extended today in view of fresh violence in some parts of the Valley on Friday which left three persons dead and over 150 others injured.

Meanwhile, criticising the Centre over the continued violence, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said the situation in the valley is "heart breaking" and "worrying." He also questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the Kashmir issue despite the administration's failed attempt to curb the violence.

Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here? https://t.co/WdcFlceviy  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 5, 2016

Taking a dig at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving, Abdullah twweted out on Friday, "(one) more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that 'things are improving'. Wow!"

1 more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the centre tells the Hon SC that "things are improving" Wow!!!! https://t.co/GQaBJetdEl  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 5, 2016

The Centre had on Friday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the outrebrak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July. It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on 9 July to 11 on 3 August.

In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners  PDP and BJP  who agreed with this stand.

"Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!" he said.

Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the valley except the BJPDP ostriches who agree! https://t.co/OhaXbo864G  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) August 5, 2016

Normal life remained disrupted due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike. Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads.

The attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said. Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred.

The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till 12 August.

With inputs from PTI
Politics appeared to have played out paradoxically this week: You could see some of our politicians walking a tight rope along predictable, trodden path in poll-bound states listlessly, while in sharp contrast, there were some others who took the path-breaking, glorious initiatives hitherto rarely seen on the Indian political landscape.

Lets get a feel of the second point, which is certainly more important  and perhaps even newsier  first. It was heartening to know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost no time in getting in touch with an ailing Sonia Gandhi. Acting upon the information that Sonias health had deteriorated at Varanasi airport, the otherwise unseen hands of the Prime Ministers Office put the Armys Research and Referral Hospital at the ready.

Firstposts Ajay Singh, who broke this story first, wrote in his copy that the Prime Minister personally spoke to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, asked him to rush to the hospital and ensure that everything was alright.

Even more importantly, Prime Minister Modi made it clear to Parrikar that media queries on Sonias health were to be avoided at all costs. And the hospital authorities werent supposed to issue any health bulletin. The Prime Ministers message was clear: Nothing should be done that could even remotely infringe on the privacy of the Gandhi family. If at all a health bulletin had to be issued, it could be only at the familys call  and not the governments." No speculations and no hush-hush words.

Ajay Singh further wrote in his copy: "Modis minute to minute monitoring of the health of a bitter political rival is worth noting for two reasons: One, though not new, this tradition of civility in personal relations of public figures seemed to have almost evaporated in the last few decades of fractious politics. And two, it was some sort of a signal  unknown to public on Tuesday last  for the unfolding of one of the biggest acts of political reconciliation in the Rajya Sabha the following day."

Indeed, the ice was broken and it was there for all to see in the Upper House of the Parliament. The smooth passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill on GST might have surprised many doubting Thomases. But it is now a reality. You would now agree that even in politics humane gestures with a healing touch can works wonders. Hats off to Modis uncharacteristic outreach for a change!

Now, lets discuss what the run-of-the-mill types have been doing this week elsewhere. Aping the Congress tradition of yesteryear, the BJP high command virtually nominated for chief ministers chair, 61-year-old Vijay Rupani and not Nitin Patel.

Nothing against Rupani, but all those who know Gujarat politics like the back of their palm were left in little doubt at the end of it all that the new incumbent was a nominated general. Rupani was selected  and not elected  because of his proximity to Amit Shah. The elaborate show at the BJP legislature party meeting was just a spectacle meant to be beamed across for public consumption. Thats all. Nothing else.

It remains to be seen if the BJP, which has been at the receiving end of the Patidar and Dalit agitations, can bounce back and promise victory in 2017. This apart, its no secret that the Aam Aadmi Party has been breathing down their neck of late. Remember, the ruling party had fared badly at the civic elections not too long ago. And, like it or not, Arvind Kejriwal, is slated to visit the state later this month. Already, the grapevine has it that some BJP legislators might join the AAP.

In another poll bound state, Uttar Pradesh, things moved on the dotted lines with Mayawati continuing to espouse the cause of dalits from Lucknow to Una routinely and Akhilesh Yadav attacking those who attacked him for law and order failure.

Can you believe it that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who has been facing flak in the wake of the Bulandshahar gangrape, accused the opposition parties of tutoring the survivors? "If they want a CBI probe, I am ready to concede it . But tell me what are the BJP and other opposition party people telling the victims inside the room. You should also investigate it," the chief minister said and almost seemed to defend what his cabinet colleague, Azam Khan, had said earlier.

The Congress, on its part, was busy doing the road show in Varanasi. The road show was indeed a magnificent spectacle by all accounts. The query that remained unanswered, however, was that whether the lakhs of Banarasi Babus who had lined up along the eight-kilometre long route would turn up as Congress voters in the ensuing elections.

Behind the smokescreen of all the optics there was hardly any change in the ground realities in Uttar Pradesh: the BSP and the SP continue to occupy the first two spots while the BJP and the Congress seem to be struggling to retain their third and fourth positions.
New Delhi: In a left-handed compliment for Vijay Rupani after he was chosen as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat, Congress on Friday said one must "appreciate his courage for agreeing to steer a sinking ship".

"Congratulate Sh Vijay Rupani on becoming CM Gujarat. Must appreciate his courage for agreeing to steer a sinking ship. Best wishes (sic)," senior Congress leader Ahmad Patel said on Twitter.

Congratulate Sh Vijay Rupani on becoming CM Gujarat.Must appreciate his courage for agreeing to steer a sinking ship. Best wishes  Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) August 5, 2016

Rupani, a Amit Shah loyalist, was chosen to succeed Anandiben Patel, pipping Nitin Patel who was considered a sure pick for the top job in the poll-bound state.

Patel, seen as the front runner for the top slot after Anandiben offered to resign, was made deputy Chief Minister. It is for the first time that Gujarat will have a deputy chief minister.

The decision to make Rupani the chief minister and Patel, the incumbent health minister, his deputy was taken at hectic parleys involving BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was assigned as the party's observer.
Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday asserted that there were no difference of opinion between his ministry and Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

"There is no clash between the Lt Governor and the ministry," he said.

He said the LG and the ministry were functioning within the powers demarcated for them in the Constitution. Hence, there were no room for any difference of opinion.

Addressing reporters in Puducherry, the Chief Minister said there was a vast difference in the constitutional provisions governing the administration of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

"We have separate provision in the Constitution relating to Puducherry and the rules framed under the Union Territories Act 1963 were also different and hence one should not contend that both Delhi and Puducherry Union Territories were on equal footing," he said.

Replying to a question whether conferment of statehood for Puducherry would clear the scenario as far as powers for elected ministry were concerned, he said his government and Congress insisted that Puducherry should be granted special category status.

Special category status would ensure that the Centre provided 90 percent of the budgetary requirements of Puducherry by way of grants while the remaining 10 percent could be mobilised by the state government.

Asked about his reported warning to government employees that they would be dismissed if they come late, he said he has never made any critical comments against government staff although his intention was that the employees should be punctual in turning up at their workplace.

"I have great regard for government staff and a section of the media has come out with misleading reports intending to cause a wedge between me and the government employees," he said.

Narayanasamy said he had already requested the Union Finance Minister to ensure that none of the provisions of the GST bill hit the economy and revenue base of Puducherry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to reach out to citizens through his first-ever 'townhall' style event on 6 August. The event, which marks the two-year anniversary of MyGov (the governments citizen-engagement platform), is going to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi.

PM to participate in MyGov Town Hallhttps://t.co/pxmd34BwFQ via NMApp  PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 6, 2016

The event will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the 'Do, Discuss and Disseminate' theme of MyGov and will culminate in the first ever townhall address by the Prime Minister. The MyGov portal was launched by PM Modi in 2014.

A new PMO app, to enable mobile users to connect with the Prime Minister's website, will also be launched at the mega event. PM Modi's session, scheduled between and 5 and 6 pm, is the showstopper in a day-long programme. The townhall will also see top ministers also engage with people in sessions.

"The Prime Minister will talk about the concept of citizen engagement, MyGov, the response to this participative governance initiative and how he sees the platform evolving," MyGov Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gaurav Dwivedi said. He said a process is already on to short-list those who will get to interact with Modi. "They would be selected from among the regular users of MyGov, based on their ideas, level of engagement, questions and suggestions," he added.

The session will open at 10 am and will be anchored by Information and Technology Minister Ravishankar Prasad and the sessions just before the Prime Minister speaks will feature Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The townhall address will also see launch of new MyGov initiatives and distribution of awards to winners of MyGov contests  Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Duties of a Citizen, Governance Quiz and India Africa Quiz.

The event is expected to see participation of various ministers and senior government officials, which will be inaugurated by IT Minister Ravishankar Prasad and will have four sessions. The first session 'Do' will cover contests on design innovation, eGreetings as also volunteering, poll and survey functionalities of MyGov while the second one 'Discuss' will see officials and MyGov contributors in an interactive discussion on brainstorming ideas and sharing experiences.

The third session will invite fresh ideas for improving user experience, introducing new features for the platform and the panel for this includes social media representatives, MyGov users, Members of Parliament who have contributed to MyGov, and senior officials of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, and NIC.

The fourth session will cover the 'Disseminate' theme and focus on #TransformingIndia website, eSampark portal and MyGov live events as the channel of government communication with citizens.

With inputs from IANS and PTI
New Delhi: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday charged Congress party of "adopting double standards and

shedding crocodile tears" on Andhra Pradesh special status' issue and sought to know why the UPA government "delayed the

process till 2014" after it promised to create the separate state 10 years back.

"Congress party and its leaders are now raising a hue and cry inside and outside Parliament for the sake of publicity on the issue. Why did the UPA government fail to grant special category status to successor state of Andhra Pradesh when it bifurcated the united state by incorporating the same in AP Reorganisation Bill?" he asked.

Naidu said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should give a "straight answer" on this before raising questions on BJP.

Singh had asked the Rajya Sabha on Saturday to fulfill the commitments made by him in this regard over two years back as the House took up a private member bill on the issue.

Naidu claimed that Congress party had promised to create a separate state way back in 2004 and sought to know "why did the UPA government delay the process until 2014".

He also alleged that Congress party was "solely responsible" for the death of over 1,000 youth who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana, the state which was carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

"Just before the 2014 elections, the UPA government hastily brought the AP Reorganisation Bill and rendered gross injustice to people of Andhra Pradesh. Why did Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi not raise the issue of granting special status to AP in Parliament at that time?

"What is the rationale behind bringing a bill while in opposition, but not doing so when in power? Congress must give straight answersthe accused have no moral right to point a finger at others. It will be good if they remember this," he said.

Naidu also asked Congress to remember the statement of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily, who he claimed, had opposed giving tax exemptions and special concessions to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Parliament by stating that there would be flight of capital and industries from the neighbouring states.

"It is time for the Congress to stop adopting double standardsshedding crocodile tearsand speaking with a forked tongue. It should answer as to what it did when in power on the issues being raised now," he said.

Naidu said the NDA government has fulfilled most of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act and Finance Minister is "attending to rest" and already stated that a solution would be be soon found to the "satisfaction of everybody".

On Polavaram project too, he said the Congress party had promised to promulgate an ordinance, but "failed" to implement the assurance when in power.
Brussels: A machete-wielding man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest) wounded two female cops in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday before being shot, local police said.

One of the policewomen was taken to hospital with "deep wounds to the face" while the other was slightly injured, Belga news agency said.

The incident took place outside the main police station. The attacker later died of his wounds.

"The death of the machete attacker is confirmed," Charleroi police said on their Twitter account, adding that the two wounded officers were out of danger.

Belgium has been on high security alert for months since suicide bombers hit Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union's institutions on 22 March, killing 32 people. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

Separately on 30 July, Belgian authorities charged a 33-year-old man, identified as Nourredine H., with attempting to commit "terrorist murder" and "taking part in the activities of a terrorist organisation."

Belgium was also a springboard for the Islamic State cell which carried out the 13 November, 2015 attacks in Paris which killed 130 people, investigators say.
London: In one of his first policy shifts since coming to office, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has lifted a ban on gay pride rainbow flags being flown at embassies and high commissions across the world.

Former Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond last year came under fire when he ordered British embassies to abide by a policy that blocks any flag other than the Union Jack being flown, preventing them from flying a rainbow flag for pride, PinkNews reported.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings can fly the rainbow flag in order to mark relevant international days such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and locally relevant events, such as local pride celebrations," an FCO spokesperson told PinkNews.

Johnson overturning Hammond's decision in which he just one month ago rejected a proposal to change the policy, permitted the embassies to fly rainbow flags if they wish.

It will be up to the envoys to decide whether they wish to fly the rainbow flag for events. The pride flag is already flying at the British Consulate in Amsterdam for Amsterdam Pride.

On 5 July, the FCO rejected the recommendation from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, saying, "The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union Flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times."

MPs including Labour's Angela Eagle and Conservative Nigel Evans previously called for a change in the policy.

Evans said it "would send the important signal that we stand by the side of those who are oppressed, and indeed, in some cases, those who fear death for the crime of being born gay".

Eagle said, "We need to redouble our efforts to root out prejudice and discrimination at home and abroad/ The Foreign Secretary's decision to ban the Pride flag from being flown at UK embassies around the world sends exactly the wrong signal."
At least 13 people were killed and six injured in a fire early Saturday during a birthday party at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen, officials said. The blaze was sparked by the candles of a birthday cake, which ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place.

The victims were poisoned by a toxic mix of gases released by the burning plastic, a senior police official told AFP. "There wasn't an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party," he said.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (2220 GMT Friday).

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP. Local official Laurent Labadie who was at the scene of the fire described the blaze as accidental.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. The priest's funeral was held in Rouen's cathedral and was attended by more than 2,000 mourners shocked by the brutal killing of the elderly clergyman.
Rouen: A fire apparently sparked by birthday cake candles tore through a bar in northern France early on Saturday, killing at least 13 people in the nation's deadliest blaze in a decade.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Au Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by

00:20 am (0350 IST). Most of the dead were between 18-25 years old, with one person among the six injured still fighting for their lives. Authorities said the bar was crowded with young party goers.

Through the shattered front windows of the bar in Rouen, melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged each other and brought flowers to the scene of the tragedy.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed "deep sadness at the tragedy that claimed 13 young lives."

Local prosecutors described the blaze as accidental, but an investigation is underway to pinpoint the cause of the flames.

"There wasn't an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party," a senior police official told AFP.

The flames ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place, putting off a toxic mix of gasses that poisoned the victims, police said.

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

The blaze in Rouen was France's deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

France has not seen such a high death toll in a night spot fire since a November 1970 blaze claimed the lives of 146 people, the majority of whom were their early 20s.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

"I was afraid that it was another attack, but right away I was told that it was an accident," witness Rachid Ahmaymi, 36 told AFP. "Still I didn't sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest news."
Washington: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has attacked Japan, one of America's closest allies, saying if the US is attacked, all Japanese would do is "sit home and watch Sony television".

"You know, we have a treaty with Japan where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States. If we're attacked, Japan doesnt have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television. No, what kind of deals are these?" Trump asked at an election rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Japan is a key ally of the United States and its crucial partner in the Asia Pacific region. Referring to the US-Japan treaty alliance, Trump said that it is particularly worthy of ridicule. Japan, Trump said, should be forced to pay 100 percent of America's military costs for protecting the island nation, not the roughly 50 percent it pays now.

Currently there are some 47,000 US troops based in Japan. In his speech, Trump reiterated that the US protects not only Japan but other countries like South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia. And these countries don't pay anything near what it costs.

"They have to pay. Because this isn't 40 years ago. It's got to be a two-way street," he asserted. He also criticised Democratic rival Hillary Clinton policies.

"You know, Hillary Clinton came out and said, 'Thats terrible. He's not going to stick with our allies. 'Were going to stick, but once the ally hears her dumb talk, because it's dumb, why would they ever pay?" he asked.
A 19-year-old man was charged on Friday with the murder of a 64-year-old U.S. woman in a knife attack that wounded five others in Central London on Wednesday, London Metropolitan Police said.

The man, Zakaria Bulham, was also charged with five counts of attempted murder in relation to the individuals injured in the attack, police said.

Bulham, a Norwegian man of Somali origin, began attacking people on Wednesday evening in Russell Square, a park near the site of a 2005 suicide bombing. He was arrested on the same day.

At the time, police said there was no evidence the attack was terrorism related. The police statement on Friday did not mention any suspected reason behind the rampage.

Bulham will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, police said.

Earlier in August, a man who attacked passengers at a London underground train station in December was jailed for life.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BRUSSELS A machete-wielding man yelling "Allahu Akbar!" (God is greatest) injured two female police officers before being shot outside the main police station in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday, police in the city said.

The attacker, who was shot by a third officer, subsequently died of his wounds, but the police officers were out of danger, they added.

Prime Minister Charles Michel took to Twitter to condemn the attack, while Interior Minister Jan Jambon called it cowardly.

Islamist bombers killed 32 people in suicide attacks at Brussels airport and a metro station in March, and many of the jihadists who carried out attacks on Paris last November in which 130 people died were based in Belgium.

Brussels, home to European Union institutions and the headquarters of NATO, and the rest of Belgium are currently on a security alert level of three out of a maximum of four, a "serious" status with a "possible and probable" threat.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Kevin Liffey)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Islamabad: In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to provide medical help to those injured in violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims.

Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the Saarc meeting in Islamabad asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange medical treatment for the victims" in Kashmir, especially for treatment of eye injuries resulting from use of pellet guns by the Indian forces, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

"The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan's unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world," it said.

Sharif also called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for "ending bloodshed" in Kashmir and providing access for provision of treatment to the victims in the wake of the "ongoing humanitarian crisis".

"The humanitarian crisis, which is of huge magnitude, has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims of brutal state oppression," the statement quoted Sharif as saying.

"Even more gruesome is that healthcare providers" in Kashmir have not been allowed to treat innocent victims, Sharif alleged.

He claimed that "the Indian forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing healthcare to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters".

Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families.

"Nevertheless, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this," he said.

Pakistan shall continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically, the Prime Minister said. Sharif's call came a day after his Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) to help Kashmiris.

The latest statement by Sharif is yet another effort by Pakistan to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the international level.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was not going to Pakistan for the SAARC meeting of home ministers. The meeting was scaled down because Afghanistan and Bangladesh had decided to pull out and most other countries were sending junior ministers and delegates. So, Rajnath Singh had instructed his office to scale down Indias participation, too, by sending a junior delegation.

That was the status till about a week before the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) meeting date. Rajnath was of the view that the profile of the meeting did not befit the stature of Indias home minister. In his mind the issue was over and done with.

But then two things happened that pricked the pride of the Thakur from Chandauli (near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh). The first was the resolution by the Pakistan Parliament asking the United Nations to investigate the human rights violations in Kashmir. The second was the open threat by the chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed and Salahuddin that they would not let Rajnath Singh set foot on Pakistan soil. It was their contrived bid to show solidarity with Kashmiri separatists and the extreme unrest that broke out in the valley in the wake of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wanis death.

"Any Indian minister would have gone to Islamabad not for the love of Pakistan but for the love of Saarc because India is the driving force of the grouping. So, when two globally wanted Pakistan-harboured terrorists were openly threatening bodily harm to the Home Minister of India if he dared attend the Saarc meeting  with the benign indulgence of the Pakistan establishment that was that. At that instant, Rajnath changed his mind," a close aide revealed to Firstpost.

Rajnath, said the source, was quite aware of the fact that Indian leaders are judged not by what they do in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. The true measure of an Indian leader in the public eye is in how they behave in Pakistan. The reference here is to the jinxed visits of BJP leaders to Pakistan. The redoubtable LK Advani lost not just his party president-ship for saying, on Pakistan soil, that Mohammad Ali Jinnah was a secular leader, but never regained his pre-eminence in the party. Then his close friend and colleague Jaswant Singh undertook a tour to Pakistan and wrote a book eulogising Jinnah. He was sacked at the BJP's Shimla national executive.

"Rajnath instantly saw an opportunity in the open threat to his life and decided to take the challenge head on. Much to the chagrin of Indias diplomatic circles, he asked for arrangements to be made for his journey, said the source.

The ministry of external affairs, dreading further deterioration in the already strained relationship with Pakistan, wanted to scale down Indias representation. Officials of the ministry got in touch with the home ministry to dissuade the home minister by impressing upon him the futility of attending a meeting of low-level functionaries of Saarc nations.

But Rajnath, as is his wont, put his foot down. He was intent on going just to stare down the recalcitrant neighbour. Left with no choice the foreign ministry diplomats gave a few dos and donts and asked the home ministry officials to be mindful of who they met and what they said. We said that would not be necessary because the home minister had decided he would not meet any Pakistani officers or delegations. He would restrict his visit strictly to matters Saarc, said the source.

And that is what he did from the word go. When he landed at Islamabad airport a Pakistani official delegation received him. He shook hands perfunctorily with a few of them and walked straight past the rest, not even meeting their eyes.

A home ministry official, who accompanied the minister to Pakistan, pointed out that Rajnath remained deliberately aloof. Though his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with a Saarc delegation went off well, he was cold to his counterpart Nisar Ali Khan.

His best act was yet to come. Officials in the home ministry say that his speech, accusing Pakistan (without naming it) of nurturing terrorists clearly got the goat of the Pakistan home minister. He unambiguously arraigned Pakistan for nurturing, encouraging and promoting terrorism. The speech rattled the Pakistan establishment. This led the Pakistani home minister to give the official lunch the miss.

After Rajnaths speech, Nisar Ali walked straight past him and instead of walking towards the lunch venue, headed for his car and left. When Rajnath saw this he decided to go to his room and have his meal. Some delegates of the other countries later met him and appreciated his decision and felt the host minister had insulted the Saarc guests by walking out of his do, the official said.

On his part Singh refused to have any one to one meeting with Pakistani officials and instructed the Indian high commission in Islamabad that he would singularly focus on Saarc meeting. The fact that some terrorist organisations were holding a demonstration a few miles away from the hotel where the Saarc conference was held, exposed the hollowness of Pakistans commitment to combating terrorism.

Having made his point tellingly in his speech and cocking a snook at Pakistan-harboured terrorists on Pakistan's soil, Rajnath decided to waste no more time. The special plane that carried him was called into service two hours before his scheduled departure and he returned satisfied that his 25-hour journey to Pakistan was well worth it.
A Syrian coalition of jihadists and Islamist rebels on Saturday seized key positions south of Aleppo as they press a major offensive to break the government siege of the city, a monitor said.

"The Army of Conquest on Saturday took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunitions, and a large part of the artillery school", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The coalition "is about to cut off, by gunfire, the supply route into government-controlled districts" of the city, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The road, which passes through a southwestern suburb of Aleppo city called Ramussa, is the last open route into Aleppo city.

If the rebels capture it, they would simultaneously cut off regime forces and open up a new road for their own besieged forces in the city's east.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- on Saturday announced having captured the two military academies and a third military position.

State television, meanwhile, reported fighting in the three locations.

"The regime forces are in a very difficult position despite Russian air support," Abdel Rahman said.

Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been roughly divided into a rebel-held east and regime-controlled west since 2012.

The jihadist and rebel advance comes three weeks after regime forces backed by Russian air strikes besieged the city's opposition-held districts, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis there.

The jihadists and rebels have been pressing an offensive to break the siege.

More than 280,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Russia launched air strikes in Syria in support of the regime in September last year.
WASHINGTON Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps team of economic policy advisers is packed with moguls from the hedge fund and investment banking industries that he has railed against in the past.

And none of them are women - a demographic group he needs to court if he hopes to win in November.

Trumps campaign has been powered by a populist message that criticizes corporate America for outsourcing jobs, profiting at the expense of everyday workers and buying influence in Washington. The message resonates best with middle-class and working-class voters buffeted by the forces of globalisation.

But among the members of the 13-member team of advisers announced on Friday are hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson and investment bankers Steve Feinberg and Andy Beal, as well as a former top steel executive and a former high-ranking U.S. government official.

"It is a hallowed campaign tradition. Malign an industry, but court its wealthy big shots," said Erik Gordon, a professor of law and business at the University of Michigan.

The reliance on Wall Street executives comes after Trump spent much of his primary campaign lambasting the industry for paying too little in taxes. "The hedge fund guys are getting away with murder, Trump said in an interview last year.

One of the best known of Trump's panel is Paulson, whose bet against the overheated housing market in 2007 netted him and his investors billions of dollars. His bets have since gone the other way, losing some $15 billion in the last five years.

Don Steinbrugge, managing partner at investment consulting firm Agecroft Partners LLC, said Trump could benefit from his advisers' expertise on global capital markets if he "would listen to them.

Whether Trump will heed the counsel of his conservative-leaning economic advisers or steer his own course was also raised by Lanhee Chen, who served as a top policy aide to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012.

"Its hard to see a consistent strain of conservative economic thought," Chen said, citing Trumps protectionist policies on trade as an example of where Trump differs from the Republican partys free-market economic orthodoxy.

The panel also includes former steel executive Dan DiMicco; oil magnate Harold Hamm; Howard Lorber, the CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; Trump campaign finance chairman Steven Mnuchin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs who is now chairman and CEO of private investment firm Dune Capital Management LP; and David Malpass, a former official of the U.S. Treasury and State departments.

James Pethokoukis, an economist with the conservative American Enterprise Institute, noted the absence of representatives from the tech and venture capital sectors.

"If I was assembling a task force to analyse the big challenges facing the American economy and to develop solutions, I am not sure that a group like this would naturally spring to mind," he said.

But the panel fits with the themes of Trumps campaign in another way. Trump often has boasted about bringing in successful business people to tackle Washingtons entrenched problems, and many of Trump's supporters see his background in business as among his biggest assets.

GUY WITH A BINDER

Some critics seized upon the lack of women on Trumps panel. After being asked this week to identify women he might appoint to his cabinet if elected, Trump could only respond with the name of his daughter Ivanka.

Democratic rival Hillary Clinton hit Trump on the comment in a Twitter post, comparing him to Romney who, when asked a similar question during his campaign, said hed reviewed binders full of women.

We know a guy with a binder, @realDonaldTrump. (He might not take your calls, though.) Clintons campaign wrote. The campaign declined to comment on Trump's advisers.

Trump has struggled with women voters since his campaign began. Some 65 percent of women have an unfavourable view of Trump, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, compared with 53 percent who have an unfavourable view of Clinton.

Kellyanne Conway, a pollster who works for the Trump campaign, said the emphasis on gender on the economic team is misplaced. Women voters, she said, care more about their economic well-being than the make-up of an advisory group.

What female voters wish to know is whose economic plan will be better for them, she said.

(Additional reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Olivia Oran, Lauren LaCapra and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
JOHANNESBURG South Africa's ruling party was in a close race early on Saturday in two major cities after losing one other key municipality in its worst electoral performance since the end of apartheid.

The African National Congress has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at its helm. But its grip on power is being shaken against the backdrop of high unemployment, a stagnating economy and a series of scandals that have dogged President Jacob Zuma.

The party was still leading in the overall count in the nationwide municipal vote, with 98 percent of ballots counted.

But it lost to the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) in the municipality of Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the city of Port Elizabeth, a key manufacturing hub and port city.

"We've lost Nelson Mandela Bay, we've conceded that we've lost it," Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

The DA was also narrowly ahead in the country's economic hub of Johannesburg, while the ANC held a slim margin in Tshwane, home to the capital Pretoria.

The DA, which last year elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as part of its efforts to shake off its image as a party that mainly serves white interests, has retained control of Cape Town, which it has held since 2006.

"Now we've got to do everything in our power to make sure where we govern we govern well," said Maimane, who declared that his party had won in Tshwane, well before the final tally.

Final results are due late on Saturday.

The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved and the opposition has accused Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focussing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession.

"The ANC may just become a rural party," said William Gumede, chairman of the Democracy Works Foundation, a think tank.

Voters are losing patience with Zuma, who rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand currency plummeting. The rand has since recovered, and received a boost from the peaceful vote.

Zuma survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he breached the law by ignoring an order to repay some of $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since apologised and said he will repay some of the money as ordered by the court.

The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema, Zuma's one-time protege but now arch-foe, was running a distant third with about 10 percent of the vote.

Malema has drawn support with promises to redistribute among poor black people wealth still mostly in white hands - policies that both the DA and the ANC have not found palatable.

But neck-and-neck races between the ANC and DA in Johannesburg and Tshwane mean the EFF could be needed for coalitions there, but Malema has not said whom he would back.

"If anyone comes to us, we'll talk," Malema told reporters when asked whether he would join a coalition.

Robert Besseling, head of the EXX Africa business risk intelligence think tank, said the EFF will play "a key kingmaker role" in coalition-building negotiations.

"Ideologically, the EFF is closer to the ANC, though it will be loath to support the ANC which it has acrimoniously opposed in the National Assembly," he said.

(Additional reporting by Tanisha Heiberg and Nqobile Dludla; Writing by James Macharia)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Kuwait City: The UN special envoy for Yemen announced the end of peace talks Saturday without any major breakthrough, but also said a new round of negotiations would begin after one month.

The announcement came as fighting intensified around the capital Sanaa and after the rebels named members of a controversial political council.

"We will be leaving Kuwait today (Saturday) but the Yemeni peace talks are continuing," Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told a press conference.

He said he will hold bilateral consultations with the two delegations in the coming few weeks to work out details of a peace plan.

He also said the two sides have committed to resume "direct talks within a month at a venue to be agreed upon".

Kuwait remains a possible location for the next round, he said.

"We have guarantees and commitments from the two sides that they are ready to return to the negotiating table," he said.

Although the talks that began 21 April made no headway, Ould Cheikh Ahmed refused to call the process a failure.

"In fact, we have not failed. We believe the Kuwait talks made great progress," he said without elaborating.

It was the third round of negotiations to fail to end a bloody armed conflict in the impoverished Arab nation that the UN says has so far killed at least 6,400 people.

The first two rounds were last year in Switzerland.

Last week, the UN envoy presented a peace plan calling for the withdrawal of rebels from the capital and the handover of heavy arms.

The government delegation accepted the plan but the rebels rejected it, saying it is partial and they want a comprehensive settlement.

The end of the talks came just hours after the rebel Shiite Huthis and forces loyal to their ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, appointed a council to govern Yemen.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed condemned the move.

"We condemn any unilateral steps. These do not serve the Yemeni people or the peace process," he said when asked to comment.

The rebels announced the council's creation on 28 July, shortly before rejecting the UN peace plan.

The Iran-backed Huthis overran Sanaa in late 2014 before moving into other parts of Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March last year.

Fighting intensified on Saturday as government forces tried to push closer to the capital.

Military and medical sources said 12 members of the government forces and 23 rebels were killed in fighting in which Saudi-led coalition warplanes also took part.

"We have launched a military operation to regain what remains of Naham (province) and advance on Sanaa," said military spokesman Mohsen Kasruf.

There were also reports of fighting around the northern province of Al-Jouf.
2000 - 2022   24 .-   .       focus-news.net,                 () .                  24 .                 24      .       .       24 .
Oxitec mosquitoes are engineered for insect population control, this works with the use of what the company calls a self-limiting gene. The engineered larvae carrying this gene mate with native species unleashing the trait into the wild. The self-limiting gene prevents the affected insects from reaching adulthood. The result is a dramatic decrease in the mosquito populations which is slowing the spread of several deadly diseases.

The idea was born out of the use of radiation to sterilize fruit flies in the 1950s, says Parry. But for every problem that came along with radiation, Oxitecs founder said I reckon we can fix that with genetics. Why mosquitoes? We sat down and said this species spreads Zika, Yellow Fever, Dengue lets go after that.

These genetically modified mosquitoes are already hard at work. Efficacy tests in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have consistently shown a 90% reduction in the resident mosquito populations.

Oxitec tracks their larvae using a color system; when viewed under fluorescent lighting, the engineered mosquito larvae appear red. Parry says this system is completely innovative in its field; You use [the mosquitoes] where you need them and not where you dont its a completely new way of thinking driven by metrics.

Despite the recent FDA approval Parry argues more needs to be done.

If people want this to help in the current crisis, which is now, you really need to accelerate this through with emergency authorization. At the end of the day there is an emergency now... If you had a vaccine with this level of efficacy, it would be through in a matter of days.
This month marks the one-year anniversary of the National Labor Relations Boards (NLRB) Browning-Ferris decision, which radically redefined employment rules for businesses nationwide.

Under the new definition, which overturned 30 years of precedent, a company may be held liable for labor violations by other employers they contract with, by merely exercising indirect control or possessing unexercised potential control over work conditions like hiring, supervision, and wages. This is a far-reaching change from the prior standard on when two companies would be deemed a joint employer. The previous standard required an employer exhibit direct and immediate control over another companys employees.

Labor regulators have a goal in mind: to make it far more likely that larger businesses are found liable for the labor violations of smaller businesses.

That means higher costs for larger businesses. The NLRB also desires to saddle larger companies with greater bargaining responsibilities of smaller businesses they contract with. Its an injustice that one business can now be charged with labor violations committed by another business - and be railroaded into bargaining with a union that is organizing another employers workers.

But even worse is the uncertainty caused by the vague and overly broad joint employer standard. The NLRB left open-ended what constitutes indirect and unexercised potential control. In Browning-Ferris, the majority at the NLRB explained that they will look at the facts on a case-by-case basis and would not address the facts in every hypothetical situation in which the Board might be called on to make a joint-employer determination. Nor has the NLRB issued any guidance in the year since to clarify the new standard. This leaves the business community near-clueless as how best to avoid joint employer liability.

Meanwhile, a recent case, in preliminary stages at the NLRB, indicates how unpredictably the Boards joint employer standard can be applied. In September of 2015, President Obama applauded Microsoft for implementing a supplier code of conduct, which requires that the company only do business with suppliers that offer workers 15 days of paid leave.

No good deed goes unpunished. Shortly after that, in October, the Temporary Workers of America (TWA) requested Microsofts (NASDAQ:MSFT) presence at a collective bargaining meeting as a joint employer with Lionbridge, a supplier of Microsoft. The TWA cited the Browning-Ferris decision to argue that Microsoft placing eligibility criteria on suppliers establishes a joint employer relationship with LionBridge - despite Microsoft never exercising any control over LionBridge workers.

Never before would placing general standards to qualify as a supplier establish joint employment. But Microsoft recently noted that its supplier code of conduct has led to substantial and growing legal expenses and great uncertainty. And Microsoft may not be the only ones getting caught in the NLRBs crosshairs. Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), for example, requires suppliers offer 15 days of paid leave, a $15 minimum wage, and a new child benefit for mothers and fathers estimated to cost the employer $4,000.

What will the Microsoft case reveal? Most recently, NLRB in July denied the companys petition to revoke the Boards subpoena seeking information on the relationship between Microsoft and Lionbridge. Incredibly, the Boards majority notes that the NLRB may issue subpoenas without an objective factual basis. The Board does not need facts to subpoena MicrosoftTWAs allegations are enough.

It is no wonder that the business community is up in arms over the Browning-Ferris decision. Even when businesses take actions that are praised by President Obama they cannot win. Many businesses will think twice about contracting with small businesses or placing any conditions on their suppliers. That cant be good for small businesses or job creation, a consequence our slowly recovering economy does not need.

Trey Kovacs is a policy analyst specializing in labor policy for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump endorsed three top GOP officeholders  House Speaker Paul Ryan, Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte  for re-election Friday night after declining to do so earlier this week.

Trump announced his endorsements at an event in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin four days before the Speaker faces challenger Paul Nehlen in a primary election.

Appearing to read from a prepared statement, Trump called Ryan "a good man" and "a good guy."

"We will have disagreements," Trump said. "But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory and real change."

"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all the changes we have to make," added Trump, who also said "my 80 percent friend is not my 20 percent enemy," a phrase often attributed to Ronald Reagan.

Nehlen issued a statement calling Trump's endorsement of Ryan "appropriate" and "a display of true leadership" as the Republican nominee. However, Nehlen also said that Trump's initial refusal to back Ryan "sent a clear signal to Wisconsin voters that Ryan is not his preferred candidate in this race" and claimed the Speaker had "undermined our nominee at every turn."

Trump initially refused to back Ryan in an interview with The Washington Post earlier this week.

I like Paul. I like Paul. But these are horrible times for our country. We need very strong leadership. We need very, very strong leadership. And Im just not quite there. Im not quite there yet, Trump said at the time.

Trumps phrasing echoed statements Ryan had made in May, when the Speaker said of endorsing Trump, "I'm just not ready to do that at this point. I'm not there right now."

While giving Trump his support, Ryan has frequently been critical of some of the billionaires most controversial statements. On Thursday, he said that it was distressing that Trump hadnt spent more time focusing on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Hes had a pretty strange run since the convention, Ryan said on WTAQ radio in Green Bay. You would think that we want to be focusing on Hillary Clinton, on all of her deficiencies. She is such a weak candidate that one would think that we would be on offense against Hillary Clinton, and it is distressing that thats not what were talking about these days.

Trumps running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, had endorsed Ryan Thursday, and said he had been encouraged to do so by Trump.

Trump also said earlier this week that he had "never been a big fan of John McCain." The 79-year-old McCain, who Trump has disparaged in the past, faces two primary opponents later this month.

On Friday, however, Trump said he held McCain "in the highest esteem" and "I fully support and endorse his re-election."

Trump also endorsed Ayotte, calling the New Hampshire senator "a rising star." On Tuesday, Trump told the Post that Ayotte had given him "no support  zero support," later adding "We need loyal people in this country. We need fighters in this country. We don't need weak people."

A poll taken this week shows Ayotte trailing her Democratic opponent, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, by 10 points in the race for Ayotte's Senate seat.

Fox News.com's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
Hillary Clinton announced perhaps her most ambitious plan yet for immigration reform Friday, including a vow to end deportation for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States if elected president. In turn, Republican nominee Donald Trump's campaign claimed Clinton intends to assume king-like powers that would harm Americans.

Clinton, speaking before a National Associations of Black and Hispanic Journalists gathering in Washington, said she intends to introduce legislation within the first 100 days of her potential administration that will add hundreds of billions of dollars to the economy.

The Democratic presidential nominee also urged potential voters to help Democrats retake the Senate in November, claiming assurances that they would fast track her proposal.

This is a clear high priority for my administration, she said. We will be prepared to introduce legislation as quickly as we can Trump plans to round up immigrants  We will not be deporting families.

Clinton's comments suggested that she would follow President Obamas example of taking executive action on immigration reform.

The Supreme Court in June split 4-4 on Obamas 2014 plan to defer deportation for roughly 4.3 million parents of Americans and other lawful permanent residents.

The ruling sent the case back to a lower court. But Clinton, like Trump, would attempt to appoint a justice for the high courts ninth and open seat to help win favorable decisions on such issues.

Hillary believes DAPA is squarely within the presidents authority and wont stop fighting until we see it through, states Clintons campaign website, which also says she intends to defend the presidents 2012 executive action to defer deportation for millions of people brought into the United States illegally by their parents.

The Clinton campaign did not immediatley respond Saturday to a request for comment.

Trump senior policy adviser Stephen Miller -- who as a staffer from Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions helped defeat a bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill -- issued a five-page statement on Friday attacking Clintons policies dating back to May 2015. The Senate bill died in the GOP-controlled House.

Clinton has vowed since essentially the start of her campaign to make immigration reform a first-100-day priority. And Trump, who has vowed to build a wall along the southern U.S. border to keep out illegal Mexican immigrants, has said Clintons plan is tantamount to amnesty for those in the U.S. illegally and that she would totally open borders.

Trump, in the wake of several deadly attacks inspired or directed by ISIS, called for a temporary ban on all Muslims into the U.S. The Republican presidential nominee has since suggested a ban only for Muslims coming from such Middle East terror hotspots as Syria.

Miller, whose has long argued that amnesty  legal working status for some of the country's estimate 11 million illegal immigrants  would take away jobs from unemployed Americans, argued on Friday that Clintons first-100-day pledge is also dangerous.

Her pledge  in the middle of a national security and a border security crisis  demonstrates her callous and cruel disregard for the safety of the American people, Miller wrote.

This administration has released hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal immigrants, and yet Clinton says she wants to go even further, ending virtually all deportations and ending all protections Americans have against open borders.
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A fast-moving fire swept through a birthday party in the basement of a bar in the northwest French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

The bar fire came as France is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Islamic State extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown bar in the city in Normandy, Rouen Mayor Yvon Robert said after the blaze was extinguished.

The fire was "totally accidental," Robert told Europe 1 radio, mentioning a possible gas explosion "from the heat in a basement room doubtless too small for the number of people present."

It was not known how many people were partying at the Cuba Libre club. The area has been blocked off and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said a judicial investigation has been opened to discover the cause of the blaze.

He gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight Friday. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six injured was in a life-threatening condition.

Images from outside the bar on French television showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning in front.

The mayor said the fire was "very brief."

The birthday party was "a moment of joy for those involved that ... ended tragically," Robert said.

The local Paris-Normandie newspaper said the fire ignited in the basement of the bar, which was rented for the evening for the birthday celebration. The paper, without citing sources, said the ceiling, which was covered in sound-insulating material, quickly ignited when candles were lit.

The paper quoted the deputy prosecutor at the site as denying initial reports of an explosion. Laurent Labadie was quoted as saying that the noise reported by neighbors was the sound of windows exploding from the heat.

In addition to the slaying of the French priest, another IS extremist launched a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, killing 85 holiday revelers with a truck before being shot dead by police.
A retired California firefighter who was stabbed in the right arm during Wednesdays deadly knife attack in London said he tried to stop the assailant who managed to duck under his arms and continue his rampage.

Marty Hoenisch, 59, the firefighter from San Jose, said he and his wife had just arrived in London and were walking back from a pub when they saw a woman in distress. His first reaction was to step in front of his wife, and then to try and stop the attacker.

"I'm a firefighter. I'm a good guy," he said Saturday. "Any guy would try to stop this."

The attacker managed to slip by Hoenisch and stabbed him in the right arm.

"He never broke his stride," Hoenisch said, adding that he looked down and "my hand was all red."

Zakaria Bulhan of London is accused of killing a retired American teacher, 64-year-old Darlene Horton. He is also charged with attempting to murder two Australians, an Israeli, another American and a British citizen who were wounded in the attack. The victims were named in court Saturday for the first time.

It makes me sick she got killed, Hoenisch told The Mercury News. Its just so sad.

Bulhan, who moved from Norway to Britain as a child, mumbled his name, address and date of birth during the hearing Saturday at Westminster Magistrates Court. When asked if he understood the charges, he gave a thumb's up gesture. He will appear at the Central London Criminal Court on Aug. 9.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A machete attack that injured two female police officers in the Belgian city of Charleroi Saturday appears to be an act of terrorism, officials said.

The assailant, who reportedly shouted "Allahu Akhbar," the Arabic phrase meaning "God is great", was shot by a third officer and later died of his inuries.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the attacker's identity and motive were not immediately known, but "first indications" suggested the attack was terror-related.

"Thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and police officers," Michel posted on Twitter. The prime minister broke off his vacation in the south of France and was returning to Belgium for an emergency meeting of the government's National Security Council on Sunday.

Sky News reported that one of the wounded officers suffered "moderate" injuries to her face, while the other was less seriously injured.

Michel told RTL television in an interview that he has also asked the independent OCAM agency to immediately assess whether there is an increased threat to Belgian internal security. Belgium has been on high alert in the wake of the March 22 suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State extremist group that killed 32 people in Brussels.



Charleroi police spokesman David Quinaux said Saturday's attacker carried the weapon in a sports bag, and pulled it out as he arrived at a security checkpoint outside police headquarters in the southern Belgian city just before 4 p.m. (10 a.m. ET)



Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said it wasn't immediately clear whether the assault, which he denounced as an "act of barbarism" was the deed of a single person or something more elaborate.



"We don't know if this is the action of a lone wolf," Jambon told RTL. He said he had no information he could provide immediately on the identity or motivation of the attacker.



Belgium has been at Level 3 on a four-point terrorism alert scale since the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 that killed 130 victims. Many of the Paris attackers, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, lived in Belgium.



Last weekend, a 33-year-old man identified only as Nourredine H. was arrested on charges of participating in a terrorist group and planning "terrorist murders" following searches in the city of Liege and the Mons region.



The attack Saturday took place near a wooden building that had been erected outside the Charleroi police station to provide an additional layer of security.



Paul Magnette, the city's mayor, said the checkpoint succeeded in preventing the machete-wielding man from reaching the building and causing more havoc. Magnette said that in the wake of the incident, Belgian authorities have begun discussing whether security for police facilities and officers should be reinforced further.



Steps were taken to better protect Belgian police installations after an ISIS-linked extremist plot was foiled in January 2014 in the eastern city of Verviers.



The Verviers plotters, two of whom were shot dead, had parts of police uniforms in their possession, and were believed to have been planning to attack a police station. But Jambon said Saturday that the increased security measures implemented after that incident have now lapsed.

Click for more from SkyNews.com.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Burton Electric Company Create Newly Redesigned Website To Promote Their Services Online

Burton Electric Company has launched a new website that will help those in the Pacific Northwest find their services, and benefit from the services of an electrician with over forty years of experience.

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A reliable electrician is one of the pillars of any community, and helps keep homes safe and functional. Electricity is now fundamental to everything in modern life, and any problem can quickly become a disaster. As such, individuals need a reliable and affordable electrician they can count on at all times. Burton Electric Co. has served Vancouver, Castle Rock and Stevenson, Washington for over forty years. The company has now launched a new online presence that will help them target their business to customers in the local area.

The new website (burtonelectricllc.com) is built within a fully responsive infrastructure that loads seamlessly on any device or screen size, making it ideal for mobile searching. The website has a comprehensive breakdown of their available services, as well as information on the company's unique approach, and biographies of their highly trained staff.

The website is also fully locally optimized, using the latest SEO techniques to ensure the site is easily discoverable for people in the local area who are using online search engines. This will make it as easy as possible for new clients to find the company, and make use of the best and most reliable electrician in the area.

A spokesperson for Burton Electric Company explained, "We are thrilled with the new website, and excited about what it will mean for us as a company. We have been trading for decades based almost solely on positive word of mouth, but this website opens up our company to a whole new audience. We understand that personal recommendations are a powerful form of sales, but those outside those networks are then deprived of the best workmanship available in the area. We are committed to ensuring everyone in the Pacific Northwest can get in contact and see why we have been so well recommended for so long."

About Burton Electric Company: Burton Electric Company has served the Pacific Northwest for over 44 years. Their qualified electrical contractors understand that the key to a successful relationship between the customer and the electrician is offering outstanding service. They turn up on time, do the job well and leave the home like they found it, all for the best price in the area.

For more information, please visit http://burtonelectricllc.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Roger Burton

Email: rkb2340@comcast.net

Organization: Burton Electric Company

Phone: (360) 772-6574

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/burton-electric-company-create-newly-redesigned-website-to-promote-their-services-online/126755

Release ID: 126755

For more information visit r



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Langwith near Warsop Offers new Luxury White Wedding Limo Hire service

Sherwood Wedding Cars is celebrating the launch of their new Luxury White Limo's service in the Langwith near Warsop area by giving a Free bottle of bubbly to new customers. Further information can be found at http://sherwoodweddingcars.co.uk.

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In a slightly different approach to launching its new Luxury White Limo's service, Sherwood Wedding Cars, a Wedding Car Hire company in Langwith near Warsop has decided it will offer a Free bottle of bubbly to new customers booking the new service, and this is expected to take place September 2016.

Where most businesses tend to just put posters up in a local store, Sherwood Wedding Cars has decided to be a little more exciting with the start of its new Luxury White wedding Limo service.

Kerry Pickering, Owner at Sherwood Wedding Cars, says: "We wanted to be exciting with the launch of our new Luxury White Limo's service in Langwith because we want to give our bride and grooms a fantastic time and one they will always remember. It should be really worthwhile and we're hoping it will make this new service as popular if not more so than our current best selling vintage wedding car hire packages. It should go great unless we don't order enough bubbly!"

Sherwood Wedding Cars has always made a point of standing out when compared to other Wedding Car Hire firms in the Langwith and Warsop area. This launch celebration is just one of the many ways it does so.

This is a great chance for Langwith and Warsop residents to enjoy a once in a lifetime luxury experience and support a family orientated business that tries to give the happy couple their dream wedding car.

Sherwood Wedding Cars has been serving the Langwith and Warsop area since 2016. To date it has served Dozens customers and has become recognized as Warsop's first choice for friendly, fun and luxury bridal transport. It can be found on High Street Warsop, close to Langwith which is a close group of six villages crossing the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, on the River Poulter.

Kerry Pickering also said: "While Sherwood Wedding Cars may not be the only business with this kind of offering, local residents are choosing Sherwood Wedding Cars because our company keeps it fleet of luxury and vintage wedding cars current and safe, one that provide people with what they want."

When asked about the new Luxury White Limo's service, Kerry Pickering said: "We think it's going to be a hit because it will finally service many of our customers who in the past requested this service".

Further information about Sherwood Wedding Cars and the new Luxury White Limo service can be discovered at http://sherwoodweddingcars.co.uk.

For more information, please visit http://www.sherwoodweddingcars.co.uk

Contact Info:

Name: Kerry Pickering

Organization: Sherwood Wedding Cars

Address: at the rear of 30 High Street, Warsop, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG20 3AP

Phone: 01623 272155

Release ID: 126740

For more information visit r



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SKYE Technologies Launches Latest Cloud Solutions Catering to Small Businesses

As reliance on cloud-based technology soars, so does the number of options available to users, publishes skyetechnologies.com

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According to a survey conducted among entrepreneurs with fewer than 1,000 employees, more than 90 percent of small businesses will be ramping up their reliance on cloud-based technology during the months to come. This figure represents an estimated 10 percent increase over last year. In response to this uptick, Andrew McIntosh of SKYE Technologies has launched the outsourced IT support and consulting company's latest selection of cloud solutions.

Said McIntosh, "A growing number of business owners are realizing the many advantages of transferring their operations to the cloud. We're here to help make the transition easier for our clients while making sure they're able to reap the full array of benefits now available to them. Our recently released solutions have incorporated the industry's latest advancements as well as the evolving needs of today's business owners. The result is a wide range of all-inclusive options that are fully customizable based on our clients' individual companies."

Earlier cloud users exhibited a reluctance to turn their daily operations over to public platforms; however, previous concerns over security and reliability appear to be ebbing in light of a surge in the number of companies incorporating public clouds into their business regimen. While only a few rely solely on public versions, more than half are applying a hybrid approach to their hardware, software, servers and applications. The number of businesses now adhering to private clouds alone has dropped an estimated 15 percent since last year.

Based on information found at https://www.skyetechnologies.com/our-solutions/cloud-solutions/, businesses incorporating the cloud into their daily practices through SKYE Technologies are able to make use of system updates as they become available. The company's clients are also granted both mobile and in-house access to their stored files. Customization, scalability and less physical storage space requirements are among the benefits cloud users note.

Concluded McIntosh, "We offer cloud solutions tailored to the needs of small business on a pay-as-you-go basis, giving them the freedom to alter their services as necessary. On of the most advantageous aspects of using the cloud is giving clients the capacity to more easily grow their storage and computing services along with their businesses. Our clients no longer have to worry about unreliable IT or unnecessary spending on new equipment and services they don't really need. Our newly launched cloud solutions help save time, money and hassle and we'll continue to offer new services as they're developed."

For more information regarding cloud solutions and other services offered by SKYE Technologies, visit https://www.skyetechnologies.com/lexington-it-support/.

About SKYE Technologies:

Established in 2006, SKYE Technologies is dedicated to offering clients affordable expert IT support and consulting services in the form of flexible solutions tailored to the needs of small businesses.

For more information, please visit https://www.skyetechnologies.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Andrew McIntosh

Organization: SKYE Technologies

Phone: (502) 585-9669

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/skye-technologies-launches-latest-cloud-solutions-catering-to-small-businesses/126764

Release ID: 126764

For more information visit r



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The Electric Connection Launches New, Mobile-Friendly Website

Appealing new mobile-friendly site makes it even easier to learn about one of Los Angeles' most highly regarded residential and commercial electrical specialists, The Electric Connection reports

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One of the area's best-reviewed residential and commercial electrical services gets a new look, as the The Electric Connection puts its brand-new, mobile-friendly website online. A leading los angeles electrician since 1979, The Electric Connection offers a lifetime guarantee on all work and has been an Angie's List "Super Service" award winner for several years running.

Visitors to the new website will find a wealth of useful content already in place, from articles detailing house rewire projects and electrical panel upgrades to simple, practical tips that anyone can put into practice. Designed to work perfectly with mobile devices like smartphones, the new website features a clean, attractive design and passes Google's online "Mobile Friendly" test with flying colors. Whether to read about the company's history and services, to secure a coupon good for a valuable discount, or to learn more about a range of electrical topics, all are invited to visit the brand new Electric Connection website.

"We're happy to say that our fantastic new website is now online," said Electric Connection founder and owner Kim Hopkins, "We think the new site is going to make it even easier for visitors to learn about our services and other topics, and we've made sure to have plenty of great content ready for the launch. We've also put a number of special coupons online, from one good for a $25 discount for new customers to major savings on whole-home surge protection. Whether for users of mobile devices or those on computers, the new site is also a pleasure to navigate and make use of."

Founded as a small operation in 1979, The Electric Connection has grown steadily over the years, now counting 30 employees on its payroll. An unwavering commitment to the utmost in quality has prevailed the entire time, with an unusually generous lifetime guarantee backing all of the company's work.

Coupled with a dedication to honest, transparent pricing and service that reflects the way the company's founder would like to be treated, these facts have made The Electric Connection one of the most successful and highly regarded businesses of its kind in the area. From a string of Angie's List "Super Service" awards to outstanding reviews from residential and commercial customers, The Electric Connection consistently stands out in what easily ranks as one of the world's most competitive environments.

Visitors to the new Electric Connection website can learn about all of the company's services, along with its policies and approach to doing business. A content-filled "Tips" section even includes advice residents and business owners can use to safely diagnose and address common electrical issues of their own, while a blog keeps visitors up to date. Site visitors will also find contact information that can be used to request a free estimate for residential or commercial electrical work of any kind.

About The Electric Connection:

Since 1979, The Electric Connection has been one of the Los Angeles area's leading electrical specialists, emphasizing quality, honesty, and reliability on every residential or commercial job.

For more information, please visit http://www.theelectricconnection.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Kim Hopkins

Organization: The Electric Connection

Address: 2706 S Robertson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034

Phone: (213) 401-2334

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/the-electric-connection-launches-new-mobile-friendly-website/126783

Release ID: 126783

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Vietnam and Thailand jointly issued a set of commemorative stamps to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. (Photo: Internet)

The stamp set, which consists of two pieces, features the traditional puppetry of Vietnam and Thailand.

The first tells the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake where Le Loi returned his magic sword to the Golden Turle after his forces defeated the Ming Chinese army in 1428; while the second features Thailands folk puppet play, Hun Krabrok, by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The set, designed by painters Nguyen Du from Vietnam and Pisit Prasitthanadoon from Thailand, will be on sale until June 30th, 2018.

Speaking at the joint stamp issue event, Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunication Nguyen Minh Hong lauded the firm and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand over recent years.

The joint stamp issue will help strengthen the mutual understanding between their peoples and foster postal collaboration between the two countries.

The Vietnam Post Corporation also took the occasion to launch ASEAN Stamp, a mobile application presenting postage stamps of ASEAN member states which can be scanned with AR technology in order to display related content vividly.

Vietnam and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations on August 6th, 1976. Thailand was Vietnams fifth largest trade partner and also the 10th largest investor in Vietnam with 392 projects worth USD7 billion last year./.
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
Divergent: Ascendant Release Date, News & Update: Movie Moved from Theaters to Television; James, Kearneys Wedding Postponed?

There are many fans of "Divergent" series that are very disappointed because rumors states that the fourth and final part of the series will not be launched on theaters as planned. You read it right. "Divergent: Ascendant" is not hitting theatres in the future.



A report in Cinema Blend also states that the "Divergent: Ascendant" will be aired as TV movie. This report shocked the fans including the actor Miles Teller.

The Divergent actor Miles Teller, who plays Pete, said that he's hoping that "Divergent: Ascendant" would be released on theaters and they all had the intention to finishing the series. However, things do change anytime, as reported in the Hollywood Reporter.

It seems like there are still a lot of decisions to be made about the "Divergent: Ascendant" to be moved from theaters to TV. Shailene Woodley only found out about this news when it was announced via press, just like everyone else.

It was already planned that "Divergent: Ascendant" will be released on June 9, 2017, which would have pit it against "World War Z 2" and "The Mummy" reboot. But, following the previous series "Divergent: Allegiant" poor commercial performance, the director decided not to return "Divergent: Ascendant" because the budget was completely slashed.

On other news, according to Movie News Guide, sources are blaming the Divergent co-stars closeness for the postponement of James and Kearney's wedding. The postponement of their wedding may also be due to the production of the "Divergent: Ascendant."

The wedding plans for the duo, Theo James and Ruth Kearney, may be materialized soon; hopefully, the wedding announcement will also come soon. Despite the cancelation of the "Divergent: Ascendant" movie, there is nothing officially revealed about the fate of Theo James and Shailene Woodley in the movie and how the last installment will go on TV.
Stranger Things Season 2 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Revealed Major Plot Details! More Blood & Deaths Coming?

Several fans are now excited for the "Stranger Things" Season 2. However, before the popular series officially hits the TV screens, here are some spoilers, news and updates each fans should know.

For starters, "Stranger Things" is one of Netflix's scary horror series. "Stranger Things" is set in small town in Indiana in 1983 and it spins a sentimental yarn of missing children, psychic phenomena and things that go bump in the night. However, in a report on The Telegraph, Matt Duffer said that the "Stranger Things" Season 2 will be a little bit different and a little bit darker.

According to IGN, Netflix has not yet confirmed "Stranger Things" Season 2, but fans should not worry because it will be happening for sure. Netflix did not officially announce that the show would return at their TCA press tour last week, despite doing a panel of series.

There is no denying that the first season was a huge hit that it received countless positive reviews from fans who cannot quit watching the show. Netflix is very much known for renewing all the series that made waves from beginning up to the end. So, "Stranger Things" Season 2 is very likely to happen.

Brothers Matt and Ross Duffer have even talked about their reaction to the Netflix series and where should "Stranger Things" Season 2 start based on how season 1 ended. "It actually opens up a lot more storytelling possibilities. These characters have changed and the audience has to sort of fill in those gaps of what went on in that year," Ross Duffer told IGN. "To us, it's exciting."

The Upside-Down looks like our own world, but it is just darker and it is filled with decayed stuff growing all over it. So, what will happens to Upside-Down in "Stranger Things" Season 2 now? A theory on The Verge states that Upside-Down is an identical world that met some horrifying end. It is said that it was destroyed by a monster or somewhat a monster.

Who really is Eleven? Well, Eleven refers to Dr. Martin Brenner who is also known as Papa. "Stranger Things" Season 2 spoilers suggest that fans are seeing more of him in the upcoming installment.

Until now, there is still no official announcement from Netflix as to when "Stranger Things" Season 2 will start airing. Stay tuned for more "Stranger Things" Season 2 news and updates!
Google Nexus 2016 Release Date, News & Update: Night Light, Improved Ambient Display, Other New Specs & Features Revealed!

Google Nexus is a consumer electronic device that runs the android operating system. Google is said to introduce a new layout for its application settings for the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 phones to accommodate its new Google Support Tool.

The Google Nexus 2016 phones will have a new settings menu called "Night Light" and a "Quick Screen Check." It will allow the users to check their phones notifications without waking it up, according to BGR.

"Night Light" will also appear in the menu of Google Nexus 2016 Phones running with Android Nougat. Google confirmed that the night mode will not be ready in time for release for Nougat, but nexus users will be getting it in some form.

Ambient Display will be getting a significant upgrade in the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 phones. The upgrade will allow the users to double tap on the display when the phone is asleep in order to activate ambient display again.

Meanwhile, a report in Phone Arena states that the Google SEO Sundar Pichai said that the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 devices will integrate new software features that are not available in stock android. Google Nexus 2016 devices is expected to come with a rather run-of-the-mill Android execution, but Google is about to break this pattern later in the year in a shot to differentiate its Nexus phones from the competition.

However, while the Nexus devices are sometimes called as Google's handsets, the search giant Google doesn't actually make the hardware. According to Tech Radar, that task is shipped out to established handset manufacturers. We will soon see what the company giant has in store for us in the upcoming Google Nexus 2016.

In the past HTC, Samsung, LG, Asus, Motorola and Huawei have all been called upon to do the honors. LG is the company behind the 5X and Nexus 5, while Huawei's first ever Nexus device came in the form of the 6P. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for more Google Nexus 2016 news and updates!
Xiaomi Teases Product Launch on August 8: Find out if its a Power Bank or UPS! Features oi -Abhinaya Prabhu

Xiaomi is a one-of-its-kind manufacturer that churns out a wide variety of offerings from its R&D lab. The company has made many smart devices apart from smartphones. Take a look at the smart devices launched by Xiaomi over here.

It was only in the last week that Xiaomi announced the Luo Qing Umbrella that is not a smart device and the Mi VR Play. Now, the company is teasing another product launch on its Weibo page.

Also Read: Take a Look at the Xiaomi's Reply to Mi Band 2 User Who Reported Wrist Burns

Xiaomi Product Launch Tipped on Monday

As per the teaser let out by Xiaomi, it will host an event on August 8, Monday, at 2 PM to unveil a new product. The teaser tips that the Chinese manufacturer is all set to announce three power banks.

Also Read: Xiaomi Enters into Virtual Reality Market With Mi VR Headset

Take a Look at the Xiaomi Teaser

Well, the teaser put up by Xiaomi shows the bird's eye view of three power banks placed vertically beside each other. The USB ports on one side of these power banks are also depicted in the teaser.

Xiaomi Prepping Three Power Banks

It is believed that the power banks will be of 5,000 mAh, 10,000 mAh Pro and 20,000 mAh battery capacities. This is inferred from the placement of the buttons and ports on the power banks.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi Note 2 LEAKED

Is it is a Power Bank or UPS?

This shows that Xiaomi is working on a new power bank and it could be one device that combines the three capacities mentioned above. But, the online reports suggest that the company is working on a UPS.

Source

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Samsung Galaxy A4 spotted on Wi-Fi certification News oi -Harshita

Samsung is all set to add a new variant to its Galaxy A series of devices. The company's A series is known for its metal built and has been targeted at mid range segment. It is now expected to launch the Samsung Galaxy A4 smartphone.

Rumors around the unannounced Samsung Galaxy A4 have been doing rounds of Internet for quite some time now. It has now been spotted on certification for Wi-Fi, which suggests that the phone is soon getting official. The spotting has revealed details of the phone, and suggested that the company is working on 5 models of the upcoming device. All these models, with code name SM-A430FD, SM-A430L,SM-A430X, SM-A430S and SM-A430K, are set to release sooner than later.

SEE ALSO: LEAKED: Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) Coming Soon with FHD Capabilities & 32GB Storage Capacity

The SM-A430 is the model number of the handset, whereas the letter at the end of each code name denotes the telecom carrier on which it would come. Samsung Galaxy A4 recently made an appearance online on Indian import listing website called Zauba. The listing revealed that the upcoming Galaxy A series smartphone would be placed in the price category of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.

As far as its specs and features are concerned, the handset will most likely don a metal unibody design, like all of other A series siblings. The Zauba listing revealed that the phone will would flaunt a 5.5-inch display, however the leaked information did not reveal the resolution and display type.

SEE ALSO: Take a Look at the Xiaomi's Reply to Mi Band 2 User Who Reported Wrist Burns

Other expected features include Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Samsung's Exynos processor and 3GB of RAM. This is all that is known about the Samsung Galaxy A4 smartphone. We expect more information about the phone to get leaked online ahead of its launch.

SOURCE

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Putin recruits Trump as 'unwitting agent' of Russia: Ex-CIA official

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 2:13PM

A former top CIA official has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of recruiting US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as an "unwitting agent" of Moscow.

In an article published by the New York Times on Friday, former CIA acting director Michael Morell endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president and called Trump unqualified and a threat to America's national security.

Morell, who worked under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said he had voted for both Republicans and Democrats in the past, but decided to end his silence over his political preferences because he considered Trump as a threat to national security.

"Mr. Putin played upon Mr. Trump's vulnerabilities by complimenting him. He responded just as Mr. Putin had calculated," Morell wrote.

The CIA official then censured Trump for praising the Russian leader.

"Mr. Putin is a great leader, Mr. Trump says, ignoring that he has killed and jailed journalists and political opponents, has invaded two of his neighbors and is driving his economy to ruin," Morell wrote.

He accused Trump of adopting policy positions "consistent with Russian, not American, interests  endorsing Russian espionage against the United States, supporting Russia's annexation of Crimea and giving a green light to a possible Russian invasion of the Baltic States."

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," Morell wrote.

Morell went on to say that America "will be much safer with Hillary Clinton as president."

He said the former secretary of state would keep "our nation safe," and that she found her to be "prepared, detail-oriented ad thoughtful" when working with her in the past.

A new poll shows that Clinton has taken a 15-percentage point lead over Trump in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential race.

According to the McClatchy-Marist survey released on Thursday, she has 48 percent of the votes as compared to the New York billionaire businessman having only a 33-percent support.

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A-10s land on highway in Estonia

By Senior Airman Missy Sterling, 442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published August 05, 2016

JAGALA, Estonia (AFNS) -- Eight Air Force Reserve Command A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted highway landings on the Jagala-Karavete Highway in Northern Estonia Aug 1.

The A-10s are assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and according to Col. Gregory Eckfeld, the 442nd FW vice commander, it is important to practice landing on alternative runways in case primary runways are not available during a combat situation.

Eight successful landings and takeoffs from the highway not only displayed the Air Force's tactical capabilities, it also displayed the partnership between the U.S. and Estonia that allowed for the coordination of the event.

"Overall, the Estonians were great in helping us out and getting our mission accomplished, and as far as the coordination went, it couldn't have gone smoother," said a 321st Special Tactics Squadron combat controller who acted as air traffic control for the event. "This was a good experience and a good time and it definitely enhanced our capability and presence in the area."

This event marked the second highway landing to take place in Estonia; the first took place last June as part of exercise Saber Strike 16.

The A-10's design allows the aircraft to be able to land in a variety of locations, including semi-prepared landing strips and austere sites.

"We can operate the A-10 anytime, anywhere, 24/7," said Eckfeld, adding that the A-10 has wide tires and high-mounted engines, which help avoid foreign object damage and allows the aircraft to land on many surfaces other aircraft cannot.

The 442nd FW arrived in Estonia July 25 and began a flying training deployment with the Estonian Air Force in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The exercise demonstrates the commitment the U.S. has made to European security and demonstrates joint force capabilities and readiness.

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Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 5, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted four strikes in Syria:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed 14 ISIL oil tankers.

-- Near Manbij, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL command-and-control node.

Strikes in Iraq

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Qaim, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Hit, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL ammunition cache.

-- Near Qayyarah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 12 ISIL oil tankers, an ISIL staging facility and an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Ramadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Sinjar, a strike suppressed an ISIL mortar system.

-- Near Tal Afar, two strikes struck an ISIL headquarters and an ISIL vehicle bomb-making factory.

-- Near Mosul, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL command-and-control node.

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. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.

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, 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 the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

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U.S., South Korea, Japan Discuss Recent North Korean Missile Launches

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2016  Representatives of the United States, South Korea and Japan conducted a senior-level videoconference yesterday to share information among the three countries regarding the two recent North Korean missile launches, according to a Defense Department statement.

At this meeting, South Korean Brig. Gen. Park Cheol-kyun, deputy director general of the South Korean Defense Ministry's International Policy Bureau; Christopher Johnstone, DoD's principal director for East Asia; and Koji Kano, principal director of the Japanese Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau, represented their respective countries, the statement said.

South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed that North Korea's recent missile launches are provocative acts that represent a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and a serious threat to peace and stability, not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the region, the statement said.

The defense officials condemned the missile tests and reiterated that they will continue to cooperate closely and share information on North Korea's missile threat, according to the statement.

The United States reaffirms its ironclad alliance commitments to defend South Korea and Japan. The United States will continue to work closely with South Korea and Japan, as well as the international community, to address North Korea's provocative actions, the statement said.

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Pacific Partnership 2016 arrives in Palau

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160805-07

Release Date: 8/5/2016 9:34:00 AM

From Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

KOROR, Palau (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2016 arrived in Palau, Aug. 4, aboard JS Shimokita (LST 4002), making this the second year Pacific Partnership has visited Palau since the mission began in 2006.

The Pacific Partnership team, made up of service members and civilians from Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, will work with civilian and military leadership to conduct cooperative health engagements, subject matter expert exchanges in nursing and pharmacy, and civil-engineering projects, all focused on improving partner nations' collective ability to respond to a variety of natural disasters.

The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force worked closely with the government of Palau to plan a range of medical and engineering initiatives designed to promote cooperation and knowledge exchange between local authorities and the multinational Pacific Partnership team. The visit to Palau is part of the wider Pacific Partnership 2016 mission, building cooperation between allied and partner nations.

"This is the first time a Japanese naval vessel has visited Palau, and it's an honor for the Japanese to lead the Pacific Partnership mission in Palau, and to work with the government and people here," said Capt. Takeshi Okada, commander, Landing Ship Division One, embarked aboard Shimokita.

While Shimokita is in Palau, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and the rest of the Pacific Partnership 2016 team will make mission stops in Malaysia and Indonesia. Pacific Partnership 2016 is focused on enhancing relationships and multinational interoperability through knowledge exchange and cooperative training, ensuring partner nations are prepared to collectively and effectively respond when disaster strikes. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

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PANAMAX 2016 Concludes at Naval Station Mayport

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160805-04

Release Date: 8/5/2016 8:55:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sean Allen, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) presided over the closing ceremony of PANAMAX 2016 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center at Naval Station Mayport, Aug. 4.

PANAMAX is one of the largest multinational military exercises in the world. The annual U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal, which is crucial to the unrestricted flow of global maritime commerce.

Rear Adm. George W. Ballance, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, opened the closing ceremony by emphasizing the importance of the canal for all nations.

"PANAMAX 2016 was a truly remarkable example of global interoperability and unified multinational forces working together, with the common goal of defending one of the most strategically and economically important pieces of infrastructure in the world," Ballance said.

Peruvian Rear Adm. Alberto Alcala served as the exercise's Combined Forces Maritime Component (CFMC) commander. Alcala had operational control of all simulated maritime components operating in and around the Panama Canal.

"It is teamwork like this that will pay dividends in the future; 19-countries coming together to accomplish one mission," said Alcala. "It was an honor to [be] your [CFMC] commander."

The exercise was conducted as a Command Post exercise, meaning no actual forces were used. The CFMCC staff was made up of 270 personnel, including support from the U.S. Navy Reserve and 80 partner nation representatives all came to Mayport to assist with operations and crisis action planning during the exercise.

PANAMAX included a series of simulated maritime exercises, led by the CFMC commander, designed to help the U.S. and partner nations work together to protect and defend the Panama Canal, increasing interoperability and capacity to work together as one multinational force.

This year's exercise included participants from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

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South Sudan rejects UN rape accusations against soldiers

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 5:24PM

South Sudan on Friday dismissed accusations against its soldiers that they had raped and killed civilians during clashes in the capital Juba in July.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein said Thursday that at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba had been documented between July 8 and July 25.

The UN official blamed troops from Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir for the acts of violence.

Of the 217 cases documented by the UN, "those most affected were displaced Nuer women and girls and those responsible seem to have been mostly SPLA," Hussein said.

He also stated that although the government has established a military court aimed at trying SPLA soldiers who commit rights abuses, "the violations continue unabated."

The SPLA spokesman, Lul Ruai Koang, on Friday rejected the UN official's remarks as "baseless accusation."

He said the alleged violence could have been carried out by men in uniform who were not necessarily government soldiers.

The SPLA spokesman said 19 government soldiers were currently on trial for crimes varying from looting to loitering to murder. He claimed that the SPLA had not received "any complaint from alleged victims regarding the above mentioned issue."

South Sudan has witnessed a new wave of conflict since July 8, when gunfire erupted near the state house in Juba, where President Kiir and then Vice President Riek Machar were meeting for talks. More than 300 people have been killed in the clashes.

The country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It has gone through turmoil ever since.

The conflict in South Sudan has exposed deep ethnic divisions. It erupted after a power struggle between President Kiir, a member of the Dinka ethnic group, and rebel leader Machar, a member of the Nuer ethnic group.

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10 dead in fresh Saudi airstrikes in Yemen

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 5:12PM

At least 10 people have lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when Saudi fighter jets carried out a number of airstrikes against residential neighborhoods across Yemen.

On Friday, Saudi military aircraft struck a vehicle carrying a displaced family along a road in Baqim district in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'dah, located 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of the capital Sana'a, leaving eight people dead and several others wounded, Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network reported.

Two women also lost their lives and a number of others wounded when the Saudi military aircraft struck a family house in Sana'a province's Nihm district.

Later in the day, three aerial attacks hit Qamar village and Dar al-Nasr town in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Jizan as the Yemeni soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, were advancing deeper into the Saudi territory in response to Riyadh's devastating aerial campaign against their country.

The airstrikes come as Saudi officials have ordered Jizan residents to immediately evacuate their homes in the wake of Yemenis' retaliatory attacks.

The officials have threatened to strip the locals of their citizenship if they refuse to leave.

Saudi military forces have also been deployed to residential areas across the region as part of preparations for a possible escalation of tensions.

Some activists say the Saudi regime has already cut the locals' access to food resources and water reservoirs and limited their freedom of movement.

Yemen has been under military strikes by Saudi Arabia since late March 2015. The Saudi war was launched in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and to reinstate Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who has resigned as Yemen's president but seeks to forcefully grab power.

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Nigeria detains 7 for supplying explosives to NDA militants

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 12:11PM

Nigeria has arrested seven people for allegedly providing the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militants with high-caliber explosives and detonators.

The militant group has been conducting sabotage activities against Nigeria's oil facilities since March.

On Thursday, Nigeria's National Security Adviser Major-General Mohammed Monguno said the staff of an explosives-distribution company in the Niger Delta had diverted the explosives to the militants.

"A detailed audit of the records of explosives magazines and quarries in that region was conducted, which revealed the diversion of about 9,000 kg of high explosives and 16,420 pieces of detonators for illegal use," he said.

"The actors, including the storeman of a major explosives distribution company in Nigeria, an accomplice and five security operatives, have been arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities."

The Nigerian security official also stated that an investigation has been launched into the matter, adding, "I can assure you that they are deeply culpable and necessary action will be taken on the conclusion of these investigations."

"Any individual or company that operates outside the confines of legitimacy or legality will have itself to blame, and we want to add that the government of the day will not listen to... any company that decides to sabotage national security."

The militant group, mainly operating in the Niger Delta, publicly announced existence in March and since then has been blowing up gas and crude oil pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The NDA attacks have had an immediate and significant impact on Nigeria's wealth, as they have pushed the country's oil output to its lowest level in decades. Oil exports account for 70 percent of Nigeria's government revenue.

The militants want foreign oil companies out of the Niger Delta. They say they are fighting to protect the environment and to win locals a bigger share of the profits.

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Saudi Arabia forcefully evacuating residents near Yemen border

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 7:8AM

Saudi Arabia has launched a forced evacuation of locals in its Jizan region, as Yemeni forces advance deeper into the Saudi territory in response to Riyadh's war on their country.

Yemen's Khabar news agency website reported the development on Friday with pictures of departing locals as well as a video showing Saudi military personnel arguing with locals who resisted the order to leave their homes.

The report said villages and towns affected by the order are closest to the common border with Yemen.

The Saudi military has threatened to strip locals of their citizenship and invalidate their identification and travel documents if they refuse to leave. Saudi forces have also deployed to residential areas in the region in anticipation of a major escalation.

Some activists say the Saudi regime has already cut the locals' access to food resources and water reservoirs and limited their freedom of movement.

Yemen's army and Houthi Ansarullah fighters have been retaliating for Saudi attacks on their country.

About 10,000 people have been killed since March 2015, when the Saudi war was launched in an attempt to restore former president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to power. Yemenis say most of the victims in the Saudi airstrikes are civilians.

On Thursday, UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh said he planned to suspend peace talks between the Houthis and representatives of the Saudi-backed former Yemeni government after the effort faced new hiccups.

The talks have been underway in Kuwait since April 21, without a major breakthrough amid sharp differences between the two sides.

Houthis say any potential peace process should, first and foremost, facilitate the formation of a national unity government and the appointment of a new consensus president, who would oversee transition.

A UN proposal has called on the Houthis to withdraw and surrender their arms. Ansarullah has rejected the plan as unacceptable, saying it falls short of establishing a unity government in the war-torn country. They have also accused the UN of having altered the terms of a draft agreement earlier worked out in Kuwait.

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Czech Republic, Slovakia to Sign Airspace Protection Agreement

Sputnik News

20:35 05.08.2016(updated 20:42 05.08.2016)

The Czech Republic and Slovakia are expected soon to sign an agreement on protection of the airspace, which, in particular, would allow Slovak or Czech pilots to use force over the territory of the other state, Czech media reported Friday.

PRAGUE (Sputnik)  According to Ceske Noviny news portal, Czech and Slovak authorities agreed on airspace protection deal in May and the Czech government will discuss the text of the agreement in the coming weeks.

The agreement is expected to go beyond the framework of the so-called NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS), which protects Alliance's territory, populations and forces against any air and missile threat and attack. In accordance with NATINAMDS, Czech planes may accompany an aircraft, over Slovakia, which does not react to any signals and vice versa.

The new agreement will prescribe, in particular, that a Czech pilot may use weapons against a civil aircraft kidnapped by terrorists over Slovakia which can be used as a tool for a terrorist attack.

The Czech Republic has no similar agreements with any other state.

 Sputnik

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Chinese, Afghan Armed Forces Hold First Strategic Dialogue

Sputnik News

15:39 05.08.2016(updated 15:52 05.08.2016)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Afghan Armed Forces held their first strategic dialogue in Beijing on Friday, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

BEIJING (Sputnik)  Chinese Chief of People's Liberation Army General Staff Gen. Fang Fenghui and Afghan Chief of Army, Gen. Qadam Shah Shahim took part in the talks.

"China and Afghanistan intend to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres and permanently deepen [their] defense and security partnership," Fang was quoted as saying by the ministry.

The Chinese Defense Ministry said earlier that China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan had established a four-party mechanism to fight terrorism.

Shah Shim said that Afghanistan also intended to enhance cooperation with China and expressed support for the recent four-party anti-terrorism agreement.

 Sputnik

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Who Is Running Boko Haram?

by Chika Oduah August 05, 2016

This week saw dueling statements from two men who both claim to be the leader of Nigerian militant sect Boko Haram. The apparent leadership struggle has sparked concerns of an ideological split that could lead to a surge in violence in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

In its weekly online publication, the Islamic State militant group named Abu Musab al-Barnawi as its "governor" of Boko Haram.

The article didn't say so explicitly, but the implication was that al-Barnawi had replaced Abubakar Shekau, the bombastic preacher who has led the group since 2009.

Al-Barnawi has also reportedly released an audio statement attacking Shekau, according to the regional news service Sahara Reporters.

Shekau re-asserts authority

A man claiming to be Shekau responded to this so-called attempted coup with a 10-minute audio statement of his own, briefly posted on YouTube before it was taken down. In the statement, Shekau reasserted his authority over Boko Haram and said that al-Barnawi, a long-time member of the group, is trying to stir up conflict.

"Of course, he's so confused and it's a sign, he [Shekau] was showing sign of weakness. I think it's a sign of the end of the whole saga -- that is one  two, it's a sign of a defeat also," said Khalid Aliyu, an official of the umbrella body of Islamic organizations in Nigeria, Jama'atu Nasril Islam.

" It's also a sign of loss of power and control of the insurgency itself, therefore it shows a crack in the organization of the insurgency," he added.

He says Boko Haram has been overpowered by the army. In fact, Boko Haram has lost most of the territory it once held, although it still carries out attacks in northeast Nigeria and across nearby borders.

Power struggle

Aliyu speculates that this may be why the Islamic State is shifting the power away from Shekau in an attempt to raise the profile of Boko Haram again; but, there are fears that the power struggle between al-Barnawi and Shekau could lead to a spike in violence.

"There will be clash over leadership if it is true that Barnawi is the new leader and Shekau is saying I am still the authority, you know. There will be clashes. They will be fighting each other," said Bulus Mungopark, a member of a Nigerian vigilante group. These groups have been key allies of the Nigerian military, helping to monitor and fight Boko Haram units.

Mungopark says he battled Boko Haram in his hometown of Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped almost 300 schoolgirls in 2014.

Al-Barnawi is said, by some, to be the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in police custody in 2009; but, that's up for debate. Mungopark says he remembers Yusuf very well.

"I know Mohammed Yusuf. Very well. And I know his age. So he could not have a son up to the age," Mungopark said.

What is also up for debate is the actual level of cooperation between the Islamic State and Boko Haram. The Islamic State accepted Boko Haram's pledge of allegiance last year, but many security analysts say there does not seem to be a coordination of military strategy between the two groups.

"From the beginning when Boko Haram pledged their allegiance to IS, I think both Boko Haram and IS, each one of them is looking for recognition, would want to have more followers," said professor Muktar Bunza, a Nigerian historian who has followed Boko Haram.

Still, an attempt by Islamic State to reshuffle Boko Haram's leadership could point to deepening operational ties to come.

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S. Sudan Opposition Wants Regional Buffer Force in Juba

by James Butty August 05, 2016

A South Sudanese opposition official says East African leaders meeting Friday should endorse a foreign intervention force for the war-torn country.

Tensions remain high in South Sudan's capital, Juba, after clashes between rebels and government forces last month killed some 300 people and displaced tens of thousands.

President Salva Kiir has said more foreign troops to complement U.N. peacekeepers are not necessary; but Goi Yooyul Yol, the opposition's representative to Ethiopia and the African Union, says a buffer force is needed to separate government forces and those of the opposition, known as the SPLM-IO.



"When we signed the agreement last year, we felt that a third force was not necessary, and we thought the two forces would manage the security in Juba; but what happened in Juba on July 8, 9 and 11 shows that the government of South Sudan, the president himself is not in control of his forces," Yooyul Yol said.

About 12,000 U.N. peacekeepers are currently stationed in South Sudan.

Leaders of the East African regional bloc IGAD are meeting in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. President Kiir is not attending the talks.

The Machar question

The government and opposition blame each other for starting the fighting in Juba last month.

Opposition leader and former first vice president Riek Machar has been in hiding since the clashes. A breakaway faction of the SPLM-IO unseated Machar as its leader, and President Kiir appointed a new first vice president, Taban Deng Gai.

Yooyul Yol accuses President Kiir of having ordered his forces to kill Machar.

"Every morning, you see helicopters taking off and soldiers moving toward the direction where they suspect Riek to be hiding, and guns are heard. There's a lot of fighting. This thing is not something somebody can deny. There were directives to hunt for Dr. Machar," Yooyul Yol told VOA.

The SPLM-IO says President Kiir must reverse his decision to replace Machar as first vice president to get the implementation of the peace deal back on track.

He said the installation of Taban Deng Gai as first vice president was illegal.

"They had said that they are replacing Dr. Machar temporarily because he was temporarily absent; but Article 6.5 of the [peace] agreement says that in the event of temporary absence of the first vice president, the first vice president may delegate a senior [South] Sudan-in-Opposition official to carry out functions or duties stipulated in the agreement," Yooyul Yol told VOA.

The Kiir government has defended its decision to appoint the new first vice president as being in accordance with the wishes of the SPLM-IO.

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Seoul May Consider New Site for THAAD Amid Local Residents' Protests

Sputnik News

19:55 05.08.2016

South Korea may find another location in the southern county of Seongju for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, according to a presidential spokesman.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Seoul may consider a new location in the southern county of Seongju for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system amid fierce opposition by local residents, a presidential spokesman said on Friday.

Residents of Seongju County, where the system is expected to be deployed, protest against the deployment of the missile system over potential negative health effects caused by the electromagnetic waves emanating from the THAAD's radar.

"Although it may not be easy to change the already designated site, [the government] will conduct a thorough study to see if there is another site [capable of hosting THAAD] should there be a request [for such a study]," Jung Youn-kuk was quoted as saying by the Yonhap News agency.

On July 13, the country's Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn together with Defense Minister Han Min-koo visited the county in a bid to persuade local residents to accept the deployment of the THAAD system. The attempt failed, with locals throwing eggs and water bottles at the officials.

The THAAD system is designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at the terminal incoming stage. The system's deployment to Seoul has caused concerns in North Korea, as well as China and Russia.

 Sputnik

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Aiming High: Pyongyang Sets Sights on Moon Landing In Next Decade

Sputnik News

22:00 05.08.2016(updated 00:56 06.08.2016)

According to a senior official, North Korea plans to plant its national flag on the moon's surface some time in the next ten years.

Hyon Kwang II, director of the scientific research department of the National Aerospace Development Administration, stated that the Democratic Republic of North Korea (DPRK) plans to launch satellites into orbit by 2020, regardless of international sanctions.

Even though the US and its allies try to block our space development, our aerospace scientists will conquer space and definitely plant the flag of the DPRK on the moon. Our country has started to accomplish our plan and we have started to gain a lot of successes," he said, adding, "No matter what anyone thinks, our country will launch more satellites."

DPRK President Kim Jong Un ordered a five-year plan for the country, and Hyon confirmed that the plan includes launching observational satellites into Earth orbit, "to solve communications problems by developing geostationary satellites." If successful, this project would be the DPRK's first geostationary communication satellite. Hyon explained, "All of this work will be the basis for the flight to the moon."

He added that the nation intends "to do manned spaceflight and scientific experiments in space, make a flight to the moon and moon exploration, and also exploration to other planets."

North Korea launched its most recent satellite on February 7. The Kwangmyongsong 4, or Brilliant Star 4, made its way into orbit just one month after the country purportedly conducted its first hydrogen-bomb test. Nuclear tests in the DPRK have obvious military applications, and are banned by the United Nations. The recent tests have resulted in increased sanctions against the country. Hyon called the sanctions "ridiculous."

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who keeps a comprehensive blog detailing international satellites and launches, remarked that "It would be a significant increase in technology, not one that is beyond them, but you have to debug each bit."

As the US made its first lunar flyby only six months after launching its first satellite, and Russia did the same a year and a half after launching its first satellites, McDowell suggested that, "it's not ridiculous to attempt a moon mission early in your space program, given their low flight rate of one mission every few years. I think it is hard to see them succeeding in this in the next five years, but possible to see them attempting it."

Markus Schiller, an expert on North Korean missiles, said that launching a geostationary satellite would be a more viable undertaking for the country than a moon landing. "Judging from what I have seen so far with their space program, it will take North Korea about a decade or more to get to lunar orbit, at best," he said.

 Sputnik

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China warships finish RIMPAC missions

People's Daily Online

(CRI Online) 09:26, August 05, 2016

Chinese naval vessels which taking part in this year's RIMPAC, or Rim of the Pacific, naval exercises are now docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

A total of 5 Chinese ships took part in this year's event, including two missile destroyers, a supply ship, a hospital ship and a submarine rescue vessel.

They've taken part in various military drills with navies from various other countries as part of the 23-day exercise.

The Chinese navy worked most closely with the US, French and Indonesian navies during the drills.

The five Chinese ships will start making their way back to China later on this Friday.

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South China Sea Buildup: Secrets Revealed for Beijing's New Aircraft Carrier

Sputnik News

22:14 05.08.2016(updated 23:32 05.08.2016)

As the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy makes significant upgrades to its fleet, a newly emerged photograph shows that the nation's third aircraft carrier will feature a catapult system, instead of the ski-jump method used in earlier models.

With tensions escalating in the South China Sea, Beijing has been steadily upgrading its naval forces. In addition to the construction of new fighter jets, early-warning patrol aircraft, anti-submarine warplanes and helicopters, the PLA Navy is also in the process of adding new aircraft carriers.

While a second carrier is currently under construction, a third is in the planning phase.

A photograph of a mockup of this third vessel reveals new details. While previous designs included a ski-jump section at the ship's bow to provide aircraft with adequate lift, the new design does not include this structure, indicating the likelihood of a catapult launch system.

According to IHS Jane's, satellite photos of Huangdicun Airbase appear to show the construction of two catapult systems. One of these is thought to be steam-powered while the other is an electromagnetic version.

The second aircraft carrier, now nearly complete, features a more sophisticated design than its predecessor, the Liaoning. According to Yin Zhuo, chairman of the consulting committee of the PLA Navy, the vessel will be able to carry more weapons, fighters, and fuel.

In June, photos surfaced of China's new nuclear-powered Type 093 attack submarine. The Shang-class vessel appears to feature vertical-launch shafts that could fire both YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles and DF-10 long-range land-attack cruise missiles.

Beijing's naval modernization comes as the United States and its Pacific allies work to escalate tensions in the South China Sea. A highly contested region through which roughly $5 trillion in trade passes annually, most of the waterway is claimed by China, though there are overlapping claims by Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.

While the Hague-based Court of Arbitration recently ruled against China's nine-dash territorial claims, Beijing does not recognize the decision as legitimate.

The Pentagon has carried out a number of progressive patrol through the region, including several within the 12-mile territorial limit of Beijing's artificial islands in the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos.

As China works to assert its claims, new ships and equipment could well play a significant role.

 Sputnik

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Daesh captures 3,000 fleeing Iraqis: UNHCR

Iran Press TV

Fri Aug 5, 2016 10:35AM

The UN refugee agency UNHCR says Daesh terrorists may have captured up to 3,000 fleeing Iraqi villagers on Thursday and subsequently executed 12 of them.

The report followed a statement on Thursday from the Iraqi Observatory for Human rights, which said about 1,900 civilians had been captured by an estimated 100-120 Daesh militants.

The observatory said Daesh was using people as shields against attacks by Iraqi security forces, adding scores of civilians had been executed, and six burnt.

The report said the Takfiri group had captured the internally displaced people from villages in Hawijah District in Kirkuk Governorate trying to flee to Kirkuk city.

"Reportedly, 12 of the IDPs have been killed in captivity," the UNHCR report said.

The Iraqi army and allied volunteer forces are preparing for a final push to dislodge Daesh from Mosul - the Takfiri group's last major city in Iraq.

The UN has appealed for about $2 billion of donations to deal with the aftermath of the Mosul assault but has received nothing so far.

The likely capture of thousands of Iraqis came as Izadis marked this week the second anniversary of what investigators have termed a genocide by Daesh against the Iraqi minority group.

On Wednesday, the United Nations said thousands of Izadis are being held captive by Daesh in Syria where many are used for sexual slavery or forced to fight for the Takfiri group.

According to the UN, around 3,200 Yazidi women and girls are being held captive, and thousands of men and boys are missing.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned "the heinous crimes that continue to be committed by ISIL (Daesh) against the diverse ethnic and religious communities of Iraq."

He also expressed deep concern "about the safety of the people who remain in ISIL's captivity," calling upon all those engaged in the fight against Daesh to make their release a prime objective in their military operations.

The US has been deploying additional troops to Iraq in anticipation of the assault on Mosul.

The plan has raised questions, with some critics citing Washington's failure to react when Daesh was overrunning Iraqi cities one after another.

The Americans and their allies have also been assisting Iraqi Kurds which maintain self-rule on some portions of the Arab country.

Kurdish forces are among the groups primed for a push on Mosul along with the Americans.

Hezbollah deputy head Sheikh Naim Qassem warned this week against the partitioning of Iraq and neighboring Syria.

"On the battlefield and in view of regional and international interventions I don't rule out that one of the ideas proposed is finding a state of partition in those two countries but will it succeed or not?" he said in an interview with Reuters.

"So far the forces that want the unity of Iraq and Syria are able to prevent the idea of partition but we should remain worried about the possibility that some countries might push these two countries or one of them into partition."

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Libyan Islamists Increase Condemnation of US Airstrikes

by Jamie Dettmer August 05, 2016

Libyan Islamists opposed to the country's struggling U.N.-backed 'unity' government have condemned this week's U.S. airstrikes targeting Islamic State fighters holed up in the coastal town of Sirte.

Influential Islamists say the airstrikes that started Monday are 'illegal'  despite the fact they were requested by Libya's internationally recognized prime minister, Fayez al-Sarraj.

The country's grand mufti, Sadek Al-Ghariani, who helped fan anti-GNA (Government of National Accord) protests in Tripoli in late July after the French government acknowledged it had commandos on the ground in Libya helping to battle IS, denounced Thursday the U.S. airstrikes as unacceptable.

And on a Libyan TV station he appeared to inch close to defending IS fighters, arguing that unlike in 2011 with the West's assistance in the ouster of strongman Moammar Gadhafi, the West's bombing raids this time were aimed at Muslims following the Sunna (the Way) of the Prophet.

In Libya the conflict now is between local people who are all Muslims, and the West should not get involved, he said. A GNA-loyal militia, Tripoli's RADA (Deterrence) forces, claimed Thursday in response to Al-Ghariani's remarks that there are links between hardline Islamists and the jihadists.

Growing split

The mufti's intervention illustrates the widening rift between an alliance of hardline Islamists loyal to a GNA rival, the Government of National Salvation, also based in Tripoli, and a tenuous coalition of militias supporting the GNA. Western diplomats have recently expressed concerns that the mufti and his allies may be close to calling for the formation of a supreme revolutionaries' council to replace the GNA - although so far they have not opposed the unity government militarily.

The dispute between hardline Islamists in the Libyan capital and the U.N.-backed government is adding to already bitter rivalries setting Libya's regions, towns and tribes against each other in a complicated patchwork of local divisions, and rivalries that emerged after the ouster of Gadhafi. Alliances can shift and are hard to plot as rivals recalibrate their loyalties depending on the short-term gains they calculate they can secure.

Some analysts worry that the current mainly covert military involvement of Western countries against IS in Libya is adding to the chaos in the strife-torn country because the U.S., Britain, France and Italy are assisting opposing political alliances.



"Complicating the matter is that the U.S. is backing different forces than its French and Italian allies," according to Jason Pack of the consultancy Libya-Analysis.

In the U.S. case, the airstrikes targeting IS extremists in Sirte this week have been supporting militias mainly from the western Libyan town of Misrata currently loyal to the GNA. British commandos have also been assisting Misratan militiamen against IS.

But France and Italy, as well as Egypt, have been working with the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, the military commander of a government in the east, one of the two rival governments the GNA was meant to have replaced in December.

The eastern government based on the rump of a former parliament, the House of Representatives, has so far refused to recognize the U.N.-backed GNA.

Lack of coordination

Last month, GNA officials insisted the French had not coordinated the presence of commandos in eastern Libya with them. And, in the face of anti-Western protests fanned by the grand mufti and his allies, issued a diplomatic protest summoning the French ambassador for a meeting.

Anti-IS Western operations in Libya before the U.S. airstrikes this week had been an open secret for months and widely reported on by international and local media outlets. Misrata militiamen have described publicly the intelligence, logistical and even combat assistance they have been receiving from British special forces in skirmishes in Sirte against the jihadists.

The U.S. and British governments have provided little information publicly on the numbers and mission of any ground forces they have in Libya. In May, there were reports of British commandos thwarting an IS suicide mission near Misrata, but British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon told Britain's lawmakers the government was not participating or even planning combat roles in Libya.

Western officials, though, say privately, the priority for them has to be the fight against IS and they need to collaborate with both the GNA and General Haftar, despite the fact they are bitter rivals.

The danger of that approach is one of lack of strategic clarity, cautions Olivier Guitta, a British geopolitical risk and security consultant, who worries the West has no long-term plan for stabilizing Libya. "The U.S. has to be careful of the unintended consequences of a new military campaign" in Libya, he says.

Guitta argues the political impasse in Libya is something IS is adept at exploiting and will feed off it even if the terror group's fighters are finally pushed out of the center of Sirte.

Before this week's U.S. airstrikes, American lawmakers also questioned whether there is a grand strategy in place  not only to defeat IS in Libya but to try to glue the country back together again.

On June 21 during a hearing, Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, queried whether the Obama administration has "a strategy for Libya or are we just acting in an ad hoc fashion." Pressed by McCain, Marine Lieutenant General Thomas Waldhauser, the incoming commander of U.S. forces in Africa, conceded he didn't know of one. "I am not aware of any grand strategy at this point," he said.

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Russia Invites NATO to 'Play Open' in Baltics, but Only on Quid-Pro-Quo Basis

Sputnik News

17:56 05.08.2016(updated 18:08 05.08.2016)

Russia's Defense Ministry has offered NATO the chance to discuss terms for open interaction in the Baltic region to avoid any further security incidents in the area, but only on a quid-pro-quo basis.

Russian Defense Ministry has offered NATO to discuss the ways of easing tensions in the Baltic region.

Russia suggested notifying its neighbors of the scheduled military drills in the region and discussing the obligatory use of transponders, devices which emit an identifying signal in response to an interrogating received signal.

Russian military experts believe that the proposed moves will considerably ease the tensions in the skies above the Baltics which has recently witnessed considerable increase of combat aviation activities from both NATO and Russia.

Russia is ready to ensure transparency of its activities in the Baltic air but it asks for the same transparency from NATO, Sweden and Finland, whose Air Force has been increasingly active in the region since the start of the Ukrainian crisis, according to Russian newspaper Izvestiya.

Moscow has been increasingly wary of the British and American RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft flights over the Baltics with the turned off transponders.

Back in April an American RC-135U reconnaissance aircraft was buzzed by a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet over the Baltic Sea near Russia's Kaliningrad Region.

Pentagon then accused the Russian pilot of "coming dangerously close" to the US aircraft.

"When the flights are conducted with the turned on transponders, the systems of control over the airspace will constantly monitor the flight operation mode of any aircraft. This is our amicable suggestion and now it is up to NATO," former Russian air force chief Petr Deinekin told the newspaper.

"Aside from the issue of transponders, the Russian Defense Ministry is proposing to discuss a wide range of issues, from interaction with NATO to the joint response to common challenges and threats,"Head of the Defense Ministry's Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation Sergei Koshelev said on Friday.

The invitation was sent to the defense departments of these [Baltic] states, including the Lithuanian Defense Ministry. The Russian Defense Ministry expects the official response from our partners on the Russian proposals, as communication through the media will not allow us to rapidly resolve our differences," Koshelev added.

Head of the Department for European Security Studies in the Moscow-based Institute of Europe at the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Danilov has explained why all the confidence-building measures in the Baltics should necessarily be reciprocal.

"Military threat in the region keeps growing and we need to take care of decreasing the risks, however it should be a reciprocal process without any unilateral concessions," he told Izvestiya.

"It is a multilateral process and both Russia and its opponents are interested in it," he said adding that the parties to the talks have been trying to agree upon the deterrent measures since last spring.

The political analyst hopes that there are grounds for the dialogue.

 Sputnik

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Russia Not Seeking to Monopolize Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement

Sputnik News

11:13 05.08.2016(updated 11:40 05.08.2016)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has no intentions of pushing aside other mediators and monopolizing the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement work or imposing any solutions.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia has no intentions of pushing aside other mediators and monopolizing the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement work, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We often hear that Russia is trying to monopolize the work related to the settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict and push other mediators aside. That is a misconception. The trilateral summits on the Karabakh issue with the participation of the Russian President  there have been more than twenty such summits  perfectly complement the efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, the US and France to settle this conflict," Putin told AZERTAC news agency ahead of his Azerbaijan visit.

"It should be noted that US and French representatives attended the concluding part of the abovementioned trilateral summit in St. Petersburg," the president added.

According to Putin, such an approach serves as an example of "how we can and should work to settle international conflicts."

"I hope that our joint efforts will help the sides to reach a consensual solution," he concluded.

Moreover, Russia is not attempting to impose "ready-made solutions" to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict upon Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"I would like to particularly emphasize that we are not trying to impose some ready made solutions upon Armenia and Azerbaijan. The sides should reach an agreement and find mutually acceptable solutions independently, without external pressure. This is our firm position," Putin told AZERTAC news agency ahead of his Azerbaijan visit.

On April 2, tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani breakaway region with a predominantly Armenian population, escalated. Baku and Yerevan accused each other of provoking the hostilities, however, the sides succeeded in reaching a ceasefire agreement on April 5, which has been followed by near-daily reports of truce violations.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988, when the autonomous region left the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and proclaimed independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The secession triggered a war that lasted until a Russia-brokered ceasefire was signed in 1994.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Kurds Worried Erdogan Will Try to Mend Ties With Assad Out of Spite

Sputnik News

19:17 05.08.2016(updated 19:32 05.08.2016)

In an interview for Sputnik, Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party co-chair Salih Muslim expressed his concerns over the possibility of Ankara attempting to normalize relations with the Syrian government out of spite for the Kurds.

Speaking to Sputnik Turkey, Muslim explained that the PYD is concerned about the prospects of post-coup attempt Turkey strengthening ties with neighboring states to prevent Kurds from achieving their rights to autonomy. He suggested that he doubts that Turkey will be able to make peace with Assad, but added that even if that happens, it will not affect the Syrian Kurdish project for autonomy inside Syria.

Commenting on the July 16 coup attempt, Muslim said that it was entirely expected, and that the military had long been unhappy with the Justice and Development Party's course of Islamization. At the same time, he indicated that the coup attempt was clearly a direct result of Ankara's "misguided policies," including against the Kurds.

"The putschists were people who were largely engaged with the Kurdish problem," Muslim explained, referring to the military and other security forces involved in a brutal campaign against the Kurds in southern Turkey. "The AKP wanted to get rid of them. They were unable to solve the Kurdish problem."

Asked what he thought about the normalization of ties between Turkey and Russia, and the possibility that Turkey will soon change its policy on Syria as well, Muslim emphasized that "from the beginning, we have said that Erdogan and the leaders of the AKP are making concessions in order to prevent the Kurds from attaining their rights. This is the main thing for them, and it concerns Syria, Turkey and the other places where Kurds live. They made peace with Russia and Israel. Now it is Assad's turn."

At the same time, Muslim suggested that it is unlikely that Ankara and Damascus will be able to come to a rapprochement. "Turkey has already lost its political weight. They are making concessions to everyone, including Assad. But this will not lead anywhere, because nobody can trust Turkey."

"Even if Turkey reaches consensus with Assad, this will not affect the Kurds. I don't think it will throw us back. I doubt that Turkey will be able to come to terms with Assad. But even if they do, this will not affect us, because we do not depend on anyone's support. We stand on our own feet. We do not act against Turkey relying on the Syrian regime, nor act against the Syrian regime relying on Turkey. We rely on the strength of our people. We have a federalization project which is making progress every day."

Muslim also emphasized that Syrian Kurds are not Ankara's enemy. "We look at Turkey in strategic terms. We are neighbors. We need to be together; we need to be friends. But Turkey, because of their hostility to the Kurds, acts against us. This is not good, but we will continue to extend a hand of friendship to Turkey."

"The Kurdish problem has gone far beyond the scope of the Rojava and affects all Kurds," Muslim added, referring to the de facto autonomous region in northern Syria. "We would consider it very beneficial if Turkey came to an agreement with their own Kurds. But Turkey does not want to do so; they continue to terrorize us. But this will not work. Turkey is trying to fool everyone, but no one believes them."

Ultimately, Muslim emphasized that resolving the Syrian conflict will be impossible without Kurdish input, including at the Geneva peace talks. The politician suggested that Russia is "at the center of the decision of the Syrian issue," and that it has the tools at its disposal to help resolve the crisis. Muslim hinted that Russia can pressure its allies in Geneva to come to a peace settlement.

 Sputnik

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The Turkish Coup Attempt, Russia, And The West

August 05, 2016

by Abbas Djavadi

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travels to St. Petersburg on August 9 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They will focus on improving cooperation in two main areas: the effort to find a shared and joint solution to the Syria crisis, and in business and energy, including a full resumption of tourism from Russia to Turkey, trade, and construction projects that were halted during a monthslong spat between the two nations.

Both sides, it appears, are using the recent Turkish coup attempt to mend their relations.

This is Erdogan's first visit to a foreign country since the July 15 effort to overthrow his government. The coup attempt was rebuffed by a majority of Turks and clamped down by security forces. It was followed by the detention, arrest, and dismissal of tens of thousands of people accused of being members or sympathizing with Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who has been in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. He is accused by the Turkish government of building a secret network infiltrating the army, the justice, education, and media sectors, and the business world.

The St. Petersburg visit will also be the first meeting between the Turkish and Russian presidents since Turkey downed a Russian attack aircraft near the Syrian-Turkish border in November. Erdogan strongly defended the action at the time, saying that the Russian aircraft -- which was participating in Russia's bombing campaign in Syria -- had violated Turkish airspace.

In the Syrian conflict, Turkey started in the early 2010s to support armed rebel groups, including extremist Islamists, against the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. Russia took sides with the Assad government and actively entered the war in September, 2015. This created a regional confrontation between Russia and Turkey, who had to that point enjoyed good relations.

Following the incident, relations between the two countries reached a historic low. Putin called the downing of the Russian aircraft -- which led to the killing of its Russian pilot after he parachuted to the ground in Syria -- a "war crime" and demanded an apology by Erdogan. Russia also initiated a number of punitive measures against Turkey -- including ones preventing Russian tourists from traveling to Turkey, and a ban on Turkish food imports -- that strained Turkey's economy.

Then, in an about-face, Russia announced in June that Erdogan had sent a letter of condolence to Putin over the downing of the Russian jet and the two sides agreed to resolve their issues, find common ground in the effort to end the Syrian crisis, and improve their relations.

Formidable sticking points remain, however, particularly when it comes to Syria and the future of Assad.

Speaking about Erdogan's upcoming visit, Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman for the Turkish president, said that Turkey wants "to work together with Russia to find a political transition [of power] for Syria, a democratic and pluralist political structure acceptable to all Syrians." However, he added, "such a solution, that is in the interest of both Russia and Turkey, will be not possible with Assad remaining in power."

It seems the resumption of better economic and energy relations is already in progress. The delivery of Russian natural gas to Turkey was never interrupted in the first place, so not much ground was lost. The resumption of Russian tourism to Turkey is trickier, in part due to the deadly terrorist attack against the Istanbul airport in June as well as the recent coup -- both of which badly damaged Turkish tourism during high season.

Foreign policy seems to be at the top of the upcoming Erdogan-Putin meeting. Obviously, Syria policy is to be a main part of the two leaders' discussions. A "goodwill coordination of positions" on Syria would seem to be a potential rebuff to U.S. efforts in support of armed groups and Kurdish rebels in Syria against Assad, a scenario that would be complicated by Russia's own support for the Kurds.

But Russia also appears to be using two issues related to the recent coup attempt to deepen the current Turkish-U.S. and generally Turkish-Western atmosphere of accusatory distrust, and bring Turkey closer to Russian foreign policy coordinates.

From the beginning of the coup attempt, Turkish officials and media have maintained that the West -- notably the United States, a NATO ally -- has been slow and reluctant in condemning the coup attempt. Erdogan and many other Turkish politicians and media have not shied from public claims that the West, notably the United States, was behind the coup attempt. Secondly, the Turkish government has been insisting on the extradition of Gulen -- who is considered to be a terrorist by Ankara and who Turkey accuses of being the mastermind of the coup attempt -- from the United States to Turkey. Washington, while dismissing accusations that it had any role in the coup attempt, has asked for "concrete evidence of Gulen's personal involvement in the attempt" and said that the government will act on the extradition request based on the final legal assessment -- a process that can take years.

Meanwhile, Moscow is presenting itself to Turkey as a good "friend" who condemned the coup attempt from the beginning and offered Erdogan its full support. Russian lawmakers have claimed that the "U.S. will never extradite Gulen because the CIA was behind him and his coup attempt," and bombastic politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky went so far as to say that "Gulen and the U.S. are Turkey's enemies."

Despite Erdogan's initial defense of the downing of the Russian jet, since the coup attempt Turkey has tried to blame the incident on pilots who are alleged to have been Gulen sympathizers. Even more, just on the eve of the Erdogan-Putin meeting, rumor-based "reports" are making waves in Turkish media that the Gulen movement was trying to provoke a "Russian-Turkish war" and that this alleged "CIA-MI6-Mossad plan" was hatched to distance NATO-member Turkey from establishing close relations with Russia. A French newspaper report is frequently quoted as a "reliable Western source," claiming that on the night of the coup attempt "U.S.-supported jet fighters tried to bomb Erdogan's hotel, where he was on vacation, while Putin ordered his Russian jet fighters to defend Erdogan."

It seems that apart from the effort to develop a common Turkish-Russian position on Syria, the meeting will be cause for celebration -- with Erdogan thanking Putin for his support following the failed coup attempt, and Putin assuring the Turkish leader of future Russian support.

Analyst and columnist Kadri Gursel summarized it this way, "In order to frighten the West, Erdogan will show that Turkey is getting increasingly closer to Russia."

In reality, however, Russia does not have much to offer to Ankara in terms of investment, technology, defense, and trade. Turkey has a deep and interdependent relationship with the West. A Turkey decoupled from the West is bad for NATO and bad for the West, but much worse for Turkey itself.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/turkey-notebook- coup-attempt-russia-west/27902350.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.

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Turkey's Ruling AKP Intends to Exclude Gulen's Supporters From Party Ranks

Sputnik News

13:25 05.08.2016

The Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will exclude from their ranks supporters of US-based dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accused of being the mastermind behind the recent coup attempt, according to AKP deputy chair Hayati Yazici.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  The Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday stressed the need to exclude from their ranks supporters of US-based dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accused of being the mastermind behind the recent coup attempt.

"It is necessary to urgently, preventing rumors and disagreements within the party, to start sorting out the party ranks from those who supported the disgusting coup attempt and is linked to Fethullah Gulen's terrorist organization," the notice, signed by AKP deputy chair Hayati Yazici, reads.

On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country, which was suppressed the next day. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt. The Turkish government said that Gulen who, Ankara believes, is seeking to overthrow the current government was allegedly linked to a coup attempt.

The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO)/Parallel State Structure (PDY), made up of Gulen's supporters, is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara. In 2014, Turkey opened an investigation into the organization's activities. Gulen faces multiple charges, including treason, all of which he denies.

Gulen is said to be the main suspect in the December 17-21, 2013, mass wiretapping investigation that targeted over 7,000 people.

 Sputnik

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Gulen Denounces Turkish Arrest Warrant

by VOA News August 05, 2016

U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has denounced the arrest warrant issued in Turkey accusing him of masterminding the failed coup in Turkey last month.

"It is well-documented that the Turkish court system is without judicial independence, so this warrant is yet another example of President Recep Erdogan's drive for authoritarianism and away from democracy," Gulen said (in a statement) late Thursday.

"The issuance of an arrest warrant from a Turkish court changes nothing about my status or my views," Gulen said.

The Turkish government has said Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan, masterminded the coup by renegade officers in the military and has called on the U.S. to extradite him to Turkey. Ankara, however, has not filed a formal extradition.

Gulen has denied any involvement or prior knowledge of the military coup attempt on July 15 and has condemned it.

Speaking to leaders of chambers of commerce in Ankara earlier Thursday, Erdogan said his government was "determined to totally cut off all business links of this organization, which has blood on its hands."

He also said "every cent" that goes to the movement of Fethullah Gulen (FETO - Fetullah Terrorist Organization) is "a bullet placed in the barrel to be fired against this nation."

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation following the July 15 coup attempt, prompting fears that Erdogan is using the event to crack down on dissent.

More than 270 people, not including coup plotters, died and thousands were wounded as mutinous soldiers commandeered fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in the failed attempt to topple the government.

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UK Armed Forces deployments tackle security threats in Africa

5 August 2016

The UK is playing a substantial role in tackling security threats across Africa, with deployments in Nigeria and Somalia.

Around 30 British troops have recently arrived in Somalia to bolster a United Nations mission, while a 35 strong RAF team have been training Nigerian personnel helping to fight Boko Haram.

Nigeria

An RAF Short Term Training Team have been advising the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in how to defend their airbases from threats such as that from extremist group Boko Haram.

Personnel from No.5 Force Protection Wing and 51 Squadron RAF Regiment are also helping to boost the NAF's skills in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), tracking insurgents, identifying weapons caches and navigation. They have also worked with the Nigerian Army on improving ground-to-air coordination.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

"We stand united with Nigerian efforts to defeat this brutal terrorist organisation."

"That is why we are increasing our support to their armed forces as they fight extremism."

This mission is part of a step up in UK support announced by the Defence Secretary in December, paving the way for multiple deployments of up to 300 UK military personnel across 2016.

More than 5,000 members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have now benefited from UK training since April 2015, which has also included medical training, infantry skills, media operations, command and leadership, and support to Nigerian military training schools.

Somalia

Around 30 British troops have recently arrived in Somalia to bolster a United Nations mission helping to ensure security against the threat of extremism.

In a demonstration of the flexibility and global reach of the UK's armed forces, the personnel will provide medical, logistical and engineering support as part of UN support to the African Mission in Somalia, which is working to build stability and help counter the threat posed by terrorist group Al-Shabaab.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

"We are determined to tackle terrorism wherever it appears and this deployment demonstrates our commitment to help stabilise Somalia."

The extra 30 troops brings the current number in-country to around 40, after an initial British team arrived in May to help strengthen infrastructure ready for this deployment. Up to 70 UK personnel will travel to Somalia in 2016 as part of the deployment.

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UN convoys reach thousands affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine

5 August 2016  For the first time in five months, convoys from the United Nations refugee agency have reached non-Government controlled areas in Luhansk, in the easternmost part of Ukraine, carrying much- needed construction materials, kitchen sets and items for use in winter for thousands of people affected by the conflict.

According to a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the humanitarian assistance is of prime importance as a tense and volatile security situation, compounded by restrictions on freedom of movement, have added to the hardships faced by the affected populations, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities.

"Two separate convoys of 25-trucks each travelled with support from WFP (the UN World Food Programme) and local partners to deliver supplies that will enable UNHCR to expand its shelter programme in the region," William Spindler told journalists today at a regular press briefing in Geneva.

According to the agency, the delivery of humanitarian assistance has decreased to non-Government controlled areas in the Luhansk region, where some 10,000 houses have been damaged because of the conflict, as many UN agencies have not been able to operate there since February 2015.

Since the onset of the conflict in 2014, more than two million people have been forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary elsewhere in the country or abroad, and nearly 800,000, including the elderly and others in the most vulnerable categories, remain in need of assistance in or close to the conflict zone.

Highlighting the plight of two such people are 77-year-old former construction worker Petro and his wife, who have been living in a tiny basement room  the only part of their shelled home that protects them from snow, rain and wind  for more than two years.

Mr. Spindler said: "UNHCR remains extremely concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement that have aggravated hardships for people like Petro, who must also struggle to have access to benefits and entitlements  including pensions  on the government-controlled side."

The agency's officials had met Petro and his wife during an assessment mission to Luhansk in May where they also found that many homes damaged by shell and mortar fire had their windows and roofs blown off.

Mr. Spindler further said that a major problem, particularly for elderly, persons with disabilities and other individuals with specific needs, is the limited number of checkpoints to cross the front line.

They have to wait for long hours, without shelter or adequate sanitation to cross check points to reach the Government-controlled areas as payment of social benefits and pensions to Internally Displaced Persons have been suspended until their residential addresses have been verified.

"UNHCR renews its call to all actors to guarantee unrestricted access to benefits and rights to all displaced persons, regardless of registration status or current place of residence," stressed the agency spokesperson.

In the Luhansk region, only one pedestrian checkpoint in Stanitsa Luhanskaya remains open, with people queuing up to eight hours to cross.

Assisting the conflict-affected in Luhansk

This year, the UNHCR team in Luhansk, working with a local construction company and volunteers, and in coordination with local village administrators, plans to complete the rehabilitation of 1,500 damaged houses by October 2016, in addition to 1,500 households repaired in 2015.

About 1,100 families in 15 villages located close to the dividing line have already received construction materials, but 40 per cent of the targeted population will not be able to complete shelter works without the agency's support.

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UN: Homes Damaged in E. Ukraine Conflict to Be Repaired

by Lisa Schlein August 05, 2016

The U.N. refugee agency reports it has received the go-ahead from the de facto separatist rulers in eastern Ukraine to help repair thousands of homes damaged or destroyed during the military conflict there.

Pro-Russian separatists in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have been fighting the Ukrainian government since April 2014. The war has claimed 9,553 lives and wounded more than 22,100. It has left much devastation in its wake.

The U.N. refugee agency reports it has, for the first time in five months, been able to reach thousands of people in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. It says it has been able to deliver vitally-needed construction materials to repair homes damaged or destroyed in the conflict.

Since the conflict began, more than 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the country or abroad. UNHCR spokesman William Spindler says life has been a nightmare for the many others who remained.

"During an assessment mission in Luhansk in May, UNHCR officials met a 77-year-old former construction worker named Petro and his wife. They had lived in a tiny basement room - the only part of their shelled home that protected them from snow, rain and wind - for more than two years," Spindler said.

Enduring hardships

The UNHCR estimates some 10,000 houses in non-government controlled areas of Luhansk have been damaged. It says many homes damaged by shelling and mortar fire had their windows broken and roofs blown off.

Spindler says restrictions on freedom of movement are aggravating hardships for people like Petro. He told VOA people have to go to the government-controlled side of Luhansk to get benefits and entitlements, including pensions.

"That poses a lot of difficulties for people with reduced mobility. And, even for fit people because of the long delays and the long time you have to wait at the checkpoints to cross. Whether you are driving or walking, you have to wait for hours because of the different bureaucratic procedures that you have to complete to do that," he said.

Spindler says a UNHCR team in Luhansk, working with a local construction company and volunteers, plans to have 1,500 homes rehabilitated by October. He says this is in addition to 1,500 other households that were repaired last year.

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How Safe Are US Nuclear Weapons in Turkey?

by Sharon Behn August 05, 2016

U.S. B61 nuclear bombs are equipped with "permissive action links" or PALs, which prevent arming and using the weapon without an authorization code. They are kept on special racks, inside secure underground vaults, inside protected aircraft shelters, inside a heavily guarded area, surrounded by two layers of fencing, lighting, cameras and intrusion detection devices, on protected airbases.

But this particular airbase, Incirlik, is in southern Turkey. The Turkish commander of the base recently was frog-marched off in handcuffs after being accused of involvement in last month's failed coup against the government.

And that is the problem, says nonproliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterrey, California.

"I think in the near term they are very safe," Lewis said of the bombs in an interview with VOA. "But there are no security measures that would be sufficient against a host state that is trying to seize them, so generally speaking, it is not a good idea to have nuclear weapons in a politically unstable country."

Although the July 15 military-led coup failed to unseat the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the authoritarian leader retaliated with a massive purge of the country's military, judiciary, media and educational institutions.

World leaders have reacted with unease.

And so have experts in nuclear weapons policy.

"There are a lot of tough barriers, but incidents and accidents have a nasty way of happening," said Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists' nuclear information project.

Ensuring stability

According to Amy Woolf, a specialist in nuclear weapons policy at the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. has around 200 B61 bombs located around Europe.

"These serve not only to deter potential aggressors, but also as an important element in NATO's cohesion," she states.

Up to 50 of those bombs are believed to be in Incirlik.

But those bombs basically in storage, Woolf says, as Turkey neither maintains nuclear capable aircraft nor allows the U.S. to permanently deploy its own at the base. Woolf points out that the stockpile is there for NATO in case "the fundamental security of any of its members were to be threatened."

U.S. defense policy expert Kori Schake at the Hoover Institution told VOA that removing the weapons from Turkish soil would send the wrong signal to the American ally.

"Countries that feel protected by the U.S.  Japan, South Korea, Turkey  have not developed nuclear weapons of their own," Schake said. Without that guarantee, she says, "the risk is that they might develop nuclear weapons of their own."

The other potential negative consequence of pulling out the weapons is that Turkey  which feels highly exposed by the upheaval in Syria and the Middle East overall  would develop alliances with Russia or even Iran.

"Even if Turkey does not have a lot in common with Iran, it might not have a lot of good choices if the U.S. were not seen as [its] guarantor," Schake said.

Time to move them?

But Lewis argues that Turkey's Erdogan is much more concerned about political opposition than he is about having nuclear weapons on his soil.

"It's not something Erdogan is bringing up," Lewis said.

Kristensen told VOA he agrees that there would not be any serious political ramifications if the nuclear weapons were moved out of Incirlik.

"I would say that the Turks' perception of our support of Turkey does not come down to nuclear weapons in a bunker. It has to do with NATO conventional force, and there is a very active program for that," Kristensen said.

Currently, some of the planes that rotate through Incirlik in the war against terrorism are nuclear capable, but they are not designated for any nuclear mission.

Nevertheless, Kristensen said, given the political situation in Turkey and the fact that the base is less than 100 miles from the war zone in Syria, it might be time to consider moving the weapons.

"You only get so many warnings before something goes terribly wrong, and there are plenty of warnings in the region now," Kristensen said.

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Alan Burkitt-Gray speaks to Don MacNeil, chief operating officer of GTT, about its company restructuring after coming out of Chapter 11 and its strategic roadmap for the next 12 months.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says his country is interested in cooperation with Ukraine, namely in the manufacture of turbines that generate electricity.

"We have considered the issue of cooperation of Indonesia with Ukraine in the areas of the manufacture of turbines for power generation," he told reporters after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

The Ukrainian president said, in turn, that the question of cooperation in the supply of power generating equipment had been discussed at the meeting.

"Ukraine is a strong producer and reliable supplier of energy equipment to over 40 countries. We see active participation of Ukraine in the implementation of '35 Thousand Megawatts' project initiated by Mr. President [Joko Widodo]," Poroshenko said, saying that it was discussed in detail at meetings with his Indonesian counterpart.
Low:

Why make it easy for someone to steal your car? Youd be amazed at the number of people who walk away from their vehicles, engines running, windows down, Virginia State Police First Sgt. Steve Hall said in a recent news release. You want to make it more difficult for thieves, not easier.

High:

It wasnt just another excursion on the Dan River for employees of Animal Medical Center of Danville. Desiree Robertson, Jenny Gauldin, Megan Barnes and Lauren Spivey helped rescue a calf that was sliding down an embankment at the edge of the Dan River.

We were out there kayaking and having a good time and me and one of my friends heard the mother crying, Robertson, a veterinary technician, said.We glanced back and saw the calf stuck in the mud.

High/Low:

As work continues on Craghead Street, the city has plans to push the same design found on Main Street to other parts of the River District once the work is done on Craghead. That work includes new sidewalks, streetlight poles, benches, landscaping as well as resurfacing and restriping the street.

Next year, the project will be extended another few blocks to the Community Market building. And by spring 2018, the city hopes to extend the look to North Union Street from Spring Street to Memorial Drive.

High:

Danville also plans to spend close to $500,000 to upgrade and modernize the two 1927 elevators in the Municipal Building. The plan is to have one closed for repairs while the other remains in service.

Danvilles second Wal-Mart will open on the morning of Aug. 17 with a ribbon cutting, local dignitaries, a performance by the George Washington High School band and even the posting of colors by American Legion Post 1097. What happens after the store opens? We predict the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market will quickly fill with customers  and stay that way.

High:

Two of the Dan River Regions private religious schools are growing:

 Heritage Academy, a K-8 Christian school in Dry Fork, begins its fifth year with 16 full-time and three part-time teachers.

From the first round-table planning sessions to today, we have seen Gods hand at work, Heritage Academy Head of School Ann Haymes said in a news release.We are now close to outgrowing our second campus.

Westover Christian Academy welcomes new administrator Terry Moffitt, a veteran of more than 25 years in Christian education  and about 470 students.

This school is in a tremendous position to be able to grow and be a tremendous value to the whole Danville area, Moffitt told us.

High:

This is sales tax-free weekend in Virginia, and you dont have to be shopping for school supplies and clothes to take advantage of the bargains.

The state sales tax will also be waived for certain purchases of Energy Star and WaterSense products (light bulbs, ceiling fans, washer machines and more) and hurricane and emergency equipment (small items, such as batteries, flashlights and duct tape and large items like portable generators and chain saws).

The key to saving money this weekend is to check withwww.tax.virginia.gov/content/sales-tax-holiday to see what items qualify.
There's an episode of Seinfeld where Jerry is served mutton and finds it inedible. He spends the rest of the scene channelling Mr Bean and hiding his chewed and unswallowed dinner in napkins and pockets.

"This is some FINE mutton!"

Later in the episode, George poses an intelligent question - what exactly is mutton? "I don't know," replies Jerry. "And I didn't want to find out."

As a young kid, I didn't know what mutton was either. It was never on the table at home and that Seinfeld episode was probably the first time I'd heard it referenced. For a fair chunk of my life I would have guessed mutton to be a wobbly, flightless bird that tasted of grey.

It's not. It's delicious and we should be eating more of it.

What, exactly, is mutton?

The meat of a mature-aged sheep. One that's cast aside the follies of lamb to spend Sundays listening to The Eagles between trips to Bunnings. Before that, when no longer a lamb, not yet a mutton, when the sheep is experimenting with gateway grass and downloading Ed Shearin', you've got a hogget on your hands.

More specifically:

Lamb - young sheep, often under 12-months-old. Incisor teeth are yet to grow.

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Hogget - a lamb that's lost its milk teeth. This usually happens at the 12-month mark. It's possible for a sheep to leave the farm as lamb and arrive at the abattoir a hogget if the tooth fairy pays a visit on the way.

Mutton - the meat of a sheep with at least two incisor teeth, usually over two-years-old.

There's variations to those definitions too detailed for an article quoting Seinfeld. For the sake of this discussion, mutton is the meat of an older sheep.

Also note that some Indian and Pakistani restaurants will use the term "mutton" for both sheep and goat meat. Because that's not confusing at all.

What does it taste like?

I catered for a group of 20 last year and sourced protein from the ethical meat legends at Feather and Bone in Marrickville, Sydney. A day was spent slow-cooking lamb and mutton to the same rosemary, anchovy and garlic-heavy recipe and, in a blind side-by-side comparison, mutton was declared the more delicious, rounded, soft and sticky meat by a landslide.

Frank Camorra's lamb shoulder in a pomegranate glaze. Photo: Marcel Aucar

"Mutton to lamb is like beef to veal," says Feather and Bone owner Grant Hilliard.

Mutton can also have gamey venison flavours and notes of heather and grass. What sounds more appealing - a six-month-year-old lamb that's spent most of its days staggering around a feedlot, or a sheep that's lived a fat and happy life munching on fields of bracken, herbs and flowers? Ewe beauty.

If mutton is so delicious, why aren't we eating more of it?

The idea of "mutton dressed as lamb" is deeply embedded within Australian culture, with previous generations brought up not on tender mutton stews, but tacky cuts of boiled shearing sheep past its prime.

"The sheep meat industry in Australia followed the wool industry, meaning meat was just a byproduct," says Hilliard. "You can probably breed very good Merino sheep for eating these days, but they're likely not as good as pure meat breeds such as Wiltshire Horn or Southdown."

Australian mutton was traditionally a byproduct of the wool industry. Photo: Rob Homer

There's also a cost structure that doesn't reward farmers for keeping lambs so they can be sold as mutton. The market price fluctuates, but say lamb is being sold for $7.50 a kilo, mutton will might be around half that price or less.

"However, the farmer has held onto the sheep for two or three years longer," says Hilliard. "There is absolutely no financial incentive for farmers to hang onto lamb that long. Even as soon as it becomes hogget, it loses considerable value."

Are we on the verge of a local mutton renaissance?

Perhaps. There's certainly farmers in tune with the majesty of middle-aged sheep and supplying hoggett-happy chefs. Mat Lindsay had mutton chops with smoked garlic and garam on the menu at Ester and during Luke Burgess' time at 10 William St, you could enjoy mutton carpaccio on layer of ewe's curd.

Mutton chops / smoked garlic and garum new lunch menu tomorrow A photo posted by Ester Restaurant & Bar (@ester_au) on Mar 9, 2016 at 8:13pm PST

Brisbane's Gaslight Bistro (sadly now closed) was rocking mutton last year, too, a fillet served over macadamia milk and scattered with pomegranate arils. When Jake Nicolson was head chef at St Kilda's Circa, The Prince, he did a roaring trade in roast mutton slow-cooked for 48 hours.

"Because the meat is so full of flavour, it really lent itself to those colder, wetter months in Melbourne," says Nicolson, who is now executive chef of the one-hatted Blackbird in Brisbane. "With meat you don't see too often like mutton, it's important to educate your customers and staff if you want to move it."

"Being a great restaurant isn't all about having these amazing and fancy producers on your menu. It's also about getting your front of house staff excited about the produce to so they can sell it with conviction to the customers."

Mutton backstrap, macadamia milk, pomegranate and cauliflower at Gaslight Bistro, Brisbane. Photo: Michelle Smith

If you ever see "long-tooth lamb" on a menu, guess what? You're probably eating mutton! Or perhaps hogget - it's "two-tooth lamb". I'd also wager decent money that many restaurants are slow-cooking mature sheep and calling it "lamb" on the menu as this a much sexier word than "mutton". This shouldn't have to happen. Embrace the mutt.

OK, you have my attention. Where do I find it and how do I cook it?

For maximum mutton good times you want a carcass that, like beef, has been aged to break down its protein structure. Feather and Bone dry ages its mutton up to four weeks, improving the tenderness and developing flavours. If you don't live near Marrickville, any butcher worth their salt should be able source a good bit of mutton for you with enough notice.

Roast lamb could easily be roast mutton. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

For the most part, mutton can be substituted for lamb in recipes, although you might want to braise it lower and slower. That bleater should be falling apart at the clap of a butterfly wing.

And, just like lamb, it pairs wonderfully well with tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and take-no-prisoners Barossa shiraz. But - and this is very important - you must also know that mutton stew with a heathery Highland whisky is one of winter's - and life's - great pleasures.
This July 2016 photo shows a casserole of shrimp and hearts of palm in New Milford, Conn. This dish is from a recipe by Katie Workman. (Katie Workman via AP)

SHARE This July 2016 photo shows a casserole of shrimp and hearts of palm in New Milford, Conn. This dish is from a recipe by Katie Workman. (Katie Workman via AP) This July 2016 photo shows a casserole of shrimp and hearts of palm in New Milford, Conn. This dish is from a recipe by Katie Workman. (Katie Workman via AP)

By KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press

As the world turns its attention to the host country of the Olympic Games, I'm reminded of a trip I took to Brazil 20 years ago with my friend, chef and cookbook author Christopher Idone. He was so enamored of Brazilian food that he wrote a wonderful cookbook, "Brazil: A Cook's Tour" (Clarkson Potter), for which I was the editor.

We traveled through Sao Paulo, Rio and Bahia, and all the recipes over which we had pored on manuscript pages were suddenly there in real life, 3-D, red with dende oil, crunchy with manioc flour, aromatic with coconut milk. There were rich Feijoadas, creamy Tutu a Mineira, hot and cheesy Pao de Queijo.

Brazil's combination of Indian, African and European (mainly Portuguese) cultures is visible in the ingredients, techniques and dishes of the country. In more recent years, an influx of Japanese, Lebanese, North American, Chinese and other immigrants has continued to enrich the culture and food with new influences.

One of my favorite dishes was Camaroes com Palmito, or Casserole of Shrimp and Hearts of Palm, which we encountered in Rio de Janeiro. Two of the most appealing foods ever are nestled together in a tomato-tinged, brothy, one-pot dish, fragrant with scallions, cilantro and parsley.

Christopher and I continued to cook and eat together after our trip to Brazil. He died just months ago, having introduced a whole lot of people to a whole lot of cuisines, including Brazilian.

This recipe is adapted from his classic book, and I can't think of a better meal to tuck into during the opening ceremony.

___

CASSEROLE OF SHRIMP AND HEARTS OF PALM (CAMAROES COM PALMITO)

Start to finish: One hour

Servings: 8

___

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 onions, chopped

1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

10 large ripe plum tomatoes, roughly chopped (juices reserved)

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided

4 scallions, white and most of the green, trimmed and chopped, divided

2 pounds extra-large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 (14-ounce) cans hearts of palm, drained and cut into 1-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Hot cooked white rice to serve (about 6 cups)

___

Heat a large heavy stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the flour and stir until it starts to turn light beige, about 2 minutes. Turn the flour out of the pan onto a plate.

In the same pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the bell pepper and garlic, and saute until the vegetables are all tender, about 4 more minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices. Partially cover and bring to a simmer. Adjust the heat so the tomatoes keep at a simmer, and cook for another 10 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft and soupy.

Add the broth and return the mixture to a simmer. Stir in half of the parsley and half of the scallions.

Add the shrimp and hearts of palm to the pot with the tomato broth mixture, season with salt and pepper and stir. Sprinkle the flour very gradually over the cooking shrimp and tomatoes, stirring constantly, until all of the flour is incorporated. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and the shrimp are almost cooked through, about 4 minutes.

Stir in the remaining parsley and scallions, and the cilantro, and cook for 1 more minute. Serve over white rice.

___

Nutrition information per serving: 362 calories; 80 calories from fat; 9 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 143 mg cholesterol; 1012 mg sodium; 47 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 22 g protein.

___

Katie Workman has written two cookbooks focused on easy, family-friendly cooking, "Dinner Solved!" and "The Mom 100 Cookbook." She blogs at http://www.themom100.com/about-katie-workman/
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Move follows intense prayer by Pope Francis

By Jonathan Pitts, The Baltimore Sun (TNS)

BALTIMORE  Barbara Anderson is hopeful that a new commission appointed by Pope Francis to study women deacons could open opportunities for females in the Catholic Church.

But more important, she says, is the new perspective that ordained women could bring to the church.

"It's exciting that he has decided to explore what Scripture and history tell us about the role of women in the church, and that this opportunity could be open to women someday," said Anderson, one of the few women to have run a parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. "I think it says the role of women in the church is a very important one."

The Vatican announced the commission on Tuesday. In a statement, officials said the panel would study the role female deacons played in Christianity's first few centuries.

Francis has long indicated he will not consider the ordination of women as priests, but in cracking open the door to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons, he has given hope to those who have long pressed for fuller participation by women in the church.

Deacons form the lowest order of ordained clergy in the Catholic Church, after bishops and priests. All are men.

Broadly, they come in two categories: transitional deacons, who are seminarians preparing for the priesthood, and permanent deacons. Permanent deacons may be married; they are often mature family men who assist parish priests or lead parishes themselves.

Deacons perform many of the functions of priests: They may preach the Gospel and deliver the homily at Mass, and they may perform some sacraments, including baptism and matrimony. They do not hear confessions or consecrate the bread and wine for the Holy Eucharist.

There are 18,000 deacons in the United States, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Their number has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, as the population of priests has declined.

Francis' decision comes nearly three months after he met with the International Union of Superiors General, a global group of nuns. Asked about the ordination of women as deacons, he said the Vatican should consider the possibility.

The Vatican said Tuesday that the pontiff reached his decision after "intense prayer and mature reflection."

The question of women serving as deacons goes back to the earliest days of Christianity.

In his Epistle to the Romans, Paul described a woman named Phoebe as a deacon  and entrusted her with delivering the letter.

Advocates for the ordination of women also cite Dionysia, a 5th-century martyr, Radegund, the patron saint of several churches in Western Europe, and Macrina, a 4th-century ascetic, as female leaders who worked alongside men.

After Francis made his remarks in May, the Vatican released a statement outlining the history of the diaconate. The Vatican said deacons "flourished in the western Church" up to the 5th century, "but experienced a slow decline" in the following centuries, and ultimately "surviving only as an intermediate stage for candidates preparing for priestly ordination."

The church revived the permanent diaconate after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

Scholars still debate the women played in the early church. Some believe, for example, that women could minister only to other women. Francis himself echoed the uncertainty in May, when he said "understanding about their role in the early Church remains unclear."

It "would be useful to set up a commission" to explore the matter, he told the nuns.

He named a dozen members to the commission, including nuns, laywomen and priests.
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By Federico Martinez, Federico.Martinez@gosanangelo.com / @Federico_SAST

Representatives for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick refuted the claims of a Texas public education advocate who accused Patrick of pushing for a school voucher program that would allow lobbyists and special interest groups to profit from educating children.

Charles "Charlie" Johnson, founder and executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, said Patrick puts his own political gain over the best interests of schoolchildren. Johnson made his comments Thursday during a community forum, "The Truth About Education Vouchers" held Thursday at Stephens Central Library.

Patrick's press secretary Alejandro Garcia said Patrick was not interested in responding to Johnson's comments.

"The lieutenant governor usually doesn't respond to personal attacks," Garcia said.

Patrick, who has been championing a voucher system since being elected to the Texas Senate in 2007, recently vowed to continue to make private-school voucher legislation a major priority when the next regular legislative sessions convenes next year.

He backs giving parents state funding to remove their children from struggling public schools and send them to private and religious alternatives.

Last session, Senate plans offering tax breaks to corporations that funded "school-choice scholarships" for low-income Texans fizzled.

Patrick had defended the measure, saying that "no parent or student should ever feel trapped in a failing school" and adding, "We have an epidemic of failing schools in the state."

House Democrats and rural Republicans generally oppose vouchers, fearing they'll bleed more funding from already cash-strapped public schools.

Johnson, a Democrat, defended his comments Friday. He said Patrick, a Republican, has long been associated with several lobbyist organizations that have a monetary interest in developing more charter schools in Texas.

None of those connections has been proven, and Patrick has previously denied the claims.

"Could I have said what I did more politely?" Johnson said, referring to his comments during the forum. "Probably. But I stand behind everything I said."

Johnson added: "We look forward to working with the lieutenant governor and finding a more excellent way to educate our 5.4 million Texas schoolchildren."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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One of my all-time favorite lines is from Henry Thoreau: "Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk."

It came to mind this week when the White House and State Department insisted that the charge the U.S. paid a ransom to get back American hostages was purely circumstantial. Sometimes a $400 million payoff in laundered money, delivered in the dead of night in an unmarked cargo plane, isn't what it looks like.

Jan. 16 was "Implementation Day" for the nuclear deal between the United States and Iran, in which the state sponsor of terror received sanctions relief possibly worth as much as $150 billion  which would be roughly equivalent to 40 percent of its GDP  in exchange for some guarantees against developing nuclear weapons ... for a while. (The merits, and even the nature, of the Iran nuclear deal are hotly disputed, but that's a topic for another time.)

That same day, the Obama administration announced a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran, in which we traded seven Iranian criminals and removed another 14 from an Interpol "most wanted" list. In exchange, they returned four innocent Americans, illegally held by the Iranian regime.

Back then, Secretary of State John Kerry boasted about what a masterful diplomatic breakthrough it was. Those Americans were freed thanks to "the relationships forged and the diplomatic channels unlocked over the course of the nuclear talks," Kerry preened.

Yes, well maybe. But few things really cement a solid working relationship like $400 million in cash. The White House concedes that it all looks very bad. But it insists this was in no way a ransom payment; the trout got in the milk for perfectly normal reasons.

You see, the Iranians were suing for funds deposited with the Pentagon in 1979 for a weapons purchase that was later blocked when the ayatollahs deposed the shah. The $400 million wasn't a ransom; it was simply the first installment of a $1.7 billion dollar settlement of that dispute.

"We would not, we have not, we will not pay ransom to secure the release of U.S. citizens," top White House flack Josh Earnest insisted. That the money was delivered to coincide with the release of our hostages is little more than a funny coincidence.

And shame on you for thinking otherwise, Earnest seemed to be saying Wednesday. The $400 million drop-off was actually a great success for smart diplomacy, because it saved taxpayers "potentially billions" more if the arbitration over the matter hadn't gone our way.

Still, one wonders why, if it was such a laudable and innocent money-saving maneuver, they kept it all secret from the American people.

Here's one possible reason from The Wall Street Journal expose: "U.S. officials also acknowledge that Iranian negotiators on the prisoner exchange said they wanted the cash to show they had gained something tangible."

Catch that? The Obama administration did not think the huge pallet of Swiss francs, euros and other currencies dropped off in the dead of night was a ransom payment  they just wanted the Iranians to think it was.

And they bought it! "Taking this much money back was in return for the release of the American spies," Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi, a Revolutionary Guard commander, boasted on Iranian state media.

Sometimes you just have to marvel at the way smart people can talk themselves into stupidity. The whole point of not paying ransoms to terrorists isn't to save money. The reason we don't pay kidnappers is that we understand that it will only encourage more kidnapping. So letting the Iranians think the $400 million was a ransom payment is doubly asinine, because it fooled exactly the wrong people, the wrong way.

Now, because of this pas-de-deux of asininity, not only have we given the Iranians untraceable walking-around money to give to its terrorist proxies, we've also given them every incentive to kidnap more Americans  which is exactly what they've been doing. But at least the folks at the State Department can sleep soundly knowing that they didn't really pay a ransom  it just looks that way.

Jonah Goldberg is an editor-at-large of National Review Online and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Contact him at JonahsColumn@aol.com.
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Among Republicans at the 1968 presidential convention in Miami, Norman Mailer sensed what he called "the muted tragedy of the Wasp," simmering anxiety for a bygone America, a conservative America, an America under attack from within and without. It was, Mailer noted, religious anxiety. The delegates "were looking for a leader to bring America back to them, their America, Jesusland."

Of course they nominated Nixon, and we all know what became of him. It's a history not without parallel and warning.

But that's not what bothers me as we move on from the two major presidential conventions, both producing clearly historic nominations  either bright or ominous, depending upon whom you ask.

Particular candidacies are not what concern me at this point. By now they're known entities. Now and until November we will simply watch sound bites, clips and memes, irritate friends on Facebook and get irritated in return. The rest of the election will be like watching TMZ, just less funny.

Rather, my concern is what Mailer observed, that tragic religious anxiety for a bygone and apparently more divinely blessed America. It is interesting the significance religion has so far played in this election. It speaks to crises of identity, of existential crises clumsily articulated. Code for a collective sickness, the presence of religion in this election signifies the depths of our worry, our anomie.

And because of this I'm afraid of what's becoming of religion itself (or I should say religions themselves)  not theologically or spiritually, but sociologically and personally.

They are suffering distortion. Religion, or religions, are becoming something utterly other than what they are in the minds of many, bent beyond recognition around political agendas. We see this among both the right and the left.

Vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine is a Catholic but clearly very selective about it. This shouldn't surprise anyone; he's a politician. Catholic politicians have been mostly sellouts for half a century now.

In fact what we see in Kaine isn't peculiar to politicians at all. He stands with millions of poorly formed Catholics, many of whom are simply ignorant of the faith they think they have appropriated. Often their morality and even their belief is purely cultural and therefore purely flexible.

This is Kaine. This is Catholicism distorted. And there are many like him.

But distortion abounds among the political right too, equally grotesque. Theologians, priests, pastors  amateur and otherwise  all politically committed to the right to begin with, now compete among themselves as religious contortionists trying to support a man clearly abhorrent and without character, ruining their religion before the candidate they support can do it himself.

Theologian Wayne Grudem, for example, after reminding us of his expertise in Christian ethics, proceeds to ask us to justify our means by the imagined ends of a dishonest megalomaniac. Chanting a dark litany of apocalyptic possibilities if Hillary Clinton were elected president, he suggests it may be a sin voting for anyone but Donald Trump. Overlook his "flaws," he says; worry instead about her "evil."

Leave it to the religious to paint matters so starkly, so much a battle of light against dark.

This is Grudem. This is Christianity distorted. And there are many like him.

But what can the genuinely religious do? How can we be authentic without either suffering or furthering the distortion of religion?

As a Catholic, I've inscribed upon myself the words of one of our poets, Charles Peguy. An honest person, he said, "must be a perpetual renegade." To be faithful, such a person must be "continually unfaithful;" to "remain faithful to justice," such a person must be "continually unfaithful to inexhaustibly triumphant injustices."

In this spirit I reject both candidates and criticize the rest. I don't know who I'll vote for, but it won't be for them. I reject the illusion of being responsible for history, the idolatry that I must choose between them.

To be faithful, be unfaithful to party and politician. Revert to an original politics, the politics of love, simple and unsystematic, the most menacing politics of all. This is the authentic alternative, the only viable third candidacy. It's how to remain genuinely religious amid religious distortion. It may not win in November, but it will win in the end.

Father Joshua J. Whitfield is the parochial vicar and director of faith formation and education at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas. Contact him at jwhitfield@stritaparish.net
Ihor Plotnytsky, the head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), was injured and hospitalized after an explosive device went off near his car in Luhansk on Saturday morning.

"The republic's head has been taken to one of the capital's hospitals," the Luhansk information center reported.

An Interfax correspondent reported from the scene that LPR law enforcement officials have cordoned off the scene of the incident.

A damaged black SUV is currently sitting at the intersection of Karpynsky Street and Vatutin Street; the vehicle does not look burned. Locals said the explosion occurred at about 8:00 a.m. The blast wave and shrapnel broke the windows of the nearby houses.

Local residents have been barred from approaching the scene.

An LPR law enforcement source had told Interfax earlier in the day that Plotnytsky's car had been blown up.

"The explosion took place in Luhansk this morning, and the blast injured two people," he said.
(TNS) -- The Department of Homeland Security is hiring in Silicon Valley  for drones.Last week, technology entrepreneurs filled a Menlo Park conference room, where officials spelled out their needs  drones small and light enough to launch easily and fly over vast stretches of desert. The machines would look for questionable activity, scan faces of suspects and compare them against a database for prior criminal history.Drones already operate along the border. Eight large Predator drones, each with a 66-foot wingspan, help agents with monitoring. Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, told a Syracuse newspaper in April that he wanted to expand the use of drones at the border, in addition to the wall he wants to build.Currently border drones do not use facial recognition technology, which remains controversial.There can be questions about how accurate that is and legitimate questions about how someones picture got into a database, said John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdogs privacy project.Ari Schuler, a director of analytics integration for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said before any such technology is rolled out in the drones, it will be compliant with policy and law and there will be discussions with the agencys privacy and civil rights offices. Chris Pietrzak, another Customs and Border Protection official, said that the department would test the technology using synthetic data sets.If startups match what federal officials are seeking, they could receive $50,000 to $200,000 for each milestone. Thats much less than what a venture capitalist would offer. But in their presentation last week, officials touted how companies could test their drones on the departments large network of airfields to see how they work in real life.We want to help you, Schuler said. We will test the heck out of your stuff. We want to tell other people about it.In the past, some companies may have waited 9 to 12 months to get a contract with the government, according to Melissa Ho, who works out of the DHS San Jose office, which opened last year. Now under a new innovation program, startups can get a contract in roughly 30 days after Hos team evaluates the applications.One entrepreneur said a border patrol representative was asking for a long list of capabilities for the drones and wished the agency had ranked what aspects were most important.You might as well ask for the Starship Enterprise as for all the things he wanted, said George Inskeep, director of operations for Drone-Aviation LLC, a Sonoma company that operates drones for aerial imagery, referring to a border patrol officers presentation. Inskeeps three-person firm is still evaluating whether to apply for funding.Border patrol agents face challenges every day. They protect 5,525 miles of border with Canada and 1,989 with Mexico, pushing through tall brush in Texas and coping with extreme heat in Arizona. They carry a lot of weight, with body armor alone weighing ten pounds  hence the desire for lightweight drones.The agency is understaffed, said Troy Mestler, CEO of Skyfront, a Menlo Park drone development company who attended last weeks event. They are basically looking for drones as a force multiplier, he said. If there is something happening beyond their line of sight, drones are a great opportunity to take off from the border patrol agent, fly over a mountain and survey a particular piece of land for illegal activities.So far, DHS has selected companies for the first phase in a project aimed to strengthen and protect domains for Internet-connected devices, making awards to five of the 45 firms that applied.Inskeep said the chances of landing funding seem like pretty good odds.Were a startup, and all startups need money, he said, adding that even though its not a lot of money, its still bootstrap money that keeps the wheels turning.Drones are expected to grow into a market generating more than $82 billion and creating more than 100,000 jobs in the next decade, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which cited industry estimates. This month, new safety rules on drones less than 55 pounds will start, letting operators fly their aircraft up to 400 feet above ground level, allowing them more flexibility on testing their drones.Were making steps forward, but the technology is still pretty far ahead of the regulators, Inskeep said.Large companies including Alphabet and Amazon are looking into using drones to deliver goods. The machines can also aid in search-and-rescue situations. On Tuesday, the White House announced the National Science Foundation will spend $35 million on research over five years on how to use drones for beneficial applications.Despite the governments past bureaucracy, Sam Wong, an adviser to Qelzal, a San Diego company that is developing technology for drones to avoid obstacles, said he was hopeful after attending the Department of Homeland Securitys meeting last Friday.This was one of the few opportunities Ive seen where a branch of government was reaching out to not just the usual suspects, Wong said, adding he was heartened by the number of small businesses in the audience.About a decade ago, Wongs networking consulting company, Network Architects, had gone through the red tape and paperwork needed to get a government designation aimed at businesses that are more than half owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The designation helps small businesses land government contracts, but as Wang found out it was still hard to compete against large companies. After years of trying, he only landed one government contract worth $25,000.I didnt know how to sell to the federal government, Wong said. Youre the little minnow swimming with the sharks.Wong said his firm is evaluating whether it partner with another firm and apply to departments open call for drones.It was refreshing to see opportunities, Wong said. Its not so much the little guy pushing into a space dominated by big players. It seemed to be an invitation out there from the biggest guy  the government.
Poroshenko urges Indonesian officials to speak out in defense of Crimean Tatars

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged Indonesian parliamentarians to defend the rights of Crimean Tatars severely violated by the Russian occupation authorities.

According to the official presidential website, in the course of the state visit to Indonesia Poroshenko had a meeting with Speaker of the People's Representative Council of Indonesia Ade Komarudin.

"The parties praised the prospect of developing partnership relations between Ukraine and Indonesia in political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres," reads a posting.

The head of state expressed gratitude to Indonesia for supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ade Komarudin emphasized that Indonesia would further support Ukraine's territorial integrity and state sovereignty.

The parties agreed with the necessity of enhancing inter-parliamentary relations. They have particularly discussed the intensification of contacts between the inter-parliamentary groups of friendship in the highest legislative bodies of both countries.

Ade Komarudin supported Ukraine in its aspirations to accede to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
A framework agreement on pulling the opposing forces away by one kilometer from each side of the separation line in Donbas is nearly ready, Yevhen Marchuk, Ukraine's representative in the security subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for a peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas, said on Ukrainian television.

"The agreement is virtually ready. It is called a framework agreement, which concerns precisely the withdrawal [of the forces] by one kilometer from the frontline by both sides, which makes a two-kilometer distance. We have agreed to resume the discussion to find a compromise on Tuesday. Perhaps this could be done via a video conference," Marchuk said on the 112.Ukraina TV Channel on Friday evening.
Third meeting of Ukraine-Indonesia economic cooperation commission to be held in Kyiv in 2017

The third meeting of the Ukrainian-Indonesian intergovernmental commission on economic and technical cooperation will be held in 2017, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said.

"We agreed on the need for the third meeting of the Ukrainian-Indonesian intergovernmental commission on economic and technical cooperation," Poroshenko told reporters after talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta.

According to him, the holding of this meeting in Kyiv in early 2017 would strengthen economic ties between the states and allow starting the implementation of a number of mutually beneficial projects in different spheres of industry, energy and agriculture.
In a stunning response last week to NCAA charges of academic improprieties at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the school and its lawyers told the governing body to mind its own business.

It was a remarkable plot twist in what has become a saga spread over seven summers, a bold and unexpected stand against the NCAA and its shaky foundation, a retort so explosive that only two outcomes are possible.

One, that UNC has painted the NCAA into a corner, which will require an exchange of equal force, thus rendering Carolina and its athletics programs in various stages of probation and/or destruction.

Or two, that UNC will effectively destroy the NCAA as we know it.

A lot of people are watching this, and a lot of people are hoping for one outcome as much as the other. This is no longer UNC v NCAA but a pitched battle between academics and athletics.

If Carolina gets away with this, the NCAA simply can no longer hide behind its crumbling wall of protection, the age-old argument that its sole purpose is for the protection of the student-athlete.

In going after the NCAAs own by-laws, Carolina has aimed a dagger at the NCAAs heart.

This is brilliant lawyering. In fact, the lead attorney representing UNC is a former NCAA investigator. Rick Evrard likely knows the NCAAs by-laws better than it knows them. And having come through the revolving door from the governing body to the colleges, hes made a legal stand that could wreck the NCAA and allow schools across America to do as they please from now on.

If the NCAA infractions committee backs down, Carolina and every college in the country could be free to enroll and educate any students they want to in any manner they want to without any interference at all from the NCAA.

Thats at the core of the Carolina response.

Leave us alone. We know whats best for our own university and our own students, not the NCAA.

Its not that no school has ever thought of this before. Its that no school has ever had the guts to say it.

When news of the UNC letter broke on Tuesday, college educators and fans from all over America stood and applauded. At least those who had sold out to athletics so long ago theyve forgotten the original intent of the American university system.

Others blanched. This was the most blatant stand any college has ever made against the NCAA, and if it works, we will be witnessing the beginning of the NCAA requiem.

How can the NCAA Clearinghouse ever rule on a questionable transcript again? How can it retain the power to strip diploma-mill high schools of their academic standing when the universities themselves are saying the NCAA can never rule on their own fake diplomas?

Carolina is saying it has the right to clean up its own sordid mess. And its saying the NCAA has no right to investigate or rule on such cases, even schools caught red-handed offering fake classes designed solely to keep unqualified athletes eligible.

Carolina is saying weve already punished ourselves, gotten rid of the fake African-American studies paper mill, fired the guilty parties and exposed the bad guys, the bad guys apparently being restricted to the womens basketball program. Carolinas lawyers are saying go back to policing free sneakers and renegade programs like Cleveland State.

The NCAA is now painted into a corner, having been threatened and dared to fight back. You know where this is headed.

Lawsuit.

And another summer.

This has dragged on since 2010, since Carolina was caught trying to buy a national title in football. The long process revealed a university in denial about how it had allowed athletics to become more important than academic integrity, falling so clumsily that the accrediting body for colleges and universities stepped in and put UNC-CH on probation.

Throughout the ordeal, the Carolina premise seemed to be that the NCAA would never have the nerve to embarrass a model university over academics. Now the premise is that the NCAA doesnt even have the legal right to rule against any university over academics.

This is a breathtaking gamble by Carolina, one that would suggest it knows something that we dont. Theres still a lot that we dont know.

The ball is back in the NCAAs court now, and it has a lit fuse dangling from it. North Carolina is betting the NCAA will cower and allow itself to be blown to smithereens.

Thats a plot-twist no one saw coming.

This is about to get interesting. Once again, this is just getting started.
Ukrainian military have no relation to attack on self-proclaimed Luhansk Republic head

Ukraine has no relation to an assassination attempt on self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) head Ihor Plotnytsky, which is actually a result of infighting among the LPR leaders, Ukrainian presidential spokesperson for the military operation in Donbas Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"The Ukrainian side is unrelated to this attack, as it lacks logic and won't resolve a single issue," Motuzianyk said at a news briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

Motuzianyk insisted that the attack on Plotnytsky is "a result of infighting, the redistribution of areas of influence, and struggle for power."

A car carrying Plotnytsky was blown up in Luhansk on Saturday. Plotnytsky suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized.
GREENWICH  Five years after the Rev. Sean Miller took over as pastor and head of staff at the Potomac Presbyterian Church in Maryland, he and his wife Sarah had not planned on moving.

But a visit from and conversations with the nominating committee seeking a senior minister at First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich changed that.

It felt like a good fit in a lot of ways, Miller, 36, said this past week, just days after delivering his first Sunday sermon as the new minister in the position at the church on West Putnam Avenue and Lafayette Place. When a nominating committee meets with and begins a months-long discussion with a prospective minister, he said, theres a lot of back and forth and prayers on both ends...But it feels like Ive come to the right place.

First Presbyterian Church had been looking for a new senior minister since January 2014, when The Rev. William Bill Evertsberg left after 17 years to take the equivalent post at the Kenilworth Union Church outside Chicago.

After a nationwide search, and a visit to Maryland from a member of the Nominating Committee, the committee chose Miller, said Mary Aly, director of communications for the church. In May, Miller gave a candidacy sermon, essentially a try-out for the job, after which, 300 parishioners voted unanimously to hire him, said Aly.

Miller is the 21st Senior Minister of a church that was organized in 1881, Aly said. It now has 775 congregants. Miller and his wife Sarah, who were originally from the Chicago area, moved to Greenwich with their 2-year-old daughter Hannah, who will enter the churchs nursery school in the fall. The Millers are also expecting a son in October.

Miller was chosen because church members felt he was an ideal fit in a congregation with many young families, and also many active senior members who would appreciate his command of theology, Aly said. As he begins the new mission, Miller said he hopes to meet with every member of the parish over the next year, in groups or individually.

I really want to be accessible and to let people get to know me intimately so that I can get to know them and care for them, he said.

For his first sermon as senior minister, some 300 members of the parish attended  two or three times as many as typically come out in July, when many people are on vacation, and some other programs are suspended for the summer, Aly said.

Hes a terrific preacher and a very kind and wonderful person, said Associate Minister Erin Keys, who filled in as interim senior minister during the search. The whole church is really excited for the next chapter.

Miller, who is still unpacking boxes in his church office, said he is eager to get started.

When a congregation calls, its not just people voting, its Gods move that the Holy Spirit is bringing a minister to the community, he said. So I trust in that.
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GREENWICH  Two years after Greenwichs most recent racial balance plan was passed, little has changed at the two elementary schools long cited by the state for having disproportionate minority populations, Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon.

Greenwich educators contend its too soon to judge the plan, and hope for future success, but others say that is unlikely under a state desegregation law that has no teeth.

And some here question whether Greenwich should be worrying about the subject at all.

Civil rights lawyers and scholars this week touted the benefits of desegregating schools for all students  a position supported by much research. But some school board members in Greenwich question that notion and say racial balance is not a priority here. Maintaining neighborhood schools and raising performance across the board are.

We are probably never going to be fully integrated in Greenwich and thats OK, said Board of Education Chairman Laura Erickson. If the goal is to get perfectly racially balanced schools in Greenwich, I dont think that is realistic.

The plan

Like the two plans before it, the 2014 racial balance plan rejected the idea of redistricting school zones to integrate students.

More Information Imbalance increases This chart compares the average percent of minority students in the district to the percent of minority students at the two racially imbalanced schools and the two schools with impending racial imbalance. 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 District 33.6 34.8 35.7 Schools with racial imbalance Hamilton Avenue 67.9 69.8 69.6 New Lebanon 72.7 75.4 77.7 Schools with impending racial imbalance Julian Curtiss 50 50.7 53.2 Western Middle 50.2 46.8 46.9 See More Collapse

We heard loud and clear from schools that have a significant minority population and those that do not, that they really, truly like their neighborhood schools and there is not a lot of interest in leaving the neighborhood school, said Erickson.

In a 2013 parent survey, 65 percent of respondents said having their child attend their neighborhood school was extremely important to them.

Greenwichs solution to racial imbalance, as in the past, was establishing magnet programs at the schools in question  seeking to entice parents to move their children voluntarily.

Magnet programs have done well in some parts of town but have not had success attracting new  and in particular, white  students to Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon schools on the western end of Greenwich.

The towns first magnet-based racial balance plan was submitted to the state in the early 2000s, after Hamilton Avenue was cited in 2000. In 2006, New Lebanon School received its first citation.

The 2014 plan changed the magnet programs at the two schools, but only 23 students total have applied to New Lebanons International Baccalaureate program since that year.

Applications to Hamilton Avenue have climbed from 22 in 2014-15, when its new science, technology, engineering and math magnet theme was announced, to 34 for the coming school year.

But a closer look at the numbers shows that instead of demonstrating improvement, those applications could exacerbate Hamilton Avenues racial imbalance. The majority of the schools magnet students are drawn from New Lebanon, according to the 2015 Annual Enrollment Report.

Too soon or never going to happen?

Some say it is too soon to judge the numbers; it could take a while for elements of the racial balance plan  like adding transportation for magnet students, and most notably, the new New Lebanon School to be completed in 2018  to bear fruit. The school system is only two years into what is a five-year plan.

New Lebanon School Principal Barbara Riccio said marketing of the schools magnet program has been virtually non-existent because the school has not had capacity to welcome more students.

Everyone believes solidly that this is a viable plan, said Riccio. And it will take some building up, theres no question about it.

Deputy Superintendent Ellen Flanagan said once all the magnet programs are fully developed and have room for new students, greater progress will be made toward racial balance. Balance should absolutely be a priority she said.

Research shows that when you have students with a high level of need and the school is not racially balanced, it is not an appropriate learning environment for kids, said Flanagan. The concentration effect is something that has been written about in educational research.

But for others, it is clear that this plan, though it might show some incremental progress, will ultimately fail like the plans before it  and they accept that.

I dont think it is the responsibility of the school system to actively engage in social engineering, said Peter Sherr, member of the Board of Education.

Sherr and Erickson agreed that their top priority is student achievement, with racial balance only as a corollary.

If we can get the achievement level at those schools to be where we want it to be, it is going to be much more attractive for students from outside those schools to attend those schools, said Erickson. So our focus is on student achievement.

Racial balance is something we need to address because it is a state law, but it has never been our primary driver as a board of ed.

Interim Superintendent Sal Corda declined to comment.

Racial balance and education

Civil rights lawyers and scholars say racial imbalance undermines the educational experience for all students.

You have de facto segregation, said Birgit Brander Rasmussen about Greenwichs school system. Co-editor of the book The Making and Unmaking of Whiteness, Rasmussen was an assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale University. In the fall, she will assume a new assistant professorship at SUNY Binghamton with an emphasis on race and ethnicity.

When considering motivations for addressing racial imbalance, the larger question really is, is there a problem with segregation? she said.

Nearly 60 years of social science research shows that racially and socioeconomically segregated schools are strongly related to limited educational opportunities and outcomes, according to a 2015 report by the Civil Rights Project at the University of California Los Angeles.

Desegregated schools are linked to providing students of all races with the opportunity to learn and work with children from a range of backgrounds, wrote the reports authors, Gary Orfield and Jongyeon Ee. These settings foster critical thinking skills that are increasingly important in our multiracial society  skills that help students understand a variety of different perspectives.

Rasmussen said it is dangerous when populations of people are isolated from other perspectives because each group develops completely separate world views.

When you hear the experiences of black and brown people vis-a-vis the police, they really have experiences that many white people dont recognize at all, she said. They simply do not recognize that reality. So what you end up having with segregation is separate ideas about reality. You dont have the kind of exchanges, the kind of social networks and so forth that are necessary to have a well-functioning multiracial society.

In terms of just educational excellence, you simply get a much better classroom, when you get multiple perspectives, she added. Because we all have all kinds of blind spots, and although it can feel a little uncomfortable, when we mix, we sort of help each other correct each others blind spots. When we segregate, we maintain those blind spots and we rely on stereotypes instead.

The Civil Rights Project report also found that desegregated settings are associated with heightened academic achievement for minority students, with no corresponding detrimental impact for white students.

Greenwichs Sherr said he was skeptical about the idea that a racially mixed classroom could lead to a better educational experience.

Im interested in academic achievement. There are multiple studies, none of them conclusive, that I have seen, and I think weve never seen ones that say if you have a diverse classroom, you get 10 points better performance for kids who are underperforming, he said. The idea of being in 2016 and classifying people by race, I just find fundamentally abhorrent.

State law

Director of the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union Dennis Parker said the Connecticut racial balance law is not enough to make real change toward desegregation.

We have to desegregate to benefit all children and the state of Connecticut, he said. The goal is a worthy one.

Parker was one of the plaintiff attorneys in the 1996 Connecticut Supreme Court landmark desegregation case Sheff vs. ONeill. In its decision, the court ruled that segregation had a pervasive and invidious impact on schools.

Since the Sheff case, theres been progress, said Parker. But we feel there hasnt been enough progress, and it has taken too long.

Connecticut law requires school districts to submit a racial-balance plan if the percentage of minorities in any given school differs by more than 25 points from the district average. It does not require that the district actually achieve racial balance, however.

The gap between the district and school averages has grown at New Lebanon since the plan was implemented, from 39.1 points in 2013-14 to 42 points this past school year. At Hamilton Avenue, it has closed slightly, from 34.3 to 33.9.

Overall, the percentage of minority students at New Lebanon has grown from 72.7 to 77.7, and at Hamilton Avenue from 67.9 to 69.6, while the districtwide percentage had increased from 33.6 to 35.7.

Parker said he wished the racial law had some kind of enforcement mechanism, such as funding incentives or disincentives.

Rasmussen said that Greenwichs plan is unlikely to succeed in desegregating schools.

A plan to ameliorate this that relies on white people to enroll in predominantly minority schools is bound to fail because segregation isnt led by people of color, said Rasmussen. On the whole, segregation as a phenomenon is led by white people. ... Research shows that when you have more than 10 percent minority population, white flight begins.

Parker had more hope that magnet schools could work.

I think there are models of effective magnets throughout the country, so it is potentially one way of creating greater diversity, he said.

Whites are not going to move into these schools, Rasmussen said. So if you want to actually change them, you need a different plan.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson
Bob Luckey / GT

GREENWICH  If the state of Connecticut handed out grades for how well municipalities met affordable housing guidelines, Greenwich would score slightly better than a 50. The most recent data shows the affordable housing stock in Greenwich is at 5.32 percent, just over half the state guideline of 10 percent, which has been in place since 1989. Tony Johnson, executive director of the Greenwich Housing Authority, said efforts to raise that number have been stymied by a shortage of available land and high costs.

To read more, click here or below.
More than 43,000 people have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on a contract basis since the beginning of this year, Defense Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak has said.

"Some 43,509 people have signed contracts since the beginning of the year. According to the authority's forecast, 20,000 more contract soldiers will join the Armed Forces by the end of 2016," he said at a meeting of the Reforms Committee in Kyiv.

Poltorak stressed this dynamics allows avoiding the declaration of the seventh wave of mobilization. Moreover, it allows transferring those mobilized during the fifth wave to the reserve, he said.
Published on 2016/08/06

The Washington Post highlights some socialist art pieces from North and South Korea, see what life is like in North Korea in a massive gallery of stunning photographs, professional photographer Seong Joon Cho captures Korea by drone, and The Atlantic looks back on the Korean War after on the anniversary of the armistice agreement.

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"In the galleries: Norman Rockwell would have recognized these socialist images"

Mark Jenkins, writing for The Washington Post, highlights a number of socialist images and artworks from "Contemporary North Korean Art: The Evolution of Socialist Realism"; "South Korea: Examining Life Through Social Realities"; and "The Looking Glass: Artist Immigrants of Washington" which can be view August 14 at the American University Museum in Massachusetts.

...READ ON THE WASHINGTON POST

"100 Photos Inside North Korea  Part 1"

Getting a glimpse into North Korea is always fascinating and strangely surreal. In this post you can enjoy a large gallery of stunning photographs from over the DMZ by Elliot from his time travelling in North Korea: "Most tourists only experience the political smokescreen of Pyongyang; I had the privilege of visiting all corners on one of the longest tours ever executed (no pun intended) for foreigners into the hermit kingdom. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least..."

...READ ON EARTH NUTSHELL

"Korea by Drone" by Photographer in South Korea Seong Joon Cho"

Check out these awesome drone shots from professional South Korea photographer Seong Joon Cho. There're 32 photographs in this gallery and, wow, they really do give you a new perspective. Stunning.

...SEE ON SJCHO

"Remembering the Korean War"

Alan Taylor looks back at the Korean War through 41 photographs documenting the conflict: "The war had raged across the Korean Peninsula for three years, leaving hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians dead. The Armistice formed the famous Demilitarized Zone that still separates North Korea and South Korea, technically still at war with each other. On this anniversary of the armistice agreement, a look back at the people and places involved in the conflict sometimes called 'the forgotten war'..."

...READ ON THE ATLANTIC
By William Schwartz | Published on 2016/08/05

Many people think of Incheon as being that place where the airport is. Actually, the area generally described as Incheon locally consists of the coastal area to the immediate southwest of Seoul. This area does incidentally contain the Incheon International Airport, but only because Incheon is considered the official administrating province of most of the South Korea's northwesterly islands. Aside from this general factoid, there's no particular reason for you to have heard of Incheon. I only went there at all because of the Women's Film Festival in Incheon (WFFI). Even the above picture is just ground art for the local cultural product development center.

...Ah, but the glitz of a local film festival! Pictured above is director Lee Young of "Troublers" speaking with some pleased spectators. These are the kinds of scenes you can only ever find at local film festivals, since they're the only ones small enough that directors can personally chat with fans without being totally overwhelmed. Here's another fun fact- "Troublers" screened with English subtitles, not because anyone expected foreigners to actually show up, but because at present Lee Young's print is only expected to circulate around the international festival circuit. That's a very common story at these small scale festivals.

WFFI had another interesting specialty as well- a small feminism library in the waiting area. In contrast to the movies, these books are only in Korean, although the same general idea of broadening horizons is the central operating goal.

The depth of films was what really surprised me overall. One big irony about film festivals that advertise a hundred or two hundred movies is that it is quite literally impossible for any one person to watch them all. WFFI compensates for its lack of breadth with greatness in depth. "Troublers" was great, there was the usual assortment of Korean short films, a weird French movie about the daughter of God, a fantastic Nigerian film about the cultural pressure to have boys carry on the family name, and more all well-centered around the subject of women's issues while having very distinct takes. Great stuff.

Anyway, back to Incheon. The Juan neighborhood where the festival took place was distinguished by a complete lack of convenient crosswalks. The reason? Apparently everyone is supposed to cross the street by passing through underground markets.

I can understand the appeal of underground markets, especially in summer, but the extent to which Incheon's civic planning is designed around their existence gets to be a bit ridiculous. I found myself wondering whether the population density is really high enough to warrant that kind of thing.

But really, what do I know. A few days ago the Juan Citizen's Commission opened yet another giant underground market, unfinished though it was while I was in town. Maybe they really do need them that badly.

This is a typical South Korean PC Room (PC). Most people use them to play computer games away from prying eyes, especially those who can't afford proper computers in the first place. You may notice that they tend to look more crowded in films and dramas. This is not because the South Korea media is lying to you, but because people try to sit in the nether regions if they can so others won't see what they're doing.

The last landmark of interest I noted in Incheon was this display at the Bupyeong district in the northeast. Apparently one of the hanbok shops there provided the costumes for "Orange Marmalade". I'm surprised I don't see advertisements like this more often, considering drama hanboks have to come from somewhere. Those of you familiar only with the webtoon may be wondering why a modern high school vampire band romance drama needed hanboks in the first place. One year later, I'm still wondering that question myself.

Article by William Schwartz

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Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has stressed the likelihood of extradition of MP Oleksandr Onyschenko from the UK is much higher than from the Russian Federation where the deputy was initially.

"What do you think, where will Onyschenko be extradited from more quickly? From the hero-city of Moscow, where he was at that time, or from the capital of the United Kingdom, where he is now. Tell me, extradition from which country will be quicker? I state the likelihood of extradition from London is higher," he said at a briefing in Kyiv, commenting on further possible actions of the investigating authorities with respect to prosecution of MP Oleksandr Onyschenko.

The prosecutor general said the UK "with its high legal culture" has never refused extradition of criminals on the basis of valid documents.

"I do not know such cases," he said.
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Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby.

11:01, 28 OCT 2022
TIANJIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yu, a member of the Fengrui Law Firm, said on Friday that she "strongly protests" against being given an overseas "human rights award."

"Given that I have clearly refused the 'award', but the organization has still made the award against my will, I consider this an infringement of my human rights," Wang said.

Four Chinese were convicted of subverting state power and sentenced by a court in Tianjin after serial trials in the past four days.

Wang, who is currently on bail pending trial for involvement in the case, told journalists that she would "not acknowledge, not recognize and not accept" the "award."

"I am a Chinese and I love my country," she said. "I have done nothing important regarding human rights and those overseas who want to give me this award are using me to smear the Chinese government and the country."

Wang said she will not accept any award from any overseas organization and will not entrust anyone to accept the award on her behalf.

Talking about the trial of Zhou Shifeng, former head of Fengrui, and others, Wang said she believes that the trials of them have been open and fair.

"I hope people like Zhou will truly rectify their wrongdoings," Wang said, adding that she has also reflected on her own misdeeds.

Wang said she has met with her husband, Bao Longjun, who is also on bail pending trial. "He is in good condition."
TIANJIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four people were convicted of subverting state power and sentenced by a court in Tianjin after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of 7.5 years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s.

Zhou Shifeng, a lawyer who formerly managed the Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Zhai Yanmin, an unemployed resident of Beijing, was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years.

Entrepreneur Gou Hongguo received a suspended three year sentence.

Zhai and Gou may not be jailed if they do not re-offend during the probation period.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse. None chose to appeal.

The four met to "establish a systematic ideology, method and steps" to subvert state power, according to the court statements.

Hu masterminded, spreading subversive ideas and plans and training agents such as Gou; Zhou ran the law firm as a front to carry out subversive activities with Hu and others; and Zhai, the "enforcer," who was instructed by Hu to organize paid petitioners for illegal protests, according to the statements.

Chen Yaodong, vice head of the Law School of Nankai University who observed proceedings, came to the conclusion that the trials were "open and fair," and that China's judiciary handled these sensitive cases with order.

"There's no place for outlaws in our country under the rule of law, and any activities to subvert state power via violence, 'peaceful evolution' or 'street politics' will be punished by law," he added.

"SPIRITUAL LEADER" HU

Hu is a native of Nanchang city in east China's Jiangxi Province. He was a teacher in a Beijing university before engaging in subversive activities.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1994 for "counter-revolutionary" crimes. He returned to his subversive ways not long after he was released in 2008.

Hu has been spreading the idea of "pushing down the wall", namely overturning China's existing system and realizing a "color revolution."

"Hu Shigen is our 'spiritual leader,'" Zhai Yanmin said in his testimony, adding Hu greatly influenced his ideas and concepts.

According to testimony of witnesses, Hu has been engaged in "brainwashing" through alleged "missionary" activities. Hu was proud to make a fuss over sensitive legal cases, often, through conflicts raised by paid petitioners.

Hu even misled the petitioners that "it is an honor to be detained," promising them financial compensations if they were.

A witness surnamed Liu said, Hu regarded petitioners as a force to subvert state power, as they "are bold enough and readily stirred up," and "obey his orders."

Gou Hongguo said, petitioners have one thing in common which is a grudge against governments, therefore, if organized, they can be a powerful force against the government.

The Qing'an incident is one example of Hu's "pushing down the wall." In May 2015, police officer Li Lebin shot dead Xu Chunhe at Qing'an County Railway Station in Heilongjiang Province, after Xu attacked Li despite multiple warnings. CCTV cameras and follow-up investigations confirmed that Li had acted within the law.

But Hu instructed Zhai to organize protests at the railway station and in front of the county government buildings, influencing online opinion and misrepresenting the incident as police brutality.

"I just wanted to smear the judicial organs, police and government," confessed Hu.

Hu also put forward the idea of "three factors" -- stronger citizen power, an internal split within the ruling bloc, and interference of international society -- and "five plans" for "peaceful transformation."

"I instilled these ideas to others with the very aim of achieving a 'color revolution,'" Hu said.

UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER

Zhou, 51, is originally from Anyang City, Henan Province. He was director of the Fengrui Law Firm, which was suspended from operations in 2015 after a police investigation into several of its employees.

Zhou confessed he was unsatisfied with current judicial systems and the government. He has long been influenced by anti-China forces and gradually established ideas to overturn the country's political system.

Since 2011, Zhou has used the law firm as a front for his subversive agenda, recruited like-minded lawyers and other staff and together they discredited judicial organs, attacked the judicial systems and promoted anti-government sentiment by interfering in and inflating the importance of sensitive cases.

According to a prosecution witness who used to work at Zhou's firm, Zhou recruited two key administrative assistants, surnamed Wu and Liu, neither of whom were lawyers. Liu's duty was to analyze sensitive cases and to identify loopholes, while Wu was responsible for promoting them.

Zhou hired them to distort facts, cause confusion and social instability, and attack the country's judicial system.

In March 2015, while a local court in Hebei Province was hearing an extortion case taken on by Zhou's firm, he instructed lawyers to take pictures of prosecutors and judges and post them online, fabricating rumors about their moral characters.

Lyu Hongbing, vice head of the All China Lawyers Association who was present at the court this week, noted that these cases serve as a lesson for all lawyers.

"Revere the law, stick to the facts and protect you clients' legitimate interests," Lyu urged.

FOREIGN SUPPORT

The activities of this group had received foreign supports over the years, investigations found.

In March and April 2014, Gou was sent by Hu to attend a program abroad that trained the participants with theories and techniques of how to subvert a government.

"Some separatists seeking 'Tibet independence' and 'Xinjiang independence' also took part in this 'leader camp' to learn anti-China theories and skills to confront the government and law enforcement agencies," Hu Shigen confessed.

"I found the program was actually a gathering of members from all anti-China groups," Gou said. "Hu himself could not leave the country so he planned to make me his agent in activities of 'civil movements' abroad and a right-hand man in domestic operations. Once the movement picks up at home, I can organize people through what I learnt in the program."

Wang Yu, a lawyer working for Zhou, also went to training programs in Britain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, together with her husband Bao Longjun, sponsored by foreign organizations.

"They contacted me and offered me free chances to learn about the judicial system and humanitarian programs in the West. During these visits, I was instilled with Western ideologies and also learnt how to use encryption softwares and softwares for bypassing Internet firewall," said Wang, who was investigated in a separate case.

Foreign organizations also offered financial assistance. According to Li Heping, another lawyer close to Zhou, he had received funds from a foreign foundation since 2013 for a three-year project.

According to Li's assistant, surnamed Gao, the project trained a selected group of lawyers and paid petitioners to organize protests and manipulate public opinion.

Training programs or operations were approved by the foundation and thus all the cost were covered, Gao said.

The protest organized by Wu in front of a provincial-level court of Jiangxi last year was sponsored by the foundation, he said.

In September 2015, some foreign organizations even helped smuggling Wang's son out of China to Myanmar. Before he left for Thailand on his way to a Western country, the minor was intercepted by Myanmar police and returned to China.

Zhou admitted that foreign organizations showed keen interest in his activities.

"Their purpose of approaching me is to use us to challenge China's court order and judicial system and cause trouble for the Chinese government. Their ultimate goal is to overthrow the rule of the Communist Party of China," Zhou said.

Wang Zeqing, a legislator with the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress, noted that a "color revolution" is in essence a malign political attempt by some Western countries or interest groups to instigate domestic conflicts and collude with the country's insurgent forces to intervene in its domestic affairs, cause chaos, subvert state power and sway international political landscape and then reap benefits.

"It runs counter to real democracy and progress and will cause huge damage to society," Wang said, adding that such attempts -- mere noise compared with the mainstream rhythm of national social and economic development -- are doomed to fail.
GE touts bright future for lighting sales

IT support worker Andrew Wolfe shows a zebra printer to U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows (left) as GE plant manager Dave Martin looks on.

EAST FLAT ROCK  How many people does it take to change a light bulb?

Related Stories

One.

How many does it take to change the light bulb industry?

Five-hundred and fifty. Theyre working at General Electrics Lighting Solutions plant in East Flat Rock.

Pete Sessions, the chair of the powerful House Rules Committee, took notice.

The Texas Republican, who represents an area with 7,000 GE employees, was talking to a regional sales rep for General Electric who mentioned a model of innovation at the GE plant in East Flat Rock.

Passing through the mountains, Sessions decided to check it out. Sessions, an early supporter of Donald Trump, was en route to Winston-Salem for a Trump rally that night. He invited U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows to join him for the GE tour.

What the congressmen saw was an American factory that is growing its product line through technology and adding jobs. The GE plant, which has about 550 employees, has added 100 in the past two years, and brought on 15 just in the past two weeks, plant manager Dave Martin told Sessions and Meadows. GE has invested $60 million in the East Flat Rock plant since 2011 and plans to invest another $10 million in the next year, Martin said. The key to growth has been technological advancement and manufacturing agility that guarantees on-demand delivery.

GE Lighting has evolved from a maker of light bulbs to a multidimensional energy management company, Martin said. If it sells a shopping mall a parking lot lighting package, the mall might buy solar- and battery-powered lighting, security lighting, timers and the software to manage it all.

The local plants assembly lines have been updated, too. Collaborative robots work alongside humans, Martin said. If it goes to hit something like yourself it stops. I think it even says sorry when it touches you.

Sessions praised the companys inventiveness.

Youve come back and said Were going to retool for the future and its going to be here in North Carolina, he said. Thats a great story. You didnt get lost in the new world. Youre at the epicenter now.  This is why I came today. To hear the story. This is about America.

Theres room to grow, too. There are 60 million roadway lights in America.

Twenty million of them are GE, said David George, a senior manufacturing engineer, and every single one was made here in this factory.

Ive been here since 1996, he added. This is as bright a future as Ive ever seen.
JERUSALEM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Friday strongly rejected an assertion by U.S. President Barack Obama that Israel recognizes the efficiency of the Iran deal, comparing it to the 1938 agreement with Hitler.

Obama told a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that senior Israeli officials now support the nuclear deal.

"The Israeli defense establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the deal is based on," said the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which was signed on July 2015 between Iran and the world powers.

The newly-appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the hawkish leader of the far-right "Yisrael Our Home" party, is also a fierce opponent of the deal.
A gym member "flipped" and attacked a receptionist when he was told he was not allowed bring his child for a late swim.

Arifur Rahman (36) twisted the woman's arm behind her back and flung her to the ground when she followed him after he went through the security gate with his child.

The assault happened after he disputed club rules over swimming times for children.

His four-year-old son became "inconsolable" as Rahman shouted abuse.

Ms Murray said she was supervising at Liffey Valley Fitness at 6.40pm on December 5, 2014, when Rahman and his family came in. She told him: "sorry, children have to be out of the pool at 6.30pm."

He told her he was not sure that was right and he wanted to bring his children in.

The second time she refused, he "started to get a little bit agitated".

Security

Rahman then said he wanted to speak to her manager and "held his hand over her face".

He and his son went through the security gate and towards the pool, she said.

She went after him and asked him to return to reception.

"He said no, I am bringing my child into the pool and that is it," she said.

Ms Murray put her hand up to "herd" him in the direction of reception but made no contact.

"He grabbed my right hand, twisted my arm behind my back and chucked me out the doorway," she said. "I skidded on the floor and landed on my shoulder on the ground."

"The more I told him he couldn't bring his children in, the more I got screamed at," manager Val Cross also told Dublin District Court.

The defendant, of Castlegate Downs, Adamstown, had denied assaulting Dawn Murray and threatening behaviour.

Judge Hugh O'Donnell convicted the father of three and fined him 750.
'Judge David McHugh gave Mr Crosby the formal alibi caution and assigned defence solicitor Joe McNally and one junior counsel on free legal aid.' (stock photo)

A young man accused of threatening to kill another individual has been sent forward for trial.

Daniel Crosby (24) is also alleged to have made a threat to damage property.

He was served with the book of evidence at Blanchardstown District Court.

The accused, with an address at St Joseph's Way in Ballymun, is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm.

The incident allegedly took place at McKee Avenue in Finglas on July 6, 2015.

He is also charged with damaging a back passenger window of a car at the same time and place.

Video

Mr Crosby is further accused of making a threat to cause damage to a property at Ballygarra Park in Garristown.

Crosby will go forward to the next sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge David McHugh gave Mr Crosby the formal alibi caution and assigned defence solicitor Joe McNally and one junior counsel on free legal aid.

Mr Crosby has not yet indicated a plea to the charges.

Judge McHugh also ordered a video copy of an interview with the accused be handed to his legal team.
Dublin now ranks among the world's most expensive cities to live and work in - but it is still considered "good value".

A new report by property experts Savills has shown Dublin shooting into the top 20 most-expensive cities when compared on their "work-live index".

The index measures the annual per-person cost of renting and occupying home and office space per employee.

Dublin ranks 14th - but as late as last March did not feature on the list at all.

According to Savills, European cities on the list have shown a "modest" increase in rents, but Dublin is singled out as an "exception".

The capital has "seen an overall live-work increase of 6pc in euro terms, fuelled primarily by a big bounce in office rents from low post-crash levels, and especially in the creative and tech sector", according to the report.

This compares with a 3pc rent rise in Berlin and a 1pc hike in Paris.

New York, Hong Kong, London, Tokyo and Paris make up the top five.

At the lower end of the table, Dublin ranks higher than Berlin, Moscow and Rio de Janeiro.

However, the outlook for Dublin is still positive, according to Savills.

"Despite their small size, both Berlin and Dublin look very good value to businesses looking to locate within a large and prosperous economic region," the report says.

Salaries

"Annual accommodation costs in these cities are among the lowest in the Savills' live-work index and comparable to Mumbai and Lagos," the report reads.

Commenting on the findings, Yolande Barnes, director of Savills world research, explained why rental costs are key to attracting businesses.

"Office-based businesses operating in major world cities will spend around one-third of their total operating costs on accommodation through a combination of commercial rents, paid directly to landlords, and demands on salaries created by the cost of employees' living accommodation," she said.

"Fluctuations in these costs will therefore have a significant bearing on how competitive a city is to employers."

The index comes after employers' group Ibec expressed concern about Ireland's competitive edge in the wake of the Brexit vote and called for a range of measures including a focus on the minimum wage.

"The Brexit strain is manifest and intense. Without urgent action to address competitive pressures, hundreds of millions of euro worth of exports and thousands of Irish jobs will be lost," said Ibec director of policy Fergal O'Brien.

"Individual businesses have been slow to talk publicly, but the feedback from members is clear and unambiguous.

"Businesses and jobs are already under threat."

Dublin Lord Mayor Brendan Carr hit back at the comments and said that any attempt to cut workers' wages must be stopped, especially given the high cost of living in the city.
A man is in a serious condition in hospital and another is in custody following a dramatic rescue operation on the Liffey after they deliberately jumped into the water while drunk.

The incident happened in full view of shocked tourists in the middle of the afternoon.

Members of Dublin Fire Brigade responded to reports of a man in serious difficulty near Wellington Quay.

It is believed that the men, of Eastern European origin, decided to take a dip after they had been drinking on the boardwalk near the Ha'penny Bridge.

After only a short time, one of the men got into difficulty and emergency services were called.

Gardai confirmed that one man was arrested for intoxication at the scene after he climbed out of the river with the aid of a ladder.

Buoy

The other man was taken to St James's Hospital where last night he was in a serious but non-life threatening condition.

The incident happened shortly before 3pm.

A passer-by told the Herald that gardai alerted the fire brigade after they were unable to reach the second man.

"The guards threw him a buoy to help him keep afloat but he seemed in a bad way," said the witness. "When the rescue boat reached him, they gave him CPR and wrapped him in one of those body-heat bags.

"He was taken up the ramp where the Discover Ireland ferry comes in and taken away in an ambulance."

A brigade spokesman said: "An injured man with low-levels of oxygen was taken aboard a lifeboat at around 3pm."

Sources said the men "appeared to have been intoxicated" before entering the water and are understood to have been seen drinking on the boardwalk throughout the afternoon.

"It appears they decided, for whatever reason, to go for a swim," a garda source said.

"One man is still currently being detained at Pearse Street Garda Station."

The incident happened in one of the capital's busiest areas for tourists, and it is understood that dozens of overseas visitors were among the crowds who watched.

An American couple said they were "surprised" at events.

Tolerated

"I wouldn't have thought drinking out in the open like that would have been tolerated, but I guess the police can't be everywhere," said the woman.

"Aside from themselves, it doesn't seem like the men hurt anyone."

A Failte Ireland representative said that while it was "disappointing" that visitors had witnessed such as incident, "the vast majority of tourists to Ireland have nothing but positive experiences".

"Tourism to Dublin is booming at the moment and often we're told that people feel very safe walking its streets," he said.

"Ireland is still rated as among the safest places to visit, and 96pc of people who come here say the same."

Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney said "such instances shouldn't spoil people's perception of the capital".

"The city is safer now than it was five, 10 years ago. The gardai have done a wonderful job of cracking down on the anti-social elements."
LILONGWE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has donated about 6,600 metric tons of Chinese rice to Malawi in response to calls for emergency food assistance for 6.5 million starving Malawians.

Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Wang Shiting, made the symbolic donation to Malawi President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in the capital, Lilongwe on Thursday.

Wang said the Chinese government understood that people in Malawi were in dire need of food following poor rain patterns over the past growing season, hence the donation.

"The Chinese government has declared that China would offer emergency food assistance worth 7 billion Kwacha (about 9.4 milion U.S dollars)," said the ambassador.

Wang said that 2,000 tonnes of the rice had already arrived in Malawi, with the second and third shipments arriving in ten days' time and before the end of the month respectively.

The Ambassador further said his government was very proud to be among the first development partners to deliver on the promise of food assistance but he appealed for more support from other partners.

Wang further said China had put agriculture cooperation as priority on China-Malawi relations and he pledged further support in agricultural projects in Malawi.

Malawi President said the donated rice would go a long way in supporting Malawians badly affected by hunger.

The Chinese support comes three weeks after the Acting UN Resident Coordinator and UNAIDS Country Director, Amakobe Sande, called upon development partners who had made food aid commitments to Malawi to honor their pledges in time for easy logistic arrangements.
MOSCOW, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2016 Group of 20 (G20) summit to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in early September will give the country a great chance to present and promote its ideas on global development, a Russian expert has said.

China's "One Belt One Road" initiative, which aims to promote infrastructure construction in countries along its way and push forward the economic development of the whole region, would be a key discussion at the summit, said Alexey Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department at the Russian Higher School of Economics Research.

"I think the debate will be more about the ways of developing the infrastructure ... about who will be the leader of infrastructure restructuring," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Maslov also suggested that China should find its own approach on promoting its idea of a green economy, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also free from corruption and from any external influence.

"China is doing the right thing, by not just defending itself from alleged charges (of non-compliance with environmental regulations), but creating its own concept and inviting others to join," he said.

The discussion on green economy should also be concentrated on countries' investment capacities and the sustainable growth of the world economy, especially considering the current complex and multilateral economic crisis, Maslov said.

The expert hoped the G20 summit would consider methods to stimulate the economy, facilitate foreign trade, remove customs barriers, and promote interaction between countries in creating free trade zones or common development zones.

Maslov said the G20 summit could lead to greater freedom of trade and play a more responsible role in resolving global economic problems, adding that technology transfers should also be facilitated among countries.

According to Maslov, it is more important for the summit to "show that countries share common concerns and see common problems and trends," rather than providing final solutions.

He stressed that the G20 summit has to become a real working body, not just a platform for discussion.

"How China will be able to consolidate the views of different parties is a great question and a great responsibility," he said.

"Perhaps, only China is capable in today's world of making different countries with different methods of regulating economies to sit at the negotiating table, to make them try and work out a common solution," said Maslov.

By implementing a "fairly correct" model of economic structural reform, China has proved its strong political will to the world, he said.

"But the state of the economy, both Chinese and Asian in general, requires the most rapid implementation of these reforms," Maslov added.
Suspect who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband facing attempted homicide, other charges

Paul Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body. The suspect was in search of the speaker, calling out "Where is Nancy?"
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

Trend:

Armenian armed forces have eight times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Aug. 6.

Armenians were using large caliber machine guns while firing at Azerbaijani positions.

Azerbaijani positions underwent fire from the Armenian armed forces stationed near the village of Chilaburt of Terter district and Kuropatkino of Khojavand district.

Azerbaijani positions also underwent fire from the positions located on the nameless heights in Fizuli, Goranboy and Jabrayil districts.

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 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
What's the secret to Small Favors' sell-out pizza?

Bottle Shop Mondays include options for wine carryout curated by owner Nick Detrich and his staff. However, the real star is the pizza pie.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

Trend:

Azerbaijani gymnasts Oleg Stepko and Peter Pahnyuk performed on parallel bars and horizontal beams at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

On parallel bars Oleg Stepko scored 15.3 points, Peter Pahnyuk - 14,166 points.

Also participants have to complete the exercises on the horse, horizontal beams, rings and vault.

On horizontal beams Stepko scored 13.6 and Pahnyuk scored 13,783 balls.

Participants have yet to complete the exercises on the horse, rings, vault and perform the show floor exercise.
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The August 5 attack by suspected Bodo militants on a market in Assams Kokrajhar district tore apart the calm that descended on the state in the aftermath of the assembly elections that brought the Bharatiya Janata Party to power.

It also came when the state government, under a chief minister who has been just three months in the saddle, was struggling with one of the worst floods that Assam has seen in recent years.

Both situations underscore the vulnerability of rural communities, as well as the fact that these are issues that government after government, no matter what party is in power, will have to contend with for a long time to come.

Read | Assam attack: Calls for separate state by Bodo leaders keep region unstable

In the eyes of the government, there are no good terrorists or bad terrorists; in the eyes of the latter, the same holds true vis-a-vis those in power, unless they are able to inveigle a deal and benefit from the process.

In this case, the message to the newly minted and largely inexperienced Assam government as well as the BJP leadership in Delhi was loud and clear: That the group cant be ignored and can strike at vulnerable groups.

Yet, it is a reflection of the statist view of media and the security prism of governments that the flood disaster went immediately to the backburner despite the fact that nearly two million people in a swathe of districts are affected. This is to be expected for the very nature of terrorism detracts attention from key economic, political and social challenges.

Read | Kokrajhar attack: Centres peace policy comes under cloud

The Bodo group suspected to be involved in the killings is the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit group). It is no stranger to acute forms of violence and is held responsible for a series of brutal killings, where its primary targets and victims have been civilians. Some news reports have said such violence was unprecedented: Nothing could be further from the truth.

The demand for a separate Bodo nation by armed groups is splattered extensively with blood.

In two incidents, both in 2014, more than 100 persons were killed when heavily armed Bodo attackers gunned down not less than 62 tribals in one incident and over 30 Muslims, mostly women and children, in their villages.

The Bodo movement, which first sought a separate state to be carved out of Assam, was initially peaceful as it called for the protection of rights, identity and land.

Read | How and why the Kokrajhar attack in Assam took place

However, when hardliners took over, it lurched towards separatism in the1990s, demanding independence. That drew both young men and women into an armed movement led by the founder of the NDFB, Ranjan Daimary, who was based  as was the leadership of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), another major armed group fighting Indian forces  in Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The Centre created up an autonomous council that gave basic powers of funding, political patronage and development to the local leadership but this did not appease the hardliners.

In 2003, Bhutanese royal troops routed insurgent groups based in the southern part of their country. Hundred died. Some leaders were captured, others escaped to Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Read | Kokrajhar attack: All you need to know about separatist outfit NDFB

A few years later, the Bangladesh government handed over a clutch of militant leaders including Dairmary, who was named in a massive explosion that shook Guwahati in 2008, as well as ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, dealing a stunning blow to the groups.

As Daimarys influence waned, power shifted to his one-time aide, Songbijit. Although Songbijit and his lieutenants are often based in camps near the Indo-Myanmar border, and have access to weapons and explosives, a number of hit squads are said to be located on the India-Bhutan border which is close to Kokrajhar, enabling a quick getaway.

The killings highlight a number of issues: for one, the armed groups have asserted that they cannot be ignored, no matter who is in power.

It has drawn attention away from stressful conditions in the Bodoland Territorial Council for non-Bodos. It demonstrates the extreme vulnerability of this beautiful yet politically broken region. The real issues, not just floods and livelihoods, but also of encroachment on land, forests and living spaces which have affected ordinary Bodos and others living in the region are lost sight of.

(Sanjoy Hazarika is the director of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research at Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia. Views expressed are personal.)
Pakistan's civilian and military leadership were on the same page on Indian home minister Rajnath Singhs visit to Islamabad to attend a SAARC interior ministers conference earlier this week. It was army chief Gen Raheel Sharif who pushed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to cancel the meet at the last minute, officials of the Foreign Office said.

One senior official said the visit was a testing time for the Nawaz Sharif government because of the increased violence in Jammu and Kashmir and the resulting pressure built up by Pakistans religious parties and groups over the issue. Officials said it was the army that discouraged the religious and hardline parties and groups from banding together under the banner of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (Defence of Pakistan Council) and holding countrywide protests. There were protests by Hafiz Saeeds Jamaat-ud-Dawah, Syed Salahuddins Hizbul Mujahideen and other groups during Singhs two-day visit.

Sharif is already under pressure from the main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over the Panama Papers scandal, observers said. The leaks showed Sharifs three children were among Pakistanis who own offshore assets worth millions of dollars.

"In such a situation, if the religious parties had started a public agitation which resulted in violence and deaths, the situation could have turned precarious for the government," said analyst Ali Zaidi. Instead of cancelling the SAARC meet, the Pakistani leadership decided to downplay it for the domestic audience.

"That is why we saw the blacking out of coverage of the event on national channels as well as the downplaying on most media," said senior journalist Tahir Najmi.

Journalists and editors said they had received advice from the military's public relations arm not to telecast events at the SAARC meet live or to play them up. "We thought the army was trying to undermine the political leadership while in fact it was working to ensure that they were both on the same page," said one journalist who didnt want to be named. The timing of the meeting was the main issue. It came at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was engulfed in violence and the Pakistan government had already started a very visible campaign to protest what is happening across the Line of Control.

Read| Indian media not allowed to cover my speech in Pakistan: Rajnath

"At such a time, the arrival of the Indian home minister, who is seen as one of the players behind the violence, would have been very difficult for the Sharif government to justify," said Zaidi. However, to cancel the SAARC meet would have been perceived as an obvious rebuff to the Indian leadership at a time when Pakistan is aware of its growing isolation in world affairs.

"What we are seeing is that there is a growing awareness in both civil and military circles that Pakistan is becoming more irrelevant in the larger scheme of things. This is the path that both the army chief and the prime minister do not want to follow any more," an official of the foreign office said on condition of anonymity. For the Nawaz Sharif government, the arrival and safe departure of the Indian home minister was met with a sigh of relief. Now the government can focus on the challenge ahead: Public protests by opposition parties, including Sharifs one-time ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Read| Rajnath talks tough in Pak, seeks action against terror-backing nations
Last month India celebrated the twenty fifth anniversary of the economic reforms which have so obviously brought about change in the lives of Indians and the face of India. But at the same time India was reminded of what hasnt changed over the last quarter century, the need to reform the institutions of governance and the attitude of politicians which undermines those institutions.

Take two examples. There were the floods in Gurgaon, or Gurugram, and the resultant chaos which prompted the Dainik Bhaskar headline Gurujam, and the joke on social media  property prices in Gurgaon have gone up because every building now has a lakeside view. The minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu admitted that the water-logging was caused by unplanned urbanisation and encroachments , that is to say the government s impotence, its inability to curb the rampant corruption in real estate development. Then there was the social justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot telling parliament gau rakshaks were entitled to enforce the law against cow slaughter provided they first checked the veracity of an incident reported to them  an example of politicians assumption that they and their supporters have the right to interfere in the working of the police and undermine their authority.

Read | Gurgaon is doomed: How not to plan and build a city

During the celebrations of the economic reforms a book was launched by one of Indias most respected civil servants NN Vohra, who although long past his retirement from the IAS is still governor of Jammu and Kashmir. His book is called Safeguarding India which he is far from certain Indias unreformed institutions can do. He has warned that India could face chaos, turbulence and serious unrest ... unless public administration systems become efficient, responsive, productive, honest and accountable. He describes the crucial All India Services as politicised, communalised, and exploited.

Vohra blames political and extra-legal interference in administration systems for their sorry state. This has been acknowledged for a long time. After the blatant misuse of the police during the Emergency a study commissioned by the Home Ministry warned, excessive control of the political executive ... has the inherent danger of making the police a tool of subverting the process of law, promoting the growth of authoritarianism and shaking the very foundation of democracy. When she returned to power Indira Gandhi put that report on the shelf where it has remained. Other reports have suffered the same fate.

When the need for reforms which will guarantee the police and other institutions the autonomy they need to prevent politicisation is so widely recognised why is NN Vohra still a voice crying in the wilderness? Vohra has suggested it might be the euphoria created by the economic reforms. Their successes have created an impression that its only the lack of further economic reforms which is holding India back. So the limitations that the incapacity and inefficiency of the Indian State put on spreading the benefits of economic growth are ignored.

Even Indias period of fastest economic growth between 1998-99 and 2005-2006 did not reduce the number of stunted children. That was in part due to administrative incapacity  the inability to provide sanitation. Modi has now declared that India will be clean. It has to be seen whether he creates the administrative muscle necessary to achieve that happy state.

Read | Not one, but many right ways to achieve reforms: Modi to India Inc

Then there are advocates of technology who claim IT will by-pass Indias administrative weaknesses  smart phones, Aadhar Cards, Jan Dhan bank accounts will render the corrupt local official redundant. But the local official is cunning as well as corrupt and he may well find ways of staying in business. Technology will make matters worse if cash payments are given in place of ration and vouchers for education or health care instead of the government reforming the ration system, and providing schools and health centres that educate and heal. The economist Ashoka Mody is surely right when he says technology without new institutions and incentives will never renew water or deliver core education, health services and public services. This is not to deny that IT has much to contribute to better governance but it will create problems too which only reformed institutions can overcome. Can Indias ramshackle police hope to combat cyber crime without being modernised? Is the IPS as it now stands an institution which is fit to battle technology savvy terrorism?

But there is a more fundamental reason than the achievements of economic reforms or the potential of technology for the failure to reform the institutions which govern India and defend its national security. The reason has been well put by the retired senior IPS officer Kirpal Dhillon in his history of the Indian Police between 1947 and 2002. He says reforms are impossible because those who have the power to grant the police functional autonomy dont want to loose their control over the force and those who do see the urgent need for reforms dont have the power to reform. So until voters become aware of the dangers of unreformed administrative institutions and force reforms onto the political agenda India will face the threat of chaos, turbulence, and serious unrest.
Actor Deepika Padukone wants fellow Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to be acknowledged as someone who put India on the global map.

Read: Game changer: Bollywood women are earning more than ever

During an interview with Deccan chronicle, Padukone who will be soon seen with actor Vin Diesel in the third instalment of XXX franchise, said that she does not agree that either Priyanka Chopra or Irrfan Khan deserve that acknowledgment.

Read: Want that dress Deepika wore in Tamasha?

She (Aishwarya), for me, is the torch bearer for putting India on the global map. But everyone who has managed to break through into the western market  whether it is Anil (Kapoor), Irfan, Priyanka, or myself  I think we have all done a great job, she was quoted as saying.
Pooja Hegde, who makes her Bollywood debut opposite Hrithik Roshan, has said working with the actor was surreal for her as she is a huge fan. I have been a fan of him. He was my favourite actor. So, to actually do a film with him years later is quite surreal. When I started modelling one of my friends had said that she hopes I get to work with Hrithik one day. And that came true in my very first film. Dreams do come true, she said.

The 25-year-old actor will be seen playing Hrithiks love interest in Ashutosh Gowarikers historical saga set in the backdrop of the Indus Valley civilization.

Read: My kissing scene with Hrithik is Bollywoods best, says Pooja

Before foraying into Bollywood, the model-actress had worked in Tamil superhero film Mugamoodi besides being part of Telugu films Oka Laila Kosam and Mukunda.

Watch Hrithik romances Pooja in Mohenjo Daro song

A debut film is an audition to the world because no one has ever seen anything of yours before. People are waiting to see you. We live in the time where everyone expects you to be good right from your first film. Our film is a pure love story. Yet it is still charming, naughty and fun. It is very different from the techno crazy, fast paced, neon life that we lead today, she said.

Read: Meet Hrithiks Mohenjo Daro queen

I have given my best shot. I have tried to do a good job. I am nervous but I think the nervous energy is good energy, she added.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran have never been at such a high level as now, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Mustafayev made the remarks Aug. 6 at a meeting dedicated to laying foundation for a joint car plant with Irans Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.

He said Irans investments to Azerbaijan have reached $2.5 billion, including $150 million in non-oil sector.

The minister added that 450 companies on Iranian capital operate in the country.

Relations between the two countries have been developing successfully, in particular, over the past two years, encouraged by the political will of the presidents, he said.

Mustafayev noted that Iran is Azerbaijans important trade partner and the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 66 percent in 1H2016 as compared to January-June 2015.

He also said that both countries took important steps to promote cooperation in transportation, tourism, industry, energy, finance and others.

Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, in turn, said that both countries have great potential for the development of economic cooperation and this potential should be used effectively.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the conditions created for entrepreneurs in Neftchala industrial quarter. He invited other Iranian companies to take advantage of these conditions.

Then, AzEuroCar LLC and Iran Khodro signed six documents covering licensing, distribution, installation of equipment, engineering and technical support, and other issues necessary for car production.

The documents were signed by the Head of AzEuroCar LLC Emin Akhundov and Director General of Iran Khodro Hashem Yeke Zare.

On the basis of a memorandum of understanding, signed Apr. 21, 2016, between AzEuroCar and Iran Khodro, the companies will build a joint car plant in Azerbaijans Neftchala industrial quarter.

Azerbaijani minister said the projects total cost is $15 million, 25 percent of which will be provided by the Iranian side.

Head of AzEuroCar LLC Emin Akhundov told reporters that the plant will be built in an area of 10 hectares.

At the first stage the plant will provide jobs for 300 people and at the second stage the number of employees will rise up to 500, added Akhundov.

He also noted that 20 percent of the produced cars will be exported. The cars produced at the plant will meet Euro 5 standard.

Four Iranian car brands of Dena, Runna, Soren and Samand will be produced at the new plant, which will have a capacity of 10,000 cars a year.
Chandragupta abdicated in 298 BC (or 303 BC according to another source) in favour of his son Bindusara who ruled till 273 BC. Bindusara had inherited an empire that was already very large  from Afghanistan to Bengal. He seems to have extended the realm further south till the empire covered all but the southern tip of the peninsula. For the most part, his rule seems to have been peaceful except for a few rebellions. He also seems to have maintained diplomatic and trade links with the kingdoms carved out from Alexanders empire.

In 274 BC, Bindusara suddenly fell ill and died. The crown prince Sushima was away fending off incursions on the northwestern frontiers and rushed back to the imperial capital Pataliputra, present-day Patna. However, on arrival he found that Ashoka, one of his half-brothers, had taken control of the city with the help of Greek mercenaries. It appears that Ashoka had Sushima killed at the eastern gates. The crown prince may have been roasted alive in the moat! This was followed by four years of a bloody civil war in which Ashoka seems to have killed all male rivals in his family. Buddhist texts mention that he killed ninety-nine half-brothers and only spared his full brother Tissa. Hundreds of loyalist officials were also killed; Ashoka is said to have personally decapitated five hundred of them. Having consolidated his power, he was finally crowned emperor in 270 BC.

All accounts agree that Ashokas early rule was brutal and unpopular, and that he was known as Chandashoka or Ashoka the Cruel. According to mainstream textbook narratives, however, Ashoka would invade Kalinga a few years later and, shocked by the death and destruction, would convert to Buddhism and become a pacifist. The reader will be surprised to discover that the popular narrative about this conversion is based on little evidence. Ashoka would invade Kalinga in 262 BC whereas we know from minor rock edicts that Ashoka had converted to Buddhism more than two years earlier. No Buddhist text links his conversion to the war and even Ashokas eulogists like Charles Allen agree that his conversion predated the Kalinga war. Moreover, he seems to have had links with Buddhists for a decade before his conversion. The evidence suggests that his conversion to Buddhism was more to do with the politics of succession than with any regret he felt for sufferings of war.

Read more: The second Inspector Gowda novel looks at dark world of child trafficking

The Mauryans were likely to have followed Vedic court rituals (certainly many of their top officials were Brahmins) but had eclectic religious affiliations in personal life. The founder of the line, Chandragupta, seems to have had links to the Jains in old age while his son Bindusara seems to have been partial to a heterodox sect called the Ajivikas. This is not an unusual arrangement in the Dharmic (i.e. Indic) family of religions. This eclectic approach remains alive to this day and lay followers of Dharmic religions think nothing of praying at each others shrines. You will find many Hindus at the Golden Temple in Amritsar just as the streets of Bangkok are full of shrines dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. The coronation of the king of Thailand is still carried out by Brahmin priests.

It is likely that when Ashoka usurped the throne, he was opposed by family members who had links to the Jains and the Ajivikas. He may have responded by reaching out to their rivals, the Buddhists, for support. The power struggle may even explain his invasion of Kalinga. The mainstream view is that Kalinga was an independent kingdom that was invaded by Ashoka but there is some reason to believe that it was either a rebellious province or a vassal that was no longer trusted.

We know that the Nandas, who preceded the Mauryas, had already conquered Kalinga and, therefore, it is likely that it became part of the Mauryan empire when Chandragupta took over the Nanda kingdom. In any case, it seems odd that a large and expansionist empire like that of the Mauryas would have tolerated an independent state so close to its capital Pataliputra and its main port at Tamralipti. In other words, Kalinga would not have been an entirely independent kingdom under Bindusara  it was either a province or a close vassal. Something obviously changed during the early years of Ashokas reign and my guess is that it had either sided with Ashokas rivals during the battle for succession and/or declared itself independent in the confusion.

Whatever the real reasons for attracting Ashokas ire, a large Mauryan army marched into Kalinga around 262 BC. The traditional view is that the two armies met on the banks of the river Daya at Dhauli near modern Bhubaneswar. It is possible that Dhauli was the site of a skirmish but recent archaeological excavations point to a place called Yuddha Meruda being the site of the main battle followed by a desperate and bloody last stand at the Kalingan capital of Tosali.

The remains of Tosali were discovered only recently by a team of archaeologists led by Debraj Pradhan, a humble and affable man who has made some extraordinary discoveries about Odishas ancient past. The site is at a place called Radhanagar, a couple of hours drive from Cuttack. It is situated in a broad fertile plain watered by the Brahmani river and surrounded by low hills. Surveying the beautiful valley from one of the hills, one is overwhelmed by a feeling of eternity  rice fields, fish ponds, coconut palms, mango trees, and thin wisps of wood smoke rising from village huts. Other than a few power transmission towers, the scene is perhaps close to what it would have looked to Mauryan generals planning their final assault.

The remains of the citys earthwork defences suggest that Tosali was built in the middle of the plains; arguably a poor choice as the citys defences would have been better served if they were wedged more closely to one of the hills. Archaeologists have only excavated a small section of the walls but have found it riddled with arrowheads; a blizzard of arrows must have been unleashed by the Mauryan army. The Kalingans never stood a chance. Ashokas own inscriptions tell us that a 100,000 died in the war and an even larger number died from wounds and hunger. A further 150,000 were taken away as captives.

According to the official storyline, Ashoka was horrified by his own brutality and became a Buddhist and a pacifist. But, as we have seen, he was already a practicing Buddhist by then, and from what we know of his early rule, he was hardly a man to be easily shocked by the sight of blood. The main evidence of his repentance comes from his own inscriptions. It is very curious, however, that this regret is mentioned only in locations far away from Odisha (such as in Shahbazgarhi in north-western Pakistan). None of the inscriptions in Odisha express any remorse; any hint of regret is deliberately left out.

The Ashokan inscriptions at Dhauli are engraved on a rock at the base of a hill. Almost all tourists drive right past it to the white coloured modern stupa at the top of the hill. So I found myself alone with the inscriptions and the translations put up by the Archaeological Survey of India. What will strike anyone reading them is how they specifically leave out any sign of regret. The silence is deafening.

Read more: Saeed Naqvi on the shaping of the discontent of the Muslim in India

If Ashoka was genuinely remorseful, he would have surely bothered to apologize to the people whom he had wronged. Far from it, he doesnt even offer to free the captives. Even the supposedly regretful inscriptions include a clear threat of further violence against other groups like the forest tribes who are unequivocally told of the power to punish them that Devanampriya possesses in spite of his repentance, in order that they may be ashamed of their crimes and may not be killed. This is no pacifist.

It is likely that Ashoka was using his inscriptions as a tool of political propaganda to counter his reputation for cruelty. As with the words of any politician, this does not mean he changed his behaviour. Moreover, many of the inscriptions are placed in locations where the average citizen or official of that time would not have been able to read them. Several historians including Nayanjot Lahiri have wondered about this. Is it possible that some of the inscriptions were really meant for later generations rather than his contemporaries?

The Buddhist text, Ashoka-vadana, tells us of more acts of genocide perpetrated by the emperor many years after he supposedly turned pacifist. These were directed particularly at followers of the Jain and Ajivika sects; by all accounts he avoided conflicts with mainstream Hindus and was respectful towards Brahmins. The Ashoka-vadana recounts how Ashoka once had 18,000 Ajivikas in Bengal put to death in a single episode. If true, this would be the first known instance of large-scale religious persecution in Indian history (but, sadly, would not be the last).

This is not the only incident mentioned in the text. A Jain devotee was found in Pataliputra drawing a picture showing Buddha bowing to a Jain tirthankara. Ashoka ordered him and his family to be locked inside their home and for the building to set alight. He then ordered that he would pay a gold coin in exchange for every decapitated head of a Jain. The carnage only ended when someone mistakenly killed his only surviving brother, the Buddhist monk Vitashoka (also called Tissa). The story suggests frightening parallels with modern-day fundamentalists who kill cartoonists whom they accuse of insulting their religion.

Supporters of Ashoka may claim that these incidents are untrue and were inserted into the story by fundamentalist Buddhist writers in much later times. While this is entirely possible, let me remind readers that my alternative narrative is based on exactly the same texts and inscriptions used to praise Ashoka. Perhaps the same scepticism should be evenly applied to all the evidence and not just to portions of the text that do not suit the mainstream narrative.

In addition to the references of his continued cruelty, we also have reason to believe that Ashoka was not a successful administrator. In his later years, an increasingly unwell Ashoka watched his empire disintegrate from rebellion, internal family squabbles and fiscal stress. While he was still alive, the empire had probably lost all the northwestern territories that had been acquired from Seleucus. Within a few years of Ashokas death in 232 BC, the Satvahanas had taken over most of the territories in southern India and Kalinga too had seceded.

As one can see, Ashoka does not look like such a great king on closer inspection but a cruel and unpopular usurper who presided over the disintegration of a large and well-functioning empire built by his father and grandfather. At the very least, it must be accepted that evidence of Ashokas greatness is thin and he was some shade of grey at best. Perhaps like many politicians, he made grand highminded proclamations but acted entirely differently. This fits with the fact that he is not remembered as a great monarch in the Indian tradition but in hagiographic Buddhist texts written in countries that did not experience his reign. He was rediscovered in the nineteenth century by colonial era orientalists like James Princep. His elevation to being Ashoka the Great is even more recent and is the result of political developments leading up to Indias independence.

After Independence, it appears academic historians were further encouraged to build up the legend of Ashoka the Great in order to provide a lineage to Jawaharlal Nehrus socialist project and inconvenient evidence was simply swept under the carpet. This is not so different from how the medieval Ethiopians created a Biblical lineage for the Solomonic dynasty. A few Western writers like Charles Allen have patronizingly written how ancient Indians were somehow foolish to have had little regard for a great king such as Ashoka. On a closer look, it appears that they knew what they were doing. What is more worrying is how easily modern Indians have come to accept a narrative based on such minimal evidence.
Midway into our planning for an Italy trip, I realise the plan is loaded in favour of art and architecture. Those fabulous Michelangelo sculptures and the early paintings of Leonardo da Vinci cant be overlooked. The Vatican is a must. Even Venice, like Rome, is dotted with signs of a grand heritage and smells of a bygone era.

But what about a place to enjoy the sun and sundowners, unworried by history books? The Amalfi coast, I thought, may be an answer. Cinque Terre is also fascinating, a friend says. But it involves trekking from one village to another, I sigh from the comfort of a chaise lounge. So the Amalfi coast it is.

Melting into Sorrento

As the local Circumvesuviana train moves away from Naples (Napoli for the locals), the rows of apartment blocks and factories fade into a greener landscape. The hills often block the view and tunnels create sudden darkness. Two stations take us back to the ancient Roman civilisation: Ercolano Scavi and Pompeii Scavi. Behind the afternoon mist, the intimidating Mount Vesuvius, which buried these early habitats under its molten rocks and ashes, stands tall with a broken head.

The train halts at a small station  Piano di Sorrento: green hills, snapshots of the sea between colourful, small houses and winding roads that offer a toast of an Italian coast. We start pushing our luggage towards the door. The final stop is in five minutes.

You can expect good hotels in every Italian town. But my wife and I thought, lets try to live like locals, so we booked a room at the top-rated B&B Villa Monica, atop a hill in Sorrento.

Our host, Pascal Grosso Albini, is a character, we soon discover. Armed with a dry wit and generous hospitality, he owns one of the towns prettiest properties.

As he opens the balcony door for us, a vast stretch of the Campania region unfolds its quiet beauty. The gulf of Naples lies below, Napoli marking its presence from far away with a string of lights. We can spend endless hours sitting here.

A limoncello shop in Sorrento (Saubhadra Chatterji)

Evening means the city will melt at Piazza Tasso, the heart of Sorrento. Crowd-watching while licking a gelato is fun. But why just watch strangers when theyd love to converse with us? People eagerly tell us about their choice of a good ristorante (restaurant) or where to buy the best limoncello, a digestif synonymous to this region. Invariably, all opinions differ.

We walk up to a snack bar that boasts a large variety of fries. The woman behind the counter asks gleefully, You work with Accenture? pointing to my jacket logo. It is actually my wifes jacket, I say, unabashed. My better half starts giggling. Nevertheless, as the shopkeepers cousin also works in the same company, she takes extra care to prepare our fries but also gives tips about the Amalfi coast.

Men, buy your clothes elsewhere

The comfortable, local authority-run bus leaves from outside the station and takes a picturesque uphill road past lemon groves and colourful settlements for Amalfi, the largest town, from which the rugged coastline is named.

Driving a large bus in this hilly terrain requires guts. Roads are narrow, and often there are long traffic jams with two buses trying to make their way with barely three inches between them.

We get down at the entry point of Positano. Its love at first sight: a small town of traditional buildings rolling down the hill to the beach far below. I grab a panini (sandwich) and start walking down one of the narrow alleys with steep stairs leading to the pebbly beach.

The town, once upon a time, was a refuge for artists and writers escaping communist Russia and Nazi Germany. The long walk through alleys squeezed between houses and backyards is fascinating. Locals greet us with warm smiles as we glimpse daily life. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta near the beach amazes with colourful, majolica tiles.

Most of the houses have rooftop domes, painted white in summer and black in winter. They provide old world-style insulation and a distinctive feature in this tourist-friendly place. I try to buy a leather jacket but after a hopeless 20-minute search, realize almost all shops in this town sell only womens items.

The beach is near-empty. The Amalfi-bound ferry is yet to arrive. That gives us time for a photo shoot against the backdrop of a watchtower that was once used to keep off Turkish pirates.

Taking a ferry through the Gulf of Salerno is a leisurely way to reach Amalfi town (Saubhadra Chatterji)

The ferry starts on a bumpy note. The Gulf of Salerno is not in its best mood, thanks to rains and strong wind. Half an hour later, I climb the iron stairs to go to the upper deck. A breathtaking scene, with Amalfi town over limestone cliffs plunging to the sea, welcomes me.This is divine, murmurs a co-passenger.

The ferry is docked. The passengers almost rush out of the vessel. Some walk deep into this waterfront destination to see a more traditional Amalfi. Theres a paper museum, but we are interested in getting a feel of this sleepy town through its streets, restaurants and the layers of hills.

The return trip to Sorrento is one of the best road trips in Europe. The road moves along the coast with the Gulf of Salerno crushing on the cliffs below.

On the other side, hills go up to higher ridges. The scenic views make me rethink: instead of a bus it should have been a car, to stop at vantage points and absorb the glory of nature. No point thinking, you cant drive, my wife quips.

Two days after we return to Delhi, I join a Maruti driving school.

From HT Brunch, August 7, 2016

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You can leave India, but India never leaves you. You could be born in Britain like me, lived there most of your life and consider yourself British, but Indian parents rarely let you forget your heritage and history. Sometimes you cant leave it behind even if you want to, because others are eager to remind you.

Years ago, I used to run a website for British desis called Barfi Culture. Fairly regularly we would get white racists visit the site and post messages for us. A dog born in a stable doesnt make it a horse - they were fond of telling us. In other words: You may be born in Great Britain but you will never truly be one of us. You will never be British.

Some would take such racism as proof they were not wanted. But why let extremists define you and give them control over your identity? I was British whether they liked it or not.

The white racists who wanted the Indians out are no longer as powerful as they used to be, but Britain is still facing a crisis about its identity. What kind of a nation does it want to be? How can it bring its people together? Where does it stand in the world? Britain isnt alone in this: A similar clash of identities explains many problems across the world today. It goes to the heart of the crisis in the European Union (EU) and the terrifying rise of Donald Trump in America. It remains at the heart of many of the troubles in India - a country I have never stopped reading about.

Read: Brexit vote: All you need to know about Britains referendum on leaving the EU

Britains vote to leave the EU was a perfect manifestation of that. The establishment has told itself that people voted to leave because their livelihoods were hurt by immigration and outsourcing. But the reality is more complicated. Eric Kaufmann, a professor of politics at the University of London showed afterwards that Brexit voters were more motivated by identity, not economics. Other polling showed the same: Those who wanted to remain in the EU were more comfortable with people of different cultures and races. The other side didnt like where their country was heading to and they wanted it back.

Read: White male grievance is shaping the US presidential election this time

This tells us a few important things. First, theres still a large portion of British voters who are uncomfortable with Britain being a modern country open to people from different countries and backgrounds. Second, those who campaigned for Britain to remain didnt realise it was a clash of identities and focused instead on appealing to peoples wallets. Brexit shocked the establishment because it was confident its story would work. But it wasnt the story the public was listening to.

Across Europe a similar clash is taking place. In France, as one example, the government ignored its immigrants for decades, thinking they would automatically fit in. Except, it didnt deal with the widespread racism they faced, and many ended up feeling rejected and developed a hatred towards their adopted country. France is Europes worst offender but it isnt alone. For years Europe was happy to ignore these problems, but the refugee crisis has finally pushed the issue over the edge.

Since 2014 over 2 million refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Libya, Afghanistan and elsewhere have arrived in Europe, desperate to escape civil war. This has forced European countries to ask questions they would rather have avoided. Questions like: How can we help people overcome cultural and religious differences? How can we help them find jobs, settle down and learn to love their new country? So far only Germany and Greece are taking these issues seriously, the rest still want to ignore them.

The same conflict also now defines America, where Donald Trumps bid for president isnt about policies but convincing white Americans that non-whites are to blame for all their problems.

Read: Stop worrying and get to know the real Donald Trump

So is our world doomed to explode in a clash of identities? Not necessarily. Identity politics isnt good or bad, its just a natural part of our progression. Neither is it new. In Britain, conflict between the upper class and everyone else has lasted for centuries. European countries fought each other over religion for longer. In that sense the conflicts in India over caste, religion and secularism are no different to other parts of the world.

But to stop the people who manipulate identity politics for power - the religious extremists, the British racists, the Donald Trump fans - we need to better understand this war of values. That is partly the aim of this column, my first for the Hindustan Times. More importantly, we (the secularists, the liberals) need to get better at telling people stories that ordinary people can connect to. Otherwise, like the Brexit vote, we wont realise our mistake until its too late. To stop your house from burning down, you need to know if what youre throwing on the flames is petrol or water.

Sunny Hundal is a writer on news and current affairs, and a lecturer on digital journalism, from London. He also writes frequently on Twitter @sunny_hundal and Facebook @sunnyhundalorg

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The Defence Minister is horribly wrong. His statement that no one should dare to criticise the country and, if they do, they should be taught the lesson of their lives is not just a denial of freedom of speech and undemocratic but its also morally deeply mistaken. Furthermore, his defence in Parliament  let the members see the video themselves and make up their mind and not go by newspaper reports  doesnt help one whit. In fact, its self-incriminating.

Ive seen the video and this is what Mr Parrikar said: How does someone dare to talk about ills of this country? If anyone speaks like this he has to be taught lesson of his life. An actor said his wife wants to leave India. It was an arrogant statement. However poor my family is, whatever small my house is, I will have to love my house and always aim to make big bungalow out of it  but you cant feel ashamed of yourself.

Read | Parrikars comment on Aamir Khan creates ruckus in Rajya Sabha

The Defence Minister is wrong on several counts. First, every Indian has a right to criticise his country. Not only does our Constitution guarantee it but this is what freedom of speech amounts to. However, there are times when criticising your country is not just a right but a moral duty.

Let me deliberately sidestep the case of Germany and the Jews, because I dont want to be offensive, and, instead, touch upon the ghar-wapsi and love-jihad campaigns, the attack on Mohammad Akhlaq and now, by gau rakshaks, on Dalits. These are developments that demand criticism. Indeed, if a mood of intolerance threatens to sweep my country then the criticism thats required will be of my country. You cannot separate the mood from the people whove fallen into its grip. Its self-deceiving sophistry to do so.

Read | In state after state, cow protection vigilantes pick on Dalits, Muslims

Second, what does the Minister mean when he says no matter how small I will have to love my house? Should Dalits and adivasis love the hovel they are confined to? Should the poor love the huts and shacks they have no option but to live in? For Gods sake, if they dont criticise and hate the circumstances of their existence they will never change.

Third, when the Minister says you cant feel ashamed of yourself he doesnt realise how mistaken he is. Shame, after all, can be a force for correction and improvement. It was shame that propelled Ashoka after the Battle of Kalinga to the height of his achievement. It was shame that awakened Gandhi to moral virtue.

Finally, when the Minister claims he wasnt speaking about Aamir Khan who, then, is the actor and his wife he had in mind? Its disingenuous to claim it wasnt Aamir.

Read | Im opposed to unrest: Parrikar clarifies arrogant comment on Aamir remark

One last, though little, point: Aamir Khans statement wasnt arrogant. It was, as I have earlier written, the wrong response to a lapse by your country. Personally, I wouldnt leave if my country has erred. I would stay and change it. But the decision to leave, and fight from outside, is a personal one. Wasnt that what Subhas Chandra Bose opted for?

Let me end by saying that ministers, like ordinary human beings, can make silly mistakes. The only difference is when they do it becomes a public matter. If that is Mr Parrikars defence then I recommend what the rest of us do when we put our feet in our mouth. We say sorry. Its a simple word but, when spoken with sincerity, it can change everything.

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The in-line baggage screening system of Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is under lens after a South African woman was held for smuggling 18 kg of a banned drug in June.

An investigation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) revealed the woman smuggled it out of the Delhi airport.

The woman, a known international drug peddler, had travelled from the Delhi airport eight times in 10 months till June. Every time, she carried the drug in her check-in baggage which is checked by the airport staff. But due to lack of training, they are unable to identify such drugs.

The last time the woman came to India on June 18, 2016, on a business visa, valid up to July 21.

She has admitted to smuggling the drug into other countries from Delhi. Her claim has been verified by documents, said a NCB official.

She used to stay in Burari in north Delhi. We have traced the supplier. She cleared the security check by putting small packets of the drug in carbon paper that was placed in the check-in luggage.

The in-line baggage system managed by a private operator was unable to detect the drug during screening. Even this time, she was caught before she went for a security check.

Read more: Delhi outskirts a transit point for drug peddling?

The woman was travelling to Addis Ababa,when 15 packets wrapped in carbon paper weighing about 18 kg were detected in her luggage. The drug was found to be methaqualone (known as a party drug).

NCB officials said the suspect was on their wanted list.

When wrapped in carbon paper, any narcotic substance appears orange in colour. Metal is also of the same colour in the X-ray screening. The staff need to be trained to identify drugs, the official said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that is responsible for security at the airport, said trained security personnel were needed to be deployed there. Even some theft cases were reported when baggage went for screening.

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Delhi University colleges still have some seats left for students seeking admission to undergraduate courses. The university on Saturday released another list of vacant seats.

Students already registered on the undergraduate admission portal now need to again apply online and choose the course and college, wherever seats are available.

Students can apply on Monday and Tuesday after the colleges release their merit lists.

The colleges will prepare a merit list of all candidates who have applied in the college online with their names, online registration number and Best of Four for each course and display the complete list on its website and notice board, an official said.

The registered students can check the number of vacant seats on individual college websites or at the undergraduate admission portal after logging into their account.

Read: Delhi law faculty admission delayed again due to legal hurdles

The university said the students are advised to look at the vacant seat matrix provided on their dashboard (on undergraduate admission portal) and select the course and college based on their eligibility and the number of seats available in the course and category.

Students will be admitted on merit basis only against vacant seats. The admission process will continue to be only online as earlier.

If there is more than one applicant with same Best Four for only one seat in a course, then marks of aggregate of Class XII must be considered. If these are also same, then all such candidates must be admitted, officials said.
Rumour had it that Sarojini Nagar flea market was shutting down. Stay calm, and carry on because just like the false reports of Hollywood veteran Morgan Freemans death, it is another social media hoax. Half-baked reports of our favourite shopping destination being shut down haunted many.

As HT City team visited on Friday and found out, a few stalls that had illegally encroached space have been removed, even as most others are thriving. The removal is a precautionary measure as part of the Independence Day security arrangements.

Girls shopping in the market thats known for latest fashion within Rs 100-200. (Shivam Saxena/HT Photo)

Zakir Hussain, a vendor, says, Aisa har saal hota hai 15 August se pehle, security ke liye (This happens every year for security before August 15). We are selling, but have to remove our pile when NDMC comes for a raid. Footfall will get better after August 15.

One of the shops at Sarojini Nagar market. (Shivam Saxena/HT Photo )

Self-proclaimed shopaholic, Simran Nanda, a marketing executive, says, I came rushing to the SN market after I read about the shut-down on Facebook. Im happy the places I shop from are still up and running.

Read: Budget shopping for college: skirts, jeans and other bargain buys

Some shoppers welcome the decluttering. Rupali Kaushik, a student of Dayal Singh College, says, Im glad some hawkers have been removed as it gives us space to shop freely. Lets face it, the market was really cluttered.

Vendors at Sarojini Nagar market. (Shivam Saxena/ HT)

Parmod Sharma, president of Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association, echoes, The state of Sarojini Nagar market worsened due to hawkers. We had a meeting with NDMC officials and the police, and it was decided that according to a self-regulation plan, all illegal encroachment will be removed. And NDMC has so far been successful in removing the same. According to recent court orders, hawkers who have a license can only sell their goods. As far as illegal vendors are concerned, NDMC and police are trying to remove them from the market.

Read: Budget shopping: Styled right for just Rs 100
Members of the Saleem Bawariya gang have launched a hunt of their own to identify and eliminate the mole who might have leaked their names to the police.

Saleem Bawariya, the prime accused in the July 30 gang rape and loot case, continued to give police the slip on Sunday, with special teams conducting raids in various states to try and nab him.

Police sources said the Bawariya gang members had tapped into their sources and were trying to plug loopholes so that information about their locations was not disclosed to the police.

Normally, their modus operandi is closely guarded. The gang usually swiftly travels 200-300km in light commercial vehicles, commit a crime and then disappear from the scene leaving very little clues behind. The gang crosses state boundaries, if needed, a police source said.

Read more: UP: Nomadic tribes get modern, keep cops guessing

A police officer said raids were being conducted in 10 locations in neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, apart from UP, in order to nab Saleem.

The prime suspect is still untraceable as he does not have a fixed house or a location. We have got in touch with Rajasthan Police to exchange information about incidents which have recently taken place there and have patterns similar to that of Bulandshahr, said Sujit Pandey, inspector general (Meerut zone), UP.

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Worried about getting framed, at least eight Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs have asked the Delhi assembly speaker to provide them security.

Anil Bajpai, party MLA from Gandhi Nagar in east Delhi, said he and a few others met the speaker on Friday.

We raised our concerns because 12 MLAs were arrested after being framed by the people who came to meet them at the office. We have requested for a guard and CCTV cameras at our office in the constituency. It is better if everything is recorded so that no one can level baseless allegations, said Bajpai.

Read: Police booking party workers in false cases, alleges AAP leader

The speaker has asked them to write a letter with the signature of all the MLAs so he can take up their demands. Bajpai said the speaker promised to meet the police commissioner after getting a written request from them.

Our MLAs said that at times miscreants create ruckus at their assembly offices. As a result, residents with genuine complaints suffer. They also asked the speaker to suggest solutions, some of which were the deployment of unarmed civil defence volunteers, said Dilip Pandey, AAP spokesperson.
A 42-year-old woman and her brother-in-law were murdered at her rented home in Vikas Nagar near Ranhola in west Delhi on Saturday morning. The police said their faces were smashed with a blunt object.

The body of Sunita, a widow, was found on her bed. Rajesh Kumar was lying in a pool of blood on the terrace. Police say someone known to the victims could be behind the murders as there was no sign of forced entry.

A murder case has been registered. The police are investigating if the deceased had any dispute with someone in the family. The murders could have been committed in a fit of rage, said a senior investigating officer.

Sunitas younger daughter Jyoti had been living with her mother for a few weeks. Jyoti married a taxi driver in Haryana around one-and-a-half years ago but she returned due to a marital discord.

Investigators said Jyotis husband held Sunita responsible for his strained married life. His role in the double murder is being probed.

The police said Jyoti had left for her friends home before the murder. Police are questioning Jyoti and ascertaining the movements of her husband at the time of the crime.

Deependra Pathak, joint commissioner of police (southwestern), said that at about 7.15am, a tenant found Rajeshs body on the terrace.

The tenant, Sachdeva, informed the neighbours and called the police. By the time the police arrived, neighbours discovered Sunitas body in her room.

Sunita had introduced Rajesh to us as her brother-in-law, a Haryana Police staff. But she recently told neighbours that Rajesh worked with the Delhi Jal Board. Rajesh often visited the family, said Sachdeva.

The police found Rajeshs motorcycle outside the building. They learnt he had come to meet Sunita on Friday evening.

Sunita is survived by her two daughters and a 15-year-old son, Sheru. He lives with his elder sister Sonia, who is married, in Haryana. Sunitas husband died around 10 years ago.

We are probing the murder from all angles. Our teams have got clues about the suspects, Pathak added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

It is necessary to attract India to the discussions regarding optimal conditions for delivery of goods and development of the North-South International Transport Corridor, First Vice President of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin told Trend in an interview Aug. 6.

This will allow comprehensive elaboration of a full range of issues related to the transport of goods, as well as simplify the process of coordination and approval of the agreements reached between all parties, he said.

According to Misharin, all the sides of the North-South corridor project are making significant efforts to create the necessary conditions to attract cargo to this route.

He noted that Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have repeatedly confirmed their interest in cooperation in the container cargo transportation, maintenance, handling and storage in the territory of Azerbaijan and Iran within North-South transport corridor.

Currently, we have an agreement with Azerbaijani and Iranian partners on presentation and promotion of joint transport products to potential buyers and cargo sellers, he said. We have decided to strengthen the collaboration of logistics operators of the three countries. In addition, we have agreed to continue work on formation of a coherent tariff policy and cargo attraction to the North-South International Transport Corridor.

First vice-president of Russian Railways reminded that in May 2016, heads of Russian and Iranian railways agreed to send a test container train from Iranian city of Bandar Abbas to Moscow and a corresponding working group was created.

Currently, the containers are in India; a transport scheme, including alternative solutions on cargo transportation through Iran, has been prepared. Test launch of the container train on the Bandar Abbas-Moscow route will reveal possible issues and bottlenecks of the transportation via this route, he said.

Following the trains run, we believe it will be possible to generate proposals regarding unified conditions of customs clearance of goods, terms, cost of delivery, as well as terms of transit passage of cargo via the International North-South Transport Corridor through the territory of Azerbaijan, Misharin said.

The North-South transportation corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

At the initial stage, the North-South corridor will transport 5 million tons of cargo per year with further expansion of transportation to over 10 million tons.

Edited by EA
Twenty-four of the 78 Union ministers (or 31%) of the Narendra Modi cabinet have criminal cases registered against them, shows a scrutiny of their affidavits by an election watchdog.

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) & National Election Watch (NEW) further shows that 14 of these ministers, that is 18%, have declared serious criminal cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and crimes against women against them.

ADR has studied the affidavits filed by these ministers at the time of contesting polls to declare cases registered against them and disclose their assets and liabilities.

Ministers with criminal cases are not limited to the Centre alone; even in state assemblies across the country, poll watchers found 201 of the 609 (out of the total 620) ministers with criminal cases.

There are seven ministers from various state assemblies who have declared cases related to murder and six related to communal violence, the report says.

Ministers accused of murder include Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), Bahujan Samaj Partys Ram Karan Arya from Uttar Pradesh, Chaudhary Shankarbhai Lagdhirbhai of BJP from Banaskantha in Gujarat, who has three charges related to attempt to murder, Mahesh Kumar Gagda, BJP, Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, Gulab Chand Kataria and Rajendra Rathore of the BJP from Rajasthan, Ram Vichar Rai of the RJD.

There are 113 ministers from various state assemblies who have serious criminal cases, with Jharkhand leading with nine of 11 (82%) who have serious charges.

In Delhi, four of the seven (57%); in Telangana, nine of 17 (53%); in Maharashtra 18 of 39 (46%); in Bihar, 11 of 28 (39%); in Uttarakhand, two of eight (25%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their self-sworn affidavits.

According to the report, the average of assets per minister from state assemblies is Rs 8.59 crore while that of the Union Council of Ministers is Rs 12.94 crore.

Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the state with highest average assets of ministers at Rs 45.49 crore, followed by Karnataka with average assets of Rs 36.96 crore and Arunachal Pradesh with average assets of Rs 32.62 crore.

The state with the lowest average assets of ministers is Tripura (12 ministers) with average assets of Rs 31.67 lakh.

Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab and Puducherry are the states with all ministers being millionaires and of the 609 ministers analysed from state assemblies, 462 (76%) are millionaires.
Ram Parmar had no idea about the young man on the dais, but the daily-wage labourer was impressed by the speakers raspy voice. More importantly, the core subject was close to his heart: atrocities on Dalits.

Listening to that speech in his central Gujarat village on Friday, Parmar cheered every time there was a criticism of the government for continued attacks on his community. By when the crowd at the wedding hall in Dholka saw off the activist, Parmar had become his big-time fan.

Jignesh Mevani, a bespectacled lawyer, is earning admirers and followers in a big way across the western state. The 35-year-old resident of Ahmedabad is leading a foot-march to down-south Una, where cow protectors thrashed four Dalits last month.

A video of the July 11 flogging in the Saurashtra town spurred Mevani to organise a Dalit mahasabha (grand assembly) in the state capital. That 20,000-strong rally on July 31 saw Dalits taking a vow to discontinue with their age-old practice of removing cow carcasses and manual scavenging.

As the convener of the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti which is fighting against the July 11 incident in Gir Somnath district, Mevani has become a rallying point for those seeking renewed discourse on Dalit issues. The stubble-sporting leader might be from a middle-class family, but his ability to strike a chord with the poor in his community was evident in the mahasabha that was the biggest gathering for the cause of the Dalit community in Gujarats recent history.

A majority of Dalit academics are not in touch with ground realities and current issues affecting the community, he says. Those who have a grasp on matters are not sufficiently articulate. I bring in a combination of an academic and an activist.

Last month, Mevanis forum, also consisting of four of his aides, held meetings and protests in several parts of the country. The encouraging response has emboldened the mission.

The Una episode was stark. It came as a shocker for many, he says, I thought it was important to channelise that mood into something concrete.

Today, as Mevani hops villages during his 11-day Aazadi Kooch (March for Freedom), he avoids rhetoricinstead, talks matter-of-factly.

Across the 350-km padayatra that began on Friday and is slated to conclude on the Independence Day, the activist makes members of his community take a pledge to shun their traditional tasks. Mevani wants the government to provide them alternative livelihood options. At the end of every speech, he appeals to them to spread the message on social media.

Slogans against upper castes and release of Dalit literature are important, but I wonder how far we can go with such activities. My samiti has come up with new, specific demands, notes Mevani, clutching a cell-phone and catching up with the latest media updates on his campaign.

Lawyer Jignesh Mevani says Dalit politics has to go beyond shouting slogans against upper castes and releasing Dalit literature. (Siddharaj Solanki/ HT photo)

The march has sparked interest in political parties, but Mevani isnt keen to capitalise on it. At a halt on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on Friday, Congress workers greeted the protesters. Mevani and his associates asked the party supporters to join his movement as individuals.

My work is apolitical. Period, Mevani says.

Mevani enriched his oratory and organisational skills during his stint at the Jan Sangharch Manch, a civil society organisation founded in Ahmedabad by late lawyer Mukul Sinhahe also worked with the victims of 2002 Godhra riots and studied cases of extra-judicial killings in the state. He took keen interest in the issues of sanitation workers and trade union members.

As a lawyer, Mevani filed a PIL in the Gujarat High Court in 2011, claiming irregularities in land allotment to Dalits across the state.

The recent Una incident came a fresh trigger to his Dalit activism. I realised the time had come to consolidate members of the community. The sheer barbarity of the crime punctured the myth that such atrocities were a thing of past, he notes.

Dalit freedom march begins in Gujarat, with promise of change

Ahmedabad to Una: The great Gujarat Dalit march for freedom

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Assam chief minister Sarbanand Sonowal will visit Kokrajhar on Saturday to take stock of the situation arising out of Fridays attack by suspected Bodo militants which claimed 13 lives.

Sonowal briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday about the situation.

Sonowal, who was in Delhi, met the Prime Minister and apprised him about the incident at Balajan Tiniali market in Kokrajhar district and the steps taken to nab those involved in it.

Sonowal cut short his visit to the national capital and returned to Assam Friday evening.

The chief minister announced ex-gratia amount of 5 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased, one lakh rupees to those seriously injured and free treatment to other injured.

Meanwhile, Assam Police have arrested the driver of the auto used by militants to reach Balajan Tiniali market.

Additional DGP LR Bishnoi said that three to four militants carried out the Fridays attack.

Bishnoi said while one militant was gunned down by security forces, efforts are on to nab the remaining attackers.

He said, three additional companies of army arrived in Kokrajhar following the incident.

Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that preliminary investigations point towards the involvement of Songbijit faction of NDFB militants in the attack.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sent a team to the site of the incident to collect evidence. The Centre is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the Kokrajhar attack.

Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review internal security situation in the country.

The meeting was attended by finance minister Arun Jaitley, defence minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor AK Doval among others.

Later in the day, Singh had another round of meeting with Doval where he was apprised about the Kokrajhar attack.
A high alert has been sounded across Assam following Fridays attack in Kokrajhar district by Bodo militants, which claimed 14 lives and injured 15 others, days ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

While 13 people died on Friday, one of the injured succumbed early on Saturday morning. The condition of another injured is stated to be critical.

The attack carried out by National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit (NDFB-S) at Balajan Tiniali comes days ahead of Independence Day when militant outfits in the region step up their activities. One of the militants was shot dead by security forces who responded within minutes to the attack.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was in New Delhi when the incident took place, rushed to Guwahati in the evening and held a high-level review meeting with senior police officers and bureaucrats.

Read| Kokrajhar attack: All you need to know about separatist outfit NDFB

Sonowal directed police officials to continue ongoing operations against NDFB-S and nab the two militants who managed to escape after the attack in Kokrajhar. He also appealed to people across the state to remain vigilant and maintain communal peace and harmony.

The chief minister will be visiting Kokrajhar on Saturday to take stock of the situation and meet families of victims.

The incident is the first major militant strike in the state since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government assumed power in May. The government sees Fridays killings as an attempt to derail peace and development in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD), ruled by the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) since 2003.

Security has been stepped up in all four districts falling under the Bodoland Territorial Council, Guwahati and at important installations across the state to prevent any further attacks.

Additional companies of the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Fore (CRPF) and Assam police are conducting joint operations in Kokrajhar.

Hours after the Kokrajhar incident, police recovered two powerful bombs from Dhubri district. Both were later diffused.

Read| Kokrajhar attack: Militants signal to new Assam govt that they cant be ignored
Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Saturday said the new chief minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was a foreigner and the BJPs double standards had been exposed by giving him the top post.

In a statement, Hardik said the people of his community were against the decision of the BJP to make Amit Shahs loyalist Vijay Rupani the states CM.

He said once PM Narendra Modi was opposed to Congress president Sonia Gandhis elevation as a PM as she was Italian. But now a person born in Myanmar has been made the CM. This has exposed the real face of the BJP. The party has handed over the state to a foreigner.

Rupani was born in Rangoon, Myanmar, but his family moved to Rajkot in Gujarat in 1960 following political instability in Burma.

Hardik added that Nitin Patel, who has been appointed as the first deputy CM of the state, should resign if he has any self respect. Being from the Patidar community, he should have no truck with the BJP, said Patel.
A week after she was gangraped by highway robbers  who also assaulted her mother  in UPs Bulandshahr district, the Ghaziabad teen has had little time to speak with counsellors who can help her deal with the trauma. Blame it on a constant stream of visitors, from politicians and mediapersons to family members.

The Uttar Pradesh government has assigned two female counsellors from a Delhi-based NGO to the 13-year-old and her mother, 35, in accordance with rules that mandate counselling for rape victims, especially minors.

The two women have been visiting the victims home since Monday  when the family returned  but have not been able to do their job due to the rush of visitors, said a police official deputed at the house.

Read: Bulandshahr victims family gets two flats in Ghaziabad

The family had come under attack while driving through the stretch on the Delhi-Kanpur highway at around 1.15am on July 30. Five to six armed men had held the family hostage for over two hours in nearby fields, tying up and beating three male members and an elderly woman and raping the mother and daughter before fleeing with cash and valuables.

The counsellors come at 9am every day and stay on till 9pm. But they hardly get any time with the survivors. Crucial time is being lost and the trauma will stay with the girl unless she is properly counselled, the official said.

An activist with the NGO said the teen was constantly surrounded by politicians and relatives. The first thing a victim of rape needs is counselling. The counsellors barely manage to talk to her for an hour a day. They havent talked about the incident at all. They have built a friendship with the girl, though, and this is the only way to help her come out of the trauma.

The police official said a social worker had barged into the girls room on Tuesday to offer her chocolates. There were at least 10 people with her. The mother was sleeping on the floor. The counsellors were in a separate room, waiting for their turn, he said.

Read: I want to punish attackers with my own hands: Bulandshahr rape victim

After a complete circus on the first three days, the police have started keeping a register on visitors.

In UP, everyone is a politician. Even children of politicians are visiting and talking to her in an insensitive manner, said the NGO worker.

Advocate Shilpi Jain told HT this invasion of privacy also makes a mockery of the law protecting the identity of a rape victim. The law was made to protect the victim from mental agony and the torture of recalling the episode repeatedly. But the moment the media and politicians land up, everyone knows who has been raped and the locals start talking.

Jain said the family can seek legal help to keep visitors away but may not be aware of their rights.

Sources said the crowd has started to thin now and the media camp outside the house is also getting smaller.

The counsellors will be speaking with locals too. They need to be told there is no stigma attached to rape and taught how to treat the victims. This will help them lead a normal life, an NGO source said.

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Clashes between Bodo tribals and non-Bodos, and rifts even between the different factions of Bodos became frequent since March 2, 1987, when the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) led by Upendranath Brahma launched the movement for Bodolands statehood.

The trouble across the Bodo domain began in 1930s when Bodo leader Kalicharan Brahma submitted a memorandum to Simon Commission, demanding a separate political set-up for the indigenous and the tribals of Assam.

The Bodos are the largest plains tribe comprising about 30% of the population in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) straddling four districts  Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri  of western Assam.

The second wave of demand to divide Assam 50-50 in the late 1960s fizzled out like the first.

But the movement turned violent as the 1986-born Bodo Security Force  which was renamed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in 1994  took over. The NDFB had a clash with the spearheads of the movement; it wanted secession of Bodoland from India while others wanted statehood within the Constitution.

The Assam government inked a deal with ABSU in 1993 to form the Bodoland Autonomous Council but the experiment failed. ABSU revived the statehood demand in 1996, the year when Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) was formed to attain the goal through violent means.

The BLT, not keen on secession, soon became the NDFBs rival. In February 2003, the Centre signed the Bodo Accord with BLT, which disbanded to rule the Bodoland Territorial Council.

As the BLT, led by Hagrama Mohilary, began wielding more power, the NDFB was sidelined. Former ABSU chief UG Brahma attributes the problem in BTAD to tendency of the governments to overlook it.

There is no effort on the part of the Centre to understand our problems, he said. BLT got us a territorial council, NDFB wants to show it can do better by getting a state, a Kokrajhar-based politician said. But there is no guarantee that bloodshed will end.

Read | Kokrajhar attack: 8,000 insurgency related killings in Assam in last 3 decades

Read | Assam: Suspected Bodo militants fire at Kokrajhar market, 13 killed

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with citizens on Saturday in a town hall-style address that marked the second anniversary of his governments MyGov initiative.

In his first comments on the violence against Dalits by cow vigilantes, Modi strongly rebuked them, saying most of them are anti-social elements who are running shops in the name of cow protection.

He asked state governments to prepare dossiers on the so-called cow protectors as 80% of them do illegal activities at night and become cow protectors in the day, asserting that running such help groups does not mean harassing others.

Apart from this, the Prime Minister spoke on many other issues including the foreign policy, Khadi and economic growth.

Read | People who have set up shops in the name of cow protection anger me: Modi

Here are the top 10 quotes from PM Modis address:

1. People who have set up shops in the name of gau raksha (cow protection) make me angry. Many gau rakshaks (cow protectors) are involved in that job to hide their illegal business.

2. Holding PM responsible for everything that happens at every level in the nation, it can be good politically...or for TRP.

3. Khadi for nation and khadi for fashion, this must be our guiding principle.

4. Our foreign policy is only about India First.

5. Grievance redressal systems are the biggest strengths of a democracy.

6. Economic growth of more than 8% for 30 years will bring the best of the world to India.

7. Last mile delivery is as important as policies, the benefits must reach the intended beneficiaries.

8. Responsibility with accountability is the hallmark of good governance.

9. The spirit of a democracy is incomplete if one thinks the citizens role stops at voting. Participative democracy is essential.

10. If there is one sector that can power the economy its the agriculture sector.

Read | As it happened: PM Modis Town Hall-style event
The leaderless Dalit uprising in Gujarat has come as a surprise to many but no one has been more stunned than Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and father of the Constitution.

Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Prakash said, Our experience with Dalits in Gujarat from the times of my grandfather was that they are passive and unmoved by calls to agitate. Babasaheb and even my father (Yashwant Ambedkar) held many meetings in Gujarat and tried desperately to organise them into one unit. But while they would attend their meetings, they would just quietly go back and do nothing.

But now, ever since cow vigilantism victimised four Dalits who were skinning a dead cow in Gir Somnath district, there has been an upsurge of anger that culminated in a huge demonstration in Ahmedabad on July 31 and a unique protest by either dumping cow carcasses in front of government offices or refusal to lift those carcasses at all.

Ahmedabad to Una: The great Gujarat Dalit march for freedom begins Friday

Prakash is now stunned by the larger social churning in Hindu society that is being unleashed in Gujarat. He believes that churning will spread across India and lead to a religious realignment of sorts.

For when he travelled across Una and other parts of Gujarat where Dalits are up in arms against dominant castes, he discovered the beginnings of a movement to render Hinduism a more peaceful religion and society than is visible now. They are organising themselves to give up Hindu gods who are traditionally weapon wielding  like Rama, Shiva, Krishna and Durga among others. They will henceforth only worship the non-weapon wielding peaceful gods like Ganesha, Laxmi, Saraswati, Kuber and their own local gods and saints who do not hold weapons in their hands.

Prakash stresses this by no quarter means that Dalits in Gujarat are finally ready for a conversion to other religions like Buddhism, to which Dalits in Maharashtra took in a big way in the footsteps of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dalits in Gujarat had resisted such conversions even then and they are still not ready to quit the Hindu fold now. But they wish to redefine Hinduism as a religion of peace rather than violence.

Consequently, temples in Gujarat will shortly begin to see thousands of Dalits collect the idols of all weapon-wielding gods from their homes and dump those images in temples across the state. They were already preparing to do it randomly but Prakash Ambedkar says he stopped them from undertaking a ragtag movement. This has to be properly organised to make the desired impact. So we are working towards a specific date (perhaps during Navratri which is big in Gujarat in terms of religious events) when Dalits from all over will gather at one particular temple in every town and village in each district and abandon their household idols there.

Gujarat Dalits not to lift carcasses, demand firearms for protection

Prakash says the movement is likely to spread to states such as Uttar Pradesh where there is a rich Ramlila tradition that leads to worship of arms, Rajasthan that is traditionally a weapon-worshipping state, Bihar where huge sections of Asur adivasis are already reacting to the depiction of their god Mahishasur as a demon and Bengal where celebration of the weapon-wielding goddess Durga is also a major religious event.

Dalits in all these states are also exploited and mistreated in many ways. There are a lot of Dalits in Punjab but Sikhism being the dominant religion there is less exploitation and although they do carry some weapons, atrocities there are fewer because of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. But Haryana could also see this movement because the weapon wielding Jats there are dominant and very exploitative of the lower castes.

But south of the Vindhyas, Maharashtra is unlikely to see the movement catching on for two reasons  Dalits are open to conversion to Buddhism to escape humiliation at the hands of caste Hindus, and then there is the Varkari tradition which takes care of the rest.

Dalits shout slogans on August 5 during a protest march from Ahmedabad to Una town where four Dalits were brutally beaten by alleged vigilantes for skinning a dead cow, in Ahmadabad. The aim of the march was to protest against the atrocities on their community in the state. (AP)

Varkari was a traditional movement begun in the medieval centuries, starting with the reign of Chattrapati Shivaji--not unlike the Bhakti movement in other parts of India--wherein there was a duty-based approach to life rooted in worship of Vithoba, the Maharashtrian avatar of Lord Krishna wherein the teachings of the Geeta were taken seriously. After Shivaji, the Peshwas who took control of the Maratha empire attempted to return Hindu society to the traditional varnashrama and seize the states rich `sant  (saints) tradition for their own patronage. These sants  like Namdeo, Dyaneshwar, Tukaram, etc  had preached a more equal society whose traditions took root, the Peshwas attempted to Brahminise the tradition but did not quite succeed.

Una-type incidents can undo the BJPs hard work to win the confidence of Dalits

That has worked as a safeguard for lower castes in Maharashtra leading to an overall socialist ethos in the state which is why cow vigilantism has not taken root in Maharashtra like in other states, despite the fact that the beef ban unthinkingly originated from the Maharashtra government.

Other states of South India too might escape this new movement, Prakash Ambedkar says, for despite worship of weapon wielding gods and untouchability, violence against Dalits is not as extreme as in the northern states (perhaps because of a strong Left and Perriyar movements in those states).

Prakash Ambedkar has for long been needling the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh about its shastra pujas (weapons worship) on Dussehra day. It is a tradition the RSS has borrowed from the Peshwas who used to go to war against the marauding invaders on this day every time. But now, asks Prakash Ambedkar, ``Who are we at war with?

``That tradition was ok for those times but here and now everyone is our own. Neither are there any demons to slay as the weapon wielding gods needed to do nor are there any enemies within the society. This kind of weapon worship by the RSS sends out a wrong message to the people, particularly the upper castes. And they then use those weapons against the nations own people.

But now if this new Dalit movement from Gujarat takes root, the message will be clear, he says,  there is no room for violence in Hindu society. A new religious order of peace is the need of the times today.

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Puducherry lieutenant governor (L-G) Kiran Bedi on Saturday rejected claims that there was friction between her and the union territorys government, stating that she and chief minister V Narayanasamy were evolving a new model of collaborative governance.

In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, the governor said that there was a spirit of cooperation between her and Puducherrys Congress government. The ministers are attending the presentations and are responsive to the ideas and initiatives that are aimed at making Puducherry a better place, Bedi said.

She dismissed the speculation that her initiatives were being resented by the government. Narayanasamy echoed her views, calling the reports of a tussle between the two false. L-G is doing her work as per the Constitution and we have undertaken joint programmes also, he said.

Unlike Delhi, where the AAP government is engaged in a tussle with L-G Najeeb Jung, Bedi and Narayanasamy hinted at being on the same page. All the initiatives suggested by me have been welcomed by the ministers and the government is taking them up with enthusiasm, Bedi said.

The governor said ensuring the safety of the people of Puducherry was her top priority. Bringing all her policing experience into play, she initiated a ground level beat policing concept. Now, every inch of Puduchery is managed by an inspector under the revamped beat policing system. This has hit the criminal syndicate as it is unable to operate, she said.

Bedi said she will work towards ensuring cleanliness in Puducherry under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. I had said that Puducherry must be clean and took up the Swachh Bharat mission to meet the goal. Now most of the union territory is clean. Surely, in the future things will improve further, she said.
Details added (first version posted on 13:42)

Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran have never been at such a high level as now, said Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Mustafayev made the remarks Aug. 6 at a meeting dedicated to laying foundation for a joint car plant with Irans Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.

He said Irans investments to Azerbaijan have reached $2.5 billion, including $150 million in non-oil sector.

The minister added that 450 companies on Iranian capital operate in the country.

Relations between the two countries have been developing successfully, in particular, over the past two years, encouraged by the political will of the presidents, he said.

Mustafayev noted that Iran is Azerbaijans important trade partner and the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 66 percent in 1H2016 as compared to January-June 2015.

He also said that both countries took important steps to promote cooperation in transportation, tourism, industry, energy, finance and others.

Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, in turn, said that both countries have great potential for the development of economic cooperation and this potential should be used effectively.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the conditions created for entrepreneurs in Neftchala industrial quarter. He invited other Iranian companies to take advantage of these conditions.

Then, AzEuroCar LLC and Iran Khodro signed six documents covering licensing, distribution, installation of equipment, engineering and technical support, and other issues necessary for car production.

The documents were signed by the Head of AzEuroCar LLC Emin Akhundov and Director General of Iran Khodro Hashem Yeke Zare.

On the basis of a memorandum of understanding, signed Apr. 21, 2016, between AzEuroCar and Iran Khodro, the companies will build a joint car plant in Azerbaijans Neftchala industrial quarter.

Azerbaijani minister said the projects total cost is $15 million, 25 percent of which will be provided by the Iranian side.

Head of AzEuroCar LLC Emin Akhundov told reporters that the plant will be built in an area of 10 hectares.

At the first stage the plant will provide jobs for 300 people and at the second stage the number of employees will rise up to 500, added Akhundov.

He also noted that 20 percent of the produced cars will be exported. The cars produced at the plant will meet Euro 5 standard.

Four Iranian car brands of Dena, Runna, Soren and Samand will be produced at the new plant, which will have a capacity of 10,000 cars a year.
India is on the verge of closing a deal with a South Korean shipyard to build 12 minesweeping ships locally, a project that is likely to cost more than Rs 32,000 crore.

The mine counter-measure vessels (MCMVs) will be built at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in collaboration with Korean yard Kangnam Corporation under the governments Make in India programme.

Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, GSL chairman Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital (retd) said, We are in the final stage of concluding the contract. It should be done in three to four weeks.

The navy needs to fill gaps in its mine warfare capability. Its existing mine counter-measures force consists of six vessels bought from the erstwhile Soviet Union in the late 1970s. It requires 24 minesweepers. Mital said infrastructure was being scaled up swiftly at the shipyard to kick off the construction of the ships.

In December 2015, the defence ministry approved Rs 480 crore for infrastructure expansion to build MCMVs. Facilities are being created for construction of glass-reinforced plastic hulls. Such a design reduces the ships magnetic signature and allows for safer navigation through waters that may have been mined.

Mines are deployed to limit the enemys ability to use the sea. What makes these underwater weapons dangerous is that they can detonate on contact or be activated by magnetic and acoustic signatures.

The ships will use minehunting sonars to be supplied by French firm Thales, mine counter-measures combat management systems and sophisticated equipment to detonate a variety of mines.

Swedish firm Saab will be involved in the project, possibly providing remotely operated vehicle-based mine hunting solutions.

The ships are expected to have 60% indigenous content. Mital said the South Korean firm was selected for the project as it was the only yard that met the navys requirements. Italian shipbuilder Intermarine competed for the project, too.

The construction of the first vessel is expected to begin in April 2018, with deliveries being completed between April 2021 and April 2026.
An IAS officer and a senior police officer from Jammu and Kashmir indulged in a war of words on Facebook over the latest phase of violence in the Kashmir valley where over 50 people have been killed in action by security forces.

Ruveda Salam, who became Kashmirs first woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in 2013 before appearing for the civil services examination again in 2015 to qualify for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), obliquely criticised the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dispensation in Kashmir.

From wooing voters while wearing colour #green to painting #red the same valley streets, and then they question the credentials of the same religion whose symbols they used to mask their evil deeds #hypocrisy couldnt get worse than this! she wrote on her Facebook on August 3.

Salams post came a day after the body of 21-year-old Reyaz Ahmad Shah was found in Srinagars old city with hundreds of pellets in his body.

In the comments section Sopore superintendent of police, Harmeet Singh Mehta asked, Salam to resign and join some separatist group and even called her an ignorant lady.

His comments led to series of exchanges where Salam, who now works with the Union ministry of finance, accused Mehta of gender bias and name calling that all Kashmiris are terrorists.

Salam stood by her post while responding to Mehtas attack.

Harmeet Singh Mehta Sir , obviously you are well aware & kindly Dont teach me what I should or shouldnt do , before writing things , I weigh my each word & whatever I have written are facts . Would you question the judiciary in J&K for being ignorant too & ask them to resign ? Salam said in her response.

Mehta then targeted Salam saying they should talk to those who were pelting stones and check their background.

Let you people make this Kashmir as Afghanistan with your wisdom and that too of the people like you madam civil servant, he wrote.

Salam shot back, asking who has reached out to the families of those who have been killed and maimed.

I didnt mind the  ignorant lady  comment by one of our worthy Police Officers of J&K , although it was in bad taste & with undertones of gender bias ...writing what you truly feel inside is often snubbed by dictating to you to resign & join separatists , probably , reflecting the general false belief that all Kashmiris. are terrorists and they should be either silenced or driven away to the neighbouring country . Wonder what #Kashmir would be without #kashmiris ( those who of course speak kashmiri language & stand witness to its culture ), she added.

Salams post was shared by at least 117 people besides attracting hundreds of comments from locals and non-locals.

Most of the people commenting from the valley expressed their support for Salam while there was a lot of resentment in comments by non-locals.

Salams comment comes after Shah Faesal, the Kashmirs first topper in the civil services examination, accused a section of the electronic media of pitching one Kashmiri against another and breeding more alienation in the state after the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani in July.

Faesal also criticised the governments handling of the situation saying when a state kills and maims its own citizens, its self-injury and self-decimation of the worst sort.

Faesal, whose success in the 2009 civil services exams has turned him into a role-model for Kashmiri youngsters, vented his anger in a Facebook post after a section of media juxtaposed his images with Wanis to highlight what they said were two sides of the valley.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the prevailing situation.

Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here? Omar tweeted on Friday.

He was reacting to the death of three people in security forces action after violent protests.

The opposition National Conference working president hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.

1 more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that things are improving. Wow! Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I havent met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree! Omar said in a series of tweets.

Read| Treat Kashmiris as own people: J-K HC raps Centre on pellet gun injuries

The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court the law and order situation in Kashmir had improved considerably since the violence erupted following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

It said the violent protests had gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

Curfew and restrictions continued in Kashmir for the 29th day on Saturday after fresh clashes erupted in the Valley.

Read| Two more deaths push Kashmir to the edge again

Thousands defied curfew imposed to prevent a protest march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. Three people were killed after security forces opened fire on curfew-defying protestors on Friday, taking the death toll to at least 56.

At least 20 security personnel were also reported injured.

Separatist leaders have extended their strike call till August 12.

Read| Kashmir crisis: Mehboobas bid to strike a chord may be too little, too late
The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) is a separatist outfit, which seeks to secure a sovereign Bodoland in Assam for the Bodo people.

The outfit has been declared a terrorist organisation by the government of India owing to the attacks carried out by its members.

NDFB traces its origin to the Bodo Security Force, a militant group formed in 1986 with an aim to liberate Bodoland from what they termed an Indian expansionism and occupation. The group has carried out several attacks in Assam, targeting non-Bodo civilians and the security forces. It has in particular targeted the Santhal, Munda and Oraon adivasis (tribals), whose ancestors were brought to Assam as tea labourers during British Raj.

Read | Assam: Suspected Bodo militants fire at Kokrajhar market, 13 killed

Its large-scale attacks against the tribals during the 1996 Assam Legislative Assembly elections led to the formation of a rival militant group  the Adivasi Cobra Force.

During the 1990s, the NDFB established 12 camps on the Bhutan-Assam border. The organisation suffered a reversal of fortune during the Royal Bhutan Armys Operation All Clear and signed a ceasefire with the Indian authorities in May 2005.

This was followed by the group splitting into NDFB (Progressive) and NDFB (Ranjan) in 2008. The progressive faction led by the outfits general secretary Govinda Basumatary supported peace talks with the government, while the NDFB(R) continued its armed struggle. In 2012, NDFB(R) further split, leading to the formation of NDFB(S), which is led by a non-Bodo IK Songbijit.

In 2008, the outfit under Ranjan Daimarys leadership carried out Assams biggest terror attack by triggering serial blasts in Kokrajhar, Bongaingaon , Barpeta Road and Guwahati. The terror attack claimed close to 100 lives besides injuring over 500 people.

Read | How and why the Kokrajhar attack in Assam took place
Law enforcement authorities in Kuwait have arrested a person on the charges of providing financial help to Kalyan man Areeb Majeed and his associates to go to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS).

Majeed travelled with Shaheem Tanki, Fahad Sheikh and Aman Tandel, all from Maharashtras Kalyan town, to Iraq in May 2014 on the pretext of a pilgrimage but disappeared midway to join the IS. After spending six months in the IS and taking part in active combat there, Majeed came back to India in November.

Majeed got injured while fighting for the IS and came back to India via Turkey. He was arrested and charge sheeted by the NIA. It emerged later that one of his associates, Tanki, was killed in a combat in Syria.

According to a National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesperson, the central anti-terror probe agency had sent a Mutual Legal Assistance Request to Kuwait in respect of transfer money by a Kuwaiti national to Majeed and his associates while they were living in Iraq in May 2014.

The Kuwaiti authorities have now informed that one Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rahman al-Enezi sent $1,000 to Areeb Majeed through Western Union Money Transfer, the NIA spokesperson said.

Al-Enezi has admitted to Kuwaiti authorities that he started financing terrorist outfits after his return from Pakistan in 2013. The Kuwaiti authorities have registered a case against him and arrested him on these charges.

Majeed is currently in Mumbais Arthur Road jail serving a sentence of waging war against friendly countries.
An NIA team scoured the site on Saturday and spoke to eyewitnesses of Fridays attack in Kokrajhar in which 14 people were killed. An intense combing operation is also being conducted in the region to nab the members of Bodo separatist group NDFB(S) suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site, said the militant who was neutralised has been identified as Manjay Islari.

He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will give the body to his parents, Sarma said.

To a question, Sarma said that the militants were not part of any suicide squad.

If they were part of a suicide squad they would not have fled.

Defence sources said specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment have been pressed into service. The Army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift actions, they said.

The situation was described as tense but under control by police.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured people at Gauhati Medical College Hospital and inquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advance medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high-level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar on Saturday, accused the ruling BJP government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulge in violent activities in the run up to Independence and Republic Days.
All Indian workers rendered jobless in Saudi Arabia due to the closure of a leading construction company will be able to receive their pending arrears, minister of state for external affairs VK Singh said on Friday.

Singh, who visited a workers camp in Jeddah on Friday evening, said the workers will be able to receive their pending arrears from the company while in Saudi Arabia or upon their return to India.

Singh also said that India and Saudi Arabia were both committed to address the issue at the earliest and both sides were working very closely to formulate a mechanism under which all issues of the stranded Indian workers will be dealt with.

The Indian government is sincerely committed to the welfare of its workers abroad and that is the reason he is visiting the Saudi Kingdom, Singh told them. He also hailed King Salmans swift action in this regard.

Singh visited the camp located in a posh locality in the port city of Jeddah accompanied by senior Saudi labour ministry official Abdullah Al Olayan and Indian ambassador Ahmed Javed and interacted with the workers.

The pending wages or other arrears, Iqama (residency visa) validity and switching to other employers and also facilitation of willing return of workers are the main subjects which both countries are working out, the minister told the workers.

Singh declined to specify the timeline to workers, stating that it involves multiple processes. But he assured them that their rights would be protected and safeguarded.

Singh said their food supplies would be continued as of now from the same sources, in apparent reference to the Saudi labour ministry that is feeding the workers.

The minister told the workers that state governments have to play a crucial role in rehabilitation measures for the returning workers, after some workers drew his attention about their future upon returning home.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that people who have set up shop in the name of gau raksha (cow protection) make him very angry.

Modis remarks at a town hall-style event in New Delhi are his first on a raging controversy over attacks against Muslims and Dalits on suspicion of slaughtering cows or smuggling beef -- banned in several Indian states. Cows are revered animals for Hindus.

People who have set up shop in the name of gau raksha make me very angry, Modi said in his interaction with citizens at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex to mark the second anniversary of his governments MyGov initiative.

I have seen some people who do anti-social activities at night and don the garb of cow protectors in the morning. The states should prepare dossiers of such cow protectors...70-80% will be those who indulge in anti-social activities and try to hide their sins by pretending to be cow protectors, Modi said.

People who want to do social service should first make cows stop eating plastic and waste, he said, and added that in many cases cows die because of eating plastic.

As it happened:Modis town hall event

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi's strong criticism against so called "gau rakshaks" (cow protectors) in the nation.https://t.co/qF3vbbjnJv  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

Modi also spoke on a range of issues including good governance. He said blaming the Prime Minister for everything maybe good for politics or television ratings but was harmful for fixing accountability.

His remarks came against the backdrop of the thrashing of four Dalit youth in Gujarats Una last month by a cow vigilante group for skinning a dead cow.

The incident triggered a wave of protests, cornering Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in his home state ahead of next years state elections. Muslims, who have been attacked by cow vigilantes in the past, joined Dalits in a demonstration.

The ruling BJP picked a new chief minister on Friday after incumbent Anandiben Patel offered to resign in the face of a string of protests.

Read: Over 8% growth rate for 30 years will give India the best of world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the second anniversary celebrations of MyGov, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

Read: Foreign policy, good governance: Top 10 quotes from PM Modis town hall event

In September last year, a 55-year-old Muslim man was lynched and his son seriously injured by a mob over allegations of cow slaughter at Bisada village in Uttar Pradeshs Dadri, sparking a nationwide debate on religious intolerance in the BJP rule.

Opposition parties have criticised Modi for not speaking out against attacks buy self-styled cow protectors and say that his silence was encouraging fringe groups to take the law into their own hands.

Few hours after the event, the Prime Minister tweeted on the issue: The sacred practice of cow worship & the compassion of Gau Seva cant be misused by some miscreants posing as Gau Rakshaks .

Misdeeds of some, posing as Gau Rakshaks are doing a great disservice to the noble deed of Gau Seva, as practiced by Bapu & Vinoba Bhave.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2016

There is absolutely no need for anyone to take the law in his or her hands & disturb the spirit of harmony & togetherness.

But the opposition Congress party said Modis comments against cow protection vigilantes lacked conviction.

The PM is angry but when will these shops be closed? Need action not just words, the partys chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, said.

Soon after Modis remarks condemning cow vigilantism, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted on Twitter that a few people are indulging in anti social activities under garb of Gau Rakshaks (sic).

Protection of cows is an integral part of our culture. A true gaurakshak will never resort to unlawful activities. This is the truth, the BJP leader said.

Two Muslim women were thrashed by cow protectors in Madhya Pradesh recently on the suspicion of transporting beef. The meat was later found to be that of buffalo.
Even as authorities in Assams Kaziranga National Park were counting losses from the recent floods, a female rhino and her calf succumbed to a poachers bullets on Wednesday.

In the first attack since flood waters submerged over 80% of the 1055 sq-km park last month, poachers targeted the endangered animals at Bagori range and took away the adult rhinos horn.

With the two deaths, the total number of rhinos killed by poachers this year in the Unesco world heritage site, which is home to nearly 2400 rhinos, grew to 14.

Flood waters claimed 21 others and one died after forest officials fired at it. The figure is higher than 2012 when over 600 animals, 19 rhinos and more than 500 hog deer, were killed due to floods.

On Thursday, another carcass of an adult rhino, which had died due to drowning in flood waters, was found in Kohora range of the park. The animals horn was missing.

The deaths, both due to floods and poaching, signified how Assams state animal is fighting a tough battle for survival inside Kaziranga, which houses more than two thirds of the worlds one horned rhinos.

The number of rhino deaths in Kaziranga this year due to floods and poaching is worrying, Rathin Barman, deputy director of Wildlife Trust of India told Hindustan Times.

Rhino horns are consumed as medicine in China and other south-east Asian nations due to its perceived aphrodisiac qualities. A horn weighing 900 grams to 1 kg fetches Rs 60-70 lakhs locally and costs over Rs 1 crore abroad.

Floods are an annual feature in the park. But despite the devastation, flooding of the park is necessary to regenerate the grasslands and also to fill up the 400 water bodies located inside the park.

Besides rhinos, the grasslands and water bodies sustain elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals inside the park.

Flood waters are required to sustain life in Kaziranga. But only when the situation becomes as grim as it did this year, things get out of hand, said Barman.

Experts feel better management of animal corridors and increased security on the national highway 37, which passes through the park, would help bring down the number of deaths.

This year forest officials were able to rescue eight rhino calves and nearly 100 other animals. But more than 300 others were not that fortunate.

As flood waters rise, most animals fleeing the park cross NH 37 and head towards higher ground in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district. Some of them fall prey to speeding vehicles others get targeted by poachers.

A total of 241 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the state from 2001 till date. Kaziranga accounted for 163 of those deaths.

Tall promises like latest technologies to end rhino poaching and stricter punishment for poachers were made by the BJP before this years assembly election in April.

But after assuming power, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowals government hasnt initiated any significant action to fulfill those promises.

On Thursday state forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma stated security of Kazirangas animals could be handed over to army, para-military forces or some other security agency.

We are thinking about handing those agencies responsibility for 6 months or a year. This needs to be done as state agencies dont have the resources to tackle the problem at this time, she told journalists.

Brahma, who is from Bodoland Peoples Front, a prominent ally of the BJP-led coalition, surprised many this June by stating it was impossible to end rhino poaching.

The statement was symbolic of how successive governments in Assam have failed to do enough to save rhinos and other endangered wildlife species.

Recovery of huge amount of unaccounted cash, tiger and deer skins and ivory from the residence of a senior forest officer in June indicates a possible nexus between poachers, politicians and officials .

Rhinos in Kaziranga face threat of bullets from local residents, illegal immigrants who have set up homes inside the park and also from militant outfits who sell rhinos horns to buy arms.

Forest officials say lack of adequate funds, manpower crisis and old and unreliable weapons and equipment hamper anti-poaching activities. Some forest guards still use .303 rifles while poachers come with Kalashnikovs and M16 rifles.

We are stretching ourselves to the limits to protect the rhino. But proper motivation and incentives are needed to boost morale of the forest staff, Subasish Das, divisional forest officer of Kaziranga park told HT in April.

Besides deaths due to floods and poaching, every year anywhere between 60 and 75 rhinos die in Kaziranga due to natural causes. The only exception was in 2012 when that figure touched 109.

Facts and Figures:

 From a reserve forest in 1905, Kaziranga was declared national park in 1974

From 430 sq km in 1974, the parks area has increased to 1055 sq km now

Rhino population has more than doubled from 1129 in 1991 to 2401 in 2015

60-75 rhinos die annually due to natural causes; the figure was 109 in 2012

Poaching deaths increased from 6 in 2006 to 27 each in 2013 and 2014.

This year 14 rhinos have been killed by poachers and 21 died due to floods

241 rhinos killed by poachers in Assam since 2001; 163 killed in Kaziranga

More than 300 poachers arrested in Kaziranga since 2006; 67 killed

174 anti-poaching camps in Kaziranga manned by over 1200 personnel

Rhino horns weighing 900 gm to 1 kg fetch Rs 60-70 lakhs locally

Sold mainly in China where it is consumed as medicine.

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Junior home minister Kiren Rijiju praised on Friday RSS and BJP workers from Kerala for choosing democratic ways to counter alleged violence by communist cadres.

Because we live in a democratic system, the only way to change is through democratic process. Otherwise, I could feel that if our people, or the group that I belong to-- we follow a particular political ideology-- if we did not believe in democratic values, the case is so serious that in other cases we have seen they have taken (up) arms; because there is no way out, he said.

The minister was speaking at a conference Redrocity organised by the RSS to highlight the alleged growing violence perpetrated by communist cadres in the southern state. The event is one of the many that the BJPwill organise in the coming months to take its fight against the communist ideology forward.

Rijiju dubbed this attempt of the RSS to fight and highlight the Left-supported violence as a service to the nation and an attempt to redeem the image and pride of Kerala.

Attacking the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Government (LDF) government in Kerala for its alleged tacit support to the cadres, the minister said it was widely believed that such activities (violence) get state protection.

He hit out at the Left government and said Kerala, despite being a developed state with highest literacy and access to human rights, was witnessing a trend of political fundamentalism taking shape.

On the issue of youth getting attracted to radical groups, such as the IS, he said it needs to be investigated what ideological reasons led to this fertile ground being created as this is not an offshoot of economic reasons.

Rijiju also took potshots at the media for not highlighting the violence that is eating into Keralas pride.

Taking a swipe at the intolerance charge levelled against the Narendra Modi government, he said despite facing the maximum abusive language the government has not taken action against anyone.

When we were in the opposition, the first statement from the then UPA government, an official statement came that we will not allow any governor appointed by the NDA or is associated with a particular ideology. So they removed all the governors who had come association with the ideology that I belong to, he said.

He added writers of articles in derogatory manner about their leader were summoned, admonished, tortured or dealt with in any other methods, but in the last two years, despite the government and PM himself facing maximum abusive language on social media there has been no such action.

Such is the ideals of our party, yet there was a generation of this unrealistic debate about this word intolerance, the minister said.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 4

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Construction of two main blocks of the Shah Deniz Bravo (SDB) offshore platform, which is being built as part of the development of Azerbaijans Shah Deniz gas and condensate field, has been completed by more than 50 percent, a source on the countrys oil and gas market told Trend Aug. 4.

The source said that assembling of topside modules and welding works are currently being carried out.

There is certain progress on the production block, but the installation of equipment has not begun yet, noted the source. Residential block is being established and the helicopter deck will be ready soon.

In general, the construction work on the topside modules is scheduled to be completed in late May 2017 in order to launch them in summer, and after that various tests will be carried out, added the source.

It is expected that the platform of two big blocks  production and residential  will be fully commissioned in 2018, said the source.

A contract worth $974 million between Shah Deniz fields operator BP company and AMEC-Tekfen-AZfen Consortium was signed in 2014. The consortium is building topside modules of production and technological platform, including the residential block.

Bos Shelf LLC is the contractor of platforms bearing units construction, which is being carried out at the Baku Deep Water Jacket Factory named after Heydar Aliyev.

As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline.

Shah Deniz Stage 2 will add a further 16 billion cubic meters per year (bcma) of gas production to the approximately 9 bcma produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Vijay Rupani who was announced as the new chief minister of the state will meet governor OP Kohli on Saturday to stake claim to form a new government.

Health minister Nitish Patel, who was named as the deputy chief minster, will also join Rupani in meeting the Governor at 11 this morning in connection with forming a new government in the state.

The decision was surprising as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after Rupani bowed out of the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

In a crucial meeting attended by Amit Shah and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in Gujarat on Friday, the decision to make Rupani as the next chief minister was announced.

BJPs central observer Nitin Gadkari said after the meeting that the decision was taken by party MLAs unanimously and through a democratic process.

The BJP central leadership had already made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.

Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the governor on Wednesday.

Governor OP Kohli has asked her to continue as the caretaker chief minster till the alternate arrangement.

Patel, who took charge as Gujarats first woman chief minister after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, had in a Facebook post earlier urged the BJP to relieve her from the coveted post, citing age concerns.

Patel said that she had sought to resign from the party two months before to give enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

Her government was criticised for its handling of the outrage created by the public flogging of four Dalit men by self-styled cow protection groups.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said there was still a sense of sympathy for anti-nationals in India and also claimed that he was complimented by everyone for his recent comments, targeting actor Aamir Khan.

There is a certain sympathy for people who are anti national. Therefore, what I said in Pune I would not like to repeat it here. Those who want to see it can see it on YouTube. No one has told me that you have said the wrong thing, every one said you have said the right thing, Parrikar told a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste morcha.

Parrikar had, during a book release function in Pune recently, apparently targeting actor Aamir Khan, said: One actor said my wife wants to go out of India... it was an arrogant statement. However poor my family is, however small my house is, I have to love my house and always aim to make a big bungalow out of it through right procedure.... You cant feel ashamed of your set up

The remarks triggered controversy, with media reports stating that the former Goa chief ministers comments had unfairly targeted Aamir Khan. Later in his speech, Parrikar had also justified the targeting of Aamir Khan and Snapdeal, the e-commerce portal he was associated with.

Parrikar on Saturday also said that there were efforts being made to defame the BJP.

A lot of people are making efforts to create a misunderstanding about the BJP, which believes in taking all sections of society along together, Parrikar said.

The defence minister also said that the political opposition was hassled by the achievements of the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both in India and abroad.

If the BJP government led by Mr. Modi, which has taken the fancy of the world, keeps going on in the way it does, then the parties which are opposing us, they will not last. The obvious message will be a BJP-led India. Those who worry about this, they raise these issues, Parrikar said.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian high commissioner in Pakistan to seek consular access to an Indian prisoner who was attacked at least thrice by inmates in a Peshawar jail.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. He suffered injuries in attacks by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

On Saturday, Sushma Swaraj tweeted:

I am very much disturbed to read about repeated attacks on Hamid Ansari who is detained in Peshawar jail since 2012. It is inhuman. /1  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2016

I have asked our High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek Consular access to Hamid Ansari in hospital/Jail and report.

Ansari, 31, was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card. Ansaris lawyer lawyer Qazi Mohammad Anwar told Peshawar high court bench on Thursday that his client was attacked at least thrice by jail inmates in recent months.

Anwar also told the court that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said. He said even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

Read | Online campaign seeks release of Mumbai man from Pakistani jail

Ansari had gone missing after he was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed on January 13 that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.

Bring him back

Meanwhile, Ansaris mother has urged the government to do everything it can to bring him back from the neighbouring country.

We have come to know through media and our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid, said Fauzia Ansari in Mumbai on Saturday.

Our request to the Indian government is to help Hamid, who has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this, she said.

It has been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, she said.

I dont know what crime my son has committed. As per his chats with his friends from Pakistan on Facebook before he went missing, he crossed over to Pakistan to help a girl who was a victim of a social evil, she said.

She also requested the Pakistan government to show mercy on him and send him back.

Chairperson of Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni termed the incident unfortunate and condemnable.

Hamid Ansari has suffered this attack inside the Pakistani jail, he said. We have been campaigning for his early release and return to India. We are convinced that he hasnt committed any offence, Kulkarni told PTI.

I urge authorities in Pakistan to ensure his safety and early return to India, he said.

(With PTI inputs)
On one end of the Vishwa Hindu Parishads (VHP) headquarters in Delhi is the Bharat Mata building. Among the many offices the building houses is one of the Bhartiya Govansh Rakshan - Sanvardhan Parishad. Literally, the Indian Cow Breed Protection - Development Council. The room is plastered with posters of cow protection, the uses of cow products, theres even one of different breeds found in different parts of India.

One sticker on the door asks: When Lord Krishna was born in Bharat to establish a religion here, how can such a country be run without that religion?

The words are from a speech by Hukum Chandra Sawala, who looked after the VHPs cow protection programme for many years before moving on to become the organisations vice president. Fortunately, he is visiting today to attend a VHP meeting. Wearing a fading saffron lungi and a tilak on his forehead, Sawala has it all thought through about cows.

Cow protection is the favourite issue of Hindu society. It is the focal point of Hindu honour. Around this issue, Hindus get together and unite, he says, adding that over the last ten years, old men have been replaced by young blood when it comes to cow protection.

The new Ram Mandir

Uniting Hindus across caste, class and geography has been a key objective of the Hindutva project. In the 90s, the symbol of uniting Hindus was the Ram Mandir. Hindus from across India were invited to do kar sewa, go to Ayodhya and do their bit for the agitation to replace a mosque with a temple.

Is cow protection the new Ram Mandir? The issue did have traction before Partition and for many years in the 60s. Increasingly, it seems to be back with a vengeance. State governments have been passing strong anti-cow slaughter bans, Muslims have been attacked and even lynched on the rumour and suspicion of eating beef or selling cows, and now even Dalits are being targeted by cow protection organisations.

Read more: At town hall event, PM Modi says self-styled cow protectors make him angry

Just as the Ram Mandir was the polarising issue 25 years ago, increasing the polarisation between Hindu and Muslim, secular and communal, cow protection is doing the same again. It is no secret who Hindus are being sought to be united against: Muslims. On 11 July in Una in Gujarat, four Dalits were stripped and flogged for skinning dead cows  their caste profession. The Hindutva project does not seek to exclude Dalits, so how is it turning on them?

What happened in Gujarat was wrong, says Sawala, Those who skin dead cattle as part of their tradition should not be beaten up. The issue is not Dalit or upper caste. No one is allowed to take the law in their hands. The VHP or the Bajrang Dal is in no way associated with those who are using violence, he says.

He does not oppose skinning of dead cows by Dalits for the leather industry, as this has been their traditional occupation. He emphasises tradition, parampara. Yet the ideal way of handling the death of a cow is the remove its horns and use them as horn fertiliser and then bury the cow in a grave of 6x8x8 feet. Six months later, dig the grave again, remove the bones, and use the soil as fertiliser.

Traditional leather skinning is okay only if an animal has died a natural death. But what we see today is that old cows are sold and killed only because of the demand from the leather industry, he says.

Balubhai Sarvaiya in his village called Mota Samadhiyala. He was among the five men who were assaulted by a cow protection group in Una, Gujarat. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

For Muslims he has no exceptions. There is no religious or other compulsion that Muslims have to eat cow meat, he says, asking, Can you eat pork in Pakistan? What about Dalits or tribals, or even upper castes in Kerala, who have been eating cow meat? If there is a majboori (helplessness), then we are not stopping anyone. But many want to eat cow meat only to insult and humiliate Hindus, he says.

The local bully

Veteran BJP leader Arun Shourie, who coined the memorable phrase Congress plus cow for the Modi government, compares Hindutva to organised Islam, which turned into conflicting sects, or how communism annihilated itself with its divisions. Ultimately such ideas turn against themselves, because you are constantly looking for purity. The encounter of cow protection with Dalits in Gujarat is an example of that.

The Ram Janambhoomi movement, Shourie says, was a corrective to the state bending over backwards to Bhindranwale and to the proponents of Sharia in the Shah Bano case. The Ram Mandir movement was seeking to shift the pendulum back from another extreme. But now with the BJP in power, cow protection is seeking to shift the pendulum to the far right.

Shourie says the cow protection programme has nothing to do with veneration of the cow. It is just a way of mobilising voters. One purpose is electoral, the second is domination, just what a local bully does. Anybody, even the liberal who opposes you, is to be bullied. The idea may be thought of at a high level with faith, but it only gives the local bully a rationale for domination through violence.

That is exactly what seems to have happened in Gujarat: relatives of the Dalits who were flogged say the real issue was land grab. Martin Macwan, Ahmedabad-based Dalit activist who runs a skill centre to take Dalits out of caste occupations, says the Una incident was no exception. Cow protection is giving vigilante groups a cover to get away with land grab, he says.

Read more: Academic and activist: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani rises in Gujarat

The Gujarat incident can only help it lose Dalit votes in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat itself. For about two weeks in the Bihar campaign last year, the BJP tried to make political capital of Lalu Yadavs claim that some Hindus also eat beef. It did not work, putting a question mark on whether the issue can really unite Hindus and deliver votes.

A BJP intellectual, not wanting to be named, says the fringe groups are out of control because the Hindutva project is now too large.

He says cow protection cannot be compared with Ram Mandir. Unlike Ram Mandir, cow protection is not being taken up in our national agenda. Modi spoke of the pink revolution in the 2014 campaign but you have to see he did so only in some areas. In Kerala or Goa for instance, we are not asking for a beef ban. The issue is mainly germane in Muslim concentration areas in north India, such as west UP and the Bihar-Bengal districts near the Bangladesh border, he says.

The summary of his argument, again, is that cow protection is a political tool to unite Hindus against Muslims and establish Hindu cultural dominance  not very different from what the Ram Mandir wanted to achieve.

Right to life

The cow protection programme seems to exclude too many people, from Kashmir to Kerala, north east to Goa, Dalits and tribals, foreigners and leather traders, all are being othered. India requires insaan raksha samitis, not gau raksha samitis, says Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. The right to life in the Constitution is for human beings. These cow protection laws are made from directive principles, but they cant override the most important right to life.

Members of the Dalit community attend a protest rally against the attack on Dalits in the Gujarat town of Una on July 31. Thousands of members from the community took a pledge not to skin cattle in protest. (AFP Photo)

With forensic laboratories pressed into service to investigate whether a said piece of meat was beef or not, the cow protection programme is indirectly targeting all meat eaters. Mahtab Alam, a human rights activist, was travelling to Delhi by train from his home in Bihar last year, soon after the lynching of Mohammed Akhlaque in Dadri. His mother cooked him mutton to take along for the journey, but he refused. All it will take is someone in the train to question if it is beef and I could get lynched, he says.

Economic disruption

The economic impact of cow protection programmes is being felt in many directions.

Vijay Jawandhia, a farmer in Wardha whose farm was famously visited by prime minister Manmohan Singh, says cows cant be saved before farmers. The beef ban is making it difficult to sell old cattle, increasing the economic pressure on farmers in Vidharbha, he says.

Thanks to the beef ban in Maharashtra, the lower availability of hide has hit leather manufacturers and exporters in Tamil Nadu. Effectively making the selling of old cattle impossible is adversely affecting the Kolhapuri chappal. All these Hindus cant possibly be united by gau raksha.

Read more: RSS India model comes to Gujarat

HOW THE COW PROTECTION PROGRAMME BEGAN

MS Golwalkar, the RSS chief between 1940 and 1973, was the brain behind the cow protection movement in the 1960s. The government set up a committee to consider the demand of a nationwide ban on cow slaughter. The committee lasted twelve years. In that period, Golwalkar became friends with one of the committee members, Verghese Kurien, known as the Milkman of India.

Kurien opposed the ban on cow slaughter for economic reasons  the dairy business needs to get rid of old and unhealthy cows. In his autobiography, Kurien revealed Golwalkars real reason for the cow protection movement.

Kurien quoted Golwakar as saying he started the cow protection movement only to embarrass the government. He went around India collecting a million signatures for his petition, and saw in a village in UP a woman who went from house to house in the scorching heat to get more signatures.

Kurien quotes Golwalkar, This is when I realized that the woman was actually doing it for her cow, which was her bread and butter, and I realized how much potential the cow has I saw that the cow has potential to unify the country  she symbolizes the culture of Bharat you agree with me to ban cow slaughter on this committee and I promise you, five years from that date, I will have united the country. What Im trying to tell you is that Im not a fool, Im not a fanatic. Im just cold-blooded about this. I want to use the cow to bring out our Indianness, So please cooperate with me on this.

PROTECTING THE HOLY COW: A TIMELINE

2016

July 30: A mob attacked the house of a Muslim family on suspicion of cow slaughter in UPs Muzaffarnagar district.

July 26: Two Muslim women were beaten up at Mandsaur railway station in Madhya Pradesh on suspicion of carrying beef.

Shamim and Salma were humiliated and beaten up on suspicion that they were carrying beef. (Rohit Soni/HT Photo)

July 11: Seven members of a Dalit family were beaten up by about 35 gau rakshaks for skinning a dead cow in Una, in Gujarats Gir Somnath district.

July 10: Bajrang Dal members brutally attacked a Dalit family in Koppa in Karnataka, claiming there was beef inside their house.

June 10: Two beef transporters were beaten up and force-fed cow dung allegedly by the Gurgaon Gau Raksha Dal in Haryana.

Read more: 500 cows starve to death in Rajasthan shelter over 2 weeks of workers strike

May 6: The Bombay High Court ruled that it will no longer be illegal to consume or keep imported beef but upheld the Maharashtra governments ban on slaughter of cows and bullocks.

April 2: Mustain Abbas was killed, allegedly by Gau Raksha Dal members in Kurukshetra, Haryana while he was transporting a buffalo. The High Court of Punjab and Haryana ordered CBI to probe the murder on May 9.

March 18: Two Muslim cattle-traders, including a 15-year-old, were beaten and hanged from a tree in Jharkhands Latehar district. Five suspects, including a member of a local gau raksha vigilante group, were later arrested.

January 13: Cow protection group attacked a couple at Khirkiya railway station in Madhya Pradesh over allegations that they were carrying beef.

2015

December 3: Violent clashes broke out in Haryanas Palwal district when villagers stopped a truck allegedly carrying cow meat.

October 19: Hindu hardliners threw black ink at J&K MLA Engineer Rashid in Delhi. He was thrashed earlier for holding a beef party in Srinagar.

Ink attack on Jammu & Kashmir MLA Engineer Rashid at Press Club Of India in New Delhi. (Arun Sharma/HT Photo)

October 16: A village mob lynched a man in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh for alleged cattle smuggling.

October 9: A petrol bomb attack on a Srinagar-bound truck left three men  two Kashmiris and a policeman  battling burn injuries (one of them died later). The truck was set on fire allegedly by rightwing activists in Jammus Udhampur district.

October 9: A mob went on a rampage following rumours that a cow had been slaughtered in Mainpuri district in UP.

October 6: A cattle trader in Karnataka had a narrow escape after Bajrang Dal activists attacked him with metal rods on a rumour about a stolen cow.

October 1: Six students of Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur, Kerala, were suspended for organising a beef fest on campus to protest against the Dadri lynching.

September 28: A mob lynched Mohammed Akhlaque in Bisada village, Dadri, on allegations of killing a cow and consuming its meat on Eid.

The clothes of Mohammed Akhlaque are photographed at his house at Bisada village, in Dadri. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

August 29: Residents of Chilla village, near east Delhis Mayur Vihar, clashed with four truck drivers night who were reportedly transferring buffaloes to a slaughter house in Gazipur.

March 16: Haryana passed a stringent bill banning the sale of beef. The law mandated five years of rigorous imprisonment for selling beef  same as that in Maharashtra  and a fine of up to 50,000.

March 4: Maharashtra banned beef; anyone found in possession or sale would face five years of jail and a 10,000 fine. While a 1976 law prevented the slaughter of cows in Maharashtra, the new Act banned the slaughter of bulls as well as bullocks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a townhall style event on Saturday to reach out to citizens. Heres everything you need to know about this first-of-its-kind outreach programme by the prime minister:

1. The event marks the two-year anniversary of MyGov  the governments citizen-engagement platform

2. The townhall to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the Do, Discuss and Disseminate

3. A new PMO app to enable mobile users to connect with the Prime Ministers website will be launched at the mega event

4. The audience was selected from among the regular users of MyGov, based on their ideas, level of engagement, questions and suggestions, said MyGov chief executive Gaurav Dwivedi

5. The opening session at 10 am was anchored by IT minister Ravishankar Prasad and the sessions just before the Prime Minister speaks will feature finance minister Arun Jaitley among others

6. The Prime Minister will talk about the concept of citizen engagement, MyGov, the response to this participative governance initiative and how he sees the platform evolving

7. The townhall address will see the launch of new initiatives and distribution of awards to winners of MyGov contests

8. Fresh ideas to improve user experience and introduce new features for the platform will be invited. The panel for this session will include social media representatives, MyGov users, MPs who contributed to the platform, and senior officials of the ministry of electronics and IT, and NIC

9. The fourth and final session will focus on the #TransformingIndia website, eSampark portal and MyGov live events as the channel of government communication with citizens.

10. MyGov.in has 3.53 million registered users and 3.4 million comments on 590 discussion themes.

Read | PM Modi to connect with citizens via first townhall meet on August 6

With PTI inputs
The Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel claimed on Saturday that Vijay Rupani, who has been chosen to replace Anandiben Patel as Gujarat chief minister, was a loyalist of Amit Shah and that all the work in the state will now be carried out on the BJP chiefs orders.

Patel, who has been living in Udaipur after a court ordered him to stay away from Gujarat, accused the BJP government in the state of misdirecting the Patel community and said if Nitin Patel, who has been chosen as Rupanis deputy, wants to save his image among the Patel community, he should resign.

He said that the Patel community has been insulted once again in the state and Shah has started a new type of politics by naming Nitin Patel as the deputy chief minister.

He vowed to continue his agitation for quota in the state.
Facing flak over death of cows at a state-run shelter, Rajasthan government suspended two JMC officials on Saturday for inaction, even as opposition Congress took out a rally over the issue.

Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) suspended Hingonia in-charge Ramesh Kumar Sharma and deputy commissioner Sher Singh Luhadiya for their inaction. Both the officials were on leave when more than 90 cows died in two days at the Hingonia cow rehabilitation centre.

Work to remove the quicksand-like mud in which the animals were trapped, resumed as 266 workers of the centre, who were on strike over the past fortnight over salary issues, returned to work after their May dues were paid.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje directed Urban Development and Housing (UDH) minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat and animal husbandry minister Prabhu Lal Saini and other officials to inspect Hingonia shelter and also monitor other cow rehabilitation centres in the state.

After his visit, Shekhawat claimed that the mortality rate of cows at the centre was much higher when Congress was at the helm of the JMC. He also maintained that most of the animals brought there are already sick or injured, which explains the high mortality rates.

He however pointed out that JMC had not informed the UDH department on time about the excess mud that had gathered at the centre. The rain worsened the situation and since the dung wasnt cleared regularly, the mud became quicksand-like, trapping the animals, he said and assured regular monitoring of the centre.

The minister also said that contractors would be asked to pay workers salaries through cheques, so that there is documentary evidence of the payment. He added that JMC will also be asked to have some backup facility to face future strikes.

Saini directed the officials to segregate the sick cows from healthy ones and said that the quality of the fodder given to the bovines will be improved.

Meanwhile, Congress stepped up pressure on the Rajasthan government by taking out a Gau Raksha yatra from the Pradesh Congress Office to the Govind Dev Ji Temple where they prayed for the cows.

The BJP government does politics in the name of cows, but does nothing when hundreds of cows are dying at Hingonia every day. We have decided not to let the JMC catch stray cows anymore as the animals are better off without going to the centre, which has turned into a death trap, said Pratap Singh Khachariawas, Congress district president and PCC spokesperson.

Khachariawas claimed the participation of Muslims in the march, and said that people from every community stand united against the government and the shameful treatment of cows.

Year wise deaths of cows at the Hingonia rehab centre

In 2012, a total of 3,743 cows died at the centre

5,538 cow deaths were reported in 2013

In 2014, at least 7,694 deaths were reported

The numbers increased manifolds in 2015. A total of 12,915 cows died at the centre

Till July this year, 7,373 cows have died at Hingonia centre.
God, luck and poverty are some of the reasons for the skewered sex ratio in Delhi. Not in that order, though.

And these odd reasons have been attributed by 89 private hospitals and maternity homes that were served show-cause notices by the Delhi government for recording sex ratios at birth lower than 800.

Delhis sex ratio -- the number of girls born for every thousand boys  is 898:1000, the same as the national average.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers 1020 boys against 1000 girls to be the natural ratio.God and fate seem to be kinder to girls at top government hospitals in Delhi, shows data from May.

At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 108 girls and 91 boys were born in May, which put the sex ratio 1,186. At Safdarjung, the sex ratio was 987, at Lok Nayak hospital it was and 896 at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

Indias Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act bans sex determination of an unborn child because it can used for selective abortions, which had led to Indias child sex ratio declining from 945 in 1981 to 927 in 2001 and 919 in 2011.

Sex determination is a reality in Delhi, which is why the city has a skewed sex ration. Since AIIMS is government-run, no such hanky-panky can happen. This is the reason we have a nearly equal numbers of girls and boys being born at the hospital, said Dr Alka Kriplani, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at AIIMS.

Among the three hospitals that blamed skewed sex ratio on the almighty was Rashi Medical Centre in West Delhis Dwarka, with a sex ratio of 571. With a sex ratio of 789, Garg Medical Centre in Paschim Vihar said, We have no control over this, its Gods selection. UK Nursing Home from Vikas Puri, with a sex ratio of 714, stated, the birth of male/female is purely an act of God and the nursing home has no role to play in it.

Usually, women go for delivery to the same hospitals or maternity homes where they get their ante-natal check-ups done, so it is important to keep an eye on clinics and hospitals with low sex ratios. It is, of course, possible that the hospitals are not doing sex-selective abortions, but the data still helps us to identify neighbourhoods where such practices are taking place, a Delhi government official said.

Five hospitals attributed their low sex ratio to natural processes. These included Shri Ram Singh Hospital in East Krishna Nagar (sex ratio of 500), Jain Child and Meternity Home in Shalimar Bagh (514), Tyagi Hospital in Azadpur area (517), Saroj Hospital at Madhuban Chowk (767) and Gupta Medical Centre in Paschim Vihar (731).

Explaining the natural phenomenon at play at Shri Ram Singh Heart Hospital, which also runs Ashok Nursing Home where the deliveries take place, proprietor Dr Ashok Singh said, If you ask for reasons, it could be anything from the weather, atmosphere or the lifestyle. The people in this area are very poor and perhaps the sex ratio is influenced by women eating less or working the whole day to earn their living.

We promptly report all our births to the MCD, so there is no scope for manipulation. The sex ratio at our hospital is naturally low, said Dr Singh.

Others blamed chance. Fourteen hospitals said that their low sex ratio was because of coincidence. Sarthak Medical Centre in Palam, which had a sex ratio of 550, said, We do not have any control over the birth, it is purely coincidental.

Delhi health secretary Dr Tarun Seem said it was very difficult to get a sex selective abortion in Delhi as the rules are followed strictly.

The situation is now getting better and Delhi has shown a healthy improvement in the sex ratio, Seem added.

From 2014 to 2015, Delhis sex ratio has increased by 2 points.

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A five-year-old girl was raped in Khera village in Hapur on Saturday morning. The village is located on NH24 between Delhi and Lucknow.

The girl was sleeping outside her house with her 10-year-old sister when one or more unidentified persons kidnapped and raped her, according to the police complaint.

She was found on a roadside plot about 50 metres away from their house, and taken to a local hospital. Doctors referred her to the Meerut Medical College, where a medical examination confirmed sexual assault.

The family was sleeping outside the house as the weather was humid. They did not get to know when the criminals took the girl away, Hapur police superintendent Alankrita Singh said.

The family members only realised the girl was missing when they were woken by rain at about 4 am.

The incident comes barely a week after a mother and daughter were brutally raped on the Bulandshahr highway, resulting in widespread protests.

In this case too angry villagers blocked the national highway for over two hours, demanding the arrest of the accused. They relented only after a case was registered and police assured them that those involved in the crime would be nabbed soon.

Doctors operated on the girl on Saturday, Singh said. The girls condition is said to be stable and out of danger.
Gone are the days of handmade braid-like friendship bands or those simple elastic ones with friends for life printed on them. Now, options are not only aplenty but also in sync with the latest trends  from a band with pictures and logos of your friends favourite superhero or one with cartoon characters from that movie the two of you love to watch together. And where can you get your hands on it? None other than the citys Khan Market, Dilli Haat and Lajpat Nagar, yaar.

Batman, Iron Man and Captain America-themed friendship bands are available for Rs 300. (Prabhas Roy/HT)

Read: Kishore Kumar: The man who defined friendship with his songs

Pick your favourite band from a variety thats available in city markets. (Prabhas Roy/HT Photo)

Harjit Singh, who has been in the business of making friendship bands for a decade now, and runs a stall in INA, says: We have superhero bands (Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Captain America) and those with minions, Doremon, Motu-Patlu and more (starting at Rs 10). He also sells diamond-studded friendship bands.

Bands with glow-in-the-dark Minions are available at Khan Market for Rs 300 each. (Prabhas Roy/HT Photo)

Nitin Sinhas stall at Dilli Haat includes fancy unisex leather bands (starting at Rs 299) that he designs. Delhi celebrates Friendship Day like no one. Ive come from Bangalore to showcase my special collection, he says.

Another stall at Dilli Haat that offers friendship bands between the range of Rs 10 to Rs 150 is installed next to stall no. 76.

Friendship rings are priced at Rs 40 for six. (Prabhas Roy/HT Photo)

Want to seal your friendship with something different? You can buy friendship rings (starting at Rs 5) in Khan Market. Rings are in demand. We also have glow-in-the-dark superhero bands-cum-keyrings (priced at Rs 300), says Preeti Aggarwal, a shopkeeper in Khan Market.

Read: Just how we roll: Celebrating friendship day in style

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Aug. 6

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

The Senate (upper house) of Uzbekistans Supreme Assembly will hold a regular plenary meeting Aug. 24-25, news service of the Senate reported.

The agenda of the plenary meeting, to be held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan, includes a report on the activities of the Senate in the past period and priorities for the coming years.

In accordance with a decision of Kengash (Council) of the Uzbek Senate, the agenda of the meeting includes reviewing a number of laws, including the Law on State Youth Policy, the Law on Internal Affairs Bodies, the Law on Labor Protection, the Law on Protection and Use of Wildlife, and other laws.

Uzbekistans bicameral parliament  the Supreme Assembly  was created in 2005. Its legislative chamber permanently has 150 MPs.

The upper house - Senate has 100 MPs elected in equal numbers, i.e. six MPs from the Karakalpakstan Republic, provinces and the city of Tashkent. Sixteen more members of the Senate are appointed by Uzbek president from among the most distinguished citizens.

The Senate meetings are held in case of necessity, but at least three times a year.
Hundreds of Mumbaiites gathered at Versova beach on Saturday to collect 2,84,000 kg of trash from the jetty area located on the northern end.



Representatives from the United Nations (UN), including the United Nations Environment Programme-appointed Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh, who arrived in Mumbai on Friday, joined the Versova Residents Volunteers (VRV) in the five-hour drive. They were joined by students from the Whistling Woods International Film and Television Institute, lawyers from the Andheri Bar Association, members of the Koli Samaj (local fishing community) and representatives of the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association.The trash was taken to the Deonar dumping ground.

Read: Versova beach cleanup, a spark that might light up the whole of south Asia: UN patron of oceans Lewis Pugh

Versova is a flat sandy 2.5-km beach with a thick mangrove cover across several parts and garbage gets trapped in the mangroves during the high tide. In the 43rd weekend of the beach-cleaning drive, the citizen groups have collected almost two million kg of trash. We saw that the enthusiasm of the citizens is infectious. We had almost 500 people on Saturday and it is clear that the drive is gaining momentum, said Afroz Shah, lawyer and founder, VRV. Now, this model needs to be replicated by citizens with support from the civic body at all beaches across Mumbai.

Lewis Pugh, a maritime lawyer and campaigner for clean oceans, said that the scale of the clean-up was massive but with citizens support they could do a lot of work. (Vidya Subramanian/HT photo)

Pugh, a maritime lawyer and campaigner for clean oceans, said that the scale of the cleanup was massive but with citizens support they could do a lot of work. Every inch of the beach was covered in litter when we began. We picked up 673 shoes within a radius of just 10 metres. By the end of it, everyone came together with one mission, to protect our environment and make history, he said.

Plastics collected at the beaches is very dangerous for the marine ecosystem and human population living close by, said Anil C Singh, additional solicitor-general of India (Western Zone) who also attended the drive. Awareness among the masses will prompt the pollution abatement authorities to make stricter norms to control beach pollution.

Versova is a flat sandy 2.5-km beach with a thick mangrove cover across several parts and garbage gets trapped in the mangroves during the high tide. In the 43rd weekend of the beach-cleaning drive, the citizen groups have collected almost two million kg of trash. (Vidya Subramanian/HT photo)

Civic body officials said that various departments of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) were working together to resolve the garbage problem from Malad creek. During the rainy season the quantum of garbage is more. As a remedial measure, 35 workers each at Juhu and Versova have been doing regular clean-up drives during weekdays, said Parag Masurkar, ward officer.

Hundreds of Mumbaiites gathered at Versova beach on Saturday to collect 2,84,000 kg of trash from the jetty area located on the northern end. (Vidya Subramanian/HT photo)

After the beach clean-up drive, members of VRV set out in boats towards the Malad creek and collected around 1000kg of trash comprising mainly floating plastic bags and food wrappers. With the help of local fishermen and their boats, we each held nets as we passed through the creek at a slow pace, pulling out trash, said Shah

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Search and rescue operations resumed on Saturday after a day of heavy rain hampered efforts to find the victims of the bridge collapse on the Mumbai-Goa highway near Mahad.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard officials have thus far been unable to locate any of the missing vehicles believed to have fallen in the river despite using various techniques, including electronic sensors, fishfinders (sonar devices), and massive magnets to trace the metal bodies.

The rain-swollen Savitri river washed away a 100-year-old bridge at Mahad, 170 km south of Mumbai, on Tuesday night, taking with it two buses and at least one SUV.

Stepping up rescue efforts, divers were deployed in areas where currents werent strong on Saturday.

The water level in the river has gone down as there was no rain on Friday night, said an NDRF official. We hope we will make some major developments as the weather seems to be in our favour today. We are putting maximum efforts to find the missing people. Our officials are operating in a stretch of our 40 km in the river today too.

By Friday night, as many as 22 bodies had been recovered within 15 kilometres from the bridge.

The NDRF commandant Anupam Srivastav told Hindustan Times that his team is hoping that remaining bodies will be located in the next two to three days as they too will float on the surface. There is no possibility that bodies are still stuck inside the vehicles. We will be able to trace them in the next two to three days once they start floating.

The NDRF commandant said his team had extended the area of search operations up to 40 kilometres from the accident spot with fishing nets installed across the bridges over the river.

Raigad, Ratnagiri and state highway police too have joined operations to find the missing people in various parts of Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena on Saturday took pot-shots at Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mahad tragedy, saying his ministers should stop flying in helicopters to understand the condition of roads and bridges in the state.

Sena also said the present governments ambitious Make in Maharashtra programme should begin with the construction of good quality roads and bridges, in the absence of which no foreign nation would be willing to invest here.

Instead of indulging in a blame-game and only conducting meetings to gauge the Mahad tragedy, what is needed is to give a serious thought over the issue, the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

District guardian ministers should not be given permission to fly to their respective districts. Let them travel by dilapidated roads and bridges and then conduct an audit. Because when ministers fear for their lives, audit and repairs, both shall take place, it said.

It said if in a progressive state like Maharashtra a large number of people die in natural calamities, the government needed to change the structure of its Make in India and Make in Maharashtra programmes.

Start your Make in Maharashtra programme by fixing old and dilapidated bridges. Unless you construct proper roads, do not expect foreign nations to invest money here, it said.

The editorial also questioned why the tragedy could not be averted despite the presence of a strong government in the state for over two years.

Eight more bodies were recovered on Friday during search and rescue operation in Mahad, where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away by the flooded Savitri river after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The death toll has gone up to 22.

The Opposition Congress slammed the double standards of Sena over the Mahad tragedy, and asked it fix roads and bridges in Mumbai before advising the BJP to do so across the state.

Senas corruption in the BMC has resulted in thousands of potholes across the city where people are losing lives. Sure, it can play the role of a big brother by advising the BJP but it should also play the role of a responsible brother and fix roads bridges in the city and not play with the lives of people for monetary gains, Congress spokesperson Al-Nasser Zakaria said.
Over 52,000 candidates from across the region will appear for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) preliminary exam to be held on August 7 across 127 centres in Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

Over 11.36 lakhs aspirants, the highest to date, are scheduled to appear for the exam countrywide on Sunday. In Chandigarh alone, 40,000 candidates from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will take the exam across 96 centres for which 78 educational buildings have been earmarked. Another 11,558 candidates will appear at 31 centres in 21 educational institutions in Ludhiana.

Dont miss: How to crack UPSC preliminary examination 2016

A total of 1,012 Chandigarh Police cops have been pressed into service for security and frisking of candidates at the 96 centres in the UT. Thirty police control room vehicles (PCR), along with these many personal security officers have been attached with 30 assistant coordinating supervisors who will be on duty.

In Ludhiana, 310 police personnel, 10 at each of the 31 centres, apart from 50 cops in reserve, have been deployed to ensure no electronic gadgets are taken inside exam centres. As many as 1,100 invigilators have been appointed in Ludhiana, besides a government official at each centre.

The exam centre at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been reserved for physically challenged aspirants where 19 such candidates will take the test.

Ludhianas additional deputy commissioner Apneet Riyat, who is the coordinating supervisor from Ludhiana, said students coming from other districts had been advised to arrive well in advance and to double check their centre code and centre. No one will be allowed to enter the centre after 9.40am, said Riyat.

Also read: UPSC panel wants govt to reduce age limit for civil services exam

The test will be conducted in two sessions  from 9.30am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Candidates from Punjab appearing in Ludhiana triple

There has been a staggering 250 % rise in the number of aspirants from Punjab vying to join the countrys top administrative services at the test centres in Ludhiana as compared to the previous year.

While just 3,500 students from across the state appeared for the exam in 2015, the number this year has reached 11,558.

Officials say the relaxation in age limit and hike in the number of allowed attempts, which came into effect in 2014, has led to the increase. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has increased the total number of attempts to six, an increase of two, and increased the upper age limit to 32.

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President of the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) from Malwa zone, Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi termed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a nexus of Biharis who want to rob Punjab of its riches. He was in Mansa on Saturday to address a gathering of the Shiromani Akali Dals (SAD) youth wing workers.

Who will trust a party whose members like Bhagwant Mann and Sucha Singh Chhotepur have divergent views over ticket distribution? Barkandi said. One of its members Durgesh Pathak has said that the wisdom of Sikhs lies in their turban and beard. This sort of derogatory comment will never earn them the support of youth. It is a nexus of Biharis who will loot the state.

Must read | Bhagwant Mann haunts Sukhbir? AAP MP thinks so

AAP counters Bihari barb; Congress remains evasive

AAP spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira later countered Barkandis comment, saying that it had come out of frustration due to the expanding support base of AAP in Punjab. Our party has not given ticket to any Bihari or UP resident in the recently announced list. Yes, we do have observers from outside the state but so does the BJP, an ally of the SAD. BJP observer Prabhat Jha is from UP. Why doesnt the SAD leader use the same barb on the alliance partner?

Congress MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, when contacted, said that he doesnt think appropriate to comment over the statement of SAD leader. When reminded that his partys state unit president, Captain Amarinder Singh, has called Arvind Kejriwal an outsider on account of being from Haryana, Mofar said Captains comment was not aimed at the entire AAP.

Declares Bhunder Junior as candidate

When asked about fielding candidates from the youth brigade in Mansa district, Barkandi said workers of the party never have such demands; and he added that the party will be fielding Dilraj Bhunder, son of Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder, from Sardulgarh.

His comments come at a time when the AAP and Congress have spoken about giving healthy representation to young candidates. Dilraj Bhunder, SAD in-charge for Sardulgarh assembly constituency, asked the workers to effectively counter the label of drug addicts. He said, Many times, in our casual conversation, we label a village full of drug addicts. We should counter such narrative as it is going to have a socio-political impact on young minds.

The meeting was held to invite party workers to Chandigarh next week to plan rallies led by YAD patron and state cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

In Pics | AAPs first list for Punjab: Meet the 19 candidates

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Notices being issued for violations to the Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order 1954 are finding their way to the bin for the past three years.

Reason: The municipal corporation (MC) has just been banking on the order, without any notification being issued regarding the penalty on the violators.

Now, MC officials have written to the UT administration to seek clarification on the issue, which is still awaited.

We have written to the finance secretary for issuing a notification in this regard, which is still awaited, said MC joint commissioner Varinder Chaudhary.

In the past three years, the civic body has issued notices to nearly 1,300 entities, including shop owners, jewellers and mobile companies, without issuing the mandatory notification to enforce the penalties.

The matter came to light when a committee was formed to calculate the advertisement fee to be collected from the Bharatiya Janata Party for the banners and hoardings put up by it in Chandigarh on April 12 this year. Although a fine of Rs 1.8 crore was due, a notice was not sent, as it was revealed there was no notification in this regard.

Notices flouted rules

Earlier, notices were issued after the then additional commissioner Sunil Bhatia sought approval from the finance secretary in 2013 to impose the fine. In a reply, the UT administration had allowed the MC to impose a penalty, equivalent to six months, on all offenders.

As per rules, however, before issuing any notice, a notification by the Chandigarh Administration is mandatory to implement the orders.

Nominated councillor Surinder Bahga said it is shocking to see the manner in which the entire issue has been handled, and even senior officers did not notice the lapse all these years.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that degrees awarded to students under the distance education programme, examination for which are conducted by the university outside its territorial jurisdiction without the UGC permission, is illegal.

The UGCs response came in a case wherein around 1,000 teachers of Punjab with such degrees were denied promotions by the government. The affected teachers had moved court in July.

The UGC referred to its communications to the universities in the past issued under the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003, and submitted that the postgraduate degrees awarded by the universities at centres outside their territorial jurisdiction are illegal.

Also read: Himachal Pradesh University to close distance education centres outside state

The high court bench of justice Jaswant Singh, however, differed from UGC and observed that regulations did not point towards restraining/prohibiting state universities from imparting degrees through distant education mode for courses recognised by the commission, examinations for which were held outside their territorial jurisdiction.

...What was prohibited was commercialisation of education through outsourcing by establishing the study centres or franchises outside the territorial jurisdiction of the universities concerned, the high court bench said, adding It was for the first time a specific stand had been taken by a university in a July 2016 communication.

The high court has now sought fresh reply from the UGC, preferably through its secretary, asking him to indicate rules and regulations, if any, requiring the universities to seek prior approval from the UGC for establishing exam centres outside state. The high court has also issued notice to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Annamalai University and Madu Rai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu, by August 10.

A bunch of petitions were filed by affected teachers stating that their juniors have been promoted to lecturers in their respective streams of mathematics and commerce by ignoring their claims on the ground that they have obtained their postgraduate degrees through distant mode with exam centres outside the state. Following the petitions, the high court had stayed 2,200 promotions of teachers in Punjab government schools. The government notification on promotions was stayed on July 14.

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A 42-year-old undertrial died in the modern jail here on Friday morning under mysterious circumstances.

The deceased, Baljeet Ram, a resident of Phillaur, was arrested by the CIA staff of rural police in a drug case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act on Saturday and sent to jail on Wednesday.

Also read: Gang of contract killers operating from Kapurthala jail busted, 7 held

The family had alleged that he was falsely implicated by the police and they showed his arrest at another place though he was arrested from home.

Family members and relatives alleged that he was tortured by the rural police.

They held a protest at the civil hospital, where the body was brought for postmortem, and demanded action against the cops for torturing him, which allegedly led to his death.

Ranjeet Ram, son of the deceased, alleged that he was severely beaten up by the police for two days following which his health started deteriorating.

We had appealed to the jail authorities to admit him to the civil hospital for treatment as he was badly beaten up by the police. But they did not do so, and he died due to lack of treatment, Ram added.

Meanwhile, a three-member medical board conducted postmortem of the body in the presence of a judicial team at the civil hospital on Friday afternoon.

Senior medical officer Anoop Singh said that preliminary examination reports indicate he committed suicide by hanging himself. But, the exact cause of death will be clear only after the post-mortem report, which would may be received in a week.

Kapurthala jail deputy superintendent of police (DSP) DS Bhatti could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.
Jharkhand governor Draupadi Murmu on Friday admitted that girls were still being sold and purchased in her state.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar Ambedkar as a crusader of women empowerment ogranised by the Punjab government at Punjabi University to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Murmu said, I am not much aware of the womens condition in Punjab, but girls are still being treated as a commodity in my state. Girl child trafficking, girl abuse, illiteracy, early marriage and domestic violence are still prevalent in addition to other malpractices against the women, she said while highlighting the sale and purchase of girls in Jharkhand.

Notably, many girls from Jharkhand are sold in Malwa area of Punjab, and purchased by elderly bachelors.

Observing that women were the head of the family in every respect, the governor exhorted them to prove themselves as examples and not just showpieces. She highlighted the role of Ambedkar in women empowerment.

It was the first of a series of six seminars, planned by the Punjab government to commemorate the life, vision and ideology of the iconic Dalit leader and the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Though women have covered a lot of ground by way of attaining equality and outgrowing their male counterparts in many walks of life, yet much is left to be done in respect of women empowerment envisioned by Dr Ambedkar, she added.

Her view was endorsed by most of the speakers at the seminar, including Punjab assembly speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, Punjab cabinet ministers Surjit Singh Rakhra and Sohan Singh Thandal; and vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh.

Rajmata Shubhangini Raje Gaekward, chancellor of MS University, Vadodara, exhorted the women to learn how to take decisions of their life themselves instead of being ruled by men. Speaker Atwal dwelt on Ambedkars contribution in the developmental history of India.

Thandal said chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had agreed to call a special session of Punjab Assembly to discuss life and achievements of Dr Ambedkar and instal his statue at its entrance.

In his welcome address, V-C Jaspal Singh said Ambedkar was greatly impressed by the teachings of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, who daringly championed the cause of not only gender equality but also the supremacy of women. Chief organiser of the function, Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal and Dr Jaspal Kaur also spoke on the occasion.

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The owners of marriage palaces, which were sealed after the Punjab and Haryana high court recently directed the Municipal Corporation Amritsar (MCA) to do the same, were stopped from moving towards the residence of revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday.

Also read: Sealing in wedding season! 80% marriage palaces in Amritsar illegal

The owners, who were led by All Punjab Palace Association president Ranjit Singh Bath and general secretary Nishan Singh Sandhu, were proceeding towards the cabinet ministers residence to stage the protest. The police stopped them at the Novelty Chowk.

The owners blocked the chowk for an hour, causing inconvenience to commuters, and raised slogans against the state government.

Around two weeks back, the Punjab and Haryana high court had ordered the MC to close these banquet halls by July 31 and appear before the HC with an action report.

Following the HC orders, the MC has sealed 71 marriage palaces in the area.

We want that these sealed palaces should be opened with immediate effect. The big palaces should be regularised and change of land use tax should be imposed on the collector rate 5%, said Bath, who added that interest and penalty fine should not be imposed on the demand notices that have been given to the palaces.

Read more: Amritsar MCs palace sealing campaign leaves marriage parties out in rain

They also said the government should ease out the norms for getting NOCs from various departments in regard to regularise the marriage palaces.

The sealing notice states that the palaces were neither opened without the governments permission nor fulfilling its criteria. The court has asked the deputy commissioner, municipal commissioner, and the principal secretary of the local bodies ministry to appear before it after sealing the palaces or go to jail.

THE CASE

In 2010, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Punjab and Haryana high court, alleging that marriage palaces have been established illegally in the city.

In 2012, the court issued notice to the civic body to take action against the violators. The owners, however, didnt respond to the MC notices, which asked them to do the needful to get the properties regularised.

In 2013, the complainant filed contempt case against the administration. The MC issued notices again to the owners in 2014, but only 15 of 86 palaces did the needful to abide by the norms, sources said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) cancelled an oil exploration deal with Chinese Sinopec, Mehr news agency reported Aug. 6.

The contract for oil and gas exploration and development of Garmsar block in central Iran was cancelled due to failure to obtain environmental permissions, an official with the NIOC said on condition of anonymity.

The two sides agreed to terminate the deal, the official said, adding the Chinese side fulfilled some of its commitments under the deal including carrying out studies and seismic activities in certain areas.

He further said that full drilling of exploratory wells in the block was impossible due to lack of needed permissions from the Iranian Environmental Protection Organization.

The Garmsar field, covering an area of 12,183 square kilometers, was one of 16 blocks the NIOC offered to international oil companies under the revised buyback terms.

The NIOC and the Sinopec signed a contract on exploration and development of oil and gas fields in Garmsar in 2006.

Under the deal, worth $50-70 million, Sinopec was in charge of conducting geological surveys, carrying out 2D seismographic measurements in a 700 square kilometers area, and drilling two exploration wells.
One boy was injured after a scuffle between a shopkeeper and those protesting against Arshad Warsi-and Aditi Rao Hydari-starrer comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra, at local Islamabad area here on Friday.

The Balmiki followers had called for a bandh, alleging that movie was hurting their religious sentiments.

Dont miss: Shops shut, roads jammed in Ludhiana as Balmikis protest against Bollywood movie

The protesters were seen on roads since morning, asking the shopkeepers to close the establishments. Tension simmered when the agitators reached the Islamabad area and asked a welder to close his shop and the latter refused to it.

The group got into a verbal spat. A man who worked in the shop got aggressive and confronted the group. This resulted in a clash and stone pelting from both the sides.

A man being dragged out of his shop in Amritsar on Friday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT Photo)

Sensing tension, Amritsar police commissioner Amar Singh Chahal reached the spot and controlled the situation.

It was a minor scuffle that was controlled. Over all, the city remained peaceful, said Chahal.

The movie, scheduled to be released on Friday across the nation, was suspended by the Punjab government for two months keeping in view the prevailing strong resentment among the Balmiki community over some references to Maharishi Balmiki.

As there was bandh call to protest against the movie, the police commissioner had held a meeting with officers and station house officers (SHOs )at around 8:00AM at the police lines.

The police guarded the main bazaars and other sensitive locations. The major focus of the police was to avert tension and clashes.

Though, the Civil Line remained opened, the main bazaars of the walled city, Putlighar, and hall gate remained shut for most of the time.

Meanwhile, the protesters demanded registration of a case against the film-makers and arrest of director and producer of the movie.
Police stood mute as Balmikis took to city streets brandishing sharp weapons protesting against the film The Legend of Michael Mishra. Protesters demanded a ban on the movie because it hurt their religious sentiments. The city witnessed a shutdown for over seven hours with traffic snarls and closed shops.Protesters robbed a general store in Gur Mandi area and vandalised 12 two-wheelers, following which heavy security was deployed in the area.

Balmiki followers forced shopkeepers to close shops, resulting in a clash in Gur Mandi and Akalgarh markets, when shopkeepers resisted by holding up bottles and stones. Reacting to this, protesters threatened to torch shops. Protestors struck different parts of the city in groups flaunting swords and rods, trigerring panic among commuters who were stuck in traffic snarls on the Dugri Road, Gill Road, Gill Chowk, Shastri Nagar, Model Town, Ghumar Mandi, Clock Tower, Basti Jodhewal, Salem Tabri, Kochar Market, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Bhai Bala Chowk and Aarti Chowk. No amount of security stopped agitators, as roads were left paralysed and commuters inconvenienced from 10.30am to late in the afternoon.

Also read | The Legend Of Michael Mishra review: Forget it, the sooner, the better

Ambulances carrying patients were also stuck in traffic jams, but police did not do anything to deter agitators or get the traffic moving. Gill Road resident Iqbal Kang said he was stuck in a traffic snarl while on his way to the Ludhiana railway station to receive relatives arriving from Delhi.

Atam Nagar resident Mukesh Sharma said he was stuck in a traffic snarl for half an hour while on his way to pick up his son from school located in Dugri area.

Shops vandalised

Protesters moved to Gur Mandi in the afternoon, and forced shopkeepers to close their shops. However, they faced resistance from shop owners in that area. Angered by the resistance, protesters vandalised vehicles and robbed a general store.

Shop owner Rakesh Tangri said protesters looted cash and valuables. Deputy commissioner of police Dhruman Nimbale, additional deputy commissioner of police (city 1) Joginder Singh, ADCP (city 4) Satvir Singh Atwal and others reached the spot on being informed.

The protesters then moved to Akalgarh market in Chaura Bazar. Turning violent on facing resistance, protesters started pelting stones. But they soon fled as shop owners retaliated by throwing soda bottles at them.

Effigies burnt

A group of protesters burnt the effigies of prime minister Narendra Modi and the information and broadcasting minister at Professor Mohan Singh Chowk. They said film-makers were targeting Balmikis and the government was not taking any action against them.

Police ensured there was no violence: Police commissioner

Even as incidents of violence and clashes between shopkeepers and protesters were reported from many areas, police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh maintained his stand that cops ensured that protesters did not turn violent. The police was on its toes. We diverted traffic and also ensured there was no violence, he said.

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Amidst the controversy of private schools charging fee from students enrolled under the economically weaker section (EWS) quota, Stepping Stones School, Sector 38, has decided to refund the money to EWS students after a notice from the education department.

A fortnight ago, HT reported that the school authorities were issued a warning to either refund the money taken from the EWS students or else the institute will be derecognised. A parent of an EWS student had filed a complaint stating that the school was taking Rs 1,000 per month from EWS students.

The school authorities had claimed that fee was taken from parents on a voluntary-basis.

Talking to HT, school manager Narender Kumar said, Even though we had made it clear to the parents from Day 1 that this money will be refunded to them, once it is reimbursed to us by the education department, we have started the process to refund the money.

The school was given time till August 5 to respond to director school educations (DSE) notice.

The reply filed by the school management states, .The deposits were always meant to be dispersed.As per your (education department) instructions, we have initiated the process of returning the deposits made by the parents. All students enrolled in pre-nursery for the current session have been requested to come to the office and collect their cheques.

DSE Rubinderjit Singh Brar said, We are keeping a strict watch. If any other school is found taking money from EWS students, it will be dealt with strictly as per the Right to Education (RTE) Act. The estate office officials are also trying to monitor the situation through inspections.

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The Millennium City came to a virtual standstill last week because of water logging after incessant rains. The reasons were apparent  bad master planning, rampant construction, encroachments on the main Badshahpur drain and concretisation of drains. However, this might not improve for the city because, last month, Haryana approved the states Building Code, 2016, allowing for additional floor area ratio (FAR) on payment. Its being offered for residential plots (located in Haryana Urban Development Authority or private developer colonies) and the mass transit corridor, which is part of the governments transport oriented development ( TOD) plans. Simply put, FAR allows builders to build more. It is the ratio of a buildings total floor area to the size of the plot on which it is built.

Though the code does not propose changes in the number of dwelling units allowed on residential plots, planners say they cant see how density in these areas will not increase if builders get more space for construction.

Denying that the extra FAR would lead to more densification, P Raghavendra Rao, additional chief to government of Haryana, town and country planning and urban estates department, says, The intention is not to increase the number of families that can be accommodated on a single plot. We are only increasing the average size of the units. In case of additional FAR offered along TODs , however, infrastructure will have to be strengthened and the concerned executing agencies will have to spend money to take care of the infrastructure.

Many countries around the world allow high FAR, which can be bought in developed areas. Housing authorities aim to accommodate more people in these parts to utilise the facilities provided. Now when it comes to Haryana, will the states authorities provide additional infrastructure to cater to the increasing population in these established areas, ask urban planners.

So, what does the code include? For additional FAR for plotted developments, instead of 2.5 floors allowed on a 100 sq m plot earlier, three floors can be included now as the new code allows for an additional half floor with purchasable FAR. Now supposing the cost of constructing the half floor comes to Rs 25 lakh, why would anyone want to spend so much without intending to add more people, ask city planners. Purchasable FAR can be best utilised for greenfield projects both for plotted developments and group housing where ground coverage has not been exhausted, probably in phases where construction has not yet begun.

The authorities should have learnt lessons from the water logging chaos. They should now come out with a white paper highlighting the incremental impact on the citys infrastructure following the implementation of the code. The document should provide details of the new infrastructure that needs to be created, the timelines and the budgets. In this case, the attitude of the government has been simply mercenary. Pricing FAR should be linked to meeting the cost of additional infrastructure, say planners.

The code also provides for an increased FAR of around 3.5 for dwellings located within a radius of 500 to 800 m from the mass transit corridor. It also seeks to offer additional FAR for buildings rated green for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA). So, subject to the rating of the building, if it qualifies for 1, 2 or 3 star or 4 or 5 star, the additional FAR will be 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, respectively.

Various countries charge impact fees payable to local authorities to mitigate the impact of additional built area. When FSI is increased, there is enormous load on the citys infrastructure, the carrying capacity of sewage pipelines, the road space etc. Authorities charge extra for supporting the high population density and retrofitting of existing infrastructure. In an ideal situation, additional purchasable FAR is expected to raise additional capital for providing extra infrastructure. In this case it seems to be a simple fiscal tool aimed at merely collecting revenue and not as a planning tool, experts say.

Additional FAR needs to be handled efficiently. Some cities, including Gurgaon, have introduced the concept of transfer of development rights or TDR. This tool can be used to control FSI. Under the TDR regime, places where people relinquish their rights using TDR can have less density. More density can be planned for the alternative site for which the TDR certificate is being exchanged.

Rohit Raj Modi, director, Ashiana Homes and vice president, Credai, says that the code calls for creating additional stock in existing plotted townships by HUDA and private colonisers and makes it compulsory for them to construct stilt parking. It serves two purposes  gets the authorities additional revenues and makes housing affordable with creation of new supply. Ideally this amount should be used to improve infrastructure in areas where the new housing supply is expected to come up to avoid the situation that Gurgaon faced during the monsoons.

Till date, allege some builders, the external development charges (EDC) collected by developers over decades have not been utilised for creating infrastructure in the catchment area where projects have come up. While the government claims that Rs 23,000 crore in dues from private developers as EDC and IDC (internal) are pending since 1981  the main reason for the shoddy state of civic infrastructure in Gurgaon  developers (who do not wish to be named) claim that over Rs 35,000 crore have already been collected but nothing has been spent in areas where housing projects have come up. Funds, they allege, have often been diverted to constructing projects as bizarre as stadiums.

The new policy also calls for two car parkings for one housing unit. By linking car parks to the built-up area, the purpose of constructing small, affordable units is defeated as units priced between Rs 30 and Rs 40 lakh are unlikely to have a requirement for two car parks. This also seems to go against the TOD policy where on the one hand the government is spending on creating public infrastructure to encourage use of mass transportation and on the other hand laying down rules for providing two car parks, say planners.

According to Amit Bhatt, WRI India, increased FAR along a TOD may not always work. Recent studies have indicated that even though higher FAR has been offered along Metro stations in Bengaluru, owners of properties along the route have not been too keen to utilise the higher FAR as there is ample supply of housing elsewhere in the city. Unless authorities offer the complete package  higher density and reduction in parking slots along TOD, the policy may not work. The uptake of extra FSI is dependent on the supply and demand of residential stock in the particular area.

The code also introduces the aspect of deemed approval of projects, which is a good thing, says Anckur Srivasttava of GenReal Advisers.

The competent authority shall pass an order within a period of 60 days of submission of building plans, accompanied by all necessary documents either sanctioning it or rejecting it. The building plan shall be deemed to be sanctioned if it is in conformity with the building code and in accordance with the permitted land use of the area and all leviable fee/charges have been deposited by the applicant but no orders have been passed by the competent authority within the specified time, the code says.

If no communication is received from the competent authority within 60 days of submitting the application for an occupation certificate the owner is permitted to occupy the building, considering deemed issuance of occupation certificate. But the competent authority may check the violations made by the owner and take suitable action, it says.

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Actor Larissa Bonesi may be Brazilian but she is blessed with south Indian looks, she believes. And it is this that helped her clinch the role as the leading lady in the upcoming Sai Dharam Tej-starrer Telugu film, Thikka.

Although Im a Brazilian, I think I look like a south Indian and thats what caught the eye of my producer who saw me in a television advertisement and offered me the role. I fell in love with my character and immediately decided to be part of the project, said Larissa, who is making her Telugu debut with Thikka.

Read: Telugu film Supreme starring Sai Dharam Tej earns Rs 20 crore

In the film, which is directed by Sunil Reddy, the strikingly attractive Larissa plays a character thats very close to her real self.

Its an extension of my personality and hence, I could easily relate to it. I got really excited when I first heard the narration and I knew right away I wanted to do this role, she said.

Admitting she was initially nervous because shes completely alien to the industry and language, Larissa, nevertheless, managed to pull off her role with ease.

Watch the trailer of Go Goa Gone featuring Larissa here:

The whole credit goes to my teacher who prepared me for the role. I spent a lot of time with her before we went on the floors. Instead of being lectured on how to play the part, we went out to coffee shops, to shopping, and in the process studied how girls of my age behave and talk, she said.

Larissa also heaped praise on her co-star Sai for being very supportive.

Read: Actor Simbu sings for Sai Dharam Tejs Thikka

Weve become good friends. He was very supportive and understanding and didnt mind if I ever took extra takes for a shot. We had so much fun shooting together and I loved working with him, she said, adding shed love to work him with again.

Larissa hopes shes made her director and producer proud.

Im really grateful to them. Even though Im a foreigner, they believed in my capability and offered me this project. It means a lot and Ill always be indebted to them, said Larissa, who has been modeling since the age of 14.

Having been part of several advertisements and also seen in brief roles in Hindi films such as Go Goa Gone, Larissa doesnt want to restrict herself to one industry.

Im open to work across industries. Id love to work with stars such as Mahesh Babu and Prabhas, she said.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Not all Olympics fans will be lucky enough to go to Brazil. As an alternative, try its cuisine at one of the four popular restaurants that have been picked for you from Europe and USA.

Maloka, Paris (France)

Maloka serves local Brazilian cuisine made from ingredients imported from Brazil. (AFP)

As Oka restaurant moves to the 5th district of Paris at the end of November, Rio de Janeiro-born chef Raphael Rego has transformed its old location into a new restaurant called Maloka. With solid experience at Taillevent and LAtelier de Joel Robuchon behind him, Rego transports his customers to Brazil with no stopovers, serving local cuisine made with ingredients imported from his homeland. Parisians are introduced to cassava, a new twist on the traditional feijoada (a pork and black bean stew), and pao de queijo (cheese rolls) as they partake of genuine caipirinhas, Brazils national cocktail. This has become a hot culinary destination in Paris since its recent opening.

Address:

28, rue de la Tour dAuvergne, 75009 Paris

Read: And the Games begin | Rio kicks off Olympics with spectacular ceremony

Beach Bistro 96, New York (USA)

Beach Bistro 96, NY menu includes quintessential Brazilian preparation such as Picanha. (Beach-bistro-96-1184554118223653/Facebook)

Rockaway Beach -- a free beach accessible from Manhattan via the subway -- has become a cool neighbourhood of Queens beloved by surfers. Since May, a chef has been attracting foodies, and even a New York Times restaurant critic, to his Beach Bistro 96 here. A native of the town of Santos, in southern Brazils Sao Paulo state, Carlos Varella is the Big Apples latest hot favorite. Like his fellow Brazilian Raphael Rego in France, he prepares culinary specialties from his home country such as pao de queijo. This former professional surfers menu also includes picanha, a cut of beef with a layer of fat which protects it during grilling.

Address:

95-19 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Beach 96th Street, The Rockaways, New York

Read: How the worlds great restaurants go about their business

Cabana, Newcastle (UK)

Cabana, Newcastle offers a relaxed atmosphere with traditional Brazilian cuisine. (Cabana-brasil.com/restaurants/newcastle/)

The latest Brazilian eatery to open in the UK is in Newcastle. Cabana restaurants have opened their tenth address in this northeastern English city, offering a relaxed atmosphere and traditional Brazilian cuisine that has been given a modern twist for a new audience. This new business has also sourced some of its furnishings from Brazils poor communities such as the recycled jeans from a favela in Sao Paulo that have been used to line the restaurants chairs. Cabana already operates in London and Leeds, and plans to open another restaurant in Southampton in the near future.

Address:

117 Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

Reginas Farm, Fort Lauderdale (USA)

Regina's Farm, Fort Lauderdale is created like a traditional Brazilian farm. (Reginas-FarmFazendinha-Da-Regina-340068139429914/Facebook)

If you live in Florida, Reginas Farm can transport you to the Brazilian countryside. Regina, a young Brazilian living in Fort Lauderdale was missing her native state of Minas Gerais, so decided to recreate a traditional Brazilian farm in her backyard. Brazilian culinary specialties are prepared on a wood stove in the company of roosters and chickens. Regina serves soups, cheese bread, fresh guarapa (iced sugarcane juice) and much more. The farm is a non-profit-making venture which is only open to diners on Saturday.

Address:

1101 Middle St., Fort Lauderdale
You want to see the world but are too lazy to make the effort. Well, all you need is a thoughtfully-curated set of travel movies.

After London, New York and Rio, now we take you to Berlin in a way that you would only love too much. Heres our list of five movies that you have got to watch if you want this German city checked on your travel list.

Recent flick: Race

Part of this Jesse Owens biopic takes place in the German capital. Berlin is the city where the American athlete (played by Canadian actor Stephen James) won four Olympic gold medals 80 years ago.

Read: 5 must-watch movies for a true London experience

Those memorable scenes were shot in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, built in 1936. Released in cinemas earlier this year, Race is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

Classic must-see: Wings of Desire

The German director Wim Wenders filmed Berlin just a few years before the Wall came down, with the result that the two angels in his movie, Damiel and Cassiel, wander around a city split in two.

Read: 5 movies thatll make you fall for New York

Scenes were shot in various famous Berlin locations including Potsdamer Platz (which was a no mans land at that time but has changed greatly since), the Victory Column, the Memorial Church and the public library, where the two heroes find refuge.

A different view: Good Bye, Lenin!

In 2003, German cinema produced a joyous comedy which brought the talented Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds, Captain America: Civil War) to the publics attention. He plays a young East German whose mother has woken up from a long coma.

Read: Discovering Rio through 5 must-watch movies

To protect her fragile health, he decides not to tell her about the countrys reunification and the fall of the communist regime. The movie gives us a snapshot of East Germany just before the massive changes of 1989.

One for the kids: Jack

A prize winner at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2014, this movie by Edward Berger (who directed the Deutschland 83 series) is unusual in that it shows us Berlin, but none of its notable landmarks. We nevertheless get a clear picture of the capital and its atmosphere in this story of two brothers in search of their mother.

Historical setting: The Lives of Others

This drama, which won an Oscar for best foreign film in 2007, explores an unsettling period of German history through an agent of the Stasi (secret police) who is in charge of monitoring a couple of East German artists in 1984.

The thriller, which is almost exclusively shot in Berlin, focuses on the Friedrichshain neighborhood and its main street, Karl-Marx Allee, with its austere architecture imported directly from Moscow in the 1950s.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
Where did you meet your bestie? In school, college or playground? Its not necessary that you meet your bestie only at these places. Unlike popular belief, you can also meet your bestie at your workplace. Take these Hollywood actors for instance. They are not just co-actors on the same show but also thick friends in real life. HT City tells you about a few such friends.

Johanna Braddy and Priyanka Chopra on the set of Quantico. (Johanna Braddy/Twitter)

Priyanka Chopra and Johanna Braddy

The Johanna Braddy and Priyanka Chopra friendship is all over the social media. They post pictures of them partying while shooting their hit thriller, Quantico. Even on the show, FBI agents Alex Parrish (Priyanka) and Shelby Wyatt (Johanna) are close pals. When not spending time together, they show how much they miss each other. Recently, Johanna wished Priyanka on her birthday. She wrote on Twitter, Happy birthday to my sassy sexy and loving friend @priyankachopra to which Priyanka replied, Thank you so much baby. Come to set soon @JohannaEBraddy.

Read: Sanjeeda Sheikh and Karan Wahis special bond with their friends

Leighton Meester and Zuzanna Szadkowski work together in the sitcom, Gossip Girl. (Net Flix)

Leighton Meester and Zuzanna Szadkowski

Not everyone knew about their friendship till Adam Brody revealed the real story. The American film and TV actor in an interview revealed that his wife, Leighton Meester, is best friends with her Gossip Girl co-star, Zuzanna Szadkowski. Adam shared that when he was filming Growing Up And Other Lies with Zuzanna he didnt have any clue about their friendship. While Leighton plays the role of a high profile socialite, Blair Waldorf, on the show, Zuzanna plays her maid Dorota Kishlovsky.

Rami Malek says that Christian Slater is a consummate professional. (Colors Infinity)

Rami Malek and Christian Slater

They are definitely more than co-stars. Before you read between the lines, we are talking about the friendship between these Mr Robots costars. While talking about working with Christian Slater, Rami Malek said, Hes the man. I love him. Christian is a consummate professional We both go through some pretty crazy ups and downs with our characters. Especially in scenes that we do together, it can get ravenous in a way. Really nasty. So to be able to break away and just have fun with the dude is a great way to work every day.

Most of the time Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell is seen chatting on the set of Pretty Little Liars. (Twitter)

Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell

This duo from Pretty Little Liars is bosom friends in real life. Both of them are quite vocal about their love for each other. On the set of the show, while not shooting they are often busy chatting. These beautiful girls are often caught Instagramming their moments together. Be it dinning out, going for beauty treatments, shopping, sporting similar sunglasses they never disappoint their fans.

Their friendship, like their sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, is epic. (Comey Central)

Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox

Talking about friendship we cant possibly miss out on these two. Though many a times there have been rumors that these F.R.I.E.N.D.S buddies are having issues but nothing concrete came out of them. They are often heard showering praises and even supporting each other. Recently, calling herself a great babysitter, Jen revealed that babysitting Courtneys daughter Coco proved her skills. She said letting the child play with her clothes and jewelry did the trick.

Gabriel Macht had referred Sarah Rafferty for Suits. (Colors Infinity)

Gabriel Macht and Sarah Rafferty

Well, these Suits co-stars have been friends for over two decades. In fact, Gabriel, who plays the lead Harvey Specter on the show, referred Sarah for the role of Donna. They are constantly in touch with each other and participate in all important events in each others lives. Even their daughters are best friends. Gabriel was quoted as saying, Our friendship has got stronger since the show. Although I must admit, I find it difficult to film with her as we always burst out laughing. We joke about how awkward it would be if our characters got romantic.

Cameron and Andreas friendship outside Full House isnt an unknown fact. (Net Flix)

Andrea Barbar and Candace Cameron

Cameron Bure and Andrea Barbers real life friendship outside Full House isnt an unknown fact. If you are into social media and a fan of the show, then you must have noticed how DJ (Candace) and Kimmy (Andrea) keep posting their beautiful photos, be it eating out, running or promoting their popular sitcom. Their fans loved it when Candace put up a nice photo together and wrote Hey! Look whos rockin my costume! Can you ever get enough Kimmy & DJ?.

Read: Sanjeeda Sheikh and Karan Wahis special bond with their friends

These Game of Throne actors, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, have literally grown up together on the set. (Star World)

Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner

Game of Thrones might be a rage everywhere, but what people are also talking about is the Maisie-Sophie friendship. The onscreen sisters, Sansa and Arya Stark, are known to be real BFFs off screen too. Both the girls, Williams (18) and Turner (19) have actually grown up on the set of the show as they started working for the show really young. Talking about their special bonding, Williams had said, Our other friends just 100 percent dont get it, so its nice to be with the one person who does.

Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings are always seen posting their pictures. (Star World)

Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings

We lose heart when we find out that co-stars of a show are actually not even cordial with each other. But, Beth and Kat of 2Broke Girls are anything but that. These co-stars who are always posting their cute pictures are a favourite among the fans of the show. When asked about it Kat said, Beth and I genuinely love each other and are best friends in real life. They are actually two peas in a pod who even share their fashion sensibility.

Read: Kishore Kumar | The man who defined friendship with his songs

Even after That 70s Show ended, Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Danny Masterson made it a point to stay friends. (FX)

Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Danny Masterson

If you are a fan of That 70s Show, you have seen all three of them in it. And what must add to your excitement is that these three actors are real close pals off screen. These buddies are often caught handing out together and drinking. On one such occasion, Wilmer posted a photo of the trio together and he wrote Three woes walk together into a bar #Family. The show went off air over a decade ago, but the trio has maintained their strong bonding.

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Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favour with his partys establishment on Friday by endorsing US House of Representatives speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness towards them earlier this week.

I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make, Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryans home state. He also endorsed senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a rising star.

We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends, Trump said,

Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was not quite there yet - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticised Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.

Ryan, the top US-elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trumps running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryans Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesperson.

Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next weeks Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers.

Trumps endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the November 8 election.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clintons lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday.

Trump said on Friday he wanted a big tent party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their shared mission to make America great again.

Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team.

Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected.

Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidates plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. Its going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy, Moore said.

At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the queen of corruption and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House.

All my life Ive been told, You have the greatest temperament, he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events.

If you dont like me, thats okay. Vote for Pence because its the same thing, Trump said.

Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. I love babies, he said.

Short-circuited

Clinton sought to take advantage of Trumps dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters.

She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was US secretary of state and continuing scepticism among voters about her trustworthiness.

Clinton conceded that she had short-circuited earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server.

Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBIs probe in July, when he rebuked her for extremely careless handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed.

On Friday, Clinton maintained, I never sent or received anything marked classified, while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies.

Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material.

The email controversy has fuelled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. I take it seriously, she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans.

Finance and industry leaders

Trumps campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin.

Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named.

Trumps moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week.

The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had criticised Trump at last weeks Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trumps insistent attacks on the pair.
Donald Trump made peace with the Republican leadership on Friday by endorsing Speaker Paul Ryan and senators John McCain and Kelly Ayotte who are running for re-election.

His rival, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, continued her struggles with gaining peoples trust, telling reporters in Washington DC she had short-circuited her response to an earlier question about her emails.

But she has widened her lead over Trump in recent polls, nationally and in some of the crucial swing states that could determine the outcome of the presidential race.

Republican nominee Trump, on the other hand, has been seen to be squandering whatever chances Clinton offered by embroiling himself in needless confrontations, such as his outrageous spat with the Muslim American couple, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, who spoke at the Democratic convention.

He then sent his party leadership into panic by refusing to endorse Ryan, the partys senior-most elected official, and Senators McCain, a highly respected figure, and Ayotte.

We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory. And very importantly, toward real change, Trump said on Saturday. So in our shared mission, to make America great again, I support and endorse our speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

He went on to also endorse McCain and Ayotte.

Trump was reading from a piece of paper and looked like a completely different man from when he delivers a prepared speech. He seemed caged, which was probably a good thing  to his advisers and supporters, at least, who have been frustrated by his ad-libbed gaffes and non sequiturs. He stayed on message on Friday, most experts noted, by focussing on Clinton.

He called her the queen of corruption and said, In one way she's a monster  In another way she's a weak person. She's actually not strong enough to be president.

US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton addresses a joint gathering of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in Washington on Friday. (Reuters)

Despite her lead over Trump in polls, the Democratic nominee is unable to shake off the controversy over her use of a private email server and continues to muddle her answers about it, compounding her trust problem.

When asked about her claim last week that the FBI had found her statements about her email truthful, when, in fact, it had not, she said on Friday she may have short-circuited her reply.

Asked why most Americans dont trust her, Clinton referred to her high popularity as secretary of state, to assert that whenever she is running her rivals stir up as much trouble as possible.

Clinton was taking questions at a rare news briefing.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

A Japanese delegation will visit Tehran in December to discuss selling aircraft to Iran, Irans deputy minister of roads and urban development for international affairs, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, said.

Irans Aseman airline company has expressed interest to buy 20 MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) aircrafts, Fakhrieh Kashan said, the official website of the Roads and Urban Development Ministry reported Aug. 6.

The airline eyes to use the aircraft for domestic flights, Fakhrieh Kashan said, adding the planes will be provided to Iran through financial leases.

Japanese side will study Irans request until December, when the second working group will be formed to continue talks on the issue, he said.

The MRJ is a twin-engine regional jet aircraft capable of carrying 7090 passengers. It was earlier announced that Iran is willing to buy 25 short-haul airplane at a value up to $500,000 from Japans Mitsubishi Aircraft Organization.

The Iranian official further said that Iran needs over 20 short-haul passenger planes.

Fakhrieh Kashan added that there are over 60 small airports in Iran which need short-haul airplanes to make their activity economically justified.

Certain organizations in Iran also need this type of planes, he said, adding talks are also underway with ATR, the Italian manufacturer of turboprop aircraft, to purchase 20 short-haul planes.

ATR is co-owned by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Italian aerospace group Finmeccanica.

It was earlier announced that Tehran wants to buy up to 40 planes from ATR.

Iran already signed a contract on Jan. 28 for the purchase of 118 Airbus aircraft, during President Hassan Rouhani's trip to France.

The country needs at least 550 new passenger planes until 2025 to renovate its ageing fleet.

The Iranian airlines currently have a total of 266 aircraft. Only 12 of those planes were made after 2000.
Come 2020 British MPs will have to move out of their Palace of Westminster Parliament building as it is renovated and face a drinking ban in their temporary premises nearby because it has been leased for an Islamic bond scheme, a media report said on Saturday.

The Times claims to have seen a leaked report according to which MPs will be relocated to the Department of Health offices in Whitehall while a multi-billion-pound refurbishment of the House of Commons and House of Lords begins in 2020.

Lords peers will be transferred across Parliament Square to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.

As the new temporary home for MPs, Richmond House, is held under an Islamic bond scheme, it forbids the sale of alcohol.

A Department of Health source told the newspaper that staff were getting ready to move out of Richmond House next year.

That will give authorities three years to transform the property into a functioning parliament. It is thought that the debating chamber will possibly be housed there.

The lease on Richmond House, where MPs are due to move, was transferred to finance an Islamic bond scheme two years ago. This means that it cannot be used for anything that is not sanctioned by Sharia law.

One of the terms agreed with the UK Treasury is that the sale of alcohol is forbidden, whereas at their current location in Westminster, MPs have the choice of 10 licensed bars and restaurants.

The 200-million-pound bonds, known as Sukuk, were launched as part of an initiative by former Chancellor George Osborne to make Britain the western hub of Islamic finance.

Devout Muslims cannot buy traditional government bonds because they pay interest. Sukuk, an Islamic alternative, permit guaranteed returns if they are linked to rental payments.

Moving MPs and peers out of the Palace of Westminster will enable the building work to be completed quicker and more cheaply  in six years, costing between 3.5 billion and 3.9 billion pounds, the leaked report indicates.

A vote in Parliament on the recommendations is due after the ongoing summer recess.

The move is an attempt to prevent the 19th-century Gothic building from disintegrating beyond repair.

The restoration and renewal unit of the British Parliament has said that since the UNESCO world heritage sites construction in the mid-1800s many features have never undergone major renovation.

The roofs are leaking, asbestos is present throughout, corrosion has occurred in gutters and downpipes and internal plumbing regularly fails, causing visible and sometimes irreversible damage to the Palaces carved stonework ceilings and Pugin-designed historic interiors, it says.


Chinas air force said Saturday that it has conducted a combat air patrol over disputed areas of the South China Sea to improve its fighting ability.

The announcement comes after Beijing said it wanted to tamp down tensions following its strong rejection of an international tribunal that ruled that its claim to virtually all of the South China Sea has no legal basis.

China refused to take part in the case taken by the Philippines to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration and continues to assert that islands in the South China Sea are its territory.

The air force didnt say when the exercises took place. Last month, after the July 12 ruling, the air force said that it had conducted patrols over the South China Sea and would make it a regular practice.

Air force spokesman Senior Col. Shen Jinke said in an online statement that the patrol was to enhance combat capabilities to deal with various security threats and to safeguard the countrys sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Shen said bomber and fighter aircraft, early warning aircraft, reconnaissance planes and planes that can refuel in flight patrolled the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and surrounding areas.

The Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal are claimed by both China and the Philippines. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim the Spratlys.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the U.S., Japan and Australia were fanning the flames of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in disputed waters.

On Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that China stands ready to continue its efforts to peacefully resolve relevant disputes in the South China Sea.
Chinas Xinjiang province has unveiled a new anti-terror law that authorities say will focus on curbing and punishing religious extremism which is terrorisms ideological basis, state media reported.

The new law, implemented on August 1, is based on China's primary counterterrorism law passed in December 2015, state media reports said.

The regional law details and supplements the national law in defining terror activities and terrorists, security precautions, intelligence, investigations, countermeasures and punishment, official news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

Home to the Muslim Uyghur community, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has experienced bursts of violence in the last few years which have left scores of civilians, government officials and police personnel dead.

Beijing has blamed foreign-trained terrorists for the violence, saying that they have sneaked into the region and incited violence.

Rights groups and exiled Uyghur leaders have, however, said that it is Beijings repressive anti-minority policies gradually put in place over the decades that have triggered violence in the remote region.

A local woman shouts at Chinese paramilitary police wearing riot gear as a crowd of angry locals confront security forces on a street in the city of Urumqi in Chinas Xinjiang Autonomous Region. (Reuters File)

The legislative commission of the regional people's congress said the new measures stress that religious extremism is the ideological basis of terrorism and must be prevented and punished, the Xinhua report said.

Nayim Yasen, head of the standing committee of the regional legislature, was quoted as saying that Xinjiang, as the main battlefield in China's war against terrorism, has gained experience in combating terrorism in recent years, ensuring the practicality and effectiveness of the new law.

Extremism is the philosophical basis of terrorism, Bai Li of the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said.

Therefore, it is important to prevent and punish extremism in Xinjiang's anti-terror campaign, Bai added.

The rules emphasise the importance of a mechanism for public reporting of terrorist activity. According to the rules, public security bureaus and state security organisations should be ready to receive information from the public.

The unveiling of the new law comes in the same week that China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan signed a counter-terrorism law in Urumqi, the capital city of XUAR.

According to Chinas defence ministry, the four parties agreed that terrorism and extremism pose serious threats to regional stability, and fully recognised the unremitting efforts made by the militaries of the four countries on fighting against terrorist and extremist forces.
Newly declassified information from a 2002 congressional report on the 9/11 attacks, dubbed the 28 pages, reveals an indirect link to a Saudi royal, CNN has reported.

The alleged link between alleged al Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah and a company associated with Prince Bandar bin Sultan, former Saudi ambassador to the United States and a key member of the countrys royal family, was previously hidden from the American public.

The connection to Bandar was made through the phone book of Zubaydah, allegedly a recruiter for al Qaeda and a member of Osama bin Ladens inner circle, who was captured in Pakistan in 2002. In it, the FBI found numbers linked to the US, including an unlisted number for a company that managed Bandars estate in Aspen, Colorado. An unlisted number was also found for a bodyguard who worked at the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydahs phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented, said former Sen. Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages.

The CIA and FBI had concluded that there was no evidence anyone from the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the 9/11 attacks.

But Graham said the indirect connection to the respected former Saudi ambassador was one of the most stunning parts of the investigation and worthy of pursuing further.

Bandar was the Saudi ambassador to the US from 1983 to 2005, during the Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton and George W Bush administrations. He later served as secretary general of Saudi Arabias National Security Council and head of Saudi Arabias General Intelligence Presidency, the equivalent of the CIA, until last year.

He was known to have the closest relationship with George H W Bush, because of Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in the 1990 Gulf War. Saudi Arabia viewed the Iraqi aggression as a threat and supported the subsequent US military action.

The declassified information detail a web of Saudi nationals living in the US who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers.

The 28 pages also raise questions about another possible link between Bandar and the attacks: the princes relationship with a Saudi national named Osama Bassnan, who was living in the US on 9/11 and was investigated to determine if he helped two of the hijackers. The declassified pages reveal previously undisclosed amounts of money that Bandar and his wife sent to the mans family.

According to a document of the 9/11 commission, Bassnan, a former employee of the Saudi governments educational mission in Washington, lived across the street from two of the 9/11 hijackers in San Diego: Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar. Hazmi and Mihdhar were on the plane that crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

Bassnan admitted to an FBI asset that he met Hazmi and Mihdhar while the hijackers were in San Diego, then denied this in a subsequent conversation.

Neither the FBI nor Saudi embassy commented on the CNNs story. But former CIA analyst Bruce Riedel defended Bandar.

He had tremendous access to the White House. He had access to the CIA, Department of Justice, the Hill, media, Riedel said. I just find it stretches credulity that he would somehow be involved in a plot to attack the United States of America, he said.
Lashing out at the US for calling jail sentences given to four human rights activists as politically motivated, China on Saturday said the American accusations are groundless and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

The US accusations are groundless and China urged the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously, and stop making irresponsible remarks on the case, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

She said that China firmly opposes American interference in its internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Hua was commenting on the remarks made by US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner concerning the conviction of four Chinese human rights activists.

Toner had said the charges against the activists were vague and apparently politically motivated and urged Chinese officials to release the detainees and remove restrictions on their freedom of movement and professional activities.

China is a country under the rule of law, and Chinese judicial authorities deal with related cases in accordance with law so that the legitimate rights and interests of defendants could be effectively protected, Hua was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

She claimed that Chinese people widely supported the trial and generally oppose any actions that endanger the national security and undermine the social stability.

A court in Tianjin had convicted them for subverting state power after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, described by the state media as an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of seven and half years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s, Xinhua said.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse, it said.
In yet another attack on miniorities in Pakistan, a 56-year old doctor belonging to the Hindu community was shot dead in Karachi, it was reported on Friday.

Pireetam Das was sitting in his clinic located in Hasrat Mohani Colony at midnight on Thursday when someone attacked him, Akhtar Farooq, SSP Investigation said.

The police official added the doctors attendant had gone to buy a mobile card when the doctor was attacked.

Hearing the gunshot, the assistant rushed to the clinic and found the doctor bleeding, added Farooq.

SSP Investigation said the suspect(s) did not take any valuables. He added police were investigation the incident.

Earlier, two members of the Hindu community were among three people shot dead in an attack on a wine shop in the Abbas Town area of the metropolis.
Hundreds gathered in Hong Kong to live out their childhood dream of catching Pokemon in the wild in what was billed as the citys first Pokemon Go walk on Saturday.

The gaming app landed in late July in Hong Kong and saw residents more glued to their phones than ever, searching for the cyber creatures in locations ranging from public parks to the government headquarters.

The app, which uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, has prompted warnings from governmental departments and even from the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army garrisoned in the city.

Participants use their smartphones as they play Pokemon Go during "PokeWalk" in Hong Kong (AFP)

But this did not stop hundreds of Pokemon faithful from gathering in the financial district of Central Saturday to catch the cyber creatures en masse.

We grew up with Pokemon and this has been something in our lives since we were very young, Vince Siu co-founder of Press Start, which organised what is billed as the citys first PokeWalk, told AFP.

Participants take a selfie with their smartphone during the "PokeWalk" (AFP)

Another player also agreed it was nice to see people of different ages out in the streets reconnecting with others and their childhoods.

I think the community aspect of it is nice, we all grew up with Pokemon, Sarah Masters, 19, said.

Its nice how people can come together and do something like this, the university student added.

Around 200 players attended the event, according to AFP reporters at the scene.

Participants hold up Pokemon toys during "PokeWalk" (AFP)

Players filled up the sidewalks and screamed with excitement when rare Pokemon creatures appeared on their phones, as they were watched over by a handful of police officers and organisers who led the crowds and reminded participants to be careful when crossing roads.

In Indonesia last month a French player was stopped and questioned for several hours after the app led him into a military base.

Hundreds gathered in Hong Kong to live out their childhood dream of catching Pokemon in what was billed as the city's first Pokemon Go walk on Saturday. (AFP)

On the other side of the world, two youngsters were so preoccupied with catching the cartoon monsters that they wandered across the US-Canada border.

Some Pokemon Go players were even robbed after being lured to isolated locations in hopes of catching the virtual creatures, according to US reports. Other distracted players have been blamed for causing traffic accidents.
Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in US President Barack Obamas footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

A peace bell tolled at 8:15 am, the time a US warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants, including aging survivors and dignitaries, held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city.

Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

The presidents words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the absolute evil, the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons.

The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year.

US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later.

I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities, Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun.

As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.

We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself, Abe said.

It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease towards that aim.

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China.

But Tomomi Inada, Japans new defence minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year.

On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japans exclusive economic zone for the first time.
It was another one of the string of speaking invitations Khizr and Ghazala Khan accepted since their epic seven-minute takedown of Donald Trump at the Democratic convention.

As they stepped out of their home in Virginia to get into the car waiting for them, the driver, who had no prior knowledge of his passengers, rushed out to them and hugged Khizr.

With tears running down his cheeks, the driver, a recent immigrant from an African country, said that when Khan pulled out the constitution, We felt safe, as a family.

Khan, a Pakistani-descent lawyer who studied advanced law at Harvard, had been planning his speech and his appearance with Ghazala for a while now, on the Clinton campaigns invitation.

The parents of Muslim American soldier Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq in 2004, Khizr and Ghazala Khan have emerged as the most profound repudiation of Trumps politics.

But the constitution was not part of the plan till the last moment, not until he and Ghazala prepared to leave their hotel for the convention venue on the outskirts of Philadelphia on July 28.

Read | Khizr Khans journey from Pakistan to Democratic convention spotlight

Khan spoke on Friday to Hindustan Times over phone from their home in Charlottesville, Virginia, as a German TV crew interviewed Ghazala, and Al Jazeera waited outside.

I discovered the copy in my coat, Khan said, as I patted myself down to make sure I was not carrying anything that wouldn't clear security  coins and keys, metallic stuff.

Khan said he mentioned the pocket-sized copy of the constitution to his wife only when they were in the car, and on their way to the convention.

I told her I am going to be speaking about the constitution (she knew his speech, had helped him edit it down from six pages to two) and wont it be nice if I showed it  kind of raised it.

Ghazala, whose silence on the stage has made as much news as her husbands eloquent speech, agreed, but told him to make sure to pull it out right, the back is totally flat.

So, as they drove to the convention venue in the cab, Khan practised pulling out the book the right way, supervised by his watchful wife, by placing it in his pocket the right way.

When he flourished it on stage, watched by Trump, the immediate target, and millions, and more in replays, the book was cover-in-front, just the way Ghazala had wanted.

Life hasnt been same for the Khans since.

A TV cameramen takes video of the grave marker(L) for US Army Captain Humayun Saqib Muazzam Khan in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (AFP file photo)

I cannot go to get a cup of coffee anymore, I cannot walk on the street any more, I cannot go to do shopping any more. I try to step out and I go three feet and someone will stop me.

They will try and grab his hand, give him a hug and try and embrace him. They say kind things, Khan said, thank his family for the sacrifice and service to the country.

And then I would walk to the corner of the street and wait for the light to change, he said, when people with children would walk up and ask if they could take a picture with me.

These are the responses he gets and treasures.

Read | What did Donald Trump sacrifice? Twitter has some funny, sarcastic answers

Khan offered these observations in response to a question about how he felt about Trump, the man, he said, he had been thinking about since last year when the billionaire started his divisive campaign.

I will tell you what is common to all (the responses I have been getting on the street)  Hispanics, Indians, Pakistanis , Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese and Europeans  the fear they feel, and uncertainties of a new place.

But has he found the miracle solution, Khan asked, answering himself, No, not at all, that was not the goal... Have I found some encouragement for them? Yes, and that was the goal.

Khizr Khan said his family went to Pakistan from India during the Partition. They were in Shahbad, near New Delhi. Almost half of his clan, he said, is buried in and around that area. His wife Ghazala Khan, is also from India. Her family is from Ludhiana, he said, adding there are still some buildings there that bear her family name: Durrani.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said she might have short-circuited during the FBI probe into her using a personal email as the US Secretary of State, but insisted she was consistent in her replies.

I may have short-circuited it, Clinton said in response to a question at the National Association of Black Journalists-National Association of Hispanic Journalists Convention on Friday.

She was asked if she misrepresented FBIs conclusions in her two recent interviews. Now, I have acknowledged repeatedly that using two e-mail accounts was a mistake. I take responsibility for that, she said.

Clinton said as the US Secretary of States, she sent over 30,000 e-mails to the state department that were work-related e-mails and FBI director James Comey said only three out of those had anything resembling classified markers.

What does that mean? Well, usually if any of you have ever served in the government, a classified document has a big heading on the top, which makes very clear what the classification is, she noted.

And in questioning director Comey made the point that the three e-mails out of the 30,000 did not have the appropriate markings and it was, therefore, reasonable to conclude that anyone, including myself, would have not suspected that they were classified, she said.

I think that has been discussed by others who have said two out of those three were later explained by the state department not to have been, in any way, confidential at the time that they were delivered, she said.

So that leaves the 100 out of 30,000 e-mails that director Comey testified contained classified information but again, he acknowledged there were no markings on those 100 e-mails and so what we have here is pretty much what I have been saying throughout this whole year and that is that I never sent or received anything that was marked classified, Clinton said.

Now if in retrospect, which is what is behind the 100 number, if in retrospect some different agencies said but it should have been, although it wasnt, it should have been thats what the debate is about, she said.

But director Comey said there was absolutely no intention on my part to either ignore or in any way dismiss the importance of those documents because they werent marked classified, so that would have hard to do and I will go back to where I started, Clinton said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Irans Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh will visit Baku Aug. 7 to discuss the cooperation in oil and gas sector with Azerbaijani officials.

Zanganeh, who will accompany Iranian president Hassan Rouhani in his two-day visit to Baku, will discuss joint exploitation of oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, as well as development of oil and gas trade, in particular resuming oil and gas swap with Azerbaijani officials, Mehr news agency reported Aug. 6.

The Iranian minister earlier expressed Tehrans readiness for swap of crude oil and natural gas with Azerbaijan.

Earlier this week Irans Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Reza Araghi said that Tehran is negotiating with Azerbaijan to store its gas in the underground gas storage facilities of the country.

Araghi, who heads the National Iranian Gas Company, said that talks are underway with a private company on the issue.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, President Rouhani will leave Tehran for Baku on Aug. 7 to attend trilateral talks with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev and Russias President Vladimir Putin.

Rouhani is expected to discuss the expansion of trilateral cooperation in commerce, energy, telecommunications, environment, transportation spheres and the fight against terrorism.

Iranian president is also expected to have a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev to follow up the implementation of already reached agreements in commerce, industry, energy, culture, banking, consular facilities and telecommunications, in particular, in railway transportation.
Residents of Oak Creek, Indian- Americans, members of the Sikh community and lawmakers on Friday remembered victims of the tragic mass shooting by a white supremacist four years ago that claimed the lives of six Sikhs at a gurdwara in the Wisconsin city.

In Oak Creek, the local Sikh community will be organising the fourth annual Chardhi Kala 6K Run/Walk, blood drive, and food drive on August 6.

On Sunday the victims families are expected to speak at a function.

We hold this event to bring communities together, to bring people of various backgrounds together to show them who we are and to learn who they are in hopes of creating a stronger bond and preventing something like the August 5, 2012 shooting to ever happen again, said Navi Singh Gill, founder of the Chardhi Kala 6K event, and son of one of the founding members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

Building safe and inclusive communities takes sacrifice, dedication, hard work, and deliberate practice, Pardeep Singh Kaleka, eldest son of the late Satwant Singh Kaleka, the president of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin who was killed in the shooting, told NBC News.

If we dont bring people together because of fear, then we are cowards and have no business calling ourselves Sikhs, he said.

Six Sikhs were killed and three more were wounded, along with an Oak Creek police officer, when a white supremacist armed with a gun attacked the Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin.

Responding officer Brian Murphy was shot fifteen times before the shooter was brought down.

Four years ago a man driven by hate and armed with a gun invaded such a place, took six innocent lives, and, in doing so, attacked an entire community of the faithful. Todays anniversary serves as another reminder of the importance of engaging in a national conversation about hate in America and the policies we can enact to disarm it by keeping guns out of dangerous hands, said Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign in a statement.

Congressman Donna Edwards in a tweet urged people to honour the six victims and four survivors by acting to end gun violence.

We remember the victims of the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting four years ago today, said Ant-Defamation League (ADL) in a tweet.

Oak Creek reminds us all that backlash targets Sikhs, South Asians, Muslims, Arabs, said Sikh Coalition.
Portugals former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres maintained his lead in the second round of informal voting by the Security Council for secretary general, confounding expectations that a woman would ascend to the worlds top diplomatic job.

But he also received two negative votes on Friday, and could be out of the running if one of them was from a permanent member.

The 14 men representing their countries on the 15-member council gave the second spot to another man, Vuk Jeremic, the former Serbian foreign minister. The only woman on the council is US permanent representative Samantha Power.

Moving up to the third spot in the informal balloting called the straw pool was Susana Malcorra, the Argentine foreign minister and former chief of staff of secretary general Ban Ki-moon. Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, who heads Unesco, slipped to the fifth place from the third last time.

Although the council backtracked on expectations of transparency by refusing to disclose the voting, the veil of secrecy was ripped by leaks within minutes of the straw poll ending.

The president of the General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft declared, The lack of transparency is undignified for the UN and for the candidates.

Malaysias Permanent Representative Ramlan Bin Ibrahim, who presides over the council this month announced that 11 candidate took part in the straw poll but refused to announce the results, adding that Lykketoft would only be told the ballot had taken place.

Earlier in the week he reiterated the secrecy policy saying it was to take into account the sensitivities of the candidates and their comfort level.

The election process set a precedent for openness when it began with all the candidates announced publicly and made to face questions from the UN members as well as from civil society groups. But with polls, the council reverted to its tradition of secrecy raising the ire of Lykketoft and others.

The straw polls follow a complicated system of three types of votes, Encourage, Discourage and No Opinion. The system of coloured ballots to distinguish the veto-powered votes of the permanent members was not used.

Gutteres, who has also been the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, received 11 positive and two negative votes, while in the last round he did not get any discourage ballots. Malcorra got eight positive and six negatives, while Bokova had seven positive and negative votes.

The changes in the standings from the July straw poll reflect the subterranean lobbying and negotiations that are heating up as the election process gets more serious.

Several more rounds of straw polls will be held before a candidate acceptable to a Council majority and to all the permanent members finally emerges. These polls are designed to winnow the field and one candidate, Vesa Pusic, the deputy speaker of Croatias parliament, dropped out on Thursday.

Her statement on why she quit the race gave an inkling of how the election process is shaping up. After the first straw poll at the UN Security Council it became clear that the election of a new secretary general will go into the direction of a candidate from the organisation itself  a person who works or has worked at the United Nations, she said.

By tradition the office of the Secretary General rotates geographically and this time it is the turn of a European. None of the three from Europe so far has been from the East, and countries from that region have staked a claim.

There has also been a major push to elect a woman for the first time. Last year Power, when she presided over the council, and Lykketoft specifically called for women to be nominated for the job.

Bokova, who fits the bill as a woman from East Europe, is likely to face opposition from the US and Malcorra, who is from outside that region  Russia.

There is speculation that one of the negative votes for Gutteres was from Moscow as Portugal is a Nato member. Asked on Monday if he would cast a Discourage vote for him, Russias Permanent Representative Vitaly Churkin told reporters cryptically, Why should I? Hes such a good man.
Ken Hughes is a researcher in the Presidential Recordings Program at the University of Virginias Miller Center. Since 1998 the program has transcribed many of the secretly recorded White House tapes of six American presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Richard Nixon. Hughes is the author of a new book, Chasing Shadows: The Nixon Tapes, the Chennault Affair, and the Origins of Watergate (University of Virginia Press), which uses declassified tapes from the Lyndon Johnson and Nixon administrations to delve into how the 1968 presidential election set the stage for the scandal that forced Nixon to resign in 1974.

What was the Chennault Afair?

The Chennault Affair was the crime that got Richard Nixon elected president. In 1968 the biggest political issue with regard to Vietnam was whether to halt the bombing of North Vietnam in order to get peace talks started. Lyndon Johnson had two secret military demands that he insisted Hanoi accept: Respect the demilitarized zone that divided Vietnam, and stop shelling civilian populations of South Vietnamese cities. Johnson set these demands in June 1968, and finally in October Hanoi accepted. The demands remained a secret, so when Johnson announced less than a week before Election Day that he was halting the bombing and that peace talks would begin the following week, it looked like a political ploy [to elect Democrat Hubert Humphrey]. Nixon publicly said he was in favor of the peace talks, but in private he used a fundraiser named Anna Chennault as a go-between with the South Vietnamese government. On November 2, just three days before the election, the FBI, which had a wiretap on the South Vietnamese embassy phone, overheard Chennault telling the South Vietnamese ambassador that she had just spoken to her boss, not further identified in this conversation, and he had said, Hold on, were going to win. So Johnson knew the Republicans were interfering with his peace talks. On that day South Vietnamese president Nguyen van Tieu announced that Saigon would not be sending a delegation to Paris.

Who was Anna Chennault?

Anna Chennault was the widow of General Claire Chennault, a hero of World War II for his leadership of an American volunteer air squadron called the Flying Tigers that defended China against the Japanese invasion. She was the only Chinese-American woman to be a delegate to the 1968 Republican convention and raised a quarter of a million dollars for the Republicans during the campaign.

Why did the South Vietnamese boycott the peace talks in Paris?

One, they thought they would get a better deal from Nixon. Two, they thought that peace talks would lead to American withdrawal from South Vietnam, and they knew that South Vietnam depended on the American military for its survival. They knew peace talks would be the beginning of the end of South Vietnam.

Did Johnson talk to Nixon about what was going on?

Johnson knew the Republicans were interfering, but he did not have evidence against Nixon specifically. He confronts Nixon on November 3, and Nixon says, I would never do that. But we know from Nixons campaign speechwriter, William Safire, that despite Johnsons request that Nixon call Chennault of, Nixon didnt do anything to discourage her.

So how did this lead to Watergate?

Right after the election, Nixon did not know how much evidence was collected by the U.S. government with regard to the Chennault Affair. He knew that intelligence agencies had found something, but he didnt know what. FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, in his first meeting with the president-elect, bluffs and says that the FBI also had a bug on Nixons campaign planeof course, that had never taken place. So Nixon had to fear that there was some evidence of his own role, if any, in the Chennault Affair. Its one of the reasons Im convinced that Nixon was the force behind the Chennault Affair because he becomes obsessed with getting his hands on all the government documents related to the bombing halt. He claims that hes doing this because he thinks Johnson was engaged in political chicanery, but we know thats not the case.

You write that Nixon became convinced there was a secret file on the bombing halt at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, and decided to steal it.

Nixon needed a team to conduct the burglary at Brookings, and that was his motivation for putting together this illegal, unconstitutional Special Investigations Unit [the Plumbers, two of whose members were later arrested for planning Watergate]. While he later claims publicly that he put it together to protect legitimate national security secrets, we know from the tapes that really his motivation was to protect illegitimate secrets that could damage him politically.

He discussed the break-in on tape?

Yes, and thats key. The only breaking that we know for a fact Nixon orderedand he ordered it several timesshows just how important it was to Nixon to get his hands on these bombing halt documents.

Nixon thought he could use them to blackmail the former president?

Nixon says, I want you to break into the Brookings Institution and get this bombing halt report so I can blackmail Lyndon Johnson. That really is an extremely unlikely motivation. One, there was nothing to blackmail Lyndon Johnson about. Two, the main thing Nixon wanted from Johnson was support on the Vietnam War. That was something Johnson freely gave. Third, and finally, it was an enormous risk to engineer a break-in. It was a criminal act and an impeachable offense. So in order to justify doing that, even in his own mind, Nixon had to have a much more compelling reason than a fishing expedition for blackmail material. Im convinced that his real motive was to get all the evidence with regard to the Chennault Affair under his control. But the plan to rob Brookings got nixed.

Why didnt Johnson reveal what he knew about the Chennault Affair?

A variety of reasons. One, the way that the material was gathered through the intelligence agencies of the U.S., through the CIA, the NSA and the FBI. These were things that people like Secretary of State Dean Rusk said should not become involved in American political campaigns. Another concern was that although they had evidence of Chennaults involvement, they didnt have direct evidence against Nixon himself. And Johnson and his aides seemed to be genuinely concerned that exposure of this sabotage would damage Nixon so badly should he become president that he wouldnt be able to govern. So you see a Democratic administration putting itself above partisanship for the sake of preserving a Republican presidents ability to conduct his foreign policy. The final reason, which only came out on the tapes and that I find the most chilling, is that Johnson and Rusk thought that if the Chennault Affair was revealed, it would be the end of public support for the Vietnam War. If they were right and if that would have ended the war then and there, then more than 20,000 Americans who died under the presidency of Richard Nixon would have lived. The war would still have been lost, the communists would still have won, but that was the predictable outcome of American withdrawal.

These tapes were all recorded secretly. Does a president have an expectation of privacy for what he does in the White House?

Its hard for people post-Nixon to realize that before Nixon, presidents secretly taped and kept absolute control of those tapes and kept the fact of the taping secret. Nixon was not the first president to secretly record his White House conversations. We think he was the last. But Franklin Roosevelt was the first to do so. Eisenhower, JFK and LBJ did so as well. Since they had all maintained control of their tapes and kept their taping, by and large, secret, Nixon had every expectation that his tapes would remain in his control and that he would never have to worry about them being heard by the American people. And if not for Watergate, he would have been able to keep them secret. What Watergate did was turn the tapes into criminal evidence, and Nixon couldnt destroy the tapes. That is the only reason that weve got this priceless historical resource. So as people who love American history, we got incredibly lucky. Its not at all clear whether well ever be that lucky again.

Do you think presidents still secretly record in the White House?

I used to say no, and now I say I dont know. Im talking to you on a cell phone that is a more powerful and sophisticated recording device than the recording system that the president had in the Oval Office. We spend our days around equipment that has built-in microphones and built-in cameras. None of us fully understands how our technology works, but we all know it has the capacity to make these recordings.
Public memory is how a nation views its history. The United States public memory sees the Vietnam War as a struggle to contain communism that was traumatic for American society. Vietnams public memory is manifest in its museums, war memorials, military cemeteries, art and photography exhibits and battlefields. For the Vietnamese, the war was waged not over the spread of communism, but was the result of U.S. imperialism and part of a 30-year independence struggle.

This fluid historical memory of the war has changed, caused by social and political forces, including Vietnams desire to participate in the global economy. The tension between U.S. pressures for Vietnam to adopt free market capitalism and Vietnams desires to keep its political and economic sovereignty is a major theme of Schwenkel, an anthropologist who has engaged in extensive fieldwork in Vietnam. For the Vietnamese, the value in reconciliation is to bring about a more prosperous future.

The author also offers analysis of American veterans who return to Vietnam, who are seen (or, at least, portrayed in Vietnam) as repentant seekers of forgiveness. Schwenkel examines visual images of the war, and discourses on the contrast between images in the U.S. media, which portray violence and suffering, with pictures produced by revolutionary photojournalists, who are likely to include more sanguine images of wartime. In an example of transnational remembrance, Schwenkel shows how battlefield tours have to be presented in a way attractive to tourists, including Americans, and how museum exhibits on American war crimes, common right after the war, were removed as U.S.-Vietnamese relations improved.

The American War in Contemporary Vietnam describes the ongoing struggle inside todays Vietnam over memory and history. American influence and capital is a price the Vietnamese are willing to pay. Today the struggle is between the influence of American capitalism and Vietnamese socialism; previously the same struggle took place on the battlefields of Southeast Asia.

The author employs the scholarly vocabulary of anthropology and post-modernism and favors the anti-imperialist vocabulary used by the Vietnamese. This is done deliberately to dislodge U.S. perspectives in order to take the reader on an ethnographic journey through dominant modes of narrating and representing Vietnamese history. In spite of her claims of nonalignment, the effect is a narrative that appears sympathetic to the Vietnamese and critical of the United States. While the specialized vocabulary makes for a challenging reading experience, Schwenkels exploration, comparison and analysis of public memory of the Vietnam War is thought-provoking and provocative.

Indiana University Press, 2010
In the 2014 midterm elections Republicans took control of the Senate and won more House seats than at any point in almost 70 years. Obviously, said President Obama the morning after, Republicans had a good night. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) was more blunt: This is a real ass-whuppin.

The party of a president who is serving a second term often suffers from the electorates six-year itch. Once fresh faces have become all too familiar. So have the majority partys policies. In 2006 Democrats capitalized on George W. Bushs Iraq War gone wrong; in 1938 Republicans undercut FDRs overambitious plan to pack the Supreme Court. But even Election Day losers can still make bold, or desperate, efforts to secure their legacy.

Beginning in 1868 the Republican Party dominated national politics. Civil War hero Ulysses Grant won the presidency twice, and Republicans controlled both houses of Congress. In 1874, midway through Grants second term, that changed. The GOP lost only one seat in the Senate, retaining a solid edge. But the Republican House delegation was cut almost in half, from 203 representatives to 110still the largest loss of House seats in GOP history. Victorious Democrats saw their ranks swell from 89 to 179. (There were also a few Independents.)

Voters punished Republicans for greed, corruption and hard times. In 1873 Congress had given itself a pay raise, retroactive for two yearsa move dubbed the Salary Grab. In 1874 Grants treasury secretary resigned because of irregularities in pursuing tax delinquents. A bank panic settled into a long, grinding depression.

But the Republican Partys fortunes were inextricably tied to its most important postCivil War policy: the Reconstruction of the defeated South. Having won the war Republicans had to win the peace, but Reconstruction got off to an unsteady start. In the last days of his life, Abraham Lincoln suggested that Rebel states be reintegrated into the Union as soon as possible and that at least some black men get the vote. His successor, Andrew Johnsonno Republican, but a pro-war Democrat who had been put on the 1864 ticket to balance itpursued Lincolns first goal but not his second: State governments were reestablished throughout the South, but they imposed stringent codes regulating the labor of blacks and denying them a political voice.

In 1867 Republicans in Congress, led by problack rights Radicals like Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens, took Reconstruction into their own hands, requiring Southern states to adopt constitutions that established black suffrage. As a last resort, the U.S. Army would enforce federal law. The Republicans impeached Johnson and came within an ace of removing him from office. Grant was elected in 1868 as the Radicals candidate.

Radical Reconstruction formally allowed black civic engagement for the first time in American history. Southern states elected one black governor, two U.S. senators, 14 congressmen and numerous holders of lesser offices. Reconstruction also empowered white Southerners who had opposed secessionupcountry small farmers who had been shut out of power by plantersand Northerners who came south to uplift blacks or, less creditably, themselves. Southern Democrats naturally resented their new masters, hating politically active blacks and branding their white allies scalawags (if they were natives) or carpetbaggers (if they were newcomers). As time went on, however, Reconstruction became increasingly unpopular with the Northern public.

One problem was corruption. Reconstructed state governments spent a lot of money on schools, railroads and other public works, and some of it ended up in the pockets of lawmakers, white and black. Corruption was endemic in American political life, from the Grant administration to Tammany Hall, but accounts of corruption in the Reconstructed South were tinged with racism. South Carolina, reported one Northern journalist, labored under a mass of black barbarism.

Reconstruction benefited the GOP, since Southern blacks voted Republican. But once Reconstruction was seen as a partisan policya struggle, as one observer disdainfully called it, for the loaves and fishesit lost the support of liberal reformers eager to elevate the tone of politics. Republican liberals bolted the party and held their own political convention in Cincinnati in 1872, nominating veteran journalist Horace Greeley to oppose Grant. (Greeley also got the Democratic Partys nod.) Greeley, who had a long record of supporting high-minded causes, ran on the noble-sounding platform of local self-government, which in the South would mean white rule. Grant thrashed him, but liberals remained disaffected.

What most undermined Reconstruction, however, was the difficulty of enforcing it. The Ku Klux Klan, originally a social club for ex-Confederate officers, became, in the words of historian Eric Foner, a military force serving the interests of the Democratic Party, intimidating and murdering blacks, scalawags and carpetbaggers. In 1871 Congress had passed the Ku Klux Klan Act and Grants attorney general, Amos Ackerman, indicted hundreds of Klansmen in the Carolinas and Mississippi. As a result the Klan temporarily collapsed and 1872 saw what historian James McPherson called the fairest and most democratic presidential election in the South until 1968. But violence resumed in Louisiana, culminating in a pitched battle in New Orleans in September 1874. Thirty-five hundred members of the Klan-like White League overpowered a force of police and militia commanded by Confederate turned Republican James Longstreet, and captured city hall and the state house. Grant sent 5,000 troops and three gunboats to restore order. Six weeks later Republicans were routed at the polls nationwide.

Representative James Garfield (R-Ohio) attributed Republican losses to a general apathy among the people concerningthe negro. The election results certainly emboldened Southern insurgents. In December 1874 Mississippis White League drove the black sheriff of Vicksburg out of town, and moved through the countryside murdering blacks. Louisiana politics still festered, and the balance of power in the state legislature hung on the results of a handful of disputed elections.

Grant held firm at first. In January 1875 he sent federal troops to Vicksburg to restore its sheriff, and dispatched his old cavalry commander Philip Sheridan to evaluate the situation in New Orleans. Sheridan threw out the Democratic claimants, called for martial law and compared the White Leagues to banditti. Grant defended Sheridans brusque behavior, but he would not declare martial law and accepted a congressional report that divided control of the Louisiana government between Republicans and Democrats. Grant too sensed that the North was no longer willing to fight Southern Democrats. The whole public, he wrote in September 1875, is tired out with these annual autumnal outbreaks in the South. More accurately, Grant and the public were tired of suppressing them.

The presidential election of 1876 produced a famous deadlock between Democrat Samuel Tilden and Republican Rutherford B. Hayes. Part of the deal by which Democrats accepted defeat was Hayes pledge to end Reconstruction in the South. But even a clear win by Hayes would have produced some such result: He had promised during his campaign to support honest and capable local self-government in the SouthHorace Greeleys old program rephrased. The Republicans abandoned an unpopular policy, politics moved on and blacks would legally be second-class citizens for 90 years.

Democrats in 2014 faced stubborn problems: a lingering war in Iraq, a new war in Syria and a still sluggish economy. President Obamas personality had not changed, but opinions of it had: A demeanor that once seemed calm and cerebral had come to look aloof and arrogant. Congressional Democrats paid the price. Yet Obama is still president, and like Grant in early 1875, he is still capable of bold moves: In November he essentially granted amnesty from deportation to 5 million illegal immigrants by executive order. American politics accommodates both wave elections and rear-guard actions. By design the government has many moving parts, and they do not all move at the same time.
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UPDATE 8/11/16: Marvin Martin Sensenig pleaded guilty to two charges of animal cruelty. He paid a $300 fine for each charge plus $152.50 in court fees, according to the York Daily Record.

Original Story:

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A horse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday, and after a witness account of the incident was posted to Facebook, outrage swelled quickly.

The horse, unnamed in news reports, was pulling a cart full of watermelons along with two men along Bethany Road in the rural borough of Ephrata. The horse apparently became exhausted and collapsed. According to the Ephrata Police Department, firefighters arrived at the scene and hosed the horse in order to help cool it down, but ultimately the horse did not recover and was euthanized.

Witness Tawn Crowther posted photos of the incident on Facebook along with a description of what she says happened.

The horse was unable to pull a wagon full of watermelon and 2 grown men, Crowther wrote. So the Amish man walked beside the horse and beat it until it fell to the [ground]. At that point he continued to kick, hit, and pull on the poor seemingly dying animal.

Crowther went on to say that she called the police who she says initially were unable to help because the Amish are goverened under different laws. She later updated her post to say that a police officer reached out to her and was trying to help.

Meanwhile, Crowthers post was shared extensively on Facebook and in the local media, with many expressing outrage not just at the driver of the horse, but at the police for not taking immediate action.

The police did investigate, however, and as a result of that investigation, 20-year-old Marvin Sensenig was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. The investigation ultimately corroborated Crowthers account, finding that Sensenig unreasonably struck a horse that was overburdened with a heavy load.



The maximum penalty is a $750 fine and 90 days in jail per charge.
Back in June, it was reported that Freddie Gibbs had appealed European authorities attempt to extradite him to Austria after he was arrested in Toulouse, France after an alleged incident of rape that was said to have occurred in Austria in 2015. Well according to reports online, including the source @ Orf.at, the appeal didnt work out too well for the Gary, Indiana rapper because hes been reportedly locked up behind bars in Austria since last Sunday, July 31.

Orf.at reports that the French Supreme Court has confirmed that Gibbs was indeed extradited to Austria last week and is currently sitting behind bars at the Josefstadt, Vienna prison. Gibbs may not necessarily be charged with anything by European authorities, but hell definitely be questioned about the 2015 allegations.

No word yet when hell be a free man, but well continue to keep you posted as more details are available.



UPDATE: A statement from Freddie Gibbs lawyer, Theodore Simon, can be found below. It reveals that Freddie withdrew his extradition appeal voluntarily while free on bail in France. He has not been charged with any crime, but is rather under investigation. He maintains that he has been wrongly accused, and is cooperating with authorities in an effort to clear his name.



Mr. Freddie Gibbs while free on bail in France voluntarily withdrew his procedural extradition appeal. He did so to work cooperatively with authorities to assure a smooth transfer to Austria and to further enhance the opportunity for an expedited decision on the merits. Freddie has faithfully abided by all terms and conditions of his release and transfer set by the Court.

He continues to pursue every available means to demonstrate that he is absolutely innocent and that he has been both belatedly and wrongly accused. To be clear and accurate, to date Freddie Gibbs has not, we reiterate, Freddie Gibbs has not been charged with any offense. An investigation is continuing. Mr. Gibbs remains hopeful that a thorough and searching investigation will reveal the actual facts, including the absence of any scientific, physical, or credible evidence implicating him, thereby paving the way for his exoneration and return to his family and one-year old child.

Consistent with the available legal practices and procedures in Austria, Mr. Gibbs will ask the Court to release him on bail, under reasonable terms and conditions, as was done in France.

Through counsel Mr. Freddie Gibbs has consistently remained fully cooperative with law enforcement offices and judicial systems in both France and Austria and will continue to do so.

[Via]

Freddie Gibbs
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

One person was killed and two others were injured in a gas pipeline explosion near the city of Ganaveh in southern Iran, Ali Paknejad, governor of the city said.

The blast occurred early Aug. 6 on a 42-inch sour gas pipeline in Shul village, the state IRINN TV reported Aug. 6.

The resulting fire was contained early morning, Paknejad said, adding the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

The National Iranian South Oil Company, which is responsible for the pipelines operation, announced that the repairs on the pipeline will start soon.
Over the past 11 days, I have travelled nearly 3,000 miles, visited all 30 counties of Missouris 8th Congressional District and have visited almost 50 different farms and agricultural businesses. There were early mornings and long days in the scorching Missouri heat over the past two weeks, but that is nothing new to many of the incredible folks I had the opportunity to visit with. Getting to better know and understand firsthand the issues these hardworking farmers and small business owners are dealing with on a daily basis has been a great experience.

Each farm I traveled to over the past two weeks was unique and each farm family I visited had their own way of doing things, many of which were incorporating their own innovation into their operations. For many of the families, farming has been a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation. In Ste. Genevieve, I visited Oberle Meats, a sausage making business that has been a pillar of the Ste. Genevieve community for 146 years. Today, the business is still run by the Oberle family who have maintained the highest quality standards that have made their meat famous and the centerpiece of many Missouri families special occasions. I also visited 4M Vineyards which is a family run business that started out as an FFA project and has turned into one of the largest concord grape vineyards in Missouri. Or, the Marlers who own cattle, but also oversee a large timber operation. I even got to stop by Country Fish Farms in my hometown and visit the Cahills whom I have known since I was a kid. They help stock ponds, lakes and resorts across Missouri that allow many of us to enjoy the great outdoors even more and, during the winter, their farm attracts a family of bald eagles which is a sight to see.

Many of the farms and agriculture businesses I visited not only are committed to producing the highest quality products, they are also committed to the innovation and growth of the agriculture industry in Missouri. For instance, the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville is conducting fascinating research recognized across the world. The folks at the Delta Research Center study cotton and rice production as well as crop irrigation systems across the farmlands of southeast Missouri in order to develop better cropping and insect and disease-control systems. I visited Heckemeyers Sweet Sorghum Farm in Sikeston where owner Matt Heckemeyer is working to unlock sweet sorghums potential by trying it as an animal feed, food-grade syrup and potential fuel source. I visited Jayce Mountain Pork in Fredericktown that is using state-of-the-art technology to produce the highest quality pork product while maintaining the safest standards. Seeing how passionate these farmers and researchers are about developing new and innovative ways to keep agriculture strong in Missouri, I am confident that agriculture will remain our states number one industry and continue to get stronger into the future.

More importantly, this farm tour provided a fresh perspective on the struggles and issues that farmers and small business owners in southeast and south central Missouri are facing and how I can better serve and fight for the people who call our area home. Regulation happy Washington bureaucrats who have never set foot on a farm in Missouri continue to try every way they can to make life more difficult for those farmers who provide for the needs of our nation and the world and who just want Washington out of their way and off their backs. Washington is out of touch with rural America and they dont understand our traditions and values. For instance, of the 435 members in Congress, less than 100 represent rural America. This makes our struggle fighting not only Washington regulations, but also trying to educate other members of Congress about the importance of the parts of the country that help feed, clothe, and provide shelter for their families. I am incredibly proud to call Missouris 8th District home, and even more proud to be able to represent the amazing folks, and so many others like them, I had the great opportunity to learn about these past two weeks. As I continue to fight for our district, the names, faces, and families I get to meet increase my resolve and make the challenge to change Washington even more personal.

Jason Smith represents Missouris 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Contact him at 573-335-0101 or visit https://jasonsmith.house.gov
The Texas County Back-to-School Fair and Parents As Teachers Health and Safety Fair are Saturday, Aug. 6, at the community building at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds on North U.S. 63 in Houston.

Hours are 9 a.m.  1 p.m.

Organizations that would like to participate should call Bennie Cook at 417-260-2382.

About 150 students are expected.

The Masons will have its child identification program there, Cook said.
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iran has purchased Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles from Russia, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran has already received the Russian rifles and some units of the countrys armed forces have been equipped with the AK-103.

The AK-103 is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 round and it weights (unloaded magazine) 3.4 kilograms.

The rifles length is 943 millimeters and it uses 30-round magazines, the report added.

The report did not provide further information on the deal under which Iran purchased the rifles.


CATEGORY: Top Corporate Leader Award - Over 35 RANK: 6 Name: Dr. Trish Holliday, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Title: Assistant Commissioner and State Chief Learning Officer Company: Tennessee Department of Human Resources Number of people you lead  18 team members responsible for the learning and development of 40,000 + employees Email: Trish.holliday@tn.gov Our editorial team interviewed Dr. Trish Holliday from Tennessee Department of Human Resources at the Leadership Excellence Awards this past February. Here are some excerpts from the exclusive interview. What is your strongest characteristic you think has made you a great leader? I believe that leadership, at its fundamental level, is about relationships. Much of my success as a leader is a result of my focus on building and maintaining a relationship with those I lead. As the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for Tennessee state government, I have to make decisions that are not always readily accepted with enthusiasm. Many decisions require individuals doing things differently from how they have always been done, and many struggle with such change. I have a strong desire to build a relationship that creates a partnership that can remain strong in the midst of change, and even in conflict. I had the opportunity to practice this characteristic in my former career on the mission field wor...
US state of Massachusetts, nestled on the Atlantic coast in New England, has become the first state to prohibit employers from requesting that job applicants provide their salary histories.Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed the new bill into law on Monday.The move could lead to HR managers and hiring professionals being forced to re-evaluate how they assess a candidates value, given that many employers set the salary levels of new hires according to their salary history. The law will require that hiring managers offer a remuneration figure upfront based on an applicants worth to the organisation rather their previous rates of pay.Advocates of equal pay between men and women will welcome the news. As women can be underpaid compared to men who perform the same or similar role, a womans low salary in one job can lead to increased disparity between the genders if an employer determines a new employees salary based on their previous position. The legislation will also go some way to ensuring that minorities do not suffer similar disparities.The bill, which is now being pushed as a model for other states, received bipartisan support, with state senator Pat Jehlen, a Democrat, saying, I think very few businesses consciously discriminate, but they need to become aware of it.These are things that dont just affect one job; it keeps womens wages down over their entire lifetime.The law will not come into effect until July 2018, and includes other steps to combat salary discrimination, including banning companies from stopping workers telling others how much they are paid, a move designed to increase transparency about wages and help in uncovering disparities.
The Lake House/Facebook

There are so many incredible patios around Calgary to chose from.

Whether it's a spot to soak up the sun, people watch, or enjoy a breathtaking views, there's something for everyone.

Here are some choice places around the city to enjoy a refreshing cocktail while the weather's good.

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1. Ricardo's Hideaway

Ricardo's has brought some serious island vibes to Calgary's beltline. The oasis serves dozens of rum cocktails with homemade tropical fruit syrups that somehow never taste too sweet. The fragrant wall of greenery is actually all mint just waiting to be plucked and added to a mojito. Plus, the plantain chips are to die for.

Try: The Bad Mind. It's a refreshing shrub made with rum, strawberries and jerk vinegar.

2. Azuridge Estate Hotel

Overlook the valleys and enjoy the sun while sipping bubbles on our patio this summer!  A photo posted by Azuridge (@azuridge) on Jun 7, 2016 at 10:18am PDT

Just a 40 minute drive from downtown Calgary, Azuridge actually has three stunning patios including a gazebo overlooking the estate. The Priddis destination has the perfect view of southern Alberta's rolling foothills.

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Pro tip: The luxury hotel is sometimes entirely booked for special events, so it's important to call ahead and make a reservation.

Try: The Dangerous Diamond. Elderflower and prosecco is mixed with tiny pearls of Curacao  if a lava lamp could somehow look classy, it would look like this.

3. Cannibale

Have you tried the Horsewhip Flip? A portion of sales from this cocktail go to support various initiatives of the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association. #cannibaleyyc #giveback A photo posted by Cannibale (@cannibale_yyc) on Aug 4, 2016 at 4:02pm PDT

Cannibale is a full-service barbershop and cocktail bar. Don't worry  the name is not in reference to some sort of Sweeney Todd-inspired menu, but is actually inspired by the building's history. The Bridgeland eatery had a simple inscription on the old building that read "C. Annibale" for the former owner, so when the new speakeasy opened the name stuck.

Try: The Horsewhip Flip. Made with Alberta rye, bitters, lemon and a whole egg, a portion of the proceeds from this cocktail go to the local community association.

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4. The Lake House

There aren't many better views than this. The Lake House overlooks Lake Bonavista in south Calgary, and features a local menu that spotlights Canadian cuisine.

Try: The Bison Caesar. Not only were Caesars invented in Calgary, but this one has a local twist with the addition of bison jerky.

5. Ikemen Ramen Bar

Our patio is open today! Perfect weather for perfect ramen. Calgarian, where are you! We need you guys in Kensington pic.twitter.com/OUAiKhUSoT  Ikemen Ramen Bar (@CalgaryIkemen) June 18, 2016

If you're looking for a spot to people watch, look no further. This streetside Kensington spot serves up cold ramen and sake while you soak in the sun's rays.

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Try: The Handsome Gentleman. "Ikemen" means "cool guy" in Japanese, so this gin cocktail keeps it on-theme.

6. Vin Room

It's better than the bat signal! Our umbrella is up & our patio is open. Both locations open at 3pm today.#patio2016pic.twitter.com/dyQVa0MiLR  Vin Room (@VinRoom) April 18, 2016

The Vin Room's Mission location has a cozy patio upstairs most passersby wouldn't even notice from the street. The Elbow River is just steps away from this tapas spot, making for the perfect after dinner stroll.

Try: French 75. This white wine cocktail is made a bit brighter with the addition of gin and lemon.

7. Raw Bar

Raw Bar is located within Hotel Arts. The best part of ordering here  apart from the amazing vietnamese cuisine  is that purchasing a cocktail or dish gives you access to the pool.

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Try: Raw Bar Bubble Tea. Popping lychee pearls paired with prosecco and a matcha elderflower foam is basically the perfect summer drink.

Also on HuffPost:
A roar came over the crowd at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium at the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday night.

But it wasn't for the Brazilian team  that would come later.

Instead, tens of thousands of people stood up and cheered for the Refugee Olympic Team.

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The squad is made up of 10 athletes from around the world: five are from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one from Ethiopia.

They are all competing under the Olympic flag in an effort to raise awareness of the global refugee crisis, the IOC said last month.

"These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a news release.

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"These refugee athletes will show the world that despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit."

Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 65.3 million people have been forcibly displaced throughout the world. As many as 21.3 million are considered refugees.

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It says that 10 million people are considered stateless.

Also on HuffPost
Team Canada is seizing the moment to make its country proud at the 2016 Olympics. With a goal of 19+ medals and a 12th place finish, the athletes, led by chef de mission Curt Harnett, will be looking to best their London 2012 standing by one position, according to the Toronto Star.
The Blog Sunday Roundup

This week marked the beginning of the Olympic Games in Rio, but closer to home, Donald Trump gave us daily reminders of what a truly disastrous performance looks like. Trump opened the week by continuing his bizarre and appalling war against the Khan family, and then claimed to have seen a "top secret" video of U.S. officials unloading $400 million off a plane in Iran -- a claim refuted even by Trump's own communications director. On Wednesday, Joe Scarborough related a truly chilling anecdote told to him by a foreign policy expert: that during a briefing, Trump asked three times, since we have nuclear weapons, "Why can't we use them?" And Trump's unhinged and depraved performance is being judged accordingly. By week's end, one national poll showed him trailing Hillary Clinton by nine points, another by 15 points. And it's not just voters who are abandoning Trump's sinking ship. Three Republican congressmen came out against Trump, with one, outgoing Rep. Richard Hanna from New York, endorsing Clinton. Also endorsing Clinton were Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman and former CIA acting director Michael Morell, who wrote that Trump's character is "already damaging national security," and suggested that Trump has become an "unwitting agent of the Russian Federation." Meanwhile, pressure is increasing on Republican leaders who are remaining silent or hiding behind tacit endorsements. For those who may be waiting anxiously for Trump to "pivot," here's a news flash: There will be no pivot -- to pivot you have to have a moral core to pivot to. We know who Trump is and what he represents, and those leaders still backing him, like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, own more and more of it each day. Sitting on the Trump fence is as untenable as building the Trump wall.
Pope Francis greets volunteers at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland.

Photo credits: CNS.

Last week, about 2 million young people -- including nearly 4,000 Canadians -- gathered in Poland to hear Pope Francis speak at Catholic World Youth Day. Even if, like me, you're neither young nor Catholic, it is nevertheless an event with interesting ramifications for Canada and our politics.

World Youth Day happens every few years, and this was the first edition since the Pope released his encyclical Laudato Si' in 2015, which focused on environmental and ecological issues. It is a bold document: Pope Francis was unambiguous about the role humans play in driving climate change, and also about the need for changes in energy policy, in modes of production and consumption, and in the established structures of power.

For the youth who gathered in the height of summer, climate change is hard to ignore. This year will be the hottest one they -- or any person alive -- has ever seen, with each of the first six months of 2016 breaking temperature records. Here in Canada, the Fort McMurray wildfires have become the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history, and scientists tell us that we can expect a warming world to produce more and more extreme weather events.

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Pope Francis hasn't been timid in speaking about these issues. In September, after publishing the aforementioned encyclical, he became the first pontiff to address both houses of the U.S. Congress. His remarks challenged Republicans and Democrats alike to question whether their politics -- their most powerful tool to change the world for the better -- truly reflected their faiths where the environment is concerned.

Many young Catholics are paying attention to his example. Last week, two associations representing 10 million Catholic students worldwide called on their governments to invest in their futures by creating more of the clean energy jobs that they want to work in. Youth also made their voices heard at a conference about the encyclical, which was attended by high-ranking church officials and Poland's conservative minister of the environment. And Laudato Si' may be the first encyclical to inspire a hashtag, as people took to social media to pledge concrete actions they will take to live more sustainably.

A year ago, I publicly pondered whether the Pope's encyclical would shake up established ways of thinking about climate change. So far, the momentum seems to be on the side of action. In Canada, governments at all levels are putting more energy into climate policy than we've seen in many years. And that makes World Youth Day, where we can see both religious and generational dynamics at play, all the more fascinating.

There is a long and rich history of faith communities helping to drive progressive political causes, including in Canada. Pope Francis' leadership on issues like climate change may revitalize and expand that impulse in the Catholic community -- which is Canada's largest religious group, with more than 12 million believers.

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The result may not be overnight change, but the changes we do see will be reinforced by generational turnover. There is tremendous unity among young people on this issue: Canadians under the age of 35 are the most likely to be concerned about climate change, and to support the development of clean energy solutions.

Politicians are learning that lesson. It's telling that Preston Manning, my fellow parliamentarian and an elder statesman of Canadian conservatives, has taken a strong interest in environmental issues. We disagree on many things -- including the appropriate policy responses to climate change -- but we both see that the era of denying or downplaying this issue is over. Dealing with climate change has always been a moral obligation, but it's increasingly becoming a political necessity as well.
At least 14 people were killed and more than 20 others injured after terrorists opened fire and hurled grenades at a busy market area in the northeastern Indian state of Assam Friday, a top police official said, Xinhua reported.

The incident took at the busy weekly Balajan Tiniali market outside the state's Kokrajhar town, around 220 kms from Guwahati, where hundreds of people had gathered for trade. The terrorists came in an auto-rickshaw and started firing indiscrimately at the market.

"At least three to four militants attacked the market place in the afternoon. One militant has also been neutralised. We have launched an intensive operation to track down others involved in the terror attack," state police chief Mukesh Sahay told the media.

While 14 people lost their lives, those injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals where the condition of some are said to be serious, the official said.

Local TV channels reported the area has been cordoned off by the security forces and operations have been launched to track down the militants who are suspected to be hiding in nearby buildings in the area. Some reports said a building adjacent to the market place caught fire in the attack.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the attack. "We strongly condemn it. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families and those injured."

Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has also condemned the attack and promised action. "Whoever is responsible for this will not be spared. Our policy is zero tolerance for terrorism," he told the media in the national capital.

The state government has announced a compensation of five lakh rupees (9,000 U.S. dollars) to the family of each of those killed.

Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, police suspect the militants were rebels of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland in Kokrajhar, which has been fighting for a separate homeland for the region's ethnic Bodo people.

The chief minister hoped the people of Assam will maintain peace during this critical period. "I am sure people of Assam will definitely maintain peace and harmony. This is our sincere appeal to everyone," he said.
Let's not mince words about this: The Vampire's Coffin is a goofy movie, a Mexican horror-fest with rubber bats, balsa wood coffins, poorly choreographed fight scenes, and a "hero" (the star of The Brainiac, actually) who caps off practically every scene by coming close to wetting his pants. It also happens to be a surprisingly good-looking film, with cinematographer Victor Herrera ripping whole reams from the German expressionist playbook for his set up. Which makes for an unusual ToB episode in which Andrea Lipinski, Kevin Lauderdale, Orenthal Hawkins, and Dan Persons explore the paradox between production and content as much as they explore the film's copious flaws. Click on the player to hear the show, or right-click the link to download.
People hold up rainbow flags as they demonstrate during the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Rainbow Pride Parade in Bratislava, Slovakia on June 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO/SAMUEL KUBANI (Photo credit should read SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images)

When circumstances change, it might be time to reframe one's argument. Rebranding is a way of life in America, and it could work for the Movement as well. I've been attending the 2016 Lavender Law conference in DC this past week, following on the heels of the Democratic National Convention, last week, and have some thoughts.

For over a decade now I've been speaking and teaching on the biological and medical fundamentals of gender identity, and was extremely pleased to read the brief of the United States v. State of North Carolina filed on May 9, 2016, in response to the odious North Carolina HB2. The attorneys at the Justice Department saw fit to educate the court, not known for its scientific expertise, in the fundamentals of human biology. While many LGB attorneys were dismayed by that action, I believe it was necessary, and long overdue.

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I say that because the opposition to trans persons, be it the Pope's appalling statement based on his shocking ignorance that somehow children are being taught they can choose their gender saying that trans people represent the "annihilation of mankind" and trans children are a form of "ideological colonization," or the usual hate spewed by organizations like the American Family Association and Family Research Council, is always reduced to biology. Our adversaries always come back to sex, whatever euphemism they use -- "biological male/female," chromosomes, genes, etc.

And it does come back to "sex" in the legal arena, because it's the three words from the 1964 Civil Rights Act added to Title VII, "because of sex," that are a commonsensical bridge to gender identity protections and trans liberation. I'm a physician and scientist, so I'm drawn to scientific metaphors, analogies and explanations. I recognize using them is just one way to fight the battle, and maybe not the best way in some circumstances, but since our adversaries are drawn to such language, we must respond in kind. And, as I've noted over the years, it has been the growing recognition in federal court since 2000 that "sex" does include gender identity (and, more recently, sexual orientation), that creates the opening to move us forward legally as well as culturally.

Over the past few years we've been routinely using the phrases "assigned male (female) at birth" to explain that trans persons are born trans, that we don't simply choose it as the Pope foolishly imagines. That phrase doesn't role off the tongue, and the acronym, AMAB/AFAB, isn't well known. When the script for the recent trans rights ad that was produced for the political conventions was being written the term was considered and rejected because it's too arcane.

What I've been teaching, however, is that the problems that most trans persons face result from one simple, cursory observation -- the sex identification announced by the pediatrician in the delivery room. That observation, no more than a best guess, is rapid and accurate 98-99 percent of the time, so it's been very useful. But trans persons, because of the circumstances of their birth, bear a burden for their entire lives because in their cases it is mistaken. If we had a birth sign that distinguished our gender identity, rather than our genital anatomy, there would be no problem. Alas, we do not.

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So what gender transition comes down to is not a choice, and not a whim, but a foundational biological awareness of trans humans that they have the right to correct that medical error and live their authentic lives. Correct the medical error -- doctors do make mistakes, and some are very costly mistakes for which their patients pay, on occasion, with their lives. We need to acknowledge this is one class of mistake which can easily be rectified. Trans women are women, and trans men are men, as Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta said to the nation on May 9th.

That reframe -- Correct the medical error -- has a legal analogue. As I mentioned earlier, the courts have prohibited discrimination (in employment) on the basis of sex since 1964, with the progress accelerating since the landmark Supreme Court decision, Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, in 1989. Since the 1980s the courts have routinely carved out exceptions for gay and trans persons, with Ulane v. Eastern Airlines in 1984 being the most notable. Like Eastern Airlines, these exceptions should be completely dead and buried.

The trans community has benefited from a change in judicial culture since 2004 with the Smith case, winning most of our federal court cases since then. The LGB community is a much later addition to such success, with the first victories occurring in 2011 in the federal sector Veretto and Castello cases, and most recently the EEOC's landmark Baldwin v. Foxx last year.

Missing from our understanding and, hence, active arguing, for our civil rights, has been the fact that, like the medical underpinning of gender transition, our federal court actions are based, as explained by EEO Commissioner Chai Feldblum, on an attempt to correct an error from the past. Correct the legal error -- the Congress never carved out an exception to "because of sex" for sexual orientation or gender identity (except for Jesse Helms' hostile amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 did not have carve-outs). Federal judges did, beginning in the 80's, based on ignorance, prejudice, ideology or politics. In 1964 Congress did not know any trans persons, and if they did know gay ones they would not discuss them in polite company. Maybe if they had been able to they would have carved out an exception, but they didn't. It was only the activist conservative judges of the late 20th century who changed the plain meaning of the Civil Rights Act. Hence, all that our advocates and plaintiffs have been doing in the past few decades is correct those errors committed by the Reagan-era activist judges, who knew nothing of basic biology and were motivated by sufficient prejudice that they couldn't see just how obvious it was that both gender identity and sexual orientation were manifestations of sex.

We are at one of those forehead-slapping, face-palming moments, when the courts, building off the decade of trans victories is now ready, post-Obergefell, to do the same for the LGB community. Just read Judge Rovner's decision in the recent 7th Circuit Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College case, where she twists herself into a pretzel looking for some way to rule for Ms. Hively, before ultimately conceding defeat based on precedence, or stare decisis. She was begging for help from the Supreme Court, or an en banc sitting of the entire 7th Circuit (which Greg Nevins of Lambda Legal is requesting) to follow her logic to its inevitable conclusion -- that sexual orientation is a form of sex.

This is one of those losses that is really a victory when you dig more deeply. The door was opened last year when, in oral argument during the Obergefell case, the Chief Justice himself recognized that same-sex discrimination was sex discrimination. In a response to Michigan attorney John Bursch, the Chief Justice said,

I'm not sure it's necessary to get into sexual orientation to resolve the case. I mean, if Sue loves Joe and Tom loves Joe, Sue can marry him and Tom can't. And the difference is based upon their different sex. Why isn't that a straightforward question of sexual discrimination?
Hugh Laurie is returning to the medical profession. But anyone who expects to see the last doctor he played on television is looking in the wrong house.

The arrogant misanthrope Gregory House that Laurie played for years on Fox has been supplanted by Eldon Chance, a world-weary neuropsychiatrist, in a Hulu series that is simply called Chance and premieres Oct. 19.

"I don't really see any similarities," Laurie told television writers Saturday. "To me, the characters are massively different. Their practices are different. Their attitude to life is different, and the story that unfolds is infinitely removed from that other world."

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Like House, Chance tackles the tough cases. Unlike House, he does so with little hope and feels no thrill in the challenge.

He doesn't even treat patients, he notes in the pilot of Chance, which already has orders for two 10-episode seasons. He's a referring doctor, seeing patients who have been terribly traumatized and trying to find someone or some place that could help them.

One of his first cases is a woman who saw her father decapitated in a car accident.

"The best you can do," Laurie said, "is to hold someone's hand through a situation that almost unsurvivable."

After playing Chance and talking with real-life neuropsychiatrists, Laurie said, he concluded that "I wouldn't last a week in that job."

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But Chance, which was created by Kem Nunn and Alexandra Cunningham based on Nunn's book of the same title, doesn't just chronicle the depressing professional life of its title character.

One of his referrals, Jaclyn Blackstone (Gretchen Mol) (above), works her way into his life and gets him involved in hers.

It's not professional, but Chance is at a vulnerable point He's just gone through a divorce compounded by serious financial problems that include a large back tax debt incurred by his ex-wife Christina (Diane

Farr).

Jaclyn tells Chance her estranged husband Raymond (Paul Adelstein) has threatened her life, at the same time Chance happens to run into a menacing guy called D (Ethan Suplee) (above) who operates in an extralegal world previously unknown to Chance.

The story spools out from there, and Cunningham says its dark turns make Chance - sounding a little like Walter White from Breaking Bad here - feel both uneasy and more alive.

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"Chance feels he never had any effect on the world around him," says Cunningham. "He feels like he's part of a broken system. Gretchen's character and Ethan's character take him into a rabbit hole that show him how to become a person who can have an effect. They teach him how to become a man of action, whereas before, he was just a man of the mind."

"When we join the story, I think that Chance has reached a point where it has become intolerable to simply carry on knowing that he's not making a difference," says Laurie, "because that is, after all, what most of would like to have on our gravestones, 'They Made a Difference.' It's a modest ambition, but it's a pretty important one, I think."

Set in San Francisco, Chance has more than a whiff of film noir, particularly in Mol's shadowy character. Mol agrees, but says she tries not to make it overt.

"Shooting in San Francisco and knowing Vertigo and things, I think the trick is to try to not think about those things too much," Mol says. "You want to make something feel modern and let the audience be surprised if there is a noir aspect to it."

"One of the reasons noir is great is because the heroines are always so smart," says Cunningham. "That's what Gretchen reminds me of, the smart female leads of noirs like Gloria Grahame. Gretchen's performance to me is a throwback to that in the best way."

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Workers leave the new terminal two wing at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi December 20, 2014. Vietnam has started operating the new $900 million airport terminal that will nearly double the capital's flight capacity, the latest move in expanding what is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. Photo taken on December 20, 2014. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM - Tags: BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION TRANSPORT)

PERTH, Australia -- On July 29, loudspeakers and screens for national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines were hijacked in two major Vietnam airports in the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Offensive messages and what has been described by state media as "distorted information" about Vietnam and the Philippines' claims to the South China Sea were displayed on flight information screens and broadcast over the public address systems.

The breach forced many airlines across the country to perform all check-ins manually. According to Vietnamese media, Chinese hacking group 1937CN first claimed responsibility for the hack, but has now refused to confirm or deny any affiliation. However, the group has been associated with many other cyberattacks in Vietnam, according to Vietnamese news reports, and it is largely believed that this hijack is Chinese affiliated as well.

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The hack comes after the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling against China over sovereignty issues with the Philippines in the South China Sea, and it is the latest example of the fight over the South China Sea moving online. Though the ruling was in favor of the Philippines, the waters are contested by Vietnam, too, and any win against China for one is a win for all claimants.

Passengers crowd at check-in counters at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, July 29, 2016. (AP Photo)

The recent airport hack and the South China Sea ruling highlight twin issues facing Vietnam: what are cyberattacks by civilians going to do to Vietnamese-Chinese relations while Beijing and Hanoi are trying to be civil, and why does net savvy Vietnam lag when it comes to cybersecurity?

Nationalism and the Net

The battle for the South China Sea expanded online some time ago, and the Philippines has been involved in its own cyberwar with China as well. Last year the Hague's own Permanent Court of Arbitration website went offline, subject to a similar attack by suspected Chinese hackers. Cyberattacks across the world are now a political tool, and Vietnam is not unique (just see this list of attacks around the world from the first half of May), but what makes this situation worrying is the possibility that tensions in the region have been driving a serious increase in attacks it is not prepared to deal with.

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Hanoi is still managing disagreements with Beijing diplomatically, but managing Chinese nationalist attacks is something different. Hanoi has not publicly mentioned this to Beijing nor publicly demanded the government in China order a halt to attacks. Whether this has been discussed behind closed doors at meetings is unknown as is the certainty of the hacker origins. The populace are expressing their feelings in other ways; last week a Vietnamese border guard apparently scribbled "f**k you" twice into a Chinese passport showing the "nine-dash line" that designates Beijing's claim to territory in the South China Sea.

The hack is the latest example of the fight over the South China Sea moving online.

As investigations were underway on the airport hack, the minister of information and communications, Truong Minh Tuan, said he wanted no reprisals, stating, "I call on Internet users in Vietnam to remain calm and comply with the law, avoiding provocations or seeking revenge. Such actions would compromise socio-economic development and national security."

According to Tuoi Tre News, the Vietnam Security Information Association said that the attacks were "deliberate, well-planned and began long before [the 29th]." Cyberattacks appear to have increased greatly since 2014, when China moved its HYSY 981 oil rig into Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, for over two months. Vietnamese protests were unexpectedly large and violent then, with Taiwanese factories torched and Chinese and Taiwanese nationals evacuated by the government.

In December 2014, a Thanh Nien article reported that a survey of companies and organizations by the Vietnam Information Security Association found that, "20 percent of respondent firms expressed concerns that the East Sea/South China Sea tensions could threaten their information security." In 2015, some 10,000 sites were hacked, 224 of them reportedly government ones. Most hacks seem to attack businesses, but it is the Chinese nationalists that are an obvious worry to the country.

Activists hold anti-China placards during a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila, Philippines on July 12, 2016. (Ted Aljibe/Getty Images)

Net Savvy, but Net Safe?

When U.S. President Barack Obama visited Vietnam in May, he attended an entrepreneurs event at DreamPlex in Ho Chi Minh City. He described the country as "full of energy" and said, "You can spot it online, where tens of millions of Vietnamese are connecting with each other and with the world." He pointed out that a "leading global venture capital firm called 500 Startups just launched a $10 million fund here in Ho Chi Minh City."

Things have moved quickly indeed. For some years Vietnam has had one of the fastest internet uptake rates in the region. At the Obama event, Le Hong Uyen Vy, founder of Adayroi, an Amazon-like website in Vietnam, told a packed audience, "It's much, much better now because people are getting used to using their smartphone to order things online. Three years ago, when I first started, it was so difficult to get people online."

Meanwhile the government in Vietnam has been fostering startups since 2013 and put $110 million into the venture, with a large portion coming from the World Bank. "The diversity of the startups is a testament to the openness of the Ministry of Science," Tech in Asia reported. Startup fever is real, and foreign news became more interested in the phenomenon beginning in 2014 when the record-breaking game Flappy Bird, designed by a young Vietnamese developer, became one of the most downloaded apps in the world.

'Vietnam has seen a more rapid growth of the internet over the last few years than most other countries in the region and is one of the fastest growing internet countries in the world.'

The view from afar thus seems rosy, but those in the industry are more measured. Hai Nguyen, founder of financial startup LoanVi, told me that the term "startup" is still new to the government but that the government has begun to pay more attention even as infrastructure seems faulty (underwater net cables that link Vietnam to the world have repeatedly suffered, most recently during a typhoon).

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"Personally, I am surprised to see the appearance of C-cabinet level (minister, deputy minister and even deputy prime minister) to attend and speak at startup events within the last two years. I think this is the huge positive point," he said.

As for why the government falls short in protecting itself Hai could offer no serious answers but said it was a "transition time" and "[the government is] switch[ing] from [an] offline model to shar[ing] information online." But this "transition" should move faster.

Vietnam loves the internet. Cimigo, a Ho Chi Minh City-based market research firm said in a 2011 report: "Vietnam has seen a more rapid growth of the internet over the last few years than most other countries in the region and is one of the fastest growing internet countries in the world." Another report from April of this year said that mobile app downloads grew 60 percent in 2015 and overall net penetration went from 13 to 48 percent from 2005 to 2015, while it jumped from 20 percent to 72 percent in urban areas. New video on demand sites are also doing well, including NetTV which is owned by Viettel, which itself is actually owned and operated by the Ministry of Defense -- one of the ministries that oversees cybersecurity.

In this May 14, 2013 file photo, a Vietnamese man uses a 3G device to get online at a cafe in Hanoi. (AP Photo/Na Son Nguyen, File)

With that kind of commitment and advancement you might think that cybersecurity was taken care of, but it seems to be a slow moving process. A new information security law was passed in November of last year and it went into effect July 1. This was the first actual law to address cybersecurity. Previously, efforts had been piecemeal throughout other laws. Yet laws on how citizens use the internet have been common for a decade (see here for a 2014 summation I wrote). And despite not being prepared for cyberattacks, the government has perpetrated them in the past, purportedly hacking the Anh Ba Sam blog (whose founder was sentenced to prison in March).

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Ten years ago, a man sitting in a local internet cafe broadcasting his views across the net could be tracked and caught in a string operation. And in 2016 many government websites still seem vulnerable to cyberattacks, some from alleged Chinese nationalists.

Diplomacy, but Not Digital

Maritime disputes in the South China Sea are a major irritant to smooth relations between Vietnam and China. Carlyle Thayer, a longtime Vietnam expert and emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, wrote in a recent paper for the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs that Hanoi does not wish to derail the comprehensive strategic partnership it has with Beijing. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hanoi in November, bilateral agreements based on that partnership's cooperative framework were signed.

As the South China Sea issues flare up rather than resolve, it's hard to see that nationalist hackers will stop unless told, or forced, to.

As I wrote last month, Vietnam's reaction to the ruling that denied China its despised "nine-dash line" was, at the very least, muted. Antagonizing an upset Beijing or fomenting nationalism that could turn destructive were both unappealing ideas. Anti-China protests in Hanoi were swiftly shut down days after the ruling and Vietnam in the past has sometimes allowed protests so as to send a message to Beijing.

What is going to happen in the future is harder to say, but as the South China Sea issues flare up rather than resolve, it's hard to see that nationalist hackers will stop unless told, or forced, to. It probably is not the "next" front so much as just another area to battle over.

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Tracking a few dissidents, even when they get their own web security training, is not the same as stopping legions of talented Chinese hackers who have compromised systems the world over. But this latest hack has not simply pointed out that nationalism and the fight over the South China Sea is being dangerously disaggregated (I can't bear to use "disrupted") from governments to citizens, but it has also shown that one of Southeast Asia's brightest tech hopes has a terribly large chink in its armor.

Earlier on WorldPost:
By Eoin Bassett, International Living (Australia Edition)

The woman takes two wiry black hairs from a vial and dips them in water. She then puts them on a sheet of white paper. The stuff of forest magic lines her stall: powders, dried fruits, shrivelled nuts...slender feathers and strange leathery objects.



Kota Kinabalu Dragons, Malaysia

The hairs curl upward on the paper. Two earnest men look on. She is telling a fortune with those hairs...how, I'm not quite sure.

It's Sunday in the laidback Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu. Families trundle strollers past stalls of gamelans (a percussive instrument), curved knives, mulberry tea and squishy sea creatures kept moist in tanks. It's all here: dogs, cats, chickens, carved totems and a slick little man with a headset selling miracle cures.

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This street -- Jalan Gaya -- is famous for this weekly market, but you won't see many white faces. Expats in KK (as Kota Kinabalu is called) are a discreet bunch. You won't find the social clubs and lively art and restaurant scene of Malaysia's most popular retirement haven, Penang.



Pier View in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

But KK has much to offer. And there are foreign retirees here. This is the gateway to Malaysian Borneo and the thrills and adventure of Asia's largest island. English is widely spoken, people are friendly and curious, and more than half of the province is forest, much of it protected national parks. Elephants, orangutans, fruit bats, gibbons, clouded leopards and crocodiles ... 3,000 types of tree, 15,000 species of flowering plant ... extensive coral reefs ... spend your days exploring nature and your evenings at the movies or dining on the waterfront promenade.

Costs are low. You'll rent from as little as $450 -- that's short-term and flexible -- and added to that your monthly costs range from $800 to $2,000 depending on the lifestyle you chose. Eat out often in western-style restaurants and buy imported western goods and you'll be at the higher end. But where's the fun in that? Hainanese-style chicken and rice orhinava, a traditional ceviche-style dish of the Kadazan-Dusun people, are the perfect low-cost way to fill up.

The Kadazan-Dusun are the largest indigenous group, followed by the Bajau and Murut. The latter were the region's most feared headhunters, and there was a time that no young man of the tribe could marry until he had collected a head. But you're safe these days -- very safe in KK -- and you can take a day trip from town to visit with these people and even stay the night in their traditional longhouses.

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Orangutan in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Then there are the many festivals...Chinese New Year was in full swing when I visited. Many of the city's million or so population are of Chinese descent, along with Malays and Filipinos.

KK won't wow you with architectural wonders. Much of the city was destroyed in Allied bombing during the war. From some angles, it looks like the set of a 1960s Bond movie. The waterfront promenade is pleasant though, and you'll find traditional craft shops painted pastel yellow. It's a walkable place. But as temperatures average 28 C year-round, a good tip is to discover the shortcuts through the many air-conditioned shopping centers.

These shopping centers house all the big brands, gourmet coffee shops and food courts you could want. A visit to the food court in the Suria shopping centre is particularly worthwhile. Apart from the wide range of good eats at low prices (I had lunch for three bucks) you'll find a long balcony with views of the ocean and the islands offshore.

In fact, an easy day-trip is the 15-minute boat ride out to Sapi island where you can spend the day snorkelling. Gaya is the biggest island and offers trekking and white sands. It's only 10-minutes away and boats for both islands leave from Jesselton Ferry Terminal right beside the Suria shopping centre.



Ocean View in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Rentals are easy to find. I saw several buildings around town dedicated to serviced apartments. Close to the waterfront you can rent by the day or the month in Marina Court. Online rates start from $750 a month but my contact told me you can get a place there for as little as $450 if you come in person. And that includes electricity and water.

Buildings are shooting up around KK. I viewed one small apartment for sale at $105,000. But renting makes the most sense. Sure, some entrepreneurial sorts have set up tourism businesses, bars and restaurants. You can find Aussie, Italian and even Hungarian food. But for most folks, KK is probably at its best as an attractive base for a part-time, roving retirement.

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If, down the line, you feel like making this laidback city your permanent home, then it's worth mentioning you'll find good, affordable healthcare here.

From the city's airport, you can take advantage of fierce competition among low-cost airlines. Get to Bali in two-and-a-half hours, Singapore or the Philippines in just over two hours, and Taiwan in three hours.

This article comes to us courtesy of International Living (Australia Edition), leading authority on how to live, work, travel and retire better overseas. (Above pricing is in Australian dollars.)
Republican U.S. Presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign event at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine August 4, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

August 6th, 2016 marks the 71st anniversary of the day the United States became the first and only nation in history to use an atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, a second nuclear weapon -- this time a more powerful plutonium fission bomb -- was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Hundreds of thousands of people were extinguished within minutes. Seventy one years later we find ourselves in the midst of a presidential election and political crossroads that will have serious consequences -- not the least of which is nuclear. The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, has repeatedly said, using nuclear weapons is a real option for solving difficult political situations. In fact, he has asked military Generals why they have not been used more often. This election is a litmus test for Americans and nothing could be more important than how our next president reacts under pressure with respect to nuclear weapons.

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As commander in chief, the president has ultimate and unbounded authority over the use of nuclear weapons. There is no veto power, no second opinion and there's no turning back once the nuclear option is executed. Since 1945, when president Truman dropped two nuclear weapons on Japan in order to shorten the war, no other world leader has used these ultimate weapons of mass destruction. The president has the ultimate power to employ nuclear weapons, kill mass numbers of people and destroy life as we know it. We are now faced with our real nuclear option. Unless we make the right choice in November, a narcissistic and irrational, Donald Trump could be making the nuclear decision alone and on our behalf.

So let us consider the nuclear know-how of the Republican presidential nominee. It seems Mr. Trump has known everything there is to know about nuclear weapons for years. In 1984 as a 38-year-old real estate developer he said, "It would take an hour and a half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles. I think I know most of it anyway" 1 Thirty-two years should have been more than enough time to polish his expertise in the field. Trump has said he would seriously consider using "nukes". Given Trump's, history of shooting from the hip, pun intended, he is not qualified, rational or responsible enough to be "the decider" when it comes to the nuclear option. There is an abundance of material that should convince Americans that Mr. Trump cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons or our future.

In an interview with MSNBC in March of this year, when Chris Matthews referred to Trump not taking nukes off the table, Mr. Trump questioned, "somebody hits us within ISIS, you wouldn't fight back with a nuke?"2 In the same interview, Trump refused to say he would never use a nuclear weapon in Europe2. In a separate interview, he was quoted saying, "Europe is a big place, I'm not going to take my cards off the table3" in reference to using nuclear weapons in a continent that is home to some our closest allies.

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It was recently reported that Mr. Trump met with a foreign policy adviser and asked on three different instances why if we have nuclear weapons, why we cannot use them?4 Other foreign policy experts who have discussed nuclear strategy with Trump have said he lacks knowledge of the history of deterrence, and seems more interested in whether the US should ever use its nuclear arsenal5. Trump has also said that he has no problem with the proliferation of nuclear weapons to Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia5. Equally alarming is the fact that Mr. Trump has said he wants to be unpredictable with his use of nuclear weapons6.

Mr. Trump's remarks are almost as disturbing as his uncontrolled impulses and that's a scary combination for a leader with access to the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Trump's aggressive and retaliatory tendencies, demonstrated throughout his pursuit of power, are enough proof that he is unfit to have access to the nuclear codes. His recent public criticism of the Gold Star parents of Humayun Khan epitomizes his lack of reason and predisposition to retaliate against anyone who may disparage his oversensitive ego. The author of his biography went so far as to say, "I genuinely believe that if Trump wins and gets nuclear codes, there is an excellent chance it will lead to the end of civilization," and a former director of the CIA said he is very, very concerned because of how erratic Mr. Trump is7. Perhaps no one said it better than Hillary Clinton who contended, "a man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons"1.

So herein lies the real nuclear threat for Americans. If we elect Donald Trump the likelihood of nuclear war will be dramatically increased and it will be on us. So make your choice with your eyes wide open to the nuclear threat posed by Donald Trump. Mark your ballots accordingly, because similar to the president's power to use them, the effects of nuclear weapons are complete and unforgiving.

Sources:
Anti-coup protestors on the streets of Istanbul, July 16, 2016.

The eastern Mediterranean has witnessed two military coups in the last three years: Egypt's on July 3, 2013, and Turkey's on July 16, 2016. In both cases, it appeared that the military stepped in to oppose a president committed to the steady centralization and Islamization of the country's government.

Both ruling political parties, Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), had their roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, and both parties have been accused of having a hidden agenda, notwithstanding their avowed commitment to respecting the political process. The similarities notwithstanding, the coups had widely different outcomes, and their consequences will have far reaching implications for the international politics of the Middle East.

The Egyptian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood had announced the formation of the Freedom and Justice Party on February 21, 2011, in the wake of the 17 day, Arab Spring inspired, revolution that had toppled the Mubarak government. The party's leadership, President Mohamed Morsi, Vice President Essam el-Erian and Secretary General Saad El-Katatni, were all chosen from the Muslim Brotherhood's "Guidance Office," the organization's senior leadership council.

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The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt, in 1928, as a Sunni Islamist religious, political and social movement committed to installing the Quran and the Sunnah as the foundation of the state and society, and the adoption of the religious Sharia law. Initially, the group focused on charitable and educational work for the poorer strata of Egyptian society, but it quickly emerged as a major political force and played a prominent role in the Egyptian nationalist and anti-colonial movement.

From Egypt the organization spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Its model of melding charitable works with political activism has been widely adopted by a number of Muslim Brotherhood inspired organizations - most notably Hamas.

The FJP made quick political inroads in post-Mubarak Egypt. It won just under half of the seats in the 2011 Egyptian parliamentary elections, which when combined with the support of the Salafist Al Nour Party, gave it an overwhelming majority. Mohamed Morsi contested the 2012 presidential election for the FJP, polling 51.7 percent of the vote to become the first democratically elected president of Egypt.

Morsi's term as president quickly became controversial. The FJP used its majority in the Egyptian Parliament to force through a controversial constitution. Morsi issued a "temporary" constitutional declaration, later rescinded, that granted him unlimited powers, including the power to legislate without judicial review, which made all presidential decisions final and irrefutable until a People's Assembly was elected. In the meantime, he moved aggressively to appoint Muslim Brotherhood members to key judicial and administrative posts. His opponents called the moves a de facto "Islamist coup."

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By June 2013, anti-Morsi protests and pro-Morsi counter protests had become a daily ritual in Egypt's principal cities. On June 30, 2014, more than 14 million demonstrators, according to the Egyptian military, took to the streets to protest against Morsi. The next day, more than a million protestors converged on Cairo's Tahir Square. That same day, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAFs), the Egyptian military's ruling council, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Egypt's political parties, "to meet the will of the Egyptian people."

Egyptian protests against Mubarak government, January 2011

Two days later the Egyptian military detained Morsi and placed him under house arrest. The leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood was also arrested. In December 2013, the Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terrorist group. The organization was dissolved and its assets seized by the government. Since then, between 15,000 and 20,000 Muslim Brotherhood members have been arrested and imprisoned by the Egyptian government. Morsi was subsequently tried in Egypt for inciting violence, as well as a number of other charges. He was found guilty and given the death penalty. As of August 2016, he remains incarcerated.

The head of the Egyptian armed forces, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, was subsequently elected as the sixth president of Egypt. The election, which was boycotted by the Muslim Brotherhood and most political parties, resulted in el-Sisi winning 93 percent of the vote.

In one sense, the election of el-Sisi signaled a return to the military dominated governments that have marked Egypt's politics since the July 23, 1952 revolution. The military has continued its historic role as a major player in Egypt's economy and as a government contractor. In September 2013, for example, the Egyptian government awarded building contracts, without any competitive bidding, totaling one billion dollars, to companies controlled by the Egyptian Army.

On the other hand, el- Sisi has moved to defuse religious partisanship, becoming the first Egyptian president to attend a Christmas mass. He has called for the reform and modernization of Islam and moved to regulate sermons and school textbooks that "incite violence and intolerance." He has also moved to reign in Jihadist groups in Egypt and is fighting an Islamic State affiliated insurgency in the Sinai. El-Sisi has also called for a national goal to remove unsafe slums within two years, and outlined plans to build 850,000 housing units. By the spring of 2016, approximately 125,000 units have been built.

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Other ambitious plans include the widening of the Suez Canal (completed in July 2015), the creation of new industrial zones along the canal and a 2,600-mile expansion of the national road network. There are even plans to build a new capital city halfway between Cairo and Suez to relive Cairo's chronic overcrowding. Notwithstanding the historic unreliability of polling data in the Middle East, El-Sisi appears to be widely popular in Egypt, with most polls putting his approval rating between 70 and 80 percent.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, making the rabia sign in solidarity with Muslim Brotherhood protestors in Egypt, July 2013

Turkey's Justice and Development Party was founded in 2001, under the leadership of Abdullah Gull, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fetullah Gulen. The party, which had long standing ties to the Turkish branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been in continuous power in Turkey since winning the 2002 parliamentary elections. From 2002 through 2014, Erdogan was the leader of the AKP. In August 2014, he was elected president of Turkey.

When it was first founded, the AKP described itself as a pro-Western and pro-American conservative party, with "an agenda of social conservatism and economic liberalism." The party's tenure occurred during a period of unprecedented economic growth in Turkey. Critics, however, have accused the AKP of having a hidden agenda, and that it was pursuing policies designed to move the country away from the secular principals enshrined in the Turkish constitution.

Over the course of the last decade, and increasingly since he became president, Erdogan's critics have accused him of attempting to consolidate greater power, and of making the Turkish government increasingly authoritarian. Under Erdogan, the AKP has pushed for a strong, centralized government built around a presidential system of government and has reduced the number of government positions filled by popular elections in favor of state appointed ones.

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The government has moved to tightly regulate Internet use, and to discourage abortions and alcohol consumption. It has been heavy-handed in its use of the courts to punish its critics, especially those in the press. At last count, Erdogan had initiated more than 1,500 lawsuits, since withdrawn after the failed coup attempt, against various defendants, many in the media, for "slandering" the office of the presidency.

Under Erdogan, Turkey's historic pro-Western foreign policy has been seen as increasingly Pan-Islamist. Ankara has voiced support for the Hamas government in Gaza, organizing "volunteers" to deliver needed supplies to the region, a move that led to a highly publicized split with the Israeli government, since repaired, when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intervened to block the ships from landing in Gaza.

The Turkish government has also been heavily involved with the Free Syrian Army and other rebel groups fighting the Assad government. It has also been accused of aiding radical jihadist groups, like the Islamic State and the al-Nusra Front, and to turning a blind eye to Islamic States' smuggling of oil and antiquities into Turkey, or to the transit of jihadist fighters across its territory.

Anti-Erdogan, Protect Your Republic protests, April 14, 2007

On July 15, 2016, a group of Turkish officers, calling themselves the Peace at Home Council, declared that it had launched a coup against the government of President Erdogan. The Peace Council claimed that it had been forced to act by the erosion of secularism in Turkey at the hands of the government. The very term "Peace at Home" harkened back to a famous saying by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the secular Turkish Republic, following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Ataturk had described his policy as "Peace at Home, Peace in the World." The council also cited the Erdogan's government disregard for human rights and its steady reduction of democratic rule.

The coup proved short lived. Erdogan, in a Facetime interview with CNN Turkey, urged his supporters to take to the streets in defiance of the military imposed curfew. In Istanbul, General Salih Zeki Colak, commander of the First Army General Command, one of the four field armies of the Turkish military, declared that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) did not support the coup. Over the course of the next 24 hours, military forces loyal to the Turkish government, supported by local police forces, rounded up the rebels. Eight military officers escaped to Greece where they asked for political asylum. In total, 300 people were killed and 2,100 people injured in the coup attempt.

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Erdogan claimed that the coup attempt had been organized by Fetullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric and political activist, who has self-exiled himself to the United States. Gulen was one of the founders of the AKP and was a close ally of Erdogan for many years. The two found themselves increasingly at odds until they had a complete falling out in 2013, when Erdogan accused Gulen of being the mastermind behind the corruption investigations that exposed the rampant cronyism in the Erdogan government. Since then, Gulen has been accused of being a terrorist and has outstanding arrest warrants against him from Turkey. Ankara has repeatedly demanded his extradition to Turkey from the United States.

Erdogan also accused the United States and General Joseph Votel, the head of U.S. Central Command, in particular, of "siding with the coup plotters." On August 2, Erdogan accused the United States and Europe of supporting the coup plotters and "taking their side." That same day, the Turkish government filed criminal complaints against General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, and General Joseph Votel. Turkish newspapers have accused the CIA of being behind the abortive coup and of attempting to assassinate Turkish President Erdogan. According to the New York Times, a majority of Turks believe the U.S. had a hand in planning the coup.

Gulen, on the other hand, has accused the Erdogan government of staging the coup in order to create a pretext to carry out further purges of the judiciary, schools and military, all centers of anti-Erdogan opposition, and to impose further curbs on civil liberties.

In the roughly three weeks since the failed coup, over 8,000 people have been arrested, including 2,839 members of the Turkish armed forces, and 2,745 judges. Another 8,000 or so people have been detained, although not yet charged with any crime. In addition, 15,000 teachers and staff at Turkish government schools and in the Education Ministry were suspended, and a further 21,000 teachers in private schools had their teaching licenses revoked. In total, around 50,000 government officials and employees have been suspended. The government has also ordered three news agencies, 16 TV stations, 23 radio stations and 45 newspapers, 15 magazines and 20 publishers to close down their operations.

Regardless of the origins of the Turkish coup attempt, there is little doubt that the Erdogan government is using it as a pretext to rid itself of many of its long-standing critics in the media, government, military and education sectors.

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Two coups, two very different outcomes - both of which will have long-term consequences for Mid-East stability. In Egypt the el-Sisi government seems committed to rationalizing the Egyptian economy and improving social services for the country's most downtrodden. The cronyism, which has ensured that Egypt's military leadership profited from government contracts and its privileged role in the Egyptian economy, however, shows no sign of changing.

In Turkey, on the other hand, the AKP is clearly on a course to consolidating its power and, under the Erdogan presidency, centralizing governmental authority at the expense of civil liberties and a more pluralistic and secular society. How far that process will go, and the extent that the Erdogan government will abandon the secularism enshrined in the Kemal Revolution of 1922, remains to be seen. What is clear is that the path that Turkey is following is one that will put it increasingly at odds with the United States, Europe and, more importantly, with its NATO allies.
For nearly three years we waged a small, and at times hopeless, war against Bill Bratton. Not just Bratton the man, but Bratton the legacy. The parents who'd lost loved ones under Bratton's NYPD in the 90's--like Anthony Baez, Nicholas Heyward Jr., and Anthony Rosario--were some of the first to speak out. We all took to city hall steps in December of 2013 to protest Bratton's appointment by incoming mayor Bill de Blasio. New Yorkers of all stripes fought him at the city council, at colleges, and (how could anyone forget) in the middle of Times Square. We knew that Bratton the sequel was based on an original that had launched an era of mass criminalization.

Bratton is known internationally as the architect of Broken Windows policing, the controversial policing philosophy which advocates crackdowns on low-level quality-of-life offenses. He also increased the firepower of police-issued semi automatic guns and even lashed out at a parent group during a town hall in the Bronx in 1995, calling them a "bunch of fools." It was this hard-charging, zero-tolerance approach that permeated from Bratton's person to his ideas on policing.

And yet, his grand re-welcoming under an allegedly 'progressive' administration ignored this history. He was hailed as an innovator and someone who, his supporters in political circles and the media insisted, had saved a crime-ridden New York City.

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A sober look at his role in city history reveals an expansion of policing power that today is the heart of a national conversation. His other major policing contribution, CompStat, led to the numbers-based policing methodology that many, including a more politically calculated Bratton, said the city should move on from. This policing management system ensured that public safety always made crime stats the goal. But there were other numbers: a 1996 Amnesty International report noted the number of people shot by the NYPD or that died in custody went up in Bratton's first year. The number of civilian complaints also exploded.

CompStat also led directly to the quota system that ensures cops will constantly stay in constant contact with communities of color. Broken Windows and CompStat were said to have reduced crime, but what they did was ensure an expanded number of police interactions. Along with Broken Windows, this insured a very crude and physical form of surveillance. For business interests across the city, it also provided a sweeping mechanism that could displace undesirable segments of society with arrests and intimidation. These ideas were exported to other urban American cities. Quite literally, Bratton laid the foundation for many of the problems we see with policing, not just in New York but across the country.

Of course supporters of Bratton, by far the most powerful political figure in the city's modern history, will call this blasphemy. His conservative proponents say that he made the city safer, despite the fact that no evidence connects Broken Windows to the crime decline of the 90's. Meanwhile his liberal defenders insist he lowered stop and frisk under de Blasio, ignoring the fact that he in fact helped to usher in the rise of stop and frisk--and that today's self-reported declines began under Ray Kelly, his predecessor.

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It took the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement to create a window of debate around policing, which included a challenge to the gospel of Broken Windows. Bratton doubled down on his signature policing theory and at times seemed wildly out of touch for 2016: falling into bouts of reefer madness, bashing rappers as 'thugs' and wholeheartedly embracing the racist analysis of the five-decades-old Moynihan Report of the 1960's. There was also the huge corruption scandal led to the federal indictments of top NYPD officials, many who'd been promoted by Bratton while under investigation.

Still, Bratton towered over the city. During his second stint he ran roughshod over the city council, squeezing an extra 1,300 cops out of them last year. He twirled the mayor around his finger. His exit from city hall this week was a media bonanza, akin to the retirement of a Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning of policing.

However, the people most affected by his ideas--street vendors, subway performers, the homeless, to name a few--have been given little say in his legacy. The 'disorder' Broken Windows sought to tame were actual people. When Staten Island's Eric Garner argued with cops who ultimately killed him, he alluded to the interactions he'd had with cops before. "You're always messing with me!", he complained. The 43-yr old father and grandfather had been arrested dozens of times for low-level offenses. Thousands of New Yorkers who've been similarly steamrolled by Bratton's Broken Windows, can empathize. The interaction that led to Garner's death happens everyday.

There, voices, however, are not included in the summaries on Bratton's legacy. Liberal nonprofits and civil rights organizations took had mixed reviews of of Bratton, calling his second term "complicated" while still crediting him for changes to stop and frisk. This is a disgraceful position that ignores the racial and political turmoil that accompanied his 31 months in office. Then there was the local media, an impotent group of stenographers that loved him every minute he was here. Bratton was, after all, the most media-savvy police leader in America. All three major city newspapers, the New York Daily News, the New York Post and the New York Times, praised him in their editorials on his departure.

Amid all of the Bratton love letters in the media, one particularyly hagiographic roundup of Bratton stood out. It was that of a former cop and prosectur turned academic, Eugene O'Donnell, who described Bratton's departure as "the fall of Saigon for American policing" (NY Daily News, 8/2/16). It was something like that when Bratton left after the press conference announcing his resignation. With dozens of protesters (who've set up an indefinite encampment at city hall park to protest the NYPD) outside city hall gates yelling him, there was a surreal feel as he walked out of city hall for one of the last times. It was if Bratton could walk out and his ideas with him.

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It's never that easy.

His newest idea, like 'predictive policing' is already here. Bratton grew the size of the department, scored new equipment and technology and created two new anti-terror and and anti-protest units: the Strategic Response Group and the Critical Response Command. Incoming commissioner Jimmy O'Neill is a Bratton disciple. And while the public relations attempts at promoting 'community policing' or 'neighborhood policing' will be pushed forward by O'Neill, Mayor de Blasio promises a continuation of Bratton's idea. He is now the Broken Windows torchbearer. The fight continues with he and O'Neill's NYPD as well as the city council that generously funds it to the tune of over $5 Billion dollars a year.
Take a minute to think about the most valuable things in life. If you are like most people, your list includes things such as family, friends, fitness and finances (money).

Now, how would you rank these things on your list? It might surprise you to discover that many of those who are considered highly successful all rank the same thing at number one: time.

Why do these people consider time to be such a valuable asset? Shouldn't health be No. 1? Well, think about it: You can be healthy, and then get sick, and then regain your health.

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How about money? You can lose all your money, and then you can make it all back.

Friends are important, and yet, how many friends did you have back in college that you no longer keep in touch with? Or even people who were guests at your wedding, and that was the last day you ever saw them? Yes, friends are prized, yet we lose them and make new ones all the time.

Your spouse might mean the world to you. And yet, 50% of married people get a divorce, and many divorced people find a new husband or wife that is suddenly the love of their life.

But time... You can never lose time and get it back again. You can't spend time and go earn more of it. You can't buy it, rent it, or borrow it. Use it wisely and enjoy the benefits. Squander it, and it's gone forever.

The Great Equalizer

Some people are born rich; others born poor. Some have Ivy League degrees, while others are high school dropouts. Some are genetically gifted athletes, others physically challenged. But regardless of our backgrounds and talents, all of us have the same number of minutes in a day. Time is the lowest common denominator.

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Think about how much attention you give to your money. Working hard to make money, tracking that money in your bank account, researching the best ways to invest said money, reading about ways to make more money, worrying that somebody might steal your money.

You would never leave your wallet sitting out in the open, would you? You would never give your ATM bank card and password to a bunch of strangers.

And yet we typically think little about our time. We routinely let people steal it away from us, even though it's our most valuable possession.

So how do we break free? Consider three examples of what I like to call "time-thieves", and how you can guard yourself from this particular form of grand larceny:

Meetings

Meetings are notorious for killing time. They start late, are poorly run, and often end without any material accomplishment.

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Mark Cuban once told me, "Never take a meeting unless someone is writing you a check." While we might not have the same level of control as Cuban, if you're sitting in a meeting and discover that you don't need to be there, just excuse yourself politely and leave. Even better, give thoughtful consideration before the meeting as to whether you should even attend in the first place.

Email

My poll of over 100 CEOs recently revealed that too much email is the No. 1 thing that's impacting their productivity. Research shows that breaking our concentration to respond to an email takes away more time than you might think. (This study by the University of California-Irvine estimates that it takes upwards of 20 minutes to regain momentum following an interruption.) Further, since we're constantly connected, we may be tempted to check email every free moment we get--instead of using those free moments to do something more productive.

The most successful people know that the temptation to check and respond to messages is strong. So, they shut off their notifications and only check messages at specific times during the day.

Helping Others

You want to be approachable and helpful. But you only have 1,440 minutes in each day. How can you help others while ensuring that you achieve your priorities?

Instead of having an open door policy, have designated times for communication--similar to "office hours"--when team members are free to ask questions and discuss issues. Doing so will keep them from becoming dependent on you and allows you to use your time more wisely. Another strategy is to pre-allocate the amount of time you'll spend each week or month helping others not on your team. How many "cup-of-coffee" or "pick-your-brain" meetings do you typically do? You can still say "yes," but if your allotted time for next month is up, you just say "yes" but schedule the meeting for the following month.

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I was asked by students at a journalism school to offer counsel about some of the lessons I've picked up during my career as a journalist. This is what I told them:



1. You have only one constituency in journalism: your readers.

2. Never forget who signs your paycheck: The owner. It is his / her

newspaper / TV station / Website.

3. A journalist is, above all, a story-teller.

4. Write simply and clearly.

5. Use verbs liberally.

6. Use adjectives sparingly.

7. Don't just tell: show and tell.

8. Use short sentences.

9. Make that extra phone call on your story before you write it.

10. Read your own story before sending it to your editors.

11. Journalism should be fun. If it isn't fun for you, then get a job in some

other field--like coal mining.

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12. All news institutions have their flaws, just like humans do. Instead of

just grumbling, make specific suggestions for positive change.

13. The purpose of newspapers and Websites is to educate, inform and

entertain readers.

14. Get the following right: names of individuals and institutions; ages;

titles; revenues of institutions, and the number of employees.

15. Instead of gossiping, read a book.

16. Sex is OK: in the bedroom, not at the workplace.

17. Take your job and your editor seriously, not yourself.

18. In the journalism business, you've got to be ambitious. If you don't

want to be famous, then join an ashram and meditate on your navel.

19. Newsrooms should be a no-smoking zone.

20. Always be polite to people, even if you think that you're smarter than

them.

21. Smart journalists always smile--sincerely.

22. Listen to people: you will get some great stories that way.

23. Always be fair to those you write about. How would you like to see

yourself maligned in print or on the Web for the entire world to see?

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24. Avoid anonymous quotes, especially "attack quotes."

25. Give as many details as you can in your stories: colors, smells, sizes,

shapes, flora and fauna. Stories should be word pictures; they should

transport the reader to where you, the reporter, have been.

26. No matter how smart you are, it must show in your work. How else

are people going to know how smart you are?

27. Being professional means never making excuses.

28. Always meet deadlines.

29. Explain, explain, and explain.

30. Always give context and background in your story. Don't assume that

the reader knows.

31. Smart journalism means that you acknowledge your mistakes and

quickly rectify them.

32. You have got to be sensitive to people's cultures, customs and

traditions. Just because they pray differently or eat different foods

doesn't make them inferior to you.

33. When in doubt, ask. An inquiring attitude never hurts a journalist.

34. A successful newspaper or Website is the result of disciplined team

work.

35. Working together doesn't have to mean shelving your ambitions. It

means channeling them better.

36. There's little point in shouting at people. Better to sweet-talk others

into doing what you want them to do.

37. A well-timed joke often defuses a tense situation.

38. Make others feel good about themselves after they've talked with you.

39. Never put others down, especially in public.

40. Believe in yourself.

41. Don't try and teach your grandmother how to suck eggs.

42. If you feel like saying something nasty on paper, don't. It will always

come back to haunt you.

43. Love your employer but not too much: Never forget that once you've outlived your usefulness, you will be tossed out.

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44. Pay your rent and other bills on time.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6

Trend:

The US Department of Justice will send a technical delegation to Ankara in connection with Turkey's request to extradite Fethullah Gulen, Milliyet newspaper reported.

On August 24-25, US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Turkey. Before his visit, a technical delegation of experts of the US Department of Justice will be sent to Ankara.

Officials of the US Consulate General in Ankara will also be included to the delegation.

The delegation will hold meetings in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey, and will study the evidences related to Gulens involvement in the July 15 military coup attempt in Turkey.

Afterwards, US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Turkey. Following Kerrys visit, Turkish Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will leave for the US and demand Gulens extradition.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246, excluding the coup plotters and, over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.
I feel a certain sympathy for Donald Trump at the moment.

After Khizr Khan delivered his Joseph Welch-like "Have you no dignity, sir" speech at last week's Democratic Convention, Trump lashed out, impugned the Khan family's integrity, and insulted Mrs. Khan to boot.

People reacted to it badly. And not just ordinary people, but lots and lots of Republicans. Paul Ryan called Trump's attacks on a Gold Star family "beyond the pale"; others have called them unpatriotic and accused Trump of crossing a line. This has left poor Donald confused and feeling victimized.

You can understand why, Though Trump isn't taking any advice from anyone about how to run his campaign, what he did to the Khan family was lifted straight out of the Karl Rove playbook. Twelve years ago, George Bush's re-election team turned the name of a US Navy craft into a verb: Swift-boating.

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In 2004, Bush was faced with a potentially embarrassing dilemma: How could a guy who skipped Vietnam (and who could not or would not explain the terms of his state-side military service) run against someone who actually did fight in Vietnam and was decorated for it?

Answer: run a scurrilous set of ads attacking the war veteran for his service.

So when Trump was called out by Mr. Khan for his own lack-of-service he was simply trying to Swift-boat the whole Khan family like Bush did to John Kerry in 2004. Although Trump probably thinks a Swift Boat is a rival casino.

Likewise, Trump's defense of his personal sacrifices for our nation sounds remarkably like those offered by Bush after he won that 2004 election. As his Iraq fiasco degenerated into chaos and civil war, Bush was asked by Jim Lehrer about what Americans were sacrificing for this war. Bush replied: "I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night."

First Lady Laura Bush shared her own noblesse sense of sacrifice in a 2007 appearance on the Today Show. Asked by Ann Curry about the hardships being endured by the men and women in uniform, Laura Bush responded, "No one suffers more than the president and I do."

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In fact, virtually all of the architects of and cheerleaders for the Iraq invasion were Vietnam-era men who skipped Vietnam. From Bush and Cheney and Attorney General John Ashcroft, to Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh and, naturally, Karl Rove. The list went on.

We had a name for them too: we called them Chicken Hawks.

The strategy of Swift-boating veterans by Chicken Hawks was previewed in a Senate race in Georgia in 2002. There Democratic incumbent Max Cleland had his patriotism and commitment to security issues impugned by challenger Saxby Chambliss in a series of ads. Cleland lost two legs and an arm when in Vietnam (making him, I think, the only triple amputee ever to serve in the Senate). Chambliss used a series of deferments to avoid the Vietnam War. He won that election and in 2009 Georgia Trend magazine named him Georgian of the Year.

For a generation now the GOP has been dominated by (white) men who chose to avoid the military when their turn came and believe that they can make up for it by yelling louder and being more bellicose than those who did actually serve. Donald is no different - he's one of them.

You can see why Trump feels betrayed by the party he now leads and owns. Like so much of what has come out of his mouth - the attacks on Muslims, immigrants, minorities and women - Trump has simply amplified (and perhaps even clarified) attitudes that have been perfectly acceptable among mainstream and successful Republicans for years.

So why the double-standard? Is it only acceptable to smear decorated war veterans if you're an establishment Republican, but not if you've hijacked the party and turned it into your own cult of personality? Shouldn't GOP'ers find Trump's statements reassuring since they resonate so well with their own?

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But of course maybe Donald should have noticed that hypocrisy is no stranger to the Republican Party. No one wants a Chicken Hawk in a foxhole with them.
PEDRO CLEMENTE MARIJUAN

While there is still no scientific consensus on what "life" is -- although that does not deter attempts to make life in the lab -- there is a growing conversation among scientists about life's "information" component. However, scientists also find it difficult articulating just what information is. So I phoned information scientist Pedro Clemente Marijuan in Spain to explore the subject. Marijuan's current research interests include "the nature of intelligence and the nature of information, at the molecular-cellular and organismic (brain) levels."

Pedro Marijuan is Senior Research Scientist at Spain's Aragon Institute of Health Sciences (IACS) where he heads the Bioinformation Group. He has also served as IACS Research Director (2011-2015).

In 1991, Marijuan co-founded FIS (Foundations of Information Science) with theoretical biologist Michael Conrad. Marijuan says one of the missions of FIS is "organizing a sound body of new thinking about the informational cohesion of the physical, biological and social realms" of science. He is also Vice-President for Protocol of the International Society for Information Studies (IS4SI).

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Pedro Marijuan's professional career began as an industrial engineer in the 1970s in Spain, working with computers in "enterprise organization," after receiving his undergraduate degree in engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Later inspired by John von Neumann's ideas, Marijuan began his own investigations into cognitive neuroscience, which led to his PhD (University of Barcelona, 1989): "On Natural Intelligence: The Evolution of Biological Information Processing." In the early 1990s he was a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Chicago, working with microbiologist James Shapiro, as well as at the University of Canberra.

Marijuan has taught engineering at the University of Zaragoza and is former SAMCA Chair at the Engineering School, University of Zaragoza.

Through the years Pedro Marijuan has organized and co-organized international conferences on information science in Madrid, Vienna, Paris, Beijing, Gothenberg (upcoming, 2017) and elsewhere, and a regular series of seminars in Spain on biomedicine and neuroscience.

He is author of the book, The Dual Brain and numerous other scientific publications, editor of "Cajal and Consciousness" (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) and of special issues on FIS published in the journals BioSystems and Symmetry: Culture and Science as well as of "Selected Papers from 'FIS 2010 Beijing.'"

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One of Pedro Marijuan's other principal interests is understanding the sound of laughter, its structure, and using that information as a diagnostic tool in biomedicine. Our interview follows.

Suzan Mazur: In between your careers as an industrial engineer and cognitive neuroscientist, you were a visiting research associate at the University of Chicago in the early 1990s, working with microbiologist James Shapiro. That's quite a range of expertise. What sort of research were you doing with Jim Shapiro in Chicago?

Pedro Marijuan: I was advancing an informational scheme of the prokaryotic cell in relation to James Shapiro's interest in developing new evolutionary ideas. At the same time I was learning real biology from James -- I personally thank him for his hospitality and patience. However, I realized I needed stronger insights into the molecular machinery of the cell and into enzymes and proteins, so I began collaborating with biophysicist and theoretical biologist Michael Conrad as well as with enzymologist John Westley.



Both were relatively close to James Shapiro's interests. Michael Conrad was especially influential; Michael pioneered molecular computing and adaptability in ecological information processes. He looked beyond science in his work to philosophy, art, and literature.

Suzan Mazur: Please tell me a little about your current research interests.

Pedro Marijuan: Here at the Aragon Institute of Health Sciences (IACS) in Zaragoza, I'm investigating cellular signaling systems, social bonding, and human laughter. I and my small bioinformation group -- Jorge Navarro and Raquel del Moral -- are interested in studying everything alive that communicates: cells, organisms, people, and the way human society is structured through social bonds, i.e., language -- talking face-to-face, by phone, texting, etc. Because it's through language that human society evolved, grew complex and interesting. People do need to talk to one another. If we don't speak, we don't feel well. Isolation is the worst scenario for human beings. Language, which was at first instrumental in humans, eventually became a necessity. How much do people need to talk? And to whom? I'm interested in how people and communities build and maintain societal bonds through conversation and what the consequences are when that natural communication process goes awry. To thrive, humans need to immerse themselves in social layers: An intimate layer ("family"), close friends, work relationships as well as general acquaintances. These bonds form a person's "sociotype." We have not only a genotype and phenotype, but also a "sociotype."

Suzan Mazur: Is this layering a perspective from your background in engineering?

Pedro Marijuan: Perhaps. I was an industrial engineer here in Spain during the 1970s, working with computers, in the field of "enterprise organization." I got terribly excited about the possibility of similar information processes in the human brain and in society. Then I read John von Neumann's book comparing the human brain to a computer. I began to realize the informational scheme of the single cell was missing in the scientific literature. I began doing informal research and wrote some newspaper articles, which eventually led to my PhD ["On Natural Intelligence: The Evolution of Biological Information Processing"].

Suzan Mazur: IACS, where you're currently Senior Research Scientist -- this is an organization focused on biomedical research?

Pedro Marijuan: IACS and its germane organization IIS Aragon cover all areas of biomedical research for the main hospitals in the Aragon region. Until the political change last year, I was Director of Research in charge of organizing teams, and focused on the many problems biomedical research has. I was reassigned as IACS Senior Research Scientist.

Suzan Mazur: Information science research.

Pedro Marijuan: Actually our group looks to find ways to apply information science to biomedicine. For example, we use information science as a diagnostic tool to study changes in the sound of laughter of depressed individuals. We've used it with EEG records, and to look for objective markers in fibromyalgia. We've also designed a questionnaire to gauge the sensitivity of the individual state of the sociotype. It's particularly helpful for the elderly because they suffer a lot from loneliness.

Suzan Mazur: You first wrote on the informational patterns of laughter 10 or so years ago. What was the thrust of that paper? Pedro Marijuan: I highlighted the social role of laughter and peculiarities of the structure of the sounds of laughter. We've written four or five scientific papers on laughter since then. Laughter is a very, very strategic way of communicating. It connects the physiological, psychological, cognitive, emotional and social. Laughter tells a lot about a person and their environment. It's highly personal. Why is someone laughing? Laughter may be particularly beautiful -- or out of context. Why is that? What are the main sound components we instinctively scan when we laugh? What is the emotional code attached to laughter? Suzan Mazur: It's interesting that comedy in America used to be spontaneous, quite funny, a healthy release of tension. We had comedy from the Borscht Belt, Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, early Woody Allen, 1970s Saturday Night Live. Michael O'Donoghue -- the comedic genius behind SNL -- was a friend of mine. By the late 70s, Michael thought SNL was no longer funny. Roughly around the time he left the show. That's not a joke, by the way. Comedy now in America, at least, seems uninspired, a captive of its commercial sponsors. Pedro Marijuan: Yes. I agree with you. I don't follow media much, but it's clear that individuals are now overloaded with new kinds of artificial information flows. When a person is systematically suffering information overloads, humor is a kind of canary in the mine, a barometer. Entering the mine, the canary dies or not. Humor, or lack of it, is an indicator of individual mental health and happiness, of a person's relationship to their social contacts and of societal health. We are seeing a rise in the number of depressed patients. We see an amazing increase in the number of people living alone. We are witnessing the accelerated loss of what Robert Putnam calls "social capital." The information revolution is contributing to these problems -- introducing surrogate bonds via new technologies that capture a growing portion of a person's time. People are alone, going from screen to screen, abandoning long-term rewards of face-to-face conversation, endangering their social bonds. Our very social nature is being denied, or mystified, and our sociotype is becoming dramatically flattened.



Suzan Mazur: I've interviewed Jaron Lanier, the "father of virtual reality" who has said regarding the digital world that humans may have taken a wrong turn for the right reasons and he predicts artificial intelligence ideology will reach a breaking point in Europe, but "the US will break first certainly, as we'll find out." His thinking is that human job displacement due to computerization and robotics will lead to a welfare state that can't be sustained.

Pedro Marijuan: Something similar happened with the first industrial revolution, with the second industrial revolution, and now we are suffering the consequences of the information and computer revolution. We have not developed the tools to successfully integrate all these artificial information flows with our natural information flows. The adaptability of our social nature, of our sociotype, has been pushed to the extremes.

In my info science parlance, the artificial flows of information that are reshaping the structures of our societies at tremendous speed are blind to the natural info flows to which our modest individual lives are upended. "No one to talk with? Do not worry, here's a pet robot that will fill your nostalgic needs of social bonding."

The power structure does not care about impoverishing people throughout the world through tremendous economic disruption and loss of intermediation structures; it pushes for even more disruption, impervious to the social crisis. It is urgent that we provide a new vision for human society because this disruption and endangerment of our natural information flow touches us deep, into our cells. Science has been particularly influential in creating these strange new problems -- and in leaving them unchecked! Science must now help find the conceptual tools to address this social unease all around us.

Suzan Mazur: Would you talk a little bit about your role as chair of the Foundations of Information Science and would you define what you mean by the term "information"?

Pedro Marijuan: I co-founded the Foundations of Information Science with Michael Conrad more than 20 years ago -- we coined the name FIS in 1992. Michael Conrad was a very great man, enormously enthusiastic and engaging. Among Michael's many contributions to science, he was one of the first to attempt an evolutionary model of the "vertical information flow" in brain behavior. He passed away in 2000. Michael brought most of the specific scientific content to FIS, while the multidisciplinary vision of FIS was largely mine.

Suzan Mazur: What do you mean by the term "information"? I once interviewed physicist Sara Walker on the subject. She's a collaborator of Paul Davies at Arizona State University. Walker defined information as "events that affect and direct the states of a dynamic system." How do you define it? Pedro Marijuan: The term is really undefinable because it's a relative term concerning the interaction between two entities -- the object and the subject. My favorite definition is "distinction on the adjacent." You cannot have an informational relationship with anything that does not "touch" you in some way. In order to make any distinction, something has to be "adjacent" to you. This is biologically meaningful. I've based my informational scheme of the cell on this thinking of "distinction on the adjacent" -- where molecular recognition is the essential phenomenon over which biological complexity has been developed. Myriad distinctions are factually created in the different adjacency relationships between biomolecules within the living cell, organized in informational architectures. There are dedicated informational detectors in the cellular membrane and the cell is open to directly communicate with the environment. Signals from the environment are treated quite differently from metabolic items. This distinction is crucial and it has been not dealt with specifically in the literature except by John Gerhart and me (at least to my best knowledge). John Gerhart was a very good developmental biologist in the 1990s, he worked on signaling pathways and developmental toxicology, and rightly emphasized the difference between signals and metabolic inputs -- and seemingly nobody paid attention to him.

Suzan Mazur: Is biosemiotics part of this?

Pedro Marijuan: Not really. Most of biosemiotics follows more or less directly the central dogma of Francis Crick, i.e., that information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins. And this is like basic mechanics. This is mechanical information that the cell has, of course.

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But, again, the cell communicates with the environment via specific signaling pathways. This is the essence of all prokaryotic activity. And this is the essence of multicellular development.

The whole signaling system has enormous complexity, even in "simple" prokaryotes, as they have sophisticated signaling with the environment -- the "1-2-3 component systems scheme." But the whole of biosemiotics, so to speak, is not founded on the ability to distinguish signals from the environment, to transduce them, and to build their meaning -- biosemiotics is mostly focused on abstracting transcription-translation flows.

Almost everybody has taken a shortcut in applying information views to life. Most have followed communication engineering (Claude Shannon). Others have taken the Turing machine view. Others von Neumann's operating system. And biosemiotics also is taking a shortcut, Peircean (Charles Sanders Peirce, "the father of pragmatism") -- though the generalization may be unjust for some biosemiotic works. Nobody's doing the deep thinking about the central issue: How information pervades cellular self-production and cellular communication. How both aspects are elegantly intertwined in order to achieve a viable life cycle.

Suzan Mazur: You're doing investigations into the dozens of signaling pathways, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, etc.

Pedro Marijuan: Yes, absolutely. We've written a couple of useful articles devoted to prokaryotic signaling and eukaryotic signaling on "cellular intelligences," about how productive information flows and communicative information flows are handled intelligently, adaptively, around the essential core of the life cycle. . . .

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Suzan Mazur: How large is your foundation, FIS? Has it grown a lot over the last 20 years?

Pedro Marijuan: It's a public place, and I'm coordinating and promoting the discussion sessions. There is a healthy plurality of views. We conference online, and we meet every two years or so.


Frank 'Maurice' Savino recently opened Brooklyn's Best on North Street in Pittsfield.

New York Style Italian Eatery Opens in Downtown Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Frank "Maurice" Savino loved the small Italian eateries, where the chef knew his name, what he liked, and always had something new on the menu.

When he moved to the Berkshires a decade ago, that intimate setting is something he missed. So last month, he opened up his own shop on North Street serving lunch, dinner, and to-go items all homemade that day and with a personal touch.

Brooklyn's Best intends to be exactly what the name the suggests  bringing the best Italian food from the New York City that Savino remembers as a child and that same vibe from those small businesses.

"Everything we make is special. We do small quantities of really quality stuff. A lot of our staple items that we always have like cannolis, eggplant parm, chicken parm, meatballs. When you come in and talk to me if there is something you like in a couple days I can source it out and make it," Savino said.

"In this area you have the volume but you also have the intimacy of getting to know people and what they like to eat. It's a way of the world that I think is becoming extinct."

In his thick New York accent on Thursday, Savino spoke with passion about his food, suggesting customers try the arugula salad made from ingredients picked the day before. Or he offered up a taste of eggplant he cooked up, throwing some on top of the margherita pizza. When a customer complimented the sausage he had the day before, Savino was quick to let him know when he'll be stocking up with more.

He likes to talk about the food, which he describes as "rustic mountain style" centered mostly around Italian.

That's the vision for the eatery. A vision based on quality Italian food and personality.

"I'm always throwing people tastes of this and that just so they can feel and understand food in a different way. It has become so cold where you go into a place and it is so routine. I want to get back to the days where I know everybody by name. If I don't know you by name, at least I want you to feel like  the best feeling for me is the guests saying they felt like they were in their living room," Savino said.

He is going to make the staple items but every week he plots out changes to the menu, giving a surprise to customers each day. He sources his vegetables from local vendors and he goes to New York City for the meats and pastas from businesses his family owns  the ravioli he claims is the best in New York.

Each morning, he heads to the small space at 48 North St. and starts cooking. From 11:30 until 2, the pizzas and strombolis are rotating out of the oven, while pasta and salads are being made.

"Do you want stuff sitting in a freezer or dry storage? Or do you want somebody who is waking up and creating just like your mom used to do when you came home?" Savino said.

With a small location featuring a communal table to give it the family dinner feel and some counter seating, his goal is to take what would be an expensive sit-down meal at a large-scale restaurant and offer smaller portions to keep the prices down in a causal close-knit atmosphere.

"I really loved sitting and breaking bread in a family style environment with people I didn't know or people I knew. It just enhances the meal," Savino said. "Family, food and love is what makes the world go round."

He's willing to cook for private parties or cater events (which he says he can serve large numbers thanks to a commercial kitchen he has access to in New York) or even just sell the uncooked food for people to make at home.

"The rotation of the food out of the oven doesn't stop. You can come in and there are three selections of pie for you  take a slice, take a salad and that's a lunch. But for people who aren't in that 30-minute zone, they come in and sit down at the counter and it is more of a typical dining experience. Then between 2 and 5 we get a lot of late lunchers and what is the real focus is the take and go," Savino said.

Later adding, "I see it as a place that is just a food mecca. It is the little engine that could. We make homemade mozzarella, homemade Italian sausage. We do these Italian strombolis."

He encourages customers to keep in touch through Facebook to find out what he'll be serving or when to book a private dining event. With groups, Savino says he can craft a dinner menu around what the customer wants or a price point the group is looking to pay.

Brooklyn's Best opened last month in the former Madeline's location, across from the Beacon Cinema. Salvino's family owned a second home in the Berkshires while he was growing up and 10 years ago he moved here full time. Pittsfield and North Street had been a location he's eyed because of the cultural push and efforts to revitalize the city  he wants to join the movement.

"Being up in this area I realized there really wasn't anything like this whereas in the boroughs of New York or in certain cities like Washington, D.C., there is a little more culture shown through mom and pops," Savino said.

The business is still in its "soft opening" phase as he adapts to meet customers' wants. He is currently open from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m, Monday through Friday but he'll close down for a private party or open up on a weekend or stay late for a personal request. He hasn't quite determined what his hours will be on the weekends.

Despite being only a month since opening, Savino already has repeat customers and word has been spreading. He says each day he gets more and more new customers.

In the future, he hopes to grow it into a full-scale food lounge.
Old Mill Trail runs along the East Branch of the Housatonic River in Jericho Woods. The 126-acre property has been donated to the BNRC. Kiosk along the Old Mill Trail. PreviousNext

Crane Donates Jericho Woods Conservation Group

DALTON, Mass.  Crane & Co. has donated 126 acres of woodlands, known as Jericho Woods, to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council.



The Jericho Woods property spans the communities of Dalton and Hinsdale, and has been protected by Crane and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife under a Wildlife Conservation Easement. In 2015, Crane donated 685 acres of land, known as the Boulders, to the BNRC.



"Crane has a long, sustained legacy of leading in the area of environmental stewardship," said Stephen P. DeFalco, chief executive officer of Crane Currency. "The donation of the Jericho Woods property to the BNRC will ensure that this wonderful resource will be preserved and maintained for the enjoyment of the community."


Stacks of new book 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' are displayed at a book store during its launch in Singapore on July 31, 2016. Rowling's books have sold more than 450 million copies of harry Potter since 1997 and been adapted into eight films. (Pho

On the morning of July 31, the launch of latest Harry Potter book enthralled Asia like never before. Hordes of fans dressed as witches and wizards headed towards bookstores to get their copies of the eighth book of the "Harry Potter" series. Between its two covers, the latest book has the script of the two-part play written by J.K. Rowling in collaboration with two unknown writers.



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The launch parties of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" began a little while after the world premiere of the play in London. The event set the stage for the series' return which captured the imagination of readers and movie audiences all over the world with every book. Rowling said, "Harry is done now," Reuters reported.



In Singapore, some 300 fans crowded the Kinokuniya bookstore at Orchard Road around 7:01 am to become one of the world's first people to get their hands on the copies of the new script.



Student Samantha Chua, 24, along with her boyfriend, wearing a Harry Potter-themed sweater was first in line. She had been waiting outside the fourth-floor bookstore since 5 in the morning, AFP reported. "We were here so early that the mall wasn't even open," she told AFP, "Yet so we had to come up through the cargo lifts."



"I grew up reading the books and I have a special place for them on my shelves but this will be my crowning glory," Chua added.



The play is set 19 years apart from where the last book ends and features a grown-up hero who is employed at the Ministry of Magic. And like many of his fans who grew up reading the books, Potter now an adult, is married to Ginny Weasley and has three children. He still wears his trademark round-rimmed glasses and has the scar on his head. In the book, he is helping his youngest son Albus, deal with his family's dark past.



The script's global kickoff on July 31 (the day which is also J. K. Rowling's birthday) happened concurrently with its launch at midnight in London, right after the play's premiere at the Palace Theatre earlier in the evening.



Hundreds of fans thronged London's famous Picadilly street to get their hands on a copy of the book. Elsewhere, in Portugal, anxious fans queued outside Porto's historic center Lello, the Gothic Revival-style bookstore. In Bangkok, around 40 Potter fans, gathered outside a large downtown mall overnight. The first in the line which started queuing at 6:30 pm on Saturday evening was 29-year old Sanpipat Huangsawat. He managed to finally get his hand on the book after waiting 11 hours."I feel very excited and it's great to be the first owner of this book in Thailand," he told AFP.



At a downtown bookstore in Hong Kong, dozens gathered to get their copies of the arguably the most awaited book of the year.










Inmates sleep on the ground of an open-air basketball court inside the Quezon City Jail in the Philippines. (Photo : Getty Images / Noel Celis)

A series of photos by AFP photojournalist Noel Celis depicting deplorable conditions of an overcrowded prison in the Philippines has made Internet rounds. Some even questioned the authenticity of the photos, not believing that they were actual scenes of everyday life in the Quezon City Jail. The man who took the pictures shared his reactions and thoughts regarding the photos.



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Celis declared that in no way were any of the photos staged or scripted, in a report by Forbes. He proved it by sharing a video on his Facebook page that showed that overcrowded prison.



Even if Celis visited the Quezon City Jail twice before shooting the photographs, he still was shocked when he saw the prison conditions during nighttime. He said, "I already visited that jail two times, but had no idea that at night it would be like that." He described the prison as "like hell" inside.



When Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Tacloban in Southern Philippines last 2013, Celis spent time there to fulfill his job as a photojournalist. Even if the typhoon killed over 10,000 people, he still described the Quezon City Jail as "closer to hell" than Tacloban.



Celis said his primary motivation in taking photos of the prison is not to win an award. He said he wants to raise awareness regarding prison improvement in the Philippines. According to a report by Time, the Quezon City Jail's capacity is only 800 inmates; however, there are currently around 3,800 prisoners inside.



Despite the horrible conditions, Celis noted that some of the inmates still feel lucky to be alive. The recent war on drugs staged by newly-elected Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has taken the lives of around 700 people since May. Some prisoners feel that it is better to be in jail rather than be out in the streets where they could possibly lose their lives.



The prisoners have to find open spaces for them to sleep. Due to the overcrowding, some inmates have to take turns in order to sleep. When it rains (the Philippines gets around 20 typhoons a year), the problem becomes worse due to the lack of shelter.



Below is a video containing some of the photos.






Centennial Symphony on the Beach

Whiskeytown, California - On August 20, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at Brandy Creek Beach, the National Park Service will celebrate its 100 years of service protecting the national parks land, historic and cultural resources of the United States. The celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Friends of Whiskeytown hosting beer and wine sales, along with food vendors. At 8:00 p.m. the Shasta Symphony will begin its performance by conductors Dr. Dwayne Corbin and Dr. Dan Pinkston, featuring vocalist Cy Myers. This is a free event and open to the public.

Visitors will be able to launch their own personalized floating candle luminary in Brandy Creek Lagoon beginning at 7:30 p.m. The rangers will supply a small disc of wood that serves as the floating platform for the white paper bag with a small votive candle inside. Each bag has been stamped with an area to write your personal message. Kayak volunteers will manage the drifting candle luminaries across Brandy Creek Lagoon. The Friends of Whiskeytown request a small donation of a dollar or more ($5, $10, $25) in exchange for your personal floating candle luminary. The goal is to fill the lagoon with candle luminaries during the Symphony.

In addition, park rangers will have tables set up at the beach for both children and adults to create small paintings during the event that will be displayed at the park Visitor Center the following weekend of August 26 thru August 28.

The Whiskeytown and the Redding Yacht Clubs have requested boat owners to light their mast with white lights and anchor off Brandy Creek Beach just outside the swim area during the performance. The U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 39 will be on hand to monitor the nighttime boat activities on Whiskeytown Lake.

"This is a wonderful way to celebrate a century of the National Park Service protecting all 412 national park sites across the nation, covering some 84 million acres, protecting both visitors and park resources," stated Jim Milestone, Superintendent of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. "Just like last year when we celebrated Whiskeytown's 50th Anniversary, we can now celebrate the National Park Service's Centennial Birthday in the same classy and unique way - having a symphony perform on the beach surrounded by an amphitheater of trees and a lovely lake," Milestone said.

Over 1,200 people attended last year's Symphony on the Beach. This event is being sponsored by the Shasta College Fund, Redding Bank of Commerce, the McConnell Foundation, Cosco.net, KIXE Public TV, JPR Jefferson Public Radio, and the Friends of Whiskeytown. A shuttle bus will take people from Brandy Creek Marina over to Brandy Creek Beach to accommodate overflow parking or you can walk via the short trail connecting the two areas.

For further information, please feel free to call the Office of the Superintendent at (530) 242-3410. Thank you for participating in the celebration of the Centennial of the National Park Service at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Emails can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "Symphony on the Beach!" as the subject.
Cote d'Ivoire's National Day

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cote dIvoire as you celebrate the 56th anniversary of your nations independence on August 7.

"Looking to the future, Cote dIvoire has many reasons for confidence, including your countrys robust rate of economic growth, a decline in poverty, and democratic progress in the wake of successful elections last fall.

"The friendship between our two countries is based on shared values and a commitment to working together closely to build prosperity, foster development, protect the environment, and safeguard the security of our citizens from violent extremism and other threats. We look forward to continued partnership with you in all of these areas and more.

"I offer my warmest wishes to the Ivoirian people on this special day and throughout the year to come."
ASEAN Day 2016

Washington, DC - Secretary of Stet John Kerry: "As we celebrate the 49th anniversary of ASEAN, we recognize the growing diplomatic, economic, and strategic significance of Southeast Asia. This region is one of the most dynamic parts in the world, and we know global peace and prosperity are closely linked with its future. Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN has advanced a rules-based order for the Asia-Pacific that protects the rights of all nations, large and small. ASEANs contributions to peace and stability are critical for economic growth, mutual security, and environmental sustainability."

"The U.S.-ASEAN partnership is now stronger than ever. The United States and ASEAN share a mutual interest in collaborating and sustaining order in the Asia-Pacific. 2016 has been a transformative year for ASEAN, as we have taken to heart the slogan put forth by Laos in its role as current Chair: turning vision into reality. The unprecedented number of cooperative endeavors we have launched and developed, from countering violent extremism to promoting womens entrepreneurship, is proof that our strategic partnership is a living reality and is producing concrete results that benefit all of us.



"This past February, the United States and ASEAN celebrated a historic milestone at the Sunnylands Special Leaders Summit, the first ever U.S.-ASEAN Summit held in the United States. One tangible outcome of this landmark event was U.S.-ASEAN Connect, a strategic, unifying framework that will further deepen our economic cooperation with ASEAN. This initiative is a part of a greater platform towards closer integration, engagement, and innovation in the region.



"Next year, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. We have come a long way, and ASEAN will continue to be a critical element of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, a central pillar of U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century. The United States looks forward to further collaboration with a strong ASEAN to make Southeast Asia, and the world, a better place."
Secretary Kerry's Phone Call With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Washington, DC - Secretary Kerry spoke today by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to preview President Obamas upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 Summit.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea, including efforts to implement fully obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2270
Bolivia's Independence Day

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Bolivia as you observe the 191st anniversary of your nations independence.

"Today, we join in celebrating Bolivias proud history, cultural diversity, and enduring social bonds. The United States remains committed to working closely with you to support economic development and strengthen democratic institutions, and we look forward to renewed engagement between our nations in the year ahead.

"On this joyous Dia de la Patria, I wish all Bolivians happiness and prosperity."
ASEAN Continues to Be A Key Focus as U.S. Businesses Remain Optimistic about Commercial Growth in ASEAN

Vientiane, Laos - U.S. companies remain optimistic about business prospects in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), even in the face of global economic headwinds and challenges, according to the annual ASEAN Business Outlook Survey, released today by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore).

In a poll of senior executives representing U.S. companies in all 10 ASEAN countries, 78% expect their profits to increase in 2017, with more than half (53%), reporting that ASEAN markets have become more important for their companies global bottom line.

The ASEAN region continues to be a dynamic and important market for U.S. businesses, and one that corporate executives cannot ignore, said Tami Overby, the U.S. Chamber of Commerces senior vice president of Asia. As our fourth-largest trading partner, growth in ASEAN also means more jobs here in the U.S. as our companies increase exports and sales to the regions expanding middle class. To continue this robust trading relationship, we must complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to solidify Americas commitment to the region. If we miss this window for TPP, it will have a significant negative impact on the U.S. economy over the long haul.

The ASEAN Business Outlook Survey, marking its fifteenth year, found that the regions economic growth was the top reason survey respondents expect ASEAN markets to be more important for their companies worldwide operations and revenues over the next two years, garnering 73%. The rise in middle class and consumer class emerged as the second most important indicator, with 46% of executives singling out that factor.

Americas private sector has invested more in ASEAN cumulatively than businesses from any other country. Our companies remain committed to the ASEAN region and we are certain that the TPP, if approved, will open the window of opportunity still wider, said AmCham Singapore Executive Director Judith Fergin.

Economic integration within the 10 countries is underway with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) aiming to further increase the competitiveness of the region. A near unanimous 93% of those surveyed believe the AEC is important to their companies future investment plans. The most frequently suggested future priority areas of work to enhance regional integration were combating corruption (62%), improving transparency (57%), and enhancing good governance (56%). Agreements like the TPP can help address issues like these by laying the foundation for a modern, high-standard free trade area of the Asia-Pacific region that includes four ASEAN countriesBrunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Fergin added, As ASEAN works to build a more integrated community, U.S. companies need to continue to work more closely with government officials and private sector counterparts from all ten ASEAN nations to identify policies that will best promote long-term economic growth and expand opportunities for all our businesses and citizens.
WATCH: This Restaurant in Pune Are Run by Speech and Hearing Impaired People
KickAss Torrents (Photo : Facebook)

When KickassTorrents was shuttered down weeks ago, torrent search engine Torrentz.eu has emerged as among the best KAT alternatives, alongside The Pirate Bay and ExtraTorrent. But the significant spike in traffic seen by Torrentz due to KAT's sudden demise proved short-lived as the service abruptly ended its operations, a new report said.



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Yet unlike KickassTorrents, which the U.S. government has taken down by arresting its alleged owner Artem Vaulin and seizing the file-sharing site's numerous domains, Torrentz' exit from the torrent scene appeared intentional.



"A few hours ago and without warning, Torrentz disabled its search functionality. At first sight the main page looks normal but those who try to find links to torrents will notice that they're no longer there," TorrentFreak reported.



Torrentz users that attempted to access their accounts were greeted with the message: "Torrentz will always love you. Farewell," somehow confirming the site's surprise exit. TorrentFreak said that Torrentz operators have reached out but declined to comment on the sudden shut down, leaving millions of torrents fans baffled by the unexpected halting of the service.



In another statement issued by site operators, it's readily noticeable that Torrentz referred to its operations in the past tense. "Torrentz was a free, fast and powerful meta-search engine combining results from dozens of search engines," the statement was reported by TorrentFreak as saying.



With the successive fall of KickassTorrents and Torrentz.eu, users are left to make do with the so-called alternatives led by The Pirate Bay and KickassTorrents. Or they can go for the various KAT mirrors and clones that have surfaced in the aftermath of the KickassTorrents shut down.



It's important to note though that not all these copycat operations that make use of the KickassTorrents brand can be called authentic. In a separate report, TorrentFreak exposed KAT.am, which immediately gained traction as the most popular KAT mirror, as nothing but a mere clone of TPB, and wearing the well-known KAT skin at the same time.



"The site is merely serving content from another well-known torrent site, The Pirate Bay," the report said, pointing to numerous searches performed on the site that when compared to TPB are identical.



The report added that when checking on the latest torrent uploads, the KAT.am contents mirror that of the torrent details found on The Pirate Bay.



At the time of writing, the KAT.am domain remains offline, taken down by the Hollywood group MPA, but its exact copied contents can be accessed through Kickass.cd and Kickass.mx, which no doubt are TPB clones claiming to be KickassTorrents replicas.






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Being single allows people to live their best, most authentic and most meaningful life and the idea of wedded bliss is largely a myth, a psychologist has claimed.

Professor Bella DePaulo told the American Psychological Associations annual convention in Denver that she wanted to challenge the conventional wisdom that getting married helped people live longer, happier and healthier lives.

She said she had looked at more than 800 different academic studies carried out over the last 30 years that mentioned single people.

The available findings are telling. For example, research comparing people who have stayed single with those who have stayed married shows that single people have a heightened sense of self-determination and they are more likely to experience a sense of continued growth and development' as a person, said Professor DePaulo, of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Other research shows that single people value meaningful work more than married people do  another study of lifelong single people showed that self-sufficiency serves them well: the more self-sufficient they were, the less likely they were to experience negative emotions. For married people, just the opposite was true.

There are 16.2 million single people in the UK, compared to 23.7 million married ones, according to Office for National Statistics figures for last year. In 2002, there were about 12.5 million single people and just over 23 million married ones.

Professor DePaulo, who described herself as single, always have been, always will be, said the reasons behind the relative popularity of unmarried life were rarely acknowledged.

Increasing numbers of people are single because they want to be. Living single allows them to live their best, most authentic, and most meaningful life, she said.

 What marriage would be like if we followed the bible

Single people are more connected to parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, and coworkers than married people are, and when people marry, they become more insular.

The preoccupation with the perils of loneliness can obscure the profound benefits of solitude.

It is time for a more accurate portrayal of single people and single life  one that recognizes the real strengths and resilience of people who are single, and what makes their lives so meaningful.

Professor DePaulo said married people were bolstered by the relentless celebration of marriage and coupling and weddings that I call matrimania.

Single people, in contrast, are targets of singlism  the stereotyping, stigmatizing, marginalizing and discrimination against people who are single, she said.

But academic studies did not support the prevailing idea of get married, get happier and healthier.

People end up about where they were when they were single. In other ways, results are exactly the opposite of what we have been led to believe, Professor DePaulo said.

Scholars are learning more about the risks of putting too much relationship capital into The One, and the psychological benefits of investing in The Ones.

They are also beginning to realize that genuine attachment relationships are not limited to romantic relationships or the bond between parents and young children."
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A father is fighting for his life after allegedly being punched during a suspected road rage attack at a busy junction.

The 37-year-old man was the victim of what police are calling a "vicious" and "unprovoked" attack after he and a van driver are thought to have bumped into each other's vehicles in Birmingham.

After stepping out of their cars, the van driver is believed to have punched the victim, causing him serious head injuries, before driving off.

West Midlands Police said in a statement that the father, who has a four-year-old child, was "in a critical condition" in hospital.

"The van driver is alleged to have punched the 37-year-old driver in what has been described as unprovoked attack. He suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains unconscious and in a critical condition," said the statement.

The incident occurred at about 6.30 pm on 5 August on a busy crossroads junction between Gressel Lane, Tile Cross Road and East Meadway in Kitts Green near Birmingham International Airport.

Detective Constable Katie Lees, from Birmingham's Violent Crime Team, said the victim's partner had become worried when he did not return home. She also called on the perpetrator to "search his conscience" and turn himself in.

"This was a vicious attack on a family man who was on his way home to his partner and four-year-old child," said Detective Constable Lees.

The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage Show all 10 1 /10 The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 10 - Leeds Leeds Town Hall - 46 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Creative Commons The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 9 - Birmingham Birmingham University - 46 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Creative Commons The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 8 - Canterbury Canterbury Cathedral - 47 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Getty Images The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 7 - Bristol A general view of Bristol - 51 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Matt Cardy/Getty Images The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 6 - Wolverhampton St Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton - 52 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Creative Commons The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 5 - Exeter The University of Exeter - 54 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Rex Features The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 4 - Hull Hull - 54 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Getty The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 3 - Peterborough Peterborough Cathedral - 54 per cent of people in the town regularly experienced road rage Commons/Wikipedia/Dzlinker The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 2 - Portsmouth The HMS Illustrious sails into her home port of Portsmouth - 60 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Nathan Dua/PA Wire The UK's top ten worst towns and cities for road rage 1 - Lincoln An exterior view of Lincoln Cathedral - the city is the worst culprit for road rage in the UK, with 61 per cent of people in the city regularly experienced road rage Getty

"The road is a really busy road and we are sure that there were lots of people who would have seen what happened and we are appealing for them to come forward.

"The victim phoned home as he left work - like he does every night - to say that he was on his way.

"His partner became worried when he didn't arrive home and it must have been devastating for them to discover the news that he had been injured in such a random and vicious attack."

Ann Pringle, a 70-year-old who lives nearby, said the junction in question needed a camera fitted to the traffic lights because of the number of incidents which occurred there.

"There is always trouble at the junction. It's a busy crossroads and there's always beeping because people don't want to wait to turn," she said.

"You probably get a bump once a month and a lot more near misses than that.

"They need to do something about it. I think there should be cameras on the traffic lights."

Another neighbour, who didn't want to be named, added: "I didn't see what happened but when I came out he was lying there and people were holding his head.

"Someone told me he was conscious when the paramedics arrived so I'm not sure what has happened.

"The police have been back doing door-to-doors earlier this morning, so I thought it was serious.

"It's horrible to think he was driving home to his child and then this has happened."

Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting from the Press Association
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A man accused of mudering an American woman in a stabbing rampage in central London has appeared in court.

Zakaria Bulhan, 19, did not enter a plea during the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Wearing a light grey tracksuit and carrying a handful of paperwork, the teenager mumbled his name, address and date of birth to the court with his hand over his mouth.

Recommended Read more Zakaria Bulhan charged with murder after Russell Square stabbing

Bulhan had no legal representation in the short hearing, where he sat hunched and held his face in his hand as the names of the victims were read to him in court.

When asked if he understood the charges, he nodded and gave the judge a thumbs-up gesture.

He has been charged with murdering of 64-year-old American Darlene Horton in a stabbing attack in Russell Square on Wednesday evening.

In pictures: Russell Square stabbing Show all 6 1 /6 In pictures: Russell Square stabbing In pictures: Russell Square stabbing A police forensic officer at work in Russell Square, central London, after a knife attack in which a woman in her 60s was killed and five people were injured. PA In pictures: Russell Square stabbing A police forensic officer at the scene in Russell Square, central London PA In pictures: Russell Square stabbing A private ambulance leaves Russell Square in London early on August 4, 2016, after a woman in her 60s was killed during a knife attack AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Russell Square stabbing Police at the scene of a stabbing attack in Russell Square in central London on August 4, 2016 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Russell Square stabbing A police officer lays flowers left by a member of the public close to the scene where one women died and several people were injured in a knife attack in Russell Square EPA In pictures: Russell Square stabbing The police cordon Russell Square in central London on August 4, 2016, AFP/Getty Images

Bulhan is also accused of five counts of attempted murder related to an American man, Australian man and woman, Israeli woman and British man injured in the alleged rampage.

 Russell Square attack: Woman killed in London was American citizen

Ms Horton was visiting London with her husband, Florida State University psychology professor Richard Wagner, who had been teaching summer classes in London. The couple had been due to fly home the next day.

Bulhan, a Norwegian citizen of Somali descent, moved to Britain as a young child and went to school in Tooting before studying IT.

He was remanded in custody and ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

Additional reporting by PA
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The price of pasta and other groceries has increased since the vote to leave the European Union, new data has shown.

The hikes are because of a weaker pound, which has made imported products - which the UK is highly dependent on - more expensive.

Price comparison website mysupermarket.co.uk, which compares all major UK stores, found the price of a shop rose by one per cent in July. In June, the price of 35 products was 82.83. However, following the Brexit vote, the same items cost 83.44.

In particular, pasta was ten per cent more expensive in July, and pasta sauce cost six per cent more. The price of onions had gone up by nine per cent.

The pound has tumbled by ten per cent since the referendum on June 23 and in July and is set to slide another six per cent, according to a Reuters poll.

But higher food prices are not unprecedented. In June, the National Farmers Union (NFU) warned of the possibility.

Sadly, we only produce 60 per cent of the food we consume, Meurig Raymond, president of the NFU told the Guardian.

Weve seen our self-sufficiency fall dramatically, so we are very dependent on imported food.

Brexit reactions  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit reactions  in pictures Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign look at their phones after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall AP Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave supporters cheer results at a Leave.eu party after polling stations closed in the Referendum on the European Union in London Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Mr Cameron announces his resignation to supporters Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Donald Tusk proposes that the 27 remaining EU member states start a wider reflection on the future of our union Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage greets his supporters on College Green in Westminster, after Britain voted to leave the European Union PA Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as referendum results are announced today Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Boris Johnson leaves his home today to discover a crowd of waiting journalists and police officers Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave EU supporters celebrate as they watch the British EU Referendum results being televised at Millbank Tower in London Rex Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall PA

A weaker pound will mean higher imported food value. I would say to government  [it] could easily be held to ransom by other parts of the world if there is a climatic disaster or if currency is weak.

Brexit was bad for farmers in other ways. Mr Raymond pointed out that European Union subsidies for British farmers amount to 2.4bn - 3bn a year, depending on exchange rates, and help keep the sector afloat.

The average income of a farmer was just over 20,000 in 2014, and 55 per cent of that was EU money, so thats how important that money is, said Mr Raymond said.
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A man has been killed by a falling tree as he slept in a tent in Edinburgh during the Scottish capitals world-famous Fringe festival.

Police said the camper crushed by a very large tree that injured another man who was sleeping next to him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene next to the Water of Leith in the early hours of Saturday morning, while a 35-year-old man was wounded.

Photos showed the remains of the tent beside the fallen tree, with part of the trunk removed as part of rescue efforts.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said the tragic accident happened at around 3.30am in woodlands lining the river in the Dean Village district.

A very large tree had fallen on a tent in which two men were sleeping and, sadly, one of the men was pronounced dead at the scene, he added.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA 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. 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"A 35-year-old man also suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical treatment."

Police said the tree is believed to have been toppled by natural occurrences and that officers were working to trace the mans next of kin.

It was unclear whether he had been attending the Edinburgh Fringe, where hotels, hostels and official campsides are swiftly booked up by hundreds of thousands of people flooding into the city.
Tesla Car Accident (Photo : Weibo)

Tesla logged its first self-driving vehicle accident in China on Tuesday at the North Fifth Ring Road in Beijing. The driver blamed the cars Autopilot for what happened.



However, Jalopnik noted that the video from CarNewsChina showed the Tesla S was moving rather slowly when it passed a parked Santana on the left about 100 feet after a warning triangle. Another vehicle before the Tesla left its lane to make room, but the Tesla car driver did not.



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It resulted in the Tesla crashing into the disabled vehicle because the autopilot failed to see it. No one was hurt. It was Luos first driving accident since he started driving seven years ago, reported Chinadaily.



However, the driver, Luo Zhen, saw it but his hands were not on the wheel when it happened since he appears to have set the Tesla on Autopilot. He apparently had five seconds to react.



After crashing into the Santana, Luo took over and manually stopped the car. He believes the accident is the result of a technical bug in the system of Teslas Autopilot and the carmaker should assume half of the 50,000 yuan it cost him for the car repair, while the other half by the Santana owner for illegal parking.



Luo finds Teslas claim of the abilities of its Autopilot system exaggerated because it only provided scant warning. He finds it only an assistance system that he could not fully rely on.



However, Teslas advisory states the driver must remain engaged and keep his hands always on the steering wheel even if the car is on Autopilot mode. Chinas laws also requires drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.



Since self-driving cars are relatively new, the countrys laws have not yet addressed the situation on who is responsible when such a vehicle gets into an accident. It is also unclear if the Tesla was on Autopilot when the accident occurred as well as if Luo would file a lawsuit against the carmaker.






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Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tottenham in north London this afternoon to mark five years since Mark Duggan was shot and killed by a police officer.

Shouting no justice, no peace, and holding placards with the names of victims of police shootings, demonstrators gathered at the Broadwater Farm estate where Mr Duggan grew up and marched to Tottenham Police Station.

White doves were released by the group, which included Mr Duggans mother Pamela and his aunt Carole.

The procession mirrored a protest carried out two days after 29-year-old Mr Duggans death on 4 August 2011 from a gunshot wound to the chest, which sparked days of riots in London and in other major cities.

A public inquest in 2014 found Mr Duggan's death to be a lawful killing, but protesters told the Press Association there was no sign of institutional racism changing in the Metropolitan Police.

Some carried banners saying Black Lives Matter and demanded justice for others who have died in controversial circumstances, including Jermaine Baker, who was shot by police in 2015, and Cynthia Jarrett, whose death in 1985 ignited tensions between police and the West Indian community in Tottenham.

Mr Bakers mother was also present at the demonstration.

Protesters march through Tottenham (Rex Features) (Rex)

Tottenham Rights campaigner Stafford Scott told the crowd that instead of being in a post-racial society, it is one in which racism is still creeping in.

And he suggested the Met's new counter-terrorism units may target people in Tottenham when they are not fighting terrorism.

In an interview with the Independent, Mr Duggan's best friend Marcus Knox-Hooke said he still hopes police will tell the real story behind his friend's death.

Look at the result of the Stephen Lawrences case or Hillsborough, these things tend to come out after a certain amount of years," he said.

"So, hopefully, one day is sitting down and he thinks: You know what? I need to tell the world what actually happened."

Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' Show all 4 1 /4 Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' pg-6-duggan-pa.jpg PA Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' DugganREX.jpg Rex Features Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' Pg-2-police.jpg Mark Duggan inquest: commission investigating police shooting that sparked summer riots 'not fit for purpose' 634155.bin Hugh Pinney/Getty Images

On Friday, Black Lives Matter protesters blocked traffic on a major road into Heathrow on a day of nationwide action.

Activists in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham took part in a nationwide shutdown to call for greater awareness of discrimination against black and minority ethnic communities on the anniversary of Mr Duggan's death and following a spate of shootings in the US.
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A peer on David Camerons controversial honours list has been revealed as multi-million pound donor to the Tory party.

The former Prime Minister has come under fire for the list he submitted just before leaving office, naming a total of 59 people in line to receive honours.

A leaked list initially revealed 46 names, to which a further 13 have been added to.

Released by the Cabinet Office, one of the recipients is named as Andrew Fraser, listed as a Conservative party treasurer.

But Mr Frasers full name later emerged to be the Hon Alexander Andrew Macdonell Fraser, who under the name Alexander A Fraser, donated 2.5 million during Mr Camerons premiership.

A former Barings banker, he went on to become the director of various hedge and investment funds.

Alongside Sir Mick Davis, a mining executive, he recently became treasurer of the party.

Mr Fraser hit the headlines in 1990s, then head of Barings Securities, when rogue trader Nick Leeson caused its collapse through speculative trading, for which he was jailed.

The latest honours list has reignited debate over reform to the unelected House of Lords, with questions being raised over who is being installed into the upper house, set to become one of the biggest legislative chambers in the world.

David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 David Cameron's premiership - in pictures David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greeting David Cameron at Buckingham Palace for an audience to invite him to be the next Prime Minister on 11 May 2010 PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha wave from the steps of Number 10 Downing Street on 11 May 2010 Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures On 12 May 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron said in a press conference with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was then deputy PM, they plan to "take Britain in a historic new direction" and Conservative-led coalition government would be united and provide "strong and stable" leadership Rex David Cameron's premiership - in pictures A decade ago, David Cameron visited the Arctic to witness the effects of climate change. However since coming to power in 2010, his government has gradually dropped down a succession of green policies David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David cameron told the then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Queen had purred down the line after he told her Scotland had voted against independence in September 2014. He was forced to apologise for breaking constitutional convention Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron greeted soldiers working on flood relief in York city centre after the river Ouse burst its banks, in northern England in December 2015 REUTERS David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Claims that David Cameron performed an obscene act with a dead pig and smoked cannabis during his studies at Oxford University spread around the world in September 2015. The extraordinary allegations were made in an unauthorised biography of the Prime Minister written by Lord Ashcroft David Hartley/REX Shutterstock David Cameron's premiership - in pictures In 2016, Mr Cameron was caught up in a worldwide scandal dubbed the Panama papers Reuters David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha with seven week old Regan as they meet her parents, first time home buyers Robert Arron and Kelly Jeffers at the Heritage Brook housing development in Chorley, Lancashire. David Cameron has joked that he wants "another baby" and said that he feels a "bit broody" every time he sees a newborn on the campaign trail David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for branding refugees in the Calais jungle camp as a bunch of migrants in January 2016 after thousands of refugees died in their attempt to cross the Mediterranean in 2015 Sky News David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during an EU summit meeting on 17 March 2016 at the European Union council in Brussels. Cameron was in Brussels to renegotiate deal of UK membership with other European leaders. The deal, sealed after hours of haggling at a marathon summit, paved the way for a referendum on whether Britain will stay in the EU AFP/Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures President Barack Obama shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on 22 April 2016. The President and his wife visited 10 Downing Street where he joined press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron and made his case for the UK to remain inside the European Union Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures After David returned from Brussels claiming victory in his renegotiation with European leaders, Boris Johnson announced that he will not support the Remain campaign. The prime minister said publicly he was "disappointed but Boris remains a friend" PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron makes a joint appearance with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as they launch the Britain Stronger in Europe guarantee card at Roehampton University on 20 May 2016 in London. The 'guarantee card' lists five pledges should Britain remain in the EU, including the protection of workers' rights, full access to the single market and stability for Britain David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016. Cameron announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union after a bitterly divisive referendum campaign AP

Mr Fraser is estimated to be the fifth biggest individual donor to the party within the last parliamentary cycle.

The two most generous donors, James Lupton and Michael Farmer, have already been bestowed peerages.

And the fourth on the list, Michael Hintze, was handed a knighthood.

Mr Upton, who also deposited 2.5 million into the Conservative coffers during the last parliament, also worked at Barings.

And another two former employees of Barings, Charlotte Vere and Jitesh Gadhia, were given peerages in the list.

Mr Fraser is one of the coveted few who donated enough to be part of Mr Camerons exclusive leaders group, an inner circle of businessmen who had access to the then PM and other ministers for lunches and other events.

He is also said to have paid 1 million for a fellowship to St Johns College Oxford.

The list, which critics have said reeks of cronyism, hands out 13 peerages and 46 honours,

Among the recipients is former chancellor George Osborne, Samantha Camerons stylist Isabel Spearman, his long serving aide Gabby Bertin, and Eton alumni Ed Llewellyn.

As the honours list row escalated one Tory donor, Ian Taylor, asked for his name to be removed.


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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has overturned a rule which forbade the LGBT pride rainbow flag from being flown at British embassies overseas.

The flag, recognised as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBT community, may now be flown from British government offices abroad to celebrate Pride and other events.

Philip Hammond, the previous Foreign Secretary, had insisted as recently as July only the union flag and a handful of others should fly.

Recommended Read more British Army marks Pride by lighting up Sandhurst with a rainbow

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesperson told PinkNews: The Foreign Secretary has agreed that FCO buildings, including at diplomatic missions overseas, can fly the rainbow flag in order to mark relevant international days such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and locally relevant events, such as local Pride celebrations.

It will be the choice of the ambassador or high commissioner to fly the flag. Local circumstances will also be taken into account.

The decision is likely to be welcomed by campaigners and was already recommended by a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee who, while criticising the FCOs apparent deprioritisation of human rights, said: We, along with many others, noticed the FCOs decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag for London Pride in 2015, which reversed the policy of the previous Foreign Secretary and separated the FCO from the numerous other Government departments which did fly the Rainbow Flag.

In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants on motor cycles during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central, London. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Daphne, a miniture schnouzer, wears a rainbow tie at a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Jennifer Saunders (right) and Joanna Lumley (left) pose in character along with performers in front of the Absolutely Fabulous/Stolli (vodka) Pride in London float PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London 'Pet Play' enthusiasts dress and behave as dogs during a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London A policeman kisses his fiance after proposing to him during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central London. PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Matthew Barzun (left) and Major of London Sadiq Khan attending the Pride in London parade PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

The decision by the current Foreign Secretary not to fly the Rainbow Flag at FCO buildings for Pride 2015 signalled an apparent change in FCO policy and sent a message that contradicts much of the actual work and objectives of the FCO.

We recommend that the FCO reverses its decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag for national Pride events.

The department, then still led by Philip Hammond, responded: The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times.

The only other flags that are flown are of the constituent countries of the UK and the UK overseas territories on significant days for them, and the European Union flag in certain countries. The UK is a member of, or supports, many organisations and associations, but does not fly any other flags.
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Authorities are investigating the death of a Moroccan teenager who set herself on fire after a group of people accused of gang raping her, threatened to release pictures of the attack online.

Eight young men abducted the then 16-year-old girl from Ben Guerir, north of Marrakech, last year and took it in turns to rape her, according to the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH).

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and were referred to the prosecutor for questioning. An eighth suspect was later arrested, the group told AFP.

The prosecutor later granted the suspects a provisional release and after being freed they threatened the victim, saying they would publish images of the rape, taken with mobile phones, unless the charges against them were dropped, the MAHR says.

This is the reason why last Friday [29 July] she set herself on fire, said the head of AMDH Marrakech, Omar Arbib.

The 17-year-old covered herself in a flammable substance and set herself on fire in a street in Ben Guerir, the Mail Online reports.

The girl suffered three-degree burns and died the next day in hospital.

Following her death, the prosecutor ordered the re-arrest of six of the eight suspects who were detained, Mr Arbib said.

The countries with anti-women laws Show all 5 1 /5 The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws

It is not yet clear why the other two suspects were not re-arrested.

In 2014, Moroccos parliament amended an article of the penal code that allowed the rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims.

The issue came to public attention when 16-year-old Amina Filali killed herself by swallowing rat poison in 2012 after being forced to marry her rapist.

The case shocked people in Morocco and received extensive media coverage around the world. It also sparked many protests against Article 475 of the Moroccan penal code, allowing the "kidnapper" of a minor to marry his victim to escape prosecution.

The law had been used to justify a traditional practice of making a rapist marry his victim to preserve the honour of the woman's family.
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A group of young volunteers have discovered an inventive way to prevent deforestation in remote areas of Zambia  by encouraging women to become entrepreneurs.

Project Optima, based in Kitwe, Northern Zambia, aims to curb charcoal use by producing cleaner, safer wood chip stoves, which consume less wood than charcoal alternatives. The project provides women with franchising packs, allowing them to sell stoves and the wood chips required to use them in their local communities at a small profit.

Edgar Chaloba and Naomi Chiluba, who are Zambian Challenges Worldwide International Citizen Service (ICS) volunteers, and their British counterparts Hannah Chen-Smart and Ryan Pugh devised the project as a way to switch charcoal using households to using sustainably harvested sticks of wood.

It will save the local people money in the long run. There is a huge burden on the poorer people to buy charcoal in Zambia, they live day to day and dont see future investment in cheaper and cleaner energy sources," said Ryan. "This is why we turned to micro-franchising  It uses the spirit of salesmanship and entrepreneurship that are already present in Zambian culture as a conduit  encouraging local development. If the stove is on a shelf no one will buy it, when you have a salesman explaining what the stoves are and why they are so beneficial, people are really interested.

The steady income comes through first selling a wood stove and then continuing to provide wood chips in local church and women's groups (Challenges Worldwide)

While Zambia is one of the most foliage rich countries on earth  with 60 per cent of its land mass covered in forest  it is also one of worlds most prolific deforesters. According to recent data from the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the deforestation rate in Zambia is currently around 250-300 thousand hectares a year  leaving experts concerned that Zambias trees could be gone completely by the year 2030.

One of the main causes of deforestation in Zambia is the use of charcoal. 90 per cent of the population use charcoal related sources of energy and about 75 per cent of households rely on it, according to the Stockholm Environment Institute  making charcoal a lucrative business venture and major source of livelihood for many people.

Recommended Read more Norway is first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation

Due to inefficient kilns used in production, farmers can only rear around 10kg of charcoal for every 100kg of wood burnt, leading to large areas of forest being cleared in order to produce large amounts of charcoal  and increasing demand is resulting in replacement trees not being planted fast enough and large areas of land being cleared completely of all forest. Female life expectancy is also affected in Zambia by charcoal use due to large amounts of carbon dioxide released when cooking.

There have been a number of projects in recent years to combat Zambias charcoal usage such as the UNs Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves  supported by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama  and in Zambia there is the Lusaka Sustainable Energy project providing households with cook stoves financed by German power utility RWE Power AG. However, as Challenges Worldwide CEO Eoghan Mackie points out, promoting an entrepreneurial approach, instead of providing aid, encourages local growth as well as protects the environment.

A Charcoal market just outside of Zambia's capital, Lusaka (AFP/Getty)

The enterprise-led approach not only creates jobs, but extends the reach of the new technology as more communities are able to be involved in the distribution chain. In many cases we have seen those resellers begin to deliver access to other forms of clean energy; such as solar power and water filtration systems. We have seen recent success with companies such as Vitalite and SunnyMoney in Zambia and Translight Solar and Solar now in Ghana. Challenges Worldwide are committed to delivering truly sustainable economic development through an enterprise first approach."

Ryan, Hannah, Naomi and Edgar are currently volunteers for Challenges worldwide ICS at Rainlands Timber, a Sawmill located outside Kitwe on the Copperbelt in Northern Zambia. Owner Nick OConnor employs local people and is allied with WeForest to help stop deforestation.

WeForest run a project where local farmers sign a contract to stop producing charcoal and section off an area of their land for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), where they let the natural bush grow back. Rainlands has adopted selling Peko Pe stoves on the sidelines for around 3 years  in order to recycle up waste wood from their own production and from local farmers. However, sales of the stoves have so far been limited to trade fares and specialist stores in the urban areas of Zambia where charcoal usage is much lower.

Local women from villages around the Copper Belt could benefit from sustained income and various health benefits (Challenges Worldwide)

However, the stove has a lot of benefits within small communities on the Copperbelt, according to Zambias Sustainable Agriculture Programmes (SAP) director Mpenza K. Mwanza: The improved brazier is a vital tool in reducing women's care work burden associated with the collection of firewood, and health implications derived from other known traditional heat energy sources. Additionally, the brazier alleviates the problem of environmental mismanagement by reducing deforestation.

Volunteer Edgar insists that there has been steady interest in the product and believes that the one thing left to do is getting them out there: I went to an Oxfam fair and you have so many local vendors asking if they can sell the stoves. Theres an appetite for the product, people really want to get involved.

The volunteers were inspired by existing micro-franchising within Zambia  with the already successful examples of phone companies MTN, Airtel, Zesco who enlist vendors to sell air time (data and minutes for mobile phones) on the streets. Word of mouth is really important in Zambia"confirms Ryan. Street vending is completely legal so people see it as a good thing  people in Zambia trust each other more than larger businesses, usually preferring to buy things from local markets than massive conglomerates. The business environment is full of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). People will tell you 'don't buy it through the company buy it through some guy.'

ICS volunteers Edgar and Ryan have been doing research with local farmers (Challenges Worldwide)

Essentially just selling the stoves wouldnt really work; so its worth getting the Zambian people to run their own businesses and make profit and a steady income.

The steady income comes through first selling a wood stove and then continuing to provide wood chips in local church and women's groups. The project aims to take advantage of what it calls the most lucrative agents for this kind of selling  local women. People like to do as their neighbours or family do, and women have very strong social connections to their local communities through groups. We can see the value women have in this country, we want to do it the way the Zambians like to do it and make a real difference.

To support Project Optima head to their crowdfunding page: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/optima. Ryan, Edgar and Hannah are volunteers for Challenges Worldwide ICS, a social enterprise supporting 1,500 small businesses in 40 countries. It is open to 18-25 year olds and is fully funded by the UK government. For more information or to apply to take part head to challengesworldwide.com
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A piano tuner in Atlantic City has scored a rare victory turning back casino-industry forces far bigger than him to thwart their efforts to seize and demolish his home by eminent domain.

A court ruling saying he can keep the house with no fear of the bulldozers and the wrecking ball has marked the end of a four-year nightmare for 69-year-old Charlie Birnbaum, who in his time has tuned pianos in local casinos for Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and others.

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Bought by Mr Birnbaums parents in 1969, the narrow, three-storey brick house sits in the shadow of the shimmering but currently defunct Revel Casino Hotel. The complex which cost $2.4 billion to build, declared bankruptcy in 2014 and has yet to reopen.

The Revel became a symbol of Atlantic Citys swift decline as a centre of gambling and tourism on the shore of New Jersey. Last week the owners of the Trump Taj Mahal hotel, which is no longer associated with Donald Trump, said it would close after a long strike by its workers.

Nearly twenty years ago, Mr Birnbaums mother and a home-help assistant were both murdered in the house and he turned the ground floor into a piano tuning studio in his mothers memory. The higher floors are rented out and he lives a few miles away.

Charlie Biernbaum on the roof of his house with the Revel Hotel behind him (ap)

The city, in the form of a body called the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, had wanted him and his tenants gone and the structure razed, allegedly to move forward with plans for a mixed housing and retail development in the area.

But a judge on Friday threw out the request calling it an abuse of eminent domain, under which government can take away a persons property if it is demonstrably in the public interest. The practice is abhorred by libertarians, who say it allows the trampling of property owners.

Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez, who two years before had ruled in favour of the city taking the house, which sits one block from the beach, noted that with all the economic set-backs in Atlantic City - including the problems at the Revel - there was no guarantee that the development plans touted by the city would ever actually go forward.

This has been a four-year process to finally hear this news that things can come back to some kind of normal, that our beloved place is still ours, and we can be part of whatever good is going to come to Atlantic City and it will, a relieved Mr Birnbaum declared. I can be part of it. Thats all I kinda asked for.

It's been a decision long overdue, he said. My wife and I were just so grateful and thankful for the outcome.

Judge Mendez first put a hold on the seizure of the tiny home last April citing his concerns about the viability of any development in the area. In his ruling on Friday, he said that the project the city put before him was not likely to occur within the foreseeable future given the history of failed projects in the past.

The city may not yet have given up on the are and Mr Birnbaums house, however.

John Palmieri, the CRDAs executive director, said the agency is disappointed in the ruling and will be examining the opinion to determine our next steps.
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A Muslim-American woman who was thrown off a Delta Air Lines flight last month says she and her husband were treated like criminals merely because of their dress and appearance.

Nazia Ali, who was attempting to fly back home to the United States with her husband Faisal Ali, were escorted off a Delta plane shortly before it left the gate in Paris on 26 July. They were meant to be flying back home to their three kids after a short romantic break in Europe.

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The incident is compounding fears of a rise in American islamophobia, in particular in the context of the US presidential election and the anti-Muslim rhetoric unleashed by the Republican candidate Donald Trump. Two Muslim-American women who work for the US government were removed from an American Airlines flight in Miami on Wednesday morning in similar circumstances.

In the case of the Alis, they were taken off the plane apparently after a flight attendant told the pilots that she was not comfortable with them sitting in the second row of economy. She said that Mr Ali had been sweating and that his wife, who was wearing a head scarf, had been on her cellphone while the plane was waiting to push back from the gate. Seemingly, the attendant also overheard them use the word, 'Allah', or God.

A member of the ground staff boarded the plane and asked them to leave and take their belongings with them. The plane subsequently left without them. Delta paid for their overnight hotel in France and found them seats on a plane the next day.

It was humiliating. We were treated like criminals, Ms Ali said. I thought, `We are American citizens. You can't do this to us. The case has been taken up by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which said on Friday it was filing a complaint against Delta and was asking the US Department of Transport to look into airline practices with regard to passengers

Asked at a press conference what she would like to see come of their experience, Ms Ali said, I want people to be educated. This was an international flight crew. They should be more educated than to make assumptions based on appearance.

We call on the US Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough examination into the prevailing practices of major American air carriers, including Delta Air Lines, and to develop policy guidelines on the objective factors that are to be considered when determining that a passenger may legally be removed from a flight, Sana Hassan, a lawyer for the Cincinnati branch of CAIR said.

Late on Friday, the air carrier, which is based in Atlanta but operates a hub at Cincinnati airport, issued its own statement on the affair.

New York's biggest carrier is Delta (Shutterstock)

Delta condemns discrimination toward our customers in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender, it said. As a global airline that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every day, Delta is deeply committed to treating all of our customers with respect. Delta continues its investigation into this matter and will issue a full refund of these customers airfare.

Karen Dabdoub, the executive director of CAIR-Cincinnati, lamented the recent spike in anti-Muslim sentiment in the US.

There are some politicians who will try to climb that ladder of success on the backs of American-Muslims, she said. Of course, we're not alone. These types of incidents are happening all across the country all too frequently. It is another symptom of the anti-Muslim behavior we see during the election season.

We had been in our seats for 45 minutes, Ms Ali, 34, recalled. The ground agent said, `Can you step out with me? We'd like to ask you a few questions.' So I said, `Do you want us to get our things?' And he said, `Yes, please grab all of your personal belongings. You're not going to be on this flight.' 

Her husband also related the details of being interviewed by the agent once off the plane, noting, He said to us, `You did nothing wrong. That's the way the world is right now. Both the Alis emigrated from Pakistan with the respective families and became US citizens 16 years ago.

Mr Ali, who owns a home health care company with his father, noted with irony that he and his wife, who have three young children, all born in the US, had only been gone few days to visit the city of romance and love.
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Leroy Blast Black was much loved during his lifetime. A lot of affection indeed.

After he passed away this week at the age of 55, two obituaries appeared side by side in his local paper, one mentioning his loving wife, the other his long-time girlfriend.

A report in PhillyVoice.com said that Mr Black died on Tuesday, surrounded by family at his home in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Mr Black died after being exposed to fibreglass exposure and his funeral is to be held on Sunday in Atlantic City.

The obituaries appeared next to each other

One of the obituaries said he was survived by his loving wife Bearetta Harrison Black.

The other referred to his longtime girlfriend Princess Hall.

An employee at Greenidge Funeral Homes in Atlantic City told the website that the obituaries were placed separately because the wife wanted it one way, and the girlfriend wanted it another way.

He said he not believe there would be a problem as everybody knew it was happening.
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Two female police officers have been attacked in Belgium by an man wielding a machete and shouting Allahu Akhbar.

Police in the city of Charleroi said the officers were not in danger after the attack outside the local police headquarters.

The suspect was shot by a third officer and has died from his wounds, police confirmed.

Local media reported that a female police officer was taken to hospital with injuries to her face, while her colleague was not seriously wounded.

Two police have been injured with a machete in front of the police headquarters by a man shouting Allah Akhbah, a spokesperson for Charleroi police said.

The incident came after a string of terror attacks by Isis supporters across Europe, including the murder of a priest in France and a machete attack on a train and suicide bombing in Germany.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from terror groups.

Jan Jambon, the Belgian Interior Minister, condemned the attack in the town, around 30 miles south of Brussels.

"Despicable act in Charleroi. All my thoughts with the two injured officers and their colleagues and families. Ocam [the Belgian anti-terrorism agency] is investigating," he wrote in a tweet.

Belgian prime minister Charles Michel said preliminary indications suggested the attack against two female officers in the city of Charleroi was an act of terrorism, but that authorities are still collecting information, according to Associated Press.

The prime minister has cut short his vacation in the south of France and will return to Belgium for a meeting on Sunday of the National Security Council.

The machete attack took place at a wooden hut that had been erected outside the Charleroi police station to provide an additional layer of security.

Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Show all 9 1 /9 Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Policemen outside Rouen's cathedral during the funeral of Jacques Hamel, the priest who was killed in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy on 26 July during a hostage-taking claimed by Islamic State group Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two jihadists, both 19, slit Hamel's throat while he was celebrating mass in an attack that shocked France as well as the Catholic Church Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Muslims place flowers and hold a minute of silence in front of the church if Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, western France, where French priest Jacques Hamel was killed on 26 July Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two people hold each other by the new makeshift memorial in Nice, in tribute to the victims of the deadly Bastille Day attack at the Promenade des Anglais Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the truck attack that killed 84 people in Nice on France's national holiday. Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, 31, smashed a 19-tonne truck into a packed crowd of people in the Riviera city celebrating Bastille Day Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police work at a site where a Syrian migrant set off an explosive device in Ansbach, southern Germany, on 25 July, killing himself and wounding a dozen others Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis A Syrian migrant set off an explosion at a bar in southern Germany that killed himself and wounded a dozen others in the third attack to hit Bavaria in a week. The 27-year-old, who had spent a stint in a psychiatric facility, had intended to target a music festival in the city of Ansbach but was turned away because he did not have a ticket Friebe/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police officers walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg southern Germany on 19 July, a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe. German authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag among the belongings of the man, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, who seriously injured four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong in his rampage Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis German police killed a teenage assailant after he attacked passengers on a train in Wuerzburg, southerg Germany with an axe and a knife on 18 July, seriously wounding three people Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images

Paul Magnette, mayor of the city in southern Belgium, said the checkpoint succeeded in preventing the attacker from reaching the building and causing more havoc.

The mayor said that in the wake of the attack, Belgian authorities are discussing whether security for police facilities and officers should be beefed up further.

Belgium has been on a high state of alert since the attacks in Paris on 13 November that killed 130 victims. Many of the attackers, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, lived in Belgium.
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An 11-year-old boy who stole a bus in Germany drove it around a city and even picked up unsuspecting passengers before being stopped by police.

The budding young bus driver found the keys to the vehicle and tracked it down at a depot in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, on Tuesday afternoon.

He proceeded to figure out how to get it moving and set out on a joy ride along major four-lane road, stopping to pick up waiting passengers on the way.

But alarmed passers-by swiftly noticed the schoolboys erratic driving and called police, who arrived to find three stunned people on board.

Officers were astonished when the 11-year-old started telling them about his passion for buses, the Donau Kurier reported.

At three years old he already had an interest and often uses his free time to ride the citys buses.

Upper Bavaria Police said the boy found the keys several weeks ago and decided to keep them, discovering the private vehicle parked and empty following repairs.

The boy was taken to a police station and handed over to his mother, a spokesperson added.

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Fortunately, the bus ride went without causing major injury to the boy and other road users.

The bus suffered minor body damage totalling approximately 1,000 on the right front side.

Officials said the former school bus was parked and no longer in use when it was taken, although where the boy found the keys remained unclear.

As the child is under 14, he is below the age of criminal responsibility in Germany and cannot be prosecuted.

But he will have to wait a long time to realise his dream  bus drivers cannot be licensed in the country before the age of 21.
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A 17-year-old British girl has been raped in Tenerife by a man posing as a taxi driver.

The teenager, from Blackburn, had been at a bar in the popular resort of Playa de las Americas in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

After searching for a taxi to return to where she was staying she was picked up by a man driving an Opel Astra, police said.

According to local newspaper La Provincia, the man then drove her to an area of wasteland nearby, removed her clothes and raped her.

A passer-by who heard her screams reportedly alerted police, who arrived to find the attacker had fled but intercepted his car minutes later and arrested him at the scene.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office told The Independent it was providing assistance in the case.

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

The attack came after a 13-year-old Irish girl was raped in the same area near the Las Veronicas shopping centre in May.


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Officials in the south of France are trying to ban a burkini pool party due to take place at a local water park, arguing the event is likely to lead to public disorder.

Michel Amiel, Mayor of Pennes-Mirabeau, near Marseille, said he was shocked and angered that posters were being distributed advertising the private event on September 10th at the popular Speed Water Park, saying he saw it as a provocation.

The party is organised by the Muslim community group Smile 13, advertising it as a chance for women to swim with their children - including boys up to the age of 10 - in private for eight hours while wearing the burkini swimming costume.

A poster for the event read: We count on you to respect the AWRA (the body parts that must be covered according to Islamic law) and not come in a two piece (the body must be covered from the chest to the knees).

The pool park has exceptionally allowed bathers to wear burqinis and jilbab de bains.

Mayor Amiel meanwhile said he was hoping to have the event cancelled as he disagreed with the principles under which it was organised.

This is communalism, pure and simple, he told Le Parisien. Im taking up a city bylaw that can prohibit this event on the grounds that it is likely to cause public disorder.

The announcement of the party attracted criticism from far-right politicians, including Stephane Ravier of Front National, who claimed it represented a wider problem in France.

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

"This Islamist day demonstrates that, outside of the comforting words of Muslim authorities, a certain number of Muslims are deciding among themselves to break away from our Republican model and put themselves outside our society," he said.

Other significant political figures in the area have argued that the event is contrary to Frances legally-protected secular values.

Around 2,000 of Frances 5 million Muslim citizens are thought to wear full veils, and the country has had a difficult history when it comes to Islamic dress.

France's swimming pools usually have strict rules forbidding people swimming in certain clothes and the 2004 law banned the wearing of the Muslim headscarf and other religious signs in public buildings.

The launch of the burkini by certain French brands in March this year was attacked in some circles, with some politicians describing the introduction of the swimming costume as irresponsible.
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An influential group representing French Muslims is proposing a tax on halal food to fund mosques and fight radicalisation in the wake of a seires of terror attacks.

Anouar Kbibech, president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), outlined plans for a new foundation that would help reduce foreign benefactors amid concerns over extremism.

The idea has been supported by politicians on both the right and left, although there are doubts where such a tax could be implemented.

The idea has existed since the CFCM was founded, Mr Kbibech told French broadcaster BFMTV.

 Thousands mourn priest killed in French church attack

We have reached the first step with the signing with of a religious framework in the CFCMs halal charter, which defines the criteria of halal in France.

In autumn we will discuss the second part, which is the financial contribution of halal organisations to worship.

The money raised would go towards paying imams salaries and funding the construction and operation of mosques, which cannot receive state support under French law.

The proposal came after Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, called for a ban on foreign funding for Muslim places of worship amid concerns over extremism following a string of terror attacks.

There needs to be a thorough review to form a new relationship with French Islam, he said.

Normandy church attack in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 Normandy church attack in pictures Normandy church attack in pictures The victim was the 84-year-old priest at the church, Jacques Hamel. AFP/Getty Normandy church attack in pictures French police at the scene of the attack on a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, northern France, on July 26 AFP/Getty Images Normandy church attack in pictures More police at the scene BFM TV Normandy church attack in pictures French President Francois Hollande shaking hands with security personnel at the scene AP Normandy church attack in pictures French soldiers standing guard outside the scene of the attack AP Normandy church attack in pictures A policeman secures a position in front of the city hall after two assailants had taken five people hostage in the church at Saint-Etienne-du -Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy Pascal Rossignol/Reuters Normandy church attack in pictures A policeman holds a HKG36 assault rifle as he secures the position in front of the local town hall following the attack REUTERS Normandy church attack in pictures French judicial inverstigating police apprehends a man during a raid after a hostage-taking in the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, France REUTERS Normandy church attack in pictures AFP/Getty Images Normandy church attack in pictures REUTERS Normandy church attack in pictures REUTERS Normandy church attack in pictures AFP/Getty Images Normandy church attack in pictures AP Normandy church attack in pictures AP Normandy church attack in pictures French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visits the church REUTERS Normandy church attack in pictures AFP/Getty Images

We live in a changed era and we must change our behaviour. This is a revolution in our security culturethe fight against radicalisation will be the task of a generation.

Nathalie Goulet, a French senator for Orne who conducted a report on the issue, said the creation of a central and transparent foundation was a priority but cast doubt on a halal tax.

Legally, it is not possible to reduce a tax on a religious item, she told Le Monde.

And technically, a halal tax would be impossible to implement because there is no unity around the concept of halal.

What would be possible is that representatives of the religion themselves introduce a private fee for service at the time of slaughter, to be set by the community, collected and sent to the foundation.

There has been continued controversy over the sale of halal food in France, with a supermarket in Colombes ordered to sell pork and alcohol or face closure this week.
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The marriage of a six-year-old girl to a man more than nine times her age in exchange for a goat has sparked shock and outrage in Afghanistan.

The youngster, named as Gharibgol, is said to have been married off by her father to the mullah of Obeh, a village in the Herat province of Afghanistan.

Her father sold his underage daughter  the legal age for women to wed is 16  to the mullah, named as Seyed Abdolkarim, as he was struggling to make ends meet.

He allegedly received a goat, a bag of rice, sugar and a few litres of cooking oil in the exchange with the 55-year-old.

After the wedding, the mullah took the girl to stay at a relatives house in another region.

Initially assuming she was the mullahs daughter, the hosts suspicions were aroused when he witnessed the mullah undressing her.

When questioned by the host, the mullah openly admitted the girl was his wife.

The womens rights bureau in Ghor province, where they were based, was quickly contacted as were the police, who promptly arrested the religious leader.

Reports later claimed that tests at Ghor hospital revealed no sexual contact had taken place between the pair.

According to eyewitness Fawad Ahmady, who filmed some of the events, police also arrested the girls father.

Mr Ahmady, who reported the story to Observers, said: Local women attacked him and beat him up.

He tried to defend himself by saying that the mullah had promised he wouldn't sleep with his daughter until she was 18.

Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Show all 10 1 /10 Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women march in Sao Paulo during a protest following the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl There have been calls for protests to end to what campaigners call Brazil's 'culture of rape' after the attack Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl An online campaign has been set up in response to the crime, using the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais, meaning 'rape never again' Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl The 16-year-old victim was attacked in a poor neighbourhood in the west of the city on 21 May 2016 Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Two of the attackers posted pictures and video on Twitter of the assault, which has shocked the country Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women protest in front of the Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Seven men have been charged in connection with the attack AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear and photos from Brazilian photographer Marcio Freitas displayed on Copacabana beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz (Rio of Peace) against rape and violence against women REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear smeared with paint is seen during a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Demonstrators attend a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS

He also defended his actions by claiming poverty, adding that with her married off it was one less mouth to feed.

Gharibgol is now said to be living with her mother in a safe house.

Negineh Khalili, the head of the womens rights bureau for Ghor province, was quoted as saying she will do all she can to ensure the father loses any parental rights, and she is granted a divorce.

Mr Ahmady continued: She and the mullah were only married religiously, which makes things more difficult  a judge cannot divorce them; another imam must do that.

And divorce remains very taboo in Afghanistan. Under the law, nobody is allowed to marry underage children.

But imams like this mullah are quite respected, and dont always face consequences.

According to the UN statistics 46.4 per cent of marriages in the country involve girls under the age of 18, although the figure could be higher due to rural areas only having religious ceremonies.


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Islamist rebels claim to have broken a siege by Syrian government troops on opposition-held areas in Aleppo, after launching a major offensive.

However, battles continued on Saturday night with pro-government media outlets denying the siege had been broken. Reports of air strikes from the area seemed to indicate any passage that may have been opened between besieged opposition-controlled areas would be far from secure enough for civilians to travel through.

The Jaish al-Fath alliance, which includes jihadist groups and militants linked to al-Qaeda, launched the offensive on Friday but were partially pushed back by government forces and supporters.

Intense fighting centred on a major artillery base and military college in the regime-held Ramousah district, which divides territory controlled by rebels. If the rebels take control of Ramousah and link up with eastern Aleppo, it would isolate government-held western Aleppo by cutting the southern route out toward the capital Damascus.

 Aid groups warn of 'slaughter' as fighting intensifies in Syria's Aleppo

Abu al-Walid, a fighter with the Ahrar al-Sham faction told Reuters at least two suicide bombers drove vehicles laden with explosives into regime checkpoints during the attack.

Jabhat al-Nusra  which has rebranded itself as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after formally splitting from al-Qaeda  posting videos online showing its fighters inside an artillery base and military academy.

But Syrian state media carried claims from Bashar al-Assads army saying it had repelled a wide-scale attack by terrorists, killing more than 300 militants and destroying their tanks and weapons.

Footage showed what appeared to be Syrian air strikes hitting the artillery base following battles on Friday night, showing buildings exploding into flames and vehicles on fire.

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (former Jabhat al-Nusra) posted footage online showing its fighters inside the artillery base on Friday (jab)

During the battle, Jabhat al-Nusra posted videos and photos over its propaganda channels showing Islamist fighters advancing past the bodies of regime soldiers in an attack using shells, rockets, machine guns, grenades and tanks flying jihadist flags.

Militants were seen roaming around government recruits sleeping quarters and taking down, smashing and ripping up framed photos of President Assad.

The Syrian military news agency also claimed on Saturday that control had been restored over the artillary base.

A commander from one more moderate rebel group told Reuters the siege had been broken but said it was early days and matters were not easy.

The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said intense fighting and heavy air strikes meant no secure corridor had yet been established between the two rebel-held territories.

An estimated quarter of a million civilians live Aleppo's opposition-held eastern quarters.

The United Nations has repeatedly raised repeated concerns over Syrian and Russian air strikes on civilian areas, where the humanitarian situation has worsened dramatically since government forces and Iranian-backed militias including Hezbollah cut the last road out of rebel districts in July.

Rebel shelling has also reportedly killed scores of civilians in regime-held areas.

A map showing the situation in Aleppo on 5 August 2016. Rebel operations and territory is shown in green, government forces in red and Kurdish groups in yellow. (Liveuamap)

The artillery base is little over a mile from the besieged area and carries a huge supply of ammunitions that have been used by government forces to shell rebels.

The city was the most populous in Syria before the outbreak of the civil war five years ago, and has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012.

Seizing full control would be the biggest victory for Assad in five years of fighting and demonstrate the dramatic shift of fortunes in his favour since Russia joined the war on his side last year.

But Islamist rebels have been consolidating their ranks since Jabhat al-Nusra rebranded last month.

In pictures: Aleppo bombing Show all 14 1 /14 In pictures: Aleppo bombing In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Smoke rises after airstrikes on the rebel-held al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family runs for cover amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of Al-Qatarji in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man reacts as he stands on blood stains at a site hit by airstrikes in the rebel held area of Aleppo's al-Fardous district, Syria, April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damage of the airstrikes in the rebel-held area of Aleppo on April 28 Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damaged the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-backed al-Quds hospital after it was hit by airstrikes, in a rebel-held area of Syria's Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians evacuate an injured man amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following an air strike on a rebel-held of Aleppo on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo People inspect the damage at a site hit by airstrikes, in the rebel-held area of Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man leads a woman in tears and child out of the scene after airstrikes hit Aleppo AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Civil defence members search for survivors after an airstrike at a field hospital in the rebel held area of al-Sukari district of Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian boy is comforted as he cries next to the body of a relative who died in a reported air strike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Soukour in the northern city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family walks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike in the Bustan al-Qasr rebel-held district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers and rescuers remove a baby from under the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Kalasa in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians help a wounded youth following an air strike on the Fardous rebel held neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers evacuate people from a damaged building following a reported airstrike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of Tareeq al-Bab in the northern city of Aleppo

The group, from which Isis seceded in 2013, is regarded as one of the most effective and well-funded rebel factions but drew international fire and local distrust because of its links with al-Qaeda.

Since claiming it had broken ties with the terror organisation last month, several Syrian opposition groups have announced their support, unifying disparate rebel forces.

Fighters have been pulled from Jabhat al-Nusras strongholds in Idlib province for the continuing campaign, while Free Syrian Army groups remain in besieged areas.

Foreign opponents of Assad including Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations centre, while some have received training funded by the US and overseen by the CIA.

The Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies see the outcome of the battle over Aleppo as decisive, hoping for a crushing blow to insurgents.
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Rebel forces backed by the US-led coalition are reported to be in almost complete control of a Syrian city after driving Isis militants out of their former stronghold.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance has been fighting towards the city of Manbij for two months, seizing swathes of surrounding territory from the so-called Islamic State.

Sharfan Darwish, from the SDF-allied Manbij military council, told Reuters that battles continued but that around 90 per cent of the Manbij had now been cleared of militants.

 Syrias war: Thousands of civilians manage to flee Manbij

Meanwhile, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the SDF was in almost complete control of the city on Saturday morning, but that isolated pockets of Isis fighters were waging continuing battles.

Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, said the terrorist group still held the major north-western district of Sarab but that it was a matter of time before SDF fighters capture the town.

The SDF, which is mostly comprised of Kurdish militias, is being backed by American special forces and coalition air strikes in the campaign that started in June.

The offensive has been a resounding military success, seeing rebels rapidly advance across Isis territory and surround militants in the centre of Manbij, but humanitarian groups say the cost has been high.

Anti-Isis activists from Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently have accused the US-led coalition of killing scores of civilians as part of a scorched earth policy and letting alleged war crimes by the SDF go unpunished.

At least two American air strikes are being investigated after reports they killed more than 100 civilians and there were humanitarian concerns for civilians trapped in areas still held by Isis.

Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP

The Manbij offensive has become the key priority of the US-led coalition as pressure to stop the funding and propaganda material inspiring a wave of international terror attacks continues.

A British man, Dean Carl Evans, was killed while fighting against Isis with Kurdish forces in the city last month and was believed to be one of many foreign volunteers in the SDF's ranks.

The region was overrun by extremists during their rapid advance across Iraq and Syria in the summer of 2014 and has since become a hub for the lucrative trade of looted artefacts and other Isis products, due to the citys location near the Turkish border and on an intersection of major roads.

The current campaign aims to re-capture the stronghold and swathes of countryside surrounding the city in the hope of choking the terrorist groups supply routes.

Isis has suffered a series of military losses in Syria including town of Tal Abyad on the Turkish border and ancient city of Palmyra.

Major battles were also continuing in Aleppo on Saturday morning, where an Islamist rebel alliance stormed a regime artillery base as part of efforts to break the siege of opposition-controlled areas.


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Uganda's Police raided a night club where a Gay Pride event was underway and arrested at least 15 people, accusing them of staging an illegal gathering and promoting homosexuality, a rights activist told Reuters on Friday.

Gays and lesbians experience considerable hostility in the largely conservative east African country, one of 37 countries on the continent where homosexuality is illegal.

They often live secretive lives, fearful that coming out will attract stigma and hostility from family and friends, or the loss of a job or an apartment.

Clare Byarugaba, a gay rights activist, told Reuters Police showed up at a club in a suburb of the capital Kampala at about 11:30 p.m. on Thursday and accused the organisers of promoting homosexuality, before scuffles with revellers started.

"They [Police] were dragging people, they were beating people, they were undressing people," Byarugaba said. "They were undressing especially trans-gender women. Apparently they wanted to find out whether they were men or women."

Kayima Emilian, a police spokesman, said they had dispersed the gathering because the organisers had failed to notify them of the event.

"A large group of people gathering? They need to tell Police. But also they were likely to engage in promoting gay sex which is illegal in Uganda."

Uganda triggered widespread western criticism after it enacted a harsh anti-gay law that handed out life sentences for some homosexual offences.

A constitutional court later overturned the law because of legal technicalities.

Despite threats by some lawmakers that the bill would be re-introduced in parliament, that has not happened and analysts say it would be unlikely to succeed in the face of strong pressure from Western donors.

Police arrested at least 15 participants in Thursday's incident and took them to a nearby police station where they spent about two hours before they were all released without recording a statement or being charged with any offences.

At the station, Byarugaba said security personnel taunted the homosexuals, took their pictures without their permission and tried to touch them to "ascertain especially for trans gender individuals whether they were women or men." "It was a very, very degrading process," she said.

Uganda Police have raided similar events before with officials accusing organisers of assembling illegally and promoting gay lifestyle in Uganda.

Byarugaba said the club event, where a Mr. and Ms. Pride was to be selected was a precursor to a Gay Pride march planned for Saturday in Kampala.

Reuters
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Q My daughter has landed her dream job in Costa Rica and is encouraging me to come out to stay with her in late September for two weeks (she is a teacher and this will be her first half-term holiday). My husband has work commitments so I will be travelling alone from Aberdeen. I am not an experienced traveller and want to make the journey as easy as possible with limited transfers while also booking my luggage through. Any advice on the best routes/airlines would be much appreciated.

Liz Neesam, Aberdeenshire

A Thank you for getting in touch. What a great opportunity.

As I started researching your question, I thought finding the best way to San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, would be a piece of cake; just fly to Amsterdam or Paris on KLM or Air France and connect to San Jose. But then I found neither airline now flies to the Central American city.

British Airways re-started non-stop flights from Gatwick to San Jose this summer, but does not fly from Aberdeen to the Sussex airport. While easyJet does fly Aberdeen-Gatwick, its unsuitable for three reasons: the timings are unhelpful, meaning you would need to overnight at Gatwick; you would be travelling on two separate tickets, which would cause endless problems if the first flight were heavily delayed or cancelled; and you cant check in your baggage in Aberdeen and retrieve it from the carousel at San Jose.

Does it sound as though Im looking dubious, shaking my head and saying, I wouldnt start from here? Probably. There is no one-stop option that I can see that would work for you (Im ruling out the difficult Heathrow-Gatwick bus transfer). Once you start considering a two-stop trip, its looking complicated  and, with every change of aircraft, the chance of your baggage staying behind is increased. So Im already picturing you on the A90 down to Edinburgh airport, where the number of options increases dramatically  and fares will tumble due to the extra competition. Im leaving out the US, because of the onerous security regime and the need to apply in advance online for an ESTA, permitting a visit to America, even if you only want to be on the ground for two hours.

Air Canada Rouge via Toronto is one possibility, but easily the swiftest is to fly on BA to Gatwick and connect there for the long-haul flight to San Jose. Your bag will be tagged at Edinburgh and you wont see it until you reach your final destination.

If your daughter happens to be in the far south-west of Costa Rica, close to the Panamanian border, then actually the answer I first thought of still works. Both Air France and KLM fly daily from Paris and Amsterdam respectively to Panama City. From there it is an exciting bus journey of four hours or so to the Costa Rican border, with buses onward waiting just across the border. Your daughter would, Im sure, come to meet you, so you could have an extra adventure together.

When British Airways announced the new route, I put together a guide to Costa Rica that you (or she) may find useful.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a readers question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder
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This election could be rigged, Donald Trump darkly warned the other day. Maybe he was trying to gin up his supporters. Maybe he was indulging his familiar paranoia. Maybe he was preparing the ground for defeat at the hands of Hillary Clinton on 8 November. Or, just maybe, he deeply believed what he was arguing: that thanks to Americas supposedly inadequate safeguards against ballot box fraud, we may have people (read Democrats) who vote 10 times and steal victory from him.

Now the countrys rich lore of alleged election fraud makes it hard to deny that vote rigging does occur, even in this beacon of the free world. And indeed it does. Its called suppression of turnout, and its practised by Republicans, not Democrats.

Two points should be made about US presidential elections. First, theyre a jungle. In reality, they are not one election, but 51 separate elections that are held simultaneously in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state  not the federal government  sets its own voting hours, lays down the rules for registration and early voting, and decides what sort of voting machines and ballot forms it should use (remember Floridas hanging chads and butterfly ballots in 2000?) And each state, not the federal government, decides what ID a voter must produce before casting a ballot.

People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Show all 8 1 /8 People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Miley Cyrus 'God he thinks he is the f***ing chosen one or some shit!  Honestly f*** this sh*t I am moving if this is my president! I dont say things I dont mean!' Jemal Countess/Getty Images People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Whoopi Goldberg 'I dont think thats America. I dont want it to be America. Maybe its time for me to move you know' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Samuel L. Jackson 'If that mother**er becomes president, Im moving my black ass to South Africa' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Raven Symone 'My confession for this election is, if any Republican gets nominated, Im gonna move to Canada with my entire family. Is that bad? I already have my ticket. I literally bought my ticket, I swear' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Cher 'If he were to be elected, I'm moving to Jupiter' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Neve Campbell 'Im terrified. Its really scary. My biggest fear is that Trump will triumph. I cannot believe that he is still in the game ... [I'll] move back to Canada' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Jon Stewart 'I would consider getting in a rocket and going to another planet, because clearly this planets gone bonkers' People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins Randy Blythe 'He could just be a clown. If he is the president, though, I am leaving America 'till he's gone'

Second, in an ever more polarised country, split nearly evenly between two major parties with virtually no common ground, even the smallest advantage can make a vital difference. The rule of thumb is that the fewer people that vote in national elections, the better Republicans fare. And how do Republicans make that happen? By tinkering with state laws, and in particular voter ID laws, to make it harder for poorer people and minorities, typically Democrats, to take part.

This sort of thing used to be most prevalent in the South, where Republicans dominate, and where vote suppression, by means of devices such as poll taxes or literacy tests, was nakedly used to perpetuate white supremacy. But in 1965 such abuse was limited by the Voting Rights Act, crown jewel of the civil rights era, that stipulated any changes in voting laws in the certain specified states had first to be approved by the US Justice Department in Washington.

But in 2013 that provision was struck down by the majority-conservative Supreme Court. The Act had achieved what it set out to do, the court decided, so the prior approval clause wasnt needed any more. The result was predictable. A slew of states with Republican governors and legislatures pushed through laws tightening voter ID laws making it more complicated for black people, Hispanics and others to vote.

Several of these states were southern. But others, such as Ohio, Wisconsin and North Dakota, were not. Sometimes the new rules reflected local culture. Texas has a list of permitted IDs, excluding student cards but including handgun permits.

The most egregious restrictions were brought in by North Carolina. It slashed the permissible period for early voting and banned same-day registration  both popular options among black people  and drastically tightened ID requirements. That North Carolina, once a Republican stronghold, is now a swing state that Barack Obama carried in 2008 (but not in 2012), is, of course, the purest coincidence.

In the past couple of weeks, courts in most of these states have overturned the laws as discriminatory. But appeals are likely before the November vote. Supporters argue that such rules are essential to stamp out voter fraud. In fact, tough ID laws and the like are a solution in search of a problem.

Pace Donald Trump, cases of people voting without being eligible, voting more than once, or impersonating another person, are negligible  and most of these are accidental. One 2014 study documented 31 credible cases of such fraud in all general, state and municipal elections since 2000  one dodgy vote per 30 million cast. Some way to rig an election. The areas most vulnerable to fraud are absentee voting, tampering with electronic voting systems and old-fashioned ballot-box stuffing  none of which tougher voter ID rules even pretend to tackle.

 Trump boasts about watching 'top secret' Iran video

And there are even less subtle methods of suppressing the vote, such as last-minute switches in polling station venues, or a reduction in the number of voting places in areas where black and Hispanic populations are high. If you cant find out where to vote, or have to queue for hours to do so, why bother? Which is exactly what Republicans hope. But it all boils down to the one same thing: rigging elections.

Belatedly, however, Democrats are realising that two can play at this game. Consider Governor Terry McAuliffes move to reinstate the voting rights of some 200,000 convicted felons in Virginia who have served their sentences, or in those hoary words, paid their debt to society.

The history of the ban is instructive. It was imposed by the states 1902 constitution along with other measures such as a poll tax and literacy tests, specifically to stop blacks from voting, rolling back reforms that followed the Souths defeat in the Civil War. Discrimination! Why that is exactly what we propose, said the old southern Democrat and future US Senator Carter Glass, a prime architect of that constitution.

Glass would later become famous as a sponsor of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 that separated retail and investment banking, to help restore financial stability after the Wall Street crash. But in 1902 his goal was far less lofty  to remove every negro voter who can be gotten rid of, legally, without materially impairing the numerical strength of the white electorate.

History has come full circle. The Voting Rights Act put an end to Virginias poll tax and literacy tests. But the ban on felons, which again tends to disenfranchise poor and minority voters, survived. McAuliffe is seeking to put that right, at a moment when Virginia, which had voted Republican in every election, has become another important swing state, twice won by Obama. McAuliffe moreover is one of Hillary Clintons closest political allies. Theres nothing like doing a friend a favour. Maybe Donald Trump has a point after all.
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I have been reading The English and Their History by Robert Tombs. One of the many wonderful things about its great sweep is the way it shows how big ideas shaped party politics in the past two centuries. It is striking that in the 19th century free trade was the conventional wisdom of all classes. The word hadnt been invented then, but globalisation was something we British did to the rest of the world, rather than something that was done to us.

Britains vote to leave the European Union came too late for the book, which takes the story up to c.2014, but it will no doubt be the subject of a further chapter in subsequent editions. Indeed Tombs, who himself voted to leave, has already written about how the Brexit vote had roots in our  and especially in Englands  past.

Recommended Read more Corbyn and Smith clash in bitter first Labour leadership debate

One of the questions for that chapter will be whether our attempted disengagement from the EU will force a realignment of parties. Which is why the struggle between Owen Smith and Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership, which otherwise might seem like a minor affray in an opposition party that is a long, long way from power, could be significant.

One of the first things Smith did was to advocate a second referendum on EU membership. This was astute, because 90 per cent of Labour members with a vote in the leadership election voted Remain. The question of Europe is the biggest fracture between Corbyn and his supporters.

In fact the biggest cause of disappointment with Corbyn among his former supporters was his equivocal support for Remain in the referendum campaign. When he said, Article 50 has to be invoked now, at 7.30 on the morning after the referendum, he may have been making a loosely phrased observation rather than a demand that Brexit happen as soon as possible, but he certainly did not sound like someone who wanted to keep open the option of reversing the decision if the British people were to come to regret it.

 Fathers 4 Justice Protestors sit on top of Jeremy Corbyn's roof

There is, in fact, no sign that the British people do regret it, despite pious wishing to the contrary. A YouGov poll on Thursday found that 52 per cent thought the Brexit decision was the right one, and 48 per cent said it was wrong  exactly the same percentages that voted to Leave and to Remain in June.

If there are many people who Bregrexit (sorry), they are balanced by a roughly equal number of people who voted to stay in the EU but who are happy to leave. They may have been persuaded by the economic argument, but now that it is decided they are looking forward to having their dark blue passports back.

But these are early days. The economy is not even in recession yet. That will take two whole quarters. And it will take just as long to get into the deep small print of negotiating the balance between access to the single market (the free trade of our day) and control of immigration. Then people might start to have second thoughts. Even if they dont, you can see the temptation, for a party currently exploring whether 27 per cent is the lowest its level of national support can go, of a pool of support as large as 48 per cent.

It is a temptation that has already persuaded Tim Farron and the Liberal Democrats to go for get us back in the EU as their pitch for the next election. Smith has calculated that his call for a second referendum could be a way not just of chipping away at Corbyn supporters doubts but of giving Labour a defining issue against the Tories.

There is some force to this argument. With the Bullingdon boys overthrown by the grammar-school girl and the Conservative Party making a greater than ever rhetorical pitch for the blue-collar vote, Labours pitch as the working-class party for those on middle and lower incomes has just become even harder. Smith might think that the party needs some of the support of those who believe access to the EU single market is in their economic interest to make up the difference. (Just as in the late 19th century the working classes believed free trade made them better off.)

Smith doesnt look likely to beat Corbyn  this time  but the Europe question might help him to secure a big enough vote to ensure that Corbyn will be challenged again next year.

But is Smith right to try to make Labour the Remain party? Or is Corbyn right to accept Brexit as a better way of holding on to Labours existing voters and attracting new ones? He was asked in an interview with Huffington Post on Saturday if he felt it would be possible to reverse the result through a second referendum or general election and said: I think weve had a referendum, a decision has been made, you have to respect the decision people made.

It is interesting that two thirds of Labour MPs represent constituencies that voted Leave, according to estimates by Chris Hanretty of the University of East Anglia. But it may be more relevant that two thirds of Labour voters voted Remain, which means that putting the party behind an attempt to reverse the referendum could drive away the one third of Labour supporters who voted Leave  with no guarantee that pro-Remain Tories or Lib Dems would make up the difference.

Many Labour MPs who were ardently in favour of staying in the EU are also worried about the inroads that Ukip might make into their vote, even if the post-Farage party may seem almost as dysfunctional as their own.

The Brexit vote is one of those junctions of British history, one of those points like the Great Reform Act or the repeal of the Corn Laws when Tombs pauses to survey what has changed and what has stayed the same. Much depends on how Theresa May handles the EU negotiations. But much also depends on how Labour reacts to the deal she secures.
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At some point over the past 24 hours I became rather irate about Orlando Blooms penis. Well, not merely his penis. The remainder of Orlandos body clinging to this now world-appreciated appendage annoyed me too. Why, I thought, why, why why, would Bloom get it out in a public space if he didnt want us all to gawp at it? Yes, we know he was on holiday, miles from anywhere, relaxing, but why be so stupid? Victim-blaming is what I think we called this when Scarlett Johanssons private nude selfies were hacked. Or, in 2012, when topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge were taken by a weirdo clutching a telephoto lens. But then theres a growing tendency when images of womens bodies are used like this  snapped, hacked, shared, sold  for us to recognise that were not acting particularly decently. Our titillation and nosiness at their nipples, bum cracks and bikini lines comes tinged  for many of us at least  with guilt.

Sure, that Geordie Shore star didnt wear knickers to the red carpet premier, but up skirts shot of her labia majora as she struggles from a car feel murky. If an ex-boyfriend leaks home-made pornography which a woman was only too willing to make and send six weeks previously, then new Revenge Porn laws means he could go to prison for two years. Denying women their sexual agency by advising them to not make the homemade porn in the first place goes down very badly with millennials. Men should not exploit and objectify women. But why is it that when Orlando Blooms genitalia finds its way on to the internet there is a distinct dearth of concern for his feelings. If men and women are equal, why does Blooms hurt pride matter less?

The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Show all 12 1 /12 The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Anne Hathaway The 32-year-old actress said she has already experiences job rejections because of her age. Now I'm in my early thirties and I'm like, 'Why did that 24-year-old get that part? I was that 24-year-old once. I can't be upset about it, it's the way things are, she told Glamour. EPA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Helen Mirren On news that Maggie Gyllenhaal had been turned down for being too old, aged 37, to play a 55-year-old mans partner: Its f***ing outrageous. Its ridiculous. Honestly, its so annoying. And twas ever thus. We all watched James Bond as he got more and more geriatric, and his girlfriends got younger and younger. Its so annoying. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Maggie Gyllenhaal Gyllenhaal revealed she was told by a Hollywood producer that she was too old, aged 37, to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man. It was astonishing to me. It made me feel bad, and then it made feel angry, and then it made me laugh, she said at the time. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Meryl Streep Meryl Streep has helped fund an all-female screenwriters group called The Writers Lab to encourage more women to pen Hollywood scripts. She previously told Vogue in 2011: Once women pass childbearing age they could only be seen as grotesque on some level. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Emma Thompson The actress said she thought Hollywood is still completely s*** when it comes to treating women equally to men. When I was younger, I really did think we were on our way to a better world. And when I look at it now, it is in a worse state than I have known it, particularly for women, and I find that very disturbing and sad. EPA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Elizabeth Banks Banks said she was driven from acting to directing due to the lack of roles for older women in Hollywood. "[Industry sexism] drove me to direct for sure. I definitely was feeling that I was unfulfilled and a little bit bored by the things that were coming across my desk. I mean look at Gwyneth Paltrow who has her Oscar [for Shakespeare in Love] and played fifth banana to Iron Man, she told Deadline. PA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Viola Davis I had never seen a 49-year-old, dark-skinned woman who is not a size 2 be a sexualised role in TV or film. I'm a sexual woman, but nothing in my career has ever identified me as a sexualised woman. I was the prototype of the mommified role, she told The Hollywood Reporter. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Liv Tyler The Lord of the Rings actress said she only get cast in roles where she is treated as a second class citizen at the age of 38. When youre in your teens or twenties, there is an abundance of ingenue parts which are exciting to play. But at [my age], youre usually the wife or the girlfriend - a sort of second-class citizen. There are more interesting roles for women when they get a bit older, she told More magazine. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Cate Blanchett The actress famously called out sexism on the red carpet at the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards. When a camera operator scanned her up and down, she said: Do you do this to the guys? In her Oscar acceptance speech for Blue Jasmine, she reminded the film industry that movies with leading women can still be successful. And thank you to... those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films, with women at the centre, are niche experiences. They are not -- audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money. The world is round, people. Gareth Cattermole/Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Ellen Page Asked if she had ever encountered sexism in Hollywood, Page told The Guardian: Oh my God, yeah! It's constant! It's how you're treated, it's how you're looked at, how you're expected to look in a photoshoot, it's how you're expected to shut up and not have an opinion, it's how you... If you're a girl and you don't fit the very specific vision of what a girl should be, which is always from a man's perspective, then you're a little bit at a loss. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Zoe Saldana The actress says she refuses roles where she has to play the generic girlfriend, wife or sexy bombshell. "It's very hard being a woman in a man's world, and I recognised it was a man's world even when I was a kid. It's an inequality and injustice that drove me crazy, and which I always spoke out against  and I've always been outspoken, she told Manhattan magazine. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Charlize Theron The actress spoke to ELLE about negotiating equal pay for the Snow White and the Huntsman sequel: "This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing. It doesn't mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you're doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way." Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Does it not matter if Bloom reads a sea of snickering comments about the length, girth and potential uses for his penis? Are we allowed to zoom in and giggle over whether hes circumcised or not? Can we swap photos on WhatsApp groups? Can we create Twitter memes celebrating the fact we plan to masturbate over the snaps later? Does the fact Bloom is blissfully unaware in all of these shots that hes been hunted down, snooped upon and caught literally with his pants down, not matter in this case really, because well, hes a man?

My instinct, and perhaps many other womens, is to say yes. It does matter less. Let us have this fun. Blooms physique via an intense Hollywood-style training technique is akin to Michelangelos David. His penis is perfectly proportioned. Nothing at all to be ashamed of. Plus, hes on a doubtlessly expensive holiday with his beautiful, clearly smitten, superstar girlfriend. Wouldnt any man, at some level, be happy for us all to see this grand display of virility?

After all, arent men  the proud peacocks that they all are  rather enamoured with getting it out? If anything, right now, Blooms probably loving the attention! Men love being ogled, do they not? It gives them an ego boost. They dont care if theyre treated like pieces of meat as the benefits of their sexuality outweigh the bad. But the fact is these statements on gender and how men feel are clearly sweepingly unhelpful and in many cases desperately wrong. If anything they make us sound like when French and Saunders would dress up as two old, fat sexually frustrated men leafing through the newspaper quacking, Look at her, shes begging for it. Theyre all begging for it! And Orlando Bloom was not begging for it.

In an equal world, the next time an A-list male stars penis is photographed without permission the moral, but hideously boring, thing to do would be, walk calmly towards ones internet router and turn it off for a while. Womens equality will only come through joint-respect and tedious mutual sacrifice. Even when were faced with Orlando Bloom with his underpants off crouching over a paddle board displaying a perfect toned posterior. We need to treat as we would like to be treated. Ladies: I never said any of this shit was going to be easy.
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Tony Blair promised to be whiter than white, but was destabilised by the cash for honours affair. Gordon Brown promised an end to spin and sleaze, but was engulfed by the MPs expenses scandal.

When he was the future, David Cameron promised cleaner politics and greater openness, probity and accountability in the institutions that regulate and control our lives. He said: We need to restore trust ad tackle the publics underlying cynicism. Now Cameron is the past  and has bowed out with a resignation honours list that has surely increased that cynicism.

True, he is not the first outgoing prime minister to be accused of cronyism, or even the worst offender. Harold Wilsons infamous lavender list in 1976 included one businessman who went to prison and another who killed himself while under investigation for fraud.

The voters were more deferential towards politicians then. Today, they rightly expect higher standards and Cameron has departed with a shrug of the shoulders that says, its someone elses problem now.

He has deepened a crisis that caused his own premature downfall: a desire to kick the elite was surely a big factor in the EU referendum result.

If Cameron had really wanted to clean up politics, he would have kept his manifesto promises to reform the House of Lords and the way our parties are funded. For me, the most controversial part of his valedictory list was not the OBEs, MBEs or CBEs for his spin doctors or even his wifes stylist. It was rewarding Tory donors with honours or, more seriously, peerages and the right to make the laws of the land.

It's usually a good rule to follow the money, and that is the common thread running through the problems with our political system. As the Committee on Standards in Public Life said in a report on Thursday, the reliance on mega-donors raises questions of alleged rewards for these donors in the form of peerages and other public honours, privileged access, and of influence on policy. It added that major donors are a lazy short-cut for party leaders, who can devote less time and energy to generating members and supporters.

The watchdogs 2011 blueprint for sensible reform gathers dust on Whitehall shelves. It called for an extra 23m a year of public funding for parties and a 10,000 cap on individual donations to take big money out of politics.

The Coalition Government should have been a reforming moment: the Liberal Democrats were keen on constitutional change and we had a modernising Tory leader. But the opportunity was missed because the Tories preferred to play the old politics against Labour.

The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Show all 6 1 /6 The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Brexit The big one. Theresa May has spoken publicly three times since declaring her intent to stand in the Tory Leadership race, and each time she has said, Brexit means Brexit. It sounds resolute, but it is helpful to her that Brexit is a made up word with no real meaning. She has said there will be no second referendum and no re-entry in to the EU via the back door. But she, like the Leave campaign of which she was not a member, has pointedly not said with any precision what she thinks Brexit means Reuters The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address General election This is very much one to keep off the to do list. She said last week there would be no general election at this time of great instability. But there have already been calls for one from opposition parties. The Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2010 makes it far more difficult to call a snap general election, a difficulty she will be in no rush to overcome. In the event of a victory for Leadsom, who was not popular with her own parliamentary colleagues, an election might have been required, but May has the overwhelming backing of the parliamentary party Getty The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address HS2 Macbeth has been quoted far too much in recent weeks, but it will be up to May to decide whether, with regard to the new high speed train link between London, Birmingham, the East Midlands and the north, returning were as tedious as go oer. Billions have already been spent. But the 55bn it will cost, at a bare minimum, must now be considered against the grim reality of significantly diminished public finances in the short to medium term at least. It is not scheduled to be completed until 2033, by which point it is not completely unreasonable to imagine a massive, driverless car-led transport revolution having rendered it redundant EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Heathrow expansion Or indeed Gatwick expansion. Or Boris Island, though that option is seems as finished as the man himself. The decision on where to expand aviation capacity in the south east has been delayed to the point of becoming a national embarrassment. A final decision was due in autumn. Whatever is decided, there will be vast opprobrium PA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Trident renewal David Cameron indicated two days ago that there will be a Commons vote on renewing Britains nuclear deterrent on July 18th, by which point we now know, Ms May will be Prime Minister. The Labour Party is, to put it mildly, divided on the issue. This will be an early opportunity to maximise their embarrassment, and return to Tory business as usual EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Scottish Independence Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are in no doubt that the Brexit vote provides the opportunity for a second independence referendum, in which they can emerge victorious. The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood has the authority to call a second referendum, but Ms May and the British Parliament are by no means automatically compelled to accept the result. She could argue it was settled in 2014 AFP/Getty

The Coalition Agreement backed a wholly or mainly elected Upper Chamber but Cameron gave the nod to Tory backbench opponents of the plan to sabotage it. In retaliation, the Lib Dems scuppered changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries. Amid the dispute, party funding reform fell by the wayside.

In his revealing book, Coalition, the former Lib Dem minister David Laws lifted the lid on the Tories approach: George Osborne offered the Lib Dems some limited state funding, but declared that the Conservative Party is not going to sign up to caps on donations. We are getting millions of pounds from our big donors, and David [Cameron] and I are not going to put that at risk for ever. Why should we? But I really think we should do something on third-party donations for the unions and others that would screw Labour and force Ed Miliband into defending Labours union links.

If Theresa May really wants to draw a line under the Cameron era, his honours list has handed her a golden opportunity. Reforming party funding, the Lords and the honours system would help achieve her goal of a country that works for everyone rather than the privileged few.

Of course, there is never going to be a good time to give taxpayers money to political parties. But matching pound-for-pound funding could encourage parties to seek a large number of small donations instead  much easier to achieve in the digital age.

 Jeremy Corbyn slams David Cameron's honours list

Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour has doubled its membership and signing up 180,000 people as registered supporters last month raised 4.5m for Labours coffers. But the row over Corbyns nomination of Shami Chakrabarti for a peerage shows that Labour is still part of the rotten system.

May could ensure that all honours are taken out of the hands of politicians and the nominations system refreshed. More entrepreneurs should be rewarded, to recognise their vital role in the post-Brexit world; they have received only about one per cent of honours in the past 10 years.

May has plenty of other problems on her plate, not least the state of the economy and defining what Brexit means. Under the pressure of events, she might be tempted to let sleeping dogs lie. The way that May's Downing Street rushed out Camerons list 24 hours earlier than expected to bury it on a busy news day smacked of the old politics.

However, the new Prime Minister might surprise us. I am told that May regards Camerons list as distasteful, that she places great importance on the role of peers, and so will think hard about future appointments.

So we might just move on from Tonys cronies and Daves mates to Mays meritocrats. About time, too.
Fishmonger Pat OConnell with Queen Elizabeth and Simon Coveney during her 2011 visit to Cork. Photo: Maxwells

An historic market which received the royal seal of approval is now threatened with becoming a victim of its own success.

The 18th-century English Market in Cork has emerged as a major tourist attraction following the 2011 visit by Queen Elizabeth and its involvement in numerous TV travel and cookery shows. It now rivals Fota Wildlife Park, Blarney Castle and the Jameson Whiskey Heritage Centre as the top tourist draws in Cork.

However, the market has sometimes had to deal with up to 10 foreign bus tour groups in the space of just 90 minutes.

The sheer number of tourists now thronging the market on a daily basis - many of whom don't actually buy anything - is threatening to interrupt the vital flow of trade.

Cork City Council, the market's management and the English Market Traders Association are examining options to control the flow of visitors.

"We want to be very clear that tourists are very welcome to the market," fishmonger Pat O'Connell explained.

"But we are looking at ways of trying to improve the experience for visitors, while also ensuring that ordinary customers have the time and space to conduct their daily business here too.

"The market just wasn't designed and built for the numbers that we are now seeing on some summer days."

English Market traders flatly rejected suggestions that tour groups could be banned.

The options being considered are better scheduling of bus tour groups to avoid congestion and working to ensure that visitors are enticed to buy market goods.

Failte Ireland has already been working with traders to provide better shopping options for overseas visitors who are not in a position to purchase the fresh goods for which the market is famous.

Read more: Boost for Ireland's top heritage sites as visitor numbers see increase

Read more: Revealed: The most popular 'staycation' spot for Irish holidaying at home

The English Market's success stands in contrast to its plight 30 years ago, when it was almost destroyed in a fire.

A major refurbishment programme and a high-profile royal visit later, the market is now a must-see.

Queen Elizabeth's visit in May 2011 is now commemorated by a special plaque erected by Cork City Council and a plethora of photographs of the British monarch touring the market stalls.

The warmth of her reception to the Cork market made it one of the highlights of the entire royal visit and its place in history was assured when fishmonger Pat O'Connell cracked a joke and the queen erupted in laughter.

Visitors

Mr O'Connell was showing the queen his famous fish stall and was so nervous he admitted to the monarch he hadn't been so anxious since his wedding night.

The queen saw the funny side of the comment and laughed out loud.

English Market Traders Association official Tom Durcan said the royal visit was a game-changer.

"It was a great showcase for the market. We always felt the market was something extra special," he said.

The market traces its history back to 1788.
Contestants at the competitive Cyber Grand Challenge, organised by US defence chiefs, in Las Vegas

A software program dubbed "Mayhem" was poised to win the final round of a three-year contest to teach computers to launch and defend against cyber attacks, earning a $2m prize for the team that wrote the winning code.

The event, known as the Cyber Grand Challenge, concluded on Thursday evening in a Las Vegas convention centre ballroom after a digital battle among software programs running on seven supercomputers on a stage.

Thousands watched as announcers presented a play-by-play account of the competition. It took place ahead of yesterday's start of Def Con, a hacking convention expected to draw more than 20,000 people to two sprawling Las Vegas convention centres.

The contest was sponsored by DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the US military laboratory credited with creating the internet. DARPA spent $55m on the effort, which it dubbed the first "capture the flag" hacking contest played solely by computers.

Agency officials said it succeeded in its goal of stimulating development of technologies for automating the process of protecting computer networks against cyber attacks.

DARPA program director Mike Walker said the seven machines succeeded in identifying a total of 650 code vulnerabilities and rewriting 421 programs to fix them.

"A spark was lit today," he said. "We have proven that autonomy is possible."

Previous DARPA contests include one for self-driving vehicles that is widely credited with kick-starting the now robust autonomous-vehicle industry.

The hacking challenge included 96 rounds in which computers were charged with examining software programs, identifying bugs, patching them and finding ways to attack rival machines.

DARPA said it hoped the contest would speed the slow process of identifying and patching real-world bugs. It can take more than a year from the time a vulnerability is uncovered until a vendor releases a software patch, according to DARPA. That delay gives hackers time to attack unprotected systems, one factor that security experts say has contributed to the surge in cyber attacks.

"Mayhem" was provisionally named winner, pending an overnight review of the results.

The winning program was created by eight computer experts from San Francisco and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University, which regularly produces teams that earn top scores in the annual Def Con hacking contest.

Mayhem will compete against Carnegie Mellon students and other elite hackers when this year's Def Con contest starts.

It is the first time a computer has competed.

Second place went to a program dubbed Xandra, created by security experts from the University of Virginia and GrammaTech Inc, earning $1m.

A program known as Mech Phish, which was born at the University of California, placed third, earning its creators $750,000. (Reuters)
The ISEQ Overall Index mirrored gains made by other European bourses

European bourses rose yesterday, helped by solid earnings from companies including cement-making group LafargeHolcim. But Ulster Bank owner Royal Bank of Scotland slumped after weak results.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index ended the session 1.1pc higher, extending gains after better-than-expected US jobs data, although the index posted its first week of declines in four.

LafargeHolcim - a peer of Irish firm CRH - rose 5pc after it reaffirmed its guidance and beat quarterly profit forecasts. "LafargeHolcim results were, for once, a positive surprise, supported by the recent recovery in the important markets of India and Mexico as well as some European countries," Baader Helvea analysts said.

In Ireland, the ISEQ Overall Index mirrored gains made by other European bourses.

It gained 1.77pc to 5,857.90.

Shares in Bank of Ireland, which surged on Thursday following the Bank of England's stimulus plans, added another 1.6pc, to close at 18 cent. Ryanair gained 3pc to enter the weekend at 12.04, while CRH rose 1.1pc to 27.02. Packaging giant Smurfit Kappa was 2.3pc higher at 20.50.

Kerry Group was flat at 77, a day after it released interim results that underlined the impact of currency swings.

The UK's FTSE-100 was 0.8pc higher, while France's CAC-40 rose 1.5pc. Germany's DAX added 1.36pc.

Hugo Boss jumped 7.4pc after the German fashion house beat quarterly operating profit forecasts and chief executive Mark Langer said he would close about 20 more stores as a cost-cutting drive appears to be paying off.

Royal Bank of Scotland fell 7.2pc amid widening first-half losses.

It scrapped plans to turn its Williams & Glyn unit into a standalone bank, as Britain faces economic instability due to Brexit.
Thirty-five years after his death, so many myths have agglomerated around Bobby Sands that the real person seems unknowable, and Steve McQueen's very fine 2008 biopic 'Hunger' made the job even harder by portraying Sands as a kind of latter-day saint. In his new documentary, Bobby Sands: 66 Days, director Brendan J Byrne paints a much earthier picture of Sands by putting his 1981 hunger strike in context. Including interviews with everyone from old friends like Gerry Adams to dispassionate commentators like Fintan O'Toole, Byrne's film gives a compelling insight into this pivotal figure in 20th-century Irish republicanism.

Robert Gerard Sands grew up on the mixed north Belfast estate of Abbey Cross, and had Protestant friends as a child. But after the brutal suppression of the civil rights movement in the late 1960s, he became radicalised, and joined the IRA.

During his first prison spell at Long Kesh, Sands took part in blanket protests, but came into his own in the Maze, when he led an IRA hunger strike. Before he died, Sands was elected an MP, and his campaign changed the nature of the Northern conflict, and helped drive the republican movement towards politics.

Byrne's film is scrupulously balanced, and even includes interviews with one of Sands' jailers, but it ultimately acknowledges that, whatever one thinks about him, his actions made a difference.

Meanwhile, a French romcom with a refreshing enough premise, Up for Love stars Belgian actress Virginie Efira as Diane, a high-powered lawyer in the middle of a messy divorce who misplaces her phone on a night out. She's telephoned by a suave and charming gent who offers to meet up in person to return it. Alexandre (Jean Dujardin) is charming alright, but he's also four foot five, a shortcoming he encourages the tall and statuesque Diane to overlook during a blinding charm offensive.

They begin dating, and Alexandre proves the man of her dreams in all but one respect. But when Diane begins to tire of people pointing and staring, her new-found happiness is threatened. Up for Love is a rather old-fashioned romcom, and its broad jokes don't always come off. But it's sweet, and enjoyable, and Jean Dujardin is as charming as ever in a demanding lead role.

Wake up and smell the roses is the simple but persuasive subtext of Sweet Bean, a slow and charming Japanese drama set in a sleepy pancake restaurant. Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase) cooks up dorayaki, or sweet bean pancakes, for a living, but seems to derive no joy from it. His customers gasp out loud when he smiles, and we get hints of an unhappy past. He's not best pleased when an eccentric old lady called Tokue (Kirin Kiki) turns up looking for work, but when he tastes her delicious red bean paste, Sentaro decides to give her a chance.

Tokue's enthusiasm for life is infectious, and she attracts many new customers, including a vulnerable schoolgirl called Wakana (Kyara Uchida), but a dark back story slowly emerges charting Tokue's life as an institutionalised leper. Tokue's closeness to nature is a rebuke to 21st-century urbanised Japan, but Kirin Kiki's warm and humorous performance is anything but preachy.

The great white hope of the Bebop era, Chet Baker became as famous for his heroin habit as his playing, and is now best known for the before and after shots of his ravaged good looks. He was a difficult man but a very fine jazz trumpeter, two facts made abundantly clear in Robert Budreau's hazy biopic, Born to Be Blue. It's a strong film, a lot better for instance than Don Cheadle's recent biopic of Baker's great rival Miles Davis, and Ethan Hawke is at his nervy, twitchy best in the lead role.
Bear Grylls has said Friends star Courteney Cox suffered some unsavoury after-effects following her survival TV challenge in Kerry.

The actress (52), who is back dating Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid, joined the adventurer for his hit TV series Running Wild in which they braved the elements of the south-west.

Grylls said Cox was none too impressed when she had to eat a scrotum full of maggots after they found a sheep carcass.

"She was bedraggled. She was living off maggots from testicle sacks," he told the Herald.

"She had tears pouring down her cheeks and I said, 'Welcome to Ireland, this is what it's like'.

"She emailed me since and I think she's got a bit of post-traumatic stress going on.

"I found this rotting sheep carcass and I thought, 'Oh, good, I can give her some lamb'. I stuck the knife in and maggots exploded out. The blood drained from her face."

Honest

However, Grylls, who was born in Donaghadee, Co Down, insisted the Cougar Town star faced the challenge like a true professional.

"She was a great girl. She was incredibly honest and you see a beautiful side of her - she was an amazing guest," he said.

Grylls said Cox was surprised by how many guests were brought to tears on his show.

"She started off saying, 'I can never understand why the female guests on your show cry', and I said, 'Well, you know, it's an honest journey for people," he said.

Video of the Day

"It's quite moving, actually. It takes people to the edge."

The 42-year-old adventurer is bringing his arena tour Endeavour to Dublin's 3Arena and has promised a spectacular show for his Irish fans.

It arrives in the capital on Wednesday, October 19.
Soren Buchtrup and his family during happier times. Wife Yvonne, from Limerick, and their daughter Ella (left) died in a car crash. Baby Noah survived.

A grieving father has paid tribute to a group of Irish women who helped breastfeed his son after his wife and daughter had been killed in a tragic car accident.

Limerick woman Yvonne Buchtrup (30), husband Soren and their two children Ella (2) and Noah (six months) were returning to their home in Norway after attending a friend's wedding in Slovakia last year when a van ploughed into their rental car.

Yvonne and Ella, who would have celebrated her fourth birthday on Thursday, were killed instantly.

A 71-year-old man - who had fallen asleep at the wheel when his vehicle collided with the family's car as it sat parked near the town of Nowy Targ - was convicted and banned from driving for 10 years.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Danish helicopter pilot Soren described his loved ones as "my purpose in life".

"They were my girls, my family, my love and foundation," he said.

Referring to the convicted driver, he said: "If he does something else within the next five years, he will go to jail but he is not in jail now.

"This is okay with me. Him being in prison will not bring Yvonne and Ella back and it would not make me feel any better if he was jailed.

"He is an old man and I'm sure he already suffers from what he has done."

It is the first time Soren has spoken to the media since the tragic accident in May 2015. Both he and Yvonne's parents wanted to use this week - World Breastfeeding Week - to extend their gratitude to a group of Irish women who helped provide a ray of hope in the months after Yvonne's and Ella's deaths.

Baby Noah had been exclusively breastfed and his mother was a dedicated member of an Irish breastfeeding support group on Facebook.

After Yvonne died, the Facebook group rallied to deliver upon her wish that Noah would be breastfed until his first birthday.

For six months, the women from across Ireland sent over 70 litres of donated milk to the Buchtrups' home in Norway. On one occasion, there was even a drop-off of frozen breastmilk made in Wales by a group of husbands on their way to a rugby match while Soren was visiting his sister there.

"I was quite amazed about the efficiency and teamwork that happened once everyone worked towards the same goal," Soren said.

"It was genuine human kindness and I'll be forever grateful to the wonderful women in Ireland who I call 'Noah's breastmilk mammies'."

Yvonne, daughter of well-known horse breeder John Long, was a passionate advocate of breastfeeding and had been planning to become a milk donor herself to the milk bank near the couple's home in Norway.

"My wife would always have done a lot of research before having a strong opinion on something, so she presented the idea of donated milk herself," Soren revealed.

"It was the main reason I accepted help from the group when they approached me after the accident. I knew Yvonne was a member and had wanted to breastfeed until at least one year."

Noah is now a thriving toddler, something Soren believes is thanks in part to his year of breastmilk.

"It wasn't until the week after I stopped giving Noah the breastmilk that he had his first runny nose. Noah will turn two in October and until now he has only had a runny nose twice and a fever once. I believe his immune system has been boosted with defence matter from all those beautiful souls who spent many hours pumping."
The son of murdered French film executive Sophie Toscan du Plantier has urged Irish people to do everything they can to support a forthcoming trial in France over his mother's killing.

Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud (35), who is currently on holidays in west Cork, welcomed the news that French authorities have signalled a trial process almost 20 years after Ms du Plantier (39) was viciously battered to death during a pre-Christmas break at her Toormore holiday home.

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The French are now expected to launch a fresh bid to have British freelance journalist Ian Bailey (59) extradited.

In 2012, the Supreme Court threw out a French extradition bid after Paris had issued a European arrest warrant for Mr Bailey over the December 23, 1996 killing.

Mr Bailey's legal team, who dismissed the proposed French prosecution as "an outrage" and "a show trial", said they had received no notification of any impending extradition request.

Mr Bailey, who was in west Cork yesterday, said he had "absolutely no comment to make".

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He has repeatedly maintained his innocence and claimed that sinister attempts were made to "stitch me up" for the crime.

Mr Bailey was arrested in 1997 and 1998 by gardai in connection with their investigation but released without charge on both occasions.

However, Sophie's son, her family and the ASSOPH support association welcomed the impending French trial and paid tribute to Magistrates Nathalie Turquey and Patrick Gachon for their work since 2008.

"It is very good news - it is news that we have waited a very long time for," Mr Baudey-Vignaud said.

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"It is news that we have waited almost 20 years for. We have hope. I have always said that as long as the truth was not revealed, I will never give up the campaign for justice for my mother. I will never give up.

"People should also remember that a murderer is still out there."

Mr Baudey-Vignaud inherited the Toormore cottage bought by his mother as her "dream home" in 1991.

Read more: French in fresh bid to extradite Bailey over the murder of Sophie

Read more: Ian Bailey facing 'show trial' in France over murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier - lawyer

Despite the fact that she was murdered just 100 metres from the property - the spot is marked by a simple Celtic cross - he insisted on retaining the cottage and now holidays there every summer.

Mr Baudey-Vignaud was only 15 when his mother was killed and he named his eldest daughter, Sophie (4), in her memory.

"Time is very important to us now. It is not our friend," he said. Mr Baudey-Vignaud's grandparents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, are now in their 90s and in frail health. However, almost every year since 1996 they have attended the spot in west Cork where their only daughter was murdered.

"They have waited a long time for justice. My hope now is that we will arrive at the end of the story, we will have an outcome, before they die," said Mr Baudey-Vignaud.

Sadly, he admitted that the family had "long ago" resigned themselves to having a trial in France, rather than in Ireland, where the crime was committed.

"That is why we are so grateful to the French magistrates," he said.

But he urged the Irish authorities - and potential Irish witnesses - to now support the family in their search for the truth.

"That is what we would ask now - that people help us in our campaign for justice."

French magistrates cannot compel Irish witnesses to attend the Paris trial, which is likely to be in mid-2017.

While they can rely on sworn witness statements and video-interviews, the family would prefer if as many witnesses as possible agreed to attend in person.

"Our Irish friends have the same humanity as ourselves. Like us, they cannot tolerate an injustice," said Mr Baudey-Vignaud.
The trial in relation to the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (39) will be a non-jury hearing before a panel of three senior magistrates.

It will be held before the Paris Criminal Court and the magistrates will be drawn from a panel of those who are very experienced in criminal hearings.

It is still unknown precisely when the trial will take place, but it is likely that it will be in mid- or late 2017.

The accused, Ian Bailey, will be offered a full defence team.

However, if he does not co-operate with the court or refuses to recognise the process, it is doubtful if a defence will be run without them.

French law is very different from that in both Ireland and the UK, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times.

In France, the law is derived from the Napoleonic Code.

A trial can take place in France for a crime that happened overseas if the person involved was a French citizen.

French law also allows for a person to be tried in absentia.

Such trials have taken place in the past.

It is very difficult to say exactly how long this trial will last. If no defence is mounted, it could last two or three weeks.

The trial magistrates can also allow evidence to be submitted, such as witness statements from people who are deceased or are not present in court.

In the case of the investigation conducted by the French police for Magistrates Patrick Gachon and Nathalie Turquey, the witness statements were all signed, sworn and video-taped.

This was done during multiple trips to Ireland by an elite team of Paris-based detectives.

They interviewed all the original witnesses who had been questioned by gardai.

All the witnesses interviewed since the French investigation into the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier was launched in 2008 will still be invited to attend the Paris trial in person.

Given the number of English-speaking witnesses likely to be involved in the trial process, a full translation service is expected to be operated during the hearing.

Witnesses who are invited to attend the trial and agree to do so will have their travel and subsistence expenses paid for by the French judicial system in the same manner in which such costs are covered in Ireland and the UK.

However, Irish-based witnesses cannot be compelled to attend the French trial.

The verdict will be delivered by the three magistrates.
'The dogs in the street know Maynooth in its current state is not fit for purpose... this is my experience of Maynooth. What have our bishops to fear in thoroughly reforming our national seminary?"

These words were those of a young student at the national seminary.

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He loves the Church, he explains - but what he has met with in Maynooth is a formation structure that prefers him to be "worldly, to be just one of the lads, to be a 'yes man' who'll not offer the challenge of the Gospel to the modern world".

His words were spoken by an actor on RTE radio - but there can be little doubt that the authorities in Maynooth have already figured out the identity of the young seminarian behind the sentiment.

If the situation at the national seminary is as many claim it to be, it seems possible that he will soon be approached and advised that his vocation is not working out. But his removal will not quell a disquiet that has mounted to a deafening hum in the wake of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's announcement that he would be transferring three Dublin seminarians to Rome because of "strange goings-on" at Maynooth.

"There seems to an atmosphere of strange goings-on there, it seems like a quarrelsome place with anonymous letters being sent around," Dr Martin stated simply.

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He pulled no punches, describing allegations of a "homosexual, gay culture, that students are using an app called Grindr, a gay dating app".

The nation gaped at the incongruity of a high-profile Archbishop explaining such a concept on the national news.

Coming from a man sent by the Vatican to clean up the Irish Church in the wake of the horrifying child sexual abuse scandal - in addition to his overwhelming popularity with the public - his verdict on Maynooth carried special weight.

Yet, over the next 48 hours, the rest of the Catholic hierarchy scrambled to express their unwavering commitment to Maynooth.

Read more: Martin further isolated as six more bishops give support to Maynooth

Read more: Maynooth crisis: Excessive drinking and promiscuity 'in the air for decades'

Technically more senior, the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, the Primate of All Ireland, told the Irish Independent that the Archdiocese was "extremely grateful to St Patrick's College, Maynooth, for the spiritual, human, pastoral and academic formation that he received there".

He was echoed by Archbishops Michael Neary and Kieran O'Reilly.

What could have prompted Archbishop Martin to take such a bold step in the full knowledge that he would be left isolated by his peers?

An uneasy question now hangs over an institution that dates back to 1793 - opened when the French Revolutionary wars forced the closure of Irish Colleges on the continent.

Rumours swirling around Maynooth for decades were confirmed by the Ferns Report in 2005 - which found truth in the allegations that former Maynooth president Michael Ledwith had abused a young man called 'Raymond' in the early 1980s from the age of 13 until after his 15th birthday.

With that matter laid to rest, this latest crisis had its roots in the ongoing rumblings in the blog posts of self-styled 'Bishop' Pat Buckley - with plenty of axes to grind and little to lose, which claimed a 'gay sub-culture' existed in Maynooth.

"Clearly, if anyone is not living in celibacy, they should not be in a seminary," said President of the seminary Monsignor Hugh Connolly yesterday.

He told RTE that it was "difficult" to investigate anonymous complaints.

Put to him that the editor of the 'Catholic Voice', Anthony Murphy, had attempted to show him a picture of a young seminarian on the Grindr app, but he had refused on grounds that it was anonymous, Mgr Connolly argued that being shown it on a phone while walking up the corridor was not "the proper way to do things".

Amid this unsettling backdrop, young seminarians are preparing to return to Maynooth in September.

Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network warned of the pressures facing these young men at this time.

"It's very hard to devote yourself to an organisation that says 'you're evil'," he said of the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality.

He added that there were key issues to be addressed by the Catholic Church - the issue of celibacy and whether they will openly acknowledge the existence and contribution of gay priests.

Meanwhile, Mark Dooley has been in touch with the Irish Independent to point out that he formerly worked as a philosophy lecturer at Maynooth University and not at the seminary, St Patrick's, as reported on Thursday. Seminarians are obliged to take courses in philosophy at the university.

Read more: 'I felt it was not the healthiest place for my students to be' - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin

Read more: Seminary system is 'alien to the needs of the student'
Two brothers of a man shot dead outside a Dublin school are facing renewed death threats from the dangerous mob who murdered him.

Gardai are on high alert that slain Benny Whitehouse's older brothers Jimmy and Cliff will become the next targets of a gang considered one of the most dangerous in the State.

Both men have been previously warned about a death threat against their lives from the Traveller gang.

The siblings are understood to have been given fresh security advice by officers based in Drogheda, Co Louth, in recent days.

Sources have revealed that gardai have put a special security plan in place to protect the brothers after a close associate of the criminal who leads the rival faction was released from jail.

"This is a very serious situation that gardai are monitoring very closely," a source said last night.

Benny Whitehouse (35) was shot dead at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, at 9am on September 25, 2014, in front of his partner as part of a bitter feud that had seen a number of violent incidents before and since.

The gang suspected of killing Whitehouse are also the chief suspects in the suspected murders of Tallaght man Willie Maughan (34) and his partner Anna Varslavane (21).

The young couple were last seen in the Gormanston area of Co Meath on the afternoon of April 14 last year.

One theory being investigated is that the couple were murdered because they were trying to break links with the dangerous Traveller gang that they had been associated with in the months before their disappearance.

The couple made a desperate phone call pleading for help on the day they disappeared.

Ms Varslavane said "help, help, help" in a call to Mr Maughan's family.

Their voices could be heard before the phone went dead after several seconds.

In February of last year, Cliff Whitehouse (40) was jailed for four months for his role in a violent feud-related incident outside a Balbriggan school while many people were dropping off their children.

During the incident a vehicle mounted the footpath and a number of people, including a woman who was due to give birth that day, had to jump out of the way.

Whitehouse was later arrested and told gardai he had agreed to go to the school that morning to act as security because threats had been issued against members of his family.
BBC chat show king Graham Norton has described an interview featuring terminally ill Cork woman Anne Herlihy as "one of the most life-enhancing and profound pieces of radio".

The mother of two, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, phoned Joe Duffy's 'Liveline' radio show to speak about the difficulty she faced trying to secure holiday insurance as a person living with stage-four terminal cancer.

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However, the interview turned into an inspirational chat about her bravery, her love of life and her appreciation of 1970s favourites Abba. "I've always been as optimistic as I can be. Whether the glass is full or empty, I've always said you just have to fill it up," she said.

Clearly moved, Norton praised the emotive piece of radio on Twitter and thanked Anne for sharing her story.

Read more: Terminally ill Irish woman who inspired Graham Norton: Id love to invite Graham for a coffee in Charleville to tell him how much I appreciated his comment

When she learned of Norton's kind words, Anne was delighted. "When I heard Graham Norton had commented on it, I thought 'Oh My God! I didn't think I came across well at all on the radio," she said.

"I would love to meet him for a coffee down in the local. If he's ever in Charleville, we're going down to Geary's bar, sitting out the back and having a coffee just to say how much I appreciated his comments."

Since she was diagnosed, Anne has been working her way through her bucket list. Last year, she renewed her wedding vows with husband PJ. "There's a few things on my bucket list now," she said. "I'm trying to learn the words to 'Both Sides Now'. I always wanted to sing it properly. I'd love to get a flying lesson... It would be great to get a nice family portrait too."

"Sometimes I get upset thinking, 'Oh God, will I be around here on Inch beach next summer?' But then I give myself a talking to. You have to grab the moments you have."

In June, Minister Simon Harris was forced to apologise to Anne for a letter sent in his name that wrongly suggested she had praised her care at Cork University Hospital.

Anne had written a sarcastic email to the Minister expressing her "gratitude to have the privilege of sitting on a hard chair" in a hospital corridor.
The gay culture at the national seminary in Maynooth has been an open secret for decades, according to former student priests.

A former St Patrick's College seminarian is the latest to claim the existence of a gay culture within the seminary has been well known in church circles for decades, and that the trustees of Maynooth have long been aware of it. The man, who studied in Maynooth in the 1990s, said there were gay cliques operating within Maynooth and heterosexual students were pressured to say nothing.

And a leading expert on religious affairs has warned the hierarchy that churchgoers are "entitled to know" how their future priests are being trained.

Writing in today's Irish Independent, theologian Gina Menzies says: "The secrecy hovering over Maynooth reflects the lack of transparency in the handling of clerical child abuse."

Meanwhile, the Maynooth controversy will be discussed with college management at the autumn general meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference in Maynooth in September. The meeting will be attended by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.
The bullet-riddled minibus in which 10 Protestant workmen were massacred near Kingsmill in South Armagh in 1976.

Detectives were last night questioning a man in connection with one of the worst unsolved massacres of the Troubles.

The arrest of the suspect has been described as a step towards justice 40 years after 10 Protestant workmen were shot dead at Kingsmills.

The 59-year-old was detained by detectives from the PSNI's legacy investigation branch in the Newry area yesterday.

He is being quizzed on suspicion of the murder of 10 men and the attempted murder of another.

The survivor, Alan Black, who was shot 18 times and left for dead, said he was stunned by the arrest. "I don't really know what to think, to be honest," he said.

"I am still trying to take it in.

"For 40 years the police were not interested in Kingsmills but this, I suppose, is a development at least.

"We will just have to wait and see what happens and whether any charges are brought against this person."

Yesterday's arrest came two months after police announced a major forensic breakthrough in the unsolved investigation into the atrocity.

The workmen were lined up and mown down by an IRA gang after their minibus was stopped near the South Armagh village on January 5, 1976, as they headed home from work.

The only Catholic workman was ordered to run away.

The men who died were: John Bryans, Robert Chambers, Reginald Chapman, Walter Chapman, Robert Freeburn, Joseph Lemmon, John McConville, James McWhirter, Robert Samuel Walker and Kenneth Worton.

Mr Black, a 32-year-old father of three at the time, was seriously wounded and spent months recovering in hospital.

A fresh inquest into the massacre opened on May 23. However, barely a week after restarting, it emerged fresh evidence had been uncovered.

A palm print found in the getaway vehicle was re-examined by forensic scientists days after the inquest opened, and a potential match was identified on the police database.

Reacting to yesterday's arrest, Colin Worton, whose brother Kenneth was one of those killed, said: "We were disillusioned when we were told at the inquest about the discovery of the palm print after 40 years. But I believe this has to be a positive development."
A couple have been airlifted from a Mayo mountain after getting into difficulty at around 9pm last night.

The man and woman, who are both from Northern Ireland, became disorientated while walking on Mweelarea.

According to the Malin Coastguard, it was roughly an hour before they were found and airlifted by the helicopter to safety.

Achill Lifeboat, Westport Coastguard and Mayo Mountain Rescue all partook in the search.

Neither of the walkers suffered any injuries.
The distraught parents of a baby who died at just five-weeks-old, having been infected by the superbug MRSA, have revealed they were told by doctors their son had just a common cold.

Doting parents Louise Lynn and Sam Morrissey said they are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of baby Shea in November last year.

An initial post-mortem reported the cause of death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but a second report carried out in February pinpointed the superbug MRSA.

Now Louise and Sam want to raise awareness of the symptoms of the condition, which include a rash, drowsiness and breathing difficulties because they "never ever want another family to go through this suffering".

The Carrickfergus couple, who have been together for two years, said the arrival of their son on October 20, 2015, at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, weighing 5lb 15oz, "was the best thing in the whole world".

They gave him the pet name "our wee ducky" because Shea would pout his top lip, and were amused that he slept with his head resting on his arm and with one leg always poking out of the blanket.

"He was a good baby, very small and really placid," said Louise (30), who is also mum to seven-year-old Jai.

"We called him Shea Matthew John Morrissey after my granddad and dad, and he was so delicate and small that he just seemed to suit the name."

A good feeder, Shea was a "real wee guzzler", said Louise, and soon doubled in weight to 10lbs.

"Shea had big feet and he would always pop one of his legs out no matter what blanket he was wrapped in," she added.

"Every time I looked at him, all I felt was pride.

"It was so surreal that I couldn't believe he was mine, that this perfect wee boy, my beautiful son, was mine for life."

But at 11 days-old Shea developed a "rasping chest" and a rash on his face which "looked like bites", and he struggled to breathe if laid flat.

He was diagnosed with a common cold and given saline drops to clear his blocked nose but, less than four weeks later, on November 22, he was found dead in his Moses basket at home. Emergency staff rushed to resuscitate him but it was too late. Despite being in shock and racked with grief, however, his parents selflessly offered to donate his organs to give other babies a chance in life, but it was not possible.

A post-mortem confirmed the presence of an MRSA infection which had travelled down Shea's throat to his chest before finally attacking his heart.

Since the tragedy, Sam (20), a student, has been suffering with debilitating panic attacks and Louise said she constantly tortures herself with "what ifs?".

Throughout the pregnancy Sam slept with his arms around Louise so Shea would know his dad's heartbeat when he was born. He tearfully recalled his son's final hours.

"At around 4.30am Shea was really unsettled so I made him a bottle, but he only took an ounce of it," he said.

"He was very drowsy so I put him down for sleep - but he never woke up."

Only hours later, they found Shea was not breathing and called for an ambulance.

"I would not wish this on any child, not anyone, not even on my worst enemy," added Sam, who is also dad to three-year-old Jack.

"I can't explain how awful this has been. I'm trying to stay strong for Louise and keeping it all in but there have been days where we have sobbed and sobbed.

"We want answers from the inquest, including why this infection was never picked up."

Clutching his Rosary beads, he added: "The only comfort I have is that my son never sinned and that he is now in heaven."

Shea's inquest will take place next Friday at Laganside Court where both his parents, police officers and medical staff will give evidence about what happened to Shea.

Louise added: "I am glad to have those four weeks and five days with Shea than to never have them at all because they were the best ever.

"Although Shea is gone, I will never forget him and I'm almost glad that this pain that I suffer every day will be with me forever, because that pain is for Shea."

A spokesman for Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: "We would be unable to comment in advance of the public inquest."
Forget limited edition Magnum and movie-themed ice-cream, Viennetta has always dominated Irish homes as the king of cold desserts.

Reserved for Sundays, after a family roast, the ice-cream was the highlight of a weekend and eased the pain of having to shovel away greens beforehand.

Now imagine if you could get Viennetta to go. Like any other classic creamy desert, Viennetta has always belonged on a stick.

Well it seems someone got there already and Viennetta on a stick already exists - just not in Ireland.

Over the past few months images of the ice-cream have been found online but originating from either China or Malta.

Australians created such uproar over not having it that after some public pressure Streets ice-cream confirmed plans to bring Viennetta on a stick to the continent.

The company which is responsible for selling the ice-cream in Australia is also encouraging fans of the ice-cream to create their own versions of an on-the-stick version.

A trip to Shanghai to try the real deal Viennetta on a stick is also up for grabs for those who send in their DIY creations.

No plans have been announced yet to bring the seemingly new dessert to Ireland but it appears Irish families are not the only ones with an attachment to the classic ice-cream.
Dr Ahmed Omar said that despite our high birth rates, Ireland is likely to follow the same pattern as other developed countries and have fewer babies as time goes on.

THE Government should examine helping women cover the cost of freezing their eggs, a fertility specialist has said.

Dr Ahmed Omar, medical director at the Beacon Clinic in Sandyford, said that despite our high birth rates, Ireland is likely to follow the same pattern as other developed countries and have fewer babies as time goes on.

It would be prudent for the Government to plan for this and look at measures that could help women conceive later in life if they wish, he said.

"If you look at our population, we still have a high birth rate in comparison to other European countries, but dropping birth rates are a phenomenon in advanced countries in general," said Dr Omar.

"I think sooner or later it's a problem that, unfortunately, we might have to deal with. I think State support is a great idea, and sooner or later fertility is going to be become less of a personal issue and more of a national issue.

"It's something that is worth considering for the Government."

It costs 3,000 for the extraction and freezing of eggs, and a woman must then pay a storage fee each year. The first year is often free and the annual cost varies.

In Beacon, storage costs 500 a year. In ReproMed clinics, the cost of storage is 300 a year.

Every month, Beacon provides egg-freezing services for three or four women who are looking to put their fertility "on ice" for a variety of reasons.

"We see patients of all age profiles. There are still a good number of women over 35 seeking the service, which is not ideal," said Dr Omar.

Egg survival and the possibility of achieving pregnancy greatly increases if eggs are frozen before a woman reaches 35, but for many younger women the cost can be a barrier.

"The problem of affordability is the main issue, because in an ideal world women aged 25 to 30 are the ones who really need to be considering it. In reality, the cost is an issue for the majority of women of that age.

"So they are deferring freezing their eggs, which means the impact might be negative on the quality."

Dr Omar's calls were echoed by the director of another Irish clinic that provides egg-freezing services.

Valuable

ReproMed director Declan Keane said: "We have called on the Government many times before to offer both regulatory guidelines and funding to the Assisted Conception Units in Ireland."

"Egg freezing is a valuable tool for women who may wish to conserve their fertility potential at a younger age than they want to start a family."

ReproMed has also seen an increase in the number of women freezing their eggs thanks to improvements in technology.

However, the Department of Health said that while funding is provided for fertility preservation for oncology patients, officials are not convinced about the long-term safety of freezing eggs.

"People may also wish to defer having children for social, non-medical reasons," a spokesman said.

"While egg-freezing may appear to be an attractive strategy for having biological children later in life, ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval are medical procedures that carry medical risks.

"Although short-term studies may appear reassuring, data about the long-term safety and efficacy of egg-freezing are lacking."
Jet2.com, the UK low-cost carrier, has claimed to be the first European airline to ban alcohol sales... before 8am.

The airline, which flies to 17 destinations from Belfast International, announced the measure to tackle disruptive and abusive behaviour on flights.

Alcohol has been cited as a common factor in air rage incidents - most recently in the UK aviation industry's Code of Practise on Disruptive Passengers.

Jet2.com's announcement comes as part of its Onboard Together campaign, which has seen more than 500 passengers refused travel and over 50 of those given lifetime bans since its launch in 2015.

The new rule will take effect from Monday, August 8.

We believe that stopping sales of alcohol before 08:00BST on our morning flights is an effective way to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and comfortable journey, said Phil Ward, the airline's Managing Director.

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Ward also called on airports and retailers to follow Jet2.com's lead, and to support a call for fully sealed bags for alcohol purchased in airports.

Airport bars and restaurants often fall outside of normal licensing restrictions, enabling the airside purchase of alcohol from first to last flights.

Last week, the UK's new aviation minister, Lord Tariq Ahmad, said he plans to look at how alcohol is sold at airport bars, restaurants and duty-free shops after a spate of incidents involving drunk passengers.

"I don't think we want to kill merriment altogether, but I think it's important that passengers who board planes are also responsible and have a responsibility to other passengers," Ahmad said in an interview with the Press Association.

Disruptive incidents remain rare on flights, according to the UK aviation industry's Code of Practice, "but can be costly and cause delays".

The Code encourages a "zero-tolerance" approach, including the full reporting of incidents and the denial of boarding where necessary.
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What will it take to unite Ireland? Opinions are divided

There are those for whom Northern Ireland is a geographical fragment of the UK holding true to empire on its western flanks, and those for whom partition is a century-old wrong that must be overturned. Somewhere in the middle are the persuadables  people willing to accept either unity or union, so long as the justification is logical. One way or another, the unity conversation is in the air.
In today's Ireland accidental landlords are taxed through the nose if they let out their boom era 'starter home' in order to rent a family sized property, but owners of entire apartment-blocks pay nothing.

The contrasts between the tax being paid by investor Kennedy Wilson in Ireland, Spain and the UK for income from similar assets is a stark illustration of how skewed the Irish tax system has become in favour of globe-trotting, value-hunting multinationals.

The zero tax rate that applies to income on 1bn of Irish assets owned by property firm Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate (KWERE) is definitive proof the system here stinks.

The evidence of the company's own accounts is clear, stark and publicly available. In Spain, a market like Ireland that was picked over by distressed asset investors after a property crash, KWERE is paying tax at a rate of 25pc on its profits.

In the UK it's paying 20pc.

In Ireland and Italy, it's pays nothing.

The figures tell us two things. First, big funds like Kennedy Wilson can and will pay tax where and when it's applied.

Secondly, Ireland's investor friendly regime is out of kilter with the norm.

There's no point blaming Kennedy Wilson. It was one of the first US investors prepared to invest in Irish property after the banking crisis, and rightly reaped the financial benefits of savvy investing. It's playing by the tax rules. The blame lies with successive governments that have fallen over themselves to make life easy for big investors with new laws and regulations allowing for the creation all kinds of exotic and tax-efficient structures.

In the meantime, more of the costs of running the kind of country where money managers are comfortable investing has shifted onto income tax.

In the period since the crash Ireland has cleared a tax-free investment path for big investors, while an extra 5bn a year in tax bills has been piled on the shoulders of middle income PAYE and USC workers.
The Maynooth story is symptomatic of the challenges facing the Catholic Church and its future direction. Both Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Father Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) have used the same phrase - a "closed, strange world" - to describe Maynooth Seminary. And the fallout is much wider than rumours circulating about inappropriate sexual activities in the Seminary.

The secrecy that hovers over Maynooth reflects the lack of transparency in the handling of clerical child abuse. Are the people of God not entitled to know how their future priests are being trained to minister? Those who struggle to remain in the Church are ill served by the current confusion and lack of leadership.

The issues of clerical formation and theological orthodoxy in Maynooth form the current battleground between two visions for the future of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The ongoing battle is between those who seek a reform of the institutional Church in accordance with the documents of Vatican II, and those who believe that the way forward is a return to and restoration of the pre-Vatican II model of the Church.

The phrase Roma locuta; causa finita est (Rome has spoken; the cause is finished), coined by St Augustine in the fifth century, underpinned a simpler, rule-bound world in which all decisions were taken within the Vatican circle and unquestioning obedience was required of the faithful.

Clerical formation took place behind walls, in full clerical garb, uncontaminated by worldly contact. No woman was allowed to teach in Catholic seminaries. The world of a male celibate elite exercising authority and decision-making on behalf of the whole Church was based on a monarchical model of church. Questioning subjects were easily dispensed to outer darkness. Six of those theologians who sought to connect the Gospel message with life included Irish priests such as Fathers Sean Fagan, Tony Flannery, Brian Darcy, Gerry Moloney and Owen O'Sullivan.

Vatican II sought a new relationship with the world: more than 2,000 of the world's bishops present supported the 16 documents. It spoke of new understandings: the Church as the whole people of God, including all the baptised, a pilgrim church. It signified the end of the clerical or monarchical Church as we knew it.

Many Catholics struggle with such images and prefer the older model of an authoritarian, rule-bound, judgmental Church that had the truth for all time. New insights from the world of psychology, sociology, psychiatry and feminism were, and continue to be, unwelcome. Restoration to the past order and certainty on all matters is their preference.

The rebuking of students in Maynooth for their "theological rigidity" highlights the tensions between pre- and post-Vatican II visions of the Church.

A fundamental question about ministry in the 21st century needs to be addressed. The needs of the community require different ministerial structures reflective of the diversity of all the baptised - women and men, heterosexual and homosexual. The diminishing numbers in Irish seminaries powerfully reinforce this fact. This is not to deny the tremendous contribution of so many priests and religious who have devoted themselves to ministry in parishes, schools, hospitals and other parts of civil society.

It might be helpful to remind ourselves that the beginning of the Jesus movement was priestless. Jesus was accompanied by women throughout his public ministry. Women remained at the foot of the cross, he gave them the mission to spread the resurrection message, bread was broken in house churches run by women. There was a radical equality of all, no Jews or Greeks, no slaves or free, no man or woman - all were one in Christ. The gifts of all served all. The notion of 'priest' did not emerge until the fourth century, after the Christian church carried out a reverse takeover of the Roman Empire, which subsequently became known as the Holy Roman Empire. What began as a gathering of people became a powerful bureaucracy with a professional hierarchical priesthood.

A more diverse ministry would better serve the Gospel in the 21st century. A ministry should include married men and women, optional celibacy and a male and female diaconate. Pope Francis has shown leadership in his decision to establish a commission to study the possibility of women deacons in the Catholic Church. The commission, which has equal numbers of men and women, includes American scholar Dr Phyllis Zagano, who has long championed the ordination of women as deacons. She has spent many years researching the role of women and deaconesses in the early Church. Her historical knowledge, and her scriptural and theological understanding of the role of women in the early church communities and the presence of women deacons is incontrovertible.

Father Gabriel Daly, in his book 'The Church Always in Need of Reform', reminds us that those who want to remain have "an arduous task". A fresh examination of ministry and ministerial formation for the new century is not only necessary, but would be a welcome beginning.

Gina Menzies is a religious commentator and theologian
Louth people are being asked to consider joining an island-wide group, committed to achieving the best possible quality of life for people with serious and life limiting illness.

Voices4Care was established by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) three years ago to make a positive difference for people with an illness or condition which may limit or shorten their lives.

It is a forum of people with palliative care needs, carers and community members reflecting diversity across both North and South and to ensure that service user voices are heard.

Membership is now being refreshed and AIIHPC is seeking new volunteers from all corners of the island of Ireland to apply to join the group.

AIIHPC Programme Manager Brendan O'Hara said joining Voices4Care gives committed members of the public the chance to be part of something that can make a real difference and influence palliative care education, research, policy and practice.

He said: 'AIIHPC works with a range of hospices, health and social care organisations and universities on the island of Ireland. Through Voices4Care we are committed to having the views of patients and their families at the heart of what we do.

'Members will have meaningful opportunities to influence and inform palliative care services and policy in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland'.

Current Voices4Care members include people receiving palliative care, carers and former carers and people from the wider community interested in palliative care.

More information and an application form to join is at www.aiihpc.org. Applications by Tuesday, August 9. For contact Brendan O'Hara at bohara@aiihpc.org or 01 491 2948.
A director of Dundalk Musical Society has set up a new theatre school for young people in Dundalk and will have a well-known Dublin actor giving her summer camp group a workshop later this month.

Geraldine Pender has established From the Top theatre group and is putting her considerable experience on the stage to good use. The group is holding a summer camp at the Wellington Hall in Dundalk from August 15 to 19 from 10am to 2pm and Rob Murphy, who plays Buffy in the Cheerios' panto in Dublin, will host one of the workshops.

Geraldine trained at Bull Alley Theatre Training Company (Liberties College, Dublin), graduating with an A.T.C.L & a Licentiate in performance from Trinity Guildhall, London.

She has received vocal training from Maureen V. Ward and The Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Teaching and directing is an area Geraldine has developed a passion for over the last seven years, working with many stage and drama schools across Dublin and beyond. She has been facilitating classes and workshops while also working on speech and drama exams with students from many different schools.

Geraldine enjoys her job very much and believes performing arts to be a wonderful way to build children's confidence, social skills and centres her classes on this and the discovery of hidden talents. Geraldine has taken on the position of director for Dundalk musical society, which she will be going into her fourth year working with them.

She has seen the talent that Dundalk children have and wanted to open a school where all three disciplines of performing arts are catered for in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.

For more information, contact Geraldine at 085 7674681 or www.facebook.com/fromthetopTS.
Tesco stores across Louth raised over 4,400 for Temple Street in just seven hours of fancy dress fun!

The local stores, Tesco Extra , Stapleton Place and Tesco Longwalk were awash with superheroes, princesses, pirates and more as Tesco colleagues and customers took part in Ireland's largest fancy dress day, raising over 4,400 for Temple Street Children's Hospital.

The retailer exceeded its national fundraising target across its 148 stores raising 150,000 for its charity partner.

In Dundalk Tesco Extra staff and customers succeeded in raising 1,070 towards the target, with a festive atmosphere which saw local children also get involved in the superhero theme.

All funds will go towards replacing equipment in the out-patient Ophthalmology department, helping the team to give the best possible care by using the latest technology for eye examinations.

Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Temple Street Foundation praised all those involved in the event.

'The fancy dress event was truly spectacular and the support shown for our hospital in Tesco stores right across the country was so wonderful to see.

The funds raised will have a positive and long-lasting impact on Temple Street and the children in our care.'

'From all of our little patients, doctors and nurses we'd like to say a huge thank you to all the team in Tesco and customers who dressed up and got involved!'

Temple Street Children's Hospital operates the busiest A&E department in Europe, and for thousands of children,

It is the only hospital in Ireland where they can be treated and through the charity partnership with Tesco, employees and customers, and become real life heroes to little patients from all over Ireland.

Since the launch of the charity partnership in October 2014, Tesco employees have raised a staggering 1.8million for Temple Street, helping the hospital to buy much needed lifesaving medical equipment.

All funds raised go towards replacing equipment in the Ophthalmology department, helping the medical team to give the best possible care to children from all over Ireland by using the latest technology for eye examinations.
A mum living in Dundalk has called on people to sign an online petition to set up an Educate Together school in town and says she finds it difficult to believe there's not one here already.

Ana Montero took to Facebook last week to outline the rationale behind her call to establish an Educate Together school in Dundalk and revealed how her six-year-old son is already confused after he opted out of religion class.

She wrote: ''Dundalk, the biggest town in Ireland, with nearly 35,000 people does not have any multi-denominational or non denominational schools. The majority of schools are Catholic.

'I am an atheist, my 6 year old is not baptised. He attends a Catholic school in Dundalk because there's not a secular option. I have opted him out of religion instruction but I was told by the principal that the school doesn't have to provide anything for him to do while religion is being taught. I was told the same by the Department of Education.

'So my child has to sit in his classroom while religion is being taught to the other kids. He doesn't understand why he has to sit on his own, looking at a book, not being allowed to talk while having to listen to everything.

'He's only six and he's already confused, he comes home talking about baby Jesus, only for me to tell him that we do not believe in him. He doesn't understand why his teacher tells the other kids stories that we, as a family, don't believe are right.

'I'm furious with the Government that allows children to be treated like that. Schools in Ireland are State funded, why does my child have to be treated like that?'

Ms Montero revealed that she had been in touch recently with Educate Together who told her they have no plans to open a school in Dundalk in the near future.

She said: 'The reason the government gives is that there are enough school places in Dundalk. And that might be true, maybe there are enough school places, but there's hardly any variety, most of them are Catholic and a few Church of Ireland.

'Dundalk has a multicultural population due to having companies like eBay and PayPal, lots of people from other countries now live in Dundalk. It's cruel to discriminate young kids just because their parents don't believe in anything or believe in something else.

'I am not even asking for a non-denominational school, as I don't think there are any in Ireland, all I'm asking is for an Educate Together which is multi-denominational. And if that is not even possible, how about moving religion instruction to the end of the school day so kids who do not attend religion could be picked up earlier? And also, how about retiring all religious statues, symbols and prayers from schools? There are plenty of churches all around the country for those purposes'.

The petition is available to sign at www.change.org/u/33336332.
'Public order in Carlingford is a particular problem for us,' Superintendent Gerry Curley admitted, as he discussed the latest crime figures, which show a significant rise in public order incidents across the entire Dundalk district.

Over the last number of years, the north Louth village has become a popular destination for stag and hen parties.

Each weekend, revellers travel to the area from all over Ireland, and there have been cases before the district court as a result of late-night incidents.

Matthew McGreehan is pleased to see the stepping up of garda patrols in Carlingford.

'People and business have a right to proper policing at the weekends. Tourism is important to the peninsula,' he pointed out.

Mr McGreehan added stags and hens have to behave themselves, and he doesn't want the area to get a bad name.

He welcomed the increase in patrols.

Chairman of the JPC, Cllr Jim Loughran said he knows gardai are having a difficulty.

If the guards give someone a caution, those people are then gone from Carlingford, and there is a different crowd in the next weekend, he said.

Public order incidents in the Dundalk district for the 2nd Quarter stood at 100, and increase of 89% on the 53 over the same period in 2015.
Politicians have called for Louth County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find the source of a fish kill on the Ramparts river on Friday.

Fianna Fail TD for Louth Declan Breathnach said the fish kill, on the stretch of the river between Tesco Extra and Martin's Garage, was 'worrying'.

He said: 'I am extremely concerned and I have asked Louth County Council and the EPA to examine the cause of the fish kill. I have alerted the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board to establish the full extent of the situation.

'It is vital that we protect our water quality and fish stock and establish whether the fish kill is due to natural causes or whether there have been any illegal discharges into the river'.

Requests for responses from Louth County Council and the EPA by the Argus went unanswered at the time of going to press.

Cllr. Maria Doyle told LMFM earlier today that it was too soon to say whether the young trout were killed by a pollution incident or by a lack of oxygen in the water, caused by algae or the overgrowth of plants, but she would be raising the matter with the council and called on officials to take samples from the affected part of the river to find out the source.

Cllr. Doyle said she had made a number of representations to the council about the clogging of the Ramparts by weeds and plants which has been blamed for leading to flooding further down river at Mounthamilton. She said residents had told her the river 'is not being maintained as well as it had been in the past' and the grilles, which are intermittently placed along the river, have debris caught in them.
Pictured are Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell OConnor with Michael Carroll and Mary Glynn from TLM Mission Critical, with Joanna Murphy, ConnectIreland

Dundalk is set to become the new European headquarters for project management consultancy firm, TLM Mission Critical Ltd, who are creating twelve jobs in town.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor made the announcement last week, describing it as a boost for the entire country.

'TLM is among a rising number of companies who have decided to set up a European base in Ireland. Once again, this is a testament to our talented Irish workforce and also to Ireland as a great place to do business.'

TLM MC is the Irish registered subsidiary of the TLM Group LLC, a New York-based project management firm comprised of engineering, architectural, construction and technology professionals.

The company confirmed it will launch its European headquarters in Dundalk.

'The main function of the Louth office is to provide project management consultancy on data centre projects throughout Europe,' said Michael Carron, Principal, TLM.

'The objective of the new office will be to better serve existing European clients as well as several US-based clients looking to locate in Europe and potentially Ireland.'

He said that Dundalk was chosen as the prime location for TLM's expansion plans 'because of the availability of key management and personnel, as well as access to talent within close proximity to Dundalk.'

'We are also looking forward to building the newest most technically advanced data centres in Ireland. It is no secret that Ireland has become the data capital of Europe. Ireland has all of the key elements needed for ultimate data centre - cool weather, connectivity, and a qualified workforce.'

Mary Glynn, Vice President of Business Development, TLM, added: 'Brexit has cause for concern to many UK-based companies, Ireland will see an influx of companies looking to set up in Dublin and service Europe. TLM is ready to assist clients and manage their relocation. Although we specialise in data centres, that is not all that we do, we can oversee any construction project from beginning to end.'

Joanna Murphy, CEO of ConnectIreland, commented: 'We are delighted that TLM has decided to locate its European headquarters in Dundalk, County Louth - proof that regional Ireland has a wealth of opportunities and access to talent to attract quality projects outside of urban areas.'

Recruitment is already underway for engineers to fill project management positions. Interested individuals can email their CVs to Mary Glynn at mglynn@tlmmissioncritical.com.
We all know oysters from the Carlingford Oyster Company taste great, but now it's official after the family firm was awarded a Great Taste accolade and was the only food producer in Dundalk or North Louth to do so.

Following months of judging, the results of the world's most coveted blind-tasted food awards, Great Taste, were released last week. Out of the 10,000 products to be judged, 3,539 were awarded a highly prized Great Taste accolade and a just 430 are based in Ireland, including the Carlingford Oyster Company's Irish rock oysters.

While these producers revel in their success and begin displaying the gold and black Great Taste logo with stars on their award-winning products, they will wait with much anticipation to see if they also scoop the top awards for their region, which will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards in London in September.

Recognised as a stamp of excellence, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else, with no regard for branding or packaging. Whether it is jam, gin, beef or butter being judged, all products are removed from their wrapper, jar or bottle before being tasted. The judges then savour, confer and re-taste to decide which products are worthy of a 1-, 2- or 3-star award.

The local company won two stars, meaning their rock oysters, grown in the classified A waters of Carlingford Lough, were rated as 'outstanding'. Last year, the company featured in a ten-part TV3 show called Oyster Clan

One of the owners of the company, Kian Louet-Feisser, told the Argus everyone at the firm was delighted. He said: 'It is great that we have been awarded something like this, especially when there was so much competition from other food producers from not only all over Ireland, but around Britain. It is particularly good for us because the Great Taste awards are well recognised, especially in the UK, where we sell 70% of our oysters.

'It is an instantly recognisable achievement that we are very pleased to get. We have been very busy since the start of the year and things have been going well for us, but the British vote to leave the EU in June came as a huge shock to not only us but a lot of businesses.

'We sell to a lot of restaurants in the UK, many of whom have been long-standing customers, and there has already been a lot of currency fluctuation since the Brexit vote. We are vulnerable to it, like other companies who sell produce in Britain. No-one is sure what's going to happen in the long run.

'But this Great Taste award is a huge boost to us and there is no better endorsement than from an independent organisation who blind-tasted the product'.
Sinn Fein councillor Tomas Sharkey has hit out at another reduction of services in Louth County Hospital.

The Regional Health Forum member says he has been informed there is a curtailment of surgical theatre procedures in the Louth in this month and last 'due to difficulties in employing an anaesthetist'.

He said: 'Every summer we see a new cycle of cancelled appointments. This year was no exception and there was a problem recruiting an anaesthetist. I queried the RCSI management of our hospitals and they admit theatre sessions in Dundalk have been reduced pending the appointment.

'Waiting lists for many treatments are too long. This latest situation will make the waiting lists longer, cause continued pain for patients and costs more money in the long run. The leadership in our health service has not improved. The new politics of a Fine Gael tail wagged by a Fianna Fail dog are not fixing our health crisis'.
The community alert text service is proving very effective, and has led to a significant reduction in crime in rural areas.

Superintendent Gerry Curley added the guards are driving the service every day, as it's proving invaluable.

He urged people to get the message out there, if they see anything suspicious.

JPC member Matthew McGreehan feels local communities can be of even more benefit.

The superintendent fielded a number of queries, and Cllr Maeve Yore complained about queues at the public counter in Dundalk garda station.

He explained the officer dealing with the public, is the member in charge and also has to process prisoners taken into custody. Dundalk is a busy station

It is not possible to put two guards on the counter, but when the resources are available, a second officer will be put on duty.

Last week's meeting was advised of various groups the gardai are involved with, including Campus Watch at DkIT where there is a garda clinic, Hospital Watch and Coastal Watch.

In reference to the Dundalk Town Watch Scheme, it was pointed out there is evidence of drugs use in business areas; and Supt. Curley said it is planned to set up a specific drugs unit.

Elsewhere, the local force has two ethnic liaison gardai, and there is ongoing contact with the Muslim community in Dundalk.

One of the aims of gardai is to continue to promote road safety, and director of services with Louth county council, Joe McGuinness said the position of road safety officer has been re-instated, and the new appointment will be shared with Monaghan.

On the subject of the council's community safety strategy objectives, it was agreed to hold a workshop, with a date in early September most likely.

Mr McGuinness spoke of the council's anti-social behaviour strategy for its own housing stock, and he said 16 tenants 'have walked away from homes given to them.'

Of those abandoned properties, 10 have been recovered, and the other six are in train.

The director of services added the council has 30 privately-owned dwellings in its sights, while 12 CPOs have been served, and these houses will be used for social housing purposes.

He explained a CPO is a last resort, but it is all about getting vacant property into proper use.

In relation to a matter raised, Mr McGuinness said dumping is dealt with under the litter and waste management act, but it is a form of anti-social behaviour and a breach of a tenancy agreement.
So many things come to mind when one thinks of heritage - people, place and everything that lies in between. People have shaped the world around them for many thousands of years, and it is the memories of life that these places hold that gives us a common sense of purpose and understanding. It is only in the understanding and indeed acceptance of our past, that we can have any semblance of a future.

Heritage is becoming more and more important in recent years and 2016 has certainly shown people are willing to embrace the past and what it means to be Irish. As we reflect on 100 years ago and indeed the last 100 years, it is also time to look towards the future.

At this moment in time, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is developing its Statement of Strategy for the next three years. This is an opportunity for people to get involved and offer their thoughts on what strategic issues should be identified and prioritised in the document. The remit of the Department is a broad one, particularly with the added rural/regional function, and areas to be focused on include Ireland's built and natural heritage; Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the islands, Arts, culture, film, music and oversight of Ireland's cultural institutions, amongst many others. Submissions are being received up until Friday 19th August, to be sent by email to corporate.governance@ahg.gov.ie. For more information visit www.ahrrga.ie.

The following day, August 20th, sees the start of Heritage Week 2016, running up until August 28th. The week is really shaping up nicely here in the County of Cork, with 165 events already planned, a quarter of these being of a centenary commemorative nature given the year that is in it. From next week, the full range of events taking place across the County (in close to 60 different locations) will be included in Cork County Council's Heritage Week County Events Guide, available in local libraries, tourist offices, and other such outlets. Anyone looking for the guide can also send an email to cork.heritage@corkcoco.ie and a copy will be posted out. The PDF format is also available online at www.corkcoco.ie/heritage.

In terms of events over the coming week, there is certainly plenty on offer. In Mallow, on Saturday 6th August, there will be a day of open-air drawing. On the day artists Jock Nichol and Margaret O'Sullivan will facilitate outdoor painting and drawing in several locations around Mallow including Thomas Davis Street; in the town parks and in the beautiful grounds of Mallow Castle. Jock and Margaret will be on hand to provide advice and support and the event will conclude with a pop-up exhibition of work made over the course of the day. The event is free and one must bring their own materials. This is a great opportunity to capture in art, the wonderful heritage that Mallow possesses and there is likely to be a high demand for paticipation on the day. To register and for further details email livingspacemallow@gmail.com.

Also on Saturday 6th August, there will be a guided tour of the Easter Rising in Millstreet Country Park. This is a wonderful 0.5km trail where one can learn about the leaders of the 1916 Rising; tours commencing at 12.30pm and again at 2.30pm. On Monday 8th August, also related to the Rising, there will be tours of the Cork City and County Archives in Blackpool, Cork City. The Archives contain a number of documents and materials relating to the pivotal 1912-1922 period and this tour, at 11am and at 3pm again, provides a great insight into Cork's involvement in Ireland's Revolutionary Period. For more information on the Cork and City Archives, a wonderful institution containing a wealth of historical information, visit www.corkarchives.ie. Please note that booking is required for these tours; email archivist@corkcity.ie or phone 021 4505876.

Next weekend there are plenty of further events happening, including the remembrance of Cork Fenian Jeremiah O' Donovan Rossa in Cape Clear and the commemoration of 'The Bard' Sean Riobaird O Suilleabhain, in Millstreet. In Cape Clear on Saturday 13th April a remembrance ceremony will take place at sea, off Gascannane Rock, where O' Donovan Rossa is said to have composed some famous lines of Irish Poetry. An exhibition commemorating O' Donovan Rossa's connection with Cape Clear, particularly in light of the help he gave to the people of island in the 1860s, will be officially launched in the Cape Clear Museum at 3.30pm. The next day, Sunday 14th August, will see the unveiling of a monument to Sean Riobaird O Suilleabhain, known as 'The Bard', at the Kerryman's Table, Aubane, Millstreet. The Bard was the acknowledged leader of the Land War in the North Cork area and also played an active part in the War of Independence. All are welcome to attend this event, which is being organised by the Aubane Historical Society.
Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Senator Tim Kaine has family links to Annakisha parish, which is between Mallow and Shanballymore.

That's according to American genealogist Megan Smolenyak, who famously traced some of President Barack Obama's ancestors to Moneygall in Offaly.

She began looking at Senator Kaine's Irish roots after the 58-year-old father-of-three was chosen last week by Democratic Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton as her running mate.

Ms Smolenyak uncovered Irish links on Senator Kaine's mother's side, tracing his maternal great great grandfather, Richard Hannon, to Annakisha parish between Mallow and Shanballymore where he was born on January 15th 1839.

"Richard was born to Patrick Hannon and Catherine Jones who were married in Mallow parish on March 20th 1838 - there is a Patrick Hannan listed as living in Carriganaltig in Castletownroche which borders Shanballymore in 1839 so I believe that's Richard's father," said Ms Smolenyak.

"Richard emigrated from Ireland and arrived in New York on November 28 of 1851 at the age of 11 on a ship called Florida. There were no other Hannon/Hannan folks on board, so my guess is that the James Jones two lines above him on the register might have been an uncle.

"That's just speculation, of course, but it's as good a guess as any and Richard apparently spent a few years in New York before going to Illinois where he married and had a few children before moving on again to Kansas where he died in 1910.

"I know Tim Kaine has connections with Cork and frequently visits Courtmacsherry in West Cork after his parents, Al and Kathleen visited there 25 years ago but it appears from my research he has strong ties with North Cork too so maybe visiting Cork was a sort of homecoming for him as well."

Senator Kaine - who was born in Saint Paul Minnesota - highlighted his paternal links with Longford earlier this year during an address to the American Ireland Fund: "I am about as stone Irish as you get for somebody's whose family has been in the country for 150 years - all four of my grandparents were born to Irish immigrants." In his first year as Governor of Virginia, in 2006, he visited Ireland with his family; driving to the ruins of the Longford home his great-grandfather PJ Farrell has been born in. "This is where we came from," Senator Kaine told his children at the ancestral home. His father's mother had Kilkenny roots meanwhile.
At the 2015 conference, Consultant Medical Oncologist Prof. Bryan Hennessy, Liz Summersby of NECRET, John McCormack, Chief Executive at the Irish Cancer Society, Kathy Maher, MPSI, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union and Dr. Eric Yelverton of Bryanstown Medical Centre

The Annual Living with Cancer conference organised by the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust (NECRET) in conjunction with Drogheda Oncology and Hematology Unit will take place on Saturday 17th September.

This event a public information day for those living with cancer and their families will return to the City North Hotel, Gormanston, Drogheda and will start from 1.30pm.

Those attending on the day can receive updates on the various types of cancer. The event aims to have an interactive approach between attendees and health professionals and indeed others who may have experienced cancer and their experience of same. People can also avail of free complementary therapy workshops.

Professor Bryan Hennessy Consultant Oncologist in the Lourdes Oncology Unit which serves patients from the Northeast including Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North County Dublin will be joined by some of Ireland's leading cancer specialists. These experts will discuss emerging developments and the newest treatments options available.

More details about this event including the speaker list and locations where tickets can be purchased will be released in the weeks ahead. Amongst those speakers last year were Chris O'Donoghue of Newstalk and celebrity chef Domini Kemp. Both talked about their own battles with cancer.

Professor Hennessy while practicing at a leading US cancer center found that those who attended at events similar to this could receive a real positive benefit and that Irish cancer patients could benefit similarly.

For all NECRET news check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oncologydrogheda/

The board of directors from the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust (NECRET) which is part of the Oncology unit in Drogheda would like to advise their patrons and supporters that they do not receive any financial or other remuneration for their services. All services are provided on a free and voluntary basis.
The centenary celebrations continue at the Gap Arts Festival this weekend with the screening of two films and a piece of theatre.

Festival director Garrett Keogh said that 'this year has been full of 1916 events and we wanted to do something different.'

So with a grant from the Gorey District 1916 Commemoration Scheme the organisers put together a unique programme as part of the 1916-2016 celebrations.

Fibin is an award-winning Connemara-based theatre company. They work in Irish, but they use puppets, sometimes ten feet tall, and concentrate on the visual aspects so their work is accessible to all, with or without Irish. They've been acclaimed wherever they've performed, from China to Canada, from Paris to the USA.

In Mac Piarais i bPictiuir - Pearse in Pictures Dara McGee uses the same mesmerising technique - he paints, he creates pictures right in front of you. With live music and narration the pictures tell a story of five leading figures of the Rising.

'The filmmaker George Morrison was born in Tramore,' Keogh said. 'He spent years searching the film archives in Ireland, England and Europe to make a documentary about the events of 1916.'

His collaboration with the great composer Sean O Riada resulted in the full-length film Mise Eire. It was released in 1959 and became an instant classic. It is the first film ever made in the Irish language. At the Gap it will be shown with subtitles.

The Raheenleagh Windfarm Community Fund has contributed to new Gap cinema equipment, so O'Riada's inspiring music will be heard to its full effect. But it's not suitable for younger kids.

The short film Bandages and Bullets is showing with Mise Eire. Commissioned by Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Municipal District this 12 minute documentary was made by local film director Terence White.

It looks at Cumann na mBan and the role that women played in 1916 in Wexford.

County Archivist, Grainne Doran, author Helen Ashdown, and Jacqui Hynes from the Library Service's Memories of 1916 Oral History Project are among the contributors.
Wexford County Council has started working on the first phase of the The Norman Way, which will see directional and interpretive signs erected at ten medieval heritage sites around the county as part of a major tourism initiative to attract visitors to the region.

The Norman Way encourages domestic and international tourists to explore Wexford's Norman history by providing a clear route that will, on completion, link and improve access to more than thirty of the county's most iconic heritage sites.

Phase 1 of The Norman Way includes Lady's Island, St Iberius Church, Tacumshane Windmill, St Catherine's Church, Sigginstown Castle, Ballyboher Church, Tomhaggard, Ballyhealy Castle, Grange Church, and Kilmore Quay. When complete, this new heritage route will encompass some thirty-three medieval heritage and tourist designation sites from Lady's Island right along the south coast and up to New Ross.

Local archaeologists and international story consultants are also being utilised to ensure The Norman Way is on a par with similar national and international heritage projects.

Failte Ireland has provided funding for the ambitious project under the Ireland Ancient East Capital Grants Scheme. The Norman Way is one of nearly 30 such projects around the country which will fall under the Ireland's Ancient East tourism brand and which Failte Ireland has endorsed.

Work is already under way and illustrations and content being prepared for the remaining sites along The Norman Way which will be completed over the coming year.

Among the works proposed is a new interpretive experience for St Mary's Cathedral New Ross, which aims to make this fantastic Norman site more accessible and enjoyable for visitors.
Reaction to a new sculpture in Killorglin is proving unequivocal: It's a brilliant act of public art symbolising the pain of emigration.

That's the message communicated members of Killorglin Tidy Towns by so many passersby as the sculpture was taking shape in recent weeks.

"The reaction has been amazing so far, people seem to be really taken with it. The theme of emigration, which the sculpture represents ,is something that touches nearly every family after all," Tidy Towns chairman James Daly told The Kerryman.

Created by Co Limerick sculptor Will Fogarty with the assistance of his Tralee artist father-in-law Mike Clifford, the piece sits outside Fexco's Iveragh Road offices - on the very site of the old Killorglin Railway Station - hewn from a 150-year-old diseased oak that was condemned by Kerry County Council.

"We were very sorry to hear of the oak's fate, but I happened to be looking at an old family photo of my mother and father who had both left Ireland like so many others."

James' Cromane native mother Maggie Teahan left Kerry for the UK in the 1940s - having reached the train station by pony and trap from Cromane.

"The sculpture doesn't represent any one person, but everyone to have left or been touched by emigration. As the quote from RTE's Centenary show inscribed on a suitcase that is part of the work reads: "Emigration for too many is a bittersweet truth; the sorrow of leaving, the hope of new horizons and the longing for home."
Chairman of the Kerry Model Railway Association Billy Nolan with young train enthusiasts Danielle and Donnacha O'Brien at the Blennerville Model Railway Festival

Model railway fans from across Ireland and the UK and as far afield as the United States descended on Blennerville at the weekend as the windmill complex hosted Kerry's first ever model railway festival.

The event was organised by the Kerry Model Railway Association and it saw the largest collection of model trains and rail cars ever assembled in Kerry go on display for two days.

Hundreds attended the event each day and guests young and old were fascinated by the stunning train sets and the incredible level of detail that their creators had managed to include in them.

Members of the Kerry association were on hand through the weekend to explain how the sets were made, how they work and to pass on their love of model railways to another generation.

It certainly seemed to work. During The Kerryman's visit the many children in the Windmill Complex looked spellbound by the model sets. No doubt next Christmas many of the children who were in Blennerville on Sunday and Monday will be looking for a Hornby set from Santa in a few months time.

It is hoped to make the festival an annual event and a fixture of Kerry's summer season.
Hundreds of families directly affected by the Bord Pleanala-approved plan to locate ten of the country's highest wind turbines right on their doorstep in Finuge are to be canvassed on Thursday night towards mounting what could prove a costly legal battle against the windfarm.

The North Kerry Wind Turbine Awareness Group (NKWTAG) is hosting a third public meeting since news the controversial Stacks Mountain Windfarm plan was approved by the appeals board last week - at Dromclough National School in the heart of the affected land on Thursday night at 8pm.

Despite prompting the largest number of submissions ever seen by Kerry County Council on a single plan, despite Kerry County Council already refusing permission on visual impact grounds and despite its own inspectors raising serious concerns over everything from the lack of information over grid connectivity to noise pollution, An Bord granted permission last week subject to a number of conditions.

Now, after an exhaustive battle over the past two years NKWTAG are facing an even costlier fight in the courts to keep the members' homes free from the shadow of the ten 156m-high behemoths (30ms higher than Dublin's Spire).

The group has engaged a legal team with background in this area and is meeting residents on Thursday to discuss the plan further.

"Blood is boiling here after this decision to be honest and we're hosting the public meeting on Thursday now to find out which way residents want to go from here as we need the public to stop this," Chairman of the NKWTAG Gerry Doyle told The Kerryman.

Obtaining a judicial review of the Bord's decision will be the first step in the legal battle, providing the legal experts now examining the case believe the case will qualify for a judicial review.

"People are furious here now as it feels like our voice isn't being heard at all, despite lodging the largest submission ever received by Kerry County Council.

"Meanwhile, the PSO levy which funds sustainable energy and makes up part of everyone's electricity bill was raised again this week. People don't realise how so-called green energy is costing more and more and how it is devastating communities," Mr Doyle added.
Restoration works at Leinster House have resulted in an extended Dail recess of up to three months. The longevity of this year's break leaves constituents wondering what exactly the five Kerry based TD's will be doing to represent them for the duration of the break.

While that question is thrown into daily conversations, the chances are the answer to that question has alluded you. So we questioned our representatives on what the recess means to them and what political work they will be doing during it. The pressing issues faced by constituents on a daily basis will not go away and require attention, regardless of whether or not the Dail is in recess - thus, we felt it necessary to pose such questions. The summer break is a completely new experience for both Fianna Fail's John Brassil and Independent TD, Danny Healy - Rae, so, one would wonder if their freshness will see them approach the recess in a different manner to their more experienced counterparts.

Below are the answers we received....

Michael Healy Rae (Ind): All it means is that I wont be driving up and down to Dublin

All it means to me is that I won't be driving up and down to Dublin. I'll be concentrating on catching up on work that's piling up in the office.

I'll also be dealing with community groups who are in constant contact with me about issues and know that I'm not in Dublin three days a week now. I'll be focusing on a lot of that kind of work.

In the last week alone, I've been under siege and attack by the national media and other politicians telling me I'm over active, going to too many funerals, asking too many questions in the Dail and representing too many people. I won't apologies for doing my job. When people pass away, I'm not going to be disrespectful and stay away from their funeral. We try and help our friends in their hour of need and that's what not going to Dublin means to me. I'm glad not to be up and down the road because remember, to be a national politician you have to be elected locally. Anyone that forgets that won't be in Dublin for too long.

My break from Dublin is about 30 odd days. The European Affairs committee I have responsibility for entails an awful lot of work. Last night, when other fellas might have been in bed, I was reading work related documents after a full day's work. It's not as though we're idol.

Brendan Griffin (FG): Great to go home to your own bed

The great thing about the recess is you get to go home to your own bed at night and get out of Dublin.

I will try and use the evening to spend more time with my family, my kids are only one and three years old, so I'll try and spent the evenings with them.

My office will be open daily as normal. I've been doing clinics the past week and had a queue of people who I didn't get to meet over the past few weeks. So, the recess is good for clearing the backlog.

There were reports in the media last week of politicians going on 10-week holidays but there's no such thing. The only difference is I am working out of Kerry instead of Dublin. While I do think it would be better if the Dail was sitting a bit earlier in September, I will have committee business in early September so it's really just the month of August that we're not there. Even at that, I have a few trips to Dublin scheduled for August to meet various people on different issues.

John Brassil (FF): An opportunity to provide a greater personal presence

The recess is an excellent opportunity to provide even greater personal presence in the County than would be possible for the rest of the year. Constituency work never takes a break, constituents are faced with difficulties and concerns. Providing a support to them is a priority.

We support in many ways, from trying to expedite waiting lists for operations and consultations, to applications for medical cards, housing applications and tenancies, social welfare applications and appeals, assisting farmers. We do our best to assist and between my staff and the Kerry Fianna Fail team of Senators and Councillors we have a great support system.

I'll be working to follow up on representations and I'd like to get around to villages and towns in the County that I haven't had the opportunity to get back to since the canvas. Kerry's a much larger constituency now and it's important to me to keep in touch with all parts.

I sit on the Future of Healthcare Committee, as spokesperson on Primary Care and Community Health and will be using the break to catch up on reading material and carry out further research on relating issues.

It's an opportunity to meet with key stakeholders in the County. I've meetings set up to discuss issues facing a variety of parties including business owners, charities, schools and health professionals.

I hope to also take a week with my family during August it's important to enjoy time with my family and it's been a hectic year so far so I think a week together to refuel and catch up is well deserved.

Danny Healy Rae (Ind): The phone hasn't stopped with one problem or another

We're supposed to be on holidays but I never had the volume of stuff to deal with like I had since 7 o'clock this morning.

Can you imagine now that there's four people including girls with babies and families presenting that they're to be put out of their houses. This is a serious problem, we have no houses. While I recognises an attempt has been made and a housing strategy put in place and have commended the minister on getting the ball rolling, I said I will not congratulate you on the strategy until I see how it's working. We are a desperate state with housing. The phone hasn't stopped all day with one problem or another.

The break doesn't make a difference to me, there's no stop like. This rubbish about us being on holidays is not true for me anyway and my staff are very busy and under pressure - we are obliged to work for the people. Our time in the Dail won't be long going, whenever the election will be and you try to do your best while you're there and that's what I'm trying to do.

I'll be running more clinics than normal during the recess and I'll be doing them myself. There were nights there when I wouldn't have been available and Maura and Johnny did them for me but now I will be doing them myself.

Martin Ferris (SF): Work continues as normal

I am continuing to carry out my constituency work throughout the Dail recess, I will still be running clinics as normal in my offices in Tralee, Killarney, Listowel and Killorglin. I will also be in other areas throughout the county carrying out my work.

I will be working on policy matters in my area which is marine and coastal communities, to this effect I will be visiting many fishing and community groups. I will also be working from my office in Dublin over the period. I hope to be able to take a few days break somewhere in Kerry towards the end of August
Graiguenamanagh Town of Books festival takes place from Friday, August 26, to Sunday, August 28 this year.

Graiguenamanagh has bounced back having suffered from major flooding during 'Storm Frank' at the end of last year and the three-day festival is set to cap a fantastic summer in the picturesque town.

The unique festival, now in its 13th year, will see the town transformed into Ireland's 'Town of Books' as 27 booksellers from Ireland and the UK establish pop-up bookshops at locations throughout the town complemented a host of fringe activities. The booksellers will offer tens of thousands of second-hand, rare and antiquarian books in all categories and price ranges to appeal to both collectors and casual browsers. One shop will be devoted to publications by local authors. The festival is designed to appeal to families and to encourage children to take an interest in books while also attracting traditional book collectors.

Town of Books festival director Martin O'Brien said the programme of family-friendly fringe events running in parallel to the bookselling includes a busking competition open to musicians in all categories with 1,000 in prize money; a food and crafts fair featuring local produce and guided walks covering sites of interest including Duiske Abbey and the monks' sculpture trail.

The Graiguenamanagh Brass Band perform on the Sunday. Sheppard's Irish Auction House will again host an Antiques Roadshow-type event on Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Boat House. For further information see www.graiguenamanaghtownofbooks.com.
Councillor Willie Fitzharris has taken over at the helm of the John F Kennedy Trust at an exciting time as the project embarks on the next phase of its development.

Cllr Fitzharris replaces Willie Keilthy who stood down at the JFK Trust board meeting in July.

Cllr Fitzharris said: 'We have exciting and ambitious plans for the next phase of our development and work is already under way on drawing up plans and strategies to develop and grow the tourism business in New Ross. We have recently completed our Vision 20/20 document which charts our way forward over the next four years.'

Cllr Fitzharris said the trust are working closely with Wexford County Council and Failte Ireland on the roll out of the Ireland's Ancient East proposition.

'We have seen visitor numbers on the rise during 2016 and dwell time for visitors in New Ross continues to improve. Across the summer we employ 46 full and part time employees and make every effort to ensure that the majority of our spend is with local based business.'

He said the JFK Trust project's combined put 1.5 million into the local economy on an annual basis.

CEO Sean Connick said he was looking forward to working with Cllr Fitzharris in the year ahead.

'Willie has been making a very positive contribution to the John F Kennedy Trust since joining in 2014 and his knowledge and experience has been a valuable addition to the board.'

Mr Connick went on to thank the outgoing chairman Willie Keilthy for his commitment to the project over the last 13 years, along with Noel Whelan and George Delaney, both of whom also stood down from the board, thanking them for their contributions to the project during their respective terms.
Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and John F Kennedy will be discussed in depth at the festival

The keynote address at this year's Kennedy Summer School - which takes place in New Ross from Thursday, September 8, to Saturday, September 10 - is by former Governor of Maryland and democratic presidential contender, Martin O'Malley.

The summer school theme is a 'Festival of Irish and American, History, Politics and Culture'.

More than 30 guest speakers are participating and will talk on a wide range of different topics and organisers say that the imminent US Presidential Election will feature prominently.

The festival is run in association with the John F Kennedy Trust New Ross and Wexford County Council.

Speaking at the programme announcement Noel Whelan, Director of the Summer School, said, 'This year's Kennedy Summer School is taking pace at extraordinary political times in Ireland and the United States.'

On the evening of September 8 the 'Kennedy Summer School' will be officially opened by United States Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O'Malley followed by a reflection of the US playwright Eugene O'Neill, whose family heritage is local to New Ross.

Professor Robert Downing, a leading US academic authority on Eugene O'Neill's work, will give a key note lecture.

The Thursday night opening will also include an audio visual spectacular by the comedian and performer Paddy Cullivan on the strangest stories of 1916.

In 1963 President John F Kennedy stood in the yard of his ancestral home in New Ross and drank an iconic cup of tea with his Irish cousin Mary Ryan and in honour of this event on Friday, September 9, celebrity chef Edward Hayden will host a tea party in Dunganstown at the Kennedy Homestead.

Later that evening Garda Commissioner, Noirin O'Sullivan will be interviewed for this year's focus interview. This event will be followed by the Edward M Kennedy Lecture, which will be hosted Mr O'Malley. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald will also speak at this keynote address event.

Getting the school under way on Saturday, September 10, Dr Robert M Mauro Director of the Irish Institute, Boston College, Dr Richard Aldousm and Eugene Meyer Chair, Bard College, New York will join a panel to discuss the US Presidency and politics - 'the Good the Bad and the Ugly'.

On Saturday afternoon a panel discussion on Irish politics looking at the 'Budget, Brexit and Better Politics' will be chaired by Katie Hannon who will be joined by leading Irish politicians from each of the main political parties and the Independents.

Later in the afternoon, chief political strategist Tadd Devine will tell the story of the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Larry Donnelly Political Commentator and Law Lecturer at NUI Galway and Kevin Cullen, columnist with the Boston Globe will all discuss the US political landscape.

Taking the Summer School to a close will be a special screening of the Oscar's 2016 'Best Picture', Spotlight, The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Colm O'Gorman, Executive Director at Amnesty International Ireland and Kevin Cullen, a columnist with the Boston Globe.

A number of Fleadh Cheoil events and luncheons will also take place with other guests featuring Anne Doyle, Charlie Bird, Tony Bates and more.

For further details and tickets for the 2016 events see kennedysummerschool.ie or call St. Michael's Theatre on 051 421255.
Earlier this year, the annual Martin Brennan Tractor Run was held to raise money for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund.

The organisers decided to collect money for the Fund as it had been of crucial importance to the family of the late Paul Walsh from Tourlestrane, who was tragically killed in a workplace accident in Australia in April.

There was a big response from the tight-knit community to the fundraiser, with a substantial 27,000 being raised for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund. The Committee of the Kevin Bell Repatriation fund would like to thank everyone who participated or contributed to the recent fundraiser.

A Mass will be held in Tourlestrane Church on Friday 5th August at 8pm followed by a presentation in Teach Laigne in Tubbercurry at 9.15pm.

The total proceeds will be given to Colin Bell on behalf of KBRT.

Colin is the father of Kevin, who sadly lost his life after being hit by a car in New York. The family set up the Fund to help other families.

Light refreshments will be served at the event and everyone is welcome.
A Circuit Court Judge wants those seriously injured as a result of crime to be compensated and says the it should be treated as a matter of urgency.

"The current position is that the State spends huge sums of money punishing criminals through incarceration yet little or expenditure is provided for making redress to victims of crime," said Judge Keenan Johnson at a sitting of the Circuit Court in Sligo.

He pointed out that victims of crime in either Northern Ireland or the UK can be compensated for out of pocket expenses, physical and psychological injuries under State funded criminal compensation schemes.

"It seems to me to be a gross inequity that the same situation does not pertain in this jurisdiction," said the Judge.

He said he was making the comments in the hope they would provoke a discussion on the issue.

"Given that we have an adequate compensation system in place to compensate prison officers and Gardai who are injured in the course of their duties and road users injured by uninsured drivers, I think it is only fair and just we have similar provisions in place to aid and assist victims of crime," he said.

The Judge said that such a compensation scheme had been in place prior to 1981 but due to economic difficulties this was severely curtailed and now only provides victims with out of pocket, vouched expenses.

The Sligo born Judge said it was a principal of sentencing that one of the reasons why an accused should be punished is because they have breached their contract with society to abide by its laws and behave themselves. "This contract works both ways and society has an obligation to citizens to ensure they are protected from criminality and further that where they become the victims of criminality, society makes every effort to undo the wrong that has been perpetrated on them. This effort by society involves not only the application of punishment through the criminal justice system but should also involve an element of compensation to the victim," he said.

He believed a compensation fund for victims of crime could be funded from the money saved by the greater use of suspended sentences. The cost of jailing somone was in the region of 65,000 a year.

"Suspended sentences get a very bad press and are often represented as judges being soft on crime.

"However, in my experience the reportage on suspended sentences invariably fails to report on the onerous conditions that are often imposed with such sentences.

"Such conditions can include a requirement to pay compensation to the victim along with requirements to attend rehabilitation programmes."

Judge Johnson made his remarks when jailing a man for eight years for burglary during which a householder was severely beaten.

The offence occurred on May 4th 2015 in Ballydavis, County Laois.

Michael Gleeson, a heroin addict, had been out drinking in Tracey's pub where he met Paul Kelly who decided to leave and go home after the accused was behaving aggressively.

Gleeson kicked in the door of Mr Kelly's home, pulled him out of bed and subjected him to one of the most vicious assaults the Judge said he had ever come across. Mr Kelly suffered a fracture to the front of his skull and a broken jaw and was hospitalised for several weeks.

The Judge said that the photographs of Mr Kelly's bedroom were like something out of a horror movie.

"The bedroom is like an abattoir with blood all over the place. The evidence disclosed the horrible fact that following the assault, Mr Kelly was unable to find his footing as he was slipping around on the floor in his own blood," said the Judge, who noted that the victim had made an excellent recovery from his physical injuries.

The court heard the guilty plea by Gleeson to burglary was accepted by the State on the basis of the full facts being disclosed with the other counts of assault and threatening to kill being marked proved and taken into consideration.

The Judge said there was no provision to compensate Mr Kelly for the serious and sustained pain and suffering he had endured to date and in the future.
Sligo will be putting its best foot forward next Monday when a judging panel from Pride of Place will be in town.

The judging group are visiting on August 8th and Sligo has two strong entries this year.

Tubbercurry is representing the county in the population category.

This is a category of a population between one thousand and two thousand people.

It's apt timing for the south Sligo town, as the main event on its calendar, the Old Fair Day festival is taking place that week and packed crowds are expected during the celebrations.

In another category, known as the Communities Reaching Out, Sligo Town Twinning Committee are hoping for glory here.

The Sligo Town Twinning Committee is a voluntary group.

It was established by Sligo Borough Council in 1978 to administer the Town Twinning Programme.

Sligo is twinned with two European cities.

They are Crozon in Brittany and Kempten in Bavaria, along with one American sister city, Tallahassee in Florida.

Membership of the committee is open to all.

Sligo's Town Twinning strength lies in its ability through its members to reach out to the local Sligo community.

This is done via schools, clubs and community groups and includes and encourages people to stay involved in ongoing programmes.

Throughout Ireland local authorities have made provisions for twinning as a ceremonial function in its annual estimates since 1991. The IPB Pride of Place awards provides a platform to showcase the 38 years of work carried out by this grouping and to see its amazing legacy over this timeframe.
So far it's been a summer of political heaves, speculation and nominations - both here and abroad - and it's sure to get even more interesting once the political merry-go-round starts up in the autumn.

Stateside, the battle lines are well and truly drawn as Hillary Clinton was finally rubber stamped to take on Donald Trump. We can now expect a race to the White House filled with dirty tricks and Machiavellian schemes, if the recent Republican and Democrat leadership campaigns are anything to go by.

Meanwhile, our neighbours in the UK have, to some extent, stabilised their leadership issues and last month new Prime Minister Theresa May hit the ground running with a robust opening exchange in the House of Commons. Likewise, her cross-party rival, Jeremy Corbyn, has managed to buy himself some time as Labour leader

Last week, May met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Downing Street to discuss the fall out of Brexit and the likely ramifications of a potential 'hard border' with the North. But back home the tremors of change continue to be felt by Mr Kenny as he looks to keep the long grass well and truly cut in Fine Gael.

He knows he's on borrowed time and with Leo Varadkar taking a short lead with the bookies - moving well ahead of co-runners, Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald - the sparks are set to fly sometime soon. While there's speculation that a new leader could be in place after the next budget but before the end of the year, the smart money is on a new Fine Gael leader sometime in 2017.

Likewise, in Sinn Fein speculation mounts over whether or not Gerry Adams should step down. He may have 33 years under his belt as leader but ever since Cavan Sinn Fein cumann chairman, Tommy McNulty, suggested Adams should resign, the wagons have been circled in the party leader's defence.

But have they formed as tightly as in previous occasions?

The combination of a northern republican calling for Adam's resignation in a northern, nationalist-leaning newspaper - The Irish News - would have been unimaginable just a few short years ago.

And last weekend Mary Lou McDonald allowed a national newspaper reporter a two-day 'meet and greet' which could be deemed a sign that she may be primed to take over.

Gerry Adams and Enda Kenny will not receive Shakespearian endings to their reign, of that there can be no doubt. Kenny took Fine Gael to its greatest ever political victory and, while he failed to win voters' confidence last time out, there is still widespread respect amongst the party faithful who admire how he took over a party that was on the floor back in 2002.

Similarly, Adams' Sinn Fein journey has seen a phenomenal rise from political outsider to statesman.

But even Rome fell and Sinn Fein and Fine Gael supporters now face the dilemma of loyalty versus progression. Both party leaders are also, to some extent, victims of Fianna Fail's new-found success and Micheal Martin can simply sit back and smile.

Bookies are seldom wrong and with Mary Lou McDonald and Leo Varadkar the red-hot favourites to succeed their leaders, it's seems only a question of when, not if.

In the meantime the odds are much tighter in the United States and the political merry-go round will certainly keep us entertained as we wait.
Deputy Pat Casey claims Leader funding for Wicklow has to be increased, especially for rural development.

The Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Housing and Urban Renewal states that the recent publication of the latest revised budgetary estimates for the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht shows that no extra money was provided for rural and regional development in the revised estimates.

'This is despite a clear written agreement between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to secure increased funding for the Leader programme,' insists Deputy Casey.

'The current allocation for the Leader programme in Wicklow is 6m. This is actually a 30 per cent reduction from the previous programme. Having served for many years on the board of County Wicklow Partnership which delivers this funding, I know the value that these grants have on communities and business development in Wicklow. It is essential that funding be increased immediately as agreed by Fianna Fail in our agreement with the current Government.

'The Government must deliver on the commitments it made to rural Ireland. We must see additional investment in services and infrastructure to ensure rural Ireland reaches its potential.

'What is the point of having a dedicated rural and regional development department if you do not give it adequate funding and responsibilities?'
Our nation excitedly awaits what Team Ireland has in store for us. Official energy partner to Team Ireland, Electric Ireland has released this inspiring video to encourage everyone to get behind Team Ireland.

The video shows powerful images that celebrate Ireland, with the underlying message being that there is power within us all to achieve great things.

Electric Ireland through The Power Within campaign, have been championing not just the talent and dedication of the individual athletes that make up Team Ireland but also the resilience and self-belief required by Irelands Olympians to realise their dream of competing at an Olympic Games.

11,239 athletes from an estimated world population of 7.4 billion are arriving in Rio to compete in the 311 events that make up the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Becoming an Olympian is an incredibly difficult challenge, with only a fraction of the worlds population (0.0001%) ever earning the right to represent their country at the Olympics. In 2016, Ireland will be putting forth its second largest team.

Electric Ireland have also recently commissioned research around the Olympics, with some interesting findings. Did you know that very few Irish people (14%) are aware of just how difficult it is to become an Olympian?

Further research revealed that Irish adults (65%) feel that Irish Olympians possess un-wavering self-belief in themselves that they can compete against the best in the world. This belief is essential as they tackle the challenges they face, but sometimes belief is lacking in Irish culture.

Nevertheless, 18-24 year olds are more likely to be positively challenged by the achievements of our Olympians, with 44% of them agreeing that our Olympians inspire them to push themselves harder.

Electric Ireland, proud sponsor of Team Ireland wants to inspire the Irish public with these powerful stories and encourage people to look within themselves to find out what drives them ultimately uncovering their own Power Within, whether its the strength to keep pushing through the third round or to find the courage to go for that job promotion, everyone can use The Power Within to realise their dreams.

Show your support for Team Ireland by sharing #ThePowerWithin @electricireland.

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Libya was briefly back in the headlines this week with the news that the US had conducted air strikes against Isil in Sirte, a coastal town which had become the group's stronghold in the country.

The air raids, which the Pentagon says will continue for 30 days, signal a deeper Western military engagement with Libya five years after a Nato-led intervention helped tip the balance in favour of rebel forces trying to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year-old regime.

The presence of Western special forces in Libya has been an open secret inside the country for some time. France was recently forced to acknowledge it had forces on the ground when three soldiers - whom Paris said were involved in intelligence gathering - were killed when the helicopter they were travelling in was shot down near Benghazi, Libya's second city.

This week was not the first time the US has conducted air strikes on Isil targets in Libya. Last year, Washington said it had killed a senior Isil figure during bombing raids on the outskirts of Derna, an eastern town where Isil built a presence before being driven out by local militias. Earlier this year, US warplanes struck a location used by Isil on the outskirts of Sabratha, a coastal town in western Libya, killing scores of mostly foreign militants.

What makes this week's air strikes different is that they are the first to come as a result of a request from a UN-backed unity government which was installed in Tripoli earlier this year but has struggled to gain support - let alone impose its authority - since.

The aerial intervention by the US is happening at the same time as Libyan forces - a mix of army units and militias loosely aligned with the Tripoli-based unity government - are battling Isil inside Sirte. That ground operation, which began in May, made significant gains at first but has now slowed. More than 300 anti-Isil fighters have been killed as they pushed deeper into the town and many more injured. At present hundreds of Isil militants are estimated to be holed up in central Sirte, using snipers and suicide bombers against their adversaries to stem their advance. Most are believed to be foreigners, among them Tunisians, Iraqis, Egyptians and Sudanese.

While US officials had earlier this year estimated the number of Isil militants in Libya to be upwards of 6,000, some observers have questioned this figure given the progression of the battle in Sirte, which was its main base in the country. Others suspect a number of Isil fighters fled from Sirte in the run up to the May operation, most likely to southern Libya.

Isil wrested control of Sirte, a city which had been largely abandoned by the post-Gaddafi authorities because it was perceived to be still loyal to the former regime, last year. The group maintained its control through violence and intimidation, carrying out public executions to instil fear.

Isil has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks in Libya since late 2014. The bloodiest attack was earlier this year when a suicide bomber killed more than 60 people when he targeted a police training centre in the western town of Zliten.

Isil first emerged in Libya in Derna. Many young men from Derna had joined Isil in Syria and Iraq. Some returned home to establish its first Libyan branch, which declared its allegiance to Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in late 2014. But while Isil in Libya has Libyans within its ranks, it is predominantly foreign-led and a large number of its fighters are non-Libyan. As a result, many Libyans perceive it as an alien presence in the country, and this is probably why there has been little or no public backlash to this week's air strikes and those the US had conducted earlier this year and in 2015.

Isil is more a symptom of Libya's instability than a cause. The group's expansion into the country was made easier by the vacuum caused by a political power struggle which began in summer 2014 and resulted in rival governments and parliaments, each backed by a myriad of armed groups. Isil took advantage of the ensuing chaos, building itself up in various parts of the country while the squabbling political factions were more bent on prevailing over their opponents than acknowledging the growing threat posed by the group.

The worry now is that the battle against Isil in Sirte will exacerbate those divisions. The forces that have taken on Isil in the town since May are all from western Libya and largely at odds with armed groups in eastern Libya loyal to a controversial general named Khalifa Haftar. He is opposed to the UN-backed unity government. A victory against Isil in Sirte, while welcomed by Western powers and most Libyans, could trigger a race to control the town, crucially located as it is near the country's so-called oil crescent.
Police Sgt Kevin Rowe said the youth may have taken some sort of legal high."

A naked teenager is feared to have fallen into a river after taking a so-called legal high.

The 16-year-old, who has not been named, was allegedly seen running near the River Dart in Totnes, Devon in the UK, nude and in a distressed state.

He is believed to have taken a new psychoactive substance - formerly known as legal highs - before entering the water around 6.30pm on Friday. He has not been seen since.

Devon and Cornwall Police said divers were searching the river along with volunteers from the Dartmoor Search and Rescue group, coastguards and fire crews.

Police Sgt Kevin Rowe said the youth may have taken some sort of legal high which has had an adverse effect on his behaviour and caused him to behave quite irrationally.

Kingsbridge Police added on Facebook: A multi-agency search operation is currently taking place in Totnes around the area of Swallowfields and Dartington Hall.

At about 6.30pm yesterday police received a call about concerns for a teenage boy. He was seen a short time later to jump into the River Dart naked and has not been seen since.

The search continued on Saturday morning but rescuers said it was difficult to predict where the teenager could have ended up because he may not have been thinking straight.

New psychoactive substances are designed to replicate the effects of illegal substances. It is now illegal in the UK to supply the highs for human consumption.

A Home Office document updated this month states: People may refer to these drugs as legal highs but all psychoactive substances are now either under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or subject to the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

The teenager is described as having a slim build with blonde hair.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
JK Rowling took to Twitter to mock the female orgasm study. Photo: PA Wire

A US scientist investigating the origins of the female orgasm has hit back at JK Rowling after the author appeared to pour scorn on research into the subject.

The Harry Potter writer (51) posted a sarcastic response after reading about the scientific research carried out by two evolutionary biologists into the origins of the female orgasm.

In a paper published in the Journal of Experimental Zoology, Mihaela Pavlicev and Gunter Wagner wrote: "In males, orgasm is invariably required for ejaculation and transfer of sperm, but in females its function is unclear."

Mother-of-three Rowling suggested that, given childbirth is so painful, its function was completely obvious.

She linked to an article in 'The New York Times' which reported on the research being undertaken by Dr Pavlicev, from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Dr Wagner, of Yale University.

"Yes, the prospect of pushing an eight-pound object out of your vagina should be more than enough incentive for sex," Rowling wrote on Twitter.

Dr Pavlicev said that Rowling should read the paper that she and her colleague, Dr Wagner, had produced on the subject.

And she suggested that the British author appeared to have voiced her opinion on the matter without much thought.

"Our work is on the evolutionary origin of female orgasm, very much pre-dating 'the 8lb babies', and in fact pre-dating human lineage," she said.

"We make no claims about the roles that orgasm may have acquired in human lineage, but these if present are very recent relative to the time we talk about."

Dr Pavlicev added: "Functions of the traits change in evolution and what may sound plausible opinion to us, including Ms Rowling, may not be what evolution is about.

"I think the opinion is not generated with very much thought, and I would suggest actually reading the paper might help."

The evolutionary biologist said she did not want to go "any further into this discussion" as she had put a lot of "knowledge and work" into her paper.

'The New York Times' article also quoted a philosopher, Elisabeth A Lloyd, who believes the female orgasm - like nipples for men - serve no evolutionary purpose and are the by-product of the development of the male orgasm
The five were held following an alleged raid in Barcelona

Five people have been arrested in Barcelona on suspicion of being members of the notorious "Pink Panther" gang of jewel thieves.

Police made the arrests as the five allegedly made their getaway after robbing a jeweller's on an up-market shopping street in the city.

All five were of Serbian origin. Police say it took the thieves less than a minute to rob the store of jewels worth 400,000 euro (337,000) before officers caught them.

The arrests came after German police tipped their Spanish counterparts off that one of the thieves was travelling from Belgrade to Barcelona.

According to Interpol, the "Pink Panther" gang stole 334 million euro (282 million) in jewels during 380 armed robberies between 1999 and 2015.

AP
Sources say it is only a matter of time before SDF forces are in full control (AP)

Kurdish fighters are now in control of most of a stronghold of the Islamic State group (IS) in northern Syria following a push under the cover of air strikes by the US-led coalition.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) have seized most of the town of Manbij amid fighting in northern neighbourhoods and the town's centre.

Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, said IS still holds some areas in Manbij, including the major north-western area of Sarab.

Mr Bali said "it's a matter of time" before SDF fighters capture the town.

If Manbij is captured by the SDF, it will be the biggest strategic defeat for IS in Syria since July 2015, when the extremists lost the border town of Tal Abyad.

AP
The United States has taken another step toward clearing the way for a trial of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida as a way of reducing populations of mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus.

The US Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that a field trial testing Intrexon Corp's genetically engineered mosquitoes would not have a significant impact on the environment. The announcement came as Florida officials ramp up aerial pesticide spraying of a neighborhood in Miami. Florida is the first state to report local transmission of the virus.

Florida health authorities have identified 16 Zika cases spread by local mosquitoes and expect there may be more.

Pregnant women are most at risk from Zika, a virus spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. U.S. health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.

The Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil and has spread rapidly in the Americas.

Intrexon's Oxitec unit has been working for years to kick off a trial of the mosquitoes in the Florida Keys to assess the effectiveness of its mosquitoes to reduce levels of mosquitoes that carry diseases, including Zika, dengue, Yellow Fever and chikungunya.

The FDA has been reviewing Oxitec's application for use of its technology as an investigational new animal drug. Its environmental assessment helps clear the way for the company to begin a clinical trial in Key Haven, Florida that would assess whether the genetically modified mosquitoes will mate with local, wild mosquitoes and suppress their population over time.

Results of that trial would be used to support approval of the company's technology, a process that could take more than a year.

Oxitec's mosquitoes are genetically altered so their offspring die before they can reproduce. Trials in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have shown that the Oxitec mosquitoes can reduce local Aedes aegypti populations by more than 90 percent.

'THEY ARE USING US'

To begin the trial, however, the company must first await the results of a vote in the Nov. 8 general election seeking community approval for the trial.

Oxitec Chief Executive Hadyn Parry said in a conference call that the vote is non-binding, and the decision about whether to proceed is up to the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, the local body responsible for mosquito control.

Community support in the vote is not guaranteed.

In Key Haven, a suburb of large, waterfront homes near Key West where the trial is slated to take place, yard signs have popped up declaring "no consent" to the release of genetically modified mosquitoes.

Kathryn Watkins, a Key Haven resident recruited by trial opponents, is seeking election to the board overseeing the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.

"It just has everyone scared," Watkins said, adding that local residents see themselves as unwilling test subjects. "The genetically modified male has to mate with a wild female, and the wild female has to bite us in order to lay eggs," she said.

"They are using us in this trial without consent," she added.

As his company awaits the vote, Parry said he intends to ask the FDA for an emergency-use authorization that would make the product available to help battle Zika in the United States. The FDA has approved several diagnostic products under this designation.

But it is not likely to be granted under current statutes. FDA spokeswoman Theresa Eisenman said there is no "fast-track" designation for new animal drugs, and emergency-use provisions in the applicable law do not apply to animal drugs.

The World Health Organization has declared Zika a global health emergency, and has suggested that alternative approaches to fighting mosquitoes that carry the virus might be an important way to suppress mosquito populations.

Zika spread rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean before local transmission began in the continental United States. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes thrive in warmer southern US states.
A US army veteran who served alongside Captain Humayun Khan in Iraq says he has changed his mind and will vote for Hillary Clinton in the upcoming election, claiming Donald Trump's attack on the family of the fallen Muslim American soldier "forced my hand and made it personal".

Miles Smith, a Texas-born dual American-Australian citizen who heard the suicide bombing that killed Captain Khan, said he was outraged by the Republican presidential candidate's attempts to smear the Khan parents.

"[Mr Khan's] family has sacrificed more than Mr Trump ever has for the country," Mr Smith told 'The West Australian'. "Why would he even entertain the idea of discriminating against that, because they have a different religious belief? It's not the America I fought for. It's not the America I'm sure Humayun fought for."

Mr Smith (37), who served until 2006 and now works as a geologist in Western Australia, said he was upset that "one of the worst days of [my] life" - the day of the suicide attack in 2004 - was being used as the basis for Mr Trump's political attacks.

"You've got to have a bit of empathy and stop and think about what Humayun's parents are thinking. It's not hard," he said. "He wants this to go away. I'm going to do what I can here to kick the ball forward, continue their [the Khans'] message and stand up for them."

Mr Trump has been roundly condemned for his attacks on the Khan parents and his suggestion that Ghazala Khan, the soldier's mother, was prevented from speaking at the Democratic National Convention because of her religion.

Referring to Mr Trump's plan to ban Muslims from entering the US, Mr Smith said: "You're sitting down and some [jerk] on TV is saying Muslims are a threat to the country and they shouldn't have constitutionally protected rights to be there?"
Leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance Mmusi Maimane talks to the press at the election results centre in Pretoria (AP)

South Africa's ruling party suffered its worst election setback since taking power at the end of apartheid a generation ago, with the African National Congress losing the capital, Pretoria, and its surrounding Tshwane metropolitan area. But it won a tight race for the country's biggest city, Johannesburg, election authorities reported on Saturday night.

The opposition Democratic Alliance, which named its first black party leader last year, made a strong move out of its stronghold in the city of Cape Town, winning in three of the country's six largest municipalities. With no party reaching a majority in Johannesburg or Tshwane, the possible formation of coalition governments is the next challenge.

Scandals around President Jacob Zuma came back to haunt him even as he praised a peaceful vote. As he spoke on national television, four women stood up in front of him, silently facing the crowd and holding signs that appeared to refer to his acquittal for rape in 2006. Zuma didn't appear to respond.

The election losses have threatened two decades of dominance by the ANC, the former anti-apartheid movement.

Since South Africa's first all-race election in 1994, the ANC has had widespread support on the strength of its successful fight against white-minority rule, while bringing basic amenities to many people. But its hold has been weakened by corruption scandals and a stagnant economy that has frustrated the urban middle class, while poor communities demand better services in a country with one of the highest inequality rates in the world.

"Election after election, the ANC has hung on to its past glory and kept its place in the hearts of most South Africans. ... This time round, though, it's not enough," The Mail & Guardian newspaper said in an editorial. On social media, South Africans mocked Mr Zuma's recent claim that the ANC would rule "until Jesus comes back".

In a brief address shortly before final results were announced, the 74-year-old Mr Zuma thanked South Africans for a vote he called largely peaceful, free and fair.

"Our democracy is maturing," he said. "Let us get back to work and build our country together."

The election was notable for its peaceful power shift away from an entrenched government in Africa, where some leaders have been in office for decades. In neighboring Zimbabwe, 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe has kept control since independence in 1980 with disputed elections and crackdowns on dissent.

Before this election, the ANC had never lost a major black-majority municipality. Now it has lost two, including Nelson Mandela Bay, named for the ANC's star and the country's first black president.

The Democratic Alliance already runs the country's second largest city, Cape Town, the only major municipality where blacks are in the minority among white and mixed-race residents. The party, which has roots in the anti-apartheid movement, has declared that its brand is good governance.

"For far too long, the ANC has governed South Africa with absolute impunity," the party's leader, 36-year-old Mmusi Maimane, told reporters earlier Saturday. He said the idea that his party was a white one has been "completely shattered."

The Democratic Alliance angered the ANC last month by declaring that it was the only party that could realise Mandela's dream of a "prosperous, united and non-racial South Africa."

Mr Maimane immediately looked ahead to presidential elections. "The 2019 campaign starts now," he said.

The ANC received 53% of votes across the country, its lowest percentage ever, with the Democratic Alliance getting 26%. A more radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, contested the local elections for the first time and received 8% of the vote nationwide after promising measures it says will help the poor.

The results for the ANC could put pressure on Mr Zuma to leave office before his mandate ends in 2019, political analysts said.

The ANC has said "we will reflect and introspect where our support has dropped." It retained support in many rural areas in a country where blacks make up 80% of the population.

Scandals swirling around Zuma have hurt the ANC. Opposition groups have seized on the revelation that the state paid more than 20 million dollars for upgrades to Mr Zuma's private home. The Constitutional Court recently said Mr Zuma violated the constitution and instructed him to reimburse the state 507,000 dollars.

AP
Donald Trump has endorsed US House Speaker Paul Ryan, ending a four-day stand-off which exposed deeps chasms in the Republican party over the billionaire's presidential candidacy.

Mr Trump struck a rare conciliatory tone at a Wisconsin rally, imploring his party to unite behind him and opening a full-throttle attack on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

The tycoon declared his support for Mr Ryan in next week's US congressional primary, and declared: "Arm in arm, we will rescue the country from the Obama-Clinton disaster.

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory."

It is an unusual gesture for Mr Trump, who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and his tendency to escalate matters when he is under attack.

His general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans - a habit that has baffled party leaders, who have begged him to stay focused on his Democratic rival.

Mr Trump's refusal to back Mr Ryan had been seen by many as a final straw. The tycoon told The Washington Post in an interview earlier this week that he was "just not quite there yet" when it came to backing the House Speaker - echoing the rhetoric used by Mr Ryan in relation to the party's presidential nominee.

In addition to praising Mr Ryan, Donald Trump also threw his support behind John McCain, saying he held the Arizona senator "in the highest esteem ... for his service to our country in uniform and in public office".

In the past, Mr Trump questioned Mr McCain's status as a war hero, and that he "should have done a much better job for the vets".

Mr Trump also endorsed New Hampshire senator Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has also sparred, calling her "a rising star".

Paul Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Mr Trump's evening appearance in their state.

He reiterated his support for Mr Trump hours before the endorsement - but he noted that his support was not a "blank cheque", and pledged to speak out against the businessman's divisive positions if necessary.

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker also skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee's arrival: "We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans."

The Midwest unrest highlighted Mr Trump's mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign for the White House.

He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among long-time party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee - with some even going so far as to publicly support Mrs Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, the Republican nominee unleashed a torrent of insults at his Democratic rival throughout the day.

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," he told a rally in Iowa, "you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within."

Mr Trump called his Democratic opponent "a dangerous liar", ''an unbalanced person", ''pretty close to unhinged", ''totally unfit to lead" and lacking "the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country".

"In one way, she's a monster," he said in Wisconsin. "In another way, she's a weak person. She's actually not strong enough to be president."

This came soon after Mrs Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.

The former US secretary of state sought to "clarify and explain" a recent statement on Fox News Sunday that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were "truthful".

"I may have short-circuited, and for that I will try to clarify," Mrs Clinton said, though still insisting she "never sent or received anything that was marked classified".

She also acknowledged that many people do not trust her.

"It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognise that I have work to do," Mrs Clinton said.

She added: "I'm going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people."

AP
SHARE Andrew Holsen

Holsen joins Phillips Staffing as human resource analyst intern

Phillips Staffing, one of South Carolina's largest and fastest-growing staffing and human capital solution providers, has added Andrew Holsen as a human resource analyst intern on its growing team.

Holsen joins Phillips as a May 2016 graduate of Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with emphasis in human resources. A native of Easley, and current resident of Simpsonville, he is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management National Chapter.

With Phillips, Holsen analyzes applicant flow and internal processes, while also managing daily client performance reporting for ten Phillips branches.

"The lifeblood of every quality organization is reflected in the caliber of its talent, and we are thrilled to have Andrew join our growing team," said Ed Parris, president of Phillips Staffing. "His strong work ethic, organizational skills and enthusiasm are a perfect fit for this position."
KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Premier Sotheby's International Realty is the listing agent for 402 Boulevard in Anderson, the Ramer-Stringer-Rainey House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

SHARE COURTESY OF ANDERSON COUNTY MUSEUM Ralph John Ramer, pictured here in a Marathon automobile, was among Anderson's most adventurous leaders of the 20th century. A small number of the cars were manufactured in Nashville between 1906 and 1913. KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL A fountain in a large backyard garden at 402 South Boulevard in Anderson. KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL In Anderson, 402 South Boulevard is on the National Register of Historic Places. KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Premier Sotheby's International Realty selling 402 South Boulevard Ramer house, on The National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina.

By Abe Hardesty of the Independent Mail

A century ago, Ralph John Ramer was a figure whose adventurous life seemed to leap from the pages of a novel.

Ramer served as an Army officer in both the Spanish-American War and World War I. In between, he practiced law in Oklahoma and his native Missouri, served in the Army when the 13th South Carolina Regiment was dispatched to West Texas in 1916 to quell the border raids of Pancho Villa, and worked for the State Department as an adjutant in Mexico  a position that enabled him to acquire two copper mines in Mexico.

In 1910, at age 34, he relocated to Greenville and moved to northern Anderson County the following year. He was back in the Army in World War I, helping to train officers.

When he returned home after the war, he and his wife, Rose Ellis Ramer, became partners in Coca-Cola's Anderson franchise. They formed a new company with Rose's brother, Charles Ellis, who had already made the business a success.

When Charles Ellis bought Coca-Cola's Anderson County franchise for $10,000 in 1910, the plant on Earle Street was producing about 5,000 of the 6.5 ounce glass bottles a week.

By 1914, the production had increased to a million bottles a year, making it one of Anderson's most lucrative businesses.

As that business thrived, Ramer entered politics. He was elected in 1921 to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he served one term. But he failed in a bid to become Anderson's mayor in 1930.

A captain in the National Guard's Palmetto Riflemen, Ramer remained active in the Guard and the Army Reserves, reaching the rank of major. In 1932, at age 56, he began a four-year term on the state highway commission.

One of his most enduring accomplishments was the construction of Ramer Mansion in 1930, which today ranks among Anderson's landmark houses.

One of Anderson's most interesting figures of his time, Ramer was determined to build Anderson's most interesting home  which he did on the Boulevard (often referred to at the time as the East Boulevard, because it formed the eastern rim of the city limits).

Typical of Ramer, it was an ambitious project. The construction of a mansion, whose estimated cost at the time was $60,000, was a bold venture at the midst of the Great Depression. Its price tag was at the time considered a huge sum.

The final cost of the home, at 402 Boulevard, escalated and was reported as $110,000 in local newspapers, in part because Ramer had no intention of constructing an ordinary house.

The Anderson Independent newspaper at the time described the structure as "Anderson's most costly and exquisitely designed home," noting the "a radio room, primpery and other modern and costly features."

Ramer hired Asheville-based Henry Irven Gaines, who had gained prominence by crafting some distinctive structures in the Asheville area, as architect.

Today, it remains a well-preserved example of Tudor Revival architecture. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

For only the third time in its 86 years, the home awaits a new owner. With a price tag of $1.5 million, it remains among the city's most elite properties.

Like its builder, it is also among the most intriguing.

The legacy of Ramer  often referred to as "Major" after reaching that rank as a member of the Army Reserves  is a unique brick-and-stone showcase home of 6,000 well-polished square feet.

The prominent, steeply-pitched cross gable characterizes the Tudor Revival style that was popular in the 1920s and '30s. The house has a very complex roof made of clay tiles manufactured to look like wood shingles. Two large brick-and-stone chimneys, diamond-shaped glass panes, and copper awnings are among the many unusual features.

The formal entrance facing Boulevard is flanked on each side by one-and-one-half story wings that form a cradle for a large rear courtyard. Because of its unusual, curved asymmetrical shape, the home's size when viewed from Boulevard is deceptive.

The house also has an original copper gutter system. The garage has sliding, hinged and folding doors.

The dining room still has wallpaper original to the house in the El Dorado pattern. The fireplaces have stone mantelpieces, carved wooden mantelshelves, and herringbone brickwork.

Gaines, a Central native and Clemson College graduate who relocated to Asheville in 1925, ranked the house among his favorite designs. Its components include slate, fieldstone, limestone, copper and leaded glass.

His first priority, he told the Anderson Daily Mail newspaper, "was to capture and exploit the inherent advantages of the site, and then transform the limiting features into assets."

For 86 years, its owners have quietly matched the home's contribution to the city. The Ramers and later the Stringer and Rainey families have been civic leaders in Anderson for seven decades.

Ramer was active in his adopted hometown, particularly in military-related organizations (the American Legion Post 14 Hut on East Greenville Street is named in his honor) and as vestryman of Grace Episcopal Church.

Ramer died in November 1937 at age 61, seven years after building his dream home.

Rose Ellis Ramer, who fell victim to cancer eight years after her husband's death, also left her mark on Anderson with significant donations to nonprofit organizations. Quiet and rarely photographed, she typically made contributions anonymously. At her death in 1945, she bequeathed $100,000 to Anderson Memorial Hospital's Cancer Clinic, which had been established in 1939. The clinic was renamed the Rose E. Ramer Cancer Clinic. In 1978, the Anderson Library honored her for a donation that started the children's library.

It was not until after World War II that the home, which sits on 2 acres, was surrounded by the magazine-cover landscape it now enjoys. That is according to Nancy Freeman Stringer, whose husband bought the property from Ramer's estate in 1946  the only time until now that the property has been available for purchase.

After Stringer's death, the property remained in the family, even though she had no children. Her sister and brother-in-law, Caroline Stringer Rainey and prominent medical doctor John Rainey, became the owners in 1987.

The Rainey family has a long history of philanthropy. Among the evidence is the Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson University; the Callie and John Rainey Hospice House on Snow Road; and the Caroline Stringer Rainey Gallery at the Carnegie Library, which  thanks largely to Rainey  was preserved and became part of the Anderson Arts Center in 1972.

The Ramer-Stringer-Rainey home on the Boulevard became a hub of activity in the 1990s, when John Rainey and wife Caroline greeted prominent visitors while raising four children. South Carolina Gov. David Beasley was among the visitors in June 1995, when John Rainey was bestowed the Order of the Palmetto  the state's highest civilian honor.

Caroline Rainey, better known as "Callie," also received the Order of the Palmetto.

Among those four children is Robert Rainey, now in his 15th year as founding president of the Foothills Community Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations in Anderson, Oconee, Pickens and Abbeville counties.

He serves on governing boards for the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, Anderson Heritage, and the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He's a trustee at Anderson University, the AnMed Health Medical Center, and the Anderson Arts Center Endowment. He also serves in the Anderson Rotary Club and is active at the St. John's United Methodist Church.

He's following family tradition, which seems to go with the house.

Follow Abe Hardesty @abe_hardesty
El-Sisi drew a distinction between constructive and destructive criticism, saying "doubters" want to drive Egyptians to despair

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi slammed "doubters" in a speech given on the occasion of the first anniversary of the inauguration of the New Suez Canal in Ismailia governorate Saturday, El-Sisi assured that the project has been a success.

According to El-Sisi, the project has already spurred growth, with further success set to materialise in a few years.

The 72 kilometre-long parallel waterway to the Suez Canal, inaugurated last year, aims to facilitate the passage of a larger number of ships through the canel, with an expected increase of total annual revenues to more than $13 billion by 2023.

The Suez Canal Authority stopped releasing data on revenues in March, when the waterways income slowed for the third consecutive month to $396.4 million from $401.4 million in February and from $411.8 million in January.

Mohab Memish, head of the Suez Canal Authority, refuted claims during the celebration Saturday about a decline in revenue, adding that US dollar revenue grew by four percent during the period 1 January 2016 to 6 August 2016 compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.2 billion.

The revenue was supposed to be affected by the 14 percent drop in global trade volume from 2014 to 2016, but the new canal helps us to avoid that, Memish said during his speech marking the celebration

"Every achievement is met with doubt," El-Sisi exclaimed, adding that "doubters" seek to "turn the Egyptians' will and hope into frustration and despair."

The president said that four logistics tunnels have been dug so far under the canal, each five kilometres long and constructed by local companies.

"Destruction is easy, but building is difficult," El-Sisi said after giving examples of state projects that have been publicly criticised.

"There is constructive criticism but there is also destructive criticism," he added, while adding that government institutions need to be more transparent with the people.

Referring to the failed assassination attempt on former grand mufti Ali Gomaa Friday, El-Sisi stated: "God protected us." He added: "God protects the good, those who build."

Finally, El-Sisi commemorated scientist and Nobel Prize winner Ahmed Zweil who died Tuesday and urged Egyptians to donate to the university that he recently set up. The university needs funds of EGP4 billion and has only so far collected EGP300 million, according to El-Sisi.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended Saturday the one year anniversary of the New Suez Canal project, which was opened in a grand ceremony this day last year.

The mega-project to expand the Suez Canal, alongside plans to build an industrial hub and supply and logistics centre in the vicinity of the canal, have been at the heart of El-Sisi's development plans.

El-Sisi attended the celebration in Ismailia where new tunnels crossing the Suez Canal are being constructed as part of the mega-project.

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Volunteers bring out items to be used for costumes for the Wizard of Oz. Photos by Richard Kelly

SHARE Becky Hobbs (left), Caryn Scheving (center) and Amber Ensley (right) grab a bite of food before the start of the 24 Hour Musical as Sleeping bags and other items sit behind them on a bench. Photo by Richard Kelly

By Richard Kelly, Special to the Independent Mail

A "Kickoff Party" for the third annual 24 Hour Musical was held Friday at the Belk Theatre at Anderson University.

The party served as the announcement for this year's production, which was The Wizard of Oz, and an introduction of all the cast members.

It was the first time all the participants were together and following the party everyone got down to the business learning lines, creating sets, finding props, making costumes and getting everything ready for the live show that starts 24 hours later. It included about 60 volunteers, which was about double number from last year.

The 24 Hour Musical is the creation of artistic director Noah Taylor and his wife, co-founder Carlie Taylor. The Taylors thought of the idea on their couch one night when they were trying to come up with a different kind of production. This the only musical of its type in South Carolina.

The participants did not know if the play would be Grease or The Wizard of Oz until it was revealed Friday.

"There's so many people in the community that love theater and care about the community," Carlie Taylor said. "We're crazy but it's fun."

The all-volunteer cast includes members ages 14 and up who had to audition by video.

Jessie Davis does the social media and has been with the musical for all three years.

Davis said it was an awesome way for people to give back to their community.

She also said for the most part no one gets any sleep during the 24 hours of preparation for the show except for maybe a 20 minute nap here or there.

"It's crazy challenging," Davis said.

Davis will be up all night updating the progress of the show, which will include photos at #24hmlive on Twitter and on Instagram at @24musicalsc.

Actor Drew Whitley has been in the last two shows and was selected to play the Wizard in this show.

Having to learn lines and do a show in 24 hours takes a lot of work, he said.

"This is an actor's worst nightmare," Whitley said.

But he also said knowing it was for the charity made it easier, and everyone always gets their second wind when it comes time to go live.

"I like acting and giving back," Whitley said.

Whitley said the only thing he will be able to think about after the show ends is his bed.

As soon as the party was over the cast and ensemble got together to start going through read troughs and learning their lines.

Noah Taylor opened up the box to hand out the scripts to everyone for the first time.

He told them he wanted to make the characters fresh and able to relate to the audience.

The third annual show will benefit the Developmental Center for Exceptional Children (DCEC). The DCEC is a nonprofit center in Anderson that works with children from birth to age 10 with special needs. The center allows parents to drop off their children in the daytime and be able to work while the children receive the therapy they need along with attention and learning skills.

Each year the event donates all of the proceeds to different nonprofit groups with sponsors and community support.

The first year proceeds went to the Anderson Free Clinic. The second year proceeds went to the Cancer Association of Anderson.

"We like to doing this to bring awareness to different charities. We like to keep it local," Carlie Taylor said.

The show will be performed only once today at 7 p.m. at the Daniel Recital Hall at Anderson University with a seating capacity of about 220 people.

The musical had been held at Belk Theatre for the first two years, but the increasing demand forced a change of venue.

"We really wanted a bigger facility," Carlie Taylor said.

Admission to the play is free, but donations will be accepted and all the proceeds from the donations will go to DCEC. Seats for the show will be on a first come first serve basis.
Gourmet Gals Bistro, which opened downtown in January, closed on Friday.

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By Kirk Brown of the Independent Mail

Gourmet Gals Bistro served its last sandwiches in downtown Anderson on Friday afternoon.

Owner Lori Pominville opened the 20-seat eatery on the ground floor of The Calhoun Historic Lofts at 402 N. Main Street in January. Its menu included an array of sandwiches, wraps and salads, as well as Pominville's homemade chicken noodle soup.

"I had no complaints about the food," Pominville said. But she said her restaurant's location on the "outer fringe" of downtown proved to be its undoing.

Anderson Main Street Program Director Carey Jones said he was disappointed to learn about the closing of Gourmet Gals Bistro.

But Jones agreed with Pominville that her restaurant was too far from the prime downtown business area that stretches about two blocks north and south of the Anderson County Courthouse.

Besides its normal weekday lunchtime hours, Pominville decided to open Gourmet Gals Bistro on Thursday nights in hopes of drawing customers from the downtown block party at Carolina Wren Park. She and the bistro's manager, Heather Maroney, also launched a newspaper and social media advertising campaign offering discounts. But these efforts failed to keep the business afloat.

"I have absolutely no regrets," Pominville said. "It was about a dream and making a difference in the community."

A mother of five, Pominville said she achieved her goal of opening a restaurant before reaching age 60. She also said that she was able to raise $1,000 for local charities.

Downtown Anderson has seen numerous restaurants come and go in recent years, a trend that is likely to continue.

Gourmet Gals Bistro joins the list of closed restaurants that includes My Taco Mexico, Pizza Buffet, The Bombay Club and The Fox at Anderson. Those that have opened during the same period include Earle Street Kitchen & Bar, Downtown Cafe, Mr. Rivers Breakfast Joint and Deja Vu Bar and Tavern.

Shucks Oyster Bar is expected to open in November in a former real estate office across the street from the now defunct Gourmet Girls Bistro.

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM
SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Raquel Lemrick (left) and Helen Watson of Belton pose at a camp short of the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. Lemrick needed to cut short her trek because she was sick with a fever, and Watson made it to the top of the mountain. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO In a still capture from a video, Helen Watson (middle) teaches porters line dancing for the "Cupid Shuffle" near the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. Related Photos Mount Kilimanjaro

By Frances Parrish of the Independent Mail

BELTON  Helen Watson's profile picture on Facebook is of the certificate she received a few days ago after hiking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Honea Path Elementary school teacher sat at her kitchen table Friday in her home in Belton, with a tray of figs she harvested on her property that same morning.

But her mind was elsewhere. She said she could still hear the porters saying to her in a Swahili accent, "Teacher, teacher. You are strong woman."

They spoke encouraging words and sang to her as they walked beside her while she fought exhaustion to reach the top of the mountain.

"I'm glad I did it," Watson said. "I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was. ... I feel like I can do anything now."

She hiked through the night, climbing over boulders with her head down. The beam from her head lamp illuminated her feet, but she didn't dare look up to see how much farther she had to go. She said she was glad she traveled during the night and didn't need to see the difficulty of the hike in the daylight. After hiking for hours, she watched the sunrise on the top of the mountain.

"I couldn't believe I had done it," Watson said. "Had I done it during the daylight, I wouldn't have done it."

But her success was bittersweet.

Her friend Raquel Lemrick, a science teacher at Honea Path Middle School, did not make it to the top of the mountain.

Lemrick began hiking to the summit, but turned back July 28 and didn't quite make it because she was sick. Despite coming home sick, she said the trip was great.

"My trip was awesome," Lemrick wrote in a text message. "It was difficult. Probably the hardest thing I have ever endured."

Watson took Lemrick to the emergency room Friday afternoon because Lemrick's fever would not break.

Watson didn't realize Lemrick did not make it to the top until she herself had gotten there.

"I thought she was ahead of me," Watson said. "Many of the porters didn't speak English, but I finally found one who did. He told me she had come down."

Lemrick made it back to the camp at 15,000 feet and waited for her friend. She peeked her head out of the tent and took a photo of Watson walking back into camp from the summit.

The two teachers left late July and returned to the United States on Thursday. They were on the mountain for six days. Before they hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, they visited an orphanage and went on a one-day safari.

Watson said she did not experience altitude sickness on the trip, but it was the hardest thing she had ever done.

"There were a lot of emotions on that mountain," Watson said. "I would not do it again. Nothing could prepare you for that."

Besides reaching the summit, the other highlight of her trip was teaching all the porters how to do the "Cupid Shuffle," a popular line dance by the musical artist Cupid.

The porters taught her a native dance one night before they hiked to the summit, and in return she taught them one from her country.

"When I got to the top, they told me congratulations, and then they started doing the 'Cupid Shuffle'," Watson said. "They were singing, 'And kick and kick.'"

She wore her Honea Path Elementary School shirt when she reached the top of the mountain, and in her back pack was the book "The Little Engine that Could."

When she had an Internet connection, Watson posted updates on her Facebook page. Watson's friend of two years, Kathy Dawson of Simpsonville, was able to keep up with Watson's travels through social media.

"I'm so proud of her," Dawson said. "I followed her the whole time and encouraged her to keep going. ... She inspired us all to not let limitations stop you. Live out your dream and accomplish your goal."

Watson said she learned many lessons on her trip, some of which she will take back to the classroom.

"The porter never gave up on me," Watson said. "I learned that lesson of encouragement. As a teacher, I think I'm encouraging, but I could be better."

She's already thinking about another trip, but this time she and Lemrick plan to stay in the United States, Watson said.

Follow Frances Parrish on Twitter @frances_AIM
Raymondeze Rivera stands with guardian Danny Day, left, and defense attorneys John Delgado and Bill McGuire during a hearing where Rivera was given a life sentence for the murder of Kwana Burns.

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By Mike Ellis of the Independent Mail

Raymondeze Rivera did not mug for the cameras or smile at the family of Kwana Burns, a woman he strangled to death in 2006.

Rivera was sentenced to a second life sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to the murder of Burns.

He had previously been found guilty by a jury and sentenced to death for her murder but the death sentence was overturned in February after an appeal ruling found that a judge was wrong to refuse Rivera's request to testify in his defense.

Rivera is already serving a life sentence for the murder of Asha Wiley, a single Anderson mother who was strangled to death two days before Burns was killed, also by strangulation.

Both life sentences have no option of an appeal or release for Rivera until he dies.

Solicitor Chrissy Adams, of the 10th Judicial Circuit, said the life sentence was preferable to going through another trial for the family.

She said Rivera had thrived on the attention and cameras in the courtroom during his previous trials.

Wearing a green prison jumpsuit and noticeably heavier than at previous appearances, Rivera did not give his old sneers and he did not speak except to answer yes or no to questions by Circuit Court Judge Lawton McIntosh.

Before sentencing was handed down Adams explained her decision to take a plea deal.

"The facts are truly horrific and do call out for the death penalty and we are sure we would get the death penalty if we went to trial," she said. "He has never shown any remorse. But it is not fair to the families to be victimized again. This plea today will really give them the closure they deserve."

The plea deal included dropping a current appeal on the Wiley case and forgoing any future right to appeals or other similar actions in both cases.

Kenny Caldwell, Burns' stepfather, said the family had agreed with the plea deal to spare them the pain of another trial.

"The grief and the pain and the suffering and the mental stress continues today," he said. "The child I helped raise from an infant will never come home again. The grief at times has been overwhelming. We don't want to go through a trial. We went through a trial. Today we show mercy, even where mercy wasn't shown to us, to Kwana Burns or Asha Wiley."

Family members sobbed and a few left the courtroom quietly as Caldwell continued, sounding like a fiery preacher at times, hitting muted notes of forgiveness while focusing on his family's pain and the good work of investigators and prosecutors.

Caldwell pledged to become a victim's advocate to stand up for rights of victims.

Burns had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Kamille, who was in the home and witnessed the killing, Adams said. Kamille was not in cout Thursday.

Burns' son, Kameron Burns, now a teenager, was in court. He was out of the home the night of the killing, when he was nine, but along with a cousin he discovered his mother's body the next morning, with Kamille sleeping on top of her, Adams said.

During his previous trials, Rivera had boasted that he was hired, through a post office box in Florida where he lived, to kill Burns and that he had met Wiley and killed her first.

Rivera met Burns while she was working at Belk's and days later the two had a date at her home, when Rivera tried to pressure her into having sex, Adams said.

Caldwell asked if Rivera would answer whether he was hired to kill Burns and who had hired him.

Rivera did not speak.

His defense attorneys, Bill McGuire and John Delgado, said they never thought Rivera's boasts, which included claims that he had killed others, had any basis in reality. No evidence has corroborated Rivera's claims of being a hitman or killing others.

McGuire said, in a written statement, that the "heightened reliability" of death penalty cases was responsible for the overturning of the death sentence.

"We hope that the guilty plea and life sentence will give the victim's family the closure they need and the peace they deserve," McGuire said.

Rivera had said during his 2010 trial that he would talk about killing Burns if allowed to testify before jurors. His trial defense attorney and the trial judge at the time each chose not to call him to testify. Both the judge and defense attorney grappled with how to have a fair trial if Rivera was intent on incriminating himself.

The South Carolina Supreme Court order overturning the death penalty found that Rivera should have been allowed to testify despite his intent to guarantee a guilty verdict.

Caldwell said Rivera did show mercy in a small way, by not harming Burns' young daughter, who was placed on top of Burns' body by Rivera after he killed her.

"If even a cold-blooded murdered can show mercy, so can I," Caldwell said.
This week marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, a Category 3 storm which formed on October 22, 2012 and caused $70 billion in damage in roughly two weeks as it moved from the Caribbean to Canada, $11 million of which came from its impact in Rhode Island. Do you believe Rhode Island is more or less prepared to handle a large storm in the decade since Hurricane Sandy? Let us know in this week's poll question below.

You voted:
Nihar Info Global applies for trademark registration for 'ONVO' Nihar Info Global Limited informed to the exchanges that it has successfully applied for Trademark registration of its private label "ONVO" under the 'Trademark Classes 18 and 21. ... October 28, 2022 | 2:37 pm

Rupee rises 4 paisa to 82.29/$ Early on Friday, the rupee strengthened against the US dollar by 4 paise to 82.29, helped by a weak US dollar in the international market and strong local equities. The influx of new fore... October 28, 2022 | 2:30 pm

PNB Housing Finance's net profit increases by 12% PNB Housing Finance announced on Thursday that its September 20222023 quarter net profit increased by 11.7% to Rs 262.63 crore, thanks to a little increase in core income. In the same period... October 28, 2022 | 2:25 pm

Dhanuka Agritech soars ~8% as board to consider buyback Dhanuka Agritechs stock surged as much as 8% in Fridays intraday session and touched a high of Rs742. The company stated in its filing with the exchanges that at its ensuing ge... October 28, 2022 | 2:18 pm

Markets trade flat amid volatility; Nifty below 17,800 dragged by metals Domestic benchmark indices in a volatile session and trading flat after a gap-up opening on Friday. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks are in the green during the afternoon market session ami... October 28, 2022 | 2:00 pm
1. Twinkle Khanna Might Be Mrs Funny Bones But Her Son Aarav Is Two Steps Ahead Of Her!

Twinkle Khanna took to twitter to share her whatsapp chat convo with son Aarav. In this chat, she got trolled by Aarav which goes on to prove that humour runs in the family.

2. After Playing A Bajrangi Bhakt, Salman Khan To Lend His Voice To Hanuman In An Animated Film

bookmyshow.com

After winning million hearts with Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman Khan is all set to lend his voice to the character of Hanuman in an animated feature film titled Hanumaan Da Damdaar.

3. The Internet Had A Gala Time Trolling Farhan Akhtars Singing But Guess What - He Joined Right In Himself!

wiresattached.com

Farhan Akhtar was trolled on Twitter after NH 7 weekender made an announcement of him performing at the event. He took the trolls by surprise when he joined right in and made fun of himself.

4. Salman Shows How It's Done, Gifts Rumoured Girlfriend Iulia Vantur A Handmade Sketch Of Her

Salman Khan gifted his rumoured girlfriend a handmade sketch. Iulia Vantur took to Instagram to share this sketch. It really is a nice gesture!

Ajay Devgn has been teasing his fans with posters of his upcoming film Shivaay. He posted a new poster of the same today on his Facebook handle. The trailer is expected to release in 3 days. The film which is directed by the actor himself is slated to release on Diwali this year.
The plastic containers, cutlery and other tableware made from styrofoam might be convenient, but the harmful effects plastic has on us and more importantly, the environment, is well-known. We need to adopt biodegradable products in our lives and plastic is the first thing that needs to be dealt with.

Outlook

Which is why there are a few companies consciously trying to make a difference by providing alternatives to plastic. A few months back, we had told you about the innovative development of edible cutlery. Now, following suit is Earthware.

They don't have edible cutlery, but it's South India's first and only manufacturing unit of products made from plant fibre. Earthware makes eco-friendly food containers, plates, bowls etc. that are not only 100% biodegradable but also healthy to eat out of.

A bagasse product

Products made from fibre like sugar cane, wheat, bamboo, cellulose etc. are known as bagasse products. They are a result of natural plant fibre and compostable. The containers made of bagasse are water-resistant, shatterproof, microwave-safe and decomposes on their own within 90 days, which makes them a perfect alternative to plastic.

visfortec.com

Have they been around for a while?

"We've been around for a long time and then suddenly the demand has doubled," says Samanvi Bhograj, founder of Bengaluru-based Earthware. Samanvi recalls the start point for Earthware, saying, We werent looking at it as a business: it was more of a social responsibility thing for us. The business has emerged now, she told Indiahikes.

visfortec.com

If you don't care about the environment, think of yourself

Plastic is toxic! It is full of harmful by-products and chemicals that are released during its breakdown process. Biodegradable products, however, are completely safe and free of toxins which end up harming us over the course of time.

Earthware makes cups,plates, bowls, cutlery and lunch boxes. The Bangalore-based company ships all over India as well as abroad so order a few units now!
Minister of State External Affairs, VK Singh who was in Saudi Arabian capital Jeddah to address the situation of thousands of Indians who lost their jobs said the issue has been settled.

MEA/ Twitter

Before returning to India, Singh said all Indian workers will be able to receive their pending arrears from the company while in Saudi Arabia or upon their return to India.

Singh also visited the camp located in a posh locality in the port city of Jeddah accompanied by senior Saudi labour ministry official Abdullah Al Olayan and Indian ambassador Ahmed Javed and interacted with the workers.

MEA/ Twitter

He assured them that their food supplies would be continued as of now from the same sources, in apparent reference to the Saudi labour ministry that is feeding the workers.

The minister told the workers that state governments have to play a crucial role in rehabilitation measures for the returning workers, after some workers drew his attention about their future upon returning home.

MEA/ Twitter

Singh had been in the country since Wednesday after reports of the plight of thousands of Indians in the country emerged.

Upon his arrival in Jeddah, Singh had some high profile meetings with top Saudi officials to resolve the crisis.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting India on a three-day tour from August 12. Wang would try to make efforts aimed at ensuring that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not join other countries in raising the controversial issue of South China Sea during the upcoming G20 meeting in early September.

japantimes.co.jp

China is extremely worried that several countries including the United States would raise the issue after an international tribunal rejecting Beijing's claims over ownership of much of the sea area recently. The ruling came after Philippines challenged Beijing's claim over much of the sea area at a tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas.

Beijing was not pleased by the guarded response from India which said that the UN convention should be effectively implemented, and all the relevant parties should cooperate in the effort. It does not want a discussion on the subject at G20, and wants India to not join any country which is seeking a discussion.

indiatvnews.com

China recently persuaded a meeting of ASEAN countries to keep the issue outside the joint communique but it is not sure of achieving a similar success at the G20 meet.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and US president Barack Obama on the sidelines of the meeting in the Chinese city of Hangzhou during his three-day visit from September 3.

todayonline.com

Wang is embarking on a three-nation tour that also includes Kenya and Uganda from August 9, the China's state media quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying as saying. He will also meet Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi besides Kenyan foreign minister Amina Mohamed. One of Wang's tasks during the upcoming New Delhi visit is to prepare the ground for a successful Modi-Xi meeting.

There have been a surge of problems in the India-China relationship in recent weeks. They included China's refusal to back India's case for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and recent reports of incursions by Chinese troops in the Ladakh border area.
Three civilians were killed and more than 150 injured in clashes across Kashmir on Friday as thousands defied curfew imposed to prevent a protest march to Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

BCCL

The deaths took the toll in the current unrest to 53. The valley has been under curfew for a month following terrorist Burhan Wani's killing. On Friday, clashes broke out in two dozen places as forces stopped protesters and fired bullets, tear gas shells and pellets.

Mohammad Maqbool Wagay was killed in action by security forces against those who threw stones after Friday prayers at Nagam in Chadoora in central Kashmir's Budgam district. Another youth, Zahoor Ahmad, was killed in the same district, while Danish Ahmad died in Baramulla. At least 20 policemen and soldiers were also reported injured.

BCCL

Mobs attacked a police station and threw stones at the ancestral house of Kashmir's junior health minister Asia Naqash in Srinagar even as police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled streets and laid razor wire and steel barricades to cut off neighbourhoods. Mobs also attacked independent MLA Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen's house in Khan Sahib. Clashes were also reported from Kupwara district as separatists extended the protest strike until August 12.

BCCL

Security forces were deployed in strength in sensitive areas to maintain law and order as life in the valley remained affected for the 28th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by authorities. Mobile internet services remained suspended.
The judiciary is tightening its noose around Vijay Mallya after the businessman got his fourth non-bailable warrant on Saturday. Mallya, who is currently residing in the UK, left India on March 2. India has revoked the tycoon's passport and has termed him a willful defaulter.

On May 11, Britain told India that it cannot deport Mallya, who owes more than Rs 9,000 crore to a clutch of 17 banks, but could consider an extradition request for him. The extradition could happen under the 1993 treaty or any other necessary assistance under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) signed in 1992 between India and the UK.

AFP

Here are the four non-bailable warrants issued against Mallya:

March 10 - GMR Cheque Dishonour Case

Vijay Mallya received a non-bailable warrant from a Hyderabad court after he failed to be present in court in connection with alleged dishonour of a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to GMR Hyderabad International Airport.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court issued the warrant against the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, its chairman Vijay Mallya and another senior official of the company.

According to the GMR counsel, a total of 17 cases have been filed against KFA over an outstanding amount of Rs 22.5 crore owed to GMR.

Reuters

April 20 - IDBI Loan Fraud Case

The Enforcement Directorate issued a non-bailable warrant under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against the liquor baron in the IDBI loan fraud case.

Mallya ignored three summons of the ED in the case and has been accused of diverting Rs 430 crore from the Rs 900 crore Kingfisher Airlines borrowed from the lender and using that to buy properties abroad.

The flamboyant businessman left India on March 2, after a consortium of banks approached the Supreme Court seeking its intervention to recover Rs 9,000 crore that they claim he owed them.

AFP

July 16 - Kingfisher Airlines, Cheque Bounce Case

A Mumbai court issued a non-bailable warrant against Mallya in a case related to the bouncing of two cheques worth Rs 107 crores handed out to the Airport Authority of India by Kingfisher Airlines in 2012.

The AAI filed two cases of cheque bouncing against Kingfisher and six others including Mallya in the Andheri metropolitan court.

July 25 - Service Tax Case

In a relief to Mallya, a Mumbai court refused to issue a non-bailable warrant to Vijay Mallya in a 2012 case of non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 32 crores, which the airlines admitted to have collected from passengers.

Reuters

August 6 - DIAL Cheque Bounce Case

A Delhi court issued non-bailable warrant against Vijay Mallya and said it was inevitable for the state machinery to intervene and ensure his presence. The trial court had summoned Mallya as accused following a complaint by DIAL claiming that a cheque for Rs 1 crore issued by KFA bouncing in 2012.

DIAL had filed four cases in June 2012 against Mallya over KFA's cheques totalling Rs 7.5 crore not being honoured.
Persistent rains in the past few days might have affected daily life due to traffic snarls and train delays; however, overflowing lakes is a good sign as far as water supply is concerned.

Tansa is the fourth lake that has overflowed this monsoon season as a result of heavy rainfall in the catchment area. Two of the other lakes, Vihar and Modak Sagar, started overflowing on 1st August, while Tulsi was the first one to reach its full capacity on 19th July. Even though two months of monsoon remain, more than 72% of the lake reservoirs have already been filled.

Tansa Lake surpassed its fully capacity of 128.63 mts on Tuesday. This is the first time in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) history that the three lakes have begun overflowing within a gap of just 24 hours. Vihar Lake crossed its mark of 80.42 mts at 4:20 PM on Monday. Modak Sagar followed the trail on the same day crossing the overflow mark of 163.15 mts at 10:28 PM.

Tulsi is the first lake to overflow this year, having crossed its maximum capacity of 139.17 mts on July 19 at 6 AM.

BCCL

The other three lakes - Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna - as on Monday, had reached 86%, 71% and 81% of their maximum capacity. The overflow level of Bhatsa Lake is 142.07 mts, Upper Vaitarna is 603.51 mts and Middle Vaitarna is 285 mts. With Indian Meteorological Department forecasting heavy rainfall in the days to come, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is confident that soon the rest of the lakes shall also reach their full capacity.

Tansa Lake supplies 455 million litres, Vihar Lake supplies 90 million litres, and Modak Sagar Lake contributes 440 million litres of water on a daily basis.

"We are happy to say that sufficient rains have filled up our reservoirs up to 90 percent, as four out of seven reservoirs, from which we supply water to the metropolis, have started overflowing," Ashok Tawadia, Chief Hydrolic Engineer of BMC told Press Trust of India. He further mentioned that by 6 AM on Wednesday, 13.13 million litres of water had been stored in the seven reservoirs.

BCCL

By the end of the monsoon, that is September 30, Mumbai lakes need to fill up to 14.5 million litres, for the water to last through the year. This years consistent rainfall suggests that all the seven lakes should be full by then.

Of the three catchment areas left to be filled, Bhatsa Lake has reached 86% of the total capacity, being short of 6.5 mts. Upper Vaitrana has attained 71% with three mts to go while Middle Vaitarna has reached 86% of its mark with 6.5 mts to fill.

Bhatsa and Upper Vaitrana lakes are governed by the Maharashtra government, whereas the rest come under MCGM.

BCCL

Interestingly, the percentage share of lake water to Mumbai is more from the lakes that have not reached their maximum capacity yet. Bhatsa Lake provides 48% of its water reserve to Mumbai, Upper Vaitarna provides 16%, Middle Vaitarna contributes 12%, Modak Sagar supplies 11%, Tansa is at 10%, Vihar at 2% and Tulsi supplies 1% only.

When the monsoon ended last year, the two lakes, Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna, which together supply 64% of water to Mumbai, were not even close to their full capacity. Bhatsa had filled up to 81% of its capacity and Upper Vaitarna merely reached 71% of its overflow mark.

BMC officials have already alerted local administration in the areas surrounding the lakes that are overflowing in case it leads to flash floods. "This is our routine procedure that we alert the local administration to be careful as we open dam gates after it starts overflowing and it may cause floods in surrounding areas," said Tawadia.

Though continuous rains have thrown city dwellers lives out of gear, it has at least brought respite to Mumbai citys water supply until next monsoon.

PTI
Rahul Kumar, the Bihar science topper who was arrested earlier this week for cheating in the exam, has revealed the modus operandi of the mass fraud in exams in the state.

He admitted that his father had paid Rs. 5 lakhs to Bachcha Rai, the principal of VR College in Vaishali which is in the center of the scam, to get him the top rank.

PTI

According to The Indian Express, Patna SSP Manu Maharaj, who heads the SIT probing the scam, said two students and the father of a science topper had earlier quoted the same amount.

This is what an SIT official said about Rahul's confession. "The deal was struck at Rs 5 lakh, which had to be paid in three-four installments. I and some other students left papers blank in the examination hall and wrote leisurely at night at the VR College. There was a special arrangement for students who had paid Rs 5 lakh each. We were given the answer sheet with the same code as was given in the examination hall.

Representative Image

We have come to know that if students were not available, his relatives or friends could also write answers, Patna SP (Central) Chandan Kushwaha, another official who interrogated Rahul said.

Rahul was arrested from his uncle's house on Wednesday by the special investigation team.

Another topper, Ruby Rai from the same college who was arrested in the same case earlier was granted bail this week.

BCCL

So far, more than 20 people have been arrested in the case including former BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his wife and former MLA Usha Sinha, two former secretaries of the board and other officials.

All of them were booked under Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

The mass cheating came to light after the state toppers in a TV interview appeared totally clueless on the subjects they supposedly topped. Rai couldn't even pronounce political science properly and called it prodigal science, and explained it as a subject about cooking.

After their blunder came to notice, the exam board had summoned them for a second test, where they performed poorly, ascertaining doubts that the marks they scored in the exam was through cheating.
Four civilians were killed in North Sinai's El-Arish after an improvised explosive device planted in a garbage bag detonated late Friday in the vicinity of a police station, state owned MENA agency reported.

According to a security source, the IED exploded on El-Bahr Street as a sanitation truck was collecting garbage, killing a cleaning worker and a passerby.

Two members of the same family were also killed in the blast, 21-year-old Basma Said Mostafa Rashad, who died of her injuries on Saturday, and her brother Mohamed Said Mostafa, who died instantly when caught in the blast.

Three other people were injured in the explosion.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes only one day after Egypt's army announced that it killed the leader of Egypts Islamic State affiliate Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis in airstrikes south of El-Arish.

The group, which originated in Sinai and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group in November, has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks against security personnel and installations in the restive governorate.

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Seventeen Maiduguri-bound passengers were killed in an auto crash along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway when an 18-seater bus collided with a fuel tanker on Friday morning, witnesses said.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus, which was conveying mostly young persons, suddenly swerved off its lane and landed in front of an oncoming fuel tanker.

Ngari Modu, a resident of Benisheik, told PREMIUM TIMES that the bus was going on high speed when it suddenly skid off its lane and ran headlong towards an oncoming fuel tanker which.

The tanker ran over the bus which immediately caused the two vehicles to catch fire. Seventeen out of the 18 persons in the bus burned to death, while only one person managed to come out alive, he said.

The accident caused hours of gridlock on the highway as security personnel tried to secure the area to prevent travellers putting themselves in harms way as the fire from the fuel tanker continued to burn for hours.

Efforts to get the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, S.U Ilyasu, for comments, was not successful as his phone could not connect.

Source: PremiumTimes
A member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Dass State Constituency on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Maryam Garba Bagel, has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Tijjani, and Department of State Services (DSS) over a male colleagues threat to deal with her in and outside the legislative chambers following an argument during their executive session on Wednesday.

The claim by Hon. Bagel, who is the only female member in the 31-member Bauchi House of Assembly, is reminiscent of the highly-publicized spat between Senators Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu during an executive session of the Senate on July 12, 2016.

The Bauchi lawmaker, who is chairman of the house committee on women affairs, in a letter dated August 5 and addressed to the state police commissioner, sought protection against her male colleague, Hon. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi alias WOWO, who she said vowed to carry out an attack on her at whatever cost after the both of them engaged in a heated debate during a closed-door session.

In the letter, with title Request for police protection and safe (sic) my soul in view of the threat of physical bodily harm issued to me by Hon. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi (alias WOWO) on 3/8/2016, copied to the Speaker and Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Kawuwa Shehu Damina and Hon. Tukur Ibrahim respectively, the female lawmaker said she and her family are now vulnerable and live in perpetual fear as a result of the threat from her colleague.

The letter reads in part:

I find it necessary to inform you that both I and my family are now vulnerable and live in perpetual fair (sic) of the unknown due to his threat and therefore if any violent incident should happen to anyone of us, the authority should know where to seek for answers, because he issued the threat with all seriousness and vowed to carry it out at whatever cost.

I hope your good office will take this issue with all seriousness and urgency it deserve to avoid unforeseen circumstance.

The letter was acknowledged by the police commissioners office with a stamp dated August 5.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday directed newly-appointed caretaker committee chairmen in the affected local governments to begin administrative activities in the reconstructed or temporary secretariats.

The remaining three councils are to operate satellite secretariats at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri.

An ongoing military operation in Borno has led to the restoration of normalcy in 24 of the 27 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the inauguration of caretaker committee chairmen for the councils in Maiduguri, the state capital on Friday, the governor said the move was preparatory to the return of civil authority at the grassroots as a post insurgency response.

Most of the councils were for the larger part of the six year bloody conflict between the Nigerian State and Boko Haram insurgents, remained a ghost town as socio-economic activities were grounded to a halt, forcing government officials to flee their duty posts. Residents too abandoned their homes.

Most of the local governments were also under the control of the extremists but thanks to a renewed military operation by the Nigerian military, in conjunction with the military forces of the Lake Chad Basin countries (Chad, Niger and Cameroon), Boko Haram Terrorists have been dislodged while towns and villages are being reclaimed in the process.

SEE ALSO: Borno Orders Workers To Resume At LGAs Liberated From Boko Haram

Governor Shettima said the chairmen would work with the deputy governor, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, commissioner for reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement and security agencies from their reconstructed council secretariats.

They can also set up satellite secretariats in any vacant public infrastructure or at any IDPs camp with the highest population of citizens at the headquarters of their councils, he added.

He said the secretariats, whether at permanent or satellite locations, must be functional with chairmen and council officials operating from there and accessible to the people.

The governor specifically mentioned those councils, whose chairmen are to operate from reconstructed or satellite secretariats at their headquarters as: Kaga, Jere, Damboa, Konduga, Monguno, Askira Uba, Chibok, Ngala, Kala Balge, Mafa, Nganzai, Dikwa, Gubio, Magumeri, Biu, Shani, Bayo, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

He noted that Bama and Marte would operate two secretariats each, with the chairmen rotating their presence between Maiduguri to serve the IDPs and the local government headquarters in Bama town and Monguno.

Gwoza should also operate two satellite camps, one in Pulka, which has the highest number of Gwoza citizens. The other satellite secretariat should be in Gwoza town.

The chairman should operate from Gwoza. Kukawa is to operate two satellite camps, one in Baga, which has many citizens and another one in Monguno to serve other citizens living in Maiduguri, the governor explained.

Shettima said the satellite secretariats should be stationed in IDPs camps in Maiduguri for use by Abadam, Mobbar and Guzamala local governments due to military operations around their headquarters.

He, however, expressed profound joy at swearing-in the chairmen.

According to him, Today is the first time I am happy in the last two and a half years. Let me start by making a confession this morning. I had tried to maintain smiles and wear cheerful faces every time caretaker chairmen of the 27 local governments were sworn-in as we did a while ago. Today (yesterday) is the very first time since 2014 that I am really happy while presiding over the swearing-in of caretaker committee chairmen of the 27 councils.

In the last two and a half years, I have been sad but I portray cheerfulness to give people hope. I do want to dampen their spirit. The trying times we have had require that a leader should demonstrate courage and strength that will inspire the people to see our situation as normal so that they will overcome fears and threats. That was why I smiled in the midst of our tribulations.

Today Im excited because as far as I am concerned, for the first time in nearly three years, we have just sworn-in chairmen that will serve as bridges between our recovery and the return of civil authority in the majority of our local governments that were under insurgents.
Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has commenced the construction of concrete roads in various states across the country including Lagos, Kaduna, Ogun, Kogi and Bauchi.

Chairman of Dangote Cement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote had recently made a case for the federal government to explore the option of concrete roads in the country, saying it would benefit Nigerians in the long run.

Aside from being cost effective, he pointed out that concrete roads are more durable and that its maintenance cost is near zero compared to bitumen roads.

We are pushing for Nigeria to do a concrete road. It is cheaper to do a concrete road that will last 50 years than to do a bitumen road. It will also help in eliminating corruption because if you go and build a bitumen road, it will have to be adequately maintained unlike a concrete road that is very durable, Dangote said.

The Executive Director, Stakeholders Relations and Corporation Communications of Dangote Group, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, also canvassed the use of concrete to construct roads in the country recently at a conference in Abuja.

Similarly, a source at the companys head office in Lagos, expressed excitement over the construction of concrete roads in various states by DIL.

I can categorically state that we are in more than five states across the country already constructing roads. The reception has been wonderful. State Governments are beginning to see the need to embrace concrete roads and we are very happy at the way things are currently going, the source disclosed.
The Emir of Katsina, Abdul-Mummuni Kabir, has urged Nigerians to stop castigating President Muhammad Buhari over the economic challenges facing the country.

Mr. Kabir made the call during the inauguration of a book on family lineage of late chief Imam of Kano residing in Katsina, Muhammad Zaharaddeen, on Saturday in Katsina.

It has come to our knowledge that some disgruntled people are castigating President Buhari and blaming the economic problems of the country on him.

The president cannot solve the economic blunder committed in 16 years within one year.

President Buhari needs some time to marshal plans that will solve the several challenges facing the country, he said

Mr. Kabir advised Nigerians to rally round and support Mr. Buhari to enable him to discharge his duties for the betterment of the people.

The president needs the support and prayers of his brothers and sisters from the North to overcome the several problems facing the North and the country.

The emir commended the author of the book for writing the book on his family lineage that migrated to Katsina in 1894 during Hausa/Fulani civil wars.

He said the book will serve as a reference material for history students in tertiary institutions in the state.

Earlier, Gov. Aminu Masari urged citizens to emulate the late chief imams family by promoting both western and Islamic education.

This prominent family has produced lawyers, doctors, university professors, administrators and politicians.

Mr. Masari said the family had some prominent politicians like Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Mustapha Inuwa, and Hadi Sirike, a serving minister in Buharis Administration.

NAN reports that the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, who was the chief launcher of the book, donated N1 million.

Over N5 million was realized at the launch.

The book was written by retired Aminu Abdullahi, formerly of BBC Hausa Service. (NAN)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived Zambia for Election monitoring duties.

Jonathan was welcomed at the Lusaka International Airport early Saturday morning by the African Union team and government officials.

SEE ALSO: Goodluck Jonathan Holds Closed Door Meeting with President Buhari

The former Nigerian leader is in Zambia as the head of the African Union Elections Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the South African country.
The wife of the president, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, who is on a week-long visit to the United States of America to hold discussions with aid organizations on how to help the women and children facing starvation in the north eastern part of Nigeria, has given reasons why she sued Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose had in a statement issued in June, following the freezing of his bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, accused President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife of corruption, saying a massive estate in Abuja belonging to the president was known to him.

He also alleged that Mrs. Buhari was indicted in the U.S in a bribery case involving a convicted former American congressman, Williams Jefferson.

Even the president cannot claim to be an angel, the governor said, adding that The estate he (Buhari) built in Abuja is known to us. His wife was indicted over the Halliburton Scandal (sic). When that American, Jefferson, was being sentenced, the presidents wife was mentioned as having wired $170,000 to Jefferson. Her name was on page 25 of the sentencing of Jefferson. We can serialize the judgment for people to see and read.

In spite of her denial and call on Mr. Fayose to retract the allegation and apologize, he refused, insisting Mrs. Buhari was the one mentioned in the famous Jefferson bribery case and dared the wife of the president to visit the U.S if she was not guilty.

Following the expiration of an ultimatum she gave the Ekiti governor to retract his allegation and apologize for falsely accusing her of being involved in the Jefferson bribery scandal, Mrs. Buhari on July 20th, 2016 through her counsel, Mary Ekpere-Eta of Mary Ekpere & Co, Legal Practitioners, filed a N5billion defamation lawsuit against him.

Opening up for the first time outside legal documents filed on her behalf in court on why she sued the governor, Mrs. Buhari, in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, VOA, on Saturday, said it was because he attacked her for no reason, while also raising false allegations against her.

She said Mr. Fayose had been insulting her and the president since during the 2015 campaign.

At the time, he was not the only one insulting us, but people felt that it was just campaign, Mrs. Buhari said.

After the election, which we won and they lost, everyone else moved on except him and he extended his insults to me.

I did not run for president. I am a married woman and I have never called his name. I never knew him. But as governor and chief executive, he kept insulting and raising false allegations against me, I have to respond and I decided to go to court.

He made allegations over what he said I did here in the US, even though I have never met the people he mentioned.
Egypt's cabinet has approved a draft bill for the establishing of an Egyptian space agency that would "serve the state's strategy in scientific research and restore Egypt's historical status," higher education minister Ashraf El-Sheihi said.

The announcement was made on Saturday by higher education deputy minister Essam Khamis at a conference for the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria.

On Thursday, the cabinet said in an official statement that the agency would work on programmes related to the development of space technology, as well as establishing the infrastructure for the manufacturing of satellite systems.

The cabinet also said that the agency would represent Egypt on a regional and international level, adding that it would contribute in preparing training programmes in schools and universities in the field of space technology.

Egypt is among 77 current members of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was established in 1959.

The UNGA's committee programme aims to "enhance the understanding and subsequent use of space technology for peaceful purposes in general, and for national development in particular, in response to expressed needs in different geographic regions of the world."

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The Lagos State command of the Nigerian Immigration Service on Friday said is arrested seventy-nine suspected illegal immigrants from Niger Republic, out of which 29 were without proper papers for staying in the country.

Parading the suspects, the Unit Supervisor and Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, ECOWAS Section, Abdullahi Azare said the arrests were carried out on Lagos Island and its environs following a tip off.

Twenty nine illegal immigrants without resident papers were immediately repatriated while those with appropriate travel documents were released, despite not presenting themselves to immigration officers on arrival in the country, Mr Azare said.

Azare noted that anyone of ECOWAS origin, who chooses to come to Nigeria, either for business or tourism is welcome anytime, provided they get the necessary documentation from the immigration service.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned calls by the newly appointed leader of Boko Haram, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, for Christians to be killed and their churches attacked by the terrorist sect.

In a statement on Saturday by its Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, MURIC said that it is totally despicable and criminal to target fellow human being for annihilation, adding that the call by Al-Barnawi could only come from a twisted mind.

The new Boko Haram leader said Abubakar Shekau, the former leader, deviated from the groups ideology when he attacked both Muslims and Christians as well as their worship places.

Al-Barnawi stressed that under his leadership, Mosques, markets and other public places used by Muslims would be spared from further attacks but the same cannot be said for Churches and military establishments.

Mr. Akintola, however, said Islam is love, not hatred. Islam gives life, not death. It builds and does not destroy. The Glorious Quran only allows Muslims to fight in self-defence (Quran 2:190). It forbids unjust and unlawful killing (Quran 6:151). It compares anyone who kills his fellow man to one who kills all homo sapiens (Quran 5:32).

SEE ALSO: New Boko Haram Leader States His Plans

We remind the Boko Haram coercion ideologues of the moderate posture of the Glorious Quran towards non-Muslims. Quran 2:256 says there should be no compulsion in religion. Quran 10:99 completely sweeps the carpet off the feet of agents of belligerence as it declares, So you forcefully compel people to believe in Allah? But they would all have believed if Allah had wanted it so!, he added.

The MURIC director said Nigerian differences in matters of faith are part of the deliberate and grand design of Allah as confirmed in Quran 11:118 that there would still have been differences even if the whole world follows a single religion.

He, therefore, charged Muslims worldwide to limit their religious zeal to the true dictates of Islam as reflected in the verses of the Glorious Quran lest they transgress and should leave non-Muslims alone as Allah did not give anyone the assignment to punish those who reject Islam.

We reaffirm our readiness to peacefully coexist with our Christian neighbours. We reject hate speeches and their authors whether from Boko Haram or the Islamic State (ISIS). The directive to attack Western interests is antithetical to the non-racial and pax vobiscum leaning of Islam, Prof. Akintola stated.

We call on the Nigerians and the rest of the world to separate criminals from their religion and desist from stereotyping Muslims as terrorists or their sympathizers. In this regard, we welcome the recent pronouncement of Pope Francis in which he urged the world to stop equating Islam with terrorism.

We urge Muslims in the country to demonstrate solidarity with their Christian neighbours by ensuring that Boko Haram elements are not allowed to launch attacks on Christians in their neighbourhood. We have a duty to defend our Christian neighbours at this critical stage. This is the way to keep Nigeria united, the statement concluded.
Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, on Saturday said her ongoing trip to the United States was not at tax-payers expense.

She made the clarification in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA).

Mrs. Buhari, who is on the weeklong trip to hold talks with aid organizations on how to help the women and children of North-East Nigeria currently facing death as a result of starvation and malnutrition, said it was being funded with personal funds and sponsorship grant.

We sponsored even the government officials that came with us on this trip, she said.

She, however, failed to disclose where the sponsorship came from.

Mrs. Buhari insisted that her husbands administration was not funding her office and that her role was just a supportive one to complement President Muhammadu Buharis services to the country.

She noted that the office of First Lady had become a tradition in almost all nations of the world, not just Nigeria.

All that we are doing is to help our husbands, she said.

For instance someone can decide to give me Indomie or Maggie, which he cannot give to the president, women need these things.

In any state where a governors wife is irrelevant such as Yobe, you will notice that the women are suffering.

Whenever we get such gifts, we dont keep them but share to those in need.

Mrs. Buhari also explained that the Nigerian government had put in place a special programme to help women.

She said she held a meeting with the Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan, before embarking on her U.S. trip on how to sensitize women on ways of taking advantage of the new policy.

Very soon our women will get help, she said.

The presidents wife also responded to a question on why Nigerians are suffering at this time.

This may be because of the existence of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, and the activities of Boko Haram, which prevented people from farming last season, she said.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be heading for a fresh round of crisis following the insistence of a leading chieftain of the party, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to contest for the office of the partys national chairman.

Leaders of the PDP from the Southern part of the country, led by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, had met in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital last Thursday, where it was agreed that the position of the national chairman of the party should be zoned to the South-West, which has never occupied the office.

But Dokpesi, who is from the South-South zone and was already neck-deep into his campaign for the exalted position with his nationwide tour, which has seen him visit over 15 states, defied the party as he went ahead to pick the partys nomination form after paying the mandatory N1m at the partys national secretariat in Abuja.

There are however fears that Dokpesis action will not only polarise the party, but plunge it into further crisis ahead of its convention coming up on August 17 in Port-Harcourt.

The media moguls son, Raymond Jnr, who picked the form on his behalf, however, refused to speak with journalists after collecting the form.
One Malian national and 4 Nigerians were arrested by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with illegal possession and sales of 4,580 kilogrammes of psychotropic drugs in Kano State.

The agency said the seized drugs were remains the most commonly abused narcotics by youths in the northern part of the country and they comprises of 2,592kgs of codeine cough syrups and 1,988kgs of tramadol recovered from five secret warehouses in the state.

The state commander of the NDLEA, Mr Hamza Umar, gave the identity of the suspects as Ikechukwu Ukwuoma, 34, arrested with 2,010kgs of codeine cough syrups; Nura Ibrahim, 30, caught with 886kgs of tramadol and Zakari Muhammadi, a Malian found with 850kgs of tramadol.

Others are Earnest Asogwa, 34, caught with 582kgs of codeine syrup and Ikenna Osuizugba, 34, found in possession of 252kgs of tramadol.

The arrests and seizures were made following intelligence report on the activities of the suspects.

The abuse of psychotropic drugs like codeine cough syrups and tramadol is prevalent among young people and married women in the state. It is common to see iced bottles of codeine cough syrup instead of beverage drinks in a gathering of young people, Hamza stated.
Contrary to speculation in a section of the social media that former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday attended the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party national convention committee at the Shehu YarAdua Centre in Abuja, he was at the centre for a different engagement.

The former president was at the centre to attend a programme on Agriculture while the PDP leaders were also at the same premises to attend their partys event.

There were speculations Mr. Obasanjo, who publicly denounced the PDP and supervised the shredding to pieces of his party membership card on February 16, 2015 was making a sensational return to the party on whose platform, he was elected president for two terms of eight years.

Interestingly, leaders of the PDP, who were alerted to the presence of the Owu chief on the premises, rushed to pay homage to him.

Among those that were said to have rushed out to pay homage to the former president included the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi; Secretary of the committee, Sen. Ben Obi and a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu.

Mr. Obasanjo exchanged pleasantries with the party chieftains briefly before he proceeded to attend the programme he had come for.
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from South-West, Chief Bode George, has picked the form to run for office of the national chairman of the party.

Mr. George, who has not hidden his ambition to head the main opposition party, picked the form at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja on Friday after leaders of the party from the southern part of the country met in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital a day earlier, decided that the South-West should be allowed to occupy the office.

The PDP National Convention, where a National Chairman and new members of National Working Committee, NWC, would be elected, has been slated for August 17 in Port Harcourt.

Speaking to reporters after he paid for the form, Mr. George promised to reposition and stabilise the party.

He said, It takes and experience captain to stabilise a ship hit by tornado. And if you know the crisis in PDP; that is the position the party is facing right now.

But I am happy that all is not lost, and the condition has been enhanced, zoning has gone extremely well. I have paid my dues in this party and I should not be afraid of anybody.

Since 1999, I never left the party to anywhere. I met crises and problems. I have been able to resolve them. I have risen meritorious, from vice chairman South-West to deputy chairman (South) and deputy chairman overall. I have been able to resolve problems.

If people vote for me, I look forward to stabilise the party and put it in right position. The ruling party should get ready for serious engagement because we have started a cohesive battle ahead 2019.

George promised to bring back those who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he said they remain as tenants.

Even those of our friends who were angry and left for APC, they are tenants there because they are landlords in PDP.

If we are lucky and we get the right leadership who is fair and just and committed in the party, they will come back, he declared.
A man who attacked police officers with a machete in Belgium has been shot and killed. The incident occurred in the Belgian city of Charleloi and the attacker was said to have chanted Allahu Akbar as he attacked the officers.

Authorities have confirmed that both officers who were attacked just outside the police station are in stable condition. The identity of the attacker has not yet been revealed.
Mrs. Sammie Peters, wife to legendary Afro juju creator Sir Shina Peters, is looking healthy and lovely in new photos after surviving cancer.

Sammie returned to Nigeria in January 2016 after she undergoing Chemotherapy for over two years in the United States of America.

The couple, who have been married for 21 years have one of the best celebrities love stories, braving all odds and determined to last based on their belief in each other, in good and bad times.

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On this day in 2009: In Port Harcourt, a cache of weapons and ammunition were uncovered at an arms depot, owned by Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.

Also on this day in 2014: Five new cases of Ebola were confirmed in Lagos.

It was confirmed by the authorities that five people from the team that treated Ebola victim, Patrick Sawyer were sick with one of the worlds most virulent diseases.

Equally on this day in 2014.Traditional rulers in Bayelsa State called on members of the Boko Haram sect to sheathe their swords and embrace amnesty like the former militants of the Niger Delta region did.

And on this day in 2013;The Federal Government said it did not believe that details of the accusations of extra-judicial killings leveled against Nigerian military by Amnesty International had been properly verified.
Syrian rebels stormed a major army artillery base in the northern city of Aleppo on Friday to try an end the siege of opposition-held areas but the Syrian army said it had repelled the attack and killed hundreds of insurgents.

A quarter of a million civilians still live 7in Aleppo's opposition-controlled eastern neighborhoods, effectively under siege since the army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, cut off the last road into rebel districts in early July.

Fighters from a coalition of Islamist rebel groups called "Jaish al Fateh" that includes Jabhat Fateh al Sham, the former al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, Ahrar al Sham and other smaller groups, said they had taken the main fortress-like artillery academy in the Ramousah quarter in southwestern Aleppo.

They were now fighting to take the other military academies adjoining the artillery base that are among the country's largest.

The artillery base is almost 2 km from the besieged opposition area. It has a huge supply of ammunitions and is used regularly to shell parts of the city held by opposition forces.

The rebels are trying to break through a strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo with a swathe of insurgent territory in the west of Syria, effectively breaking the siege.

The fall of that strip would also cut off western Aleppo, which is in government hands.

"There are two suicide bombers who have driven into regime posts inside the artillery base," said Abu al-Walid, a fighter with Ahrar al Sham, who said there was fighting inside the base.

Hundreds of fighters were clashing with government troops only a few hundred meters from each other in parts of the artillery base after breaking into government defenses around the heavily fortified compound, rebels said.

Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the outbreak of the civil war five years ago, has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012.

Seizing full control would be the biggest victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in five years of fighting and demonstrate the dramatic shift of fortunes in his favor since Russia joined the war on his side last year.

Islamist rebels have poured in thousands of fighters mainly from the rebel-held province of Idlib in north western Syria and deployed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the operation that was named the "Epic battle of Aleppo".

Inside the city, Free Syrian Army (FSA), among them vetted U.S.-backed groups, helped pile pressure on the army and its allies along other frontlines.

Foreign opponents of Assad including Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations center.

Some of these groups have received military training overseen by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The vetted groups have been a regular target of the Russian air strikes.

Jabhat Fateh al Sham, which is believed to have carried out at least three suicide bombings so far, said it also killed a number of Lebanese Shia Hezbollah fighters it said were defending the artillery school.

The militant Shia group that fights alongside Assad's government forces is an ally of Iranian-backed militias and the Russians in trying to help Assad regain control of the opposition-held parts of Aleppo.

The deputy head of the powerful Lebanese Islamist group, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said in an interview with Reuters this week he saw no immediate end to the war in Syria.

The army said it had foiled the attack on the artillery base and two major military academies. Hundreds of insurgents had been killed and much of their armored vehicles and tanks destroyed, the army said. It said the assault was the biggest by rebels against government-held areas in the last few years.

"Today there was a large scale attack by the terrorist armed groups and they used all types of weapons but were are fighting this attack and will defeat them," said Brigadier General Deeb Bazi, the head of one of the military academies targeted.

The army said at least a thousand insurgents had been killed since the assault began earlier this week.

An army statement later said it had succeeded in containing the attack with help of allied forces and destroyed three explosive laden suicide vehicles. Reinforcements from pro-government militias were also coming to shore up army positions.

Rebels said jets flying at high altitude, believed to be Russian, intensified their strikes on the area but were unable to hold back rebel advances because of the terrain.

Both Moscow and its Syrian and Iranian allies see the outcome of the battle over Aleppo as decisive, counting on a crushing blow to insurgents who were on the march until Russia intervened, shoring up Assad's rule.

The complex, multi-sided civil war in Syria, raging since 2011, has drawn in most regional and global powers, caused the world's worst humanitarian emergency and attracted recruits to Islamist militancy from around the world.

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said anyone who doubts his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and by extension his quitting partisan politics, will doubt his or her mothers gender.

The former Nigerian leader, who was reacting to reports that he attended a meeting of the PDP yesterday in Abuja, said it was unthinkable and preposterous for anybody to contemplate that he would reverse himself and return to a divided party gasping for breath.

It was earlier clarified here that Mr. Obasanjos visit to the Shehu Musa YarAdua Center in Abuja on Friday for a programme on Agriculture, coincided with the inauguration of the PDPs national convention committee, which was also taking place in one of the several halls in the center.

Confirming our report, the ex-president said he attended farmers event at the center organized by the Commodities Association Stakeholders on Zero Hunger Nigeria and not for any PDP event.

He noted that those behind the media report linking him with the PDP convention committees meeting were probably looking for ways to annoy and embarrass him, but assured that anybody hoping to drag him back to party on whose platform he was elected president twice, for whatever reason, would fail just like any man serving a dead mice to a cat.

If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now divided, factionalized party gasping for breath?

Those who know me, know that I have publicly announced my quitting partisan politics and those who will believe the purported story will believe anybody who tells him that his or her mother is not a woman, he stated.

The elder statesman explained that he had ordinarily attempted to ignore the media report, but felt the need to clarify the situation due to plethora of phone calls he was still receiving from people who were confused about the said report.

To clear the minds of doubting Thomases and those behind the orchestrated news in circulation and particularly those who had been calling to ascertain what actually happened at the Shehu Musa Yaradua centre.

The meeting commenced but few minutes into the session, his attention was drawn to the presence of some people walking up to where he was seated. At closer glance, he recognized them to be politicians and they exchanged pleasantries, saying they came to greet him and they walked out again from the meeting, a statement signed by the former Nigerian leaders spokesman, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, said on Saturday.

It further said that Obasanjo cracked jokes with members of his former party on which platform he was elected as civilian president in 1999 before he later became the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of same party, calling them invaders and gate-crashers.

The programme ended and immediately he and his entourage headed back to Lagos. He was barely hours in Lagos when he started receiving calls from both far and near, wanting to find out about his presence at a political party programme in Abuja.

The photo as well as the media report in circulation, which claimed that he was spotted at a political party event is therefore mischievous, as a responsible journalist ought to have gone further to ascertain his actual destination in among the number of venues at the centre.

They simply took the photograph of his alighting from his vehicle to read another meaning. It is shocking also to note that the picture was actually taken while on his way out of the Centre after the programme he attended had ended.

This is height of irresponsible journalism, which the former President is calling for its investigation and sanction on anybody involved in order to serve as deterrent to others who may want to be used either by omission or commission to misinform the public on such sensitive issue.
On Saturday, the first lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari went on a week-long visit to the US to hold discussions with aid organisations on how to help the women and children facing starvation in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

SEE ALSO: Severe Malnutrition: 49,000 Kids At High Risk Of Death In Borno -UNICEF

Mrs Buhari spoke in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA).

Our children in the various camps are in dire situation and the government alone cannot do it, we have to get help, she said.

She also said she told the officials of the aid organisations that what was needed now was not even cash because statistics had shown that many children between the ages of 5 months and 7 years were dying due to hunger-related diseases.

She said the United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) had been providing aid packages containing nut-related supplements, which, she said, are produced in large quantities by Nigerian farmers.

The first lady said she told the officials that there was a need to set up a plant in Nigeria that could produce the package.

SEE ALSO: My Pet Project To Prevent Childrens Death From Malnutrition  Mrs. Buhari

It often takes between 6-8 weeks for these things to be shipped to Nigeria, before they arrive, many children would have died, so I suggested to them to set up the manufacturing plant in the country if they really want to help is, she said.

She also said started pay close attention to the issue after recent revelations indicated women and children were dying of hunger in some IDP camps in Borno State.

SEE ALSO: Aisha Buhari Criticized For Her Outfit To Washington
The Managing Director, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, has linked pipeline vandalism with the inability of the countrys refineries to meet up with local oil demand.

The KRPC boss made this known at the fourth edition of capacity building workshop for Energy correspondents in Kaduna on Friday.

Mukhtar, however, called for the establishment of 20-inch pipeline to optimize refining of crude to about 80 per cent.

He said, What is of strategic importance is the need to lay a new wider (20 inch) pipeline that will serve as a better alternative to the current 16 inch pipeline which is limited by its size and low integrity.

In fact, if KRPC is set to achieve the target of operating at a minimum of 80 per cent throughput. The new pipeline is needed to ensure delivery of sufficient crude oil to meet the target.

Mukhtar also advocated for framework that would regard the pipeline as Military Zone because of its strategic importance.

A major challenge facing KRPC is the incessant vandalism on WarriKaduna pipeline and in fact it is one of the greatest threats to KRPCs performance. This line needs to be highly secured to guarantee continuous supply of crude oil to KRPC, he added.

Mr. Mukhtar also disclosed that the KRPC is working to reposition itself in line with the current administrations desire to ensure efficiency and profitability in the oil sector.
Andover Properties LLC, a private real estate investment company, has acquired North Main Self Storage and the adjacent Froggys Car Wash in Summerville, S.C. Its the companys first foray into the carwash industry, which it intends to pursue in the future, according to a company press release.

The storage facility at 1822 N. Main St. will be branded as Storage King USA. It comprises 23,150 square feet of space in 179 units. Andover plans to build an additional 30,000 net rentable square feet of space that will include climate-controlled and traditional storage.

The demand drivers for this deal are certainly there, said Michael Wachsman, director of acquisitions for Andover. The town has grown 60 percent since 2000, and Charleston is the fastest-growing municipality in the state. He also noted that rates at the facility are significantly below market, and the site is well-positioned to pursue other sources of income, such as retail sales and tenant insurance.

Founded in 2003 and based in New York City, Andover Properties owns and operates 25 self-storage facilities in nine states, totaling nearly 1.7 million rentable square feet of storage space in 13,850 units. The firm focuses on the acquisition, development and management of industrial, retail and self-storage facilities primarily in the North and Southeast.
Manhattan Mini Storage, which operates 17 self-storage facilities throughout New York City, has partnered with Updater, a provider of relocation software that assists consumers with the moving process, helping them to do things such as update their mailing address with businesses, forward their mail, transfer utility services and more. The partnership provides Manhattan Mini customers with invitation-only access to the platform if theyre moving into or out of one of its facilities, according to a press release.

Moving anywhereespecially into, out of, or anywhere around Manhattanis an incredibly stressful experience, said Lenny Lazzarino, vice president of partnerships for Manhattan Mini. Our partnership with Updater enables us to do something we couldnt do beforeenhance the process for our customers beyond the moving and storing of items by also simplifying the hassle of updating all their personal information. This is an incredible value-add, as Updater complements our core services by allowing us to provide a number of essential new tools.

Platform features include automatic address updates with more than 15,000 businesses including alumni associations, charities, frequent-flyer providers, magazines and newspapers. The service also helps customers file their official moving information with the U.S. Postal Service, schedule in-home installations for digital services, and send digital e-cards to family and friends to notify them of the new address, the release stated. Customers may also redeem move-in offers on cleaning and moving services, renter insurance, and other items.

Its no surprise that Manhattan Mini Storage is the first independent storage company to acknowledge that their customers need help throughout the moving process and to do something about it, said Jenna Weinerman, marketing director at Updater. Their many innovative ideas are a result of pure dedication to meeting the needs of their customers.

Headquartered in New York City, Updater has raised more than $30 million from investors, including Commerce Ventures, IA Ventures, Second Century Ventures and SoftBank Capital, according to the release.

Founded in 1978, Manhattan Mini is part of the Edison Properties network of businesses. Edison also operates Edison ParkFast, a network of 40 garages and lots throughout Baltimore, New York City and Northeast New Jersey. Its other properties include workspace offices, executive offices and pre-built suites, The Hippodrome office building, and The Ludlow, a luxury residential high-rise on the Lower East Side.
The Air Algerie airline's passenger flight AH1020, presumed missing earlier on Saturday, has landed in the Algiers airport, a source in the airline told RIA Novosti.

According to the airline source, the plane turned around over the Mediterranean and flew back to Algiers because of a technical issue.

Earlier it was reported that the Air Algerie Boeing 737-600 was flying from Algiers to Marseille when it declared a mid-air emergency and then disappeared from radars.

The plane took off from Algiers in the afternoon and was en route to Marseille. Shortly after taking off, however, the passenger jet declared a mid-air emergency.

Flightradar24 website showed the tracking status of the aircraft as "unknown" as it experienced coverage issues with the plane.

According to Airlive, the aircraft had declared an emergency and turned around over one of the islands in the Mediterranean, heading back for Algeria, and then disappeared.

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Learn how much you need to retire comfortably, and how to prepare for the "unexpected." Plan for everything from living expenses, to healthcare, to planning that trip you've always wanted to take.

Letter from The Editor

Our relationship with money has changed.



The pandemic accelerated a lot of those changes, but many of the forces were already set in motion over a decade ago. Investing apps and platforms, zero-commission trading, a historic bull market for stocks coming out of the Great Financial Crisis followed by record-breaking inflation, the emergence of cryptocurrencies, and the evolution of financial planning are just some of the forces that have reshaped the way we think, use, plan, save, and invest our money.

Our notions about retirement have changed, as well.

Younger generations are less likely to work at the same company their entire careers, collect a pension, and ease their way out of the workforce at the age of 65. We are living longer, and we need to be able to afford the lives we want to live when we stop working. For most people, retirement is not their end of work, but the end of being able to depend on a regular paycheck with benefits and a 401(k) match, if we were lucky enough to get one.

While over half of working adults in the U.S. are invested in the stock market, the average 401(k) balance for baby boomers and Generation X is only around $161,000 according to Fidelity. With the cost of living rising higher every year, and questions about the staying power of Social Security, the numbers just don't add up for most people nearing retirement.

There is no magic bullet solution to these problems. There are, however, some fundamental practices and approaches that younger adults and those approaching retirement, can focus on:

Financial awareness: Do you really know what it costs to be you?

Investing appropriately for your age: Are you too risky, or not risky enough, or well-balanced?

Balanced portfolio: Is the 60/40 portfolio still the answer, given the shake-out in the stock market?

Saving and budgeting in a world of rising prices: Inflation is not a bug in the systemit's a feature that we need to accept and incorporate into our personal budgets.

Planning and caring for yourself or family members: The cost of care keeps rising, but few are prepared for those bills when they come due.

Estate planning: If you can and want to pass along your savings to charity or the next generation, are your affairs in order?

Investopedia's special issue on retirement is our first foray into magazine publishing. We are honored to have been a go-to resource for millions of readers for the past 23 years, but we, like you, realize that the game has changed in retirement planning and investing. Therefore, we have dedicated those pages to laying out those changes and offering solutions that can help you change with the times.

Pick up your copy at your nearest retailer or buy now online. We hope you enjoy the issue and learn from it. The first step in financial awareness is to educate yourself, so let those pages help you get on the right path.


Did Melania Trump blatantly break the law by arranging a bogus marriage to get a green card in 2001?

If she did, she and her husband Donald are the greatest hypocrites since Newt Gingrich impeached Bill Clinton despite carrying on a secret affair himself.

While the pair were railing against illegal immigrants, including about 50,000 Irish, was she one herself who broke the law?

Melania Trump was definitely married before she met Trump -- that is what Michael Wildes, a top immigration attorney who worked for the Trump Organization, told Univision's investigative unit. He stated that she married Donald Trump in 2005 but had obtained a green card four years earlier in 2001, based on marriage.

If so, she clearly broke the law by having a bogus marriage simply for the green card which allowed her to stay in America. If so, who was this secret husband? When were they divorced?

Who is Michael Wildes, the immigration attorney making this new charge? He is a former federal prosecutor and Democratic mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. He also worked for the Trump organization.

Wildes certainly has an intriguing client list including many superstar models; Gisele Bundchen, Tom Bradys wife, is one. His father got John Lennon his green card in what was considered a very difficult case.

Here is what Wides told Univision in a phone interview recorded by the channel:

Wildes said he acted on behalf of Trump models and handled legal work to obtain visas and green cards for Miss Universe when Trump owned the pageant.

He told Univision that he had been authorized by the Trump Organization to speak on the matters concerning Melania.

He said he could not comment on how Melania Trump became a U.S. permanent resident.

Ms. Trump received citizenship in 2006 and prior to that she had a green card based on marriage, he said in a recorded interview by phone. Before that, she had a work visa and was in full compliance on her visas and never disrespected any of them. That has been made clear to me. Melania Trump has said she came to the United States on a legal visa in 1996, got a green card in 2001 and then became a U.S. citizen in 2006.

Melania and Donald Trump were not married until Jan. 22, 2005 at Bethesda-by-the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach, Florida. She has stated that was her only marriage. Wildes has now contradicted her.

Let's go back to the start. Melanie it seems had a tourist B1 or B2 visa which is also a temporary business visa when she first came here which did not entitle her to work but did entitle her to stay for up to six months at a time and sort out employment opportunities.

That explains her story that she went back and forth to keep renewing that visa. It seems very likely she worked for pay sometime between 1996 and 2001 thereby breaking the visa rules as she never changed her status.

More serious however is how did she get the green card in 2001? Wildes says it was by marriage. Yet she told Anderson Cooper her marriage to Donald Trump was her first in 2005. Who did she marry in 2001 if Wides is correct and there seems no reason why he would make it up as a respected attorney and former prosecutor?

This seems to be leading to a negative conclusion for Melania and a huge blow to Trump if it does.

For the past year he has been screaming his head off about undocumented immigrants and those who break the system, calling them murderers, rapists, etc.

What if he was sleeping with the enemy and Melania was one of them, that dreadful horde he castigates and calls out every day?

Nothing in this screwy campaign should surprise us at this point, but I am prepared to be shocked once again.
In December 1996 Sophie Toscan du Plantier was found murdered outside her County Cork holiday home, but thus far no one has been brought before an Irish court in connection with this crime. Although the gardai (police) have a 'prime suspect' - Ian Bailey - so far they have been unable to produce enough evidence for the public prosecutor to charge him.

This week a French judge ruled that Bailey should be tried  in a French court! France hasn't yet requested Bailey's extradition, which would be the second attempt to extradite him from Ireland. In 2012 Ireland's Supreme Court ruled against France's extradition request. If, however, France does revive its extradition request and it's granted then Ian Bailey will stand trial in France for a murder committed in Ireland.

My detestation for the murderer, whether it's Bailey or someone else, and my sympathy for Toscan du Plantier's family does not change the fact that this is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Toscan du Plantier's family have been tireless in their pursuit of justice for their wife/daughter/mother these past 20 years. During all this time they have also been graceful, but understandably their patience has been severely tested. They're very easy to root for in their campaign for justice.

Bailey has twice been arrested and questioned by the gardai about Toscan du Plantier's murder, but he has never been charged. He was also arrested a third time when the first French extradition request was received.

At the time of the murder Bailey, originally from Manchester in England, was living near Toscan du Plantier's holiday home and making a living as a freelance journalist. It wasn't long after the murder that a neighbor made a statement to the gardai, which she later retracted, that she had seen Bailey in the area around Toscan du Plantier's house on the night of the murder.

I don't know any of the people associated with this case. I don't know the town or whether the locals believe Bailey is the killer or not. I don't even know anyone from that area.

I also don't understand why there isn't more upset in Ireland at France's continued pursuit of Bailey's extradition to France. Maybe it's a reflection of the public's sympathy with Toscan du Plantier's family. Maybe it's because Bailey isn't all that likable. Maybe it's because he's English. (I don't believe that one.}

I don't know why, but there's never been any uproar about this.

What I do know is Toscan du Plantier's French citizenship is irrelevant. France's belief that it can investigate crimes against its citizens that happen outside France should also be irrelevant. There is no suggestion that Toscan du Plantier was targeted because she was French. There is not even a hint of any international conspiracy behind the crime. This is not France's call.

If I, a United States citizen, were found murdered outside my County Wicklow home I would not expect the American government to involve itself in the search for justice unless I was killed by al Qaeda or killed as part of some international criminal conspiracy or killed just for being American. Even at that, I wouldn't expect any trial to take place outside Ireland, unless my murder was part of some conspiracy born in America.

Legally (but not culturally) France and Ireland are more tightly connected through the EU than are Ireland and the United States, but that doesn't alter the fact that France has no role in this case. If a Californian woman was killed in New Jersey and the chief suspect was from Connecticut, he would not be extradited to California to stand trial.

As the years pass the chances of any Irish court hearing a case connected with Toscan du Plantier's murder grow more and more remote. Toscan du Plantier's family is frustrated. They want someone brought before a court, tried and convicted. I'm sure they're frustrated with the way Ireland's legal system works and they could easily be of the opinion that the gardai are not very good at policing.

And they may well be right. This case does seem to be an indictment of Ireland's policing and judicial systems. If it is, then we have to fix those problems and not paper over them by exporting our most high-profile failures. How many other victims are not getting the justice they deserve and will never get because they're not French?

There is no justification for extraditing Bailey to France to face French justice. Toscan du Plantier's murder was an Irish crime. It demands Irish justice.
The remain of eight humans discovered in Quebec last month are believed to be those of Irish immigrants who died in an 1847 shipwreck off the coast of Canada, Parks Canada revealed.

The bones and skeletons, found in near Cap-des-Rosiers, Quebec, in late July, appear to be those of five adults and three children who were fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland when their ship got into trouble during a storm.

Although the remains have yet to be analyzed, Parks Canada archaeologist Martin Perron believes the eight bodies could be the remains of some those who died when the Irish ship, The Carricks of Whitehaven, sank during a storm off the Gaspe coast.

If proven to be those of Irish immigrants aboard the 1847 ship, the discovery may be an indicator of a mass grave in the area for the massive fatalities among the 167 passengers. At first discovery, Perron stated that the bones appeared to be very ancient, possibly as old as the 170 years since the ship sank, although further analysis is needed before this is confirmed.

Adding to the evidence that this may be a burial site for The Carricks, the remains of three European children were previously discovered close to this site in 2011. The bones were found on Cap-des-Rosiers beach just a few hundred meters away from Julys grave discovery. The coroner ruled that the three children were the victims of a maritime tragedy and that they had also suffered from malnutrition, a fact that would fall in line with the theory the children were Irish and leaving Ireland because of the famine.

"All these elements point towards a mass grave that is quite ancient, which could be linked to the Carricks shipwreck,'' Perron told CBC Canada.

The Carricks was just one of the Irish ships, often called the coffin ships, that transported thousands of Irish people from their suffering island to a new life in the US and Canada. Unfortunately, conditions on many of these ships were deadly and hunger, malnutrition, and disease caused the death of many on the passage and many more when disease spread among immigrants and the local population on landing.

Read more: Michael Collins runs 600 miles, retracing path of Irish Canadian Famine immigrants

This particular ship is believed to have been traveling to Quebec in 1847, the very worst year of the Great Hunger and often referred to as Black 47.

Some 100,000 Irish immigrants made the journey to Canada in 1847, descending on the quarantine station in Grose Ile which welcomed the arrival of 14,000 Irish by the summer months alone, despite having just 150 beds. If they escaped the quarantine station, many Irish may have made it to Montreal, where typhus was killing those who survived the journey, while others carried along the river to Toronto.

A fifth of those who traveled that year - 20,000 immigrants - died.

Built in 1812, The Carricks set sail from Sligo, one of the principal points of emigration during the Great Hunger, in March 1847, under the command of Captain R.Thompson, with 167 passengers, most of whom were tenants from the Irish estates of Lord Palmerston. On April 28, she ran into a storm and most of her passengers were lost. It appears that of all those on board, only 48 made it to the shore. Nine had died previously on the voyage while the remaining 119 were lost in the wreckage. All of the crew survived but for one boy.

One Quebec film maker Viveka Melki is currently making a documentary about The Carricks ship and the fate of those poor Irish on board. During the course of her preparation for the documentary, Melki came across an obituary written by a local priest referring to the way in which the shore was strewn with bodies after the shipwreck and that a shallow, hasty mass grave had been dug for the remains along the beach, leading her to believe that this latest discovery must be several of The Carricks victims.

"It's not been easy for us or for the descendants (interviewed) in the film to even suppose that this might be the grave,'' Melki said.

Other documentaries have been made regarding the ship including the video below which focuses on the Irish-speaking family, the Kaveneys from Sligo, who five generations later are now the French-speaking Kavanaghs of Gaspe.

Read more: Canadian refuge for Irish famine emigrants explores link with Wicklow town

The areas around the bodies has now been cordoned off and Park Canada will continue to excavate the site to discover if there are further remains buried nearby.

"There's a way to give a second life to these bodies and make them talk, thanks to the different analyses that can be done,'' Perron said.

A monument already stands to the victims of the shipwreck in Gaspe, which was offered by St. Patricks Parish in Montreal in 1900. It is joined by the enshrined ships bell, discovered in 1966. The monuments inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of 187 Irish Immigrants from Sligo wrecked here on April 28th 1847 (Ship Carricks of Whitehaven 87 are buried here. Pray for their souls.

H/T: CBC Canada
Putin had flattered Trump into supporting positions favourable to Russia, Michael Morell, a long-time CIA officer and former deputy director of the agency, said in an opinion piece in The New York Times.

In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr Putin had recruited Mr Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation, Morell said, in an article in which he endorsed Trumps rival in the November 8 election, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Morell did not provide evidence for his assertion, but he said Putin had used skills from his past as an intelligence officer to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in an individual.

That is exactly what he did early in the primaries. Mr Putin played upon Mr Trumps vulnerabilities by complimenting him. He responded just as Mr Putin had calculated, Morell wrote.

Trumps campaign dismissed Morells criticism, linking the ex-CIA officer to the Obama administrations public response after the September 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya.

Count how many reporters will tweet today that Michael Morell lied for #CrookedHillary to cover up Benghazi, Trumps campaign said on Twitter.

The incident, in which the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed, occurred while Clinton was secretary of state, and Republicans have long criticised her handling of the attack and its aftermath.

Critics say administration officials tried to play down the role of Islamist militants in the attacks. Morell approved talking points after the incident. US officials have said any reference to militants taking part was initially dropped for classification reasons.

Morell is currently affiliated with Beacon Global Strategies, a consulting firm with ties to senior Democrats with national security expertise, including former defence secretary and CIA director Leon Panetta and former top Clinton aide Philippe Reines.

Trumps vice-presidential running mate, Indiana governor Mike Pence, dismissed Morells comments, saying that standing up to Russian aggression is going to be really different under a Trump-Pence administration.

Morells article, in which he also said Trump had undermined US security with his campaign proposal to combat terrorism by imposing a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, added to questions raised by some national security experts about the New York businessmans qualifications to be president.
Nissans Sunderland plant in the north of England built nearly one-in-three of Britains 1.6 million cars last year and has been lauded as one of Europes most efficient facilities, where it builds the popular Qashqai sport utility vehicle.

But most of the sites output is exported to Europe and Renault-Nissan Alliance chief executive Carlos Ghosn told the BBC Nissan and other companies were waiting to see the outcome of Brexit talks before making new investment decisions.

The question is whats going to happen in terms of customs, whats going to happen in terms of trade, whats going to happen in terms of circulation, particularly of the products, he said.

All of these are very sensitive elements that are going to determine, how and how much we are going to invest in the UK particularly for the European market.

Nissan has invested around 4bn (4.7bn) in its British manufacturing base but many firms are now closely watching formal talks on Britains divorce terms from the EU, which are unlikely to start until next year.

Investment decisions in the car industry often occur several years before a model rolls off a production line meaning any delay in the coming months could hit output and jobs in years to come.

Margaret Thatcher signed a deal in 1984 to bring Nissan to the deprived north of England beginning a renaissance in the British car industry, which is forecast to hit record production levels by the end of the decade.

But over 61% of voters backed Brexit in Sunderland. Mr Ghosn said Sunderland was a European plant but that he was confident British and European politicians would strike an amicable trade deal.
The company yesterday reported a 35% year-on-year increase in first-half net operating profit to just under 79m (93m).

It has over 200 commercial and private rented leases in Dublin and said its Irish operations contributed 129m to group revenues in the period.

Rental income from its Dublin properties grew from 13.9m to 19m.

Management said it is alert to potential risks and opportunities facing the investment and occupier markets in the UK and its other target markets of Ireland, Spain and Italy in light of the recent Brexit vote.

Dublin is well-placed to benefit from potential job relocations and the additional foreign direct investment opportunities that may arise as companies look to realign their geographic footprint. This should increase demand for offices and the private rented sector, in particular, it added.

KWE said its Irish portfolio had a positive six months, with healthy take-up levels on the office side helping to push prime headline rents to 57.50 per square foot. It said there were also positive signs for its retail portfolio here.

Overall, KWE said its business remains in a robust position, benefitting from a highly diversified portfolio.

It said is not seeing any uncertainty, as yet, feeding into its occupier base, with a good level of leasing activity completed and under way since June 23.
The strong increase in labour force participation and drop in unemployment for three proxies of low-end services employment Hispanics, teens, and those with less than a high school diploma  suggest that this was the best month for cheap labour of this expansion, said Conor Sen, a Bloomberg View contributor and portfolio manager at New River Investments.

Unemployment among Americans 25 or over with less than a high school diploma fell by 118,000, to a total of 669,000, the lowest level since records began in 1992.
Meanwhile, drivers at Dublin Bus who are part of the national Bus and Rail Union have voted in favour of industrial action by a margin of 96%.

The ballot came after drivers rejected a pay rise recommendation of just over 8% put forward by the Labour Court. The NBRU is lloking for a pay offer closer to what was offered the Luas drivers  who secured pay increases of around 18% over four years.

Siptu is to vote on the Labour Court offer next week.

Dublin Bus said that it notes the result of the ballot but was waiting for the results of the ballots of the other trade unions next week before considering the outcome in full.
A barrage of air strikes on Saturday near a hospital in northwestern Syria killed at least 10 civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said the raids targeted the town of Milis in Idlib province, which borders Turkey and is controlled by a rebel alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch.

The Britain-based monitor said three children and two women were among the dead, adding that the raids were carried out by either Russian or regime warplanes.

The Idlib Media Center, which publishes news on developments in the province, said a hospital was hit in the raid by unidentified aircraft and that at least six people had been killed.

The World Health Organisation said Syria was the most dangerous place for health care workers to operate last year, with 135 attacks on health facilities and workers in 2015.

In late July, four makeshift hospitals and a local blood bank in Syria's battered Aleppo city were hit by air raids in a single day.

More than 280,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 and millions have been forced to flee, including around five million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

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Psychotherapy Dublin had its glass nameplate broken off its premises last weekend and the clinic is offering four free sessions to the person who stole the plaque.

Its quite unlikely the person will take up our offer, Colin McDonnell, director of Psychotherapy Dublin, told the IrishExaminer.

The main purpose of the message is that when someone acts aggressively, the act speaks of something. Its important to listen to that person.

Mr McDonnell posted about the act of vandalism on the clinics social media platforms, saying: Wed love to talk to this person and offer them four free psychoanalytic sessions. No catches.

He said that a great deal of effort must have been needed to take the nameplate as it was not smashed in order to remove it  instead, it was yanked off the wall.

He referred to the intolerant rhetoric used by people such as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and said the public need to respond to this type of discourse differently.

More aggression doesnt lead anywhere, only more aggression, said the psychoanalyst.

The staff at the clinic noticed last Tuesday that the 300 sign was missing.

Ranelagh, where the clinic is located, has seen very few incidences of vandalism in the last number of months.

We think it was a vandal but were in the dark about it, Mr McDonnell said.

Someone else had a sign smashed about six months ago in the village, and another sign had writing on it.

Other than that, we havent noticed any other vandalism in the village. Were here almost two years.
Hiqa yesterday published 23 inspection reports on residential settings for older people, 14 of which found serious major and moderate non-compliances.

The authoritys inspectors found the skill mix of staff at the Sacred Heart Residence in Raheny, Dublin, was not appropriate to meet residents needs. Inspectors also found that the system of supervision in place was not appropriate. Hiqa had previously received information in relation to residents having to wait for considerable times before call bells were answered. Inspectors also cited poor standards of clinical documentation, with a lack of records pertaining to the administration of medication to patients.

A number of the prescription sheets did not indicate if the resident had allergies to any medicines or no know allergies, inspectors noted.

The reports also raised concern over fire safety issues, such as fire doors and the condition of furniture in a designated smoking room: The furniture within was largely upholstered and in some instances, the filling material was exposed due to the presence of holes in the cover material which is contrary to good practice in such rooms due to the potential flammability of filling material.

Fire safety was also a concern at Shrewsbury House Nursing Home, Drumcondra. Its report said adequate precautions against the risk of fire and safe evacuation of persons from all parts of the centre were not in place.

Means of escape was not fully maintained, and external lighting was insufficient at some fire exit points including the first floor exit, the report found.

External fire exits on the ground floor were uneven and not well lit at the time of the inspection. One double internal fire door beside the smoking room had a visible gap at the bottom of the door.

Staff interviewed by inspectors were not familiar with the evacuation procedures; including what actions to take in the event of a fire or evacuation, it said.

A review of Kinsale Community Hospital raised concerns over the size of the residents rooms: Not all of the four-bedded rooms were suitable in size to meet residents needs, and impacted on the privacy and dignity of the residents sharing these rooms, the report stated, while inspectors also found that the 40-capacity hospital has a dining room that can only accommodate 15 at a time: This provision of dining and sitting space was totally inadequate to meet the needs of the residents.

The inspectors noted visiting taking place in the four-bedded bedroom in the morning when residents were getting up and dressed, this practice did not protect the privacy and dignity of all residents in the room and other areas should be used, it read, adding that residents on the first floor were not provided with adequate sitting, recreational and dining space other than a residents private accommodation as required by the regulations.

At the Retreat Nursing Home in Westmeath, the inspector found that in the main, residents were not provided with opportunities to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities which suited their individuals needs and capacities, and there were periods during the inspection when the majority of residents in the sitting room were not supervised.
The 34-year-old, originally from Belfast, passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital.

He has been named locally as Ciaran Parker who was understood to be living in Letterkenny.

He is the sixth person to die on Donegals roads in just over a week.

The man suffered severe injuries when his car was in a collision with a lorry between Raphoe and Rossgier at Tullyrap just after 1pm on Thursday afternoon.

Two people in the car were rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital but the man passed away overnight in the Intensive Care Unit.

Another young woman injured in the car is described as being in a stable condition in Letterkenny University Hospital.

A full investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.

The latest death comes as gardai appeal for people across Donegal to slow down, wear seat belts, and not to drink and drive.

Head of the Donegal Traffic Corps, Inspector Michael Harrison, appealed to people to respect the roads.

It has been shown that speeding, not wearing seat belts, and drinking and driving are the three main contributory factors in road deaths.

We are pleading with people to respect all these factors when getting into their cars. Please respect the roads.

Donegal has now suffered the loss of six young people on our roads in the space of a week.

We do not need any more deaths, he said.

He also appealed to anyone who may have witnessed any of the three accidents to come forward.

Separately, a woman in her 60s died yesterday in a collision between a car and a bus on the main road between Belfast and Dublin, near Hillsborough in Co Down.

Elsewhere, a 50-year-old man died when the motorbike he was riding hit a roundabout in Comber Road at Newtownards at around 11.40pm on Thursday night.
Gabor Molnar from Cork and Ian Kelly from Dublin won the prizes offered by Corkmarket, a company which provides financial services and advice to

more than 1,500 firefighters and their families nationwide.
Prof Shane Kilcommins of the University of Limerick said that while the French authorities wanting Mr Bailey to stand trial for the 1996 murder of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier was new territory, Mr Bailey could make a number of arguments as to why he should not be extradited.

It emerged on Thursday that French Judge Nathalie Turquey had last week initiated efforts to have Mr Bailey face trial in connection with Ms du Plantiers death in Schull almost 20 years ago, a move welcomed by her son.

Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud said he expected a trial may go ahead in the next 12 to 18 months, describing this as very good news.

However, Mr Baileys solicitor Frank Buttimer has already labelled the issuing of a second arrest warrant for his client as a farce and said any proceedings would be a show trial.

French authorities are seeking Mr Bailey under a provision of French law in which it seeks to prosecute people who commit crimes against French citizens in other jurisdictions.

At the time of the issuing of the first arrest warrant, the case in France was at the investigative stage. But Prof Kilcommins said: France is no longer looking to investigate  they have charged him. He said that Irish law had a provision since 1861 in which it can ask for an Irish citizen who commits a murder in another jurisdiction to be returned to Ireland to face trial, if the authorities in the other jurisdiction agree and do not proceed with the case themselves. However, he said there was a distinction between that and the French request regarding Ian Bailey.

What France is asking us to do is have a citizen of the UK surrendered to France for murder in Ireland, he said, adding that this meant there was no factual reciprocity between the two legal systems.

The laws have to line up and they do not line up, he said.

Prof Kilcommins also said Mr Bailey could strongly argue that the murder has been investigated here and he has never been charged.

French prosecutors could seek the attendance of a number of witnesses, but it cannot compel them to attend. However, Prof Kilcommins said a trial could go ahead even if Mr Bailey was not present: They can go ahead, whether he is there or not.

Mr Bailey has always denied any involvement with the death of the French filmmaker, whose body was discovered near her home on December 23, 1996.

Speaking to the Evening Echo, her son, Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud said: A new fight begins now. We have no more hope in Irish justice.

We need to know the truth and the Irish people need to know it.
The Garda Representative Association said the use of Tasers should be seriously examined and called for gardai to be given body cameras.

The attack followed the ramming of a Garda car in Kerry on Wednesday, in which two gardai were hospitalised.

In Thursdays assault in Dublins north inner city, a gang of five to six youths, aged 16 to 20, jumped on two unarmed gardai on foot patrol in Stoneybatter.

The female garda was punched in the face and punched and kicked in the body. Her male colleague was headbutted and punched in the face and kicked and punched in the upper body.

The female garda underwent a series of X-rays in the Mater Hospital, but it is thought no facial bones were broken. However, she suffered serious bruising and swelling to her face and bruising to her body.

The male garda received a cut above his eye from the headbutt and received stitches. He also suffered bruising to the upper body. There were unconfirmed reports that he is getting married next month.

The gardai came across the youths on Manor St at midnight. They were said to be misbehaving and smoking cannabis.

When the male garda took a joint away from them, two to three youths attacked the gardai. After the assault, the gardai called for assistance.

Garda units responded and identified three youths and one was arrested.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said it was absolutely incensed by the savage attack. In a statement, it said: Two gardai, a male and a female, were set upon by a gang and brutally assaulted. This attack was unprovoked and totally indiscriminate.

This incident shows the perils gardai face on a daily basis. We have no idea what lies ahead of us when we arrive at work every day.

The statement said that in the last week, a number of members received death threats in Kildare, while two others were rammed by criminals near Killarney.

The GRA said that it was vital the use of Tasers was seriously examined by frontline members; it called for body-worn cameras to be supplied to all gardai; and for mandatory minimum sentences for assaulting emergency staff.
Mr Kehoe said spending on defence has risen from 898m in 2015 to 905m this year, but according to statistics this is just 0.5% of GDP, compared to the 0.9% spent in 2005.

Even Luxembourg, which is smaller than Taoiseach Enda Kennys home county of Mayo, spends 0.6% of its GDP on defence.

Mr Kehoe said that he will ensure the Defence Forces have the capability to deal with border security and the threat of international terrorism, still described as moderate, post Brexit.

He added that an additional 437m will be spent on capital projects for the Defence Forces between now and 2021.

He said the Governments priority at the next budget will be to reward working families, who had significant cuts to their standards of living in recent years.

Both PDForra, the organisation which represents the Defence Forces enlisted men, and RACO, which represents officers, have demanded that their members pay be brought back to pre-austerity levels.

Mr Kehoe made his comments yesterday as he, along with Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Mark Mellett, attended a major army shooting competition at Kilworth Camp, Co Cork.

The sharpest shots from 1 Brigades units fought it out in four competitions covering pistols, rifles machine guns, and the falling plates. The latter is where teams of six soldiers run 25m, drop to the ground and fire at targets 200m away.

The pistol competition was won for the 10th time in a row by Captain Eamonn Kenneally, 50. He has won the All Army title four times and will be hoping to make it five when that competition is held in Kilworth next month.

The most exciting competition of the day was the falling plates which went down to the wire in the final.

The 1st Cavalry Squadron team did well in the best of three when they took out all the targets in a very impressive 17.06 secs. It looked as though they had won it when, on the second round, their opponents, 1st Infantry Brigade from Galway, made a false start.

While many of the cavalry units supported clamoured for the Galway contingent to be disqualified, the judge decided to run it again and the infantrymen won the final two rounds in 17.50 secs and 17.40 secs.

Their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mary Carroll, said she was absolutely thrilled at their win: There are a lot of young soldiers in the team and Im really proud of them. Ill give them a bit of downtime but not too much as they are the current All Army champions and I want them to retain the title.
The 59-year-old suspect was detained two months after police announced a major forensic breakthrough in the unsolved investigation into the mass shooting at the village of Kingsmill, Co Armagh.

At the end of May, the PSNI revealed a potential match had been found to a palm print left on a getaway vehicle used by the republican paramilitaries.

The IRA was widely blamed for what was one of the most notorious outrages of the Troubles.

The factory workers were ambushed as they travelled along the Whitecross to Bessbrook road in rural south Armagh on January 5, 1976, in an attack seen as a reprisal for loyalist killings in the same area.

The mens minibus was stopped by a man waving a red light and those on board were asked their religion by a camouflaged gunman with an English accent, whom the victims thought was a soldier.

The only Catholic workman was ordered to run away.

The killers, who had been hiding in the hedges, ordered the rest to line up outside the van and then opened fire.

The getaway vehicle used by the gunmen was left abandoned across the Irish border.

The palm print was discovered later. It was re-examined by forensic scientists only days after a long-delayed inquest into the deaths got under way in Belfast.

A lawyer for the PSNI told stunned relatives attending the hearing that a potential match on the polices database had been made.

One man survived the attack, despite being shot 18 times.

The suspect was arrested in Newry, Co Down, on the suspicion of the 10 murders and one attempted murder.
Kilkenny Arts Festival, now in its 43rd year, began yesterday and central to the event is the music of Mozart.

There will be 15 concerts in total throughout the festival plus talks.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is the festivals orchestra-in-residence  a position it will hold for the next three years.

Over this, the opening weekend, the orchestra will perform some of Mozarts late symphonies, conducted by Gabor Takacs-Nagy and Jorg Widmann.

Accompanying the ICO will be Four Weddings and a Funeral actor Simon Callow, who will read selections from some of Mozarts letters.

Callow is not the only actor participating in the festival: The works of the late poet Seamus Heaney will be brought to life by actor, Stephen Rea. He will read the full work of Heaneys translation of Book VI of Virgils Aeneid, which was the poets last great project.

Rea will read the translation at Watergate Theatre today and tomorrow and in Dunmore Cave on Monday.

The only tickets still available are for the Sunday reading.

He will read the late poets work with a live soundscape by composer and cellist Neil Martin.

Its a remarkable translation by Seamus Heaney, his translations are wonderful, Rea told the Irish Examiner at the festivals launch.

Im honoured to be asked to do it. Its got more high- powered now, the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

In terms of drama, travelling ensemble Footsbarn Theatre will pitch a tent along the banks of the River Nore, just opposite Kilkenny Castle. They will bring their comic twist to their performances of The Incomplete Works of Shakespeare and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

Other events at the festival include Casement: Body of Evidence, which marks the centenary of the humanitarians death.

Roger Casement was executed on August 3, 1916, for his role in the Easter Rising.

This event takes place at 3pm tomorrow in the Parade Tower and will be a reflection on the British diplomats life.
February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey, an English journalist who moved to West Cork in 1991, is arrested at his home near Schull in connection with Ms du Plantiers murder. His partner, Jules Thomas, is also arrested for questioning and both are later released without charge. A court will later hear that by the time of Mr Baileys arrest, schoolboy Malachi Reid had made a statement to gardai claiming that when Mr Bailey had been giving him a lift home he had said he had killed Ms du Plantier.

September 29, 1997: A file is sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested again. He is questioned at Bandon Garda Station and is released without charge.

September 22, 2000: Jules Thomas is arrested for a second time and one of her daughters is arrested in Cork City. Both are released without charge.

January 2002: Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne orders a review of the Garda investigation into Ms du Plantiers murder, following a highly critical analysis of the handling of the case, produced the previous November by Robert Sheehan, a solicitor in the DPPs office.

December 19, 2002: Ms du Plantiers family begins a civil action against Mr Bailey for her wrongful death. It is withdrawn in 2006.

March 2003: A new file on the case is presented to the DPP.

December 2003: Mr Bailey begins a libel action against eight newspapers, losing six and winning two.

The hearing includes testimony from Marie Farrell, who lives near Schull, in which she confirms an earlier statement given to gardai that she saw a man she later learnt was Mr Bailey at Kealfadda Bridge on the night of Ms du Plantiers murder.

April 2005: Ms Farrell withdraws her statement placing Mr Bailey near the scene of the murder and alleges she was coerced into making it by gardai, sparking a Garda review into the investigation.

May 1, 2007: Mr Bailey launches a High Court action alleging, among other charges, wrongful arrest and false imprisonment, against the minister for justice and the Garda commissioner.

June 2008: A French magistrate orders the exhumation in France of Ms du Plantiers body. The following month the DPP recommends no prosecution. The Garda file on the murder is made available to French authorities.

February 19, 2010: Judge Patrick Gachon, who ordered the exhumation of Ms du Plantiers body and who also visited the murder scene and met with gardai, issues a European arrest warrant for Mr Bailey. In April, Mr Bailey is arrested and brought before the High Court, where he is granted bail.

March 18, 2011: The High Court orders Mr Baileys surrender to the French authorities on foot of the arrest warrant, but grants him leave to appeal.

March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Mr Baileys favour, blocking any extradition. Mr Bailey lodges a complaint with GSOC regarding the Garda investigation.

April, 2014: Following revelations that phonecalls at Bandon Garda Station had been recorded, the Government says this will form part of the Fennelly Inquiry.

March 30, 2015: Mr Bailey loses his civil action against the State and gardai.

July 27, 2016: French judge Nathalie Turquey orders a fresh arrest warrant for Mr Bailey.
Italian police on Friday arrested eight people on suspicion of people smuggling and falsifying documents, saying that the gang's leader had sworn loyalty to Islamic State group.

The group of eight, made up exclusively of non-Italians, used fake contracts and payslips provided by a complicit textile company north of Naples to obtain work visas for irregular migrants, Carabinieri police said in a statement.

Heading up the alleged criminal gang was 41-year-old Mohamed Kamel Khemiri, a Tunisian man who had previously been arrested on drug smuggling charges. Khemiri had become a radical Islamist and is under investigation on terrorism charges, police said.

"As long as I live I will be an Islamic State man, and if I die I call on you to join," Khemiri said, speaking Arabic, on a telephone call recorded by police in January 2015, prosecutor Luigi Alberto Cannavale told reporters.

Khemiri became more and more radicalised over time, investigators said after scouring his internet and social media activity.

He celebrated when militants, who later were said to have acted on behalf of Islamic State (IS), conducted a series of planned attacks in Paris in November that killed 130 people, police said.

"This investigation demonstrates that there is a risk that people close to jihadists can also control people smuggling operations," Franco Roberti, Italy's top anti-terrorism prosecutor, told AGI news agency.

On Wednesday, Italy said it is investigating whether IS group is involved in organising the passage of tens of thousands of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea.

More than 420,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea from North Africa since the start of 2014.

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MOXIE may be just the men for the job.

Cheerfully goofing about for photographs in the vicinity of Cork Opera House after their Saturday matinee performance with ProdiJig: The Revolution, the fusion dance show thats taking Irish audiences by storm, high spirits and infectious youthful energy are the order of the day for the five piece, whose brand of Irish, not traditional music is an integral part of the show, as well as an Irish roots revival in its own right.

Plenty of glowing reviews have been written of ProdiJig, with its audacious and celebratory approach to Irish dance, incorporating everything from hip-hop to BMXs, moshing to pints.

Choreographer and star of the show Alan Kenefick has described the high-octane mashup as the dance of a new era.

And if ProdiJig is the dance of a new era, MOXIE is the music of a new era, where fluidity, cross-pollination, and innovation are the future and salvation of Irish music.

Kenefick knew he needed MOXIE on board for his hit show as soon as he stumbled across Planted, the title track of their 2014 album, on Facebook.

Alan Kenefick

It was nine minutes of genius, he says.

As soon as I heard the hook I knew I needed to work with them.

Getting MOXIE to perform live in the show was a no-brainer for Kenefick and director Wayne Jordan; young, handsome, and charismatic, the band become characters in the show, taking centre stage on occasion and playing a mix of their own compositions, tailored to the needs of the dancers, and playful arrangements of popular songs like Bowies Rebel Rebel or The Propellerheads History Repeating, with Cork soul and jazz powerhouse Karen Underwood tasked with matching Shirley Basseys original enormous vocals.

You cant beat live music and MOXIE have so much charisma that we would be stupid not to have them doing their thing up there, says Kenefick.

They are genuinely some of the most charismatic and intelligent people Ive ever met.

MOXIE on set the set of ProdiJig: The Revolution. As soon as I heard the hook I knew I needed to work with them, says choreographer Alan Kenefick.

Talking to MOXIE is similar to watching them play; exuberant energy, interplay between the band members, and a puppyish zest for life are there in droves.

The band formed in 2011, when the youngest members, button accordion player Darren Roche and accordion and keyboard player Jos Kelly, were just 17.

Theyre now 22, and the most venerable band members have just reached their quarter century, and yet theyve toured extensively across Europe, the US, and Australia.

Brothers Jos and Ted Kelly and percussionist Paddy Hazelton hail from Sligo, while Darren Roche and Cillian Doheny, who plays banjo and guitar, and is also the driving force behind much of the bands composing, are from Limerick.

Collapsed in sofas following their photoshoot, they talk through their own musical upbringings and influences, and hit frequently on the serendipity of their marriage made in heaven with Alan Kenefick and ProdiJig.

Its weird because even before we met Alan we were trying to figure out what direction to take with our instrumental music and Cillian said, I think we should work on a big dance show, and then we sat down and said, OK well, we would need about 600,000 to do that, so maybe lets not, says Ted.

Then two months later, Alan got in touch. It was meant to happen, but it was so weird. It was like we asked the universe.

Ted Kelly, at 25, is the most senior and most media savvy; when the others lose their thread due to that post-show combination of wired and tired with which musicians and performers of all kinds are familiar, he leans in and adds a comment or gently steers them back on track.

Rocking a feather earring, hair tattoos, and Birkenstocks, the tenor banjo player and guitarist makes a memorable impression on stage when he first steps forward into the spotlight in one of the bands featured appearances in the show.

As far as black Irish musicians are concerned, the only point of reference used to be Phil Lynott, but recently the success of acts like Limericks Rusangano Family have highlighted our visible young generation of black Irish people, often with cultural roots in the countries of origin of their parents, that offer exciting opportunities for enriching Irish musical traditions and developing new genres and styles.

Drummer Paddy Hazelton was adopted in Uganda by his mother, a UN aid worker from Sligo, and Ireland has been his home since early childhood, so hes more inclined to cite piper Michael McGoldrick, Dervish, and neo-acoustic Celtic post-rockers The Olllam as influences than any traditional Ugandan music.

Mainly self-taught, his jazz and rock influences are a cornerstone of the bands sound.

Because fusion and reinvention are what MOXIE are all about.

Influences of jazz, hip-hop, funk, bluegrass, classical, and other world music are interwoven through their sound and they have consciously reworked some of the standard elements of trad in their compositions.

We started trying to arrange music in a different way and get away from the eight bars and repeat structure to make it more interesting and exciting, says Ted.

Obviously we think about ourselves and whether we enjoy playing a song, but also our audience and how they feel when they listen to the music and if they can connect to it, says Cillian.

We want people to really feel it.

Yeah, we want them to rave to it, adds Darren.

Almost inevitably, theyve come under fire from trad purists who believe that conservation is the way to ensure survival for Irish music.

People were putting up videos from the Sligo Fleadh last year and saying we were destroying Irish music, says Ted.

The band responded with a Facebook post that read: There are a lot of people saying we are bastardising Traditional Music but that is not true. Regardless of the people who dislike our music we are proud to represent a new form of Irish Music.

"We live in a multi-cultural society. With the growth of technology and the melting pots of mixed cultures in cities all over the world, music is bound to evolve and we believe in evolution! If everything stays the same then we will live everyday just like the last.

This ethos strongly mirrors the vision of the creative team behind ProdiJig; the show contains references to clubbing, the marriage-equality referendum, and darker aspects of modern Irish life such as binge-drinking.

It also almost dispenses entirely with the image of mystical Ireland ingrained in every Irish cultural export from Riverdance to Thin Lizzy.

MOXIE have little patience with the Plastic Paddy brigade and are delighted to be part of a new revolution in how we perceive Irishness.

Fusion is how humanity survives, essentially, says Ted.

Working on a production like ProdiJig has been a steep learning curve for them.

After life on tour, it feels like a big departure for the band, who now live in Dublin, to settle in Cork for a run of 30 shows with ProdiJig  and playing a large theatre to a seated audience, sometimes for two shows per day, comes with its own challenges.

This is our first time in a theatre and were thrown into the deep end, says Jos.

I think they were all worried about us coming in, a pile of renegades from the west coast playing a theatre. But we all just come together and do what needs to be done.

Theres been a standing ovation every night. Were getting to play our own music in front of people every night; our instruments are there on stage and we just have to walk out and pick them up, and the sound is great, says Ted.

We really have the best jobs in the world.

An Irish dance show received with as much critical acclaim as ProdiJig has been getting draws the inevitable Riverdance comparisons.

With Alan Kenefick keeping schtum for now, he does admit that talks are under way to tour the show.

Will MOXIE stick with the show it if it ends up on Broadway?

MOXIE is still MOXIE and were going to follow our own dream as well as Alans, says Ted.

We will follow his vision as far as it takes him, but we also have our own goals. We want to play the biggest festivals in the world: Burning Man, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.

We want to create music thats still intelligent but can draw in people who listen to more mainstream music.

ProdiJIG continues at Cork Opera House until August 14.

www.operahouse.ie
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Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Luminous Modern-Matte Lipstick, 30

Tilburys Hot Lips collection was released to much fanfare in July, with attention focused on the 12 A-list stars for which the shades are named. Both its aesthetic and lipcare performance deserve praise. Modern Matte apparently means a lipstick with the colour opacity of a matte and the radiant finish of satin.

5/5

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick, 26.39

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Shiseidos signature lip formula is also its best. True to its name, Perfect Rouge delivers consistent colour with a subtle sheen in 25 flattering shades. Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page recommends Venetian Rose, a suit-everyone nude-pink, and Dragon, a red that doubles as cheek tint.

5/5

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick, 7.75

Butter is not as emollient and comforting as the name implies and certainly not oil-rich enough to plump the delicate skin on your lips. The shades are classic and intense from the first coat. The formula applies very smoothly from the bullet but is quite strongly fragranced.

3/5

Burberry Beauty Full Kisses Lipstick, 28

The shape of this lipsticks bullet is unique and a real time-saver. A combination of curves and a narrow tip, it hugs contours and makes a neat application easy, negating the need for liner. Burberry further wins me over with a shade range comprised solely of my favourite colours. There is nothing experimental or faddy here, only gorgeous pinks and nudes.

5/5

HAND CREAM

Skinfix Hand Repair Cream, 20.99

Skinfix, a Canadian brand that arrived at Boots in the spring, makes an excellent Gentle Lotion, 18.99, and Gentle Eczema Balm, 19.99, for the protection and repair of sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Their formulas may be new to us but they claim to have used the same ingredients for a century.

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No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Hand Cream SPF15, 14.50

Non-greasy and mildly fragranced, it leaves hands comfortable and suits all skin types. The formula provides 5-star UVA coverage but at SPF15, you would need to reapply frequently and liberally to ensure adequate UVB protection.

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Shiseido Benefiance Protective Hand Revitalizer SPF8, 53

I dont see the point in making a skincare product with SPF8. Anyone who cares about sun protection will recognise that its effectively useless, while those who dont wont appreciate the effort. Anyway, Shiseido puts some comforting emollients and anti-irritants in this, as well as small quantities of Vitamins C and E.

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Yes to Coconut Protecting Hand and Cuticle Cream, 9.99

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Coconut is not everyones favourite scent but if you dont mind mind the pina colada-punch this packs, it is a great choice for dry hands. The formula is rich with shea butter and coconut, jojoba and sweet almond oils. It also contains several reparative extracts, including banana, calendula and guava.

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NIACINAMIDE SERUM

Paulas Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, 38.45 at www.lookfantastic.com

Niacinamide is a skincare star, a potent reparative antioxidant to seek out whether you are fighting acne or wrinkles. Sometimes listed as nicotinamide or Vitamin B3, it can increase skins protective ceramide and fatty-acid content and help to lighten dark spots.

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Olay Regeneriste Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free, 29.19

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If you have no interest in reading about skincare research or following a customised regime, I suggest making this product, a gentle cleanser and a day cream with broad-spectrum SPF25 the three bare necessities you use to keep your skin healthy (a night serum/cream with Vitamin C and retinol palmitate would be a close fourth).

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Bioderma Hydrabio Serum Moisturising Concentrate, 22

Bioderma, too, makes niacinamide a hero of one of its lines. Hydrabio products are targeted at dehydrated, sensitive skin. This serums generous amount of Vitamin B3 and other antioxidants are blended with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to support skins natural moisture barrier.

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Strivectin TL 360 Tightening Eye Serum, 52.95 at www.lookfantastic.com

This eye serum is extremely high in niacinamide, which is great for an area of the face so prone to lines and dark pigmentation. The formula contain several other reparative antioxidants in useful amounts. It is tightening in the sense that it employs film-forming agents and starches that make skin feel temporarily firmer.

4/5
In the satirical TV series Veep, the female politician played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus gets serious about becoming the first female president.

So she cuts her hair off. Even the short style she had before, she explains, was too sexy ... people didnt take me seriously enough as a result.

For women, the Samson parable plays in reverse.

Line up the most powerful female politicians in the world  Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Theresa May, Christine Lagarde, Nicola Sturgeon and Dilma Rousseff, the Brazilian president  and you see a collection of women whose longer hair had to be ruthlessly cut as they ascended.

The theme has even been noted and the style given a name: the pob, the political bob.

Meanwhile first ladies, such as Samantha Cameron, Miriam Gonzalez or Michelle Obama have busy high profile lives but are allowed long, swishy hair.

First ladies, such as Samantha Cameron, Miriam Gonzalez or Michelle Obama have busy high profile lives but are allowed long, swishy hair.

For a leadership role the only conclusion is this: long hair looks feminine in a world where power still looks masculine.

Louis-Dreyfus said that the Veep storyline was inspired by the intense scrutiny placed on Hillary Clintons hair: Female politicians get a lot of crap for their looks. Hair, for some reason, is a really big deal.

When Cassius Dio, the third-century Roman historian, described political leaders he didnt think to mention their hair. But for Boudicca, the British warrior queen, he made a big thing of her great mass of the tawniest hair falling to her hips.

As Robb Young writes in his book Power Dressing, a history of female politicians sartorial choices, the novelty of a female political leader was too tantalising for Cassius Dio to pass without detailed comment on her appearance.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer in the TV series Veep. She gets serious about becoming the first female president, so she cuts her hair off a scene inspired by Hillary Clinton. Picture: HBO Enterprises

This tradition reaches through the ages to the newspaper fashion spreads on female cabinet ministers, as if their walk down Downing Street were a catwalk that deserved more scrutiny than their policies.

Ah, Clinton. Never has one scalp borne the weight of so much debate.

As the author Michelle Goldberg wrote in an essay on Clintons hair, she is a symbol of public opprobrium that awaits any professional woman who doesnt get her hair right.

Clinton is in reality totally uninterested in her hair. She once said that when she was a teenager and the other girls on sleepovers started doing styles on each other, she would fall asleep.

But she was interested in voters. As Clintons team desperately took her look from her  rather longer  first lady hair to alice bands to big waves to scrunchies, the hostility only increased.

Her ever-changing hair was interpreted as inauthentic.

After all, went one American newspaper commentary, you wouldnt want the Statue of Liberty changing her hemline every other week.

British Prime Minister Theresa May. "Politics is still a mans world, says historian and author Charlotte Fiell. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

For a man to look powerful there is one default: short, the equivalent of him slipping into a business suit each morning. For women its not that easy.

Its a sort of lady tax, writes Goldberg, and Clinton has been paying and paying it.

Her hair has now reacted to the glare by crawling up into her follicles: as short and nondescript as it can be without the shock jocks accusing her of being a lesbian.

Clintons memoir of her time as secretary of state was called Hard Choices, but she joked in a speech that perhaps it should have been named: The Scrunchie Chronicles: 112 countries and its still all about the hair.

With some pleasing irony, her opponent Donald Trump is now suffering from hair-related criticism, but with a difference.

You know a lot of people have said a lot of things about my hair over the years, said Clinton with the air of a rather nonvain woman who has been subjected to repeated alice-band-related focus groups.

I do kind of know what Donald is going through.

Trumps pile of yellow thatch is symbolic of its owner: ridiculous, overinflated but above all attention seeking. Clinton travels with her hairstylist Isabelle Goetz. But the aim now is the anti-Trump. Its meant to be a non-style style.

Goetz told New York magazine: I want to make sure her hair is never an issue.

No surprise that even Bill Clinton began his speech this week urging America to vote for Hillary with a loving assessment of her lack of femininity.

Thick hair, big glasses, wore no make-up is how he described his first impression of Hillary. Bill said how much this drab frump exuded strength.

His take-home message? Sexless, physically unalluring woman equals competent leader. Unromantic, for sure, but effective.

Confusingly, Bill then said of Hillary, dont judge a book by its cover.

Yet his whole pitch  and Hillarys campaign strategy  is to ask voters to please judge this woman by her staid, reliable, only minimally feminine cover.

According to Young, in Power Dressing, Hillary Clintons mannish makeover is typical of women striving for the top job.

Clintons approach to power dressing could be traced back 3,500 years to the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, who is believed to be the first woman to secure the title of pharaoh, writes Young.

Egyptian queens dressed like ultra-feminine noblewomen: indeed, the long hair of women such as the Duchess of Cambridge is a powerful signifier of wealth and leisure.

Luxurious tresses are a crowning glory.

Such an indulgence would play badly for politicians. They cant be accused of investing too much in their hair.

But Hatshepsut wanted to be a pharaoh. So she cross-dressed as a man, the Egyptian version of the pant suit that dates from the 1980s when women were entering boardrooms in larger numbers. Its no coincidence that most pob wearers lived through that era.

Angela Merkel has remained loyal to her 1980s power dressing trouser suits and matching hair ever since.

Hatshepsuts entitlement to rule was underscored by her masculine attire, writes Young.

She even wore the same false beards that were worn by male pharaohs. This is probably a hair choice too far for most modern female politicians.

Yet what of women such as Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, and Marissa Mayer, chief executive of Yahoo? They both have hair skimming dangerously close to their shoulders. They are the exception.

The journalist Mona Chalabi wrote a very funny analysis for the online data journalism magazine FiveThirtyEight.

Chalabi found a 1978 self-help guide for the first generation of women entering the workplace, called The Womans Dress For Success Book.

One of the main rules of the book were that hair should be either shoulder-length, no longer, or short not masculine (now aka the pob).

Either curly or long styles were forbidden.

Chalabi then applied the test to the current Forbes magazine 50 most powerful women in business list: Only eight women broke the long hair rule, Chalabi wrote.

The 1978 rule remains the same in the 21st century, the only difference being that now people are embarrassed to spell it out.

Then Chalabi delves into the scientific literature to find that long hair really did signify weakness in social psychology experiments.

On men, a beard subconsciously signals a lack of competence, studies have shown.

While for women, short hair ramps up peoples impression of their forcefulness.

Hairiness for males or females is unaspirational, as every hippy knows.

I wonder if that will ever change, especially in 2016, a year of powerful women.

I speak to Charlotte Fiell, the design historian and author of Hairstyles: Ancient to Present.

Whether you like it or not, politics is still a mans world, says Fiell.

That makes it difficult for women. They need to be taken seriously, but if they choose a conventionally feminine hairstyle, that will look wrong.

"This helmet of hair is the male equivalent of the suit. It is also very controlled.

Masculinity still means seriousness?

Absolutely.
They came from all over the world, 12 nationalities this time.

Some had never held a wooden spoon in their hands before, a few were chefs, others had a little experience in a cafe or restaurant kitchen, perhaps not even in the kitchen but in front of house or waiting on tables.

All were united by a longing and determination to learn to cook. Thats all we need, passion, energy and curiosity.

Twelve weeks later, they leave us looking forward to their new adventure, going straight into restaurant kitchen either at home or abroad from London to San Francisco to Copenhagen.

They use their newly acquired skills in a myriad of ways  travelling, cooking on yachts, ski chalets in winter, teaching, writing, food trucks, farmers markets.

Some will return to their former jobs having taken 12 short weeks off to learn a vital life skill.

One girl wants to be a butcher, others will use their skills to smoke food, make cheese, forage, ferment, even grow herbs and vegetables.

On the summer certificate course which starts in May the students have the opportunity to have a raised bed on the farm, to sow seeds and grow vegetables.

Its one of many extra circular activities. Several took up the option.

Its magic to plant seeds at this time of the year, everything grows so fast.

They grew radishes, white turnips, carrots, onions and beetroot from seed and transplanted fennel, cabbage, marigolds, tomatoes, broad beans, lettuce, peas and sunflowers.

On the very first day when they arrived they learned how to sow a seed and then planted a sweet corn plant, tucking a lollipop stick with their name on it into the ground so they can identify their very own plant.

I know of no better way to give my students an understanding of how food is produced and how long it takes to grow and how much care it needs, than to plant it into the ground themselves and then wait for it to grow for a full three months.

Furthermore, it gives them a huge appreciation of those whose labour to grow nourishing wholesome food to keep us healthy and sated plus an understanding of the time and attention it takes.

They will never complain about the price of organic vegetables and herbs again.

Each batch of students enrich our lives in so many ways and often share a favourite recipe with us.

This time Martin, an engineer from Stockholm, designed a brilliant BBQ which our local blacksmith made up.

Much fun was had cooking on it while they were with us and now it will remind us of Martin and the summer 2016 group every time we see it.

Sarah Cremona gave us her favourite recipe for macaroons which I like much more than my original one.

Martin also gave us his favourite recipe for Swedish crispbread, Lindsay spent days testing a recipe for cinnamon buns and then shared the results.

Brioche

Brioche is the richest of all yeast doughs.

It can often seem intimidating but this very easy version works well and we have written it so that the dough can rise overnight in the fridge and be shaped and baked the following morning.

We always serve them warm from the oven with butter and homemade strawberry jam.

Makes 15-20 individual brioches or 2 large ones

25g (1oz) yeast

50g (2oz) castor sugar

65 ml (2fl oz) tepid water

4 eggs

450g (1lb) strong white flour

large pinch of salt

225g (8oz) soft butter

Sponge the yeast and sugar in the tepid water in the bowl of an electric mixer.

Allow to stand for five minutes. Add the eggs, flour and salt and mix to a stiff dough with the dough hook.

When the mixture is smooth, beat in the soft butter in small pieces.

Dont add the next piece of butter until the previous piece has been completely absorbed. This kneading stage should take about half an hour.

The finished dough should have a silky appearance.

It should come away from the sides of the bowl and when you touch the dough it should be damp but not sticky.

Place it in an oiled bowl, cover and rest it overnight in the fridge.

Brioche with Butter and Sugar

Serves 20 - 24

1 x brioche dough (see recipe)

110g (4oz) granulated sugar

110g (4oz) butter, cut into 5mm ( inch dice)

Egg Wash

Equipment

2 x Swiss roll tins  33 x 20.5cm (12 x 8 inch)

Brush the Swiss roll tins with melted butter. Divide the brioche dough in half.

Roll each into a rectangle to fit the tins.

Egg wash and allow to rise for about one and a half hours.

Heat the oven to 180C/Gas mark 4.

When the dough has risen, dot with the diced butter evenly over the top, sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Cook in the heated oven for 30-40 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack.

Best eaten when freshly baked but also delicious next day.

Brioche Cinnamon Butter Buns

Makes 15-20

Brioche (see recipe)

Cinnamon Butter

150g (5oz) butter

250g (9oz) pale brown sugar

1 tbsp Sri Lankan ground cinnamon

Egg Wash

1 - 2 beaten eggs

Equipment

muffin tins

Make the brioche in the usual way. Cover and allow to rise overnight in a fridge.

Next day.

First make the cinnamon butter.

Cream the butter, sugar and cinnamon together and beat until light and fluffy.

Roll out the brioche dough into 1cm (half inch) thick rectangle.

Spread the cinnamon butter evenly over the surface with a palate knife, roll from the long side, cut into 5cm (2in) pieces. Pop each one into a well-buttered muffin tin.

Cover and allow to rise to double in size. Egg wash gently.

Heat the oven to 180C/Gas mark 4.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cook on a wire-rack

Sarah Cremonas Chocolate Macaroons

Dare I say, a foolproof recipe for macaroons  you can of course vary the flavours.

Makes 30 macaroons depending on size

300g ground almonds

300g pure icing sugar

10g cocoa powder

110g egg whites

75g water

300g white sugar

Chocolate Ganache or Buttercream of your choice

Sieve the ground almonds, icing sugar and cocoa powder into a bowl.

Pass the egg whites through a spotlessly clean and dry sieve so that they are the same consistency.

Add the sieved egg whites to the dry ingredients and mix to a smooth paste. Keep aside.

Put the remaining 110g (4oz) clarified egg whites into the a food mixer.

Put the sugar and water into a saucepan, stir to dissolve the sugar and boil until it reaches 118C.

Gently pour the boiling syrup into the the bowl of the mixer. Whisk until light and fluffy to make Italian meringue.

Reduce the speed to medium and continue to whisk until the meringue is less than 35 degrees.

Gently fold the meringue into the almond base.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Pipe into generous 2.5cm (1 inch) rounds with a round tip nozzle (size 11). Allow to rest for 10-20 minutes to allow a skin to form.

Meanwhile, heat a fan oven to 150C/gas mark 2.

Bake in the heated oven for 10-12 minutes or until cooked, the macaroons will lift easily off the parchment easily.

Sandwich the macaroons together with chocolate ganache or butter cream of your choice.

Martin Gustafssons Swedish froknacke (Seed Crispbread)

You will soon become addicted to this seedy crispbread  delicious with cheese or dips or just to nibble as a snack.

Makes 2 trays

80g (3 oz) pumpkin seeds

80g (3 oz) sesame seeds

80g (3 oz) sunflower seeds

80g (3 oz) linseeds

100g (3 oz) polenta flour or cornmeal

350ml (12fl oz) water

50ml (2fl oz) olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 150C/300F/Gas Mark 2.

Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour in the boiling water and the olive oil. Mix well to dissolve any lumps.

Divide equally and spread out the wet mixture on the baking trays.

Make sure the thickness is even and as thin as possible without creating holes in the mixture. Sprinkle sea salt on top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 70 minutes. Every 15 minutes open the oven door to allow the steam to escape.

After 60 minutes turn the crisp bread over and bake for the remaining 10 minutes.

Allow to cool on a wire rack.

HOT TIPS

Thinking of starting food business?

So many ideas but nowhere to experiment or test your product? Good news  Cork County Council have a new initiative.

Cork Incubator Kitchens to assist emerging and established food businesses is now available to rent in Carrigaline.

For further details contact Brendan Russell 087-6233088 or Mary Daly 087-919 8168.

Email Brendan@thefoodsafetycompany.ie
Renewed in recent decades by the likes of Stephen Pearce and Nicolas Mosse, the Irish output developed an emphasis on aesthetics so it wasnt simply functional, but decorative also.

Exposure to techniques from other cultures, especially Japan, has informed a new, finer and more sophisticated ceramic product, rooted in strong design skills which straddle art and design  putting it on a par with the best worldwide.

Playing its part in supporting this is the two-year ceramic skills and design training course run by the Design and Craft Council of Ireland at the Island Mill in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

Now in its twenty-first year, it attracts applicants from Ireland and abroad.

Martha Opher works on her fine ceramic tea pots.

The quality of work made by this years graduates is impressive and was on show recently at the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny in an exhibition suitably entitled Cre, meaning clay, earth or pottery in Irish.

Gus Mabelson, the course manager, and himself an accomplished ceramicist who graduated from Loughborough College of Art with a degree in ceramics, has overseen the establishment and development of the course.

The skills the students have acquired through many hours of hard work and the creative use of those skills, form the foundation of all the work in the exhibition, he explains.

Andrew Ilsley works on a large vessel, surrounded by finished clay tea pots.

So what you see is testament to their own skill, their knowledge of clay and glaze technology, kiln theory and operation, surface treatments, drawing and design, along with the history of ceramics and contemporary practice.

Learning through doing and then doing it again is at the core of the course curriculum, Gus says.

They have gained self-confidence, professional pride and a sense of identity through the objects they design and make.

Andrew Ilsleys finished clay tea pot.

But in addition to developing individual creativity and innovation in design and production, they also have to cover subjects like pricing, marketing and photography, fuelled by the DCCoIs remit to develop the business viability of the craft sector.

So, no longer should we see pottery makers and ceramicists as impoverished makers, beavering in rural workshops unable to make a living from their craft.

Students also undertake work experience projects to get hands-on experience of working with clients and in community-based projects to help develop skills necessary for working in a team.

The programme is accredited by NUI Maynooth, has no course fees, and all materials are supplied, but its not simply a case of applying and getting a place.

Applicants must be 18 years or over and an EU citizen or resident, and they undertake an aptitude test, although successful applicants, so far, usually have prior ceramic making experience.

Of the 10 graduates this year, four will have their work showcased in the windows of Kilkennys shop on Dublins Nassau Street.

These include Andrew Ilsley from Herefordshire who is showing smoke fired ceramic musical instruments, including Udu drums which are native to Nigeria.

Outsize spherical moon jars by Claire Murdock sit alongside Bridget Timoneys sculptural and highly textured vessels, while Polish-born, Dublin-based Marta Ozog shows porcelain tableware decorated with blue and turquoise glazes.

The scale of diversity in the students output is marked, with makers like Babs Belshaw creating porcelain bowls and narrow necked bottles finished with crystal glazes, and Martha Ophers tablewares decorated with original illustrations hiding colour interiors.

Aisling McElwain adds the luxury of 19ct gold lustre to her celadon vessels and, by contrast, Fiona Shannons sturdy, earthy dishes are made for the practical purpose of serving food, a throwback to the original purpose of Irish pottery, but employing modern techniques and skill underpinned by design.

Clearly, the course has had its success stories as among its alumni are Karen Morgan and Derek Wilson, two of the leading ceramicists in Ireland today.

But its not just ceramic making that is the subject of this sort of course.

Jewellery making and goldsmithing are covered in another programme which follows the ceramic skills and design course model, and has the same criteria for entry every two years.

Also run by DCCoI, both are part of the organisations vision to develop similar courses for other craft disciplines in order to increase a skilled workforce with the experience and expertise to continue to develop the crafted design sector.

For more information on the DCCOIs skills and design course go to:

www.dccoi.ie/learners/dccoi-skills-design-courses
Victoria Whites article Sending kids west for Irish school, Irish Examiner, August 4, pays lip service to the language and is her latest attempt to undermine it by attacking one of the most positive and enjoyable educational experiences in Ireland, na colaisti samhraidh Gaeilge  the Irish-language summer colleges in the gaeltacht.

Comhaltas Uladh is the Ulster provincial assembly of Conradh na Gaeilge and has founded a number of the most renowned summer colleges in Donegal, with up to 2,000 students attending each year. This years courses are sold-out and our colleges have already been inundated with requests from parents and students to reserve places on our 2017 courses. They are in demand. But not because they offer, as Ms White claims, childcare. A Conradh na Gaeilge survey, conducted independently by Millward Brown in 2016, shows 62% believe that more opportunities are needed for young people to use Irish outside of school  only 10% disagree with this. The colaisti samhraidh cater for this need, and then some.

Ms White challenges the very fabric and authenticity of the colaisti samhraidh in her article, claiming that we are sending our children to an artificial zone to experience a life and a language that we have largely abandoned. The gaeltacht colleges offer the exact opposite; a doorway to the south west and west of Ireland, where children and teenagers alike can gain an understanding of a living culture and language in a vibrant social and communal context. During the summer months, the colaisti samhraidh are the heartbeat of the West.

Economically speaking, the Gaeltacht colleges are  as Ms White correctly points out  a much-needed source of dependable annual income for the mna ti who open their homes to students, and for local businesses and traders. White fails to acknowledge that colleges actively and continuously employ local teenagers as ceannairi or youth-leaders, and local teachers as muinteoiri. Local communities are actively involved in the running of the colleges, and directly benefit from any national investment. In return, visiting students get to live, learn, and engage with young local Irish speakers on a daily basis. A Government report in 2006 on the investment into the colleges estimated that for every 1 invested by the State, at least 1.50 is attracted from the private sector, proving the colleges to be a positive economic generator for Gaeltacht communities, who are amongst the most marginalised in the country.

Ms White also queries the political and religious context of the summer colleges, wondering if it would be out of the question to be an Ulster unionist and learn Irish at one of our Irish colleges or to go to Irish college if youre not Irish. The answer is simple  of course not.

The regular attendance of children from backgrounds which would be viewed traditionally as Unionist in many of the summer colleges in Donegal demonstrates the vast generalisation of the article.

Linda Ervine is the Irish-language Development Officer in TURAS, an Irish-language centre in the predominantly Protestant East Belfast, and speaks warmly about her many experiences on similar, adult-based, gaeltacht colleges. Having completed immersion courses with Oideas Gael, with Gael-Linn, and through the Ulster Universitys Irish-language diploma, Linda continuously describes the gaeltacht learning experience as being fully welcoming and accepting of her own background and learning interests.

To be clear  Irish summer colleges are fully inclusive. They have open door policies. The Irish-language and the Irish-language gaeltacht experience is for all, regardless of creed, race, nationality, and/or political background. This year alone our colleges have welcomed children and teenagers from a wide range of nationalities, from England and France to America and further afield. Whites depiction of the colleges as Roman Catholic, nationalist strongholds, is a huge generalisation which misrepresents the majority of summer colleges. Our colleges seek to provide all ecclesiastic services to all of our students, on an opt-in basis. Amhran na bhFiann is sung, but not forced upon anyone. Students are asked to show respect to the national flag of Ireland and the national anthem of Ireland, which would be viewed as a reasonable request in most countries around the world.

Uachtaran na hEireann, Michael D. Higgins, praised the colaisti samhraidh at Aras an Uachtarain earlier this year, claiming we should be proud and joyous of the thousands of teenagers attending our colaisti samhraidh. The achievements of the Irish-language band Seo Linn, who came from small beginnings in the Galway gaeltacht of Colaiste Lurgan, prove the Irish language and the gaeltacht experience is far from being in a time-warp. Rather the summer colleges offer teenagers  among other personal and education benefits  the opportunity to be involved in one of the most exciting music initiatives in decades, with some of the hits recorded in the gaeltacht featuring hundreds of students and receiving more than five million hits online.

The gaeltacht summer college experience is no lip service to the language, but an inclusive, fun, and beneficial experience for thousands each year. I went to the gaeltacht; my children are there now, and they are enjoying it so much that they dont want to come home.

Niall Comer is President, Comhaltas Uladh, Conradh na Gaeilge
Global dairy prices have tumbled, forcing farmers in Ireland and across the European Union to sell milk for below production cost.

The dairy industry is subject to cyclical volatility due to a variety of issues including the weather, sluggish markets and geo-politics. But the current slump is lasting longer than expected and is causing a lot of grief to producers and processors.

However, it is also helping to put into focus a campaign for higher milk prices conducted 50 years ago by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association. That resulted in 452 men being arrested on multiple dates by gardai for picketing within half a mile of Leinster House when Dail Eireann was in session.

Section 28 of the Offences Against the State Act was invoked against the farmers and caused a major stand-off between the government and the ICMSA.

The farmers explained they were producing full cream milk for 2d a pint and were working a seven-day 70-hour week to do so.

They mandated their association to picket the Dail when it resumed after the Easter recess on April 27 and made it known that if arrested they would not pay any fines imposed by the courts. They were prepared to go to jail.

Terry OConnor of Farranfore, Co Kerry, is an honorary member of ICMSA National Council, seen here at a meeting with John Comer, ICMSA president

The government said the cost to the exchequer of supporting creamery milk prices in that financial year would be well over 12m. An increase of 1d per gallon on the milk price would add another 2m to the bill.

But the ICMSA responded that the gross average income for one of the States 110,000 creamery milk suppliers was 360 per year or just over 1 per day: Our case for a two-tier milk price increase is now fully justified. We have asked for 4d gallon increase for the first 7,000 gallons delivered to creameries by each farmer, with 2d per gallon thereafter.

The government insisted that the cost of what the ICMSA was seeking would be 5-6m a year and warned it was not possible to meet this demand given the state of the public finances.

But the ICMSA, with claimed membership of 80,000, insisted dairy farmers were in a desperate situation and went ahead with a plan of campaign, taking the title and inspiration from the Land League. It was organised with precision. This was not surprising because the leaders were two respected War of Independence veterans, who were both arrested during the picketing.

John Feely, the president from Fedamore, had served with the Mid Limerick Brigade. Deputy president, Comdt Paddy OBrien, Liscarroll, had been second in command in North Cork to Sean Moylan, who was, ironically, minister for agriculture when he died in 1957.

The government had warned the ICMSA about embarking on a course of action that would bring it into conflict with the law but the countrys second largest farmers body stayed defiant. Gardai formally served notice on the picketing men that they were committing an offence, asked them to disperse and told them they would be arrested if they did not do so.

The picketing continued. As a result, hundreds of farmers were arrested. They were taken away in Garda Black Marias. Some were brought in groups of eight before Dublin District Court, which sat late to process the cases. Others were held overnight in the Bridewell or Pearse Street Garda Stations.

All were treated well by the Gardai who described them in court as having behaved in a peaceable and orderly fashion. There were some 50 charge sheets and the cases were adjourned to a later date.

Agriculture minister Charles Haughey infuriated the ICMSA when he described the protest during a Dail debate as the circus outside. A 16-man delegation from the National Farmers Association also passed an ICMSA picket on its way into Government Buildings for an annual day-long farm income review with the minister and his senior officials.

The campaign saw 452 men being arrested on multiple dates for picketing within half a mile of Leinster House.

The NFA said it had sought the meeting long before the picketing began; had postponed it in an effort to form a common front approach to the income crisis; and had invited the ICMSA to form a joint deputation to the minister but this was rejected.

After much agonising, the NFA said it had no option but to immediately pursue its own detailed demands in the normal way on behalf of its 120,000 members with a view to improving the position of all farmers, many of whom were said to be existing on an income of 4 a week.

But the ICMSA, furious with the NFA, said it could not break trust with dairy farmers by entering into negotiations when so many of them were facing charges for picketing in pursuit of a milk price increase.

It saw the NFA action as a calculated move to muscle in on its campaign and claimed the country was astounded that any responsible farming organisation should meet with the minister when farmers were before the courts. The bitterness between the two bodies lasted a long time.

Earlier in the campaign, four ICMSA members with placards took up secondary picketing outside Government Buildings at 9.30am on a bright summers morning.

A state car suddenly pulled up beside the footpath and a well-dressed man alighted from the front passenger seat.

But instead of going around the front of the car and straight into his office, Charles Haughey walked to the back of it, bringing him into line with the picket. Good morning, gentlemen. Lovely weather, he smiled. The farmers returned his warm greeting. The mood music changed for the better.

Mr Haughey later that month announced a 5.5m farm package in the Dail with the bulk of the money to come from taxation. The measures included an immediate price increase of 2d a gallon on both creamery and liquid milk. A quality premium on creamery milk would also be increased by 1d from the following April. And an expert group would be set up to report to the minister on a two-tier price for creamery milk.

More than 1,000 ICMSA delegates met in Limerick two days later and accepted the offer; while the NFA, headed by Rickard Deasy, president, noted that the government had conceded a number of the demands it had made during its own farm incomes review.

However, a contributory factor to the governments U-turn may have been the fact that Eamon de Valera was seeking a second seven-year term as President in an election scheduled for June 1.

His campaign manager Charles Haughey clearly did not wish to have farmers protesting on the streets. It turned out to be a well-founded concern.

President de Valera was re-elected but his margin was only 10,578 votes out of a poll of 1.1m. His sole opponent, Fine Gaels Tom OHiggins, came within 1% of causing a major upset.

The cases of the 452 farmers were heard at Dublin District Court as the presidential election votes were being counted.

Four farmers had the charges against them withdrawn for technical reasons. All the others were fined 5 each, or, in default, were ordered to serve one months imprisonment. The ICMSA kept to its pledge not to pay any fines.

These were later mitigated to 1 by justice minister Brian Lenihan, having considered a petition submitted to him by the Leinster Milk Producers Association (LMPA). But there was still no change in the ICMSA stance.

On the night of September 22, four months after the court cases were heard, the Department of Justice announced that the mitigated fines totalling 448 had been paid and that the minister now regarded the matter as closed. The ICMSA insisted it had not given anybody authority to pay the fines.

John Feely and Ann OMahony at the Clarence Hotel nerve centre of the 1966 campaign for fairer milk prices.

The LMPA said it accepted responsibility for doing so on the basis that its members had benefited from the milk price increases brought about as a result of the ICMSA agitation and it also wished to save fellow farmers from serving a jail sentence.

Parallels between dairy price issues today and in 1966

The campaign for higher milk prices in 1966 remains a high point in the history of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.

Its head office in Limerick is named after the man who led it, John Feely, who died in 1968. Each of the farmers who took part in the picketing are named in its roll of honour.

Much has changed in the past 50 years, but current ICMSA president John Comer says it would be a mistake to assume that dairy farmers today have nothing to learn from the generation that picketed Dail Eireann in 1966.

On the surface, we live in a different world to that generation. The way we interact with officialdom and campaign on social and political issues has been revolutionised by the enormous changes in media and information technology.

The way we draw attention to perceived injustices has been fundamentally altered, but if you look beyond that to the issues themselves, I wonder whether theres as much difference between the situation in 1966 and 2016 as we might think. How we campaign has changed greatly; why we campaign has changed very little, if at all. For example, the cause of the 1966 action was a state-regulated milk price that was effectively breaking the dairy farmers.

Fast-forward to 2016 and note that weve just passed the first anniversary of farmer milk price falling below the cost of production. In other words, farmers have been receiving a price for over a year now thats actually less than what it costs to produce the milk. Before anyone says thats the farmers complaining again, Id just point out that in 1966 there were more than 100,000 farmer milk-suppliers. Today there are about 18,000. That tells the story for those who want the truth, he said.

Mr Comer said dairy farmers were last in line when the ICMSA picketed the Dail 50 years ago. And they are still last in line.

Our milk price has fallen by nearly 50% in two years and our margins have simply been eaten up by the other links in the supply chain. Were still being abused in terms of margin, he said.

Michael Judges account in the ICMSA history, Leaders of Courage, details how the campaign, which cost 1,000 a day, was organised like a military operation from the Clarence Hotel in Dublin.

Ann OMahony of Kilmallock, a secretary with the association since it was founded in 1950, handled the logistics of organising farmers who arrived by train, bus, and car from all over the country.

By 9am each morning that days pickets were addressed by leaders John Feely and Paddy OBrien, or by vice presidents Frank Wall of Tarbert and Tim OBrien of Mallow. It was Wall and OBriens job to view the pickets from an outpost in Buswells Hotel across the road from Leinster House. They were in a position to summon fresh relays of men from the Clarence Hotel as the gardai moved to make arrests.

Another key figure was Tim OCallaghan of Bweeng, chairman of the North Cork executive, who marshalled pickets outside the Dail. A total of 120 arrests were made in one day alone, resulting in huge publicity.

But does the ICMSA today still have the ability to mobilise and get members out on the streets as it did 50 years ago?.

Mr Comer said: Id be confident that we do  probably not in those kinds of numbers, but if it was a last resort, yes, ICMSA still has the will and the means.

We always prided ourselves on being the organisation that comes forward with solutions; we dont believe that protest for protests sake is any kind of rational response or meaningful policy, and too often we see protests in Ireland that more resemble tantrums than anything meaningful. Its much easier to reject or complain about policy X than it is to refine it and improve it and try and move the debate forward. We see that as our role  and its the approach our members need  but wed never deny our 1966 action.

It is a part of our heritage and history, and a very proud part at that, he added
This week, two interviews given by junior Independent Alliance minister John Halligan in Hot Press magazine and on RTE Radio have caused quite the stir.

This is primarily because Mr Halligan, the Waterford TD, unloaded honestly on a host of controversial issues, including backing assisted suicide, voicing support for legalising prostitution and revealing that he would like to see Simon Coveney succeed Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael.

Taking those issues one by one, Mr Halligan said he supported the legalisation of prostitution and that he didnt support laws that would see people criminalised for buying sex.

He said that not legalising prostitution would be cruel. My fear is this, that this will drive [prostitution] further underground, he said. Not all people in prostitution are exploited. They want it regulated, they want it monitored, they want health checks, they want to pay their tax and PRSI, they want it unionised.

Mr Halligan said many people would call buying sex an arrangement between two consenting adults and, in that sense, it should not be made illegal.

Its probably against the moral code, its probably against the religious code, he said.

But are we seriously saying to consenting adults on that basis because someone is paying that this is a criminal offence. Why?

He said that gardai would be forced to constantly monitor brothels in order to catch people engaged in the act and that it would be a waste of Garda resources.

Mr Halligan added that trafficking of women into prostitution is a big issue, and that Garda resources would be better spent tackling this head-on.

Such a call has not been greeted with a warm welcome by his Government counterparts in Fine Gael, who most certainly do not share his view.

Neither does Ruhama, the welfare advocacy group which worked with more than 300 prostitutes last year.

Sarah Benson of Ruhama says buying sex should be made illegal, and that methods of legislating for prostitution in other countries have failed.

The sex trade is one that does not constitute normal work, she said.

Sarah Benson of Ruhama

Regulation has been tried, it was a laudable effort, but it has absolutely categorically failed to help or assist or reduce the instances of trafficking or exploitation.

Ms Benson said that, in places such as Germany and the Netherlands, a parallel underground sex trade exists next to the legal one.

In probably his most radical comment, the former Workers Party member also spoke about a bill he was planning to introduce to the Dail in order to legislate for assisted suicide, saying he would break the law in order to assist a friend to die, if the person asked.

I myself have it in my will that if I am diagnosed with a terminal cancer or some disease that will inevitably kill me, I dont want to inflict suffering on my family or my friends, he said.

He also said that if a friend came to him, he would help him to die. When asked if he would break the law, Mr Halligan said: I think I would. There have been some very close friends of mine if one of them came to me [and asked for help] I think I would probably help them, yes. I think even by saying this to you its illegal for me to do that.

Crucially, he added: But what the heck, I believe in it.

Having also expressed his view as to why Mr Coveney should be the next leader of Fine Gael, Mr Halligan defended his forthright views to Keelin Shanley on RTE saying: I tend to answer a question directly and straight. If you ask me a straight question, Ill give you a straight answer.

While I, for one, welcome this no-nonsense attitude from someone who is now a senior politician, many others have sought to dismiss Mr Halligan and his fellow Independent Alliance colleagues as flaky headless chickens who are not fit for office.

The manner in which a succession of Fine Gael ministers rounded on Mr Halligan and super junior minister Finian McGrath on their decision not to pay water charges spoke volumes. Mr Halligan, in typically blunt terms, told the very same ministers to shut their mouths and leave Finian and me alone.

Finian McGrath

Mr Halligan, Mr McGrath and Shane Ross were also eviscerated by Fine Gael and their cheerleaders for not toeing the line and opposing Independent TD Mick Wallaces bill to permit abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, rape, and incest.

Having warned their Government colleagues for several weeks that they were not for turning and that they were likely to support the bill, the matter was allowed to grow into a crisis because Fine Gael felt they could bully the trio.

Ultimately, it was the Taoiseach who blinked first and the trio voted against the Government  and yet the sky did not fall in. But it was a clear sign that all is not well within Government.

Again this week, Mr Halligan spoke clearly about how difficult it is for him as an Independent TD to be in Government with a right-wing party like Fine Gael.

As a self-confessed radical and Marxist, you must be extremely uncomfortable being in Government, Hot Press asked,

Yes, of course I am (laughs)! They wont like me saying that! For Christ sake, Ive had more rows with them already on the fatal foetal abnormality and other issues. Am I comfortable with Fine Gael? No, he said candidly.

The truth is that Halligan and Co have seen what happened to the Labour Party, which repeatedly tucked its tail between its legs and was eaten alive by the electorate as a result. While many accused them of near treason for daring to question the legal advice of the Attorney General, Marie Whelan, on Wallaces bill, they realised a stand needed to be taken.

And they were completely right to do so.

That row was of Fine Gael and Enda Kennys making, not the Independent Alliance. All of the Independent Alliance have taken a real gamble in propping up a Fine Gael-heavy Government, with many of them already feeling a chill wind from their supporters, who would always prefer them to be in Opposition.

Mr Halligans willingness to speak as candidly as he did is a welcome departure from the overly cautious manner of most Irish politicians. His desire to break from the norm and raise controversial issues for debate is exactly what we should expect from our political leaders.

While seldom and wonderful, such frankness would be a lot more welcome if we saw it a lot more often.
Yet local elections this week have shown a shift in South African society and politics, which have been dominated by race since Mandela swept to power in 1994.

The results may even mark the start of a new era, distinct from the post-apartheid period that immediately followed the end of white-minority rule, as the ANC wakes up to the changed reality that it can no longer rely on the unquestioning support of poor black voters.

Angry about corruption, unemployment, and shoddy basic services, many ANC supporters have turned to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA)  making a switch that was unthinkable only a few years ago when the party was still seen as the political home of wealthy whites.

Voters have also become disillusioned by festering inequality; black people make up 80% of the 54m population yet, two decades after apartheid, most of the economy in terms of ownership of land and companies remains in the hands of white people, who account for about 8% of the population.

DA candidate Trollip, a fluent speaker of the local Xhosa language, is likely to become mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality after his party won 47% of the vote against the ANCs 41%, down from 52% five years ago.

The DA is now expected to form a coalition with smaller opposition parties to run a region that has been an ANC stronghold for more than two decades.

Besides Mandela, who grew up in the nearby village of Qunu, the Port Elizabeth area was home to anti-apartheid luminaries such as former president Thabo Mbeki and his father Govan, and Steve Biko, the Black Consciousness leader killed in police custody in 1977.

The ANC has also lost its majorities in Johannesburg and the municipality that is home to the capital Pretoria, in its biggest ever election losses, which have dealt a significant blow to President Jacob Zuma.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said the party was chastened by the results. We need to have a serious introspection, he told reporters at the main counting centre in Pretoria.

On the eve of voting, Trollips ANC opponent, Danny Jordaan, said the DA strategy of invoking Mandelas name and ideas during its campaign was akin to nailing Jesus to the cross and the next day claiming you were a Christian.

Some black voters were also told they would be black Boers if they chose the DA, a derogatory reference to Afrikaans-speaking white farmers.
The comments came in response to questions about Ms Trumps own remarks that appeared inconsistent with US immigration rules.

In an interview with The Associated Press, agent Paolo Zampolli offered the most detailed description yet of how the wife of the Republican presidential nominee came into the country.

Donald Trumps presidential campaign repeatedly declined to clarify her comments.

The campaign also declined to discuss Ms Trumps immigration history in detail, or provide copies of any paperwork that would put the issue to rest.

Mr Trump has made illegal immigration a signature plank in his campaign platform, and his wife has often cited her path to US citizenship in defence of his hard line, saying she came to the US legally and that other aspiring Americans should follow her example.

Zampolli said that while he was a partner at modelling agency Metropolitan Models, he secured a work visa for Ms Trump, who in the mid-1990s was named Melania Knauss.

I know she was not working a paid job before she got the H-1B, Zampolli said, referring to the type of work visa that US companies can obtain for fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.

H-1B visas generally allow a person to work and live in the US for three years, with the opportunity to renew the visas for another three years.

Zampolli said he based the H-1B application on Ms Trumps previous modelling work in Paris and Milan.

We used whatever she did before to get her a visa, he said. She had enough tear sheets to qualify.

In interviews earlier this year with MSNBC and for a profile in Harpers Bazaar, Ms Trumps comments appeared to be inconsistent with holding a work visa.

I never thought to stay here without papers. I had a visa. I travelled every few months back to the country to Slovenia to stamp the visa, she said during the MSNBC interview.

US immigration law did not require such trips that Ms Trump describes for work visa holders at the time.

People who hold visitor visas would be required to leave the country on or before the end date of their authorised stay. US law does not allow someone to use a visitor visa to regularly live and work in the country.

Ms Trump published a statement on Twitter, disputing that she violated immigration laws.

I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country. Period. Any allegation to the contrary is simply untrue, she wrote.

Ms Trump has said she came to the US in 1996 on a visa, got her green card in 2001 and became a US citizen in 2006, the year after she married Donald Trump.

In her statement, Ms Trump did not specify which visa she held during the early part of her modeling career in New York.

Zampolli said on Thursday he believes Ms Trump was confused about her visa requirements, noting that she travelled to Slovenia to visit her family multiple times.

Zampolli said he was not aware whether Ms Trump ever held a different visa. He said it was possible she came to the US on a visitor visa to check out the modelling agency, a practice he said was common when foreign models were considering making the jump to New York.

They come to meet the client to see if they really should come to New York, he said, noting that the process often includes taking photos to build a portfolio to attract bigger-name modelling contracts.

In her statement, Ms Trump did not address reports speculating whether nude photos taken of her in New York in 1995 were evidence that she had worked illegally in the US before securing the appropriate visa.

US law allows a person to use a visitor visa to conduct temporary business for a foreign company or explore future career opportunities, such as visiting modelling agencies or meeting with potential clients.

Zampolli, who didnt book the shoot, said the photos, which appeared in the French magazine Max, were likely to have been a free shoot to build the book of the model. She needed to get her tear sheets.
Mohamed Diab's highly anticipated film Eshtebak (Clash) sparked both controversial and highly positive reviews after its release in Egypt on 27 July.

Going into its second week, the film managed to reach over EGP 2 million in revenues, a monumental achievement for an independent film. Co-written by the Diab brothers, Khaled and Mohamed, the film was chosen to open the 69th Cannes Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.



The film opens in a theatrical manner with a prisoners' transport vehicle truck ready to host the actors: two journalists, several army supporters, Islamist protesters, and a police conscript.

The Diab brothers provide us with their version of violent events that surrounded the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi from power in July 2013, highlighing humanitarian dilemmas which had troubled the country since the 2011 revolution.



Starring Nelly Karim, Tarek Abd El-Aziz, Hany Adel, Ahmed Malek, Ashraf Hamdi, Mohamed Abdel Azim, and Gamil Barsoum, the characters are well studied and their limits, fears, and hopes can easily be extracted and delivered to the viewers.

Out of the twenty characters, many gave an astonishing and realist performance.

If we look at the depiction of Islamists in Egyptian cinema passing by Adel Imam's angry sexually frustrated bearded characters (which is often comic), or Alaa Aswani's poor alienated violent young characters (a narrative based on the Egypt's 1990s confrontation with Islamist guerrillas), Clash excelled in showing how complicated this ideology and character really is. Diab's characters show this complexity, from a Brotherhood old timer, to an English speaking modern young man, to a Jihadist wannabe, passing by the politically aware female protester and alienated supporters of the Brotherhood.



The characters contrary to previous depictions, who we can distinguish as Islamists as they were arrested from a protest that chanted "Islamic! Islamic!", are politically aware of the cause, and their consciousness elevates. As violence escalates, some of the Islamist characters chant "retribution by bullets", a rhetoric opposite to the will of the senior old-timer Brotherhood character.



"The Brotherhood is just a phase. I am heading to Syria," says one of the character who is played by Mohamed Radwan, who was tortured for years in State Security detention centers.

Diab argues that Brotherhood members are not blind followers of their leaders, but actors in an increasingly chaotic political scene. Similarly, the young female Islamist, Aisha (Mai El-Ghaity), is not a middle aged peasant forced to protest with her patriarchal family members, rather she convinces her father of going out and joining the demonstrations.



In one of the scenes the Ultras-like Islamist character makes fun of the female character calling her "a child", a debate often carried out in Islamist circles usually initiated by young males who fear their police resistance techniques might be limited by the presence of women.

Another interesting Islamist character is played by Ahmed Gamal, whose role is worthy of praise (as a source of light comic relief in the film), but it is not worth giving up his punchlines and physical reactions in this review.

On a macro level, Diab also strikes a characteristic that is a specialty of the Brotherhood: organization and distinction. Amid all the fear and chaos, the top-down structure of the group is enforced by the senior member in the car, distinguishing people into members and supporters and non-members, a step that leaves some of the supporters critical of the whole cause.



Moving to military supporters, Khaled Kamel played a parking boy changed into a thug. Kamel has proved himself as an artist with the ability of showing the essence of the assigned character, from his early roles in Ibrahim Al-Abyad as a thug to his appearance in the Ramadan series Grand Hotel. Kamel gave the thug a humanized context.



The agony our characters are going through, according to Diab's script, needed a 'voice of reason'. Hany Adel was that voice. Adel, an Egyptian-American AP journalist believing in the power of journalism, has the lines of wisdom and nostalgia.



Adel is a great actor (and musician), but his fans need to see him in other roles where such talent is tested and celebrated.



The Diab brothers, who wrote the script together, both failed and succeeded when depicting police personnel, who throughout the film became the oppressors and the sole controllers of the character's fate.



The character of Central Security Forces officer (played by Atef Ammar) needed more than a well-built yelling white (as officers dont usually sit in the sun) male with a beret.

Ammar needed more aggressiveness and possibly more lines, compared with Awlad Rizk's Mohamed Mamdouh, for example. Diab suggests a humane side of the officer when he offers to release the women and children, an initiative many activists and former political prisoners described as rare, even when he feels sympathy for his slain colleague. Ammar participates with his police force killing an unarmed and detained militant and then calls the wife of his slain colleague.

The most interesting, and well acted, two characters were the conscripts in the controversial riot police apparatus, Awad (Ahmed Abdel Hamid) and Ewis (Mohamed Al-Suezy).

Awad is a soft hearted peasant who will break down and mutiny against orders once he sees the misfortunes of his fellow human beings, while Ewis, a stubborn Upper Egyptian, will take time before his consciousness pressures and helps the characters, leading to his detention in the truck as well.



As the characters improvise and strive for survival, Ahmed Gaber talent as a cinematographer (and his camera) snuck into the truck and became our eyes. Gaber's camerawork caught the hysteria of being trapped unwillingly, and captures the characters' effort to go out whether legally or illegally, and their expressions when they find out that the truck can be sometimes safer than the outside world.

Depending on the sun as a source of light was of no use for Gaber as the night approached, leading him to lit night scenes with a small shaky pulp and finally the green laser beams, which was heavily used in the 30 June protests. Cinematography wise, Clash falls under several one-location masterpieces, or at least films that made a very tiny location its theater of action, such as Lebanon (2009), Das Boot (1981), or Lifeboat (1944).A scene, lit by green lasers, where 20 fanatically scared human beings are resisting for survival is must see, and is a textbook example of guerrilla style cinematography.As the plot develops, the truck, our theater, changes its surroundings but the camera is still trapped. Inside, Diab's compositions were weaker than the elements it contained.To talk about a plot in Clash is in some way tricky. We can say that the characters are inside a plot, but we cannot claim they gathered due to a plot. The script treated this by successfully attempting to equalize them as oppressed, whether economically, by torture, by lack of freedom of speech, family negligence, or the absence of opportunity or basic human needs.Nevertheless, the authors of the film fell into a Liberal-ish and human development literature inspired narrative that dictates that everyone is mislead and a victim of their own belief, and that all are in the same truck to either reconcile or face an uncertain, maybe deadly, fate.While aiming to get the best of that fate, the characters are stuck in the truck, so we follow their humane interactions which take place because they are human and not because they are males, females, Copts, Muslims, cops, thugs, or religious. A child plays XO, an Islamist shifts from Jihadist chants to romantic songs, a hardcore patriotic old man is concerned about his son's destiny, a thug cries his dead dog, and a once stubborn riot solider laughs.

When a teargas canister is placed near the truck, the characters collectively block windows with clothes and the outside cannot be seen or heard, giving them a chance to peacefully mingle, share dreams, laugh, sing, as the truck has stopped.



However, the ease with which political rivals can easily forget their disputes and raise their humanity is shortly lived, as the truck continues to move.



Mysteriously, after their blockbuster (Al-Gizera 2, 2014) which argued that the 25 January revolution and its violence went according to plan by angry bearded Islamists and youth, Clash comes to bash away any sense of 'organisation' and highlight the lack of it, moreover its opposite: chaos.



Simply chaos and plans gone wrong are the reason why the 20 characters are stuck in the eight metre long police truck, hence the script has two perpendicular developments to look for: the mental and health status of the detainees, and the destination of the truck.



The filmmakers and story didnt want to lose the support of anyone. For them a policeman is oppressive because he is confronted by protesters and a militant is created because he was tortured. Such shallowness caused the film severe losses. Diab, as a director, provided a very well made realist film, worthy of praise and support. But as a writer, Diab provided a simplified "fast food" narrative easily digested by foreign viewers and Tom Hanks, but not for an audience who was traumatized by radical shifts and violence in the past years.



Clash was propagated to be a film about the revolution, and a film opposed by decision makers. Cleary it is not.



Its artistic level and the devotion its staff, which gave a due care to the smallest detail, makes it a masterpiece.



However, its apolitical stance, which is political whether we like it or not, makes it close to the 1990s wave of 'blame all!' films such as Waheed Hamed's and Sherif Arafa's Terrorism and Kebab and Alleab Maa Al Kobar, and not, for example, Salah Abu Seif's anti-authority film Al-Bedaiah.



Nevertheless film critiques are written to review what the artists did, not what they did not.

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Australian officials overseeing the search for the plane said last month that data recovered from Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shahs simulator included a flight path to the southern Indian Ocean.

Malaysian officials at the time refused to confirm the findings.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai told local journalists that the flight path was found on the simulator.

However, he also cautioned that there were thousands of destinations on the simulator and no evidence that Capt Zaharie flew the plane in that area or deliberately crashed it.

A recording of the news conference was made available to the Associated Press.

New York Magazine reported last month that an FBI analysis of the device showed that Capt Zaharie had conducted a simulated flight to the southern Indian Ocean less than a month before the plane vanished along a similar route.

The magazine cited the discovery as strong evidence that the disappearance was a premeditated act of mass murder-suicide at the hands of the captain.

Until today, this theory is still under investigation. There is no evidence to prove that Captain Zaharie flew the plane into the southern Indian Ocean, Mr Liow said.

Yes, there is the simulator but the (route) was one of thousands to many parts of the world. We cannot just base on that to confirm (he did it).

Mr Liow did not say when the Indian Ocean path was flown on the simulator.

He stressed that international experts and Australian officials have agreed that the most likely scenario was uncontrolled ditching of the plane.

Australias Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre  which is overseeing the search for the plane off Australias west coast  has also said that evidence of the route did not prove that Capt Zaharie had planned to steer the plane off course and showed only the possibility of planning.

Malaysias national police chief, Khalid Abu Bakar, has said investigations will not be conclusive until the black boxes  the cockpit voice recorder and a data recorder - are recovered.

He did not rule out a pilot suicide.
The fire at the building in Toms River burned for two hours and ignited the ammunition. Toms River police spokesman Ralph Stocco said the buildings owner is a competitive shooter.

Toms River fire department district 1 chief John Gonzalez said the ammunition was popping for about 10 minutes, and it took another few hours for the blaze to stop smouldering.

Nobody was in the building at the time of the fire and nobody was hurt. It was not clear how the fire began.

Bad taste in the mouth

ENGLAND:

A farmer has issued a health warning after potatoes recently sprayed with chemicals were stolen from his field.

Police said 12 yards worth of Crispin potatoes were stolen from the field in Newent, Gloucestershire.

One set was taken last week and a second load was stolen sometime between August 2 and 4.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: The farmer says theyve recently been sprayed with a chemical, which means they could be harmful to eat unless harvested for another three weeks.

Police appealed for anyone with information about the thefts to come forward.

Lap of luxury

ENGLAND:

A luxury retirement home on a site which has an underground tunnel linking it to Harrods has been given the go-ahead by planners.

The seven-storey, 34-apartment assisted living home in Pavilion Road in Londons exclusive Knightsbridge quarter will be 100m from the department store.

Planners at Kensington and Chelsea Council have given the green light for the site, which has been a car park for 40 years, to be demolished and replaced with an extra care home and medical centre. It had previously been used a storage depot for Harrods. There are no plans to reopen the tunnel into Harrods.

To the letter

USA:

The man who led what is known as Shays Rebellion is getting a new gravestone to correct an old mistake  his headstone is missing the s at the end of his surname.

Massachusetts native Daniel Shays was a Revolutionary War veteran who led a protest against the states harsh economic policies. His six-month armed rebellion was put down in 1787, but it exposed the weaknesses of the articles of confederation and figured prominently in the drafting of the US constitution.

Shays fled to southern Vermont and was pardoned a year later. He later moved to western New York, where he died in 1825. He is buried in a cemetery in Conesus, 50km south of Rochester.

A descendant, Phil Shays, of Clarence, is dedicating a new stone next week, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle said.

Shed a light on it

USA:

A light that appeared high over St Louiss Gateway Arch is perplexing officials.

The mystery started when an Illinois man shot video of the light and shared it with KTVI-TV. After seeing the report, an employee at an Illinois park across the river from the arch took a look at footage from a security camera and saw the same light. The video has been posted on the parks Facebook page.

Mike Buehlhorn, director of the Metro East Parks and Recreation District, said he does not know if he believes in UFOs, but theres something weird with that one.

Spokesmen for nearby Scott Air Force Base and the Federal Aviation Administration said they know nothing about the source of the light.
The survey for public broadcaster ARD showed support for Merkel down 12 points from her July rating to 47%.

This marked her second-lowest score since she was re-elected in 2013.
When asked by a teacher from the impoverished Dagestan region why teachers are paid half as much as police officers, Medvedev retorted that teaching is not a job for those seeking to make a fortune and that teachers could always do odd jobs to supplement their income.

Im positive that a young, energetic teacher can get his pay that hes entitled to as well as make some money on the side, Medvedev told the teacher at a youth forum north of Moscow.

Teaching, Medvedev said, is a calling. If one wants to make money, there are lots of other places to do it easier and quicker.

According to change.org, where the online petition appears, the demand that President Vladimir Putin sack Medvedev had attracted more than 160,000 signatures by yesterday afternoon.

The petition said someone who tells teachers to make money on the side should not lead the cabinet.

Medvedev was Russias president between 2008 and 2012 and was described as a place-holder for Putin who was not eligible for a third consecutive term in office when his second term expired in 2008.

Putin was in the prime ministers seat those four years before he and Medvedev announced a swap in 2011, ahead of the presidential election.

The swap was resented by many Russians and has been cited as one of the underlying reasons for the massive anti-government protests in Moscow in 2011 and 2012.

Medvedevs approval ratings have been consistently lower than Putins. Analysts say an unpopular prime minister in charge of the economy has deflected blame for falling living standards from Putin himself.

Medvedev during his time in office introduced a law which made it obligatory for the government to consider any petition which attracts more than 100,000 signatories on a special government-run website.

There was no such petition calling for Medvedevs ouster on this website yesterday, and there have been no publicised cases of an online petition leading to a change in Russian legislation.
The blockbuster world of superhero movies welcomed the first "Deadpool" film early this year with massive earnings and overwhelmingly positive reviews. The announcement of its sequel, which is slated to come out on 2018, is not a surprise since its gigantic success made fans crave for more of the smart-mouthed anti-hero.

When asked during a Television Critics Association panel on what to expect from "Deadpool 2," "X-Men" writer and producer Simon Kinberg provided some information.

"I think 'Deadpool 2' will comment on anything that's happening in movies today, especially in superhero movies. The sort of glut or saturation of these movies and the proliferation of sequels is definitely something we'll play around with," he said.

He did not elaborate further nor revealed any new details about the upcoming film.

The post-credits scene from the first "Deadpool" has provided its audience a teaser of a new character that will join the sequel, and that is the gun-toting mutant Cable.

"There's a lot about Cable's history that I like because he's so intertwined with the world of the X-Men" Director Tim Miller told IGN.

"And I think Deadpool needs a straight man. Cable is the ultimate, archetypal, silent, strong and cynical warrior, which Deadpool is not," he added.

The casting of Cable sparked casting rumors, but Simon Kinberg confirmed that no one has been given the role yet. To date, only Ryan Reynolds has been officially announced. Kinberg will have the same role in Deadpool 2 as the producer while Tim Miller will stay as the upcoming movie's director. The tandem of Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese are returning to write the script. With this being said, it looks like the upcoming movie will once more feature a strategic formula - with Reynold's magnificent performance, destructive action and all that rough humor.
Virtual reality is a thing of the present and HTC is one of the leading companies in providing this technology to customers. After all, the HTC Vive is arguably one of the more popular platforms from which to experience VR. Because of its popularity, it has become one of the company's leading sources of profit.

According to Tech Crunch, HTC recently announced that it will be opening a virtual reality app store, the Viveport. The store will be specific for VR applications and will make non-gaming content available for users - as currently, Valve and Steam have not made the same available. The online store will be available in the HTC Vive headsets, the PC app, web browsers and mobile apps.

Because it will cater to non-game material, Viveport will play host to, according to a press release, "education, design, art, social, video, music, sports, health, fashion, travel, news, shopping, creativity tools, and more."

The official release of the app store is still on hold for now, though it is publicly available in China. As PC Mag explains, the idea of HTC is to release a beta version first before making the service available in 30 countries by Fall.

Viveport is not an alternative to Steam, according to Shen Ye, HTC Product Specialist. In fact, the company does not consider its new venture as a competitor. Instead, the store is meant to cover the gaps that Steam has left open. It is meant to provide options to users that are currently unavailable.

However, this does beg to ask if this will make things easier or more difficult for users. After all, it would seem tedious for users to utilize different stores depending on the type of content being searched for. Nevertheless, HTC claims that the company only has the best intentions for its user base.

"We believe equal access to virtual reality experiences will make the world a better place for people and enterprises alike," shared Rikard Steiber, Viveport's Senior Vice President.


Just a few years ago, Istanbul was one of the world's creative capitals, a buzzing hive where visual artists, writers and filmmakers mingled.



Today, the so-called Pearl of the Bosphorus has lost some of its artistic lustre.



A string of terror attacks, a tightening clamp on freedom of expression, an attempted military coup and a perception of rising social intolerance has seen the freewheeling mood replaced by a sense of fear and increasing isolation.



"It's really getting (to be) a tough place to live in, especially for artistic practices that need to exercise free speech," said Vasif Kortun, director of the SALT contemporary arts centre -- a venue artists say still offers "breathing space" with its art cinema, workshops and multimedia resources.



But "our space is getting narrower and narrower," said one artist, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Society is also more aggressive."



"In the recent past, every month, foreign curators, artists, PhD students or art critics called me because they were visiting Istanbul and they wanted to meet creators here, to exchange ideas," she said.



"This year, I hardly saw anyone."

All the artists interviewed by AFP said they opposed the July 15 attempted putsch -- a bid to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that has been followed by a massive crackdown with more than 13,400 people arrested.

"I don't want any coup in this country," said Pinar Ogrenci, a 43-year-old visual artist and writer, who was a child in the 1980s when the armed forces last ruled the country. "I know how bad and dangerous it can be when the military take power."

Others say signs of oppression date well before the attempted coup.

"Turkey already had very serious problems regarding the freedom of expression," said Nazim Dikbas, who has translated Nabokov into Turkish and work by Orhan Pamuk, Turkey's 2006 Nobel laureate, into English.

"Turkey was already imprisoning journalists, human rights defenders, and to suddenly think that things turned to a worse after the failed coup attempt would be wrong."

In July last year, the government revived its fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which it describes as a terrorist organisation.

Five months later, more than 1,200 intellectuals and artists signed a "petition for peace" criticising violence by the armed forces in their operations against the rebels.

Accused by Erdogan of "treachery," many of the signatories are being prosecuted and have lost teaching posts.

Pressure "can be arbitrary", even against a large institution such as SALT, said Kortun.

"For example, it can be a police officer in plain clothes coming in to your film programme and saying 'Why are you showing this film because it shows Kurdish guerrillas?'

"We say 'OK, but this is legal, we are not showing something that is forbidden.' Then they will call you in the evening and say, 'If you ever show this again, you'll be in trouble'."

He said SALT may consider what he dubs a "monastery" method.

"What I mean ... is you work inside the institution," he said, "you develop and protect new ideas and these ideas can actually go out on the street when the time is right."

Another fear by Kortun and others is that funding from abroad, especially from the European Union (EU), could be choked off.

That would leave artists financially dependent on local donors, who are more conservative and watchful of the government, they said.

While many see the creative situation as bleak, they carry on, meeting in the lively Beyoglu district on Istanbul's European side with its galleries, hip cafes and walls covered with street art.

"I think I should work so much, tomorrow might be too late," said Ogrenci. "Sometimes I feel like I might loose my freedom very soon or I'm going to die."

Others have redoubled efforts at the grassroots.

"After Gezi, collectives were created in neighbourhoods," said one source who was involved in 2013 protests -- heavily repressed by the authorities -- to defend Gezi Park, a rare green space in central Istanbul threatened by development.

"They organise debates, exhibitions, fair trade events, exchange bazars. We need to go on that way... They could plant seeds for the future."

Such seemingly unrelated activities, translator Dikbas said, "will add something positive to the mix, rather than stagnation, rather than fear, rather than division."

Others say it's time to develop a new artistic language.

"We, as artists, have to find other ways of expressing ourselves, more poetic, less direct," said Ogrenci who has been mulling the idea of using fables.

"They cannot accuse a fable," she said laughing. "It might help to protect ourselves."

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

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The slow drip of Nexus leaks turned into a pour this week. A few new concepts from Android lice reveal a lot about how much the new Nexus phones will be -ified with a snazzy home button animation, a new night light mode, a double-tap home screen feature.

The story behind the story: uses its Nexus phones as a showcase for the best capabilities of Android. This year it looks like its going to push the bar even higher by bringing some exclusive software features to show off the Assistant other software capabilities.

New home button animation

The home button animation is consistent with our belief the Assistant will have deep integration into the next Nexus phones. It looks like holding down the button will launch the assistant, which would have even greater contextual awareness than what you currently get with Now on Tap.

Android lice The Assistant will be one long press away on the newest Nexus phones.

Given the steady stream of leaks, we may find out even more before officially unveils its next phones about how Now on Tap the Assistant will be always at the ready.

New settings Night ght

Another major reveal includes a settings menu that offers a Support tab. This would likely be for the screen sharing feature that would allow for support to provide guided assistance directly on your phone. ile already offers telephone chat support, this would make the experience even more customer-friendly.

Android lice A new support tab may allow live screen sharing if you need support directly from .

The report also includes a Night ght mode. A Night Mode in the Android Nougat beta, but there has been some discussion about whether it would appear in the final Nougat release or not. Its gone from settings in the most recent Nougat beta, but the Quick Settings button remains. The Nexus iteration appears to be more powerful with custom scheduling or using sunrise sunset data. Its another example of how CEO Sundar chai indicated that the Nexus line may st apart from other Android phones.

stly, theres a small tidbit about a double-tap gesture of the ambient display.

Android lice Checking your phone may be as simple as a double-tap on the home screen.

This way you could get those notification previews without having to pick up your phone off the desk, which is the current way to glance at this information on a Nexus.
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.
A military funeral will be held for the globally renowned Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail, who died in the United States on Tuesday at the age of 70

The body of Egyptian chemist and Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail arrived in Cairo on Saturday ahead of a military funeral planned for the next day.

Zewail died in the United States on Tuesday at the age of 70.

Although military funerals are usually held for military personnel, Zewail received the Order of the Grand Collar of the Nile  the highest Egyptian state honour  making him eligible for the distinction.

Despite living in the US at the time of his death, Zuwail had expressed his wish to be buried in Egypt.

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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Oman Dailys Jabbar al-Rubaie reports that Iraqi security sources announced yesterday that Daesh (ISIL, ISIS) had executed a number of the residents of the city of Hawija near Kirkuk in northern Iraq because they attempted to escape the city, over which Daesh holds sway. Hawija is a largely Sunni Arab city in Diyala Province on the frontier with the Kurdish-speaking regions. Some of its elite families welcomed Daesh fighters in 2014 but they now have buyers remorse.

The Iraqi army is gradually moving north, fighting Daesh in towns and villages around Mosul, the countrys second- or third-largest city, which is now the only major power base for Daesh in the country.

The governor of Salahuddin Province, Ahmad al-Jabouri, announced that 120,000 people had fled Daesh territory and areas where the Iraqi army is advancing, going south to Tikrit and its environs just in the past couple of days.

Hawijah, being close to the now largely Kurdish city of Kirkuk, was used by Daesh as a staging ground for attempted strikes into Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurds have riposted with their own paramilitary force, the Peshmerga, who have besieged the town in the past year. It has also been subjected to allied bombing campaigns. Last January, as well, hundreds of residents made a break for it, attempting to flee.

This past week, again, hundreds of people from the city tried to get away from the extremists. An officer of the Peshmerga announced that he had welcomed 600 refugees escaping from Hawijah yesterday morning and had given them assistance. Some of those escapees told the Peshmerga, however, that Daesh had jailed hundreds of others who tried to get out. They are said to have executed a number of young men of fighting age on the charge of fleeing from the territory of holy war to the territory of disbelief.

Anwar al-Asi, head of the al-`Ubayd clan, who heads up a force of rural fighters against Daesh in the region, told Agence France Presse that a massacre was looming int he city and that the Iraqi government must immediately act to save those who besieged. He said that about 100,000 persons are still besieged inside the city.

Iraqi forces are ramping up their campaign toward Mosul in the north, having taken most of al-Anbar province in the west back away from Daesh. They receive air support from the US and its allies. In the past two weeks Iraqi forces have been advancing on Hawija.

Meanwhile, the UN High Commission on Refugees confirmed Friday that Daesh has imprisoned some 3,000 Iraqis for attempting to flee the violence in the Daesh-held areas (by now mainly the large city of Mosul and its hinterland).

It said that at least 12 had been executed.

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights went furthers, saying that 1900 Iraqis have been jailed by Daesh for trying to get out, including women and children.



Related video:

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Iraq: Harsh conditions for thousands fleeing violence
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By H. Patricia Hynes | (Informed Comment) |  

Kyoko Hayashi nearly died on August 9, 1945 in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. She was fourteen years old and working at a factory less than a mile from the epicenter of the atomic explosion. She traveled barefoot for nine hours through the ruins of Nagasaki passing many dead and dying who had been crushed, burned and wounded.

The unique tragedy of those who lost their lives to the bomb, she feels, is that the bomb not only deprived them of their lives but also of their own personal deaths. And for the survivors like herself, known as hibakusha, the shortening of a given life, not being able to live fullythis was the promise made between an atomic bomb and its victims.

The bomb changed time for her. I could not make an appointment longer than a month ahead, given many hibakusha friends died from unpredictable bleeding. The past is always present and the future is never countable. A friend observed of Hayashi, [The] quietness in her seems to flow from her sustained mourning over those who lost their lives in the Nagasaki bombing. Every hibakusha knows their survival carries within it the wailing and silence of the dead. (1)

In one of her many published stories, Hayashi invents a new calendar, the A-bomb calendar which designates 1945 as the first year. Why? The significance of the birth of Christ or Buddha pales in comparison, with the event that demonstrated that humans had gained the means to destroy their own species, all other species and the earth. (1) Her words reverberate with the grave ruminations of the renowned biologist and author of Silent Spring, Rachel Carson. In the days before Hiroshima, she imagined the powerful and inviolate realms of nature, like the sea and vast water cycles, to be beyond human destructive power. But I was wrong. Even those things that seemed to belong to the eternal verities are not only threatened but have already felt the destroying hand of man. (2)

Fifty four years after surviving the bomb, Hayashi journeyed from Japan to the Trinity Site in New Mexico, the site of the first atomic bomb explosion, a national landmark since 1975, and a hibakushas birth place, as she deems it. She may be the sole survivor of the atomic bombs to have made this morbid pilgrimage.

At Trinity Site and also in her visits to Los Alamos and the National Atomic Museum, she was startled to see that all the visitors were white, no Black, Asian (other than herself and a friend) or Mexican visitors. Standing in Ground Zero at Trinity Site, she looks out to the red mountains and wilderness beyond and suddenly senses a kinship with desert plants and animals. Until now as I stand at Trinity Site, I have thought it was we humans who were the first atomic bomb victims on Earth. I was wrong. Here are my senior hibakusha. They are here but cannot cry or yell. (1)

After viewing museum films that lionized the scientists of the atomic bomb project, she writes, I understand winners create a proud history[but] the world did not need your experiment. (1) Hayashis bitter words echo the stark sentiment expressed by Admiral William Halsey, Commander of the Third Fleet, in 1946: The first atomic bomb was an unnecessary experimentIt was a mistake to ever drop it. And before Congress in 1949, he testified that bombingespecially atomic bombingof civilians is morally indefensible. (3)

Key World War II American military leaders from all branches of the armed forces, among them Generals Eisenhower, Arnold, Marshall and MacArthur; and Admirals Leahy, Nimitz, and Halsey strongly dissented from the decision to use the bombssome before August 1945, some in retrospectfor both military and moral reasons. American intelligence had broken the Japanese codes and knew that Japan was already defeated and in peace negotiations with the Soviet Union. Surrender was imminent. Further, a demonstration bombing away from residential areas (also supported by many atomic bomb scientists) could have been used instead to force immediate surrender. (3) (4)

Political advisors to President Truman overrode the expert military opinion against dropping the atomic bomb. Among them was Secretary of State James Byrnes who argued that using atomic weapons would daunt Russia and secure American domination after the war. (5)

This morally corrupted compasscontravening all international conventions of warset the course for Vietnam, Korea and Iraq.

At their fortieth anniversary reunion in Los Alamos, New Mexico, 70 of 110 physicists who had worked on the atomic bomb signed a statement in support of nuclear disarmament. Many had changed their minds about the bomb long ago. (6) In December 1996, retired Air Force General Lee Butler, former commander of the Strategic Air Command that oversaw the entire nuclear arsenal, used a National Press Club luncheon as a forum to urge his government to take the lead in abolishing all nuclear weapons. Nuclear war, he held, is a raging, insatiable beast whose instincts and appetites we pretend to understand but cannot possibly control. Nothing, he concluded, not deterrence, not national security, justifies these weapons of physical and genetic terror. (7)

Most recently, William Perry, the highly respected former defense secretary in the Clinton Administration, offered a bleak and chilling assessment: Today, the danger of some sort of a nuclear catastrophe is greater than it was during the Cold War and most people are blissfully unaware of this danger. (8) Our chief peril, he writes in My Journey at the Nuclear Brink, is that the poised nuclear doom, much of it hidden beneath the seas and in remote badlands, is too far out of global public consciousness. Passivity shows broadly. (9) Only by dumb luck, he adds, have we escaped nuclear war thus far. Contrary to government and defense industry group think, nuclear weapons do not provide security, they only endanger it.

Contrast this realist wisdom from military and defense experts with our governments current nuclear weapons policy. Over the next thirty years, the United States plans to spend $1 trillion to modernize the existing arsenal of nuclear bombs and warheads and their delivery systems by air, land and sea, despite our existing capacity to destroy the world many times over. No other discretionary long-term public expenditure approaches this immense sum, nor is it clear how it will be paid for: Werewondering how the heck were going to pay for it, concedes undersecretary of defense Brian McKeon. Nor did presidential debate moderators raise this mammoth public expenditure for nuclear weapons modernization in questions to the candidates. (10)

We live in a state of widespread public ignorance and public passivity because of government secrecy and denial about the raging, insatiable beast of nuclear weapons and because of the immense insider power of the defense industry. Studies of whose priorities shape government policy have consistently concluded that U.S. government policies do not represent the interests of the majority of the countrys citizens, but are instead shaped by the interests of the wealthy class and powerful corporate lobbies. (11)

Pick your issue of Americans insecurity and suffering: 20- for Black children), paychecks that working people cannot live on, costs of education and housing, climate change, prison reform, human traffickingand imagine what our trillion dollar taxes targeted to modernize nuclear weapons and police the world militarily could do re-invested in what the majority of Americans need and want for a sustainable and secure future.

References

1. Kyoko Hayashi. Trinity to Trinity. Translated by Eiko Otake (2010) Barrytown, NY: Station Hill Press. Originally published in Japanese by Kodansha 2000 as Torinichi kara Torinici.

2. Rachel Carson. 1962. Of man and the stream of time. Scripps College Bulletin. July, pp.5-10.

3. https://www.thenation.com/ article/why-the-us-really- bombed-hiroshima/ . Viewed July 15, 2016.

4. John Dower. 2015. Cultures of War: Pearl Harbor/Hiroshima/9-11/Iraq. New York: W.W. Norton.

5.http://www.nuclearfiles.org/ menu/library/biographies/bio_ byrnes-james.htm . Viewed July 20, 2016.

6. Peter Wyden. 1984. Day One: Before Hiroshima and After. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp.362-366.

7.http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ amex/bomb/filmmore/reference/ primary/leebutler.html . Viewed July 15, 2015.

8. William J. Perry. A National Security Walk Around the World. 2016 Drell Lecture. Center for International Security and Cooperation. Stanford University. February 10, 2016.

9. Jerry Brown. A stark nuclear warning. Review of William J. Perry. 2016. My Journey at the Nuclear Brink. Stanford, CA: Stanford Security Studies. http://www.nybooks.com/ articles/2016/07/14/a-stark- nuclear-warning/ . Viewed July 24, 2016.

10. http://historynewsnetwork.org/ article/162279 . Viewed July 23, 2016.

11. http://www.businessinsider. com/major-study-finds-that- the-us-is-an-oligarchy-2014-4 . Viewed July 22, 2016.

http://scholar.princeton.edu/ sites/default/files/mgilens/ files/inequality_and_ democratic_responsiveness.pdf . Viewed July 22, 2016.

Pat Hynes, a retired professor of Environmental Health from Boston University School of Public Health, directs the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice in western Massachusetts (http://traprock.org). She has opposed nuclear weapons since she visited the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum and Memorial Park in the early 1980s.
[JURIST] United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon [official profile] on Thursday applauded [press release] the European Union for donating 50 million euro (approximately $55,435,000 USD) to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The MNJTF was created by Lake Chad basin countries in an effort to combat Boko Haram. The Secretary General also commended the nations in the region for their enhanced cooperation and coordination which has led to significant progress in the fight against terrorism in the region.

The militant Islamic group Boko Haram [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive], whose name means Western education is a sin, has been fighting to overthrow the Nigerian government in the interest of creating an Islamist state. Last month, the Secretary-General condemned [JURIST report] yet another attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria that left 30 dead and approximately 80 injured. In April the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, reported [JURIST report] that Boko Haram militants in Nigeria have been murdering women and girls previously taken captive by the group. The group has been increasing the intensity and frequency of its attacks [JURIST report] ever since it lost most of the territory it overtook earlier this year to the Nigerian army. Most of these attacks have centered around markets, bus stations, places of worship and hit-and-run attacks on villages.
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For more and more holiday goers, yoga is becoming an important part of their down time. As a result of this trend, yoga retreats are popular getaways that include luxury accommodations all geared to help guests relax, rejuvenate and enjoy their time away. We have six of the best yoga retreats in Australia featured here. Learn about each one and decide which one you want to visit first.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is located in the Tallebudgera Valley in Gold Coast, Queensland. Yoga is just one of many different classes and activities available at this retreat, which focuses on guest health and wellness. Classes at Gwinganna include Qi gong, Pilates, stretching, and creative dance. Guests can also go hiking, enjoy a relaxing massage, take a swim, or have a unique dreamtime experience. You might even see partial-owner Hugh Jackman stretching next to you in class! On top of the great classes and offerings, the views are magnificent. You can see over the bushlands of the valley and all the way to the coast with distant, sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean.

Gaia Retreat and Spa, Byron Bay

Byron Bay is located on the Queensland coast. The Gaia Retreat and Spa, Byron Bay is situated just inland in the Bundjalung Country hinterland. Gaia is a boutique lifestyle retreat focused on pampering guests. One of the highlights of the Gaia Retreat is the Samira Yoga Lookout on top of the highest point in the Ballina Shire. This vantage point allows guest to see the entire region, from the Pacific Ocean coast to the Nightcap Ranges. Views like these while you are practicing your yoga poses are second to none and heighten the experience even more. This region is known as the healing heartland of Australia and Gaia means spirit of Mother Earth. Your experience here is tailored and personalised to help you refocus, rebalance, and restore yourself during your stay.

Saffire Freycinet

Saffire Freycinet is located in Australias island state of Tasmania along a remote region of the east coast. Its spa offers a variety of well-being programs with a focus on yoga. Yoga sessions are held both indoors and outdoors, in addition to a yoga mat in each guest suite for private yoga time. Saffire Freycinet is a place for you to focus on relieving stress and relaxing. Alongside yoga classes, they teach meditation, offer a proper spa regime, and healthy, fresh dining options with a revitalising tea menu.

Qualia, Hamilton Island

Qualia is a Latin word that means a collection of deeper sensory experiences. As such, yoga is one of many things offered by this luxury resort. Everything about Qualia and Hamilton Island screams luxury holiday. Hamilton Island is located off the coast of Queensland and is one of the islands of the Whitsundays, which is an archipelago on the south end of the Great Barrier Reef. Here at Qualia, you can relax and do yoga surrounded by the Coral Sea. You can take individual classes, private courses with an instructor, or enjoy group sessions at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club or in the Yoga Pavilion each night at dusk. You can ask your instructor to design a custom yoga program for you to continue once you go back home, which helps you take a little piece of yoga paradise with you.

One & Only Hayman Island

One & Only Hayman Island is a luxury resort on another one of the beautiful, pristine Whitsunday Islands. Since Hayman Island is small, you are always close to the Coral Sea wherever you go on the island. Yoga classes set in motion to the movement of the waves is second to none. Guests are treated to sessions that are in touch with nature, while still being calming and centering. The resort offers a variety of different yoga classes for groups or individuals. Meditation and movement classes are also available alongside an array or amenities you would expect to find at an island resort.

Billabong Retreat, NSW Coast

Last, but certainly not least, is the Billabong Retreat. When you arrive at this tropical oasis, you will be surprised to know that you are only an hour away from Sydneys bustling Central Business District. While staying at the resort, you can get away from it all in the resorts unique tree house accommodations. Yoga is one of the many varieties of wellness activities available to guests, in addition to freshly prepared daily meals. The setting at the Billabong Retreat is simple, beautiful, and the staff design the activities throughout your stay to ensure you leave feeling completely renewed and rejuvenated.
LINCOLN  Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach of Sumner encourages ag producers with hay surpluses and/or pasture acres for rent to register as sellers on NDAs online Hay & Forage Hotline service.

With drought conditions worsening in some other livestock-producing areas of the country, this would be a good time for producers to register ..., Ibach said. Buyers will also be looking for pastureland and cornstalk ground to rent.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that Nebraska has a 16 percent increase in hay stocks since 2015, with May stocks at 1.45 million tons. The latest crop condition report rated Nebraskas current alfalfa crop as 77 percent good to excellent.

The National Drought Monitor indicates extreme drought conditions in parts of northeast Wyoming and southwest South Dakota. Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions expanding in those states and the Nebraska panhandle.

Access the hotline at www.nda.nebraska.gov.

Sellers can register by filling out an online form or calling 800-422-6692.
FOR STORY UKRAINE WEAPONS TRADE - This Wednesday, July 13, 2016 photo, provided by the Ukrainian Security Service, shows detained weapon dealers and seized weapons in Cherkasy, Ukraine. The war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists has led to the uncontrolled spread of firearms throughout the country, with experts describing Ukraine as a "supermarket" where millions of illegal weapons are for sale. (Ukrainian Security Service photo via AP)
Further opening-up and improvement of foreign trade is among major efforts to promote Chinas economic development and upgrades.

The efforts on foreign trade not only try to revitalize the slowing growth of foreign trade due to the stagnant world economy but more importantly focus on optimizing the foreign trade structure and cultivating new driving forces.

The following are plans and policy measures made by the State Council from January to July in a bid to develop the nations foreign trade:

Premier Li addresses the opening ceremony of Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, north China, on June 27, 2016. He said the world should oppose trade protectionism and develop a global economic system that is more balanced and open.[Photo/Xinhua]

July 19: Administrative regulations adjusted in Chinas pilot FTZs

The State Council decided to adjust administrative regulations in Chinas pilot free trade zones.

The decision is aimed at securing lawful practices of measures concerning reform and opening up in the pilot cities of Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and Tianjin and Shanghai municipalities.

Specific regulations include the foreign-capital enterprises law, the State Councils decision on reform of the investment system and the catalogue for the guidance of foreign investment industries.

May 9: Measures to promote stable foreign trade

The State Council issued a guideline to promote stable foreign trade.

-Further reduce the credit insurance rate for short-term exports;

-Encourage financial institutions to offer loans to foreign trade enterprises, and expand the scale of export credit insurance financing;

-Further improve convenience for trading, including lowering the average inspection rate for exports at customs and reducing inspection rates for export enterprises with good credit;

-Improve export tax-refund policy and punish false claims of tax refund;

-Support the development of small border trade enterprises;

-Support the import of advanced equipment and technologies;

-Expand pilot areas for cross-border e-commerce;

-Encourage foreign trade enterprises to create their own brand and improve export quality.

A Chinese lorry truck stops at a customs warehouse in Jilong county, southwest Chinas Tibet autonomous region, May 17, 2016. China opened its first international land freight route with South Asian countries at Jilong, a frontier port bordering Nepal. [Photo/Xinhua]

April 27: Pilot zone in Northeast China to further opening-up efforts

The State Council approved the setup the Suifenhe-Dongning pilot development and opening-up zone in Northeast Chinas Heilongjiang province.

The move will help strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia, expand trade exchange and pragmatic cooperation with Northeast Asian countries and revitalize the old northeast industrial base.

According to the State Council, efforts will be made to:

-Promote inter-connectivity of basic infrastructures;

-Deepen investment and trade cooperation;

-Develop local industries, boost urbanization;

April 20: Measures to stabilize foreign trade

The State Council executive meeting pushed forward measures to promote and stabilize foreign trade.

Efforts will be made to:

-Encourage financial institutions to provide loans to profitable foreign trade enterprises, expand policy financing for export credit insurance;

-Improve policies for processing trade, cancel the approvals for the process trade business;

-Expand the number of test projects in cross-border e-commerce, support enterprises to build overseas marketing and service system, and develop domestic brands for foreign trade.

-Implement an active import policy, support the import of advanced equipment and technologies, and make use of foreign investments to promote trade;

-Further reduce the inspection rate for exports, and crack down on piracy and other illegal actions.

A staffer tries on virtual-reality goggles at an international e-commerce expo on April 11 at the Yiwu International Exhibition Center in East Chinas Zhejiang province. The three-day event attracted about 1,200 companies from 11 countries.[Photo/Xinhua]

April 6: Establishing an inter-ministerial meeting system on trade facilitation

The State Council approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial meeting system on trade facilitation to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

The joint conference will be called the China trade facilitation committee, and made up of 16 ministries and departments, with Ministry of Commerce taking the lead.

The main function of the conference is to take care of issues related to the agreement.

A freight train heading to Lyons of France sets off from Wujiashan Railway Center in Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei province, April 6, 2016. The train, which is loaded with mechanical, electronic and chemical products, marks the opening of the Wuhan-Lyons freight train. The train will travel 16 days and run 11,300 kilometers before arriving at Lyons. [Photo/Xinhua]

Feb 14: Service trade innovation to upgrade foreign trade

The State Council executive meeting decided to implement pilot projects for the innovative development of service trade in the next two years in 10 provincial regions and cities such as Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, as well as five new state-level districts such as Harbin and Jiangbei New Area.

The pilot projects will promote foreign trade transformation and improve competitiveness in the service industry.

Efforts will be made to:

-Promote the preferential corporate income tax rate of 15 percent for service enterprises featuring advanced technology and expand the scope of beneficiaries from service outsourcing firms to other high-tech service industries;

-Set up guidance funds for innovation and development of the service trade to provide financing support to small- and medium-sized service enterprises;

-Encourage financial institutions to innovate businesses such as supply chain financing to impose bonded supervision on service enterprises featuring advanced technology that are identified by pilot regions.

Jan 18: Upgrade processing trade to high end of global value chain

The State Council released a plan to upgrade Chinas processing trade to the high end of the global value chain by 2020.

Efforts will be made to:

-Attract foreign investments in advanced manufacturing and emerging industries, support coastal areas to develop competitive industries such as electronic information;

-Encourage enterprises in industries such as construction materials, chemical engineering and food to develop cross-border partnerships, especially with African countries and countries along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative;

The first regular container train linking China to the Middle East is unveiled in Yiwu, East Chinas Zhejiang province, Jan 28, 2016. The train will exit China through Alataw Pass in Northwest Chinas Xinjiang and pass through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan before reaching its destination Tehran, capital of Iran, completing a 14-day and 10,399-kilometer journey.[Photo/Xinhua]

Jan 15: Pilot areas for cross-border e-commerce

The State Council approved setting up pilot areas for cross-border e-commerce to explore new business models in China.

The new pilot areas will be located in 12 cities, including Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing municipalities, Zhengzhou in Henan province, and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.

Jan 7: Development of major border areas

The State Council laid out plans in a guideline to develop major border areas.

The major border areas include five key pilot development and opening up zones, 72 national-level border ports, 28 border cities, 17 border economic cooperation zones and one cross-border economic cooperation zone.

Efforts will be made to:

-Lower the threshold for entrepreneurship and innovation to allow residents in border areas to register enterprises at zero cost and apply for entrepreneurship loans of less than 100,000 yuan ($15,170);

-Set up international law enforcement and security cooperation departments and establish a joint conference mechanism along the border

-Delegate power or cancel government reviews for more items related to clearance as well as imports and exports at national-level border ports;

-Draw on the experience of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone and try out the foreign investment management mode of pre-establishment national treatment with a negative list;

-Set up pilot tourist zones and implement the port visa policy in eligible pilot zones, so that overseas tourists there can be issued certificates for multiple departures and entries every year.

Jan 6: New pilot areas for cross-border e-commerce

The State Council executive meeting decided to set up new pilot areas for cross-border e-commerce.

The meeting agreed to expand the scope for policies and management garnered from the cross-border e-commerce pilot area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The central government will pick a batch of cities in East, Central and West China with solid economic foundations and large volumes of e-commerce and trade, and set up new pilot zones.
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Recently a measure was proposed to allow APRNs full practice authority in the VA health care system. With this measure, the embattled VA hopes to help optimize access to health care for our veterans. A measure to help with the firestorm of problems we witnessed unravel at the Phoenix VA system two years ago. Sounds great, right?

Nothing is ever that simple in American medicine. The professional organizations are, once again, at war. The AMA stands against increasing mid-level practice authority. It isnt safe and isnt the care America wants to deliver to their veterans. In the same breath, the AMA is shaming the mistreatment of our Veterans due to delays at the VA, largely due to a lack of providers. The AANP and ANA take offense to the term mid-level and repeat well-established statistics about the safety of care provided by APRNs. They also decry the mistreatment of veterans, and point out that safety is provider, not profession, dependent. Non-sanctioned voices on both sides take these arguments a step further and add anecdotal stories about the NP who or the physician who delivered substandard care. Thus sparking nasty commentary and bickering. All the while, the lobbyists go back and forth, spewing statistics and talking points.

You would think the safety of humanity is at risk if you read through the debates, the comments and the rhetoric surrounding this issue. All of the problems come out. All of the trigger points. They are all out on the table. The lobbyist voices are loud. The only thing agreed upon is that our veterans deserve better. Everything else, from the levels of training, to the ability to prescribe, to professional oversight, is at odds. And it is all being debated, loudly and oftentimes unprofessionally.

The strangest thing is, the patients are largely silent.

The patients simply dont care. They dont care what our initials are. Realistically, its a bunch of egotistical alphabet soup to them. They dont remember what our title is once we walk out the door. They definitely arent looking up the FACS, FAANP, or other fellowship designations following our names. They dont mean anything when a patient is sick and needs our help. Patients simply want high-quality care. They remember the time we took to listen. The time we spent investigating their symptoms to get to the right diagnosis. The time we ordered the regimen that finally gave them relief. The time we urged them to get the preventative screening that probably saved their life. They remember the moments we spent in the hospital, late at night, fighting for their lives right alongside of them. These are the moments we satisfy patients, and it doesnt matter what your initials are to them. You can be an MD, a DO, a NP, or a CRNA, and it doesnt matter as long as you are delivering the high-quality care patients deserve.

So why all this nonsensical squabbling? Why are we fighting over things that dont matter? At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason: to restore our fellow man to health. Can we start acting like the team we say we are? Your health care team who is here to meet the patients, our veterans, needs. Why is team-based care still just a phrase? We should be a unified health care front by now. Ready to step up, together, to serve those who have served us so unselfishly. The ones who guarantee our ability to be free and to provide their care.

It is time to stop listening to the lobbyists; they only pit us against one another. It is time to start listening to our veterans; they simply want care.

Amanda Dean is a nurse practitioner.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
SHARE Cole Satran

By Andrew Binion of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON  A man whose lawyer said he was in the throes of heroin addiction when he twice robbed a Bremerton bank last year, but failed at robbing another, pleaded guilty in federal court and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Cole Riley Satran, 29, was sentenced July 18 after pleading guilty to an Oct. 10, 2015, robbery of the US Bank on Sixth Street in Bremerton  netting him $1,850  and to robbing the same bank about two weeks later of $1,375. On that same day, Oct. 26, 2015, Satran tried to rob the KeyBank on Wheaton Way but was unsuccessful. He pleaded guilty to an attempted bank robbery charge for that incident. In none of the cases was Satran alleged to have been armed.

At the time of the robberies, Satran was under federal supervision. He had recently been released from federal prison after being sentenced in 2009 to five years for possession of a pipe bomb found at the scene of an October 2008 fatal car crash on Highway 3. At the time of the fatal wreck, Satran was under state Department of Corrections supervision, according to court documents.

Satran's attorney, Miriam Schwartz, wrote in court documents that Satran is from the West Sound area and is well-liked in his community. She said that though he understands the difference between right and wrong, his addiction to meth and heroin has led him to commit crimes.

"Family and friends attest to his fundamentally kind, caring nature, intelligence, devotion to his family and good work ethic," Schwartz wrote.

An acquaintance of Satran's, Shahid Ahmed, had been jailed and charged for one of the robberies as a result of a Bremerton Police Department investigation. Satran knew Ahmed was being accused of one the robberies he committed, but while in custody he refused to help him, according to documents.

After Satran turned himself in and was jailed in federal detention in SeaTac, an FBI agent reviewed recorded phone conversations where Satran said that Ahmed was innocent, but Satran resisted helping to clear Ahmed's name because that would mean Satran would have to admit to robbing the bank, according to court documents.

"I don't know why they got (Ahmed)," Satran said in the recording, according to court documents. "Everybody is wanting me to (expletive) say something. I ain't saying (expletive). He can take it to trial. He's innocent."

Ahmed, who maintained his innocence, was ultimately released from the Kitsap County Jail after 10 days and the first-degree robbery charge against him was dropped.
SHARE Michelle Caldier Larry Seaquist

By Ed Friedrich of the Kitsap Sun

PORT ORCHARD  Larry Seaquist's libel lawsuit against state Rep. Michelle Caldier, who unseated him in the 2014 election, can go to trial.

Seaquist claims Caldier defamed him during the 2014 campaign and damaged his reputation. Caldier argues his case has no merit and asked Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Jeanette Dalton to dismiss it.

Seaquist cited seven instances of alleged defamation. Dalton, at a hearing July 22, rejected five for not meeting legal libel definitions and accepted two.

"She said, 'No, there is a case here'," Seaquist attorney Tony Otto said. "You can proceed to trial on the core argument'."

Otto and Caldier attorney David Horton both filed motions for Dalton to reconsider her ruling. Otto wants the five rejected instances of alleged defamation returned to the table. A jury, he says, should look at them as a whole. Horton seeks to eliminate the remaining two and throw out the case.

Dalton can hold a reconsideration hearing on Aug. 26 or stand by her ruling.

The dispute began after an August 2014 meeting with the Kitsap Sun editorial board. Seaquist claimed he was photographing Caldier's unusual Lexus, but Caldier later claimed Seaquist had "secretly" photographed her and she felt he invaded her privacy.

The two Seaquist claims the judge accepted for trial are:

* A Caldier YouTube advertisement stating that "Larry Seaquist was caught secretly taking photos of Caldier" with the caption "Source: Police report filed September 5, 2014," and

* Caldier's campaign mailer and website www.larryseaquistfacts.com stating "Caldier files police report against Seaquist. Why were Seaquist campaign people taking pictures at Caldier home? Then the mailbox was tampered with, leading to the likelihood of trespassing  a federal offense. The final straw was an inappropriate intrusion by Larry Seaquist himself, sneakily taking pictures of Michelle while she was getting into her car. Enough is enough! Michelle filed a police report seen here to communicate a message to Larry Seaquist and his campaign staff, that they had crossed the line. Friendly campaigning had turned into what felt like stalking and harassment to Ms. Caldier, so she took action."

Otto wrote in his motion to reconsider that the one person seen taking pictures at Caldier's home said he was a real estate appraiser; that a neighbor found mail in her driveway, contradicting her statement that a neighbor caught people going through her mail, and she has no proof Seaquist or his staff were involved; that Seaquist never leaned into her car to get a picture as a photo re-creation depicts; and that the photo recreation juxtaposed with written claims of stalking and invasion of privacy imply sexual motives or other evil intent on Seaquist's part.

Horton countered that the court found Caldier's statements were true, or opinion, but the juxtaposition of nondefamatory statements could create a false impression. A Supreme Court ruling held that the juxtaposition of true statements in a political campaign can't be defamatory. Washington's Supreme Court has held that even misleading political speech is protected, and state courts generally hold that the remedy for misleading speech is not found in the courts.

"The preferred First Amendment remedy is more speech, not enforced silence," Horton said. "It's not a remedy to sue me but for you to get out and show how you're not a liar or crooked, and that's what Mr. Seaquist did. He called out Ms. Caldier's campaign in the newspapers."

Caldier, R-Port Orchard, is running for re-election against Randy Spitzer, D-Port Orchard. Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, is challenging for the district's other seat against incumbent Jesse Young, R-Gig Harbor.
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By The Kitsap Sun Staff

BANGOR  Activists will stage a nonviolent protest in the waters near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on Tuesday.

Peace activists will enter Hood Canal south of the base at King spit at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Sailboats will arrive from various places.

In the first "Boats by Bangor" event, they'll travel along the length of the base waterfront, keeping outside the fence and not risking arrest.

The protest will also mark the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan.
As Celia is retiring after two terms as Mayor, it is timely to look at her legacy. In 2013 I blogged:

I basically assess local body candidates on what I call the 3 Ps  policies, personality and political management. Now when it comes to policies, of course there are not that many areas I agree with Wade-Brown. However the Mayor is just one vote of 15. So policies alone is not a sufficient reason to not vote for someone. Personality isnt a problem for me with Celia. She pleasant and engaging, and generally gets on well with people. She is no Bob Parker who managed to alienate huge swathes of people. It is the third area, political management, where the Mayor hasnt been successful. The Council under her leadership has been almost embarrassing at times as it flip-flops backwards and forwards on issues such as the Basin Reserve.

I also said:

If she does get re-elected, then of course her policies will not change but I do hope she improves her political management.

Now to be fair to her, I believe she was a better political manager in her second term compared to her first, and a few Councillors have said this also. She did manage to get some runs on the board, and get some good projects initiated such as the Peter Jackson film museum. There were of course some things not done at all well, especially the Island Bay cycleway.

In her retirement statement she covers some of her achievements. Ill add my 2c to them:

Our economy is in good shape. We established the Wellington Regional Economic Development agency to drive growth in the regional economy

Too early to call WREDA a success. I hear a lot of grumbling about secrecy there.

and established new airline routes to Singapore and Canberra and via Fiji to the United States.

Paying airlines to fly to Wellington isnt an achievement in my view, just corporate welfare.

Weve bought the land for the new Movie Museum and Conference Centre and the last details are being ironed out between VUW, NZSO and us on the Town Hall and Civic Precinct.

Yep good progress there and may be the best part of her legacy.

I led funding for the resource consent for the extension of the airport runway so Wellington businesses will have easier access to international markets and so we can accelerate tourism and overseas students into the city and region. The benefits to Central New Zealand will far outweigh the costs.

Yet to be convinced here. In favour of the resource consent, but I think the bulk of the runway extension should be funded by the airport shareholders  not taxpayers.

As a tech geek I was excited to deliver free WiFi in the CBD, the Collider Tech Hub and helped bid for the ICT Graduate School now being established.

Celia has been a good supporter of the technical community. She was in fact an original Councillor of InternetNZ.

As a progressive politician, I have led local government in New Zealand with the staged implementation of a living wage for all Council staff, CCO employees, security and cleaning contractors.

Councillors voting to force ratepayers to pay wages at the level a priest in Lower Hutt decides is not an achievement, especially when at least two Councillors who voted in favour refuse to do so in their own businesses.

In light of the squeeze on housing in the city for the foreseeable future, I successfully negotiated with the Government special housing accords to help Wellingtonians access an adequate supply of affordable housing in the city as well as ensuring the existing social housing improvements were extremely well done. New modular style building will catalyse cheaper builds in the city while maintaining quality.

Too early to judge, but was good to get the SHAs agreed.

As a proud cyclist it was very pleasing to secure over $37 million in council and government funding for the next four years to build a beautiful network that will transform the way we get around the city and reduce our carbon emissions. Weve moved the Great Harbour Way, which I have advocated for for many years, from a community dream to being solidly funded from Petone to Ngauranga and Oriental Bay to Miramar. Council and volunteers combine to make amazing mountain bike tracks. Bikes to Schools has brought joy to many primary school children.

Sadly the way the Island Bay cycleway was done has set things back. Good cycleways should make the road safer for cyclists and motorists, not more dangerous.

Light rail is still on the medium-term agenda

No it isnt. Even Celia abandoned support of it when the benefit to cost ratio was calculated at 0.05, which means every $1 million of spending would produce just $50,000 of benefits.

and the new collaborative arrangement Lets Get Welly Moving between Regional Council, NZTA and Wellington City is a far better place to start from than fighting the failed flyover.

There is no start or starting place. Thanks to the opposition to the flyover, there are zero affordable solutions in play to reduce congestion at the Basin.

When I hang up the Mayoral robe and chains for the last time, I will begin a third career with a number of different portfolios. I have been accepted into a local English language teaching course that starts in late September and I am really looking forward to it, especially to supporting refugees settle in. Several personal and business projects will follow in 2017, including walking Te Araroa from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Ive been asked to be on several Boards including the International Walk21 Foundation.

Walking Te Araroa is a great challenge. Would love to do that one day.

My Mayoralty can be defined by the breadth of my interests and the varied projects weve completed that impact the lives and experiences of all Wellingtonians. Ive been inclusive of all elected members. I am heartened that I leave the Mayoralty with the city in good shape.

The city is in good shape, but Im not sure the Council is the same.

Vogue magazine was right when they said in 2015 that Wellington is the coolest little city in the world.

Yes it is, but I am biased.

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The Helen Ross McNabb Center will bring a night of country music and hope to Hamblen County with the 2016 An Evening of Hope at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at Morristown-Hamblen High School West. Guests will be treated to performances by The Young Fables and up-and-coming artist Natalia Taylar. Lewell Molen of East Tennessee's WDVX will emcee the event. Admission is $12, and tickets may be purchased by visiting www.mcnabbcenter.org/AnEveningOfHope2016 or by contacting Jennifer Boyle at 865-329-9120 or jennifer.boyle@mcnabb.org.

Registration is open now for the Marine Mud Run 5k Obstacle Race to be held on Sept. 17 at Melton Hill Park. Participants can run individually or as a team. The event includes a 200 meter kids race and awards for all age brackets and team categories.The Marine Mud Run is an annual fundraiser for Knoxville's Marine Corps League Detachment #924, a non-profit that supports Marines and other veterans and their families, such as paying for a large outdoor pavilion at East Tennessee's Veteran's nursing home, supporting scholarship awards and assisting Marines with special needs. Marines from Knoxville's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion assist with the design, setting up and dismantling of the obstacle course. The Mud Run also is a drop-off point for Toys-for-Tots. For more information or to register, visit www.knoxmud.org.

The Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians will hold its first Trefoil Society luncheon at 11:30 .m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Southern Depot, located at 306 W. Depot Ave, sponsored by The Trust Company and SmartBank. The Aug. 18 luncheon will honor Lucille Griffo, CEO of the former Tanasi Girl Scout Council in Knoxville, and her commitment to building girls of courage, confidence and character in the Knoxville community through her years of service. Attendees will be asked to make a financial contribution. Those interested in attending to learn how they can support the Girl Scouts or with any questions should email bsewell@girlscoutcsa.org

Tickets are available now for the Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball to be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, at Zoo Knoxville. Come in costume as your favorite Smokies critter or casual dress to this Biodiversity Bash! The ball is a fundraiser for Discover Life in America and its flagship project, the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, a joint effort with the National Park Service to identify and record every single species within the park. The event will include food from Holly; wine, beer and non-alcoholic drink; a zoo scavenger hunt; kids activities, zoo admission as part of the ticket, music by The Vibraslaps and a silent auction, a special appearance by "Big Red," the giant salamander, and fun in the Zoo's Kids Cove. Families will receive a signed The Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball book. Tickets are $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.dlia.org or contact Todd Witcher at Discover Life in America, 430-4757 or e-mail at todd@dlia.org.

Tickets are on sale for the Streams of Mercy banquet, which benefits Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries. The event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Holiday Inn Pigeon Forge. Travel packages that include special seating at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and to such places as Disney World will be part of the auction. Triumphant Quartet will perform. Tickets are $50 each, and a table for eight is $400. Tickets are available at the SMARM office on Court Avenue in downtown Sevierville or from any SMARM board member. For more information, call 908-3153.
Georgiana Vines Columnist SHARE Steve Hall, candidate for State Representative District 18 Georgiana Vines Martin Daniel, candidate for State Representative District 18

Low-voter turnout combined with incumbency and three opponents appears to have helped state Rep. Martin Daniel win the Republican nomination to represent the 18th District House race in one of the most closely-watched races in Thursday's elections.

Some pundits expected Daniel might lose after Steve Hall, an opponent who formerly held the West Knox County seat, charged him with assault following a live radio program where Hall called Daniel a liar. Hall said Daniel shoved him.

Daniel's self-financing of his campaign also was a factor, said University of Tennessee political scientist Michael Fitzgerald.

"I do not think Hall filing the assault charge helped his image, in that it was in the heat of an argument," Fitzgerald said. "There is a chance that the image coming out of that didn't harm Daniel but might have shown Hall as not a strong figure."

In terms of voter turnout, just in this race alone, 955 fewer voters voted than two years ago when Daniel won over Hall. In this year's elections, more people voted in early voting than on Election Day.

Buddy Burkhardt, GOP chairman, said he didn't think the "little dust-up" between Hall and Daniel helped either one.

He said two other things happened from the elections that he was pleased about.

One was that other losers in this race, lawyer James Corcoran and Bryan Dodson, joined by Michael Covington, who lost the 1st District County Commission seat to Democrat Evelyn Gill, all came to the Crowne Plaza where Republicans gathered election night to thank everyone for their support.

"It showed commitment to what they were doing," he said.

The second thing was that Cameron Brooks, Knox County Democratic Party chairman, called to congratulate Burkhardt on the GOP wins.

"That shows character," Burkhardt said.

On Nov. 8, Daniel faces Democratic challenger Brandi Price, who said Friday she knows she's running in a predominately Republican area but plans on focusing on issues. She also thinks some unprecedented events are in her favor.

"Not just in my district but from the top of the ballot down, it's been crazy and unpredictable," she said.

Price agreed she was speaking primarily of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who's become controversial over not endorsing key Republicans and criticized for controversial statements on various subjects.

Price said she believes the assault charge issue will come up, but her plan is to focus on education and the economy "unless (there is) a situation where it needs to be brought up."
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By News Sentinel Staff

KNOXVILLE  Police arrested a man Friday accused of impersonating a police officer to steal from several businesses throughout the city.

Police said Kenneth Edward Sharp called a business in West Town Mall on Thursday and said the business overcharged him $150, according to a Knoxville Police Department news release. He identified himself to the employee as Knoxville Police Department Officer Anthony Sharp, according to the release.

The employee arranged to meet with the caller on Friday morning. When Sharp arrived, he was arrested by KPD officers.

Investigators believe Sharp also impersonated KPD Officer Anthony Sharp on June 9, when police said he called the Boyd's Jig and Reel restaurant on Central Street and claimed he purchased an unsatisfactory meal, according to the release. Sharp received a refund for the meal, and the manager of the business later reported the incident to police.

Sharp had four outstanding warrants on charges of failing to appear in court, and he was charged Friday with two counts of theft and two counts of impersonating an officer, the release stated.

Sharp was charged with impersonating an officer in 2012, and he received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days, plus court costs.

Investigators believe Sharp might have committed similar scams to other business throughout Knoxville.

Police ask that anyone who believes their business might have been scammed call 865-215-7212.

More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.
Two people are dead after a fiery crash on Interstate 40 East near downtown Knoxville early Wednesday, June 20, 2016. The crash has shut down I-40 in both directions at mile marker 387. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

By News Sentinel Staff

The wrong-way driver who caused the fiery head-on collision that killed two people on Interstate 40 near downtown Knoxville on July 20 had a blood- alcohol level of more than double the legal limit, police said Friday.

Anthony Swartz, was driving a 2002 Suzuki XL7 westbound on I-40 East when he crashed into the 2017 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Carroll Trent, 67, of Evington, Va., just after 1 a.m. near mile marker 387.

The crash killed both drivers, set the Kenworth's load of benzoquinone, a toxic chemical, ablaze and shut down I-40 for hours.

Swartz, a 21-year-old Maryville College graduate, had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 at the time of the crash, according to a news release from the Knoxville Police Department.

That amount is more than double the legal limit of 0.08.

Records show Swartz had been arrested in Blount County in March on a charge of driving under the influence and drug possession.

Investigators believe Swartz entered James White Parkway from Summit Hill Drive, headed in the wrong direction.

Trent was hauling more than 800 pounds of benzoquinone for Estes Trucking on a run from Nashville to Virginia.

The fire destroyed the truck and its tandem trailers.

The crash was the fifth such fatal head-on collision on that stretch of I-40 since 2013  all caused by men in their 20s and all reported between 1 a.m.- 3 a.m.

Police said alcohol was a factor in at least two of the previous crashes.
Andrew Keisler with Keisler Automation installs surveillance cameras in new school buses that will service Knox County on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE Andrew Keisler with Keisler Automation works to install surveillance cameras in new school buses that will service Knox County on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL) Andrew Keisler, left, with Keisler Automation works to install surveillance cameras in new school buses that will service Knox County on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

By MJ Slaby of the Knoxville News Sentinel

When school bus drivers begin their routes on Monday morning, Knox County Schools officials hope the differences will be noticeable.

But the changes  like added equipment and funds as well as the hiring of a driver training manager  don't mean the school system is done attempting to improve school transportation.

"We will never be finished trying to make it as safe as possible," said Russ Oaks, the district's chief operating officer.

The district still lacked 11 drivers as of Friday. While that might be slightly better than in the past, Oaks said the school system needs the extra drivers, especially when one driver calls in sick.

Monday marks the start of the second school year since the December 2014 school bus crash on Asheville Highway that killed two Sunnyview Primary School students and a teacher's aide.

Not long after, the school system announced strategies for improvement, including an outside review of the transportation department, two cameras on all buses, a safety check ride program and added training for drivers. The district has moved forward in all four areas, officials said.

The outside review of the transportation department by Missouri-based School Bus Consultants was released in March.

The consultants found the district had bus crashes at twice the performance guideline and recommended the hiring of a safety manager and more funds directed to transportation. Also according to the review, the district did well in areas such as addressing a driver shortage and handling large amounts of records.

On Monday, the district hired David Smith, a former safety manager with Trans-Bridge Lines Inc. in Pennsylvania, for a new position focused on driver training. His salary is $55,770, according to school spokeswoman Abbey Harris.

The funds for that position came from the more than $1 million that former superintendent Jim McIntyre dedicated to transportation in the current budget before he stepped down in July. Those funds are largely to increase bus contract amounts, in hopes of boosting driver salaries, but also fund the new training position and creating training programs.

Smith will start his new role by identifying issues that could be addressed in improved training sessions and more training opportunities, Oaks said.

School board members Terry Hill and Patti Bounds praised the initiative for more training.

For many school bus drivers, this is a new career, Hill said.

"The training is going to be a huge asset," Bounds said.

She said bus drivers need to have enough resources to be able to drive children safely without distraction. That can include equipment like cameras, extra people on the bus and training.

Oaks said camera installation on school buses finished in the weeks before the start of school. That includes 13 new buses that recently arrived in Knoxville, said Rick Grubb, director of the district's transportation department.

Grubb said another equipment expansion is to make sure that spare buses also have the radio system to limit reliance on cellphones.

Oaks said the cameras help to address concerns about drivers and about students.

"It allows us empirical information to confirm or deny actions," he said.

The cameras also serve as a backup and a resource for the safety check rides as well, he said.

The safety check rides started early this year. In the spring semester there were more than 130 bus safety checks, which is about half of the school buses for the district, Oaks said. He said the goal is for a driver to have a safety check once every 18 months.

The district currently has six safety check officers in training and five officers who have conducted the checks since January.

Oaks said the rides take place unannounced and are a "rigorous process" that includes 20 areas of 120 items to see how drivers are performing.

If there are any bad habits, those will show through, Oaks said, noting the officer "will get a good sense" of what happens on that bus.

While Hill and Bounds agreed the district has made "strides" when it comes to school bus safety, they said they're looking for it to continue.

Bounds said she thinks the district has learned from its mistakes, but she said she's still "very concerned" about school bus safety.

She and Hill agreed adding Kim Severance as customer service manager has been beneficial.

Grubb said it's been a well-received addition to manage the roughly 350 calls that come in per week.

As buses start rolling Monday, Grubb estimated it will likely be mid-September or October before bus routes stabilize.
SHARE Buzz Thomas, interim Knox County Schools superintendent. April 2016.

By MJ Slaby of the Knoxville News Sentinel

The new school year means a fresh start, but Buzz Thomas, interim schools superintendent, said the goal stays the same.

"The great thing about being the interim superintendent of Knox County is you don't have to fix a lot because Knox County is already on the right trajectory for success," he said.

But Thomas said that doesn't mean there are no areas to improve.

"Forty-seven percent reading proficiency in third grade is unacceptable," he said. "Half of our kids graduating from high school without a 21 on the ACT, that's unacceptable too, but we are going to succeed, we are going to build the best school system in the South."

For Thomas, achieving that goal means "pushing yourself to improve" and not "circling the airport" as the district works to name a permanent superintendent.

Thomas was selected earlier this year by the school board to fill the superintendent's post temporarily. According to board policy, the interim leader can't be a candidate for the permanent job.

The new school board, elected Thursday, will determine the hiring process and start the search for a new superintendent. In the meantime, Thomas will continue to lead the district as the new school year starts on Monday.

"There are specific things that we are going to be trying to do this year that I hope will significantly improve our schools," Thomas said.

One of those goals will be ongoing work to improve literacy, something Thomas has stressed repeatedly, including in an open letter to the community that he wrote in June.

Another, he said, will be implementing the recommendations of the Disparities in Educational Outcomes Task Force. The task force's range of recommendations to improve training, programming, policies and practices as well as personnel were passed by the school board in June.

Thomas said he wants the community to see that the recommendations will be "a very high priority for our administration."

"I think that the events of the summer in places like Dallas and Baton Rouge (La.) have reminded us how crucial these issues are, not to just the future of our community, but the future of our nation," Thomas said. "We must learn to bridge racial and economic differences, and we must work hard to ensure that every child succeeds."

He said work is underway to appoint a steering and oversight committee, to translate school documents into Spanish for families and to fill the recommendation of an ombudsman to act as a liaison between the community and the school system and to present issues to the school board.

Thomas said the ombudsman role might split into two part-time positions: one to address issues around special education and one to address issues around race and economic status.

The district has already started to look for a company to provide cultural competency training, a recommendation by the task force for all district employees.

"There are certain implicit biases that we all carry around with us as a result of having been raised in a particular culture, and we need to understand each other's cultures better so we can work together and so we don't misinterpret cues and language," Thomas said.

He said he's looking for ways to engage students on solutions because they are the ones affected. That means going to the students, Thomas said.

The interim superintendent said he's also encouraged by other ongoing work in the district such as relationships with local government leaders, adding more community schools to build pride and ownership in neighborhoods, and using technology not to replace teachers but as a tool to facilitate learning.

Now that the new school board is elected, Thomas said he plans to issue a second community letter about more priorities as the school year gets underway. District staffers are ready for their "best year yet," Thomas said.

"There are all kinds of things to be excited about in Knox County right now when it comes to education," he said.
Doug McDaniel, left, serves breakfast to Laura Webb and Michael Benton on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. Faith McDaniel, right, prepared the eggs Benedict for the guests of the bed-and-breakfast the McDaniels operate in Knoxville's Fourth and Gill neighborhood. The city is looking at ordinances that would regulate Airbnb rentals, which officials say would protect neighborhoods while still allowing operators to continue their business. The city also would likely require Airbnb renters to pay hotel-motel taxes. The McDaniels said they welcome clarification in the law. (J. Miles Cary/Special to the News Sentinel)

By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel

Lynne Randazzo rents out half of her Parkridge duplex on Airbnb nearly every day of the year. It's a business that serves as her family's primary source of income  even though she's not allowed by law to operate it in Knoxville.

"It's so incredibly risky to run a rental company that you don't have permission to run," Randazzo said. "We just make sure we're good property owners. It's kind of scary living on the edge."

City ordinances ban short-term rentals of homes in residential areas. The city can force short-term rentals to shut down if complaints are made against the owner, Knoxville officials said. Yet Airbnb lists about 250 properties for rent in the Knoxville area on its website, and VRBO, short for Vacation Rental By Owner, has about 75 on its site. All operate without any permits, inspections or taxation.

Now city officials are examining how to regulate the businesses, including collecting the same occupancy tax that hotels pay and controlling where and how many short-term rentals can operate, said Bill Lyons, deputy to Mayor Madeline Rogero and the administration's chief policy officer.

"It's very much something we'd like to make sure works for everybody," Lyons said. "Also, we just have to address it because right now, they're outside any formal regulation at all."

A city task force is considering ordinances to regulate the short-term rentals  something nearby cities like Asheville, N.C., and Nashville have already explored.

Nashville requires short-term rental businesses to obtain a city-issued permit and a $1 million insurance policy and to pay hotel occupancy taxes. The city also has a 3 percent cap on non-owner-occupied rentals in any single neighborhood.

The priority in Knoxville, Lyons said, is to protect neighborhoods first, followed by ensuring residents who want to run a short-term rental can do so safely and by collecting occupancy taxes to even the playing field with hotels and motels.

In December, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slattery issued an opinion stating sales tax should be collected on short-term rentals and that such rentals also qualify as hotels subject to occupancy taxes in cities that have such levies. The responsibility of collecting both taxes falls on property owners, he wrote.

In Knox County, hotel occupancy tax is set at 5 percent. Inside the Knoxville city limits, hotels must charge an additional 3 percent tax. Last year, the city collected $3.7 million from its 3 percent tax, according to Jim York, Knoxville's finance director. The county tax two years ago brought in about $6.5 million, he said.

More than half of what's collected in occupancy taxes goes to paying debt service on the Knoxville Convention Center and supporting Visit Knoxville, York said. The state requires all of the revenue go to tourism-related activities.

For Airbnb property owners in the area, the idea of paying occupancy tax drew mixed reactions.

Local public relations executive Mike Cohen, who owns a townhouse in West Knoxville that he rents on Airbnb, said he thinks it's only fair to pay occupancy tax, especially when owners benefit from the marketing and events supported by Visit Knoxville.

"We absolutely should pay the hotel-motel tax, because we're offering the same service, the same accommodation," said Cohen, whose clients include Rick Dover, the developer behind the forthcoming Farragut Hotel downtown. "I totally understand that it's unfair to the competition to start out with a price advantage."

Doug and Faith McDaniel, who own a licensed bed-and-breakfast in Fourth and Gill that they market through Airbnb, said they'd like to see an ordinance formalizing the practice and that they're more than willing to pay the occupancy tax to make that happen.

"We're asking the city to clarify the regulations for us and for other Airbnb hosts, so that it's easier and a level playing field for all Airbnb hosts," Doug McDaniel said. "When that becomes part of your income, you'd rather have the law clarified."

But at Conversion Properties, which manages the Tailor Lofts building, the occupancy tax sounds excessive because the firm already pays other business taxes, said Jeannie Grivetti, a manager. The building has seven apartments rented on traditional yearlong leases and two  a studio and the owner's second residence, which has a rooftop deck and impressive views  used as short-term rentals.

Sometimes those short-term rentals are a couple of days and sometimes they're a couple of months, Grivetti said.

"We're not a hotel we pay (franchise and excise) taxes and state taxes," she said. "We'll just have to see if (a local ordinance) affects us, because we just don't know."
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The POTUS Club is the most elite club in the world.

Made up of ex-presidents of the United States of America, both living and dead, the club charges no dues, membership cannot be revoked and members almost never meet, except to attend the funeral of another member.

Though members do talk to each other. The current president, regardless of party, will seek counsel from the members. The Oval Office can be a very lonely place, and the perspectives of others who have sat in the chair and dealt with the same pressures can be essential.

And out of an excess of empathy, members bend over backwards to not publicly criticize each other, to the extent they can. Members know the job is impossibly hard without POTUS Club members sniping at each other, too.

Members hold themselves to high standards of etiquette with fellow members. Because of these high standards, it makes their treatment of Harry Truman just plain baffling and appalling, too.

Truman made the most difficult decision of any president ever: he decided to use atomic weapons, a new technology, against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ended World War II.

All the members know how important and tough Truman's decision was. They should, with good reason, doubt their own strength of character to make the same decision.

You would think members of the POTUS Club would offer strong vocal support of Ol' Harry, but you would be wrong. Their betrayal has been one of silence, which is the most damning, shameless betrayal of all. They don't condemn his decision, but won't support it either.

There have been 11 presidents since Truman. One, Dwight Eisenhower, openly disagreed with the decision, 18 years after the fact. George H.W. Bush implicitly supported the decision by directly saying, during the 50th anniversary of the bombings, that he would never apologize for dropping the bombs. Bush No. 41 was the last president to who fought in World War II. He understands the stakes involved.

Both Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter went to the memorial park in Hiroshima. Nixon went before he was president and Carter went years after he left office. Barack Obama went to Hiroshima in May. None of these pre-presidents, post-presidents or current presidents made statements that would offer solace to Truman.

Again, Truman is left swinging in the wind. He is disgraced by the only club on the planet that should support him unconditionally.

It would be fascinating to me if journalists would confront the four former presidents and the current president with a simple question: "Do you support Truman's decision to use atomic weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki?"

The POTUS Club of living presidents would be split in an unexpected way. I would guess that the two Republican presidents would support Truman. I would guess that the two former Democratic presidents and our current Democratic president would squirm and not directly answer the question. Truman was a Democrat.

Truman made the most difficult decision of any president ever. The POTUS Club, by a 3-2 vote, with two Republicans voting yes, and with the three Democrats voting "no comment," would leave Truman absolutely alone. Abandoned. This is a stunning fact to me.

Welcome to America in 2016.

Richard Cook lives in Oak Ridge. He is the author of "Ignored Heroes of World War II: The Manhattan Project Workers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee."
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A look at recent events in the news that pleased us ...

Test do-over: High school seniors can now retake the ACT for free on Oct. 22, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Wednesday. The statewide "ACT Senior Retake Opportunity" allows seniors at public high schools who took the test as a junior to retake the test regardless of socioeconomic status.

Historical ACT data for Tennessee shows that students who take the test again typically increase their composite score by one to three points, according to a news release from the department of education.

Young scientist: Sofia Tomov, a 12-year-old Knoxville girl, is one of 10 finalists in the 2016 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the companies announced Friday. The contest recognizes students in grades 5 to 8 who use scientific thinking to create a video about an idea they have to improve lives in their community or across the world, according to a news release.

Tomov, a home-schooled student, created a project that would code an algorithm to help the medical industry create more customized medications to minimize potential side effects of prescription drugs.

She and the other finalists will each be paired with a 3M scientist to turn their concepts into a prototype. They each will also receive $1,000 and compete for a grand prize of $25,000 at the final contest on Oct. 17 and 18 at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Habitat app: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has partnered with the University of Tennessee to create a new web application that locates suitable habitats for more than 1,800 plant and animal species. The "Species Mapper" uses locations where species have been found to predict additional places where they may occur in the park.

... and some that did not

Anemic turnout: Only 21,473 people cast ballots on Thursday in the Knox County general election and state primary. More than 92,000 Knox Countians voted in the March 1 primary, which featured hotly contested presidential races, and more than 60,000 voted in the same election in 2014, which featured the gubernatorial primary.

Tardy candidates: Four Democratic candidates for the Knox County Commission failed to file the their most recent  and last before Thursday's primary  campaign finance disclosure forms on time: Evelyn Gill, Laura Kildare, Marleen Davis and James "Brandon" Hamilton. Gill won the 1st District commission seat on Thursday, but the others lost their races.
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The letter "Movie on Democrats is worth seeing" urging people to watch "Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party" reaffirms my long, sad view of most Republicans in the South. The only credit that I give the letter writer is that he is right regarding the ugly history of Democratic leaders and their followers, particularly in the South. After retirement 16 years ago, I moved to the South. What I learned through friends (all Republicans) led me to research what transpired during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. These two Democratic leaders risked their political careers by implementing long-overdue laws to abolish discrimination in schools, work and public places, as well as other social programs. At that point, the ugly Democrats became Republicans, and since then, the South went red.

Harold R. Garay, Knoxville
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Although Hillary Clinton is trying to paint Donald Trump and Mike Pence as out of touch with the majority of Americans on abortion and other issues, recent polls show a majority of Americans (62 percent) agree with Trump and Pence on not allowing taxpayer funding of abortion. The 2016 Democratic National Convention was the most pro-abortion rights political convention ever with the platform changed to call for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment in order to provide unlimited taxpayer funding of elective abortions for Medicaid recipients.

The Democratic convention also showed extremism when Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, proudly shouted out about her abortion to a cheering crowd and loud applause. At the convention, Democrats showed extremism by changing all the women's restrooms into "all-gender" restrooms. Republicans and the majority of Americans believe that open bathroom choice is dangerous and ignores privacy issues.

The Democratic convention showed hypocrisy by adding a fence at their convention location while they are against a fence on the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants, drugs and diseases. The Democratic convention showed hypocrisy when they put up a sign that read, "Attention all delegates: Photo ID is required for credential pick-up." The Democrats are against requiring a photo ID to vote in elections.

The Democratic convention had few American flags. The majority of Americans agree with Trump and Pence on their support for Americanism and putting America first. The majority of major media support Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. In a "60 Minutes" interview, Clinton said, "Deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed." If you care about your religion, children and the First and Second Amendments, vote for Trump and Pence.

D.D. Nave, Elizabethton, Tenn.
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I lived in East Tennessee for 31 years, and one of the many things that made it such a great place to live were the outdoor recreational opportunities on federal public lands, from the Big South Fork, to the Great Smokies, to the Tennessee Valley Authority's Land Between the Lakes, to the vast Cherokee National Forest. I presently live in Montana, where we are also blessed with an abundance of federal public lands. Therefore, I was shocked to read that the Tennessee Legislature had passed HJR 0092, sponsored by Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, which urges the transfer of federal public lands in the West.

My first reaction was to ask what business is this of the Tennessee Legislature? My second thought was, Why aren't they trying to transfer them in Tennessee? I think I know the answer to the second question. I have a feeling that the citizens of Tennessee are similar to those in Montana, where 80 percent are strongly opposed to such a transfer, which would basically convert public lands to private ownership full of "no trespassing" signs.

I know that all states have their share of fringe right-wingers who hate all forms of government, but what truly stunned me was the fact that Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed it. He should have consulted former governor, former University of Tennessee-Knoxville president and current U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander. The Alexander I was familiar with back in the 1970s had a strong appreciation for public lands. I'm no longer a citizen of Tennessee so I can only say, Tennessee, mind your own business and stay out of Montana's affairs. We are doing fine, thank you.

Orville Bach, Bozeman, Mont.
KARM opens respite center for medical care

AUGUST 6, 2016 at 11:45 a.m.





Short term medical care to be available in partnership with Cherokee Health Systems





Respite center room. Image courtesy of KARM.



KNOXVILLE  A new respite center for medical care was dedicated on Friday, August 5 in Knoxville. Knox Area Rescue Ministries will open the center in partnership with Cherokee Health Systems. During the dedication service, the center was officially named the Trinity Respite Center.





Dr. Lee Martin of the Trinity Health Foundation addresses dedication attendees.



The Trinity Respite Center is a result of funds from a Trinity Health Foundation grant that Cherokee Health Systems received in cooperation with Knox Area Rescue Ministries. The Trinity Respite Center is one of only 34 shelter-based respite centers in the country and nine in the Southeast.



Respite Center patients will be homeless individuals who need a place to convalesce after surgery or serious illness. Cherokee Health will provide 24/7 medical care in the center, while KARM will provide meals, shelter, and laundry. Both organizations will provide case management for the respite patients. The first patient will be admitted September 1.



Cherokee Health Systems is actively seeking staff to help man the center 24 hours per day.



The center, adjacent to the mens overnight dorm at KARM, contains eight beds for men, who are the vast majority of respite users. Research is underway concerning how to provide respite care for women at KARM as well. The center has a nurses office that can also be used as an exam room. Cherokee Health Systems will screen the admission applications to ensure that proper care criteria are met.



A 2012 study estimates that a respite center housed within a homeless shelter will save the community $6,000 per chronically ill homeless person over the course of a year, reducing costs on emergency room treatment, emergency transport, and other expenses. Ongoing funding for the center will be through local hospitals who will sign contracts that pay a per diem fee for respite care services for their patients.



Knox Area Rescue Ministries, which is home to nearly 400 people each night and provides more than 1,000 meals daily, has served the area as a Christian ministry since 1960. KARM is devoted to rescue, recovery and restoration, providing food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and healing for hurting people in our community. To learn more visit www.karm.org.

Published August 6, 2016
By Choi Sung-jin

Korea's beer market has long been divided between two brands _ Cass by Oriental Brewery and Hite by Hite-Jinro _ amid almost no challengers or competitors. So much so that a few years ago a foreign correspondent in Seoul complained that even North Korean beers were better than the South's.

The government's antitrust agency has set about to change this situation in the beer industry.

According to officials at the Fair Trade Commission and industry sources, the FTC plans to ease regulations on the beer industry and give rise to smaller but more diverse breweries to break up the current monopoly.

"If the policy change leads to the entry of more local brewers into the market, we hope the domestic beer market, increasingly eroded by foreign craft beers, will likely regain some vigor," an FTC official said wanting to remain anonymous.












/Courtesy of Ministry of Health and Welfare



By Choi Sung-jin

A public health information portal, made and run by the government, has come under severe criticism from the public for content that vulgarizes and commercializes women's bodies.

On the website in question entitled "Beautiful breasts," the document enumerated conditions for what it described as ideal breasts for women.

"Women's breasts are organs that hand over life's essence to babies, distribute affection to men and express esthetic values for women themselves," it said. "Breasts are the expressions of self-esteem for women such that they can be called the second genital organ.'"

It went on to present even specific figures as the conditions for beautiful breasts. "From the standards of modern women, beautiful breasts should be moderately voluptuous, elastic and conical," it said. "Each breast should be about 250 cc, the distance between nipples and the middle of the collarbone should be 18-20 centimeters and the diameter of an areola should not exceed 4 cm with its color being light red."

The National Health Information Portal posted the document, created and supervised by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Academy of Medical Sciences and the Korea Academy of Aesthetic Surgery and Medicine, and was last updated on Nov. 12, 2013.

The document was made public in 2010 but had not drawn much attention until a tweeter summed it up and introduced it to an online community recently. Many Internet users said it was awful for the government to rate women's bodies from only sexual and aesthetic aspects and present what it saw as ideal conditions.

"The health ministry's mentioning of ideal female breasts is like advice on how to select fresh fish at markets. Does it think of women as animals?" one netizen said. "This is too insulting. Are breasts not parts of my body but articles of consumption?" another fumed. "We are living in a country where the government presents standards for women's breasts. Why does it present no conditions for men's bodies, then?" a third wrote.

Faced with the controversy, the ministry said it has struck out the problematic document. "We will also reexamine about 1,300 other pieces of information posted on the portal," an official said.
The navies of South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to bolster cooperation and information sharing, especially in anti-submarine warfare, in order to address threats across the region, the U.S. Navy said Thursday.

Adm. Jung Ho-sub, South Korea's chief of naval operations, reached the agreement when he held talks with his U.S. counterpart, Adm. John Richardson, at the Pentagon, the Navy said in a release.

"It's extremely important as we work together  as our two navies work together  that you and I have a personal relationship, that we can call one another up as brothers to work for better ways to collaborate," Richardson said.

He also praised his counterpart for the progress he has made in improving naval capabilities, as well as the focus he placed on advancing ethics and honor throughout the South Korean navy, the statement said.

"I agree with the importance of our alliance, particularly navy-to-navy, to deal with the threat from the North, as well as the instability that may take place in the South China Sea," Jung said.












The Seoul city government on Friday said it has completed attaching new nameplates to public "hanoks," or Korean traditional houses, to better host domestic and foreign visitors.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the new nameplates on 23 hanoks provide their names and operating hours in both Korean and English.

Public hanoks run by the city government in Bukchon, a neighborhood located east of Gyeongbok Palace, are open for visitors to freely enjoy.

The attachment of new nameplates is in line with the city government's efforts to better advertise those hanoks to represent the hanok village in Bukchon.

"We will put more efforts in improving our service to make sure the public hanoks can become a symbol of Bukchon and to help our visitors experience the beauty of the traditional houses," said Jung You-seung, director-general of the Housing and Architecture Bureau of the city government. (Yonhap)
South Korea on Thursday lashed out at North Korea for criticizing Seoul's move to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system, saying that Pyongyang is trying to drive a wedge among its citizens over the issue.

North Korea's committee handling inter-Korean affairs said Wednesday that if the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is deployed in South Korea, the country will become the stage for nuclear confrontation by regional powers.

Seoul's unification ministry said that North Korea should be blamed for posing a threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

"The government's decision to station a THAAD battery here was made to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats as a self-defense measure to defend people's lives and national security," the ministry said.

The North has ceaselessly developed its nuclear and missile programs by launching more than 30 ballistic missiles so far this year. On Wednesday, North Korea fired off two Rodong mid-range ballistic missiles with one of them presumed to have landed in waters controlled by Japan.

"North Korea should realize that its slander and sophistry cannot justify its nuclear development and drive a wedge among South Koreans," the ministry said. "The country should immediately end its foolish act and walk on the path to denuclearization with sincerity." (Yonhap)
Rapid Engineer Deployed Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Airmen from across the Air Force deployed to Guam for five months to construct a new Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) warehouse at Northwest Field.

The new $915,000 facility was built to store items such as Humvees, bomb suits, EOD robots and sensitive training equipment.

The warehouse will be utilized for Silver Flag training, a subject-matter expert exchange of civil engineer-related best practices. As a result of the new facility, EOD concepts will be reincorporated back into Silver Flag and other training opportunities further strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The warehouse is part of the Pacific Regional Training Center, which is a facility used to host and train Airmen and international partners on construction techniques. The warehouse is located near the Silver Flag site, which will make it convenient for future training.

The project brought 250 Reservists together from the 556th RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) from Hurlburt Field, Florida; 555th RHS from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; 560th RHS deployed from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina; and the 567th RHS deployed from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. Engineers with the 622nd Civil Engineer Group (CEG) deployed from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, also played a key role in the design and construction management plans.

The teams built the warehouse using the tilt-up construction method. With this method, concrete elements such as walls, columns and structural supports are formed horizontally on a concrete slab. After the concrete has cured, the elements are "tilted" to the vertical position with a crane and braced into position until the roof, floor and walls are secured.

One of the big issues on Guam is the hurricane force winds and possible earthquakes, which is why tilt-up construction is key out here, said Maj. Karsten Lipiec, 556th RHS director of operations and project engineer. The 554th RHS has a high proficiency in tilt-up construction and the 622nd CEG wanted us to come to Guam to train on this method.

Since the units were away from their home station, the Airmen constructed the building using tools they would not typically use.

This situation is similar to what some RHS units face in a deployed environment, Lipiec said. These challenges enabled the Airmen to gain the knowledge and necessary skill sets they are unable to receive at their home station, thus bolstering the experience.

In addition to training on an alternate construction method, Airmen also interacted with other RHS units they may have never work with previously.

Working with Airmen from units and backgrounds different from mine helped us achieve our goal while also teaching us valuable lessons, said Senior Airman Alexandra Pinzone, 556th RHS heavy equipment operator. You meet people from all over the world and come together to learn new things.

After a few days of each rotation arriving on site, the project gradually became smoother. Communication improved with the help of site leads and members of the 554th RHS.

The most rewarding aspect was seeing each rotation walk away and say it was outstanding training, Lipiec said. Even when we were in strife and trying to work through certain issues, the Airmen embraced the challenges and learned new skills, which goes to show what a valuable project it was for everybody.

The next facility to be constructed will be the EOD training building, which will also be used for Silver Flag to further educate and strengthen bonds between Airmen and regional partners.
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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PRESS RELEASE

Russia Charges U.S. Media Covering Up Terrorist Atrocities In Syria

Aug. 4, 2016 (EIRNS)Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the Western media to task for failing to report on atrocities committed by US-backed armed groups in Syria.

"Washingtons and its allies turning a blind eye on the crimes of Syrias so-called opposition, including the use of poisonous substances against living quarters, devalues Western diplomats calls for stopping the bloodshed in that country,"

she wrote on her facebook page yesterday.

"I hope that the Western mass media (all of them, not only Mathew Lee [Associated Press diplomatic correspondent]) find enough courage to write about crimes committed by the moderate opposition and their sources of financing. My words are addressed to you, The New York Time, Le Figaro, Bild, and to all who regularly cite the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights."

Zakharova was specifically referring to an incident in Aleppo on Aug. 2, in which the Russian reconciliation center in Latakia charged that Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, the same group that video-taped the beheading of a 12-year old boy about two weeks ago, used poisonous gases in a residential area of Aleppo, killing seven and sickening about 20 other people. The Russians said that they notified US authorities of this attack.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner pleaded ignorance yesterday, when asked about that incident during the regular State Department briefing. He said he could not say whether or not the State Department had received any Russian report. Under questioning, he couldnt even say whether or not the Al Zenki group was getting US support. Nor could he answer the question "So what does a rebel group in Syria have to do to not receive U.S. funds any longer?" Toner replied that "one incident here and there would not necessarily make you a terrorist group." The reporter replied:

"So it sounds to me like what youre saying is that even if these allegations are true, theres still a chance that the United States would continue supporting these groups."

Toner repeatedly pleaded ignorance to the questions that followed, answering instead in generalities about terrorist acts.
PRESS RELEASE

Chinese Announce Putin To Be Guest of Honor at G20 Summit in China

Aug. 5, 2016 (EIRNS)An official of the Foreign Ministry of China yesterday announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be the guest of honor at the G20 Summit in September, hosted by China in the city of Hangzhou. Putin has been invited by President Xi Jinping, who will hold a full-scale bilateral meeting with Putin, during the summit period.

Gui Congyou, Director of the Ministrys Department of European-Central Asian Affairs, told reporters that the

"presence of Russia at the Summit is utterly important for China and the whole world as well. Without Russia, it is impossible to restore the world economy."

Reporting this on Aug. 4, pravdareport.com commented that Gui

"also claimed that China and Russia are the main powers in Eurasia and their strategic alliance secures safety and balanced development all over the continent."

In addition to the members of the G20, China has invited several guest country participants. They so far include, from AfricaEgypt, Senegal and Chad; from South AsiaPakistan; and from Southeast AsiaThailand and Laos.

On Aug. 3, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed what he called the 30-day "countdown" to the G20 Summit, which will take place Sept. 4-5. He said that its theme will be, "Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy." Speaking in Laos, at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Wang reviewed the dozens of advance meetings that have taken place before the Summit. He said that the September gathering will be very productive, in contrast to the previous summit. He foresees some 30 major results to be achieved at the event.
If youre wondering about Elon Musks latest vision for Tesla, think Apple.

Apple succeeded in turning a bland market for electronic devices into a coveted and connected lifestyle where your phone, your tablet, your computer, your watch and your television can all be bought in one place and work seamlessly together.

Its about passion too. People continue to line up at Apple stores overnight to be the first to possess the latest iPhone. The companys launch events resemble the gathering of a cult.

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At Tesla Motors, Musk tapped into that kind of branding magic when he built electric cars that drive fast and look good. The spring launch of the upcoming Model 3 evoked an Apple-like frenzy in stores and online.

Now hes looking to create his own ecosystem, this one centered on sustainable energy, solar panels and batteries. Its a much less sexy realm than cars but at least as ambitious.

In recent weeks, Musk began to rapidly expand the Tesla footprint: merging with SolarCity to bring a major solar energy company into the fold, and laying out a sweeping master plan to transform Tesla beyond cars, by expanding into eco-friendly trucks and buses, ride-sharing and more.

The bold entrepreneur envisions Tesla stores as all-in-one destinations for green-minded shoppers, where one can buy an electric car, a charging station, a solar rooftop for the house and a futuristic-looking battery to store the excess power, all in the same place.

What really matters is how do we get a lot of people to make the transition, not just a few.  Elon Musk, Tesla CEO

In order for people to go en masse to sustainability, you really need to create something that doesnt have a lot of compromises, Musk said Friday in an interview with The Times. Easy to order, easy to install, looks great when done.

But unlike Apple, which sells far less expensive consumer products, Tesla is venturing into new territory at a time when it hasnt proved that it can make money or meet production deadlines.

To become the first provider of a comprehensive clean energy lifestyle, Musk needs to sell not just products, but present the combined company as a fresh creator of a new way of living, with image and branding and marketing that convince consumers of all kinds to shell out big bucks to be part of it.

Weve got to reach people for whom the environment is not their top priority, Musk said. What really matters is how do we get a lot of people to make the transition, not just a few.

Noah Hagey, 43, a lawyer and co-founder of the BraunHagey & Borden law firm in San Francisco, is already part of the tribe.

First his family bought a Tesla Model S sedan, which they considered a jumping-off point for environmental good deeds. A few months later, they installed solar panels on the roof of their Oakland hills home. When Teslas Powerwall went on sale, Hagey put in an order.

It just seemed like the obvious thing to do, to see how off the grid you can get, Hagey said.

He didnt buy panels from SolarCity. Instead, Hagey chose a local contractor experienced with tricky-to-work-with Spanish tile roofs.

But if the Tesla showroom had had solar panels on offer, I could have seen doing a package deal, he said. Its kind of shocking how well the stuff this guy builds works.

Now Musk needs many, many more customers like Hagey for his plan to work.

Right now, Teslas main draw is upper-income households. Most people cant afford a Model S, which starts at $70,000, and many millennials cant even afford a house, much less a solar roof.

Hagey knows this and is counting on Musk to lower costs over time.

This thing has to be mass market, he said. Thats the only way its going to work.

But to be mass market, going green has to have mass appeal. As it is, early adopters have flocked to the save-the-world philosophy espoused by Musk, but many everyday consumers simply arent there yet -- and cool marketing might not be enough to convince them otherwise.

You buy Tesla because of the brand, said Shayle Kann, a vice president at news and research firm GreenTech Media. Youre not doing it to save money. Whereas with solar, the single thing that has been most important in getting the widespread adoption of solar  is people saving money on their electric bills.

Most people have reliable electric service, and many arent convinced that theyll save enough money with solar to make installation worth it. And the subject can be enormously complicated. Fewer than 5% of U.S. homes have solar panels, although that number is growing fast.

Meanwhile, the market for storing power from solar panels  which was less than $200 million in 2012  will have grown to $19 billion by 2017, according to a report by IMS Research.

Tesla store in Pasadena. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times )

Musk figures that Tesla stores will offer a convenient spot for consumer education. By consolidating the buying process using Teslas established  and rapidly growing  footprint of retail stores that are trafficked by serious buyers and people who just want to look at a hot car, he predicts that he can move solar into the mainstream.

You want one sales process, one installation event, no finger-pointing if somethings not working, one service contract, one app to see how its doing and make adjustments, Musk said during the interview. Its what youd want as the end customer.

Tesla has opened 260 stores to date -- most in upscale markets -- and plans a total of 441 by the end of 2017, when Teslas relatively affordable Model 3 is expected to become available. Owned by Tesla and staffed by Tesla employees, the stores serve as retail showrooms for the companys sleek and expensive Model S electric sedan and Model X electric SUV. Soon, solar panels will join the merchandise mix.

Many of these showrooms are located within walking distance of Apple stores, and in fact Tesla consciously drew on those stores for inspiration, with their airy feel, dutiful employees and emphasis on fine design.

The company has counted 3 million visitors so far. They demonstrate an interest in solar living just by walking through the door.

They might be attracted by the vehicles, but Musk said its the connection between home-solar batteries and rooftop panels thats the key to his energy ecosystem.

Already, the Powerwall, Teslas new solar battery for the home, is on prominent Tesla showroom display. It stores excess energy during the day to charge a car, provide electricity at night or serve as backup in a blackout emergency. The price starts at $3,000.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk introduces the Powerwall residential battery at the automakers design studio in Hawthorne on April 30, 2015. (Jerome Adamstein / Los Angeles Times )

The Powerwalls most notable aspect is its appearance. Competing batteries, just as functional, look like chunks of industrial equipment. The Powerwall is a sleek piece of sculpture, harmonizing with the lines of the Model S it hangs next to.

SolarCitys rooftop panel installations arent nearly so sexy. Musk said he wants to address that. They need to be beautiful, he said.

This is very important, he said at a media event last month at Teslas new battery factory near Reno. This needs to be an asset to your house. It needs to be so good that when its done you call your neighbors over to show them how proud you are. 

Before he makes solar panels beautiful, Musk will have to make them look attractive in the stores and online, to fit the stores Tesla motif. Three weeks ago, Tesla lured Chester Chipperfield  a handsome young man with blond locks  from Apple and named him global creative director.

Although a customer will be able to buy what might be called the Full Tesla, a complete package including car, charger, solar rooftop and battery, the company will be happy to break it into sub-components for customers who dont want it all.

Those pieces, however, all will come with Tesla software to manage home and auto energy use. The more the software is integrated into a full system, the more powerful the system becomes. And, as with Apple, the less likely you are to switch to someone elses information ecosystem. Thats called lock-in. If you like the system, great. If not, youre kind of stuck.

Longtime Silicon Valley watcher Rob Enderle, who runs Enderle Group research, said its likely that Tesla could expand its energy management software throughout the home, covering major appliances and smaller household objects equipped with silicon chips and connected through the so-called Internet of Things.

It moves Tesla from being a car company to being a home automation company, and a powerful one, Enderle said, going up against companies like Googles Nest.

And it will distinguish Tesla from other automakers.

Tesla would be part of your home, not just part of your transportation system, he said. That brings them much closer to their customers, far more than any other car company. Thats something no one else has.

At this point, theres more theory than substance to Musks vision. Theres no guarantee that people are ready to flock to solar power in the numbers necessary for success. Theres no assurance that he can bring prices down for cars and energy systems low enough to appeal to the masses. Its unclear whether a market exists for a home energy software ecosystem powerful enough to hold customers loyal.

It doesnt make any business sense at all, says Jim Nelson, chief executive at Sunworks, a SolarCity competitor and a corporate customer of Teslas Powerwall. The solar business and the electric car business are unrelated businesses. They are artificially connected.

Right now, Teslas stock is a short-seller favorite. Neither Tesla nor SolarCity are profitable; both depend on investor infusions and government subsidies for cash flow. The SolarCity deal seems more like a bailout by the better-capitalized Tesla than an organic business strategy, several financial analysts have opined.

But Musk has proved himself capable of beating odds and delivering the goods, from his early days at PayPal, to the surprising success of his SpaceX rocket launching company, to the rabid consumer embrace of Tesla automobiles.

Except for the short sellers, nobodys counting him out.

One aspirational fanboy is Michael Figueroa, 39, of Laguna Hills. One day, he plans to trade his Acura or Volkswagen for a Tesla Model X. Hes already had a SolarCity array installed on his homes roof. A Powerwall is on the wish list too.

I want to manage my energy on my own. Thats where the futures going, Figueroa said. No other company is trying to capitalize on that, and thats what Im looking for.

Times staff writers Samantha Masunaga and Ivan Penn in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

russ.mitchell@latimes.com

@russ1mitchell

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When Long Beach officials gave Southwest Airlines access to Long Beach Airport for the first time this year, experts predicted heated head-to-head competition with the airports biggest carrier, JetBlue Airways.

Game on.

Southwest, the nations most popular domestic carrier, last month launched four new flights each day from Long Beach to Oakland, serving the states most popular market, routes between Southern California and the Bay Area.

But Southwest didnt stop there. It persuaded the city of Long Beach to temporarily allocate three daily slots to Southwest that werent being used by JetBlue. Long Beach allows 50 daily slots for large jets. Southwest said it would use JetBlues slots to fly to Las Vegas starting in September.

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We are delighted that Southwest is putting these unused slots to use at the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said in announcing the transfer. This will attract new customers and bring additional revenue to our airport.

Meanwhile, JetBlue announced this week that it would add a nonstop flight from Long Beach to San Jose starting in January, and will increase the flight frequency on existing routes to Las Vegas, San Francisco and Salt Lake City starting in November.

But JetBlue said it isnt adding flights in response to competition from Southwest. Instead, the New York-based carrier said the increase is part of a larger effort to serve the hugely popular West Coast market.

This is just part of a broader West Coast strategy, JetBlue spokesman Philip Stewart said.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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Gustavo Dudamel conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl, an event that proved surprisingly and hugely satisfying.

Music directors of major orchestras arent supposed to conduct these things, you know. Tchaikovsky Spectaculars are supposedly beneath them. Music directors of major orchestras hand off such assignments, complete with their 1812 Overtures and fireworks, to deputies.

Gustavo Dudamel, Friday night at the Bowl. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) (Test)

But there was our resident maestro, in his penultimate Bowl appearance of the summer (the program is scheduled to repeat Saturday night), dressed all in black, no less, and apparently glad to be there. Dudamel conducted a great deal of the concert with a smile on his face, a cheerfulness that seemed to rub off on the orchestra. At the same time, he wasnt taking the assignment lightly, leading much of the music with a dead seriousness that paid significant dividends.

Who knew, for instance, that the Capriccio Italien, which opened the concert, is a great piece of music? I did not. I had thought it was little more than a collection of dressed up organ grinder tunes with some empty bombast thrown in for good measure. Dudamel showed otherwise.

He proved it not by pushing and prodding it, not by milking it for the last ounce of sentiment and swoon, but, rather, by conducting with a light touch. The Italianate melodies were dispatched with slender curves, smooth and long-limbed. The brass proclaimed nobly, the oboes sang tenderly. The strings played with a compelling richness, and sounded like they meant what they played.

When the climax arrived, instead of bombast we had fire, the conductor and orchestra having bided their time wisely and pounced. It was a remarkable performance, and the audience seemed to know it.

American Ballet Theatre dancers Cory Steans, left, and Hee Seo. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) (Test)

And so it went. Next, on both sides of intermission, came a generous selection of music from Swan Lake. This included the appearances of four dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Hee Seo and Cory Stearns in the White Swan pas de deux from Act II, and Gillian Murphy and Alexandre Hammoudi in the Black Swan pas de deux from Act III.

ABT dancers Gillian Murphy and Alexandre Hammoudi perform at the Hollywood Bowl. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) (Test)

These dances and dancers made all the more of an impression by being luxuriantly lighted in jeweled tones and by being set up with a number of selections performed by the orchestra and Dudamel. We were able to better appreciate the strengths of the Swan Lake music without visual distraction, as it were, and then have the eye candy for dessert.

And what beauties are in this music. Dudamel took a minimalist approach in his conducting manner, nudging here, coaxing there, encouraging here, all with the smallest of motions and some slight swiveling of the body.

The Opening Scene from Act I was ebullient, precise and snappy. In the famous Waltz from same, the violins snuck in elegantly with the main theme, phrases were caressed, dynamic contrasts ever so subtle. In a nice touch, also subtle and not expected at the Bowl, part of the trumpet section used cornets, with a mellower sound, just as Tchaikovsky intended.

Then came the 1812 Overture, with de rigueur fireworks and, also de rigueur here, members of the USC Trojan Marching Band to add that extra sizzle and pomp. This is where the musical connoisseur rolls his eyes, but the conductor (who we could see on the big screens) was so clearly having a good time, and the orchestra was not phoning it in but playing as if this were the Pathetique Symphony, and the fireworks (even Dudamel got to press a button to launch something or other) were so perfectly gauged. It was impossible to resist.

The USC marching band, adding its pomp to the annual program. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) (Test)

Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.

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The retired and revered American novelist Philip Roth probably isnt surprised that his books are so rarely adapted into successful movies. Roths novels, which include some of the signature works of 20th century American literature, are full of counter-lives and deceptions, shifting shape many times over from beginning to end and throwing up roadblocks to convenient interpretation.

The movies cannot match their narrative momentum, nor their candor, and brand-name auteurs have seemed reluctant to try.

Undaunted, this year brings two ambitious Roth adaptations to the big screen, each the work of a first-time director. James Schamus Indignation opened last month to strong reviews  many critics called it the best Roth film adaptation ever  and actor Ewan McGregors adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Pastoral arrives Oct. 21.

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Roths most challenging novels understand identity as a series of nested Chinese boxes. The stories we tell about ourselves never rest on stable ground. An intensely private person whose books are sometimes designed to resemble confessions, Roth is inordinately interested in the ways we  tragically, farcically  misrepresent and misunderstand one another.

The epic monologues of Roths prickly, narcissistic antiheroes are preoccupied with the mess of male sexual desire, intellectual competition, the aging body and authorial self-reflexivity  none of which makes for the usual dramatic material of Hollywood movies.

Ross Posnock, a professor of the humanities at Columbia and author of the book Philip Roths Rude Truth, said he finds the earlier Roth films mirthless and flat, and chalks it up to a fear of the pungency and richness, the outrage and excess, the over-the-top verbal intoxication of the novelists work. The films domesticate Roth, tame him.

Roths first two literary successes were adapted into films starring Richard Benjamin as the young Jewish protagonist. The National Book Award-winning Goodbye, Columbus, Roths satirical 1959 novella about class, cultural assimilation and contraception, was made a decade later into a kind of companion piece to The Graduate. Its a warm, entertaining movie, but it evokes none of the furor caused by the novella on its publication. In treating both urban and country club Jews as comic fodder, the volume was considered in some circles to be my Mein Kampf, Roth once said.

The mostly forgotten 1972 movie adaptation of the iconic Portnoys Complaint was an unmitigated disaster, rewriting the novels rollicking, carnal prose as a series of one-liners. Roth called it unspeakable, and Roger Ebert got to the heart of the matter, writing that when you try to handle bad taste in good taste, you almost always wind up with something truly obscene.

After Portnoy, it was another three decades before another Roth adaptation made it to screens  though the author did write the screenplay for a long-lost 1984 TV movie adaptation of The Ghost Writer.

Robert Bentons turgid 2003 film adaptation of The Human Stain might have been an even greater disappointment than Portnoy. Hampered by inexplicable casting  Anthony Hopkins as the light-skinned African American Coleman Silk, Gary Sinise as prolific Jewish author and Roth alter ego Nathan Zuckerman  the movie manages to whittle down a complex, historically resonant study of identity politics and Americas infatuation with the fantasy of purity into a stale, portentous melodrama.

In 2008, Spanish director Isabel Coixet adapted The Dying Animal, Roths brutally frank novella about mortality and sexual desire, into Elegy, a May-December romance starring Ben Kingsley as a professor who coolly seduces then obsesses over his student Penelope Cruz. The idea of a female filmmaker grappling with the pitiless self-interrogation of a compulsive misogynist sounded promising. But though Coixet is attentive to the details of Upper West Side intellectual life, her tasteful film never attempts to find a visual corollary for the books sordid, unruly impulses.

Though hardly a success, director Barry Levinsons unlikely 2014 film of Roths late short novel The Humbling (which received some of the roughest reviews of the authors career) at least gets its hands dirty. Shepherded to the screen by its star Al Pacino, it follows an aging Shakespearean actors emotional crack-up over the loss of his gifts, and his erotic reawakening in a Connecticut country house. The requisite May-December relationship joins Pacino with Greta Gerwig, and while they lack chemistry, the clash of performance styles generates a strange and not entirely unwelcome friction. The movies jittery humor never really transcends its masculinist pomp. Still, like its protagonist who takes a literal swan dive off the stage, it comes by its failures honestly.

Young filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, whose acerbic, pitch-black comedy Listen Up Philip is openly indebted to Roth, has read enough Roth novels to understand the fools errand of adapting his work: Part of what makes Roths work resistant to smooth cinematic translations is simply the overwhelmingly literary nature of the novels, which is to say, the sense that the writing and the tone and the spirit of his work is for the page and belongs on the page.

So its a welcome surprise that Schamus Indignation works so well as a movie. Roths 2008 novel is especially well-suited to adaptation; the characters are psychologically legible, and the story, set at a small Midwestern university during the Korean War, moves in a straight line. Roth reveals the novels one major metaphysical wrinkle  that it is being narrated by its protagonist from beyond the grave  halfway through the text, while Schamus makes this information available to viewers at the outset. Otherwise, the film sticks close to the source text, preserving its ambiguities, and Schamus creates a slightly suffocating atmosphere that richly serves the material.

The upcoming American Pastoral could provide an even more difficult challenge. Widely considered one of Roths masterworks, American Pastoral is set on a broad sweeping canvas with more sweeping political and social meaning.

For Roth aficionados, it might be more pleasant to daydream about all the unrealized or half-imagined adaptations. In 2008, Jack Nicholson mentioned wanting to play the shameless, incomparably lusty Mickey Sabbath of Sabbaths Theater, because the hardest thing to findis a sexual component for an older character. And the great French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin, whose overstuffed intellectual epics share some of Roths DNA, described a current writing project as a riff on a character from Sabbaths Theater.

But the director also knows not to overstep. Responding to a rumor that he was considering an adaptation of Roths impossibly knotty masterpiece The Counterlife, Desplechin sounded incredulous:  The Counterlife? The Counterlife! How can  the first chapters of The Counterlife, it belongs to literature. Its impossible to put that on-screen.

calendar@latimes.com
Pete Fountain, the goateed clarinetist who became a global ambassador of New Orleans jazz with his flawlessly slippery technique and joyful sound, died Saturday of heart failure while in hospice care in New Orleans.

Fountains son-in-law and manager, Benny Harrell, confirmed the death, the Associated Press reported.

Its a sad day for his family, Harrell said. And its sad, too, for all of New Orleans. Pete and his clarinet brought a lot of love and music to the world. He will greatly be missed.

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Fountain combined the Swing Era sensibility of jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman with the down-home, freewheeling style characteristic of traditional New Orleans jazz to become a national star in the 1950s, when he was hired as a featured soloist on the The Lawrence Welk Show.

He also became a favorite of Johnny Carson and made dozens of appearances on The Tonight Show during Carsons long tenure at the helm of the late-night talk show.

Fountain also opened and often performed at his own club in New Orleans French Quarter, regaling audiences with his performances of New Orleans standards, gospel songs and reworked versions of pop hits.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

His association with the gospel song A Closer Walk With Thee turned the song into his personal theme, and he performed it, along with celebrated trumpeter Al Hirt at a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in New Orleans in 1987.

I have always heard about the beautiful music of New Orleans, the pope said following the performance. Today I have been able to hear it and admire it personally.

Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr., was born July 3, 1930, in New Orleans, the great grandson of a French immigrant who came to the U.S. in the early 19th century. He took up the clarinet as a child, attracted to the woodwind instrument even though he suffered frequent respiratory illness because of weakened lungs.

He was directed to a wind instrument by a physician who thought it might help him develop greater lung strength, a strategy that paid off and not only improved his physical health, but gave him the career that lasted a lifetime.

He often said he tried to blend the King of Swing Goodmans formidable clarinet technique with a mellower sound favored by New Orleans clarinetist Irving Fazola. Another New Orleans clarinetist, George Lewis, also was one of Fountains early role models.

The exposure Fountain got from Welks show made his crisp mustache and goatee  and, in later years, his bald pate  instantly recognizable to millions of television viewers, but his free-spirit approach to music clashed with Welks insistence on by-the-book musical discipline.

After Fountain played a typically loose and limber arrangement of the Christmas song Silver Bells during one show, the band leader known as the Champagne music maker fired Fountain, he noted in his autobiography, A Closer Walk With Pete Fountain.

Champagne and bourbon dont mix, Fountain quipped about the incident to an interviewer later.

Pete Fountain and his Half Fast Walking Club at Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2010. (Bill Haber / Associated Press )

Fountains home was devastated in 2005 by damage from Hurricane Katrina and failures of the levees around New Orleans, and he spoke of the lifestyle change forced upon him and his family, like millions of other Gulf Coast residents who were displaced during that disaster.

We went from 10,000 square feet to 1,500, he told the Daily Star newspaper later that year. Thats what you really call downsizing.

Despite the loss of many personal possessions and mementos, including photos of jazz great Louis Armstrong with whom he had performed, Fountain said he recovered two of my best clarinets, so Im OK. I can still toot, he told the Associated Press.

He was a fixture at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and many festival-goers felt their pilgrimage to the Crescent City was incomplete until they heard Fountain play. He also regularly led his Half Fast Walking Club through the citys streets during Mardi Gras festivities, and was one of its star attractions annually.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly Fountain, three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Funeral arrangements are pending.

randy.lewis@latimes.com

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The alleged bribes and kickbacks that prosecutors said flowed like honey between government officials at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and people who did business at the venerable stadium exceeded $2 million  cash that belonged to the taxpayers.

Some of the money was funneled in regular installments through a Miami bank account, a detail redolent of a film noir script.

A grand jury returned a sweeping list of felony charges. Named in the indictments were three managers at the publicly owned Coliseum, two prominent promoters of rave concerts at the venue and a janitorial contractor who quickly became a fugitive. All were facing long prison stretches if convicted.

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Now, however, the case that grew out of a Times investigation in 2011 has become the latest embarrassment for the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, which had already racked up a number of missteps and setbacks in other high-profile, government corruption prosecutions.

A series of blunders by two separate teams of prosecutors in the Coliseum saga, who have acknowledged twice mishandling evidence, forced them to the bargaining table with defense attorneys.

As a result, the concert promoters have been allowed to plead no contest to misdemeanor counts in deals that guarantee they will not spend a single day behind bars.

The main defendant in the case, former Coliseum events manager Todd DeStefano, who was accused of pocketing the bulk of the money, pleaded no contest to one felony count Friday. As part of a settlement with prosecutors, he will serve six months in county jail and pay $500,000 in restitution.

If convicted at a trial, DeStefano could have received a 10-year prison sentence.

It appears that the prosecutors are cutting their losses, said Gerald Uelmen, a retired Santa Clara University law school professor. He said the bungling of evidence by the district attorneys Public Integrity Division likely caused the office to fear the case otherwise could get tossed out entirely due to prosecutorial misconduct.

In an unusually sharp rebuke, Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy said the division seemed incapable of handling complex prosecutions involving large numbers of documents.

The main prosecutor, Dana Aratani, was removed from the case last year after he acknowledged inappropriately viewing emails between one of the defendants and his lawyer, a violation of attorney-client privilege rules. Last week, Aratanis replacement, Terrie Tengelsen, said she had contact with him about the case, despite a promise to the judge not to do so.

Stanford Law School professor Robert Weisberg said the prosecutors error was very rare and its really bad  a real no-no.

Todd DeStefano (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times )

Plainly furious, Kennedy urged the district attorneys office to seek settlements with the defendants. They have no justification for what they did, she said of the prosecutors.

Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey declined to be interviewed, but issued a statement Friday praising the work of the anti-corruption division.

The fact that we erred in our handling of voluminous evidence in one case does not mean that we are not capable of prosecuting these types of cases, Lacey said. We handle thousands of complex cases successfully each year and will continue to improve our methods. The resolution of this case resulted in the defendants being appropriately held accountable for their actions.

The office noted that the defendants had agreed to pay more than $1 million to county taxpayers.

Earlier this year, a judge dismissed the district attorneys corruption prosecution of three city officials for Irwindale, who were accused of spending taxpayers money on lavish dinners and trips to New York. That case was marked by an appellate court decision that found prosecutors had withheld evidence favorable to the defendants and a separate ruling that the district attorneys office missed a deadline to file certain criminal charges.

In March, in another defeat for the office, a jury acquitted a former L.A. City Council aide and his wife who were accused of scheming to help another elected official siphon thousands of dollars in public money for personal use. A third defendant had pleaded guilty in 2014.

The district attorneys office also has struggled with lengthy delays in the corruption case against John Noguez, the former Los Angeles County assessor charged in 2012 with taking bribes. He has pleaded not guilty, and the case has yet to reach the preliminary-hearing stage. Prosecutors have blamed the sluggish pace on the massive amount of evidence and the fact that Noguez and a co-defendant changed attorneys.

Insomniac founder Pasquale Rotella, who was indicted on six felony counts in an alleged bribery scheme and faced six to seven years in prison, pleaded no contest to a single misdemeanor charge in a deal that will allow him to avoid jail time. He will pay the county $150,000. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times )

Even some of the district attorneys larger successes in corruption cases have been clouded. The office won a felony perjury and voter fraud prosecution of former L.A. City Councilman Richard Alarcon in 2014, but only after Kennedy initially threw out the charges after determining that the office failed to properly instruct grand jurors weighing the evidence.

A panel of appellate justices overturned Alarcons conviction this year, ruling that the trial judge had given improper jury instructions.

One of the Public Integrity Divisions big wins  the 2013 convictions of seven officials in the city of Bell scandal  came as Kennedy questioned why prosecutors did not file charges against the municipalitys police chief, Randy Adams, who denied doing anything wrong.

The Bell case followed a series of Times stories in 2010 on the high salaries collected by city officials. The Times later reported that three Bell police officials said they had previously asked the district attorney to investigate corruption in their city, but the office dropped the matter.

In the Coliseum case, Kennedy suggested that the district attorneys office seek advice from federal prosecutors in managing difficult trials with reams of paperwork and extensive digital evidence. The D.A.s office has a serious problem in dealing with these huge paper cases, she said. This problem is not going to go away. Its only going to get bigger.

Without a fix, the judge added, the office is going to lose every one of these prosecutions.

Joseph N. Akrotirianakis, who once prosecuted corruption cases for the U.S. attorneys Los Angeles office, said he understood Kennedys frustration. If the prosecution loses the judge, he said, it must be prepared to resolve a case on terms favorable to the defendant, or more favorable than the people believe justice requires.

Boston College Law School professor George Brown said the district attorneys office, like other county prosecution agencies, might be better off leaving public corruption cases to their federal counterparts.

One of the themes you hear a lot is that the feds are more professional and proficient, Brown said. The feds just do a better job. This case would seem to be a nice piece of evidence for that side of the argument.

Reza Gerami (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times )

This weeks plea deals werent the first that the district attorneys office extended to a Coliseum defendant. At the start of the case, prosecutors accepted a plea by the Coliseums former general manager, Patrick Lynch, to a felony count in an arrangement that kept him out of jail. In exchange, Lynch returned $385,000 in suspected kickbacks  including the funds deposited in Miami  he received from the contractor, Tony Estrada, who remains at large.

The Lynch plea bargain predated the prosecutions troubles with the evidence, but it nevertheless raised eyebrows among legal experts, who considered it unusually favorable to the defendant.

Jennifer G. Rodgers, executive director of Columbia Law Schools Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity, said in an email that the Coliseum case should be a warning to all corruption fighters.

It is always a shame when those who sell their offices and violate the public trust avoid punishment due to prosecutorial mistakes, but thats how our system works, Rodgers said. Thats why prosecutors and investigators need to be vigilant in following the rules and proper procedures.

paul.pringle@latimes.com

rong-gong.lin@latimes.com

For more on the Coliseum scandal, follow us on Twitter: @PringleLATimes and @ronlin

Times staff writer Marisa Gerber contributed to this report.

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My first brush with California Coastal Commissioner Dayna Bochco was a bit awkward.

It was in February, at the commission hearing in Morro Bay. She was irked by a column of mine, and she told me so.

Id written about a political fundraiser for the incoming state Assembly speaker, Anthony Rendon. It was hosted by, among others, Bochco and a hired gun who represents developers seeking commission approval for their projects.

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Other lobbyist/consultants were there, too, as were reps from companies with projects in play. Some of them wrote checks to the incoming speaker, who would have the authority to appoint new coastal commissioners.

Bochco and her husband, Steven, have produced some of televisions biggest hits, including L.A. Law and NYPD Blue.

It was all way too cozy and an example of why we should all fear the clout and political connections of those who want to build on whats left of the undeveloped coast.

Bochco argued that she was innocently supporting a politician she believed in.

Despite my first impression, Ive been watching closely, and Bochco seems to be one of the more principled and least politicized members of the 12-person Coastal Commission. Unlike some of her colleagues, her vote is often difficult to predict. Currently vice chair, she could well be the next chair at a critical time in the 40-year history of coastal protection.

So during my 1,100-mile trip down the coast, from Oregon to Mexico, I asked if Bochco would meet with me.

Live Updates -- Follow along with Steve 

She said yes.

We met up Thursday at Bochco Productions in Santa Monica. Bochco and her husband, Steven, have produced some of televisions biggest hits, including L.A. Law and NYPD Blue.

I suggested the drama of the last eight months at the Coastal Commission could make for a juicy TV serial -- the colliding forces of ego, money and power along Californias world-famous shoreline.

1 / 121 A woman takes a break from riding her horse on Imperial Beach, one of only a few places along the coast where horses are allowed. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 121 Palm fronds reveal a surfer, a couple and children taking in sunset at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 121 The tide splashes up on the beach at sunset on a warm summer evening at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 121 Backdropped by San Diegos skyline, former Sen. James Mills, 89, stands at his Coronado apartment with the bike he rode from Sacramento to San Diego in 1972 to promote Proposition 20, which created the Coastal Commission and led to the Coastal Act. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 121 Children camping at Campland on the Bay paddle around on body boards in the warm waters of San Diegos Mission Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 121 A view from the Torrey Pines Gliderport cliffs, overlooking Blacks Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 121 A California sea lions basks in the evening sunlight while resting on a rock in the La Jolla Marine Reserve, one of 11 California marine protected areas (MPAs). (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 121 A bod surfer is upended amid the crashing shorebreak at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 121 A surfer heads in by a fire pit, hammock and palapa at dusk at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 121 Mila Renieri and Diego Merli of Milan, Italy, play on a homemade teeter-totter at San Onofre State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 121 A no beach access sign is posted at Dan Blocker Beach scenic viewpoint. The beach is one of several in Malibu that dont allow public access. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 121 RV campers have an ocean view, just across from Pacific Coast Highway at the Malibu Beach RV Park in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 121 A kayaker checks out the clear waters of Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 121 A snorkeler swims around a reef/ rock formation at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 121 A snorkeler looks for fish at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 121 Garibaldi, the California state fish, swim and feed on rocks at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 121 Small fish swim at the reef at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 121 A surfer rides a wave at sunset at Old Mans surf break at San Onofre State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 121 A bodyboarder rides a wave at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 121 Anders Hamborg rides a wave before his shift working as a Huntington Beach city lifeguard on a warm summer day in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 121 A view of the beach through a telescope at Pacific City, a new 31-acre mixed use development in Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City U.S.A. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 121 The site of the proposed Banning Ranch development now before the Calif. Coastal Commission. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 121 The tide rolls in at twilight at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) nuclear power plant located on the border of San Diego County and San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 121 A view of the AES Huntington Beach Generating Station, where an ocean water intake pipe is located that uses a technique of once-through cooling that is harmful to marine life scheduled to be phased out by 2020. The California Coastal Commission is holding a hearing on the proposed Poseidon Huntington beach Desalination project September 7/8. Poseidon would operate next to the AES power plant and use its ocean water intake pipe. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 121 A dolphin leaps out of the water with a view of south Laguna Beach in the background on Aug. 12, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 121 A pod of dolphins leaps out of the water with a view of south Laguna Beach in the background on Aug. 12, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 121 The Spirit of Dana Point, a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer schooner used during the American Revolution, takes a sunset cruise past The Headlands, center, and The Strand at Headlands development, left, in Dana Point. The Coastal Commission approved the 121-acre development known as The Strand at Headlands in 2004, but only after a decades-long fight between conservationists and the developer. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 121 The orange glow of the setting sun shines through palm trees on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 121 Beach combers enjoy a warm summer evening exploring the ocean and coastline of Main Beach, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 121 Couples enjoy a sunset on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 121 Beach combers are silhouetted by the skys glow while exploring the rocks at sunset on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 121 Children run along the beach at twilight near the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 121 The sun sets over the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 121 Kayakers take a scenic cruise in Monterey Bay on a summer day in Monterey. In the background, sand dunes line the coast where the proposed hotel and condominium Monterey Bay Shores development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 121 Isabella, 9, and Holden, 7, roast marshmallows over a beach fire with their parents, Steve and Amy Knuff of Aliso Viejo at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 121 Incoming tide rolls onto the beach at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 121 A photographer captures the sunset over the ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 121 The Point Vicente Lighthouse illuminates the landscape at twilight in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 121 A person climbs up the giant Point Mugu Sand Dune, across from Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Ventura County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 121 Taylor Geer and Marissa Acosta of Thousand Oaks relax on top of the giant Point Mugu Sand Dune, across from Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Ventura County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 121 Kids play on a stand-up-paddleboard at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 121 Vivienne Lee, 7, of Thousand Oaks, jumps across rocks under the arches of a rock formation while watching the tide roll in at twilight at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 121 Keenan Yoo watches the waves crash at twilight at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 121 A tidal inlet reflects the surrounding landscape as a couple walk with their dog at twilight along Arroyo Burro Beach County Park in Santa Barbara. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 121 A Blue Heron flies over the Naples State Marine Conservation Area. Phil McKenna, president of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, says the portion down-coast of Point Conception contains approximately 50% of its remaining rural coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 121 A man fishes in the ocean at sunset at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park in Santa Barbara. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 121 A deer takes a break from grazing to look out over the meadow in Cambria. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 121 A man walking his dog is viewed underneath a Cypress tree canopy over the beach boardwalk along Moonstone Beach in Cambria. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 121 A surfer rides a wave near a rock formation in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 121 The sun, filtered by forest fire ash and fog, goes down at the Morro Bay Marina, with a view of Morro Rock and sailboats. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 121 Surfers walk down the beach after surfing in front of Morro Rock. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 121 A windmill lines an undeveloped stretch of coast along Cayucos Estero Bay with Morro Rock visible in the background. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 121 A child bundled up in a thick wetsuit, cap and life jacket, skips to the waters edge with an adult taking them body boarding in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 121 A child toting sand toys heads across the sand dunes at Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 121 The tide fills in between jagged rock and cliff formations at Montana de Oro State Beach in Los Osos. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 121 The tide fills in between jagged rock and cliff formations at Montana de Oro State Beach in Los Osos. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 121 Elephant Seals battle one another on the beach rookery at Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, San Simeon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 121 A scenic view of the setting sun shining through the fog along the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 121 A scenic view of a waterfall spilling onto the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 121 A scenic view of an iconic California coastline gem, the Bixby Bridge, Big Sur. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 121 Tourists sit together at a lookout point while exploring the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 121 A scenic view taken from Rocky Point, looking out over the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 121 Elephant Seals gather on the beach rookery at Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, San Simeon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 121 Kayakers take a scenic cruise on Monterey Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 121 A scenic view of Garrapata State Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 121 A view of Carmel Sunset Beach on a summer day. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 121 A child climbs a dune on the site of a proposed, nearly 400-unit hotel and condominium development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 121 A Western snowy plover, a threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act, stands amid critical habitat at the site of the proposed Monterey Bay Shores condo and hotel development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 121 Amid fog, Mark Massara, a decades-long coastal steward, surfs in front of Shark Tooth Rock at Martins Beach, where an access gate remains locked despite a judges order to landowner Vinod Khosla to to open the private gate and allow public access to the beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez revisits Santa Cruz, where he surfed as a boy. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez surfs in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 121 The sun illuminates the incoming tide as a child plays in the water near Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 121 A harbor seal lets out a yawn while relaxing on the rocks at Pigeon Point Light Station near Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 121 A sailor heads out to sea from Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 121 A mural on a beach cottage wall at Martins Beach, where an access gate remains locked despite a judges order to landowner Vinod Khosla to to open the private gate and allow public access to the beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 121 The sun sets as a crew team glides through the water near Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 77 / 121 A tourist takes in the coastline scenery at Pigeon Point Light Station near Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 121 A view of the scenic Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park in Pescadero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 79 / 121 Sailboats and stand-up-paddle boarders share the water off Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 121 Ash from a nearby forest fire creates a yellow-hued sky at sunset at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 121 A view of one of Californias most beloved coastal gems: the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 82 / 121 An egret searches for breakfast on a foggy morning at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 83 / 121 A family walks across the beach amid the fog at Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 84 / 121 A man checking the surf is silhouetted by evening sunshine reflecting off the ocean amid fog at Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 85 / 121 Harbor Seals relax in the mud at low tide on a foggy morning at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 86 / 121 A crab crawls through the mud at low tide at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 87 / 121 White pelicans and sea gulls perch on a sand bar in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 88 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, left, gets a kayak tour through the eel grass from Amy Trainer, right, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 89 / 121 A coyote hunts for food along the shore in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 90 / 121 Tom Baty, a local environmentalist, has a collection of Japanese glass fishing floats he found on the beach over the years. They are used to hold up fishing nets. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 91 / 121 Tom Baty has been involved in the fight to close the oyster farm on Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 92 / 121 A harbor seal checks out kayakers in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 93 / 121 Steve Lopez, left, gets a kayak tour from Amy Trainer, in white kayak, Brett Miller and Cicely Muldoon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 94 / 121 Remnants of oyster racks are part of a restoration project to remove 470 tons of marine debris and 5 miles of oyster racks in Drakes Estero (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 95 / 121 Amy Trainer, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network, kayaks past oyster racks in Drakes Estero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 96 / 121 Amy Trainer, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network, kayaks past oyster racks in Drakes Estero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 97 / 121 The tide pools at the scenic Shell Beach in Sea Ranch, Calif. Sea Ranch rallied a generation of coastal stewards demanding public access to the rugged and scenic beauty on the Sonoma County coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 98 / 121 A view of flowers overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Bodega Head, Bodega Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 99 / 121 A blue heron perches on a branch at The Hole in Bodega Head that was meant to hold a nuclear power plant. Photo taken at Bodega Head, Bodega Bay, Calif. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 100 / 121 A view of the rugged beauty of the Sonoma County coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 101 / 121 Couples take a scenic walk on the beach in Crescent City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 102 / 121 The rocky coastline of Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 103 / 121 Fog partially obscures the high cliffs of the Lost Coast, where early conservation activists fought development in Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 104 / 121 A woman watches the tide roll in on Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove along the Lost Coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 105 / 121 A woman walks along Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 106 / 121 An evening view of the Mendocino County coastline in Northern California. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 107 / 121 A full moon rises at dusk over the protected Ma-lel Dunes in Arcata, which contain eight distinct habitats. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 108 / 121 Sunset illuminates Battery Point Lighthouse and sea stacks in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 109 / 121 A surfer heads out at sunset to catch a wave near a sea stack in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 110 / 121 Flowers overlooking Enderts Beach near Crescent City on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 111 / 121 The Battery Point Lighthouse illuminates the night sky near sea stacks in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 112 / 121 A couple walks along the beach at Pelican Bay State Beach after crossing the California border from Oregon on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 113 / 121 Empty half-acre lots and paved roads are now part of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 114 / 121 A blue heron lands on a tree branch amid the rich habitat of the south Lake Earl Wildlife Area, which was formerly private Bliss Ranch and is now public land near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 115 / 121 Water ripples among reeds in the near-empty half-acre lots and paved roads that are now part of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 116 / 121 Sunset illuminates sea stacks and the coastline at False Klamath Cove in Redwood National Park near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 117 / 121 The sun sets behind trees at False Klamath Cove in Redwood National Park near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 118 / 121 A view of the Smith River National Recreation Area in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 119 / 121 Times columnist Steve Lopez, right, kayaks with Grant Werschkull, left, co-executive director of the Smith River Alliance, on the Smith River National Recreation Area in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 120 / 121 An elk grazes in the meadow at sunset in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 121 / 121 Patterns formed by the wind and bird footprints in the sand at the Ma-lel Dunes North, which contains eight different habitats, in Arcata on July 19, 2016. The dunes are highlighted as a victory for the coast after a years-long fight by conservationists to keep off-highway vehicles off the unique sand dunes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

She rolled her eyes.

Bochco often commutes to commission meetings in her husbands private jet, along with other L.A.-based commissioners. Some commissioners hold or aspire to public office, and the unpaid job is a great way to build connections with potential donors, deal-makers and others. But Bochco isnt running for anything, so far as I know, and I wondered why she took on a job that eats up a lot of time and brings no shortage of second-guessing.

Youre the conspiracy theorist.  Dayna Bochco, to Steve Lopez

Bochco developed her love of the coast growing up in the upscale San Diego County beach town of Del Mar. She has served on the Natural Resources Defense Councils leadership council, and Heal the Bays board, and has testified at various hearings about marine and environmental issues.

Friends put her name into contention as a coastal commissioner and then-Sen. Darrell Steinberg appointed her in 2011.

I thought, Id rather be up there making the decisions than trying to influence them, she said.

Bochco said Steinberg never advised her how she should vote on any matter, nor has his Senate pro tem successor, Kevin de Leon, she said.

She said she is unaware of any attempt by Gov. Jerry Brown to influence any development or personnel issue before the commission, including the controversial firing of Executive Director Charles Lester.

That public execution led to warnings from longtime coastal advocates, including former commissioners. They said this commission was trying to wrestle control from the traditionally independent executive director and staff, clearing the way for more development, including a huge Newport Beach project the staff had recommended against.

Bochco doesnt see it that way. She said she believes the current commission has not been any more or less accommodating to development than previous commissions. As for Lester, she didnt vote to fire him, but said she had lots of problems with his performance.

Bochco said Lesters predecessor, Peter Douglas, knew how to keep commissioners at arms length but was also accessible if they needed him to clarify something. Lester would say, Ill have to get back to you, Bochco said, and then take forever to do so.

We could never get anything out of him, she said.

Lester may have been a ponderous manager, but he was admired by staff and was admirably devoted to enforcement of the Coastal Act. In the end, he didnt have the political skills that might have saved him from the circling sharks.

I dont doubt Bochcos account of her issues with Lester, but she seems to suffer from her own lack of political acuity.

If she thinks commissioners will pick a Lester successor without direct or indirect input from the highest offices in Sacramento, shes mistaken.

If she thinks Brown has no interest in promoting more coastal development, his recent plan to allow housing construction without Coastal Act consideration is evidence to the contrary. And Bochco, by the way, strongly opposes that plan.

I dont think any of us is in the sway of anybody.  Dayna Bochco

Last week, it appeared that a bill to ban private meetings between commissioners and developers was deliberately sabotaged by a suspicious report from the states Natural Resources Agency, which is under Browns direct control. Bochco supports the ban on private conversations and said she disagreed with the conclusions in that report, which saw costs to taxpayers that other studies had not. But she didnt necessarily see any dark plotting.

Youre the conspiracy theorist, she said.

Conspiracy theorist? Im just looking at whats right in front of me.

Two commissioners are targets of ethics investigations related to campaign donations they received from the business partner of a lobbyist who represents some of the biggest projects on the commission docket.

One of those same commissioners admitted to me that she has stayed at the home of a lobbyist who often does business before the commission.

Another commissioner paid a fine earlier this year for an ethics violation on a conflict-of-interest vote.

Yet another commissioner is a political consultant who voted on a project involving one of her clients.

The commission chair has twice failed to report private on-site visits with developers of the massive Newport Banning Ranch development up for approval next month, and he also urged the staff to reconsider its designation of the property as an environmentally sensitive habitat area.

I could go on, but Im running out of space.

I cant defend any given behavior that may have crossed a line, Bochco said. But she stuck up for her colleagues. She conceded that some are more political than others, but added:

I dont think any of us is in the sway of anybody.

Once again, I dont doubt that Bochco really sees it that way, or that she is driven by anything more than a love of the coast and a desire to work on things like guaranteeing public access, protecting orcas and planning for sea level rise.

But I strongly disagree with her about one thing.

Shes the expert, sure. But I still think this dark political potboiler would make for great TV.

steve.lopez@latimes.com | Follow on Twitter: @LATstevelopez

Weigh in at @JerryBrownGov #SaveYourCoast and (916 445-2841) or email governor@governor.ca.gov.

MORE FROM THE ROADTRIP

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Our road tripping columnist confronts the dark side of oyster farming and the beauty of breaching whales
San Bernardino County has reached an agreement with the federal government after an investigation found that it violated federal law by not having a system in place to identify students with disabilities in the community and juvenile court schools it manages.

The county has agreed to develop a process for identifying students with suspected disabilities and providing them with services tailored to their needs. It will hire a project manager to create an action plan to fix problems, create a system for monitoring special education and review the educational plans of students with disabilities.

We found in the investigation that in fact the county did not have an effective data tracking system to ensure that students would be identified or evaluated for disabilities, said Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, which began a compliance review of the county in 2014. I am very pleased with the countys willingness to do right by its students.

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San Bernardino County manages two juvenile court schools that teach young people while theyre detained or incarcerated. It also has 14 community, or alternative, schools, where students are sent following expulsion or truancy. In the 2013-2014 school year, 645 students attended the community schools and 238 were in court schools.

The government review also concluded that the county has been determining the services students with disabilities received with an eye to saving money, not to meeting individual needs.

We saw that the county routinely reduced the number of service minutes for students who had in their prior educational settings received more minutes of support, Lhamon said.

Investigators learned about this issue by looking at student records. They found that most students files contained exactly the same language to explain why their hours had been reduced  stating that 120 minutes of services will be sufficient to insure that the student has the opportunity to succeed in the classroom.

Once a student was identified for evaluation, the government found, there was so much paperwork that often by the time a psychologist was prepared to evaluate him, he had already cycled out of the school.

San Bernardino County School Superintendent Theodore Alejandre was not immediately available for comment, but Lhamon praised the county for being cooperative and for starting to train teachers and address its problems before the investigation ended.

You can reach Joy Resmovits on Twitter @Joy_Resmovits and by email at Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com.
Good morning. Its Saturday, Aug 6. Heres what you dont want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

Tight fit: The Expo Line rail service to Santa Monica is proving to be very popular. In June, the 11.5-mile Expo Line saw nearly as many trips as the Gold Line, which is twice as long. But theres a problem: Cars are overpacked, causing complaints from riders. A years-long series of delays in acquiring cars for several new rail lines has left Metro without a way to meet demand. Los Angeles Times

Oops, they did it again: The no-jail plea deals for two concert promoters charged in a $1.8-million bribery and embezzlement scheme involving raves at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the latest embarrassment for the Los Angeles County district attorneys anti-corruption unit, which had already racked up a number of missteps and setbacks in other high-profile, government corruption prosecutions. Los Angeles Times

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How to save a life? A string of drug-related deaths at rave concerts in Southern California has prompted criticism as well as demands for the government to crack down. Is one solution to simply create a 21-and-over age limit? LA Weekly

Shifting alliances: Orange County used to be a Republican stronghold. But not anymore. A wave of Democratic registration in recent years is quickly closing the gap. Republican now make up just under 40% of registration while Democrats make up about 34%. Some say the rise of Donald Trump is helping the Democrats in a county that is increasingly non-white. Orange County Register

Long commute: With housing prices in the Bay Area hitting record highs, some people are trading long commutes for a home they can call their own. The crazed San Francisco-area real estate market is pushing some homebuyers to Sacramento and other parts of the Central Valley, where they get a lot more for their money but also sit in their cars (or on trains and buses) for a long time. Wall Street Journal

Tasty: The 18 Los Angeles sandwiches you must try. BuzzFeed

Falling arches: The great arches of the 6th Street bridge are slowly coming down. Curbed Los Angeles

THIS WEEKS MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. If you live in L.A., here are 13 apps that have been deemed essential. Los Angeles Magazine

2. A castle with a drawbridge and turrets at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains is for sale at the bargain-basement price of $849,000. SFGate

3. A new drone video takes you high above the California coast. LAist

4. One of the ugliest buildings in L.A. will be getting a makeover. Curbed Los Angeles

5. Activists in Boyle Heights want art galleries in the area to move out, saying they bring the scourge of gentrification. Los Angeles Times

ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEKS GREAT READS

One mans story: A remarkable story about crime, punishment and the quest for forgiveness on the mean streets of Stockton. The ballad of Rocky Rontal. California Sunday Magazine

Difficult times: They helped the American war effort in Afghanistan. Now, they are in California and struggling to survive as refugees. Sacramento Bee

Whered everybody go? The Promenade in Woodland Hills was once one of the Valleys most fashionable shopping malls. Now, its looking more like a ghost town. Daily News

Olympic ennui: Bill Plaschke finds little love  and little interest  in the Olympics on some streets of Rio. The Olympics do nothing for me, nothing for our city. There is no benefit here to anyone but big business. It doesnt help us, it hurts us. Los Angeles Times

LOOKING AHEAD

Sunday: A commemoration service for the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings will be held at Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo.

Thursday: Actress Roma Downey gets her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Saturday: The Frogtown Art Walk in Elysian Valley.

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.
For the record: This story was originally published by the San Diego Union-Tribune in January 2010 when Betty Broderick was last denied parole. The Times inadvertently republished it Saturday with an August 2016 date, making it appear that she had just been denied parole. Broderick is in prison today. She is now 68. The Times regrets the error. This article ran in the California section on Aug. 7 and online the same day. It was incorrectly published in print with a Crime Watch label.

In a case that captivated and polarized the nation more than two decades ago, socialite Elisabeth Betty Broderick was unable to convince a jury or state appellate courts that she was not guilty of murdering her ex-husband and his new wife in their bedroom.

This week, Broderick, now 62, could not convince the state parole board that she should be released from state prison and allowed to return to society.

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It was Brodericks first chance at parole after being convicted of second-degree murder in 1991 for shooting to death her former husband, successful medical-malpractice lawyer Daniel Broderick, 44, and Linda Kolkena Broderick, 28.

RELATED: Till Death Do Us Part: Inside the sensational Betty Broderick murder case

The five-hour hearing featured emotional testimony from Broderick, her children and Kolkena family members. Brodericks children were divided: Two wanted her released; two did not.

You show no significant progress in evolving. You are still back 20 years ago in that same mode.  Robert Doyle. Board of Prison Terms commissioner

Though Broderick at one point expressed remorse, the two-person parole panel all but shut the door on her ever getting out of prison. It denied her parole for 15 years  the longest possible term under parole rules  though she can apply again in three years if she meets certain conditions.

The parole commissioners said Broderick showed no repentance for the murders.

Your heart is still bitter, and you are still angry, said Board of Prison Terms Commissioner Robert Doyle. You show no significant progress in evolving. You are still back 20 years ago in that same mode.

The couple were shot as they slept in their home near Balboa Park the morning of Nov. 5, 1989. Betty Broderick never denied pulling the trigger. But at two sensational televised trials, she said she was driven to do it after going through a bitter divorce in which she claimed she was abused emotionally and psychologically.

Prosecutors painted Broderick as a vicious stalker bent on revenge against her ex-husband and the younger woman he had left her to marry. She left numerous obscene messages on his answering machine, and once was so enraged that she drove her vehicle through the front door of Dan and Linda Brodericks home.

Others saw Betty Broderick sympathetically  as a victim of both a manipulative husband and legal system tilted against her. The story was the subject of articles, books and television movies.

All of that was of little concern to the parole board meeting at the California Institute for Women in Chino on Friday. It heard from 10 members of the Kolkena and Broderick families as well as from Broderick, who gave a lengthy statement.

She denied, as she had at her two trials, intending to kill the couple but said she had violent thoughts as she went to the home.

I had one choice: to shoot them or myself, Broderick said she recalled thinking. I couldnt let them win.

Broderick told the board that my whole world fell off its axis after the divorce and custody battle and that she wanted to kill herself. KGTV-TV, the news partner of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reported from the hearing that Broderick told the board she had great remorse.

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One of her children, Kathy Lee Broderick, said she missed her father but told the board that her mother could come and live with her. She should be able to live her later life outside prison walls, she said.

But Kathy Lees brother, Daniel Broderick, said his mother was hung up on justifying what she did and should not be let out.

Broderick was tried twice. The first jury deadlocked in 1990, unable to decide whether she was guilty of murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter. After a second jury convicted her of second-degree murder, she was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.

The case still resonates within the San Diego legal community, where the elder Dan Broderick was popular. Linda Broderick had worked as his paralegal.

The decision to deny Betty Brodericks request does not come as a surprise; few life-term inmates are granted parole by the board.

She has never shown remorse. She has never acknowledged the consequences of her actions, said Mike Neil, a close friend of Dan Broderick and a prominent San Diego lawyer.

If she were released, she would be a menace to society, and I think she is capable of killing again, he said.

The Betty Broderick trial occurred at a time when gavel-to-gavel TV coverage of such high-profile proceedings was still somewhat novel. It was the first case from San Diego televised live by CourtTV.

While Broderick remains in prison, some of the principals in the trial have moved on.

Then-Superior Court Judge Thomas Whelan, who allowed cameras in, is now a federal judge.

Prosecutor Kerry Wells, who tried both cases, is now a Superior Court judge in downtown San Diego. Wells was never comfortable with the publicity, and as a judge she rarely allows cameras into her courtroom.

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UPDATES:

Aug 12, 12:30 p.m.: The for the record was updated to reflect the correction that ran in print on Aug. 9

Aug. 8, 8:04 a.m.: This article has been corrected and updated with additional information about its time of publication.

Aug. 6 12:03 p.m.: This article has been updated with revisions and added links.
Tenant-activists are suing the city of Los Angeles after local lawmakers paved the way for a Hollywood apartment building to be converted into a boutique hotel.

The Los Angeles City Council rejected an appeal against the planned makeover of the Cherokee Avenue building earlier this year, approving the environmental review for the project.

At the time, tenant-activists argued that the city had failed to properly consider how turning the vacant building into a hotel would affect the neighborhood, especially as renters grappled with a housing crisis.

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Tenants were evicted from the Cherokee Avenue building years ago under the Ellis Act, which allows landlords to eject renters from buildings that fall under rent control if the owners plan to take the property off the rental market. Former tenants said they have struggled to find affordable apartments since.

Tenant-activists are now seeking to force the city to toss out its approval of the project. The lawsuit, filed this week by the newly formed Hollywoodians Encouraging Rental Opportunities, accuses the city of violating state law and demands that it prepare a more exhaustive report on the environmental effects of the hotel plan.

The City Councils decision is part of an egregious pattern of wrongheaded decisions by city officials who welcome project after project destroying housing that serves low-income city residents, Frank Angel, the attorney representing the group, said in a statement released Friday to reporters.

The plaintiffs also include Max Blonde, a former tenant of the Cherokee Avenue building, and Sylvie Shain, who was recently ejected from another Hollywood apartment building and initially appealed against the hotel plan.

Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for City Atty. Mike Feuer, said that city lawyers would review the complaint but had no other comment.

Building owner David Lesser, who was also named in the lawsuit, said he had yet to see the lawsuit and declined to comment Friday. During the debate over the hotel plans, his representatives argued that California law does not allow the city to consider purely economic and social effects when it weighs the environmental effects of a development project.

Shain and other tenants who lodged the lawsuit were also sharply critical of City Councilman Mitch OFarrell, who represents the area where the Hollywood building is. OFarrell did not back the hotel plans but saw no legal basis for granting the appeal, his staff told lawmakers in June.

An OFarrell spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter at @LATimesEmily

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A Poway man who investigators said may have been setting wildfires for years in San Diego Countys backcountry was found guilty this week of five counts of arson relating to a string of brush fires in Valley Center and Lakeside.

Jonathan Cohen, 45, was convicted Friday by a jury following a two-week trial in El Cajon Superior Court that relied mostly on circumstantial evidence placing Cohen in the vicinity of eight fires in 2014 and 2015 along Lake Wohlford Road in Valley Center and Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Andy Aguilar argued that Cohen would usually start the fires after unsuccessful gambling trips to the Barona Resort & Casino in Lakeside and the Valley View Casino & Hotel in Valley Center.

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A jail informant testified during the trial that Cohen told him he hated the casinos and wanted to burn them to the ground.

Security cameras recorded video and still images of Cohens car traveling on the semi-rural roads within minutes of the time each fire started.

Cohen, who could be sent to prison for more than 11 years when he is sentenced on Sept. 30, did not testify during the trial. After the verdict, Aguilar said he was grateful to the jurors, who had to sift through a very complicated case that was largely circumstantial in nature. They did a wonderful job.

The jury deliberated for just over one day before reaching the verdict.

During closing arguments Wednesday, Aguilar told jurors to ask themselves what are the chances that Cohens car would be passing by areas where flames suddenly erupted eight times. He said fire seemed to follow Cohen wherever he went.

Defense attorney David Thompson argued that the case against his client was flimsy and raised serious doubts about his guilt. Did anybody say I saw Mr. Cohen do it? No.

Cohen was charged with starting five fires, but prosecutors presented evidence that they said linked him to a total of eight blazes.

Thompson pointed out that only at one fire was any evidence recovered indicating how it began. The other fires were declared arson by a process of elimination, not hard evidence, he maintained.

None of the blazes became large. Most were quickly extinguished by firefighters or citizens. The largest was a three-acre blaze along Highway 67 in Lakeside in summer 2015.

In court documents prepared before Cohens arrest last summer, investigators said they thought it was likely that Cohen was responsible for far more fires over the past decade. They called him one of the most dangerous people in the county.

harry.jones@sduniontribune.com

Jones writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune

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Two men were killed Saturday morning making a tandem jump at a skydiving center near Lodi, authorities said.

The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office received a call of a skydiver down at the Parachute Center in Acampo around 10 a.m., Sgt. Brandon Riley said. When deputies arrived, they found two men dead in a vineyard.

It appeared the parachute did not deploy until after impact, Sheriffs Deputy Les Garcia told the Associated Press.

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The names of the victims have not been released, but they were males apparently in their 20s. One was an instructor, Riley said. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

Parachute Center owner Bill Dause told KCRA-TV the instructor in Saturdays deadly jump was an independent contractor who has made about 700 jumps.

The parachute failed to eject properly. We have no explanation why, Dause said. The only thing it looks like is something may have gone out of sequence (and) that may have caused the problem.

The Acampo center has experienced other incidents in recent years. In May, the National Transportation Safety Board investigated the forced landing of a small plane operated by the Parachute Center. Two years ago, professional skier Timy Dutton died there after colliding in midair with another skydiver, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The FAA has repeatedly proposed fines against the Acampo center for alleged safety and regulatory violations.

Dause told the Sacramento Bee earlier this year that those proposed fines were ultimately dropped. The FAA was unable to immediately confirm Saturday whether the fines had been imposed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter at @LATimesEmily

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UPDATES:

11:05 p.m.: Updated with details and quotes from the Associated Press.

This article was first posted at 2:50 p.m.
Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva proclaimed his innocence and lashed out at authorities Friday, a day after his arrest on charges that he supplied alcohol to a minor and illegally recorded a strip-poker game at his Amador County youth camp last summer.

No. 1, everyone there was 18 years old, he said at a news conference Friday, speaking of what he described as a counselor party as he stood beside his lawyer.

No. 2, I never, ever, ever, ever endangered a child  ever. No. 3, I never provided alcohol to anyone, and I certainly did not secretly record anyone.

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The charges stem from a search of Silvas cellphone in which investigators found 23 photographs and four video clips relating to a youth camp, later identified as Silver Lake Camp in Amador County, according to officials. The photos and videos were taken between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, 2015, according to prosecutors.

In one of the video clips, it appeared that moments after the video began, the phone was set down, darkening the camera lens and thus only containing audio, prosecutors said in a statement. The conversation between the participants indicated that they were naked.

Amador County Dist. Atty. Todd Riebe said the strip poker game occurred in Silvas bedroom at the camp. Prosecutors said one of the participants was a 16-year-old boy while others were of age, adding that the audio was recorded secretly and that a surreptitious recording clearly indicates that the participants did not want to be recorded.

Silva said that federal authorities illegally seized his cellphone and laptops when he returned to the United States from China in October, and that the items were handed over to a task force that was investigating him.

A forensic examination of a lifetime of messages, emails, videos and pictures produced an audio recording of a counselor party that lasted about a minute in length, he said.

According to prosecutors, witnesses told FBI agents that Silva provided alcohol to the poker game participants, all of whom were younger than the legal drinking age. Witnesses stated also that Silva had supplied alcohol and made it available to a number of underage counselors at the camp, officials said.

Included in the evidence were details of a prior episode in which Silva audiotaped a conversation with a Stockton city employee without consent, officials said. Prosecutors said that another witness told investigators that Silva had cameras installed in his bedroom and at the Stockton Kids Club.

The Stockton Police Officers Assn. and a councilman have both called on Silva to resign.

Silva has faced controversy before.

In 2012, a 19-year-old woman accused him of committing sexual battery a year before. No charges were filed, and Silva told a local TV station that the woman was a disgruntled former employee.

A year later, then-City Manager Bob Deis claimed that Silva had secretly recorded their conversations and asked the San Joaquin County district attorney to investigate.

In 2014, after a fight in a limousine, the mayor was handcuffed but never arrested. The limousine driver and passengers sued Silva, including a woman who alleged the mayor had made inappropriate advances.

In February 2015, a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol that was registered to Silva -- and which he would report as stolen -- was used to kill 13-year-old Rayshawn Harris while he stood in his driveway, according to the San Joaquin County district attorneys office.

Silva on Friday said he did not immediately report the gun as stolen because authorities told him to check to make sure it had not been misplaced by house movers.

For the past week I have been raked over the coals by the media because I owned a gun and reported it missing, he said. As soon as I was absolutely sure it was missing, I reported it.

Silva denied a prosecutors claim that he had refused to talk to investigators at his home about the gun theft, though he said he did refer them to his lawyer.

Silva said it was absolutely untrue that I am not willing to cooperate with the investigation to bring a young boys killer to justice.

The mayor, who is running for reelection in November, said the charges were politically motivated.

For those of you that have been missing your episodes of House of Cards, Scandal or Game of Thrones, I am sure you have been following Stockton politics the last week, and its also been equally as entertaining, he said.

richard.winton@latimes.com

Twitter: @lacrimes
Ahmed H. Zewail, a Caltech chemist who won the 1999 Nobel Prize in chemistry for using lasers to reveal the secrets of chemical reactions, died Tuesday. He was 70. The cause was not disclosed.

The American chemist was the first Egyptian and Arab to win a Nobel in science.

Well-known in Egypt, Zewail was also an outspoken voice for progress in the aftermath of the 2011 protests in Tahrir Square.

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He had these three fundamental principles of wisdom, the first one being passion, the second one being hard work and the third one being optimism, his son Hani Zewail said.

Zewail was born Feb. 26, 1946, in Damanhur, near Alexandria. As a child growing up in nearby Desuq, he was drawn to science and engineering and amused himself by solving complex physics problems. He became intrigued by what he called the mathematics of chemistry and tried to reproduce the phenomena he saw in the lab at home.

In my bedroom I constructed a small apparatus, out of my mothers oil burner [for making Arabic coffee] and a few glass tubes, in order to see how wood is transformed into a burning gas and a liquid substance, he recalled in his Nobel autobiographical statement. I still remember this vividly, not only for the science, but also for the danger of burning down our house!

After he finished his bachelors and masters degrees at Alexandria University, Zewails professors encouraged him to look abroad to pursue his PhD. This was easier said than done: In the wake of the 1967 war between Israel and several Arab states, Egypt did not offer financial support for its citizens to study in the United States.

Zewail cast about, corresponding with several universities. The University of Pennsylvania finally offered him a scholarship.

Arriving in the States, I had the feeling of being thrown into an ocean. The ocean was full of knowledge, culture and opportunities, and the choice was clear: I could either learn to swim or sink, Zewail recalled. The culture was foreign, the language was difficult, but my hopes were high.

In 1974 he moved to UC Berkeley for postdoctoral research and joined Caltech as an assistant professor two years later. He remained at Caltech for the rest of his career.

The chemical reactions he studied are not just simple equations. Between starting chemicals and final products, fleeting chemical intermediates are born and die. These reactions happen so quickly that for years scientists thought it would be practically impossible to catch them in action.

But Zewail found a way to document what amounts to an intricate atomic dance. He developed very fast flashing lasers capable of catching atoms interacting at various stages in reactions. The pulsing lasers allowed him to study chemical processes on almost infinitesimally small timescales.

One of the very special things about Ahmed was he had this intuitive sense about that dance ... of the choreography of how a chemical reaction occurs, said Jacqueline Barton, chair of Caltechs division of chemistry and chemical engineering and a friend of Zewails.

Researchers later used this technology to explore the molecular secrets of photosynthesis and the photochemical processes involved in night vision. It has also been used to design catalysts for generating renewable solar fuels.

In recent years, Zewail had been working on four-dimensional ultrafast electron microscopy. Scientists say the technology will allow them to see the atomic-scale behavior of materials through space and time.

Zewail garnered a slew of scientific honors besides the Nobel. He was awarded the Order of the Grand Collar of the Nile in Egypt, the Order of Legion dHonneur in France, and the Priestley Medal, the American Chemical Societys highest honor.

He served on President Obamas science and technology advisory panel from 2009 to 2013 and as the presidents special envoy for science to Middle East.

Zewail was admired in Egypt, where a research institute, the Zewail City of Science and Technology, is named after him. He cared deeply about the country and worried about its future, said his daughter Maha Zewail-Foote, a chemistry professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

In a 2013 op-ed in the New York Times, Zewail called on Egypts leaders to protect education and science from political feuds.

A part of the world that pioneered science and mathematics during Europes dark ages is now lost in a dark age of illiteracy and knowledge deficiency, he wrote.

He also called on the U.S., which at the time gave about $1.5 billion per year in aid to Egypt, to ensure that more resources went to education and research.

Any group hoping to authentically represent the hopes of the Egyptian people must make educational attainment and economic growth its priority, he wrote.

Zewail lived in San Marino, Calif. Besides his son and daughter, he is survived by his wife, Dema Faham, and another son, Nabeel, and daughter, Amani.

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The Obama administration released a redacted version of its playbook for the lethal U.S. drone program, a booklet of presidential guidelines that sets legal standards for deciding who to kill, where and under what circumstances.

The 18-page document was drawn up in May 2013, after President Obama promised greater transparency and oversight on counterterrorism strikes that have targeted thousands of Islamic militants in remote corners of the globe, including Yemen, Pakistan, Libya and Somalia.

The administration quietly released the document Friday, in response to a court order in an open records lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The disclosure comes as the administration has vastly expanded the targeted-killing program, but until recently has refused to acknowledge its existence or answer questions about how targets are chosen.

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The president has emphasized that the U.S. government should be as transparent as possible with the American people about our counterterrorism operations, the manner in which they are conducted, and their results, said Ned Price, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. Our counterterrorism actions are effective and legal, and their legitimacy is best demonstrated by making public more information about these actions as well as setting clear standards for other nations to follow.

Most matters related to the drone program, run by the CIA and the U.S. militarys secretive Joint Special Operations Command, have been hidden from public view.

The administration had earlier released a fact sheet about the playbook  officially called the Presidential Policy Guidance, or PPG, following Obamas vows to bring more accountability to the program during a speech at the National Defense University in 2013. But that disclosure lacked detail.

The PPG should have been released three years ago, but its release now will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the governments counterterrorism policies, said Jameel Jaffer, the deputy legal director of the ACLU. The release of the PPG and related documents is also a timely reminder of the breadth of the powers that will soon be in the hands of another president.

The Obama administration has still never provided basic information needed to assess the drone program, including the names and identities of people killed.  Naureen Shah, director of Amnesty International USAs Security & Human Rights

The document provides a window into the shadowy drone program. It details the nominations process for targeting individuals to be killed or captured in countries where the U.S. has not declared war.

It also describes how the U.S. military and intelligence agencies collaborate to review the top-secret evidence against alleged militant leaders, referred to as high value terrorists, or HVTs, and assess the consequences of operations in whats called after action reports.

It discloses that the government is not always entirely certain about who it has killed.

The conditions precedent for any operation, which shall include at a minimum  [a] near certainty that an identified HVT or other lawful terrorist target other than an identified HVT is present, the document said.

It requires near certainty that civilians will not be injured or killed; that capture is not feasible at the time of the operation; that foreign governmental authorities in the country where a strike is to take place cannot or will not effectively address the threat; and that no other reasonable alternatives to lethal action exist.

[A]ppropriate members of the National Security Council are to review drone strike proposals before they are sent to the president for a final decision.

If the target is a U.S. citizen, the guidelines state, the Justice Department must weigh in to determine whether the strike is legal. At least eight Americans have been killed by drone attacks, but only one  Anwar Awlaki, an Al Qaeda leader in Yemen  was specifically targeted.

While this policy guidance appears to set an important precedent for protecting civilians and limiting killings, it is impossible to assess whether and how its been followed, said Naureen Shah, director of Amnesty International USAs Security & Human Rights. The Obama administration has still never provided basic information needed to assess the drone program, including the names and identities of people killed in the strikes.

The ACLU called the standards stringent, but said in a statement that the administration has yet to make clear which strikes follow the guidelines in the playbook, and whether the president ever waives them. The ACLU also notes accounts of eyewitnesses, journalists and human rights researchers who have documented large numbers of bystander casualties, suggesting the careful guidelines laid out by the administration are often not followed or are inadequate.

The redacted release of the playbook comes after U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon in New York ordered the government in February to submit the policy guidance for the courts review. The administration then said it would prepare the redacted version.

Last month, the White House admitted that 64 to 116 civilians had been wrongly killed in 473 strikes launched by the U.S. between the time Obama was inaugurated and the end of last year. The vast majority of the attacks were launched by drones, officials said, but the estimate also covers some strikes using manned aircraft.

It was an unprecedented admission, though human rights and monitoring groups estimate the number of civilians killed in U.S. drone strikes is much higher, from 200 to more than 1,000.

The administration also said that the 473 strikes have killed up to 2,581 people it classified as combatants.

william.hennigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @wjhenn

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For nearly two months, family members of 49 people killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting have been waiting for clarity on what happened during their loved ones final moments.

On Friday, they got some answers as 31 of the victims autopsy reports were released.

Its heartbreaking and its extremely difficult, but I have to know exactly what happened to my son, and I want the world to know and understand what he went through, said Christine Leinonen, whose only child was killed in the massacre.

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People will share my pain and realize hes more than just a photo flashing on a screen and went through a lot of pain, she said.

Christopher Drew Leinonens autopsy includes unthinkable details that no mother should have to read, like the impact that eight gunshot wounds had on his body.

But the autopsy still doesnt answer many key questions that have haunted Leinonen for weeks: whether her son was hit accidentally by law enforcement, where he was found in the club and if he suffered for hours inside before officers breached an entry.

Like many of the other victims, Christopher was hit multiple times.

Many of the autopsies revealed commonalities: Most of the victims were not shot at close range and many were hit from the front or side, appearing as though they didnt have much time to react and run.

Bullets hit them in nearly every possible place, including the head, chest, legs and back. Victims had more than 130 gunshot wounds total in the autopsies released Friday, a number that is sure to grow as the remainder of reports are released.

The reports released Friday show that gunman Omar Mateen fired relentlessly on the hundreds inside the gay nightclub during the early morning hours of June 12.

Since her sons death, Leinonen has become an advocate for common-sense gun rules. She spoke at last months Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in opposition to the military-style weapon that killed her son.

Now, shes trying to get answers for herself and the dozens of other families.

I wont stop calling and asking questions because its already been two months and I still dont have any answers, she said. This is a nightmare I have to live every single day. I need these details and I need to know the horror my son went through. Its the only way I can move forward.

The other 18 autopsies are expected next week and will help show what happened inside the club as investigators continue to piece together details.

Police fired at Mateen about 150 times during the final shoot-out at Pulse nightclub, police reports show, but an autopsy revealed just eight bullets struck him. The report on his autopsy also was released Friday.

Mateen was shot after law enforcement breached a back wall of the club about 5:07 a.m., according to Orlando Police dispatch records. That was three hours after Mateen fired the first shots in the club.

Police said 13 SWAT members engaged Mateen in gunfire about 5:14 a.m., and reported him down at 5:17 a.m.

The toxicology report indicated Mateen was not under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs the night of the shooting.

In a list of personal items on the body, the medical examiner noted finding a gun holster strapped to Mateens belt.

See more of our top stories on Facebook 

Hayes and Doornbos write for the Orlando Sentinel.

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Reeling from missteps that have alarmed many fellow Republicans, Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul D. Ryan for reelection on Friday in a grudging move to unite the badly fractured party.

Trumps refusal to back Ryan in a Washington Post interview on Tuesday had stunned Republicans already unnerved by his unorthodox candidacy for president. It was a remarkable breach of protocol for the partys White House nominee to withhold support from its most powerful member of Congress.

Trumps reversal came amid a decline in his poll ratings both nationally and in crucial battleground states, with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton establishing a solid lead in the aftermath of the party conventions.

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Ryan and many other Trump supporters have criticized the New York businessman for attacking the parents of Humayun Khan, an Army captain killed in the Iraq war, after the father denounced Trump at the Democratic convention.

At a rally Friday evening in Green Bay, Wis., Trump appeared uneasy as he read prepared remarks endorsing Ryan, but he grinned and flashed two thumbs up as the crowd cheered.

Hes a good man, and hes a good guy, Trump said. And we may disagree on a couple of things, but mostly we agree.

Ryans office released a statement, saying, He appreciates the gesture and is going to continue to focus on earning the endorsement of the voters in Southern Wisconsin.

Trump also tried to mend relations with two Republican senators whom hed criticized after they faulted him for attacking the Khans: John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.

And while Im at it, he said after endorsing Ryan, I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office, and I fully support and endorse his reelection. Very important.

Last summer in Iowa, Trump touched off controversy by questioning whether McCain was a war hero. McCain, a former Navy pilot, was tortured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Hes not a war hero, Trump said then. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

In the Post interview, Trump said McCain had done a bad job for veterans and faulted Ayotte, one of the partys most vulnerable incumbents, for giving him zero support.

But in Green Bay, he called Ayotte a rising star who does a good job for New Hampshire. I also fully support and endorse Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, a state I truly love, primarily because that was my first victory, he said.

Neither Ryan nor Wisconsins Republican governor, Scott Walker, showed up for Trumps Green Bay event. Wisconsins Republican state Assembly speaker, Robin Vos, released a scathing open letter saying he was embarrassed that Trump was leading the party ticket in November.

As Donald Trump has said stupid things and been rude to so many people over the past year, I usually chalked it up to inexperience and the spotlight of an incredibly hostile press, Vos wrote. But since the convention, his lack of judgement has got to concern even the most ardent Trump supporters.

Trump lost the Wisconsin primary to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and his enduring friction with GOP leaders there does not bode well for him in what is already one of the toughest presidential battleground states for any Republican.

In a radio interview Friday morning, Ryan did not rule out withdrawing his endorsement of Trump.

With any endorsement of anybody, theres never a blank check, Ryan told conservative talk radio host Charlie Sykes in Milwaukee.

Ryan has criticized Trumps proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S. and said it was racist for him to suggest that a judges Mexican ancestry made it impossible for him to be impartial in a civil fraud suit against Trump. Ryan is heavily favored to win the Republican primary in his southern Wisconsin congressional district on Tuesday.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

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Defying critics, Trump says U.S. might abandon allies attacked by Russia or North Korea

Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton dumb on Friday for saying the United States should defend allies under military attack by Russia or North Korea even if they have failed to pay in full for U.S. protection.

The Republican presidential nominee renewed his threat to abandon U.S. allies in Europe and Japan, saying, You always have to be prepared to walk.

I dont think wed walk, Trump told supporters at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa. I dont think its going to be necessary. It could be, though. It could be that Japan will have to defend itself against North Korea.

Trump complained that Japan, Germany and other allies dont pay anywhere near what it costs to defend them. So the U.S. should threaten to break its obligation to defend NATO members under attack by Russia, he said.

Russias plenty tough, but we got to  you got to go with the punches folks, Trump said. We got to do what we have to do. We have to make it good, and you always have to be prepared to walk.

Trumps remarks followed weeks of criticism by both Democrats and fellow Republicans over his sympathetic approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former acting CIA Director Michael Morell argued Friday in a New York Times op-ed piece endorsing Clinton that Putin had effectively recruited Trump as an unwitting agent of Russia by flattering him with compliments.

At the Iowa rally, Trump mocked his Democratic rival and unnamed eggheads who say the U.S. must honor its defense pacts regardless of whether allies pay in full for protection.

Once the allies hear her dumb talk, because its dumb, why would they ever pay? Trump asked.

Describing the United States as mired in debt, Trump repeated his inaccurate assertion that America is one of the highest taxed nations in the world. In a ranking of tax burdens around the globe, the CIAs World Factbook lists the United States as No. 171 out of 219 countries.

Trump called Clinton the queen of corruption. If she wins, he argued, it would bring the destruction of this country from within. He responded to chants of Lock her up! by saying, Thank you.

At a time when critics charge that Trump lacks the temperament needed for a commander in chief, he also alleged that Clinton was unbalanced and pretty close to unhinged.
Three years ago I moved to Los Angeles in a quasi-dramatic bid to reboot my life. It worked out: I found a great job, good friends, and a nice little place with an enviable commute. The only thing missing was air conditioning, which everyone said was par for the course. It didnt bother me, at least not at first. But last summer was tough, and this one broke me. A compact unit now sits in the bedroom window of my 1920s Spanish-style apartment, offering up great relief and more than a little bit of shame.

See, I grew up in Gilbert, Ariz., where conquering heat was part of my identity. Heat that turns your seat belt into a searing torture device and your car dashboard into a frying pan. Heat that melts the tread off your shoes. From what I could tell, Angelenos were overly theatrical, seemingly rendered catatonic by two weeks of mild discomfort in September. What Southern Californians called hot, we Southwestern desert rats called springtime.

My first summer in L.A. reinforced my Angeleno-mocking mind-set. It was not that bad at all, as I told my father. I felt like I had a clear answer for why the rental market had a distinct lack of window units  to say nothing of central air. Dad, this whole SoCal weather thing is going to be great.

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Then Murphys Law kicked in.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, June 2016 marked the 14th consecutive month for record global temperatures. Los Angeles is obviously not immune from these trends; our city is getting hotter right along with the rest of the planet.

Last October saw the worst heat wave in 25 years, and the longest run of 100-plus-degree days downtown. In February, several days were 15 to 20 degrees above normal  and for a full week the temperature hovered around 90. May was close to average, but June gloom gave way to triple-digit temperatures throughout the Southland. Palm Springs hit 121 degrees. Even Arizonans cringe at that.

As it gets hotter were using more energy to keep cool, which of course perpetuates the cycle.

So, yes, I confess: As the temperature broke records, I broke right along with them. The old box fan and frozen towel technique just wasnt cutting it, forcing me to acknowledge that my vaunted heat endurance during those long Arizona summers had always been aided and abetted by climate control. Ten or 15 years ago, I have no doubt that Id have managed L.A. just fine without a window unit; now that L.A. is heading toward Phoenix-lite, AC is more of a necessity than a luxury.

My local home improvement store was more than happy to outfit me with a solution; there, the AC units were on proud display right up front: cardboard-boxed monuments to our changing climate, with tired shoppers whispering reverently around them. Evidently I wasnt the only Angeleno to decide I just couldnt take it anymore.

Retail displays are anecdotal, but the strain on the grid is not. In June, the L.A. Department of Water and Power reported that energy demand skyrocketed to levels 50% higher than average, and overall usage on the hottest day that month fell just short of the record set only last September.

As it gets hotter were using more energy to keep cool, which of course perpetuates the cycle; air conditioning units are even less forgiving to the environment than they are to household budgets, and shelling out the extra hundred bucks for an Energy Star certificate doesnt negate ones contribution to the ultimate problem.

Still, though part of me may want to, I dont regret my choice. My Arizona heat cred may be shot, and my carbon footprints a bit bigger, but Im sleeping cool.

Kate Monninger is a writer and consultant. Follow her on Twitter @geekgrl42.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook.

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For many Times readers, a very moving moment of the Democratic National Convention was the appearance by Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of a U.S. Muslim soldier who died in Iraq in 2004. Later, there was outrage over Donald Trumps reaction to the couple.

Then, when a Times letter writer this week questioned the motives of those grieving parents, asking why the Khans were not at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 conventions and rebuking Hillary Clinton and the Democrats for using his death  for political motives,  the razor-sharp responses poured in.

By a ratio of 10 to 1, readers staunchly backed the Khan family and their sacrifice.

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Stephanie Dobbs in Los Angeles points out:

The letter writer evidently did not listen to Mr. Khans comments at the DNC.

He made it very clear why he was making this timely appearance: Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims. He disrespects other minorities, women, judges, even his own party leadership. He vows to build walls and ban us from this country...

Jacki West in Inglewood writes:

During those election years, no presidential candidate promised to build walls to keep out immigrants, insulted minorities, demonized a whole religious faith (Muslim), denigrated American armed forces, and (proposed to ban) Muslims from entering the United States.

I believe Mr. and Mrs. Khan have less than two degrees of separation from these disparaging positions and, therefore, felt the time to speak out was now.

Bob Cook in Encino says, simply:

Well, perhaps there were no candidates who denigrated immigrants and war heroes in those elections.

David B. Follett in Newport Beach offers this:

 The DNC believed it to be important in these times to introduce the Khans -- patriotic and decent American citizens -- to the nation, in order to counter some of the hate that Trump seeks to muster against an entire religion.

Felice Sussman in Los Alamitos agrees:

This question has an easy and obvious answer; the Republican nominees in those election years were decent human beings.

And just a side note: the Republican nominees in 04, 08, and 12 -- George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney -- all boycotted the Republican Convention this year. Is this a coincidence?

Representative of the fewer responders who took the other side, Don Dennison in Fountain Valley writes:

All 120 million plus voters of this country should condemn Hilary Clinton for inducing an obviously vulnerable Khan family into politicizing the death of Capt. Humayun Khan. Khizr Khan either doesnt see, or doesnt care, that Clinton is using him to link Trump to the death of his son  to distract from her negligence  in Benghazi.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: After reading various articles on raves in Southern California, I was surprised to find out that medical crews apparently are not routinely available onsite at these events. (Raves problems roam,  Aug. 3)

When I attended Day on the Green concerts in Oakland during the 1970s, the concert promoter always had medics onsite from the local free clinic to treat overdoses and other health issues among concert goers.

At a minimum, defibrillators should be available at raves.

Jane Steinberg, Culver City

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..

To the editor: Whether its 1970, 1990 or today, the song remains the same: kids want to party.

Communities want to make money.

Everyone in the communities that host these events are saddened by the deaths, but at the end of the day we choose easy answers.

We criminalize drug culture, and leave the making of drugs to criminals who care nothing for the users.

In an increasingly isolating and self-centered media and cultural landscape, young peoples desire to find alternative experiences (drugs) will continue to grow.

It shouldnt be where do we hold these events but rather how do we save lives?

Rale Sidebottom, Woodland Hills

..

To the editor: Forget about the146,997 people that youre going to deny the fun of a summer concert because three people took drugs irresponsibly.

Exactly what do we expect the concert organizer to do about these three people?

This proactive attitude to regulate raves is like banning swimming on public beaches because someone might drown  regardless of the lifeguards on duty.

Bill Brock, Agoura Hills

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Next time youre looking for a tasty wine pairing, skip the reds, whites and roses and just go for the green.

An analysis of more than 74,000 wines found that those made with certified organic grapes got higher ratings from experts than those produced using conventional methods.

I was surprised by this, said study leader Magali Delmas, an environmental economist at UCLAs Institute of Environment and Sustainability.

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Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and the rest of California produce 90% of the wine made in America, according to the National Assn. of American Wineries. Last year, the Golden State had 550,000 acres of vineyards. Only about 2% of them grew organic grapes, which are raised in ways that limit the use of synthetic pesticides and emphasize the importance of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.

In most aisles of the grocery store, organic is seen as synonymous with higher quality. Organic apples cost about 30% more, on average, and organic milk carries a hefty 72% markup, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show.

But when it comes to wine, an organic label is often a turn-off. In a 2015 study that asked consumers to select a wine based on its label, organic options were chosen over conventional ones only when the wines were from a region believed to produce low-quality wine. When considering wines from a high-quality region, however, consumers chose the conventional option, even if it had a higher price.

To get around this anti-organic bias, about two-thirds of the certified wineries in California opt not to display the organic label on their bottles, Delmas said.

They dont want to talk about it to the consumer, she said.

But it turns out the experts see  and taste  things differently.

Delmas and her colleagues gathered reviews from Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast for tens of thousands of wines produced between 1998 and 2009. The vino came from 3,842 wineries and varied by region, age and type. Only 1% of the wineries in the sample were certified organic.

Each publication performs blind tastings and assigns a score between 1 and 100, with most falling somewhere above 80. Theres no way for taste-testers to know whether the wine theyre sampling is organic.

When the researchers compared the scores of wines of similar vintages and varietals, they found that wines produced from certified organic grapes scored 4.1 points higher, on average, than wines made with conventional grapes.

There could be a biochemical explanation for this, Delmas said. Conventional grape-growing practices use pesticides that can reduce the tiny microbes in soil. In contrast, vineyards that follow organic practices may be allowing more of the regional characteristics to get into their bottles.

A study published in June suggested that these microbes can contribute to the terroir  the traits of the region, soil and climate that help give each wine a unique taste.

Kaan Kurtural, a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, offered another reason for the difference in quality. Organic grapevines produce about one-third as much fruit as conventional grapevines do, so they tend to have thinner canopies and the grapes get more sun.

Since its more exposed, youre going to see a lot more fruit-forward flavors, like cherry, Kurtural said.

And indeed, when Delmas and her team examined the descriptive terms experts used in their wine reviews, they found that cherry was the most common word for reds made from organically grown grapes.

The researchers also found that the longer a winery had been certified, the higher its wines scored. In addition, the more cases of wine a winery produced, the lower the scores. The findings were published this week in the Journal of Wine Economics.

Though experts seem to think highly of bottles from organic vineyards, it remains to be seen whether consumers can be persuaded to agree.

Delmas says she hopes her research will encourage winemakers to be more forthcoming about their organic certification.

I think this will help move things in that direction, Delmas said. If not, she added, its a missed opportunity.

megan.daley@latimes.com

Follow @mdaley_ on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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The Lido House Hotel, which some Newport Beach residents and officials have billed as a key part of efforts to revitalize the Balboa Peninsula, could soon go from the drawing board to the street.

Plans for the 130-room boutique hotel, dubbed by local developer Bob Olson as the gateway to Lido Village and the Newport peninsula, are expected to be considered by the California Coastal Commission during its Oct. 7 meeting in Long Beach. Commission staff is recommending that the panel approve the project.

The City Council gave its OK last year.

Were so excited that this beautiful boutique hotel is moving forward, said city Community Development Director Kim Brandt. We think the hotel is going to immediately become an iconic part of Lido Village and will help continue the revitalization of the area.

The planned 4-acre hotel site at Newport Boulevard and 32nd Street, which the city plans to lease to Olson Real Estate Group, housed Newport Beachs City Hall complex for decades until new municipal offices opened near Fashion Island in 2013.

The proposed four-story, 98,725-square-foot project has been met largely with support from nearby residents. It would include the hotel, meeting and retail space, restaurants, a pool and recreation area and a rooftop bar. The complex also would include a 148-space parking lot and reconfiguration of public parking along 32nd Street to add one spot and improve traffic flow, according to a Coastal Commission staff report.

Guest rooms would include a king bed or two queens, extended-stay suites and villas and a presidential suite. Prices would average about $212 per night.

To greenlight the project, the commission also would have to approve a land use amendment that would allow the property to be used for commercial and hotel purposes. The land is currently zoned only for public facilities.

The city asked that the commission allow the area to be rezoned as mixed use, which would support commercial, hotel and residential purposes. But commission staff is suggesting that it be rezoned as visitor-serving commercial, which does not allow residential uses or timeshares, according to the staff report.

If the commission approves the project, the plan would go before the City Council for final approval before construction begins.

Brandt said development company R.D. Olson could break ground on the project by early 2016.

The city began looking into how to use the site in 2011, considering options such as a community center and residential and commercial uses before settling on a boutique hotel.

Mayor Pro Tem Diane Dixon said the hotel is in line with other development efforts in her district, including a townhome project along Via Lido and the revitalization of Lido Marina Village to include waterfront shops, restaurants and a gourmet market.

Dixon called the hotel a linchpin instrumental to the development of Lido and the peninsula.

Its a foundation to future and continued economic vitality for the entire peninsula, she said. Its a win-win across the board for residents and visitors.
The Pottery Barn store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa will unveil its remodeled look Thursday.

An event from 6 to 8 p.m. will feature blogger Anne Sage, and a free gift will be given with any purchase, while supplies last.

Pottery Barn is at 3333 Bear St., near the Crate & Barrel in South Coast Plazas west wing.

Western Growers opens new Irvine HQ

Western Growers, an advocate for fruit, vegetable and tree nut growers, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new headquarters in Irvine.

The groups 80,000-square-foot facility is at 15525 Sand Canyon Ave.

Before the new headquarters opened, most employees of Western Growers 12 companies and business divisions were spread among four locations in Irvine, limiting the daily interactions that can add to efficiencies and boost morale, the company said in a news release.

Costa Mesa ad agency hosts benefit for SOS program

Costa Mesa-based advertising agency Blue C hosted the third annual Tacos & Good Deeds event Tuesday as more than 100 guests donated 177 backpacks plus cash gifts for the Share Our Selves Back to School program.

Blue C organized Tacos & Good Deeds in partnership with Irvine-based digital marketing agency Rhythm.

Hoag recognized as one of Californias best hospitals

Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the sixth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It also tied for 11th best in the state.

We are honored to be ... included in the rankings with the top healthcare institutions across the country, Robert Braithwaite, Hoags president and chief excutive, said in a statement.

U.S. News & World Report has done hospital rankings for 27 years.

Infinite RF acquires East Coast company

Infinite RF Holdings Inc., an Irvine-based supplier of engineering-grade radio frequency, microwave and millimeter-wave components and cable assemblies, has acquired L-com Inc., according to a news release.

L-com, based in North Andover, Mass., manufactures wired and wireless connectivity solutions.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Group forms new Irvine real estate firm

Irvine is home to a new real estate firm, Pendulum Property Partners, based at 5 Park Plaza.

The company owns, operates, develops and manages commercial and multifamily real estate. It launched with more than 3.4 million square feet under its management.

HGTV star to highlight Irvine chamber event

HGTVs Kelli Ellis, an interior design celebrity and design psychology expert, will be the keynote speaker at the Irvine Chamber of Commerce business boot camp Oct. 20.

The event is scheduled for 7 a.m. to noon at the Irvine Marriott hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave.

Guests can go to workshops about sales, marketing, management and other topics.

Registration is $79. Irvine chamber members pay $59.

For more information, visit IrvineChamber.com, email Jessica Welch at jwelch@irvinechamber.com or call (949) 502-4115.

Marketing agency moves to Irvine

Digital marketing agency 454 Creative has moved from Orange to a business park in Irvine, near the UC Irvine campus.

The company, founded in 2003, is now at 5251 California Ave., Suite 230.

Big Canyon Real Estate launches new website

Big Canyon Real Estate has launched a new website aimed at increasing the profile of the Newport Beach community.

We see ourselves as much more than just another real estate company, the company said in a statement. We like to think of ourselves as an integral part of the community, and we want to do our part to foster and grow the community.

The website is BigCanyonRealEstate.com.

Voit names new senior vice president

Voit Real Estate Services has named Liz Hurley as the senior vice president for its Irvine office.

Hurley has 29 years of brokerage experience and previously was managing senior vice president for Transwestern.

Alliant Americas hires executive

Doug Fyfe has been hired as Newport Beach-based Alliant Americas first vice president, according to a news release.

Alliant Americas provides insurance, risk management and consulting services.
John and Elizabeth Stahr were expecting a quiet lunch with friends at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club on Friday.

But as they walked up the stairs into the clubs library, they realized the lunch was a ruse. The room, with its panoramic views of Newport Harbor, was filled with city and Chamber of Commerce officials and past Newport Beach Citizens of the Year.

Chamber President Steve Rosansky piped up first, telling the couple that instead of a meal, they were being honored as the Citizens of the Year for 2016.

John Stahr, 83, couldnt believe his ears.

My goodness, he said, eyes wide. What did we do?

Rosansky laughed and replied that perhaps their roughly 40 years of service to the city had something to do with it.

The chambers Citizen of the Year award is presented annually to an individual or couple who has served the Newport Beach community for many years, according to Rosansky.

The Stahrs moved to their Corona del Mar home from Arcadia in 1962. Over the decades, they have taken on leadership roles and raised money to support local arts, cultural, civic and educational nonprofit organizations, including the Newport Beach Public Library, Girl Scouts of Orange County, UC Irvine, Pacific Symphony, South Coast Repertory, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Arts Orange County, Orange County Museum of Art and Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

In Newport Beach, the couple are known for their efforts to raise funds to help build the Main Library at 1000 Avocado Ave.

In the late 1980s, when the building was in its design phase, city leaders wanted to gauge public interest in the project before spending millions on a new library. The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation was formed to seek donations, and the Stahrs were chosen to lead the committee. They set a goal of raising $1 million and instead raised $2 million.

Elizabeth Stahr, 82, said the library project was especially important to her family, given that the couples four now-grown children were influenced heavily by the books they read as youngsters.

Elizabeth said the first words out of her daughters mouth when they moved to Newport Beach were about finding the library.

She was reading about 25 books a week, Elizabeth said. I hadnt even found a grocery store yet, but the first place we went was the Corona del Mar Library.

A group of former Citizens of the Year recently voted to select the Stahrs for the 2016 honor, noting their record of philanthropy in the city and county.

The community owes a great deal to them, said Paul Watkins, the 2015 Citizen of the Year.

The Stahrs will be honored at a dinner presented by the Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 11.

--

Hannah Fry, hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
Its 11:52 a.m. Thursday at the Orange County Fairs Blue Gate.

Its Kids Day, and children 12 and younger get in free. Yellow school buses unload herds of kids with matching T-shirts. Some children in line stare into the parking lot, while a few preteens are on their phones.

Eight more minutes until the fair opens.

Suddenly a figure emerges from inside the gate. Hes riding a bike steadied by training wheels and decorated with sunflowers, carnations and clusters of honking horns perched on the handlebars.

Ravioli has arrived.

Sporting a green shirt and rainbow-colored pants and giant bowtie with zigzag patterns, this clowns on a mission.

To help people feel happy, Ravioli says. To help people get through the line.

Ravioli the clown high-fives kids from a Westminster summer camp as they get in line to attend the OC Fair on Thursday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

The preteens from an Irvine summer camp lean against a fence by the gate, some with vacant expressions and arms crossed. Too cool for summer school.

Ravioli pedals up to them in his enormous shoes adorned with silver sparkles and honks the horn on his bike, drawing blank stares.

Time to pull another trick from his sleeve.

Whoevers going on the rides, he tells them, raise your nose!

The preteens instinctively raise their hands, then immediately draw them down to point their noses in the air. They crack a smile at the clowns joke.

Mission accomplished. He rides on.

Ravioli rides up to Clarisse and Vincent Woo, a brother and sister in the preteen camp, and lets them honk the horns on his handlebars.

Clowns are a little bit creepy, Clarisse says. But I liked this horn.

Elementary school-age children of a Westminster School District summer camp file through the Blue Gate in a line of purple shirts. Their eyes grow wide at the sight of Ravioli.

Shouts ring out from the sea of purple.

Mr. Clown! Over here!

I love your flowers.

What size shoe do you wear?

Ravioli stops in his tracks.

My shoes are size 2, he says. Too small!

The children laugh. He rides on.

Couple of clowns

On this day, Ravioli is working the first shift as one of three performers in the fairs daily Clown Patrol.

He picked his name during his first training session at clown school in San Francisco years ago. His first teachers name? Noodle.

I wanted to be a part of her family, says Ravioli, who, like the other clowns, prefers not to give his real name.

Before arriving at the fair on Thursday, Ravioli woke up at 7 a.m. in his hotel room in Anaheim, where he and his wife, fellow clown Sparkles Delight, are staying during their working trip from the Bay Area, where they live.

Before putting on his clown makeup, Ravioli practices tai chi, a series of slow meditative movements. Sparkles Delight says it calms his nerves.

Ravioli paints a red circle on each of his cheeks and affixes a big white fake mustache. Meanwhile, his wife embellishes her face with blue eye shadow, a red heart on both cheeks and lipstick just on the bottom lip.

They both don a clowns must-have  a red nose.

Then they hop in their car in full costume to drive to the fair. Call them commuter clowns.

Sparkles Delight says other drivers, usually toting families, often slow to peek into her and her husbands car.

Look at the clowns! she sees some parents say.

Ravioli and Sparkles Delight have been married 13 years.

They had a clown wedding in the Central Valley where they recited vows like promising not to put ants in each others pants.

Guests on both sides of the aisle held up balloon swords to make a tunnel for the newlyweds to walk through.

Their wedding acted as a fundraiser for the Tracey Interfaith Ministry, which sold raffle tickets for children to win a chance to be part of the wedding party and dress up as clowns.

Out and about with Sparkles

At 1:15 p.m. at The Hangar on the fairgrounds, Sparkles Delight begins her shift on her bike, which is more of a beach cruiser than her husbands.

A bundle of curly ribbons rests atop her head. On this warm Thursday, shes wearing an orange T-shirt and a wide multicolored skirt.

By 1:33 p.m., shes done a few laps on her bike past the food stands under the ski lift ride.

As she parks her bike near The Hangar, fairgoers Brooke Cecil, 7, and her brother Drew, 4, approach. Sparkles Delight asks if they would like to have some plastic rings that are in her bike basket.

The two wear the rings, then take turns honking the horn on the bike.

They love the slapstick comedy [of clowns], says their mother, Monique Cecil. To see someone else older be silly makes them comfortable being silly.

At 2:27 p.m., Sparkles Delight is finishing her performance, not on the ground but in the air.

She takes a seat on the ski lift with a bubble wand in one hand and a bucket of soap in the other.

As her seat propels forward, she gauges the direction of the wind to make sure her bubbles dont hit other riders. The breeze is calm.

All clear. She dips the wand into the bucket, lifts it out and lets the bubbles fly.

Three teenage girls riding in the opposite direction glide toward the clown and her bubbles. A dark-haired girl in the middle covers her face with her hands like a baby playing a terrifying game of peek-a-boo.

I cant do this, I cant do this, she says. Im scared of clowns.

The girl to her left laughs, pulls out her phone and takes a picture of Sparkles Delight.

The clown continues to make her bubbles and waves to the girls.

She smiles on.

A day with Veekay

Its 3:06 p.m. and Veekay the clown begins his act outside the Kids Explorium on the fairgrounds.

More of a musical clown, he marches toward a group of purple-shirted Westminster campers with a metal washboard hanging in front of his belly and drumsticks in his hands. The washboard is decorated with cowbells and a horn on the side.

Working more of a steampunk look than the other clowns, he drums a tune on the washboard and asks the children to guess what it was.

He brushes a stick along the board, taps a cowbell and repeats the rhythm again and again.

Is it Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star? a camper guesses.

Or Mary Had a Little  Bell? another asks.

Veekay reveals the answer to the mystery: Yankee Doodle, he says.

He sings the song and the kids join in.

Time to go, a camp leader says when the song is over. But the campers swarm Veekay like ants to a potato chip.

The clown bids the children adieu and continues his march, stepping to the rhythm of whatever beat he taps on his makeshift instrument.

A teenage boy breezes past on foot.

Youre scary. Toot toot, he tells the clown before disappearing into the crowd of fairgoers.

Veekay, looking unfazed, marches on.

He walks through the stretch of food stands from The Hangar to Fair Square.

He stops for pictures when fairgoers ask. He bows to the Queen Bee, dressed in a striped yellow and black dress, during her afternoon stroll. He waves to the Zuzu African Acrobats and says, Hello, my friends! as they walk to grab a snack.

Clowns, Veekay says, are good people.

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
The Newport-Mesa Tea Party Patriots will host a panel discussion next week to talk about state and city ballot measures related to marijuana.

The discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Halecrest Park, 3107 Killybrooke Lane, in Costa Mesa, and is expected to last about two hours.

Panelists for the event are Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer; Aaron Lachant, a partner with the law firm Nelson Hardiman, LLP; and Lisa M. Renati, an advisor to state Board of Equalization Vice Chairwoman Diane Harkey.

Topics expected to be covered during the discussion include a state initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in California for those age 21 and older, as well as three different measures related to medical marijuana in Costa Mesa.

Two of those were sponsored by residents and would allow a small number of medical marijuana dispensaries  either four or eight  to operate in the city.

The third initiative, approved by the City Council to compete against the citizen-backed measures on Nov. 8, would maintain a ban on over-the-counter medical marijuana dispensaries.

Businesses that manufacture and test some marijuana products  such as oils for pharmaceutical purposes  would be allowed to open in the manufacturing zone north of South Coast Drive and west of Harbor Boulevard. They would be required to obtain permits from the city.

--

Luke Money, lucas.money@latimes.com

Twitter: @LukeMMoney
Marilee Jackson was looking for a social organization to help her give to the community where she lives. Three years later, she feels like shes found a second home at the Newport Harbor Elks Lodge.

The Newport Beach retiree is the volunteer secretary for Newport Harbor Elks No. 1767. Established in 1949, its a yacht club, social nexus and charitable organization all under one roof. Since its situated at Newport Harbor, you can visit by land or sea.

The lodge is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a social and charitable organization chartered in 1868 that now has about 800,000 members in more than 1,900 communities around the country.

The Elks National Foundation, established in 1928, has contributed more than $429.6 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide, according to its website.

As long as there are those who need help, the Elks will remain ready to provide whatever aid is needed, Jackson said. What I found was a group of folks, all ages and personalities, who pretty much had the same idea. One credo the Elks emphasize is, The faults of our members we write in the sand, their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory.

With a stated goal of building stronger communities through service and connecting with neighbors, the nonprofit provides assistance to veterans, Scouting, scholarships and services for those in need.

Last month the Newport Harbor Elks added a new military support program to their traditional care packages for active personnel when they hosted a Socks for Heroes event.

Gold Star parents Carla and Jim Hogan of San Clemente started the socks program to honor their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in August 2009.

They had always sent him socks filled with goodies, and they continue to do the socks and now supply about 60 pairs which are stuffed with goodies donated by members, said Elks Lodge Veterans Committee Chairwoman Angela Anderson.

The Elks filled them with small items such as beef jerky, cigarettes and hot sauce.

The Elks care package program occurs four times a year, when boxes are filled with snack foods, toiletries and even treats for military dogs. The shipments rotate to various areas, with special consideration when a family member of an Elks member is deployed.

Events for veterans and military families are scheduled throughout the year, and there are ongoing visits to the Long Beach Veterans Affairs hospital to deliver food, clothing and toiletries.

With the vets and active military being a cornerstone of Elkdom, and my belief of how important these individuals are to our country, I volunteered to chair this important committee, Anderson said.

The connection of charity and social activities also was apparent at Newport Harbor Elks during a recent 80s Night fundraising party that provided an opportunity to fill purple piggy banks.

Plastic purple pigs are an enduring fixture on the lodge dining tables, reminding members to contribute on the spot or take them home and fill them with cash. The proceeds collected provide ongoing funding to help needy individuals and families.

A recent recipient was a family with two babies with birth defects. The Elks stepped in and took care of medical bills.

The Newport Harbor Elks Lodge is at 3456 Via Oporto. For more information, call (949) 673-6110 or visit newportelks.com.
Im on an airplane returning from Maui with my wife, two daughters and  a vacation nanny.

I cringe typing that last admission, a gigantic departure from my middle-class roots.

Now, however, our nicely appointed hotels and over-priced lunches are standard practice. In fact, I began typing this because the plane has no WiFi (#smh). So, Im left with my own reflections and thoughts.

No, were not popping Dom Perignon, but we do reward our hard work stemming from our demanding careers. The dilemma? How will we keep our daughters both aware and grateful for this life, yet still motivated to create their own?

Children raised in good fortune should not have that held against them, but they must possess a keen awareness of it. To an outsider, they have a beach house, but to them, its just their house: too hot, small or boring.

You can ask why they act this way  a typical response when grappling with declining gratitude  but you would also be missing the mark.

Take an extreme climate, like Phoenix, for example. Its 105 degrees and locals wear pants, walking calmly around the city. Meanwhile, tourists are drenched in sweat and disbelief.

Why? Environment. For locals, heat is standard, mitigated by normalcy and basic irrelevancy.

Many teens exhibit weaning levels of awareness as their paradigm narrows. This is not their fault, for they dont know what they dont know.

Likewise, we should not fault the successful for their earned affluence, but we must help children solidify a proper understanding of their good fortune. Sometimes this requires flipping the socioeconomic script.

Recently, community members facilitated a father-son trip to Mexico, constructing a house for beneficiaries who had historically lived in a one-room shanty. Built in stride with the structure were deeper father-son relationships and credence to manual labor and the less fortunate.

The work: excruciating; the reward: compounding, as fathers gained a glimpse into their sons friendships, less guarded persona and work ethic; while sons observed their fathers extensive knowledge base, more relaxed spirits and sore muscles. In all, the tearful reaction of the patriarch accepting his new, and first home, was more transformative than any anecdote regarding poverty could ever be.

The next was a whole family affair with mom, dad, two elementary-aged children and two high-schoolers traveling to Central America to work with an orphanage. Prior to the trip, the kids collected thousands of dollars by launching a social media campaign to purchase basic necessities upon arrival.

The family experienced a life-changing week. Mother and daughter had previously traveled there only months prior to begin the process of establishing more awareness. The once-reluctant teen experienced a paradigmatic reawakening, later spearheading their familial return to Central America.

The fabric of a successful community is woven with innovation, leadership and philanthropy. More families have taken leaps to ensure their children will stay humble yet motivated, and eventually be accountable for their own continued well-being. This practice dictates providing total paradigm shifts via immersion into alternate socioeconomic universes; the realities, polar opposites.

Children must then interface and interact with this reality until they arrive at a place of reflective appreciation. This approach invests time and people over donations and tax deductions. The immersion into a trans-formative setting is invaluable when building perspective; it allows families to gain a tangible appreciation for the stability and vitality in their own lives. Most importantly, its done as a family.

Maybe you can afford the experiences like the above families; maybe you cant. Dont let that stop you from fostering a reawakening for your children about the life you have built for them. Start small: mow the lawn or do yard work for a veteran. Go medium: get consistently involved at a soup kitchen or senior center. The only failure is to go nowhere, do nothing in hopes that your children will somehow grasp the value-added elements of their lives.

As for me, the lack of WiFi successfully turned a first-world problem into an opportunity to reflect on my own parenting, my children and my plans to keep their level of entitlement in check.

DANIEL PATTERSON is the assistant principal at Corona del Mar High School.
Chick Corea holds that every band has to have a mission, a function that only it can perform. Quarteto Nuevo is a contemporary chamber group that channels the folkloric, symphonic and improvisational all at once. Its instrumentation of soprano sax and flute, acoustic guitar, cello and hand percussion takes eclecticism to far reaches but does so with warmth and lyricism.

In Quarteto Nuevos repertoire are Brazilian guitarist Egberto Gismontes floating melodies; the Spanish and the Moorish meld in John Bergamos Jacaranda; and the metric obstacle course of Frank Zappas TMershi Duween.

The bands original pieces are all burnished with a glow from guitarist Kenton Youngstroms nylon-string guitar. Cellist Jacob Szekelys cool-tempered Rain Song exposes the romantic undercurrent that runs through their repertory. Circular lines of saxophonist Damon Zicks stately 33 (Third) conjure Andalusia courtyards and a romp in an Umbrian field. That they can make all of their scattered interests sound of a piece is Quarteto Nuevos quiet triumph.

Youngstrom points out: Since each member contributes originals  and arrangements of other composers works  the path of the ensemble veers in a slightly different direction with each new tune introduced. One of my tunes, Say What? is inspired by Latin jazz; my arrangement of Womens Dance is more like a Bulgarian blues in 5/4. With each new offering, the group subtly redefines itself.

Quarteto Nuevo brings its musical alchemy to the Brand Library & Art Centers free summer Plaza Sound series on Friday, Aug. 12. The band has gone through no fewer than six permutations since its inception, by one members count; as they say, its been a journey.

In 1998, percussionist Chris Garcia inaugurated a weekly space for composers to convene. For two or three hours a month, various writers and instrumentalists brought their pieces in to hear them played and, in turn, play other peoples work. Quarteto Nuevo evolved out of that workshop.

Garcia, who recently left the band, studied with the well-regarded world percussion program at California Institute of the Arts, overseen by the late John Bergamo (1940-2013). His role in infusing SoCal music with the percussion of North and South India cant be overstated.

Chris playing was anchored by the tabla drums, Szekely says. Our new percussionist, Aaron Chavez, also studied at Cal Arts, but his feeling is entirely different. He plays a lot of Middle Eastern and Brazilian percussion.

Chavez plays the Brazilian rik, and the pandeiro  resonant frame drums that sometimes have metal appendages. Szekely observes: Aaron has added some new complexities to the bands music; he brings a multidimensional quality to those instruments and he can make hand percussion sound like a trap drum set.

Aside from Zappa, Gismonte and Corea, Quarteto Nuevo admires the music of the French avant gardist of the early 20th century, Erik Satie. A conservatory refugee, the maverick composers work always sought to say more with less. Well be playing Saties Froides, Szekely discloses, at the Norton Simon. That gives Aaron a chance to really shine.

Told that Quarteto Nuevos collective music would seem a natural place for Hungarian composer Bela Bartoks music, Szekely eagerly agrees. We dont have any Bartok arrangements yet, he says, but thats something Id love to do. My uncle, violinist Zoltan Szekely premiered one of his works in the United States many years ago.

So how can Quarteto Nuevos raison d'etre be summed up? As far as style, Szekely explains, we write and choose tunes that allow us to explore challenging material, that allows us to improvise and to discover new sounds. Though Im not sure it applies to Aaron, we lean toward jazz because we love it, but were all steeped in classical music.

--

What: Quarteto Nuevo

Where: Brand Library & Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.

When: Friday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m.

Contact: (818) 548-2051, www.brandlibrary.org

--

KIRK SILSBEE writes about jazz and culture for Marquee.
Teachers and students at two Glendale schools will receive instruction and guidance from teaching artists provided to them by the Music Center as part of a grant-funded collaboration that aims to deepen arts instruction and curriculum.

Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Elementary, as well as Toll Middle School, located just down the street from Keppel, are participating in the program.

The schools were awarded a federal grant worth $125,480 available through the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Innovation and Improvement, according to Glendale Unified teacher specialist Talisen Winder.

The grant will allow for teaching artists from the Music Center to work closely with Keppel and Toll instructors to provide new ways to enhance students learning and proficiency in visual and performing arts standards.

"[The] Music Centers teaching artists are highly trained with expertise in individual arts disciplines as well as techniques for using them in the classroom, Winder said in an email.

Once students promote from Mark Keppel, they go on to attend Toll, so Glendale Unified educators are focused on strengthening arts instruction there, too.

In all, 58 teachers from Keppel and Toll will undergo training this year, and part of it will involve the instructors observing as the visiting teaching artists model instruction in the classroom for one hour a week for 10 weeks.

In addition, the collaboration between teachers at both campuses presents an advantage to students, said Kristine Siegal, principal of Mark Keppel.

Its such a benefit for the students when their teachers work together, use the same language and share similar ideas because it transfers into their teaching, she said.

--

Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
Throughout a nearly eight-decade showbiz career, Margaret Kerry has had countless roles, but there is one character thats stuck with her and ultimately became a part of who she is: Tinker Bell.

Despite Disneys classic Peter Pan being an animated film, the characters were modeled after real-life people.

Because of her dancing background, she auditioned for the part and won the role as a reference model, despite the urban legend that Tinker Bell was actually based on Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe.

Ive worked with Marilyn, and I adored her, but one of the reasons she couldnt have done it was because she wasnt a dancer, Kerry said. If you look at Tinker Bell, the way she does her walk is like a ballet dancers walk.

For many years, Kerry has worked on a book about her experience as the iconic Disney fairy as well as her entire career. Titled, Tinker Bell Talks! Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life, she will be signing copies of the book on Sunday at Walt Disneys Carolwood Barn.

The Glendale resident was born in Los Angeles as Peggy Lynch. She acted and danced in Our Gang comedy shorts early in her career before moving on to appearances on The Andy Griffith Show and providing a slew of voice-over work on cartoons such as Clutch Cargo.

Shes also been in 37 motion pictures.

However, the biggest break in her career was being brought in to do pantomime work for Disney animator Marc Davis as Tinker Bell  Walt Disney himself was even present at the time, Kerry said.

Seeing herself on the big screen for the first time made her cry and her relationship with Tinker Bell would only continue to grow from there.

She is me in film and I am her, Kerry said. Its sort of like having an alter ego.

Kerry will be signing copies of her book from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Walt Disneys Carolwood Barn, located at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum, 5202 Zoo Drive, in Griffith Park. Admission is free.
The state carrier and its employees had been at loggerheads with each other over a slew of issues, including the perpetual delay in disseminating salaries.
A pro-Russia leader of Ukraines breakaway region of Luhansk was wounded Saturday in a car bombing that supporters called an assassination attempt.

Igor Plotnitsky, a burly, bull-necked warlord who has been at the helm of the unrecognized Luhansk Peoples Republic in eastern Ukraine since 2014, was hospitalized after a bomb explosion, separatist authorities said in a statement.

The Luhansk Information Center, a separatist-run news agency, posted photos and video footage of Plotnitskys black SUV severely damaged by the explosion in central Luhansk. It said Plotnitskys condition was stable.

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But separatist official Oleg Tsaryov tweeted that Plotnitsky has been hospitalized in a grave condition, and a source in the hospital told the Interfax news agency that Plotnitskys liver and spleen were badly damaged.

Separatist authorities immediately accused Ukrainian intelligence of organizing the attack.

Those behind the assassination attempt were controlled by intelligence from Western nations, one of the militant officers, Maj. Andrey Marochko, told the Luhansk Information Center.

Plotnitsky himself accused the U.S. of acting to roil Ukraine.

I am alive and healthy, he said in an audio address posted on his website late Saturday. The war is not over, and behind the Ukrainian government are the intelligence services of the U.S., those who try to roil the situation in Ukraine and in the world in general.

He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already been briefed about the sidekicks of Ukrainian and U.S. special services who allegedly operate in Luhansk.

Ukrainian authorities rejected the claims.

The assassination allegations lack logic and wont solve anything, government spokesman Alexander Motuzyanik said in televised remarks.

Plotnitsky, 52, has accused Jews of seizing power in Ukraine after a pro-Western popular revolt deposed a pro-Russia president in 2014. He challenged the presidents successor, Petro Poroshenko, to a duel.

Plotnitsky came to power in the tiny Luhansk region months after it broke away from the central government in Kiev in April 2014.

The separatist war in Luhansk and in the neighboring Donetsk region has claimed almost 10,000 lives and displaced more than a million people.

The separatists accused the central government in Kiev of suppressing the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers, and declared independence after two hastily organized referendums.

They initially hoped that Russia would annex Donetsk and Luhansk the way it absorbed Crimea just months earlier, but the Russian government said the fight for independence was Ukraines domestic problem and denied sending troops and weapons to the separatists.

Shortly after declaring independence, Luhansk split into several warring enclaves that were controlled by Cossacks, far-right nationalists and other pro-Russia forces.

Plotnitsky consolidated control by removing and exiling his opponents whose supporters accused him of trying to assassinate them.

Two of Plotnitskys main rivals were killed last year in car explosions. Plotnitskys advisor was gunned down in April.

Plotnitsky participated in the development of the 2015 Minsk peace accord that significantly decreased the hostilities in eastern Ukraine. But in recent weeks, the fighting intensified, resulting in dozens of deaths and almost daily shelling.

Mirovalev is a special correspondent.

ALSO

Japans emperor will give a video speech. Whats the big deal?

South Africas ruling party suffers biggest election setback since apartheid

Protesters say a massacre took place in this Mexican town. Now its become a rallying cry against the government

UPDATES:

3:35 p.m.: This story was updated with a statement from Plotnitsky.

1:50 p.m.: This story was updated throughout with staff material.

This was originally published at 11:40 a.m.
LAKE URMIA, Iran  An eerie and forlorn tableau greets visitors to the arid shores of this once-vast lake in Irans far northwest. Rusting ships sit wedged in deep black mud. Stray dogs nibble on rotting planks from long-discarded beach chairs and derelict bungalows.

Lake Urmia, long counted among the worlds largest saltwater lakes  almost 90 miles in length and stretching 34 miles at its widest point  is today a pitiful shadow of its former self.

Vast expanses of the onetime holiday haven have been transformed into stretches of sunbaked mud so solid that pickup trucks and tractors can drive on it for miles, said Hojjat Jabbari, a scientist working in the environmental department in Urmia.

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In the last two decades, experts say, a toxic combination of wasteful irrigation practices, the damming of feeder rivers, prolonged drought and a warming climate has accelerated the decline of the storied lake, noted in the historical accounts of various civilizations dating back millenniums.

Today, according to experts at Irans environmental agency, the lake, in a broad plain flanked by steep mountains, contains only 5% of the amount of water it did just 20 years ago.

The decline is part of a broader problem facing the Islamic Republic, much of which is already desert.

Some analysts suggest that water rationing may have to be imposed in Tehran, the densely populated capital and metropolitan area home to more than 12 million people.

In January, the centrist Iranian newspaper Shahrvand reported that 517 of more than 700 cities and towns in Iran were on the verge of a water crisis that could result in drinking water shortages, especially during the parched summer.

In recent years, several large Iranian rivers have dried up, as has Irans third-largest lake, Hamoun, in the southeast.

Iran is becoming an uninhabitable desert, and do not think it will happen in the future  it is happening already, Irans former agriculture minister, Isa Kalantari, said in remarks published last year in local media.

With economic and security concerns dominating official discourse, environmental awareness has been slow to take hold in Iran. The Islamic Republic finished 83rd among 178 nations ranked recently on the Environmental Performance Index, which tracks various indicators of environmental, public health and ecosystem vitality. Severe air pollution in Tehran and other cities regularly forces the closure of schools and offices.

Experts say future water shortages are likely to be felt most keenly by Irans agricultural sector, which accounts for about 13% of the nations economic output and almost one-quarter of its employment. Environmentalists have warned that toxic salts leaching from Lake Urmias desiccated shores could taint nearby farmland.

In some instances, water policies and the effects of shortages have fueled public protests, a development authorities eye with dismay. Demonstrators clashed with police in Varzaneh in Esfahan province, in central Iran, during more than a month of protests last year against the governments diversion of water to other regions.

In 2011, police arrested dozens who rallied to save Lake Urmia, a source of pride among many of the 3 million people who live nearby, many of them ethnic Azeris. Officials said the protesters were detained for demonstrating without a permit, but some activists suspected hostility toward the Azeri population.

Two decades ago, Lake Urmia was still a popular destination for vacationers. Tourists marveled at the flocks of flamingos, pelicans and other bird life that gathered on its shores. Bathers immersed themselves in the saline waters and smeared their bodies with its legendary black mud, said to help heal stiff joints. Some called it Irans version of the Dead Sea.

I remember how my late grandmother told us that nobody was in danger of drowning as you couldnt sink in the salty water, recalled Ameneh Saeedi, 33, a secretary in Tehran, who vacationed at the lake regularly with her family. We used to stay up until the small hours laughing and swimming.

Today vehicles can reach many of the lakes more than 100 small islands that were once a signature feature, havens for wildlife and humans on holiday.

Environmentalists are divided as to whether Lake Urmias fate can be reversed. Mohammad Darvish, an official with the national environmental agency, remains optimistic.

It may takes 10 years, but the salty lake can be saved, he said in an interview. If the rain and snowfalls are managed well, we can direct enough water to the lake to be revived.

However, the cash-strapped central government has shown no sign of embarking on a massive, costly campaign to restore the lake to its former glory. Many Iranians seem resigned to its demise.

For some, Lake Urmias death march serves as a dark allegory for the bleak future facing a generation of young, well-educated Iranians with few viable career prospects. A recent theatrical production in Tehran, In the Salty Land, compares the dying salty lake to fading hope that Irans moribund economy will rebound, despite vows of better times to come from President Hassan Rouhani, who was elected last year.

Gazing out at the blackened basin of Lake Urmia from its gloomy shores, its difficult to envision a rebirth anytime soon. The pelicans and other birds that used to enliven the scenery have moved on to more hospitable homes, leaving behind a forbidding landscape and ghostly quiet.

The migratory birds are taking refugee in the wetlands for now, said Jabbari, the local scientist, who still harbors hope that the shriveled Urmia may one day recover its vitality. Theyre gliding over the dying lake less and less these days.

Special correspondents Mostaghim and Sandels reported from Lake Urmia and Beirut, respectively. Times staff writer Patrick J. McDonnell in Beirut contributed to this report.
Officials arrested the Mayor of Fairfax, Virginia after he was caught selling meth to an undercover detective in exchange for group sex with several men.

Mayor Richard Scott Silverthorne was arrested at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Virginias Tysons Corner on Thursday, following the bust.

Police say the mayor was charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine. He also has a misdemeanor for drug paraphernalia possession.

The re-elected mayor and substitute teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools did not resist arrest.

Fairfax County Captain Hack Hardin tells NBC News that Silverthorne gave a full confession on everything he did the night of his arrest.

Meanwhile, officers arrested the two suspects who may have provided Silverthorne with the drugs; 34-year-old Juan Jose Fernandez and 21-year-old Caustin McLaughlin.

Both of the suspects from Maryland were charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine. They were also charged with felony possession with the purpose of distributing the meth as well as misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

How the Mayor was Caught

Detectives with the Organized Crime and Narcotics division in Virginia received a tip about a meth ring when they heard of an online website used for casual sex encounters between men.

When they found out that the meth ring was orchestrated through the casual encounters website, the division began investigating Silverthorne because a citizen tipped them on his connection to it.

The detectives set up an account on the website and days later, the mayor reached out to the undercover cops through their fake profile account.

Police say the communication between them involved Silvethorne text messaging the cops, telling them that he will give them drugs in exchange for sex.

Silverthorne told the undercover cops that he will give them the meth and provide other men for them to sleep with. He then arranged a group sex meeting with them at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Thursday night.

At the night of the event, the mayor provided the undercover cops with 2 grams of meth before they arrested him.

VA Mayor Scott Silverthorne

The mayor was serving his third term as one of the best leaders in Fairfax. He was known as a champion for quality of life issues, and was dealing with a lot of life issues himself.

In June, he was laid off from his job as a director of recruitment with the National Association of Manufacturers. A bank also foreclosed on his house.

Fairfax was listed in Forbes Top 25 Places to Live Well back in 2009 as No. 3.
Aug 6, 2016, 2:01pm ET

Google's chief technical officer of autonomous cars leaves

Chris Urmson reportedly had a falling out with project leadership.

The chief technical officer and lead roboticist of Google's self-driving car program, has left the company after seven and a half years.

Chris Urmson made public his exit on Medium on Friday, saying that "It has been a tremendous privilege and honor to be part of a team that has been at the forefront of bringing this life-saving technology to the world."

According to the New York Times, Urmson had expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the project over the last few months, especially since John Krafcik, the former CEO of Hyundai Motor America, moved to oversee Google's autonomous car division. Urmson reportedly argued with Google co-founder Larry Page privately for months, but Google declined to comment on the nature of the disagreements.

The Times also reports that several other automotive engineers have departed Google this year, including Lior Ron, the product lead for Google Maps. Ron, along with Google Car engineer Anthony Levandowski, have founded the autonomous truck start-up Otto. Google car engineers Dave Ferguson and Jiajun Zhu have also left to found a separate startup whose name and purpose have not yet been disclosed.

"When I arrived at Google, our first milestone was to have our modified Prius cars self-drive 100,000 miles including 'interesting' roads such as the twisty highway from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo. Like the miles of a teenager on their first drive, our first trips in 2009 were not exactly smooth," Urmson wrote. "Now, 1.8 million miles of autonomous driving later, I've decided the time is right to step down and find my next adventure."
A fugitive from New Jersey who allegedly sexually assaulted two children over a almost a decade was arrested in North Carolina, a newspaper reports.

David Ortiz-Soledad (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

David Ortiz-Soledad, 43, was taken into custody July 8, according to the Gaston Gazette, which covers Gaston County, N.C.

Ortiz-Soledad's last known address was in the first block of Fulton Street in Phillipsburg, according to a grand jury indictment issued this week in his absence. The Gazette reports he was living near Mount Holly, N.C., but it was not clear for how long.

Online records indicate Ortiz-Soledad is still in custody in North Carolina. The newspaper reported he was being held without bail.

Ortiz-Soledad faces nine charges, including three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, according to the indictment. The victims were 11 and 6 when the assaults began in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
In early December I attended the 3rd annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva.

The Forum gave an opportunity for key stakeholders to discuss how we can ensure universal human rights standards are upheld in business practices. As a Liberal Democrat and an internationalist I know, on an issue as important as this, co-operation with our global partners is the best way of ensuring transnational businesses maintain their responsibilities to their employees and their consumers.

So I am delighted that the Coalition Government has announced that we will be supporting a new Corporate Human Rights Benchmark which will assess and rank the human rights performance of international companies. My department  Business, Innovation and Skills  will provide 80,000 of start-up funding.

A consortium led by Aviva, one of the UKs largest investors, developed this proposal which will start with an annual assessment of 500 companies performances, with the full results published openly. The ranking will provide a transparent, publicly available and credible benchmark by which businesses can be held accountable for their human rights practices.

I want other countries to throw their support behind this initiative so we have a strong international alliance behind the business and human rights agenda.

The UK is already a world leader in this field. Last year, we became the first country to publish a national action plan with guidance for companies on how to integrate human rights into their operations, including increased transparency over policies and dealings.

Setting out the Governments expectations of businesses, Vince Cable said at the time:

A stronger economy depends on investors, employees and the wider public having trust and confidence in the way companies conduct themselves both at home and abroad.

I have been very vocal in calling for greater transparency in business supply chains as a way to end the scourge of modern slavery. British consumers are entitled to know who is producing their goods. Thankfully we have had real success in this area.

As a result of Liberal Democrat pressure, the Modern Slavery Bill was altered to require large companies to disclose what steps they have taken to eradicate modern slavery in their supply chains. Credit must go to Andrew Stunell for his efforts in helping this measure reach the statute book.

In my role as a Business Minister, I have also reformed the Companies Act to strengthen companies non-financial reporting to include information on human rights, where necessary for strategic understanding of the business.

Standing up for human rights across the globe unites all Liberal Democrats. We will continue to fight to protect vulnerable workers, hold businesses to account and ensure customers have clearer knowledge about companies they are dealing with.

This Benchmark is a welcome, positive step. Our challenge now is to make sure other nations advocate these principles and follow the UKs lead.

* Jo Swinson is Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire, and was a Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Equalities Minister from 2012-15.
THE official population of Limerick city is set to rise by more than 80% next year when the final results of the latest Census are published.

Preliminary results, released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) at the end of last month show the population of the city stood at just 58,319 on April 24  up from 57,106 in 2011.

While this represents an increase of 2.1% over the five year period, the figures do not reflect the actual population of the Limerick Metropolitan District which was established following the amalgamation of Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council in 2014.

When asked about the discrepancy, a spokesperson for the CSO said the preliminary figures were published for the purposes of continuity and comparison.

She added the figures do not reflect changes in local authority administrative boundaries that existed prior to passing of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council says the population of the Limerick metropolitan area is in fact 105,326 and that this will be reflected in the final Census results.

Its clear that Limerick has a much larger urban population than the preliminary Census figures suggest, said Dr Pat Daly, Head of the Economic Development Directorate with the local authority.

Its important that people and investors get the right message about Limerick. We are a city of over 100,000 people and has a natural hinterland of half a million people living within an hours drive of the city centre. This critical mass is crucial when selling Limerick to foreign investors as it shows we have the capacity to match their ambitions, he added.

While the preliminary Census figures rank Limerick as the fourth largest city in the country  behind Dublin (553,165), Cork (125,622) and Galway (79,504) it will officially jump ahead of Galway into third place when the final results are published in 2017.

The total population of Limerick increased by 1.8% between 2011 and 2016 to 195,175.
LIMERICK should market itself as the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way in the same manner Troms in Norway promotes itself as the entrance to the Arctic Circle.

Thats according to Ireland South MEP Liadh Ni Riada who was in Limerick last week.

There has been disquiet from many people over the fact the majority of Limerick is not on the tourist trail.

At present, only the area around Foynes lies on the Wild Atlantic Way.

But Ms Ni Riada said: I think a more practical approach would be identify Limerick in its own right as offering something unique, rather than it being tagged onto the Wild Atlantic Way. There is no reason it cannot be a gateway into it. But outside of that, Limerick has much more to offer.2

The Sinn Fein MEP  who hails from Kerry  added: Troms is used as a gateway to the Arctic Circle. There is no reason why Limerick cannot be marketed as the gateway to the Atlantic.

On her visit to Limerick, Ms Ni Riada met the Limerick Chamber, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue at its offices in the Dock Road, and various mental health groups at Sinn Feins new office in Lower Denmark Street.

She believes voluntary groups need more support, saying: These groups spend much of their time splashing around for various pots of money, and they cannot keep their heads above water.

On the long-awaited Cork to Limerick motorway link, Ms Ni Riada said she would continue to press for it at European level.

It does come down to the political will. When you look at the money spent in other areas, for example, the whole debacle with Irish Water, we have to level it off and say: Well if they invested in this and looked at the increase against the economic benefit, she explained, in reference to the government.

Despite Limericks defeat to Cork in the bidding for the European Capital of Culture, she is confident Limerick can build on this, saying she believes the citys bid is self sustainable.

You have to wonder where the thinking was when they gave it to Galway, she said, Galway is very well established. It does not really need this kind of initiative as much as Limerick does.
As the photo demonstrates plans are well underway for the Greybridge Classic Club harvest day, which takes place this Sunday, August 7 in Meanus.

As John Deere celebrates 50 years in Ireland in 2016 the club is organising a massive line-out display of tractors. Preparations have already begun with the first cut of the deer completed and letters now in place. Registrations are gathering pace with tractors from the 10, 20 and 30 series from across the country already signed up, in addition to a fantastic selection of newer models.

Billy Donegan is bringing his wonderful Overtime tractor and there will also be a prize winning 1020 which was one of the earliest sold in Ireland in 1967.

In addition to the tractors they also have a number of John Deere Crawlers, along with a number of self-propelled silage harvesters and combines. The weather hasnt been kind so far this summer, but they are hopeful of a dry day to put on a working display with a selection John Deere round and square balers.

There will also be plenty of other activities including vintage car and tractor displays and with the support of both John Deere and Gearys Garage, of Kilmeedy and Clarecastle, there will also be a unique monster John Deere raffle.

The club are also organising plenty of additional activities for all the family, with the RSA bringing their rollover and shuttle units, demonstrations from the emergency services, free bouncy castles, penalty shootouts, face painting and fun and games.

As has been the case for the last number of years the event is run on a voluntary basis and the club runs a number of events throughout the year to cover the cost of the harvest day, ensuring that all money raised on the day goes to charities.

See www.greybridgecc.ie for more.
Apr 28, 2021, 11 AM

Four new Flag forever stamps were issued without a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 29. The American Philatelic Society obtained the stamps for its winter show, Ameristamp Expo, allowing collectors to create their own collectibles.

It was not the first-day site, but the Claude C. Ries Chapter of the AFDCS, in the Los Angeles area where Escalante taught, arranged for a special postmark for cacheted covers with the new stamp.

By Lloyd de Vries

Take a look at the Linns U.S. Stamp Program.

What is missing from the listings are first-day ceremonies at the countrys major stamp shows, other than World Stamp Show-NY 2016 and three perennials: the American Philatelic Societys Ameristamp Expo in January, APS Stampshow in August and the American Stamp Dealers Associations Fall Postage Stamp Show in New York in October.

The United States Postal Service announced the Patriotic Spiral forever stamp in a booklet of 10 for consumers will be issued in Falls Church, Va., on Aug. 19. Americover 2016, the annual show of the American First Day Cover Society, is taking place in Falls Church Aug. 19-21, but the show wasnt mentioned in the USPS press release.

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The Patriotic Spiral stamp first day of issue at Americover 2016 was the result of persistent campaigning behind the scenes by first-day collecting enthusiasts. The stamp also will be issued in a coil of 10,000 for businesses on the same day without a ceremony and with a Kansas City postmark.

The U.S. Postal Service has agreements to issue stamps at APS Stampshow and the ASDA New York show. The APS summer show usually gets an interesting new issue and whatever mail-use stamps are coming out around that time. In recent years, the annual holiday stamps have become first-day staples for the ASDA fall show.

In 2015, at least six other World Series of Philately shows also had first days: Southeastern Stamp Expo (Georgia), Texpex (Texas), Garfield-Perry (Ohio), Aripex (Arizona), Napex (Washington, D.C., area), and National Topical Stamp Show (Oregon).

In 2016, none of those shows had a first-day ceremony. Granted, some of those shows took a bye this year because of World Stamp Show, where eight first-day ceremonies took place.

However, there were opportunities for new-issue launches at other stamp shows this year, and the USPS chose to skip them.

On the opening day of Ameristamp Expo 2016, Jan. 29, the USPS issued the 10 Botanical Art forever stamps at the show, but gave a set of four new U.S. Flag forever stamps a quiet, no-ceremony release in Washington, D.C., that same day.

Former Linns senior editor Jay Bigalke, now editor of the American Philatelist and APS media manager, did take pains to make sure every format of the new Flag stamp was available that day at Ameristamp Expo, and collectors took advantage of that by creating covers with the shows postal station cancel.

The nondenominated (89) Henry James stamp, the new 3-ounce-rate entry in the Literary Arts series, was issued July 31 without a ceremony in Dulles, Va., a site that not only lacks a connection to the author being honored, but didnt even exist during his lifetime, being an unincorporated area around Dulles International Airport since its construction in the late 1950s.

Americover, the World Series of Philately show, is taking place in Falls Church, about 14 miles away from Dulles.

Was there such a desperate need for a 3-ounce-rate stamp that its release couldnt wait for Americover?

Even stranger, the issue date for the Henry James stamp is on a Sunday, when no post offices in the immediate area are open, and the date has no significant connection to James life.

This year, even APS Stampshow appears to be getting somewhat short shrift.

The Portland, Ore., show is the rather puzzling host of a set of four Songbirds in Snow forever stamps, in August, in a city that gets about three inches of snow a year.

Apparently, the postal cupboard was bare of other potential new issues for Stampshow.

There is no question the USPS is going to try to place high-profile issues, such as the Star Trek and Wonder Woman stamps, at major non-philatelic events (Star Trek Mission: New York, on Sept. 2, and New York Comic-Con on Oct. 7, respectively) in the hopes of garnering extra attention for itself and for stamps  mostly the former. While stamp collectors might wish otherwise, this is probably sound thinking on the Postal Services part.

However, the Postal Service likely could sell more stamps if some additional consideration were given to collectors and shows.

For example, the Jaime Escalante forever stamp was issued last month on the second day of the League of United Latin American Citizens convention in Washington. Minnesota Stamp Expo opened two days later. If the Escalante stamp had been issued at the LULAC convention two days later, the stamp show would have been able to hold a first-day-of-sale event (which is still highly promotable).

One way to extend the reach of a first-day ceremony is to arrange for a special postmark for a new issue.

For example, the Escalante FDC by Panda Cachets illustrated here has a dedication event postmark arranged by the very active Claude C. Ries Chapter of the AFDCS, in the Los Angeles area where Escalante taught.

Conventioneers buying postal souvenirs of their event are unlikely to become long-term collectors and USPS customers. People who come to a stamp show because they heard a new stamp was being issued there are better prospects: They are being exposed not just to a new stamp issue but to the wide world of stamp collecting.

Lloyd de Vries is president of the American First-Day Cover Society. The views expressed in this column are his and not those of the organization.
Apr 28, 2021, 11 AM

The July cartoon caption contest featured the 29 Discus stamp from the set of five stamps issued in 1992 to honor the 1992 Summer Olympics. Using current events as a prop, Bradley Miller wins the nonphilatelic part of the contest with this line referenc

By John M. Hotchner

With politics in the wind, is it any wonder that Linns readers adapted the design of the 29 Discus stamp to that topic?

Issued July 12, 1991, to promote the 1992 Summer Olympics, this stamp was the subject of the July cartoon caption contest.

The predominant theme of the politically based entries plays off the whirling contestant. Representing this group is Ted Feldstein of Doylestown, Pa., who has the discus thrower saying, No Im not a spin doctor for the networks!

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Close behind in theme popularity was the use of the discus to move the mail  or even to be the mail.

Wayne Slama of Plano, Texas, has the athlete saying, Uh-oh! I forgot the airmail stamp!

From David Schwartz of Commack, N.Y., we have a different take, with Boy, Amazon keeps coming up with innovative ways to deliver their orders faster!

In the winners circle, the nonphilatelic line winner also plays off current events, specifically the Zika virus scare that has recently spread beyond the Southern Hemisphere and prompted a warning within the United States from the government. The winning line is by Bradley Miller of Huntsville, Ala.

On the philatelic side of the contest, David Cohen of Rockville, Md., takes the prize with Before the steroids, I was only a 24 stamp!

Both winners will receive Linns Stamp Identifier published by Amos Media Co., or a 13-week subscription to Linns (a new subscription or an extension). The book has a retail value of $12.99.

Here are the best of the runners-up.

Shouldnt I be spinning in the other direction since Rio is below the equator? by Norman Rushefsky of Silver Spring, Md.

For the last time  you kids keep your frisbee out of my yard! from Jack Leonard of Hatboro, Pa.

Round-and-round it goes  and where it lands, no one knows! by Gilbert Shaye of New York, N.Y.

Ouch! I may have just slipped a disc! from James Whiteley of Paducah, Ky.

This is the last time I take a job as a skeet launcher! by Steve Kotler of San Francisco, Calif.

Thanks and a tip of the hat to all who entered.

The next cartoon caption contest will be announced in the Sept. 12 Linns.
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Columnists Press Releases
As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the need for developing well-trained, knowledgeable and tech-savvy port leaders of the future has never been greater.



Last April, the Port of Los Angeles announced its first-ever Fellows Program, an educational initiative focused on developing the next generation of maritime and port leadership. The one-year, on-the-job experience for graduate students officially kicked off in June with the selection of three fellows from some of the regions top universities.



What students learn from a book or in their classes is just one part of the equation, said Doane Liu, deputy executive director at the Port of Los Angeles. Our Port Fellows Program provides hands-on learning, opportunities for real-world problem solving, and personal mentorship that will be key to both inspiring and launching maritime-related careers.



One of three fellows selected for the program, Shelton Shi is currently a second-year student in the Master of Science Global Supply Chain Management Program at the USC Marshall School of Business. Shi has been assigned to the Ports Marketing and Customer Relations Bureau, where he is analyzing supply chain optimization opportunities. In China, he previously worked for Hengrun Import & Export Corp. Ltd., the Foreign Economic Development Co. Ltd. and as a manufacturing intern for the Panasonic Group.



Fellow Julio Miranda is pursuing a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at California State University, Long Beach. Miranda is working as part of the Ports Construction and Maintenance Division, where he will be focused on finance and administration. Miranda previously worked for Metrolink in Los Angeles and for Milli Transportation, Inc. in Cerritos, CA.



Emily Yena second-year Ph.D. candidate in sociology at UCLAserves as a fellow in the Ports External Affairs Bureau. With a strong interest in port development, sustainability and community relations, Yen is currently working on community outreach strategies and stakeholder relations. She is also writing her dissertation at UCLA on Southern Californias container port development.


The University of Nicosia announced the operation of the Cyprus Maritime Academy at the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Centre for Nautical Education, where the academys facilities are housed.

According to local media reports, Cyprus Maritime Academy will receive its first students in September 2016 and offer four-year degree programs which will cover the three main sectors of the nautical industry: Nautical Science, Nautical Engineering, and Nautical Electric Engineering.

The Academy will take in 35-40 students in its first year. During the second year of the degree program all students will go through practical training in shipping companies in Cyprus, with 25 of the graduates of the class of 2016 having a secure job placement.

Academy blelieves that it would be a success and that the Cyprus shipping industry will comfortably be able to employ Cypriot junior officers with a degree from the Academy onboard their vessels, having a fleet of 1,677 ships, gross tonnage of approximately 23 million under Cyprus flag and employing 55.000 seafarers today.
The new new supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Sakhalin plant and weakening demand from Egypt helped snap a months-long rally. Hence Asian spotLNG prices fell this week, reports Reuters.

Meanwhile, countries in the Middle East and North Africa led by Egypt, Kuwait and Morocco are boosting liquefied natural gas import capacity, taking advantage of low prices to meet rising energy demand, according to a Bloomberg report.

Russia's Sakhalin II plant is tendering to sell three cargoes loading in September and one in October, relieving supply constrained markets.

In Egypt, state-run Egas came out looking for eight instead of the expected 16 cargoes for delivery in Sept-Dec, further loosening outlooks for the month ahead.

However, global output during September remains somewhat constrained by planned outages at the Chevron Chevron-led Angola LNG project and Cheniere Energy's first production line at Sabine Pass - both of which will be offline for repairs and testing.

Angola LNG entered a longer-than-expected maintenance period several weeks ago. Sabine Pass maintenance will happen in September only.

ME plans to add permanent terminals and temporary, off-shore units that will increase annual capacity by 58.2 billion cubic meters in 2021, energy lender Arab Petroleum Investment Corp. said in a report.

Capacity was 39.1 billion cubic meters at the start of 2016, according to a March publication of the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers, a Paris-based industry group. Arab Petroleum didnt provide current figures. Based on the two sets of figures, annual capacity in the region would increase to 97.3 billion cubic meters in five years.
The first of a new class of Neo-Panamax shipping vessels called the Port of Philadelphia to begin a new phase of transport along the Delaware River.

The MSC Sofia Celeste, an 8,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, docked at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia for the first time, making it the largest ship to ever call the Port of Philadelphia.

This new service comes as a direct result of the opening of the Panama Canal Expansion, said David Whene, President of Greenwich Terminals LLC, operator of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.

David added: Coupled with the near completion of the Delaware River Deepening Project, the Port of Philadelphia is poised to capitalize on this new service line as the only direct US east coast port of call between the west coast of South America and Europe.

The MSC Sofia Celeste was completed in 2014 and has an on-board capacity of 8,819 TEUs, of which 1,462 can be used with refrigerated container plugs for transporting perishable cargo.

The ship is the first to trade on MSCs newly redesigned South America West Coast-USA-Northwest Continent service line, which makes stops in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and the Bahamas, before calling Philadelphia and then heading to Rotterdam.

Holt Logistics projects this new weekly service will not only produce more imports from South America through Philadelphia, but also increase volumes from the Midwest destined for export to Northwest Europe.

With many major improvement projects on the horizon and now this record-size vessel calling the Port, so much is occurring to help us assure that the Port of Philadelphia fulfills its vast potential, said Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) Chairman Gerard Sweeney.

We commend our partners at Holt Logistics and the ILA for their expert handling of the Sofia Celeste, which, in addition to its record-size cargo, also inaugurates a reinvigorated Northern European service at the Port, Gerard added.
The UK Treasury deleted names of three Iranian martitime companies active in maritime transportation from its list of entities entitled to financial sanctions.

As per report by IRNA British HM Treasury has announced that following the EU, it had removed from its list sanctions the names of the three Iranian companies that had already been sanctioned due to the EU non-proliferation sanctions.

The asset freeze no longer applies to IRISL Club, IRISL Multimodal Transport Company and Leading Maritime PTE LTD.

The notice reads that listings of these entities have been annulled as a result of judgments of the General Court of the European Union.

U.S. sanctions barred the IRISL fleet of about 170 vessels from sailing in international waters. They also prohibited international shipping companies from calling on Iranian ports.

International shipping lines are stepping up port calls to Iran as the countrys massive maritime trade sector is emerging from sanctions.
Tropical Storm Earl moved inland early on Saturday over southeastern Mexico where torrential rains could produce deadly flash floods and mudslides, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.



The storm with winds of 50 mph (80 kmh) was about 30 miles (50 km) southwest of Veracruz, Mexico as it headed west at 9 mph (15 km), the Miami-based center said in an advisory late on Friday night.



The center said Earl would weaken as it moved inland throughout the day on Saturday, but could produce rainfall up to 12 inches (30 cm) and might produce 18 inches (45 cm) of rain in some areas in the Mexican states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Puebla, Tabasco and Campeche.



The rains could result in life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, the center said.



Before crossing Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, Earl battered Belize earlier this week, smashing car windows and punching holes in the roofs of Belize City's wooden houses. It also downed trees and flooded parts of the coast.



State-owned oil company Pemex said late on Thursday it was monitoring Earl but that so far it had not needed to evacuate its offshore platforms



(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee. Editing by Jane Merriman)
The U.S. Political year of Neither and the 12th Amen? What if?

What if the results of Election 2016 failed to give either major party presidential candidate 270 Electoral votes? In this event, the Twelfth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution stipulates the President is elected by the House of Representatives, and the Vice President is elected by the Senate. This process is referred to as contingent election.

What are the chances of this event occurring? Which House and which Senate is stipulated: the sitting or the newly elected? What deadline dates are imposed? What occurs when either the upper house or lower house - or both houses - reach a stalemate? When does the Supreme Court decide the outcome?

In an election year when voters are asked to believe Trump is a Russian agent and Hillary should be shot by a firing squad, polling firms are facing inordinate numbers of respondents choosing Other, Not Sure, Wont Vote categories; voters who mask their preference and voters altogether unhappy with both major party candidates. For these reasons and more, the 2016 election has been dubbed the The Year of Neither.

Reuters/Ipsos 5 Day Rolling poll released July 29 asked, If the election were held today would you vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? Clinton led Trump 40.5% to 34.6%; Refused 11.7%; Other 8.2%; Wouldnt Vote 5.0%.

The methodology used in this poll differed from previous Reuters/Ipsos polls. The category Neither/Other was changed to Other eliminating the option Neither.

This change proved controversial especially to neoliberal and pro-Trump web sites like ZeroHedge.com and Breitbart.com.

To explain why Reuters/Ipsos results three days earlier (July 26) using prior methodology had Trump ahead of Clinton by one-point but after new methodology (July 29) had Clinton ahead of Trump by six points, Zero Hedge concluded, Trump was soaring in the polls ... the real reason for the (Reuters/Ipsos) tweak was to push Hillary back in the lead simply due to a change in the question phrasing methodology.

A PR release circulated to conservative and pro-Trump web sites read, Breitbart News noted the 17-point swing for Trump, which seems to have set off alarm bells at Reuters.

Conspiratorial explanations aside, polling compiled and aggregated by RealClearPolitics.com in the week of July 25 to August 1 showed Clinton ahead by one to nine points in seven out of eight polls conducted by eight different pollsters. If Reuters tweaked it, so must have seven others.

Furthermore, Real Clear Politics RCP Poll Average (compiled poll averages) of the last three months shows Trump led only during two three-day periods from May 22-25 (+ .2%) and from July 25- 28 (+1.1%).

While Reuters/Ipsos polls are widely followed, so too are polls from Gallup, Pew, Rasmussen, NBC News/SM, CBS News, CNN/ORC, Economist/YouGov and others.

It hasnt been a bad year for pollsters, according to Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight.com. In the 2016 primaries the polling averages had a good track record of calling winners, with the polling front-runner winning the vast majority of the time.

Silver rated pollsters based both on past accuracy and on two measurable methodologies.

How did they do? ABC/WaPo (A+); Monmouth (A+); Ipsos (A-); NBC (A-); CBS (A-); CNN (A-); Pew (B+); YouGov (B); Gallop (B-); Rasmussen (C+).

With Trump and Clinton vying for the highest negativity ratings, the system does allow for third party candidates.

Although third parties havent had an impact since Teddy Roosevelt won 27-percent of the popular vote in 1912, Green and Libertarian parties are on most state ballots. As of August 3, the Green Party (gp.org) has ballot access in 24 states and D.C., and the Libertarian party (lp.org) in 36 states.

In the 2012 presidential election, Jill Stein and the Green Party secured 0.36% of the popular vote and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian party secured 0.99% of the popular vote. Neither secured one electoral vote. This election year promises to yield significantly higher percentages for each candidate across the country, though.

Comparing 2012 and 2016 polling data averages compiled by RealClearPolitics shows as much.

Percentage share of popular vote by major party candidates:

RCP Average Polling Data for July 9-31, 2012 showed the two major party contenders (Obama and Romney) together secured 92% of the popular vote:

2012: Obama (47%), Romney (45%) = 92% combined

RCP Average Polling Data for August 1, 2016 showed a significant drop by the two major party contenders (Clinton and Trump) who together secured only 80% of the popular vote  a decline in the combined share of the popular vote of 12-percent.

2016: Clinton (42.2%), Trump (37.8%) = 80% combined

Percentage share of popular vote by third parties and other:

Taking up 10.6% of the popular vote this year (as of August 1) are Gary Johnson/Libertarian (7.4%) and Jill Stein/Green (3.2%). The remaining 9.4% are Other voters.

2012: Green and Libertarian share of popular vote = 1.35% combined (2012 Final)

2016: Green and Libertarian share of popular vote = 10.6% combined (July 31, 2016)

It is rare for a third party and independent candidate to earn electoral votes; none have since 1968 when George Wallace carried five Southern states earning 46. Ross Perot became the most successful independent candidate in 1992. He drew 19-percent of the total vote but not one electoral vote.

As Michael Medved at The Daily Beast pointed out in 2011, No candidate without major party backing can be president if we dont get rid of the Electoral College.

Due to vagaries of the winner-take-all Electoral College system, a strong third party candidate or the sum of two or more third parties winning electoral votes could keep Trump or Clinton from reaching the 270 electors needed. It only happened once  in 1824  when John Quincy Adams won despite Andrew Jackson having gained popular and electoral pluralities.

In such an event, the top three leaders in electoral votes are sent to the newly elected U.S. House (taking office January 3) where each states delegation gets one vote. Two-thirds of the House must be present and the winner needs a simple majority vote.

Because each state casts one vote, Vermont with its three electoral votes or New Hampshire with its four yield as much clout as California with its 55. Pundits predict that if thrown to the House, Republicans would control the outcome because they dominate more, smaller states.

The Vice President is elected separately by the newly elected Senate, which is limited to choosing from the top two, not three VP candidates. So if on January 3, 2017 Republicans control the House and Democrats the Senate we feasibly could have Donald Trump as President and Tim Kaine as Vice President.

What if either house or both houses reach a stalemate?

If the House is unable to elect a President by January 20, the Vice President-elect serves as Acting President until the impasse is resolved. If the Senate is unable to elect a Vice President by January 20, then the newly elected Speaker of the House serves as Acting President.

Further permutations exist and party strategists are already building what-if models.

For example, Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think-tank, explained in USA Today (June 1, 2016) how Gary Johnson could give us President Paul Ryan.

Lets assume Gary Johnson campaigned strategically and won enough electoral votes to deny Hillary and Trump the 270 needed.

So what happens if the election goes to the House? ... If even five of those red states refuse to vote for Trump, theres no majority and no president ... If the Democrats take the upper chamber, House Republicans will have to reach a presidential agreement to prevent Hillarys vice presidential nominee from becoming acting president. And if the Republicans keep the Senate, it could be that they prefer Trumps vice president to The Donald himself ... Oh, and theres one more possibility: If the Senate is tied  or enough senators abstain to again prevent a majority of the whole body  then well have four years of President Paul Ryan, who as House speaker is next in line. Wouldnt that be huge?

But Washington Posts Amanda Skuldt will tell you why it is unlikely for a third party candidate to win the presidency (August 2). She maintains, Political science says no ... The answer lies in what is known among political scientists as Duvergers Law.

In the essay Duvergers Law: Why American Third Parties Are Hopeless Fantasies, Brian Underwood explains the number of major political parties in any given republican/democratic country is determined by the electoral structure of that country. States with proportional representation  those that award seats to political parties based on the total portion of the popular vote they receive  tend to develop a multi-party system. Single-district plurality voting systems in which seats are allocated district-by-district based on which candidate wins the most votes in that single district  such as the United States  produce a two-party system.

So how could a third party succeed? Amanda Skuldt explains:

A critical mass of people would have to defect from one party to the new party, essentially causing the old party to crumble and the new (formerly third) party to take its place ... Thats what happened the last time a third party won the U.S. presidency in 1860, putting Abraham Lincoln in the seat. The insurgent Republican Party replaced its predecessor, the Whig Party, after the Whigs unraveled over slavery during the 1850s.

Other than this, to encourage more third parties our voting systems would require dramatic revision, she concluded.

Generally, political pundits like to group voters into either the practical/pragmatic category or the idealist/pure one. Mrs. Clinton is all of the former and Bernie Sanders all the latter; leaving Donald J. Trump in the yet to be classified category.

But it is fair to say that 2016 is a none of the above, neither, wont vote, dont know, rowdy, tumultuous period that pundits might be humbled to learn the political science rulebook isnt the guidebook to follow or apply in this political year.

Imagine if Bernie Sanders joined Jill Stein and pulled enough Millennial votes to win several electoral ones and Gary Johnson won several electors from a number of libertarian-leaning states, a contingent election would occur activating the Twelfth Amendment.

But if an October Surprise occurred  a large terrorist act on American soil that would benefit Donald Trump, or a hot war with Russia that would benefit Hillary  all bets are off!

* * * *

Scorecard:

As of August 1: RealClearPolitics RCP Average polling data on a 4-way race was Clinton (42.2%); Trump (37.8%); Gary Johnson/Libertarian (7.4%); Jill Stein/Green 3.2%).



 2016 Michael T. Bucci.

(Michael T. Bucci is a retired public relations executive who has live in Maine since 2000.)



Notes:

Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Clinton vs. Trump, July 29, 2016. Reuters.

http://polling.reuters.com/#!poll/TM651Y15_DS_13/filters/LIKELY:1/type/smallest/dates/20160710-20160729/collapsed/true/spotlight/1

Hillary Lead Over Trump Surges After Reuters Tweaks Poll, Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge, July 31, 2016.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-07-30/clinton-lead-over-trump-surges-after-reuters-tweaks-poll

Shock Poll: Reuters/Ipsos Radically Changes Methodology to Favor Clinton, Neil W. McCabe, Breitbart, July 29, 2016.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2016/07/29/reuters-ipsos-poll-change-methodology/

Real Clear Politics, aggregator of national election polling data.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com

FiveThirtyEights Pollster Ratings, Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight, July 15, 2016.

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/

None of the above? Options for voters unhappy with Clinton and Trump, Richard Rainey, NOLA, June 10, 2016.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/06/third_party_scenarios_trump_cl.html

Green Party US homepage

http://www.gp.org

Libertarian Party homepage

http://lp.org

Federal Elections 2012, Federal Election Commission, July 2013. (pdf)

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf

Gary Johnson could give us President Paul Ryan, Ilya Shapiro, USA Today, June 1, 2016.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/06/01/gary-johnson-12-amendment-electoral-college-elections-2016-column/85170378/

Presidential election in Maine, 2016, Ballotpedia.

https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election_in_Maine,_2016

How the Constitution could let the House stop both Clinton and Trump: 12th Amendment 2016?, Andy Craig, The Old Dominion Libertarian, January 14, 2016.

https://olddominionlibertarian.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/how-the-constitution-could-let-the-house-stop-both-clinton-and-trump/

An Electoral College tie, explained, Holly Munson, Constitution Daily, November 6, 2012.

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/11/an-electoral-college-tie-explained/

Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Contingent Election, Thomas H. Neale, LoC Congressional Research, August 16, 1999.

http://electoralcollegehistory.com/electoral/crs-congress.asp

General Election: Trump vs. Clinton vs. Johnson vs. Stein, RealClearPolitics (accessed August 3, 2016).

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton_vs_johnson_vs_stein-5952.html

Drop the Fantasy of a Third-Party Candidate Winning in 2012, Michael Medved. The Daily Beast, December 3, 2011.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/03/drop-the-fantasy-of-a-third-party-candidate-winning-in-2012.html

Could a third-party candidate win the U.S. presidency? Thats very unlikely, Amanda Skuldt, Washington Post, August 2, 2016.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/08/02/could-a-third-party-candidate-win-the-u-s-presidency-very-unlikely/

Duvergers Law: Why American Third Parties Are Hopeless Fantasies, Brian Underwood, The Mendenhall, October 5, 2012.

http://themendenhall.com/2012/10/05/duvergers-law-why-american-third-parties-are-hopeless-fantasies/



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LONGMEADOW  Surrounded by friends, employees and members of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, Michelle LaValley delivered a brief speech before cutting the ceremonial ribbon in front of Hair Studio One Inc.

"Thank you, everybody, for being here and making my dream come true."

She recently marked the reopening of the hair salon, which LaValley bought from longtime owner Irene Dudek in January.

LaValley, a first-time business owner, worked as a stylist at Hair Studio One on 20 Cross St. for three years before Dudek floated the idea of selling her the salon. Dudek, who owned the salon for 34 years, handpicked LaValley as a buyer, she said.

"This is sort of a one-of-a-kind (situation), usually an owner sells, then they leave," Dudek said. "Hopefully she'll be here for another 34 years."

The salon is the one business in a residential neighborhood in Longmeadow, having been first established there 90 years ago, and grandfathered in when zoning laws restricted other businesses from opening there.

After buying Hair Studio One, LaValley began making renovations to the building before reopening it last week. The ceilings have been lifted higher, a chandelier hangs from above and LED lights are now used, LaValley said.

However, she made sure to maintain the legacy of the salon, to which some people travel from as far as New York to patronize.

"I think (the salon) feels like love," LaValley said. "It's like a big family."

In addition to several longtime employees, including two who began working at Hair Studio One 34 years ago, LaValley hired two new stylists, she said.

As Hair Studio One has for years, LaValley intends to send stylists to conferences and other events focused on hair styling so that the salon will remain at the vanguard of the industry, she said. Their customers run the spectrum of ages.

"We're very busy here," LaValley said. "We have newborns to grandparents."
SPRINGFIELD  A Springfield man is dead after a car chase with police led to a fatal crash on Rt 291 on Saturday morning, according to Massachusetts State Police.

A State Trooper spotted a suspect driving a gray 2008 Infiniti Sedan at speeds upwards of 100 mph, at approximately 2:45 a.m., according to David Procopio, spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police.

The suspect was later identified as Denzil Bell, 23, of Springfield.

The Trooper witnessed Bell headed east on Rt 291 near St. James Ave, and, after receiving authorization from Troop B headquarters, proceeded to attempt to catch up to him, according Procopio.

Several seconds into the pursuit, however, Bell attempted to take Exit 5A, at which point the Trooper communicated to Troop B that the suspect was exiting the highway.

Police soon discovered that Bell appeared to have crashed during his attempt to exit the highway.

Police found the Infiniti on its side on the on-ramp. Bell, who police believe was not wearing his seat belt at the time, had been ejected from the vehicle, and was pronounced dead after Troopers unsuccessfully attempted to administer first aid.

The crash seems to have occurred after Bell failed to navigate the turn onto the off-ramp, according to Procopio.

Procopio says it appears that Bell subsequently lost control of his vehicle and ran into a grassy infield situated between the off-ramp and on-ramp, at which point the Infiniti crashed into construction materials that had been stored in the area.

Police say the crash remains under investigation.
WHITTINGHAM, VT  Two people were arrested on Friday after a house in Whittingham, Vermont was burglarized, then set on fire, according to Vermont State Police.

The fire, which occurred at 568 Rt 112, caused significant damages to the house, with an estimated cost upwards of $150,000, according to police.

Additionally, police say a number of items were taken from the house before it was set on fire  including an urn that carried the ashes of the homeowner's dead relative.

Dustin Bilby, 32, was arrested on Friday, after police investigation into the fire determined that it was set intentionally, according to police.

Additionally, a 16-year-old juvenile was also arrested in relation to the incident.

The fire was first reported at approximately 2 a.m. on Thursday morning, when a passerby called the Whittingham Fire Department to report the blaze.

After arriving at the scene, firefighters found heavy fire, and subsequently asked for assistance from a number of fire departments in the surrounding area.

After the blaze had been put out, the Whittingham Fire Chief contacted the Vermont State Police to ask that an investigation into the fire's cause be conducted.

The detectives' investigation led them to believe that the house had been burglarized and then set on fire, according to police.

After the two suspects were arrested, several of the items taken from the house  including the stolen urn  were recovered and returned to the homeowner by police.

Bilby is currently being lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility.

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the fire should get in touch with Detective Sgt. Steve Otis at the Vermont State Police at 802-722-4600.
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(FILE PHOTO)

This story elaborates on an article published at 3:58 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016: Police in Holyoke pass random drug tests without violations: Acting Chief Denise Duguay

HOLYOKE -- The random drug testing of city police officers was done as the phrase suggests, with officers given no notice and required to provide urine samples upon arriving at work one day in the spring, a union official said today.

"You were told when you got to work that day," said patrolman James Bartolomei, president of Local 388, International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

City patrol and superior officers all emerged clean after the contractually-permitted random drug tests, Acting Police Chief Denise M. Duguay said in an emailed statement earlier Friday.

Police released the statement at the request of Mayor Alex B. Morse after being asked to do so by The Republican.

The Work Connection at Holyoke Medical Center did the random drug tests with its representatives on site at the Police Station at 138 Appleton St. Bartolomei estimated about 70 of the union's 86 members were tested that day. Others who were on vacation or otherwise unavailable went on their own to the Work Connection to provide urine samples later, he said.

Also, the 86 union members include five candidates who are undergoing police academy training. They were tested before attending the academy, he said.

It was unclear how many superior officers received the random drug tests on the first day of testing or if any had to go on their own later to the Work Connection.

The results included the determination that an error occurred regarding an officer whose initial test resulted in him being placed on paid administrative leave. That's according to the statement by Capt. Denise M. Duguay, who is acting chief while Police Chief James M. Neiswanger is on vacation.

"An internal affairs investigation was launched into the matter. The results of that investigation showed the lab had made an erroneous report and the officer involved tested clean. That officer is in good standing and has been returned to his regular assignment," the statement said.

Duguay couldn't be reached for comment for additional questions such as what the nature of the drug-testing error was in relation to that officer.

A spokeswoman for Holyoke Medical Center was asked to comment about the police assertion that "the lab had made an erroneous report," and she said she would look into the matter.

Bartolomei said he was unable to discuss the "erroneous report" involving an officer's initial drug test because he was not in possession of all of the matter's details.

"I can't speak to that. They didn't share that with me," Bartolomei said.

In May, Lt. Manuel T. Reyes, commander of the department's Professional Standards Division, told The Republican that Officer Shaun Kelly had been placed on paid administrative leave in relation to random drug testing being conducted with all officers but that officials were examining whether a problem occurred with the testing itself.

The $25,000 for testing urine samples was included in the budget for the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30. The testing just happened to be done in the spring and wasn't prompted by a specific incident, Rory Casey, Morse's chief of staff, said at the time.

The contracts between the city and Local 388, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, which represents patrol officers, and Local 409, Holyoke Police Supervisors, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, permits drug testing in two cases.

The chief can order an officer to undergo a drug test based on reasonable suspicion, which Neiswanger previously has defined as an employee showing behavior such as unusual physical mannerisms, including falling down, odd work performance and the employee's own admission.

The contracts also state that if one officer is drug-tested randomly, then all officers must also be subject to random testing.

Bartolomei said this was the first time the random drug testing had been done. Discussion of the random drug testing is among matters the union and city are negotiating on in relation to a new contract, he said.

"We certainly want a drug-free environment and we don't want anybody on the job using drugs," Bartolomei said.

Among questions that have emerged are:

What was the nature of the drug-testing error in relation to the officer whose initial results resulted in him being placed on paid administrative leave -- was an illegal drug detected initially and later determined not to have been detected, was there a problem, later resolved, with a urine sample?

Will the city use the Work Connection again for random drug testing of police officers, given that, as the Holyoke Police Department statement said, "the lab had made an erroneous report?"

Will random drug testing remain part of the contract between the city and patrol union members, with negotiations underway on a new collective bargaining agreement, and if so, what changes will be made to that policy?

Here is the press release the Holyoke Police Department issued on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 about the random drug testing results:

"This year, with the cooperation of both police unions, Local 388 and Local 409, the Holyoke Police Department conducted drug testing of sworn full-time police officers. Mayor Alex B. Morse and Police Chief James M. Neiswanger are proud to announce that these Holyoke officers have passed their drug screening. 'During the drug testing, the department received communication from the lab about one of the tests on one of our officers. Based on that communication, that officer was tested again and placed on paid administrative leave. An internal affairs investigation was launched into the matter. The results of that investigation showed the lab had made an erroneous report and the officer involved tested clean. That officer is in good standing and has been returned to his regular assignment. "I just want to say how proud I am of the members of the Holyoke Police Department and wish to re-affirm my commitment and support for them. Every day, these brave officers heroically protect and serve our community. On an almost daily occurrence, they face adversity and they handle it professionally with restraint, dignity and respect,' Chief Neiswanger added."
BRATTLEBORO -- Friday evening Lynde Motorsports blocked Flat Street to four-wheeled traffic for its annual Art on Wheels, a southern Vermont street festival which celebrates the art of the vintage motorbike.

A peaceful crowd, many of whom arrived on old and rare motorcycles, strutted their style while enjoying Polish food and music by The Drunk Stuntmen. The event is part of Brattleboro's monthly Art Walk.

In years past, the band performed on the back of a flatbed truck, but this year the Stuntmen set up at street level and played a five-hour show. Band leader Steve Sanderson, a motorcycle enthusiast himself, publicly thanked shop proprietors Stanley and Laura Lynde for hosting the event.

Art on Wheels got its start in 2011 when Lynde Motorsports, a renowned shop which specializes in the sale, restoration, and repair of classic bikes, was flooded by Tropical Storm Irene. The community came together to host a fundraiser.

Stanley Lynde established the shop more than 25 years ago. It's featured in a 2010 documentary called "Stanley's Zoo."

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com
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The state Legislature overturned a Gov. Charlie Baker veto to secure funding for Craig's Place, the Amherst homeless shelter for the upcoming season.

(Republican file Diane Lederman)

AMHERST -- Craig's Doors, which runs Craig's Place, the town's homeless shelter, was able to secure funding for next year when the Legislature overrode Gov. Charlie Baker's veto of the funding from the fiscal 2017 state budget.

"We're pleasantly excited and surprised," said Executive Director Rebekah Wilder -- but not that surprised, she said.

"We do have a very good relationship with (State Rep.) Ellen Story (D-Amherst), who put in a lot of effort on our behalf with (Senate President) Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) in the Senate. In that sense it's not a surprise.

"They're incredible people with a lot of influence. We're very, very grateful for them getting it to happen," she said.

The Legislature initially provided $200,000 in the budget, but the governor vetoed the funding, she said.

With state funding back in place, Craig's Doors is now able to ensure it has adequate staffing and time to adequately train staff, Wilder said.

The program still needs to secure an additional $100,000 in funding, Wilder said, noting Craig's Doors incurs all kinds of costs to support the people who seek shelter beyond its operation.

Craig's Doors took over management of the town's emergency shelter in 2011. It operates the shelter from Nov. 1 through April 30. The program also provides support services.

Craig's Doors, the umbrella organization, started a Wednesday breakfast program in July 2014 as well.

On Wednesdays, the Amherst Survival Center is closed for meals, although dinner is served at the Not Bread Alone kitchen at the First Congregational Church.
Hampshire Council of Governments

16 of the 17 Hampshire Council of Governments Councilors attending the August 4 2016 HCOG board meeting in Northampton, at their headquarters located at the old courthouse, 99 Main St.

(Jim Russell photo)

NORTHAMPTON -- The Hampshire Council of Governments board at Thursday's meeting approved a new electricity sales position they hope will keep the agency in business, but that was preceded by a public scolding of executive director Todd Ford by board chairman William Barnett.

William Barnett

Barnett expressed outrage that Ford, in the days prior to the approval, had already posted the position and brought someone in for an interview.

He also lashed out at Ford for speaking while Barnett had the floor.

"I have a real problem," Barnett said. "We decided to have this meeting as soon as possible -- evidently you couldn't wait six days."

"It has been six months," Ford said.

Todd Ford

"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking," Barnett said, while raising his voice.

The Hampshire Council of Governments Council, which serves as the governing board, had met on July 28, and the agenda included an item to discuss whether to create the new position. But not enough members attended that meeting to establish a quorum, thus the council was unable to conduct official business. During the July session, the councilors discussed how that position should be funded, with most in attendance saying there should be a base salary, with the bulk of compensation accruing via a commission based on the amount of sales produced.

Barnett told Ford at Thursday's meeting that if he did not understand that ignoring board authorization was a serious matter, then "maybe you don't belong here."

Two of Barnett's colleagues on the HCOG Council defended Ford, saying he was doing what was in the best interest of the organization.

"I think moving forward was a prudent thing to do," said Councilor Eileen Stewart. "I think it was a responsible thing to do."

"I think it was prudent," said Councilor James Drawe, who said that he had already sat in on an interview with the prospective candidate.

"There was no discussion of salary," Drawe told the board of councilors.

"It violates our bylaws" and state regulations, Barnett stated, telling Ford: "You are out of line, totally out of line. If you don't understand that, quite frankly, maybe you don't belong here."

"I agree with Bill 100 percent," Councilor Arthur Pichette said. "There certainly was not agreement to go forward with this," he said. "Last week, I was surprised we would be looking at a sales person to solve our problem."

Prior to the vote, Barnett read a letter from the town of Hadley's Selectboard chair, Molly Keegan, who did not attend Thursday's meeting.

Keegan questioned whether it was proper for HCOG, as a public entity, to allow an individual to be paid on a commission basis.

"The idea of public employees receiving pension benefits, salary and commission compensation gives me pause," Keegan wrote in the email that Barnett read aloud. "I would hope the voting members fully vet this prior to voting."

When the vote was taken to create the new position, 15 of the 16 councilors present approved it. Michael Sarsynski was opposed.

He said the city of Lowell's arrangement with the HCOG, via Hampshire Power, the agency's energy component, "is a bad deal" for that community, alleging that the amount city residents pay for electricity could be lower if they were not locked into the Hampshire Power arrangement.

"Will Lowell break that contract?" Sarsynski asked. He then asked his colleagues whether the HCOG would sue the city should that play out.

Ford said that the agency's electricity business has grown from 100 customers to 90,000.

"We've saved them millions and millions of dollars," Ford said. "For the majority of our aggregates, we've saved the ratepayers tens of millions of dollars."

He also said that the "majority of our renewal book is up for renewal in November."

Hampshire Power currently supplies power to Community Choice Aggregations in 15 Massachusetts municipalities, the HCOG Website shows.

At Thursday's meeting, Ford discussed the urgency of the agency's fiscal situation facing the HCOG.

A handout he provided states: "Absent renewals and new business, expenses will exceed income as of February 2017."
BEVERLY  The victim in a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred in Beverly on Friday has been identified, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Police say Andrew R. Lezynski, 30, of Gloucester, was killed after his motorcycle swerved into a guardrail in the southbound section of Rt 128.

Lezynski was reportedly thrown from the bike during the crash and suffered serious injuries. After he was taken to Beverly Hospital, he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Lezynski's passenger, a 29-year-old woman from Rockport, was also sent to Beverly Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Police haven't yet released details on why Lezynski's vehicle crashed.
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Peter Picknelly of Peter Pan Bus Lines opposed high-speed rail, which has become a campaign issue between Sen. Eric Lesser and challenger Chip Harrington.

(File photo | The Republican)

When Thomas Edison was developing the electric light bulb, gas companies opposed his invention because they knew his method of energy could replace theirs.

Business people have been lobbying to defend their own interests forever. Where the rail-versus-bus debate differs from Edison's situation was that Massachusetts east-west transportation is not an either-or choice of the two modes, but one where both can exist and prosper with the public gaining the benefits.

Nonetheless, Peter Pan Bus Lines CEO Peter Picknelly is getting some backlash from people who think he's wielding his political influence to protect a monopoly. A noted political donor whose words pack a punch in Boston, Picknelly successfully lobbied Governor Charlie Baker to block a study of how high-speed rail travel between Boston and Springfield would work.

High-speed rail has a future that should be allowed to develop. Vilifying Picknelly, though, is unnecessary and unfair, even though his involvement is becoming a bigger story than the rail debate itself.

Senator Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow) has championed high-speed rail well enough to gain support in the State Legislature for a study. That's no small victory in a state as lopsided in its east-west population numbers as this one.

This is his baby, and he criticized "insider politics" and "special interests" (read: Picknelly) for killing the feasibility study until 2017 at the earliest. In turn, Republican challenger Chip Harrington stepped up his campaign against Lesser by accusing the incumbent of damaging relationships between government and business.

Everybody should calm down. This being election season, they won't.

Lesser and Picknelly have the right to disagree with each other. The senator does not have to go along with Picknelly, just to prove he's pro-business; Lesser, in fact, thinks rail service would significantly help the business climate, not damage it.

It would still not hurt for Lesser to choose his words more carefully (as he almost always does) with regard to Picknelly, who has a made a deep commitment to Springfield on many levels, and whose company is one of the city's best assets.

Picknelly does not deserve to call all the shots. He does deserve a better reputation than "insider politician.''

Baker is in a delicate position, something Lesser would be wise to understand. The governor has been open to east-west rail, but not only is Picknelly's status sizable, but Peter Pan Bus Lines delivered when Baker needed the company to step up during some fierce snowstorms.

Picknelly's opposition to rail is frankly incorrect, but given his position, it's also natural and certainly not devious. He has made no secret of his desire to speak for his business' interests, so there is no hidden agenda here.

He's still getting rapped, because there's no easier target than a successful businessman. Just ask Bernie Sanders.

Nobody likes a lobbyist, until he's lobbying for you. No one should know this better than Lesser.

In a crowded 2014 Senate field, Lesser stood out for one reason: a political pedigree that included work with the Obama Administration in Washington. In other words, he had connections, his phone calls would probably get returned and he could play the insider's game, which isn't such a bad thing when representing as politically orphaned a region as Western Massachusetts.

Picknelly's calls get returned, too. Even if he's overstating rail's impact on bus demand, he's not wrong to look at his own business playing such an important role in the region, and ask why he should sit by quietly while legislation occurs that he thinks will harm it.

High-speed rail is good, and it can be pursued in a way that removes the either-or component and leaves room for both rail and bus service. Doing that requires a study that will take some time and delay the result, but the study is necessary to execute the transportation strategy effectively.

For Lesser and Harrington to trade campaign rhetoric has one positive benefit. It makes rail service a dominant campaign issue, and it's one the public should be talking about.

But Picknelly is not the issue because he hasn't done anything wrong. It's easy to blame the successful businessman whose calls to Boston get returned and emails read, but that doesn't make it right.
Alain Wong a pris part aux debats sur le Budget 2019-2020 lors de la seance parlementaire du 20 Juin 2019.

Discours d'Alain Wong sur le Budget 2019-2020 (19,5 KiB, 436 hits)

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"Oxitec is responsible for ensuring all other local, state, and federal requirements are met before conducting the proposed field trial," said the FDA.The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District will also weigh in on whether and when to begin the proposed field trial in Key Haven, Florida.The program would release male Oxitec mosquitoes to mate with wild female Aedes aegypti. Only female mosquitoes bite and spread disease. Any offspring they produce would soon die, reducing the size of the mosquito population."Efficacy trials in Brazil, Panama, and the Cayman Islands have tested this approach, and in each of these trials the population of Aedes aegypti was reduced by more than 90% - an exceptional level of control compared to conventional methods, such as insecticides," said an Oxitec statement.The prospect of releasing the mosquitoes in the Florida Keys has stirred strong opposition among many residents, and a petition against them on change.org has garnered more than 168,000 signatures.The FDA said it had reviewed thousands of comments from the public since issuing a draft environmental assessment in March 2016."We're delighted with the announcement today that the FDA, after their extensive review of our dossier and thousands of public comments for a trial in the Florida Keys, have published their final view that this will not have a significant impact on the environment," said Oxitec's chief executive officer Hadyn Parry."We are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials," Perry added. "We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward."Source: AFP
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As humans evolved over many thousands of years, our bodies developed a system to help us when we start running and suddenly need more oxygen. Now, using that innate reflex as inspiration, UCLA researchers have developed a noninvasive way to treat potentially harmful breathing problems in babies who were born prematurely.The technique uses a simple device that tricks babies' brains into thinking they are running, which prompts them to breathe.According to Dr. Ronald Harper, a distinguished professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, even newborns have the innate mechanism that triggers increased breathing."When our feet hit the ground running, we flex muscles and joints that have nerve fibers leading to the brain which signal that the body is running," he said. "This message is coupled with another set of fibers to parts of the brain that regulate breathing and sends a signal that those parts need to increase breathing. Fortunately, that coupling exists even in extremely young infants."The idea to use an external breathing device to treat apnea of prematurity arose over a cup of coffee between Harper and Dr. Kalpashri Kesavan, a neonatologist at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, when the conversation turned to how a baby's breathing could be supported if the brain was told the baby was running or walking.The device is a pager-sized box with wires that connect to small disks which are placed on the skin over the joints of the feet and hands. (Placing them on the hands is another nod to how the human body evolved. Early humans ran on all fours, so nerves in the hands are still involved in signaling the brain that the body is running.) Once the battery-powered machine is turned on, the disks gently vibrate, which triggers nerve fibers to alert the brain that the limb is moving."We thought that if this reflex were going to work for any kind of sleep disorder with breathing problems, then premature infants would be the No. 1 target, because breathing stoppages are so common and have the potential to do so much injury," Kesavan said. "It's almost like it was naturally made for them."The researchers tested the device on 15 premature infants who were born after 23 to 34 weeks of gestation, and who were experiencing breathing pauses and low oxygen. The disks were placed on one hand and one foot, and the device was turned on for six hours at a time, followed by six hours off, for a total of 24 hours.The scientists compared the babies' vital signs during the periods when the device was on with the times when it was off. They found that when it was on, the number of incidents when babies' oxygen levels were low was reduced by 33% and the number of breathing pauses was 40% lower than when it was off. The device also reduced low-heart-rate episodes by 65%, which is especially significant because slow heart rate can impair the flow of blood to vital tissues. The findings were published online in the journalThe researchers now plan to study the approach on a larger number of patients and over a longer period of time. They'll also study the effects of the device on blood pressure and other cardio-respiratory measures, as well as its impact on sleep quality. Breathing stoppages typically wake infants, and reducing the number of pauses in their breathing should lead to less disturbed sleep.While most premature babies eventually grow out of their breathing problems, it can take weeks to months before their respiratory systems develop sufficiently to allow them to breathe on their own at all times."Long-term use of the device could decrease breathing pauses, maintain normal oxygen levels, stabilize the cardiovascular system and help improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants," Kesavan said. "We may be able to bring about this change with something that is noninvasive, drug-free and has no side effects, and there is nothing better than that."Harper is also testing the device on adolescents who suffer breathing problems due to spinal cord injuries and adults with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea.The University of California has applied for a patent for the device, and is discussing its commercialization with several companies.Source: Eurekalert
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"For certain classes of medications, like opioids, we found a significant rate of prescription pain reliever abuse in the EU," said Scott Novak, lead author of the study and senior development epidemiologist at RTI. "While the lifetime rates were not as high as in the U.S. - 20% for those aged 12 years and over, compared to between 7% and 13% in the EU - the past-year rates were only slightly lower. This suggests that the EU may be catching up to the United States for some substances.""Previously, it was thought that the prescription drug epidemic was limited to the United States," Novak said, "but this study shows that the epidemic extends well beyond the U.S."Examining three different classes of subscription drugs - opioids, sedatives and stimulants - the researchers found that out of the five countries examined, Germany had the lowest levels of non-medical prescription drug use, while the U.K., Spain and Sweden had the highest levels.The most common sources of prescription drugs for non-medical use were family and friends - 44% for opioids and 62% for sedatives. The next most common source was taking drugs from another person without their knowledge. Internet purchases were the least common source of prescription drugs.Nonmedical prescription drug use was more common among men relative to women, among white relative to non-white people, and among those who were unemployed compared with other levels of employment. Young people aged 12 to 17 years were at lower risk of non-medical prescription drug use than people aged 18 years or older.Having been prescribed a pain reliever was associated with an eight times higher risk of subsequent non-medical use of prescription pain relievers. The risk was ten times higher for sedatives and seven times higher for stimulants.The researchers also found that about 52% of non-medical stimulant users, 32% of non-medical opioid users and 28% of non-medical sedative users also consumed illicit drugs - this is known as poly-drug use. Rates of poly-drug use involving either sedatives or opioids were highest in the U.K. - 48% for sedatives and 43% for opioids. Women were about half as likely to engage in poly-drug use as men. Suffering from serious psychological distress, having a sexually transmitted disease and having a history of childhood arrest were also associated with a higher risk of poly-drug use.The researchers used data from 2,032 youths and 20,035 adults collected as part of the European Union Medicine Study, a series of parallel nationally representative surveys conducted in the five countries. Self-reported information included details on age, sex and race and on whether respondents had ever used prescription medication for euphoria or to self-treat a medical condition with medication that was not prescribed for them.The surveys were aimed at people aged 12 to 49 years - the typical age period of initiation for substance abuse around the globe. Quota sampling methods may have increased between-country differences, even though survey methods were kept as comparable as possible between countries.The study suggests that international collaborations across Europe are needed to monitor prescription drug abuse, identify its scope and develop targeted interventions.Identification of the scope and prevalence of non-medical prescription drug use in the EU is an important first step in building a worldwide system that can be used to monitor trends, track risk and protective factors and to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing the risk of non-medical prescription drug use, according to the researchers.The authors caution that their findings should not be construed as recommendation against prescribing medications to treat legitimate conditions. The cross-sectional design of this study made it impossible to resolve the question if non-medical prescription drug use serves as a gateway to other substances or if persons using illicit drugs are at higher risk for also using prescription drugs to self-treat or to achieve euphoria.Source: Newswise
Islamophobia is as real as sexism. And in case you had your doubts, heres yet another disgusting incidence of discrimination against Muslims that shows exactly whats wrong with the way the world sees Islam. Nazia and Faisal Ali were travelling from Paris to Cincinnati, Ohio when the Delta air Lines crew kicked them off their flight for no legitimate reason.

Nazia had just settled into her seat when a crew member from Delta Air Lines requested her to step out for a moment. "The ground agent said, 'Can you step out with me? We'd like to ask you a few questions.' So I said, 'Do you want us to get our things?' And he said, 'Yes, please grab all of your personal belongings. You're not going to be on this flight'," Nazia said.

The crew was apparently uncomfortable with the fact that the couple was sweating profusely, texting someone on their mobile phone and saying Allah. The crew member also claimed that the man tried to hide his mobile phone when approached. Even the pilot refused to take off till the couple was thrown off the plane. The couple was then interrogated by French police and nothing objectionable could be found.

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The Muslim advocacy group filed a complaint against Delta Air Lines accusing them of religious discrimination. Delta condemns discrimination toward our customers in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender. As a global airline that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every day, Delta is deeply committed to treating all of our customers with respect. Delta continues its investigation into this matter and will issue a full refund of these customers' airfare," the official statement by Delta Air Lines said.
The Brooklyn Daily reports Schnitzel Haus owners Fred and Amber Urban say the photo of the Republican presidential nominee had been there since the restaurant opened in 2007. The Urbans were friends with Trump's head of security at the time and they say Trump dropped by to wish them good luck. He sent an autographed photo the next day.

The photo is a topic among online reviews on Yelp, with diners saying they were uncomfortable or offended.

Fred Urban says on Facebook that some people have canceled reservations over the photo, while others want to take selfies with it.
Citing a Clarksville, Tennessee police report, The Leaf-Chronicle says 30-year-old Jeremy A. Watts and 24-year-old Jessica F. Heady tried to sell two PlayStation systems along with controllers, video games and DVDs.

The pawn shop owner, Edward Dial, said he recognized the items and went home to check. Sure enough, his house had been broken into. Watts and Heady were arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated burglary. Both were held on $50,000 bond. It is unclear whether either has an attorney.

Police say the stolen property was valued at more than $1,000.
Cops Under Fire

To Whom It May Concern,

Listen to the news and we hear two police officers were shot while sitting in a car. A cop stops someone for a traffic violation, a burned out tail light, and gets shot. You get the point. We wonder if it will ever change. If we did not have law enforcement officers we would return to the days of the wild west.

As a mother of a retired deputy of 25 years with the Macomb County Sheriffs Department, recently he accepted part-time position with a small rural police department. In addition, our 35-year-old grandson is a cop in the city of Warren. Another 33-year-old grandson works in the police department office of a metro area and wears a bullet proof vest.

We know what law enforcement officers go through every day and every day we pray for their safety. Usually, people bad mouth cops as when they get a ticket. Only when needed do people appreciate police. If it was my choice, no one in my family would be a cop.

An Inkster police officer was fired from the department after being captured on dash cam video beating a motorist. He was a 47-year-old married father. He was in the U.S. Military and law enforcement. Fourteen police awards  once being named police officer of the year and rescuing three elderly tenants from a burning building. When the officer stood before the judge he read this poem. Do read the following. It may change your perception of police officers.

The Final Inspection

The policeman stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining.

Just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, policeman.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My church have you been true?

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,

No, Lord, I guess I aint,

Because those of us who carry badges

cant always be a saint.

Ive had to work most Sundays,

and at times my talk was rough,

and sometimes Ive been violent,

Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,

That wasnt mine to keep. ...

Though I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

Ive wept unmanly tears.

I know I dont deserve a place

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around

Except to calm their fear.

If youve a place for me here,

Lord, It neednt be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you dont ... Ill understand.

There was silence all around the throne

Where the saints had often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

Step forward now, policeman,

Youve borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heavens streets,

Youve done your time in hell.

 Author Unknown

My letter was written just prior to the Texas massacre. May God bless and keep all police officers safe.

Virginia Ginna Gentner

Cass City
Despite Flipping in Surf 4 Times in a Year, Marines Say New ACV Is the Future of Amphibious Warfare

Some Marine veterans familiar with the vehicle and its operations have worried about the reliability of the ACV.
A taxpayer watchdog group is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to showcase work by artists who have served in the military, after it was revealed the VA spent some $20 million on lavish art at facilities around the country.

The group, Open the Books, released an oversight report last week on spending at the VA -- showing the administration purchased millions in luxury art at the height of the health care scandal during which thousands of veterans died waiting to see doctors.

The $19.7 million tab included a $700,000 sculpture to adorn a California facility for blind veterans. The VA also spent $21,000 for a 27-foot fake Christmas tree; $32,000 for 62 "local image" pictures for the San Francisco VA; and $115,600 for "art consultants" for the Palo Alto facility.

The watchdog group, as well as several U.S. lawmakers, are now calling on the VA to feature the work of those it serves.

"No one tells the veterans' story better than a veteran," said Adam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO at OpenTheBooks.com.

"Veterans themselves should benefit from art displays, not vendors who sell the VA pricey art," Andrzejewski said in an email Thursday.

"For example, veterans have their own art museum. Why is the VA spending millions on lavish art when veterans are already producing great art?" he said.

Andrzejewski's group has started a social media campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #vetsart4va. Veterans can upload their art and "show the VA what they're missing," he said.

Such art can be found by members of the group, Veteran Artists Program, or VAP, a New York City-based nonprofit that takes artists who are also veterans and propels their works and careers into the mainstream creative arts community.

VAP covers the performing arts and fine arts -- showcasing many talented painters, sculptors and photographers whose work portrays the struggles and triumphs of America's brave.

Shawn Ganther, for instance, dreamed of becoming an artist prior to serving in the Air Force from 1998 to 2002.

"I want Americans to see soldiers as the heroes who fight and die in the name of freedom -- and to stop and reflect on the privileges they sometimes take for granted," said Ganther, who served with U.S. security forces in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.

Yvette Pino, an Army veteran, served as a cook from 2002 to 2008. While in Iraq, Pino found a sense of solitude in producing artwork and earned the unofficial title of "Division Artist."

Veteran Artists Program has previously displayed artwork by veterans at the Pentagon and U.S. Senate office buildings. BR McDonald, founder and president of VAP, said his organization is currently working with at least 10 VA hospitals around the country to feature work by veteran artists.

McDonald said spending such money on veteran artists gives them a "voice to tell their story" and helps them transition into civilian life.

"The amount of good will that could be spent around this is tremendous," McDonald said.
Qisas Movement is meant for justice: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

Addressing a meeting of senior party leaders, PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that the countrywide protest starting from today as party of Qisas and Accountability movement is meant to demand justice for the oppressed. He said that while the Quranic principle of Qisas refers to blood for blood, accountability means to get the looted wealth from the corrupt and put it back into the exchequer. He said that the martyrs of Model Town tragedy remain deprived of justice despite passage of two years. He said that there is little likelihood that they can get justice as long as the present rulers are in power.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the families of martyrs neither got the right of neutrally formed JIT, nor did they get the fair trial under Article 10-A of the Constitution nor was the report of the Model Town judicial commission allowed to be released. He said that we were left with no option but to take to the streets after the doors of justice were closed on us. He said that political meetings, demonstrations and sit-in will be held in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Gujranwala in the first phase of the Qisas movement today. He said that purpose of holding these demonstrations is to draw the attention of the people and the institutions responsible for delivery of justice to the wrongs done to innocent people in Model Town.

The PAT Chairman said that an effort was made to pay the blood money of Rs. 50 million to Rs. 300 million to the families of the martyrs but they rejected the offers. He said that 27 of our workers gave the sacrifice of their life in the struggle against corruption and denial of rights, adding that his workers are the greatest asset of his life. He made a vow to continue the struggle till justice is served in the Model Town case. He said that the Sharif brothers have been in power for last 30 years in one way or the other but it is for the first time that their real face has been exposed before the nation due to the Panama leaks and the Model Town tragedy.

Dr Qadri stated that we believe in democracy but by democracy we mean justice, fair distribution of resources, and empowerment of the weak. He said that there is a mechanical democracy in Pakistan which is controlled by machines. He said that the winning horses step out of their homes after scoring victory right before the polling starts. He said that the Sharif family sent some of their members for forgiveness, adding that people living abroad were also used to contact him but he had one answer to give i.e. we would talk only after Qisas.

He said that the government is bringing about amendments of its choice in the Criminal Procedure Code to avoid Qisas and the private complaint filed by PAT in the anti-terrorism court but they would not be able to succeed in their designs. He said that corruption and desire to become a king is the real hurdle in the national progress. He said that the rulers want to conceal their economic crimes by using the Corridor project.
Qisas movement to lead to justice & accountability: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri addresses sit-in

PAT stages sit-in in Lahore, four other cities

Addressing the Qisas March and the sit-in telephonically on The Mall Lahore arranged by PAT, Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that we have formally launched a movement today to get justice for the martyrs of Model Town and expose the corrupt elements involved in the Panama leaks. He said that the movement will lead to the Sharif familys end of the power and they would have no shelter except in India. He asked the rulers to see with their eyes the level of excitement and enthusiasm among the workers of PAT despite the fact he is not yet part of the movement. He said when he practically joins the Qisas movement, there would be arrests of the killers of Model Town tragedy and the looter of national wealth.

The PAT march and sit-in was attended by Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, Shoaib Saddiqi, and Irfan Advocate of PTI, Kamil Ali Agha, Chuadhry Zaheer-ud-Din and Khadeeja Farooqi of PML-Q, Abdul Qadir and Amjad Golden of Awami Muslim League and Muhammad Umair of Jamat-e-Islami. The workers belonging to PPP, MWM and Sunni Ittehad Council attended the march and expressed their support for the Qisas and accountability movement of PAT.

Qisas Marach started off from GPO Chowk and concluded at the Chairing Cross. The thousands of PAT workers staged sit-in along with their counterparts of other opposition parties.

Dr Qadri said that the people of Pakistan would have to decide whether they want the state of Pakistan or kingdom run by the Sharif dynasty. He said that the bureaucracy has become privatized. He said that FBR, Police, NAB and other institutions have become the handmaiden of the ruling family. He said that the check and balance of the law and the constitution in the system has come to an end. There is no justice and fair play in the country. He said that the rulers come into power to expand and enlarge their business empire. They are neither loyal to the country nor are concerned about the national security. He said that the cruel manner of governance by the Sharifs has reminded people of the days of Hitler, adding that they bring in amendment in the laws to perpetuate their rule and self-interest.

The PAT Chairman said that after the announcement of the Qisas movement, the PM has opened the doors of political bribery from the exchequer on the MNAs and MPAs in the name of development funds and the low-level office holders of the PML-N are being offered rewards on putting up effective defence of the ruling family on TV channels. He however said emphatically that the members of the Sharif family should listen that there would be Qisas, accountability and justice and no power would be able to protect them anymore.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that Qisas in the Model Town is not merely the demand of the PAT. Rather it has won broad support of the opposition and the people at large. He said that the rulers should see that raging sea of people attended the march in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Gujranwala on his one call, adding that they should shudder on the thought when he would lead the march himself. He said that this is the beginning of the protest which would culminate in the popular accountability, emphasizing that the caravan would stop only after reaching its destination.

Lahore
The Padres have designated lefty Matt Thornton for assignment, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. The move clears space for new addition Clayton Richard.

[Related: San Diego Padres Depth Chart]

The 39-year-old Thornton signed a minor league deal with the Padres last offseason. He missed most of the first two months of the year with Achilles tendinitis, then struggled in 17 innings with San Diego, posting a 5.82 ERA, 4.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. His velocity has dropped from the mid- to high 90s as a member of the White Sox several years ago to 91.4 MPH this year, likely a key factor to his steadily declining strikeout rate over the past few seasons. He has a 3.41 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in parts of 13 years in the big leagues.
After weeks of build-up, the Rays shipped lefty Matt Moore to the Giants at the trade deadline for a package that included young infield prospect Lucius Fox. As it turns out, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Fox was dinged up at the time of the trade  which may lead Tampa Bay to seek added compensation from their trade partner.

The 19-year-old is said to have been playing through a bruised foot that was not disclosed to the Rays. While not a significant problem, it may prevent Fox from returning to action before the end of the minor league campaign. That wouldnt seem to be a major long-term issue, but could take away some valuable developmental opportunities heading into the offseason.

The other two pieces of the pact  infielder Matt Duffy and minor league righty Michael Santos  were both on the DL at the time of the deal, with known injuries. But Foxs malady was apparently not accounted for in striking the agreement.

Its important to note that theres no suggestion that Fox would be sent back to the Giants, who only signed him last summer; to the contrary, Topkin says thats not on the table. For the Rays to achieve any recompense, theyll have to work through MLB, according to the report.

Fox, a switch-hitting Bahamian shortstop, has not been overly impressive in game action in his brief professional career. He owns only a .207/.305/.277 slash over 331 plate appearances in the Sally League. That didnt stop the Rays from ascribing rather significant value to him, though, and he certainly comes with an impressive prospect pedigree after receiving a $6MM bonus last year as an amateur.
The Cascade Township Board will be seating at least two newcomers when it convenes after the November general election.

Susan Slater, who won the right to run as a Republican on the November ballot, will be unopposed and will become the township clerk for the next four years. She will replace incumbent Clem Bell, who was appointed in March to replace outgoing clerk Ron Goodyke. Slater garnered 1,131 votes to Bell's 847.

All four trustee seats were up for grabs in Cascade and five -- including the four incumbents -- were on the Aug. 2 Republican primary ballot. Incumbents Fred Goldberg, Jim Koessel, Jack Lewis, and Tom McDonald faced off for the four seats along with one newcomer, John Shipley.

The vote was nearly evenly split among all five, with Goldberg coming in last with 1,212 votes. Koessel received 1,375; McDonald, 1,369; Lewis 1,286 and Shipley 1,243.

However, neither Shipley nor the three incumbents -- Koessel, Lewis and McDonald are assured of a trustee seat. Jayne Currier, of 7691 Cascade Road, has filed petitions and will challenge them on the November ballot. Currier has declared no party affiliation.

Slater comes to the clerk's position with experience in one area for which the clerk is responsible. She has worked in Cascade elections for 24 years and served as precinct chair for the past 12. Slater, nevertheless, acknowledged she has a lot to learn. "I appreciate the confidence that the voters have shown in me and am looking forward to the challenge," she said.

Slater is employed by Forest Hills Public Schools as registrar at Central Middle School.

She was born and raised in Nebraska, but has lived in Cascade since her college days. She is married to Don Slater, whose family has resided in Cascade for six generations. The couple has two daughters, both Forest Hills graduates.

Slater said that her "first love" is piano and she has served as a church pianist for decades.

John M. Shipley

Newcomer Shipley said he ran for election to help guide the future of Cascade. "As a longtime resident, I have witnessed the area morph from a rural community to a modern community that has the typical growing pains," he said. "Unfortunately, the current Township Board has difficulty meeting the needs of the future and maintaining the rights, recognizing concerns and acknowledging the needs of our residents. Additionally, the residents' hard-earned tax dollars must be managed and spent wisely with their concurrence."

Shipley moved to Cascade in 1968 and graduated from Forest Hills schools in 1969. He served as a combat medic after enlisting in the Army in 1971. He stayed on in the National Guard and retired as a combat brigade command sergeant major. In addition, he retired from Ameritech/AT&T after 32 years.

He currently serves as deputy fire chief and has been with the Cascade department for nearly 45 years, including "bridging" his time while in the military.

He and his wife Mary have four adult children with families in the area. He volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America, where he teaches adult survival skills and serves as a merit badge counselor. He also works as a youth adviser in the Fire Explorer programs of West Michigan.
ANN ARBOR, MI - The city of Ann Arbor is getting ready to break ground soon on a four-season market building at the downtown Farmers Market.

The new structure, described as an urban barn that will rise from the market parking lot along Fourth Avenue in Kerrytown, is intended to be used by vendors on market days and for other events on non-market days.

The City Council voted 8-3 early Friday morning, Aug. 5, to approve plans for the 4,000-square-foot building measuring 50 feet by 80 feet.

It's planned as an addition to the existing canopies at the market to provide cover for vendors and heated space for the winter market.

It will be minimally heated during the winter, and large garage-style overhead doors will be opened in the summer.

The project timeline presented to the City Council shows construction starting this fall and lasting four to five months, finishing later in the winter.

Council members heard voices of opposition from longtime market vendors who fear the new building will negatively impact the market -- in contrast to enthusiastic support from younger market vendors who say they're looking forward to having an enclosed space to sell their products with some warmth in the winter.

The three council members who voted against the project were Jack Eaton, Sumi Kailasapathy and Jane Lumm.

The project is estimated to cost about $850,000, more than $200,000 of which is specifically for site work, including repaving the parking lot.

Funding sources include $175,000 from the Downtown Development Authority, $200,000 from the parks maintenance and capital improvement millage, $350,000 from the market fund balance, and $129,000 in developer contributions.

Derek Delacourt, the city's community services administrator, indicated in a memo to the Park Advisory Commission in June that the new structure -- in addition to providing heated space for vendors and customers in the winter -- will expand vendor stall capacity year-round and provide needed stall space for vendors who currently operate without cover or electricity from May through October.

"Over the past few years, staff sought input from market customers and vendors regarding priorities for market improvements and aligned this project with the input received," Delacourt stated in his memo.

The city's Public Market Advisory Commission, a board composed of vendors, neighborhood representatives and shoppers, has passed multiple resolutions in support of the project and has discussed it at meetings since 2014.

The structure has been designed first and foremost to improve the market vendor and shopping experience, Delacourt said. It also is intended to create a prominent entrance and barrier-free access on Fourth Avenue, ensuring accessibility for all pedestrians and highlighting the market's presence downtown.

The site of the proposed structure is currently used to accommodate up to 18 vendors who use the space from May through late October during the height of the market season. Those vendors, who do not have access to parking or electricity in those spaces, are responsible for supplying their own covering, Delacourt wrote in his memo, noting that necessitates 10-by-10 stall sizes to accommodate easy-up tents, limiting the number of vendors able to use the space.

The new building will provide cover and electricity for those 18 vendors and add an additional 16 stalls to the space, allowing more local businesses to participate in the market, Delacourt said, noting each year the market receives applications well in excess of the market's current capacity.

City officials say one of the main reasons for the project is that the market lacks winter infrastructure, forcing vendors to bring heaters, tarps and tents for inclement weather, an uncomfortable situation for both vendors and customers.

Additionally, inequities exist for vendors using the uncovered space in the center of the market.

"These vendors must provide their own tents, have no access to electricity and see less foot traffic to their stalls," reads a project background sheet.

City officials say vendors, customers and other stakeholders have asked for more covered stall space, extension of the middle aisle and winter protection.

As a possible solution for winterizing the market, the city looked at attaching tarps or roll-down shades or doors to existing stall spaces on the main aisle. That's an option preferred by some vendors, but the city determined it wouldn't work well and decided a new building is the way to go.

The new building and site configuration will eliminate 12 vendor parking spaces on market days, and some public parking spaces on non-market days.

According to a planning staff report, 21 of the existing 61 at-grade parking spaces at the market will be eliminated.

That was one of the concerns cited by some of the market vendors who spoke out at this week's City Council meeting.

"To eliminate this many parking spaces drastically hurts the market for customers and vendors," said Debbie Marx, a vendor who argues the building is going to be very bad for the market and will uproot some vendors.

She said veteran farmers who have brought delicate produce through the winter months for decades cannot fit their products in such a limited space.

"So they, our oldest and most-revered vendors, are left out in the cold, literally, dividing the market," she said.

Bruce Upston, a longtime vendor, said he's at the market year-round and he's been out there in some pretty miserable weather.

"Parking is one of the No. 1 complaints with customers and it's definitely not a new problem," he said. "The displaced vendors that are going to lose their parking spaces there are going to have to go someplace else in the city."

Upston and other vendors question the city's motivations for wanting a new building at the market, suggesting it's really a profit-generating event venue disguised as a way to winterize the market.

"The market, most of the vendors -- or a lot of the vendors, I'll say -- just really oppose this new structure," he said.

As for the 12 vendor parking spaces that are being eliminated, Market Manager Sarah DeWitt said she's working with the DDA on locating new parking spaces for vendors. They've identified a few potential new locations, including a loading zone on Kingsley Street, Community High School and the Ann/Ashley garage.

DeWitt said the market is going to be as respectful as possible to vendors with mobility impairments to make sure they have access to the market.

She noted there will be a new market drive-thru with a high canopy to accommodate large trucks.

She thinks the loading and unloading process at the market will be improved with the new configuration and staggered stall assignments.

She said many vendors get to the market before 4 a.m. to start setting up. She said there's onsite parking available for only about half the vendors right now, so the rest already unload and then park somewhere else.

"This project actually provides a really great opportunity to improve the loading and unloading process for all vendors," DeWitt said.

Karlene Goetz, a vendor at the market and a member of the city's Public Market Advisory Commission, is in favor of the new building.

Goetz said the building's primary purpose is for the market, though it could be used as an activity building as well.

She said having a facility in the winter that's above freezing will be more comfortable for vendors and customers and better for their products.

"My family has invested more than $50,000 in the last few years to make facilities that would allow us to produce produce all year long," she said.

"Some of the produce that we produce are very tender, including lettuce and other kinds of salad greens. I'm looking forward to an opportunity to sell it in a place where I can easily keep it above freezing."

Jill Lada, co-owner of Green Things Farm in Ann Arbor Township, said she and her husband, Nate, farm more than 100 acres. She's been selling their organic crops at the market for the last six years.

As one of the market's younger vendors, Lada said she appreciates the longtime vendors for what they've done to build the market into what it is today.

"However, I do think that it has declined since I've started coming, and a lot of that is because of our lack of infrastructure to meet the needs of new vendors," said Lada, who serves on the Public Market Advisory Commission.

"I want to express how important this structure is to low-seniority vendors who are often forced to set up in the parking lot where they have no access to coverage during hot days or rain, no electricity, and overall dramatically less foot traffic and sales," she said. "This year, I have personally stopped coming because it is unsustainable for our business to set up in the Farmers Market parking lot where we have 50 percent less sales."

Lada, who has been a wintertime vendor at the market, said the future of local food involves moving to more year-round production, which she and others are doing using hoop houses on their farms. She said the new market building is a much-needed space for selling tender spinach and lettuce.

"To me, this building is an important compromise to meet as many needs as possible with the least amount of disturbance to the current structure," she said, calling it a great starting place to update an outdated market.

"We need to invest in the future of this market by building this project now. Otherwise we will continue to lose vendors and customers."

Janna Field of Fieldfarms LLC, a vendor at the market for 22 years, said longtime vendors don't want the new building.

"You have a young, vocal group of vendors -- most who have less than five years seniority -- that want this building," she said. "The problem is a lot of them won't be around in five years. I have seen many vendors come and go."

Field said the project has created an atmosphere at the market in which people are divided. She also observes there has been a decline in vendors.

"Four to five years ago, we would fill the sandlot and surrounding sidewalks. The last seven Saturdays, the sandlot has been empty, with the exception of July 9, which had four vendors set up," she said. "So, it's being used for parking right now, which means the building would be empty."

Field said she would prefer attaching pull-down shutters on existing canopies like the Toledo Farmers Market has done.

She also complains the Ann Arbor market has fallen into disrepair, with leaky gutters, a parking lot that's falling apart, and stalls and aisles in need of cleaning.

David Santacroce, chairman of the city's Public Market Advisory Commission and a Kerrytown resident, said every complaint about infrastructure that council members heard Thursday night is being addressed.

"If this was a horse, it's well past dead," Santacroce said of the discussions of improving the market.

Field expressed concerns that the new building will cater only to "one-table, boutique vendors who make stuff in their kitchens," arguing there won't be enough space in the building for bigger vendors.

"It will ruin the open-air feel of the market. It will create chaos unloading and loading for vendors," she said, encouraging the city to consider opening a second farmers market somewhere with a lot of parking.

Joel Panozzo, co-owner of The Lunch Room restaurant in Kerrytown, said he supports the new market building. He also responded to Field's remark that it will provide space for people who make stuff in their kitchens.

"My business was actually started in a kitchen -- my home kitchen," he said. "That is something that is an incubator for many people all over this town that have ideas and products that they're dreaming to cook up. So, let's not take that lightly. My business started in a kitchen and then moved into a food cart, and now is a place where people from all over town and all over southeastern Michigan gather to eat local, accessible, healthy food, which I purchase from the Farmers Market."

Panozzo said he needs to have access to produce from the market in the winter. He said he has talked to many vendors about their need for covered spaces -- something that's not below freezing so they can sell vegetables.

"So, I am in full support of this project and I cannot wait for the structure to break ground next month," he said.

Meredith Kahn, co-founder of the Ann Arbor Seed Company, noted the market parking lot where the new building will go is mostly empty during the week.

"This would be a higher and better use of that space," she said of a new building. "And it would contribute to a lively market full of customers, full of vendors, and it would continue to support local food in our community."

Harvest Kitchen owner Mary Wessel Walker, who sells prepared meals at the market and sources her ingredients at the market, said she has been a year-round vendor since 2009 and is in favor of the new building.

"I don't think the doom and gloom prophecies are going to come to pass," she said. "Change is difficult, but I think we'll figure out how to make it work."

Read other Ann Arbor City Council stories.

Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com.
Education Prokect.jpg

Meg Norsigian and Dawn Espy add school supplies to a student backpack. A school supply drive to benefit homeless students in Washtenaw County will run from Aug. 8 to 19.

(Provided photo)

ANN ARBOR, MI - About 1,000 Washtenaw County students don't have stable housing in a given school year, but with your help they can at least have proper school supplies.

The Education Project for Homeless Youth, with support from MLive and The Ann Arbor News, is running a school supply drive from Aug. 8 to Aug. 19. The Education Project is an initiative of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that serves local students who are homeless or in temporary living situations.

In the 2015-16 school year, local schools reported to the WISD that they educated 970 homeless students. But Sarah Hierman, grants manager at the WISD, expects that number to be closer to the 1,200 homeless students Washtenaw County schools served in the 2014-15 school year, once the count is finalized by the Michigan Department of Education.

"I don't think we actually saw a decline," Hierman said, adding that staff turnover contributed to changes in how the numbers were reported this past school year.

People can drop off new backpacks, school supplies and personal hygiene items from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at The Ann Arbor News, 111 N. Ashley St., and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the WISD Teaching and Learning Center, 1819 S. Wagner Road.

The Education Project defines homelessness as not having a fixed, adequate, regular night-time residence. That can include students living in shelters, motels, doubled up with other families, staying in campgrounds and youth in foster care.

"The lack of stability in their lives can truly impact a student's academic performance and their ability to focus," Hierman said. "Maintaining that continuity from day-to-day is really imperative."

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational stability for homeless students, and there is federal funding available to help schools provide the necessary services to support those students. That federal grant provided $32,000 for all the schools in the county last year, Hierman said, which doesn't cover all their needs.

The Education Project helps families experiencing homelessness by offering referrals to service providers that can help with housing, medical care and other needs. The program can assist with transportation to school until the district makes long-term arrangements as well as give students school supplies and clothes.

The Ozone House, a nonprofit that provides shelter and other support to high-risk youth, partnered with the Education Project in February to provide administrative support and coordinate volunteers. Their staff helped plan the school supply drive, too.

"What we're trying to do is focus more on the case-management aspect of it," Hierman said, adding that the Ozone House will help offer more individualized services that meet families' complex needs.

For more information on the school supply drive, contact Susan Allison, volunteer coordinator, at

susanallison1231@att.net or call 734-994-8100 ext. 1518.

Suggested donations

New school supplies

Backpacks for all ages (especially gender neutral for older students)

Colored pencils

Pencil sharpeners

Washable markers

Blunt and pointed scissors

Wide-rule and college-rule loose leaf notebook paper

Pencil boxes and pencil bags

Flash drives

Calculators and scientific calculators (gently used is acceptable)

1-inch binders

Pink erasers

Crayons (box of 24)

Rulers

Yellow highlighters

Hygiene products

Shampoo and conditioner

Men's and women's deodorant

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Tissues (small individual packages)

Feminine hygiene products

Soap and lotion

Clothing

Socks - children and adult sizes

Underwear - children and adult sizes

Other

Gift cards - small denomination cards for Kroger, Meijer, Target, Wal-Mart

Large sturdy Ziploc plastic bags (used to transport items to students)

Cash donations - used to fulfill specific needs
LAND GRAB - Official Trailer 2016 from Atlas Industries on Vimeo.

ANN ARBOR, MI -- A documentary examining one of the most unique land development projects Detroit has ever seen will be screened in Ann Arbor Tuesday.

"Land Grab," directed by Saginaw native Sean O'Grady, explores the conflict between John Hantz, a wealthy businessman; bureaucracy and reluctant residents as he attempts to buy blighted, city-owned lots in poor Detroit neighborhoods and create a tree farm.

The theme center on Hantz's fight to prove his intentions are noble and not simply a capitalistic land grab exploiting a resource-deficient, financially struggling city.

"Land Grab" features interviews and footage -- including some impressive drone shots -- mostly collected between 2013 and 2015.

Hantz, a resident of Detroit's affluent Indian Village neighborhood, CEO of Hantz Group financial services in Southfield and founder of Hantz Farms -- or Hantz Woodlands as it's also known -- partially funded the film, but didn't censor his critics' point of view.

"He had no influence on the content whatsoever," O'Grady told MLive.

The Ann Arbor screening at Quality 16 theater, 3686 Jackson Road in Ann Arbor at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday is the first of 10 scheduled throughout Michigan.

Pre-purchase tickets to the Ann Arbor screening here.

Full Screening schedule:
DETROIT, MI - Detroit police are looking for a driver who fled a Friday night crash that killed a 45-year-old man in a wheelchair on Detroit's west side.

The 45-year-old was on McNichols Road near Santa Barbara Drive when a vehicle hit him and the driver left the area, traveling west, Detroit police Officer Shanelle Williams said.

Police were called to the area about 9:20 p.m. Aug. 5.

Williams said the man was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police have differing descriptions of the vehicle. It was said to be both a white SUV and a four-door black vehicle. It has front-end damage and part of the man's wheelchair might be attached to it.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department homicide unit at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
DETROIT, MI - When FBI authorities searched the home of a man accused of purchasing illegal grenades, they found CDs marked with the name of an al-Qaida recruiter, according to the Detroit News.

The newspaper obtained sealed search warrants in the days since federal agents arrested Sebastian Gregerson, also known as Abdurrahman Bin Mikaayl, after he allegedly purchased illegal grenades from an undercover agent.

FBI agents raided his home Sunday, July 31, and located discs labeled Anwar al-Awlaki, who influenced Western militants, including Farouk Abdulmutallab, now serving a life sentence for trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner in 2009. What the discs contain has not been disclosed.

The radical American-Yemeni cleric gave English language Internet sermons calling for jihad, or holy war, against the United States. Al-Awlaki was killed in 2011 in Yemen by an unmanned drone, the Associated Press reported.

"When you look through most of the cases of individuals who get arrested for terrorism charges, the vast majority had al-Awlaki on their laptops," Seamus Hughes with the George Washington University's Program on Extremism told the Detroit News.

Among other items seized were seven rifles, two AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun, handguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, computer equipment and cellphones, the News reported.

Gregerson is charged in U.S. District Court in Detroit with unregistered possession of a destructive device and unlicensed receipt of explosive materials. He was arrested Sunday in Monroe and is being detained pending trial.

He sought to illegally obtain a 40mm grenade launcher, grenades that could be launched by hand and a Claymore mine -- which contains C-4 and can be detonated remotely, according to federal law enforcement agents.

The undercover agent contends Gregerson described to him specific tactics he would use to employ the grenades in an attack on a building, and also how he could make homemade grenades.

His defense attorney, David Tholen, has said the government is exaggerating Gregerson's threat, according to the Associated Press. His lawyer said the weapons were purchased legally, the News reported.

From March 26, 2015 to May 22, Gregerson had obtain hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a car gun holster, two balaclava ski masks and several fixed blade knives, according to the agent's affidavit.
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, made a stop at the volunteer booth Saturday, Aug. 6 where he spoke with people who were working to get residents registered to vote. Kildee said he is a big supporter of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, and his focus Saturday was to get people registered to vote.

FLINT, MI -- Democrat volunteers were set up in Flint as part of the "Weekend of Action" to mobilize supporters to help get Hillary Clinton elected in November.

The booth was set up at Drop Fest, which was being held in downtown Flint in Buckham Alley on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The initiative also comes on the heels of a visit from Democratic Vice President Nominee Tim Kaine in Grand Rapids on Friday, Aug. 5 where he spoke about Clinton's plans if she is elected.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, made a stop at the volunteer booth Saturday where he spoke with volunteers. Kildee said he is a big supporter of Clinton and Kaine, and his focus Saturday was to get people registered to vote.

"I'm here to help to launch an effort of voter registration," Kildee said. "This election is a really stark choice. We need to make sure people are registered to vote in order to participate."

Kildee spoke about Clinton's plan and how it can benefit Flint and Michigan residents.

"If you think about what is important to Michigan, one of the things is manufacturing. Hillary has a very specific plan." Kildee said. "It's a plan that invests in manufacturing, implements trade policy that supports American jobs and penalizes those companies that choose to ship their jobs overseas."

Kildee said Hillary's plan would penalize businesses that send work overseas. He said another part of her plan would make sure everyone has access to a college education.

"That's really how we're going to grow our economy," Kildee said. "Her plans are specific and clear."

Michigan Democrats launched more than 50 voter registration initiatives this weekend across the state including events in Flint, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing.
HOLLAND, MI -- A 28-year-old man is accused of robbing a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint, then firing the weapon at another person who followed his vehicle.

Holland police responded at 12:27 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 to a report involving a Domino's Pizza driver who had been robbed in the 300 block of Norcrest Place in the Meadow Lanes Townhomes complex.

The driver told police that a man approached him from behind with a handgun, then took cash from him.

Minutes later, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 800 block of Myrtle Avenue and learned it was related to the robbery.

Police said a person in the area of the Meadowlanes complex saw a vehicle driving recklessly and decided to follow it, intending to call 911. The witness followed the vehicle and both of them stopped in the 800 block of Myrtle Avenue.

The follower then said someone got out of the vehicle and fired two gunshots in his direction. He was not hurt.

Officers responded and found the alleged robber. He was on foot.

Police also found a gun in the area.
CRAWFORD COUNTY, MI -- A fire that burned more than 700 acres at Camp Grayling likely started from tracer fire from 50-caliber machine guns, military officials said.

Lt. Col. Thomas Green with the Michigan Army National Guard said the fire started during training Friday, Aug. 5, according to Upnorthlive.com

The fire is an area called Range 40 at Camp Grayling, a 147,000 training center in Northern Michigan.

Officials with Crawford County Emergency Management late Friday said the fire was under control but firefighters expected to monitor the fire all night.

In a Facebook page update Saturday, authorities said they were fighting a residual fire on Ontario Road but that also was under control.
Roaming Akuba Films, a Ghanaian film production house, has launched 'African Maestro', the premier documentary on Professor Emeritus Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia, one of the most influential scholars of African music, African studies, and ethnomusicology.

The 70- minute documentary was funded by the Goethe Institut (Ghana) with support from the Centre for World Performance Studies and Michigan Musical Heritage Project at the University of Michigan.

The film would be launched at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Accra on Wednesday, September 14, from 6:30  8:30pm.

Finally, a documentary film based on the life, work and cultural memory of Professor J.H.K. Nketia. We applaud the very fine film by filmmaker Anita Afonu. The African Maestro is a film that visually and aurally celebrates the musical genius and humanity of J.H. Kwabena Nketia, says, Professors Jaqueline C. DjeDje and Eddie S. Meadows of Department of Ethnomusicology, University of California, Los Angeles.

The film is outstanding in presenting a multi-dimensional portrayal of Nketia, one that highlights not only his musical genius and scholarship, but also the human qualities that have contributed to his greatness.

The African Maestro is an important addition to the field of ethnomusicology because it recognises Nketia's commitment to both preserving and disseminating African culture globally. We commend it highly.

The Ghanaian filmmaker, Anita Afonu's African Maestro gives unprecedented insight into the history of music and African contemporary history. Professor Kwabena Nketia, a world renowned ethnomusicologist, composes music from the roots of African rhythms to contemporary compositions.

Professor Nketia, through his passion for music provides an alternative tool for cultural education across Africa and its Diaspora, said Frieda Ekotto

Chair, Department of Afro-American and African Studies Professor, and Professor, Comparative Literature and Francophone Studies University of Michigan.

Speakers at the event would include: Professor Kofi Asare Opoku, African University College of Communication (AUCC), where the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies is based, and Lester Monts, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music (ethnomusicology), University of Michigan.

Professor Monts is currently Director of the Michigan Musical Heritage Project that seeks to capture on film the states folk, ethnic, and immigrant music traditions.

There would also be a speaker from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

About 100 guests representing academia, chieftaincy, government and the diplomatic community are expected to attend.

Nketia, 95, was the first African Director of the Institute of African Studies and a Founding Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Other positions he has held include, Professor of Music, University of Ghana; Professor of Music at UCLA; Horatio Appleton Lamb Visiting Professor at Harvard University and Visiting Cornell Professor at Swarthmore College.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society of Great Britain and Ireland; Honorary Member of the International Music Council (IMC-UNESCO), member of the International Jury for the Proclamation by UNESCO of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible

Heritage of Humanity and Honorary Fellow of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, among others.

His numerous Awards include the Cowell Award of the African Music Society, ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for his book on the Music of Africa, IMC-UNESCO Music Prize for Distinguished Service to Music and Prince Claus 1997 Award for Distinguished Service to Culture & Development.

He also warn the Year 2000 Distinguished Africanist Award of the African Studies Association of the US for Life-long Devotion to African Studies, and DLitt (Honoris Causa) of the University of Ghana, Companion of the Order of Star of Ghana and the Grand Medal of the Government of Ghana (Civil Division).

He was educated at the University of London, Birkbeck and Columbia University in the US.

GNA
06.08.2016 LISTEN

Folks, it is often said that a chicken that will turn into a cockerel is noticed the very first day that it is hatched (thanks to the legendary novelist, Chinua Achebe). And why a cockerel and not a hen?

For the answer, turn to the late Colonel Joseph Mobutu (later Mobutu Sese Seko) of the former Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), who gave prominence to the status of the cockerel (Be careful not to use COCK instead, which may be offensive in American English, which explains why "rooster" is preferred).

Why Mobutu Sese Seko? The meaning is simple: "The only untiring cock among the hens!!" as he explained it himself. And he was untiring among the hens until prostate cancer did him in!!

Why am I going this distance? I am doing so to suggest that Nature has endowed us (human beings) with assets that we are expected to recognize and use to tackle the existential problems facing humanity. That is why every human being is endowed with talents to be identified, developed, and exploited.

Those who know what their talents are and develop them become geniuses. They concentrate on one specific talent out of the whole lot and do not spread themselves so thin as the Jack of all trades and master of none!!

This introduction aims at putting Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the founder, leader, and sole financier of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) on the spotlight for a good reason as we continue to tease out the salient aspects of Ghanaian politics in our time.

He has a rich history when it comes to business. That explains why he has risen to become what he is today. I got to know in the heady days of his work with the Deloitte and Touche company, even as the fracas over the probe into his dealings with Dr. William Adda (former CEO of the State Enterprises Commission). He still maintains that he was exonerated. None of my business.

Then, when he chose to do partisan politics, I monitored goings-on in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem constituency, where he represented the political party of his liking and lost the first bid to be in Parliament.

I remember all that happened, especially how the voters of Anlo extraction (mostly fisherfolks) operating in the vicinity of his Coconut Grove resort in Elmina got infuriated at derogatory comments reaching that Dr. Nduom had accused them of defaecating indiscriminately in the area to spoil his business. They lined up to vote massively against him, which gave Dr. Attoh Quarshie the landslide victory. Oh, how I relish those days!!

Then, Dr. Nduom swung into action to win voter support to be in Parliament only to sell the CPP out to the NPP and become a bed-fellow of the morbid political foes, the NPP under Kufuor. Whatever happened all along is now history, but it is still fresh in the memories of those who will easily cite Dr. Nduom and Freddie Blay as concrete examples of political sell-outs!!

So much for the tortuous political path being walked by Dr. Nduom. My interest now lies in why he thinks that he can play his successes in the business field as a trump card to win elections and become Ghana's president. I have read many news reports about his boasts that he could translate his successes in the business world into a monumental political accomplishment to uplift Ghana if voted into office.

He has said it himself that his acumen for business is an asset that can be easily turned into a political abracadabra for Ghana's good. (Don't I smell a Donald Trump here?). Enough of that boast already!! Governance needs more than a business acumen because running a country is not the same as running a business. Can he not see the difference? I am more than intrigued by his failure to separate the oranges from the apples.

Considering how much he has invested in his wild goose chase for the presidency, I am tempted to wonder whether he really knows how Ghanaian politics is done or is to be done at all. Can he not go back to analyze the outcome of the elections in which he participated to know where he stands and will stand in future?

I hear he has chosen his running mate in the person of former Miss Ghana Brigitte Dzogbenuku, who has been quick to say that she left the NPP to be with Dr. Nduom because she believes in "change" and that all that she did with the NPP-affiliate ("OccupyGhana") hasn't given her the kind of leverage that her partnering Dr. Nduom for Election 2016 will.

I find it difficult to rationalize issues here, especially when I consider the potential of the NPP and the PPP in terms of opposition to the incumbent and voter support). How many voters will support Dr. Nduom and his "one-man-show" concert party enactments in the PPP as against whatever Akufo-Addo and his NPP will put up? The outcome of Elections 2008 and 2012 should tell Dr. Nduom that when it comes to challenging the incumbent, the NPP is streets ahead of him.

More pointedly, should it not have occurred to Dr. Nduom at this time that having allowed himself to be emasculated by the NPP and having played himself into the hands of the very anti-Nkrumahist elements that he served in the era of Kufuor, he has no standing anymore, whether he inflates himself as a pro-Nkrumahist or not?

Has Dr. Nduom paused to ask himself why the other pro-Nkrumahist parties don't even mention him when they are considering measures for a merger, even if they are themselves confused about the political situation in which their waywardness has landed them?

There is a lot to talk about as far as Dr. Nduom's situation is concerned. I have engaged him before (I still have his e-mails to me on that score) and will continue to do so just to let him know that the odds stacked against him are enormous. That is why he shouldn't continue wasting his money, time, and energy to attempt forcing a river to flow upstream in his favour.

Claiming that his choice of the former Miss Ghana underscores his love for the fairer sex's participation in Ghanaian politics is bogus. What has this Brigitte Dzogbenuku done to prove that she is politically savvy or even appropriate for what Dr. Nduom is imposing on her? Being a "beauty queen" is nothing to brag about because "beauty" is a matter of perception (as beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and is a gift given by Nature that no mortal human being has any hand in fashioning or overturning. In a more pointed proverbial sense, it is said that a beautiful woman never stays with one man. What do we learn from that adage, especially if the status of Brigitte Dzogbenuku is her only asset?).

When Dr. Nduom went for Miss Eva Lokko for Election 2012, we laughed him to scorn as a politically misguided "busy-body" because at the time, Miss Lokko had become so objectionable as a public figure that no serious politician would associate with to prevail over voters. She had incurred so much contempt at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation as to be declared a liquidated property. She couldn't manage that small establishment.

How, then, would a politician seeking the high office of the presidency take her on board as his running mate? No wonder that she fetched scorn and not votes for Dr. Nduom. Whys has he run away from her when Akufo-Addo is moving on with Dr. Bawumia for a third flop and the NDC went with the late Mills for three times, and President Mahama is going with Amissah-Arthur? What is Brigitte Dzogbenuku that Ms. Lokko is not? Too much flip-flopping already!! Has Dr. Nduom learnt any useful lesson from that mis-step with Ms. Lokko? No!! His going for Brigitte Dzogbenuku as such!! So, why should he waste so much time, money, and energy doing so? Is it because he has too much money and too little to do?: May be!!

If Dr. Nduom were any serious politician, he should have known by now that his PPP is not known anywhere beyond his small enclave, where he splashes money and attracts media coverage with his self-adulation. I wish the Electoral Commission were serious enough to ban political parties of this sort that cannot fulfill the requirements of the national Constitution. How many Ghanaians know of the PPP and this Dr. Nduom outside the vile media bombastic verbiage?

I have a lot more to say, but will end it here to tell Dr. Nduom that he isn't going anywhere. His talk of the 2016 elections going into a run-off can be anything. If it does, it won't have anything to do with his PPP. It will have to do with those that matter; and Dr. Nduom isn't one of them. So, why should he continue to waste his time, money, and energy fouling our air? A successful business man he may call himself but a politician he is not. Election 2016 is for politicians, not businessmen/women. Is Dr. Nduom listening?

Before he does anything at all to worsen his standing, let him explain to us how come that he would encroach on the land belonging to the Komenda Sugar Factory (GHASEL, as established by the Great Osagyefo) in the pursuit of his ambition to establish a university in that part of Ghana and why he was vehemently opposed to the reactivation of that industry by President Mahama. Such a character is carrying a heavy baggage that weighs him down the political drain. Such self-acquisitive characters are Ghana's bane to be feared, especially when they attempt translating their success into something so weird as seeking political office. Their success, our woes!!

I shall return
Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) has urged investors and technical experts to look to the agriculture sector for greater return on their investments in Ghana.

The brewery giant made this call at the 5th Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Bootcamp held at the Kofi Annan ICT Center in Accra.

The event, aimed at training entrepreneurs through critical thinking exercises and business framework modelling to build a sustainable venture in the agribusiness supply chain, while building wealth in their community.

Participants gained insight from industry experts addressing supply chain management, supplier development, value-addition, and partnerships.

Sharing the Manufacturing industry experience with participants, Gabriel Opoku-Asare - Corporate Relations Director of GGBL said, Right government policies are essential in developing agribusiness in Ghana; for example since the passage of the Customs and Excise (Duties & Other Taxes) (Amendment) Act, (Act 855) in 2012, crops such as sorghum, maize and cassava have become commercially viable for a many farmers. GGBL as a guaranteed off taker, uses these crops for the production of our premium products.

Currently, we have increased the amount of local raw materials in our brands from 12% in 2012 to 48% with a commitment to achieve an 80% target by 2020. This requires significant investment in farmer education, yield and quality improvement that will ensure consistent supply of local raw materials for innovation and brand re-engineering.

We have seen transformation in the livelihoods of farmers, the community and the Agric sector as a whole in other parts of Africa where Diageo also operates. For this reason we encourage agripreneurs who have the technical know-how and resources to invest in commercial agriculture which will bring enormous benefits to local farmers, the community and the country as a whole.

Organisers of the programme, Diaspora Angel Investment Network (DAIN) were particularly excited about GGBLs progress in the area of agribusiness. Nii Simmonds, Program Director of the Network added, It is exciting to see the potential that agriculture has in Ghana. The gap still remains in encouraging entrepreneurs to move from subsistent practices to commercial farming, the knowledge they require and the likely outcome if all is done right. That is why we have consistently engaged youthful potentials to grow their minds and help them achieve such successes in the area of agribusiness. A 5th edition only means, more people are hungry for such knowledge and that is what we are here to do. Such great insights from GGBL also boost the morale of these entrepreneurs and I am glad they could share it.

A participant at the event, Anita Ansong, also shared her excitement. I came for this event to be guided on starting an agribusiness on my own. Guinness Ghana painted a very realistic picture and I actually saw more business opportunities which I can tap into. I am very inspired and I think its possible for me to start something especially in the cassava industry.

GGBL, a total beverage business, is a subsidiary of Diageo PLC and currently engages over 16,000 small scale farmers across Ghana.

Brands fully utilizinglocally sourced materials include Ruut Extra, made from cassava, Top Malt and Guinness Africa Specialfrom sorghum mostly sourced from the Northern part of Ghana. Star Beer, Star Lite, Malta, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout and Gulder have also been re-engineered to include local raw materials.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Your Excellency, please accept my greetings.

I am sure you will be very surprised to read this letter from me, more so in the open.

As you know very well, I am a dye in the wool NPP. Nothing can make me join NDC, and I am sure your party has no room for me either, so it is just as well.

But Mr. President, I am writing to you because of FOUR peoples views in the media about whether or not you should exercise your presidential powers of clemency for the jailed loud mouthed reckless NDC pundits, currently in the cooler.

The first person whose views prompted me to write this open, letter is the celebrated former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Sam Okudzeto. He did not mince words at all when he made it emphatically clear that the Montie FM chaps should have been given very harsh

penalties for their reckless unguarded misguided effusions.

Mr President, whether you like it or not, Mr. Sam Okudzeto is one person who commands respect in Ghana. His political associations notwithstanding, remember he is one of the most senior lawyers in Ghana today, and was for more than three years continuously the president of the Ghana Bar Association.

The second person who has prompted me to write you this letter is the Minister of Gender and Women Affairs  Nana Oye Lithur.

She is a lawyer, so I was very surprised when I saw her pictures in the dailies, signing a petition calling on you to exercise your powers of clemency to pardon the Montie boys.

A lawyer and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to plead for these guys.

The third person who has prompted me to write you this letter is the respected one time Vice Chancellor of Cape Coast University, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman.

Madam, why did you also sign the Petition?

But the main man who has jabbed me to write is your own lawyer, that famous lawyers lawyer, Tony Lithur, who says in the media that Mr President, do NOT disturb the penalty. Allow sleeping dogs to lie.

Mr. President, you know, I was not at all surprised when I heard that Tony Lithur was advising you NOT to disturb the penalty, because I said on one radio station some time ago that all the top lawyers in NDC who are around you will advise you NOT to disturb the penalty imposed upon these boys.

And, you know why?

Mr. President, permit me, with the greatest respect, to ask: would you wish you were the President of SOMALIA? Why not? Because that country is virtually in flames?

How about wishing you were President of Syria? Why not? Because it is a country ravaged by civil war?

Or Afghanistan? Or Iraq?

I have no doubt that you are perfectly happy being President of Ghana  that beautiful peace loving country, where you can just enjoy yourself being President, without fear of any military coup or assassination or rebellion.

Thank God  Mr President.

Your first and only obligation is to hand over to your successor whether in 2016 or 2020 a peaceful country, full of democrats.

But, Mr. President, this can only be done if there is LAW AND ORDER  period!!!

Law and Order. Yes. Mr. President. Law and Order. Guaranteed by the Constitution.

And the Constitution has created a big WATCHDOG, called the JUDICIARY  Judges, all over the country, to SAY what the law is, to enforce the LAW.

Mr. President, in Europe and America, people FEAR the LAW  because the law can make then arrest a sitting Vice President and throw him into jail for tax evasion. Yes. The law can force the President of the USA Richard Nixon to resign. The law??? It is the arbiter of justice, the

harbinger of PEACE.

And you know, Mr. President, I can tell you this -I have been a lawyer for nearly 30 years, by the Grace of God  no lawyer can absolutely predict the verdict in any Court case, because the dynamics are almost endless.

Judges are NOT saints nor angels. They are human beings, just like us, with wives and children, with husbands who are not totally honest to them and have been cheating on them.

Yes, Judges are mortals, and so they can make mistakes, and that is why we have an appellate system. If you are aggrieved, go on appeal.

Show me a peaceful country and I will show you a STRONG Judiciary. Show me a FAILED state and I will show you a weak domiciled judiciary.

All of us, especially those of us in the front ranks of society have a duty to promote the LAW, to enforce the LAW, to respect the LAW  it is the only way that we can guarantee our way of life.

For this reason, if anybody shows disrespect to the LAW, especially Judges, in the name of freedom of speech, please, Mr. President, as you said in a speech to KNUST students when you were Vice President, we must use even caterpillar to CRUSH the person, because we want

absolute PEACE in Ghana.

Now, let me be what lawyers call  the devils advocate.

Three irresponsible young men who I dare say are not paying rent from their salaries and are not paying school fees for their wards in senior high school- they seize the air waves and talk very irresponsibly about Justices of the Supreme Court  how dare they? Not even Magistrate in the District Court, not even Circuit Court Judges but JUSTICES of the Supreme Court!!! They are charged with contempt of Court, and they ran away with just four months jail term, and then God forbid  again God forbid  the President says I am the President, these are NDC boys, so I grant them special amnesty, they are free.

Very well, you have the power to do that. Okay.

Then three weeks later we hear in Kpokpokrom that a local serial caller on radio has openly threatened to kill Mr Justice Wolonyogome  is that contempt or libel or threat of death?

Oh, he is NDC  the President would pardon him. ..then this.. then that..Ghana will slide into chaos

Is that what you want? Mr. President?

We may never know, but I am sure the NPP inclined Justices on the panel may have demanded very harsh penalty for these guys, while the NDC sympathizers may have wished a much lesser penalty, but compromises resulted in what we have.

As I said earlier, judges are mortals like us, with feelings. They have collectively spoken, and let us leave it like that.

Mr. President, it is not good at all that anytime there is going to be general elections then there is tension in Ghana  putting fear in people, that this and that, why? Elections are not do and die business?

Why cant the Electoral Commission do a clear job, neat, fair, for all? The winner in election 2016 will NOT be a Togolese, Senegalese or Burundian, but a full blooded Ghanaian  so why the fuss?

Please, Mr. President, calm down the tension.

Allow those rogues to pay the price for their recklessness. Thank God this is even from NDC.

Next time if anybody, especially NPP opposition talkers venture, they will check themselves.

You can quietly send some provisions to them to make life in jail a bit tolerable, but for heavens sake, DO NOT DISTURB THE PENALTY!!!!

From Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey
Koo, if I tell you we are in trouble, will you believe me?

- It depends on what sort of trouble you're talking about? I mean if I wake up with only 100 Cedis in my pocket, I do think I'm in trouble. But someone else may hitch his trouble-sum a bit higher  like say, 1,000! But that self-same person may think he's in trouble because someone he - er- er - (coughs) you know, is not picking his calls....

- Ho, you call that trouble? That's just one man's headache! When I speak of trouble, I mean something that can affect everyone in this country, from Walewale to Wirenkyiren, and from Aboadzi to Abodom.

- Ei, something like an earthquake?

- Even earthquakes are limited to specific localities, the most vulnerable of which are known as epicentres. What I am talking about is something like a total eclipse of the sun!

- Eh? You think something like that has spread its wings over God's Own Gold Coast?

- Okay, Koo: do you know how many articles have appeared on the Internet about the Montie Trio?

- Do you think I am stupid enough to waste my time counting such things?

- It may not be such a waste of time. It would indicate to you, the psychological state of the country in which you have invested so much time and resources.

 Ah?

 You say AH? Listen: if you Google Montie Trio alone, you get ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND entries! And remember they became known as the Montie Trio only recently. At first, they were referred to merely as the contemnors (57,300 entries)...

-- You're kidding me?

- No, I jest not!. Google shows that -- theoretically -- as many as 185,000 people have taken the trouble to sit at a computer and write something about the Montie Trio Contemnors!

- Now, suppose someone came from the moon and asked you who the Montie Trio Contemnors were, what would you say?

 That they are three so-called panelists on a show on Montie Radio, who, filled with the sort of omnipotence that's often self-bestowed by people who believe they have political power, recounted with sadistic glee, how three judges and an army officer were killed on 30 June 1982 over a judicial issue. They warned the Supreme court Judges of today not to forget what happened that day, and to not dare to overturn the wishes of the Electoral Commission on what names should remain in the Electoral register...

 That was all?

- Yes. Because of names in the electoral register, they went nuclear-ballistic!

They threatened Supreme Court judges with a gruesome death on account of the names of people whose voting intentions they did not even know??

 Not only that-- one of them threatened that the Chief Justice, who, as you know is a married woman, would be forcibly married to someone else on the day of revenge!

- And there are people in Ghana who consider that this is a subject matter upon which so much breath should be wasted?

- Yes. By now, the figure of computer entries on the subject may have risen to 200,000 and over!

 It's bonkers, I agree.

- Academics have had their say. Some say free speech must not be fettered by judicial tyranny, in the form of punishment for contempt of court

 You mean these academics are happy to live in a country in which vulgar verbal radio terrorists can threaten the Lady Chief Justice with rape?

 Koo, I am not surprised at the academics. They can always be depended upon to say that there are two schools of thought (if not more) on any subject under the sun! What has shocked me is the fact that two lady Ministers have found it possible to append their signatures to a petition urging their own President to pardon the verbal terrorists.

 In other words, they do not regard the threat of raping the Lady Chief Justice as a reprehensible enough crime to merit a prison sentence amounting to a mere four months, that may be reduced if the prisoners are of good behaviour?

 Yes! Only Shakespeare can do justice to this situation:

O judgement,

Thou art fled to

Brutish beasts

And (wo)men have lost their reason!

My heart is on the Bench there with the CJ

And I must pause till it come back to me!

 You see, Koo, the action of the two lady Ministers is characteristic of a trend in this country at the moment that enables otherwise respectable persons to close their eyes to any wrong-doing, so long as it occurs in the political realm. I am sure that neither of the lady Ministers would want their brother, or their son, or their husband (if any) to use such uncouth words laced with terrorist propensities, to apply to any other woman. But when it comes to politics, then the Chief Justice becomes a mere wooden object (of the type cited in the Twi proverb: If [the wound] is on someone else, it's as if it were on a piece of wood!). Even feminist solidarity need not apply--

- Yes. And Koo, this case, which in every civilized society, would be an open-and-shut one, is what the Mighty Ghanaian intellect is exercised about?

 Yes  Forget about Galamsey!

 Forget about Dumsor and single-source contracts!

- Forget about the lack of democracy at the local government level

 Talk, talk and talk again, about petitions to the President; about contempt of court; and about the exercise of freedom of speech.

But flay anyone who uses freedom of speech to say that our body politic has gone absolutely bananas!
The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), has called on the police service to scrap any plans it has to shut down social media on Election Day.

According to WANEP, the police would be better served focusing on monitoring social media platforms to identify persons who might compromise security efforts ahead of the elections

Shutting down social media cannot and will never solve any problem, WANEP's Executive Director, Chukuemeka Eze, told Citi News

I think the police should focus on how they can regulate the content on social media. If someone could go on social media and announce a fake result during the election as against what the EC which is saddled with the responsibility to announce the results will announce. It could be a recipe for violence. If the EC announces a different result, what you're saying is that your party has been cheated. So the police can say that if you go on social media and announce that has not been vetted and authenticated by the EC, you'll be traced and arrested, he added.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), had earlier announced that his outfit was considering shutting down social media services in the country on December 7, to counter the activities of people who could .

The comments sparked widespread criticism from social media users and human rights activists across the country

Although the police have since clarified that a social media blackout on election day is only a consideration, it said will only be a last resort .

He stated that social media was only a reflection of what goes on in the society and that shutting it down won't stop people from thinking or acting the way they do.

Social media is an expression of people within a society. So it is simply a vehicle through which people express themselves. So in other words, if you shut down the social media, those expressions will still take place, he added.

Emmanuel Bombande

Social Media ban not a solution

The newly-approved Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Emmanuel Bombande recently advised against the social media ban.

Mr. Bombande, when he took his turn at the ministerial vetting, admitted that social media has its downsides, with several users engaging in irresponsible activities on the platform.

However, he believes that the police would be better served focusing on the benefits that could be accrued from the use of social media services in the country.

I would not advise that we shut down social media but that does not mean in my advise that I do not recognize the potential danger it presents. I'm looking more at the potential benefits. What we need to do is to establish the mechanism that makes the use of social media a tool of more responsibility, that's on all of us rather than shut it down, he said

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
06.08.2016 LISTEN

Ghana has approved a deal with the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland on the transfer of convicted persons.

This follows the adoption of the Report by the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the deal presented by the Chairman, Magnus Kofi Amoatey.

The ratification by the West African country is spurred by an amendment to its existing law, Transfer of Convicted Persons Act 2007, Act 743.

The former British Colony enacted the Transfer of Convicted Persons Act 2007, Act 743 and proceeded to sign a bilateral agreement with the UK to that effect.

Eight years after the implementation of the law, Ghana has amended the Act in line with additional Protocols to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

The amendment provides for some circumstances under which the concerns of a convicted person will not be sought by the sentencing stage.

Following the amendment, the West African nation signed an agreement with the UK on November 12, 2015 to that effect.

Presenting the Committees Report on the floor, chairman of the committee told the Legislature that the Attorney-General of Ghana, in spite of the waiver, still reserves the power or the right to give consent for the transfer of a sentenced person.

He further told the House that the UK government, as part of the deal, is assisting in the refurbishment and expansion of facilities in some prisons in Ghana.

The implementation of the agreement will not compromise the human rights of sentenced persons and Ghana stands to benefit from the Government of the UK in the reform of our prisons, he added.

Deputy Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso South, Ben Abdallah Banda, commenting on the issue said, A refusal to ratify this agreement may be seen as this House trying to avoid the implementation of our own laws.
06.08.2016 LISTEN

WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT FROM LINCOLN UNIVERSITY'S INTERIM PRESIDENT RICHARD GREEN, PH.D.

I am pleased to announce the Fourth Biennial Kwame Nkrumah International Conference (KNIC4). From September 16-19, 2016, The KNIC4 will be held at Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., Kwame Nkrumahs alma mater.

KNIC4 is an interdisciplinary conference that provides a platform for scholars and students from across the globe to share ideas on how to pool resources and to provide a synergy of knowledge, efforts, projects and programs throughout the globe that are designed to develop the intellectual, political, social, economic and other cultural life opportunities of people of African heritage.

Temple Universitys Department of African American Studies and Molefi Kete Asante (MKA) Institute of Philadelphia is collaborating with Lincoln University, as well as the traditional sponsors of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver, Canada; and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

D. Zizwe Poe, Ph.D., Professor of History and Pan-Africana Studies, in the History, Political Science, Philosophy and Religion Department at Lincoln University, is the local organizer of the conference and can be reached by phone at 484-365-7180 or via email to [email protected] for more information.

It is an honor for Lincoln University to be part of this historical activity. I look forward to your participation.

ALSO FROM DR. MOLEFI KETE ASANTE

The staff of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies hope that you are enjoying a safe and productive summer. I would like to make you aware of an exciting event taking place in Philadelphia, PA on September 1619, 2016.

The Fourth Biennial Kwame Nkrumah International Conference will be a powerful gathering of scholars and researchers, policymakers, artists, and activists with the aim of regenerating the Pan-African intelligentsia to provide solution-oriented ideas on issues affecting African people globally.

This conference will provide a unique opportunity to network with major thinkers committed to Africa's renaissance!

See the link below for more information on how to register for this historic event. I look forward to seeing you there! Asante sana.

Molefi K. Asante (President).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For further information, please visit the following links (URLs):

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-kwame-nkrumah-international-conference-tickets-26262474769

http://www.kpu.ca/knic

With its theme Reinvigorating The Pan-African Intelligentsia: Developing Organizations And Institutions Committed to Serving African People the Fourth Biennial Kwame Nkrumah International Conference (KNIC4) has as its first aim the amassing of intellectual, academic, and technological, reports and proposals addressing the challenges facing African people globally

KNIC4 will afford participants an opportunity to share research and ideas on the realities, challenges, and strategies for developing the Pan-African intelligentsia in the age of globalization, with a particular focus on ways of impacting and influencing institutions/organizations of people of African descent for the development of Africans everywhere.

Finally, the conference will clarify the role of the Pan-African intelligentsia in informing strategies for African development and integration into the world economy. Visit the venue site for more information (see the URL above).

TIME & VENUE

When: Friday, September 16, 2016 at 12:00 PMMonday, September 19, 2016 at 3:00 PM (EDT)

Where (Venue): 3020 Market Street3020 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

ORGANIZERS OF THE FOURTH KWAME NKRUMAH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

D. Zizwe Poe, Ph.D. (Conference Convener) (Note: Dr. Poe is the author of Kwame Nkrumahs Contribution to Pan-African Agency: An Afrocentric Analysis).

Stephanie Yarbough (Conference Coordinator)

Thanks.
The Director of Operation for the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu has called for the dismissal of some high ranking officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who signed a petition calling for the release of the three Montie FM contemnors.

Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, were sentenced to serve four months in jail after they were found guilty of contempt charges for threatening to eliminate justices of the Supreme Court.

Some Ministers and top officials of the NDC have since signed a petition calling for the release of the trio.

The petition book, opened by a group known as the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP), has so far garnered several signatures, including those of high-profile government officials including the deputy minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare and the Education Minister, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.

Commenting on the development on Citi FM 's News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, Ofori Owusu said the decision by these officials to sign the petition amounts to gross insubordination against the authority of the President.

He therefore suggested that these Ministers should be dismissed for openly disrespecting the President and undermining his authority.

We found it bizarre that the Ministers of the President who are appointed by the President and other high party functionaries appointed by the President will embarrass their President openly and tell their President that you are sleeping and that you don't know that there is an Article 72, so me the Minister that you gave me a job, I am openly defying and ridiculing you. It is a disrespect against the Authority of the President. The President should go through that book and everybody that signed the petition should be sacked. This act is gross insubordination to the President.It is an attempt to ridicule him in public.

Nduom signs petition to keep Montie 3 in jail

On Thursday, the founder and flagbearer of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom signed another petition urging President John Mahama to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court against the Montie Three.

The PPP started the petition as counter point to the free Montie three movement demanding a presidential pardon for the three pro-government communicators.



By: Marian Ansah/ciifmonline.com/Ghana
The man accused of the murder of the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Mr J.B. Danquah-Aduon on Friday informed the Accra District Court that his cell mate in custody had threatened to kill him.

Daniel Asiedu, alias Sexy Don Don, made the revelation after the presiding magistrate, Mr Stephen Owusu, had asked him how he was faring in custody.

According to him, the fellow inmate, whom he described as 'a Nigerian guy', persistently threatened and provoked him but he (Asiedu) did not retaliate.

He was just disturbing me but because I have given my life to Christ, I did not retaliate,'' he said.

The accused person, who appeared in court carrying two Bibles, further said that the disturbances and threats from his fellow cell mate got to the extent that he (Asiedu) had to request a change in his place of custody.

I called the CID man in charge of the case and informed him about my problem and requested for a transfer. I have, therefore, been transferred from the Legon Police Station to the Kotobabi Police Station,'' he said.

He told the court that he was feeling safer at his new abode.

In response to the revelations, Mr Owusu assured Asiedu that he (Mr Owusu) would confer with Asiedu's lawyer, who was not in court, and the prosecutor to ensure Asiedu's safety in custody.

Accused persons

Asiedu appeared in court with the second accused person, Vincent Bosso, who informed the court that he was faring well in custody.

Asiedu has been charged with murder, while Bosso has been charged with abetment of crime.

A-G's advice

Apart from Asiedu's lawyer, Mr Augustine Obour, who was not in court, the substantive prosecutor, Supt Francis Baah, was also not in court yesterday.

Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemehia, who held brief for him, informed the court that Supt Baah was out of the jurisdiction.

He further told the court that the prosecution was still waiting for the Attorney-General's advice on the case.

The case was adjourned to August 19, 2016.

Facts

The facts of the case are that the deceased MP lived with his family in a one-storey house at Shiashie, near East Legon, a suburb of Accra, while Asiedu and Bosso lived at Agbogbloshie, also in Accra.

About 11:40 p.m. on February 8, 2016, the MP arrived home in his private car driven by his driver. The driver had handed over the ignition keys to the car to Mr Danquah-Adu and left for home, after which the MP retired to bed in a room located on the first floor of his house.

About 1 a.m. that same night, Asiedu and Bosso, armed with a catapult, a cutter and a sharp knife, went to the legislator's house.

Bosso is said to have assisted Asiedu to enter the house by scaling the wall on the blind side of a security man who was fast asleep. On entering the house, Asiedu picked a ladder and climbed onto a porch on the top floor and entered the MP's bedroom through a window while Mr Danquah-Adu was sleeping.

While Asiedu was searching the room, the MP woke up and held him. There ensued a struggle, during which Asiedu stabbed the MP in the right chest above the breast, an action which led to the death of the MP.


International human rights advocacy group, Amnesty International, has backed calls for a presidential pardon for the jailed Montie FM panelists and host if they show genuine remorse for their actions.

According to the group, the convicted men have every right to petition the President to exercise his prerogative of mercy and sanction their release from the Nsawam prison.

We believe that they can ask for a pardon and when that pardon is given we will accept it. The President has that prerogative of mercy to pardon people who are put into prison. If we believe that these people have realized their faults and are pleading for mercy, we will encourage the president to look at that if it is within his power to pardon them, the country Director for Amnesty International, Lawrence Amesu told Citi News.

Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, were sentenced to serve four months in jail , after being found guilty of contempt by the Supreme Court, for threatening the lives of the judges who were presiding over a case on the credibility of the voters' register.

The trio reiterated their regret for their comments and called on the President to bear in mind the embarrassment their conduct and incarceration has caused their loved ones, in his consideration of the petition and reverse the harsh and excessive sentence.

In petitioning Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, to exercise your prerogative of mercy, we humbly ask you also to please take into consideration the fact that we have young families who have been embarrassed and devastated by our unfortunate conduct and our subsequent incarceration, they said.

They added that they had been carried away in their discussion on the Pampaso show on Montie FM but had never intended to harm anybody.

Pressure has been mounted on the President from his party and from within his own government to pardon the three.

A book, opened by a group calling itself the Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP), garnered several signatures including those of high-profile government officials including Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare and the Education Minister, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.

Other notable people who signed the petition include the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, founder of the Ghana Freedom Party, Akua Donkor and an official at the presidency, Valerie Sawyerr.

That petition , and another from the trios lawyers and the owners of Montie FM have since been presented to President Mahama .

A counter petition book seeking the Presidents dismissal of the earlier petitions has been opened by the Progressive Peaoples Party (PPP) and signed by the partys flagbearer Papa Kwesi Nduom.

There have been suggestions that pardoning the contemnors would send a wrong message to media practitioners that any offensive comments they make will go unpunished.

However, Lawrence Amesu, dismissed them, stating that the widespread condemnation of the comments made by the three on the Accra-based radio station and the public nature of their trial and incarceration will deter any potential offenders.

Pardoning them does not mean that you are giving way for people to commit more crimes. Many people are going to take a cue from this. At Amnesty, particularly for death penalties, we do fight for their rights even if they are in prison. If people commit crimes, it does not mean that the president or any other arm of government should not pardon them, he added.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Over 5,000 flash-points have been identified by the 2016 National Elections and Security Task-force.

According to the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, they are putting measures in place to ensure that the flashpoints do not pose any risk going into election 2016.

Superintendent Cephas Arthur who made the revelation after a simulation exercise on how to fight crime during the 2016 elections added that they are aware of heightened tension before, during and after the polls but they are hopeful that people will comport themselves.

He said flashpoints are areas notorious for acts of violence.

"Usually such places record violence, acts of vandalism, disturbances of public peace as a result of elections and other social activities. These are the places we have tagged as flashpoints.

"We have identified 5000 places across the country. It calls for concern. We won't say it is a worrying situation. It calls for focusing of attention," he stated.

Ghana is heading into the 2016 elections in December 2016 with fears of possible violence. There have been a number of peace campaigns in order to foster peace and unity in the country before, during and after the elections.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Aug 6, GNA - Dr Ransford Gyampo a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, has called for the passage of the Public Funding of Political Parties' Bill.

He said the Draft Bill of 2008, when passed into law, would help minimise drastically the unhealthy competition during the electioneering as 'would-be losers' know they would still survive in opposition.

'If they know they will be able to run their parties and match the ruling party in terms of campaign, the acrimony, hostility and desire to win at all cost that threatens our peace would reduce,' Dr Gyampo said in Accra at a roundtable on Winner-Takes-All (WTA) Politics.

The roundtable, on the theme: 'The Case of Public Funding of Political Parties' was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

Public funding of political parties is an arrangement that enables the state to give financial resources or indirect assistance to political parties to enable them to carry out their activities and achieve their ultimate objective of capturing political power.

Political parties in Ghana have since 1996 been given a free air time by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to campaign and broadcast their policy prescriptions to the people.

Furthermore, from 1996 to 2008, the Government, through the Electoral Commission (EC), donated vehicles to political parties contesting elections.

For instance in 2008 the EC donated 50 vehicles to political parties that fielded parliamentary candidates in more than 10 constituencies; unfortunately, this gesture ended in 2008.

Dr Gympoh, also a Research Fellow of the IEA, said political parties in opposition clamoured for public funding but developed cold feet when they got power because they saw public funding as a dangerous arsenal to their real or perceived political opponents.

He said the proposal might be unpopular in the minds of those who did not have a full grasp of what it could do to check the divisive practice of WTA politics; nevertheless, this should certainly not be the reason why the bill should not be passed into law.

'Weak parties would always produce weak and incompetent leaders who would be unable to resolve our challenges. Public funding would not only reduce fierce electoral competition,' he said.

'It would strengthen parties to attract the right calibre of people to lead the nation in frontally tackling the quagmires of poverty and underdevelopment,' he added.

Dr Gyampo described the WTA politics as the 'state capture' and partisan monopolisation of state resources excluding of all others, particularly the opposition and even ordinary professionals from national governance.

He said: 'Under the WTA politics, victorious political parties after elections quickly sweep the political and economic stakes of the state as they consolidate themselves in power.

'Consequently, only the ruling party becomes more visible in between elections because of its access to state resources.

'Indeed, during election campaign periods, an uneven playing field is created as the party in power exploits its incumbency and access to state resources while those in opposition operate virtually in oblivion due to limited financial resources.'

The draft bill proposes two and half percent of the total tax revenue of Ghana as the principal source of money for the Fund however other corporate entities and private individuals can also contribute to it.

The Fund is to be administered by the Electoral Commission.

The Committee of Experts that drafted the 1992 Constitution recommended some form of public funding for political parties but this has not been given full attention.

Dr Gyampo said the Constitution Review Committee also made similar recommendations but in its White Paper, Government merely noted this without saying much to commit itself.

He said the Draft Public Funding of Political Parties' Bill was submitted to the Presidency in 2010.

He said the fact that the draft bill had remained with the presidency for over six years without being forwarded to Parliament, perhaps indicated the extent to which ruling governments in Africa were not willing to ensure a level playing field for the opposition, in terms of electoral competition.

He said the Political Parties' Act, 2000 banned parties from seeking foreign funds to run their activities and that membership dues paid to parties accounted for only two per cent of the cost of running their activities.

Dr Gyampo said even though the financial contributions of individuals and financiers in the country could account for about 35 per cent of the cost of running party activities, these contributions were made only during the peak campaign season.

He said in Africa, countries like Lesotho, Mali, South Africa and Botswana had some arrangements for public funding of political parties.

He said in those countries elections, though competitive, were not necessarily a do-or-die affair.

GNA
Addis Ababa (AFP) - At least seven people were killed during fresh clashes between police and anti-government protesters in western Ethiopia on Saturday, local sources said, while the ethnic unrest also reached the capital Addis Ababa for the first time.

Saturday's rally in the capital was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia's main ethnic group.

Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital's main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners."

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

The other main ethnic group, the Amhara, has also held rallies in recent weeks.

Both groups, which between them make up some 80 percent of the population, complain that they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Sources in western Ethiopia said that at least seven people were killed during the clashes in Nemekte, in the Oromo region Saturday, though no details emerged.

In Addis Ababa, police made dozens of arrests during the anti-government demonstration which came less than a week after thousands of people from the Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar.

"This is a mass movement of civil disobedience which is not organized by political parties," Merera Gudina, chairman of the Oromo People's Congress group told AFP.

"People are totally fed up with this regime and expressing their anger everywhere".

Although small, Saturday's Addis rally was significant in that it was the first of its kind in the capital.

Also Saturday, local people told AFP there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the Oromo city of Ambo. There was also a call for a rally on Sunday in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday.

Internet access was nearly impossible Saturday in Addis Ababa itself, an AFP journalist said.

Before news of Saturday's fatalities came in, Ethiopian authorities said at least a dozen people had been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks.
you are here:
#Justice Party Former Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi elected for 2nd term Lee Jeong-mi, a former chief of the minor progressive Justice Party (JP), was elected Friday for a second term to lead a major reform of the party reeling from recent election rout...

#KBO Heroes reach Korean Series after eliminating Twins in KBO postseason For the first time in three years, the Kiwoom Heroes will be playing in the South Korean baseball championship series. Former big leaguer Yasiel Puig homered and knocked in two ...
business Big returns come from panic levels which are missing: S Naren The best investment decisions are taken during bubbles & bursts, said S Naren, CIO, ICICI Prudential AMC.
For 40 years, Americans have had a chance to review the tax returns of major party candidates running for the presidency. But this year, the Republican nominee says he "can't" release his returns because they are being audited by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS has said nothing prevents a candidate under audit from releasing his or her returns, but Donald Trump still balks. He has not flatly refused to release the returns, which some might view as suspicious, so here's a solution to the dilemma: The IRS should close the audit of Trump's most recent returns immediately. He will have no excuse then and will either have to release them or, as I suspect he might, stonewall, thus confirming his critics' worst suspicions.

IRS audits are the government's way to ensure taxpayers aren't cheating. But for wealthy individuals who have multiple business interests and income earned from a variety of sources, audits are pretty routine. For someone as wealthy as Trump claims to be, his chances are about one in 50. So his audit doesn't necessarily mean he's done anything wrong. But his secrecy does raise red flags. Richard Nixon  a president not known for his openness  released his returns while still under audit in 1973. And Mitt Romney eventually released his, though he waited until the fall of 2012, which probably brought more scrutiny and criticism than if he'd done it earlier. In campaigns, the general rule is: release bad news early and hope it will be forgotten by Election Day.

If Trump does owe more in taxes than he's paid over the last several years, closing the audit would mean the government might not be able to automatically force payment of those taxes. So the U.S. Treasury would be a few million dollars poorer. But isn't transparency worth that cost? Of course, closing the audit would not allow the IRS itself to reveal the returns  that's a felony  but it would force Trump's hand. He's said many things about his returns, but perhaps Trump can be held to this tweet reprinted in Politico this week: "In interview I told @AP that my taxes are under routine audit and I would release my tax returns when audit is complete, not after election!"

Closing the audit would not prevent the IRS from prosecuting Trump for tax fraud later if he intentionally misrepresented information on his return. While there is a three-year limit on collecting back taxes, there is no statute of limitations on fraudulent returns. So the risk in releasing Trump from audit is minor compared to the risk of giving him an excuse to avoid honoring his pledge.

Many pundits and Trump critics have speculated about why Trump won't release his returns. Some think he's not nearly as rich as he claims  I fall into this category  and believe Trump pays almost nothing in taxes. There's good reason to assume this speculation is correct. Trump's returns from the late 1970s, which he provided for the New Jersey gambling commission in order to open his casino, showed he paid $0 in taxes for the previous two years at a time when he claimed to the New York Times he was worth $200 million.

A look at Trump's return would doubtless find that the billionaire is stingy. According to an investigation by the Washington Post, which examined gifts to 188 charities Trump has either claimed he's given to or whose events he attended, he's given almost nothing. The Post found that contrary to Trump's boasts about the millions he gives, he's made only a single, verifiable donation between 2008 and May 2016  less than $10,000 to the Police Athletic League of New York City. Nor has Trump given anything to his own charitable foundation since 2008.

But the biggest worry is that Trump may be in hock to Russian banks, which would show up in his returns. Again, there is ample fuel for such speculation. Trump's reputation with American banks isn't great; he's got a history of trying to stiff them. His lender of choice is Deustche Bank, but he's had a rough relationship even with them involving suits and countersuits when Trump refused to pay back what he owed. According to Trump's financial disclosures filed with the Federal Elections Commission, he owes at least $335 million on more than a dozen large bank loans. But the sum may be much higher since the disclosure only lists rough categories, the largest of which is $50 million or more per loan.

The public has a right to know Donald Trump's complicated financial dealings before voters go to the polls. If it takes suspending his audit to force Trump to come clean, the IRS should do it today. And if Trump won't honor his pledge, voters should know he's hiding something.

Linda Chavez is the author of "An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal." To find out more about Linda Chavez, visit www.creators.com.
Show tunes and guns arent a typical combination but Danny Anderson makes it work. When hes not managing SK Arms or fulfilling his passion for guns, hes likely onstage performing in a musical or playing guitar. He was last seen in Permian Playhouses The Fantasticks in February. He also plays lead guitar for Crestview Baptist Church, a gig hes held for six years. Hes part of the Anderson family, which is behind MRRRP Productions. The company produced Man of La Mancha in 2015.

According to my parents I was singing Les Miserables before I could form a sentence, he said.

Anderson even made a run for politics by campaigning for mayor in 2014.

When people ask me what I wouldve done if I won, I tell them, Demand a recount, he said.

MRT: Whats been your proudest achievement in theater?

Anderson: That's a hard question to answer! Trying to think back on what I've done on a stage that makes me proud. Hit that G-note without my voice cracking? Theater is such a team effort, so in that line of thinking, the shows I've done with MRRRP have been the most fulfilling theater experiences of my life. Just to be a part of an organization that is helping people is enough to make one proud, but to see my mom, Susie Anderson, jump through all the hoops to make those shows possible just fills me with joy for her accomplishments.

Every MRRP show I've done has had excellent casts, and more importantly -- to me anyway -- excellent music. The orchestras that LuAnn Lane puts together are better than some I've heard on Broadway and they make all of us sound better than we are.

MRT: What do you feel is your best quality and why?

Anderson: The quality I most enjoy is my humor, but I don't know that I'd call it my best. It keeps me entertained and optimistic, but it has gotten me in hot water more than a few times. Maybe it's my background in theater, but my sarcasm is subtle, undetectable some would say. I get taken seriously much more often than I intend to.

Objectively, my most useful quality is patience. It takes a lot before people get on my nerves. It's made it easy to make friends. It's certainly useful when you work in an industry known for inciting heated debates or rehearsing after midnight before your show opens the next day.

MRT: What is the best thing you cook?

Anderson: Steak. Its a simple recipe: hot with butter. You better bring a hefty bribe if you want it medium.

MRT: Who is a fictional and real-life hero and why?

Anderson: My fictional hero is Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. Not only did she overthrow a tyrannical government, she straight up shot the next president with an arrow at the inauguration. It was all very endearing.

My real-life hero is Thomas Jefferson. I don't care what Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) says, real-life Jefferson would absolutely demolish real-life Hamilton in a rap battle.

MRT: Who would play you in a movie?

Anderson: Jack Black. Zach Galifianakis would play the part brilliantly but I'm not sure he could handle the singing.
HOUSTON (AP)  A Houston woman has been sentenced to 40 years in prison in the neglect-related death of her 9-year-old daughter, whose emaciated body was found in a refrigerator.

Amber Keyes was sentenced Friday in state district court in Houston. The 36-year-old mother of Ayahna Comb could have gotten a life sentence for her Dec. 18 guilty plea to injury to a child by omission in the girl's death.
We were not bribed to drop ...
Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva View Photos

Stockton, CA  Embattled Stocktons mayor Anthony Silva fiercely declared he is innocent and says he never endangered children amid allegations that he made secret audio recordings of a strip poker game with counselors at an Amador County youth camp he runs.

42-year-old Silva made the statement at a news conference Friday flanked by his lawyers. He claims the charges are politically motivated. A charge Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe denies countering that he could not care less about the politics of San Joaquin County, according to the Associated Press. During Silvas brief statement he told reporters, Everyone there was 18-years-oldI never provided alcohol to anyone. And I certainly did not secretly record anyone.

As previously reported, 42-year-old Anthony Silva was taken into custody at the annual summer youth camp on Thursday in Amador County. He faces four charges of eavesdropping, contributing to the delinquency or a minor, providing alcohol to a minor and cruelty to a child by endangering health. Court documents show that six minors were involved in the alcohol related charges.
With Patrick Murphy's U.S. Senate campaign struggling to overcome disappointing polling and questions about his resume, Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Tallahassee Friday to help the second-term congressman shore up Democratic support.

Murphy trails Marco Rubio by 13 points according to poll

Murphy faces primary challenge from Alan Grayson

Grayson calling into question Murphy's Republican past

Biden, who joined President Obama in endorsing Murphy in March, headlined a private fundraiser at the home of personal injury attorney Don Hinkle. Many of the state's top Democratic power brokers attended the event, underscoring the vice president's star power.



For weeks, Murphy has been dogged by allegations he embellished his private sector resume. Republicans have seized on the tumult, and a poll released Thursday by the Suffolk University Political Research Center finds Murphy trailing Sen. Marco Rubio by 13 points in a general election contest.

The same poll shows Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump by 6 points in the presidential race in Florida, indicating a potential for ticket splitting that could benefit Rubio.



Despite the setbacks, some Democrats expect Murphy to turn his campaign around as the Senate race hits its stride in the fall.



"Patrick's got 30 percent name ID; Rubio's got almost 100. He's going to be down at this point in the campaign," said Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist close to Biden who attended Friday's fundraiser for Murphy. "It's very early in the cycle, Florida's a close state, as you know as well as anybody, and I think the goal here today was to get people excited, raise a little bit of money and help him build the foundation he's going to need come November."



While Murphy is strongly favored to win the August 30 primary, he's facing a headline-grabbing challenge from firebrand Congressman Alan Grayson. The Orlando Democrat has won praise from progressives for highlighting Murphy's past as a Republican, a registration Murphy renounced in 2011.



"If you put up a real Republican as a fake Republican masquerading as a Democrat, which is actually what Patrick Murphy wants us to do right now, the real Republican will win every time," Grayson said after filing his Senate candidacy papers in June.



Grayson's invectives against Murphy have led some liberal Democrats to consider not voting for Murphy should he become the party's nominee. Faced with a similar progressive backlash against the party's 2014 gubernatorial nominee, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, Biden told a crowd then that intraparty discord was "the best way to keep people's eyes off the ball." Crist went on to narrowly lose to Gov. Rick Scott amid low Democratic turnout.
Voters within the Plainview school districts will get their chance to cast ballots for or against a 13-cent tax increase benefiting the Plainview school district.

On Friday, PISD school board members unanimously voted to adopt the 2016-2017 financial budget with a proposed tax rate raising the bar from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 of property valuation.

School administrators and trustees felt the increase is necessary to continue running critical educational programs and keeping wages somewhat competitive for teachers.

The proposed 13-cent jump was enough to trigger a Tax Ratification Election, allowing the public to vote on the tax increase.

The election will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, 2106.

On Friday, the school board voted to adopt a budget for the upcoming year with the $1.17 tax rate. However, if the proposed tax rate is not passed in the election, the rate will revert to $1.04 and the board will have to adopt a new budget.

In the proposed 2016-2017 budget, PISD expects expenditures at $46,280,952 for the year. With the $1.17 tax rate, PISD is expecting revenue to come in at $46,280,952.

Just after the start of Fridays 7 a.m. school board meeting, the district hosted a public forum for citizens to voice their opinion.

With just a handful of citizens in attendance, former Plainview city council and former school board member Lionel Garcia was the only one from the public to comment.

Garcia criticized PISD Superintendent Dr. Rocky Kirk and the school board for adopting deficit budgets last year and the year before that.

Comparing the actions to writing hot checks, Garcia said the tax jump was too much and advised that they should have focused on balancing the budget first, and asked later for the tax increase, preferably in smaller increments.

In response, Kirk recalled the situation of PISD three years ago when he arrived.

Kirk reminded the board that the district was in a Level 3 intervention situation with the Texas Education Agency.

If you dont get it fixed immediately, folks come down from Austin and help you run the district, Kirk said.

To avoid that situation, Kirk said the district invested in practices, programs and facility to find the problem and correct the trajectory of the district. One plan of attack was to ensure all teachers were teaching the same things the same way.

The district lacked a system-wide unified approach to instruction, Kirk said.

In brief, Kirk said the board did not have the luxury of balancing budgets and asking later for a stronger revenue stream.

We had to fix the immediate problems, Kirk said as he cited the reasons for adopting deficit budgets in 2014 and 2015.

You have to do what you have to do.

The district improved, avoiding further action from TEA.

However, Kirk said adopting a deficit budget is no longer an option, and to continue the programs and instructional techniques which are now in place, the tax rate must be increased. A higher tax rate also will help keep teacher salaries competitive with other districts in the area. Currently, because of a nationwide teacher shortage, PISD still has 10 teaching spots that have not been filled despite classes starting Aug. 22.

The district said failure to pass the $1.17 rate could see the demise of several programs.

People come to a community because of its school district, said board member Brandon Brownlee.

We cant cheat these kids. And I know this room would be filled if we were sitting here cutting programs.

Earlier in the week, PISD officials noted that it had the lowest tax rate among districts throughout the area.

Plainviews total tax rate of $1.04 per $100 evaluation has been in place since 2006. Lubbock Cooper currently has a total tax rate of $1.53; Abernathy $1.50; Kress $1.44; Hale Center $1.37; Muleshoe $1.35; Floydada $1.30; Petersburg $1.17; Tulia $1.16 and Olton $1.12.

By increasing the M&O rate above $1.04, PISD says they will be able to access what is referred to as Golden Pennies. The Golden Pennies have a greater weight in state funding formulas than any other part of the tax rate and, therefore, bring more state revenue into the district.

If the proposed $1.17 tax rate is approved, PISD says it will generate approximately $1.4 million in local funds and $1.9 million in increased state funding.

On how the tax increase would affect an individual Plainview homeowner, on a $125,000 home with a $25,000 homestead exemption, the $0.13 increase in taxes would equate to an increase of about $11 per month.

The tax rate for those who have filed for over 65 and/or disabled homeowners exemptions will not go up. Those tax rates are frozen.
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David A. Allen Jr. was born in December 1920 in Poynor, Texas, southwest of Tyler. He is now 95 years old.

On Oct. 17, 2015, from his home in Schertz, Texas., near San Antonio, he gave an interview about his time training as a glider pilot during WWII.

After training in Breedloves pre-glider school at Finney Field north of Plainview, David Allen took basic glider training at Wickenburg, Ariz.

He then went to Dalhart Army Air Field in late October for advanced glider pilot training. He graduated as a glider pilot in Class 43-3 on Feb. 8, 1943.

He then went to Ardmore, Okla., and on to Louisville, Ky., before being shipped to Alliance, Neb., where he was assigned to the 80th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop Carrier Group which was part of the glider program. Allen did no training while at Alliance.

After staying a few weeks there, he was transferred to Laurinburg-Maxton, N.C., for field training as he called it.

It was at Laurinburg-Maxton that the glider pilots would learn hand-to-hand combat training, the same as infantry soldiers.

The reason glider pilots were required to take combat training was because they were expected to fight like infantry once they had landed gliders in a combat zone. Glider pilots were the only pilots in the USAAF during WWII who were required to fight alongside soldiers once they were on the ground.

I left Maxton and I got back into the powered training program and I started all over: primary training, flight training, basic flight training and advanced flight training.

When asked if he just did not like the glider program, Allen said, Not really. When I got better acquainted with everything, it was just more of a challenge to fly a plane.

I went back through primary at Madison, Miss. I flew PT-19s, still in 1943.

Walnut Ridge, Ark., was his next stop where he trained both in BT-13s and BT-15s.

While at Walnut Ridge, Allen married his sweetheart, Lillian, on March 4, 1944.

He met her while he was stationed in Mississippi. She worked at a store in Madison.

Allen stayed in Arkansas for his next phase of powered pilot training, going to Stuttgart for twin-engine advanced training. He did not recall the exact type of plane in which he trained while there.

Stuttgart had been an advanced glider training base, but all glider pilot training ended at that air field in March 3, 1943.

Dodge City, Kan., was his next stop. There he trained in Martin B-26 Marauders. Allen recalled a very unusual nickname that pilots called the B-26.

Flying prostitute! No visible means of support.

By this, Allen meant that the B-26 had short wings. He also did not like the excessive noise level in the cockpit of the aircraft.

He arrived at Dodge City Army Air Field in June 1944, from what he recalled. He was only in Dodge City for a short time.

I left that program and went to troop carrier at Sedalia, Mo., flying C-47s.

So now, instead of being in a WACO CG-4A glider being towed by C-47s, Allen was going to be piloting a C-47 towing the gliders.

He trained in C-47s from September 1944 until January 1945 at Sedalia Army Air Field.

After completing his training in C-47s, Allen was transferred to the South Pacific and the large island of New Guinea, just north of Australia.

There he transported army troops, patients, whatever.

Well, we moved up from base to island to island to island. I mean every island between New Guinea and Japan homeland, and we still continued to haul the troops and supplies up and all the patients back.

Allen did this until the end of the war in August 1945.

We were getting ready for the invasion of Japan, of course, and we were in our practice down there and that was something that we didnt look forward to, frankly; because towing gliders, all the paratroops, there was no way that we would have enough fuel to get there and back.

And we were told, find you a place on the beach, and crashland it.

At this time, Allen was stationed on the very large island of Luzon on the northernmost part of the Philippines.

The C-47 Skytrain has a maximum range of 1,600 miles and it is approximately 1,200 miles from Luzon to Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four large islands.

Kyushu was the target of Operation Olympic, the first of a two-pronged U.S. invasion of Japan scheduled for Nov. 1, 1945.

After delivering their glider troops or paratroops, the pilots were instructed to crash their tow planes into the beach on Japans shoreline because the C-47s did not have enough fuel to fly back to their home air field on Luzon.

When asked what he thought about the news that the atomic bombs had been dropped on Japan, Allen replied, I thought that it was the greatest thing that happened.

He was a second lieutenant when the war ended in August 1945.

In December, Allen was sent home on a Navy transport ship which took seven days to cross the Pacific Ocean. He landed in northern Washington State near the port of Seattle.

From there he went by rail to Mississippi where he was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Forces.

He stayed in Utica, Miss., for a few months since his wife lived there at the time.

Allen went back into the service before the Korean War started.

I went back in for a few months and then took a short break and then went back in as an enlisted man and got recalled and stayed.

Allen served an additional 26 years in the Air Force and eventually reached the rank of major.

He served during the Korean War and instructed Army pilots during that time at an air base 40 miles north of San Antonio that he thinks was near New Braunfels. He also served during the Vietnam War.

More about the history of Finney Field will be discussed in the next article.

Readers are asked to visit the Breedlove-CPTP website at www.breedlove-cptp.com for more details about the glider program of WWII.

Anyone with information about the Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field should contact John McCullough at 806-793-4448 or email johnmc@breedlove-cptp.org

NOTE: This is the 48th article in a series on Clent Breedloves Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field to train combat glider pilots during World War II. The series is researched and written by John W. McCullough, a graduate student in history at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
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Firefighters made headway Saturday on two stubborn wildfires burning in Northern California as temperatures cooled and more crews joined the attack.

The Cold Fire near Lake Berryessa in Yolo County, which has charred 5,385 acres, was 45 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention. About 1,600 firefighters were on scene.

On Saturday evening, authorities planned to reopen Highway 128 east of Winters, which had been shut down shortly after the fire ignited Tuesday. No structures have been damaged in the blaze, and all evacuation orders have been lifted.

The last few days the weather has been very cooperative, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Christina Barker. Weve had a lot of people working really hard on getting the fire contained.

The cause of the Cold Fire, named after a nearby road, remained under investigation.

Along the Big Sur coast in Monterey County, the deadly Soberanes Fire, which has burned 56,500 acres and claimed the life of a bulldozer operator fighting the fire, was 45 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Nearly all mandatory evacuations were lifted Saturday. Only residents in a rural area east of the fire, on Cachagua Road between Nason Road and Trampa Canyon Road, remained under orders to clear out, Cal Fire officials said.

Fifty-seven homes have been burned since the fire started July 22. Cal Fire officials say the blaze was caused by an abandoned campfire, though they dont know who is responsible.

More than 5,600 personnel were involved in the firefight Saturday.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
China allocates funds to help poor Updated: 2016-08-06 14:09 (Xinhua)

BEIJING - The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Friday that it has allocated subsidies totaling 137.46 billion yuan (about $20.7 billion) this year to help people living in poverty.

The subsidies will cover households receiving subsistence allowances, people in dire poverty and those who need temporary assistance, the MOF said in a statement.

The MOF said that local governments must determine the allocation of subsidies for poor people according to a weighted average method.

The Chinese government has named poverty reduction one of its top priorities for the next five years. The government has vowed to help the country's remaining 70 million poor people living below the poverty line of 2,300 yuan in annual income rid themselves of poverty by 2020.
In late 2014, fledgling entrepreneur Josh Tetrick persuaded investors to plow $90 million into his vegan food startup Hampton Creek Inc. Tetrick had impressed leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms by getting his eggless Just Mayo product into Walmart, Kroger, Safeway and other top supermarkets within about three years.

What Tetrick and his team neglected to mention is that the startup undertook a large-scale operation to buy back its own spread, which made the product appear more popular than it really was. At least eight months before the funding round closed, Hampton Creek executives quietly began a campaign to purchase mass quantities of Just Mayo from stores, according to five former workers and more than 250 receipts, expense reports, cash advances and emails reviewed by Bloomberg. In addition to buying up hundreds of jars across the country, contractors were told to call store managers pretending they were customers and ask about Just Mayo. Strong demand typically prompts retailers to order more and stock a product in additional stores.

Expense reports reviewed by Bloomberg show contractors bought back jars of Just Mayo from Safeway stores. Former workers say Hampton Creek also purchased its own products at Kroger, Costco, Walmart, Target and Whole Foods locations across the country. While a November 2014 email from the corporate partnerships team said the company would stop store buyouts, three former contractors who worked for the company in 2015 say the practice continued, and directions were given verbally.

We need you in Safeway buying Just Mayo and our new flavored mayos, Caroline Love, the San Francisco companys then director of corporate partnership, wrote in an April 2014 email to contract workers known as Creekers. And were going to pay you for this exciting new project! Below is the list of stores that have been assigned to you. Loves memo also referenced a key competitor: The most important next step with Safeway is huge sales out of the gate. This will ensure we stay on the shelf to put an end to Hellmanns factory-farmed egg mayo, and spread the word to customers that Just Mayo is their new preferred brand. :)

CEO Tetrick said the primary purpose of the purchases was to check the quality of the spread. Because of this, we now understand the impact of trucking and shipping our product and enabled the system we have today that mitigates the risk of extreme temperatures, Tetrick wrote in an email. Assessing the product from the customer perspective, more than anything, gets us out of the bubble of typical manufacturing. This was and always will be the primary purpose of it, which is why well continue doing it.

Melanie Myers, an executive who worked in the companys corporate partnerships team, said in a statement that the program was primarily for quality-control purposes but we also thought it might give us a little momentum out of the gate.

Tetrick said the program has cost about $77,000, representing less than 0.12 percent of the companys sales. Tetrick provided 15 emails to contractors referencing quality-control assignments. He also presented a database showing surveys that Creekers were asked to fill out after going to stores, checking jars for misaligned labels, breakage or ingredient separation, which he said occurred when early versions of the jars were exposed to extreme temperatures in transit. The workers were sometimes instructed to purchase substandard merchandise and send it to headquarters, he said.

However, the survey database  containing almost 3,900 entries in 15 states from March 2014 to January 2015  didnt account for hundreds of Just Mayo purchases by Creekers during that period, according to emails, receipts and expense report records seen by Bloomberg. Five former Hampton Creek contractors and two ex-senior staff members said the buyback assignments were separate from quality checks at stores. The ex-contractors said that in most cases, they were told to simply buy jars at nearby stores and were free to consume or discard them  not look for quality issues, as the company says.

It is highly questionable for a company to purchase its own goods, said David Larcker, a professor of accounting at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Revenue is an important number for evaluating growing companies, but the companies need to be transparent about the source of that revenue. They also need to be transparent about their growth. If the sales are not generated from legitimate customers, that needs to be disclosed and is important information for investors to evaluate.

Hampton Creeks approach to quality control is also unusual. Companies typically ensure the quality of products before they leave the factory, said Kurt Jetta, who runs a retail and consumer data company called Tabs Analytics. If they do find issues in stores, food makers usually dont buy the products. Instead, they give the retailer a credit. Theres no legitimate explanation for a manufacturer buying significant quantities of their own product from the shelf, Jetta said.

Founded in 2011, Hampton Creek marketed itself as a food technology company that ferrets out new plant proteins and uses them to reformulate everyday grocery items like mayonnaise and cookie dough. Tetrick, now 36, approached Silicon Valley investors vowing to disrupt the food industry and won over such leading VC firms as Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures. Today, Hampton Creek says its backers include several billionaires, such as Hong Kongs Li Ka-shing and Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang. Despite criticism from other investors who say the company is less an innovator than a deftly run marketing machine, Hampton Creek has raised $120 million and turned Just Mayo into a cherished brand among sustainably minded consumers.

Thousands of new packaged food items are introduced each year in the United States, and a majority of them fail. For a young company, its critical to perform in a test market, with those results used by retailers to justify increasing distribution, said Jim Hertel, a grocery industry analyst at Inmars Willard Bishop. Sales from a major retailer can also be used as part of the pitch to investors. If youre an early-stage company, theres a lot of pressure to demonstrate results, Hertel said.

In-store marketing is a crucial way for a young company to build a brand and boost sales. Hampton Creek held Just Mayo tastings and other demonstrations in supermarkets around the country. Wearing the required uniform of a black hat and T-shirt with the startups three-leaf logo, the Creekers were supposed to persuade shoppers to try the product and then to buy a jar.

In 2014, the job changed, according to five former Creekers who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal. The company began asking them not simply to promote Just Mayo but to start buying it as well  an initiative the company dubbed Special Project or Buyouts, they said. Love, who has since been promoted to Hampton Creeks vice president of mission, suggested ways that Creekers could do this most effectively in an April 2014 email to a contractor. I might go through the self-checkout lanes, or make several transactions going to different cashiers each time to avoid questions like, Why are you buying so much mayo?! Love wrote. Make sure you are not wearing your HC gear when you go into Safeway. This is an undercover project.

In interviews last week at the San Francisco headquarters, executives emphasized that quality control was the main goal of the buyback program. These folks did an awesome job for us, primarily in helping us improve our quality, Love said in a statement provided by Hampton Creek. They were our eyes and ears on the ground. Im proud of what we did and how we continue to do it.

One former contractor assigned to buy Hampton Creek products provided receipts showing purchases of more than 140 jars of Just Mayo in a day. Another contractor described buying at least 20 jars per store and said Hampton Creek gave workers directions to visit more than a dozen stores in less than a week. Ex-Creekers say they were told to do whatever they wanted with the product after finishing the job. Some donated the supply to food shelters or handed them out to friends and family, but most say they threw it in the trash. Emails from Love show the buybacks took place in the Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Pacific regions. The five former Creekers say they happened all over the country.

Hampton Creek also paid contractors to pretend they were customers and call store managers of Whole Foods, Safeway and Kroger locations to stoke demand, according to emails reviewed by Bloomberg. You will be calling Whole Foods Market locations as a customer to create buzz and increase demand for Just Mayo flavors and Just Cookie Dough in these stores, putting pressure on the Regional Buyer, says a March 2015 correspondence signed by Myers of Hampton Creeks corporate partnerships team. Emails from Myers list about 100 store locations for each contractor to call in places such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas.

The emails also directed contractors to conceal their identities and fib if questioned on the calls. Remember, you are calling as a customer, says an email addressed to a contractor and signed by Myers, whose title now is Ingredient Sourcer. The conversation should go something like this: Hi, Im doing some catering and Im looking to pick up this new mayonnaise. I think its called Just Mayo ... In another script, contractors were told to say, Hi! Im hoping you can help me out. Im planning a Back to School event and Im looking to pick up this new mayonnaise. I think its called Just Mayo ...

Two ex-contractors for Hampton Creek, who sued their former employer in February seeking unpaid wages, reference an assignment to buy out shelves of the companys products in a lawsuit filed in a federal district court in New York. The suit also says Hampton Creek failed to provide them with detailed documentation of their compensation and work-related expenses for tax-reporting purposes as required by state law. In an email, Tetrick said that team of contractors helped improve quality control and gave us a push when we landed in our first conventional account, which is why all of us will always be proud of their work. A handful of folks dont represent the views of everyone.

In at least some cases, Hampton Creek lumped in expenses related to buying its own products with wages paid to contractors, according to five former workers. All five said money that they were given to buy jars of Just Mayo were treated as taxable income, making them liable for a higher tax bill than their actual earnings would require. One former contractor provided H&R Block tax records showing this to be the case. Another Creeker asked the company in an email to separate the expenses from taxable income. But the request was ignored, the contractor said. Hampton Creek declined to comment about the alleged practice.

Treating reimbursement of business expenses creates a compliance burden to the contracted employee, says Joseph Carcello, a University of Tennessee professor who sits on the Securities and Exchange Commissions investor advisory committee. Theres no way this reimbursement approach is in the best interest of the contractor, and there are limitations to what the contractor can deduct.

Two former senior staff members who worked closely with Tetrick in 2014 and 2015 say the Hampton Creek CEO initiated the buyouts partly to make sales look better to potential investors. One said Tetrick didnt disclose the practice to would-be backers during fundraising pitches in 2014. Fundraising pitches reviewed by Bloomberg do not reference the buyouts. We always comply with our disclosure obligations to prospective investors, Tetrick said in an email.

This year, Hampton Creek was looking to raise additional funds to help pay for an ambitious vision that imagined as many as 560 new plant-based products, which could include vegan oysters, blue cheese and an egg-substitute product it calls Just Patty, according to an investor presentation reviewed by Bloomberg. The company is still trying to close the round and is seeking investors in Asia, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Olivia Zaleski is a Bloomberg writer. Email: ozaleski@bloomberg.net
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Theres something primal in the notion that we can pack it all in and vanish from our own lives, that we can trade in the discontents of our civilization for the call of something wilder.

But can we really? And can we afford the cost?

The prodigiously talented Dave Eggers, in his funny, moving new novel, Heroes of the Frontier, introduces us to Josie, a single mom crippled with losses who takes her two young kids on a journey through the Alaskan wilderness in hopes of escaping her ex and perhaps finding a better way to live.

Josie, a wonderful Eggers creation, is really the main reason to read the novel. Shes a person full of regrets and neurotic tics, a dentist haunted by the death of Jeremy, a young patient, who, despite her urging to go into the Peace Corps, chose Afghanistan instead, and died.

Shes also a onetime emancipated minor (her parents, both nurses in a psych hospital, became derailed when four patients killed themselves on their watch), and shes still looking for freedom.

Shes been sued by a patient who swears Josie was negligent in not seeing the beginnings of a mouth cancer.

Because Josie has no real money saved up, and is in debt, shes forced to do a trade  her dental practice for a dropped lawsuit. Josies also rid of the father of her kids, Carl, which is actually a relief, as he had little or no interests in the kids or her.

More Information Heroes of the Frontier By Dave Eggers Knopf, $28.95 See More Collapse

But when Carl suddenly announces that he is remarrying and his wife-to-bes family want to spend time with her kids in Florida, Josie panics, sure he is going to want more custody.

She packs her kids up in a broken-down RV, hilariously called the Chateau, and heads north to Alaska, sometimes reading entries from a book they find called Trails Grown Dim, a series of longing pleas from people searching for relatives or friends whom theyve lost track of.

As the group heads deeper into nature, Eggers writing becomes rapturous.

There is, of course, the sublime beauty of nature: The river moves like a thousand silver knives, there are slithering snakes, the heated air, encroached by fire and firefighters as they move further into the barbarian heart of the country, where there is still a symphony of gunshots and sirens.

But Eggers balances the grandeur of nature with the baser senses, too  the smells of the vans backed-up toilet, of feces left in a campground, the sourness of not being able to shower, and the fear and rage Josie feels in her encounters with a variety of unsavory men.

But gradually, in their journey, a sense of sameness begins to creep in.

Josie keeps arriving at someplace new with the kids, but it always seems a little like the place they just left.

The kids keep experiencing nature, seeing bears, moving through forests, staying ahead of the encroaching wildfires. But because one adventure doesnt really build on another, the narrative drive seems positioned in low gear.

Also, although Josie is complex and easy to love, her kids dont feel as fully formed as they should be.

Paul, the older brother, makes up fantastical stories to comfort his sister, Anna, like telling her the sky is made of birds who watch over them, but we never really see deep enough into their interiors to know how they are changing and what they think about those changes. They dont cast enough shadow.

Part of the problem, too, is that theres nothing really at stake.

The lawsuit that was plaguing her is already settled, so why does she imagine legal process servers are stalking her? Shes sure Carl is going to furiously come after her, but theres nothing in her past descriptions of him to indicate that he would.

What is she really running from and looking for, and what is stopping her from finding it?

Gradually, Josie and her kids begin to be an actual part of nature. Or at least, that is how Josie sees it, but sometimes her language is so grandiose, you cant help but wonder if Eggers is winking at you.

She hears musicians and thinks that shed just heard something absolute in its power to justify her life, but the players shake her off, telling her theyre just fooling around.

Wasnt she on the verge of some great discovery? she muses  if not one meant for the world, at least a private revelation, bringing forth the music within her?

Josie marvels at how she sees her kids becoming one with the land. Paul stops being afraid of the dark. Anna watches a deer in awe. Shes sure they are better now than they were in Ohio despite their not being in school.

At the end, these wanderers want more challenge, more conquest, more glory.

But Josie isnt settled in the here and now. Shes looking for the next day, and is this really better than the way she was living before?

Or is it just different?

In the abrupt end, Eggers stops us short, giving us a shaggy dog story that starts to give you its paw and then seems to think the better of it.
The painter Fra Filippo Lippi doesnt receive the historical status of fellow Renaissance giants Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo.

Lippi lived and worked earlier in the Renaissance, 1406-69, than those two artists, but he was part of the artistic transitions occurring in Florence, Italy, that advanced art and the humanities.

Lippi improved depth in perspective, and his techniques in color and light made his work popular during his time.

In Philip Kazans novel The Painter of Souls, the author stresses Lippis practice of using faces from the streets of Florence for his religious-themed frescoes.

Little is known about Lippis adult life, and even less is known about his youth, so Englands Kazan uses the clues from Lippis paintings and drawings to deduce a third-person narrative novelization.

It is known that Lippis father died when Lippi was young.

His father had operated a butcher shop on Florences main bridge, Ponte Vecchio.

Lippi didnt get along with his aunt, so, in Kazans novel, the teen lives on Florences streets, sleeping along the river with other young ruffians and offering to sell simple drawings of people on the street, who often had little idea what they looked like.

When a gang fight erupts, breaking up Lippis circle of friends, Lippi turns to a group of nuns that guide him into the Carmelite order of friars.

More Information The Painter of Souls By Philip Kazan Pegasus Books, $24.95 See More Collapse

Knowing of his gift for drawing, Carmelite leaders soon apprentice Fra Filippo Lippi to the main artist decorating churches, Masaccio, Lippis first true mentor, who teaches the young friar the best practices and styles for fresco painting.

Lippi eventually is assigned some painting projects in a Pisa church, which releases him back into the outside world.

He soon reverts to his former life of drinking and gambling.

He seduces a waitress in small city between Pisa and Florence, a prelude to events later in his life.

Good and bad sides of Lippis character emerge simultaneously.

His lack of self-discipline is balanced against his desire to improve the lives of his sister, Leonarda, and his bed-ridden mother, through his art.

He paints an Annunciation on his mothers room wall that is good enough to attract Florences powerful Medici family.

He also tries to help a doomed boyhood friend, Albertino, who is threatened by gambling debts.

The novel ends with Lippi still a young man, but experienced in life beyond his years.

Kazan plans a series of novels to complete Lippis life.

Kazans narrative style is straightforward and well informed. Additional characters feature other historical figures, including Donatello.

The plot is well-paced and imaginative while giving readers a panoramic view of Italian life during the Renaissance. The rest of the series will be welcomed.

dhendricks@express-news.net
Saratoga Springs

For the Shelters of Saratoga, the search for a Code Blue shelter is nearly over.

Executive Director Michael Finocchi said he is in talks with Soul Saving Station for it to become the next haven for the homeless on cold winter nights.

Situated on the corner of Caroline and Henry streets, the church is downtown and has a large open room attached to the sanctuary, which is ideal for the shelter's needs.

"We have been talking to churches, but this one is a perfect fit," said Finocchi. "We are now waiting for the church to take it to its board for final approval. I don't think it will be a problem. We had a positive meeting."

The Shelters of Saratoga, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing for the homeless, manages the emergency overnight shelter. The only Code Blue site for Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties, it originally was open when the temperature dipped to 20 degrees or when a foot or more of snow was predicted. Last winter, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that raised the threshold for Code Blue to 32 degrees.

The change prompted the Salvation Army, which rented space to the shelter for two years at a cost of $13,000, to end its rental agreement. At the time, Maj. Roger Duperree of the Salvation Army said the increase in shelter hours interfered with evening programs.

Since then, Finocchi has been on the hunt for a facility with a kitchen and bathrooms, is handicapped accessible and can accommodate up to 50 cots to accomodate an average of 35 people on frigid nights.

"What we'd really like to do is find our own space," said Finocchi. "I think we have found one, but I have to check with the city if we could have a dual-use building for both Code Blue and a year-round drop-in center. We don't have a drop-in center in the city."

A drop-in center would provide a place for the homeless to go during the day, where they could eat, shower and wash their clothes. Guests to the drop-in center don't have to commit to be sober or enter a program to be counseled by a case manager like all of the residents of transitional housing on Walworth Street.

"If you are homeless in Schenectady or Troy, you have a place to go during the day," said Finocchi who worked with the homeless in both cities. "In Saratoga, they have nowhere to go. They are on the streets."

wliberatore@timesunion.com  518-454-5445  @wendyliberatore
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BRIDGEWATER  Police on Saturday continued trying to connect dots between a South Main Street home invasion and shooting, and three stolen vehicles that officials say might be linked to the crime.

The investigation has yielded clues that might show the suspects completing a 140-mile jaunt from Middletown, N.Y., to Waterbury, with a stop in Millerton, N.Y., a high-speed chase through New Milford, and the shooting in Bridgewater.

But despite recovering a shotgun thought to be used in the crime, and several vehicles that might have been involved, police say a suspect, possibly a light-skinned or Hispanic male, and any accomplices remain at large.

Before the sun rose Thursday, Victor P. Compe, 64, was shot in his home at 606 S. Main St.

The suspects journey might have begun hours earlier, possibly 80 miles east in Middletown, where a black BMW was stolen, or possibly 40 miles northeast in Millerton, where a green Subaru Forester was stolen.

Police later found the BMW and a Ford Econoline van in Waterbury. The van, police said, was stolen from a Bridgewater residence while police were investigating the crime Thursday.

The Forester was reported missing at 1:23 a.m., about two hours before it was found by police in Compe and his wife Samantha A. Moores driveway. A call to Middletown police seeking information about the BMW was not immediately returned Saturday.

New York State Police confirmed that the investigation into the stolen Forester remains active, but would not reveal any further details about the theft.

We are not releasing any additional details to protect the integrity of this investigation, Trooper Melissa McMorris said in an email.

Authorities later saw the car more than 30 miles away in New Milford, where police tried to stop the Forester for speeding. But the chase was called off as it reached high speeds and, according to police, became unsafe.

At the time, police said, they did not know the driver was armed with a shotgun. Police also have not said why the suspects continued on to Bridgewater.

After Conte was taken to Danbury Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police scoured the woods between his home and the Lake Lillinonah boat launch where they believed the suspects were hiding. Authorities, however, now believe they had already gotten away  possibly in the van.

All vehicles were towed and will be treated as evidence as detectives search the vehicles and collect evidence located on and with the vehicles to determine if they are connected to the home invasion, police said in a press release.

Staff Writer Dirk Perrefort contributed to this report.

awolff@newstimes.com; 203-731-3333; @awolffster
1 Concert injuries: Dozens of people were injured after a railing collapsed during a New Jersey concert by rappers Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. A partition separating concertgoers from a secondary stage at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden collapsed around 10:30 p.m. Friday, authorities said, causing people to fall 10 feet onto the concrete below. One fan suffered a serious upper body injury and remained hospitalized Saturday in stable condition. Forty-one others were treated for mostly minor injuries but some suffered broken bones. The performers were ushered from the stage, and the show was later canceled.

2 Teen found: Searchers located a Cincinnati teen Saturday who had gone missing in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The National Park Service said the 16-year-old changed her appearance by cutting and dying her hair and changing her clothes. The girl was found about 4 miles from where she was last seen Thursday morning. She was working with about 20 other people on a trail project in the park when she took a bathroom break but didnt return. More than 100 people took part in the two-day search. Denise Germann, spokeswoman for Grand Teton National Park, said investigators are trying to determine what happened, and the Teton County Sheriffs Office is handling the case.
1 Police killing: Video released Friday of the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old suspected car thief in Chicago shows officers firing into the vehicle, then handcuffing the blood-covered suspect following a foot chase. It was the citys first release of video of a fatal police shooting under a new city policy that calls for it to be made public within 60 days. That and other policy changes represent an effort to restore public confidence in the department after video released last year showing Laquan McDonald, a black teenager, shot 16 times by a white officer sparked protests. The head of the Independent Police Review Authority, the agency that investigates police misconduct, called the video of Paul ONeals July 28 shooting shocking and disturbing. Three officers have been stripped of their police powers.

2 Hot car deaths: A father was charged with manslaughter Friday in the deaths of his 15-month-old twin girls, who were left in a car in at their home in Carrollton, Ga., police said. Witnesses saw Asa North, 24, running from in front of his home, carrying the toddlers to an inflatable pool out back. He and his neighbors tried to revive them with water and ice packs. Temperatures were in the 90s before police were called at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. I think possibly alcohol was a factor in some of his decisions that day, said police Capt. Chris Dobbs, who identified the girls as Ariel North and Alaynah North.
FAIRFIELD  When Stephen Tracy retired from a decades-long career in public schools, his only plan was to manage the goat farm he owns with his wife in Goshen, Conn. Then he got a call from the Fairfield School District.

Tracy took on the role of interim superintendent for Fairfield schools this week following the retirement of David Title.

Here I am, back on the field, he said.

Tracy began his career as a public school history teacher in Westchester, N.Y. He went on to serve in Connecticut as assistant superintendent in Farmington and as superintendent in New Milford and Derby.

During his career, Tracy also spent 14 years working for Edison Schools, a private company he said creates and manages public schools. Tracy retired last summer after his final post as superintendent for the state Department of Children and Families where he oversaw education for foster children and three small schools for children with psychological or behavioral issues, as well as those in juvenile detention.

Since retiring, Tracy has devoted his time to the 25-goat farm he manages with his wife, where they produce milk and cheese. The couple have lived in Goshen for more than a decade.

The farm has been a nice change of pace from the office work - thats for sure, Tracy said.

The Board of Education contracted Tracy to receive a salary of $12,000 per month for the first three months of his tenure and $10,000 for the three months after that. Tracy said he would be amazed to serve as superintendent for more than six months and that he believes the Board of Education has plans to fill the position long before that point.

Q: What are your primary goals for the Fairfield School District while youre here?

A: Well, I think the simple way to think of it is Im here to keep the ship on course for the next couple of months, or however long it takes until a new person gets here. Usually when I take a new job I have all kinds of ideas, things Id like to introduce or change, but this isnt that kind of assignment. This is really an obligation to maintain the good work that the teachers and the leaders of the district have been doing for a long time and make sure that keeps going, make sure the school board gets the information it needs to take action on items that come up over the next couple of months and then to turn things over to the new person whenever she or he gets here.

Q: Why did you want to take on this role?

A: Ive been in the public school business all my life so I enjoy these questions and I enjoy working with people whove committed their careers to the growth of young people. So thats primarily it. Its a chance to get to know a town and a district that I havent really had much to do with over the years and try to be helpful at an important point of transition.

I also think very highly of Dr. Title, the gentleman who retired just last week. He and I worked together on an early childhood committee for the state that he chaired. So thats how we got to know each other. And if I can do anything to make sure that his good work is preserved and passed on to the next person, Im happy to do it.

Q: Are there any specific initiatives going on now that youll be focused on?

A: Were working now on the first annual report on the District Improvement Plan. The district has had for quite some time a very ambitious outline of initiatives and efforts to improve the school system and in October Ill be working with the leadership of the district to present the first report on how thats going.

And theres a long list of measures and test results and things of that sort that will be presented to the [Board of Education] as evidence of the progress the district has made on that plan so far  so thats important.

In a couple of weeks we have an annual summer meeting of all the administrators in the district thats called the August Advance. Thats a three-day opportunity for that group to work on a variety of issues: Looking at data on student performance, looking at plans for the coming year, making sure were ready to go in terms of the opening of school, the continued implementation of the teacher evaluation law. Im trying to focus on that to make sure we do a good job together in a couple of weeks.

Q: Is there anything that you plan to become involved with in Fairfield outside of the schools?

A: I am heading over to the Board of Selectmen meeting just to meet them and say hello and listen in on some of the other issues that are going on in town. Schools are a really big and important part of any community and the town and the schools depend on one another for a lot of things. Ive had the opportunity to meet the First Selectman but this will be my first opportunity to sit in on a board meeting so I want to do that.

We met this morning with several representatives from the police department to talk about school security and communication between the police and schools if and when there ever could be a crisis, and we need to be able to talk with each other and take care of the children in a very rapid fashion.

So there are a lot of ways I think schools need to be connected with the community and even though my tenure here is probably going to be quite brief, Im looking forward to doing that.

Lweiss@hearstmediact.com; @LauraEWeiss16
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NORWALK  They walk through the wooded mountains carrying plastic bags to hold their books, stepping over roots and sometimes snow, in their open-toe sandals made of tire rubber.

They go to school in Corralpampa like this for years, but often drop out by grade six  the journey is rough, the schools are underresourced, and their parents need their help on the farm.

In some ways, the poverty in Norwalk cant compare to the poverty in the rural mountains of northern Peru.

I am from Cajabamba. Ive lived here many years since I was 2. Ive seen the needs of the students in the rural areas. To be able to help them  I didnt hesitate. Im helping with enthusiasm, and Im going to keep doing this for much longer, Evellyn Llajaruna, an accountant in the Cajabamba district where some of Perus poorest schools are located, said in Spanish.

Speaking over the phone from Peru, Llajaruna explained how her cousin and Norwalk resident Yessenia Martinez approached her with a request: Could she help her nonprofit by helping assure that Norwalk donations reached Perus neediest?

Martinez founded her nonprofit Ready for School Inc. in November last year, after four to five years of informally raising money among her friends and family for the schoolchildren in Cajabamba, Peru. The nonprofit is already up to 15 volunteers and has four board members.

In July, Ready for School held its first fundraiser at the Muse Paint Bar in Norwalk. Martinez said she raised a little over $300, which will go toward building a $1,500 playground in Peru. Shes also holding a drive for shoes and uniforms for the children, so they dont have to walk almost-barefoot in the mountains freezing temperatures. Donations can be made at readyforschoolperu.org.

We should teach our kids and ourselves not to forget where we came from, to help other countries that need help. We have it easy here, so we can do that, Martinez said.

So much with so little

Martinez and her sister Yessica Zucca moved to Greenwich from Lima, Peru, when they were 11 and 15 years old. The contrast between the schools stayed with them.

It was very traumatic move for me to the U.S., Martinez said. My brothers and sisters went to the same school, but I was all by myself. I was bullied because of my accent. I remember the kids that I would play with didnt know how lucky they were.

Zucca remembered transferring from a nice private school to public school with no roof  even in Peru, the contrast in education was startling, she said.

I always struggled with that in my heart, Martinez said  nobody seemed to appreciate what they had.

Once I had kids, I wanted to give back, and what better place than the country I came from? she said.

Thats when we created our nonprofit, to step up and help. We wanted to get our kids involved so they learn to share and why helping is important, Zucco said.

Last year, she traveled with some of her family members to Chichir, the poorest school in the state, located in northern Corralpampa.

Llajaruna, her Peruvian cousin, had found the school by obtaining statistics on the neediest schools in Peru through the countrys Department of Education equivalent.

The school had no cafeteria  just a fire pit outside the building. But it was working on constructing an indoor room for eating, so Martinez raised money to buy tables and chairs for the future cafeteria.

It was so crazy, we were on 4x4s on dirt trails, the long tables in the back. We got up to a bridge that looked so weak, I was so scared. Then we had to walk about a block, so we had to carry all this stuff up the hill. It was crazy, she said.

Last May, her family raised $900, which in Peru translated to 116 uniforms for the children of Corralpampa Elementary School. When her father came back from helping distribute the uniforms and told her about the schools there, Martinez realized she needed to bring her fundraising up a notch.

That was my biggest motivation right there, because we could do so much with so little, she said.

Last November, they added the schools in Otuto, Coima and Chichir to their list, gathering up second-hand toys and school supplies and distributing them to hundreds of children  on one occasion, Llajaruna held an impromptu lesson on how to play chess.

They welcomed us in the best way. Theyre really sweet kids, kind and happy. They filled us with hugs and kisses, so grateful that we visited and cared for them, said Llajaruna. They showed us their notebooks and how they studied. Such tender children. Theres no bigger satisfaction that to see the look of happiness on the kids faces, when they see that we care about them.

SFoster-Frau@CTPost.com; @SilviaElenaFF
Fort Bend County sheriff's deputies were searching for a woman who went missing on Thursday.

Authorities said Erin Davila, 31, has "special needs" but didn't elaborate.

Davila was later found safe, authorities said Friday night, after local media reported on her disappearance.

No further information is currently available.
Police have arrested the fourth suspect in the April shooting of a woman on the Northeast Side.

Fredrick Ray Carter, 20, was one of four individuals who allegedly riddled Shawna Andersons car with bullets April 2, according to a San Antonio Police Department release. Carter was taken into custody without incident by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the 4600 block of East Houston Street at 1:30 p.m. Friday, said officer Douglas Greene, an SAPD spokesman.
It was the early 1960s and I, a free-range urchin, and my pals were all over the annual Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis celebrations held in Old Man Sedillos fiesta plaza in San Angelo.

We roamed the grounds amid fiestagoers, happy to be amid the hubbub, close to the bandstand where mariachis and other bands in sleek suits played into the night.

A familiar sight there on the bandstand was the American flag and what seemed to us, visually, the more beautiful tricolor red, green and white  the banner of Mexico.

To us, that banner was our flag. You see, it was a time when non-Hispanic people of authority referred to us as Mexicans, thus we gravitated to our Mexican flag.

To us, the Mexican flag seemed as familiar an icon as La Virgen de Guadalupe or el guapo Antonio Aguilar of Mexicos cinema. Had someone told me that I was a child of the United States and the red, white and blue was mi bandera, I would have blinked in amazement. We were Mexican, and that was that.

My dad (a World War II veteran and a soldier of Gen. George S. Pattons) years later, when I was old enough to take in his exploits in Normandy and Brittany, France, 1944, made sure that I understood his devotion to the red, white and blue.

But it was so much more patriotic, more fun, to wrap ourselves up, figuratively, in the Mexican flag. Being relegated to Mexican status by society, it just made sense to us. Wed leave the oddly colored U.S. flag to my patriotic dad, to los Americanos who made our lives difficult via Jim Crow, police harassment and economic discrimination handed down as sanctions ever since Bowie and Travis breathed their last insurrectionist breaths.

Many, many years later, while I was watching CNN and Fox News, I heard commentators harrumphing about violence at some Donald Trump events in California and New Mexico.

Oh, my, they are waving the Mexican flag!

To the commentators  and letter writers to the Express-News  waving that banner in California and New Mexico was tantamount to treason, a horrific faux pas of pro-Mexico nationalism.

As I ruminated on those indignant comments, I could not help but chuckle at the ridiculousness of the alarmists.

A Mexican flag waved near the site of a Trump rally? Perhaps someone took offense at Trumps racist comments aimed at Mexicans and felt compelled to symbolically protest Trumps pejoratives.

Or perhaps they waved because the Spanish and Mexican flags had, at one point from 1535 to 1846, flown over California and, over the centuries, over present-day Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, and portions of Utah, Nevada, Oregon and even Idaho.

I ask the outraged TV commentators and letter writers this: Are you this alarmed when you see the proud banner of Eire waved on St. Patricks Day?

Indignant when some neosecessionist flies the California Republic flag with its bear symbol?

When you see the treasonous Confederate flag?

As outraged when the Lone Star flag takes a point higher than the United States flag? And, let me add, the Lone Star flag at first represented the secessionist movement that began when an illegal uprising of mostly Anglos led to what we know as the Alamo and then San Jacinto.

If you wave the American flag, you will get my 91-year-old dad misty-eyed. And, now fully invested as a post-Jim Crow American, I, too, can well up when I see the flag.

The images come forth: Bleeding, shoeless feet at Valley Forge. Marines crawling through the jungles and the mud at Saipan. My childhood friend, Oscar Juarez, who died in Vietnam. Or, like my dad, peering out from a cursed hedgerow in the killing fields of Normandy or Brittany. Or, today, 20-somethings cautiously treading through mountain passes in Afghanistan.

The Mexican flag, too, has been through the wringer.

Fighting the Spanish, the French, the land-hungry Americanos, internecine wars of countless revolutions. The six boy heroes defending Chapultepec Castle against hardened U.S. soldiers. One, Juan Escutia, wrapped the Mexican banner around his body and jumped from the top of the Mexico City castle to keep the flag, momentarily, from the hands of the enemy.

There were other battles that, after the firing subsided, saw the Mexican-U.S. border move west. And south, half of Mexicos land mass annexed by Americanos, some of whose descendants now object to the Mexican flag unfurled in California or anywhere north or east of the border.

As a native of the Americas first and an American second, I have never been afraid or outraged by other flags flying here or anywhere.

In its proper, historical context, the Mexican flag flying anywhere in the Southwest should be a no-brainer. And the Irish flag, whether borne by the heroes of the San Patricio Battalion or by proud Irish-Americans on St. Patricks Day, gives me goose bumps  a good thing, because to see Americans proud of their heritage is a thing of beauty.

Here in San Antonio in my living room, near Comanche Lookout hill, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, there is an encased flag. It once flew over the U.S. Capitol, presented to my dad during an Honor Flight ceremony.

Inscribed on the wooden case is Gilberto Chief Torres, the chief owing to the fact that the boys (yes, boys, as my dad calls them) of the 83rd Ohio Infantry thought my dad looked American Indian. As it turns out he is.

Imagine, an American Indian of Mexican descent caressing Old Glory.

His war wounds earned him that flag.

But his forefathers (and mine) probably at one time also waved the Mexican flag or, before that, the Spanish flag in the Americas. And before that, perhaps a lance adorned with bird feathers.

The thing is, flags are transient artifacts of governments, regimes, movements.

Wave your flag at will. It is, after all, the land of the free and because, well, it is just common courtesy to allow another person to wave his or her banner.

Old Glory, I am sure, burnished by the bravery of millions and singed and perforated by countless volleys for 240 years, would not feel threatened.

Guillermo Torres is a former Express-News copy editor. He has worked at the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and the Santa Fe New Mexican newspapers, among others. Hes co-edited several books, and edited and was one of the authors of A Legacy Greater Than Words (UT Press).
It never occurred to me to tell this story  the account of what took place at Robert Mueller Airport in Austin on that tragic day, Aug. 1, 1966, when Charles J. Whitman, with an array of rifles, picked off victims, randomly, from his perch high atop the UT Tower.

An account of that tragic incident, written by columnist O. Ricardo Pimentel and published in the San Antonio Express-News on June 19, prompted my wife, Jeanie, to encourage me to share my experience during the events of that long-ago day of sorrow.

I had arrived in Austin in mid-June of 1966, fresh from several weeks of advanced flight training at Sawyer Aviation in Deer Valley, Arizona. At 34 and having spent most of my life in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York, along with a year in Bolivia and Chile, I was anxious to begin my career as a flight instructor at Ragsdale Aviation, an occupation that would provide me with the income to pursue, at the University of Texas in Austin, a second masters degree, this one in Latin American Studies.

One day, six weeks after my arrival in Austin, I was flying in Cessna-150 N717LC with a student pilot, preparing him to solo  that is, to fly the aircraft alone. With a light wind coming from the northwest that day, the tower controller at Robert Mueller Airport assigned us to use Runway 34-Left for a series of touch-and-go landings, a pattern whose left turns placed our training plane, while on the downwind portion, within rifle range of the UT Tower.

The training flight completed, the student pilot and I tied down the Cessna and went inside the flight-training office where we found the manager, Harvey Vincent, and three flight instructors huddled around a radio, its sounds mixing with the chatter from the airport tower controllers coming from a remote speaker.

Whats happening, Harvey? I asked.

I guess you wouldnt know unless the tower controller had advised you, Harvey answered.

Advised me? About what?

That theres someone shooting at people from the UT Tower.

How long has this been going on? I queried.

Oh, for about 30 minutes or so, said Harvey.

Thats terrible, I said.

And then it hit me!

Harvey, on the downwind for 34-Left, my student and I were likely within rifle range of the tower. Why didnt the tower controller tell us to land? WOW!

I dont know, Tom, he replied.

Just then two Austin police officers came into the flight office. They asked Mr. Vincent if it would be possible to have one of Ragsdale Aviations pilots fly a police sharpshooter to the UT Tower to dispose of the shooter.

I dont want any of my pilots flying such a mission, Harvey responded.

Being unmarried at the time and having experience flying the Cessna 172, the aircraft that would likely be used for this mission, I said, Harvey, Id be willing to volunteer, if we can figure out an effective way to do it.

Then the discussion began. The police officers, never having been in such a circumstance, needed to talk and ask questions. How would the sharpshooter position himself in the Cessna? Would the passenger-side window need to be removed? Harvey and I invited the officers to sit down to discuss matters, beginning with whether the police sharpshooter had ever flown in a small airplane.

Then from the radio, The shooter has been shot and is dead.

The flight office became quiet, followed by sighs of relief and one or more silent prayers of thanksgiving.

Further questions and mission planning no longer needed to be addressed, questions, perhaps, such as the following:

Rifle or handgun? Does the sharpshooter get carsick? Airsick? What is the best way to sneak up on the shooter by air? Definitely, fly toward the tower from the north. With engine idling to dampen the noise, would it be better for the Cessna 172 to spin or circle down from, say, 2,000 feet above and to the rear of the tower to level off at the elevation of the shooters position? With the officer to be positioned in the right front seat of the Cessna, the aircraft would be flown to the east side of the tower, then after completing the first salvo, the aircraft would be turned abruptly to the left and proceed northward to set up for the next attempt, if needed.

Since that fateful day, I have wondered many times if, after this experience, the Austin Police Department  or any citys police department  began to train their sharpshooters to fire a rifle or handgun from the platform of a small general aviation fixed-wing aircraft.

Thats unlikely to have been done, for since the time of the UT Tower massacre, the helicopter has come to serve much better for such a purpose.

Thomas M. Adams, a resident of San Antonio and founder of the former Kaepa athletic shoe company, is the manager of Fit Squared Shoes and a part-time flight instructor
The Democratic Party has perhaps never been so radical or so conventional.

The Democrats are now to the left of President Barack Obama and are desperately trying to placate the teary-eyed, obstreperous shock troops of the Bernie Sanders revolution, yet they also are portraying themselves as the party of sobriety and traditional political norms.

This year, Democrats want to fight the man and be the man, and running against Donald Trump, they might manage the feat.

At the Democratic convention, Sanders delegates  by all appearances the kind of people who typically work the giant puppets at street protests  nursed a sense of betrayal despite their undeniable success.

Hillary Clinton, who described herself as a New Democrat at the outset of her 2008 campaign, got pushed left during this campaign on the Trans- Pacific Partnership, the Keystone pipeline, Social Security, the minimum wage, criminal justice and immigration.

The change on immigration is particularly stark. In 2008, after some waffling, Hillary opposed giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Now, illegal immigrants address the Democratic convention and hail Obamas executive orders to allow them to stay in the country. The authority to issue those orders was so dubious that Obama used to say it didnt exist, but now Hillary promises to go even further.

Nonetheless, the leftward march of the Democrats isnt the point of contention one would expect. On the high-profile issues, there is a stark difference between Trump and Clinton on immigration and guns, but not so much on trade, entitlements and the minimum wage, where the distinctions involve only questions of sincerity or degree.

If the overlap in substance masks how Democrats have changed, so does the way Democrats are selling themselves. They staged a traditional convention with traditional speakers making traditional political pitches. They showcased rising stars, and a sitting and former president. They wrapped their case for Hillary in anodyne commonplaces that pass for cutting attacks when running against Trump  you shouldnt mock disabled people, openly doubt the religion of your opponents or casually question the utility of decadeslong treaty commitments.

The wildness of Trump makes it possible for Democrats to try to sell a safe socialism, a politics that is left wing but doesnt scare the horses.

It may not have been his intention, but you could be forgiven for thinking that Bill Clinton in his convention speech sought to situate Hillary on the left, while making her sound as boring as someone who has spent the entirety of her adult life attending committee meetings and serving on task forces.

In a campaign against Trump the populist, there was little risk Hillary could go too far left with her vice presidential pick, yet she still opted for the aggressively normal Tim Kaine, a career politician who comes off like the neighbor you trust to return your borrowed rake.

The self-styled party of normality is even playing the patriotism card. In 2008, Michelle Obama notoriously declared herself proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. The other day she pronounced us the greatest country on earth (i.e., no need to make it great again). Democrats routinely hit Trump for calling the military a disaster, and Obama, in a speech invoking Ronald Reagans shining city on a hill, all but called Trump un-American.

The classic Chris Matthews distinction is that Democrats are the Mommy party and Republicans the Daddy party. This has never been more true, except Democrats believe they can convince voters that Daddy is off bragging about his romantic exploits  among other disturbingly erratic acts.

It may be that none of this works, and everything safe and professional feels stilted and inauthentic to disaffected voters this year. But Hillary Democrats are putting their faith not so much in hope and change as in stolid reliability.

comments.lowry@nationalreview.com
Fo r the first time in American political history, both presidential nominees have bigger unfavorable ratings than favorable. With Donald Trumps and Hillary Clintons negatives exceeding 50 percent, logic says neither deserves to win.

Trouble is, one of them will.

Whats going on? Could it be that favorable ratings dont matter in this race? Are we willing to elect one candidate because we dislike the other even more?

That would be a strange state of affairs, because up until now, favorability has been a key factor in winning. In the past, if a candidates unfavorable ratings were north of 35 percent, that politician would be in deep trouble.

So assuming that for the first time ever, likability may be overrated as a predictor, lets consider other factors.

Star power comes to mind. Back in 1952, the new medium of television changed the way voters made their choice. Star power began to dominate. Dwight Eisenhower  Ike  won because he was a bigger star, having been a World War II hero.

Eight years later, John F. Kennedy projected more star power in the first televised debates than did the sweaty Richard Nixon.

In 76, the fresh-faced, smiling Jimmy Carter looked more like a star than Gerald Ford.

Four years later, Ronald Reagan, already a movie star, won over the weakened Carter.

You get the picture.

This time around, star power is certainly a factor, but we seem to be dealing with stars from two different galaxies.

Clinton is a star in political circles, albeit it in a year when being the queen of the political establishment might just be the kiss of death.

On the other hand, Trump is a reality TV star whose distinct lack of statesmanship doesnt seem to matter one whit with his fans. Still, it remains to be seen whether he can convert enough fans into donors or voters.

Next, lets consider the importance of the campaign team.

In 1992, the George H. W. Bush campaign ran on 12 cylinders with Lee Atwater at the helm. Atwater died before the 96 campaign, and the wheels fell off the Rolls-Royce. With no clear leader, the Bush campaign faltered, and an unknown governor from Arkansas came from behind to win.

At the moment, Clintons campaign team is more experienced and should have the advantage. She learned a lot about winning and losing eight years ago when Barack Obama snatched the nomination from her. Clinton should have the advantage over the political rookie Trump in the best team category.

Then comes outstanding advertising.

When Lyndon B. Johnson ran the famous Daisy spot in 1964 that painted his opponent, Barry Goldwater, as a warmonger, advertising became a serious medium. LBJ was elected by the biggest landslide in history.

In 2000, Karl Rove helped George W. Bush assemble a strong political advertising team. At the first team meeting (I was there), Karl came in, greeted everyone and made a short statement: We are here for one purpose and one purpose only: to help elect George W. Bush president of the United States. Do not use this opportunity to promote yourself. If you abuse this privilege, you will be fired on the spot. I dont care how much I like you. I dont care how long Ive known you. I dont care how much I need you. If I see your name in print talking about how great you are, you will be gone. Understood?

We all nodded and without further discussion went straight to work. It was clear that Rove, a man we knew and trusted, was in charge. And when the team knows and trusts the person in charge, you have the makings of a winning organization.

Its too early to say which candidate will win in the best ad team category. My guess is that Trump will, simply because he is more likely to hire fresh faces who create breakthrough advertising.

Oh, lets not forget money. Without money, youre dead in the water.

Heres a simple tool to predict the winner in November.

Whos the bigger star?

Whos got the best and most experienced team?

Who has the most money in their campaign coffers?

Who has the best ads?

Well know all this in late October. Thats when the candidates will be in their 15th round of fighting and going for the knockout punch, with the winner to be determined by the ultimate referee: you, the American voter.

At the moment, its still way too early to say. Theres still plenty of time for them to do more incredibly unlikable stuff.

Guess well just have to wait and see which of these two unlikable candidates American voters dislike the most.

This column was corrected to indicate the year Jimmy Carter was elected president.

Lionel Sosa is a San Antonio marketing executive and political consultant.
There is much to gain by having the University of Texas Health Science Center and MD Anderson, the top-ranked cancer-treatment hospital in the country, collaborate on expanding the services available in San Antonio.

Giving area cancer patients the option to undergo treatment in San Antonio instead of traveling to Houston would save time and expense, and minimize absences from family and work.

Additionally, San Antonios Cancer Therapy & Research Center has been losing market share, Express-News medical writer Peggy OHare reported recently.

While the partnership would enhance the high-quality cancer treatment already available locally, there is apprehension that the proposed partnership would diminish the role of the San Antonio Cancer Therapy & Research Center. The fear is that the center will lose its independence and become a satellite of the much bigger, multibillion-dollar MD Anderson Cancer Center, based at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.

Plans to launch a nationwide search for a director of the new joint cancer treatment have added to those concerns.

Dr. Ian Thompson Jr., who has served as the CTRCs director since 2009, has been told he can apply for the job. Thompson told OHare he has not decided if he will apply for the top leadership position that he already holds.

An affiliation agreement between the two cancer centers could be in place by the end of summer, but few details of the plan have been made public. The success of such a partnership will depend on how transparent the UT System makes the process. It also could affect fundraising.

The UT System is asking the city of San Antonio to earmark $5 million in a proposed 2017 bond for upgrades to the Cancer Therapy & Research Center campus in San Antonio as part of a $52 million capital projects fundraising effort.

Little had been said publicly about the proposed MD Anderson and CTRC joint operation until a couple of months ago. UT officials say the collaboration between the two cancer centers is in response to a challenge by UT System Chancellor William McRaven to all UT institutions to join forces and pool their resources to provide better service.

Its a plan worthy of public support. When two public-supported entities are working toward the same goal, it makes sense that they shore up each others efforts.

San Antonios Cancer Therapy & Research Center has been in operation for more than 40 years and began as a collaboration among local hospitals looking to share the high costs related to cancer treatment. It became part of the UT System in 2007.

MD Anderson was created as part of the UT System in 1941 and was one of the first three comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the Cancer Act of 1971. In addition to its main campus in Houston, MD Anderson operates two research campuses in Bastrop County, and has several national and international locations.

The two cancer treatment centers have shared missions, but they operate at different levels. The CTRC had an operating budget of $53 million in 2015. MD Andersons revenue in 2014 topped $4.4 billion, according to its website.

Individually, the centers have earned reputations for high-quality care.

Working together, they can leverage the best they each have to offer in the fight against the leading cause of death in Texas.
The fiddle player

Re: Trump draws fire for appeal to Russian hackers, front page, July 28:

You guys are such idiots. Donald Trump is playing you like a well-tuned fiddle.

Trumps news conference took away all the press that would have been devoted to the Democratic National Convention. And he got all this press at no cost.

It went over the medias head that Trump was being sarcastic and funny.

As far as the Russians hacking Hillary Clintons server, its been gone for a long time and is in the hands of the FBI. No way for anyone to get his hands on it.

We were told over and over by Clinton that the erased files did not have any information detrimental to the security of the U.S. By her and the media going ballistic over Trumps statement, it is clear that there was sensitive information on the erased files.

Whatever happened to journalism? I dont think there has been much since Woodward and Bernstein exposed the Watergate mess.

Wendell Peters

Comedian in chief

Re: Trump draws fire for appeal to Russian hackers, front page, July 28:

What Donald Trump really drew was laughter!

Patricia Hart McMillan

Treasonous plea

Re: Trump draws fire for appeal to Russian hackers, front page, July 28:

Donald Trump asked  no, begged  Vladimir Putin to help him defeat Hillary Clinton, an appeal that smacks of treason and involves consorting with the enemy for his personal gain.

How outrageous is he willing to become to win the presidency? What kind of president would he be? The Republican nominee of these United States is getting on his knees and begging Putin to help him win the U.S. presidency?

What amazes me about Trump is that he can lie with every other breath, he can distort reality with every breath, and he can talk treason with every third breath, and his supporters blindly distort everything that Hillary Clinton states that are factually supported.

Brian Toyne

Blame the DNC

Im a registered Democrat, but Ive exercised my right to vote independently for decades. I vote for whom I believe to be the best candidate. This year I may sit it out.

One candidate is a racist, egotistical, bigoted, flip-flopping rich guy who doesnt care about governing. Anyone who cant see that doesnt have the IQ to spell IQ.

The Democratic National Committee, on the other hand, played favoritism, which worked against the only candidate not running on his ego  Bernie Sanders. Hillary Clinton got support from the DNC and Bernie didnt.

Im not like the suck-up Republicans who chided Trump for months and now try to pass him off as the best thing since sliced bread  white sliced bread at that.

The DNC shortchanged my candidate, so dont give me that Be quiet, youre being ridiculous or If Trump wins, itll be your fault. I have a conscience. Im sticking with it. If Trump wins, hold the DNC accountable, not me.

Joe M. Velasquez





Time for a savior

The failure of Ted Cruz to endorse Donald Trump at the Republican convention might swing enough voters to save us from a Trump presidency.

If so, the real tragedy could be that there would be no one to save us from a Hillary Clinton presidency.

David S. Fuller

L.A. Southwest

Re: Planned community no longer dormant, front page, July 27:

I was astounded to read about the 178 acre master-planned community being shoehorned into the area around La Cantera/Six Flags. This master plan doesnt sound so masterful to residents up Interstate 10 who already struggle with daily gridlock coming and going. We dont have the infrastructure to support more traffic.

Developers wont be satisfied until they turn San Antonio into Los Angeles.

Roger Barnes

Govern growth

With all the discussion and writing on the expected 1 million-plus population increase in San Antonio, one key element seems to be overlooked  what type of governance structure will be required to plan, accommodate and provide the required services to those new residents?

The present city/county structure is hopelessly out of date. It may work well in rural counties like Brewster, but in an urbanized county such as Bexar, it is a detriment to effective and cost-efficient delivery of necessary services, since some of the growth will occur in unincorporated areas.

Any planning has to include the consolidation of the City Council and Commissioners Court into a true metropolitan council, with an elected chief executive officer who would hold both the city and county titles  mayor/judge.

This would allow for combining the duplicated services now seen in the organizational charts of the city and county, thus helping reduce the cost of delivery of services to 2 million-plus citizens. To do less is shortsighted.

Richard L. Whynot

Stifling competition

Re: Government files suit to block mergers of health insurers, Business, July 22:

The article states that the Department of Justice filed lawsuits to stop two mergers that would consolidate the nations five biggest health insurers into just three.

The reason? Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the mergers would restrict competition. This from an administration thats doing everything it can to make sure that Obamacare devolves into a single-payer, government-run health care system.

If they succeed, well no longer have to be concerned with restricted competition, because there will no longer be any competition. Zero, zip, nada.

Al Koppen

Wage hikes costly

Any time you raise the minimum wage, everything you buy goes up. It takes more money to produce the item. Therefore, in the end, your income is spread thinner. The only one who gains is the government that collects more taxes.
As you may be aware, Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of womens suffrage in Manitoba by concentrating on Mennonite women both, in our exhibits and in our interpretation of the Village. As part of this theme, we are welcoming a traveling exhibit, Along the Road to Freedom, to MHV from August 9 to October 10, 2016. Featuring twenty-six paintings by artist and curator Ray Dirks, Along the Road to Freedom pays tribute to the women who led their families out of Russia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and in the midst of World War Two, often in the absence of their fathers, husbands, and brothers, who had been conscripted, killed, or arrested.

Each painting from this exhibit, which has never been shown in its entirety in southeast Manitoba, creates a memory mosaic of the woman it features. Alongside the paintings will be artifacts from the MHV collection showcasing objects that immigrants from the 1920s and 1940s deemed too necessary or too precious to leave behind in the Soviet Union.

The paintings and artifacts ask us all  not just Mennonites of European heritage  to remember and honour the stories of the women, strong or frail, certain or unsure, forging ahead or struggling to survive, who are responsible for our living good lives at peace, far from lands and times of uncertainty and fear.

Some of the women featured in this exhibit include:

Judith (Dyck) Epp (1835-1906) was a widow when she came to Canada in 1893 with her grown children. Even though women were not typically able to have large roles in their churches at this time, Judith was involved in founding the Eigenheim Mennonite Church in Saskatchewan, and was active in her congregation until her death.

Anna (Dick) Bergmann (1880-1961) lived on an estate in Russia with her family. She and her family lost everything after the Russian Revolution, including her husband and all male relatives over the age of eighteen. She left Russia with her six children in 1924 and settled on a farm in Glenlea, Manitoba.

Katja Goerz (1916-2013) and her family fled to Germany in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, but were not able to immigrate to Canada, so they settled in a Mennonite colony in Brazil instead. She and her husband returned to Germany with their two children in 1939, just was World War Two was breaking out. They fled Poland with the retreating German army in 1945 and spent time in a refugee camp. They were finally able to immigrate to Canada in 1948.

Join us on Tuesday, August 9th at 7:30 p.m. for the official opening of Along the Road to Freedom (free admission for the evening). Artist Ray Dirks will speak about the exhibit, and Curator Andrea Dyck will provide historical context. Others will speak about their individual experiences as refugees. All are welcome.

Along the Road to Freedom opens to the public on Wednesday, August 10th, and will run until Monday, October 10th.
Siberias wildfires seen from 1 million miles away: even the tundra is burning The Siberian Times. Photos.

Police fire tear gas at angry mobs outside Olympic opening ceremony as anti-Games demos hit cities across Brazil Daily Mail

A blind eye to sex abuse: How USA Gymnastics failed to report cases Indianapolis Star

Bank of Italy head says cant rule out state aid for lenders Reuters

New York Regulator Presses Goldman Sachs on 1MDB Work Again Fortune

Exclusive: Stiglitz quits Panama Papers probe, cites lack of transparency Reuters. (This is a probe by the Panamanian government.)

Yay, Jobs! So Why Isnt the Economy Following? Bloomberg.

78 percent of Americans say sacrificing 1,000 foreign jobs for 1 U.S. job is worth it The Week (Re Silc).

Shell shock: why is a startup charging parents $180 for $2 worth of peanut butter? The Verge. Because they can?

The Hottest Start-Up Market? Baby Boomers NYT

Is the Leaning Tower of San Francisco the Only One? Wolf Street

Latest to Quit Googles Self-Driving Car Unit: Top Roboticist NYT

Syraqistan

Refugees Crisis

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Korryn Gaines case: Video posting by suspects poses new challenges for police Baltimore Sun

Sheriff Raids House to Find Anonymous Blogger Who Called Him Corrupt The Intercept

Lawsuits and sex slaves  so much for post-primary unity in Missouri St Louis Post-Dispatch. Seems like theres a lot going on in the Show Me state just now.

2016

China: The Peoples Fury NYRB

Imperial Collapse Watch

Military to Military Seymour Hersh, LRB. From January, but still relevant.

Campus builds escape hatch for Dirks office in California Hall Daily Californian

One Nerds Take on the Future of Philanthropy CraigConnects. Craig of Craigs List.

Class Warfare

Sorry, Folks. The LHC Didnt Find a New Particle After All Wired

Incentives And Closed Data Mike the Mad Biologist

The Thai village using poop to power homes Phys.org

The Historical Context of Mercantilism, Republicanism, Liberalism and Neoliberalism Corrente

The Brain That Couldnt Remember NYT

A chapter a day: Association of book reading with longevity ScienceDirect

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has given a commitment that the $81 million stolen from the account of Bangladesh Bank in New York and traced to bank accounts in Manila would be returned, the Bangladesh ambassador to the Philippines said.

"We are very hopeful that we will get the total $81 million. The reason is I got a commitment from the president himself," Ambassador John Gomes told a media briefing in Manila on Friday.

Cyber criminals succeeded in stealing $81 million from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, transferring the funds to four accounts at Manila's Rizal Commercial Banking Corp <RCB.PS>, which was then laundered through the city's casinos, according to investigators.

A Bangladesh central bank team currently in Manila to hasten the recovery process has said they were close to getting back only $15 million of the money stolen in February.

"We know substantial amounts of money have been frozen by authorities over here," Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain said.

Bangladesh's finance minister might come to the Philippines to meet Duterte and seek his help in the recovery of the money, Gomes said.

Gomes said the bank felt that RCBC should be held responsible because they did not follow a stop-payment request from the Bangladesh Bank.

Minutes before the Bangladesh officials held a briefing, the Philippine central bank said it would fine RCBC a record $$21 million in relation to the cyber heist.

Hossain said the Bangladesh central bank would sue RCBC if it was not able to recover the entire $81 million.

Gomes also said they would sue Philrem Service Corp, a remittance company that anti-money laundering investigators said was used to transfer some of the $81 million.

"I think they have to return the money. They have the responsibility to return the money or face the consequence," Gomes said of Philrem.

A lawyer for Philrem, who speaks on behalf of the company, was not immediately available for comment.

The last Philippines Senate hearing into the heist ended in May as a new government came to power under Duterte. No date has been announced for a resumption, but Gomes said they had asked Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to reopen the hearings.

(Reporting by Krishna Das and Neil Jerome Morales; Writing by Manolo Serapio Jr; Editing by Will Waterman)
* Richter stocks hit 2-week low on failed U.S. test of drug * Poland plans new changes to constitutional legislation * Markets shrug off Polish plan which lacks details * Hungary's output falls but trade surplus surges By Sandor Peto and Jakub Iglewski BUDAPEST/WARSAW, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The stocks of Hungarian drug maker Richter fell on Friday, pulling down Budapest's main equities index, after the company said a clinical trial of its cariprazine drug in the U.S. failed.

In contrast with most Central European assets, which were rangebound, Richter's stocks fell 4.2 percent by 0820 GMT.

Richter and its U.S. partner Allergan said a clinical trial of cariprazine as adjunctive treatment to major depressive disorder failed, but they added that they would continue the trials.

Cariprazine is already used for a treatment of other illnesses. The new trials do not affect that, so the reaction of Richter stocks could be "moderate, a few percent", Erste analysts said in a note.

Budapest's stock index fell 1.6 percent, while other stock indices in the region were mostly rangebound.

Warsaw's bluechip index dropped by only 0.1 percent and the zloty traded near 15-week highs.

Polish assets surged this week after a bill proposed by the country's president to tackle the problem of Swiss franc mortgages proved less painful to banks than feared, reducing the risk that credit rating agencies will downgrade Poland.

The bill leaves some uncertainty over costs and another key risk to Polish assets is tension with the European Commision over the rule of law in Poland, mainly changes to the constitutional court.

Senate speaker Stanislaw Karczewski reminded investors of that latter issue, telling the state news agency PAP that the ruling Law and Justice party planned another amendment to the law on the constitutional tribunal.

Polish assets did not react because the politician did not disclose details on the planned new changes.

"The negative scenario (regarding the court) has already been priced in the exchange rate so I think that the only change that could move the market would be some kind of compromise," said Mateusz Sutowicz, analyst at Bank Millennium.

Story continues

"This would be positive for the zloty as it would mean reduced risk of further rating downgrades," he added.

Poland's 10-year government bond yield was off 9-month lows, rising 4 basis points to 2.75 percent as investors took profit in European debt markets after Thursday's rally triggered by economic stimulus measures from the Bank of England.

The forint was steady near two-month highs.

Hungary's industrial output fell 0.3 percent in annual terms in June, but the disappointment was upset by a surge in the country's trade surplus to a monthly record 1.129 billion euros in the same month.

CEE SNAPSHOT AT 1020 CET MARKETS CURRENCIES Latest Previous Daily Change bid close change in 2016 Czech Hungary Polish Romanian Croatian Serbian Note: calcula previous close at 1800 CET daily ted change from STOCKS Latest Previous Daily Change close change in 2016 Prague 850.86 856.10 -0.61% -11.03% Budapest 27138.83 27574.38 -1.58% +13.45% Warsaw Buchares 6734.96 6707.50 +0.41% -3.85% t Ljubljan Zagreb Belgrade Sofia BONDS Yield Yield Spread Daily (bid) change vs Bund change in Czech spread Republic 2-year 5-year Poland 2-year 5-year FORWARD RATE AGREEMENT 3x6 6x9 9x12 3M interban k Czech (PRIBO R=) Hungary (BUBOR =) Poland (WIBOR =) Note: are for FRA ask quotes prices ********************************************************** **** (Reporting by Sandor Peto; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Hawaii Department of Agriculture violating the Clean Water Act, dumping various chemicals detrimental to public health

ADC 'continuously and intermittently' discharging pollution into U.S. waterways

(NaturalNews) Back in May 2016, Earthjustice threatened to sue Hawaii's Department of Agriculture for allowing hazardous pesticides to flow into waterways on the island of Kaua'i. After having the water samples tested and confirming that the water is a toxic cocktail of various chemicals , the lawsuit has been filed.This is yet another example of government bureaucracy conspiring foolishly to poison the water that people drink. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture contains and oversees another smaller agency called the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). This agency acts as a middleman between the government and giant seed companies, and leases thousands of acres of land in Hawaii to these companies.Earthjustice is now suing the ADC for allowing pesticides and other toxic chemicals to flow unabated into U.S. waterways and into Kauai's Mana Plain.The suit, filed on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation and Pesticide Action Network, alleges that Kauai's drainage ditch on the west side is being polluted for 40 miles. The suit is also represented by Na Kia'i Kai, a community-based organization including local residents, native Hawaiian fishers, and cultural practitioners, all of whom are dedicated to protecting West Kaua'i coastal waters, aquatic life and human life from pollution.The suit claims that the ADC is violating the Clean Water Act by failing to get a permit before dumping their questionable mix of chemicals into the wetlands. The Clean Water Act requires that agencies such as the ADC follow the rules set out by the NPDES program. This program regulates the discharge of pollutants from drainage ditch systems. The ADC has no such permit from the NPDES program, and therefore is not following the law, which seeks to protect the waters of the United States.After being threatened with litigation in May, the ADC has been quietly working to restore the polluted soil and water in the Mana Plain. However, according to the lawsuit , pesticides and other pollutants are continually being detected at the Barking Sands Beach, in Majors Bay, at MacArthur Beach Park and in the drainage areas of West Kaua'i. This is not something that the ADC and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture can just cover up.The pollutants of concern include hormone disrupting phthalates, gender-bending atrazine herbicide and a toxic soup of other health hazards, including but not limited to: bentazon, chlorpyrifos, cispropiconazole, fipronil, glyphosate, hexazinone, MCPA, metolachlor, simazine and trans-propiconazole. They have also detected high concentrations of heavy metals , including arsenic, barium, cadmium, copper, lead, antimony and mercury.This pollution is not just a onetime occurrence. The ADC is allegedly "continuously or intermittently" discharging toxic system drainage waters into jurisdictional waters (waters of the USA). This is occurring at the rate of millions of gallons per day! Persistent pollution problems like this are the reason why water supplies are full of toxic substances and heavy metals, which is being confirmed by the grassroots efforts of CWC labs to test water supplies all across the United States.To appease the public, the government did come into Kaua'i with a study that cost $100,000. While they detected four different pesticides, they determined that the concentrations wouldn't have "significant negative" environmental impact. Assessments like these are based on the effects of singular pesticides at the concentrations measured in the given moment, but what about the compounding effects when pesticides mix with each other and other chemicals? What about the long-term effects that occur when these pesticides accumulate over time? These concentrations might be diluted in the environment, but what happens when these chemicals are introduced into the human body, where they interact with cellular functions, potentially damaging DNA?
South African 'test and treat' mass HIV experimentation begins with funding from Bill Gates

Zika hoax, Bill Gates' GM mosquitoes, mass media propaganda scare, followed by mass DNA vaccination agenda

(NaturalNews) Hitler had a depopulation agenda which he kept under wraps, until so many millions of people disappeared that the world started figuring out what was happening. What if he had come right out and announced his plan to create a master race and eliminate everyone else by shooting them in the head with two bullets, starving them to death, or putting them in gas chambers?How many people around the world would have supported him and said they liked the idea of getting rid of all the "undesirables" and blaming them for all the world's problems?Well, Bill Gates and George Soros are also all about depopulation, but there's no way they're going to come right out and say it ... or has Bill already done so? What if you found out right now, by video, that Bill Gates, along with his partner in crime, are planning on reducing the world's population by about 5 billion over the next decade, and that they plan on using vaccines and genetically modified food to do so? Here it is.United States citizens underestimate the devastating power of consuming pesticides daily. Sure, most Americans say they want labels on GMOs, but they're not getting them anytime soon, so now what? Also, most Americans believe vaccines are a good idea for combating infectious disease, and two out of every three people get a flu shot yearly, but do they know what the typical ingredients are and what chronic damage they'redoing to their brains and nervous, immune and reproductive systems?Bill Gates and George Soros know. These two super rich white dudes are not trying to save poor people in Africa, or India or Brazil. They don't care at all about the health of underprivileged societies, but what they do care about is making sure these folks can't reproduce, and that if they do reproduce, they are creating deformed, severely autistic, cancer-ridden beings that won't reproduce or even lead productive lives, but rather cost their parents all of their earnings and savings just to care for them.Bill Gates has spoken at a TED conference saying he can reduce the world population by billions using vaccines. How so? If vaccines supposedly prevent infectious disease, how does that equate to killing off people or keeping them from multiplying? Great question.As of 2016, it's approximated that 7 million people in South Africa have HIV, with over 300,000 new cases arising every year. Of those, nearly 200,000 die each year from an AIDS related death, usually because their immune systems are next to non-existent , so anything from a head cold to the flu could drive them into their graves. What else could "kill off" these "undesirables?" Vaccines that contain known neurotoxins and heavy metal toxins. It's called eugenics , and some tall white guys are running the show. "Trials" are underway, and Bill Gates, the ultimate population control promoter and self-declared philanthropist, is pumping money into the pharma labs to concoct an AIDS vaccine.The CDC defines DNA vaccines as "purified plasmid preparations containing one or more DNA sequences capable of inducing and/or promoting an immune response against a pathogen," yet there isproof that this really works as stated, and research shows that when these sequences are injected they can cause "insertional mutagenesis," which means gene and cell mutations can result  and that's also the definition of carcinogenesis, or "cancer." Care to turnyour tumor suppressor genes? Bill Gates and George Soros would love it if you did. That could help reduce the world population "problem" they are so righteously battling for us.Could these novel sounding DNA vaccines actually create human tolerance to pathogens instead of immunity? Why would billionaires who support and promote cancer-causing, pesticide-laden GM food support a vaccine that creates immunity? It wouldn't make sense. That would be like breeding and releasing millions of poisonous snakes while creating and promoting anti-venom inoculation.Watch out for hoax vaccines that contain neurotoxins. Ask your naturopathic physician if the highly experimental, untested and dangerous Zika, HIV, Ebola, Anthrax, HPV, Swine Flu, MMR and DNA vaccines are "right for you" and your children.
Controversy over mumps component of MMR vaccine

Mumps outbreaks becoming fairly common among the vaccinated



(NaturalNews) Long Beach has been hit with a mumps outbreak that is vaccine-resistant. According to health officials in the Long Island town, almost two dozen individuals are believed to have contracted the virus, with four confirmed cases and at least 14 suspected ones.All of the cases involve people in their 20s, and the outbreak is being attributed to a new vaccine-resistant strain of the virus. In fact, most of those who have contracted mumps in this case have been vaccinated against it. Despite this, officials are actually urging people who have been in contact with those who are infected to get a mumps booster shot! If this strain of the virus is vaccine-resistant, and those who have been vaccinated are getting it anyway, why should people get yet another vaccine?It's also worth noting that none of the people currently affected are seriously ill. The symptoms of mumps tend to be mild, and include swollen cheeks, a headache, body aches and low-grade fever. There is no treatment, and it usually clears up on its own in just a few days.Mumps is, however, highly contagious. It can be transmitted through the transfer of saliva, sneezing or coughing. As beach season continues in full swing, some Long Beach restaurants are even supplying diners with plastic cups as a means of stemming the outbreak. People who have symptoms of the illness are being advised to stay home for five days to avoid spreading it.As somereaders may recall, two Merck scientists filed a False Claims Act complaint back in 2010 saying that the Big Pharma firm knowingly falsified mumps vaccine data in order to come up with an efficacy rate of 95 percent. They achieved this by spiking the blood test involved with antibodies taken from animals.This not only allowed them to earn hundreds of millions of dollars from the U.S. government, but also helped them crush the competition and monopolize the vaccine market The complainants said that Merck never tested the vaccine against actual mumps viruses out in the real world, and alleged that senior management was aware of this and allowed it to happen. That's why it's so important to seek out studies that are free from industry collusion Mumps outbreaks seem to be occurring a lot lately. Earlier this year, for example, the illness broke out at Harvard and a handful of other Boston colleges. More than three quarters of those afflicted had been vaccinated.Dozens of university students in Illinois came down with mumps last year, despite the majority of them having previously been administered two rounds of the MMR vaccine . Do you spot a trend here?It's important to note that not only does the MMR vaccine not actually prevent mumps, but it might actually be responsible for spreading it. That's because the injection contains a weakened version of the live virus, which causes an infection in the body. It can then be "shed" to other people, such as those who have not been vaccinated, or those who have compromised immune systems. That's why it makes absolutely no sense that authorities are urging people who have been exposed to get yet another vaccine.Of course, there are other reasons people might want to avoid the vaccine besides the fact that it doesn't protect against mumps. The MMR vaccine has been linked to a number of harmful effects , including neurological damage, autism, developmental delays, seizure disorders, asthma and autoimmune dysfunction, to name just a few.
Can you imagine going from Asia to Australia via train or car?

Geologist Christopher Scotese believes that Earth's continents will eventually be pulled in together to form one supercontinent. The phenomenon, which is expected to happen 250 million years from now, is tagged as Pangea Proxima.

"Fifty million years from now, Australia will be in collision with southeast Asia to a much larger degree," the scientist from the University of Texas told BBC. "Africa will also be pushing right up against southern Europe, while the Atlantic will be a far wider ocean than it is today."

Scotese's prediction was based on studying how the plates are moving today and then extrapolating that movement over time. He then created an animated model showing his prediction shaping up as time elapses.

Experts who have spent years studying the Earth tell us that continents and ocean floors are always on the move. Continents, being chunks of larger plates that make up Earth's crust, are shifting around at different rates.

The concept of movement of continents called continental drift or plate tectonics has been popularized by scientist Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.

According to National Geographic, Wegener was convinced that all of Earth's continents were once part of an enormous, single landmass called Pangaea.

Over millions of years ago, Pangaea separated into pieces just like a broken jigsaw puzzle and they are dubbed as the continents we see today.

While the prediction of Scotese is exhilarating and promising, Scotese admits it also is highly speculative, saying that the model is probably accurate up to about 50 million years.

According to him, the future will remain uncertain because while innovative technology has the ability to foresee some of the plate movements, some geological phenomenon remains unpredictable.

"In the plate tectonic world, plates do evolve slow and steady until we have one of these plate tectonic catastrophes like continental collisions," he says. "This fundamentally changes plate tectonic regimes."

News Scientist writes that once the Pangea Proxima happens, some land masses will go missing.
Researchers from NASA have officially released a map showing the thawed areas of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Not only do these images prove the effect of climate change, NASA's findings would also help predict how the ice sheet would react to global warming.

The study on Greenland's ice sheet was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research - Earth Surface. This study was led by NASA glaciologist of Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Joe MacGregor. Joining him was researcher for NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Helene Seroussi.

"We're ultimately interested in understanding how the ice sheet flows and how it will behave in the future," said MacGregor. "If the ice at its bottom is at the melting-point temperature, or thawed, then there could be enough liquid water there for the ice to flow faster and affect how quickly it responds to climate change."

NASA researchers combined four different approaches in investigating Greenland's ice sheet. First, results from eight computer models of the sheet were examined. Second, layers of what composed the ice sheet were studied. The layers were detected by the radar on NASAs Operation IceBridge aircraft. It was this radar that suggested the bottom part of the ice sheet was melting at alarming rates.

Third, researchers looked at ice surface "speed limit" which was measured by satellites. "Speed limit" refers to the maximum velocity wherein ice could flow but still be frozen to the rock. Fourth, images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers taken from NASA Terra and Aqua satellites were studied. The images would indicate ice sliding over the thawed areas.

"Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses. Considering just one isn't enough. By combining them, we produced the first large-scale assessment of Greenland's basal thermal state," explained MacGregor.

Based on the data accumulated, MacGregor along with his team concluded that the Greenland ice sheet is indeed thawed, particularly in the northeastern and southeastern ice drainage. For now, the NASA team is refining the map to predict the movement of Greenland's ice sheet in the years to come.
breaking bad meth

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is taking aim at Colorado's marijuana industry.

In a June report  titled "Residential Marijuana Grows in Colorado: The New Meth Houses?" the DEA criticized the proliferation of large-scale marijuana grow operations in residential neighborhoods.

These growers are taking advantage of a loophole in Colorado state law, according to the report.

Colorado state law limits adult home-growers over the age of 21 to six plants per house. But a specific loophole in the law allows prospective growers to circumvent this rule.

Amendment 64, the law allowing people to grow and consume marijuana in their homes, also allows any adult in Colorado to "assist" any other adult in "possessing, growing, processing, or transporting" marijuana. Another provision, Amendment 20, allows caregivers  who grow marijuana for medical purposes  the ability to grow up to 99 plants for their patients.

These loopholes have given growers the ability to turn residential homes into massive grow operations, according to the DEA. Because Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division  the body created to regulate marijuana growers  can only regulate licensed grow operations and the unlicensed grow houses fall under the aforementioned amendments, the residential grow operations are in a legal gray area.

"Much like the 'meth houses' of the 1990s," reads the report. "Many of these homes may ultimately be rendered uninhabitable."

marijuana farm

Residential grow operations can render houses uninhabitable as growers often modify the electrical systems to install high-powered grow lights and air-conditioning units. Further, the modifications some growers make to the houses  including cutting holes in the floor and exterior walls to for ventilation tubes  can leave the houses structurally unstable, according to the report.

Story continues

As well, local police departments have fielded numerous calls about these residential grow operations, including complaints about, "strong odors, excessive noise from industrial air-conditioning units, blown electrical transformers, and heavy vehicle traffic," according to the report.

The DEA also contends that this unlicensed marijuana is frequently shipped over state borders, and that the system is "extensively exploited by traffickers who operate large grows to supply out-of-state markets," where the marijuana may fetch higher prices.

But the DEA report doesn't quantify how much marijuana is actually shipped across state borders, notes The Washington Post's Christopher Ingraham.

People involved in Colorado's marijuana industry, however, reject the DEA's claims.

"The fear behind indoor grow houses strictly comes from an irrational fear of cannabis," Kyle Sherman, the CEO of Flowhub, a Colorado-based cannabis-software company, told Business Insider in an email. "While extracting cannabis oils inside a home can be dangerous, the typical small home grow is nothing like a 'meth house.'"

"This prohibition-era language is being used to misguide people on a topic they simply havent been educated on," Sherman continued.

Colorado's example, warts and all, will be pointed to as a model when legal- and medical-marijuana initiatives hit the ballot in California, Maine, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Missouri, and Michigan on November 8.

NOW WATCH: We went inside a legal marijuana dispensary  it was just like any other retail experience





More From Business Insider


Chinese researchers have come across scientific evidence that could prove the Great Flood in China is not mythical at all.

The Famous Chinese Legend

Legend has it that the Yellow River valley in China was once devoured by flood nearly 4,000 years ago. It all started with an earthquake that caused boulders to form a massive dam across the Jushi Gorge. It blocked the Yellow River for up to nine months.

When the dam broke, the water went downstream. The water rose so high, reaching the hills and the mountains, that no settlements were spared. The flood, which could have been the largest since the last Ice Age, lasted for 22 years, until King Yu tamed the waters by constructing drainage channels. The event signaled the beginning of China's first dynasty, and the beginning of civilization, the Xia.

Unlocking a Great Myth

The story has been passed on from generation to generation, but until then, there has not been scientific evidence to prove the veracity of the story. Now, a new geological study published in the journal Science has revealed evidence that the story about Emperor Yu and The Great Flood of China is real.

A team of archaeologists and geologists unearthed the evidence in 2007 by looking at sediments from the Jishi Gorge, an upstream river valley.

As explained by the National Geographic, the sediments appear to be yellowish, implying that they might had been from a lake. This means that the river must have been blocked at some point.

Because of this, the authors hypothesized that the sediments could have been related to the Great Flood.

The researchers also examined the archeological site of Lajia known as China's Pompeii, which is just a few kilometers away from where they found the sediments.

"It inspired us to connect the next possible outburst flood with the abandonment of the prehistoric Lajia site 25km downstream," lead author Wu Qinglong from Nanjing Normal University said in a teleconference.

"But at that time we had no idea what the evidence of a catastrophic outburst flood should be."

The cave houses many cultural artefacts such as skeletons that were buried by a major earthquake.

Using radiocarbon dating, they found out that the skeletons date to about 3,900 years ago, a significant date in the Great Flood timeline.

According to BBC, the paper suggests that the very same earthquake that destroyed the Lajia dwellings is the same reason why the Jishi Gorge was dammed.

They also noted that the black sand found in Lajia could be deposit from the outburst flood right around the Jishi Gorge.

Meanwhile, other researchers were impressed by the recent finding and noted that this could be the beginning of more research to completely unlock the mystery of the past.

In an interview with The Star, T.R. Kidder, an environmental archaeologist from Washington University who works in China said "they have provided the scholarly community with an intriguing hypothesis -- they've given us things we can now go look for."
Rio de Janeiro opened the much-awaited Rio Olympics 2016 with a deeper message regarding the planet. Apart from the joyful celebration in Maracana Stadium, the Rio Olympics opening ceremony on Friday shed light on Brazil's biodiversity as well as call-to-actions regarding climate change.

According to the official website of Rio 2016, creative director Fernando Meirelles ("City of God") designed the opening ceremony to urge audiences at the event, and even at their houses, to take action.

Over 11,000 athletes from 205 countries came together during the Parade of Nations at the #OpeningCeremonyhttps://t.co/5UdWQQictD  Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 6, 2016



One of the features in the ceremony are NASA-inspired heat maps which projected the alarming rise of sea level in cities like Amsterdam, Shanghai, Dubai and Rio de Janeiro. "The heat is melting the ice cap. It's disappearing very quickly," said a voiceover while a peace sign in the form of a tree projected on the floor of the Maracana Stadium., Fox News reports.

The Amazon was also put on the spotlight when yellow butterflies were flown in the stadium, which made the crowd roar.

Also following the environmental theme of the ceremony is, of course, the Olympics logo. The iconic Olympic rings turned lush green while thousands of athletes, each holding a seeding, pledged that each of the seeding will be transplanted.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called a two-week truce from warring parties, asking them to "lay down their weapons" to "celebrate the best of humanity," as per FOX News.

Meanwhile, with regards to the budget of the ceremony, director Meirelles said that costs were kept at a minimum due to Brazil's recession.

"It is pretty tacky to be overspending," he said, adding that their budget was 12 times less than the London Olympics and 20 times less than in Beijing.

"It is not a good message for the world. When 40 percent of the homes in Brazil have no sanitation, you can't really be spending a billion reals for a show, "Meirelles said.
Editor's Note: The original version of this story said a San Francisco police officer's service weapon was stolen from his car. The story has been corrected to indicate it was his personal gun.



Last June, disgruntled United Parcel Service employee Jimmy Lam walked into one of the companys San Francisco facilities and opened fire on his colleagues with a Mac-10 assault pistol, a firearm illegal to own in California. The gun, according to police reports, had been previously stolen in Utah. Wielding that Mac-10, Lam killed three of his colleagues and wounded two others. As police converged, Lam turned a second gun on himself. That firearm, according to police records, had been stolen in Napa County.

From the mass shooting at the UPS facility to the murder of Kate Steinle, who was killed with by a gun swiped from the vehicle of a federal law enforcement officer in San Francisco, stolen guns have fired fatal rounds in some of the Bay Areas most high-profile crimes in recent memory. NBC Bay Area also found many stolen firearms that traveled long distances, sometimes across the country, before they were tied to local crimes.

A year-long investigation by more than a dozen NBC television stations that teamed with the nonprofit journalism organization The Trace identified 23,145 stolen firearms recovered by police nationwide between 2010 and 2016  the vast majority connected with other crimes. The investigation found more than 1,570 of those guns were tied to violent crimes including assault and battery, sexual assault, robbery and murder.

A yearlong investigation by The Trace and more than a dozen NBC TV stations identified more than 23,000 stolen firearms recovered by police between 2010 and 2016, the vast majority connected with crimes. That tally, based on an analysis of police records from hundreds of jurisdictions, includes more than 1,500 carjackings and kidnappings, armed robberies at stores and banks, sexual assaults and murders, and other violent acts committed in cities from coast to coast. Investigative reporter Stephen Stock reports on a story that first aired Nov. 20, 2017.

US Justice Department data shows hundreds of thousands of firearms are stolen each year throughout the United States. US officials say those stolen guns flow into a black market fueling violent crime in cities across the country. And the numbers are rising.

"The impact of gun theft is quite clear," said Frank Occhipinti, deputy chief of the firearms operations division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "It is devastating our communities."

Because of federal laws that prevent public access to federal data on crime guns, its impossible to pinpoint exactly how many stolen guns are later tied to other crimes. But The Trace and NBC stations bypassed federal agencies and obtained more than 842,374 records including 204,338 that were reported stolen and 318,083 that were later recovered by law enforcement. The data comes from more than 1,000 local and state law enforcement agencies in 36 states plus the District of Columbia. By cross-referencing serial numbers of guns reported lost or stolen with serial numbers of guns connected to crimes, the investigation identified at least 23,145 matches.

NBC Bay Area

If we dont get a handle on this problem, that number is just going to keep rising and rising and rising, Occhipinti said.

Even with the large number of guns records we obtained, its impossible to gauge the exact impact of stolen guns on crime in Bay Area communities. Although more than 1,000 police agencies across the country provided records for this story, the San Francisco and Oakland police departments declined to hand over serial numbers of guns connected to crimes in those cities, leaving major gaps in the data. The Los Angeles Police Department also refused to provide those records. Officials with the Oakland Police Department and the Oakland City Attorneys Office did not respond to months of emails and phone calls from NBC Bay Areas Investigative Unit to discuss the story.

The San Francisco Police Department also declined several requests for interviews with Chief William Bill Scott, but the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit caught up with Chief Scott at a public town hall meeting where he agreed to answer several questions.

Im always concerned about guns on the street, Chief Scott said. Stolen guns tend to end up in the hands of people that have bad purposes.

Scott also addressed the recent theft of a firearm from the personal vehicle of a San Francisco police officer that was later used in a gang-related homicide.

We have to look at whether [officers] are following policy, Scott said. You know we had a very high profile incident and that is one of the issues that we are looking at: whether policies were being followed. We are not above the law.

Despite the holes in the data obtained by the investigative team, the numbers make very clear that an underground economy gives people prohibited from legally purchasing guns, such as convicted felons, access to a bevy of deadly firearms. And its a market awash in guns. According to the National Crime Information Center, a database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2,050,846 guns were reported stolen or lost through the U.S. between 2006 and 2016.

That NCIC number of lost and stolen firearms is low, according to federal officials. The reason:, because some gun owners never report a gun theft or cant recall serial numbers when they do file such a report. The Center of American Progress, a left-leaning public policy group, estimates the annual tally of stolen firearms surpasses 350,000.

There simply is no national registry or no database of gun ownership in America, said Neil Troppman, program manager at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Trace Center.

Troppman gave the investigative team a rare, behind the scenes tour of ATFs National Trace Center where agents attempt to trace crime guns to their original seller and any owner after that. But because there is no national database of gun ownership and no federal gun registration, sometimes the trace hits a dead end.

What we're doing is we're only responding to requests for guns that are recovered in crime to try to identify that first retail purchaser so that the investigating agency can determine if that first purchaser was in fact who committed the crime or the suspect in their investigation, said Troppman, Or at least give them a lead to try to determine what happened to the firearm after it was made at that initial retail purchase.

In this behind-the-scenes web extra, NBC Bay Area investigative reporter Stephen Stock takes you on a tour inside the ATF National Tracing Center, the nation's only organization with the authority to trace guns involved in crimes.

Five years ago, two armed robbers in the midst of a crime spree that left a bloody trail through San Jose were in possession of one of those stolen guns. Rory Park-Pettiford, 22, was parked outside a 7-Eleven in his brand new red BMW when he was shot and killed in what police described as an attempted carjacking. The robbers later shot and wounded a San Jose police officer attempting to apprehend them.

According to data obtained by NBC Bay Area, one of the guns later booked into evidence by police in connection to Park-Pettifords murder was a Glock .23 caliber handgun reported stolen in Riverside County two years earlier.

Emotionally, for my parents, it was completely devastating, said Dylan Park, Rorys brother.

Park, an Iraq War veteran, said not even the war prepared him for the impact of losing his brother.

I would say that Rorys death caught me more off guard than any roadside bomb in Iraq ever could, Park said.

NBC Bay Areas investigation identified at least 62 additional homicides in California tied to stolen guns between 2010 and 2016. But considering the California data is missing records from San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, the true number is likely substantially larger.

In an interview last year, Lokita Carter, whose husband Steve was shot and killed by three transients armed with a gun stolen from a car parked in San Francisco, vividly described the night she learned of her husbands murder as she underwent treatment for cancer.

It was just devastating, Carter said. Having cancer is one thing. Having rare, invasive cancer is another thing. Having the police standing outside at 3 in the morning saying, we have some unfortunate news for you, your husband was shot dead a few miles away, was a bad nightmare.

Ecstatic Living Institute

In 2015, the same year Carter was killed; four other Bay Area homicides committed with stolen guns grabbed headlines:

- Olga Dinelli, 84, killed on Feb. 26  Dinelli was tied up and shot in her Penngrove home by two fugitives wanted for the recent theft of firearms out of a Marin County home.

- Kate Steinle, 32, killed on Jul. 1  Steinle, a Pleasanton resident, was shot and killed while walking with her father along San Franciscos Pier 14. The gun that killed Steinle was stolen from a Bureau of Land Management rangers vehicle while parked in San Francisco.

- Antonio Ramos, 27, killed on Sept. 27  Ramos was shot and killed while working on a mural for peace in Oakland. Police say Ramos was shot with a gun stolen from the parked vehicle of an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer.

- Audrey Carey, 23, killed on Oct. 3  Carey, a Canadian tourist visiting San Francisco, was found dead in Golden Gate Park with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The shooting coincided with the citys Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival where thousands of visitors flock to the park

And just outside the Bay Area, our investigation found that guns help fuel an epidemic of violence in Stockton.

According to police data obtained during this investigation, stolen guns have been seized in connection to more than 400 crimes in Stockton since 2010, including at least 12 homicides.

More than 1,350 guns were reported lost or stolen in Stockton over the same time period, according to California Department of Justice data.

One of those stolen guns in Stockton belonged to former mayor Anthony Silva. A gun stolen from his home was later used to gun down a 13-year-old boy in the driveway of his home. Silva, who did not report the gun missing until nearly a month after the shooting, said he wasnt aware the gun had been stolen because he wasnt living in his home at the time.

An NBC Bay Area investigation found thousands of crimes committed across California over the past six years were connected to guns stolen from legal gun owners. Stockton, one of the most violent cities in California, has been hit especially hard. A gun stolen from Stockton mayor Anthony Silva was used in the murder of a 13-year-old boy last year.

Gun theft in Stockton outpaced every Bay Area city except for San Jose, which had 1,452 reports of lost or stolen guns over the same time period. Since 2012, data from the San Jose Police Department shows at least 85 stolen guns were seized in connection to crimes in the city, including the murder of Rory Park-Pettiford.

This is something that shook our quiet little town, Dylan Park said. Everybody knew Rory. Everybody knew our family. When Rory was murdered, Campbell shut down a street for his funeral procession.

According to the ATF, most crimes connected to stolen firearms occur in the same city as the original gun theft.

Most of the time we find these guns being recovered in the same state or metro area or nearby metro area from where they were stolen, said Kevin OKeefe, Chief of Operational Intelligence for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D.C.

The teams investigation did, however, find many stolen guns do move from city to city. According to the data, 41 percent of guns stolen in California and later found in connection to crime scenes move from the original law enforcement jurisdiction where they were stolen. An analysis of the data shows that some stolen guns travel great distances. In California, much like the Mac-10 Lam used to spray rounds into his colleagues at the UPS facility, NBC Bay Area matched dozens of guns seized by local law enforcement to guns that were previously reported lost or stolen in other states.

These guns move very quickly, OKeefe said. So it could be from a matter of days to sometimes 15, 20 years later. These guns are still being recovered in crimes. Guns are not perishable. They dont wear out and disappear.

A firearm reported missing in Las Vegas, for example, was later tied by police to a San Bernardino homicide. Other guns tied to California crimes were previously reported lost or stolen in cities as far away as Atlanta, Baltimore, Seattle, St Louis, El Paso and Arlington, Texas.

Stolen guns flow the other way, as well.

Three separate firearms reported stolen in the Bay Area were later tied to crimes in Baltimore, Maryland. A gun stolen in San Mateo later turned up in Durham, North Carolina.

NBC Bay Area

While the vast majority of stolen guns are ripped off from everyday gun owners, NBC Bay Areas investigation found law enforcement officers are increasingly becoming victims of gun theft, sometimes with deadly consequences. Guns stolen from federal law enforcement agents were used to kill Kate Steinle in San Francisco and Arturo Ramos in Oakland.

Those shootings got the attention of U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Walnut Creek).

If Im a gun owner and Im responsible, part of that responsibility is to make sure its stored properly, DeSaulnier said.

DeSaulnier recently introduced legislation in Congress that would hold federal law enforcement officer accountable for the safe storage of firearms that are not in use.

We just dropped a bill that would replicate whats been done in California that would require the 80 public safety agencies in the federal government to come up with a specific process to have all firearms locked and stored properly, DeSaulnier said.

DeSaulnier said its time Congress took an evidenced based approach to addressing gun violence.

We know if [guns] are properly locked and stored theyre less likely to be used in criminal activity, theyre less likely to be stolen and theyre less likely to hurt someone in the family or be used by the person who owns the gun or a family or relative to be used in suicide.

But its not just the Feds. NBC Bay Areas investigation found Bay Area law enforcement agencies cant account for more than 750 firearms.

San Jose Police Department

Questions around responsible gun ownership are controversial.

The National Rifle Association declined to be interviewed for this story, but a in an e-mailed statement, an NRA spokesperson said the group considers any potential law mandating the reporting of lost or stolen firearms to be overly-punitive.

Reporting a firearm stolen does not mean the police go out and find it  on the contrary. It simply means the firearm is on record as stolen. Most law-abiding gun owners are incentivized to report stolen firearms for insurance purposes and to prevent themselves from being implicated if a crime is committed with the firearm. A law that requires reportage is nothing but punitive. It does not prevent crimes from being committed, and it only serves to further victimize an otherwise law-abiding person(s) after theyve been robbed. To reduce crime, we need to look to solutions that actually might reduce crime. Punishing law-abiding gun owners for being robbed does not serve a public safety purpose.

Critics of the status quo not only want to see mandate reporting requirements for lost and stolen guns, but they say gun owners bear some responsibility for what happens after a firearm is stolen if carelessness or negligence was a factor.

After losing his brother, Dylan Park is firmly in this camp.

Punish folks that lose their weapons, Park said. Its as simple as that. You wouldnt leave a child alone. If something happens to that child, youre responsible for that child. So whats the difference here?
Two formerly conjoined twins wore their quinceanera dresses Thursday at Children's Hospital Los Angeles for a celebration of their achievements, and so the girls and their families could thank the medical team that has helped them over the years.

Josie Hull and Teresa Cajas, 15, have had 32 surgeries and procedures led by Children's Hospital staff since 2004. The girls and their families thanked the specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, orthopaedics, and reconstructive plastic surgery who have helped them at the event Thursday, according to a spokesman for the hopital.

Born in Guatemala, the twins underwent a 23 hour separation surgery in 2002 at UCLA, and were given to families in Southern California, "where they would have a better chance at survival," according to the hospital's website. Josie's mother, Jenny Hull, called the twins' biological parents "heroes" for making the "ultimate sacrifice" for their children to get the care they needed in America.

Due to the complex follow-up care required for both girls, both families transferred them to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in 2004.

"We are just so impressed with this hospital and everything they've done for us, and today is just a prime example of how much they truly care about children," Hull said. "Really we're celebrating the staff here, because they're the ones who have gotten us to 15. Not only because of their medical care, but because of their compassion and their love. These girls are thriving because of this hospital."

The girls donned the dresses they will wear to their quinceanera on Aug. 7, so the staff could see their dresses and celebrate the girls' achievements.

"I'm happy today for Teresa and Josie," Teresa's mother, Florie Cajas said. "Teresa now is very healthy but many years ago she is very very sick, but now she is well."

"Teresa just lights up the world with her little spirit," Hull said, noting that their families didn't know if she would make it past two years of age. "To see her here at 15, to watch her dance with her dad at the quinceanera on Sunday, I think we'll need some Kleenex."

Hull said that Josie is fully functioning in school, has many friends and "really is a typical kid," doing things like dancing, swimming, and singing.

"As two mothers of two very, very special girls, our story started many years ago, but it's still a lot of happiness and joy, and we are just blessed to be a part of that story and part of these girls lives," Hull said. "I think they change us, and I think they've changed our communities, and I know they've changed the world."

"Thank you Children's Hospital Los Angeles and to the doctors, nurses, and all the staff here, we are eternally grateful for what you do for us," Hull added.
The 2-week-old wildfire churning through the ruggedly scenic coastal mountains north of California's Big Sur has grown to nearly 54,000 acres or 84 square miles, but some residents are back in their homes.

An army of 5,600-plus firefighters established lines on about a third of the perimeter by Friday, containing the blaze by about 40 percent, Cal Fire said.

Feeding on chaparral, tall grass and timber, the Soberanes fire continued to burn Friday in steep and inaccessible terrain, making fuel-driven runs on its south and east sides. It is still threatening 2,000 structures, Cal Fire officials said.

Residents have been allowed to return to certain parts of Monterey County, including Santa Lucia Preserve, Riley Ranch Road, Red Wolf Drive, Corona Road, and all of Carmel Highland.

However, evacuation orders remain in effect at Palo Colorado, Old Coast Road, Bixby Creek Road from Highway 1 south to Mesa, Garrapatos Road, Western Ridge Road and Robinson Canyon.

A total of 57 residences and 11 outbuildings have been destroyed and a bulldozer operator has been killed in an accident since an unattended campfire ignited the blaze July 22.

Cal Fire is using 426 engines, 61 dozers, 55 water tenders, 18 helicopters, six air tankers, and more, in its fight against the Soberanes Fire.

All California State Parks from Garrapata State Park through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are closed until further notice, according to officials.
David Collins and his wife took precautions when they were traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Walnut Creek residents knew about the spread of Zika virus and slathered on bug spray and wore long clothes.

But it didnt work.

Somewhere between the airplane and the hotel, I got bit, Collins told NBC Bay Area.

He was bitten not one time, not two times, but four or five times. The 29-year-old and his wife want to start a family, so one of the first things they decided to do was get tested for Zika, which causes extreme birth defects, when they got home from their vacation. Thats when they were told by the Contra Costa County Health Department that testing wasnt possible.

Collins was angry, and still is. In Contra Costa County, where at least seven cases of Zika have been confirmed, testing is not possible unless a person is showing symptoms.

Like wait a minute, this doesnt make sense, Collins said, recalling his initial reaction to being told he couldnt get the test.

He wrote to the state director of infectious diseases but received a disappointing response.

If you had, or develop any symptoms consistent with Zika virus disease, CDC recommends that you be tested for evidence of Zika virus in your blood and urine. The email provided no clearance to actually get the test, according to Collins, who isnt showing any symptoms.

Still, the lack of tell-tale signs of the disease has done little to assuage his worries.

The vast majority of people with Zika virus actually have no symptoms, said pediatric specialist Dr. Randy Bergan, who works for Kaiser Permanente.

He says he supports accessible testing, but acknowledges that resources are scarce.

It would be great to have some kind of very easy test to test people immediately after they come off the plane, he said. We just dont simply have the resources to do that. We dont have the test equipment available to do it.

Again, those are words that provide little comfort to Collins.

Its scary, he said. Its just scary.
The stakes were raised Friday in an ongoing strike by Santa Clara County superior court clerks and employees.

NBC Bay Area broke the news of the strike when it began Wednesday with a picket line at the Hall of Justice. On Friday, that protest  and accompanying public attention  shifted to the countys new $200 million court building on First Street.

The new structure stands across the street from the older courthouse, but is a source of resentment among striking workers. Some of the money that was used to pay for the new elegant building should have gone to them, they said, chanting, Shame, shame.

The 380-member union walked out Wednesday in a dispute over wages and staffing.

Strikers call the new project extravagant. Travertine stone blocks were handpicked from a quarry in Rome and then brought to the United States, they said. That decision came with a price tag of more than $3 million.

The majority of us have never been to Rome, said union president Ingrid Stewart. That must have been some trip.

Workers also pointed out that the building uses some steel that was made in Thailand and woodwork from Canada.

Their priorities are on things and not on their employees  the glue that holds this place together, Stewart said.

Meanwhile, the strike went into its third day Friday. Many attorneys told NBC Bay Area that the chaos inside the court is getting worse each day.

It's been a mess, said Max Zarzana of the Government Attorneys Association. Small calendars have been taking a long time and things are just getting continued or passed. It's messy and it's horrible.

For its part, court management said the building, which will help deliver services at lower costs to the public, was paid for by state funds. But the union disputed that claim by saying the county contributed about $3 million.

The strike is scheduled to resume Monday.
The Sonoma County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed 13-year-old Andy Lopez in 2013 has been promoted to sergeant, a sheriff's office spokesman confirmed Friday.

Erick Gelhaus, 51, and another deputy, Mechelle Buchignani, were promoted in May during a civil service promotion process, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

Gelhaus will oversee eight to 10 deputies who patrol four zones in unincorporated Sonoma County, and his hourly pay will increase from $49.10 to $55.02, Crum said.

Two other deputies, James Percy and Ryan Russell, have been promoted to sergeants since May, Crum said.

Gelhaus is an Iraq war veteran and has a bachelor's and master's degree. He has been with the sheriff's office for 26 years, Crum said.

Gelhaus shot Andy seven times on Oct. 22, 2013, as the teen walked along Moorland Avenue outside southwest Santa Rosa with a BB pellet rifle designed to look like an assault weapon.

Gelhaus told investigators he ordered Andy to drop the rifle, but the barrel of the rifle rose as the teenager turned toward Gelhaus and another deputy outside their patrol car.

Protests and demands that Gelhaus be fired and prosecuted followed the shooting, but Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch determined charges would not be filed against Gelhaus because the shooting, though tragic, was lawful under the circumstances.

Gelhaus was placed on leave but returned to duty in August 2014.

Crum said Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas knows Gelhaus' promotion will upset some people, but the vast majority of the public want Freitas to follow the rules providing opportunities for promotion.

"He has a moral and legal duty to do so," Crum said. "He doesn't want to treat him any differently than any other deputy who tested for the position."

Crum continued: "The promotion process is overseen by the county's Human Resources Board but the Sheriff has the final say."

For his part, Freitas stressed, "I know some people may be concerned about me promoting Erick Gelhaus. I want everyone to know he is highly qualified. If I didn't believe that he wouldn't be promoted."

Meanwhile, Gelhaus' promotion brought back painful memories Friday in a neighborhood that is still mourning Andy's death.

"He's not welcome here at all," Daniel Garcia, a friend of the slain teenager, said of Gelhaus.

Garcia said he has nothing to say to law enforcement officials who promoted Gelhaus.

"It makes me more sad than mad," he admitted. "I thought he would have [had] a guilt trip, honestly, and just left, but I guess he still wants to be here."

Gelhaus' attorney told NBC Bay Area that though Andy's shooting death was sad, but legally justifed.

"The promotion was warranted  it was well supported, well deserved," Michael Rains said. "If anything, it was overdue because hes been a solid deputy with this agency for years.

The Lopez family has filed a federal civil rights violation lawsuit against the county, the Sheriff's Office and Gelhaus.

Their attorney Christian Pereyra expressed disappointment at the sheriff's decision, but family members declined to comment on Friday's news.

"I knew Andy. He wasn't a dangerous kid at all and he just killed him right there," Garcia said.
Activists and protesters took to the streets Saturday, following the release of graphic video in the fatal police shooting of a Chicago teenager.

Demonstrators gathered at Marquette Road and Western Ave on Chicago's South Side on Saturday afternoon before marching to 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke's office in Gage Park.

"The time is now to keep marching for justice," a Facebook event for the protest said. "On the 50th Anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement march that started in Marquette Park, people from all communities in Chicago and with diverse calls for justice will be converging to demand justice for the victims of racist police terror and to stop the racist Blue Lives Matter ordinance proposed by alderman Edward Burke."

Burke introduced an ordinance in City Council in June that would expand Chicagos hate crimes law to protect current and former police officers, firefighters and emergency medical crews.

Protesters also prevented Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson from speaking Friday outside CPD headquarters. These protests came in the wake of the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Paul O'Neal.

Video being described as "horrific" and "graphic" was released Friday in connection with the shooting. The videos do not show the gunfire that killed O'Neal, but show the events leading up to and after the shooting, including officers firing at a moving car and O'Neal bleeding on the ground.

"It's disturbing and it's violent and it's scary," said O'Neal family attorney Michael Oppenheimer, who called the shooting an "execution." "Again, Im asking for a special prosecutor  Im not the prosecutor now. What I saw was pretty cold-blooded. Theres a lot of emotion there, Theres a lot of stuff. There's no question in my mind they ran this kid down and murdered him."

O'Neal, of the 1700 block of E 70th St, was killed around 9 p.m. July 28 in the city's South Shore neighborhood. Officers saw a Jaguar S-Type convertible that had been reported stolen from Bolingbrook, according to police. Police said they "attempted to curb" the car near 74th Street and Merrill Avenue when the Jaguar sideswiped the police vehicle and another nearby parked car.

In the footage, a Jaguar is seen scraping a squad car and another vehicle as an officer opens fire on it. At one point, someone is seen running from the vehicle and officers follow on foot. The suspect then disappears from view and gunshots are heard.

Autopsy results show O'Neal died of a gunshot wound to the back.

Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said the dashcam and body camera videos suggested departmental policy was violated in the shooting. Three officers have since been "relieved of police powers."

Protesters Friday accused Johnson of being Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "puppet."

"Today is the last day," a protester shouted. "No more Paul O'Neal, no more Laquan McDonald, no more Sandra Bland, no more Rekia Boyd. We want more than these officers getting desk duty."
Police seized drugs and approximately $20,000 worth of stolen items from a New London home on Friday.

New London police and Connecticut State Police Narcotics Task Force served a search and seizure warrant at 123 Connecticut Avenue.

Police said they seized a small amount of heroin, pills, drug paraphernalia and about $20,000 worth of stolen property.

Approximately $15,000 worth of the stolen items has been identified by the owners, who were recently the victims of a burglary, New London police said.

The search resulted in the arrest of Edgardo Trinidad, 45, and Stephanie Bliss, 24, who were both charged with possession of heroin, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drugs and second-degree larceny by possession.

Jason Carson, 30, of Mystic, was also arrested at the scene because he was wanted on four arrest warrants. Carson was charged with violating probation, failure to appear in court first-degree and two counts of failure to appear in court second-degree.
Connecticut state police are investigating after a hit-and-run crash that happened on Interstate 95 in Norwalk early Saturday morning.

The Norwalk fire department confirmed they responded to reports of a person struck by a vehicle on I-95 north near exit 15 around 12:30 a.m.

Fire officials said the victim was outside his vehicle, a box truck, watching it get hooked to a tow truck when a vehicle veered into the breakdown lane. The victim, identified as a 22-year-old, was transported to Norwalk Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the offending vehicle fled the scene, striking the tow truck in the process, according to the fire department.

Anyone with information should call Connecticut State Police Troop G at (860) 696-2500.
Police are searching for the suspects who robbed a Glastonbury nail salon owner's car on Friday.

The two suspects, wielding a bat and knife, stole unspecified items from the Lovely Nail Salon on Main Street before stealing the owner's Nissan.

Glastonbury Police said they are looking for the tan-colored 1999 Nissan Pathfinder with Connecticut license plates that read 476NPP.

No injuries were reported.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOP's most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaire's presidential candidacy.

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump's evening appearance in their state.

Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, "We have to unite" as he vowed to support Ryan in next week's primary contest.

It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans. His timing was a bit curious, competing with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.

"We will have disagreements," Trump said. "But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory."

An aide to Ryan said Friday, "He appreciates the gesture and is going to continue to focus on earning the endorsement of the voters in southern Wisconsin."

Ryan reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but the Wisconsin Republican noted his support wasn't a "blank check" and pledged to speak out against the businessman's divisive positions if necessary.

Party divisions were easy to find Friday in Wisconsin, a state that Trump's team insists he can win in November.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner instead of appearing with his party's standard bearer. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee's arrival.

"Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Trump, but let's get something straight," Vos wrote in an open letter to his GOP colleagues. "We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans."

The Midwest mayhem underscored Trump's mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee  including some who even publicly support for Democrat Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton.

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," he said at an earlier rally in Iowa, "you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within."

Trump called his Democratic opponent "a dangerous liar," ''an unbalanced person," ''pretty close to unhinged," ''totally unfit to lead," and lacking "the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country."

In Wisconsin, Trump added, "She's a monster."

The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.

The former secretary of state sought to "clarify and explain" a recent statement on "Fox News Sunday" that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were "truthful."

"I may have short circuited and for that I will try to clarify," Clinton said, though still insisting she "never sent or received anything that was marked classified."

She also acknowledged many people don't trust her.

"It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do," Clinton said. She added, "I'm going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people."

Yet Trump's own gaffes have largely overshadowed Clinton's problems as the Democrats work to recover from a bruising primary election season.

Complicating the Republican Party's 2016 challenge are fresh signs the nation's economy is strengthening under a Democratic president.

The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, a sign of confidence that could point to a resilient economy.

Trump's approach to national security came under fire Friday as well, with former CIA Director Michael Morell contending the Republican nominee would make "a poor, even dangerous commander in chief."

Morell, outlining his views in The New York Times, also questioned Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," wrote Morell.

Trump conceded Friday he was wrong to claim repeatedly in recent days that he saw a video of a U.S. cash payment going to Iran.

The New York billionaire has cited a $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran this year, delivered on the same day that Iran released four American hostages. Trump charged on Thursday in vivid detail that the Iranian government released a video of the cash exchange to embarrass America.

"The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!" Trump tweeted Friday morning.

The White House has insisted the payment had nothing to do with the release of the hostages. Friday night, Trump called that explanation "a lie."

In Iowa, he blamed the "dishonest" media for the fuss over an incident earlier in the week in which he asked a screaming baby to leave a rally.

"I don't throw babies out," Trump said. "I love babies."

AP writers Scott Bauer, Kyle Potter, Catherine Lucey, Lisa Lerer and Erica Werner contributed to this report.
Frankie Zuniga

His probation officer suggested it again the next year, but Zuniga preferred to work with his father. When his probation officer mentioned it for the third time, Zuniga decided to try the program and took his first step to changing his life.

Zuniga began the program like so many of the other 12,000 students Creative Solutions has served since its debut in 1994. "When I started, I was here because my probation officer told me to be here. I was really anti-social. I didnt want to talk to anyone. It helped me come out of my shell. The staff really listens to me."

The staffs ability to listen and gain the trust of these young probates is key to the programs success. The staff knows the students are dealing with trauma, problems at home and mental and emotional issues.

Allison Caldwell, Creative Solutions Project Director, describes the transformation, "The demeanor of the kids changes dramatically. They have issues with authority figures and their walls are up. The staff hasnt earned their trust yet. We have to make them feel like they are heard. Its a slow process at first, but it accelerates quickly when they know the staff is in their corner."

Once the students begin making eye-contact, shaking hands willingly, and smiling more, the staff of teaching artists begins learning a students interests, tailoring their involvement in the program to their needs.

Some students find writing is their ideal outlet, crafting poetry to reflect their emotions. Some students want to do something more physical like beating on drums to express their anger. Percussion becomes their focus.

Can Turkyilmaz

"Acting and dancing helps me escape reality and lets me become someone else," said Zuniga. He was first drawn to acting, but he had to be convinced to attempt dancing. "One of the staff got me into dancing. I was afraid I was going to make a fool of myself," he said. He discovered dancing helps him express himself through physical movement rather than violence.

Creative Solutions has opened many doors for Zuniga. He is an AmeriCorps volunteer, working as an assistant choreographer to teach kids dance steps. He shadowed directors and designers at Telemundo 39, NBC Universals Spanish-speaking station in Dallas, twice last year.

He describes that experience as amazing. "Am I actually here? I never thought I would be in such an important place like that. I felt important," he said.

At the Creative Solutions 20th anniversary luncheon, Zuniga spoke about his experience with the program and caught the attention of Jorge Baldor, a local businessman and supporter of Big Thought. Baldor is currently sponsoring Zunigas college education at El Centro Community College. Zuniga is studying to be a surgical technician while continuing to study performing arts. His parents are from Mexico and Zuniga is the youngest of seven children. He is the first in his family to attend college.

Big Thought/Creative Solutions

Creating success stories like Zuniga has been the mission of Lisa Schmidt, Big Thoughts Director of the Center of Excellence, for 22 years. She started with Big Thought in 1994. In her first year at the organization, she realized the effectiveness of sending teaching artists into juvenile detention facilities. She wanted to build on that success with a program for probates.

Schmidt ran into some challenges immediately. "Getting the probation officers to trust us with their probates was very important," Schmidt said. "I had a theatre degree. What would I know?" Now, the probation officers are the programs first advocates. "Officers noticed the kids were calmer and they could express themselves better," she said.

The Social Skills improvement System analysis of the past two Creative Solutions summers echo the probation officers experience with students who have been through the program. 41 percent of the students increased their social skills by more than five percent and 40 percent of students decreased their problem behavior score by more than five percent.

Schmidt remembers alumni of the program stop by to say 'hi' and 'thank you.' "They ask, 'Do you remember me?' They tell me their name and I remember what they created. Both parents and alumni say, 'You changed my life.' Wow."

Schmidt and Caldwell know there is more work to do. Schmidt points out that there are fewer probates than there were 22 years ago, but the probates have committed more serious crimes and suffer from more mental illnesses. The Creative Solutions staff constantly trains for these increasing needs such as post-traumatic stress disorder, youth brain development, gang issues, and conflict resolution. The staff also networks with other programs across the nation and even in South Korea to learn how they can better help these at-risk students.

Caldwell explains the hurdles society has placed on the probates very early in life. "We're constantly dealing with the negative labels placed on the kids. We are navigating other peoples perception of what these kids can do," said Caldwell.

Both Schmidt and Caldwell hope to further develop preventive programs before a student ends up on probation as well as help students who have aged out of the juvenile justice system when they turn 19.

Zuniga has already benefited from Creative Solutions help as he began his college application process.

"They gave me tips on college, told me what to expect, helped me with financial aid forms, and explained how to get in. The Creative Solutions office is near my school and I can use their computers for my school work," Zuniga said.

He has a special bond with newcomers to Creative Solutions. "When someone becomes depressed in the program, I know how it feels. I can tell them they are not alone. If I can do it, you can do it."

Can Turkyilmaz

As the 2016 summer program culminated in a performance at the end of July, one of the students in the program approached Zuniga. "You are a big inspiration." Caldwell could not agree more, "Its people like Frankie that make Creative Solutions feel more like a family than an arts program."

Kimberly Richard is a North Texan with a passion for the arts. Shes worked with Theatre Three, Inc. and interned for the English National Opera and Royal Shakespeare Company. She graduated from Austin College and currently lives in Garland with her very pampered cocker spaniel, Tessa.
In an interview with NBC 5 Investigates, the head of Dallas' Huey P. Newton Gun Club says the gunman who ambushed and killed five Dallas police officers following a peaceful protest was not a member of their group despite reports making the link.

Babu Omowole said his group was familiar with Micah Xavier Johnson from events he attended with other area black nationalists but that he wasn't a member of the club.

The Facebook photo flashed across the world showing Johnson raising his fist in the Black Power salute was taken May 21 at a Malcom X festival in South Dallas.

He just seemed like a normal person, very human. You just never expected this, said Akwete Tyehimba, who helped organize the event.

Tyehimba said Johnson had attended the event and visited her store that day and believes he came searching for a connection to his roots.

I think he was thirsty for knowledge you know, looking, you know, he may have been looking in some of the wrong places, but I think coming in here was part of that thirst to know more about his self, said Tyehimba

That event was also attended by members of area black nationalist groups including the Huey P. Newton Gun Club.

I didn't even know his name was Micah but I could identify his face because I had seen him multiple times, said Omowole, the groups leader.

Omowole created the gun club two years ago in response to police shootings of black men. The organization conducts paramilitary training and advocates the open carry of fire arms.

Members were at Thursday nights march in downtown Dallas but insist Johnson was not with them and has never been a member of the group.

I'm telling you that Micah Johnson did not have any connection to us. But at the same time, I'm telling you we do understand what he did, said Omowole.

In the hours after the attack, some members of the gun club celebrated on social media. On Facebook, one member wrote, I have no remorse for the Dallas police officers shot today. Its about time.

In the interview, Omowole said he neither agrees or disagrees with posts like that, but said the shooting was inevitable.

With frustration in the community, Omowoles own group has increasingly been at odds with police.

In June, members effectively shut down a gas station in Oak Cliff with rifles after a member of the community claims a store clerk pulled a gun on he and his wife.

We're really concerned about our young people and the decisions theyre making out there, said Tyehimba.

Tyehimba wonders about the man she met in May and whether something might have changed his path.

I really regret now that we didn't take some time to talk, said Tyehimba.

Dallas police said they will leave no stone unturned in looking at whether Johnson had been influenced by any groups. The department has not named any groups it might be looking at.

The FBI has said Johnson was not on their radar before Thursdays attack.
Directors of Southwest Airlines Co. say the CEO is staying put even if union leaders want to get rid of him.

Late Friday, the airline released a letter in which directors said they were unanimous in supporting CEO Gary Kelly.

The board cited a long list of achievements since Kelly became CEO in 2004. It said the unions' call for his removal was without merit and reckless, and there was no guarantee that unions would like new management any better.

This week four union leaders, frustrated over the lack of agreement on new labor contracts, had called for Kelly and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven to be replaced after a technology outage caused the airline to cancel more than 2,000 flights.
Whether you like it or not, school will soon be back in session.

Thousands of students in Dallas are ready for their first day thanks to the Mayor's Back to School Fair held in Fair Park on Friday. It's the events 20th anniversary.



"Twenty years  we turned 20 this year  all these kids have been coming out to get school supplies ready for school. It's right around the corner. We have too many kids that can't afford good school supplies. It costs them hundreds of dollars. They come here, they get it free," said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

People began lining up before dawn outside the event at Centennial and Automotive Buildings.

An estimated 35,000 people attended the event, which gives low-income families a chance to stock up on school supplies.

Parents and children can also undergo health, dental and vision screenings.



Eight-thousand school supply packets were given out Friday, according to organizers. Packets include items students will need for their specific grade level.



"I am so thankful for this. I just really love what I got here. I just love the pink backpack so much," said fourth grader Kenyachta Crosby.
The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his teacher.

Irving police later dropped the charge, but he was still suspended for three days. He never returned to the school; his family opted to have him take classes elsewhere.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

"Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student's rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules," she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the U.S. last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some traveling around the country.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teen's father, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, is that the boy's right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

"History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation," the suit says. "When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder."

The suit adds, "In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else."

Ahmed's story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and NASA scientists.

Irving ISD officials released the following statement Monday.

Legal counsel for Irving ISD has confirmed that the school district was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed today in Dallas federal court by attorneys for a former Irving ISD student. As with any legal matter of this nature, attorneys for the school district will review the filing and respond as appropriate. Irving ISD continues to deny violating the students rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules. Because this matter is now in litigation, Irving ISD officials will have no further comment at this time. Irving ISD employees are focused on welcoming 35,000 students for the 2016-2017 academic year and doing everything possible to ensure each student is achieving his or her maximum potential.

The city of Irving released the following statement Monday afternoon.

The city of Irving is prepared to vigorously defend itself and the justifiable actions it took in this matter. The legal process will allow all facts to be revealed, and the city welcomes that opportunity. The city of Irvings top priority is to ensure the safety and security of its children and the entire community. The city will continue to take its duty and responsibility to serve and protect the public seriously.

A city spokesperson said the city has not yet been served with the lawsuit.

//

Clock-Boy-Lawsuit (PDF)

Clock-Boy-Lawsuit (Text)
Dallas police are continuing their investigation into a new kind of financial crime at the gas pump -- a group of crooks accessing customers pin-numbers via Bluetooth technology.

Police recently found five wireless skimmers at four Exxon stations a few miles apart in North Dallas.

At this point, detectives don't know how many victims there are, or precisely how much money has been stolen.

"Theyre using Bluetooth technology, and this is the scary part, to transmit the data. So that means the suspect doesnt have to go into the pump to retrieve the information theyre looking for, said Lt Tony Crawford, who heads up Dallas Police's Financial Investigations Unit.

"What makes it so unique is the Bluetooth capabilities, so the suspect can sit in the parking lot right there and as people are swiping their information they're getting all the information."

Police this summer recovered the skimmers from gas stations on Forest Lane, Campbell Road, Preston Road and Hillcrest Avenue.

"Theyre not visible from the outside of the gas pump, and they appear to have been made from the same person or same group," Crawford said.

In a statement, an Exxon spokeswoman wrote:

"ExxonMobil does not own or operate Exxon - or Mobil-branded service stations in the United States....Our independent distributors take a number of precautionary measures to prevent skimming, such as inspecting pumps daily for potential signs of tampering."

Exxon spokesman Ashley Alemayehu said the impacted stores are owned by 7-Eleven, and she couldnt speak to additional security precautions.

Lt. Crawford said until the criminals are caught, all gas stations city-wide should consider extra precautions, like more regular inspections and so-called tamper tape.

"When we found these [skimmers] we found them from when the gas pump was having a regular routine inspection, so we dont know how long theyve been there," Crawford said. "So were asking businesses to regularly check their gas pumps and put tamper seals on their pumps."

He also asked that gas station customers consider changing their habits.

"What [the crooks] are preying on is our convenience, that we simply stand outside and pay right at the gas pump. So we ask that you pay inside," he said.

Cybersecurity experts said it may be good advice, but in this day and age, many drivers aren't likely to follow it.

"But that's sort of going backwards, right? It's sort of like saying let's go back to 1960. Where everything was cash and the term debit card wasn't around," said Bhavani Thuraisingham, Professor of Computer Sciences at UT Dallas, and a cybersecurity expert.

She says companies need to address the growing vulnerability of micro-processors to hackers.

"Almost everyone has chips in their cards now, and they have to put the credit cards in the machine at the store and leave them there, she said. "Whenever you have a micro-processor, there is a potential for vulnerability because there is both hardware and software on it. There is some malicious code they could have exploited."

The Dallas Police Financial Crimes Unit says their investigation is ongoing. They haven't been able to retrieve any fingerprints from the skimmers.

Many customers still aren't changing their habits from card to cash.

"I'm still going to my your debit card. Just because it's convenient. I hardly ever have cash on me, to be honest, and that's how it is," said gas customer Teresa Crosser, filling up in North Dallas.

Fort Worth Police told NBC5 detectives are aware of what's going on in Dallas, and monitoring the investigation.

A FWPD spokesman said there's been four reports in recent weeks of credit-card skimmers being used at gas stations, but there's no indication Bluetooth technology was used to wirelessly steal personal identity numbers (PIN).
A North Texas man is headed to prison after pleading guilty to production of child porn, the Department of Justice says.

Darryn Webb, 20, of Irving, was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison after entering a guilty plea in February to one count of production of child pornography.

Officials said the FBI's Dallas Child Exploitation Task Force learned Webb persuaded a 5-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct so that he could photograph her at his home on March 23, 2015.

Webb was arrested last September on a related complaint, the DOJ said.

In a news release on Webb's arrest, the DOJ said 2016 is the 10th anniversary of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, which uses federal, state, tribal and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute those who exploit children.

"Since fiscal year 2011, the Department of Justice has filed 20,260 PSC cases against 19,111 defendants. These cases include prosecutions of child sex trafficking; sexual abuse of a minor or ward; child pornography offenses; obscene visual representation of the sexual abuse of children; selling or buying of children; and many more statutes," the department said in a news release.

To learn more about PSC's work, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc.
A Houston woman has been sentenced to 40 years in prison in the neglect-related death of her 9-year-old daughter, whose emaciated body was found in a refrigerator.

Amber Keyes was sentenced Friday in state district court in Houston. The 36-year-old mother of Ayahna Comb could have gotten a life sentence for her Dec. 18 guilty plea to injury to a child by omission in the girl's death.

The child, who had cerebral palsy, weighed 14 pounds when some children looking for food found her body in the crisper drawer of Keyes' refrigerator in June 2014. An autopsy determined Ayahna died of malnutrition and dehydration.

Keyes has said she found Ayahna unresponsive in January 2014, couldn't revive her, wrapped her in a blanket and put her in the refrigerator.
A 40-year-old North Texas woman has been arrested on charges she seriously injured her 13-year-old son by lying about his medical history, resulting in unnecessary surgeries and unneeded medications.

Danita Tutt, of Cleburne, was arrested Friday. Her son, Colby, and a younger brother were removed from her custody in May.

Tutt allegedly lied to doctors about Colby's medical history, prompting the boy to undergo unnecessary surgeries, including the placement of a central line that later lead to a potentionally life-threatening blood infection, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

Child Protective Services documents obtained by the Star-Telegram claim Tutt had been refusing to feed Colby and that she had already made funeral arrangements and purchased a cakset for the boy. Investigators feared she might end her older son's life and worried about the safety of the other child, the report shows.

The documents describe Tutt as "an attention-seeking type person" who enjoys attention she gets for having two medically fragile children.

Tutt's attorney, Christopher Cooke, said there's "no question" Colby is sick and continues to be sick and that he has documents from physicians who said Colby is terminally ill.
Family of Rosa Petty remember her as a very shy person on camera.

"She didn't ever want her picture taken," said Rosa's daughter, Denise Koch.

But in the last year of her life, she let her family take pictures of her.

"She knew those were moments we would want to carry with us," Denise said.

Rosa died of cancer in December 2015. Her husband, Stephen Petty, was devastated and held onto those 12 months worth of photographs and memories to help him with his grief.

Stephen flew down Friday from Redmond, Washington, where he and Rosa had moved to from Southern California a few years ago.

While he was inside a Wells Fargo in Santa Ana to close the sale of their longtime Azusa home, someone broke into the trunk of his rental car and stole his computer and two cell phones -- both of which contained the photos of his wife.

"Those were the precious moments we had," Stephen said. "And now they're gone."

His son, Carl Bryant, understands what those photos mean to his father.

"He uses those to cope every day," Carl said.

"(Rosa) told me before she died, she wanted to be married to me forever," Stephen said. "That was the nicest think she ever said to me."

The bank, located on the 3900 block of South Bristol Street in Santa Ana, does not have outside security cameras.

The theft occurred around 1 p.m. Friday and there were no witnesses, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Army Staff Sgt. Oskar Zepeda came home from nine tours of duty to a mortgage free house.

It's the kind of reception every military hero deserves, especially one coming home for the first time.

Zepeda served three tours in Iraq and six in Afghanistan. On Friday, he was back with his wife and two kids in Perris, seeing the house they've always dreamed of owning.

"It just feels like it's not real," Oskar Zepeda said "It hasn't hit me yet that, 'hey, this is my home.'"

Zepeda is being rewarded with the brand-new, $340,000 home because he is a decorated Army Ranger who received the Purple Heart for a battle with the Taliban that nearly took his life.

The gift comes from Pulte Group's Built to Honor program, in association with the organization Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that builds homes for U.S. veterans.

For a long time, Zepeda's family has been living with his in-laws in the San Fernando Valley.

It's been a tight squeeze  and a tough time watching Zepeda endure more than 30 surgeries over the past five years.

"Nobody sees what I go through, what our kids go through," said his wife, Lisa Zepeda. "It's definitely not an easy thing to deal with something like that."

But now, they have a fully-furnished home, complete with an outdoor fireplace and backyard with plenty of room for the kids to play.

"It's probably one of the biggest rewards in life," Oskar Zepeda said.

His 8-year-old daughter, Sophia Zepeda, now has her own room. Her new home fills her with so much emotion that she can barely describe it.

"I feel really thankful and really blessed inside this house," Sophia said.
Police have charged four men they say helped cover up the beating death of an 81-year-old central Florida man.

Fort Lauderdale police were suspicious earlier this week after finding the suspects driving a car registered to Jackie Hammer. They asked Altamonte Springs police to check on Hammer. The Orlando Sentinel reports Hammer was found beaten to death and covered in bleach.

Altamonte Springs authorities said 19-year-old Davion Stewart lived in the same complex as Hammer and had planned to rob the older man when the apartment was empty, but ended up killing him after realizing he was home.

According to WESH, Stewart returned to the home with Antonio Valdez, 18, Shuqui Charles-Emmanuel Gonsalves, 18, and Jay Vikrant Mehta, 21, to clean the crime scene and destroy any evidence. The four then left for Fort Lauderdale, where they were arrested during the traffic stop.

Stewart is facing charges of murder, burglary and theft. The others are facing various accessory charges.
The former city manager Opa-locka and another former city official are facing corruption charges, authorities said Friday.

David Chiverton, who resigned as city manager last month, and former assistant public works director Gregory Harris, were both charged for their participation in a two-year long bribery and extortion under color of official right conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Harris made his first appearance in federal court Friday. Chiverton is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.

Authorities say they conspired with an unnamed elected official to use their positions to "solicit, demand and obtain thousands of dollars in illegal cash payments from businesses and individuals in exchange for taking official actions to assist and benefit those businesses and individuals in their dealings with the City of Opa-locka."

In exchange for the payments, the businesses and individuals would be issued licenses, would have code enforcement matters waived or removed, or would get help with zoning issues, authorities said.
A man accused of shooting an off-duty correctional officer outside his Miami-Dade home was sentenced to life in prison Friday.

Patrick Sullivan, 22, was accused of shooting Juan Guellmes during the August 2014 robbery on Southwest 146th Street.

The sentence was handed down during an emotional hearing where Sullivan and his mother, Ruby Johnson spoke.

"I'm just a mother, pleading for some of the life of my son," Johnson said in court.

Guellmes, a corrections officer in the Metro Justice Building, was working on his car on his day off in front of his home. He was wearing a gold chain around his neck when he was approached by Sullivan.

"He placed a gun on Mr. Guellmes, on his shoulder, pulled the trigger, pow!" prosecutor Annette Rasco said.

"I'm sorry for my actions and I really would ask you to forgive for the things that I've done," Sullivan said.

But Judge Richard Hersch handed down the life sentence. After the hearing, Guellmes said he was pleased with the sentence.

"I didn't deserve this, this is everything I teach my sons to never do," Guellmes said. "He got what he deserved."

After serving a mandatory 50 years of the life sentence, Sullivan could ask for early release. But by that time he'll already be 72 years old.
Miami-Dade Police are looking for a 15-year-old boy who they consider endangered.

George Pedersen was last seen at a court ordered facility in the 25300 block of Southwest 197th Avenue Friday, police said.

Pedersen made threats to harm himself and has a juvenile felony past for aggravated assault, police said.

Pedersen's father said he is an honors student at Palmetto Senior High School.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
donald trump

Republicans have a message for Donald Trump: If you're going to lose, don't drag down other Republicans with you.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham chided Trump for his recent decision not to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain in their primary battles with Republican challengers, noting Trump's sinking poll numbers following the Democratic National Convention.

"If you really focused on Hillary Clinton's weaknesses and the Obama economy's weaknesses, you could change these numbers," Graham said. "That means you have to focus on your opponent. And your opponent is not John McCain or Paul Ryan or Kelly Ayotte. Your opponent is yourself."

For months, Democrats have attempted to tie Trump to other candidates running down-ballot from Trump in House and Senate races.

Groups like Emily's List, which backs pro-choice, female Democratic candidates, have tried to link Trump to incumbent Republican candidates, creating digital campaign stunts and pouring money into advertisements linking Republicans with their party's nominee.

For their part, many major Republican donors like Charles and David Koch have chosen to sit out the presidential race, instead focusing their energies on preserving Senate and House majorities.

But polling seems to be bearing out Republicans' worst fears.

While the aggregate polls show a tight race in New Hampshire between Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic senate candidate Gov. Maggie Hassan, a new WBUR poll conducted after the Democratic National Convention showed Hassan with a 10-point edge over Ayotte. And in Pennsylvania, where Clinton experienced a bump in the polls following the DNC, Democratic Senate candidate Katie McGinty appeared to gain a slight edge this week over incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.

Evan Siegfried, author of "GOP GPS: How to Find the Millennials and Urban Voters the Republican Party Needs to Survive," told Business Insider that he's not surprised if Trump's slew of controversies are sticking to Republicans, particularly those who have endorsed the presidential nominee.

Story continues

"Somebody who isn't paying attention to the intricacies of every single candidate isn't seeing that somebody like Ben Sasse is different than a Donald Trump, they're seeing that Donald Trump is the leader of that party, and therefore they must believe it too, because it falls under that particular brand," Siegfried said.

Siegfried predicted that if Trump keeps up his controversial comments about veterans and other member of the party, GOP candidates could shift their messaging toward opposing a Hillary Clinton presidency.

"You're going to see a lot of Republicans shift the tone of their ads," he said. "While they might not be coming out and un-endorsing or slamming Trump, they're certainly going to be saying 'You're going to need me to fight against Hillary Clinton.'"

Still, some Democrats caution against getting optimistic too early. A lack of public polling makes it difficult to predict whether Trump's poor performance will have a concrete impact on the race, and many voters remain un-engaged in down-ballot races.

"People wont really start tuning in in any definitive way to these races until a couple or three weeks out," McGinty told Business Insider during an interview on Wednesday. "I certainly am intending to  and will  be out there every day between now and November 8 and fighting for every single vote."

But when a poll released a day later found the Democratic senate candidate with a one-point lead over Toomey, the McGinty campaign was quick to link the senator's drop in the polls to Trump's deficit in Pennsylvania.

"The campaign season hasn't even really started, and Pennsylvania is already saying, loudly and clearly, that the Trump-Toomey ticket is completely unacceptable," McGinty Communications Director Sean Coit said.

"It probably doesn't help that Donald Trump, just in the last week, said that Pennsylvania is 'rusting and rotting' and that Harrisburg looks like a 'war zone.' That's the guy Pat Toomey wants to be our president, so his poll numbers are just going to get worse."

NOW WATCH: 'I don't even really know where to start on answering this question': Watch President Obama respond to Trump's claim that the election will be rigged





More From Business Insider


A lawyer says mobster John Gotti's namesake grandson says he's seeking out treatment while jailed on a drug charge.

Attorney Gerard Marrone told the Daily News on Friday that the younger John Gotti is addicted to painkillers and has gone into a drug detox program at New York City's Rikers Island jail.

A jail system spokeswoman declined to comment.

The 23-year-old Gotti was arrested Thursday at the Queens home where his late grandfather once lived. He's charged with selling oxycodone pills.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown's office says undercover officers bought a total of over $46,000 worth of oxycodone from Gotti on 11 occasions.

Marrone has said Gotti intends to fight the allegations.

Gotti is among seven people arrested in the case.
Have you ever wanted to explore miles of Philadelphia without worrying about cars getting in your way?

Well, soon you'll be able to...for part of a day.

Heres the deal. Its called Philly Free Streets, and on September 24th, sections of major Philadelphia thoroughfares will be shut down from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, the city announced Friday.

Those closed routes will host free, family-friendly fitness activities and pop-up educational programming.

The routes include South Street from the Delaware to Schuylkill rivers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Black Road in West Fairmount Park.

The Schuylkill River Trail will make up a permanent non-vehicle portion of the route.

In all, a more than 7-mile route will pass through 15 neighborhoods.

City of Philadelphia

Mayor Jim Kenney announced the event on Friday saying Philly Free Streets will transform our streets into a safe environment for physical activity, learning, and bettering the futures of thousands of children.

The car-free closure was spurred on by Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia last September. Whole sections of Center City were car free because of security closures for the multi-day visit.

For more information, visit www.phillyfreestreets.com.
Diner en Blanc  the pop-up soiree where people wearing white meet at a secret gathering spot in Philadelphia  will be celebrating its fifth iteration later this month. Its organizers are continuing to work with and boost the exposure of local businesses, including a local designer who will be creating the co-hosts' custom-made dresses.

Diner en Blanc Philadelphia held its first event in 2012 at Logan Circle with only about 1,200 attendees  a number that has increased to about 5,000 for this year's event, which will take place on Aug. 18 at a yet-to-be-announced location.

Since 2012, its organizers have supported local businesses, chefs, artisans and retailers, either by including profiles on its website or through formal partnerships like caterers.

To Read Full Article, Click Here.

________________________________________________________________

For More Business News, Visit Philadelphia Business Journal.
UPDATE: Snoop Dogg tweeted "prayers to his fans" Saturday. "Wishn u all a quick recovery. Love."

More than 40 concertgoers were hurt when a railing collapsed during a Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert Friday night in southern New Jersey, sending dozens of people tumbling to the concrete below, officials and a witness tell NBC10 Philadelphia.

The collapse happened around 10:30 p.m. at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden.

prayers out to my fans. wishn u all a quick recovery. Love  Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) August 6, 2016

Most of the injuries were broken bones and bumps and bruises, county spokesman Dan Keashen said. One person, who was not identified was critically injured and taken to Cooper Trauma Center.

The person who suffered the most serious injuries when the railing collapsed during the concert was released on Saturday. Camden County officials say the person suffered an upper body injury in the collapse. Their name has not been released and further details on their injuries were not disclosed.

Concertgoer Katie Colbridge said Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa had just gotten onto to a secondary stage at the popular outdoor venue when the large section of railing gave way. That stage was a few feet from the barrier that collapsed.

Snoop and Wiz were yelling for the crowd to "Stand up" when the collapse happened, according to several videos of the incident.

The railing separates the sloping lawn from a covered portion of the hall in the center of the venue. The lawn sits several feet above a concrete walkway. It appears the railing failed where the support poles met a support wall.

Several videos shared with NBC10 shows dozens of people tumbling on top of each other. Snoop and Wiz are ushered off the stage as security moved in to help the fans.

Colbridge said she saw three people being taken away by medics and about 20 people limping after falling off the lawn.

A triage area was set up next to the venue's parking lot with at least one person on a stretcher and several others on cots.

NBC10

Colbridge said the concert, which was about halfway through, was abruptly stopped. In one video, an announcer could be heard asking people to remain calm and that the concert would start again soon. Concert organizers later canceled the rest of the show and cleared the pavilion.

NBC10 reached out to representatives with Live Nation, the venue's management, for comment but did not receive a response.

The BB&T Pavilion opened in 1995 as the Blockbuster-Sony Music Entertainment Center. The 25,000 seat venue remains largely unchanged since it was constructed. It has undergone several name changes, though, as sponsors have gone out of business or were acquired by other companies. Past names for the facility include the Tweeter Center and Susquehanna Bank Center.
A man who allegedly struggled with Pennsylvania state troopers during an arrest along City Avenue early Saturday became "unresponsive" and went to a Lower Merion hospital, police said.

The confrontation occurred following a traffic stop in the parking lot of Joe's Crab Shack on City Avenue just south of the interchange with Interstate 76, said PPennsylvania State Police. Troopers pulled over a rental truck sometime before 1 a.m., according to a state from Troop K.

In a statement released on Saturday, state police said upon stopping the vehicle, the driver fled on foot. Troopers chased after and apprehend the suspect, who then began to struggle with police. During the struggle the suspect became unresponsive and EMS was called to the scene, said police.

The suspect was transported to Lankenau Hospital for treatment. Condition was not released.

A witness told NBC10 that the suspect was Tasered by police during the confrontation that followed the stop. State police said the suspect fled on foot and was caught near City Avenue on the Bala Cynwyd side of the border road.

A trooper that answered the phone at Troop K shortly after 7 a.m. said the man lived, but said no more information was immediately available.

State police said in the statement that they would not yet release his identity "due to the ongoing police investigation and pending notification of family members."
A Delaware woman awoke to find a drunk stranger in her bed early Friday morning, police said.

Andrew Koster, a 21-year-old student at the University of Delaware, was arrested on charges of trespassing and criminal mischief.

Around 2 a.m Friday morning, the 36-year-old woman woke up to find Koster lying next to her.

While the victim called police, Koster, who appeared intoxicated, wrongly told the woman he lived there, according to Sgt. Gerald J. Bryda, a spokesman with the Newark Police Department.

He eventually fled the home before police arrived.

Detectives later found a cell phone, shoes and a wallet containing Koster's identification. Police believe Koster mistook the womans house in the 300 block of Delaware Circle for his own home on the same block.

It's not clear if Koster retained an attorney.
Two female officers were attacked and wounded by a man wielding a machete and shouting "Allahu Akhbar" outside the main police station in the Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday, police said.

The assailant was shot by a third officer and later died of his wounds, authorities said. The attacker's identity and motive were not immediately known, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said, but added the "first indications" suggested it was an act of terrorism.

"Thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and police officers," Michel posted on Twitter. The prime minister broke off his vacation in the south of France and was returning to Belgium for an emergency meeting of the government's National Security Council on Sunday.

Michel told RTL television in an interview that he has also asked the independent OCAM agency to immediately assess whether there is an increased threat to Belgian internal security. Belgium has been on high alert in the wake of the March 22 suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State extremist group that killed 32 people in Brussels.

Charleroi police spokesman David Quinaux said Saturday's attacker carried the weapon in a sports bag, and pulled it out as he arrived at a security checkpoint outside police headquarters in the southern Belgian city just before 4 p.m.

One of the two police, both of whom were described as experienced law enforcement officers, received several deep slashing cuts to the face, Quinaux said. The other was slightly wounded.

Both officers are now "out of danger," Charleroi police announced Saturday evening on Twitter.

A third officer at the scene shot the attacker, who died of his wounds at a hospital, officials said.

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said it wasn't immediately clear whether the assault, which he denounced as an "act of barbarism" was the deed of a single person or something more elaborate.

"We don't know if this is the action of a lone wolf," Jambon told RTL. He said he had no information he could provide immediately on the identity or motivation of the attacker.

Belgium has been at Level 3 on a four-point terrorism alert scale since the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 that killed 130 victims. Many of the Paris attackers, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, lived in Belgium.

Last weekend, a 33-year-old man identified only as Nourredine H. was arrested on charges of participating in a terrorist group and planning "terrorist murders" following searches in the city of Liege and the Mons region.

The attack Saturday took place near a wooden building that had been erected outside the Charleroi police station to provide an additional layer of security.

Paul Magnette, the city's mayor, said the checkpoint succeeded in preventing the machete-wielding man from reaching the building and causing more havoc. Magnette said that in the wake of the incident, Belgian authorities have begun discussing whether security for police facilities and officers should be reinforced further.

Steps were taken to better protect Belgian police installations after an IS-linked extremist plot was foiled in January 2014 in the eastern city of Verviers.

The Verviers plotters, two of whom were shot dead, had parts of police uniforms in their possession, and were believed to have been planning to attack a police station. But Jambon said Saturday that the increased security measures implemented after that incident have now lapsed.
Widespread allegations of favoritism in hiring have been leveled against the city of San Diego's Public Utilities Department.

A new auditor's report says dozens of candidates hired in recent years had inside "influence and connections".

Public Utilities oversees the city's water and sewage services.

Investigators uncovered an employee vetting process they allege was "abused" -- so that in a third of the cases reviewed, "friends and family members" of city staff were hired "to the detriment of public job applicants."

"The selection process that was prescribed was not followed, says City Auditor Eduardo Luna. The appointing authority had given specific directions, and they didn't insure that the staff followed those directions to have a fair and objective process."

The audit was sparked by a whistle-blower's hotline tip, and found that 41 out of 120 labor applicants selected between December 2012 and September of last year should not have been hired.

Also, that those with "connections" to city staff: family, friends, relatives presumably benefitted from a word-of-mouth selection process".

The report cited bad record keeping, and abuses that "compromised the City's ability to defend itself against alleged violations of State and Federal employment laws."

Taxpayer advocates are outraged, but hardly surprised.

Basically, the fix is in, Richard Rider, chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters said in a Friday interview with NBC 7.

It is an unspoken but given policy that when possible, Rider added, shifting to a bureaucratic point-of-view in the telling: "'we're going to hire relatives; we're going to hire friends. We'll also hire other people, once the relatives and friends are hired. And you don't hire 100 percent, because that would be too obvious'."

The auditors pointed out possible misdemeanor implications, and confidentially referred names and cases to Public Utilities for further investigation.

The department is said to be undertaking a series of recommend reforms, with top tier city officials urging employees to "call out" improprieties.
A small business in Bonita is hosting a fundraiser Saturday to support the families of two San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers killed and wounded in the line of duty.

Justin Frazier, owner of Pool City located at 4250 Bonita Rd., was up bright and early Saturday setting up tables for a fundraiser barbecue in the parking lot of his swimming pool business.

Frazier told NBC 7 he has a lot of friends who work in law enforcement and he felt compelled to support the families of SDPD Officer Jonathan JD De Guzman and Officer Wade Irwin. The officers were gunned down on duty on July 28 in San Diegos Southcrest community. De Guzman died while Irwin survived, but with serious wounds.

I cant imagine what the family is going through right now, so I figured wed put this on and try to help them out financially, so at least they dont have that part to worry about right now, Frazier said Saturday, as he set up food and drinks for the fundraiser.

As of 7:30 a.m., Frazier said donation were already pouring in, filling the register for the families of the officers. He said anyone was welcome to join the fundraiser and show their support. Any and all donations were acceptable and appreciated, Frazier said.

Were trying to get as much money as we can for the families, he added.

On Friday, thousands of law enforcement officers, private citizens and loved ones lined the streets of San Diego for an emotional procession for De Guzman. Citizens waved American flags and saluted the police motorcade as it made its way across the county.

The procession passed by Fraziers shop and he said he couldnt help but feel deep sadness as he saw those police vehicles drive down the street.

Its just horrible, he said, trying to hold back tears. I couldnt imagine going to work one day and just not coming home to my kids. And for that officer to give the ultimate sacrifice for our protection  says a lot about him.

Fraziers fundraiser was set to start at 11 a.m. in the South Bay.

The event was organized by employee Sarah Hunter, who told NBC 7 she felt compelled to help the De Guzman family because her father is a police officer, too, only in another city.

"Police officers are husbands and wives, and fathers and sons and daughters. Theyre just like us  except they put their life on the line every night," Hunter said. "It couldve been any of them that were shot and killed. It couldve been my dad."

Hunter hoped the De Guzman family felt the love and support from the fundraiser.

We take care of our own. The thin blue line family is getting thicker by the day because someone has to look out for the people who look out for us, she added.

Some members of De Guzman's family attended Saturday's event, including his aunt, Emy Malaban, and his cousin, Mariver Hernandez. Both women said their family is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support they have received.

"Im overwhelmed with all the people that help. It really is a nice brotherhood," Malaban told NBC 7. "I cant explain how we feel, because we are at a loss."

"This whole week has been emotional. The amount of love and support we've been getting from everyone is helping us stay strong," said Hernandez.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOAs) is also collecting donations for the De Guzman family. Donations can be made online here, via the SDPOAs Widows & Orphans Fund.

Donations for the fallen officers family can also be mailed to:

San Diego Police Officers Association

8388 Vickers Street

San Diego, CA 92111



Checks can be made payable to the SDPOA; write Officer Jonathan De Guzman in the memo line.

De Guzman was a 16-year veteran of the force, beloved by his colleagues and adored by his family.

The officer survived a stabbing on the job in 2003 and was awarded a Purple Heart by the SDPD for his valor. SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman has said that even after that incident, De Guzman returned to the force and his passion to protect and serve never wavered.

Irwin has been with the police department for nine years. Zimmerman has described him as a caring man, also devoted to making the community a safer place, day in, day out. Irwin remains hospitalized. Zimmerman said the officer is expected to make a full recovery and is eager to get back to work.

Both officers work with the SDPDs Gang Unit, and are husbands and fathers. De Guzman leaves behind two children, Jonathan Jr. and Amira. Irwin has a 19-month-old toddler.

According to prosecutors and SDPD investigators, the officers were gunned down on Acacia Grove Way when Irwin stopped suspect Jesse Michael Gomez, 52, and asked if he lived in the area. Prosecutors said this week that Gomez opened fire at point-blank range on both officers  shooting Irwin in the throat and hitting De Guzman with multiple bullets. The attack happened so quickly, prosecutors said De Guzman never had a chance to draw his service weapon.

The shooting remains under investigation as officials try to piece together what led up to the gunfire as the nation still reels from recent killings of police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The shooting has shaken San Diego.

Gomez, a construction worker with a criminal record dating back to 1983, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the shooting of the officers as he was arraigned from a hospital room. Gomez was wounded when Irwin, fired back as the suspect fled, police said. Gomez was arrested after the shooting when police officers found him wounded in a ravine near the crime scene.

In addition to the enormous show of public support at De Guzmans procession Friday, San Diegans have been dropping off flowers, candles and heartfelt notes at a plaque that rests in front of the SDPD headquarters in downtown San Diego. The plaque is dedicated to the departments fallen officers. Since 1913, the city has lost 33 officers in the line of duty.
In a deeply heartfelt moment, the grieving mother of a San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer killed in the line of duty said the fallen hero was many things to many people but to her, he was her son.

He was a follower of the Lord; a family man; an outstanding member of the San Diego Police Department and the community, said Fe De Guzman of her son, SDPD Officer Jonathan JD De Guzman, at his memorial service Friday.

But, most importantly to me, he was my son, she wept. He was my son.

As Fe cried, she was consoled by SDPD Chaplain Chuck Price, whose head hung low as he rested his hand on back.

Jonathan was my first child and the eldest of his generation in our family. He was the older brother to not only his siblings, but to all his cousins, Fe continued. He would light up a room when he walked in. He cared for each and every person. I have been so proud of him. He has been there for each and every one of us  even me  because he was my son.

Fe said her family is extremely tight-knit. She and De Guzmans father moved into her sons family home and saw him every single day.

Fe said her fondest memory and the thing shell miss the most about her son was the moment right before he left for work every day. Each day, she said De Guzman would take a minute to be with her and his father and, in her words, to pray, to share his love, his gratefulness for us and to pray that would come back home.

This simple act was also our last moment with him, Fe reflected.

The mourning mother said that night when her son didnt return home from his job as an SDPD Gang Unit officer reminds her of how precious life is and how important it is to cherish those moments with the people you love.

Cherish them, for we do not know how much longer we have or [which day] will be our last, Fe told the enormous group gathered for her sons memorial service at Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diegos East County Friday.

Fe added that De Guzman risked his life to make this world a better place and asked others to take a little of her sons spirit and, to quote Mahatma Gandhi, Be the change you wish to see in the world.

To my son, Jonathan, I love you very much and you will always be in my heart. Your dad and your siblings, your nieces and nephews, well always love you forever. We love you so much, Fe concluded.

In another moving tribute, De Guzmans teenage son  Jonathan De Guzman II  also talked about how much his father meant to him.

Now hes gone and he wont be there when I graduate. He wont button my cufflinks or fix my tie, said the teen, whos currently a senior in high school.

He wont see me if I get married; he wont see me graduate college. He wont be at any more of my competitions, Jonathan Jr. said, his voice trembling.

The teen said his father always told him he could do anything in life, and that hed always be there to support his dreams.

He always believed in me, said Jonathan Jr.

The teenager described that horrific night last week when SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman and three other officers came to his familys home to tell them De Guzman had been killed in the line of duty.

I still vividly remember the day, he cried. And I regret so many things, like I wish I was able to spend more time with himand wait for him at night to come home from work.

Jonathan Jr. said he always knew his father was a hero and he has never been more proud to share his fathers name.

His death motivates me to achieve my dreams and create a positive impact toward the world. I was never proud of my name until recently and I am so glad that my name is Jonathan, he added.

After Jonathan Jr., De Guzmans young daughter, Amira, also spoke, thanking everyone for attending her fathers memorial service.

De Guzman  a 16-year veteran of the force  was shot and killed on July 28, 2016 while he and his partner, SDPD Officer Wade Irwin, were on duty in San Diegos Southcrest community.

Irwin stopped a man  suspect Jesse Michael Gomez, 52  as Gomez walked in the area. SDPD Chief Zimmerman and prosecutors say Gomez opened fire at point-blank range on both officers  shooting Irwin in the throat and firing multiple times at De Guzman. Prosecutors say the attack on the officers happened so quickly, De Guzman never had a chance to raise his service weapon.

Irwin survived the shooting but remains hospitalized. Zimmerman said Irwin is expected to make a full recovery.

The shooting remains under investigation as officials try to piece together what led up to the gunfire as the nation still reels from recent killings of police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Gomez, a construction worker with a criminal record dating back to 1983, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the shooting of the officers as he was arraigned from a hospital room. Gomez was wounded when Irwin, fired back as the suspect fled, police said. Gomez was arrested after the shooting when police officers found him wounded in a ravine near the crime scene.

De Guzmans shooting in San Diego has touched many citizens who felt compelled to salute the fallen officer Friday during a police motorcade procession through the city leading up to the memorial service.

Thousands of San Diegans lined the streets and freeway overpasses to pay their respects as De Guzmans casket made its way to the church. Police and law enforcement officers from all over the country also visited San Diego Friday to attend De Guzmans procession.

Fe said her family is grateful for the immense support her sons friends, colleagues and complete strangers have shown her family during this difficult time

De Guzman survived a stabbing 13 years ago in the line of duty and was awarded a Purple Heart by the SDPD for his valor. Zimmerman and the officers colleagues have described how De Guzman eagerly came back to work after the 2003 stabbing, vowing to protect San Diego with everything he had.
A 31-year old man was found dead inside a home after a SWAT standoff ended in Santee Friday evening, the San Diego Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed.

The incident happened at approximately 2 p.m. on the 9900 block of Woodglen Vista Drive near Cuyamaca Street.

SWAT Standoff underway in @CityofSantee. Avoid area near 9900 block of Woodglen Vista Drive. https://t.co/zhDlnYt4n9 pic.twitter.com/cocJiRDCgV  San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) August 5, 2016

Deputies say the man had allegedly threatened his mother that he would kill her which prompted the standoff. The suspect was believed to be in possession of weaponds including an ace and a knife.

They were able to get the suspect's mother safely out of the home. Deputies then attemped to make contact with the man, asking him to surrender.

But they say the suspect used a bow to fire arrows at deputies, forcing them to return fire.

"He did not answer except in the form of firing bolts from a crossbow. One of bolts landed in a door jam next to deputes," said Jan Caldwell, spokeswoman for SDSO.

Deputies then set off multiple flashbangs to detect movement inside the home. They discovered that someone was lying on the second floor of the home.

After entering the home, deputies found the man in an upstairs bathroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the standoff, residents were warned to stay away from the area and to shelter indoors.

NBC 7 spoke to some residents who said the incident surprised them because it considered to be a safe area.

"You don't hear about crossbows," said Mark Hays. "To be shooting them at people is crazy."

Others expressed concern for the mother of the suspect.

"That's just sad--the poor mom," said Johnnie Martinez. "Hope she doesn't feel guilty for it because she had to do what she had to do."

If you live near 9900 block of Woodglen Vista Drive in @CityofSantee, please stay indoors due to SWAT standoff. https://t.co/zhDlnYt4n9  San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) August 5, 2016

Right now, it's unknown what the cause of death was.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story.
The death of a disabled Virginia man, who died after a struggle with police, has been ruled an accident by a medical examiner, police say.

An autopsy report said Paul Gianelos, a 45-year-old man with cognitive disabilities, died of a cardiac arrhythmia associated with police restraint, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

On April 20, Gianelos, a resident of a group home, wandered away from caregivers at Round Tree Park in Falls Church about 1 p.m.

After finding Gianelos a mile and a half away from the park, a Fairfax County police officer asked the caregiver to meet them, police said.

Police said Gianelos became combative with the officer, who called for assistance.

Four officers restrained him and handcuffed him behind his back. In the struggle, Gianelos' forehead was scraped.

Police said they requested medical help from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Police Chief Col. Edwin Roessler said Gianelos was alert and breathing when police called paramedics, but he experienced "an apparent medical emergency" when paramedics arrived, according to a police report.

Gianelos received CPR and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead, police said.

The confrontation prompted an internal investigation, in both the criminal and administrative divisions. The criminal investigation has been turned over to the Office of the Commonwealths Attorney for the County of Fairfax, for final determination of criminal liability.

The internal administrative investigation is ongoing, police said.
A Silver Spring, Maryland, man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for brutally beating his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter with a motorcycle helmet -- fracturing her skull and causing her brain to bleed.

According to court documents, 27-year-old Julio More beat the child on June 23, 2015 while she sat strapped in her car seat.

More told police that "three black men" blocked the road in front of him and beat both he and the girl when he was on his way to Rockville to pick up the girl's mother from work, court documents said. He said the men beat him because he is Hispanic and they thought the child was also Hispanic.

Documents said the girl's skull and both of her eye sockets were fractured, she had bleeding on her brain and she suffered injuries to her spine.

"It doesn't make any sense to me. I'm just puzzled on how anybody, any human being can do this to another human being," the girl's father told News4. He did not want to be identified.

Nearly beaten to death, the child survived her injuries, but suffered irreversible brain damage, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors also said the now 4-year-old child has suffered psychologically after the beating.

Prosecutors believe More was jealous of the little girl, whom he saw as a rival for her mother's affection.

More eventually confessed to striking the toddler in the face with his fists, his motorcycle helmet and head-butting her, according to the documents.

In March, More plead guilty to one count of first-degree child abuse.
A lumber yard in Kingston, New Hampshire caught on fire early Saturday morning.

50 firefighters from 20 different towns responded to Northland Forest Product as it was engulfed in flames just after 1 a.m.

The call to the fire department was made by a passerby, as there were no employees inside of the building.

The drought conditions had an impact on the flames. Due to the recent dry conditions, Kingston's natural water resources are depleted, requiring the use of water tankers.

It's believed that a firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and subsequently taken to a local hospital and released. No other injuries have been reported.

The air quality in the area is fine, however, the flames are still there, and are likely to be there all day.

The estimated damage to the four to five buildings affected is in the millions.
Police said a man was killed when a car crashed into a farm truck parked in the breakdown lane of Route 2 in South Hero, Vermont.

Police said Brian Shepard, 54, of Grand Isle, died instantly and that his wife, Jane Gauthier, 53, was seriously injured when their car crossed the center line at 2:44 p.m. Friday and crashed into the truck.

Police said Gauthier was treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The driver of the farm truck, Stephen Hardy, 51, of Albans, was not seriously hurt.

Investigators said speed and or alcohol have not been ruled out as factors in the crash.
Donald Trump is working around the clock to gain more support after a recent national poll shows rival Hillary Clinton up 15 points in the presidential race.

Saturday, Trump will attend private fundraisers on Nantucket and in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The fundraiser in the Osterville section of Barnstable will take place at the home of William Koch and his wife at 6 p.m.

Gabrielle Rossin plans to greet Trump with a protest. She says about 200 people will join her with a peaceful march and protest from the West Bay Drawbridge to the Koch home in Oyster Harbors.

"The thing about Trump is it doesn't get better," she said. "It just keeps getting worse. Everything he says or does as his campaign goes on continues to insult."

John Bangert also plans to protest.

"It's really a gated community," he told necn. "We want to put a wall of compassionate people around that community to say he does not have our class interest."

Trump supporters in Osterville say the Republican nominee is exactly what their town needs.

"I'm excited because I'm actually from his home state. And now he's a very successful businessman," expressed Kenny Gregory.

"We're very excited. We need a change. We need some new blood in Washington," said Osterville resident Barry Crawford. "We need people that are thinking outside the box and we also need people that aren't establishment."

Trump will also attend an event at Windham High School in Windham, New Hampshire, Saturday at 8 p.m.
RTR39J0F

Apollo. Blackstone. Carlyle.

They are some of the biggest names on Wall Street, managing $720 billion between them. They buy and sell companies on an almost weekly basis, and own national brands like Hilton Worldwide, Getty Images and Norwegian Cruises.

They've made their backers a fair few dollars. On average, alternative-investment firms have delivered 13% a year in returns for their backers over the past five years.

They've also historically been the preserve of only the biggest investors, typically public and private pension funds and sovereign-wealth funds.

That's beginning to change. Wall Street's biggest names are now out to win the savings of smaller investors.

"Were investing in the marketing resources we need to attack retail [investors] in multiple ways," Apollo's senior managing director, Josh Harris, said in the second-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. "We've always been great manufacturers of return. Increasingly, we are just now making those products available and suitable for retail, which is different."

Apollo manages $186.3 billion and Harris is a billionaire.

Now there's a whole spectrum of investors in the retail market: ultra-high-net-worth ($30 million or above), high-net-worth ($5 million to $30 million), accredited investors ($1 million to $5 million), and mass affluent (anything below $1 million).

Private-equity firms started out trying to attract assets from the wealthiest of these groups, such as HNWI families. These high-net-worth individuals and family offices interested in accessing private-equity funds have traditionally relied on banks such as JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The banks act as wire houses, where they bundle together smaller investments to invest in the buyout funds.

Now the private-equity firms are moving down the spectrum toward accredited investors. One day, they may even crack open the mass-affluent market, given that this vastly untapped market segment could be the next leg of growth.

Story continues

private equity AUM composition

"We're still in the early stages of this broader, open-out type of drama," Josh Lerner, a professor at Harvard Business School who focuses on private-equity firms, told Business Insider. "Private equity is a complicated asset class  it takes some real education to understand what makes a good fund and what makes the properties."

For the individual investors, private equity offers the promise of higher returns in a low-yield world. They're looking into real estate, bonds, and private equity, as they are willing to wait for longer in exchange for modestly higher returns.

This is especially true in Apollo's credit business, as people are looking for places to invest amid the ultra-low interest rate environment.

Here is Harris:

"So if you can go to someone and say, 'OK, instead of 4 [percent return], I'll give you 6 to 8 [percent return],' I'll pull in duration so in case the central banks do decide to raise rates, which we all inevitably worry about and have to think about, you're protected because you're floating rate, but instead of daily liquidity, you need to give me quarterly liquidity. That's quite attractive to our core client. It's also quite attractive to high-net-worth individuals and other individuals that don't have a lot of places to put their money. And so we think long-line it's going to be a very large product for us."

Harris highlighted retail as an underpenetrated market at a Deutsche Bank conference on May 31.

Joshua Harris

"Today it's [about] 15% of our investor base, but the average retail investor only has 1% or 1.5% of this money in alternatives versus kind of 10% on average for the big pension funds," he said.

It isn't easy to grab this group, and there have been missteps.

Washington-based Carlyle Group had rolled out two mutual funds aimed at small investors in early 2014, but it shut them in April 2015.

That setback was largely because of a lack of traction, Reuters reported. The firm also closed its Diversified Global Asset Management Corp (DGAM), which would have allowed ordinary investors to place hedge fund-style bets, according to Bloomberg.



Still, the private-equity firms are ploughing ahead. The hope is that one day, they'll break into a big market: 401(k)s.

"What happened in the past couple decades is the big shift away from employees offering defined-benefits plan to defined-contribution plan ones where we're responsible ourselves to do the investing," Lerner said. "The challenge is if people can make as good investment decisions as pension funds, which have specialized teams."

Private-equity investments are already available within certain defined-contribution plans, via something called a target-date fund. However, not all big 401(k) sponsors have private-equity investments as an option because of their illiquid nature and because they're harder to value than stocks and bonds.

Buyout firms have ambitions here. Blackstone is hopeful that it will be able to "crack open 401(k)s in a big way for alternatives someday," COO Tony James said in the second-quarter earnings call.

Carlyle's cofounder, David Rubenstein, said last year in a television interview that a "great revolution" would occur in the near future that would allow nonaccredited investors (net worth of lower than $1 million or income less than $200,000 a year) to put their retirement savings [e.g. 401(k)] into private equity.

NOW WATCH: A self-made millionaire describes the financial mistakes to avoid if you want to get rich by 30





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What if one blood test could screen for more than 50 types of cancer?
Sasha Obama lands summer job at Vineyard seafood joint Nancys #Mapoli https://t.co/AuBYR2gLja pic.twitter.com/cmDDWLTRnc  Boston Herald (@bostonherald) August 3, 2016

Keeping it real. First Daughter Sasha Obama working summer job as take-out cashier on Martha's Vineyard. pic.twitter.com/DGg488gEWR  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 4, 2016

@MikeSington Keeping it real, indeed. And what a testament to her parents' principles, integrity and beliefs.  Ava (@avavroche) August 4, 2016

@bostonherald this is what I love about the Obamas they are modest and know a dollar should be earned . Teaching their kids right  Rosie J (@rjacevez) August 4, 2016

@bostonherald that honest work I think it's great.  maria secviar (@maria_secviar) August 4, 2016

@bostonherald She's normal american kid and good to see she wants to be independent.    (@kooldjrian2) August 4, 2016

Despite being the daughters of one of the most powerful couple in the world, Sasha and Malia Obama have kept themselves away from the limelight. It is appreciable how the teenage daughters of the Obamas have managed to stay away from any kind of controversies despite being under constant media glare.In fact, they have been brought up in such a way that they remain grounded and lead normal lives just like any other American.A recent example of how normal the lives of the Obama daughters are came to light when Sasha Obama was spotted working for a popular seafood restaurant Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts where she cleaned tables, handled the cash register, and served at the takeout window.In the images that have gone viral on social media, Sasha is seen wearing the restaurants uniform; blue t-shirt and a cap.Sasha, who goes by her full name at the restaurant, Natasha, chose to leave the comfortable confines of the White House and work hard at this popular food joint. She works for four hours and is accompanied by six secret service agents who help her at the restaurant.A fellow worker at the restaurant was quoted telling the Boston Herald, "We were wondering why there were six people helping this girl, but then we found out who she was. She's been working downstairs at takeout."Although she has people to help her do her job, but her decision to take up the summer job and learn how to be independent and not laze around, hang out with friends, which she could easily afford, is absolutely inspiring.Social media too praised the little girl's efforts.The Obama family are friends with the owner of Nancy's, Joe Moujabber, and they arrive in Martha's Vineyard for a holiday at the weekend. Sasha works with the Vineyard only till their arrival.
A day after 14 people were killed in a terror attack in Assam's Kokrajhar, CNN-News18 has accessed pictures of a man suspected to be one of the militants involved.The pictures show a man, seemingly with Bodo features, waiting at the market moments before shots were fired at the unsuspecting crowd.The man, dressed in a blue checked shirt, is also seen casually walking along the market carrying an assault rifle and a black backpack.The pictures were shared by an eyewitness who did not want to be identified for obvious reasons.The man was later gunned down by security forces and another terrorist is believed to be on the run.While Centre and Army are suspecting the hand of terror outfit NDFB(S), the terror outfit has denied responsibility.This sudden incident of firing at a public place in broad daylight is a change of tactic in the militancy-ravaged state.
Asus is all set to launch its Zenfone 3 series smartphones on August 17. The India launch event will be held in New Delhi and the company is calling the event as'Z3nvolution India'.Asus CEO Jerry Shin will also be presenting his keynote speech at the event. Asus introduced the Zenfone 3 series in Taiwan in May 2016 and in just two months they are getting these phones to India. The expected launches at the event are - the ZenFone 3, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, and the ZenFone 3 Ultra.It's not clear as of now whether the company will launch the ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Max in India on the same day.The company also recently unveil its plans for a ZenFone 3 Deluxe that will come with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 821 CPU . It's not confirmed that this version will make inroads to the Indian market at the event.The Asus Zenfone 3 will feature a 5.5-inch full-HD Super IPS LCD display that's powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor. The phone will have two versions of 3GB RAM/32GB storage and 4GB RAM/64GB storage. Zenfone 3 will come with a 16 megapixel rear camera, an 8 megapixel selfie camera. The device will feature a 3000mAh battery as well. The device is expected to have a starting price of Rs 13,990/.The Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe will sport a 5.7-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display powered by a Snapdragon 820 SoC backed by 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. Zenfone 3 Deluxe will also feature a 23 megapixel rear camera, an 8 megapixel selfie camera. The phone is backed up by a 3000mAh battery. The phone is expected to be priced at Rs 24,990.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his government plans to develop 300 villages across the country as growth centers for the area by creating city like infrastructure, from education and healthcare to digital connectivity.



The National Rurban Mission aims to provide better quality of life and employment in villages, he said at the townhall organised to mark the second anniversary of myGov app



There is no dearth of smart cities, but shouldn't the scenario of villages change, he asked. "Facilities available in cities must be made available to villages."



Rurban Mission is 'Smart City Plus', he said, adding 300 villages have been identified, which will be developed as growth centre for the area.



All infrastructure identical to cities like digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and education will be provided, he said. "The idea is that the soul of a village is retained while amenities of cities are provided."



These villages are the ones where rural people may visit for healthcare, education or attending to other needs like repairing or recharging mobiles



Villages, he said, can become the growth centre of the rural economy



On the eve of Handloom Day, Modi urged 125 crore Indians to use khadi and handloom for 5 per cent of their clothing needs



This would boost the textile sector, which is the second biggest employment provider in the country, he said. "This will help the poor."



Rural economy will change if the sector is provided holistic support, e-platform for global marketing and facilities to weavers, he added.
Japan marks the 71st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in U.S. President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms. A peace bell tolled at 8:15 a.m. (2315 GMT on Friday), the time a U.S. warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city.



Obama this year became the first incumbent U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. "The president's words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the 'absolute evil'," the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons.



The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. U.S. forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on Aug. 9. Japan surrendered six days later.



"I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities," Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun.



"As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart."



At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.



"We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself," Abe said. "It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease towards that aim."



U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China. But Tomomi Inada, Japan's new defence minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year. On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone for the first time.
New Delhi: In more trouble for Vijay Mallya, a non-bailable warrant was on Saturday issued against him in a 2012 cheque bounce case by a Delhi court which said that coercive steps were required to ensure his appearance.



Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand passed the order for bringing Mallya in court on November 4, with the direction that the non-bailable warrant be sent to him by Ministry of External Affairs as he is reportedly in London.



The court noted that despite repeated orders, Mallya did not appear in the court and it was inevitable for the state machinery to intervene and ensure his presence.



The trial court had summoned Mallya as accused following a complaint by DIAL, which operates the capital's IGI Airport, claiming that a cheque for Rs 1 crore issued by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) on February 22, 2012 was returned to them a month later containing remarks "fund insufficient".



DIAL had filed four cases in June 2012 against Mallya over KFA's cheques totalling Rs 7.5 crore not being honoured.



The grounded airline had issued the cheques towards payment for services availed by them at the IGI airport in the national capital.



Mallya, Chairman of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, is facing action after defaulting on over Rs 9,000-crore loan from 17 banks.



Late July, he had skipped appearance before a PMLA court in Mumbai in connection with a money laundering probe against him in alleged bank loan fraud case.



Mallya had left the country in March and is currently said to be in the UK.



Several cheque bounce cases have been filed against him.


Indore: In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the neighbouring country hates India so much that it was ready to let itself down in order to harm India.



"There is so much hatred: 'our (Pakistan's) own condition is quite bad, but we (Pakistan) would let ourselves down to spite the neighbour (India).' This is how our neighbour is behaving," Bhagwat said while speaking at a book-launch in Indore.



"Whenever we extend the hand of friendship, it (Pakistan) makes such circumstances that we can not offer friendship again," he said.



He also said that both developed and developing countries were getting caught in the crossfire as the tussle to become superpower was on in the world.



"Global thinkers are wondering if the race to become superpower continues like this then whether the world would survive. The world is looking at India with hope for answers. If we are able to answer these questions then we can become the number one country," Bhagwat said.



Hindi translation of Vijay Deshmukh-written biography of King Shivaji, Shakkarte Shivrai, was launched on this occasion.



Bhagwat said during Shivaji's times words such as "communalism" and "secularism" were non-existent, yet he, as a ruler, treated everybody equally.



He also said the challenges to defend religion today were more or less the same as during Shivaji's times. Bhagwat however hastened to add that by religion he did not mean any particular community.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said that she has directed the Indian envoy in Islamabad to seek consular access to an Indian national lodged in a jail in Pakistan's Peshawar following reports of repeated attacks on him.



"I am very much disturbed to read about repeated attacks on Hamid Ansari who is detained in Peshawar jail since 2012. It is inhuman," she said in a series of tweets.



"I have asked our High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek Consular access to Hamid Ansari in hospital/Jail and report," she said.



Hamid Nehal Ansari was attacked twice in the Peshawar Central Prison in the last two months, Dawn online quoted his lawyer as telling a court on Thursday. The lawyer said a jail official also daily thrashed Ansari.



Jail Superintendent Masoodur Rehman, however, argued that the injuries were of minor nature and that such incidents "kept happening" in prisons.



External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing here on Friday that a petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court earlier following earlier reports that Ansari was attacked in prison.



"Through our high commission in Islamabad, the government has also raised the matter of Ansari's well-being and his early release," he stated.



He said the Pakistan government has also been asked to allow Ansari to speak to his family.



Ansari, serving a three-year term, is kept in a death cell. Rehman, in his statement in the court, said the Indian "can't be kept in a normal barrack with other prisoners for the sake of his security".



Ansari's lawyer said he wanted security for his client but the jail official had refused to give any guarantee.



The official had promised to shift Ansari to a hospital after the attack but this was not done.



Ansari, who reportedly possessed a fake Pakistani identity card, was arrested by intelligence agencies in Kohat district in November 2012. He was convicted by a military court in February this year.


New Delhi: Designer Anita Dongre in partnership with the government, will be launching handloom clusters across India soon.



The designer, who met Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday, says she is looking forward to work with the government.



The meeting went very well. We are looking forward to start the work from next week where we partner with the government on working with some handloom clusters, Dongre said.



Dongre in association with BJP's parliament member Poonam Mahajan has been working towards elevating and providing sustained employment to Charoti village on the outskirts of Mumbai. And she says they plan to launch clusters on the same line soon.



We have had a very successful project at Charoti. We pulled it out successfully and we hope to repeat the Charoti format with handloom clusters, said Dongre, who is participating in the ongoing Vogue Wedding Show 2016.



She added that the locations will be finalised next week.



We are looking at starting with at least four clusters and we will identify them by next week. We will definitely take one cluster to the northeast, she said.


They say the best way to know a person wholly is by taking a trip with him/her. You might disagree and say that you already know your best friend inside out, but will taking a trip together really hurt? We think not! We can almost hear you crib about you being too proud to borrow money from your parents or maybe not being paid well enough. Don't you worry, we're here to help (No, not with the money).We bring to you a list of exquisite yet affordable international destinations for you to take that long overdue trip with your best friend:A country known for its diverse culture, picturesque beaches and ancient history, Sri Lanka is the place to be at if you're looking for a serene getaway. The country has everything from sprawling stretches of tea plantations to forts that have been witness to several historical events. Anuradhapura Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa are some places which should be on the top of your must- visit list.A trip to Sri Lanka is not very expensive if you decide to live at a simple yet sufficiently furnished guesthouse, have a taste of the local curry and rice and use the local transport. Even if you decide to hire a bike or a car, the average cost will be around Rs 2,500 per day.One of the most visited tourist destinations of the World, Turkey is an object of fantasy for those who are fond of leisure, history and food. With places like Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia, Turkey is a perfect amalgamation of history and modernity. If planned tactfully a visit to Turkey will not dig a hole in your pocket.The tropical beaches and affordable shopping locations, make Thailand a hot favourite for one and all. The spirituality and serenity of some untouched pristine locations serve as a perfect bait for people seeking a trip to unwind. Solo travellers across the world are extremely fond of Thailand, as it has a developed concept of budget hotels.Predominantly a Buddhist land, Bhutan is far more than just that. Bhutan is a land of mystery and enigma which is enchanted by the beauty of the Himalayas. Often referred to as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragons' Bhutan is best experienced when travelled on foot. A trip to Bhutan can be managed within a shoestring budget, as a cosy stay in a guesthouse doesn't cost more than Rs 500 for a day.For those who are fond of wilderness and exquisite animal species, Kenya is just the right place to be in. The people of Kenya are considered to one of the most friendly folks in the African continent. With the availability of abundant safaris, your days in Kenya will remain etched in your memory forever. When in Kenya do not forget to visit Masai Mara National Reserve, Mount Kenya, Lamu Island, and Nairobi National Park. The tip to not overspend here is to cut down on your food and accommodation expenses.The land of Pharaohs and mystery, Egypt is sure to leave you spellbound. The availability of dormitories and cheap food options will make your trip to Egypt an affordable travel destination. With its sprawling stretches of sand, the beautiful river Nile and the welcoming people Egypt has a vibrancy of a different kind.Known for its rich cultural heritage and intoxicating adventures, Indonesia is all about exploration. Places like Jakarta, Java and Bali serve as perfect getaways when one wants to escape the din of everyday life. Indonesia, a land of Volcanoes and beaches, is perfect for a backpacking trip with your best friend.The rustic and mystical charm of Cambodia is something that is bound to linger with you even post your return. Often referred to as the Kingdom of Wonder' Cambodia lives up to its reputation and boasts of history and mystery wrapped in unison. The religious and historical tours to Angkor Wat and Silver Pagoda, are a regular feature here which let you be a part of the ancient culture of the land.Exotic and affordable are two words that describe Vietnam perfectly. A hub of local markets and wildlife tours, Vietnam is located on the Indo-Chinese peninsula. A country known for its happy citizens, Vietnam is extremely charming and affordable. Several backpacking hotels in Vietnam make for a comfortable yet cheap stay. Include sightseeing, Yacht or Boat Cruises, Local Market Tours and make your trip even more memorable.




New Delhi: The conviction of Mahmood Farooqui, co-director of Hindi film Peepli Live for rape is unjust, says his wife Anusha Rizvi. She says they will appeal the judgment and hope to secure justice in the High Court.



A court here on Thursday sentenced Farooqui to seven years jail after finding him guilty of raping an American woman.



Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Farooqui, who was convicted on July 30 of raping a 35-year-old woman from Columbia University who was in India for research on her doctoral thesis.



Reacting to the judgment, Rizvi said in a statement she posted on her Facebook page: "Independent record makes the charge of 'forced oral sex' against Mahmood Farooqui simply impossible. The conviction is unjust for it ignores irrefutable evidence on the most flimsy grounds.



"Indeed, it appears that the Judge has given more than the benefit of the doubt to the prosecution but has expected the defence to prove it's case beyond reasonable doubt. We shall appeal the judgment."



She added: "Lives and reputations are irretrievably lost when there is denial of justice, but our fight for rightful exoneration continues. I firmly believe that we will secure justice in the High Court."



The American woman, who moved to Delhi in June 2014, was looking for contacts for her work in Gorakhpur and came in contact with Farooqui through a common friend. The incident occurred on March 28, 2015 when Farooqui invited her for dinner at his house.



According to the police chargesheet, the woman, who reached his house at 9 pm, found Farooqui was very intoxicated, and he asked her to go to the other room which was his office.



After 20 minutes, she left the office room to smoke in the porch when he told her to come in and sit down. After talking with her for a while, he suddenly kissed her and forced himself on her, the prosecution said, adding that the woman was scared after the incident.



During the trial, the American researcher stood by her complaint and alleged that Farooqui had raped her, while he denied the allegations, and claimed he was falsely implicated.



Reflecting on the trial, Rizvi said: "The complainant is consummately discredited by independent call and cab company records which were presented in court. The defence team has adhered to all feminist principles during the trial and no aspersions on the complainant's character were ever cast by the defence.



The complainant and the prosecution argued that retribution is a public cry and that the nation would fall into disrepute if enhanced penalty was not awarded in a case where the complainant is a foreigner. Fortunately, the court has ignored this outrageous argument."



Rizvi co-directed the critically acclaimed movie "Peepli Live" with her husband.




Chandigarh: A day after the Punjab government imposed a ban on the screening of comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra, the Haryana government on Friday announced a similar ban in the state.



"The Haryana government has banned the screening of the film The Legend of Michael Mishra in the state till further orders," a Haryana government spokesman said here.



"The decision to this effect was taken in view of the reports that there was resentment among members of the Valmiki community regarding some objectionable utterances in a part of the film," he said.



The film, released on Friday (August 5), stars Arshad Warsi, Aditi Rao Hydari and Boman Irani.



"The Haryana government had received information that certain organisations and individuals were protesting against the exhibition of this film, as the lead actor, Mr. Arshad Warsi, in a scene utters objectionable words which have the potential to outrage the religious feelings of the Valmiki community," the spokesman said.



The ban was imposed after a committee, set up by the Haryana government, watched the film and recommended that the film's screening be stopped.



"The committee recommended that it was essential to take necessary action in stopping the release of this film in cinema halls and multiplexes as its release could cause communal violence and damage to public and private property, causing a serious law and order situation," he added.



The Punjab government had on Thursday announced a ban on the screening of the comedy film.




South Korea's Kim Woo-jin made the most of perfect shooting conditions to set a 72-arrow world record in the Olympic archery at the Rio de Janeiro Games on Friday and fire an ominous warning at challengers to his gold medal claims.

The world champion's total of 700 points out of a maximum 720 in the ranking round at the Sambodromo pipped the previous record of 699 set by compatriot Im Dong-hyun at the London Olympics' preliminary four years ago.

Although he dazzled his Olympic rivals and thrilled the small crowd in the terraces, the poker-faced Kim played down his achievement.

"Getting the world record is very important but tomorrow's matches are more important," the 24-year-old told reporters through a translator as sweat dripped from his brow under a hot sun.

"It's just the ranking round ... I want to focus on tomorrow, so today's not really big happy."

The ranking round determined the seedings for the men's individual event, which is decided on Aug. 12.

Kim's enthusiasm may have been tempered by the knowledge that Im failed to win the individual gold after setting his world mark with the Olympic recurve bow at London. The title went to another South Korean in Oh Jin-Hyek instead.

It was nonetheless an inspired bout of shooting at the climax of the session, with Kim needing to hit the innermost gold circle for a maximum 10 points on his last arrow to seal the record.

Having scored nine with his penultimate arrow, the softly-spoken archer took a breath, drew and fired flush into the middle, his face breaking into a smile as he turned back to his camp.

Kim's top seeding means he will meet the 64th and lowest-ranked finisher Gavin Ben Sutherland of Zimbabwe in his opening round of the individual event.

The record should also provide a spur for South Korea's bid to win the men's team gold on Saturday.

Kim will spearhead the top-ranked team featuring Lee Seung-yun and Ku Bon-chan, with the trio hoping to restore their nation's dominance after its run of three Olympic titles from 2000-08 was broken by the United States in the London semi-finals.

American former world champion Brady Ellison was also in excellent touch in the individual rankings round, shooting 690 to finish second, with Italian David Pasqualucci third with 685.

"It's really, really fantastic," Pasqualucci told reporters of Kim's record.

"I think three years or four years ago, only the compound (bow) can do 700.

"It's amazing ... The conditions were good, really good today. Only the last two or three ends, maybe we had more wind but not really strong."

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening to discuss issues over special status to the state.



Naidu is likely to raise the special status issue with the PM and central funds for developmental related work in the state.



All political parties including Telugudesam Party (TDP) - BJP ally - in Andhra Pradesh joined hands against the Centre for not grating special status, which was promised during bifurcation of the state by the previous UPA government.



TDP MPs are protesting to press their demand, while the main opposition in the state  YSR Congress Party - had recently called for a statewide shutdown.



At the time of bifurcation, former prime minister Manmohan Singh had promised in parliament that special status will be granted to Andhra for five years.



They alleged that the previous government promised to grant a special status to the state but now they felt cheated.







Finance Minister Arun Jaitely refused the special status, stating in Parliament that the Centre would support the state until Andhra Pradesh becomes economically stable.



Refusing special status, Jaitely informed the Parliament that Centre would "handhold" the state until it became economically stable.
New Delhi: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today charged Congress party of "adopting double standards and shedding crocodile tears" on Andhra Pradesh special status' issue and sought to know why the UPA government "delay the process till 2014" after it promised to create the separate state 10 years back.



"Congress party and its leaders were now raising a hue and cry inside and outside Parliament for the sake of publicity on the issue. Why the UPA government failed togrant special category status to successor state of Andhra Pradesh when it bifurcated the united state by incorporating the same in AP Reorganisation Bill?" he asked.



Naidu said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should give a "straight answer" on this before raising questions on BJP. Singh had yesterday asked the Rajya Sabha to fulfill the commitments made by him in this regard over two years back as the House took up a private member bill on the issue.



Naidu claimed that Congress party had promised to create a separate state way back in 2004 and sought to know "why did the UPA government delay the process until 2014". He also alleged that Congress party was "solely responsible" for the death of over 1,000 youth who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana, the state which was carved out of Andhra Pradesh.



"Just before the 2014 elections, the UPA government hastily brought the AP Reorganisation Bill and rendered gross injustice to people of Andhra Pradesh. Why did Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi not raise the issue of granting special status to AP in Parliament at that time?



"What is the rationale behind bringing a bill while in opposition, but not doing the so when in power? Congress must give straight answers...The accused have no moral right to point a finger at others. It will be good if they remember this," he said.



Naidu also asked Congress to remember the statement of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily, who he claimed, had opposed giving tax exemptions and special concessions to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Parliament by stating that there would be flight of capital and industries from the neighbouring states.



"It is time for the Congress to stop adopting double standards...shedding crocodile tears...and speaking with a forked tongue. It should answer as to what it did when in power on the issues being raised now," he said.



Naidu said the NDA government has fulfilled most of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act and Finance Minister is "attending to rest" and already stated that a solution would be be soon found to the "satisfaction of everybody".



On Polavaram project too, he said the Congress party had promised to promulgate an ordinance, but "failed" to implement the assurance when in power.
Kanpur: Amid the raging debate over so-called cow vigilantism, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on BJP and RSS saying if they love "the gai (cow) and the nilgai so much they should keep them at their shakhas".



Kumar, who was at Ghatampur village here to attend a JD(U) 'karyakarta sammelan', said RSS talks of protecting cow, and nilgai, which destroys farmers' crops.



"If the cow protectors have so much of sympathy towards 'gai and nilgai' then they should keep them at their shakhas. Don't let them roam in fields and trouble farmers," he advised.



"JD(U) workers should click pictures of the shoes of BJP workers and leaders and ask them 'ye kis chamde ka bana hai' (which leather is this made of). BJP and RSS are trying to vitiate the country's atmosphere. And that is why we want sangh-mukt country," he said.



Kumar said his party would fight the Uttar Pradesh polls on the plank of prohibition and asked the Akhilesh Yadav government to ban liquor.



He said the Uttar Pradesh elections are "rehearsals" for his party and it wants to strengthen its base here. "Our fight in UP is not with SP and BSP but with BJP. Our main target is 2019 Lok Sabha elections wherein we will fight with strength and face BJP," he said.



Kumar also said social media is being misused these days to spread communal tension and there is a need to prevent such attempts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with citizens at Indira Gandhi indoor stadium in New Delhi during his first-ever townhall event on Saturday.

The MyGov townhall is being held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi and includes a series of panel discussions and sessions will take place on the Do, Discuss and Disseminate theme of MyGov.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
Wisconsin/Washington: Republican Donald Trump took steps to steer his White House campaign back into favour with his party establishment on Friday by endorsing US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness towards them earlier this week.



"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, whom he called a "rising star."



"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said.



Ryan, the top US elected Republican, had no plans to attend the event, in a sign of lingering frictions between the pair. His Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman.



Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan when he told The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet" - using the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. He said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.



Ryan, who was earlier endorsed by Trump's vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, is viewed by establishment Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. He is expected to win a challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary.



Trump's endorsement emerged as he took other steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the November 8 election.



In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday.



Trump on Friday announced he was setting up an advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against in the past, and includes no women.



In addition, Trump plans to release his framework for boosting the US economy in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected.



Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. "It's going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy," Moore said.



At a rally in Des Moines, Trump showed newfound discipline, mostly sticking to his central charge that Clinton is the "queen of corruption". He defended himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House.



"All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament,'" he said.



He urged voters to also consider his vice presidential running mate, who appeared with him at the event.



"If you don't like me, that's okay, vote for Pence, because it's the same thing," he said.



Trump also defended himself against what he called the news media's claim that he kicked a baby out of an event earlier this week in Virginia. "I love babies," he said.



"SHORT-CIRCUITED"



Clinton sought to take advantage of Trump's dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform if she wins the Nov. 8 election.



At the event, Clinton did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters.



She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state during the Obama administration, and continuing scepticism among voters about her trustworthiness.



Clinton conceded that she had "short-circuited" earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server.



Clinton had repeatedly said publicly that she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBI's probe in July, when he rebuked her for "extremely careless" handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed.



On Friday, Clinton maintained that "I never sent or received anything marked classified," while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies.



Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material.



The email controversy has fuelled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. "I take it seriously," she said. "It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things. And I recognise that I have work to do."



Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans. "Maybe just maybe when Im actually running for a job there is a real benefit to those on the other side to try and stir up as much concern as possible," she said.



FINANCE AND INDUSTRY LEADERS



Trump's campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin.



Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, anti-tax advocacy group Club for Growth's Stephen Moore, and David Malpass, who has served under previous Republican administrations in the Treasury and State Departments, were also named.



Billionaire investor Carl Icahn turned down an invitation to join the group because he is considering funding a Super PAC focussed on regulatory reform, Icahn's general counsel told Reuters on Friday.



Trump's moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week.



The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had spoken out against Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trump's insistent attacks on the parents.
Brussels: A machete-wielding man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest) wounded two policewomen in southern Belgium on Saturday before being shot dead by police, with Europe on edge after a wave of jihadist attacks.



The attack outside the main police station in the city of Charleroi, around 60 kilometres (40 miles) south of Brussels left one of the policewomen with "deep wounds to the face" while the other was slightly injured, Belga news agency said.



Charleroi police said the attacker was shot and killed, while the two victims were out of danger.



Belgium has been on high security alert for months since suicide bombers struck Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union's institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.



The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which controls large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria and has claimed numerous terror attacks in Europe in the last year.



Belgian Interior Minister Jean Jambon condemned a "disgusting act in Charleroi" on his Twitter account and said the country's terror threat level -- currently at level three on a scale of four -- would be examined.



Belgian police have carried out dozens of anti-terror raids since the November 2015 attacks in Paris, planned in Belgium and involving Belgian extremists, which left 130 people dead.



Last month they arrested and charged a 33-year-old man, identified as Nourredine H., with attempting to commit "terrorist murder" and "taking part in the activities of a terrorist organisation".



Prosecutors said there was for now no link to the Brussels suicide bombings.



Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadist recruits going from European Union countries to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more radicalised.



The interior ministry said 457 Belgian men and women had gone or tried to join jihadists in the Middle East, including 90 who are missing or dead.



Belgium launched its first attacks against IS in Iraq in late 2014 as part of a US-led coalition. It joined a similar anti-IS operation in Syria this year.



Several of those involved in the Brussels bloodshed in March were directly linked to the November 13 bomb and gun attacks in Paris.



In June Belgian authorities charged two men with terrorist offences amid reports of a planned attack on a Euro 2016 fanzone in central Brussels.



Belgium then beefed up security for its July 21 national day celebrations after a truck attack that killed 85 people in the French city of Nice on Bastille Day, July 14.
Thumbs up, with sadness and regret, to the organizers of an event Wednesday evening in Lovingston marking the third anniversary of Alexis Murphys disappearance.

Three years ago, on an August afternoon in 2016, the Nelson County teenager, a rising senior at Nelson County High School, vanished from the face of the Earth. The search for the young woman garnered statewide and then national attention as law enforcement agencies such as the F.B.I. and the Virginia State Police joined the local sheriffs department in scouring the region for any sign of the teen.

Eventually, authorities homed in on a suspect, Randy Taylor, who was eventually arrested on kidnapping charges with a murder charge coming later. A jury convicted him in May 2014, and he was sent to state prison for life. The Virginia Supreme Court turned down his appeal earlier this year.

Alexis body has never been found, and her family  her mother and father, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends  have never had a chance to grieve for her and have no grave to visit.

At the Lovingston convenience store where she was last seen, the community came together to honor her memory and comfort her family. Pink balloons  pink was her favorite color  were released toward heaven, and a tree planted in her memory, part of a display designed to keep the search for her foremost in the publics mind.

Speaking at Wednesdays event, Laura Murphy, her mother, had these words: Shes not fogotten. Shes still in everyones heart.

She is, maam. She is.

* * *

Thumbs up to all the folks who came together Thursday in Bedford to assemble care packages  love packages, really  for members of the Bedford National Guard Unit currently deployed overseas in the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar.

Members of the volunteer Virginia Ready Reserve, a civilian group that teaches emergency survival skills, had worked with the Guard unit the past and wanted to do something to make their time away from home, family and loved ones a bit more bearable. They began fundraising efforts recently and were busy packing the care packages for shipment to their Bedford friends.

Containing a little bit of everything, the first 20 packages went out in the mail Friday. Reserve members plan to continue their fundraising efforts so they can assemble more in the near future.

To the Reserve volunteers and the Guardsmen in Qatar, we extend our deepest thanks and gratitude.
XNG Natural Gas has again delayed its expansion into Appomattox County. The company was originally slated to begin construction eight months ago.

Originally announced by Gov. Terry McAuliffe in October 2015, the project is part of the Boston-based companys expansion into the mid-Atlantic region.

According to its website, XNG plans to use the natural gas pipeline that runs through the Appomattox Center for Business and Commerce to produce compressed natural gas to sell to clients in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.

According to XNG Chief Administrative Officer Seth Berry, the continuing delay is caused by low propane prices, which have dropped 20 to 25 percent in the last year.

With low propane prices [clients] might not be able to save as much money by switching to natural gas as they would have when prices were higher, he said.

Berry said once more potential clients have completed their evaluations of the switch to natural gas in the next one to three months, the company can begin construction.

Using a 6.5-acre lot in the countys industrial park, the project is expected to employ 50 people. Despite the delays, the county expects XNG to begin by December of this year. Economic Development Director for Appomattox County Jeff Taylor said he is optimistic that the project will be completed, and it will help not only the county, but the region as well.

It would be able to be able to provide companies within a 400-mile radius access to natural gas; for some localities that is a huge issue, Taylor said. It will help draw more businesses into Appomattox and the region.

Despite delays, XNG will receive the promised performance-based funding to complete the project. McAuliffe appropriated $100,000 from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $100,000 for the project.

We have not collected any grant money yet, Berry said. We wont be collecting any of the states money until weve done what we said we were going to do.
Hawk Claus spreads Christmas cheer in DC's Grifter Got Run Over By a Reindeer first look

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(Newser)  "You have 30 secs to empty all draws no pack/no dye. Give me all of it." The note was handed to a teller at a Capital Bank location in Lighthouse Point, Fla., in September 2015. The somewhat unusual part was who wrote it: a woman. More and more women are robbing banks for quick cash, South Florida Sun Sentinel in a look at the trend, and it's completely devoid of the glam of yesteryear. Gone are the days where a battalion of masked gunmen swooped down on a branch and escaped into a getaway vehicle. Now robbers can enter a branch looking like a customer, pass a threatening note to a teller, and walk away with cash, no weapon needed. The heist is simply less dangerous than it used to be, Penn State criminologist Darrell Steffensmeier tells the paper.

In fact, FBI records show women across the US in 2015 committed 7.5% of all bank robberies, still comprising a small minority but also up a dramatic 25% from their 6% share in 2005. "I think [the trend] will continue increasing ... because of the nonviolent nature of the note-passing robbery," forensic sociologist Rosemary Erickson says. The payout tends to be smallthe women committing most of the robberies the Sentinel describes are walking out with less than $5,000, and they're often using the money to pay the bills. "They are more likely to be robbing for personal financial needs," Erickson says. "Being homeless, or single and alone, especially if they have children ... they are literally robbing for Pampers." (This babysitter was on the job when she allegedly robbed a bank.)
(Newser)  There's an asteroid out there that might slam into Earth in about 170 years, but contrary to some recent scary-sounding headlines, it won't wipe out Earthlings if it does, reports Space.com. "We're not talking about an asteroid that could destroy the Earth," says Dante Lauretta of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona. "We're not anywhere near that kind of energy for an impact." In fact, the odds that asteroid Bennu will strike Earth are just 0.037%, a 1-in-2,700 chance, according to NASA calculations, which are expected to become more precise thanks to a new mission. OSIRIS-RE will lift off on Sept. 8 and spend two years hunting the asteroid, then study it for another couple years before bringing at least 2.1 ounces of its surface back to Earth in 2023.

Questions will focus on, say, whether asteroids delivered organic matter to our planet, but the mission will also "allow us to recalculate the impact probability," Lauretta adds. The asteroid crosses our orbit every six years. If it hits a so-called "keyhole" when it passes by Earth in 2035, it would be put on track to collide with the Earth in 2185. Astronomers estimate that space debris has to be at least 0.6 miles wide to be seriously catastrophic; as a frame of reference, the asteroid believed to exterminate the dinosaurs was closer to 6 miles across. Bennu, which was first spotted in 1999 and is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, measures about 1,600 feet across, notes Time. (That asteroid that claimed dinos almost wiped out all mammals, too.)
(Newser)  14-year-old Bresha Meadows is accused of shooting and killing her father with his own gun last week in Ohio, People reports. Her mother says she's a hero. She is my hero," Brandi Meadows tells Fox 8. "I wasnt strong enough to get out, and she helped me." Meadows says she was abused for years by her husband but was too scared to leave him. Bresha's lawyer says Bresha was also abused. Bresha's aunt, a Cleveland police officer, says Bresha was "born into a nightmare." On July 28, Bresha shot her father, 41-year-old Jonathan Meadows, in the head. Her family says she used the same gun her father would use as a threat.

Bresha pleaded "not true" to the charge of murder, WFMJ reports. If convicted as a juvenile, she could be locked up until she turns 21. If convicted as an adult, Bresha, whose aunt says has no history of violence, faces life in prison. Police are continuing to investigate and haven't determined a motive. I am so sorry she had to go through this, Meadows tells Fox 8. "She helped me; she helped all of us so we could have a better life. Meadows filed at least one police report against her husband in the past and filedthen droppeda request for a protection order in 2011. (Read more murder stories.)
(Newser)  A 19-year-old Somali-Norwegian man accused of carrying out a stabbing rampage in London's Russell Square was remanded into custody Saturday after a court appearance in the British capital. Zakaria Bulhan, a London resident, is accused of slaying 64-year-old American Darlene Horton, a retired teacher. Bulhan also faces five counts of attempted murder in the attack on two Australians, an Israeli, an American, and a British citizen. The victims were named in court Saturday for the first time, the AP reports.

Bulhan, who moved from Norway to Britain as a child, mumbled his name, address, and date of birth during the hearing Saturday at Westminster Magistrates Court. When asked if he understood the charges, he gave a thumbs up gesture. Horton was visiting London with her husband, Florida State University psychology professor Richard Wagner, who had been teaching summer classes in London. The couple had been due to fly home the day after the Wednesday attack. Although London has been on edge because of deadly attacks on the European mainland claimed by ISIS, police say they've found no evidence of radicalization or links to terrorism in this case. (Read more London stories.)
(Newser)  An Ohio couple say they had a wonderful trip to Paris to celebrate their 10th anniversarybut the experience was ruined when they were kicked off their flight home for being Muslim. Faisal and Nazia Ali say they were ordered off the July 26 Delta Air Lines flight and were told that a flight attendant was not comfortable having them on the plane, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Nazia Ali says she believes that was because of their appearanceshe wears a headscarfand because the attendant may have heard one of them say "Allah." The Alis, American citizens of Pakistani descent, had to wait 24 hours for the next Delta flight, delaying their reunion with their three sons, ages 5, 4, and 2.

The couple, who were briefly questioned by French police, say they were humiliated. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has filed a complaint with federal authorities, accusing the airline of religious profiling. Local director Karen Karen Dabdoub says these kinds of incidents spike during election years. "There are some politicians who will try to climb that ladder of success on the backs of American-Muslims," she tells the Enquirer. "These types of incidents are happening all across the country all too frequently. It is another symptom of the anti-Muslim behavior we see during the election season." WCPO reports that Delta is investigating the incident and will give the couple a full refund. (Read more Delta Air Lines stories.)
(Newser)  Leroy "Blast" Black is gone but definitely not forgotten: The New Jersey man was remembered in double the traditional number of obituaries when his wife and his girlfriend placed rival obituaries here and here in the Press of Atlantic City. There were two notices for the 55-year-old fiberglass technician because "the wife wanted it one way, and the girlfriend wanted it another way," a spokesman for Greenidge Funeral Homes tells Brian Hickey at PhillyVoice, who was told about the unusual situation by an "avid obit reader." The funeraland there apparently will be just onetook place over the weekend.

Both obituaries mention the Egg Harbor resident's son, Jazz Black, NJ.com notes, but there are some telling differences between the two notices. The one placed by Black's wife says he is "survived by his loving wife, Bearetta Harrison Black" and lists two other children, while the other omits the wife but mentions "long-tome (sic) girlfriend, Princess Hall" along with five siblings and "a host of other family, friends, and neighbors." According to the girlfriend's obituary, Black died from lung cancer caused by fiberglass exposure. Hopefully, it was a comfort for him to know "he was surrounded by so many loving people that one obituary wasn't enough," Hickey writes. "RIP, Blast." (This North Dakota man wrote his own obituary in two words.)
(Newser)  A fast-moving fire swept through a birthday party in the basement of a bar in the northwest French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, the AP reports. More than 80 firefighters battled the blaze after midnight Friday at the downtown bar in the city in Normandy, Rouen Mayor Yvon Robert said after the blaze was extinguished. The fire was "totally accidental," Robert told Europe 1 radio, mentioning a possible gas explosion "from the heat in a basement room doubtless too small for the number of people present."

The local Paris-Normandie newspaper said the fire ignited in the basement of the Cuba Libre bar, which had been rented for a birthday celebration. The paper said the polystyrene ceiling was quickly ignited by candles on a birthday cake. The bar fire came as France is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was the second tragedy to hit Rouen in recent weeks. A priest was slain by two ISIS extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral. (Read more France stories.)
(Newser)  Fifty years ago, the US Army abandoned a secretive nuclear facility built 40 feet below a Greenland ice sheet, Science reports. It left radioactive water, diesel fuel, human waste, and possibly PCBs buried with Camp Centuryit believed forever. "The phrase they used was that the waste would be preserved for eternity by perpetually accumulating snow," physical geographer William Colgan tells NPR. Instead, Colgan's researchpublished Thursday in Geophysical Research Letterssays those pollutants could start escaping by the end of the century thanks to global warming. He concludes the ice sheet could start losing more ice than it gains by 2090. When that happens, it "would guarantee the eventual remobilization of physical, chemical, biological, and radiological wastes."

Even though it would likely take another 100 years or so for Camp Century to be completely exposed, problems could start much earlier. If cracks form in the ice, water could run down to the buried pollutantsincluding radioactive cooling water from the base's old nuclear reactorand then carry them into the ocean. It's unclear who owns the waste, as the base was built under a Danish-US treaty, and who will need to deal with the fallout in the future. Interesting aside: Camp Century was built in 1959 as a research base. But unbeknownst to the public, the Army was using it for Project Iceworm massive railway tunnels under the ice sheet that would be used to send underground nuclear missiles at the Soviet Union. It didn't work. (Read more Greenland stories.)
(Newser)  They say two wrongs don't make a right, but they may help you get out of jail. One day after allegedly assaulting Dylann Roof in a South Carolina jail, Dwayne Stafford was out on $100,000 bond, WCIV reports. According to the New York Daily News, it's unclear who paid to get Stafford out of jail, where he'd been since being charged with assault and robbery 18 months ago. A donation page was set up for Stafford in the wake of the alleged assault on Roof, the Atlanta Black Star reports. And instructions for putting money into his jail commissary account were circulated on social media, where Stafford was being praised for his actions.

Roof, who is white, is in jail on murder and hate crime charges after allegedly killing nine people during a Bible study class at a historic black church. He was outside the jail's shower area Thursday when Stafford, who is black, pummeled him, leaving Roof bruised but otherwise uninjured. Two guards were supposed to be supervising Roof during his shower, and Stafford was supposed to be locked in his cell at the time. Authorities are investigating to find out exactly what happened. Roof's lawyer says he has no plans to file assault charges against Stafford. (Read more Dylann Roof stories.)
(Newser)  Vietnam won its first-ever Olympic gold medal on Saturday courtesy of shooter Hoang Xuan Vihn, the AP reports. Hoang rallied to beat hometown favorite Felipe Almeida Wu on the final shot of men's 10-meter air pistol. Wu trailed by as many as 2.3 points, but moved 0.2 ahead of Hoang with a 10.2 on his penultimate shot. The Brazilian hit 10.1 on his final shot, setting off a raucous chant of "Wu!" from the crowd, but Hoang shot 10.7 to earn gold. Hoang raised his arms in triumph following the final shot and the Brazilian fans sent Wu off with another chant. Vietnam had previously won two medals, both silver, in previous Olympic games. (Read more Rio Olympics stories.)
New Delhi:

Union Minister VK Singh on Saturday arrived in India after addressing the problems faced by the Indian workers in Saudi Arabia. He assured that food, medical and other assistance is now being provided in camps and there is no crisis for jobless Indian workers.

He said that the food supplies did not reach one or two camps for some reason but it has now being provided by the embassy. In one or two camps, for some reason food supplies had not come and the embassy started providing, VK Singh told ANI.

When we reached and spoke to authorities, King of Saudi Arabia ordered quick action. Minister of Labour met me, he added. As of now, Govt of Saudi Arabia is providing food, medical and other assistance to camps of Saudi Oger company. All other camps are being looked after by the embassy, there is no crisis, he said.

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Indore:

In a veiled attack on Pakistan, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said the neighbouring country hates India so much that it was ready to let itself down in order to harm India.

"There is so much hatred: 'our (Pakistan's) own condition is quite bad, but we (Pakistan) would let ourselves down to spite the neighbour (India).' This is how our neighbour is behaving," Bhagwat said while speaking at a book-launch here. "Whenever we extend the hand of friendship, it (Pakistan) makes such circumstances that we can not offer friendship again," he said.

He also said that both developed and developing countries were getting caught in the crossfire as the tussle to become superpower was on in the world. "Global thinkers are wondering if the race to become superpower continues like this then whether the world would survive. The world is looking at India with hope for answers. If we are able to answer these questions then we can become the number one country," Bhagwat said.

Hindi translation of Vijay Deshmukh-written biography of King Shivaji, "Shakkarte Shivrai", was launched on this occasion. Bhagwat said during Shivaji's times words such as "communalism" and "secularism" were non-existent, yet he, as a ruler, treated everybody equally. He also said the challenges to defend religion today were more or less the same as during Shivaji's times. Bhagwat however hastened to add that by religion he did not mean any particular community.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to reach out to citizens through his first-ever townhall style event today. A new PMO app to enable mobile users to connect with the Indian Prime Ministers website will also be launched at the mega event, which is being organised by MyGov - the governments citizen engagement platform - to mark its second anniversary.

The townhall to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the Do, Discuss and Disseminate theme of MyGov and will culminate in the first ever townhall address by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister will talk about the concept of citizen engagement, MyGov, the response to this participative governance initiative and how he sees the platform evolving, MyGov Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gaurav Dwivedi said.

He said a process is already on to short-list those who will get to interact with Modi. They would be selected from among the regular users of MyGov, based on their ideas, level of engagement, questions and suggestions, he added.

The townhall address will also see launch of new MyGov initiatives and distribution of awards to winners of MyGov contests - Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Duties of a Citizen, Governance Quiz and India Africa Quiz.

The event is expected to see participation of various ministers and senior government officials, which will be inaugurated by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and will have four sessions.

The first session Do will cover contests on design innovation, eGreetings as also volunteering, poll and survey functionalities of MyGov while the second one Discuss will see officials and MyGov contributors in an interactive discussion on brainstorming ideas and sharing experiences.

The third session will invite fresh ideas for improving user experience, introducing new features for the platform and the panel for this includes social media representatives, MyGov users, Members of Parliament who have contributed to MyGov, and senior officials of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, and NIC.

The fourth session will cover the Disseminate theme and focus on #TransformingIndia website, eSampark portal and MyGov live events as the channel of government communication with citizens.

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Mumbai:

Ten more bodies were recovered today during search operation in the Savitri river, where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad, taking the toll in the tragedy to 24 as hopes for survivors faded.

Eight more bodies from different locations in the river were recovered and the toll has now gone up to 22. Of these, 17 are males and five females, said Satish Bagal, Resident Deputy Collector of Raigad district. A fresh search operation, involving multiple agencies and local divers, will be launched tomorrow morning, he said.

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday night at Mahad, about 170km from here, when two state-run buses and some private vehicles fell into the swollen river following collapse of a British-era bridge on Mumbai-Goa Highway.

Of the 22 victims, 10 were in Rajapur-Borivili bus while seven travelling in Jaigad-Mumbai bus, both belonging to State Transport Corporation.

Six of the deceased belonged to Mumbai and its neighbouring suburbs of Virar and Nalasopara, while five hailed from Chiplun town in Ratnagiri district, he told the media.

The bodies of Shrikant Kamble, the driver of Jaigad-Mumbai bus, and Prabhakar Shirke, the conductor of Rajapur-Borivili bus, have also been recovered, the official said. Two of the deceased - Shewanti Mirgal and Sampada Vaze - were travelling in a private Tavera vehicle.

Divisional Commissioner Tanaji Satre and Guardian Minister of Raigad district Prakash Mehta supervised the search operation, said Bagal.

Twenty boats and nearly 160 personnel from Coast Guard, NDRF and Navy were deployed in the search operation, Raigad Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Patil said, adding the district administration was also taking help of local fishermen. The local police were providing all logistical and technical support to the jawans, he said.

Another senior police official said some of the bodies were recovered as far as about 120km from the mishap site. He said the search operation will continue till the remains of the buses and other vehicles are found.

We have extended the area of search operation and alerted local residents and appealed them to inform us if they spot anything floating in the water, he said, adding heavy rains were hampering the exercise.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the government will give Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. The government has already announced the kin of the deceased staff members of the two state-run buses would either be given job or compensation of Rs 10 lakh each.
New Delhi:

A radical organization in Manipur has threatened Irom Sharmila if went ahead with her decision to contest elections and marry an outsider, reportedly.

The secessionist group 'Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak' threatened her saying that some former revolutionary leaders were assassinated after deviating from the cause and getting elected as peoples representatives.

Not only this, other secessionist groups too have asked Sharmila to continue the fast. The 44-year-old on July 26 announced that she will end her 16-year-old fast against the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). She had also announced that she will give up her fast on August 9, and will contest in the upcoming Manipur elections.

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Tokyo:

Japan today marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.

The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the city, paying moving tribute to victims of the first atomic bomb.

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on the western Japanese city at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.



Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands.

Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obamain his peace declaration during the solemn ceremony.



"(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima's strong wishnot to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said.

"It is the time for us to make actions towards the abolition of the 'absolute evil', the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion."

The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.



A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August15.

Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons.



But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings.

Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his historic visit to the city and its Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself".



Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.

But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly atom bomb survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.



Since Obama went to Hiroshima the park and accompanying memorial museum have witnessed an increase in visitors.

But an association of atomic bomb survivors has criticised his speech, saying he failed to explicitly mention US responsibility for the bombing.



Abe, who also attended the service, faced harsh criticism last year, especially from A-bomb survivors, for his policy of expanding the role of Japan's military and opening the door to possibly sending troops into combat for the first time since the war.

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Rennes (France):

At least 13 people have died and six been injured in a fire early today at a bar in Rouen, northern France, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said. An inquiry is underway to establish the cause of the fire, Cazeneuve said in a statement.

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Mumbai:

The Maharashtra government has decided to reconsider the 'no helmet, no fuel' rule, Transport minister Diwakar Raote informed the state Assembly today.

However, petrol pump owners will be asked to intimate vehicle numbers of two-wheelers where the rider was without helmet, to transport authorities, the minister said.



The decision, set to be implemented from August 1, had met with fierce opposition from pump owners. Giving into the resistance from two-wheeler riders and petrol pump owners, the government decided to assess the feasibility of its implementation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said recently.



Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, Fadnavis hadsaid the state government decided to implement strict roadsafety-related rules to reduce the casualties in road accidents.



Raote had announced last month that from August 1, notwo-wheeler riders will be sold petrol at pumping stations if they are not wearing helmets.



These rules put the onus on petrol pump owners who had threatened to go on strike. The Opposition had raised the issue in the Lower House, saying it was against public sentiments.



Former Deputy Chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said though the government's intention was sincere, the policy was not practical. "Groups in Pune arepreparing to make helmets available outside petrol pumps for Re 1, just for refuelling purposes. This will defeat the original purpose," he had said.

"Besides making helmets compulsory, we wanted to tap ways to get riders to wear them, and hence announced the compulsion of helmet-for-fuel. Our intention was positive as the percentage of two-wheeler riders who don't wear helmets and meet with fatal accidents is high," Fadnavis had said. The government will look into measures to increaseawareness among riders, he said.

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Chicago:

A Pakistani-American couple has claimed that they were removed from a US-bound flight as an on board crew member felt uncomfortable after noticing that they were sweating, saying Allah and texting.

Nazia and Faisal Ali have accused Delta Air Lines of Islamophobia for throwing them off their flight from Paris to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Nazia, 34, had removed her sneakers, finished sending a text message to her parents and was putting on headphones and settling into her seat for the nine-hour flight from Paris to Cincinnati when a Delta Air Lines crew member approached her and husband, Faisal.

A flight crew member had complained to the pilot that she was uncomfortable with the Muslim couple, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The woman was wearing a head scarf and using a phone, and the man was sweating, she allegedly told the pilot.

The flight attendant also claimed that Faisal tried to hide his cell phone and that she had heard the couple use the word Allah. The pilot contacted the ground crew and would not take off until couple was removed.

We had been in our seats for 45 minutes, Nazia said yesterday in the Cincinnati area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

The ground agent said, Can you step out with me? Wed like to ask you a few questions. So I said, Do you want us to get our things? And he said, Yes, please grab all of your personal belongings. Youre not going to be on this flight, Nazia said recounting the July 26 incident.

They were interrogated by a French police officer about their stay in Paristhe couple had been enjoying a brief holiday in the capital city for their 10th wedding anniversary, media reports said.

After the interrogation, the officer said he had no problem with them and there was nothing else he could ask the couple.

In the wake of the couples removal from the flight, the Muslim advocacy group has filed a religious profiling complaint against Delta Air Lines to the US Department of Transportation

We call on the US Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough examination into the prevailing practices of major American air carriers, including Delta Air Lines, and to develop policy guidelines on the objective factors that are to be considered when determining that a passenger may legally be removed from a flight, CAIR-Cincinnati attorney Sana Hassan said.

The Delta Airlines, in a statement, said, Delta condemns discrimination toward our customers in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

As a global airline that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every day, Delta is deeply committed to treating all of our customers with respect. Delta continues its investigation into this matter and will issue a full refund of these customers airfare, it said.

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Srinagar:

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the situation in the Valley which he termed as "heart breaking" and "worrying".

"Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?" Omar wrote on twitter late last night.



He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests yesterday. The opposition National Conference working president had yesterday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.



"1 (one) more unfortunate death, countless injuries today and the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that 'things are improving'. Wow!" Omar wrote.



In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners -- PDP and BJP -- who agreed with this stand. "Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!" he said.



The Centre yesterday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the outrebrak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.



It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3. With yesterday's three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.

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Mumbai:

Shiv Sena today took potshots at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mahad tragedy, saying he should stop aerial visits to mishap sites and demanded Guardian ministers be barred from flying inside the state to understand its road and bridge conditions.

The Sena also said the present governments ambitious Make in Maharashtra programme should begin with construction of good quality roads and bridges, in the absence of which no foreign nation would be willing to invest there.

Instead of indulging in blame game and only conducting meetings to gauge the Mahad tragedy, what is needed is to give a serious thought over the issue.

Also, if the CM really wants to understand the situation of roads and bridges in the state and conduct a proper audit, he, along with other ministers need to shun planes and helicopters while touring the state, the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

District Guardian ministers should not be given permission to fly to their respective districts. Let them travel by dilapidated roads and bridges and then conduct an audit. Because, when ministers fear for their lives, audit and repairs, both shall take place, it said.

It further said that if in a progressive state like Maharashtra, a large number of people lose their lives in natural calamities, the government needs to change the structure of its Make in India and Make in Maharashtra programme.

Start your Make in Maharashtra programme by fixing old and dilapidated bridges. Unless you construct proper roads, do not expect foreign nations to invest money here, it said.

Also, if there was a strong government in the state from the last two years, what did it do to prevent this tragedy, it asked.

Eight more bodies were recovered yesterday during search operation in the Savitri river, where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad, taking the toll in the tragedy to 22.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the double standards of Sena over the Mahad tragedy and said before the advising the BJP to fix bridges and roads in the state, it should do so first in Mumbai.

Senas corruption in the BMC has resulted in thousands of potholes across the city where people are losing lives. Sure, it can play the role of a big brother by advising the BJP but it should also play the role of a responsible brother and fix roads bridges in the city and not play with the lives of people for monetary gains, Congress spokesperson Al-Nasser Zakaria said.
Rio de Janeiro:

Archer Deepika Kumari expressed bewilderment after a dismal show during the women's team event where the Indian team finished a dejecting seventh in the qualification round of the Rio Olympics Games, here.All Deepika managed was 640 out of 720 which was good enough for a 20th position while experienced Bombayla Devi Laishram shot 638 to finish 24th and Laxmirani Majhi finished 43rd with 614 points.

"Nothing was wrong apart from the wind. It was difficult to follow and understand. I shot the arrow and it was a miss. Of course is not what I expected, but there's nothing I can do about it now," Deepika said after the event.

The wayward performance will affect India's medal prospects as a top four-finish would have given them a bye to the quarters but the team, which logged 1892 points together, will now begin the elimination stage from the first round of 16 tomorrow. They will open their campaign against Colombia who were ranked 10th. If they manage to advance, India may face second ranked Russia and third ranked China in their prospective quarters and semifinal clashes.

The double Commonwealth Games gold medalist led by one point after 30 arrows only to slip in the sixth end when she shot a poor 49 with scores of 9,9,8,8,8,7. The worst happened in the last arrow of the seventh end when she drew a blank by completely missing the target.Deepika raised her game from the next five ends by securing 13 perfect 10s from 30 arrows but it could only raise her ranking up to 20.

In the individual round, Deepika will face 45th ranked Kristine Esebua of Georgia, while Bombayla will take on 41st ranked Laurence Baldauff of Austria and Laxmirani's first round challenger would be Alexandra Longova of Slovakia.In the morning session yesterday, Atanu Das showed fine composure and skill to bounce back from a poor start to finish fifth in the qualification round as archery got underway at Brazil's historic Samba street here. Lying a lowly 10th after first 36 arrows, the 24-year-old Kolkata lad turned it around in style in the final set of 36 arrows by shooting 23 perfect 10s including 10 closest to the centre to finish fifth with 683 out of the possible 720.
Guwahati:

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday met the victims of Kokrajhar terror attack at the hospital where they have been admitted. Denouncing the attack by suspected NDFB(S) in Korajhar that claimed 12 lives as cowardly and dastardly, Sonowal had said on Friday that the militants would be dealt with very sternly.

He announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the dead, Rs one lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 to those who sustained minor injuries in the attack. Directing Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay to beef up security and launch a vigorous drive to apprehend those behind the heinous crime, Sonowal said the militants would be dealt with very sternly, a statement from the CMO said.



We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups, he said, adding all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police across the state have been directed to be on high alert following the attack and in view of the Independence Day.



Ensuring protection to life and property of the people is the first and foremost duty of the government. I appeal to all people of Assam to exercise restraint and to maintain peace and harmony, he said.



The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh discussed the incident with him and have conveyed their deepest condolences to the family members of those killed in the attack.



Sonowal asked the district administration of Kokrajhar to ensure that the injured persons got proper treatment and the seriously injured were taken to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital for immediate treatment.

(With PTI inputs)

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Gandhinagar:

Chief Minister designate Vijay Rupani on Saturday resigned as the Gujarat BJP chief. Rupani on Saturday met Gujarat Governor OP Kohli to stake claim to form the new government, a day after he was elected by BJP MLAs as their leader. After staking claim, BJP state in-charge Dinesh Sharma announced that Rupani will take oath on Sunday at 12.40 PM.



Rupani, Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister designate Nitin Patel, and other state leaders met the Governor. However, incumbent chief minister Anandiben Patel was absent.



We have told the Governor that the BJP Legislature has endorsed the names of Vijay Rupani as new Chief Minister and Nitin Patel as Deputy Chief Minister, Sharma said after the meeting.



The Governor has given his go ahead for the oath taking ceremony which will be held tomorrow at 12.40 PM, Sharma said.



He, however, evaded a direct reply to a question on why Anandiben was absent when party leaders went to stake claim, and only said, She was present when she resigned. Today those who have been chosen are present.



The party also did not gave a clear indication on who all shall be taking oath with Rupani and Patel, saying all those details are being worked out.



On Friday, in a dramatic turnaround the BJP central leadership decided on the name of Rupani to replace Anandiben as the chief minister of the state, instead of Nitin Patel who was front-runner for the post till the last moment.



Anandiben had insisted that her confidante Nitin Patel should be made the chief minister of the state, while Shah had firmly wanted his nominee Rupani to be on the top post.



As a compromise formula, Rupani was made the Chief Minister, while Patel was declared as Deputy Chief Minister after intervention of central BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Ujjain:

Over 30 madrasas in Ujjain have refused to accept the food that comes as mid-day meals for the students, alleging it was an attempt to defile their faith.

The providers of mid-day meals used to be the Iskcon Temple since 2010, which catered to schools in the city. Administration of the madrasas, however, refused to accept food from Iskcon any longer.

Parents of Muslim students believe the trust used to offer the food to Hindu gods before sending them to schools, which is unacceptable to some.

When the tender of Iskcon ended in July 2016, suppliers BRK Foods and Ma Parvati Foods were roped in to provide the mid-day meals but madrasas have declined to accept food from either of them.

BRK supplies mid-day meals to 315 schools, out of which 56 madrasas have turned down their offer.

Parents of the madrasa students have also threatened to remove their children from madrasas who accept food from the present suppliers. They have demanded that meals be cooked in the madrasas themselves instead of being brought from outside.

However, when contacted, the official administration denied the reports saying madrasas rejected the meals as the students are used to a different kind of food. The matter is currently under examination.

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Ahmedabad:

Vijay Rupani, the new Chief Minister designate for Gujarat, today met the State Governor OP Kohli to stake his claim to form the new government, a day after he was elected by BJP MLAs as their leader.

After staking claim, BJP state in-charge Dinesh Sharma announced that Rupani will take oath tomorrow at 12.40 PM.

Rupani, Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister designate Nitin Patel, and other state leaders met the Governor. However, incumbent chief minister Anandiben Patel was absent.

We have told the Governor that the BJP Legislature party has endorsed the names of Vijay Rupani as new Chief Minister and Nitin Patel as Deputy Chief Minister, Sharma said after the meeting.

The Governor has given his go ahead for the oath taking ceremony which will be held tomorrow at 12.40 PM, Sharma said.

He, however, evaded a direct reply to a question on why Anandiben was absent when party leaders went to stake claim, and only said, She was present when she resigned. Today those who have been chosen are present.

The party also did not gave a clear indication on who all shall be taking oath with Rupani and Patel, saying all those details are being worked out.

Yesterday, in a dramatic turnaround the BJP central leadership decided on the name of Rupani to replace Anandiben as the chief minister of the state, instead of Nitin Patel who was front-runner for the post till the last moment.

The Legislature party meeting was delayed by about two hours due to jostling between the groups of party President Amit Shah and incumbent Chief Minister Anandiben.

Anandiben had insisted that her confidante Nitin Patel should be made the chief minister of the state, while Shah had firmly wanted his nominee Rupani to be on the top post.

As a compromise formula, Rupani was made the Chief Minister, while Patel was declared as Deputy Chief Minister after intervention of central BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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New Delhi :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the people from across the country in first-ever Townhall today. The meeting was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Modi also launched a new PMO app to enable mobile users to connect with the Indian Prime Ministers website.

The mega event has been organised by MyGov - the governments citizen engagement platform - to mark its second anniversary.

Here is minute to minute update of the event:

#PM Narendra Modi reaches Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (Delhi) for 'Townhall', interacts with citizens.

#PM Narendra Modi launches PMO Mobile Application, an application developed with citizens' ideas.

#If democracy is limited to voting & choosing a Govt then the spirit of democracy would not develop

#After winning elections, Govts usually start thinking about how to win the next elections or what to do to get more votes next time

#If good governance is not stressed on then regular life of a citizen wont change, wont develop

#If we don't focus on good governance then lives of normal people will not change

#Development and good governance should have a balanced relation, even for a small incident anywhere, PM is targeted

#Holding PM responsible for everything that happens at every level in the nation, it can be good politically...or for TRP

#Every responsible person holding a position should be questioned. People should easily get what they want

#We want to develop good governance where processes are less and things get done easy for citizens

#Grievance Redressal is an essential component of democracy, every citizen should have their problems addressed & responded to

#Technology and good governance will benefit farmers. Most powerful thing in democracy is Grievance Redress System

#I raise one issue but the whole system is addressed. We are taking few initiatives for good governance

#The world is in recession. Despite the purchasing capacity of world going down, we have a growth rate of 7.6%: PM Modi

#Tourism will boost our economy, we shd try&drive our economy. If we achieve 8% growth rate for 30 years then, we will be at the top

#Economic development should be constant, it shouldn't go up and down. This is necessary for us to be at the top

#We need to focus on preventive and affordable health care

#So much money is spent on advertising about the importance of vaccinations, and even then so many children arent vaccinated

#Now Health Department is reaching out household to household to reach everyone

#He have introduced insurance in budget; so that the poorest of the poor receives good health care

#Farmer's son becomes a farmer out of helplessness and not by choice

#Through 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana', we will be able to provide adequate amount of water to the farmers

#We should follow 'Khaadi for nation Khaadi for fashion', this will boost our textile industry

#Videsh niti desh ke hith ki neeti hoti hai, uska centre point hai 'India first'

#Indians settled abroad have their own strength & this plays a great role for India to connect with other nations

#Indians living abroad can do a simple thing, every year they should convince 5 Non-Indian families to visit India

#We see an increase in tourist arrivals in India. We have to attract tourist with our heritage and history

#India has so much to offer when it comes to food that if we market it well it can take the world by a storm

#Gau raksha ke naam pe jo log dukaan khol ke baithe hain, mujhe unpe bada gussa aata hai

#World knows of Pizza Hut, taste of which remains same 1000 kms later. Whereas walk along Tamil Nadu & the taste of idli changes 10 times

#Kaafi log jo Gau rakshak hain, woh gau raksha sirf apne kaale dhandhe chupane ke liye karte hain

#Cows mostly die of eating plastic bags and these Cow rakshaks should urge ppl not to throw plastic on roads, this will be a big sewa









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Chhatarpur :

Twenty-one primary school students were today injured - eight of them seriously - when the vehicle they were travelling in overturned after being hit by a jeep near here, police said.



The mishap took place at Harpalpur, 55 km from the district headquarters here, when 21 children in a tempo were on their way to RR Public School.



A jeep tried to overtake the tempo and in the process collided with the latter. As an impact of the crash, both vehicles overturned, Mishra said.



The eight critically injured children were rushed to Jhansi (around 140 km from here) in Uttar Pradesh for treatment, Harpalpur Police Station Inspector R K Mishra said.



The rest 13 were admitted to a nearby primary health centre, he said. People travelling in the jeep escaped with minor bruises, he added. A case has been registered and a probe is underway, the Inspector added.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lashed out at Gau Rakshaks or cow vigilantes, accusing them of misusing the term to make profit through hooliganism.

PM Modi, speaking at his first-ever Townhall in Indira Gandhi Indoor Statidum in New Delhi, said that 80 per cent of such rakshaks are fake and they make him angry.

He asked state governments to prepare dossiers on the so-called cow protectors as 80 per cent of them do illegal activities at night and become cow protectors in the day, asserting that running such help groups does not mean harassing others.

Gau raksha ke naam pe jo log dukaan khol ke baithe hain, mujhe unpe bada gussa aata hai (People who have opened their shops in the name of cow vigilantism make me very angry), said PM Modi.

He added, There are many cow vigilantes, but they just want to run their black market business under the shield of the title. Cows mostly die of eating plastic bags and these Cow rakshaks should urge people not to throw plastic on roads, this will be a big service, he said.

His comments come at a time when his government and BJP are facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Recalling his own work in the service of cow, he said at one health camp organised by him for the animal, at least two buckets full of plastic were removed from the stomach of one of them.

(With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi:

Former Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju has already prepared a first interim report on behalf of the BCCI based on the Justice Lodha panel recommendations, which is now binding after the Supreme Court verdict on July 18.

He will be handing over the said report to the BCCI president Anurag Thakur at a formal event tomorrow.

Honble Retd. Justice Markandey Katju has informed the BCCI that he will be releasing his first (interim report) to the BCCI.

Accordingly, he will hand over the said report to the BCCI, it was stated in a press release.

It is expected that the interim report will be the reference point for BCCIs president Thakur and secretary Shirke as they gear up to meet the Lodha panel members on Tuesday.

Some of the concerns for BCCI are age cap of 70 years, cumulative tenure of nine years, three year cooling off period between two posts and one state-one vote policy.
Guwahati:

Flood situation in Assam today improved considerably even as nearly 68,000 people are still affected across eight districts in the state, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said today.

These people are from 84 inundated villages in Jorhat, Golaghat, Barpeta, Dhubri, Morigaon, Kokrajhar, Nagaon and Goalpara districts.

Till yesterday, nearly 1.3 lakh people were affected by flood across 175 villages in 10 districts and the death toll stood at 34.

Among the currently affected eight districts, Jorhat is the worst hit with over 25,000 people, followed by Dhubri (20,000 population) and Barpeta (10,000), ASDMA said.

Meanwhile, PSU power firm NHPC today contributed Rs 5 crore as donation to Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

NHPC Chairman and Managing Director K M Singh handed over the cheque to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who thanked the company for their contribution.

Assam Assembly MLAs Rituparna Baruah and Bimal Bora also donated their one-month salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Authorities are running 14 relief camps, where 1,549 people have been sheltered in four districts.

Over 3,000 hectares of crop area are still under flood waters in the state.

Currently, Brahmaputra's tributary Dhansiri is flowing above the danger mark at Numaligarh in Golaghat.

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Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the two victims of the Bulandshahr gangrape incident.

Yadav said all were hurt with the incident and no amount can compensate for the mental trauma of the victims.

He said the state government will ensure that the culprits get the strictest punishment and warned police that stern action will be taken against them if such incident happen again in the state.

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New Delhi:

Teaming up with Hollywood star Tom Hanks in Inferno was a great experience for actor Irrfan as he found the Forrest Gump star welcoming and friendly.

Irrfan will be seen in the role of Harry Sims The Provost in the Ron Howard-directed adaptation of Dan Browns mystery novel, where Hanks returns to reprise his character of Harvard symbiologist Robert Langdon for the third time.

Tom is a dear friend, a very warm person and an outstanding human being. I enjoyed every moment of working with him. Whenever two actor are familiar with each others work and you admire somebody, shooting becomes an engaging affair, Irrfan told PTI in an interview.

Inferno revolves around Langdons attempt to prevent a deadly plague unleashed by a mad scientist.Irrfan, 49, revealed that he was initially offered a different role in the Florence-set drama but he wanted to portray Sims.

I was offered some other character but I asked Ron whether I could play this character. He asked me why I wanted to play Sims and when I told him how I looked at the role, he liked it and agreed.

The movie, which boasts an international star cast with Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Sidse Babett, Knudsen Ana Ularu and Ida Darvish, will arrive in theatres here on October 14.

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Guwahati:

A local court summoned Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to face trial on September 29 in connection with a criminal defamation case against him over his reported statement on RSS.

In his order, Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika directed Gandhi to appear before the court on September 29 as his statement published in the media appeared to be defamatory.

Complainant Anjan Boras counsel Bijon Mahajan submitted before the court that Gandhi did not come to visit Barpeta Satra on December 12 last year but alleged before the media two days later in Delhi that RSS workers prevented him from entering the 16th century Vaishnavite monastery.

Describing this as blatant lie as, he submitted that there were no RSS people among the crowd that were waiting to greet Gandhi on that day.

The head of the monastery was also among those waiting for the Congress leader who actually took part in a rally instead of visiting the monastery, submitted Mahajan who is also BJP Assam unit spokesman.

Bora, an RSS worker, lodged his case alleging that Gandhi by making his claim in Delhi brought down the image of RSS in society.

The court has examined seven witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.

On August 2, the court had deferred the date regarding issuance of summons as an accused against Gandhi in the criminal defamation case.

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The two candidates vying to represent greater Danbury in Congress each say they are comfortable with the face at the top of their partys ticket heading toward the November elections.

Republican challenger Clay Cope, first selectman of Sherman, and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a two-term Democrat from Cheshire, have positioned themselves closely with the priorities of presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Copes embrace of Trump comes as numerous other Republican lawmakers and candidates have been sharply critical of his recent campaign statements.

And they are wise to do so, a political observer said.

Its to Copes advantage to align himself with Trump - not with Trumps personality or his words, because nobody would do that - but with his emphasis on creating jobs and fighting ISIS, said Gary Rose, a professor of political science at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. I am not going to predict an upset, but with the very discernible rise in straight ticket voting, having Trump at the top of the ticket could make for a more competitive race.

Cope and Esty, in interviews last week, each seemed to understand exactly where they needed to be positioned in the 5th Congressional District, a collection of 41 cities and towns in central and northwestern Connecticut where the majority of voters are independents.

You cant get elected and you cant do your job if you see yourself as a party person, said Esty. This district has 43 percent independents who are so disgusted with politics that they have given up their right to vote in a primary. I think about that every day.

What voters care most about, both candidates said, is sending someone to Washington who will promote job growth and homeland security.

Cope and Esty, who have yet to agree on a schedule of debates in the fall, also said they will fight any attempt by their opponent to use the negatives at the top of their ticket against them.

Esty, for example has called on Cope to distance himself from Trump remarks that she called reckless and extreme.

I am not running for president. I am running for Congress because Elizabeth Esty is not doing her job, Cope said. I am not interested in her opinion of Donald Trump.

Although their congressional race is not expected to heat up until the fall, when the impact of the presidential campaign will be clearer, Cope said the Connecticut presidential primaries in April proved what 5th District voters think about Trump and Clinton.

Trump won easily among Connecticut Republicans. In the Democratic primary, Clinton won the state, but lost in the 5th District to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by 350 votes.

Clinton is a negative for Democrats, Cope said. She lost to Sanders in this district, and Esty was on the wrong side of the vote.

Esty said she is proud to run on the same ticket with a woman who has been in politics for 30 years and has a strong record advocating for women and children.

Esty added that the general election in November is much different than a primary that is only open to registered party members.

Most voters were not allowed to vote, said Esty, speaking of the 160,000 voters in the district who are unaffiliated.

When you run in a general election, you run to represent everybody, Esty said. The way to get elected in an independent district like this is not by party loyalty but loyalty to voters and residents.

Jobs and terrorism

Cope and Esty agree that the top two issues are jobs and homeland security.

People talk to me about the lack of good-paying jobs and the lackluster economy, Cope said. And Clinton proposes to raise taxes by 1 trillion.

The solution, Cope said, is to cut federal spending and reduce taxes.

Esty said the way to strengthen the economy is to make it work for all segments of society, by investing in education and innovation that prepares young workers for careers in emerging fields.

Cope has been critical about Estys participation in a sit-in protest with lawmakers in the House of Representatives to call for a vote on gun control legislation.

The high-profile protest followed the massacre of 49 people in an Orlando, Fla. night club by a man who claimed allegiance to an Islamic terrorist group known as ISIS.

The American people have the right to protect themselves from the enemy and the enemy that is the most frightening right now is ISIS, Cope said. Instead of staging a sit-in in the House I would have called for hearings with the FBIs top brass to explain how this (shooter) escaped our watch list.

Esty responded that in the three and a half years since the massacre of 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook School, there have been 100,000 deaths due to gun violence, without any federal legislation passed to restrict firearms access.

It is a distraction to say that we are talking about taking guns away from lawful gun owners, Esty said. The issue is too many states do not enforce a comprehensive background check, and it is way too easy for domestic abusers and the mentally dangerous and people on the terrorist watch list to purchase a gun.

Debate over debates

Esty said she has no intention of taking up Cope on his suggestion to have 41 debates in the 41 cities and towns of the district. She calls it a gimmick.

I am a big believer in debates because I believe in an informed electorate, said Esty, who is open to debates organized by third parties in the various parts of the district, such as New Britain, Waterbury and Danbury. I am going to be running proudly on my record.

Cope, who has accused Esty of ignoring parts of the district including his own town, said she spends too much time fundraising.

The latest figures from the Federal Election Commission show that Esty raised $1.5 million through June. Cope raised only $62,000. His campaign chairman said Cope was not worried about the funding gap because he was getting his message out through emails and social media.

Esty rejected Copes absentee accusation, saying she has indeed visited all the communities in the district.

Clay doesnt have to wait until the debates to start answering some of these questions about Trump, Esty said. Clay seems to be a decent and honest man, so why isnt he distancing himself from some of these extreme and dangerous ideas coming from his partys nominee?

Esty said she does not agree with everything Clinton has done.

The email issue was a mess and was wrong, said Esty, referring to a finding that Clinton broke federal rules by conducting government business through private emails while she was Secretary of State. She said it was wrong, but not as quickly and not as definitively as she should have.

Cope said he would not be baited.

Donald Trump is responding to the nationwide anti-establishment and anti-incumbent mood, where there is clearly anger among voters, Cope said. Contrast that with Clinton and Esty, and I think the Trump train will continue to build steam.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
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DANBURY  The number of Americans who identify as Catholic has shrunk in recent years, and Connecticut leads the nation in that decline.

Danbury stands out in bucking that national and statewide trend, and the reason is immigration.

Figures supplied by the Diocese of Bridgeport show that St. Peter, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches all showed increases in attendance at Mass from 2011 to 2015. All other churches in the 16-parish region in northern Fairfield County showed a decline in Mass attendance.

What these three churches have in common is that Mass is conducted not just in English, but also Spanish or Portuguese, or both.

In 2007, 23.9 percent of Americans identified as Catholic, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. By 2014, that share had fallen to 20.8 percent.

Connecticut showed the sharpest decline of the 50 states - 10 percent.

But at St Peters, which offers Mass in all three languages, average weekly attendance increased 27 percent  from 1,459 in 2011 to 1,854 in 2015  by far the largest increase of any parish in the region.

We are a very multicultural parish, said Father Gregg Mecca, who conducts Mass in English. Were happy Catholics from around the world are comfortable here. Our future looks healthy and happy.

Danbury has been recognized as one of the most diverse communities in the country. Latinos make up roughly one-third of the citys population of 83,000, including approximately 10,000 Brazilians whose native language is Portuguese.

Being able to hear the Mass in their native language isnt the only thing that attracts some immigrants to Danbury churches.

Mariana Bankhard, a native Brazilian, visits at least three parishes, where she usually attends Masses in English instead of Portuguese.

Church in Brazil is more loud and modern, with singing and dancing, Bankhard said outside St. Peter Church one day before noontime Mass. I like church in America more because its more quiet and traditional. Its just you and God.

Across town at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the number of households registered with the parish grew by about 150 percent between 2009 and 2015, from 500 to 1,241, according to diocese figures.

Father John Perez said thats partly because the churchs member families are growing, while church secretary Dora Arias added that those families are also bringing in relatives newly arrived from Latin America.

Pedro and Lourdes Morales, who are Mexican by birth, have noted Guadalupes explosive growth in 20 years as members.

When we first attended, there was one Sunday Mass, Pedro Morales said. Now there are five.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where both English and Portuguese are spoken, saw Mass attendance increase 3 percent from 2011 to 2015 and family registration increase 18 percent from 2009 to 2015.

Meanwhile, Mass attendance declined at the other three Danbury parishes  St. Joseph, Sacred Heart and St. Gregory  and family registration fell at Sacred Heart and St. Gregory. Attendance also declined at 10 other churches in Bethel, Brookfield, Redding, Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Newtown and Sherman  all part of Vicariate 5 in the Bridgeport diocese - and at two churches in New Milford, which is part of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Bridgeport diocese figures for membership and Mass attendance are compiled each year in October.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, which offers Masses in English and Portuguese, has seen an increase of more than 80 registered families since 2009 and an increase of 3 percent in attendance at services.

Father Jose Martins said most parishioners have roots in Portugal, but the church continues to offer Mass in English because second- and third-generation attendees are more comfortable in that language. Cathechism has been given solely in English for about 20 years, he said.

Sacred Heart Parish, by contrast, has lost more than 100 registered families in the last five years, about 25 percent of the 2009 total. Weekly attendance at Masses, all in English, decreased by 3 percent.

Father Peter Towsley, who has been the pastor for a year and a half, said the church suffered a period of turmoil before his arrival, including turnover among his predecessors and its dissociation from the Franciscan order.

Our church is rejuvenating itself after a period of perceivable death, Towsley said. Weve had to rekindle the fire. Our parishioners were the embers, and all they needed were a little air, kindling and protection.

Geraldine Lancey, a Sacred Heart parishioner for more than 20 years, was not dismayed by the churchs difficulties.

There have been changes to the church, but it hasnt changed in the best respect, she said. Its still very family-oriented.

Towsley added that the church is trying to rebuild its strength by attracting millennials with a warm welcome, dynamic homilies and good liturgical music. He also has added ministries aimed, for example, at Catholics who had fallen away from the faith and at those who have suffered losses of family members.

Nick Ciliberto of Danbury might be the type of millennial Towsley is trying to attract. His family attends St. Peter Church, but he doesnt, saying many of his generation are put off by the Catholic Churchs stance on social issues.

The Pew Religious Landscapes Studies were conducted in 2007 and 2014 via telephone interviews with more than 35,000 Americans.

The study showed that the Catholic Church is not the only major denomination to shrink in recent years. Americans identifying themselves as adherents to one of the mainline Protestant denominations shrank by 3.4 percent from 2007 to 2014, and evangelical Protestants by just under 1 percent.

Christians overall decreased from 78.4 percent to 70.6 percent of the population, a net decline of 5 million people. The drop was visible across demographic categories, including age, race, sex and educational level, but was particularly pronounced among younger age groups.

Non-Christians, including Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, saw an increase of 1.2 percent, with Muslims accounting for nearly half of that total.

The number of Americans who describe themselves as unaffiliated, including atheists, agnostics or nothing in particular, climbed 6.7 percent.

Ricardo Andrade, who described himself as agnostic, attended Immaculate Heart of Mary until he was in high school. Now, he doesnt follow organized religion or believe in a higher being, though hes a fan of Father Martins.

I appreciate this new priest because of the emphasis he puts on doing the right thing and being inclusive and having your heart in the right place, rather than blindly following, Andrade said.

Martins, the priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary, is not alarmed by the Pew figures, arguing that they dont necessarily capture the full dimensions of religious faith.

Faith is not an amount that can be measured, Martins said. Sometimes there are differences in attendance or population, but in the end the people who were faithful remain faithful. To be faithful is more than being connected to a group. You can be faithful by yourself.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) -- A Florida man accused of deliberately driving his vehicle into a New York state trooper who was issuing a ticket has been convicted of first-degree murder.

A jury Friday found Almond Upton, of Melrose, Florida, guilty of the 2014 death of 42-year-old Trooper Christopher Skinner. He faces a possible punishment of from 20 years to life in prison at a Nov. 10 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors say the trooper was issuing a ticket along Interstate 81 near Binghamton in upstate New York when Upton purposely drove his vehicle at 93 mph into the officer.

Attorneys for the 62-year-old Florida man argued he lacked the mental capacity to understand what he had done. They had hoped the evidence would justify an insanity defense.
China will promote the G20 summit as an efficient platform for world governance including economic development, trade and investment, Turkish experts said on Monday.

The upcoming G20 summit is to be held in September in Hangzhou with the theme of Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy.

It will be the first time in G20 summit history that development is being given priority in a global macro-policy framework, and the first time to outline steps to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It is the first time to put innovation on the priority at the G20 summit, Guven Sak, chief of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, told Xinhua.

China emphasizes Innovation for development, he continued, adding the upcoming G20 summit in Hangzhou will put more focus on reforms.

Ussal Sahbaz, another expert at the foundation, said he was very glad the forum for small- and medium-sized enterprises, created at the last G20 summit in Turkey, was also put on priority of the agenda at the this years summit.

The 10th G20 summit was held in Turkish city of Antalya last November with the main theme of Inclusiveness, Implementation and Investment for growth, or THREE IS.

Mustafa Kutlay, an associate professor at the International Relations Institute of TOBB University of Economics and Technology, hoped the THREE IS could continue at the G20 summit in Hangzhou.

The upcoming summit will have an important influence on world governance and world economy, said Kutlay, adding China, as the second largest economy in the world, has the resources and abilities to ensure the success of the summit.

Altay Atli, an expert at the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), noted the summit will provide an opportunity for China to show the world that it will rise peacefully.
Heres the scene: a suspicious package is found in a public place. The police are called in and clear the area. Forced to work from a distance and unable to peer inside, they fear the worst and decide to detonate the package.

New research at the University of Rochester might help authorities in the not-too-distant future be better informed in tackling such situations and do so more safely. Working with a special type of electromagnetic wavecalled terahertz (THz)thats capable of sensing and/or imaging objects behind barriers, the team demonstrated that they can detect a THz wave at a distance of up to 100 feet. The THz wave created by the researchers is more than five times stronger than what is generated by more conventional means, leading them to believe that a THz waveand the image of a hidden objectcan be detected at much greater distances in the future.

The use of an unconventional laser beam in our project goes beyond a scientific curiosity, said Zhang. It makes possible the remote sensing of chemical, biological, and explosive materials from a standoff distance.

THz waves, which fall between microwave and the infrared band on the electromagnetic spectrum, can penetrate certain solid objects that are opaque to visible light to create images of what is hidden from view. Unlike traditional x-rays, the waves do so without damaging human tissue. All that makes THz waves a promising tool for Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies. But before THz waves can be widely used, a number of obstacles need to be overcome, including how to make them more effective over greater distances.

One of the drawbacks is that the waves are absorbed by water molecules in the air and weaken significantly over longer distances, making them generally ineffective. One solution is to generate the THz waves near the target, so that they have only a short distance to travel. Its also important that the waves are intensive, because, as Liu points out, The stronger the terahertz wave, the more work it can do.

The key to their results was the use of a specific exotic laser beamcalled a ring-Airy beamto generate a THz wave that has 5.3 times the pulse energy of THz waves created with standard Gaussian beams.

Ordinary beams of light spread out as they travel, but thats not the case with ring-Airy beams, which curve toward the center from all points.

To begin the process, Liu directed a laser beam onto a spatial light modulator (SLM), which formed the ring-Airy beam. As the name indicates, the beam is circular with a hollow center. Instead of spreading out as it travels, the beam collapsed inward, creating an intensely excited region of free electronscalled a plasma. Those electrons, in turn, generated the THz wave, which would be capable of penetrating a nearby target and reflecting images or providing vital chemical information about what is hidden.

When the target is a suspected explosive device, its important to get the work done at a safe distance, said Liu. We believe our method could help THz remote sensing from more than 100 feet away by providing a more robust and flexible way to generate THz remotely.

The modulator allowed the researchers to change the size of the ring-Airy beam and fine-tune the dimensions of the plasma that is created. The next step, as Liu sees it, is to manipulate ring-Airy beams to create stronger THz waves over greater distances
The police in Nasarawa say two Chinese attached to West African Polaris Investment have been kidnapped in Agada village, Nasarawa Local Go...





The police in Nasarawa say two Chinese attached to West African Polaris Investment have been kidnapped in Agada village, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.Police Public Relations Officer Ismail Noman said on Saturday in Lafia that, XJieng AI Jung, 50 and Wenso Ping, 45, were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2.28p.m. on the their way to Abuja. He said that although the gunmen, wielding sophisticated weapons, were still at large, the police had begun investigation to track them.According to him, security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups, local hunters and community leaders have also been involved in the search of the victims. He said security operatives had been deployed in to the forests and bush around the area to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, has directed that the search operation team should do everything possible to ensure that the victims are rescued, he said.Noman explained that the police had also increased stop and search activities across the state borders as part of security measures.He called on the people of the state to be law-abiding, respect the constituted authority and report any suspected person in their domain to any nearest police station.
Embattled House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has declared that budget padding is not an offence. He said he would not resign...
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Thursday marked the fourth anniversary of his enthronement...





Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Thursday marked the fourth anniversary of his enthronement as the archbishop of Lagos, expressing delight over the Buhari administration proposal to release IPOD leader, Nnamdi Kanu, MEND leader, Henry Orkar and others in order to broker peace across the nation.Addressing newsmen after the Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos, the archbishop who took a cursory look at his very challenging four years voyage as archbishop, he took a look at the state of the nation, maitaining that the proposal was a cheery news because no sacrifice is too much to be made for the continuous peaceful existence of this country.We owe our children and generations unborn the responsibility of building a great nation where every citizen can live in peace and given the enablement to participate meaningfully to the growth and development of the larger society, he noted.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized four houses worth N872 million from a former Minister of the Federal Capit...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized four houses worth N872 million from a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen Bala.The ex-minister is also under investigation on alleged fictitious contracts of about N1billion, allocation of 12 choice plots worth billions of naira and 37 other commercial plots of land worth about N8 billion to his suspected front named Tariq Hammoud as well as the controversial N1 trillion Abuja land swap.More than 16 companies linked with fictitious contracts awarded by Bala had been under surveillance and their owners grilled by EFCC.The anti-graft agency quizzed Shamsudeen, Hammoud and top directors of the Federal Capital Territory administration, including that of Treasury, Ibrahim Bomoi; Land, Babayo Mainasara, and Abuja Geographical Information Service (AGIS), Ms Jamila Tangaza.Tangaza, who had been in detention in the past one week, was battling for bail as at press time.She has, however, been linked to N800 million questionable contracts to her personal firm apart from benefiting from plots of land from the ex-minister.According to investigations, the ongoing probe of the ex-minister followed petitions against him, including complaints pending since 2013.It was gathered that following preliminary findings, EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order to confiscate a N650 million house at 1 and 3, Mariam Mukhtar Street, Asokoro.The same forfeiture order was secured to seize the ex-ministers son three duplexes costing about N222 million in the Apo Area of Abuja.A top source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: We are probing the immediate past Minister of FCT on many allegations against him, including award of N1 billion fictitious contracts; abuse of office by allocating 12 choice plots to his son and 37 other commercial plots worth about N8 billion to Hammoud, who is suspected to be his front; land swap, among others.Some of the petitions against Bala Mohammed had been pending since 2013. Initial findings showed that the ex-minister used fictitious companies to award contracts worth N1 billion in FCT. In one instance, a man with three companies was allowed to bid for one slot.About 16 companies used for fictitious contracts are under investigation because they did not supply items credited to them.We have also uncovered how Bala allocated plots of land to his friends, business partners. For examples, he allocated 12 plots of land to his son, Shamsudeen, and 37 commercial plots of land to his business front called Tariq Hammoud.Some of those quizzed so far confessed that Bala used unconventional methods in raking illicit funds and laundering same. Each time the ex-minister allocated a plot of land, he would find out the market value and ask you to pay half of the amount to him in cash.For instance if a plot of land was N2 billion, Bala would ask for N1 billion cash from the prospective buyer. He was smart in collecting cash.But the EFCC has traced allocation of 37 commercial plots to Hammoud and how N8billion was made from it. In fact, we saw a proposal by Tariq Hammoud to sell some of the plots.So far, our operatives have arrested, detained and quizzed Shamsudeen. He is presently on administrative bail. We have also interrogated Hammoud.Responding to a question, the source said: Based on substantial findings, we approached the court to obtain an interim forfeiture order to seize a N650million from the ex-FCT Minister.What happened was that the former minister allocated some plots of land to Aso Savings and they bought the N650 million house for him at Nos. 1 and 3, Mariam Mukhtar Street, Asokoro District.The EFCC has confiscated three duplexes totalling N222million which were acquired by the ex-ministers son.We invoked sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 which empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.On the fate of the ex-minister, the source said: We are investigating him, we are yet to invite him for questioning. Certainly, we are closing in on him.The source added that EFCC had grilled top directors of the FCT administration. As for Ms Jamila Tangaza, we arrested and detained her because she was connected with the land scam and abuse of office.The ex-minister asked her to resign her appointment with BBC and appointed her as a Senior Special Assistant on Media and Information. But Bala allocated some plots of land to her to sell in order to acquire a mansion in Asokoro District too. Her house was allegedly worth N158million.Also, Jamila allegedly abused her office by awarding N800million contracts to her company which is called Songbird Multimedia.Her case was interesting. When she registered the company with the Corporate Affairs Commission, she used a fictitious name as the CEO of the company but she is the sole signatory to the companys account and her phone number is the point of contact with the firm.We have sent her signature on CAC document and other specimen signatures collected from her to a forensic laboratory. Following a court order, we detained her in the past few days but as at Friday, she was pleading that we should grant her bail. We are looking into her request.The top source denied insinuations that the ex-BBC correspondent was handcuffed when she was taken to her office for a search.The source added: You can verify from her what transpired. From custody in EFCC, we went with her to her office to recover some documents. We used the EFCC bus but along the way, she begged us to park the bus away from the vicinity of AGIS where she is a director. She did not want her staff and others to notice that she was brought to the office by EFCC team.We obliged her request by parking outside AGIS. We also didnt allow policemen in uniform to follow her to the office. We assigned plain-clothe operatives and even asked her if she wanted the only lady in our team to follow her so that Jamila can blend with the crowd in AGIS without anyone suspecting anything.She said all plain clothe operatives can follow her. We did not put her in handcuffs. This is the extent we went based on her request to protect her reputation and integrity. The story of Jamila being handcuffed was rubbish.
Aisha Buhari, wife of the Nigerian president, on Friday said Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, refused to put the general election ...

Aisha Buhari, wife of the Nigerian president, on Friday said Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, refused to put the general election behind him.Commenting on the legal battle with Fayose during an interview with VOA, the presidents wife said she had the right to take him to court.The presidents wife sued the governor after he refused to retract his allegations that she was indicted in the Halliburton scam.She had initially given Fayose a five-day ultimatum to apologise, but the governor stood his grounds, insisting that he had evidence to substantiate his claim.He even challenged her to visit the US if she was sure that she was not afraid of being arrested.Buharis wife is currently in the country, where she is expected to spend a full week.Tracing the origin of the issue to the electioneering period, the presidents wife said it was not only Fayose who was abusing her, but added that while others kept quiet after the election, the governor continued.She said it was God who made it possible for her husband to win the election.All these started during the campaign period. He was not the only who was abusing me, others did that, but after the election, which Allah made us to win, and they to lose, everybody kept quiet, but Fayose kept on abusing people and eventually he started abusing me too, she said.I dont know those places and people he mentioned.I never chose myself for this post, but God chose it for me. I am not even the one who contested election.I have never abused him; I dont even know him as a person. How can he be accusing me of what I have no idea of? I wont let this go.
Enugu Catholic Priest, the Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has once again taken former President Goodluck Jonathans administration to the cleaners, ...

Enugu Catholic Priest, the Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has once again taken former President Goodluck Jonathans administration to the cleaners, describing his days in office as full of mess and cancerous to the economic life of the nation.His recent declaration entitled: FR MBAKAS ASSERTION THERE IS HUNGER IN NIGERIA, NOT AN ATTACK ON PRESIDENT BUHARI, came as a reaction to recent media reports where he was quoted to have bashed President Muhammadu Buhari over the level of suffering in the country.In a statement he issued through his spokesman, Barr Maximus Ike Ugwuoke, the cleric said he observed with keen concern the news trending some sections of the media that he attacked President Muhammadu Buhari.Mbaka maintained that he didnt attack Buhari but told him the situation of things in the country and as well suggested ways out.He stated that the news headline is not only sensational but also a censorious media colouration and hype of the message of the cleric titled Bless and Be Blessed for whatever ends.While admitting that he lamented the level of hunger and suffering in the country, the fiery priest said it was followed by another message where he explained that Buhari was not responsible for the situation but the previous administration.He declared that the Bless and Be Blessed message that was misunderstood was followed by a message titled Mega Change of Conditions.According to him, the second message, where he absorbed the President of blames over the hunger situation in the country read:There is sword that is moving about in the country. People are dying like flies. The sword of Hunger is eating the land. And as I have told you this is just the beginning. If anybody is telling you it is going to be well very soon that person is deceiving you. This is because many of us were among those that were alive during the years of the past government. The past PDP government was a grasshopper and locus to Nigerian. The past Government was a disaster to the land of Nigeria; the past government was cancer to this country. There is no need trying to cover their incalculable and iniquitous mess. If you dont feel it now, you will feel it later.The impact of their horrific mess is yet to be felt. It was a regime where hooliganism became a political slogan; where looting became the order of the day; where the neglect of youths became a pattern of administration. The result is what we are passing through now. Hunger is everywhere; the hunger was created before this new government came in. Buhari is not the maker of the hunger.The hunger was created during the Jonathan PDP administration but Buhari should abate the long procrastination, bureaucracy and slow methods in tackling it.Understand it very well. People will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Buhari is just an agent of change. The money in our treasury was nothing to write home about before this new regime came. The country was in an embarrassing mess.Apart from the petroleum that we sell and get money, what other means of foreign exchange do we have? The foundation of the Nigerian economy is oil which has now collapsed and the foundation once destroyed what will the just man do? Psalm 11:3. The past administration did not prepare this administration for this season. That is why the sword has risen. Many will die by this sword but there will be survivors.That is why I have been saying and I keep on saying that the past administration should publicly come to apologize to the Nigerians. They should not be foolhardy. They should not continue to perpetrate this type of iniquitous attitude planning about 2019 election for them to continue from where they stopped. All these years of Jonathan, nothing happened in Niger-Delta specifically to be recorded in the annals of history. What a shame? What an embarrassment. The place where the oil has been coming from remained underdeveloped under a man from the same soil. If you go to Niger Delta today you will cry. But what worries me is that our people are good in shifting blames.Somebody entered your kitchen carried your pot of soup, enter your store and farm raked everything in the store and farm and ran away. And another person enters the kitchen where there is no pot at all and you want the person to turn the kitchen into a magical kitchen that will produce a magical pot and a magical soup, which soup?I am just telling president Buhari that people are hungry because he cannot not come to the street like me and notice peoples feelings. But Buhari is not the author of the hunger. The past government planted the tree of hunger and they want to come back to water it. If it is in a developed country by now from the Senatorial to the reps to the governors, all who participated in the last administration should have resigned with apologies to our youths, otherwise the youths one day will begin to stone them.They will soon confuse you that present governments dont want to feed you, feed you with what? It will surprise the whole Nigerians to know that even after Buhari was a petroleum minister and a military president of the country, he had no oil bloc. Is it not a shock? Dont you hear the quantum of money that is being recovered from one person? Buhari just came as a redeemer. I dont know if the people of this country are hypnotized.How can we be fighting somebody who is fighting for us? Apart from this Buhari, how can somebody talk to these political juggernauts and tell them to bring back what they have stolen? it is only a Beniah personality like Buhari that can enter into the cave and catch a lion and kill a lion in a snow season and come out. The president needs support. He doesnt know where to begin because there are many holes dug for him by the past administration, and they carried the sand away expecting him to cover the holes with what?.He, therefore maintained that contrary to the media report Fr. Mbaka merely reinstated the obvious sufferings that Nigerian are facing (which even the president himself had at points acknowledged and sued for patience and perseverance) and advised the president on the ways to tackle it i.e by engaging economic gurus and listening to good advisers.We wonder which portion of the message could be viewed as an attack or bombing of Mr President as twisted in the media. The acclaimed message of the cleric to Mr President to us is rather a further demonstration the clerics love to see that the president succeeds in his messianic rescue operation mission in Nigeria and that is why it is devoid of hypocrisy.It is obvious that those who are arm-twisting the said message of the cleric to Mr President as an attack on Mr President are those who want the president to fail or be blindfolded so as to use the obvious hardship Nigerians are facing as a weak point of his administration to ride onto power mindless of the fact that Mr President has done so well in fighting corruption and insurgency in the country, which are mega achievements that scores him above average in just few months of his administration.In the background of the message, Fr Mbaka encouraged the gallant warrior, President Buhari, to continue his battle against corruption and insurgency asserting that if not a man like President Buhari, by now people may have stopped going to church and mosques. Boko Haram might have wrecked this country. People might have equally stopped going to schools, markets etc. Kudos to Buhari .Fr Mbaka revealed that corruption, insurgency and poor governance by past governments gave birth to three horrible children (1) Hunger (2) Anger (3) Danger.He asserted that Buhari is not the cause of corruption and insurgency yet he is fighting them frontally and enjoined the president to extend same to hunger even though he is not the cause. He pleaded the President to begin a War against Hunger, as many are dying hopelessly. He stressed that if the hunger, anger and danger continue, Nigerians may not vote for him again, as they would mistake him for the cause of these maladies while in fact he is a solution.Fr Mbaka equally advised the President on being careful about how he appoints people to prominent positions, so that no region will appear marginalized- as happened in NNPC board and charged the President to make sure that those around him are not misguiding him. He advised the President on human empowerment and making sure that those who worked for him (Buhari) during the election ought to be empowered as one good turn deserves another.For the purpose of clarity, granted that Fr Mbaka stated the obvious , that there is hunger in the land, he never attributed the cause of the hunger and economic hardship bedeviling the nation to Buhari rather he attributed it to the offshoot of the actions and inactions of the past administrations of this country.We recall that earlier this year, Fr Mbaka had during his New Year message predicted that hunger and hardship will come upon the country this year and so we wonder why this message should make a headline at this point of the year.
President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that it is difficult to fulfill all his electoral promises. He said the task before him was no...

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that it is difficult to fulfill all his electoral promises.He said the task before him was not an easy one.The President, however, said that he would work hard with his team to bequeath to the country a new orientation in leadership that would be service-driven.Buhari, who spoke on Friday at the graduation ceremony of Course 24 of the National Defence College, Abuja, where he was the Special Guest of Honour, explained that though it was not easy to fulfill all the electoral promises, he and members of his team were trusting in God that they would deliver through hard work and sound vision.He said, Let me assure you all that this administration is committed to bequeathing to this nation, a new orientation in leadership that will be service-driven and committed to the realisation of its promises to the electorates.We are however not under any illusion that this task is an easy one.But we have put our trust in God knowing that with hard work and sound vision, we will triumph.Buhari expressed delight that in the last one year, through the hard work, dedication and sacrifices made by members of the nations armed forces and security services, the nation had been able to degrade the capacity of Boko Haram insurgents to wreck havoc.On the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers, the President said his administration would not condone any act of criminality.He said he had therefore directed security agencies to deal decisively with the situation.The President said, On the herdsmen/farmers clashes, I wish to state that this administration will not tolerate or condone acts of banditry and criminality, under any guise.As such, our security agencies have been mandated to deal with such acts decisively.Let me state that this administration has been working assiduously in conjunction with our local and international partners, to rebuild damaged communities in North-East part of our country.Similarly, we are committed to tackling the issues of underdevelopment and neglect in the Niger Delta area.This is a priority we have set before us and we intend to make appreciable gains in correcting the ills of the past in the Niger Delta by assuaging inherent grievances, he said.For the Nigerian graduating participants, Buhari said he expected that they would all have made the most of their time on the course and be ready to join the ongoing process to change Nigeria for the better.He stated that Nigeria had made tremendous progress in the last one year towards taking its rightful position in the comity of nations.The President promised to continue to build on the progress in the coming years so as to ensure that Nigeria maintains the enviable heights it had achieved thus far, adding that it is a task that all Nigerians must resolve to do.He said, International confidence in our country and its future is beginning to return because of how we are slowly finding ways to solve our problems.The nation is beginning to have faith in the ability of our societys institutional capacity to tackle our problems. But we must work doubly hard to restore our nation to higher glory.The Nigerian Armed Forces have proven to be equal to the task of maintaining our internal and external security.The President recalled that at the inception of his administration, he outlined certain core areas of national life that require immediate intervention, which are to secure the country, improve the economy and fight corruption.He said corruption and poverty remained the countrys main problems.Through his anti-corruption war, he said billions of naira had been recovered from indicted companies and individuals.The President added that the nation had saved more money through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.Buhari said, To tap the nations vast opportunities, Nigeria needs a philosophy of transparency and accountability in governance.The other core areas that we need to improve are the rule of law and moral standards in government and in society in order to provide a good foundation for good governance so that our gains are not dissipated by corruption.Good governance must be based on a sound moral foundation, a philosophy of transparency, accountability and an ethic of effective implementation.Already, our unrelenting fight against criminality and corruption in governance is a clear testament that we intend to address these problems.In his welcome address, the colleges Commandant, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, told the graduating participants that a lot had changed in the polity while they were in the college since September last year.Alade therefore urged them to quickly embrace the change mantra as exemplified by Buhari.While saying the concept of change had permeated throughout the entire country, he urged the participants to contribute to its sustenance.He sought the Federal Governments support towards the completion of the colleges permanent site.Alade disclosed that the college had trained a total of 2001 participants since its inception, including international military officers.As part of its regional and international assignments, he said the Economic Community of West African States recently tasked the college to research into incessant herdsmen and farmers clash in the region and proffer solutions before it gets out of hand.He said Course 24 had 130 participants, including seven officers from outside the country, adding they had the privilege, for the first time in the history of NDC, of making a presentation to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.He said all the participants who started the course on September 6, 2015 had been adequately trained and are expected to add value to the society in their various capacities.Alade added that more foreign countries are now showing interest in the NDC with 13 countries already showing interest in Course 25 which will start soon.A breakdown of the 140 graduating participants showed that the Nigerian Army contributed 55 participants; Nigeria Navy, 40; Nigerian Air Force, 12; Nigeria Police, five; Nigerian Immigration Service, one; National Intelligence Agency, one; and NDC, one.Others are Department of Intelligence Agency, one; Department of State Service, one; Federal Road Safety Corps, one; Nigerian Prisons Service, one; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, one; Ministry of Defence, one; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one; and international participants, seven.Dignitaries who attended the event included the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.); service chiefs, members of the Federal Executive Council and others.Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the KOWA Party in the last general elections, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, and an elder statesman and governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, on Friday reacted to Buharis admission that he is finding it difficult to fulfill all his electoral promises.They said Buhari ought to have vividly studied the true situation of the country before he offered himself to serve.According to Sonaiya, Buharis admission indicated he did not have the true picture of the situation on ground before the last general election.She said the effects of inadequate study of the situation before Buhari became the President were manifesting in non-payment of workers salaries for many months and economic crisis in the country.Sonaiya said, One should not make electoral promises without getting the full picture of the situation on ground. But of course, that is past now. There are some promises one should not have made. Buhari promised change and I believe that many Nigerians are still waiting to see the change that the President promised.I was expecting a radical change, but unfortunately I still have the feeling that Nigerians are continuing mostly with business as usual.There are lots of talks about corruption and people are being arrested for whatever role they might have played in the embezzlement of public fund, but it is disheartening that we have not seen conviction so far. So, how long is this going to take before we see somebody convicted and sent to prison for corruption?She therefore urged the President to be transparent.Sonaiya said, There should be transparency in his government. How much money is being recovered from suspected looters? What is difficult in letting Nigerians know? Otherwise, they will think somebody stole N1bn and N200m is recovered from him and Nigerians will want to know what happens to the rest of the money.Balarabe Musa asked Nigerians not to doubt Buharis admission and described it as unfortunate.Musa said, If it is true that he says he finds it difficult to fulfill all the electoral promises, then, it means he has admitted that the task is daunting, we should not doubt what he said.The onus is on him to call for the government of national unity headed by the All Progressives Congress and involve the remaining political party according to their relevance.It will be recalled that in February 2015, prior to his election, Buhari had, at the Chatham House in London, the United Kingdom, made a wide range of promises to Nigerians.He promised that his administration would be tough on terrorism by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan which promotes infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industrialisation in the affected areas.Buhari had said, We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.In the face of dwindling oil revenue, he also said he would reposition the economy by tackling waste and corruption.He had said, And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of personal example. On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration.Im running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity. In reforming the economy, we will use proceeds recovered from corruption to fund our partys social investments programmes in education, health, and safety nets such as free school meals for children, emergency public works for unemployed youth and pensions for the elderly.As a progressive party, we must reform our political economy to unleash the pent-up ingenuity and productivity of the Nigerian people thus freeing them from the curse of poverty.We will run a private sector-led economy, but maintain an active role for government through strong regulatory oversight and deliberate interventions and incentives to diversify the base of our economy, strengthen productive sectors, improve the productive capacities of our people and create jobs for our teeming youths.In short, we will run a functional economy driven by a worldview that sees growth not as an end by itself, but as a tool to create a society that works for all, rich and poor alike.The APC, the party on which platform Buhari was elected President, also promised in its manifestoes to bring permanent peace and solution to the Niger Delta and other conflict prone areas, initiate policies to ensure the removal of state of origin, tribe, ethnic and religious affiliations and replace them with state of residence.Also, the party said it would guarantee a minimum price for selected crops and facilitate storage of agricultural products as and when necessary, while creating a food inspectorate division nationwide with a view to improving nutrition and eliminating food-borne hazards in the country.
A recent report by the Council on Foreign Relations says that despite the United States government efforts to combat illicit finance, poo...

A recent report by the Council on Foreign Relations says that despite the United States government efforts to combat illicit finance, poor governance, and violent extremism in Nigeria and the world at large, US embassy officials in the country have neglected that for personal gains.A report authored by Matthew T. Page, entitled Improving U.S. Anti-corruption Policy in Nigeria explained that sequel to Muhammadu Buharis 2015 presidential election victory, senior US policymakers saw an opportunity to support his aggressive efforts in waging war against corruption in the country.Page noted that systemic corruption has continued to threaten democracy and good governance in Nigeria.He blamed decades of unchecked corruption for the countrys failure to handle its internal challenges, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency that has killed so many people in the north east.He said corruption takes many forms in Nigeria, ranging from oil theft, procurement fraud and the misuse of slush funds called security votes.US anti-corruption policy continues to be ineffective in Nigeria for four reasons, Page said.First, the interests of senior US policy makers and working-level officials diverge. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew have defined anti-corruption efforts as a U.S. policy priority in Nigeria; they see it as part of a global effort to combat illicit finance, poor governance, and violent extremism.Yet officials serving at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja  diplomats, military liaisons, and intelligence officers  are mainly concerned with cultivating strong relationships with a wide range of elites, including those complicit in corruption.As a result, U.S. anti-corruption policy remains broad-based and untargeted, centred on modest assistance programmes for police investigators and civil society watchdogs.Second, U.S. officials are not using existing tools  such as consular databases, local law enforcement records, or online searches to conduct basic due diligence  to identify and avoid enabling corrupt officials.As one example, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funds a rice cultivation project owned by a former attorney general whom the United States sanctioned for corruption in 2010. In April 2016, the U.S. ambassador and USAID officials visited and toured the farm with the owner.Third, the anti-corruption work of U.S. law enforcement agencies is under-resourced given the size and scope of corruption in Nigeria, its destructive impact on U.S. policy interests, and its role in fuelling illegal financial transactions in the United States and Europe.Although the FBIs International Corruption Unit recently tripled in size, its worldwide focus, heavy case loads, and long prosecution time lines mean that it can only investigate a handful of the many potential cases involving corrupt Nigerian elites.Fourth, as with other policy efforts, anti-corruption action is hindered by inter-agency divides. The U.S. Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. intelligence community rarely collaborate to combat corruption in Nigeria.For example, the state department and the intelligence community do not routinely provide tips, background information, or expert advice to justice department investigators working to locate and seize assets stolen by Nigerian kleptocrats. Further, frequent personnel turnover has hindered attempts by some working-level officials to improve communication and policy coordination.As part of his recommendations, Page said an inter-agency working group on Nigerian kleptocracy be formed.He advocated information sharing and improved coordination between Washington and the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, as well as among policymakers, law enforcement, and the U.S. intelligence community.He also called for the establishment of a permanent FBI special agent corruption investigator position at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.In doing so, Washington would send a clear signal that it is upping its anti-corruption commitments and moving away from its hitherto non-confrontational approach, he said.Though subordinate to the U.S. legal attache in Abuja, this investigator would operate free from diplomatic interference in support of the International Corruption Unit at FBI headquarters.Collaborating closely with the EFCC, this investigator would be able to provide Washington with unbiased reporting on corrupt individuals. The United States should also encourage the EFCC to field a senior liaison at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, to enhance information sharing.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the YarAdua Centre in Abuja on Friday to attend a meeting of Zero Hunger in Africa-Nigeria ch...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the YarAdua Centre in Abuja on Friday to attend a meeting of Zero Hunger in Africa-Nigeria chapter and not a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a photograph of the former president was wrongly captioned as having been seen arriving at the venue of the PDP meeting.NAN reports that Obasanjo was at the centre for the Zero-hunger meeting and not for the PDP meeting, a party he openly left. According to a statement by Mr Tunde Arosanyin of the Zero Hunger in Africa in Abuja on Saturday, it was just a coincidence that the two meetings were holding at the same venue.He came for zero hunger in Africa-Nigeria chapter meeting with commodity Association stakeholders. At closing, some PDP members came to greet him at the boardroom of the hunger meeting venue, Arosanyin saidi. NAN reports that the PDP, on Friday, Aug. 5, inaugurated a convention committee ahead of the Aug. 17 convention in Port Harcourt.
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ), Chief Bode George said former members of the party who left for th...

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ), Chief Bode George said former members of the party who left for the All Progressives Congress (APC),like Bukola Saraki, Abubakar Atiku, others are mere tenants who are already on their back to the PDP.Chief George, who picked up the PDP chairmanship nomination form for the August 17 National Convention on Friday, said he would bring the party back to its winning ways if he wins the vote.It takes an experienced captain to stabilise a ship hit by a tornado . And if you know the crisis in PDP, that is the position the party is facing right now.But I am happy that all is not lost, and the condition has been enhanced; zoning has gone extremely well. I have paid my dues in this party and I should not be afraid of anybody, he said.He warned the ruling party, the APC to get ready for serious engagement because PDP has started a cohesive battle ahead 2019 general elections.
A woman in the US state of Florida tried to Snapchat a video of herself holding a gun but instead accidentally shot her cellphone, injurin...

A woman in the US state of Florida tried to Snapchat a video of herself holding a gun but instead accidentally shot her cellphone, injuring her right hand, authorities said.Regina Powell, 22, said she was foolishly playing with the .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, trying to make a Snapchat video, when it went off, the Volusia county sheriffs office said.The bullet destroyed her cellphone and injured her thumb and index finger.The incident occurred Sunday in Deltona, Florida.Police were still looking for the gun, which the womans aunt tossed out of her car window as she drove Powell to the hospital.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 586 people were killed last year in accidents involving firearms.The right to bear arms is protected under the second amendment of the US Constitution.
-- Friends, family and community members will rally together as Rancocas Valley Regional High School will be hosting an Olympic viewing party for Voorhees native and Olympic swimmer Kelsi Worrell.

Worrell, who graduated from the high school in 2012, will be competing in the 100 meter butterfly on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. If she advances, she will be competing in the finals on Sunday.

This is the first time the 22-year-old is competing in the Olympics.

"I want her to have fun," Worrell's mother, Erica Worrell told the Burlington County Times. "I want her to make new friends. I just want her to experience it to the fullest."

Kelsi Worrell's family traveled to Rio on Thursday with about $27,000 generated from T-shirt sales commemorating her participation in the 2016 games, according to the Burlington County Times.

"If she doesn't medal, I would like for her to achieve her personal best time," Erica Worrell said. "The competition is pretty fierce."

High school Principal Joseph Martin and members of the Tarnsfield Swim Club Team, where Worrell swam growing up, will all be at the viewing party to cheer her on.

"She is a tremendously gifted athlete and such a hard worker," Martin said of Worrell. "We're beyond proud of her accomplishments. She's already a winner in our book."

The viewing party is invite-only, but if people from the community show up, Martin said they won't be turned away.

"I expect a couple hundred people to be there, but it could be 500 to 600," he added.

Martin described Worrell as modest and "one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet."

"Just to know someone who is a world-class athlete competing in the Olympics is an amazing experience for the entire Rancocas Valley community," he said. "It couldn't happen to a sweeter, hardworking young lady."

The viewing party begins Saturday at 9 p.m., doors open at 8:30 p.m., at the high school's Performing Arts Center.

CJ Fairfield may be reached at cfairfield@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @fairfielc4. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CAMDEN -- A Syracuse, New York man has been arrested after he allegedly drove to Gloucester City to have sex with a 14-year-old girl he met online, only to find out that the person on the other end of that online chat was actually an undercover investigator.

Stephen Epolito

He was arrested Thursday in Gloucester City, according to a press release from Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester City Police Chief Brian Morrellon.Stephen Epolito, 37, is being held on $100,000 cash bail on a charge of attempting to lure a child via electronic means to a meeting with the purpose of committing a criminal offense.

"Epolito engaged in a cyber chat with undercover investigators believing that he was chatting with a 14-year-old female," the release said.

He drove to Gloucester City to engage in sexual activity with the person and was arrested when he arrived, according to the release.

The sting was carried out by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, and police departments in Gloucester Township and Gloucester City.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact Lt. Thomas Di Nunzio at the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at (856) 225-8515 or Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Kimberlee Gautier at (856) 225-8682. Information can also be emailed to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Da'Nasha Da'Shya McCullough (Photos provided by Bridgeton Police | For NJ.com)

BRIDGETON -- City police are seeking the public's help locating a woman who was last in touch with family June 14.

Bridgeton Police describe Da'Nasha Da'Shya McCullough as a black female standing 5 foot 5 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds.

McCullough has black hair and brown eyes with a "Love" tattoo on her left wrist according to police.

Police said she was last reported to be heading to New York with an unidentified man.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Bridgeton Police Department at 856-451-0033 ext. 0.

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Blue Acres Program hit a milestone recently -- having completed 500 buyouts on coastal property in danger of being flooded, including its first closed buyout in Downe Township on the Delaware Bayshore.

Blue Acres was set up in 2013 in response to Superstorm Sandy and the damage it caused to flood-prone areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has even recognized the program as being a best practice, according to the DEP.

Since its inception, Blue Acres has closed the purchase of 503 properties in 14 municipalities and eight counties. Out of the 806 homeowners that DEP offered the program to, 618 have accepted the offers. Out of the purchased properties, 371 have been demolished. Once purchased, the land becomes preserved.

"It goes without saying that the DEP and the Blue Acres program administrators have been incredibly responsive to the township administration and, even more importantly, to the residents who have been removed from harm's way and no longer reside in the flood zone," said Mayor John E. McCormac of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, in a statement from DEP. "And the work of Blue Acres is not finished. Blue Acres is committed to financing additional buyouts of the families that still remain in harm's way."

The $300 million initiative is funded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program and other DEP funds, according to the DEP.

There are 11 Bayshore houses in line for being bought an additional 12 interested in the program.

The program is not without its detractors, however, with Downe Township Committee in Cumberland County passing a resolution Monday declaring a fiscal emergency due to 85 percent of its land on the Delaware Bayshore preserved by Blue Acres, Green Acres, National Land Trust, Nature Conservancy and other organizations and programs.

"For them to take the properties is putting us in a dire financial situation, one that we are already in," said Mayor Bob Campbell. "I don't support it and I don't understand it. There is no justification or reason for it."

Campbell alleges that property owners have been coerced into going through programs like Blue Acres to get out of their properties, or else be regulated out of the area. According to Campbell, the area is more in danger of going under financially than it is going under water.

Blue Acres just recently closed on its first Downe Township property, according to the DEP, belonging to Natalie and Don Fisch.

The Fisch family told DEP that their road flooded regularly during high tides and full moons, leading them to be concerned about the local infrastructure.

"Everything went so smooth for us," Natalie Fisch said in a statement from DEP. "We've been blessed. I'd recommend the program to anyone in a bad flooding area that needs to get out."

Concern about the future of the region surrounding Downe Township led to the creation of the New Jersey Delaware Bayshore Council, which hopes to advocate the preservation and restoration of the Delaware Bayshore and its culture.

Meghan Wren serves as a trustee on the council and founder of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve and, being so invested in the region, she feels conflicted about Blue Acres. She doesn't want to leave her area or see it be abandoned by its residents but, on the other hand, it's a personal decision for each person whether to take a buyout or not.

"It does put the rest of the residents in the unfortunate position," Wren said. "If a certain percentage decides to leave, the ones that don't leave are left with a larger tax bill. It's harder to convince even yourself that it's worth investing into a community if there's less people there."

The Bayshore has a culture that remains unchanged for a century and has the potential to be a showcase for the region, Wren explained, and it is just as important as other shore communities.

Blue Acres has bought land in Sayreville Borough, South River Borough, East Brunswick Township, Old Bridge Township and Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County; Manville Borough in Somerset County; Linden in Union County; Lawrence Township and Downe Township in Cumberland County; Pompton Lakes Borough in Passaic County; and Newark in Essex County. There has also been interest in New Milford, Bergen County, and Ocean Township, Monmouth County.

For more information about Blue Acres, call 609-984-0500 or visit www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/blue_food_ac.html.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
PHILADELPHIA -- Wide receiver Jordan Matthews, with a sprained knee, was one of three starters and five Eagles players to miss Saturday's abbreviated 10-10-10 practice.

Matthews suffered the knee injury during Friday's practice when he was hit by rookie cornerback Jalen Mills in a full contact drill. Saturday's practice was non-contact.

Also missing from practice were left tackle Jason Peters (quad), safety Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (hamstring) and rookie wide receiver Marcus Johnson (quad).

Peters and Jenkins have both been out since Thursday's practice when they left early with their injuries. Shepherd, who missed all of his rookie season in 2015 with a torn ACL, was injured, Friday. And Johnson, the undrafted rookie from Texas, has been out over a week.

Also absent was safety Rodney McLeod, who was excused to attend a funeral.

Running back Ryan Matthews, who practiced briefly, Friday, for the first time was back for the entire two-hour practice, Saturday.

Tight end Zach Ertz, who left Friday's practice with a possible concussion was cleared and was back at practice, Saturday as well.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll (leg), who is coming back from a fractured fibula suffered last Thanksgiving, was also back at practice, Saturday.

With Matthews out, Josh Huff took most of the first-team reps in the slot.

Matt Tobin once again replaced Peters at left tackle with the first team.

The Eagles are back at practice, Sunday morning. It's uncertain whether any of the five players who missed Saturday, will be back in action.

Mark Eckel may be reached at mjeck04@verizon.net. Follow him on Twitter @MarkEckel08. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
NEWARK -- Five people being held hostage in an apartment on South Street were rescued by city police SWAT officers early Saturday morning, authorities said.

City police seized an assault rifle from the house and arrested one man, who allegedly held the victims -- including the man's girlfriend -- against their will, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Newark police responded to the incident on the 200 block of South Street about 2:45 a.m. after receiving a call of several people being held hostage, Ambrose said.

After a four-hour standoff with police, officers entered the building after using pepper spray. They apprehended the suspect, 32-year-old Yucef Shabazz Rogers of Newark, without incident, Ambrose said.

The three adult females and two males being held hostage were then released, Ambrose said. One of the hostages was Rogers' girlfriend and another was a 14-year-old male, he said.

There were no reported injuries in the incident that police say appears to be domestic related.

Officers recovered a loaded AK-47 assault weapon in the apartment, the city's top cop said.

Armed with a search warrant, investigators found a loaded 9mm handgun at the apartment when they went back to the scene Saturday afternoon, Ambrose said.

Ambrose said Rogers fired one shot before police arrived. That round landed in a wall and did not injure anyone, he said. He said investigators do not know which weapon was used to fire that round.

Rogers will be charged with "a host of criminal charges," Ambrose said, including possession of the assault weapon.

He will be taken to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, authorities said.

"I commend the SWAT officers for resolving the situation without anyone being injured," Ambrose said in an email.

Detectives remain at the scene, awaiting a search warrant.

This is the second time the Newark SWAT team has made a rescue in the Brick City in as many days.

On Friday afternoon, officers rescued two men from a rooftop after an armed homeless man confronted them on Frelinghuysen Avenue, authorities said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook and Twitter
Officials are warning residents about a scam with links to Spain.

Fraudsters are trying to trick residents into becoming "mystery shoppers" and participating in a quality control program on behalf of Walmart, according to a press release issued by Gloucester County.

No such program exists.

The scammers have tricked citizens into revealing personal information and exposing themselves to bank fraud and theft, county officials said.

A West Deptford resident reported receiving the scam in the mail this week.

They are using Walmart logos and promising that participants will make money, explained Freeholder Lyman Barnes, liaison to the county Office of Consumer Affairs.

What really happens is much different.

Scammers send victims a check for $1,992.65, then tell them they must send back a personal check for $350, according to the county. Victims are told they can keep the remainder of the money. A few weeks later, victims learn that the check was phony and that they owe their bank more than $1,900.

"Walmart has advised consumers that they do not participate in any type of 'Mystery Shopper' programs," Barnes said. "County residents should know that under no circumstances should anyone answer an ad or mail inquiry asking them to be a mystery shopper."

If mailings with these offers persist, residents are encouraged to contact the county Office of Consumer Affairs at 856-384-6855.

Walmart includes extensive information about scams on its website.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
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A 7-year-old boy fell approximately 20 feet tonight on Rose Avenue in Jersey City, according to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health spokesman Mark Rabson.

A 7-year-old boy fell approximately 20 feet from a building on Rose Avenue earlier this evening in Jersey City, a hospital spokesman confirmed.

The boy was talkative and in stable condition when he arrived at Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, hospital spokesman Mark Rabson said tonight.

Rabson said the boy was being transferred to a children's hospital.

Additional information was not immediately available.
DELAWARE TWP. - A 53-year-old Pennsylvania man was arrested after he reportedly followed a township woman to her home, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

Thomas P. Kostingo

Thomas P. Kostingo of Gilberton, Pa., was arrested on Tuesday after a woman called police, saying she was being followed by another vehicle, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said.

Township police reported finding Kostingo in his vehicle in front of the woman's home at 9:50 p.m. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant out of Lancaster, Pa.

"It remains unclear why this individual, who by all accounts is a stranger, followed the woman into Delaware Township," Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski said.

Kostingo was driving a red 1998 Dodge pickup with Pennsylvania plates. A hypodermic syringe and drug paraphernalia were reportedly found in the pickup during a search by township police and the prosecutor's office.

According to a report on LancasterOnline, Kostingo was arrested and charged with drug possession in 2015 after police responded to a Pennsylvania Verizon Wireless store. He allegedly "paced around the store for 90 minutes and was shouting out names of colors," according to the report.

In 1993, the Morning Call reported that Kostingo had been arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to rape a woman under a bridge near Maizeville, located near Gilberton, Pa.

Kearns, Kuczynski, and Delaware Township Police Chief Chris Cane said the investigation is ongoing and ask anyone with information should contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-788-1129 or the Delaware Township Police Department at 609-397-8189.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com or text messaging "HCTIPS" plus the tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app "Tipsubmit" and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.
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A Perseid meteor streaks out of the constellation Perseus in this image from 2013.

( Kim MyoungSung)

The Perseid meteor shower is already underway. The Perseids are bits of dust from Comet Swift-Tuttle that burn up in Earth's atmosphere. The shower gets its name from the constellation Perseus.

Meteor experts are predicting the Perseids will produce a larger than normal number of meteors this year. There have been some over-the-top reports recently about the strength of this meteor shower. Predictions range from 120 to as high as 200 meteors per hour. Well, that sounds pretty good: At the maximum rate, you would see a meteor once every 20 seconds! The problem is that 200 per hour is not at all what you will actually see.

Those 200 meteors per hour are known as the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR). This is what you would see under ideal conditions: perfect vision, no light pollution, perfectly cloudless clear sky, no smog, no trees or buildings blocking your view, no moon and meteors coming from directly overhead. It is a useful measure of a shower's strength, but in real life, these perfect conditions hardly ever occur. Therefore, the actual number of meteors you see is much lower.

You also have to consider that the main peak of the Perseids is happening during daylight hours in the United States. This will happen on Thursday about 8:30 a.m. EDT, followed by two more peaks of activity at about 7:00 p.m. This is nice for stargazers in Europe, but not good timing for us. However, there may be another chance later that night. Another peak may come about 1:00 a.m. Friday.

Thursday and Friday between 12:30 a.m. and dawn, will likely be the best time for viewing. The constellation Perseus is in the northeast, but meteors can appear in any part of the sky.

This means that viewing will be good for both Thursday and Friday mornings between 12:30 a.m. and dawn. The moon will be very low in the sky, so bright moonlight will not interfere. It is hard to say which will be better, so try viewing both mornings or pick the one that has the best weather forecast.

How many meteors will we actually see? If it is clear and you have a pretty good view of the sky, divide the ZHR in half. If you live near city lights (which a lot of us do), divide by 10. So in New Jersey, if we are lucky and the prediction of a stronger than usual shower are correct, we may be able to see between 20 and 100 meteors per hour at best.

If you want to help scientists track the number of meteors visible, check out this meteor counting app available for Android phones from the Google Play Store. Of course if you don't have a smart phone you can always count them the old-fashioned way with pencil and paper. The American Meteor Society provides a handy form on their Visual Observing guidelines to help you keep track.

As always, to view a meteor shower, you don't need to face any particular direction. These meteors will seem to come from the constellation Perseus, which is rising in the northeast after sunset, but you should face whatever is the clearest, darkest part of sky for you. Meteors can appear in any part of the sky. Telescopes and even binoculars have a field of view too small for effective meteor viewing; the best equipment is your eyes.

If the weather does not cooperate, NASA will be broadcasting the Perseids live on Ustream beginning at 10 p.m. EDT on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12.

This will be a good opportunity to see the Perseids, but don't expect that touted number of 200 per hour. Go outside between 12:30 a.m. and dawn on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - with the early morning hours of Thursday and Friday likely being the best for viewing.

Find a good viewing spot and a comfortable chair, and then sit back and enjoy!

Kevin D. Conod is the planetarium manager and astronomer at the Newark Museum's Dreyfuss Planetarium. For updates on the night sky, call the Newark Skyline at (973) 596-6529.
KEARNY -- One person was injured in a crash on Kearny Avenue Wednesday afternoon that took down a light pole and traffic signal, police said.

At about 4 p.m. 82-year-old Lucas Bernardin, of Newark, was driving his 2006 Nissan Altima south on Kearny Avenue near Johnson Street. As the traffic light at the intersection changed from green to yellow, Lucas collided with the Toyota Camry stopped in front of him, Kearny Police Lt. John Taylor said.

Bernardin told police the shoes he was wearing caused him to mistakenly accelerate his car instead of brake, Taylor said.

Witnesses, however, told police that Bernardin tried to avoid stopping at the red light by passing the Toyota, which was driven by a 54-year-old Edison woman. Bernardin's Nissan ricocheted off the Toyota and struck a traffic signal, light pole, control box, and trash can before crashing into a tree, Taylor said.

After the crash, shattered glass and debris littered the ground while the traffic light was in the middle of the street. Police shut down a section of the roadway while they conducted the investigation.

The Edison woman was treated at a hospital for her injuries, while Bernardin was issued summonses for reckless driving and failure to obey a traffic signal, Taylor said.
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Hassan Saada was due to box on Saturday but faces 15 days in jail while police examine claims by two women at the Olympic Village.A boxer has been arrested for allegedly raping two female workers at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro , police have said.Officers detained 22-year-old Hassan Saada, a Moroccan athlete, after allegations of rape were made.The alleged sexual assaults took place on Wednesday, police said in a statement.There are conflicting reports as to whether the complainants worked as cleaners or waitresses at the village.mo
HIGHLAND  A book-signing in Highland will benefit Haven House, a 24-hour emergency shelter in Hammond for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Randall Lemon, a drama and English teacher at Highland High School who writes short stories, will sign copies of the "Gryffon Master: Curse of the Lich King," between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at Miles Books, 2819 Jewett Ave. in downtown Highland.

Lemon wrote "Gryffon Master," which is about adventurers in "a strange world of trolls and liches and other mysterious creatures," along with authors H.M. Schuldt, Christian Freed, Joyce Shaughnessy and Lynette White. It's Volume 1 in the "Crystal Sword Chronicles."

A portion of the proceeds from the book-signing will benefit the 33-year-old Haven House, which serves residents in Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, Munster, Griffith and Highland. Miles Books also will collect money for anyone who wants to donate to Haven House, which protects women and children from physical abuse.

This is a different type of author-signing, Miles Books owner Jim Roumbos said. In the past, the author was the big focus of the event. This time I feel that we should try to raise as much money as possible for Haven House. A long time ago, my wife and I volunteered our time in the initial set-up. Most recently I have decided that Miles Books should be more than just a place that sells books. Consequently, I am focusing on doing signings that have real meaning.

For more information, call (219) 838-8700.
you probably haven't heard about this kids. probably won't."The activist was known to many distressed Democrats as the young man who served the Democratic National Committee (DNC) with a lawsuit on early July 2016. The lawsuit alleged that the DNC has done fraud in favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary process."mo
Police departments across Lake County are cracking down on aggressive, distracted and drunken driving, seat belt violations and those caught speeding.

Hammond and Hobart police departments released data this week showing results of recent traffic safety patrols.

A crackdown in July by Hammond police yielded 368 citations, including 202 seat belt or child restraint violations, 39 equipment violations, 58 license violations, 24 speed violations, and 23 traffic signal or sign violations.

That same month, Hammond police made 17 arrests for impaired driving.

Members of the Lake County Traffic Safety Partnership conducted a sobriety checkpoint July 29 in Hobart, according to a Hobart Police Department news release. That checkpoint yielded various charges, including that of felony operating while intoxicated and marijuana possession.

Others were cited for seat belt violations, operating a vehicle while never licensed and no registration.

Gary police also announced this week the department's participation in an upcoming Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, according to a department news release.

From Aug. 12 through Sept. 5, Gary officers will join more than 250 state and local agencies, and thousands more across the country, to conduct high visibility patrols encouraging drivers against drinking and driving.

There were just over 4,820 alcohol-impaired collisions in Indiana in 2015, resulting in 92 fatalities.

Five Gary Police officers will work overtime to conduct these sobriety checkpoints around the clock with funding from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, according to the release.
CROWN POINT  Great northern beans flew through the air  along with saliva  during The Times Day at the Lake County Fair.

The Bean Spitting Contest Saturday morning drew six adults and four kids, the youngest just 3 years old.

Contestants practiced with the great northern dry beans before the contest and then had two official spits. The longest distance measured of the two tries was each contestants official score.

The grass in the Special Activities Area hid some of the beans during the contest, making measurement of the distance more challenging for officials. Even the fairs mascot, Bea the Honeybee, buzzed in to help search for the elusive beans.

For some, including Dale Richards, of Sauk Village, John Ols, of Schererville, and Bob Zatarski, of Hobart, the contest is a tradition.

For 21-time champion bean spitter Willie Curtis, of DeMotte, its a legacy to be passed on to younger generations. Curtiss 3-year old daughter, Faith, and stepson, Jacob Hanaway, 13, entered the youth division this year. And his wife, Amanda, demonstrated her own technique in the adult division.

Willie Curtis again took home the top prize trophy in the adult division with a top bean dispersal of 40 feet, 6.25 inches. Zatarski captured second place while Richards took the third-place trophy.

For the fourth year in a row, 13-year old Ryan McDaniel, of Schererville, walked away with first place in the youth division by sending a bean 22 feet, 11.5 inches.

The first year, I didnt know what I was doing. I was just getting into it, and I won, the Grimmer Middle School 8th grader said.

Hanaway received the second place trophy for spitting a bean 13 feet, 11.5 inches, and Braydon Hylek, of Lowell, went home with the third place trophy with a spitting distance of 9 feet, 5 inches.

Little Faith Curtis added to the familys trophy collection by winning the shortest distance prize for sending a bean 2 feet, 2 inches.

Other families gathered along the midway at the Jungle Island Petting Zoo & Bird Encounter. New to the fair this year, the zoo features 60 different species of animals from Africa, India, Australia, Europe, Madagascar and Vietnam.

Ryan Schultz, of Crown Point, held his 1-year-old son, Eli, as the youngster patted and fed the tortoises. Carli Schultz recorded the experience with her phone.
EAST CHICAGO  A Region native who lived in the citys West Calumet Housing Complex as a teenager in the late 1990s is now spearheading efforts to provide aid to current residents faced with the likelihood of moving out.

Juan Fernandez, 36, is partnering with two local businesses to accept donated moving supplies, which he and others will turn into moving kits to provide to families.

I believe this is going to take more than what the city administrators and (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) can provide, Fernandez said. Its going to take the entire community. This is a crisis.

The city recently notified residents about high lead levels in the soil at the complex. Now, the city is working with HUD to relocate about 1,000 residents  including 680 children  and possibly demolish the decades-old public housing complex, officials said.

Fernandez said people can donate scissors, large rolls of packing tape, boxes, and heavy-duty strength trash bags.

Beginning Monday, supplies can be dropped off from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays at Galaxy Travel, 711. W. Chicago Ave., in East Chicago. Supplies can also be dropped off at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Harbor Barbers, 3827 Main St., in East Chicago.

Fernandez said he is also involved with Peoples Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, an annual food drive for East Chicago residents. When he heard about West Calumet residents having to move, he said he knew he needed to step up and help.
VALPARAISO  The city has expressed interest in purchasing and relocating the Moose Lodge here as it paves the way for its planned creative arts district on Indiana Avenue.

City Planner Tyler Kent said a civic center would likely be built on the Moose Lodge property at 108 Indiana Ave.

"Ideally that's the location from what the study indicated," Kent said. "But if that site doesn't work, we'll work other sites around Indiana Avenue."

Kent said there has been no agreement as of yet with the Moose Lodge.

Steve Richter, Moose Lodge governor, said they talked about it with the city but have not said yes to anything.

The Moose Lodge building has been at its current location since the 1950s.

"We've got a long history in the city and we are concerned we're going to be offered not enough money to do something else again," Richter said.

Richter said they've been a contributor to part of the city's history and "want to stay that way."

"If we move, members who live close won't be happy but the ones closer to where we end up will be," he said.

The planned civic center would be a space for musicians and artists to showcase their work. It could include technology-based art and an area for people to celebrate.

Kent said there could include plans to partner with Valparaiso University and Ivy Tech Community College for projects at the center.

"None of that has been set up yet," Kent said. "We haven't done a study or analysis on that, but those are common things that you would see with that type of use."

Kent said they would look at the "latest and greatest" trends when planning the two-story civic center.

The civic center would probably not be built for a couple of years.

The core of the creative arts district is a five-block portion of Indiana Avenue between Napoleon Street and Morgan Boulevard. Plans call to transform the area into a complete street with infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists and amenities such as quality lighting, street furniture, free Wi-Fi and public art. A pedestrian connection will run between Valparaiso University and the district as well as the greater downtown area.
INDIANAPOLIS  The prosecutor handling the case of an Indianapolis man accused of killing two teenagers said Friday the mans double-murder trial will rely heavily on DNA evidence to place the victims at the defendants home.

Kevin Watkins was charged in December with two counts of murder in the killings of 15-year-old Timmee Jackson and 16-year-old Satori Williams. They vanished Dec. 24 and their bodies were later found at different locations.

Authorities allege Watkins suspected that Williams had burglarized his home on Dec. 18, in a break-in where about $5,000 in guns and other items were stolen.

Watkins appeared in court Friday for a pre-trial conference, but a Marion County judge moved that hearing to Aug. 26 after prosecutors sought the delay.

Deputy Prosecutor Mark Hollingsworth said prosecutors and Watkins attorney are awaiting a final DNA evidence report from the police crime lab. Prosecutors believe that report will show both victims were at Watkins home, where large amounts of blood were found.

This case relies heavily on DNA evidence, Hollingsworth said after Fridays hearing. We dont have an eyewitness to the event so its going to be a very scientific case.

Watkins, whos being held without bond, has entered a not guilty plea in the case. His public defender, Jeff Neel, did not return a message seeking comment Friday.

Police were called to Watkins home Dec. 25 after Williams mother found blood there while searching for her son. She told officers she knew her son was having some trouble with the people who lived there, court documents state.

Officers found a gruesome mix of blood and apparent brain matter outside Watkins home and two bloody trails leading away from it. Jacksons body was found in February in an Indianapolis pond. Williams body was discovered in April in a rural area near Indianapolis.

Hollingsworth said the evidence in the case will be very disturbing for their families when the trial is held, likely early next year.

Watkins was charged in January with criminal confinement and impersonating a police officer in a separate case where he allegedly posed as an officer and handcuffed a minor on Dec. 20 as he searched for those who burglarized his house.

Hollingsworth said he hopes to have evidence in that incident admitted in the double-murder trial to help establish Watkins alleged motive in the killings  that he was searching for whoever burglarized his home and suspected Jackson.

Were trying to show that thats what he thought and that was the motive he had for taking two lives, he said.
A college professor in Brooklyn is doing research that he says will change the world by creating a new source of energy, and whether he succeeds or not, the work is already making a difference in students lives.

Associate Chemistry Professor Larry Pratt is digging into your waste, food grease dumped down the drain.



"It's either cleaned out of the sewer pipes that lead to the sewer plant or it floats on top of the sewage in the treatment plant and they have to remove it, and usually, it's either incinerated or landfilled," Pratt said.



Pratt, who has been at Medgar Evers College for four years, says the country produces roughly 2 billion gallons of this brown grease each year. He's converting it into fuel.

He's already proven he can do it, developing a way to break down the chemical compounds in grease to create a liquid simliar to kerosene.

The National Science Foundation has awarded him nearly $250,000 to figure out how to do this on a large scale.



"Either the sewage treatment plant would do it, or they would contract with an outside company to do it," Pratt said.



Pratt says his discovery can lead to the production of more than a half billion gallons of fuel for diesel trucks each year.

"I love this kind of research," he said.

Assisting him are college students like Joel Strothers.



"It's very difficult, dealing with sewage sludge," Strothers said.



City University provides stipends for the students and supplies. It's part of CUNY's Undergraduate Research Program, which seeks to make the university into a more research-friendly place while supporting students.



"Fewer students who do research drop out of school," Pratt said.

natsnd



Dropping out doesn't seem to be a concern for Struthers.



"It feels like I'm going to make a difference one day," he said.

His professor says the Medgar Evers senior already is.

Pratt believes this work can change the world, turning household waste into a new energy source



"It's going to break the monopoly of petroleum," he said.



The professor thinks it could be 10 years until his discovery is ready for the market, a discovery perfected with the help of CUNY students in in a Brooklyn lab.


A Queens funeral home was the setting for an outpouring of emotion at a memorial for a woman killed while jogging through a park in Howard Beach. NY1's Amanda Farinacci reports.

"Karina my baby, you shine and you glow."

Those words were spoken by Karina Vetrano's mother at her funeral Saturday. Hundreds turned out to pay respect to the 30-year-old Howard beach runner who was sexually assaulted and killed earlier this week not far from her home.

"She's a beautiful girl," said one neighbor. Very sorry what happened."

Police say Vetrano left her home Tuesday afternoon about 5 o'clock to go for a run. Her father, retired firefighter Phil Vetrano, usually went with her, but a bad back prevented him from going. When she didn't return home, he called police and it was he who discovered her lifeless body in a marshy area close to their home. Police say Karina was badly beaten and sexually assaulted before she died:

"Something like this breaks anybody's heart," said Vetrano's co-worker Gerry Scaveti. "I had to come."

Friends, family and many firefighter friends of her father packed St. Helen's Church to remember Karina's life. In the tight knit Howard Beach streets, white ribbons are displayed around stop posts and on the front doors of the homes in her memory.

"She was just wonderful," said family friend Jim Matera. "Wonderful human being. It's a shame."

"It's like a tradition in Howard Beach," said one neighbor. "We're a close community and we always stick together."

Investigators say the murder is an unusual one: it occurred in broad daylight and in what many consider to be a very safe neighborhood. They're combing through her cell phone records and personal effects found at the scene in the hopes of finding a clue to point them to a person police believe is a danger to the community.

"I feel unsafe right now," said one Howard Beach resident. "I feel very unsafe walking in the area. Every person I see I wonder is this the person who did it? I just feel afraid and sad at the same time."

In his lengthy homily, the Priest described a girl whose favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz, who loved animals, nature, rainbows, writing and fitness.

Her blog served as an online diary  and one section focused on self-respect. Making an acronym for those words, every letter standing for what she valued.

Using Karina's own words  T stands for "tell yourself you can" the priest urged mourners to "tell yourself you can get through this" because that's what Katrina would have wanted.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Some of the people who served the country valiantly got some patriotic respect in the city on Friday.

Ten military members were sworn in as new U.S. citizens aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Eagle at Pier 86 on the West Side.

The servicemen and women come from countries including Belize, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Ireland and the Philippines.

They say it's a great honor to be citizens of the country they served.

"Mostly, the reason I joined was because it was my dream job. It was something I always wanted to do, ever since I was a little kid. I grew up in White Plains and I had a lot of military friends. So I'm in the Marine Corps, and I was always looking up to them," said one inductee.

"One of the biggest things was that I could vote. So actually, I feel like I have a say in helping us as a whole make different decisions and helping to make decisions that are actually going to be better for us," said another inductee.

The two military men NY1 spoke with also denounced Republican nominee Donald Trumps comments to the parents of a slain Muslim-American soldier as disrespectful.
VARIETY PUZZLE  The Broadway musical Hamilton has captured the imaginations of many people, including our constructors Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon. One of the characters in the play by Lin-Manuel Miranda, HERCULES MULLIGAN, appears in todays acrostic quote as a hero who never made it to the history books, but whose contributions to the founding of our nation should be remembered.

My gimmes in todays acrostic included HAMILTON, NIHILIST, THOUSAND, REWIND and EMBELLISH, which helped me begin to toggle between the quote and the clues. Once I knew there was a connection to the play (which I havent seen, but I listen to the soundtrack regularly), the rest of the puzzle fell quite easily.

Nicely done, Ms. Cox and Mr. Rathvon. Tell us about the book on which todays puzzle is based:

Constructorss Notes

This book about important accomplishments of half-forgotten Americans was published in 2012, well before Broadways Hamilton phenomenon. There are 30 chapters, each devoted to a secret hero. One chapter is devoted to Eliza Scidmore, who first suggested planting cherry trees in Washington, D.C. Another chapter is devoted to Jimmie Angel, a bush pilot and explorer after whom Venezuelas Angel Falls is named. And yes, theres a chapter devoted to George Washingtons most valuable spy in New York City, a tailor who happened to make uniforms for the British army. As fans of Hamilton know, this character does some ferocious rhyming as a friend and ally of the title character. And his name is fun to say.

Not only is it fun to say, he appears to have been a fun-loving guy himself:
NEW YORK  A fashion model who taunted the police and shouted about Donald J. Trump while naked in Times Square is likely to have a public lewdness case against him dropped if he completes psychiatric treatment, under an agreement described by prosecutors in court in Manhattan on Friday.

The model, Krit McClean, 21, said on Friday that his behavior on June 30 was the culmination of seven days of mania, though he did not know it at the time. Mr. McClean, who was hospitalized after his arrest, said he was found to have a genetic predisposition to manic episodes.

Prosecutors asked that the case against Mr. McClean be dismissed in six months if he continued treatment and avoided trouble.
When the New York State Education Department announced scores last week from this years standardized tests, it led with the good news  nearly 38 percent of students statewide were proficient in English and about 39 percent were proficient in math, up from the previous years results. But it also warned that the scores could not be compared with previous results apples to apples, because of changes in the way the tests were written and given.

Almost immediately, in what has become an annual ritual, politicians, educators and advocates of every educational stripe popped up to interpret the results in myriad contradictory ways. And they did not let any asterisks get in the way.

In a news conference on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio, with the New York City schools chancellor, Carmen Farina, beaming by his side, celebrated the fact that the citys proficiency rate on the English test, given to third through eighth graders, matched the states for the first time, at 38 percent of test-takers. (The citys proficiency rate in math lagged behind the states by about three percentage points.) Mr. de Blasio also happily noted the increase in English scores in every single one of our 32 local districts.

Although the tests were shorter and given without a time limit  which the state education commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, repeatedly pointed out while presenting the results  Mr. de Blasio said that the changes actually made the exams a more accurate measure of what students had learned.
IT has become a standard conservative talking point: Black activists focus on police brutality but ignore violent crime in black neighborhoods. Last month Rudy Giuliani said on Fox News: If they meant Black Lives Matter, they would be doing something about the way in which the vast majority of blacks are killed in America, which is by other blacks.

Claims like Mr. Giulianis arent just offensive or misplaced  theyre demonstrably wrong. While Black Lives Matter receives deserved attention, countless grass-roots organizations  many of which were founded by bereaved black women  are doing remarkable work to prevent and reduce crime. They protest violence, testify at city council hearings, press for gun-control reform and collaborate with politicians, faith-based organizations and, yes, even the police.

I spent 20 years studying anti-crime politics  observing community meetings, interviewing lawmakers and activists and analyzing city council hearings about crime. I found groups organizing on everything from barking dogs to shootouts, as one legislative aide told me. Their activism was impossible to miss.

But this local organizing goes largely unnoticed by politicians, scholars and the news media, all of which focus instead on large national groups with big budgets and expensive lobbyists.
The program has succeeded in only two states, Virginia and Connecticut, and a number of localities.

The good news is that the V.A., like states and cities around the country, has at least come to understand what works: housing first strategies that avoid the red tape and restrictive conditions that have left too many of the hardest-to-help veterans, unmoored by illness and addiction, in shelters and on the street.

A housing-voucher program that the V.A. runs with the Department of Housing and Urban Development has had much success. In Los Angeles, epicenter of the crisis, the V.A. is finally planning to build 1,200 units of supportive housing for a population it has neglected for generations. It took legal action by local advocates and the cooperation of the new V.A. secretary, Robert McDonald, to get the ball moving there, though the shovel-ready project awaits the passage of legislation stalled in Congress.

States and cities are moving, too. In the Bronx on Wednesday, the New York attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, and Mayor Bill de Blasio broke ground on a 59-unit supportive-housing project that will give preference to homeless veterans.

The homeless count is still too high, though the numbers have been slowly going down  by 17 percent nationally this year over last year. Meanwhile, as Mr. Obama noted, each year about 200,000 people leave active duty and become veterans. Many of them have been wounded, in both body and soul, by the wars of the last decade and a half. They have become party to what Mr. Obama calls a lifelong covenant with the V.A.

Its a covenant that the government always seems to be making, neglecting, forgetting and rediscovering. Its the bureaucratic equivalent of Star Trek  a five-year mission that somehow became an unending enterprise. This fall, Mr. Obama told the veterans, his wife will be tackling the cause anew. Michelle will bring our partners from across the country together at the White House to share best practices to figure out what has worked, what hasnt worked, he said.
Of all the people who slid in that year, Johnson is perhaps the most pathetic. This is the guy whose campaign sent out a tweet mourning the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, featuring a picture of an actor who had played Scalia onstage. He once called Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, who is of Indian heritage, an immigrant. Decried The Lego Movie as an insidious piece of anticapitalist propaganda. Referred to public school students as idiot inner-city kids. And once, in an attempt to prove the globe wasnt really warming, said Greenland got its name because it was actually green at one point.

Those of you who complain every four years that the entire presidential election seems to be all about a handful of states will be thrilled to know those swing states tend to be exactly the same places that have the biggest Senate races.

In Florida, Marco Rubio  the man who helped give us Donald Trump, Republican presidential nominee  is back. During the primary campaign, you will remember, Rubio described the Senate as the most useless place in the world. True, during his first term hed been absent for about a trillion votes  but who cared? Nothing that happened there mattered anyhow. When asked about the possibility of running again, the states extremely junior senator irritably tweeted that he had already said like 10,000 times he was not going back, never, ever.

He then announced he was seeking re-election. Due to a discovery of important improvements in the menu at the Senate dining room.
Diplomats at the United Nations spent several months trying to come up with a comprehensive plan to address todays flow of refugees and migrants, the largest since World War II. So far they have failed, as became clear last month when they released a platitude-laden blueprint for a discussion of the crisis by world leaders who will convene in New York in September.

The meeting is a valuable opportunity to recast the global debate about refugees and migrants, which must be done if concrete commitments are to be secured from the governments that are best equipped to help. Nations need a plan to ease the burden of communities that have responded generously and to come up with better mechanisms to care for the most vulnerable refugees first.

The declaration drafted for the meeting sets the right goals but never moves beyond generalities like: We commit to a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the worlds refugees, while taking account of existing contributions and the differing capacities and resources among states.

Thats because the worlds most powerful countries remain at loggerheads over specific proposals to more equitably resettle the millions of people who are living in refugee camps or are midway through perilous journeys in search of safety. Last year there were 19.6 million refugees and 243 million migrants, up from 15.9 million and 172.7 million in 2000, according to the United Nations. Refugees are people who are fleeing war or persecution; migrants are defined as those in search of greater prosperity and opportunities.
Boston  Lost in the debate over Donald J. Trumps refusal to release his tax returns is the story of where the custom of disclosure comes from  and why it can be so valuable as a measure of character. Its a tale of presidential tax shenanigans, political scandal and one of the most famous quotations in American history: Richard M. Nixons I am not a crook.

The story begins in July 1969, when Congress eliminated a provision of the tax code that had allowed a sitting or former president to donate his papers to a public or nonprofit archive in exchange for a very large tax deduction. Congresss rationale was that a presidents papers already belonged to the public.

In his taxes for 1969, President Nixon indicated that four months before Congress acted, he had donated more than 1,000 boxes of documents to the National Archives. He claimed a deduction of more than $500,000.

The write-off didnt become public until 1973, when it was mentioned in passing during a lawsuit related to the Watergate break-in. Although the deed formally giving the papers to the National Archives was dated March 27, 1969, it turned out not to have been signed until April 1970, nine months after presidential document donations lost nearly all their tax benefits. (A thorough account of Nixons tax dodge is contained in a paper written for the United States Capitol Historical Society by the Northwestern University law professor Joseph J. Thorndike.)
After receiving the Nobel, Dr. Zewail devoted time to improving scientific research in Egypt. His idea is, Weve got to teach them that research is very important,  Dr. Sayed said.

Instead of Egyptians going abroad for doctoral studies, as he had, he wanted to create an independent, cutting-edge research institution in Egypt. And with others he did, in Cairo: the Zewail City of Science and Technology, which Dr. Dervan described as a Caltech in Egypt.

The cornerstone was laid in 2000, but the project languished until the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Dr. Zewail, who led the board of trustees, spearheaded fund-raising, mostly from individuals. Zewail City opened its classrooms to students in 2013, and there are now 535 students enrolled.

Part of Dr. Zewails vision was to restore the Arab world to its historical place as a center of learning. In an op-ed article published in The International New York Times in 2013, Dr. Zewail wrote: Westerners often forget Egypts long history of educational accomplishment. Al Azhar University, a center of Islamic learning, predates Oxford and Cambridge by centuries. Cairo University, founded in 1908, has been a center of enlightenment for the whole Arab world.

Dr. Zewail acknowledged that the Middle East had fallen far behind.

A part of the world that pioneered science and mathematics during Europes Dark Ages is now lost in a dark age of illiteracy and knowledge deficiency, he wrote. With the exception of Israel, the regions scientific output is modest at best.

But he remained optimistic. I call on Egypts leaders, of whatever religious or political persuasion, to insulate education and science from their feuds, he wrote.

Ahmed Zewail was born in Damanhur, Egypt, on Feb. 26, 1946. After he completed bachelors and masters degrees at Alexandria University, his advisers encouraged him to go abroad for a doctorate. In the Egypt of 1967, with its ties to Moscow, that usually meant going to Eastern Europe or the Soviet Union. But when the University of Pennsylvania offered him a fellowship, he accepted.
The authorities in Florida said Friday that Omar Mateen, whose June 12 rampage at an Orlando nightclub left 49 other people dead, was shot at least eight times by police officers who responded to the deadly mass shooting.

The Orange County medical examiners office released its report of Mr. Mateens autopsy on Friday, the same day local officials began to distribute their post-mortem findings about the victims of the attack, during which Mr. Mateen pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State.

The 32 death reports released on Friday were the first time that the authorities so publicly cataloged and detailed the injuries of the dead. The medical examiners office said in a statement that it had begun notifying family members on Thursday that the reports would be released under the states public records law. The office said it expected to publish all of its assessments by Wednesday night.

Officials reported their findings about the deaths of 28 men, including Mr. Mateen, and four women. The youngest victim whose autopsy was published was an 18-year-old woman; the oldest was a 41-year-old man.
As consultants drove through the streets of southern Dallas this summer to document the citys increasing population of loose dogs, they found some residents walking with sticks in hand, in case they had to fend one off.

Residents of the southern parts of the city, home to some of Dallass poorest neighborhoods, have complained for decades about roaming dogs, whether stray or left free to wander by owners.

On Thursday, the Boston Consulting Group, hired by the city, released a report that estimated there were 8,700 loose dogs in the area, representing the first time officials had tried to quantify the problem.

Its not that its 24/7, that theres constantly dogs out and people cant even leave their house, Peter Brodsky, the chairman of the Dallas Animal Advisory Committee, said in an interview. But it is a prevalent enough problem that it is really impeding peoples quality of life, such that theres diminished walking down the street. Sometimes you cant go into a park.
PARIS  A fire swept through a bar in northern France early Saturday, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, the police and the interior minister said.

The fire broke out after midnight at a birthday party at the Cuba Libre bar in the city of Rouen, in the Normandy region.

More than 80 firefighters battled the blaze, Rouens mayor, Yvon Robert, said after it was extinguished.

The fire was totally accidental, Mr. Robert told Europe 1 radio, mentioning a possible gas explosion from the heat in a basement room doubtless too small for the number of people present.
Stress can send people into fight-or-flight mode, which can lead them to brace their bellies to appear strong. This is exactly the stance that interferes with calm, alert thinking, Dr. Vranich said.

The fight-or-flight response means business. It developed early when our ancestors needed it as protection from predators. It was so crucial to survival that it has stuck around to this day, as a response to stress.

Just enough stress (such as the kind provided by a realistic deadline) gets your adrenaline going and pushes you through to the finish line. But too much (the kind you feel when you have too many deadlines you know you cant meet) can push you into fight or flight, causing you to crouch, clench and tense.

I was also feeling pain and tension in my back and shoulders as I started to write my book  as if my body were trying to hide from a lion. So I took posture lessons.

When I told people I was working on my posture, they tended to feel ashamed of their slouchiness and lifted their chins, pulled their shoulder blades together and stiffened their necks and shoulders. But that is exactly what you dont want to do, said my posture teacher, Lindsay Newitter, who runs a company in New York called the Posture Police. Rather, you want to gently release the tension that you may not even be aware is compressing your body.

Ms. Newitter helped me undo habits that had been tensing me up for years. Having an expert try to correct your unique postural peculiarities can be a help, but even without lessons, a few basic principles can help you get through the workday.

First, as mentioned, simply imagine the top of your head. At the risk of looking like a monkey, you can even touch the top of your head to get a sense of where it is in space (you may be surprised at how off you were). This act of imagination gently guides you into better alignment.
BANNU, Pakistan -- They toil under the blazing Gulf sun for years to send precious remittances to families, which inevitably boosts Pakistans struggling economy.

Islamabad, however, has imposed security restrictions that effectively prevent many from visiting their families over holidays that typically come only once every few years for the migrant laborers in the oil-rich region.

Thousands of tribesmen working in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are now required to obtain approval from authorities before returning to the North Waziristan tribal district.

Security officials say entry to North Waziristan is subject to thorough verification and security clearance. It is one of the seven tribal districts they claim has been won back from Taliban control during a two-year Pakistani military offensive called Zarb-e Azb.

Islamabad requires all family or individuals above the age of 10 to obtain an identity badge, called the Watan Card, before returning to or visiting North Waziristan.

Obtaining the Watan Card requires residents to complete forms and undergo security clearances. Purportedly, the cards take a week to process.

For the tribespeople working as laborers in the Gulf, however, this mostly proves a challenge only a few lucky ones are able to surmount. Though with difficulty, they manage to obtain permission to see their families, but many only make it to Bannu, a northwestern Pakistani city close to North Waziristan home to most of the nearly 1 million displaced North Waziristan residents.

Laborers from Pakistan and Afghanistan working in Gulf countries, mostly as construction workers and drivers, number in the hundreds of thousands.

I spent 28 days of my monthlong leave in Bannu. I will be going back to the United Arab Emirates without seeing my children, said Ihsan Khan, who is visiting home after three years in the Arab country.

Khan spent more than three weeks awaiting permission. In desperation, he ended up walking to an army checkpoint on the edge of North Waziristan. He had hoped that his valid passport and national identity card would allow him to see his family, who are still stuck in the region that Islamabad claims is free from terrorists.

The soldiers sent me back to the civilian officials, who then directed me back to the army personnel, he said. We are in a bind. [We dont know] where to go or what to do.

Karim Khan, another worker in the United Arab Emirates, now faces the same fate. He is staying at a hotel in Bannu in the hopes of being allowed to visit his family in North Waziristans Mirali region.

I got two months leave after working a hard-labor job in Abu Dhabi for two years, he said. But Ive been in Bannu for more than a week, and I still dont know when I will be cleared to go home.

The Watan Card is our visa to Waziristan, said Azim Khan, while waiting outside the Political Administration offices in Bannu.

His relatives are among the 82,000 families languishing in the city since Zarb-e-Azb began in June 2014. Another 100,000 North Waziristan residents have moved west into the southeastern Afghan province of Khost.

Locals say that while some regions in North Waziristan were spared the agony of displacement, Islamabad has been very slow in helping the more than 1 million displaced Waziristanis to return home.

Suraj, a young Mirali resident, says most Pakistanis are free to go anywhere without restrictions, but only those from Waziristan are banned from visiting their homeland.

Officials from the Political Administration, a special civilians civil service office tasked with governing the tribal areas, have said they allow Gulf workers from Waziristan to go into North Waziristan once a week. But only those possessing Watan Cards are allowed to venture into their homeland on Tuesdays.

Muhammad Anwar Khan Sherani, a civilian administrator in North Waziristan, said they are allowed to address requests from visiting Waziristani workers when the number reaches 200.

On August 4, Abdul Quadir Baloch, a Pakistani cabinet minister in charge of the tribal areas, reiterated that all displaced tribespeople will be helped to return to their homes by end of the year.

But few of those displaced from North Waziristan trust such pronouncements.

This is the fourth or fifth time they are [making promises] and giving such a deadline -- only to then backtrack, said Malak Nisaar Ali Khan, a North Waziristan tribal leader.

as/fg
To the Editor:

Trade Is Good, but Voters Arent Buying It by N. Gregory Mankiw (The Upshot, Economic View, July 31) misunderstands resistance to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Yes, isolationism, nationalism and ethnocentrism exist in a minority, but more thoughtful critics of T.P.P. object not to international trade but to trade agreements that are biased toward corporate interests, allow abuses of labor and the environment, and are unaccompanied by effective trade adjustment assistance for those American workers who pay the price for the increased prosperity that trade brings to the rest of us.

Daniel Finn

St. Cloud, Minn., July 31

The writer is a professor of economics at St. Johns University.

To the Editor:

If we believe the study quoted by N. Gregory Mankiw, there are two categories of voters: those who believe that global trade is intrinsically good (as advertised by mainstream economists), and the less educated and therefore isolationist, nationalist and ethnocentric, who are skeptical of global trade and outsourcing.
Mr. Greenberg described the two of them as retired before we ever worked, and still cobbling together an income with odd jobs; he is an oral storyteller who teaches math, and she is a conceptual artist who sometimes teaches art or waits tables. He estimated that they spend five days a week at home together, and he said they are frequently in their bedroom.

Well often say, Id like the room for three hours, Mr. Greenberg said. We make sure to go to coffee shops, sometimes separately. After five days in a row of being in that bedroom, it feels like youre marinating in the same juices.

Couples with more spatial distance report having an easier time of it. Jen McNeely, the founder and editor of the Toronto-based womens lifestyle site She Does the City, lives with her husband, Jamie Drummond, who is an editor for Good Food Revolution, a food and wine blog, and a sommelier who consults for wine agencies. Ms. McNeely runs her publication from the second floor in their Toronto home, while Mr. Drummond works in the basement.

I was a little concerned wed get on each others nerves, Ms. McNeely said. But it works quite smoothly. Its about respecting each others space.

Likewise, Michael Fusco-Straub and Emma Straub work on separate floors in their home in the Columbia Street Waterfront District neighborhood of Brooklyn. Mr. Fusco-Straub, a graphic designer, and Ms. Straub, a novelist, have been together 13 years, most of that time as work-from-home freelancers. But they used to do their jobs in the same room.

If that didnt work, we wouldnt be together now, he said. Its schmoopy to say this  referring to a Seinfeld episode in which Jerry and his girlfriend call each other by the same name  but Im not sick of her at all. Were really cool with spending 24/7 with each other. When we dont see each other, it feels like something is off. Its nice to always have someone there.
Marcy Elisabeth McCullaugh and Joel Peter Mendel were married Aug. 6 in Yosemite National Park in California. Matthew Weiner, a friend of the groom who became a Universal Life minister for the occasion, officiated at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel.

The bride, 36, is a global issues and policy adviser in San Ramon, Calif., where she writes corporate responsibility and sustainability reports for Chevron. She graduated with honors from Swarthmore College and received a masters in Russian and Eurasian studies from Harvard and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Her previous marriage ended in divorce.

She is a daughter of Nina Stern McCullaugh and James L. McCullaugh of Sherman Oaks, Calif.

The groom, 37, is the director of asset deployment at SolarCity, a solar power provider in San Mateo, Calif., where he matches solar projects with investors. He graduated from the University of Michigan and received an M.B.A. and a masters degree in engineering management from Northwestern University.

He is a son of Maureen B. Mendel and Eric R. Mendel of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

When Mr. Mendel sent Ms. McCullaugh a message through OkCupid in August 2012, she was skeptical about online dating. She had recently ended a marriage and hadnt been single for eight years. I wasnt searching for a serious partner, she said. It was more that I needed practice-dating again.
Meegan Bay Brooks and Michael Gregory Kimiecik were married Aug. 6 at Los Laureles Lodge in Carmel Valley, Calif. Brenda Hwang, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life minister for the event, officiated.

Ms. Brooks, 28, is keeping her name. She is an associate specializing in retail law at Sedgwick, a law firm based in San Francisco. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and received her law degree cum laude from the University of Michigan. She is a daughter of Kay U. Brooks of Granite Bay, Calif., and Albert L. Brooks of Roseville, Calif.

The groom, 29, is an associate at Exponent, an engineering and scientific consulting firm in Menlo Park, Calif. He also graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and received a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a son of Karin Kimiecik and Kenneth Kimiecik Jr. of Santa Clara, Calif.

In July 2010, Ms. Brooks began a solo backpacking journey that started in Arica, in northern Chile, where she was living with a Chilean family and volunteering as an English teacher at a local high school through a program offered by the Chilean Ministry of Education.
Vying for the lumberjack crown

Ive displayed a few photos from our company collection that are representative of people who use our products. We sponsor various competitions and own and run the annual Stihl Timbersports series, which we established in 1985. One of the photos is of a contestant vying for the title of best lumberjack. Another is of a worker cutting down a tree. I especially like a photo of firefighters from Virginia Beach.

A personalized prototype

When we were experimenting with 3-D printers, one of our engineers printed my name in 3-D to try to sell me on how they could be used at Stihl. I spent time with him understanding how they could help with metal production pieces we were sending out to be made. Now we use two printers to produce jigs and fittings.

Making the rounds

I travel to Germany two or three times a year to our headquarters, and about once a month I visit some of our six Stihl branches and five independent distributors in the United States. They sell to more than 9,000 Stihl servicing dealers.

Message in a bottle

My predecessor could be a bit of a prankster. He left me a Japanese scroll and a note saying it was my business plan. I had no idea what the Japanese writing meant. He also left a box and suggested I open it in case I needed help with the plan. Inside was a bottle of sake.
WALPOLE, N.H.  THOUSANDS of people are expected to gather at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 25 to celebrate a uniquely American idea. The National Park Service turns 100 years old, and its birthday party will take place under a stone arch emblazoned with the words For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.

No nation had ever set aside such a magnificent place for that reason. Wild reserves had been the exclusive property of nobility or the rich. Decisions by Congress to protect Yellowstone and other wonders reflected a different idea: In a democracy, such landscapes should belong to everyone.

But that idea included a challenge: Places like Yellowstone must also be preserved, as President Theodore Roosevelt urged his fellow citizens, for our children and their childrens children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.

That tension between access and preservation has become ever more strained today.

In 1916, when the National Park Service was created, there were a dozen national parks, all of them in the West, visited by 326,506 people. Today, 412 parks, national monuments and historic sites cover more than 84 million acres and were visited more than 307 million times last year. Attendance is setting records this summer, and by the time the year ends, the number of visits over the last 100 years is expected to crest 13.5 billion.
ONE persistent narrative in American politics is that Hillary Clinton is a slippery, compulsive liar while Donald Trump is a gutsy truth-teller.

Over all, the latest CBS News poll finds the public similarly repulsed by each candidate: 34 percent of registered voters say Clinton is honest and trustworthy compared with 36 percent for Trump.

Yet the idea that they are even in the same league is preposterous. If deception were a sport, Trump would be the Olympic gold medalist; Clinton would be an honorable mention at her local Y.

Lets investigate.

One metric comes from independent fact-checking websites. As of Friday, PolitiFact had found 27 percent of Clintons statements that it had looked into were mostly false or worse, compared with 70 percent of Trumps. It said 2 percent of Clintons statements it had reviewed were egregious pants on fire lies, compared with 19 percent of Trumps. So Trump has nine times the share of flat-out lies as Clinton.
President Obama last week commuted the prison terms of 214 federal inmates who were sent to prison under draconian, 80s-era laws that have since been revised. Among them were 67 people serving life sentences, nearly all of them for nonviolent drug offenses.

Mercy was granted in these cases. But the federal clemency system  which moves far too slowly and is too often blocked by politics in both the Justice Department and the White House  was never intended to manage miscarriages of justice that happen on a vast scale, as was the case when so many Americans were sent to prison under the tough on crime policies of the 1980s.

The country needs a variety of mechanisms for reducing unreasonably long sentences. And the Justice Department, which has considerable latitude in these matters, needs to do more within the course of its regular operations to deal with the legacy of sentencing policies that have been recognized as destructively unfair.

The former attorney general, Eric Holder Jr., took an important step: In 2014, he supported the United States Sentencing Commissions decision to reduce sentences for many nonviolent drug crimes and asked that people in prison be made eligible for the reductions. According to the Justice Department, more than 12,000 people have been released under that effort.
My father was a scientist, and I grew up in his laboratory. Maybe I am like him, but he is not like me. My father was a physicist, while I am a biogeochemist. I live to study plants, and he has never had more than a generic interest in biology. And yet my father spent the better part of his 70th summer observing a single tree, and in the end, gave me a hundredfold more than what I had asked for.

My father can no longer write. He is 92 now, and he cannot make his hands work. He cannot walk, or even stand, and he can barely see. He is not certain what year it is, but he is sure that I am his daughter, and that my brothers are his sons, and he treats us just as he always has. He still knows me, and for this I am grateful.

When I visit him these days, we sit in the same house that I grew up in, but we dont talk about science anymore. Just one year ago we could, and he explained friction and inertia to my son, letting him push on his wheelchair to demonstrate.

But numbers confuse him lately, and so we talk about poetry instead. My fathers schooling during the 1930s was heavy with memorization; eight decades later, he is reaping the benefits. It is positively amazing to see how much of Longfellows forest primeval he remembers from Evangeline, indistinct in the twilight though he may be.

As with many Midwestern families, great distances pervade our relationships  both literally and figuratively. We never really talk to each other; instead we box up our hurts and longings and store them for decades, out of sight but not forgotten.

It is summer in Minnesota as I write this: four blessed weeks of birdsong and fireflies made all the more beautiful by the fact that it will not last. This year my father and I have spent it inside, reading.

I take out our old tattered Giant Golden Book of Aesops fables, and I start with the stories about dogs because they were always my favorite. I recite the text with the inflection my father used 40 years ago when I was 6, and still pretending that I couldnt read, so that he would not stop reading aloud to me. When I near the end, I pause, and my father recites the moral word for word.
I didnt live in fear growing up in Fremont, Calif., in the 1980s and 1990s. Like the Khans, my parents are Muslim immigrants originally from Pakistan. My parents didnt keep their own copy of the Constitution in their pockets, but they were known to bust out Mervyns coupons and exquisite daal recipes on command. Islam was a vibrant reality for us, comfortably embedded within memories of watching Thundercats cartoons on Saturdays, listening to Dads Jimi Hendrix CDs and seeing my mothers sari collection.

I have now been transformed into a professional adult in his 30s, just like my parents were when they had me. Their generation was forged from immigrant steel and clarified butter. They built mosques out of abandoned shops, drove two states away to find halal meat, started American Muslim institutions, worked full time, raised kids, taught us the Quran and found time to make lamb biryani for an extended family of 12 living in a two-bedroom apartment.

I am not doing that. I can barely catch up on my Netflix shows. But I still want my children to know the rich cultural and religious traditions given to me  traditions that I took for granted.

In recent conversations with about a dozen other American Muslim friends and parents, I found a lot of agreement on the challenge were facing: Our kids will know a kind of anti-Muslim bigotry that we never did. At the same time, theres also a healthy debate on how to raise practicing Muslim children here.

Hina Khan-Mukhtar, a mother of three in the Bay Area, said the only way is for us to transform into Super-Muslims, minus the cape. In America, you cant be a mediocre Muslim, she said. You have to be the best of the best, and you have to show your kids that you have a superior product that you are offering them. There are so many -isms calling for their attention and for their loyalty  individualism, atheism, materialism, extremism. Islam needs to trump them all.
Thursday was Zhou Shifengs turn to take the stage in the Chinese inquisition. Mr. Zhou, a lawyer who worked with people who challenged the Communist Party, was charged with spreading subversive thoughts under the influence of anti-China forces and sentenced to seven years in prison.

His was the third of four show trials in Tianjin, 80 miles southeast of Beijing, following a nationwide crackdown last summer in which more than 300 people were detained or questioned. On Wednesday, Hu Shigen, an advocate for democracy and religious freedom, was sentenced to seven and a half years; a day earlier, Zhai Yanmin, an activist lawyer, received a suspended three-year term for organizing protests; awaiting his turn is Li Heping, another human rights lawyer.

The campaign against legal activists is part of President Xi Jinpings broad assault against any criticism of Communist Party rule. It has also included tough new controls on nongovernmental organizations, especially those with foreign connections, and a crackdown on religious organizations not sanctioned by the government.

The pattern is dismally familiar in the annals of authoritarian governments. Mr. Xis efforts in the trials to portray the defendants as agents of foreign hostile forces working to foment a color revolution against the government echoes Vladimir Putins habit of identifying America as the architect of all of Russias problems. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has accused the West of supporting the plotters of the failed coup last month, and used it as a pretext for his crackdown.
IN the days since Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old French priest, was slaughtered at the altar by two jihadists, his murder has become a contested symbol in his country, continent and church.

To many conservative Catholics, Father Hamel is an archetypal Christian martyr  killed in a sacred space by men motivated by hatred of his faith, dying with the words, Go away, Satan! on his lips. To cultural conservatives more broadly, hes a potent symbol of the jihadi threat to Europes peace.

But within Catholicism there is also strong resistance to this interpretation. It starts at the very top, with Pope Francis, who has deliberately steered clear of the language of martyrdom  first describing the priests murder as absurd, and then using one of his in-flight press conferences to suggest that the killers were no more religiously-motivated than a random Catholic murderer in Italy.

Meanwhile, amid calls of Santo subito!  Sainthood now!  two of the popes biographers, Austen Ivereigh and (in these pages) Paul Vallely, wrote essays warning against doing anything that might inflame interreligious tensions or otherwise play into the Islamic States bloodied hands.
One of the unusual features of this very unusual election year is that both candidates have made major trade agreements an important issue in their campaigns. Donald Trump has been particularly vociferous on the matter, blaming trade for hollowing out the middle class and promising to rip up existing agreements with other countries. Though his talking points are nothing more than hot air, he has struck a chord with millions of angry voters.

Hostility to trade  even misdirected rage  should not be taken lightly. While trade is not the cause of all or even much of the wage stagnation or increased income inequality in the past several decades, there are real problems with trade agreements, as Hillary Clinton and her former rival Senator Bernie Sanders have pointed out.

Polls show that many Americans, especially Republicans, believe that trade has hurt the country. The Great Recession, from which many families have not recovered, is partly responsible for this belief, as is Mr. Trumps rhetoric. In a March survey, the Pew Research Center found that 53 percent of Republicans said trade agreements with other countries were bad while 38 percent said they were good  a big switch from May 2015, when 53 percent of Republican voters thought trade pacts were good for the country. Democratic voters have been consistently more favorable: In March, 56 percent said trade agreements were good, a slight decrease from the previous May.

The United States trades with most countries under the rules of the World Trade Organization. It also has preferential deals with individual nations or groups of countries, like the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, which go beyond tariffs and quotas and address issues like intellectual property rights.
City Connects costs less than $800 per student annually  about 6 percent on top of the typical cost to educate one. An analysis of the program carried out by the Center for Benefit-Cost Studies in Education at Columbia found that it generates a return of at least $3 for every dollar spent. Providing the program to 100 students over six years would cost society $457,000 but yield $1,385,000 in social benefits  higher incomes, lower incarceration rates, better health and less reliance on welfare, according to the analysis. If City Connects were a company, Warren Buffett would snatch it up.

Morris Academy opens early  breakfast is provided, along with before-class tutoring. Its open until 6:30, as well as on some Saturdays and during the summer. Students can choose among clubs for chess players, step-team dancers and bloggers. The robotics team competes with high schools nationwide. During lunchtime and after school, tutors offer one-on-one help to struggling students. An in-house clinic provides medical, dental and psychological services.

Community school funds enabled Mr. Mazzaroppi to deliver the emotional support that battle-scarred children badly need  recruiting a squadron of social workers, training teachers to counsel students and teaching older students how to mentor their younger classmates. Our problem wasnt lack of an academic strategy but our inability to answer students pleas for help, he says. Now, remarkably, Morris Academy students are more likely than their peers citywide to say they feel safe in school and believe that their teachers care about them.

After-school and summer programs not only keep poor kids off the streets, but they also give them the academic leg up and the array of opportunities that better-off families can afford to buy. When he was the chief executive of Chicagos public school system, Arne Duncan, the former United States secretary of education, opened 150 community schools. Making every school a community school  thats got to be our collective vision, he asserted.

Results-hungry policy makers expect test scores to rise overnight, but getting students engaged in their own education must come first. A recent evaluation of Baltimores community schools concluded that the schools whose students did best academically were those in the program longest.

The key is perseverance, says Mr. Gaither. When you hold the course, you get more than what you pay for. His experience bears him out. Since adopting the community schools strategy a decade ago, Wolfe Street Academy has moved from being the citys second-worst-performing elementary school to its second-highest.

New York rarely does things by halves, and community schools are no exception. In the span of just two years, 51,616 students started attending schools like Morris Academy  more students than in the entire District of Columbia school system. Most of them go to one of the 94 renewal schools, the citys lowest-performing schools. Patience is in short supply in New York, however, and these troubled schools have just three years to show substantial progress.
Two toddlers were burned to death in a Bronx fire that ravaged their third-floor apartment while their mother was folding clothes at a laundromat across the street. Officials believe the fire was started by incense that the mother left burning when she left the house. A neighbor said the mother, 26, heard the fire trucks and started running back home, screaming and in tears. My babies, my babies, she yelled. The mother buckled to her knees as she watched firefighters rush from the building cradling her daughters, 18 months and 2 years. The girls later died at a nearby hospital.

The New York Times gave readers a somewhat longer version of the report above last April. A reporter was sent to the scene. An editor was moved into place. And the Metro pages of the newspaper were torn up to make room for a late-breaking story.

The question is, was that the right call? Should resources have been directed to one small fire by a paper trying to cover a city of eight million? More immediately, why should a newsroom that just announced lofty international ambitions spend resources covering news of no interest to readers in Beijing or London?

The Bronx fire has become a flash point for The Times. As the top editor overseeing local news saw how his staff got to work on it that night, he started wondering whether he was using his reporters to cover the right stories, not just in the case of the fire, but with all sorts of routine news. The editor, Wendell Jamieson, recalls asking himself, Is this really justified by what our audience wants from us, or is Metro out of step?

He decided stories on small fires arent what readers want, and began a wholesale re-engineering of his staff. Soon, many of his reporters will be assigned to new subject areas, or beats in newsroom parlance. The types of stories they do will be different, as will the way they write those stories. Top editors are also looking at how much space local news should take up in the daily newspaper. (The answer: less.) The modernized Metro section that emerges, he believes, will be one more suitable for the age in which The Times now finds itself.
As military veterans and other Republicans assailed Donald J. Trump last week, Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC supporting Hillary Clinton, piled on with two ads, one featuring a former prisoner of war, and one, showing prominent Republicans denouncing their partys standard-bearer, entitled Danger.

THE MESSAGE Senator Marco Rubio calls him an erratic individual. Senator Lindsey Graham says Mr. Trump lacks the temperament or the judgment to control himself. Robert Gates, the former defense secretary, worries about his admiration for Vladimir Putin. The point is unmistakable, and blunt: Mr. Trump would deeply imperil the nations security and is unfit to be president, as an onscreen warning starkly declares at the ads conclusion.

These broadsides were mostly leveled during the rocky Republican primary, but they remain very much operable, with Mr. Trump again at odds with party leaders like House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senator John McCain. By revisiting them, the ad also reminds voters of Mr. Trumps failure to unite Republicans behind him, even now.

THE TAKEAWAY The Never Trump movement got little traction during the Republican primary campaign, but is having a second life as the presidential candidates court less devoted partisans and independent voters. Mrs. Clintons campaign is wooing disaffected Republicans, like Meg Whitman, the Hewlett Packard Enterprise chief executive, who endorsed her this week. With such party-line-crossing intrigue as a fresh backdrop, the ad reinforces the idea of a Republican Party in disarray.
The conclusion has become that the guy is incorrigible, said Thomas M. Davis III, a former House member from Virginia who is still close to many of the partys leaders. Hes going to leave our candidates with no choice but to go their own separate way.

Mr. Trumps campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but on Friday night he tried to calm angry Republicans by endorsing, belatedly, the re-elections of Mr. Ryan and Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. Mr. Trump had been feuding with them after they criticized his ridicule of the parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim American Army captain killed in Iraq. Captain Khans parents had denounced Mr. Trump during the Democratic National Convention.

Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, had urged Mr. Trump to stand behind Mr. Ryan and the senators for the sake of party unity. Some leading Republicans have expressed hope that Mr. Trump can at least stabilize his campaign by Labor Day, when many voters begin paying attention to congressional races.

But with such an erratic and belligerent candidate leading their ticket, many in the party have long seen a go-your-own-way strategy as inevitable.

David McIntosh, the president of the Club for Growth, a group that advocates small government, said the organization was studying how to get Republican voters who may dislike Mr. Trump to turn out for the partys down-ballot candidates. Mr. McIntosh said the Club for Growth intended to convince voters that they would need a strong voice in the Senate and House, regardless of their feelings about the presidential race.

You hope Trump does well so that the base Republican vote comes out and is strong, Mr. McIntosh said. But you also have to plan for if he doesnt do well.
Representative Scott Rigell of Virginia says he plans to vote for the Libertarian Partys presidential ticket, becoming the first member of Congress to express support for Gary Johnsons third-party campaign.

In an interview on Friday, Mr. Rigell, a Republican, said he had settled on Mr. Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, as the best option available.

Ive always said I will not vote for Donald Trump and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton, Mr. Rigell said. Im going to vote for the Libertarian candidate.
WASHINGTON  The Obama administration has disclosed its rules and procedures for targeting individuals for killing outside conventional war zones  including with drones  further lifting the secrecy surrounding one of its most disputed tactics for fighting terrorism.

The newly declassified document shows that if the top lawyers and leaders of the departments and agencies on the National Security Council agree that a proposed strike would be lawful and appropriate, the Pentagon or the Central Intelligence Agency can proceed.

If they disagree, or if the person to be targeted is an American citizen, the matter must go to the president for a decision.

President Obama issued the 18-page set of rules, sometimes called the drone strike playbook but formally known as the Presidential Policy Guidance, in May 2013. It was classified, although the administration publicly said it tightened standards for strikes  including requirements that targets must pose a threat to Americans and the near certainty that there would be no civilian deaths.
JOHANNESBURG  The African National Congresss losses in local elections worsened on Saturday as results showed that the party had lost control of Pretoria, the capital, in a continuing realignment of South Africas post-apartheid political order.

The long-governing A.N.C. edged out the Democratic Alliance by six percentage points in Johannesburg, the commercial capital, despite a plunge in support in the city. But having failed to secure an outright majority, A.N.C. officials said they had started talks with smaller parties about forming a coalition municipal government.

As the final results of Wednesdays elections were announced Saturday night, it was clear that the A.N.C., the party of Nelson Mandela, had suffered steep declines in support in nearly all of South Africas major urban areas, where middle-class black voters punished a party that is now known as much for its culture of corruption as for its heroic liberation past.

In Pretoria, where blacks make up more than 75 percent of the population, the Democratic Alliance eked out a victory with 43 percent of the votes to the A.N.C.s 41 percent. The result further broadens the reach of the Democratic Alliance, which traditionally has been led by white South Africans, and which the A.N.C. attacked during the campaign as a party of white leaders and black stooges.
DES MOINES  The Iowa State Fairs gun ban will remain unchanged unless lawmakers change state law, leaders of a state panel said Friday after a hearing on the subject.

The committee of state legislators that oversees the implementation and operation of state laws and rules on Friday reviewed the State Fairs policy of banning weapons for attendees.

Leaders said the committee will not implement rules changes that would allow certified individuals to carry weapons during the state fair. Those leaders said such changes would have to be made by the full Iowa Legislature, which wont meet until 2017.

Theres a rule by the fair board. We didnt bring it up. Its not ours, said Iowa Sen. Wally Horn, D-Cedar Rapids, chairman of the Legislatures Administrative Rules Review Committee. As far as I know, we will not consider the fair board rule one way or the other.

The committees vice chair, Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, had the rule review added to the committees agenda at the behest of a member of the public, she said.

Pettengill said the review was necessary because it appears to conflict with state law, especially after the 2011 change that made it easier for residents to obtain a permit to carry weapons in public.

Our function is to make sure that the rules match the law, Pettengill said during the committee meeting. Anybody who is not an attorney can look at the rule and look at the law and say it doesnt match.

Pettengill said after the meeting that the rules committee is unlikely to take any action, and the matter will be up to the Legislature.

Roughly a handful of members of the public came to the committee meeting to speak on the issue. Most opposed the possibility of changing State Fair rules to allow for certified individuals to carry weapons during the fair.

Richard Rogers, a board member for the Iowa Firearms Coalition, said during the hearing that the organization believes residents with permits should be able to carry weapons during the fair. Rogers said after the meeting the group will continue to seek a more open policy through changes to state law.

We expect to pursue a legislative resolution to this to be made more permanent and more fitting, Rogers said. This has been an objective of ours for a long time, but it wasnt the highest priority. Weve been waiting for the right time.

Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, said changing the policy to allow individuals to carry weapons during the fair would be dangerous due to the large number of attendees and the sale of alcohol on the grounds.

So you very well could be drunk, walking around the fair with a gun, Hunter said.

However, it is already against state law to carry a weapon, even with a permit, while intoxicated.
MANDALAY, Myanmar  At least 40 people, nearly all of them children, have died from an outbreak of measles in a remote, impoverished region of Myanmar where there is little available health care, officials said on Saturday.

More than 200 people have come down with measles since mid-July, when an epidemic swept through five villages in the mountainous Naga Self-Administered Zone of northwestern Myanmar.

Thirty-five of the dead were children under the age of 15, said U Kay Sai, the chairman of the Naga Self-Administered Zone.

Myanmar is emerging from five decades of military rule that left it one of the poorest countries in Asia. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy took power in April, but her government has been slow to improve services or adopt an economic recovery program.
DUNDALK, Ireland  Gerard McEvoys daily commute across the border between his home in the United Kingdom and his workplace in Ireland takes just 10 minutes, and the only hint that he is in a different country is when the road signs change from miles to kilometers.

But that all-but-invisible border between Northern Ireland and Ireland may end up a victim of Britains decision in June to leave the European Union. With Ireland still a member of the bloc, a new arrangement for the flow of people and goods will have to be negotiated. And the border is just one challenge in what is likely to be a much broader redefinition of the relationship between Britain and Ireland, another example of the sprawling and often unintended consequences of Britains choice to split from Europe.

Partly as a result of their shared membership in the European Union, London and Dublin have largely put aside historical animosities and developed a tightly woven relationship. Now Britains exit from the bloc holds the risk of introducing new friction, from the economy to the management of Northern Irelands sectarian tensions to the familial, social and cultural ties that bind the inhabitants of the islands.

The border has been out of sight, out of mind  theres been no trouble, Mr. McEvoy said, standing in his department store in Dundalk and recalling how he grew up during the Troubles.
KIEV, Ukraine  The Russian-backed president of a separatist region in Ukraine was wounded on Saturday in an assassination attempt, highlighting rising violence in the countrys east.

A bomb  the weapon of choice in a half-dozen recent, and mysterious, assassinations in the territory  tore apart a car carrying Igor V. Plotnitsky, the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk Peoples Republic.

A political ally said on Twitter that Mr. Plotnitsky had been seriously wounded, potentially creating an opening in the leadership in Luhansk, the smaller of the two separatist enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The bomb was detonated in Luhansk city, the regions capital.

Rebels blamed a Ukrainian death squad, while an aide to Ukraines director of domestic intelligence said Mr. Plotnitsky had fallen victim to infighting in his ranks.
In time, Wallenbergs rescue work became an lasting symbol of the international human rights movement, but the mystery of his fate seemed likely to endure forever  until the Serov diaries came to light.

Memoirs from high-ranking Kremlin officials are exceedingly rare, and this one, while hardly definitive, contains several references to previously unknown documents on Wallenberg.

They include a report about Wallenbergs cremation, and another quoting Viktor Abakumov, who preceded Serov as head of state security but was tried and executed in 1954 in the last Stalin purges. Abakumov apparently revealed during his interrogation that the order to liquidate Wallenberg had come from Stalin and Vyacheslav M. Molotov, the foreign minister.

The word killed has never appeared in any official documents released from the Soviet side, according to Nikita Petrov, a historian with the Memorial organization in Moscow who specializes in the Stalinist era and Serov himself.

Image Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat and World War II hero who disappeared in 1945. Credit... Pressens Bild/Associated Press

They did not use this word, Mr. Petrov said. They said it appears he was killed, but we know nothing about this, we dont have any documents. In Serovs diary, you can find this word as a fact.

Memoirs lack the weight of official documents, Mr. Petrov noted, but Serov also described reading a Wallenberg file. Previously, the security service denied that any such files existed, according to diplomats, historians and others who have long worked on the case.
PARIS  A man carrying a machete and shouting Allahu akbar injured two police officers outside a police station in central Belgium on Saturday afternoon.

The attack was announced on Twitter by the police in Charleroi, a city of more than 200,000 about 31 miles south of Brussels. The police station was sealed off.

The Charleroi police said on Twitter that the assailant had been shot and died of his wounds, and that the officers injuries were not life-threatening.

The attack was quickly denounced by Belgian officials.

I strongly condemn the attack in Charleroi, Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Twitter. Thoughts go to the victims, their families and the police. We are following the situation closely.
PARIS  A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in the northern French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, the authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the blaze early Saturday at the bar, Cuba Libre, and it was unclear how many people were inside at the time, the mayor of Rouen, Yvon Robert, said. He described the fire  the deadliest in France since 2005  as very brief.

The birthday party began as a moment of joy for those involved, but it ended tragically, Mr. Robert said.

A local prosecutor, Laurent Labadie, said the first accounts from survivors and the early police investigation indicated that the fire was completely accidental.
BEFORE RUSSIAN JETS DROPPED THEIR FIRST BOMBS IN SYRIA LAST SEPTEMBER, THE REGIME OF BASHAR AL ASSAD WAS FOUNDERING. NATPOP: http://newswire.storyful.com/storylines/*/stories/109365?q=russian%20airstrikes%20syria%20september&sort=oldest VO: A DRAMATIC SHIFT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN. THE REBEL FORCES, TRAINED AND SUPPLIED BY THE UNITED STATES C.I.A, WERE PUSHED BACK FROM THE TERRITORY THEY SEIZED. THE RUSSIAN BATTLEFIELD VICTORIES GAVE AN ADVANTAGE TO THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT, AND CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE PROXY WAR BETWEEN MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON. NATPOP: Vladimir V. Putin in April, 2016 [8.03] Our goal was to support the state system in Syria NATPOP: Kerry in OSLO, NORWAY. 15 JUNE 2016 We are not going to sit there while Assad continues to offensively assault Aleppo, and while Russia continues to support in that effort. TITLE CARD: PROXY WAR IN SYRIA: UNITED STATES VS. RUSSIA VO (map): THE AREA OUTSIDE ALEPPO SHOWS HOW THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE TERRITORIES, PREVIOUSLY LOST TO OPPOSITION FORCES AND ISIS. NATPOP: Vladimir V. Putin in April, 2016 [9.30] Syrian army continues to advance and frees more cities with our help VO: FOLLOWING RUSSIAN BATTLEFIELD VICTORIES NEARLY CUT THE OPPOSITION FROM THEIR SUPPLY LINES OVER THE BORDER IN TURKEY. IN THIS FOOTAGE, YOU CAN SEE U.S.-BACKED FIGHTERS DESTROYING A VEHICLE ON CASTELLO ROAD. IT SERVED AS SUPPLIES ROUTE FOR HUMANITARIAN AID FOR CIVILIANS AND SUPPLIES FOR REBELS. HELPED BY RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKES, PRESIDENT ASSADS FORCES MANAGED TO RETAKE THIS ROAD RECENTLY, PUTTING OPPOSITION-HELD ALEPPO UNDER SIEGE. NATPOP: from hyperlink above VO: AND NOW, U.S. -BACKED REBEL GROUPS ARE FIGHTING TO BREAK IT. NATPOP: from hyperlink above VO: THE RUSSIAN SUCCESSES IN SYRIA HAVE GIVEN MOSCOW NEW LEVERAGE IN DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST. NATPOP: Putin in April 2016 Our active work against international terrorism helped our relationship with other countrie VO: AND IT SEEMS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMAS PREDICTION WAS OVERLY OPTIMISTIC. NATPOP: Obama on October 2015 An attempt by Russia and Iran to prop up Assad ....is just gonna get them stuck in a quagmire and it wont work.  VO: THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS NOW TALKING TO PUTINS GOVERNMENT ABOUT SHARING INTELLIGENCE TO COORDINATE AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISIS. NATPOP: Putin on July 14 Moscow I wanted to note our mutual efforts to resolve the conflicts that we consider to be important NATPOP: Kerry on August 1 State TV, via Reuters, in Washington,It is critical, obviously, that Russia restrain both itself and the Assad regime from conducting offensive operationsW VO: THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH LEVERAGE THE WASHINGTON HAS NOW TO WIN THE CHESS MATCH WITH RUSSIA ON THE GROUND, AS MOSCOW SEEMS TO BE WINNING THE PROXY WAR IN SYRIA, AT LEAST FOR NOW. NATPOP OBAMA on August 4 Washington: Im not confident that we can trust the Russians or Vladimir Putin, which is why we have to test whether or not we can get an actual cessation of hostilities ....(( Russia may not be able to get there, either because they dont want to or because they dont have sufficient influence over Assad )) [SUBS req] END
CAIRO  More than three months of peace talks to end the war in Yemen came to a halt Saturday, leaving in doubt the future of a shaky cease-fire and threatening to deepen what has a become one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises.

The United Nations special envoy on Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced the suspension on Saturday in Kuwait, where the talks were being held. He said that the negotiations were not a failure and that they would resume in a month at an undisclosed location.

A Western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as a matter of official policy, told reporters on Friday that he was disappointed by the end of the talks and expressed concerns about Yemens stability.

Mr. Ahmed convened the talks after a cease-fire was declared in April between the military coalition, which is led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States, and the Houthi rebels, who the Saudis say are supported by Iran. He said the talks were being suspended in an effort to find a lasting solution.
MASON CITY  In the three years since Shirley Smith received her Parkinsons disease diagnosis, she has gradually given up painting and traveling.

The progression of her symptoms has been heartbreaking for the once-active Greene woman as she has been losing her ability to walk.

Earlier this year, she decided to take a gamble by trying stem cell therapy at Regenerative Cell Institute in Mason City.

Smith had tremors, an unstable balance and was heavily dependent on a wheelchair, and Dr. Crispino Santos, who runs the practice, was initially skeptical he could offer any effective treatment.

Since 2014, Santos has offered treatments in Mason City for patients who have chronic neck, back, spinal or joint paint, as well as those with arthritis or sports- or work-related injuries.

Santos said Smith is the first patient he has attempted to treat with Parkinsons.

After her first stem cell treatment at his office Jan. 29, where stem cells were taken from her abdomen via liposuction and injected into her spine, Smith appeared to show little improvement, Santos said.

Following a second treatment using umbilical cord stem cells last month, she began to show some improvement, walking a little more independently.

After being incapacitated for so long, she didnt have the self-confidence that the rest of us have naturally, said her partner, Eddie Hesalroad.

Santos stem cell treatments typically cost between $4,000 to $7,000, he said. Patients pay out-of-pocket because the procedures are not typically covered by insurance.

That money came from her retirement fund, Smith said. She estimates she can afford one more treatment, which will be scheduled for next month.

Santos has said he believes his stem cell treatments are responsible for her apparent improvement, because she is not undergoing other treatments. He cautioned he hopes for gradual improvements.

The reality is we really dont know the improvement (to expect), he said.

Santos is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. He previously practiced for nearly a decade in Mason City, where he started the cardiac anesthesia program and pain management center at then-St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

He currently practices pain management, stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, aesthetics and platelet-rich plasma therapy in Las Vegas through the Regenerative Cell Institute and Interventional Pain Medicine.
BRITT  Where he failed as a driver, hes succeeded as an owner.

I drove for few years, years ago. I wasnt any good. I found out Im a lot better owner, said Mike Hauan, of Lake Mills.

Hauan owns the car Kelly Shryock drives. It has raced at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt this year.

Hauan also owns the car driven by Troy Swearingen, a regular racer at the Hancock County Speedway.

Hauan started racing cars around his high school years. After getting married and having kids, Hauan said the racing stopped.

But when a daughter died in 1991, Hauan began to look for something to help fill a void.

He connected with Swearingen and has been involved in the race scene ever since.

Hes been a family friend forever, Swearingen said of Hauan. Ive been around him for so many years.

The two men said they are like family and have father-son exchanges.

Hauan may offer an opinion that Swearingen doesnt agree with.

He doesnt always listen, Hauan said with a laugh.

We do (discuss), Swearingen said.

But, Hauan said, he knows his most important role is to provide what the drivers need in a car.

I give them the tools so they can go out and compete, Hauan said. You can tie up $40,000 to $50,000 in a car easily.

Some people buy a $50,000 fishing boat. I buy a $50,000 race car and have fun. I hate fishing.

Earlier in the racing season the two men were discussing getting a stock car on the race track.

Swearingen hasnt raced stock cars for several years but hes willing to try again.

Hauan likes the view from the pit area and sidelines and isnt inclined to return to the drivers seat.
COSTA MESA  Camels have a reputation as ornery animals who like to bite and spit. But the five now putting on a show at the OC Fair seem anything but malicious, especially 2-month-old Trooper.

Trooper, a soft and cute guy still a little loose on his legs, was the big hit as part of the Oasis Camel Dairy demonstration in the Livestock area Friday. Gil Riegler has brought his camels to the fair for the last five years to demonstrate their general agility, personalities and how they can be milked.

These guys are treated well and they would never even dream of biting or kicking or spitting, he said. These guys are treated like pets.

Spectators filled the bleachers set up in one of the livestock tents. First, Riegler brought out Belina, who pulled one stacked bucket out of another with her prehensile lips, looking for more kernels of grain. Another, Sampson, the alpha male of the group, picked Rieglers cap off his head and tossed it on the ground, giving the crowd a laugh.

It seems the camels have a sense of humor. They definitely have character.

They also have the ability to go two weeks without drinking water, and they can weigh up to 1,400 pounds. And, as Riegler showed the crowd, they can fold and bend their necks to alarming degrees.

Camels are like big dogs, he told the audience. They love being brushed. They love it when you hang out with them. They love it when you pet them. Theyre super intelligent.

The milk can be gotten during the year that a mother camel is still nursing, Riegler explained. Trooper and his mother, Lily, showed the crowd how. When Trooper nosed underneath Lilys belly and nursed, Riegler took another teat and captured milk in a metal bucket.

When Riegler started bringing his camels to the fair, camel milk wasnt much of a known commodity. Now, there are a handful of camel dairies in the United States, he said, and camel milk is sold in Michigan, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Its full of nutrients and is said to have health benefits.

The word is really out there, Riegler said. Eighteen years ago  if you said camel milk, people would go Ugh! Thats horrible. And now when you say camel milk, people will go, Oh, I hear it is very good for you.

Riegler bought his first four baby camels 18 years ago after working with the species as a volunteer in an animal therapy program for handicapped kids.

One day the director got a camel, and I just fell in love, he said.

Now he and his wife, Nancy, have a menagerie on their ranch in Ramona, in San Diego County: tropical birds, horses, turkeys, miniature donkeys, miniature sheep and 20 camels. Though they dont sell the milk  theyd need to start an expensive Grade A dairy to do that, Riegler said  they do make lip balm and lotion from the camel milk and sell those products at their fair demonstration.

Riegler plans to bring what hes learned from camels overseas next year. Hes been invited to India to work with desert nomads who travel with camels. Their way of life is changing in the face of a modern society, and Riegler plans to show them how he makes products from camel milk.

Its a different animal. Its unusual, said Bryan Gregson of Santa Ana, who brought his two kids, wife and mother-in-law with him to the show.

The camels ability to grab things with strong lips and their flexible necks impressed the family, but Trooper was the star.

I dont think Ive ever seen a baby camel before  Theyre super soft, Gregson said.

They were really cute, said daughter Malia, 9, as she weighed whether to buy camel milk lip balm or a stuffed camel after the demonstration.

The Oasis Camel Dairy will be at the fair until Aug. 14, the last day of the fair, with demonstrations daily at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Contact the writer: aboessenkool@ocregister.com
NEWPORT BEACH  An Orange County Superior Court Judge on Thursday ruled that Balboa Island resident Jeff Herdman can run for Newport Beach City Council after questions of his eligibility arose, saying his seat on the citys Civil Service Board does not bar him from seeking elected office.

Following the decision by Judge James Di Cesare, Herdman said he plans to file his election paperwork with the city Friday morning and continue his campaign for the seat being vacated by termed-out Councilman Ed Sleich, who represents District 5.

I knew what the outcome was going to be, Herman said Thursday. Im very pleased with the decision, but just the fact that I had to go through all this.

Also running for Selichs seat are Mike Glenn and Lee Lowrey.

Herdman sued the city last month when City Clerk Leilani Brown notified his lawyer that a city charter provision prevented Civil Service Board members from being appointed or occupying any salaried office with the city until one year after leaving the board. His term ends in 2018.

A judge recommended Herdman resign from the board to get that issue out of the way, which he planned to do Thursday afternoon, he said.

The board advises the council on personnel matters, conducts hearings of city employees for disciplinary issues and initiates personnel administrative investigations. The rule was written into the city charter in 1955, but the reason why was unclear, Brown said.

Herdman said he plans to file paperwork with the city Friday.

Another Balboa Island resident, Bob McCaffrey, brought the city charter issue to city officials in early July, saying that city council members are paid a salary, thereby disqualifying Herdman.

I disagree with the judge, McCaffrey said. He gets a paycheck. He gets a W-2 form. I dont see how a judge disagreed.

Council members are paid $1,274 per month, according to the city. Herdman has contended the pay is a stipend and reimbursements for expenses rather than salary.

This was just a diversionary tactic on the part of McCaffrey, he said.

I wanted him (Herdman) out because I dont think he was following the rules, McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey runs the Residents for Reform Newport Beach political action committee that supported council bids in 2014 for Mayor Diane Dixon and council members Marshall Duffield, Kevin Muldoon and Scott Peotter.

The group is dubbed Team Newport.

McCaffrey said he supports Lee Lowreys bid for council and wants conservative members on the dais. Herdman said he plans to move on and concentrate on the upcoming election.

Its onwards and upwards and now I can get back to campaigning, he said.

Aug. 12 is the last day for residents to declare their candidacy and file paperwork.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@ocregister.com
During the latest episode of guitarist documentary series Ernie Balls The Pursuit of Tone, Hunter Hayes discusses formative music influences like Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer and Garth Brooks. On Friday night at Pacific Amphitheatre, the first two artists were definitely evident in Hayes playing style, while the last came through loud and clear in his ability to make a near capacity crowd feel right at home.

If a list of best guitarists under 25 was compiled today, Hayes would be toward the top. Throughout the 100-minute set in Costa Mesa, he often switched between various Fender Strats. The Louisiana native began the concert proceedings with an extended intro to Storm Warning. Once audience recognition kicked in, loud shrieks were heard from the heavily young female contingent  some of which held up brightly colored signs.

Hayes tweaked various songs (an epic Everybodys Got Somebody But Me; the George Benson-styled flair of Somebodys Heartbreak) and often went straight into the next one without pause. The exuberant Tattoo, with its sprightly mandolin melody and the stately shouldve-been-a-big-hit Where it All Begins (a Lady Antebellum pairing on The 21 Project) were early standouts.

Having been in the studio working on his next album lately, Hayes said he was anxious to try out some new songs live. Living Between the Lines, about dismissing expectations, was soulful. The guitarist asked can we jam a bit? and put his whole body into the solo. Dramatic breakup ballad Tell Me saw Hayes backed by piano. The upbeat Yesterdays Song was promising, while final unreleased tune Amen featured prominent organ and spiritually tinged lyrics.

Opening act Cassadee Pope joined to duet with Hayes at the keyboards for Invisible and raised the ballads intensity to another level. After multiple slow tempos, the pace fortunately picked up for the final stretch, including the effusive and life affirming 21, a high energy rock cover of Walk the Moons Shut Up and Dance (on which fans were dancing), the energized I Want Crazy and finale Love Makes Me.

Pope warmed up early arrivals at the Pacific with a pleasant 40-minute set that comprised her 2013 debut album Frame by Frame and new EP Summer. Clad in black high heeled boots, The Voice show winners slick country pop occasionally recalled Carrie Underwood when she did some soaring vocals (hit single Wasting All These Tears; I Wish I Could Break Your Heart). But the strongest moments came when Pope sang Think of You (with a tour guitarist subbing for Chris Young on the country chart topping duet) and while all alone on acoustic guitar for The Voice favorite take on Keith Urbans Stupid Boy.
COSTA MESA  The City Council did not violate the law when it discussed creating an elected mayor position during a meeting about election districts last month, according to a review by the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

The DA found no evidence the council violated the Ralph M. Brown Act when it discussed dividing the city into six voting districts and electing a mayor in a July 5 meeting, Deputy District Atty. Raymond Armstrong said in a letter to former councilwoman Wedny Leece, who requested the investigation.

The issue of a directly elected mayor is not legally a separate item, as you suggest in your complaint, Armstrong wrote. After reviewing your complaint we have concluded that there was no Brown Act violation and we are closing our inquiry into this matter.

Even though the elected mayor provision wasnt on an agenda, the issue was discussed at several public meetings and was accessible through a 157-page consultants report, Armstrong wrote.

Leece contends the city did a poor job of informing the public of the four public meetings, thus denying residents the chance to review the idea beforehand.

Its such a big change, she said of the city possibly switching election systems. The city failed in its obligation to really go out into the community and encourage citizens to come to these meetings.

Leece on Friday said she was writing a letter to the First Amendment Coalition to request additional action be taken.

On July 5, the council voted 3-2 to add an elected mayor provision into a plan to break the city into six voting districts to be decided by voters. Council members Katrina Foley and Sandy Genis dissented.

Leece asked District Attorney Tony Rackauckas in a July 11 letter to investigate the council, saying the public had not been informed the item would be up for discussion.

In a special meeting the next day, the six-district plan and a city-wide elected mayor were both approved by the same 3-2 vote to be placed on the November ballot, much to the disappointment of most residents in attendance.

A city councils adoption of a proposal not generally favored by their constituents is not a violation of the Brown Act, Armstrong wrote.

Furthermore, even if there had been a violation, the special meeting would have negated the infraction.

There was an agenda item entitled Voting Districts Formation which included language in the staff report specifically referencing the statutory requirement that the creation of an even number of voting districts included a provision for a directly elected mayor, Armstrong said.

Leece said discussing the issue before giving residents the opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter was not good governance.

Having the transparency for the public to be able to write the council, to go the the meeting, to call, to comment, it was inadequate notice in my opinion, she said. It would have taken relatively little effort to add to the agenda this item.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@ocregister.com
MASON CITY  Four candidates have expressed interest in the Sept. 20 special election for City Council  and there is plenty of time for more to join in before the Aug. 26 filing deadline.

Even if that total doubles, it wont match the number of candidates in the 2003 special election for mayor, when 10 candidates filed.

It is one of the most memorable elections in city history, not only for the number of candidates but for diversity of the candidate field and the eventual outcome.

Mayor Bill Schickel, who had been elected to a third term in 2001, resigned after being elected to the state Legislature, opening the door for a wide-open election to choose his successor.

Jean Marinos, co-owner of a real estate firm, eventually won, becoming the citys first woman mayor.

John Jaszewski, now a semi-retired videographer, had been involved in Mason City politics for many years, including stints on the City Council.

Troy Levenhagen, now a Park Board member and owner of the SuzieQ diner, is also a magician and listed his occupation as entertainer in 2003.

Richard Dedor was a 19-year-old student who was passionate about Mason City and certain he could juggle his upcoming college schedule with City Council duties.

The late Gene Smail worked at Affordables and was very open about his struggles with mental illness. He hoped to be a mental health advocate if elected.

City bus driver Jim Paulsen was in the race, as was his nephew Richard Paulsen, possibly the only time in city history when relatives ran against each other.

Rounding out the field were independent insurance agent Clarence Slife; William Rob Grayson, a nurse and Boy Scout leader; and Kevin Smith, a construction worker and political activist.

Dedor, a NIACC student who planned to attend the University of Northern Iowa, said at the time he would try to arrange his UNI schedule to have classes two or three days a week, spending the rest of the time in Mason City.

I really thought I could win, Dedor said Friday. Now 32, he is interim director of marketing for Hubbell Realty in Des Moines.

It was very exciting, he said. Everyone came into it with interesting ideas and perspectives. When I announced, there werent many other candidates and I really thought I had a chance.

One of the things thats refreshing now is the city has done many of the things we talked about back then.

Levenhagen said, It was a great learning experience. You dont have much time. You have to do a lot of door knocking, you have get signs, you have paint signs, you have to go to forums.

I learned a new word that year  infrastructure. Max Weaver taught it to me. He said you gotta know about infrastructure.

Marinos said she remembers how busy she and other candidates were in what was a short campaign cycle.

It was a real whirlwind and I count my lucky stars that I was able to win, she said.

The thing I remember were the candidate forums, said Jaszewski. They were pretty crowded. The whole front of the room was lined with candidates. Sometimes it seemed like there were more candidates than audience, he said with a laugh.

Some of the issues of the day were the multi-million-dollar Northbridge project that moved the Fareway store about a block, a proposed multipurpose center downtown, bringing in businesses with good-paying jobs, preservation of old buildings, city spending and an end to catering to special interest groups.

Northbridge and a multipurpose center got the most attention at a candidate forum a week before the election.

Dedor, Levenhagen and Slife favored the Northbridge project. A good decision for downtown, said Levenhagen at the time.

But Grayson disagreed. It doesnt seem to be the best use of funds, he said. If people wanted to shop downtown, they wouldnt have gone west with the development.

James Paulsen complained about demolition of buildings. Instead of saving downtown, theyre tearing it down, he said.

Marinos stressed the importance of developing partnerships to help move the city forward.

One of the most touching moments at the last forum was when Smail said in his closing statement, Ive listened to all the candidates tonight  and Im voting for John Jaszewski.

Gene was a kind man and I appreciated that, Jaszewski said Friday. Unfortunately, it didnt help much.

It was a touching moment, said Dedor. Thinking about that makes me think it harkens back to a different time in politics and how we treated each other.

Most observers felt certain the election would result in a runoff because of the number of candidates.

But Marinos won easily with 56 percent of the vote. Jaszewski was a distant second with 15.3 percent; Dedor was third with 14.1 percent. Levenhagen came in fourth with 7 percent. No one else received more than 2.7 percent of the vote.

Marinos served the remainder of Schickels term and did not seek re-election. In 2011, she was elected to the City Council and served one term.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea has fired a barrage of missiles, artillery pieces and rockets into the waters off its east coast, including a medium-range ballistic missile that fell near Japans territorial waters this week.

The launches are meant to test its weapons systems, express anger in times of standoffs with South Korea and the United States, or prove it has the capability to attack its archrivals.

But we dont know much about what happens to those weapons. But little is known about what happens to those weapons. Do they cause any environmental problems in the ocean? Are some countries trying to retrieve the missile parts to study them?

Here is what we know about the likely fate of the weapons in the sea, which in some places is 3,000 meters (1.9 miles) deep or possibly deeper.

Where are the missiles now?

North Koreas Rodong missiles are 49 feet long, and most other weapons it has fired are shorter. The parts are scattered in the deep ocean, and professor Roh Taeseong at South Koreas Inha University says its like throwing grains of sand into Seouls Han River.

North Korea often launches its missiles from different sites and fires them for different distances depending on what it wants from each launch. This means there is little chance of missiles landing in the same area. North Korean missiles are also known for poor accuracy, so its highly unlikely that many pieces would end up near each other, even if North Korea is aiming at the same area.

When missiles hit the ocean, they face a huge impact that can break them into multiple pieces. Its like hitting a concrete floor, said analyst Chae Yeon-seok at South Koreas state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute. He said the Rodong missile fired Wednesday must have shattered into more than 10 pieces.

Some other experts say the amount of damage can depend on the angle of impact, with missiles entering at straighter angles suffering less damage.

Why dont we retrieve them?

In the case of a launch of a new or particularly threatening design, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are likely to search for fragments and salvage what they can. Some parts from those rockets, particularly their first stages, can be fairly large. The three-stage Unha-3 rocket that North Korea used to send a satellite into space in 2012 was 98 feet long.

But its virtually impossible to recover meaningful fragments of smaller missiles once they sink into the sea.

Even if South Korea or other countries were to successfully recover parts of a Rodong missile, its unlikely they would learn anything new about the Soviet Scud-based weapon they have already analyzed for decades.

After Wednesdays launch, Japan still dispatched destroyers and P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft to search for any debris. Roh described the move as a political show by the conservative government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which wants to build a stronger military by stressing to its people how dangerous North Korean missiles are.

Can ships be hit by North Korean missiles?

Its likely that North Korea uses dummy warheads when it test-launches missiles. They wont explode on impact, and the missiles are statistically highly unlikely to hit a ship, so that danger is negligible.

North Korea has announced danger zones in accordance with international rules when it launched rockets to place satellites into orbit, but generally doesnt do so when it fires missiles.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo call the satellite launches a prohibited test of long-range missile technology.

Can missiles cause environmental harm?

Probably not. Most North Korean missiles use toxic liquid propellants, but experts in South Korea say most recent missiles appeared to have crashed into the ocean after burning all their fuel. The huge ocean would dilute any remaining fuel.

North Korean state media said some recent missiles contained trigger devices for warheads to practice possible atomic attacks on South Korea. But outside analysts say they likely used dummy warheads without any plutonium or uranium.

How does the North assess its launches?

Its not known how North Korea monitors and tracks its missiles. Analysts in South Korea say it must use radars to determine whether missiles land in targeted areas.

The best way would be to send ships near the impact zone to see the results of launches, but its unknown if North Korea does so.

Why do North Korean missile tests matter?

Any country with a military conducts weapons tests. North Koreas tests make news because it is openly developing nuclear weapons and wants to place them on missiles capable of reaching faraway targets such as the mainland United States.

Under young leader Kim Jong Un, who took power in late 2011, North Korea has fired weapons more frequently than in the past.

It previously often deployed new missiles without flight-testing them to save costs. It may have felt that flight-tests werent necessary when its missiles were slight redesigns of already-proven Chinese and Russian models, according to Kim Seung Jo, a professor at Seoul National University.

Earlier this year, North Korea suffered a series of failures before sending a new intermediate-range Musudan missile more than 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) high. It also fell into the ocean.
The states political watchdog has launched an investigation into whether Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas violated the Political Reform Act by failing to report charitable donations he used his influence to solicit, and by approving public funds to be spent promoting his chief of staffs business partner.

The investigation comes in response to a complaint that Orange County political watchdog Shirley Grindle filed on June 24 with the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

We are working with the FPPC to answer any questions they have in regard to this complaint, Assistant Orange County District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh said Friday.

The FPPCs investigation does not suggest Rackauckas violated any law, only that there is sufficient evidence for the agency to begin an inquiry.

Grindles first complaint stems from an October 2014 fundraiser to support human-trafficking prosecution, organized and paid for by the D.A.s office. During that event, Scott Foster, who at the time was a business partner of Rackauckas Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder, was a musical performer, according to promotional materials.

Grindle said giving Foster the gig amounted to promoting his musical career, which could in turn benefit Schroeders business.

Schroeder and Foster co-founded m3Connection, described on its website as a music marketing company. Their financial ties were largely unknown at the time, because Schroeder had not filed financial disclosure forms required of high-ranking government officials.

In June 2015, Schroeder finally filed those forms at Rackauckas request, propelled by another FPPC investigation that was also initiated by Grindle. In that instance, Grindles complaint followed a Voice of OC investigation that revealed Schroeders business ties to Foster.

The D.A.s 2014 fundraiser to support human-trafficking prosecution cost $12,672 and raised $45,286, according to documents from that office that were included in Grindles complaint and mentioned by Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer at a recent board meeting.

State law requires elected officials to report any charitable donations they solicit amounting to more than $5,000 form a single source in a calendar year, and three donations from the 2014 event surpassed that threshold. The document did not list the names of any contributors.

Yet, Rackauckas has never filed any behested payment form with the OC Registrar of Voters, according to that agency.

Grindle said she suspects Rackauckas should also be required to file those reports for soliciting donations for the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership, a local nonprofit which aims to stop local at-risk youth from joining gangs and for which he serves as president.

He gets these large contributions from the same contributors that turn around and give to his own campaign when he runs for office, Grindle said. If you wield a lot of power, the public is entitled to know who is backing you.

I have been watching these events run by Rackauckas and Schroeder involving fundraising for his nonprofit organizations, and I have been waiting to get enough information to show that these behested payments werent being reported, she said.

Contact the writer: jgraham@ocregister.com or 714-796-7960
SANTA ANA  A 33-year-old man was charged Friday with sexually assaulting three girls, dating back to 1998, in the Lake Forest area.

Sean Joseph Scanlan is charged with one felony count each of having sex with or sodomizing a girl 10 years or younger, distributing pornography to a minor to engage in sexual conduct and statutory rape with a minor younger than 16, and four counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14. He also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of more than one victim.

The most recent victim was allegedly assaulted from November 2014 through May of this year. Another girl was allegedly molested from August 2000 through August 2004, and the third from Dec. 31, 1998, through Dec. 30, 2000, according to court records.

Scanlan, who remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail, made his initial court appearance Friday, but his arraignment was rescheduled to Aug. 26.
OSAGE  It was a day of celebration, reflection and prayer in late July when members of Prairie Lakes Church-Osage broke ground for a new facility at 2015 Highway 9.

Church members gathered at the building site with campus pastor Andy Schumacher, and local church elder Al Witt, sharing a few words and a prayer, dedicating the property to God.

Church members were then given a little bag which they could fill with dirt from the property, so they could have something tangible to take home which would mark the occasion of the day, said Schumacher, as a reminder for them to pray for the ministry which will take place at our new location over the years to come.

The structure, estimated to cost more $1 million, will be more than 11,000 square feet in size, will include a 270- to 300-seat worship center, kitchen and cafe, a lobby and offices, as well as classrooms and a large space for children and youth events. The church currently averages between 180 and 210 people each week.

Prairie Lakes conducted a three-week campaign in April, raising more than $600,000 in pledges toward the facility.

This response was amazing, affirming and all the more confirmed God was leading us toward building our own facility, said Schumacher.

Site work is expected to begin within the next few weeks, continuing toward a spring 2017 completion. The first service in the new structure is planned for Easter Sunday.

The church is working with Modern Design Architects and general contractor Modern Builders of Janesville.

The church has been meeting weekly at the Cedar River Complex (CRC) in Osage for the past six years, which Schumacher said has provided an outstanding meeting place.

With the high-quality space the church is able to use on Sundays at the CRC, Schumacher has been asked several times why the church would want its own facility.

After a lot of prayer and strategic thought, we believe God has led us to put down some deeper roots in Mitchell County, through building our own church building, he said. We will be able to provide much more for our people and Mitchell County with a 24/7 access.

Some opportunities involve hosting weddings, funerals, baptisms and mid-week events  and bypassing hours of setting up and tearing down equipment each Sunday.

Although Prairie Lakes Church typically doesnt build buildings, Schumacher said it now understands the importance of having its own space for ministry. The church has multiple sites across Iowa.

Weve also found many in Mitchell County would love to attend our church, said Schumacher, but they are nervous we might not be around in a week or a year, since we dont have our own permanent space.

For all the reasons I mentioned, along with our love for the people of Osage and Mitchell County, we are here to stay, he said.

One of the things we often say and really mean is It doesnt matter who you are, where youve been, what youve done or whats been done to you, you can look for God in this place, Schumacher said. We are eager to see what God wants to do in and through us to impact Mitchell County through the years and decades to come.
Out the window of Harolds Koffee House, a formerly unremarkable white wall has changed dramatically.

Isnt it beautiful, waitress Yvonne Edson exclaimed to a customer.

The once bright white wall reflecting into Harolds now is covered with colorful paintings of vegetables, fruits and historic Florence landmarks. Images of the General Crook House, a truck farm and Florence Mill spill across the wall. A banner reads Welcome to Historic Florence, Est 1854. In the center, a giant red-and-pink heart, which reads I love Florence, is designed for people to pose in front of and take pictures.

At 30th and State Streets, the piece is a gateway to the neighborhood.

It just brightens up Florence, Edson said. The waitress has worked at Harolds for 11 years and lived in Florence for 17.

This mural project, headed by the Union for Contemporary Art, is for the community and by the community. It covers the wall on the south side of CHI Health Immanuel Florence Physical Therapy at 8405 N. 30th St.

Lead artist Christine Stormberg spent several weeks curating ideas from residents in the Florence area. She has crafted murals before: one on her former shop, Dog Show, and another on a gallery in downtown Los Angeles, where she lives now.

Stormberg applied through an open application process earlier this year for the project in her hometown of Omaha, where she attended Marian High School and grew up in the midtown area. She was hired by the Union for Contemporary Art along with two assistant artists, Hugo Zamorano and Sarah Jones.

Paige Reitz, the unions director of programs and projects, said the project cost about $5,000 in all, including payment for artists, supplies and food for community events. The union paid for the murals itself.

When Stormberg arrived in Omaha she did not have a design planned for the wall. She spent time learning about Florence during meetings with community members. She researched, hanging out at Harolds and driving around the neighborhood. She created an image collaboratively with the members of the Florence community.

I learned so much from everyone here because people are really interested in the history here, Stormberg said.

She created a concept and got feedback from the community. About 300 people voted on the color of the font of the Welcome to Florence text in a weeklong poll held at Harolds.

During the painting, Florence residents visited with snacks for the painters, checking in on the progress of the mural.

Its so tight-knit here you can barely sneeze without somebody knowing it, Stormberg said.

The plan was to complete the whole project in five weeks: come up with an idea, run it by community members and get it on the wall before Stormberg headed back to California. The painting should be finished today, completed in about two weeks.

The community came out one Saturday to fill in large spots with colors. Children and adults picked up brushes and helped out. About 30 people came to help with the mural.

Zamorano has worked on several public art projects, including some in South Omaha. Murals, he said, dont require someone to go into galleries, which arent always accessible.

Its just direct artwork, he said.

Reitz described the spot as the most perfect mural wall.

The project has been a practice in community development. Reitz said everybody seems to have a story that is somehow connected to the site of the painting, the neighborhood or what is going on in the mural.

Extended time at the mural allows artists and those behind the mural to spend extended time in a community, getting to know those who live there.

Community-based work is a huge part of what the Union for Contemporary Art does. The arts organization, located at 2417 Burdette St., provides programs for area youths and adults to get involved with the arts through workshops, residencies and other resources. The organization will move to a 16,000-square-foot facility at the Blue Lion Center, 24th and Lake Streets, later this year.

The union has coordinated several other mural projects, including one made in collaboration with the Prospect Village Neighborhood Association and artist Betni Kalk on the side of an old American Legion building at 1817 N. 33rd St. Muralist Maggie Weber created a piece with teenagers on the side of the Hope Center for Kids at 2200 N. 20th St. The mural is in memory of the centers founders, Ty and Terri Schenzel, who died in 2015.

Reitz said two more murals will be completed along North 24th Street next summer.

Donna Shonkwiler, a resident of Florence since 1975, filled in the blue on a truck farm full of vegetables and the water running through the Missouri River on a community paint day for the Florence mural.

As the mural design was coming together, Shonkwiler attended meetings to help with the design. She showed Stormberg a picture of the Hi Tree, a tree that appears to spell out the word hi, located near the Mormon Bridge. She brought the team lunch one day.

Shonkwiler, 68, said her neighborhood often gets a bad rap from a lot of people who dont frequent it. She thinks the mural is a great opportunity to get people out and showcase Florence.

Im proud of the neighborhood, she said.

Mural unveiling

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: The mural is located on the side of CHI Health Immanuel Florence Physical Therapy at 8405 N. 30th St.

What: meet with artists and see finished mural; light refreshments and coffee

Contact the writer: 402-444-1149, andrea.k@owh.com
The Amazon.com logo is on e-readers, tablet computers and countless cardboard boxes on doorsteps. Now, the familiar, swooping arrow is somewhere new: plastered on the side of a Boeing 767.

The e-commerce giant on Friday showed off the aircraft that it has dubbed Amazon One, a plane that is among a fleet of 40 leased from two air freight companies in an effort to improve a supply chain straining to keep pace with the retailers growing sales and its swelling ranks of Prime members.

Creating an air transportation network is expanding our capacity to ensure great delivery speeds for our Prime members for years to come,

Dave Clark, Amazons senior vice president of worldwide operations, said in a statement.

The move to create its own fleet of planes is part of a broader blitz of investment by Amazon to shore up its delivery capabilities. It has begun experimenting with an Uber-like network of drivers that could deliver packages within local markets such as Baltimore, Miami and Milwaukee. Last year, the company unveiled an Amazon-branded fleet of 4,000 trucking trailers to shuttle its wares.

Amazon said its planes and trucking trailers are largely meant to help move goods from one warehouse to another, rather than to facilitate delivery of orders to customers. And, in that way, the company said its forays into the logistics arena are intended to complement the business that it does with UPS and FedEx, not replace them.

Yet some analysts wonder whether the buildup of planes, trucking power and drivers should be interpreted as something of a warning shot that Amazon has more ambitious plans to take greater control of the delivery process. Amazon is a major customer of UPS and FedEx, and the shipping firms have shrugged off the idea that the e-commerce giant intends to bypass them. Even if it did, FedEx, for example, has said that no single customer accounts for more than 3 percent of its revenue.

Whatever Amazons long game is on logistics, it is clear that it was looking to make a splash with the inaugural flight of Amazon One. The company flew the aircraft Friday in the Boeing Seafair Air Show, an annual event near its headquarters in Seattle. The side of the plane is emblazoned with the words Prime Air, and its underside features the Amazon logo. The curved Amazon arrow appears on the tail. The planes tail number  N1997A  is a prime number, a gimmick that the company said is meant as a nod to its Prime customers. Eleven of its leased planes have been in the air ferrying goods, but this plane is the first to be splashed with Amazon branding. The rest of the fleet will be getting the logo treatment soon.

Even as Amazon ventures into new territory with its trucking and air fleets, it continues to make other, more familiar investments in its logistics capabilities. The retailer has famously been plowing millions of dollars into building a network of fulfillment and sorting centers that enable its promise of two-day shipping on Prime orders. In this quarter alone, the company is set to open 18 fulfillment centers, or three times the number that it opened in the same quarter in 2015. The retailers aim is to be better prepared for the coming holiday season crush. Last year, fulfillment costs soared in that quarter as demand increased at its warehouses.

Jeffrey P. Bezos, chief executive of Amazon, owns the Washington Post.
Konni Lorenzo wrangled her five kids, ages 11 through 3, and headed out Friday morning for what might seem like a monumental task: back-to-school shopping.

But when she got to the Lake Manawa-area Walmart store in Council Bluffs she was met with a pleasant surprise: Friday kicked off Iowas annual two-day sales tax holiday, when clothing, shoes and other items priced less than $100 are not charged sales tax.

Now I just want to buy everything, Lorenzo said, pushing Zion, 3, and Sanett, 5, in the cart.

The Council Bluffs mom was specifically on the hunt for clothes for Sanett, who is heading into first grade at the end of the month. Lorenzo expected to save about $15 in sales tax alone at Walmart.

Its better than nothing when you have five kids, she said.

That was the sentiment among most parents shopping Friday. While the sales tax savings might not amount to much  about $7 for every $100 spent  they say its worth it when youre stocking up on back-to-school clothing this time of year.

Joanne Farmer of Glenwood, Iowa, takes advantage of the holiday every year to shop for new clothes for her three kids, ages 10, 5 and 4.

I dont expect to save a lot, but I just look at it as Hey, every little bit counts,  she said.

Farmer planned to purchase shoes for the kids from the J.C. Penney store at The Marketplace, plus one new outfit each, and school supplies. (The Iowa tax holiday includes only clothing and shoes; school supplies such as pencils, notebooks and backpacks are excluded from the tax break.)

Many Nebraskans cross the river to cash in on the savings.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue said Nebraskans still owe sales tax during tax season on the goods they purchase in Iowa but use in Omaha. People who buy items tax-free in other states are supposed to list those items and pay sales tax come tax time on their Nebraska taxes.

Nebraska does not have a sales tax holiday. Lawmakers have considered it in the past.

For Lynne Pedersen of Bellevue, the Lake Manawa-area Walmart is closer than many stores in Omaha, anyway, she said. She was busy picking out a pair of shoes for 3-year-old Lillian, who is starting prekindergarten this fall.

Stacey Anderson of Omaha said any savings will help. She lost her job in June and has four grandkids to care for, ranging in age from 12 to 7.

She expected to save at least $50 from the tax-free holiday.

This is definitely worth it, especially with my circumstance, losing my income, Anderson said.

Store managers in Council Bluffs said the weekend is second in store foot traffic only to the hectic Black Friday weekend after Thanksgiving. At the Lake Manawa-area Walmart, tax-free weekend is the biggest weekend for apparel sales, Co-Manager Nels Nelson said.

Were probably five times busier than we would be at this time on a normal day, he said Friday morning.

Business typically peaks Friday evening, when people are off work, and Saturday.

The Marketplace J.C. Penney even had shoppers waiting outside, Black Friday-style, before opening at 10 a.m. Friday, Store Manager Anita Hart said.

But just as with Black Friday, the weekend doesnt necessarily result in more total sales for retailers.

It shifts the business, is really what it does, Hart said. Many critics of the holidays agree.

Most stores staff up on registers and sales floor workers. At J.C. Penney, employees are treated to free lunch.

We try to make it as easy as possible for them, Hart said.

Austin Meston, manager of the Target store in the Metro Crossing shopping center in Council Bluffs, said for busy weekends, including this one, managers and employees bring in food for everyone.

Weve got a bunch of home-baked treats this weekend, and a bunch of pizza weve brought in, Meston said. The store also livens things up with sales competitions among employees.

Meston said traffic was about three times what it would be on a normal Friday, but he said he wouldnt know how the weekend fared compared with past years until the end of the day today. The two-day holiday lasts through today.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1414, paige.yowell@owh.com
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers have limited options when it comes to dealing with misbehavior by one of their own.

Impeachment may be an option. Expulsion is another. A third would be a letter of censure.

Impeachment: State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha argues for impeachment as the best way to respond to Papillion Sen. Bill Kintners use of a state computer for cybersex.

He already is drafting a resolution of impeachment and has said that he would introduce the resolution in January if Kintner has not resigned by then.

Similar to an indictment, an impeachment resolution spells out the reasons for impeachment. The resolution requires 25 votes to pass, after which the matter would go before the Nebraska Supreme Court for a trial.

If the court finds an official guilty of an impeachable offense, that person is removed from office and barred from holding any other office in the state.

Expulsion: Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley of Kearney said he favors expulsion, because he is getting conflicting legal advice about whether lawmakers can impeach colleagues.

The Nebraska Constitution requires 33 votes to expel a state senator. The expulsion would not prohibit the expelled member from running for public office again, including the office that he or she was expelled from.

Censure: A third possibility would be a letter of censure, which would allow Kintner to stay in office.

Although legislative rules permit Nebraska lawmakers to censure a colleague, it appears that has happened only once: In 1955, Sen. Sam Klaver of Omaha was condemned on a 37-2 vote for seeking compensation to defeat a bill.

Contact the writer: 402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com

Correction: It takes 33 votes in the Nebraska Legislature to expel a state senator. A previous version of this story gave an incorrect number.
FALLS CITY, Neb. (AP)  Dozens of friends and family members of the 42 people killed in a plane crash 50 years ago in southeast Nebraska are expected to gather this weekend for a memorial service.

The service will be held this morning at the site near Falls City where Braniff Airways Flight 250 crashed the night of Aug. 6, 1966, in stormy weather, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. The plane had been flying from Kansas City, Missouri, to Omaha.

All passengers and crew members aboard the plane died, and the crash remains Nebraskas worst commercial airline disaster.

The National Transportation Safety Board blamed the weather for the crash but found the crew could have avoided a storm if it had been alerted about its intensity.

The investigation found that wind ripped the plane apart, causing its fin and one of the two smaller wings at the tail to break loose.

The crash site wasnt marked until 2006, when a visit by co-pilot James Hillikers son, Dan Hilliker, prompted owners of the property to approve and help build a marker.

Dan Hilliker attended a 40th anniversary commemoration and will be among those attending todays events, saying he was impressed by the emotional connection he made in 2006 with residents and the families of those who died in the crash.

I think those people are some of the best people Ive met, Hilliker said. It was one of the coolest things that ever happened in my life.

Besides the service, a lunch is planned at the Richardson County Historical Society Museums agriculture building.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
LINCOLN  Retired Judge Randall Rehmeier met the newest member of the Nebraska Supreme Court 40 years ago when a little boy rang the doorbell and introduced himself as one of the kids in their Nebraska City neighborhood.

Rehmeier served as master of ceremonies Friday as Judge Jeffrey Funke took the oath of office and donned his Supreme Court robe for the first time. The event marked the rapid ascension of a former prosecutor who became a lower court judge just nine years ago and now, at 47, is the high courts youngest jurist.

I think the governor could not have made a better appointment, Rehmeier said to a packed house of judges, lawyers, friends and family in the Warner Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol.

Others who spoke Friday praised Funkes sharp legal mind, his impressive work ethic and the respect he affords to those who appear before him as defendants, litigants and lawyers.

I can say without reservation, he serves Nebraskans with deliberate impartiality, unwavering integrity, said Sarpy County Judge Todd Hutton, a close friend and colleague.

Funke marks the third judge Gov. Pete Ricketts has selected for the states high court during the governors first two years in office.

Ricketts is now responsible for more Supreme Court appointments than any governor since Ben Nelson in the 1990s.

The appointment also means five registered Republicans now sit on the seven-member bench. Legal observers say the State Supreme Court rarely decides cases along sharply political lines, but as recently as 2014 there were five registered Democrats on the court.

I couldnt be more pleased and proud to appoint Judge Jeff Funke to the Supreme Court, Ricketts said during the ceremony.

The audience stood and applauded at the introduction of William Connolly, whose retirement this week after 22 years on the court paved the way for Funkes appointment. During his comments, Funke called Connolly a man of great wisdom and compassion.

Funke took the oath from Supreme Court Judge Max Kelch, who went through the same ceremony in March. Kelch hired Funke years ago as a deputy prosecutor in Nebraska City when Kelch was the Otoe County attorney.

Funke used his time at the podium to thank his wife, Hettie, and their children, Maggie, Jack and Will. His parents, Thomas and Dorothy Funke, and his siblings also were in the audience.

During his interview for the job, the governor asked Funke to identify his greatest achievement.

Without hesitation my response was my family, Funke said. I know that I am only a small part of that accomplishment, but I am the biggest benefactor.

He also thanked key teachers in Nebraska City and at the University of Nebraska College of Law. And he listed by name the lawyers and judges who mentored him throughout his 22 years in the profession.

The lessons I learned from this group included stand by your word, treat all people with dignity and respect and try to work as hard they did, he said.

Contact the writer: 402-473-9587, joe.duggan@owh.com
A federal judge ruled last month that John Hinckley Jr., the mentally disturbed man who tried to assassinate my father 35 years ago, will be set free in about a week.

Many people, including members of my own family, think its a terrible injustice that Hinckley, now 61, will be allowed to leave the mental hospital and live permanently with his elderly mother in Virginia.

I dont.

Before I explain, Id like to remind people of what my father said and did in the days following the events of March 30, 1981.

When I walked into his hospital room the next day and saw my wounded father, the first thing he said to me, after Good morning, was Michael, if youre ever going to be shot, dont be wearing a new suit.

What? I thought to myself.

Well, yesterday I was shot.

I know, father. I know.

Well, I was wearing a brand new suit I had just picked up the day before. And Im telling you, if youre going to get shot dont be wearing a new suit. When I was on the gurney they cut that suit off me, and the last time I saw it, it was in shreds in the corner of my hospital room. Thats what they do. They cut it off you.

My father was only half done with his story.

That young man who shot me, John Hinckley Jr., I understand his parents are in the oil biz.

Yes they are, Dad.

I understand they live in Denver.

Yes they do, Dad.

Do you think they have any money?

Dad, I said, they are in the oil business and live in Denver. Of course, they have money.

My dad looked at me and said, Well, do you think theyd buy me a new suit?

Humor was my dads way of making strangers feel comfortable in his presence. He was the same way with his family.

Before my father was well enough to go back to the White House, he did something completely serious. He said he had forgiven Hinckley. Not only that, he wanted to go to meet Hinckley face to face and tell him that he had forgiven him.

Hinckleys doctors didnt think that was a good idea because he was too mentally unstable, so it never happened.

But it proves, as I always like to say, that my father didnt just recite the Lords Prayer, he lived it.

A lot of people cant forgive Hinckley even today. They were shocked in 1982 when he was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and they were angry when they found out hed become eligible for release someday.

Because of Hinckley, the laws were changed. Today if you shoot at the president, you stay in prison for life  no matter how crazy you are.

Over the years all of us in the families hurt by Hinckley have watched the courts and doctors slowly but surely release him through the mental health system.

Hinckleys not a threat to my family or anyone elses. But hes not totally free and never will be.

He may not have bars to look through, but he has his own type of jail. People will be watching him all the time. So will the Secret Service.

At first I was very upset and angry when Hinckley got off on the insanity defense. How could a person shoot the president of the United States and be allowed to ever have any freedom at all?

Fifteen years ago I was still angry. But 15 years later I want to be more like my father and have a forgiving heart, not an angry heart.

So at the same time John Hinckley has been set free, maybe I have been, too.
Did ISI commission the terror attack in Assam?

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Following the horrific attack at Kokrajhar, Assam in which nearly 14 persons were killed, officers are exploring the money flow which funded this attack. Based on investigations and interrogations conducted in the past, it has been found that a module run by the ISI is pumping funds into the NDFB(S) which is suspected to be behind this attack.

There is clearly an ISI hand in the attacks carried out by the NDFB(S), Intelligence Bureau officials say. Moreover when one studies the pattern of the attack at Assam on Friday, it is clear that it was a very ISI styled operation. The operation carried out yesterday is similar to what one witnesses in Kashmir, officers also point out. The militants hurled grenades to create a smoke screen following which they opened fire on the security forces.

ISI funded attack?

In this context one must revisit the interrogation of two NDFB(S) cadres, Minu Basumatry and Uttam Borgoyary. The two militants during their questioning speak about foreign funds. They say most of the money is coming in through a module in Bangladesh. The IB says that this is an ISI module set up in Bangladesh to move money and arms to militant outfits in the North East.

Further the arrested duo say that most of the money is used to source arms and ammunition. A large chunk of money is paid to the operatives as well. They say that most of the operatives work with the outfit for the money rather than the cause.

The Assam attack could have also been sanctioned to take the heat of the militant outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The entire focus of the security mechanism has shifted to Assam following the attack, officers also say. There was an intelligence alert in Assam issued on August 2 citing the chances of a Pre-Independence day attack. Following the alert a combing operation had been conducted in Kokrajhar in which arms and ammunition were seized and four operatives arrested. However two key operatives gave the security forces the slip.

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Story first published: Saturday, August 6, 2016, 11:13 [IST]
Mifflintown, PA, Aug. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Marcie A. Barber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Juniata Valley Financial Corp. (OTC Pink: JUVF) (Juniata), announced that Juniatas net income for the second quarter of 2016 was $1,115,000, an increase of $114,000, or 11.4% as compared to net income in the second quarter of 2015. Earnings per share was $0.23 per share in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $0.24 in the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 net income was $2,407,000, an increase of 25.0% over earnings for the same time period in 2015, with earnings per share increasing by $0.04, or 8.7%, over the corresponding 2015 period.

The comparability of the results of operations for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2016 to the corresponding periods in 2015 were materially impacted by the acquisition of FNBPA Bancorp, Inc. (FNBPA) on November 30, 2015. The earnings increases in both 2016 periods were due primarily to growth of earning assets and revenues as a result of the acquisition. The growth in earning assets and revenues more than offset increased operational expenses related to the expansion of the franchise in both 2016 periods that are expected to be recurring, as well as significant one-time merger integration costs.

Specifically, Juniata incurred $372,000 of non-recurring expense in conjunction with the integration of its new Northern Tier region during the first six months of 2016, with $314,000 recorded in the second quarter. In the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2015, only $48,000 and $58,000, respectively, in merger expenses were incurred. Exclusive of these non-recurring expenses and the corresponding tax impact for both the 2016 and 2015 periods, an increase of net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $2,653,000, an increase of $690,000, or 35.2%, over net income of $1,963,000 in the first six months of 2015. Excluding similar expenses and their corresponding tax impact for each of the second quarter periods, net income increased by $289,000, or 28.0%.

Ms. Barber stated, All material aspects of consolidation in the Northern Tier were completed during the second quarter. Our financial results in the first six months of 2016 evidence successful integration. We look forward to growth in assets and fee based services in that region, as well as in the Juniata Valley, throughout 2016.

Annualized return on average assets for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was 0.83%. Adjusted for the non-recurring tax-effected merger and integration expenses in both the 2016 and 2015 periods, annualized return on average assets was 0.92% as compared to 0.81% for the same period in 2015. Annualized return on average equity, including and excluding tax-effected merger and acquisition expense, was 7.87% and 8.68%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to 7.68% and 7.83%, respectively, in the six months ended June 30, 2015. On the adjusted basis, basic and diluted earnings per share increased from $0.46 in the first half of 2015 to $0.55 in the first half of 2016.

Net interest income increased in the first half of 2016 by $1,775,000 when compared to the first half of 2015, driven by higher average loan balances and lower funding costs. Average earning assets were $93.0 million higher in the 2016 period, resulting from both organic growth and the FNBPA acquisition. Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income was an increase in non-interest expense, primarily employee compensation and benefits expense due to added staffing in Juniatas Northern Tier (FNBPAs market area). Other non-interest expense increases included data processing expense, professional fees and FDIC insurance premiums, each related to the expansion of the franchise.

Non-interest income during the first half of 2016 increased by $394,000 when compared to the first half of 2015 and included $128,000 in net gains on investment transactions, a $113,000 gain on the sale of student loans acquired in the FNBPA transaction, as well as a $136,000 aggregate increase in customer service fees and debit card fee income.

For the second quarter of 2016, annualized return on average assets was 0.78% as compared to 0.84% for the same period in 2015 and annualized return on average equity was 7.25% and 7.99% in the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding tax-effected non-recurring merger and integration costs, return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.93% and 8.60%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2016, and 0.87% and 8.24%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2015. On the adjusted basis, basic and diluted earnings per share increased from $0.25 in the second quarter of 2015 to $0.28 in the second quarter of 2016.

Net interest income increased in the second quarter of 2016 by $807,000 when compared to the second quarter of 2015, driven by higher average loan balances and lower funding costs. Non-interest income grew by $215,000, or 19.0%, with $128,000 of the increase attributable to net gains on security transactions. Non-interest expense increased by $599,000, or 16.7%, exclusive of non-recurring merger and acquisition costs.

Total assets at June 30, 2016 were $572.8 million, a decrease of 1.9% compared to December 31, 2015. During the same period, loans grew by $1.1 million, or 0.3%, and deposits increased by $9.9 million, or 2.2%.

On July 19, 2016, Juniata Valley Financial Corp.s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.22 per share, payable on September 1, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 15, 2016.

To review financial statements which include detailed quarter and year-to-date financial information, please refer to Juniatas reports by following this link Q2 2016 Financial Statements. These financial statements can be also be found at www.jvbonline.com, under Investor Relations/SEC Filings/Documents/Latest 10Q.

Management considers subsequent events occurring after the statement of condition date for matters which may require adjustment to, or disclosure in, the consolidated financial statements. The review period for subsequent events extends up to and including the filing date of a public companys consolidated financial statements when filed with the SEC. Accordingly, the financial information in this announcement is subject to change.

The Juniata Valley Bank, the principal subsidiary of Juniata Valley Financial Corp., is headquartered in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, with fifteen community offices located in Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Huntingdon, McKean and Potter Counties. In addition, Juniata Valley owns 39.16% of Liverpool Community Bank, which it carries under the equity method of accounting. More information regarding Juniata Valley Financial Corp. and The Juniata Valley Bank can be found online at www.JVBonline.com. Juniata Valley Financial Corp. trades through OTC Pink under the symbol JUVF.

*This press release may contain forward looking information as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When words such as believes, expects, anticipates or similar expressions are used in this release, Juniata Valley is making forward-looking statements. Such information is based on Juniatas current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of its business. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results. Such statements involve potential risks and uncertainties and, accordingly, actual results may differ materially from this forward looking information. Many factors could affect future financial results. Juniata undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward looking information, whether as a result of new or updated information, future events, or otherwise. For a more complete discussion of certain risks and uncertainties affecting Juniata, please see the sections entitled Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  Forward-Looking Statements set forth in the Juniatas filings with the SEC.
BJP MP scolds official for cleaning Yamuna with 'poisonous chemical' ahead of Chhath

Auto, taxi fare in Delhi hiked over rising CNG prices | Check new rates

News Flash: World is in recession,still we have growth rate of 7.6%: PM Modi

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Aug 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to hold "Obama style" townhall to connect with citizens in Delhi today.

Get all national, international news updates:

9.50 pm: Leander Paes-Rohan Bopanna out of Olympics with 1st round loss.

9.45 pm: Hockey men: India beat Ireland 3-2.

8.18 pm: China conducts 'combat patrols' over contested islands, reports Reuters.

6:40 pm: We have so much diversity to attract people, we need to connect people to our heritage and attract tourism: PM Modi.

6:35 pm: Cows mostly die of eating plastic bags and these Cow rakshaks should urge ppl not to throw plastic on roads, this will be a big sewa: PM

6:30 pm: India has so much to offer when it comes to food that if we market it well it can take the world by a storm: PM Modi.

World knows of Pizza Hut, taste of which remains same 1000 kms later. Whereas walk along Tamil Nadu & the taste of idli changes 10 times: PM

6:27 pm: Indians living abroad can do a simple thing, every year they should convince 5 Non-Indian families to visit India: PM Modi.

6:25 pm: Indians settled abroad have their own strength & this plays a great role for India to connect with other nations: PM.

6:22 pm: We should follow 'Khaadi for nation Khaadi for fashion', this will boost our textile industry: PM Modi.

6:20 pm: Through 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana', we will be able to provide adequate amount of water to the farmers: PM Modi.

6:15 pm: Special PMLA Court grants bail to NSEL scam accused Jignesh Shah.

6:12 pm: Farmer's son becomes a farmer out of helplessness and not by choice: PM Modi.

6:10 pm:Shooters Apurvi Chandela and Ayonika Paul fail to qualify for final round in women's 10m air rifle.

6:08 pm: We have introduced insurance in budget; so that the poorest of the poor receives good health care: PM Modi.

6:05 pm: We need to focus on preventive and affordable health care. So much money is spent on advertising about the importance of vaccinations, and even then so many children are not vaccinated.

Now Health Department is reaching out household to household to reach everyone: PM Modi

6:00 pm: Economic development should be constant, it shouldn't go up and down. This is necessary for us to be at the top: PM Modi.

5:58 pm: Tourism will boost our economy, we should try and drive our economy. If we achieve 8% growth rate for 30 years then, we will be at the top: PM Modi

5:57 pm: The world is in recession. Despite the purchasing capacity of world going down, we have a growth rate of 7.6%: PM Modi.

5:55 pm: I raise one issue but the whole system is addressed. We are taking few initiatives for good governance: PM Modi.

5:52 pm: Technology and good governance will benefit farmers. Most powerful thing in democracy is Grievance Redress System: PM Modi.

5:50 pm: Grievance Redressal is an essential component of democracy, every citizen should have their problems addressed & responded to: PM Modi.

5:48 pm: We want to develop good governance where processes are less and things get done easy for citizens: PM Modi.

5:47 pm: Holding PM responsible for everything that happens at every level in the nation, it can be good politically...or for TRP. But every responsible person holding a position should be questioned: PM Modi.

5:46 pm: Development and good governance should have a balanced relation, even for a small incident anywhere, PM is targeted: PM Modi

5:45 pm:After winning elections, Govts usually start thinking about how to win the next elections or what to do to get more votes next time: PM Modi

5:40 pm: If democracy is limited to voting & choosing a Govt then the spirit of democracy would not develop: PM Modi.

5:35 pm:PM Narendra Modi launches PMO Mobile Application, an application developed with citizens' ideas.

5:30 pm:Dattu Baban Bhokanal qualifies for the quarter-finals of men's single sculls by finishing in third position.

5:20 pm: PM Narendra Modi reaches Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (Delhi) for 'Townhall', interacts with citizens.

5:15 pm: Gandhinagar (Gujarat): Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje and Arun Jaitley to attend the oath taking ceremony of Vijay Rupani, tomorrow.

5:12 pm: PM Narendra Modi reaches Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (Delhi) for 'Townhall'.

5:10 pm: Ghulam Nabi Azad writes an open letter to PM Modi, shares "profound concern & anxiety of people of J&K over the ongoing unrest in Kashmir".

5:00 pm: Hearing on defamation case filed against Arvind Kejriwal by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Patiala House Court adjourned to August 20.

4:55 pm: Had a meeting with Railway Minister, discussed about four Railway lines & two projects in Chhattisgarh: CM Raman Singh.

4:50 pm: HP CM money laundering case- Special Court adjourns the hearing of the bail petition of LIC agent Anand Chauhan till 16th August.

4:45 pm: Mau(UP): Dayashankar Singh granted bail, it has been approved on two bonds of Rs 50,000 each.

4:40 pm: Retd Justice Markandey Katju informs BCCI that he will release his first interim report to the BCCI tomorrow (August 7, 2016).

4:30 pm: Water Resource Department of Chhattisgarh also released an alert for; Dhamtari, Raipur, Mahasamund, Bilaspur, Janjgir, Champa, Raigarh and Gariaband; as these nearby areas might also get affected.

4:20 pm: Water Resource Department of Chhattisgarh today, decided to release 10,000 ltrs of water into Mahanadi river, from Gangrel Dam.

4:05 pm: First of its kind 'Townhall' underway in Delhi; PM Narendra Modi to interact with citizens shorty.

3:50 pm: Man arrested in Kuwait today admitted to supporting terrorist organisations and involvement in financing terrorism, after his return from Pakistan in 2013.

Kuwaiti authorities have registered a case against him and arrested him on these charges.

3:35 pm: Bhopal: BJP workers and MLA Rameshwar Sharma protest against Sharad Yadav, over his 'Kanwar Yatra' remark.

3.23 pm: Moradabad: Heavy rainfall causes water logging in several parts of the city, causing a lot of distress to the locals

3.15 pm: Sonia Gandhi's condition is stable. Doctors who operated Mrs Gandhi for shoulder injury are happy with her progress: Health Bulletin

3.07 pm: Rahul Gandhi has to appear before the Court on September 29.

3.05 pm: Cong VP Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by Kamrup Metropolitan court (Assam) in connection with a defamation case for his remark against RSS.

2.44 pm: Jalandhar (Punjab): Ginni Mahi, a 17 year old young singer of Chamar Pop & Ambedkar folk, "My friend was shocked to know that I belong to SC/ST category. I follow Dr Ambedkar, and want to spread his message to the world."

2.12 pm: #FLASH One man, Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi, arrested in Kuwait for suspected links and for terror funding and recruitment for ISIS.

I am very proud and happy with my work, says Lakshmi, a Dalit woman priest at Gokarnanatha Temple, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/EXkZrsJuJc  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

1.50 pm: Breaking stereotype since 2 yrs, Lakshmi, a Dalit woman appointed priest at Gokarnanatha Temple in 2014 says she is very happy with her work

1.40 pm: Rajasthan Govt suspends Animal Husbandry comm. & RK Sharma- in Charge, Hingonia Gaushala over reports of 100 cows died in state-run cowshed

1:30 pm: Around Rs. 7588 crore will be utilised by Govt for OROP in a year, Govt has provided for OROP as we expected: Army Chief.

1:20 pm: Chhattisgarh: Railway track being constructed for the first time in Naxal affected area of Bhanupratappur.

Have to travel over 35 kms to board trains, construction of this railway track will make commuting easier. Naxals dig up roads near area making it inconvenient for us to travel, with railway lines being built, we will be able to travel safe: Local

1:10 pm: 2 suspected people arrested with a modern firearm including a rocket launcher, magazine, bullets in Kotshila, WB.

1:00 pm: We want to make regional hospitals all over the nation for Army veterans: Army Chief.

12:55 pm: A 4-member team of NIA visits Kokrajhar (Assam) terror attack site to probe into the matter.

12:45 pm: I want to say I am very grateful to all the Army veterans, I feel it is essential for veterans to get the respect they deserve: Army Chief.

12:35 pm: Raigad (Maharashtra): Rescue operations underway by NDRF teams at Mahad bridge collapse site.

12:26 pm: Customs asked Indian railways to provide special modified goods wagon for Indo-Pak trade to avoid smuggling. Customs has identified 100 cavities in goods wagon which can be used for smuggling b/w India & Pak: Capt Sanjay Gahlot, Custom Comm.

12.22 pm: MODI means "Making Of Developed India," Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

12.18 pm: Vijay Mallya: Delhi court directs external affairs ministry to send non bailable warrant against him.

12.13 pm: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal meets victims of Kokrajhar terror attack.

Guwahati: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal meets victims of Kokrajhar (Assam) terror attack at the hospital. pic.twitter.com/1wjkZ3K3OJ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

12.00: Vijay Rupani meets Gujarat Governor OP Kohli, stakes claim to form Government

11.55 am: Water level in Satluj river rises as heavy rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh.

Rampur (Shimla): Water level in Satluj river rises as heavy rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/iZK3EZqee0  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

11.45 am: Kokrajhar attack: Person behind it identified: Assam forest minister.

11.40 am: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu launches a guide book on Swachh Survekshan.

11.35 pm: Mainpur: Locals thrash cops after 2 labourers were allegedly beaten to death by them for refusing bribe of Rs100.

11.30 am: Dozens of students injured after school van was hit by a car Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.

11.25 am: Chhattisgarh: Naxalites block Murliguda to Konta road by digging up roads. The location is 3 km away from CRPF base camp.

11.10 am: Rajasthan CM to visit Govt-run Hingonia Gaushala today.

11.00 am: Madhya Pradesh: Panchayat CO slaps a fine of Rs3.81 lakhon Palera panchayat in Tikamgarh for failing to pay labourers on time.

10.50 am: Floods in Tirthan River in Kullu district cause damage in the surrounding area.

Himachal Pradesh: Floods in Tirthan River in Kullu district cause damage in the surrounding area,water enters fields pic.twitter.com/ksmep7jIbe  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

10.45 am: Curfew continues for 29th day in Srinagar.

10.30 am: Mainpuri SP promises action against culprits in connection with death of two labourers.

10.15 am: Uttar Pradesh: 2 labourers allegedly beaten to death by police in Mainpuri for refusing to pay a bribe of Rs100.

10.00 am: Madhya Pradesh: Madarsas in Ujjain refuse midday meals to kids alleging that part of food is being served is offered to Hindu gods: ANI

9.45 am: Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held formal talks with the leaders of Madhesi parties on Friday.

9.30 am: Madhya Pradesh: Mud found in foodgrains supplied for mid day meal.

9.15 am: Heavy rains lash parts of Delhi today.

9.05 am: Vijay Rupani to meet Gujarat Governor O P Kohli at 11am to stake claim to form government in Gujarat.

9.00 am: At least 13 killed, 6 injured in France bar fire

8.50 am: Rio Olympics: Indian Men hockey team to face Ireland in the opening clash in men's hockey Pool 'B' game.

8.40 am: Rio Olympics: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik wishes India contigent.

8.30 am: Vaishno Devi landslide: Death toll mounts to 4.

8.25 am: Abhinav Bindra leads the Indian Contingent at the Openingn Ceremony of the Rio Olympics 2016

8.20am: Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lights the Olympic cauldron for Rio Olympics.

8.15 am: Major fire broke out at an electricity station in Moradabad. Firefighters dowsed the flame. Major equipment destroyed.

8.10 am: "As of now, Govt of Saudi Arabia is providing food, medical and other assistance to camps of Saudi Oger company" VK Singh,MoS MEA.

8.05 am: Tragedy stuck Vaishno Devi yatra: Three pilgrims die and 7 injured after landslide near Ardhkuwari Temple in Katra.

8.00 am: PM Modi all set to hold townhall in Delhi today.

PM to participate in MyGov Town Hallhttps://t.co/pxmd34BwFQ



via NMApp  PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 6, 2016

OneIndia News
Tamil Nadu: HC asks CBI to probe a Rs 1.30 cr job racket

India

oi-PTI

Chennai, Aug 6: The Madras High Court has directed CBI to investigate a Rs 1.30 crore job racket in which a former IAS officer, his son and a press reporter were allegedly involved, citing flaws in the probe by the local police.

Quashing the final report filed by the police before the X Metropolitan Magistrate's court at Egmore here as sought by D Vivekanandan and his son Kavin Vivek in their petition, Justice P N Prakash ordered CBI to probe the case.

According to the prosecution, the duo had allegedly collected Rs 1.30 crore from 10 people assuring them jobs as Public Relations Officers, Department of Information and Public Relations.

It said Vivekanandan was Project Director in Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society in 2013, a post equivalent to Secretary in the state government, and was living with his son.

It said Ganapathy, a reporter known to them, took the 10 people to Vivekanandan's home here on September 14, 2013, where each of them allegedly paid Rs 13 lakh to the former IAS officer who assured them the jobs.

Ganapathy later filed a complaint with the police about the incident when the 10 people failed to get the jobs and started pressurising him. The police probed it and filed a final report, which was taken on file by the Egmore Court.

Justice Prakash found fault with the probe by the police, which had not conducted an inquiry on purchase of stamp papers and the attestation done on by it by a notary public.

The judge said the prima facie complaint itself discloses the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The police should have filed the case under this Act, but had done so under IPC Sections 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), among others, he said.

The court also said that in the ordinary course of events, the father and son should have been arrested, questioned and recovery done, based on their disclosure, which is relevant under Section 27 of the Evidence Act. The then directed that a probe be conducted by CBI.

PTI
A dream, a call and some courage: How a 15-year-old stopped her marriage

Mamata government bids to take over Tagore Nobel theft probe

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kolkata, Aug 6: The West Bengal government is approaching the central government seeking to take over the probe of theft of Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel Prize medallion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

"If the state government is given the responsibility, we can endeavour to retrieve the medallion. That is why we are approaching the Centre," said Banerjee after holding an administrative meeting in Burdwan district.

Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee said the state government will be writing to the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) which was entrusted with the probe.

TMC will form the next govt in Tripura: Mamata Banerjee

"If CBI cannot, we can look for Tagore's Nobel," Mamata had said on Thursday during a visit to the Tagore founded Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan in Birbhum district.

The sensational theft of the medallion and 47 other memorabilia from Rabindra Bhawan at Santiniketan came to light on March 25, 2004.

The investigation was handed over to the CBI which after three years of fruitless probe, closed the case in August 2007, only to reopen it subsequently in September, 2008.

Failing to make much of a headway, the agency closed the case again in 2010.

IANS

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Story first published: Saturday, August 6, 2016, 16:00 [IST]
Motu Doctor, a terror suspect always on the wrong side of the law

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Motu Doctor is an alias that was used by Dr Sabeel Ahmed. This is a pretty familiar name and it had first cropped up during the Glasgow attack of 2007. He is the brother of Kafeel Ahmed, an Engineer from Bengaluru, the mastermind who died in the Glasgow attack at the United Kingdom.

For Dr Ahmed, being on the wrong side of the law is nothing new. He was briefly detained in the UK following the Glasgow attack on the ground that he had not reported his brother's actions despite knowing the plan. Later on he was deported to India.

After a brief stint in India he decided to leave for Saudi Arabia where he and his family felt he would be away from the media limelight. After staying low key for a considerable amount of time, his name cropped up in an investigation that related to the elimination of Hindu leaders in Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra. Further his name also cropped up in the another case which related to the recruitment of youth into the al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent.

On the wrong side of the law:

Right from the year 2007, Dr Sabeel Ahmed has managed to stay in the news. His mother upon his arrival from the UK in 2007 had pleaded before the media to leave them alone. My son is back, I have lost one son, please leave us all alone, Dr Zakia Ahmed had told the media.

There was no news on Ahmed until 2013. When the Bengaluru police busted a case relating to assassination of Hindus, several names had cropped. However when the NIA took over the probe, the name of one Motu Doctor believed to be part of this plot cropped up. It was then revealed that Motu Doctor was Sabeel Ahmed. When the news item was reported, there was a quick denial from his side.

Following this incident, the Delhi police busted an alleged al-Qaeda cell. It was revealed that several persons with help from associates in Saudi Arabia had attempted to recruit youth into the Indian module. The name of Motu Doctor cropped up yet again. This time around the court issued a warrant against him following which a look out notice was issued. This was followed up by a deportation request by India to Saudi Arabia.

It is him:

A few days back the police in Saudi Arabia detained a person. The police picked him up based on the look out circular. When the Indian agencies were informed, a team began verifying the details immediately. Now India has confirmed to Saudi Arabia that the man arrested in indeed, Motu Doctor alias Dr Sabeel Ahmed.

There are a few formalities that remain highly placed sources informed OneIndia. A team would be in Saudi Arabia to complete those formalities and take the deportation or extradition forward. He will be crucial to the investigations in two cases, NIA officials say.
Narada sting: HC stays Kolkata Police probe into it

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata, Aug 6: The Calcutta High Court today stayed the investigation by Kolkata Police into the Narada sting tapes which purportedly showed people resembling senior Trinamool Congress leaders taking money in exchange for favours.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A Banerjee ordered an interim stay into the probe launched by the police till the next date of hearing on August 19.

Passing the order, the chief justice observed that when the matter was already being probed by the high court, a parallel investigation cannot be held by the police.

West Bengal polls 2016: Why Narada sting operation will not affect Mamata's party

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on June 17 ordered a probe by Kolkata police into the sting operation.

A report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, on the veracity of the tapes was also received by the court, the contents of which were not made public.

The bench said that advocates on record involved in the matter may go through the report and submit in affidavit form any point they want to raise over its contents.

The high court had sent the Narada sting tapes to Chandigarh CFSL after its counterpart in Hyderabad had expressed its inability to analyse the genuineness of the recordings.

Mathew Samuel, the editor of Narada News, had claimed that the alleged sting operation was recorded using an iPhone 6, transferred to a laptop and then to a pendrive, all of which were sent by the high court to CFSL, Chandigarh for examination of the genuineness of the recordings.

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, August 6, 2016, 17:11 [IST]
In India terror down by 34%, civilian deaths by 90% since Art 370 scrapped: Shah

Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh

Terrorists will be 'replied in same language': Nirmal Singh

India

oi-PTI

Jammu, Aug 6: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh asserted that the terrorists who refuse to surrender will be "replied in the same language".

"BJP will never compromise with terrorism and separatism. The militants who carry guns and kill people will be replied in the same language, if they do not surrender," he said.

Asked about the action his government has taken against those involved in violence in Kashmir, Singh told reporters here that "people involved are being identified and caught.

In the time to come you will see the situation will improve and government will take action against them." Singh was recently in the line of fire after he called the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani "an accident".

He had to clarify his statement after political parties, including Congress and National Conference, demanded his resignation.

Sena accuses J&K Dy CM of insulting jawans

"The Opposition and some anti-social elements and separatists tried to disturb peace in Jammu region, but people of Jammu and administration foiled their designs and ensured peace in the region," he said.

"We will ensure the right to life of the people at all cost," Singh said.

Earlier the deputy chief minister launched the work on a modern bus stand project at Jammu to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 201.68 crore. The project is likely to be completed within 18 months.

PTI
Are you awake?: EAM Jaishankar recalls when he got a call from PM Modi at midnight

Several Afghans on Germany's evacuation list have died

13th batch of medical assistance to Afghanistan delivered by India

Twin explosions in Afghanistan kill at least 10 civilians

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kabul, Aug 6: At least 10 civilians were killed in separate bomb explosions in Afghanistan's Paktia province, officials said. [IS attack on Kabul demonstration: 80 killed, over 200 injured]

Provincial governor's spokesman Naqib Ahmad Atal said at least five members of a single family were killed in the first explosion in Samkanai district on Friday, Khaama Press reported on Saturday (Aug 6). [10 foreign tourists killed in Afghanistan]

He said the incident took place after a vehicle carrying the civilians struck an improvised explosive device (IED).

Atal added that five more people were killed in a separate explosion targeting a tractor vehicle in the same district.

IANS
At least 13 killed, 6 injured in France bar fire: Govt

International

oi-PTI

Rennes (France), Aug 6: At least 13 people have died and six been injured in a fire today at a bar in Rouen, northern France, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

The blaze broke out at around midnight at the basement room of the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre during a birthday celebration.

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Cazeneuve said in a statement. "An inquiry is underway to establish the cause of the fire," he added.

One source close to the investigation said that candles on a birthday cake may have sparked the blaze. One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

AFP
Eiffel Tower evacuated, cordoned off by police

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Paris, Aug 6: The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris has been evacuated, according to reports on social media. Visitors have been posting pictures online of police cordoning off the entrance area.

Witnesses say that police and military forces are "all over" the place. However, no panic was reported and the cause of the evacuation remains unknown.

IANS
Indian-origin teenager stabbed to death in Israel after brawl at birthday party

Israel rebukes Obama's remarks on Iran nuclear deal

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Jerusalem, Aug 6: Israel on Friday (Aug 5) strongly rejected an assertion by US President Barack Obama that the latter recognises the efficiency of the Iran deal, comparing it to the 1938 agreement with Hitler.

Obama told a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that senior Israeli officials now support the nuclear deal.

"The Israeli defence establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the deal is based on," said the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which was signed on July 2015 between Iran and the world powers.

The newly-appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the hawkish leader of the far-right "Yisrael Our Home" party, is also a fierce opponent of the deal.

IANS
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted a ceremony today for 51 graduates of the companys apprentice program. The class of 2016 students represents several classes of shipyard trades.



When you applied for this program, you were choosing to start down a path to becoming an Ingalls leader, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said to the graduating class. As graduate apprentices, your future is full of tremendous opportunitiesin shipbuilding and in life. Anyone can make the right decision when its easy. Real leaders make the right decision when its hard and no one is looking. I challenge you to take the responsibility as a leader. Choose to make a difference and be an example for others. As I look out across this room, I am encouraged by what our future holds. Dont lose the momentum, because you are the future of Ingalls Shipbuilding, and what you do todayand every dayreally does matter.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file?fid=57a61d7f2cfac27225579df2.

Since 1952, Ingalls Apprentice School has produced nearly 5,000 graduates trained to fulfill the shipyards operational needs. The program offers a comprehensive two- to four-year curriculum for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Ingalls partners with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the program, and Dr. Mary Graham, the community colleges president, was this keynote speaker at this years graduation ceremony.

As I thought about my comments today, I began to think about how amazing it is that the most advanced warships in the world are being built right here in south Mississippi, Graham said. I see it as a privilege to be an American. In many countries we would not have the freedoms and privileges that we enjoy today. So with those privileges comes great responsibility. A responsibility to add value to whatever we do, build or touch. Congratulations to all of you on your hard work and commitment. Continue on this path of excellence to set your standards high and to be the best American you can be.

More than 60 faculty and staff members deliver 13 programs and more than 120 course offerings to apprentices to gain not only the skills, knowledge and pride of workmanship, but also the educational foundation and personal qualities needed to fully meet the challenges of a shipbuilding career. Today more than 1,500 apprentice alumnae fill approximately 50 different types of jobs at Ingalls, many in craft, with 800 alumni going on to management and professional roles throughout the shipyard.

We should never stop learning new and better ways to do our jobs, said Jonathan Brewer, a pipe welder and the class outstanding apprentice of the year. We are the future of the company, and we are not only building ships, we are building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard that defend our country and our freedom. It is an honor to be a part of that.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 35,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:
Post coup, is Turkey getting close to Russia at West's expense?

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Ankara, Aug 6: Even a few months ago when a Russian fighter jet was shot down by Turkish forces near the Syrian border, the relation between Ankara and Moscow were not at its best. But in August 2016, almost a month after a coup failed to dislodge the Recep Tayyip Erdogan regime, it looks a new equation is ready to take shape between Turkish president and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. [Pro-govt Turkish daily accuses US of having organised coup attempt; targets former US general]

Read more about Turkey coup attempt 2016

On Tuesday (August 9), Erdogan will travel to Russia to visit Putin and the observers feel it could be a game-changing moment in international politics which will give the West some serious headache.

Sources in Turkey, however, said that Erdogan's visit to St Petersburg is not going to convey the message that Ankara is going to Russia at the expense of the West and they insist that it is only a building up on the rapproachement with Russia which had begun before the coup was attempted on July 15. [Turkey briefly closes Nato air base]

But that explanation is far from satisfactory.

The general feeling in Turkey has been an enraged one since the West criticised the Erdogan government's strong counter-coup measures but did not say much about the coup itself which left over 230 people killed. [Pics: US had no role to play in Turkey coup attempt: Prez Obama]

The Turkish government retaliated after the coup attempt ran out of steam by purging several thousands of followers of Fetullah Gulen, a cleric in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania in the US. It also blamed the US for backing the coup and sought extradition of the cleric from the US, which the latter refused to do.

A number of countries like Germany and Austria took on Turkey on strong terms and there were suggestions to throw Turkey out of the Nato and end the talks over the latter's accession to the European Union and these fractures were more than an opportunity for Russia to undermine the cohesiveness between the West and Nato to its own advantage.

Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank, said for Erdogan, his meeting with Putin is a chance to show the West that Ankara could have other strategic options to explore, the Reuters reported.

Putin will be just the second head of the state who Erdogan will meet post the failed coup, after Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev who visited Turkey on August 5. Sources in Ankara have questioned why no Western head of state has paid a visit to the country to show solidarity after the political adventure against Erdogan.

Russians, on the other hand, have also found a much-needed ally in Turkey.

"Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," Reuters quoted Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the country's foreign ministry, as saying.

It is not that differences between Ankara and Moscow have been completely buried. Apart from the friction caused by the downing of the Russian jet nine months ago, the two sides also disagree on the future of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and also South Caucacus but they will surely look to make those differences secondary in comparison to the greater strategic battle with the West.

Oneindia News
Tamil Nadu assembly had its share of light moment when when former Chennai Mayor and Opposition DMK MLA Ma. Subramanian accidentally addressed the Speaker as 'Mayor in his speech'. While referring to his speech Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa jokingly said -'going by the speech of Mr Subramanain, I myself had doubts whether we are seated in Tamil Nadu Assembly or in Chennai Corporation'. This triggered peels of laughter in the assembly.
Malaysia has acknowledged that one of the pilots of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had plotted a course on his home flight simulator to the southern Indian Ocean, where the missing jet is believed to have crashed. Malaysia's transport minister also cautioned there were thousands of destinations on the simulator and no evidence that Zaharie flew the plane in that area or deliberately crashed it. The Boeing 777 plane and the 239 people on board disappeared more than two years ago while traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
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LISLE, III., Aug. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar Premium Meats & Cheeses has partnered with Cub to donate $15,000 to Make-A-Wish Minnesota. Kretschmar made the donation at the Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes in Minneapolis, Minn. Saturday as part of its Legendary Wishes campaign, which helps Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. The annual Walk for Wishes is a Make-A-Wish fundraiser that celebrates wishes that have already been granted, while raising funds for future wishes.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5243d69-8994-4c42-854f-911fe8ec9768

As part of the event, the crowd was treated to a live performance by Kretschmar Country Artist Kelleigh Bannen, who played hits from her newly-released album Cheap Sunglasses. Bannen is one of CMTs Next Women of Country. Walk for Wishes participants and guests also received delicious Kretschmar deli samples, coupons and giveaways from the Kretschmar mobile tour.

Supporting Make-A-Wish and making wishes come true for children is something very gratifying for us, said Michael J. Sargent, Senior Brand Manager, Kretschmar. Our contribution can support Make-A-Wish throughout the year, and were thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to help fulfill special wishes for children.

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed over $515,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than twelve wishes with local chapters through its Legendary Wishes campaign.

Thanks to retail partners like Cub, Kretschmar has raised additional funding through employee donations and sandwich fundraisers. Cub locally raised $5,000 from July 3 through July 31 to help grant future wishes. These efforts have raised $75,000 locally which was given to local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant more wishes.

Make-A-Wish Minnesota relies on the help of supporters such as Kretschmar, Cub and their customers to grant wishes for Minnesota children with life-threatening medical conditions, said Mia Broos Hoagberg, Make-A-Wish Minnesota president and CEO. We are grateful to Kretschmar and Cub for their support which allows Make-A-Wish Minnesota to provide life-changing experiences to kids, giving them hope as they return their focus to the future.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its involvement with Make-A-Wish visit www.kretschmardeli.com or www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli.

Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Kretschmar

Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process. Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts. Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About CUB

CUB, based in Stillwater, Minn., was established in 1968 as one of the nations first discount grocery stores. The organization was purchased in 1980 by SUPERVALU and currently operates 79 stores in Minnesota and Illinois that offer customers fresh produce, a wide selection, and food expertise throughout the stores to meet their everyday grocery needs. As the hometown grocer for over 48 years, CUB has made it a priority to be a good corporate citizen by helping to create healthy and thriving communities that enhance the quality of life for its customers, employees, and neighbors. For company news and information, follow us on Twitter at @CubFoods and Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cub, or visit our website at www.Cub.com.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 35 minutes. It has granted more than 350,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,800 in 2015 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.
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Nine Figure Takes: Cold Hacking from Behind North Koreas Cyber Curtain

Published August 5, 2016 by Lee R

South Korea is bearing the brunt of increased cyber aggression from the North.

Gambling sites for Cold War espionage?

Nine Figure Take

According to UPI reports, South Korea Defense Security Command chief Cho Hyun-chun claims the countrys Communist neighbor to the north has been bringing in upwards of $866 million per year from covertly operating online gambling and other businesses.

Hacking Mission

These sites are run by North Korean hackers who according to South Korea intelligence mask the origin of the online funding of operations, as well as the destination of the proceeds. Hyun-chun has traced the hackers running the sites directly to North Korea's intelligence unit, which hosts its cyber division, the ominously titled Bureau 121.

Spying Mission

The bureau has a veritable army of over 6000 full-time hackers carrying out cyber espionage through offensive hacking operations and cyber attacks, mostly against South Korea, aka Arch Enemy. After invasion, the attacks further deploy malicious coding that can be used for continued spying, according to South Korean intelligence.

Dark Cyber Shadow

With an estimated GDP of $40 billion, North Korea is nowhere near an economic power status, so it has invested heavily in cyber to increasing its global influence. The US Department of Defense characterized the activity in 2013 thusly:

"Given North Korea's bleak economic outlook, [offensive cyber operations] may be seen as a cost effective way to develop asymmetric, deniable military options."

In other words, instead of military strength, North Korea is seeking to forward the Liberal Democracys mission to promote freedom from North Korea via hacking.

Threat Level High

The threat has only increased, with General Vincent Brooks telling Senate leaders in April that North Korea hackers may not be "the (very) best in the world, they are among the best in the world and the best organized."

Dysregulation

As far as seizing revenue benefits through regulation, the landscape in the totalitarian dictatorship is at this pointbleak: accessing online gambling websites from within North Korea is an offense punishable by death, even as North Korea operates numerous Internet gambling sites catering to foreign nationals.

Hacking It Up

Of late, Hyun-chun warned the North Korean cyber attacks against South Korea are becoming more bold, providing evidence that North Korean efforts to steal money will increase.
Reprinted from Smirking Chimp

If you or someone you know needs proof that global climate change is real and is happening before our very eyes, you could go to the "State of the Climate Report" put together by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

But just turning on the television or opening the newspaper these days should be enough to raise alarms.

Over the weekend for instance, Ellicott City, just up the road in Maryland, was nearly washed away in a 1,000-year flooding event similar to what recently happened in West Virginia.

Across the world, more than 150 people were killed in floods in India and 1.1 million more Indians were displaced in flooding that wiped out large swatches of infrastructure and agricultural land.

Out in the Western United States, firefighters north of Los Angeles were finally able to control the "Sand Fire" that burned for nearly two weeks, destroyed 18 homes and burned a total of more than 41,000 acres, meanwhile the "Soberanes Fire" has already scorched more than 43,000 acres and has only been 18 percent contained.

And in fact, 10 of the 20 largest wildfires in California's history have burned in the last 10 years.

Then there are the risks of climate change that don't have to do with extreme weather events, like the toxic algal blooms off of the coast of Florida, or the dormant anthrax that's been released from the melting soils in Siberia, or the Cold War-era nuclear research site in the Greenland ice sheet that could leech biological, chemical and radioactive waste into the environment as that ice sheet melts.

In response to the State of the Climate report that NOAA released, renowned climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann told the Guardian that, "The impacts of climate change are no longer subtle. They are playing out before us, in real time. The 2015 numbers drive that home."

The report describes a "toppling of several symbolic mileposts" in 2015, and makes it clearer than ever that climate change is real, that human activity is the primary driver and that we're watching the effects play out in real time.

The year 2015 was one-tenth of a degree Celsius hotter than 2014, making it the warmest year on record; but, based on the fact that the last 14 months have all been record-breaking months, 2016 is likely to take that record from 2015.

Our oceans also saw record breaking oceanic temperatures in 2015: The Pacific was 2 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average, and the Arctic reached a shocking 8 degrees Celsius above average.

Other significant changes described in the State of the Climate report for 2015 include the Arctic hitting its lowest recorded maximum sea ice extent in February of 2015, the world's alpine glaciers registering a net annual loss of ice for the 36th year in a row, and the Greenland ice sheet melting over more than 50 percent of its surface.

This year, Greenland's melt season started two months earlier than usual and scientists are now very concerned about what could happen if this rate of warming continues, or accelerates.

But what's really terrifying isn't the melting itself, it's what will be released if we don't take immediate action to curb the climate change that's happened because of the 350 billion tons of carbon we've already burned into the atmosphere since 1850.

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Reprinted from Campaign For America's Future

The sense of panic among elite Republicans is palpable. They're beginning to understand that when they look at Donald Trump they're staring into the orange-hued face of their party's potential demise.

The GOP defections to Team Hillary were already well underway by the time of last week's Democratic National Convention, which featured endorsement speeches from billionaire ex-mayor Michael Bloomberg and other Republicans.

Since then Hewlett-Packard executive and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has come out for Clinton. So has Republican-leaning hedge fund billionaire Seth Karman and Republican Congressman Richard Hanna. A CNN poll showed that nearly one in four self-identified conservative voters said they would support Clinton over Trump.

From a tactical point of view, it makes sense for Clinton to welcome their support. But it poses a dangerous temptation for her -- especially when, as is the case with Bloomberg, Whitman, and Klarman, it presumably comes with buckets full of campaign cash. She may see this support as a mandate to form something like a unity government with Republicans, a call to tack right toward the failed "centrism" and "bipartisanship" of the past several decades.

That would be a tragic error, but it would it follow a well-worn groove in recent American politics.

"Bipartisanship," in this context, is the notion that government works best when corporate-backed politicians from both parties get together behind closed doors and decide what's best for the country. The "bipartisan" ideology gave rise to Washington's long obsession with deficit reduction at the expense of more pressing concerns. It nearly led to a cut in Social Security benefits, which would have been disastrous for millions of seniors, disabled people, and children. It is responsible for the government spending cuts that, as economist Robert Scott explains, have been largely responsible for the weakness and slow pace of our current recovery.

This ideology has failed -- but it hasn't died. Consider the comments made this week former President George W. Bush, who implicitly condemned Trump by speaking out against what he called "isolationism, nativism and protectionism."

Bush was right to condemn nativism, of course. But what he (and other "centrist" insiders) consider "isolationism," many Americans would consider a prudent reluctance toward military adventurism. The "bipartisan" consensus that Clinton shared brought us Bush's disastrous war in Iraq and the current chaos in Libya and Syria.

And when Bush talks about "protectionism," he's really defending the disastrous "bipartisan" trade deals supported by Democratic and Republican administrations alike -- including Bill Clinton's, Barack Obama's, and his own.

Then there's New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. Friedman's not always wrong: he supports infrastructure spending and green jobs. But in his latest column he tosses out political cliches like confetti in his zeal to flack the failed bipartisan approach of the past.

Friedman complains that the Democratic convention failed to honor "the people who drive our economy by inventing things or by borrowing money to start companies that actually employ people."

Friedman's language regurgitates the right-wing myth of the "job creator." That's getting it exactly backward. In a healthy and stable economy, it is people who generate prosperity for businesses, not the other way around, by increasing demand for their goods and services. And in a struggling economy like this one, government spending is especially important.

Economic inequality stifles growth. So when Friedman says "I would much rather grow our pie bigger and faster and better adjust the slices then redivide a shrinking one," he shows that he's failed to learn the lessons of the last 30 years.

Friedman also complains that there is "anti-bank sentiment" within the Democratic Party. That assertion would astonish the hundreds of thousands of defrauded homeowners who have yet to see one of their lawbreaking tormentors sent to jail under the current Democratic administration.

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Should You Wait One More Year to Apply to Business School?



Should I wait another year?

1) Reflection on Personal Goals





2) Improving Your GMAT Score



3) Accelerating Personal Development

This is a common question among many MBA aspirants. On the one hand, you are raring to achieve the goals that have inspired you to consider business school in the first place; on the other, however, you are wondering how much another year of preparing and additional experiences might help your admissions chances. And of course, your other life priorities  such as personal and family relationships  are also major considerations.You may find yourself feeling impatient with the desire to move forward, while battling your nerves to leave your current path and start anew. Managing your emotions to think clearly and objectively is important in making this critical decision. (Treat this also as good practice for more life-changing and career-defining decisions later on.)So, what should you consider in deciding whether or not to wait one more year before applying to business school?Many applicants, especially younger ones, are unsure of their current paths, and thus, they pursue business school as a chance to open up potential career opportunities. However, you would do well to learn more about the possibilities that will actually be available to you post-MBA before applying.How realistic are your target goals given your background, interests, and skills? Is this really the job that you want to hold long-term? Taking the time to answer these questions by researching, networking, and reflecting on yourself could go a long way in making the most out of the time, money, and effort you will be investing in your MBA plans. Afterwards, if you still feel uncertain, it would be best not to rush into applying to business school.Candidates whose GMAT scores are way below their target schools average need to reconsider retaking the GMAT if they want to increase their odds of acceptance. Depending on your assessment of how much higher you can score, and the amount of time needed (and available) for studying, waiting one more year to try and score closer to the schools average could be a good reason to defer your application.What does your next year look like if you dont go to business school? Would there be great opportunities to take on large-scale responsibilities at work? Or unique experiences to gain? Or a potential promotion to earn?If the answer to any of these is Yes! then it could be worth it to stay another year, as these possibilities can fast-track your career and development. They might also result in stronger recommendation letters from your superiors or cement your reputation as a high potential executive in your company or industry  all factors that the Admissions Committee will notice when reviewing your future application. And depending on where you work, this may even lead to your company offering sponsorship for your MBA when you decide to pursue it later.Weigh all of these considerations carefully, as they could affect not only your chances at achieving your MBA, but also your future career prospects afterwards._________________


Rwandan genocide orphans

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"Who will you vote for?" people ask. "For the people of Syria," I say. "For the people of Iran, the people of Iraq, the people of Palestine, the people of Ukraine, the people of Afghanistan, and people throughout Africa. All the people who have no vote who are likely to suffer and die - like so many before them - from the careless, uninformed, and indifferent votes of Americans. It is my duty as a human being with American citizenship."

As a psychologist I know that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Thus, as future employers, we must carefully scrutinize the employment histories of political job applicants. Trump is a narcissistic blowhard regularly exposing a mind infused with racial and ethnic stereotypes, who has mastered the Mussolini jaw thrust and made a good living in real-estate deals catering to self-indulgence and wishful thinking. To my knowledge, he hasn't killed anybody. And he has long advocated cooperation rather than confrontation with Russia, for which he is being McCarthyized by the party that once despised McCarthy. He is, in the words of Black Agenda Report executive editor Glen Ford, "a cartoon character fascist of your imagination" while, Ford continues, "Hillary is the real thing."

This characterization deserves the thorough scrutiny of American voters before November 8. The Clinton record, almost entirely hidden from public view, supports Ford's expanded description of Hillary as "a pathological warmonger who has participated in the murder of millions... the trigger-happy queen of chaos."

As a woman friend and Veterans for Peace member said, "Hillary has never seen a war she didn't like." I would add that she's never left an exploitable resource unexploited, or met a brutal dictator she couldn't do business with.

Investigative journalist Wayne Madsen has written a horrifically detailed and meticulously documented account of the Clinton administration's proxy wars in Africa to wrest control of central Africa's vast mineral wealth from French/Belgian hegemony as its former colonial exploiters. His 500-page book, titled, "Decade of Death: Secret Wars and Genocide in Africa 1993-2003," includes 1,484 citations from 132 news sources. The intricate, carefully concealed machinations among the Clintons, their friends and business associates, US intelligence and Special Forces operatives, mercenary organizations, international mining companies, and psychopathic African warlords and dictators is an amazing web of greed, ruthlessness, deceit of the American public, and an estimated cumulative death count rivaling the Holocaust.

I've had lingering questions during and since the horrendous 100-day Rwandan genocide the summer of 1994 when a million Tutsis and Hutus were massacred (with only the massacres of Tutsis reported in the American press). At the time, I was incredulous and disturbed that we did not intervene to stop it. Later I recall a documentary film on the genocide including an interview with Canadian General Romeo Dallaire who commanded the UN peacekeeping force tasked with implementation oversight of the Arusha Accords, a Hutu-Tutsi ceasefire signed the previous summer. His limited troop strength of 2,500 was woefully inadequate and he requested an additional 8,000 troops for intervention.

But it was Clinton who intervened to block the intervention, insisting that the UN deny Dallaire's request, and moreover, that the UN force be withdrawn altogether. It was in fact reduced some 90%, scarcely enough to maintain a small sanctuary for people escaping the immediate carnage. Dallaire, confined to observer status by his rules of engagement with only a token military presence, was forced to helplessly witness the unspeakable - although his innocence has been questioned by evidence introduced at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Whatever Dallaire's presumed innocence, there is no such presumption for the Clintons.

In Bill's regretful 1998 address to the Rwandan people, he claimed that "People like me... did not fully appreciate the depth or the speed with which you were being engulfed by this unimaginable terror." That was a flagrant lie. The world's most advanced intelligence network with spy satellites that could read license plates were unaware of a massive genocide with bodies stacking up on the streets in plain view below? It is also curious how the Tutsis invading from Uganda, presumably victims of the genocide, ended up with control of the country within three months.

Continued...
Reprinted from New York Times



Bill McKibben

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MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- THERE are shameful photos of me on the internet.

In one series, my groceries are being packed into plastic bags, as I'd forgotten to bring cloth ones. In other shots, I am getting in and out of ... cars. There are video snippets of me giving talks, or standing on the street. Sometimes I see the cameraman, sometimes I don't. The images are often posted to Twitter, reminders that I'm being watched.

In April, Politico and The Hill reported that America Rising Squared, an arm of the Republican opposition research group America Rising, had decided to go after me and Tom Steyer, another prominent environmentalist, with a campaign on a scale previously reserved for presidential candidates. Using what The Hill called "an unprecedented amount of effort and money," the group, its executive director said, was seeking to demonstrate our "epic hypocrisy and extreme positions."

Since then, my days in public have often involved cameramen walking backward and videotaping my every move. It's mostly when I travel (I've encountered them in at least five states so far, as well as in Australia), and generally when I'm in a public or semipublic space. They aren't interested in my arguments; instead, these videos, usually wordless, are simply posted on Twitter, almost always with music. One showed me sitting in a church pew, accompanied by the song "Show Me That Smile." The tweet read, "Ready for his close-up."

Someone also went to the archive at Texas Tech University, where my papers are stored, and asked for copies of everything in all 54 boxes. He identified himself as being with a group that is affiliated with America Rising Squared.

This effort has resulted in all kinds of odd things appearing on right-wing corners of the web: out-of-context quotations from old books and articles apparently put on display to prove I'm a zealot, and photos from God knows who intended to make me out as a hypocrite (the plastic bags, for instance, and my travel by car, which, you know, burns gas). Mostly, they've just published those creepy videos, to remind me that I'm under surveillance.

I understand that this isn't horrible in the way that police brutality is horrible, or having your home swept away by a flood is horrible. I know that in other parts of the world, environmentalists have worse things than cameras pointed at them. From Honduras to the Philippines, in the last two years, activists have been assassinated after getting in the way of megaprojects.

And I get, as well-meaning friends keep reminding me, that at some level it's all tribute to our movement's work in helping kill the Keystone pipeline and highlighting Exxon's climate history, campaigns that cost the industry a lot of money. But I also understand that the simple fact that I've done nothing wrong is no defense against the destruction of a reputation: These are the same kind of people who turned John Kerry, a bona fide war hero, into a traitor through twisting and manipulation.

Merely having someone with a camera follow you somehow makes you feel as if you're doing something wrong. My house is covered in solar panels, and I plug my car into a socket those panels power. But environmentalists also live in the world we're trying to change: We take airplanes and rent buses for rallies; we make a living, shop for groceries. None of this should demand an apology. Changing the system, not perfecting our own lives, is the point. "Hypocrisy" is the price of admission in this battle.

And despite what the industry and its advocates insist, that does not make us all equally responsible for the climate crisis.

We're fighting for policy changes that will make it possible for us to have better choices: utilities that offer us renewable options, electric trains that make short-haul flights obsolete, public transit. Exxon and its ilk have been fighting for decades to keep these choices out of our reach, and then claim that we are voting with our dollars every time we sit in traffic or heat our homes with fossil fuels supplied by a utility that has a monopoly. They can play gotcha as much as they want, but all it proves is how badly we need better options. And we are still going to fight like heck to make sure options are available to everyone.

And yet, for all that logic, I still find myself on edge. To be watched so much is a kind of never-ending nightmare. And sometimes it's just infuriating. I skipped the funeral this summer of Patrick Sorrento, an important mentor to me at my college newspaper, because I didn't want my minder to follow me and cause a distracting spectacle. When my daughter reports someone taking pictures of her at the airport, it drives me nuts. I have no idea if it's actually this outfit; common decency would suggest otherwise, but that seems an increasingly rare commodity.

There's plenty else that scares me this summer, of course: Every month we're breaking temperature records, and Donald J. Trump has introduced a new snarl to our public life. Against these fears, the best one can hope for is a kind of resiliency. For a planet in desperate trouble, it's good news that the price of a solar panel has plummeted. For our nation, there's the hope that the social fabric -- the Little Leagues and Methodist churches and Black Lives Matter assemblies and League of Women Voters and library guilds and N.A.A.C.P. chapters -- remain just strong enough that we'll escape the narcissistic nihilism of Mr. Trump.

As for me, there's comfort in the knowledge that the climate movement doesn't depend on me. For years now, I've been stepping back, mostly because I think the kind of movement we need is one that has thousands of leaders in thousands of places, connected like the solar panels on the roofs of an entire planet.

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by Walter Brasch

Like most Jews, Benjamin Aaron Shapiro, a respected journalist, is an advocate for social justice, following the Jewish concept of Tikun Olam, literally translated as "repair of the world." Unlike most American Jews, Shapiro is a conservative whose views of the nation are closer to those of Ted Cruz than of Bernie Sanders.

Shapiro is a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA, and an honors graduate from the Harvard University school of law. He backs up his views and political philosophy with facts, historical allusions, and a strong interpretation of the Constitution. His conclusions and opinions, however, often go far outside what even the far-right believe.

He says "Sesame Street" and "M*A*S*H" are left-wing propaganda, and "Happy Days" has a theme of pacifism. He is a strong proponent of gun rights legislation and an opponent of the "Black Lives Matter" social movement. His speeches, syndicated newspaper column, and his radio commentaries sometimes lead to civil disorder, often begun by those who don't share his ultra-conservative views.

One of Shapiro's six books is Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (2004), published shortly after he graduated from UCLA. What happened at a few universities affirms some of the argument in that book.

In February, the president of Cal State/Los Angeles cancelled a forthcoming speech by Shapiro after students claimed what he had to say would be "hate speech." President William Covina said Shapiro could speak at a time when a suitable opponent was found; however, Shapiro pointed out that Cal State allowed liberal speakers without having a conservative respondent. Covino reversed his position three days before the speech.

On the day of the speech, several hundred students blocked the entrances of the Student Union Building, intimidating those who wanted to hear what Shapiro had to say, and blocking those inside the building from leaving. The Daily Caller, a conservative newspaper, reported there were several fights outside the building. Following the speech, students moved to the president's office, held a sit-in, and demanded his resignation for allowing the speech. Cal State later charged Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), the sponsoring organization, $621.50 for additional security; it did not charge other organizations that brought speakers to the campus.

In April, Shapiro spoke at Penn State; several dozen protestors shouted, banged on the doors to Sparks Hall, and played pre-recorded music at a high volume, trying to disrupt Shapiro's speech, according to The Daily Collegian. The title of his speech was "When Diversity Becomes a Problem: The Fascist Nature of Liberalism."

Last week, DePaul University blocked an invitation by the YAF chapter to host Shapiro. Citing the Cal State and Penn State episodes, the 24,000 student Catholic university in Chicago, according to an official statement, "determined, after observing events which took place when Mr. Shapiro spoke elsewhere, that it was not in a position to provide the type of security that would be required to properly host this event at this time." DePaul's argument--one of safety--was a lame way to deflect criticism that it was blocking free speech. Certainly, a university with a large on-campus police force and a Campus Violence Prevention Plan and the ability to ask local community police for additional protection should not have been able to hide beneath the cloak that the words of one person threatened campus security.

In 1644, before the English parliament, poet John Milton boldly spoke out against censorship. "Let her [Truth] and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?" Milton rhetorically asked. It was a revolutionary concept in an empire that required printers to get a license and be subjected to the whims not only of a monarch but the government as well.

In the 18th century, Lord Blackstone, one of the kingdom's most distinguished jurists, spoke against prior restraint of free speech and of the press. The views of Milton and Blackstone became a basis of The First Amendment, one of the most liberal parts of the U.S. Constitution. It was this amendment that assured freedom of the press, speech, and religion; that amendment allows people to peacefully assemble and, if they wish, to protest government actions; it gives the people the right to petition the government for a "redress of grievances."

During the next two centuries, others cemented this belief into American law. In the mid-19th century, philosopher John Stuart Mill stated, "We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion, and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still." At the beginning of the 20th century, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said that democracy is best served in "a marketplace of ideas."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, developed by the United Nations after World War II, declares "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion . . . [and] the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which implies the right . . . to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information regardless of frontiers, information and ideas through any media whatsoever."

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The New York Times is the best old-style, broad-sheet newspaper in America; it still covers the world with resourceful and enterprising reporters and commentators. But, then, there's the other New York Times, the imperial rag that prints editorials like the one on August 5 titled " 'Dynasty,' the Nicaraguan Version." It's not that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is a saint or even a model democrat; it's that the editorial department and the writer who penned this sloppy embarrassment are still playing a version of the Reagan Cold War game of the 1980s. Those days are over; one hopes for something a bit more worldly.



Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo

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After listing a number of negatives -- the popular President Ortega has appointed judges favorable to his rule and has been able to assure a legislature filled with his allies -- the editorial tells us how well the Nicaraguan economy is doing, how well the Ortega administration works with investors and international business and how safe the place is compared to its three closest neighbors. This safety is, we're told, due to a sinister "vast police force." Reading this, one might forget here in the US we have our own "vast" police and criminal justice problems.



Let's consider for a moment the interesting fact that Nicaragua is notably "safer" than Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. First off, during the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan the United States of America directly supported, and in some cases actually directed, cruel and bloody wars against armed guerrillas (and the poor in whose name they fought) in these three small, poor nations. It was the Cold War, so these wars were couched in East-West (communist-capitalist) terms, when they arguably were more accurately described as North-South struggles: ie. they were about powerlessness versus power, poverty versus wealth.




In the 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump and Mike Pence, attempts by correspondent Lesley Stahl to get insights into Pence was noticeably futile.

Pence sat and smiled tensely as Trump stole the show. When Pence got in a full sentence, his comment on Trump was, "I believe he'll be a great President of the United States."

Ok. But what do we know about the potential second-in-command? When Republican colleagues are queried the general response is, "He's a man of great faith."

How does that pan out in terms of his record in the Congress (2000-2012) and as Governor (2013-2016)? Well, if you are not within his particular spectrum of religious beliefs, it's not good news.

Pence has brought national attention to his state of Indiana because of his extreme views on abortion, as well as his perspective on the civil rights of those in the LGBT community. His goals for "affirming the value of all human life" appear to be selective.

Dating back to 2007, Pence has quite a history on women's reproductive rights. At that time, Pence fought to grant embryos in the womb "equal protection under the 14th Amendment." It was also the year he began his ongoing mission to defund Planned Parenthood. In 2010, he voted to prohibit funding for abortion under federal Obamacare plans.

When Pence became Governor, his opposition to abortion rights reached an unprecedented level. Indiana made headlines for the punitive legislation of House Bill 1337. It banned women from getting abortions when their fetus had genetic abnormalities among other restrictions. Upon authorizing, Pence emphasized, "I sign this legislation with a prayer that God would continue to bless these precious children, mothers and families." Even pro-life Republican elected officials disparaged the bill.

Women refused to accept his actions without pushback, launching the Twitter handle @PeriodsforPence. It received renewed traction during the Republican Convention.

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This was published two hours ago by the NY Times:

Why a Meaningful Shift in the Trump-Clinton Race May Be at Hand

What do you all think of this article? I am very skeptical about this author's claim that Clinton now has 90% of Bernie's supporters. He distorts and misrepresents perniciously all the time. I don't see that happening at all, and for Pete's sake, this guy is considered the NY Times expert on political polling. Do they just want to publish articles slanted with a particular outcome? They never printed ANYTHING about how the NY primary was stolen, nor ask any questions of the ladies' who did the purging, nor any questions of Rep. Nita Lowey, or her daughter, the realtor who handled the sale of the rat infested brownstone that had belonged to the chief purger at the New York Board of Elections. This was at the heart of how the NY Primary was hijacked, and for Bernie, that primary was like a big boulder in the stream that you run into when you are kayaking or white-water river rafting. All ignored by the Times and the glorious Clinton Leadership Team in Albany and NYC, including the Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, to whom the petition was addressed asking for a new NY primary by Federal Court Order, signed by 7000 from Moveon.org.

Then Nate Cohn dumps on all of these actions and many more in the 12 states with documented election fraud, pins it on inaccuracies and unreliability in exit polls, as if that were the entire answer to the concerns of millions, and dismisses it all with his article DEBUNKING these concerns. Outrageous! What a bottomless pit of rotten journalism this became, at the most respected of them all, the New York Times!

This was the original article, which I consider the article with the most vicious high level warping of the truth in the entire campaign:

Exit Polls, and Why the Primary Was Not Stolen From Bernie Sanders

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/upshot/exit-polls-and-why-the-primary-was-not-stolen-from-bernie-sanders.html?_r=0

to which I responded with this:

Why and How Progressives Must Counter Mainstream Trivializing of Bernie's Charismatic Accomplishments

http://www.opednews.com/articles/How-and-Why-to-Counter-Mai-by-Stephen-Fox-Election-Rigging_Media-Mainstream-MSM_Media-New-York-Times_Monterey-Herald-160701-720.html

If you agree or not, please voice your opinion here in a comment, and also send one to the NY Times: Letters@nytimes.com, and send one to your local papers, too, please. I also ask your response to my email below. We will not be silenced.

Thank you,

Stephen Fox

Stephen@santafefineart.com


Visita do Ministro dos Negcios Estrangeiros de Israel, Avigdor Lieberman

(Image by ItamaratyGovBr) Details DMCA



Franklin Lamb, Tel Hara, on the Golan Plain, Syria

The likely next American President, Hilary Clinton is fielding an array of foreign policy advisers, a few being sort of table scraps from the Bush administration and others having resigned from Obama's. They are today preparing white papers on all manner of "adjustments" to what the presumed 45th American President reportedly believes was a weak and wrongheaded Obama Middle East policy, particularly with respect to the Syrian crisis and Hezbollah.

This according to sources at the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Judicial Council on which this observer served representing his State of Oregon many moons ago. One staffer reports that the Neocon-Zionist lobby has a Middle East Policy deal with the Clinton campaign as a linchpin of her pledge to "eternally cover Israel's back." The Clinton camp, which appears to be gaining adherents within the CIA, the State Department and the Pentagon, believes that the Obama administration's policy toward Russia and Syria is badly flawed partly because, so they claim, Obama wrongly assumes that Russia wants to limit its involvement in Syria. Clinton advisers claim that, on the contrary, Putin's key objectives include demonstrating that Russia is winning in Syria, that the US has become a paper tiger in the region, and that the Arab states best follow Russia's lead as it dramatically returns to the region a la the former USSR.

To set the stage for the her administration, some would-be Clinton advisers such as WINEPS Dennis Ross, are counseling that she must increase political pressure now, as the clock runs out on the Obama administration, to dramatically beef up what they view as Obama's weak "truce agreement" between Washington and Moscow. This as former Defense Secretary and Clinton adviser, Leon Panetta, is advocating that the next president increase US Special Forces in Syria and launch air strikes to shore up 'moderates" fighting the Syrian government. Others are urging that after Clinton is sworn-in the US must ponce on all "truce violations" with drones and cruise missiles and target Syrian airbases and artillery positions, while simultaneously setting up safe areas for civilians, and if deemed necessary, no-fly zones.

Still others, including a dissenting internal memo last month signed by 51 State Department diplomats advocated attacks on Syrian government forces especially Hezbollah to end aggression against the country's civilian population, to alter the military balance and bring about a negotiated political settlement. As Clinton's Syrian policy is being formed, details will likely be kept out of the Presidential campaign, at least from her side, so as not to alienate the crucial Obama camp before November 8th.

There is reportedly one aspect of Clinton's Middle East policy that has been detailed and is ready for implementation following her inauguration once details are coordinated with Israel, NATO and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It is being advocated by AIPAC on Capitol Hill and among Clinton operatives at the DNC and details how the Clinton administration "must destroy Hezbollah and cut off Tehran's anti-Arab, anti-Sunni and anti- Christianhegemonic lifeline for its rapidly escalating domination of the Middle East."

Clinton's Middle East foreign policy shift reportedly will focus on the complete destruction of Hezbollah. Rather than merely containment as Obama insists at meetings of his National Security Council. John Kerry, a rumored Clinton cabinet member refers to Hezbollah solely as "Iran's Basij in Lebanon/Syria/Iraq/Yemen/Bahrain and you name it." History may soon record whether the Clinton administration, breaking sharply with the Obama administration, is able to "reshape the region" as Israel's Netanyahu is squeezing her to do, and destroy Hezbollah, and if necessary, Iran's IRGC-Al Quds Force. The latter, according to Clinton's advisers and US allies are active in all the countries on Kerry's list and far beyond.

Destroying or severely crippling Hezbollah is also being advocated as a cheap throw-away 'crowd-pleaser' for the incoming Clinton administration, both in Congress where both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, would very likely applaud attacks on Hezbollah as part of a rejuvenated "manned-up" and expanding US-led War on Terrorism. The Israel lobby is expressing confidence on Capitol Hill that relentlessly targeting Hezbollah militarily and economically will please and embolden Washington's friends who remain chagrined by Obama's containment policy in Syria while this needed policy shift will be discomfiting to US adversaries. It is also being argued that the six GCC monarchies will welcome tough Clinton administration action and can be expected to redouble their funding to shore up the Syrian opposition while at the same time the Clinton administration will also demonstrate US resolve to renew Washington's commitment to holding Hezbollah accountable for its claimed terrorism. All the above it is claimed would hasten an end to the war here in Syria and make a political settlement more likely.

One "emeritus" Clinton advisor is Amos Yadlin, Israel's former Military Intelligence chief. Recently Yadlin has been arguing that Israel and the US need to intervene in Syria more actively with a policy, that leads to the defeat of the "our most bitter enemies:" Iran and Hezbollah." Yadlin makes no secret of the fact that Israel will destroy Hezbollah 'next time' in Lebanon and that only the approaching date will not be revealed in advance.

Clinton supports the Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act, signed by Obama on this past April. the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, (OFAC) issued regulations aimed at implementing act. The latest U.S. regulations target those "knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions for" Hezbollah and those "knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions of a person identified on the List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN's) and Blocked persons." OFAC's list includes names of officials, businessmen and institutions that the U.S. says are linked to Hezbollah such as the group's al-Manar TV and Al-Nour Radio. Clinton advisers argue that even more has to be done targeting Hezbollah.

Several hundred pages of 'selling points' circulating Capitol Hill and among EU countries are designed to build "an unshakable global commitment to destroy Hezbollah" according to one staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Also being distributed on Capitol Hill are "research papers" from a Iranian opposition group called Naame Shaam. One is titled "Iran in Syria: From an Ally of the Regime to an Occupying Force." The 200-page report analyzes various aspects of the military, political and economic role played by Hezbollah and Iran since March 2011, following the outbreak of the Syrian conflict.

An Israeli Embassy brief targeting Hezbollah includes the following excerpt on the subject of claimed Hezbollah crimes against humanity and urges the US and the EU to intensify sanctions:

"Contrary to claims by Hezbollah's Sec-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran's "Supreme Leader" Ali Khameini, Hezbollah entered Syria in large numbers by April 2011 and started sniping at demonstrators and Syrian army soldiers who refused to shoot children. A July 2012 video taken by Hezbollah and published in July 2011 shows heavily armed Hezbollah fighters and a number of tanks in Horan near Deraa, the city where the uprising started. A report in January of 2012 by The Times, documented large numbers of Hezbollah and Iranian snipers were deployed "to shoot anti-regime protesters." These reports were confirmed by scores of Deraa residents who have confirmed more than 200 eyewitness reports that Iran deployed Hezbollah fighters "to stand behind Syrian troops and kill Syrian soldiers immediately, if they refused to open fire on demonstrators." Local residents have confirmed these reports as have some of the more three dozen Iranian and Hezbollah snipers who participated. Three months after the start of the March 2011 civilian protests, the first clashes were reported in June 2011 in al-Qusayr, in the countryside of Homs. By May 2012 Hezbollah, overran 10 of the 23 (Syria-Lebanon) border villages and established fortified bases exclusively for its use, at time expelling Syrian army troops in "their" area which led to the Syrian army killing of three Al Manar journalists at Ma'loula."

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Reprinted from Campaign For America's Future

Donald Trump's brain. It's an unusual instrument, and a frightening one, even in the best of circumstances. Now someone has "put a bird on it"-- a lot of them, in fact. Here's what Trump said about wind power on Monday:

"The wind kills all your birds. All your birds, killed. You know, the environmentalists never talk about that."

Your birds. All of them. Killed. Got that?

Trump has birds on the brain. Who put them there?

Conservatives have been peddling the myth that wind turbines are a bird threat for years. It was so routinely hyped on Fox News a few years ago that it was thoroughly researched and debunked back in 2012. The falsehood began with some unfortunate bird deaths at the Altamont Wind Pass Farm in the 1980s -- a tiny percentage of bird fatalities that has since fallen even farther as the result of engineering improvements.

How small is that percentage today? One of the higher estimates of bird deaths from wind turbines comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which puts the toll at about 500,000 birds per year. For perspective, more than 13 million birds reportedly die in the United States every day.

More perspective: An estimated 10 billion birds live in North America (rising to 20 billion during certain seasons), which means each bird has about a one in 20,000 chance of dying in a wind turbine collision this year. An American human is more likely to die from "pneumonitis due to solids and liquids" than an American bird is to be killed by a wind turbine.

Birds are sentient beings. They're beautiful creatures. Each death is a shame. But compared to other causes of bird death, 500,000 per year is a very low number. Cats kill as estimated 2.4 billion birds every year in the US, according to the Nature Conservancy. Between 365 million and 988 million birds die each year in the US from collisions with windows, according to a 2014 study published in The Condor: Ornithological Advances.

That means buildings are bird-killers -- a finding that should dismay conservative fans of Howard Roark, the skyscraper-building architect/hero of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. And who builds bird-killing buildings in real life? Donald Trump.

Here are some more ornithological assassins: Each year power lines kill at least 130 million birds --260 times as many as die from wind turbines. Automobiles kill an estimated 80 million, 160 times as many. Pesticides kill an estimated 70 million, 140 times as many.

But conservatives have not condemned buildings, or cats, or power lines, or pesticides, or automobiles. In fact, they embrace many of these things.

A farmer will occasionally kill a gopher when he's plowing a field, but conservatives aren't calling for a ban on family farms to save the gophers. So why has this been blown out of proportion?

It may not be just coincidence that this particular legend serves the financial interests of fossil-fuel corporations like Koch Industries. Every falsehood starts somewhere. Sometimes they're even cooked up in corporate boardrooms.

"I have friends that own the mines," Trump said in a rare moment of honesty.

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Reprinted from The Nation

Donald Trump is an ungrateful man.

Instead of thanking House Speaker Paul Ryan for all he has done for his presidential candidacy, the Republican nominee has been taunting his most prominent supporter.

Trump started the week by announcing that he was not ready to endorse Ryan in Wisconsin's August 9 primary: "I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country. We need very strong leadership. We need very, very strong leadership. And I'm just not quite there yet. I'm not quite there yet."

Seriously? "Not quite there" yet? After all that Paul Ryan has done for the Donald?

That makes no sense.

Of course, Ryan deserves Trump's support. Ryan and Trump deserve each other.

The point here is not to suggest that the speaker merits re-election. He's a miserable excuse for a congressman who thinks about nothing except his own political advancement -- from congressional aide to congressman to House Budget Committee chair to 2012 Republican vice-presidential nominee to House Ways and Means Committee chair to House speaker to 2020 Republican presidential prospect.

Ryan had never represented southeast Wisconsin's first congressional district well because he has always chosen Wall Street over Main Street. As such, he has voted for trade deals that have been devastating for workers and communities in a district that has seen factory after factory close. He has voted for Wall Street bailouts while refusing to support basic investments in workers and communities in his district. And he has proposed speculation schemes that threaten to destroy Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs that are vital to his constituents.

Few members of Congress are so worthy of rejection as Paul Ryan -- a point that his angry primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, has made with a renegade campaign that has stirred national attention.

Nehlen is supportive of Trump. But, so, too is Ryan.

Media outlets made a big deal about Ryan's discomfort with Trump last spring. (And Trump is now mimicking Ryan's tortured language from that time.) But Ryan's "caution" was theatrical rather than real.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

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ss20tali wrote:

Profile



Gender: Female

Age: 26 ( Will be 27 when i join B School)

Nationality: Indian

GPA: 9.78/10

Degree: Electronics and Communication Engineering. (From a decent college, but not any of the IITs or NITs)

Years of Professional Experience: a little over 4 years. Hoping to complete 5 years by the time i start my MBA.



Official Score: 700 (Q50, V34, IR3, AWA5.0)



Work Profile: Research Engineer in the R&D Division of one of the largest Consumer electronics Company in the world (One of the renowned brands in the world). 2 promotions in 4 years. Several awards and technical publications. I have mentored several interns and have couple of engineers working for me.



Extra Curricular: I am a trained musician in Indian Classical and folk music. I have been a keyboard player for a professional music group and have a certificate in Indian Music.



Goals:

Short Term: I want to work in technology commercialization, project management and project lifecycle management in the field of consumer electronics or communications technology.

Long term: PMO roles for tech projects in government organizations.



Target schools: Rice Jones, Kelley, Tepper, Nanyang, UIUC.



I am looking for schools in USA, Singapore and Canada. Could you suggest some other schools considering my profile and chance for scholarship?

I am little worried about my IR score. I am willing to retake GMAT if it is necessary.

Scholarship is one of the most important factors for me.

Hey there!Great to hear from you!So first of all, amazing GPA there! It's one of the highest I've seen coming from an Indian school. It may not be IIT/NIT, but if its a good school it still helps a lot.R.e. the GMAT - Dont retake the GMAT juuuuust for the IR, whoever if you do think you can go better on the main sections, then it might be worth your while to retake. For some thoughts on this look here: http://admissionado.com/mba/to-retake-o ... n=mba_blog As for the rest, I feel like being a female with your GPA and your GMAT, your school list is quite reasonable.Best,Jon
Reprinted from Sputnik

But, hey, this is the Land of the Free. Free, that is, for the rich and powerful to make up the rules as they go along -- even when such rule-making and --breaking has become transparently brazen.

Over the past week, Donald Trump, the Republican billionaire property magnate-turned politician, has been accused of just about every flaw, from sexual assault to financial corruption, to being a foreign stooge for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

That's rich given his Democrat rival, Hillary Clinton and her husband, Bill, are up to their eyes from substantive claims of even worse skullduggery, from laundering Saudi oil money into US foreign policy to waging covert wars for regime change, to serial sex parties on a fleshpot private island owned by one of Bill's rich buddies.

Added to this litany of vice is evidence of Hillary Clinton breaching state secrecy rules while she was Secretary of State (2009-2013) through private use of government emails. Not only is Clinton spared criminal investigation, the media generally avoid any focus on her and her husband's numerous proven depredations.

The double standard and double think are all part of the systemic bias in the US political process, whereby millions of ordinary citizen voters are being disenfranchised by the rich and powerful elite in order to determine who will be their puppet in the White House.

Of the recent deluge of deprecations hurled at Trump, it is perhaps the charge of being a military draft dodger that illustrates just how hypocritical and self-serving the US establishment and its servile corporate media are.

The US media are saying that Trump's five military service deferments during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s make him ineligible to be the nation's Commander-in-Chief.

So, when was that same standard ever applied for past presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both of whom were elected twice to the White House despite evidence that they shirked the military draft for their country?

The case against Bush as a draft dodger is especially strong, as documented by American author Russ Baker in his book, Family of Secrets. During the early 1970s, young George was posted to the Texas National Guard's flying squadron with the help from his daddy, George senior, pulling strings among the Republican Party leadership. At the time "Poppy" Bush was a senior Republican chairman, with close connections to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon and Big Oil.

Bush junior was then able to avoid military service in Vietnam because he was "on duty" at an airbase in Texas. But, as Baker and other researchers have found out, Bush's "duty" was clouded with drinking binges, drug abuse and a very patchy record of actual military attendance. Indeed, there is evidence that George W. Bush never even completed his basic minimum service for the National Guard and was eventually banned from flying because of "psychological issues."

But this apparent avoidance of patriotic obligation did not stop Bush three decades later becoming the 43rd president of the US in 2001 and again in 2005.

While 50,000 young American men -- mainly from poor social backgrounds -- were to die in Vietnam, with many more crippled physically and mentally, Bush and other privileged, well-connected peers were able to fiddle the system and spend their war years drinking highballs and snorting cocaine.

Bush's conduct record has never been pried open by the mainstream US media, even though plenty of skeletons lurk in his locker. One would think that suspicions of cowardice and fraud over Bush's dodgy military history would be especially worthy of investigation given his responsibility for instigating wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which have claimed over a million lives, including thousands of his own countrymen.

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Two discouraging e-mails crossed my desk this week, and both are best understood in the daunting light of the other.

The first was written by Patty Cooper, her "final thoughts" on retiring after 29 years with Oregon's Department of Human Services.

She doesn't go quietly. "I am so glad to be in a position where I can leave because the situation in the field is the worst it has ever been," Cooper writes. "I would never recommend that someone go into this line of work."

The second e-mail arrived from Bob and Gina Nikkel. They are grandparents. Like so many of the grandparents I've heard from over the years, they are frantic that children they love are caught in the teeth of the state child welfare system.

The Nikkels are unusual in one respect, however. They are connected. They know the system and the agency heads.

Bob led the agency's Addictions and Mental Health office until 2008. Gina is the president and CEO of the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care in Wilsonville, and a former county commissioner in Tillamook County.

But the Nikkels also know the enduring pain of what Gina calls "a family on the edge." And their story helps explain why Patty Cooper is so anxious to put all this stress behind her.

Gina and Bob Nikkel

In the last week, Gina's daughter, Jessica, and her four children were evicted from their Tillamook shack, and moved to the Barview Jetty County Campground.

"They weren't paying rent," Bob Nikkel says. "The landlord got tired of the drama and chaos they bring everywhere they go."

Lily, the oldest of Jessica's children at 11, was born with arthrogryposis and has virtually no ability to move her arms and legs.

"You have one of the most disabled children in the state," her grandfather says, "and she's about to go live in a tent."

Sean Antrim, Jessica's husband, is currently parked at the Tillamook County Jail, charged with 16 counts of identity theft and the fraudulent use of a credit card.

Also lodged at the jail is Sean's mother, Dolores Amelia Hunter. On June 29, she was charged with aggravated assault. According to the indictment, she attacked Jessica with a tire knocker, a wooden shaft with a malicious metal collar.

"They are a really, really dysfunctional family," Gina Nikkel says.

"Their primary source of income," Bob adds, "is Lily's disability check."

What's more, the Nikkels say Jessica struggles to maintain any semblance of stability. The kids are often left in a world of filth and emotional neglect. Everything the grandparents provide - an oversized van, work opportunities, bail money - disappears into the morass.

"Sometimes I cry," Gina Nikkel concedes. "Sometimes I just try to remember what I'm grateful for."

Sometimes, these grandparents reach out to child welfare for a little help.

They didn't get much last week. They don't want their grandchildren removed from Jessica's home - or tent, as the case may be. They were asking for support services. A hint of coordinated care. A flicker of compassion.

Instead, Gina says, they suffered a lecture from Reginald Richardson, the deputy director at the Department of Human Services, telling them to stop contacting the caseworker.

"He said," Gina recalls, "'It's time for the family to step up to the plate.'"

When I asked DHS to detail what it had done to ease the family's burden, Richardson released a statement to legislators and his staff, warning them that a column "critical of the agency's actions" was in the works.

"I believe DHS has done everything it can to provide appropriate services to this family to help ensure the safety of the children," Richardson said.

While the Nikkels disagree, they also know the complexity of the crisis the agency is being asked to resolve. We're talking drugs, domestic violence, severe disabilities, poverty and the lack of rural methadone treatment programs.

A loss of housing, and fundamental security, that erodes Jessica's ability to deal with everything else.

And a mother's fear that caseworkers may decide they can only rescue the kids by stealing off with them.

As in so many families, the need overwhelms everyone in sight.

"It's not humanly possible to meet all the requirements of the job," writes Cooper, who grew up in the child-welfare system. "There is no stop to what comes in the door. We don't get to say no. We don't get to have waiting lists. And we keep getting more."

More pain, more abuse, more addiction ... and the growing certainty that few people in this world give a damn about any children but their own.

So it is that a severely disabled, disheveled 11-year-old arrives at a Tillamook campground Thursday night in a broken wheelchair.

So it is that another DHS veteran takes wing, leaving us with this note:

"I want to feel helpful, not helpless."

-- Steve Duin

stephen.b.duin@gmail.com
Palmer2.JPG

Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer at a roadblock in Seneca, in a file photo from January.

(Dave Killen/Staff)

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Grant County is one of those rugged expanses of eastern Oregon that in places invokes plainspoken, stand-up values of the Old West. The communities of John Day, Prairie City and Canyon City all have their individual topographies and histories, but a fair-play, no-nonsense ethic permeates the rhythms of town and ranch life in each. The place is rural Oregon at its best.

That, however, stops at the sheriff's door. Glenn Palmer, elected to the sheriff's post in 2000 and seeking reelection, abdicated his responsibility of exemplifying the spirit of the law by sympathizing with the armed outlaws who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year and, more recently, for fighting requests for public records that, if they exist, might lay bare his communications with them.

The Oregonian/OregonLive in February requested from Palmer work emails from November 2015 through April, and then sued in May when he failed to furnish them. Last Wednesday, a state judge ruled that Palmer must not delete his government-related emails -- this following a July report by Les Zaitz of The Oregonian/OregonLive in which Palmer's attorneys said a state document titled "E-mail Policy Manual for Local Government" allowed for Palmer's deletion of emails from his computer.

Palmer, meanwhile, has said he retained printouts of emails. No matter. Emails -- electronic or paper records of the sheriff's engagement with citizens who responded to his email address as listed on the sheriff's official website -- are not yet fully in the public's hands. That's where they belong and could shed light on Palmer's rogue actions during the Malheur standoff. Separately, Palmer remains under investigation by the Criminal Justice Division of the Oregon Department of Justice over allegations he tampered with electronic police files in 2012 by deleting a police report.

Palmer's support of the occupiers included meetings with them during the illegal occupation, triggering 11 complaints about him to the state agency licensing police officers, Zaitz reported. Embarrassingly, Palmer was at least once an apparent groupie, as occupier Jon Ritzheimer of Arizona told authorities Palmer had successfully asked him to autograph his copy of the Constitution.

More tellingly, John Day Police Chief Richard Gray said in a complaint that Palmer assured worried police officials that he would not attend a community meeting at which Ammon and Ryan Bundy would appear -- only to show up in uniform and prepare to speak. (In a complaint he had filed against Palmer, Gray had decried what seemed a double-standard for any law officer: "I have a great public safety concern when the Grant County sheriff is allowed to openly meet with and be part of this group of lawbreakers.")

Palmer's emails matter more now than ever: for Oregonians seeking the truth, for the integrity of the law enforcement profession, for citizens who will vote this year on whether Glenn Palmer should enjoy another term as sheriff and possibly continue to live above the spirit of the law.

Grant County Circuit Judge William Cramer granted The Oregonian/OregonLive's request for a restraining order that requires Palmer to save emails from his account relating to public business. He said he expected further decisions ahead that would specify which emails should be disclosed.

Good. But it shouldn't be this difficult or expensive, despite the fine work of the court. Palmer's long been out of line, serving himself and a few sympathizers before the broader public he is sworn to protect. That's to say nothing of running against the grain in a part of Oregon set apart by its no-nonsense, straight-up ways.
By David Sarasohn

In the middle of what may be the country's most bitterly divided July since Gettysburg, Jeff Merkley actually wrote the Obama administration a bipartisan letter. The Oregon Democratic senator joined with Republican colleague Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and their letter drew signatures from 17 other senators -- 12 Democrats, four Republicans and one independent, which in our current political atmosphere makes this practically a spiritual moment.

And the letter even made sense.

In a recent policy change, the feds have ruled that any Head Start program scoring in the bottom 10 percent in any of three areas has to re-compete for its authorization. This turns the evaluation process into a game of musical chairs -- except that, since nobody knows where the bottom 10 percent line will be, nobody knows how many chairs there are. And it sends programs into months of uncertainty and distraction before 83 percent of them get reauthorized anyway.

Even if your goal is to make sure that 4-year-olds don't get too comfortable, CLASS -- the Classroom Assessment Scoring System -- seems like a clumsy approach.

Continuing to use the 10 percent standard in the Designation Renewal System, wrote the senators to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, "will continue to cause undue and unnecessary burden on grantees, result in wasteful use of Head Start grantee resources, and fail to ... serve as a tool for improving the quality of Head Start services in a transparent, reliable, valid and timely way."

Not to mention that "the operational stress this creates is felt at every level and has contributed to staff turnover in many communities."

Suey Linzmeier, who runs Head Start of Yamhill County in McMinnville, can testify to that. Recently, her consistently successful program had to re-compete because not all staff members had been tested for tuberculosis -- although the county health department said there was no TB in Yamhill County. As a result, Linzmeier said last week, the program "had to do a lot of paperwork, get letters from people and devote a lot of staffwork" to get re-certified.

"Head Start supporters in Oregon," she said about Merkley's effort, "very much support the letter."

Oregon has more than 16,000 kids in Head Start all around the state. The various programs, Linzmeier points out, try to work together and learn from each other, which can get complicated when nobody wants to be in the bottom 10 percent -- even by a tiny amount.

In Pennsylvania, the Family and Community Christian Association Twin Creeks Head Start is now re-competing for its grant after scoring 5.31 in "classroom observation," with a cut-off of 5.36.

"Our score is still a quality score," said executive director Judy Ventresca. "We missed it by 5/100ths of a point."

That's one thing in the Olympics. It's something else in undermining a 40-year-old program.

Especially when the standard is dubious.

Alan Guttman, at the Center for Technology in Education at Johns Hopkins University, has been telling this to anyone who would listen -- and a lot of bureaucrats who won't.

"They're ignoring their own data," Guttman said last week, "and their own rules on how the data should be used. The data is a tool for providing a way for programs to improve. Using it as a way to evaluate an entire program is not a valid use."

That was, Guttman says, clear when the legislation was passed. It's become even more true since the classroom observation times have been cut in half, to two 20-minute observations per teacher -- a way, D.C. officials say, to include more classrooms in a program's evaluation.

Those kind of snapshot checks, Guttman points out, can have distortions -- a teacher can have a bad day, a student can have a bad day, the weather might be lousy. It's no way to make a judgment of 5/100ths of a point.

But while nobody's been listening to him, says Guttman, "A letter from 19 senators will have an impact" -- certainly making it to the secretary's desk. The signatures run from Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to conservative Republican Jerry Moran of Kansas, and include seven members of the Senate committee that oversees the department and the program.

"We'll be pushing the department," said Merkley recently. "The evaluations are very subjective; two or three people might have different reactions to the same class. The evaluations have to be designed in a substantially different way."

Head Start doesn't come up for congressional reauthorization until 2018. But Merkley figures that with the right encouragement, the department could change things before then.

If 13 Democratic senators, five Republicans and Bernie Sanders can sign the same letter, maybe anything's possible.

*

David Sarasohn's column appears on the first and third Sundays of the month. He blogs at davidsarasohn.com.
Homelessness in Portland: This was a great editorial, and the "Oregon Trail of Hope" sounds like a great idea. I would hate to see the idea fizzle, in this time of great need, simply because the money is not forthcoming.

A project such as this should get the attention of our charitable community. I would donate a hundred bucks to any charity fundraiser that would directly fund this project, and I'm sure many businesses would provide matching funds. How about a business such as U.S. Bank, which could make contributing easier? They do charity drives all the time.

If it were more widely publicized, the charitable public could be a strong third leg (private money, public money and charity) in support of this project.

Dick Morgan

Northeast Portland

*

Homelessness in Portland: The Oregonian/OregonLive's Samantha Swindler writes (italics mine): "Caring for the homeless and the poor could be a responsibility shared throughout the city. Those looking for long-term housing could find a community."

I propose we all take a new tact in dealing with the homeless and poor in our own community and nation and immediately begin referring to these unfortunate people as our homeless and our poor every time we discuss the myriad social issues in print, on the air and in conversations.

It has to be us and not them to make us whole. Think about it.

Spike Friedman

Southeast Portland

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Homelessness in Portland: Dear Mayor Charlie Hales -- The residents of Lents are furious with your decision to postpone the Springwater Corridor sweep because of the threat of legal action. We are furious at your efforts to set up a shantytown in our backyards (the Kalbrener site). Our neighborhood is not the place to put your social experiment that more affluent neighborhoods won't stand for.

You should know that by backing down in the face of legal action, you've set a precedent. And if all it takes to get you to back down is the threat of legal action, then you should also know that there are rumblings of lawsuits among the residents of Lents. We are tired of being ignored, marginalized and dismissed. We are tired of having to endure the increased crime rates and decreased quality of life that comes with accommodating those who choose to live outside the laws that aren't being enforced in the first place.

I acknowledge that there are homeless people out there who genuinely need and want help, but they aren't the ones making our neighborhood unsafe.

In lieu of a genuine solution, you at least need to allow your police force to enforce the same laws in Lents that are being enforced in Eastmoreland. I highly recommend you check out our nextdoor.com neighborhood forum. It is overflowing with discussions of the homeless situation in Lents and the safety concerns that accompany it.

I am all for helping the homeless, but not at the expense of an entire community of taxpaying homeowners. We don't deserve to have our pets kidnapped, our property vandalized, our safety threatened or our streets filled with garbage and human waste any more than any other community in this city.

Find a solution that doesn't help one group of people at the expense of another -- and find it now.

Ron Floyd

Southeast Portland
Springwater trash.JPG

Piles of trash were a common sight along Portland's stretch of the Springwater Corridor Trail in May, when this photo was taken.

(Tony Hernandez/Staff)

By Jaye Tompkins

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales' "Memorandum of Understanding" with homeless advocates is hogwash. It states: "This agreement is for (the) city not to remove homeless campers who are otherwise law-abiding but for their ongoing residency on the Springwater Corridor until September 1, 2016."

Consider the term "law-abiding," defined variously as obedient, good, peaceful, honorable, orderly, honest, lawful, compliant. Do law-abiding citizens do any of the following: Destroy trees and desecrate property? Scream at the tops of their lungs at all hours of the night? (There is a noise ordinance.) Steal bicycles and sell them for parts? Jump their neighbor's fence and threaten them? Run from the police and hide?

Many homeless people are not law-abiding citizens. Many do not want to work and don't want to contribute to society. Drugs are a problem, too. Homeless people who are desperate for their next drug fix are unpredictable.

My family lives in a constant state of stress. I pay high taxes for my house in Multnomah County, and homeless people are devaluing my property. Yet, we have just as much of a voice in the community as do the homeless and their advocates.

According to the Portland Business Journal, most people don't feel that it's safe to use the Springwater Corridor Trail. I fear that when the weather turns cold there will be more fires, which I strongly believe are the careless result of the homeless people.

Did anyone ask what residents think of these "law-abiding citizens" when they moved to a site near Southeast 104th Avenue and Reedway Street? I am sick of this sense of entitlement. If the homeless want a roof over their heads, they should perform community service.

I believe in treating people humanely. But I do not want the homeless in my neighborhood. Do you want them in yours?

Charlie Hales: You need to reinstate the no-camping rule on public lands. If nothing is done by Sept. 1, then I will be consulting my attorney, start a petition or both.

Who's with me?

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Jaye Tompkins lives in Portland. She can be reached at jayetompkins@gmail.com.
1roosevelt.JPG

Crews started demolition at Roosevelt last year. Voters approved a 2012 bond to modernize Roosevelt, Franklin and Grant High Schools as well as Faubion K-8, but the school board has delayed asking voters to approve the next construction bond for modernizing Lincoln, Madison and Benson High Schools.

(Courtesy of Portland Public Schools)

By Peyton Chapman, Tiffani Penson and Tom Walsh

The state of Portland's public school buildings is abysmal. We have a nationally recognized crisis of lead, radon and asbestos, and a looming earthquake threat. Most buildings cannot support 21st-century instruction, career and technical education or the latest science, technology, arts, engineering and math initiatives.

Portland's high schools have rooms with no natural light and inadequate ventilation, and our buildings cause injury to students and teachers on a regular basis. Teachers fall on broken steps. Students step through rotted bleachers. HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems don't work. Students eat on the floor. Sinks and faucets are routinely broken, and students are exposed to health and safety code issues.

All these problems show why the Portland School Board must stick to its original plan and ask voters in November to approve a new construction bond measure for funding school modernizations. Waiting until next May, when voter turnout is typically lower, is risky and, if unsuccessful, would delay much-needed fixes for our students.

Voters passed a 2012 school bond that is currently funding rebuilds for Faubion K-8 and Roosevelt, Franklin and Grant high schools. We are deeply grateful to voters who supported these school communities.

This year, community-based master planning committees have been working with architects and Portland Public Schools Modernization Chief Jerry Vincent to plan the second phase of the district's 30-year-school modernization vision to rebuild Madison, Benson and Lincoln high schools. The process was transparent and focused, with the knowledge that every dollar matters to taxpayers. There was also a clear commitment to equity and to future rebuilds for Jefferson, Cleveland and Wilson high schools.

With so many families moving to Portland, we need to embrace our public schools. Schools provide tours for thousands of prospective families each year. These families quickly judge the city of Portland and our school district by what they see in our buildings. Schools are economic drivers for our city. We need all of our schools to attract and help recruit new leaders, innovators and families. Our current schools do not build confidence in the promise of Portland.

Later this month, new kindergarten families will be walking their children into schools wondering if they will be exposing their students to neurotoxins for the next 12 years. Students will be in crowded schools with lead, radon and asbestos issues, and athletes will be returning to practices in high temperatures unable to drink the water from the drinking fountains. Students and teachers will return to schools with outdated science labs, and classrooms that have one electrical outlet.

Our antiquated classrooms are barriers to 21st-century learning.

East of 82nd Avenue is one of the fastest growing areas of our city, and Madison High students deserve an inspiring and healthy learning environment. Benson High School was once a national model for career and technical education but has fallen behind similar schools that have been built this century in Finland and China. Lincoln High School is overcrowded and faces continued enrollment growth from development in Portland's downtown core.

We need to rebuild all of our high schools and then our K-8 schools. Once Roosevelt, Franklin and Grant are rebuilt, Portlanders will not want a city where students have access to safe and educationally adequate schools solely dependent on the neighborhood in which they live. Social justice requires that we stay focused and maintain the pace and commitment of rebuilding our schools.

The Portland School Board actively listens to the Portland community, parent groups, student leaders, neighborhood associations, the business community and editorial boards. There will always be good reasons to delay tough decisions and hard campaigns. Voter turnout in November can reach as high as 80 percent during a presidential election cycle. Giving the most voters the opportunity to support our schools is a better determination of public will, and it's more democratic.

Portland Public Schools is one of the last urban school districts where 80 percent of the families choose public schools, where students from high poverty backgrounds can go to the best schools and are ready to enter the workforce, military and the trades.

We are on a precipice where we risk looking back on this moment, regretting that we did not do more. Forcing public school students to sit in classrooms with no natural light and inadequate ventilation, unable to drink the water and no room to apply learning is not who we are as a community.

This is a crisis. It demands action for our kids.

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Peyton Chapman is principal of Lincoln High School. Tiffani Penson is a PPS alum and member of the Lincoln High School Site Council. Tom Walsh is a PPS alum, a longtime Portland builder and the owner of Tom Walsh & Co.
2016 presidential election

Responsible Republicans: I -- a decorated, disabled Vietnam War veteran -- ask: How can you support Donald Trump -- a vile man who simply and seriously and obviously cannot lead our military? Who advocates torture not allowed by our Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Constitution and the Geneva Conventions? Have you no decency? Rich kid, Vietnam-deferred Trump first has the gall to say that John McCain, who was repeatedly tortured as a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years, isn't a war hero, and that he only likes people "that weren't captured." Then he boasts that he gave many millions to veterans charities, but in fact The Washington Post found only $10,000 in contributions. This human disaster now attacks Muslim parents who lost a son in Iraq and stood up to him at the Democratic convention. When will Paul Ryan or Mitch McConnell ask Joseph Welch's Army-McCarthy hearing question: "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

Fredric Alan Maxwell

Northeast Portland

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2016 presidential election: In October 1966, my family lost our father in Vietnam. He was a Marine who had served active duty in Korea. He did not have to go, but as a Marine that is where he thought he should be, so he volunteered. And he never came home.

To this day, it is still difficult to talk about this loss. So when I see and hear what a candidate for president said on national TV -- more than once -- I have to say something.

I have to ask Republicans and those who support Donald Trump for president, especially members of Congress: Must Trump literally go to Arlington National Cemetery and throw trash on the graves for you to understand that he is not worth your support -- that he is not fit for any elected office? Because he has figuratively done just that.

What actually would it take for you?

Dale T. Strouse

Vancouver, Washington

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2016 presidential election: The latest Donald Trump comments regarding Russia remind me of another Russian connection for the Republican candidate for president. In 1961, East Germany -- in the Soviet sphere of influence after World War II -- built a wall that Ronald Reagan, a Republican president, famously demanded be torn down in 1989.

Walls are built by despots -- sometimes to keep people inside them and sometimes to keep people out.

Walls are torn down by people who yearn for freedom and democracy.

But if we are very, very lucky, they never get built at all.

Beth Stout

Southwest Portland
UPDATE: Search suspended for hiker after 7 days

One week after 21-year-old Riley Zickel was reported missing, search and rescue teams continued their efforts to find him in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Riley Zickel

More than 60 searchers will look for the Lewis & Clark student on Saturday around Russell Lake, and north and south of the park along the Pacific Coast Trail, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

They will be using canine officers, horses and vehicles, as well as searching from the sky, officials said.

On Friday, 30 people combed the area north and south of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness in the search for Zickel, whose family reported him missing July 30 after he failed to return from an overnight trip near Jefferson Park.

Zickel, of California, told his family that he planned to stay overnight July 27 before meeting friends in Seattle for a hike the next day.

The only confirmed sighting of Zickel was July 27, when a hiker reported talking to him in Jefferson Park.

At one point, authorities believed they had a photo of Zickel near his tent at Sprague Lake, which is north of Mount Jefferson, but it turned out to be another hiker.

Search and rescue parties have been trying to locate Zickel since last Sunday. It's unusual for searches to take so long -- most are over within 24 hours, Marion County spokesman Lt. Chris Baldridge has said.

Authorities are hopeful they will find Zickel and have no plans to suspend the rescue mission until they have exhausted all options, Baldridge said.

-- Samantha Matsumoto

503-294-4001
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.
Oregon's program to reduce carbon emissions from cars, trucks and buses could soon provide a financial boost to light rail, street cars and even electric bus programs in two of the state's largest cities.

Officials are considering allowing fuel producers to meet the state's low-carbon fuel mandate by pumping money into electricity-driven transit systems -- even if those systems don't add lines or expand service.

The Department of Environmental Quality plans to consider new rules this fall that could award carbon reduction credits to new -- and perhaps existing -- light rail, street car and electric bus programs. The Portland metro area and Eugene are the only communities with existing transit systems that could qualify for the potential perk.

California, which already allows electric transit systems to earn credits in its low-carbon fuels program, awards the carbon offsets to both new and existing systems, California Air Resources Board spokesman Dave Clegern said Friday.

The Oregon transit districts could turn around and sell those credits to the companies that import gas and diesel into Oregon. Those firms are required by the state's low-carbon fuels law to lower the carbon intensity of fuels by 10 percent over a decade by blending in biofuels or purchasing the carbon offset credits. Carbon intensity refers to all emissions associated with a fuel, from extraction or generation and transport, through consumption.

Money from the sales of carbon credits could help the transit districts replace some of the millions of dollars they raised during the last decade through state energy tax credit programs that ended in the 2015 tax year, although it's not clear how much money the carbon credits might generate. The tax credits issued by the Oregon Department of Energy were available to transit agencies to cover ongoing operations costs, not just service expansions or new investments.

The Department of Energy issued $7.3 million in various energy tax credits to TriMet since 2009, according to state data obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Since TriMet is a government agency and does not owe taxes, it sold the credits for a reported total of $5.4 million to businesses and individuals who wanted to lower their tax bills. During the same time period, the state issued $1.9 million worth of energy tax credits to Lane Transit District, which sold the credits for $1.4 million.

If the Department of Environmental Quality allows owners of existing light rail and other electric-powered transit and equipment to rack up carbon credits, it could further transform Oregon's low-carbon fuels standard from an effort to achieve new carbon emissions reductions to a program that subsidizes existing alternative fuels infrastructure and transit operations. The program already allows owners of existing alternative fueling systems such as electric car charging stations to generate credits as if they are creating new reductions in the state's carbon emissions.

Mary Fetsch, a spokeswoman for TriMet, said the agency would be interested in participating if the Department of Environmental Quality allows light rail, street cars and electric buses to generate credits in the low-carbon fuels program. TriMet just received a $3.4 million federal grant to purchase four battery-powered electric buses this summer.

Fetsch said the state should allow transit districts to earn carbon reduction credits for their existing electric trains and buses, but she was unable to explain how that would meet goal of the low-carbon fuels program to reduce carbon intensity in fuels by 10 percent over a decade.

"If you count current transit service which delivers on reducing carbon generation and emissions, that would recognize that we are already contributing," Fetsch said.

Cory-Ann Wind, an air quality manager for the Department of Environmental Quality who works on implementation of the low-carbon fuels program, said it's possible for existing electric street cars, light rail and car charging stations to count towards the 10 percent reduction in carbon emissions because that goal was based on the assumption that none of those alternative transportation options existed at the start of the program.

Instead, the Department of Environmental Quality calculated the 2015 baseline for the program based on the idea that Oregon's transportation systems -- from cars to buses -- were all running on gasoline or diesel.

Wind said she hopes to hold the first meeting to consider the program expansion, which could also open up credit generation to truck stop electrification, electric forklifts and refrigeration units, in September or October. That rulemaking process will also cover additional measures to contain the cost of the low-carbon fuel standard, such as following California's lead to create a carbon credit clearance market.

Under a credit clearance system, fuel importers who are unable to purchase the carbon credits they need to comply with state law at the end of the year could ask the Department of Environmental Quality to help them find and purchase credits. If the state located entities holding credits, they would be required to sell the credits at a maximum price set in state law. This would allow the state to cap the cost of the program to consumers, Wind said.

As the state's largest transit district, TriMet likely has the most to gain from a potential expansion of which entities can generate low-carbon fuels credits. It is also the transit agency most closely involved in the concept.

Although Wind said the idea to include electric transit systems stemmed from California's 2015 decision to make a similar change in its program, TriMet was also in talks with the Department of Environmental Quality about the idea since at least last year, said Dan Bower, executive director of Portland Streetcar, Inc. Bower learned of the concept when a TriMet employee suggested he contact the Department of Environmental Quality for more information.

Bower did not know enough about the carbon credit concept to say whether it would make sense for Portland Streetcar Inc. to participate, but he said the system already provides environmental benefits.

"Our electrified system is proving a much cleaner solution for 15,000 trips a day than the automobile," Bower said.

Meanwhile, Lane Transit District's government relations manager Edward McGlone said the agency hadn't been informed the Department of Environmental Quality was considering the idea. "We haven't been in touch with DEQ about it," McGlone said. "We would be interested in the opportunity, but we haven't looked at it yet." The district already purchased five electric buses it expects to arrive this fall and plans to order an additional five buses soon, with most of the cost for both purchases covered by federal grants.

-- Hillary Borrud

@hillaryborrud
A public defender organization is suing the NYPD in an attempt to force it to disclose what it does with the millions of dollars in cash and property it seizes from civilians every yearprimarily from people who have not been charged with a crime. The Bronx Defenders sued the city in Manhattan state court on Thursday for failing to turn over records about its civil asset forfeiture process, after police officials stalled for a year and seven months in responding to a public records request.

"NYPD property seizures affect tens of thousands of New Yorkers every year and generate millions of dollars in revenue for the City," lawyer Adam Shoop of the Bronx Defenders said in a statement. "The public has a right to know what the NYPD is doing with this money and the internal policies governing these practices."

A 2014 Gothamist report, cited in the lawsuit, spotlighted the problems posed by civil forfeiture. The procedure for getting one's property back remains byzantine, and what the NYPD does with the money is still secret, even though federal judges found in 1972 and again in 2001 that the 1881 law used as the basis for civil forfeiture is unconstitutional. (Both judges demanded that city legislators rewrite it.)

In one case profiled in the Gothamist report, a Bronx man named Gerald Bryan lost $4,800 in a raid that resulted in drug-trafficking charges. The charges were later dropped, but when Bryan went to retrieve his money, he was told that the sum had been placed into the police pension fund. He fought and eventually got reimbursed, but the city paid out of its taxpayer-financed general account, not the police pension fund.

"The answers lie in the [NYPD's] books," Bryan told us. "You open that up, and it's going to be a Pandora's box on just how much the NYPD has illegally taken from New Yorkers."

The Bronx Defenders filed its public records request six months after publication of the Gothamist story, seeking a comprehensive accounting of the seized funds and property, as well as the guidelines governing the process. According to the lawsuit, the NYPD blew deadlines for responding repeatedly or ignored requests entirely, in violation of the state's Freedom of Information Law.

In March of this year, the department turned over a property clerk "accounting summary" for 2013 and a revenue report for fiscal year 2013. The two documents, totaling 14 pages, were accompanied by a copy of the NYPD patrol guide. As for the rest, the NYPD claimed it could not find additional records responsive to the request," according to the lawsuit.

The lawyers seeking the documents called bullshit.

"At no time did the NYPD seek clarification or otherwise seek to assist petitioner to identify the records sought with greater specificity, nor did the NYPD certify that it does not possess the records or that it performed a diligent search to locate additional records, as required," lawyers from the Bronx Defenders wrote in a memo in support of the suit. "In any event, an assertion that the NYPD could not locate any further responsive documents would not be credible given the paltry amount of detail contained in the documents the NYPD did produce (which, as the documents names suggest were 'summaries' and 'reports' of information contained in other records)."

The documents the NYPD provided show that in 2013, the department listed $6.5 million in revenue from forfeited assets. Of that, $1 million was auction proceeds, and the rest was cash. The documents also show that the department maintained a balance of more than $68 million in seized money alone from one month to the next in 2013. The city projects it will make $5.3 million from taking people's stuff this year.

As Bronx Defenders suit outlines, the NYPD regularly seizes the property of individuals it arrests. When a criminal case is over, the person needs a signed release from prosecutors to get the money back. If the city ignores the request, the person whose money has been taken has no recourse. (Earlier this year, the Bronx Defenders filed a separate class-action lawsuit challenging the practice of civil asset forfeiture.)

In a filing from the latest case, lawyers for the Bronx Defenders accused the city of violating due process by improperly forcing property owners to bear the burden of [the city] retaining personal property long after the justification for doing so has expired.

A bill that would require the NYPD to report annually on what kind of property it's holding onto and why has been stalled in a City Council committee since Councilman Ritchie Torres introduced it last November.

City agencies of all kinds regularly disregard the time limits and requirements of laws governing public records requests, and the NYPD has a well-established reputation as the worst offender. When he was public advocate, Bill de Blasio gave the department an F grade for transparency (as mayor, he has frequently resisted routine disclosures himself). Legislation that de Blasio introduced in 2010 calling for mayoral agencies to issue monthly reports on FOIL compliance died on the vine.

Also in 2010, the New York Times sued the NYPD in state court, demanding that it provide documents in relation to several requests it had been ignoring or stalling on. In a decision on the case, Judge Jane Solomon observed that the "NYPD acknowledges that it has routinely failed to comply with FOIL," and "apparently believes it can continue" to ignore a 20-day time limit for providing documents. The Times had asked for an order banning the NYPD's practice of obstructing records requests, but Solomon concluded that the only recourse available within the law is individual lawsuits about specific requests.

In 2014, after fighting the disclosure of its internal guide on responding to public records requests, the NYPD released the guide, revealing that for years it had instructed officers that the deadline for an initial response to a request was 10 days, when in fact it is 5 business days.

A Law Department spokeswoman said the city will review the lawsuit when it gets served.
Investigators discovered a sneaker and earphones belonging to Karina Vetrano, the jogger who was strangled and raped in a Queens marshland park. The news came yesterday as friends and family held a wake for her. A family friend said, "The person who did this was evil. They don't deserve to live on this earth."

The Post reports, "The single blue and gold New Balance sneaker and the earphones were found far apart in the vast Spring Creek Park, leaving investigators to believe that the savage murderer threw Vetranos belongings during the Tuesday attack, sources said." The Post also adds that evidence with "strong potential for DNA discovery" was recovered



At Spring Creek Park (Richard York

Vetrano, 30, was killed on Tuesday night, during her routine 5 p.m. run through Howard Beach. Her father who usually accompanied her, but didn't due to a back injury, called the police when she didn't return home or answer her phone. At 11 p.m., police tracked her cellphone to Spring Creek Park near 161 Avenue and 78 Street; her father, who had joined the search, was the first to see his daughter's body.

The medical examiner said that Vetrano was strangled, and police sources have said that she was brutally beaten, with her teeth knocked out, and sexually assaulted. Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said that she "put up a ferocious fight right until the end." Her hands were clutching weeds from the overgrown area.

Police borrowed an FBI drone to survey the area as dozens of officers combed the area for evidence.



The reward is now at $10,000 (Richard York

Vetrano, who had a master's in speech pathology from St. John's and was working at Vetro Restaurant and Wine Bar, had recently been a bridesmaid for her friend Alicia Scavetta. Scavetta's father Frank told PIX 11 that he called his daughter on her honeymoon to tell her about Vetrano's death, so she could hear it from him first instead of via social media, "She said, 'It's impossible. I was speaking to her every day. I was texting her last night.'... My daughter's in shock. Even my wife, too. Everyone's in shock. When you see someone who's full of life at 30 years old go like that, it's hard."

There is currently a $10,000 reward for information leading the police to an arrest in the case. A resident said, "You never know what's in those weeds. I would say it's dangerous."

Another neighbor said, "Were all frightened now because we dont know what to expect. We dont feel safe in our own neighborhood anymore."

A funeral is being held for Vetrano today in Howard Beach. A family friend told NBC New York that they spoke to her father at the wake. "I said to him, 'Phil, for the first time, I don't know what to say.' He says, 'You can't say anything.'"
Hes widely known in the Great Lakes Bay Region as Dan Dan the Mattress Man, the fast-talking, deal-making dude.

After a deed done on a rainy Wednesday, July 27, afternoon, the moniker may need to be upgraded to The Man.

A jovial Hugh Morrison stopped by the Midland Daily News office to tell of a recent outing that took a turn for the worst. Morrison, 93, and Phyllis Mulholland, 84, set off on their motorized carts from Riverside Place en route to Kroger to pick up a few items. They changed course, opting for Sids Party Store in an attempt to beat looming gray skies. Morrison bought milk and Mulholland got peanuts.

Then we started for home, and it started to rain. It poured, Morrison said.

Mostly cloudy skies produced heavy rain and wind gusts near 30 mph around 4 p.m. that Wednesday, Weather Underground records show. The two showed up at Dan Dan the Mattress Man, unsuspecting of the accommodation theyd receive: four employees (John VanFossen, Justin Wirtz, Devin Smith and Dan Leviere) brought out towels and went to work.

They spent a half hour drying us off, we were sopping wet, Morrison said.

It didnt stop there. The employees started up space heaters to get us warm, then they started coffee and hot tea. Then they said, Weve got a surprise for you: were going to take you home, Morrison said.

Employees pulled a truck over to the duo and lifted them onto a ramp to load in the back for the half-mile trip to Riverside Place, Morrison recalled.

They were so attentive, said Mulholland, a Saginaw native. They did a wonderful job taking care of two old farts.

I just have never been treated nicer, more politely, said Morrison, a lifetime Midland resident. We never saw one sour face during that hour.

The two met at Riverside Place, Mulholland having moved in about three weeks ago. Individually, they have quite the interesting histories.

Morrison said he had been a glass blower at Dow for 40 years and served in World War II and as a medic in the Navy. He said he was the youngest ever to teach first aid with the American Red Cross, at age 16, and later taught it to local police and fire departments and volunteered for 25 years at the senior center. He was married 68 years and raised seven children, three of whom were deaf.

During his time in Midland, Morrison remembered lumberyards that used to operate where the furniture store is, at 802 Ashman  both Erb Lumber in the 1990s and another in the 1930s. He grew up in the neighborhood and said he watched Riverside Place being built, thinking one day hed live there.

Asked if he knew any employees or had relatives who worked at the store, Morrison said not a soul.

Mulholland said she was the aquatic director at the YWCA in Saginaw. She taught 6-month-old babies how to swim and wrote a book about it, which was sold nationwide and in Mexico. She raised four children, including two identical twin boys born six minutes apart, and lost her oldest daughter to cancer. She was married 58 years and sang both solo and in 100-voice choirs.

Leviere was quick to downplay the deed, saying anyone would have done the same thing given the situation.

Thats what lifes about  other people, he said.

Smith, 21, said he saw the storm coming and Morrison and Mulholland near the store. It felt good to help them out, he said.

Its something you dont see on an average work day, Smith said. They were drenched when they came in here.

Morrison and Mulholland were still thankful and elated days later.

I just praise them so much for what they did for us, Mulholland said.

Its Midland; its the way Midland is made, Morrison said.
We the People of Mid-Michigan, a civics education group, will host its monthly meeting on Aug. 23 at the Williams Township Hall on Midland Road in Auburn. Monthly meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

This month will feature the movie 2016: Obamas America. With the recent release of the blockbuster documentary, Hillarys America by Dinesh DSouza, it is timely to show DSouzas previous movie, 2016. With President Obamas presidential term coming to an end, the group will ascertain if DSouzas movie predicted the state of America correctly.
Troopers from the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post will be increasing patrols throughout the month of August.

As motorists are traveling the roadways for the end of summer vacations and back to school shopping, troopers will be out on patrol looking for those not wearing seat belts and distracted drivers in an effort to keep motorists safe and prevent senseless traffic crashes.
A Rhodes man who made a false report of a stolen vehicle to cover up a crash has been ordered to write a letter of apology to the investigating officer as part of his sentencing terms.

Justin Ryan Workman, 27, was charged with lying to a peace officer during an investigation, which is a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison.

Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen P. Carras sentenced Workman to $1,250 fines and costs, and one year probation. Carras also granted a one year sentence delay, which if completed successfully will lead to a misdemeanor charge being entered on Workmans record.

Midland Police were called Sept. 23 after a 2009 Ford Fusion was reported stolen from a hotel parking lot, an affidavit in the case states.

Workman told police he was on a bus on his way to Grayling for his National Guard drill weekend when he received a phone call from a relative that his car had been found upsidedown in a ditch and no one was around the crash scene. When police asked why the vehicle theft wasnt reported when it occurred, Workman said he had called Gladwin County officials and was told to make a vehicle theft report in Midland.

The officer later learned Workman had allowed a woman to use the car, and she was driving after having just left a party when the crash occurred. He later changed the story, telling police that another woman who was in the car at the time of the crash had stolen the car.

Workman was represented by attorney Dan Duke of Midland, who was appointed to the case.
A 46-year-old legal aid lawyer was arrested on Thursday after she allegedly robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Police say that Meighan McSherry, who lives on the Upper West Side, was at the aforementioned Wells Fargo on West Putnam Avenue on Thursday afternoon when she handed the bank teller a note demanding money and saying she was armed. The teller apparently handed her an undisclosed amount of cash and McSherry left, but she was stopped in her car by cops just a few minutes later.

McSherry was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree larceny on Friday. Her attorney argued McSherry had no idea what happened on Thursday, had no memory of the events, and did not know how she ended up in Greenwich. She is being held in lieu of $250K bond.

The Daily News says McSherry used to work for the Bronx Legal Defenders, but took a leave-of-absence last year. The West 72nd Street co-op in which she lived had been trying to evict her twice this year, and neighbors told the tabloid she'd fallen on hard times. Cops are investigating whether McSherry was responsible for a similar attempted robbery at a Chase bank on 79th and Broadway this weekthe NYPD released photos of a suspect that does look similar to McSherry.
Kadena airfield operations

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron takes off for a sortie at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2016. With a top speed of 1,875 mph and a range of 3,450 miles, the Eagle can respond at a moments notice to crisis and conflict anywhere in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Reft)
My family loves to travel.

Over the years, weve been blessed to visit historic places, meet new people and sample music, art and food of other cultures. Those memories are precious to us.

Last month we had the opportunity to tour the Rhine and Main rivers in Europe. Again, it was a fabulous experience, but this time was different. All around us was turmoil.

In July, dozens of innocent people were killed in terrorist attacks in Europe. In Germany, four attacks occurred in one week alone. That happened to be the week my parents and I were there.

No matter the location, I always try to be alert (but not paranoid). But by the last day of our trip, I was less focused on sightseeing and very focused on crowds patrolled by military personnel.

Our first day aboard, we awoke in the Czech Republic to the news of the horrifying attack in Nice, France. At the French Embassy in Prague, we solemnly viewed candles, flowers and notes displayed in memory of those killed. It brought tears to our eyes.

Four days later, there was an attack on a passenger train in Wurzburg, Germany. A man wielding an ax and knife went on a rampage, seriously injuring four members of a tourist family from Hong Kong and a German bystander.

I read about the attack while standing at the center of Wurzburg.

Were fine, I texted my husband who was back home with the rest of our family.

That night, I peered at the railway and trains outside our window. It was distressing to know innocent people had been brutally attacked close by.

Our tour continued with visits to lovely towns such as Miltenberg and Rothenberg. We were having fun when my phone started buzzing. This time it was news of shootings at a shopping mall and McDonalds in Munich.

Early media accounts reported multiple shooters still at large. (Later those reports were corrected to identify a lone shooter who had taken his own life.)

Although we were about 200 miles away, I was worried by the thought of assailants still on the loose. Instead of admiring beautiful buildings in busy public squares, I was scanning crowds for potentially dangerous situations.

Military personnel armed with machine guns walked alongside our path. It was impossible to ignore the threat. The day was sunny, but a dark cloud seemed to linger over us.

We all know danger can occur any time, any place. Statistics show I have a greater risk for injury in my own kitchen than from a terrorist attack. As a result, Ive continued traveling.

Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, I left for a long-awaited Mediterranean cruise. But due to significant cancellations, the cruise company unexpectedly declared bankruptcy. When I landed in Rome, I had no place to sleep. After some quick adjustments, the trip was salvaged.

I was also overseas in 2011 when a volcano erupted, spewing ash into the atmosphere and canceling more than 90,000 airline flights. Travelers had no idea when theyd get home, and with no information, some people began to panic. After five days, most flights resumed.

Not being in control of your own movements can be harrowing. I remembered that experience last month when Turkish flights were canceled due to an attempted military coup and when Munich went on lockdown after the shootings.

Tourists are usually a pretty resilient and optimistic bunch. They regularly accept risks (like bad weather, lost luggage and pickpockets) because they believe the benefits of traveling outweigh the negative. Its yet to be seen how tourists will view current security risks.

Will I visit Europe again someday? I hope so. Travel teaches us about each other and our world. It would be a shame to lose those valuable lessons.
BLOOMINGTON  Converting a boarded-up downtown building into a budget hotel isn't the first choice of Jamie Mathy, who co-owns a bakery across the street.

"But that would be movement, and that's better than what's there now," he said.

East Peoria commercial real estate broker Jeff Giebelhausen's latest hotel development concept involves renovating the dilapidated Front 'N' Center building, 102 N. Center St., into a "limited-service" hotel. He also pitched the possibility of a boutique hotel with more amenities if the city would provide some incentives.

Last month, the city shelved his earlier proposal for a $52 million hotel/conference center that included that site. The $7 million budget hotel proposal would be a private development without city funding. The $14 million boutique hotel would require a city investment of $7 million.

The building, owned by Merle and Carol Huff of Peoria, has been vacant for 10 of the 11 years that Jamie and Kelly Mathy have operated Kelly's Bakery & Cafe, 113 N. Center St.

"Right now, it's a motel for roaches and rats," said Mathy. "So why not make it a motel for people? They have to stay somewhere.

"I would have preferred to have had the ($52 million) upscale hotel ... but I think the city took the right approach in backing away from the deal," he added.

Other downtown property owners contacted by The Pantagraph said they don't think a limited-service hotel is the best use of the property, a prime piece of real estate located between the historic courthouse square and U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Russel Francois of Francois Associates Architects, 118 E. Washington St., at the north corner of the same block, doesn't want to see the property underdeveloped.

"If we do something, I think we should really do our best," he said. "I think the kind of hotels that are in uptown Normal would be appropriate there. If we need to wait a while, I think our whole downtown is better served by building a full-service, destination kind of hotel."

Francois said he's excited people are interested in developing that block and apparently believe there are resources in the Front 'N' Center and Commerce Bank buildings worth preserving.

"I'm very pleased that we're talking about renovation of Commerce Bank at some point in the future rather than a demolition project," he said.

"Likewise, I feel the same about the Front 'N' Center building," said Francois. "That building has some wonderful Chicago-style windows. It had a glory day in the past. And I believe it is still structurally sound, and with some great design and economic energy it can live again."

Vicki Tilton, who with her husband, Tim, bought and renovated Monroe Center, 200 W. Monroe St., wants the Front 'N' Center building redeveloped sooner rather than later.

"We feel it's an eyesore. We feel it's hazardous," she said. "So if (a limited-service hotel) is the best we can do, we'll take something more limited."

She'd prefer the property be used for a bigger project that also incorporates the bank building.

Tilton, along with Joe and Ruth Haney, who have renovated several old buildings near the coliseum, are disappointed the upscale hotel and conference center proposal died.

"I don't want to see the city go into any more debt in developing that part of our downtown, but leaving that property undeveloped costs the city a lot of money, particularly in property taxes," said Tilton.

"I feel that something needs to be done even if it's on a smaller scale," said Joe Haney. "I'm not excited about a small hotel, but it will probably work downtown."

Ruth Haney, president of the Downtown Bloomington Association, said DBA members are disappointed the new proposals don't have convention space or a larger hotel with restaurants.

"Some of these things would have drawn more people to the downtown, so it will be disappointing for us to see just a small hotel," she said. "There's going to be millions of dollars spent, but we're still not going to have what we envisioned."

Heritage Enterprises, 115 W. Jefferson St., is headquartered in the former Roland Department Store building, which was renovated in 1988.

"We've created the building that we now see today ... so we've been a stakeholder in the downtown for many decades now," said Heritage Enterprises President and CEO Ben Hart. "Obviously, we want to see the downtown continue to progress."

Lawyers Darrell Hartweg and Ralph Turner co-own the Illinois House, 207 W. Jefferson St. It is downtown's second largest building, after the State Farm Fire building.

A group of downtown businessmen built Illinois House in 1902 specifically as a hotel. It was one of several functioning downtown hotels/motels until it closed in the 1960s, Hartweg noted.

"So there have been no hotels in downtown Bloomington for at least 40 years," he said. "I think the interesting part of all this discussion going on now about a hotel/motel in downtown Bloomington is it's kind of a replay of history."

The Front 'N' Center building isn't going "to fall down in a heap tomorrow. It may not look good," Hartweg added. "So I think we've got time to make the decision in the right way."
PEORIA  Nursing is one of several programs on which Eureka College and Methodist College in Peoria will be working more closely, under an agreement signed Friday in Peoria.

With this collaboration, students who have completed approximately two years at Eureka College will be placed into the Methodist College nursing program.

Plans are being developed to offer some freshman and sophomore nursing courses from Methodist College at Eureka College's campus. Those courses would meet requirements toward a bachelor's degree in nursing from Methodist College.

Collaboration on a gerontology certificate program developed at Methodist also is part of the venture.

Eureka College President Jamel Santa Cruze Wright said, It's important to form these strategic partnerships with our neighbors that will ultimately benefit more students and contribute to their unique experiences at our institutions.

Methodist College is a four-year college affiliated with UnityPoint Health in Peoria. The school, established in 2000, focuses on nursing, health sciences and human services programs.

Both Eureka and Methodist hope to expand programming through their partnership and are looking for other areas where joint programming would provide job opportunities to students, officials said.

Our colleges complement each other well and provide the opportunity for several collaborative programs, said Methodist College President Kimberly Johnston.

Last year, Eureka College signed an agreement with Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing under which five Eureka College students each semester who complete its two-year pre-nursing program and meet certain academic criteria received automatic admissions to the Saint Francis nursing program.
If youve served as a juror, you have a taste of what happens inside Americas courtrooms. Television shows like Law & Order and even Judge Judy also impart some understanding, albeit peppered with misperceptions.

But when it comes to how courts decide issues that have broad and lasting consequences for our society, questions that require interpretation of a constitution or meaning of a law, its all pretty obscure to most Americans. Wed like to believe our judges are above partisan politics. Two matters now before two different courts will be a good test, and Im not holding my breath.

First, theres the matter of Illinois voters getting to decide whether state lawmakers should keep their power to draw their own legislative district boundaries.

A well-organized group called Independent Maps gathered hundreds of thousands of petition signatures to place an amendment to the state constitution on Novembers ballot. But then a Cook County judge ruled the plan, which would have an independent commission draw the maps, unconstitutional.

Funding for the group that challenged the plan is mysterious, but we know its represented by a Chicago lawyer whos an ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan and serves as legal counsel for the Illinois Democratic Party.

Leaders of both major parties love how they can control the redistricting process that follows each once-a-decade census. Incumbents are reelected. The powerful keep their power. This fall there will be no contest in three out of every five races for seats in the General Assembly. This, while Illinois is choking in a quicksand of government ineptitude.

In a new book whose title cant be printed in a family newspaper, David Daley describes how, following the 2010 census, Republicans gerrymandered congressional districts across the country like never before, going well beyond protecting incumbents. They utilized sophisticated technology and big data to win many more seats than they otherwise would.

The same super-charged tools almost certainly will be used by whichever party controls the Illinois legislature after the 2020 census, tilting the political scales for the following 10 years. Partisan politics will prevail. Well all lose.

Daley writes that California once suffered from similar excessive political control of the map-making process. In 500 elections between 2002 and 2010, he says, only one incumbent was defeated. After a commission drew the states congressional district maps four years ago, just over a quarter of Californias U.S. House delegation was new.

The sidetracked Illinois effort, which deals only with state legislative districts, isnt dead. The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. We need the fairness and transparency that comes with an independent commission.

The second matter involves Bloomington physician David Gill and several voters. Theyve asked a federal court to review the constitutionality of a state statute that requires independent candidates for the U.S. House to gather nearly 15 times more signatures than a Democrat or Republican needs to get on the ballot.

Gill was able to collect 8,593 valid signatures  but still was 20 percent short of what he needed to run for the 13th District seat in Congress. His 22-page suit complains its nigh impossible for an independent to achieve ballot status, noting no independent U.S. House candidate in Illinois ever has been able to gather the required signatures, and that nationally, only three have over the past 126 years.

Constitutions, we learned in civics class long ago, are living documents, constructed in a way that makes room for elaboration as society evolves. The wise people who wear the black robes symbolizing neutrality should note the national mood. People are unhappy with the status quo.

By clearing the way for a referendum on an idea that would reduce much of the politics in re-mapping, and by making independent candidacies more achievable, the courts would take small but important steps in preserving a democracy at risk.
Nearly half of the leading soft drinks available in the market contain alcohol, according to a scientific research published in a French magazine.

Researchers from the National Institute of Consumption (INC) in Paris found top brands like Pepsi and Coca-Cola containing about 10 milligrams of alcohol in every liter. The findings are reported in the French Magazine 60 Million Consumers.

To trace the alcohol content in the soft drinks, researchers tested 19 colas and 10, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light and Coke Zero showed minute traces of alcohol. The alcohol-free brands are Auchan, Cora, Casino, Leader Price and Man U- Cola. The companies blamed the alcohol content on the ingredients and the process involved in the production.

"It is possible that traces of alcohol come from the process of making Coca Cola according to its secret recipe," Michel Pepin, scientific director for Coca-Cola France, told Daily Mail. "Furthermore, the Paris Mosque has provided us with a certificate stating that our products can be consumed by the Muslim community in line with the religious opinions of the Committee of the Mosque of Paris."

Teen consumers

In the United States, the findings bring concern as a majority of teens consume soft drinks regularly. Earlier studies have also warned children against consuming too much carbonated drinks.

Too many soft drinks may increase the chances of cardiac-related problems or high blood pressure in their later life. Researchers from the University of Sydney also noticed primary symptoms of damaged eyes in children aged 12, who consumed soft drinks every day. Another study says, teens who consume more than five cans of soda a week tend to be violent, leading them to carry a gun or a knife.

Consuming too much soft drinks will pave the way for health problems like obesity, diabetes, blood sugar, bone fractures, tooth decay, eating disorders and food addictions.
Actress Drew Barrymore and her ex-husband, art consultant Will Kopelman have finalized their divorce. Barrymore and Kopelman had first announced that they had decided to part ways last April after nearly four years of marriage and two daughters between them. This is Barrymore's third marriage..

Page Six reported that the settlement of this particular divorce was of "record time" as it was over in just less than three weeks since filing. It was said to be an uncontested divorce, with Barrymore and Kopelman having no argument with regards to their assets or the custody of their two daughters.

"Drew and Will both wanted the divorce done expeditiously. They didn't want a messy divorce. They are still friends - in fact they are all together in Nantucket right now," sources told Page Six about the Barrymore-Kopelman divorce. The report said that an anonymous source had said that the ex-couple were undergoing back in April.

Despite parting ways, the couple will be focusing on their children, Olive, 3, and Frankie, 2, People reported. "They fundamentally agree on everything when it comes to their girls," a source had told the media outfit in an earlier interview.

Barrymore and Kopelman said in an earlier statement given to People that their divorce does not take anything away from their family. "Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority," the former couple has said.

New York Daily News reported that the finalized divorce agreement settled two separate cases for divorce filed by Barrymore and Kopelman. The former was filed on July 15 while the latter was filed three days after. The report said it was not clear why there were two divorce cases filed. Both Barrymore and Kopelman's lawyers did not give comments on the settlement of the divorce.
The fate of "Girl Meets World" is still up in the air after it concluded Season 3 with an episode titled "World Meets Girl." While fans and viewers are hoping that Disney Channel would renew the show for another season, a recent tweet from Rowan Blanchard seemingly confirms that the network is having second thoughts of renewing the series for another year.

This article contains spoilers. Read on if you want to learn more about the details of this story.

It looks like Disney Channel needs a lot more convincing to make "Girl Meets World" Season 4 happen on TV. Season 3 recently came to a conclusion in an episode titled "World Meets Girl" and the network has not yet announced whether the show would continue for another season.

In an interview with TVLine, a network representative explained that "GMW" Season 3 episodes will air through 2017. Until then, Disney Channel has no plans of renewing the show for Season 4.

Yahoo! Style also notes that there were rumors that "Girl Meets World" Season 3 was canceled on Disney Channel because of the alleged ill relationship between Rowan Blanchard and the rest of the cast. Blanchard addressed the rumors via a Twitter post.

Blanchard dismissed the said rumors and stated that she and the rest of the cast are in good terms. She also shared during the post that everyone on set had a hard time because of the possible "Girl Meets World" Season 3 cancellation.

"The cast and I love each other more than anything, we all have had a hard time this week because of it being our possible last week," she wrote.

This seemingly confirms rumors that Disney Channel is still unsure of renewing "Girl Meets World" for Season 4. The show, however, may move to Freeform since it can accommodate more mature storylines, specially now that Maya (Sabrina Carpenter), Riley (Rowan Blanchard), Lucas (Peyton Meyer) are in high school.

Do you think Disney Channel should renew "Girl Meets World" Season 4? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!


"The Walking Dead" Season 7 premiere tease had been promising a deeply changed Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), but just how changed in the face of "unique" villain Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)? Suffice it to say that Jeffrey Dean Morgan has psyched himself against the fan hate that "The Walking Dead" Season 7 will generate for what he and The Saviors do to Rick Grimes and the Alexandria survivors.

E! News cites "The Walking Dead" executive producer Gale Anne Hurd on describing just how seriously "TWD" fans should take Negan in Season 7. According to Gale Anne Hurd, Negan is unique among all the villains that have passed through AMC's "The Walking Dead" series.

Take a Walker 101 class before the Season 5 #TWDMarathon this Sunday. https://t.co/5bZCuDimxF  The Walking Dead AMC (@WalkingDead_AMC) August 5, 2016

While all other villains root their evil in twisted justifications for their sordid deeds, "The Walking Dead" Season 7 will reveal Negan to essentially be without a conscience. Negan does what he does for the evil of it.

Explore the safe-zone of Alexandria in 360 VR. How will it look in Season 7? #TWD https://t.co/tsYpiuOvsN pic.twitter.com/gLypGcTT0L  The Walking Dead AMC (@WalkingDead_AMC) August 5, 2016

"He doesn't seem to have much of a conscience about it, and that's the kind of person we haven't seen before," Gail Anne Hurd described Negan. "Everyone else had a justification that they were reasoning as to why they did what they did, some of the evil things.

ComingSoon reports that a new photo for "The Walking Dead" Season 7 has been released by AMC and Negan looks exactly as Gail Anne Hurd described. In "The Walking Dead" Season 7 photo, Negan points a gun at an intended victim while the "TWD" villain smiled with pleasure.

Before we lose another, see the other #TWD characters that are no longer with us: https://t.co/cH5ly0VqRp pic.twitter.com/rSDkg1iCr2  The Walking Dead AMC (@WalkingDead_AMC) August 4, 2016

Rick Grimes, who at the best of times hangs by a thread of sanity and hope after Lori Grimes died, will definitely be pushed over the edge of darkness in "The Walking Dead" Season 7. As helpless as he is against Negan, Parent Herald cites reports that Rick Grimes may become a villain himself in his desperate need to shake Negan off his and the Alexandria survivors' backs.

How many in Rick Grimes' group Negan would be able to persuade away from their moral compass will be part of the heartbreak and tragedy of "The Walking Dead" Season 7. On his end, Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been readying himself a long time for how much "TWD" fan hate Negan will receive in "The Walking Dead" Season 7.

AMC airs "The Walking Dead" Season 7 premiere on Oct 23. Have you figured out the best way to defeat Negan and The Saviors or do you think Rick Grimes and company are doomed the whole of "The Walking Dead" Season 7?
"Teen Wolf" Season 6 will provide a fitting conclusion to the story Scott, Stiles and the rest of the Pack at Beacon Hills. The upcoming season of the MTV drama is confirmed to be the series finale and former cast members will be returning to the series. Will Tyler Hoechlin's Derek Hale return?

This article contains spoilers. Read on if you want to learn more about the details of this story.

"Teen Wolf" Season 6 spoilers hint on the possible return of Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin), as the upcoming season has been confirmed to be the series finale. In an earlier interview with the cast and crew at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, series creator Jeff Davis confirmed that there will be returning characters in the final season.

Many fans have been hoping to see Hoechlin reprise his role as Derek since his character left the show in Season 4. "Teen Wolf" Season 6 would be the perfect venue for his character's return, specially since Scott (Tyler Posey) would be handing over the role of the new leader to Liam (Dylan Sprayberry).

Hoechlin, however, has been quite busy with his new project, "Supergirl" so it remains to be seen whether he will be back for "Teen Wolf" Season 6. The Hollywood Reporter recently shared a photo of Hoechlin's first look as the Superman in The CW series.

While Hoechlin's return remains a mystery until the "Teen Wolf" Season 6 airdate, Zap2It notes on the possibility that Liam will take over the Pack next season as the leader. In an interview with Posey and Sprayberry, both actors confirmed that part of next season would involve training between Liam and Scott.

There have been speculations that there would be a "Teen Wolf" spinoff featuring Liam and the younger members of the Pack after Season 6. However, this still remains a speculation.

Do you wish to see Tyler Hoechlin in "Teen Wolf" Season 6? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!


Most pregnant women do not have the knowledge on how weight that is gained during pregnancy is actually healthy. This is according to a study conducted in New Zealand which was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. It involved more than 600 pregnant women who were asked what they thought their BMI and corresponding healthy weight gain during the course of their pregnancy were.

According to a News Hub report, the pregnant women were asked during their 12th week of pregnancy scan if they believed that they were underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Scoop reported that two-thirds of the pregnant women surveyed were able to correctly determine to which BMI category they fell under. Only 31 percent or one-third of the pregnant women surveyed could correctly identify the heathy weight gain for their BMI category.

"This misperception may lead to an under-or-over estimation of healthy weight gain during pregnancy, which may in turn lead to increased risk of poor health outcomes," said co-author Dr. Helen Paterson, as quoted in the report. Patterson added that pregnant women who gain more weight than necessary are at risk for high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and children who are overweight and obese.

A report from Stuff said that most of the pregnant women who failed to identify the healthy weight gain proper for their BMI were overweight or obese pregnant women. These pregnant women thought that their BMI was close to normal.

Paterson was quoted in the report as saying that pregnant women should be informed about healthy weight gain during their pregnancy. Paterson also believed that pregnant women should also be urged to monitor their weight together with a medical professional.

Professor Leslie McCowan, head of the obstetrics and gynaecology department at the Auckland University School of Medicine, agreed with Paterson. "We know that gaining excess weight during pregnancy is a risk factor for mothers and also for their babies," McCowan said, as per the report.
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Johann Tetzel (1465-1519): the German Dominican friar who was a central figure in the Reformation debate about indulgences and their abuses [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

***

[see the related paper, Biblical Evidence for Indulgences, for necessary background on how the Catholic Church defines an indulgence]

*****

In his book, The Question Box (New York: Paulist Press, 1929, 296-297). Bertrand Conway writes of the controversial history of indulgences:

Catholic historians  Gasquet, Pastor, Janssen, Michaels, Paulus  have frequently mentioned the abuses connected with the preaching of Indulgences in the Middle Ages. The medieval pardoner . . . was often an unscrupulous rascal, whose dishonesty and fraud were condemned by the Bishops of the time. We find orders for their arrest in Germany at the Council of Mainz in 1261, and in England by order of the Bishop of Durham in 1340. To indict the Church for these abuses . . . is manifestly dishonest . . . It is comparatively easy today to get monies for any charitable enterprise, for we can appeal to thousands by letter, post, radio or the daily press. In the Middle Ages, when men wished to build a church or support a worthy charity, the Bishop or Pope granted an Indulgence, which first of all called upon the people to approach the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, and then to lend a helping hand in some special work of charity. The Council of Trent, following the Councils of Fourth Lateran [1215], Lyons [1245 and 1274] and Vienne [1311-12], condemned in express terms the wicked abuse of quaestors of alms, and, because of the great scandal they had given, abolished their name and use (Session 24). While Catholics believe that the building of St. Peters in Rome was a matter of interest to the whole Catholic world, they heartily condemn with Grisar and Janssen [Catholic historians] the manner of financing the Indulgence, and the exaggerations of the preachers in extolling unduly its effects and privileges. . . . As both Pastor and Grisar point out, we must carefully distinguish between Tetzels teaching with regard to Indulgences for the living, and Indulgences applicable to the dead. With regard to Indulgences for the living, his teaching, as we know from his Vorlegung and his Frankfort Theses, was perfectly Catholic . . . Cardinal Cajetan at the time condemned Tetzels opinion [regarding the dead], and taught that while we may presume in a general way that God is willing to accept Indulgences for the dead, we have no certainty whatever that He does so in any particular case. That is the secret of God alone. In 1477 Pope Sixtus IV had expressly taught that the Church applies Indulgences for the dead by way of suffrage, for the souls in Purgatory are no longer subject to her jurisdiction. They receive Indulgences not directly, but indirectly, through the intercession of the living.

Likewise, German Catholic historian of the papacy, Ludwig von Pastor (1854-1928) explains, carefully distinguishing where Tetzels teaching was dead-wrong, and where it was actually in accordance with Catholic teaching:

Above all, a most clear distinction must be made between indulgences for the living and those for the dead. As regards indulgences for the living, Tetzel always taught pure (Catholic) doctrine. The assertion that he put forward indulgences as being not only a remission of the temporal punishment of sin, but as a remission of its guilt, is as unfounded as is that other accusation against him, that he sold the forgiveness of sin for money, without even any mention of contrition and confession, or that, for payment, he absolved from sins which might be committed in the future. His teaching was, in fact, very definite, and quite in harmony with the theology of the (Catholic) Church, as it was then and as it is now, i.e., that indulgences apply only to the temporal punishment due to sins which have been already repented of and confessed . The case was very different with indulgences for the dead. As regards these there is no doubt that Tetzel did, according to what he considered his authoritative instructions, proclaim as Christian doctrine that nothing but an offering of money was required to gain the indulgence for the dead, without there being any question of contrition or confession. He also taught, in accordance with the opinion then held, that an indulgence could be applied to any given soul with unfailing effect. Starting from this assumption, there is no doubt that his doctrine was virtually that of the well known drastic proverb. The Papal Bull of indulgence gave no sanction whatever to this proposition. It was a vague scholastic opinion, rejected by the Sorbonne in 1482, and again in 1518, and certainly not a doctrine of the Church, which was thus improperly put forward as dogmatic truth. The first among the theologians of the Roman court, Cardinal Cajetan, was the enemy of all such extravagances, and declared emphatically that, even if theologians and preachers taught such opinions, no faith need be given them. Preachers, he said, speak in the name of the Church only so long as they proclaim the doctrine of Christ and His Church; but if, for purposes of their own, they teach that about which they know nothing, and which is only their own imagination, they must not be accepted as mouthpieces of the Church. No one must be surprised if such as these fall into error. (The History of the Popes, from the Close of the Middle Ages, Ralph Francis Kerr, editor, 1908, B. Herder, St. Louis, Volume 7 [available online], 347348)

*****

[see the related paper, Biblical Evidence for Indulgences, for background on how the Catholic Church defines an indulgence]

*****

Meta Description: Brief exposition on some of the myths & legends surrounding the Catholic practice of indulgences: particularly in the Middle Ages.

Meta Keywords: indulgences, communion of saints, penance, mortification, asceticism, Johann Tetzel, merit, intercession, intercession of saints, absolution, forgiveness of sins, temporal punishment, prayer
Patna: The smaller and the much older statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Patna's Gandhi Maidan is set to get a new home as the district administration directed the authorities to move it to the Rajdhani Vatika, previously known as the 'Eco Park' while leaving the new statue of Bapu at its existing place in the Gandhi Maidan.

District Magistrate Sanjay Agrawal, while reviewing clean-up work ahead of the Independence Day celebration at the sprawling maidan, ordered the officials to move the older statue to the Rajdhani Vatika before August 13. He also reminded officials to take utmost care in the shifting of the statue that would be placed at a prominent place in the Eco Park.

The DM also found five out of nine high mast lights in non-working condition and ordered the authorities to fix it before the Independence Day celebration.

The Maidan would be off limit to the public starting August 10 until the Independence Day.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said that hotels around Gandhi Maidan have been instructed to carry out periodic search to clear the hotel of criminals or firearms to avoid any untoward incident. With snipers monitoring the Independence Day celebration from the roof of the tall buildings around the Maidan, every effort would be made to stop anyone with a firearm to enter into the celebration zone," he said.

With a complete sweep of the Maidan of any explosive to avoid a Hunkar Rally like serial explosions back in 2013, a round-the-clock vigil of the field would be conducted until the event is concluded peacefully, Maharaj said.
Patna: Former Chief Minister of Bihar Jitan Ram did himself no favor on Friday when he said that some 'petty criminals' in Gaya were trying to give bad name to the Naxals and if the police failed to protect the honor of mothers, daughters, and sisters, it was only natural for someone to become a Naxalite.

In an attempt to ward off accusations of him being a Naxalite, the leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said that the release of posters containing his pictures by the Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) in Imamganj in Gaya was the handiwork of some petty criminals and he did not pay any attention to it.

"Since the '80s when I was a state minister, I have been accused of being a Naxalite. There is nothing new about it. However, when the authorities fail to protect the honor of our mothers, daughters, and sisters, it is only natural if some people join the Naxal movement," Manjhi said.

Pivoting towards his mistreatment by the Nitish camp, Manjhi said that Nitish Kumar had thought of him as a weak leader and that is why he was put in the Chief Minister's chair so Kumar could pull his strings from behind the curtain.

"I, however, proved them otherwise. Now they know what metal I am made of," Manjhi proclaimed.

Accusing Nitish Kumar of being anti-dalit, the HAM leader said that it was evident the Chief Minister was denying the rights of the dalits by slashing scholarship amount for them from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 15,000 only.

"When the students protested against the cut in the scholarship, they were chased by the police and brutally beaten up. This is how Nitish Kumar treats the students of Bihar," he said.

Without mentioning the name of Uday Narayan Chowdhary, former legislator from Imamganj and the current Speaker of the state Assembly, Manjhi said that a 'certain former JD-U legislator was plotting to have him killed'.

"He has been involved in several political assassinations in Bihar and now I am in his crosshair," he said.
Troubles appear to be mounting for William Aylward, one of seven former Beaumont officials awaiting trial on felony corruption charges that were filed earlier this year.

Aylward was Beaumonts finance director.

The state board that licenses public accountants wants a judge to bar him from working as a certified public accountant while the criminal case against him is pending.

We decline to comment at this time, said an email from Aylwards attorney, James M. Taylor.

The states petition, filed this week, will be considered at an Aug. 19 hearing in Riverside County Superior Court.

William Kevin Aylwards working as a certified public accountant poses a danger to the public health, safety and welfare, said the petition filed by attorneys representing the California Board of Accountancy, which licenses CPAs.

Aylward is charged with six counts of misappropriation of public funds in connection with embezzlement, 24 counts of mishandling public monies, and two counts of conspiracy to misappropriate public funds, and such charges relate to his qualification as a CPA, the board attorneys wrote.

CPAs occupy positions of great responsibility and trust in our society, they wrote. They have ongoing contact with the public; and their primary asset is honesty in their dealings.

Aylward, 53, who obtained his CPA license in 1987, was in hot water with the state board before the corruption charges were filed.

Last year, he was placed on three years probation by the CPA board for repeatedly failing to submit a required peer review report about the adequacy of his accounting practice. The report was due in 2011.

The probation terms required him to obey all laws, reimburse the board $3,000 for the cost of his disciplinary case, complete four hours of ethics education and have his work be subject to peer reviews.

He was put on probation just two weeks after he resigned from his position as Beaumonts finance director, a position he held for seven years.

Earlier this year, investigators with the District Attorneys Office found that Aylward co-owned property leased to two automobile repair businesses that serviced city vehicles.

That constituted an apparent felony violation of a state law prohibiting conflicts of interest, an investigator said, because Aylward headed the city finance department that approved city payments to the repair businesses.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9471 or ddanelski@scng.com
Friends of a stunt motorcyclist who apparently drowned in Canyon Ferry Reservoir have launched a fundraiser to help finance a private search crew.

Blake Becker, 19, is believed to have sunk while trying to ride a modified dirt bike across the surface of the water July 23.

Officials searched for three days before suspending efforts on July 26. They resumed searching Aug. 2, but a promising hit on the sonar turned out to be a false positive.

On Friday Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said officials will analyze data gathered thus far and meet with the family next week.

We have to look at definitive areas we havent looked at, he said. Because it is a deep lake and minimal visibility, this type of search exceeds the capabilities of what we have.

A friend of Becker, Jentry Painter, launched a Gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/pwj3rk recently to raise money for an Idaho firm that specializes in difficult water recoveries.

The page details the friendship between Painter and Becker, describing that latter as a great friend with a craving for adventure.

He was a stand up take his shirt of his back for anyone kind of person, Painter writes. His passion for motorcycles and crazy stunts blew me away. Once he had an idea there was no stopping him

When reached on Friday, Painter said that any money raised will help pay for the search with remaining funds helping pay for the funeral.

Dutton had not heard about the fundraiser, but noted that the county was looking at bringing in what he believed was the same Idaho company. While private searching is allowed any recovery would need to be done by authorities, he said.
REDLANDS  The Redlands Symphonys offices are heading downtown.

The nonprofit organization is preparing to move its operations to 210 E. Citrus Ave., Suite A, adjacent to Community Bank.

The move is expected soon, but a date has yet to be announced, said Paul Ideker, the symphonys president and CEO.

According to Ideker, symphony staffers plan to occupy the front portion of the building, and the University of Redlands School of Musics Community School of Music and the Arts will take up residence in the back.

The move comes when the school of music needs additional space for its operations.

School of music faculty staffers plan to move into the symphonys soon-to-be-vacant space off Brockton Avenue after the move is complete.

Im excited to be downtown, Ideker said. I think (the move) offers us a new opportunity. Its a positive thing all around, and well have signage along Citrus, which is one of the busiest places in Redlands.

The symphonys move is made possible thanks to U of R officials and Community Bank, Ideker said. Community Bank wanted to fill the empty building with a local nonprofit, Ideker said. All symphony activities on U of Rs campus will continue to happen as they are scheduled, he said.

And our relationship with the university is even stronger, he added.

We just hope people will have an easier time finding us when were downtown. Theres plenty of parking and a lot of benefits to it.

Andrew Glendening, dean of the school of music, agreed.

The Community School of Music and the Arts is an old program weve been doing for a long time, and (we) needed more space to expand it, he said.

The opportunity to go into the Community Bank building has made a lot of space, more space for our music majors to practice, which is something we really need.

Another benefit of the move  more opportunities to reach the community.

When a program gets large and pushes university students out of the space we need, we are kind of limited, Glendening said.

But taking over part of the Community Bank building in downtown  allows us to take the brakes off the community music program and provide more opportunities for teaching and more opportunities for people in the community to have access to.

Contact the writer: khernandez@scng.com; @TheFactsKris on Twitter
FONTANA  Fontana police organizations will be holding a barbecue benefit for the three teens killed in an apparent rollover crash in Los Angeles County.

The Fontana Police Benefit Association along with the Fontana Police Officers Association and the Fontana Police Management Association are sponsoring the fundraising event slated for Thursday at the police station, officials said.

The bodies of Daniel Gamboa, 19, Kasey Vance, 18, and Samantha Ornelas, 17, all of Fontana, were found Monday after Gamboas white truck was spotted hundreds of feet down a ravine below Angeles Crest Highway. The trio left their homes last Saturday to go hiking near Mount Wilson. When they didnt return, their families called police to report the friends missing.

Gamboas family set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money to cover the 19-year-olds funeral costs.

Daniel was a man of God who shared His light with everyone he met in his lifetime, read the post created by Gamboas sister, Daisy Welsh.

Welsh took to social media to express her grief over the loss of her brother but also to share a few memories of the 19-year-old.

She posted a photograph to her Facebook page of Gamboa wearing an Imperial stormtroopers uniform from the Star Wars franchise. He created the costume with help from the 501st Legion, a charity group of Star Wars fans that dress like characters from the popular films.

He was so passionate about the organization and worked endlessly on getting ready to volunteer alongside you, Welsh posted.

The benefit will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fontana Police Station, 17005 Upland Ave.

Contact the writer: bvalenzuela@scng.com or @BeatrizVNews on Twitter
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this column incorrectly reported the date that Harold Johnson knocked on the door of the caretaker of a fish hatchery. He did so on June 23, 1930.

On June 14, 1930, Corona Boy Scout Harold Johnson left to attend Camp Emerson in the San Jacinto Mountains.

He was expecting to enjoy camping and learn Boy Scout skills. But he ended up having an unexpected adventure of epic proportions.

On June 19, about 40 scouts and six leaders hiked from Camp Emerson to Round Valley to camp. The next morning, they got up early to hike to the top of San Jacinto Mountain to see the sun rise. Harold reached the peak with the rest of the scouts, but on the way down he somehow got separated from the group.

Once it was noticed he was missing, the scouts searched for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

For the next four days, hundreds of men on horseback and on foot searched the mountain on the Banning and desert sides to try to find Harold. An Army plane went out Saturday and Sunday, but the pilot said he was unlikely to spot a single person on the mountainside.

Harolds father, Corona postmaster Roscoe Johnson, and his elder brother, 16-year-old Marvin, joined the search. Meanwhile, his mother, Mary, and small sister Theda Mae waited in a mountain cabin for news.

Camps for those searching were maintained at Round Valley, Dark Canyon, Chino Canyon, and Idyllwild.

A.E. Bottel, Riverside Countys horticultural commissioner, was in charge of the Round Valley camp.

In the June 25 Riverside Daily Press, Bottel said: Nothing too good can be said about the splendid efforts of all these men. All of them were volunteers, and every one of them took risks and spared nothing in the four day attempt to find the boy. We had men from various parts of Riverside County, a large group from Corona, scout leaders, mountain residents, Sherman Institute trackers, and men from Palm Springs and Banning.

Unfortunately, Harold, a brand-new Boy Scout, forgot the lesson about staying put when lost. He looked down and saw the buildings of the fish hatchery at Snow Creek. They looked deceptively close, and he decided to make his way down the mountain to that small outpost of civilization.

For much of his journey, he ended up following Snow Creek, which gave him a supply of water. What Harold didnt know was the north face of San Jacinto Mountain, with its sheer cliffs, giant boulders and thick brush, was considered impassable. Searchers feared that if he went that direction he was certain to have fallen to his death. No one was known to have descended the more than 10,000 feet of sharply rising mountain, let alone a 12-year-old boy with no climbing gear.

Harold, knowing none of this, kept carefully making his way down the mountain.

He occasionally saw the search plane and waved to it, but he wasnt seen. Finally, about 10 a.m. June 23, Harold knocked on the door of the caretakers home at the fish hatchery. The caretakers wife opened the door. Harold explained who he was, but she couldnt believe he was the lost Boy Scout. She gave him a glass of milk and got her husband. When they realized it really was Harold Johnson, because they had no phone, they rushed Harold to Banning to contact authorities.

Harolds family reunited with him in Banning. News was sent to Corona, where a prearranged fire whistle signal broadcast the news that the boy was alive and well. Newspaper reports said Corona residents went wild with joy.

A Riverside Daily Press reporter conducted a short interview with the boy. When asked if he feared the loneliness or wild animals, Harold said, No, I wasnt scared.

The June 24, 1930, Daily Press reported, He accomplished a feat of mountaineering hitherto thought impossible by climbing down the cliffs of Snow Creek canyon. In the history of California, no one has ever before climbed the entire distance of this canyon, which has been considered impassible.

Harold went on to graduate from the University of Redlands, and then attended the Boston School of Theology. He became an ordained minister of the Methodist Church and served many churches as well as the church conference in Southern California. He married and had two sons.
Although a very small team of special operations forces began working out of the Misurata and Benghazi areas at the end of last year  and Pentagon officials have spent months eyeing the Islamic States contingent of forces in the city of Sirte on the central coast between them  only since the first of the month has Africa Command launched airstrikes at the request of Libyas U.N.-backed government.

Sensing momentum, Italy  the NATO ally that affords our closest geographical reach to ISIS-held territory in Libya  is considering putting its bases to work in the fight, satisfied the effort will be limited in time and area of operation, doesnt foresee the use of ground forces and is limited to allowing the Libyan forces to successfully defeat the terrorist forces in the area of Sirte, as the countrys defense minister recently noted.

For the soldiers straining to dislodge ISIS, the bombing is welcome news. We hope they will intensify the air strikes in the coming days for us to make progress on the battlefield, one fighter, Mohamad al-Ahjal, told AFP. But for the American people, the return to more forceful intervention prompts a painful reminder of how Libya wound up this way in the first place  fractured into rival factions, bisected by jihadists and clinging to a fragile unity government that cant fully function as a sovereign state.

Its a difficult reckoning. The current administration cant carry all the blame for the Mideast implosion that followed the Arab Spring, but the surprise, uncertainty and slow reflexes that have characterized White House policy did lead to a string of miscalculations and effective defeats  not just in Syria and Iraq, but in Libya, where the Islamic State quickly and cleverly exploited the administrations weaknesses to set up shop amid the chaos.

Doubtless, those who argue the US should have stayed out of Libya altogether are leaning a bit too hard on their ideals and dreams. Ironically, some of these critics are among the most critical of the refugee crisis in Europe aggravated by the administrations policies. After all, the best case to intervene against the Gaddafi regime was the risk it posed, during the initial rebellion, of precipitating a massive flow of civilians (and others) fleeing free Benghazi into Southern Europe and beyond. But the US got the worst of both worlds  an intervention that left Libya in ruins, opening the door for jihadists while contributing to an even larger refugee crisis than would have occurred had the US indeed done nothing.

On the other hand, President Obama has managed to nudge Libya delicately toward order. However modest and frustrating, this policy is not failing; ISIS is being reduced, a recognized government has been formed and no great threat of further instability is looming on the horizon. Credit where credit is due.

Yet as the Islamic States international reach is reduced by President Obamas way of war, it has compensated for the loss through terror attacks  increasing its scope in a way that could soon provoke catastrophe. And as the restoration of Libya crawls along, deep questions linger as to what exactly is U.S. policy when it comes to the whys, whens and hows of intervention. Hillary Clinton could have helped answer them by now  both during her time as a candidate today and previously as the sitting presidents secretary of state. Whatever Libyas fate or Clintons, Americans need compelling answers.
Six men who tried to meet up with faux prostitutes theyd met online were arrested by undercover police Thursday, Aug. 4, in Riverside.

The sting was carried out near University and Chicago avenues by the Riverside Police Departments Vice Unit - which is tasked with reducing crimes related to gambling, narcotics, prostitution and illegal sales.

Female officers working undercover used several websites to target men soliciting prostitutes. Meeting at a set time and place, six suspects were cited during an eight-hour period for solicitation of prostitution.

The suspects could face jail time, a $600 fine or up to three years of probation.

The operation was part of a continued effort by Riverside police to combat street prostitution.
Sixteen years after the completion of the Seven Oaks Dam, two environmental advocacy groups on Monday announced their intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its failure to assess how the dam may have harmed the federally protected Santa Ana sucker fish and San Bernardino kangaroo rats.

The official notice gives the federal agency 60 days to meet with the potential plaintiffs and resolve the issues, said Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers  operator of the Seven Oaks Dam  did not respond to a request for comment.

The center and the Endangered Habitats League allege the Corps, in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act, never consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about how several Santa Ana River flood-control projects, including the Seven Oaks Dam, could impact the Santa Ana sucker fish and its federally designated critical habitat. It also has not considered new information, including changes in dam operations.

The 550-foot-tall Seven Oaks Dam is about 4 miles northeast of Redlands, and is part of what officials call the Santa Ana River Mainstream Flood Control System, which also includes Prado Dam. It is intended to reduce flood risks in San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties.

In a telephone interview, Anderson said that the Corps has not lived up to an agreement to occasionally flood the Santa Ana River to help create needed habitat for both the sucker fish and the kangaroo rat.

These iconic Southern California animals are on a downward slide toward extinction, Anderson said.

Managing the Santa Ana River to enhance the wildlife that depends on it also helps to ensure water quality and quantity for the people who depend on the river, she said.

Anderson said there have been many conversations with Corps officials, but none has resulted in action.

The Army Corps and Fish and Wildlife Service originally consulted on impacts to the endangered Santa Ana River woolly star plant and the San Bernardino kangaroo rat in 2002. But new critical habitat was designated for the Santa Ana sucker fish in 2010, and the Corps has never considered the effects of the overall operation of the Santa Ana River Project on the species, a joint statement by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Endangered Habitats League said.

The Army Corps needs to follow the law and do its duty to the American people by consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service to identify and remedy any harm resulting from mismanagement of the Santa Ana River, Anderson said in the statement.

Contact the writer: jim.steinberg@langnews.com, @JamesDSteinberg on Twitter
Group to provide free plane rides for kids

REDLANDS  The Redlands Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting free airplane rides for children in support of National Aviation Day on Aug. 20 at the Redlands Airport.

The association also will serve lunch.

Donations are requested.

Information: 909-771-3279

 Manny Otiko

Casino dealer open house set for monday

TEMECULA  Mt. San Jacinto College will offer an open house so people can learn about the schools Casino Dealer training program at 6 p.m. Monday at the Temecula Education Complex, 27463 Enterprise Circle West, Room 106.

Information: Paula Cabral at 951-506-6596 or pcabral@msjc.edu

 Staff report

Author of caregiver book to give talk

CALIMESA  Diana Davis, author of Wise Advice for Caregivers, will be the guest speaker at Tuesdays Calimesa Chamber breakfast.

The breakfast, open to the public, will start at 8 a.m. at Bobs Big Boy, 540 Sandalwood Drive. There is no charge to listen to the speech.

 Staff report

Womens Chorus to conduct auditions

TEMECULA  The Southwest Womens Chorus is having auditions on Tuesday and Aug. 16 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater. The auditions will last from 7 to 9 p.m.

To schedule an audition, contact Anna at 951-719-6316 or anna@SouthwestWomensChorus.org.

Information: southwest

womenschorus.org

 Manny Otiko

College and Career Fair seeks volunteers

SAN JACINTO  San Jacinto Valley Academy is seeking organizations to participate in its second College and Career Fair.

The purpose of the event, set for 5-7 p.m. Sept. 15, is to provide students with a look at college life and an opportunity to explore various career paths.

Information: Jolien Vanegas at 951-654-6113 or Jvanegas@sjacademy.org

 Staff report

Send items for possible inclusion in Community Notes to community@pressenterprise.com.
It was almost five years ago that Army Staff Sgt. Oskar Zepeda attempted to subdue a Taliban combatant.

Instead, the man pulled the ring on a grenade.

The ensuing blast sent shrapnel everywhere, including all through the right side of Zepedas body. Since then he has undergone over 30 surgical procedures.

On Friday, Aug. 5, Zepeda  smiling proudly and showing no signs of the chronic daily pain that plagues him  was handed the keys to a 2,000-square-foot, mortgage-free home in a new subdivision near the eastern border of Perris.

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At that moment, the dream of a new house became reality for Zepeda, his wife and two children.

Everythings beautiful, said Zepeda, 31. I think they hit the nail on the head with this one.

The home, valued at over $300,000, was earmarked for the Zepedas through Pulte Groups Built to Honor program in cooperation with Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing for returning servicemen and their families.

It was a busy scene in front of the house on Friday with a fire engine, TV trucks and about 100 people in all assembled for the home dedication ceremony.

Zepeda sat with his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Sophia, 8. Lisa Zepeda held their newborn son, Ryder. One row behind them were Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, Perris Mayor Darryl Busch and City Council members Rita Rogers and Mark Yarbrough.

I knew it was going to be beautiful, said Lisa Zepeda, 33. But I did not expect it to be this beautiful.

The family had been living in Sylmar. Zepeda grew up in the San Fernando Valley and joined the Army at 19. He was eventually assigned to the Rangers, an elite special operations force.

It proved to be a good fit. Zepeda served nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before he was injured.

All the hoopla surrounding an event like Fridays can be a little unsettling to the serviceman and his family, said fellow Army Ranger Chris Harper, 30, who attended the event.

But when stuff like this happens, its a floodgate like, Wow, I cant believe this is happening to me. All I did was what I wanted to do, said fellow Army Ranger Chris Harper, 30, who attended the event. So I think theres a lot more appreciation in their hearts than what the crowd sees.

As the family toured the house, they bumped into camera crews and local government officials along the way.

Supervisor Ashley posed for a picture with Zepeda. He turned to him and said: Thank God. Somebody finally did something profound for you.

Oh, definitely, said Zepeda.

Settling into their day-to-day life will happen quickly for the Zepedas.

Lisa Zepeda said school starts soon for Sophia, who is enrolled at nearby Triple Crown Elementary School. The first day is Wednesday, Aug. 10.

But challenges remain for Zepeda. He said his doctors are trying to get his next operation scheduled for later this month.

He definitely has a lot of surgeries coming up, said Lisa Zepeda. Its going to be a long road.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9682 or tsheridan@pressenterprise.com
Ghana is losing GHc4.6 billion annually as a result of child malnutrition which affects their health and education, a study by the National Development Planning Commission has revealed.



The study found that positioning nutrition interventions as a top priority for poverty reduction and broad-based development was often difficult because of lack of data on the short and long term returns.



Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, the Vice-Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission, launched the report of the study in Accra, dubbed: The Cost of Hunger in Africa: The case of Ghana.



It was supported by the Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union Commission and the World Food Programme.



The report was to assist member states in establishing the social and economic impact of under-nutrition on children for national development.



The study was to estimate in a given year the additional cases of morbidity, mortality, school repetition, drop-out rates and reduced physical capacity associated with persons under-nutrition status before age five.



The report said for children, especially from poor households, under nourishment had adverse implications for their school and for workers, it reduced productivity, earnings and household welfare.



Stunting (low height for age) is as a result of children missing out on critical nutrients including proteins, vitamins and minerals while in the womb and in the first two years of life.



The report revealed that 37 per cent of the adult population of the country suffered from stunting as children, 24 per cent of all child mortality cases are associated with under nutrition and child mortality associated with under nutrition has reduced workforce by 7.3 per cent.



The report recommended the establishment of a multi-sectorial policy approach for a concerted fight against malnutrition while improving the co-ordination of interventions.



Dr Margaret Agama Nyetei, in charge of Health, Population and Nutrition at the Social Affairs Department of the African Union, said the issues concerning malnutrition very critical to the union and therefore incorporated into its plan for the next 50 years known as Agenda 2063.



We believe that the realization of Agenda 2063 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be possible without fully harnessing the potential of all sectors of the population including children.



Mr Thomas Yanga, the Director of the World Food Programme, Africa Office, said the goal of eliminating stunting was key to achieving zero hunger and the SDG-2, adding that the losses to the economy could be averted through strategic interventions for adequate nutrition for mothers and young children.



Prof. Takyiwaa Manuh, the Director of the Social Development Policy Division at the Economic Commission for Africa, said ensuring a generation free from malnutrition required investments in the nutrition strategies and interventions.



She urged the country to forge strategic partnerships with stakeholders especially in the private sector and non-state actors to combat under nutrition holistically.

Source: GNA









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HAMILTON  Montanans across the state -- from civic clubs and businesses to churches and media organizations -- are stepping up to help raise money and provide aid for people affected by the Roaring Lion fire south of Hamilton.

Ann Bethea, president of the Florence Civic Club, said it didn't take her members long to decide they needed to do something to help out their neighbors to the south who were being displaced by the blaze that has burned more than 11 square miles in the Bitterroot.

One of our members, Kim McClay, was driving trailer loads of water to Hamilton to help those suffering due to the fire, Bethea said. That really motivated us all. Helping is what were all about.

The club set up a community emergency fund account at Farmers State Bank. (See box for details.) The donations they receive will go to help people affected by the fire.

These people are our community, Bethea said. It feels good to be able to help them.

On a larger scale, six newspapers, two television stations and four radio stations have banded together to create a website that will send 100 percent of all dollars collected to Montana 2-1-1 and the Montana Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Montana Red Cross Executive Director Diane Wright said the statewide media campaign is unprecedented in her history with the organization.

Whats so cool about this is that you dont usually have all these competing media outlets working together like this, Wright said. This has the potential to make a huge difference for the people we are helping.

Mark Heintzelman, publisher of the Ravalli Republic and Missoulian, said he pulled together the media consortium because "we are all empowered with a great level of community responsibility and I thought it was important we all band together and embrace this effort unilaterally to help those in need.

In addition to the Hamilton and Missoula papers, the media relief effort includes the Billings Gazette, Montana Standard in Butte, the Great Falls Tribune, the Helena Independent Record, KPAX-TV, ABC Fox Montana, The Drive 107.9, KLYQ 1240, Mountain 102.5 and Trail 103.3.

Wright was in Hamilton on Thursday to visit the emergency shelter set up at the River Church on Lewis Lane.

This community has a way of really pulling together when disaster strikes, Wright said. One of the best disaster teams in the state is located right here in Ravalli County.

While only nine people stayed at the shelter overnight, Wright said many more were using the facility for meals, comfort and to take advantage of a shower and laundry unit set up behind the church.

The shelter was established less than an hour after the call went out Sunday as evacuations first began from the Roaring Lion fire.

Thats the great thing about the Red Cross, Wright said. We stand ready to respond to any disaster. We know in advance where the shelters locations will be. This is something thats happening all across Montana.

The services dont end after the smoke disappears.

Wright said Red Cross teams will help people who have lost their homes work their way through insurance documentation, find rental housing, pay for incidentals, and provide mental health care for those who need it.

All of it is free of charge, Wright said. Its also confidential. We serve anyone in need. Sometimes people think the Red Cross only does blood drives. Were much more than that.

People affected by the fire are also finding help at Ravalli Countys Emergency Operations Center, which matches those willing to help with those in need.

Ron Brace is one of the volunteers working at the center, which opens its doors following a disaster. He and his wife were evacuated from their home on Mountain Goat Road earlier this week.

Our home survived the fire, but it was close, Brace said.

The center maintains a list of people offering places to stay, pastures for livestock, and trucks to haul stuff to safety. Those people are matched with those who need those services.

Right now, were in pretty good shape, Brace said. The community has been wonderful in its response. Weve had a lot of people call in and say, 'What do you need?' Both citizens and businesses have been very helpful.

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is working with local churches in a fundraiser that offers people the opportunity to donate to those in need with the knowledge that their money will remain in the local economy.

Jenny Siefert of Bitterroot Drug said people can buy chamber dollars at the chamber office. Those chamber dollars will then be turned over to local churches that have the names of people affected by the fire.

The chamber dollars can be used at any local business.

That keeps the money in the community, Siefert said. That way its just not buying water. This is a way that people can directly help families who need some help.

Bitter Root Humane Association shelter manager Eve Burnside has seen how that generosity has impacted her community.

The shelter has simply been inundated by kindness, she said. People have dropped by food and supplies. We have about 80 animals right now that were taking care of for people who have been evacuated.

Burnside knows what the evacuees are going through. Shes one of them. She lost her garage to the fire, along with the crates and other gear that she uses with her own pets.

A number of local businesses have stepped up to supply food, leashes and other pet supplies for evacuees.

People have been so relieved to know that they can leave their pets here, she said. It eases their stress during this difficult time. Many had to evacuate at the drop of a hat. They wondered what they were going to do.

This community stepped up and said they were willing to help, Burnside said. And they did.
Parliament has officially ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December, 2015), with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama and a member of the Lands and Forestry committee of Parliament, Henry Kwabena Kokofu urging government to take issues related to climate change seriously.



The NPP MP, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE after the ratification of the Paris Agreement by parliament yesterday, said climate change was negatively affecting Ghana, adding that if care is not taken, the socio-economic lives of Ghanaians will be adversely affected which will lead to dramatic reduction in life expectancy in the country.



It is good that now this parliament has ratified the Paris Agreement, which Ghana is a signatory to and I hope government officials, especially the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, as well as, parliamentarians will work within the parameters of the Paris Agreement and also carry the message down to the people, he said.



According to NPP MP for Bantama, the sudden change in the rainfall pattern of the country could be attributed to climate change, with the agriculture sector being the worst affected.



He noted that it was not surprising that prices of food items and agricultural produce had skyrocketed.



Look around these days and you realize that prices of plantain and cassava on the local market have increased astronomically and even they are in short supply.



He said water bodies and rivers were drying up because of the effects of climate change.



What is needed now is for the government, through its relevant institutions, to promote and train farmers, as well as fishermen on climate smart practices, he said.



He also added that the government should develop and implement climate change and health training programmes to help public health personnel to identify and effectively manage climate change related diseases.



The Report of the Committee of Environment, Science and Technology presented in Parliament said parties to Paris Agreement are to explore ways of enhancing public awareness, public participation and access to information to strengthen the agreement.



The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh signed the agreement on behalf of Ghana on April 22, 2016.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The deputy Local Government Minister-designate, John Oti Bless has issued an apology to the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood and members of the judiciary for derogatory comments he made against them on Accra-based radio station Montie FM.



This follows a directive from the Speaker for deliberations over his nomination to be put on hold until the Nkwanta North Member of Parliament apologised for the comments he made.



I wish to sincerely state that I am really sorry for everything that has happened. Let me use this opportunity to render an unqualified apology to the Chief Justice who is my mother and the entire Judiciary, judges, Parliament, good people of Ghana and my constituents. he said in an interview with Eyewitness News host Richard Dela Sky.



I am really sorry and this will be the last time, Its an experience. I have had my first baptism in politics. I thank the Speaker for his advice, the Minority Leader, my leader, Alban Bagbin  hes a wonderful leader, hes done a lot for me,and gave me guidance  and all the other leaders in Parliament.I also thank all Ghanaians for their sympathy and for understanding.



Oti Bless stated that although he hadnt yet approached the affected justices and the Chief Justice to apologise for his comments about them personally, he hoped his public apology would suffice.



At the leadership level, theyve done a lot and I want to use the medium [Citi FM] to reach out to her. I know the Chief Justice and other justices listen a lot to the station and that is why I stated that I regret any inconvenience and it wont happen again.



I was misled



Oti Bless explained that he had been misled to make the comments he did adding that he was carried away by the moment.



I was misled in a way as a young guy with youthful exuberance, you can understand. That is not my nature, thats not how I was brought up, Ill plead that it wont happen again. This will be the last time. They should kindly forgive me in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. he said Parliament deferred the nomination of Oti Bless on Thursday stating that consultations had not yet been completed.



However the nomination of Emmanuel Bombande and Joseph Tetteh Angmor, for the positions of deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Eastern Regional Minister respectively was approved.



Oti Bless under fire for attack on CJ



The Nkwanta North MPs nomination for the position came under scrutiny following his performance at his vetting which many described as unconvincing.



His nomination has been questioned further by revelations that he had made some derogatory comments about the Chief Justice, Georgina Woode on same Montie FM programme which the two jailed panelists and radio host had made death threats on Supreme Court justices.



Oti Bless is on record as having accused the Chief Justice of conniving with the opposition NPP in an attempt to reverse the election results in 2008 and in 2012 which saw the late John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama elected into office respectively.



The development drove some members of the Minority in Parliament to kick against his approval.



According to Mr. Osei-Wusu, the MPs alleged participation in that programme and the comments he made against the Chief Justice, were improper for a public official.



He seriously castigated the Chief Justice. I would have wished that he would learn from what had happened to people who had made serious castigation against this House. How this House has dealt with them and would have been very circumspect, Osei Wusu argued while addressing the House.



The deputy Majority Leader, Alfred Agbesi, insisted that Parliament was not under pressure to immediately take into account the evidence presented against Oti Bless before approving his nomination.

Source: citifmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Following the apology of MP for Nkwanta North, John Oti Bless, for slandering the Chief Justice, the citizen who petitioned Parliament to not approve his appointment as the Deputy Minister for Local Government over same has said the apology is not enough.



Speaking on Eyewitness News, the citizen, Richard Asante Yeboah, acknowledged that Oti Bless had begun efforts in purging himself appropriately but was adamant that he ought not to be approved.



Oti Bless was ordered by the Speaker of Parliament to offer an apology before any further consideration of his nomination for the Deputy Minister slot.



The order for the apology followed the emergence of audio evidence which had Oti Bless verbally attacking the Supreme Court on the same Montie FM Pampaso programme that saw the host of the show and two panelists imprisoned for contempt.



The MP accused the Chief Justice of conniving with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in an attempt to reverse the election results in 2008 and in 2012 among other allegations.



Mr. Yeboah held that In terms of that particular conduct, the way and manner he dealt with the Chief Justice and the judiciary, he really undermined the authority and the sanctity of the judicial system.



I dont share in the opinion that because he has simply apologised, parliament should possibly endorse him or approve him to become a Deputy Minister, he added.



Mr. Yeboah asserted further that Oti Bless had to do more convince of his remorse.



I think that there are a lot of things he has to do to show to the entire world that he has really showed signs of remorse there should be a lot of activities both in public and in private to indicate that indeed he is not going to call and spit our judiciary, in our legal system in such in such a manner.



Oti Bless apology



I wish to sincerely state that I am really sorry for everything that has happened. Let me use this opportunity to render an unqualified apology to the Chief Justice who is my mother and the entire Judiciary, judges, Parliament, good people of Ghana and my constituents, he said in an interview with Eyewitness News host Richard Dela Sky.



Oti Bless stated that although he hadnt yet approached the affected justices and the Chief Justice to apologise for his comments about them personally, he hoped his public apology would suffice.



At the leadership level, theyve done a lot and I want to use the medium [Citi FM] to reach out to her. I know the Chief Justice and other justices listen a lot to the station and that is why I stated that I regret any inconvenience and it wont happen again.

Source: Citifmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Yesterday, The Australians cartoonist Bill Leak  thrust once more into Australias conscience by a gob-smackingly derogatory depiction of Indigenous families  characterised opponents to his latest ill-fated scribble as sanctimonious Tweety Birds.

In the same vein, he also said he lives in a Twitter-free world, suggesting a distance between him and the instant backlash the cartoon caused. Thats a shame, really. cause if he did use Twitter, he probably would have stumbled on the hashtag #IndigenousDads by now.

In the aftermath of that cartoon, true-blue Indigenous fathers and their families from around the nation have shared scores of images and lived experiences.

The sheer breadth and depth of em portrays a rich, loving world that was totally absent from Leaks portrayal  no pens and paper required:

#IndigenousDads showing Summer how to catch barramundi pic.twitter.com/Bbq2nsHZuZ  Jane Cattermole (@janecat60) August 6, 2016

I always felt so blessed to have an amazing dad ? there are heaps of them #Indigenousdads pic.twitter.com/RgvInNNt3v  Amy McQuire (@amymcquire) August 6, 2016

#IndigenousDads cant take his eyes off his baby girl ?? pic.twitter.com/pS9LCtMqVD  Jane Cattermole (@janecat60) August 6, 2016

Our Pa, who taught us Dreamtime stories, art, dance and most of all, pride in Aboriginal culture #indigenousdads pic.twitter.com/UIE9EHYThL  Kirsty Brown (@callmeKBro) August 6, 2016

He worked for almost 5 decades  even as a diplomat overseas & never EVER forgot my name #IndigenousDads pic.twitter.com/WhHqiQjcmw  John Paul Janke (@jpjanke) August 6, 2016

Ryan Griffen, the mastermind behind Cleverman, has also contributed a shot. Of course, the entire show was sparked from his love for his son and his Indigenous heritage.

Discussing the shows genesis, Griffen wrote when my son is old enough to watch and understand these stories, I hope it empowers him too.

Thats why the hero in Cleverman has my sons name, Koen.

No only do I know my sons name but I named a superhero after him. #IndigenousDads #Cleverman pic.twitter.com/mfvd0vyc4S  Ryan Griffen (@RyanJGriffen) August 6, 2016

What was all that about sanctimony, again?

Source: Twitter.

Photo: @janecat / @alecdoomadgee / @amybrim / Twitter.
You know youve fucked up when Julian Burnside, perhaps the most well-known human rights advocate in Australia, reckons your quote-unquote cheeky exploits are actually flat-out demeaning and divisive.

Thats the reality a large swathe of students at the prestigious Melbourne Grammar high school have to contend with, after the schools esteemed alumnus was clued into a video recently created by members of the Year 12 class.

In it, a large group of male students are commanded by their peers not to take any girls under a seven to the schools upcoming formal. In another scene, a bunch of em are lined up, phones in hand, Tinder-ing up a storm in search of dates  only for them to be assessed by a, uh, superior.

Via Herald Sun.



Burnsides reaction to the footage  which was initially posted to a closed Facebook page, before being uncovered by a parent of one of the girls rated  is one of frustration at lingering societal norms regarding the treatment of women.

He said if we think we treat women equally [in Australia], were simply deluding ourselves, but stopped short of saying the blame was entirely on his former haunt.

Burnside offered the viewpoint bad behaviour by kids at school is something which is not uncommon and is something which is not new, and went on to say its more likely a reflection of broader societal attitudes.

FWIW, the schools headmaster Roy Kelley also came out with a statement of his own, claiming the video is unacceptable.



Melbourne Grammar School takes very seriously its responsibility to instil positive values in all our students, particularly in relation to the respect of others.

In any case, the footage joins the ranks of the now infamous Young Sluts Instagram account created by  and containing images of  students of Brighton Grammar as an example of the kind of gross attitudes still present in pockets of Australias youth culture.

Source: The Age / Herald Sun.

Photo: Herald Sun.
Swimsuit designer, part-time Bali resident and current Bachelor hopeful Noni Janur has caught some heat in the press this week, after accusations that she featured an underage model who appeared to be smoking in an advertisement for her Bali Bikini line.

The image in question, from 2014, shows a model  aged 15 at the time of the photo shoot  wearing whats referred to in the caption as a rasta top, with a plume of smoke drifting lazily from her mouth.

#regram of Balini #babe @francesbali wearing the Kaila rasta top ?????? available on our online store COMING SOON ? A photo posted by Balini (@balinibikini) on Jul 3, 2014 at 1:46am PDT

Brisbane-based group Collective Shout, who campaign against the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in pop culture, recently kicked up a stink about the photo, telling media:

To sexualise and sexually objectify a girl in this way is child exploitation. Whether or not there is Photoshopping involved with the smoke doesnt matter, the suggestion of smoking is there, so the message is pretty clear.

Janur spoke to Brisbanes Courier Mail after the issue was raised, saying that the shoot was undertaken with the consent of the models parents, and took place at their family home in Bali, adding:

(The model) was 15-years-old at the time this photo was taken, which was two years ago, and she continues to model today. The smoke seen in the image was a tobacco-free and legal vapour.

A Collective Shout affiliate claims she complained to the Advertising Standards Bureau about the image, but they responded that that there is nothing in the Instagram post that appears specifically to target an Australian market.

Source: Courier Mail.

Photo: TenPlay.
A New York City man is dead after a vehicle crash in Franklin County on Friday afternoon, officials said.

Terrance Garner, 60, of Brooklyn, was driving along the 11,000 block of Roxbury Road in Lurgan Township, when he ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle at about 12:40 a.m., officials said.

Garner was flown York Hospital where he later died from his injures at about 6:45 p.m. Friday, according to the York County coroner's office.

The three occupants of the other vehicle were taken to Chambersburg Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Further information about the other victims was not immediately available.

State police at Chambersburg are investigating the crash.
philadelphia streets.jpg

(James Robinson, PennLive)

It turns out that Pope Francis left one unexpected legacy in Philadelphia following his visit there last fall. City officials plan to resurrect the seven-mile "traffic box," which closed most of downtown streets to cars during the Papal visit, for a street festival this September.

According to Philly.com, Philadelphia residents dreaded the traffic box in the months leading up to the Pope's visit. However, the no-car zone ended up being a hit with Philadelphians, who were able to meander through empty city streets.

After the Pope left, citizens lobbied the city to create a pedestrian-only zone once again.

On the one-year anniversary of the Pope's visit, the city will host the first Philly Free Streets festival in the city blocks bounded by Front St. and Waterfront Park. Councilman Mark Squilla, whose district encompasses part of the festival territory, said that the city conceived of the festival after hearing how citizens enjoyed the Papal traffic box.

"We saw how nice it was to have people walking," Squilla said, according to Philly.com. "And how you see the city differently."

The mayor's office reported that the Free Streets festival will close off the entire length of South Street between the Schuylkill and Delaware River between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sept. 24. The route will snake from South Street up the Schuylkill River Trail, along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and into West Fairmount Park

According to the event website, festival organizers are still developing programming and recruiting vendors. The family-focused event will be centered on physical activity and wellness, environmental and sustainability education, arts, culture, and history.
Restaurant Inspections.jpg

(PennLive)

Many midstate food establishments are inspected each week and come through with no problems.

But some in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties had violations during inspections conducted from July 10 to July 16.

In Lebanon County, an establishment was using the same ice as a coolant at the bar and in food.

At Dauphin County restaurant, inspectors found that food and single-serve items were being stored in a shed with dirty, gasoline-powered lawn maintenance equipment.

In Lancaster County, employees were observed eating food as they worked. At one restaurant, they were picking up pieces as they were preparing it, and at another, they were eating with gloved hands and then returning to work without changing gloves or washing their hands.

Inspectors at more than one Cumberland County business saw food prep employees not using hair or beard restraints and also touching ready-to-eat foods such as sandwich buns with their bare hands.

Inspectors in Perry County visited three establishments, one with no violations.

And in York County, inspectors found there was no "person in charge" on duty at one restaurant, while another establishment lacked a valid food certificate.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees restaurant inspections in the state. Inspection reports are "snapshots" of the day and time the inspections took place. In many cases, violations are corrected on site prior to the inspector leaving.

Click on the links below to see how restaurants and other food establishments in the region fared:
Responsibility for paperwork involving births, deaths, fetal deaths and stillborn deaths as the Lewis and Clark County registrar was taken from Coroner M.E. Mickey Nelson and given to staff in the county Clerk and Recorders Office.

The shift of the county registrars duties was requested by the county commission in a July 22 letter to the Office of Vital Records with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Nelson was notified by the state in a July 26 letter that said the transfer of duties to Jill McCauley would be effective Aug. 1. The letter also thanked him for his years of service as the countys registrar.

The move to have the duties reassigned comes after the state threatened legal action against the county and Nelson because of 51 death certificates between 2011 and 2015 where the cause of death was listed as pending.

Nelson was given 45 days to complete the death certificates and did so by the mid-July deadline.

Death certificates are essential in closing financial accounts, collecting benefits and settling estates. They are also used to monitor population trends in mortality and morbidity.

Several reasons had been cited by county officials and Nelson for contributing to the previous backlog of death certificates.

Further adding to the controversy surrounding Nelsons office is that his two staff members were moved from his office and supervision recently after allegations regarding his conduct.

Eric Bryson, the countys chief administrative officer, met with representatives of several groups that included St. Peters Hospital, hospice, the VA and the local funeral industry among others on Tuesday to explain procedural changes regarding the handling of local deaths and to ask for clarifications.

Those who complete death certificates will no longer send them to the coroners office for review and approval, Bryson said of one of the changes he wanted as a result of the shift in the registrars duties.

In most cases, death certificates went to the coroners office. Thats my understanding, Bryson said.

Theyre not going to do that anymore, Bryson said and added, If there was a critical edit responsibility or requirement that the coroner thought he had as either coroner or registrar, that no longer exists.

According to Mike Stevenson, director of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory who attended the meeting, morticians or the physician involved with the death would complete the certificate before submitting it for recording.

However, before it was submitted for recording, a copy of the death certificate was sent to Nelson to await his review, Bryson said.

Why Nelson was involved wasnt made clear during the discussion, Bryson said.

I didnt get an answer to that question that I asked, he said. I believe it was under Mickeys understanding of his responsibilities as the registrar.

Since Mickey Nelson, the person, is no longer the registrar, that Mickey Nelsons review and critique of death certificates under that registrars duties has stopped as of August first, Bryson said.

Nelson, who was not advised of and did not attend the meeting, said on Friday that he would go to the county clerk and recorders office to review death certificates and that the coroner he has that right.

Having to again go to the Clerk and Recorders office to review them, as he initially did when starting as coroner 42 years ago, would make the work a little more inconvenient, he said.

The coroner is required to sign off on requests for cremation, which, Nelson said, is how nearly all of the 40 to 45 monthly deaths are handled.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was that funeral homes and morticians in the county had been asking permission to bury bodies, Bryson said.

Nelson had asked for approval and morticians had subjected themselves to a review and approval process by the coroner, Bryson explained.

Burial, apparently in Lewis and Clark County, had been subject to the coroners approval, and I expect that to stop, Bryson said.

Approval for burials was part of his duties as county registrar, Nelson said and noted that he is no longer the local registrar.

On death notifications, more information is needed before making any changes, Bryson said.

If they want a coroner, call and the county will make sure a coroner is able to respond, he said.

However, more than 90 percent of the calls made by St. Peters Hospital to the coroners office to notify of a death are not coroner related cases, Bryson said.

I asked them that and they said it was because Mickey had asked them for notifications of all deaths of all kinds including, upon a medical professionals judgment, likely deaths for people who were shipped out of county, he continued.

So if somebody was life-flighted, was a county resident and was admitted into St. Petes but was life-flighted to a different hospital in a different county, Mickey also wanted notification of that, and they were providing that.

Bryson said he asked if those at the meeting if they were familiar with practices in other counties and said, The response I got back across the board was No, Lewis and Clark County is unique.

Receiving these calls, Nelson said, made tracking the deaths more convenient for all who were involved.

Hospital staff might not know if a death required the coroners involvement, Nelson said and explained deaths that involve the coroner are those that occur within the first 24 hours that someone is admitted to a facility such as a hospital or nursing home.

The coroners office has the right to inquire into those deaths, Nelson said.

And if the death occurred after the initial 24 hours, the coroner could become involved if the death was the result of a traumatic circumstance or involved a public health issue, he added.

There was a verbal agreement that allowed for notification, Nelson said.

Being advised of those who were being flown to more advanced medical facilities allowed him to be able to answer questions regarding where those people were being treated, he said.

There is no law requiring calls to the coroners office on those who were being moved for additional treatment, Nelson said and explained the practice as a professional courtesy.

While Bryson noted he wasnt opposed to death notifications being made to the coroners office, he also questioned the need to respond to unnecessary calls given the coroners office staffing.

I guess Im trying to prioritize field work better than its been done in the past, Bryson explained.

And ultimately if Mickey Nelson as the coroner is on call and wants to go to the scene, he has every right to do that, Bryson added. If he wants to go, he can go.

But Bryson said he would like in the future to get a better understanding of the expectations of responses from the coroners office at attended deaths -- those where the presence of medical staff do not require the coroners involvement.

I do hope that theres options where we can have less field work done at attended deaths even if notifications continue, he said.
Taco Bell Alcohol

Employees prepare food at a Taco Bell. A woman is facing charges after police in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, said she became irate over receiving "too much lettuce" in her order. (The Associated Press/file)

(The Associated Press/file)

A woman is facing charges after police in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, said she became irate over receiving "too much lettuce" in her order at a Taco Bell.

Officers were called to the restaurant along the 2000 block of Lincoln Highway East just before 7 p.m. on July 29, after receiving a complaint about a customer flipping a tray of food onto an employee, police said.

Summer Rose Graybill, 30, of Leola, was cited for disorderly conduct, police said.

"Graybill became agitated because of the wait time and having too much lettuce. After receiving a refund, Graybill flipped her tray of food off the counter, onto the employee," according to a news release from the police.

Police did not say exactly what Graybill ordered.
Denied.

With a single word, the state Supreme Court opened the final chapter in the saga of Kathleen Kane.

Five judges thwarted the attorney general's latest -- and probably her last -- attempt to derail criminal charges related to her alleged leak of secret grand jury material to embarrass political and professional rivals. The trial begins Monday.

So far, the Kane saga has spun out to include a constellation of public feuds, a trove of porny emails and countless court filings rife with office intrigue and revenge schemes. The trial promises a public airing of more than two years' worth of scandal -- that is, unless Kane and Montgomery County prosecutors strike an 11th-hour plea deal as any number of embattled politicians have.

"This trial will just hurt Pennsylvania government even more," said Bruce Ledewitz, a legal expert who's followed the case from afar. "There will be even less public confidence than there was before. I think they'd be very happy just to have her go away."

The Duquesne University professor, along with several other court observers, gives the plea deal about 50-50 odds.

For Kane, the stakes are high. A conviction on perjury and other charges would eventually lead to her removal from office, a likely prison sentence and the permanent loss of her law license.

"She's not like me--retiring in a few years," Ledewitz said. "She has her whole life in front of her. What will she do if she can't practice law?"

Kane has maintained her innocence since charges were announced last August and continued on as attorney general after the Supreme Court suspended her law license. In the meantime, she's ignored calls by Gov. Tom Wolf and others to resign while surviving a Senate removal attempt.

Gerald Shargel, Kane's lead defense attorney, did not respond to a request for comment after the Supreme Court decision, but said Thursday that he has "confidence in the strength of our case." Messages left with Kane's personal spokesman were also not returned.

Assuming a plea deal isn't in the offing, one of the most important parts of the trial -- voir dire, or jury selection -- will begin Monday morning.

Prosecutors and Kane's defense team will grill prospective jurists about their biographies and biases in order to find 12 men and woman who can judge Pennsylvania's attorney general without being unduly influenced by two years' worth of media scrutiny and Kane's statements railing against the "old boys' network" plot against her.

"The standard is not 'have you heard anything about this case,' " said Walter Cohen, a former acting attorney general who now works as a private attorney. "If they find a juror that said they never heard anything about Kathleen Kane, you'd wonder what rock they were hiding under."

That's likely part of the reason why Kane's defense team hasn't requested a change of venue, at least not yet.

"The modern practice tends to be, 'let's see if we can choose a jury,' " said James Swetz, a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "More often than not, you can find a jury where the jurors say they can put [external information] out of mind."

Swetz said both sides will look for any potential biases--such as a deep-seated mistrust of public officials--that could affect a juror's impartiality.

Potential jurors might also be dismissed for an inability to follow the instructions of the court, a disability that would prevent them from sitting for extended periods of time or no reason at all. (Defense and prosecution are allowed a set number of peremptory challenges, allowing them to dismiss jurors without cause.)

While many potential jurors will be familiar with Kathleen Kane and the general sense that there's been a lot of controversy, Ledewitz said very few people will know enough about the criminal case or the leak investigation to affect their ability to serve.

For the prosecution, in particular, there's one hypothetical juror that will give them nightmares.

"As everyone knows, there are a lot of people who feel Kane is the victim of an old-boy network, whether it's true or not," Ledewitz said. "The fear of the prosecution is that one of those people gets on the jury."

In fact, one of the prosecution's pretrial motions -- which was honored by Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy -- was a restriction on Kane's use of the offensive email ring involving high-ranking state officials as part of her defense. Of course, that also means they won't be able to tell which jurors may be susceptible to such thinking.

"They have a serious problem if someone like that gets on the jury because they will not vote to convict no matter what," Ledewitz said.

A lone dissenter would mean a hung jury, forcing prosecutors to decide whether to attempt to try the case again with a new jury.

Cohen, however, said such scenarios are relatively rare.

"There's sort of a crowd mentality," he said. "You have 11 people saying one thing. The 12th person usually gives in."

While the witness list is not yet publicly known, a lot of the case against Kane has already been outlined in court filings.

During her 2012 election campaign, the upstart Democrat rallied support with a promise to launch a review of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation investigation, which was carried out under then-Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett amid his 2010 gubernatorial run.

Kane's 2013 investigation failed to deliver any proof that Corbett played politics with the Sandusky case, but it set the gears in motion for an ongoing feud with Corbett-era prosecutors. When information about a legislative sting that Kane shut down became public in 2014, prosecutors say, Kane assumed her enemies had orchestrated the leak.

According to the prosecution's version of events, Kane responded by leaking information -- via staff members and a political consultant -- from a 2009 grand jury investigation of former Philadelphia NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesire, now deceased, that never resulted in criminal charges.

But the criminal charges stem not from the leak itself, but from Kane's alleged attempts to cover up the scheme.

"The underlying crime of releasing this material is not a serious crime," Ledewitz said. "If she had admitted doing this, she would have been held in contempt and given a slap on the wrist."

Grand jury material, of course, is held secret in order to protect the due process rights of individuals who may not, and may never, be charged with a crime. In practice, however, the deliberations of grand juries are often the subject of leaks that go unpunished. Information from Kane's own grand jury presentment leaked prior to formal charges being brought against her.

"These things happen," Cohen said. "That's not to say it excuses it, but it is selective as to prosecuting her but not prosecuting whoever leaked that she was being prosecuted."

Of course, the judge in Kane's case has already shot down the selective prosecution defense, although legal experts say it could later be resurrected on appeal if Kane is convicted.

The exchange of offensive and pornographic materials -- which implicated some of the officials Kane was feuding with -- have also been barred from the courtroom, although the independent report Kane commissioned last December could prove to be a wildcard in that respect.

Kane's first deputy, Bruce L. Castor Jr., had previously put a stop to the release of that report, which initially contained hundreds of names. The private firm Kane tasked with reviewing the emails is still working on a revised report, he said.

The criminal trial wouldn't necessarily preclude the release of the email report, Castor said, but he would ask for Demchick-Alloy's input before releasing anything potentially "incendiary."

"All attorneys have a duty to make sure all trials are fair," he said. "And if we see something that's not fair, we'd have to alert the court and let the court decide what to do."

In the meantime, Castor said, he plans to stay out of the fray as he continues to serve as the de facto legal head of the Attorney General's Office.

"I'm going to spend as much time in Harrisburg next week as I can," he said, "and be as far from Montgomery County as I can. I don't want the attention on me--it should rightly be on the attorney general and I hope she wins."

Meanwhile, the Kane trial may also serve as the preamble for a possible impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Todd Stephens, who chairs the House subcommittee tasked with determining if the attorney general's conduct warrants impeachment, said he expects to begin issuing subpoenas after the conclusion of Kane's criminal trial. That will happen regardless of whether she's convicted.

A conviction on the criminal charges wouldn't immediately lead to Kane's removal from office. Court precedent means that public officials aren't considered convicted until after sentencing, which may come 90 days later, although many have voluntarily resigned without being forced out.

In light of February's failed Senate vote to remove Kane, Ledewitz said he doesn't put much stock in impeachment, which would also require a Senate vote.

"The thing that would do the heavy lifting of getting her out of office is a criminal conviction and nothing else," he said. "I think we've already seen the Legislature decide not to do it once."

Until then, of course, Kathleen Kane is innocent until proven guilty.

Monday will mark the first step on her way to a final judgment.
Police officers check identification of a man near the police headquarters in Charleroi, Belgium on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, following a machete attack in the area. A man attacked two police officers with a weapon near the headquarters on Saturday before being apprehended. ( (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
BILLINGS -- U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is on the campaign trail for his former boss and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte.

Daines, Montana's most prominent statewide elected Republican, began campaigning for Gianforte on Thursday with morning radio appearances in Billings and a stop at Uberbrew to celebrate startup businesses.

We love the life that we have here in Montana, but youve got to be able to find a way to make a living and have a livable wage, Daines said. He brings that experience of creating jobs averaging over $90,000 a year, over 500 jobs created in Bozeman and this ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship thats starting spread.

Gianforte founded the software company RightNow Technologies in Bozeman roughly 20 years ago. RightNow software enabled governments and companies to answer frequently asked questions online. The companys global workforce ballooned to 1,200 before it was sold to Oracle for $1.8 billion in 2012.

Oracle kept those jobs in Bozeman after the purchase. Numerous Bozeman tech startups have sprung from RighNows sale, as former RightNow employees with shares in the company cashed out and started businesses.

Daines said Gianforte can take the efficiency and customer service in which RightNow specialized and bring it to state government.

Daines was pointed about what he said was Democratic Gov. Steve Bullocks inability to attract and retain good people. Bullock is on his third lieutenant governor in four years. One of those second in commands was John Walsh, Bullocks original running mate, who in 2014 the governor appointed to replace former Sen. Max Baucus in the U.S. Senate and eventually endorsed as the candidate to replace Baucus.

Daines challenged Walsh for the seat in the 2014 general election, but Walsh was exposed by the New York Times for plagiarizing the final research paper behind his master's degree at the Army War College. The War College rescinded Walshs degree.

Sunday will mark the two-year anniversary of Walshs decision to quit the Senate race. Democrats scrambled to replace Walsh as a candidate, selecting Amanda Curtis, a school teacher from Butte who had been a state legislator.

Daines won the race with 57 percent of the vote and captured a seat Democrats had held for three decades.

Bullock replaced Walsh with Angela McLean, former chairwoman of the state Board of Regents and school teacher. McLean took a job with the Montana University System after apparent discord with Bullock.

In May 2015, McLean relayed to Bullock that Tracy Stone-Manning, the governors chief of staff, had informed McLean that Bullock was looking for a different running mate.

"I guess I am learning ambition is a funny thing and realizing the full consequences of standing up for what you believe is right. It really is the hardest thing, McLean wrote Bullock.

Whatever McLean believed she was standing up for has never been explained. In December, after McLeans departure, Bullock told Lee Newspapers of McLeans departure, "this happens every day in businesses across the country, where the fit just isnt right. Angela is smart and ambitious, but seemed frustrated with the role of lieutenant governor, and that was disruptive to our work for Montana.

Current lieutenant governor and running mate Mike Cooney replaced McLean.

It is a bit concerning that the governor has gone through three lieutenant governors in his first term, Daines said. I think that says something about his inability to retain the people that work for him. That concerns me. And Im looking for a leader who has a bold vision for Montana to address this issue of jobs and wages. Greg brings that bold leadership, his vision, because hes actually done it.

Bullock campaign spokesman Jason Pitt responded for the governor: "Sen. Daines' real concern should be that the New Jersey multimillionaire he's campaigning for, Greg Gianforte, doesn't support the equal pay initiatives Steve Bullock announced this week. That's hardly leadership; I'd call it a thumb in the eye to all Montanans."
BUTTE -- Butte would join Billings, Belgrade, Bozeman and other Montana cities with laws regulating urban chickens if a top county official can get a new ordinance passed.

Community Enrichment Director Ed Randall isnt proposing the law to follow other cities. Thats not the Butte way.

But the chicken-keeping craze that has caught on in many U.S. cities is alive and well in Butte, too, and Randall says a few regulations are needed so the playing field is fair and uniform. Calls and complaints about them are on the rise.

Hell need more backing from commissioners than he got three years ago, when a similar proposal never even got out of committee.

There was no support for it, Randall said this week after he told the Animal Services Board he wanted to allow residents in urban Butte to have up to six hens -- if they meet other requirements.

Chickens are not allowed in urban Butte now unless the persons lot is at least five acres. But some people like them for fresh eggs, some want them for meat, and some people -- well, they just like having them.

The calls Randalls department gets about chickens are adding up, he said. Some folks want to know about regulations before getting the birds, and others call with complaints about their neighbors chickens. And his animal control officers are coming across them almost daily.

We always have roosters and hens in our shelter because they are walking down the street, Randall told the board Tuesday.

When a board member asked how many residents had chickens, Randall said there were enough to justify an ordinance.

Whether its 2 percent or 40 percent, it should be on the books so we can enforce it, he said.

Many Montana cities have urban chicken ordinances on the books. They include Billings, Bozeman, Belgrade, Kalispell, Missoula and Manhattan. The laws have provisions similar to the ones Randall wants.

His proposal would cover most of urban Butte  the old city boundaries before Butte merged with Silver Bow County in 1977 to form one local government. Residents who live in rural areas or in places such as Rocker or Ramsay or Melrose would not be included.

Urban residents could have up to six female chickens (hens) but no adult roosters. They would have to be in covered, predator-resistant coops that are ventilated, cleaned, maintained, and have at least 2 square feet of space per chicken.

Coops must be set back at least 20 feet from adjoining property lines unless those neighbors give written consent to be closer. Some hen owners might object to the distance requirement, but Randall said he considered it fair.

Like most ordinances in other cities, chickens must be kept in their coop from sundown to sunrise.

Not all Montana cities have detailed urban chicken laws.

The birds are banned in all but one rural-zoned area in Great Falls, for example. The city commission there has rejected attempts to allow them in most other areas of the city.

Two Great Falls residents recently filed a complaint against the city in district court alleging its 2007 chicken ban was enacted in secret. They say citations they got for having two chickens in their yard should be voided because of that. The city has months to respond.

Helena allows chickens with no restrictions as long as they are 25 feet from adjoining property.

Randall wants a veterinarian to speak to the Animal Services board about the proposal and chickens at its next monthly meeting. The proposal must ultimately be approved by commissioners to become law, and that process can takes weeks or months.
DECATUR  Queen pageants are always evolving, and the pageant at the Decatur Celebration is no exception.

This year's Miss Illinois Festival, formerly the Macon County Queen Pageant, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Decatur Civic Center. Tickets are $7 for all four contests.

Two years ago, the only area beauty pageant had been eliminated from the Macon County Fair, so Melissa Muirheid moved it to the Celebration.

The competition found success at the 2014 and 2015 festivals and decided to keep the pageant where it is. She was also able to expand the residency requirements.

With the Decatur Celebration being the largest free street festival in Illinois, there are tons of people that attend who arent just from Macon County, she said.

The Macon County Fair brought its pageant back this summer, but Muirheid wanted to continue the competition at the Celebration. We thought this would be a great time to change our name, she said.

Six contestants from ages 17 to 22 will vie for the queen's crown. They will judged on an interview with the judges, a memorized speech, fitness wear and an evening gown. Their reign will include community volunteer work, such as food drives, parades and speaking engagements.

Other pageant contestants include nine junior miss, three preteen and eight princess competitors. Each contestant will have the opportunity to answer interview questions on stage as well as model formal wear and/or casual wear.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 75F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.
A stunning small French Alpine town, Samoens is unspoiled by tourism.

The classic architecture preserve Samoens' French heritage.

Owners of homes here take pride in where they live. On the right is the post box, which measures about 4 feet x 4 feet.

More letterboxes.

The Tour came through here just a few weeks ago.

The remnants still on the tarmac.

Beautiful old buildings.

Today the rain was pouring, and the clouds were low, but beyond these clouds are stunning mountains and beautiful vistas.

The mountains engulfed by clouds.

This race is assisted by two long chair lifts, which take care of most of the climbing.

The French Enduro Series has been coming to Samoens for five years now, three years as part of the French Enduro Series, and one as the Enduro World Series. So whats new? This Sunday is actually the same as last year. The resort put a lot of effort into the track, which runs from the top of the mountain. Not surprisingly, they would like to use it again, so the French racers can ride it too and not just the international riders. It provides an opportunity for riders to compare their times with those of the world's top riders.



Saturday's stage two is similar to last year, with a few new sections, including the new freeride section. Stage one is totally new, which is exciting. Though Samoens has hosted enduro races for 5 years, they are always find new stages and new places to ride. If you come here, there are hundreds of trails. Admittedly, they are all red or black trails, so they arent for everyone, but that also makes Samoens a good test for top-level racing. - Alex Balaud, is in charge of taping the course, giving us a little insight.



The rider sign-in, was the only thing that riders had to attend today, as practice runs are forbidden before the race.

Today, riders received their first glimpse of the stages.

Series leader, Morgane Jonnier, (left) and second in the overall, Julie Duvert (at right).

If the rain holds, favorites will be Ludovic Oget (left) and second place in the overall, Elliot Trabac (right).

Series leader, Irenee Menjou, is out here, living in his van, and has to go to the pub to jump on the Wifi and contact the outside world.

The last round of the French Enduro Series brings us to Samoens, France. This is the location of one of the Enduro World Series last year, and has been a stop on the French Enduro Series for the last 4, this being the 5th. Samoens is in the French Alps and is home to some of the most amazing, natural singletrack around.The town itself sits at 750 meters, but the lifts ride high above 2,000 meters. Samoens is situated just around the corner, or over the mountain, from this years Crankworx Europe stop, Les Gets. Samoens may be the lesser-known cousin of Les Gets and Morzine, but perhaps thats because of their raw trails, and lack of Bike Park trails.For this round of the Series, we've seen a few names drop off the race program, due to the EWS moving over America, which also means this round could perhaps be taken by a new winner. We currently see Irenee Menjou leading the series, closely followed by Elliot Trabac and then Camille Servant. But with lots of names that have podium potential, this race does leave a lot in the air.
Behind the Scenes with European Poker Tour Floor Person Kate Badurek

August 06, 2016 Frank Op de Woerd

If you read the recaps of big live poker tournaments, you'll notice it's all about the poker players. This player wins another big title, that player is in an excellent position for his next bracelet, and another player got knocked out in cruel fashion. Rightfully so, as players are front and center in live poker tournaments, but there are equally important people working hard behind the scenes.

A tournament room is crowded with people with all sorts of jobs and from all walks of life. First and foremost, you have the dealers. You also have floor staff, tournament directors, masseuses, poker reporters, technicians, camera operators, producers, people that man the information desk when you enter, and plenty more.

In PokerNews' Behind the Scenes series, we want to take a look at some of these people involved in the poker world that are, well, more "behind the scenes."

First up is Kate Badurek, a member of the floor staff on the European Poker Tour. Anyone who has played an EPT main event or high roller over the last two years will certainly recognize her. The 30-year-old from Poland has been working on the tour for eight years, but her first contact with poker came more than 11 years ago.

Hardly anyone envisioned working in poker when they were young. Badurek was no exception. An actress was what she wanted to become, and that was basically it. She had no big interests outside of acting, no big life goals. An actress is what she wanted to be.

Right after high school she handed in her application for an acting academy but was sadly turned down. Her parents insisted she would continue to study, so she had to come up with something new now that a career in acting had fallen through. With some knowledge of Russian already in hand thanks to classes in high school, she decided to go study Russian philology at the University of her hometown Olsztyn, Poland. "Mostly, to be honest, to please my parents."

With her first year of studying at her University almost behind her, Badurek visited a party with friends where the group spun ideas for the approaching summer. They all intended on going to Dublin for the summer, which was the cool thing to do for students from Poland at the time. Badurek joined them. All on impulse really; "It was so random; I had never been to Ireland, I had never really traveled a whole lot to begin with really."

This was not just a holiday, they intended on getting themselves summer jobs there as the minimum wage in Dublin was already a lot more than what they would be able to make in Poland. Though Badurek hardly knew any English, that didn't hold her back. She went to Dublin and left her resume in hotels, bars, restaurants, and by coincidence at the Merrion Casino Club, a small poker club in one of those old beautiful buildings on Merrion Square - though Badurek didn't know that at the time; "I didn't even realize it was a poker club, I thought it was like a bar or something.

She got a call back soon after, and despite barely understanding what they were saying, she was able to understand that they wanted to meet for an interview. She was hired as a waitress on the spot, something that would turn out to be a life-changing experience.

"It was obviously all very new to me. I had no idea about waiting, let alone poker, and I could hardly understand what people were trying to order. It was a mess really." But soon enough she picked up on basic English and got really interested in poker and good at being a waitress.

The EPT Talent Scouts

Minimum wage was already decent for Badurek, but it was the tips from patrons that really prompted Badurek to stay longer in Dublin. Soon she moved to the Sporting Emporium, a far larger casino in Dublin, where she was hired before the casino had even opened. It was there where Badurek applied to become a poker dealer, and she got the job.

It all may sound like a calculated move, but it really wasn't; "It was super random, like most of the things in my life. I didn't make a big plan before."

It turned out she was pretty good at dealing. In fact, it was the first time in her life someone told her she was good at something. "That felt great as a 19-year old, and I decided to take an extended break from University and I stayed in Ireland for two years as a poker dealer."

While she enjoyed her work as a dealer and loved her time in Dublin, poker wasn't her main interest. She wasn't really into poker yet, it was just a job at the time. Poker hadn't "consumed" her yet, and the poker world outside her local poker room was unknown territory. When the European Poker Tour came to Dublin in 2006, she had no idea what it was all about.

One night, as the EPT was in town, a group of players came into the Emporium and complimented Badurek on her skills as a dealer. They turned out to be members of the EPT staff and asked if she was interested in joining the circuit. Though she wasn't really sure what it was all about, and even in doubt about being a poker dealer in the first place, she went ahead and have her email address.

Shortly after meeting them, Badurek decided to leave Dublin and return to Poland to finish her degree in Russian philology. She was already back, studying when an email came that would change her life once again. Thomas Kremser, who, at the time was in charge as Tournament Director at the European Poker Tour, asked her to join his team for the Caribbean Poker Classic in St. Kitts.

"I was overwhelmed and wasn't sure what to think of it at first. On one hand, there was a job in the Caribbean that would pay well, on the other hand, I had just gotten back to studying and had left my job as a poker dealer behind me. It felt like a big gamble, but in the end, I felt it was an opportunity I couldn't pass on."

Not yet accustomed to booking flights and looking for good deals, Badurek ended up paying a lot to get to St Kitts, and on top of it, it took her 36 hours to get there. It was in the Caribbean at Thomas Kremser's event where she got into contact with a lot of key people in the industry and got her job on the European Poker Tour.

This time around she didn't quit school, though. She turned to the head master and asked for special privileges to combine studying and working as a dealer all over the world. It turned out that the headmaster was a huge fan of poker, and was quick to allow her proposed plan. If Badurek had any problem she would talk to her professors and things would be taken care of. It was the perfect combination; "So there I was, studying Russian philology and dealing in exotic places simultaneously. I was getting back with a tan in the middle of January, people must have hated me!"

From Dealer to Floor

Badurek started as a dealer on the European Poker Tour and was soon enough chosen by Thomas Kremser to deal her first EPT Main Event final table at the Prague stop in season 4, back in 2007. "It was a disaster. Even though I was an experienced dealer, I still didn't feel confident enough. I had never dealt with such big denomination chips and with such huge stacks. I don't think I had even seen a 25,000-value chip in my life before. I was getting some compliments on being fast, so I tried to do everything even faster. The cards were everywhere." Her first experience as a final table dealer wasn't a huge success, but she was a quick learner and soon enough was one of the go-to dealers for final tables.



Kate Badurek makes her first appearance as a final table dealer on the European Poker Tour,

taking over from current PokerStars Head of Live Poker Operations Neil Johnson (1:12 in).

When Thomas Kremser made his departure from the tour after Season 7, Badurek took a short break from dealing poker at the European Poker Tour as well. With her boyfriend at the time, they invested all their money in setting up a clothing shop in Poland. But, unfortunately, people weren't really coming into their store, something they hadn't even considered a possibility when they set up shop. "Looking back on it, the entire idea wasn't thought through well enough. We opened shop and waited for people to flock the store, but they never came. With no marketing or anything else to turn things around, we closed shop after just three months as rent was due and there was no cash in the register."

Toby Stone and Thomas Lamatsch took over as tournament directors for the European Poker Tour at the start of season 8 and Badurek was contacted to get back on the tour. She said yes right away.

Stone and Lamatsch created a position of senior poker dealer, to prepare dealers for the difficult tasks of being a floor person during an event. Dealers start learning how to break and balance tables amongst other things. They learned all the procedures step-by-step and shadowed a floor person to pick up as much knowledge as possible.

Badurek was a senior dealer for a little over a year when she became a floor person for the first time at the EPT London season 9. All the senior dealers were given floor shifts half of the festival, while they remained senior dealers the other half. "That was such an exciting day! I remember being quite nervous."

Getting the position of floor person didn't mean she was running main events and high roller events right away. At the EPT you start with smaller events; like late night turbos where you can learn a lot in a short amount of time as it all goes so fast. Breaking tables, but at the same time, you also need to keep seats open for late registrants. "It's hectic, but you'll learn all the situations real fast as well."

Through hard work Badurek worked from being a floor person during late night turbos that end well after midnight, to being the floor on main Events and (super) high rollers. It's been eight years now for her in the poker industry, and she feels she has built respect amongst the players. "Once you get to know the players a bit better, it gets easier. The players see your face all the time. It takes time, and its still tough sometimes. Not everyone handles getting a penalty as well as others for example."

Playing Poker

Badurek used to play poker herself occasionally when she was still working in Dublin. In fact, she used to frequent the Sporting Emporium to grind live poker as they were only allowed to play in their own casino, not anywhere else. And she did well, well enough that they had to change that rule of just being able to play in the Emporium. "I was making the final table every week basically, and players were starting to get on tilt because of it. The next day I would come back and have to deal cards to those very same guys, while sometimes they were still fuming from the hands the night before."

That's all in the past now. These days she plays $16.50 turbos on PokerStars occasionally but doesn't play too much. "I'm happy to be just part of the organization, I don't strive to be a poker pro myself."

While Badurek's constantly surrounded by the best players in the world, there's no time to learn from them all that much. "You do see the best players and you see a lot of hands with the exact amounts they're betting and such. Of course, I pay attention to the hands but I pay more attention to technical stuff. There are so many things to pay attention to; spectators getting too close, the upcoming chip race, the table I have to break as soon as one more player busts, chip counts during the break, organizing redraws, bagging, and on top of that I have to answer people asking all sorts of questions. You're at 100% focus at all times. It's not the skills of the poker players that I focus on, I just don't have time for that."

Away From Home

The European Poker Tour festivals take up almost two weeks these days and Badurek's away from home quite frequently because of it. She's used to it by now, and her friends and family know she can't stay in touch from time to time. "My family is used to seeing me online all the time on Whatsapp but ignoring them. I just don't even have a moment during the day to send them messages back."

There are no days off for a floor person during an EPT, and sometimes one won't get much sleep and waking up extremely tired in the morning is pretty standard. Luckily there's a morning routine to get the blood flowing and pump you up for a long day; "Someone plugs in their phone and puts on music while we prepare tables. That start of the day is so great! It really gets you going, it really works on your mood. We always play happy songs. We sing while we're numbering tables, and dance while we put the redraw on the screen. It's quite the sight really."

In between events, Badurek has a lot of time off. She becomes the go-to babysitter for her sister and friends, and she watches a lot of movies and reads. During the last year, Badurek has been living in Prague with her boyfriend. So on top of all the traveling, she wasn't in her home country when she wasn't working an event. "That was a bit too much, I must say. I felt a bit home sick and decided to move back to Poland with my boyfriend. I just moved to Warsaw."

Badurek sees herself as working for the EPT for the foreseeable future; "It's hard to imagine what else I would do. When I was a young dealer I was told I was good at it. Now I feel I'm good as a floor person. That's a great feeling."

While she has aspirations for even bigger roles within the organization, she also understands it takes time. "I admire and respect my colleagues a great deal and I learn a great deal from them and the rest of the EPT team. Its a real pleasure to work with such great professionals and be able to draw on their experience."

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+!

All photos by Danny Maxwell, PokerNews.com
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

Of course it was hardly reported in Americas mainstream media, but on Friday last, Pope Francis informed the press that he refuses to label Islam a violent religion, or its adherents as radical. The Holy Father is aligned with decent human beings everywhere, including President Barack Obama, who reject the idea that Muslims are inherently violent as part of their religious belief. In fact, Republicans have railed against the President for not replacing the word terrorist with the word Muslim, and it informs a continued portrayal that is adversely affecting innocent practitioners of Islam.

It is a shame that the Popes, or the Presidents, sentiment is not shared by no small number of Americans and it is not all down to Donald Trump. Although Trump targets Muslims as terrorist monsters regularly, he is simply tapping into the decade-long Republican-created, and cowardly, hatred driving discrimination against Muslim adherents who also happen to be American citizens.

This week, two Americans anxious to return home from Europe to see their three young children experienced that discrimination after celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary with a trip to the the cities of romance and love: London and Paris. The couple boarded a Delta Airlines jet bound for Cincinnati when a flight crew member had them kicked off the passenger jet.

The crew member felt uncomfortable because the woman wore a headscarf and thought the man murmured something like Allah. Allah is the Arabic word for the god of the Christian bible. As an aside, the crew member never felt uncomfortable with, or ejected, any one of the several passengers crossing themselves after praying to their Catholic Christian god for a safe and uneventful flight home to America.

The Cincinnati branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a statement announcing that they were sending a letter of complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportations Aviation Consumer Protection Division. The attorney representing the American couple, and filed the complaint on their behalf, Sana Hassan wrote that Delta Airlines violated federal law when it discriminated against Nazia and Faisal Ali and humiliated the American citizens.

We call on the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough examination into the prevailing practices of major American air carriers, including Delta Air Lines, and to develop policy guidelines on the objective factors that are to be considered when determining that a passenger may legally be removed from a flight.

According to Karen Dabdoub, the executive director of CAIR-Cincinnati, nationally her organization sees spikes in anti-Muslim behavior during election season; Republicans have made sure that this year will be record-breaking. Ms. Dabdoub said,

There are some politicians who will try to climb that ladder of success on the backs of American-Muslims. Of course, were not alone. These types of incidents are happening all across the country all too frequently. It is another symptom of the anti-Muslim behavior we see during the election season. As most Americans are likely aware, this election season has seen a slight uptick in Republican demonization and anti-Muslim rhetoric from more than the likes of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

After the CAIR-Cincinnati press conference, Delta Airlines released its second statement about a flight crew unilaterally ejecting paying customers based on religion. The Delta statement read:

Delta condemns discrimination toward our customers in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender. As a global airline that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every day, Delta is deeply committed to treating all of our customers with respect. Delta continues its investigation into this matter and will issue a full refund of these customers airfare.

The Ali couples experience with U.S. carrier Delta is just one of many incidents where airlines eject passengers for threatening flight crew members because they appear Muslim. For example, on Wednesday two South Asian Muslim women were kicked off a passenger jet after one of the flight attendants complained of feeling threatened. There must be an unknown disorder exclusive to American-based flight attendants that has them so terrified of women wearing headscarves.

Another instance occurred in early April of 2015 when the host of The Young Turks, a Muslim-raised American, Cenk Uygur was able to live-stream his experience of being ejected from an American Airlines commercial passenger jet.

In December 2015, three Muslim men, and one Sikh man, were booted off a plane because they looked a little too Muslim to the pilot and a flight attendant. The men, all American citizens from New York, are suing American Airlines for millions of dollars after being ejected from the Toronto to New York flight. The pilot said he was uneasy allowing the four U.S. citizens to return home in an airliner he was piloting.

Also in December 2015, an American Airlines flight attendant on a domestic flight from North Carolina to Detroit publicly taunted a Muslim man and eventually had him tossed off the plane. The attendant three times humiliated Mohamed Ahmed Radwan within seconds of him taking his designated seat. Using the passenger jets public address system, the flight attendant loudly announced:

Mohamed Ahmed, Seat 25-A: I will be watching you. Within a minute the flight attendant again repeated the announcement stating: Mohamed Ahmed, that is a very long name, Seat 25-A, I will be watching you. Just to make sure the man was thoroughly humiliated, the attendant took a third shot at Mr. Radwan over the P.A. and in a more aggressive tone announced, 25-A: you will be watched. After being summoned to the front of the plane for some flight attendant interrogation, Mr. Radwan was ejected because the flight attendant was uncomfortable with him being allowed on the plane.

These atrocities are not isolated incidents, and are a growing pattern employed by American nativists supporting Donald Trump. Like most everything about Trumps bigoted followers, these airline employees are treating Muslims like criminals for speaking in Arabic, praying for a safe flight, wearing a headscarf, or just appearing too Muslim.

The telling part of these abominable experiences is that there are federal laws protecting airline passengers, and all Americans, against discrimination. It is frightening that they are laws that no small number of Americans supporting Republicans and especially Donald Trump want abolished immediately, particularly laws protecting any American citizen that is not a white Christian. It does not portend well for anyone that United States airline employees feel very comfortable profiling Muslims and throwing them off airplanes when it is against the law; imagine what kind of special Hell awaits Americans when those laws are eliminated according to the demands of Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention platform.
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Joseph Farah took umbrage at the use of a Biblical verse at the Democratic National Convention. Farah wrote in a column Friday that, Maybe I should rejoice that scripture was read at all at the Democratic National Convention. Unfortunately, it was misread, misunderstood and misrepresented by the Rev. William Barber II of North Carolina on the last night.

Barber is the president of the North Carolina NAACP and the victor in the battle over the recent North Carolina Voter ID law. His speech at the DNC was very well received and has been viewed tens of thousands of times on YouTube. What Barber was speaking of, in his own words, was the desperate need for a moral revival in this country.

But not the sort of moral revival embraced by the so-called Religious Right.

The passage in question, Farah says, is one of my favorite passages  Isaiah 58:1-12. Farah of course, uses the least accurate translations of the Bible to make his point, the King James Version. If you want an accurate reading, always use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Farah complains that Barber cited it as biblical justification for, among other things, special privileges for homosexuals and transgenders and forcible redistribution of wealth by government, and that Where he gets such ideas is hard to see.

It is indeed difficult to see where Farah gets this reading of Barbers speech, since equal rights are hardly to be equated to special privilege. To make matters worse for Farah, who does demand special privileges for his own religious beliefs, he wants to use the government to disenfranchise Americans.

Isaiah in fact makes the point very well (Isaiah 58:6):

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

And thats right: the guy who claims again and again that the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, which make no reference to God, are full of God, claims Barbers meaning is nowhere to be found in the Bible:

His response to the poor is not a personal responsibility, its a government responsibility. You will not find a hint of that notion anywhere in the Bible  and, believe me, Ive searched for it. You wont find it Isaiah. You wont find it in the Old Testament. You wont find it in the gospels. You wont find it anywhere in the New Testament.

Worse, Farah claims,

Neither will you find another assertion made by Rev. Barber  that Jesus was a brown-skinned Jewish Palestinian. He may have been brown-skinned. He was certainly Jewish. But He was certainly not a Palestinian. He was an Israeli. There was no such land known as Palestine in the time of Jesus.

The word was invented by the Romans decades after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 by a Roman emperor Hadrian following the Bar-Kokhba revolt in A.D. 135, so that history would not remember Israel.

Jesus a Palestinian? Dont think so.

Actually, the word Palestine predates the Romans. It comes from Peleset, which was the ancient name of the Philistines, who appear in the Bible as bad guys. The Assyrians, who ruled the region, called it Palashtu/Palastu or Pilistu and it is easy to see there the origins of the term Palestine.

Contrary to Farahs claims, the term Palestine was used by Herodotus in his Histories, written in the fifth century BCE. It was also used by Aristotle in the fourth century BCE.

If you do the math, the United States has been around only half the time the word Palestine had already existed by the time the Romans created a province with that name, and it was not, as Farah says, after the revolt of 70 AD, but after the second revolt, that of Bar Kokhba in 132 AD, that the name was attached to the old province of Judaea.

At the time of the Roman occupation, there was no longer an Israel. And in fact, a whole slew of Roman writers, from Pliny the Elder to the Jewish Philo of Alexandria and Josephus, who was a general in the revolt of 70 AD, referred to Palestine before it became the name of a province. Philo wrote in his Life of Moses that,

[Moses] conducted his people as a colony into Phoenicia, and into the Coele-Syria, and Palestine, which was at that time called the land of the Canaanites, the borders of which country were three days journey distant from Egypt.

In his Against Apion, Josephus writes,

Herodotus says, that the Syrians that are in Palestine are circumcised. But there are no inhabitants of Palestine that are circumcised excepting the Jews; and, therefore, it must be his knowledge of them that enabled him to speak so much concerning them.

So Even Jews tell us that the Jews lived in Palestine. Oops, Joseph Farah. You are wrong. So sad.

Joseph Farah is guilty of yet another misuse of the Bible of the sort so often seen at the hands of Religious Right figures, and perhaps reads too much David Barton, or like Barton, simply feels that making things up is preferable to reporting what actually is.

Obviously, the term Palestinian has become a very loaded term and it carries a meaning not present in Jesus day. Farah will have to get past that if he wants to appeal to history. But he does not want to get past his preconceptions. Not at all.

It does very little good to have a book you claim to follow, to claim your Bible and your religion is historical and then reject the history that forms its very context. And this is what Farah has done. Even in the terms of his time, both among Romans and educated Jews, Jesus was a Palestinian.
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By Jeff Mason and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  President Barack Obama confirmed that Donald Trump will get national security briefings ahead of the November election, but he warned the Republican candidate, whom he has called unfit for office, that information from the meetings must be kept secret.

Obama, a Democrat who endorsed his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 White House race, has made clear his dismay over Trump, a New York businessman who has proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States and building a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

On Tuesday Obama questioned why leading Republicans have not withdrawn their support for their presidential nominee. On Thursday he dismissed as ridiculous Trumps claims that the election may be rigged.

Of course the elections will not be rigged. What does that mean? Obama said with exasperation. If Mr. Trump is up 10 or 15 points on Election Day and ends up losing, then maybe he can raise some questions. That doesnt seem to be the case at the moment.

Trump is trailing Clinton in polls.

Despite his disdain, Obama said Trump would get the top secret briefings on world crises and security threats to which he, Clinton and their respective vice presidential running mates are entitled.

Some Republicans have said Clinton should be denied access to such briefings because of her handling of classified material on a private email server while she was secretary of state.

Obama on Thursday, speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, made clear that both candidates would be treated equally.

We are going to go by the law, which is that, in both tradition and the law, that if somebody is the nominee  they need to get a security briefing so that if they were to win, they are not starting from scratch in terms of being prepared, Obama said.

What I will say is that they have been told these are classified briefings, he added, in response to a question about whether he was concerned about Trump obtaining the classified information. And if they want to be president, they got to start acting like president, and that means being able to receive these briefings and not spread them around.

Trump has placed blame on Clinton and Obama for the rise of Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

The Obama-Clinton foreign policy gave rise to ISIS, made Iran flush with cash, and is now admitting vast numbers of refugees and migrants into the United States from some of the most volatile regions in the world, Trump senior policy adviser Stephen Miller said in a statement.

But none of this is surprising from an Administration that allowed its Secretary of State to threaten the country with a private email server, delete her records, and lie about it to us all, Miller said.

Obama, who was meeting with his national security advisers about the fight against Islamic State, also made a subtle jab at Trump for his dispute with a Muslim couple whose U.S. Army captain son died in Iraq. Obama lauded patriotic Muslim Americans who fight in the U.S. armed forces.

(Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball and Steve Holland; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is privately warning Republicans that Donald Trump could cost Republicans control of the House.

Buried in a New York Times story was this little nugget:



At a recent conference of Republican donors, Paul D. Ryan, the speaker of the House, warned that even the partys substantial majority in that chamber might be in jeopardy.

The conclusion has become that the guy is incorrigible, said Thomas M. Davis III, a former House member from Virginia who is still close to many of the partys leaders. Hes going to leave our candidates with no choice but to go their own separate way.

There is no unity down ballot. Republican House incumbents dont have a popular nominee to come into their districts and campaign with them. With all of the attention being on Trumps endless series of negative headlines, Republicans are caught in a bad publicity machine.

House Republicans arent going to have any help in their bids for reelection. What they do have is an unpopular presidential nominee who could drag them all down with him if he loses. There is no message for incumbents to run on. House Republicans are in a position where many of them are going to have to run away from their partys presidential nominee.

It would take an epic landslide for Democrats to take back the House.

What Speaker Ryan is dreading is an election where Republicans lose a double digit amount of House seats, and Ryan is left with a smaller House majority that is made up of the far right Republicans that reside in districts that supported Trump.

Paul Ryan could find himself in an even worse situation than John Boehner experienced. Ryan could be facing a Democratic White House and Senate, but he may be stuck with a small majority that will be torn apart by their differences. It might be easier for Ryan to lose the House to Democrats than to try to govern with a tiny majority that will be deeply divided.

A Clinton landslide could cost Republicans the House, and even if it doesnt, Trumps candidacy could result in a lose-lose situation for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
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It has been building since Trump entered the race: his increasingly erratic rhetoric has at last drawn the steady eye of the mainstream media, which finds it can no longer simply ignore him. We have recently been introduced to the rare spectacle of the mainstream media fact-checking Trump real-time. And now, perhaps, talk of Trumps mental health now promotes better ratings than simply giving Trump air time.

We have seen a lot of eyebrows raised on all sides of late as speculation grows that Trump is not quite right in the head, and then Peggy Noonan broke down all the barriers in an op-ed in The Washington Post, The Week They Decided Donald Trump Was Crazy.

Here is a truth of life. When you act as if youre insane, people are liable to think youre insane. Thats what happened this week. People started to become convinced he was nuts, a total flake.

This brought about a discussion on MSNBC:

Which was followed Friday night by another discussion on CNN, with Outfront host Erin Burnett, asking her guests what they thought about Trumps mental health:

Alex Burns of The New York Times brought up Trumps temperament:

When you look at polls testing the match-up between Trump and Clinton, his temperament, his personal capacity to perform the responsibilities of the presidency is probably the biggest hurdle for him, just outside of various things he had done to offend various groups of voters.

He mentioned speaking to Republican voters who say theyre not sure about Trump and added that I was talking to a Republican donor today who said the same thing, I used to think he was crazy like a fox, now Im not sure its like a fox.

It is obviously never a good thing when for a candidate when so many members of his own party are questioning not only his temperament, but his sanity.

Trump supporter Keyleigh McEnany jumped to Trumps defense of course and claimed that talking about Trump as insane is overreach and unbelievable as though the things Trump has said are, somehow, believable and not overreach, like accusing Portland, Maines peaceful Somali community of being a hotbed of terrorism.

Burnett reminded her panel that Trump has himself accused Hillary Clinton of being unstable and unhinged, a case of projection that is not paying Trump any dividends.

To that, MoveOns Karine Jean-Pierre responded that Trump knows what hes doing and were giving him an excuse.

Is Trump, as Mark Cuban said, batsh*t crazy? Amanda Carpenter maintained that while Trump is not insane, he is making the rest of us so:

Heres the thing. I think it is ridiculous for serious people to seriously question Donald Trumps mental capacity. What is happening is that he is driving the rest of us insane. He says these things deliberately to get a charge. He traffics on conspiracy theories to stir it up. He likes to stir up traffic on-line.

Hes doing it to us, hes not insane. I agree with you, she said to Karine Jean-Pierre, he does know what hes doing. We shouldnt be falling for it.

Unless Trump is examined and a diagnosis offered to all of us, we will likely never know the answer to the question, is Trump insane.

However, as far as qualifications for the presidency go, there is not much effective difference between being insane and acting insane, because the world will react to Trump as someone who is mentally unstable. As Basil Smikle, Executive Chairman of the New York State Democratic Party told Burnett, We have no sense of his compass.

There may well be a method to his madness, as Smikle argued. However, if Trump is only acting unstable, it really makes little difference in the long run.

It is scarcely more reassuring to have a president who only acts crazy, and the result will be the same. Reactions from overseas to an American president who not only says but does things from a position of apparent insanity, can never equal a positive outcome for the United States.
RED WING  The riverboat stops here.

Tour boats on the upper Mississippi will be stopping at Red Wing, using the river city as their turnaround point on their cruise itineraries for 2016.

"Red Wing is the turnaround spot," said Patty Brown, executive director of the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce. "Normally, the boats go to St. Paul. Now, they're busing the passengers here for embarking and disembarking."

About 20 boats will dock at Levee Park this summer, with the first boat  Queen of the Mississippi  pulling in at Bay Point Park because of high water last week and the American Queen docking during the weekend during River City Days.

Those passengers tend to disembark and hit Main Street en masse, Brown said, looking for souvenirs. "They especially like to bring back Red Wing things," she said. "We know that it's a good thing for business."

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Missy Diercks, a manager at Red Wing Shoes on Main Street, said the foot traffic definitely picks up when the boats pull in, but the increase in sales does not always follow. "It depends on what boat comes through," she said.

The American Queen seems to coincide with the biggest sales jumps at the shoe retailer. "In general, the others, they buy more knickknacks, postcards or coasters," she said.

Once the construction along Main Street is complete, those boat passengers will be able to wander through downtown Red Wing a little more easily, Brown said. "It'll be just fantastic. It'll be easier access to get from the boats to downtown. It'll be safer with the new crosswalks for walking in downtown."

When the boats dock, they always notice at Whimsy's Closet on Bush Street, just a few doors off Main Street. "Anything is always good that bring people to town," said Sue Olson, owner of the gifts, jewelry and clothing boutique. "The people who work the boats also come and shop."

Olson said she's looking forward to the end of construction mostly so downtown Red Wing finally can let the dust settle. "It'll be so beautiful," she said. "You won't remember what downtown Red Wing looked like before."

The new look of downtown should leave a lasting mark on tourists, said Red Wing Visitor and Convention Bureau Executive Director Arloa Bach.

"The highway construction will leave people with a better impression," Bach said. "Locals and visitors have commented on how much prettier it is."

From the lighting to the landscaping, downtown is shaping up just in time for peak tourism season.

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"The road construction isn't really a big impact for the riverboats other than there's the one road that's not open (Bush Street)," Bach said. "But it's more safe. People feel more comfortable."
NEW YORK  On-demand apps make life easier: A few taps on my phone and I can get a cab in minutes or groceries delivered to my door.

The hard part? Figuring how much  or if  I should tip the people who drive me around or pick out my cheese at the supermarket.

Part of the confusion arises from the companies themselves. Some don't allow tipping through their apps, even though they say tipping is allowed, and the policies posted on their websites can be unclear.

Just like other service professionals, we should tip these types of workers, says Sharon Schweitzer, etiquette consultant and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. Many of them have to reach into their own pockets to pay for gas, bike repairs or other costs, and a tip can help them make ends meet, Schweitzer says.

"The apps are designed for us to evolve to a cashless society," she says. "However, that doesn't mean we become heartless in the process."

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Indeed, cash is best if you have it. Some companies, such as FreshDirect, will deduct processing fees that credit card companies charge before paying the driver, so they won't get the full amount of your tip. Below, some additional tipping suggestions, according to etiquette experts:

Cab-hailing apps

Uber doesn't allow users to tip through its app because it wants to keep the ride cashless. You can tip if you want to reward good service, however, and drivers can accept  Uber clarified its policy to say so after recently settling two lawsuits filed by drivers  just remember to bring cash. Rival service Lyft lets customers tip through its app within 24 hours of the ride.

Forgot the cash? At least give their driver a good review on the app, Schweitzer says.

Tip: 20 percent of the cost of ride.

Grocery delivery

Workers for Instacart, Postmates and other grocery-delivery services often need to wait on long lines and carry heavy items. When calculating a tip, base it only on the cost of the food, says Callista Gould, an etiquette instructor and founder of the Culture and Manners Institute. You might want to tip at a higher percentage if they're carrying your goods up several flights of stairs or if the weather is bad.

Tip:20 to 25 percent of grocery costs.

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Restaurant delivery

Seamless, Grubhub, Eat24 and most other restaurant delivery companies allow tipping through their apps and websites, but give them cash if you have it. Bigger orders, such as for an office party, should get a higher tip percentage.

Tip:20 to 25 percent of food order.

Home rentals

Just because you skip the hotel and rent a place through Airbnb or HomeAway, you shouldn't skip tipping the housekeeper. Often, owners of the property hire people for clean up, Schweitzer says. To ensure the money gets to the right person, Schweitzer says she leaves tips in an envelope addressed to housekeeping under a pillow or near the dirty towels. (No, you don't have to tip the host.)

Tip: $3 to $5.

Laundry delivery

Apps that send someone to pick up dirty laundry and return it clean have been popping up in big cities around the United States. One of those companies, Rinse, tells its workers not to accept tips. It says not thinking about tips improves the experience for the customer. Competitor Washio says on its website "there is no need to tip." But Schweitzer says you should try anyway if the cleaned laundry is delivered to you and not left with a concierge or doorman.

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Tip:10 to 15 percent of laundry bill.
ORLANDO, Fla.  The Pulse nightclub, the gay venue where 49 people were shot and killed last month, has found its way onto itineraries for tourists from around the world who pay their respects and leave handmade memorials.

Although the club remains closed and cordoned off with a fence, its owner is planning a permanent memorial to honor the victims. Club owner Barbara Poma and her attorney formed a not-for-profit company, OnePulse Foundation, in a state filing earlier this month.

The documents put a plan for a memorial at Pulse in writing, stating that the nonprofit's purpose includes "conceiving, funding and aiding in the construction of a permanent memorial on the existing Pulse site."

No details were outlined for the memorial, which is likely to draw even more visitors.

"I think it's a natural human phenomenon to be attracted to places of gore and tragedy," said Brigitte Sion, the author of "Death Tourism: Disaster Sites as Recreational Landscape." "Especially in the age of globalized media."

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Tourists in Central Florida are taking time out of their vacations to visit the memorial outside Pulse nightclub.

Sion studies how places such as Auschwitz and Hiroshima became tourist attractions.

She thinks the downtown Orlando venue could be so popular it might play a role in someone's choice to come to Central Florida, even if they have no connection to the attack.

"The same way that you have people go to see (the 9/11 site) that have no connection to what happened," said Sion. "Absolutely."

Club will reopen

Barbara Poma, Pulse's owner, said she plans to reopen the club she founded in 2004 in memory of her brother, who died of AIDS in 1991  and is adamant that a memorial to attack victims will be part of the venue.

Similar visits already occur in Central Florida. More than four years after a fatal shooting in Sanford received national attention, the Trayvon Martin Memorial built outside the Goldsboro Welcome Center has drawn visitors, said Francis Oliver, founder of the Goldsboro Historical Museum.

She said the memorial gets between 50 and 75 visitors annually, coming from places such as New York and New Jersey to as far away as California. The memorial has been popular since the trial of George Zimmerman, the acquitted man who shot and killed the teen.

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"It's not a lot, but it's been steady," said Oliver.

And crowds once flocked to a wooded area in East Orange County where Caylee Anthony's body was found in December 2008. The site where the 2-year-old's remains were recovered appears relatively unremarkable, with muddy, old stuffed animals tucked into overgrown flora. Unless you knew where to look, the makeshift memorial could easily go unnoticed.

Last week, a recently placed stuffed animal atop the pile gave it away. The multicolored, striped horse had "Caylee" written across its pristine white nose in black marker, eight years after the child's July disappearance.

Scott Smith, a tourism professor from the University of South Carolina, said it's not uncommon for people to want to visit sites of tragedy, but everyone will come for their own reason.

"Different people have different motivations," said Smith. "Some just go out of curiosity."

Minneapolis touch

One of the displays of unity at the makeshift Pulse memorial is a T-shirt from Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, a grassroots, member-led organization focused on under-resourced communities and communities of color in Minneapolis. Amber Jones, the organization's education organizer, delivered the shirt to Pulse earlier this month.

"It really rocked our community within our office," said Jones, 23. She was already scheduled to be in Orlando for a sorority conference when her co-workers decided they wanted to show their support.

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Jones skipped the event's last meeting to visit Pulse. When she arrived at Orange Avenue she saw she wasn't the only Zeta Phi Beta sister who wanted to see the growing memorial.

Initially, Jones was struck by how open Orlando's downtown is, especially the strip where Pulse is located. The second thing she noticed was two police cruisers parked outside the building.

"It was just really a very sobering experience," she said. "Really being able to come to terms with how much trauma has been inflicted with this one incident."

Oliver said she's not surprised the Pulse nightclub has become an attraction for people already in town for other reasons, including vacation.

"They're going to have more people," said Oliver, speculating the title of being the worst mass shooting in modern history will only attract more visitors. "It will draw people for a long time."

Oliver can personally relate to people who want to see the site of a tragic historical moment in person. After all, she drove to Charleston, S.C., last year after nine people were killed in a shooting at a church.

Her motivation was "just being with other people that are mourning."

"It's that healing space," she said.
AUSTIN  A woman connected to nearly a pound of methamphetamine found in a motel room has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison.

Bonnie Lee Sutton, 35, of Austin, had pleaded guilty in May in Mower County District Court to first-degree drug crime-subsequent offense. In exchange, an identical count was dismissed at Thursday's sentencing, as were additional counts of felony fifth-degree drug possession, misdemeanor fourth-degree DUI and misdemeanor driving after revocation.

Judge Kevin Siefken handed down a 104-month sentence, with credit for 130 days already served.

The charges stem from an incident that began in late March 27, when an Austin police officer saw a car leave an Austin motel after being there "a very short time," the complaint says, and suspected drug activity.

The officer followed the vehicle as it traveled west on Interstate 90, crossing the fog line and varying in speed from 55 to 63 mph. He stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Sutton. As the officer spoke with her, he noted her pupils had little reaction to light, she was speaking quickly and her hand movements were "quick and fidgety," court documents say.

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When the officer learned Sutton's driver's license was revoked, he asked her to step out of the vehicle. She failed all of the field sobriety tests administered at the scene but told the officer she hadn't used meth for more than a year, and he was "more than welcome" to search the car.

According to the criminal complaint, the officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle; a police dog alerted on the gas cap. A passenger in the car said Sutton had picked him up at a bar to take him home but first stopped at Room 133 of the Rodeway Inn.

The man said he saw Sutton take about a half-ounce of meth from the room and put it near the trunk of the car. The officers could see a plastic bag behind the locking gas cap cover; they removed the bag, which held 28.5 grams of meth  just more than an ounce.

Sutton was arrested and taken to jail, where staff found a bag with 0.11 grams of cocaine in her coat pocket; a meth pipe later was found in her genital area.

A search warrant executed at Room 133 recovered about 5 grams of marijuana in the refrigerator; a sock and digital scale were found in a bathroom vent, the complaint says. The sock reportedly contained about 422 grams of meth or about 15 ounces.

The street value of the meth was estimated at about $45,000.
Authorities drop drug case against cellist

MINNEAPOLIS  Authorities have dropped marijuana possession charges against a classical cellist from Minnesota who was stopped with more than 100 pounds of marijuana in his car in south-central Oregon earlier this year.

An Oregon State Police trooper found 113 pounds of marijuana with a street value estimated at $226,000 in 33-year-old David Huckaby's car last February when he was stopped for speeding near Bly, Ore.

Huckaby -- who performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra until 2013 -- was charged with misdemeanor counts of possessing more than 8 ounces of marijuana and unlawful delivery of marijuana.

His attorney Phil Studenberg says a judge this week suppressed the marijuana as evidence because the search of Huckaby's car wasn't legally justified.  Associated Press

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St. Anthony defends police training after Castile shooting

MINNEAPOLIS  The city of St. Anthony is defending the training and diversity of its police force, weeks after one of its officers fatally shot a black motorist in a nearby Minnesota city.

Questions about officer training were sparked by the July shooting of 32-year-old Philando Castile, who was killed during a traffic stop by St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez. Castile's girlfriend filmed the immediate aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook.

The city released a statement saying it's now sharing information about police training. It noted that St. Anthony's 23 officers average nearly 80 hours of training each year. That's more than what the state requires.

The statement doesn't mention Castile by name, but says the city shares the grief over the shooting and wants to learn from it.  Associated Press

Tall Viking ship won't reach Duluth

DULUTH  The replica Norwegian Viking ship won't make it any farther than Green Bay, Wisconsin this summer. The ship was to be part of Tall Ships Duluth later this month. But, Draken Harald Harfagre says it's been unable to raise the money needed to complete the expedition in Duluth.

After this weekend's event in Green Bay, the ship will leave the Great Lakes.

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The organization behind the expedition, Viking Kings, discovered after they reached the Great Lakes that they were not exempt from a requirement to hire U.S. pilots as they had originally believed. The U.S. Coast Guard said it lacked the authority to waive the fees.

WDIO-TV says that despite fundraising efforts and a reduced fee, Viking Kings says it wasn't able to come up with the $250,000 needed to complete the Great Lakes journey.  Associated Press
DOVER  The Dover City Council voted unanimously to enter negotiations with the Dover-Eyota School Board for the purchase of the old Dover school building.

The building, which lost its last education tenant this summer when Hiawatha Valley Education District moved its alternative learning center, currently is used by the city for its workout center in the basement and open gym a few nights a week. Mayor Roger Ihrke said the building would require about $20,000 worth of repairs, and utilities on the building would run about $12,000-$15,000 a year.

The council's vote Thursday night came after the city had collected 101 surveys through July and reviewed them at the meeting. "There was about a 60-40 split (in favor of negotiating)," Ihrke said. "There were a few of them that came back as maybes."

The positive surveys noted the historical value of the 100-year-old building and the potential use of the building as a community center.

"Right now, our community center is on a busy street," Ihrke said, referring to the city's fire hall on Olmsted County Road 10. "They think that the building will find use if it's available."

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Dover-Eyota Schools Superintendent Michael Carolan has said the district would like to give Dover the first opportunity to purchase the property. If the city does not buy the building, the district will look for a private developer, or the building could be demolished. A recent appraisal of the building valued it at $250,000, however Carolan said that price seemed high for an older building in Dover.

"Basically, the council's position is we'll start the negotiation, and we'll see what the school wants," Ihrke said. "That'll determine if we move forward."
A high-ranking coterie of community leaders during the last several months has orchestrated conversations on pressing community needs, including a proposed $55 million expansion of Rochester Public Library.

The ad hoc group also has explored the potential for collaboration between the library, Rochester Family YMCA, Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester and University of Minnesota Rochester. Each organization has discussed facility and space needs publicly.

Olmsted County Board of Commissioners member Sheila Kiscaden formed the group shortly after the county board declined to give a funding commitment to the library's expansion proposal. The proposal would have built on the current downtown location and provided needed space for community programming.

Kiscaden described the group as people who have leadership, business and public project experience in the Rochester community.

The group includes Rochester City Council President Randy Staver, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Stephanie Podulke, Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency Executive Director Lisa Clarke, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob Miller and retired leaders of Mayo Clinic, IBM and Rochester Public Schools.

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"The tricky part is, even though we're elected officials, it is an ad hoc, informal group that's just trying to be good citizens and good civic leaders trying to move something forward," Kiscaden said. "We don't have any official capacity. We're not an ongoing group."

The group's purpose, Kiscaden said, is to facilitate discussion between several groups who have similar goals and similar needs.

The library, YMCA , museum and university each have discussed space and facility needs that could require expansion or relocation.

"My view is that if we can create a safe environment, an encouraging environment, to consider collaboration, they may come up with something that would be much more dynamic than what they would be able to do individually," Kiscaden said.

The Rochester City Council in March gave tentative approval to a $35 million library expansion commitment; the Olmsted County board in April did not give a commitment to its proposed share, $6.3 million, for the library project.

The library's challenge in securing funding was a key piece in starting Kiscaden's brainstorming group, but the group would not make a formal recommendation to the library or other organizations, Kiscaden said.

"As people who have or have had leadership responsibilities in the community, how do we move forward now that the library project has to go back to the drawing board?" she said.

Audrey Betcher, Rochester Public Library executive director, said she and a library board member were invited to participate in one meeting with Kiscaden's group. Library leadership has not changed its approach to expansion plans.

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"The library board and the staff are doing everything in our power to meet the community needs now and into the future," Betcher said. "We have not seen a better option than the expansion of the library in our current location come forward.

"We'll continue to work until we find the best option because this building does not meet our future needs."

Other members of Kiscaden's ad hoc group have found the conversation valuable.

"Nobody is going to tell us collectively what we should or should not do," Staver said. "So I think it's important that our community has relevant conversations to try to figure out some of the details associated with growth and with DMC."

Clarke, in an emailed statement, said: "The role of the DMC EDA is to participate in discussions regarding projects in the DMC district. We recognize that the library, Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester, the Rochester Family YMCA and University of Minnesota Rochester are very important assets in our community.

"We appreciate the opportunity to learn more about their vision for the future, respectively, and how they may explore options for collaboration."

Asked if the group's membership, which includes several elected officials, raised concerns for transparency of government action, Kiscaden said "no."

"No, because all we're saying is how do we create a path to move forward?" she said. "It's totally up to them. We're just trying to open up a different avenue for dialogue and be thinking about how do we get the greatest benefit for the community at this time when so many organizations are looking at what their future will be."

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While the group will make no formal recommendations, it has suggested the organizations involved meet with a design expert to consider shared space.

"What we're hoping that they will do  and they haven't all agreed to, but we're hoping they will agree to do  is step back and bring in someone who is really a design expert to start to look at what are the assets of each of these organizations, what (is) their current programming, what are they viewing for their future, (and) is there an opportunity to collaborate around their space needs?" Kiscaden said.

Group members include:

Sheila Kiscaden, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners

Stephanie Podulke, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners chairwoman

Randy Staver, Rochester City Council president

Nick Campion, Rochester City Council

Lisa Clarke, DMC EDA executive director

Rob Miller, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce president

Jenna Bowman, Rochester Downtown Alliance executive director

Hugh Smith, retired CEO and chair of the finance committee, Mayo Clinic

Walt Ling, retired senior state executive/senior site executive, IBM

Jerry Williams, former Rochester Public Schools superintendent

Kathy Meyerle, retired Emeritus Legal Counsel at Mayo Clinic
Name:David F. McLeod

Age:47

Hometown:Rochester

Occupation:Senior Assistant Olmsted County Attorney

Political experience:None

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Top priorities as judge

My top priority is to obtain training and education on the court's role within Wabasha County's Drug Court. In addition to initial judicial training, establishing an ongoing mentorship with an experienced judge will also be a top priority. This mentorship will provide guidance and foster growth throughout my judicial career. Another top priority is ensuring that access to the courts remains intact for all citizens as we transition into the electronic era.

Reasons for running

I am running because I can better serve the needs of Wabasha County and the Third Judicial District. I believe my calm and respectful temperament distinguishes me from others. I can fairly and consistently apply Minnesota law as expected by attorneys and citizens alike. My experience includes criminal and juvenile prosecution, civil law, family law, Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court cases and working for two District Court Judges in our district. I am a viable nonpartisan candidate and, before the governor chooses the next judge for Wabasha County, I felt compelled to give the voters a choice.

Most important quality of being judge

A judge must be relied upon by attorneys and citizens to be fair and consistent, case after case. When the law is consistently applied, attorneys can accurately predict the likely outcome of a case. This, in turn, allows the local attorney to better advise his or her client. Consistent and predictable outcomes promotes settlement of cases saving tax-payer dollars. This is good for business and even better for justice.

Name:Terrence "Terry" Walters (incumbent)

Age:66

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Occupation:District Court Judge

Hometown:Rochester

Political experience:I have been a district court judge chambered in Wabasha County for 13  years. Before that I was a practicing trial attorney in Rochester for 25 years. I handled hundreds of trials, including some of the most significant criminal cases in this part of the state, e.g. State v. David Brom.

Top priorities if re-elected

To keep the Wabasha County Drug Court program going successfully. I was part of the team that started this program 12 years ago, and I have presided over it ever since. At the time we started this program, it was only the second one in the 11 counties of the Third Judicial District. We have seen seriously addicted individuals become productive, upstanding citizens. The program has saved the taxpayers money, reduced recidivism and, most importantly, saved lives. We are currently looking into establishing a similar program for child protection cases in which addiction is the underlying issue.

Reasons for running for re-election

I want to continue serving the people of the Third District. I want to continue seeing the Wabasha County Drug Court thrive. I want to continue to help the children who come before the court on child protection matters. It is amazing what a judge can do for a child in those cases simply by asking that child what he or she would like me to know and then really listening to them. Being a judge is both challenging and rewarding. A recent reward for me was receiving a hand-drawn invitation to the high school graduation party of a child who had been before me many times on a child protection case.

Most important quality of being judge

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Common sense. To me the term common sense embodies intelligence, compassion and an ability to understand the purpose of a law and help make the system work fairly for all. A judge needs intelligence and knowledge of the law, but a judge also must have an understanding of the law. A judge must understand what is a law's purpose and how best to fulfill that purpose. Learning by memorization will not give one an understanding of the law.

Name:Gerald "Scott" Weinrich

Age:59

Hometown:Rochester

Occupation:Practicing attorney for 33 years, the past 25 as a solo practitioner

Political experience:Active in DFL Party. Served on local and state DFL central committees and served as shair for Senate District 30 and Olmsted County central committees.

Top priorities as judge

Learning existing procedures and how things are handled on a day-to-day basis for processing and scheduling cases. Keeping courtroom system accessible for public must be top priority. Building relationships with District Court Staff, law enforcement, the county and civil attorneys in order to craft procedures to make court system both efficient and user friendly so that cases proceed forward to address need of parties and court staff. Work within existing rules to establish guidelines and procedures to facilitate the quick evaluation and processing of civil cases.

Keeping the court system accessible for the average citizen has to be a top priority. Between the demands of the criminal docket and the concerns for security, I am worried that the average person perceives, with some justification, that the court system is not there for them. Between the burden of civil filing fees and the costs to hire an attorney, many people simply cannot afford to pursue their rights in court. We have to look for efficiencies in the system, make it citizen friendly and apply the rules of procedure in a flexible manner without restricting the right to be heard.

Reasons for running

This is actually something I struggled with, went back and forth on, and made many starts only to back away. In the end, I decided to run for judge for the simple reason that I would like to be a judge. I believe I would enjoy the work. I believe my background and broad experience give me the means to be a good judge.

Most important quality of being judge

Patience, a willingness to listen, and if I can be permitted a near pun, the ability to reserve judgment until you are familiar with the actual facts and circumstances. Beyond that a good judge is able to communicate with both attorneys, professionals and laypersons. Everyone has a possible contribution to make in the resolution of a case, and the judge has to be able to talk to and exchange ideas and information in a professional but nonalienating manner.
ST. PAUL  Sometimes bystanders are curious when they see Tiffany Morgan's 8-year-old daughter have a meltdown at the playground. The conversation goes like this:

"Why is she doing that?" asks the stranger.

"She has FASD," Morgan explains.

"What's that?"

"It's fetal alcohol syndrome."

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"What is that?"

"I drank while I was pregnant with her."

Morgan has become accustomed to sharing her most private pain  if it helps someone understand her daughter Ny'Ana's disability or raises awareness about the risks of drinking while pregnant. The 41-year-old St. Paul woman has become a spokeswoman for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the term given to the cognitive and physical damage that can result when a woman exposes her fetus to alcohol. The effects, which range from mild to severe, are a major cause of developmental disabilities and increasingly seen as a large public health problem, yet one the American Academy of Pediatrics calls "vastly under recognized."

It's also 100 percent preventable, but it's not something most people feel comfortable talking about, said Ruth Richardson, program director at the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS). And that's making it hard to deal with the problem.

"Until we shed the shame and the stigma about this issue, there are going to be secrets," Richardson said. "And that's going to make it hard to understand its scope."

'No one sets out to hurt their baby'

Obstetricians are not always sure how to talk to women about drinking, and pediatricians might never ask about it, she said. Schools might be unaware of children who have disabilities caused by alcohol.

And few people understand the complex reasons women drink while they are pregnant. They might drink before they know they have conceived. They might have addictions or be ignorant of how alcohol could affect a fetus.

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"No one sets out to hurt their baby," Richardson said.

MOFAS, which was formed in 1998 to support foster and adoptive parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, recently started helping mothers like Morgan share their stories to raise public awareness.

"Tiffany really connects with the women," said Catie Triviski, who coordinates the organization's chemical health programs. "It's so hard to process that you could have caused harm to your child. There's so much shame that it can prevent women from even talking about it. And I know there are other women who contact her for support. She helps them know they aren't alone."

Morgan grew up in Evansville, Ind., the second of five children in a tight-knit black community where, as she put it, "if you got past your parents, you didn't get past your neighbors." Her mother is a retired school teacher. Her father, who passed away in 2009, was a mechanic. He also drank heavily. Morgan didn't know about that until she was 16 and was called to a hospital emergency room after her dad almost died of complications from alcohol withdrawal.

She kept to herself as a child, reading Nancy Drew mysteries and "Little House on the Prairie." After high school, she tried to enroll in the Army and was told she was pregnant during the routine health exam. She said prenatal visits with her doctor didn't touch on avoiding alcohol.

"I don't remember them asking, do you drink, or when do you drink, or how much do you drink?" she said. "I just remember hearing 'your baby is protected because it's in that sack of fluid.' "

Morgan said her doctor told her to drink a couple of glasses of red wine to boost her iron. She wasn't a drinker then. So, instead, her grandmother cooked up iron-rich collard greens.

Morgan's first daughter, Ny'Asha, was born 1994. Just before the birth, the baby's father, a young man whom she recalls more as a childhood "best friend" than a boyfriend, was shot and killed in the parking lot of the local liquor store, being "in the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.

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'Something in my head just snapped'

Morgan started smoking marijuana to escape her grief and stress. During the next decade, she held a series of low-wage jobs. She worked several years in a nursing home but quit because "I was getting too attached," she said. "It really messed me up mentally when they would pass." She worked as a construction laborer, washed and cut hair and operated a switchboard until "something in my head just snapped" and she was diagnosed with bi-polar depression. In 2006, she lost her job driving a day care bus.

"I was always working paycheck to paycheck," she said. "I was tired of being broke and not having what the drug dealers had  cars and trips and anything their kids wanted. I always had to pay bills and I wasn't able to get things for my daughter. So I started selling drugs."

Morgan said she made a lot of money selling crack cocaine before she was caught a year later. Her attorney entered a plea bargain, and she was released after serving two months in jail.

"I believe God knocked me down," said Morgan. "I would have probably become a monster if I stayed in it any longer. I didn't care about anybody. I just wanted your money. That's how I became."

Morgan knew marijuana would show up in drug tests required by the terms of her probation. So she switched to a legal drug  alcohol. On her first day out of jail, she went to the liquor store, bought a fifth of Grey Goose Vodka and sat on her front porch drinking until she passed out. She continued drinking, even after she discovered she was pregnant again.

Looking back, she said she didn't seek help because in her family, "therapy was for people in straight jackets. That's why I handled it the way I did. I just drank. And my family never said anything about it even though they knew I was pregnant. I didn't have no support. So I drank. It was a really messed up time."

Unknown to her, the alcohol passed through the placenta to her developing baby. Liquor's intoxicating ingredient, ethanol, triggers brain cells to "self destruct on a massive scale," according to University of Minnesota psychiatrist Jeffrey Wozniak, who treats and studies children with alcohol-caused disabilities.

"When we say that alcohol is more toxic than marijuana and cocaine and heroin, people don't believe it," says Wozniak. "Alcohol's toxicity has nothing to do with whether it's legal or illegal, it has to do with basic chemistry."

Something was wrong

Morgan's second daughter Ny'Ana was born full term in April 2008, at five pounds, seven ounces. Low birth weight can be a sign of alcohol exposure, but Morgan didn't suspect a problem. And despite the unwanted pregnancy, she fell in love at first sight.

"When I seen her, I loved her. That was my baby, and it didn't matter."

After her year and a half of probation was over, Morgan caught a bus to the Twin Cities in search of a new start.

Ny'Ana was a fussy baby who cried almost constantly, and Morgan strapped her to her chest in an effort to sooth her to sleep. She never crawled and didn't speak until she was 3. Something was wrong, but no one knew what. Morgan took her to early childhood education classes for toddlers with developmental delays. Finally, a pediatrician referred Ny'Ana to a psychologist for a more thorough evaluation, where for the first time someone asked Morgan if she drank while she was pregnant.

"The question shocked me. I was afraid to answer. So, I lied. I said 'No. I don't know what you're talking about.' "

It's not uncommon for women to lie, which makes it even more difficult to identify alcohol-caused disabilities in children. By now, Morgan had a third child by a third father, a boy named Malachi, and she was worried child protection would take her kids. A nurse practitioner at Hennepin County Medical Center won her trust.

"She didn't come with authority in her white coat," recalled Morgan. "She said, 'I'm going to talk to you woman to woman.' She said I wasn't in any trouble. She said they wanted to start Ny'Ana on this medication for ADHD. And that I needed to be honest because they could give her the wrong medication and it could harm her. You need to tell them so they can help her. So, I told her. I told her as much as I could remember."

A follow up with a specialist determined that Ny'Ana had subtle physical signs of alcohol exposure, including a slightly smaller head and a smoothing over of the philtrum, the natural indentation below the nose. She also had invisible and permanent brain damage, leading to a diagnosis of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) when she was 4.

"It killed me. As soon as the doctor told me, my heart like dropped to my stomach," said Morgan. "I remember getting really, really hot. And I had to step out for a minute. When I got home, I sat down and I looked at her and went over what they had pointed out. I started seeing it. I got to thinking back to when she was younger and thinking, that's why she was acting that way. And the more I seen, the more it killed me. I couldn't even look her in the face no more. I wanted to die, but I knew I couldn't die because my kids needed me."

'Brain damage is invisible'

Morgan quit marijuana immediately after her daughter was diagnosed. She had quit drinking before Malachi was born. She's spent the nearly four years since then trying to be a good mother to her kids. After being homeless, she found a subsidized apartment in St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood. She is in therapy and receives Social Security disability payments because of her bi-polar depression. Malachi, who was not exposed to alcohol, is doing well. Her older daughter, Ny'Asha, often drops by.

Ny'Ana is in summer school. She doesn't read, but on a good day, she can recite the letters of the alphabet. She finished a second year of kindergarten at a school where Morgan said the teachers "don't know much about FASD but they are open to learning." At Ny'Ana's first school, Morgan felt the teachers pegged her as a "bad" girl who didn't follow directions.

"Part of the problem is that the brain damage is invisible," said Richardson, with the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. "When teacher sees a child with FASD, they can't tell they have special needs. No teacher would ever look at a kid with Down Syndrome and say, 'you just need to try harder.'"

Ny'Ana has trouble focusing and is impulsive. She interprets instructions literally.

"If I tell her in the morning to go put her clothes on, that's just what she'll do," said Morgan. "She'll put her clothes on over her pajamas. She's gonna do exactly what you say." She doesn't understand social nuances and gets upsets if other kids tease her.

Her memory is damaged, and she doesn't easily predict consequences. When Morgan recently baked cookies, Ny'Ana reached over a hot stove to get one and burned herself. "And then she did it again. And she did it again." said Morgan, who speaks with both fondness and exasperation about her daughter. "What I think of as common sense, they don't have it."

Through the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Morgan has learned to be patient and to break down complicated tasks into small steps.

"I think it's getting a lot better," she added. "But it's brain damage and it's permanent."

'God put me in this position'

Morgan lives with a profound sense of guilt.

"I probably won't never be over it," she said.

It's partly what drives her to tell her story. Through the birth mom panel at the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, she speaks several times a month in prisons, drug and alcohol treatment programs and at domestic violence shelters, where women are more likely to abuse alcohol and where the organization targets its prevention and support efforts.

She was recently asked to be part of a statewide group charged with coming up for recommendations on what to do with pregnant women who are referred to child protection services because of their drug and alcohol use. A few weeks ago, she went with Richardson to speak to a gathering of health providers in St. Paul.

"She is so passionate," said Richardson. "At the end of the day I'm ready to pack all this stuff up and she's still there handing brochures out to people. She is like, 'we're going to talk to every person here.' "

Morgan is mentoring a young pregnant woman who just stopped drinking heavily. She has tried to talk about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders with her family. Her mom listens, she said, but not everyone wants to hear it.

"My other relatives are like, 'Oh, girl, that's something that white people made up.'

"I'm like, 'No. Noooo. It's not.'

"Or they'll say, 'there aren't no such thing as that, girl. Your baby is in a sac.' They're like, 'Girl, I drank my whole pregnancy. Ain't nothing wrong with my kids.' "

"I believe God put me in this position. Not that he caused it to happen to my daughter. That was all me. But I believe this is now my calling. It's God saying, 'OK, this is your opportunity to make things right. I'm going to open up these doors for you.'"
The city of Rochester is ready to leave residential parking stickers in the past.

As early as Sept. 1, the city's parking enforcement could operate entirely by automated license plate readers and a digital database.

About 2,000 Rochester residents currently hold parking permits in the city's 13 established residential parking zones . The zones help to preserve on-street parking space for residents and businesses in the zones and daytime care providers.

In the past, permit holders have displayed a permit tag on their vehicle's license plate, or put a temporary tag on the vehicle's dashboard.

A new technology would allow community service officers  the city's parking enforcement  to use automatic license plate readers to scan license plate letters and numbers instead of looking for a permit.

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The license plate reader equipment is attached to the officers' vehicles and can operate while the officer slowly drives through a residential permit parking area. The device reads license plate numbers and checks them against the city's database of permit holders, specific to each of the 133 permit zones.

"As (community service officers) drive through, if a license plate is flagged for a vehicle that shouldn't be there, the officer can pull it up and immediately issue a ticket," City Clerk Aaron Reeves said.

The city uses three parking control vehicles to patrol residential permit parking areas. As of Aug. 1, the vehicles have been equipped with automatic license plate readers, Reeves said.

The technology should save time and also resolve some of the most common complaints related to residential permit parking  for example, people borrowing permits or applying for and selling a permit.

"It really eases the enforcement process and makes it more efficient, and it's also going to take care of some of the complaints we get of people using tags that probably shouldn't be," Reeves said.

License plate reader technology has had other law enforcement applications , such as identifying vehicles associated with warrant subjects or suspects of major crimes. The Rochester Police Department would support some criminal information being available to parking enforcement officers  who are not sworn police officers.

"From my perspective, I think it is important to give them the information that they need to not only do their jobs more efficiently, but also to keep them safe," Rochester Police Department Sgt. Chad Blanchette said in an email to the Post-Bulletin.

The license plate reader equipment could alert a parking enforcement officer to a vehicle that is associated with a warrant subject, or a vehicle that is stolen, Blanchette said. In that situation, Blanchette would want the community service officer to be aware of the situation and be able to request assistance before taking enforcement action, he said.

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The city's license plate reader program for parking enforcement has not yet been finalized but is scheduled to take effect Sept. 1. For more residential permit parking information, see the city of Rochester website at rochestermn.gov.
Seventy-one years after the first atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Rochester on Tuesday will again mark the anniversary with a floating peace lantern ceremony at Silver Lake Park.

"So many people are so loyal to this event," said Junko Maruta, who has organized the ceremony since 1995. "Many of them have said this is a kind of meditation for them. And at this time of year, the sun setting on the lake is so beautiful. It's a very special time for us."

This year's event will start at 6:30 p.m., when participants will make the lanterns in the east shelter at the park; kits will be provided. "This is a good activity for the children, to make a lantern," Maruta said.

At 7:20 p.m., there will be a short program, with talks by Mayor Ardell Brede and Dr. Paul Scanlon, from Mayo Clinic, as well as live music. In addition, Maruta will share a letter she has received from Kazumi Matsui, the major of Hiroshima.

Then, she said, "We bring the lanterns very quietly to float on the lake. We encourage people not to speak."

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The ceremony has been held in Rochester since 1985, with about 150 people usually taking part.

Some background on the ceremony:

 Hiroshima was bombed on Aug. 6, 1945, and Nagasaki was bombed on Aug. 9, 1945. It is estimated that at least 90,000 people were killed outright in Hiroshima and about 40,000 were killed outright in Nagasaki. Countless others endured painful illnesses and deaths in the following weeks, months and years as a result of the bombings.

 Since 1946, the people of Hiroshima have annually floated lanterns on the Ota River, where many of the victims died trying to escape the intense heat of the blast.

 "Our main theme is always the same: to insist on total disarmament of all the nuclear weapons in the world in order to establish world peace," Maruta said.

In case of rain, the event moves inside Peace United Church of Christ, but that has never happened, Maruta said. "Even if it's kind of raining during the day, it turns out to be nice at that time every year," she said.
Name:Carmaine Sturino

Age:40

Hometown:N/A

Occupation:District Court Judge

Political experience:Nonpartisan elected official

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Top priorities

To encourage the growth of the public's trust and confidence in the Judicial System during this time of change. Advances in technology and evaluation of courthouse security are constantly evolving in an effort to better serve our district's 11 counties. Houston County specifically is being rejuvenated through new names and faces in leadership roles. Being open minded, seeking collaboration and fostering trust is a necessary goal for all of us. To give our children a voice whether as victims, subjects of divorce or children suffering from illness or disability which prevents traditional school. To address the real drug problem facing so many of our residents through accountability and increased access to treatment and support.

Reasons for running for re-election

A childhood dream of mine had been realized when our governor appointed me as a District Court Judge. The study of government and public administration has always been my academic preference. I want to contribute to the communities I am part of and try to make better the world our children will grow up in. I am at the beginning of my judicial career with much opportunity ahead of me. I am the candidate for our judicial district who was chosen by the Judicial Selection Committee, not solely upon an application fee and attorney law license. Southeastern Minnesota is where I live and work, where my family plays outside and an area that I have devoted the entirety of my legal career to.

Most important quality as judge

A judge must have the ability to be committed to making the best decision possible with limited information. Being a judge entails routinely seeing people who are having the worst day of their life; it involves making life-changing decisions for persons who may have never met; and it means being on call 24/7. There are no perfect decisions, and there is rarely a "winner." Being a judge is not about being in control of a court calendar or how attorneys present their cases; it's about the ability to listen, reflect and make fair decisions.

Name:Timothy J. Guth

Age:58

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Hometown:Caledonia

Occupation:Attorney

Political Experience:None

 Top priorities as judge:

Wants to institute policy that all jury trials be settled the Wednesday before the jury selection the following Monday. Institute a veterans court for returning combat veterans. Institute a drug court that will help drug addicts receive treatment as opposed to prison time, violent offenses wouldn't be included.

 Reason for running

I ran for Houston County Judge because I believe judges should be elected, not appointed by the governor.

 Most important thing to do as judge

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I believe that a judge can establish that people who come before him or her will be treated fairly and with due process. That is the most important issue a judge can do for his county that everyone no matter the race or religion will be treated fairly under the laws of the state of Minnesota.

Name:Dan Moulton

Age:N/A

Hometown:Born in Rochester, lives in Chatfield

Occupation:Attorney

Political Experience:None

 Top priorities as judge:

Listening to the cases in their entirety before making a decision. Treating attorneys, clients, witnesses and staff with respect. Making informed decisions after fully considering issues presented. Conduct hearings in an unbiased manner with appropriate temperament.

 Reason for running

I have a broad range of experiences in the practice of law. In addition, I have received a good education and subsequent training to enhance those experiences. I have met many people from all walks of life who have assisted me in my practice. If I were successful, it would allow me to repay the citizens and our state for what they've done for me.

 Most important thing to do as judge

A judge must listen fully and objectively to the cases brought before them, to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and to be consistent with how cases are handled. The judge must also be aware of the facts and rules of law that apply to each case. With my broad experience and common sense, those factors will allow me to do so.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) today issued the following report on the recent protests in Yerevan surrounding the armed seizure of a police building and the response of police.

It is comprehensive and highly critical of the police reaction. The detention of scores of peaceful protesters is described as arbitrary. The criminal charges issued against a portion of the detainees is described as disproportionate.

The report details Armenian law regarding detention and how these laws have been flouted. The report also notes that Armenia is a party to multiple human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights, and that despite such obligations Armenian law enforcement often violates such treaties. The report also presents cases of individuals whose rights have been grossly violated.

(Yerevan)  Armenian authorities have arbitrarily detained dozens of people linked to the ongoing, largely peaceful, protests and beaten many of them, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities also have pressed unjustified criminal charges against numerous protest leaders and some participants and denied them basic rights of detainees.

The Armenian authorities response to Yerevans largely peaceful protests has been excessive and cruel, said Jane Buchanan, associate Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. The tense atmosphere at some protests is no justification for detaining people arbitrarily, beating them, and bringing disproportionate criminal charges against them.

There have been protests in Armenias capital, Yerevan, almost every night since July 17, 2016, after a group of armed men from a radical opposition group seized a Yerevan police station, killing one policeman and taking several hostages. Before the gunmen surrendered on July 31, public support for them and disaffection with the government grew into a wide protest movement in Yerevan.

The protests have been largely peaceful, with isolated incidents of violence by some protesters. Police in some cases responded to protests with excessive force and with large-scale arbitrary detentions. Human Rights Watch interviewed victims of arbitrary detention and police beatings, witnesses to the detentions and abuse, and lawyers for many of those detained.

Police beat many detainees, in some cases severely, and in some cases did not allow them to get prompt medical care for their injuries. For example, on July 18, police detained a 26-year-old activist, Andranik Aslanyan, at Yerevans Liberty Square and severely beat him and two other men in the back of a police van.

Police kicked, punched, and beat Aslanyan on the head, face, back, and legs, spat on him, and rubbed his face on their boots to humiliate him. He was then held for three hours before being taken to a hospital even though he, and others, asked for and needed immediate medical attention.

Read full report HERE






Donald Trump, the man who defied every political rule and prevailed to win his party's nomination, last week took on perhaps the most sacred political rule of all: Never attack a Gold Star family. Not just because it alienates a vital constituency but because it reveals a shocking absence of elementary decency and of natural empathy for the most profound of human sorrows  parental grief.

Why did Trump do it? It wasn't a mistake. It was a revelation. It's that he can't help himself. His governing rule in life is to strike back when attacked, disrespected or even slighted. To understand Trump, you have to grasp the General Theory: He judges every action, every pronouncement, every person by a single criterion  whether or not it/he is "nice" to Trump.

Vladimir Putin called him brilliant (in fact, he didn't, but that's another matter) and a bromance is born. A "Mexican" judge rules against Trump, which makes him a bad person governed by prejudiced racial instincts.

House Speaker Paul Ryan criticizes Trump's attack on the Gold Star mother  so Trump mocks Ryan and praises his primary opponent. On what grounds? That the opponent is an experienced legislator? Is a tested leader?

Not at all. He's "a big fan of what I'm saying, big fan," attests Trump.

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You're a fan of his, he's a fan of yours. And vice versa. Treat him "unfairly" and you will pay. House speaker, Gold Star mother, it matters not.

Of course we all try to protect our own dignity and command respect. But Trump's hypersensitivity and unedited, untempered Pavlovian responses are, shall we say, unusual in both ferocity and predictability.

This is beyond narcissism. I used to think Trump was an 11-year-old, an undeveloped schoolyard bully. I was off by about 10 years. His needs are more primitive, an infantile hunger for approval and praise, a craving that can never be satisfied. He lives in a cocoon of solipsism where the world outside himself has value -- indeed exists -- only insofar as it sustains and inflates him.

Most politicians seek approval. But Trump livesfor the adoration. He doesn't even try to hide it, boasting incessantly about his crowds, his standing ovations, his TV ratings, his poll numbers, his primary victories. The latter are most prized because they offer empirical evidence of how loved and admired he is.

Prized also because, in our politics, success is self-validating. A candidacy that started out as a joke, as a self-aggrandizing exercise in xenophobia, struck a chord in a certain constituency and took off. The joke was on those who believed that he was not a serious man and therefore would not be taken seriously. They  myself emphatically included -- were wrong.

Winning  in ratings, polls and primaries  validated him. Which brought further validation in the form of endorsements from respected and popular Republicans. Chris Christie was first to cross the Rubicon. Ben Carson then offered his blessings, such as they are. Newt Gingrich came aboard to provide intellectual ballast.

Although tepid, the endorsements by Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were further milestones in the normalization of Trump.

But this may all now be jeopardized by the Gold Star gaffe. (Remember: A gaffe in Washington is when a politician inadvertently reveals the truth, especially about himself.) It has put a severe strain on the patched-over relationship between the candidate and both Republican leadership and Republican regulars.

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Trump's greatest success  normalizing the abnormal  is beginning to dissipate. When a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal columnist (Eugene Robinson) and a major conservative foreign policy thinker and former speechwriter for George Shultz under Ronald Reagan (Robert Kagan) simultaneously question Trump's psychological stability, indeed sanity, there's something going on (as Trump would say).

The dynamic of this election is obvious. As in 1980, the status quo candidate for a failed administration is running against an outsider. The stay-the-course candidate plays his/her only available card  charging that the outsider is dangerously out of the mainstream and temperamentally unfit to command the nation.

In 1980, Reagan had to do just one thing: pass the threshold test for acceptability. He won that election because he did, especially in the debate with Jimmy Carter in which Reagan showed himself to be genial, self-assured and, above all, nonthreatening. You may not like all his policies, but you could safely entrust the nation to him.

Trump badly needs to pass that threshold. If character is destiny, he won't.

Charles Krauthammer is a columnist for the Washington Post.
It literally takes your breath away.

Olmsted County's whooping cough outbreak means a growing number of area residents are having a miserable summer. The bacterial infection often brings weeks of uncontrolled coughing that can impede airways and induce vomiting.

So far, at least 210 cases have been confirmed in Olmsted County.

While such outbreaks are not uncommon due to the short-term effectiveness of vaccines, they are no less disturbing for those with small children. When a child suffers the trademark whoop of pertussis, medical assurances will do little to assuage the suffering on a beautiful summer day.

That's why we encourage parents  and anyone else  to take a look at their vaccination records.

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As the best way to prevent whooping cough, the vaccine is often given with diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations, with five doses through a child's first four to six years. After that, immunity can wane by age 11 and physicians recommend boosters throughout adulthood, especially for people who deal with children on a regular basis.

While vaccination is the best defense, other steps can help decrease the spread of illness once it lands, according to the Olmsted County Health Department. They include covering mouths while coughing, washing hands often and staying home when ill.

Whooping cough can be contagious for three weeks without treatment. With antibiotics, the spread is limited to five days.

While Olmsted County thankfully has a team of experts fighting the current outbreak, we all can join the effort by learning about the infection and its risks.

It's information worth having  especially if it prevents a loved one from dealing with the dreaded cough.
It's likely 10 percent of eligible voters will decide who makes it to the general election ballot in a variety races, including the two congressional district that cover Southeast Minnesota.

That's the percentage of voters who took the time to cast ballots in the 2014 primary, and it was up from the previous years, which saw numbers drop below 8 percent in 2004.

This year's primary election is Tuesday. Polls at most locations are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go to http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ to find your polling place.

While Minnesota voters are among the most active during general elections  we led the nation nine times before dropping to No. 6 in 2014  primary election turnout tends to be lackluster. Too many people leave it to the motivated few to narrow the field, whether it's deciding which candidate will represent a party in congressional races or which two candidates will remain in play on nonpartisan races for city councils, county boards and school boards throughout the region.

That's unfortunate since primary elections can set up key decisions for November. Low turnout, however, means zealous campaigners for one candidate can easily push past a candidate who may be more qualified and desired but simply lacks the numbers willing to vote on Tuesday.

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Too many people simply view the primaries as a warmup exercise, something for the diehard voters.

We've all heard complaints about this year's selection for presidential candidates. Members of both parties have voiced a desire for something different. Others have wished they had a greater voice.

When it comes to selecting who appears on the ballot for certain local and regional in November, our voices will be the loudest on Tuesday.

Granted, the majority of races are already set. The slots are filled with two candidates, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't weigh in on those that are still in flux.

It's an ideal time to speak up, pick a candidate and become one of the few people who take the opportunity to help set the agenda for the rest of the campaign season.
The Black Lives Matter movement has jumped the Atlantic, and British activists are duplicating the tactics that have made BLM unpopular in the U.S.:

Black Lives Matter protesters intent on causing chaos in London blocked in a Waitrose lorry as they chanted hands up, dont shoot at police officers  who were not carrying guns. The group of so-far peaceful demonstrators marched through east London and stopped traffic in Whitechapel and Shoreditch, frustrating revelers heading to the trendy area for a Friday night out.

Placard-waving activists in Manchester also brought trams and traffic to a halt outside Piccadilly bus station. It followed a wave of protests this morning which saw protesters from the Black Lives Matter group bring transport routes to a standstill by laying [sic] down on motorways, blocking the entrances to airports and stopping trams.

Earlier today, activists chained themselves together and stood across approach roads to Heathrow and Birmingham airports, while in the centre of Nottingham, four protesters lay across tram tracks.  In Birmingham, an ambulance was delayed as paramedics tried to get a patient to Heartlands Hospital along the blocked A45.

The protests were evidently coordinated across the U.K., and the protesters used relatively high-tech methods requiring considerable planning, such as chaining themselves together with concrete locks, which required the police to use power tools to cut them open in order to separate the protestersand, one hopes, put them under arrest.

It would be interesting to know who organized and paid for the demonstrations, but so far I have seen no information on that.

What prompted the demonstrations?

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Mark Duggan being shot dead by police in Tottenham, North London, which prompted widespread protests across the capital and in other cities across Britain between August 6 and 11, 2011. Black Lives Matter said it wanted to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Mr Duggans death.

As a casus belli, this is as feeble as the death of Michael Brown, which led to the founding of BLM in America. An inquest absolved the officers involved in Duggans death of any wrongdoing. They were arresting Duggan on suspicion of possessing an illegal firearm, when they believed he was pulling a gun on them, and shot him. Sure enough:

While no gun was found on him, a handgun in a sock was discovered on grassland about four metres (14ft) from his body.  The IPCC said the most plausible explanation for the location of the gun was that Duggan was in the process of throwing it to his right as he was shot.

Five years later, that apparently is the best BLM protesters can come up with. But their weak case hasnt stopped the National Union of Students from backing them:

Its president, Malia Bouattia, praised the brave demonstrators who stopped people getting to Heathrow Airport this morning. I extend my solidarity and respect to the Black Lives Matter protesters who have bravely blocked the M4 outside Heathrow Airport this morning and others who have held demonstrations across the UK, she said. We have reached a crisis point where we have been forced into taking direct action and its obvious there is a desperate need for a Black Lives Matter movement in the UK.

Obvious or not, it isnt hard to guess what most Britons will make of a coordinated series of demonstrations that mostly involve blocking highways and tramways.

It is hard to imagine how the protesters thought this would be a good idea. If I knew who organized and paid for the demonstrations, I would ask him.
I wrote here about the scores of demands made by a multitude of organizations associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. The demands combined the cant of the old Black Power movement and worldwide liberationist ideology with that of Bernie Sanders. It confirmed that Black Lives Matter isnt about reforming the police in order to reduce shootings by cops, but rather about transforming America across-the-board in the interests of Black-centric socialism.

I focused on two sets of demands. One was for the massive transfer of money and land to African-Americans. The other was a laundry list of leftist agenda items  e.g., universal health care, free education for all, and divestment from industrial multinational use of fossil fuels.

One of the many sets of demands I didnt discuss pertains to Israel. As Chloe Valdary at Tablet notes, the BLM demands include a section that calls for a divestment from the Jewish state on the theory that it is complicit in the genocide against the Palestinian people.

The authors of the demands dont even bother to claim that Israels policies have anything to do with black lives. Nor, for that matter, do they offer any assertions (never mind facts) that might support their claim of an Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people.

Moreover, as Valdary points out, the authors of the BLM demands ignore the fact that the Palestinian fighters with whom they express solidarity actively engage in the African slave trade:

In 2013, CNN Berlin correspondent Frederik Pleitgen detailed Hamas involvement in the African slave trade in a piece titled, Human Trafficking in the Sinai: To Fight It We Need to Know It. According to Pleitgen, Some of the major traffickers, including Abu Ahmed and Abu Khaled, have declared in interviews reported in the media, to be part of Hamas. Pleitgen also reported that arms caches owned by Hamas have been bought with profits from the slave and human-organs trade in the Sinai Peninsula, according to EveryOne Group, an Italian based nongovernmental organization working for the preservation of human rights.

Naturally, black lives matter to Hamas; they are a source of revenue.

Valdary continues:

In a 2014 article in the Times of Israel, [human rights activist Calev] Meyers relayed how, according to Israeli court documents, Sudanese and Eritrean men and women were kidnapped near the Israeli border, and tortured by Bedouin tribesman. Being freed required that they pay ransom money to their kidnappers. Hamas officials were complicit in extorting funds from the victims. Israeli court records describe a complicated network built to smuggle the funds out of Israel and into the hands of the traffickers, Meyers wrote. Once the family members pay up, the ransom funds move to the hands of Hamas operatives in the West Bank towns of Jenin and Nablus. From there, the funds flow into the Gaza Strip to Abu Jamil, a Hamas operative who pockets a tax and smuggles the funds. Jamil helps move the funds through Hamas network of underground tunnels running under the border between Gaza and Sinai, with the tunnels reaching within a few kilometers of the very buildings in which the abductees are held.

Israel has a much more benign view of black lives. Valdary writes:

Israel puts its money where its mouth is by cultivating social and economic innovation in Africa through direct foreign investment and people-to-people outreach in addition to state-to-state ties. [This] is one big reason why Benjamin Netanyahu was greeted so warmly by African heads of state and by ordinary people during his recent visit to the continent.

Again we see that Black Lives Matter is not about black lives. Its about the fact that Occupy Wall Street fizzled, requiring the radical left to find another hobbyhorse, this time one with a racial hook.
This past Sunday FOX News played Chris Wallaces interview with Hillary Clinton. In the video I posted here, Clinton claimed at 16:35 she had admitted her mistake in connection with the email scandal; her mistake was not using two different email addresses. Thats what she said. Really.

Taking questions at a gathering of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists yesterday, Clinton purported to acknowledge her mistake again. Asked about her assertion in the interview with Wallace that FBI Director Comey had vouched for her veracity, Clinton was ready for the question. She spoke from notes to which she turned her eyes several times in the course of another set of twisted comments. She is having some difficulty keeping her lies straight.

This time around Clinton commented that she had short-circuited Comeys remarks (video below). In the course of these comments Clinton said: I have acknowledged repeatedly that using two email accounts was a mistake (whatever that means). Toward the end of these comments she said: I regret using one account (whatever that means). All in all, another bizarre display of false regret.

Note that Chris Cillizza gets this part of the story wrong in his Washington Post column on Clintons performance yesterday. Cillizza writes: This is by now a very familiar pattern with Clinton when it comes to her email server. She simply refuses to acknowledge any misstep or wrongdoing beyond an initial poor decision to exclusively use a private email server for convenience sake. Would that The Fix (as Cillizza calls his column) would fix that.
Aisha, President Muhammadu Buharis wife, on Saturday said she was on a week-long visit to the United States of America to hold discussions with aid organizations on how to help the women and children facing starvation in the north eastern part of Nigeria.

Mrs. Buhari spoke in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, VOA.

Our children in the various camps are in dire situation and the government alone cannot do it, we have to get help, she said.

Mrs. Buhari said already, she had met with organisations known for promoting peace and provision of aids to displaced children.

Mrs. Buhari said she met with officials of the United States Institute for peace on Friday and assured them that unlike what obtained in the past, any aid rendered to displaced persons would go to those who needed them.

She also said she told the officials that what was needed now was not even cash because statistics had shown that children between the ages of five months and seven years were dying in large number due to hunger-related diseases.

She said the United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) had been providing aid packages containing nut-related supplements, which, she said, are produced in large quantities by Nigerian farmers.

Mrs. Buhari said she told the officials that there was need to set up a plant in Nigeria that could produce the package.

It often takes between 6-8 weeks for these things to be shipped to Nigeria, before they arrive, many children would have died, so I suggested to them to set up the manufacturing plant in the country if they really want to help is, she said.

Mrs. Buhari said she started pay close attention to the issue after recent revelations indicated women and children were dying of hunger in some IDP camps in Borno State.

Why I sued Fayose

Mrs. Buhari also said she sued Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, because he attacked her for no reason, while also raising false allegations against her.

She said Mr. Fayose had been insulting her and the president since during the 2015 campaign.

At the time, he was not the only one insulting us, but people felt that it was just campaign, Mrs. Buhari said.

After the election, which we won and they lost, everyone else moved on except him and he extended his insults to me.

I did not run for president. I am a married woman and I have never called his name. I never knew him. But as governor and chief executive, he kept insulting and raising false allegations against me, I have to respond and I decided to go to court.

He made allegations over what he said I did here in the US, even though I have never met the people he mentioned.

Mr. Fayose had dared Mrs. Buhari to visit the United States after he falsely accused her of having been indicted in the famous William Jefferson bribery scandal.

The governor insisted the presidents wife was named in the scam even after this newspapers investigation showed clearly she was not the Aisha Buhari mentioned in the case.
Aisha, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday said her ongoing trip to the United States was not being funded with public funds.

Speaking in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, Mrs. Buhari said the trip was being funded with personal funds and sponsorship grant.

We sponsored even the government officials that came with us on this trip, she said.

The presidents wife explained that the Muhammadu Buharis administration was not funding her office and that her role was just a supportive one to complement her husbands services to the country.

Mrs. Buhari said the office of First Lady had become a tradition in almost all nations of the world, not just Nigeria.

All that we are doing is to help our husbands, she said.

For instance someone can decide to give me Indomie or Maggie, which he cannot give to the president, women need these things.

In any state where a governors wife is irrelevant such as Yobe, you will notice that the women are suffering.

Whenever we get such gifts, we dont keep them but share to those in need.

The presidents wife also explained that the Nigerian government had put in place a special programme to help women.

She said she held a meeting with the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, before embarking on her U.S. trip on how to sensitize women on ways of taking advantage of the new policy.

Very soon our women will get help, she said.

Mrs. Buhari also responded to a question on why Nigerians are suffering at this time.

This may be because of the existence of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, and the activities of Boko Haram which prevented people from farming last season, she said.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday denied media reports suggesting he attended an event convened by his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party. in Abuja.

In a text message he personally sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday morning, Mr. Obasanjo said the reports were a ploy by their masterminds to score cheap political gains.

He also said the reports were manufactured to embarrass or annoy him.

He said he was at the Shehu Musa YarAdua Centre as guest of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, when some PDP leaders stormed the venue to great him.

Chief Obasanjos resignation from party politics is final, the statement said.

PREMIUM TIMES correspondent in Ogun State also quoted the former president as saying, Those who know me, know that I have publicly announced my quitting partisan politics and those who will believe the purported story will believe anybody who tells him that his or her mother is not a woman.

If I quit a party when it was alive and seemingly united, how could I go back to a now divided, factionalized party grasping for breath?

Later on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Obasanjos office issued a more detailed statement saying, The attention of the former President, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been brought to the photonews story, which has gone viral on the social media on Friday, August 5, 2016 of his purported being spotted at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) event at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre, Abuja,the statement reads.

While ordinarily his first reaction to the news was that those behind it targeted to get him annoyed and embarrassed him, his conclusion was that he has told the world that he has quit partisan politics and that is final. Anybody hoping to drag him back will fail like any man feeding mice to a dead cat,the statement added.

To clear the minds of doubting Thomass and those behind the orchestrated news in circulation and particularly those who had been calling to ascertain what actually happened at the Shehu Musa Yaradua centre. On the invitation of the Commodities Association Stakeholders, His Excellency, was invited to the Zero Hunger Nigeria event at the Centre, the statement said.

He arrived at about 10.00am and immediately moved to the meeting. The meeting commenced but few minutes into the session, his attention was drawn to the presence of some people walking up to where he was seated.

At closer glance, he recognized them to be politicians and they exchanged pleasantries, saying they came to greet him and they walked out again from the meeting. The former President cracked joke with them calling them invaders and gate crashers.

The statement said the programme ended and immediately Mr. Obasanjo and his entourage headed back to Lagos.

He said he was barely hours in Lagos when he started receiving calls from far and near wanting to find out about his presence at a political party programme in Abuja.

The statement added, The photo news in circulation, which claimed that he was spotted at a political party event is therefore mischievous, as a responsible journalist ought to have gone further to ascertain his actual destination in among the number of venues at the centre and not taking photograph of his alighting from his vehicle to read another meaning. Shocking also to note that the picture was actually taken while on his way out of the Centre after the programme he had attended had finished.

This is the height of irresponsible journalism, which the former President is calling for its investigation and sanction on anybody involved in order to serve as deterrent to others who may want to be used either by omission or commission to misinform the public on such sensitive issue.

There were reports on Friday (not in PREMIUM TIMES) that Mr. Obasanjo was sighted at the YarAdua centre in Abuja, the same venue used by the leadership of the PDP to inaugurate its national convention committees.

It later turned out that the former president was at the venue for an entirely different engagement.
Ahead of the commencement of the 2016 Hajj airlift operation, a team of 52 officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), including medical personnel, departed for Saudi Arabia on Friday as part of the advance team to this years Holy Pilgrimage to Makkah.

The team, made up of members of the national reception team, national medical team, accommodation and feeding committees are in the kingdom preparatory to receiving the first batch of Nigerian Pilgrims from Zamfara State who are expected to arrive Madina on August 8.

The team will also oversee the airport protocol process of the pilgrims at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, KAIA, Jeddah, and Prince Mohammad Ibn Abdul Aziz, airport, Madina, and also undertake the allocation and distribution of accommodation, as well as provision of medical services and feeding arrangement for the pilgrims.

At a briefing ceremony shortly before the teams departure to Jeddah at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport Abuja, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammed, charged the officials to always uphold the vision and mission of the Commission by discharging their responsibilities, emphasizing the need to put the interest of the country and the pilgrims on the front burner.

He added that their conduct would go a long way to re-enforce the positive image the country currently enjoys as a disciplined and responsive nation.

Meanwhile, the first consignment of the e-wrist band introduced by the Commission in the wake of last years tragic accidents in Saudi Arabia for easy identification and tracking of Pilgrims in the Holy land has been delivered and its distribution to the various state pilgrims board will commence immediately before their departure to the Holy Land.
Armenias Ministry of Health has stated that all those injured during July clashes with police will receive free medical treatment.

The statement appeared on the Facebook page of Anahit Haytayan, the ministrys press spokesperson.

Haytayan says the ministry has launched a hotline (52-88-72) for complaints and other inquiries.

Many of those injured have told Hetq that nothing has been clarified at the medical centers they have gone to seeking treatment.

Take the example of Aida Sargsyan, who received fragmentary burns on July 20. She told Hetq that upon being discharged from hospital, no staff member told her who would cover her medical bills.

Arsen Tadevosyan, who had his jaw broken, told Hetq that no one has gotten in touch with him about payment for his upcoming surgery.
The Afenifere Renewal Group, a Yoruba socio-political group, has warned the Nigerian governmemt against its policy of subsidising pilgrimage.

In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, the group said the policy sent wrong signals about the touted autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

It is tantamount to prioritizing religion over the nations economic needs, the statement said.

ARG said religion was personal and should not be given priority when there were more fundamental and higher priority issues to expend the countrys scarce foreign exchange on.

Outrage had greeted the CBNs decision that dollar be sold to intending pilgrims at N197/$1 at a time the market rate is averaging N400/$1.

Public condemnation had trailed a similar directive by the apex bank last year mandating banks to release dollar to the pilgrims at N160/$1 when the exchange rate for around N197/$1.

This religious subsidy policy is needless, leaves room for sharp practices, and it is in bad taste considering that the forex policy is deemed to have been somewhat been liberalised, the group said.

For example, importers of pharmaceutical products and textbooks do not benefit from a government special rebate, considering that these are more essential needs.

Education has also been adversely affected by the forex crisis with more Nigerians affected than those going on pilgrimages, the statement said.

Already, thousands of Nigerians studying abroad are being recalled home because their sponsors could no longer afford the fees.

Also, We know that overseas education is a private choice but so also is religious pilgrimage. If any of the two deserves government intervention, it is education, unequivocally.

The ARG maintained that the policy did not portend well for the economy at a time Nigeria was desperate about shoring up its Foreign Reserve.

This policy is more damaging to a larger Nigerian population that depends on stable forex policy and strengthening of the Naira. This is clearly a wrong priority and it must stop.
SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday denied having any conversation with the embattled former chairman of House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin.

Mr. Sowore said reports circulating online claiming he chatted with Mr. Jibrin about the budget scandal in the House was fake

The Whatsapp conversation purports to show that Mr. Jibrin had provided Mr. Sowore some documents detailing how the money in the controversial budget padding was shared between him and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

The conversation claims Mr. Jibrin had indicated that the documents he was sending detailed how he wanted the money to be shared, but asked Mr. Sowore to ensure it was re-written to convince readers that Mr. Dogara wrote everything.

The red ink is my writing, but make them believe Dogara wrote everything, the conversation went. I wrote how I wanted to distribute everything too.

Asked whether the publication of the details in the document would not affect him, Mr. Jibrin responded with claims of how he helped pad the budget of the Department of State Security (DSS) from N5 billion to N10 billion

I helped Aminu Jaji increase the DSS budget from 5bn to 10bn. Im sure I will be protected, no worries.Im about to start tweeting. Follow up with those documents tomorrow, Mr. Jibrin was quoted to have told Mr. Sowore in the conversation.

But, in a response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiries, both Messrs. Jibrin and Sowore denied any such communication took place.

My publicly available number was photoshopped into a fake conversation that never happened, Mr. Sowore said in a mail to this newspaper late on Friday.

This is a poorly done con job by persons affiliated with corrupt individuals at the National Assembly, especially Senate President Bukola Saraki, who previously tried unsuccessfully to create a fake SaharaReporters page and website.

I never had such conversation with anyone. However, I am sure those behind it are desperately scared of how evidence-based reporting has unraveled the monumental fraud at the National Assembly. I suspect that they are even more worried that the criminal budget padding at the Senate will soon be revealed.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday touched down in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, where he will lead a team of observers from the African Union.

Mr. Jonathan immediately convened a press conference to introduce his team to local authorities, as well as other international agencies on ground for the poll which is slated for August 11.

The AU had appointed Mr. Jonathan as the head of its Election Observer Mission last week, a team that included high profile personalities, diplomats, civic groups and experts.

The AU said Mr. Jonathan joined an advance team that had been on ground since July 4.

The objective is to ensure that the AU-EOM approaches its work with added professionalism and factual analysis of all aspects of the electoral process in Zambia, the AU said in a statement. At the second phase of the mission, the long-term experts will be joined by short-term observers from August 1-15, 2016. The short-term mission will be headed by Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Zambian election authorities said an estimated 6.6 million voters were expected to cast their ballots in the southern African nation of 14.5 million people.

Incumbent President Edgar Lungu is facing a challenge from nine other contestants.

The Zambia electoral commission temporarily banned campaigns in Lusaka due to rising cases of violence between supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front and the main opposition United Party for National Development.

Tax authorities also shut down the countrys largest independent daily, the Post, over claims that the paper owed substantial amount in unpaid taxes, a claim the papers editor, Fred Mmembe denied, saying Mr. Lungu closed the paper to minimise challenge from the opposition.

Mr. Jonathan also led AU observers to Tanzania in October 2015. The outcome of the election was deemed fair and credible.
One of the candidates seeking to emerge as national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Raymond Dokpesi, has vowed not to withdraw from the race despite the position having been zoned to the South West geoppolitical zone.

Mr. Dokpesi was reacting to the decision of PDP leaders from the South who met on Thursday and agreed to zone the office of national chairman to the South West.

Mr. Dokpesi hails from Edo State in the South-South subregion.

In his reaction through his spokesperson, Omor Bazuaye, on Friday, Mr. Dokpesi said he remained undisturbed by the decision of the Southern PDP leaders zoning the position to the Southwest.

Mr. Bazuaye said Mr. Dokpesi had already resumed his campaign in Kano and Jigawa in the Northwest almost immediately after the announcement was made.

He considers the action to micro zone to particular section as an unfortunate repeat of the same mistakes that saw the party lose elections in 2015.

Dokpesi is counting on supports generated through his nationwide campaign.

He is relying on the power of the people, hoping that their voice and not the calculation of a few selfish individuals would prevail, Mr. Bazuaye said.

Apart from zoning the office of chairman to the South West, the PDP leaders, comprising of governors, National Assembly members and former ministers, and others, also agreed to zone the positions of national treasurer and deputy national publicity secretary to the South West.

The leaders zoned the position of first deputy National Chairman, National Legal Adviser, Deputy National Woman Leader and Deputy National Auditor to the South-South.

The South-East zone got the National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy National Financial Secretary.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said despite the zoning of the positions, any party member willing to contest any position was free to do so.
The police in Nasarawa say two Chinese attached to West African Polaris Investment have been kidnapped in Agada village, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ismail Noman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lafia that XJieng AI Jung, 50, and Wenso Ping, 45, were ambushed by unknown gunmen at about 2.28p.m. on the their way to Abuja.

He said although the gunmen were still at large, the police had begun investigation to track them.

According to him, security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups, local hunters and community leaders had also been involved in the search of the victims.

He said security operatives had been deployed to the forests and bush around the area to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, has directed that the search operation team should do everything possible to ensure that the victims are rescued, he said.

Mr. Noman explained that the police had also increased stop and search activities across the state borders as part of security measures.

He called on the people of the state to be law-abiding, respect the constituted authority and report any suspected person in their domain to any nearest police station.(NAN)
The Emir of Katsina, Abdul-Mummuni Kabir, has urged Nigerians to stop castigating President Muhammad Buhari over the economic challenges facing the country.

Mr. Kabir made the call during the inauguration of a book on family lineage of late chief Imam of Kano residing in Katsina, Muhammad Zaharaddeen, on Saturday in Katsina.

It has come to our knowledge that some disgruntled people are castigating President Buhari and blaming the economic problems of the country on him.

The president cannot solve the economic blunder committed in 16 years within one year.

President Buhari needs some time to marshal plans that will solve the several challenges facing the country, he said

Mr. Kabir advised Nigerians to rally round and support Mr. Buhari to enable him to discharge his duties for the betterment of the people.

The president needs the support and prayers of his brothers and sisters from the North to overcome the several problems facing the North and the country.

The emir commended the author of the book for writing the book on his family lineage that migrated to Katsina in 1894 during Hausa/Fulani civil wars.

He said the book will serve as a reference material for history students in tertiary institutions in the state.

Earlier, Gov. Aminu Masari urged citizens to emulate the late chief imams family by promoting both western and Islamic education.

This prominent family has produced lawyers, doctors, university professors, administrators and politicians.

Mr. Masari said the family had some prominent politicians like Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Mustapha Inuwa, and Hadi Sirike, a serving minister in Buharis Administration.

NAN reports that the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, who was the chief launcher of the book, donated N1 million.

Over N5 million was realized at the launch.

The book was written by retired Aminu Abdullahi, formerly of BBC Hausa Service. (NAN)
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Friday in Abuja assured the organised labour that the policemen who shot two workers to death during rally in Nasarawa State would be brought to justice.

Idris said this when the Presidents of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), lead a delegation to his office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports police shot four workers out of which two later died in the rally on July 29.

Shooting occurred as a delegation of the NLC began talks with the State Government over the protracted labour crisis rocking the state.

The police boss told the delegation that the culprits would be identified and brought to justice.

 I am making a promise to all of you that we are going to take necessary action against any officer that was involved in this kind of behavior.

There is no part of police regulation that says police should take human life anyhow.

Weapons are used only in some crucial circumstances, that is, if the officers life is under threat.

You cannot just shoot at people who are not armed like those who are in peaceful demonstration.

I promise that severe action will be taken on report that would be brought from the investigation.

He said the police under his command must abide by the core value of the rule of law.

Idris said police throughout the world was meant to protect lives and property.

The police force must have human feelings so that no matter the circumstances, they must have the feeling of humanity at the back of their mind.

We must treat human beings with respect and I think that has been our message. So, what I am assuring you is that whosoever is indicted will be fished out and also face the wrath of the law.

That was why when I heard of what happened at the Government House, I directed the CP in the state to detain the mobile policemen there and also commence interrogation immediately.

He said that the security of the country should be everybodys concern as peace only comes with development.

It is our prayer that Nigeria should develop, but if we do not have peace, how can we have development in this country, he said.

Earlier, NLC President, Ayba Wabba, said it was important for the police boss to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said the sanctity of human life was something that everybody must guard.

The incident is unfortunate; I think all of us must continue to look at the sanctity of human lives because any of us can be affected.

But I think those of us alive must continue to demand for justice for those that are unjustly treated.

That is why I thought that we should be able to bring the issue to your notice because two people died while the other two are still in the hospital. 

He said that without justice and fairness it would be difficult to ensure security, law and order as this was the only way to ensure peace and development in the country.

The inspector general of police said that the congress has documented evidences such as pictures and records of videos of what happened at the Government House on the fateful day.

He said that the congress had written to the Human Rights Commission, among others, for justice to prevail for those who lost their lives and also the injured.

TUC president, Bobboi Kaigama, called on the police boss to treat the issue comprehensively.

He said that those indicted should not be shielded by the state government.

We hope to get to the end of this matter, so that our colleagues who were affected will know that justice has been served, he said. (NAN)
( Read 8624 Times)

Udaipur : Radisson Udaipur was felicitated with the Best Business Hotel award at the 10th Annual Todays Traveller Awards 2016, held in New Delhi recently. The event was presided over by VinodDuggal, Former Governor, Manipur, Union Home Secretary, Member National Disaster Management Authority who presented the 10th Annual Todays Traveller Awards 2016. Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was the Chief Guest for the event.Radisson Udaipur won the Todays Traveller Award 2016 for Best Business Hotel in Udaipur. The award was presented by ShriVinod Kumar Duggal Former Honble Governor Manipur, Union Home Secretary, Member National Disaster Management Authority to Mr Richard Barooah, General Manager, Radisson Udaipur.It is a moment of great pride for us to have been honoured with this prestigious award, beamed Mr. Richard Barooah , General Manager Radisson Udaipur. The award is a source of encouragement for us to further excel in our endeavours, he added.Over 300 top-level management professionals from the Travel and Hospitality industry, as well as, heads of the Corporate world attended the grand event. Also present at the event were The event was attended by dignitaries like AshwaniLohani, Chairman& Managing Director, Air India; VinodAjmera, IAS, Commissioner Rajasthan Foundation, Department of Industries and Additional Chief of Protocol, Government of Rajasthan; Dr AK Manocha, Chairman and Managing Director, IRCTC among many others.Corporate leaders who attended the event included, Sanjay Rishi, President, American Express South Asia; Binoy Jacob, Chairman, Triune Projects Pvt Ltd; AlokLall, Director, Microsoft India;RajanBahadur, Managing Director and CEO of CARE India, and many others.The event was partnered and supported by Film Tourism Seminar Partner & Gold Partner IRCTC; Gold Partner Arunachal Pradesh Tourism, Film Tourism Seminar Partner Gujarat Tourism; Charity Partner CARE India; Health Care Partner Apollo Hospitals; Hospitality Partner Taj Palace New Delhi and Tourism Finance Corporation of India (TFCI).
Many representatives of civil society, citizens, civil initiatives such as Freedom to political prisoners, Daredevils of Sassoun, Davit Sanasaryan, Rise up Armenia, etc., who raised a wave of public protests against mass illegal imprisonments and human rights violations in Armenia, have addressed a letter to the U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills. It has 3,000 signatures.

Honorable Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr.,

We addressed you a letter with detailed description of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan's case a few days ago asking your efforts and actions against human right violations and illegal imprisonment of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan and we received a standard letter from you.

In response to your letter, we would like again to bring into your attention the case of Davit Sanasaryan to raise the issue of urgency.

Pretrial detention should be considered a last resort. Article 9(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Armenia is a party, states that, It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which provides authoritative interpretation of the covenant, has determined that bail should be granted except in cases in which there is a likelihood that the accused would abscond, destroy evidence, or influence witnesses. Given the minor nature of the incident that is the stated basis for the arrest, Mr. Sanasaryan should be freed, pending the investigation.

Deprivation of liberty for two months represents a serious restriction imposed on Mr. Sanasaryan that is wholly unjustified on the facts or by reference to international standards and disproportionate given the absence of any genuine risk to the investigation he poses. Human Rights Watch is concerned that in reality the authorities are targeting Mr. Sanasaryan for his membership in a political opposition group and his peaceful political beliefs and that the measure of restraint imposed is intended to interfere with his right to freedom of thought, expression, and assembly as protected by the ICCPR.

Aslanyan said that although his face was pressed to the vans floor, he was aware that the police were also kicking and hitting Sanasaryan, who was also in the van. Aslanyan said: When we got to the military unit, policemen dragged Davit out, dropped him on the ground, and continued to beat him. Four or five policemen kicked and punched him, so that at some point Davit lost consciousness.

Ara Petrossyan, another protester, was also held at the interior troop base on July 18. He spoke with Sanasaryan and tried to help him. Petrossyan saw police bring Sanasaryan, his hands handcuffed behind his back, into the gym and throw him to the floor, and saw him lose consciousness. Petrossyan said:

We wanted to help, but they [police] wouldnt let us. The police did nothing. As he lay on the floor for about 5 to 10 minutes, police checked his pulse a few times. Davit regained consciousness, but could hardly speak. He asked for water; he said he was nauseated. We feared he had a concussion. The police said maybe he just ate something bad. The doctor from the base checked his blood pressure and pulse and claimed that Davit was fine. Davit lay down on the floor, with his bag under his head. After three hours an ambulance took Davit to the hospital.

Doctors examination found that Davit Sanasaryan had a traumatic brain injury. After this incident, for a week he was suffering from headaches and insomnia.

The society knows that this is a political order, and Andrias Ghukasyan, Davit Sanasaryan, Armen Martirosyan and Hovsep Khurshudyan who were participating in peaceful protests are political prisoners currently.

At least two of them, Davit Sanasaryan and Andrias Ghukasyan are in urgent need of medical care, which up to now has been banned. Despite the fact that Andrias Ghukasyan has acquired serious health problems as a result of police violence (he was beaten by steel bars) and still is deprived of medical care, he announced a hunger strike.

Davit Sanasaryan has severe kidney problems. He is also banned from medical examination and visits. Our call to you is to intervene and to do your best to prevent these illegalities and continuous persecutions against Davit.

According to the article, based on which he is charged, Mr. Sanasaryan risks up to 10 years of prison. The article (instigate violent actions) is ridiculous and false, having purpose just to keep Mr. Sanasaryan in jail, isolate him from society and neutralize his activities. He has never been in favour of violent actions and never appealed or did any statement of violence during his whole political carrier. There are proving videos where he is calling all sides to avoid violence and bloodshed and solve the problems through negotiations.

We know that you spoke out against human rights violations so we are hopeful you will put pressure about this as well by taking all necessary measures.

More than 30 civil initiatives, organizations, many representatives of civil society, citizens raised a wave of public protests against mass illegal imprisonments and human rights violations in Armenia.

We have applied to different international organization to interfere in this issue to release the innocent.

We are looking forward to your efforts and actions against these human right violations and illegal imprisonment of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan and other political prisoners.
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A California state court has given a green light to a series of product liability lawsuits brought against Bayer Corporation and several of its subsidiaries by 14 women who alleged that they sustained injuries from Bayer's permanent birth control device Essure.



The plaintiffs' actions are currently being brought as 11 separate suits in California; along with Grant & Eisenhofer, law firms Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC and Motley Rice LLC also represent plaintiffs in the actions.



The suits contend that Essure, an FDA-approved medical device on the market since 2002, has since caused a number of problems and physical injuries in thousands of women who have had the device implanted.



The device, which consists of two spring-like coils that are inserted into the fallopian tubes, is implanted as a quick outpatient procedure and is designed to be implanted for life. The suits contend that the Essure device can come out of place and could puncture the uterus and in various cases cause chronic pelvic pain, excessive bleeding, and can result in unintended pregnancies. Plaintiffs contend that one key problem with the device is that, given its high failure rate, its problems are exacerbated because there is no established procedure for its removal.



In three separate rulings dated Aug. 2 and authored by Judge Winifred Y. Smith, the Superior Court of California in Alameda County rejected several defenses raised by the Bayer defendants.

The first decision rejected Bayer's defense of federal preemption, in which Bayer argued that because the FDA approved the marketing and warning labels that they should not be held liable for any injuries associated with the device. The second ruling on jurisdiction determined that California was the proper venue for the suits, rejecting Bayer's argument that plaintiffs who were not California residents should be required to litigate in their home states. In the third ruling, the court rejected the Bayer defendants' argument that plaintiffs' claims accrued outside of the statute of limitations. The court agreed with the plaintiffs' contention that the discovery of their causes of action occurred no earlier than September 2015, when the FDA held hearings, and that patients were unable to have made earlier discovery because of the defendants' concealment of essential relevant facts.



"The preemption ruling is especially important," said Thomas Ayala, senior counsel with Grant & Eisenhofer. "It demonstrates that when the FDA approves a product label for a medical device, that approval is based on information then available to the FDA, primarily provided by the company. But after approval, responsibility lies with the company to maintain and update the label to reflect the most current data available regarding the risks associated with the product."



He continued, "In this case, the evidence will show that Bayer received thousands of adverse event reports from patients and failed to disclose that information in a timely manner to doctors, patients and to the FDA."



Essure is still being implanted in patients today; but FDA announced in February 2016 that the device will require a black-box warning indicating extreme risks and possible serious injuries associated with its usage. It includes warnings that the device can migrate out of place, cause chronic pelvic pain, and related symptoms.



"We believe that Bayer concealed from patients and the public the magnitude of risk associated with Essure, and that thousands of women suffered needless pain as a result of being deprived of vital information regarding the safety of this product," said Elizabeth Graham, who leads Grant & Eisenhofer's complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation practice, and who is litigating the case alongside Mr. Ayala.



According to Kim Dougherty, a partner at Janet, Jenner & Suggs, "Essure's designers and manufacturers did not plan for failure, and there's no established method for removing this device when problems arise. The FDA recognized Essure's potential high risks when earlier this year it issued the black box warning  the strongest warning a medical device can have. We are satisfied that following these rulings women injured by this product can rightly move ahead with their claims. We look forward to litigating further on their behalf and holding the defendants accountable for the serious harm that they've inflicted on so many women."

About Grant & Eisenhofer

Grant & Eisenhofer is one of the top litigation and arbitration firms in the United States. The Firm represents institutional investors from across the globe in U.S. and international securities class actions, derivative lawsuits, antitrust suits, bankruptcy litigation and other complex financial litigation matters. The Firm has more than 60 attorneys, with offices in Wilmington, New York and Chicago, and an international docket of high-profile cases. G&E has recovered more than $28 billion in the last 10 years and has twice been cited by RiskMetrics for securing the highest average investor recovery in securities class actions. G&E has been named one of the country's top plaintiffs' law firms by The National Law Journal for the past 13 years, and was named one of the nation's "Most Feared Plaintiffs Firms" by Law360 every year since the inception of the list. For more information please visit http://www.gelaw.com/

Contact:

Allan Ripp 212-262-7477 [email protected]

Elise Martin 302-622-7004 [email protected]

SOURCE Grant & Eisenhofer, P.A.

Related Links

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HENDERSON, Nev., Aug. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of State has issued an updated travel warning dated August 4 recommending U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Nigeria. The potential for kidnappings, armed robberies and attacks remain high while government assistance is limited. There is also a threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and warnings to avoid government facilities, churches, mosques, bars, hotels, markets and other places where people gather. Extremist groups frequently target U.S. citizens making additional security necessary. The group claiming responsibility for recent attacks are the Boko Haram who are based in the northeast of the country. The violence has led to numerous injuries and deaths over the last five years, causing thousands of locals to flee their homes.

U.S. citizens traveling or living in Nigeria should be aware of local curfews, travel restrictions and any developing situations. The Department of State website keeps up-to-date with the latest information. Situations can deteriorate rapidly making it vital to keep up with the latest warnings.

Honduras has a travel warning in place due to the high risk of kidnappings and violent crimes. The Honduras government lacks the ability to respond to the situation which has led to criminals being able to operate without fear of repercussions. The murder rate in Honduras remains one of the highest in the world including 37 deaths of U.S. citizens in the last 5 years and 3 just this year. Carjacking's in Honduras have been committed by criminals posing as law enforcement. They set up roadblocks in an effort to kidnap U.S. citizens to collect ransom. The Department of State urges those who live in or travel to the area remain on high alert at all times.

Coconut Club Vacations is a value members-only travel club providing members with member benefits which range from access to discounted travel to packages and tours as well as consumer benefits.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Coconut Club Vacations

Related Links

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PUNE, India, August 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Thermal Interface Materials Market by Type (Greases & adhesives, Tapes & Films, Gap Fillers, Metal-Based TIMs, and Phase Change Materials), Application (Computers, Telecom, Medical Devices, Automotive Electronics), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, The global market is projected to reach USD 2.33 Billion at a CAGR of 11.2%.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302)

Browse 68 market data Tables and 58 Figures spread through 138 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Thermal Interface Materials Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/thermal-interface-material-market-13483121.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

This growth is fueled by the growing electronics & telecom industry, rising development strategies, and growing application sectors, globally.

Greases & Adhesives: The largest type of TIMs

Greases & adhesives is the largest segment of Thermal Interface Materials Market by type. OEMs prefer to use greases & adhesives because of their flowability and ability to reduce a wide range of surface roughness of any housing, heat spreader, or heat sink surface. Thermal greases & adhesives have other competitive advantages such as low cost, reworkability, low thermal resistance, and the ability to form ultra-thin bond lines. The manufacturing costs of greases & adhesives are comparatively lower, as these materials do not need to be coated and cured into a sheet and to cut into a shape.

Computers: The largest application of TIMs

TIMs are commonly used for transferring thermal conductivity from CPUs or GPUs to the heat sink coolers. Computer components, such as CPUs, chipsets, graphics cards, and hard disk drives are susceptible to failure in case of overheating. TIMs are used in computers for removing the excess heat produced by computer components to maintain the components' operating temperature limits. TIMs are used for improving the heat flow in computers by filling any voids or irregularities between the heat sink and SSE base plate mounting surfaces. The use of TIMs in computers is growing at a high rate because of the increased demand for cloud and supercomputing. The increased demand for supercomputing is driving the market for TIMs.

Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=13483121

Asia-Pacific: The largest market for TIMs

Asia-Pacific dominates the TIMs market, in terms of value and volume, and the trend is expected to continue until 2021. Countries in this region such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia are witnessing significant increase in the use of TIMs in electronics & telecom applications. This growth is mainly backed by the increasing demand from the consumer electronics and telecom industries in Asia-Pacific. In addition, rapid industrial development in the region increasing the demand for TIMs in electronics and telecom applications Indonesia and India are the fastest-growing markets in the region and are expected to follow a similar trend until 2021.

The TIMs market has a few numbers of global players competing significantly for their market share. These market players are actively investing in various strategies such as new product developments and expansions to increase their market share. In addition, companies are investing heavily in R&D activities. Major players such as Henkel Corporation (U.S.), Bergquist Company (U.S.), Indium Corporation (U.S.), Parker Chomerics (U.S.), Dow Corning (U.S.), Laird Technologies (U.S.), Momentive Performance Materials Inc. (U.S.), and Zalman Tech Co., Ltd. (South Korea) have adopted various organic developmental strategies.

Browse Related Reports:

Semiconductor & IC Packaging Materials Market by Types (Organic Substrates, Bonding Wires, Lead frames, Ceramic Packages, & so on), Packaging Technologies (SOP, GA, QFN, DFN, & Others), & Geography - Regional Trends & Forecast to 2019

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/semiconductor-ic-packaging-materials-market-31363123.html

Conductive Silicone Market by Type (Elastomers, Resins, Gels and Others), Application (Adhesives & Sealants, Thermal Interface Materials, Encapsulants & Potting Compounds, Conformal Coatings and Others), and by Region - Global Trends & Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/conductive-silicone-market-79028981.html

Know More About our Knowledge Store @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide 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 a 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.

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Markets and Markets

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
DALLAS and GOLD COAST, Australia, August 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Your Inspiration at Home has captured the attention of the Australian Fine Food industry, again earning top honors.

Your Inspiration at Home was presented with Champion and Reserve Champion Awards at the prestigious 2016 Royal Agriculture Society of Tasmania Fine Food Awards. The prestigious gourmet food awards in Australia judged Your Inspiration at Home's Chinese Five Spice blend as the overall Herb & Spice Category Reserve Champion.

In addition, their Raspberry, Cranberry & Hibiscus Balsamic Vinegar was awarded Champion Savoury Preserve and was also honored with the Richard Langdon  Best Exhibit in Show Perpetual Trophy and judged the overall best product from 1,415 entries in the 2016 event.

A total of 108 Fine Food Medals were awarded to Your Inspiration at Home after several days of rigorous critical judging from industry experts.

Since 2011, Your Inspiration at Home has been honored with 480 Fine Food Awards, including a total to date of 12 Champion and Reserve Champion Awards for Best-in-Class. Consistency has proven very rewarding for the company who has been awarded Champion Honors in each of the five years.

Founder, CEO & Spice Curator of Your Inspiration at Home, Colleen Walters, the mastermind behind the array of handcrafted products, was ecstatic with the results.

"It is simply amazing to see so many of our products awarded consistently year after year  even with a few surprises along the way. The third party judging and award process is a fantastic way to showcase our commitment to the quality of our product range and our commitment to our global community."

At present, the 2016 Opportunity World Tour series of international Your Inspiration at Home conventions is underway in Newport Beach, California, followed by events in Calgary, Canada and Manchester, UK in the following weeks, where the Your Inspiration at Home community will celebrate this year's Fine Food Medal Awards success.

Your Inspiration at Home is based on the Gold Coast in Australia, with exports to New Zealand, UK, Ireland, USA & Canada.

Your Inspiration At Home is a member of the JRJR Networks family of direct-to-consumer companies (NYSE MKT: JRJR) www.jrjrnetworks.com

About JRJR Networks (www.jrjrnetworks.com)

JRJR Networks is a growing platform of direct-to-consumer brands. Within JRJR Networks, each company retains its separate identity, sales force, product line and compensation plan, while JRJR Networks seeks synergies and efficiencies in operational areas. In addition to Your Inspiration at Home, JRJR Networks companies currently include The Longaberger Company, a 42-year old maker of hand-crafted baskets and other home decor items; Tomboy Tools, a direct seller of tools designed for women; Agel Enterprises, a global seller of nutritional products in gel form as well as a skin care line, operating in 40 countries; Paperly, which offers a line of custom stationery and other personalized products; Uppercase Living, which offers a line of customizable vinyl expressions for display on walls in the home; Kleeneze, a 95-year old UK-based catalog seller of cleaning, health, beauty, home, outdoor and a variety of other products, and Betterware, a UK-based home catalog seller. JRJR Networks also includes Happenings, a lifestyle publication and marketing company.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," or "will" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology and include statements regarding our continued growth . These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, our ability to expand leadership activities in support of our sales, our ability to continue to grow, the expected contribution of Mr. Brooks and the other risks outlined under "Risk Factors" in JRJR Network's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact: Brenton Baker ([email protected])

Investor Relations: Tucker Gagen ([email protected])

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SOURCE JRJR Networks

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Srinagar, Aug 1 : Sporadic clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces at some places notwithstanding, the overall law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley showed signs of marginal improvement on Monday with some normal activity seen in the Srinagar city.

Two protesters were injured when security forces opened fire at an unruly mob in Qazigund area of Anantnag district.

"The injured persons were admitted to hospital where doctors said both of them were out of danger," a police officer said.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man, injured in clashes in Anantnag district last week, died in the hospital on Monday, taking the toll in the current cycle of violence in Kashmir to 51.

Although restrictions remained in place in the old city and some uptown areas in Srinagar, after many days some normal activity was witnessed as more private vehicles and pedestrians were seen on many roads.

Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani took part in a separatist-called anti-India graffiti campaign.

He painted an anti-India slogan on a wall in uptown Hyderpora area.

Separatists have asked people to paint anti-Indian graffiti and slogans on walls and roads as part of the peaceful protests during the ongoing shutdown in the Kashmir Valley.

Authorities imposed curfew and restrictions in most parts of the valley to maintain law and order.

The valley has been reeling under officially imposed curfew and the separatist-called protest shutdown for 24 days now since Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces on July 8.

Hotels, houseboats and guest houses are all deserted as tourists have left the valley because of the present cycle of violence.

Educational institutions, banks and post offices have also remained shut during this period although essential services are exempted from both curfew and the separatist shutdown, and have been functioning in the valley.

Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh national highways moves only during the night as protesters keep these highways blocked during the day, defying curfew restrictions.

The number of pilgrims arriving daily for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra has also been drastically reduced, but so far 2,18,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance to the deity inside the holy cave, while 21 yatris have died of natural causes during this year's pilgrimage.
Mumbai, Aug 2 : Airline major Jet Airways on Tuesday said it will fly the largest aircraft in its fleet -- the Boeing 777-300 ER -- on the Mumbai-Amsterdam route with effect from October 30 next.

According to the airline, this deployment will meet the growing demand on this key sector, as it is the only passenger carrier flying daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Amsterdam.

"Our daily non-stop service connecting India's commercial capital Mumbai and the key European hub Amsterdam has received excellent response since its launch," said Gaurang Shetty, Whole-time Director, Jet Airways.

"By deploying the 777-300ER aircraft, Jet Airways will be able to cater to the growing demand on this important sector at a time when trade and investment between India and Europe and North America is witnessing a healthy growth."

Jet Airways' Boeing 777 offers a three-class configuration, which comprises of eight first class suites, 30 seats in premiere and 308 in economy class.

The airline had commenced daily flights from Mumbai to Amsterdam on March 27, 2016.

Currently, the airline operates flights to 68 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 116 aircraft.
Gurgaon, Aug 4 : A paying guest (PG) accommodation warden from Jammu and Kashmir was arrested here for not informing the city police about the foreigners he had accommodated, a senior officer said on Thursday.

The arrested man was identified as Nadeem, hailing from Baramulla, who ran on contract basis a PG accommodation unit in Sector 57 of this millennium city, said police officer Babu Lal.

Gurgaon police has launched a special search operation in hotels and PG rentals in view of upcoming Independence Day on August 15, and the accommodation run by Nadeem was found to have 16 foreign nationals -- 14 Iraqis and two Afghans, all in India on medical visas and staying in the PG complex from last month.

"Nadeem has to inform FRO (Foreigners' Registration Office) branch of Gurgaon police about the stay of foreigners within 24 hours of their arrival but he did not follow the mandatory rule," Babu Lal told IANS.

Nadeem, who had taken the PG complex on one-year lease on January 11, has been arrested under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1992, after a case was registered at Sector 55-56 police station.

He was on Thursday presented before the court of Judicial Magistrate (1st class) Devender Singh, who remanded him in 14 days' judicial custody.

The police on Tuesday also booked two paying gust house managers under the same law after its search exercise.
London, Aug 6 : London Metropolitan Police announced on Friday that Zakaria Bulhan, the man suspected of killing US tourist Darlene Horton in a stabbing rampage in central London, has been charged with murder.

According to the police, the 19-year-old Norwegian citizen is of Somali descent and moved to Britain at the age of five.

He was also charged with five counts of attempted murder, in relation to the five other individuals who were injured, the police said in a statement.

He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, it added.

Police raided his home in Tooting, south London, on Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The police said they received numerous calls starting at 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday describing a "man attacking people with a knife" between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street.

Bulhan was arrested at the scene after police stunned him with a Taser following the attack, near the Imperial Hotel and the British Museum. The suspect was taken to a south London police station after receiving treatment in hospital.

Horton and her husband Richard Wagner were in London for a summer course and were due to return to the United States the day after the fatal attack.

Florida State University, where Wagner is a psychology scholar, issued a statement saying: "There are no words to express our heartache over this terrible tragedy."
London, Aug 6 : In one of his first policy shifts since coming to office, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has lifted a ban on gay pride rainbow flags being flown at embassies and high commissions across the world.

Former Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond last year came under fire when he ordered British embassies to abide by a policy that blocks any flag other than the Union Jack being flown, preventing them from flying a rainbow flag for pride, PinkNews reported.

Johnson overturning Hammond's decision in which he just one month ago rejected a proposal to change the policy, permitted the embassies to fly rainbow flags if they wish.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings can fly the rainbow flag in order to mark relevant international days such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and locally relevant events, such as local pride celebrations," an FCO spokesperson told PinkNews.

It will be up to the envoys to decide whether they wish to fly the rainbow flag for events. The pride flag is already flying at the British Consulate in Amsterdam for Amsterdam Pride.

On July 5, the FCO rejected the recommendation from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, saying: "The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union Flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times."

MPs including Labour's Angela Eagle and Conservative Nigel Evans previously called for a change in the policy.

Evans said it "would send the important signal that we stand by the side of those who are oppressed, and indeed, in some cases, those who fear death for the crime of being born gay".

Eagle said: "We need to redouble our efforts to root out prejudice and discrimination at home and abroad/ The Foreign Secretary's decision to ban the Pride flag from being flown at UK embassies around the world sends exactly the wrong signal."
Srinagar, Aug 6 : It's been almost a month and Kashmir is still in disarray. The region has been locked down -- the separatists have been raging over the July 8 killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, and the security forces are sparing no effort to retaliate.

The end result has been harrowing for common people who are reeling under the curfew and the clampdown imposed by the administration. It seems the cycle of violence and protests is pushing the region towards an abyss. Uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, and the future looks bleak.

Over the last one month, 52 persons have been killed in the violence, over 3,500 injured and dozens have lost vision due to pellet blasts by the security forces.

Even as the government tried to grapple with the situation following Burhan Wani's killing, the simmering rage erupted like a volcano across south Kashmir.

The state government had hoped that with the passage of time, violence would lead to fatigue among the masses and the protests would fade. But that hasn't been the case so far.

Separatists, who have been placed under preventive detention, are orchestrating protests and the Valley remains shut down.

Today, be it Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian or Kulgam districts, the situation is extremely volatile. Militants are brandishing weapons at protest rallies in the region. They are exhorting the people to join this "freedom struggle" -- this "fight to finish".

And it's taking a toll on the jawans of the security forces. Long duty hours, the tension of implementing curfew in a hostile region and the criticism of the way they handled the protests are not helping the men in uniform.

So too with the commoners who are badly hit by the curfew and the protests.

Shops are running out of essential items, food and medicines; panic has gripped the residents here who are trying to stock up all they can. As a result, profiteering has become the order of the day with unscrupulous elements making the most of the crisis.

Most of the institutions here are closed -- schools and colleges have been shut for nearly a month. Banks, post offices and state government offices are managing with skeletal staff.

It's an equally grim situation for the fruit growers. With the roads blocked and the protests refusing to subside, it has become difficult to transport fruits to the terminal markets.

Repercussions will be felt in the local economy as a result.

While the state government is still hoping that the protests would die down without further bloodshed, one wonders whether there would be a permanent solution to this vexed problem.

Each time the region erupts, it's the people who suffer the most. Protesters pelt stones and security forces fight back. Streets and lanes become battlegrounds. There are debates, discussions and assurances. But all of that seems to be futile as the region is pushed back to the stone age.

When will it end? No one seems to know.

There's just the hope that Kashmir will be an abode of peace again. After all, no civilised society can remain permanently shut, stuck in a quagmire.

(Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikh.abdul@ians.in )
Tokyo, Aug 6 : Japan on Saturday lodged a protest with China after it spotted six Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailing near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

"This is a unilateral act that raises tensions ... and it is unacceptable to us," a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told the Chinese envoy.

The sighting of the Chinese vessels comes less than a month after an international arbitration court rejected China's claims over almost the entire South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

The Japan Coast Guard said some of the vessels were equipped with guns, according to The Japan Times.

The development followed a similar incident on Friday when two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and six fishing ships briefly entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus, prompting the ministry to summon the Chinese ambassador.

Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama on Friday told Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua that the vessels' entry into its waters and their activities were a violation of Japan's sovereignty and was totally unacceptable.

The coast guard vessels entered Japanese waters soon after the Chinese fishing ships did so, the ministry said.

"Japan cannot accept coast guard ships' actions that seemed to have been accompanying Chinese fishing vessels," a Foreign Ministry source explained.

It also said this was the first time both types of vessels had entered the waters at the same time.

The islets are administered by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

The incident came as tensions between the two countries has escalated in the East China Sea.

In June, Chinese warships were seen traversing areas in and near Japanese waters in the East China Sea and the western Pacific, including near the Senkakus.
Karachi, Aug 6 : At least 10 persons died and six others were injured in separate rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Karachi city, which was also hit by massive power outages due to the downpour.

According to local media reports, heavy rain coupled with gusty winds continued to lash Karachi and other cities of Sindh for the second day on Saturday, "Most of the citizens lost their lives due to electrocution and walls caving in," rescue officials said, Daily Pakistan reported.

The downpour crippled life in the city and inundated various areas in Karachi. Several neighbourhoods were under waist-deep water.

At least 600 electric feeders tripped, leaving 45 per cent of city areas without power and adding to the misery of citizens.

According to Pakistan Today, over 400 power feeders tripped on Friday night and electricity is yet to be restored.

The disconnection of power supply to different pumping stations also hit water supply to the city.

"Up to 56 mm rain was recorded in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Saturday morning," a Met official said.

Many residents opted not to venture out as all major thoroughfares were submerged in rainwater.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah visited different areas along with senior officials, directing authorities to ensure draining out of stagnant rainwater.
New Delhi, Aug 6 : The historic Naga Peace Accord has completed one year but ambiguity still looms large over its details. Naga society appears divided over the accord, with some disinterested as the proposal of 'Greater Nagalim' has been discarded, while some are pushing for a separate state carved out of Nagaland itself.

Manlang Phom, General Secretary of Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation(ENPO), a stakeholder of the Naga Peace Accord inked in August last year, says he has lost interest in the pact and would rather press ahead for a separate state of Frontier Nagaland.

"I feel our issue -- the demand for Frontier Nagaland -- is more important. It is better not to comment on the Naga Peace Accord, which again is very sensitive. Too much time has elapsed since the accord was inked," Phom told IANS on phone.

The ENPO is seeking a new state carved out of four backward eastern districts.

The historic Naga Framework Agreement was signed by the NSCN (IM) and the government on Aug 3, 2015, nearly two decades after negotiations started between the two sides with the aim to end the six-decade-long Naga conflict.

After signing the accord, the Indian government said it would come out with the details in the next six months, but it is yet to do so. The delay is adding to rising differences among the other NSCN factions, whose support is important for the accord to become a success.

General Secretary of NSCN (Unification) Khitovi Zhimomi, whose faction was not part of the accord, said that Nagas of Nagaland were not supporting the peace deal as the NSCN (IM) leader T. Muivah was a "Naga from Manipur" who was merely speaking for his people.

"After the accord was signed, Naga inhabitants in Manipur lighted candles in celebration. But in Nagaland not even a matchstick was lighted. The people in Nagaland are still in the dark about it. How can such an accord be accepted by the people of Nagaland?," Zhimomi, who runs a "self-styled parallel government" in Nagaland, told IANS.

"We had foreseen the confusion of the deal. My government (self-styled) had declared in the media that if the accord benefits the NSCN (IM) and Naga brothers and sisters living in Manipur, let them have it. Nagas of Nagaland should not be disturbed because they have their own social and political structure," he added.

P. Tikhak, General Secretary of NSCN (Reformation), which supported the accord, says that delay in conclusion of the pact is a "deliberate act" of the Indian government and the increasing differences of opinion over it was further complicating the situation.

"Uncle Muivah will have to work out a formula with the Indian government as he has already entered into an agreement. In case he is not able to manage that, then it will lead nowhere," Tikhak told IANS.

NSCN (Reformation) is the first and only faction to openly support the Naga Peace Accord.

According to sources in the Union Home Ministry, if the Naga Peace Accord becomes a reality it will only benefit the NSCN (IM) and its leadership and not the other factions as they did not join the negotiations.

According to the sources, the accord has a clause for creation of a new paramilitary force battalion to absorb the over 4,000 armed cadres of the NSCN (IM). But the cadres of the other factions have been left out.

Chuba Ozukum, President of Naga Hoho, the apex Naga civil society body and a stakeholder of the accord, told IANS: "In a democratic setup there cannot be any consensus, but at the same time the government cannot afford to listen to each and every opinion of the individuals which vary drastically."

"I am sure there is no Naga who is against the political settlement. Yes, certainly we have different tribal factions and different problems, which is quite common. It is the prerogative of the Indian government to look for a solution," said Ozukum.

Rosemary Dzuvichu, advisor to the Naga Mothers Association, also a stakeholder in the Naga peace negotiations, said: "The government is quite serious about the negotiation process. We can't afford to talk about differences in opinions regarding the accord."

(Rupesh Dutta can be contacted at Rupesh.d@ians.in )
Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh participating in functions at the veterans\' rally at Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka on Saturday: IANS Image Source: IANS News

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh participating in functions at the veterans\' rally at Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka on Saturday: IANS Image Source: IANS News

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh participating in functions at the veterans\' rally at Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka on Saturday: IANS Image Source: IANS News

Madikeri (Karnataka), Aug 6 : Indian Army chief Gen. Dalbir Singh held a mega rally on Saturday at Karnataka's Madikeri and felicitated some veteran warriors and war widows living in the Kodagu region.

"It is our duty to look after our veterans and veer naris (war widows), pay homage to the martyrs and acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the organisation and nation-building," he said addressing a huge gathering of serving and retired soldiers and their families here.

About 1,800 veterans and war widows from Kodagu district and neighbouring areas participated in the rally, braving inclement weather and rain.

Singh attended a memorial service and laid a wreath at the war memorial built in honour of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the army, at Cariappa Memorial Park in the heart of this picturesque hill town.

Then army chief, Gen. Shankar Roychowdhury unveiled the war memorial in January 1996.

Field Marshal Cariappa (1899-1993) led the forces on the western front during the 1947 India-Pakistan war and was the first of the two officers to hold the five-star rank of Field Marshal, the other being Sam Manekshaw.

Singh also visited "Sunny Side', the last abode of General K.S. Thimayya, who was the Army Chief from 1957-61 and the only Indian to command an infantry brigade in the Second World War (1939-45), in the town.

"It is a matter of pride for the people of Kodagu for having produced two prominent chiefs of the Indian Army and a large number of serving and retired defence personnel," said Singh amid applause from the audience.

Located in the southern part of the rich biodiverse Western Ghats, Kodagu is the birth place of Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya, with a sizeable population of war veterans and war widows.

"Welfare of the veterans is one of my key result areas as I took a number of initiatives to address and improve the welfare schemes for them," asserted Singh.

The focus of the rally was to resolve anomalies in the disbursement of pension and legal cases the veterans are fighting for justice.

The army chief expressed his force's solidarity with its retired fraternity and assured them that the army and the government would be sensitive to their needs.

Organised by the army's Karnataka and Kerala sub-area command, the rally had a medical camp, pension clinic, canteen service and stalls of the Army Welfare Education Society, Army Welfare Placement Organisation, Army Veteran's Cell, Aadhar card registration and bank loan facilities.

Southern Army Commander Lt. Gen Bipin Rawat, Dakshin Bharat area General Officer Commanding Lt Gen Jagbir Singh and Karnataka and Kerala sub-area General Officer Commanding Maj. Gen. K.S Nijjar were present on the occasion along with senior ministry and Rajya Sainik Board officials.

Singh, his wife Namita Suhag, who is president of the Army Wives Welfare Association and its regional president Madhulika Rawat also interacted with the warriors, war widows and their families at the event.
Patna, Aug 6 : Tension gripped a Bihar town on Saturday over an objectionable video clip that was posted on social networking site Facebook, police said.

There were violent protests in Chhapra against the video by a particular community and security forces have been deployed to control the situation, police said.

According to police officials, a video clip was posted on Facebook allegedly by an anti-social element showing deities of a particular community being desecrated in Saran district on Friday.

"Some people violently protested against it, attacked some shops and set ablaze few and expressed their anger over it... but situation was under control on Friday. The district administration issued prohibitory orders under section 144 and suspended internet services for three days to curb further circulation of the video," a district official said.

Suddenly, fresh violent protests began on Saturday during a shutdown called by local organisations.

Violent clashes took place between two communities and when police tried to control the situation, they attacked police officials, he said.

Police said some shops were torched and ransacked by protesters on Saturday.

Sensing more trouble, police fired in the air to disperse the mob. No one was, however, injured in police firing.

Saran District Magistrate Dipak Anand said the situation is tense but under control.

"We have sought more security forces for deployment and keeping watch on the situation."
Panaji, Aug 6 : ADefence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday blamed Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party for high petrol prices in the national capital.

"The cheapest petrol in the country is available in Goa at Rs 57, Rs 55 since yesterday. In Delhi, do you know how expensive it is? Rs 66. Petrol was cheaper in Delhi like it is in Goa, but the current government in Delhi raised the taxes," Parrikar said at a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste morcha meeting held in Porvorim, near here.

Parrikar was explaining about how the BJP-led coalition government in Goa, had managed to tide over a financial crisis, in view of the three-year ban on the mining in the state, and had still fulfilled populist pre-poll assurances and schemes, one of which was reducing the prices of petrol.

"We made petrol prices cheaper, implemented the schemes for the people. Due to this the government expenditure increased by around Rs 1,200 crore, while on the one hand (due to the mining ban) there was a shortfall of Rs 1,500 crore in revenue earning," said the former Goa Chief Minister.
Pattern Migration is an exceptional opportunity to connect with our community partners through the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

On Wednesday, July 27, the Art Gallery of Mississauga celebrated Pattern Migration, a satellite exhibition at the grand opening of Holt Renfrews brand new 130,000 square foot store at Square One Shopping Centre. The AGM is thrilled to share contemporary art in an exciting new space outside of the gallery.

One of the most anticipated fashion retail events in Canadian commercial history, the Grand Opening featured a fashion show which drew a large crowd and also launched Pattern Migration, an exhibition featuring selected works by Diyan Achjadi, Soheila Esfahani and Sanaz Manani. The satellite exhibition at Square One presents mall visitors with a taste of the works being shown at the AGM, just a few steps away in the Mississauga Civic Centre. The exhibition is on view until September 11.

Across from the store entrance, a massive 200 foot by 40 foot hoarding wall was transformed into an exhibition space with large prints of Manani's work, a digital animation by Achjadi, and illuminated display cases featuring figurines by Esfahani. Inspired by ceramic objects, textiles and other cherished items, the works show the movement of decorative patterns from one place and culture to another. Each artist contributed works that highlight pattern as a symbol of migration, cultural exchange and hybridization.

Created in partnership with the AGM and sponsored by Square One Shopping Centre, Oxford Properties, Omers and AimCo, the Pattern Migration exhibition at Square One is the first in a series of planned, satellite exhibitions.

"Pattern Migration is an exceptional opportunity to connect with our community partners through the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Together, we have created programming that will enhance our guests shopping experience, and introduce them to up-and-coming and internationally acclaimed artists."

Toni Holley, Marketing Director, Oxford Properties Group, Square One Shopping Centre

I think the AGM is in good company with Square One and Oxford Properties and I think they are in good company with us! I am hoping that these great synergies continue to create unique opportunities for the public to engage in contemporary art in unusual places. This opportunity will allow the AGM to reach a new audience, creating a greater awareness as to what the AGM has to offer the community.

Stan Zigelstein, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Art Gallery of Mississauga.

For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly:

Mandy Salter, Director | Curator

Art Gallery of Mississauga

905-896-5088

agm.communications(at)mississauga(dot)ca

artgalleryofmississauga.com/

@AGMengage
Puppies have become a permanent part of SouthWind Plantation, and nothing is more exciting than the birth of a new litter.

Just recently, we spoke with the management team at SouthWind Plantation located at 670 Bower Station Road in Attapulgus, Georgia. SouthWind has been raising and training some of the finest dogs in Southwest Georgia. Their kennels are home to a number of Cockers and Pointers with outstanding pedigrees and distinguished bloodlines.

SouthWind Plantation recently completed the construction of a beautiful state-of-the-art puppy kennel. The facility houses five indoor and outdoor kennels, two administrative offices and a veterinarian on call 24/7. It is also home to Coco and Bandit, proud parents of their newest litter of pups.

Coco and Bandit, both English Cocker Spaniels, are descendants from the finest of bloodlines. Coco is one of the best dogs on the plantation. She ran the fastest time in her very first Field Trial. Bandit is a rare tri-colored Cocker with exemplary flushing and retrieving skills. Together, these two dogs have only had one other litter.

Coco gave birth on Sunday, July 24th to her second litter of puppies. These 4 little guys and gals will be ready for a new home in just 6-8 weeks.

English Cockers, although fabulous hunting dogs, make great family pets. They are good with kids, have great dispositions and are well-mannered. Sadie Mae, a 1-year old pup from Coco and Bandits first litter has found a permanent home as the family pet with loving owners in North Carolina.

So if you are in the market for a great hunting dog or pet, give the plantation a call at 1-800-456-5208 or visit our website at http://www.huntsouthwind.com.
In response to the high demand for top-tier, flexible, accredited online course options for students, Oaks Christian Online (OCO), one of the nations finest college-preparatory online schools, launches its first online program for seventh and eighth grade students. While OCO is a private, non-profit institution, students from both public and private schools are eligible for enrollment. All courses are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), as well as the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

The online middle school curriculum includes courses such as: U.S. History, English Intensive Grammar, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Comprehensive Sciences and Foreign Languages (Spanish, Latin, French, and Chinese). The online course curriculum is designed to meet California middle school requirements thereby allowing students to fully prepare for the transition to high school and at the same time pursue other passions, such as the performing arts, sports, or special missions or projects abroad. While there is no theology course requirement at this level, students have the option to participate in a Youth Ministry Club.

Students benefit from engaging and interactive weekly live session. Classes are offered via the open-source learning management system Canvas by Instructure. The cloud-based software provides the platform for high quality online courses with meaningful student-to-student and student-to-teacher interactions in an academic environment. Both blended and fully online programs are available. OCO offers a competitive tuition rate of $7,750 per year for full-time students.

Founding Oaks Christian Online School Director Vicki Conway states, OCO is part of Oaks Christian School which has a main campus composed of a middle school and high school. Our instructors and administrators are very experienced with this age group and we understand the unique needs of middle schoolers. We are aware that students at this age in particular are more successful in a loving and nurturing environment. We also understand the need for community, free time and the gradual introduction to a more intensive course load.

OCO has a selective admissions process in order to make sure the online learning platform is a good fit for each applicant. Students are required to submit transcripts and students and their parents are interviewed by the schools admissions officer.

Established in 2011, OCO High School provides a rigorous, NCAA approved, college-preparatory education for high school and middle school students all around the world in a Christian environment. OCO and Oaks Christian School, the main campus in Westlake Village, California are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as by the Southern Association of Independent Schools. OCO continues to enroll part-time and full-time students throughout the school year and regularly hosts information sessions on its main campus  31749 La Tienda Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362, as well as virtual information sessions for prospective student families. Interested students can visit the website http://online.oakschristian.org to R.S.V.P. 100% of OCO graduates were accepted to 4-year colleges.

OCO is the founding school of the Online Christian Consortium, a leadership organization of schools committed to theologically engaged, college-preparatory, accredited, online programs. The organizations vision is that its courses provide an education that uplifts, transforms and inspires students around the world. For more information on The Online Christian Consortium, please visit: http://onlinechristianconsortium.org.
East Coast Stores Henry Galasso, East Coast Stores, The Successful Choice When Listing Your Business!

Business Broker Henry Galasso CBI, owner and operator of http://www.eastcoaststores.com (East Coast Stores LLC) is the leading and fastest growing business brokerage firm in the New York, Long Island and metropolitan area reporting record high sales from 2015 into 2016. Starting his company from the ground up in 2001, he has built a strong, reliable and successful team of experienced, seasoned and well rounded business brokers with a portion of them being licensed real estate agents. Henry Galasso and his company provide an array of high quality business listings in retail such as delis, bagel stores, pizza shops, pet hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, dry cleaners, car washes, laundromats, franchises, wholesale distribution companies, focusing more in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and tri-state area. East Coast Stores is the only business brokerage firm to transact 12 Papa Johns Pizza Franchise Resale units and 14 Subway Sandwich Franchise business among others such as Checkers Burgers, Little Caesars Pizza, Nathans Hot Dogs, Red Mango, Burger King, Pizza Hut and more in the past 18 months

Henry Galasso and his business brokers have the experience a client needs when deciding to sell his/her business such as restaurants, Bars / Pubs, Eatery, etc, they employ a team of highly skilled brokers have the ability to determine within an hour how profitable a business is after valuing the goodwill, leasehold value, terms and asset conditions of a business or business with property. East Coast Stores LLC has a proprietary registration process for new buyers being as easy as registering and signing an NDA on Docusign in less than 5 minutes. Brokers can get information to their buyers within 1 hour of them inquiring about these businesses and be assigned a broker that contacts them before the day is over making the process seamless and secure.

East Coast Stores has earned a designation spot in the elite brokerage sponsorship with the international business brokers association and the New York Association of Business Brokers as the firm to call when you want a successful sale of your business or commercial property. East coast stores only specializes in what they know how to transact and is the reason why they have 492 active listings currently being marketed for sale.

Henry Galasso, the President of East Coast Stores, a privately owned Commercial Real Estate & Business Brokerage firm with main offices located in Melville and New York City. 212-203-6971 Long Island Office 631-271-1731 The Trusted Choice! http://www.EastCoastStores.com
Like a Pokemon Go player, auto dealers need to catch em all: in-market new and used car buyers. At Digital Dealer 2016, World Record-holding digital marketer C-4 Analytics will team up with Google to show dealers how to maximize their market share with innovative digital campaigns.

During 2015 C-4 Analytics and J.M. Lexus teamed up to create a series of campaigns that helped the Florida dealer sell 10,000 vehicles in a single year, setting a World Record. The theories behind those campaigns will be discussed on Monday, August 8, at Digital Dealer in a presentation hosted by C-4 Analytics Executive Vice President Justin Cook and Google Agency Development Manager Candace Jordan.

We could be entering a phase where market share becomes critical, as dealership inventories are at five-year highs, said Cook. Dealers will not move that inventory by preaching to the choir of current brand customers. Dealerships must increase market share to drive growth, and any dealership can benefit from this strategy, even if its already number one in its market.

Cook pointed out that J.M. Lexus was already the number-one Lexus dealer in the world by volume when C-4 Analytics was hired to help them grow sales. The secret to C-4 Analytics success was targeted campaigns using the Google Display Network that captured the attention of buyers looking at other luxury brands.

In-depth data analysis gave C-4 Analytics the confidence to pursue off-brand display advertising for their innovative conquest campaigns, which capitalize on auto buyers tendencies to shift brands during the decision-making process. Bolstered by remarketing, these campaigns delivered strong leads and conversions well within the companys return-on-investment (ROI) targets.

This is the kind of innovation that Google wants to inspire with all of our partners, Jordan said. These conquest campaigns challenged the idea that off-brand advertising was too expensive. C-4 Analytics found a way to make them work and deliver strong results for their clients.

During the Digital Dealer presentation, Cook and Jordan will discuss additional strategies beyond the conquest campaigns to help dealerships improve market share. Cook sees market share as the new front line of competition in digital marketing, with the potential for greater success as customers spend more time on mobile devices.

Blanket strategies like keyword-based pay per click campaigns, still have great value, but advances in digital targeting have created new opportunities that savvy dealerships need to explore to improve their market share, Cook explained. Without strong, targeted advertising campaigns, auto dealers will see their advertising costs increase and miss opportunities to engage the online customers they need to grow sales.

About C-4 Analytics

Headquartered in Saugus, Mass., C-4 Analytics is a top-10 company on Deloittes 2014 Technology Fast 500, a fastest-growing private company on the Inc. 5000, a certified Google Premier Partner and the first agency to bring accountability to online marketing. C-4 Analytics delivers real, measurable results to its clients by using analytics to identify and track customer-acquisition channels  and the related costs  so that they can determine which marketing streams are most profitable.
As a leader in real time communications and business development for dealers, Unotifi now has the opportunity to enhance its suite of customer engagement services for dealers using a Reynolds ERA DMS,

Unotifi, an automotive marketing company, announced today that it has completed the certification process in the Reynolds Certified Interface (RCI) Program for the Reynolds ERA dealership management system (DMS). This certification facilitates more reliable, secure and faster data exchange from a Reynolds ERA DMS to Unotifi web and mobile applications.

The RCI Program provides a standardized approach to handling dealership data from a Reynolds system in a safe, secure, and supported manner.

The new certified interface will help Unotifi improve service to dealers with products that engage dealer-customers and increase dealer staff productivity by providing the solutions to respond to customers needs at the exact time dealer staff is needed.

As a leader in real time communications and business development for dealers, Unotifi now has the opportunity to enhance its suite of customer engagement services for dealers using a Reynolds ERA DMS, said Fred van der Neut, CEO of Unotifi, who has 30 years of direct marketing experience in the automotive industry.

With certification in the RCI Program, Unotifi will be able to offer improved real time opportunities for automotive dealers, customer communication and greater customer visibility. Dealers current real-time engagement with their customers using Unotifi will be enhanced and improved. One of the key benefits of leveraging real time data is streamlined automation programs such as texting a customer at the precise moment with a relevant message. Also, the interface between Unotifi applications and a Reynolds ERA DMS provides some technical benefits, like eliminating the requirement for a dedicated PC and improving reliability and speed of data transfers. One of the most important issues is that Unotifi clients will benefit from the secure transfer of data and increased protection of customer data.

About Unotifi

Unotifi is an automotive marketing company that provides an integrated technology retention and loyalty solution that effectively manages a service centers current customer base and communications to help the automotive service industry increase customer retention, increase prots, and reduce unproductive inbound call volume.

Unotifi created a messaging platform that supports the one-on-one relationships between consumers and automotive dealers and service centers that are so critical to customer loyalty and retention today. Through texting and service BDC opportunities, the Unotifi application helps automotive dealers retain more customers and grow their business.

The Unotifi innovative solution looks at the customer's behavior to determine each customer's engagement and best marketing channel. As an example, if a customer does not engage with email, then they will not be sent another email. Instead, Unotifi creates a daily work plan where dealers can call and text their customers. One of the benefits is reduced unwanted inbound service calls. Through Unotifi, inbound service phone volume can be reduced by two thirds, and retention can be increased by 4%. Studies prove that the improved ease of servicing customers resulted in upwards of $30,000 in additional revenue within the first month for dealers. And, most important, it increased customer satisfaction by 5%.

With less necessity for interactions over the telephone and engaging customers instead through text, a BDC is able to give their customers more attention and focus on customer satisfaction in ways that were previously tied up in bottlenecked phone conversations. Service advisors can give live updates on their customers vehicles while they are worked on in the shop. The dealerships can be directly notified of a customers arrival. These multi-faceted advantages open up a world of marketing opportunities as much as customer satisfaction, and with real time support Unotifis tech team and customer service are every bit as dynamic as the content their platform allows them to provide.

Find more about Unotifi at: https://automotivemarketingcrm.com
McGee's Chicken, a new restaurant on 1920 Park St. owned by local pastor Esperdell McGee, offers quality chicken and other meat dishes at low prices.
It means our members can play a part in village life where Muslims may be invisible and where peoples impressions of Islam might be influenced by media

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, that established the first mosque in London, plans to spearhead a new drive for integration.

Village fetes- the quintessentially British occasion with tea, homemade cakes and jams, are to be spiced up with a new ingredient - the samosa and pakora or bhaji as it is commonly known.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, that is based in nearly 80 cities across the UK, will be instructed to reach out to villages and request selling spicy street food at their fund-raising fetes. All the proceeds will be donated to the charity and all costs will be met by the faith community whose ethos is Love for All, Hatred for None.

The plan has already been trialled in parts of Britain where the community has contributed to village life and local fundraising.

The plan is announced to coincide with the communitys Golden Jubilee annual convention  the Jalsa Salana  marking 50 years of the event in Britain. More than 30,000 people are expected over three days for the event between August 12-14 in Alton, Hampshire.

The event will be addressed by the worldwide Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, and will be broadcast globally via satellite TV.

Ijaz Rehman, President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association UK, said:

The ethos of our community is Love for All, Hatred for None and we welcome this opportunity of reaching out to others to promote peace and cohesion.

We already engage in interfaith work so are well networked with churches, temples, synagogues and gurdwaras. We regularly raise funds for local and national charities, support the Poppy Appeal, and we work with the authorities to support their work to tackle extremism.

We are very pleased about the prospect of sending our members to support village fetes in their fundraising by selling food we prepare. We would bear all the costs of supplying the food, selling it and all proceeds would go to the local cause.

It means our members can play a part in village life where Muslims may be invisible and where peoples impressions of Islam might be influenced by media.

It will provide us with a chance to interact with others, to exchange knowledge and ideas- and to help raise funds. We hope to spice things up but hopefully not too much! The aim is to break down barriers and to show support for others in our society.

Contact details:

Name: Basharat Nazir +447703 483384

E-mail: media(at)ahmadiyya.org.uk

Mahmood Rafiq +447971 060 962

Twitter: @JalsaUK @AhmadiyyaUK

http://www.alislam.org/

http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org/

Note to editors:

Ahmadi Muslims  one of the oldest Muslim groups in Britain, accept Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a 19th century spiritual reformer from India, as the Messiah awaited by all major religions. The Community, now established in some 200 countries, is at the vanguard of the revival of true Islam.

His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Caliph of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, currently based in West London, will host the annual convention and address it on each of the three days.

Ahmadi Muslims are active in their communities; they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities each year and have their own charity Humanity First that is serving humanity locally as well as in all parts of the world irrespective of colour, race or religion. Ahmadi Muslims are the pioneers of interfaith dialogue. In 2003 they opened the largest purpose built mosque in Western Europe in Morden Surrey, which can accommodate more than 13,000 people. The community also built the first mosque in London in 1924.
The Central Holidays family of travel brands today announced the launch of a new Incentives & Meetings Travel brand for corporations that will be led by Bob Goldstein, a veteran of this travel segment with more than three decades of success in developing incentives businesses and effectively handling all of the intricate details of group trips for hundreds of acclaimed companies. In his new role, Goldstein will be responsible for creating awareness about the brand and its position in the industry  backed by the strong, global buying power of Central Holidays; its time-honored more than 43-year history; the companys well-known destination and travel planning expertise; its distinctively high repeat customer and satisfaction levels; and its signature unparalleled service.

A stellar addition to Central Holidays, Goldstein brings a keen knowledge of the marketplace, and specifically the incentives and meetings segment, that is second to none  including his work in planning incentives travel programs for world-class companies such as Panasonic, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee and many, many more. Attention to detail, meticulous planning and an ability to provide customized, high-end, VIP service will be driving forces of growing the new Worldwide Incentives and Meetings by Central Holidays brand  and Bob is the ideal choice to make it a true success, said Gianni Miradoli, CEO of Central Holidays.

I am thrilled to embark on this exciting new venture particularly with the unique position that the Central Holidays family of brands maintains as a leader in travel throughout the world, enabling us to cater to the incentives and meetings needs of companies of all sizes and budgets, said Goldstein. Further, Central Holidays experience in providing fully customized group educational and people-to-people travel programs throughout Cuba coupled with the new developments that permit companies to hold their meetings on the island nation gives us an additional edge in growing this niche of the travel business exponentially! Whether a company is looking to increase sales, recognize employees, sustain enthusiasm, improve communications, or enhance team building efforts, the new Worldwide Incentives and Meetings brand will employ its global leverage to offer our clients a cost-effective opportunity to celebrate good employees and improve performance while offering a whole new range of travel programs that have not been available for more than 50 years with meetings now available in Cuba.

The new Worldwide Incentives & Meetings by Central Holidays is adeptly designed to provide excellence in planning incentive or meetings travel programs with one-stop service that includes:



Personal Itinerary & Entertainment Advice  The travel brand is known for its destination experts with insights on everything from experiential excursions and dining options to preferred rates on room blocks and unique team building opportunities.

Hotel / Banquet Selection  The company hand-selects and inspect sites to ensure they are in line with the culture of the client organization and provides the ideal offerings for their incentive program or meeting.

Cost-effective Alternatives  The brand's strong buying power and more than four decades of relationships with hotels and restaurants throughout North America, Europe and the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and even Cuba guarantees value-added personalized service.

The Ultimate in Customization  With worldwide staff and international offices, the company is uniquely positioned to carry-out all kinds of requests for tailor-created events, VIP experiences and excursions, theme parties and gala dinners, and beyond to make the incentive or meeting a huge success.

For additional information about Worldwide Incentives and Meetings by Central Holidays, call 800-935-5000 or visit centralholidays.com today.

(Photo of Bob Goldstein available on request)

About Central Holidays:

Founded in 1972, Central Holidays offers superior travel programs, value, and service to enchanting destinations across the globe. Destinations include Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. The company also offers dozens of Mediterranean and European river cruise itineraries, worldwide ski programs, religious pilgrimage travel, as well as people-to-people educational exchange travel to Cuba! The companys sister brand, STI by Central Holidays, presents novel travel opportunities throughout Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Central Holidays and its family of travel companies remain at the forefront of the global tourism and travel industry, offering the most diverse range of travel programs that support brand promises of reliability, expertise, and flexibility. For more information, contact Central Holidays at 1-800-935-5000 or visit centralholidays.com.
Free Screening of The Little Prince Were delighted that Roger Durling, the SBIFF Board of Directors, and Metropolitan Theatres recognize the importance of providing the assistive listening technology most of their patrons prefer over more common competing technologies.

Over the past five years we have installed hearing loop systems at more than 80 venues up and down Santa Barbara County, benefitting those with hearing loss and everyone interested in superior quality sound when they attend a concert, film, lecture, or any public event, Thomas Kaufmann, founder and CEO of OTOjOY, stated. Were delighted that Roger Durling, the SBIFF Board of Directors, and Metropolitan Theatres recognize the importance of providing the assistive listening technology most of their patrons prefer over more common competing technologies.

We were thrilled to host the U.S. premiere of this wonderful, animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exuperys novel on Opening Night of this years film festival, stated Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director. We are excited to provide an added opportunity for more to see this amazing film. Thanks to a generous donation from Nora and Michael Hurley and the Manitou Fund, the Arlington will now have its own permanent hearing loop system so all can enjoy The Little Prince and all future movies and events at this historic venue.

During the screening, individuals who are hard of hearing will be able to tap directly into crystal-clear sound without any additional equipment other than their own hearing devices. By simply switching their hearing aids or cochlear implants to the t-coil setting, they can connect wirelessly to the hearing loop system, thus eliminating any ambient background noise, echo, or distortion. Guests without hearing loss will also have the opportunity to hear the same immersive sound as their counterparts by using OTOjOYs t-coil enabled devices that will be available for loan at the event. These devices include OTOjOY LoopBuds, personal sound amplifiers, hearing aids, and stand-alone hearing loop receivers. Seating will be on a first-come first-served basis, however priority is given to patrons with hearing loss. Though not required, we encourage those who wish to use the OTOjOY hearing loop system to RSVP and reserve their seat by visiting http://www.otojoy.com/littleprince or calling (805) 914-5558 by 6:00 PM on August 19th.

About OTOjOY

OTOjOY is a leading innovator in enhanced audio systems for public venues and developer of personal technologies for individuals with hearing loss as well as everyone interested in bringing superior quality audio into their daily experiences. As a pioneering vendor of advanced hearing devices, OTOjOY is successfully introducing hearing loop systems to venues throughout California, starting with Santa Barbara County, and now in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Thomas Kaufmann in 2012, OTOjOY is dedicated to providing consumers with the highest quality listening experience available and to creating equal access for individuals with hearing disabilities. In the past four years, OTOjOY has completed installations of audio frequency induction loop systems at local venues, such as the Arlington Theatre, the Santa Barbara Bowl, the Lobero Theatre, the New Vic, and close to 200 other venues throughout the State of California.

Besides commercial and residential installation of hearing loop technology, OTOjOYs offerings include LoopBuds, the worlds first consumer product for turning smartphones into t-coiled enabled devices for use at any hearing loop equipped venue, 5 Buck Chuck Club, a subscription service offering consumers high quality hearing aid batteries with the convenience and value of monthly home delivery, and universal as well as custom-fit hearing protection to prevent hearing loss due to noise exposure. OTOjOY is a member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the American Academy of Audiology, the International Hearing Society, and the California Academy of Audiology.

About OTOjOY LoopBuds

Developed by OTOjOY for use with iPhones, LoopBuds are a practical and universal smart phone device, which enhances the listening experience at venues equipped with audio induction loop systems. Featuring a built-in microphone and t-coil for reception, users activate the LoopBuds for hearing loop listening with the free LoopBuds app that provides volume control, sound customization, and captioning to enjoy crystal-clear sound at music performances, live theater, film, lecture, and other events.

About Santa Barbara Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. SBIFF offers 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums that transforms beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, CA into a rich destination for film lovers which attract more than 90,000 attendees.

SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through free programs like its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mikes Field Trip to the Movies, National Film Studies Program, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. In recent years SBIFF has expanded its year round presence with regular screenings and Q&As with programs like Cinema Society, The Showcase and its Wave Film Festivals.

About Metropolitan Theatres

Metropolitan Theatres is a fourth generation family owned theatre circuit with 17 locations and 88 screens in California, Colorado, Idaho and Utah. For additional company information, please visit http://www.metrotheatres.com.
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There was a time when spotting an electric vehicle on a public street was almost as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack.

This no longer is the case today because thousands of EVs are being purchased annually by a combination of people drawn to their uniqueness and environmental benefits, and those who were enticed into dealerships by federal tax incentives.

Deep discounts and rebates offered by vehicle manufacturers also help.

InsideEVs, which covers electric vehicle news, reports 116,099 electric vehicles were purchased nationally in 2015, which was down from 2014 sales of 122,438. In 2012, 52,607 electric vehicles were purchased in the U.S. and then the number jumped to 97,507 in 2013.

Through the end of July, Inside EVs reported 77,834 electric vehicles were sold in the U.S., up from 63,298 sold through the end of July 2015.

Steve Jackson of Stoughton was skeptical of electric vehicles initially before deciding to get a Nissan Leaf last year. Now hes a fan.

I was going for the total environmental benefit of it, Jackson said.

He also owns a Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle, which averaged more than 50 mpg, but now he prefers driving his Leaf.

There is zero exhaust, the handling is fantastic and its just a joy to drive, Jackson said.

There could be more Nissan Leaf drivers joining Jackson on Dane County roads in the coming weeks.

Zimbrick Eastside Nissan and Rosen Nissan, both in Madison, are offering discounts totaling $8,231 and zero percent financing for up to 72 months to qualified buyers who purchase a 2016 Nissan Leaf, which starts at $29,010.

The discount is available through Sept. 30.

Also promoting the special Nissan Leaf offer are Madison Gas and Electric and Wisconsin Clean Cities.

Lorrie Lisek, executive director of Wisconsin Clean Cities, said similar promotions for the Leaf were successful in Colorado and Minnesota.

In addition to dealership and Nissan financing discounts, buyers also are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

Nissan is a member of our coalition, so they approached us about doing a similar initiative in Wisconsin, Lisek said. MGE also is a member and they spoke to us about doing some education and outreach about workplace charging programs for these vehicles, so things just came together.

Lisek said Wisconsin Clean Citiess role with the Leaf promotion is to help educate the public about the incentive on a zero-emission vehicle, which fits with her groups mission of encouraging the use of alternative fuels and technologies.

This too is where MGE wants to do its part.

We are partnering with Wisconsin Clean Cities to promote the (Leaf) incentive, said Steve Schultz, MGE spokesman.

Introduction of more electric vehicle models, improved battery technology allowing for farther travel and a growing network of fast-charging stations are among the factors helping to increase consumer interest.

Scott Ericson, sales manager at Zimbrick Eastside Nissan, said common reasons buyers are drawn to electric vehicles include the environmental and public health benefits. Hes optimistic the incentive will increase awareness of electric vehicles.

Technology always is associated with higher costs, Ericson said. We are hoping to change that notion through awareness.

Jay Cole, editor-in-chief of InsideEVs, said growing interest and sales mostly are driven by regulation and incentives.

Realistically in 2011, who wanted to turn in their gas-powered mid-size car or SUV that did the job just fine for a 75-85 mile range all-electric car like the Leaf? Cole said. Incentives and regulations requiring fleet purchases to include a certain number of electric vehicles laid the groundwork that would help with future sales.

Federal requirements to lower emissions also are helping to push for improved technologies, which may help to drive down costs and improve the range of future electric vehicles.

What everyone wants, even if they dont know it, is a 300-mile electric car for $25,000, or a 250-mile electric SUV or truck for $35,000 thats cheap to operate, quiet and luxurious to drive and fast to accelerate but that sort of thing doesnt happen overnight, Cole said. It takes a lot of technology advancement, investment and a lot of scale and infrastructure behind it.

Cole said the first five years of incentives and increasing regulation in the U.S. have brought the cost of the entry level all-electric cars into the $20,000-range with the ability to travel up to 110 miles.

So EV sales are going up, they have to, unless all the world regulatory bodies decide emissions arent really such a bad thing, which seems unlikely, he said.

With that in mind, businesses also have been doing their part to meet customer demands for electric vehicle charging stations.

The Alternative Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Department of Energy reports today there are 14,001 public electric vehicle charging stations around the country, including 225 in Wisconsin.

MGE has a network of 27 public charging stations around Madison. Some are located in public parking lots and other high-traffic locations.

Whether MGE installs more depends on demand.

Schultz said MGE continues to evaluate the need for public charging stations and where that need is most critical.

We also are working with a number of area businesses on potential workplace charging options for their employees convenience, he said.

Alliant just announced a rebate program for employers who install charging stations on site.

Alliant Energy has 13 charging stations at its Madison headquarters, with five available for public use.

Alliant has focused on making electric vehicle charging more convenient for its customers to do at home, said Annemarie Newman, communications program manager at Alliant.

Alliant launched a consumer rebate program in April, which provides its customers with up to $500 to install a level two charging station in their home, which can charge an electric cars battery more rapidly than a standard outlet.

Available mobile apps and websites make it easy for electric vehicle owners to locate charging stations, especially if planning to take a long trip.

Jackson said hes still reluctant to travel too far from home in his electric vehicle but that could change because of the improving charging station network.

Jackson works for Alliant in Madison and recharges his vehicle at work.

Going a longer distance is possible because the infrastructure is getting there, he said.

If I knew the infrastructure was there, Id be more inclined to take the Leaf on a longer trip.
Astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, has been dropping science on the public for two decades. Hes written ten books, hosted the 2014 Emmy award-winning TV mini-series Cosmos, and is an editor of StarTalk: Everything You Ever Need to Know about Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond, the companion book to the pop culture-oriented podcast and late night science talk show of the same name, which begins its third season on the National Geographic Channel on September 19th. The book expands on various subjects from the series, from black holes, space exploration and human evolution to futurology, climate change, and time travel, with special guests Malcolm Gladwell, Anthony Bourdain and fellow science educator, Bill Nye.

How is the book an extension of the shows efforts to bring science to the public through popular culture?

In the show, there were certain lines, spoken by me, spoken by my comedic co-hosts, and lines spoken by my guests, that are particularly potent in terms of getting someones attention. But [those lines] in an audio-visual format dont lend themselves to be fleshed out, the way they can in the printed word. So we use the clever, fun and interesting commentary in the show as cues in the book, to develop them as topics. And that way, by reading the book, you can learn more than just by listening to the show.

One of my favorite selections in the book is the feature on Nichelle Nichols, The African-American actress who not only played Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek TV series, but also recruited minorities for NASA.

As a scientist of color, was she inspirational to you as well?

For me, it wasnt so much that she was black, but that there was an Asian, and there was a half-alien (Spock)  So I was intrigued by how diverse the show was, more than I was intrigued by the fact that she was specifically black. And nothing on television at that that time had any diversity at all. The StarTalk episode that featured her story, which included her meeting with Martin Luther King [who talks her out of quitting the show], is science, its science fiction, its exploration, its pop culture  Its all there in that show!

What science topics are people fascinated with?

People love asking about life in the universe. They want to know what was around before the universe. They want to know the fate of our species. They want to know about quirky things like, what happens if you go back in time and change the future? Some of these questions we dont have answers for but there are scientific investigations that are trying to address them.

You address many of those questions in your books including, Death by Black Hole, a collection of essays published in Natural History magazine, Origins, a history of the universe, and your memoir, The Sky is Not The Limit. How do you write, and who are your literary inspirations?

Basically, I write in a peaceful corner of the house. But unlike many people, I can write to very loud music  particularly music with a beat. I feel that when theres a beat going, it sort of advances my thoughts, pushing them along, sort of like a thought engine. As for my literary inspirations, George Gamow was a physicist who wrote for the public. And he wrote charming books that he hand-illustrated. And one of them was entitled One, Two, Three  Infinity. The title was inspired by a tribe somewhere that believed that anything more than three is uncountable. The book is an exploration of math, physics, and science, in general. Also, [there were] the Isaac Asimov books. These people devoted big parts of their lives to sharing science with the public  those are the books that definitely influenced my ambitions, my curiosity, and ultimately, my urge to give to the next generation what was given to me.

Like Asimov and Einstein, you have the rare ability to explain the complexities of science without watering it down.

My Prime Directive  as the say in Star Trek  is to never dumb something down. The public knows if your dumbing something down. People want to be treated with respect. If you give people credit for being able to figure something out, I think they can become sort of a learning ally in what you do.

One of your learning allies was the great scientist/educator Carl Sagan, the creator and host of the original Cosmos series. You met him at start of your college years. How was he an inspiration and guide for you?

For me, the fact that he could do what he did, was, as they say in mathematics, an existence proof. Sagan showed that it was possible to bring all of the sciences to the public in a way they could embrace. And that told me that if I stepped in that direction, I may be successful in that exercise.
Archive Dive

Nine years ago, PW was all about Harry Potter. That was the summer that the then-final volume in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, hit stores. It was, obviously, a huge bestseller. So is its successor, the just-released script for the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Despite mixed reviews, Scholastic reported sales topping two million after only a couple of days. As we said of the 2007 book, this is a much-needed shot in the arm to bookstore sales. But the 2007 shot was much bigger. Heres a look at the By the Numbers we ran on July 30, 2007.

From the Newsletters

Tip Sheet

Amie Barrodale, author of the story collection You Are Having a Good Time (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), argues that life and writing are ultimately inseparable.

Childrens Bookshelf

In case you didnt make it to your local bookstore for a Harry Potter midnight release party, weve got photos from a ton of events from across the country.

BookLife Report

The power of positioning, and what indie authors need to know about getting it right.

PW Daily

Every days publishing news delivered to your inbox. Among this weeks stories: Kuyper resigns from BISG, Potter sales figures, and more.

Blogs

ShelfTalker

A childrens bookseller shares his technique for the fine art of choosing which ARCs to take along for vacation reading.

Podcasts

Week Ahead

PW senior writer Andrew Albanese on the possible conclusion of the long-running GSU copyright suit, and why, after nine years of litigation, the case could be headed for yet another round of appeals.

More to Come

A group of celebrated comics artists discuss their development and working process in a discussion moderated by PW senior editor Calvin Reid.

KidsCast

Ann M. Martin talks about Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure (Feiwel and Friends), a modern-day spin-off of Betty MacDonalds beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series.

PW Radio

Nadja Spiegelman (daughter of Maus creator Art Spiegelman) discusses her memoir, Im Supposed to Protect You from All This (Riverhead). Plus, PW assistant news editor John Maher recaps some recent changes at PEN America.

The most-read review last week on publishersweekly.com was The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley (HMH). Its been the most popular review all summer, and its back on top again after being briefly displaced.
At the PEN Literary Galaa fund-raising event that also plays host to PEN Americas Free Expression Awards held in New York City this past May, the organization debuted its recent rebranding. The newly unified aesthetic, including a new logo, website redesign, and official shortening of its name from PEN American Center, was the culmination of the revamping of one of the oldest literary-activism organizations in the countrya revamping that had been years in the making.

PEN America, founded in 1922, is one of more than 100 members of PEN International, a worldwide association of writers established in London in 1921 to advocate freedom of expression and the value of literature. Though its a member of the larger body, PEN America is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily by grants, membership dues, and private donors. It has consistently straddled two worlds, representing both the interests of free expression and the advancement of literature.

Suzanne Nossel, who became executive director of PEN America in 2013, represents the first of those two missions especially. Before joining PEN, Nossel served as deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Organization Affairs in the Obama administration, followed by a brief stint at the head of Amnesty International. Nossel said she sees PEN as unique for the range of its mission, operating between the literary nonprofit world on one hand and free-expression advocacy groups on the other.

When we hear about the case of a poet or a novelist who has been targeted [by authorities], that to me is the heart of PEN, and its also a case where youre not going to see the Committee to Protect Journalists or other groups necessarily rising to the forefront, Nossel said. So I think PEN has a special obligation in those cases. That said, we also defend plenty of journalists.

At Home and Abroad

Under Nossel, PEN has attempted to raise awareness of free-expression issues on both the home front and the world stage. Earlier this year, PEN awarded Ahmad Naji, the Egyptian journalist and novelist, the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, recognizing his struggle against the strict speech laws of his country as he serves a two-year prison term for violating public modesty. The organization has also been outspoken regarding the persecution of secularist bloggers in Bangladesh, a number of whom have been murdered recently over their writing.

In America, PEN has swung its focus toward hot-button issues such as campus free speech and freedom of press violations in the wake of events including the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. In 2013, it conducted a survey of dragnet surveillance done by the NSA and its effect on free expression. Upwards of 25% of writers are telling us in surveys that they are self-censoring in some way as a result of knowing about dragnet surveillance of their topics, Nossel said. Theyre afraid to research; there are people that theyre leery of communicating with; there are subjects they dont want to write about because theyre afraid that doing so may be tracked and traced and may trip them up in some way in the future.

Some of the increased focus on domestic issues comes from the political climate, in which surveillance has become widespread and candidates on the campaign trail actively decry the free press. But Nossels connections to Washington, too, have fueled that push; she noted that part of whats helpful about her background is understanding some of the levers, in terms of advocacy. After conducting a report on the persecution of whistle-blowers in government ranks, for example, PEN released its findings at a public forum in Washington.

In spite of recent headlines panicking over the threats to free speech in the U.S., Nossel noted that protecting free expression here, rather than in countries with more draconian laws such as Qatar or Mexico, is a different beast. It is important to recognize that we operate in one of the freest, most protective environments for free speech in the world, she said. I think a lot of our members are motivated by a sense of privilege that they enjoy being here, and a sense of obligationduty, almostthat they have to writers around the world who are punished for what we do freely. So I would say we take an approach of vigilance here, but also one of appreciation of the freedoms that we have.

PEN has also turned its eye to translations of literary works in places such as China, where books may be censored without their authors ever knowing about it. Nossel cited PEN president Andrew Solomons book The Noonday Demon as an example. We had somebody go through his book, a book about depression, and compare the Chinese version to the English version, and certain passages about his being gay had been caught and excised without his knowledge, she said. We did a report documenting that, and with the aim of making publishers, editors, agents, and writers more aware that when they do publish in translation in China, they need to think about whether their work is going to be censored.

PENs wholehearted condemnation of censorship and support for freedom of expressionincluding expression that its members may find distasteful, or disagree withhas occasionally gotten the organization into hot water.

In 2015, after a shooting at the offices of the controversial satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in France, PEN awarded the paper with the PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award. A number of writers, including Junot Diaz and Joyce Carol Oates, protested the move, arguing in an open letter that it supported cartoons they found to be mocking a section of the French population that is already marginalized, embattled, and victimized.

In 2016, Adalah-NY, a grassroots organization arguing for a boycott of Israel due to what it sees as an apartheid regime founded as a Jewish state on land ethnically cleansed of its indigenous Palestinian population, criticized PEN for accepting Israeli sponsorship for its World Voices Festival this past May. (Nossel said PEN has been receiving minorsupport from Israel since roughly 2006, before she took charge.)

The official PEN position, in response to the criticism over Israeli sponsorship, pointed to a policy formally adopted by PEN America in 2007 against participating in cultural boycotts because of their incongruence with free expression. In the case of Hebdo, Nossel maintained that context was importantand often missing in the criticism of the move.

The reason we gave the award to Charlie Hebdo was that we really thought what they were engaging in was satire, Nossel said. And if you looked at some of the cartoons that people would find most offensive to an American, once you understand the French context, it can look very different.

Raising Membership, Awareness

In spite of criticism, PEN remains devoted to freedom of expression in both journalism and literature, in all its diverse forms. Diversity has been a focus of late for the organization, and the numbers show it. In 2015, a year that saw 825 new members join the organization (compared to 541 the year before), 17% of new professional, or full-time, members were people of color, and 55% were women.

This, when put in the context of PENs historyand the history of the American literati as a wholeis a bit of a transformation from the stuffy, almost exclusively white and male organization of yore. Long gone are the days of former PEN America president Norman Mailer and the controversial 1986 PEN Convention, when Grace Paley led the bulk of women attendees in a walkout over lack of diversity.

I think there was a history of PEN not being particularly inclusive, PEN director of literary programs Paul Morris said.

The change in its membership ranks is not an accident. In order to make the community less gated, Morris said, fewer letters of recommendation are required for membership, and members no longer have to be literary writers. Membership fees are down as well, and though self-published authors are not yet accepted as members or eligible for awards, Morris mentioned that may change too.

The strategy has worked. PEN currently boasts roughly 4,400 members (a mix of writers, publishing professionals, and general supporters), up from 2,700 in 2011, when Morris came aboard. In-house, the staff has grown from around 14 to 26, give or take some interns, during the same period.

Morris has had no small role to play in the increase in membership. As director of literary programs, he is charged with managing membership and PENs comprehensive program of literary awards; the organization, Nossel said, will give out more than 20 awards in 2017. I inherited a very sleepy program called the PEN Literary Awards, Morris said, adding that when he arrived, the awards were being handled by a former intern. Both the membership drive and the overhaul of the awards program were done with an eye to broaden PENs influence and to expand its appeal to people connected to industries where free expansion is a bedrock principle.

This year, PEN has announced three new awards: the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers, honoring 12 debut fiction writers with $2,000 each and publication in an anthology cosponsored and published by Catapult; the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, recognizing a book that has broken new ground and signals strong potential for lasting influence with a $75,000 purse; and the PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Oral History. A fourth award, in collaboration with the Nabokov Foundation and with a $50,000 purse, will be announced later this year, and it will bring the total amount of cash prizes PEN will offer in 2017 to upward of $315,000more than double the $150,000 it offered in 2015.

Morris also handles events, including mingles, cosponsored by organizations in the literary and social-justice fields, including Lambda Literary, Vida, and Cave Canem. (The events are funded, in part, by the Booth Ferris Foundation.) The events bring members of otherwise disparate organizations together to discuss their respective causes, and to occupy an atmosphere ranging between a casual gathering and a safe space for expression in the face of a world that, in many ways, is opposed to it; PENs mingle with Lambda, held just after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, transformed from a typical literary hobnob into an impassioned and emotional vigil for the slain.

As for the future, Nossel said PEN will continue working toward expandingafter raising its membership by more than a fourth, well be looking to continue that trend. She went on: Everything weve done has sort of grown. Well be doing more programming looking at Muslims in America; well be doing more programming looking at issues of gender. Weve expanded our voice in Washington, and also the voices of writers from around the world, bringing a series of delegations to make writers from Myanmar, from China, from Russia, heard at the White House and in the State Department, so people understand what the challenges are, what theyre up against, and how the United States can help. Well be doing more of that.
FUKUOKO, Japan -- When Mutsuro Yuji, chief of the central sewage plant in this southern Japanese city, first heard about the idea of making hydrogen from biogas -- the combination of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the breakdown of organic matter -- he was skeptical. "I thought it was a joke," he said.

But after a $12 million investment from Japan's government, plus research, engineering, design and building work by Mitsubishi, Toyota and Kyushu University, Yuji is no longer laughing. Starting late last year, drivers of vehicles like the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity have been able to drive up to the sewage plant and power up their hydrogen fuel cell cars.

Customers are charged about $11 for 2.2 pounds (one kilogram) of hydrogen, and a fill-up requires about 11 pounds, making the cost comparable to driving a gasoline car. But producing a kilogram of hydrogen at the sewage plant costs about $100.

Japan is in the midst of a major push to move hydrogen-powered cars off the drawing board. The government this year doubled its funding for fuel cell vehicle subsidies, construction of filling stations and hydrogen energy farms to about $280 million, up from $120 million last year.

Meanwhile, carmakers are preparing to make more zero-emission vehicles.

The effort could have profound ripple effects in California, which with Japan and Germany is one of the first places in the world where interest in hydrogen fuel cells and investment in infrastructure look to be approaching a level where the technology could be commercially viable.

Japan now has about 80 stations, Germany has 50, and California has 20.

In the U.S., most hydrogen is produced from natural gas. But a 2014 study by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that biogas from waste water treatment plants, landfills, manure and industrial facilities could be used as a major source of hydrogen -- enough to support 11 million fuel cell vehicles a year.

"Sewage sludge is completely untapped today as a fuel source," said Yoshikazu Tanaka, chief engineer of the Mirai. "We believe it's very promising and would bring ultimate self-sustainability to communities."

California is one of the most biogas-rich states in the nation, and Los Angeles in particular is well positioned to tap this resource, the Renewable Energy Laboratory's study indicated.

Californians are adopting hydrogen fuel cell cars faster than initially expected, the state's Air Resources Board said in a report last year. The state is expected to have 10,500 fuel cell cars by the end of 2018 and 34,000 by the end of 2021, twice as many as anticipated in a 2014 study. About 20,000 of those will be in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California.

Toyota started offering the Mirai last fall and has sold about 1,000 in Japan and 200 in California. The company has already received more than 2,000 orders in the U.S., and Americans who reserve vehicles now will have to wait until 2017 to get them. The car has a range of about 310 miles, and in the U.S., the purchase price -- around $57,000 -- includes three years of fuel.

Honda and Hyundai are also selling fuel cell vehicles in California.

The public interest is prompting the Air Resources Board to warn that California's currently funded hydrogen stations may not be sufficient to support demand after 2018. On average, California's stations can produce half as much hydrogen as what Fukuoka's sewage-based filling station already generates.

But if the Bay Area and Sacramento tapped all their landfills, sewer plants and other biogas-generating locations to make hydrogen, the region could support 527,300 fuel cell cars, the Renewable Energy Laboratory's survey projected. The pioneers of Japan's toilet-to-tank plant say they're looking to export their expertise.

Hydrogen is not cheap. "We're not making any money off this yet," said Sumito Tachibana, chief of the energy and environment section of Fukuoka's startup and investment department.
Improve strength, endurance with aquatic exercise at BHC

Black Hawk College offers drop-in aquatic exercise classes five days a week at the Quad-Cities Campus in Moline. Classes resume the week of Aug. 22.

Aqua Motion, a moderate-intensity class in shallow water, is offered from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Aqua Combo, a moderate-intensity class in shallow and deep water, is offered from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Cost is $6 per visit or $68 for a 20-visit pass. Students and senior citizens (ages 55 and older) can purchase a 20-visit pass for $64.

For more information, call 309-796-5601 or visit bhc.edu/aquatic.

Drinking water, wastewater training starting soon

Train to work in water and wastewater treatment plants with Black Hawk College classes.

Beginning Drinking Water prepares individuals for certification as a Class C or D Public Water Supply Operator. It is a blended format that combines online learning with classroom instruction. Classes will be Tuesdays, Aug. 30 to Nov. 8, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $425.

Wastewater Treatment Class 1 and 2 prepares individuals for the Class 1 and Class 2 operators state exam. Classes will meet Thursdays, Sept. 1 to Nov. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $425.

Both classes will be at the colleges Quad-Cities Campus in Moline.

For more information or to register, visit bhc.edu/waterclasses or call 309-796-5716.

Explore BHCs professional, continuing ed programs Aug. 23-25

Are you interested in taking a computer class, but not sure where to start? Learn a foreign language? Make jewelry, stained glass or floral arrangements? Become a better photographer?

Learn more about the variety of programs and classes offered by Black Hawk College Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) at a PaCE Information Night.

Choose from three dates and locations:

Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Geneseo Public Library, 805 N. Chicago St., Geneseo.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the BHC Outreach Center, 301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline.

Thursday, Aug. 25, at the BHC Adult Learning Center, 4610 Blackhawk Commons Drive, Rock Island.

Stop by any of these free events from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to learn about the wide variety of PaCE programs. Talk with PaCE program coordinators to determine if a class is right for you. Fall schedules will be available, and registration will be open during this event.

For more information, call PaCE at 309-796-8223 or visit bhc.edu/pace.
Lifetree Cafe serves coffee, discussion

EAST MOLINE -- A Lifetree Cafe meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Coffee Hound, 3537 Archer Drive.

The discussion subject will be "Facing A Terminal Illness -- Insights from a dying man."

Noetic science institute meets at Unitarian Church

DAVENPORT -- The Institute of Noetic Sciences Quad Cities will host a discussion, led by George Gross, about enormous the body of work of J.J. Hurtak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Ave.

For information, visit IONSQC@aol.com.

Viola Methodists set ice cream social

VIOLA -- Viola United Methodist Church, 1407 18th Ave., will hold an ice cream social from 4 to 7 p.m. in its Fellowship Hall. "Steamburgers," potato salad, baked beans, homemade pies and cakes and homemade ice cream will be served.

Orion parish hosts GriefShare course

ORION -- First Baptist Church, 1101 4th St., will hold a GriefShare, a 13-week, video-based small group session for grieving individuals, starting from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14.

GriefShare is nondenominational and offers practical biblical concepts for healing from the loss of a loved one. Each session is self-contained, includes refreshments, video and a small group discussion.

Meetings will be held in the church basement. A workbook will cost $20. Register by calling 309-799-7699, or email cathomas1961@aol.com. Learn more at griefshare.org.

Riverside rally day planned

MOLINE -- Riverside United Methodist Church, 712 16th St., will host a free rally day event from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, for children of all ages and their families.

Lunch will be provided.

A bouncy house, face painter, carnival games for all ages and information about all of the church's fall ministries will be featured.

People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and sun block.

For information, call the church office at 309-764-6721, or visit qcriverside.com/upcoming-events.
The Division of Criminal Investigations is investigating a Friday evening officer-involved shooting in Beaver Dam.

Authorities were called to a residence at 215 Woodland Drive Friday evening where a man was threatening to commit suicide. Officials later found out that the man had access to a gun, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office said.

The man told Beaver Dam police officers that he wanted to commit suicide by cop. After authorities tried to negotiate with him for over an hour, the man shot at a deputy sheriff. The officer shot back and the man was killed, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy sheriff is a 9 year veteran of the office and has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave during the investigation into the shooting, authorities said.

No further information is available at this time.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law reductions in the criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession. Previously, those convicted of marijuana possession faced possible jail time; now, just a citation and a fine.

This reminds us of an age-old admonition: Just because you can do something, it doesnt mean you necessarily should.

Critics of this more liberal (or libertarian, depending upon your political persuasion) policy toward marijuana have reason to worry.

As reported by the New England Journal of Medicine, there is an inverse correlation between the perceived risk of marijuana and the incidence of peoples use of it. Simply put, the less risky people view marijuana, the more likely they are to use -- and abuse -- it.

For some, decriminalization may be perceived as a tacit governmental endorsement of certain activities -- including smoking pot. This moral dilemma is heightened when the government stands to profit from the behavior in question. Like sales taxes generated from marijuana sales in Colorado and Washington, for example. Since those states have legalized recreational marijuana use, the perception of its risk has lessened, and the amount of its use has increased proportionately.

So, too, have vehicular fatalities related to marijuana use. According to research conducted by AAA, marijuana-related traffic deaths in Washington state have doubled since pot was legalized there.

There are other reasons for concern. To begin, marijuana growers have continually bred marijuana to increase its potency. Today, the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- i.e., the psychoactive component -- has increased by 22 times compared with marijuana strains that were available in the 1960s.

Although often considered to be benign, the New England Journal of Medicine has identified serious negative impacts of marijuana use on brain functioning. These include reduced neural connectivity and damage to areas of the brain such as the frontal cortex, parietal lobe and temporal lobe. In turn, that damage results in a broad range of neural dysfunction: everything from problem-solving to the understanding and expression of emotions become impaired.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that marijuana use is highly correlated to underperformance at both school and work. Marijuana users experience higher dropout rates and lower academic achievement. On the job, they are responsible for a disproportionate number of workers compensation claims, along with absenteeism and lost productivity.

Marijuana advocates often argue that it is not addictive. Research indicates otherwise. As reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, about 9 percent of people who experiment with marijuana will become addicted to it.

In our American culture, we laugh when Hollywood lampoons potheads in movies such as Pineapple Express and Dude, Wheres My Car?

But, at The Abbey Addiction Treatment Center in Bettendorf, we see the faces of marijuana addicts firsthand. And its not funny. We see people who struggle with simple tasks at school and work. People incapable of perceiving or expressing emotion. People who suffer from higher incidence of mental health diagnoses, such as schizophrenia, paranoia and anxiety.

While we have great success in helping our patients to recover from their addictions, we cant help but remind the public that the best way to mitigate certain public health risks is to avoid the factors that cause them in the first place.

Put another way, just because you can use marijuana, it doesnt mean you necessarily should.
G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now!
In the aftermath of shootings, there is inevitably a public debate about gun safety, constitutional rights, police tactics, terrorism, race and politics. But these discussions rarely focus on a common factor among the perpetrators  a history of violence against women.

Reports suggest that the shooter in Dallas left the Army after a sexual harassment charge. The Orlando shooter allegedly abused his first wife. The Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooter was accused of sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking by three different women, including his then-wife. The Sandy Hook shooter targeted his mother. And though the police have released little information about the Baton Rouge shooter, a suspect who opened fire on a Milwaukee police officer that same day was a domestic violence suspect. The list goes on and on. And each time there's a shooting that grabs national headlines, the debate centers on gun control and the Second Amendment. Now it's time to further explore the connection between violence against women and murder.

This goes beyond anecdotes. Recent research drawing on FBI data and media reports between 2009 and 2014 analyzed all shootings that resulted in four or more deaths and found that 57 percent of mass shootings targeted family members or intimate partners. In those shootings, 64 percent of the victims were women or children.

While these statistics are troubling, they may point to a means to help reduce violence. Existing research suggests that "by far, past violence is the best static predictor of future violence," and a detailed analysis (PDF) of the cases of over 300,000 ex-convicts, including those with a history of violent offenses, found that offenders with domestic violence charges were the most likely to commit another violent felony. Of course not all of these felonies will be mass shootings, but some will and so policies to identify, punish and prevent access to dangerous weapons by abusers may be a key means to reduce all violent crimes, including mass shootings.

In many cases, the core aspects of the policies are already on the books, though the coverage and efficacy varies by state. That variation, however, introduces substantial risks as some victims may be reluctant to report abusers, abusers are not always appropriately identified and gaps in laws allow known abusers to obtain dangerous weapons.

Efforts should include policies to increase reporting by better supporting victims, including improving police response and ensuring sufficient domestic violence crisis services to enable victims to safely report. But victim reporting is just the first step in preventing intimate partner abusers from accessing dangerous weapons.

Once a victim reports, the crime must be appropriately categorized as "domestic violence" if it is to prevent abusers from obtaining weapons under existing restrictions. This does not always happen, because of the "boyfriend loophole" in many existing laws that does not categorize physical assaults on unmarried partners as domestic violence. Moreover, stalking is often not covered by existing laws aimed at restricting access to guns.

Even if the abuser is appropriately categorized as a domestic violence offender, the offenses must then promptly be entered into the system that is used for criminal background checks for gun purchases. Unfortunately, according to a recent GAO study, states vary greatly in the degree to which this information is entered, delaying the FBI background check results. The delay is particularly dangerous given so-called "default proceed" laws which allow sales to happen if information is not available within 72 hours.

Many of the public debates after mass shootings focus on the trade-off between public safety priorities, like reducing gun violence and combating terrorism, and individual rights, like those of legitimate gun owners and others. But there is no such trade-off when considering those who commit intimate partner or family violence. The Supreme Court has clearly ruled that domestic abusers do not have a right to own firearms and most states and the federal government already have laws prohibiting ownership. Moreover, members of both political parties have and continue to support efforts to end domestic violence from the Violence Against Women Act to recent efforts to strengthen federal laws that prevent abusers from purchasing weapons.

The dialogue on gun violence could be advanced by including discussion of its links to intimate partner violence and how addressing those issues may be part of a solution.

Radha Iyengar is a senior economist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on August 2, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
SVOD leader Netflix has released a virtual reality clip to promote its current hot drama Stranger Things.

The two-minute clip is meant to attract audiences to its eight-part supernatural mystery, which stars Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who lives in a small Indiana town in 1983. She launches an investigation when her 12-year-old son, Will, goes missing. The show pays homage to everything from the Goonies to Raiders of the Lost Ark to Friday the 13th.Netflix told TechCrunch that it used Google Cardboard to create the clip. Yes, this is the first time weve used Google Cardboard and VR to promote a specific show (if you dont count 360 video), Netflix said. Stranger Things is a uniquely atmospheric series that inspired us to create a fun way to immerse viewers in the rich world, allow them to experience the thrills and mystery of the story and excite them to watch the series.
In a crushing blow to an industry that has been under a lot of pressure, the European Commission has found that a Spanish government scheme compensating terrestrial private broadcasters is in breach of EU state aid rules.

The Commission's investigation into DTT found that Spain's support for the transition from analogue to digital TV broadcasting was offered only to digital terrestrial (DTT) broadcasters to the detriment of alternative platforms, such as satellite, cable and IPTV.The scheme recompensed the nations DTT industry for carrying out parallel broadcasting during the digitisation of the terrestrial television signal.The Spanish government imposed a simulcast obligation on broadcasters, requiring them to broadcast both analogue and digital signals during the transition period, in order to avoid service disruptions for viewers. In 2011, it also notified plans to compensate broadcasters for additional costs incurred due to this so-called obligation.Yet this move rang alarm bells at the EC, which opened a state aid investigation in 2012 . In the course of the investigation, Spain withdrew part of the notification concerning public broadcasters, as compensation in their favour was already granted as part of their public service mission. The investigation continued solely for private broadcasters.The EC ruled that Spain did not substantiate why the principle of technological neutrality would not be justified in this case, nor had it demonstrated that public support for the frequency reallocation was needed to ensure a smooth transfer from analogue to digital broadcasting. On the contrary, the Commission found that private broadcasters would have ensured simulcast in any event, so as not to lose viewers. Moreover, it noted that Spain provided no evidence, such as an independent cost study, showing that the aid was proportionate.This measure provided a selective advantage to terrestrial broadcasters and platform operators over other available technologies, explained Margrethe Vestager, commissioner in charge of competition policy. This goes against the principle of technological neutrality and does not appear necessary or proportionate. Spain has already completed the digital frequency switch with no state aid having been granted. Therefore, no recovery will be required.
It's good that the Obama administration is finally waking up to the fact that a major crisis is brewing in Venezuela, and that platitudes about dialogue no longer suffice. With its capital Caracas geographically closer to Washington, D.C., than is Los Angeles, Calif., Venezuela's humanitarian crisis matters to U.S. interests. Moreover, Venezuela under chavismo has been converted into a major transshipment point for illicit narcotics headed to the United States.
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The chancellor at UW-Stout in Menomonie said Friday he decided to move two large paintings dating to 1936 from hallways in a much-traveled campus building because they stood in the way of an effort to create an inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone.

It was not, Chancellor Bob Meyer insisted in a statement, political correctness and it was not done without consulting various campus representatives, including faculty and diversity-related groups.

Rest assured, political correctness played absolutely no role in this tough decision.

Instead, he said, complaints from Native American students convinced him the paintings were best stored temporarily and then made available for public viewing in other places on campus. The painting French Trappers on the Red Cedar, which depicts trappers and Native Americans in canoes, will be moved to the Deans Conference Room, also in Harvey Hall, where it can be viewed by appointment. And Perraults Trading Fort, which depicts a frontier fort, will be moved to room 504A in the Robert S. Swanson Library and Learning Center, which will be under the control of the university archivist.

The paintings by Wisconsin-born artist Cal Peters were created for the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.

Meyer provided quotes from two Native American students who said the paintings like those in Harvey Hall keep us in the past and present Native Americans as stereotypes.

Meyer, a UW-Stout graduate, former professor and dean, said he has enjoyed these paintings most of my adult life, and they do belong on campus, but they need to be exhibited where access can be controlled and we provide the proper amount of background and context they deserve.

The university came in for pointed criticism this week from the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Foundation for individual Rights in Education, which in a letter decried the decision to remove the paintings and place them in storage. The university said the storage was just temporary.

It would be good to encourage a dialogue on the issues of stereotypes and historical significance, but putting Cal Peters 1930s paintings in a closet ends the conversation prematurely and to the detriment of current and future students and faculty, wrote Svetlana Mintcheva, the groups director. Removing representations of historically oppressed groups from view will not change the facts of history.

The group said the issue was brought to its attention by UW-Stout English and philosophy professor Timothy Shiell. In a press release, the group quotes Shiell, who has written extensively about free speech issues on campus, as worried the action will set a dangerous precedent: Shrouding or moving the painting does not educate anyone or stimulate any learning or dialogue. American history and representations of that history can be ugly and offensive. But hiding them doesnt change the past or the future.

Neither Shiell nor Mintcheva could be reached for reaction to the chancellors statements Friday.

UW-Stout officials said the decision was made after meetings that included the campus Diversity Leadership Team and Chancellors Advisory Council. The meetings going back to April were noticed campuswide.

University spokesman Doug Mell said the paintings have been on campus for 80 years, and have been in various locations.

The chancellor said in his statement that despite opinions to the contrary, it was never my intent to censor these paintings or remove them from public view. I simply wanted to get them into situations where we had some control over who would view them.

However, they will be made available for public viewing, along with a document that explains their historical significance and the concerns Native Americans have expressed about how they are portrayed in the paintings. After all, a university needs to encourage a free flow of ideas, even if those ideas make some people uncomfortable, as long as we dont foist those ideas on unaware or unwilling recipients.

Peters was the only WPA artist to work on campus, according to archives, and he had a studio in Room 29 in the basement of Harvey Hall.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/05/2016



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
A man was found walking naked down Oconee Street, pool supplies were stolen from Walmart and a TV was stolen from an apartment all between July 6 and July 13.
If it's pay day, and you're in the mood to treat yourself, or better yet, if you're parents are in town to pay for a meal with you, Athens is the town to splurge on great food.
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Q. Do you think animals have a soul or an afterlife?

I surely hope so. Pets have bonded with us and we with them over our lifetimes so as to become actual members of our families. Their love and loyalty and help to us must be something God-given. I've never been really able to ride a horse, but what an incredibly beautiful animal they are to watch as they run whether for glory or just out of exuberance. A walk in the woods or a glance skyward reveals majestic herds and flocks.

I think God is entertained and filled with appreciation whenever his creation exults in its own way. I also remember the thanks and respect our American Indians show in their ritual after killing an animal for food and other needs. In heaven, that graciousness must surely be returned.

St. Francis remains the patron of animals. May his example inspire us to embrace the love of God's creatures, everywhere.

Deacon Mike Evans

Sacred Heart Church, Anderson

I don't know if animals have a soul. I know that animals are mentioned to be in heaven; the lion will lay down with the lamb. The absence of sin, sickness and death, and the presents of life, health and holiness, all lead me to believe that all of God's creation will benefit from his promise of a new world. That's the promise through Jesus and the cross.

Jim White, lay leader

Weaverville Church of the Nazarene

While the Methodist church does not teach that animals have souls, I think many of its members would argue otherwise. I believe that God's creation contains sparks of the divine, whether plant, animal or human. Humans feel connected with nature, especially with the animals we have domesticated, and true bonding occurs between people and their fur-kids. It feels like a soul-to-soul connection to me.

Tara Macy, lay servant

First United Methodist Church, Redding

No. There's no evidence for a soul of any kind for either humans or animals.

What makes an individual who they are is housed in the brain. Any damage to that organ results in corresponding damage to the person's personality and character. When the brain ultimately dies, there is no mechanism for the thoughts, feelings, memories and character to continue.

There's no evidence for any kind of another life after this one, either; which is why the humanist philosophy espouses living life to the fullest, treating others decently, and enjoying the here and now. And certainly my dog, Schnecken, provides a good example of living joyfully in the present moment.

Elisabeth Steadman

Humanist Celebrant, American Humanist Association

While animals are a critical part of this world and a great blessing to us, there is nothing in the Bible that would lead to the conclusion that animals have a soul  an immaterial and continuing aspect of their being  or that they will take part in the afterlife. That is not to say that there will be no animals in heaven. It's a near-certainty that there will be. We may even have them as pets in heaven, but my past pets will not be waiting for me there when I arrive.

Animals are a different class of being than humans, and humans are the only part of the creation to be created in the image of God, and created with an enduring soul.

Far more important is the fact, dear reader, that you do have a soul, the state of which is of eternal consequence.

The Rev. Gene Crow, pastor

Redding Reformed Fellowship

Animals, whether beloved pets and companions or creatures of the wild, bring joy to many. Families who have pets often consider them as part of the household. Animals of the same species show personality differences.

Many animals show the emotions of grief and loss, joy and anticipation. In most animals, these emotions appear to be short-lived and are apparently not remembered. Except for the higher-level primates such as chimpanzees, studies have shown that animals do not have a conscious experience of self.

Unity believes that the soul is the conscious and subconscious mind. If this is true, it's debatable as to whether animals have a soul. Whether animals have an afterlife is dependent on how one describes the soul and the belief in reincarnation.

Regardless of whether animals have a soul or an afterlife does not take away from the joy, companionship and love that takes place between animals and humans.

Carolyn Warnemuende

Spiritual director

All living creatures contain God's "breath of life." Some think of that as a soul, which at death always returns to its maker. To humans, that is an afterlife.

God told man to care for his animals. It's not ironic that our pets also care for us. They provide unconditional love, which, for even a skeptical curmudgeon, is comforting. We mourn a pet's death; we bury them where we can visit their grave. It's our way of memorializing them.

I find comfort in thinking of an afterlife as a quantum of memories, which includes those of a pet, released into the universe when a person dies. Jews say the Kaddish prayer for the dead; some may do so for a pet.

I believe that the dead, at least their spirit, lives on as long as someone still alive says Kaddish for them, which goes for pets, too.

George Wandrocke, chaplain

Temple Beth Israel of Redding

Next week's question: How do you respond to someone who claims a health problem is due to God's will, especially in a young person?
FILE - In this Saturday, July 30, 2016 file photo, Pope Francis delivers his message during a prayer vigil on the occasion of the World Youth Days, in Brzegi, near Krakow, Poland. Pope Francis has blasted gender identity initiatives, lamenting that children -- as he put it -- are being taught at school that gender can be a choice. Said Francis: Today, in schools they are teaching this to children - to children! (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

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By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis has lamented that children are being taught at school that gender can be a choice, adding that his predecessor, Benedict XVI has labeled current times "the epoch of sin against God the Creator."

Francis weighed in with his view on gender and what he said was that of the emeritus pontiff while meeting privately last week with bishops from Poland during his pilgrimage there. The Vatican released a transcript Tuesday of those closed-door remarks.

The pope said he wanted to conclude his remarks by reflecting on this: "We are living a moment of annihilation of man as image of God."

Francis said: "Today, in schools they are teaching this to children -- to children! -- that everyone can choose their gender."

Without specifying, he blamed this on textbooks supplied by "persons and institutions who donate money." The pope blamed what he called "ideological colonizing" backed by "very influential countries" which he didn't identify, adding "this is terrible."

One such "colonization" he said -- "I'll say it clearly with its first and last name -- is gender."

The "colonization" theme is one he has railed against before, including during an Asian pilgrimage in 2015.

This time, though, he volunteered that he has discussed the gender issue with Benedict, who has lived at the Vatican since retiring in 2013.

"Speaking with Pope Benedict, who is well, and has a clear mind, he was telling me: 'Holiness, this is the epoch of sin against God the Creator.' He's intelligent! God created man and woman, God created the world this way, this way, this way, and we are doing the opposite," Francis told the Polish bishops Wednesday shortly after his arrival in Krakow at the start of a five-day pilgrimage.

Francis' ended by telling the Polish bishops he wanted them to reflect on this: "We must think about what Pope Benedict said -- 'It's the epoch of sin against God the Creator.'"
Jim Schultz/Record Searchlight Michael Allen Bradley, shown Friday in Shasta County Superior Court, is set to begin standing trial next week in a three strikes case that could send him to prison for the rest of his life if convicted.

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By Jim Schultz of the Redding Record Searchlight

The last of seven defendants accused of luring victims through Facebook will begin standing trial next week in Shasta County Superior Court.

Michael Allen Bradley, 40, is the lone holdout after his six former co-defendants accepted plea bargains ranging from seven to more than 28 years in prison.

The group is accused of kidnapping and robbing victims in 2014 after luring them through Facebook.

In what is a three strikes case, Bradley faces about 170 years to life in prison if convicted of all the charges against him at trial, his defense attorney said.

Among his criminal counts are home invasion robbery, kidnapping to commit robbery, carjacking and conspiracy to commit a crime, as well as a series of enhancements, including a hate crime.

Authorities have said the robbery scheme's victims were targeted because the defendants thought they were Hispanic, noting that two of the former co-defendants  both women  had befriended several men on Facebook before setting up in-person meetings, where the men were kidnapped and robbed.

One of those men, Margarito Santos, then 38, of Chico, was lured on July 6, 2014, by the seven defendants to a Willis Street home in Redding, where he was reportedly held for several hours and forced to hand over personal belongings and his ATM personal identification number.

Santos tried to run but was zapped with a stun gun, investigators have said, adding that he was later taken to Walmart in Anderson, where he jumped from a moving pickup and ran into the store to seek help.

It was that case that helped investigators track down two other victims, authorities have said.

Bradley's former co-defendants were Tyler John Woods Jr., sentenced to 26 years, eight months in prison; Kayla Lynn Tanner, sentenced to 28 years, four months in prison; and Krystal Brittany Kerby, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Additionally, Zachary Ryan Parker was sentenced to seven years in prison; Lynette Marie Demello was sentenced to 20 years in prison; and Karissa Joanne Freeman was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Four of them  Demello, Woods, Parker and Tanner  may testify in Bradley's trial, electronic court records show.

It's estimated the trial may take about two weeks.
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By Alayna Shulman of the Redding Record Searchlight

West Nile virus has been detected in a bird found dead in the Palo Cedro area, the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District announced today.

It was the second documented instance of West Nile this year in the district's boundaries, said Manager Peter Bonkrude. Statewide, there have been 764 dead birds that tested positive for West Nile this year, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Bonkrude said the West Nile season is only about half through, and "with continued average or above average mosquito populations the risk to people remains."

West Nile is transmitted by mosquito bites, though not all mosquitoes are carriers of the disease. A mosquito itself was the county's first positive test for West Nile this year.

The district encourages people to remember the "4 Ds" to reduce the likelihood of catching the virus. They are:

Drain standing water that helps mosquitoes drink and reproduce, including in flower pots, old tires and buckets and more.

Defend yourself with insect repellent and by making sure there are no obvious routes into your home for a mosquito, such as torn screens.

Dusk and dawn are to be avoided, since mosquitoes are more active then.

Dress in long sleeves and pants if you're in an area where mosquitoes are active.

Bonkrude also advises the public to report neglected swimming pools, one of which can produce thousands of mosquitoes that could infect an entire neighborhood, since the bugs lay eggs in water. The district can be reached at 365-3768.

Birds such as the one found near Palo Cedro also should be reported, Bonkrude said, but testing can be done only if they've been dead less than 24 hours. In addition, only crows, magpies, ravens and scrub jays are eligible for testing. Call the West Nile hotline at 1-877-962473 if you find a bird that meets those criteria.

The local news comes the same day the California Department of Public Health announced the state's first human death this year from West Nile.

State Health Officer Karen Smith said the victim was a senior citizen from Sacramento County. Seniors are at higher risk for the disease.

She said the state has had 10 human cases so far this year that came from eight counties.

While risk of catching West Nile at all is low, Smith said people over 50 and those with diabetes or hypertension are at higher risk not just of catching it, but developing serious complications. Those can include encephalitis and meningitis and, in extreme cases, death.
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His critics have used a lot of adjectives to describe Donald Trump: outrageous, flamboyant, pompous, thin-skinned, erratic, egocentric and paranoid, for starters.

But maybe it's time to use another word: "crazy." Not "crazy" as in wild and funny, but "crazy" as in mentally unstable. Given his bizarre behavior, it's a question more and more people are asking these days.

One thing's for sure, we know Trump's a pathological liar. He lies with every breath. He lies so often about so many things he makes "Lyin' Ted" look like a truth-teller. Look at his contradictory statements about Vladimir Putin.

Back in 2014, he bragged: "I was in Moscow recently and I spoke, indirectly and directly, with President Putin, who could not have been nicer." Last November, he claimed he "got to know Putin very well because we were both on '60 Minutes.'" But this week, he told reporters: "I never met Putin. I don't know who Putin is."

Which is it? Did Trump meet Putin or did he not? If he did, don't you think he'd remember? And how could the Republican nominee for president not know who Vladimir Putin is?

We also know that Donald Trump can't take criticism. He has a compulsive need to strike back at anybody who doesn't lavish him with praise: banning from his rallies reporters who wrote critical stories and belittling Republican politicians who were slow to endorse him.

Trump couldn't even tolerate criticism from speakers at the Democratic National Convention  who, it should have come as no surprise to him, were invited for that very purpose. In response to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Trump tweeted: "I was going to hit one guy in particular, a very little guy."

And then there was his sick, ill-advised diatribe against Gold Star Mother Ghazala Khan and her husband Khizr, parents of Army Captain Humayun Khan, who heroically gave his life to save his fellow soldiers in Iraq in 2004. As powerful as Mr. Khan's convention speech was, it would have been soon forgotten had Trump not kept it alive with five days of mean, personal, and ugly attacks. At some point, even he must have known he'd gone too far, but he couldn't let it go. He couldn't help himself.

But when you add up all of Trump's erratic behavior, there appears to be more to it than just an occasional offbeat moment. Might Donald Trump, in fact, be mentally unbalanced? Some experts have started to say so openly.

Physicians and radio talk show host Dr. Drew Pinsky told CNN's Don Lemon that while Trump does not fit the strict legal definition of insanity, he does show signs of multiple mental illnesses. Writing on the website Big Think, New Yorker science and psychology writer Maria Konnikova suggested that Trump might actually suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD.

Dr. Robert Geffner, president of San Diego's Institution on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, told me there were three forms of aberrant behavior psychologists look for: NPD, where people have a grandiose opinion of themselves; impulse control disorder, where people act and react strictly on impulse, with no control filters; and anti-social personality disorders, where people manipulate without blinking, say one thing one day and the opposite the next day, with no remorse, guilt, or empathy. When found together in one person and combined with bullying, the results, he said, could be "dangerous and frightening."

Now, I'm no shrink. But if that doesn't describe Donald Trump to a "T," I don't know what does. Need further proof? On August 3, the online magazine Jezebel compiled a list of every bonkers thing Trump did in the last 24 hours.

He continued insulting the Khan family, accused two fire marshals of playing politics by not cramming thousands of extra people into his rallies, called Hillary Clinton "the devil," kicked a baby out of a campaign rally, joked about being gifted a Purple Heart medal, refused to endorse Paul Ryan and John McCain, and said if his daughter were sexually harassed, he'd just tell her to find a new job.

It makes you wonder how someone so unstable got this far. As for Trump's mental health, or lack thereof, we may not know until it's too late.

Isn't it ironic? Candidates for the Secret Service must pass a strict psychological exam before being hired, yet there's no such requirement for candidates for president. Whatever you do, don't give Donald Trump that test. He'd flunk it.

Bill Press is the host of a nationally-syndicated radio show, a CNN political analyst and author. His email address is: bill@billpress.com. Readers may also follow him on Twitter at @bpshow.
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There's only one responsible stance for a U.S. president when it comes to vaccinating schoolchildren. Just say yes.

Vaccines are among history's great public health advances; immunization has saved generations from lethal and crippling childhood diseases. The vast majority of physicians share this view, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the World Health Organization, and most Americans consider immunization to be a societal obligation. That's why California last year passed one of the nation's toughest vaccine mandates.

Decades of studies and volumes of data have shown vaccines to be generally safe and effective. So why has Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for the White House and Harvard-trained physician, been talking as if the matter is up for debate?

Last week, Stein told the Washington Post that while vaccines "have been absolutely critical in ridding us of the scourge of many diseases," there "were real questions" about their safety, and "I don't know if all of them have been addressed."

Say what? You mean the way there used to be real questions about whether the world was round? Because, as with vaccines, the jury has spoken on that.

Stein knows such equivocation plays to anti-vax voters, who laid the groundwork for the Disneyland measles outbreak. She later clarified that she supports vaccines and just thinks federal drug regulators are too swayed by the pharmaceutical industry; her spokeswoman told a member of The Sacramento Bee editorial board this week that Stein "is not anti-vax."

Good to know. But it's time to stop pandering to this element just to get a couple of votes on the margin. This election has been clouded enough with dog-whistle science denial. The Republican primary featured Donald Trump peddling discredited claims linking vaccines and autism, and Rand Paul and Ben Carson, who are physicians, repeating fringe assertions that delaying immunization was safer than the CDC's standard schedule. It isn't.

Stein may be a third-party candidate, but she has a high profile now, and she's a doctor. It's disingenuous for her to play fast and loose with public health.

She knows the right answer to the immunization question. Hillary Clinton shouldn't look like a rogue genius just for saying the obvious, as she did last year, when she tweeted: "The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork."

This editorial originally was published in the Sacramento Bee.
Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight Corbin Mandera of Roseburg, Ore., kayaks Friday on Lake Shasta in Lakehead.

SHARE Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight Families and boaters get ready to go out for the weekend Saturday at Bridge Bay Resort at Lake Shasta.

By Alayna Shulman of the Redding Record Searchlight

You know you've been through a heat wave if 92 degrees sounds cool.

Yes, Redding's flirtation with 110 is over  for now  with a relatively pleasant 92 degrees recorded as of about 4 p.m. Friday and similar highs predicted until at least late next week.

"It'll be just seasonal temperatures and dry weather," National Weather Service meteorologist Idamis Del Valle said.

Of course, that doesn't mean Redding is through the scorching woods yet  Del Valle said it's too early to say whether temperatures could creep back over the triple-digit threshold.

"It could still happen," she said.

In the meantime, though, Del Valle said it's not expected to get any higher than 96 degrees  the forecast for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday  and other days in the coming week will be as cool as 94 degrees on Wednesday.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the hot-but-not-for-Redding temperatures on the horizon, Del Valle said no records are expected to be broken in the near future.

Nighttime lows are skewing just slightly cooler than average, with 62 to 63 degrees predicted for the next few days, Del Valle said.

But a little summer respite doesn't necessarily mean fall will be a breeze.

The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above-normal temperatures into fall for virtually the entire country, though most of California is in the less-extreme tier for unusually high temperatures, with the four-corners area in the southwest and the Aleutian Islands of southwestern Alaska predicted to have the most extreme fall heat.
Government strategists are trying to ensure that the requisite 16 of the 31 states ratify the Bill by the end of this month





Senior Union ministers have advised to as many as nine Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states to call special sessions of their legislative assemblies to ratify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitution amendment Bill by the end of this month.



The Lok Sabha is slated to debate the Bill on Monday, a discussion in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intervene. Barring a tweet when the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday, the PM is yet to comment on the proposed legislation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has been critical of the PMs absence during the debate in the Upper House, terming it Modi mukt Parliament.



After the Lok Sabhas approval, the Bill will be sent for presidential reference. The government plans to transmit the Bill to states by August 10. Government strategists are trying to ensure that the requisite 16 of the 31 states ratify the Bill by the end of this month.



Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu and others have already spoken to nearly a dozen chief ministers of BJP as well as those of regional parties to call special sessions for this purpose.



Maharashtra Assemblys monsoon session ended on Friday. According to sources, Centre suggested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that the session should not be prorogued but only adjourned sine die. This will allow the BJP-Shiv Sena government to recommend to the state Governor to call a sitting at short notice. Once a session is prorogued, the Governor has to notify the special session, at least 14 to 21 days in advance.



Other than Maharashtra, both Goa and Assam have ongoing sessions that end on August 12. A senior minister has advised the chief ministers to extend the session by a couple of days. This means, Goa and Assam might become the first two states to ratify the Bill.



Of the non-BJP ruled states, Naidu has also reached out to Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. The Telugu Desam Party is an ally of the BJP. Of the Opposition-ruled states, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has already promised Jaitley that his council of ministers would ask the Governor to call a special session to ratify the Bill.



Meanwhile, the PM will be in Hyderabad to attend a function hosted by Telangana CM K Chandresekhar Rao, another state that might hold a special session soon. West Bengal has already called for a special session from August 26 to 28 to approve a Bill seeking change the name of the state. It could take up the ratification of the GST Bill. State assemblies need to ratify a Constitution amendment by a simple majority.



Once ratified by half the states, the Bill would go to the President for his assent. This will initiate the process to set up the GST Council, which, in turn, will help the finance ministry to draft the Central GST and Integrated GST Bills, which would then be approved by the Union Cabinet and sent to Parliament.



The government on Friday secured a moral victory in the Rajya Sabha over the question of a Bill being categorised a Money Bill. After a long debate on a private members Bill to demand a special package for Andhra Pradesh, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien ruled that the Rajya Sabha, according to the Constitution and Rules of Procedures of the House, has no power to take a call on the subject. He referred the issue to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.



Earlier, Jaitley pointed to Articles 110 and 117 of the Constitution and Rule 186 (7) of procedural rules that the Andhra Pradesh Bill was a Money Bill as it talked of a special package for the state, and that only the Speaker can decide on the matter. Congress member Kapil Sibal said that by this logic nearly every Bill can be termed a Money Bill since all legislations have some impact on the Consolidated Fund of India. He said the trend will reduce the Rajya Sabha to a cipher. Talking to reporters, Sibal accused Jaitley of spin doctoring constitutional provisions at the behest of the PM.



The Congress and other parties have objected to government plans to bring CGST and IGST as money Bills in the winter session of Parliament. Jaitley on Thursday made it clear that there was no ambiguity in the Constitution that Bills which expressly talk of impact on the Consolidate Fund of India shall be deemed money Bills. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on a money Bill.

Photograph: Reuters
Ankleshwar plant is the third such facility to face action

The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued an import alert on Wockhardts Ankleshwar plant for alleged violation of good manufacturing practices.

This is the drug makers third plant to receive an import alert from the US drug regulator. The move is a setback to the companys plans to revive its US business.

The share of the firms US business in the total sales dropped to 22 per cent in FY16 from 24 per cent a year ago because of import restrictions. The Ankleshwar plant contributes 10-15 per cent of the US sales (Rs 964 crore in FY16).

The US FDA had carried out an inspection at the Ankleshwar plant in November last year and issued adverse observations known as Form 483 for violating good manufacturing practices.

The Ankleshwar plant is used to make both formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients and largely caters to domestic and European markets. However, it exports some formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to Wockhardts US plant.

Wockhardt's plants in Chikhalthana and Waluj in Aurangabad have import alerts against them. At present, the company is able to export only two products from Chikhalthana to the US. Other than this, Wockhardt serves the US market from its manufacturing plant in Chicago.

In January, the US FDA had issued adverse observations to the company's Shendra plant. Wockhardt plans to use the Shendra facility to export oral solids and injectables to the US.

The mood in Wockhardt was upbeat after the US drug regulator closed inspections at Chikhalthana and Waluj plants recently without any adverse observations (Form 483). The company had also hired consultants and remedial measures were underway to address FDA concerns.

Photograph: Reuters
An NIA team on Saturday scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of Friday's terror attack in Kokrajhar in which 14 people were killed while a massive combing operation was on to nab the militants of Bodo separatist outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site, told reporters that the militant who was neutralised on Friday has been identified as Manjay Islari.

"He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB-S faction. We will give the body to his parents," he said.

He said that combing operation in the area has been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack on Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from Kokrajhar, just days before Independence Day.

IMAGE: Assam CM Sonowal speaks with police officials as he inspected the security apparatus in the state. Photograph: PTI

To a question, he said that the militants were not part of any suicide squad. "If they were part of a suicide squad they would not have fled."

An NIA team has reached the spot and was speaking to eyewitnesses, officials said.

Combing operation by police, para-military and army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab militants.

Defence sources said specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment have been pressed into service.

The army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift actions, they said.

The situation was described as tense but under control by police.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured at Gauhati Medical College Hospital and inquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advance medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

IMAGE: Assam CM Sonowal visits those injured in the attack on Friday. Photograph: ANI/Twitter

Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB-S militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar on Saturday, accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulge in violent activities in the run up to Independence and Republic Days.

Armed militants dressed in army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and threw grenades at the crowded weekly market killing 14 people. One of the attackers, who were believed to be five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police had said.

Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay had said that the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of NDFB. AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

The Assam Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary T Y Das also held a high level security review meeting with the district administration where it was decided to continue with the security operations.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said militant group National Democratic Front of Bodoland- Songbijit had direct involvement in Fridays attack in Kokrajhar district that claimed 14 lives.

Direct involvement of NDFB-S in the Kokrajhar violence has been found following unearthing of vital information, an official release quoting Sonowal said.

Sonowal, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the police have got some vital information and contact numbers from the mobile phone of a terrorist who was gunned down by the police during the attack at Balajan Tiniali market.

The slain militant was identified as Anjoy Islary alias Monjoy and he was the self-styled commanding officer of the NDFB-S, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The insurgent was identified from his photo in police records and DNA tests would be conducted to establish his identity beyond doubt, he added.

Ours is a zero tolerance approach towards terrorism. We are fully committed towards protecting the life and property of the people of the state and we consider it as our first and foremost duty, the chief minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

In view of the Kokrajhar incident and the upcoming Independence Day, Sonowal asked the civil and police administration to be on high alert and to beef up security to thwart designs of anti-national forces.

He directed the DCs and SPs to review the law and order situation on a regular basis and to take measures to prevent any untoward incident, the statement said.

Sonowal also visited Gauhati Medical College Hospital to inquire about the health of the five persons, including a 6-year-old boy, seriously injured in the attack.

He directed the doctors to provide advance healthcare to the victims.

The chief minister told reporters that doctors had informed him that all the injured were out of danger.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said 14 of the injured were rushed to the nearby Barpeta Medical College Hospital and five of them had been sent to the GMCH.

Seven others who are in Kokrajhar Civil Hospital and those in Barpeta hospital were out of danger, he said. An official release said Sonowal will visit Kokrajhar on Sunday and hold a high-level meeting with top police, army and paramilitary officials.

The CM will evaluate the stepped-up security vigil to nab the culprits, the release said.

Meanwhile, four additional companies of paramilitary forces were today rushed to Kokrajhar, the release said.

Image: Cops stand guard at the site where Friday's attack took place, which claimed 14 lives. Photograph: PTI
In yet another bid to highlight the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to provide medical help to those injured in violence there and called on the international community to ask India to provide access for treatment of victims.

Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the SAARC meeting in Islamabad asked countries to stop glorifying terrorists as martyrs, Sharif described the Kashmir situation as an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the international community to immediately help arrange medical treatment for the victims in Kashmir, especially for treatment of eye injuries resulting from use of pellet guns by the Indian forces, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

The prime minister conveyed Pakistans unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world, it said.

Sharif also called upon the international community to exercise its influence over India for ending bloodshed in Kashmir and providing access for provision of treatment to the victims in the wake of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The humanitarian crisis, which is of huge magnitude, has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for treating the victims of brutal state oppression, the statement quoted Sharif as saying.

Even more gruesome is that healthcare providers in Kashmir have not been allowed to treat innocent victims, Sharif alleged.

He claimed that the Indian forces have also been targeting the hospitals and ambulances providing healthcare to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters.

Sharif said that being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families.

Nevertheless, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this, he said.

Pakistan shall continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically, the prime minister said.

Sharifs call came a day after his advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) to help Kashmiris.

The latest statement by Sharif is yet another effort by Pakistan to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the international level.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the situation in the Valley which he termed as heart breaking and worrying.

Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here? Omar wrote on Twitter.

He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests on Friday.

The opposition National Conference working president had on Friday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.

One more unfortunate death, countless injuries today and the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that things are improving. Wow! Omar wrote.

In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners  Peoples Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party -- who agreed with this stand.

Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I havent met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree! he said.

The Centre told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in KashmirValley has improved considerably since the outbreak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

With Fridays three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.

Omar expressed complete disappointment at the lack of political measures taken by the Centre since Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Valley last month.

To blame Pakistan for the unrest or to delude ourselves into thinking this is a law and order situation is criminal. There is an extreme sense of resentment and disenchantment among the youths of the Valley and that is the basis of this unrest, Omar said in a statement.

He said every appeal to New Delhi to engage with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir to resolve the issue has falling on deaf ears.

There is no sense of concern and empathy from the central government, the former chief minister said.

He said the sense of bereavement, injustice and hopelessness in Kashmir is widespread and deep.

New Delhis continued arrogance in refusing to acknowledge this to presumably save its government in the state with PDP goes against not only all tenets of justice and humanity but also against the interests of the country and its people against the very fabric of the countrys constitution, he said.

Kashmir is a political issue and nothing short of a comprehensive, sustained political dialogue with all stakeholders in the Valley as well as Pakistan can serve as an acceptable alternative on the policy level, Omar said.

Attacking Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, he said, Mehbooba is solely and primarily interested in her ridiculous self-marketing exercises by going to the extent of playing out video footage of board meetings and administrative meetings on Doordarshan to apparently pretend she has a bone of empathy and humanity in her and that she is still around.

Nothing could be more insensitive to the suffering and bereaved families at this juncture... he said.

We had asked for an immediate ban on pellet guns and that security forces as well as the police should be held accountable for any excessive use of force, he said.

The recent killing of Reyaz Ahmed from Chattabal in Srinagar has demolished every possible argument that defends the use of lethal force in the Valley, he said.

Has New Delhi declared a war on the people in Kashmir? Hundreds of young boys and girls have potentially life-changing injuries, most of them caused by pellet guns.

He said despite nearly 300 youths being shot in their eyes with pellet guns, the state and the central governments seem to be encouraging the use of pellet guns through their inaction and silence rather than banning their use.

It is evident that their sole concern is political survival based on a quid-pro-quo arrangement where PDP has sold out to the BJP and BJPs central government in New Delhi has in turn quite apparently extended its unconditional protection and patronage to an inefficient, insensitive and inept state government in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Expressing disappointment at the central governments apathy towards the grave situation in Kashmir, Omar said the Centre had misled the Supreme Court by saying the situation in the Valley was improving and under control.

Expressing grief and anguish, Omar extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for recovery of thousands who are battling serious injuries in hospitals.
Hello Jeff - As the article below that you posted on your website describes, these Somali savages get radicalized in local Mosques. Why no one is calling for the banning of Islam in the US and why no one is calling for the closing of all Mosques is beyond belief.



These Mosques are nothing more than men's fight clubs and need to be closed now. The Mosques are where many terror plots against the west are devised.



The Obama administration is not even trying to hide this latest treason against Americans. What is the purpose of security if we give away the store. I for one, do not believe the Somali Muslims are timid, and harassed. They feel they are being profiled. Well, they would not be profiled if they would stop killing Western non Muslims. They would not be profiled if they would stop becoming radicalized and very vocal about wanting to kill Americans and Europeans.



In other words, if these people truly wanted to assimilate and stop living on welfare, medicaid and other hand outs, while at the same time flying back and forth to terrorist training camps on American tax dollars, they would not be profiled. Of course, they don't want to assimilate and the vast majority never will.



They come here as part of an immigration jihad with the purpose of tearing down America. The only person in the media eye who understands these people are a big threat to our freedom and way of life is Donald Trump.



This is the most amazing idiotic and stupid things that DHS has done. I hope Trump wins in November and his first act as President will be to dismantle DHS. The people I see getting scrutinized at airports by security are white elderly US citizens.



Now I know why I do not take commercial airlines.



It is sick out there and getting sicker...



Patty



The insane have taken over the asylum.





DHS Gives Somali Muslims Special Airport Security Tours



By Christine Williams



The Obama administration gave Somali Muslims behind-the-scenes tours at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport  the nations 17th busiest in terms of passenger traffic  after the group complained to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about feeling harassed and profiled. Johnson has been consistently failing in his department, which is a key part of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts; and engages our worst enemies in a well-practiced strategy of stealth jihadists of a victimology subterfuge.



The special security tours not offered to any other group followed round-table dialogue meetings with local Somali leaders to get their feedback for modifications to practices that would allow for operations to be more culturally sensitive.



Culturally sensitive? At the expense of public safety? Heres a little background about the Somalian community in Minnesota:



The FBI and Congress have launched probes into the radicalization of the Somali American community in Minnesota. Al Shabaab recruits young men in local mosques and ships them off to train and fight in Somalia. Last fall the areas largest newspaper published a story confirming that Minnesota leads the nation in the number of people who have left or sought to leave the country to fight with terrorists aligned with ISIL or ISIS.



The round-table events and airport tours were organized by Abdirizak Farah, whose salary jumped from $89,033 to $130,453 in five years.



The Obama administration gave Somali Muslims behind-the-scenes tours at a major U.S. airport after the group complained to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about feeling harassed and profiled, government records obtained by Judicial Watch reveal. The special security tours not offered to any other group occurred at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) roundtable meetings with local Somali leaders to obtain feedback for modifications to practices that would allow for operations to be more culturally sensitive.



On at least two occasionsDecember 18, 2014 and February 18, 2015federal authorities granted the unprecedented excursions of the facilitys sterile and secure areas, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) records obtained by Judicial Watch. The DHS agency that conducted the expeditions, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), provided the Muslim participants with an in-depth, on-site tour





and discussion of CBPs airport, including both inbound and outbound passenger processing, the TSA files state. Besides multiple roundtable meetings between CBP and Somali community leaders including imams, the records show that a luncheon and cultural exchange and educational brief also took place between December 2014 and February 2015 so that attendees could ask about the agencys specific practices at the airport.



The roundtable events and airport tours were organized by Abdirizak Farah, who is identified in the records as a policy advisor in the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). Farah joined DHS in 2010 with an annual salary of $89,033 and by 2015 his yearly pay increased to $130,453, according to a government database. The TSAs Somali liaison officer in Minneapolis, Andrew Rhoades, told Judicial Watch that the special airport tours were organized for Somali Muslims after they complained to Johnson that they felt harassed and profiled by CBP at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. The DHS secretary had a sympathetic ear to that, Rhoades said, adding that no other group has been granted such airport access by DHS. Now, I will say weve never done that, or we dont do that, to lets say the Hmong community living here in Minneapolis, uh, the Christian community, the Catholic community, the Irish whatever you want to call it. This has been the only one, Rhoades said.



The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is the nations 17th busiest in terms of passenger traffic, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It gets more than 35 million passengers annually and nearly 200,000 metric tons of freight. The region has a large Somali Muslim community and Somalia is a terrorist nation thats largely controlled by the extremist group Al Shabaab. In June three Somali-American pals from Minneapolis were convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to commit murder in Syria on behalf of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization. Six of their buddies pleaded guilty and one was charged in absentia, presumed dead in Syria. Back in 2013 a mainstream news outlet reported that the Al Qaeda affiliate that terrorized a Kenyan shopping center and murdered scores of innocent people included Somalis from Minnesota. Among them was 22-year-old Ahmed Mohamed Isse of St. Paul and 24-year-old Abdifatah Osman Keenadiid of Minneapolis.



The FBI and Congress have launched probes into the radicalization of the Somali American community in Minnesota. Al Shabaab recruits young men in local mosques and ships them off to train and fight in Somalia. Last fall the areas largest newspaper published a story confirming that Minnesota leads the nation in the number of people who have left or sought to leave the country to fight with terrorists aligned with ISIL or ISIS . (no mystery why they radicalize easily because most have very low IQs. Not the sharpest pencils in the box ed PD)





https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/08/dhs-gives-somali-muslims-special-airport-security-tours-because-they-felt-harassed-and-profiled
Mayor Costin provides council district update & talks about other city projects

A town hall was held at Martinsville City Hall Thursday evening where residents were encouraged to attend and discuss their concerns or questions with Martinsville Mayor Kenny Costin.
A rainy morning in Minneapolis at the premier conference of media eggheads, where I started my day hearing a batch of professors discuss Christians and culture. That may have been thunder rumbling in the background, or just God warning the presenters to be careful.

Here are some gleanings:

Anthony Hatcher from Elon (North Carolina) University looked at a movement started by the Rev. William J. Barber II, who you might have seen thundering like an Old Testament prophet last week during the Democratic National Convention.

The Moral Mondays Movement that Barber helped form in North Carolina in 2013 are weekly rallies that open with prayer and end with marchers walking two by two into the North Carolina General Assembly building to be arrested for trespassing as they sit in the hallways.

Some weeks, 80,000 people have showed up for this civil disobedience, and overall, almost 1,000 have been arrested, including Barber himself for protesting the state's strict voter ID bill that was struck down just last week.

Television footage of Civil Rights confrontations back in the 1960s is thought to have awakened the white public to the need for change. Today, with so many more immediate media tools available, the coverage of such a protest movement can be even more intense and devastating to those who oppose the cause.

During an election season that features one party vowing to take back its country for God and the other promising God's justice for all, this North Carolina rumbling may be a good example to keep in the back of our minds.

Jim Trammell from High Point (North Carolina) University analyzed a film made from a religious concert, 'Hillsong United: Live in Miami,' to ask a question that intrigues me. Hillsong is an Australia-based megaforce in Christian music that puts on 'arena rock' concerts said to be a deep, spiritual experience. The slickly produced DVDs of these spirit-filled concerts sell like hotcakes.

But what am I experiencing if I watch one?

Am I feeling the rumble of the 'holy other'  what C.S. Lewis and other theologians call the 'numinous?'

Or am I just falling under the spell of a talented director who knows how to use lighting and other tools of the trade to fake the feeling for me?

One of the musicians in the film tells the audience, 'Because he is here, anything is possible.' OK, but because the director is skilled, everything also is possible, right?

And is it the same thing? And is it the Spirit at work? And how do I tell? Or does it matter?

Tough questions, but with more churches relying on spectacles like those engineered by Hillsong, they're worth asking.

Brad Schultz from Old Miss did a survey of 'Christian journalists' showing that it's the younger ones  40 and under  who feel the strongest sense that they are somehow ideologically different from other journalists who don't identify as Christian. They see themselves as more concerned with public service and with ethics than their peers.

The young'uns are ready to rumble.
A Mass commemorating a 15-year hermanamiento, or partnership, among two Catholic dioceses in the United States and two in Honduras will be celebrated Thursday in Abilene.

The service, in both English and Spanish, will begin at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road. Presiding bishop will be Michael Lenihan, of the Diocese of La Ceiba in Honduras. The other Honduran diocese is San Pedro Sula.

The public is invited. A reception and celebration will follow in the gymnasium.

The Diocese of San Angelo, which includes Abilene, is the host of the celebration, along with the Diocese of Tyler. Activities celebrating the partnership begin Monday and end Friday. Highlight of the five-day observance will be a Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Bishop Michael Sis, of the San Angelo diocese, will preside, joined by Bishop Joseph Strickland, of the Diocese of Tyler, and Honduran Bishops Lenihan and Angel Garachana. They will sign a covenant to re-commit to the relationship.

Larry Droll, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Midland and formerly of Abilene, has been involved with the partnership since its beginning. He said more than 135 people from the Diocese of San Angelo have made mission trips to Honduras since the partnership formed and others have hosted Hondurans in their homes.

'The visits are important,' Droll said in a news release from the Diocese of San Angelo. 'They introduce us to one another, we pray and work together, we develop lasting friendships.'

The hermanamiento developed out of a response by all the dioceses in Texas to Hurricane Mitch, which devastated Honduras in October 1998. Fourteen dioceses in Texas paired with seven dioceses in Honduras for hurricane relief in 1999.

That same year, according to the news release, Pope John Paul II published 'The Church in America,' calling on dioceses to establish relationships with others in North, Central, and South America. The bishops in Texas enlisted the help of Catholic Relief Services to help dioceses in Texas and Honduras establish the relationships, based on the pairings that already existed from hurricane relief.

The Dioceses of Tyler and San Angelo entered into a covenant with the Diocese of San Pedro Sula. The covenant was signed on a memorable day  Sept. 11, 2001, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Recently, according to the news release, the Diocese of San Pedro Sula was divided, adding the Diocese of La Ceiba to the covenant.
Pie charts don't tell the whole story, but they can tell a big part of it.

Such is the case with a pie chart showing the percentages of services provided by the Baby Room, a ministry of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Working through the Basic Needs Network of West Central Texas, the Baby Room provides goods specific to infants free of charge to families in need.

'We're the only place I know of that gives diapers,' said Peggy Valentine, a deacon at the church and founder of the program.

The pie chart from the Basic Needs Network shows just how popular those diapers are. The chart is divided into three segments, with diapers representing 73 percent of the services provided, followed by clothing at 20 percent, and furniture at 7 percent.

'Diapers, absolutely, are top need,' Valentine said.

The community can help with the demand by donating diapers, or other infant goods, during a diaper drive to be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the courtyard at Mezamiz Coffee House, 3909 S. Seventh St., in the Cloisters shopping center. Also, donations can be dropped off at the coffeehouse at any time.

Since January, the Baby Room has given away 2,312 packages of diapers. Each package contains 12 diapers.

Families are allowed two packages two times a month. Valentine said she is aware that isn't nearly enough diapers for some families, but it is the best that can be done with the supplies available.

'We're here to supplement,' Valentine said, not be the sole provider.

The Baby Room is open Wednesdays at the church, 3150 Vogel Ave., and people always are waiting in line for the door to open, Valentine said. At least four new people show up every week.

Many of the recipients of the free goods at the Baby Room give back whenever they are able, Valentine said.

'To me,' she said, 'that's the epitome of gratitude.'
Project Destiny PAC files 30 day campaign finance report late

Leadership of the effort to make Abilene a 'sanctuary city for the unborn,' apologized for the late filing and pledged to be timely in future filings.
ALBANY  So how many dead flies does it take to make a pound?

'It depends,' answered Michael Whitmore. 'Are they wet or dry?'

Yeesh, that's disgusting but I laughed, just the same.

Whitmore laughed too, we were riding around town in his pickup looking for some of his flytraps. The effectiveness of the simple device has reached a mythical status. Just watch the video where he dumps two pounds of dead flies out of his Shop-Vac, you'll see what I mean.

You know, it seems like everyone gets fly problems but some places are more prone than others. I was secretly jealous while visiting friends in Morro Bay, California, last month, they didn't think twice about leaving the front door wide-open all day. If I did that, in half an hour my living room would resemble a six-legged air show over DFW.

Maybe it's our climate, but I'm blaming the cows. I love me some beef, but don't deny flies get fatter the closer you get to a stock pen.

In case you hadn't noticed, there's lots of cows outside of Albany. Add in a wet spring, get everything growing real good and shortly the pests begin to live the good life. Right up to the moment they meet your rolled up Reporter-News, anyway.

But you can't swat all day. Whitmore does a lot of handyman work around town, he also owns Serendipity Studio where he works metal, wood and other art projects. About three months ago, one of his customers asked him to design a better flytrap for her.

She'd tried a whole raft of different contraptions and they all came up short. Whitmore, who used to live in Maine, drew his inspiration from lobster traps.

'It's a cone trap, they've been around for thousands of years,' he said. 'Basically, the insect will go in through a small hole to eat his food, and then look for a way out.'

Since it's dark and scary in the bait chamber, after getting his fill the bug flies upward to the light, traveling through a narrowing wire mesh cone that opens to a larger chamber.

Now lost, they start looking for an exit. Apparently flies don't score well on short-term memory.

'They're in the parlor,' Whitmore explained. 'That's where they are trapped until they dehydrate and die about a day later.'

And pile up an inch or three. Like I said, disgusting.

The Whitmore Fly Trap is about 18 inches high and has a narrow, flat-topped pyramid shape. Made of wood and wire mesh, the bait sits in a drawer at the bottom with tiny holes for the insects to enter by.

Now, sometimes when you make stuff you just start by using whatever you've got laying around. Can you see where I'm going with this?

'When I first built the trap, I wasn't exactly sure it was going to work so I tried different baits,' Whitmore said. 'I didn't have much money to work with, so I went out in the yard one day and picked up some dog poo because there were a lot of flies on it.'

He went back to work and forgot about it for a while. Two hours later, when he stepped inside to wash his hands again, a glance at the trap stopped him in his tracks.

'That flytrap was black on all four sides. I was so amazed, I called my wife,' he said.

But you can't use dog poo as bait and still keep your neighbors. Whitmore had to figure something else out just as funky but less toxic to residential amity.

'With any type of trapping you have to know how the animal eats,' he explained. 'What I discovered during this whole thing was that a fly cannot eat dry food, he doesn't have teeth. You hear that a fly has to vomit or spit on your food, he's actually excreting liquids from his body onto the food, liquefying it, and then drinking it.'

As I said, disgusting.

'Well, that's just it. Flies are disgusting, that's all there is to it,' he said. 'But that was one of the reasons I decided to go with liquid bait, they just come in.'

Research at a university entomology site provided an easy bait formulation smelling more like rotted cheese than the fruit of his lawn. With a new bait, uh, in hand, he started building and the trap's success speaks for itself.

They sell for $65 through his website, eBay and the like. Since May, he's built 250 with about 30 left over. Summer heat has weakened the fly problem lately, but when the weather cools they'll be back.

The trap's effectiveness is apparent, a local restaurant had to back one away from their door. Seeing a box full of dead flies on your way to dinner doesn't do a lot for the appetite, I'd imagine.

Whitmore's moving up to bigger pests now after a local rancher bought six flytraps for his horse barn.

'He said, 'You're smart enough to build a flytrap. Build me a rat trap that works and I'll put you in a different pay bracket,' Whitmore recalled.

Whitmore likes to do a lot of walking in the hills, photographing local wildlife. At the height of drought in 2011-2013, he said he never ran across a rattlesnake. But now that grass is waist-high and feeding every rodent in the county, snakes are loving it.

'The one's I'm seeing aren't that big, but they're fat. They're real husky like they've been eating good,' he said. 'Two or three weeks from now when the nights start getting longer and it starts getting cooler, all them mice are going to start coming in.'

His solution is a live trap designed from the memory of one Whitmore's dad brought home 50 years ago when he was a kid. The device invites the rodent to come in through a trapdoor to chew on bait in a wire basket. Other rats see they're missing out, join the feast, and shortly you've got a wiggling cage stuffed with trapped vermin and their plague-carrying hitchhikers.

'Before the night's over, if you've got big a rat problem you could have 20 or 30 rats in this thing,' Whitmore said.

As I said, disgusting. But oh, so satisfying.
A former Abilene police officer accused of taking marijuana out of evidence and violating department policy will be reinstated by order of an independent hearing examiner.

Police Chief Stan Standridge said in a statement that the city will 'abide by the decision and will move forward accordingly.' There have been no talks between the two parties yet as the decision was handed down Friday.

Standridge fired Arthur Jefferson on March 21 based on accusations the officer tampered with marijuana evidence and violated the department's 'truthfulness' policy.

Jefferson, who was a police academy instructor at the time of his termination, appealed his firing to an independent hearing examiner. The hearing was held July 6 and 7, with three witnesses testifying.

William Basedow, arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, oversaw the hearing.

John Snider, Jefferson's attorney through the Texas Municipal Police Association, said Jefferson 'looks forward to returning to the job he loves  serving and protecting' Abilenians.

'The hearing examiner noted that Arthur Jefferson testified in his own defense; he had served in the police department for 12 years without discipline; and that he had honorably retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years,' Snider wrote in an email. 'As I expected, the hearing examiner cleared Arthur Jefferson of the 'tampering with evidence' charge and the 'untruthfulness' charge. The hearing examiner found that, by his own admission, Arthur Jefferson violated only an administrative policy when he inquired about someone who had been given access to his young child.'

Snider also said Basedow reviewed discipline issued to other Abilene police officers who had conducted similar license plate checks on mobile computer units and concluded the appropriate penalty was a five-day suspension. He said he and Jefferson are waiting to hear from the city about when Jefferson will return and how the suspension will be implemented.

The Civil Service Act requires payment of all back pay and benefits in this situation, including those related to seniority and retirement, Snider said.

City and police officials argued during the hearing that Jefferson checked out an unknown amount of marijuana from the evidence room on Sept. 3, 2009, and never returned it. They could find no record or person to validate Jefferson's claim that it was returned.

Officials also alleged that Jefferson took the marijuana home, based on photos of an evidence envelope and clear plastic bags containing what appears to be marijuana that his ex-girlfriend recently showed police officials.

Jefferson said at the appeal that he returned the marijuana to the evidence room one to two weeks later, during which time it was secured in a desk drawer. He said he removed it from evidence to show a cadet who had never seen or smelled marijuana.

Police also claimed that Jefferson violated the law and departmental policy by running the license plate number of his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend through his mobile computer unit while on duty.

Twitter: BrookeCrum_ARN
The Abilene Police Department hasn't gotten any feedback on establishing an area in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center where people can meet to make online transactions.

If you subscribe to the theory that no news is good news, the lack of response is a good thing because it suggests the program is working smoothly.

'It's being used, but we haven't heard from any of the people who are using it,' said Rick Tomlin, spokesperson for the Abilene Police Department.

The way the area works is that people who make a transaction online, such as through Craigslist can arrange to meet in the parking lot to complete the transaction. Police departments across the nation have established such areas after incidents of people who have claimed to have sold large ticket items, such as a computer or a car, rob the people when they meet them to complete the deal. In Atlanta last year, a couple was robbed and murdered after meeting a person from whom they believed had sold them a 1966 Mustang. According to Advanced Interactive Media Group, there have been 101 murders linked to Craigslist transactions.

The idea of creating a safe haven is based on the theory that someone who intends to commit a violent crime is not likely to do is a well-lit parking lot that is next to a police station.

Tomlin said the area, which is called a Citizen Trade Zone, was established after a city council member approached the APD about setting up such an area. He said the suggestion went before the APD's leadership committee which is made up of citizens and police officers.

'We tackle different subjects,' said Tomlin. 'The first was the Citizen Trade Zone. Another is a grooming policy for our officers, about goatees and beards. We're talking about several different things.'

Before the trade zone was established, Tomlin said the APD looked at similar programs in other cities.

While the department hasn't had any feedback since starting the program, Tomlin said there a lot of responses before setting it up.

'We got an overwhelming response to it and it was all positive,' he said. 'I don't know if there was anyone who was against it.'
Qishloq Ovozi has paid a good deal of attention to what is happening south of Central Asia, in Afghanistan. But most of these reports deal with unrest in the border area and the security problems militants in northern Afghanistan could pose to Central Asian countries.

Mustafa Sarwar, a correspondent for RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan, known locally as Azadi, came to me with a story about life and problems in Faryab, one of the Afghan provinces bordering Turkmenistan. RFE/RLs Gandhara website visited this topic a couple of years back. What the Gandhara report described is still true but the scope is larger.

And remember, Central Asia is a big loser if the situation in northern Afghanistan falls into chaos, and this story of Faryab is likely similar to stories in most of the eight Afghan provinces bordering Central Asia.

"Around 6,000 armed militants are present in Faryab, said Mohamad Jawid Bidar, a spokesman for Said Anwar Sadat, the Faryab governor. More than half of them are helping Afghan security forces during operations [against the Taliban], but the other half of them are those who prey on ordinary people.

These are Arbaky forces and Popular Uprising Forces or Kheizish-e Mardomi (as they are termed by the Interior Ministry) -- paramilitary groups that have some support from individuals in the Afghan government.

As Bidar noted, In a province that has more than 1,300 villages with some 8,000 members of the security forces, it's very hard to establish posts in every village. Which is why authorities have allowed these paramilitary forces to operate. Though Bidar admitted, We do not have enough control on these [armed gangs].

Mohammad Reza Rezayee, the head of public relations for 209 Shaheen Corps in Faryab, echoed Bidars comments, saying, Some of them have played a positive rolebut a number of them have caused concern for the locals, as well as for Afghan [government] forces.

Rezayee claimed that the provincial police command center provides them with ammunition to fight against the Talibanbut they sell some of the ammunition to the Taliban, which then is used against themselves and Afghan forces in the province.

Sometimes," he added, "they use the weapons against each other.

Clearly, it is a confusing and terrifying situation for villagers, who have no way of knowing who these armed groups are -- pro-government paramilitaries or bandits connected to the government through vague promises.

Ahmad Jawid Kaiwan is the head of the Faryab Civil Society Network. He told Azadi, Nowadays, people are more concerned about the popular uprising forces (the paramilitaries) than the Taliban because some of these [paramilitary] forces have ignited factional and ethnic fighting.

Human Rights Watch recently released a report about abuses committed by some of these paramilitary groups, saying at one point that the use of these groups has undermined security in northern Afghanistan.

Kaiwan also conceded some of these paramilitary groups have proven effective, but [they have] also created problems in many instances.

Extortion is the biggest problem -- a fact mentioned by Bidar, Rezayee, and Kaiwan.

Said Hafizullah Fitrat is the head of the Faryab Human Rights Commission. He explained some of these Arbaky groups are engaged in stealing. Sometime they commit sexual violence on peoples families. They want every household to pay them from 1,000 to 3,000 afghanis ($15 to $45) each month. They want people to give them food, Fitrat said. They even forcibly take people to their posts for hard work, such as bringing water from wells or digging

Some of these groups are protected by local law-enforcement officials; other groups have grown so strong that police are afraid and unable to act against them.

Abdul Karim is a villager in the Pashtun Kot district. He said the government should move against these groups.

They are strongmen and they kill and extort people, Karim said, From our family, they have killed four of my brothers and I was shot.

These paramilitary groups are a propaganda bonanza for the Taliban or other groups such as the so-called Islamic State militant group that are trying to get their own footholds in Afghanistan.

Rezayee of the 209 Shaheen Corps said the some of the groups have created distance between the people and the government.

Weve heard during the Majlis podcast from analysts in Afghanistan who say that some Arbaky groups are so lawless that they are pushing villagers into the arms of the Taliban, who generally treat the population better than the paramilitaries do.

But with fighting now going on across northern Afghanistan, and government forces there stretched thin, these paramilitary groups are necessary to counter the growing number of Taliban fighters and foreign militants in the region.

In between these groups, as they have been for decades, are the villagers, who must endure the arrival of one armed group after another and wait and hope that one day, one of these groups might come to help them rather than steal from and abuse them.

Based on reporting by Mustafa Sarwar of RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the world faces the most dangerous decade since World War II and predicted that the historical period of the West's "undivided dominance over world affairs" is coming to an end.

Speaking on October 27 at a conference of international policy experts in Moscow, Putin said the decade ahead is "probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important...since the end of World War II."

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.

Putin laid the blame for the situation at the feet of Western countries, which he said have cast aside the norms of international affairs in order to maintain dominance and hold down countries they see as "second-class civilizations."

The Russian leader also said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine and sought to explain the conflict as part of the efforts by Western countries to secure their global domination.

Putin claimed in his speech to the Valdai Discussion Club, a think tank, that the West had helped incite the conflict and also seeks to stoke a crisis over Taiwan in an attempt to enforce global dominance.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, triggering the biggest military conflict in Europe since World War II and driving relations with Western countries that back Ukraine and its drive to be part of the European Union and NATO to their lowest depths since the Cold War.

Putin cast the conflict in Ukraine as a battle between the West and Russia for the fate of the second-largest Eastern Slav country. It is partly a "civil war," he said, as Russians and Ukrainians are one people. Kyiv has flatly rejected both of those ideas.

The goal of what Russia refers to as a "special military operation" is to take the eastern Donbas region, Putin said, adding that in his view the region would "not have survived" on its own had Russia not intervened militarily in Ukraine.

WATCH: A local official told Russian conscripts "You are not cannon fodder" in a video published online recently. The men responded by angrily shouting that, actually, that's exactly what they are.

But the war has gone far beyond the Donbas region, with Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, and other nonmilitary structures, killing tens of thousands of Ukrainians across the country.

Putin used the speech largely to rail against the West, saying it has nothing to offer to the world "except its own domination," and the goal of globalization "is neocolonialism to dominate the world." He said Russia is only trying to defend its right to exist in the face these Western efforts.

Putin also asserted that more and more nations refuse to follow Washington's demands and Russia will never accept the West's attempts to dominate the world.

Citing gay pride parades and the acceptance of transgender people in Western countries, Putin also defended "traditional values" and said "nobody can dictate to our people how to develop and what society we should build."

He also said Russia has never considered the West an enemy and has many things in common with it but will continue to oppose the diktat of Western neoliberal elites.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Putin's speech presented no new ideas.

"We don't believe that Mr. Putin's strategic goals have changed here. He doesn't want Ukraine to exist as a sovereign, independent nation state," Kirby said.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Putin's speech can be described as "for Freud," referring to psychoanalysis founder Sigmund Freud.



"The person who invaded a foreign country, annexed its land, and committed genocide accuses others of violating international law and the sovereignty of other countries? One truth: The person who started a wind will get a storm. The storm is coming," he said on Twitter.

Answering questions from journalists after his speech, Putin reiterated the Kremlin's assertion that Ukraine plans to use a so-called dirty bomb on its own territory. The claim has been dismissed as false by Ukraine and its allies, who say Russia may have raised the matter because it plans to use such a bomb in Ukraine as a pretext for escalation.

"It was me who ordered [Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu to inform by phone all his colleagues about it," Putin said, adding that Russia does not need to use dirty bombs in Ukraine.

Putin also said he supported plans by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit Ukraine's nuclear power plants for inspections.

"It must be done as soon and as openly as possible because we know that Kyiv authorities are now working to cover up such [dirty-bomb attack] preparations," Putin said, without giving any exact information proving the claim.

Ukraine invited IAEA inspectors to visit its nuclear facilities after the Kremlin made its unsubstantiated claim about the preparation of a dirty bomb -- which would use the explosion of a conventional warhead to spread radioactive material or chemicals over a wide area.

Ukraine said it would welcome inspections because it had "nothing to hide."

According to Putin, Russia has never talked about the use of nuclear weapons in the war with Ukraine despite his own promise to defend Russian territory with any means at our disposal" and saying his words were "not a bluff."

"We see no need for [using nuclear weapons in Ukraine]," Putin told reporters. "There is no sense for that, neither political, nor military."
WASHINGTON -- The former head of the Central Intelligence Agency has said that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump may be an "unwitting agent" of the Kremlin and urged U.S. voters to support his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

The remarks by Michael Morell, who worked for three decades at the U.S. spy agency, were the latest in a series of dramatic shifts in the increasingly raucous campaign for the White House.

In an opinion piece published August 5 in The New York Times, Morell said he had voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates during his 33 years with the CIA. He also vouched heavily for Clinton, who served as secretary of state.

But Morell's harshest words were for Trump, saying his business ties to Russia and sympathies for President Vladimir Putin added evidence that he shouldn't be president.

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," Morell wrote.

The Trump campaign pushed back strongly against Morell's criticism, accusing him of involvement in the public response following the September 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.


In Germany, a country known for its fastidious record-keeping, the fingerprints of thousands of migrants are still waiting to be scanned and entered into a national database.

The incongruity is partly due to the overwhelming number of migrants -- 1.3 million since 2015 -- who have arrived in Germany as Europe deals with a polarizing refugee crisis. But it's also the result of Germany's darker history, in which the Nazis and later communist East Germany's Stasi used intrusive data collection and government records to exert totalitarian control.

To avoid a repeat of the past, Germany instituted strict decentralization of police power and some of Europe's most stringent privacy-protection laws. But the effort to account for past wrongs, critics say, has left the country vulnerable.

"Last year, we said, 'All right, so it's our duty to help people,'" said Sascha Langenbach, a spokesman for Berlin's Senate Department of Health and Welfare, a first stop for all migrants arriving in Berlin. "We talked about humanity, humanitarian reasons. We don't talk about security reasons. Maybe that was naive."

System Overload

Langenbach said his office has struggled to provide food, housing, medical attention, and registration to nearly 100,000 people who have arrived in the capital since 2015. Sometimes, migrants have waited days or weeks to register with authorities. At first, refugees provided fingerprints via ink on paper, not digitally, Langenbach said.

The "ancient method" of data collection, he added, was made worse because each of Germany's 16 federal states has its own police and secret police, with separate and often incompatible databases. The lack of a unified approach led some migrants to register in multiple places, drawing multiple benefits, Langenbach said.

As of February, six months after Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Syrian asylum seekers to Germany, a reported 130,000 people who had registered as refugees had essentially disappeared after failing to report to their listed residence, according to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

Such failings were baffling for Rania, an Arabic-German translator working in the Berlin immigration offices. Last year, Rania, the daughter of Syrian parents, noticed that many Arabic-speaking migrants claimed to be Syrian but had different dialects, and some said they had no identification documents.

"Fifty-fifty, I thought, 'OK, you are lying,'" she said.

But Rania could not voice those doubts on her interview forms. Instead, she was told to pass verbatim notes of her conversations with migrants on to her superiors.

"I was surprised, but then I thought, 'OK, it's their problem,'" said Rania, who used a false name because she was not authorized to speak to the press.

Deutsche Welle quoted the head of Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as saying the authorities did not know the identities of up to 400,000 people in Germany. A spokeswoman for Germany's Interior Ministry said her office intends to sift through the backlog by the end of this year, stressing that a figure of 400,000 unclarified migrants is not accurate.

Langenbach estimates that there are about 20,000 people in Berlin who have begun their asylum process but whose cases have not been clarified -- which means authorities may determine they are from "safe countries" such as in the Balkans or North Africa and are not qualified to remain.

"It sounds so negative. You know, there are not like 20,000 terrorists from Syria in Berlin. That's simply not true," he said. "We are on the way to find out who is really a war victim."

Past Is Present

The German past is deeply embedded in the national psyche, said Felix Mueller, a guide at Berlin's Stasi Museum, which shows how East Germany's Stasi -- the Ministry for State Security -- spied on citizens to root out dissent.

"The people want security. They don't want to be afraid," Mueller said. But, he added, "We don't want the state to know everything about us."

In a telling example of this sentiment, last month a German consumer advocacy group threatened to sue the maker of the mobile game Pokemon Go for passing user data to third parties.

Mueller spoke while walking through the museum, which includes examples of wires used to listen in on private homes, cameras hidden in watering cans and on neckties, and a glass jar containing a yellow rag -- part of an archive of body scents the Stasi surreptitiously collected from citizens to use as forensic tools in crime investigations. The organization was in service for four decades beginning in 1950. By decentralizing police and other government functions, Germany hoped to avert the intrusive power of the Stasi, and of the Nazi regime before it.

Now, the realities of the refugee crisis are challenging the old structure. In February, Germany instituted a national refugee ID card, tied to a nationwide database on refugees, and then began the slow work of transferring the records of new arrivals from each of the 16 states to the central system. Kira Gehrmann, spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, said that since 2015 about 900,000 people have applied for asylum and were automatically entered into a national database. But there remain tens if not hundreds of thousands of migrants who have yet to file their requests, she said.

Gehrmann said the national database should be completed by the autumn and that the government expects all migrants applying for asylum to be on record by the end of the year. She said some asylum seekers arrived in Germany before 2015, meaning it would be difficult to judge how many migrants were still waiting.

"I can tell you how many asylum applications have been processed," but not how many are still in the pipeline, she said.

The interview process has evolved, as well, Langenbach said. Officials search migrants who claim to have lost their documents and sometimes retrieve passports from their underwear. Rania, the translator, said she can note her doubts on her forms. And police working at registration centers can instantly check the records of the migrants against national and European criminal files.

After five attacks in Germany -- including three attacks committed by migrants -- that left 15 people dead in July, Merkel announced that her administration would take further steps to tighten security. She said authorities would make it easier to deport migrants who do not receive asylum and would increase detection of radicalization in mosques.

But the specter of the past remains. Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmeier, warned that "you can only have absolute security in an absolute surveillance state."

In the meantime, the gaps in data have become a lightning rod for Merkel's critics.

Alexander Gauland, the deputy chairman of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, said the pipeline of migrants with unclear identities is so dangerous that Germany needs to temporarily ban all Muslim immigration until the issue is resolved. He also hopes to freeze reunification for refugees who still have family abroad.

"Constitutional law has to be changed," Gauland said.

Migrants in Germany say they are grateful that in the meantime, the system is grinding on.

Ahmed Greri, who came to Germany from the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, said he had been waiting for his identity documents for 17 months while authorities puzzled over his paperwork. He received a refugee travel document in late July.

"I have this identity so my wife and son can come here," he said. "Now I have to search for work. For these two. Now I have a chance. Before, none."
Ukrainians have increasingly woken up to the sound of suicide drones as Russia turns to Iranian-made imports to destroy civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Now they may have another deadly Iranian weapon to worry about -- ballistic missiles.

Cheap but effective, Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 "kamikaze" drones have already made a deadly impact in Ukraine.



If U.S. intelligence assessments pan out, Russia will soon be able to supplement its use of Iranian suicide drones and its own cruise and ballistic missiles with powerful short-range Iranian Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles.



Coming as the Kremlin is reportedly struggling to maintain its depleted stockpile of aerial weapons as it ramps up strikes, the missiles would potentially boost Russia's ability to continue its costly air campaign.



Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense specialist at the global intelligence company Janes, said having more missiles gives Russia the ability to sustain the bombardment against Ukraine."



Going Ballistic



The Fateh-110, which was unveiled in 2001 and has a stated range of 300 to 500 kilometers, was developed from a heavy artillery rocket dating from the 1980s. To increase the weapon's accuracy, the Fateh-110 was given a guidance system and movable fins that allow it to be steered as it approaches its target.



The Zolfaghar, which debuted in 2016 and also has guidance capabilities, comes from the same family as the Fateh-110 but boasts a much longer range due to its use of a lighter carbon-fiber airframe and a smaller warhead.



Binnie said the Zolfaghar's use against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in eastern Syria confirmed that the missile was capable of reaching at least 650 kilometers, which he said is "a statement of how much the Iranian tactical missile program has really advanced over the years."



Iran's claim that the Zolfaghar can travel even farther -- up to 700 kilometers -- would put the western Ukrainian city of Lviv within range of strikes launched from Russian territory, while the more powerful Fateh-110 could potentially hit the city from Belarus, which has served as a staging ground for Russian attacks.



While there has been no indication that Russia plans to purchase launching systems from Iran, Binnie suggests that the Russian military could pair the missiles with existing equipment because the Iranian launchers were adapted from a Soviet-era system.



"It might be possible for the Russians to quickly adapt some old equipment they have lying around into launch systems," Binnie said.



The Iranian military, he added, fitted the Soviet system to trucks, allowing for mobility and concealment.



"Those civilian trucks can be covered over to make it hard to spot that they're actually missile launchers," Binnie said.



'Lawnmowers' And 'Mopeds'



Iranian military drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have been homing in on targets across Ukraine since late August, according to the United States.



The buzzing sound of the Iranian Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 drones, built with off-the-shelf components, have earned them derisive monikers such as "lawnmowers" and "mopeds." But the slow-moving, low-flying drones, which are maneuvered to crash into their target, have proven themselves capable of hitting their mark both in terms of military effectiveness and cost.

It is capable of extracting or delivering attrition and damage when launched, but it costs little compared to other UAVs that Russia has in its own arsenal," said Samuel Bendett of the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses (CNA).

Ukraine alleges Russia has ordered 2,400 of the Iranian suicide drones, and its military has claimed to have shot them down in great numbers, often using conventional anti-aircraft guns or even small-arms fire. But their ability to be launched in bunches of five -- often from the cover of civilian trucks -- improves their chances of reaching their target.



"The Ukrainians are stopping most of these, but the whole point of these drones is that they fly in a large mass," Bendett said. "The air defense does not always catch all of them. All it takes is for several or even one to make it through."

The estimated range of the Shahed-136 varies, but Iran says it is capable of traveling 2,500 kilometers. The slightly smaller and older Shahed-131, which has been used by Huthi rebels in Yemen to attack Saudi targets in the Arabian Peninsula, has been estimated to have a range of 900 kilometers, according to tests conducted by the Ukrainian military.



Ukraine's Defense Ministry has published multiple images of downed Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks, and the Ukrainian National Guard on October 19 claimed to have shot down a Shahed-131.



Ukraine has also claimed to have shot down a more advanced Iranian combat UAV, the Mojer-6 drone capable of carrying out both reconnaissance missions and aerial strikes within a range of 200 kilometers. There have also been reports of Russian interest in obtaining Irans Shahed-129 and Shahed-191 combat drones.



"When launched from any territory that Russia controls or is allied with -- anywhere from the south, from the Donbas, from Belarus -- they're able to strike a lot of Ukrainian targets," Bendett said.

In addition to the U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia will soon boost its arsenal with Iranian ballistic missiles, as first reported by The Washington Post on October 16, the White House on October 20 said that Iranians are now "directly engaged on the ground" in Moscows war against Ukraine after sending "a relatively small number" of personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to assist Russian forces in using the Iranian drones.

Iran has denied sending combat drones to Russia, and Moscow has rejected claims that it is using Iranian UAVs.

Images of downed Iranian drones appear to show that they have been rebranded to look Russian-made, experts say, with the markings in Cyrillic naming them as the Geran-1 (the Shahed-131) and Geran-2 (the Shahed-136).

Observers are widely skeptical of Russia's denials, noting that the drones are essentially identical right down to the font of the serial numbers. Even Russian Defense Ministry experts have unwittingly admitted that the suicide drones are Iranian.



But the rebranding of the drones to make them appear to be Russian has opened the possibility that Moscow could, if it is not already doing so, seek to manufacture or assemble the Iranian drones on its own territory.



Sustaining A Campaign



The new aerial weaponry fits well with the Russian military's renewed focus on striking military and civilian targets far from the front lines in southern and eastern Ukraine. The air assault has ratcheted up following the October 8 appointment of Colonel General Sergei Surovikin, a former Aerospace Forces commander, to lead the Russian war effort.



Just days after Surovikin's appointment, Russia launched the biggest air strikes since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine in February. Moscow said the drone and missile strikes, which targeted civilian areas and infrastructure in cities throughout Ukraine, were in response to a bomb blast that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

While the Kremlin has accused Ukraine's intelligence services of carrying out the "terrorist" attack on the Crimea Bridge, Ukraine has denied responsibility.



Since the initial air assault in response to the bridge blast, Russia has continued to pound Ukrainian infrastructure, often targeting power plants in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said is a deliberate effort to wear down the Ukrainian people by denying them heat and electricity as winter approaches.



"Civilian infrastructure is obviously the new layer in this war. The Ukrainian economy is now the target, the Ukrainian population is now the target," Bendett said.



Hard To Stop



The hypersonic speed and high trajectory of Iran's Fateh-110s and Zolfaghars, should they arrive, would be extremely difficult for Kyiv to counter without a network of high-tech and costly antimissile batteries it currently does not possess.



Ukraine has repeatedly requested more advanced missile-defense systems from the West, and in the face of the threat of the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly sent an official request to Israel this week for components of its "Iron Dome" system.



While the United States has said that it is seeking to expedite the process of sending two U.S. air defense systems known as NASAMS, Washington has appeared reluctant to provide more advanced Patriot missile systems.



Janes' defense expert Binnie is skeptical that the delivery of the Patriot system, which has proven to be successful in shooting down ballistic missiles, is realistic for Ukraine.

"It's eye wateringly expensive and it's probably not really practical because each [missile] battery only covers one city," he said. "You would never get enough batteries to get the coverage you would want. You just wouldn't be able to find them, produce them, and train enough Ukrainians."
Moldova's Defense Ministry has criticized recent Russian military exercises held in a separatist region, saying they were "illegal" and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.

Russian Army officers and separatist troops in the breakaway republic of Transdniester held antiterror training drills from July 27 to August 3. Separatist authorities said they wanted to learn from Russian troops.

The troops practiced several antiterrorist scenarios, including a response to a "terrorist seizure" of a peacekeepers' outpost. The live-fire drills also included landings with parachutes on the right bank of the Dniester River to "neutralize the terrorists who seized water treatment facilities in Tiraspol."

In a statement on August 5, the Moldovan ministry condemned the drills as "outside the norms of international law" and also called for fresh talks about transforming Russia's peacekeeping operation in Transdniester into a civilian mission. Some 1,000 Russian peacekeepers are stationed there.

Transdniester broke away from Moldova in 1990 over fears it would reunite with neighboring Romania. A war between Moldova and the separatists in 1992 in Transdniester left 1,500 people dead.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax


Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev vowed to send back to Turkey anyone in Kazakh schools found to have "terror links" to an exiled cleric that Turkey blames for a failed coup.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames the reclusive cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, for orchestrating a July 15 putsch to unseat him and has urged Astana to purge Gulen followers in 33 Gulen-run schools in Kazakhstan.

"If anyone among them is linked with terrorism...we will respond to Turkey's demands," Nazarbaev said during a joint press conference with Erdogan in Ankara at the end of a state visit on August 5.

But Nazarbaev stopped short of saying he would shut the schools down, as Erdogan wants. He said the schools in Kazakhstan are already "under state control" and 90 percent of the teachers are Kazakh, not Turkish.

"We do not support anyone working against Turkey. This is not in our interest," he said. "If there are teachers with links, we will send them back and ask the Turkish government to send other teachers."

Nazarbaev said the schools educate their pupils in four languages -- English, Turkish, Kazakh, and Russian.

Turkey is seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States, where he is receiving medical treatment. The cleric strongly denies that he ordered a coup and says he, in fact, strongly opposed it and said so at the time.

Gulen and his followers say their movement promotes peace, education, moderate Islam, and democracy, not the violent overthrow of governments.

Erdogan has been unrelenting in his demonization of the movement, however, having already purged thousands of teachers, professors, police, and military officers with links to the movement in Turkey.

At the press conference with Nazarbaev. Erdogan said the leaders agreed their education ministries will carry out a joint review of Kazakh schools linked to Gulen, apparently with an eye toward purging Gulen-linked staff.

"The [Gulen movement] is not only a threat to Turkey, it is a threat to all countries in which it has a presence," Erdogan said.

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are the only two countries in mostly Turkic-speaking Central Asia where Gulenist educational institutions still have a significant presence.

Less than two weeks after the coup, Turkey warned Kyrgyzstan of the risk of a coup, claiming Gulenists had infiltrated every state institution in the country.

Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry responded by saying it would take note of warnings on education but reminded Ankara it was an "independent, sovereign state."

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters


More than 180,000 Russians have signed a petition calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev after his remarks about teachers' pay sparked outrage earlier this week.

The petition, posted on the website Change.org, had gathered 180,000 signatures by midday on August 5 and appeared to be accumulating supporters rapidly.

The petition came after Medvedev on August 2 advised a low-paid teacher from the impoverished Daghestan region to go into business if he wants to make money, in comments that were widely seen as out-of-touch and uncaring.

"The cabinet should be led by a person who is competent, educated, and cares about the country," wrote the petition's author, Aleksandr Li. "We are seeing the opposite right now."

The petition is addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had no comment.

Medvedev, when asked why teachers are paid half as much as police officers, retorted that "there's no need to compare. The issue is what you choose in life."

Medvedev noted that people in business make a lot more money and teaching is "a calling," not a job for those seeking to make a fortune. Moreover, he said a "young, energetic teacher" can always do odd jobs to supplement his income.

Medvedev lectured on the law faculty of St. Petersburg State University in the 1990s and cited himself as an example of a teacher who succeeded in making a living.

"I just gave a lot of lectures, held seminars," he said. "Overall, I was able to make ends meet."

Medvedev's approval ratings have been consistently lower than Putin's. Analysts say his unpopularity as the leader in charge of the economy may have deflected blame for Russia's falling living standards from Putin himself.

Official statistics show the average monthly salary in Russia is around 37,000 rubles ($566). Teachers make somewhat less than that on average, and in Daghestan, they earn about half that rate, Kommersant daily reported.

"The prime minister's impressions are completely understandable," said a sarcastic editorial in the tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets. "We all know very well of government officials who successfully manage to combine their main job with business, including big business."

Medvedev previously sparked public outrage in May when he told a group of seniors seeking bigger pensions: "There's no money, but hang in there," in a phrase that has since gone viral.

With reporting by AP and AFP


Pakistani officials say an American citizen who previously was deported from Pakistan and blacklisted years ago has been arrested upon returning to the country.



Sarfaraz Hussain, a spokesman for Pakistans Interior Ministry, said on August 6 that the countrys Federal Investigation Agency arrested Mathew Craig Barrett at an Islamabad guesthouse.



Barrett, a 33-year-old from Alabama, was arrested and deported from Pakistan in 2011 after being found in the Fateh Jang area, near a secret military research facility.



Hussain did not elaborate on Barretts previous arrest, but said, "If someone was blacklisted, there should have been something serious."

Barrett had lived in Pakistan for four years before he was deported. He married a Pakistani woman and had two children.



In a letter smuggled from jail in 2011 to The Guardian newspaper, Barret strongly denied he was a spy.



He claimed he was a victim of simmering tensions at the time between the U.S. and Pakistani governments.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and The Guardian
Just one week ago, the rebels who controlled the last few neighborhoods of Aleppo that remain in opposition hands found themselves surrounded and running out of time. The Syrian government and its allies had surrounded what was once Syria's largest city and the country's financial capital. Many feared a humanitarian disaster would unfold, and the regime's recapture of Aleppo would be a devastating blow to anti-Assad forces who do not have full control of a single major city in all of Syria.

Today, the situation is very different.

On August 6, rebel forces broke through the walls of perhaps the most important military base in all of northern Syria. As I explained for The Interpreter on August 1, the Ramouseh artillery base and academy has served as the foundation of the Assad regime's control of Aleppo city -- and with it all of Aleppo Province -- since the city was first attacked by rebel groups in 2012:

The Ramouseh artillery base and academy was the key to maintaining some control in Aleppo for the Assad regime between the summer of 2012 and today. The artillery units there were crucial to [intimidating protesting students], and later in the regime's efforts to flatten the Hamadaniyah and Salah el Din districts just north of the base. The artillery turned regime strongholds into death traps, transforming the battle for Aleppo into a game of inches waged by snipers, artillery, and aircraft. Since regime forces were often outnumbered over the course of those years, this leveled the playing field.

The victory may relieve the humanitarian situation in Aleppo (though this remains to be seen). Furthermore, if the base falls and the regime does not quickly recapture it, Assad could be in danger of losing all of Aleppo. This battle is a testament to how weak the Assad military has become. Even with direct support from the Russian Air Force, tanks, and troops, as well as militants from Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran, Assad may have just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

How, then, does he ever hope to restore order to Syria?

But this battle also comes at a price -- a key Al-Qaeda-linked group has helped spearhead the attack on the city. Operating under the umbrella organization Jaish al-Fatah, Army of Conquest, the newly rebranded Al-Nusra Front, now Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, used suicide sappers and tunnel bombs to break open the Syrian Army's battle lines and main defenses, through which various rebel groups are now streaming. As David Patrikarakos explained for RFE/RL on August 4, while many more moderate rebel groups also played very important roles, Al-Qaeda's leading role may impact the entire trajectory of the war moving forward.

As history has shown us, without a singular leader, and without unified and consistent outside support, whichever group wins battles usually becomes the banner carrier on Syria's battlefields. History shows us that victory is the key for Syrian rebel groups. To see this in action, we should look to the beginning of the crisis.

Protesters first took to the streets against Syrian President Bash al-Assad in March 2011, starting the Syrian chapter of the regionwide protest movement that had already swept through much of the Middle East. At first, the demand was not the removal of the president but instead a series of pro-democratic reforms. Those protests were met with violence. As more cities and towns took to the streets and the protests in each one of them grew larger, so, too, did the violence against the protesters grow more intense.

First, protesters were arrested and beaten, then teargassed, and then they were shot at. As members of the military and police grew disgusted by their orders to shoot unarmed civilians, those who did not follow orders were also attacked by the military. By the summer of 2011, regime defectors were hiding in the deserts and mountains, and the battle for the future of Syria began.

By February 2012, the protest movement in Syria was making its final transition into a full-blown civil war. By this time, Homs, a working-class city in the center of Syria, was in full rebellion. Assad, in direct contradiction to his agreement with the Arab League, deployed his tanks and artillery to the city. The death toll exploded, and even peaceful protesters began to realize that Assad would stop at nothing to kill all those who opposed him. For many Syrians rebels whom I've spoken with over the years, the siege of Homs was the moment they realized that there was no peaceful solution to the conflict. It was time to take up arms.

Despite what Syria has become, it might come as a surprise to many that at this time there were effectively no armed groups that had an obvious jihadist or Salafist ideology. Syria was a secular country with a secular military, most rebels were former military or police, and despite being driven to take up arms, they were not particularly interested in overthrowing their government, much less installing some sort of Islamic caliphate, the stated goal of groups like Al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), which were relative latecomers to this crisis. What Western leaders often refer to now as the moderate opposition made up nearly the entirety of the opposition back in early 2012.

But already there were rumors of bad men among some rebel groups. Syrian activists whom I consulted at the time, both nonviolent activists and rebels, warned of a group that was increasingly popular with both rebel fighters and some citizens alike  the Al-Farouq Brigade. At a time when most of the armed opposition simply identified as the Free Syrian Army (FSA), Farouq took its own name. It operated under its own orders, often overruling other FSA fighters and commanders in the area around Homs. The rumors quickly spread, some propagated by the Assad regime and others by rival rebel groups or scared civilians, that it was ruling Homs like a mafia state, collecting taxes and intimidating the populace. More than anything, though, the Al-Farouq Brigade was more committed to doing whatever it took to defeat Assad. It was the first rebel group to focus on taking and controlling inhabited cities and towns, and it preferred to take the fight to Assad in offensive battles.

The group's reputation soon grew because it was winning, and because it was taking the initiative. Many FSA fighters saw their leaders as weak and indecisive, and so Farouq was a welcome alternative.

Success bred success. The more battles it won, the more popular the group became.

But the Al-Farouq Brigade was still part of the moderate opposition. Soon, another group was gaining prominence in northern Syria -- the Al-Nusra Front, Syria's Al-Qaeda affiliate. Al-Nusra started as little more than a YouTube video in January 2012. By taking credit for terrorist attacks, some of which it may not have even perpetrated, Al-Nusra soon proved that it, too, was capable of doing what it took to win. Its radical Islamic ideology allowed it to motivate its followers behind a religious objective  the destruction of the government of the Alawite sect and the construction of a Sunni Salafist caliphate. Its adherence to Shari'a law, not pro-democracy ideals, gave it an excuse to dictate orders from the top, rather than seek consensus, which made its leadership, its rule, appear stronger than it really was.

Soon, Al-Nusra had a new rival, Islamic State, which was even more focused, even more brutal, and even more successful on the battlefields of Syria. By early 2014, the most extreme members of the Al-Farouq Brigade, perhaps sensing their own obsolescence, had joined one of these more successful and bloodthirsty groups, while still more members of Al-Farouq joined less radical groups that still had a strong religious identity, reducing the group to one that is now of limited importance. Other Free Syrian Army units are still numerous, but their leadership is more splintered and their ideology, while relatively moderate, is less iconic, less unified, and much harder to define.

After five and a half years of war, the Assad regime, not any terrorist group, is responsible for the vast majority of the deaths in Syria, and an even larger number of the refugees who have fled the constant killing. Groups like Al-Nusra and Islamic State rely on their history of defeating the Assad regime and restoring law and order, even if it is a barbarous order, as their main tools of controlling the people and attracting new members.

When Al-Nusra's suicide bombers opened the way for the opposition to win key bases in Idlib Province, it became the dominant force in that region. When IS's path of bloodshed led to its victories in Syria's east, it was soon able to consolidate territory and declare its caliphate.

There is a real danger that, unless they score a major win soon, moderate groups in Aleppo Province could also give way to groups with more radical ideologies, such as the victorious Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, with all of the problems that such a development would entail.
The leader of a Russia-backed separatist group in eastern Ukraine has been injured in an assassination attempt, the separatists say.

Igor Plotnitsky, the head of a group that calls itself the Luhansk People's Republic, "was wounded this morning as a result of a powerful explosion that occurred near his car," the official separatists' news agency reported on August 6.

The report said Plotnitsky was being treated at a local hospital along with several other people who suffered injuries in the blast in the city of Luhansk.

A top official in the group, Serhiy Kozlov, said Plotnitsky was in stable condition and that there is no threat to his life.

Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, a spokesman for Kyiv's military operations in the east, said the Ukrainian side was not involved in the attack.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has killed more than 9,500 people since April 2014.

Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, and Interfax
Henrico County police are searching for a suspect involved in a shooting Saturday morning on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

About 10:30 a.m., police responded to a call of a shooting on the 3100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike. On scene, they found a person with gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to VCU Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A person was injured in an early Saturday morning shooting in eastern Henrico County, police said.

The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m., after which Henrico police responded to call about a disorderly person in the 2700 block of Williamsburg Road. Police said someone had discharged a gun.

One person suffered a minor injury, and a car was struck by bullets.

Anyone with information about this crime or any other is encouraged to call Henrico police at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
SCRUGGS  Just off the beach at Bernard's Landing on Saturday, 1,257 floaters held hands in a show of solidarity and in an attempt to break a 2014 Guinness World Record for the most people floating in a line.

The event was part of the lake's 50th anniversary celebration and an effort to break the record, set June 28, 2014 at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County, Taiwan, by the Harley Owners Group Taiwan Chapter (Chinese Taipei). According to the Guinness World Record website, 634 people participated in that float.

By all accounts, the Franklin County Family YMCA topped that; however, the YMCA won't know for another two months if the record was in fact broken, according to Lauren Acker, branch director of the Smith Mountain Lake location.

"It takes a long time to get it approved," she said.

After signing a waiver, each participant was given a numbered bib and video-recorded entering the beach area through an official gateway. Once in the water, participants were asked to float atop the tubes or rafts they brought along, and hold hands with those floating next to them.

Participants were asked to hold their position for several minutes to ensure that the event was recorded. A helicopter with a videographer and photographer captured the scene from the sky, while three independent witnesses, a requirement by Guinness, were on the ground to validate it.

It took two separate attempts for participants to hold hands in a continuous chain. On the second attempt, participants held their position for 90 seconds, cheering after time was up.

Once it's known that the record was, in fact, broken, Acker said the Franklin County YMCA will host a party to celebrate.

"We'll have a follow-up event," she said. "It'll be like a reveal party and we'll invite the participants to come."
Nobel prize-winning US economist Joseph Stiglitz has resigned from the investigation committee that was set up by the Panamanian government to look into improving transparency in Panama's financial services sector after the Panama Papers scandal, the government said.

Stiglitz was resigned, along with Swiss anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, saying that the government interference in their work "tantamount to censorship".

"I thought the government was more committed, but obviously they're not," Stiglitz told Reuters. "It's amazing how they tried to undermine us."

Meanwhile, the committee had submitted a preliminary report in July.

The government refused the allegations and said it regretted the resignation of both Stiglitz and Pieth.

Also, the government thanked the men for their service and recommendations and said it remained committed to "transparency and international cooperation" to fight money laundering and tax evasion.

The Panama Papers leak erupted in April, when more than 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, were leaked. It contained the detailed financial information from offshore accounts and potential tax evasion by the rich and powerful.

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Aug-05-2016 16:20 TweetFollow @OregonNews Marion County Commissioners Push Marijuana Issues to November Ballot Will unincorporated Marion County turn their nose up at tax revenue?



(SALEM, Ore.) - In 2014, Oregon voters passed Measure 91 by approximately 56% to 44%. The measure allows for possession and sale of recreational marijuana (cannabis) by adults, state licensing, regulation, and taxation. However, Marion County voters voted 48.44% in favor to 51.46% against. As such, state law allows the county to put the future expansion of recreational marijuana businesses to a vote. On Wednesday, the Marion County Board of Commissioners referred measures related to marijuana for placement on the November ballot. "By referring these options to the citizens of Marion County we are able to postpone the implementation of large commercial recreational marijuana operations from moving forward in the unincorporated areas of Marion County," Commissioner Kevin Cameron, board chair, wrote on his website. Farmland must be protected, says Cameron. Indeed, Marion County is the number one producer of agricultural products in the State of Oregon, and the cannabis industry is not blind to that. Cannabis is one of Oregon's largest agricultural crops, and has been for decades. Now that it's out of the closet, it is a gold mine of sorts for many farmers, as well as well-financed corporations. Are they from Oregon? Not many. The Oregon Legislature decided to allow businesses from out of state to move into Oregon and enter into this state's cannabis market immediately, with no waiting period. Whether or not voters prefer to empower "local" businesses is no longer a question, for that has been answered by our Legislative body. Referred measures include: Whether to allow the establishment of medical marijuana processing sites and dispensaries in unincorporated Marion County outside of city limits. The outcome of this measure does not affect medical marijuana grow sites or existing permitted medical marijuana dispensaries.

Whether to allow the establishment of recreational marijuana businesses including producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers in unincorporated Marion County outside of city limits.

The establishment of a three percent local tax if the vote allows recreational marijuana businesses. Marion County Commissioners say the outcome of any of these measures does not prevent any incorporated city from allowing these activities. Many cities in Marion County have taken action to allow recreational marijuana businesses. None of the measures encroach on an individual's right to possess, grow or use marijuana under Measure 91, and according to Kevin Cameron, does not impact existing medical marijuana dispensaries and growers, as they are grandfathered under these ordinances. Commissioner Kevin Cameron, board chair, said, "The November vote allows residents of Marion County to either confirm their 2014 vote or change direction." Follow the Money Many voters in Oregon made their decision about legalizing recreational marijuana because they saw the income potential for the state. Areas that prohibit recreational marijuana facilities wont receive any marijuana tax revenue from the State, which is nothing to sneeze at. According to state economists, Oregon will collect about $43 million in taxes from recreational marijuana in 2016. At this time, there is a "temporary" 25% tax that began Jan. 1 and goes through Dec. 31. Change is coming fast. On Jan. 1, 2017, medical stores will no longer be able to conduct recreational sales, and the 25% tax will be replaced with 17% for the state and up to 3% at the local level, for a potential top rate of 20%. The Legislature set the base tax rate at 17%, but allowed cities and counties to adopt ordinances that add up to 3% more, if enacted by a vote of the people. The Big Picture: Tax revenue from recreational marijuana first goes to cover the state's costs for administering the marijuana tax (about half the money). The rest of it is spent like this: 40%: Common School Fund

20%:Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Services Account (ORS 430.380)

15%: State Police

10%: Cities, for local law enforcement

10%: Counties, for local law enforcement

5%: Oregon Health Authority, for alcohol and drug abuse prevention, early intervention, and treatment services The state tax money disbursements to cities and counties is determined by population through July 2017, then the monies will be determined by the number of licenses issued by OLCC in a given area. As our culture continues to open up and tolerate the use of cannabis more and more, the choice to not allow the herb to be grown/distributed simply excludes marijuana tax revenue from the community, and inevitably leaves more cash for the rest of the state to share. When FDR ended alcohol prohibition in December 1933, many towns across America chose to stay "dry". They fought to maintain the life they had grown to know, and indeed, change is terribly difficult for some. Which areas will be "dry" of cannabis farming remains to be seen, an interesting anecdote of the diehards of marijuana prohibition. _________________________________________

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Peace advocates hold high hopes for building a just and enduring peace in the Philippines

A statement by the Pilgrims for Peace on the possible resumption of the GPH-NDFP peace talks

June 25, 2016

Winds of hope continue to sweep the whole archipelago as the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front in the Philippines (NDFP) take steps in close coordination toward resuming the long-suspended, formal peace negotiations.

From parishes and churches to schools and local communities, peace advocates stir interest in and disseminate information about the GPH-NDFP peace talks. Excitement grows for the resumption of talks focused on forging the requisite agreements for building just and lasting peace for the Filipino people. Peace advocates, who steadfastly affirm that peace building must address the roots of armed conflict, enjoin the people to engage in meaningful discussions on what will make for peace in our land.

Significant positive changes in the new GPH leaderships commitment and readiness to continue and complete the peace negotiations have bolstered our hopes. Not only has it completed the new GPH negotiating panel, but it has also been demonstrating active leadership in resolving hurdles to clear the way for resuming the formal talks. Our ardent hope is that the new leadership will honor its commitment to release the political prisoners who are covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). In this regard, we urge President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to exercise political will.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines has not relented on its commitment to pursue the peace talks. Sending a representative to personally meet with President-elect Duterte soon after his proclamation  which led to the holding of bilateral preliminary discussions and tentative agreements in Oslo on June 14-15, the NDFP has likewise demonstrated active leadership in resolving problems hindering the resumption of the talks. Beyond the peace talks, the NDFP responded positively to President Dutertes unilateral gesture of cooperation; endorsing progressive leaders for consideration as appointees to the Cabinet posts he had offered, appointments were made in due time.

With GPH-NDFP peace talks shaping up to resume on August 20-27, 2016, peace advocates foresee that the two parties will affirm previously signed agreements and proceed to hold negotiations on the next substantive agenda, namely Socio-Economic Reforms. There are positive signs that the two parties will seriously and steadfastly take up this important agenda, referred to as the meat of the peace negotiations. To be tackled are issues such as persisting inequitable and unjust control of land by the few and proposals to achieve national industrialization. Peace advocates encourage every Filipino to join the discourse and contribute ideas and positive energies to the formulation and crafting of Socio-Economic Reforms that will address the roots of armed conflict and build justice, peace, freedom and democracy in the Philippines.

In the immediate days ahead, we encourage peace advocates throughout the nation and around the world to support our just call for the release of the 22 JASIG-protected political prisoners, who have tasks to perform for the peace negotiations. Moreover, their immediate release  as well as most, if not all, of the political prisoners  is an issue of justice: they are charged with trumped-up common criminal offences, generally non-bailable and multiple counts to make it hard for them to be released on bail. In addition, JASIG-protected political prisoners should have been IMMUNE from arrest for as long as the peace talks, or the JASIG, have not been terminated.
Dear Editor,

Everyone is upset with the gang problem invading our society today and you have every right to be angry and disappointed. People responded that gang members should be charged and jailed.

Some suggested a hole should be dug and gang members thrown in it, etc. I wish people would have the guts to say the same thing about the biggest gang in Samoa, which has been a menace to our society and has been around for the past 30 years  PM Tuilaepa and his H.R.P.P.

Gangs are a bi-product of PM Tuilaepa and his H.R.P.P.

Lets look at Original Blood Outlaw (O.B.O) gang for instance. The members of O.B.O will not be kids forever and one day they will grow up and we shouldnt undermine them. Gangs here in Samoa have already spread like a wild fire. Those Vaimoso members will never quit their gang  they will stop operating within Vaimoso but operate outside of the village.

Theyve already branched out to Taufusi, Lalovaea, Sinamoga, Vaitele, Vaimea, Fugalei and other villages. Branches of their gang have already established in New Zealand.

Very soon branches will be established in America and Australia and in those countries, bikie gangs are recruiting young Pacific Islanders like theres no tomorrow. Once that happens, the O.B.O here in Samoa will have financial backing. There are business people here in Samoa already behind this, providing gangs with money and alcohol to the gangs in exchange for protection  to leave their businesses alone. The kids in this gang are prepared to die for it too.

There are already other gangs in the urban areas eg. Vaivase Uta Utah, Samoan Bloodz, Laulii gang, Blood62 and more, holding secret gang meetings and sending threats to one another over the social media.

They will start off fighting for power and territory and eventually come together. As I said, these gangsters are the bi-product of their leaders and corruption.

The way some of these kids talk sound more like modern day revolutionists than gangsters  it confused me. Theyre calling PM Tuilaepa all sorts of names under the sun; they talk about govt. corruption and they also talk about the Mau.

These kids fully understand the social problems they are facing. They had no one to turn to for solutions and now have become the problem. These youths have been ignored by our society for far too long especially by our leaders. All they ever wanted was the opportunity for their voices to be heard.

Since theres no Opposition in our govt. after PM Tuilaepa used his power to basically wipe out the Opposition, as a result, PM Tuilaepa and his H.R.P.P will face a new opposition called O.B.O.

Remember what Im saying here in the next 2 years because by then, the govt, police and even the matai (village councils) will be powerless to stop these gangs altogether.

Now those kids from Vaimoso will operate from underground. Everything Ive been saying from years back have come true at the end. If you doubt what I say, go and find all the threads Ive written from six years ago about govt corruption, money laundering, high crime rate, unemployment, poverty, social problems, the Panama papers, etc which I debated on various forums and on the media with those who suck up to the govt, and see if you can find anything there to prove me wrong regarding whats happening today.

Believe me, I wont be wrong about this O.B.O gang either.

The O.B.O Opposition is the creation of PM Tuilaepa and the H.R.P.P.

M.R.B
Samoa will soon be the place to be for paddlers from all over the world.

With the launch of an event with the ability to attract over 900 paddlers from all over the globe; Samoas tourism sector will become the busiest people on Island.

The major paddling event usually held in Tahiti; The Sheraton Super Aito V1 race will be held here on 3 September this year.

We are happy to announce that we are launching the Sheraton Aito Samoa, said one of the event organizers Ulugia Jay Ah Fook.

This race is the premier race in Tahiti for one man paddling where every year the Tahitian hosts 900 paddlers from around the world to compete with the best. We all know that Tahiti is the top in the world with paddling as far as one man canoeing goes; it is very exciting for us and we are also hoping to attract not only the Tahitians but everyone else who will want to come down and compete.

According to Ulugia, much negotiations went into bringing the event to Samoa but the success of the talks will mean that Samoa will be hosting the extravagant event annually.

Tahiti has come onboard which we are happy with, he said. After successful negotiations with their paddling federations we are able to bring this race to Samoa.

Every year we will be hosting this event and again; there will be more and more Tahitians coming to Samoa which will continue to bring more and more paddlers to Samoa.

One thing is certain for the Super Aito it is not for the faint hearted.

This race requires a lot of discipline and training; it is a very grueling race and it is a great opportunity for Samoa, Ulugia said.

So we will be having three categories for the race; for the womens we will be having a 12km race, for the men we will have a 22km race this will be a one man canoe going from the harbour to Solosolo and then back.

We will also be having a relay race to give people who are not at that level the opportunity to race as a team; they will have three paddlers where each will do 6km each.

It is a very exciting year for us this year and I am also very proud of the achievements that we have done in the past years.

Another exciting launch which will help assist Samoa for the events is the launch of a new boat building factory coming in soon.

We are also very excited that we have the first Boat Fiberglass factory here in Samoa which we hope to launch in the next couple of weeks, Ulugia said.

To be able to build boats here in Samoa is great; to get to the next level of paddling we need equipment; we can bring as many people to Samoa, we can have as many people paddling but without this equipment we cannot grow the sport.

So we will be showcasing some of the products coming out very soon.

According to Ulugia, bringing up the sport of paddling is no easy task but he is thankful for the support of sponsors who has made so much happen for the sport. So much thanks goes out to our sponsors who have come on board, he said.

It has been a struggling sport to put through but without the support of our sponsors everything has been a very successful. I also want to say a big thank you to our sponsor Vailima Breweries; they have been a great injection into the sport and I think for a lot of people they have seen a lot of increase in the sport and a lot more exposure.

That has a lot to do with Vailima and their staff. For Sheraton who has come on board for the Super Aito series, they have been very supportive and we are very proud to part of a great chain; thank you also to the Grey Family for their support.

P.F.L, Siva Afi and M&J Ah Fook we are very thankful for your support.
Loyalty pays off. And after nearly 20 years of being a loyal customer, Hydraulink New Zealand has honoured Ott Engineering Services with a special award for their patronage.

On Friday, Pacific Islands Development Manager of Hydraulink New Zealand, Aneel Kumar and Company Technician, Joe Lomaiviti, arrived in Samoa to personally thank Lealiiee Rudy and Beatrice Ott for their loyalty to the company.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Mr. Kumar said Ott Engineering Services (O.E.S) has been working with Hydraulink New Zealand since 1998 and they decided it was time to recognise their loyalty.

We are extremely grateful to the Ott family for their support, Mr. Kumar said.

Ott Engineering has been our loyal customer since 1998. Over the years, I have found that they are very loyal to me and to Hydraulink.

Weve seen their business grow since 1998 and its been a pleasure for Hydraulink to be associated with such a hard working family, committed to excellence in the services they provided.

Mr. Kumar said he could not think of a more deserving company to receive the award.

This is the first time we have presented an award to Ott because we feel that it has been a long time since they became our customer. We want them to know that we appreciate their business.

With over 400 service points throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Asia Pacific region, Hydraulink sets out to help get people back on track in a very short time. .

If you are involved in mining, agriculture, transport, forestry, the marine industry or any industry that needs fast, effective and reliable hose and hydraulic services - we can help you get the job done no matter how much pressure youre under.

Beatrice Ott accepted the award from the company and thanked Hydraulink New Zealand for the recognition.

We are honoured with this award and we want to thank the company for the recognition, she said.

It has been a long time partnership and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership well into the future.
A group of matai fighting for the protection of customary lands in Samoa have flagged a small victory in their ongoing crusade.

Speaking on behalf of Lilomaiava Dr. Ken Lameta, of Vaimoso, Teleiai Dr. Sapa Saifaleupolu, of Samatau and Leuluaialii Tasi Malifa, Fiu Mataese Elisara of Sili told the Sunday Samoan that the Asian Development Banks (A.D.B) admission that their complaint is eligible is a major breakthrough.

In sum, our complaint has been subjected to not only the A.D.B internal Management review and assessment for eligibility, but more importantly the Complaints Review Panel (C.R.P) detailed evaluation if indeed there is justification and merit for our complaint to be investigated by the A.D.B Board, he said.

Both the A.D.B Management and C.R.P have shared with the highest level of A.D.B governance in its Board their findings and recommendation that our complaint is indeed eligible for its review and investigation.

Fiu said this is powerful evidence that their complaint is justified and based on strong merit despite the strong denial from the government.

In their initial complaint, the group expressed deep concerns about the individualization, financialisation and alienation of customary land.

Their concerns arose as a result of A.D.B Technical Assistance (TA) initiative for Samoa to Promote the Economic Use of Customary Lands.

They argued that the project had been carried without meaningful consultation across Samoa. According to the group, under a series of projects called Promoting Economic Use of Customary Land, the A.D.B has driven land and financial sector reforms in Samoa to make it easier to lease customary land and to use those leases as collateral for loans.

The A.D.B wants to create a system through which a single authority figure can unilaterally lease out customary land, without consulting other members of the aiga.

Under the reforms, the lease agreement could then be used by the leaseholder to access credit from a bank. But if the leaseholder is unable to repay the loan, the bank can take control of the lease, which could cover large tracts of customary land for decades.

According to Fiu, the recent development is a step in the right direction.

As you know, we were disappointed with the O.S.P.F. (Office of special project facility) of A.D.B. which is supposed to have been an independent mechanism to investigate our complaint and grievances on A.D.B. non complaint with own policies on Promoting Economic Use of Customary Lands project activities funded by A.D.B in Samoa for more than ten years now under TAs 4712, 7387, and 8481 and Agribusiness support project grant 0397-SAM.

The O.S.P.F. mission in November 2014 found that our complaint had merit despite what the government said in their project reports and damning claims by the Prime Minister.

Hence A.D.B recruited a consultant which it spent USD$150,000 to address the substance of our complaint, especially our claim that there was never any meaningful consultations, required by A.D.B. policies as well as a key directive of the Samoa Constitution, held with the customary land owners who own 80% of total land in this country specifically targeted by this project.

The consultant came to Samoa and despite our expectation that she would act independently, she ended up working under direct influence of government reporting to C.L.A.C and A.D.B.

Hence we felt that our complaint was not addressed neither independently nor in a satisfactory manner and we decided to elevate our complaint to the higher grievance mechanism of review panel C.R.P in A.D.B on 20 April 2016 and C.R.P.

In response, the group received an Express DHL letter from the A.D.B compliance review panel (C.R.P) to inform them that technical assistance (TAs) No. 7387 (Phase II) and TA 8481 (Phase III) are eligible for compliance review and investigation.

This means TA 4713 (Phase I) is deemed not eligible to be investigated.

They did not mention anything about the Agribusiness Grant (0392-SAM) which is part of our complaint. We will follow up and seek reasons for this as all the three TAs are part of the same project - Promoting Economic Use of Customary Lands.

The letter also stated that the C.R.P submitted its eligibility report to the A.D.B Board on 20 July 2016 and we understand that within 21 days of circulation to Board members, the Board will decide whether to authorize the compliance review and investigation of our complaint.

It further added that the C.R.P report determining the eligibility of TAs 7387 and 8481 as eligible for compliance review, together with A.D.B management response will be made public within 7 days of the ADB Board decision.

But there is still a lot of work to do, Fiu said.

It seems to us that whilst our complaint in the two TAs are eligible for compliance review, we are still at the mercy of the A.D.B Board whether or not they authorize an investigation as recommended by C.R.P!

Also, it seems to us that Phase I which dealt with issues of land mobilization and securitization (establishing the L.T.R.A) which is fundamental to our call that it be subjected to the meaningful consultation requirement is now no longer accessible in respect of our complaint.

We will inquire further on this as this is key in our complaint as baseline for all the land reforms that resulted, amongst others, in the L.T.R.A and C.L.A.C and a number of legislation reviews and amendments to enable government use customary lands as collateral for mortgages and investor interests.

We will also seek clarification on why they do not mention the Agribusiness Grant No. 0392  SAM.

Lastly, Fiu said: For us, the letter from C.R.P is a powerful evidence that further support O.S.P.F own findings in 2015 that our complaint has indeed justification and merit despite the strong denial of government otherwise.

We now anxiously await the decision of the A.D.B Board expected around mid-August to then take the next steps towards progressing our complaint further to an anticipated and satisfactory outcome.
What is it like taking selfie photos on the Red Planet? Julien Mauve, an author photographer from Paris unravel what is it like having selfie photos and imagining life as a tourist on the Red Planet.

Julien Mauve created a photo series, which he named it "Greetings from Mars." These photos won an award as Sony World Photography Award in 2016 for professional conceptual photography category. The concepts of this photo series are space exploration and discovery. It is also about the behavior in front of landscapes and how you create pictures that could share your personal story with the world.

Mauve said that in every spot he stopped, carefully chosen for their resemblances with the red planet, he imitated stereotypical tourist poses. He further said that it's interesting to observe the way they act in front of the camera, how they include themselves in the landscapes, how those landscapes prompt the desire to affirm their presence. And how the way they take pictures exposes the vanity involved in their endless pursuit of self-definition.

Mauve added that he has been fascinated with Mars since childhood. He further said that space exploration and colonization are the best adventures of the century. The fact you may witness it in your lifetime makes it even more exciting.

The photographer of the day is Julien Mauve https://t.co/DPKntsAqxO pic.twitter.com/ZPGMbvMPo8  PHmuseum (@pmuseum) July 18, 2016
FLORENCE, S.C. -- South Carolina Chapter 4 Rolling Thunder is donating a Chair of Honor to the Florence Veterans Park. The new monument will be adjacent to the POW/MIA Monument donated by the Florence area chapter several years ago.

The National Chair of Honor Program supports POW/MIAs by reminding Americans of the sacrifices of those who suffered as prisoners of war or remain missing in action. The empty POW/MIA chair will remain perpetually empty to remind Americans that even though soldiers are not here, there is still a space for them.

In addition to the chair, two Pee Dee area prisoners of war will be presented the South Carolina Prisoner of War Medal -- created in 2014 by the state legislature for state residents who on the federal POW list who received an honorable discharge.

The ceremony will take place Aug. 13 at 10 a.m.

Private Paul B. Rung, of Florence, served in the US Army in Europe during World War II. He was captured in 1944 and remained a POW until his release near the end of WW II in 1945.

Commander Alfred Agnew, of Mullins, a retired US Navy pilot, was captured after being shot down in 1972 in Vietnam. Agnew gained notoriety when he became known as the last POW of the Vietnam War to be released on March 29, 1973.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) isn't what it used to be. The formerly dirt-poor desert nation now hosts one of the largest economies in the Middle East, with a GDP that's on par with highly developed European nations. What's more, the rapid transformation has taken less than 50 years.

So how powerful in the UAE? Jules Suzdaltsev explains in today's Seeker Daily dispatch.

As with other Middle Eastern states, the UAE's rapid growth in the last 50 years is largely due to petroleum exports, and oil still contributes to about 40 percent of the country's $350 billion GDP. But the UAE's economy is the most diverse in the Persian Gulf and its crown jewel city, Dubai, is a major hub of innovation in technology and aviation.

In recent years, Dubai has become a place to see and be seen. It's by far the most popular tourist destination city in the Middle East. In fact, by some measures, it's the fifth most popular city destination in the world.

RELATED: What Is Life Really Like In Dubai, UAE?

Not coincidentally, Dubai and the UAE in general are extremely friendly to businesses. Within the country's 38 free trade zones, all businesses and corporations -- even those owned by foreigners -- are exempt from all taxes. UAE residents don't pay sales or income tax, either, and property taxes are very low.

Geographically speaking, the UAE is small, about the size of South Carolina. Its population of just over nine million is relatively modest, too. But it's growing fast. The country's population has quadrupled in the last two decades, thanks to huge numbers of expatriate workers seeking jobs in the booming economy. Non-nationals now make up more than 80 percent of the population.

The UAE is rapidly expanding its military, as well. The country's standing army of 65,000 troops isn't very big, but they're supported by a massive military budget. The UAE army is considered one of the most technologically advanced forces in the region. As a close ally of the United States, the UAE has fought alongside American troops more than any other Arab nation.

Internal dissent is rare in the UAE, and the nation is considered largely peaceful. But human rights groups have accused the autocratic government of violent suppression and even torture of dissidents. Those business-friendly public policies have led to widespread abuse of migrant workers, too. While the UAE is undoubtedly an economic powerhouse, its human rights record suggests that the nation is still a long way from international standards of true modernization.

-- Glenn McDonald Learn More:

CIA: United Arab Emirates

Human Rights Watch: United Arab Emirates

Emirates 24/7: UAE confirms no income tax yet, but 5% VAT is coming

New York Times: Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater's Founder
A rare violet diamond, the largest of its kind ever found at Australia's remote Argyle mine, will be the centerpiece of Rio Tinto's annual pink diamonds showcase, the company said Tuesday. The rough gem, discovered in August 2015 at a mine where more than 90 percent of the world's pink and red jewels are produced, originally weighed 9.17 carats and had etchings, pits and crevices. After weeks of assessment, the Argyle Violet was polished down to a 2.83 carat, oval-shaped diamond. The World's Rarest Gemstones: Photos "Impossibly rare and limited by nature, the Argyle Violet will be highly sought after for its beauty, size and provenance," Rio Tinto Diamonds general manager of sales, Patrick Coppens, said in a statement. Rio Tinto did not put a figure on its worth, but said it had been assessed by the Gemological Institute of America as a notable diamond with the color grade of Fancy Deep Greyish Bluish Violet. It is not known how diamonds acquire their colored tinge but it is thought to come from a molecular structure distortion as the jewel forms in the earth's crust or makes its way to the surface. Largest Diamond in More Than a Century Found in Botswana Diamonds for sale as part of the annual Argyle pink diamonds tender can fetch $1-2 million a carat. As a basic rule of thumb, pink and red diamonds are worth about 50 times more than white diamonds. Rio Tinto said violet diamonds were extremely rare with only 12 carats of polished stone produced for the tender in 32 years. "This stunning violet diamond will capture the imagination of the world's leading collectors and connoisseurs," Argyle pink diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said. The 2016 tender will begin private trade viewings in June and travel to Copenhagen, Hong Kong and New York, Rio Tinto said.

A rare uncut violet diamond discovered at Australia's remote Argyle mine.

All gemstones are rare; some are just harder to find than others. In fact, there is no consensus on what is the rarest mineral or the rarest gemstone because there is no consensus on the definition of "rarity," according to the Gemological Institute of America. However, many of the stones in this series come from only one or two localities in the entire world, so in that sense, they are scarce. Pink Star Diamond In the image above, model Annabeth Murphy-Thomas poses with the Pink Star diamond at Sotheby's auction house in central London. The diamond was put up for auction in Geneva on Nov. 13, 2013, at $60 million, an already record price for a gemstone, and sold for $83 million. Diamond cutter Isaac Wolf of New York purchased the Pink Star diamond ring, and renamed it the Pink Dream. The diamond measures 1.06 inches by 0.81 inches (2.69cm by 2.06cm).

This Blue Moon diamond, discovered in South Africa in January, 2014, weighs in at 12.03 carats, and is the largest cushion-shaped stone in that category to ever appear at auction. The Gemological Institute of America declared the Blue Moon to be internally flawless. It was purchased in November, 2015, by Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau, who spent $48 million on it for his seven-year-old daughter, Josephine.

This giant rock is said to be the biggest diamond unearthed in more than century. Second in size only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905, this chunk was found in Botswana.

Opal is Australias national gemstone, and black opal is the rarest and most valuable of its kind, at times selling at prices that rival the best diamonds. The stone must have a rich, black background, but base colors come in all shades of gray, which is why opinions vary on what is a "true" black opal. Found in the Lightning Ridge area in northwestern New South Wales, black opals are natural, solid stones that absorb scattered white light, giving it brilliant spectral colors.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) calls musgravite "a rarity among the rare... a particular gem on our research examination 'want list.'" A very close relative of another hard-to-find gemstone, taaffeite (and often misidentified as such), musgravite was first discovered in 1967 in the Musgrave Range of South Australia. Facet grade -- the baseline measurement of how clean cut a sellable stone must be -- for musgravite was not reported until 1993. As of 2005, there were only eight musgravite specimens in the world.

Discovered in 1951 in Mogok, Burma, painite was once considered the rarest mineral on Earth. For decades, only two crystals were known to exist. It didn't obtain official gemstone status until 1957 when the British Museum conducted X-ray analysis on a sample. In 1979, a third crystal was recovered by the GIA. Today, more than a thousand crystals and crystal fragments have been found. However, only a small percentage of the rough are suitable for sale. Painite is made up of aluminium, calcium, boron, zirconium and oxygen. It gets its orange-red to brownish-red color from trace amounts of iron.

Jeremejevite is an extremely rare, aluminium borate mineral. It was discovered in the late 19th century and named after Pavel V. Jeremejev, a Russian mineralogist and engineer. Until recently, the only two known localities for jeremejevite were Mt. Soktuj in the Transbaikal region of Russia and Cape Cross, Swakopmund, Namibia. Not much is known about jeremejevite. The color is typically aquamarine, but other records show the mineral can also be dark blue, pale yellow-brown or colorless.

Red diamonds, just like any other diamonds, are made of compressed carbon. However, the brilliant red color in these diamonds is formed from a structural defect in the crystal lattice structure, which is why they are the rarest of the colored diamond collection. Only a handful have ever received the grade of "Fancy Red," meaning that they are pure red with no modifying color. Most are sold at market for millions of dollars. The Argyle mine in Australia is the primary producer of pink and sometimes red diamonds.

This transparent, blue gem first turned up in 1962 and has been found scattered throughout northern Tanzania in Africa. Ranging in color from light blue to pure blue to dark violet-blue, the deepest hues are valued most. Made popular by jewerly giant Tiffany & Co. in 1968, Tanzanite has seen wild price fluctuations over the years. Tanzania's violent political, social and economic conditions have made it difficult at times to mine the mineral. However, the nation remains the gem's only known source.

Although "red emerald is its snazzy marketing name, and it was originally called "bixbite," this mineral goes by the name "red beryl" today. The brilliant red-purple color is not a trick of the light. The stone's actual chemistry is distinctive and separate from other beryls. It is found along fractures in topaz rhyolites. The gem crystallizes when rhyolite-derived gases, vapors from heated groundwater, and preexisting minerals and volcanic glass in the rhyolite react all at once. There is only one known commercial production of gem-quality red beryl in the world: the Ruby Violet (or Red Beryl) mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah.
More than 100 years ago, during a frigid, miserable expedition in Antarctica, an artist and a photographer agreed that one day they would combine their works into a single exhibit (see images below).

That vision has now finally come together at a show at Bonham's auctioneers in London.

In 1910, the esteemed British British Royal Navy officer and explorer Robert Scott set off with 65 men in an effort to explore Antarctica and beat Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundson to become the first people to reach the South Pole.

Amundson ended up beating Scott to the pole by four weeks. He got there using dogs to pull his team's gear. Scott would realize his defeat, seeing signs of the earlier Norwegian team and their flag at the pole when, tired, frozen and exhausted, they finally reached it themselves on Jan. 17, 1912.

RELATED: Century-Old Butter Found in Antarctica

Upon their arrival, Scott wrote, "The Pole. Yes, but under very different circumstances from those expected. We have had a horrible day - add to our disappointment a head wind 4 to 5, with a temperature -22 degrees, and companions laboring on with cold feet and hands."

They never made it back -- extreme cold and dwindling food and supplies sealed the men's fate -- they died en route back to their base camp.

Edward Wilson, a medical doctor, botanist and amateur artist, known as "Uncle Bill," by his team, made that final doomed trek with Scott -- and died alongside him. But the expedition photographer, Herbert Ponting, was among those who stayed behind at base camp and eventually boarded the ship to return to England. He had instructed Scott on the basic of photography to ensure that some photos of the final push to the pole would be taken.

Ponting would eventually hand over Wilson's works and his and Scott's glass negatives for development back in England. He also ensured Wilson's works made it back to their homeland.

Ponting recalled: "Uncle Bill handed me a parcel which contained all his sketches. He asked me to take charge of it, and deliver it to his wife, telling me that it was his earnest hope that we might have a joint exhibition of our work  his sketches and my photographs."

WATCH: How Science Is Keeping Antarctica Ungoverned
The whites-only policies in San Franciscos first public housing projects in the early 1940s, described in the last Portals, were mainly aimed at keeping Chinese Americans in Chinatown and out of Americas great experiment in federally funded dwellings. But if they kept blacks, Japanese Americans and other minorities away as well, that was just fine with the people in charge.

The San Francisco Housing Authority justified its policy as preserving the citys neighborhood pattern. When challenged, the agencys executive director, Albert Evers, said, We have good reason to believe that any city policy involving enforced commingling of the races would not necessarily be evidence of equal rights but would undoubtedly jeopardize public peace and good order.

In 1940, a remarkable multiracial coalition, the Western Addition Housing Council, began fighting for integrated public housing throughout the city. Its members included stakeholders in the racially mixed Western Addition, including blacks, Japanese Americans and progressive white labor leaders. As Charlotte Brooks points out in Alien Neighbors, Foreign Friends: Asian Americans, Housing, and the Transformation of Urban California, outside of communist circles, such a cross-racial alliance was unprecedented in the citys history.

Ultimately, however, the group did not achieve its goals. For starters, it did not represent the entire black community: Some conservative black leaders feared that an integration policy would erode African Americans housing advantages over Chinese Americans, who had long endured fiercer discrimination in the city than even blacks.

Politicians at least paid lip service (to blacks), and only in San Francisco could a black editor claim that a large Oriental population in this state will strengthen the sentiment against letting down the bars of intermarriage, Brooks writes. Many African Americans understood the benefits that accrued to them because of San Francisco-style nativism.

The NAACP also adopted this position, worrying that the Housing Authority would sandwich us in with the other race groups in a project.

Joe Rosenthal/The Chronicle

In fact, the Housing Authority had begun secretly buying land in the Western Addition with the intention of building a project for blacks there. It did so secretly because it knew that whites would resist a black project even in this racially mixed neighborhood.

The Western Addition Housing Councils activism finally forced the Housing Authority to acknowledge its secret, and in October 1940 the agency filed an application to build the project, Westside Courts, at Bush and Baker streets.

In March 1941, 400 people turned out for a public meeting about the project. The contentious, three-hour session showed that the Housing Authoritys earlier evasiveness about its discriminatory racial policies had eroded its credibility. Everyone suspected that this new project would be for blacks only, but the agency refused to acknowledge it.

Although it opposed segregation, the Western Addition Housing Council concluded that getting some public housing for blacks was better than nothing  even if that meant selling out their Japanese American colleagues and neighbors. And most progressives were focused on African American needs.

Joe Rosenthal/The Chronicle

The Housing Authority recruited some of the black communitys most conservative leaders, Brooks writes, forming a Negro Advisory Council that endorsed the neighborhood pattern and called for a segregated, blacks-only Westside Courts.

Still, there were plenty of white opponents of an all-black housing project in the neighborhood, and the city sided with them. Although the federal government had provided its share of the money needed to build the project, the Board of Supervisors refused to provide the necessary supplemental funding. Like many white San Franciscans, numerous city leaders viewed the growing African American population with great unease, Brooks writes.

With the project stalled, the Western Addition Housing Council sued the Housing Authority to integrate all its projects. Within days, however, a riot broke out in Detroit when white residents protested a housing project being built for blacks near their neighborhood. Officials had long dreaded the prospect of civil unrest over enforced integration, and the riots confirmed their fears.

Suddenly, Brooks writes, Washington and San Francisco found the money to finish West Side Courts, short-circuiting the WAHCs lawsuit and ensuring that other SFHA developments remained all-white.

By the time Westside Courts opened in 1943, World War II was raging and the Western Addition had a full-blown housing crisis, as thousands of newly arrived blacks swelled the neighborhoods population by 500 percent. The 136 units at Westside Courts barely had an impact.

To address the crisis, the Housing Authority built three all-black projects at Hunters Point and three slightly integrated ones. But combined, these projects added fewer than 500 units to San Franciscos nonwhite housing stock. And by corralling many of the citys black residents into racially segregated enclaves in a remote, poor part of the city, the Housing Authority had helped set in motion a process whose destructive effects the city is still dealing with today.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Gary Kamiya is the author of the best-selling book Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, awarded the 2013 Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction. All the material in Portals of the Past is original for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: metro@sfchronicle.com

Trivia time

The last trivia question: In prestatehood days, what goods were known as California dollars?

Answer: Cowhides.

This weeks trivia question: What legendary building once stood on the site of the Transamerica Pyramid?

Editors note

Every corner in San Francisco has an astonishing story to tell. Gary Kamiyas Portals of the Past tells those lost stories, using a specific location to illuminate San Franciscos extraordinary history  from the days when giant mammoths wandered through what is now North Beach to the Gold Rush delirium, the dot-com madness and beyond. His column appears every other Saturday, alternating with Peter Hartlaubs OurSF.
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Tracy Nappi got her start at the San Francisco Zoo in 1989 when she was a kid working as a Nature Trail volunteer for the summer.

Alongside other adolescents stationed along a winding dirt trail inside the childrens section of the zoo, Nappi would spend foggy summer days talking to visitors about the tortoises, ferrets, snakes and salamanders she brought out with her each day.

Nappis experience has come full circle. She now serves as the assistant curator of the zoos Animal Resource Center, where she oversees that same Nature Trail program that got her interested in a career with animals to begin with.

What really clinched it for me was the skunk, Nappi said. I fell in love.

The program has had that same effect on countless others. More than 2,500 kids from across the Bay Area have passed through the program in the past several decades.

On Saturday, more than 300 of the programs alumni showed up at the zoo to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nature Trail.

The event started at 10 a.m. and sent alumni walking along the curving Nature Trail to bump into former colleagues, reminisce and share stories about how their work at the zoo impacted their lives and career paths.

Diane Kisich Davis, Nappis former supervisor and mentor, was there for the reunion.

Davis spotted Nappi and ran up to her to give her a long, strong hug.

Its so fun, Davis said. We get to see these people we havent seen for years.

Davis was a volunteer on the Nature Trail in the 1970s. She then went on to go to school to become a zoologist and worked through several positions at the zoo. She now serves as the director of the Science Education Resource Center at San Jose State University.

I probably wouldnt have gone to college if I didnt go through the program, Davis said. I definitely wouldnt have become a zoologist.

Throughout the zoo Saturday, people who at first seemed like strangers could be seen stopping to hug people they realized they had worked with years before.

Some went through the program decades before. Others went through the program just a few years ago.

You meet some of your best friends here, Nappi said, as she stopped on the trail to chat with a friend.

The zoo crew is back together, shouted volunteer Rachel Poni as she ran into a group of former colleagues on the trail. This is so nostalgic.

Poni recently completed her time as a Nature Trail volunteer, and, like many others, followed the process to move up the ranks.

Kids can first apply to the program at the age of 12. About 250 kids apply each year, with half of them making the cut, Nappi said. Those who do must attend a rigorous three-day training process to learn about a designated animal groups history and the basics of the job.

They go on to work two days each week throughout the summer, Nappi said. If they do a good job, they are invited back for a second summer, when they can learn about more animals. If all goes well with that, they can apply for the junior zoologist program, which runs throughout the year. And from there they can become interns.

There really is a built-in career ladder you can start at just 12 years old, Nappi said.

About 15 former Nature Trail volunteers now work at the San Francisco Zoo full time, Nappi said.

Not only is the program a way to create community and introduce kids to careers in nature and wildlife, but, Nappi said, it teaches real-world fundamental skills.

Simon Zhu is a recent Nature Trail volunteer who now oversees the program as a summer intern.

While he said the program has fostered his love for animals, he said the program has also provided him with other priceless experiences, skills that are useful out in the real world.

The animals are a huge plus, though, Zhu added.

Kevin Schultz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kschultz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kevinedschultz
Seven women gunned the engines of their high-performance Italian race cars on the top of Nob Hill on Friday  an I am woman, hear me roar salute  before taking off for Santa Barbara in a history-making, first all-female Ferrari rally in the U.S.

Clad in jumpsuits, sunglasses and metallic shoes to lend feminine flair to their $1.4 million LaFerraris and $260,000 458 Spiders, the group had plans to shop, dine at winemaker dinners and take a helicopter tour once at Bacara Resort & Spa. But the real purpose of the trip, which cost participants $5,000 each through donations or sponsorships, was to raise money for the Prancing Ponies Foundation, a nonprofit benefiting underprivileged high school girls.

Their route on the three-day rally, which began at the Fairmont Hotel, took them through downtown to Interstate 280 and south on Highway 1, a roughly 350-mile leg they are to repeat in reverse when returning Sunday. The high-performance cars outside the hotel drew dozens off gawkers who snapped photos and took videos to capture the earsplitting sounds of the engines.

We are creating women leaders one girl at a time by raising funds to send them abroad to help them develop their self-esteem and self-confidence so that someday they are leaders and can own and race their own Ferraris, said Chanterria McGilbra, a North Bay pharmaceutical executive who created the foundation and organized the rally.

McGilbra bought her first Ferrari last year with stock options from work and credited her experience abroad  earning a masters degree in business from the International University of Monaco in 2007  with improving her self-confidence.

Id given up my apartment, my job and sold my car, she said. I had nowhere to go backwards to  moving forward was key. Thats where most of the psychological work begins and ends for these girls going abroad.

The world of Ferrari is chummy; owners who buy from any of the 37 dealers in the United States meet one another at car shows or any of the five rallies held in the U.S. each year. About 2,640 Ferraris  six models ranging from $198,000 to $485,000, not including the limited edition LaFerrari  were sold in North America last year, according to Krista Florin, a corporate spokeswoman, but few of the owners are women.

Even fewer of them engage in amateur racing in their Ferraris, and McGilbra is one of them. She calls racing meditative, noting, Its just me, the car and the next turn.

McGilbra reached out to a few female owners she knew, including fellow amateur racer Christine Sloss, wife of Google exec Benjamin Sloss. A Ferrari concierge put McGilbra in touch with Gabriela Forte, whose husband is president of Vita Forte Inc., an organic and super-food manufacturer. Instead of pledging her sponsorship money to Prancing Ponies, Forte was allowed to direct it to the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, which has been fighting the huge fire in Big Sur.

Other participants included Agne Christensen, an artist and creator of the Seek Fine Art app; Colleen Costello, a mother of two teens; Hayley Melidonis, a manager at Intel Corp.; and an interior designer and contractor specializing in tech real estate who identified herself only as Susan D.

Costello and Susan D., it should be noted, drove Lamborghinis, not Ferraris. Costello said her vintage Ferrari was not up to a long road trip, while Susan D. said upping the mileage on her Ferrari would decrease its value. Her 2016 Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce was a limited-edition model, with a sticker proving it was the first of 600 made.

I am doing this because I wanted to inspire young ladies that they can dream big and they can achieve it, she said. They can be successful, dream, and they can write their own checks.

Onlookers gawked at the cars lined up in front of the Fairmont Hotel, the rallys starting point. As the drivers hit the road, they also had to keep their urges in check.

Hey! a man shouted through the open window of his tiny Smart car, pulling up alongside McGilbra on the Embarcadero. Wanna race?

She burst out laughing and revved her engine with a playful Vroom! Vroom!

Carolyne Zinko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: czinko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CarolyneZinko
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A pro-gun group has filed a federal lawsuit against the California Legislatures lawyer, saying she violated the groups First Amendment rights by suppressing a blog post that listed the home addresses and telephone numbers of 40 lawmakers.

The Firearms Policy Coalition, a gun rights group that is funding the suit against Legislative Counsel Diane Boyer-Vine, issued a statement Friday that accuses state officials of using an unusual and unconstitutional law to censor what its chief says is legitimate free speech, which is covered under the First Amendment.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed six gun-control bills on July 1 that had been passed by the Legislature, making it harder to buy ammunition and barring magazine clips that hold more than 10 rounds  measures that were designed to prevent mass shootings and curb violence in cities throughout California. Gun rights activists were infuriated.

On July 5, a blogger who goes by the alias The Real Right Winger wrote a post characterizing the legislators as tyrants and legisexuals for passing laws that the author criticized for thwarting the rights of gun owners. Among them is a law creating a registry to track ammunition sales throughout the state.

The blogger retaliated by posting a tyrant registry of 14 senators and 26 Assembly members who voted to approve the gun laws, saying the people listed could be removed in only two ways: by repealing the laws, or by dying.

These tyrants are no longer going to be insulated from us, said the blog post, which was reprinted in the court complaint filed Friday.

In response, the states deputy legislative counsel, Kathryn Londenberg, sent a letter to Wordpress, which hosts the blog, demanding that it remove the lawmakers home addresses.

Publicly displaying elected officials home addresses on the Internet represents a grave risk to the safety of these elected officials, Londenberg wrote, citing a state law that prohibits people from posting any officials address or phone number on the Internet.

Wordpress took down the post on July 11. In the lawsuit, the blogger seeks a court ruling that would declare the law unconstitutional.

Our members truthful, non-threatening speech was attacked mere days after the elected subjects of their speech carpet-bombed the Bill of Rights in the largest legislative attack on Second Amendment rights in decades, Firearms Policy Coalition president Brandon Combs said in the statement.

Combs and the other coalition members argued that publication of lawmakers addresses and phone numbers can serve a variety of lawful purposes  such as picketing outside the officials houses.

You could imagine a world in which home addresses were highly confidential, in which they were not put in public documents  but thats not our world, said Eugene Volokh, the Los Angeles lawyer representing the coalition in the case.

Boyer-Vine was unavailable for comment.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
A lot of the air has gone out of the criminal case against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. with federal prosecutors stunning decision this week to slash the maximum potential fine by nearly 99 percent  from $562 million to $6 million  if PG&E is found guilty of violating pipeline-safety laws.

The action Tuesday came at a highly unusual time, during jury deliberations after a 5-week trial. It has led some, like a Stanford criminal law professor, to question the value of the prosecution, even if Californias largest utility winds up as a convicted felon.

Had some agency of the (federal) government gone after them for a large amount of money, you still would have had some stigma or deterrence, said Robert Weisberg, co-director of Stanfords Criminal Justice Center. Now it seems like filling up air time to get to some resolution. Its hard to figure out what the government has gotten out of this.

But for the city manager of San Bruno, where a PG&E gas pipeline exploded in September 2010, killing eight people and destroying 38 homes, its never been about the money.

We want to see people held accountable by virtue of guilty verdicts, said City Manager Connie Jackson, who has been following the trial closely. City officials wish the government had also charged individual PG&E executives, she said, but, as Mayor Jim Ruane put it in a recent interview, criminal convictions against the company would stamp a black mark on the corporate seal.

A federal investigation of the explosion led to charges that PG&E had violated laws that require gas pipeline operators to inspect their lines closely for potential risks, and then test or replace those that reveal hazards and maintain accurate records. The company is also charged with obstructing the investigation by denying it had a policy of pumping gas through aging pipelines, including the San Bruno line, at pressures up to 10 percent above federal limits. PG&E said documents describing such a policy were only a draft that was never implemented.

Jurors have deliberated for 6 days without reaching a verdict. They recessed for the weekend Friday afternoon, and are scheduled to return Tuesday.

The decision by the U.S. attorneys office to reduce the potential fines has been hard to decipher. Prosecutors offered no explanation in their brief court filing Tuesday, and, under their standard policy, have refused to discuss it outside court.

But the prosecutors decision appears to be linked to rulings by U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson barring much of the evidence they had hoped to use to justify big penalties against PG&E for violating the pipeline-safety laws.

The state Public Utilities Commission has fined PG&E a record $1.6 billion for the San Bruno explosion, and victims families have settled civil suits for an additional $565 million, according to court documents. The potential criminal fines under federal safety laws are modest by comparison, but prosecutors invoked another provision that would allow a jury to hit PG&E for twice as much as it profited by breaking the law  unless proving that would unduly complicate or prolong the sentencing phase.

Prosecutors, who allege that PG&E purposely cut pipeline safety programs to increase profit, cited the companys estimate to California regulators in early 2011 that it would cost $281 million to comply with the governments safety standards, and argued that the utility should be on the hook for twice that amount, $562 million.

During the trial, however, the prosecution did not call any financial experts to assess how much money PG&E had made by cutting corners on pipeline safety, an omission the companys lawyers noted in arguing to Henderson that the additional fines should be ruled out. The lawyers argued that PG&Es $281 million cost estimate was unrelated to the federal safety laws the company was accused of violating, and that the judge would have to convene the equivalent of a second trial to determine how much of PG&Es profits could be tied to any laws it broke.

Henderson didnt prohibit prosecutors from seeking fines based on the companys profits. But with jury deliberations already under way, the judge ruled July 29 that the prosecutions argument that PG&E was obligated to have pipeline records that were traceable, verifiable and complete wasnt based on federal law. Instead, Henderson said, it was based on standards that the California Public Utilities Commission, at federal officials suggestion, established after the San Bruno blast.

That meant, evidently, that prosecutors couldnt rely on the California standard to show that PG&E had made money by cutting costs on pipeline records. Prosecutors expressed concern about the ruling, and on Tuesday, without further explanation, they withdrew their request for fines based on ill-gotten gains.

That reduced the maximum potential penalty to $500,000 per violation, or $6 million for all 12 charges.

Weisberg, the Stanford law professor, said the dramatic reduction raises questions about whether the prosecution had a well-thought-out strategy in taking the case to trial.

David Levine, a criminal law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco, said criminal prosecution can still serve a purpose  convictions may affect a companys eligibility for government assistance and can send a message to other operators. But ideally, he said, such decisions should be made before a trial begins.

Once the parties knew the stakes in the case, perhaps they could have come to a resolution a long time ago, Levine said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
If you missed it ...

In a week when Draymond Green sent out a photo of Donald Trump getting a Purple Heart on Snapchat (or something like that), we also saw ...

 Adults from 65 to 69 are more likely to have jobs than teenagers, except in summer. The New York Times said a Pew Research Center analysis found that 18.8 percent of people 65 and older held a job as of May  compared with 12.8 percent in May 2000.

When she wraps up work on Disneys A Wrinkle in Time, Ava DuVernay will achieve a milestone: Shell be the first woman of color to direct a live-action film that had a production budget of more than $100 million, the Los Angeles Times reported. DuVernay also directed Selma in 2014.

A poop-themed cafe is scheduled to open this month in Torontos Koreatown. The Toronto Star reported that Lien Nguyen decided to open the Poop Cafe Dessert Bar after coming across the concept in Taiwan a couple of years ago. Im trying to make poop cute, she said. With apologies to Mary Poppins, lets hope theyre using more than a spoonful of sugar.

The Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techbriefing
Rosario Sapienza was born in Western Pennsylvania and attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Rosario was on active duty in the U.S. Army, where he served in the 436th Transportation Battalion during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After he was discharged, he relocated to Cleveland and was recruited by an iconic international corporation as a marketing manager. Rosario has lived in the Bay Area for 30 years and has had the experience of driving at Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway.

The first cars I owned as a teenager were muscle cars with Chrysler Firepower V8 engines. These cars lured me to the local drag strips, where I was pretty successful  especially with my custom power and dynamometer tuning. I still did well after I converted to six-cylinders with my Austin-Healey 3000 and eventually even a four-cylinder with my Fiat-Abarth Zagato.

Driving on drag strips, I got into the speed and handling mentality. I attended SCCA Driving School in Vineland, N.J., supervised by Roger Penske. After graduating, I raced in C-Production and became a Pit Steward at Sebring International Speedway. There I met racing legends Carroll Shelby, Stirling Moss, Phil Hill and others. I learned about the advantages of power-to-weight ratios and technical advantages like mid-engine placement. At the time, the only options for mid-engines were beyond my means.

My first Toyota was a 1984 Supra, which I traded for a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo. Two years later, I traded that car in for my 1993 MR2 Turbo.

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I had always lusted after a mid-engine turbocharged two-seater, and the MR2 fits the bill perfectly. I watched with interest as manufacturers and racing teams developed the concept. The auto magazines at the time featured the 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo on the cover, naming it the Baby Ferrari. When it hit the U.S. market, the MR2 Turbo was able to accelerate from 0-60 in 6.1 seconds and finish the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds. As much as I enjoyed my 1984 Supra, I had to have the MR2.

I enjoyed my 91 for two years before the rumor mills started saying that the MR2 was being discontinued after the 1993 model.

In December of 1992, I visited a local dealer and ordered my 1993 in Signal Yellow with all the available factory options, including anti-lock brakes and limited-slip differential. I then took it to a racecar builder and had an aftermarket front shock tower brace installed, as well as a TRD exhaust system, a K&N intake system, slotted rotors and an upgraded ignition system. I also installed a turbo timer. I have carefully adhered to the recommended maintenance schedules for everything  changing the oil, replacing timing belts, clutches and all other expendables accordingly. I have also upgraded the brakes and several other key features.

The car still has its original paint job in a bright color that makes it more distinguishable. When I bought my first MR2, I mainly saw red models and the yellow makes it easier to spot in a parking lot. The interior is leather and it has an AM/FM/CD stereo and a charging system for my iPhone and laptop computer. Like all Signal Yellow MR2 Turbo models, mine has the signature Toyota T-Top.

The car runs great, and it continues to impress both myself and my passengers with its acceleration and handling. I keep it looking like new and operating perfectly.

Recently I bought my sixth Toyota, and now my daily driver is my Camry. I have owned several collectable cars throughout the years, and the MR2 is still one of my favorites. Recently Ive had several offers from people wanting to buy it. After 23 years as the original owner, Im thinking it might be time for me to let it go to an appreciative and deserving driver.

Attention Bay Area drivers

Were looking for submissions to the bi-weekly My Ride feature. We want to know what you drive and why. Send story ideas to cars@sfchronicle.com with the subject line My Ride.
A 26-year-old San Francisco man was fatally shot in Vallejo early Saturday, police said.

Authorities went to the 200 block of B.W. Williams Drive at about 5:30 a.m. and discovered the victim, who was not identified, in the street, officials with the Vallejo Police Department said.

The man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, they said.

Police have yet to make any arrests in the case.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 James Novello was arrested on suspicion of setting off an explosive device, officials said Friday. Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Jenna Lyons / / Show More Show Less 3 of 3





A paramedic with the San Francisco Fire Department was arrested for allegedly setting off an explosive device, officials said Friday.

James Novello, was arrested this week in connection with the detonation of an explosive in an Excelsior neighborhood residents planter, authorities said.
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Magnolia Brewery founder Dave McLean has been curating the Outside Lands Festival's Beer Lands for five years, and for the first time, all of McLeans selections are based in the Bay Area.

The fest gave 30 breweries a booth, which include the festivals two sponsors (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Strongbow Apple Ciders).

"There's no breweries from south of San Jose," he says, noting that High Water is one of the few in the South Bay. "It started as all California breweries, and then it more skewed north; now it's all local."

As the Bay Area brewer says: His goal is to make sure the the annual offerings at Beer Lands are as diverse as possible, while keeping in mind the size of the brewery and the amount of beer it produces. The brewery, at minimum, must plan to bring at least 10 kegs of any beer staffers will pour for guests.

One of the interesting side-effects of curating the selection, he notes, is finding out what kinds of beers are coming into vogue with drinkers.

"You start to see what styles are becoming popular," McLean says. This year's favorites, based on what the breweries wanted to bring to the event, include briney goses and other light German styles, like lagers and Kolsch-similar brews.

And this year, Beer Lands welcomes three new San Francisco-based breweries to the event: the Dogpatchs Harmonic Brewing, which is about a year old; Pine Street Brewery; and Barebottle, which only recently opened in Bernal Heights.

In McLeans eyes, each was a natural fit for Beer Lands.

This whole festival is about establishing a sense of place. It does such a good job of focusing its food [to be San Francisco-specific], he says. It seemed logical to make [Beer Lands] as San Francisco as possible.
Eva Longoria has been racking up 2016 memories including a new marriage, fashion line, T.V. show and Democratic National Convention speech, but now she's parting ways with an old one: the home she bought while a bachelorette in "the heart of Hollywood."

The Corpus Christi native bought the home in January 2005 for $1,150,000, Variety reported. Longoria-Baston purchased the home a year after Desperate Housewives aired and became a sitcom sensation. She continued to own the home throughout her 2007-2011 marriage to San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker.
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WASHINGTON - General manager Bobby Evans and his Tampa Bay counterpart talked Saturday morning about the health of shortstop prospect Lucius Fox, who has a bruised foot that the Rays did not know about when they acquired him as part of the Matt Moore deal.

The Tampa Bay Times reported the Rays might seek additional compensation from the Giants because Fox, one of the Giants' top prospects, might not play the rest of the minor-league season.

Evans said Saturday that Fox fouled a ball off his foot a week before the trade but continued to play without complaining of discomfort. The Rays took a bone scan as part of Fox's entry physical and discovered the bruise, with their doctors deciding Fox needs to rest it.

The Giants plan to review the bone scan.

"We're trying to understand their diagnostics on Fox and compare it to our diagnostics on his foot," Evans said. "At this point, that is where we are at. They have made it clear they do not want to return Fox."

The Times did not suggest that the Rays feel the Giants purposely withheld in jury to complete the deal, and Evans said he did not sense an accusatory tone from Rays GM Matthew Silverman.

The issue of medical disclosures came to the fore this week after the Marlins traded pitcher Colin Rea back to the Padres after Ray sprained his elbow in his first Miami start. Rea will undergo Tommy John surgery, and the commissioner's office reportedly is investigating the Padres for allegedly withholding the fact they were medicating Rea's elbow.

Evans views the Fox case as a difference of opinion on a medical diagnosis, saying, "If his injury requires rest in their medical opinion, that was not our diagnosis."

However, Evans was not dismissing the Rays' concern and said some form of compensation might be worked out, possibly financial.

The Giants sent Fox, Matt Duffy and pitcher Michael Santos to Tampa Bay for Moore.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @hankschulman.

On deck

Sunday

at Nationals

10:35 a.m. CSNBA

Bumgarner (10-6)

vs. Roark (11-6)

Monday

at Marlins

7:10 p.m. CSNBA

Cueto (13-3) vs. Fernandez (12-6)

Tuesday

at Marlins

4:10 p.m. CSNBA

Moore (7-7) vs. Koehler (8-8)

Leading off

Gearin close: Reliever Cory Gearrin (shoulder strain) has pitched three shutout innings in his Triple-A rehab assignment. The Giants say they will find a place for him in the bullpen when he is ready.

 Henry Schulman
You love your dog. You love wine. But sometimes it feels like your pooch just doesn't fit in to wine culture.

Lucky for you and Fido there are actually a number of Napa Valley wineries where you don't have to choose between the two.
After a disastrous week of feuds and plummeting poll numbers, Republican leaders have concluded that Donald Trump is a threat to the partys fortunes and have begun discussing how soon their endangered candidates should explicitly distance themselves from the presidential nominee.

For Republicans in close races, top strategists say, the issue is no longer in doubt. One House Republican has already started airing an ad pledging to stand up to Trump if he is elected president, and others are expected to press similar themes in the weeks ahead.

In the world of Republican super PACs, strategists are going even further: discussing advertisements that would treat Trumps defeat as a given and urge voters to send Republicans to Congress as a check on a Hillary Clinton White House. The discussions were described by officials familiar with the deliberations, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

For now, some of the partys most vulnerable incumbents are simply hoping to avoid what they see as the taint of association with their standard-bearer.

Two members of Congress locked in competitive races made themselves scarce when Trump arrived in their states Friday. The two, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rep. David Young of Iowa, held events elsewhere.

Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, in a conference call with reporters the same day, was less subtle. Donald Trump is in a category unto himself, Toomey said, predicting that his states voters will make a completely separate decision between the top of the ticket and the Senate campaign this year.

That is increasingly the hope of almost every Republican leader across the country.

Trumps plunge in polls last week, along with his dual attacks on the family of a fallen U.S. soldier and the leadership of his own party, has convinced veteran Republican strategists that most of their candidates must navigate around the presidential nominee.

Plans for ads that distance congressional candidates from the top of the ticket have accelerated. You will see them by early to mid-September now, even before the first debate on Sept. 26, predicted Scott Reed, senior political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The conclusion has become that the guy is incorrigible, said Thomas Davis III, a former House member from Virginia who is still close to many of the partys leaders. Hes going to leave our candidates with no choice but to go their own separate way.

Trumps campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but Friday night he tried to calm angry Republicans by endorsing, belatedly, the re-elections of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. Trump had been feuding with them after they criticized his ridicule of the parents of Humayun Khan, a Muslim American Army captain killed in Iraq. Khans parents had denounced Trump during the Democratic National Convention.
RENO  Nevadas two major universities are mourning the loss of the first black woman to earn a college degree in the state at a time when most of the nation was still segregated.

Stella Mason Parson died July 29 due to complications from renal disease. She was 86.

Mrs. Parson graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in June 1952 with a bachelors degree in English. She later returned to school at UNLV, where she earned a masters degree in marriage and family counseling in 1988.

When we first came here, there were no black teachers, no black professional in anything, she said in the donated tapes collection for a project at UNLVs James R. Dickinson Library. Most of the women worked as maids.

At UNR, Mrs. Parson wasnt allowed to have a roommate. She worked at the school cafeteria and as a domestic on weekends to cover her living expenses.

Reno, the city itself, was just as segregated as any other city, Mrs. Parson said in a 1978 interview. We couldnt eat in the cafeterias downtown. But as far as the campus was concerned, black people were more than welcome.

Mrs. Parson taught school for 33 years in Clark County, where a Las Vegas elementary school is named after her and her late husband, the Rev. Claude H. Parson Jr., whom she met while he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.

In 2002, UNR awarded her a Presidents Medal for her accomplishments and created a scholarship in her name.

Mrs. Parson was a good friend of the university who returned to campus over the years to speak and interact with students, said John K. Carothers, the schools vice president for development and alumni relations and executive director of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

Her many years of teaching and service to the Clark County area have influenced generations of Nevada students who have gone on to better themselves and their communities, he said Thursday.

Mrs. Parson was able to enroll at UNR in 1948 thanks in part to a scholarship she received from the Las Vegas chapter of the American Association of University Women, Carothers said.

In order to repay those who helped her and benefit others, the Stella Mason Parson Endowed Scholarship was established to encourage other female students of African American descent to pursue a college education, he said. Stella will be very much missed on campus by those who knew and worked with her.

Mrs. Parson was born Nov. 18, 1929, on a plantation in Lake, Mississippi  the daughter of sharecroppers, Fred and Matilda Parson.

Fred Parson ushered his wife and daughter to a new life.

He stole them off the plantation and hid them on a plantation in Arizona before working to pay to move them to Las Vegas, said Tara Trass, an executive assistant to Stella Parsons daughter, Naida Parson, who is the senior pastor of New Antioch Christian Fellowship in Las Vegas.

The family moved to Las Vegas in 1942, and Stella Parson later graduated from Las Vegas High School.

In the interview conducted for an oral history project at UNLV in 1978, Mrs. Parson said her family lived in west Las Vegas during World War II, where there were no paved streets ... and almost no homes for blacks at all.

They would build a floor and spread a tent over it, and we would cook on wood stoves outside. ... There were no bathrooms, she said in tapes for UNLVs project, The Black Experience in Southern Nevada.
PARIS  A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in northwest France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar in the city of Rouen, Mayor Yvon Robert said.

Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told the Associated Press that the first statements from survivors and the preliminary police investigation indicated the fire was completely accidental.

There was no explosion, Labadie said. Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.

Labadie said its still unclear how many people were at the Cuba Libre club, adding that most of the dead were between 18 and 25 years old.

In a statement, French President Francois Hollande expressed his solidarity with the victims families and pledged that the investigation will shed light on the the causes of this dramatic accident.

Labadie said sound-insulating material on the basements walls quickly ignited and party guests had no time to escape from the basement.

At the scene of the fire, residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.

The fire  the deadliest in France since 2005  came as the country is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month. The blaze was also the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Islamic State extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26, and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in critical condition.

Rouens archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his deepest sadness.

Young people, some of them very young, had their lives cut short, said French junior minister Clotilde Valter. These are extremely painful circumstances for everybody.
BEIRUT  Syrian insurgent groups launched a fresh offensive Saturday seeking to break a government siege on rebel-held neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo, opposition activists and state media said.

The militants claimed they had achieved their goal, while state media denied that the blockade has been breached.

An unidentified military official told state news agency SANA that large numbers of militants had attacked a military college in southern Aleppo, adding that government forces were defending the sprawling base. SANA said the militant offensive was preceded by a number of car bombs that struck the area.

Shortly before sunset Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said that militants were able to reach besieged areas. The Observatory said that although the militants outside the city did reach rebel-held neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo, civilians still dont have a safe route to leave because of intense air strikes and shelling in the area.

Syrian state TV said the attack was repelled and the army regained control of areas it lost earlier in the day at the military college. It added that government forces targeted militants as they retreated from the area.

Such conflicting claims are not uncommon in Syria when offensives are under way. The militants have launched several attacks over in recent days to try and break the siege.

The government completely closed the main road into the rebel-held areas of Aleppo on July 17, effectively sealing and cutting off the neighborhoods. The United Nations estimates that between 250,000 and 300,000 residents have been trapped in the eastern part of Aleppo since mid-July.

The U.N. and numerous relief organizations have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe as conditions there deteriorate.

The powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group, which is taking part in the offensive along with several other factions, posted a video that showed what it said were its fighters inside the college known as the Artillery Academy. An Ahrar al-Sham fighter in the video claimed that militants are in full control of the college showing destroyed tanks and artillery pieces captured by the gunmen. Ahrar al-Shams coalition includes the Levant Conquest Front, al Qaedas branch in Syria which recently renamed itself and announced its separation from the global al Qaeda organization.

It is only a matter of hours before we break the siege imposed on our brothers in Aleppo, an Ahrar al-Sham fighter said in the video as gunfire could be heard in the background.

The video appeared genuine and corresponded to other Associated Press reporting of the events.

A State TV reporter in the area said the fighting was intense inside the college. The Lebanon-based Pan Arab TV station Al-Mayadeen, that has reporters on the government side of the city, reported that Syrian government reinforcements are being sent into conflict zone.
TOKYO  Japan summoned Chinese diplomats Saturday to protest after six Chinese coast guard vessels approached disputed East China Sea islands accompanying a fleet of hundreds of Chinese fishing boats.

Japans Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it filed the protest after the Japanese coast guard spotted the vessels Saturday along with a fleet of 230 Chinese fishing boats swarming around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. China also claims the islands, which it calls the Diaoyu.

Japan demanded that the ships leave the area. Three of the Chinese coast guard vessels were armed with what appeared to be gun batteries, Japans Foreign Ministry said. The Chinese fleet has not intruded in Japanese territorial waters so far, it said.

Asked about Japans statement, Chinas Foreign Ministry reiterated its position that the islands are Chinas inherent territory and that it has indisputable sovereignty over them and their adjacent waters.

In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called on Japan to refrain from any action that could lead to a tense or complicated situation.

Chinas increasingly assertive maritime activities in the East and South China seas have raised concerns and tensions in the region. Japan has joined the U.S., the Philippines and others in urging China to abide by international law after a U.N. arbitration panel ruled in favor of the Philippines in its maritime dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.

China says it doesnt recognize the July 12 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Chinas coast guard vessels routinely sail around the islands, usually in pairs or up to four. Until now, only one of the vessels was armed.
KIEV, Ukraine  A former Ukrainian soldier-turned-arms dealer agrees to meet in Kiev, where he offers to sell a Makarov semi-automatic pistol for about $160. Amid haggling, he drops the price to $120. He says he also has Kalashnikov automatic rifles and can get rocket launchers if given a little more time.

The war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists has led to the uncontrolled spread of firearms throughout the country, with experts describing Ukraine as a supermarket where millions of illegal weapons are for sale.

Since the armed conflict broke out in 2014, the number of crimes involving firearms has more than doubled in Ukraine, a country where gun ownership was previously very rare. Some of the weapons are also being smuggled out of the country, destined for conflict zones in the Middle East or for Europe, adding to fears of more attacks.

Andriy, the arms dealer, fought with the nationalist Right Sector volunteer battalion for more than a year against the separatists. He agreed to discuss the illegal weapons trade on the condition he be identified only by his first name for fear of being arrested.

With the worst of the fighting in eastern Ukraine now over, Andriy said a used handgun can be purchased there for as little as $20. But from the east, the road is long and dangerous, he said, explaining the significant markup he gets in the capital, Kiev.

The scale of the smuggling is difficult to judge because Ukraine has made all data about the illegal arms trade classified. Ukrainian border guards, however, regularly report thwarting attempts to transport weapons out of the country illegally.

Each week, police uncover illegal arms caches with Kalashnikovs, explosives and even rocket launchers brought from the combat zone in eastern Ukraine.

Heorhiy Uchaikin, who heads the Ukrainian association of gun owners, estimated Ukrainians now illegally possess up to 5 million firearms.




Shaw University Hosts Former President Bill Clinton, NC Educators

August 5, 2016 was a historic day at Shaw University. Just as the historically black institution welcomed its record-breaking class of more than 600 freshmen, former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the campus to talk about education.

In a meeting closed to the press, Clinton met with educators and education advocates from across the state of North Carolina. About 30 people, including Shaw University president Tashni-Ann Dubroy and Student Government Association president Justice Lang participated in a round table discussion about the state of education in America, and tossed around ideas about how a Hillary Clinton presidency could help improve the nations education system.

Worldwide, the political and social order of our society is under assault, Clinton said. The rise of republican legislators can be connected to the fall in the quality of education, Clinton said.

The nations 42nd president told educators that if his wife, Hillary Clinton, is elected to be president in November, the former first lady and secretary of state will spend time with lawmakers and fix the issues that trouble the nations public and private schools. Clinton said his wife will focus on using models of the best schools to help the nations worst schools improve.

It is important to recognize we have some of the best schools in the world, said Clinton. We should concentrate on how to use those schools to make the worst schools better. Help teachers to be better teachers and not just tell them theyre not doing well, Clinton said.

President Clinton spent time hearing from teachers and administrators in the 3rd floor conference room of historic Estey Hall. Among those who captured his ear was Dr. Dubroy, who talked about how Shaw University students are changing the landscape of higher education with technology.

Shaw students are using technology and social media to change the way institutions are communicating with and attracting great students, said Dubroy. For example, our student government association president, Justice Lang and her cabinet spent the summer on social media talking to prospective students and promoting Shaw University. This is what helped the university recruit a record-breaking freshman class this year, said Dubroy. The room erupted in applause as President Dubroy and Justice Lang got a nod of approval from the former president.

This was such an awesome day, said Lang, who stood patiently in line following Mr. Clintons talk, waiting to get a photo with Clinton. I just love Bill Clinton, and my mom loves him too. I cant wait for her to see me in a picture with him, said Lang.

While in the former presidents company, educators and invited government officials from North Carolina vowed to get North Carolinians engaged in the political process. Officials with the North Carolina Association of Educators announced plans to host a Weekend of Action event in the Tarheel state, designed to register people to vote.

It is important for Hillary to win North Carolina this time around, said Clinton. It will certainly validate the recent court decision, Clinton said, speaking on an appeal courts recent decision declaring North Carolinas Voter ID law as unconstitutional.

Clinton also praised educators as he departed. Never underestimate the power of what youre doing and never underestimate the impact that you have on the lives of our children, Clinton said.
Shaw University Welcomes record-breaking Freshman Class

Shaw University welcomed more than 600 new students to campus Friday, setting a record for the largest freshman class in six years. Last year, 402 freshmen converged on campus.

To my Class of 2020, I have been eagerly awaiting this day, Shaw President Tashni-Ann Dubroy told the crowd filling seats underneath a double-tent. You have no idea how excited I am about all the wondrous accomplishments that I know are forthcoming.

Tre-Asia-Niq Allen feels the excitement too. Im going to do good, the 18-year-old said, adding she was sold on Shaw after an interesting visit with a university recruiter at her high school in Salisbury. I have to do it one way or the other. Ive got to make it out. I have to show people I can do what they thought I couldnt do.

Allens grandmother blended in with other parents and grandparents who milled around campus, looking as curious as their offspring about their new surroundings. Dorothy Allen, however, was no novice. Im used to it, she said. This is my third grandchild to go off to school, so Im not going to cry. Im only two hours away, and I know I can always come to see my granddaughter.

The incoming class is the first I will see blossom from young adults into global change agents, who leave our campus to create significant social impact that makes our world a better place, said Dubroy, who celebrated her one-year anniversary at the universitys helm August 1.

You are the class who will witness the implementation of our strategic plan EPIC VISION 2020, and you will witness the transformation of our campus, from our buildings to our academic offerings and from our servant leadership to our continued spiritual growth.

Dubroy credits the shattered records to the universitys enrollment management team, which funneled an unprecedented 9,000 applications. She also notes an intentional effort to use technology to drive the recruitment process. Not only were students able to apply online, but the robust online portal also made it possible for transcripts to be electronically uploaded and opened lines of communication between Shaw and high school guidance counselors across the globe, she said. Response to notifications was significant, Dubroy added.

Were thankful, said Anthony Brooks, Shaws Chief Enrollment Officer who joined Shaw in September 2015. Shaw deserves it. Its the oldest HBCU in the South, and over the years has earned a reputation for being a top producer of minority professionals. This years enrollment is proof we are continuing that legacy and keeping that promise for generations to come.

China Adams learned all she needed to learn about Shaw through its online portals from her home in Charleston, SC. Its a good school, she said while resting with her family during move- in day. As she looked towards the center of campus bustling with students, parents and activity, from hoisting boxes to grooving to music, she seemed to imagine herself at home.

Im both excited and nervous, said Adams, 18. Im nervous about being in new surroundings and excited about continuing my education, about entering a new level of school.

Adams and her new classmates are entering a new Shaw that has gone through a summer of restructuring and transformation. Along with those changes, Dubroy announced in July the reinstatement of faculty and staff pay after having instituted a salary reduction initiative requiring temporary five to seven percent and ten percent pay cuts to boost financial sustainability.

Its not that Shaw University intends to bloat its expenditures, Dubroy said. We are actually using some of the cost-savings to reinvest in our faculty and staff because in Shaws most dire time of need, they invested in us.

This couldnt be a more perfect backdrop, Dubroy said, as she welcomed new students and start a new academic year. This is one of our biggest days, she said. Its really about energizing the base and getting everyone excited about the sequel, EPIC Pt. 2, the second year of EPIC VISION 2020. Were turning the corner.

Thats what Michael McMillian seeks from Shaw: Growth and experience, said McMillan, 18 and a graduate of Durhams City of Medicine Academy. Its a Historically Black College, and it has great classes in the field Im interested in  psychology.

##
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOP's most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaire's presidential candidacy.

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trump's evening appearance in their state.

Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, "We have to unite" as he vowed to support Ryan in next week's primary contest.

It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans.

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.

"We will have disagreements," Trump said. "But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory."

Ryan reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but the Wisconsin Republican noted his support wasn't a "blank check" and pledged to speak out against the businessman's divisive positions if necessary.

Party divisions were easy to find Friday in Wisconsin, a state that Trump's team insists he can win in November.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner instead of appearing with his party's standard bearer. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominee's arrival.

"Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Trump, but let's get something straight," Vos wrote in an open letter to his GOP colleagues. "We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans."

The Midwest mayhem underscored Trump's mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee -- including some who even publicly support for Democrat Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton.

"If Hillary Clinton becomes president," he said at an earlier rally in Iowa, "you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within."

Trump called his Democratic opponent "a dangerous liar," ''an unbalanced person," ''pretty close to unhinged," ''totally unfit to lead," and lacking "the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country."

In Wisconsin, Trump added, "She's a monster."

The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.

The former secretary of state sought to "clarify and explain" a recent statement on "Fox News Sunday" that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were "truthful."

"I may have short circuited and for that I will try to clarify," Clinton said, though still insisting she "never sent or received anything that was marked classified."

She also acknowledged many people don't trust her.

"It doesn't make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do," Clinton said. She added, "I'm going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people."

Yet Trump's own gaffes have largely overshadowed Clinton's problems as the Democrats work to recover from a bruising primary election season.

Complicating the Republican Party's 2016 challenge are fresh signs the nation's economy is strengthening under a Democratic president.

The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, a sign of confidence that could point to a resilient economy.

Trump's approach to national security came under fire Friday as well, with former CIA Director Michael Morell contending the Republican nominee would make "a poor, even dangerous commander in chief."

Morell, outlining his views in The New York Times, also questioned Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," wrote Morell.

Trump conceded Friday he was wrong to claim repeatedly in recent days that he saw a video of a U.S. cash payment going to Iran.

The New York billionaire has cited a $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran this year, delivered on the same day that Iran released four American hostages. Trump charged on Thursday in vivid detail that the Iranian government released a video of the cash exchange to embarrass America.

"The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!" Trump tweeted Friday morning.

The White House has insisted the payment had nothing to do with the release of the hostages. Friday night, Trump called that explanation "a lie."

In Iowa, he blamed the "dishonest" media for the fuss over an incident earlier in the week in which he asked a screaming baby to leave a rally.

"I don't throw babies out," Trump said. "I love babies."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- A St. George man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a 30-year-old man near the ferry early Thursday morning, police said.

Leonard Evans, 49, of Slosson Terrace, was arrested at 10 p.m. Friday at Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, and also charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to an NYPD spokesman.

German Pagan (Photo courtesy of the family)

Police said the defendant allegedly stabbed German Pagan, of Midland Beach, multiple times. Pagan was found dead on a park bench between Richmond County Bank Ballpark and the terminal for the Staten Island Ferry at around 2 a.m., police said.

The victim had multiple stab wounds to the torso and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS, according to a statement from the NYPD's deputy commissioner of public information.

"It's a relief and shock at the same time," said Anna Rosa, the grandmother of Pagan's two-year-old daughter, Jianna. "I'm numb. I'm shaking inside."

Pagan, know to his friends and family as "Ricco," moved to Staten Island from Texas about a month ago with hopes of building a relationship with his daughter, but never got the chance, the relative said.

"It's very sad," Rosa said. "He was a good man. I'm not going to be able to ride the ferry without thinking about this."

Pagan, she said, will be cremated and his ashes sent to Puerto Rico.

Police were looking into a report of two men fighting in the vicinity prior to the victim's death. The victim's belongings weren't taken, the source said.

Evans was drunk and uncooperative when authorities took him into custody Thursday, according to a source. He was being treated for a puncture wound to the arm at Richmond University Medical Center, police said.

According to online court records, Evans has two open cases for consumption of alcohol in the street.
NWS Barricade

Staten Island has seen an increase in murders and stabbings year-to-date when compared with citywide statistics. (Staten Island Advance/Maura Grunlund)

(Staff-Shot)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- While the NYPD is reporting a downward trend in violence year-to-date, numbers on Staten Island continue to rise.

There have been nine fewer murders in New York City in the first seven months of 2016, when compared to the previous year, according to a crime briefing from Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.

However, Staten Island has seen a 77.8 percent increase in murders year-to-date, according to the NYPD's CompStat data through July 31.

There have been 16 murders on Staten Island since January 1, eight of which have been fatal stabbings. Five of the eight have been domestic violence-related stabbing homicides.

Staten Island has seen a large increase in domestic violence-related stabbings this year.

According to the crime briefing, there have been 131 fewer shootings, or a decrease of 17.9 percent, citywide year-to-date.

Staten Island has also seen a decrease in year-to-date shootings, a decrease of 25.9 percent -- there have been 20 shootings so far this year, compared to 29 in 2015 as of July 31.

Bratton and Mayor Bill de Blasio contribute the decrease in violent crimes in New York City to precision policing, not stops and summonses.

"These results, coupled with the continued expansion of the NCO program, ensure the NYPD is at the forefront of a new policing model that fosters a city that is safe and fair, everywhere for everyone," Bratton said.

Overall, New York City recorded 680 fewer crimes in the month of July, or a 7 percent decrease, when compared with the same period last year.

"With 11,000 fewer New Yorkers arrested while crime continues to drop, NYPD has proven we can use precision policing to hone in on the few individuals responsible for the majority of crime in our city," de Blasio said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The St. George resident accused of fatally stabbing a 30-year-old man near the St. George Ferry Terminal on Thursday morning has a history of felony convictions and was once charged with murder nearly two decades ago -- and later released.

German Pagan, seen in this family photo, was fatally stabbed, authorities allege, by Leonard Evans near the St. George Ferry Terminal.

Authorities allege Leonard Evans, 49, stabbed Midland Beach resident German Pagan multiple times. Pagan's lifeless body was found on a park bench between Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George and the ferry terminal about 2 a.m., said police.

Evans is well known to authorities; he's served three separate prison stints dating to 1991 for robbery, sexual abuse and drug sales on Staten Island, according to Advance reports and online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Evans was most recently released from prison in August 2014 after serving the maximum time in a seven-to-14-year sentence for third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, records show. A jury convicted him in that case in January 2001, the Advance reported.

Evans was first sent upstate in 1991 after being sentenced to one to three years behind bars for a third-degree robbery conviction.

He returned to prison in 1997 after being convicted at trial in state Supreme Court, St. George, of first-degree sexual abuse, Advance records show.

Evans was found guilty of touching a 10-year-old girl's breasts, buttocks and private parts on two occasions between June and August 1996, the Advance reported.

The girl was fully clothed.

Evans was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, said online Correction Department records.

On Jan. 5, 1997, Evans was arrested and charged in the murder of Anthony Ievolella, 63, whose body was found in the hallway of his ransacked home at 102 Canal St. in the wee hours of New Year's Day, said Advance reports.

Police believed the victim was killed five days earlier on Dec. 27.

Evans didn't stay in custody long.

He was released on Jan. 9, 1997, because there wasn't enough evidence to keep him detained, the Advance reported.

In the latest case, Evans was drunk and uncooperative when authorities took him into custody Thursday, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. He was being treated at Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, for a puncture wound, police said.

Police were investigating a report of two men fighting in the vicinity before the victim's death. Pagan's belongings weren't taken, said the source.

Evans has two open cases pending in Criminal Court for alleged consumption of alcohol in the street.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A West Brighton man, accused of sexually abusing a 6-year-old male relative, has denied the charges and rejected an initial plea offer that would require him to spend 10 years in prison.

At his arraignment Wednesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, Adolfo Rosa Tiburcio pleaded not guilty through a Spanish interpreter to charges contained in a 10-count indictment.

The defendant also rejected prosecutors' offer to plead guilty to the top count against him, first-degree criminal sexual act, in exchange for a sentence of 10 years behind bars and 10 years' post-release supervision.

Rosa Tiburcio, then 23, was arrested April 20 and accused of sodomizing the boy inside his home on numerous occasions between January and April, according to court documents.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail, was ordered to return to court on Sept. 19 for a conference.

He is identified in online city Correction Department records as Adolfo Tiburcio-Rosa.

The defendant has an unrelated case pending in Criminal Court in which he's accused of misdemeanor counts of menacing and criminal weapon possession, stemming from an April 18 incident.

He's due back in court on Oct. 3 for that case, online state court records show.
Police protest

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton was a wanted man during demonstrations in City Hall Park. Demonstrators apparently got what they wanted.

(Associated Press)

New York City is about to get its 43rd police commissioner, and the timing seems, if not suspect, at least rushed.

A week ago, NYPD boss Bill Bratton told us he'd leave office at the end of Bill de Blasio's first term as mayor.

Next we know, demonstrations flare up outside City Hall over alleged police brutality, and the mayor is told City Hall will be shut down unless Bratton is fired.

Add to that the commissioner's refusal to apologize to a Bronx state assemblyman who says he was manhandled by a cop as the assemblyman intervened in a fight between a man and woman on the street.

That incident happened over the weekend. Bratton abruptly resigned Tuesday. You do the math.

The mayor and commissioner deny the threats had anything to do with Bratton's departure -- he will stay on another month to facilitate the transition -- but we suspect the mayor will not lose any sleep over it.

He has appointed veteran cop James O'Neill, said to be the architect of the department's neighborhood policing program, as the new commissioner.

It sounds like a program near the heart of Bill de Blasio. O'Neill had been chief of department.

De Blasio was elected on the promise he'd end stop-and-frisk -- for the most part, he did -- and make the NYPD more respectful of the community.

That promise needs work, many think, and we assume O'Neill is the guy to do it.

Building relationships between the communities of New York -- and that includes places like Park Hill, New Brighton and Stapleton on Staten Island -- and the cop on the beat is critical. Cops cruising through a neighborhood without ever interacting with residents, unless there is a crime, only fosters tense relationships.

In addition, we are impressed by the very positive reactions of Republican Borough President James Oddo and District Attorney Michael McMahon, a Democrat, to the appointment. In fact, McMahon singled out O'Neill's support of the DA's Staten Island drug initiatives.

So we support the mayor's pick and would be eager to work with Staten Island's NYPD to do whatever we can to introduce police officers to our neighbors.

But there is one area of policing we haven't heard enough about as this transition begins, and that is O'Neill's experience with counter-terrorism. You'd assume as chief of department, he was privy to all that went on in the confines of One Police Plaza, stopping lunatics bent on upending life in New York.

We need to know that the person heading the NYPD has the same passion for protecting us from attack as he does bolstering neighborhood relationships.

We cannot say it enough: Terrorism is a major threat to America and New York. Fighting it belongs on the front burner.
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The Belconnen Arts Centre is upping the ante and harnessing the might of the public try to to convince the ACT government to fund stage two of the centre - a multi-million dollar lakeside live performance venue.

Management of the centre says the Labor government always promised and planned for a second stage of which would be a live performance venue next to the centre, looking out over Lake Ginninderra, with seating for up to 400 patrons.

Belconnen Arts Centre chief execuive officer Daniel Ballantyne on the site of the live performance venue which is flagged to be built as stage two of the centre but which has not yet been funded by the ACT Government. Credit:Jamila Toderas

But then chief minister, Jon Stanhope, in 2010 denied the government had ever promised to do a second stage of the building

"What we've said is that we will assess the need and subject to that assessment we will perhaps one day proceed to a stage two," Mr Stanhope said at the time.
"When there are divisions we need to deal with the executor, and if there's no executor, it gets very messy," he said. Estates lawyer Barbara Campbell said similar principles applied when it came to wills, with fights between relatives, mainly centred around money, much more likely when a deceased had a blended family and no will. The uncertainty created increased likelihood of claims challenging the default intestacy rules, including from partners raising oral agreements the deceased may have made, and divisions could be ongoing. "In my experience, in many, many estate fights these families never get back to together, they implode and stay imploded, and the bitterness goes on for generations," she said. Ms Campbell said the number of people dying intestate in Canberra was probably lower than the national average. She said a will had many important benefits even when money wasn't being fought over.

"One of the things we include in wills is digital memorandums  people can't access bank accounts and we had a mother of a 19-year-old who died and she couldn't initially get them off Facebook or the digital media, it's horrendous." Ms Campbell said many people were unaware their marriage invalidated any earlier will. She also encouraged enduring power of attorney declarations to make it clear who would make difficult pre-death decisions when a loved one was incapable. National Dying to Know Day, where families are encouraged to have discussions about death, is on August 8. Leigh Nelson, whose partner Bill, 26, died in 2014, has warned others to prepare a will to avoid extra emotional and financial stress. Credit:Jay Cronan Leigh Nelson and her partner of 5.5 years Bill Spencer had no plans for death. Why would they? They were young, healthy, and had just bought their first house together in Dunlop.

But in October 2014, Bill, 26, suffered a catastrophic brain injury as a result of a fall from a skateboard while on the NSW south coast. The lack of a will seemed a minor issue, but with the default intestacy rules providing Bill's parents with the large majority of his estate, the grieving partner could have lost out. "Fortunately for me I'm very close to my partner's family," she said. Bill's parents readily agreed for the estate to go to Leigh, allowing her to pay the mortgage and stay in the house the young couple had bought. But she warns others there could have been a range of scenarios, including where a surviving partner and the deceased family did not get on, which would have threatened a very different outcome.

"I have raised it with a number of my friends, you've got to plan for the worst and hope for the best, if everything isn't sorted right you can end up in heartbreak," she said. "I had to get written reports about the fact we were together, and all these stat decs from family and friends  it was still traumatic to describe your relationship when you didn't have it any more." A fight over an estate could also bring financial pressure as funeral expenses and mortgage bills quickly gather. "You don't want to worry about money, but finances are something that tear people apart," she said. Solicitor Barbara Campbell said the risks became real for a mother whose son died after years of extra care and support from her.
The rejection of the proposed redevelopment of Manuka Oval by the GWS Giants and developers Grocon is somewhat of a surprise given the widespread view it was already a done deal.

It immediately points to a government that is wary of the huge wave of community resentment towards the project and the attitude of a Chief Minister to get world-class facilities, despite the cost to the bush capital values held within the territory.

Artist's impression of the proposed Manuka Oval redevelopment, now rejected.

The community should have been brought on board from the very start.

If there's anything to be learnt from this debacle, it's that the unsolicited bid process needs a rethink; clearly the community does not accept the developer-initiated approach.
Can you remember who said this?

"Nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the prime ministership. Until you've sat at that desk, you don't know what it's like to manage a global crisis, or send young people to war. But Malcolm's been in the room; he's been part of those decisions ... even in the middle of crisis, he listens to people, and keeps his cool, and treats everybody with respect."

In theory, this glowing reference could have been written by John Howard, who elevated the rookie backbencher to cabinet, or by Tony Abbott  who re-appointed Turnbull as a cabinet minister before being swept aside by the Turnbull juggernaut.

But actually, it wasn't a fair question. The author was Barack Obama. The "prime ministership" was inserted for, the "presidency" and "Malcolm" was actually "Hillary". Addressing the recent Democratic National Convention, Obama went on to laud Clinton's readiness for high office which includes her public service, two terms in the White House with Bill, her time in the US Senate, two gruelling primaries campaigns, and time as Obama's secretary of state.
The Turnbull government faces an almighty struggle to pass its centrepiece election policy  the 10-year plan for company tax cuts  through Parliament and achieve other big policy reforms thanks to the large Senate crossbench.

Legislating for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage is also not assured if Labor and the Greens decide to stand firm on a parliamentary vote on the issue.

If Labor and the Greens block legislation in the Senate, the government will need the support of nine of 11 crossbenchers to pass its bills  more than it required in the last Senate.

This means it will need the support of the Nick Xenophon and Pauline Hanson voting blocks plus two others.
Brian Burston wants to ban the building of mosques, limit Muslim immigration, and says Pauline Hanson is worried a successful referendum on recognising Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the constitution may open the floodgates to land claims across Australia.

One Nation's first NSW senator says the party will change the face of Australian politics and is here for the long haul.

He has been the prime mover in One Nation's renaissance.

A former University of Newcastle lecturer, Burston has been the one who stayed true to Hanson after she fell from grace amid internecine brawling and Australia turned from the politics that she rode to glory.
Caravan parks and road houses, telephone boxes and novelty sculptures: photographer Trent Mitchell has an eye for the unremarkable. After winning the sought-after $50,000 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize in 2015, Juniper Hall in Paddington has invited Mitchell back to exhibit his series, Australia. Seriously?.

His 2015 winning photo Boy in Boat was an observed moment of a boy surrounded by plaster shark heads at the Hervey Bay shark and whale show.

Boy in Boat, from 2015 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize winner's upcoming solo show, Australia. Seriously?. Credit:Trent Mitchell

Mitchell's photographs have been gathered over many road trips across Queensland and wider Australia and are a wry, somewhat mocking observation of the poor taste and absurd logic of our tourism industry. Shot on film, the colour is rich and textured and carries with it a sense of nostalgia.

The Queensland photographer brings a special focus on some of the lesser known "big things" of Australia  the kitsch, giant sculptures that mark tourists traps acoss the country. Who knew about the big galah? Or the big fly? Mitchell finds visual poetry in the banal elements of the classic Aussie road trip.
The team decided to study these "extreme responders" as they called them. To make sure they got only the truly exceptional cases  the Grout-style miracles  they set strict limits. They would look at patients with widespread cancer that couldn't be cleared by surgery but which had apparently responded to chemotherapy. "Patients who should have, in any other circumstances  relapsed early and died," deFazio says. Professor Anna deFazio is part of a team studying exceptional responses to cancer and the genomes that go with them. Credit:Wolter Peeters The ovarian cancer they were studying  high-grade serous  was so lethal that women who didn't relapse within three years were deemed extreme responders. The researchers tested genes they suspected of playing a part in exceptional response, but at that time they could only test those they already knew about. Given there are about 20,000 genes in the human genome it was something of a lucky dip. "We only got a certain way down the track," deFazio says. Professor David Bowtell, the head of Cancer Genomics and Genetics at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, lost his own mother to ovarian cancer in 1996 when far less was known about it. Credit:Justin McManus

But then Whole Genome Sequencing arrived. DeFazio and her colleagues  including experts from across the country who had joined forces to form the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study  knew it was the key to unlocking the secrets of patients like Grout. With Whole Genome Sequencing they would no longer have to guess which genetic mutations were present in the genome of a cancer tumour; they would be able to see the entire genome. If previously they had been looking for needle in a haystack, now they would see the entire stack in such detail it would be like looking through the Hubble telescope at the bruises and bends on each strand of hay. Professor Sean Grimmond, who investigates ovarian and pnacreatic cancer genomes, shows Health Minister Susan Ley, US Vice President Joe Biden and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews around a research labs at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Credit:Getty Images The new technology was particularly important when it came to exceptional responders because it would allow scientists to identify all the genetic mutations that tumours from these patients had in common. And it would let them see whether the mutations had been inherited  like the BRCA1 mutation that predisposes carriers to breast and ovarian cancer  or had been acquired as the cancer developed. Still, whole genome sequencing was slow and expensive, and the secrets of exceptional responders remained out of reach. The Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, took 13 years and $US2.7 billion ($3.5 billion). But then the cost and time involved plummeted, and over little more than a decade it became possible to sequence a genome in days and for a few thousand dollars. The secrets of the exceptional responders were within reach.

Thanks to egg donors, Bronwyn Grout has had three children since having both her ovaries removed: Emily, Daniel and Thomas. Credit:Kate Geraghty Earlier this year, the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study and its international partners got funding to map the genomes of exceptional responders to ovarian cancer therapy. The US Agency that awarded the funding after a four-year international competition has stipulated that the patients to be studied are those who have survived 10 years or more since therapy. It's a much more ambitious target than the three-years-without-relapse first nominated by deFazio and her colleagues. And it's a target they like. The devil in the detail "If you know the enemy," Sun Tzu writes in The Art of War, "you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Professor Sean Grimmond is lead investigator for Australia's effort to map ovarian and pancreatic cancer genomes for the International Cancer Genome Consortium. Credit:Justin McManus

It's a quote the head of the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study, Professor David Bowtell, is fond of repeating. When his mother died from ovarian cancer in 1996, four and a half years after being diagnosed, he didn't know the enemy at all. Now Bowtell  also head of Cancer Genomics and Genetics at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre  is determined to know all the secret mutations and behaviours of his nemesis. Back in 1996, ovarian cancer was thought of as one disease. It is, in fact, several. Cancer is essentially damage to the genome or operating system of an organism, which causes cells to grow out of control. And whole genome sequencing has revealed just how unique each cancer is. "In each genome there is a certain constellation of mutations," Bowtell says. "It's like being dealt a hand of cards. Two people with a hand may have some cards in common  some mutations in common  but each will be a unique combination." He wonders whether exceptional responders may have an unusual combination of mutations that make their cancer particularly vulnerable to therapy, "which would go to explaining the unusual nature of exceptional responders," he says. In addition to classifying ovarian cancer into several different subtypes, Bowtell and his colleagues have already identified three different kinds of exceptional responder. There are those, like Grout, whose cancer seems to just disappear in response to chemotherapy. "These are the ones whose biomarkers just drop off a cliff to a normal number and then just flatline," Bowtell says.

Then there are patients whose cancer returns following treatment but "for some reason the cancer doesn't learn to recognise the chemotherapy", so it keeps working, once, twice, several times. In a third group, the cancer disappears for longer stretches between chemo. The first kind of responder may have a mutation or cluster of mutations that makes their cancer vulnerable to treatment and Bowtell hopes that studying them might lead to drugs targeting specific mutations, while the other responders may hold the key to finding new ways of triggering the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Bowtell and his colleagues are not the only ones racing to learn out the secrets of the exceptional responder. In 2014, the National Cancer Institute in the United States announced an Exceptional Responders Initiative, which would study responders who had defied the odds in failed clinical trials as well as those who had done particularly well on standard treatments. In Australia, there is a project to sequence the genomes of a small number of patients that responded exceptionally well to therapy for the brain cancer glioblastoma  a therapy that failed clinical trials. (Two of these patients are still alive and receiving the "failed" therapy from the drug company on compassionate grounds even though the trial was closed in 2014). Other researchers have looked at exceptional responders to pancreatic cancer therapy.

Sean Grimmond, lead investigator for Australia's effort to map ovarian and pancreatic cancer genomes for the International Cancer Genome Consortium, remembers sequencing a pancreatic tumour for the consortium as the patient was starting palliative care. Grimmond and his colleagues found a mutation common in other types of cancer  BRCA2, best known for predisposing carriers to breast, ovarian and prostate cancer  that they suspected would make the tumour vulnerable to a certain type of chemotherapy. Their research was not allowed to influence patient care, and in any case sequencing technology was still too slow, but while they were still analysing the tumour they learnt the patient had received the chemotherapy as a palliative measure. It melted the tumour away. The researchers then found another exceptional responder among the patients they had sequenced for the consortium. This second patient also had a BRCA2 mutation and had received the same chemotherapy. And when Grimmond and colleagues reviewed other consortium patients who had responded well to the same chemo, they discovered all had damage to the BRCA2 or related genes, genes that play a crucial role in repairing DNA. The BRCA2 mutation has since been the basis of clinical trials here and overseas. "It's kind of a hackneyed idea, 'the war on cancer'," Bowtell says. "But to me it really feels like that." And with whole genome sequencing, he is finally getting to know his enemy.

Finding the unicorns Miracles tend to upend our basic assumptions about how the world works. Exceptional responders too, are shifting the very foundations of how we treat cancer. Back in 1998, when the Human Genome Project was still five years off completion, US computer scientist Marty Tenenbaum discovered a lump under his arm. It was the metastasis from a primary melanoma that his doctor couldn't find. Tenenbaum went to the payphone in the doctor's lobby and called his wife. "Houston, we have a problem," he said. "I was scared." Tenenbaum consulted as many doctors as he could, including the then head of the National Cancer Institute in Washington, for whom Tenenbaum had been doing pro-bono consulting. "They all agreed on one thing, which was that the prognosis was dire," he remembers. But what Tenenbaum found "intriguing" was that they didn't agree on the "Hail Mary". "Everyone had a different thing that I should try," he says. "I made a vow that if I somehow got through this that I would use my background as a computer scientist to try to solve that problem."

Tenenbaum pinpointed the clinical trial he wanted to be on, the one he thought held the most hope of curing his incurable cancer, only to be told he had the wrong haplotype, a cluster of genes that can determine immune response. Determined not to give up, Tenenbaum enrolled in another trial that combined extensive surgery to remove metastases  an uncommon treatment at the time  with immunotherapy. The trial failed because too few patients responded to the treatment. A few however, responded exceptionally well, including Tenenbaum. What did it mean that he had survived and others hadn't? That he had gotten into the one trial that could have cured him? "If I'd gone into the other study? Died." Grimmond says the existence of exceptional responders like Tenenbaum, "the unicorns", means we have to completely rethink the way cancer is treated. As it is, trials are generally only considered successful if a statistically significant percentage of patients respond to the therapy  even if those who do respond are practically healed. Whole genome sequencing allows researchers to identify identical mutations across different types of cancers and target patients they think will respond, whether they have breast or ovarian cancer or melanoma. They could also exclude those without the susceptible mutation, ensuring a better trial result. That would both lower the cost of trials and ensure many more drugs are kept in use.

UNSW's Associate Professor Kerrie McDonald, principal investigator on the study of exceptional responders to glioblastoma treatment, says "we need to stop ignoring the minority of patients who may actually respond to the drug and study their biology so we can better stratify the trial population leading to success". For Tenenbaum, the existence of exceptional responders and poor responders means "clinical trials in cancer don't make sense anymore" because once you factor in the millions of genetic subtypes and the thousands of possible drug combinations, "there are far too many hypotheses to explore". "People at the cutting edge of oncology are continually experimenting with individual patients  doing molecular profiling, trying to come up with a theory of how to treat this patient or that patient, using a combination of drugs, [but] no one captures that learning." In 2011, Tenenbaum founded Cancer Commons, which has been called the "LinkedIn" for cancer. Patients can post their case online and get a quick expert response recommending a particular trial or treatment, and then that patient can let the Commons know how their treatment went, improving understanding. The Commons is still building its network, but Tenenbaum's dream is that one day it will catalogue millions of individual treatments and outcomes as they occur and feed the results back into the system so that the understanding of what works and what doesn't is continually improving.

"I believe that based on the variation of outcomes, we can significantly extend life," he says. Maybe even downgrade cancer to a chronic disease for "half the people who are now dying". And that's without developing any new drugs. Grout, who with the help of egg donors has had three children following her exceptional response, would like those odds. She hopes that somewhere in her genome or in her cancer's genome there's something that will help the scientists who've turned the miraculous into exceptional turn the exceptional into everyday. "I don't believe it's a miracle," she says. "Because that would mean there can't be an explanation and it can't be benefited from by others." 'Failed drug' keeping two brain cancer patients alive She doesn't even know their names, but Associate Professor Kerrie McDonald hangs out for news of her exceptional responders. "I literally do," she says. Two weeks ago, she heard that both patients were still alive, almost two years after the clinical trial they'd been in was wound up.

"It's fantastic," she says, "completely unexpected." The trial of a combination therapy for recurrent glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, was deemed a failure because not enough of the 122 patients enrolled responded to the treatment. But about 10 per cent responded exceptionally including McDonald's two responders, who are still receiving the "failed" therapy on compassionate grounds from the drug company. Thanks to whole genome sequencing, McDonald is now comparing the genomes of the 10 patients who best responded to the treatment with the 10 patients who responded worst, "trying to find genes that are specific to each group". It's a big task  each genome takes McDonald between three and six months to sequence. Still, such explorations are only just recently possible, and McDonald says the landscapes they've opened up must change the way we treat cancer. "When you look at one tumour it's completely different to the next patient's tumour, yet we treat everyone the same." McDonald calls for a "more personalised approach", saying we need more biomarkers or "red flags" indicating the presence of a particular gene mutation or protein, for which patients can be tested before they're given a treatment to determine how they're likely to respond.
Standing in front of the mirror and staring into her brown eyes, Tracey Bigeni tells herself that she is strong and she is beautiful. It's something she does each day at her Kellyville home, in Sydney's north west, where she's now trying to fix her hair into a victory roll while feeding rusks to her nine month-old daughter Celeste in a high chair.

Bigeni's mum Judith arrives to help so she can finish getting ready, putting on apple-red lipstick and loading the car with an evening dress encrusted with diamantes and pearls, and a battery-operated bustle on her behind that will light up with the Luna Park face each time she turns for the crowd.

This is Bigeni's second time competing for Miss Pinup Australia, a curiously non-pageant pageant that celebrates vintage fashions and the women who wear them. The event encourages women of every age, shape and size to show off their love of 1940s and 1950s glamour. Eighteen of them gathered at Paddington RSL on Saturday night for the national finals.

Bigeni, a 45-year-old mother of four, competed under the stage name Miss Tee Cee  her nickname as a child  including her tribute to the early days of Luna Park. The title of Miss Pinup Australia 2016 was won by Miss Jade Serpentine, with Bigeni finishing third.
"Poorer people have poorer health outcomes and western Sydney is traditionally lower SES [socioeconomic status]," says University of Sydney researcher Jennifer Kent, an expert in how urban design influences health. Worse access to public transport, longer commutes and more time driving mean people in the west have less time to exercise or buy and cook healthy food, she says. The west also has fewer green open spaces than the east.

This is a clear warning that a section of the population is being left behind, Dr Kent says. "We have all these opportunities to engage in healthy behaviour in inner, urban areas but there's this rift we're creating, this huge divide, between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'." Women are catching up to men Men, watch your backs. Women have improved five times faster than men over the past 15 years, cutting roughly 16 per cent from their finishing times since 2000, compared with 3 per cent for men.

That's a 22-minute gain for women, compared with 2.5 minutes for men. This dwindling gender gap, also seen among elite athletes, comes down to two factors that have the same effect: growing the pool from which participants are drawn. "The population overall is increasing and the run is getting more and more popular. That's why times are getting better," says public health expert Timothy Olds, from the University of South Australia's Sansom Institute for Health research. "The bigger the population the more likely you are to get people at the extremes, the really good performers."

This effect can be seen in the charts, below, which track the evolution of the "typical" male and female runner. The charts show the distribution of participants by finishing time. The dual bumps in each chart represent the two main groups: runners (on the left) and walkers (on the right). The shape of the women's chart has become much more similar to the men's over 15 years. In the early 2000s, female walkers outnumbered runners. But by 2011-15 women were roughly 1.5 times more likely to run than to walk. Rising gender equality means female participation rates have grown far more rapidly than men's, Professor Olds says. (Even in 1971, only 2 per cent of runners in the first City2Surf were women, compared with 51 per cent in 2015.)

"And that's obviously influenced by social and cultural issues" that have historically discouraged women from playing sport, he says. "It wasn't considered very ladylike." We're all getting faster Both the men's and women's charts show the number of runners and the number of participants have risen hand-in-hand. This means the whole city is running faster. In the early 2000s our "fastest" postcodes were finishing in roughly 95 minutes; our "slowest" in 2 hours and 53 minutes. By 2011-15, the fastest were finishing in under 85 minutes; the slowest in around 2 hours and 10 minutes.

At the same time, the gap between our fastest and slowest postcodes has shrunk from 24 minutes in 2000-04 to 18 minutes in 2011-15. "The average punter is now better prepared  There's better support, focus training groups, more people are educated in how to train," UTS sport and exercise scientist Aaron Coutts says. "It's almost like a high performance mindset, where the challenge used to be to walk [the race] but now, people aim to run it." It's a bright spot in an era of soaring obesity rates and declining physical activity, Professor Coutts says. Loading
A gunman remains at large after shooting a 20-year-old outside his Sydney home as the victim's mother and sister listened to it unfold inside.

Blood splatters still stained the steps outside the Heckenberg home of Aseel Abbas on Saturday, almost 24 hours after he was shot in the hip.

Neighbours said they heard shouting before a gunshot rang out on North Liverpool Road just after 5pm on Friday.

One nearby resident said she saw Mr Abbas, the youngest of four siblings, talking to someone in a black car 15 minutes before he was shot.
IVF clinics have been caught offering flat payments to egg and sperm donors, which could constitute an illegal inducement.

The National Health and Medical Research Council has written to all IVF clinics around Australia advising it is aware that "a number" of clinics are offering set payments to egg and sperm donors.

IVF can be a cruel, debilitating and intrusive process physically and mentally.

The council has warned clinics set payments for donations can constitute "valuable consideration", or an inducement. This is illegal under the federal law, and can be punishable by a 15-year jail term. IVF clinics are only allowed to reimburse individual donors for "reasonable expenses" incurred as a result of their donation.

"Payment of a predetermined amount to all donors, without any consideration of individual circumstances, may constitute valuable consideration if the amount exceeds the reasonable expenses incurred by the individual during the donation process," NHMRC executive director Samantha Robertson wrote to the clinics.
When a mother's path to safety means uprooting children from their bedroom to enter the strange world of shared bathrooms in a refuge, too often she will stay put instead.

In the worst scenarios, women fleeing their homes because of domestic violence are forced to leave young sons behind because of an outdated model of communal living in women's refuges that bans teenage boys from the premises.

Jules Sebastian says families being able to stay in a self-contained unit would particularly benefit children. Credit:Nic Walker

A new proposal to overhaul refuges and rebuild them as clusters of self-contained units to shelter women and their children has been put to the Baird government as a "common sense" solution to one of the biggest issues facing domestic violence victims: housing.

It has the backing of Guy and Jules Sebastian's charitable foundation, which has pledged to furnish bedrooms and lounge rooms, install kitchens with partner Freedom Kitchens, and offer building assistance on one refuge  if the Baird government funds construction costs for a pilot project.
Just two of the busload of University of NSW students who participated in a sexist chant which referred to women as "buns in the oven" they'd like to "cream by the dozen" have been disciplined, receiving temporary suspensions and formal warnings.

In April a group of male students from Philip Baxter College were filmed on a bus singing the offensive "call and answer" chant during an annual boys' night out.

The University of NSW has disciplined two students after completing its investigation into an incident involving students singing an offensive chant on a bus. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The chant includes lyrics such as "I wish that all the ladies were holes in the road and if I was a dump truck I'd fill them with my load", and "I wish that all the ladies were bells on a tower and if I was a bell boy I'd bang them every hour".

At the time of the incident UNSW said it had "zero tolerance for offensive behaviour of this nature". It launched an investigation and said it would take steps to ensure incidents like that did not occur again.
A killer-for-hire who gunned down a crown witness in a drug case outside his south-west Sydney home has been found guilty of murder.

Carrying a .45 calibre pistol, Maximilian Mazzilli waited in the shadows for Gemahl Maika to drive into his Glen Alpine garage before shooting him five times on April 6, 2011.

Maximilian Mazzilli was arrested in Wiley Park in 2014 over the murder of Gemahl Maika at Glen Alpine in Sydney's south-west. Credit:NSW Police

It had been alleged during Mazzilli's trial in the NSW Supreme Court recently that he carried out the execution at the behest of another man - 35-year-old Luke Sparos.

It was allegedly part of a chillingly brazen plot to silence Mr Maika after he gave evidence in court about a cocaine importation racket linked to Sparos.
As they have every year since 1876 - give or take a Spanish flu outbreak and World War II cancellation - Queenslanders came in their tens of thousands to celebrate all things country and carnival - and of course, strawberry sundaes - to the Royal Exhibition Showgrounds for the biggest party of the year.

The 2016 Royal Queensland Show - known as the Ekka to anyone north of the border - celebrated its first weekend with sunshine, sundaes and the famous Brisbane August westerlies.

At least 30,000 people went through the gates on Friday, with that number to be topped and then some by the weekend visitors, hoping to get in some food on a stick, baby animal encounter and an ice-cream or three before the traditional People's Day holiday on Wednesday.

Georgia Donaldson, 3, has been coming almost as long as she's been alive.
After years of inaction, Queensland is finally moving to legalise same-sex adoption.

As part of a planned overhaul of the state's adoption laws, which were last reviewed under a Labor government in 2009, the Palaszczuk Labor Government will introduce legislation this month which will allow singles, same-sex couples and couples undergoing IVF the right to adopt children.

Adoption laws are to change in Queensland in an overhaul announced by the State Government on Saturday. Credit:iStock

Queensland is one of the last Australian jurisdictions to move forward with these reforms, with New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Western Australia already having made changes.

"It is about time that Queensland caught up with other Australian states and territories to allow same sex couples to adopt children in Queensland," Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman said.
If you've ever imagined yourself at the controls of the world's biggest and most expensive science experiment, now is your chance.

Built by more than 10,000 people from across the world at a cost of 10 billion, CERN's Large Hadron Collider is a 27-kilometre circular particle accelerator buried beneath the Swiss-French countryside. It smashes protons together in order to find out how atoms and other fundamental particles work.

It's also where the world wide web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee.

Now you can wander its corridors, experience near light-speed collisions and discover the mysterious Higgs boson right here in Sydney.
Beirut: Syrian rebels broke through to besieged opposition-held areas in eastern Aleppo on Saturday in an assault on a major government military complex meant to end a month-long siege, insurgents and a monitoring group said.

Pro-government media outlets denied the siege had been broken and a US State Department official said the situation was "too fluid" to comment upon. The heavy fighting and air strikes reported from the area seemed to indicate any passage that may have been opened would be far from secure enough for civilians to travel through.

Rebels have been trying to break through a thin strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect insurgent areas in western Syria with their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo, in effect breaking a government siege begun last month.

The offensive against the government's Ramousah military complex, which contains a number of military colleges, began on Friday. Taking control of Ramousah and linking up with eastern Aleppo would isolate government-held western Aleppo by cutting the southern route out toward the capital Damascus.
Estela de Carlotto, from Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, greets Mario Bravo during a press conference to announce the identification of the man who as a child was taken from his mother during the military dictatorship. Credit:AP Roisinblit's daughter Patricia, a medical student, was eight months pregnant with her second child when a hit squad abducted her husband, then came looking for his wife. On October 16, 1978, Patricia and her 15-month-old daughter Mariana were arrested. The daughter was then offloaded onto relatives while Patricia was hauled away. "I didn't know what to do," Roisinblit told me the first time I met her, at the headquarters of the Grandmothers' offices in Buenos Aires. People had not yet realised the extent of the abductions, by plain-clothes police in unmarked green Ford Falcons. "At that time," she added, "no one was talking about the disappeared". Estela de Carlotto holds a framed photo of her and her grandson Ignacio, who was stolen as a baby. Credit:AP Newly retired as an obstetrician, Roisinblit turned to human rights bodies that had existed before the coup. A lawyer helping the families of the missing introduced her to four or five other grandmothers, and together they started to fight back. It is difficult now to imagine the courage it must have taken when, every Thursday at 3pm, the women marched to the seat of government to demand their relatives' return. The Mothers and the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo donned white headscarves that soon became their emblem, and circled the square since the state of emergency forbade them to congregate or stand. The only opposition groups to publicly stand up to the dictatorship, the Mothers still march there every Thursday to this day.

Roisinblit, calculating Patricia's due date, canvassed hospitals, orphanages and juvenile courts, searching on behalf of her fellow Grandmothers as well as herself. She has never forgotten the hostility they faced from those who sympathised with the regime. The judge in Lomas de Zamora, Roisinblit remembers, "said she would never hand over a child to the likes of us". The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers. Carlotto, for her part, was a teacher in the nearby city of La Plata when, in November 1977, her daughter Laura was taken away. Aged 23 and three months pregnant, Laura was an activist who was unafraid to fight for her beliefs. Desperate, Carlotto went to the police, even to a general, Reynaldo Bignone, pleading in vain for her daughter's release. Months later, she learnt from a former prisoner that Laura was still pregnant and still in custody, and planned to name her baby Guido after her father if it turned out to be a boy. Then, one day in August 1978, Carlotto was summoned by the military. The maimed body of her daughter was handed over; Bignone told her she was "privileged" to get her back. Seven years later, after democracy had returned, a team of forensic investigators reopened her grave and confirmed that Laura had indeed given birth, and had been killed with several bullets in the back of the head. For years, all Carlotto would know about her grandchild was the word of another survivor who she met later in Brazil, and who informed her that Laura had indeed had a son. Ever after, every time Carlotto heard someone call "Guido" in the street she would halt, wondering could it be him. Carlotto turned to the Grandmothers just a few months before Roisinblit. Both worked tirelessly with the association, following up leads, travelling abroad to raise awareness, attending conferences in the United States that explored the new science of genetics.

Even if the Grandmothers could locate a child, they were deeply aware of the difficulty of proving its identity. Their anxiety became the impetus for a crucial development: a DNA test that could identify a child through genetic samples from its grandparents, even if its parents had disappeared. At the same time, the Grandmothers, were receiving testimony from witnesses. Tip-offs came in the form of letters or anonymous phone calls. "There's a policeman's wife who was never pregnant and suddenly has a new-born", Roisinblit said, illustrating the kind of messages they received. After all these years, she confided, such testimonies were still coming in. "A man phoned recently from Tucuman," Roisinblit said. "He wouldn't give his name but he had something that had been weighing on him for 28 years. 'I can't keep this secret: I know the case of a girl who is now married,' he said, and he gave all the facts, which we passed over to our investigation department. He gave the appropriator's name." From the very beginning, the Grandmothers always investigated such reports. In the early days, some disguised themselves as saleswomen of baby products, or got employed as maids so they could enter an appropriator's home. Sometimes they were able to photograph a child from a distance, or the school would provide a name.

A small detail could be enough to identify a missing child. One mother even pierced her baby's ears and left a blue suture thread dangling in each one in the hope that it would help her baby be recognised and it did. Witnesses remembered seeing her in the first days after her birth and this helped situate the baby at a specific place at a specific time. From survivors, Roisinblit learnt that her daughter had given birth at ESMA, the notorious naval mechanics school in Buenos Aires that had a torture chamber in its basement and a maternity room under the roof. The baby, Roisinblit learnt, was a boy that Patricia had named Rodolfo Fernando. But after that, she had no more leads. It took 22 years from Patricia's abduction when an anonymous tip-off finally reached the Grandmothers. It described an Air Force couple that had a falsified birth certificate for their son. Tracking him down at his workplace, Roisinblit's granddaughter, Mariana approached the young man in April 2000, and asked if he was her brother. She left him a book containing a photograph of her parents, and the Grandmothers' address. Curious, he went to see the Grandmothers, and agreed to do a DNA test. The results proved that Mariana was indeed his sister and that he was Roisinblit's missing grandson  the 68th missing grandchild to be found. While Roisinblit's happiness was enormous, it was also bitter-sweet. "At first he took it very well, everything was fine," she told the Argentine news site in May. "But when the court summoned his appropriators, investigated them, put them on trial and sent them to jail, he didn't like it as much."

Perhaps the most pernicious aspect of the theft of children is the emotional havoc it can wreak on that child's life. Reclaiming their identity sets off an investigation of the appropriating parents, eliciting powerful feelings of responsibility and guilt. Raised in a particular ideological environment, they have to confront the lies they have grown up with, and accept a new history and identity. And every recovered grandchild has perilous terrain to negotiate in relating to the two families in their life. "I want to keep on being Guillermo Francisco Gomez," Roisinblit's grandson said in an interview with the newspaper La Nacion shortly after learning who he was. "I want to remain the son of my parents and not of two people I have never known." Still, Roisinblit continued to phone him, even when he rejected her calls. Then one day it occurred to her to ask him a simple question; "Tell me, Guillermo, this lady you call your mother, is she my daughter?" she asked. That was the trigger. "He realised that, faced with the truth, there was nothing he could do," she said. "He accepted the truth." For Roisinblit, having lost her only child and spending 22 years searching for her grandson, you sense how hard this last part has been. "We had to struggle," she said. "I had to win the affection of my grandson. It took me 15 years."

Estela Carlotto, for her part, watched other reunions take place as the 80th, then the 100th grandchild was found. About Guido, there was still no word. There had been no tip-off, no denunciation from any quarter, no testimony from any neighbour or friend. She was 85 years old when, in July 2014, a young man with doubts about his identity walked into the Grandmothers' offices and asked for their help. Brought up by tenant farmers deep in the pampas, on a ranch belonging to a landowner close to the military, Ignacio Hurban had only just discovered he'd been adopted. A composer and pianist of 36, he did a DNA test that proved that he was Guido, Carlotto's missing grandson. He was the 114th stolen grandchild to come home. As news of their meeting sped around the globe, Argentina exploded in joy. "I thought one day I would find him," Carlotto told me in April, after a ceremony in Paris to mark the anniversary of the coup. "It was the search that was hard," she added. "Thirty-six years looking for him, it's a lifetime of hope and disappointment." Since then, however, "it's been happiness. We spend as much time together as we can."

Then, she confided that Ignacio was about to become a father making her a great-grandmother for the first time in her life. Perhaps because of the circumstances of his "adoption", or because he himself had initiated the inquiries, Ignacio's meeting with Carlotto has been less fraught than Guillermo's with Roisinblit. The appropriating parents of Ignacio  whom Carlotto can't help calling Guido  will be investigated, but responsibility may be found to lie with the landowner who reportedly thrust the baby upon them, and who himself has recently died. Carlotto says it is up to the courts to decide how Guido became Ignacio; what she feels is an enormous calm. "He gives me peace," she says of her grandson. "It gives me peace when I think of Laura. I think: my mission is accomplished. I can rest in peace." But neither she nor Roisinblit has ceased their work. Just three weeks ago, on June 30, Carlotto, with Roisinblit at her side, announced the recovery of the 120th stolen grandchild. But 400 more remain missing, and the Grandmothers are growing old. It is perhaps a comfort to them, and testimony to all they have struggled for, that the grandchildren they have dedicated their lives to recovering have promised to continue searching, to keep the flame alive.
Beijing: China on Friday accused Japan's new defence minister of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops massacred civilians in China during World War Two.

Tomomi Inada, a 57-year old lawmaker known for her revisionist views of Japan's wartime actions, took up her post on Thursday and repeatedly sidestepped questions at a briefing on whether she condemned atrocities committed by Japan.

China consistently reminds its people of the 1937 massacre in which it says Japanese troops killed 300,000 people in its then capital.

A postwar Allied tribunal put the death toll at 142,000, but some conservative Japanese politicians and scholars deny a massacre took place at all.
The wife and girlfriend of a deceased New Jersey man have placed competing obituaries side-by-side in their local paper because they could not agree on how to phrase the 55-year-old's death notice.

The notices, for Bill Black of Egg Harbor Township, appeared next to each other in the Friday edition of the Press of Atlantic City  a daily newspaper in New Jersey.

The competing obituaries were placed side-by-side in Friday's edition of the Press of Atlantic City. Credit:Twitter

They have also been published online.

One of the notices says Mr Black is survived by a "loving wife" and son after passing away on August 2 surrounded by family.
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has issued shoot-to-kill orders against elected officials, telling one mayor he should be shot "like a dog" because of his alleged involvement in drugs.

The man known as "The Punisher" says he plans within days to name 27 mayors, judges and national politicians who he claims are involved in the drug trade who will not be exempt from his shoot-to-kill orders if they resist arrest.

Two mayors wept before him and pleaded to be taken off the list while two others offered to resign from their positions.

Human rights groups have called for Mr Duterte to halt the killings as the body count grows to more than 600, many of them by unknown assailants or vigilante groups.
Washington: America's former top spy has claimed that Donald Trump is being "played" by Vladimir Putin, who recruited him as an "unwitting agent" for Russia.

Michael Morell said Mr Putin drew on his training as a career intelligence officer to manipulate the Republican presidential nominee from afar, causing him to advocate pro-Russian policies. Mr Morell, acting director and deputy director of the CIA between 2010 and 2013, said the billionaire would be a "dangerous commander-in-chief" and a risk to national security.

The latest, and most stark, warning against Mr Trump from within the US intelligence community came as he slipped 15 points behind Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival, in one poll.

Mr Trump was also forced into a rare admission of wrongdoing after he erroneously claimed to have seen a video of $400 million being paid by the Obama administration to Iran.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martins School of Continuing Education & Life Long Learning celebrated its first Anniversary on August 1, 2016. SCELL opened its door a year ago and celebrated the launch of this new and innovative Business Arm of USM with a quaint but sophisticated celebration in the elegantly lite courtyard. Dignitaries, press, USMs staff and faculty, leaders from the University of the Virgin Islands, politicians, the honorary Board members of USM, the most respected Managing Directors and Human Resources mangers on the island, local organizations large and small and members of the community lined the seats under the big tent and embraced the idea. The idea, that St. Maarten finally had a training and development organization that understood their needs, their culture and was equipped to develop effective training programs to meet the needs of their valued work teams at all levels on their motherland.

The birth of SCELL has rocked St. Maarten and hasnt stopped since August 1st of 2015. To date they have over 100 plus customized trainings to offer, established relationships with the biggest organizations on the island, founded two organizations, Womens Island Network, (WIN) & Young Professionals Network (YPN) both sharing the same vision to raise funds to encourage women and men ages 18-45 to pursue higher learning degrees at USM. That is not all; both of the organizations unison will be award 12 scholarships to students this Fall. The six male scholarships and six female scholarships will be awarded to students who will be pursuing a Hospitality degree in USMs accredited and successful BTEC program.

SCELL has officially pronounced the month of September as the Caribbeans, Get Ready for the High Season month. The foundation of the conference is to support the economic sustainability of St. Maarten by hosting a conference that is encouraging other islands to register and attend and join the festivities. This conference has catapulted SCELL as an automatic leader, the training mecca throughout the Caribbean. SCELL will offer 40 plus trainings throughout the month of September ranging from Public Speaking, Accounting Basics, Supervisory Boot Camp, Customer Service Boot Camp, Microsoft Excel 101, Management & Leadership Boot Camp, Writing Skills for Professionals, Sales & Marketing techniques, Email Etiquette and two opportunities to earn certifications from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). AHLEI is the global leader in hospitality training and hotel management certifications in the world. The Certified Guest Services Professional training will be facilitated by Erwin Wolthuis, USMs BTEC Hospitality Division Head and Certified Hospitality Educator and Dr. Gittens, a Master Certified Hospitality Educator one of only 13 in the world, appointed by AHLEI will facilitate the Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) 4 day training offered in St. Maarten for the first time in history by USM. The conference kicks off on September 9 and runs through September 30 and will be held simultaneously at Divi Little Bay Resort and The University of St. Martin.

For more information on the Get Ready for High Season Conference visit the SCELL website at @ http://scell.usmonline.onl/index.php/highseason or call SCELL today at 543-3710 or 554-2437 or email us @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Rebel Republicans Will Hold an Event in late August to Endorse Johnson & Weld over Clinton & Trump

Mitt Romney, George Bush 41 and George Bush 43, as well as other mainstream Republican party figures, are set to endorse Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson next week, say sources within the "Never Trump" movement and other disaffected Republicans.

Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico, is known for having balanced the budget during his 8 year tenure. The Libertarian's Vice presidential running mate is also a former Republican governor, William Weld of Massachusetts. No one within the Republican party is especially happy having to endorse businessman Donald Trump. Even Trump supporters such as Newt Gingrich have recently called for an "intervention" or reset of the floundering Trump campaign.

Meanwhile, Trump himself repeatedly refused to endorse fellow Republicans such as House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. John McCain, and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte; dismaying Trump's last major ally within the Party, Reince Priebus. Priebus finally got the Donald to endorse Ryan, McCain and Ayotte on Friday, but the damage to party unity is done. http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/08/06/news/romney-mccain-bush-other-major-republicans-will-endorse-libertarian-gary-johnson/1713.html

So the move is neither far-fetched, nor unexpected. It is also a backdoor to having a Republican ticket consisting of major, experienced party figures, on the ballot in all 50 states. Both Weld and Johnson were Republicans when they were governors of their respective states.

Johnson has polled around 10% in recent national polls, against Clinton, Trump, and the Green Party's candidate Jill Stein. Johnson has described Trump as "crazy," "racist," and "a wimp." Weld has said that Trump should look into "another occupation--really anything other than President of the United States."

Newsweek says that the Libertarians "charm" could swing the election. http://www.newsweek.com/charm-libertarians-johnson-weld-presidential-debates-487371

Major liberty Caucus and never trump republican leaders are reportedly supporting and endorsing Johnson and Weld for president. https://alibertarianfuture.com/2016-election/endorsements/rlc-nevertrump-leaders-found-republicans-johnsonweld-superpac/

Bush 43 and Romney 2008 veteran Dan Senor said he will endorse the Libertarians "Reluctantly. He also called for Johnson to appear on the debate stage with Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Senor said Trump lacks the personal integrity to be president.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/08/05/anti-trump_gop_strategist_dan_senor_pushes_for_gary_johnson_to_appear_on_debate_stage.html

"There has been a striking consistency to Donald Trump's behavior over the last year and even before that," Senor observed Friday morning on MSNBC. "The birther attacks against Barack Obama. At any time anybody following this closely can they honestly believe that Donald Trump has the temperament or values or the character or the integrity to be president of the United States? No."

Senor said Libertarian party nominee Gary Johnson is "missing an opportunity to reach out to conservative voters." Johnson ran a pot farm ten years ago, and admits to consuming cannabis edibles recently; which fact has been a small problem for him with certain segments of the voting population. They refer to him as "Puff the Magic Dragon."

"I like Gary Johnson," Senor said. "I don't like the things he's been saying, particularly the last few days, but he and [William] Weld are missing an opportunity to reach out to conservative voters. I think if they changed their focus there is a lot of conservative voters they could pick up."

Reportedly 13% of US voters say they would rather have a large meteorite hit the earth then have either trump or Clinton as president. And former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has said that he will support the libertarian candidates over Trump or Clinton.

Face it, Dems: Bill and Hillary Clinton carry more baggage than Air Force One. Don't deny it; I'm old enough to remember the 1990's. As for Mr. Trump; various psychologists have theorized that he is either a narcissistic sociopath or a megalomaniac with sociopathic tendencies. See for example http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/the-mind-of-donald-trump/480771/ Take your pick.

As voters discover they have a third party choice, increasingly they are just saying "no."

Gary Earl Johnson, 63, is a businessman, politician and the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2016 election. He served as the 29th Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 as a member of the Republican Party. He was the Libertarian Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election.

Johnson announced his candidacy for president on April 21, 2011, as a Republican, on a libertarian platform emphasizing the United States public debt and a balanced budget through a 43% reduction of all federal government spending, protection of civil liberties, an immediate end to the War in Afghanistan and his advocacy of the FairTax.

On December 28, 2011, after being excluded from the majority of the Republican Party's presidential debates and failing to gain traction while campaigning for the New Hampshire primary, he withdrew his candidacy for the Republican nomination and announced that he would continue his presidential campaign as a candidate for the nomination of the Libertarian Party. He won the Libertarian Party nomination on May 5, 2012. His chosen running mate Judge James P. Gray of California won the vice-presidential nomination. The Johnson/Gray ticket received 0.99% of the popular vote, amounting to 1.27 million votes, more than all other minor candidates combined. It was the best showing in the Libertarian Party's history by vote count.

On January 6, 2016, Johnson announced his candidacy for the Libertarian nomination once again in 2016, and in May he selected former Republican Governor of Massachusetts William Weld as his running mate. On May 29, 2016, Johnson won the Libertarian nomination on the second ballot with 55.8% of the delegates.
"The US justifies and advances the global war on terror via its alliance with Israel and is complicit in genocide against the Palestinians..."

ADL: We categorically reject the document's criticism of the United States and Israel as being 'complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.'

The Black Lives Matter movement stands to lose potential support from influential Jewish organizations after release of a platform that slanders Israel. The activist movement associated with protests across the nation in support of blacks wrongfully killed by white and white police officers recently released a lengthy platform of principles. Among those, catalogued under "Invest-Divest," is this statement, filled with old and oft-refuted canards against the Jewish state:

"The US justifies and advances the global war on terror via its alliance with Israel and is complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people. The US requires Israel to use 75 percent of all the military aid it receives to buy US-made arms. Consequently, every year billions of dollars are funneled from US taxpayers to hundreds of arms corporations, who then wage lobbying campaigns pushing for even more foreign military aid. The results of this policy are twofold: it not only diverts much needed funding from domestic education and social programs, but it makes US citizens complicit in the abuses committed by the Israeli government. Israel is an apartheid state with over 50 laws on the books that sanction discrimination against the Palestinian people. Palestinian homes and land are routinely bulldozed to make way for illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli soldiers also regularly arrest and detain Palestinians as young as 4 years old without due process. Everyday, Palestinians are forced to walk through military checkpoints along the US-funded apartheid wall."

(https://policy.m4bl.org/invest-divest/)

In its decision to wage moral war against Israel, the BLM movement apparently ascribes to the notion of "intersectionality," the idea that all revolutionary struggles are related, and seeks to identify with the Palestinians. Palestinians are Arabs caught in land conquered by Israel during the 1967 war in which Israel's Arab neighbors sought to utterly destroy the country. These Arabs were not repatriated into the countries from which they came but have remained on Israeli land ever since. Violent attacks against Israeli Jews have also occurred ever since.

It is not surprising that the BLM movement would sympathize with the "struggle" of the Palestinians, whose cause largely involves a demand that all Jews leave the region and surrender their homes and businesses. The BLM's official statements reflect desire to blame all problems in the black community and the world on "the state." Implied is the idea that all misfortunes can be traced to some powerful (white) oppressor. This is similar to the claims of the Palestinians, who do not accept responsibility for their own failed leadership or for their betrayal by the countries to whom they were native. Instead, they blame Jews who purchased and worked hard for the land they govern and in which they flourish. Below is an excerpt from the "herstory" of the movement on the BLM website:

"When we say Black Lives Matter, we are talking about the ways in which Black people are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity. It is an acknowledgement Black poverty and genocide is state violence. It is an acknowledgment that 1 million Black people are locked in cages in this countryone half of all people in prisons or jailsis an act of state violence. It is an acknowledgment that Black women continue to bear the burden of a relentless assault on our children and our families and that assault is an act of state violence.

"Black queer and trans folks bearing a unique burden in a hetero-patriarchal society that disposes of us like garbage and simultaneously fetishizes us and profits off of us is state violence; the fact that 500,000 Black people in the US are undocumented immigrants and relegated to the shadows is state violence;.the fact that Black girls are used as negotiating chips during times of conflict and war is state violence; Black folks living with disabilities and different abilities bear the burden of state-sponsored Darwinian experiments that attempt to squeeze us into boxes of normality defined by White supremacy is state violence. And the fact is that the lives of Black people-not ALL people-exist within these conditions is consequence of state violence."

(http://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/)

The founding principles of the group are called a "herstory" because the group was founded by three queer women who apparently are even offended by the prefix "his" in "history."

There may be little by which this group is not offended.

In response to the BLM's stated platform slandering Israel came a complete disassociation from the group by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston. Their statement includes the following:

"We are deeply dismayed by elements of this platform, specifically the co-opting and manipulation of a movement addressing concerns about racial disparities in criminal justice in the United States in order to advance a biased and false narrative about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. To conflate the experiences of African-Americans and Palestinians oversimplifies complex matters and advances false equivalencies that diminish the unique nature of each.

JCRC cannot and will not align ourselves with organizations that falsely and maliciously assert that Israel is committing "genocide." We denounce an agenda to wage economic and cultural warfare against Israelis, including efforts to mobilize against state and local efforts that reject the "BDS" movement. We reject participation in any coalition that seeks to isolate and demonize Israel singularly amongst the nations of the world.

As we dissociate ourselves from the Black Lives Matter platform and those BLM organizations that embrace it, we recommit ourselves unequivocally to the pursuit of justice for all Americans, and to working together with our friends and neighbors in the African-American community, whose experience of the criminal justice system is, far too often, determined by race...."

Fair Use excerpt from "Solidarity Demonstration in Nazareth: Ferguson to Palestine" http://vimeo.com/116675694 Marc Lamont Hill on the "Revolutionary Struggle Against Israel." Israel is an apartheid state with over 50 laws on the books that sanction discrimination against the Palestinian people. Palestinian homes and land are routinely bulldozed to make way for illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli soldiers also regularly arrest and detain Palestinians as young as 4 years old without due process. Everyday, Palestinians are forced to walk through military checkpoints along the US-funded apartheid wall.

Also tasking the group with calumny against the Jewish state was the Anti-Defamation League. Previously, the powerful ADL had embraced BLM and even provided them with lesson plans to use in schools. Without formally breaking from BLM, the ADL nevertheless released a forceful tweet in which they stated the following:

"But would-be allies in the struggle for civil and human rights along with justice and fair treatment cannot ignore the Platform's false and blatantly one-sided position on US-Israel relations and Israeli-Palestinian issues. We categorically reject the document's criticism of the United States and Israel as being 'complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people.' The Jewish community knows too much about genocide. It's repellent and completely inaccurate. And the Platform completely ignores incitement and violence perpetrated against Israelis by some Palestinians, including terror inside the country and rocket attacks lobbed from Gaza."

However, given the Black Lives Matter movement's suspicion of and accusations against everyone who is not their color - according to their own website - they will probably not mind getting abandoned by US Jewish organizations, who would be, in their eyes, just more enemies.
Tellza Announces 2016 Q2 Financial Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO  (Marketwired)  08/05/16  Tellza Communications Inc. (TSX: TEL) announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

2016 Highlights

Communications Business

Technology Business

Investment Business

Corporate

While we conduct our business primarily in USD and report our financial results in USD, our common shares are listed and trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in CDN dollars. Expressed in CDN dollars, YTD EBITDA(i) was $2.0 million or $0.16/share and Net Income was $0.7 million or $0.06/share.

Tellzas communications business operates in the nearly free market for international communications. Our investment in systems and processes over the last few years has allowed us to remain profitable, while many of our competitors have commenced exiting the business. We believe that the nearly free communications market will remain strong and sizeable into the future.

Tellzas strategy is to invest excess cash flows from its core business into new business activities and adjacent markets aimed at improving our cash flows and profitability, while continuing to acquire up to 5% annually of its outstanding common stock for cancellation when market conditions permit, said Gary Clifford, Executive Chairman, Tellza Communications Inc.

The Companys financial statements and other disclosures are available on SEDAR.

The Companys corporate profile is located at .

About Tellza

Tellza is a technology company operating primarily in the communication market. The business is organized into three business units: Tellza Communications, Tellza Technologies and Tellza Investments. Tellza Communications is a global communications company operating under several brands including Phonetime, and MatchCom. Tellza Technologies provides real-time big data management tools for the telecommunications market. Tellza Investments is focused on the financial products support business through our portfolio investments in Merkez and Rightway. Tellza is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TEL).

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information:

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words like expects, anticipates, plans, intends, indicates or similar expressions. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Tellzas actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors set forth in reports and other documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time. See which contains all securities files.

(i)We define EBITDA and Cash Profits as earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation, and interest. EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, it is a standard measure used in the telecommunications industry to assist in understanding and comparing operating results. EBITDA is reviewed regularly by management and our Board of Directors in assessing performance and in making decisions regarding the ongoing operations of the business and the ability to generate cash flows. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a companys performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance nor does it have a standardized meaning under IFRS. In evaluating these measures, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating as such measures may differ among companies and analysts. Below is a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income for the periods presented:

Financial summary:

Contacts:

Tellza Communications Inc.

Gary Clifford

Executive Chairman

647 281 1831
Here are the raises coming for Mishawaka teachers and administrators

From teachers and administrators to bus drivers and substitutes, increased pay is coming to staff across the School City of Mishawaka.
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Hillary Clinton claimed again that the remarks she made were truthful based on what the FBI director said. In a week where numerous polls came out revealing that Mrs. Clinton is leading Donald Trump by 9 or 15 points, and the real estate mogul keeps getting in and out of controversies, many are wondering why on earth was the Democratic nominee talking about her email scandal?

On Friday, the former secretary of state addressed the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and she was asked to clarify the comments she made on Fox News Sunday while host Chris Wallace was quizzing her.

During the interview, Clinton repeated what she has been saying on the campaign trail. She said that FBI Director James Comey told Congress that the statements she made about her use of a private email server as secretary of state were truthful. Clinton dug herself into a hole by saying:

Director Comey said that my answers were truthful and what Ive said is consistent with what I have told the American people, that there were decisions discussed and made to classify retroactively certain of the emails.

The Democratic nominee for president, who is ahead of the billionaire in the red state of Georgia by 4 points, added:

I was communicating with over 300 people in my emailing. They certainly did not believe and had no reason to believe that what they were sending was classified. Now, in retrospect, different agencies come in and say, Well, it should have been. But thats not what was happening in real time.'

Several fact-checkers including The Washington Post and FactCheck.org called her out on those claims. Mrs. Clinton, who was blasted for being dishonest and for acting as a lawyer and even being robotic when she is addressing the email question, tried to use humor to clarify the remarks she made on FOX.

She told the reporters of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists that she short-circuited, and added:

I was pointing out in both of those instances that the director Comey had said that my answers in my FBI interview were truthful. Thats really the bottom line here. And I have said during the interview and in many other occasions over the past months that what I told the FBI, which he said was truthful, is consistent with what I have said publicly.

She concluded by:

So I may have short-circuited, and for that I, you know, will try to clarify. I have acknowledged repeatedly that using two email accounts was a mistake.

Trump has already released an ad blasting Clinton using the may have short-circuited line.
From a press release:

BRIDGEPORT  St. Vincent's Medical Center's Farm Stand will host "Bringing Good Food for All," a healthy cooking demo this Tuesday, August 9, 2016, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place rain or shine immediately in front of its main entrance of the Medical Center at 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport during the regular hours of the St. Vincent's Farm Stand, which is open every Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m through October 25. No registration is necessary.

"Bringing Good Food for All" is the philosophy of Chef Raquel Rivera-Pablo, of A Pinch of Salt, LLC. She will prepare several dishes including sauteed kale, and peaches and ricotta crostini with balsamic vinaigrette. Free samples will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and recipes will be provided to all. Chef Raquel will give cooking tips as she prepares the dishes and will take questions.

"We are delighted to have Chef Raquel with us to demonstrate how easy it can be to prepare healthy yet delicious food on a manageable budget," said St. Vincent's Chief Mission Integration Officer Bill Hoey. "It is an exciting new extension of our Farm Stand, which demonstrates our mission to respond to the needs of the community and bring fresh and healthy food to area residents of all income levels."

Chef Raquel Pablo-Rivera is passionate about educating communities on the importance of healthy cooking, understanding nutritional information and shopping on a budget. She graduated with highest honors from the Institute of Culinary Education and completed her internship at the legendary Le Bernardin in New York City. In 2009, she created her own cooking business, A Pinch of Salt, LLC, offering hands-on cooking instruction on the preparation of delicious, healthy, inexpensive, and easy to recreate meals. Because of her dedicated service to City Harvest in New York, Chef Raquel received the honor of an invitation to the launch of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative at the White House.

Since moving to Bridgeport in 2013, Chef Raquel has shared her cooking knowledge with the community through her partnerships with Cooking Matters, the YMCA, the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative.

Parking for the event in visitor garage is free with validated ticket.
File photo

STAMFORD  The business enterprise zone encompassing parts of the city once thought to be economically distressed has promoted development to such a degree it could be discontinued in several years, according to city and state officials.

If that were to happen, Stamford would be the first Connecticut city to lose an enterprise zone after no longer meeting the states criteria for the tax-abatement program, officials said.
Police say the fire broke out at a birthday party in the bar, in the city of Rouen, Normandy.

By AP: A fire has swept through a bar in northern France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others.

Police say the fire broke out at a birthday party in the bar, in the city of Rouen, Normandy. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured.

He says more than 50 firefighters are battling the blaze at the center of the city. The fire started late Friday night or shortly after midnight.

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A judicial inquiry has been opened.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/france-birthday-party-turns-fatal-13-killed/1/733643.html





--- ENDS ---
T he playwright of the UKs first openly gay play, Spitting Image, says he is fascinated to see how audiences will react to it being performed again for the first time since 1968.

Spitting Image became the UKs first openly gay play when performed in a Hampstead theatre just a year after homosexuality was decriminalised.

Now a grandfather, almost 50 years later, playwright Colin Spencer told the Standard he is excited to see it performed again at the Kings Head Theatre in Islington, for the first time since its creation in the late sixties.

He said: I will be fascinated to see how an audience now will react to it.

Ive always known that I was bisexual but when I grew up, police were very antagonistic towards homosexuality.

We had, at one point, a Minister for Home Affairs who was so homophobic and decided to root it out  he pursued various well-known people and succeeded in imprisoning them.

So I lived through all that and then, in 1967, the law at last was changed and it was made legal.

I thought this is amazing  Im legal for the first time in my life. I was 33.

Playwright Colin Spencer talks to the Standard about witnessing the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK

The absurdity of anti-gay laws in the UK inspired Spencer to begin writing Spitting Image and he eventually sent the first scenes to his agent who was thrilled at the characters of daddy one and daddy two.

He added: The idea came to me: why cant gay love produce a child? So I thought Ill write the first scene, and thats how it first started. We had no idea how it would go  whether wed get any audience, but we were packed out from the beginning!

Theres a kind of fight in the centre of the play between the forces of liberalism, understanding and compassion, and the forces of oppression and what the law still was then.

But its fun, it moves very quickly, and there are lots of jokes in it.

While the plays reception was expectedly very contentious in the wake of decriminalising homosexuality in 1967, Spencer said the homophobia that existed then has not disappeared in 2016.

He said: Most of the reviews were good but they hated the theme. Society then was still very homophobic and in a Christian society, or one thats based on Christianity, you cant get away from sediment of homophobia.

Its always there and anything can open it up. So one should never be lulled into thinking society has become liberal, because it never really has in my view.

Spitting Image runs at the Kings Head Theatre in Islington until August 27, as part of its Queer Season of theatre.

For more video features, visit the Evening Standard YouTube channel
I f youre heading to Camden, chances are youve disembarked the Northern line for one of two things: shopping or nightlife.

For half a century, this district has been a mecca for alternative culture in the capital, serving up all manner of alternative fashions, great live music, landmark pubs, and all with an anything goes attitude.

But this postcode wasnt always punks, tattooers and indie discos by the square mile, and this gallery of images shows how life in the area has changed over the past 100 years.

Some of the earliest photographs take us back to post-war Camden in the 1920s. Its hard to imagine now, but where vintage clothes sellers now stand, former soldiers could be seen touting for money while an 18-ton bronze propellor for a liner made its way to the local goods yard to be transported to Liverpool.

Over the next 50 years, the area was largely home to residential houses and industrial warehouses, and it wasnt until 1972 that a weekend market was installed into the cobbled streets by Camden Lock, selling a variety of goods including antiques and clothing.

Soon large numbers of Londoners were flocking to the market, thanks to its quirky bohemian character and the uniqueness of the lockside location.

When seven-day trading came into effect in 1997, Camden was as a fully-fledged destination tourists flocked to in droves, thanks to the buzz it had about it 365 days a year.

And of course, nightlife has been a huge lure for young Londoners from the 1970s until now, and these photographs show some of the diverse club nights that have kept Camden alive over the years - from hip hop to disco.

Want to learn more about the neighbourhood that Charles Dickens, Amy Winehouse, Dylan Thomas and Gwyneth Paltrow have all called home?

Click through our gallery and take a tour of this famous North London district.
A senior British soldier has been accused of sexually assaulting a Canadian servicewoman after allegedly "pouncing" on her after a forces event in Ontario.

Afghanistan veteran Lt Col Christopher Davies, 45, allegedly assaulted the 52-year-old Canadian military officer in the early hours of April 10 after following her from a bar to her hotel.

Davies, who commanded 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment during a challenging tour in 2014, had met the woman for the first time the evening before during commemorations for the Battle of Vimy Ridge at Fort Frontenac, Kingston, police said.

The alleged victim reported the assault to police and detectives launched a criminal investigation, combing the scene for evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Investigators said they had "reasonable grounds" to believe the alleged attack had taken place and Davies was arrested for one count of sexual assault on August 2 after attending Kingston Police headquarters.

The force said: "On April 9, 2016 a military function occurred at Fort Frontenac. During the early morning hours of April 10 the 52-year-old victim left the event and attended a downtown licensed establishment with other guests she had just met that evening, including the accused, 45-year-old Christopher Davies.

"The victim returned to her nearby hotel followed by the accused, where after a detailed investigation Kingston Police detectives have formed reasonable grounds to believe the woman was sexually assaulted by the British officer in her hotel room."

Davies was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in the province of Ontario while the case goes to court, with a hearing scheduled for September 15.

An Army spokeswoman said they would not comment on the case due to the continuing legal proceedings.

She added: "We are aware of an investigation being conducted by Kingston Police into an alleged incident that took place in April this year involving a serving British Army officer."
A rmed police stormed a south London housing estate after a man was shot by a gunman who fled in a stolen car.

Southwark police are investigating the attack at Felbridge House off Dog Kennel Road in East Dulwich, which happened shortly before 3.45pm yesterday.

Armed officers arrived at the scene where they found a man, in his 40s, suffering from gunshot wounds to the leg.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital by ambulance where he remains in a stable condition.

A 17-year-old girl was also injured in the attack, although she was not shot, police say.

Her injuries are not thought to be serious.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: "The single male suspect made off in a car stolen shortly after the shooting and enquiries are ongoing to trace his whereabouts."

Trident detectives are also investigating yesterday's attack.

No arrests have been made so far, police say.
A man was stabbed and another left with a head injury when a large fight broke out in south east London.

Part of Lewisham Way, near Amersham Road in New Cross, was cordoned off by police today while they investigated the violence, which broke out at around 5am.

One man, aged around 18, was suffering from a stab wound when police arrived.

Another, aged in his early 20s, received a head injury during the melee.

Both men were rushed to hospital, although police say neither of them have life-threatening injuries.

A third man, aged around 18, has been arrested over the incident.

He is currently being held at a south London police station.

Officers from Lewisham CID are investigating.
T he Somali-Norwegian teenager charged with carrying out a knife attack in Russell Square, killing one and injuring five, has been remanded in custody.

19-year-old Zakaria Bulhan appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of murdering retired teacher Darlene Horton, 64, on Wednesday evening.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of Martin Hoenisch, Lillie Selletin, David Imber, Bernard Hepplewhite and Yovel Lewronski, who were all injured in the same attack.

Bulhan held his face in his hand as the names of the victims were read to him in court.

Attack suspect: Zakaria Bulhan

Ms Horton, the wife of a university professor from Florida, was just hours away from flying home when she was killed.

The mother-of-two was visiting London with husband Richard Wagner, who was teaching summer classes. The couple had planned to return to their home in Tallahassee on Thursday, Florida State University said.

Mr Hoenisch, also injured during the attack, was a retired fireman from Las Vegas who was visiting London with his wife, Laurie Kelly.

He said on Facebook: "Thanks to everyone for reaching out, we're still very saddened about the woman who was killed.

The forensic tent at the scene in Russell Square where the woman died / Alex Lentati

"Very unreal experience but we are still having an unbelievable time over here. Thanks and love to you all."

Ms Lewronski, 18, who is called Yovel Lewkowski on her Facebook profile, was visiting London from Tel Aviv. She was stabbed in the upper arm.

One Dead, Five Injured in London Mass Stabbing

She said she did not know whether to call it "luck or fate" that she escaped death, adding that she had watched as Ms Horton "perished in front of my eyes".

One of the victims was a British man who suffered a stab wound to his stomach. He remains in hospital in a "serious but stable" condition.

The teenager, dressed in a light grey tracksuit and carrying a handful of paperwork mumbled his name, address and date of birth with his hand over his mouth.

When asked if he understood the charges, he nodded and gave the judge a thumbs-up gesture.

Tributes: A man reads cards at the scene of the murder / REUTERS

He was unrepresented in court and sat hunched throughout the short hearing with his hand over his mouth.

Bulhan, who moved to the UK in 2002 and lives in Tooting, south London, was ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on August 9.
A cancer specialist who fabricated scientific data in order to deceive charities into providing funding has been banned from practising medicine.

Professor Thorsten Hagemann lied about results from cancer trials and used the made-up numbers on applications for funds from Cancer Research and Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

A lead investigator at Barts Cancer Institute, Professor Hagemann also included inflated figures in articles submitted to leading scientific journal, Nature.

A medical panel has deemed him unfit to practise medicine and he has been struck off the medical register.

Struck off: Professor Thorsten Hagemann is banned from being a doctor in the UK / PCRF

The pancreatic cancer specialist also lied to collegaues working on the trials and, when they began to get suspicious, proceeded to edit emails to cover his tracks.

He used the data to apply for funds worth 180,000 from the Pancreatic Cancer Fund, which was granted over three years for his project named "Defining the role of regulatory B cells in Pancreatic cancer".

Eventually the professor, who was employed by Queen Mary University as part of the Barts Cancer Institute, resigned in September 2013.

Dr David Scott, Cancer Research UKs director of science funding, said: Cancer Research UK was informed of an allegation of research fraud involving Professor Hagemann.

"We take all allegations of scientific misconduct extremely seriously and in line with policy the host university QMUL investigated the allegation.

"The investigation found evidence of research misconduct and Cancer Research UK terminated funding to Professor Hagemann.

Maggie Blanks, chief executive of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, said: "We were informed of the investigation into Professor Hagemanns research, and of its outcome.

"We remain of the view that the science itself was sound and showed potential, and we decided to continue the project under the direction of another researcher at the University.

The hearing was conducted by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), after Professor Hagemann was investigated by the General Medical Council.

A spokesman for the MPTS said: "The MPTS tribunal has announced its decision the erase Dr Hagemanns name from the medical register.

"It also decided it was necessary to impose an immediate order of suspension to cover the 28 day appeal period."

Professor Hagemann did not attend his hearing and it is believed he has left the country.
F our kittens have been named after Tottenham firefighters who rescued a pregnant cat who gave birth in a fireplace.

Fire crew were called to Wood Green after a pregnant cat stuck on a roof of a house on Tintern Road became distressed.

On seeing the firefighter the cat, named Binky, shot down the chimney and hid behind the fireplace in the house.

The firefighters had to carefully remove the fireplace in the house to rescue the sooty mum and her litter of kittens.

Proud mum: Binky with her kittens: Ron, Chris, Pete and Jim / LFB

Tottenham watch manager, Jim McPartland, explained:The cat was in distress and had hidden itself behind the fireplace.

"We carefully removed the fireplace and rescued Binky and her four kittens.

Sooty and sweet: Binky got stuck behind the fireplace with her kittens (LFB)

"The owner said they are going to name the kittens Ron, Chris, Pete and Jim after us.

One member of the Tottenham fire station attended the call-out, which Mr McPartland described as "a purrfect rescue.
P rotesters shouted "no justice, no peace", and chanted that police were "murderers" as they marched through the streets of north London today to mark the fifth anniversary of Mark Duggan's death.

Around 300 people joined a demonstration on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham to take their message to the street that black lives matter.

They also accused the police of racism and demanded justice for other people who died in controversial circumstances, including Jermaine Baker and Cynthia Jarrett.

Pam Duggan (C), mother of Mark Duggan who was shot dead by police five years ago, at a protest march in Tottenham / AFP/Getty Images

Among the protesters were Mr Duggan's mother Pamela and his aunt Carole, who marched alongside Mr Baker's mother.

The demonstrators said there was no sign of institutional racism changing in the Metropolitan Police.

Demonstrators shout during a procession in Tottenham / REUTERS/ Neil Hall

Tottenham Rights campaigner Stafford Scott told the crowd that instead of being in a "post-racial society", it is one in which racism is still "creeping" in.

And he suggested the Met's new counter-terrorism units may target people in Tottenham when they are not fighting terrorism.

Duggan's death on August 4 2011 at the hands of a police marksman triggered riots across the capital in which shops were looted, buildings set alight and stand-offs with police.

The violence quickly spread to other parts of the country, including Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester over the following few days.

Mark Duggan's aunt Carole Duggan during a protest march on the fifth anniversary of his death / REUTERS/ Neil Hall

Todays protest followed the same route as a procession held five years ago in the wake of his death.

Carole Duggan said: "We are doing it to show the country that we are not this gangster family. We are trying to show the people who Mark really was, who we really are."

She said there had been a "systematic smear campaign" against his name, and slated as "perverse" an inquest verdict from 2014 that found his death on August 4 2011 at the hands of a police marksman was lawful.

Ms Duggan said: "Right now, as it stands, the police can shoot any unarmed person they want. They don't have to be armed now, because of that verdict."

Demonstrators protest outside Tottenham Police station / EPA/SEAN DEMPSEY

But Ms Duggan said in the intervening years the police had failed to learn any lessons and accused them of wanting to adopt a violent "American style" of policing in London.

As the demonstrators marched through the streets they carried placards saying "jail racist cops" and "white silence kills", and chanted slogans such as, "Whose streets, our streets" and "Hands up, don't shoot".

At one point Carole Duggan and Jermaine Baker's mother embraced, Ms Duggan saying: "When the police think that they can make our communities into gangsters, this is what they are creating - unity.

"They are giving us what we want - people coming together and living in harmony and unity."

Two officers walked ahead of the march, and when the demonstration reached the High Road in Tottenham - which police had closed to keep people safe - the protest made for the police station, where five years ago to the day Duggan's family went to report his death.

After a minute's silence community representatives spoke of their frustrations and anger.

A community artist attacked the area's MP David Lammy for not attending, and read out a poem which threatened another riot unless there is "justice" for Duggan.

And Mr Scott told the crowd that instead of there being in a "post-racial society", they were living in one in which racism is still occurring by "creeping".

And he suggested the Met's new counter-terrorism units may "target" people in Tottenham when they are not fighting terrorism.
A major search operation is under way for a pilot after a light aircraft crashed into the sea.

The male pilot was the only person on board the plane, which plummeted into the water shortly after 5pm on Saturday along the coast in East Sussex.

The light aircraft, which is thought to be able to carry up to four people, went into the sea near Winchelsea Beach.

Coastguard helicopters and lifeboats were combing the sea, but no survivors have been found so far.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: "The aircraft and pilot have not been found and the current search is likely to continue until dusk."

An RNLI spokesman said: "Lifeboats and their volunteer crews are conducting searches about three quarters of a mile offshore between Winchelsea beach and Pett Level beach.

Police said initial reports suggest that the aircraft comes from a local Aero Club and that the man flying it was the sole occupant.

Some wreckage has been found washed ashore on the beach.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.

Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Serial 1172 of 06/08.
By PTI: From Jaishree Balasubramanian

Bangkok, Aug 6 (PTI) Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested here for being part of a gang that fleeced Indian men of money by offering them non-existent jobs, according to a media report.

The gang had been taking money by offering non-existent jobs to the Indians through a website that was operating in the sub-continent, police was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

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Hussein Avid and Aslam Muhammad Adman were rounded up in Charoen Sanitwong area yesterday.

Police said they had been paid about 45,000 baht (90,000 rupees) by about ten Indian men.

They paid a percentage of this money to a man called Manis who reportedly runs a website that was used to entice the victims in India, police said.

They were enticed with job offers with 50,000 rupees or 25,000 baht per month salaries.

Thai police have been in touch with their counterparts in India to arrest the other member of the gang.

The Pakistanis have admitted their involvement and were charged with online fraud. PTI JB ASK ASK

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A passenger jet has landed safely after declaring a mid-air emergency during a flight to Marseille.

The Boeing 737-600 flight from Algiers to Marseille took off safely this afternoon but put out an emergency call shortly after its departure.

Flight radar showed the Air Algerie plane turning around to head back towards the airport where it took off but before it landed again, it had disappeared from view on the radar.

The airline has since confirmed the plane landed safely having suffered technical difficulties mid-air.

It said the jet touched down at the airport in the Algerian capital around 30 minutes after take-off and no-one was injured.

The flight, registration number AH1020, took off around 1.30pm local time and was due to arrive in Marseille just after 4pm.

Passengers are expected to board another plane bound for Marseille later in the day.

The airline has not provided any more details about what caused the emergency.
A man who shouted "Allahu Akbar" as he attacked two Belgian officers with a machete has died after being shot by police.

The female officers were attacked with a blade just before 4pm local time outside a police station in the city of Charleroi.

The knifeman, who pulled out the machete from a sports bag as he arrived at a security checkpoint outside the city's police headquarters, was shot by a third officer.

Police officers stood guard near to where two of their colleagues were attacked in Charleroi / EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Police initially reported that attacker was still alive after being shot but confirmed he has since died from his gunshot wounds.

The machete attack took place at a wooden hut that had been erected outside the police station to provide an additional layer of security.

Belgian police officers stand guard outside the main police station / REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Paul Magnette, mayor of the city in southern Belgium, said the checkpoint succeeded in preventing the attacker from reaching the building and causing more havoc.

Officers said on Twitter that he shouted 'God is great' in Arabic during the attack.

The force tweeted: Two police officers injured by machete in front of police by someone shouting Allah Akhkbar. Individual was shot but is alive.

Witnesses said they heard a series of gunshots near the police station this afternoon.

A police officer standing guard close to a police building in Charleroi following a machete attack / FRED DUBOIS/AFP/Getty Images

A security perimeter has been set up around the station.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned the attack and said "preliminary indications" suggest it was an act of terrorism but that authorities were still collecting information.

He wrote on Twitter: "Thoughts go with the victims, their relatives and police officers. We are closely monitoring the situation."

Mr Michel has cut short his vacation in the south of France and will return to Belgium for a meeting on Sunday of the National Security Council.

He said the identity of the assailant was not immediately known.

He told RTL television he has asked the independent OCAM agency to immediately assess whether there is an increased threat to Belgian internal security.

Officers secure the area around a police building in Charleroi / VIRGINIE LEFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said it wasn't immediately clear if the assault, which he called an "act of barbarism" was the deed of a single person or something more elaborate.

He said: "We don't know if this is the action of a lone wolf."

The attack comes as police in Belgium remain on high alert in the wake of attacks which killed 32 people in March this year.
A t least 13 people have died following a fire at a birthday party in the French city of Rouen.

The blaze swept through the basement of a bar called Cuba Libre where the party was being held last night.

Six people were rescued from the fire and are receiving treatment for their injuries.

Fire: At least 13 people died in the blaze / REUTERS/Clotaire Achi

According to authorities, the victims were all aged from 18 to 25.

More than 50 firefighters battled the city centre blaze last night.

Fire: Pictures of Cuba Libre showed the burnt-out bar / AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu

Local media reported the fire brigade had the incident under control after around half an hour.

A fire began after candles were lit on a birthday cake, website Paris-Normandie reported.

The victims were reportedly killed by toxic gas as polystyrene in the ceiling caught light.

French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said at least 13 were dead and six others injured.

"Catastrophe": Firefighters leave the bar / AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu

Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted: Deep sadness with regard to the tragedy which mowed down 13 young lives.

Compassion and support for the afflicted families."

The bodies were taken to a nearby hospital but are yet to be identified.

Mayor of Rouen, Yvon Robert, described the fire as the greatest catastrophe for his city.

A judicial inquiry is now underway to determine the cause of the blaze.
"I witnessed the team of surgeons and anesthetists resuscitating a young 24-year-old bullet-ridden body...the guy lost the battle..he died..i couldn't hold myself for a while..i couldn't hold my tears," narrated a doctor working in SMHS hospital in the Valley.

With the killing of the three, the death toll of civilian protesters killed by security forces has reached to 56 since July 8. Photo: Reuters

By Naseer Ganai: "The number kept increasing, and when we finished at 11 in the night on Friday, we had spent 12 hours in the operation theatre without a break. We were still not done with the patients but we had to stop as the theatre required fumigation," said a surgeon at the SMHS hospital in Srinagar. The doctor, who operated several injured persons, said most of the injured were in serious condition.

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"PEOPLE SHOT AT FROM A CLOSE RANGE"



"I operated upon an injured from Kupwara in the morning. His both eyes were hit by pellets. The prognosis of usable vision in both the eyes is very poor. Moreover, all the patients I operated upon had pellets deep inside their eyes, in the posterior chamber of the eyes, making it immensely grievous. It seems they all were hit from a close range," the doctor said.

The doctor working in the SMHS, later posted on his Facebook, "When I wanted a break from the emotional scenes inside our theatre, I walked into the next room, trauma theatre of the surgery department with my surgical gown on, by the time I reached the operating table I didn't know i have lost the battle of emotions. I witnessed the team of surgeons and anesthetists resuscitating a young 24-year-old bullet-ridden body...the guy lost the battle..he died..i couldn't hold myself for a while..i couldn't hold my tears.."

KASHMIR BOILS AFTER A MONTH OF BURHAN'S DEATH

Since Friday afternoon, at least three protesters were killed and 674 were wounded in different parts of Kashmir Valley as the government forces fired bullets, pellets and tear gas shells at people protesting against civilian killings.

The call for the protests was given by the separatist political parties. With the killing of the three, the death toll of civilian protesters killed by security forces has reached to 56 since July 8. "Yesterday 674 persons were injured across the valley. We have no information how many of them were wounded by pellets and how many by bullets. I have no record of today", said a senior official of the health department. Breaking from the practice, the police spokesman didn't issue any statement on Friday evening about the day's incidents.

Police and the paramilitary forces, according to the eyewitnesses, burned a tent of the protesters at a village Chee on Saturday. They said the police resorted to pellet firing on protesters wounding 40 persons. According to doctors at the district hospital Anantnag, seven women have sustained pellet injuries, some in their private parts. The Hurriyat Conference described the police action as criminal.

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SEEN PELLET INJURIES BUT NOTHING LIKE WHAT I SAW HERE: DOCTOR

Last week Padma Shri award winner Dr. S Natarajan described the scene at the SMHS hospital as scary after he witnessed pellet hit eye injured patients. He says in his long career he has not seen such a scale of eye injuries. Dr. Natarajan, who travels around the world to do surgeries, said he has seen pellet injuries by toy guns but the magnitude of injuries and damage caused by the pellets in Kashmir was unheard off. "I have seen pellet injuries by toy guns but nothing like what I saw here", he said.

OVER 6000 PELLET CARTRIDGES IN THREE WEEKS



The pellet gun is being used even after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said she informed the Union Home Minister that the pellet gun should be replaced with a non-lethal weapon. Police records suggest CRPF has fired over 6000 pellet cartridges in Kashmir in more than three weeks to disperse protesters.

According to the experts a single shot from a pellet gun sprays more than a hundred pellets and if a pellet, which is a high-velocity projectile 2mm to 4mm around and with sharp edges, hits an eye it tears apart the retina and optic nerve.

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Also read: NC chief Omar Abdullah asks if New Delhi has declared a war on Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
According to a recent study, out of the 609 ministers analysed from State Assemblies, 462 (76%) are crorepatis and about 160 ministers have studied up to class XII or below.

Ponguru Narayana of Telugu Desam Party has assets worth Rs 496 crore, followed by D K Shivakumar of Cong with Rs 251 crore.

By Kumar Vikram: India's state ministers have money and muscle power in abundance, but when it comes to education, there are plenty of lessons to be learnt.

While 34 per cent of ministers from state assemblies have declared criminal cases against them, 76 per cent of them are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 8.59 crore, shows a recent study.

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About 160 ministers out of the 609 covered have studied up to class XII or below.

CROREPATI MINISTERS

The analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said 113 (19%) ministers have declared serious criminal cases including of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women, etc. In contrast, of the 78 ministers examined from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, 14 (18%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

A total of 609 ministers out of 620 have been analysed from 29 state assemblies and two Union Territories. The study said 462 (76%) of them are crorepatis.

While there is no dearth of millionaire ministers in the states, Andhra Pradesh is at the top (20 ministers) with average assets of Rs 45.49 crore, followed by Karnataka (31 ministers) at Rs 36.96 crore and Arunachal Pradesh (7 ministers) at Rs 32.62 crore.

On the other hand, north-eastern state Tripura (12 ministers) is at the bottom with average assets of Rs 31.67 lakh, with Kerala (19 ministers) above it at Rs 78.72 lakh and then Manipur (11 ministers) at Rs 83.92 lakh.

Among the ministers with the highest assets is Ponguru Narayana of the Telugu Desam Party with Rs 496 crore, followed by DK Shivakumar of the Congress at Rs 251 crore, says the ADR report. Three state assemblies - Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab and Puducherry - have the distinction of 100 per cent crorepati ministers.

They are followed by 97 per cent ministers of Karnataka and 92 per cent ministers from Rajasthan, Goa, Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh who also have declared assets valued at Rs 1 crore and above. The states with the highest percentage of ministers with serious criminal cases include nine from Jharkhand, four from Delhi, nine from Telangana, 18 from Maharashtra, 11 from Bihar and two from Uttarakhand.

GENDER IMBALANCE

The study revealed a dearth of female ministers, as out of the 609 examines, just 51 are women. The highest number of female ministers is from Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with five each.

State cabinets of Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab and Telangana have no female ministers. Wealth does not guarantee good educational qualification. There are nine ministers who have studied up to class V or lower. A total of 59 ministers have cleared class X while 77 have passed class XII.

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Only 157 ministers have attended colleges and are graduates. The list also comprises those ministers who have postgraduate (125) and doctorate (26) degrees.

As far as age goes, a majority of them are between 50 and 60 years old and a few are in the range of 80 to 90 years. A total of 226 ministers are in the 50-60 age group, 144 are between 60 and 70 years of age, 23 are between 70-80 years and five are more than 80 years old.

ALSO READ:

GST Bill in Rajya Sabha: Will the states now come to Centre with a begging bowl, asks the Left



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Its been a couple of years since I got a call from a longtime fishing buddy, Eric Fowler, about getting together over a weekend. He used to work for the Star-Herald a couple of decades ago as a reporter and photographer. Since 2001 hes worked for Nebraskaland magazine, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, out of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions Lincoln office.

I figured that he wanted to fish, but he was going to be setting up a challenging photo shoot. His mission was catch images of bats in flight as they drank from tiny ponds in the bottom of a remote Panhandle canyon. With only their sonar chirps to guide them, he explained, some species of bats skim low and drink by dipping their lower jaws into the water. He was going to be camping, he said, and might want to stop by the house for a shower and a bit of company. After hearing what he had in mind, I offered to go along to help him set up his equipment.

Over the past two years I wondered when his report would see print. As it turned out, he wasnt just covering western bats. He was working on a sweeping study of bats across Nebraska, taking him into caves and dark buildings as well as the deep, piney recesses of Bull Canyon, one of the most gorgeous places Ive seen in western Nebraska. This month it finally came out.

Once part of the storied Bay State Ranch spread, which covered much of the southern Panhandle, Bull Canyon was a winter sanctuary in the cattle drive era, a place where cattle would find pasture and water and be safe from rustlers and raiders. Today it belongs to Rodney Vrtatko, who was kind enough to allow us to creep our way to the bottom on a trail barely wide enough for our four-wheel-drive rigs and set up cameras and camp. The ranch is still a half-hour of Banner County gravel road from the nearest pavement. It looks normal from the top, where the tableland resembles typical local prairie. But looking over the edge reveals a dark maze of deep, wooded chasms, where lush meadows wrapped in pine forest offer shelter for cattle under the rugged rimrock.

The pools were part of an intermittent creek. They trace the canyon bottom and are topped with mats of floating duckweed. Erics plan called for setting up photo gear to shoot just over the surface of the pools, mounting three remote flashes and two digital cameras in and around the water and triggering them with a laser. He called it the most complicated shoot hed ever attempted. We perched the cameras on tripods plunged into the muck and synched them to fire simultaneously whenever a bat broke the path of the motion detector.

My part was easy. I tore off pieces of gaffer tape to anchor stuff down with and occasionally swung a twig through the laser beam to simulate a bat in flight. Eventually, Eric got everything wired together and in focus. He stayed several nights. My initial plan was to help with the setup and spend awhile by the campfire. The first of the evenings bats touched off flashes at the other side of the meadow, resembling bursts of lightning in a prairie thunderstorm. I crawled up the precipitous two-track in the dark and made the long drive home, figuring that I wouldnt see the photos till they appeared in the magazine.

As it turned out, only one of the photos he took that weekend made the 12-page spread, which also earned a cover shot of another toothy little bat. The Bull Canyon bat, probably a big brown bat, kicks off the piece, captured as it skims over the water, a bit of its reflection below, a tuft of grass to the side and bits of duckweed lingering behind.

If youve seen a bat in flight around here, its probably one of those, although the little brown bat, northern long-earned bat, fringed bat, western small-footed bat and the long-legged bat, found only in the Pine Ridge, all haunt the skies out here. Along with the tricolored bat, found in eastern Nebraska, theyre the states only year-round resident bats. A few other migratory species have been recorded in the state.

We put in a lot of work for that one shot, which appeared among dozens recorded each night by Erics remote set-up. He adjusted it a bit on the second evening after getting too many bat butts, as he called them. He spent a third night, still trying to capture a bat skimming a drink. He never quite got it, but I had a blast.

Id tell you more about the story, but you ought to grab a copy for yourself from the magazine rack. Youll help keep Eric and his Nebraskaland colleagues on the job, teaching us about Nebraskas night-stalking bats and other natural wonders.
Captain Amrinder Singh said the AAP euphoria had already fizzled out in Punjab.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Launching a scathing attack against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress on Saturday said the party was heading for a split in Punjab as it was being run by the 'outsiders', a reality which has sparked a rebellion in the state.

LOCALS HAVE NO SAY

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder said that the Aam Aadmi Party state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur had validated his charges that the party (AAP) was being run by the outsiders and local Punjabis had no say in it.

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"The way tickets were announced, while ignoring the state chief, only showed the arrogance the AAP leaders from UP and Haryana were exhibiting towards the Punjabi leadership," Cap Amrinder Singh said.

Captain said the AAP euphoria had already fizzled out in Punjab. The party as on now had already been trifurcated with two MPs on one side, another group led by Yoginder Yadav on the other side and the third led by Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak in Punjab??, he pointed out, while adding, the party was likely to break up further.



ALSO READ:

AAP's first list of 19 Punjab candidates out, Bhagwant Mann to head campaign

Akali Dal chief calls Kejriwal dictator, AAP 'a one-man show'



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The Superintendent told Amnesty International India, "His wall was filled with anti-India messages questioning the integrity of the country and insulting the national flag."

By India Today Web Desk: On August 4, the Chhattisgarh police arrested Tausiq Ahmed from a railway station in Madhya Pradesh, based on a complaint lodged in Durg, Chhattisgarh.



SEDITION



The Superintendent of Police, Durg, said that a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered against Tausiq Ahmed under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which defines sedition as any act or attempt "to bring into hatred or contempt, or excite disaffection towards the government."

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The Superintendent told Amnesty International India, "His wall was filled with anti-India messages questioning the integrity of the country and insulting the national flag."

The complainant who filed the FIR told Amnesty International India, "Many youth from our town approached us about Tausiq's multiple posts, including one that said, 'Get out from Kashmir', and one in which he depicted India's flag as a rat. It was a question of security and that's why I think criminal investigation is necessary." The complainant said that he was a member of a Hindu nationalist organization which is linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.



RULING ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION



"The right to freedom of expression extends to speech that may be considered offensive by some," said Arijit Sen, Programmes Manager at Amnesty International India. "A criminal case for such conduct is not justified."

Indian courts have ruled that expression can be restricted on grounds of public order only when it involves incitement to imminent violence or disorder. In 2015, India's Supreme Court struck down section 66A of the Information Technology Act, a provision which placed vague and overbroad restrictions on online expression, observing: 'Mere discussion or even advocacy of a particular cause howsoever unpopular is at the heart of [the right to freedom of expression]". The Court stated that such advocacy could be restricted only when it "reaches the level of incitement".

"Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the sedition law continues to be used to criminalize free speech. The Chhattisgarh government must immediately release Tausiq Ahmed and drop all charges against him, and take steps to repeal section 124A," said Arijit Sen.

ALSO READ:

Gujarat HC grants bail to Hardik Patel in two sedition cases

Sedition case slapped on Owaisi for promising legal aid to alleged ISIS members



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A couple of weeks ago, the eminent political philosopher Scott Baio, otherwise known as Chachi on Happy Days, told the Republican National Convention that its important to know what it means to be an American. It doesnt mean getting free stuff.

Well, no. But free stuff is very important to Americans. In fact, the more stuff youve got, the more likely it is that America will give you free stuff.

Have you ever been in a restaurant when a celebrity ballplayer walks in? Odds are someone will offer to pick up his tab, even though the guy might be making $15 million a year. The less you need free stuff, the more likely you are to get it.

Free stuff comes in many forms. Poor people get direct cash assistance. The middle class gets it in the form of tax deductions and exclusions. Farmers get it in the form of crop subsidies and insurance.

The upper classes get it in an unimaginable number of ways, starting with banks borrowing money at the Feds discount window at 1 percent or less. Maybe the sweetest deal is the so-called carried interest provision for private equity fund managers. Most of their pay is taxed at the lower capital gains rate rather than as earned income, which is for peons.

When people decry free stuff, theyre talking almost exclusively about direct cash payments made to low-income Americans. Scott Baio was talking to Bernie Sanders voters, who liked the former Democratic presidential candidates proposals for free college tuition and universal health care.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said during the campaign that giving away free stuff is very easy for politicians to do, but the simplest rule of economics is TANSTAAFL  there aint no such thing as a free lunch.

Other one-time GOP presidential hopefuls chimed in. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida called the Democratic contest between Sanders and Hillary Clinton a race to see who was going to give away the most free stuff.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie agreed. Theres gonna be more free stuff for more people than you can even imagine sitting and listening to Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and the rest of the crew up there.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush suggested that Democrats were pandering to African-American voters with a message to get in line and well take care of you with free stuff.

Back in 2012, GOP nominee Mitt Romneys takers vs. makers message was: If youre looking for more free stuff, vote for the other guy.

This was the same Mitt Romney whose $13.7 million in 2011 income was taxed at 14.1 percent, roughly the same rate that someone with taxable income of $80,000 might pay. All of the money Romney saved by taking advantage of various loopholes and exclusions, thats free stuff.

Donald Trump hasnt talked much about free stuff. His still-secret tax forms almost certainly show millions worth of free stuff. If the public knew how much, nobody would care about border walls any more. Mr. Trump is proud to pay a lower tax rate, his spokesman said in May, the lowest tax rate possible.

Everything he didnt pay: free stuff. Its like you go buy a car with a sticker price of $25,000. You can pay sticker and get free floor mats, or you can get $4,000 knocked off. That four grand counts as free stuff.

Amazing facts: In 2013, the United States spent $17 billion on block grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Thats direct cash payments, whats left of the welfare system. Free money.

The U.S. also spends about $74 billion on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Food stamps. Free food. People who made less than $20,000 also get an average of $1,450 a year in federal housing assistance. Free help with the rent. Meanwhile, households with $200,000 or more in income got an average of $6,400 a year in housing help in 2014.

People like me who own our houses and deduct the mortgage interest from our taxes cost the government $75.3 billion. Its not money we get back, but its money we dont pay. Same thing. Free stuff.

How about Obamacare, that horrible deal where people get help with health insurance? Thats costing the feds $110 billion this year. Meanwhile, those of us who get health insurance from our employers dont have to count the employers contributions as income. That free stuff costs the feds more than twice what Obamacare costs: $216 billion.

Also: 401(k) contributions are excluded ($74 billion), charitable contributions ($47 billion) are deductible and capital gains, the money that money makes, are taxed at a lower rate than the money that labor makes. The total of all of these tax expenditures in 2015 was $1.34 trillion.

So unless youre living in a yurt somewhere, without health insurance, killing and growing your own food and not living off investments, complaining about other peoples free stuff makes you a hypocrite. I havent seen Scott Baio on TV lately. Maybe thats where hes been.
Air Algerie Boeing 737-600 took off from Algiers this afternoon at 01:30 pm to Marseille but declared a mid-air emergency immediately after take-off.

By India Today Web Desk: An Air Algerie flight, which disappeared today from radar after declaring mid-air emergency, has landed safely in Algeria, reports suggest.

The aircraft landed safely after facing technical failure on its way.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED

According to reports, Air Algerie Boeing 737-600 took off from Algiers this afternoon at 01:30 pm to Marseille but declared a mid-air emergency immediately after take-off.

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Flight radar showed that the plane took a turn to return to the take-off point but disappeared before arriving.

Some say that the plane may have not been picked up below 17,000 feet.

However, according to latest reports, the aircraft has landed safely in Algeria.



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DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 08/05/16 -- Eminent Dallas property developer Marcus Hiles knows what renters want when choosing a new home. Yet one important feature probably remains off of most people's checklists of must-have amenities: walking trails. Hiles advises apartment hunters to be on the lookout for a clear presence of recreational pathways throughout the site of the unit. As the Chairman and CEO of Western Rim Property Services, a company that has designed and currently manages more than 15,000 rentals in cities across Texas, Hiles knows personally about the many benefits multi-use walkways hold for residents.

In the interest of showcasing Texas' countryside's beauty, Western Rim's luxury townhomes and loft-style apartments are built within the state's expansive green spaces, yet they are located within easy reach of urban centers. Marcus Hiles upholds eco-friendly construction practices that maintain the serenity of the environment -- and in many cases, bettering it by establishing walkways and parks. He notes that an abundance of trees and vegetation surrounding these natural areas offers tremendous benefits, as they remove air pollutants while storing and sequestering carbon dioxide. He explains that they assist with the effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy demand: "According to the USDA Forest Service, 'Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent.'"

Marcus Hiles encourages renters to pick locations with footpaths, explaining that tenants who take advantage of even mild exercising on the paths enjoy healthier lives. A 2008 study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine gives further proof, suggesting that people who live near park areas tend to have a lower risk of obesity; while a 2010 study by the journal Social Science and Medicine found that people who reside near larger amounts of green space were more relaxed as compared to others who spent less time outdoors. Hiles, a strong believer in community building, says that beyond their ability to help lower energy costs and foster active lifestyles, trails also promote a sense of closeness among neighbors, with pathways encouraging spontaneous meetings and interactions. Environmental, practical and fun, shared public meeting places: a series of walking trails are an amenity no housing development should be without.

The Chairman and CEO of Western Rim Property Services and Newport Classic Homes, Marcus Hiles, Dallas news regular is a respected property development authority and philanthropist who has spent more than three decades creating properties that embody his vision of luxury living. Having successfully planted a total of 30,000 trees in the last 10 years, Hiles' environmentally minded goal of continuing to plant 2,500 trees annually is part of Western Rim's long-term objectives. While developing and building contemporary residential communities, Marcus Hiles remains devoted to giving back to the state of Texas; he has personally donated over 59 acres of parkland to the general public to preserve wildlife habitats and offer residents accessible green spaces.

Marcus Hiles -- Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com

Marcus Hiles -- CEO & Founder @ Western Rim Property Services -- Crunchbase: https://www.crunchbase.com/person/marcus-hiles#/entity

Marcus Hiles -- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD69v3VVsYGfQsdfVO5iNow

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/8/6/11G109539/Images/Marcus_Hiles_-_Offers_Insight_on_the_Importance_of-97e69380be1f8f758347676668bcfe94.jpg

Embedded Video Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0OBq1LCu8

Source: MarcusHiles-News.com
By India Today Web Desk: Ameesha Patel debuted in a superhit movie called Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. Both Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel became overnight phenomenons. That was 16 years ago. Today, while Hrithik Roshan is awaiting his big release Mohenjo Daro, Ameesha is reportedly throwing tantrums at a press meet about her upcoming film Bhaiyyaji Superhitt.



ALSO SEE: Lovers Virat and Anushka's colour-coordinated London holiday

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Returning to screen after three years alongside Sunny Deol and Arshad Warsi, Ameesha seemed liked she was on a pedestal while talking to journalists. It first started with the Gadar actor screaming out 'silence' as the mediapersons found their seats.

Question thrown at her by a journalist asking where she was for the past three years, she insisted the journalists call her Ameeshaji and not Ameesha. And then angrily retorted that she was setting up her production company, and if he had brains he would know that, as reported by a city-based daily.

It was also reported that the reason behind her foul mood was the fact that she hadn't been informed of the press meet, which led to her co-star Preity Zinta storming off the sets.

The film promises to be a comeback vehicle for Preity Zinta, Ameesha Patel, Shreyas Talpade, and also stars Sunny Deol and Arshad Warsi. The film is being directed Neeraj Pathak, who has earlier written and directed Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri respectively. As it is Ameesha's career is not on an upswing, maybe it wouldn't be a very bad idea to continue being a polite actor, let alone a successful actor.



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The Bank of America building is shown in Los Angeles, California October 29, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo - RTSIJL2

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision to overturn a $1.27 billion penalty against Bank of America Corp and a jury verdict finding it liable for mortgage fraud leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office petitioned a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on Thursday to rehear the case, asking it to at least give the government an opportunity to seek a new trial.

Bharara's office argued the panel's ruling in May "overlooked a wealth of evidence" establishing the fraud perpetrated through a mortgage program called "Hustle" run by Countrywide Financial Corp, which Bank of America acquired in 2008.

"There was therefore an adequate basis for the jury's verdict," the brief argued.

Bank of America declined comment on Friday. Marc Mukasey, a lawyer for Rebecca Mairone, a former midlevel Countrywide executive who was also found liable at trial, in a statement contended 2nd Circuit got the law right the first time.

"There was no fraud," he said. "Rebecca should be allowed to move on with her life."

The lawsuit was filed in 2012 following a whistleblower's complaint, and remains one of the biggest government enforcement cases to go to trial in connection with the U.S. housing meltdown and financial crisis.

A federal jury had in 2013 found Bank of America and Mairone liable for fraudulently selling shoddy loans originated through Countrywide's "High Speed Swim Lane" program, also called HSSL or "Hustle."

The Justice Department said the program rewarded staff for generating more mortgages and emphasized speed over quality, resulting in mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac being lied to about the quality of loans they bought.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were seized by the government in September 2008 and remain in conservatorships.

Following the verdict, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in 2014 imposed a $1.27 billion penalty on Bank of America and ordered Mairone to pay $1 million.

But the 2nd Circuit ruled three months ago that the evidence at most showed that Countrywide breached contracts to sell Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investment-quality loans, and that there was no proof it intended any deception.

The case is U.S. v. Countrywide Home Loans Inc et at, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 15-496.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Alden Bentley)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attends the Central Asia Ministerial at the Department of State in Washington, U.S. August 3, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

By Hugh Bronstein and Gram Slattery

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday urged Argentina to be patient with the slow pace of economic progress under its new government, and urged Venezuela to allow a vote this year on whether to recall President Nicolas Maduro.

In his first trip to Argentina as America's chief diplomat, Kerry praised President Mauricio Macri, a free-markets proponent who took office in December promising to attract a wave of private investment that has yet to materialize.

Kerry also said he was concerned that the government of Venezuela has failed to enter into meaningful dialogue with the opposition, which is trying to organize a referendum to kick Maduro out of power.

"We encourage Venezuela to embrace the recall not in a delayed way that pushes it into next year, but to do this as a sign of respect for the constitution of the country and the needs of the people of the country," Kerry told reporters.

The timing is crucial because if Maduro were to lose a referendum this year, as polls indicate he would due to the country's moribund economy, it would trigger a new presidential vote, giving the opposition a chance to end 17 years of socialism.

But should he lose a referendum next year, Maduro would be replaced by his vice president, maintaining the Socialist Party in power until the OPEC nation's next presidential election scheduled for the end of 2018.

"BAD HABITS"

Kerry also addressed growing discontent voiced by Argentines over an economy beset by stagflation.

"It's not all going to change overnight," Kerry told a group of business leaders at a breakfast meeting in Buenos Aires.

"Getting rid of bad habits takes a little bit of time and investment takes a little bit of time to take hold and begin to create momentum," he added. "But I am 100 percent confident, as is President Obama, that Argentina is on the right course. People need to be patient."

Macri's policies follow heavy state control of the economy and allegations of corruption under previous leader Cristina Fernandez. Her former secretary of public works was caught in July trying to hide almost $9 million in a Buenos Aires convent.

Argentina's economy is expected to shrink 1.3 percent this year, according to a central bank poll of analysts. The government has not made a forecast.

Kerry met with his Argentine counterpart Susana Malcorra to discuss issues including Venezuela.

Fernandez supported Hugo Chavez's self-styled revolution in the oil rich country, and the administration of his protege Maduro. Macri is one of the region's leading critics of Maduro, accusing him of unjustly jailing opposition leaders.

From Buenos Aires Kerry was set to go on to Brazil where he will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday.

Headwinds from Argentina's recession-racked northern neighbor are not helping Macri's investment push. Brazil, the region's biggest economy, has been paralyzed by corruption scandals and political turmoil after the suspension of President Dilma Rousseff from power.

(Editing by Phil Berlowitz)
The bomb was found in a plant pot, nearly 20 metres away from Friday's blast site.

By Indo-Asian News Service: A powerful bomb weighing 3.5 kg was recovered here on Saturday morning near the place where an explosion on Friday injured one CRPF trooper and a two-year-old girl.

The bomb, which has since been defused, was found in a plant pot about five metres away from the sentry post of the Press Information Bureau (Defence wing), about 20 metres away from Friday's blast site.

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The site is also very close to the temporary marketplace housing women vendors from Imphal's iconic Mothers' Market which was destroyed in the January 4 earthquake.

About 2000 vendors staged a sit-in protest against the security risk posed by such bombs.

The police linked such incidents to the subversive activities that various insurgents groups in Manipur attempt to carry out ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.

The police has been conducting frisking operations at different places in the run-up to August 15.

Also read: Assam terror attack: 13 killed, Bodo group denies responsibility

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The former prime minister's intervention came amidst angry exchanges between the government and the Congress party on the "Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill".

By Javed M. Ansari : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke his silence in the Rajya Sabha by demanding that the commitment made by the UPA government for a special package for Andhra Pradesh must be fulfilled by the Modi-led government.

Singh has been conspicuous by his silence in parliament ever since he demitted office, however, on Friday he chose to break his silence.

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"My government had announced a package for Andhra on the floor of parliament, this government is honour-bound to fulfill this solemn commitment," he said.

ANGRY EXCHANGES

The former prime minister's intervention came amidst angry exchanges between the government and the Congress party on the "Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill" by Congress member KVP Ramachandra Rao.

With the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley opposing its introduction on the grounds that "it was a Money Bill hence it cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha", the issue has caused a lot of friction between the government and the treasury benches. Furthermore, it led to a lot of acrimony between the two sides when Rao sought to move the bill a fortnight ago.

Soon as Rao began reading out the provisions of his proposed legislation, the government benches opposed it. It asserted that since it had monetary implications it should be treated as a money bill and should be introduced in the Lok sabha and not in the upper house.

This led to heated exchanges between the Opposition and the government, with Congress MPs trooping into the well of the house. Expressing his helplessness in deciding whether the proposed legislation was a money bill or not the deputy chairman of the house referred it to the Lok sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to decide on the matter.

Significantly the demand for a special package for Andhra Pradesh was also supported by the TDP and ally of the ruling BJP at the centre.

SCARED TO OPEN A PANDORA'S BOX

The reason the Opposition has opposed the government's move to term the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill as a Money is because under the rules the Rajya Sabha can only debate a Money Bill it cannot vote on it. Whereas in the case of a Finance Bill both houses can debate and vote on it.

The Government is in a minority in the upper house and the Opposition wants to leverage its numbers to force the government to fulfill the previous governments commitment for a special package for AP. The government fears if it concedes the demand it will open a Pandora's box and other states like Bengal and Bihar will also demand a similar package.

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The Congress party was literally wiped out of Andhra after its decision to bifurcate the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, its hoping that if it succeeds in forcing the government to concede the demand, it might help it recover its lost political ground in the state.

The party took up the demand outside parliament as well with its Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeting his support for a special package for the state.

ALSO READ:

Chandrababu seeks all-party support to AP Reorganisation Bill



--- ENDS ---
Helen Clarks mistakes of the past is making it impossible for the Maori Party to support her bid for the United Nations top job.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says her party unequivocally do not support her big for the Secretary-General role at the UN.

The co-leader says apologising for her mistakes of the past will not change their position but it will go a long way to fixing her relationship with Maori.

"She didnt want to sign up to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People under the United Nations, she resisted that strongly.

Also with the foreshore and seabed we saw that as the largest modern day confiscation of land for Maori. And then there was her support in the Tuhoe raids. "Based on her record of dealing with indigenous rights, we feel we can not support her nomination," Marama told Stuff.

No other party has publicly opposed Helens nomination and despite her being a former Labour Party leader, even Prime Minister John Key fully endorses her bid.

While the Maori Party is a Government support partner, Marama says the party is independent and often votes against the Government.

"This doesnt put us in an awkward position with the Government. They know were able to voice our opinions as we see fit."

"Im speaking on behalf of the Maori Party but the thing that happened to Maori happened across the whole of Maoridom."

Marama says the only way Maori will know Clark has learnt from her mistakes is if she "apologises to the people shes adversely affected".

It was the Labour Party lead by Helen that passed the controversial 2005 Foreshore and Seabed Act, declaring the land in question was owned by the Crown.

Also during Helens leadership Maori criticised the handling of the 2007 Urewera raids, where about 300 police descended on the Urewera mountain range near the town of Ruatoki and arrested 17 people.

Tina Ngata, an environmentalist and indigenous rights advocate from Gisborne, spoke at the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues in May, where she questioned Helens ability to stand up for indigenous rights.

Tina also highlighted the Urewera raids and Foreshore and Seabed Act as examples of Helens past mistakes.

Marama says there are many Maori who "applaud Tinas comments and would hold the same view".

While the Maori Party isnt backing anyone else for the UN job, Marama says she has watched some of the interviews and described Helen as coming across as a "forthright leader".

Currently Helen is in the middle of a huge international lobbying quest to secure the top job at the United Nations with the next straw poll scheduled for August 5, in New York.

The first poll, held last month, saw Helen trailing the top contenders in a shock result where she emerged in the middle of the pack of 12 contenders for the job.

The two leading contenders going into the next poll are former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Gueterres and former Slovenian President Danilo Turk.

Helens chances looked to be growing bleaker last week when the Australian Cabinet held a meeting to decide whether to endorse former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the position.

After a split vote by Cabinet, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was left to decide and opted not to back him.
Former Bay of Plenty woman Cindy Taylor has been found guilty of the manslaughter of her elderly mother Ena Lai Dung.

After five hours of deliberations the jury returned at 5pm yesterday, after asking a question an hour before.
Update 11.30am: Air Crash investigators are heading to the scene of a light aircraft crash at Tauranga Airport this morning.

Emergency Services were called to the airport about 11am this morning after a Cessna crashed on one of the runways.
Police is currently considering closing the Eastern Arterial Link in Taupo due to the weather conditions.

Where possible police is asking motorists to delay travel until the weather passes.
Lobo has been a special part of the Farrell family for almost one year  hell celebrate the anniversary on September 2.

And Lobo has made a definite difference.

Lobo is a black Labrador. But more importantly, Lobo is Georgie Farrells best friend.

The process of doing things is calmer now, says mum Liz Farrell.

At age three, Georgie was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay and speech delay.

Now age six-and-a-half, Georgie has started school, and Lobo is a key component to helping her settle in.

We used to get into school and Georgie would just bolt to the far end of the field. But now we just walk to the classroom and its nice and calm, says Liz.

The black lab gives Georgie a familiar routine at school  Lobo gets out of the car first and waits for Georgie to be ready. Georgie stays in her seat until she says shes ready to walk to school with Lobo and the rest of her family.

Lobo acts as a guide and an anchor for Georgie. Lobo can stay and lie down, which reminds Georgie she has a task to do  such as putting her school bag on  before she can keep going.

Liz says Lobo tested a few boundaries to begin with  such as getting on the couch  but has settled into his new family fantastically.

Hes very happy, he has a very waggy tail.

Liz and Matthew work hard to keep Lobo in tip-top shape. Liz says because hes such a vital member of their family now, Lobo is one well-looked-after pooch.

And the only trouble they encounter typically stems from other people.

He wears a harness and it says: Working dog, do not pet. But people will just come up and pet him.

Liz says its difficult because Lobo is a working dog, and needs to focus on his job when hes working.

Hes a great dog, hes really obedient; and hes a goofball when hes not working. But when were working hes focused.

Lobo came to the Farrells from ADNZ Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust and underwent six months of training before he was suitable for assisting Georgie.

And Liz says the family wouldnt be the same without him.
Rangitane has been working towards settlement with the Crown for almost 30 years, Chris says. Today marks the beginning of a new relationship between Rangitane and the Crown.

As a result of Crown actions and omissions, Rangitane was left virtually landless by the early twentieth century, and the iwi struggled to maintain its distinct identity, customary knowledge and language.

The settlement provides an acknowledgement, apology and redress for the Crowns historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Commercial and financial redress totalling $32.5 million includes the opportunity to purchase Crown properties and part of the Ngaumu Crown Forest Licensed land.

Cultural redress includes the vesting of eight sites of cultural significance and the vesting of Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre Reserve and Scenic Reserve which will be gifted back to the Crown and the people of New Zealand.

A number of statutory acknowledgments and deeds of recognition over sites of historical, cultural and spiritual significance to Rangitane are also included as part of the redress.

The Crown can never fully compensate Rangitane for the injustices of the past but this settlement provides the iwi with a solid foundation for its economic and cultural future, He says.

Rangitanes area of interest extends from north of Dannevirke to Makaramu (near Porangahau), down to Cape Palliser and encompasses the wider Wairarapa and Tamaki nui-a-Rua regions.

A copy of the deed of settlement is available online at: here

Source: Chris Finlaysons office.
Papamoa residents are breathing a sigh of relief after an unexpected power cut left some residents without power before the Super Rugby Final this evening.

More than 220 Tauranga residents who are Powerco users were left without power at 5.23pm this afternoon when they were struck by an unexpected powercut.
Apurvi Chandela and Ayonika Paul finished with combined scores of 411.6 and 407.0 respectively ranking 34 and 43 in the process.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian women shooters Apurvi Chandela and Ayonika Paul crashed out of the Rio Olympics 2016 after losing in the quarter-finals in their 10 metre air rifle event here on Saturday. (RIO 2016 FULL COVERAGE)



Apurvi was placed in the 34th position with a combined score of 411.6 while Ayonika was 43rd with 407.0 among 53 shooters at the Olympic Shooting Centre.

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China's Du Li entered the quarter-finals, bagging the top spot with a score of 420.7, setting a new Olympic record at the event.

Germany's Barbara Engleder took the second spot with 420.3 while Iran's Elaheh Ahmadi was third with 417.8. (LIVE UPDATES)



Apart from the top three, a Russian, two Americans, a Croatian and another Chinese shooter completed the top eight line-up.

--- ENDS ---
A young woman has died after her car crashed into a stream in the Bay of Plenty.

Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Bruce Horne says the crash happened about midnight last night.
New Zealands worst bars can now be revealed with police figures showing where people drank before being reached by the long arm of the law and a Tauranga bar is number two on the list

It had the makings of a good night in New Zealands most notorious bar. "Down from Aux just for the night, free drinks, a gazillion new friends & tooooo many hilarious/weird/amazing moments," writes Jackie on Instagram.
By PTI: Madikeri (Ktk), Aug 6 (PTI) Army Chief General Dalbir Singh today said a proposal has been sent to the government to establish regional hospitals across the country for army veterans.

"We have sent a proposal to the government. We have discussed with them, throughout India we will start regional veteranshospitals ... ten in the first phase. We have got straight awayacceptance for four, others will follow," Singh said.

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Wishing that veterans get good medical facility, he said, "Karnataka may also get one regional veterans hospital."

General Singh was speaking after attending a mega veterans rally here, in an effort to reach out to veterans and war widows and to resolve the problems faced by them.

Listing out various initiatives taken by the Army forthe health benefit of army veterans, he also said a special cardiac surgery and dental centre had been openedfor veterans in (Army) RR (Research and Referral) hospitals.

Stating that it was our duty to take care of our veteransand war widows, General Singh "we will do it".

The rally was attended by about 1,800 veterans and veer naris (war widows) from Kodagu district andneighbouring areas and was organised by Karnataka and Kerala sub-area.

It was held in close coordination with the state administration and Rajya Sainik Boards.

Speaking about "one rank, one pension", General Singh said "what we have got is in accordance with what we had expected".

He said "remittance of arrears has started into the accounts, war widows will get it in one go and veteransabove 80 years in one or two installments. Others will get inthree or four installments."

Noting that a judicial commission had been set up to resolve some of the pending issues of OROP, he said it would be visiting about 20 locations to interact with ex-servicemen, first being Chandigarh.

Earlier, the Army Chief paid homage to late Field Marshal K M Cariappa, at the Cariappa Memorial Park and visited Sunny Side, the abode of late General K S Thimayya.

Cariappa was the first Indian Army Commander-in-Chief, while Thimayya was the Army Chief from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962.

The General along with his wife Namita Suhag, President of Army WivesWelfare Association (AWWA), and Madhulika Rawat, RegionalPresident AWWA, also felicitated the war widows at the event.

Calling Kodagu the "great land of warriors" for producing heroes like Cariappa, Thimayya and several others, he recalled about him meeting Cariappa in Bengaluru as a young officer.

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The Army Chief during the rally also positively responded to various issues and demands raised by Lieutenant General (Retd) P C Nanda on behalf of veterans and Army community from the region.

The rally among others included a fully equipped medical camp, pension clinic, canteen service, Army Welfare Placement Organisation, Army Veterans Cell, Aadhar card registration and bank loan facilities, officials said, adding focus was to resolve anomalies in disbursement of pension, land and legal cases being confronted by the veterans and their families. PTI KSU RA VS IKA

--- ENDS ---
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Following the announcement Friday that a Syracuse police officer who fatally shot a man had been cleared of wrongdoing by a grand jury, authorities released new information on the case.

Officer Kelsey Francemone responded to Otisco Street just after 11 p.m. on June 19 after police received a noise complaint and a report of an intoxicated "man down." She did not find the man, but called for backup after encountering hundreds of people at a party at the James Geddes Housing Development.

Suddenly, gunshots rang out and people began running away.

A police surveillance camera showed Francemone running toward the scene as people ran away from the gun fire. Francemone observed Gary Porter firing a handgun and ordered him to drop the weapon. But he did not, authorities said, and Francemone fired, hitting him once. Video from the scene showed several people fired guns.

At a news conference Friday District Attorney William Fitzpatrick used a diagram to show where police found shell casings.

Police have previously said that based on evidence collected they believed at least 37 shots were fired from four weapons, including Francemone's .45-caliber handgun. See the diagram below showing where police collected evidence.

 Graphic: James Geddes Housing Development shooting
Now that the release date of Baahubali: The Conclusion is locked, actor Rana Daggubati has made an interesting revelation about the film's trailer.

By India Today Web Desk: Last year, the world witnessed SS Rajamouli's epic fantasy film Baahubali: The Beginning, whose visual experience made some of the Hollywood films pale in comparison.

While the makers are busy shooting the climax portion of the film, which is currently being shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, actor Rana Daggubati better known as Bhallaladeva, has revealed the likely release date of the film's theatrical trailer.



ALSO READ: Baahubali 2: SS Rajamouli will reveal 'Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?' on April 28



ALSO READ: Baahubali 2: Tamil Nadu shells out Rs 45 crore for the theatrical rights of the sequel

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Speaking about the sequel, he was quoted by DNA as saying, "We are just wrapping the film now and it should be over in sometime. After that, I am guessing the first promo should be out this year-end or at the most in January for sure. I don't know if it will be a teaser but the theatrical trailer will be out there definitely by January."

Reportedly, the makers have lavishly spent Rs 30 crore just for the climax sequence and Hollywood artists, who has previously worked in films like X-Men and 300, have been roped in.

"The climax features an awe-inspiring battle sequence which will last for about half hour in the film. It's going to be even more grand and dramatic than the battle scene in the first part," a source close to the unit said.

The film starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia and Anushka Shetty is the sequel to 2015's highly successful Baahubali: The Beginning which grossed over Rs 600 crore worldwide.



Meanwhile, Baahubali: The Conclusion has its date locked, will hit the screens on April 28, 2017.



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: By Priyanka Sharma

New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) Director Dibakar Banerjee believes the mainstream Hindi film industry tries to suppress independent cinema and it is upto the audiences to recognise talented filmmakers and give them a fair chance.

"Bollywood will always try to strangle something which threatens it. But fortunately for the last 10 years Bollywood hasnt been able to strangle the independent voices. I am standing in front of you as a result of that," Dibakar told PTI.

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Calling himself an "aberration", who managed to survive in the industry, the "Shanghai" helmer says he is hopeful that the work of filmmakers like Gurvinder Singh (Chauthi Koot) and Kanu Behl (Titli) will get its due.

"I am definitely part of Bollywood but not a part of the formula. I am probably a very interesting aberration in the film industry. There should not be any reason why I should be here but here I am, still working.

"If I can survive, then more talented and uncompromising filmmakers like Gurvinder (Singh) can survive. We need to recognise who we should reward and hold up as people who make us proud all over the world. The next wave has to start. People like Gurvinder and Kanu have to be given their due, otherwise the world will laugh at us."

The director spoke on the sidelines of a special screening of Gurvinders Punjabi film "Chauthi Koot", which is based on the short stories "The Fourth Direction and I Am Feeling Fine Now" by author Waryam Singh Sandhu.

"Chauthi Koot" had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Impressed with the sensitive depiction of the Punjab of 1980s, the time of Sikh separatist movement, Dibakar said the film needs to reach a larger audience.

"I didnt want to come out of the hall. Films like these are becoming a rarity. Its for those films Indian cinema was once known for.

"Its an interesting situation that a film which created sensation internationally is now coming to India and I hope media, friends of cinema and people, who call themselves tastemakers of cinema, can rally behind this kind of film and tell the Indian audience that there is something which is of tremendous watchable quality."

The movie won the Singapore International Film Festival Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Feature Film in December 2015.

"Chauthi Koot", which also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi, will arrive in theatres this Friday. PTI PSH BK

--- ENDS ---

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SATURDAY'S SPECIAL EVENTS

Fitness Boot Camp: 6 a.m. July 19-Aug. 11. Tues. & Thurs. Sebastian Karate a Fitness & Self Defense Center, 13248 U.S. 1, Sebastian. Ages: 17+. $100. Register: 772-538-1753.

Cat Adoption Event: July 23-Aug. 7. Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. Ages: 18+. 772-388-3331.

Hair Cuttery Back-to-School Share-A-Haircut Program: HC will donate haircuts to a child in need. 9 a.m. Aug. 1-15. All Hair Cuttery locations, 12th St. Plaza, Vero Beach.

Humane Society Thrift Shops Tax-Exempt Holiday: Stores carry a wide assortment of school-related items including clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks, classroom supplies and including the "Young and Trendy" area which has a variety of contemporary clothing and accessories. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 6; noon-4 p.m.; Aug. 7. Humane Society Thrift Shops, 4425 20th St., Vero Beach and 441 Sebastian Blvd. (County Road 512), Sebastian. 772-567-2044; www.hsvb.org.

The Well Armed Women Indian River County Chapter: Grand Opening. 1st Meeting National Organization of The Well Armed Women IRC. 9 a.m. Aug. 6. Indian River County Shooting Range, 10455 102nd Terrace, Sebastian. Ages: 21+. RSVP: 772-473-1800; www.twawshootingchapters.org.

RT Star's Back To School Party: A free community event at Riverside Theatre. 10 a.m. Aug. 6. Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach. 772-231-6990; www.riversidetheatre.com.

Back to School Physicals, Immunizations Backpack Brigade: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 6. Whole Family Health Center, 981 37th Place, Vero Beach. 772-257-5785.

One Pulse Extravaganza: Benefits the One Pulse Fund; live music from Collins and Company, DJ music, a cash bar. 7-11 p.m. Aug. 6. Heritage Center, 2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach. $20. 772-713-5520.

SATURDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

CHILDREN/TEENS

Karate and Qigong for Children: Japanese Go-Ju Karate and Chinese Qigong and Kung fu. Noon. The Cloudwalker Place, 703 17th St., Vero Beach. Ages: 5-15 years old. $80 per month, Scholarships available. 772-217-2887; www.thecloudwalker.com.

Monthly Art Workshop: 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1-Dec. 3. IRC Main Library, 1600 21 St., Vero Beach. 1st-5th graders. Reservation: 772-770-5060; www.irclibrary.org.

CLUBS

The Well Armed Women Indian River County Chapter: 9 a.m. Indian River County Shooting Range, 10455 102nd Terrace, Sebastian. Ages: 21+. RSVP: 772-473-1800; www.twawshootingchapters.org.

EXERCISE/HEALTH

Bikram Yoga Room: Yoga classes for first time students. 9-10:30 a.m. Yoga Room, 676 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. 772-713-6538; info@yogaroomvero.com.

Martial Arts for Executives: Japanese and Chinese internal arts training for therapeutic benefits. Noon. The Cloudwalker Place, 703 17th St., Vero Beach. Ages: 15+. $90 per month. 772-217-2887; www.thecloudwalker.com.

Pickleball University Open Play: 8:30 a.m. Pocahontas Park, 2140 14th Ave, Vero Beach. All ages and Levels. $2/annual membership $24. 772-50-15685; vbpickle@gmail.com Facebook: Pickleball University.

Pilates Reformer Group Class: Reform your body, strengthen your core. Joseph Pilates Techniques. 9 a.m. The Club at Spine and Sport, 1345 36th Street, Vero Beach. Adults. $90 for 6 weeks. Reservation: 772-559-0866; namaste5@yahoo.com.

Qigong Self Healing Class with Joane: Spend one hour practicing highly beneficial health enhancing techniques. 10:30 a.m. The Club at Spine and Sport Institute, 1345 36th St., Vero Beach. All ages. $9-$12. Reservation: 772-559-0866; namaste5@yahoo.com.

NATURE

Adventure Kayaking: Naturalist guided kayak/paddleboard tour on the Indian River Lagoon. 9 a.m.-noon, every day. Round Island Park, South Highway A1A, Vero Beach. $50 adult, $25 child. Reservation: 772-567-0522; paddleflorida.com.

Canoe Trip on the Lagoon: Guided canoe excursion on the Lagoon. 9-11:30 a.m. Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach. Ages: 8+. $7-$15. Reservation: 772-589-5050; DiscoverELC.org.

Evenings on the Lagoon: Motorized Kayak Adventures. Every Day 1 hour before sunset. Round Island Riverside Park, 2200 South Highway A1A, South Vero Beach. One hour before sunset, every evening. $35 per seat. Reservation: 772-380-6815; motorizedkayakadventures.com.

Tours through the Mangrove Forests: Motorized Kayak Adventures. Varies based on tides, daily. Stan Blum Boat Launch, 613 North Causeway Drive, Fort Pierce. $48-60; Group discounts offered. Reservation: 772-380-6815; motorizedkayakadventures.com.

OTHER

Bobby and the Blisters: 8-11 p.m. June 11. Osceola Bistro, 2045 13th Ave, Vero Beach. Reservation: 772-569-1299; osceolabistro.com.

Dog Obedience Training: Registration required with instructor Shelly Ferger. 9 a.m. Dogs For Life, Inc. Off-Leash Dog Park, 1230 16th Avenue, Vero Beach. Ages: 7 months+. $120. Reservation: 772-567-8969; dogsforlifevb@bellsouth.net.

LaPorte Farms: Self guided tours, pony rides. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. LaPorte Farms, 7700 129th St., Sebastian. Donations. 772-633-0813; laportefarms1@aol.com.

SUNDAY'S SPECIAL EVENTS

Theatre-Go-Round Dinner Theatre: "From Sea to Shining Sea". 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 21, Sept. 18. Quilted Giraffe Restaurant, 500 South U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Reservation: 772-252-9341; theatregorounddinnertheatre.com.

Think Pink Art Show and Raffle Event: Benefits Treasure Coast 'Friends in Pink'. 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7. Gallery 14, 1911 14th Ave., Vero Beach. 772-562-5525; www.gallery14verobeach.com.

Video Bible Study: Do You Believe. 6 p.m. Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28. First Baptist Church of Wabasso, 4720 86th St., Wabasso. 772-589-5256; firstbaptistwabasso.org.

SUNDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

DANCE

CardioFunk HipHop: Beginner HipHop Dance. 2 p.m. IRC Main Library, 1600 21st St., Vero Beach. Ages: 10+. Donation: 772-770-5060; irclibrary.org.

EXERCISE

Hot Yoga Class Supports Pelican Island: Yoga Room offers "donation only" class to benefit local charity. Yoga Room, 676 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. 772-713-6538; info@yogaroomvero.com.

GAMES

Bar Bingo: 1 p.m. Sebastian Eagles Aerie 4067, 9606 Trade Center Drive, Sebastian. Adult. $1 per card. 772-589-6573; empresslp234@gmail.com.

MEAL

Breakfast: Open to the public. 8 a.m.-noon. American Legion Post 39, 1535 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach. $6. jerip80@hotmail.com.

NATURE

Adventure Kayaking: Naturalist guided kayak/ paddleboard tour on the Indian River Lagoon. 9 a.m.-Noon. Round Island Park South Highway A1A, Vero Beach. $25-$50. Reservation: 772-567-0522: paddleflorida.com.

Evenings on the Lagoon: Motorized Kayak Adventures. Every Day 1 hour before sunset. Round Island Riverside Park, 2200 South Highway A1A, South Vero Beach. One hour before sunset, every evening. $35 per seat. Reservation: 772-380-6815; motorizedkayakadventures.com.

Tours through the Mangrove Forests: Motorized Kayak Adventures. Varies based on tides, daily. Stan Blum Boat Launch, 613 North Causeway Drive, Fort Pierce. $48-60; Group discounts offered. Reservation: 772-380-6815; motorizedkayakadventures.com.

OTHER

Vero Beach Widows and Widowers: Brunch 11:30 a.m. C. J. Cannons Restaurant, 3414 Cherokee Drive, Vero Beach. RSVP: Anna Mae, 772-461-1208. Snowbirds Welcome!

LOOKING AHEAD

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: 11 a.m.-noon Aug. 8. Harvest Food, 1360 28th, Vero Beach.

Friends After Diagnosis: Speaker: Allison Snowden  acupuncture, integrative medicine for breast cancer survivors. 2 p.m. Aug. 8. First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. 772-978-9392; www.FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com.

Canine Games-My Dog Can Do That: This fun filled board games provides fun for all dogs. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29. Humane Society of Vero Beach. 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. $75. Register: 772-978-7863; www.hsvb.org.

American Legion Auxiliary Quarter Auction: 6 p.m. Aug. 8. American Legion, 807 Louisiana Ave., Sebastian. Ages: 18+. 772-882-7352; avondaisy44@aol.com.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-11 a.m. Aug. 9. VNA Hidden Treasures, 656 21st St., Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 9. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, 5480 85th, Wabasso.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 10. VNA Hidden Treasures Sebastian, 11646 U.S. 1, Sebastian.

Feisty Fido: Instructor approval required to help your socially challenged dog. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10, 17, 24. Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. $75. Register: 772-978-7863; www.bestbehaviordogtraining.org.

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 11. VNA Hidden Treasures Vero, 656 21st, Vero Beach.

Family Dog Manners: Teach your dog to be a great companion. 1 p.m. Aug. 11, 18, 25. Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. $75. Register: 772-571-6409; www.hsvb.org.

Transcendental Meditation: Introductory presentation on the Transcendental Meditation technique  all questions answered. 7 p.m. Aug. 12. The Center for Spiritual Care, 1550 24th St., Vero Beach. 772-480-0047; www.tm.org.

V.B.E. PTA Indoor Sale: 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 13. Cafeteria, 1770 12th St., Vero Beach. Rent a table $15 call 564-4611. RSVP: 772-564-4611; james.batory@indianriverschools.org.

Family Dog Manners: Teach your dog to be a great companion. 1 p.m. Aug. 13, 20, 27, Sept. 10, 17. Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. $75. Register: 772-978-7863; www.hsvb.org.

High Tea for Ladies: Chum Bucket founders speak at Christ the King Ladies Tea. 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Christ the King Lutheran, 1301 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian. Ages: Teens+. $5. Reservation: 772-589-7117; ctklutheran3@gmail.com.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-10 a.m. Aug. 15. River Park Place, 700 3rd Circle, Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 15. VNA Hidden Treasures Vero, 656 21st, Vero Beach.

Family Dog Manners: Learn how to make your dog a great companion. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15, 22, 29, Sept. 12, 19. Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. $75. Register: 772-571-6409; www.hsvb.org.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Aug. 16. Christi's Family Fitness, 1250 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach.

Sebastian Area Widows/Widowers: Noon Aug. 16. Ruby Tuesdays, 13675 U.S. 1, Sebastian. Ages: 55+. Reservation: 772-388-5914; mollyann0128@yahoo.com.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 17. VNA Hidden Treasures Sebastian, 11646 U.S. 1, Sebastian.

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 17. Second Chance Thrift Store & Training Center, 490 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 8:30-10 a.m. Aug. 18. Gifford Youth Activity Center, 4875 43rd, Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-11 a.m. Aug. 18. VNA Hidden Treasures, 656 21st St., Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: Noon-1 p.m. Aug. 18. South Mainland Library, 7921 Ron Beatty Blvd., Sebastian.

VNA Blood Pressure Screenings: Noon-1 p.m. Aug. 18. Our Father's Table Soup Kitchen 4221 28th, Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-11 a.m. Aug. 19. VNA Hidden Treasures Sebastian, 11646 U.S. 1, Sebastian.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-10 a.m. Aug. 20. Allen AME Church, 6425 85th St., Wabasso.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 8:30-10 a.m. Aug. 20. Sebastian Gym & Fitness, 345 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 22. VNA Hidden Treasures, 656 21st St., Vero Beach.

Candidate Forum: August Primary election for School Board and County Commission races. 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Heritage Center, 14th Ave., Vero Beach.

American Legion Auxiliary North County Quarter Auction: 6 p.m. Aug. 22. American Legion, 807 Louisiana Ave., Sebastian. Ages: 18+. 772-882-7352; avondaisy44@aol.com.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-11 a.m. Aug. 24. VNA Hidden Treasures, 656 21st St., Vero Beach.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 9-11 a.m. VNA Hidden Treasures Sebastian, 11646 U.S. 1, Sebastian.

School Supply Drive for Feed the Lambs: Bring supplies to Vero Beach Christian Business Association luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. The Plaza, 884 17th St., Vero Beach. www.vbcba.org.

School Supply Drive for Feed the Lambs: Bring supplies to August Vero Beach Christian Business Association luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. The Plaza, 884 17th St., Vero Beach. www.vbcba.org.

VNA Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Screenings: 8:45-9:45 a.m. Aug. 28. St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 901 Clearmont St., Sebastian.

SEPT.

Art in the Park: Application Deadline. Sept. 1. 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach.

Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections  Know Your Rights: Clinics on Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections. 2:30 p.m. Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 7, Dec. 5. Indian River Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room, 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach. Register: 772-466-4766; www.FRLS.org.

Roseland Women's Club: Business meeting with guest speaker. New residents of community welcome. 1:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Roseland Community Building, 12973 83rd Ave. (Bay Street), Roseland. Adults. 772-913-2182.

American Legion Auxiliary LUAU Party: LUAU Party with pork dinner. 4 p.m. Sept. 10. American Legion Post 189, 807 Louisiana Ave., Sebastian. $12. 772-882-7352; avondaisy44@aol.com.
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By Janet Begley

FELLSMERE  A crime-prevention program that emphasizes the importance of partnerships between the community and its police department has earned Fellsmere the "Rocky Pomerance Excellence in Policing" award from the Florida Police Chiefs Association.

The award was presented at the organization's summer training conference this week in Bonita Springs. The association presented 14 law enforcement awards to departments across the state. In addition to Fellsmere, officers from Indian River Shores' Public Safety Department also were honored with "Police Officer of the Year" awards for a beach rescue last October.

It's the second time Fellsmere has been recognized by the statewide police organization with the honor, which is given to small, medium and large agencies for developing and implementing innovative policing techniques. The award is named after the late Miami Beach Police Chief Rocky Pomerance.

"These awards demonstrate not only the breadth of the FPCA's membership, but also the extreme talent and dedication of those members  to their communities, to their fellow law enforcement officers and to their state," Coconut Creek Chief of Police Albert Arenal, president of the chiefs association, said in a news release.

The Fellsmere Police Department earned the award for its "Police Partners" program that began last April. About 60 community members attended the program, which stressed the importance of partnering with police as a way to reduce crime. A follow-up session will take place in October.

Police Chief Keith Touchberry said the goal of the "Police Partners" program is to enhance the community's understanding of the police and the criminal justice system. It seeks to strengthen police relations and promote community participation, enhancing the quality of life within the community.

"People take an oath and pledge to partner with us," Touchberry said. "We are working with local businesses to show the importance of collaboration."

The "Police Partners" program was developed in response to President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which calls for transparency and accountability of police departments nationwide. The task force created a road map for future policing across the country and provides direction on how to build public trust.

Touchberry said Fellsmere is focusing on a strategy called PORT that teaches citizens how to protect themselves, obey the law, report crime and testify in court cases. Department members actively collaborate with families, churches, schools and youth groups to identify issues and develop solutions to increase citizen safety and security.
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By Keona Gardner of TCPalm

Authorities on Friday charged four Samuel S. Gaines Academy students ages 10 ?14 with a string of felonies after a student on Thursday brought a handgun to school in a backpack and it was passed through a crowd of students when school officials tried to confiscate it.

A fifth student, Krista Wilson, 13, was arrested at her Fort Pierce home on Saturday afternoon as a result of a Crimestoppers tip, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office release.

"School video cameras are providing law enforcement with a great deal of visual evidence in the case," said Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon, who has a temporary office in the building and said he observed the event that resulted in no reported injuries.

"Yes, a student did bring and have a handgun to school. Yes, it was known by authorities only at dismissal (Thursday)," Lannon said.

As of Saturday, the gun had not been found, sheriff's officials said.

According to a sheriff's report, arrested in the incident were:

? Asencion Abarca, 13, of the 900 block of North 23rd Street, charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated assault.

? Curtis Jamall Crenshaw, 14, of the 7100 block of Hibiscus Road, charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, carrying a concealed weapon.

? Brandon Cameron Davidson, 14, of the 1300 block of North 32nd Street, charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, carrying a concealed weapon and tampering with evidence.

? Bendrell Johnson, 10, of the 1800 block of South 26th Street, with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor and carrying a concealed weapon.

"Students who are arrested are immediately suspended from school and will face School Board discipline per policy," Lannon said.

Earlier on Thursday, Krista and Asencion showed five bullets and a black and silver handgun to a student, the report states. Asencion had wrapped the gun in a red sweater tied around his waist and threatened to shoot a student if the student told about the weapon.

School officials on Thursday were tipped off during school dismissal to the possibility that Krista had a gun after someone saw her point it at a wall, the report states.

On Friday, a student told a sheriff's deputy Krista showed her the gun Thursday and threatened to shoot her, the report states.

The student said Krista showed her the gun wrapped in a red t-shirt and said, "Why don't you answer the phone when my brother calls you? And if you don't start answering the phone, I'm going to use this."

When an assistant principal questioned Krista, her backpack came off and the assistant principal grabbed her and called for law enforcement. School security video showed Krista handed the backpack to Bendrell, who gave it to Curtis, who put the backpack inside of Brandon's backpack, the report states.

Brandon then hid the gun in a canal bank on 32nd Street and then later hid it in a garbage can in the 3000 block of Avenue K, the arrest report said.

Deputies searched the garbage can and did not find the gun, but did find Brandon's backpack and school books, the report states. There was no information available on whether the gun was loaded.

Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, while customarily not naming juveniles accused of crimes, does name some juveniles depending on the seriousness of the crime, their age, aggravating circumstances and other factors.
Martin County Commission on Feb. 9, 2016. (FILE PHOTO)

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By Lidia Dinkova of TCPalm

MARTIN COUNTY  The ongoing legal battle between the county and the Lake Point rock mine has been playing out in court for about three years, but more recently it has come to the forefront of the upcoming County Commission election.

A recent lawsuit development  the discovery of Commission Chairwoman Anne Scott's emails that prompted the revival of part of the case  is being used for mailer fodder by a group that opposes Scott in her bid to keep the District 3 seat.

Three seats are up for election. The primary races are on Aug. 30; Districts 1 and 3 ultimately will be decided in the Nov. 8 general election and the District 5 seat will be decided in the primary.

The Citizens for Public Safety, a political committee, is highlighting the newly discovered Scott emails and also mentions District 5 incumbent John Haddox in the mailer.

The mailer, in part, says the two commissioners are "hiding" emails and that "they think they're above the law."

"It's a scurrilous and ignorant attack. I did nothing wrong intentionally or otherwise," Scott said of the mailer.

Haddox said he was "shocked" to see it and called it "politically motivated."

The Citizens for Public Safety's chairman is Bryan Richardson, according to filings with the state. He is a lieutenant with Martin County Fire Rescue and part of the union representing fire rescue staff, Martin County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics. The address listed in state records is the same as the union's address posted online.

The union has endorsed Scott's and Haddox's challengers, Harold Jenkins for District 3 and Ed Ciampi for District 5, according to its Facebook page.

Richardson could not be reached for comment.

Lake Point developers sued the county alleging, among other things, the county broke the law because it destroyed, altered and delayed producing requested public records. Specifically, it had requested emails between three sitting commissioners, including Scott, and resident and former County Commissioner Maggy Hurchalla.

The county initially was exonerated from this accusation in fall 2015 when a judge ruled Martin "did not unlawfully refuse to permit" the inspection and copy of emails.

That was a short-lived win.

In April, Martin was ordered back in court after emails between Scott and Hurchalla were discovered.

These emails would have been responsive to the Lake Point public-records request, Judge F. Shields McManus wrote in his order. The emails "are direct evidence of an unlawful refusal to disclose public records," McManus wrote.

Haddox was not named in the lawsuit as being subject to Lake Point's public-records request for commissioners' emails.

"I am not a named party in the 30- to 40-page lawsuit and I have never been a named party," he said. "Lake Point has had over nearly three and a half years to involve me in any aspect. It was not until the current election season that they decided to take an interest in me."

For her part, Scott said the Lake Point lawsuit is "one of many things that have become issues in the campaign that ... should not have any bearing on campaigning."

The emails issue is part of a broader Lake Point lawsuit. Developers also sued the county over breach of the agreement, saying, among other things, the agreement gives it the right to transport and supply water, according to the complaint. It also has sued the South Florida Water Management District and Hurchalla.

MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSION ELECTION

District 1: Incumbent Doug Smith is being challenged by Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Sewall's Point town commissioner in the Aug. 30 primary. The highest vote-getter will then face write-in candidate Chase Lurgio in the Nov. 8 general election.

District 3: Incumbent Anne Scott is being challenged by political newcomer Harold Jenkins in the Aug. 30 primary. The highest vote-getter will then face write-in candidate John Schierbaum on Nov. 8.

District 5: Incumbent John Haddox is being challenged by Ed Ciampi and Donna Melzer, both former county commissioners. This race will be decided in the primary.

More election information: Registered Republicans in the county can vote in the Districts 1 and 3 primaries. All registered voters in the county, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in the District 5 primary Aug. 30.
RACE: State representative, House District 54, Republican primary

TERM: Two years

CANDIDATES:

Dale Glading, Vero Beach

Erin Grall, Vero Beach

Greg MacKay, Vero Beach

Lange Sykes, Vero Beach

WHO CAN VOTE: Only Republicans in District 54 can vote in this closed primary

KEY ISSUES: Leadership, experience, ethics, Indian River Lagoon, education

RECOMMENDATION: The candidates in this race are quite different.

Grall, part owner of a successful family legal firm, is a tireless worker for the needy, especially children whose parents cannot afford quality preschool.

MacKay, part owner of a gastroenterology firm sold to Indian River Medical Center, is a hospital leader, caring parent, foster parent and Boy Scout leader.

Glading is as an unabashed abortion opponent and pastor to prisoners he hopes to make taxpayers.

Sykes is a Realtor, businessman and Indian River Lagoon advocate who helped stop the Oslo boat ramp.

Sykes makes a great first impression, but his rhetoric on immigration, job creation and Lake Okeechobee make him sound like an apologist for the Florida Republican Party as opposed to an independent thinker.

His defense of his political consultant and contributions from Disney are troubling. Front Line Strategies has represented All Aboard Florida, which Sykes said he opposes, and is linked to a write-in candidate from Clearwater whose candidacy will keep more than half of district voters out of the ballot booth.

Glading deserves respect for serving prisoners and the at-risk population. His top issue  banning abortion  is a national issue, based on Supreme Court rulings. Focusing on abortion could take his attention off other local issues, from saving the lagoon to giving Vero Beach voters the right to sell its electric operation.

MacKay and Grall are the best candidates.

MacKay is most knowledgeable and committed on the environment. He supports buying land south of Lake Okeechobee with Amendment 1 tax receipts. The purchase could help return the natural flow of water into the Everglades, stopping releases of polluted freshwater into the lagoon via the St. Lucie River.

Grall, by leading several nonprofits including the United Way, has shown she can hold spenders accountable and focus programs on measurable goals. Her expertise in early learning could dramatically help Florida. Ensuring a child reads at grade level by third grade can mitigate societal problems, including crime and poverty.

Grall's ability to assess problems and help different kinds of people reach common goals has been evident in her nonprofit work. It's why she'll make an effective legislator.

WE ENDORSE: Erin Grall
SHARE Bob Solari

RACE: Indian River County Commission, District 5, Republican primary

TERM: Four years

CANDIDATES:

Jay Kramer, Vero Beach

Bob Solari, Vero Beach (incumbent)

WHO CAN VOTE: Registered Republicans in Indian River County can vote in this closed primary

KEY ISSUES: Indian River Lagoon, spending, future development, transportation

RECOMMENDATION: This race pits the mayor of Vero Beach vs. the chairman of the Indian River County Commission: two qualified candidates with different styles and records.

There's Solari, the commission chairman and an analytical fiscal conservative. Often when it comes to funding requests or what he considers growth in bureaucracy, Solari just says no. He says his goal is liberty: "Government responsive to the needs of our citizens but limited to the efficient delivery of essential services."

He's voted against increased funding for early childhood learning and opposed joining the Indian River Lagoon Council. He says the council is a new bureaucracy wasting money on administrative overhead instead of solving the region's water quality problems. While we oppose this specific stance, we appreciate the data Solari uses to support his assertions.

Solari wants to ensure roads are safe for pedestrians and bicyclists, and is proud of lobbying for money to make the county's conservation lands open for public recreation.

Kramer also is an analytical fiscal conservative. Unlike Solari, he never would have spent the millions of dollars the county has fighting Vero Beach on the electric issue and All Aboard Florida. There were far cheaper solutions than litigation, Kramer said.

The city still has a contract to sell its power operation to Florida Power & Light Co., and has carefully scrutinized and fought plans for the train, Kramer said.

Both men have supported projects that help the Indian River Lagoon, but disagree on the effectiveness of the other's efforts. While the two often agree on problems, they disagree  often vociferously  on how to solve them.

They look at government differently. While Solari said he saved about $1 million during the recession by eliminating 13 unnecessary commission advisory committees, Kramer said those citizen committees got more community voices engaged in government.

Even though Kramer has a solid track record and is an excellent candidate, Solari has been a consistent government watchdog  even if he is hard-edged sometimes. There's no compelling reason to replace him now.

The winner in this race will face Brian Heady, a no-party-affiliation candidate, in November.

WE ENDORSE: Bob Solari
Significantly, Wang's visit comes just days after Chinese troops "transgressed" the border on land and by air in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand last month.

Wang will visit India from August 12-14 at the invitation of Sushma Swaraj. Photo credit: Reuters

By Press Trust of India: Amid unease in ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in India next week to hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on August 13, during which key regional and bilateral issues will be discussed, including the NSG issue.

Significantly, Wang's visit also comes just days after Chinese troops "transgressed" the border on land and by air in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand last month.

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INVITED BY SUSHMA SWARAJ

China also stalled India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid at the Plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the grounds that it was a non-NPT signatory.

Announcing the visit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the leaders will discuss various issues of mutual interests including the upcoming multilateral meetings with G-20 Summit being held in China and the BRICS Summit being held in India.

In Beijing, sources said Wang will visit India from August 12-14 at the invitation of Sushma Swaraj.

WHAT WILL BE ADDRESSED

When asked whether India will raise the recent incident of transgression in Uttarakhand at the meeting, Mr Swarup said, all international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest will be discussed.

However, he added that the defence minister has already made a statement and there are mechanisms, including at army-to-army level, to take care of such incidents.

According to sources, the Indian side is likely to raise the issue of China scuttling India's NSG membership bid.

"Visit of Foreign Minister Wang to India is part of the regular high level dialogue between the two countries," Mr Swarup said.

Apart from India, Wang will also visit Kenya and Uganda during his six-day trip starting from August 9.

--- ENDS ---
SHARE John Haddox

RACE: Martin County Commission, District 5, Republican primary

TERM: Four years

CANDIDATES:

Edward Ciampi, Palm City

John Haddox, Palm City (incumbent)

Donna Melzer, Palm City

WHO CAN VOTE: All Martin County voters can vote in this universal primary race

KEY ISSUES: Indian River Lagoon, community redevelopment areas, infrastructure backlog, All Aboard Florida, proliferation of county lawsuits

RECOMMENDATION: One unique feature in this race is the fact each candidate has served on the Martin County Commission: Haddox is completing his first term, while Melzer (1996-2000) and Ciampi (2008-12) each served one term.

Melzer's main selling point is her advocacy for the county's comprehensive plan and preservation efforts. If elected to the District 5 seat, voters can expect Melzer to fall in line with many of the positions championed by the commission's slow-growth majority.

By contrast, both Ciampi and Haddox are more sympathetic to the challenges confronting business and industry.

"The thing I hear the most from small business owners is the need for economic development," Ciampi told the Editorial Board of Treasure Coast Newspapers.

Haddox said Martin County has developed a negative reputation at the state level.

"Our reputation is, 'Don't come here to do business,' " Haddox said. "We have to become business friendly. We need higher-paying jobs."

He points to the proliferation of lawsuits against the county as evidence of the current commission's antagonism to economic development.

"We need to be quicker to negotiate than litigate," Haddox said.

All three candidates are passionate about ending the discharges of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.

Haddox is his own commissioner. He is beholden to neither the slow-growth nor pro-development factions. He told the board he prides himself on being open minded and that he "found out real quickly the county was mired in extremism."

Haddox's moderate position on growth and his sensible approach to government are refreshing.

WE ENDORSE: John Haddox
Sales of the iPhone for the current quarter may be down, but sales for the decade are up, way up.

Apple last week announced that it had sold its billionth iPhone, a historic feat for a consumer electronics product from a single vendor.

We never set out to make the most, but weve always set out to make the best products that make a difference, said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

iPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history, he added. Its become more than a constant companion. iPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day.

The announcement came a day after Apple reported that iPhone sales had slid 15 percent, to US$40.4 million, during the quarter ending June 30, compared with the same period a year ago.

Magic Number

Its unique when any product sells a billion units, said Kevin Krewell, a principal analyst at Tirias Research.

The iPhone is not exactly one monolithic product, he told the E-Commerce Times. Its a family of phones. But we, as humans, seem to like nice, big round numbers.

Apple has demonstrated its marketing chops by selling so many units of a premium product.

It shows Apple has been able to reach a significant part of the worlds population, as many of the older models are passed along to users that cant afford a newer model, Krewell said.

The iPhone is different from many other consumer electronic products because Apple controls both the hardware and the operating system that runs it.

When you control a product as much as Apple does, its unusual to have that product sell as much, said Justin Wetherill, president of uBreakiFix.

Its not unusual for 20 manufacturers to sell a billion Windows devices, he told the E-Commerce Times, but when you have a billion iPhones running iOS, its something special.

Keys to Success

Apple sells so many iPhones because it stays close to what its users want, Wetherill noted.

A lot of times in technology, you have manufacturers chasing specs. You have manufacturers adding features that are for marketing  not because theyre necessary or desired, he said. Apple has done a great job to this point of identifying what their customers want to do on their phone and giving them the software and hardware to do it.

Apple also has done a good job of creating an ecosystem full of apps from talented developers.

Developers have been a big part of the smartphones success, said Ross Rubin, senior director for industry analysis for App Annie.

The idea of the smartphone is in many ways defined by its ability to be expanded via apps, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Market Growth

Although the latest iPhone sales numbers show a year-over-year decline, that is likely to change.

After 2016, smartphone shipments should grow at a brisk 5 percent a year clip until the end of the decade, noted Anthony Scarsella, the research manager for mobile phones at IDC.

Smartphone shipments will jump from 1.48 billion units in 2016 to 1.84 billion in 2020, he forecasted.

A strong affinity for the brand and the desire to be a part of the Apple ecosystem still keeps Apple at the top of the market, Scarsella told the E-Commerce Times. Considering it is the leading revenue driver for Apple compared to other products at the moment, I think over the next four to five years the iPhone will continue to drive sales for Apple.

The iPhone will be the cornerstone of Apples business for even longer than that, predicted Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies.

I think the iPhone will continue to be a core product strategic to Apples future for at least another decade, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Even after sales taper off, the iPhone has the ability to keep giving back to Apple.

A billion iPhones is very positive for Apples service revenues, said Trip Chowdhry, managing director for equity research at Global Equities Research.

Its a very solid foundation for Apples service revenues to accelerate, he told the E-Commerce Times.

That was apparent in Apples most recent quarterly numbers. Service revenues, which represented 14 percent of all revenue for the quarter, shot up 19 percent over the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Microsoft on Thursday won its nearly four-year battle against a New York district court judges warrant requiring it to turn over customer emails held on a server in Ireland.

Microsoft had complied with demands to turn over account information stored on its servers in the United States, but it had refused to give up the emails themselves, contending a U.S. judge did not have the authority to issue warrants for information stored abroad.

Microsoft two years ago lost its bid to vacate the warrant; it subsequently lost an appeal filed with the District Court for the Southern District of New York. It then appealed to the Second Circuit Court, which ruled in its favor.

The Second Circuit Court reversed the district courts denial of Microsofts motion to quash the warrant, vacated its order holding the company in civil contempt of the court, and remanded the case with instructions to quash the warrant insofar as it demanded user content stored outside of the U.S.

The Courts Rationale

In essence, the Second Circuit Court ruled that the Stored Communications Act does not explicitly or implicitly envision the application of its warrant provisions overseas.

When Congress passed the SCA in 1986, the intent of its warrant provision was to require that a neutral third party provide predisclosure scrutiny of a search-and-seizure request in order to afford heightened privacy protection in the U.S., Circuit Court Judge Susan L. Carney wrote in the ruling.

Congress did not abandon the instruments territorial limitations and other constitutional requirements, she found. The governments interpretation of the term warrant would require us to disregard the presumption against extraterritoriality that the Supreme Court re-stated and emphasized in two earlier cases, which the Second Circuit Court is not at liberty to do.

One Giant Leap for Privacy

This is a groundbreaking decision that helps protect privacy rights around the world, said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

The court recognized the vital privacy protections under the SCA, and correctly ruled that the government cant use a U.S. search warrant to force Internet service providers to reach email stored outside the U.S., he told the E-Commerce Times.

The ruling is undoubtedly a major win for citizens and companies alike, remarked Yasha Heidari of the Heidari Power Law Group.

It reaffirms the notion that no matter how badly certain government agencies want to apply domestic laws abroad, theyre prohibited from doing so, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The ruling is laudable, according to Daniel Castro, vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

The U.S. government should have sought access to the information through a mutual legal assistance treaty rather than a warrant, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The very fact that the ruling is being proclaimed as such a big victory indicates the sad state of affairs now prevailing, Heidari observed.

Implications of the Ruling

In a concurring opinion, Judge Gerard Lynch urged Congress to update the SCA, which he described as badly outdated, to better balance current law enforcement needs and users privacy.

The law lets Microsoft get around an otherwise justified demand to turn over emails by simply storing them outside the U.S., he noted.

The courts ruling could impact decisions for business to host and store information abroad to escape the governments intrusive behavior, noted Heidari. It provides a big incentive to have servers and data centers abroad.

Law enforcement agencies long have voiced concerns about their inability to access suspects electronic communications.

The International Communications Privacy Act, introduced this spring in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, addresses the issue. It seeks to amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to reform the MLAT, allowing law enforcement to obtain electronic communications relating to foreign nationals in certain circumstances.
Google Self-Driving Car Project CTO Chris Urmson, who has been working on autonomous vehicle technology at the company for over seven years, has announced his departure.

Urmson, a research scientist from Carnegie Mellon University, joined Google back in 2009 to help in the development of the then-secret project. He took over leadership of the initiative in 2013 after Sebastian Thrun, founder of the Google X research laboratory, left the company.

Urmson posted on Medium regarding his departure, as he looked back on the many accomplishments that the Google Self-Driving Car Project has made over the past years. He recalled that when he joined Google, the first milestone of the project was to have its modified Prius vehicles drive autonomously over distances of 100,000 miles, with those first trips not exactly going as smoothly as was hoped.

The project was able to learn significant lessons over the years, leading to the decision to manufacture the prototype vehicles of the Google Self-Driving Project. The cars, which were rolled out last year, were the first ones to be designed from scratch for self-driving purposes.

"Now, 1.8 million miles of autonomous driving later, I've decided the time is right to step down and find my next adventure," Urmson wrote, adding that he is now ready for a fresh challenge after leading Google's self-driving cars over the human equivalent of 150 years worth of driving.

"Chris has been a vital force for the project, helping the team move from a research phase to a point where this lifesaving technology will soon become a reality," wrote Alphabet spokesman Johnny Luu in an e-mail, adding that the company sends Urmson their warmest wishes as he leaves.

The X research laboratory, under which Google's Self-Driving Car Project operates, has been facing increased pressure to reveal financial returns for their efforts. While the project has been leading the development of autonomous vehicle technology, a version of the vehicle that can be sold to customers is likely still several years away.

Google hired John Krafcik, former CEO and President of Hyundai America to become the project's CEO last year. Urmson, however, has expressed unhappiness under Krafcik's leadership, and has privately quarreled with Alphabet CEO Larry Page over the direction of the project.

Urmson took a leave for the summer, and has only recently come to the decision to part ways with the project. He, however, disputed that the disagreements with Krafcik and Page were a reason for his decision to leave.

In addition to Urmson, two other executives of the project are dropping from the project, with principal software engineer and one of the project's founders Jiajun Zhu co-founding a startup along with software lead Dave Ferguson.

What is next for the Google Self-Driving Car Project after these departures?

"I have every confidence that the mission is in capable hands," Urmson wrote in his Medium post, signifying that it is business as usual for those who are still working on Google's self-driving car.

The people working on the project have chosen to focus on autonomous vehicle technology over many other possible products as they understand the impact that the vehicle could have in the everyday lives of millions of people.

Urmson promised that he will be cheering for the project and following its progress, as Google continues to work on getting the self-driving car to market.

Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt recently claimed that the project will be ready in years, not decades, and so we will see how the Google Self-Driving Car Project unfolds.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
One great "bump" in data turned out to be a mere blip.

In December, the scientific world was left abuzz when a team of scientists working at CERN's Large Hadron Collider announced evidence of a potential new particle.

The fluctuation, which ran at an energy of 750 gigaelectronvolts (GeV), might have been six times greater than the famous Higgs Boson particle.

If proven, the discovery might have been considered an elementary particle that is not part of the Standard Model and might have cracked open a line between the known and the unknown.

Disappointment?

However, hints of the new particle disappeared Friday, Aug. 5.

Physicists from two LHC teams  namely ATLAS and CMS  announced at the International Conference on High Energy Physics (ICHEP) in Chicago that as more and more data flooded in, the possibility of the new particle faded away.

"We don't see anything," says CMS spokesperson Tiziano Camporesi, adding that there was a small deficit even at the eve of the announcement.

Camporesi's statement was echoed by a member of the ATLAS team.

"As it stands now, the bumplet has gone into a flatline," says James Beacham.

Camporesi says the announcement was disappointing only because too much hype was built up about the new particle.

Still, he says that the LHC physicists have always been cautioned that the bump was possibly a fluke and that they've been "cool" about it.

Other scientists who attended the Chicago meeting tweeted their responses to CERN's announcement.

Particle physicist Brian Colquhoun says the two LHC teams both saw the production of two photons more often than expected.

Furthermore, although the experiment is a disappointment, it is not seen as a failure, says Themis Bowcock from the University of Liverpool.

Bowcock says the reason the supposed new particle caught a lot of excitement was because it did not easily fit into a lot of theories.

There was a lot of work in the past year of scientists coming up with models of what the bump in the data could be, he says.

CERN's presentations at the ICHEP were part of a torrent of papers from the two teams on the results from the LHC, which were all in agreement with the Standard Model.

Scientists say that the LHC, which had a difficult beginning, is running "swimmingly" and producing proton-proton collisions at a rate of billions per second.

CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti says scientists are just at the start of the journey.

Photo: Luigi Selmi | Flickr

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HTC is set to roll out the VR app store it calls Viveport in fall later this year, giving Vive headset owners another source to download content other than Steam.

According to the company, it'll have all the "latest and greatest" experiences that the technology has to offer, and it's expected to bring a rich variety of software to the table.

"Viveport will feature content across exciting, new categories for VR-like information, edutainment, social media, 360-degree video, news, sports, health, travel and shopping," HTC says.

On top of that, the Vive Home is also getting a significant update at the same time when Viveport goes official, sporting interactive widgets and many others in the foreseeable future.

Just to be clear, HTC doesn't seem to be out to compete with Steam but to provide users a way to get to VR apps that aren't mainly based on gaming. As a testament to that, the company even encourages developers to release apps across the platforms. In other words, it's just bringing in an alternative for consumers who aren't that inclined to gaming as much as they are to general points of interest.

As anticipated, it's going to get off the ground as a developer beta before it becomes completely accessible to everyone, and it's slated to launch in a few weeks' time to 30 countries.

For the record, the VR-focused digital storefront is already up in China, and it has been available since spring. That's largely because Steam is not that widespread in the country.

"The HTC store is more of an option for people who can't use Steam. You'll be able to use it anywhere but if you take a look at China, for example, where we had the dev conference, Steam doesn't really have that much user base there," Shen Ye, VR product specialist at HTC, says.

Long story short, the Viveport appears to be HTC's attempt to deliver VR experiences and content to non-gaming folks in a convenient manner.

With all said and done, developers can already go ahead and sign up for the beta at the Vive website for developers. It's also worth mentioning that the company and Valve recently open sourced the tracking system of the headset for third-party hardware, and in light of that, the future of VR is shaping up well.

Don't forget to hit us up in the comment section below and let us know what you think of the Viveport.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Camp Century is a U.S. military base built in northwestern Greenland in 1959 as a research facility to test nuclear missiles during the Cold War. It was, however, abandoned almost 50 years ago after the United States decommissioned the camp in 1967.

Camp Century was left buried under the Greenland ice sheet along with trucks, tunnels and wastes from a nuclear reactor. These wastes include tons of sewage, gasoline, radioactive coolant water and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The U.S. and Denmark, which controlled Greenland at the time, did not give the wastes much thought since they assumed that the continual snowfall would only bury the military base deeper.

It appears, however, that this will not be the case given the warming temperatures that thaw the world's ice sheets.

Scientists revealed that global warming may release the radioactive waste stored in the deserted military camp if Greenland's ice continues to melt in the coming decades.

The base is currently buried about 35 meters below the surface but the part of the ice sheet that covers the camp may start to melt by the end of the century if current warming trends continue, scientists warned.

Researchers of a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on Aug. 4 said that the military camp's infrastructure, which include the remaining biological, radioactive and chemical wastes, could re-enter the environment and disrupt nearby ecosystem because of climate change.

The chemicals pose health threats. In animal studies, for instance, PCBs which were once widely used in electrical structures and equipment have been shown to be harmful to the nervous system, endocrine system, reproductive system and immune system.

Although these studies were conducted on animals, similar effects are expected to likely happen when humans are exposed to these toxic chemicals. Effects include increased risk for cancer.

The situation highlights another unwanted impact of global warming. The changing climate is already being blamed for wars, famine and decimation of animal populations.

"Camp Century now possesses unanticipated political significance in light of anthropogenic climate change," William Colgan, from York University in Canada, and colleagues wrote in their study.

"The potential remobilization of wastes that were previously regarded as properly sequestered, or preserved for eternity, is an instance, possibly the first, of a potentially new pathway to political dispute associated with climate change."

Unfortunately despite the threats, the researchers said that it would be very costly to remove the wastes now. They recommended waiting until the ice sheet has melted to the point it would almost expose the waste before conducting site remediation.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) Engines manufacturer Cummins India Ltd today reported 13.62 per cent decline in net profit at Rs 181.18 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2016-17.

The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 209.9 crore in the same period of last fiscal, Cummins India said in a BSE filing.

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Net sales during the quarter under review were down 3.89 per cent to Rs 1,228.41 crore, as against Rs 1,278.23 crore in the same period of 2015-16 fiscal.

Cummins India Chairman and Managing Director Anant J Talaulicar said: "In this quarter, the company achieved strong domestic revenue growth as compared to the same quarter last year as well as prior quarter, as our major markets improved led by government driven infrastructure investments accompanied by solid management execution."

Exports continue to be depressed as compared to a year ago, although they did improve as compared to the previous quarter, he added.

"We believe that this is largely an internal supply chain correction, and not an indicator of a global economic revival," Talaulicar said.

On the outlook, he said: "We are becoming increasingly optimistic about the sustainability of the domestic market revival based on strong and positive steps being taken by the central government."

Shares of Cummins India ended 1.68 per cent up at Rs 840.15 on BSE. PTI RKL SRK SA

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Microsoft has opened up a novel bounty program for developers who hunt for bugs inside its software, and this one is more serious than others.

The new bounty program aims to detect remote code execution (RCE) risks inside the Microsoft Edge version that comes with the Windows Insider program. To the end consumer, this means very few issues will plague the publicly available browser version.

Jason Shirk of the MSRC Team explains why the new bug hunting program is important.

"This bounty continues our partnership [...] to secure our platforms, in pre-release stages of the development process," Shirk writes.

He goes on to say that the Windows Insider program is crafted in such a way to ensure that the upcoming OS versions go live sporting the best features and top security to boot.

Security experts can get their hands dirty hunting for bugs in Microsoft Edge between Aug. 4, 2016 and May 15, 2017. For each bug detected, developers will get sums ranging from $500 to $15,000. Should any insider find a bug that was detected by Microsoft first, the company has sworn to pay as much as $1,500 to the first "external" whistleblower who reports the issue.

Keep in mind that for a report to qualify, the discovered liability has to be replicable on the most recent version of Windows 10, in the "slow ring" of the Windows Insider program.

Those who are not following up on Windows developments should know that Microsoft split the Windows Insider initiative into three rings: fast, slow and Release Preview.

The first batch receives builds immediately as they are written, the second group gets a rather cleaned up and stable build after some time, while the last group makes use of a thoroughly debugged software.

Microsoft already deploys a wide array of programs where security researchers can test their skills. Some noteworthy examples are the Bounty for Defense program, the Online Services Bug Bounty, the .NET Core Bug Bounty, the ASP.NET Core RC2 Bug Bounty, the Nano Server Technical Preview Bug Bounty and the Mitigation Bypass Bounty.

The previous Edge Technical Preview Bug Bounty took place last year between April 22 and June 22. Reports from the time show that Microsoft shelled out payments from $1,500 to $15,000 to experts who tracked RCE vulnerabilities.

More modest sums ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 were handed to those who identified high severity vulnerabilities in the browser or EdgeHTML, with smaller bounties of only $500 going to those who stumbled upon liabilities in ASLR Info Disclosure in Edge or EdgeHTML.

This April, Microsoft granted a $13,000 bug bounty to security researcher Jack Whitton, in the wake of unearthing a critical authentication flaw with severe consequences on Azure, Office and Outlook accounts. According to Whitton, Microsoft's authentication system was vulnerable to the so-called cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks, which let hackers gather login tokens and then pretend to be the actual user, compromising their accounts and data in the process.

Microsoft underlines that its bounty programs allow it to tap into the "collective intelligence and capabilities of security researchers," so that its end customers are kept safe and protected.

At the time of writing, the novel Microsoft Edge bounty is not yet present on the official Microsoft Bounty Programs page.

Should you feel that you belong to the "hacker" or "researcher" category and you feel like earning some extra dough, check out Microsoft's offering. You never know what Edge bug you will encounter that turns out to pay for your next trip to the Bahamas.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The week started off with a rumour that Xiaomi may foray into the VR by launching their first ever VR headset dubbed, the Mi VR, and ended with the rumour getting confirmed as Xiaomi launched the Mi VR headset, though it's not upto our expectations.

We also saw a couple of launches, came up with a few listicles, and as friendship day is on Aug 7, Sunday, we even listed out five gadgets you can have as your new friend.

Speaking about launches, we saw M1 IEM earphones by Brainwavz, Eluga Arc2 smartphone with dual 2.5D curved glass by Panasonic, YOGA 710 laptop by Lenovo, New variant of Zenfone Selfie by Asus, Redmi 3s by Xiaomi, Unite 4 Plus by Micromax, and Mi VR headset.

We also witnessed Windows 10 getting its much awaited anniversary update and demonstrated how to get it manually. We even reviewed Portronics Muffs XT Bluetooth headphones.

Rumours, exclusive stories, reviews, and a number of launches have made this week very exciting. However, if you had missed out any of our stories, do not worry. Here's a chance, as usual, to go back and review some of our exciting stuff:

1. Xiaomi VR Headset Now Official

While the company was expected to launch the VR headset supporting Google's Daydream, it seems that the company has instead, announced a very basic headset. However, it seems to work with Mi VR companion app which is an open platform and has contents from various publishers including CondeNast.

Read The Full Story Here

2. ZTE To Unveil Crowdsourced Smartphone At CES Next Year

Who doesn't know about 'Project CSX', an initiative by ZTE where the company actually crowdsources ideas and suggestions for a new mobile device. However, taking this initiative a step ahead, the company has now launched a new website to collect ideas from different users. The company has also announced that the crowdsourced smartphone would be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, next year.

Read The Full Story Here

3. Samsung Note 7 - What The Geeks Feel About The New Phablet?

After all the recent rumours regarding the new Galaxy Note 7's iris scanner and other interesting features, Samsung has finally revealed the new smartphone officially at the Galaxy Note Unpacked 2016 event held in New York, London, and Rio de Janeiro. While the smartphone has been announced to be available for the public starting Aug 19, no information regarding the price and market details have been provided yet. The announcement has definitely taken the whole of tech fraternity into storm and a lot of tech bloggers and gurus are going crazy about Galaxy Note 7.

Read The Full Story Here

4. These 5 Gadgets Can Be Your Best Buddies This Friendship Day

What if your close friends are your smartphone, your favorite headphone, your laptop, or, even a fitness band! Not surprising at a time when gadgets have become the part and parcel of our digital lifestyle, so much that, we actually become closer to them than we can get to a real-person. Now, does this sound something like your own life? As Friendship Day is just around the corner (Sunday, August 7), lets explore some gadgets you may want to add to your tech savvy life.

Read The Full Story Here

5. OnePlus Dash Charge Now A Boon To Custom ROMs

Charging a smartphone is probably one of the most responsible jobs in our daily life today. Yes, I am sure you all will agree on this.. and this job is usually carried out around 2-3 PM, when we have already come through half a day at our office making phone calls, sending SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube when we need a break from our routine.

Read The Full Story Here

6. Will Apple Watch 2 Get A Thinner Display?

While we are still not confirmed on this, there are a few reports that have been pointing towards a thinner display screen that might come with the new Apple Watch 2. Featuring a new display technology that can make the upcoming Apple Watch thinner than the original, it is expected to free up some internal space giving scope for a more powerful battery

Read The Full Story Here

7. 5 Things To Know About Android Nougat Before It Rolls Out

The latest instalment of Android, version 7.0, also christened as Nougat is all set to be launched officially on Aug 5... and we are counting moments! While we already know that LG's V20 is going to be the first smartphone to get Android Nougat, a lot of other interesting facts are being leaked recently, including a tweet -- 'Sorry Nexus 5 owner, no Nougat for you' by Evan Blass, popularly known by Twitter handle @evleaks.

Read The Full Story Here

8. Portronics Muffs XT: Unboxing And Review

Muffs XT is the latest on-ear Bluetooth headphones by Portronics that features a minimalistic and an elegant look. The headphone is definitely a takeaway deal at a price of INR 1,999. Muffs XT comes with 40mm drivers for producing great audio output... especially the bass where you can clearly feel the thump. It also features a built-in microphone and audio controls mounted on the right ear-pad giving you a complete control over music and phone calls.

Read The Full Story Here

9. LGs V20 To Be The First Android Nougat Smartphone

Whats cooking between LG and Google? Last night the Korean major announced that their latest V20 smartphone would be the first to sport Android Nougat operating system. So does this mean that Google has abdicated its right to launch the new OS from one of its own Nexus brand devices?

Read The Full Story Here

10. How To Get Windows 10 Anniversary Update Manually

After waiting for a long time, we finally have some clue regarding the Windows 10 anniversary update, and its around the corner. You may get the update rollout any time and you will be able to enjoy lots of improvements and new features. But if you are impatient enough to actually wait until you get the update, you have two options to witness the update right away.

Read The Full Story Here

Top 10 Stories, Xiaomi, virtual reality, Samsung, Apple Watch 2
Limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius as set out in the Paris Accord could be a mirage, as nations fall short of their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. | Read More
By India Today Web Desk: Deepika Padukone is known be articulate while speaking her mind. Therefore, as per reports in a national daily, it doesn't come as a surprise that the Piku actor didn't mince her words about Priyanka Chopra's international success as a TV actor in the US, and also as a musician collaborating with the most sought-after rappers like Pitbull.

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She said it began with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's appearances for L'Oreal as their brand ambassador at Cannes. And then there were others like Anil Kapoor and Irrfan who did some great work in International territory. Lastly, Priyanka Chopra is also a significant part of the movement who have actually helped erase stereotypes about Indians in the West.



ALSO SEE: Deepika and Priyanka ready for clash with Hollywood debuts

Both Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra are known to be thick friends and colleagues, having bonded on the sets of their film Bajirao Mastani and Goilyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, where Priyanka made a special appearance in a song. Both the BFFs are making their Hollywood debuts this year, which is unprecedented for Bollywood where two leading female actors make their debuts in the same year.

Deepika is playing Serena Unger opposite Vin Diesel's Xander Cage in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. While, Priyanka Chopra is playing Victoria Leeds in the film adaptation of Baywatch alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. Both films will release in January and May of 2017 respectively. It will be interesting to see who has the bigger impact on Hollywood with their acting skills.

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A new ADB report shows small- and medium-sized enterprises have difficulty accessing loans and non-bank funding that would help them expand.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Asias economies, but they need better access to finance to grow and generate badly needed new jobs for the region, says a new ADB report.

Most of Asias smaller firms are faced with difficulties in obtaining finance, said Noritaka Akamatsu, deputy head of Asian Development Banks Office of Regional Economic Integration, which produced the inaugural edition of Asia SME Finance Monitor. SMEs need to be able to tap a wider range of non-bank financing options in addition to bank loans, including capital markets if they are to realize their potential.

SMEs  defined differently in different countries but generally with a small workforce or low assets  make up 98 percent of all businesses and provide jobs for 66 percent of the labor force in Asia. However, they represent only 38 percent of the regions gross domestic product (GDP), indicating that governments can boost economic growth by developing SMEs.

Small firms have trouble getting the finance they need to grow. They lose out to larger companies where bank loans are concerned, particularly with banks cutting back their lending to SMEs in the wake of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis as they avoided risk and sought financial stability.

Although many governments have developed comprehensive policy frameworks to promote SME growth, most measures focus on helping SMEs get loans from banks, such as public credit guarantee schemes in Indonesia and Thailand, secured transaction reforms in the Pacific region, refinancing schemes in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and mandatory lending in the Philippines.

The report highlights the example of China, where SMEs contribute 50 percent of tax revenues, 60 percent of GDP, and 80 percent of urban jobs, and where alternative sources of funding are provided via SME equity markets on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, SME bond instruments, and microcredit firms.

However, given that China defines SMEs differently to other countries, further study is needed on the link between the wider availability of finance and SME growth.

More needs to be done across the region to incorporate non-bank financing options into national policies and nurture other options, such as increased use of asset-based finance and capital market instruments, the report said.

According to ADB, Vietnam is home to around 333,800 small and medium-sized enterprises, accounting for 98 percent of total enterprises. The SME sector employed 5.1 million people, or 47 percent of total employees in 2012.

Apart from the banking system, Vietnam has 30 non-bank financial institutions and two stock exchanges. In addition, there are several public funds to support SME sector development in Vietnam. For instance, provincial governments have mobilized development investment funds and industrial and agricultural promotion funds to expand SME business, upgrade business equipment and machinery, and train labor forces.



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Canadian officials on Thursday announced that their country will provide over US$13 million toward projects to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the most vulnerable workers in Southeast Asia become more successful.

According to the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi, Canada will help the governments of ASEAN member states put SME-friendly policies and programs in place and help to identify opportunities to integrate SMEs into global value chains.

Those supports in research, training and capacity building will be provided in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Canadas International Development Research Center will also support research into improving ASEANs participation in global value chains.

These initiatives aim to provide policymakers and other relevant stakeholders with the knowledge, training, tools and resources they need to ensure SMEs, particularly women-run SMEs, are competitive, resilient and able to access international markets.

Through Canadas progressive trade agenda, we are working to ensure that these benefits are enjoyed and recognized by all segments of society around the world, said Canadian Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland.

SMEs account for more than 96 percent of all enterprises and for between 50 and 95 percent of employment in many ASEAN member states.

In 2015, the bloc of 10 countries, with some of the worlds fastest-growing economies, had a collective GDP estimated at over $3.1 trillion in 2015.

The ASEAN region is Canadas sixth-largest merchandise trading partner. In 2015, the value of bilateral merchandise trade reached $21.4 billion.
In a new attempt to reduce traffic congestion, Hanoi will launch free Wi-Fi hotspots across the city this year, news website VnExpress reported on Friday.

The connection will keep people updated of traffic situations, the website said, citing the Department of Information and Communications.

It is part of an intelligent transport system that local authorities plan to establish in the near future to monitor local traffic through technologies, it said. The project also aims to help tourists stay connected.

In June, Ho Chi Minh City also announced a plan to set up free Wi-Fi hotspots across the city sometime this year.

At the moment, free wireless connection is available at popular destinations such as Da Nang, Ha Long, Hoi An and Hue.
As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.

Turkish officials insist Erdogan's visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch.

But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, comes as Ankara's relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious.

Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate.

So damaged are relations that Germany's foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that "we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets." Austria's chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended.

"For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkeys partners in the West that it could have other strategic options," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

"There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate toward Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATOs cohesiveness," Ulgen said.

Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president on Friday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity.

"Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries," he told Reuters.

Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership," Kortunov said.

Signal to the west

Washington is likely to be watching closely. Its ties with Ankara are strained over the continued presence in the United States of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Erdogan of orchestrating the attempted coup.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement in the coup and Washington has said it will extradite him only if Turkey provides evidence, much to the Turkish government's frustration.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Turkey in late August, officials have said, with Gulen's case likely to be high on the agenda.

"At a time like this, Turkish public psychology expects expressions of solidarity and togetherness, but that's not what is forthcoming from the West," said Faruk Logoglu, a former Turkish ambassador to Washington and until recently a senior lawmaker in the main secularist opposition.

While the timing of Erdogan's Russia trip could be interpreted as a signal to the West, Logoglu doubted it meant a full Turkish embrace of Russia or lasting damage to U.S. ties.

"The Turkish-American relationship is like a catholic marriage: there is no divorce. Both sides need each other," he said. "It has experienced severe tests in the past and I think it will weather this one as well."

Closer ties between Ankara and Moscow could be more troublesome for Europe, which sees a plan for a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, a project known as TurkStream, as a complication in its efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy.

"Gas cooperation between Russia and Turkey could be scary for the European Union," said Akin Unver, assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has university in Istanbul and an expert in regional energy.

"The EU wants to diversify suppliers and link eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe in the long run ... if Russia bypasses all that with TurkStream that would not help. But the EU is in no position to bargain. Politically, it is very weak."

"Short-lived turbulence"

Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Syria would be the main topic at the meeting with Erdogan. TurkStream, nuclear power projects, and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey, which stopped after the downing of the fighter jet last November, would also be discussed.

Tourism revenue, a mainstay of the Turkish economy, has been decimated by the drop in Russian visitors, whose numbers fell 87 percent in the first six months of the year. The sector has also been hit by a series of suicide bombings.

"The Turkish side has given a written guarantee that they will fulfill Russias recommendations on extra security measures for Russian tourists at Turkish resorts," Ushakov told a briefing in Moscow on Friday, adding that Turkey had granted Russian experts permission to check the measures on the ground.

On Syria, Kortunov said there was room for the two sides to move closer together on options for a political transition to end the five-year civil war and on the shape of a new constitution for the country.

"In cooperation with Russia, we would like to facilitate a political transition in Syria as soon as possible," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency. But he repeated Turkey's long-held conviction that such a move would only be possible with Assad's departure.

Kalin described the recent tensions with Russia as "short-lived turbulence" in a friendship that dated back centuries. Leaders in the West might be hoping the same is true of their relations with Ankara.

"The political backdrop does suggest there will be areas of convergence between Turkey and Russia," said Ulgen, the former diplomat. "What is not realistic, though, is to view Russia as a strategic alternative to Turkey's Western anchoring. Turkey remains an ally of the West."
An Islamic State flag hangs amid electric wires over a street in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, near the port-city of Sidon, southern Lebanon January 19, 2016.

Islamic State fighters may have captured up to 3,000 fleeing Iraqi villagers on Thursday and subsequently executed 12 of them, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said in a daily report on events in Iraq.

The report followed a statement on Thursday from the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, which said about 1,900 civilians had been captured by an estimated 100-120 Islamic State fighters, who were using people as shields against attacks by Iraqi Security Forces. Tens of civilians had been executed, and six burnt.

"UNHCR has received reports that ISIL captured on 4 August up to 3,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) from villages in Hawiga District in Kirkuk Governorate trying to flee to Kirkuk city. Reportedly, 12 of the IDPs have been killed in captivity," the UNHCR report said.

The United States is leading a military coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, where the group seized broad swathes of territory in 2014. The fighting had displaced 3.4 million people in Iraq by July 2016.

Islamic State's grip on some towns has been broken, but it still controls its de facto capitals of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria.

Last month the U.N. appealed for $284 million to prepare aid for an assault on Mosul, as well as up to $1.8 billion to deal with the aftermath.

It has so far received nothing in response, according to the U.N. Financial Tracking Service.

UNHCR has begun building a site northeast of Mosul for 6,000 people and is preparing another northwest of the city for 15,000, a fraction of those expected to need shelter.

Tens of thousands who fled from the city of Falluja have still not returned since its recapture from Islamic State in June. Three volunteers helping to clear Falluja of rubble and explosives died while clearing a house on Aug 1, UNHCR said.

"Although local authorities have suggested that returns to Falluja could begin in September, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement has stated that it may take another three months before conditions are conducive for large scale returns," it said.

But Iraqi authorities reported 300,000 displaced people had returned to Ramadi district, UNHCR said. Iraqi forces declared victory over the jihadist group in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, in December, but later called a halt to returns after dozens of civilians were killed by mines.
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court for a trial on criminal negligence looking into her role in a debt-ridden rice subsidy scheme during her administration, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 5, 2016.

Ousted former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra defended her management of a rice subsidy scheme, which critics say haemorrhaged billions of dollars, and told a court on Friday it had not distorted global prices.

Yingluck, Thailand's first female prime minister, was removed from office by a court days before the military took power in a May 2014 coup.

The rice scheme, a flagship election policy that helped sweep her to office in a landslide in 2011, was a catalyst for months of crippling street protests in 2014 that led to the military takeover.

"We found that the rice policy could increase people's income and the price of rice for farmers," Yingluck told the Supreme Court north of the capital, Bangkok.

"It did not distort the market," she said. "We saw that the benefits of the scheme outweighed the monetary losses."

Yingluck has been charged with criminal negligence over her management of the rice programme, which was one of the populist policies engineered by her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was also toppled in a 2006 coup.

Thaksin is central to a conflict that has divided Thais for more than a decade. He lives in exile abroad to avoid a jail term for abuse of power charges he says were politically motivated.

The Shinawatras enjoy support in the mostly poorer north and northeast of Thailand while their opponents, including the royalist-military establishment that accuse the Shinawatras of corruption, mostly hail from Bangkok and the south.

Yingluck is accused of failing to stem losses from the multi-billion dollar subsidy scheme, which distorted global prices and saw Thailand lose its crown as the world's number one rice exporter to India.

Supporters of ousted former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wait for her outside the Supreme Court in Bangkok, Thailand, August 5, 2016.

On Monday, the military government said it would also lodge a civil damages case against Yingluck and some of her former ministers.

The rice scheme cost the state 286 billion baht ($8.20 billion), it said.

Yingluck has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has said the case against her is being rushed deliberately.

She told the court that she was in charge of formulating the policy, not the day-to-day running of the scheme.

Supporters earlier handed her flowers as she arrived at the trial, while others held framed pictures of Yingluck and her brother Thaksin.

Yingluck was banned from politics for five years in January 2015 after a military-appointed legislature found her guilty of mismanaging the rice scheme.

The scheme left Thailand with around 18 million tonnes of rice in stockpiles. The military government has sold more than 5 million tonnes in a series of auctions since taking power.
By India Today Web Desk: When Deepika Padukone made her acting debut with Om Shanti Om, no one thought that she would become one of Bollywood's top actors. From being the highest paid actor in India to her upcoming Hollywood debut flick xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Deepika proved her mettle and the actor, today, is no less than a global star.



ALSO READ: After xXx, now Deepika Padukone featured in Vanity Fair's pick of Hollywood's Next Generation



ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone to romance Shah Rukh Khan in Tanu Weds Manu director's next

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Enthralling hordes of fans with her presence at the Lulu Mall in Kochi, she was quoted by The Times Of India as saying, "Malayalam movies are often rich in quality. It is important to back films with good content, which people can identify with. If an exciting script in Malayalam comes by, I would definitely take it. I would really like to work in Mollywood."

When quizzed about her favourite actor in Mollywood, the Tamasha actor said, "I don't want to handpick one particular actor. However, I like most of the good actors here in M-town, as they have amazing talent. There is no doubt that Malayalam films are often an inspiration for Bollywood cinema."

On the work front, Deepika is currently shooting for her upcoming film Padmavati, which is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She awaits the release of her debut Hollywood film xXx: Return of Xander Cage co-starring Vin Diesel.



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Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by the war that began in March 2011 with anti-government protests

Jihadists and their rebel allies pressed an offensive Friday with a massive attack aimed at seizing a military academy south of Aleppo and breaking a three-week-old siege of insurgent neighbourhoods.

Their assault focusing on the artillery and armaments schools of the academy has sparked contradictory reports about the situation on the ground.

"The rebels have seized parts of these schools, but the army has begun a counter-offensive backed by air cover to chase them out," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

"If the rebels can take control of these schools, they will cut the supply route into regime-held districts of western Aleppo and they must seize the adjoining area of Ramussa to lift the siege on the rebel districts," he said.

"This is a battle of life and death for the regime and for Russia," its key ally, Abdel Rahman added.

State television in Syria said government forces had repulsed the assault, killing "hundreds" of attackers.

Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by the war that began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The government siege of opposition-held districts began on July 17 and has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis.

The Observatory said at least 13 people, including nine children, were killed in air strikes on the rebel-held east of the city on Friday.

The Britain-based group said it was unclear if the raids on the Marjeh district were carried out by Syrian or Russian aircraft.

Moscow, meanwhile, hit back at US criticism over Syria, accusing Washington of lacking trust in Russia and not behaving as a true partner.

Russia and the United States support opposing sides in Syria's civil war, which has left 280,000 people dead and forced half the population to flee their homes.

'Wholly logical' policy

But the two world powers have agreed "concrete steps" to revive a tattered ceasefire and tackle jihadist groups in Syria, although details have not been made public.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama said Russia risked casting itself as an "irresponsible actor" on the world stage particularly due to its actions in Aleppo in recent weeks.

"The United States sometimes don't behave as partners when dealing with us on Syrian issues and are not always ready to negotiate on equal grounds," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS news agency.

He said he thought Moscow's policy on Syria was "wholly logical" and set goals that are mostly "shared by most members of the international community".

The battle for northern Syria.

In an audio message released Friday, Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, the head of Al-Qaeda's former affiliate in Syria, pledged that the rebel offensive which started on Sunday would soon succeed.

God had granted fighters "a glorious victory in the battle to break the siege of Aleppo", he said.

"This battle, the outcome of which will go beyond simply opening the road for the besieged, will change the balance of the conflict... setting the scene for a new stage of the battle."

After some initial rebel advances, government forces backed by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters as well as Russian air strikes have pushed back opposition fighters who include jihadists from Jolani's faction, now known as the Fateh al-Sham Front.

Ravaged by war

According to the Observatory, at least 115 civilians, including 35 children, have been killed in the city since the rebel assault began on Sunday.

The deaths include 65 people, among them 22 children, killed in rebel fire on government neighbourhoods, the Observatory said.

Another 42 people, including 11 children, have been killed in strikes on eastern Aleppo, it said.

It reported five more deaths in rebel fire on the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsud district of the city.

Elsewhere in Aleppo province, the monitor said an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters was advancing inside the Islamic State group bastion of Manbij.

Abdul Rahman said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) now held 70 percent of the town.

"The Islamic State has entered its final phase in the town of Manbij," he told AFP, adding however that IS was using a number of civilians there as human shields.

"The progress the SDF has made in the last week is more than it was able to achieve in previous weeks put together," Abdul Rahman said.

The SDF began its assault on Manbij in late May and entered the town proper on June 23, with support from the US-led coalition against IS.

Manbij sits on the route between the Turkish border and the eastern city of Raqa, the jihadists' de facto capital in Syria.
On the one-month anniversary of the day Baton Rouge police fatally shot Alton Sterling outside a north Baton Rouge convenience store, about 100 people gathered in the Triple S parking lot to celebrate Sterling's life and urge people to continue pushing for justice in the case.

Sterling, a felon in possession of a firearm, was fatally shot by a Baton Rouge police officer during a struggle outside the store early July 5. Videos of the incident have circulated widely online. The shooting, which is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, sparked protests at Triple S, Baton Rouge police headquarters and across the country.

Some of those attending Friday's memorial wore shirts that read "Black Lives Matter" and others carried flags saying "Justice for Alton."

In the past month, the convenience store has become something of a community gathering place, with people regularly coming to remember Sterling, who often sold CDs in the parking lot. People driving past the event Friday night waved from their vehicles and honked their horns in support.

Sandra Sterling, the aunt of Alton Sterling, said people must stand up and fight for justice for her nephew. She noted that protests were halted out of respect after the July 17 shooting that killed three law enforcement officers and injured three others, but "now it's time to get back out here."

Gavin Long, a Missouri man, shot dead Baton Rouge officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald and Sheriff's deputy Brad Garafola and seriously injured deputy Nick Tullier, who remains hospitalized, before being fatally shot by law enforcement.

+22 Loretta Lynch's visit to Baton Rouge caps off emotionally draining month After two days spent listening to a cross-section of Baton Rouge  from first responders to 

"It's been one month, one month since Alton was laid right here," Sandra Sterling said, becoming emotional as she pointed at the place where her nephew was shot and died. "Right here. Killed. Killed. Murdered. Murdered. Dead, never coming back again."

Political and community leaders speaking at the event encouraged attendees to continue protesting, but urged them to remain peaceful and not lose sight of their goal.

"Justice looks like they should be doing an indictment in somebody for his death. And if we don't get that, we can't stop at that," state Rep. C. Denise Marcelle said.

+2 Federal judge seals Alton Sterling's autopsy report, EBR coroner says A federal judge has ordered officials not to publicly release an autopsy report on the death

Marcelle said the police must be held accountable not only in the Sterling case, but in all of their dealings with residents of Baton Rouge. She said one step forward would be stepping up community policing efforts so officers will have a better relationship with those they serve.

Mike McClanahan, who leads the Baton Rouge NAACP chapter, encouraged people at the memorial to support black-owned businesses and advocate for solutions by attending Metro Council meetings. It's also important for them to get involved in their neighborhoods and help those in need to improve the community, McClanahan said. "That's protest too," he said.

Community activist Arthur "Silky Slim" Reed said there's much work to be done in black neighborhoods of Baton Rouge. Officials who aren't working to better the situation must be held accountable, he said.

"If we don't fight, they will continue to kill you," he warned attendees at the memorial.
Rahul Gandhi will have to appear before the court on September 29.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi was today summoned by Kamrup Metropolitan court in Assam in connection with a defamation case against RSS. He will have to appear before the court on September 29.

This came after RSS volunteer Anjan Bora filed a criminal case against the Congress leader, for making false statements to tarnish the image of the organisation. In his complaint, Bora accused Gandhi of saying that he was denied entry to Barpeta Satra, a Vaishnavite monastery in Assam, on December 12, 2015.

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Rahul said that women were made to sit at the entrance of the Satra to ensure he was not allowed to enter.

While Satra officials refuted all charges, Bora in his case claimed that instead of going to the Satra on December 12, 2015, Gandhi took part in a padayatra. Bora also said that a lot of people including women and elected leaders of the Satra were waiting for Gandhi but he never visited the holy place.

The court had examined several witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.



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In the wake of violence and funerals in Dallas, Minnesota and now Baton Rouge, Bishop Robert Muench is calling for members of the Baton Rouge diocese to pray, reflect and fast this week, but also to act and to act in a way that will unite us and bring us together.

The latest funeral  for Alton Sterling, who was killed July 5 by a Baton Rouge police officer  was held Friday at Southern University. Muench released his statement soon after the funeral concluded.

+11 'Open the eyes of America': Thousands mourn Sterling's, call for racial justice Thousands of mourners gathered Friday to grieve the death of Alton Sterling in a public funeral where comforting words for his family and refl

We acknowledge that we who make up the church of the Diocese of Baton Rouge are as diverse as the communities in which we live, Muench said. We have different stories, different experiences, different backgrounds, different opinions, and different understandings.

The bishop urged members to become personally and communally involved in building bridges across everything that divides us to become better brothers and sisters to each other.
In a letter published July 28, Charles Barrow is extremely distressed that so many Americans are takers, who he feels take government assist
Within a few days, Gov. John Bel Edwards will make one of the most consequential decisions of his governorship, impacting more people than Med
So far, 1,422 dengue cases have been registered this year.

By Indo-Asian News Service: The death toll due to dengue in West Bengal has gone up to 11, an official said on Saturday.

"As many as 1,422 cases have been reported since January this year," Health Services Director B.R. Satpathi said.

Satpathi said the health department is trying to ascertain the viral strain that is circulating this year.

The state government had issued a warning against letting water stagnate in any premises.

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Various government arms and private bodies have been asked to raise public awareness to prevent a major outbreak of diseases.

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Burl Cain's son kept superiors in the dark as more than $76K was spent on unchecked construction
An 18-year-old "Goldilocks" charged with aggravated robbery and stabbing his friend in the head was found asleep in a stranger's home in Mawson on Friday afternoon.

Cedric Roberts, 18, was granted bail on July 11 on strict conditions after the alleged robbery from his friend's Reid apartment on April 26 where he and a co-defendant demanded drugs and cash.

Not being given any, the defendant allegedly stabbed the friend in the leg, ear and left side of the head with a knife, according to court documents.

The co-defendant was then given the friend's wallet containing $450 before the two men departed.

Roberts was charged on April 30 after he was allegedly found that day by police with a "military style" knife with an 18-centimetre blade and $450 cash in a house in Waramanga, court documents said.
Television actress Dipika Kakar celebrated her birthday in style, with close friends and family by her side.

By India Today Web Desk: It is Sasural Simar Ka actress Dipika Kakar's birthday today, but the birthday girl has already been in celebratory mode for the past couple of days!

Also read: Dipika Kakar shoots for Sasural Simar Ka despite being unwell

The actress also celebrated her birthday with the cast and crew of the show. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ms.dipika

The talented actress celebrated her birthday in style on the sets of the show itself. She even took to Instagram to share a picture from the on-set celebrations. The actress had captioned the picture as "The celebration mode is on!!!!! My entire unit like every year once again makes me feel so so so special!!!! Yes, I am the Set ki laadli!!! love my unit, can't thank them enough for the love n blessings they give me."

The actress kisses Saba, her partner, Shoaib's sister. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ms.dipika

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The actress, who has been dating her Sasural Simar Ka co-star, Shoaib Ibrahim, was also showered with a lot of gifts from her partner's sister, Saba Ibrahim, a picture of which was also shared by her on Instagram.



Dipika wrote in the caption, "And here I get the best surprise!!! My doll @sabaibrahim93 starts calling me BHABI."

Dipika and Shoaib celebrate the former's birthday. Picture courtesy: Instagram/shoaib2087

Beau Shoaib was not far behind his sister as he too rang in his lady love's birthday with a delicious-looking chocolate cake. He also posted pictures of the two of them feeding cake to each other on his Instagram account.

We wish the talented Dipika a very Happy Birthday!

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If, as Annabel Crabb says (Sunday Canberra Times, July 31, p20), the Australian Electoral Commission is paying out $2.63 a vote to candidates in the recent federal election, I hope it doesn't result in more invalid votes being cast by disaffected electors in the coming ACT election.

Annabel Crabb writes that the Australian Electoral Commission paid out $2.63 per vote this year for the federal election. Great! Now for our local luminaries whose election will take place in October, $8 will be paid per vote. A vote at the ACT election will cost three times as much as a vote in the federal election! Value for money? I think not! Count me out.

Roo killing facts

The article by Kim Arlington, "Kangaroo meat puts commercial industry and animal welfare groups into conflict" (Sunday Times, Focus, July 31, p17) would have the reader believe it is the animal rights movement making life miserable for roos and their babies. On behalf of nameless "others", Arlington draws a wilful bow, arguing because we say no to kangaroo killing, we end up making it worse for them.

But it is those who kill kangaroos causing the problems. Neither is it only shooters outside the commercial industry, as suggested by the RSPCA.

Importantly, the code of practice sets a standard that is laughable. It's a bunch of words on paper that doesn't begin take into account the sentience of the animal being killed. And just because we have a code of practice doesn't mean commercial shooters stick to it. Is there anyone policing this code? I don't see an auditor going out on a nightly basis to ensure the code is followed.

Like the fox being put in charge of the hen house, a shooter, under the cover of darkness, is not going to give a damn about the roo he injures, or whether or not he has killed the joey according to a code. The roo is a mere commodity he makes money from. Why would he waste his time and money worrying about it or the baby he has to dispatch? He won't.
In her autobiography, Living History, Hillary Clinton describes herself not as a former senator or first lady, but as a person born in a "fortunate time and place", free to make choices unavailable to many women in the past and inconceivable for many in the world today. It is a point that must not be lightly brushed aside, as Mrs Clinton is confirmed as the first woman to ever to be nominated by a major political party to be the United States president. Her freedom to make choices is undoubted, yet nor should anyone pretend they have been made without cost. Over a span of decades in the public eye, Mrs Clinton has regularly confronted a campaign of vicious personal opprobrium of a kind fuelled by misogyny, resentful of her success. Her long-standing ambition to win what is arguably the most powerful job in the world is too often portrayed in a negative light, but should instead be celebrated in the same fashion as any would-be leader. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Credit:AP Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, was similarly subjected to sexist hatred during her time in public office and wrote powerfully in The New York Times last month about the "curious question of gender" that has always buffeted Mrs Clinton's career: "She knows what it's like to be the subject of the stereotype that a powerful woman cannot be likeable," Ms Gillard observed, "that if she is commanding then she must be incapable of empathy.

"If a female candidate notes the sexism of all this, she is told  as Mrs Clinton has  that she's playing the 'woman card', or is fragile, or a whiner." Ms Gillard is also right to say Mrs Clinton should not be forced to deal with the obstacles of sexism alone. It is incumbent on leaders across all fields, business and community, to oppose prejudice in all forms and not shirk the obligation. Regretfully, the need to call for a forthright denunciation of sexism demonstrates how far the campaign for equality still has to run. But the fact Mrs Clinton is the first woman to knock on this particular glass ceiling should not be allowed to obscure her obvious qualities and qualifications. Barack Obama has praised Mrs Clinton as the person with the most relevant experience to run for president, a statement all the more poignant given the two were once rivals. Despite what must have been the bitter disappointment of the 2008 campaign, Mrs Clinton demonstrated personal fortitude to go on and serve as Secretary of State during Mr Obama's first term. She championed a deeper US engagement with Asia, and her interest in Australia's neighbourhood augurs well for the foreign policy direction of her administration, should she win the White House. Her tenacity, work ethic and most importantly, policy nous, make her the leading candidate. She has pledged to continue and strengthen social welfare programs, which have been shamefully inadequate for too long in a nation as wealthy as the United States. Her tough stance on gun control is especially welcome, given the appalling record of mass shootings in recent times. She has regularly cited Australia's experience as an example to emulate.
Downsize expectations Tomorrow is Earth Overshoot Day. We will have used in just over seven months the ecological resources (fish, forests, grasslands, soil fertility, carbon sinks and so on) that the planet will produce in a whole year. This means we have to borrow 4 months worth of resources from the future. This year's Overshoot Day is five days earlier than last year. If everyone on Earth lived by the standards of Australians we would need five Earths. Do any leaders have the courage to explain to us that we must drastically downsize our expectations if we are not to hit an enormous wall? Mick Webster, Chiltern Hunted to extinction The gene pool of kangaroos could collapse under a commercial harvesting regime ("Roo-lationship status: It's complicated", 31/7). In the US, 10 million passenger pigeons were "harvested" annually, driving the species to extinction. The last passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo in September 1914. Numbers alone are no guarantee of survival. But Australians don't easily learn such lessons. The last Tasmanian tiger to be positively identified in the wild was shot in 1930. Up until just a few years before, there was a government bounty for its pelt, and it was not until 1973 that it became illegal to export the tiger from that state.

Maryland Wilson, Moorooduc Nuclear deal a sell-out To encourage foreign vendors of nuclear power stations to bid for licences, India has sold short its citizens in negotiations over insurance cover in the event of an accident. India has now concluded an agreement to the satisfaction of US, Japanese and French builders of nuclear stations. This will involve a pooled insurance with a limit of 1500 crore (an Indian unit of measure which is 10 million). That is, the insurance limit that the foreign companies have to pay will be 1500 x 10 million rupees (15 billion rupees). At about 60 rupees to the US dollar, this amounts to $250 million. Compare this with the cost of the Fukushima calamity, which is expected to reach $US150 billion and take perhaps as long as 50 years to clean up. While the vendors have welcomed this paltry insurance proposal, it raises serious concerns about whether Australia should be selling uranium into such an unprotected market. John Coulter, Bradbury, SA

Bureaucratic bastardry At a time when the brutality of guards at the NT's Don Dale detention centre has brought global condemnation, we now have evidence of further bureaucratic bastardry ("Devastation as visa denied over son's autism", 31/7). Biswajit Banik and his wife Dr Sarmin Sayeed have lived in Australia for nine years. He is a lecturer at Monash University; his wife is a GP. The parents have met the costs of treating their son themselves. How much more evidence do we need of our government's predisposition to demonise people and ensure total uncertainty about their lives and future. A request for ministerial intervention has been made but based on this minister's past conduct a more humane approach is unlikely. Malcolm Ellenport, East Brighton Put a win on our card The refusal to grant permanent residency to the Banik family because of their son's mild autism is a clear case of discrimination on the basis of disability and must be reversed on those grounds alone. But plenty of other factors would justify an intervention by Peter Dutton: the contribution the family are making to society in their professional lives; the lack of services the child who has spent most of his life in Australia will have access to if he returns to one of the world's poorest countries; and last but not least a chance to remove one item from the list of state-sanctioned human rights abuses for which Australia is developing a worldwide reputation.

Kym Tonkin, Preston Why heed celebrities? Many people really do listen to what Sonia Kruger and the conga line of manufactured "celebrities" parading as journalists say on commercial TV's morning programs. Otherwise we wouldn't have that disparate mob in the Senate. It was Winston Churchill who said the greatest argument against democracy was a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Be afraid. Hans Pieterse, Narre Warren North Play to middle ground

The growth of authoritarian governments, joined recently by Malaysia and Turkey (to say nothing of what a Trump presidency flags), highlights the importance of the Liberal and Labor parties remaining committed to contesting the middle ground. Authoritarianism undermines the rule of law, which can prove fertile ground for corruption and extremism to flourish. Let's not forget the putative effort of the Abbott government in this regard through its call for a "Team Australia" approach on security. Robert Pettit, Glen Iris Invest now or pay later The discovery of Zika virus in Florida should be a wake-up call to us all (News, 31/7). Mosquitoes and airborne diseases have no regard for national borders. Epidemics like HIV, tuberculosis and malaria may not be devastating Australia, but we ignore them at our peril. TB, in particular, is increasingly drug-resistant in our nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, and malaria is also showing resistance to treatment across our region. Troubling, yes, but certainly not insurmountable, and great progress has been made since 2000 with concentrated global investment in prevention, diagnostics and treatment. We are at a tipping point, and these diseases can be ended as epidemics within the next 15 years. What a great legacy to leave our grandkids. Australia will have an opportunity to play a key role by committing $300 million to a global total of $13 billion to be pledged at next month's conference in Montreal to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. We can invest now or pay a much heftier price later.

Gina Olivieri, Kingston Beach, Tasmania Be safe; be upfront People who think that it is "smart" to avoid reporting a medical condition to VicRoads or their private insurance company are only fooling themselves ("VicRoads drops ball on driver care", 31/7). If they are involved in a collision then neither the Transport Accident Commission nor the private company are liable for their claim. I have been a diabetic for 20 years and provide VicRoads with an updated medical report every three to five years. It doesn't hurt and I can drive confident in the fact that if I have an accident I am 100 per cent covered. Michael Higgins, Erica Spot fires erupting

The United Firefighter Union's Peter Marshall has told his members it's not in their interests to participate in an inquiry on bullying, harassment and discrimination in the industry ("Merlino determined to douse CFA fires", 31/7). Why would that be? Equally disturbing is that an agreement between the unions and the CFA will cost Victorians $160 million. And there is the obnoxious claim that the damage the issue has caused is the fault of a campaign of misinformation by "the Liberals and others". These are just distractions from the real issues which are: 1) the ridiculous union proposal to have a certain number of members attend a fire alongside volunteers; 2) the overly generous remuneration proposed; and 3) the unionisation of a volunteer organisation by stealth, which will create a precedent for other voluntary services. Nicholas Brown, Montmorency Suburbs under siege
Koalas are among the many species facing habitat loss as the NSW government prepares new land-clearing codes. Anderson, a long-time teacher of scripture at the local church, had both back tyres of a car punctured by drill bits on one occasion, rubbish dumped in water pumps, the family mailbox flattened repeatedly, and the front gate her property wrenched off its foundations. "It's gone too far - it would take the army to police these blokes," Anderson says, adding residents have been run off the roads into ditches by local bullies. Croppa Creek clearing goes on: November 2015. Fairfax Media understands that OEH staff have lately been advised by police to delay some inspections of farms suspected to be clearing land illegally - an outcome that disappoints Turner's widow, Alison McKenzie.

"The law's the law," McKenzie says. "We all have to have permission to cut down one tree, let alone 1000." No need for camouflage next week?: There are concerns that farmers will be able to clear much more land after new codes come into force. A government source said that, while some inspections had been delayed, they had not been stopped. 'Left, right and centre' However, Chris Nadolny, a former OEH senior ecologist who worked closely with Turner, said any delays would hinder what are often very difficult legal cases to launch against illegal land clearing.

Glen Turner's widow Alison McKenzie, left, and his sister Fran Pearce, outside court during the trial of Ian Turnbull. Credit:Peter Rae "They try to get rid of evidence as quickly as possible," Nadolny says. "When [Turner and I] arrived at Turnbull's place, there were fires left, right and centre." Nadolny, who fears he would have probably been shot had he been with Turner on the day of his murder, said a range of major cases against broadscale clearing, particularly in the state's north-west, had not gone to court. Glen Turner was shot dead near Moree in 2014. Credit:Tracy Fulford Photography In one case, the OEH investigating officer took a redundancy, while in other instances the two-year statute of limitations - with the clock ticking from the time a complaint is lodged - proved too short.

"The timing of compliance investigations can be impacted by a number of factors including safety, weather and expert or witness availability," Terry Bailey, OEH's chief executive, said, adding the two-year period "is considered sufficient time for a thorough investigation". Simon Smith, a former head of OEH's operations stretching across northern NSW, said his office would typically receive 300 or more land-clearing complaints a year. These would be reduced to 50 priority cases and only about 10 would be taken to court. The government's own data shows just 31 successful prosecutions over the eight years to 2013-14. "One officer can only do two-three cases, maximum," Smith said, adding his office would usually have three compliance officers. "The focus is on trees but a lot of the clearing in western NSW is of the rangelands and open woods," Mr Smith said. "That is difficult to pick up on satellite imagery but is nevertheless important."

'Raging inferno' Phil Spark, from Northwest Ecological Services, has documented many instances of mass clearing, handing over video, photos, landscape notes and other material to OEH. Just weeks ago, Spark came across clearing near the road north of Walgett on the way to Lightning Ridge. "The guy had such a raging inferno going," Spark says. "It was coolibah and black box woodland - it's an endangered ecological community ... They included big trees that certainly couldn't be cleared legally," he says.

A recent visit by Fairfax Media to the region around Brewon Station, a huge property owned by P&J Harris and Sons, found disturbance of a different kind. The Travelling Stock Reserve, public land set aside for drovers to bring their stock along to graze on the much-vaunted Mitchell native grasses, had been ploughed up with the area now turned to weed. In a June letter by Local Land Services seen by Fairfax Media, local manager Ken Flower said Peter and Jane Harris had been sent a separate letter on July 2, 2014, "requesting that over a two-year period, they peg the boundary, allow the area to recover, and actively regenerate the area if natural recovery of the grassland does not occur". Fairfax Media sought comment from the Harrises and from Local Land Services. Short-term gain

Kevin Humphries, a Nationals MP whose electorate takes in both Walgett and Croppa Creek, says he has backed the repeal of the Native Vegetation Act since being elected to the seat of Barwon in 2007. He also welcomes the prospect of greater self-assessment for farmers. "The current Native Vegetation law puts the onus of biodiversity entirely on farmers, it doesn't share the responsibility across society," Humphries says. "Not all farmers want to clear and not all land is appropriate for farming - farmers know that vegetation plays an important role in the health of their soils and it is in their interest to find a balance," he says. The problem is that developer-farmer groups have a big incentive to clear land, particularly for crops. As Justice Peter Johnson noted in sentencing Turnbull, the value of the two properties bought in 2011 had risen steeply from $5.1 million to about $7.6 million by the time of the murder. The clearing can often produce only short-term farming returns, ecologists and former farm managers say.

"Out west, it's very marginal, perhaps one crop every five years," Spark says. "It's not like they are clearing the land for its amazing productivity." The extent of wide-scale land clearing across NSW is exposed in "Cultivating Murder" a new documentary soon to be released by filmmaker Gregory Miller. The filmmakers are launching a Pozible crowd-funding campaign to finish the film, which uses evidence from the murder trial and suggests big farmers and land developers are now pushing harder than ever to fully industrialise the rural landscape. 'Failed legislation' Penny Sharpe, Labor's environment spokeswoman, says the proposed Biodiversity Conservation bill and amended Local Land Services act will make things worse. "If implemented, the outcomes for native animals and plants, soil, water and land will be a disaster for NSW," Sharpe says, adding the laws must "recognise that some native vegetation cannot be offset and that with less than 10 per cent of land in NSW in pristine condition, what is left should be protected not destroyed."

Greens environment spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi says the two-year statute of limitations for illegal clearing should be extended, and more resources given to compliance. "There are only around 24 regional operations staff monitoring compliance across the whole state and this is on top of their other jobs," Faruqi says. "The vast majority of rural landholders comply with the law," she adds. "They want to see people who have illegally cleared land to face the consequences of their actions." Derek Shoen, president of NSW Farmers, said his association's members had "lived through over 20 years of failed legislation", and want many amendments. Among the concerns are the powers of entry and investigation as proposed in the draft bill "which allows an officer to enter land without a reason or without seeking permission or giving notice to the landholder", he said.

"Not only would this be an infringement of civil rights there are serious bio-security and safety implications that anyone involved in farming or natural resource management knows need to be respected." Kate Smolski, chief executive of the NSW Nature Conservation Council, said that a glaring absence in the new draft laws is the lack of "red" zones where no clearing is permitted, with or without offsets. "Under the Baird government's proposed regime, nothing is considered too precious to destroy," Smolski says. "We believe any credible regime of conservation laws has to include non-negotiable protection for areas like koala habitat and wetlands." 'Every square inch' Back in Croppa Creek, though, there is little sign of a balance being struck. The region's Gwydir wetlands, for instance, have lost 80 per cent of their vegetation in the past 15 years alone, according to Smith, the former OEH official.
There was much excitement around PS's desk on Tuesday morning when an email lobbed promising to reveal photos of Sunrise television presenter Samantha Armytage out on a date with a "mystery" man.

The email's subject line was a little more titillating: "EXCLUSIVE Samantha Armytage seen with mystery man at Double Bay bar late at night."

Sadly it was a case of premature expectation when PS clicked to open up the email and perused the images to see what was going on.

Yes, there was Armytage, the 40-year-old successful television star known for her straight-shooting opinions and well documented but sadly ill-fated romances, smiling widely in a crowded bar as she appeared to chat animatedly away with the purported "mystery" chap also captured in the frame.
A man armed with a pitchfork has been captured and charged after allegedly trying to steal prescription drugs from a Palmwoods pharmacy on Saturday.

About 2.44pm, it will be alleged the man entered the Margaret Street business and demanded prescription drugs from an employee, threatening them with a pitchfork.

A Narangba man has been charged in relation to an attempted armed robbery at a Palmwoods Pharmacy on Saturday.

The man reportedly tried to flee with several boxes of medication but found his escape blocked by a glass door closed by customers. Police said he then smashed the door using the pitchfork, before being caught by passers-by in a nearby street and taken into custody.

A 36-year-old Narangba man has been charged with entering premises with intent, armed robbery, wilful damage and will appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.
An teenager has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm over a violent home invasion left a 57-year-old resident with serious facial injuries needing hospital treatment on Saturday morning.

Police allege just before 9am a 17-year-old man attempted to steal money from the 57-year-old male occupant of the Wesley Street, Lutwyche, unit.

Police have charged a teenager after a brutal home invasion in Lutwyche on Saturday morning. Credit:Tom Threadingham

Police say the younger man then picked up a small table and struck the older man in the head with it before further assaulting him with a wooden hat rack.

The attacker then fled the scene. The charged man was located by police in Windsor a short time after the attack. Police allege he then kicked a female constable in the leg while she attempted to take him into custody.
Emergency services were kept busy overnight with three fires in Melbourne's north and east.

A man and a woman owe their lucky escape from a "ferocious" house fire in Greensborough to a working smoke alarm.

There were three fires in Melbourne's north and eastern suburbs overnight. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Metropolitan Fire Brigade operations commander Andrew Dixon said cooking appliances had been left on overnight.

"It appears the fire had its origins in burnt food stuff," he said.
Wesley Hill takes the view that if you're gay and Christian, you have two choices: monogamous heterosexual marriage, or a life of celibacy. He chose the latter.

"The more I searched the scriptures, the more I couldn't convince myself that same-sex marriage was a faithful Christian vocation," says the US evangelical, who is currently in Australia for a series of talks that have raised concerns among the gay community, progressive Christians and the Andrews government.

Wesley Hill, associate professor at the Trinity School of Ministry in Pittsburgh, says "the right way to steward our sexuality as Christians is either in monogamous male and female marriage, or in chaste singleness".

"God create male and female for marriage, and the right way to steward our sexuality as Christians is either in monogamous male and female marriage, or in chaste singleness."

It's the kind of message the 35-year-old has conveyed many times before, sometimes on the American speaking circuit, and sometimes in his role as an associate professor at the Trinity School of Ministry in Pittsburgh.
The stolen Louis Vuitton handbag turns up on Gumtree four weeks after the burglary, marked down for a quick sale.

Word spreads quickly in the underworld, but the would-be seller appears not to have heard the news that the distinctive designer bag was stolen from the home of John Khoury, business partner of Mick Gatto.

John Khoury, left, with Mick Gatto. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The East Melbourne home of the well-known dispute mediator and debt collector had been burgled in early June.

While the thieves apparently had no idea who they were robbing, their timing was either very good or incredibly lucky. Mr Khoury, heading out for a day of business meetings on Lygon Street, left the house just minutes before they came over the fence and smashed their way in through a back window.
All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) chairman Anil D. Sahasrabudhe is ringing a warning bell for the country's engineering colleges well ahead of the start of academic year 2016-17. "At least 100,000 seats of the close to 1.7 million seats for engineering will cease to exist. Over 100 colleges across the country will shut down even as 200 new colleges opened in 2015-16," he cautions. The 'dropout rate' is likely to climb as more colleges opt for progressive closure-stopping admissions while marking time for existing batches in different years of the four-year course to pass out of their portals.

Early trends also indicate a perceptible fall in demand for engineering education in 2016-17. There are fewer takers for seats, particularly in states where colleges have mushroomed in the past two decades. In Telangana, 83 engineering colleges have been denied affiliation and another 35 slapped with notices to put in place labs and other infrastructure (according to prescribed standards), while another 58 have decided against renewing their affiliation to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU-H), for 2016-17. Some of these colleges have already shut and a few have even leased out premises to private institutions or schools.

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"The sudden closure will jeopardise careers as students will not be able to appear for exams," says JNTU-H registrar N. Yadaiah. He says errant colleges have neither applied for closure nor bothered to seek affiliation for those students admitted in past years. Meanwhile, this year just 63,777 students are applying for the reduced number of 79,705 seats available (dim job prospects and other more lucrative streams are cited as reason).

Among the upwardly mobile middle class, there is also a preference for the medicine stream. In Maharashtra, for the first time, a record number of 141,000 students preferred to appear for the medical common entrance test (CET) in contrast to 126,000 students for engineering CET. Consequently, in the 2015-16 academic session, about 64,000 of the 160,000 engineering seats were not filled in the state.

Ditto in West Bengal, where two of five seats remained vacant. On discovering that only 15,000 from a pool of 88,000 students who got through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) sought admission through counselling, the state authorities diluted the norms-to the extent that anyone with a minimum of 40 per cent marks in the qualifying examination and a position in the JEE could seek a seat. Even after that, only 26,000 of the 40,000 seats were filled. Reputed institutions like Jadavpur University and Bengal Engineering and Science University had to forego seats as there were no takers for courses even in niche areas like mining and metallurgy. "The manufacturing industry is unable to absorb engineering graduates because of sluggish growth. Graduate engineers are being forced to take jobs as technicians and supervisors," says B.B. Paira, advisor, higher education, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, which has seen six colleges shut down from 2016-17 in Bengaluru itself, college promoters are now eyeing the realty market (by virtue of the prime locations of the colleges) since "there is no money in education". "The only ones surviving are the ones with a service motto," says Karnataka's technical education director H.U. Talwar. "Of the 206 engineering colleges in Karnataka, about 180 have no qualified staff and infrastructure," admits M.K. Panduranga Setty, secretary, Karnataka Unaided Private Engineering Colleges Association.

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Another reason why more colleges will stare at vacant seats in 2016-17 is the imbroglio over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). It is sure to leave more seats unfilled. Sahasrabudhe also points to the fact that a large number of private universities, deemed universities, IITs and NITs opening up engineering education programmes is affecting the intake into AICTE-approved colleges.

Sahasrabudhe says the current churn with engineering colleges shutting down is nothing to worry about. "Poor performing institutions must go. Top-tier institutions must mentor the middle-tier institutions to help improve the overall quality," he says. AICTE has also written two letters to state governments to provide a status report on the implementation of the Justice V. Srikrishna Committee's recommendations on tuition fees. The state governments have to decide on the fees (the committee had fixed an upper limit of Rs 1.5 lakh a year). The fee in many of the better engineering colleges is much higher now.

Malpractices in administration, poor infrastructure, unjustified fees and shortage of teachers have also dented the standards of engineering education. With 365 colleges, Maharashtra is next only to Tamil Nadu now in having the maximum number of engineering colleges. Yet the mess is evident from the fact that 346 of the 365 colleges are facing action from AICTE for violating affiliation norms.

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The AICTE norms on infrastructure are clear vis-a-vis classrooms, workshops, labs, libraries, drawing halls, land size and student-teacher ratio. As per the rules, colleges must get affiliation every year from the local university and the department of technical education (DTE), the state's apex body on engineering, before a final extension of approval (EOA) from the AICTE. No engineering college can admit students until it has the EOA. But quite often inspections reveal that the information provided to the AICTE for the EOA does not match the reality on the ground. The AICTE is empowered to ban admissions, withdraw the EOA, even initiate criminal action, but this is seldom done. This year, though, may be different. "My guess is it will ban first-year admissions or order reductions in intake of students and number of courses as well," says Maharashtra DTE director S.K. Mahajan.

Instead of merely wielding the stick, Sahasrabudhe is also trying to implement schemes to improve the quality of teaching. Bright students pursuing master's programmes are being given incentives to take up teaching. PhD students are being given a 'top up' in their scholarships, to ensure that they remain in the profession. At present, there is a 35 per cent shortfall in qualified, experienced faculty.

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"Adjunct faculty, sometimes drawn from industry, could also be used to tide over the shortage of teachers," explains Sahasrabudhe. In 2016-17, he is to launch Swayam, a project to provide courses offline or online to students in remote colleges which will be a win-win for teachers and their wards. That could be a silver lining as he gets the colleges to toe the AICTE line.

with Kiran Tare and Romita Datta

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The way we interact with technology in the future could get under our skin.

Using a microchip implanted inside his left thumb, biohacker Meow-Ludo Meow Meow says he even can find Pokemon.

The BioHack Van trio of James Bush, Meow-Ludo Meow Meow and Enrico Penzo want to put a scientific lab in a van. Credit:Meredith O'Shea

"It's an NFC (near field communication) chip and it's used to communicate and interact with technology," Meow Meow says, pointing to the round piece of mechanics sitting underneath his skin.

"It uses the same technology as myki and PayPass, so anything you can do with those  interaction, authentication, purchases  could be done with this chip.
Police had bottles thrown at them while trying to break up an out-of-control party in Perth's northern suburbs on Friday night.

Around 120 people attended the party on Waitara Crescent in Greenwood, where organisers charged an entrance fee.

Police were attacked with bottles while trying to disperse a wild party in Greenwood. Credit:Georgia Matts

Police believe a DJ was also hired for the party.

Nearby residents made noise complaints to police and, upon arriving at the property, officers were confronted by a large group of people who threw bottles and other items at them.
A waterpark in France hosting a 'Burkini only day' for Muslim women has come under fire for going against the country's laws banning Islamic veils.

By India Today Web Desk: A water park in the southern French city of Marseille plans to hold a pool day for Muslim women clad in full-body swimsuits, called 'Burkini'.

The event scheduled on September 17, is being arranged by a women's community group in, Smile13, based in Marseille. Their aim is to "encourage women to join in with the community."

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Women who are keen on taking part in the event at Speedwater Park will have to "covered from the chest to knees". Men will not be allowed to enter the event, however participants are allowed to bring boys under the age of 10, reports BBC News. Only male lifeguards will be placed on duty at Speedwater Park during the event.



Golden burkini #mannequin #mannequins #burkini A photo posted by Julie Nicholson (@jcnjcn2012) on Aug 5, 2016 at 3:23am PDT

However, the event has invited scathing criticism by far right politicians of National Front party. While many condemned the event for digressing from the 'fundamental laws' of the country, like the ban Islamic veils and others viewed as an attempt by the Muslim community to seperate itself from the rest.

Valer Boyer, a mayor of of two Marseille districts from the centre-right group Les Republicains group, led by ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, denounced the event on Twitter saying, " The event only strengthen communalism in our country, and also questions dignity of women."

Revendications communautaires dans un parc aquatique : ne rien dire et ne rien faire, c'est devenir complice ! pic.twitter.com/dl9f41B38y Valrie Boyer ? (@valerieboyer13) August 3, 2016

Jean-Claude Gaudin another mayor of the port-city said on Twitter, "I have always been opposed to communalism . In the current context , we must fight against any division within our society."

Jai toujours t oppos au communautarisme. Dans le contexte actuel, nous devons lutter contre toute division au sein de notre socit. Jean-Claude GAUDIN (@jcgaudin) August 4, 2016

France banned the display of Islamic veils in public back in 2011. The wearing of all conspicuous religious symbols in schools was previously banned in 2004 by French secular law. Less than 2,000 women are believed to wear a face veil in France. The government went a step ahead by imposing a ban on everything from veils, scarf and any other headwear in public places on April 11, 2011.

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While Donald Trump was arguing with the family of a slain Gold Star, Muslim-American Army Captain on Twitter, Hillary Clinton was quietly on her way to Omaha, where she made no news at all.

It was early Monday morning, and what lay ahead for the Republican nominee was a busy 96 hours of making what would be, for any normal politician, the wrong kind of headlines. Something different and unexpected was on the horizon for Clinton, however: near-radio silence that lasted through Friday afternoon, a master class in abiding by the maxim attributed to Napoleon: never interfere with an enemy while hes in the process of destroying himself.

But then she ruined it.

Over the course of four days, almost the entire work-week beginning August 1, hardly an hour passed by without Trump saying something outrageousm saying something false, or publicly suffering the consequences for both.

Against all advice, he continued his impolite back and forth with the Khan family. He called Clinton the devil. He kicked an infant out of his rally for crying. He refused to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan and former Republican nominee John McCain in their reelection bids. He claimed to have seen secret video footage of the U.S. giving Iran $400 million even though no such footage exists. He accepted a Purple Heart from a supporter and then, in true draft-dodger fashion, joked that it was easier to have received it as a gift than the traditional way.

Insiders of his campaign leaked news to the press that morale was at an all-time low and yet more insiders claimed an intervention, attended by Newt Gingrich, Reince Priebus and Rudy Giuliani, was underway to save Trump from himself. His allies, including Gingrich and Ed Rollins, took to the media to criticize him. Gingrich went as far as to say that Clinton was the more acceptable candidateand he wasnt the only Republican to feel that way. Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman, New York Congressman Richard Hanna, and onetime senior Chris Christie aide Maria Comella all came out to pledge their votes to the Democrat. Whitman even promised to donate to and raise money for her campaign.

Meanwhile, Clinton hardly made a peep.

She sent a couple Tweets, none of them much to write home about. Her campaign informed reporters on Tuesday that in the month of July, shed raised about $90 million for herself and the Democratic Party. She brought Warren Buffett with her to Omaha, his hometown, where he said hed love to compare tax returns with Trump. And then she traveled to Las Vegas, where the only thing to draw much notice at her rally was the presence of a punchy animal-rights activist who tried to rush the stage, prompting a small cavalry of Secret Service agents to surround the candidate.

Hillary has quietly and effectively abetted Trumps self-destruction, former Bill Clinton adviser, Paul Begala, told The Daily Beast.

Perhaps her most important line at the convention was, A man you can bait with a Tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons, Begala said. And then Trump rose to the bait. He is a largemouth bass, striking more out of aggression than self-interest. He hit the largest, shiniest thing in the waterin this case a Gold Star family. Hillary kept the heat on by rolling out endorsements from Republicans.

Begala added, I think she knows exactly what shes doing. This is not the week to roll out a 12-point plan on child care. This is the week to toss Trump an anvil.

And then came Friday afternoon.

As she wrapped up her prepared remarks to the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists Joint Conference in Washington, D.C, Clinton stood in front of a room of reporters and encouraged them not to pull any punches on either side of the race.

So I hope youll keep calling it like you see it, she said, insincerely. Keep holding all of us accountable.

And then, they did.

This week you told two separate news organizations that FBI Director James Comey said, quote, My answers were truthful, and that what I said is consistent with what I have told the American people, NBCs Kristen Welker began. That assertion, as you know, has been debunked by multiple news organizations so my question for you is, are you mischaracterizing Director Comeys testimony? And is this not undercutting your efforts to rebuild trust with the American people?

Clinton first repeated her acknowledgement that using two e-mail accounts was a mistake and then repeated the same lie she told Fox News Chris Wallace last week in a Fox News Sunday interview.

And I have said onduring the interview and in many other occasions over the past months, that what I told the FBIwhich he said was truthfulis consistent with what I have said publicly, she said.

Welker was undeterred.

Is the one inconsistency, though, that you said you never sent or received classified material, and he did say there were three e-mails, that were marked classified at the time, she pressed. Is that an inconsistency?

Clinton then launched into a 337-word, rambling verbal Rubix Cube of an explanation that not only reiterated her false assertion that she didnt tell the FBI a different story than the one she told the public, but in doing so she also reminded anyone watching why voters are having trouble trusting Hillary Clinton.

But Director Comey said there was absolutely no intention, on my part, to either ignore or in any way dismiss the importance of those documents because they werent marked classified, so that would have hard to do and I will go back to where I started, she finished. I regret using one account, Ive taken responsibility for that but Im pleased to be able to clarify and explain what I think the bottom line is on this.

But it wasnt over. Welkers question was followed by a reminder from The Washington Posts Ed OKeefe that the Democratic nominee has been basically allergic to open press conferences, and encouraged her to have moreparticularly for the travelling press that follow her from coast to coast.

Then he asked her how she can lead a nation that doesnt like or trust her (or Trump, for that matter).

Clintons avoidance of free-wheeling press conferences has not only made her rusty at answering challenging questions, but has also had the added side effect of making the rare Q&As into showdowns.

Her insistence on repeating the same debunked excuses drew an unfortunate comparison with the man shes running against.

Sure, Trump tends to get hung up on crazy conspiracy theories and personal beefs, but the result is the samea distraction.

In the year of the outsider, Clintons political sophistication can sometimes seem like a flaw.

But that same sophistication plays differently now that the primaries are over. As Clinton sat back and watched Trump flail in the wind this week, the biggest stories about her in the press were about her rising poll numbers. Nationally, according to the Real Clear Politics averagewhich, as of press time, factored the polls before and including August 4thshe leads him by 6.8 percentage points. In some individual national polls, shes up even higher.

In July, when Trump was handed an opportunity to let Clinton flail after FBI Director James Comey called her handling of classified information while Secretary of State extremely careless, he didnt take it.

Instead, he obsessively defended his decision to send a Tweet with what was widely interpreted to be an anti-Semitic use of the Star of David, deflecting attention from Clintons considerable screw-up and prematurely ending what should have been at least a week of negative attention for her campaign.

Next to these kind of antics, its easy for Clinton to appear politically sophisticated, of course.

But if Friday is any indication, Clinton can often be her own worst enemy.
When presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush spoke at the memorial service for the five Dallas police officers killed by former Army veteran Micah Xavier Johnson, they were not just responding to another horrific mass murder. They were responding to a sniper attack that reflects an America dilemma.

We are ambivalent about snipers. We regard Micah Johnson as despicable for his murder of the police, but we honor Navy Seal Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American history and the hero of Clint Eastwoods film American Sniper, for his successful use of sniper tactics in Iraq.

When snipers protect us by defending the country, we approve of the way they operate. The Army established a sniper school at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1987, and the Army Sniper Association website hails the sniper as an invaluable asset for the military.

On the other hand, when snipers threaten us, we decry their willingness to shoot from a concealed position and treat their human targets as prey. They seem worse than other killers.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown captured the anger so many of us feel for snipers like Micah Johnson when he told the media, They dont have to work very hard to do cowardly acts like this, to snipe at our officers from elevated positions and to ambush them from secreted positions around corners.

In Johnsons case his sniping was inseparable from the unstable person he had shown himself to be during his time in the service. While in the Army, Johnson was sent home from Afghanistan for sexually harassing a fellow soldier, who thought Johnson needed mental help. She feared him enough to ask for an order of protection for herself and her family.

Johnsons profile parallels that of two other notorious Texas snipers. The most infamous of these, Lee Harvey Oswald, shot President John Kennedy from a window of the Texas School Book Depository on November 22, 1963. Thanks to the Warren Commissions investigation into the death of Kennedy and the interest in Oswald from authors like Norman Mailer and Gerald Posner, we know much about Oswalds history, starting with a childhood in which he moved from school to school and was temporarily put in an orphanage by his mother. An ex-Marine, Oswald later tried to become a Soviet citizen, and seven months before the Kennedy assassination, Oswald fired a bullet into the home of the outspoken, right-wing Army major general Edwin Walker, who was living in retirement in Dallas.

A similarly disturbing profile describes Charles Whitman, another ex-Marine, who in 1966 barricaded himself in the landmark tower of the University of Texas at Austin and shot 46 people, killing 14 of them before he was killed 90 minutes later. Whitman, like Oswald, had trouble holding down a job and being close to anyone. The night before his rampage, he murdered both his mother and his wife. Earlier in the year he told a psychiatrist that he was having outbursts of rage that he could not control.

The deaths of Johnson, Oswald, and Whitman produced little regret. There was widespread feeling that they got what they deserved. When the Dallas police used a bomb attached to a robot to kill Johnson, they were applauded for not taking further risks with their own lives.

The contempt we have for snipers like these is not the feeling we have for snipers we look upon as doing their patriotic duty. Chris Kyles autobiography was a bestseller and Clint Eastwoods movie, which was based on Kyles autobiography, was a box-office smash.

Kyles story evokes the history of the sniper in America. As art curator Brian Allen recently noted, Kyle calls to mind a heroic figure from the 19th century: the sniper in artist Winslow Homers 1962 illustration for Harpers Weekly: The Army of the PotomacA Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty. In both the illustration and painting, the sharp-shooter is concealed by the branches of the tree he sits in. Nonetheless, he is meant to be viewed with admiration by the readers of Harpers Weekly. Homers sharp-shooter is a stalwart defender of the Union cause, and in this regard a warrior who further links us to the present and snipers who are presented as admirable.

On television, there is no more powerful representative of law and order than actor Mark Harmons character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the head of the Washington-based Major Case Response Team of the National Criminal Investigative Service on the long-running CBS series NCIS. A former Marine sniper, who once used his sniper skills to avenge the murder of his wife and daughter by a drug lord, Harmon is for us what John Wayne, who thrived on face-to-face confrontations in a series of classic westerns, was as a dispenser of justice for past generations.

Gibbss sniper past is portrayed on television as a virtue, not a liability, and he reflects what is going on in real life. Our current, sanctioned use of drone strikes in such troubled areas as Iraq and Afghanistan has raised the snipers tactics to a new high-tech level. Todays drone operators do not even need to worry about camouflage. They can safely operate from an air-conditioned room on a military base thousands of miles from the battlefield.

And therein lies the dilemma of the snipers morality. We have not in the past thought of the snipers battlefield legacy as one that might be transferred to civilian lifelet alone civilian life in which weapons designed for military use have become widely available. But that is exactly what has happened.

Nicolaus Mills is professor of American studies at Sarah Lawrence College and author of Winning the Peace: The Marshall Plan and Americas Coming of Age as a Superpower.
By PTI: Panaji, Aug 6 (PTI) Goa government has warned two companies handling coal at Mormugao Port Trust to either check dust pollution or face a closure.

"The air ambient quality monitoring stations installed in Vasco has shown the dust pollution. We have already asked them to reduce their handling by 25 per cent. The next step would be to reduce it by 50 per cent and if time comes, we will withdraw their consent to operate," states Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar told the State Legislative Assembly last evening.

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"We dont want to play with life of people living in Vasco. Those people have the right of clear air," he said while speaking on demand for grants on Environment.

Last December, state Pollution Control Board had already reduced the handling capacity of Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Private Ltd and South West Port Ltd by 25 per centfor failing to control the dust pollution. PTI RPS ARS RCJ

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By the time a country finds out its being led by somebody with a serious personality disorder its usually too late. Unlike the contentious science of clinical psychology, history does at least deliver objective proof of one thing: a leader unprepared for office by reason of strange behavior can wreck the world.

The first modern example of what could follow if an unhinged mind gained control of a country and its military appeared astride a cavalry horse, wearing a white cloak and a polished, spike-topped helmet as he reviewed his armys officer corps in 1888.

Kaiser Wilhelm II came to the throne at the age of 29. He was born into the inbred web of European royalty with relatives whose realms included Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Great Britain. In fact, Europe was run a bit like a family business where none of the brothers, nephews, and cousins had much contact with reality and used their countries as vehicles for their personal egos.

Of them all, Kaiser Bill was the most lethally dysfunctional. Any clinical diagnosis of him begins with a physical impairment. His left arm was permanently damaged at birth. That alone wouldnt explain his future behavior. Sigmund Freud, no less, declared that the crippled arm itself wasnt to blame but his mothers response. She deprived the child of her love said Freud, and when the child was a mighty man he had to prove by his actions that he never forgave her.

This was a man whose greatest possession was his armyan army built on the legendary disciplines of Prussia. His first proclamation as kaiser announced, We belong to each other, I and the Army; we were born for each other. He explained just what that might mean to a bunch of recruits: If your Emperor commands you to do so you must fire on your father and mother. (He may have had his own mother in mind as he spoke.)

To the German people he said, There is only one master in the Reich and that is I; I shall tolerate no other. He referred to members of parliament, the Reichstag, as sheepsheads.

In an impulsive, headlong surge of personal egomania Kaiser Bill was, more than anyone else, responsible for the World War that broke out on Aug. 4, 1914a war whose causes beggared all reason and that cost nine million military deaths, decimating a whole generation of Europes male population, and seven million civilian deaths.

Recently, psychologists who have put Kaiser Bill on their couch have decided that he was a prime case of what they call histrionic personality disordersomeone who acts in a very emotional and dramatic way, drawing attention to themselves, needing reassurance and approval. Theres a simpler way to put it in military termsmine is bigger than yours. The kaiser wanted and got the biggest army and the biggest navy.

As calamitous as it was, the war to end all wars was just the first act in a succession of disasters directed by men who came to power with severe personality disorders: in Russia Joseph Stalin, in Italy Benito Mussolini andagain in GermanyAdolf Hitler. All were monsters and all exhibited certain common traits: narcissism, intolerance of criticism, impulsive decision-making, unpredictability and disregard of professional advicepolitical or military.

Like the kaiser, Stalins demons were shaped in childhood, including the psychological effects of being born with a deformed arm, being scarred by smallpox and of being born into a dysfunctional family. He was never diagnosed during his lifetime but extracts from the diaries of his personal physician, published long after his death, portrayed all the characteristics of paranoia.

Stalin took any kind of criticism as a personal threat. The most murderous result was The Great Terror, the series of purges of the Communist Party carried out in the 1930s in which at least half a million people were executed and as many as 12 million sent to labor camps. Following that, as commander-in-chief in World War II Stalin made a series of blunders but showed no remorse for the high casualties caused. Successful generals had to be careful not to take personal credit, lest they were disappeared.

Of course, the ultimate monster was Hitler.

The abyss of Hitlers mind is beyond rational understanding. The monstrous consequences of his life make the familiar diagnoses seem trite. As Ian Kershaw, one of his more recent biographers warned, dealing with Hitlers symptoms risks reducing the cause of Germanys and Europes catastrophe to the arbitrary whim of a demonic personality. Nonetheless, Kershaw does describe Hitlers boundless egomania and adds he owes no ties outside his own ego and behaved like a prima donna hypersensitive to criticism.

In The Hitler of History, John Lukass astute dissection of more than 50 years of biographies, he settles on 1921 as a moment when Hitlers inner poison was first outed in public, in a speech: There is only defiance, hate, hate and again hate. To hate, to be hard, a lesson devoid of love. Later, in 1926, when Goebbels first meets Hitler, Hitler tells him how he had learned to hate: God has graced our struggle abundantly. Gods most beautiful gift is bestowed on us as the hate of our enemies, whom we in turn hate from the bottom of our hearts.

However, on the threshold of the apocalypse, in 1938, Hitler underwent a wesensanderunga significant shift in personality. His concern with his health became acute. Throughout his life he had minor ailments but now he feared that bad health would deny him the chance to create the greatest of the Reichs. He stopped taking physical exercise (in earlier life he had hiked the hills of Bavaria in lederhosen even in winter) changed his eating and drinking habits and withdrew from social life. He believed he was ill and had little time left. Albert Speer, his fawning architectural accomplice, was ordered to build the new Reich chancellery in Berlin within a yearSpeer recorded in his diary: He feared seriously that he would not live much longer.

Dragged along in the shadow of Hitler was the prototypical strutting demagogue, arousing a whole nation to the spell of fascism, Benito Mussolini. In young adulthood Mussolini was prone to violence, including violent sex (he stabbed one of his lovers) and had the drive of an egomaniac. Like Hitler, Mussolini was intolerant of criticism, subject to sudden changes of mind and mood, announcing that he would rather be feared than loved. He frequently attacked with venom those who attempted to advise him.

One feature that all these monsters have in common is the relative ease with which they gained power. The kaisers Germany was a weak parliamentary democracy in which the monarchs power remained absolute. Stalin came to power through revolution and hacked through flesh to the top. Mussolini sold a persuasive new ideology, fascism, as a system that promised to make a shambolic country great again. Hitler and his gang shrewdly exploited Germanys economic collapse, swiftly subverted fragile national institutions and gained dominance over the military.

There was no possibility in any of these countries of disqualifying or removing a contender for leadership on the grounds of a clinical disorder, no matter how obvious or dangerous it became.

In recent U.S. history only one politician has been persuaded to leave a ticket for medical reasonsin 1972 Senator Thomas Eagleton was chosen as George McGoverns Democratic running mate, but withdrew when it emerged that he had been hospitalized for depression and had electroshock treatment.

McGovern lost in a landslide to Richard Nixon, which is ironic since it was Nixons presidency that was ended by Watergate, a completely needless criminal enterprise that could be explained only by an acute clinical disorder, Nixons paranoia.

Later, Nixon was at least able to discuss his own mental state with striking candor.

In his cathartic television confessions to David Frost, Frost brought up the issue of paranoia and Nixon replied,  is this whole business of, am I paranoiac about hating people and trying to do them in? And the answer is: at times, yes. I get angry at people. But in human terms, as far as I am concerned, I believe that an individual must never let hate ruin him.

As the Nixon tapes have revealed, he was remarkably uncouth, petty and spiteful toward perceived enemies, as well revealing a toxic anti-Semitism. But the real tragedy (and puzzle) of Richard Nixon was that he combined base and vengeful instincts with a commanding political and geopolitical literacy.

In a column about Donald Trump, Frank Bruni wrote, We throw around terms like demagogue and fascist, but Im not sure hes coherent, consistent or weighty enough for either.

Recent history is burdened with the appalling human cost of fascists and demagogues and the salutary point is, or should be: we dont get to know whether they are weighty or not until they get what they crave most: power.

Even today, any attempt to demonstrate that a clinical condition renders a contender unfit for public office is fraught with problems. For one thing, who, exactly, is qualified to make that judgment? However observable the symptoms may seem, a diagnosis that justifies a legitimate legal response wont easily be forthcoming.

President Obama said this week, breaking with conventional restraints, The Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president.

We are dancing around the issue, using euphemisms like unpredictable, inconsistent, irrational, thin-skinned and unprepared. For a while the Republican leadership really believed that once the primaries ended and the general election was underway Trump would experience his own wesensanderung, a personality change, though in this case one for the better, that he would suddenly be a decent, reformed character not given to twittering instant and mean reprisals. They dont get it. Trumps conditionhis core characterisnt susceptible to remission.

When Barry Goldwater ran for the Republicans in 1964 the pay-off on his TV ads was: In your heart you know hes right.

A popular response to that was: In your heart you know hes nuts.

If Trump really is nuts, what do we do about it, short of waiting for the moment to send the guys into the Oval Office with the strait-jacket?
Ladies and Gentlemen, We have a situation in #Turkey #Incirlik the cry went out on Twitter last Saturday night, as news spread of the Turkish forces surrounding the U.S. airbase in Incirlik.

Thousands of armed police had reportedly surrounded the airbase amid swirling rumors of another coup attempt, according to stories tweeted within two minutes of each other on RT.com and Sputnik, the two biggest Russian state-controlled media organizations publishing in English. The stories were instantly picked up by a popular online aggregator of breaking news and prompted hours-long storm of activity from a small, vocal circle of users.

In English, the tweets soon grouped into certain patterns of similar (and sometimes identical) content. The first were panicky expressions of concern about nuclear weapons allegedly stored at Incirlik:

#Incirlik There r 25 underground vaults, each holds up to 4 bombs. The estimated total is 50 B61 thermonuclear bombs1/4 of B61 stockpile.

Turkey is soon going to acquire some nice nuclear weapons unless Obama pulls his finger out & does something

#Incirlik does anybody else find it ODD that theres a lot of dump trucks. Big enough to carry 90 nuclear warheads

What exactly is going on with the nuclear weapons in Turkey? And why the hell are they there, of all places?

The second group compared the situation to Benghazi.

A third group wondered aloud and repeatedly about why the media wasnt covering the alleged activity.

Why is USA MSM failing to report on events in Turkey surrounding Incirlik AFB and Erdogans accusation that USA orchestrated the coup?

Hey MSM, youve got 10000 Muslims, steps away from a stockpile of thermonuclear weapons.

Nothing on #msm, no #potus, no #dem or #gop speaking out! Nuclear warheads, up to 90 at stake!

The main reason the media didnt show up was that the story was substantially untrue. As a later statement by the Pentagon clarified, a peaceful protest had taken place involving about 1,000 peoplenot the 7,000 Turkish police reported by Russian news outlets or the 10,000 cited by Twitter users. Officials at the air base had been warned of the protest in advance. The base was not surrounded, Turkish security focused on securing the visit of U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joe Dunford to Incirlik the next day.

The Incirlik disinformation campaign failed but demonstrates the unique way in which Russia can influence foreign audiences. Incirlik stories on RT and Sputnik news were rapidly promulgated by a curious group of English speakers on Twitter.

One of the first English tweets promoting the Incirlik story came from a Twitter user under the name Marcel Sardoan account previously identified for instigating pro-Russian campaigns. From this initial tweet, a cascade of Twitter accounts rebroadcast RT and Sputnik Incirlik articles adding commentary and hashtags. Accounts initially broadcasting the #Incirlik story from seemingly different locales and online communities quickly merged in the first 90 minutes after release of the RT and Sputnik news story. An increasingly common social media pattern over the past two years as Russia has become more aggressive both on the ground and online as tensions ratchet in a renewed Cold War with the West.

The evolving pattern of retweets reveal a close-knit network and circular information flow where key amplifiers re-broadcast the base #Incirlik story adding commentary and fomenting fears. And heres the odd part: many members of this network seem to be Trump fans.

Some of the top hashtags attached to tweets broadcasting #Incirlik #Turkey were #nato, #coup, #benghazi, #trumppence16. Each of these add-on hashtags pointed to recently hot button issues in the U.S. presidential contest. Bios of these English speaking accounts retweeting the #Incirlik story commonly included the words god, country, family, conservative, Christian, America, constitution, and military.

Two or three tweets called for prayers for U.S. service members potentially in harms way, suggesting Americans were again being overrun in another Benghazi type scenario. More than 10 percent of English speakers citing #Incirlik contained the word Trump in their user profile information. From the public view, its difficult to determine which of these English accounts are real Americans supporting the Trump campaign or instead manufactured accounts inciting support for the Trump campaign and fomenting dissent amongst the U.S. electorate.

This melding of Russian-friendly accounts and Trumpkins has been going on for some time.

I created this list of Russian trolls, writer Adrian Chen told the Longform podcast in December 2015. And I check on it once in a while, still. And a lot of them have turned into conservative accounts, like fake conservatives. I dont know whats going on, but theyre all tweeting about Donald Trump and stuff.

The Incirlik story, despite failing to endure more than a couple hours before losing credibility, provoked a reaction from Turkey and the U.S. Both countries publicly responded to a non-event seeking to maintain public confidence overseas and at home. More importantly, the propaganda effort comes alongside accusations of Russia meddling in the U.S. election on behalf of Trump. Most sources implicate Russia for hacking the Democratic National Committees emails and subsequently releasing them on the eve of the DNC convention. Donald Trumps pro-Russia, anti-Ukraine, anti-NATO policy positions have been repeatedly questioned over the past two weeks. Trumps top aide lied about the campaigns changes to the RNC platform limiting support to Ukraine to only defensive weapons.

In a sense, this is the return of an old game. From the 1950s through the Soviet Unions collapse, the Soviet Union sought to use the force of politics rather than the politics of force to disrupt and defeat their adversaries from the inside out. As explained by the 1992 U.S. Information Agency report to Congress, Active measures seek to use slogans, arguments, disinformation and selected true information to influence the attitudes and actions of foreign publics and governments. Soviet propaganda pushed stories regarding the flaws of democracy, collapse of the world economy, environmental catastrophe, and global calamities like nuclear war.

Conduct of Soviet and Russian Active Measures before the internet proved challenging, particularly in the West. Soviet agents and paid communist supporters would need to reside in the countries they sought to influence, create a print or radio media outlet or gain a job working at an established platform and evade the scrutiny of Western counterintelligence. But these days, its as easy as setting up a Twitter account. Russia influence operations in social media represents a far more effective and efficient return to their Active Measures campaign of the Cold War.

And when combined with the alleged hacks of political actors, the promotion of these Incirlik-style stories through overt Russian media outlets and grey English speaking propagandists could make for a powerful one-two punch to disrupt the American election. The synchronization of hacking and social media information operations not only has the ability to promote a favored candidate, like Trump, but also has the potential to incite unrest amongst American communities.

Since Incirlik, Trump and Russian media have simultaneously pushed a new theme: the illegitimacy of U.S. elections. The Incirlik disinformation campaign, while a failure, raises the question of Russias ability to use social media Active Measures to destabilize the American public. #Incirlik wasnt the first Russian influence effort on social media and it most certainly wont be the last. To date, theres been no public U.S. response to alleged Russian hacking or social media information operations. How much longer can the U.S. wait?
Julian Assange has some splainin to do.

The head of WikiLeaks, still banished to the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, has come under fire by U.S. intelligence officialsand even NSA leaker Edward Snowden, who criticized the organizations hostility to even modest curationfor not just his troubling anti-Semitic streak or lingering rape accusation, but also that they are probably doing the work of Russia in releasing thousands upon thousands of Democratic National Committee emails, thereby tilting the U.S. presidential election towards former reality star Donald Trump, whose campaign has very deep ties to Vladimir Putin.

On Friday night, Assange beamed into HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher to discuss the #DNCLeak, which revealed emails between operatives expressing bias against newly minted Democrat Bernie Sanders. You see, even though Sanders is essentially a Democratic Party interloperhis own website sells him as the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history, and hes run against Democrats in the pastthe emails revealed an overarching feeling of favoritism towards his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

When Maher alleged to Assange that, while there was plenty of chatter in the emails pointing to the Democratic primary being tilted in Hillarys favor, there was no smoking gun, the Aussie hacker pushed back.

I know that its true, said Assange. [DNC] Communications Director Luis Miranda, who has resigned just three days ago, instructed his staffan instruction, not a discussion, an instructionto pump out, in an unattributable matter, statements in an article saying that Bernie Sanders supporters were engaged in acts of violence. So, this is the DNC demonizing in a covert manner, through its chain of command a Democrat, saying that a Democrat was conducting violence when you have the same allegations against the Trump campaign, thereby watering down the critique against the Trump campaign.

The political satirist then got tougher with Assange, claiming that the stolen info WikiLeaks published from the DNC came from Russia, and that, since he does not like Hillary Clinton and Putin doesnt either, the Aussie looks like youre working with a bad actorRussiaand putting your thumb on the scale to basically fuck with the one person who stands in the way of us being ruled by Donald Trump.

Our materials, the materials that we release, are pristine, answered Assange, avoiding the question of whether or not the organization is doing Vladimir Putins bidding. Were really good at this. We have a ten-year perfect record of never having got it wrong in relation to the integrity of what we release. Theres no allegation, even from Debbie Wasserman Schultz or any of these people, that any of the material is not completely valid and true. What there is, is a conflation between our publicationsthe DNC leaksand an extensive variety of hacks of the DNC, and frankly other organizations over the last two years, possibly by state actors, that wasnt at all surprising.

Maher then posed a question: Why dont you hack into Donald Trumps tax returns? since the real estate heir has refused to release his taxes, thereby becoming the first U.S. presidential candidate in decades to do so.

Well, were working on it, a smirking Assange replied.

Later on during their semi-heated exchange, Maher brought up Snowdens recent criticism of WikiLeaksand their hostility to even modest curation. Instead of brushing aside the question, Assange took aim at Snowden, minimizing his contribution to society and condemning him for trying to get a pardon from President Obama before he exits office.

I have to make a little bit of a complaint here, although I shouldnt really go there. You know, Edward Snowden hasnt published anything in three years, said Assange. He did one thingit was a very important thing. And it was in fact so important that I, and this organization, saved his ass by rescuing him from Hong Kong, getting him asylum, making 23 asylum applications, and setting up his defense fund of the Courage Foundation, which I am a trustee of today. So, OK, I know Edward is trying to get a pardon at the end of the Obama presidency so hes playing that game. I understand. Hes in a very serious situation.
Filming a sex scene for the first time can be terrifying, exhilarating, and educational; it can even make some cry. Few porn stars start out as sexual dynamosthats an acquired skill.

Driving to my first porn shoot I almost felt at war with myself. I was about to have sex with a stranger on camera in exchange for money. I wondered if Id hate myself, or if somehow Id feel morally bankrupt when the scene ended. Was I giving up a piece of myself? Would I cry? I didnt know.

At 18, my sexual history was on the bland side. Id never experienced a one-night stand and only had long-term monogamous partners. I lost my on-screen virginity to a short, heavy man several decades older than me in front of several cameras mounted on tripods. There was no make-up artist or person to do my hair, and the whole ordeal was rather anticlimactic. My co-star was also the director, which meant his approach to filming was more technical than intimate. I did as I was told and guess the sex scene went well. I couldnt tell. He seemed happy and I left with a check in hand, knowing Id film another one. I didnt hate myself and, well, that was good enough for me.

Amarna Miller, now 25, filmed her first sex scene at 19 years old. She went from nude modeling to filming, so the progression felt natural. Going one step further, masturbating on camera, didnt feel like a big deal, says Miller. I saw porn as a great way to experiment with my sexuality. Unlike many porn star hopefuls, Miller spent the first two years of her career doing solo and lesbian scenes mainly for her own company, which lent her the control so many other newbies lack.

Brooke Banner also began her career with girl-on-girl performances, but it was her first boy-girl scene a year later that had her in tears. At one point the director yelled cut and asked me to go into the bathroom and collect myself. I cant film you crying he said. I gave myself a pep talk, walked out of the bathroom, closed the door behind me, and left that scared girl inside. Overcoming the dread of how loved ones would react to her career, Brooke continued to film sex scenes for years to come, leaving the business in 2010 to pursue a college degree and become a mother. After a six-year hiatus, at 33, Brooke has returned to the adult industry and notes how different it is to film for the first time again. I am a different person returning to the business now. That said, this round I carry no guilt or shame, says Brooke. I am comfortable in my skin and passionate about my work.

I wasnt afraid of having sex with a stranger, I wasnt afraid of having sex on camera, I was afraid I was going to make an idiot of myself trying to speak, says Brooklyn Chase on filming her first sex scene. All I had to do was walk in front of the camera and say anything and I completely froze. I couldnt come up with a single word.

Half expecting the people in the adult industry to be crazy or on drugs, Chase recalls telling her agent she wanted to do one scene to feel it out, then see how she felt about it afterwards. I left with a check that day and said this is the greatest thing that I have ever done! It felt so empowering. I left that first shoot feeling like, I am woman, hear me roar.

Its not just the women who get nervous. Male porn stars are just as likely to have awkward, challenging first scenes.

Ryan Driller filmed his first sex scene when he was 25 years old, and it was what many men dream of: three women all to himself. I knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge because I wasnt just trying to please the girls I was having sex with, I had to make it look good for the camera. For the most part it was fun and easy until it came time to pop. It took me forever, says Driller. I wasnt as nervous as I thought Id be. It was much easier than giving a speech in high school.

Tarantino XXX expected a walk in the park. It was a small crew that consisted of himself, a camera guy, and his female co-star (what could go wrong?). Filming began after the hardcore photos were taken but because hed lost wood a couple of times for stills, the nervousness began to take over. When youre male talent, when that one inch of doubt creeps into your mind its stuck there, you cant get rid of it, you have to overcome it. So that doubt was creeping into my brain, says Tarantino XXX. I stopped and asked for five minutes to shake off the nerves. I go into the bathroom, look into the mirror, and give myself a pep talk to fight through this.

After that, it was a rock-solid performance.
How did Fox News star Sean Hannity mutate into such an intractable foe of the Republican Party establishment?

Of all the evidence that Donald Trump has been turning the body politic into twitching mass of crazywhile demolishing quaint traditions of fact-based argument and coherent speech, upending time-honored conventions of acceptable discourse, and, by most accounts, taking a wrecking ball to a 162-year-old American institutionHannity is perhaps the most poignant example.

Somehow, a potty-mouthed reality-show billionairea tabloid-ready libertine who until very recently was a proud pro-choice Democrat, a fan of government entitlements, and a friend and admirer of Bill and Hillary Clintonhas managed to mesmerize the mainstream media and a significant swath of the electorate as well as Hannitys afternoon drive-time radio audience of more than 13 million listeners, plus nearly two million Fox News viewers.

So Hannityout of ideological conviction or, more likely, his acute market sense and show-business savvy (and perhaps an unattractive lickspittle ambition to be a well-positioned courtier)has gone full-Trump, and did it many months before his formal endorsement of the Celebrity Apprentice candidate in June.

The 54-year-old cable television and talk radio personality, once a reliable interpreter of Republican National Committee talking points into the everyman argot of his white working-class Long Island roots, is trashing treasured icons and bedrock principles he apparently used to revere.

Free trade? Scratch that. Balanced federal budgets? Forget it. Entitlement reform? No longer important. And what about Americas commitment to NATO and opposition to Vladimir Putins expansionism? Apparently thats not a vital concern either.

Sadly, my requests to GOP officials, conservatives and others to offer perspective on Hannitys jihad against his fellow Republicans went unanswered.

This week he has been escalating his attacks on the Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan; the former Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain; and even New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte (the latter two engaged in tough reelection battles, made much tougher by Trump, who figures to lose both their states to Clinton).

Their inexcusable sin was to quibble with some of Trumps more outrageous blurtings (banning Muslims, slagging off Mexican judges and the like), while loyally if painfully maintaining their support for the GOP standard-bearer.

These are all politicians, by the way, that Hannity cozied up to in the past, drawing them out in softball interviews that are more recognizable as infomercials than actual conversations.

He also has been rubbishing former 2016 candidates Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruzlongtime champions of the Republican cause who, in Hannitys defense, have indeed withheld their endorsements from his fair-haired, combed-over hero.

Perhaps not as surprising but equally entertaining: Hannitys Twitter slap-fest in recent days with #NeverTrump pundit Bret Stephens, deputy editorial page editor of The Wall Street Journal and, as such, a card-carrying member of the media-political elite that college-dropout Hannity probably genuinely resents.

Fox News dumbest anchor, the Pulitzer Prize-winning, hyper-educated Stephens (University of Chicago, London School of Economics) tweeted Thursday night in response to Hannitys latest tirades against the Republican Party leadership.

This prompted a near-midnight primal scream Thursday from the multimedia motor-mouth, who unleashed an occasionally R-rated retaliatory strike.

If Hillary wins I will hold assholes like you accountable, Hannity tweeted at Stephens. You will be responsible for her Supreme ct selections.

During his radio show Thursday and Friday, a clearly stung Hannity continued his attacks on Stephenswho, having been raised in Mexico City, the son of a chemical company executive, might have been among Trumps alleged rapists and drug dealers denied entry into the United States three decades ago if Trumps beautiful wall had been built back then.

This is an elitist that with all his purity towards the Republican Partyyou know, Im the dumb one, Hannity ranted on his radio show. Well, hes a dumbass with his head up his ass because this is why this country is in decline.

On Twitter, Hannity took on the threatening bully-boy persona familiar to the followers of @realDonaldTrump: I love kicking your ass, he informed Stephens, and showing Twitter what an arrogant, out of touch elitist you are. #fun.

Hannity opened Fridays radio show by heaping additional insults on Stephensthe idiot from the Wall Street Journal.

Clearly enjoying his time in the sun, Stephens tweeted back: Fox Newss Dumbest Anchor is also its most thin-skinned.

In a second tweet, Stephens asked: Why does @seanhannity remind me of Otto from A Fish Called Wanda?and then linked to a clip from the 1988 movie comedy in which Jamie Lee Curtiss character dresses down the Otto character played by Kevin Kline: To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! Ive known sheep that could outwit you! Ive worn dresses with higher IQs! But you think youre an intellectualdont you, ape?

Stephens messaged The Daily Beast: Ill let Jamie Lee have the last word for me.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Hannity warned the leaders of his troubled political party: If in 96 days Trump loses this election, I am pointing the finger directly at people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham and John McCain. I have watched these Republicans be more harsh toward Donald Trump than theyve ever been in standing up to Barack Obama and his radical agenda.

They did nothing, nothingall these phony votes to repeal and replace Obamacare, show votes so they can go back and keep their power and get reelected. Sorry, you created Donald Trump, all of you. Because of your ineffectiveness, because of your weakness, your spinelessness, your lack of vision, your inability to fight Obama.

Hannity was even unpersuaded by aspiring peacemaker and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, his very dear friend and mentor from his days a quarter century ago doing rightwing radio in Atlanta.

Gingrich was also the beneficiary of Hannitys private jet largesse when he was one of Trumps vice presidential possibilities last month and needed a ride to Indiana to meet with the nominee.

Yes, Hannity, the working mans populist, whose radio contract alone is said to be worth $20 million annually, only flies private and has done so for many years.

Still, Hannitys not that far-out removed from the days of washing dishes and cooking and bus-boying and waitering and bartending, he claimed on Fridays radio show, name-checking himself in the third person with Uriah Heep-ish humility. Im not that far removed from painting houses and hanging wall paper and laying tile and framing and roofing and falling three stories off a roof and busting up my arm and my face and my teeth. Im not that far removed from living paycheck to paycheck and having no money in the bank to pay for anything. And I see these other Americans that are following methey dont have the ladder that I had.

Presumably, he was referring to a metaphorical laddernot one needed for climbing on a roof.

Gingrich had called in to offer a tepid defense of Paul Ryan and John McCain and their rock-and-hard-place dilemma of trying to keep their seats, and Republican control of Congress, in the event of a Clinton landslide in November.

Ill be honest. Im very disappointed in John McCain, Hannity complained to Gingrich. Im very disappointed in all these other people. I just am. I feel like theyre openly sabotaging Trump.

Hannity took the night off his Fox News show Friday, so he didnt have an opportunity to explain or otherwise apologize for his champions dutiful, hostage-video endorsements of Ryan, McCain and Ayottethe very same miscreants that Hannity had been railing against.

But if past is prologue, now that the king has called the new tune, Hannity will soon be dancing the necessary steps.
Close study of the Orlando Bloom penis, or the alleged penis of Orlando Bloom (lest it is ultimately proved that there has been anouchcut and paste job done on the actors manhood), shows a perky, springy thing that seems kind of half standing to attention, and half giving into the heat of his Italian sojourn with Katy Perry.

Its shape in the shots of him paddleboarding with the bikinid pop starnew single, Rise, fnarr fnarrbrings to mind Nessie, poking her neck and head out of the waters of Loch Ness.

And there are a few others of him letting it all hang too: Bloom and his cock taking a walk on the beach, clambering over rocks, standing still, and most delightfully hanging at ease behind Perry on the paddleboard. She looks like a very happy Buddha indeed, as Orlando and his perky penis paddleboard-serenade her in the sparkling sunshine.

On Friday, it was reported that he was feeling understandably humiliated by the pictures being published. Katy (Perry) has been very supportive and understanding of his frustration and anger, a source told HollywoodLife.com.

First, the pictures emerged with a black box over the cock (or pixelated as if a horrible crime scene), and theninevitablythe uncensored pictures surfaced emerged.

The responses to the Bloom cock are: a bunch of gifs showing general happy amazement at the hotness of Bloom and loveliness of his cock; a semi-anguished (though no ones heart is really in it) examination of why are people OK with naked pictures of Orlando Bloom but not a woman; how terrible it is to objectify Orlando Bloom in this way; and, umm, more gifs.

Blooms is not the first celebrity penis to boing into public consciousness.

Oddly, the actors nemesis Justin Bieber was on holiday somewhere sunny, and was photographed nude last October. Then there is Jon Hamm, and his much-talked-about (and visible) desire not to wear underwear.

Hamm professed to find the merry and complimentary furore around his dick not in the slightest bit funny.

Would you want people walking up to you and pointing at your dick? he asked Mens Fitness. I cant believe Im still talking about this. But Ive worn underwear every day of my life and the fact that Im painted as this exhibitionist is a little annoying. Its become a meme, I guess. Being someone who people want to photograph, you have to open yourself up to the positive and negative. It is what it is. If I get mad at it Ill look like a douchebag. But its silly.

This disavowal is very classy, very Jon Hamm. And perhaps hes also speaking for Bloom and Bieber in his huffy disapproval, becauseafter allthey too have had their dicks photographed without their consent and no matter the compliments and online swooning, they feel humiliated.

We like to think that we live in a show-all culture, with few boundariesbut still the exhibition of a penis or vagina in public is considered too much. These are known as private parts for a reason. Despite showing ourselves on so many social media platforms, despite all the peacocking of our bodies, we are prudish and sensitive about showing it all off.

When Michelangelo sculpted David, he sculpted a body in its entirety, phallus and all. But the penis todaywhether woodland creature poking out of a Rick Owens tunic on the Parisian catwalkor the perky appendage of a Hollywood star walking on a beach can be the great traitor of an otherwise perfectly sculpted body.

In a fascinating exhibition currently at New Yorks Cheim & Read gallery, The Female Gaze, Part Two: Women Look at Men, some of the most intriguing images are of the penis, as seen by the women artists on displaysometimes a riot of colors, sometimes lost in a forest of pubic hair, sometimes a statue or strange bronze shaped as a smile, sometimes finding its way into a vagina in an almost abstract blur, sometimes looking like a beautiful, strange fruit, and sometimes shy and in shadowa panoply of penises.

Any penis size fascistsof any gender and sexualityimmediately see the penis, and judge game over or game on. Any man worrying about size looks upon a publicly displayed penis, and feels immediately better or worse, about what is hanging in their own groin area.

But out of a sexual or pornographic contextor an artistic context, like the Cheim & Read show, or the stunning fetishization and celebration of the penis Robert Mapplethorpe executed for examplewhats most refreshing and normalizing about the Bloom penis sighting, is it showing the penis for what it is everyday to most men.

Its just what it is: an organ. Its not a pumping action love machine, its not a coy missile, its not shot in tasteful shadow. Its not out to impress, or selling itself hard while being sent to someone you want to have sex with.

Most of the time it just hangs around; its own kind of unconfrontational presence. Bloom is having a lovely day on the beach, being nude, and Mr. Cock has come along for the sunny, devil-may-care ride. This is not a boastful or bragging dick, a dick ready for action or out to prove anythingits everyday dick.

Its sighting on Twitter may have elicited gasps and fanning in all those witty memes. But really, the great lesson of Blooms penis-gatethe nonchalance of its gait, its unashamed ordinariness, freed of bolstering and framing underwear or trunksis that a dick is just a dick. Follow Blooms example and let yours get some innocent sun-loving fun this summerthough maybe check for telephoto lenses in the undergrowth.
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White House Releases Drone Playbook

NOW WE KNOW
By PTI: Panaji, Aug 6 (PTI) Goa government has warned two companies handling coal at Mormugao Port Trust to either check dust pollution or face a closure.

"The air ambient quality monitoring stations installed in Vasco has shown the dust pollution. We have already asked them to reduce their handling by 25 per cent. The next step would be to reduce it by 50 per cent and if time comes, we will withdraw their consent to operate," states Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar told the State Legislative Assembly last evening.

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"We dont want to play with life of people living in Vasco. Those people have the right of clear air," he said while speaking on demand for grants on Environment.

Last December, state Pollution Control Board had already reduced the handling capacity of Adani Murmugao Port Terminal Private Ltd and South West Port Ltd by 25 per centfor failing to control the dust pollution. PTI RPS ARS RCJ BAS

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By PTI: Puducherry, Aug 5 (PTI) Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said the territorial government has taken steps to intensify efforts to introduce e-governance system in keeping with the Centres directives.

Launching a new website of the District Collectorate of Puducherry,collectorate.py.gov.in here, he said the Centre had asked Puducherry government to earmark three per cent of the budget allocation for e-governance facility, which was being adhered to.

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He said, very soon common service centres would be opened in Puducherry, Villianoor, Bahoor and Tirukanoor to enable the residents to obtain all certificates online without approaching the departments concerned.

The website launched would cater to all the requirements of documents, encumbrance certificates, land records and other details relating to properties.

He advised government employees to be punctual at their workplaces and warned that if any of them were found coming late to the office, they would be dismissed.

Later, Narayanasamy handed over appointment orders to around 130 candidates recruited on contract basis under the National Rural Health Mission, to work in suburban and rural areas.

Revenue Minister M O H F Shah Jahan, Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao and District Collector Satyendra Singh Dursawat were among those present. PTI COR ROH BN

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June 15, 1982 - July 30, 2016

Doctor Matthew Penick Rowan, a resident of San Antonio originally from College Station, Texas, was born June 15, 1982. Matt passed away at the age of 34 in the loving arms of Sunday Stewart Rowan, his beautiful bride of five months and a day, in a tragic hot air balloon accident on July 30, 2016 above pastureland in Maxwell, Texas.

Matt graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2004, The George Washington University in Washington, DC with a Master of Forensic Sciences, Toxicology in 2006, and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Pharmacology in 2011. Doctor Rowan was the Chief of Clinical Trials in Burns and Trauma at the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, and a beloved Adjunct Professor at Trinity University where he was scheduled to teach chemistry this fall. Matt had previously been an Adjunct Chemistry Professor at St. Mary's University and Northwest Vista College in San Antonio.

Dr. Rowan was a dynamic researcher for the U.S. Army. After years of educational work and training, Matt could've easily gotten a job making more money, but inspired by his older brother's time in the Iraq War was more interested in a life of service helping soldiers, veterans and other victims suffering from burns and trauma than he was his paycheck. Simultaneously, he was a passionate and beloved professor and mentor to many college students, the kind of hands-on, laid-back teacher with the ability and patience to break down the most complex information, the kind of guy everyone prays for when they register for classes as challenging as Organic Chemistry.

Matt truly was one of the good guys, brilliant but humble, welcoming and a friend to all. He loved playing volleyball, his dog Lellow, a good laugh regularly, a great cigar occasionally, and going hunting, though that was finally something we found he wasn't so great at. He was a Christian who loved God and his family, an Aggie who bled maroon, and the kind of man who really did live the idea of leaving the world a better place. Well done, Matt. Godspeed, and gig 'em!

Matt was survived by and adored his stepson, five year old Jett Jones, his mother, Sue Rowan, father and step-mother Terry and Brenda Rowan, brother and sister-in-law, Joshua and Paige Rowan, nephews Palmer and Brant Rowan, and numerous relatives and friends who are devastated and miss him desperately. Our families thank you all for your prayers, hugs and words of comfort during this unfathomably surreal time. We were so blessed to have Matt and Sunday in our lives, and we are blessed to have friends like you.

"All of us want to do well, but if we do not do good, too, then doing well will never be enough." (Anna Quindlen)

Matt and Sunday's memorial service will be held Saturday, August 6th, at 2:00pm at Christ United Methodist Church located at 4201 State Highway 6, South in College Station.

A scholarship fund for students of Texas A&M University's Department of Chemistry has been set up in honor of Matt to continue his spirit of commitment to helping others. Donations may be made to Texas A&M University's Department of Chemistry (Matt Rowan Memorial Scholarship Fund), Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840 or online at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1436/gid3give/2014/index.aspx?sid=1436&gid=3&pgid=322 or by clicking the GIVE NOW link on the Texas A&M Foundation homepage.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
"Everyone has assured us that they are looking into it. But I still don't know when I will get to meet my son,"says his mother Fauzia praying that he will be soon.

By Vidya : Hamid Ansari's mother Fauzia had written a letter in blood to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to help get her son home. But there was no reply from the Prime Minister's office. It is not for the first time though that Fauzia has tried to contact authorities who can help her.



HAMID'S JOURNEY

In the last four years that Hamid has been away, Fauzia spent hours meeting people first to locate her son and later when she got to know that he was in a Pakistani jail, to get him out. Hamid, a young man in his 20s had fallen in love with a girl over the internet and had gone to Afghanistan through which he entered Pakistan to rescue her. However he was reported to have been arrested by the Pakistani police and later convicted by the military court for espionage. Ansari was sentenced to three years in prison and through his lawyers has currently filed a petition in the Peshawar high court asking for his sentence which is already undergoing, to be considered.

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ANSARIS' PLEA

In over three years, Ansaris have written to just about every authority in India and Pakistan or help. They have met Congress leaders Krishna Hegde, Aslam Sheikh, Gurudas Kamat, Priya Dutt and even stood before Rahul Gandhi's car until he met them. With the BJP government in place, Ansaris have met Shahnawaz Hussain, Kirit Somaiya, Gajanan Kirtikar and Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj at least twice. "Everyone has assured us that they are looking into it. But I still don't know when I will get to meet my son,"says Fauzia praying that it will be soon.

Fauzia has been keenly following the news of her son through internet and has been keeping a tab on the hearings in his case at the high court there. "Every time there is a hearing, the other side seeks time and the case is adjourned" laments Hamid's father Nehal Ansari.

Ansaris say that it was on May 5 that the Peshawar court had agreed that Hamid was entitled to the benefit of settling his conviction period against the years of confinement that he had already undergone during the trial. Court had ordered the Pakistan Defence secretary and other respondents in the case to reply within a fortnight. However since then, during five hearings on different dates in the last three months, the respondents only sought time to file their reply.



GOVERNMENT UNRESPONSIVE

And it was during this time that 31 year old Hamid was thrashed up inside the jail. His lawyers there are, the much respected and decorated Nishan-e-Haider. Advocate, Qazi Mohammed Anwar met Hamid in jail on August 2nd and immediately reported this to the Peshawar high court. Court has asked the jail authorities to respond on what they are doing about Hamid's security. They will be replying to the court on 10th of August. Ansaris here themselves have also tried to contact the Indian High Commission there and others which have told them that a protest against this has been lodged and that the Indian government is seeking consular access. But Fauzia says, "I don't want consular access. I want my son here. I sincerely request the Indian government to put pressure on Pakistan to release my son. He did not do such a big crime to be punished like this."

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Ansaris met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis this week and asked him to help Hamid back. Fauzia says, "I told him that just the way Mamta Banerjee got Judith D'Souza back from Afganistan, Just like that he should get Hamid, a mumbaikar back from Pakistan. He assured that he would help." However Ansaris feel that now only Prime Minister Modi can help them and so are trying to seek his appointment.

ALSO READ:

Indian man arrested with fake IDs attacked twice in Pakistan jail



--- ENDS ---
Column on Texas campus carry was wrong on several points

The Aug. 1 column by Seema Yasmin (Don't expect profs to disarm gunmen) is distressing in its lack of accuracy, both in actual facts, and the comments by the author that have no relation to, or basis in, Senate Bill 11 that went into effect on Monday.

She referenced campus carry in eight other states, yet we don't hear of bloodshed or carnage by licensed carriers, students, staff, or faculty.

Not once did Yasmin mention the license requirement for concealed carry, plus her comment on "private universities complying in 2017" is in error, as they are under no obligation under SB 11.

But her comparison of Dylan Roof, the South Carolina church murderer, to the student who might have obtained a Texas license to carry, who she considers an equal threat -- well that defies any rational or logical thinking.

Yasmin prefers ignorance over reality.

GREG STASNY

Somerville

America cannot stand another four years of Obama's policies

In her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Hillary stated that Trump had brought the Republican Party from "morning to midnight."

If that is true, then he simply brought the party down to the level of the Democratic Party.

More recently, she stated that Trump was too friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This seems a bit strange in that one of the first acts by Hillary as secretary of State was to travel to Russia where she pressed the button for the start of a new relationship with our country! As a matter of fact, that was about the only accomplishment during her four years in that position. Oh wait, there is Benghazi, support for the infamous Iran treaty and, of course, her use of a private email server for official business even though it was against regulations.

Hillary has lied to Congress and to the American people, not once or twice, but on a number of occasions.

Most important, however, she will continue and expand the disastrous policies of President Barack Obama and the country simply can't afford another four years of this. Our national debt has essentially doubled during the eight years of Obama in the White House; her platform suggests that the debt will increase at an even faster rate if she is elected.

KEITH A. ARNOLD

Bryan

Bryan first responders are great and should be thanked

In the recent past, I have needed the services of the Bryan Police Department personnel, Bryan Fire Department personnel including emergency medical responders. The medical responders were because I fell.

I have found these officers to be prompt, professional, courteous and empathetic. Please treat them as such.

Each day they leave their homes and families without the assurance they will be able to return home when their shift is over.

Please say thank you to them and mean it.

They are fine men and women.

MARY A. WICKES

Bryan
Winter is coming. Here's what you can do to prepare.
Captain Amarinder Singh said he will resign if the Supreme Court verdict on the SYL canal went against Punjab.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Captain Amarinder Singh urged people to give him just five years to launch Punjab back on the path of progress and development and bring the smile back on every Punjabis face. He also reiterated that he was committed under oath to finish corruption and drugs from the state in a time bound manner.

RESTORING LOST GLORY

"Unlike others I am not asking for 25 years, just give me five years and I will ensure that Punjab regains the glory it has lost", he said amidst thumping applause by an audience of over 5000 people which had gathered to interact with him over the fifteenth edition of the 'Halqe vich Captain' programme organised here today.

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Asked as what purpose will be solved with the resignation of the Congress MLAs and MPs in the event of the Supreme Court of India ruling against Punjab on the matter of SYL, the former Chief Minister clarified, "after resigning we will go back to people and seek their mandate and majority in the Vidhan Sabha to bring in a legislation to save our waters on the same pattern I did in 2004 when I brought in Punjab Termination of Agreements Act".

UNDOING INJUSTICE



He said, he respected the authority and the verdict of the Supreme Court, whatever it may be, at the same time he was committed to watch the interests of Punjab in a legal and constitutional way.

"And let me clarify and reiterate that there is always a constitutional and legislative way also to undo a wrong or injustice and that is why we will resign and go to the people to get the mandate to legislate and save our waters", he clarified, while regretting that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal did not exercise this option for the reasons best known to him.

PROMISES

The PCC president announced after the Congress forms government in Punjab, it will bring in Punjab specific 'Below Poverty Line' (BPL) scheme to cater to the local needs and also the socio-economic conditions here. He also ruled out the abolition of Mandi Board, saying it was an important corporation Punjab cannot do away with.

Fielding a variety of questions, Capt Amarinder reiterated his commitment to eradicate corruption from Punjab as he was committed under oath to do that. He said, he will not spare even the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, if he found him guilty.

He reminded people how during his previous regime he had caught the then Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman Ravi Sidhu red handed and he was still undergoing the sentence in the case. He warned the corrupt officials that a similar fate awaited them.

ALSO READ:

SYL Canal row: Captain Amarinder slams Badal's 'innocent mistake' theory



--- ENDS ---
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NORWALK  With the sun beating down overhead, its 9 a.m. and already 90 degrees as Jackie Claver scrambles up a tree on the eastern edge of Peach Island.

Three boards have been laid across the branches, creating a sort-of fort. The builder even went so far as to tie them to the tree, clearly hoping itd make it more difficult to dismantle the perch.

Claver starts untying the boards while Rachel Flanagan stands at the other end, waiting to lift them out of the tree.

We threw these in the poison ivy last week thinking thatd discourage someone from building a fort again, Flanagan said as she rolled a heavy log off a ledge and away from the tree.

For the pair, its the start of their day as island keepers for the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge. Tasked with taking care of a handful of islands in the Norwalk Harbor for the summer, Claver and Flanagan are responsible for patrolling the islands, conducting bird surveys, invasive species management and outreach education for people they encounter on the islands.

On this particular day, they started a little later than usual. Normally, the pair leave the houseboat they live on  anchored on the far end of Sheffield Island, away from the lighthouse  at 8 a.m. and dont return until late in the evening, packing Cliff bars and other non-perishables as their meals for the day.

The accommodations are sparse with no running water, internet or 24/7 electricity, the girls are living off the grid, only a mile from the busy cities of coastal Connecticut. Even so, theyre far from isolated as they constantly interact with people who visit the islands.

Its a great experience, Claver said. Who else can say they lived on a house boat.

While every day is different, Claver said they often start by visiting the various islands. Peach, Chimon and Sheffield are all part of the wildlife refuge, and they also help the town of Westport take care of Cockenoe Island, which isnt part of the refuge but has become a haven for several species of birds that only nest on that island.

As they patrol the islands they pick up large items  mostly balloons  left behind by visitors, pull invasive plant species and remind people theyre not allowed above the high tide line on the refuge islands.

Battling the tides, heat, ticks, dive-bombing protective birds, poison ivy and muddy shores is all in a days work.

Beholden to the cycles of the tide, the order in which they visit the islands changes, but theyre typically done by mid-afternoon when the first ferry brings visitors to Sheffield Island. There, they greet boatloads of people and offer short tours of the preserve on the largest Norwalk island.

Theres endless amounts of invasive species work to do, Flanagan said.

Pointing out native and invasive species, Claver and Flanagan lead small groups along the shelled path, which they spent hours wheeling barrels full of slipper shells to make. The tour doesnt last longer than 20 minutes, ending at a scenic overlook that details the history of the island before it was designated part of the wildlife refuge. Along the way, they ask questions, pass out leaves from sassafras trees that smell like Froot Loops cereal and offer fun facts.

Many people dont know this, but deer will actually swim out to the island and it becomes a problem because the will eat the bird eggs and the chicklings as a supplemental source of protein, Claver told one group, shocked to find out that deer are, in fact, omnivores.

This week will be their last week living on the island. Claver is headed back to school in Rhode Island in the fall, and Flanagan will head to do research in a lab before spending the winter working at a ski resort in Vail, Colorado.

Both natives of landlocked states, Flanagan and Claver said theyve learned everything from how to drive a boat to the native species of Connecticut during their summer as island keepers. Once the summer season ends, their work wont be picked up until next year when a new set of interns moves into the houseboat.

For now this is our home, Flanagan said. I love it because you hear the waves every night. You dont get that in Oklahoma.

KKrasselt@scni.com; 203-354-1021; @kaitlynkrasselt
By Mike Lucas

It is a sad fact of these times that if a myth is repeated often enough, it will become a truth.

That is the case with a myth that some special interests in Nebraska are trying to perpetuate. The myth is that spending by Nebraska public schools is the main culprit behind disproportionately high property taxes.

Here is another sad fact: blaming public schools for high property taxes allows these institutes, agencies and policymakers the opportunity to push other parts of their onerous political agenda, as well.

A look at the numbers here in York allows us to dispel the myth rather easily.

The General Fund spending by York Public School increased just 12.9 percent from the 2008-09 school year and the 2015-16 school year. Thats an average annual increase of just 1.8 percent. Yet the general fund property taxes our district collected increased 54.4 percent during the same period.

Meanwhile, our total General Fund revenue increased just 14.3 percent during those same eight school years, for an average annual increase of just 2 percent.

Heres the kicker: State aid has been a wild ride for the York Public Schools. It hit $3,714,809 in 2009-10, and will continue its downward trend and plummet to $572,781 in 2016-17. Do you suppose the drastic cut in state aid the past few years  a loss of more than $3.2 million per year at this point  has anything to do with our over-reliance on local property taxes?

The answer is yes. Despite the 1.8 percent annual increase in General Fund spending over the past eight years, our property tax collections have averaged an annual increase of 7.7 percent.

Heres the crux of the problem: Policymakers shorting the state aid formula enable high property taxes.

In 1998-99, K-12 public education accounted for 32 percent of the states General Fund budget. Today, that percentage has plummeted to 27.4 percent. If K-12 education received the same percentage of the state budget today that it used to, the state aid formula would have another $190 million injected into local school budgets each year via state aid.

Lawmakers have tweaked the state aid formula at least a dozen times in the past 20 or so years. In most cases, the tweak came about to minimize the allocation to K-12 education so the state could balance its budget and force schools to request more local property taxes. In other words, rather than look at the needs of public schools as determined by the formula, lawmakers determined how much they wanted to spend and then adjusted the formula to fit that outcome.

But that method doesnt work.

As a state, Nebraska is 49th in the nation in the percentage of its state budget that is allocated to K-12 education. As a result, Nebraska is 2nd in the nation in the percentage of revenue for public school districts that comes from local property taxes. All Nebraska public school districts already adhere to state mandated levy limit lids as the general fund plus the building fund maximum levy cant exceed $1.05.

In the middle of all this, I sympathize with our farming community. According to a nearby agricultural coop, the cost of a bag of seed corn has jumped quite a bit in recent years. The average cost in 2009 was $280. In 2015, the average cost was $350.

That works out to a 25 percent jump in just six years, or an average annual increase of 4.16 percent. Yet its still the same size of bag, with the same seed corn. Nothing more, not much different, nothing less.

According to Team Marketing Research, the cost of a hot dog and small soda at Wrigley Field (home of the Cubs) has increased over the past few years. In 2009, a small drink and hot dog wouldve cost you $6. In 2015, that same duo set you back $10.25. Thats a 70 percent increase in just six years, or an average annual increase of more than 11.6 percent. But its still just a small drink and the same hot dog. Nothing more, nothing less.

Meanwhile, public education changes every year. Our teachers are doing more than ever before for their students and their communities. Costs in education, just like in every other walk of life, tend to increase some over time. Consider that our student population is growing in number, there are children with higher needs, we have expanded programming, we are doing more than ever with accountability, after-school programs, summer programs, enrichment and more.

York is a great example. Our preK-12th enrollment grew from 1,232 in 2008-09 to 1,389 in 2015-16. Thats 157 students, or more than seven full classrooms at an average of 22 students per classroom. Thats a 12.7 percent increase, 2.1 percent annually  yet our spending increase during that same time, as mentioned, was just 1.8 percent per year.

During the same time, the percentage of York students qualifying for free/reduced meals grew from 33.9 percent to 45 percent. This shift in demographics means we deal with increased student/family needs.

So the next time you hear someone blame public schools for high property taxes, do some digging. Discover details about your school districts revenue and spending (those facts are audit certified each fall). The institutes, agencies, and elected officials that want to see public schools harmed wont like what you discover, but thats OK.

In the meantime, your public schools will continue to meet the needs of children in every Nebraska community.

Thats no myth.
As the school year approaches and students prepare to hit the books, its important to be mindful of a childs surroundings and how to best navigate the safest way back to the classroom.

Whether your child is traveling by school bus, bicycle, or riding in a car with parents or friends, the American Red Cross has a few tips to help you make the trip to school in the safest way possible.

In terms of school bus safety, the Red Cross suggests that children get to the bus stop early, stand away from the curb as they wait, and never dart out into the street. Also, its important that the kids wait to board until after the bus has come to a complete stop. Be sure the children get on the same bus all year and not an alternative one and always ensure the bus drivers can see them.

The Red Cross also recommends that if a child is riding in a car to get to school to always wear a seat belt; if the child is younger, use a booster seat/car seat for the duration of the ride. Drivers should not use cell phones while driving and should avoid eating or drinking when behind the wheel.

If a student rides a bike to school, be sure to always wear a helmet and be on the correct side of the road when traveling to and from school. Lastly, before students depart for school, parents need to make sure they have their phone number, address, work contact information, and to always call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

Director of Police Jay Keeven said Edwardsville drivers, as well as children, need to be aware of the rules of the road as the school year is in full swing.

Now that school is back in session, people are going to have to be mindful of the school speed limit zones and the law that prohibits individuals from passing the school bus with the stop arm out, and thats passing the school bus in either direction," Keeven said.

"So, you cant pass behind and you cant pass as youre oncoming. If the stop arm is out, you must stop to let the children cross. Also, when the kids are riding on their bikes on the school routes, we ask for members again to be cautious and be looking for children that are riding their bicycles to and from school or children who are crossing the road to and from school as well, Keeven said.

During the first few weeks of school, children tend to get enthusiastic about whats in store for the school season. However, Keeven said its still important for the kids to look out for their own safety.

Kids get excited; they get excited about seeing their friends again, theyre excited about getting back in the classroom and learning, but they do need to be ever-vigilant. They hustle with the light  so when they have the green light and the walk sign, they can cross the roadway, not J-walking the street to get to and from school. The same thing we would tell adult pedestrians is just to be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to vehicular traffic when crossing the roadways, Keeven said.

The Edwardsville school district has a cohesive relationship with the police department, and Keeven said the safety measures within the schools have been significant and beneficial so far.

Theres always some room for improvement, but I think weve had a good partnership with District 7 over the last four years that I have been here, starting with Dr. Hightower and now Dr. Andre as the school superintendent. I know that they take safety in the schools very seriously. They do have security in the school. We have four school resource officers permanently assigned, along with two full-time D.A.R.E. officers assigned in the school system. As far as public safety goes within the school, I do believe we have that covered. Once again, just making sure parents and students and teachers pay attention to their surroundings. If they see something that doesnt look proper, pick up the phone, give us a call at the police department, and well check it out. Thats what were here for, Keeven said.
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Linkedin Devina Heriyanto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Since selfies with the Merah Putih flag are too mainstream, we recommend you read a book to celebrate Indonesias Independence Day. Added bonus: You can act all smart and nationalist at the same time. And hey, you might learn a thing or two about the country too.

Non-fiction

Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation

Author : Elizabeth Pisani

Whether youre an Indonesian, expat staying here, or casual reader, Pisani can make you fall in love with the country even if your friends warn you that hes a bad boyfriend.(BookDepository.com/-)

Based on the authors experiences traveling across Indonesia, this book is a narrative about the daily lives of Indonesians living on the edges of the vast archipelago. Whether youre an Indonesian, expat staying here, or casual reader, Pisani can make you fall in love with the country even if your friends warn you that hes a bad boyfriend.

A History of Modern Indonesia

Author : Adrian Vickers

With less than 300 pages, this is a history book you can actually finish (and later boast about).(BookDepository.com/-)

As the name suggests, this book is a straight-up history book of modern Indonesia (at least more modern than Adam Swartzs A Nation In Waiting: Indonesia In The 1990s). Worry not, Vickers writing is readable, light, and far from boring. With less than 300 pages, this is a history book you can actually finish (and later boast about).

Catatan Seorang Demonstran

Author : Soe Hok Gie

Before the activists behind 1998s reformasi struggle were born, Soe Hok Gie was a prominent member of Indonesias youth movement. The book, whose title translates as A Protester's Diary, is the diary of an idealist, who grew cynical after suffering many disappointments during the Old Order regime. The book gives readers a firm grasp on what was happening in Indonesia just before the transition to the New Order period.

(Read also: 12 Indonesian books you should add to your reading list)

Fiction

The Weaverbirds (Burung-burung Manyar)

Author : Y.B. Mangunwijaya

The book is the show dont tell version of the phrase, one mans terrorist is anothers freedom fighter.(BookDepository.com/-)

Y.B. Mangunwijaya explores the other side of history. The Weaverbirds is told through the eyes of Teto, who fought for the Dutch during Indonesias war of independence and was considered an enemy by the new Republic and its people. The book is the show dont tell version of the phrase, one mans terrorist is anothers freedom fighter.

Nyanyian Akar Rumput

Author : Wiji Thukul

If Chairil Anwar reminds you too much of Rangga and Cinta from Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, then Wiji Thukul is perfect for you. Wiji was a poet and activist during the New Order whose words invoked the wrath of generals and politicians. He disappeared two decades ago.

The King, the Witch and the Priest: A Twelfth-Century Javanese Tale (Calon Arang)

Author : Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Its a short book that you can finish in one sitting, so that you too can say you have read Pram.(BookDepository.com/-)

Pramoedya Ananta Toer is a writer every Indonesian must read at least once in their lifetime. But if his Buru Quartet is too intimidating for you, Calon Arang is perfect gateway to his works to prepare you for This Earth of Mankind (Bumi Manusia). This is a simple tale of the good and the wicked, as retold by Indonesias most celebrated author. Its a short book that you can finish in one sitting, so that you too can say you have read Pram. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Officially opened on Friday, Art Stage Jakarta boasts contemporary art featuring artwork from galleries from Indonesia and beyond.

Running until Sunday, the event is being held at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel in South Jakarta and provides a space to discover more about contemporary art in Indonesia and abroad.

Its not an event for the [art] elites only, Art Stage Jakarta founder and president Lorenzo Rudolf told The Jakarta Post during the opening event on Friday.

The fair consists of three different zones. One focuses on the art market, dubbed Exhibitor Highlights, which is basically a boutique art space with galleries coming from 16 countries, while the other two are Special Exhibitions, consisting of the Collectors Show featuring the private collections of six Indonesian collectors, and the Affandi exhibition featuring masterpieces of the countrys impressionist master never seen before.

(Read also: Galleries, collectors to participate in Jakarta contemporary art fair in August)

Open for free to the public, visitors can marvel at art pieces as well as have an opportunity to talk to some of the artists and discover firsthand the role of galleries in the art world.

But the event particularly aims to introduce Indonesias creativity to the world. Most of the masterpieces of Indonesian art are in private hands, so this is an opportunity to discover them, said Rudolf.

Go enjoy and look what happens; if you like something look again, ask, be curious, dont be shy, he added. (tif/kes)
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Indian government must do everything it can to bring back Hamid Nehal Ansari, lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2012 and was attacked at least thrice by the inmates in recent months, his mother said.

"We have come to know through media and our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid," said Fauzia Ansari, mother of the 31-year-old engineering and management graduate from Mumbai, who was sentenced to jail for three years by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

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According to Ansaris lawyer, the Indian prisoner was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail.

"Our request to the Indian government is to help Hamid, who has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this," she said.

It has been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, she said.

"I dont know what crime my son has committed. As per his chats with his friends from Pakistan on Facebook before he went missing, he crossed over to Pakistan to help a girl who was a victim of a social evil," she said.

She also requested the Pakistan government to show mercy on him and send him back.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

On Thursday, his lawyer told a Peshawar High Court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said, adding even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Chairman of Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni termed the incident unfortunate and condemnable.

"Hamid Ansari has suffered this attack inside the Pakistani jail," he said.

"We have been campaigning for his early release and return to India. We are convinced that he hasnt committed any offence," Kulkarni told PTI.

"I urge authorities in Pakistan to ensure his safety and early return to India," he said. PTI VT ARS RCJ

--- ENDS ---

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Linkedin Qraved (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Modern martabak joints are plentiful across Jakarta nowadays, so many that one may wonder which is the best. Based on popularity and ratings, here is a list of recommended places to consider.

Martabak Blackpool

A photo posted by Martabak Blackpool (@martabakblackpool) on Jul 30, 2016 at 11:00pm PDT

As the name suggests, the main theme of this martabak eatery is black martabak. Since black-colored foods became a trend a while ago, Martabak Blackpool seemed to adapt and is not giving it up even though the hype is now over. Splendidly, it manages to keep its quality by serving the best martabak flavors for people all around Jakarta.

Martabakku Menteng

A photo posted by | R C | (@ronaldcrescendo) on Jun 29, 2016 at 8:02am PDT

The great thing about Martabakku Menteng is the way it innovates the dish, combining modern styles with classic Indonesian cuisines. Besides martabak with red velvet or Oreo fillings, it also uses traditional ingredients such as gula jawa (palm sugar) and shredded coconut. Among the many choices, the classic and thicker version of sweet martabak, called MarTeb and Martabak Telor, are still the place's favorites.

(Read also: Five 'martabak' to try in Jakarta)

Martabak Gokil

A photo posted by Martabak Gokil (@martabakgokil) on Jun 24, 2016 at 9:21pm PDT

As one of the newest brands of modern martabak, Martabak Gokil plays its role very nicely and neatly. This brand aims for perfection and quality, not to mention creativity. You can even make your own martabak in case you want to mix several things from the menu.

Martabak Boss

A photo posted by Hendy Utama (@utamahendy) on Jun 25, 2016 at 5:02am PDT

Starting operations a while ago, Martabak Boss has spread its charm with a well-designed trendy cart that looks like a trailer. But the variety of modern toppings is still the main attraction of this place, which already has eight different branches across the city.

Bang! Martabak

A photo posted by Bang!Martabak (@bangmartabak) on Aug 5, 2016 at 7:59pm PDT

Owned by famous senior actor Pangky Suwito, Bang! Martabak boasts the soft texture usually found in the famed martabak Bangka. From Senayan to Kalimalang, its branches can now easily be found all around Jakarta.

Markobar

A photo posted by Widiartha Wahyudi, MD (@wdrthwhyd) on Jul 10, 2016 at 7:21am PDT

Originating in Solo, Markobar has entered Jakarta's martabak game and gained a great reputation among fans of the dish. Some may think the main reason for its popularity is because it is owned by President Jokowis son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. But when you visit the Cikini venue, you will find out that Markobar is actually all about taste and quality. (kes)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Nominated alongside Fabelio, TaniHub, Qontak and IDNtimes, virtual private assistant service company YesBoss takes home the title of Best Newcomer from the Rice Bowl Startup Awards 2016.

Other categories included Best Campaign, Best Disruptor/Game Changer, Best Professional Investor, Best Social Entrepreneur for Tech Startup, Best Social Media Influencer, Developer Hero, Founder, Startup Journalist, Tech Support/Service and Startup of The Year.

Being nominated is already a great appreciation for the whole team and shows that we are making a difference in our customers lives. As a winner, we are even more thankful and proud to represent Indonesia at the Global Startup Awards 2016, said YessBoss COO and co-founder Chris Franke.

(Read also: National movement attracts 4,000 local startups so far)

The Rice Bowl Startup Awards is a series of events throughout Southeast Asia that awards startup companies in ASEAN countries for exemplary talent in their field. Other nominees for the categories listed above were GO-JEK, Tokopedia, Bukalapak, E-Fishery and RuangGuru.

The award night seeks to encourage startup companies and appreciate their unyielding dedication and pioneering innovation. It also serves as a means of strengthening bonds between startups across ASEAN as well as with their investors. (jam/kes)
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Linkedin Adil Akbar (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 5 2016

Having a good time: Josh (left) and Mike Greenfield have their own program on MTV, Brothers Green: Eats! shown every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Brooklyn-based culinary star brothers Josh and Mike Greenfield talk about their show and cooking for the ordinary cook.

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Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu  Sat, August 6, 2016

Another member of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT), Juhri, alias Tamar, gave himself up to National Intelligence Agency (BIN) personnel taking part in Operation Tinombala on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, three others were arrested on Thursday.

Operation Tinombala commander Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi confirmed that Juhri surrendered at 3:40 a.m. local time in Tamanjeka hamlet, Lape village, Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Rudy, who is also Central Sulawesi Police chief, said Juhri was picked up from a house belonging to his relative and was taken to the BIN post in Poso.

He is being questioned and his identity verified by Operation Tinombala personnel, Rudy said, adding that based on the questioning, Juhri said he surrendered because he no longer shared the beliefs of the MIT terror group and could no longer manage to live in the forest.

After the death last month of MIT leader Santoso, the government advised Santosos followers to give themselves up to security personnel. For those who surrender, the government will consider pardoning them.

Rudy said security personnel had arrested three other Santoso followers on Thursday. They are Jono Priadi, alias Jono, an employee of the Palu Public Works Agency; Isa Abd. Rahman, alias Berni, alias Pak Is, alias Bahar; and Muhammad Asmaul, alias Muket.

Based on data owned by Operation Tinombala, they acted as couriers and logistics suppliers and to facilitate those who wanted to join the MIT, Rudy added. (bbn)
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Linkedin Kevindra P. Soemantri (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, August 6 2016

TALKING WITH THE LEGENDARY SWISS CHEF ANTON MOSIMANN

The air was cold late that afternoon in Le Bouveret, in the Canton du Valais in Switzerland. The sun, hidden behind the clouds above Lake Geneva, was cradled by the mountains of Chablais.



It seemed to be too shy to appear through the mist.



However, as we assembled on the grounds of the grand Cesar Ritz Colleges of Hotel and Hospitality management, we were greeted by students who blazed with enthusiasm.



The event that day, which included a dinner that was served as the final exam for the Cesar Ritz students, was also a celebration Switzerlands greatest living chef, Anton Mosimann, as part of his collection of culinary paraphernalia was put on permanent display at the school.



The guest list offered undisputable proof of Mosimanns reputation, as a host of ambassadors and more than a few scions of royalty were spotted.



The cordiality of the students was evident. All were dressed in an elegant manner, conversing with guests while displaying the finest sense of etiquette.



Their task was to present the gala, from arranging the decor, to marketing to preparing the food. The event was called Le Cirque du Monde (Circus of the World), to honor the students, who hailed from more than 50 nations.



Circus performers entertained us as we drank a never-ending stream of Bearded Lady cocktails, sour whiskeys and bubbling champagne and noshed on mini-entrecotes of beef or classic French crispy frog legs.



Mosimann, the star of the evening, was decked out in an iconic colorful bowtie, mingling with the crowd.



Born in Solothurn, in the foothills of Swiss Jura, Mosimann started as an apprentice at his parents restaurant in Nidau at the age of 15.



People always asked how I could come with such interest in cooking, Mosimann said. Well, its in my blood. I was born on the kitchen floor, I suppose.



His reputation was assured when Mosimann was named head chef of The Dorchester hotel in London in 1975.



The then-28-year-old replaced Eugene Kaufeler, who hired him at the suggestion of Adelrich Furrer, a gastronomy expert from Switzerland.



Under Mosimann, The Dorchester was awarded two Michelin stars, making it the first hotel outside of France to receive such an honor. The chef then left to found Mosimanns Club, a private dining club built in a converted Presbyterian church in the Belgravia neighborhood of London.



Mosimann has cooked for four generations of the British royal family, including notably at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.



To commemorate the career of this remarkable chef, The Mosimann Collections: A Culinary Heritage are currently on display over four floors of one wing of the campus of the Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland campus in Le Bouveret.



The word museum is too old, Florent Rondez, the chief executive officer of the Swiss Education Group, which is hosting the permanent exhibition, said. Usually a museum is for people who have already passed away. We want to emphasize chef Anton Mosimanns energyand his magnificent collections. That is why we named it a collection instead of a museum.



Rondez said the collection would educate and inspire students. We want to reveal the man behind this extraordinary personality, and to preserve his work as a true source of inspiration for budding chefs and hoteliers.



The building embodies Mosimanns personality, as evinced by the frequent use of the chefs signature colors of black, white and yellow.



The design is the work of Omid Louie, head of Nourison Europe, a leading luxury carpet company specializing in hospitality and high-end hotels.



The link between hospitality and gastronomy is deeply rooted, which is the reason I pursued the project, Louie said.



With his wife, Kathryn, and two sons, Mosimann walked through the halls of the collection, stopping a minute to ponder the items on display, such as a letter he once received from the UKs Prince Charles or the first of dozens of gold medals he received as a professional chef.



It has been very emotional preparing the material, Mosimann said. I have sat down and revisited my extensive collections of menus, recipes and books. To walk around and see these pieces, which have had a profound influence on me personally and guided me through my career, is perhaps the greatest luxury I will ever be given.



The collections cover a selection of items that Mosimann has accumulated over the better part of five decades. Also on display are hundreds of menu cards of historical import, all beautifully framed and hanging from the walls.



Visitors can drown in the ephemera, each piece offering a printed peak at glorious meals of days past.



These are records of the dinners given to German Kaiser Wilhem I at Postdam City Palace in 1871 as well as of the coronation banquets for King George VI in 1937 and for Tsar Nicholas II in 1896.



Also on display are some of the worlds most important books on cuisine, such as the works of Auguste Escoffier, one of the codifiers of French haute cuisine; a text penned by Bartolomeo Scappi, the private chef of Pope Pius V and a copy of the Apicius, the ancient Roman cookbook, that dates to the early 16th century.



My personal favorites were a handwritten cookbook dating from 1733 thought to contain the first recipe for chocolate sorbet and a copy of Treatise on Make-Up and Jam written by Nostradamus. Yes, that Nostradamus.



Mosimann, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2004, has cooked for presidents and, of course, for his fellow chefs, as evinced by the monochrome photos hanging along a stairway depicting Mosimann with fellow Monegasque chef Alain Ducasse, British kitchen scientist, Heston Blumenthaal, Ivana Trump and even former president B.J. Habibie.



At 69, Mosimann shows no signs of slowing down. Perhaps Im lucky enough to be given by God good health. I still try to run at least five times a week to maintain my stamina. In fact, when I was young I was a professional wrestler.



In the end, it is love that keeps him going, Mosimann says. I love to work in the kitchen. I love to cook. I love to meet people and handle ingredients.

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Linkedin Irma Hidayana (The Jakarta Post) New York  Sat, August 6 2016

This week, from Aug. 1 to 7, advocates of breast-feeding celebrate the annual World Breastfeeding Week. Globally, this years theme is How to value our well-being from the start of life.

Breast-feeding is a key element toward the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals. Lets just focus on the goals of reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable consumption and production, as they both relate to the urgent need of demarketing infant formula.

First, breast-feeding contributes to poverty reduction because it is a natural behavior and a way of feeding infants that is affordable for everyone compared to infant formula feeding. Infant formula is expensive, including the cost of utensils and sterilizing them. As formula-fed babies have been found to become sick more often than breast-fed ones, families also have to spend more for health care.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The Democratic Party will probably not endorse incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama in the 2017 gubernatorial race.

We have opened our doors to everyone, but he is not coming and knocking on our door, the partys secretary general, Hinca Panjaitan, said Friday.

Hinca added that the Democratic Party might nominate a candidate of its own and form a coalition with other political parties that agree with the partys potential candidate.

The party has 10 seats in the Jakarta Legislative Council, while the electoral threshold is 22 seats to have one gubernatorial ticket.

Democratic Party deputy chairman Sjarifuddin Hasan had previously said that the party would decide its gubernatorial candidate in the second week of August.

Ahok is currently supported by the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the NasDem Party. The Gerindra Party has nominated businessman Sandiaga Uno as its candidate, while other parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which has a gubernatorial ticket, have not yet decided on their candidates. (wnd/bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Aceh's first freely elected governor, Irwandi Yusuf, has been nominated to run again in the gubernatorial race in February next year by the Democratic Party.

Irwandi is a former Aceh governor from 2007 to 2012 and is a member of the Aceh National Party. Meanwhile, the Dems have chosen Nova Iriansyah from the party as the deputy governor candidate.

It is a good balance to combine a candidate from a local party and a national party, Hinca Panjaitan, the partys secretary general told journalists on Friday.

The party also announced their candidate for the West Sulawesi gubernatorial election. They endorsed Suhardi Duka, who is paired with Kalma Katta. Suhardi is the head of the Democratic Partys West Sulawesi chapter and was regent of Mamuju from 2005 to 2015, while Kalma was regent of Majene from 2011 to 2016 and is a member of the Golkar Party. (wnd/evi)
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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6 2016

Nearly six years into its existence, Indonesian start-up darling and online transportation app Go-Jek has secured the largest ever amount of funding invested into an Indonesian technology startup firm, a figure of US$550 million.



As competition in the ride-hailing app industry grows and takes on a tougher shape in Indonesia, Go-Jeks recent injection of funds from equity firms KKR & Co. and Warburg Pincus LLC will help the company compete with Uber Technologies Inc. and Grab, two car-hailing startups that have also been offering two-wheeled services in Southeast Asias largest market.



This newest funding round follows previous foreign investments into Go-Jek by venture capital firms such as Northstar Group, DST Global and Sequoia India, whose funds have kept the company afloat and able to keep providing its popular and famously subsidized pricing to its customers.



Go-Jek is unique in its ability to be the number one service provider across almost all key categories. The company has a real opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading mobile platform in Indonesia, Terence Lee, a director at KKR Asia, said as quoted by Bloomberg on Friday.



Go-Jek did not reply to The Jakarta Posts request for a comment.



Go-Jek was born in 2010 from Harvard Business School graduate Nadiem Makarim, whose story went that he first got the idea after his experiences talking to ojek drivers on his way to work.



Before its miracle mobile app, the company used to rely on call centers to direct customers to individual ojek drivers, thus essentially having a middleman within the transaction.



The app, which was released in January 2015, has been downloaded 20 million times across the country and its services are active in 10 cities including Jakarta, Denpasar, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Balikpapan and Palembang.



Over 200,000 motorcycle drivers are registered with the service and on average eight orders are made per second.



Go-Jek has since become a popular app and has entered the local lexicon. One can say lets Go-Jek it if one feels one needs something delivered, or if one wants to go from one place to another quickly. The companys ubiquitous green helmets and jackets have now become an ordinary sight on Jakartas streets.



Its primary competitors, Malaysia-based Grab and US-born Uber, have both since introduced motorcycle taxi services, along with their original car-hailing services, to compete with Go-Jek on Indonesias lucrative roads.



This fact prompted Go-Jek to further expand its business beyond ride-hailing and more toward on-demand delivery services. To compete with its two biggest rivals, Go-Jek also launched Go-Car, a car-hailing service, earlier this year. According to KKR, the investment will help improve the functionality, capacity, scale and platform of Go-Jeks services.



Go-Jeks investment jackpot comes after a similar move made this week in China by Chinese transportation app Didi Chuxing, buying out its competitor Ubers China operations for US$600 million.



The investment comes six years after Go-Jek was first thought of, going from a largely unknown call-based transportation service to a success story many Indonesian entrepreneurs either envy or try to emulate.



University of Indonesia economist Fithra Faisal Hastiadi said the new funding would definitely step up the competition among startups within the transportation app industry.



So far there hasnt been any new innovations from Go-Jek. With the new round of funds, I think some new things might soon come up, he said.

_________________________________________



The rise of Go-Jek



August 2010



Nadiem Makarim begins operation of Go-Jek, a social enterprise that brings together ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers to deliver a one-stop convenience service in Jakarta.



February 2011



Go-Jek is formally launched



January 2015



Go-Jek introduces its mobile application on Android and iOS, with backing from private equity investor Northstar Group. Earlier, Nadim decides to leave his full time job in another company to focus on developing Go-Jek.



March 17, 2015



Transportation Ministry bans ride-hailing applications from operating in Indonesia claiming they violate the 2009 Law on land transportation.



March 2016



Go-Jeks app is downloaded more than 11 million times. The company claims to have more than 200,000 motorbikes in a number of major cities in Indonesia



Aug. 4, 2016



Go-Jek secures US$550 million in a new round of funding led by KKR & Co. and Warburg Pincus LLC

From various sources

__________________________________





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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) urged the government on Friday to issue a government regulation on karst ecology to ensure the preservation of karst areas.

The regulation should be a legal 'umbrella' for karst areas and for utilization of karst resources for common interests without violating human rights, Komnas HAM commissioner Muhammad Nurkhoiron said, adding that the government started consulting the commission about the regulation in 2015.

Komnas HAM recorded that around 8 percent of 1.9 million kilometers of Indonesias land was karst terrain, and social conflict often occurred over developing and utilizing karst regions and resources due to a lack of transparency between companies and local people about the utilization of such regions, he added.

As an example, the people of the Mount Kendeng area in the northern part of Central Java have been fighting for years to stop the development of cement factories they believe would threaten their livelihoods and their sources of water.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ordered a postponement in the development of the factories on Tuesday and an evaluation carried out.

Komnas HAM staff member Mimin Dwi Hartono noted that an energy and mineral resources ministerial decree issued in 2011 on karst regions did not stipulate the utilization and preservation of such areas. Therefore, it is believed that the issuance of a government regulation would minimize conflict between local people and enterprises. (wnd/bbn)
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Indian government must do everything it can to bring back Hamid Nehal Ansari, lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2012 and was attacked at least thrice by the inmates in recent months, his mother said.

"We have come to know through media and our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid," said Fauzia Ansari, mother of the 31-year-old engineering and management graduate from Mumbai, who was sentenced to jail for three years by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

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According to Ansaris lawyer, the Indian prisoner was attacked at least thrice by inmates in recent months in a Peshawar jail.

"Our request to the Indian government is to help Hamid, who has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this," she said.

It has been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, she said.

"I dont know what crime my son has committed. As per his chats with his friends from Pakistan on Facebook before he went missing, he crossed over to Pakistan to help a girl who was a victim of a social evil," she said.

She also requested the Pakistan government to show mercy on him and send him back.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

On Thursday, his lawyer told a Peshawar High Court bench that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said, adding even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Chairman of Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation Sudheendra Kulkarni termed the incident unfortunate and condemnable.

"Hamid Ansari has suffered this attack inside the Pakistani jail," he said.

"We have been campaigning for his early release and return to India. We are convinced that he hasnt committed any offence," Kulkarni told PTI.

"I urge authorities in Pakistan to ensure his safety and early return to India," he said. PTI VT ARS RCJ BAS

--- ENDS ---

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6 2016

Government and business are often caught up in a sour relationship over various energy issues, such as electricity prices and insufficient power supply to support production. But when it comes to power efficiency, it seems they are eager to work together to save even a lick of energy.

Soni Solistia Wirawan, the chief secretary of the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), smiled as a presenter with the 2016 National Energy Efficiency Award ceremony announced that his institution had won one of the awards categories.

BPPTs headquarters in Central Jakarta came in first place as the central government institution with best score on energy efficiency. The BPPT headquarters scored an energy efficiency index of 11.54 kilowatt hours (kWh) per square meter per month and managed to save on electricity by 5.1 percent and on water by

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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6 2016

Data center provider PT Graha Teknologi Nusantara (GTN) expects to kick off the operation of its maiden data center facility in Cikarang, West Java, by October this year in an effort to tap business opportunities from the increasing demand for data storage from the digital industry.

The new 1.5-hectare facility, located some 50 kilometers east of Jakarta, will be able to hold about 22,000 server racks, making it one of the biggest data centers in the Asia Pacific, the company has claimed.

GTNs primary investors, which include parent company, publicly listed information and technology firm Multipolar Technology, and Japanese firms Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co. and Mitsui & Co., have invested up to Rp 400 billion (US$30.5 million) in the new center, which will be able to house data from prospective clients, mainly in the private sector and digital businesses.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6 2016

Amid a rise in bird flu cases among fowls this year, the government confirms there have been no indications of human cases.

People should report [to the government] any cases of mass deaths of flocks of birds. Farmers are also urged to conduct proper bio-security procedures and vaccination, Muhammad Azhar, the coordinator of the avian influenza quick control unit at the Agriculture Ministry, said recently.

He explained that by conducting the preventive procedures, farmers could remain safe from the risk of avian influenza (AI) transmission. One simple measures, he said, was constructing a fence or wall to limit birds direct contact with the outside environment.

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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has vowed to continue efforts to push for an investigation into law enforcement practices in narcotics cases, despite ongoing accusations of defamation against Kontras' coordinator Haris Azhar.

Kontras has asked the government and law enforcement institutions to be more focused in eradicating narcotics bigwigs, including by uncovering drug trade supporters hiding behind law enforcement officials, as alleged by executed convict Freddy Budiman in his testimony circulated by Haris.

"What we are facing here is a narcotics cartel that threatens the country. If the government and law enforcers work separately, their efforts will be incomplete," Haris said on Friday.

The rights activists have announced plans to collaborate with the Indonesian Ombudsman's Office, The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) as well as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to dig deeper and consolidate efforts to look into the allegations.

Kontras and several other civil organizations, including the Indonesian Drug Victim Advocacy Brotherhood (PKNI) and the Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat), have also opened a post for the public to report information on state institutions allegedly backing drug smuggling, in an attempt to unravel the alleged narcotics mafia within governmental bodies.

Haris, who was reported by the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to the National Police for alleged defamation, said he was prepared as he had a team of lawyers to support him. However, he called on law enforcement officials to let his case rest, as the nation's war on narcotics was more important than anything else. (bbn)
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Tanjung Balai  Sat, August 6 2016

The Tanjung Balai Police will proceed with the legal prosecution against two suspects, Budi Herianto and Rifai Zuharisyah, who allegedly incited racial unrest in the port city. The recent riot in Tanjung Balai saw 12 temples looted and burned.

The police will also build a case against Meliana, 41, the woman who complained about the loud voice of adzan (the Islamic call to prayer), which was then used by the two suspects to provoke a mob  leading to the unrest.

Surprisingly, Meliana was not reported by any individual or group. Rather, she was reported by a police officer who thought her complaint about the loud adzan constituted an insult to Islam.

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Linkedin Fadli and Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Sat, August 6 2016

Though perceived by analysts as having low capabilities, with its latest terror attack on Indonesian soil killing no one but its own operative, a local terror network linked to the Islamic State (IS) movement is aiming high with its terror plots.



The National Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of six militants in Batam, Riau Islands, who the police say planned to fire a rocket from Batam to Singapore.



The six militants are believed to be part of a new terror group called Katibah Gonggong Rebus, led by Gigih Rahmat Dewa. Gigih is believed to have taken orders from Bahrun Naim, the alleged mastermind of the Jan. 14 attack in Jakarta that left four civilians dead.



GRD and Bahrun Naim planned to launch a rocket from Batam to Marina Bay, Singapore, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said, using Gigihs initials.



Gigih is said to have received funding from Bahrun, who is believed to reside in areas controlled by IS in Syria and Iraq.



Both men want to create terrorist cells in several Southeast Asian countries, the police said.



Analysts, however, doubt that the militants had the resources and capabilities to launch a successful attack in Singapore, let alone hit the city-state with a rocket.



It is crazy to think anyone could succeed in firing a rocket at Marina Bay, Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) director Sidney Jones told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Friday.



However, that the group was thinking of attacking Singapore is a dangerous development, she added.



This is not the first case of Indonesian terrorists planning to attack Singapore. In 2000, Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) plotted to carry out an attack on Changi International Airport. The plan was led by Huda bin Abdul Haq, an Indonesian national who was a senior JI member with direct links to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.



He was convicted and executed in 2008 for his role in coordinating the 2002 Bali bombings.



But it is too early now. I dont have any additional information about how these people got in touch with Bahrun Naim or how advanced the plan was, Sidney said.



Another police spokesman, Agus Rianto, said the police could not confirm whether the rocket existed, adding that the investigation was underway.



We will continue with our investigation. Does the rocket really exist? Where did they put it? When did they plan to attack?



Terrorism expert Al Chaidar said IS-linked terror cells in Indonesia were likely to target Singapore. They were inspired by Bahrun Naims Singaporean friend in Syria who said it was really hard to attack Singapore, he said, adding that Singapore had long been known to have a tight security system.



Gigih was arrested in his house at the Mediterania residential complex in Batam at 8:30 a.m. He was the last to be arrested after the other five were nabbed earlier the same day in their respective houses.



Of the six men arrested, five worked as employees for electronic companies. The other was an employee in a local bank.



Gigih, who reportedly received funding from Bahrun, is said to have provided accommodation for Uighur militants in Batam and to have facilitated Indonesians wanting to fight for IS in Syria.



The police also took away Gigihs wife and baby when arresting him.



A community leader in the area where Gigih lived, Sundari, said she had known Gigih since 2011. She said the man, who hailed from Surakarta, Central Java, had become more reclusive after marrying a girl with in veil. He changed after the marriage. He rarely joined in neighborhood meetings.



IS-linked terror groups have carried out a series of small-scale terror attacks in Indonesia and Malaysia. The latest attack carried out by pro-IS supporters occurred a day before Idul Fitri in Surakarta, when a suicide bomber hit a local police station, killing only himself. (win)

________________________________________





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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

Jakarta-based religious freedom watchdog Wahid Foundation has called on Muslims across country to live peacefully with people of other faiths, just as Prophet Muhammad did, foundation executive director Yenny Wahid has said.

Muslims should refer Quranic verses saying that people were created in diversity to encourage them to learn about each other, said Yenny, a daughter of former president Abdurraman Gus Dur Wahid.

She said even Prophet Muhammad accepted those of other faiths in his family.

His [Prophet Muhammad] uncle, Abu Thalib, refused to convert to Islam, while his father-in law, Huyayy Akhtab, was Jewish. However, Prophet Muhammad respected what they believed in, Yenny told The Jakarta Post Friday.

A mob set alight and plundered temples and pagodas in Tanjung Balai late last month. The violence broke out after a Chinese-Indonesian woman complained about the volume of a speaker at Al Maksum Mosque, located in her neighborhood.

We are confused as why some of Muslims like attacking other houses of worship, Yenny said. (rez/bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6 2016

Legal experts are calling on the government to give protection to prominent human rights activist Haris Azhar in light of a recent report filed against him after he claimed that top officials were involved in drug trafficking.

Rights activists have slammed the defamation report by the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) against Haris, who is the coordinator of human rights watchdog Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras).

Haris posting of an article with the claim, which was based on a statement made by executed drug lord Freddy Budiman, could not be considered a criminal offense as there were no names mentioned in the post, said Miko Ginting from the Center for Policy and Law Studies.

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Linkedin Qasim A. Moini (The Jakarta Post) Dawn/Islamabad  Sat, August 6 2016

While the Middle Eastern battlefields of Iraq and Syria may have seen the worst atrocities committed by the self-styled Islamic State (IS) militant group, countries far beyond this region have felt the shockwaves of terrorist violence.

The spillover of the Iraqi/Syrian conflict has been felt in Europe, as the recent atrocity in Nice; the March Brussels attacks; and last Novembers incidents in Paris show. Here, many home-grown European extremist Muslims have dedicated the violence they have perpetrated to IS.

However the broader Asian region  beyond the Middle East proper  is also not immune to mass-casualty terrorism carried out in the name of IS. For example, Julys bombing targeting Afghan Shia Hazaras in Kabul; the Dhaka cafe attack, also carried out in July; as well as the attacks in Jakarta in January of this year have all been carried out by fighters pledging allegiance to IS.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, August 6 2016

The heart of the Swiss Riviera

Montreux, which sits on Lake Geneva opposite Laussane, is the heart of the Swiss Riviera. Sitting on the terrace of the Suisse Majestic hotel, overlooking the lake, the entire city and the Swiss Alps; I find it hard to believe such beauty is just a three-hour train voyage from Zurich. Its clear why stars like Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin chose Montreux as their sanctuary. Here are some places you must see when visiting.



LETS GET MEDIEVAL



Five minutes from Montreux, Chateux Chillon is one of Europes most fascinating castles and the most visited historical monument in Switzerland. The well-restored citadel sits on the shores of Lake Geneva at the base of the Alps. There are also impressive underground wine cellars; Bonivards prison, made famous by Lord Byrons poem The Prisoner of Chillon; a medieval courtyard a la Robin Hood, and a banquet hall in the shape of a ship overlooking the entire Riviera.



FUNNY MAN



The comedian and silent film star Charlie Chaplin lived at Manoir De Ban in Montreux for almost 25 years after his effective expulsion by the US. After his death, the 14-acre estate was transformed into the museum Chaplins World, complete with a souvenir shop, underground studios, movie sets and exhibits of Chaplin memorabilia.



wine time



Convivial and instructive, the UNESCO-recognized Lavaux Vinorama is a vineyard and a center for learning about wine. The architectural concept of the main building is original and respectful of the environment. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of the bar, surrounded by the wines of Lavaux. A high-tech projection room gives guests the lively experience of a whole year in the vineyard while touching on the authentic character of Lavauxs winemakers.



out and about



The lakeside Promenade du Montreux offers, yet again, outstanding views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva, along with various mini-parks for kids and plenty of places to sit. You can also take a romantic trip on the lake on a belle epoque steamer ship from Montreux to Le Bouveret in Port du Valais.



SHOP



Vevey Marche, a Saturday market thats ideal for foods and souvenirs, is one of the largest public squares in Europe. Indulge yourself in fresh-baked bread, roasted chickens, cheese, charcuterie or a cup of coffee.

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By Press Trust of India: A 31-year-old Indian prisoner, convicted by a military court this year for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card, was attacked twice by inmates in a Peshawar jail during the last two months, his lawyer said.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

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Ansari's lawyer Qazi Mohammad Anwar told a Peshawar High Court bench yesterday that his client had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

ANSARI WAS KEPT IN DEATH CELL



Superintendent of the prison Masoodur Rehman confirmed the incidents but insisted they're of minor nature and that such incidents did happen in prisons, the Dawn reported today.

Rehman also told the bench that Ansari, who was serving three years jail term, had been kept in the death cell.

"He (Ansari) can't be kept in a normal barrack along with other prisoners for the sake of his security," he said.

Ansari's lawyer said the jail superintendent should give an undertaking to the court that attacks won t happen against his client in future.

NO GUARANTEE ON FUTURE ATTACKS



The superintendent, however, said he couldn't give a written guarantee in that regard, the paper said.

Ansari had gone missing after he was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed on January 13 that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.

He was convicted by the military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Also read:

They tortured me like an animal: Punjab's secret agents tell how they risked their lives



--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, August 6 2016

Thousands of people traveling across our skies every day may have never heard of air traffic controllers (ATC), people who are not only responsible for ensuring flight safety by juggling the landing, taxiing and taking off of various planes at an airport, but also keeping Indonesian airspace safe.

Most travelers are unaware that the services of ATCs are needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They separate airplanes as they navigate across the sky en route to their destinations, all with strict deadlines. The separation is not only to prevent collisions, but also to expedite air traffic.

It is true that this profession is often associated with high stress levels. Every ATC knows there is no margin for error.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 6, 2016

A free tour service will be provided for visitors of the State Palace's painting collection exhibited at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta.

Presidential press bureau chief Bey Machmudin said the tour would present different materials each week and provide deeper insight on the artworks displayed.

(Read also: State Palace painting exhibition)

"During the tour of one and a half hours visitors will be guided by curators alongside experts such as historian Peter Carey, journalist Aryo Wisanggeni, National Gallery head Tubagus Andre, Jakarta Arts Institute lecturer Citra Smara Dewi and art critic Agus Darmawan T," said Bey, as quoted by kompas.com.

(Read also: State Palace exhibits iconic paintings to celebrate Independence Day)

Available every Sunday and consisting of two sessions each, the scheduled tour will present materials such as the story behind first president Sukarno's collections and the themes and styles of artworks available at the State Palace.

In addition to 28 paintings, the exhibition also features Sukarno's collection of rare books.

Dubbed 17/71: Goresan Juang Kemerdekaan (Painting the Struggle of Independence), the event is slated to run until Aug. 30. (jam/kes)
(front page, Socialist Workers Party campaign statement)

Oppose US imperialist war drive!

The drums of war beat loudly at the conventions of the two parties of capitalist rulethe Democrats and Republicans. With belligerent speeches and chants of USA, they gave a glimpse of the future they offer: more devastating wars abroad to shore up the interests of U.S. imperialism. Just in the last week, the Obama administration has sent additional counterterrorism troops into Afghanistan and launched a new bombing campaign in Libya.

The Socialist Workers Party calls for immediate withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the Mideast and North Africa. This is in the interest of the international working class.

Look at the bloody record of the last quarter-century of Washingtons wars and military operationsunder Republican and Democratic administrations alikefrom the first Gulf War in 1991, to Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq again, Yemen, Libya, Syria and more. The human toll includes tens of thousands of combatants and hundreds of thousands of civilians killed, and millions displaced.

The toll includes Washingtons cannon fodderworking people in uniformkilled, maimed and treated with callous disregard for their medical needs when they return.

The U.S. rulers have shown they will use any means to maintain power. Washington dropped atomic bombs on Japan 71 years ago this month. The Socialist Workers Party called this an act of deliberate and cold-blooded extermination. Successive administrations have come within a hairs breadth of unleashing nuclear weapons against China, Iran, Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and Iraq.

The Obama administration has launched a $1 trillion program to modernize its deadly nuclear arsenala clear signal the rulers are prepared to use these weaponsand is provocatively placing anti-missile systems closer to the borders of Russia and China.

Democrat Clinton claims her Republican rival Trump is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons. In fact, working people can trust none of the capitalist parties or politicians. The very workings of their imperialist systemwhich is in a historic crisis that they are incapable of resolvingfuels trade rivalry and political instability. This will spark more wars. As long as nuclear weapons exist these wars increase the danger they will be used. And any use of nukes poses the risk of nuclear annihilation.

The Socialist Workers Party calls for Washington to immediately and unilaterally dismantle all its nuclear weapons.

The only way to end the rulers profit-driven drive to war and the threat of nuclear devastation is to end the dictatorship of capital and replace it with a workers and farmers government.

The working class needs no nuclear weapons, as Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro explained in 2005. Revolutionary Cuba has never considered producing nuclear weapons because we dont need them, he said. We possess a weapon as powerful as nuclear ones  the invincible power of moral weapons.
(front page)

No end to 15 years of US war in Afghanistan

Nearly 15 years after U.S. troops invaded Afghanistan, Washington has failed to create a regime that serves the U.S. rulers interests with stable conditions that can stop the country from falling apart in sectarian violence. The Taliban  whose government Washington intervened to overturn  now controls more territory there than any time since 2001, and the Islamic State is also making gains.

The Barack Obama administration, which had earlier promised to withdraw all U.S. troops by 2014, authorized in June stepped-up airstrikes against the Taliban and more aggressive use of special forces. The Pentagon will maintain 8,400 troops in Afghanistan at least through the end of Obamas presidency, and an undisclosed number of additional troops are being deployed against Islamic State. Thousands of NATO troops are staying as well, in what has become the longest U.S. war in history.

Hardest hit by these years of war are workers and peasants throughout the country. The numbers of Afghans internally displaced has more than doubled to 1.2 million since the beginning of 2013, reported Amnesty International.

Each day this year an average of 1,000 people have been forced from their homes, living in camps lacking adequate water, food and health facilities. Many have fled to the neighboring countries of Iran and Pakistan. About 20 percent of refugees arriving in Europe by boat last year were from Afghanistan.

Civilian casualties are at record highs during the first six months of this year, with more than 1,600 deaths and another 3,500 injured, according to a July 25 U.N. report. Almost a third of those killed or wounded were children.

The Afghan army and police are in shambles, despite efforts by U.S. troops to train them. Altogether theyre supposed to number 352,000, but many are AWOL. Among Afghan special forces morale is also wearing thin as they are increasingly called upon to lead the fight against the Taliban, reported the Wall Street Journal July 27.

In southern Afghanistan, where the Taliban gained control in districts in Helmand and Uruzgan provinces, efforts by U.S. and Afghan forces have failed to effectively push them back, with the government barely clinging to administrative buildings, reported the New York Times.

Islamic State gets foothold

Meanwhile, the Islamic State is making inroads in eastern Afghanistan near Pakistans border. Gen. John Nicholson, top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, said that under special authority he was deploying an unspecified number of troops  in addition to those already stationed in the country  particularly in the districts of Achin and Kot. The U.S. military announced July 27 that five U.S. soldiers were wounded while battling Islamic State fighters in eastern Nangarhar province.

Four days earlier an Islamic State suicide bombing in the capital Kabul killed more than 80 people and wounded hundreds at a peaceful demonstration, mostly members of the Shiite Hazara minority demanding better access to electrical power in several rural provinces.

About 90 percent of Afghanistans population are Sunni Muslims, with Shiites comprising 10 percent. The Taliban are predominantly based on Pashtun Sunnis. Hazaras have long faced sectarian discrimination and abuse from Sunni-based officials. Immediately after the bombing of the protesting Hazaras, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered a 10-day ban on public protests.

If we dont continue to protest, it will be an insult to the blood of those killed, responded Raihana Azad, a Hazara member of parliament.

Large numbers of Afghan Shiites have fled to Iran, and thousands have joined with Iranian forces in Syria fighting to support the Bashar al-Assad regime.

In Jebrail, a Hazara district of Herat, Afghanistan, near the border with Iran, where 100,000 people live, about 20 percent of the families had someone serving in Syria, a local official told the Times.

The Iranian government is also working with the Taliban to set up a buffer zone along its 572-mile border with Afghanistan to keep Islamic State out.

Tehran is providing Taliban forces, which have been fighting against Islamic State, with money, some low-grade weaponry, ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades, according to Foreign Policy magazine. This marks a big shift from the Iranian governments longstanding opposition to the Taliban.

At the end of May Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signed an agreement with Afghan President Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate the transit of goods through Afghanistan to Irans southern port of Chabahar and then on to India, a trade route that bypasses Pakistan.

Roots of todays war

Todays long war in Afghanistan has its roots in the April 1978 revolutionary upheaval that opened with the overthrow of President Mohammad Daud. The new government was headed by the Stalinist-led Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan. A land reform was announced, along with a literacy campaign, legalization of trade unions, freedom of worship, and steps to advance the rights of women and nationalities.

These measures were implemented through administrative decree by the Stalinist regime, rather than organizing peasants and other working people into political and social life. This provided an opening for reactionary landlord and capitalist layers to mobilize opposition. As support for the government eroded, Moscow in December 1979 began sending tens of thousands of troops into Afghanistan to prop it up.

Taking advantage of this counterrevolutionary move by Moscow, the U.S. imperialist rulers helped arm and finance reactionary Islamist groups that forced the Soviet troops to withdraw in 1989. Many of those forces later became the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the core of Islamic State.





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(front page)

Refusal to indict cops who killed Idaho rancher is a real cover-up

After months of delay Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden released a report July 29 on the killing of rancher Jack Yantis, 62, by two Adams County sheriff deputies near Council, Idaho, Nov. 1. Wasden announced that his office is ethically bound not to file charges, asserting that he could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the cops had violated the law.

The delay in releasing the report, based on an investigation by the Idaho State Police that was completed March 10, fueled anger over the killing. The report revealed that deputies Cody Roland and Brian Wood fired 20 bullets at Yantis, hitting him 12 times.

The day after the decision, hundreds at the Adams County Fair and Rodeo showed their support for the Yantis family, many wearing Justice for Jack shirts or holding pennants with his name. Jack Yantis riderless horse was led around the rodeo grounds while the announcer recalled the role Yantis played in the community and participants cheered.

I am utterly disgusted by the attorney generals report, Iva Henderson, who runs a small farm in Pollock, Idaho, told the Militant by phone July 31. I listened to the recordings of the testimonies by the two deputies. They contradicted each other and the stories changed. There is a real cover-up and the attorney generals office is part of this.

Sheriff deputies had called Yantis to put down his bull, which had been struck by a car. Yantis, his wife Donna, his nephew Rowdy Paradis, and a friend headed to the highway.

Some witnesses said that Yantis told one of the cops to put that piece of s--- away, referring to the rifle the cops used to shoot the bull, leaving it wounded but suffering.

Donna Yantis and Paradis stated that as Yantis was aiming at the back of the bulls head, one of the deputies spun him around and then both deputies unleashed a hail of bullets.

When Yantis wife and nephew tried to help him after he was shot, they were both arrested. Donna Yantis suffered a heart attack and was taken to a hospital.

According to the attorney generals report, the cops claim they told Yantis to put down his gun but instead he swung around and pointed it at them. They also claim that Yantis fired a shot at them. The report states that the deputies dashcam and body cams were not turned on.

Outraged over the killing and inspired by Black Lives Matter protests against other killings by cops around the country, friends and supporters of the Yantis family organized numerous protests to demand the cops be charged and the facts on the case released.

These included marches and rallies Nov. 14 and March 5 of several hundred in Council, a town of 816 people, and numerous smaller protests at the state Capitol in Boise. Some protesters carried signs saying Ranchers Lives Matter.

A June 11 motorcycle and car run that included a poker game, spaghetti dinner and concert was held to raise money for the Yantis family. In July a three-man team wearing Justice for Jack shirts won second place in a wild cow milking contest.

There is no accountability, Boise resident Rebecca Barrow, who grew up in Council and helped organize many of the actions demanding prosecution of the sheriffs deputies, said by phone July 30. I fear for my children and all people knowing that in any kind of confrontation with law enforcement they can just shoot to kill saying they feared for their lives.

The Yantis family has filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Adams County.

Chuck Peterson, the familys attorney, criticized the attorney generals decision not to indict the cops. The jury should have had the chance to decide if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Isnt that what juries are for? Peterson said.

Police in Idaho have shot and killed at least 54 people while on duty in the past 15 years. They were cleared in 50 of those deaths, four remain under investigation.





Related articles:

Canada: Hundreds protest cop killing of Somali worker







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(front page)

Cuban leader: Its up to US to dismantle its

hostile policies

Relations between Cuba and the U.S. have been asymmetric; therefore it is up to the U.S. to dismantle hostile unilateral policies, said Josefina Vidal, who leads Cubas negotiating team with Washington. Cuba doesnt have any comparable policies.

Vidal, director general for U.S. affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations, spoke to the Cuban Communist Partys daily Granma on the anniversary of the reopening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington on July 20 last year, some 54 years after the U.S. government unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with Havana.

Since the 1959 deep-going social revolution in Cuba, which brought a workers and farmers government to power, Washington has used sabotage, an attempted invasion, diplomatic isolation and an unprecedented economic embargo to try to overturn the rule of the working class and its allies.

Recognizing that more than 50 years of this course had failed to accomplish its aims, President Barack Obamaand a substantial majority in the ruling class he representsdecided it was time to try something else. Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced Dec. 17, 2014, the beginning of talks to restore diplomatic relations. Simultaneously, the last of the Cuban Five, revolutionaries imprisoned by Washington for over 16 years, were released and returned home to Cuba.

Vidal said achievements of talks since then include the removal of Cuba from the State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism and the creation of the Cuba-U.S. Bilateral Commission. It was important to have a mechanism of this type to address unresolved issues, cooperation in areas of mutual interest and talks on bilateral and multilateral matters, she said. Ten such agreements have been signed and others are currently being negotiated related to drug trafficking, search and rescue, ocean oil-spill response and meteorology.

Embargo remains in force

But the bulk of Washingtons economic embargo still remains in force, she said. Imports from the U.S. to Cuba are severely restricted, exports from Cuba to the U.S. virtually impossible and banking relations have not been normalized. Cuba can still not make financial transfers, and the U.S. government continues to impose heavy fines on banks and foreign financial entities that do business there.

The Obama administration has imposed penalties totaling more than $14 billion, a record amount in the history of the application of the blockade against our country, Vidal said, on U.S. and foreign entities for their legitimate associations with Cuba. This continues to have an intimidating effect on U.S. and international banks. Thus far, the U.S. government has failed to issue a political statement or legal document explaining to world banks that operations with Cuba are legitimate, and that they wont be sanctioned.

Washingtons aim is to find, support and build forces in Cuba that can be agents for the restoration of capitalism and open up for U.S. bosses to exploit working people. The U.S. government has approved measures it hopes will further this goal, such as restoring mail services, removal of caps on remittances and easing some restrictions on U.S. citizens visiting Cuba.

In June the U.S. Department of Transportation authorized six U.S. airlines to begin direct flights to Cuban cities outside Havana, and says it will soon approve flights to the capital. A U.S. cruise ship docked in Havana in early May for the first time in nearly 40 years.

During his visit to Cuba in March, Obama pressed for Google to play a big role in expanding the internet in Cuba. But to Washingtons chagrin, the Cuban government insists on its sovereign right to control this development.

In May Cuban officials said the Chinese telecom firm Huawei was advanced in negotiations with a Cuban company to expand operations on the island. Within a month, the U.S. Commerce Department issued a subpoena to Huawei to turn over all information regarding export or re-export of U.S. technology to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, according to the New York Times.

Return Guantanamo to Cuba

The return of the illegally occupied territory in Guantanamo, which is the only case in the world of perpetually and illegally occupying a military base, against the will of the government and people of the country where it is situated, is also important for Cuba, Vidal said. Just like the blockade, we have presented this issue in every meeting. Other permanent issues on Cubas agenda include U.S. policies aimed at promoting emigration from Cuba outside normal channels, subversion programs and illegal radio and television broadcasts directed at the island, she said.

Does pursuing a civilized relationship with Washington mean sacrificing the Revolutions anti-imperialist aims? asked Granma reporter Sergio Alejandro Gomez.

Absolutely not, said Vidal. Cuba will not renounce its foreign policy, committed to the just causes of the world, the defense of peoples right to self-determination and support for sister nations, such as Venezuela, she said.

Gomez asked whether a normalization of relations with Washington is even possible. Even if all the pending issues were to be resolved, including lifting the embargo and returning Guantanamo, Vidal said, the U.S. would also have to give up its historic ambition to decide and control Cubas destiny, otherwise, normal relations will not be possible.





Related articles:

Events in New York, Chicago celebrate Cuban Revolution







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(feature article)

Lessons of US bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki

Call for unilateral US nuclear disarmament remains key for working class today

Each year events worldwide mark August 6 and 9, 1945, when U.S. warplanes exploded atomic bombs over the densely populated cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed in an act of deliberate and cold-blooded extermination, as it was described just days later in a statement by the National Committee of the Socialist Workers Party.

It is important for working people to recall this horrific destruction of human life. But it is not just a matter of history. From that time on, the working class has had to face the reality that the imperialist rulers possess the military capacity to annihilate all human life. And, as they showed in Japan, they will unleash these weapons if they judge it necessary to uphold their class rule and advance their insatiable drive for profits.

The U.S. nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki capped the end of World War II. The German rulers had surrendered in Europe on May 7, and the Japanese forces were militarily defeated in the Pacific. Washington had invaded the islands of Okinawa in southern Japan, and the Soviet Union was about to attack from the north.

On Aug. 6, 1945, the U.S. warplane Enola Gay dropped a uranium bomb dubbed Little Boy over Hiroshima, exploding it almost 2,000 feet above ground for maximum effect. Everything within four square miles was obliterated. Some 70,000 people were killed instantly, many of them incinerated. Within five years the death toll rose to 200,000 as a result of injuries and radiation sickness caused by the bomb. Two-thirds of the citys buildings were destroyed.

Three days later the U.S. bomber Bockscar dropped a plutonium bomb, Fat Man, over the industrial seaport of Nagasaki. Some 40,000 people were killed instantly. Within five years the toll had risen to 140,000.

In an Aug. 9 radio address, President Harry Truman threatened to continue the atomic bombing of Japanese cities unless Tokyo surrendered unconditionally. The Japanese government did so the next day.

The deliberate targeting of civilians, mainly working people, was not unique to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was a feature of World War II on all sides, from the German bombing of London to the British bombing of Hamburg and Dresden in Germany. Nearly 600 U.S. bombers dropped 1,665 tons of munitions on Tokyo March 9-10, 1945, creating a firestorm that destroyed 16 square miles and killed 100,000 people, mainly women, children and old men.

Capitalism is enemy of the people

As Socialist Workers Party National Secretary James P. Cannon put it in a speech Aug. 22, 1945, Capitalism is demonstrating itself every day more and more, in so-called peace as in war, as the enemy of the people. Bomb the people to death! Burn them to death with incendiary bombs! Break up their industries and starve them to death! And if that is not horrible enough, then blast them off the face of the earth with atomic bombs! That is the program of liberating capitalism.

While the SWP immediately condemned the atomic annihilation in Japan, other currents in the workers movement, like the Stalinist Communist Party, which supported Washington in the war, hailed it as super-duper.

To this day, the U.S. government defends its decision to drop the atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When President Barack Obama spoke in Hiroshima May 27, the first sitting U.S. president to visit there, he made no apology for what Washington had done.

The decision to use nuclear weapons was a political judgment, not a military one. The first detonation of a small nuclear bomb had been conducted just three weeks earlier in New Mexico. Washington was keen to test its new weapon on a real target and to impress upon the world its supreme power through the obliteration of a whole city by a single bomb.

Imperialist goals in the Pacific

Far from ending World War II, this was intended as an opening salvo in a new war. Washingtons battle with Tokyo had been for control of the Pacific. It considered China, in particular, as its prize and intended to crush the anti-imperialist revolution unfolding there. The U.S. wartime alliance with the Soviet Union was coming to an end, and the U.S. rulers wanted to warn Moscow not to interfere with their ambitions in Asia and the Middle East and were preparing to drive the Soviet army back out of Eastern Europe.

There can be no compromise, Truman declared in October 1945. The atomic bombs which fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki must be a signal to Moscow.

But the rulers plans ran up against the working class. A revolution by the workers and peasants ended foreign domination of China and made it clear that any intervention by Washington would be fiercely resisted. At the same time, mass protests by U.S. troops across Asia demanded, Bring us home now.

Instead of a hot war to herald a new American Century, what followed was four decades of the Cold War. Over that time, Washington considered using nuclear weapons during military conflicts many times: in China, Korea and Vietnam in the 1950s; against Cuba in the 1960s; in Vietnam again in the 1960s and 70s, and on numerous occasions in the Middle East since 1946. Each time it weighed the political price it would pay and decided against it.

Arms race

A feature of the Cold War was an arms race between Washington and Moscow to develop and test new bombs and missiles, including the hydrogen bomb, and to amass massive nuclear weapons stockpiles. The governments of the U.K., France and China also developed and tested nuclear arms. By 1986, the number of nuclear warheads had grown to 70,300.

Today, there are over 15,000 nuclear warheads worldwide, most of them hundreds of times more powerful than those dropped on Japan. Washington and Moscow each have more than 7,000. This is enough to destroy human life on earth many times over. Moreover, almost 4,000 are actively deployed, of which nearly 1,800 U.S., Russian, British and French warheads are on high alert for use at short notice. The other nuclear-armed states today are India, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan.

The Obama administration has begun a $1 trillion atomic revitalization program to develop new warheads and delivery systems over the next three decades. At the same time it is installing anti-ballistic missile systems in eastern Europe and South Korea, enhancing its strategic position against China and Russia and opening the prospect of a renewed nuclear arms race.

The danger that nuclear weapons will again be used is increasing in the world today, not lessening, as the old world order that was in place over the decades following World War II comes apart. The need to prevent this is a powerful argument for why the working class needs to overturn capitalist rule and replace it with the rule of working people. And, its why the Socialist Workers Party continues to demand that Washington unilaterally dismantle its deadly nuclear arsenal immediately.





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Miss Vantur put up the sketch on her Instagram handle claiming it was by a 'loved one'.

By India Today Web Desk: Salman Khan is know to be quite the painter. And there has always been plenty of speculation about his lady friend Iulia Vantur. Therefore, those who know how to put two and two together are now asking if the sketch on Iulia Vantur's Instagram account, was a gift from rumoured boyfriend Salman Khan.

ALSO READ: Did Salman Khan plan a grand birthday party for Iulia Vantur?

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The Dabangg actor has walked the earth with the image of a brat, and a bully. However, some are privy to the artist side of the big Bollywood star. The hashtags on Iulia's Instagram post really have us thinking whether the portrait was indeed by a 'loved one' which offered her a 'different perspective'.



for a second try to see yourself through the eyes of a stranger, your loved one and an old friend #different #perspective #stillu #complex #uareadiamond #sketch #me #i??it # A photo posted by Iulia Vantur Official Account (@vanturiulia) on Aug 4, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

However, the Romanian national throws us a curve-ball when she also hashtags her picture, writing seeing herself through the eyes of a 'stranger'. If reports in online publications are to be believed, the signature on the sketch is also quite similar to Salman Khan's usual signature on his artwork.

We can't stop gushing about the sweet gesture on behalf of the Sultan actor, who took time out for this beautiful gift in an age of instant-messaging and the deluge of emojis to express love to one another. This one's an old-school for sure, and a good one.

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At Nandpora village, Mohammad Shafi Mandoo said that the protest after Burhan Wani's killing on July 9 ended by around 4pm but at 5.30pm CRPF personnel returned to the village and fired at him.

Father of 19-year-old Jehangir Ahmad Ganai, who died on July 9 at Hassan Pora village in Bijbehara on July 9, say their son was a victim of targeted killing.

By Naseer Ganai: Near Khanabal village on the Srinagar-Anantnag highway stands a gutted building of the Forest Protection Force (FPF).

The structure was set ablaze by protesters after the killing of 20-year-old Hilal Ahmad Dar allegedly by security personnel about 500 metres away. Zubair Ahmad Dar, 16, is Hilal's brother. He suffers from a rare lung disease and needs an injection every seven days.

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At about 5.30pm on July 13, according to the class VIII student of a government-run school, Hilal took him to a medical shop for the shot. "When we were returning from there, cops abused us. My brother objected to the abuses," says Zubair.



BITTER TALES



He said the cops insulted them when they took to the village road, where previously stone-throwing protesters and the police had fought pitched battles.

Zubair says his brother put on his earphones and they had walked a few metres when the cops' shouts grew louder and one of them pointed a gun at his brother and fired a shot. "The bullet hit his face and he fell down. I opened my shirt and put it on the wound and tried to stop the blood rushing out."

For a few minutes, there was no aid in sight. Then some locals rushed in and someone brought a car to move the wounded Hilal to hospital. "My brother was wellbuilt. We put him in the vehicle and I held his head in my lap. He was bleeding from his face and back of the head," he said.

When they reached a bridge on the way to the hospital, says Zubair, CRPF personnel stopped the vehicle and broke all the windows despite seeing a wounded person in the vehicle. His brother succumbed to the injuries after they crossed the bridge.

At Nandpora village, Mohammad Shafi Mandoo narrates a similar tale. A day after Burhan's killing on July 9, protests broke out in the area, but the demonstrations and stone throwing at government forces had ended by around 4pm.

He said his son Imtiyaz Ahmad Mandoo was sitting at a roadside shop at 5.30pm when CRPF personnel returned to the village and fired at him. "It was a targeted killing and he died on the spot," says the father. After Imtiyaz's death, there has been no thaw in the protests.

At Hassan Pora village in Bijbehara on the evening of July 9, hundreds of people razed a picket of J&K police's Special Operations Group. The fence post was first torched and then torn down. According to 25-year-old Sajjad Ahmad Mir, his elder brother Showkat went out to look for his son at about 2pm. Sajjad said Showkat was walking alone when he was fired upon by the SOG personnel. He died on the spot.

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On the same day, Jehangir Ahmad Ganai, 19, who ran a medical shop, went to offer his last respects to Showkat. According to his father, Mushtaq, SOG personnel fired at him from about 100 metres. His killing evoked massive protests. "The SOG camp was on the land of our relatives.

Our son Jehangir would regularly provide medicine to the personnel. And when they heard that they have killed Jehangir, they deserted the camp," Mehbooba, Jehangir's mother, said. "They fired to kill in our village," said Mushtaq, Jehangir's father.

ALSO READ:

Kashmir unrest: Curfew continues in Valley, separatist leaders call for march to Hazratbal shrine





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Arrest warrants issued for Phuket Imam shooting suspects

PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court yesterday (Aug 5) issued arrest warrants for two men believed to have been involved in Thursdays shooting of Baan Bangphaes Imam Weerachart Kahapana.

crimepoliceviolence

By Darawan Naknakhon

Saturday 6 August 2016, 05:02PM

The two suspects were caught on CCTV fleeing the scene on a stolen motorbike. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

The court yesterday evening issued an arrest warrant from 23-year-old Wisuth Yokyong at an address in Mai Khao, and 24-years-old Thanachai Chunthong from Trang on charges of premeditated attempted murder, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and carrying a firearm in a public place without a permit.

The shooting incident took place at 7:45pm on Thursday when two suspects shot Weerachart Kahapana, Imam of the of Baan Bangpae Mosque in Pa Khlok, while he was driving his vehicle to his home in Soi Koh Kaew 24 with his three-years-old son on the back seat.

Imam Weerachart, who is also a member of the Phuket Islamic Committee, said a black motorbike pulled alongside them and the passenger pulled out a gun and pointed it at him through the drivers window and shot four times. The Imam was hit once in the stomach but managed to crash his vehicle into the suspects motorbike to stop the attack, but they ran away after the collision. (See story here)

Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen of the Phuket Provincial Police said that after police were alerted two men suspected to have been involved in the shooting were receiving treatment at Vachira Hospital, officers who were investigating the crime went to question the two men.

Officers found a pair of flip flops, two helmets and a mobile phone at the crime scene which led police to one of the suspects. However, we are still looking for the gun which we believe was dumped on street by the men before they went to Thalang Hospital, Maj Gen Teeraphol said.

One suspect, Thanachai has been arrested previously in Trang on firearm charges, but Wisuth has no previous arrest record. Both men are still at the hospital and have denied any involvement in the shooting.

From the information we have so far, the motive has to do with issues that the Phuket Islamic Committee are facing. We were told that Imam Weerachart has been threaten with being shot before, he added.
The oldest-known killer whale is alive and splashing. The 105-year-old whale nicknamed "Granny" is believed to be in ocean waters before the Titanic embarked on it's journey across the Atlantic.

By India Today Web Desk: Whale watchers off the coast of Washington were stumped when they caught sight of the 105-year-old whale nicknamed "Granny".

A whale sighting report published in the Orca Network said that the humpback 'swimming in high-spirits' was spotted on July 27th.

The whale's more formal name among scientists who have examined her for years in J2. 'J2 or Granny' has confounded scientists, because whales are usually known to live only up to 60-80 years.

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She is believed to have been born in 1911 and according to a report in SeattlePI , scientist first deduced her age back in 1971. The Orca Network stated there is a 12-year margin around her age, meaning she could be as young as 90.

Researchers identify her by dorsal fin, along with a gray patch right behind it. The Telegraph quoted Simon Pidcock, from Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching as saying, ' In Granny's lifetime she has swam around the world the equivalent of a 100 times."





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At least 13 killed, 6 injured in France bar fire

FRANCE: At least 13 people were killed and six injured in a fire early today (Aug 6) during a birthday party at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen, officials said.

accidentsdeath

By AFP

Saturday 6 August 2016, 01:51PM

A picture taken this morning (Aug 6) shows the damaged Au Cuba Libre bar after a fire in Rouen. Photo: Matthieu Alexandre/AFP

The blaze was sparked by the candles of a birthday cake, which ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place.

The victims were poisoned by a toxic mix of gases released by the burning plastic, a senior police official said.

There wasnt an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party, he said.

The blaze started at around midnight local time at the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (5:20am Thai time).

A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier said.

Local official Laurent Labadie who was at the scene of the fire described the blaze as accidental.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The priests funeral was held in Rouens cathedral and was attended by more than 2,000 mourners shocked by the brutal killing of the elderly clergyman.
Phra Dhammajayo faces new charge

PHATHUM THANI: Police plan to indict Phra Dhammajayo for illegally installing razor wire around Wat Phra Dhammakaya to prevent DSI officers arresting him for alleged money laundering. They have also obtained arrest warrants for 19 people on charges of obstructing DSI officials trying to arrest him on June 16.

crimepolicereligionmilitary

By Bangkok Post

Saturday 6 August 2016, 09:53AM

Concertina rolls of razor wire prevent access to Wat Phra Dhammakaya in late May, as the abbots row with the DSI intensifies. Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard

Col Khemaphat Phophithak, chief of Pathum Thanis Khlong Luang Police Station, told the press yesterday (Aug 5) that the case against the abbot concerned the installation of concertina razor wire around the perimeter of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. He said this kind of wire was defined as being military hardware.

The long rolls of wire were put in late May and finally removed in mid-June. At the time DSI officers were trying to arrest the abbot for alleged money laundering and receiving stolen property in relation to multi-billion-baht embezzlement at Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative.

The 72-year-old abbot and people connected with the temple received more than a billion baht of the cooperatives purloined money.

The military wire indictment also includes Phra Somnuek Piyathammo of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the contractors who installed it, Pichai Laosirimongkhol and Wallop Kanhasen. The contractors have already reported to police.

Col Khemaphat also said police had obtained arrest warrants for nine people on charges of obstructing DSI officers attempting to arrest Phra Dhammajayo on June 16. One of them was identified as Ms Jeerapha Rairod.

The warrants were approved by Pathum Thani Court on Thursday (Aug 4).

The 19 were among thousands of people sitting in the grounds meditating, thereby blocking access to the temple building and Phra Dhammajayo.

The Khlong Luang police chief said many people who rallied at the temple on June 16 covered their faces, concealing their identity, in violation of the law on legal demonstrations.

Read original story here.
Phuket election boss issues alcohol ban warning for referendum

PHUKET: The Director of the Election Commission of Thailand, Phuket Office (PEC), Kitipong Thiengkunakit, has issued a reminder that a full alcohol ban will come into effect from 6pm tonight ahead of the constitutional referendum to be held nationwide tomorrow.

alcoholpoliticsmilitarycrime

By The Phuket News

Saturday 6 August 2016, 08:00AM

People found guilty of breaking the alcohol ban for the referendum will face a fine of up to B10,000 or up to six months in jail, or both, warned Kitipong Thiengkunakit, Director of the Election Commission Phuket Office.

The alcohol ban will begin at 6pm on Saturday (Aug 6) and continue through until midnight Sunday, August 7, Mr Kitipong told the press on Friday (Aug 5). During this ban, in accordance with election law, the sale of alcohol is prohibited, as are any public events that involve the drinking of alcohol, he said. If anyone is found breaking the law, they will face a a fine of up to B10,000 or sentence of up to six months in jail, or both, he warned. Mr Kitipong reiterated that he expected a large turnout at the polls on Sunday. We expect more than 80 per cent of all eligible voters in Phuket to cast their ballots on August 7, he said.
Phuket Police hunt teenage axe-wielding tourist handbag thieves

PHUKET: Police on the island are currently looking for two teenage suspects who last night (Aug 5) threatened a woman tourist with an axe in Phuket Town before making off with her handbag containing over B5,000 baht in cash and other items.



By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 18 January 2019, 08:56AM

A vendor at the Downtown Fresh Market on Ranong Rd in Phuket Town, Mr Jatupol Kerdphol, 42, called 191 at 11:45pm to notify police that a tourist on motorbike had been robbed in front of the market.

Patrol Police arrived at the scene with Phuket City Police to find an Australian man and a Slovakian woman* standing on the pathway outside the market.

The woman, who was clearly upset, told police that while the two were riding their motorbike in front of the market two teenagers on a green motorbike drove next to them. The passenger then attempted to snatched her handbag. However, she resisted and kept old of her bag. The suspect then produced an axe with which he threatened them.

I panicked and let go of my handbag. Among items inside the purse were B5,000, mobile phones and a driving licence, she told police.

Lt Nucharee Longkaew from the Phuket City Police said, The victim did not remember the make or model of the suspects motorbike, but she was able to give us a description of their clothing. She said the two teens were thin and tall and that the passenger wore a black T-shirt.

We are checking CCTV footage to find the two teens and bring them in for questioning, she said.

* Names of the victims removed at the request of both of the victims.
One of the injured, who was hit by bullets, died on Saturday morning, taking the total civilian death to 14.

Three NDFB militants opened fire at the weekly Balajan market near Kokrajhar town on Friday and instantly killed 13 civilians and injured 20 others.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Tension continues to simmer in Kokrajhar a day after militants of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) triggered grenade blasts and shot at civilians, even as the number of dead rose to 14 on Saturday.

The Army, who retaliated immediately, had killed one of the attackers on Friday, who has since been identified. Two others escaped and a hunt is on to apprehend them.

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NIA TEAM VISITS KOKRAJHAR SITE

A team of three officers from the National Investigation Agency today visited the Balajan bazar where the attack took place. They left after speaking to locals.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that one of the injured, who was hit by bullets, died on Saturday morning, taking the total civilian death to 14.

The Minister, who had visited Kokrajhar immediately after the incident on Friday, said that the slain militant has been identified as Manjoy Islari alias Maodang, a commander of the outfit.

AFTERMATH OF THE ATTACK

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Sarma on Saturday visited Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to take stock of the injured who were shifted to Guwahati last night.

"The doctors here informed us that their condition is improving. We have instructed security forces to go all out against the militants. We are committed to providing security to the lives and property of the people," said the Chief Minister after coming out of GMCH.

The condition of five injured brought to GMCH last night is out of danger. Today five more of those injured will be shifted to GMCH said Sarma.

SLAIN MILITANT IDENTIFIED

"Although the family members have identified the slain NDFB commander, we are going to go for DNA test to ascertain his identity scientifically," Sarma said.





"The situation is normal now. We are receiving seven companies of additional forces in Kokrajhar. While a few of them have already reached, some are being sent," said Additional DGP Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) LR Bishnoi while talking to IANS on Saturday.

He said that the process of identifying the militants involved in the killing on Friday is on. "We have called the family members of the slain militant to formally identify him and the process is on to gather details about the other two militants involved in the killing," said Bishnoi.

MEASURES BEING TAKEN

Meanwhile, a senior police official based in Assam Police headquarters at Guwahati said that inter-state borders of the state as well as all the entry and exit routes of the state have been sealed following the incident and operations have been intensified along the areas adjacent to the Indo-Bhutan border in BTAD area.

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"The operation against the militants is a continuous process. Police and security forces have been carrying out operations against the militants, particularly against the NDFB faction, who had killed over 70 Adivasis in December 2014. However, after the Friday's mayhem, the operations have been intensified," he said.

Three NDFB militants opened fire at the weekly Balajan market near Kokrajhar town on Friday and instantly killed 13 civilians and injured 20 others.

The Assam government has put the police and security forces on alert in most of the districts after the Friday's incident at Kokrajhar and counter insurgency operations have been intensified in many areas to flush out the anti-talk faction of NDFB militants, who had perpetrated the Friday's terror attack.

The Assam government had also sent seven companies of additional forces to Kokrajhar district to help the existing forces in carrying out the operations against the militants and also to instill a sense of security among the people of the district.

ALSO READ: Assam terror attack: 13 killed, Bodo group denies responsibility



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Tulsi Gabbard to campaign for Noem in Sioux Falls, Rapid City

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will campaign for Gov. Noem on Nov. 2 in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, according to Noem's re-election campaign.
Unrest continues in Rio as loud multiple gun shots were heard outside the Maracana, also killing one man.

By AP: Eyewitnesses say a man was shot dead near the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro after Friday's Olympic opening ceremony. (RIO 2016 FULL COVERAGE )

Associated Press photographers reported hearing loud multiple gun shots, forcing games volunteers and others leaving the ceremony to duck for cover behind cars.

A shooter was seen running from the scene and fleeing in a car close to a university parking lot. (LIVE UPDATES)

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After police and medics arrived on the scene, paramedics were seen treating the victim as blood poured from his body onto the road.

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The townhall to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi will be preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the Do, Discuss and Disseminate theme of MyGov.

By India Today Web Desk: In what has been described as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first Obama-style townhall, he is all set to reach out to citizens through this event today.

The townhall event, which is being held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi, is preceded by a series of panel discussions and sessions in keeping with the Do, Discuss and Disseminate theme of MyGov and will culminate in the first ever townhall address by the Prime Minister.

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Here's all you need to know about the event The event is expected to see participation of various ministers and senior government officials, which will be inaugurated by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and will have four sessions. The first session Do will cover contests on design innovation, eGreetings as also volunteering, poll and survey functionalities of MyGov. The second one Discuss will see officials and MyGov contributors in an interactive discussion on brainstorming ideas and sharing experiences. The third session will invite fresh ideas for improving user experience, introducing new features for the platform and the panel for this includes social media representatives, MyGov users, Members of Parliament who have contributed to MyGov, and senior officials of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, and NIC. The fourth session will cover the Disseminate theme and focus on #TransformingIndia website, eSampark portal and MyGov live events as the channel of government communication with citizens. The event marks two years of MyGov and PM Modi's session is scheduled between 5 and 6 pm. A new PMO app to enable mobile users to connect with the Indian Prime Ministers website will also be launched at the mega event, which is being organised by MyGov - the governments citizen engagement platform - to mark its second anniversary. Modi will talk about the concept of citizen engagement, MyGov, the response to this participative governance initiative and how he sees the platform evolving. Those who would be short-lististed from among the regular users of MyGov, based on their ideas, level of engagement, questions and suggestions, will get to interact with Modi. The townhall address will also see launch of new MyGov initiatives and distribution of awards to winners of MyGov contests - Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Duties of a Citizen, Governance Quiz and India Africa Quiz.

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Event will commemorate a program proposed by union government at the birthplace of revolutionary independence struggle leader Chandra Shekhar Azad.

PM Modi would arrive in Indore on August 9 by flight from Delhi and would leave for Bhabhra by helicopter where he would visit a small memorial that has been set up in memory of Chandra Shekhar Azad at Bhabhra.

By Rahul Noronha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the birthplace of revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad in Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district on August 9 to commemorate the proposed Azadi 70- Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani program of the union government. Functions have been planned for a fortnight around Independence Day, beginning from August 9 till August 23, as part of the program.

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Born in Bhabhra on July 23, 1906 Chandra Shekhar Azad died on February 27, 1931 at Alfred Park in Allahabad where he shot himself refusing to be taken alive by the police that were pursuing him in connection with revolutionary activities including the Kakori conspiracy. August 9 is also the 91st anniversary of the Kakori case.

Azad was connected with Ram Prasad Bismil's Hindustan Republican Army (HRA) and later founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA) as he was greatly influenced by socialist thought.

PM Modi would arrive in Indore on August 9 by flight from Delhi and would leave for Bhabhra by helicopter where he would visit a small memorial that has been set up in memory of Chandra Shekhar Azad at Bhabhra. He would also address a public meeting subsequently.

Earlier this year in June, PM Modi also visited Alfred Park in Allahabad where Azad had shot himself.

Also read: Modi first PM to be absent during a constitutional amendment, says Congress



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Of the 22 identified victims, 10 were in Rajapur-Borivili bus while seven were travelling in Jaigad-Mumbai bus, both belonging to Maharashtra State Transport Corporation.

Fadnavis had said that apart from two state-run buses, a Tavera and a Honda City car had also fallen into the river after the bridge crumbled on Tuesday night.

By Press Trust of India: Four days after the bridge collapse, the Navy Marine Commandos have located and retrieved a part of state transport bus that was washed away.

Two more bodies were recovered today during the search operation in Savitri river where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad, taking the toll in the tragedy to 24.

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FRESH OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN

"Two more bodies, both males, were found at different locations in the river and the toll has now gone up to 24. Of these, one was found near Mhapral bridge and the other in Amber creek," a Raigad district official said.

A fresh search operation involving multiple agencies and local divers was launched this morning, he said.

THE TRAGEDY

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday night at Mahad when two state-run buses and some private vehicles fell into the swollen river following collapse of the nearly-century-old bridge on the Mumbai-Goa Highway.

Of the 22 identified victims, 10 were in Rajapur-Borivili bus while seven were travelling in Jaigad-Mumbai bus, both belonging to Maharashtra State Transport Corporation.

HELP FROM ALL CORNERS

Twenty boats and nearly 160 personnel from Coast Guard, NDRF and Navy were deployed in the search operation.

The district administration was also taking help of local fishermen.

FADNAVIS ANNOUNCES COMPENSATION

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the government will give Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. The government has already announced that the kin of the deceased staff members of the two state-run buses would either be given job or compensation of Rs 10 lakh each.

SHIV SENS SLAMS FADNAVIS

Shiv Sena today slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mahad tragedy, saying he should stop aerial visits to mishap sites and demanded guardian ministers be barred from flying inside the state to understand its road and bridge conditions.

The Sena also said the present government's ambitious 'Make in Maharashtra' programme should begin with construction of good quality roads and bridges, in the absence of which no foreign nation would be willing to invest there.

"Instead of indulging in blame game and only conducting meetings to gauge the Mahad tragedy, what is needed is to give a serious thought over the issue," Sena said.

Fadnavis had said that apart from two state-run buses, a Tavera and a Honda City car had also fallen into the river after the bridge crumbled on Tuesday night.

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The bridge was located on Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad, about 170 kms from Mumbai. The river, which turned into a torrent due to heavy downpour in its catchment area in Mahabaleshwar, weakened the foundations of the bridge, which ultimately gave way on Tuesday night.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/france-birthday-party-turns-fatal-13-killed/1/733643.html



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Police collect cash money seized in raids on the home and business of one suspected follower of a Muslim cleric accused of instigating an abortive coup in Istanbul, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. There were the two shotguns, one pistol, ammunition, a fake identity card, and three one dollar bills, among evidence seized in a series of raids, as the government conducts a sweeping crackdown in the wake of the July 15 attempted coup that left more than 270 people dead. ( (Sinan Bilgili/DHA via AP)
The BBMP surveyed 800 m to find 19 properties that were constructed right on the main canal which will be immediately demolished as per the orders of CM.

By Pratiba Raman: It's almost a week since heavy rains ravaged the IT city putting South Bengalureans in deep water literally and figuratively. On 30th July, 200 families of the 500 in Kodichikkanahalli waded through the flooded homes and roads to get to higher ground. The last 2 days, the Karnataka government decided to test the waters and find a root cause analysis.

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The rajakaluve that starts from Bilekahalli travels through 3 kms to finally land in Madiwala lake - the one that burst on that fateful day a week ago. The BBMP surveyed 800 m to find 19 properties that were constructed right on the main canal. "The CM has asked us to identify these properties and immediately demolish them. These buildings are those that have encroached upon the land over the drains. The officials and the citizens must know there is a law of the land," said Manjunath Prasad, BBMP Commissioner.

Pradeep Baliga, a resident of Kodichikkanahalli since 2000, holds a document signed by then joint commissioner that sanctions the plan stating that the rajakaluve comes in front of the house. "The team that did the survey now tells us that it passes right in between our house. I will file a case against that commissioner who sanctioned then, if they demolish my building," he said.

"How did these officials of the municipal bodies sanction plans? Those who did it will be taken to task. Criminal cases will be filed against them for such wrongful sanctions," said Suneel Kumar, Head, Bengaluru Agenda Task Force (BATF).

The bull-dozer charged ahead breaking every brick to pieces and the buildings came crashing down revealing the drain underneath. Pradeep Rao, took 6 years to save, plan and build his 2-storey home. However, today he is on the streets with his family. "I sold a BDA land to build the first storey in 2001 here and took a loan to build the second storey. Now I am still continuing to repay my loan. I am on the streets. My shop adjacent to it is also gone. Now who will help?" he said.

The issue of compensation was conveniently dodged. "The compensation is a different issue. We will first demolish the part which falls under 2.5 feet near the Rajakaluve," Manjunath Prasad said. 2000 Rajakaluves line the entire city.

Will this drive be a momentary action for questions raised on infrastructure or will it be maintained till the end?

Also read: Bengaluru does a Gurgaon: People seen fishing on roads, boats on streets, homes flooded



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Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy

By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat
Dayashanker Singh, a former BJP leader who was recently arrested for his controversial remarks against BSP chief Mayawati, has been granted bail by a UP court on Saturday.

District court of Mau granted bail to Singh on two bonds of Rs 50,000 each. The case was being heard by the court of ADJ-iV(Additional District Judge) Dr Ajay Kumar.

Though the news spread happiness in the BJP camp, the BSP said that it would approach the high court to challenge Singhs bail.

Singh was arrested a few days back by the UP Special Task Force and Bihar police from Buxar, a town situated on the border of the two states, when he was planning to move to Balia. He was then sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

The arrest was based on a complaint filed by a BSP leader at Hazratgunj police station in Lucknow over Singh's derogatory remarks against Mayawati. Though the FIR was filed on July 20, Singh was on the run until he was finally nabbed from Buxar on July 29.

Following his arrest, his lawyers had filed an interim bail plea on August 1 at the Mau court. The court had turned down his first bail plea. A second bail application was filed at the court of ADJ-iV which was to be heard on August 4. However, the court did not take the case on August 4 and set it for hearing on August 6.

Singhs remarks had sparked off a nation-wide outrage forcing the saffron party to expel him.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday launched Swachh Survekshan 2017, the annual contest for rating cities on various parametres of cleanliness. Five hundred cities and towns, most with a population of over one lakh, will be participating in the contest, the results of which will be declared early next year.

The rankings have seen Mysore at the top spot for two consecutive years. The first ranking was based on a survey, the second rating last year was based on a contest in which 117 cities participated. This time, the participants have increased manifold. Naidu said that the 500 cities in the 2017 contest comprise 70 per cent of India's urban population.

The contest is a complicated process with different percentages dedicated to different parametres. For instance, citizen feedback gets a weightage of 30 per cent.

The event was held in Delhi and several other cities joined in via video conferencing. The Mysore team gave details on how they had gone to reach the top spotwith steps like taking garbage segregation down to even the slums.

The movement is certainly going smart. Naidu also launched a web based Swachh Survekshan Self Assessment Tool to enable participating cities to know where they stand in terms of various parameters of sanitation. The application will also help them monitor their progress over the next six months.

Naidu also launched the mobile based Swachhata App through which citizens across India can report complaints by posting pictures. All urban local bodies are mapped to the App. He also launched the Swachchata Helpline, 1969, through which citizens can avail themselves of information regarding the campaign, including ways in which they can contribute.

The Open Defecation Free or ODF campaign has hit a speedbreaker as people are still defecating in the open out of habit even though a number of toilets are being built. The ministry is now going to conduct a massive media and print campaign encouraging people to change this attitude.

Talking of progress beyond toilet construction in the Swachcha Bharat Mission, which was launched 20 months ago, Naidu said that the ministry had done a tie up with the power ministry for a waste-to-energy purchase scheme so that it would become mandatory for power distribution companies to purchase electricity thus generated, along with tariff determination. The target is to increase waste-to-energy power generation to 411 megawatts by 2018, as against 53 megawatts at present.

A similar scheme to promote conversion of waste to compost has been announced, with a market development assistance of Rs 1,500 per ton for such compost. Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan will be the face of this campaign.
In a veiled attack on Pakistan, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the neighbouring country hates India so much that it was ready to let itself down in order to harm India.

"There is so much hatred: 'our (Pakistan's) own condition is quite bad, but we (Pakistan) would let ourselves down to spite the neighbour (India).' This is how our neighbour is behaving," Bhagwat said while speaking at a book-launch in Indore.

"Whenever we extend the hand of friendship, it (Pakistan) makes such circumstances that we can not offer friendship again," he said.

He also said that both developed and developing countries were getting caught in the crossfire as the tussle to become superpower was on in the world.

"Global thinkers are wondering if the race to become superpower continues like this then whether the world would survive. The world is looking at India with hope for answers. If we are able to answer these questions then we can become the number one country," Bhagwat said.

Hindi translation of Vijay Deshmukh-written biography of King Shivaji, "Shakkarte Shivrai", was launched on this occasion.

Bhagwat said during Shivaji's times words such as "communalism" and "secularism" were non-existent, yet he, as a ruler, treated everybody equally.

He also said the challenges to defend religion today were more or less the same as during Shivaji's times. Bhagwat, however, hastened to add that by religion he did not mean any particular community.
A Pakistani-American couple was allegedly singled out and asked to exit a US-bound Delta Air Lines flight after a flight attendant felt "uncomfortable" when she noticed that they were "sweating", saying "Allah" and texting.

By Press Trust of India: A Pakistani-American couple was allegedly asked to get off a US-bound flight when an on board crew member felt "uncomfortable" after noticing that they were "sweating", saying "Allah" and texting.

Nazia and Faisal Ali have leveled allegations of Islamophobia against Delta Air Lines for throwing them off their flight from Paris to Cincinnati, Ohio.

WHAT HAPPENED

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Nazia, 34, claims that she was innocuously going about her business when they were singled out. She had removed her sneakers, sent a text message to her parents and was putting on headphones to set herself up for the nine-hour flight, when a Delta Air Lines crew member came up to her and her husband, Faisal.

A flight crew member had complained to the pilot that she was uncomfortable with the Muslim couple, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The reason she gave for her discomfort was that the woman was wearing a head scarf and using a phone, and the man was sweating.

The flight attendant allegedly also told the pilot that Faisal tried to hide his cell phone and that she had heard the couple use the word 'Allah'.

The pilot contacted the ground crew and would not take off until couple was removed.

Recounting her ordeal at the Cincinnati area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Nazia said, "We had been in our seats for 45 minutes".

Having construed their actions as suspicious, the ground agent asked them to exit the aircraft. "The ground agent said, 'Can you step out with me? We'd like to ask you a few questions.' So I said, 'Do you want us to get our things?' And he said, 'Yes, please grab all of your personal belongings. You're not going to be on this flight'," Nazia gave an account of the July 26 incident.

They were then interrogated by a French police officer about their stay in Paris, where they had gone for a brief holiday to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, according to media reports.

After the interrogation, the officer said he had no problem with them and that there was nothing else he could ask the couple.

COMPLAINT AGAINST DELTA

In the wake of the discrimination against the couple, the Muslim advocacy group has filed a religious profiling complaint against Delta Air Lines to the US Department of Transportation

"We call on the US Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough examination into the prevailing practices of major American air carriers, including Delta Air Lines, and to develop policy guidelines on the objective factors that are to be considered when determining that a passenger may legally be removed from a flight," CAIR-Cincinnati attorney Sana Hassan said.

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The Delta Air Lines responded to allegations of prejudice with a statement saying, "Delta condemns discrimination toward our customers in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender."

"As a global airline that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every day, Delta is deeply committed to treating all of our customers with respect. Delta continues its investigation into this matter and will issue a full refund of these customers' airfare," it said.

Also Read:

ISIS labels slain Muslim American soldier an 'apostate'

In US, a campaign to rope in a million Muslims against Donald Trump

Indian Muslim mans shop in US vandalised with hate graffiti



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Holidaymakers are being ripped off in a 380million scam  by making payments in pounds rather than the local currency.

Shops, restaurants and even cash machines routinely add up to 10 per cent on bills presented to tourists using a so-called dynamic currency conversion trick.

The practice allows retailers and banks to set their own conversion rate, which is usually worse than the one applied by your credit or debit card issuer.

Trick: Always say no to a sterling bill  instead demand to pay in the local currency

Avoiding this ruse is all the more vital in the wake of the cut to the Bank of England base rate, which sent the pound plunging on money markets, pushing up the cost of buying dollars and euros.

At least one in five British tourists is duped into paying in pounds on their cards each year, with the choice being offered as a service allowing them to pay in a currency they feel comfortable with.

Worse, many hotels are presenting Britons with terminals that already have the bill calculated in sterling, despite retailers and ATM providers being obliged to tell you that you have the option not to take the sterling deal.

Always say no to a sterling bill  instead demand to pay in the local currency. The UK Cards Association says: When taking the non-sterling option you get the daily rate set by Visa or MasterCard, say, which is linked to the interbank rate  a wholesale price agreed between banks.

Caught out: Sharon Flaherty felt duped

The bank that issued your card often then takes a cut  typically adding a 2.75 to 2.99 per cent fee to the exchange rate. This is on top of other charges it might add, such as fees for using a cash machine.

Angus Duncan, 56, was duped by a cashpoint in Lisbon just a week after the Brexit vote when the pound was in turmoil against other currencies.

Angus, who works in finance and was travelling on business, says: I was taking out 100 and was presented with two options  take its deal in sterling or go with the usual euro deal. I was flummoxed and took the sterling deal.

When I checked my statement back at home in Clapham I realised I had got 1.09 to the pound when the average rate that day was 1.20, losing me a tenner. I wont be doing that again.

Research for The Mail on Sunday by currency exchange firm FairFX found paying in pounds adds an average 6 per cent to the bill  but this can be as high as 10 per cent. Britons spend 24.6billion a year on their cards abroad. The 6 per cent average for the more than one in five tourists regularly duped adds up to 380million.

Sharon Flaherty, 35, from Cardiff felt tricked after spending 35 on a fondue set at Copenhagen airport a couple of years ago. The marketing consultant says: I thought the assistant was being helpful by asking if Id like to pay in pounds rather than Danish kroner. Only later did I realise I had been duped. I worked out that if I had paid in kroner I could have saved nearly a fiver.

Had I not woken up to the practice I could have spent a small fortune over the years.

FairFX boss Ian Strafford-Taylor says: Dynamic currency conversion is nothing but a rip off  duping holidaymakers into paying unnecessary fees by offering poor rates. Consumers must be vigilant and say no if the pound option is offered.

Some tourists are billed in pounds without even being asked. They are advised to scrutinise the card reader and refuse to pay if it is not in the local currency.

Bob Atkinson at the TravelSupermarket website says: Your credit or debit card issuer may also levy overseas charges  yet another hidden fee  so use a pre-paid currency card or plastic designed for abroad. Comparison websites can reveal the best deal.

At theukcardsassociation.org.uk you can find a guide to using cards abroad. Click on the consumer tab.

Holiday money: Bureaux de change at the airport charge up to 10 per cent more than competitive providers

Five ways to stretch your travel money a little further after currency slide

1. Do not rely on your usual credit or debit card  opt for plastic designed for use abroad. Among the best is Halifaxs Clarity card. It does not levy the typical 2.75 or 2.99 per cent fee on spending, and in addition does not charge for cash withdrawals abroad (though the local cash machine may levy a separate charge).

Other credit cards that do not charge for overseas spending include Everyday from new provider Creation and MBNAs Everyday Plus American Express.

Norwich & Peterborough Building Society and Metro Bank offer debit cards that do not charge foreign currency fees, but you must be a customer and Metros deal is only valid in Europe. If you do not want a separate card, look at the SuperCard, offered by foreign exchange firm Travelex, which can be linked to an existing account.

FIND THE BEST DEAL Thinking about taking out a prepaid currency card? Check out This is Money's guide to how they work and finding the best deal. Reader offer: FairFX is offering This is Money and MailOnline readers a free MasterCard prepaid card, which usually costs 9.95.

2. Consider packing a pre-paid currency card  these offer some of the best exchange rates. They allow you to load up on foreign currency before you go  or while abroad  and can be used just like a credit or debit card for payment. You can change any unused balance back to sterling afterwards or save it for another trip.

Prepaid cards are offered by CaxtonFX and FairFX, among others. One of the best deals is WeSwaps card, which works by effectively swapping your currency with that of other travellers.

3. Do not change money at the airport, as bureaux de change there make the most of their captive audience by charging up to 10 per cent more than competitive providers. You should also be wary of cash machines at the airport that offer to pay your money in euros or other currencies, as they rarely offer good value.

The best rates are often online. Websites MyTravelMoney and TravelMoneyMax, for example, can help find top deals. Rather than visiting a bureau de change, you may pay by bank transfer and have the bank notes posted to you  often by special delivery. Among the most competitive providers are Travel FX, Best Foreign Exchange and No 1 Currency.

4. Do not fall for the no commission adverts at a bureau de change. Many make their money by offering you lousy exchange rates instead. You are likely to get a better exchange rate by booking ahead. Look at currency comparison websites before making an exchange.

5. Consider where you go on holiday to get more for your money. South America is still a good bet, with the Argentine peso weak. Russia is another destination offering great value due to the troubled rouble. The currencies of South Africa and Zambia are also attractive. Alternatively many families are opting for a staycation this summer.
The FTSE 100 finished the week with a flourish, climbing 0.79 per cent, or 53.31 points to a 12-month high of 6793.47.

Pharma giant Hikma bounced back from a poor performance the day before to be the indexs highest riser, soaring 7.9 per cent, or 175p to 2395p.

Housebuilders rallied on strong results from Bellway.

The firm moved up 5.3 per cent, or 108p to 2137p as it reported an increase in house completions and said revenue is expected to rise 27 per cent to 2.2billion.

Bounce back: The FTSE 250 broke its pre-Brexit level and climbed to an eight month high as it marched forward 1.3 per cent, or 221.03 points to 17,465.35.

Persimmon advanced 3 per cent, or 51p to 1723p, Berkeley bounced up 3 per cent, or 76p to 2658p and Barratt gained 2.7 per cent, or 11.3p to 436.7p.

Meanwhile the FTSE 250 broke its pre-Brexit level and climbed to an eight-month high as it marched forward 1.28 per cent, or 221.03 points to 17,465.35.

Ibstock was the highest climber on the mid-market for the day, advancing 7.7 per cent, or 10.9p, to 153p. The brick maker said revenue had climbed 3.3 per cent to 210million in the six months to June 30.

Specialist motor finance company S&U surged on a strong half year update. The firm said customer applications are at a record high and the number of customers it has is up 39 per cent on last year at 38,000. S&U said collections and repayments were within expected levels, with the net amount due from customers almost 175million.

Chairman Anthony Coombs said the group is confident about the future regardless of the current economic uncertainties. Shares soared 1.7 per cent, or 39p to 2377.5p.

The update came as figures from Finance & Leasing Association revealed consumers took out loans worth more than 1.5billion for new cars in June, up 10 per cent from a year ago.

Some 88,531 new cars were purchased in the month and 105,025 used vehicles. Drivers borrowed 17.5billion in car finance in the 12 months to June, an increase of 17 per cent from the year before.

STOCK WATCH - BLUE PRISM Blue Prism Group supplies virtual workforces powered by software robots, which essentially means it provides automation software to businesses. Shares soared on a trading update yesterday as the firm announced a contract with a global tier-one bank. The group, whose customers include O2 and nPower, said that while the size of the contract is currently uncertain, it has the potential to be its largest deployment to date. Shares in the business rocketed 41.6 per cent, or 62p to 211p.

Holiday site On the Beach slipped after a share placing. The firm sold 10m shares in an accelerated book build, which is a type of speedy share placing with little or no marketing. The placing raised 21.5m for the firm, which has been keen to reassure investors of its financial health in recent weeks following the collapse of rival Low Cost Holidays. Shares plunged 8.9pc, or 21p to 216p, making it the greatest small-cap faller on the day.

Star fund managers are believed to be some of the big names backing AIM-listed telecoms software firm CloudCall.

The business climbed yesterday as it revealed its 3.8million fundraising had been oversubscribed by investors.

Renowned AIM investor Gervais Williams, who runs the Miton UK Smaller Companies fund is believed to be one of the experts who have invested in the firm, along with Monaco-based David Newton who runs the Helium Special Situations fund.

Lack of funding over recent months is thought to have been holding CloudCall back. The firm wants to expand into the US, where it says there are big opportunities for the business, but has lacked the manpower to do so. The company wants to use the money it raises to build a sales team over the pond.

In an interim update CloudCall said revenue has increased 62 per cent to 2.3million in the first six months and its user base had increase 35 per cent to 13,299. Operating losses have narrowed to 1.8million, from 2.5million in the same period a year ago. Shares shot up 9.9 per cent, or 5.5p to 61p.

PHSC plunged on its preliminary results. The health, safety and hygiene consultancy said underlying earnings had fallen to 368,000 in the year to March 31, compared to 818,000 the year before. Revenue slipped to 7million, from 7.7million.

The group said the effect of the EU referendum result on the business will take time to become apparent, but warned there would be a direct impact to its security-related subsidiaries which import their electronic products.
A panic button that allows gamblers with addiction problems to lock their online accounts has saved betters more than 25million.

William Hill said between 20,000 to 30,000 addicts had hit the button on its site forcing the bookmaker to exclude them from playing for a period of time.

Punters have saved on average 830 each since the regulation was introduced by the UK Gambling Commission last year.

Big bet: William Hill reported a 16% fall in underlying operating profit for the first half of 2016, but backed its full year outlook on a recovery in its online business

Gamblers can now lock themselves out of their accounts on gambling websites for a period of time ranging from 24 hours, seven days, a month, six weeks up to five years, by clicking on the panic button.

They had previously been able to request this by letter which was less effective because it was not instant and required more effort.

William Hill issued a profit warning in March saying that the safety measure had cost it 25million.
A merger of the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse would create a 'quasi-monopolistic' stock market that could dictate fees and harm competition, an investment lobby group has said.

The European Investors Association has written to the European Union's competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, who will rule on the tie-up, saying if the 21billion merger goes ahead it would reduce choice for users.

The investigation is the latest hurdle that the controversial deal will have to cross if it wants to go ahead.

Competition fears: A merger of the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse would create a 'quasi-monopolistic' stock market an investment lobby group has said

Last week, German investors approved the so-called merger of equals, after the vote was initially put back to allow more time.

Under the deal the headquarters of the group would remain in London  but since the Brexit vote insiders say the Germans have plans to move it to Frankfurt after the deal is done.

Although investors on both sides have approved the deal, it faces a number of regulatory challenges.

'European Investors fears smaller exchanges might experience a decline in scale and scope with associated negative implications for investors and listed companies,' the lobby group said in a statement.

A combined group could dictate listing costs and fees, account for 65 per cent of all exchange traded funds in Europe, and clear 75 per cent of all European exchange traded stock option equity derivatives, it said.

It claimed this would create a 'super dominant provider' bringing together the STOXX indices from Deutsche Boerse, and FTSE and Russell indices from the London Stock Exchange Group.

Companies may also prefer to list in London after Britain leaves the European Union in order to circumvent EU rules, the lobby group warned. However, it stopped short of asking Vestager to block the merger.
Sending a stern message against cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged states to open dossiers to see how many gau rakshaks are criminals.

By Ilma Hasan: In the wake of numerous attacks on Dalits in the name of cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lashed out at pseudo-gau rakshaks for indulging in anti-social activities.

Addressing a Townhall meet in the National Capital, the prime minister said that gau rakshaks who claim to be protectors during the day often resort to criminal activities at night.

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"I am angry with the people who have opened shops in the name of gau raksha. I have seen some people doing anti-social activities but in the morning, they become gau rakshaks," PM Modi said.

Sending a stern message against cow vigilantism, Modi urged states to open dossiers to see how many of them are criminals.

"Gau bhakts and gau sevaks are different. It angers me to see that people with vested interest are using 'cow vigilantism' to promote their own agenda. They do this to mask their bad deeds," he said.



#WATCH PM Narendra Modi's strong criticism against so called "gau rakshaks" (cow protectors) in the nation.https://t.co/qF3vbbjnJv; ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

"I would respect states to open their dossiers and see how many of them are criminals," he added.

The PM said that cows are not dying because of slaughter, but due to pollutants like plastic.

"Many cows die due to consuming plastic. If the gau rakshaks really want to work, they should see how many cows die due to consuming poly bags," PM Modi said.

Recalling his own work in the service of cow, he said at one health camp organised by him for the animal, at least two buckets full of plastic were removed from the stomach of one of them.

The PM's comments come at a time when his government and BJP are facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

On July 11, four Dalit youths were beaten up by cow vigilantes at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Gir Somnath district when they were allegedly skinning a dead cow.

Also read: MyGov Townhall: Smart City Plus to alleviate 300 villages, says PM Modi





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Furious ex-convicts are suing JP Morgan Chase for charging them rip-off debit card fees when they got out of jail.

The Wall Street giant supplies all the cards handed out by the US Federal Bureau of Prisons, giving it a virtual monopoly in an unregulated market.

They are issued to inmates on their release  but it is claimed that there are sky-high charges for withdrawing cash.

Rip-off fees: JP Morgan supplies all the cards handed out by the US Federal Bureau of Prisons, giving it a virtual monopoly in an unregulated market

Former prisoner Jesse Krimes said the cards charged $10  around 8 when used in branches and $2 at ATMs not owned by JP Morgan Chase.

The one-time cocaine dealer, who is now a respected painter, led a class action lawsuit with 50,000 fellow criminals.

And the bank has agreed to pay out 340,000 to settle the case  money which will be split between the claimants.

The debit cards were issued to prisoners on their release and contained all the money which had built up during their sentences.

One convict said he was released with $120 but only spent $70 because of the charges.

Krimes was jailed in 2009, a year after he graduated with a studio art degree from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

The artist produced a secret mural using contraband prison sheets, hair gel, plastic spoons, and New York Times clippings while serving his 70-month sentence.

He smuggled out the pieces 39 panels by sending them to his girlfriend. The finished work was called Apokaluptein:16389067, after the Greek origin of the word apocalypse and his prison identification number.
By Rohit Kumar Singh: Opposition NDA in Bihar have questioned the silence of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi over the caning of Dalit students in Bihar last week. The incident took place on Wednesday in Patna when hundreds of Dalit students were staging a protest march against the reduction in their post-matric scholarship money from Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 15000/-. Six Dalit students were grievously injured in the police action. All of them are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

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After raising the issue in the Bihar Assembly during the just concluded monsoon session, the Opposition NDA on Saturday staged a Mahadharna at the BJP's state office in Patna to corner the government. Leaders from BJP, LJP, RLSP and HAM participated in the dharna. Sushil Modi and Nand Kishore Yadav from the BJP and Jamui MP Chirag Paswan from LJP who were present at the dharna slammed Nitish Kumar government for baton charge on Dalit students. They alleged that both Nitish and Lalu's silence over the incident has exposed their real face. NDA leaders alleged that both Nitish and Lalu considered Dalits simply as their vote bank.

Jamui MP Chirag Paswan categorically attacked Congress VP Rahul Gandhi questioning his silence on the matter. He questioned why Rahul who went to Una, Gujarat when Dalit youths were beaten up is now shying away from coming to Bihar in support of the Dalit students.

"I want to ask why Nitish and Lalu are silent over the Dalit students caning. Why is Rahul Gandhi silent? Rahul has time to go to Hyderabad over the death of Rohith Vemula but despite their government in the state why is the Congress VP not coming to Bihar? Why doesn't he meet Dalit students beaten up in Bihar," questioned Chirag Paswan.

BJP leader Sushil Modi alleged that there have been several incidents of Dalit atrocities reported from across the state in last few weeks but the government remained mum on them. In fact last month, two Dalit youths were beaten and urinated upon by the powerful men of the area on charges of theft. Raising these issues, Modi warned that their agitation would continue until action is taken against the guilty police officials who lathi charged the Dalit students.

"There has been massive cut in scholarship money given to Dalit student. When these students protested, they were beaten up by police. In next 3-4 days we will continue to protest at various places in the state. Despite several Dalit atrocities neither Rahul Gandhi nor any Congress leader went to meet the victims", said Sushil Modi.

The Opposition demanded CBI probe into Dalit youths lathi-charge case.

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Also Read:

Police baton charge Dalit students protesting reduction in scholarship money

Dalit dilemmas



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India is back in the driver's seat in Kathmandu with the swearing in of a pro-New Delhi premier. However, political instability and public antipathy to India are likely to endure.

On August 3, a week after he precipitated a political crisis that forced out K.P. Oli, member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Nepal's Maoist chief and former guerrilla commander, was sworn in as prime minister by president Bidhya Devi Bhandari. Oli quit after Dahal, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and his erstwhile coalition partner, tabled a no trust motion on July 14 .

Dahal returns to power after a gap of over seven years. His challenges as Nepal's ninth premier in a decade are at least as great as they were in his earlier stint as prime minister. His Maoist party may be the third largest in Parliament, but it now needs the support of the Nepali Congress, a party more than twice the strength, to survive in the 596-member parliament. They will remain his biggest threat, threatening to pull the rug from under his feet any time on any excuse.

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His earlier tenure had lasted nine months, cut short in May 2009 on charges of corruption and nepotism and for the sacking of then army chief Rookmangud Katawal, a dismissal construed as an act of vendetta against an army Maoist fighters had battled. Over 17,000 persons died in the decade-long insurgency that ended in 2006, when Dahal signed a peace accord, joined the political process, and the Maoists emerged as the largest party in the 2008 election.

As the PM now, he has to deal with the Madhesi groups-he has promised to fulfil their complex demands within a month, which will be a tricky exercise in appeasement. More than that, he'll be haunted by his predecessor's 'nationalist' image. Oli was seen as standing up to New Delhi in his nine-month stint. Dahal, on the other hand, stands accused of conspiring to oust him.

But Dahal is ready to rise to the challenge. "I did not have enough experience when I became prime minister the first time around and I may have committed many mistakes then," Dahal said in an interview a week before his swearing in. "But the situation is different now."

"It's unfortunate that K.P. Oli was ousted. We couldn't say no to the power that matters," Nepali Congress leader and former deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala said at a symposium last Friday. That the revelation came in Oli's presence has given the outgoing prime minister enough ammunition to fire at India, for he has always claimed that external forces had connived to overthrow him.

Most Nepali leaders suffer from a complex about India pervading all their country's affairs, especially when it comes to making or unseating governments in Nepal. And Oli is no exception. His allegations, however, have been taken a lot more seriously in Nepal as his takeover as prime minister in October last year coincided with the worst phase in Nepal-India relations.

India may have been the first country to come to Nepal's aid after the April 15 earthquake, measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale, hit the country, leaving nearly 9,000 people dead and a trail of devastation behind. But its refusal to welcome the new constitution, promulgated in September 2015, support to the Madhesi agitation demanding parliament seats in proportion to their demographic strength and equal citizenship rights, the blockade of the Raxaul-Birgunj border that accounts for 70 per cent of the supplies to Nepal were seen as efforts to undermine Nepal's sovereignty. The blockade created an acute shortage of essential commodities and caused much hardship to the Nepalese people, cementing the impression of India as a 'big bully'.

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"A neighbour not letting us sleep, and undermining our sovereignty, is not a happy situation to be in," Oli said, even as a section of the Indian media deemed his exit as India's return to the driving seat in Nepal's politics. Dahal will be heading a three-pronged coalition government of the Maoist, Nepali Congress and the Federal Alliance. The last is a grouping of 28 regional parties, which together have 42 members. It includes Madhesi groups, and will join government, provided their grievances are addressed. A three-party committee has been formed to work out a way to address the issues.

Nepal's chronic political instability-23 governments in the past 26 years of democracy, and eight governments during the past nine years of radical political change, when the country was transformed into a federal secular republic from a Hindu unitary kingdom-has also taken a heavy toll on the credibility of the key political actors today. In November 2005, India mediated to bring together seven pro-democracy parties and the Maoists-who had spearheaded a decade-long insurgency-on an anti-monarchy platform. Gyanendra Shah, who had succeeded his elder brother Birendra after the 2001 royal massacre, was undermining political parties four years later, when India intervened. India accused him of playing a pro-China card (the Nepal army had procured some Chinese weapons, and later also took the initiative for China's entry as an observer in the SAARC fold) and put its weight behind the anti-monarchy alliance.

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Fast forward to today and the Chinese presence in Nepal is no less visible than India's. China takes keen interest in not just the 'activities' of the Tibetan refugees (at least 20,000 in Nepal) here but also in the country's politics overall. Oli's ouster, just four months after he signed a trade and transit pact with China, and awarded a contract for the construction of Nepal's international airport in Pokhara (a popular tourist destination) and a couple of hydro projects, is being seen as an act of revenge.

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A spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry has said that a change of government would leave bilateral ties unaffected. Beijing would continue to take keen interest in Nepal's development. The only thing that probably upset China was that President Xi Jinping was scheduled to make a state visit in October, provided there was some political stability. Whether the change of guard has made the visit untenable remains to be seen.

The Chinese ambassador to Kathmandu, Wu Chuntai, has met with Dahal to solicit a larger understanding of the widened gamut of bilateral relations during Oli's nine-month stewardship. "Dahal has given an assurance that he will honour all commitments Oli had made to China. In fact, he will add more content to the quality of friendship," a Maoist leader told india today. Which only affirms the fact that China still has a couple of aces left to play as far as Nepal is concerned.

For the moment, the coalition may give the government the numbers to survive. But in a country that has enough precedent of partisan interests overriding national ones, the fragility of the new equation is an obvious worry. Its overbearing numbers may well see the Nepali Congress exercise more power with less accountability.

Nepal's constitution was an exercise in which a few leaders, to save face, put their heads together, without the two constituent assemblies (elected in a span of four years) holding any meaningful discussion. There was no debate on major issues like federalism or secularism in relation to being a republic. There was no involvement of the people despite large sections demanding a referendum. An inevitable falling out between the coalition partners, which may happen sooner rather than later, will only discredit the political leadership further. Nepal is unlikely to get out of the whirlpool of political instability it has been caught in any time soon.

Also read:

Bridge over the trust deficit





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By Mark Hallum

The 111th Police Precinct hosted the National Night Out Against Crime at Douglaston Mall in the Fairway parking lot Tuesday with Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside), state Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside) and commanding officer Captain William McBride. The event took place throughout the city for communities to interact with the officers who serve them and allowed non-profits and city agencies to set up information tables for attendees.

Neighborhood residents were treated to free hot dogs and hamburgers donated by local business, and a DJ who hosted fun activities for the kids. Community Board 11 had a table and was handing out informational material, as well as a representative from the Bayside Village Business Improvement District who was promoting storefronts on Bell Boulevard. The Little Neck-Douglaston Community Ambulance Corps. was giving demonstrations about how they respond to situations.

McBride was given a proclamation from a representative from the Mayor Bill de Blasios office for his service in the NYPD.

People who study this understand that the neighborhoods in the 111th Precinct are considered some of the safest neighborhoods in New York City, Braunstein said. The members of the NYPD have interactions with community members every single day. And when we read the media and the press, it seems like there is only a focus on those rare interactions that dont always have the best conclusion. We need to do more highlighting of the great interactions and the sacrifice that the NYPD makes on those other tens of thousands of interactions.

Vallone commented that neighborhoods within the 111th are diverse with high standards of living and a hard working precinct makes this possible.
The change of regime in Nepal opens up an opportunity for New Delhi and Kathmandu to revive the warmth and understanding in their bilateral relations. Both are in a chastened mood, after the shocks and anxieties experienced during the nine-month saga of K.P. Sharma Oli's prime ministership in Nepal. India began applying a course correction in its Nepal policy some five months earlier, even during Oli's regime. There was a realisation in New Delhi that the long-term costs of its ad hoc and coercive diplomacy in terms of alienating ordinary Nepali people was unaffordable. The designated Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', has disapproved of Oli's India policy, though his group was part of the outgoing coalition. He has also publicly confessed to the flaws in his earlier approach towards India from his first prime ministership in 2009. He claims that he now better comprehends the critical political, geostrategic and economic place that India occupies in Nepal's development and stability. His new coalition partner, the Nepali Congress, has always had an amicable relationship with India since the end of the Rana rule in 1951, barring the occasional bouts of disagreements and sour feelings.

SD Muni

Notwithstanding the good intentions and the conducive political context, both Nepal and India will have to tread carefully and cautiously. The roots of the trust deficit between the two go deeper and much beyond the Oli regime. The Nepalese have been grumbling for a long time about the 1950 treaty that defines the foundations of a very intimate and all-encompassing relationship. They blame India for the trade and transit difficulties, border encroachments, the slow progress on developmental projects, the conflicts in resource sharing (especially water), and above all, the persistent interference in, and the micro-management of, Nepal's internal affairs. The Eminent Persons Group to look into these grievances, conceived four years earlier and established for the past three months was a clear indication that the two governments do not share each other's views on these issues and are not yet prepared to take them on board upfront.

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The two major issues that vitiated bilateral relations during the Oli period were: India's concerns for the constitutional rights and aspirations of the Madhesi, Janjati (tribal) and other marginalised groups, and Oli's aggressive use of the China card and anti-Indian nationalism on the lines evolved during the royal regimes in Nepal. Prachanda's government is expected to be considerate and accommodative towards the Madhesi and marginalised groups, but their constitutional accommodation would need the support of Oli's party, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML). The UML has promised support to Prachanda's government on resolving pending constitutional issues, but there are sharp divisions within the party's senior leadership on the nature and extent of such support. Oli's strongly conservative faction may want to see the new government fail in this effort.

Oli was not the first to use the China card. He cut deals with China on alternative transit for Nepal and support for infrastructure projects within the ambit of China's 'Belt and Road Initiative'. The use of the China card in the past did not cut much ice as Nepal's geography, history and culture, economy and society create a robust bonding with India. But now China has developed much stronger stakes in South Asia as a whole and is politically willing and economically capable of making Nepal a showcase in its new South Asian drive. How can China's economic push in its immediate neighbourhood be resisted by India as it is itself seeking huge Chinese investments? India is already experiencing this in Sri Lanka. In the case of Nepal, Prachanda too has declared that Oli's China agreements will be implemented, hopefully while avoiding any damage to relations with India.

Nepal will prove to be a test case for India in coping with the challenge of China's assertiveness in South Asia. In meeting this challenge, India can ill afford a 'business as usual' approach. While harnessing the potential of its close, deep and extensive bonds with Nepal, India will have to be adequately responsive towards a country which is new, democratic, young, aspiring, sensitive and full of self-confidence, if this challenge is to be met successfully.

SD Muni

Professor Emeritus, JNU; Distinguished Fellow, IDSA; and former Special Envoy and Indian ambassador



Also read:

India back in driver's seat after Prachanda takes over as Nepal PM





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These real PA creatures could become cryptids if we don't save them
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States and industry representatives continue to challenge in court the legality of the Environmental Protection Agency's methane rules aimed at the domestic oil and gas industry.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia recently challenging EPA's "federal overreach".

More than a dozen states have sued over the rule because it is unnecessary and would add additional cost to the production of domestic energy.

States, like Texas, already regulate air emissions through their own government agencies, such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Other states joining the lawsuit are Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky and North Carolina.

The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and the Independent Petroleum Association of America, along with 17 other state and national associations, have filed a petition for rehearing with the EPA on Aug. 2.

Subpart OOOOa, as finalized, will have a disproportionate impact on independents, and especially independents that constitute small businesses under the "Regulatory Flexibility Act", the petition stated.

The issues raised fall into two categories:

1. Issues that are entitled for reconsideration (under law) where it is impracticable to raise an objection during the period of public comment; and

2. The EPA failed to address the final rule, and it will have a devastating impact on the domestic oil and gas industry if the rule is not corrected.
You may be reading this early Saturday morning before heading out to take advantage of Texas' tax-free shopping weekend. In advance of the start of school, sales taxes are suspended on certain things like clothing and school supplies. On the surface, tax-free weekends may seem like a magnanimous gesture on the part of government to help families on tight budgets. It's actually a little deeper than that.

The first tax-free shopping periods began in New York state in 1997 where the stated objective was to keep shoppers from going into neighboring states where tax rates were much lower. Massachusetts did the same thing in 2005 to keep its shoppers from streaming into New Hampshire, which had no sales tax. In fact, the domino effect of states adopting tax-free weekends has had more to do with keeping their shoppers at home than trying to give the consumer a break.

For example, Texas started its tax-free weekends in 1999. Oklahoma started its own in 2007, when lawmakers bellyached that too many Okies were coming to Wichita Falls and Denton to take advantage of Texas' largesse.

Texas could lose up to $92 million in sales tax revenue this weekend. But tax-free is something of a loss leader. A lot of people who go to the stores to buy tax-exempt items will no doubt buy things that are not tax exempt, thereby making up at least some of the difference.

Besides, if the state loses a little money in one column of the ledger, it'll make up for it in another. For the taxpayer, there ain't no free lunch.

But can a family really save money (at least in the short term) this weekend? The answer is yes  if that family shops smart. Some stores will offer sales on top of the tax savings, and that's usually a good thing. Some stores might resist sales they would have otherwise offered believing the tax savings will be enough incentive. Of course, the bane of the shopper is to save 8 percent in taxes on an item this weekend, only to see that same item has been slashed 40 percent next week as the back-to-school rush starts to wind down.

A couple of years back, the Texas Legislature considered extending the tax holiday to guns and ammo to match neighboring Louisiana. There, parents can see the lil' darlin's off to school with new three-rings binders and a fresh box of 9 mm cartridges.

Actually, Texas is one of the most proactive states when it comes to suspending sales tax collection. In addition to back-to-school savings, the state at various times suspends taxes on weather emergency preparedness gear and energy saving appliances.

The popularity of tax-free weekends has ebbed and flowed over the years. Some states suspended them during the Great Recession. The number of states offering tax free-events reached 19 in 2010, and there will be 16 this year.

Tax-free weekend is probably good for young families with kids. Most in my generation will probably wait until denture cream and Depends are included on the exempt list.

Lynn Walker, whose column appears here on Saturdays, may be reached at walkerl@timesrecordnews.com or 940-763-7528.
Contributed photo A team of six high school students and two adults from Sacred Heart Catholic Church volunteered a week of their summer vacation to reach out to children and families in need in New Orleans, La., participating in a project called Young Neighbors in Action.

SHARE Contributed photo High school students from Sacred Heart help spruce up a nonprofit Green Project in New Orleans as part of a summer mission trip. Sacred Heart has been sending teenagers to summer service camps since 2012. Contributed photo Middle school students from Sacred Heart Catholic Church participate in Just 5 Days, a mission project where they volunteered at the Presa Community Center in San Antonio and helped with summer services for economically disadvantaged children and the elderly. The group helped run a day camp for underprivileged families, experiencing the blessing of face-to-face ministry.

By Sarah Johnson

At Sacred Heart Catholic Church, there is a strong connection between the knowledge of God and good works. For youth coordinator Cassie Erazo, that connection is especially important in young people

"In Scripture, we are told that 'faith without works is dead,'" Erazo, coordinator of youth ministry and adolescent catechesis, said. "We find that when we put our faith into action, often that is where the seeds of faith begin to take root in a teen's heart."

Throughout the year, the parish offers many opportunities for teenagers to serve others. One of the activities that young people show the most interest in is going on a mission trip. This summer, two teams of kids and adults from Sacred Heart spent one week of their vacation to reach out to children and families in need.

The first team, comprised of six high school students and two adults, participated in a project called Young Neighbors in Action. Sacred Heart's YNIA team served the community of New Orleans, Louisiana. They prepared and served meals to the homeless community as well as getting their "hands dirty" at The Green Project, a nonprofit that is committed to being good stewards of the world's resources.

"Each day they worked long hours without air conditioning, sorting and cleaning donations," Erazo said. "Their efforts helped the locals find affordable ways to keep their homes in running order as well as protect the local water source from becoming more polluted."

The second team headed to San Antonio. Eleven middle school students and two adults participated in a project called Just 5 Days, where the group volunteered at the Presa Community Center and helped with summer services for economically disadvantaged children and the elderly.

"Our middle schoolers helped run a day camp for underprivileged families, experiencing the blessing of face-to-face ministry," Erazo said. "The eyes of our teens were opened to the reality of poverty and the challenges that teens their own age experience. This not only helped them to see the blessings in their own life, but also empowered them to work for the dignity of others."

At the close of camp, Sacred Heart gathered the participants together for a time of sharing stories and reflecting what God taught them during the mission work.

"We also discussed how we can continue to serve his people by joining in service efforts in our local community," Erazo said. "The opportunity for teens to be sent on mission is powerful on a number of levels. They learn about the reality of poverty in a way that does not happen by classroom instruction. They are able to see others in need through God's eyes, as truly our brothers. They're impacted by witnessing the inequalities and injustices that often come with poverty and come home feeling called to be a voice on behalf of their brother in need. Mission experiences like this one can make changes in what a teen puts value in and as well as empower them in the knowledge that they can make a difference in the world."

For more information about Sacred Heart Catholic Church, call 723-5288.

Feeding souls, stomachs

Clarence Moats has been working in the kitchen at Faith Mission for 17 years. The only thing the supervisor said that's changed in the kitchen during that time is the refrigerator.

"Replacing our kitchen equipment was long overdue," Steve Sparks, executive director of Faith Mission, said. "Some of it was so old we couldn't get replacement parts to fix it."

While the kitchen at Faith Mission is being renovated the first two weeks in August, the staff is asking the community for help to prepare, cater or purchase meals from local restaurants to serve up to 130 people. (Breakfast serves a smaller number than lunch and dinner.) The water will be off during part of the renovation, so water bottles are appreciated as well. Remodeling includes installing a double convection oven, countertop griddle, range and commercial fryers. Old tile will be removed and new, non-slippery pavers will be installed. A $3,000 commercial mixer was just donated at the beginning of the project.

"By providing three meals a day to those in need, we believe we are following Christ's command to serve the 'least of these' in Matthew 25:45," Sparks said. "Many times a meal will be our first contact with someone. It is our hope that we will be able to share the love of Christ and give them some 'spiritual food' as well. Homelessness can be very isolating. Sitting down to a meal or just saying hello can help someone know they aren't alone. Our goal is to serve each person with respect and kindness and let them know they matter."

Volunteers who bring a meal are asked to prepare it outside of the building or purchase it already prepared.

"Faith Mission served 75,194 meals in 2015," Vicky Payne, chief development officer, said. "Updating the appliances will allow meals to be prepared quicker and to serve five meals a day, 365 days a year."

The kitchen renovation will make the volunteers' job easier as well.

"The new kitchen will help us prepare food safer and faster," Sparks said. "It will also help our faithful volunteers to be able to work with dependable equipment. Our menus vary widely depending on the food that is available. Having new, state-of-the art appliances will assure that we serve the best quality food possible to our guests."

To donate to the kitchen project, call Faith Mission at 723-5663 or visit faithmissionwf.org.
Kell House renovations cement historic building's future

The Kell House celebrated the completion of renovations to the over a century old home.
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To Republicans who hope to emerge from the Donald Trump fiasco with any shred of political viability or self-respect, I offer some unsolicited advice: Run, do not walk, to the nearest exit.

I'm speaking to you, House Speaker Paul Ryan. And you, Sen. John McCain. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  along with so many other elected Republicans and party stalwarts. You are not fools. You are well aware that the erstwhile Party of Lincoln has nominated for president a man wholly unfit to hold the office.

I realize that puts you in a tough spot politically. Breaking with the party's standard-bearer, chosen by voters in primaries and caucuses, would surely mean short-term pain. For some of you it could be politically fatal. But sticking with Trump, as far as I can see, will almost surely be worse  for you, for the party, and potentially, heaven forbid, for the country you have sworn to serve.

You're taking a position that is indefensible on both philosophical and real-world grounds: Begging Trump to pretend to be sane and competent until Election Day.

"Anyone who is horrified by Hillary [Clinton] should hope that Trump will take a deep breath and learn some new skills," Newt Gingrich told The Washington Post on Wednesday. "He cannot win the presidency operating the way he is now."

This week, Republicans, your calls for Trump to tone it down shifted into panic mode. Apparently you thought it was a bad idea for him to attack a Gold Star mother who lost her Army captain son in Iraq, then clumsily contrive to keep the story alive for nearly a week. You thought Trump's pointed refusal to endorse Ryan and McCain in their primaries, even though both are supporting him, might not be the best way to foster party unity. You thought perhaps that while there are many things a candidate might say at a rally to win friends and influence people, "Get the baby out of here" is not one.

Your response is to hope against hope that someone will convince Trump to feign rectitude for the next three months. But think of the implications of imploring him to look and sound "presidential." You know full well how out of control and unbalanced he is, and you just wish he'd do a better job of conning voters into thinking he can be trusted with the nuclear codes. Shame on you, Republicans, for encouraging such a dangerous ruse.

And in any event, it should be clear by now that Trump cannot or will not pretend to be a normal candidate. How many resets have there been already? Let me make a bold prediction: Within the next week or so, Trump will give a stilted, non-crazy, teleprompter-aided speech. Supporters will rejoice that the campaign has finally turned a corner. And then, a few days later, some perceived slight will have Trump once again tilting at windmills and baying at the moon.

Republican officials and party leaders, you got into politics because you believed in certain principles. I may disagree with many of your views on policy but I do not question your sincerity. I firmly doubt, however, that Trump knows what the word sincerity means.

You believe in conservative values; he manifestly does not share them. You believe in sound, prudent fiscal management; he runs his real estate empire like a pirate, trailing bankruptcies in his wake. You believe, generally, in a strong defense posture; he is open to handing Crimea and perhaps the Baltics to Vladimir Putin. You believe in limited government, answerable to the people; he describes a bleak, failed America in his acceptance speech and proclaims that "I alone can fix it!"

Republicans, you are aiding and abetting a latter-day Juan Peron in his quest for power. You know that he believes in no coherent policy agenda beyond his own self-proclaimed greatness. You see how unhinged he becomes when anyone challenges him. You know what a grave risk it would be to have a man like that in the Oval Office.

You may be making the calculation that tepidly supporting the party's nominee will leave you best situated to help revive and reform the GOP after Trump is soundly defeated by Clinton. Judging by this week's polls  Clinton has leapt into a solid lead  your bet on the election's outcome may be sound.

But even if he loses, Republicans, Trump will leave a lasting stain. If you tell us such a man should be president, why should the nation ever believe anything else you say?

Eugene Robinson's email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group.
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Donald Trump, the man who defied every political rule and prevailed to win his party's nomination, last week took on perhaps the most sacred political rule of all: Never attack a Gold Star family. Not just because it alienates a vital constituency but because it reveals a shocking absence of elementary decency and of natural empathy for the most profound of human sorrows  parental grief.

Why did Trump do it? It wasn't a mistake. It was a revelation. It's that he can't help himself. His governing rule in life is to strike back when attacked, disrespected or even slighted. To understand Trump, you have to grasp the General Theory: He judges every action, every pronouncement, every person by a single criterion  whether or not it/he is "nice" to Trump.

Vladimir Putin called him brilliant (in fact, he didn't, but that's another matter) and a bromance is born. A "Mexican" judge rules against Trump, which makes him a bad person governed by prejudiced racial instincts.

House Speaker Paul Ryan criticizes Trump's attack on the Gold Star mother  so Trump mocks Ryan and praises his primary opponent. On what grounds?

He's "a big fan of what I'm saying, big fan," attests Trump.

You're a fan of his, he's a fan of yours. And vice versa. Treat him "unfairly" and you will pay. House speaker, Gold Star mother, it matters not.

Of course we all try to protect our own dignity and command respect. But Trump's hypersensitivity and unedited, untempered Pavlovian responses are, shall we say, unusual in both ferocity and predictability.

This is beyond narcissism. I used to think Trump was an 11-year-old, an undeveloped schoolyard bully. I was off by about 10 years. His needs are more primitive, an infantile hunger for approval and praise, a craving that can never be satisfied. He lives in a cocoon of solipsism where the world outside himself has value  indeed exists  only insofar as it sustains and inflates him.

Most politicians seek approval. But Trump lives for the adoration. He doesn't even try to hide it, boasting incessantly about his crowds, his standing ovations, his TV ratings, his poll numbers, his primary victories. The latter are most prized because they offer empirical evidence of how loved and admired he is.

Prized also because, in our politics, success is self-validating. A candidacy that started out as a joke, as a self-aggrandizing exercise in xenophobia, struck a chord in a certain constituency and took off. The joke was on those who believed that he was not a serious man and therefore would not be taken seriously. They  myself emphatically included  were wrong.

Winning validated him. Which brought further validation in the form of endorsements from respected and popular Republicans. Chris Christie was first to cross the Rubicon. Ben Carson then offered his blessings, such as they are. Newt Gingrich came aboard to provide intellectual ballast.

Although tepid, the endorsements by Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were further milestones in the normalization of Trump.

But this may all now be jeopardized by the Gold Star gaffe. (Remember: A gaffe in Washington is when a politician inadvertently reveals the truth, especially about himself.) It has put a severe strain on the patched-over relationship between the candidate and both Republican leadership and Republican regulars.

Trump's greatest success  normalizing the abnormal  is beginning to dissipate. When a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal columnist (Eugene Robinson) and a major conservative foreign policy thinker and former speechwriter for George Shultz under Ronald Reagan (Robert Kagan) simultaneously question Trump's psychological stability, indeed sanity, there's something going on (as Trump would say).

The dynamic of this election is obvious. As in 1980, the status quo candidate for a failed administration is running against an outsider. The stay-the-course candidate plays his/her only available card  charging that the outsider is dangerously out of the mainstream and temperamentally unfit to command the nation.

In 1980, Reagan had to do just one thing: pass the threshold test for acceptability. He won that election because he did, especially in the debate with Jimmy Carter in which Reagan showed himself to be genial, self-assured and, above all, nonthreatening. You may not like all his policies, but you could safely entrust the nation to him.

Trump badly needs to pass that threshold. If character is destiny, he won't.

Charles Krauthammer's email address is letterscharles@krauthammer.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Aug 6 (PTI) Nepals newly elected Prime Minister Prachanda today said he will not take part in any inauguration ceremonies except a few and asserted that Constitution implementation, reconstruction and economic reforms were his priority as Premier.

"I had decided on this before becoming the Prime Minister. Few exceptions aside, I wont take part in inauguration ceremony or programmes," Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said at a programme in Banasthali.

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"Constitution implementation, reconstruction and economic reforms are on the priority list of his government," he said.

The CPN (Maoist Center) chairman also claimed that he is working for unifying the splitting factions into the mother party so as to emerge as the largest party in the country.

The 61-year-old Prachanda was elected Prime Minister on Wednesday for the second time after his brief stint with premiership came to an end in 2009.

He was Prime Minister from 2008 to 2009 before a disagreement with the President over his attempt to sack the army chief brought his period in office to an early end. PTI SBP SUA SUA

--- ENDS ---
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FINANCIAL

KINDERHOOK BANK CORP.

Joshua M. Cukerstein joined as vice president, commercial & industrial relationship manager. Cukerstein previously served as relationship manager and vice president at First Niagara Bank.

HEALTH CARE

SARATOGA HOSPITAL

Hung Dinh Nguyen joined as director of the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine practice. Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with subspecialty certification in critical care medicine, pulmonary diseases and sleep medicine, Nguyen will also serve as director of the Saratoga Hospital Center for Sleep Disorders.

NONPROFITS

AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION

Dana McClure joined as development coordinator. McClure previously served as a development associate at Yaddo for 11 years.

MOHAWK HUDSON HUMANE SOCIETY

Caitlin Davis was promoted to community programs manager. Davis joined in 2012 as an animal care and customer service associate and managed PetSmart Charities' Everyday Adoption Center in Latham.

ABODE OF THE MESSAGE

Al Bellenchia joined as executive director. Bellenchia previously owned a consulting firm that provided marketing and development services to organizations in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

NORTHERN RIVERS FAMILY OF SERVICES

Sharon Valiquette was promoted to chief officer of business development. Valiquette is responsible for the exploration of new business opportunities, grant management, legal services and contracts, managed care readiness and strategic initiatives.

Kelly Busch was promoted to director of strategic business services. Busch will direct business contracting, draft and review legal documents, research and analyze issues of law, review joint ventures and partnerships, perform due diligence on mergers and acquisitions and lead business and program development.

PROFESSIONS

HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI P.C.

Gianluca Notaro, of the Italian intellectual property law firm Buzzi Notaro & Antonielli d'Oulx, is working out of the Albany office until Sept. 1. Notaro is working closely with attorneys to learn more about the U.S. patent prosecution process.

GOLDBERG SEGALLA

Robert S. Smith joined as an associate in the Workers' Compensation Practice Group in Albany. Smith, who previously worked at Smith Hoke PLLC, has experience negotiating settlements, leading depositions and writing legal memoranda.

COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE LLP

Christopher P. Flint joined as counsel. Flint, who previously served as a partner at Flint & Granich PLLC, focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, general litigation and real estate transactions.

Paul F. Dwyer was named of counsel. Dwyer is a professor of business law at Siena College.

Colin D. Dwyer was named an associate. Dwyer is an adjunct professor of business law at Siena College and teaches legal writing and analysis through the college's Higher Education Opportunity Program.

Brett D. French joined as an associate. French graduated last year from Syracuse University College of Law.

REAL ESTATE

BONACIO CONSTRUCTION INC.

Bridget Reilly was promoted to chief financial officer. Reilly joined in 2015 as controller.

Brandee Armer was promoted to general manager. Armer joined in 2002 and was promoted to controller in 2010.

 Jennifer Patterson
Albany

A parent-led group against Common Core testing is questioning whether the state Education Department manipulated scores this year to show New York made improvements on standardized English and math tests.

New York State Allies for Public Education, the group that led a statewide opt-out campaign against the tests, is wondering why students did not need to earn as many raw points to be considered proficient.

The group suggested the change had been made to increase proficiency rates. It is calling on the state to release test analysis data dating to 2013, when Common Core-based tests were first administered.

The state Education Department called the analysis "flawed, irresponsible and misleading" and defended this year's tests as just as rigorous as previous years.

The dispute is tied to the way the state calculates proficiency  how much a student knows in a given subject. Proficiency is graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with levels 1 and 2 considered failing and levels 3 and 4 considered passing. The percentage of raw points a student needs to earn to reach level 3 differs depending on the difficulty of a given year's test. For example, if a third-grade math test has easier questions than one from a year ago, the number of raw points needed to pass would need to be higher than the previous year.

Because each year's test includes different questions, it is likely the questions are, on average, slightly easier or slightly more difficult from year to year, state officials have said.

To ensure the scores on every test are comparable, the testing industry uses a process called equating to determine how many raw points would be needed to achieve a certain performance level. This process is used across all kinds of large-scale tests, including the SAT, ATC, NAEP and AP.

"Slight, annual changes in the raw scores required to achieve a given scale score are to be expected," the parent-led group said Friday in a news release.

The across-the-board decrease in raw points needed to achieve proficiency this year could be explained, the group said, if this year's test questions were "significantly more difficult" than previous years.

"However, Commissioner (MaryEllen) Elia has repeatedly stated that the content of the 2016 tests was comparable to previous years in terms of rigor," the group said. "The use of test scores for high stakes accountability decisions makes test scores vulnerable to manipulation in order to serve political purposes."

Critics used an analysis provided by New Paltz Board of Education Vice President Michael O'Donnell to arrive at its conclusions. The analysis shows the percentage of raw points needed to achieve proficiency were lower on 11 out of 12 of this year's Common Core tests. The decreases were particularly high on math tests, where the percentage of raw points needed was 7 points lower for seventh grade, 9 points lower for eighth grade and 12 points lower for sixth grade.

New York State Council of School Superintendents Executive Director Charles Dedrick said raw scores used to calculate passing rates have always varied, and recalled another time when a variation cast doubt on the process.

"I remember one year when kids got a certain number of questions right on the Regents and got a score in the 90s, and the next year they got about the same number of questions right but their score was in the 80s," he said. "There were some people who weren't happy about that, but all it was about was making the tests comparable."

Dedrick said he is confident that this year's test results reflect the proficiency of students who took them, and said to conclude otherwise requires a leap in judgment.

"It's oversimplifying things to just simply say that because a lower percentage of correct answers was needed this year compared to last year, the scores must have been rigged," he said.

Elia, the state education commissioner, has warned against comparing this year's tests to previous years' tests, saying it wouldn't be an "apples-to-apples" comparison since this year's tests were not timed and shorter than in previous years. She and others have said, however, that the nearly 7 percent proficiency increase in English over last year was large enough to safely be considered improvement.

bbump@timesunion.com  518-454-5387  @bethanybump
Albany

In the fall of 1825, John Henry Hopkins traveled from Buffalo to Albany on the Erie Canal just days after the 363-mile waterway had opened. Along the way, the Episcopal minister from Pennsylvania drew scenes of what was then considered a marvel of modern engineering.

This month, the co-founder of a Vermont history museum is traveling by tugboat on the canal, stopping at about 30 communities over the next six weeks as he discusses the waterway's impact on the nation's growth in the 19th century and hands out prints of Hopkins' artwork, many of them never published and rarely seen by the general public.

"He left us an incredible series of images of the communities, of the canal, that fill in a tremendous amount of information," Cohn said in a telephone interview from aboard the C.L. Churchill, a 52-year-old wooden tugboat owned by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes.

Starting this weekend, Cohn and fellow crewmembers will visit communities on the canal as far west as Rochester, giving talks about the waterway and presenting copies of Hopkins' artwork to museums and historical societies. Cohn was meeting Friday with state Canal Corp. officials to iron out the details of his itinerary, which will be posted on the museum and canal agency's websites next week.

The voyage aims to bring attention to next year's 200th anniversary of the beginning of work on the canal, with events planned each year through 2025, Canal Corp. spokesman Shane Mahar said.

The waterway was officially opened in October 1825 by Gov. DeWitt Clinton, who traveled on the canal by boat from Buffalo to Albany, then on to Manhattan. Once there, he dumped a cask of Lake Erie water into New York Harbor to signify the "wedding of the waters" linking the Great Lakes to the East Coast.

Around that time the Irish-born Hopkins, then a 32-year-old newly ordained clergyman from Pittsburgh, began his own voyage by canal boat from Buffalo to Albany, eventually headed for Manhattan to attend a religious conference. A talented artist and architectural illustrator, he created 37 watercolor and pencil sketches of canal scenes. They include a rendition of the Genesee River falls at Rochester and the elevated towpath built over the Cayuga swamp in Central New York. The 1,300-foot-long timber structure was replaced by an aqueduct in the 1840s.

Cohn came across the Hopkins collection last year while doing research at William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

"Finding drawings tucked away in a manuscript collection in another part of the country is pretty exciting," said Duncan Hay, historian for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
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More than 50 Capital Region employers across a range of industries say a shortage of skilled workers poses a major barrier to their growth, a McKinsey & Company report found.

The companies trying to fill specialty jobs include General Electric and other large employers in the region.

"(General Electric) Power's manufacturing operations in Schenectady have faced a shortage of skilled trade workers, particularly with machinists, for more than a decade," GE spokeswoman Christine Horne said.

The McKinsey report, Capital 20.20: Advancing the Region Through Focused Investment, was commissioned by the Capital Region Regional Economic Development Council.

The skills gap GE and others are facing mirror problems on the national level, McKinsey found.

The report also identified other regional challenges, including declining enrollment in higher education, falling graduation rates from high school and disparity in graduation rates across race and income.

The area's Regional Economic Development Council hired McKinsey last fall to compete for a share of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The Albany area received $98.1 million to fund 114 projects in the competition.

Even when a degree isn't required, employers continue to use one as a proxy for skills, despite 70 percent of Americans not having the right education, the report said.

"Businesses want students who graduate college," said Johanna Duncan-Poitier, senior vice chancellor for community colleges at the State University of New York.

One program, the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program, or P-TECH, offers students an opportunity to earn an associate degree at no cost while sponsoring employers give them priority in hiring after graduation.

Ninety percent of students in the statewide 60 "early college high school programs," including P-TECH, Smart Scholars Early College High Schools and New Tech Schools, have enrolled in college, Duncan-Poitier said.

In the Capital Region, students in the Troy Riverfront P-TECH receive their associate degrees at the end of a six-year program.

Students attend the program from ninth to 12th grade at Troy High School and then for another two years at Hudson Valley Community College. Associate degrees available through the program include electrical engineering, electrical technology, mechanical engineering, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology.

"The program is mutually beneficial for the students and the (employer) partners," said Erin Clary, Troy City School District communications specialist. "The partners created the curriculum. They will have the skills they are looking for."

GE Healthcare in North Greenbush is one of the partners.

"We produce digital detector panels that go into our digital X-ray systems for health care and industrial inspection," Admar Semedo, GE Healthcare human resource manager, said. "It involves a cleanroom process that requires technicians with special skill sets, which the Troy P-TECH program is helping to develop and cultivate."

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In addition to GE Healthcare, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Simmons Machine Corp. partnered with the Troy school district to create Troy Riverfront P-TECH.

The district, along with Questar III BOCES, the Albany-based Center for Economic Growth and Hudson Valley Community College, received $2.8 million in state funds to launch the school. Clary said the program, with 60 freshmen, has doubled from last year. The program began in 2014.

To help close their skills gap, GE also partnered with Hudson Valley Community College 10 years ago to create a two-year Machinist Technology Training Program. GE hires eight graduates from the program each year; 14 students are currently enrolled, with other manufacturers typically committing to hire them well before graduation.

Other schools in Albany have partnered with colleges to address the "cradle to career" solution. During the past nine years, students from the Brighter Choice Charter Schools in Albany have attended a biweekly after-school academy that promotes the sciences at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

"What we found was to really get them early we needed a program starting in third grade to pique their interest in math and science," said Gil Chorbajian, executive director of marketing and communications from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. "If you wait too long, the barriers become imposing."

Many of the programs targeting younger students are in the early stages, so it's not yet clear how many may end up majoring in science or technology courses.

Andrew Kennedy, the new president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, said more data are needed on where the workforce gaps exist, and that more commitments are needed from businesses.

"It evolves over time," Kennedy said, adding the center must continue assessing what works and what doesn't.
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Albany

A group of local teenagers who traveled to Krakow, Poland, last week to participate in World Youth Day received a lesson of a lifetime.

In a 24-hour span, the pilgrims from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany witnessed the best and worst of humanity: a transcendent papal Mass attended by 2 million youths followed by a somber tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex where more than 1.1 million Jews, Poles and others were killed during the Holocaust.

"It was a really powerful experience," said Connor Patrick, 15, an altar server at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville and a sophomore at LaSalle Institute in Troy. He and 15 others from the diocese returned from their weeklong pilgrimage Tuesday, while Bishop Edward Scharfenberger traveled on to Rome.

"Being among the two million teens gathered in peace for the Mass with Pope Francis gave me hope about humanity and reminded me there are so many good people living out Christ's message of love," Patrick said. "It was hard to walk through Auschwitz and think about all the hatred and violence that had gone into slaughtering all those people."

The grim reminder of Nazi genocide was juxtaposed with Pope Francis' opening remarks about mercy, the theme of World Youth Day. They also had a chance encounter at a Polish church where the local youths joined three dozen teens from Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan for a Mass said in Arabic by a Catholic priest.

"It was an amazing example of the worldwide church and it was awesome to pray with them," said Michael Hamilton, 18, a new graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany and a parishioner at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park.

"They were harassed for their faith in their countries and they were so happy that we celebrated Mass with them," Hamilton said. "It proved to me that we can all come together in a peaceful way and that the worldwide church is an amazing example of unity."

They were joined by Scharfenberger, who traveled with the group. "It was just cool to tell other people I came to Krakow with my bishop," Hamilton said.

"It was a profoundly moving and inspiring experience," said Scharfenberger, who spoke in Polish, German and Italian. The pilgrims represented 180 countries, including more than 200 bishops from around the world who celebrated Mass with Pope Francis.

The faithful hiked in several miles to a vast meadow for a candlelight vigil and morning Mass with the Pope as part of six days of music, prayer and spiritual master classes from July 25 to 31. The local youths slept in sleeping bags under the stars among the massive crowd.

"It's hard to put into words that stark contrast we witnessed between the sea of life in that meadow and the sea of death not far away with the ashes of so many people incinerated at Auschwitz and spread over the land," Scharfenberger said. "It was a powerful lesson that life can be snuffed away in an instant by ideologies, irrationalities and insanities."

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The bishop said his father's family emigrated from Germany in 1881 and his maternal grandfather was a Russian Jew who fled pogroms in Kiev in the late 19th century.

Scharfenberger has continued a Jewish-Catholic dialogue begun by his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard. Scharfenberger spoke at Jewish congregations and has discussed possibly joining Rabbi Scott Shpeen and members of Congregation Beth Emeth on a future tour of Holocaust sites in Poland.

"We need to continue to come together with our Jewish friends to share our faith traditions," Scharfenberger said.

Chaperone Matt Flanagan, a math and science teacher at St. Pius X, was struck by the sight of flags of dozens of countries being waved along with chanting as the 2 million youths packed into the field gave Pope Francis a rock star's welcome without a trace of aggression.

"There were no incidents of fighting, which was extraordinary given the sheer size of the crowd," Flanagan said. "It was an amazing experience on many levels.

pgrondahl@timesunion.com  518-454-5623 
ALBANY  Hundreds of crimes are going unsolved, and some innocent people may have been wrongly convicted, because the State Police refused to implement a new computer software program that has transformed DNA analysis, according to a former longtime director at the State Police crime laboratory.

Barry Duceman, who abruptly retired in 2014 after working 26 years as the director of biological science at the State Police Forensic Investigation Center, said in a recent series of interviews that key State Police officials, including the lab's new director, worked to scuttle the agency's use of the program, TrueAllele, and may have used a cheating scandal that implicated 15 scientists as an excuse to kill the project.

One of the fallouts is that the state's top DNA lab has a backlog of about 1,400 cases, up from more than 800 less than two years ago. The time it's taking to process evidence in criminal cases has also doubled to more than 30 days, according to people briefed on the lab's caseload reports.

A State Police spokesman last week declined to respond to Duceman's comments, citing an unrelated federal civil rights lawsuit filed by three scientists who claim they were wrongly targeted for termination two years ago when the agency accused them of cheating on training exams. The agency also declined to provide information about the lab's caseload.

Ray A. Wickenheiser, director of the State Police crime laboratories since 2013, acknowledged last year in a deposition that several people within the State Police, including Steve Hogan, a deputy general counsel, and Julie Pizziketti, an assistant director in the DNA lab, "had significant concerns" about using TrueAllele. Wickenheiser declined a request to be interviewed for this story.

The federal lawsuit filed by the three forensic scientists accuses Pizziketti of allowing DNA scientists to engage in "suspect-centric" DNA analysis, meaning they were subjectively analyzing DNA evidence with knowledge that some of the samples belonged to a specific suspect.

The tension in the state's crime lab, and the resistance of top officials to use the TrueAllele program, dates back years.

In 2011, Duceman wrote a detailed memo urging three high-ranking State Police officials to implement the new computer software program, noting the agency had invested roughly $3 million and a decade of effort in the project.

"The software will help the State Police and other agencies that submit case evidence to the Forensic Investigation Center to resolve more crimes by greatly expanding the range of biological evidence that will be useful for DNA testing," Duceman wrote.

Traditional DNA analysis, which has long been regarded as bullet-proof evidence, relies heavily on an individual scientist's subjective decisions and the methods, which are being called into question by the highly accurate computer programs.

The software's most compelling feature is that it can decipher profiles of people whose DNA may have been mixed with others, which has been a shortfall in the traditional methods used by most crime labs. It also was used to scan and validate the DNA samples of thousands of convicted offenders, including comparing their genetic profiles to DNA evidence culled from evidence in unsolved crimes, including terrorism cases.

At the time Duceman wrote his 2011 memo, TrueAllele and other computer-based DNA programs were coming of age, using a technology called "probabilistic genotyping" that removes the element of human judgment, including the controversial practice by which scientists have improperly viewed the genetic profile of a suspect before analyzing DNA in a case's evidence.

A former supervisor in the State Police crime lab, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said scientists at the lab have occasionally been caught violating the protocols but were never disciplined.

Several months before Duceman sent the 2011 memo  one of many he would write unsuccessfully urging State Police to embrace TrueAllele in casework  a DNA subcommittee for the state Commission on Forensic Science voted to approve the law enforcement agency's use of TrueAllele. Despite the recommendation, it never happened.

Jack Ballantyne, an associate research director at the National Center for Forensic Science, chaired New York's DNA Subcommittee when it approved the use of TrueAllele. He declined to address the State Police's refusal to adopt the program, but characterized TrueAllele as "a revolutionary DNA interpretation method based on sound and well established science that is fit for ... use in criminal investigations."

But there was a long history of resistance from key State Police officials to embrace TrueAllele, according to court records, internal State Police memorandums and interviews with multiple scientists who have worked in the lab. Some of those interviewed suggest the killing of the program began in 2014, when 15 scientists were accused of cheating on TrueAllele training exams. Some of the scientists, and others who work in the lab, said the internal investigation was fueled by a desire of some agency officials to undermine the implementation of TrueAllele.

Last fall, then-State Police Supt. Joseph A. D'Amico defended his agency's internal investigation and said the scientists were evasive when confronted with evidence they shared exam answers with one another.

"I don't buy into (it) that this is a misunderstanding," D'Amico said. "I find it hard to believe that anybody who spends their life doing scientific analysis would think that this would be OK."

Duceman resigned during the cheating scandal but was not involved. He said the fallout of suspending 15 scientists, and failing to implement TrueAllele in casework, has been a backlogged DNA lab and potentially hundreds of crimes going unsolved.

"If the commission approved our program, which we demonstrated was demonstrably better than the one we're using ... then why wasn't it made the standard for the entire state?" Duceman said. "The lost opportunity is clear ... there is a very good probability that people have been jailed because we couldn't use the TrueAllele program to establish their innocence. There is also a very good chance there are people walking the street right now who are serial offenders. Crimes may have been committed that didn't need to be committed because we didn't connect a serial offender because we didn't do DNA analysis of the evidence."

The office of state Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott recently opened an investigation on the State Police's handling of the cheating allegations. It's an extraordinary step, as the Inspector General normally does not investigate the State Police, which has a large internal affairs unit. The intervention by Leahy Scott's office comes after three forensic scientists snared in the cheating scandal filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were wrongly targeted for termination, in part, because they questioned the validity of the lab's traditional DNA-testing program.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Albany, claims an unknown number of criminal convictions may have relied on inaccurate DNA results, and that State Police leaders were fearful of implementing the TrueAllele program because it could have been used to check the validity of DNA tests done in adjudicated criminal cases.

John W. Bailey, an Albany attorney who represents several of the scientists accused of misconduct, wrote a letter to Leahy Scott last month saying his clients are concerned her office's investigation will be a whitewash, and that other scientists in the lab are afraid to come forward and support them.

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"All of my clients are extremely suspicious of the state of New York. They were targeted in an unfair investigation which had actually reached its conclusion before the first witness was questioned," Bailey said in the letter. "They are convinced that no entity of the state of New York is interested in learning the truth. They are convinced that all of the state's resources are being committed to protect the reputation of the New York State Police and to cover up serious misconduct."

Beau Duffy, a State Police spokesman, said the agency has not abandoned a plan to use the computer technology.

"As the forensic DNA field moves in the direction of implementing cutting-edge technologies in probabilistic genotyping software, the State Police believe this can serve as a valuable tool for our own DNA analysis," he said. "We anticipate that we will seek a vendor in order to advance this program in the near future."

The state District Attorneys Association became embroiled in the controversy recently when the State Police asked its members whether they would still rely on testimony from the forensic scientists caught up in the alleged cheating scandal. The request made in May by Thomas Capezza, who resigned in June as general counsel for the State Police, triggered an internal debate among the district attorneys about whether the agency was trying to use their organization to discredit the scientists so they could be terminated from their jobs.

Capezza's request came after the agency's termination of one of the scientists was upheld by an arbitration judge. The other scientists, including one who was cleared of wrongdoing by an arbitrator, have since returned to work, although they have been prevented from working on criminal cases.

Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore, in a May 27 email he sent to all of the state's other district attorneys, said he had successfully used TrueAllele in a 2014 criminal prosecution and "welcomed this new technology."

But Wetmore cautioned his fellow district attorneys that the association should not get involved in the State Police internal matter.

"Here we are being asked to render a position statement which the State Police can utilize in resolving the issue as to whether the scientists should return to full work," Wetmore wrote. "Further, such a statement will perhaps aid the State Police in defending any lawsuits brought by these employees. I don't recall the association ever being used in such fashion."

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe, president of the district attorneys association, did not respond to a request for comment.

Dr. Mark W. Perlin, the creator of TrueAllele and founder of Cybergenetics, told the Times Union last year that the accused scientists' exams contained questions with unique data sets, making it nearly impossible to cheat. In at least one instance the narrative portions of two scientists' answers were similar, he acknowledged, but the substantive answers and questions were different. Not long after Perlin made his comments, the State Police declined to renew their contract with TrueAllele.

blyons@timesunion.com  518-454-5547  @brendan_lyonstu
By PTI: Chennai, Aug 6 (PTI) Veteran director-script writer Vietnam Veedu Sundaram died here today following a brief illness.

Sundaram, 73, is survived by wife and two daughters, sources close to the filmmaker said. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, herself a yesteryear actor, was among those who condoled Sundarams death. Sundaram earned the sobriquet Vietnam Veedu after he wrote the script for the film Vietnam Veedu starring thespian actor Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini besides Nagesh in the 1970s. The family drama catapulted Sundaram to fame. He later directed Ganesan in Gouravam where the actor played a dual role of an uncle and nephew, both lawyers. He also wrote the script for former superstar M G Ramachandran (MGR) starrers Naan Yaen Piranthen and Naalai Namathey. In her condolence message, Jayalalithaa said Sundaram was known for directing family entertainers and recalled his association with both Ganesan and Ramachandran. He had been a recipient of different awards and had also acted in films and TV serials, Jayalalithaa recalled. "He was an affable man and his death is a great loss to the Tamil cinema industry," she said. Well-known actors Sivakumar, Surya and Sivakarthikeyan among others paid tributes to him. PTI SA VS SHD MVV

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Mount Sion resident Eileen Healy had a visit from Fianna Fail T.D. Jackie Cahill recently.

Jackie is a neighbour and friend of the Healy family. Jackie enjoyed a cup of tea with Eileen and Eileen's sister Hannah Healy Armshaw and Friend's Chairman Martin Quinn.

Eileen told Jackie of her concerns that Mount Sion may be closing and asked Jackie to help ensure that she could stay in Mount Sion.

Jackie said that he was worried about the attitude of the HSE to Mount Sion and said that he would be asking the Minister to look at making a capital investment in Mount Sion to ensure that it meets all standards.

Jackie said that Mount Sion had been starved of resources and that the investment required was not very substantial. He said that he was very impressed with Mount Sion and that it was a beautiful tranquil setting and that he could see how happy and contented the residents were there.

He said that under no circumstances should the residents be moved from their home in Mount Sion and that he would fight to retain the services there.

Jackie also said that he would be looking for the retention and development of the respite service in Mount Sion. He said that there was a great need for this service and that he would be asking the Minister to ensure that this service was also retained and developed.

During his visit with Eileen he also had the opportunity to speak with Martin Quinn about the terrific work of the Friends Support Group and with Eileen's sister Hannah Healy Armshaw about the great concerns that she and other family members have about Mount Sion.

Jackie also had the opportunity to speak with some of the other residents and he provided re-assurance to them that he would do everything that he could to ensure that Mount Sion would remain open and that the residents would remain in their home in Mount Sion.
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[August 05, 2016] GrammaTech's Team TECHx Places Second in DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GrammaTech and its partner the University of Virginia took second place in DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge finale, showcasing next-generation technologies for software vulnerability discovery and application hardening. GrammaTech's team competed with Xandra  its high-performance, scalable system that harnessed 2400 cores to power 210 high-performance fuzzing pods capable of 1.8M fuzzing ops per second and feeding a dedicated bank of binary analyzers, patch generators, and binary rewriters to repair and protect binaries. Xandra performed steadily throughout the event, staying consistently in the top of the leaderboard as the 96 rounds of competition went on. Among other triumphs, it exposed a bug that was unknown to DARPA itself, who created each round of competition. Th collaboration with the University of Virginia stems from ongoing research led by GrammaTech that aims to advance cyber-security technology through advanced software hardening and autonomic computing techniques, critically needed in the daunting age of the Internet of Things (IoT).



Such research at GrammaTech includes numerous other ongoing projects with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an organization acutely aware of the dangers of cyber attacks, as well as other work with the Army, Navy, Air Force, NASA, and Department of Homeland Security. "DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge takes aim at an increasingly serious problem: the inadequacy of current network security systems, which require expert programmers to identify and repair system weaknessestypically after attackers have taken advantage of those weaknesses to steal data or disrupt processes," explained a DARPA press release. "Such disruptions pose greater risks than ever as more and more devices, including vehicles and homes, get networked in what has become known as 'the Internet of things.'"

Although the Cyber Grand Challenge is over and Xandra performed successfully, GrammaTech's research in these technologies is far from coming to a close. "Our software scientists are world-class experts in bug and vulnerability discovery, binary analysis, security monitoring, and software transformations," explained David Melski, Vice President of Research at GrammaTech. "The Cyber Grand Challenge was a perfect opportunity for us to integrate our technologies and demonstrate their combined potential to defend the world's critical software infrastructure." Contact: Mary Shelato

607-273-7340

[email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160805/396085 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grammatechs-team-techx-places-second-in-darpas-cyber-grand-challenge-300310026.html SOURCE GrammaTech

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JD England reflects on time as Mayor of Mitchell before stepping down

JD England reflects on his time on the Mitchell police force, his first term election by just four votes and his accomplishments in office.
By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested one drug trafficker named Ramkishan from Malana, Himachal Pradesh and recovered 1.5 kg of fine quality Malana cream from his possession.

INFORMATION RECEIVED

The Crime branch received secret information on 22nd July that one person who goes by the name of Ramkishan is involved in supply of charas in some areas of Delhi & Chandigarh after procuring it from Malana. According to the information, he would come to supply the consignment of charas near Ghata Masjid Road, Daryaganj, Delhi.

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In the international market, the drug is known as Malana Cream and the drug is in demand all over the world among Hashish users. This consignment was to be supplied to students of Delhi and Amity Universities.

TRAP LAID

Officers of Narcotics Cell Crime Branch laid a trap at the given place of information. At the scheduled time, a boy arrived near Ghata Masjid Road, Daryaganj, Delhi and he was identified as Ramkishan by the secret informer. He was promptly apprehended by the raiding party. During his personal search, 1.5 kg of fine quality charas was recovered from his possession. Value of the recovered charas is Rs. 15 lakh in international market.

NETWORK

Accused Ramkishan is a permanent resident of Malana, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. He studied up to 6th grade. Due to his bad financial condition, he started selling charas to tourists. He used to procure contraband from Bhag Singh and Kallu and supplied this to foreigner tourists and students of Delhi University and Amity University. The source of recovered charas is also from Himachal Pradesh.

Further, he developed friendship with tourists in Goa, Chandigarh, Delhi and Noida and supplied the contraband substance in these places too.



ALSO READ:

Drug peddler from Rajasthan arrested

Cheap alternative to cocaine, psychoactive drug Meow Meow takes Delhi by storm



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As usual,to report thissending quite a bit of cash toward the airport with very few people paying attention to the big bucks upgrade underway . . .Checkit:: Authorizing a $6,383,562.00 contract with Julius Kaaz Construction Co., Inc., for the Facilities Shop Complex at KCI Airport; authorizing a maximum expenditure of $7,021,918.00; appropriating $7,021,918.00 from the Unappropriated Fund Balance of the Kansas City Airports Fund; and recognizing this ordinance as having an accelerated effective date.Authorizing a $1,044,711 Amendment No. 3 with Burns & McDonnell, Inc., for the Facilities Shop Complex at KCI Airport; authorizing a maximum expenditure of $1,149,182; appropriating $1,149,182 from the Unappropriated Fund Balance of the Kansas City Airports Fund; and recognizing this ordinance as having an accelerated effective date.The very besttell us to keep an eye on these contracts as the start of continued power plays around the airport and a sign that debate about the future of this local institution is far from settled.Developing . . .
CHECK THE KANSAS CITY WEEKLY POWER RANKING CELEBRATION OF THE STRONGEST LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PRIMARY VOTE!!!

Kansas City Law Enforcement Rank & File Flex On Embattled Chief Forte!!!

Show-Me Rep. John Rizzo En Route To The Missouri State Senate After Successfully Navigating Democratic Party In-Fighting

Kansas City Lady Dutch Wins In Death!!!

Revenge Of The FUNK!!!

Freedom Moves Forward In South KC!!!

In the aftermath of a somewhatKansas City Primary week, let's take a pause to contemplate and pay respect to the winners.In the midst of so muchand even a bit of. . . We want to help Kansas City denizens get their priorities straight. Natch.To wit . . .Here we go . . .In one scathing attack after the next,and thentook the top cop to task over his comments onof African-American males amid tense times betwixt the community and law enforcement. Thebut there is no doubt that, like it or not,of locals side with the rank & file on this uncomfortable topic that brings to light ongoing racial, administrative and political divisions in Kansas City and within its institutions.A decisive victory in the face of negative campaigning and Dead Tree Media complicity was once again earned by this young politico who is one of the top Democratic Party leaders in the State now that he has left detractors in his rear-view mirror.Our blog community called it and then reported it: Kansas City's Democratic political matriarchpowered by the love of many of her friends and colleagues.An old school Kansas City mayor was recently ranked asand there are some very smart people among our blog community who have hinted at a comeback for this disgraced and historically defeated politico . . . And maybe/maybe not his wife's feet.Behind the scenes, Freedom, Inc. earned anand continues their legacy as one of the most influential urban core advocacy groups in Kansas City.To wit . . .As always, this list has been compiled according toand it's a weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people.
US President Barack Obama's younger daughter, Sasha, has been working at popular seafood restaurant in Massachusetts as part of her summer job.

By India Today Web Desk: Looks like Sasha Obama is spending a part of her summer break rather productively. The 15-year-old has taken a summer job serving food at a popular sea-food joint called Nancy's in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Although she has gone a step ahead by leaving the cozy confines of her palatial residence in the White House, protocol doesn't seem to leave her side. Unlike other ordinary people, Sasha, who uses her full name Natasha at work struts in with contingent of six secret service guards.

Keeping it real. First Daughter Sasha Obama working summer job as take-out cashier on Martha's Vineyard. pic.twitter.com/DGg488gEWR Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 4, 2016

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Her responsibilities at the restaurant include setting up the place for lunchtime, administering the cash register, and waiting on tables. The Boston Herald reports Sasha comes in during the early morning shift and wraps up work by 11:30 AM.

Obamas have gone out of the way to teach their children the simple ways of life. Last year elder daughter Malia also did a summer job where interned on the set of HBO's "Girls." with Lena Dunham. She is all set to attend Harvard University in 2017 after taking a "gap year"



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TKC FIRST!!! TRUMP CAMPAIGN PLANNING EPIC RETURN TO KANSAS CITY TO STOP MOMENTUM OF MISSOURI HILLARY SUPPORTERS!!!

A new poll of Missouri shows real trouble brewing for Republicans as Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by a single point in a state that Mitt Romney won by ten points in 2012.





Mason-Dixon Polling found that Trump is losing in a state that President Obama lost in 2008 and 2012. Technically, the results are a statistical tie, but Trump is underperforming Romney by eleven points in a state that Republicans thought they could count on in November. The two main issues for Trump in Missouri are that he is less popular than Clinton in the state and that he is getting less Republican support than Clinton is getting Democratic support.

LAST TIME AROUND REMEMBER THAT KANSAS CITY RESISTANCE TOWARD TRUMP WAS EPIC AND SOME "LADY" ALLEGEDLY SMACKED A HORSE IN PROTEST OF THE GOP CANDIDATE!!!





The mostof a Donald Trump return trip to Kansas City, Missouri amid a critical battle to secure an important Red State victory.To wit . . .For the first time in nearly a decade,And so, as the most populous city in Missouri . . . Kansas City is the logical battlefield Presidential battlefield given that the last visit to KCMO was part of an effort that surprisingly ledStill . . .Still . . . Todaythat attempts to make sure he doesn't lose Missouri and earn help from his Kansas allies like Kris Kobach, too.Check the links . . .Developing . . .
Ruckus show blasts personal insults at Chastain, but fails to discuss details of light rail plan before voters.

Mike Shanin, host of Ruckus, is normally of sound, witty and fair mind. However, when it came to discussing details of the new light rail initiative (August 4 show), placed on the November 2016 KCMO ballot by 2,500 citizens of Kansas City, Missouri, why all he and his panelist wanted to do was clown around with the issue and hurl insults at Clay Chastain Steve Glorioso got top honors for demonstrating that if he had another brain or integrity, they would both be lonesome.At the beginning of the show Mike did an outstanding job interviewing Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who I thought did an excellent job defending the slew of unfair criticism he has been receiving, especially from Yael A. of the Kansas City Star. But then my name (and the light rail initiative i designed) came up and their brains vaporized as they began acting like children.These white elitist acting pundits on Ruckus (and to some extent "Week in Review"), who have never designed anything, never built anything, never grown anything, never dug anything out of the ground, never gotten their pretty white hands dirty, nor have they ever added to the nation's GNP, nevertheless, act superior and like they know it all.Here is a short list of the other biased media outlets in Kansas City who think they know it all too and are already taking sides by acting as if the KCMO light rail ballot question does not exist...(1) Yael Aboulhaka and the editorial board of the KC Star have failed to write one word about the largest capital improvement project ever proposed on a ballot in the city's history, yet have written a mind numbing slew of articles against Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and an equal number in behalf of the city's 2.2-mile (semi-transit) streetcar line.(2) Reporter Bill Grady, of KMBZ radio,said on public television's "Week in Review" that "Clay Chastain is just doing this to get his name on the project."(3) Scott Parks, also of KMBZ radio, refuses to even return my phone calls concerning my request to be on his radio show to inform listeners of the light rail ballot question.(4) Steve Kraske, of KCUR public radio, also refuses to allow me on his show to discuss the light rail ballot question.(5) Brian Kaberline, editor of the Kansas City Business Journal, wrote an editorial suggesting I give it up and go home. Why doesn't Brian update that editorial and tell the 2,500 Kansas City voters (who signed the light rail petition too) to give it up and go home, as well.(6) The Pitch... oh why bother everyone knows it isn't a fair and balanced newspaperWhat are the bluebloods of Kansas City (who mostly live in Kansas) afraid of...that the people will vote for my transit plan and they will loose some of their control?To the biased media referred to above:The people of Kansas City (including me) initiated a light rail petition to place before voters because the city has no comprehensive plan to fix our pathetic public transit system, nor do they have a plan to revitalize our struggling city. Respect that fact, cover that plan, or get out of the business of journalism because not only are you betraying the public interest, you are also betraying the profession of journalism.Clay Chastain...Degreed electrical engineer, Kansas City, Missouri registered voter and part-time resident, and leader of the people's light rail ballot initiative.###############
Egypt will be able to create a hub of energy with Israel and Cyprus, and even Libya in the future, ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi said in an interview with Bloomberg

Egypt will be able to create a hub of energy with Israel and Cyprus, and even Libya in the future, ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi said in an interview with Bloomberg on Friday, regarding the recent Zohr field discovery in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Regarding how the matter affects the politics in the Middle East, Descalzi specifically told Bloomberg: Egypt will be completely self-sufficient. At the end, theyll also export energy. It will create stability in Egypt. They can create cash flow selling gas and promote their own development. Then they can aggregate. They can create a hub with Israel, with Cyprus, in the future with Libya. They can be one of the solutions for European energy security.

As per the cooperation between Israel and Egypt, Descalzi said that the two countries need each other, and that they can share their facilities and work together.

Source: Bloomberg

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
Revenue from Egypt's Suez Canal reached $3.183 billion in the period between January 1 and August 6, 2016, up 4 percent from $3.059 billion in the same period last year, the Suez Canal Authority chairman said on Saturday.



Mohab Mameesh, who was speaking at a one-year anniversary celebration of the opening of an expansion to the canal, said the canal's revenues had increased despite slowing global trade.



The Suez Canal Authority usually reports the canal's revenues in dollars every month towards the end of the following month. Since February it has not published dollar figures for revenues on its website, making monthly comparisons hard to assess after the central bank devalued the pound in March.



Egypt's central bank devalued the pound to 8.85 per dollar from 7.73 on March 14 and announced it would pursue a more flexible exchange rate. It later strengthened the pound to 8.78 per dollar.



The canal is one of Egypt's main sources of foreign currency. Egypt has been struggling to revive its economy since a 2011 uprising scared away tourists and foreign investors, other main sources of hard currency.



Reserves tumbled to $17.546 billion in June from around $36 billion before the uprising.



Mameesh said revenues had actually risen by 13 percent when calculated in Egyptian pounds but that the rate had been slashed when calculated in dollars because of the devaluation.



President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi inaugurated an $8 billion expansion of the Suez Canal in August that aimed to double daily traffic and increase annual revenue to more than $13 billion by 2023. But monthly revenues have shown either declines or slow growth levels since the inauguration.



Annual revenue for 2015 showed a decline to $5.175 billion in 2015 from $5.465 billion in the previous year, data from the Suez Canal Authority showed. - Reuters
Kuwaiti authorities have arrested a Filipina accused of pledging allegiance to Islamic State and planning to launch an attack in the country, the official news agency Kuna reported.



The woman, born in 1984, entered Kuwait in June as a housemaid and has been in contact with Islamic State's affiliate in Libya, the interior ministry said in a statement published by Kuna.



Security forces monitored one of the email accounts run by the woman and found messages in which she had contacted the Libyan militant group and had been using "fake name and nickname to evade monitoring," the ministry said.



"The accused confessed ... that she was ready to carry out any terrorist attack once circumstances and means were available to target a specific section of the society in order to undermine security and stability in Kuwait, as well as ignite sedition," Kuna said.



The news agency also published pictures of a veiled, middle-aged women, dressed in an abaya, identifying her as the accused.



Last month, Kuwait foiled three planned Islamic State attacks on the country, including a plot to blow up a Shi'ite mosque, after launching raids that resulted in the arrest of militants.



A year ago, Kuwait, home to several US military bases, suffered its deadliest militant attack in decades when a Saudi suicide bomber blew himself up inside a packed Shi'ite mosque, killing 27 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility. - Reuters


A fire from a gas pipeline explosion in Iran early on Saturday near the town of Gonaveh in the southern province of Bushehr, has been brought under control and did not cause any fatalities, the news agency of the country's oil ministry said on Saturday.



Earlier, a local official had told state news agency Irna that at least one person was killed.



"The fire started at 00:45 ... and was fully contained at 05:00," the head of the Health, Safety & Environment department at Gachsaran Oil and Gas Company, Mohammad Mohseni was quoted as saying by the oil ministry's news agency Shana.



"There has been no fatality. In total four people are injured," he said.



Mohseni said the polyethylene facilities and the sour gas pipelines in vicinity of the 42-inch gas pipeline were not damaged.



He said the fire and blast had happened during maintenance operations and a committee had been set up to investigate it further.



A local official told state TV that the explosion was not an act of sabotage and "nearby villages have been evacuated as a safety measure."
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said that pleas to New Delhi for resolving the political issue of Kashmir are going unheard.

By Naseer Ganai: With paramilitary CRPF and the police firing bullets and pellets on civilian protesters across Kashmir, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused New Delhi of waging war against people of Kashmir saying every appeal being made asking New Delhi to engage with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir through a sustained, comprehensive dialogue to resolve the political issue is falling on deaf ears.

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"KASHMIR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES"

"Has New Delhi declared a war on the people in Kashmir? Hundreds of young boys and girls have potentially life-changing injuries, most of them caused by pellet guns. Thousands of youngsters have sustained injuries in this unrest. To blame Pakistan for the unrest or to delude ourselves into thinking this is a law and order situation is criminal. There is an extreme sense of resentment and disenchantment among the youth of the Valley and that is the basis of this unrest", National Conference working president said.

GOVT MISLED SUPREME COURT ON KASHMIR UNREST



He said the Central Government had misled the Supreme Court by saying the situation in the Valley was improving and under control.

The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably and the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

"Just a day after the Central Government misinformed the Supreme Court about the situation in the Valley, three youth have lost their lives and more than four hundred have been injured - a lot of them having sustained life-threatening, lethal injuries. If this is the Central Government's definition of a situation improving or a situation that is allegedly under control, God help the people of Kashmir", Abdullah added.

"We express our heartfelt solidarity with the families of Muhammad Maqbool Wagay of Loolipora, Sameer Ahmed Wani of Khan Sahib and Danish Rasool Mir of Kreeri, Baramulla - a class 12th student - all three of who lost their lives yesterday as well as those more than fifty youth who have lost their lives in this unrest, including two policemen The pain of their families is incomprehensible and these tragedies are completely inconsolable", Abdullah said.

RAJNATH'S SAARC VISIT UNFRUITFUL?



Abdullah expressed disappointment at the lack of any political measures taken by the Central Government after the Union Home Minister's visit to the Valley.

"We had asked for an immediate ban on pellet guns and that security forces as well as the Police should be held accountable for any excessive use of force. The killing of Reyaz Ahmed from Chattabal, who was shot dead at point-blank range while riding his scooter, has demolished every possible argument that defends the use of lethal force in the Valley", Abdullah said.

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MAN FOUND DEAD WITH 300 PELLETS IN BODY



Reyaz, 23, an ATM guard had gone to inspect an ATM machine in the area in the evening when curfew is relaxed. His body x-ray showed presence of more than 300 pellets inside it. His family alleged he was killed by CRPF men stationed near Government Medical College (GMC).

"Every appeal being made asking New Delhi to engage with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir through a sustained, comprehensive dialogue to resolve the political issue is falling on deaf ears. There is no sense of concern and empathy from the Central Government. The national media too has shifted the traumatic situation in Kashmir back to the proverbial back-burner in a perceived effort to distort the reality in the Valley and suit a particular narrative in New Delhi in the larger alleged 'national interest'. The sense of bereavement, injustice and hopelessness in Kashmir is widespread and deep," Abdullah said.

NEW DELHI ARROGANT IN DEALING WITH KASHMIR?

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"New Delhi's continued arrogance in refusing to acknowledge this to presumably save its Government in J&K with PDP goes against not only all tenets of justice and humanity but also against the interests of the country and its people - against the very fabric of the country's constitution", Abdullah added.

"In the middle of this harrowing situation, Mehbooba Mufti is solely and primarily interested in her ridiculous self-marketing exercises by going to the extent of playing out video footage of Board Meetings and Administrative Meetings on Doordarshan - to apparently pretend that she has a bone of empathy and humanity in her and that she is still around. Nothing could be more insensitive to the suffering and bereaved families at this juncture than to see Mehbooba Mufti on the evening news every day addressing meetings on far less pressing issues than the protection of the lives of our youth. The enactment of fake 'civil society' meetings is not an alternative for public outreach and solidarity. The emphasis remains on optics rather than substance", Abdullah stated.

"GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGING PELLET GUNS"



"Despite nearly 300 youth being shot in their eyes with pellet guns - many of them permanently blinded, the State and the Central Government seem to be encouraging the use of pellet guns through their inaction and silence rather than banning their use. It is evident their sole concern is political survival based on a quid-pro-quo arrangement where PDP has sold out to the BJP and BJP's Central Government in New Delhi has in turn quite apparently extended its unconditional protection and patronage to an inefficient, insensitive and inept State Government in J&K where contradictory, bizarre statements have become the norm instead of the exception", Abdullah said.



Also read: Presence of troops in Valley is a mistake, says ex-CM Omar Abdullah on Kashmir unrest



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By PTI: Beijing, Aug 6 (PTI) Over 1,000 cliff paintings dating back more than 1,000 years and featuring animals and people have been discovered by archaeologists in northern China.

The paintings found in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are believed to have been engraved by the ancient tribal people known as the Tujue, and the Dangxiang, of which the modern day Qiang are descended from, about 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

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The paintings are surprisingly well preserved, and feature sheep, camels, elks, tigers, wolves and people hunting, the report quoted Liu Bin, head of the Cultural Relics Bureau of Urad Middle Banner, as saying yesterday.

The new findings are among many found across the Yinshan mountain range, and will greatly inform research into ancient nomadic people, he added.

Over 10,000 ancient cliff paintings have been discovered in the Yinshan Mountains.

In 2012, 18 cliff paintings dating back over 4,000 years were discovered in the same area. Among the paintings, seven faces were exaggerated and monstrous, and have been interpreted as the seven stars of the "Big Dipper" constellation. PTI SAI

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Palak paneer and dal was specially made on request of Indian officials who were vegetarians and even the home minster chose the vegetarian meal.

By Abhishek Bhalla : There was no 'biryani diplomacy' at the SAARC meet in Islamabad as a sullen Pakistan Home Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan walked out of the official lunch signalling a new low to India-Pakistan relations but the Indian delegation was impressed with the hospitality of the hotel staff in Islamabad.

WARM HOTEL STAFF, COLD PAKISTANI OFFICIALS

Led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian officials decided to skip the luncheon at the venue of the summit but back in their hotel they had little to complain as the staff dished out vegetarian meals and also provided food without onion and garlic to one of Indian officials who was fasting.

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Palak paneer and dal was specially made on request of Indian officials who were vegetarians and even the home minster chose the vegetarian meal. "I did not miss the biryani as I am a vegetarian. They offered us palak paneer, instead of the paneer they used cheese but it tasted fine," said a senior official part of the Indian delegation.

An official said that the staff at the hotel was polite and the hospitality was top class. But the cold shoulder given by Pakistani officials did not go well with the Indians.

"Keeping in mind the country's prestige, I did what I should have done. I have no complaints. I had not gone there for lunch," Singh said in Rajya Sabha in reference to his counterpart leaving the venue after inviting participants for lunch.

ALSO READ:



Pakistan says Rajnath left SAARC Summit in a huff, but India differs





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Chandigarh, August 6

The second day of BVCMUN-16 witnessed a flurry of high voltage and intense debates. Delegates came up with streamlined and focused solutions to their respective agendas.

The UN General Assembly discussed various challenges to universal disarmament with special emphasis on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan historic cabinet meeting witnessed animated debates and discussions on Bangladesh Liberation War 1971. The importance of East Pakistan as a national resource was discussed and the delegates deliberated upon the practicality of plans proposed and deployment of troops.

Keeping with the spirit of holistic education, which is based on the premise that each young mind should find identity, meaning and purpose in life through connections to the community and humanitarian values such as compassion and peace, the school hosted 25 students from economically weaker section yesterday.  TNS
Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 6

After a lull of a few months, khaps have restarted their effort to mobilise support across Haryana for Jat reservation.

From Sunday, khaps will start a series of meetings in several districts. They plan to organise a state-level mahapanchayat on September 13 to launch an agitation against the Haryana Government.

To date, the government has not been serious in releasing innocent youths arrested during the Jat agitation in February. Besides, it is not pursuing the Jat reservation case in the High Court properly, alleged Sube Singh Sumain, spokesperson for the Sarv Khap Panchayat (SKP).

As per the programme, khaps will organise a meeting in Kurukshetra tomorrow. On August 14, another meeting will be convened in Sonepats Kohla village, while Palwal will be the venue for the August 21 meeting.

The dates of more meetings will be finalised later.

On the venue for the mahapanchayat, some khap leaders said the venue had not been finalised as leaders from Rohtak, Kalayat, Narnaud, Jind and Kurukshetra wanted to organise the mahapanchayat in their districts.

After a long tussle among BJP leaders, the government had on March 29 passed the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Service and Admission in Educational Institution) Act, 2016.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, however, had stayed the reservation in jobs and educational institutes on May 26. The next hearing of case has fixed for August 10.

Khap leaders have met senior state and central leaders of the BJP. With no hope for justice from them, khaps will take a final decision regarding the launch of an agitation after the mahapanchayat, said Tek Ram Kandela, convener of the SKP.
Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 6

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming golden jubilee celebrations of the creation of Haryana, which kick off on November 1, and the international-level Gita Jayanti Samaroh.

These are two big events that are coming up in the state and we are going all out to make them a success. We want the Prime Minister to kick start the golden jubilee celebrations in November or open the Gita Jayanti Samaroh in December. I have already written to him, inviting him for the two programmes. We are hopeful of a favourable response, said Khattar.

In Delhi today, the Chief Minister said he would try and seek an appointment with the Prime Minister and personally extend an invitation. Since the two functions are only a month apart, we will be satisfied if the Prime Minister can spare time for either of the two programmes. I will personally call on him tomorrow and urge him to find time for one of the programmes, Khattar said.

The golden jubilee celebrations will be a year-long affair, which will get underway on Haryana Day, November 1 this year, and continue till October 31 of next year. The BJP government, while seeking suggestions from various political parties in the state, has already finalised various state and district-level functions and announced that the public, too, would be involved in the celebrations.

However, if Modi agrees to declare the celebrations open, the state government intends to hold a rally to mark the occasion during which sops for the public could also be announced. The timing of the celebrations, too, is such that the BJP government would have completed two years of rule in Haryana and could use the opportunity to dove-tail it with the 50 years of states formation.

The international-level Kurukshetra Mahotsava Gita Jayanti Samaroh, too, for the first time, is being planned as a grand affair and is scheduled to be held from December 6 to 10.

The PM last came to Haryana in September 2015 to Faridabad to flag off the first metro on the Faridabad-Badarpur corridor. Though the state government invited him to inaugurate the Happening Haryana global business summit in Gurgaon in March this year, the PM could not make it to the event.
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 5

The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to pay Rs 450 crore to Himachal Pradesh in a weeks time towards compensation for the land acquired for the Rs 5,242-crore Renuka Dam and also consider waiving Rs 1,090 crore meant for forest clearance in the second stage.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur told senior counsel V Mohana to take instructions on the waiver proposal by August 12, the next date of hearing on a petition filed by the state government.

Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said the Centre was to pay 90 per cent of the construction cost as it had declared the proposed dam a national project in 2009. The project was cleared by a panel, set up by the National Green Tribunal, in February this year.

Appearing for the state, senior advocate JS Attri and Additional Advocate General Suryanarayana Singh pleaded that the project was getting delayed as the Centre had not paid the land acquisition cost. The CJ asked Mohana if the Centre was playing politics because Delhi and Himachal were ruled by other parties. Attri said this was the reason.

Not in a position to pay further compensation, as ordered by the state High Court in 2014, Himachal had approached the apex court.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 6

The Union Ministry for Human Resource Development (HRD) today announced Rs 100 crore for creating research infrastructure at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, besides upgrading all institutes of higher and technical education across the state.

On this historic occasion, I want to make two important announcements to further improve the standard of higher and technical education in Jammu and Kashmir. We will be providing Rs 100 crore to upgrade and improve the facilities and research infrastructure at the NIT, Srinagar, which has been doing well, Prakash Javadekar, Union HRD Minister, said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the interim centre of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu, here today.

The Union minister said the HRD Ministry had also decided to upgrade and improve facilities in all higher and technical education centres in J&K.

Under the Technical Education Upgradation Programme, an initiative of the government with focus on J&K, the infrastructure in all higher and technical education institutes will be further upgraded and strengthened, he said, adding that it was aimed at providing better environment to the students to excel in their respective fields. These are two gifts I wanted to give to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

Expressing his delight over the inauguration of the interim campus of the IIT, Jammu, he said the institution would go a long way in building and harnessing the talent of the entire state.

Javadekar said every possible step would be taken with a special attention to bring in all the facilities and trainers ensuring quality generation out of the talent pool at the IIT, Jammu, in order to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

On the Make in India slogan, the Union Minister said, It is all about research. The Prime Minister has asked them (NRIs) to come innovate, invest in Make in India and say with pride Made in India.

Javadekar also appreciated Jammu and Kashmir for better gross enrolment ratio (GER) of students and the state had performed exceptionally well in the education sector, despite unfavourable circumstances. The national GER of students is 23.6 per cent, while this (GER) of girl students in J&K is 27 per cent and that of boys is 25 per cent, he said.

Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, in his address, appreciated the efforts of the HRD Ministry in making such a prestigious institution possible in Jammu for imparting quality education keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, members of Parliament Jugal Kishore and Shamsher Singh Manhas, Minister of State for Education Priya Sethi and senior officers of the Central and state governments were also present.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 6

Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar today inaugurated the ad interim campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Jammu.

The first batch will have 90 students  30 each in computer science and engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

In the first year, the institute will function from a well-equipped temporary campus in Paloura, Jammu.

The IIT-Jammu will offer a set of programmes across various academic streams that will follow a credit system and continually evaluate the performance of the students.

This is a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir which has got the IIT in Jammu. We are thankful to the Centre, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for granting the IIT, Deputy Chief Nirmal Singh and his colleague in the Council of Ministers Priya Sethi said while addressing a gathering here.

Sanjana, a student of computer science and a resident of Sangrur in Punjab, said: Earlier, my parents were not ready to send me here because of the trouble in the NIT-Srinagar earlier this year. Now, they are satisfied with the atmosphere in Jammu and allowed me to join.

A student of mechanical engineering, Tejaswani, from Uttar Pradesh, said: I love mountainous places. I was getting some campuses in South India but I preferred Jammu.

Aqeedat from Patiala, a student of electrical engineering, said: My ranking was low. So, as per my ranking I found the Jammu campus more suitable. I have never visited this place earlier but it is a wonderful place.

Fissures out in open: PDP skips function
By India Today Web Desk: There's no denying. Ladakh is a mystical place with a pulling power like few others. Time and again explorers make their way through highly treacherous terrains and respond to its irresistible call. From snowbound passes, barren flat plains of gravel and sand to the pristine azure of its lakes, it's a region that captivates our collective imagination. Especially the urban imagination. Trapped in our worlds of daily commutes, rush-hour traffic, offices, deadlines and everything else mundane, it is easy to let our mind wander and turn us into adventurous explorers in Ladakh. Besides, where else can one experience true freedom if not in this remote region tucked away in the northern Himalayas?

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So, avid travellers that we are, we decided to answer the call of this mystical, beautiful region once again, even though we have been here before many times. In fact, it was only last year that we had driven up to the world's highest motorable pass-the fearsome Khardung-la at over 18,000 ft, in the world's cheapest car-the Tata Nano. But this time around our agenda was different. This time we would seek out water in this remote and dry region where, until the recent cloudburst, rain was virtually as rare as sighting a blue moon. And not just any kind of water. No, our journey would take us to the largest high altitude lake of our country. Indeed, it is one of the largest transnational lakes of Asia, with about two-thirds of the lake being inside Tibetan territory.

The serpentine road leading up to Khardung La. Photo: Bhavneet Singh Aurora

From Delhi, there are two routes that one can choose. One, via Srinagar, Kargil and Drass and then through the Zoji-la into Ladakh. With a thrill for hardcore adventure we decided to journey on the shorter but much more difficult route through Manali, Jispa, Sarchu, Rumtse, Upshi and Karu on to Leh.

The drive from Delhi to the popular and crowded hill station of Manali is fairly straightforward and nothing really to write home about. Get to Chandigarh. Get out of the other side of town and head towards Ropar and then on to Kullu. Take the Kullu bypass and continue to Manali. It's a good distance but if one starts early enough and doesn't stop en route too much, it is possible to reach the hill station in a day. We did.

From Manali to Rohtang-la, one of the most frequented passes in India, if not the most frequented passes, is a harrowing even if beautiful drive. Traffic, ill-parked cars, jaywalking tourists by the road and the refuse that such large numbers of tourists inevitably generate just take the joy out of the drive. For us, it turned even worse when we were greeted by news of a roadblock at Marhi, which is the base from where the climb to Rohtang starts. The reason? Continuous landslides through the previous couple of days. Nonetheless, seven hours of patient waiting paid dividends when the police lifted the roadblock late in the afternoon.

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Also read: Planning to visit Ladakh? You can now take a direct bus from Delhi!



Driving through calf-deep slush and muck we got to the top of Rohtang-la to be greeted by the most magical sights we had seen till then. With no traffic to Rohtang from either side coming through in the previous two days and fresh snowfall, the mountain slopes were white. The fact that the whole place was shrouded in mist only added to its beauty. Four more hours of driving saw us to Keylong, a small town en route to Leh. Evidently, small towns like Keylong, Tandi (8 km before Keylong) and Jispa (20 km further on) are popular night halts. So finding accommodation is not too difficult here.

Fuel, however, is a more complex issue as the only fuel station in this region is at Tandi. The next one is 365 km away in Karu! And it isn't just the distance, it's also the terrain that's daunting. The pristine tarmac that one travels on up to Jispa soon disappears as man and machinery give in to the ferocious mountains, to be replaced by dirt tracks in places, gravel roads and occasional asphalt dotted with a billion potholes and a few craters too.

The enchanting waters of the Pangong Lake, from a distance. Photo: Bhavneet Singh Aurora

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The pains of the journey, however, are soon forgotten as one starts the climb to Baralacha-la (16,043 ft), one of the three passes on the Manali-Leh highway. What makes Baralacha-la special is that just about a couple of km before one actually reaches the pass lies Suraj Taal. At 16,020 ft, this semi-frozen water body is India's second highest lake and also the source of the Bhaga river. It's a photo opportunity that one must have for one's album on online social networking sites.

Beyond Baralacha-la lies Sarchu where camps offer tented accommodation for those who wish to explore this no man's land between Manali and Leh further. We of course ploughed on towards the 21 stomach-churning loops of Gata and the 40 flat km of the More Plain beyond. The two are quite a contrast and throw in relief the immense diversity of terrain that this region has to offer. If Gata is a series of 21 bends and hairpins that will see you climb from 15,302 ft to 16,547 ft, More is a seemingly never ending, almost disorientingly so, flat barren expanse surrounded by mountains. Across More lies the final challenge that one must pass before one gets back to civilisation and the highway to Leh-the Tanglangla. At 17,500 ft, this icy pass is the world's third highest one. At the top bone-chilling winds whistle through the mountains scything into the protection of thick jackets and woollens. When we scaled the Tanglang-la, the temperature gauge in our car dipped to 1 degree! Past what is perhaps the most challenging road in the country, it's fairly easy work till Leh. Leh itself is a town that borders on being quaint but one that is inexorably headed towards modernity. Ladakh's capital is a major tourist attraction and as such finding accommodation for any budget is not too difficult to find. There's a thriving bazaar for shopaholics, the Leh Palace for the history buff and of course a zillion opportunities to trek.

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From Leh to Pangong Tso, the distance is under 200 km and many just go there for the day to be back in the Ladakhi capital by nightfall. In fact, the lake has become quite a tourist hotspot after some scenes of the Aamir Khan-starrer blockbuster 3 Idiots was shot on its shores. For the more adventurous who want to spend the night by the lake side, there are a couple of options that provide basic but clean and comfortable accommodation (tents and cottages). We chose to do this.

To get to Pangong Tso, however, there is one more challenge that one must face. The Chang-la. Situated at an altitude of 17,586 ft above sea level, Chang-la is the world's second highest pass after Khardung-la. We thought it would be another repetition of Tanglang-la but we couldn't have been further off the mark, for at the summit of Chang-la, in the middle of snowbound slopes, is a tourist centre! Run by the Indian Army's brave soldiers, this little tourist centre offers a welcome break, souvenirs and a steaming cup of tea. The last is offered with a smile to all travellers, gratis.

Even from a distance Pangong Tso seems vast as it shimmers in the bright rays of a sun beaming down from Ladakh's cloudless blue skies. By the time we reached its shores however, the sun was much nearer the horizon, its slanting rays throwing brilliant hues off the lake into the heavens. Closer up, Pangong Tso, spread over 700 sq km at 13,940 ft, appears more like an ocean than a lake. We, at least, never figured out why anyone would call it a lake. What we did figure out though was why this journey, in spite of all its hardships, had been so worth it.

Must know

Ladakh shares its border with Tibet and as such one needs a permit to visit most of the places in interior Ladakh. For a visit to Pangong Tso too one needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be acquired from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Leh, open from 10 a.m. Permits are issued from a dedicated counter, just outside the main office block, for a fee of around 200 per vehicle. No permits are needed for people. En route to Pangong Tso are checkposts, identified easily by their wooden barriers that are often left open. Even if you see a seemingly unmanned checkpost stop and get the permit endorsed by the sentry, and the entry logged into the register.



Getting there

Delhi to Manali (via Chandigarh): 562 km; Manali to Leh: 475 km; Leh to Pangong Tso: 160 km. Time: 7 to 8 days

When to go

Ladakh is open between early June and November; however the best time to visit would be between July and October.

Convenience stops

Delhi-Manali: McDonald's at Zirakpur

Manali-Leh: Fuel pump at Tandi and Pang Leh-Pangong Tso: Darbuk

Stay

There are multiple stay options in these towns but here are some options:

Jispa: Hotel Ibex



Leh: Hotel Omasila

Pangong Tso: MarTseMik Camping Resort



--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 5

Three persons were killed and over 300 injured in fresh clashes that broke out across Kashmir after the Friday prayers even as the government imposed a curfew to prevent separatists from marching to Hazratbal.

Mohammad Maqbool Wagey was killed and eight persons were injured at Nagam Chadaroo in central Kashmirs Budgam district as security personnel allegedly opened fire at protesters, a charge refuted by the Army. With a bullet in the chest, Maqbool was brought to the Nagam sub-district hospital where he was declared brought dead. Eight of the injured were referred to the SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.

Zahoor Ahmed was killed in the Khan Sahib area of Budgam district. He too was hit by a bullet in the chest during clashes and was declared brought dead by doctors.

In Sopore town of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, where massive protests broke out after the Friday prayers, 50 persons were injured. Danish Rasool of Wagoora, who received several pellet injuries, died in hospital.

Fifteen protesters were injured in clashes at Zurhama in Kupwara district. The police used teargas shells and pellet guns to disperse a mob.

The ancestral house of minster Asia Naqash in the Habbak area of Srinagar was pelted with stones. Nobody was inside.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 6

A suspected militant was killed during a gunfight close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowgam sector in north Kashmirs Kupwara district.

The Army said an unidentified militant was killed in Nowgam, 120 km northwest of Srinagar, when a group of militants was intercepted by it in the sector when they were trying to sneak into the Valley this evening.

In the ongoing gunfight one militant has been killed so far, an officer said, adding that arms and ammunition was also recovered from the encounter site. The operation is still underway.
Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 6

Mysterious posters, attributed to the Lashkar-e-Islam, have appeared in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, asking the Kashmiri Pandits living in the transit camps there to leave the Valley.

The posters have also threatened them of targeted killings if they did not leave.

The police are investigating the authenticity of the posters and suspect the posters to be a handiwork of miscreants.

A few unsigned posters of the Lashkar-e-Islam - which was in the news last year for attacks on the telecom sector - were found pasted around the migrant Pandit colony at Haal in Pulwama.

We have begun investigation, but it looks the handiwork of miscreants, said Superintendent of Police (SP), Pulwama, Rayees Mohammad Bhat. The group to which the poster has been attributed existed in north Kashmir and has no base here, the SP added.

All migrants/RSS agents leave or face death. No space for Kashmir Pandits who want another Israel in Kashmir to kill Kashmiri Muslims. Double/triple your security, be ready for target killing. You will die, read an unsigned poster of the outfit.

The Pulwama SP said four posters were found around the Haal migrant camp. Nearly 70 migrant families living at Government Migrant Colony, Haal, have already shifted to Jammu following massive protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The Pandits had migrated following an incident of stone-throwing in the area. However, the police later claimed that the target of the stone-throwing near the Haal minority camp was a CRPF picket manning the enclave.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Munir-ul-Islam said the posters did not look authentic.

The Lashkar-e-Islam, a breakaway faction of the Hizbul Mujahideen, was last year blamed by the police for a series of mysterious civilian killings in and around Sopore. Those killed by the outfit had some ties to militant outfits or separatist hardliners.

While the police blamed militants for the killings, the victim families had accused Indian security agencies for the deaths.

A leader of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference said: We have a clear stand on the Kashmiri Pandits and no one can threaten them as they are our brothers. The poster is the handiwork of Indian agencies to defame the present movement that has unnerved India.
Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 6

Top RSS and BJP leaders participated in the inaugural session of the two-day brainstorming conclave of India Foundation, which began on Saturday morning at the picturesque Patnitop area in Ramban district.

As many as 80 intellectuals inclined towards the BJP and Sangh Parivar are attending the conclave of India Foundation--a pro-BJP think-tank comprising journalists, thinkers and intellectuals.

Dattatreya Hosabale, joint general secretary, RSS, and RSS J&K Prant Pracharak Ramesh Pappa, attended the inaugural session. Both top RSS leaders will attend all eight sessions of the conclave in which agenda will be set to move forward in engaging dialogue with some groups of Kashmir Valley, including separatist groups.

Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani and BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav also attended the inaugural session. In the closed-door session, intellectuals discussed the prevailing situation in Kashmir, especially the turmoil after the killing of Burhan Wani.

Sources said although Hosable threw light on the prevailing situation in the Valley and the stand of the Sangh Parivar on the Kashmir issue, he sought suggestions from intellectuals present in the meet on how to move forward in Kashmir.

Sources said participants suggested that nationalist forces should not be demoralised while taking any decision on initiating dialogue with separatists or any faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Some of them cautioned that any wrong decision at this crucial juncture would prove disastrous for the nationalist forces of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources said that after attending the first two sessions, Irani returned to Delhi.
Ehsan Fazili

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 6

Nearly 60 persons, including six police and CRPF personnel, were injured in clashes in various areas of the Valley amid curfew and restrictions on the 29th day today.

Following clashes that led to the death of three persons and injuries to over 300 across the Valley on Friday, curfew was extended to Chadoora, Khan Saheb, Magam and Budgam towns of Budgam district today. Two persons, Mohammad Maqbool and Zahoor Ahmad, were killed in the Chadoora and Khan Saheb areas, respectively, during clashes on Friday.

The areas under five police stations in downtown Srinagar and the Batamaloo area continued to remain under curfew today. Restrictions were also in place in other areas of the district.

At least 40 persons, including seven women, were injured in a clash at Chee village on the outskirts of Anantnag town this morning when a protest rally was being organised as part of the ongoing separatist programme against the civilian killings in Kashmir.

Of those injured, 21 were received at District Hospital, Anantnag, and a majority of them have sustained pellet injuries, said Anantnag Chief Medical Officer Dr Fazil. He said two of the seriously injured had been shifted to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.

However, officials said 14 civilians and six policemen were injured in the incident.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani has condemned the use of pellet guns on the women protesters.

In another incident, police and CRPF personnel burnt down a shamiyana set up to hold a protest rally at Chandangam in Pulwama district. At least four civilians were injured in police action, while a few motorcycles and tractors, used in the rally for transporting material, were set ablaze in police action.

Protest demonstrations against the alleged excesses by the police and paramilitary forces continued for the third consecutive day today in the Damhal Hanjipora and Heerpora areas of Shopian district.

Curfew was also imposed in parts of Sopore town of Baramulla district, where a youth, Danish Rasool, died and over 50 others were injured in the clashes between protesters and the police on Friday afternoon. Danishs family has claimed that he along with his two friends was at the brick kiln of his kin near the MET, Sopore, when security forces lobbed pellets cartridges at them. He received multiple injuries in his throat and heart and succumbed to his injuries at Sub-District Hospital, Sopore.

Hundreds of people from the surrounding areas today participated in his funeral at Munigam Wagoora in Baramulla district.
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 6

The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) today held a citizens meet with the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) Employees Union at student home, PAU, to pay homage to the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in Japan, and sought complete abolition of nuclear weapons.

Dr Arun Mitra, senior vice-president, IDPD, said With the surrender of Germany, the war had nearly ended on May 9, 1945. Surrender of Japan was imminent in a few weeks time. But Hiroshima was bombarded with atomic weapons followed by Nagasaki after three days. The atomic bombs killed around 140,000 people in Hiroshima and nearly 70,000 in Nagasaki. Out of 300 doctors, 272 died; 1,684 of 1,780 nurses died, while 42 of 45 hospitals were destroyed. There was a lack of medical care and high dose of radiations added to the chaos. It is difficult to imagine how it must have been for the victims to watch their near and dears melt in a matter of seconds as a result of intense heat produced by the detonation.

Unfortunately, India and Pakistan, with very low human development index, have fallen into this trap which is adversely affecting their economy. Even a limited nuclear war could put over two billion people at risk. A war between India and Pakistan, involving 100 Hiroshima-sized bombs, could kill up to 20 million people outright, observed Mitra while quoting Ira Helfands study on Climate Consequences of Regional Nuclear War. Helfand is the co-president of the International Physician for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).

Com Baldev Singh Walia, president of the PAU Employees Union, said abolition of nuclear weapons was the only answer to save the mankind. A concerted and united effort by people could ameliorate the situation.

On-the-spot painting competition was organised by PAU students. The first prize was awarded to Manmeet Kaur, Rasleen Kaur Osahan bagged second prize, while third prize was jointly given to Tavisha Singh and Ashish Kumar Padhy.Manmohan Singh, Dr Gulzar Pandher, Paramjit Singh Gill, Avtar Chibber, Meghnath, Kuldeep Binder, Pardeep Sharma, Anod Kumar, Swaroop Singh, Ramesh Rannat, Gulzar Goria and Dr Gurpreet Rattan were also present on the occasion. After the event, a candle march for peace was taken out which was led by students.

Dr Balbir Shah recited poems on peace, while Dr Sanjeev Uppal and Dr Deepak Prashar gave prizes to the winners of the painting completion. Ranjeet Singh and MS Bhatia also addressed the meeting.
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 6

Yogendra Kumar Meena, a PhD scholar in the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), attended summer school on Desert Agriculture, Plant Epigenetics and Gene Expression in Changing Environment which was organised by Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, from June 30 to July 27 this year.

He was awarded full scholarships for outstanding students from India-2016 under the Manna Centre for Food Safety and Security Fellowship Programme for attending this course. It was attended by 72 participants from 19 countries. Yogendra is pursuing PhD under the supervision of Dr Daljit Singh Khurana, professor (Vegetables), PAU. He is working on mitigation of cold stress in tomato through physiological interventions. He is also a recipient of the National Fellowship for Higher Education funded by the UGC for doctoral research. Dr AS Dhatt, Head of the Department of Vegetable Science congratulated the student for this achievement.
Our Correspondent

Jaipur, August 6

The Rajasthan government on Saturday said 8,122 cows have died at Asia's best Hingonia Gaushala between January 1 and July 31 this year due to ill-health and accidental injuries.

On an average, 1,053 cows die every month at this very centre, while over 500 have perished in last 10 days.

The death rate has increased from 7.09 per cent in 2012 to 11.31 per cent in July 2016, according to statistics released by the state government.

For fodder and medical care at the centre, the annual budget of Hingonia Gaushala was raised from Rs 5.19 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 10.78 crore in 2015-16.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje asked the officials and employees of veterinary department, Jaipur Municipal Corporation and Hingonia rehabilitation to take measures to improve the situation at the cow shelter within four days.

Before boarding a flight to Delhi, Raje held a high-level meeting with ministers concerned Prabhu Lal Saini, Rajpal Singh Shekhawat and JMC mayor Nirmal Nahata directing them to take up the task of improving the situation on war footing.

Deputy Commissioner Sher Singh Luhariya and in-charge of Hingonia Gaushala R K Sharma were suspended for the negligence leading to death of cows in the past 10 days, an official said, quoting the CM.

Raje said she will visit Hingonia Gaushala on her return from Delhi after four days. Meanwhile, ministers Saini and Shekhawat visited the gaushala with top bureaucrats to supervise the measures being taken in the wake of death of cows.

Meanwhile, scores of cow vigilantes led by Haryana-based Rashtriya Gau Sant Gopal Das Maharaj were rounded up near secretariat in the evening while they were protesting against the death of cows at Hingonia Gaushala.

The protesters tried to enter the secretariat by violating Section 144 of CrPC that has been promulgated around the secretariat and civil lines.

Sources in the BJP accused police of resorting to lathicharge on the agitators. They police refuted the allegation.

Gopal Das along with others also took out a candle march at statue circle in Jaipur.
Mau: A local court on Saturday granted bail to expelled BJP leader Daya Shankar Singh, arrested for making derogatory comments against BSP president Mayawati. Additional District Judge of SC/ST court Ajay Kumar granted bail to Singh on two surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, government counsel Chedi Lal Gupta said. He will be released on verification of sureties, he said.

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Meanwhile, BSP national general secretary Satish Misra said the party will move the high court against the bail. "The Mau court order will be challenged in the high court as it is not in keeping with the law," Misra, who is also a senior counsel, said in a statement. TNS
Guwahati, August 6

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday summoned as an accused by a magisterial court here to face trial in a criminal defamation case for his remarks against the RSS over temple entry episode in Barpeta last year.

Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjoy Hazarika summoned Gandhi on September 21 to face trial under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code which states, whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

Earlier on August 2, the court had deferred for today its decision whether to issue summons against the Congress vice-president as an "accused" in the criminal defamation case here.

An RSS volunteer Anjan Bora had filed the criminal defamation case against Gandhi in the CJM, Kamrup's court, alleging that he had tarnished the organisation's image by saying that he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery, in Assam on December 12, 2015.

Bora in his case claimed that Gandhi was supposed to go to the Satra on December 12, 2015 but he did not go there and instead took part in a padayatra.

Two days later on December 14, Gandhi told a press conference in Delhi that he tried to enter the Satra but was instead prevented from doing so by its elected members and RSS supporters, Bora stated in his case.

Describing the Congress leader's assertion as a "blatant lie", Bora said in his petition that a lot of people, including women and elected leaders of the Satra, were waiting for Gandhi but he never visited the holy place.

Bora alleged that by making his claim in Delhi, Gandhi had brought down the image of RSS in society.

The court had examined several witnesses, including elected members of the Satra.  PTI
Eiffel tower was immediately evacuated by the Paris police on Friday evening.

Eiffel tower was evacuated by the Paris police. Photo: Reuters

By Reuters: Paris police cleared tourists out of the Eiffel Tower on Friday evening, then said it had been a false alarm.

France is on high alert after a string of militant attacks, most recently last week's murder of a priest in Normandy.

Also Read:

France terror attack: 80 killed, over 100 injured in Nice after terrorist drives truck through large crowd

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Militant threat won't affect France's 2024 Olympics bid: Francois Hollande

France: 2 ISIS terrorists shot dead by police after they attacked church, slit priest's throat





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New Delhi, August 6

Attacking Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi for allegedly interfering in the working of the government, the AAP on Saturday said the Centre is using similar tactics in the Union Territory the way it is doing in Delhi.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that Bedi, who was recently appointed Puducherry Lt Governor, interferes in the working of the UT to the extent that she even issues orders on the projects.

Taking a jibe at Bedi, AAP MLA and party in-charge of southern states, Somnath Bharti alleged that Modi has appointed those people to the post of LG, who harboured Chief Ministerial ambitions, but could not become one.

Kiran Bedi ji has said that her writ runs in Puducherry.

She gives messages on Whatsapp groups, Twitter. Officers, including the police chief, is summoned and told that they should listen to her.

Modi jis government has become a serious threat to the democracy and the Constitution and has no faith in elected government, Singh alleged.

He also demanded that Parliament should take note of this and pass a strong law on to strengthen the federal structure of the country.

Interestingly, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy today asserted that there was no difference of opinion between his ministry and LG Kiran Bedi.

There is no clash between the Lt Governor and the ministry, Narayansamy said.

Bedi and the AAP have been at the crossroads ever since she parted ways with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the formation of the AAP in 2012. She later joined the BJP and was its Chief Ministerial candidate in the 2015 Assembly poll, which the BJP lost miserably.

Bharti said while the Congress speaks in some other language in Delhi, it is facing the same wrath in Puducherry as the AAP government in national.  PTI
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6

A 32-year-old Kuwaiti national, who allegedly funded Islamic State (IS) recruits Syria trip, has been arrested by the Kuwaiti authorities based on information provided by India.

He has been identified as Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rahman Al-Enezi and the recruits are Areeb Majeed, Fahad Sheikh, Saheem Tanki and Aman Tandel, all from Kalyan, Maharashtra.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had earlier sent a mutual legal assistance request to Kuwait in respect of transfer of $1,000 by a Kuwaiti national to Majeed the first IS operative to be arrested by Indian agencies  and his three associates while they were staying in Iraq in May 2014.

The Kuwaiti authorities have informed that it has been found that one Abdullah Hadi Abdul Rahman Al-Enezi, a Kuwaiti national, sent $1,000 to Majeed through Western Union. Majeed and the others used the money to facilitate their travel to Syria, said a senior NIA officer.

The officer said Hadi had been involved in financing of terrorism after his return from Pakistan in 2013.

The Kuwaiti authorities have registered a case against Hadi and arrested him on these charges.

The NIA had sought details of contacts, finances, travel and chats/email conversations of Majeed and the three others from 11 countries.
Girja Shankar Kaura

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at self-styled cow vigilante groups, stressing that anti-social elements were wearing the mask of gau rakshaks and urged the states to take action against them.

In his first Obama-style interaction with the citizens at Town Hall to mark the second anniversary of the launching of MyGov portal, the PM said, I get very angry at these gau rakshaks. They indulge in anti-social activities at night and turn cow protectors in the day. I want states to take action against them.

The Opposition, during parliamentary debates, had flayed the PM for keeping mum on the rising incidents of attacks on Dalits by cow vigilantes across the country.

Gau bhakts (cow worshippers) are different from gau rakshaks, the Prime Minister said while pointing out that more cows die by swallowing plastic than by slaughtering. Launching a campaign for limiting the use of plastic and to stop its littering was gau seva too, he said.

Modi also launched the PMO Mobile App. Designed by six students, it will help citizens to directly get in touch with the PMO website.

He said if India was able to maintain a growth rate of 8 per cent for the next 30 years, Indians would have all that was available to those living in the developed world. He said despite most economies in the world facing recession, India remained the fastest growing.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The agriculture sector is under a lot of pressure. Despite the recession, Indias growth rate has been commendable and I want to congratulate all Indians.

One sector that can empower the economy is agriculture. If we are able to deliver safe drinking water, diseases will recede. Be it yoga, exercise or eating habits, we have to focus on preventive healthcare and next affordable healthcare, Modi said.

To a query on foreign policy, he replied, Our foreign policy is about India first.

He said a sluggish attitude and the tendency to escape responsibility affected governance. Taking a dig at critics, he said holding the PM responsible for all that happened in the country could be good for TRPs but was certainly not good for governance.

Good governance entails addressing the complaints of the common people within a time frame. Every democracy should be participative, and technology has made that possible, the PM added.
Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, August 6

A high alert has been sounded in all districts of Assam following yesterdays terror strike by suspected NDFB(S) militants in Kokrajhar even as one more civilian injured in the incident died, taking the death toll to 15.

A four-member National Investigation Agency (NIA) team today scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of the attack while a massive combing operation was on to nab the militants.

Sources in the NIA said, The NIA team will not take over the case from local police right now. The agency will wait for governments order. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack scene, said one of the three militants was killed in retaliatory action by security forces and he had been identified as Manjay Islari.

He said, He is a self-styled area commander of the 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will hand over the body to his parents. The minister said the combing operation in the area had been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack at the Balajan Tiniali market.

A combing operation by the police, para-military and Army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab the militants.

Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal, who chaired a law-and-order review meeting late last night, reiterated today that the Assam Police had procured vital clues that confirmed direct involvement of the NDFB(S) militants in the killing.

He also visited Guwahati Medical College and Hospital and met the injured. The state government provided ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to next of the kin of each of those killed in the strike and Rs 1 lakh to each of the injured, who are undergoing treatment in government hospitals in Kokrajhar and Guwahati.

In view of the Kokrajhar incident and the upcoming Independence Day, Sonowal, who also holds the Home portfolio, asked the civil and police administration to be on high alert and thwart the sinister designs of anti-national forces. Sonowal directed the DCs and SPs of all districts to review the law and order on a regular basis and to take all possible measures to prevent any untoward incident.

Sonowal said his government would not compromise with terrorism. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, he said, adding, We are fully committed towards protecting the life and property of people of the state and we consider it as our first and foremost duty.

Opposition Congress leaders accused the ruling BJP government of failing to take preventive steps.

(With agency inputs)
Kokrajhar (Assam), August 6

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on Saturday scoured the site and spoke to eyewitnesses of Fridays terror attack here in which 14 people were killed while a massive combing operation is on to nab the militants of Bodo separatist outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) (S) suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the site, told reporters that the militant who was neutralised had been identified as Manjay Islari.

He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will give the body to his parents, he said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He said the combing operation in the area had been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack on Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from here, days before Independence Day.

To a question, he said the militants were not part of any suicide squad. Had they been part of a suicide squad they would not have fled.

An NIA team had reached the spot and was speaking to eyewitnesses, officials said.

Combing operation by police, paramilitary and army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab militants.

Defence sources said specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment had been pressed into service. The Army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift action, they said. The situation was described as tense but under control.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and enquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advanced medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

The Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high-level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal inter-state border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar on Saturday, accused the ruling BJP government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulged in violent activities in the run-up to Independence Day and Republic Day.

Armed militants dressed in army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and thrown grenades at the crowded weekly market killing 14 people.

One of the attackers, who were believed to be five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police had said.

Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Sahay had said that the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of NDFB (S). AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

The DGP and Additional Chief Secretary TY Das also held a high-level security review meeting with the district administration where it was decided to continue with the security operations. PTI
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, August 6

A day after an overdose of drugs led to the death of a Dalit youth and four others of Maani Singh Wala village were hospitalised, villagers protested the open sale of drugs in their area.

Accusing some police officials of being hand in glove with the drug peddlers, villagers today submitted a complaint to Faridkot SSP SS Mann. In this complaint, the protesters even named five persons, who were allegedly doing brisk business in narcotics and drugs in their area.

The protesters alleged that due to the easy availability of drugs in their village, the addicts from the adjoining areas too visited Maani Singh Wala village.

Bhupinder Singh, SHO, Sadiq, denied the allegation of the police patronising the drug business in the village.

Sukhdev Singh, sarpanch, Maani Singh Wala, said after the price of drugs quadrupled in the last six months, some politically well-connected families, living on the outskirts of the village, were doing brisk business in drug trade and their village was attracting addicts even from faraway villages.
Friendship is the greatest bond between two individuals. Its a relationship that is celebrated throughout life. We remember Amitabh Bachchan once said, Friendship Day???? No! Every day is friendship day! Once a friend, always a friend!!

Today, as the world celebrates Friendship Day, we speak to a few Bollywood celebs about their best friends outside and within the industry and also

special memories that will remain etched in their heart forever.

Heres what they say

The 4 am friend: Ihana Dhillon

I dont have a lot of friends in the industry yet. But outside the industry, I have Harpreet Bassan Ghai, my best friend and my school friend. She lives in Chandigarh. She is my 4 am friend. And, of course, my sister Kiran Dhillon, she has always supported me. Through the highs and lows Harpreet has always been there for me, my punching bag, especially when I took the decision to start my profession as a model and an actress. I remember in our college days and there was a guy who was hitting on me and Harpreet beat the crap out of him. Good old days (laughs)!

Former but not forgotten: Harshvardhan Rane

Within the industry I dont have any best friend yet. But whenver in doubt, I do turn to John Abraham sir. Outside the industry, my best friend is Vikram. We really had some great time. We have been on a 10-day trip to Turkey together. One incident when a friend stood by me was when I lost my father. My ex-girlfriend stood like a pillar and took care of my younger sister like a mother.

Special ones: Ishita Dutta

Ive been really blessed with good friends. If I had to choose someone from my friend circle, which is actually quite difficult for me, I would choose Priya Khurana who lives in Delhi. If I had to choose someone from the industry it would be Heba Patel. She also stays in Mumbai, so not a day has gone by without meeting each other when we are off shoot.

Till we turn 70: Marwa Hocane

When I think of India, the one friend that Ive made is my co-actor Harsh. The rest of them were merely doing their jobs. Harsh (Harshvardhan Rane) looked after me like a friend from childhood and now he is somebody Ill know till I turn 70 or more. Hes extremely affectionate and sensitive.

Much more than a sister: Saqib Saleem

My sister of course! Huma Qureshi is my best friend from the industry. We have no filters and speak our heart to each other. Outside the industry, my friend is Pankaj. I am from Delhi. When I came to Mumbai, I had no place to stay. Pankaj took care of me. I stayed in his room in his college hostel. I will always be thankful to him. A friend who has always stood by me is Huma. When my first movie released, it was in theatres for three weeks. Huma, my friends, we all watched it everyday. At times twice in a day for the whole three weeks.

In sickness & health: Nora Fatehi

I dont have any best friend in Bollywood so far. My best friend is Eisha Megan Acton. I can say she is my 4 am friend. Eisha has stood by me through thick and thin. There was a time I had no friends in Mumbai. I was extremely ill and I had to be operated on in a hospital in Mumbai. When she heard of the situation she came rushing to the hospital and stayed with me for five days and took care of me. After that we became inseparable.

Room mate: Sidharth Malhotra

In the industry I have many friends. Karan Johar is a very close friend of mine. So, when you are in Mumbai without a family, then you must have friends. I have good friends from different walks of life, not all of them are in the same industry. Im very close to my friend who is from Delhi. When I was struggling, he provided me his apartment to stay in. I lived in his one-room apartment for a month. I had nowhere else to go! Ill always remember him. Although he has shifted out of Mumbai now, but I am and will always be in touch with him.

Together forever: Shraddha Das

My best friend is Shruti Sundaraman, who inspires me to be sane and sensible and another best friend Raj Nath, who reverses the sane and sensible side to bring out my crazy and creative side. These two buddies of mine keep me away from all the stress of my profession. Both are non-industry friends, who have stood by me through thick and thin for 12 years. Whether it was a break-up or a failure, I could tell them with complete honesty! They would not judge me.
Sarbjit Dhaliwal & Prashant Saxena in Chandigarh

Cities are not built in a day, after all. And what is yours has to be someone else's  in the case of a government  for a price. Yet man's greatest aspirations can never be weighed against money. That's perhaps why modern cities seldom have a living soul; the cities tend to become marvels cut out of a sense of detached belonging, where cultures are perceived to have been welded together by the force of tumultuous events. India had lost Lahore, and Punjab its soul, post-Partition. We needed a city that could parallel Lahore; we needed a marvel. A love affair with the Ravi had ended with an inglorious chapter. Feel the intense longing of a Punjabi poet: sak maldhiya Ravi de patna nu, agg laun Lahorana challian ne (loosely, rubbing their teeth with a reddish shrub, the beauties of Lahore are Ravi-bound to set its water aflame).

We created a Unesco World Heritage site, the Capitol Complex, in about sixty years; we have consecrated Le Corbusier. In the city of about 114 square kilometres, we repeatedly claim to have reinvented a soul letting go of its rural reburial, as we fail to acknowledge the sacrifices of at least 28 villages that gave way to City Beautiful. This ingratitude is unparalleled.

Take the case of native Indians in the US. To honour the thousands of locals who were forced to relocate and cross the Mississippi river in the harsh winter, a state park, the 'Trail of Tears', was built to keep the memories alive.

Here are real stories over 60 years old that hint at tears, sweat, and in some cases, blood, that are intrinsic to Chandigarh:

The oldest survivor

In 1950, Ajmer Singh was 40 year old when the word spread that his Kalibar village along with several others would be bulldozed and their farmland taken over to raise a modern city, which was later christened as Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab. One-hundred-and-five-year-old Ajmer is blessed with great grand children. He lives in Raipur Kalan, a shabby hamlet on the outskirts of Chandigarh.

The days of "forced displacement" sketch an agony of a people forgotten. Ajmer Singh and hundreds of others had launched a "satyagarh" to protest their forced dislocation. They held demonstrations for months in front of the office of the Tehsildar assigned the task to acquire the land for the capital project. "Many times, the police lathicharged us and arrested us," says Ajmer Singh, as he describes those days as "bad times of outrageous cruelty."

"Our family owned 150 bighas at Kalibar village, where a major part of the Sector-8 is located. Our home was behind the gurdwara and the adjoining temple, the landmarks of that sector. When we were pushed out from the village to settle at Raipur Kalan, we were allotted 123 bighas; everyone received less land by way of compensation," recalls Ajmer Singh. His village boundary touched Kansal village where sit the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab and Haryana secretariats and the Assemblies of the two states.

Though Kansal village is now located in Punjab and is not a part of the UT, Chandigarh, it gave its 1,350 acres to the capital project.

Ludicrous compensation

In the early '50s, the government offered compensation as low as Rs 56 per acre in a few cases. The average compensation, though, ranged between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000 per acre. There were some exceptions, where the compensation was about Rs 10,000 per acre or above. It was in the 1960s and '70s when more land was acquired to further expand Chandigarh. People who were made to leave their villages and farmland were not given jobs as a displacement incentive. No seats were reserved for their wards in education institutions. Nor were the villagers given alternative land to live. Most of them live in miserable conditions at villages with unhygienic surroundings.

There is more trouble for those who were displaced from the heart of the city: the UT administration has again acquired their land to build industrial phase-3 adjoining Raipur Kalan village which they had made their home after dislocation from Kalibari and Rurka Parao Wali villages. The same happened with those who settled at Manuli village after dislocation from Sani Majra village in the UT. The Punjab Urban and Development Authority (PUDA) has acquired their land for Aero City, IT parks and much more. "Can a person be displaced twice in period of 60 years in the garb of modernization?" asks Gian Singh of Manauli village.

'Root shock'

The villagers who were removed from their ancestral land also lost a culture and, in some ways, their language. Sociologists have repeatedly warned of the 'root shock' that remains for decades. For instance, many people who survived Partition and had to leave their ancestral villages still get sentimental about their native places which they had to leave. The same holds true of the farmers and others displaced after Chandigarh was born. "We spoke Puadhi, a sub-dialect of Punjabi. At new places of our settlement, people talked in a different dialect," says Jarnail Singh, whose family belonged to Rurki Parao Wali. "At new place of our settlement, we were treated as 'baharle' (outsiders). Even today, we carry this tag," says Jasbir Singh, another farmer.

The most unfortunate part is that nobody talks about the heritage of villages which were removed from the map of the region. Ironically, the land which was acquired for peanuts is inhabited by only high income groups, and where owning land is unthinkable for the common man given the prohibitively high property prices.

The original

Sector-17 originally belongs to Rurki Parao Wali, an 800-acre agricultural land. This village was situated at a stone throw from Sector-17 ISBT on a piece of land adjacent the roundabout dividing sectors 17, 18, 21 and 22 near the Piccadily Hotel. There were 17 wells. Maize, cotton and groundnut were the main crops. The Bank Square in Sector-17 was raised on the land of Bant Singh and Mehma Singh.

Sharanjit Singh, grandson of late Sampuran Singh, who was a native of Rurki village before displacement, says: "The famous roundabout adjacent Sector 17 ISBT is situated in the land which was theirs till 1951." All three cinemas  Neelam, Kiran and KC  were built on the land which belonged to Rurki village. The place where Neelam cinema is located was a property of Basta Singh and others. There was also a brick-kiln nearby.

The Punjab Governor House was raised on the land of Bhangimajra, also known as Ram Nagar. There was an old well near the Governor House. "Along with others, our land was acquired for the Punjab Raj Bhavan," says Dr Sher Singh, who lives in Sohana. "Led by Comrade Shamsher Singh Josh and Bakhtaur Singh, we protested for months against the land acquisition. The police fired bullets on farmers hurting some of them," recalls Dr Sher Singh.

The renowned PGIMR is located on the land of Khuda Jassu and Shahzadpur villages. The Punjab Engineering College is located on the land which belonged to this village. A measly Rs 432 per acre was given as compensation to the farmers. The Sukhna Lake, another popular and most frequented landmark of Chandigarh, is located in the Kaimbwala village. Of the total 900 acres, over the years, about 500 acres of the village has been acquired.

For building the Panjab University, the land of Kanjimajra and Dhanas villages was acquired. Two wells, which were used for drinking water, became part of the university campus. The shooting range, Navodaya Vidyalaya and Indian Oil Depot are also located on the land that once belonged to this village. Sector-25, known as the venue for holding rallies, belonged to Saini Majra village, residents of which were displaced to settle at Manauli village adjacent to Aero-City in Mohali.
Manali, the cross-cultural hub

Bhanu P Lohumi in Manali

Nobody yet knows why it could, almost always, happen so magically, so profusely, in the grandeur of hills and valleys. Love happens. So much so that people often forget their nationality, and choose to live where their heart is. There are over a hundred of them in Kullu and Manali. Sub-divisional magistrates of these areas, who are also the marriage registrars, say more than 80 Himachalis have married foreigners since 2015, over 30 in Kullu and Kangra districts alone.

Mostly Indian boys have married Israeli, Japanese, German and French nationals. In Kangra a large number of Tibetans have married foreigners.

Manish Kumar (Vicky) is one of them. The Old Manali boy married Carole Monnet of France in 2007. They talk in English, live in Manali, Goa and France.

It all began in 2006. My business season was over in Goa and I was returning home while she was willing to visit South India, Manish recalls. At the last moment, but like a typical Hindi movie, she changed her mind and travelled with me to Delhi without ticket. My parents were a little apprehensive, but all went well.

She left for France after her visa expired and returned to India with all documents to take me along, but the embassy did not grant him a visa. We have a daughter who is now two-a-half years old.

The couple is enjoying both the worlds, staying six months in India (Goa) and six months in France and visiting Manali in between regularly. Nothing has changed for us, says Manish. We have a very rich culture and traditions while France is at least 50 years ahead of us in economic progress. My wife is full of confidence and courage to face the world.

That was to love. The living part is a bit complicated for others. SDM Manali Jyoti Rana says whenever such couples come to me for registration, she ask them the reason for marriage. Their stock reply is love. Foreign girls always cite Indian culture and a peaceful life in the hills. Local residents say that Manali being infamous for cannabis, many foreigners visit the place and interior areas for dope. As per police records, as many as 18 foreigners have been reported missing in the Manali area in the last few years. State police chief Sanjay Kumar doesnt discount the possibility of contract marriage, an illegal way for gaining entry into a foreign country. Such marriages are only on paper and result in a divorce after Indian boys get a legal permission because of the on paper marriage.

Kazakh girl is Haryanvi bahu

Sushil Manav in Chandigarh

I love you Teenu very very much reads Zhannas WhatsApp status. Zhanna is a girl from Kazakhstan and Teenu is her husband from Haryana. Their Facebook friendship blossomed into love and when eight months later, Zhanna told him she was ready to marry him, Teenu said she would have to come to India it. She agreed.

So, on May 29, Zhanna Timurovna Chalabayeva (34) travelled over 3,200 km, from Kazakhstan to Samain village in Fatehabad. On June 2, she tied the knot with Teenu Jangra (23) in Vishwakarma temple at Tohana.

I am very happy living with Teenu and his family in the village. Teenu is a caring husband. I cook, clean the house, wash clothes and even work in the fields, says Zhanna.

She has come all the way from Kazakhstan, leaving her family and career behind. I have to ensure she does not face any problem, he says. Teenu doesnt have any problem if I celebrate Christmas or other festivals, says Zhanna. While love transcends the barrier of language, how does Zhanna communicate with Teenus family members and other locals? She says she manages with a few basic Hindi and English words. In case of a problem, I turn to Google Translate, she says with a smile.

Zhanna is a linguist and a law graduate. She knows six languages, including English, French, Persian, Russian and Kazakh. She also boasts of a translators diploma. She hopes to get work in some Russian company in Delhi since there is not much scope for a career in the village. Though a private school from Tohana town has approached me to teach English and French, I would like to live with my husband in Delhi, she says.

Teenu is an ITI certificate holder in welding. He has worked in Saudi Arabia in a construction firm and will have to scout for a job.

Can a love story be without a villain? In their case, it is Zhannas tourist visa which is valid till July 31. The Haryana bahu has been promised help. Reading about Zhannas problem on social media posted by Teenus friend, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted to say the government would help.

She remembers her roots in Belarus

Ravi Dhaliwal in Gurdaspur

When kindergarten teacher Irina Lenodovna Semutnik (44) walks the streets of backward Gurdaspur, everone knows she is one of them.

Two decades after tying the knot with a government physician, Dr Raj Masih, she has become fully Indianised and has adapted to the countrys language and culture. Yet, she remembers her roots in Belarus (Eastern Europe), where she was born, did her degree in pharmacy and later, in 1994, got married to a student doing his MBBS in the same college. Thats probably why she does not give up her Belarus passport which she calls as the only thread that links me to home. Mother of three -- a daughter (Jeniffer) and two sons (Sumit and Nikit) -- Irina arrived in Gurdaspur in 1994. Before marriage, her father, a doctor, had asked her to think twice if she really wanted to marry an Indian. I did not have to think twice. The day I met Raj, I decided to marry him, said Irina.

She had to encounter a cultural shock when she arrived in India. The language barrier, though, was broken within a year after she studied Punjabi books meant for children. She quickly picked up intricacies of the language. She speaks Punjabi as good as anybody in the town. I even know songs and can even sing some of them, says Irina in chaste Punjabi.

Despite the internet and Whatsapp, I still miss my family. Both my parents are renowned doctors and even my younger sister, Elana, is a psychologist. Sometimes there is this yearning to go home to meet my family members, she said.

It is amazing how people here can go to a friends home without any appointment. In Belarus, you are required to call your hosts before going to their homes. The day I landed in this country I decided to change my goals. I told myself that there are two things I must take care of. One was the language and the other was to set the house in order.

She complimented her adopted country: People in India use their intuition more often. And, honestly, their intuition is far more developed than the rest of the world. Intuition is more powerful than intellect.

Age no bar for senora Laurita

Gagan K. Teja in Patiala

Laurita and Jasjot can tell you what it means to be average yet loving. While advocate Jasjot Singh (28) is from Patiala, Laurita Gonzalez (48) is from Puerto Rico. Having met through Facebook in 2013, the couple tied the knot in May, 2014 and Laurita since then has been living in India. Though she travels to Puerto Rico every three-four months for a few days to make arrangements for her family back home and take care of her business, she is in the process of shifting to India.

Laurita was always fascinated by India but she did not have anyone in the country to count on. One day Jasjots picture popped up as a suggestion on FB. Without thinking much, she sent him a friend request and thats how their story began. They starting chatting for hours.

At that time, Laurita was in a phase of mourning as she lost her sister to cancer. Jasjot would keep telling her about Sikhism and urged Laurita to visit Golden Temple in Amritsar for inner peace and pay tribute to her sister. Laurita came to India in August 2013.

When he came to pick me at the airport, I was taken aback since he was so young. However, we spent some really good time visiting different gurdwaras in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and nearby areas. By the end of my 21-day trip, we were madly in love with each other. I went back but decided to return, says Laurita.

The duo then continued chatting for few more months and finally Laurita returned to India in January, 2014 and the couple tied the knot four months later. The couple says they had to face a lot of opposition initially from Jasjots family due to their age gap but Jasjot stood by her.

Laurita says initially people keep questioning us whether ours is a true relationship. I dont understand how these people doubt our love when they themselves dont marry unless their partner is economically well off. Isnt that a marriage of convenience where you are more concerned about financial stability? We are going to stay together. Many people have accepted us and we are very happy about it, she said.
Vijay C Roy in Chandigarh

We all care for our rupee, and mostly, as much less about its interface with other currencies, chiefly the American dollar. Currency exchange dealers are a dime a dozen while banks are there for their standard operating procedure: show this paper, that paper, and take it or forget it. There is an information asymmetry, putting you at times at a disadvantage for each dollar for a rupee. Economy is math, too, especially when a student goes abroad or a tourist tries to strike the best bargain. What do we know of it? Heres an instance:

Shruti Arora, a research scholar, was to be in Vienna for a seminar. Among the essentials such as passport, visa and tickets, she needed foreign currency. She asked her husband to get the best rates for Euro. What her husband did was cumbersome: he compared the available rates, including the ones offered by banks, and found a difference of Rs 1.05 per Euro. Convinced, finally he asked his father to convert Rs 1 lakh into the Euro.

Rates vary

Experts say exchange rates vary at hotels, airports, banks and even dealer to dealer. Also, even if you want to buy foreign exchange through a credit or debit card, the rates are different. According to rough estimates the exchange rates varies from one to 10%, which could mean a huge sum for students as foreign currency is a must for depositing course fees, accommodation, foreign travel etc.

Thats where money changers come in. This is our core area of expertise. We work on volumes and offer lucrative rates to customers, at times even on thin margins to retain them. Unlike banks, we have flexibility of time, says Rajneesh Bansal, executive director, Paul Merchants Ltd, which is the leading player in the Northern region, having 300 branches across the country and around 115 in the northern region. The company is in authorized dealer category 2 as per Reserve Bank of India norms, which put banks in category 1.

According to the latest report by MM Advisory Services, which provides specialist solutions in international education, more and more Indian students are going to the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany. It is estimated that in terms of growth rate, India is set to overtake China. In absolute numbers China is still well ahead with almost 700,000 internationally mobile students, close to double of Indias figure of 360,000. Nearly 85% of internationally mobile Indian students head for five countries: the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. China and Germany are emerging destinations. This indicates massive transactions in foreign exchange.

Getting the best deal

The smartphone revolution has brought about a paradigm shift. A few startups like Fxkart, BuyForexOnline, BookMy Forex and others have jumped into the market. These companies aim to make foreign exchange trading easier through their web and mobile platforms. Fxkart offers services free for the end consumer monetizes through business-to-business channels. They earn a commission for transactions through their portal. Dealers need to supply their live rates in real time and bid for the consumers attention and forex requirement in a five minute bidding window.

We are one of the largest online aggregators of RBIs licensed foreign exchange dealers. We provide basic information to the consumer on a simple web platform and mobile platform for free, says Abdul Hadi Shaikh, CEO, Fxkart. He says banks and money changers load exchange margins ranging from 1 to 2% at their city offices to as high as 7-8% at airport counters. Their forex booking mobile app showcases 1,300-plus dealer locations across the country. The app includes features like geo-location, instant chat and deal tracking. It claims to offer rates by comparing them across foreign exchange dealers in a city who compete for business.

Shaikh says the app is a one-stop solution for all foreign exchange needs, be it remittances for education or maintenance purposes. The biggest advantage of this app/web portal is that customers can compare rates at transit locations. For instance, if someone is going to Canada via New Delhi from Jalandhar and has found a better rate in New Delhi, the customer can always place an order and get forex in New Delhi before flying off.

Similarly, BookMyForex platform operates like the stock market, and seeks to bring about more transparency by updating rates every three seconds. It reportedly covers more than 5,000 banks and money exchange locations across 650 cities.
The chief minister also ordered the formation of a separate committee to look into the issue.

By India Today Web Desk: Days after India Today exposed the appalling condition of government-run cowsheds in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today warned officials to clear the cow sheds or face action.

In a high-level meeting with ministers and officers, Raje said that she would visit the gaushalas after four days to check if the area had been cleaned. If not, she would spare no one.

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The chief minister also suspended two senior officials for dereliction of duty after hundreds of cows died at a state-run shelter due to alleged negligence.

Raje ordered the formation of a separate committee to improve the condition at the Hingonia Cow centre and make arrangements for its better management.

On Friday, several dumpers were brought in to completely clear the slush off the cow shelters.

The developments came after India Today put to light the awful condition of Rajasthan's biggest cowshed in Hingonia.

Rajasthan is the first and only state to have a government department specifically for cows. There are close to 8,000 cows at the Higoniya Gau Shala. As many as 90 cows at the state-run Hingonia shed have already perished in the past two days alone.

Opposition Congress upped its ante againt the BJP and said that the government was incapable of protecting cows.

"The present government is doing nothing to save the cows. During the Congress rule, rs 150 crore were provided as funds for cow sheds. The present government stopped the inflow of the funds. The BJP is responsible for deaths of so many cows. The CM must come here and see for herself," Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Congress leader, said.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered a probe into the case.

Also read: PM Modi slams gau rakshaks, says anti-social elements hiding behind the mask







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Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 6

Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta today said the Narendra Modi government had set a target of creating one crore jobs to unemployed youth of the country.

Most of these jobs will be in the handloom sector, he said. The Central government believes the agriculture and textile sectors could provide jobs to the unemployed.

On the issue of a textile park in Uttarakhand, Tamta said the Central government would provide assistance to the state government, provided it earmarks land for the project.

Tamta would be in Varanasi to mark Handloom Day. We are committed to providing an international identity to the clothes produced by weavers of Varanasi, he said. Later, Tamta, who is also the MP from Almora, was given a warm welcome by BJP leaders and workers at the BJP office.
Istanbul/Moscow, August 6

As Turkeys relations with Europe and the US are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.

Turkish officials insist Erdogans visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch.

But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, comes as Ankaras relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious.

Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate.

So damaged are relations that Germanys foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets. Austrias chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended.

For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkeys partners in the West that it could have other strategic options, said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate towards Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATOs cohesiveness, Ulgen said.

Erdogans meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president on Friday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity.

Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned, said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries, he told Reuters.

Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership, Kortunov said.

Signal to the West

Washington is likely to be watching closely. Its ties with Ankara are strained over the continued presence in the United States of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Erdogan of orchestrating the attempted coup.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement in the coup and Washington has said it will extradite him only if Turkey provides evidence, much to the Turkish governments frustration.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Turkey in late August, officials have said, with Gulens case likely to be high on the agenda.

At a time like this, Turkish public psychology expects expressions of solidarity and togetherness, but thats not what is forthcoming from the West, said Faruk Logoglu, a former Turkish ambassador to Washington and until recently a senior lawmaker in the main secularist opposition.

While the timing of Erdogans Russia trip could be interpreted as a signal to the West, Logoglu doubted it meant a full Turkish embrace of Russia or lasting damage to US ties.

The Turkish-American relationship is like a catholic marriage: there is no divorce. Both sides need each other, he said. It has experienced severe tests in the past and I think it will weather this one as well.

Closer ties between Ankara and Moscow could be more troublesome for Europe, which sees a plan for a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, a project known as TurkStream, as a complication in its efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy.

Gas cooperation between Russia and Turkey could be scary for the European Union, said Akin Unver, assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has university in Istanbul and an expert in regional energy.

The EU wants to diversify suppliers and link eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe in the long run ... if Russia bypasses all that with TurkStream that would not help. But the EU is in no position to bargain. Politically, it is very weak.

Short-lived turbulence

Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Syria would be the main topic at the meeting with Erdogan. TurkStream, nuclear power projects, and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey, which stopped after the downing of the fighter jet last November, would also be discussed.

Tourism revenue, a mainstay of the Turkish economy, has been decimated by the drop in Russian visitors, whose numbers fell 87 percent in the first six months of the year. The sector has also been hit by a series of suicide bombings.

The Turkish side has given a written guarantee that they will fulfil Russias recommendations on extra security measures for Russian tourists at Turkish resorts, Ushakov told a briefing in Moscow on Friday, adding that Turkey had granted Russian experts permission to check the measures on the ground.

On Syria, Kortunov said there was room for the two sides to move closer together on options for a political transition to end the five-year civil war and on the shape of a new constitution for the country.

In cooperation with Russia, we would like to facilitate a political transition in Syria as soon as possible, Erdogans spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview with Russias TASS news agency. But he repeated Turkeys long-held conviction that such a move would only be possible with Assads departure.

Kalin described the recent tensions with Russia as short-lived turbulence in a friendship that dated back centuries. Leaders in the West might be hoping the same is true of their relations with Ankara.

The political backdrop does suggest there will be areas of convergence between Turkey and Russia, said Ulgen, the former diplomat. What is not realistic, though, is to view Russia as a strategic alternative to Turkeys Western anchoring. Turkey remains an ally of the West.  Reuters
Rouen (France), August 6

A fire apparently sparked by birthday cake candles tore through a bar in northern France early on Saturday, killing at least 13 people in the nations deadliest blaze in a decade.

Through the shattered front windows of the bar in Rouen melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged one another and brought flowers to the scene of the tragedy.

Most of the dead were between 18 and 25, with one person among the six injured still fighting for life.

Authorities said the bar was crowded with young partygoers.

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Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed deep sadness at the tragedy that claimed 13 young lives. Local prosecutors described the blaze as accidental, but an investigation is under way to pinpoint the cause of the flames.

There wasnt an explosion, it was candles used for a birthday party, a senior police official told AFP.

The flames ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place, putting off a toxic mix of gases that poisoned the victims, police said.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Au Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (0350 IST).

A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

The blaze in Rouen was Frances deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of LHay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

France has not seen such a high death toll in a night spot fire since a November 1970 blaze claimed the lives of 146 people, the majority of whom were in their early 20s.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

I was afraid that it was another attack, but right away I was told that it was an accident, witness Rachid Ahmaymi, 36, told AFP. Still I didnt sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest news. AFP
Rouen (France), August 6

A fire apparently sparked by birthday cake candles tore through a bar in northern France early today, killing at least 13 people in the nations deadliest blaze in a decade.

Through the shattered front windows of the bar in Rouen melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged each other and brought flowers to the scene of the tragedy.

Most of the dead were between 18-25 years old, with one person among the six injured still fighting for life. Authorities said the bar was crowded with young partygoers. Local prosecutors described the blaze as accidental, but an investigation is underway to pinpoint the cause of the flames.

The flames ignited the polystyrene ceiling of the basement room where the celebrations were taking place, resulting in a toxic mix of gasses that poisoned the victims, police said.

The blaze started at around midnight at the Au Cuba Libre bar in the city centre, and the firemen were at the scene by 00:20 am (0350 IST).

The blaze was Frances deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of LHay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of a priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.  AFP
Beijing, August 6

China on Saturday lashed out at the US for describing jail sentences given to four human rights activists as politically motivated, saying the American accusations are groundless and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

The US accusations are groundless and China urged the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously, and stop making irresponsible remarks on the case, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

She said China firmly opposed American interference in its internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Hua was commenting on the remarks made by US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner concerning the conviction of four Chinese human rights activists.

Toner had said that the charges against the activists were vague and apparently politically motivated and urged Chinese officials to release the detainees and remove restrictions on their freedom of movement and professional activities.

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China is a country under the rule of law, and Chinese judicial authorities deal with related cases in accordance with law so that the legitimate rights and interests of defendants could be effectively protected, Hua was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

She claimed that Chinese people widely supported the trial and generally opposed any actions that endangered the national security and undermined the social stability.

A court in Tianjin had convicted them of subverting state power after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, described by the state media as an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of seven and a half years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s, Xinhua said.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse, it said. PTI
Beijing, August 6

Chinas Air Force sent bombers and fighter jets on combat patrols near contested islands in the South China Sea (SCS), in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalise such drills and respond to security threats.

The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the disputed waters after an arbitration court in The Hague ruled last month that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea.

The Air Force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The patrols included surveillance and refuelling aircraft, Xinhua said, although it did not say when they occurred.

The Air Force is organising normalised South China Sea combat patrols, practising tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests, Shen said.

China has refused to recognise the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines.

A dispute over the shoal, 124 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines mainland, was one of Manilas main reasons for bringing international legal action against China in 2013.

Beijing has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to and has released pictures of aircraft flying over the shoal since the ruling.

China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stoking tension through its military patrols in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually.

China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims in the South China Sea.

The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijings anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there.  Reuters
Tokyo, August 6

Japan on Saturday lodged a protest with China after it spotted six Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailing near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

This is a unilateral act that raises tensions ... and it is unacceptable to us, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told the Chinese envoy.

The sighting of the Chinese vessels comes less than a month after an international arbitration court rejected Chinas claims over almost the entire South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

The Japan Coast Guard said some of the vessels were equipped with guns, according to The Japan Times.

The development followed a similar incident on Friday when two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and six fishing ships briefly entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus, prompting the ministry to summon the Chinese ambassador.

Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama on Friday told Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua that the vessels entry into its waters and their activities were a violation of Japans sovereignty and was totally unacceptable.

The coast guard vessels entered Japanese waters soon after the Chinese fishing ships did so, the ministry said.

Japan cannot accept coast guard ships actions that seemed to have been accompanying Chinese fishing vessels, a Foreign Ministry source explained.

It also said this was the first time both types of vessels had entered the waters at the same time.

The islets are administered by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

The incident came as tensions between the two countries has escalated in the East China Sea.

In June, Chinese warships were seen traversing areas in and near Japanese waters in the East China Sea and the western Pacific, including near the Senkakus.  IANS
Washington, August 6

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has attacked Japan, one of Americas closest allies, saying if the US is attacked, all Japanese would do is sit home and watch Sony television.

You know, we have a treaty with Japan where if Japan is attacked, we have to use the full force and might of the United States. If were attacked, Japan doesnt have to do anything. They can sit home and watch Sony television. No What kind of deals are these? Trump asked at an election rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Japan is a key ally of the US and its crucial partner in the Asia Pacific region.

Referring to the US-Japan treaty alliance, Trump said that it is particularly worthy of ridicule.

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Japan, Trump said, should be forced to pay 100 per cent of Americas military costs for protecting the island nation, not the roughly 50 per cent it pays now.

Currently there are some 47,000 US troops based in Japan.

In his speech, Trump reiterated that the US protects not only Japan but other countries like South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia. And these countries dont pay anything near what it costs.

They have to pay. Because this isnt 40 years ago. Its got to be a two-way street, he asserted.

He also criticised Democratic rival Hillary Clinton policies.

You know, Clinton came out and said, Thats terrible. Hes not going to stick with our allies. Were going to stick, but once the ally hears her dumb talk, because its dumb, why would they ever pay? he asked.  PTI
Washington, August 6

US Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the recent provocative actions by North Korea and the upcoming G-20 Summit in China.

The two leaders also discussed the next months China visit by US President Barack Obama, his spokesman John Kirby said yesterday.

Secretary Kerry spoke today by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to preview President Obamas upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 Summit, Kirby said.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea, including efforts to implement fully obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2270, Kirby said in a statement.  PTI
Washington, August 6

Ending days of suspense, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed his partys two stalwarts House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain for re-election and vowed to make Republicans a big tent party as was under ex-President Ronald Regan.

In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. We need unity. We have to win this election. This is truly one of the most important elections in my lifetime, Trump said at an election rally in Ryans home state of Wisconsin.

Over the past few days, Trump had refused to endorse either Ryan and McCain fueling speculations that all is not well among the Republicans and the party is not united ahead of the crucial November general elections.

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While Ryan is expected to easily sail through his House seat, McCain is facing a tough battle from the Arizona Senate seat.

While Im at it, I hold in the highest esteem Senator John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office and I fully support and endorse his re-election, Trump said amidst cheer from supporters.

This campaign is not about me or any one candidate, its about America. I understand and embrace the wisdom of Ronald Reagans big tent within the party, Trump said.

I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make. So I embrace the wisdom that my 80 per cent friend is not my 20 percent enemy, he said at the election campaign in Green bay in Wisconsin.

Working hand-in-hand we will grow our majority in the House and in the Senate. Arm-in-arm we will rescue the nation from the Obama-Clinton disaster that has bled our country dry and spread terrorism unabated across the world, Trump said.

Later in a fund raising email to his supporters, Trump alleged that the Democrats and the mainstream media are doing everything they can to divide the Republican party.

We must rise above their dirty tactics and prove that only the Republican Party is offering the ideas and solutions that can truly fix America, he said.

Its time to unite our Party and deny a third term of Obama. I have officially endorsed Paul Ryanand together, we will fight for you, and together we will Make America Great Again! Trump said.  PTI
Brazilian military police has detained 35 people in Sao Paulo who were protesting against the 2016 Olympic Games.

By Indo-Asian News Service: On Friday, 100 protesters gathered at the Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista), the financial heart of the country. Clashes occurred as they proceeded towards the city center, reports Efe. (RIO 2016 FULL COVERAGE)

Anti-riot branch of the military police used tear gas to clear the Paulista Avenue.

Police detained 35 demonstrators after they pelted stones at officers.

According to authorities, the demonstrators were not authorised to enter the city center as the protest organisers did not take due permission. (Also read: Rio 2016: Riot police use grenades to deter protesters during torch event)

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The protest occurred almost simultaneously with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium, where a similar demonstration took place outside the stadium.

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Washington, August 6

Remembering the victims of the mass shooting at Oak Creek Gurdwara four years ago, the White House has said the US government is committed to protecting all places of worship.

As we mark the four-year anniversary of the tragedy at the Oak Creek Gurdwara, the Obama Administration continues its commitment to protecting all places of worship and religious communities, the White House said in a blog post yesterday.

Four years ago on this day, a white supremacist gunman, Wade Michael Page, went on a shooting rampage at the Oak Creek Gurdwara, killing six Sikhs. The victims included a woman, Paramjit Kaur (41), and five men: Satwant Singh Kaleka (65), the founder of the gurdwara; Prakash Singh (39), a Granthi, Sita Singh (41), Ranjit Singh (49) and Suveg Singh Khattra (84).

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Today, we remember the victims of the attack on the Sikh Gurdwara in Wisconsin and the many people affected by this tragedy, tweeted Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to Obama and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

In a blog post, the White House said since the Oak Creek tragedy, the Obama administration has taken additional steps to prevent and combat religion-based hate crimes. For example, the FBI now tracks hate crimes against Sikh, Hindu and Arab-American communities and has updated its hate crimes data collection guidelines and training manual accordingly. Additionally, the White House said it has created a Hate Crimes Inter-agency Initiative on the fifth anniversary of the Shepard-Byrd Act to address prevention of and effective responses to hate crimes.

In a statement, Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, thanked the Obama administration for its steadfast support to the community. They have gone out of their way to express their solidarity with the community during the very difficult time and the subsequent years, he said.  PTI
By PTI: From Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Aug 6 (PTI) Indian-origin South Africans, some in the seventh generation now, must not abdicate their role in the democracy that their forebears fought so hard for, a prominent Indian-origin activist has said.

Internationally renowned mediator and recipient of the 2016 Gandhi-King-Ikeda Peace Award Mohamed Keshavjee said in the wake of the local government elections in the country.

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Keshavjee was in the country of his birth 55 years after fleeing apartheid discrimination, only to encounter it again in East Africa and flee from their again to settle in Canada and the UK, where he is now based after a lifetime of service to communities across the globe.

"As a South African of Indian descent, having left the country some 55 years ago and having witnessed the birth of an independent African state, Kenya; and the expulsion of Asians from Uganda and their resettlement in the UK and Canada, the recent municipal elections in the country have given me thoughts to ponder, not least of which is the role of the Indians in a post-apartheid society, almost 25 years after the fall of apartheid," Keshavjee said.

"Clearly, South Africans have begun to vote on the basis of issues and not necessarily by race. But despite the recent elections, race will continue to play a role in a country that is the most unequal in the world; and so long as wealth coincides with race, the racial card will be played in electoral politics.

"Indians need to participate in the process of government and ensure that South Africa operates as a democracy. Abdicating the role that they played historically would be a sad commentary on their past contribution," he said.

Drawing on his decades of experience as a mediator, Keshavjee said many in the country are still hurting.

"We need to reflect on how the wounds inflicted by decades of apartheid can be healed. Anger and pain need to be transformed into hope and positive energy," he said.

Keshavjee also called on the 1.4 million Indian-origin South Africans to record their history in the struggle.

"This should be done not simply as an ode down memory lane but with a genuine understanding of the role played by them, from the advent of Mahatma Gandhi till the drafting of the new Constitution," he said. PTI FH KUN

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Expedited carrier V3 Transportation has bveen enjoying rapid growth since launching in the first quarter of 2013.

V3 Transportation held an open house on Aug. 5 to inaugarate its new headquarters facility in Seville, Ohio. The expedited carrier has enjoyed rapid growth since launching its operations with two laptops and two cell phones in the first quarter of 2013. Now, according to founding partners Bob Poulos, CEO, and John Sliter, president, the company ranks among the fastest-growing operations in its field and is poised for further growth.

The carrier, which was named an HDT Truck Fleet Innovator earlier this year, currently employs 48 in operational, customer service and other office positions to support a fleet of 153 trucks. Those are piloted by 192 owner-operator expedited drivers. By the end of 2016, the fleet of straight trucks, truckload tractor-trailers and Sprinter vans will number some 200, said Poulos in a media conference call held ahead of the open house.

V3s previous headquarters location, in Brunswick, Ohio, was limited to 3,500 square feet. The new facility boasts 10,000 square feet of office space and more than 6,000 of shop space.

The Seville HQ was designed to be large enough to support the companys growth over roughly the next three years, said Sliter.

Indeed, the company is looking to add 38 office employees in that time. Based on our current growth, well outgrow this building in three years, said Poulos. Were already making plans to move into another building at that point. We plan to be a major player [in expedited] in the next three years, he added.

According to Poulos, V3 has been growing 100% every year since its launch. Revenue is running at a rate of about $25 million this year compared to $12 million last year, said Sliter.

Poulos said that it was also a milestone year for us as former Panther II Transportation CEO Craig Amato has joined us as a partner. Serving as senior advisor, Amato is involved primarily in V3s growth initiatives.

Our growth ahead will be organic as well as cold-start and will potentially include some acquisitions, said Poulos. He noted that in an industry dominated by [hauling for] auto manufacturers, we have been successful as well in some other markets, including the chemical and haz-mat space.

New V3 Transportation headquarters in Seville, Ohio.

Poulos said that V3 is not engaged with e-commerce now, but is carefully looking at that sector for the future. Inventory levels are high right now. But any bump in the road leads to instant demand for our service. Demand for expedited trucking is going to be high.

People are getting fed up with freight ending up on a truck with no insurance, Amato remarked. Were guaranteeing quality service.

As for acquisitions, Amato said they are investigating three such deals right now as well as looking into expanding with services for Canada and Mexico freight. We want the ability to be more of a one-stop solution to our clients. That will definitely help our growth.

The new V3 facility was built with drivers in mind. It boasts a driver lounge, showers, and 24-hour access to a kitchen. Its got everything needed to attract and retain owner-operators, said Sliter, who noted that V3s driver turnover rate is running at just about 36% this year.

Sliter said fleet growth for the balance of the year will focus on V3s bread and butter straight trucks, especially those team-driven. And well be adding more haz-mat certified drivers. We pay for that certification. A lot of our competitors dont have hazmat drivers. Offering that service benefits our growth plans.

Related: Smarter is Faster
In Saamy 2, actor Vikram will return as the foul-mouthed police officer, and director Hari says that the project will be bigger in terms of scale than its predecessor.

By India Today Web Desk: Director Hari, who is gearing up to start working on the sequel to his 2003 Tamil blockbuster Saamy, says the project will only go on the floors after Vikram completes his much delayed Tamil project Garuda.

Speaking about the film, director Hari said, "I'm really happy to be reuniting with Vikram for Saamy 2. However, the project will only roll from next year after Vikram completes shooting for Garuda."



ALSO READ: Saamy 2: Vikram will collaborate with Singam director Hari for sequel to 2003 hit



WATCH Iru Mugan trailer- Vikram stars in double roles of a RAW agent and a mad scientist

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In Saamy 2, Vikram will return as the foul-mouthed police officer, and Hari says that the project will be bigger in terms of scale than the prequel.

"We will definitely make it bigger. We're reuniting after a decade and the expectations will be much higher," he said.

The project will be bankrolled by Thameens Films, and Harris Jayaraj has been roped in to compose the tunes.

Meanwhile, Vikram awaits the release of his Tamil thriller Iru Mugan, which is directed by Anand Shankar.

Vikram will be seen donning two avatars in Iru Mugan- a CBI officer and as a transgender antagonist.

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The University of Tulsas Tim Coburn spends a lot of time talking with students and parents. Many of those conversations have not been without skepticism, the director of the universitys School of Energy Economics, Policy and Commerce said.

Take for example a recent conversation Coburn recalls having with a young man interested in several STEM-related fields. When Coburn asked him if he was also considering roles in energy, the students father jumped in  he didnt think he wanted his son pursuing a career in that industry.

There are no jobs, the man told Coburn.

Theres a student, an 18-year-old, whos got really good skills, clearly coming up, but whos already got this mindset I dont want to go into energy because there arent going to be any jobs out there,  Coburn said. Thats what we run into all the time. Its just the perception that things are down.

To say that there are no energy jobs out there is a misconception, Coburn said, and one that he works to dispel for current and prospective students, as well as for their parents.

The industry may not be currently hiring petroleum engineers  a very specific job associated with the business  but it is hiring, Coburn said. At TU, theyre telling students to think outside of the box.

There are opportunities out there, he said. We just have to think with our mindset a little different.

Energy-sector jobs are available in health and safety, asset management, integrity, engineering, construction, wind and solar, as well as overseas, he said. The midstream sector, which is so entrenched in Tulsa, is also hiring.

Im really positive about the industry, and we are telling everybody we know that this is a good time to be in, Coburn said. The parents come and see me, I say This is a great time to be in. Well help your kids with willing to be flexible. Well help your kids get good jobs. 

Industry reaches out

The misperception that there are no jobs at all in energy comes from the steep drop in oil prices over the past two years. West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading for more than $100 per barrel in mid-2014, but by early 2015 the commodity was going for less than $50. The price didnt stop dropping, hitting less than $30 early this year before beginning to climb again.

Similar price drops throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s led young workers to leave or stay away from the industry. That lost generation still affects the industry as a whole today. If those young workers hadnt been scared away, they would be a wealth of technical talent today.

According to a recent study from the American Petroleum Institute, there are expected to be nearly 1.9 million U.S. job openings in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries over the next 20 years, with around 600,000 of those openings due to aging workers retirements. The situation is leading the industry as a whole and individual businesses to being proactive about creating the next pipeline of workers.

API economic advisor Rebecca Winkel said that one of the workforce development strategies that the group is using to help build the labor pool is to reach out to groups who have not traditionally had heavy representation in the industry  minority and female workers.

APIs efforts in this particular area over the past few years have included extensive research as well as outreach to key communities that included 2014s Energize America, a 10-city tour in partnership with the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Hispanics in Energy, and Asian Americans in Energy, the Environment, and Commerce as well as the organizations presence at events all over the country to engage with women and girls in 2015.

Were trying really hard to help people understand all of the opportunities that are available, Winkel said.

Learning on the inside

The trade association isnt the only entity focused on making sure theres plenty of future talent available. A multitude of companies across the country and locally take the issue of developing a pipeline of talent for their businesses into their own hands. ONEOKs Human Resources Supervisor Shahla Wright said that for a number of years the companys recruiting efforts have included an internship program and a trainee program that provides recent university graduates hired by ONEOK broad exposure to the Tulsa-based natural gas and natural gas liquids company.

Tulsa-based Matrix Service Co. launched a professional development program about 15 years ago, said Nancy Austin, the companys vice president of human resources. The company reworked and relaunched the effort as the Emerging Leaders Program in 2015.

The long-term talent acquisition strategy is a two-year program where the recent graduates and new hires go through rotations that are specifically designed to expose them to every aspect of work inside Matrix and its subsidiaries, from the field to the corporate office.

Members go through six-month rotations that reflect geographic and project diversity, Austin said, and complete a capstone project as well as training in soft and leadership skills. When the program is over, participants are placed within the organization based on openings and their skills and interests. Its likely that participants will eventually take on leadership roles within the company.

It supports our growth, Austin said. It supports succession planning and really helps build our pipeline of leaders.

Tyler Hodge, a Tulsa native who graduated this spring with a bachelors in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University, is part of the newest Emerging Leaders class that started in June.

Hodge said he entered school with the vision that he would likely go on to work for an energy company, the industry many of his family members are involved in. But as graduation approached, the downturn seemed to get worse and worse.

I was anxious, Hodge said. It hurt all of Oklahoma Im sure, but it definitely hurt my family. We run some marginal oil wells outside of Tulsa.

So Hodge was thrilled when he learned in March that he had been accepted to the program. Currently he is based in Houston for his first rotation and said that hes been having a positive learning experience.

Aaron Clarke, a member of the Emerging Leaders Program class that kicked off last year, is currently on his third rotation at Matrixs fabrication division located in the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.

Clarke, who earned a bachelors in finance from OSU in May 2015, said that he was most interested in going into construction, but being from Oklahoma, oil and gas was on his radar as well. Matrix, which is an industrial contractor to the energy, power and industrial markets, was the perfect fit.

Id applied to oil and natural gas companies and construction companies, Clarke said. But this is the only one that had both. So that really intrigued my interest.

Clarke said that he cant stress how great the program and Matrix are. Hes getting invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship, and the attention program members receive extends up through the executive level. No matter where he is placed when the program is over, Clarke said that he knows hell perform better than he would have otherwise because hell have a greater understanding of the company.

Matrixs business model has helped insulate the company from the current energy downturn, Clarke said, but for that industry in particular he knows things will improve.

It is a tough time, but every industry has its peaks and valleys, Clarke said. It will pick back up, and it will be good for Oklahoma when it does.
Jack Blair, the incoming chief of staff under Mayor-elect G.T. Bynum, has been a behind-the-scenes fixture at City Hall for years.

Since he moved back to Tulsa from Minneapolis around 2000, he has had a hand in Tulsas biggest projects: Centennial Park, the Osage Trail, Improve Our Tulsa, 2004s Vision 2025 and its followup this year, Vision Tulsa.

His work isnt on the public stage, and he likes it that way.

Its where I prefer to be, Blair said. I just have no real interest in working out in front. There are people who are much better at that than me. I can be more helpful helping them do that.

Blair was born and raised in Sapulpa, went to Oklahoma State University for an English degree and then got a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Since the early 2000s, he has worked for the Tulsa City Council, applying his knowledge of municipal and state law to city policy as the councils director of research, policy and budget.

That title has changed recently as his profile in City Hall has grown. Most recently his title was policy administrator.

People always ask, What is a policy administrator? Blair said. I never had a good elevator speech of what it is, but it is essentially research assistance and helping to develop policy initiatives and formulating and understanding budgets. Thats hard to condense.

Blair said Bynum approached him with the idea of working as his chief of staff.

I pretty quickly knew I wanted to take it, Blair said. Ive been here a long time, and Ive enjoyed every minute of it. But I didnt think of it as leaving the council as much as staying with the city in a new role.

Blair has worked with 30 councilors since he started, and part of his focus in Bynums administration will be to continue working closely with the council.

Blair, as chief of staff, will join Michael Junk, as deputy mayor, on Bynums upper echelon of the incoming administration.

The mayor-elect speaks glowingly about his future chief of staff.

I have admired him since my earliest days on the City Council, Bynum said. Every important project Ive undertaken as a councilor has been in collaboration with Jack.

Bynum describes Blair as a very modest guy and said he apparently didnt expect to be asked to join the new mayors team.

I had thought about him in a senior role for a long time but never mentioned it to him because I respected his position as a civil service (and therefore nonpolitical) city employee, Bynum said. After we won, Michael Junk and I discussed it. We both agreed he would be fantastic in the job.

The response from city employees since the announcement has been universally positive, Bynum said. Jack is just so respected by people who work at and with the city.

As elected officials put the bow on Vision Tulsa and congratulated themselves on their work, Blair was among a few who were spotlighted for their long work behind the scenes.

Blair credits all the department heads and council staff who work under him for the success.

It was coordination more than anything, Blair said. Answering questions as they come up, and gathering resources as they are needed. And then gathering the expertise which is in the departments and out in the community  not in this office.

As an attorney, Blair said, he never sought out the courtroom as much as he enjoys applying his legal prowess to government and budgetary policy.

Blair and Bynum have worked together on a number of city budgets and other projects.

Weve worked together on a lot of things, he said. Those big programs but also behind-the-scenes stuff like analyzing budget and looking at every fee and charge that the city assesses and looking at justification of every one of them. Its not the kind of thing thats very out there in the public.

The appointed staff has been working since the election to research best practices and prepare to take the office Dec. 5.

I have expectations that hes going to pull together a team that will do a lot of the things he talked about on the campaign, Blair said. Focus on education, encourage best practices and letting data drive decision making.
Wagoner County officials are investigating a possible hate crime in Porter, Oklahoma, after racial slurs were found spray-painted on a church building and headstones at an affiliated cemetery on Thursday.

A photograph of the graffiti depicts the word N-----S! painted in large black letters on an exterior wall of Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in the small town north of Muskogee.

Additional slurs were found painted on the backs of headstones in a cemetery connected to the church, which has a predominantly black congregation of about 60 people, said the Rev. Henry McVay.

The vandals would have had to climb a fence to bypass a locked gate to get to the church, said McVay, who believes the incident occurred sometime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday.

Maj. Dustin Dorr with the Wagoner County Sheriffs Office said his investigative division does not yet have any leads and plans to forward the case to the FBI.

This is taken very seriously, whenever youve got racial slurs on a church, or anywhere for that matter, Dorr told the Tulsa World Friday afternoon. More than likely its just kids, and if theyre caught they will be punished in accordance with law.

McVay said he hasnt experienced anything like this in the 12 years that hes been the pastor of the church.

Why us? I just dont know, McVay said.

McVay said hes heard a few church members say they are afraid to return to the building, fearing that it will again be a target of hate.

He said hes trying to convince them that the vandalism was likely nothing more serious than kids looking for something to occupy their time during their break from school.

The church had already received donations from local businesses to help with the cleanup, which they had planned to start Saturday morning, but the mayor of Porter already took the initiative to gather a group of people and completely cover up the graffiti Friday afternoon, McVay said.

Chanelle Thompson, an 18-year-old studying dentistry at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, said she has attended the church her whole life and was just very shocked that someone would do that.

Because were a church, and we welcome all different types of races and ethnicities, Thompson said.

Thompson posted a photo of the racial slur painted on the church building on Facebook, and the photo had been shared 81 times about 17 hours after it was posted.

Thompson, who lives in Wagoner, said she feels somewhat unsafe after the incident, but it wont stop her from going back to the church.

Im sure well all go back, because thats the church that more than half of us grew up in, Thompson said. But we might go there with a little, you know, worry or something, just scared of what could happen.

Local law enforcement officers have increased patrols in the area and alerted neighbors to be more aware of cars in the area, said Wagoner County Deputy Nick Mahoney.

Wed love nothing more than to catch these people, Mahoney said.
During the Energy Chamber's Post AGM Event at the Hyatt Regency hotel Wednesday evening, the Finance Minister Colm Imbert offered an insight into how going to the supermarket has been for him since he announced the increase in the prices of gasoline and diesel in the 2023 Budget.
By India Today Web Desk: Popular TV actress Sara Khan--who currently stars in Ekta Kapoor's Kawach as Manjulika--turns 26 today, but her birthday celebrations seemed to have begun a while ago! Her sisters Ayra and Yaman had already bombarded their lovely sister with gifts. In fact, Sara herself posted pictures of the same.

The actress rang in her previous birthday with close friends and family by her side. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ssarakhan

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Also read:After Kawach, TV star Sara Khan will soon be seen in a Pakistani serial



Complete with cute goodies and a collage full of pictures of the three spending time together, Ayra and Yaman had planned everything in advance to surprise the talented actress on her special day.

The card was gifted to the actress by her sisters. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ssarakhan

Sara even got a special card from her sisters that included sweet messages and an endearing sketch--which the actress adored. She posted a picture of the said card on her Instagram, and captioned the picture as "Awwwww Yammu @theyamankhan m already so special I feel, as I have sisters like u n @ayrakhan66 I feel the best n I don't need no one when I have u guys with me. The respect, love and care u all gimme is totally unbelievable and unreal. I already feel like a princess #love#sisters #3khans #khansisters #blisters #ssarakhan #ayrakhan #yamankhan #iloveubothverymuch. By the way I loved the sketch my baby."

Well, we are sure that this is just the beginning for Sara as far as gifts and surprises are concerned, as the day has just begun.

Happy Birthday, Sara!



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Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
Russian-backed militants launched 50 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

In Donetsk area, the enemy used mortars and machine guns to shell Avdiyivka (18km north of Donetsk).

In Mariupol area, militants used grenade launchers to shell ATO troops in Krasnohorivka (29 km west of Donetsk) and Hranitne (57km south of Donetsk).

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The Maryinka checkpoint has been temporarily closed due to shelling by militants.

This has been reported by the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

"Today, at 6 a.m., the Donetsk-Kurakhovo road corridor was to be opened, militants began shelling the Maryinka control post. Fire was launched at the checkpoint in the direction of the forest sector near the village of Oleksandrivka, located in the uncontrolled territories," the report said.

No casualties have been reported due to the shelling.
Indonesia is a very promising market for Ukrainian grain, corn, starch and sunflower oil.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said this to journalists after the meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the press service of the President of Ukraine reports.

"We have confirmed our readiness to deliver the goods. Indonesia is a very interesting market for Ukrainian grain, corn, starch, sunflower oil and other goods," he said.

Poroshenko is confident that the enhanced cooperation will be promoted by the Memorandum of Understanding between the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine and the Agriculture Ministry of Indonesia regarding cooperation in this area, signed today.

He noted that Ukraine was interested in the agricultural products of Indonesian exports, ranging from palm oil and coconuts to textiles.

The President also noted that the trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 50% in 2016 compared to 2015.

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This spring, Ukraine and Australia signed the agreement on peaceful use of nuclear fuel.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia Mykola Kulynych speaks about the condition of this agreement in an interview with Ukrinform.

"For Ukraine, the conclusion of this agreement is a vital step. As earlier we bought nuclear fuel in Russia, with which the trade relations were terminated for obvious reasons. Australia offered to cover from 30% to 70% of our needs in nuclear fuel that can actually make it as a strategic supplier of nuclear fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants," Kulynych said.

According to him, this document is a huge economic support for the political cooperation between two countries.

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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has thanked Indonesia for the decision to introduce visa-free regime for Ukrainians.

He stated this during the meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as posted on official Twitter account of the Ukrainian President.

"I thank Indonesia for its decision to introduce the visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens," Poroshenko wrote.

He expressed the belief that this would contribute to closer ties between the two countries.

In addition, the President of Ukraine thanked Indonesia for its voting for the UN resolution on the illegality of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

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President Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna Poroshenko have laid flowers to the Monument of National Heroes Kalibata in Jakarta as a sign of commemorating the victims.

The press service of the Head of State reported. The Head of State has also left a note in the Book of Condolences. ish
Offenders found guilty of adulterating milk with harmful chemicals will get life term said Supreme Court. The directives by the apex court include measures to spread awareness on the issue.

The Supreme Court said it was forced to pass the directive as repeated reminders to make amendments in the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, have not yielded any results.

By Harish V Nair: The Supreme Court on Friday said that offenders found guilty of adulterating milk with harmful chemicals should spend their life behind bars and directed the central government to raise the penalty to deal with the menace. The apex court said the present six-month imprisonment "was" hardly a deterrent" and cited the government's own admission in parliament four months ago which said that two out of three people in the country drink milk laced with detergent, caustic soda, urea and paint.

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"Since in India traditionally infants/children are fed milk, adulteration of milk and its products is a concern and stringent measures need to be taken to combat it. The consumption of adulterated milk and adulterated milk products is hazardous to human health," said the court.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, was acting on a petition filed by religious guru, Swami Achyutanand Tirth of Haridwar, four years ago. The court came down heavily on the government, and said it was forced to pass the directive as repeated reminders to make amendments in the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, have not yielded any results. The court asked the Centre to follow the norms that have already been laid down by UP, MP, Odisha and West Bengal.

CENTRE MULLS AMENDMENTS IN THE PENAL PROVISIONS

"As observed by this court earlier, it will be in order if the central government considers making suitable amendments in the penal provisions at par with the provisions contained in the State amendments to the Indian Penal Code. It is also desirable that Union of India revisits the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to revise the punishment for adulteration making it more deterrent in cases where the adulterant can have an adverse impact on health," the bench said.

In all, the SC issued ten directives, at a time when over 68 percent of milk sold is not conforming to the standards laid down by the food regulator FSSAI. The directives include identification of high risk areas, setting up labs and milk testing vans and spreading awareness through a newly established website.

The court has, earlier too, taken serious exception to the Centre's refusal to amend the law. "What are you doing about it? In March we had given an ultimatum to the Centre to inform us if you are amending the law and we are now in December," an SC bench had said on December 12, 2014, when Anurag Tomar, lawyer for the petitioner pointed out the delay.

FOOLISH TO GO LIGHTLY ON ADULTERATORS

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The court has repeatedly said it would be foolish to go lightly on adulterators just because no grievous illness or death has been reported immediately after someone drinks milk laced with such poisonous substances.

"The poisoning in the body is gradual and once it happens people think they are afflicted with cancer and nobody blames milk. Are you waiting for them to add cyanide in milk? Only then instant death will be caused for you to take action," the court had said.



Directions: Centre and states to implement Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 in a more effective manner. States take appropriate steps to inform owners of dairy, dairy operators and retailers working in the state that if chemical adulterants like pesticides, caustic soda and other chemicals are found in milk, then stringent action will be taken. Identify high risk areas (where there is greater presence of violators and times (during festivals)when there is risk of ingesting adulterated milk is greater. Set up adequate number of labs, including milk-testing vans well-equipped with trained people. Set up website specifying functioning and responsibilities of food safety authorities; creating awareness about complaint mechanisms.

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In the framework of the state visit to Indonesia, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with Head of the Yogyakarta Sultanate Hamengkubuwono X.

The press service of the Head of State reported.

The parties shared views on the development of trade and economic cooperation between Yogyakarta and the regions of Ukraine. Particular attention has been paid to the enhancement of cultural, humanitarian and educational contacts.

The interlocutors have agreed to increase cooperation between the educational facilities of the two countries on the exchange of students and studying Ukrainian and Indonesian languages.

Petro Poroshenko and Hamengkubuwono X have also agreed to intensify interaction in the framework of the UNESCO, particularly in the context of preservation of objects of the world heritage under the auspices of this organization.

The President invited the Head of the Yogyakarta Sultanate to visit Ukraine.

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Chicago public schools are letting go of more than 1,000 teachers and faculty members. The announcement was made on Friday.

The Chicago Tribune reported that more than 500 Chicago public schools teachers and another 500 staff will be laid off. Fortunately, the teachers will be qualified to apply for jobs in the district, which has about 1,000 teaching vacancies. Other personnel affected by the move can be hired at other schools.

CPS noted that about 60 percent of teachers who have been laid off have been rehired in full-time positions in the district in the previous years. Layoffs and rehirings are a regular occurrence at Chicago public schools as response to the changes in enrollment. In the coming year, 273 of the 500-plus public schools will no longer have problems with staffing.

To be exact, 314 elementary school teachers and 194 high school teachers will be let go, for a total of 508. There will be 378 elementary personnel and 143 high school support staff who will be laid off, for a total of 521.

The Chicago Teachers Union slammed the layoffs, describing the ordeal as "the gutting of experienced educators and other school employees only weakens schools and puts children at a disadvantage."

According to Chicago Sun Times, Foreman College and Career Academy have the largest amount of total layoffs, including support staff, with 22. Kelly High School comes next with 17 and is followed by Steinmetz College Prep with 15.

Gallistel Language Academy, Bradwell School of Excellence, Harlan Community Academy, Schurz High School, Wells Community Academy and Addams Elementary School are some of the schools that will be affected with the layoffs.

"CPS principals continue to do exemplary work protecting their classrooms so that they can build on the remarkable academic progress their students are making," CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in a statement. "Today's staffing changes are part of the normal process of school planning, and there are more vacant positions in the district than staff who will be impacted today, with roughly 1,000 teaching vacancies to be filled."
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Shiv Sena today took potshots at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mahad tragedy, saying he should stop aerial visits to mishap sites and demanded Guardian ministers be barred from flying inside the state to understand its road and bridge conditions.

The Sena also said the present governments ambitious Make in Maharashtra programme should begin with construction of good quality roads and bridges, in the absence of which no foreign nation would be willing to invest there.

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"Instead of indulging in blame game and only conducting meetings to gauge the Mahad tragedy, what is needed is to give a serious thought over the issue.

Also, if the CM really wants to understand the situation of roads and bridges in the state and conduct a proper audit, he, along with other ministers need to shun planes and helicopters while touring the state," the party said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

"District Guardian ministers should not be given permission to fly to their respective districts. Let them travel by dilapidated roads and bridges and then conduct an audit. Because, when ministers fear for their lives, audit and repairs, both shall take place," it said.

It further said that if in a progressive state like Maharashtra, a large number of people lose their lives in natural calamities, the government needs to change the structure of its Make in India and Make in Maharashtra programme.

"Start your Make in Maharashtra programme by fixing old and dilapidated bridges. Unless you construct proper roads, do not expect foreign nations to invest money here," it said.

Also, if there was a strong government in the state from the last two years, what did it do to prevent this tragedy, it asked.

Eight more bodies were recovered yesterday during search operation in the Savitri river, where two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad, taking the toll in the tragedy to 22.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the "double standards" of Sena over the Mahad tragedy and said before the advising the BJP to fix bridges and roads in the state, it should do so first in Mumbai.

"Senas corruption in the BMC has resulted in thousands of potholes across the city where people are losing lives. Sure, it can play the role of a big brother by advising the BJP but it should also play the role of a responsible brother and fix roads bridges in the city and not play with the lives of people for monetary gains," Congress spokesperson Al-Nasser Zakaria said. PTI MM DK BSA SDM

--- ENDS ---

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Elaborate arrangements are being made for the PM Modi's maiden visit to Telangana on Saturday.The PM will also launch piped drinking water program 'Mission Bhagiratha' in the state.

By Ashish Pandey: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on his maiden visit to newly formed state Telangana on August 7. During his much awaited and politically significant trip PM Modi will launch the state's flagship piped drinking water program 'Mission Bhagiratha' apart from launching various other developmental projects.

As per his schedule PM Modi will reach Begumpet Airport of Hyderabad at around 02:20 PM and later take a helicopter to reach Gajwel of Medak district at around 3 PM.

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In Gajwel, the Prime Minister will unveil a pylon at Komatibanda village and formally turn on a water tap the premises to mark the launch of Telangana government's safe piped drinking water project 'Mission Bhagiratha'.

PM WILL ALSO COMMISSION TWO PROJECTS

The 1,600 MW National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) power plant and a fertilizer factory, both in Ramagundam of Karimnagar district through remote control.

Modi will also dedicate to the nation the 1,200 MW plant of Singareni Collieries Company in Adilabad district and inaugurate Kaloji Narayan Rao Health University in Warangal. He will also lay the foundation stone for Manoharabad-Kuttapally railway line.

Later the PM will address a public gathering in Gajwel before returning to Hyderabad at about 4.30 p.m.

For the Prime Minister's public meeting at Gajwel both ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi as well as Bhartiya Janta Party is planning to mobilize over two Lakh people from across Telangana.

The irrigation minister T Harish Rao, who is the nephew of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, is monitoring all the arrangements at Gajwel.

LARGE TURN OUT EXPECTED

Assuring that it will be a massive and historic event, Harish Rao told India Today that rain-proof shed has been erected in 80 acres area for the audience. While over 170 acres have been allotted for vehicle parking, three helipads apart from an emergency helipad has also been set up for the dignitaries and PM.

Taking no chance on security the Telangana police has deployed over 5000 police personnel.

" We are following all SOPs and have identified four specific locations where security will be at its peak. We have placed 50 fixed metal detectors doors Security on the way from Hyderabad to Gajwel will be tightened," DIG of Hyderabad Range Akun Sabharwal told India Today.

Tight security arrangements has also been made in Hyderabad's LB stadium where PM Modi will also address a meeting of BJP workers later on Sunday evening before leaving to Delhi at 06:40 PM.

Also read:

Modi to connect with citizens via 1st townhall meet today



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Students alleged that a girl student of NIFT was molested by some unidentified youths at around 2 a.m. when the girl was on the way to the NIFT campus.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Students of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on Saturday resorted to road blockade to protest the alleged molestation of a female student of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) located inside the KIIT campus.

ALLEGED MOLESTATION

The students came out in large numbers and blocked the KIIT-Sikharchandi Road and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

They alleged that the female student of NIFT was molested by some unidentified youths at around 2 am while the girl was on her way to the NIFT campus.

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Despite the girl's screams for help, security guards deployed near the women's hostel of KIIT did not come to her rescue. The warden of the women's hostel did not help the girl, the agitating students alleged.

The agitating KIIT students have demanded proper scanning of the CCTV footage and action against the miscreants. They have also demanded immediate justice and foolproof security for all students within the campus.



POLICE DENY INCIDENT

The campus is situated barely 500 metres away from the Infocity Police Station limits in the capital city here.

However, the Commissionerate police denied that such an incident has happened.

"Prima facie we found that no such incident has happened in KIIT campus. We are examining the CCTV footage to ascertain the truth," said Deputy Commissioner of police Satyabrat Bhoi.



ALSO READ:

51 squats, Rs 1,000 fine: Bihar panchayat's punishment to rape accused





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SHARE Capritto DeLeon Haney Krause

MOORPARK

PennyMac ranked among top 20

A local mortgage servicer is among the top 20 in the J.D. Power 2016 Primary Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study.

Moorpark-based PennyMac ranked 19th in the survey.

According to J.D. Power, mortgage servicers that invest strategically in the customer experience can not only recapture that investment, but also increase profits and raise customer satisfaction.

The study may contradict those in the mortgage servicing industry who believe customer experience investments are unnecessary and unprofitable. That perception can come from knowing that customers don't typically pick their mortgage servicer  48 percent of customers indicate they didn't, according to study findings  and that there are a lot of barriers to changing mortgage providers.

"Servicers with a captive audience can often view taking measurable steps that improve the customer experience as an unnecessary investment," said Craig Martin, senior director of the mortgage practice at J.D. Power. "They aren't against improving satisfaction, but cost containment is their top priority. The study clearly shows, however, that interacting with customers more efficiently  and more effectively  can reduce costs and increase profit for servicers regardless of the business model, while having the added bonus of improving satisfaction."

The study identified four primary ROI benefits for servicers that invest in improving the customer experience: complaint reduction, cost containment/reduction, limiting portfolio loss and developing new business opportunities.

Women of Channel honor bestowed

STORServer Inc. said Katie Nielsen, senior channel manager based in Moorpark, has been named to the prestigious 2016 Women of the Channel list by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company.

The women executives who comprise this annual list represent vendors, distributors, solution providers and other organizations that figure prominently in the channel ecosystem. Each is recognized for her outstanding leadership, vision and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation.

CRN editors select the Women of the Channel honorees on the basis of their professional accomplishments, demonstrated expertise and ongoing dedication to the information technology channel.

With over two decades of experience in the channel, Nielsen has spent the past 14 years with STORServer, currently serving as senior channel manager. Her accomplishments include managing an ever-expanding territory, opening opportunities for additional revenue generation, strengthening ties with STORServer's business partners and positioning new products to customers and resellers. Nielsen is tenacious in her efforts to provide the best built-to-order solution to meet the needs of each customer.

OJAI

Banking company gets board addition

OCB Bancorp, the parent company of Ojai Community Bank and divisions Santa Barbara Community Bank, Santa Paula Community Bank and Ventura Community Bank announced the addition of Tom Krause to the board of directors.

Krause has been a resident of Ojai since 1975 and was chairman/co-founder of the global company BST (Behavioral Science Technology) a leading pioneer in organizational safety, before it was acquired by DEKRA in 2012. He is presently a Partner at Krause Bell Group in Ojai.

Krause is a member of the Thomas Aquinas College board of governors and the board of governors of St. John's College. He is the founder of the Alliance for Liberal Learning, an association of colleges and universities that promote the cause of classic liberal education.

In welcoming Krause to the board, OCB Bancorp Chairman George Melton said: "I know he will bring a great deal of knowledge to our board. We look forward to his insight, professionalism, business acumen, and his passion for the community."

Krause said: "I am enthusiastic about working closely with OCB Bancorp as this community of banks continues their ascent of success. The OCB family of banks have a very strong position in the marketplace, and I believe in their philosophy of banking and advancing the communities they serve."

SIMI VALLEY

Banker joins board of Simi Free Clinic

Jill L. Haney, vice president and branch manager of the El Paseo office of Union Bank, has joined the Free Clinic of Simi Valley's board of directors.

"I have always been impressed with the Free Clinic and the work they do," Haney said, adding that she was honored to be asked to join the board.

She said she is impressed with all the work the clinic does  medical, dental, legal and counseling  and says she has referred friends there for assistance.

"The Free Clinic of Simi Valley has relied on Jill and Union Bank for its banking services for several years," said Free Clinic Executive Director Fred Bauermeister. "We're glad that she has decided to enhance the relationship by becoming part of the Free Clinic family."

Besides the clinic, Haney also serves on several other boards, including the Simi Valley Hospital Foundation, the United Way of Ventura County and the Moorpark College Foundation. Haney is also a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset.

Haney is a resident of Westlake Village and has lived in the Conejo Valley since 1959. Haney is a graduate of Thousand Oaks High School and Moorpark College. She has one son and three grandchildren.

VENTURA

Lemonade company gets industry honor

Lori's Original Lemonade says its Organic Lavender Lemonade won the BevStar 2016 "Best in Show" Award, and the "Gold" Award in the juice category.

BevStar awards are given by Beverage World Magazine in a worldwide competition, with judges basing their decisions on flavor, ingredients, packaging, market positioning and uniqueness.

Beverage experts came together to sample more than 100 entries, and awarded Lori's Original Lavender Lemonade a near perfect score.

In addition to the Lavender Lemonade, the line also offers a popular sweet and spicy Ginger Lemonade and a cool and refreshing Lemongrass Lite Lemonade.

"We are looking for adventurous customers who love lemonade," founder Lori Volk said, and she and her team are finding them. Her lemonade is in more than 400 locations in states including California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Alaska. Lori's Original Lemonade can be found in Whole Foods, Gelson's, Bristol Farms, Lassen's, select Vons and Albertsons, numerous local independent natural foods stores and cafes.

Volk created her signature drink, Lavender Lemonade, for her children's lemonade stand years ago in Ojai. The mother of three is a graduate of CSU Channel Islands with a degree in psychology, and has more than 30 years of experience in sales and marketing.

Visit http://www.lorisoriginallemonade.com for more information.

Rolling-door expert gains certification

Andrew Burke, a door and access systems technician with Plum Lift-A-Door Co. in Ventura, has been designated as a certified commercial rolling-door systems technician by the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation.

The certification is effective as of May 1.

The certification can document training and demonstrate a high degree of knowledge in the installation and service of commercial rolling-door systems. Candidates must pass a comprehensive written examination covering all aspects of commercial sectional door installation,

Door and access systems dealers are companies that sell, install and service a wide range of automated door and access systems, which typically include residential garage doors, commercial doors, rolling steel doors, fire doors and retail grilles.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

Group recognizes patriotic service

The Military Order of the World Wars honored Tamara Eacker, general manager at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, with its Patriotic Service Award during the Red, White and Blue Ball at the Ronald Reagan Library Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley.

The award recognizes Eacker's dedication and patriotic service for veterans and the community as a whole.

"We've worked with Tammy for six years. It was time that we recognized her for her patriotism and the dedicated service she provides to our community," said Jerry Knotts, commander of the Conejo Valley chapter of the order. "It was an honor to present the award to her as her leadership and selfless service has been an inspiration to all of us over the years."

The order of is a national patriotic organization of American military officers, warrant officers, flight officers and their descendants with the goal of promoting patriotism, civic responsibility and leadership.

"I was surprised and humbled to receive this honor," Eacker said. "The work I do with this organization is small compared to the service each of its members has given to our country through their service in our armed forces. I consider it a privilege to work with them and to support veterans throughout our community."

VENTURA COUNTY

Realtor association selects leaders

The Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors has elected officers and board members to lead the association in 2017.

Two officers will join incoming President Lyle Elliott, who was elected president-elect last year and automatically will take the helm in 2017. Matt Capritto will be president-elect and Jorge DeLeon will serve as secretary/treasurer.

Capritto serves this year as secretary/treasurer and as a member of the board. He is a lifelong area resident with more than 29 years of experience in real estate.

DeLeon has more than 20 years of experience in real estate and is broker/office manager for Coldwell Banker Residential in Oxnard.

In addition, four Realtors won seats on the board of directors to serve three-year terms: Sher Heard, with Comfort Real Estate Services in Ventura; Pam McWaid, with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Realty in Thousand Oaks; Cami Pinsak, with Realty ONE Group Summit Ventura County; and Robin Turner, with Keller Williams Realty in Oxnard.

Local contractors get recognition

The emPower program has recognized several local contractors for their dedication to affordable, energy-efficient home upgrades.

Plaques of appreciation were presented to six contractors for diligence in meeting strict efficiency guidelines and ensuring homeowners receive the right upgrades to meet their needs.

The recognized contractors were Allen Energy, Halsell Builders, N.R.G Heating & Air, Progressive Insulation and Windows, The Solar Energy Co. and Troy Helton, Jr. (recognition presented posthumously),

The emPower program offers voluntary incentives, financing and other services to help single-family homeowners in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties make home energy upgrades easier and more affordable. The program was originally established by Santa Barbara County to help the community preserve the environment by helping to lower energy consumption and stimulate the economy by creating jobs through innovative, voluntary solutions to support a sustainable building performance market. It is funded by California gas and electric utility ratepayers.

To share news about your company or business-related organization, email business@vcstar.com. If there is an event involved, please email the information at least three weeks in advance of the event.
Ventura County Air Unit, https://twitter.com/vcairunit

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By Christian Martinez, christian.martinez@vcstar.com

Ventura County Fire Department rescued an injured mountain biker Saturday in Thousand Oaks, officials said.

A male biker was reported injured on the Lang Ranch Trail about 8:30 a.m., fire officials said. A Ventura County Air Unit helicopter was required to lift the biker out of the trail, according to fire authorities.

Officials said the biker was transferred from the helicopter to an ambulance. He was transported to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center with reported head injuries and broken bones.
SHARE Karen Quincy Loberg / Star staff 02-04-10 Camarillo studio: John Weigle, columnist for the Ventura County Star.

By John Weigle, Special to The Star

Lots of people who have never collected stamps are learning about the hobby at the Ventura County Fair.

I'm writing this on Thursday, the day after the fair's jammed opening day. Volunteers who worked at the Ventura County Philatelic Society booth in the Gem and Minerals Building reported they were swamped throughout the day. I worked the night shift, which is usually less busy than the day shifts, and even it was busy. Youths and adults enjoyed searching through boxes of stamps and finding items that matched their interests.

Some of the visitors also examined exhibits prepared by members of the society and young collectors, all of whom, I believe, are members of the stamp club at the Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences in Newbury Park. Thank you, teacher Jennifer Fry, for having a stamp club at the school and encouraging its members to exhibit at the fair.

Adult winners were "History of U.S. Stamps" by Ron Jambor, first place; my "Some Unusual Aspects of Ventura County Postal History," which also received a special award for the judge's favorite exhibit no matter what, if any, other award it received; "Topical Cover Collecting" by Frosty Godfrey, third; and "Survey of U.S. 20th Century History" by Katherine Morris, fourth.

A separate exhibit of zeppelin material in a large case, including many stamps and covers and a set of the zeppelin stamps issued by the United States that was in a case rather than frames, won a first and a judge's award. I don't know the exhibitor's name.

I don't know the youth exhibitors' names, but they displayed a variety of stamps. Topics presented were presidents, sea life, trains, airplanes, animals, ships, horses, flowers (two exhibits), birds, butterflies and space.

WONDER WOMAN STAMPS

The U.S. Postal Service will issue four stamps showing different versions of DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman on Oct. 7 at the New York Comic-Con.

Wonder Woman was introduced to comic book readers in October 1941 in All Star Comics. Female heroes were scarce at the time, but the new character took off and had her own comic in the following year. The stamps will show versions of Wonder Woman through the years, the Postal Service said in announcing the issues. The release describes the stamps this way:

"On the first row of stamps Wonder Woman of the Modern Age wields a hammer with a power and determination befitting her roots in the heroic world of Greek mythology.

"The Bronze Age Wonder Woman's bold stance empowers the second row of stamps. With her fist held high and bulletproof bracelets gleaming, the Amazon princess leads the charge against injustice.

"The third row of stamps depicts Wonder Woman during the Silver Age. Although she possesses great strength and speed, the world's favorite superheroine prefers compassion to the use of brute force. With her golden lasso of truth close at hand, she compels honesty from her foes.

"In the last row of stamps, Wonder Woman from the Golden Age bursts onto the scene as originally envisioned by creator William Moulton Marston."

Wonder Woman first appeared on a U.S. stamp in 2006 along with other DC superheroes.

Pictures of the stamps can be found at https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2016/pr16_058.htm.

County Stamp Clubs

Goebel Adult Community Center Stamp Club: Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Call President Rick McHenry at 498-2085. Website: http://stamps.org/Goebel-Stamp-Club.

Simi Valley Stamp Club: Meets at 1 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month except in January, February and September at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Contact Steve Thomas at 818-312-6898 or thomascwcc2000@aol.com or Allen Conrad at 818-489-7678 or aconrad@socal.rr.com. Website: http://stamps.org/Simi-Valley.

Ventura County Philatelic Society: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road, Ventura. Website: http://www.vcphilatelic.com/index.html.

USS Ronald Reagan Chapter No. 107 of the Universal Ship Cancellation Society: Meets on the third Wednesday of February, May, and September at various locations. Contact President Lee Zeller at 983-0683 or leezeller@aol.com. Website: http://www.uscs.org.

John Weigle's email address is jweigle@cipcug.org. He is a longtime collector and member of the Ventura County Philatelic Society.
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I want to thank Bernie Sanders for his 30 years of service to better the lives of all Americans. I want to also thank him for his bravery to break from the Democratic Party when he realized it was compromising party principles. And it took much courage and tenacity for him to rejoin it and campaign for the voiceless in a spirited "political revolution" in his run for the presidency.

As Bernie has repeatedly informed us, two-thirds of all Americans want Medicare for all and the end of "insurance-care" making obscene profits from our misery. Two-thirds of Americans do not want jobs shipped overseas, or companies abusing cheap labor and cutting corners on worker safety and environmental protection.

Two-thirds of Americans no longer want NAFTA, CAFTA or the nontransparent TPP. They believe college education should be a right and not a privilege. They think we have a broken justice system that favors wealth while punishing drug users instead of seeking their medical treatment.

And two-thirds of Americans want to see Social Security expanded and not privatized, believe war should be a last resort and not the first, believe in immigration and a pathway to citizenship, and that police should not be militarized and shooting unarmed Americans on the streets where we live.

An overwhelming number of Americans are angry about double-standard taxing and havens for billionaires. They know climate change is real and want to see much greater investment in sustainable energy systems like solar, wind and geothermal.

They want the Citizens United decision overturned, fair and honest campaign financing and fairness in the election process itself. Americans know that for fair elections, money must not have the final say. And Americans want an end to the Federal Reserve and a breakup of the big banks.

Amid corporate propaganda, disguised as "media" or "journalism," real issues are rarely brought to the forefront. Because of Bernie, the American people finally got their voice back to openly discuss issues that most concern them.

I want to also thank Bernie for revealing the superdelegates scam and the purging and suppression of our votes, and for his demands of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, challenging her to make the Democratic primary system fair. As WikiLeaks verified, Bernie was right on all counts. Bernie  and poor and middle-class Americans  ended up the victims of a rigged Democratic Party, which had an agenda for one single outcome.

Thank you, Bernie, for being that one ray of sunlight breaking through the dense political fog with all its particulates, and enlightening Americans as to what we must do to pursue and ensure our brighter future.

Thank you for being our brave, new-age Paul Revere and riding across America to begin our political revolution. May we never forget to Feel the Bern!

Grant Marcus walked precincts, managed a Bernie Sanders office and helped with crowd control at Bernie events in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. He is a founding member of Citizens for Integrity in Party Politics.
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Re: your July 28 editorial, "Farm wage-theft claims cannot be easily dismissed":

It is disappointing that The Star failed to apply even the most basic of journalistic tests to the claims of widespread employer abuses leveled by labor activists at the July 20 workshop conducted by county supervisors Steve Bennett and John Zaragoza.

It is equally disappointing that The Star similarly has failed to subject the "poll" being used as evidence of such abuses to meaningful scrutiny.

As the editorial notes, the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) claims to have conducted a survey of 300 farmworkers in Ventura County and says about 60 percent of them reported experiencing some form of wage theft. Smaller percentages reported other forms of labor law violations, according to CAUSE.

What CAUSE does not mention  and what The Star failed to note  is that the poll did not ask the farmworkers whether they had experienced any of these alleged violations in Ventura County within the past few years.

It is unknown  and unknowable, given the opaque manner in which the poll was designed and executed  whether these reported experiences occurred here or in Salinas or even in Mexico; or whether they occurred a month ago, a year ago or a decade ago, when such problems were more common than they are today.

These details matter, because CAUSE and its allies are asking the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to take a host of very specific local actions to address what they claim is a pervasive, ongoing local problem.

Yet when challenged repeatedly by county leaders to present actual evidence that such violations are as routine as they claim, the activists have failed to do so.

In fact, during the July 20 workshop, Supervisor Bennett pointedly asked representatives of CAUSE, the United Farm Workers and the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) how many labor-related complaints they had helped their constituents file in the past two years. The UFW came up with two; CAUSE and MICOP couldn't think of any. The Star failed to report that.

Contrary to the editorial's headline, Ventura County's agricultural community is not "dismissing" claims of wage theft and other labor law violations.

Every industry has the occasional employer or foreman who tries to take advantage of workers, and agriculture is no exception. Leaders in the industry are more than willing to work for systemic change if it's needed, and to root out bad actors whenever they can be identified.

But unsubstantiated claims based on fuzzy anecdotes collected from a minuscule fraction of the county's 36,000 agricultural workers do not provide industry leaders with actionable or useful information.

Nor do they serve as a sound basis for public policy.

As was made clear at the July 20 workshop, numerous state and federal agencies already enforce a thicket of laws and regulations governing labor conditions on the farm and in every other workplace.

County supervisors are hardly guilty of "dismissing" farmworker concerns when they ask for tangible evidence of this regulatory system's failure before they embark on the broad, intrusive and costly expansion of county authority sought by CAUSE and its allies.

Supervisors Bennett and Zaragoza deserve credit for their careful attempt to locate facts in the fog of activist passion.

But by accepting unsubstantiated allegations at face value  and, remarkably, arguing that the mere presence of a crowd of placard-waving demonstrators bused to the event by activist groups is somehow proof that the allegations are true  The Star has granted credibility to innuendo and made the supervisors' task immeasurably more difficult.

John Krist is chief executive officer of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County.
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To fairgoers

Exhibits, competitions, food, music and fun await you at the 141st Ventura County Fair. The theme this year is "A Country Fair with Ocean Air." For those who don't want to hassle with crowded parking lots, free shuttles are available. More information can be found atventuracountyfair.org. Contrary to myth, Pa does not remember the first fair. The second one, maybe, but not the first.

To tree lovers

The five-year drought is taking a heavy toll in the wilderness. Estimates on the number of trees lost range in the thousands in Ventura County alone. The dead trees pose hazards to hikers, so be careful. Also, they increase the risk of wildfires. One thing is certain: The lingering evidence of tree loss will remain long after the return of rain.

To students

United Way of Ventura County's Stuff the Bus campaign is in full swing, with volunteers helping to fill backpacks with notebooks, pencils and other school supplies for children in need. With an estimated value of $25 per backpack, the supplies help take a burden off low-income families and single parents, but they also ensure students have what they need to succeed in school.

To stargazers

Tonight's your chance to view some heavenly sights at the Mid-Summer's Night Star Party at the Moorpark College Observatory hosted by the Ventura County Astronomical Society. The free event runs from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. A presentation on viewable objects will be followed by the chance to gaze at them through telescopes. Information is available at VCAS.org.

To couples

Ready to tie the knot but don't want to make the long trek from the east county to Ventura? Appointments for civil weddings can be made beginning Monday at a satellite location for the County Clerk and Recorder's Office in Thousand Oaks. Situated in the Civic Arts Plaza, office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

To Oxnard

Your fair city has had the privilege of a youthful perspective on matters normally discussed among, oh, let's just say more ripened folk. Dorina Padilla, elected to City Council at age 24, will not seek re-election after one term, opting instead to pursue her education. It has been refreshing to see youth take an active interest in civic affairs. We hope more will follow in her footsteps. To Padilla, we say thanks.

To firefighters

Facing the danger of taming a raging fire sometimes goes beyond one's immediate vicinity. Crews and equipment from the Ventura County Fire Department were deployed to help battle four wildfires in California. The firefighters were at the Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Soberanes Fire near Big Sur, the Cold Fire in Yolo County and the Goose Fire in Fresno County. Duty calls; they answer.

To the Navy

Congratulations on your decision to convey 4 acres at the Camarillo Airport to Ventura County instead of declaring it surplus land up for grabs by other government agencies. Though it took an act of Congress, the land now can be used to expand the airport's business park, generating jobs and increased revenues for the Camarillo and Oxnard airports.

To deputies

As of Monday, all Ventura County sheriff's deputies on patrol, traffic and school-resource duty have been equipped with body cameras. The cameras protect them from undue claims of excessive force and help document the apprehension of alleged criminals. It is safe to assume that those apprehended will not want copies to use as selfies online.

To veterans

Sunday is Purple Heart Day, honoring a decoration given to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military since April 5, 1917. It is a good day for all to thank those who put their lives on the line for our nation.
Officials from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) joined Clark County, Nevada Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and City of Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson at the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to officially kick off the Las Vegas Valleys participation in Earth Houra global event calling for action on climate change.

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., Las Vegas will lead more than 240 cities in 70 countries as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history.

During Earth Hour in Las Vegas, the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign will go dark, exterior lights will be turned off at many popular on- and off-Strip hotelcasinos and residents throughout the Valley will dim and turn off the lights in their homesin a highly visible symbolic gesture that will focus attention on climate change globally, while encouraging local businesses and individuals to take steps to reduce their own environmental footprint.

No place on the planet is better lit than the Las Vegas Strip, and Im encouraging all our casinos and our two million residents to dim their lights in support of Earth Hour, said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, whose district includes much of the Las Vegas Strip. 2009 marks the centennial of Clark County, so there is no better time to do our part. Supporting Earth Hour promotes our own goals for thoughtful growth management and empowers everyone, from county departments to individual citizens, to be part of the solution.

Our community is excited to be a flagship city for Earth Hour 2009 as this event follows our citys commitment to sustainability, said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. We hope that Las Vegas will serve as an example of sustainability for the 40 million visitors who pass through our great city each year, and for millions more around the world.

Las Vegas was selected by WWF as an official flagship city and joins other U.S. flagship cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco. Globally, the list of Earth Hour cities includes Auckland, Beijing, Bogota, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Homer Glen, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kiev, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Oslo, Rome, Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Wellington and Vancouver with more expected to sign on in the weeks ahead.

When it comes to shining the spotlight on climate change, there is no city better suited to the job than Las Vegas and we couldnt be more thrilled to have them onboard as a flagship city for Earth Hour 2009, said Leslie Aun, Earth Hour US Managing Director, speaking at the launch event. Earth Hour lets people express their concern about climate change and give their elected leaders a message that they want action before its too late. Earth Hour also sends a strong message to the global community that the American people want the US to again take a leadership role in finding solutions to one of the most urgent threats facing our planet.

In addition to turning off non-essential exterior lights, some hotel-casinos on and off the Las Vegas Strip will host viewing parties and special events. Local residents can participate in any of these events, or can support the initiative by simply turning off the lights in their own homes and hosting mini events such as candlelit dinners or game nights with family and friends.

For further information about Earth Hour in the United States, visit www.earthhourus.org. For further information and updates about Earth Hour Las Vegas and to view a list of major participants, visit www.earthhourlv.org. Earth Hour Las Vegas can also be followed on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/EALVfan and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/earthhourlv.

About World Wildlife Fund

With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: In a breakthrough, a man has been arrested in Kuwait for suspected links with ISIS.



Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi, reportedly funded and conducted recruitment for ISIS. He is a 32 yrs, a Kuwaiti national who became the first foreign national to be arrested in relation to the Indian ISIS case.



ABDULLAH HADI'S ROLE

Abdullah Hadi sent 1000 US dollars to Areeb Majeed and his three associates through Western Union while they were in Iraq. The group who were en-route to Syria fell short of money. Majeed who has been custody since November 2014, told his interrogators that the group got in touch with an Afghan National and chief motivator Rehman Daulati once they ran out of money.

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Subsequently money was arranged and on Rehmans instruction, Abdullah Hadi then transferred it , making it possible for the group to reach their final destination.

ARREST

Almost a year later Kuwaiti authorities informed NIA that its investigation found Abdullah of having been involved in financing of terrorism after his return from Pakistan in 2013. The authorities immediately registered a case against terror financer and arrested him.

The NIA is exploring options of sending a team to Kuwait or having him deported.



INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The agency has been facing hurdles in the Majeed probe from many countries which have raised concerns about the death sentence in India.

But according to senior officers, a country like Kuwait responding to India's request shows much needed international cooperation in the global fight against ISIS.



So far NIA has registered 8 cases that are ISIS related in which 39 accused have been arrested, and 5 accused are on the run. Abdullah is the first foreign national to be arrested. NIA will seek his custody but senior officer associated with case say these procedures are likely to take time



Also read:

Indian-origin al Qaeda top operative arrested in Saudi Arabia



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In the spring of 1965, within weeks of 3,500 American Marines arriving in Vietnam, a 39-year-old Briton named Larry Burrows began work on a feature formagazine, chronicling the day-to-day experience of U.S. troops on the groundand in the airin the midst of the rapidly widening war.In the heat of battle, in the devastated countryside, among troops and civilians equally hurt by thesavagery of war, Larry Burrows photographed the conflict in Vietnam from 1962, the earliest days of American involvement, until 1971, when he died in a helicopter shot down on the VietnamLaos border. His images, published inmagazine, brought the war home, scorching the consciousness of the public and inspiring much of the anti-war sentiment that convulsed American society in the 1960s.To see these photo essays today is to experience (or to relive), with extraordinary immediacy, both the war itself and the effect and range of Larry Burrowss giftshis courage: to shoot The Air War, he strapped himself and his camera to the open doorway of a plane... his reporters instinct: accompanying the mission of the helicopter Yankee Papa 13, he captured the transformation of a young marine crew chief experiencing the death of fellow marines...; and his compassion: in Operation Prairie and A Degree of Disillusion he published profoundly affecting images of exhausted, bloodied troops by the ever-escalating war.The photographs Larry Burrows took in Vietnam are brutal, poignant, and utterly truthful, a stunning example of photojournalism that recorded history and achieved the level of great art.
According to the approved master plan, the total planned area will be 5,007 hectares (ha), comprising 2,650ha Cat Hai Island and the remaining 2,357ha earmarked for Haiphong International Gateway Port and a non-tariff area.

Nikken Sekkei clearly decided the function and development plan of Cat Hai Island.

This region, belonging to Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone, will become an industrial city with big logistics systems, playing an important role to spur northern logistics development, and maximise the advantages of Lach Huyen International Gateway Port.

Besides, the planning of Cat Hai Island is based on the Triple Bottom Line principle, ensuring the balance between Society, Economy, and Environment, heading towards sustainable development.

The land for industrial production will cover 28 per cent of Cat Hai Island total area. There will also be the space for logistics development which spreads along Tan Vu-Lach Huyen highway, and port area.

Part of Cat Hai Island will be dedicated for social building, such as hospitals, schools, parks, seawalls, green zone, and resort area. According to Nikken Sekkei, clearly determining the areas functions helps bring comfortable life for the residents while ensuring an eco- friendly working environment.

The infrastructure system, particularly transport system, will be built simultaneously to ensure best connection between Tan Vu-Lach Huyen highway and Lach Huyen port, alongside rebuilding the road and bridge connecting Quang Ninh-Lach Huyen which is 65m long and 4x10.5m wide, and a rail system linking Lach Huyen port to Dinh Vu station, connecting with the national railway network.

The plan will be conducted into four periods, from 2017 to 2030 and after 2030.

Cat Hai Island has great potential to attract investors. Besides, the island is part of an economic coastal zone, making it very appealing to investors. Therefore, having in place a scientific and efficient planning scheme for Cat Hai is essential to make the most of these advantages, said Do Trung Thoai, head of HEZA.

Thoai also said that the city has thus far attracted more than $2 billions in foreign direct investment. There will be two major investment projects in Dinh Vu-Cat Hai economic zone worth more than $1 billion in total committed capital.

Thoai expected the announcement of Cat Hai Island detailed master plan will become a highlight, helping the city, particularly Cat Hai, to further allure investors.

One of most successful investors is Rent A Port Group, the developer of Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (IZ). At the end of 2015, the group decided to expand and invest three more IZs covering a combined area of 2,000ha.

The work includes expanding current Dinh Vu IZ, and building 650ha Deep C IZ, 500ha Deep C III IZ in Cat Hai Island, and Tien Phong IZ in Quang Ninh province.

According to Marc Stordiau, Rent A Port managing director, total investment sum of above projects will be about $800 million. Deep C III IZ is in the legal setup stage for detailed planning and site clearance.

With those mega infrastructure projects in the development pipeline, Haiphong city will offer a great deal of opportunities for investor community in the region.
Apartment buildings under construction in Ha Noi. Mortgaged housing projects are essential but must avoid misunderstandings. - VNS Photo Doan Tung

Recently, the HCM City Department of Natural Resources and Environment published a list of 77 apartment projects that have been registered at land registration offices as mortgaged assets. The list has been submitted to relevant offices in the city and also uploaded on the Land Registration Office's website.

The action is said to have been prompted by the Harmona scandal in the city a few months ago. More than 600 buyers of Harmona apartments in the city's Tan Binh District got a rude shock one day when they were told their homes would be seized by a bank because the developer had mortgaged the building and failed to repay the loan. That meant nearly 2,000 people living there had to leave their apartments despite already making full payments.

As a result, the city has decided to make the legal status of property projects public to reduce the risk for buyers.

Later, Ha Noi's Department of Natural Resources and Environment also published a list of 26 apartment projects that had taken out mortgages at banks to get capital for developing the projects.

Now, the capital city has a total of 300 property projects, while HCM City has 584 property projects.

The announcement was necessary to protect the interest of buyers, investors and banks, and to ensure transparency on the property market, Pham Ngoc Lien, director of the HCM City Land Registration Office, said at a seminar held by the Phap luat Thanh pho HCM newspaper on August 2.

Vu Thi Khuyen, a representative of the HCM City Construction Department, said it was normal for enterprises to mobilise capital from society, including buyers and banks, to develop property projects. Investors of the projects must be certified by the city's construction department to be eligible investors of mobilising capital.

Bank and financial expert Dang Quoc Tien said all enterprises could take loans out for their businesses. Banks pay attention to the ability of investors to repay loans, as well as the legal status and feasibility of the projects, before deciding to give them loans, he said.

Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said it was the responsibility of parties involved in the projects to release public information about the mortgaged property projects. However, Chau said, the parties should carefully consider their announcements regarding mortgage information to avoid misunderstandings from buyers, who sometimes have the misconception that mortgaged projects are weak projects, even though it is a common practice.

Le Hung Manh, general director of Gia Hoa Company, which has mortgaged projects in HCM City, supports publicising information on mortgaged property projects.

But the HCM City Resources and Environment Department had not prepared well for this plan, he said. The department should co-operate with property enterprises and media to hold press conferences on announcing the mortgaged projects in order to provide thorough information on this issue, he suggested.

Protecting buyers

Nguyen Huu Nghia, deputy director of Ha Noi Resources and Environment, said mortgages taken out for commercial projects are both normal in business and in compliance with the law.

State offices have controlled mortgaged projects, and mortgages would not affect the interests of apartment buyers, he said.

In fact, apartment buyers of some mortgaged projects had received ownership of real estate certificates. In addition, investors of those projects had implemented all their rights and obligations in lending capital and selling property products, he said.

In the future, the HCM City Resource and Environment Department and the HCM City Land Registration Office would update information regarding the repayment of loans for mortgaged projects, said Pham Ngoc Lien, director of HCM City Land Registration Office.

The departments expect to organise a meeting between investors, banks and apartment buyers to find the best solutions and ensure more transparency on the local property market, he said.

To protect property buyers, Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said the resources and environment departments should provide more information about investors' purpose of mortgaging their projects at banks, including plans for developing and constructing the project. Buyers would need to know this information before deciding to buy the property product, Chau said.

He added that banks should also supervise investors that have mortgaged projects to ensure that investors use loans and capital mobilised from buyers for the right purpose - completing the projects and handing the apartments over to buyers.

Pham Sy Liem, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Construction Association, said some investors mortgaged their property projects to get banking loans to develop the projects, but in fact, they used the loans for other purposes, prohibiting them from handing over apartments to buyers.

Therefore, he said property buyers should take down information at State management offices about the property products they want to buy before deciding to buy apartments that are part of mortgaged property projects.

The buyers could contact the Ha Noi resource and environment department to receive a consultation on property projects to determine if the projects have a certificate of real estate ownership, Nghia said.
Vietcombank has been planning to issue 360 million new shares worth $600 million at current market value, equalling 10 per cent of the banks existing stocks to foreign investors.

The stake volume, which is offered to GIC, will be discounted to the market price, however no specific price has been disclosed. The deal would have to receive approval from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Vietcombanks largest shareholder.

With at least seven per cent of the stakes, GIC would be the third-largest investor after the SBV, which owns 77 per cent, and Japanese Mizuho Bank with a 15 per cent stake.

Once successful, the deal will be GICs second large-scale investment in Vietnam this year. Earlier in March, GIC spent approximately $100 million on acquiring more than 27.6 million shares in Vietnamese consumer giant Masan Group Corporation to boost its stake from 1.38 to 5.08 per cent.

In the first half of 2016, Vietcombank recorded a pre-tax profit of VND4.27 trillion ($191.3 million), an increase of 35 per cent over the last year, and reduced its bad debts ratio to 1.74 per cent from 1.84 per cent.

Established in 1981, GIC, formerly known as Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte., Ltd., is a sovereign wealth fund of the Government of Singapore. The firm manages the foreign exchange reserves of the Singaporean government.

GIC invests in unlisted public and private companies with a strong equity focus on healthcare, financial and business services, as well as natural resources, real estate, fixed income, and alternative markets, including foreign exchange, commodity, and money markets across the globe. The firm invests through its subsidiaries GIC Asset Management Pte., Ltd., GIC Real Estate Pte., Ltd., and GIC Special Investments Pte., Ltd.


photo source: baogiaothong

LNG Vietnam, worth $4.4 million, is a joint venture of Japanese Tokyo Gas Group (Tokyo Gas), PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas), and Bitexco Group. Accordingly, PV Gas will hold a 51 per cent stake, Bitexco 39 per cent and Tokyo Gas 10 per cent.

Although Vietnam is currently self-sufficient in natural gas, the government plans to import and distribute LNG to meet the growing demand of power plants and industrial users. Last year, the country announced plans to build six LNG storage facilities by 2020 for distribution to industrial parks across the country.

PV Gas predicts a supply gap of six billion cubic metres, particularly in Southeast Vietnam, within the next four years. The figure is expected to rise over 15 billion cubic metres by 2025.

Thus, LNG Vietnam is expected to pioneer LNG in Vietnam, managing all facilities in the country, along with export-import and distribution activities in order to meet domestic demand and trade with other countries in the region.

In Vietnam, LNG is mainly used as a source of energy by industrial producers and fertiliser plants or as fuel for gas-fired power plants.

According to PV Gas, LNG will be brought in by specialised carrier ships and degasified before delivery to pipelines and consumers. Because the price of imported LNG is much higher than domestic gas, the target customers will be those who can afford it, including the largest state-owned power producer, Electricity of Vietnam, which consumes more than 80 per cent of PV Gass output.

Previously, in May, leaders of Tokyo Gas and PV Gas met to discuss the investment plan in the construction and operation of Thi Vai LNG warehouse in Cai Mep industrial zone in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, as well as the expansion and management of LNG warehouse infrastructure and the development of the Vietnamese LNG market in the future.
People wave Turkish flags during a rally in Gundogdu Square in Izmir on Aug 4, 2016, protesting against the failed Jul 15 military coup attempt. (Photo: AFP/Emre Tazegul)

The "urgent clean-up in the party organisation" was aimed at expelling those linked with the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation - as Ankara calls the movement blamed for the Jul 15 attempted putsch, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

It comes as Turkey announced a visit later this month from US Secretary of State John Kerry, which would be the first by a western diplomat since the failed effort to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

Turkey's hardline response to the coup has escalated tensions with Europe, while the United States, where Gulen has been in self-imposed exile since 1999, has not yet confirmed the key visit by its top diplomat.

Ankara has accused Erdogan's arch-foe Gulen of running a "parallel state" and on Thursday issued a warrant for his arrest for "ordering the Jul 15 coup" - which the reclusive cleric vehemently denies.

The Muslim cleric has denounced the arrest warrant as meaningless.

'CAPITAL OF RADICAL RACISM'

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu escalated a war of words with Austria on Friday, calling it the "capital of radical racism" after Vienna urged an end to Ankara's EU membership talks.

"Racism is an enemy of human rights and humanitarian values and the Austrian chancellor should first look at his own country," he told TGRT news channel. "Austria is the capital of radical racism," he added.

Reacting on Twitter soon after Cavusoglu made those comments, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz urged his counterpart to "exercise restraint". "Turkey needs to moderate its choice of words and actions," he said.

Turkish authorities have implemented a relentless crackdown in the wake of the coup.

Over 60,000 people within the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been dismissed, detained or are currently under investigation for suspected links to the Gulen movement.

Cavusoglu also said US Secretary of State John Kerry would visit on Aug 24, but a US State Department spokesman told AFP: "We have no travel to announce."

Turkey has frequently called on the United States to extradite Gulen, sending documents to Washington as evidence of his alleged involvement in the putsch attempt.

GULEN SUSPECTS IN KAZAKHSTAN

Turkey is also pressing Kazakhstan over its schools linked to Gulen, with Erdogan expressing the hope on Friday that the Central Asian country would take steps to close them.

"They (Gulenists) have 33 schools in Kazakhstan. We have delivered them the list," Erdogan told reporters in Ankara with Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first foreign head of state to visit Turkey after the failed coup.

The Kazakh leader said 90,000 students were registered in those schools and several thousand of them had been awarded in international competitions. "If there are any among them linked with terrorism ... we will respond to Turkey's demand," he said.

Ankara's crackdown on the Gulen movement has also targeted journalists accused of links to the preacher. Twelve out of 14 journalist suspects from the Zaman daily were remanded in custody, Anadolu reported on Friday, less than a week after six others were arrested.

Mumtazer Turkone, former columnist of the newspaper, was one of the journalists arrested by an Istanbul court, on charges of "serving FETO's purposes," it added.
Award winning: Asian Youth Orchestra founder and conductor will lead the concerts in Ha Noi on August 17 & 18. - Photo asianyouthorchestra.com

The annual concert is part of the AYOs three-week international concert tour with celebrated conductors and solo artists.

The 110-member orchestra will take the stage at VNAMs Grand Hall. The orchestra first performed in Ha Noi in 1996, and since has performed in Viet Nam in 2000, 2011 and 2013.

In 2000, the orchestra performed in both Ha Noi and HCM City.

It is a rare chance for both professionals and music lovers to enjoy musical masterpieces performed by the finest young musicians in Asian countries, such as mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The musicians were chosen through highly competitive auditions held throughout the region. They are together for six weeks each summer, initially for a three-week rehearsal camp in Hong Kong.

Violinist o Ngoc Thao My is the only Vietnamese representative currently playing in the AYO. Last year the 18-year old student of VNAM also played in the AYO to mark its 25th anniversary.

Im not nervous playing in the AYO for the second time, but it is still fresh and exciting to me, said My.

Joining the AYO gives me a chance of meeting classical music virtuosos who are from the Munich Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Volksoper. I have access to new thoughts and creativity in classical music.

As a VNAM student, Im proud to be a Vietnamese representative playing in the AYO. It will be a precious experiment that I will never forget in my career.

My is among many VNAM students that have been recruited to play in the AYO. Violinist Nguyen Khac Uyen was the first Vietnamese representative to play in the AYO in 1991.

Since AYOs establishment in 1990, about 40 talented music students from VNAM playing different instruments, such as the violin, bassoon, percussion, double bass, French horn, oboe and clarinet have performed with the AYO.

A few of them including bassoonist Nguyen Bao Anh, the two violinists Nguyen Quoc Truong and Tang Thanh Nam and oboist o Kien Cuong have played in the AYO three times.

Since its inaugural performances in 1990, the award-winning orchestra has played some 395 concerts in Asia, Europe, the US and Australia to an audience of more than one million concert goers.

Millions more have seen and heard the orchestra around the world on CNN, CNBC, NHK and Radio and Television Hong Kong.

The AYO was awarded Japans prestigious Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2010 and the Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture in 2015. Its achievements include the first concerts played by musicians from mainland China and Taiwan seated side-by-side in Beijing and Taipei, the first concert by an international orchestra in 50 years in Ha Noi, the world premiere performances of Tan Duns Symphony 1997 with cellist Yo-Yo Ma in Hong Kong and Beijing marking the territorys reunification with China, multiple performances in Beijings Great Hall of the People, and performances in the White House and at the United Nations.

Ha Nois concerts will see the young musicians play pieces such as Symphony No.8 by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak; Symphony No.6 entitled Pathetique by Tchaikovsky; Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring by American Aaron Coplan and The Planets by English Gustav Theodore Holst.

The concerts will begin at 8pm under baton of conductors James Judd and Richard Pontzious. Conductor Pontzious is one of founders of the AYO and is also its art director.

Tickets are sold from VN200,000 (US$18) at 77 Hao Nam Street.

After Ha Noi, the AYO will perform in Taiwan on August 21, 22 & 24; in Nagoya on August 26; Ayase on August 28 and Tokyo on August 29 & 30.
The scriptwriter of the show, Abhishek Singh, has been booked in a murder case.

By India Today Web Desk: The scriptwriter of The Kapil Sharma Show, Abhishek Singh aka Kera, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a shootout. Kera was caught by The UP Special Task Force on August 3.

Also read: Is Abhay Deol unhappy with the crew of The Kapil Sharma Show?



He had been living under a disguise as Rohit Singh in Andheri. The police managed to nab the scriptwriter after they were informed by one of their sources, who had noticed similarities between the photographs of Abhishek and Rohit.

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Carrying a cash reward of Rs 30,000, Abhishek aka Kera had been on the run for the past seven years due to his alleged involvement in a shootout in Uttar Pradesh, in which three people were injured, and two people had died in October 2009.

"Intelligence gathering revealed that he (Abhishek) had acted in as many as nine episodes of Great Indian Family Drama apart from another serial, titled Code Red, which are available on YouTube," The Times of India quoted the additional SP STF Arvind Chaturvedi, who was in charge of the operation.

Abhishek aka Kera has also featured in shows like The Great Indian Comedy Show, which used to air on SAB TV.



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Photo by ASSOCIATED PRESS

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton meets with reporters at the 2016 National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame Luncheon in Washington on Friday.
Now that the film's release is postponed again, the makers of Thodari have released a new trailer from the film which gives us a glimpse of Dhanush's train journey.

By India Today Web Desk: Actor Dhanush-starrer Thodari, which was supposed to hit the screens on August 12, is now pushed for a week. Since the film's release is postponed again, the makers have released a new trailer from the film. Dhanush posted the theatrical trailer on his Twitter account.



thodari theatrical trailer.I'm very very thrilled about dis film.Wil announce release date soon.Thanks 4 d patience. https://t.co/yZUZ7ARxG8 Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) August 5, 2016

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Going by the trailer, the film is a racy adventure about a hijacking of a train. Dhanush is seen as a caterer in the film and is seen locking horns with Harish Uthaman while Keerthy Suresh plays his love interest.



ALSO READ: Thodari: Dhanush's film postponed again



ALSO READ: Dhanush to romance Radhika Apte in his next?



Directed by Prabhu Solomon, Thodari is based on a pantry worker Dhanush, who falls in love with Keerthy Suresh, who reportedly plays a touch-up girl in the film.

The rest of the story is about the challenges encountered by the actors on a train journey from New Delhi to Chennai. However, there isn't any official confirmation from the producers regarding the release date of the film.

Produced by Sathya Jyothi films, The film also has enormous scope for comedy since it has Thambi Ramaiah, a frequenter in Solomon's movie, and Karunakaran in main roles.

Thodari has music by D Imman and the album received good response from the audience.

Meanwhile, Dhanush is busy simultaneously shooting for his much-anticipated Vada Chennai and Ennai Nokki Paayum Thotta.

Here's the trailer:





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After years of undercover work, the U.S. is starting to pull back the veil on what appear to be loose-knit, perhaps deeply rooted networks of would-be terrorists who support each other even as many prepare to act alone.

Heightening the concern, these complex webs of connections and support seem to span several years and often cut across the ideological lines that delineate one terror group from another.

Increasingly, the FBIs had a lot of these, according to a law enforcement official familiar with one of the more recent cases. I think it is going on nationally.

The official, speaking to VOA on condition of anonymity, also said it was clear that "a lot of this predated ISIL," using an acronym for the Islamic State terror group.

'Disrupting networks'

Concern has reached all the way to the White House. After a meeting with national security officials late Thursday at the Pentagon, President Barack Obama said, Its conceivable that there are some networks here [in the U.S.] that could be activated.

"We have to do a better job of disrupting networks," he added.

Yet former counterterror officials warn that doing so promises to be difficult, because what holds these networks together cannot be undone simply by trying to dismantle a single terror group.

"The differences between al-Nusra and ISIS [Islamic State] and al-Qaida and al-Shabab  for the regular people, its a distinction without a difference," said Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the George Washington University's Program on Extremism. Whats really underlying it is the ideological underpinnings that drive these people.

In many cases, researchers say, for the members of these groups, it comes down to a willingness to embrace violence to fill holes or gaps in their lives.

"If ISIS is eliminated tomorrow and moves on, there are going to be other groups that pop up, and these individuals are already primed," said Hughes, who previously worked at the National Counterterrorism Center. "Theyll latch onto the next foreign terrorist organization."

Virginia case

Perhaps no case illustrates the dangers as much as that of Nicholas Young, 36, a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit police officer from Fairfax, Virginia, arrested this past week for trying to help the Islamic State acquire mobile messaging accounts for use in recruiting new members.

The arrest appeared to be the culmination of years of undercover work that most likely began in late 2010, when FBI agents interviewed Young about an acquaintance.

"Six years is a very long time for an active FBI investigation," Hughes said. "They were clearly concerned."

According to an FBI affidavit, the acquaintance in question was Zachary Chesser, who had been arrested earlier in 2010 after trying to travel to Somalia to join the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab terror group.

Young told investigators that he was shocked by the charges and that it would be his religious and personal duty to have told someone if he suspected Chesser of any terror-related activity.

But something got the FBIs attention, and investigators kept him in their sights.

"From the law enforcement perspective, the hope is that if you follow this individual, he lights up the system and you get to see if there are any networks you need to be worried about," Hughes said.

It would seem Young lit up the system.

Regular contact

By January 2012, Young was in regular contact with an undercover law enforcement officer.

That March, the undercover officer reported on a meeting with Young and two other men to discuss "the fundamentals of marksmanship."

One of the two other men then joined the undercover officer and Young at a restaurant for the first of several shared meals over the following months. They talked about jihad, martyrdom and evading authorities.

Both men at the March meeting would later be arrested on the same day, February 17, 2012.

One of them, who was not named in court documents, was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The other man, Amine El-Khalifi of Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested in a sting operation as he attempted to carry out a shooting and suicide bombing at the U.S. Capitol in the name of al-Qaida.

Even after those arrests, investigators continued to watch Young, who confided he had twice traveled to Libya a year earlier to fight with the Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade, an al-Qaida-linked group trying to overthrow then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

By 2014, Young was expressing growing admiration for the Islamic State, advising an FBI informant on how to reach the terror group. Thinking the informant had successfully joined the ranks of IS, Young tried to send him the mobile messaging gift cards just last month. That act led to his arrest.

More cases likely

Law enforcement officials refuse to say whether the six-year investigation of the former Metro Transit officer will yield more arrests, but a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington field office said it is likely that more cases are on the way.

Because of the national significance of Washington, D.C., and the vast number of potential geographic and human targets, northern Virginia and the surrounding area are likely to continue to experience arrests of individuals who have provided material support to designated terrorist organizations, said the FBIs Lindsay Ram.

Ten people have been arrested in Virginia on terror-related charges since March 2014, according to Hughes of the George Washington University extremism program. Only New York (18) and Minnesota (13) have seen more terror-related arrests in that period of time.

A lot of these cases have to do with in-person ... recruitment or radicalization, where they reinforce each other, Hughes said.

Still, law enforcement officials warn against underestimating the power of social media, as evidenced in Thursdays arrest of Erick Jamal Hendricks, 35, of Charlotte, North Carolina, charged with trying to recruit members for an IS sleeper cell  a group of willing terrorists who remain inactive and out of sight until they are called upon to join a plot.

Court documents show the FBI was able to link Hendricks through social media to several other U.S.-based IS followers.

One of them, Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 38, was arrested in June 2015 after trying to buy an AK-47 assault rifle from an undercover agent.

Another, Elton Simpson, was killed in May 2015 along with Nadir Hamid Soofi, when the two tried to attack an event in Garland, Texas, where amateur cartoonists were drawing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

The FBI says Hendricks had been in touch with Simpson via social media about a week prior to the Texas attack, and even connected Simpson with an undercover FBI agent who was in Garland at the time.

Social media link

For Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, evidence that Hendricks and Simpson knew each on social media is especially worrisome.

"One thing that we know is that Junaid Hussain, who was functioning as an external operations connector/official for the Islamic State, was in touch with Elton Simpson," Gartenstein-Ross said. Rather than contact between Simpson and Hendricks "being informal, there may have been a formal ISIL hand in helping to connect these disparate individuals together."

Some of Hendricks claims may lend additional credence to those concerns.

During a conversation on social media in April 2015, Hendricks told an undercover FBI agent he was in contact with "senior people."

"Does the head give orders?" the agent then asked.

"Only advice," Hendricks replied.

"And connect ppl [people] to form 'gro ups,'" Hendricks added, breaking up the word "groups" as he did with other words he feared would draw the attention of law enforcement.

"The networks are definitely broader, theyre definitely thicker and theyre definitely more interconnected than weve ever seen before," Gartenstein-Ross said.

Endurance and adaptability

Another concern stemming from the arrests of Nicholas Young and Erick Jamal Henderson is that despite arrests, disruptions and the watchful eye of law enforcement, the loose-knit terror networks seem to be able to sustain themselves  and, in some cases, even outlive the terror groups that helped spark their creation.

The adaptability of the threat moves faster than the state can keep up with it, cautioned Mubin Shaikh, an expert who has worked with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
Belgian police say a man wielding a machete and yelling "Allahu Akbar" was shot and killed Saturday shortly after injuring two female two police officers in the city of Charleroi.

The attack took place outside a police station about 50 kilometers south of Brussels.

The attacker was shot by a third police officer and later died at the hospital.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted about the incident, saying he is closely monitoring the situation and strongly condemns the attack. He said, "My thoughts are with the victims, their relatives, and police officers."

The Charleroi attack came after 32 people died in March during coordinated bomb attacks on the Brussels airport and a subway station. Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for that attack.

Brussels has been on high alert for terrorist attacks since the attacks in March.
Brazilian police have arrested an Iranian national suspected of having connections with terrorism in the city of Chui, in Rio Grand do Sul, southern region of Brazil.

Pouria Paykani had been monitored by the federal police and the Brazilian Intelligence Agency since July 15.

Local reports say a warrant for his arrest and deportation had been issued and Paykani was arrested Friday when he tried to enter Uruguay by bus.

The country's Federal Public Ministry issued a statement saying the deportation order was issued due to his illegal situation in Brazil.

"This is a standard procedure used in cases of undocumented people, without a visa or residence in the country," the statement said.

Folha de Sao Paulo reported that Paykani caught law enforcement's attention in June after he was seen photographing the departure lounge of the Garulhos Airport in Sao Paulo. The man, according to police, entered Brazil in March with his Iranian passport. He allegedly went back to Garulhos twice and took more photographs. Folha reported that Paykani was questioned by police, held in contempt and then released.

Authorities then sent Paykani's picture to all Brazilian airports and the intelligence service in charge of the Olympic Games.

It is unknown, according to Brazilian officials, if Paykani is directly engaged in "preparatory acts" for a possible attack.

Besides Paykani, Brazilian police arrested 10 people in July who were suspected of planning attacks at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes described the group as "an absolutely amateur cell" and "disorganized." He said some of its members had made "pro forma" declarations of allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, but none had any direct contact with IS.

The minister added that the cell was made up only of Brazilian citizens and organized through online messaging services such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

The arrests and raids were carried out across the country.

Following last month's truck attack in the French city of Nice, Brazil increased security for the Olympic Games.

Paykani will be transferred to Sao Paulo, but Brazilian authorities did not share more details.
Japan on Saturday marked the 71st anniversary of the U.S. nuclear bombing of Hiroshima that led to the end of World War Two.

About 50,000 people attended a ceremony at Hiroshima's Peace Park near the bomb's epicenter.

Mayor Kazumi Matsui called on world leaders to visit the site, like U.S. President Barack Obama did in May.

Like Obama, Matsui said that such visits "will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart."

The Hiroshima bombing killed around 140,000 people either instantly or from radiation burns in the immediate aftermath.

Another bomb was dropped on the port city of Nagasaki three days later, killing an estimated 70,000 residents.

Washington argued the attacks were necessary to bring about a quicker end to the war. Six days after the Nagasaki attack, Japan surrendered, ending the war.

When he visited the site, Obama said, "We have a shared responsibility to look directly in the eye of history. We must ask what we must do differently to curb such suffering again. We must re-imagine our connection to one another as members of the human race."

Obama is the first sitting U.S. president to visit the bomb site. He did not offer an apology for the bombing. He had said he would not revisit then president Harry Truman's decision.
The Russian-backed leader of a separatist region in eastern Ukraine was seriously wounded Saturday in an apparent assassination attempt, Russian and Ukrainian media reported.

The pro-Russian separatist Luhansk Information Center said a bomb exploded early Saturday near the car of rebel leader Igor Plotnitsky in the capital of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. By early Sunday, no one had claimed responsibility.

Russian media later showed footage of a mangled sport utility vehicle and quoted a rebel spokesman as saying Plotnitsky was hospitalized in stable condition.

Separatists quickly blamed "saboteurs" who they say were trained by Ukraine government special forces, while the Kyiv government denied any link to the attack.

Ukrainian government spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told the news outlet Interfax-Ukraine that the attack was "most probably a result of infighting ... a power struggle" within rebel factions vying for control of key cities in eastern Ukraine.

Separatists in the Russian-speaking east launched a rebellion against Ukraine rule in April 2014 that has killed more than 9,500 people, most of them civilians. More than 1 million others have been displaced.

Luhansk and the nearby Donetsk territories were heavily shelled by government forces for months before Plotnitsky and other separatist leaders signed a peace deal with Kyiv in 2015 that reduced the frequency and intensity of fighting near the Russian border.

Unlike leaders in Donetsk, senior Luhansk rebels have been embroiled in fierce infighting for more than two years.

A Plotnitsky rival and one of Luhansk's most visible commanders, Alex Mozgovoi, was killed last year along with several colleagues when his car was bombed and strafed by gunfire near the Russian border. No one has claimed responsibility for that killing, and no arrests have been reported.
Chinese coast guard vessels, air patrols and fishing fleets have re-asserted their disputed maritime claims in two distant areas Saturday, despite last month's ruling by an international tribunal that their territorial claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis.

Japan filed a protest against China Saturday after saying it saw at least six Chinese coast guard vessels and more than 200 fishing boats near Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. China also claims these islands, which it calls the Diaoyu.

Chinese vessels are allowed to operate in the region, but the large number seen Saturday raised alarm.

Japan's Foreign Ministry demanded that the ships leave the area, stating that three of the coast guard vessels were armed with what appeared to be gun batteries.

Beijing responded by reiterating its position that the islands are "China's inherent territory."

On the same day, China announced that it has conducted a combat air patrol over the disputed South China Sea to improve its fighting ability.

The Air Force did not specify when the exercises took place, but state news agency Xinhua reported that several types of planes including bombers and fighters took off from multiple airports.

Last month, a United Nations-backed court in The Hague ruled that China had no claim to disputed part of the South China Sea.

China has asserted territorial claims in large swaths of the South China Sea in recent years, transforming reefs into artificial islands that can support military installations and airstrips, ignoring competing claims in the region by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, as well as the Philippines.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Beijing's territorial claims in the region have "no legal basis."

An estimated $5 trillion in global trade passes each year through the South China Sea, which is home to rich fishing grounds and a potentially vast wealth of oil, gas and other natural resources.
The leader of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar has welcomed the backing of regional leaders who support reinstating him as South Sudans first vice president, according to his spokesman, James Gadet Dak.



In a meeting held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa Friday, the leaders from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) recommended both that Machar be reinstated and that a regional peacekeeping force should be deployed to protect civilians as part of an effort to ensure the full implementation of last years peace accord signed by both President Salva Kiir and Machar.



Local media quoted Sudans Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour as saying the regional leaders are trying to secure Juba through a regional military force to be agreed upon by the chiefs of staff of the armies of the east African block.

[We] called for a dialogue between Kiir and Machar, agreed to work for Machars reinstatement as First Vice President, and to implement the security arrangements as provided in chapter II of the peace agreement in order to stop definitively the fighting and move forward towards the full implementation of the agreement, said Ghandour.



Some South Sudanese wonder how soon Machar would return to the capital, Juba, especially because Sudan's President Salva Kiir has recently replaced Machar with Taban Den Gai.



Supporters of Kiir say he was forced to fill the position after Machar refused to return to Juba. Machar's spokesman, Dak, says the former rebel leader would only return to Juba after the regional force is deployed to improve security. He denied Machar is to blame for refusing Kiir's requests to return.



We welcome this resolution by IGAD. This is what we have been saying, that we need a third party force to be deployed in Juba so that it could separate the two rival forces and to protect not only Dr. Riek Machar, but also the collective leadership of South Sudan including President Salva Kiir himself, said Dak.



There is no delay on his part, but it is the delay on the regional body the IGAD because they could not deploy the third party force. Dr. Riek Machar was waiting for the third party force to be deployed in Juba so that he could return. This is what he has been saying and he has been clear about it. So as soon as the regional body deploys the third party force, immediately Dr. Riek Machar will return to Juba.



Taban Den Gai, the newly installed first vice president to replace Machar says he is willing to step down following the decision of the regional leaders.



But, civil society organizations have expressed concern about what to do about the reshuffling President Kiir undertook. Kiir replaced Machar and made new appointments including the new petroleum minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, who was a former Machar ally. Dak insisted that any appointments that occurred while Machar was absent are illegal and the former ministers should be reinstated.
The U.S. military says it killed three al-Qaida operatives in a counterterrorism strike in Yemen.

The U.S. Central Command did not say how the strike was conducted, nor did it reveal the identities of those killed.

In a statement Friday, the U.S. Central Command said the strike occurred in the Shabwa province in central Yemen against fighters of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The U.S. military has previously carried out numerous drone strikes in Yemen against Islamist militants.

"AQAP remains a significant threat to the region, the United States and beyond. Al-Qaida's presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen; it is using the unrest in Yemen to provide a haven from which to plan future attacks against our allies as well as the U.S. and its interests," the Central Command statement said.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized Yemen's capital, Sana'a, in 2014, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government to flee to Saudi Arabia before returning to set up in the port city of Aden.

Saudi Arabia began a bombing campaign against the Houthi rebels in March 2015 that, coupled with a naval and air embargo on Yemen, has caused large shortages of food and fuel.

Islamist militants have exploited a power vacuum created by the conflict.

According to the latest figures released by the U.N. human rights office, more than 3,500 people have been killed and nearly 6,300 wounded in Yemen since the beginning of Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign. The United Nations says 80 percent of Yemeni civilians urgently need food and medical help.
Two Syrian opposition groups said Saturday that rebels have broken the government siege of the northern city of Aleppo after fierce fighting since July 31.

"Rebels break Aleppo's siege," wrote the Istanbul-based National Coalition on Twitter.

The powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group said on Twitter that rebels had seized control of Ramousah on the southwestern edges of the city and "opened the route to Aleppo."

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the siege had not been broken but that fighting was very intense in Ramousah.

Syrian insurgent groups launched a fresh offensive Saturday to try to break a government siege on rebel-held neighborhoods in Aleppo, triggering intense clashes and airstrikes on the southern edge of Syrias second largest city, the rebels and state media said Saturday.



Earlier reports Saturday said that a coalition of Arab and Kurdish fighters had taken "almost complete control" of the strategic northern Syrian city of Manbij that was a stronghold of the Islamic State group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF - which includes Arab and Kurdish fighters - seized the city and were "combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists."

The SDF, backed by airstrikes from U.S. special forces, launched its campaign to take Manbij two months ago with the goal of ousting Islamic State militants from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.

Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, told The Associated Press Saturday "it's just a matter of time" before the fighters have complete control of the city.
By Tanseem Haider: In a major drug haul on the 05th of august, sleuths of Narcotics Control Bureau seized 500 gms of Cocaine and arrested three persons including a Nigerian national for trafficking of Cocaine originated from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.



TRAFFICKING NETWORK RELIEVED

Acting on a secret in put regarding trafficking of Cocaine through international parcel, Narcotics Control Bureau questioned the consignee, Abdul Rehman, while he was receiving the parcel. However, on questioning, he disclosed that he has received the parcel on the instruction of one person namely Md Hanif, who was in turn working for one Nigerian national named Bartholomew Okoh resident of Vikaspuri, New Delhi.

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The price of the drug in illegal market is approximately Rs.3 crore. During the course of interrogation, it was revealed that the accused Nigerian national, Bartholomew Okoh is the main kingpin of the drug syndicate. He further revealed that he has been staying in India since 2012 and involved in the international trafficking of various contraband.

ALSO READ:

Delhi police busts international drug cartel, four including a Tanzanian, Nigerian arrested



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A police crackdown on an LGBT event this week in Uganda's capital may have marked a reversal of strides made in the past year on gay rights in the country, some activists fear.

Police shut down the event Thursday in Kampala, which was part of Ugandan Pride Week, and they arrested 10 of the organizers.

The event, a "Mr. and Ms. Pride" contest, began with costumes, dancing and revelry. But an hour into the event, police arrived and, without explanation, barred all entrances and exits to the venue.

Community activist Hassan Kamoga was there.

At first I went there at the door to find out what was happening. And then they told me, You need to stay away and you have to keep your cameras [away]. And I asked one of the policemen if they could let me go out, and they told me, You're not going anywhere. They told people to sit down. They were treating us like children, Kamoga said.

The atmosphere was one of confusion and anger. Some attendees said police took photos of their faces. One man, apparently in fear of his life, jumped over a balcony railing. Officials said he survived and was taken to the hospital.

After about an hour, officers told the crowd to leave but assured them of police protection on their way out.

Relieved, many attendees cheered the news.

District Police Commander Isaac Mugerwa said the event was broken up because security was too lax and put attendees in danger. He also said that police did not get notice of the event, so it violated the Public Order Management Act.



Anti-homosexuality law

Uganda made international news in 2009 when parliament proposed legislation providing for the death penalty for homosexuality. This was later amended to life imprisonment. The Anti-Homosexuality Act passed and was signed into law in 2014, but was overturned that same year on a technicality.

Homosexual acts are still illegal in Uganda and punishable by jail time; however, LGBT advocates say there has been a marked cooling of tensions this year, as artistic and social spaces for LGBT community members have continued to open up.

This includes LGBT-themed plays, an international competition for Uganda's gay swim team and Kampala's own queer film festival scheduled for December.

The 10 people arrested Thursday were released early Friday, but said they were subjected to harassment and assault while in custody.

Pepe Julian Onziema told VOA that when he went to ask police about their presence at the event, he was arrested.

So, I was trying to inquire, like, 'What's going on?' And the guy was just, like, Even this one, and then he slapped me and I was cuffed. ... They pushed us under the truck [seats] and they [were] basically saying we're homosexuals and saying nasty things, he said.

Onziema said they were put into cells with hostile inmates.

One of the guys started hitting me. He was asking me what do I do. He said, 'You must be homosexual.  There's a reason why we brought you in here. We have to teach you a lesson. The guy just kept on hitting me and hitting me. I'm sure they [police] know what happens in there. By the time they pushed us in, they were telling the inmates, Deal with these ones. That means they knew what was going to happen, Onziema said.
The United Nations suspended peace talks Saturday between Yemen's Sunni government and Shi'ite Houthi rebels, after rebels moved forward with a unilateral plan to appoint a governing council in areas seized since fighting erupted in 2014.

U.N. peace envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced the suspension in Kuwait, saying he would work separately in the coming weeks with negotiators from both sides to reach agreement on key elements in a U.N. plan to establish peace on the Arabian peninsula.

"The biggest dilemma we faced was a deficit in trust between the parties, and in this regard we focused on the necessity of offering concessions" by both sides, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said.

The envoy also urged both sides to initiate confidence building measures and to "refrain from adopting unilateral measures."

"We may not have arrived at a [peace] announcement before departing Kuwait, but I repeat that we are on the right track," Ould Cheikh Ahmed added. He refused to call the current talks a failure, though they made no tangible headway toward peace, and further said that the formation of a Houthi governing council was not in the interests of Yemen or the peace process.

No date or venue has been announced for further negotiations, but Ould Cheikh Ahmed said they could resume within a month.

The U.N. sponsored two rounds of peace talks last year, but those efforts collapsed in January under the weight of an outbreak of fierce combat that lasted for weeks. Fighting has continued, though with less intensity, since the Kuwait talks resumed in April.

The government of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, which backed the latest U.N. proposals, has demanded that rebels withdraw from all territory gained since hostilities erupted in September 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi fighters seized the capital, Sana'a, after years of allegations about government discrimination.

Monitors say at least 6,500 people have been killed in the fighting, including more than 3,200 civilians.

Hadi continues to demand a full rebel withdrawal, while Houthis demand a share of power in any new government.

A 2015 Houthi offensive in southern Yemen allowed rebels to temporarily seize the port city of Aden, a gain that sent Hadi into months of exile in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis responded by forming a regional coalition of Sunni governments, which later began launching airstrikes in defense of Hadi's presidency.
The White House has released an edited version of President Barack Obama's once-secret policy on using drone aircraft to combat terrorists around the world, the American Civil Liberties Union said Saturday.

An 18-page document listing "presidential policy guidance" on the drones issue lays out what it says are safeguards to minimize civilian casualties caused by remotely piloted aircraft. It calls for American military forces to use such weapons only when there is "near certainty" that a terrorist target is within range, and that noncombatants will not be killed or injured.

Journalists who read the full document reported it gives the White House national security staff, which is exempt from review by Congress, a substantial role in the process of targeting specific terrorists for death.

Operational plans for killing or capturing terrorist suspects, usually conceived by the CIA or the U.S. military, are reviewed by the National Security Council. The documents released Saturday indicated that representatives of other Cabinet departments and agencies may meet to discuss a specific attack plan, but the president's NSC makes the final decision.

Court order

A federal court ordered the government six months ago to disclose the policy document, known informally among top-level U.S. officials as the "playbook" for drone use, in response to a lawsuit by the ACLU citing the Freedom of Information Act. The version released Saturday was described as "redacted," or edited to withhold specific details whose release could compromise U.S. national security.

The Obama administration issued a summary of its policy on using drones in a 2013 fact sheet, but the lengthier version released Saturday sets out the law and rules the government follows when orders are issued for targeted killings and the capture of terrorist suspects on foreign soil.

The ACLU's deputy legal director, Jameel Jaffer, welcomed release of the "presidential policy guidance." He said the documents provide new details about policy standards and insights into the process for targeting individuals with lethal force or for capture.

"Its release now will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the government's counterterrorism policies," Jaffer said in a statement.

A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, Ned Price, said, "The president has emphasized that the U.S. government should be as transparent as possible with the American people about our counterterrorism operations, the manner in which they are conducted and their results," according to Reuters.

"Our counterterrorism actions are effective and legal, and their legitimacy is best demonstrated by making public more information about these actions as well as setting clear standards for other nations to follow," the NSC spokesman added.

Essential tools

The administration has said in the past that unmanned aircraft are essential tools in the effort to combat extremist militant groups in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen. Some drone strikes have killed civilians who were not targets, igniting local anger.

One month ago, the White House said that drone attacks and other airstrikes have killed between 64 and 116 civilians since Obama's administration began in January 2009.

Through the end of 2015, U.S. officials said, American forces launched 473 strikes, mostly with drones, that killed roughly 2,400 to 2,600 terrorist "combatants."

Critics said the civilian toll from U.S. airstrikes was undercounted, since the administration's report did not include drone strikes in Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq.

In 2013, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said information he had gathered indicated U.S. drone strikes had killed 4,700 people.
U.S. officials are looking to boost economic engagement with Myanmar, a country that has been dubbed by some as "the final frontier" because it is one of the last markets largely untouched by Western companies.

The United States imposed heavy economic sanctions on Myanmar in 1997 over the ruling military junta's repression of the democratic opposition. In recent years, Washington has rolled back many sanctions following pro-democratic reforms.

With the further easing of financial sanctions announced in May, Washington sees great economic potential in what is the largest country in Southeast Asia. It's rich in natural resources and arable land, but the World Bank says just one-third of its people have access to the electricity grid.

"The election of Aung San Suu Kyi and the easing of almost 80 percent of those sanctions offers a new opportunity to usher in a new era with American business and connectivity with the United States," Charles Rivkin, assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, told VOA in an interview.

Rivkin is leading a trade delegation heading to Myanmar next week to facilitate economic ties between the two countries. Among the high-profile companies joining are IBM, GM, Chevrolet, Deloitte, Coca Cola and Omidyar Network.

The "innovation roadshow" is an initiative by the Obama administration to engage with Asian entrepreneurs to strengthen ties with innovative U.S. companies, and to encourage governments in Asia to develop regulatory environments that foster innovation, attract investors and create jobs.

$21 million in U.S. aid

This trade trip follows a U.S. announcement in July that Washington would pledge $21 million in assistance to facilitate Myanmar's long-term capacity building.

White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, who visited Myanmar in July, said the new assistance would help promote the country's economic growth, with the goal of tripling exports in five years, and help modernize the agriculture sector that will be the driver of employment over the next 10 years.

The easing of sanctions is expected to help Myanmar support its political reforms and economic growth, and to facilitate U.S. trade with the country, also known as Burma.

"Economic policy is foreign policy," said Rivkin. "Most predictions are by the year 2025, Burma will be a five-hour plane flight from half of the world's population. It has a $63 billion economy currently, but you can only imagine its potential if it starts to become a hub, in a way, for the highest-growth area in the planet."

In June, the U.S. government's development finance institution, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, announced it had launched operations in Burma with a $250 million loan to a Yangon telecommunication company.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has recently partnered with the Myanmar Computer Company to train 100,000 people with IT skills inside Burma.

While Myanmar was tapped for American investment after the easing of sanctions, critics see "cronies" that have close connections to the military as among those greatly benefiting.

The U.S. has said the key to lifting the remaining sanctions would be for Myanmar to move toward more reforms and progress in reducing the military's influence over the political system.
Zambian police officers have begun escorting sensitive voting materials the Electoral Commission of Zambia would use to administer the August 11 presidential, legislative and local elections, and referendum.

Incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party faces a stiff challenge from main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema from the United Party for National Development (UPND) in the presidential vote.

Rae Hamonga, spokesperson for the Zambian police, says officers would be up to the task on election day to ensure prospective voters cast their ballots in peace and without fear or intimidation.

So far we have began escorting the election materials that are going to the various provinces, said Hamonga. As regards to the deployment of officers, we are on course, by next week we should be able to finish the deployment of officers for all polling stations and polling points.

Some Zambians have expressed concern about the readiness of the police to maintain peace as well as train officers to be effective at polling stations. Opposition political parties accused police of bias and favoritism as well as doing the bidding of President Lungu and his governing PF party.

Police spokesperson Hamonga denied that officers are biased. He says the police see the upcoming elections as routine since, he says, last years presidential by election was conducted peacefully due to measures officers implemented.



We dont take things for granted. This year again, we did conduct some training for our officers. All those to the polling stations were trained in electoral policies with the help of the United Nations Development Program. So we trained our officers and these officers were given handbooks, and pocket books for that matter, just to remind them of electoral processes and electoral malpractices and of things to look for and how to police the elections in such a period, said Hamonga.



Activists express concern

Civil society groups and religious groups have expressed concern about the spate of violence during the ongoing campaigns. Supporters of the ruling PF and those from the UPND have traded accusations of carrying out violence and intimidation.

As police we have actually arrested cadres from the opposition and also from the ruling party. So the issue of people getting worried about violence, we want to assure them that as Zambia police we are equal to the task and we will handle these elections without much ado, we will ensure that law and order is maintained. Zambia is known as a peaceful oasis and it will remain so as long as Zambia police [are] alive and we are still alive to ensure that nobody from whatever quarter will try to do things that would want to disturb the peace that we enjoy as a country, said Hamonga.



His comments came after main opposition leader Hichilema accused the police of favoring President Lungu. In a letter to the police, the UPND warned that the partys planned final rally on August 10 would proceed as originally scheduled. Local media reported that the ruling party may use the same venue for a campaign event.



We have submitted all the necessary documentation and followed due process. There is no sound or credible reason why we should not go ahead During the campaign period, our permits and permissions have been resisted, denied or cancelled at last minute on numerous occasions in a blatant attempt to obstruct us and try and stop our campaigns. This has created an uneven playing field in which we are clearly being disadvantaged. It is extremely important that in these last few days all parties are allowed to campaign freely if the elections are to have any credibility, something we hope the election observers now registered in the country are watching closely, said Hichilema.

Hamonga says the law is on the side of President Lungu because he remains the countrys leader despite the upcoming elections.

When it comes to issues of campaign, which are referred to as public procession, you will find that during public procession, the law exempts the head of state and the vice president from notifying the police, said Hamonga.
A Zimbabwean continues to seek the removal of President Robert Mugabe from office even if his original papers disappeared in the Constitutional Court.

Tinomudaishe Chinyoka told VOA Studio 7 that he has hired lawyers in Zimbabwe to work on the court case filed early this year seeking parliament to make a finding that the president is now too old to run Zimbabwe.

What I have done now is to look for a firm of lawyers to represent us. The process has not been easy because not many lawyers have been willing to be brave enough to be behind such an application. We are trying to have them to push the sheriff by giving them a third set of papers to see if those papers will be filed, said Chinyoka.

He is not happy that the first court application disappeared at the Constitutional Court.

We are still waiting to hear from the sheriff what happened to the papers. We are told after two months we sent the papers to them that the papers were missing. We made photocopies (and) gave the sheriff to serve. We have been checking since then and we continue to be told either that the papers cannot be seen or that they have been taken out to be served  and that nobody knows what has happened. You guess is as good as mine.

In his application, Chinyoka wants the Constitutional Court to make a finding that there is evidence to show that President Mugabe now lacks the mental and physical capacity to carry on as president and must step down.

Chinyoka, a former student leader of the University of Zimbabwe who now lives in Britain, has cited as respondents, President Mugabe, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs who is also vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, Speaker of the House of Assembly Jacob Mudenda, Senate president Edna Madzongwe and the government of Zimbabwe.

The application cites an incident in which Mr. Mugabe once slipped and fell as one of the indications that he is no longer able to physically run the country.

He also cites a number of gaffs that Mr. Mugabe has made, which include re-reading a speech that he presented in parliament and that he is always falling asleep during meetings as indications that he is no longer fit to run Zimbabwe.

Tajamuka-Sesijikile campaign filed a similar case on Friday in an effort to put pressure on the 92 year-old Zimbabwean leader to step down for allegedly failing to run the country.

Critics say these court applications stand no chance in a court of law as President Mugabe cannot be removed from power through such means or mere public petitions.

President Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe attained independence from British rule in 1980.

Section 97 of Zimbabwes constitution stipulates that a president can be removed from office if the Senate and the National Assembly, by a joint resolution passed by at least one-half of their total membership, "may resolve that the question whether or not the president or a vice-president should be removed from office for a serious misconduct; failure to obey, uphold or defend this Constitution; willful violation of the constitution; or inability to perform the functions of the office because of physical or mental incapacity...

Upon the passing of a resolution in terms of subsection (1), the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders must appoint a joint committee of the Senate and the National Assembly consisting of nine members reflecting the political composition of Parliament, to investigate the removal from office of the President or Vice-President, as the case may be.

It further states that if the joint committee appointed in terms of subsection (2) recommends the removal from office of the President or Vice-President; and the Senate and the National Assembly, by a joint resolution passed by at least two-thirds of their total membership, resolve that the President or Vice-President, as the case may be, should be removed from office; the President or Vice-President thereupon ceases to hold office.

Experts say parliament is unlikely to take this action as of now since Zanu PF currently holds a clear majority in both houses.
Pastor Evan Mawarire of the #ThisFlag movement, will address Zimbabwes deepening socio-economic and political crises at a symposium in Washington, DC on August 17.

Mawarire was invited by the Atlantic Council think-tank to discuss the significance of the campaign and next steps toward securing a peaceful and prosperous future for Zimbabwe.

The charismatic and influential cleric has lately become a target of President Robert Mugabe, who accuses him of being an agent of Western countries to stir dissonance in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe has blamed particularly France, the U.S. for sponsoring Mawarire to push a regime-change agenda, charges the two have categorically dismissed.

Mawarire has been based in South Africa for the past two weeks or so following his release from jail after a magistrate dismissed treason charges against him.

He says his safety in currently compromised in Zimbabwe; but he has vowed to return.

Still, Mr. Mawarire continues to rally Zimbabweans on social media to dial up protests against Mr. Mugabes government for failing to fix the economy and fight endemic graft.

His audacity has put him directly on collision course with the 92-year-old president  the only leader Zimbabwe has known since independence 36 years ago.

The Mawarires; I dont even know him and those who believe in that way of living in our country are not part of us in thinking as we try to live together, Mugabe said recently.

If they dont like to live with us let them go to those who are sponsoring them, fine. You cant urge people to adopt violence violent demonstrations as the way of life or solving grievances, we will say no, forever no.

Political analyst Nhlanhla Dube commented that while Mawarires Washington visit will sure rile Mr. Mugabe and his government, the issues that the cleric is raising are legitimate.
America gets the first gold medal in this years Olympics as as Virginia Thrasher shoots her way ahead of China's Li Du, who earned a silver in 10-meter air rifle competition.

By AP: American shooter Virginia Thrasher has won the first gold medal of the Rio Olympics in the women's 10-meter air rifle. (RIO 2016 FULL COVERAGE)

Thrasher shot 10.5 on her first shot of the final elimination round and smiled after 10.4 on her second shot put her comfortably ahead of China's Li Du. Thrasher had a cumulative score of 208.0 to beat Du, a two-time gold medalist, by a point. China's Siling Yu earned the bronze.

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The 19-year Thrasher became the first freshman to win both individual NCAA rifle titles and helped West Virginia win the team title. She followed that by winning the U.S. Olympic Trials less than a month later, earning a trip to Rio. (LIVE UPDATES)

American Sarah Scherer made the finals in her return to the Olympics after two back surgeries, but was eliminated in the first round. She finished eighth.

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Kamal Haasan's much-awaited film Vishwaroopam 2, the sequel to the blockbuster Tamil film, has gone on hold due to the producer's financial crisis.

By India Today Web Desk: Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who suffered the fracture after he fell from office in Chennai, has finally been discharged from the hospital after undergoing two surgeries.

Kamal Haasan, who was shooting for his upcoming comedy thriller Sabash Naidu, couldn't pursue the project any further after the unfortunate incident.



ALSO READ: What next? Kamal Haasan's upcoming films

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ALSO READ: Sabash Naidu: 42 minutes of Kamal Haasan's film is done



Now that the project is delayed, reports about the possible release of Haasan's spy thriller Vishwaroopam 2, has been surfacing online. Reports even suggested that the film is expected to hit the screens on Diwali this year.

However, it seems like the release of the project has gone on hold due to the producer's financial crisis.

According to The News Minute, a source was quoted as saying, "Three or four combination scenes are yet to be filmed. In the post-production, some VFX work is pending. The makers are in talks with Kamal Hassan and have requested him to wrap up the remaining portion as soon as possible. However, he won't join the sets until producer Aascar Ravichandran settles his remaining salary (Rs10 crore). Moreover, Kamal is focused on completing Sabash Naidu first, and then, if time permits and all the dues are settled, he might think of resuming work on Vishwaroopam 2."

Also, another report suggest that Lyca Productions, who are bankrolling Haasan's Sabash Naidu, is likely to take over the reins of Vishwaroopam 2 from Aascar Ravichandran.

Interestingly, director KS Ravikumar revealed that he loved the trailer of Vishwaroopam 2, at the audio launch of his film Mudinja Ivan Pudi.

Vishwaroopam 2 is the sequel to the blockbuster Tamil film of the same name.

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Gas prices keep on dropping, with the statewide average slipping another 4 cents during the past week, according to AAA Texas and New Mexico.

The auto club said in a press release Thursday that the norm stands at $1.96 a gallon for regular unleaded, down from $2 the previous Thursday and 49 cents less per gallon than last year. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in the Lone Star State, drivers in El Paso were paying the most on average at $2.09 per gallon, while drivers in Amarillo were paying the least at $1.86 per gallon. The national average for regular unleaded stood at $2.12.

By Saturday, the statewide average had slipped to $1.95, according to GasBuddy.com, which placed the average in Waco at $1.94.

Convenience stores and stations all over Greater Waco are charging in the mid-$1.70s for regular unleaded.

Gas prices across most of the country continue to slide during the peak road-trip season due to abundant supplies, said AAA in its press release Thursday. As of earlier this week, more than 40 percent of gas stations nationwide were selling gasoline for $2 per gallon or less, compared to just a handful at this same time last year.

With gasoline supplies high and oil prices low, pump prices are likely to remain relatively cheap through the remainder of the summer and into the fall.

Riesel Dollar General

The community of Riesel is getting a new Dollar General store at 501 Memorial St., with grand-opening ceremonies set for 8 a.m. Saturday.

The first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card, and the first 200 will get a tote bag, among other giveaways.

Dollar General is committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products, said Dan Nieser, senior vice president of real estate and store development. We hope our Riesel customers will enjoy shopping at Dollar Generals new location.

Traditionally, Dollar General stores employ six to 10 people, depending on need. Those interested in employment may visit www.dollargeneral.com.

Dollar General now operates 12,710 stores in 43 states, and its literacy foundation has donated $120 million in grants to nonprofit groups since 1993.

Waco positive outlook

Waco-based economist Ray Perryman, who analyzes national, state and local economic trends, thinks Greater Waco has a bright long-term future.

The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area has been experiencing hiring across most industrial sectors and is performing better than most parts of the state, Perryman said in a press release. Waco is benefiting from specialized manufacturing to new real estate developments. In addition, there are very real benefits from being home to Fixer Upper. An estimated 25,000 people are coming to the area each week to visit Magnolia Market, which leads to a notable influx of dollars.

In recent weeks, Magnolia Market at the Silos has been attracting 30,000 to 35,000 visitors a week, according to spokesman Brock Murphy.

As the area becomes more widely known on a national scale, advantages in terms of costs and workforce increase the potential for future economic development, Perryman said.

Perryman predicts the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes McLennan and Falls counties, will see the addition of 47,700 net new jobs by 2040.

Despite fluctuating business cycles, over the long term, I expect relatively healthy growth for the U.S., Texas and Waco-area economies, Perryman wrote.

East riverwalk project

The city of Waco continues to make Lake Brazos near downtown attractive for visitors and potential lakefront developers.

It is soliciting bids to place a trail along the east bank between Franklin Avenue and Baylor Universitys McLane Stadium. The path for use by pedestrians and bikers will stretch for two-thirds of a mile and include a pedestrian bridge on piers, overhead canopies, lighting, seating and signs.

The company that wins the bid will also be responsible for utilities, grading and drainage, according to the citys parks and recreation department.

Companies wanting to submit a bid may attend a meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Waco Operations Center, 1415 N. Fourth St.

The parks department has estimated the cost of the project at $3.5 million, according to the local office of the Associated General Contractors of America.

Fortune Cookie Express

A sign in front of the building at 723 S. Sixth Street states a new restaurant called Fortune Cookie Express will open there soon.

Work crews were hauling items out of the structure, which is located near the collection of fast-food eateries on South Sixth and South Fifth streets, across Interstate 35 from Baylor University. Several dining establishments have taken a crack at succeeding there, including most recently Tres Mexican Restaurant.

Considering its proximity to the popular Magnolia Market at the Silos, Sixth Street and Webster Avenue, the site likely will get many chances to prove itself.

Dichotomy rum tasting

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, 508 Austin Ave., will host a rum tasting between 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 20, showcasing the product of Waco-based Balcones Distilling, which also produces several types of whiskey.

Called a Rum Flight Night, the occasion will give people a chance to sample the distillerys rum and compare the nuances of batches released in 2013, 2015 and 2016, according to a press release by Dichotomy co-owner Alina Mikos. Any rum left over after the tasting will be sold at the bar after 7 p.m.

Rum Flight Night participants will take home their own Balcones glencairn glass, and Balcones representatives will be present to talk about the rum.
A federal judge hearing civil rights lawsuits filed against McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna and others by bikers arrested after the Twin Peaks shootout suggested the bikers criminal cases cant proceed until Reyna is replaced because of a conflict of interest.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks made several references during a pretrial conference in Austin that seemed to question whether Reyna, as a defendant in the civil cases, has a financial interest at stake and should be disqualified from prosecuting criminal cases against the bikers.

Fifteen bikers arrested along with more than 160 others after the deadly May 17, 2015, brawl at Twin Peaks have filed lawsuits in Sparks court claiming they unlawfully were arrested and jailed under $1 million bonds with no justification or evidence of wrongdoing.

Eight of the 15 plaintiffs are not among the 154 bikers who have been indicted on identical engaging in organized criminal activity charges, and three of them contend in their lawsuits that they hadnt arrived in Waco yet when the shootout occurred.

Besides Reyna, the civil lawsuits name former Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman, Waco Detective Manuel Chavez and an unknown state trooper as defendants.

Sparks scheduled the status conference after attorneys for the defendants filed motions to stay all proceedings in the civil cases until disposition of the criminal cases, to move the cases from Austin to Waco and, subsequently, to dismiss the suits.

Catch-22 situation

Sparks has not ruled on the motions. While the hearing did not pertain to calls for Reyna to disqualify himself, Sparks initiated the discussion by calling the dilemma a Catch-22 situation.

Thats the reason I called this little powwow, Sparks said, according to a transcript of the June 3 hearing. Here, weve got lawsuits wherein the chief of police, policemen and the district attorney are sued, which would normally mean that I cant do anything in this case until the criminal case is over. And I noticed in the paper where theyre seeking to disqualify the district attorney, but that wont eliminate the problem.

So the criminal case wont be able to proceed because the defendants have a personal interest. I cant proceed because of the criminal case. So if yall have any novel way of trying to break up this logjam, Ill be glad to listen to you, but I dont see anything until the  somebody comes in outside of Waco to prosecute these cases.

Neither Reyna nor Tom Brandt, the attorney who represented him at the hearing, returned phone calls from the Tribune-Herald seeking comment for this story.

Later, the judge asked the lawyers, Now, is it the theory that the special prosecutor will take over entirely the prosecution?

Brandt said he doesnt think so, explaining to the judge that Reyna is being represented by one of his former assistants, Brandon Luce, at a hearing that begins Monday in Wacos 54th State District Court in which two bikers are seeking to disqualify Reyna from prosecuting the cases.

Reyna is opposing the motions.

Sparks recounted a story in which famed Texas trial lawyer Richard Racehorse Haynes disqualified a district attorney in his court because the DA was being sued in civil court.

So he had a pecuniary interest, Sparks said. But these people (Reyna, Stroman and Chavez) have a substantial interest. Theyre being sued in their personal as well as official capacities.

As the discussion progressed, Sparks, speaking of Reyna and whether he would be subject to giving a deposition in the civil case with the criminal cases pending, said, His problem is hes got an interest in the litigation. Hes being sued over here for it.

Dallas attorney Don Tittle, who represents the 15 bikers in Sparks court and who likely will file additional suits on behalf of other bikers, argued against staying the civil suits, saying a number of his clients are not facing pending indictments and it could take years before all the criminal cases are resolved.

Ive never seen a civil case allowed to be tried when the criminal case is pending, particularly when its a criminal case thats had a lot of publicity. And this one has had sufficient publicity, Sparks said.

Waco attorney Charles Olson, who represents Stroman and Chavez, argued that the law is clear that criminal cases take precedence over civil cases.

Its been a year, and yall dont even know who is going to prosecute these cases, which is inexcusable, Sparks said.

Brandt told the judge that all of the 150-something cases Reynas office presented to the grand jury were indicted.

Makes one wonder why they indicted 150 people, the judge said. I dont need a comment on that. Its just so far from all of the experiences Ive had. Its just staggering to think of the problems.

Olson said this week he doesnt recall any comments from Sparks at the hearing that indicated how the judge felt about Reyna being disqualified.

We talked about a lot of different things, Olson said. You have to ask Judge Sparks. I didnt really read anything like that into it. We talked about a lot of issues.

Tittle also declined to comment directly on the judges comments.

If you are asking me personally, unless the county has already told Reyna that they will pay for any jury verdicts against him, then he clearly and without a doubt has a direct financial interest in virtually every (Twin Peaks) case he is prosecuting, Tittle said.

The motions to disqualify Reyna pending in Wacos 54th State District Court were filed by Dallas attorney Clint Broden on behalf of bikers Matthew Clendennen and Burton George Bergman and by Houston attorney Abigail Anastasio, who represents biker Ray Nelson. They allege Reyna should be disqualified because he crossed the line between prosecutor and police officer.

Attorneys motion

Brodens motion alleges that Reyna interjected himself and his staff shortly after the shootout and countermanded the decision by the (Waco police) upper chain of command in an act of political opportunism.

Records filed in the case show Waco police officials had already interviewed, identified and photographed a busload of bikers detained that afternoon and decided to send them home when Reyna and two of his top assistants arrived at the Waco Convention Center, where bikers were being held.

From that point on, almost every biker was jailed under $1 million bonds after Reyna gave orders to arrest anyone with ties to rival biker groups the Bandidos or Cossacks, the motions allege.

Tittle said DAs have immunity from civil lawsuits and it is difficult to disqualify them as long as they remain in their roles as state advocates and prosecute criminal cases in court. Otherwise, any criminal defendant could seek to disqualify a prosecutor merely by filing a civil lawsuit.

The difference here is that immunity is lost when a prosecutor steps into the role of the police, which is basically what Reyna did here, and that is virtually indisputable, Tittle said. Broden said Reyna has painted himself into a corner and now must risk taking the cases to trial for his own financial interests.

It would be inappropriate and presumptuous to comment on the remarks by the federal judge overseeing the civil rights litigation, Broden said. Nevertheless, although it has been reported that Mr. Reyna has called the recusal motion silly, I think it would be obvious to any fair-minded individual that a district attorney who could ultimately be held individually liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, should not be in charge of the prosecution.

Mr. Reyna filed these wrongful charges based on his own political and monetary self-interests and he owes it to the defendants and the citizens of McLennan County to step aside and let a fair-minded and independent prosecutor take over the case, Broden said.

Anastasio said she is surprised Reyna hasnt already sought a special prosecutor to handle the Twin Peaks cases.

I wasnt in the courtroom when Judge Sparks made those statements. However, I was most certainly made aware of them, Anastasio said. Sparks is a well-respected jurist, and thats very telling. Reynas involvement in the case inherently violates my clients constitutional rights, and I havent met a single person who does not agree. Its common sense. With Reyna and his subordinates on the case, my client cannot receive a fair trial.
Bellmead police are searching for a masked man who reportedly robbed Motel 6 on Friday. The man may have ties to a Motel 6 robbery in Temple earlier in the day, Bellmead police Sgt. Kory Martin said.

Shortly after 10 a.m., police were called to Motel 6, 1509 Hogan Lane, after a masked man entered the lobby carrying a handgun. The man robbed the business of less than $200 in cash and fled the store shortly before police arrived.

Officers responded quickly to the scene, and further information was given that the suspect fled over a fence, entering a field behind the business, Martin said in a press release.

Police called on other nearby agencies, including a Texas State Technical College K-9 unit and McLennan County Sheriffs Office helicopter, to aid in the search, Martin said. The suspect was not located, and authorities believe he may have gotten into a vehicle before the perimeter was established.

We are not sure on this yet, but we believe this suspect may have been involved in a Motel 6 robbery in Temple earlier, Martin said. We are still working with Temple police but think there are a lot of similarities.

A suspect entered the Temple Motel 6 shortly before 9 a.m. and reportedly demanded money from the business, authorities said. The Temple suspect was also wearing a mask and displayed a weapon before fleeing the business.

No one was injured in either robbery. Police released surveillance videos in hopes of identifying the suspect.

Anyone with information on the Bellmead robbery is asked to contact the Bellmead Police Department at 799-0251.
By PTI: Washington, Aug 6 (PTI) Major volcanic activity on Mercury planet most likely ended about 3.5 billion years ago, according to a new study which shed light into its geological evolution.

There are two types of volcanic activity: effusive and explosive. Explosive volcanism is often a violent event that results in large ash and debris eruptions, such as the Mount Saint Helens eruption in 1980, researchers from North Carolina State (NC State) University in the US said.

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Effusive volcanism refers to widespread lava flows that slowly pour out over the landscape - believed to be a key process by which planets form their crusts, they said.

Determining the ages of effusive volcanic deposits can give researchers a handle on a planets geological history.

For example, effusive volcanism was active a few hundred million years ago on Venus, a few million years ago on Mars, and it still takes place on Earth today, researchers said.

Until now, the duration of effusive volcanic activity on Mercury, made of the same materials as the other planets, had not been known, they said.

Researchers determined when the bulk of Mercurys crust-forming volcanism ended by using photographs of the surface imaged by NASAs messenger mission.

Because there are no physical samples from the planet that could be used for radiometric dating, researchers used crater size-frequency analysis, in which the number and size of craters on the planets surface are placed into established mathematical models, to calculate absolute ages for effusive volcanic deposits on Mercury.

"There is a huge geological difference between Mercury and Earth, Mars or Venus," said Paul Byrne from North Carolina State University.

"Mercury has a much smaller mantle, where radioactive decay produces heat, than those other planets, and so it lost its heat much earlier. As a result, Mercury began to contract, and the crust essentially sealed off any conduits by which magma could reach the surface," said Byrne.

The results validate 40-year-old predictions about global cooling and contraction shutting off volcanism, he said.

"Now that we can account for observations of the volcanic and tectonic properties of Mercury, we have a consistent story for its geological formation and evolution, as well as new insight into what happens when planetary bodies cool and contract," said Byrne.

According to researchers, major volcanic activity on the planet Mercury most likely ended about 3.5 billion years ago.

The findings were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. PTI SAN UZM

--- ENDS ---
Oliphant, reports on his warning that the international community must become more involved and help put an end to deaths, which have increased over the last 10 years.

He is outraged after 28 Sunni prisoners were suddenly executed before their families could even say goodbye, occurring only days after a report about worsening human rights abuses in Iran, and despite President Hassan Rouhanis promises to improve the freedoms of his people.

With an estimated 966 to 1,025 people executed last year, and 170 recorded executions in the first six months of 2016, Ebrahimi, the president of the former Iranian political prisoners association in the UK, says this punishment must stop.

Mr Ebrahimi was a political prisoner in Iran for 10 years. He watched in horror, as his friends were taken away to be executed. He told the Express, Being in prison was just everything horrible, from their care of the political prisoners to whatever I saw  the abuses I saw there. Every time was different, there was nothing the same. We never knew what to expect. Sometimes we would not be given food, sometimes we would be tortured. We lost many friends, noticed the people disappearing. People were called and taken from their cells and, we learned after, went to their so-called court. Then the people would come back to their rooms, to their cells, and when they were called again they were taken to be executed. With bullets. We counted the bullets after, to see how many lives had been taken.

He was one of thousands of prisoners locked up for their support of the Peoples Mujahedin of Iran, and was present during the 1988 mass executions of as many as 30,000 dissidents. He was released after 10 years, and fled to the UK with his only son. Now he campaigns against the Iranian regime, and calls for an overthrow of the government.

Mr Ebrahimi said, Its disgusting, it should not happen and it must not.

The international campaign like from Amnesty International is doing very well, it is very good, and the campaign from international media is fantastic.

People should know what is going on in Iran, the hanging, the abuse, the executions. There is much media coverage of the middle east  Iraq, and Syria  but less about the human goths in Iran. He adds, We do not want this government, and we want people to know that.

In a separate statement, Mohammad Mohaddessin, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the of the National Council for Resistance of Iran (NCRI) had this to say about Tuesdays atrocity, The mullahs regime is facing absolute social isolation and widespread abhorrence by the people and thus is resorting to increased executions to create a climate of fear and to prevent the possibility of a nationwide uprising.

He added, More than 2,500 people have been executed in Iran under Hassan Rouhani, who falsely claimed to seek moderation. For as long as the mullahs regime is in power, there will continue to be further executions, torture and other crimes.
Earlier this week 25 Sunni political prisoners were hanged  dragged from Gohardasht Prison in the city of Karaj, their hands and feet being chained and their mouths taped shut and heads covered with bags, in the words of Deprez. The hour of their hanging was no less horrifying than their long and torturous imprisonment. The victims had been arrested between 2009 and 2011 and tortured between 18 to 31 months in solitary cells of Sanandaj Intelligence branch. The inmates were denied access to lawyer, medical treatment, family visits and many other basic human rights.

Fearing popular protests, the Iranian regime prohibited the victims to be buried in their native Kurdistan. Instead, their bodies were buried near Tehran, in Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, in section 305 without a proper burial service. Among the victims, many were siblings, yet their families were not even allowed to say their final goodbyes, and parents prohibited to see the bodies of their own children. Deprez has strongly condemned this act. Instead of saying goodbye, the families were told to go to the morgue to collect the bodies.

To honour the victims memory, Deprez has listed the names of the 25 victims of the regime on his website. Among the victims are Kaveh Sharifi who was tortured for 27 months and suffered a heart attack. In a horrific display of cruelty, he was brought back from the hospital and hanged only hours later. His brother, Arash Sharifi, had become blind in his left eye due to being deprived of treatment and suffering many during his confinement, was hanged alongside Kaveh.

Deprez stressed the fact that these hangings coincided with the executions of political prisoners in Iran in summer of 1988. A state-sponsored execution of political prisoners across Iran began on 19 July 1988 and lasted for five months, and have been described as a political purge without precedent in modern Iranian history, killing over 30,000 people according to Iranian opposition groups.

Another victim Shahram Ahmadi who was tortured for 33 months, wrote on July 5, 2016 I hope that I am tried like a human being, like an accused, in a just court, that I see my lawyer, that he had read my case, that my torturer is not besides my judge. Deprez has responded to his helpless call by calling on the UN and EU to take action. We call on the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Security Council and the EU High Representative Mrs Federica Mogherini to publicly condemn these executions and bring the record of the Iranian regimes crimes before the International Criminal Court. All economic relations with Iran must be suspended and conditioned to a halt of executions and a clear progress on human rights.
At the meeting, President Mahmoud Abbas, spoke to the need eliminate fundamentalism and terrorism. He also informed Mrs. Rajavi of the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular regarding Palestine and Frances initiative.

Mrs. Rajavi expressed gratitude for his solidarity with the with the Iranian people and Resistance. She reiterated that the Iranian regime is the main instigator of sectarian discord, fundamentalism and terrorism in the entire region, in particular in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine.

On a more optimistic note, she added that the regime is at its weakest and most fragile and vulnerable state at this time. This is made clear in the hysteric reaction of the regimes officials and state media to the Iranian Resistances July 9 gathering.

In an article on August 4, Struan Stevenson, former MEP and President of the European Parliaments delegation for relations with Iraq, and current President of the European Iraqi Freedom Association (EIFA), applauded Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for meeting with the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, Maryam Rajavi.

In a video message on Thursday, August 4, 2016, Mr. Stevenson called out the Iranian regime, saying that it is opposed to peace in the Middle East and is sponsoring terrorist groups to pursue its own agenda.
A teaching style embraced by schools across Australia has been condemned as nothing more than a fad.

Leading education academics have warned that the strategy of tailoring teaching to students' so-called "learning styles" was based on flawed theories that were not based on any evidence.

'Kinesthetic' learning is just a fad, says leading academic Credit:Peter Braig

Yet this teaching style - which identifies learners as "visual, auditory or kinesthetic" - is still being promoted by state education departments as best practice teaching.

Professor Stephen Dinham, who has been teaching, researching and advising governments on education policy for 40 years, said schools were administering unreliable tests that categorised students as different types of learners.
Brussels: A machete-wielding man yelling "Allahu akbar!" (God is greatest) injured two female police officers before being shot outside the main police station in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday, police in the city said.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told broadcaster RTL on Saturday that it appeared to be a terrorist incident.

Police officers check the identification of a man near the police headquarters in Charleroi. Credit:Virginia Mayo

"Initial indications very clearly point towards terrorism," Michel told the television channel by phone.

The attacker, who was shot by a third officer, subsequently died of his wounds, but the police officers were out of danger, they added.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Aug. 05, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 05, 2016 | 05:19 PM | PADUCAH, KY

As kids head back to school, a strong local message against bullying was expressed by hundreds of walkers Saturday at Noble Park.



The second annual Kindness Color Walk went off Saturday morning, with over 400 participants hitting the Greenway Trail to Stuart Nelson Park and back. Along the way, they were doused with the colors of the rainbow.



"Once again, this was a great opportunity for the community to get together and show that kindness matters, that we believe in one another, and most importantly that we believe in our students," said Susan Guess, of the Guess Anti-Bullying Foundation.



Participants also brought along school supplies which will be donated to the United Way "Stuff the Truck" campaign.
By Tim Brockwell Aug. 05, 2016 | 06:09 PM | PADUCAH, KY





Kentucky State Rep. Jeff Taylor has filed a lawsuit against Greater Paducah Economic Development, claiming he was not given equal consideration for an open position with the organization.Taylor is a Democrat who represents the Eighth District, which includes parts of Christian and Trigg Counties. He applied for the position of vice president for special projects at PED last year. In a complaint filed Jan. 6 in U.S. District Court, Taylor alleges that PED passed him over for a white candidate with far less experience. Taylor is seeking lost wages and benefits, as well as compensatory damages for "emotional distress", and punitive damages.Taylor has a Bachelor's degree in Communications, a Master's degree in Community Counseling, and certifications in Basic Economic Development. He has more than 30 years of experience in economic development work for the Tennessee Valley Authority.Paducah attorney Wes Sullenger is representing Taylor in the case. He says PED went with William McDowell, a much younger white man who had only been out of college for five years and had less than seven years of relevant experience. Sullenger says Taylor was never even interviewed for the position, which listed "an advanced degree, training and certifications" as preferred qualifications for the job. The suit argues that this alleged discrimination was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause under the 14th Amendment.Paducah Economic Development CEO Scott Darnell flatly denied the allegations in an affidavit, saying that Logan Development Group, the consulting company hired to assist with the search for qualified applicants, never even mentioned Taylor as a possible candidate. "Logan did not notify me that Jeffrey Taylor had made application for the position, nor did it forward his resume to me for consideration," Darnell said. "I did not discriminate against Taylor for any reason." Sullenger says he believes there is proof that PED was aware of his client's interest in the position prior to making a hiring decision.PED filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that they are not a government agency and therefore are not subject to the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. Judge Thomas Russell denied that motion, not speaking to the merits of the case. Sullenger said PED should be subject to the same standard as a government agency, since the organization is so closely involved in local government. "PED says its mission is to promote economic development for Paducah and McCracken County. There are a lot of government people that sit on its board, and it receives government funding." Sullenger said.Sullenger also says he'd like to see more diversity within PED. He noted that all of its board members are white, despite previous calls to add minorities to its ranks. "There's absolutely no diversity there on the board of directors. It's an all white entity." Sullenger said.The case is set to go to trial in July 2017.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Aug. 06, 2016 | SMITHLAND, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2016 | 09:11 AM | SMITHLAND, KY

A Kevil man is behind bars after a 30-mile high-speed chase.



According to the Kentucky State Police, troopers were in the area of U.S. 60 in Livingston County, regarding a vehicle that was stolen from Tennessee. Troopers say they saw a suspect vehicle traveling along that they recognized and tried to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, 19-year-old Dakota Miller of Kevil, instead sped off, and a pursuit began that also involved McCracken and Livingston County deputies.



Troopers say Miller became reckless during the chase and almost struck the troopers. Following the chase that spanned approximately 30 miles, the vehicle ran out of gas on State Route 137 in Livingston County near Pisgah Road.



The vehicle turned into a corn field. Miller fled on foot, but troopers found him in the field and placed him under arrest.



Miller was cited for more than two dozen violations, including wanton endangerment of a police officer, fleeing or evading, reckless driving, plus drug and firearm charges. He was also served with previous warrants including being a fugitive from another state, and burglary.



Miller is currently in the McCracken County Jail.









Miller's charges: speeding 26 mph over the limit, reckless driving, fleeing or evading police, 1st degree fleeing or evading police on foot, 1st degree wanton endangerment of a police officer - 5 counts, disregarding a stop sign 3 counts, improper use of left lane overtaking vehicle, failure to wear seatbelt, resisting arrest, DUI 1st aggravating circumstance, possession of controlled substance 1st degree 1 offense meth, drug paraphernalia buy/possess, criminal mischief 1st degree, criminal mischief 2nd degree 2 counts, receiving stolen property over $10,000, receiving stolen property firearm 2 counts, license to be in possession, and unlawfully permitting a minor to possess firearm.



Warrants served: fugitive from another state, possession of controlled substance meth, possession of controlled substance 3rd degree, burglary 2nd degree, and failure to appear in court.




By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2016 | 04:27 PM | FANCY FARM, KY

Kentucky's U.S. Senate candidates made their first appearance together at Saturday's Fancy Farm Picnic.

Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul and Democratic Lexington Mayor Jim Gray traded jabs for the first time at Kentucky's premier political event. Paul portrayed Gray as an opponent of the state's signature coal industry and a liberal politician whose ideas are out of step with Kentucky.

Have you ever wondered what advice Hillary Clinton might give Jim Gray, Paul asked the crowd. If you want to know, just ask the Russians. Jim and Allison Lundergran Grimes and the whole bunch are willing to admit they support Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Now that we know their true purpose and what they stand for, it's even more important, we must defend ourselves against these supporters of Hillary Clinton.

Gray didn't let the crowd distract him during his first trip to Fancy Farm. He said Paul is more interested in being president than representing the people of Kentucky.

This year, Kentucky voters have a choice between a lifelong Kentuckian, who has built a family business around creating jobs, or a candidate whose family business is all about running for president, Gray said. But you know, calling him my opponent just doesn't seem right because Rand and I both have the same goal, to get him out of the Senate.

Gray has been criticizing Paul for months, while Paul has mostly ignored his opponent.

On the Net:
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
Liverpool smashed Barcelona 4-0 in the pre-season International Champions Cup at Wembley on Sunday. Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic all got on the scoresheet (along with a Javier Mascherano own-goal) in a thumping win for the Reds.

In the post-match interview, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp refused to answer a question from a Sun journalist. While the relationship between the newspaper and Liverpool is well-known, due to its shameful coverage of the Hillsborough disaster, Klopp seemed to reference a new story, saying: Its because of a few things which will happen in the next few days or weeks.

Heres the video of the Liverpool boss responding to the Sun journalist

Jurgen Klopp Refuses To Answer A Sun Journalist [ https://t.co/PWKLMAZdpz ]https://t.co/okWYxpN1Nr  90thMin (@90thMin) August 6, 2016

No doubt Liverpool fans will love Klopp even more for his response to the Sun. However, one wonders what story involving the German boss (if any) is set for publication.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you ask officials from some of Manitobas aerospace companies, the prospects for the creation of a so-called Western Canada Centre of Excellence for aircraft maintenance are not really that excellent.

In July, Air Canada said it had signed agreements with three suppliers to move into two large hangars on the southwest end of Richardson International Airport.

Scant information has been provided by any of the participating parties. Thats creating anxiety among some Manitoba companies about the potential their own employees  and/or customers  might be poached by newcomers who have been given incentives to come here.

Andrew Vaughan / The Canadian Press In July, Air Canada said it had signed agreements with three suppliers to move its Western Canada Centre of Excellence into two large hangars on the southwest end of Richardson International Airport.

Wendell Wiebe, executive director of the Manitoba Aerospace Association, admits he doesnt have a lot of detail. He has meetings set up where he hopes to learn more to share with his members.

Were hosting a town hall meeting next week to give our members as much information as we have that is public, said Wiebe. They have a number of concerns.

Chief among them is the companies that have signed subleases to move into hangars are likely going to need to hire experienced aircraft maintenance engineers who can be tough to find unless they are lured away from existing employers.

The other beef is Manitoba companies dont think its fair if the new companies  Cargojet Airways Ltd., Airbase Services Inc. and Hope Aero Propeller & Components Inc.  are being given incentives to be here and might have some sort of unfair advantage.

Maurice Wills, president of Winnipeg-based Canadian Propeller Ltd., said Hope Aero is a direct competitor

Thats fine. Thats the way the world works, said Wills. I have no problem with competition, but I have a problem with subsidized competition.

Although Air Canada may be providing some support for the companies to set up in Winnipeg, there is no evidence public-sector subsidies are involved.

Cliff Cullen, Manitobas minister of growth enterprise and trade, said in a statement Friday, These partnerships are focused on expanding technology and innovation that will keep Manitobas aerospace industry on the cutting edge.

Air Canada is supporting the establishment of a centre of excellence with a number of its longstanding suppliers and partners. Our government will continue to engage in discussions with all industry stakeholders, and the federal government, to identify future opportunities.

One provincial government source said the province is not subsidizing the companies.

Harry Hope, the founder of Hope Aero, said a small operation is being contemplated for Winnipeg, initially with just four employees.

Officials from Airbase, which makes and repairs aircraft interiors such as seats and cabinets, have not commented on what the firm intends to do.

Neither has Cargojet, which is by far the largest participant.

The Free Press has reported it may eventually need as many as 400 workers here.

On Friday, Pauline Dhillon, a spokeswoman for Cargojet, said, We dont really have any updates to give you. Were working on a number of things, but at this point we have nothing to say.

Flightcraft Maintenance Services, a Winnipeg heavy maintenance company, has been working out of one of the hangars and will continue to.

Jeff Peroff, president of the 65-employee company, said his company is not part of any centre of excellence and has not had any communication from anyone about it.

Air Canada promised the centre last winter in exchange for the provincial government withdrawing its involvement in a Quebec lawsuit against the airline for allegedly violating the Air Canada Public Participation Act.

The suit was launched in 2012 after Air Canadas maintenance subsidiary, Aveos Fleet Performance, went bankrupt and Air Canada shipped its heavy maintenance work outside of Canada.

The former law required heavy maintenance work be kept in Winnipeg, Montreal and Mississauga, Ont.

Air Canada struck deals with both Quebec and Manitoba to build maintenance centres of excellence in Montreal and Winnipeg in exchange for the lawsuit being dropped.

All along, Air Canada continued paying the lease on the two hangars: one 60,000 square feet and the other 100,000 square feet. Air Canada recently renewed the leases for 15 years.

Barry Rempel, the CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority that controls the land, said Cargojet will take the lions share of the space.

Our objective is to make sure they are up and operating in 2017, he said. We are working to help government and Air Canada and the other players.

 with files from Mia Rabsonmartin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As he led a delegation of foreign journalists into the warehouse at a major agricultural supply co-operative near Bonn, Germany, our host paused by the stockpile of herbicides and pesticides.

Here are our plant protection products, Willi Kremer Schilling said. I never say pesticides, These are medicines for plants.

There are one million farmers in Germany, a country of nearly 82 million people. Yet, as one of the top four agricultural producers in Europe, half of its territory is in agricultural production.

Laura Rance / Winnipeg Free Press Bauer (Farmer) Willi Kremer Schilling calls out consumers on their fickle attitudes toward modern farming.

That puts farmers under the microscope, a reality that permeates everything from how they work on the farm to how they talk about what they do.

Schilling is one of the 1,150-member co-ops farmer directors, but hes better known as Bauer (Farmer) Willi after he dived into the deepening chasm between farmers and consumers with a Dear Consumer letter he posted online in January 2015.

Im completely fed up today, he began his rant against low prices, tightening regulations, increasing paperwork, and fickle consumer perceptions about modern food production.

You, dear consumer, only want one thing: cheapness. And you also have demands. Your food should be GMO-free, gluten free, lactose-free, cholesterol free, low in calories and if fertilized, then organic. But it shouldnt stink, and when the fields are organically fertilized, it shouldnt be done near you.

Of course, it cant be sprayed with pesticides, but it has to look tip-top, with no spots

Why am I writing all of this? To give you a sense of how it feels to be in my situation Yes, we are running a business. But we are not locusts: we cant, and dont want to, just move somewhere else after its all been eaten away.

It goes on for two pages, single-spaced.

By morning, his letter had received 8,000 views. Within two weeks, it had been read by 300,000. Views are now at six million and rising. Then came radio and television interviews, and most recently, a book.

Bauer Willis frustration is widely shared.

In Neuss, about an hour outside of Bonn, Berd Olligs has combined his sixth-generation crop farm with the Bayer Forward Farm program, one of 22 sites in the country at which Bayer researchers and farmer co-operators explore ways to make modern farming more sustainable.

Olligs says a farmers every move is watched with suspicion. For example, farmers spray in the early mornings or late evenings when there is no wind. People think that if you are spraying when most people are sleeping then you are doing something illegal, he said.

David Lembrich of Bayer CropScience shows Phytobac, which uses straw and soil to remove herbicides from water used to wash sprayers.

Part of the research on his farm involves planting plots of weeds for demonstration and wild flowers as pollinator havens for the bees, a travesty to his father who remembers hand-pulling those same plants in a bid to reclaim food security in the postwar years.

In a part of the world that has known hunger, modern crop protection products and fencerow-to-fencerow farming practices represent much more than higher profits. There was a time when productivity meant having enough to eat.

Public pressure is also spawning some remarkable innovations, such as the Phytobac, a Dutch-designed system that uses soil and straw to remediate water contaminated with pesticides.

Up to 50 per cent of river contamination with pesticides traces back to the water farmers use to wash out sprayers. The rest runs off fields after it rains. We can stop point source from the farmyard 100 per cent, said David Lembrich of Bayer CropScience Deutschland.

The wash water is poured into an open-air container filled with a mix of dirt, straw and temperature. The moisture evaporates and the microbes break down the herbicides. The upfront investment is from $11,500 to $14,500.

Sustainable solutions for agriculture are out there, but the reality for farmers is they shoulder the cost as governments become more stingy and markets sag due to oversupply.

Laura Rance is editor of the Manitoba Co-operator and editorial director for Farm Business Communications. She can be reached at laura@fbcpublishing.com or 204-792-4382
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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Several former Ben Moss Jewellers employees have filed complaints with the Manitoba Labour Board, saying they were laid off suddenly Tuesday with no warning or severance  even though some had been with the Winnipeg-based company for almost 40 years.

Vera Sime, who worked as an accounts payable clerk for just under three years, said employees at company headquarters at 201 Portage Avenue were told July 29 by management not to worry about losing their jobs after the company was purchased at a bankruptcy auction by Gordon Brothers Group, a liquidation firm.

Gordon Brothers Canada announced July 29 that going-out-of-business sales would begin at all 54 Ben Moss locations across Canada, including five in Manitoba.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ben Moss employees who were laid off are taking their complaints to the labour board, and customers are concerned about the fate of their warranties. The Winnipeg-based jewelry store was bought at a bankruptcy auction.

The business has been Canadian-owned and operated since 1910. The company sought creditor protection in May to undertake a restructuring. Gordon Brothers Canada was hired to oversee the closure of 11 of their underperforming stores.

Still, Sime said staff at Winnipeg headquarters were reassured employees would remain until December as the company wound down operations.

But Tuesday, after the long weekend, at least 27 of 51 employees at head office were notified their jobs had been terminated.

Four employees interviewed by the Free Press said they were told they would be paid until the end of Tuesday, plus holiday time owed, but no severance package was offered.

I was blindsided because I wasnt expecting it that soon, said Sime, 55. I didnt see it coming. I was in shock.

One of the employees, who was on disability while being treated for breast cancer, was laid off by phone.

Thats what really got me angry, what they did to her, said Sime, who filed a complaint with the labour board Thursday. It wasnt so much me as what they did to the others.

For me, its a matter of principle, Sime added. You cant treat people like this. Its wrong. Its cheating people out of what they deserve.

At this point, were just lines on a spreadsheet.

Sime noted an employee on maternity leave was laid off. Several others were on vacation.

I was blindsided because I wasnt expecting it that soon. I didnt see it coming. I was in shock former Ben Moss employee Vera Sime

A request for an interview with Brent Trepel at the Ben Moss head office was not responded to. Trepel, whose family had owned Ben Moss Jewellers for several decades until it was sold to JSN three years ago, has remained involved in the management of the company.

The companys four Manitoba stores (three in Winnipeg, one in Brandon) remain open.

Manitobas employment standards branch requires employers to give workers notice or pay in lieu of notice on a scale relative to the employees length of employment. A worker with at least 30 days but less than a years employment must receive one weeks notice, an employee with one to three years of tenure must receive two weeks, increasing to eight weeks notice for more than 10 years of employment.

The former employee who is receiving chemo for breast cancer told the Free Press she is on disability until late September or early October. The 63-year-old, who didnt want to be identified, worked for Ben Moss for more than five years and planned to return to work.

I was stunned, said the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, of the termination phone call. I just went silent. They had to ask if I was still there. I was in shock mode.

The woman, who worked in accounting, plans to file a claim to the labour board for lack of severance.

Another employee, who didnt want to be named, fears that even if complaints are filed to the labour board, the employees will be shut out due to the bankruptcy.

They know that by the time it goes through the courts, theyll bankrupt the payroll and wont be liable to pay creditors or employees, he reasoned. Basically, no one gets anything. It seems like that was the plan all along.

Another employee who worked in marketing said employees who were laid off arent the only ones feeling shortchanged. In the last year, the employee said dozens of vendors, photographers and artists were demanding to be paid for their work.

The company stopped responding to those requests months ago.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Vera Sime and other former Ben Moss Jewellers employers were terminated Tuesday with no notice or severence.

The way it was handled was awful, the employee said, adding hundreds of customers had inquired about service warrantees they had purchased, which are mostly sold with engagement or wedding rings. There was no remorse. Nothing. We were disgusted.

Under a service agreement, a customer pays as much as several hundred dollars upfront for long-term repairs.

On the morning of the terminations, the head office had received 200 emails from customers asking about the fate of their warrantees. There was no one left to respond, the former employee said.

Terminated employees were infuriated after receiving a company email  after they were let go  announcing remaining staff could dress in casual attire, and pizza lunches would be supplied by management.

One of the former employees was frustrated that any cost of severance for employees would be a fraction of millions of dollars being spent to purchase and liquidate the company.

But to the people buying cancer pills and going through this stuff, its big, he said.

Martin Cash

Reporter Martin Cash has been writing a column and business news at the Free Press since 1989. Over those years hes written through a number of business cycles and the rise and fall (and rise) in fortunes of many local businesses. Read full biography
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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jessie Taylor was just 10 when she first went to camp at Camp Massad. Now, shes 16, and shes (almost) running the show.

Returning to the Winnipeg Beach camp this summer as a counsellor, Jessie said its exciting to experience camp from that perspective.

Theres a lot more responsibility, but its really nice because before, wed be a camper and wed get to see all the cool things, and now we get to see the effort thats put into putting everything together for the kids, she said. Its nice to see the kids having fun and knowing how much fun I had as a camper.

SUPPLIED Jessie Taylor at Camp Massad at a themed dinner in 2015.

From orchestrating elaborate themed dinners  recent examples include Paris, Broadway and carnivals  and moviemaking to typical camp activities such as kayaking, swimming and hiking, Jessie said camp is a whirlwind.

She hasnt missed a single summer since signing up six years ago, thanks to the Sunshine Fund.

She said she still remembers the first day.

I was really scared, she said, laughing. I wasnt used to being at a camp overnight.

But she said the great people helped make her first days easy. Really, just getting to see my cabin on the first day, meeting my cabin-mates and my counsellors and just feeling really accepted were key to her coming back, she said.

Jessie said camp is important for kids, especially the way they do it at Camp Massad, where traditional camping activities are blended with art, theatre and singing.

I think its always important for kids to be in touch with that artistic side of themselves, especially now were turning more to social media and not really interacting that much with that side, she said.

I think (camp is) a really neat way to make new friendships, and there are a lot of things Ive learned at camp from people of different ages, she said. If Im at home, Im usually with kids my own age, but when Im at camp, I get to interact with younger kids, I get to interact with older staff.

Its also really cool because some people come from different places, and its neat getting to know people from different places and getting to know different ideas.

Six years later, the teen said the camp has made a huge impact on her.

Its really helped me break out of my shell, she said. I was really shy when I was younger, and now, its helped me be positive and take more leadership roles.

The Sunshine Fund has been sending children to camp for nearly 40 years.

aidan.geary@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The disturbing incident of the passenger spitting on a Winnipeg Transit driver last week occurred at the same time I was doing research into how often riders said thank you when exiting a bus.

My research was prompted by a visit to Vancouver last year, where I was struck by how often people said thank you when leaving the vehicle.

At first, I thought it was just memaybe I just happened to be on buses where people expressed gratitude. But then a friend experienced the same thing in June when he was in that city and used public transit.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Bus passengers load buses in downtown Winnipeg.

Very impressed that the vast majority of people getting off the bus THANKED the driver! he wrote on Facebook.

Curious, I did a bit of searching. Sure enough, there are pages of discussions online about how and why Vancouverites thank bus drivers, with many bus riders saying they do.

One discussion was started by a newcomer to Vancouver who asked: Whats the origin of saying thanks to the bus driver when he drops you off at your spot? Ive never had this experience before on public transit in Toronto, Mississauga, Halifax, Orlando or Memphis  only Vancouver.

Is it just a delightful social practice that spread virally? Was there some campaign to increase friendliness between drivers and passengers? Are there any other cities that share the habit?

What followed were comments speculating on the origin, along with suggestions of other cities in B.C. and England where the practice has been noted.

What about Winnipeg? I have taken the bus to work for over 30 years. I have rarely, if ever, heard anyone say thanks when leaving  or done it myself.

So this week I decided to ask Winnipeg bus drivers about their experience  do they get thanked very much? The answer seems to be sometimes, but it is not a usual thing. Do they appreciate it? The answer was yes all around.

Some might say: Theyre getting paid to do a job  why should they be thanked? True enough, but as we saw last week again, they can also find themselves in dangerous and stressful situations.

According to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, which represents Winnipeg Transit drivers, there were 60 reported assaults against drivers last year, up 54 percent from 2014.

Of course, saying thanks wont stop the abuse. But it might be a way to make their days a little less stressful and anxious, not to mention injecting a little humanity into what is an otherwise impersonal and rote encounter.

As a commenter on a website about Vancouver buses said about expressing gratitude: I just think it makes their day a bit better and less stressful. Its always nice to have someone be appreciative of what you do not because it is your job or part of your job duties.

Plus, I really am grateful that someone else is doing the driving, especially on winter days when the roads are icy and driving conditions are poor. I truly appreciate that I can sit back, relax and read as I make my way to work. I wouldnt trade that experience for anything.

So, beginning last month, I decided to emulate people in Vancouver by showing my gratitude when I leave the bus. Maybe more of us could do the same. And, who knows? Perhaps one day a visitor to Winnipeg will wonder: Why is it that everyone thanks bus drivers?

And we can say: Its a Winnipeg thing.

John Longhurst is the Faith Page columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press.
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The evidence is everywhere: mandatory voting laws increase voter turnout. In turn, greater voter turnout increases public legitimacy. However, Paul Thomas writes that mandatory voting laws are not necessary (Aug. 2). But public policy is not about what is necessary. It is about what is in the public interest.

Public policy is not about false dichotomies: we have to choose between A and B. Thomas says politicians and parties need to give citizens more reasons to vote, rather than making voting mandatory. I say politicians and parties need to give citizens more reasons to vote and mandatory voting.

Compulsory voting can be achieved with a carrot or a stick. For example, we can give a $25 tax credit to those who vote or impose a $25 tax penalty on those who do not. We can try the carrot; if that doesnt work, we can try the stick. At the very least, we can consult Canadians about this.

Mandatory voting does not force people to cast a ballot for candidates they do not like. It is easy to add a choice on ballots for none of the above or I choose not to vote. A voter can make a statement at the ballot box.

But we need to go beyond laws to encourage people to make their way to the ballot box. After all, voting is a fundamental right, enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court held in 2002 in Sauve v. Canada that it cannot be denied to prisoners, because doing so diminishes how fundamental the right is. The Canadian citizenship guide says, The right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote in federal, provincial or territorial and local elections. Its clear: voting is a responsibility.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Voting has been attacked in numerous ways over the years. Too many of our predecessors gave their lives to protect our democratic freedoms. We have an annual Remembrance Day to honour their sacrifice. One way to honour their sacrifice is to get out and vote.

The act of preventing people from voting has become rampant in the United States; voter suppression is discriminatory and partisan. On Aug. 1, the U.S. Federal Court blocked North Dakota from enforcing its new voter ID law, which was designed to reduce voting. The judge wrote that the North Dakota law adds substantial and disproportionate burdens for Native American voters compared with others in the state. Similar laws in North Carolina, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin have also been struck down. The three-judge panel in North Carolina said the states voter-suppression law targeted African-Americans with almost surgical precision.

In Canada, there were concerns voter suppression might be the outcome to changes made to the electoral laws under the Conservative government.

Electoral reform may also encourage voting. We can and should take steps to ensure citizens believe the way we count votes will result in all of them being counted and given weight proportionate to the number of people who voted for a political party. It discourages voting if the electorate feels a vote is wasted if cast in a riding that is deemed uncompetitive.

We should also make voting as easy as we can. We should ensure obtaining government-issued identification is as easy and cheap as possible. It is progress that in Manitoba, an all-in-one personal identification card  combining a persons drivers licence, photo ID, health card and travel identification  will be issued starting in the fall of 2017. Also, we should ensure everyone in Grade 12 in Canada is added to the voters list, even if they might not be turning 18 for a few more months.

Mandatory voting laws are the start, but more should be done to encourage voting  as a right and a responsibility.

Tom McMahon is the former senior counsel for Elections Canada.
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for Premier Brian Pallister.

Its a difficult time to govern. Uncertainty is the new norm. Random and horrifying acts of violence are shaking the ground beneath everyones feet. Economies are struggling to grow. Citizens are having a tough time finding and keeping jobs. Even those with job security are watching their buying power slowly erode.

Despite our best efforts to find light at the end of the tunnel, it seems as if we take two steps back immediately following any step forward.

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister.

Case in point: on Friday, we saw two radically different jobs reports coming from Canada and the United States that together provide more than enough evidence we are living in uncertain times.

Here at home, Statistics Canada reported the Canadian economy lost 31,000 jobs in July. That was a bitter surprise given that many economists believed the country would be adding a modest number of jobs.

As Canada was reeling from this barrage of bad and surprising news, the United States was having the opposite experience. Its monthly labour report showed an unexpected surge in jobs. Non-farm payrolls, a key metric tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor, saw a seasonally adjusted gain of 255,000 jobs in July.

News such as this can have a dramatic effect on the fortunes of any government. In the U.S., President Barack Obamas administration was on social media celebrating the gains. Obama didnt take credit for doing anything in particular to cause the spike in jobs, per se. But he certainly wanted voters heading to the polls in November to associate Democrats, and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in particular, with a growing economy and labour force.

In Canada, today is a day for damage control. You can be sure the federal Liberal government is scrambling to find a response that makes it clear it is on the case. To do otherwise would be to look like they were whistling by the graveyard, never a flattering posture for politicians.

In this context, we should feel more than a bit sorry for Pallister. He has the reins of a provincial government that is hampered by a stubborn deficit, and a province stifled by a steady but unspectacular economy. Pallister could hold out hope the economy will somehow bounce back, making him look like a genius. Almost no one expects that to happen.

So, should we should stow our criticism of Pallister and his new Progressive Conservative government?

If you read the comments section under most political stories mentioning Pallister  and please, if you are going to read the comments, do so at your own risk  you will see a dynamic debate on this subject.

On the one side, you have strident and likely partisan commenters arguing its too early to criticize Pallister for anything. Another group of self-appointed online pundits  likely just as partisan as the first group  believe its never too soon to hold Pallisters feet to the fire.

At the heart of the debate, however, is the question of whether Pallister deserves more time before he can be legitimately criticized. Although Im not particularly convincing when I weigh into this debate, here is the short version of what I try to impart to the online hordes: It really depends on the issue.

If you are concerned about a surge in the unemployment rate or a lack of GDP growth or the declining value of venture capital investment or the weather, best not to curse Pallister. It is true government can effect all of those metrics through policy. If the government drastically cuts spending or lays off huge numbers of civil servants or passes tax measures that run contrary to the free flow of venture capital, then Pallister can be blamed. However, many of the macro trends are triggered by forces that are much bigger and more impactful than policy in one particular government.

What can you blame on Pallister or his government? Failure to express itself clearly has been the biggest shortcoming of this new government. Neither Pallister, nor many of his ministers, has been able to navigate sensitive subjects without a raft of self-inflicted wounds that have generated skepticism and anger in certain key constituencies. Its creating the impression Pallister is not governing for all Manitobans, which, if true, would be a huge shortcoming.

Pallisters online supporters believe the new government should be given time to hone its message and to build bridges with skeptical citizens. That is mostly hogwash.

Pallister served as the premier-in-waiting of the government-in-waiting for several years before winning an election. During that time, the Tories should have been working on their policies and messages. They should have been out recruiting good people to help them navigate political mine fields. They should have been building bridges to non-traditional constituencies.

So, lets not burden the new premier with criticism about things over which he has no control. Lets focus our criticism of Pallisters performance on things where there is a direct cause and effect between government actions and outcomes, and on those things any new government needs to get right, right from the start.

Above all, lets put to rest the idea any new government gets a crate of do-overs or mulligans to use until it figures out how to govern. Governing a province is major league politics and deserves a major league effort.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @danlett
Opinion

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This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Oh, Canada.

The federal government kicked off the 150-day countdown to Canadas 150th birthday  its sesquicentennial  Thursday. MP Jim Carr was one of nine federal cabinet ministers announcing the details of the countdown throughout Canada. Mr. Carr said the celebration, with a budget of $210 million, will include pop-up surprise events along four themes: diversity and inclusiveness; the environment; young people; and reconciliation with indigenous people.

In 1967, Canada went all out to celebrate its 100th birthday. In the Winnipeg Free Press, there were details of projects underway to commemorate the occasion, including the planting of 500 trees in Treherne, the creation of a centennial park in Fort Garry and the construction of ice rinks in St. Boniface, funded in part by the Manitoba government. Across the country, parades and fireworks were held to celebrate, along with the planting of 70,000 flowering crab-apple trees and a tour across the country by a 1,700-person military tattoo, complete with pipes, drums and gymnasts.

The iconic geodesic dome from Expo 67

Expo 67, hosted in Montreal, was the jewel of the centennial celebrations. It opened April 27, 1967, on Saint Helens Island, in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Buckminster Fullers iconic geodesic dome from the U.S. pavilion became the centrepiece, its futurist shape an enduring landmark.

The theme for Expo 67 was Man and his World and the exhibition was viewed as an opportunity for Canada to market itself as a country on the brink of international recognition, as Canadian scholar Eva-Marie Kroller writes. This was Canadas Camelot, wrote the Vancouver Sun, with a growing population and a future that was bright.

Of course, political tensions were present behind all the patriotic rhetoric; unfortunately, those tensions remain to this day. The Hawthorne report, published in 1966, outlined how the residential school system was responsible for the poor health, poverty and inadequate education for Canadas indigenous population. It is within that context that the Indians of Canada pavilion opened at the expo. Funded by the Canadian government, it was supposed to be a positive depiction, but First Nations organizers took the opportunity to demonstrate the inequality between aboriginal children and white children in education and social status. It was a significant step in the rise of civil rights activism within the indigenous community.

Fifty years later, Canadas relationship with First Nations people remains troubled, and while the federal government is working toward the implementation of principles designed for reconciliation, the statistics on the eve of our 150th birthday tell a sobering story. Poverty rates for First Nations children living on reserves remain staggeringly high. A 2016 report published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found in Manitoba, 76 per cent of status First Nations children were living below the poverty line, compared with 16 per cent among non-indigenous children in the province. Moreover, high school graduation rates on reserves fall below 40 per cent, compared with 80 per cent off reserve. Access to clean, running water and fresh, accessible food also remains an issue.

The federal governments last budget has made substantial investments in housing, water and education on reserves, but that money wont be making a dent in the problems right away. Which leads to the question: in 2067, will we still be talking about this? Exactly how long should reconciliation take?
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 05/08/2016 (2275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Art Galleys Inuit Art Centre project has taken a substantial step forward with a federal investment of $15 million.

Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr made the announcement at the WAG on Aug. 2 which he claimed is part of the federal governments plan to invest in the countrys cultural institutions.

This demonstrates how important we consider places where Canadians experience art, preserve our past and celebrate the many cultures that make our country so rich and diverse, Carr said. He noted other investments in the CBC and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Alana Trachenko Fred Ford shares his thanks for the WAGs commitment to Inuit art and culture.

The centre will bring the wonders of the north to the south and allow visitors to learn more about this majestic and magnificent part of Canada, its people, its culture and its history, Carr said.

Thank you for your game-changing commitment to this game-changing project, WAG CEO and director Stephen Borys said.

The fundraising goal for the centre is $65 million. In addition to the $15 million provided by the federal government, the City of Winnipeg has committed $5 million over five years. The WAG has also submitted a request for $15 million from the Province of Manitoba. The private sector goal is $30 million, of which WAG media manager Catherine Maksymiuk says about half has been raised.

Support to date has been very positive, Maksymiuk wrote in an email.

WAG board member and president of the Manitoba Inuit Association Fred Ford spoke from his experiences in helping his father operate an art gallery on Baker Lake.

Alana Trachenko From left: Stephen Borys and Jim Carr.

(My father) was a stone carver and my brothers and I helped him start a gallery in the early 80s, Ford said. We worked with artists in the community and beyond, and we know the value of having an extra partner like the WAG and we appreciate all that is being done to champion our art and our artists, culture and history around the world.

Being able to tell our own stories in our own way about colonization, relocation and residential schools is in itself, an act of reconciliation.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 06/08/2016 (2274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It has been 10 years since Julian Assange founded Wikileaks, the website that has gone on to serve as the worlds most prominent digital repository of leaked government information. The organization has been celebrating a decade of existence over the last two weeks by putting on display everything that makes its brand of radical transparency so powerful and problematic:

 On July 24, Debbie Wasserman Schultz stepped down from her position as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee because Wikileaks obtained and published a trove of embarrassing emails from the organization.

 On July 25, an academic named Zeynep Tufekci wrote a scathing article about another recent Wikileaks data dump, which included 300,000 emails related to the Turkish government. In the article (entitled WikiLeaks puts women in Turkey in danger, for no reason), Tufekci argued there was nothing newsworthy about the emails but Wikileaks had exposed massive databases containing private information about nearly every woman in the country.

 On July 26, American intelligence officials said the Russian government was almost certainly responsible for the DNC hack, and the New York Times reported Assange timed the release of the leak to maximize the political damage to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

 On July 27, Wikileaks released more information obtained from the DNC, this time a series of voicemails.

 On July 28, Edward Snowden, who exposed the U.S. National Security Agencys surveillance program and a natural ally to Wikileaks if theres ever been one, criticized the organization for its insistence on releasing all information it receives in raw form. Democratizing information has never been more vital, and @Wikileaks has helped, Snowden tweeted. But their hostility to even modest curation is a mistake.

Wikileaks, never one to pull a punch, went on the offensive. In its view, the Democrats were corrupt and desperate to distract; Tufekci was a shill for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; the New York Times story was entirely false; and Snowden was manoeuvring for a pardon from a future Clinton administration.

Wikileaks has also recently used its Twitter account to post a seemingly anti-Semitic remark, and to pick a fight with Twitters chief executive officer over the companys decision to shut down the account of a controversial right-wing commentator associated with online harassment.

So its been a weird stretch. But Wikileaks has always been a weird phenomenon. Its prominence grew from the ability to accept and display leaked information online without either exposing sources identities or succumbing to attempts by governments to censor its output. This was a seemingly simple task that required technical chops that most media companies lacked, according to Alex Howard, a senior analyst at the Sunlight Foundation, an advocacy group pushing for government transparency. It was hugely significant, the technical capacity to enable whistleblowing, and then to keep the documents in question online through distributed networks and mirroring. That continued to be Wikileakss contribution, he said.

The organization has been less sophisticated in figuring out what to do with this kind of information. There is a long-running tension between the positive impact of exposing things powerful organizations want to keep secret, and the negative implications of making private personal data public. Wikileaks occupies the extreme end of this debate. The answer, in its eyes, is simple: the more the better.

Even people who see Wikileakss broader mission  We open governments  as admirable have long criticized the group as reckless. The censure of the recent week mirrors arguments made years ago.

Steven Aftergood, the director of the government secrecy project at the Federation of American Scientists, said in 2010 the view of Wikileaks as a champion of free speech was misguided. The criticism of Wikileaks has been amply borne out since then, he said. Fortunately, more people now see the organization for what it is.

Wikileaks didnt respond to an interview request.

Even natural allies of Wikileaks say its hurting their cause. Howard, of the Sunlight Foundation, worries Wikileakss disregard for legitimate privacy concerns could have broader consequences for other advocates pushing for government transparency because it provides political opponents with a boogeyman. Tufekci wrote the Erdogan government has already stepped up its censorship campaign in Turkey.

Critics of Wikileaks say Russian intelligence has weaponized the organization with the DNC hack, essentially drawing attention to documents by leveraging the brand as a place for juicy documents.

The perception is likely to lessen the organizations impact over time, argues Paul Rosenzweig, a cybersecurity consultant who worked in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under president George W. Bush. Its the difference between setting yourself up to take information from whistleblowers who may have a legitimate grievance, and making yourself an outlet for spies, he said. Radical transparency loses its appeal once it becomes a tool for governments to use against one another.

If Wikileaks is seen as either a mouthpiece of specific governments or an irresponsible handler of leaked data, that could make whistleblowers look elsewhere. If youre the next Snowden, do you go there, or do you go to a media organization that has a different approach, that has the capacity and ethical standards that says potential harms are addressed, Howard said.

This may be wishful thinking. While the criticism of Wikileaks has increased over the past week, its hard to argue its impact is waning. Tufekcis critique of the hack in Turkey was largely a complaint that Wikileakss documents were unimportant, but many reporters treated them as though they were significant simply because of their source. The DNC leak became one of the major stories of the recent party convention. Clintons political opponents seemed more interested in what the emails said than the process through which they were exposed. On July 28, as she gave her acceptance speech in Philadelphia, a group of protesters in the audience unfurled a huge Wikileaks banner.

 Bloomberg News
The Winona City Council got a new look at a new look for Levee Park Monday.

The second iteration of plans for a redesign of Winonas riverfront park were well-received among council members and others.

I think its what a lot of people were hoping to see, council member Michelle Alexander said, describing it as an exciting plan, and what people had been waiting for since the initial conversations.

I hope we as a group are able to make this happen, she said.

Chad Ubl, community services director for the parks and recreation department, said that in addition to fitting well with the bridge construction, the design also meshes with the citys Comprehensive Plan and the publics interest in improvements to the Main Street and riverfront area.

The plans would connect Levee Park via the trail under the bridge to new recreation areas further west to be developed following completion of the Interstate Bridge project that would also serve as another conduit between the park and downtown Winona.

Highlights of the plan include a gateway at the entrance to Second Street and an improved bus stop and pedestrian crossing. The entire street level would be raised to be more accommodating to mixed uses and mixed vehicle traffic.

Main Street would be connected to the park by a pedestrian crossing more than 90 feet wide through the rail yard. The number of tracks in the rail yard would be reduced and greenery and other natural features added to make the entrance more visually inviting.

The Main Street entrance would opne onto the elevated plaza once occupied by the Wilkie replica, featuring the addition of an amphitheater to the circular area and sloped lawn.

The design incorporated input from several city groups, including the Levee Park Committee and Winona Main Street Program. Frank Pomeroy, Levee Park Committee chair, said the plan was an opportunity for Winona to improve the park for community members and visitors and have a dynamic location.

We see this as a catalyst to revitalizing downtown, Ubl said.

Ubl, said the process is currently in the design development phase and the components are being worked on.

The plans are still tentative, pending the outcome of ongoing discussions with the Union Pacific Railroad to improve the crossing at Main Street and budgeting for the improvements, which are estimated to cost between $2.2 million and $2.6 million.

The cost estimates include a 25 percent contingency.

Possible funding sources include allocation from the city budget and issuing bonds by the city. Private funding, by individual and corporate donations, thourgh non-profit organizations or crowd funding have been considered, Ubl said. Private funds have purchased park equipment and the memorials in Veterans park, but not municipal improvements. That would be new for the city, Ubl said.

The proposed timeline for the project, if it were approved and funding allocations made in the budget in August 2016, has construction beginning in spring 2017 and be done in a year.

If an agreement can be struck with the railroad and funding arranged, I think the timeline they proposed is reasonable, Ubl said.

This is the second round of designs put forward since the city began looking at improvements to the park in 2013. The initial design generated in public input and ideas, butoverall, the community felt that there were components in there that werent acceptable, Ubl said.

Now that the council has looked at the new design, they will do a more technical review and move forward with the construction and bidding process once budgets are being made.

The design presentation keeps that implementation moving, Ubl said.
Sauk Prairie will get a glimpse of one of the two eclipses that will occur over the next thirty days. The total solar eclipse is only visible over the Atlantic Ocean ending toward the North Pole on March 20, and the total lunar eclipse is best seen in western North America on April 4. However, the partial phase of the lunar eclipse will greet those who rise before the sun on the morning of April 4.

The Full Moon occurs on April 4 at 7:05 a.m., but the moon sets just before this, around 6:40 a.m., as the partial eclipse is ongoing. The partial phase begins around 5:17 a.m., as the moon slips into the deeper part of Earths shadow and begins to turn a bit red. The moon will become close to completely eclipsed around 6:34 a.m., just as it is setting. This will make for a strange and wondrous view for those awaking to the day to find a blood red moon setting in the west.

At the same time that the moon is setting, the sun is rising in the east. Sunrise will continue to arrive earlier every morning and sunset later every evening from the spring equinox on March 20 through June. Spring arrives precisely on March 20 at 5:45 p.m.

Spring planets and constellations

On March 21, a day after the new moon and eclipse graces the far north, a crescent moon returns to the sky just after sunset. The moon will be right beside Mars, and the next night the moon rises a bit higher to float beside Venus. On March 29 the moon will be high in the sky and not far from Jupiter. The moon and Saturn keep close quarters around April 8, but they dont rise until after midnight.

Back in the west, Venus draws attention as it shines at magnitude -4 and stays above the horizon for three hours. In early April, Venus closes in on the star cluster the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus. This grouping of stars is setting in the west while the spring constellations rise in the east. Leo, Virgo, and Libra rise up from the horizon, carrying along a slew of distant galaxies that can be viewed through large telescopes. Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, is taking on its spring look, with the bowl of the dipper turning upside down as it sends spring showers to Earth.
The Patriot Tour, a 100-day, 14,000-mile journey during which motorcycle riders are carrying the U.S. flag city-to-city through all 48 continental states to raise money for wounded veterans and their families, has reached the West Coast.

It will soon turn east to begin the journey home to Wisconsin for the Sept. 3 homecoming ceremony and celebration at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam.

Bill Sherer, founder and executive director of the Nation of Patriots, said, Its important for people to understand that every dollar they contribute and that has been contributed to this effort all across the county directly benefits wounded vets and their families. The Nation of Patriots is an entirely volunteer organization so every last dollar raised benefits those for whom it is intended.

In 2015, nearly $140,000 was raised and distributed to families of wounded veterans in Wisconsin and across the U.S. This years goal is $200,000 and contributions of any size are welcome at www.nationofpatriots.com.

Last year, more than 500 riders participated in the final leg of the Patriot Tour, escorting the flag from Madison to and through Beaver Dam as hundreds of residents lined the parade route through downtown Beaver Dam, showing their support for The Nation of Patriots and the men and women of the armed forces.

Having outgrown the space at Hogz & Honeez, The Patriot Tour has relocated the homecoming ceremony and celebration to the Dodge County Fairgrounds in an effort to accommodate greater rider and community participation.

On Sept. 3, riders will depart Harley-Davidson of Madison at noon, accompanied by police escort, arriving in Beaver Dam by 1 p.m. for a parade beginning at the south end of Madison Street, turning east on Front Street and continuing east through the city and ending at the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Highway 33 East. At the fairgrounds the flag will be escorted to the stage for the 3 p.m. homecoming ceremony by the Junior Patriot Tour  comprised of young community members  and the 2016 flag will be retired. The celebration will follow from 4 to 5 p.m. with music, food and refreshments.

The idea for the Patriot Tour came to Sherer in 2009 while riding in the eastern United States, carrying the American flag on the back of his motorcycle in support of the sacrifices that his friends, mostly veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, had made on behalf of our country.

He rode all 33 states east of the Mississippi, raising money for the families of wounded veterans. Ending in Milwaukee, Sherer worked with the VA Hospital there to direct the money he had raised to military families.

I realized that my voice was not strong enough to rally a nation, he said. So I founded The Nation of Patriots. I wanted to include as many proud Americans as possible to stand with me in a collective salute of appreciation to the U.S. military.

Riders interested in participating locally or across the country are encouraged to pre-register at www.nationofpatriots.com. Each rider is asked to make a $5 donation that will be used to augment funds raised throughout the tour for distribution to wounded veterans and their families.
MAYVILLE  A 47-year-old West Bend man is in custody and has charges pending against him for taking more than $30,000 worth of property from storage units in Mayville.

The Mayville Police Department has taken several reports of burglaries to storage units in the city of Mayville, Mayville Captain Ryan Vossekuil wrote in a press release. There was a cooperative effort between the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office, Washington County Sheriffs Office, West Bend Police Department and Mayville Police Department in taking the suspect into custody. The man is currently being held on a probation hold at the Washington County Jail. Charges are pending.

Mayville Police have returned several items of the stolen property to the rightful owners.

We have a large amount of recovered property in our custody that has not yet been reported stolen, Vossekuil wrote. In the reported cases, the suspect picked the locks on the units without damaging them. He then placed the locks back onto the storage units, making it difficult for the victims to realize that their units had been tampered with. We are asking that any residents that have storage units in the Mayville area, to check if they have had property stolen.

Any citizen that believes they may be a victim of this crime should contact the Mayville Police Department at 920-387-7903.
Every good house starts with good bones.

And every good house roast coffee starts with good beans.

Beaver Dams own Black Waters Coffee made news earlier this week with the announcement that it was selling its convenience store and food service accounts in Wisconsin to Ronnoco Coffee LLC, a coffee company based in St. Louis.

The distribution includes contracts with numerous gas stations, offices, cafeterias and other outlets throughout the state and into upper Michigan.

A news release made it clear, however, that Black Waters coffee shop in Beaver Dam  originally opened in 2008 at 308 S. Center St.  is not part of the sale.

Owners Glenna Vilmin and son Josiah are the lead personnel in the family enterprise. Although the price was not disclosed, Josiah indicated, It was a price worthy of 13 years of our work.

Nunatak Coffee Roasters, the Vilmins gourmet roasting company, has been retained and will continue to roast for other coffee shops and wholesale customers. The local roasting and baking operations are expected to expand, and the coffee shop itself will be enlarged, either at its current location or in another building in downtown Beaver Dam.

Were definitely going to be expanding in Beaver Dam in some way, although none of those details have been worked out yet, Josiah said. One of our main objectives was to make sure that this sale did not hamper our ability to exist in downtown Beaver Dam, and to create jobs in Beaver Dam. That was very high on our priority list.

The company started humbly enough.

We started in Mom and Dads basement in 2003, Josiah said. We really began with the distribution operation (the portion recently sold), and then rented office space. At that time we really felt that the market was not being served properly for quality coffee  that being the food service networks in the state of Wisconsin, including convenience stores and offices. There were the big players, but there wasnt a craft roasting brand, or a high quality provider. We felt there was an opening, a need and a desire on our end to serve that market.

It all took a sizable investment to start, which was provided by the family. Josiah provided his expertise in business and marketing, and Glenna, provided experience in staffing, sales and more.

They all learned a lot  and are still learning  about coffee.

According to Josiah, theres an art, and a science, to roasting.

Coffee trees are very sophisticated plants, he said. During the growing process, countless variables affect their flavor profile. Some beans are less than stellar, while others have the potential to be exceptional. We focus on sourcing coffee beans with high potential and bringing out their best flavor qualities through the roasting process. Our experience, attention to detail and using modern technology with traditional roasting techniques, allows us to do just that  help our coffee beans become exceptional.

With expertise, and experience in roasting their own brand, they realized a need for the next step.

Opening a cafe was driven by the idea that we had a brand that we needed to create a home for  a place that could have a sign, and that would ultimately give some weight to the brand, Josiah said. The cafe helped us to market our coffee differently and better.

He continued, We considered a number of locations in southern Wisconsin. We visited a lot of cities, and Beaver Dam made the most sense from a logistical perspective. Its close to home in addition to all the other qualities it possesses. Beaver Dam has a lot of good things going for it.

Glenna added, We chose Beaver Dam not only because we have family ties here, but also because of the highway access, the many other businesses that have moved here, and the wonderful people that live here. Theres a lot happening here.

The sale of distribution rights has a practical outcome for the Vilmins, who struggled to keep up the demand for both their products and their services.

Our new objective really is to get back to focusing on high quality coffees, small batch roasted, for independent coffee shops and other wholesale customers, said Josiah, Were also going to improve our Center Street coffee shop and bakery. Any changes that are coming will probably be done at a faster pace, and with a little more of a focus.

Well probably expand our coffee line, but certainly with the same attention to detail and some of the best coffee that you can find locally, or really anywhere. Well continue to have some fine coffees at a good value. Thats what we really strive to do for our customers.

He continued, Black Waters coffee is still going to be available through our cafe and our distribution customers are going to continue to enjoy our coffee as Ronnoco will continue to distribute it through a licensing agreement.

Another contributing factor to the big changes ahead is doubtlessly the birth of Ephraim to Josiah and wife Connie (also involved in the business). With the distribution side of the business gone, both parents and grandparents may hopefully have more time to spend with their prized new business partner. (Ephraim joins other grandchildren Quinton, Ian, Elyse and Olivia).

Josiah concluded, The timing of this sale is right for a lot of reasons, and getting back to a local approach for the business will definitely allow us to spend more time with our families. Our options were to either expand that part of the business or to sell it, and selling seemed to be a perfect option for us at this stage in the companys development. 
A Dodge County Sheriffs Deputy returned shots and killed a man who had allegedly said he wanted to die by suicide by cop at 8:46 p.m. on Friday.

Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is leading the investigation in the shooting which happened at 215 Woodland Drive. Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger and Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt spoke at a press conference on Saturday morning, but said the identity of the shooter and deputy would not be released until Monday at the earliest.

Kreuziger said that Dodge County Dispatch received the call at 6:46 p.m. to check welfare of a suspect at the apartment.

Information received was that the male suspect was making statements threatening suicide to friends, Kreuziger said. Further information was received that that he had access to a firearm. Beaver Dam Police Department established a perimeter to keep the public safe. Beaver Dam officers began actively negotiating and every effort was made to come to a peaceful resolution. Contact was made with the suspect, and he indicated that he wished to end his life by suicide by cop. The suspect went out on the balcony of the apartment and began waving around a firearm. Due to nature of the incident and the potential dangerous situation we requested assistance from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office. The incident eventually led to an officer-involved shooting.

Schmidt said that the sheriffs office received the request for assistance at 7:40 p.m.

Numerous officers and deputies responded the scene, including myself, Schmidt said

Schmidt said they set up additional perimeter and he and the deputies saw the man waving the firearm around in a dangerous manner on the second floor balcony.

We previously received information that the suspect had intended to commit suicide by cop, Schmidt said. I think it is important for the public to understand what suicide by cop actually means. Suicide by cop is a method of creating a deadly force situation in which a law enforcement officer is forced to act to stop a threat, a potentially deadly threat, to life safety for both law enforcement officers and the community at large.

There were efforts to end the situation peacefully and safely, Schmidt said.

Unfortunately the suspect turned his weapon on a deputy sheriff and fired. The deputy sheriff involved returned fired in an effort to stop the threat both to himself and the community. As a result of the suspect was shot and killed.

The deputy is a nine-year veteran of the sheriffs office and was not injured.

Subsequently the scene was secured and Schmidt gave orders to contact DCI to begin a report on the officer-involved shooting, which is required by state law.

DCI started investigating the incident Friday night but it may take weeks for the investigation to be completed.

The deputy sheriff has been placed on non-displinary administrative leave per the policy of the sheriffs office and the investigation of the DCI.

I am confident that when the full investigation is complete the facts will show that the deputy used appropriate force however we do need to wait until the DCI investigation to bring out those facts, Schmidt said.

Both the Dodge County Sheriff and the Beaver Dam Police Department receive annual training on numerous areas handling emotionally disturbed people and use-of-force situations.
Ferriter will end taxation without representation

Two years ago there was a public forum with Assemblyman Keith Ripp and State Sen. Luther Olson. They had called for the forum with parents, school board members and citizens from several school districts.

That night, they both stated that the state of Wisconsin cannot afford to support a two-system style of education (voucher and public schools). This was stated by them at 9 p.m., yet at 10 a.m. both men voted, as they were directed by their caucuses, for bills that took millions of your tax dollars from your public school system and gave it to unaccountable voucher schools.

In these unaccountable voucher schools, you do not have any say in how your tax money is being spent. Are the STEM subjects being taught? What ideology is being taught? Is the money being used to build a new church school? How are the children being tested? All these and more questions do not need to be answered since voucher and private schools are unaccountable. There also is no open annual meeting that you can attend to vote on how your money should be spent. We also know that they are not performing as well as public schools.

Besides the millions of dollars previously taken away from your public school over the years, the legislature has voted to take $494 million from your tax dollars for school years 2015-2017. This money will be given to private and voucher schools. Several private and voucher schools have been given your tax money under Gov. Scott Walkers plan. Many of them have taken the money and in a few months they shut their doors or turn away chosen students and send them back to their home public schools. We cannot afford to cheat our children by taking away those precious tax dollars and giving them to thieves. You have the right to send your child to any school that you wish without using tax dollars from other taxpayers in unaccountable schools.

It is time for public school parents and advocates to step up and vote in November for representatives who will use your tax dollars to educated all children not just the privileged few or those who have a ideology that is unaccountable.

We can restore our top ranking education system by voting in November for Representative George Ferriter for Assembly in the 42nd district. George will vote to support our public schools which are accountable to the citizens of our state.

We still cannot afford to be taxed for two educational systems. In a shell game, districts have needed to ask you to vote on referendum after referendum just to keep operating your public schools. The ability to present referenda to you is also being controlled after this year. Please check your candidate list before you vote in November and vote for a candidate that stands for educating all of our children using your tax dollars where it is accountable.

George Ferriter can help to fix it.

Judy Rubert, Fall River
GREEN BAY  Donald Trump on Friday endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville before a Green Bay crowd, a move that could help repair the latest rift within an already fractured Republican party.

As a unified party we will lead our country to unity as well, the Republican presidential candidate told a standing-room-only crowd at the KI Convention Center. I support and endorse our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

Trump angered GOP leaders earlier this week by refusing to commit to endorsing Ryan in his reelection bid against primary challenger Paul Nehlen, a move that mirrored Ryans own words when the Speaker initially refused to endorse Trump while Republicans struggled to handle Trumps increasingly incendiary statements while on the campaign trail.

But on Friday, Trump said Ryan was a good man and that while the two disagree, they will work together to find consensus moving forward. Trump went further and threw out endorsements for Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte  support he had withheld until Friday.

I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make, said Trump.

Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginias Center for Politics, said Trump must have finally felt there was no benefit in tweaking his own party.

What a concept, said Kondik.

It seems as though Trump is listening to advice of the political professionals on his staff who likely want to improve Trumps tarnished image within the party, allowing for the opportunity for more on message attacks against Hillary Clinton, said Mike Wagner, a political science and journalism professor at UW-Madison, in an email.

Trumps endorsement of Ryan came hours after state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, penned a scathing column in which he said he was embarrassed to have the New York real estate mogul at the top of their ticket in the 2016 election.

In it, Vos implied Trumps refusal to agree to endorse Ryan was the last straw  more egregious than anything Trump had said previously during his campaign that also had sparked controversy, most recently when Trump criticized the parents of a fallen U.S. soldier who was a Muslim.

As Donald Trump has said stupid things and been rude to so many people over the past year, I usually chalked it up to inexperience and the spotlight of an incredibly hostile press, wrote Vos, who supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the states primary. But since the convention, his lack of judgment has got to concern even the most ardent Trump supporters.

Fridays rally featured Trumps running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke. Not in attendance, however, were the states top Republicans.

Gov. Scott Walker instead chose to attend a spaghetti dinner fund- raiser for the volunteer fire department in tiny Grand View  an unincorporated town of fewer than 500 residents in northwest Wisconsin.

Ryan and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Oshkosh held events in other parts of the state on Friday.

Ryan, Walker, Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, eventually threw their support behind Trump. But in recent days, Walker, Ryan and Johnson have all criticized Trumps comments about the Muslim family of a deceased U.S. Army soldier.

Martha Laning, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, said in a statement that the absence of the states Republican leaders on Trumps stage showed the Democratic ticket was a more stable choice for voters, as top Wisconsin Democrats were on hand to show support for Clintons running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, at a rally he held in Milwaukee on Friday.

The difference couldnt be more clear  Republicans refuse to admit they cant bear the thought of Donald Trump leading their party, Democrats are ecstatic to have Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine fighting for policies that will allow everyone to get ahead, not just those at the very top, said Laning.

Pence assured the Green Bay crowd that the Republican movement was now united, and defeating Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton would be possible with Trump as the partys candidate.

At the very moment when America is crying out (for) new leadership to take our nation back in a direction of strength, the other party has answered with a stale agenda and most predictable of names, said Pence.

In his speech, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Clinton  calling the former secretary of state unstable, unbalanced and unhinged.

In one way, shes a monster, said Trump.

In another way shes a weak person. Shes actually not strong enough to be president.
[August 05, 2016] Fitch Rates AT&T's Exchange Offering 'A-'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'A-' rating to AT&T (News - Alert) Inc.'s (AT&T; NYSE: T) senior unsecured exchange notes. AT&T commenced an offer to exchange up to 21 series of existing senior unsecured notes previously issued by AT&T and certain operating subsidiaries for new notes and cash. The first pool of nine series existing notes will be exchanged for up to $2.5 billion principal amount of new notes due 2048, and the second pool of 12 existing notes will be exchanged for up to $2.5 billion of new notes due 2049. For either maturity, if less than $500 million of new notes would be issued, then the respective tenders for the corresponding pool will be cancelled and no new notes issued. AT&T's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) is 'A-'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. KEY RATING DRIVERS Large Scale and Financial Flexibility: The 'A-' rating assigned to AT&T is underpinned by the company's diversified revenue mix, its significant size and economies of scale as the largest telecommunications operator in the U.S., solid free cash flow (FCF) following the DIRECTV acquisition, and Fitch's expectation that it will benefit from continued growth in wireless operating cash flow. Deleveraging Expected: AT&T intends to delever to a net leverage target of 1.8x and to dedicate FCF after dividends and any asset sale proceeds to the reduction of debt over the three-year period following the completion of the DIRECTV transaction in July 2015. This and other transactions caused 2015 pro forma net core telecom leverage (which excludes securitized equipment installment receivable debt) to rise to approximately 2.3x from 1.8x at year-end 2014. After 2015, Fitch believes core telecom leverage will gradually decline, likely reaching approximately 2x by the end of 2017, which in Fitch's view is appropriate for the 'A-' rating. Broadcast TV Spectrum Auction: Potential spending in the FCC's (News - Alert) 600 MHz TV broadcast auction, which started in March 2016 or participation in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the FirstNet nationwide public safety broadband network, is not included in Fitch's assumptions and will be an event driven consideration. DIRECTV Acquisition: AT&T completed its acquisition of DIRECTV on July 24, 2015 for consideration of $47.1 billion. Consideration consisted of $14.4 billion of cash and equity of $32.7 billion, based on the value of AT&T's stock. In addition, DIRECTV had $15.9 billion in net debt for a total transaction value of $63 billion (about $4 billion less than when proposed due mainly to $2.7 billion less in net debt). Spectrum (News - Alert) Licenses Acquired: In 2015, debt levels also increased due to the acquisition of spectrum in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) AWS-3 spectrum auction. AT&T paid approximately $18.2 billion to acquire contiguous 10x10 MHz blocks of AWS-3 spectrum covering approximately 96% of the U.S. population. As this spectrum is deployed, it will increase capacity to support the rapid growth of data services on AT&T's mobile broadband network. KEY ASSUMPTIONS --Consolidated revenues rise in the low- to mid-teens in 2016 primarily due to the full year effect of DIRECTV's results in operations. Thereafter, Fitch estimates revenue increases will be in the low-single digits approximating Fitch's estimates for GDP growth. EBITDA margins are forecast to be in the low 30% range during the forecast period. --Fitch has assumed there ar no stock repurchases through 2018given the company's near-term focus on debt reduction.



--In 2016, Fitch expects consolidated capital spending to be in line with company guidance of $22 billion, slightly higher than the $20 billion spent in 2015 (total capital investment was $20.7 billion in 2015 inclusive of $700 million invested in Mexico under a vendor financing arrangement). Included in the $22 billion forecast is approximately $1 billion of capitalized interest. For the longer term, Fitch estimates capital spending will approximate 15% of service revenues. For 2016, Fitch estimates FCF after dividends is expected to be in the range of $4 billion to $6 billion.

--Fitch's assumptions do not include potential spending in the FCC's 600 MHz TV broadcast auction or for potential spending on the FirstNet nationwide public safety broadband network, should AT&T be successful in winning the contract. RATING SENSITIVITIES Positive Rating Action: Fitch believes a positive rating action is unlikely for AT&T in the foreseeable future, given the leverage incurred primarily through the DIRECTV acquisition and spending on spectrum. Negative Rating Action: Fitch may take a negative rating action if operating performance causes delevering to take place at a materially slower than anticipated pace, either alone or in combination with material debt-financed acquisitions. Discretionary management moves that cause leverage to rise above 2.5x, such as another material acquisition or stock repurchases, could lead to a negative action in the absence of a strong commitment to delever. LIQUIDITY Strong Liquidity Profile: At June 30, 2016 the company did not have any drawings on its revolving credit facility (RCF). AT&T entered into a new, five-year $12 billion RCF in December 2015, replacing a $5 billion RCF due 2018 and a $3 billion RCF due 2017. The principal financial covenant for the RCF requires net debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined, to be no more than 3.5x. At June 30, 2016, the company's reported cash and cash equivalents totalled $7.2 billion of which $600 million resides in foreign jurisdictions. At June 30, 2016, reported total debt outstanding was approximately $126.8 billion Debt Maturities: Relative to the company's cash, RCF availability, and modest expected FCF, Fitch believes upcoming debt maturities are manageable. In the remainder of 2016, approximately $1.5 billion of long-term debt matures. In 2017, approximately $9.5 billion of long-term debt matures, including $1.8 billion of putable debt. Date of Relevant Rating Committee: Sept. 28, 2015. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. Summary of Financial Statement Adjustments - Financial statement adjustments that depart materially from those contained in the published financial statements of the relevant rated entity or obligor are disclosed below: --Securitized equipment installment receivables are not included in core telecom leverage and are included in off-balanced sheet debt. Applicable Criteria Corporate Rating Methodology - Including Short-Term Ratings and Parent and Subsidiary Linkage (pub. 17 Aug 2015) https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=869362 Additional Disclosures Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1010054 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/jsp/creditdesk/PolicyRegulation.faces?context=2&detail=31 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160805005741/en/

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TOWN OF AZTALAN  Paul Filipowicz has little mercy for his audience.

Whether its at the Badger Bowl in Madison, an American Legion beer tent in Lake Mills or Buddy Guys Legends in Chicago, the blues guitarist, who makes his home just east of the Crawfish River in Jefferson County, goes into each show hoping to knock his fans off their feet and leave them gasping for air.

If theyre still standing at what should have been the end of the set list, its a signal to Filipowicz to crank out another hard-driving tune on one of his worn Fender guitars.

But there is a softer side to the 66-year-old Chicago native who has lived in Wisconsin for the past 50 years and who was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame last fall. Filipowicz takes a few moments during each show to remember those who have influenced his music, a genre he discovered when he was 14 years old standing outside a club on the Windy Citys south side.

The names include Walter Lefty Dizz Williams, Jimmy Dawkins, Chester Howlin Wolf Burnett, Magic Sam, B.B. King and Muddy Waters.

I dont take myself seriously but I take the music seriously, Filipowicz said while seated on the front porch of his 1908 farmhouse. I feel that the old guys had a hand in getting me into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame ... and when I say their names theyre in the room once again. So I try to do that.

Christine Johnson, president of the Madison Blues Society, has introduced Filipowicz and has seen the guitarist on several occasions, most recently Sunday at the Atwood Fest in Madison.

Hes just real high energy and just gives it his all at every performance, said Johnson, who has been with MBS for four years. Hes just one of those guys that from the first note to the last note he just puts it all out there. He has lots of respect for the music and brings his own technique and voice to the blues genre.

Filipowicz is salt-of-the-earth.

Hes been playing the blues for more than 40 years but at the same time has worked full-time in construction and roofing to pay the bills. Bad knees and elbows forced him to retire from the work this year but hes still building a cabin near Tomahawk using timber harvested from his 70-acre property.

When hes back home and not playing his guitars, he likely has a wrench in hand. Hes restoring a 1949 Ford pickup with duel carburetors on a flat-head eight-cylinder engine and a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe four-door car with suicide doors  where the hinges are at the rear of the door. Theres also a 1965 Mercury Comet and a 1950 Ford pickup in the yard. He uses a 2002 Toyota Sienna mini-van with more than 140,000 miles on the odometer to haul his gear to shows around the Midwest.

On stage

His construction and car work stand in contrast to his stage presence where he wears suits from Mitchell Street Mens Wear in Milwaukee, cuff links, Stacy Adams shoes in red, black, white or blue, and a fedora. In 2013, he was named best-dressed male by Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine and has Madison Area Music Awards for best blues album in 2005 and best blues song in 2006.

He learned to wrench from his father who worked full time making sausage for Armour & Co. in Chicago but on the weekends worked on cars. When Filipowicz was a sophomore in high school, his father took a job at Jones Dairy Farm in Fort Atkinson and moved the family to Wisconsin.

His father also played the harmonica and trumpet, his mother taught piano, his two sisters played piano and they all sang in church. Filipowicz gravitated to the guitar when he was about 7 years old.

After graduating from Fort Atkinson High School in 1968, he attended UW-Whitewater for five semesters before getting into construction work and moving to Denver.

He returned to Wisconsin in 1974 and formed a band. His first paid gig was in 1971 when Filipowicz played harmonica at the Mint Lounge at Humboldt and North avenues in Milwaukee.

He doesnt read music, learned by ear and plays his guitars without a pick.

I knew it was the way to feel the guitar. It gives you a different tone, Filipowicz said. Music is a feeling and I try and transfer the feeling that I felt. When Id go and see Otis Rush or Fenton Robinson or Jimmy Dawkins, I wouldnt sit there and look at their hands. I would just close my eyes and go with them. It would just elevate you to the moon.

Guitar arsenal

His guitars, all Fenders, include a 1973 Stratocaster he purchased in 1981; a 1973 Telecaster and a 1963 Jaguar that he bought in 1973 for $100 after his 1957 Stratocaster was stolen.

Filipowicz has played with Ken Saydek and Mighty Joe Young and opened for Hound-Dog Taylor several times when he came to Madison for shows at the Church Key. He was influenced by and friends with Luther Allison, who died in 1997 in Madison, and was a regular at Luthers Blues, a club on University Avenue near the UW-Madison campus from 2000 to 2005. He counts drummer Clyde Stubblefield as a mentor and friend.

As long as Clyde Stubblefield is still around the worlds a better place, Ill tell you that, Filipowicz said. Hes one of the greatest human beings Ive ever met and he influenced my music tremendously by being in my band and being my friend.

Filipowicz has nine albums under his belt and scores of original songs. His albums have cracked the top 10 on the Living Blues magazine charts while his Chickenwire album, released in 2007, was in the top 100 of Real Blues magazine in Canada for 32 months.

Filipowicz grew up in a time when the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and other legendary rockers were getting their start but their popularity never had sway.

Ive always been a blues guitar player, he said. I wasnt put here to play rock gigs and Ive always known that. Ive always known my place. (Induction into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame) reaffirmed my commitment to try and play the music that I was exposed to the way it sounded to me when I was exposed to it.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin will make appearances in Columbia and Marquette counties today.

Baldwin will be at John Muir County Park, seven miles south of Montello on Highway F this morning as part of the yearlong centennial celebration of the National Park Service.

The freshman senator will deliver remarks beginning at 10:30 a.m. and speak on work to promote national support for the Park Service and preservation of wild places such as with the National Scenic Trails Parity Act, which would incorporate the Ice Age Trail, North County and New England National Scenic Trails into the National Park System. Since its introduction to the Senate in April, the bill has since been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Baldwins tour will continue to the Columbia County Democrats headquarters for an ice cream social scheduled for 1 p.m. today, where she will meet with residents, volunteers and local party members.

The office, which opened in its new location at 118 W. Cook St. in downtown Portage in July, has been largely focused on re-election campaigns of candidates that will be on the general election ballot in November, including State Rep. Dave Considine and former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who is trying to reclaim his old seat from Sen. Ron Johnson.

Baldwin, 54, of Madison, is also an enthusiastic supporter of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. Similarly to Clintons rise to prominence in national politics, Baldwin ran for office with improved health care policy as a prominent plank of her platform.

I entered public service to fight for health care coverage for all, especially children and young adults, Baldwin told delegates at the Democratic National Convention. Hillary Clinton has led that fight for decades.

Baldwin served on the Madison City Council and the Dane County Board of Supervisors before being elected in 1992 to the state Assembly, where she served three terms. In 1998, she became the first female from Wisconsin elected to Congress. She served seven terms in the House before her election to the Senate in November 2012.
CAMBRIA  Its mid-afternoon on a Friday, and the aroma of frying fish is starting to permeate Two White Doves.

At Cambrias new family-style restaurant, open since December, the Friday fish fry is a big deal. Yes, its homemade. And yes, theres an all-you-can-eat option, featuring haddock or cod.

Owner Nurjana Velioska says business has been steady, even brisk, at the restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Opening and sustaining a local restaurant can be challenging, especially in a community the size of Cambria, population 763.

Velioskas secret: We have a lot of patience.

The operative word here is we.

Two White Doves, on West Edgewater Street in downtown Cambria, is a family endeavor, right down to the name  a tribute, Velioska said, to her daughters, 11-year-old Kadina and 7-year-old Ardina, as well as to love and peace and everything that goes along with them.

Her father, Enver Velioski, is the chef, not only at Two White Doves, but also at the familys other restaurant, the Golden Cup Cafe in Waupun.

Nurjana Velioska is no longer affiliated with the Portage restaurant Golden Cup Cafe 2. Although she still works at the Waupun restaurant, Two White Doves is her main endeavor now.

Also working at Two White Doves are her mother, Nermina Velioska, and her brother, Abas Velioksi. (The familys roots are in Macedonia, a landlocked Balkan republic in eastern Europe.)

Its from her father, she said, that she learned the secret of operating a successful small-town restaurant.

He likes to stick with things, and be strong, she said. You have to wait, and people will get to know you, and get to know the food.

Those foods include homemade soups, breakfast foods such as omelets and waffles (served all day), sandwiches, fried chicken, spaghetti and of course, a variety of fish choices on Friday nights.

Reviewers on the restaurants Facebook page say things like This is something Cambria has needed for a long time and Its good, and you get a lot for your money.

Velioska cant say enough about the support she said shes gotten from the people of Cambria.

Its a small village, and its so supportive  a great community, she said.
A sensation built this week over the Democratic convention speech of Khizr Khan, a Pakistani-born Virginia lawyer whose son Humayun was killed in action while serving as a captain in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2004.

In seven minutes on the national stage July 28, Khan, a naturalized U.S. citizen who came to this country in 1980, excoriated Trump for proposals to build a wall along the Mexican border and to temporarily ban the entry of foreign Muslims into the U.S.

Let me ask you: Have you even read the United States Constitution? Khan said to Trump. I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words liberty and equal protection of law.

Even before Khans speech ended, Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans began to issue rhapsodic praise on social media and elsewhere. Video of the speech went viral, along with commentary that it was the best of the convention, the most moving, the most powerful, the most devastating to Trump, and so on. Khan, who ended with an exhortation to vote for Hillary Clinton, became an instant star of the campaign.

Those who disagree with him should never belittle his sacrifice or impugn his motives. But they can challenge his argument.

Khans brief speech wasnt a finely detailed case. But he suggested that Trumps Muslim ban and Mexican border wall proposals are unconstitutional. Specifically, Khan cited the words liberty and equal protection of the law in suggesting that Trumps policies violate the Constitution.

Its hard to know what Khan meant by suggesting a wall on the Mexican border would be unconstitutional. Perhaps it would be a bad idea, or it wouldnt work as Trump claims it would, but theres simply no sense in which a border wall violates the Constitution.

Khan did not mention deportations, but regardless of exactly where Trumps illegal immigrant proposal stands at the moment, there is nothing unconstitutional about deporting people who are in the United States illegally.

As far as a Muslim ban is concerned, Trump has recently amended his proposal to focus on immigration from countries compromised by terrorism. But assume that Khan was addressing Trumps original, more extensive, proposal: a temporary ban on foreign Muslims from entering the United States. By telling Trump to look for the words liberty and equal protection of law in the Constitution, Khan was suggesting that the ban would violate the 14th Amendment. This is the relevant portion of that amendment:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The text makes clear that its protections apply to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.; persons subject to the jurisdiction thereof; and persons within its jurisdiction. None refers to foreign persons in foreign countries. Pakistanis in Pakistan, to take one example, regardless of religion, do not have U.S. constitutional rights. As far as liberty, the other word mentioned by Khan, is concerned, the Constitution says the government may not deprive someone of liberty without due process of law, which of course means the government may deprive someone of liberty with due process of law.

It may be that building a wall, deporting illegal immigrants and temporarily banning the entry of foreign Muslims are all terrible policies. But among the Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans touting Khans performance there appears to be a belief that if something is a terrible policy, it must also be unconstitutional. Thats not necessarily so.

It should be noted, though, that Trumps proposals are not unconstitutional according to the way the Supreme Court has interpreted the law for the last 225 years. If a President Trump acted on his proposals and was challenged in court  as he certainly would be  there would always be the possibility that the justices might make up some new reading of the Constitutional to invalidate the presidents actions.

The Khans represent a small group. According to the House Homeland Security Committee, Humayun Khan was one of just 14 Muslim-Americans among the 6,885 U.S. troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. But his parents anguish is very real and their story very powerful. And it will undoubtedly be used against Trump many times between now and November.
[August 05, 2016] Newkirk Products, Inc. Provides Notice Of Data Breach

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Newkirk Products, Inc. ("Newkirk") today announced a cyber security incident involving unauthorized access to a server containing certain personal information. Newkirk is a service provider that issues healthcare ID cards for health insurance plans including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, HealthNow New York Inc., BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, and Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc. (CDPHP), and, through Newkirk's relationship as a service provider to DST Health Solutions, Inc., Gateway Health Plan, Highmark Health Options, West Virginia Family Health, Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs, Inc., Priority Partners Managed Care Organization and Uniformed Services Family Health Plan. No health plans' systems were accessed or affected in any way . The data potentially subject to unauthorized access varies by plan but includes some combination of: the member's name, mailing address, type of plan, member and group ID number, names of dependents enrolled in the plan, primary care provider, and in some cases, date of birth, premium invoice information and Medicaid ID number. The server did not contain Social Security numbers, banking or credit card information, medical information or any insurance claims information. On July 6, 2016, Newkirk discovered that a server containing member information was accessed without authorization. Newkirk shut down the server, started an investigation into the incident and hired a third party forensic investigator to determine the extent of the unauthorized access and whether the personal information of its clients' members may have been accessed. Newkirk also notified federal law enforcement. While the forensic investigation is ongoing, it appears that the unauthorized access first occurred on May 21, 2016. Although the information contained on the server may have been accessed, Newkirk has no evidence to date that such data has been used inappropriately. p>Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. acquired Newkirk on July 1, 2016 from DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"). DST Health Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of DST. The Broadridge network was not compromised, as the Newkirk network has not been integrated into Broadridge. Furthermore, there is no evidence at this time that any other Newkirk or DST service or infrastructure has been impacted by this incident.



Letters to those impacted by the incident are being mailed. These letters include an explanation of the incident, an offer of two years of free identity protection and restoration services and information about additional ways impacted individuals can protect themselves. To Learn More

Newkirk has established a dedicated assistance line for anyone seeking additional information regarding this incident, as well as steps to better protect against identity theft. This assistance line can be reached at 1-855-303-9773 (TTY/TDD: 711), Monday - Saturday, 8am - 8pm CST. Newkirk has also established a dedicated website (www.newkirkproductsfacts.com) where members can access information regarding the incident, including frequently asked questions and answers. Identity Protection Tips Newkirk recommends that impacted individuals enroll in the complimentary identity protection and restoration services. In addition, Newkirk recommends that impacted plan members review their account statements, medical bills, and health insurance Explanations of Benefits statements regularly for suspicious activity. Report all suspicious or fraudulent charges to your health insurance provider. Media Contacts: Newkirk Products, Inc.

Linda Namias

[email protected]

631-254-7711 DST Systems, Inc.

Laura M. Parsons

[email protected]

1-816-843-9087 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Kelly Cannon

[email protected]

816-395-3711 Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

April Umminger

[email protected]

919-765-4730 HealthNow New York Inc., BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, BlueShield of Northeastern New York

Kyle Rogers

[email protected]

716-887-7938 CDPHP

Ali Skinner

[email protected]

518-605-4497 Gateway Health Plan

Highmark Health Options

West Virginia Family Health

Paula Yurkovich

[email protected]

1-844-221-1568 Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs, Inc.

Priority Partners Managed Care Organization

Uniformed Services Family Health Plan

Johns Hopkins HealthCare LLC

[email protected]

1-844-422-6957 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newkirk-products-inc-provides-notice-of-data-breach-300309995.html SOURCE Newkirk Products, Inc.

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[August 05, 2016] Fitch Affirms Mabank ISD, TX ULT Bonds at 'AA'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'AA' underlying rating on the following Mabank Independent School District (ISD), Texas (the district) unlimited tax (ULT) bonds: --$45 million ULT school building and refunding bonds. In addition, Fitch has affirmed the district's Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'AA'. SECURITY The bonds are payable from an unlimited property tax levied against all taxable property within the district and are further backed by the PSF bond guaranty program, rated 'AAA' by Fitch. (For more information on the Texas Permanent School Fund see 'Fitch Affirms Texas PSF Rating at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable', dated Aug. 5, 2015). KEY RATING DRIVERS The 'AA' Issuer Default Rating reflects the district's stable economic resource base, high levels of expenditure flexibility, expectations for moderate revenue growth, and ample gap-closing capacity. Enrollment is flat and the district is expected to require minimal capital spending in the near term, given recent improvements. As a result, the district's moderate long-term liability burden is expected to remain so in future years. Economic Resource Base The district includes portions of Kaufman, Henderson and Van Zandt Counties, serving a 2015 population of approximately 19,500. Enrollment of approximately 3,400 students has remained stable over the last decade. Taxable assessed value (TAV) has exhibited modest growth and the local economy is anchored by a largely agricultural base and a mix of retail and energy firms. Revenue Framework: 'a' factor assessment A combination of local property taxes and state aid tied to enrollment supports district operations. Fitch expects the natural pace of revenue growth to remain solid, given historical performance and very stable enrollment projections. The district's legal ability to raise revenues is limited, as the current tax rate resides at the legal limit. Expenditure Framework: 'aa' factor assessment The natural pace of spending growth is expected to remain in line with or modestly above that of revenues, given manageable capital needs and no anticipated enrollment pressure. The district's modest carrying costs reflect state support for debt service and retiree benefits. Long-Term Liability Burden: 'aa' factor assessment The combined burden of long-term debt and pension liabilities represents a moderate share of resident personal income. Fitch expects debt levels to remain low, given the district's limited capital needs. Retiree benefit obligations do not represent a significant burden on resident income. Operating Performance: 'aaa' factor assessment The 'aaa' operating performance assessment reflects the district's ample and increasing reserve funding levels relative to Fitch's expectations of revenue sensitivity, and a significant level of spending flexibility in the event of revenue declines. RATING SENSITIVITIES Maintenance of Financial Flexibility: The rating is sensitive to material changes in the district's ample expenditure flexibility and high reserve levels, which Fitch expects it to maintain throughout the economic cycle. CREDIT PROFILE Revenue Framework Funding for public schools in Texas is provided by a combination of local (property tax), state and federal resources. The state budgets the majority of instructional activity through the Foundation School Program (FSP), which uses a statutory formula to allocate school aid taking into account each district's property taxes, projected enrollment, and amounts appropriated by the legislature in the biennial budget process. The vast majority of districts are funded using a targeted revenue approach, whereby the combination of local and state funding for operations meets a predetermined per pupil amount (which varies from district to district). Approximately 55% of district revenues come from state aid, with the remainder generated by property tax revenues. Enrollment, which is a key component of state funding, has remained essentially flat over the last decade. Expectations for solid revenue growth absent policy action drive future revenue performance, as the dstrict's tax rate for operations is at the state cap.



District revenues have grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 2.4% over the last decade, performing modestly above national CPI but below GDP growth. Fitch expects the natural pace of district revenue growth in future years to remain in line with historical performance, given reasonable expectations for flat enrollment in future years. The district's independent legal ability to raise revenues is limited, as the current maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate is $1.04 per $100 TAV and would need voter authorization to be raised to the statutory limit of $1.17. There are currently no plans to do so. The district levies a separate, unlimited interest and sinking fund (I&S) tax rate of $0.34 per $100 TAV, below the attorney general's cap of $0.50 per $100 TAV.

Expenditure Framework The district spends a significant share of its operating budget on instruction. The district also funds some annual capital outlay from general fund revenues for maintenance and repairs on facilities. Fitch expects the natural pace of spending growth to remain commensurate with revenues absent policy action, given stable enrollment growth and the expectation that capital needs will be fully met with current resources. The district's solid expenditure flexibility reflects control over workforce costs and low overall carrying costs for debt service, pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB). Total carrying costs were 10.1 % of fiscal 2015 governmental spending, reflecting some state support for debt service and state-wide support for school district pension and OPEB. Long-Term Liability Burden The district's long-term liability burden is moderate at 12% of personal income, and is made up almost entirely by the district's slow-amortizing outstanding debt load. The district's modest capital needs indicate that debt levels will likely remain low in future years. The district participates in the Texas Teachers Retirement System (TRS), a cost-sharing multiple employer pension system. Under GASB 67 and 68, TRS' assets covered 83.3% of liabilities as of fiscal 2015, a ratio that falls to 75% using a more conservative 7% return assumption. The state assumes the majority of TRS' employer contributions and net pension liability on behalf of school districts, except for small amounts which state statute requires districts to assume. Like all Texas school districts, the district is vulnerable to future policy changes that shift more of the contributions and liabilities onto districts as evidenced by a relatively modest 1.5% of salary contribution requirement, effective fiscal 2015 for certain districts. The proportionate share of the system's net pension liability paid by the district is minimal. Operating Performance The district has added to its financial cushion, attaining high levels of financial flexibility despite recessionary pressures and state funding cuts, garnering an 'aaa' assessment. Fitch believes the district would use its solid expenditure flexibility to maintain a satisfactory reserve safety margin in a moderate economic decline scenario. The district proved its willingness to utilize spending flexibility in order to maintain balance by reducing expenditures through attrition in response to state revenue declines in fiscals 2011 and 2012. The district has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting financial flexibility. Budgeting is conservative and management has been proactive in maintaining operational balance throughout economic cycles. The district has rebuilt reserves in recent years to a high 27% of fiscal 2015 spending. The district projects breakeven operations in fiscal 2016, and manages reserves to remain at least sufficient to cover two months' operating expenses in future years. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. In addition to the sources of information identified in the applicable criteria specified below, this action was informed by information from Lumesis and InvestorTools. Applicable Criteria U.S. Tax-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 18 Apr 2016) https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=879478 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1010061 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1010061 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/jsp/creditdesk/PolicyRegulation.faces?context=2&detail=31 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160805005772/en/

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The Hoosier Track and Field community was again saddened by the passing of a former Big Ten Champion. James Lambert passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the age of 83.



Lambert exceled on the Cross Country circuit during his four year run at Indiana. He was named to the All American Team from 1952, 1953 and 1955. In 1954 he was the Big Ten champion in Cross Country. He was the high school coach and mentor to future Indiana All-American Chris Powers.



James is survived by his wife, Judy, of over 61 years and his three children: Shonet, Thom and Mary Beth.



A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 6 at the High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie, Ind. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.



There will be a Run/Walk in Lambert's honor on Saturday as well. The run will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the Muncie Central High School track for anyone interested.




The actress doesnt wish to play by other peoples rules

Kerry Washington says she has been thinking about what she wants out of life without having to play by other peoples rules.

The actress, who is expecting her second child with Nnamdi Asomugha, says that she often feels her goals are dictated by others. She now wants to change that while happily expanding her family.

Washington explained to InStyle magazine: I think thats where the need for quiet is coming from. You arrive at a certain place of achieving and suddenly you feel like your goals are being dictated by other people.

Right now, as I get ready for this second baby, its really about me being in touch with what I want. I didnt get here because I was trying to be what somebody else wanted me to be I am not interested in playing by other peoples rules. So for now, Im leaving myself open to the adventure.

The 39-year-old Scandal star also feels grateful to series creator Shonda Rhimes for her ongoing advice regarding the birth of her second child. Washington now acknowledges she needs more help than previously thought.

She said: Ive really leaned heavily on my bosss experience. I consider myself busy, but Shonda has about four of five shows, three kids She says, If you feel like you have just the right amount of help, then you dont have enough.

My therapist said this too. You need a lot of support. Not just logistically but emotionally and spiritually.

The star also revealed that her pregnancy was not written into the show, prompting the wardrobe department to get creative.

Theres nothing high-end for professional women who are pregnant, so for the show, we wind up just buying the same clothes. We will cut out the front of Armani trousers and put in a pregnancy panel. Thats what we do for everything, she revealed.
Skys The Limit For Wrexham Glyndwr University

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Aug 6th, 2016

Wrexham Glyndwr University has strengthened partnerships with giants of the aeronautics industry.

Representatives from the University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aerospace Wales Forum  cementing its relationship with the Malaysian government agency Majlis Amanh Rakyat (MARA) at Farnborough International Airshow.

The team from the School of Applied Sciences and Engineering also met with top businesses from the aerospace arena, notably MBDA defence group, Airbus and BAE Systems.

Head of School Phil Storrow said the event is of huge importance to the institution as it builds new links with the sector.

He said: From an academic and commercial perspective we place huge importance on the connections we make and the partnerships secured at Farnborough.

Im delighted that we have strengthened our close ties with both MARA and Aerospace Wales Forum and explored new partnerships with organisations we have worked closely with over the years.

Fifteen Malaysian engineers, from MARA, have also just completed an MSc Aeronautical Engineering postgraduate degree at Wrexham Glyndwr University.

This is the second year employees from Strand Aerospace, based in Malaysia, have studied at the university and gained industry experience by working closely with Airbus, BAE Systems and MBDA.

Engineering lecturer and MSc programme leader, Shafiul Monir, said: It was an honour to work with MARA and Strand Aerospace again, as this is the second year they have worked with the university to qualify their engineers. This has been greatly down to the excellent links we have within the industry and great facilities.

One of the Malaysian students, Azim Shabaruddin, said: One of the most important parts of the course has been the strong industry connections and links that Wrexham Glyndwr University has.

We have had some amazing opportunities, such as being involved with the production of prototypes and looking at the composite materials of jet fighters.

No other university can offer these opportunities which are incredibly important for our knowledge and future careers.

The university now plans to visit Malaysia to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

Chief executive John Whalley said the Aerospace Wales Forum has enjoyed a proactive friendship with the university and hopes that continues.

He added: Wrexham Glyndwr is a key element of the aerospace cluster in north east Wales, centred on the Airbus wing plant at Broughton, and this year has seen some exciting new developments including the award of Space Incubation Centre funding to the Universitys OpTIC Centre in St Asaph by the UK Space Agency, as well as the strengthening of ties with the rapidly-developing aerospace sector in Malaysia.

For more information on Engineering at Wrexham Glyndwr University, visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk
I'm not much of a traveler, but I have always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, and this summer, I did.

One of my sisters, Valerie, and her children -- Stephanie, 13, and Tyler, 10 -- and I planned this trip for almost two years. That's important, because from what I understand, some activities at the canyon must be booked far ahead of time, such as the mule rides down into this amazing place, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

We didn't do a mule ride, or walk a trail down into the canyon. Val is afraid of heights, and I wasn't too keen on the idea, either. But we did book our hotel several months in advance, and I'd advise anyone else to do the same.

It's approximately a 24-hour drive from central Illinois to Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, on the south rim of the canyon. We decided to break up the drive with other stops along the way.

Oklahoma City

There are plenty of options for things to do in Oklahoma City, or OKC; we chose Science Museum Oklahoma as our first stop on the Tuesday of our trip, after driving all day Monday to get to OKC.

The kids just loved this museum and all its interactive displays for youngsters of all ages. We adults learned a lot, too, and "played" a little. Tyler and I put on a hand puppet show that probably should be adapted for Broadway.

We learned about things like erosion and the history of flight. The kids got to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet. We got to see an old dining rail car. We saw astronaut space suits on display, and there was a science show, gymnastics area and so much more at this family friendly museum. Stephanie's favorite part was getting to ride on and maneuver a Segway.

It was hot while we were there, so exploring the inside of a nice air-conditioned museum was great. They also let people bring their own food inside and eat at provided tables and chairs in a food court area, so that helped with our budget.

Our other big OKC stop was the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This was a real gem for me, as I've read Louis L'Amour Westerns all my life and have always had an interest in the Old West.

Much of this museum is made up of displays that interested me the most, but Val and the kids were patient in letting me look around. In the section devoted to Western performers, the John Wayne exhibit had me fascinated. This gallery includes the clothes he wore in "True Grit" -- even his character's black hat and eye patch. It also features other movie costumes he wore and guns he carried as part of some roles, with most items donated to the museum by his family.

The large loop lever action Winchester that he carried in "True Grit" and other films is there. According to Guns and Ammo, it is a Model 92 and "perhaps the most important firearm in movie history." Even a statue of "Duke" in the museum depicts him holding this rifle.

Included in the firearms galleries are gun models I've read about my whole life but never seen, like Colt's Dragoon, for example. It was really cool to see these "in person" after imagining them in action in tales of the Old West.

Near the John Wayne gallery is one devoted to "singing cowboys" like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. A big highlight here for me was Gene Autry's 1939 Gibson J-200 guitar on display. It was specifically made for Autry, with its beautiful ivory inlay, and it is one of the most rare guitars in the world.

The museum has many displays about authentic cowboy life in the Old West, plus more modern galleries such as one devoted to rodeos. Of course it also has Native American displays as part of Western heritage.

We all enjoyed the replica Old West town in the cowboy museum. The streets were lined with boardwalk, hitching posts stood at nearly every storefront, and buildings included the livery, train station, one-room schoolhouse, tiny church, bank and newspaper (where, of course, I had to have my picture taken). The kids stepped into the jail -- which was basically a large iron-barred cage once used in a real town in the West -- but after taking their picture, we let them out to continue the tour with us.

Sound was even piped into this area, so we heard cowboys walking with their boots sounding loud on the boardwalk and their spurs jingling.

Our last stop in OKC was our splurge of the week: a meal at the Cattlemen's Steakhouse in the area of the stockyards of the city. We wanted to eat somewhere unique and local, and this is touted as the "oldest continually operated restaurant in Oklahoma." The prices were steep, to my way of thinking -- starting at $28 for a steak dinner -- but of course the steak was good.

On Wednesday the week of our trip, we drove and drove and drove -- across the rest of Oklahoma, the north part of Texas, then through New Mexico and finally into Arizona, where we were delighted to see our comfy, clean and secure hotel room at the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan (I still don't know how to pronounce that). We slept well that night.

The Grand Canyon

Tusayan is basically a small cluster of hotels, eateries and a general store catering to Grand Canyon visitors; it's just a couple of miles south of the entrance to the canyon. All water has to be trucked in. The Red Feather lodge is quite environmentally friendly, using "reclaimed" water for the toilets, for example, and suggesting to guests that they opt not to have their bed sheets changed each and every night of their stay.

That saves on water and energy, and I was kind of pleased with this save-the-earth mentality, and of course thought it appropriate for being near the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon.

On Thursday of the week we vacationed, we got up early and headed to Grand Canyon National Park, on the south rim of this treasure of Nature.

Our first look at the canyon was the best, of course. We were in awe of its beauty, and I was glad that we were the only ones at the stop along the road where we first saw the splendor of the Grand Canyon. It was a quiet moment and an unforgettable one.

Up to this point, we'd already enjoyed the changing landscape from Illinois all the way through Missouri and the other states to Arizona. You can see for miles around. One Grand Canyon park ranger told us that on a clear day, you can see all the way to Utah from the south rim of the canyon.

The scrub brush, the layers carved in rock, the depths, the crags -- all of it makes the Grand Canyon from any viewpoint something at which you could stand for hours and just study. It was a big bonus for us that the day was gorgeous: blue skies, puffy white clouds, temperatures only up to 84 degrees and that "dry heat" everyone talks about in the West.

This happened to be a week when it was horribly humid and hot here in central Illinois, so we really lucked out while at the canyon itself.

We made stop after stop to enjoy the canyon overlooks. On the far east end of the south rim, we learned about and explored the Desert View Watchtower. It looks ancient, but this is by design and it actually is framed in steel and concrete.

It offers a 360-degree view that must be spectacular at the top, but I don't know for sure: Val and I chickened out and stayed at the first level, where there is a platform overlooking the canyon. The kids went on to the third floor and waved from a window there.

The watchtower mimics the look of an Anasazi watchtower, according to info from the National Park Service, just as intended. The Indian-like structure is 70 feet, with a 30-foot base, and was constructed via the vision and work of American architect Mary Coulter. It was completed in 1932.

We drove much of the length of the south rim road, then parked near the Grand Canyon Village visitor center and walked a couple of miles on the canyon rim trail. Some parts of this are pretty close to the edge, and Val and I made it a point to walk on the side of the trail away from that edge.

This proximity to the canyon didn't bother the kids, though. We all noticed the high elevation -- I huffed and puffed before too long on the walk, and even the energetic Tyler didn't mind stopping to rest with us -- but the hike was a perfect way to get another, different view of the canyon's many beautiful points. The Colorado River looked like a trickling stream from so far above it.

In the afternoon, we took one of the shuttle buses -- which run all along the south rim, even from Tusayan, at no cost -- and saw points farther to the west by getting off and on the bus this way. The entry fee to the park is $30 per vehicle, but it was waived for us because we had a fourth-grader aboard (Tyler is going into the fifth grade this fall). This was an initiative from the Obama administration -- "Every Kid in a Park" -- to get more youngsters into national parks and learning about them.

Later, at the petrified forest, we saved another $20 thanks to this fourth-grader discount, and Tyler felt pretty important signing the form for us to get into Petrified Forest National Park.

The day Thursday at the Grand Canyon was wonderful. If you never travel to another site in the West -- although I haven't seen them all of course -- you should go to the Grand Canyon. Its magnificence simply can't be captured in words, photos or video. You have to see it for yourself.

The Meteor Crater

By Friday, we were ready to head east again, with the idea of breaking up the long drive back into three days. But we had sites in between the Grand Canyon and home to see.

The mom of one of Stephanie's friends recommended that we see the Meteor Crater, located on private land near Winslow, Arizona ("such a fine sight to see"), but open to the public and not far from Interstate 40. It did not disappoint.

Sure, it was "another big hole in the ground," but we learned all about how it was made by a meteor traveling at between 26,000 and 42,000 miles per hour when it hit the earth. It's billed as the "worlds best preserved meteorite impact site on Earth." Our guide told us that if you put the Washington monument in the bottom of the crater, that monument's top would be about even with the top of the crater.

Astronauts trained on its floor for moon landings. The big flying rock (my characterization, not theirs) broke into so many pieces upon impact that the biggest piece of it they've ever found is about the size of a large duffle bag, but it weighs something like 1,000 pounds or more because of the iron and other ores that make it up.

The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert

Our last big stop on the way home was Petrified Forest National Park and the adjacent Painted Desert. We learned how the ancient logs -- now completely rock, yet still looking a lot like tree trunks -- were transformed, and we walked among them. We then drove north -- this also is along Interstate 40, so it's all easy to get to -- into the Painted Desert.

If the Grand Canyon is almost impossible to capture for the amateur photographer, the Painted Desert really is impossible to photograph and show its amazing coloration. We stopped at "newspaper rock," where petroglyphs from ages past can be seen, and pulled into many overlooks to get out of the vehicle and stand in awe of the desert and its layers of colors.

Tyler had wanted to go to the Painted Desert after learning about it in school, and after we toured much of it, we all were glad that this beautiful place was mentioned in his classroom, as it ended up being an enjoyable stop all four of us.

The rest of the story

We drove, headed homeward, much of Saturday, but we did see Cadillac Ranch along the famed historic Route 66 outside of Amarillo, Texas. The kids seemed to think these spray-painted Cadillacs "planted" nose down in a field were cool. I thought it was ridiculous, but it was nice to get out of the car and stretch our legs.

We wanted to do something in Amarillo, and it was about lunchtime, so we toured the downtown area a bit from our vehicle and had a meal at The Burger Bar. This was a simple little place with local flavor, and we liked it.

We stayed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday night at a downtown Best Western, then went to Mass on Sunday morning at the nearby Holy Family Cathedral, which was quite pretty with its stained-glass windows and neatly carved wooden pews.

Then it was time to finish our drive back and, although we were tired, we did well in the vehicle and didn't make each other crazy. We alternated playing different music the whole time we were driving there and back, and if the kids bickered at each other, it couldn't have been more than for five minutes the entire jaunt.

We played "20 Questions" and the kids marked down license plates that we saw from each state on a map, missing only Hawaii (of course) and Rhode Island when it was all said and done. We saw lots of California plates, which kind of puzzled me. Maybe they all like to hang out in Arizona and New Mexico a lot. Ya got me.

We only got stuck in traffic a couple of times, and the most we ever paid for gasoline was $2.34 per gallon; the lowest was $1.79. We really couldn't have asked for a better vacation.

I'd recommend this kind of trip for anyone, especially families. We did well on our budget, packing food, drinks and snacks; ate one meal "out" per day; and otherwise used the groceries that Val bought and packed in her vehicle. The kids learned a lot and had fun, and we did, too. Plus we got to see the amazing Grand Canyon and a lot of other beautiful scenery in our good ol' United States of America.

At the Grand Canyon, I kept saying, "Wow." It was all I could come up with. The beauty and awesomeness of it almost rendered me speechless -- and that's hard to do. By the end of the trip, Tyler was teasing me about saying "wow" so much, and it was our most-uttered word the entire journey.
One million employees from nearly 80,000 branches of state and private sector banks in India joined a one-day strike on July 29, chiefly against the privatisation of state-owned banks by the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP)-led government.

Indias financial sectors were virtually paralysed, affecting about 75 percent of the daily average of paper-clearing transactions. The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine trade unions.

Lack of recruitment over the past two decades has led to more than 300,000 vacancies in the public sector banks, increasing the workload of the remaining workers. Bank employees are also opposing the outsourcing of jobs and demanding that new appointments be made through the Banking Services Recruitment Board.

The privatisation and merger of state banks is part of the governments broader plan to privatise public enterprises to attract foreign investment. In June, the government announced it was opening up nine previously restricted economic sectors, including civil aviation, single-brand retail stores such as Apple and IKEA, pharmaceuticals and military production, to 100 percent foreign direct investment and ownership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi boasted that India would be the most open economy in the world for FDI.

Fearing that the strike would spread into other sectors, Chief Central Labour Commissioner A. S. Nayak called a conciliation meeting on July 26, which was attended by the unions, the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and the finance ministry. He appealed for dialogue so that this strike is averted.

The UFBU was nevertheless compelled to go ahead with the strike because of growing restiveness among bank employees against the governments move to privatise banks, which would result in the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs and hard-won conditions.

The UFBU has been working to head off the conflict. Two weeks earlier, the unions called off a planned stoppage on July 12 and 13, accepting the Delhi High Courts order to restrain the strike, issued at the behest of the State Bank of India (SBI).

The July 29 strike was limited to one day and isolated from workers in other industries who face similar attacks. All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) general secretary S. Nagarajan, told the press that the strike was only a warm-up to a bigger one. In reality, the union officials are working with the government to shut down the struggle as soon as possible.

Early last year, when the bank unions called for a 25 percent pay rise, the IBA refused and the unions later agreed to just 15 percent. Our members are happy with the hike, All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) general secretary C.H. Venkatachalam claimed. Highlighting the subservient role of the unions, he added: I hope the settlement now will motivate people to work hard to achieve new objectives for the banking industry and set new standards towards customer satisfaction.

All nine unions in the UFBU participated in the latest negotiations. Undoubtedly, the aim of such talks was to scuttle the workers opposition. Several UFBU unions are affiliated to the Stalinist parties that have long supported or participated in Indian governments.

Both the AIBEA and AIBOA are linked to the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another union, the BEFI, has fraternal relations with the Centre of India Trade Unions, which is affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM. Both parties have worked with successive governments to implement pro-market reforms.

The bank workers strike is part of the emerging class struggles in India and globally triggered by the deepening global capitalist slump. However, the unions are attempting to contain the confrontation.

The unions claim that the main reason for the problems in the banking sector is bad loans. They accuse the Modi government and the Reserve Bank of India of failing to take tough measures to recover the loans. The unions want defaulters to be publicly named and punished.

Even if the government recovered the bad loans, that would not resolve the financial crisis. Rather, the intensifying world downturn will only propel the global institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, to ramp up their demands for bank privatisation.

The BJP government intends to merge five associate banks and the Bhartiya Mahila Bank with the SBI, the state-owned lender, by next March. On the day of the strike, SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya said: People have to understand that the change is inevitable. There have been strikes at many occasions but we have to educate them and take them on board.

The government is also planning to reform labour laws for the benefit of investors and to strengthen the police apparatus to suppress working class opposition to the governments measures.

That means the bank workers struggle against privatisation involves a direct confrontation with the BJP governments entire pro-market program. The unions have for years prevented any mobilisation of the working class against the pro-business offensive, which has been facilitated by both the Stalinist partiesthe CPI and CPM.

In order to defeat the assault on jobs and conditions, bank workers will have to break from these parties and unions, and turn to the opposed perspectivethe struggle for a workers and peasants government based on an internationalist and socialist program.
Ahead of the public release Friday of body and dashboard camera footage of the police shooting of 18-year-old African-American Paul ONeal, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) issued a national bulletin warning of possible civil unrest. The teenager was shot in the back on July 28 and his death has been ruled a homicide.

The fatal shots do not appear on any of the nine videos released. Instead, cops are seen firing at least 15 shots at ONeals car. The police then chase him through a residential neighborhood and several more shots are heard off-camera. Three unidentified cops have been relieved of their duties after police officials suggested they might have violated protocol when they murdered the youth.

The CPD claims there have been problems with the body cameras, which were supposed to assure transparency and improve relations between the public and the citys notoriously violent police force.

ONeal was shot by one or more officers and died of his injuries shortly after being arrested. Police say ONeal fled in his car after they stopped him for suspected car theft. The cops fired into the front and back windshields of the car, but media outlets say none of those shots hit ONeal.

The videos contain damning footage showing reckless violence by the police and confusion and fear among residents as police pursue the youth through a quiet south side neighborhood before they fire the fatal shots. The footage shows dismayed neighbors trickling out of their homes to see what has happened as the cops discuss the possibility of being suspended for their actions.

One officer suggests that the unarmed suspect had fired at them first. Another tells a group of cops in the street to turn off their body cameras. Additional footage shows the police handcuffing the youth as he bleeds to death.

The family saw the footage before it was released to the public on Friday, according to CNN. Ja'Mal Green, a family spokesman, told CNN that the relatives of O'Neal's mother and sister walked out. They can only take so much, he said. Once the gunshots started, they immediately left the room  crying, breaking down.

ONeal family attorney Michael Oppenheimer declared the killing an execution and denounced the police and the independent police review authority for covering up the crime. They decided they would control this, so the cover-up has begun, the attorney said.

Chicagos Democratic mayor, Rahm Emanuel, has already been implicated in a cover-up of a police murder. Last November, a judge ordered the release of video footage of Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke firing 16 rounds and killing black teen Laquan McDonald in 2014. The Emanuel administration paid the family hush money, let the killer cop go free, and suppressed the footage of the murder with the help of the states attorney and the unanimous support of the City Council for more than a year.

The release of the video provoked mass protests and threw Emanuel, Obamas former White House chief of staff, into a political crisis. The official civil rights organizations, the unions and their pseudo-left supporters essentially rescued Emanuel by attributing police violence entirely to racism and thereby covering up the more basic issues of poverty, economic inequality and state repression that impact the entire working class and point to the capitalist system itself as the root cause of the epidemic of police killings. These forces lent credibility to Emanuel's cynical and empty promises to enact police reform and change the police culture, which included installing a new black police chief who was himself notorious for suppressing anti-NATO protests in Chicago in 2012.

The basic function of the police in Americas third-largest city, as in the rest of the country, is to defend the super-rich minority against the increasingly angry and restive working class majority. While 15 billionaires and some 134,000 millionaires call Chicago their home, dozens of schools, mental health clinics and other public services have been shut down, and homeless encampments have sprung up across the city, whose occupants include low-wage workers and impoverished college students. The same day the video of the ONeal shooting was released, Chicago officials announced the layoff of 1,000 public school teachers and staff.

Deaths caused by the US police so far this year have climbed to 696, according to KilledByPolice.net. The ONeal murder occurs in the aftermath of the political conventions of both big business parties, each of which, in its own way, defended the police and justified the unprecedented militarization of police departments across the country by the Obama administration.

The Republican National Convention in Cleveland was a celebration of the military and the police, with Republican nominee, billionaire Donald Trump, declaring that he was the candidate of law and order who would make America safe again. It featured fascistic denunciations of protests against police killings.

The Democratic National Convention was dominated by racial and gender politics, promoted for the purpose of defending militarism abroad and the militarization of the police at home. Nine mothers of police murder victims, including Eric Garner and Michael Brown, were brought onto the stage to present the wave of police killings as a problem of lack of trust between the police and people of color.

These parents' personal tragedies were cynically exploited to conceal the fact that more than half of those killed by police are white and that police violence is directed against the entire working class, especially its poorest and most vulnerable sections. Democratic officials, including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, praised the police for upholding public safety. There was much blather about improving relations by means of sensitivity training, community policing, and bringing to bear the services of racialist groups that orbit the Democratic Party such as Black Lives Matter.

The real attitude of the Democratic Party on this question can be seen in the record of the Obama administration. The presidents Justice Department has not prosecuted a single killer cop, and the administration has repeatedly intervened in the federal courts to oppose challenges to police violations of constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties. The administration supported the declaration of states of emergency and police-military occupations to suppress protests against police violence in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland. At the same time, the Obama administration has continued to funnel billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including armored vehicles, combat helicopters and military-grade weapons, from the Pentagon to local police departments.

Regardless of who wins the November elections--the fascistic Trump or the warmonger and Wall Street tool Hillary Clintonthe next administration will step up police repression in an effort to crush growing social opposition.
UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and his challenger, Owen Smith MP, held a hustings Thursday before an audience of party members in Cardiff, Wales.

During the debate, Smith insisted that Corbyns continued leadership of the party threatens a split as he does not have the backing of Labour MPs. In contrast, prior to the debate, Corbyn, when asked by the media if Labour will split if he defeated Smith, said, Im sure no Labour MP would even dream of breaking away from the family of the Labour Party, the family of the Labour Party that helped to put them into parliament.

He continued, I will work with anybody in our party in order to ensure that we come together and win a general election for the good of the majority of this country.

Denying that a split is on the cards has become the central theme of Corbyns leadership campaign. This is under conditions in which the Blairite wing of the party are using every means possible to remove him.

After MPs resigned en masse from his shadow cabinet, 172 members of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) voted for a motion of no-confidence in Corbyn in an attempt to force his resignation. They then attempted without success to keep him off the ballot.

This week it emerged that tens of thousands of the 183,000 people who applied to be registered supporters of the party, in order to vote in this leadership contest, will be barred from doing so. Some 40,000 of the 183,000 applicants have already been barred under Labours undemocratic constitution for such crimes as previous support for a rival political party candidate, absence from the electoral register or because their payments supposedly bounced. Another 10,000 cases are to go before Labours National Executive Committee Oversights Panel for consideration, where they will be assessed as to whether they are in compliance with the partys aims and values.

The Blairites carried out a similar purge of left-wing members and supporters ahead of last years leadership contest. They dubbed that purge Operation Icepick in a sinister reference to the assassination of Leon Trotsky.

The latest purge of new supporters follows the setting up of an e-mail ratline by Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol in the run-up to the September 24 election for members to report those they deem to have carried out abusive behaviour online or at meetings. Those charged will not get a vote in the leadership election. All Labour Party Constituency branches have been barred from meeting for the duration of the leadership contest.

In the debate, Smith stated that he wanted to be Labour leader in order to unify the party. In an indication of the support that Corbyn could mobilise were he to oppose the right-wing, he said to loud cheering from the audience, What I dont understand is how you can complain about disunity in the party when you and others are the ones who resigned from the shadow cabinet.

Smith claimed that he had nothing to do with the coup attempt, before stating of the MPs who voted against Corbyn, They arent Red Tories. These are people who want to see the party back in power. They are not Blairites. They are just Labour MPs.

Presented with this opportunity to give a blow-by-blow account of the coup, and Smiths role within it, Corbyn instead spent the next two hours pleading for unity with his opponents.

In one of his few references to the coup, Corbyn did his best to play down its significance. A majority of Labour MPs want us to be the opposition [to the government], he said. Its a very small number of MPs who are filling up the airwaves with the fearful announcements they constantly make.

This is a lie. Fully three quarters of the PLP voted against Corbyn because even his watered down reformism is anathema to Britains ruling elite.

Under conditions of a growing economic crisis in the UK following Junes referendum vote for the UK to leave the EU, along with mounting social inequality, Corbyn sees it as his central mission to keep Labour afloat at all costs. He said to Smith that he had appointed a shadow cabinet that reached a long way in the party, way beyond the politics that Id adopted beforehand. Now, the best thing was for us to work together... If I win I will be putting together a broad shadow cabinet as I did before.

It was Corbyns decision to place leading Blairites in his shadow cabinet, such as the warmonger Hilary Benn, which enabled them to launch the coup in the first place. He now proposes to accept the Blairites back if he wins again, with all polls showing he will do decisively.

Were Corbyn to win, even if his opponents did not immediately declare a formal split they would only remain in his precious Labour family to create the best conditions for seizing control of Labours substantial assets. Once again, instead of waging a struggle against the right-wing and kicking them out of the party as he was mandated to do by his supporters, he continues to allow them to dictate terms from their sole stronghold in the PLP.

The only reason why Smith, a human oil slick who is wholly a creature of the partys right-wing, is standing is in order to create the pretext for a split when this is to the best advantage of the right-wing.

In the meantime, through dissembling and outright lies, Smith tries to portray himself as a steadfast opponent of austerity as radical as Jeremy. A former PR man for big pharmaceutical conglomerates, he has put forward a programme including 200 billion in public sector investment, claiming it as Keynesian and standing in the best traditions of left Labour leaders of the past, Keir Hardie and Aneurin Bevan.

This tack to the left has garnered criticism from sections of the media, including the Times and the Financial Times. But others have accepted that such a left feint is necessary to win some support in the leadership contest. Tom Harris, a Blairite and former MP, wrote in the Telegraph, But fear not. All Labour leadership contenders do this sort of thing. They dance the dance, say what has to be said in order to win their mandate then do and say what they need to do in order to win a general election.

The Blairites, in any case, view Smith as a stalking horseto be replaced by someone more to their liking at a later date.

Corbyn writes on his Labour Party web site profile, Lets have a comradely debate this summerand emerge stronger and more united He followed up the event in Cardiff by lauding a positive and comradely debate.

Such nonsense says everything that needs to be said about the real political agenda being pursued by Corbyn and his supporters. What are described as comradely debates are the product of the attempt by pro-austerity and pro-war MPs, in collusion with state intelligence forces, to engineer a dramatic rightward shift in political life and to prepare Labour to assume a governmental role on behalf of the ruling class should this be required. Corbyn, in concealing the essential character of these events, politically disarms working people in order to maintain the political stranglehold of the Labour Party and the trade unions.
In the run-up to this week's US Green Party convention, which will nominate Jill Stein as the party's presidential candidate, the International Socialist Organization (ISO) has published an editorial, titled Can you vote for what you want in 2016?, which criticizes the Green Party for not lining up openly behind US-backed forces in Syria.

The article appears under conditions of a renewed eruption of American militarism, with an expansion of US bombings of civilians in Syria and the launching of a new air war in Libya, and the shift of the Democratic Party, along with the pseudo-left groups such as the ISO that are in its orbit, even further to the right.

At the Democratic National Convention last month, the so-called socialist, Bernie Sanders, consecrated his political revolution by endorsing Hillary Clinton, the candidate of Wall Street, the Pentagon and the CIA. Since then, ever-larger sections of the financial aristocracy, the military and the foreign policy establishment have rallied behind Clinton, who has sought to position herself as a more far-sighted and reliable prosecutor of American imperialisms interests than her opponent, Republican candidate Donald Trump.

In the presidential election primaries, pseudo-left groups such as Socialist Alternative and Solidarity directly integrated themselves into Sanders campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. The ISO, however, declined to formally endorse Sanders, while nevertheless promoting illusions in his ability to push the Democratic Party to the left.

The ISO has throughout the year promoted Stein and the Green Party, itself a pro-capitalist party representing sections of the upper-middle class. In its August 3 editorial, the ISO employs the non-class term "independent left alternative" to obscure the class basis and history of the Green Party. The Green Party platform, as the WSWS has explained, is steeped in nationalism, defends capitalist property relations and opposes the political independence of the working class.

While the ISO praises Steins vague reformist proposals, the central purpose of the editorial emerges in its criticisms of the Green Partys foreign policy positions. It states: [R]eaders of this website will have a lot in common with Steins radical political vision, though we do have some disagreements. For example, while opposing US intervention in the Middle East, Stein has sometimes downplayed the role of other imperialist forces, such as Russia, which is intervening to uphold its own interests.

The ISO goes on to state that Steins newly announced running mate Ajuma Baraka is a dedicated fighter for Black liberation, opponent of US imperialism and supporter of the Palestinian struggle. It complains, however, that he has written articles minimizing the scale of repression carried out by the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria against the revolutionary opposition, while reinforcing the myth that the Assad regime represents an expression of national sovereignty against US imperialism. These mistaken views will only alienate people drawn to Steins vision of a democratic struggle for change in the US.

These passages amount to a demand that the Green Party and its presidential candidate explicitly support the US war for regime-change against the Russian-backed government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad--a war that has already destroyed the country, killing over 400,000 people and turning millions more into refugees.

The ISO finds itself capable of writing about the revolutionary opposition in Syria after more than five years of a bloody proxy war organized and carried out by the United States in cooperation with its right-wing regional allies. With the support of the CIA, reactionary monarchical regimes such as Saudi Arabia have armed and funded the opposition to Assad, which overwhelmingly consists of Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militias, such as the former al-Nusra Front (now called Jabhat Fateh al-Sham) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The ISO's support for this imperialist war crime is not the result of confusion on its part. From the beginning, it has presented the Syrian war as a popular revolution in an attempt to legitimize the war and manipulate public opnion to support it. This is a continuation of the ISO's integration into the camp of US imperialism, signaled by its support for the US-led regime-change operation in Libya that killed over 40,000 people and ended with the overthrow and murder of Muammar Gaddafi.

Of particular significance is the ISO's use of the term "imperialist" in relation to Russia. It and many other pseudo-left organizations have adopted this term as an epithet hurled against both Russia and China, echoing Washington's pro-war propagandists who routinely label Moscow and Beijing as imperialist in order to justify the US diplomatic, economic and military campaign to isolate and militarily encircle these countries. The aim is to reduce them, by means of war if necessary, to semi-colonies as part of the drive of American imperialism for hegemomic control of the entire Eurasian continent.

The ISO is lined up behind those ultra-militarist factions within the US military and intelligence establishment, the State Department, and the Obama administration itself, including Bush-era neo-cons and the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who oppose Obama's war policy in Syria as being too "restrained." They advocate all-out war against Damascus, incuding, if necessary, a direct military clash with nuclear-armed Russia, which is heavily involved militarilty in support of Syrian government forces seeking to crush the "rebels."

The Green Party itself is by no means an anti-imperialist or antiwar organization. In countries where it has come to power, particularly in Germany, it has supported military intervention under the fraudulent pretext of human rights. The US Green platform, despite the inclusion of pacifist phrases, makes clear that the Greens in the US are prepared to do the same.

Thus far, the Green Party has attempted to maintain a studious silence on both the war record of the Democratic Party and its future military preparations. However, for the ISO, and the sections of the AFL-CIO trade union bureaucracy, Democratic Party and foreign policy think tanks for which it speaks, this is not enough. They are determined to develop a united front of support for war among the most prominent organizations of the official left.

It is significant that even as it has criticized Stein and the Greens for failing to explicitly back the US war in Syria and Washington's war preparations against Russia, it has said nothing about the record number of civilian casualties from US bombing attacks in Syria or the launching of a new and open-ended air war in Libya.

While the ISO formally endorses the Green campaign and Stein, its longer-term aim is disclosed later in the editorial, which states: Clinton and her party assume the liberal Democratic base will vote for them because there is no other realistic choiceand so they wont feel under any pressure to respond A vote for Stein, on the other hand, wont be a vote for the winning candidate in 2016. But it will send a message.

In other words, the ISO, oriented towards the upper-middle class liberal Democratic base, views the Green Party campaign as a means to promote the illusion that the Democratic Party can be pressured to the left, and thus keep workers and young people politically subordinated to it.

The author also recommends:

The pro-capitalist program of the US Green Party

[23 July 2016]

The International Socialist Organization agitates for war with Russia

[12 March 2016]

The International Socialist Organization and the imperialist onslaught against Syria

[11 May 2013]
The Indian and US militaries are partnering in the training of African officers to lead and train troops deployed on UN, and potentially African Union-sponsored, peacekeeping missions.

Late last month, Indian and US government and military officials inaugurated the first United Nations Peacekeeping Course for African Partnersa three week Indo-US initiative that is being hosted by the Indian government at its Centre for UN Peacekeeping in New Delhi.

Indian and US army officers are jointly training what a US State Department blog post described as 38 of the most skilled military officers in Africa. The trainees are drawn from at least eight countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierre Leone in West Africa, Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa, Zambia and Malawi in southern Africa and Rwanda in Central Africa.

India has long helped staff UN peacekeeping operations with soldiers and police, while using them to gain leverage on the world stage. It currently has thousands of troops deployed in Africa, including in the Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sudan and South Sudan.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj announced the Indo-US UN training initiative last September at the conclusion of the first annual India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the initiative's importance to plans to bolster Indo-US collaboration in Africa in the joint statement that they issued after Modi visited the White House on June 7.

For well-over a decade, the US has been working assiduously to harness India to its predatory strategic agenda, especially against China. This has included supporting New Delhi in its efforts to expand economic and military-strategic ties in South-East Asia and working to implicate India in the US-fomented South China Sea dispute.

Similarly, Washington has offered to partner with India in a host of economic, diplomatic, social, cultural and military-strategic initiatives in Africa, where both countries are competing for influence, markets, and resources with China.

Under Modi's two year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, New Delhi has integrated itself ever-more completely into Washington's drive to strategically isolate, encircle, and prepare for war with China. In their June 7 statement, Obama and Modi announced plans to bolster military cooperation in all areasland, sea, air, space, and cyberspaceand the finalizing of an agreement to enable US war planes and ships to use Indian military bases for rest, refueling and resupply.

In a speech to the July 25 ceremony inaugurating the first Indo-US Peacekeeping Course for African Partners, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma made clear that Washington's aim is to draw India into joint combat operations with US forces.

Verma emphasized the global character of the Indo-US partnership, then cited approvingly Modi's claim in his June 8 address to the US Congress that a strong India-U.S. partnership can anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and from (the) Indian Ocean to the Pacific. He went on to stress that the character of UN peacekeeping operations has changed, with so-called UN Blue Berets increasingly waging counter-insurgency wars. Whereas they once routinely policed truces between states,Today, two-thirds of peacekeepers, said Verma, operate in active conflicts; the highest percentage ever.

State failure around the globe, continued the ambassador, and the extremist elements that often fill the vacuum created by instability  requires the international community to revamp its support for peacekeeping operations and to build local capacity.

To make his meaning crystal clear, Verma dredged up a long forgotten incident from the Korean War, when an Indian army team of medical paratroopers had supported US troops, waging war under the cover of a UN resolution, in a daring operation behind enemy lines. He of course neglected to mention that the US-led, UN-authorized forces laid waste to much of the Korean Peninsula in a war aimed at laying the groundwork for military action against China and the USSR; or that at the war's height the head of the US forces in Korea, General MacArthur, pressed for the use of nuclear weapons.

With the Indo-US UN Peacekeeping Training program, the Obama administration and Pentagon are pursuing two key objectives.

First, they are further promoting military-to-military ties and with the aim of making India a junior partner in providing international security, that is in policing and shoring up a US-led global capitalist order. Their transparent aim is to move from the joint-training of personnel from third countries to lead military interventions aimed at securing Washington's interests to joint Indo-US military action. In March, Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., the head of the US Pacific Command, told a Delhi conference that he looked forward to the day in the near future when US and Indian warships would jointly patrol the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the South China Sea.

The second objective is to draw India into closer military-strategic cooperation with the US in Africa, which because of its vast resource wealth and proximity to pivotal Indian Ocean shipping lanes has increasingly become a focus of US strategy. In 2008, the US established Africom as a separate military command tasked with intensifying US military operations across Africa and ensuring US strategic hegemony over the continent.

For the Indian bourgeoisie, Africa has also become a heightened priority. It looks to expand exports, but above all covets Africa's oil and other natural resources to feed its expanding economy. New Delhi is also anxious to establish its strategic presence in East and South Africa so as to bolster its status as a security provider for the Indian Ocean and as a great power.

Last October, Modi hosted an India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi that was attended by 41 African heads of state. In addition to a number of bilateral agreements with different African countries, India announced that it was establishing a $US10 billion concessional line of credit to support African infrastructure and other economic development projects over the next five years.

However, this pales in comparison with the $60 billion in aid and investments Chinese President Xi Jinping announced last December when he attended the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a bid to bolster India's economy and counter growing Chinese influence in the continent, Prime Minister Modi paid a five-day visit to four South and East African countriesMozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenyaat the beginning of last month.

Modi began his African tour in Mozambique, a country that is particularly important to India. It is reportedly the site of a quarter of all Indian investment in Africa as well as an India military monitoring station that allows it to surveille the southwestern Indian Ocean.

To further strengthen security ties, Modi promised India will assist Mozambique in building its military capacities through training and the supply of equipment. To underscore, the latter point he gifted Mozambique a fleet of armored personnel carriers.

Modi and Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Maguful agreed, a press release reported, to a deeper overall defence and security partnership, especially in the maritime domain. To Kenya, India's prime minister provided a line of credit to buy military equipment.
In an op-ed column in Fridays New York Times, former top CIA official Michael Morell publicly endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In the article, Morell branded Clintons Republican opponent, Donald Trump, as a pawn of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Morell retired from the CIA in 2013 after a 33-year career, having spent two decades in high-level positions in Washington. His duties included preparing the Presidents Daily Brief for George W. Bush. For three years he was deputy director, running the agency day-to-day, and he had two stints as acting director, for three months in 2011 and for four months in 2012-2013.

The crimes with which Morell is associated are legion. He was a top official throughout the period of CIA kidnappings (renditions) of victims who were then held in secret prisons and tortured. He helped lead the CIA when it was carrying out drone missile assassinations and other forms of covert state terrorism. Throughout his tenure in Langley, Virginia, the CIA was engaged in war crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Syria and many other countries.

After Morell left the agency, Obama appointed him to the Presidents Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, which prepared a whitewash of National Security Agency spying following the revelations by Edward Snowden. He then moved seamlessly to a position as a well-paid media commentator for CBS News, while joining the campaign of former CIA officials to block the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture.

That such an individual comes out publicly in support of Hillary Clinton says a great deal about the nature of the Democratic presidential campaign and the type of administration Clinton will head in the event that she wins the November election.

Morells op-ed column appears under the headline: I Ran the CIA. Now Im Endorsing Hillary Clinton. As far as the New York Times is concerned, support for Clinton from an organization that is identified around the world with torture and murder should be shouted from the rooftops. It is something to be proud of, a positive credential for the Democratic presidential nominee.

The former CIA official declares Clinton highly qualified to be commander in chief, praises her belief that America is an exceptional nation that must lead in the world, and notes that in the internal discussions over US intervention in the Syrian civil war, she was a strong proponent of a more aggressive approach.

Morell denounces Trump as unqualified to be president, in part because of his volatile personality and lack of national security experience, but mainly because of his supposed connection to Russia.

He writes: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was a career intelligence officer, trained to identify vulnerabilities in an individual and to exploit them. That is exactly what he did early in the primaries. Mr. Putin played upon Mr. Trumps vulnerabilities by complimenting him. He responded just as Mr. Putin had calculated

Mr. Trump has also taken policy positions consistent with Russian, not American, interestsendorsing Russian espionage against the United States, supporting Russias annexation of Crimea and giving a green light to a possible Russian invasion of the Baltic States. In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.

This extraordinary allegation adds fuel to the campaign launched by pro-Clinton pundits like New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, portraying Trump as a Siberian candidate whose campaign represents a Russian intervention into the US elections.

The Clinton campaign has embraced and promoted these McCarthyite smears, issuing a video Friday posing the question, What is Donald Trump's connection to Vladimir Putin? The video, available on YouTube, consists of clips of right-wing media figures, including Joe Scarborough, Charles Krauthammer and George Will, denouncing Trump for his praise for Putin, interspersed with questions suggesting that Trump has secret business ties to Russia and is being financed by Russian oligarchs.

In style and political content, the video recalls the ravings of the John Birch Society, the anticommunist organization of the 1950s and 1960s that claimed leading US political figures, including President Eisenhower, were Soviet agents.

This underscores the drastic shift to the right in the political orientation of the Democratic Party. It does not oppose Trump on the basis of his militarism or his authoritarian contempt for democratic rights. Instead, the Clinton campaign is presenting itself as the authoritative party of the military-intelligence complex and the political establishment, appealing to billionaires, the military brass and the intelligence agencies.

In the form of Trump vs. Clinton, the US electoral system has provided working people the choice between an openly fascistic demagogue and an avowed representative of the Pentagon, the CIA and the financial establishment hell-bent on launching new imperialist wars.

The barrage of claims by the corporate media that Trump, as distinct from normal US politicians, is deranged deserves only contempt. Both Trump and Clinton are deadly enemies of the working class. They may be opposed to one another in the election campaign, but that is no argument for working people to take sides. Rather, workers and youth must draw the conclusion that the entire political system is deeply dysfunctional and should be swept away.

The Democratic Party is appealing, not to the mass opposition and disgust with Trump on the part of working people, but to the opposition to Trump within the US ruling elite, whose main concern is that the Republican candidates friendly gestures towards Putin, his open questioning of the value of NATO, and his expressed reservations about US wars in the Middle East are cutting across the bipartisan foreign policy consensus in Washington.

This poses immense dangers to the working class. The logic of the Democrats anti-Trump campaign is to channel mass opposition to Trump behind preparations for war with Russia, a nuclear-armed power. In the event of a Democratic victoryincreasingly likely according to polling this weekClinton will claim a mandate for war policies that can be carried out only through a frontal assault on the living standards and democratic rights of American workers. This demonstrates that the differences between Clinton and Trump are purely tactical: how best to subordinate the working class to the war drive of American imperialism.

As the World Socialist Web Site has previously pointed out, Trump did not crawl out of the Manhattan sewers or a Munich beer hall. He emerged from the well-heeled, corrupt circle of real estate speculators in New York City, where he had the closest ties with the Democratic Party machine. He was molded and promoted for decades by the corporate-controlled media and the political establishment. He and the Clintons are old friends: he invited them to one of his weddings; they asked for his money for their political campaigns and bogus charities.

If Trump is suddenly branded as a monster who must be kept out of the White House, it is only because the US financial aristocracy and the military-intelligence apparatus have a different monster in mind, one they consider more dependable: Hillary Clinton. Shes the monster who is on messageon Ukraine, Russia, NATO and the anti-Chinese pivot to Asia. She knows which generals to salute and which billionaires to flatter. Shes a safe pair of hands, which means she can be relied on to kill the right people.

That is the meaning of Clintons endorsement by the CIAs Michael Morell and, more generally, the wave of support for her campaign from billionaires, Republicans, generals and the media.
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US Secretary of State John Kerry is still pursuing an agreement with Russia on military cooperation in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, despite major setbacks and skepticism from other administration officials and US allies, US officials with knowledge of the talks said on Friday.

"We believe this approach is still worth pursuing," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in an email response to Reuters questions, adding, "But it remains to be seen whether or not we can get there."

Kerry has been pursuing a proposal that envisions resuscitating a Cessation of Hostilities agreement, creating a center where the two countries would share intelligence for targeting air strikes, and prohibiting the Syrian air force from attacking US-backed rebel groups.
As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup , President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.

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Turkish officials insist Erdogan's visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch.

But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border , comes as Ankara's relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious.

Turkish President Racep Tayyip Erdogan. (Photo: AP)





Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters.

The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate.

So damaged are relations that Germany's foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that "we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets." Austria's chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended.

"For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkeys partners in the West that it could have other strategic options," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

"There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate toward Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATOs cohesiveness," Ulgen said.

Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president on Friday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity.

"Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The parliament in Ankara, damaged during the attempted coup.

"On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries," he told Reuters.

Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership," Kortunov said.

Signal to the West

Washington is likely to be watching closely. Its ties with Ankara are strained over the continued presence in the United States of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Erdogan of orchestrating the attempted coup.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement in the coup and Washington has said it will extradite him only if Turkey provides evidence, much to the Turkish government's frustration.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Turkey in late August, officials have said, with Gulen's case likely to be high on the agenda.

"At a time like this, Turkish public psychology expects expressions of solidarity and togetherness, but that's not what is forthcoming from the West," said Faruk Logoglu, a former Turkish ambassador to Washington and until recently a senior lawmaker in the main secularist opposition.

While the timing of Erdogan's Russia trip could be interpreted as a signal to the West, Logoglu doubted it meant a full Turkish embrace of Russia or lasting damage to US ties.

"The Turkish-American relationship is like a catholic marriage: There is no divorce. Both sides need each other," he said. "It has experienced severe tests in the past and I think it will weather this one as well."

Russian President Vladimir Putin. A new Turkish ally? (Photo: Reuters)

Closer ties between Ankara and Moscow could be more troublesome for Europe, which sees a plan for a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, a project known as TurkStream, as a complication in its efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy.

"Gas cooperation between Russia and Turkey could be scary for the European Union," said Akin Unver, assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has university in Istanbul and an expert in regional energy.

"The EU wants to diversify suppliers and link eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe in the long run ... if Russia bypasses all that with TurkStream that would not help. But the EU is in no position to bargain. Politically, it is very weak."

Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Syria would be the main topic at the meeting with Erdogan. TurkStream, nuclear power projects, and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey, which stopped after the downing of the fighter jet last November, would also be discussed.

Tourism revenue, a mainstay of the Turkish economy, has been decimated by the drop in Russian visitors, whose numbers fell 87 percent in the first six months of the year. The sector has also been hit by a series of suicide bombings.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games began on a sour note for the Israeli delegation, but not one relating to the actual competition. When the delegation was ready to board the bus to the Maracana stadium in the Brazilian city, they were physically prevented from doing so by the Lebanese delegation, already aboard, according Israeli sailor Udi Gal.

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The 2016 Olympics  a disgrace!! wrote Gal in a Facebook post. (When) Israels Olympic delegation got ready to board the bus for the opening ceremony, it turned out the bus was shared with the Lebanese delegation. Once the members of the Lebanese delegation realized they were (sharing the bus) with the Israeli delegation, they asked the driver to close the door, with their delegation leader heading (the effort).

The Israeli Olympic delegation. (Photo: AP)

Gal claimed that the organizers tried to calm things down. The organizers tried to split us up to different buses, something which was not possible security and representation-wise, he wrote, I insisted and we insisted that we get on the intended bus, and if the Lebanese dont want (to ride with us), they are welcome to get off (of it). The bus driver opened the door, but this time the head of the Lebanese delegation blocked the entrance with his body. The organizers tried to prevent an international incident and sent us aside to a special (vehicle).

Gal was surprised the organizers gave in to the pressure, writing, How is it that they let something like this happen, and on the opening night of the Olympic Games? Isnt this the opposite of what the Olympics represent and (dont the actions by the Lebanese delegation) work against it? I cannot describe the way I feel. Im enraged and shocked by this event.

Lebanese delegation head, Salim al-Haj Nakoula gave the Lebanese press his version of the story on Saturday. In an interview given to the An-Nahar newspaper, Nakoula claimed that each delegation was to have its own bus. There are over 250 buses dedicated to transporting the delegations from the Olympic village to the opening ceremony. After we boarded Bus 22, which was dedicated to the Lebanese delegation, I was surprised by the Israeli delegations approaching and wanting to get on the bus with us, he said.

Head of the Lebanese delegation Salim al-Haj Nakoula. "They have a bus of their own."

I asked the driver to shut the door, but the guide who was there with the Israeli delegation prevented him from doing so. I had to stand at the entrance to the bus to block it, and prevent the (Israeli) delegation from coming in, Nakoula said. He claimed that the Israelis were trying to cause an incident on purpose. They have a bus of their own like all delegations. Why did they want to get on the Lebanese delegation's bus? he asked.

Head of the Israeli delegation to the Rio 2016 games, Gili Lustig, responded to Nakoula by saying, The organizing committee was the one that determined the travel arrangements, and which bus we would take to the ceremony. The organizing committee saw the rude behavior of the Lebanese delegation head and immediately provided an alternate bus. The behavior of the Lebanese delegation head is in conflict with the Olympic truce. As far as we are concerned, the whole thing is behind us and were ready for the competitions.

Lusting mentioned that the organization committee apologized for the incident. They pointed us at a bus with ten Lebanese people in it. It was an unwise decision from the start and its too bad they didnt think of that before. This king of incident could have been prevented. We certainly dont believe in boycotts. The committees people tried to talk to the Lebanese, who refused to accept us. It should be said that the busses were joint: Theyd fill a bus, and move on. They asked that we not make a scene ahead of the opening ceremony.

Head of the Israeli delegation Gili Lustig. "The behavior of the Lebanese delegation head is in conflict with the Olympic truce." (Photo: Oren Aharoni)

Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sport Abdel Motaleb Hannawi told a Lebanese news site that this was not the first time Israel has attempted to embarrass a Lebanese delegation in this kind of circumstance. He praised the delegations behavior, Nakoulas specifically. His stance was principled and patriotic, he said.

Nakoula became the hero of the day in Lebanon after the incident was publicized. The Al Mayadeen and Al-Manar news networks, both associated with Hezbollah, gave Nakoula praise, with the latter also interviewing him. Hezbollah supporters and officials praised him on social media, with one Al-Manar broadcaster tweeting, The Israelis were sent away from the bus because normalization (with Israel) is not to be had in any form, and because the Lebanese identity (is that of) resistance. Be proud to be Lebanese.
The IDF soldier Damas Pakada, the soldier of Ethiopian descent who was assaulted by Israel police officers, finished military's Officers' Training School this week. The attack, which was filmed by a security camera, led to mass protests against discrimination and racism aimed at the Ethiopian community.

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Pakada's lawyer, Eyal Abulafia, who is still representing the new officer in his lawsuit against the Israel Police and the soldier who assaulted him, posted to Facebook a photograph of the graduate crying and hugging his brother.

Pakada and his brother at the Officers' Training School

Wrote the attorney, "He isn't just crying because he finished the officers' course; he's crying because if there hadn't had been a camera that filmed the incident in which he was attacked by a policeman and detained on false charges for having attacked a policeman and cursing at him, he would not today be an outstanding soldier in the IDF and certainly not a proud officer, but rather a convicted criminal with no future."

Pakada's attack

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The incident of police abuse was filmed in April 2015 and showed Pakada, a soldier in uniform, approached by two policemen who speak with him for a few moments before violently assaulting him. The police officer who led the assault was not criminally charged, and the case against him was closed . This led to the young soldier, via Abulafia, filing his civil suit. Pakada is also attempting to have the case reopened and criminal charges brought against his assailant, who is no longer with the police.

Speaking Friday night, Abulafia said that they had met recently with the attorney general and hope to achieve their goals within the coming month. "It's not possible that just because that policeman is no longer with the police, he won't go through a legal process of being charged Even after the incident, the IDF, which was silent at the time (of the attack), chose Damas as an officer from its ranks, and the facts speak for themselves."

Pakada at the Officers' Training School

The Pakada family released a statement that stated, "Today, more than ever, we are proud of Damas. He is an example and a role model in our eyes. Nobody broke him, and he chose to go forward with the excellence that characterizes him. It was clear to us as his family that nothing will break him, and we thank all his supporters and hope that his attacker will be charged soon."

Just this past week, the Inter-ministerial Committee to Eradicate Racism against Those of Ethiopian Descent presented its findings and 53 practical recommendations to the prime minister. A substantial part of those dealt with police treatment. However, the 15 recommendations regarding the Israel Police were all removed from the report, apparently due to pressure from Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan.
SANAA, Yemen - The UN envoy to Yemen has announced that peace talks to end the country's ruinous civil war would go into a one-month recess.

The widely expected announcement came in a statement issued Saturday by the envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

The talks, held in Kuwait, have failed to make any tangible headway.

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who heads the internationally recognized government, demands implementation of a UN security council resolution stipulating the withdrawal from all cities of the Shiite rebels known as Houthis and their allies. The Houthis demand a share of power in any new government.

The UN declared a ceasefire in Yemen in April, but both sides have repeatedly breached the truce.
At 10:00am, SS Commander Heinrich Himmler ordered a massage. At 2:00pm, he had lunch. At 9:00pm, he had a working meeting in which he was told that Polish officers, then allied with the Nazis, were refusing to fight. A half hour later, he ordered their execution.

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Thus was how Himmler, the second most important man in the Third Reich, spent his January 3, 1943, according to his diary.

Heinrich Himmler (Photo: Realworks)

They reveal a shocking portrait of a man whose routine included regular, shocking, and horrific orders. The diaries were kept in Russia's archives for 71 years after they were seized in Berlin at the end of the war. The excerpts released on Tuesday are from the preface of a book that is to be published soon.

The diaries include visits to concentration camps like Buchenwald and the Warsaw Ghetto, as well as features of Himmler's life that are shockingly mundane, such as family meals and visits to a casino.
It's no secret that the State of Israel is seen as problematic in the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs found with a focus group of Americans in 2005 who had never been to the country that they imagined an Israeli house as grey and gloomy. (In comparison, they imaged an Italian house as warm, inviting and full of good food.)

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This inspired three students, Shira Gorodiski, Sapir Kleinbort Litany and Shiri Shalom, to make a branding video as part of their country-branding class for their master's degrees in Communication and New Media at the IDC Herzliya.

The students' video (:  )

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The video is a parody, both of the idea of "couchsurfing" itself and also of the pro-Israel videos that frequently make the rounds on social media. Said Shalom, "We exaggerated and made a 'reverse-reverse' parody video for potential tourists or couchsurfers."

"We decided to use things that a lot of times tourists hear about and maybe are a bit sick of reading about Israel, like the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. The idea here is simple: In Israel, you'll find cool, funny people who know how to laugh at themselves and be good hosts at the same time," said Shalom.

She explained, "Connecting to the couchsurfing community, we made a 2-minute video that we hope will contribute to the positive, lighthearted and fun perception of Israel." Shalom added that she hoped that it would help to change the preconception of the cold, grey house to one of laughter, fun and independent humor.

The three students wanted to convey their message in a minimalist fashion that puts across fun, laughter, lightheartedness and good vibesin light and inviting homes. "If we can change that perception, it'll be a win for us," said Shalom.
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Arizona News

Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey acted on 388 bills during the 2016 legislative session, signing 374 into law.

A majority of those enactments will take effect this Saturday, August 6  excluding more than a dozen that went into effect immediately under an emergency clause, and a handful of others that will not take effect until 2017.

Among these actions are landmark reforms that support job creators, embrace entrepreneurism, promote educational excellence, protect children and families, safeguard constitutional liberties and keep Arizona on the leading edge of innovation and job growth. They include:

SB 1350  Home sharing companies like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO have made revolutionary contributions to the travel industry. SB 1350 eliminates red tape for home sharing platforms, allowing entrepreneurs to share their homes with tourists visiting our state.

SB 1524  Provides broad regulatory protection to the sharing economy as well as any new business model or industry by prohibiting the state, municipalities and counties from taking any new action to increase regulatory burdens unless there is a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public.

As our economy advances, our government and our laws need to modernize too. Arizona should be to the Sharing Economy, what Texas is to Oil and what Silicon Valley used to be to the tech industry. I want startups in the Sharing Economy to know: California may not want you, but Arizona does."  Governor Ducey, State of the State 2016

HB 2452  Removes the grandmother penalty to ensure that grandparents arent being financially punished for doing the right thing and taking care of their grandchild. This ensures kids and caregivers have the resources they need in the absence of parents.

In many cases, a grandmother actually receives fewer dollars to raise her own grandchild, than a stranger would. Thats wrong. This session, lets end the Grandmother Penalty and keep more families together.  Governor Ducey, State of the State 2016

HB 2666  Establishes the Office of Economic Opportunity  a one-stop economic development shop that will focus on getting government out of the way of job creators, provide a direct link between the business community and the workers and capital they need to be successful, cut down on government overlap to make taxpayer dollars go farther, and create a more unified and effective approach to job attraction and marketing of Arizona. The office will use real-time data to analyze how Arizona fares against other states, identify ways to drive down regulatory and tax burdens, and develop a statewide workforce plan that aligns with Arizonas economic development priorities.

The goal is simple  to grow our economy, to take full advantage of our geography to better address the needs of businesses fleeing California and other states on the decline, and to ensure job creators who are already here, stay and thrive.  Governor Ducey, State of the State 2016

HB 2613  State licensure is the most restrictive regulation on individuals looking to earn an honest living. Licenses should only be required when they are truly designed to protect the public health and safety. With HB 2613, Arizona has started the process of chipping away at unnecessary licensing regulations.

Arizona requires licenses for too many jobs. The elites and special interests will tell you that these licenses are necessary. But often they have been designed to kill competition or keep out the little guy. So lets eliminate them.  Governor Ducey, State of the State 2016

SB 1283  Targets doctor shopping by requiring physicians in Arizona to access and update the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP) database before prescribing a controlled substance to a patient.

HB 2355  Allows a pharmacist to give Naloxone without a prescription to a family member or community member in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. This life-saving tool gives family members a chance to save a loved ones life.

We found in a single month  through a voluntary online database  that hundreds of Arizonans were doctor shopping, and receiving highly-addictive and dangerous drugs from multiple physicians at the same time. Imagine how many more people we could help with a requirement that doctors use that database. Its time for us to make that happen.  Governor Ducey, State of the State 2016
Latest News

Washington, DC - Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles H. Rivkin will travel on August 8-12 to Burma and Sri Lanka.

Assistant Secretary Rivkin will lead the State Departments American Innovation Roadshow to Rangoon and Naypyidaw on August 8-10. This trip is part of an ongoing series of State Department Innovation Roadshows across Asia, which were launched by Secretary Kerry and are part of U.S.-ASEAN Connect. It follows earlier roadshows with leading U.S. companies led by Assistant Secretary Rivkin and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State Ambassador David H. Thorne to Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, and four cities in India.

The Burma Innovation Roadshow delegation includes representatives from IBM, Chevrolet, Coca Cola, General Motors, the Omidyar Network, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Deloitte, among others. The delegation will engage with government leaders, civil society groups, and small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs to understand the opportunities in the development of key sectors of Burmas economy.

Assistant Secretary Rivkin will be in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 11-12 to meet with government and business leaders to discuss opportunities for increasing two-way trade and investment.
Latest News

Washington, DC - The Vice President spoke with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet today by telephone to discuss a range of regional and global challenges. The two leaders discussed the global refugee crisis and agreed to strengthen cooperation to expand paths to protection for refugees and other vulnerable individuals.

The Vice President welcomed Chile's continuing commitment to the Colombian peace process and the two leaders pledged to deepen their collaboration as the peace process reaches its conclusion, in concert with their Colombian partners. The Vice President also highlighted the robust support of the U.S. Congress for the implementation of a Colombian peace deal. The two leaders noted the continued progress in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America and the opportunities to build a broader coalition of stakeholders to support the region's advancement. The Vice President welcomed Chile's constructive role in advancing democracy and human rights throughout the Americas and the two leaders reasserted their commitment to working towards a hemisphere that is prosperous, stable, and secure.
Latest News

Washington, DC - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Business Friday filed a legal challenge to the IRSs immediately effective Multiple Acquisition Rule, which attempts to prevent certain corporate mergers that are otherwise permitted under the inversion rules under Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The administration asked Congress to give it the authority to eliminate corporate inversions. When Congress would not do so, Treasury and the IRS ignored the clear limits of the tax code to target entirely lawful transactions.

Treasury and the IRS ignored the clear limits of a statute, and simply rewrote the law unilaterally. This is not the way government is supposed to work in America, said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue.

As explained in the complaint, inversions are the natural consequence of Americas misguided policy of imposing high taxes on corporations, and then trying to export those taxes to income earned globally. Instead of breaking the rules to punish companies engaged in lawful transactions, Washington should just do its job and comprehensively reform the tax code, Donohue stated. The real solution is tax reform that lowers rates for all businesses, allowing American companies to compete globally and the United States to attract foreign investment.

Section 7874 sets a specific numerical threshold governing combination transactions between U.S. and foreign companies: so long as the shareholders of a foreign company own more than 40 percent of the combined entitys stock, the transaction will not be treated as an inversion subject to this statutory provision. In order to circumvent this numerical threshold, the rule, which was made immediately effective, artificially ignores any stock owned by the foreign shareholders that came from prior acquisitions of a U.S. company within the three years before a merger. As a result, the rule disallows some mergers that clearly satisfy the 40 percent threshold.

Treasury and the IRS rewrote the Internal Revenue Code and steamrolled over the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires that an agency provide interested parties with notice and an opportunity to comment before a rule becomes effective, explained Lily Fu Claffee, chief legal officer of the U.S. Chamber. Treasury and the IRS admitted to skipping over any prior notice or opportunity to comment on their Multiple Acquisition Rule, but offered no justification for dodging their legal obligations in this way. Treasury and the IRS should not act as if they are above the basic rules that govern all federal agencies.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On Tuesday July 5, 2016 at 7:53 p.m. The Yuma County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to a report of domestic violence in the 800 block of S. Avenue C. During their contact, YCSO shot one subject who was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with undisclosed injuries. The Deputy has no reported injuries.

The Yuma Police Department is conducting the investigation into the shooting.

Deputies from The Yuma County Sheriffs Office, responded to the 800 Block of S. Avenue C in reference to a domestic violence disturbance. Upon arrival, they began knocking on the door to the residence intending to make contact with 24 year old Melissa Ventura. Immediately upon opening the door, Ventura attacked the deputies with a knife resulting in the Deputies discharged their weapons.

Deputies requested Rural Metro Ambulance and immediately initiated first aid on Ventura. Ventura was then transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries.

On August 5, 2016 the Yuma Police Department received the decision from Yuma County Attorneys Office reference this case.

Yuma County Attorneys Office conducted a thorough review of the information provided which included, but was not limited to, all YPD reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and information gathered from the scene. Based on the review, they determined the actions taken by Sergeant Russom and Deputy Olea, both of the Yuma County Sheriffs Office (YCSO), were justified, reasonable, and appropriate. See the attached document for further.
Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion broke his silence Friday.

He said he won't resign from the Legislature, and he will apologize only to his wife and his God for engaging in cybersex last summer with a woman.

"I am sorry that I sinned against God," he said. "I am sorry that I sinned against my wife."

In an interview, he did not apologize to his constituents or fellow senators. In fact, he questioned why senators would be talking about impeaching or expelling him, when a number of them have shown a lack of "standards" themselves.

Kintner was fined $1,000 Friday by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission for using his state laptop computer during the exchange on an online video call.

After an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, no criminal charges were filed.

Kintner said the incident began with a casual conversation on Facebook nearly a week before he connected with the woman over Skype. He said they talked via Facebook about their families and their jobs first.

"Then she finally said, 'Let's go on Skype,'" he said.

At that time, he said he was on a trip to Boston not related to the Legislature.

After the cybersex took place, he said, someone quickly contacted him and asked him to send $4,500 or his life and marriage would be destroyed. He put the person off, saying he would take care of it when he got home.

He disconnected Skype, and the person contacted him one more time via Facebook, asking for $2,000, he said. He said no and didn't hear from the person again.

Because of the patrol investigation, Kintner said, he believes this wasn't a woman just sitting in her living room. It was probably a small crime syndicate out of the Ivory Coast using Russian computer servers.

He used his legislative laptop during the exchange. He said he has several computers and keeps one or two with him at any given time so he can check emails, and try to stay in touch.

"To be honest with you, I don't always pay attention to which computer I'm on," he said.

What happened was a "real wake-up call," Kintner said.

A week and a half after he disclosed the cybersex to his wife last summer, she was diagnosed with cancer, he said. Lauren Kintner is the governor's chief policy adviser.

"My wife has shown absolutely incredible grace and forgiveness, more so than any man deserves," he said during an interview in his office with reporters after announcement of the fine. "I am just fortunate that we have a good, strong marriage and my faith is stronger than ever."

If constituents in District 2 want an apology, they can contact him and talk to him about it, Kintner said. And he doesn't feel he owes an apology to the Legislature.

He asked what standard he violated to embarrass the institution of the Legislature that would require him to apologize to senators.

Other senators, he said, have acted in ways that apparently did not violate legislative standards: drinking and driving, adultery and affairs, fornication between senators and staff, habitual drunkenness and inflammatory rhetoric that could incite violence against police officers.

"So what standard are all 49 senators held to that I violated?" he asked. "I would love to know."

As for his constituents, Kintner said, the cybersex incident didn't invalidate any political positions he's taken in the Legislature.

"I'm still one of the leading advocates for limited government, for lower taxes, for public safety in our state."

One sin doesn't take away everything he's done in the past three years, he said.

"My reputation's still there. I'm still a fighter for the taxpayers," he said.

His 2016 legislative session, which took place months after the cybersex incident, was a good one by anyone's standards, he said.

"I dealt with it. I moved on. I continued to serve the taxpayers, as I will continue now," he said.

He said he belongs in the Legislature, despite calls for his resignation from Gov. Pete Ricketts, Speaker Galen Hadley and Executive Board Chairman Bob Krist.

He believes staying is not a political decision but part of God's plan for him, to be an effective advocate in the Legislature and to be a loving husband.

Kintner said people who live long enough in "this fallen world" eventually find themselves in a situation in which they've said or done something that falls short of their own standards.

"Unfortunately, that is where I found myself over a year ago," he said.

Kintner said he prayed for a week over the matter, as did his staff, his wife, and a number of pastors.

"After doing that for a week, I am comfortable where I am right now," he said.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers has promised to propose impeachment or expulsion if Kintner does not resign, and to bring a full discussion of Kintner's indiscretions into legislative debate in January.

"Senator Chambers does not occupy the moral high ground in this Legislature," Kintner said. "Not on this issue or any other moral issue."

He said Chambers has made comments that Kintner believed appeared to threaten police officers.

"You need 25 votes. We all need each other down here," Kintner said. "We all have to work together for the common good of the state."

He said he has been in contact with a number of senators, and they have been supportive.

Kintner said he felt his due process was violated when stories were written last week about the incident. He said the stories were full of misrepresentations and misstatements.

"There has never been any video with adult content on any computer that I own or that I operate," he said.

Skype is an online video chat program, but, generally, no permanent video is recorded.

When asked how he was doing, Kintner said he's never been happier.

"I go home to a loving wife, a great marriage. My walk with Christ is stronger than it's ever been," he said.

What happened to him was something all men need to understand, he said, "that sexual sin is the way Satan gets to us."

He offered some advice to men that he said he is now following himself.

* Don't do anything you wouldn't do with your wife sitting next to you.

* Have an accountability partner, someone in your life you trust to talk to about marriage issues.

* Don't put yourself in a position to fail. If you find yourself on an adult website, or alone with a single woman at night, get out of there.

* Give your wife your computer passwords and let her see everything you're doing.
Algiers: An Air Algeria plane en route to Marseille has been forced to return to Algiers due to an unspecified technical failure.

The airline said the plane landed safely in the Algerian capital today around 30 minutes after takeoff and no one was injured.

It said passengers are expected to board another plane for Marseille in southern France later in the day.

It didn't immediately provide any more details about what caused the emergency.
New York: An indirect link has been revealed between Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 9/11 attack in recently released declassified information from a 2002 US congressional report. The report on the 9/11 attacks, dubbed the 28 pages was previously hidden from the American public.

It now reveals a link between the alleged al Qaeda operative and a company associated with a key member of the Saudi royal family, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan, reports the CNN.

During investigations into the attack, it was found that 15 of the 19 men who hijacked the planes to carry out the attack were nationals but the possibility of official Saudi involvement has hung over the relationship between the two countries.

While the alleged association with Bandar revealed in the newly-declassified pages does not provide direct evidence of his complicity in the 9/11 attacks but it does raise new questions about Saudi Arabias involvement.

The connection to Bandar was made through Abu Zubaydahs phone book retrieved during the Pakistani raid in which he was taken. He was an alleged recruiter for al Qaeda and a member of Osama bin Ladens inner circle.

In the phonebook, the FBI found numbers linked to the United States, including an unlisted number for a company that managed Bandars estate in Aspen, Colorado. An unlisted number was also found for a bodyguard who worked at the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

Both of those numbers were unpublished, so they had to have gotten into Zubaydahs phone book through a personal contact who knew what those numbers were and what they represented, said former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the congressional commission that compiled the 28 pages.

The CIA and FBI concluded that there was no evidence anyone from the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the 9/11 attacks. But Graham said the indirect connection to the respected former Saudi ambassador was one of the most stunning parts of the investigation and worthy of pursuing further.

Bandar was the Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, during the Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

He later served as secretary general of Saudi Arabias National Security Council and head of Saudi Arabias General Intelligence Presidency, the equivalent of the CIA, until last year. The 28 pages were the only part of the initial congressional investigation into the September 11 attacks.

Actually numbering 29 pages, they detail a web of Saudi nationals living in the United States who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers. The George W. Bush administration deemed their publication a threat to national security and kept them confidential. But, after continuous pressure, the Obama administration agreed to make the pages public last month.

The FBI investigated the phone numbers indirectly linked to Bandar in 2002. A CIA-FBI investigation concluded in 2005 that there was no evidence that either the Saudi government or a member of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the September 11 attacks or had foreknowledge of terrorist operations in the kingdom or elsewhere.

However, the 9/11 Commission report and the joint agency memo only offer blanket absolution of official Saudi involvement and do not reference the questions detailed in the 28 pages surrounding the phone numbers that indirectly seem to link Bandar to al Qaeda.

The 28 pages also raise questions about another possible link between Bandar and the attacks: the princes relationship with a Saudi national named Osama Bassnan, who was living in the United States on 9/11 and was investigated to determine if he helped two of the 9/11 hijackers. The declassified pages reveal previously undisclosed amounts of money that Bandar and his wife sent to the mans family.

Bassnan, a former employee of the Saudi governments Educational Mission in Washington, according to a 9/11 Commission document, lived across the street from two of the 9/11 hijackers in San Diego: Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar. Both of them were on the plane that crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

While the clues found in Zubaydahs notebook seemingly never led to concrete evidence linking the Saudi prince to al-Qaeda, Bandars name was mentioned again in 2014 when Zacarias Moussaoui, thought to be the 20th hijacker, claimed that Bandar was in an al Qaeda donor database.

Graham, the former senator that pushed to have the 28 pages declassified, thinks theres enough to justify a closer look. Graham now wants the FBI and CIA documents pertaining to the questions raised in the 28 pages to be released as well.
New Delhi: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday charged Congress party of "adopting double standards and shedding crocodile tears" on Andhra Pradesh special status' issue and sought to know why the UPA government "delay the process till 2014" after it promised to create the separate state 10 years back.

"Congress party and its leaders were now raising a hue and cry inside and outside Parliament for the sake of publicity on the issue. Why the UPA government failed to grant special category status to successor state of Andhra Pradesh when it bifurcated the united state by incorporating the same in AP Reorganisation Bill?" he asked.

Naidu said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should give a "straight answer" on this before raising questions on BJP.

Singh had yesterday asked the Rajya Sabha to fulfill the commitments made by him in this regard over two years back as the House took up a private member bill on the issue.

Naidu claimed that Congress party had promised to create a separate state way back in 2004 and sought to know "why did the UPA government delay the process until 2014".

He also alleged that Congress party was solely responsible for the death of over 1,000 youth who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana, the state which was carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

"Just before the 2014 elections, the UPA government hastily brought the AP Reorganisation Bill and rendered gross injustice to people of Andhra Pradesh. Why did Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi not raise the issue of granting special status to AP in Parliament at that time?

"What is the rationale behind bringing a bill while in opposition, but not doing the so when in power? Congress must give straight answers...The accused have no moral right to point a finger at others. It will be good if they remember this," he said.

Naidu also asked Congress to remember the statement of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily, who he claimed, had opposed giving tax exemptions and special concessions to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Parliament by stating that there would be flight of capital and industries from the neighbouring states.

"It is time for the Congress to stop adopting double standards...Shedding crocodile tears...And speaking with a forked tongue. It should answer as to what it did when in power on the issues being raised now," he said.

Naidu said the NDA government has fulfilled most of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act and Finance Minister is attending to rest and already stated that a solution would be be soon found to the satisfaction of everybody.

On Polavaram project too, he said the Congress party had promised to promulgate an ordinance, but failed to implement the assurance when in power.
AUBURN -- Six-and-a-half miles off the paved highway, down a gravel road -- past the homesteads of some of Nemaha Countys earliest founders -- sits St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church or The Old Stone Church, as most people call it.

Founded seven months before Nebraskas statehood, the church celebrates its 150th anniversary Sunday. The Rev. Megan Morrow, assistant to the bishop of the Nebraska Synod ELCA, will officiate the 10:30 a.m. service.

Seated in the pews will be Marvin Caspers, publicity chairman and St. John member for all of his 84 years. He was baptized, confirmed in 1945, and married Blanche in 1958 -- all in St. John. Their two children also were baptized and confirmed here. Son Mark is a fourth-generation member.

Caspers great grandfather was one of 13 German immigrants who founded the Lutheran church back in 1866.

Caspers loves the little church.

He handled publicity for the churchs 100th, 125th and now 150th celebrations, but makes no commitment for the 175th.

It's here, where the only sounds to be heard are the songs of cicadas and birds flying overhead, Caspers invites a visitor to tug on the fat thick rope that rings the churchs 1,521-pound bell in the steeple 83 feet overhead.

Kids get a kick out of it, he said.

More than a half century ago, funders relished their chance to pull the bell, those who hadnt contributed were asked to pay $1 for the opportunity.

They figured it was pay now or pay later, Caspers quipped.

Time and technology have taken a toll on St. John -- not on the buildings -- but on the congregation. The number of small family farms around Auburn, Benton Township, Johnson and Brownville is shrinking. The town of Sebing, which once served as the churchs postal address is long gone.

Nationwide, church membership is in decline, according to both the Pew Research Center and Barna Group, which track religious trends and issues. Both cite a continuing trend of more people identifying as religiously unaffiliated or "post Christian."

Hit hardest are small rural churches, the research finds. Many have closed. Others, like St. John, slowly slide toward that pivotal point: Do we have enough members to continue? Can we afford to keep the church running?

Questions that early settlers probably never pondered.

Church, back then, was essential. It was community.

In the 1800s, this corner of Nemaha County once held five Lutheran churches.

St. John was the first and served as a mother church to 10 other area churches.

Within 35 years of its opening, the Stone Church could no longer hold all of its congregation. And in 1903, a new wooden church, with seating for 300, was erected just steps away.

Today, official membership stands at about 90 people -- but on any given Sunday only 30 to 35 people come to worship, Marvin Caspers said. Thats about half of the number from 1991 when St. John celebrated its 125th anniversary.

The minister, the Rev. William Shaner, travels from Lincoln to officiate services at St. John and St. Matthews in Johnson.

There is no full-time pastor and no need for a parsonage, which was demolished years ago.

Caspers fears St. John Evangelical Lutherans days as an active congregation may be numbered.

But its historical significance demands preservation, which is why Caspers spearheaded the creation of the Stone Church Preservation Foundation in 2009.

In 1978, the Stone Church was placed on the National Historic Register.

In the nomination letter, Nebraska architectural historian Daniel Kidd wrote:

The St. Johns Lutheran Church Complex is significant to Nemaha County and southeastern Nebraska as being an unusual assemblage of three buildings and a cemetery associated with a religious congregation -- unusual in the compactness of the arrangement and in its concordant setting in the midst of a farming area still worked by descendants of those families who settled the land and founded the church.

Historical significance is augmented by the setting, for the complex has strong associations with the tide of German immigrants that composed 33 percent of Nebraskas settlers; and the development of the complex reflects the comfortable security that Germans in Nebraska quickly attained. As a complex the buildings also reflect changing trends in Midwestern and American architecture.

In spring 1856, 13 German immigrants left Illinois and headed west in search of good timberland and farmland.

Historical accounts tell of the group setting up camp just 4 miles south of present-day Auburn. In the morning, they discovered their oxen had wandered off.

In search for the wayward creatures, the pioneers discovered a section of good timberland along the shores of Muddy Creek in southeast Nebraska Territory," a Lincoln newspaper wrote in 1991. It was here they would settle.

Less than a year after their arrival, the young wife of a settler named Thomas Caspers died. She was the first to be buried in what later became the church cemetery.

In 1866, the settlers formally established St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church. Services were held in private homes.

That fall, Thomas Caspers deeded 10 acres of his land to the church for a sum of $23.40. Two acres were set aside for the cemetery.

To build the church, members each gave a note pledging $50, at 10 percent until paid off -- as they did not have the money to contribute.

Fellow immigrant and church member Christian Schwan designed the new church, using limestone brought in by wagon.

Schwan declared he would build a church that would last a century.

People began referring to St. John as the Stone Church -- a moniker that has held for 150 years.

The rectangular structure has two outcroppings, a vestibule at the front, and, in the back, about the size of a small shed, was the pastors apartment. (A parsonage would not be built for another nine years.)

The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 16, 1867. Just over one year later, on Sept. 27, 1868, the church was dedicated. It is said R.W. Furnas, who would become Nebraskas third governor five years later, attended the event.

The following article about St. John parishioners was published in Furnas newspaper, The Nebraska Advertiser, in 1874:

This class of citizens (the Germans) have, by industry, economy and intelligent farming, acquired for themselves a degree of prosperity and independence unequaled, perhaps by any other class of our people," it said. "They have good farms, good houses, plenty of stock, good schools, church buildings and everything that should mark a progressive, intelligent and thrifty people.

That same year, a bell tower capped by a steeple was added to the Stone Church. The story of the bell is among the congregations favorite. It is said the Rev. Leonard Feistner was obsessed with a desire for a bell.

A native of Prussia, Feistner asked former German ruler Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia for help believing surely the Kaiser would have compassion for a fellow countryman and donate a cannon for the cause. After all, the Kaiser was well known for his generous impulses, and was sure to be in good spirits since completing a successful war against the French, according to a 1991 column in the Omaha World-Herald.

To the surprise of the congregation, the Kaiser not only granted the wish, but sent two pieces of French artillery captured in the Battle of Sedan. The artillery was shipped to a West Troy (New York) foundry where it was molded into a bell.

The 1,521-pound bell, minus the clapper and fixtures, was shipped to the church via barge and wagon. According to Marvin Caspers, it was believed to be the largest bell in Nebraska at that time.

More than 1,000 people attended the ringing ceremony in November 1874.

A new organ and school house came in 1896 -- the school being an abandoned Methodist church which was moved to the site.

When the school burned down in 1902, it was not replaced with a new school but a new church, as the Old Stone Church was no longer large enough to hold the growing congregation.

In 1903, the new wooden church was built in the very spot that once housed the original school.

The Stone Church became the new schoolhouse.

Little has changed in the interior of St. John Church since its opening in 1903. The life-sized statue of Jesus sits in a small elaborate shrine. The pulpit and marble baptismal font are original, as are the three identical tiered brass chandeliers with glass prism fringe. Once illuminated by gas, the chandeliers are now electric -- the brass piping remaining intact.

When the church was founded, worship services were conducted in German.

But in the early 1930s, with World War II on the horizon and American sentiment toward Germany souring, church members asked minister Robert Kunzendorf to offer services in English.

The reverend vehemently objected. Debate was so heated that Kunzendorf left the church and St. John was without a minister -- and regular worship services -- for nearly one year.

When the Rev. Gustav Wiencke Sr. arrived in 1933, he agreed to hold services in English and German on alternating Sundays. Later, German services were limited to the fifth Sunday of the month, and after a time German was spoken only at Good Friday services, Marvin Caspers recalled.

When Rev. Wiencke retired in 1949, that was the end of the German services, Caspers said.

Since then, the church has undergone two renovations. In 1949, three rows of pews were replaced with just two, thus ending the long time separation of genders.

In 1951, the Stone Church was transformed into a fellowship hall, complete with a kitchen, Sunday school and restrooms. Later, air conditioning was installed in the stone structure. The wooden church remains without air conditioning.

It was during preparations for the churchs centennial in 1966, that members discovered an old weather vane of a swan in the church attic. At the celebration, the weather vane was placed atop the Stone Church in honor of its architect Christian Schwan.

Sundays sesquicentennial will be void of many state dignitaries -- much to Marvin Caspers dismay.

But 420 past and present parishioners -- some from as far away as Texas and California -- have made the journey to worship at and celebrate the Old Stone Church.

As for the 175th anniversary -- Caspers will be there, if only in spirit.

He and Blanche will be buried in the St. John cemetery -- forever part of the Old Stone Churchs history.
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said militant group NDFB(S) had direct involvement in yesterday's attack in Kokrajhar district that claimed 14 lives.

"Direct involvement of NDFB(S) in the Kokrajhar violence has been found following unearthing of vital information," an official release quoting Sonowal said.

Sonowal, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the police have got some vital information and contact numbers from the mobile phone of a terrorist who was gunned down by the police during the attack at Balajan Tiniali market.

The slain militant was identified as Anjoy Islary alias Monjoy and he was the self-styled commanding officer of the NDFB(S), senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The insurgent was identified from his photo in police records and DNA tests would be conducted to establish his identity beyond doubt, he added.

"Ours is a zero tolerance approach towards terrorism. We are fully committed towards protecting the life and property of the people of the state and we consider it as our first and foremost duty," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

In view of the Kokrajhar incident and the upcoming Independence Day, Sonowal asked the civil and police administration to be on high alert and to beef up security to thwart designs of anti-national forces.

He directed the DCs and SPs to review the law and order situation on a regular basis and to take measures to prevent any untoward incident, the statement said.

Sonowal also visited Gauhati Medical College Hospital to inquire about the health of the five persons, including a 6-year-old boy, seriously injured in the attack.

He directed the doctors to provide advance healthcare to the victims.

The Chief Minister told reporters that doctors had informed him that all the injured were out of danger.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said 14 of the injured were rushed to the nearby Barpeta Medical College Hospital and five of them had been sent to the GMCH.

Seven others who are in Kokrajhar Civil Hospital and those in Barpeta hospital were out of danger, he said.

An official release said Sonowal will visit Kokrajhar tomorrow and hold a high-level meeting with top police, army and paramilitary officials.

The CM will evaluate the stepped-up security vigil to nab the culprits, the release said.

Meanwhile, four additional companies of paramilitary forces were today rushed to Kokrajhar, the release said.
Kokrajhar (Assam): A day after 14 people were killed in a militant attack at a market in Assam's Kokrajhar, a four-member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the attack site to take stock of the situation.

ANI news agency reported that the NIA team arrived in Kokrajhar to carry out an investigation into the attack that has been blamed on Bodo militants.

In the daring attack, a group of heavily armed militants dressed in army fatigues on Friday opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades at a crowded weekly market killing 14 people.

One of the attackers, who were believed to be about five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces.

According to CNN-News18, the slain militant has been identified as Monjoy Islari.

According to the police, the heavily-armed militants came to the crowded weekly Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 kilometres from here, in a van at around noon and fired indiscriminately killing 12 persons on the spot and injuring more than 20 others.

Two other persons succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital, it added.

Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay said the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S).

AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

Manik Debnath, a 30-year-old shop-keeper who was a witness to the mayhem, said that about five militants, wearing army uniforms and covering their faces, arrived in a van and fired continuously, which continued for 15 to 20 minutes.

"A grenade was also lobbed by the militants which set on fire eight shops and screaming people began to run helter-skelter in a bid to escape," he said.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today visited Kokrajhar and met the injured admitted to a local hospital.

Sonowal, who was in Delhi yesterday at the time of the attack, said the militants would be dealt with "very sternly".

"We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups," he said, adding all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police across the state have been directed to be on high alert following the attack and in view of the Independence Day.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani was recently spotted at a Starbucks outlet in the national capital like an ordinary customer buying her drink.

Apparently, her visit to Starbucks without any security has made her an internet hit.

According to a report, Smriti Irani has equal number of fans and trolls online but on Friday, her fans found more reasons to praise her, when a Facebook post showed her at the cafe.

Smriti has been a regular at the Starbucks in N-Block, Connaught Place, in central Delhi, scoopwhoop.com quoted Nimish Dubey, who shared the post, as saying.

She always stands in the queue, places and collects her order on her own, and leaves without the fuss of an entourage or security, the report said.
Brussels: A machete-wielding man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest) wounded two policewomen in southern Belgium on Saturday before being shot dead by police, with Europe on edge after a wave of jihadist attacks.

The attack outside the main police station in the city of Charleroi police said the attacker was shot and killed, while the two victims were out of danger.

Belgium has been on high-security alert for months since suicide bombers struck Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union`s institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which controls large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria and has claimed numerous terror attacks in Europe in the last year.

Belgian Interior Minister Jean Jambon condemned a "disgusting act in Charleroi" on his Twitter account and said the country`s terror threat level -- currently at level three on a scale of four -- would be examined.

Belgian police have carried out dozens of anti-terror raids since the November 2015 attacks in Paris, planned in Belgium and involving Belgian extremists, which left 130 people dead.

Last month, they arrested and charged a 33-year-old man, identified as

Prosecutors said there was for now no link to the Brussels suicide bombings.

Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadist recruits going from European Union countries to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more

The Interior Ministry said 457 Belgian men and women had gone or tried to join

Belgium launched its first attacks against IS in Iraq in late 2014 as part of a US-led coalition. It joined a similar anti-IS operation in Syria this year.

Several of those involved in the Brussels bloodshed in March were directly linked to the November 13 bomb and gun attacks in Paris.

In June, Belgian authorities charged two men with terrorist fan zone in central Brussels.

Belgium then beefed up security for its July 21 national day celebrations after a truck attack that killed 85 people in the French city of Nice on Bastille Day, July 14.
Ahmedabad: Vijay Rupani, who was on Friday nominated as the next chief minister of Gujarat by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Saturday met Governor OP Kohli to stake claim to form the government.

Vijay Rupani along with Nitin Patel - who will be the deputy CM - called on the Governor at the Raj Bhavan to discuss government formation.

The decision to appoint Rupani as CM came as a major twist as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after the former had bowed out from the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

Yesterday, in a crucial meeting attended by BJP president Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

BJP`s Central Observer Nitin Gadkari said after the meeting that the decision was taken by the party MLAs unanimously and through a democratic process.

The BJP central leadership had already made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.

Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Governor OP Kohli had asked her to continue as the care taker chief minster till an alternate arrangement was made.

Patel, who took charge as Gujarat`s first woman chief minister after Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister, citing age issues had in her Facebook post earlier urged the BJP to relieve her from the coveted post.

Patel said that she had two months earlier sought to resign from the party to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming `Vibrant Gujarat Summit`.

Her government was criticised for its handling of the outrage created by the public flogging of four Dalit men by self-styled cow protection groups.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: Following the appointment of state unit chief Vijay Rupani as the next Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted that the newly formed cabinet will continue the developmental work in the state and ensure that Guajarat remains one of the high-progressive states in the country.

Speaking to ANI here, BJP leader Nalin Kohli said the new Gujarat cabinet`s strategy will be nothing but to continue the already good work in the state by the previous government.

"This is a decision of the legislative party. The Central party had already authorised our senior leaders and they were there also as observers. Now the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Cabinet that will be formed, they will start working towards Gujarat and continue the work happening there and ensure that Gujarat remain one of the high progressed state in the country," he said.

Meanwhile, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for reposing faith in him, Rupani asserted that his team is fully committed to harnessing aspirations of the poor, marginalised, farmers and youngsters.

"Humbled and honoured at the opportunity to serve the state of Gujarat and work for the welfare & all round development of the state. I thank PM Narendra Modi & BJP president Amit Shah for reposing faith in a humble karyakarta like me & giving me this opportunity," Rupani said in a series of tweets.

He also thanked the leadership of his predecessor Anandiben Patel saying that she had led Gujarat and enriched the development journey of the state.

"Team Gujarat is fully committed to harnessing aspirations of the poor, marginalised, farmers & youngsters in the efforts for #TransformingIndia," he added.

Yesterday, in a crucial meeting attended by Amit Shah and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari at the party headquarters in the state, the decision to make Rupani as the next Chief Minister was announced.

Gujarat's health minister Nitin Patel was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister.The decision comes as a major twist as Patel was the frontrunner for the post after Rupani had bowed out from the race, saying he would like to work for the party.

The BJP central leadership had already made it clear that a state MLA would be assigned the job.Anandiben Patel had tendered her resignation to the Governor on Wednesday.

Governor O.P. Kohli has asked her to continue as the care taker chief minster till the alternate arrangement.Patel, who took charge as Gujarat's first woman chief minister after Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister, citing age issues had in her Facebook post earlier urged the BJP to relieve her from the coveted post.

Patel said that she had two months earlier sought to resign from the party to give "enough time to the new incumbent to prepare for important events like the upcoming `Vibrant Gujarat Summit`.

Her government was criticised for its handling of the outrage created by the public flogging of four Dalit men by self-styled cow protection groups.
Vadodara: Sardar Sarovar Dam across Narmada river has started overflowing at Kevadia in Gujarat's Narmada district, following the release of water from Omkareshwar dam in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

"Water level at Sardar Sarovar dam has reached 122.40 metres and is likely to increase up to 125.20 metres by tomorrow night," Superintending engineer of Sardar Sarovar Nrmada Nigam Ltd (SSNL), Rajendra G Kanungo, told PTI.

This follows the release of 1.75 lakh cusecs of water from Omkareshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh today, while more 3.85 lakhs cusecs is expected to be released from there (Omkareshwar dam), he said.

Currently, six main power-generating turbines of the Sardar Sarovar dam have become operational and are producing electricity at its full capacity.

"All the six units of river bed power house of 200 MW each have been generating power at its installed capacity because of the high flow of water in the river. The totalled installed capacity of the riverbed power house is 1200 MW," Kanungo said.

The total installed capacity of this hydropower station is 1450 MW (which includes five canal based power house at Sardar Sarovar dam), the official said, adding the level of water in the dam has been improving and has risen to 122.40 meters and the dam started over flowing after reaching to 121.92 meter.

All the six turbines of the river bed and four of the five canal-based power house come into operation due to early arrival of monsoon in the catchment areas in Madhya Pradesh, the official said.

The decision to operate all these turbines was taken after consultation with the Narmada Control Authority (NCA), he added.
Beijing: It was not long ago that China came in the way of India securing membership of the elite nuclear club, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

But now, after blocking India's international ambitions, China is seeking New Delhi's help on the South China Sea issue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be arriving in India on August 12 on a three-day visit during which he is expected to lobby the Indian leadership for support on the controversial issue.

As per reports, Wang is expected to make efforts to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrains from raising the SCS issue during the upcoming G20 meeting next month.

Other world leaders are likely to discuss the issue when they meet in the Chinese city of Hangzhou beginning September 3.

An international tribunal had recently rejected China's claims on much of the South China Sea.

While China is concerned about the issue being raised at the G20, it is also unhappy about the fact that India gave a guarded response to the verdict by saying the UN convention should be effectively implemented, The Times of India reported.

Wang's specific mission objective is to persuade the Indian leadership on refraining from becoming a part of any possible discussion on the issue at the meet.

PM Modi is likely to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama during the G20 meeting.
Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday accused the Congress of trying to suppress Babasaheb Ambedkar due to fear of being overshadowed by a Dalit leader.

Addressing a meeting of BJP SC/ST wing in Goa on Saturday, Parrikar said the Congress feared that the Dalit leader would overshadow everyone in the party.

"They were afraid that his intelligence, if it came to the fore, then he would have swallowed all Congress leaders. Therefore the Congress always tried to banish him in the background," he said.

He further urged that everyone should follow Ambedkar and added that there are many people in the country who have mastered the art of twisting things.

"Everyone should emulate Babasaheb Ambedkar because currently in our country there are many people who are experts at twisting things," he said.
Private school students came a step closer Friday to being able to borrow digital textbooks from public schools.

The Nebraska Board of Education unanimously approved a rule change that expands the definition of textbook to include a variety of digital instructional materials, the latest step in discussions that have been going on for months.

In March, the Nebraska Catholic Conference petitioned for a rule change -- a highly unusual move that forced the board to decide whether to move forward with language proposed by the Catholic conference.

State Department of Education officials had acknowledged a need to update the language in the rule, which is based on a state law passed in the 1980s that allows public schools to buy textbooks for private-school students up to an amount set by the Legislature. This year it was $465,500. The materials are returned to the public schools at the end the year.

State officials thought it might require a law change.

After the board voted in March to approve the rule change petition, both state education and Catholic conference officials agreed the language was too broad, said Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt.

The revisions approved Friday include specific definitions of materials that could be borrowed by private school students. It includes digital subscriptions and related online material, as well as hard copy "write-in" textbooks if they are part of a digital subscription.

Lincoln Public Schools officials objected to the revisions, wanting instead to delay changes until there were more answers about how the process would work given the wide variety of ways online materials are handled.

It would be better to create a new mechanism for sharing digital material rather than trying to "fit a round peg in a square hole," Jane Stavem, LPS associate superintendent of instruction, wrote in a letter to state officials.

Jim Cunningham, interim executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said during a hearing that he preferred not to delay changes further, though he understood concerns from LPS and others. Such issues that arise can be worked out with guidance by the education department, he said.

Cunningham said 60,000 to 70,000 textbooks are loaned to Catholic students each year through the program.

The rule change must be approved by the state attorney general and governor. Cunningham said he hopes that happens in time for students to access the material for the 2017-18 school year.

The state education board also approved plans detailing how the department will help three low-performing schools deemed "priority schools" as part of the state's new accountability system.
Kanpur: Amid the raging debate over so-called cow vigilantism, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on BJP and RSS saying if they love "the gai (cow) and the nilgai so much they should keep them at their shakhas".

Kumar, who was at Ghatampur village here to attend a JD(U) 'karyakarta sammelan', said RSS talks of protecting cow, and nilgai, which destroys farmers' crops.

"If the cow protectors have so much of sympathy towards 'gai and nilgai' then they should keep them at their shakhas. Don't let them roam in fields and trouble farmers," he advised.

"JD(U) workers should click pictures of the shoes of BJP workers and leaders and ask them 'ye kis chamde ka bana hai' (which leather is this made of). BJP and RSS are trying to vitiate the country's atmosphere. And that is why we want sangh-mukt country," he said.

Kumar said his party would fight the Uttar Pradesh polls on the plank of prohibition and asked the Akhilesh Yadav government to ban liquor.

He said the Uttar Pradesh elections are "rehearsals" for his party and it wants to strengthen its base here.

"Our fight in UP is not with SP and BSP but with BJP. Our main target is 2019 Lok Sabha elections wherein we will fight with strength and face BJP," he said.

Kumar also said social media is being misused these days to spread communal tension and there is a need to prevent such attempts.
Chandigarh: The 'lost' Saraswati river was brought back to life on Friday when the Haryana government pumped water into its deemed route.

As per reports, 100 cusecs of water was pumped into a dug-up channel from tubewells at Uncha Chandna village in Yamunanagar.

Officials are expecting the water to fill the channel uptil Kurukshetra, some 40 kilometres away.

The pumping of water into the dug-up channel was part of the Haryana government's plans to revive the lost river.

The Saraswati Heritage Development Board (SHDB) had conducted a trial run on July 30.

The Indian Express quoted Anil Kumar Gupta, Engineer-in-Chief, Haryana Irrigation Department, as saying, We have released water into the river at Uncha Chandna on Thursday. Initially, 100 cusecs of water has been released. It is likely to go up to Kurukshetra. It is yet to be seen how much further the water goes. Once we see that there are no obstructions in the flow of water then another 100 cusecs will be released. This could be done in another fortnight.

There are plans to build three dams on the river route to keep it flowing perennially.

The state government claimed to have found the lost river when water was detected during digging of the dry river bed at Yamunanagar.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was quoted as saying recently, We have never claimed that Saraswati is flowing over the ground. Saraswatis undercurrents are present till date. But where are the currents and how deep this cannot be calculated today. As per the revenue records, around 150 km stretch of land is such where Saraswati used to flow.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at cow vigilantes, saying he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements" who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.

Speaking at a Town Hall-style meeting here, Modi said he has asked state governments to prepare a dossier of people who are "running shops" in the name of cow protection and put so-called gau rakshaks on a tight leash.

Amid the continuing outrage over the brutal flogging of four Dalit men by cow brigade members in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said real cow protectors do not terrorise people.

"I feel infuriated at some people who have opened shops in the name of cow protection. I have seen that some people who commit anti-social activities through the night, don the mantle of cow protectors by the day.

"I urge the state governments to prepare a dossier of such self-proclaimed volunteers and big cow protectors. It will be found that 70 to 80 percent are such people who commit such bad deeds which society does not accept. To hide their bad activities, they don the mantle of cow protectors," he said, in his first public snub to the vigilantes perpetrating brutalities in the name of cow protection.

Modi said volunteer groups and organisations are not meant to "terrorise and brutalise people" and should instead inculcate in themselves the feeling of compassion and sacrifice to do social work.

"For doing good work and social service, one does not need the Prime Minister to deliver a speech," he said, asking people to help the poor of their own accord.

Modi denounced the cow vigilantes during his Town Hall-style address to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative.

His comments come at a time when his government and BJP are facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Noting that more cows die from consuming plastic than from slaughter, he said those who want to serve the animal should rather work towards stopping cows from eating plastic as that will be a bigger service.

Recalling his own work in the service of the cow, he said at one health camp organised by him for the animal, at least two buckets full of plastic were removed from the stomach of one of them.

On the foreign policy front, the Prime Minister said "India first" is the central point of his government's diplomatic engagements.

"India first is the central point (of our foreign policy). It is about protecting India's strategic interest, it is to ensure that India marches forward in achieving economic prosperity by leaps and bounds and reaches the position which it is destined to reach," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said time has changed and the world has become interdependent, and no country can afford to live in a particular group.

"The time of grouping has come to an end. Every country is linked to some other country," he said, adding walking together in most cases has become the norm.

Showering praise on the Indian Diaspora, he said they can play an important role in strengthening India's ties with foreign countries and we should utilise their strength.

"The Diaspora community has become very proactive, assertive and they can help in improving ties with many countries. India is making its place (in the world) with new energy and prestige," he said.

Answering a query on India's external engagement, Modi said there was no need to use words like aggressive, progressive and proactive in talking about the country's foreign policy which the questioner had used.

The Prime Minister also took a dig at the opposition for giving him advice day and night and said while he progressed in politics hearing all kinds of criticism, there are many who get fever if criticised as they are not used to it.

"We should all accept criticism and draw lessons from it," he said.

Modi also took on the opinion makers for holding him responsible for everything happening even in a panchayat or the civic body of a state and termed it as "unfortunate".

"It is unfortunate in our country that some opinion makers will question the Prime Minister on anything happening in a panchayat, zila parishad, nagar palika, municipal corporation even in a state, they will demand a reply from the Prime Minister.

"Politically it is OK, it is probably ok for TRP also. If Prime Minister is made to suffer, it is a good thing as it should happen in a democracy. But its ill-effect is that people do not realise their responsibilities and due to it governance suffers badly. There should be accountability in governance," he said.

Modi said governments often think only about winning the next election and then their policies are also shaped accordingly.

He said the spirit of democracy is incomplete if one thinks that the citizen's role ends with voting and stressed upon participative democracy.

On the health front, the Prime Minister talked of laying emphasis on preventive health care and said his government will soon come out with a health insurance scheme which was talked about in the budget.

"We are moving forward towards introducing an insurance scheme. We talked about it in the budget. We are bringing it in the next few days. We will bring in the next few days not just health assurance, but also health insurance that will benefit people," he said.

The Prime Minister later took to Twitter to term his experience of the Town Hall Programme as enjoyable.

Attacking the cow vigilante groups, he tweeted:

The sacred practice of cow worship & the compassion of Gau Seva cant be misused by some miscreants posing as Gau Rakshaks.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2016

Misdeeds of some, posing as Gau Rakshaks are doing a great disservice to the noble deed of Gau Seva, as practiced by Bapu & Vinoba Bhave.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2016

There is absolutely no need for anyone to take the law in his or her hands & disturb the spirit of harmony & togetherness.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2016

He said the questions were diverse and touched areas like the economy, governance issues, healthcare, tourism, agriculture and farmer welfare.

(With Agency inputs)
Mumbai: Unable to holdback her tears ever since knowing that her son Hamid Ansari, who is in a Pakistani Jail, was attacked, his mother Fauzia Ansari has been pleading to the government to do everything in its power to bring her son back.

Hamid's parents told ANI that they came to know about the incident through Pakistani newspaper - Dawn and they know only what is published or what their lawyer tells them, as they have no direct contact with their son.

"There was a hearing at Pakistan Peshawar High Court on 2nd August and on 3rd August we came to know through Dawn Newspaper. Later our advocate also informed us that such an incident has happened with Hamid," said Fauzia.

"But our advocate who is also a social worker immediately reached there and talked to the authorities about Hamid's security. He is doing his best he could to ensure Hamid's securi ty," she added.

Expressing her inability to help her son Fauzia said, "We are so shattered, we don't know what do. We can only request the Indian government again and again that we are Indian citizens, Hamid is an India citizen and he has not committed any heinous crime. His mistake was to go there with fake documents and he has already suffered a lot for this.

"She added that it has already been four years that Hamid is in a Pakistani jail, even though he was only sentenced to three years imprisonment.

"The time of three years is over and it has been four years now, so the Indian government without any further delay should bring its Indian citizen back," said Fauzia.

"We don't exactly know what happened there as we have not even talked to Hamid since four years. At least if we are able to talk to him we can know the actual situation and help him in the right way. But the best would be as according to the law his punishment is complete, so now there should be no hurdles in bringing him back. Instead of planning for his security we should now be able to bring him back as his sentence is complete," she said.

She also requested the Pakistan Government to show mercy on him and send him back to his home.

"We are requesting again and again to our Foreign Ministry and our Prime Minister since four years and it is high time now. We are requesting them again to bring him back to India from Pakistan as soon as possible," said Fauzia.

She said that they have been meeting and requesting the authorities again and again and she is receiving only assurances.

"We have tried our best from our side as far as possible, I met the Chief Minister on August 1 before than we met him on June 15 and he had assured us.

Then in the last week of June when we read about Judith who was from Kolkata and was stuck in Kabul and when CM Mamta Banerjee requested PM Narendra Modi, he intervened immediately and Judith came back to her country very soon," she said.

Fauzia cited other such examples when Indian nationals stranded abroad were rescued and said a Kerela Priest was immediately released when the case went to the Foreign Ministry by the CM and the Prime Minister intervened.

"We continuously visit the ministries and they assure us and they are working towards it but we are still waiting for the final results," said Hamid`s father Nihal.

"The CM assured us on August 1 to personally take interest in the issue. Sushma Swaraj also assured us that the government is working on the matter. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad also says that they are working on it but everyone knows what the result has been so far," he said.

On reports of attack on Hamid, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a news conference, "There is a petition in the Peshawar High Court requesting the court to summon the superintendent of the jail where Hamid Ansari is currently lodged. The petition was filed after earlier reports of him being attacked in prison through our High Commission in Islamabad.

"He said that the Indian government has also reiterated its earlier stand and request for consular access and asked the Government of Pakistan to allow Hamid to speak to his family.

Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari had entered Pakistan with a fake identity card sent in by Facebook friends, who left him in a Kohat hotel on November 14, 2012, before he was arrested.

He was sentenced to three years imprisonment for espionage.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the nation on Saturday at an indoor stadium here, in a first-ever Town Hall by an Indian prime minister.

The event marks two years of MyGov, the government`s citizen engagement platform.

A new app will be launched to allow mobile users to connect with website of the Prime Minister`s Office.

The event will see participation from various stakeholders including Cabinet ministers, senior officers from Ministries and Departments, government organisations, representatives from media, IT and social media industry and citizens who have participated in the MyGov initiatives.

MyGov, the Government of Indias citizen engagement platform, launched on 26th July 2014 by the Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, celebrates the spirit of volunteerism and participative governance. True to the vision of the Prime Minister, MyGov has taken the idea of technology-assisted Jan Bhagidari in all spheres of governance to new heights.

MyGov is organizing a Town Hall on Saturday, 6th August, 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, New Delhi from 09:30 am onwards.

The event will feature multiple panel discussions and the first-ever Town Hall to be addressed by PM Modi himself.

In keeping with the 'Do, Discuss, Disseminate' spirit of MyGov, this event will comprise multiple sessions to present and discuss various ideas. The first session  'Do' will cover Design Contests, Innovation Contests, eGreetings Contests, Volunteering, Poll and Survey functionalities of MyGov.

The second session  'Discuss' will see government officials from different departments seated alongside prominent MyGov contributors for an interactive discussion for brainstorming ideas and sharing their experiences.

The third session will invite fresh ideas for improving user-experience, introducing new features, and engaging a larger user-base.

The fourth session will cover the Disseminate theme, and will focus on the #TransformingIndia website (www.transformingindia.mygov.in), eSampark portal and MyGov LIVE Events (Talks) as the primary method of structured government communication with citizens. This session with comprise some prominent media personalities, and senior ministers in the Union Government.

The event will culminate with a Town Hall event with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This is the first of its kind Town Hall being addressed by the Prime Minister, and will include launch of new MyGov initiatives and distribution of prizes to winners of MyGov contests - Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Duties of a Citizen, Governance Quiz and India-Africa Quiz.
Mirpur (PoK): The independent leadership in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit, led by the United Kashmir People`s National Party (UKPNP), have strongly rejected moves by Pakistan to establish military courts in the region in order to further suppress the local population.

In a conference titled "National Action Plan & Freedom of Expression in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan" held recently in Mirpur city of PoK, Kashmiri leaders vehemently rejected the draconian law.

Pakistani security forces have arrested many Kashmiri nationalist leaders under the National Action Plan that was established by Pakistan government in January 2015 to crack down on terrorism.

In a resolution passed unanimously, the participants demounces establishment of military courts and implementation of National Action Plan in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. They said Pakistan has no jurisdiction in these areas.

Asif Shah Kashmiri, President of J K Peoples National Party said, "In Gilgit Baltistan, the Pakistan court have imposed false cases against Baba Jan and his colleagues and announced 20 years of imprisonment. We strictly condemn it".

He said, "We condemn sedition charges leveled against Muhammad Khwaja Rafiq of Kashmir International Friendship Club, Talat Mehmood and other political leaders of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan".

Most speakers criticized Kashmir policy of Pakistan government and human rights violations committed by them in POK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Advocate Nasir Ansari, President of J&K Plebiscite Front (JK Mahaz-e-Rai Shumari) said, "We also want to see a progressive Pakistan. It is making atomic bombs. But, can a human being eat these atom bombs? Pakistan has failed to provide a glass of clean drinking water to its citizens in the past 70 years. Can we do faith on Pakistan that it will make us free?"

The speakers said that the Pak establishment is trying to convey that recent elections in POK were free and fair, but in fact, the elections were rigged, unfair and partial.

Nationalist parties were not allowed to participate in the elections.

Regarding the National Action Plan, the truth is that jihadis and religious fundamentalists are not being acted upon.

However, NAP is being used against political activists in POK and GB, which is not part of Pakistan and Pak laws do not apply in these areas.

Shafique Kayani, Secretary General of the J K Freedom Movement said. "Why you required a National Action Plan. It was because to arrest those Kashmiris who are demanding freedom. Why you are not arresting those terrorists in Karachi who are involved in kidnappings and killings. They are carrying out terrorist attacks and killings children in schools".

There are many political and human rights activists in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan who are facing trial and are in prison.

People are not free to express their views and if they do, they face the consequences of Anti-Terrorism Law.
New Delhi: With Rahul Gandhi being summoned by an Assam Court in a defamation case, Congress on Saturday attacked the RSS alleging that it has a "Ph.D" in filing cases against people and its actions are a "classical fascism at work".

"This is classical fascism at work. The RSS has a Ph.D in filing cases against people all across the country as an act of harassment and intimidation."

"But be that as it may, let it be very clear that the Congress is not going to be intimidated by all these extremely fascist tactics and whatever may be their game plan, it will be replied to, both politically and legally," party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.

He was asked to comment on the Congress vice president being summoned by Kamrup Metropolitan Court in Assam in connection with a defamation case for his remark against RSS. Gandhi has been asked to appear before the Court on September 29.

A criminal defamation case was slapped on Gandhi for allegedly accusing the RSS, during a speech two years ago, of killing Mahatma Gandhi.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek consular access to an Indian prisoner who was attacked at least thrice by inmates in a Peshawar jail.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online, suffered injuries after he was attacked by inmates in the Peshawar Central Prison.

"I am very much disturbed to read about repeated attacks on Hamid Ansari who is detained in Peshawar jail since 2012. It is inhuman.

"I have asked our High Commissioner in Pakistan to seek Consular access to Hamid Ansari in hospital/Jail and report," Swaraj tweeted.

31-year-old Ansari was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a military court for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

Ansari's lawyer lawyer Qazi Mohammad Anwar told Peshawar High Court bench on Thursday that his client was attacked at least thrice by jail inmates in recent months.

Anwar also told the court that Ansari had been kept in a death cell with a hardened criminal awaiting execution for a murder.

Ansari was attacked and injured three times over the last couple of months and shifted to the hospital for treatment, the counsel said. He said even the head warden would subject him to brutality and slap him on a daily basis without any reason.

Ansari had gone missing after he was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed on January 13 that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.
Srinagar: One guerrilla was killed Saturday as the army foiled an infiltration bid across the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir`s Kupwara district, defence sources said.

"Alert troops of the army challenged intruding terrorists on the LoC in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district. One terrorist was killed in the ensuing operation against the terrorists," said a source, adding that the operation was still on "but the infiltration attempt by the terrorists had been foiled".
Srinagar: Curfew and restrictions continued in Kashmir for the 29th day after fresh clashes erupted in the Valley killing three men, raising the death toll to 53.

Thousands defied curfew imposed to prevent a protest march to Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, which is when the clashes broke out.

Two youth were killed in Budgam District and in Soporr. At least 20 policemen and soldiers were also reported injured.

The government had put restrictions in place in various old Srinagar areas to thwart the Friday protests in the city.

Meanwhile, Separatists extended their strike call till 12 August. Strict curfew and restrictions were placed in Kupwara, Anantnag, Baramulla, Ganderbal and other district of valley where night clashes and protests were reported.
WASHINGTON -- Of all the dangerous things that Donald Trump has said, perhaps the most concerning is his assertion that the election might be rigged. This irresponsible, unsupported suggestion augurs poorly for Trump's behavior in the increasingly likely event of his loss.

"The election is going to be rigged," Trump warned at a rally in Ohio. "I'm telling you, November 8, we'd better be careful, because that election is going to be rigged," he told Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Those comments set the stage for an explosive outcome the likes of which this country has never seen. It is not far-fetched to imagine Trump inciting his partisans against accepting the verdict of voters, further inflaming an already toxic political climate in Washington.

As much as Republicans sought to ensure President Obama's failure from the moment of his election, their animus toward a President Hillary Clinton would be that much greater -- even without Trump piling on. Clinton would enter office as a more divisive figure; after all, the GOP argument that she is disqualified to hold the office, whether by virtue of Benghazi or emails, preceded Trump's "Crooked Hillary" attack.

If Clinton is elected, Republicans will have been shut out of the White House for three elections in a row, for the first time since 1948. And if Democrats retake control of the Senate, Republicans eyeing the 2018 map -- when 25 Democrats (and independents caucusing with Democrats) and only eight Republicans face re-election -- would have every incentive to impede Clinton's initiatives. They would try to make her not just a one-term president but a two-year one.

Add to this predictable ugliness a losing nominee who rouses supporters with assertions that the election was somehow stolen from him and you have a recipe for turmoil of a most un-American variety.

Just how un-American can be judged by looking to Al Gore's gracious concession to George W. Bush. The Democratic nominee had won the popular vote; he had every reason to believe that, but for a botched election and butterfly ballot in Florida, he would have won the Electoral College majority as well.

Nonetheless, Gore, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling, spoke of meeting with Bush "so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just passed." He invoked Sen. Stephen Douglas on being defeated by Abraham Lincoln -- "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism" -- and added, "This is America, and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president."

There is every reason, from his current comments and his past history, to think that Trump would respond in a different, far less elevated manner. Consider Trump 2012, who unleashed a stream of unhinged tweeting about Mitt Romney's loss -- unearthed by my Washington Post colleague Stephen Stromberg.

The president "lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country," Trump proclaimed, although Obama in fact won both the popular vote and the Electoral College. A few minutes later: "The phoney [sic] electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one!" A few minutes later: "We should march on Washington and stop this travesty."

Trump notwithstanding, the election was not "a total sham." The Electoral College, for better or worse, is specified in the Constitution. Calling for revolution? Imagine what Trump might do when the loser is himself.

In his interview with the Post's Philip Rucker, Trump offered an unsettling preview. The United States, Rucker noted, has a tradition in which losers "concede graciously and try to get their supporters on board like Al Gore did in 2000. Would you?"

Trump: "I don't want to jump the gun. I don't want to talk about that. I'm just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if the election ... there's a lot of dirty pool played at the election, meaning the election is rigged."

Trump's evidence, such as it is, of prospective rigging involves the string of recent court rulings invalidating voter ID laws and the phantom menace of voter fraud. "The voter ID situation has turned out to be a very unfair development," Trump claimed to Rucker. "We may have people vote 10 times."

There is no such evidence. The provisions of North Carolina's restrictive voting law, a federal appeals court just ruled, "impose cures for problems that did not exist."

Trump is dangerous, and the threat he poses might not be extinguished by a loss at the polls.
Jammu: Expressing concern over spillover of unrest to certain parts of Jammu region, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said the Union Home ministry will deploy additional forces to contain the situation.

"This is a matter of concern. There is unrest in the Valley for the last four weeks with the last 2-3 days we saw disturbance happening in this part of the state, including Kishtwar, which has remain sensitive all along," Union Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh said.

"We have brought it to the notice of Home Minister and he has assured us that they are looking into it and are sending extra forces," he said.

He said there was a sense of normalcy in the region today and the district administration has geared itself with the support of community leaders who were also coming forward.

"What is important is to realise that I would not subscribe to the view that this is indigenous, maybe there is a foreign mischief happening in the Valley and they are now trying to disturb the atmosphere in the Jammu region as well," Singh said.

He said additional forces will be deployed as per the requirement of the region.

Praising Rajnath on his recent visit to Pakistan, he said,"It was gratifying that once the Home Minister came back and made a statement in the Parliament, it was unanimously welcomed and the entire House across the party lines was in agreement with the manner the Home Minister handled the situation in Islamabad."

"The Home Minister has said in Islamabad precisely what he has been reiterating in New Delhi and this reflects the clarity and consistency on part of the Modi government as far as our approach towards terrorism and handling Pakistan are concerned," he said.

He further said that Pakistan is gradually getting "isolated" and the entire world community is coming to "India's point of view".

Singh said that non state actions, originated from Pakistani soil were their responsibility.

He said that while Pakistan has created a myth of human rights violations in India, the neighbouring country stands exposed of its human rights records in the areas under its control.

"The world today is worried about the human rights violations happening in parts of Indian sub-continent which are legitimately or illegitimately under the control of Pakistan for example -- the Gilgit Baltistan, which is under the control of Pakistan, PoK which is also under its illegal occupation," the minister said.
Srinagar: Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Anantnag and Shopian districts of south Kashmir on Saturday even as curfew continued to be clamped in many parts of the Valley paralysing normal life in the Valley for the 29 consecutive day.

At least 21 persons were injured in violence in Chee in Anantnag when protesters staged a rally, a police official said, adding the security forces used various crowd control measures to disperse the protesters.

Protesters pelted stones at a police post at Herpora in Shopian, however there were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the incident so far, one of the police officials said.

Curbs on movement of people had to be extended today in view of fresh violence in some parts of the Valley on Friday that left three persons dead and injured 150 others, the official said.

"Curfew remains in force in six police station areas of Srinagar  Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj and Batamaloo  as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," he added further.

He said curfew was also in force in four towns of Budgam district  Chadoora, Khansahib, Magam and Budgam , Anantnag town and Khanpora area of Baramulla district.

"Restrictions on assembly of four or more people continue to remain in effect in rest of the Valley," the official said.

54 people have died and more than 6,000 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8.

Normal life remained disrupted due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike.

Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads.

The attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said.

Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred.

Meanwhile, Separatists have extended their strike call in the Valley till 12 August. Strict curfew and restrictions were placed in Kupwara, Anantnag, Baramulla, Ganderbal and other districts where night clashes and protests were reported.
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the situation in the Valley which he termed as heart breaking and worrying.

"Heart breaking & worrying in equal measure. At what point will the Centre (read Hon PM) wake up to the crisis here?" Omar wrote on twitter late last night.

He was reacting to the death of three persons in security forces action after violent protests yesterday.

The opposition National Conference working president had on Friday hit out at the Centre for claiming that the situation in the Valley was improving.

"1 (one) more unfortunate death, countless injuries today & the Centre tells the Hon SC (Supreme Court) that 'things are improving'. Wow!" Omar wrote.

In another tweet, Omar said it was only the ruling coalition partners - PDP and BJP - who agreed with this stand.

"Seriously? By which stretch of imagination? I haven't met anyone in the Valley except the BJP-PDP ostriches who agree!" he said.

The Centre yesterday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the outrebrak of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

It said the violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

With yesterday's three deaths, the toll in the violence in the Valley has now reached 54.
New Delhi: Opposition Congress on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "win the hearts" of the people of Kashmir, where the situation is turning "too dangerous".

"I would request your kind indulgence for taking urgent steps to win the hearts of the people of the state and also ensure that the law and order situation is restored at the earliest," Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in an open letter to the Prime Minister.

Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, regretted that there was no recognition of the Kashmir situation at national level.

Making a pitch for "political process" to find a solution to the problem, he reminded the Prime Minister that even in the face of worst provocations past governments had never abandoned it both on external and internal fronts.

"The initiative taken by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that Kashmir problem can be solved within the ambit of 'insaniyat', Jamhuriyat' and Kashmiriyat" followed by Delhi-Lahore bus service, was appreciated by one and all," Azad said.

Similarly, the UPA government under Manmohan Singh took some bold confidence building measures to win the hearts of the people of the state by starting a bus service between Uri and Muzafarabad, and Poonch and Rawalkote.

"But, unfortunately no such initiative is forthcoming from the present NDA Government under your leadership," he said.

"Neither is the government showing any urgency to deal with the situation nor is it taking other national political parties into confidence as was demanded during the discussion in the Parliament," he said.

Azad termed as "unfortunate" the government having "forgotten or ignored" lessons from 2008 and 2010 agitations when the then governments had appreciated the political nature of the problem and at least initiated a political process by sending an All-Party Parliament delegation.

He said in 2010 an-all party delegation vsited Kashmir and met a cross-section of people. Subsequently, the interlocutors were appointed. They carried out wide ranging discussions as a result of which the anger and resentment subsided.

"Today there seems no such effort on the part of the Central Government. What is New Delhi waiting for? When is Government of India going to wake up? The use of pellet guns is not a solution at all," he said.

Azad said there is a complete breakdown of law and order

and "today even elected representatives are also facing the ire and are not able to connect with the people. They are running away from scene which tells us about the reality on the ground."

He said the "silence" of the Centre has further compounded the problem and asked the government to change its attitude towards Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Prime Minister should open his heart to the people of the state," he said and added that the present "mishandling" of the situation and "wrong policies" of the Centre has disturbed the socio-political and economic scenario of the state.

"The unrest has travelled to places not seen even in worst times," he added.

Azad assured the government that as a responsible opposition, Congress will support any endeavour to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir. "But it is the central and state government which have to reach out to the people and create a sense of security in Kashmir".

"As a responsible member of Parliament from J and K, I feel this as my duty to inform you that the situation in the state is turning too dangerous as a result of which, a large population is feeling insecure", he said.

He reminded the Prime Minister that Kashmir has been locked down for one month now. Curfew is in for the last 29 days and communciation blockade is near complete. "So far more than 55 people have been killed and almost 7,000 civilians and security personnel injured".

Noting that more than 100 civilians have lost their vision as a result of pellet guns, Azad told the Prime Minister that today there is complete breakdown of law and order in the valley.
Mangaluru: The management of St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School at Padu Bandanthila near here on Saturday decided to suspend classes teaching Arabic and Urdu languages following a protest by Sri Rama Sene activists on July 30.

About 50 activists of Sri Rama Sene had barged into the school after locals complained about students being taught Arabic and Urdu "forcibly".

They had questioned the school authorities about "forcibly" teaching these languages to students of sixth and seventh standards between 9.15 am and 10 am every Saturday.

The attack had forced the headmaster to assure them that the classes would be discontinued immediately.

The management held a meeting with the parents and villagers today and decided not to continue the classes, school sources said.

The Sri Rama Sene activists had threatened to hold protests if the school continued the classes.

Sixteen Rama Sene activists have been arrested so far in connection with the "raid" on the charge of trespassing into the St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School.

Yesterday, Sri Rama Sene's Karnataka unit president Mahesh Kumar had alleged that Arabic was forcibly taught in the institution and there was no government order for the same.

He had also claimed that the Sene took action after gathering credible information on the matter and that they strongly condemned "illegal" teaching of a language as it would pave the way for misleading the children.
Osmanabad: A police sub-inspector from Osmanabad has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl at gun point here, police said today.

Prem Sukhdev Bansode (26), presently posted at Vishrambaug police station in Sangli district, was arrested here late last night, Additional SP Deepali Ghadge said.

The victim along with her family was staying on rent at the accused's house here, where the incident took place yesterday.

The girl claimed that the policeman raped her at gun point and threatened her and family from disclosing the crime. They then lodged a complaint at Anandnagar police station here after which the PSI was arrested.

Bansode has been booked under Section 376 of IPC and sections of POCSO Act.
Imphal: A powerful bomb weighing 3.5 kg was recovered here on Saturday morning near the place where an explosion on Friday injured one CRPF trooper and a two-year-old girl.

The bomb, which has since been defused, was found in a plant pot about five metres away from the sentry post of the Press Information Bureau (Defence wing), about 20 metres away from Friday`s blast site.

The site is also very close to the temporary marketplace housing women vendors from Imphal`s iconic Mothers` Market which was destroyed in the January 4 earthquake.

About 2,000 vendors staged a sit-in protest against the security risk posed by such bombs.

The police linked such incidents to the subversive activities that various insurgents groups in Manipur attempt to carry out ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.

The police has been conducting frisking operations at different places in the run-up to August 15.
Bhubaneswar: Students of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on Saturday protested against an alleged molestation attempt of a female student on their campus.

As per Odisha Sun Times, the students blocked the KIIT-Sikharchandi road and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

The victim is a student of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), located inside the KIIT campus near Bhubaneswar.

As per reports, some unidentified youths molested the girl student at around 2 am when she was on the way to the NIFT campus.

Though the girl screamed for help, the security guards deployed near a women's hostel of KIIT did not come to her rescue. The warden of the women's hostel did not help the girl, the agitating students alleged.

The agitating KIIT students have demanded proper scanning of the CCTV footage and action against the miscreants. They have also demanded immediate justice and foolproof security for all students within the campus.

The campus is situated barely 500 metres away from the Infocity Police Station limits in the capital city here.

However, the Commissionerate police denied that such an incident has happened.

"Prima facie we found that no such incident has happened in KIIT campus. We are examining the CCTV footage to ascertain the truth," said Deputy Commissioner of police Satyabrat Bhoi.
Jalandhar: Senior RSS leader Brig (retd) Jagdish Gagneja was on Saturday night shot at by some bike-borne persons at Jyoti Chowk area here, police said.

Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Arpit Shukla said Gagneja, Sah-sarsanghchalak of RSS's Punjab unit, was shot at around 9 PM near Makhdumpura colony here.

He was rushed to a private hospital where his condition is stated to be critical.

Local BJP MLA Manoranjan Kalia said that three bullets hit Gagneja.

Police have started a probe in the matter.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh condemned the attack on the RSS leader.

"Such nefarious designs deserve to be nipped in the bud lest these push Punjab into anarchy," he said in a statement.

People may not agree or approve of RSS ideology, but in a democracy everyone has a right to pursue his political and ideological beliefs, Amarinder said.

"Such intimidation is unacceptable," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condemned the attack on Brig Gagneja and ordered the district authorities to ensure that the culprits are apprehended at the earliest.

He directed authorities in Ludhiana to rush a team of top surgeons to attend to Brig Gagneja, an official statement said here.

He said Punjab is the land of saints and seers and has been a torch-bearer for values of peace and communal harmony.

"Peace and communal harmony in the state is the first and foremost priority for me and my government and no one will be allowed to disturb it. The government will continue to follow a policy of zero-tolerance against any attempt to disturb the hard-earned peace and communal harmony," he said.

Badal appealed people to maintain peace and harmony.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the incident and said strictest and prompt action will be taken against the culprits.
New Delhi: The Congress Party on Saturday took a jibe at Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and said it was not right for him to advise his party workers to stop land grabbing or indulging in other such acts, as he was known for popularising this trend in the party.

"Everyone knows how the Samajwadi Party is performing in Uttar Pradesh. There is an atmosphere of fear in the state. It has been the politics of Samajwadi Party to indulge in land grabbing and other such activities and such an image of the party has been created by Mulayam Singh Yadav," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

"So, I don`t think it is right for him to advise other people," he added.

Addressing party workers at Janeshwar Mishra Park in Lucknow on the 84th birth anniversary of socialist ideologue Janeshwar Mishra in presence of Akhilesh and other senior leaders, the Samajwadi Party supremo asked the party workers to pull up their socks for the 2017 Assembly polls.

He also asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and his son Akhilesh Yadav to depute office-bearers with a 'good image' in party's frontal organisations so that people could call the party an `achhi party`.
The news is filled with controversies and conflicts big and small. The disagreements and divisiveness can be a real downer. So its important to remember  and to celebrate  that theres a lot right with Lincoln and Nebraska.

And one of those things worth celebrating  a vibrant entrepreneurial community  will have a special day later this fall.

AOL co-founder Steve Case will bring his Rise of the Rest bus tour to Lincoln on Oct. 3, kicking off a week celebrating Lincolns startup companies. Case is now chairman of Revolution LLC, a venture capital firm, and he and a panel of all-star judges will award $100,000 to the team that makes the best pitch during the Lincoln stop.

That nice chunk of change is good news for the winner. The exposure is good news for all the projects picked to present during Cases visit. And the decision to bring the tour to Lincoln is good news for  and a vote of confidence in  the vibrant and creative nature of Lincolns startup community.

In an interview with the Journal Star, Case talked about momentum and critical mass. Startups attract investors. Those investors visit, learning about a citys other startups. And those other startups draw new investors from that exposure. In other words, Lincolns successes will beget further successes. Thats good, because Lincoln startups are already succeeding.

But that upward trajectory isnt guaranteed. Growth isnt a given. Entrepreneurship doesnt happen in a vacuum. That message rang out loud and clear during a field hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship that Sen. Deb Fischer brought to  fittingly  Nebraska Innovation Campus earlier this week.

Business today, especially small business, is all about innovation. And Fischers panelists asked the same of their government, suggesting that innovations, particularly some simple ones cutting red tape and simplifying tax codes, could have a big impact on the ability of folks to succeed.

The thread that ties together Cases and Fischers visits is this: Very good things are happening in Lincolns small business community, and even better this can happen. But they wont happen by themselves.

It will take good ideas, hard work, investment capital and a vigilant eye and an attentive ear on the part of our government to the needs of business community that will fuel the job growth and power the economy and the lifestyle that makes Lincoln a great place to live.
Mainpuri: Days after a couple were axed to death for failing to clear a debt of Rs 15, two labourers have been beaten to death allegedly by policemen after they refused to give a bribe of Rs 100 in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district.

The bodies of two labourers were found floating in a pond nearby on Friday.

Following the recovery of the bodies, angry villagers from Ghiror area including families of the deceased, blocked traffic on the main road and also thrashed two cops who had reached the site to control the situation.

Mainpuri superintendent of police (SP) Devranjan Verma admitted that a complaint had been submitted accusing six policemen, including two home guards, of killing two men.

"We are probing and have registered an FIR. Action will be taken against the culprits," SP, Mainpuri Devranjan Verma told media.

According to a complaint launched, four labourers were travelling in a truck loaded with bricks when it was stopped by policemen at a checkpost under Ghiror police station in Mainpuri on early Friday.

The policement allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 100 for letting the truck go but the driver refused to pay the bribe after which an altercation took place between the two sides.

While two among the four men managed to fled the scene, police caught and brutally thrashed another two labourers for denying bribe.

At around 10 am, their bodies were found floating in a pond nearby leading to allegations that they were beaten to death by the policemen and dumped there.

Watch video of angry villagers thrashing cops about labourers' bodies were found yesterday morning:
Kolkata/New Delhi: Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel was tonight released after being detained by Immigration authorities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on his arrival from the US following a lookout notice issued against him by the Kolkata police.

Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Crime) Vishal Garg told PTI, "Samuel was initially detained at the Delhi airport but was later released after being asked a few questions by the Immigration personnel."

A division bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A Banerjee yesterday ordered an interim stay into the Narada sting operation probe launched by the Kolkata Police till the next date of hearing on August 19. The lookout notice had been issued before the HC order.

Affirming they would go by the HC directive, Garg said, "We respect the order of the hon'ble high court and will abide by the same."

Meanwhile high drama marked after the news of the detention spread, as Samuel's counsel Samim Ahhamed shot off a letter to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar which said, "Hon'ble High Court put a stay on parallel investigation initiated by the Kolkata Police. Inspite thereof, as per your instruction, the immigration authority at Delhi has detained my client in violation of high court order..."

In the letter the counsel also alleged the KP has already committed contempt of court and said, "You are requested to take immediate steps to release my client from police custody."

Earlier minutes after Samuel's detention, Kolkata police was asked to approach the immigration authorities in Delhi with relevant documents about the case before he could be handed over to them, official sources said.
New Delhi: Immigration authorities on Saturday detained Narada News CEO Mathew Samuel at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on his arrival from the US following a lookout notice issued against him by the Kolkata police.

Kolkata police have been informed about the detention and asked to approach the immigration authorities with relevant documents about the case before he could be handed over to them, official sources said.

Kolkata Police had registered a case against Samuel on a complaint by city Mayor and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sovan Chattopadhyay`s wife.

Chattopadhyay was purportedly seen accepting money in the sting operation video released by Narada News.

Chattopadhyay`s wife Ratna Chattopadhyay had filed the complaint at the New Market Police Station against Samuel on the basis of which Kolkata Police Detective Department registered the FIR and started a probe into the sting operation,

He was been booked under IPC Sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 171(G) (false statement in connection with an election) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

The controversial Narada sting operation, which surfaced just ahead of the Assembly Elections, purportedly showed several Trinamool Congress leaders and an IPS officer accepting money for consideration.

West Bengal Chief Minister while ordering a probe on June 17 had asserted that her party had not taken "a single penny" from anyone in the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation.
Kolkata: A group of students of Presidency University has gheraoed the varsity's registrar demanding greater transparency in the admission process.

The protests began last night after a meeting with Registrar Debojyoti Konar, with the students demanding that the merit list of candidates for undergraduate and postgraduate courses be made public.

"The joint entrance board will take care of the majority of their demands. We have assured them of looking into their other demands also," Konar told PTI.

Konar said he was constantly talking to the students to convince them.
Kabul: At least 10 civilians were killed in separate bomb explosions in Afghanistan's Paktia province, officials said.

Provincial governor`s spokesman Naqib Ahmad Atal said at least five members of a single family were killed in the first explosion in Samkanai district on Friday, Khaama Press reported on Saturday.

He said the incident took place after a vehicle carrying the civilians struck an improvised explosive device (IED).

Atal added that five more people were killed in a separate explosion targeting a tractor vehicle in the same district.
Beirut: A coalition of Arab and Kurd fighters on Saturday seized the Islamic State group stronghold of Manbij, two months after launching an operation to capture the strategic city in northern Syria, a monitor said.

"The Syrian Democratic Forces took control of Manbij on Saturday and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Ille-et-Vilaine: At least 13 people have died and six been injured in a fire early Saturday at a bar in Rouen, northern France, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

The blaze broke out at around midnight at the basement room of the Cuba Libre bar in the city centre during a birthday celebration.

"A fire broke out in a bar in the city centre of Rouen this evening, according to an initial investigation, 13 are dead and six are injured, and more than 50 firemen attended the scene," Cazeneuve said in a statement.

"An inquiry is underway to establish the cause of the fire," he added.

One source close to the investigation said that candles on a birthday cake may have sparked the blaze.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.
Ankara: Part of an Iranian gas pipeline exploded early on Saturday near the town of Gonaveh in the southern province of Bushehr, a local official told state TV, adding that it was not an act of sabotage.

"There were no fatalities and nearby villages have been evacuated as a safety measure ... part of the gas pipeline ... exploded near Gonaveh ... No dead has been reported," a local official told state TV.

Four workers were injured and were transferred to nearby hospitals, he added.

Another official said a crisis management headquarter had been set up in Gonaveh.

"The pipeline has been disconnected from the system ... the fire will be fully ... under control as soon as the gas inside the pipeline is evacuated," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the official as saying.
Dhaka: Police in the Bangladeshi capital said on Saturday they will assign identity numbers for all Dhaka residents who live in rented houses following the deadly terror attack on a cafe here that killed 22 people.

"Every tenant will have a unique ID number, so police will be able to monitor any shift to other accommodation," said police commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia adding that they were creating a database for tenants, bdnews24.Com reported.

The issue came to the fore after revelations that the cafe killers had been staying in a rented apartment before launching the July 1 attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan area in which 18 foreigners including a 19-year-old Indian girl were killed.

Three weeks after the terror strike, police came under attack while trying to search an apartment in the capital's Kalaynpur area.

A gun battle erupted when nine suspected militants, who had rented the apartment a few days ago, were shot dead.

A North South University teacher has been arrested for not keeping tenant information of an apartment he owned which the Gulshan attackers allegedly used.

Another Dhaka landlord has also been detained for similar charges while the wife of the Kalyanpur building's owner has been also arrested.

That led to landlords in the city refusing accommodation to bachelors, according to media reports.

Mia said police have initiated measures to create a database of all tenants.
Beijing: China Saturday lashed out at the US for describing jail sentences given to four human rights activists as "politically motivated", saying American accusations are groundless and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

"The US accusations are groundless and China urged the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously, and stop making irresponsible remarks on the case," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

She said that China firmly opposes American interference in its internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Hua was commenting on the remarks made by US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner concerning the conviction of four Chinese human rights activists.

Toner had said the charges against the activists were "vague and apparently politically motivated" and urged Chinese officials to release the detainees and remove restrictions on their freedom of movement and professional activities.

"China is a country under the rule of law, and Chinese judicial authorities deal with related cases in accordance with law so that the legitimate rights and interests of defendants could be effectively protected," Hua was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

She claimed that Chinese people widely supported the trial and generally oppose any actions that endanger the national security and undermine the social stability.

A court in Tianjin had convicted them for subverting state power after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, described by the state media as an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of seven and half years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s, Xinhua said.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse, it said.
I came from India to North America many years ago as a graduate student. As expected, I had my share of the cultural shocks at the beginning. However, all my human interactions during the doctoral and postdoctoral years were the most wonderful I ever had until then. This great welcoming experience led me to stay and become a U.S. citizen. For the past 55 years of living and working in the US, my overall interactions with my fellow citizens have been overwhelmingly warm and friendly.

However, the presidential candidate Donald Trump does not match the picture I have of my fellow citizens as described above. From what I have heard him say during this presidential campaign, he fits the profile of a person who is a bully, liar, narcissist, bigot, misogynist and racist. I find that almost all his policy statements are outrageous and inflammatory and offer no real solutions for the complex issues facing our country.

I am very proud of what we have collectively done so far to make life better for all of us in our wonderful country. The public profile of Donald Trump clearly shows that he, as president of the greatest country in the world, would be a disaster, not only for us here but also for the rest of the world.

Sitaram Jaswal, Lincoln
Beijing: China`s air force sent bombers and fighter jets on "combat patrols" near contested islands in the South China Sea, in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalise such drills and respond to security threats.

The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the disputed waters after an arbitration court in The Hague ruled last month that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea.

The air force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People`s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The patrols included surveillance and refuelling aircraft, Xinhua said, although it did not say when they occurred.

"The Air Force is organising normalised South China Sea combat patrols, practising tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests," Shen said.

China has refused to recognise the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines.

A dispute over the shoal, 124 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines mainland, was one of Manila`s main reasons for bringing international legal action against China in 2013.

Beijing has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to and has released pictures of aircraft flying over the shoal since the ruling.

China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stoking tension through its military patrols in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually.

China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims in the South China Sea.

The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing`s anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there.
Islamabad: After it announced withholding $300 million military aid to Islamabad, the US has urged Pakistan to target all militant groups and not adopt a "selective approach" to combating terror.

"Pakistan has taken and is taking steps to counter terrorist violence, and certainly focusing on those groups that threaten Pakistan or its stability. The military has shut down some of these safe havens," US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said during a briefing on Thursday evening.

He noted that the Pakistani military had shut down some terrorist safe havens in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and had restored "government control" in parts of the country that were used as terrorist safe havens for years.

"These are important steps that have contributed to security interests in the region. And they`ve come at a cost of Pakistani lives lost," he said, adding "So I guess, to put it briefly or summarise it, they`ve made progress."

"They`re going after groups, but selectively. We need to see them go after all groups," Toner added.

Replying to a question about the Pentagon`s decision to withhold $300 million of defence aid to Pakistan over its alleged reluctance to act against the Haqqani network, Toner said that unlike the Pentagon, the State Department had continued its assistance and some of that included security assistance.

Asked if the State Department agreed with the Pentagon`s assessment that Pakistan was not doing enough to eliminate the Haqqani network, he said: "We`ve urged the government of Pakistan to address this and to pursue closer counter-terrorism cooperation with Afghanistan against all groups that pose a long-term security threat to the region, not just to Pakistan."

The Pentagon on Wednesday refused the $300 million aid, in a sign of unhappiness with Islamabad for not acting against the Haqqani network.

Defence Secretary Ashton B. Carter had decided against making a certification to Congress stating that Pakistan is taking sufficient action against the militant organisation.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in his address at a Saarc ministerial meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, had said that there is "no good or bad terrorism" and urged that "terrorists should not be glorified or patronised".

His reference was to Pakistan terming as a "martyr" a pro-Pakistan rebel commander killed in Jammu and Kashmir, which triggered large scale unrest in the northern Indian state.
Delhi: Chris Urmson, who was instrumental in building Google`s self-driving car project, said on Friday he is leaving the team after seven and a half years.

Alphabet Inc`s Google had named Urmson chief technical officer of the project after it hired former Hyundai executive John Krafcik to be chief executive of the project.

Urmson, who joined the project when it was launched and has been a public face of Google`s autonomous vehicle efforts, testified before a U.S. Senate panel on autonomous cars in March.

Krafcik confirmed Urmson`s departure in a tweet on Friday afternoon.

Urmson, in a blog post late Friday, said he was "ready for a fresh challenge." He said he was not sure what he would do next.

"Going to take some time and get some perspective from outside of Google," he wrote in a text message to Reuters.

Urmson told Reuters earlier this year that self-driving cars are coming. "Ive gone from hoping this would happen to thinking it might happen to knowing it will happen, Urmson said.

Google self-driving car project spokesman Johnny Luu confirmed Urmson`s departure and praised him.

"Seven years ago, the idea that a car could drive itself wasnt much more than an idea. Chris has been a vital force for the project, helping the team move from a research phase to a point where this life-saving technology will soon become a reality," Luu said.

Google`s project has had other significant departures, even as it has hired dozens of new employees. Earlier this year, Anthony Levandowski, who was product manager for Google`s self-driving car programme, left the project to co-found a startup with two other former Google employees.

Google`s self-driving car project is expected to become a standalone company this year. In July, the project appointed its first general counsel.

Google has logged more than 1.8 million miles of autonomous driving in testing in Texas, California, Arizona and Washington state. It has said it has no timetable for making self-driving vehicles available to the public.

Officials have said Google is preparing to make its self-driving car unit a separate company. The programme is now part of its X research laboratory unit.

"The self-driving car project is in the middle of graduating from X and this is sort of a gradual process," Astro Teller, who heads the X programme, told NBC News in April.

In May, Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said they had agreed to work together to build a fleet of nearly 100 self-driving minivans, the first time a Silicon Valley firm had teamed up with a traditional carmaker to develop an autonomous vehicle.

In March, Reuters reported Google`s self-driving car team was expanding and hiring more people with automotive industry expertise, underscoring the company`s determination to move the division past the experimental stage.
Beirut: U.S.-backed forces trying to oust Islamic State militants from the Syrian city of Manbij took almost complete control of the city on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighters, launched its campaign two months ago with the backing of U.S. special forces to drive Islamic State from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier.

The official spokesman of the SDF-allied Manbij military council, Sharfan Darwish, told Reuters that battles were continuing but that around 90 percent of the city had now been cleared of Islamic State.

Pockets of militants are still present in the centre of the city, the Britain-based Observatory said.
Jerusalem: Israel on Friday strongly rejected an assertion by US President Barack Obama that Israel recognizes the efficiency of the Iran deal, comparing it to the 1938 agreement with Hitler.

Obama told a press conference at the Pentagon on Thursday that senior Israeli officials now support the nuclear deal.

"The Israeli defence establishment believes that agreements have value only if they are based on reality. They have no value if the facts on the ground are opposite to the ones the deal is based on," said the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, which was signed on July 2015 between Iran and the world powers.

The newly-appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the hawkish leader of the far-right "Yisrael Our Home" party, is also a fierce opponent of the deal.
Tokyo: Japan on Saturday marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.

The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb.

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on Hiroshima at 8:15 AM local time on August 6, 1945.

Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands.

About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute's silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago.

During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president's historic speech.

"(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima's strong wish not to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said.

The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of "the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion".

Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

"71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself".

Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman.

But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.

Abe, after laying a wreath of flowers, reiterated today that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

"I am convinced (Obama's visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms," he said.

The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15.

Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons.
Tokyo: Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in U.S. President Barack Obama`s footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

A peace bell tolled at 8:15 a.m. (2315 GMT on Friday), the time a U.S. warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city.

Obama this year became the first incumbent U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

"The president`s words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the `absolute evil`," the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons.

The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year.

U.S. forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on Aug. 9. Japan surrendered six days later.

"I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities," Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun.

"As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart."

At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.

"We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself," Abe said.

"It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease towards that aim."

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China.

But Tomomi Inada, Japan`s new defence minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year.

On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japan`s exclusive economic zone for the first time.
Tokyo: Some 230 Chinese fishing vessels and six coast guard ships, including three apparently carrying weapons, sailed into waters close to disputed East China Sea islands on Saturday, Japan`s foreign ministry said.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over uninhabited islets in the East China Sea known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. However, it is rare for so many Chinese fishing vessels to be spotted in the area.

After catching sight of the coastguard ships in the contiguous waters at 8:05 am (2305 GMT, Friday), the Japanese foreign ministry`s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau lodged a strong protest with the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, it said.

The foreign ministry, which also submitted a protest its embassy in Beijing, demanded the vessels leave the disputed waters immediately and "never enter Japan`s territorial waters", the ministry said in a statement.

"Japan can never accept activities by (Chinese) official vessels near the Senkaku islands, because it will unilaterally escalate the situation and raise tensions in the area," it said.

Saturday`s protest came a day after Japanese vice foreign minister Shinsuke Sugiyama summoned Cheng Yonghua, Beijing`s ambassador to Tokyo, to protest over intrusions into its territorial waters by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels on Friday afternoon.

Tensions over the islands have seriously harmed bilateral relations.

The two sides have gradually taken steps to ease tensions through dialogue but the fundamental divide over the islands remains unresolved and tensions occasionally flare up.

Japan also lodged a protest in June after it said a Chinese navy frigate sailed close to territorial waters near the islands for the first time.
Beirut: Jihadists and rebels captured strategic military positions on the edges of Syria`s second city Aleppo on Saturday, turning the tables on Russian-backed regime forces besieging the city.

To the northeast, a Western-backed alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters scored a major victory against the Islamic State group in the town of Manbij after a fierce two-month battle.

The developments have rocked the key northern province of Aleppo, a microcosm of Syria`s chaotic multi-front war that has killed more than 280,000 people.

Rebel and regime forces have fought for control of the provincial capital of the same name since mid-2012, transforming the former economic powerhouse into a divided, bombed-out city.

On Saturday, opposition fighters and allied jihadists captured territory south of Aleppo in a bid to cut off regime forces and open up a new route into besieged rebel-held districts.

"The Army of Conquest... took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunition, and a large part of the artillery school" at a military academy, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The coalition of rebels, Islamists, and jihadists "is about to cut off, by gunfire, the supply route into government-controlled districts", said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

That road passes through a southwestern suburb of Ramussa and is the last route into Aleppo used by regime troops.

The monitor said more than 500 rebels and government fighters had been killed in the offensive since it was launched on Sunday, as well as 130 civilians.

They included at least seven civilians killed on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh, according to both the Observatory and Syrian state news agency SANA. Opposition forces -- encircled by the government since July 17 -- are hoping to expand their control in the area and use that route themselves.

"Days ago, I was only thinking about how to get a bite to eat," said Ahmad Adna, a 46-year-old resident of eastern Aleppo.

"Now I`m more optimistic after the Army of Conquest`s advance. I hope today will be the last day of the siege."

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed the Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- on Saturday announced having captured the two military schools and a third military position.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions in some of those buildings, followed by massive columns of billowing black smoke.

Pictures obtained by AFP show a crumpled body, reportedly of a regime fighter, lying next to artillery pieces lined up in a building newly captured by jihadists.

Abdel Rahman said the advance had left the regime forces "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support".

"This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo," he said.

State media said the army had sent reinforcements in a counter-offensive to take on "thousands of terrorist fighters".

An army officer told state television troops had advanced in the areas seized by rebels and were inflicting "heavy losses" on them.

"Of course I have faith in the army, but I can`t help being scared. Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult," said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held western quarter of Aleppo.

"We are thinking about how to leave," he told AFP.Also on Saturday, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance handed a major defeat to IS in Manbij.

The Britain-based Observatory said the SDF "took control of Manbij... and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists".

Manbij had been a key transit point along IS`s supply route from the Turkish border to Raqa, the de facto capital of its self-styled "caliphate".

The SDF launched its offensive on May 31 with support from the US-led air coalition bombing IS in Syria since September 2014.

It encircled the town in early June and into it later that month, but its assault was slowed by a jihadist fightback using suicide attackers and car bombs.

The Manbij Military Council -- a key component of the SDF -- said fighting was still ongoing.

"The battles are continuing near the centre of the town. We are in control of 90 percent of Manbij," spokesman Sherfan Darwish said.

Syria`s conflict first erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests but has since evolved into a fully-fledged war largely dominated by jihadist groups.

In addition to more than 280,000 dead, the war has forced half the population to flee their homes.
Johannesburg: South Africa's ruling party has suffered its biggest election setback since taking power at the end of apartheid a generation ago, with less than 1 per cent of votes left to be counted today and results for two of the country's largest cities too close to call.

Final results of largely peaceful municipal elections were being announced at 6 p.M. (1600 GMT). Races remained tight in the largest city, Johannesburg, and Tshwane, the metropolitan area of the capital.

Since South Africa's first all-race election in 1994, the African National Congress party has had widespread support on the strength of its successful fight against white-minority rule. But this time, it has been challenged by corruption scandals and a stagnant economy that has frustrated the urban middle class, while protests in poor communities demanding basics like electricity and water have been common.

"Election after election, the ANC has hung on to its past glory and kept its place in the hearts of most South Africans. ... This time round, though, it's not enough," the Mail & Guardian newspaper said in an editorial. On social media, South Africans mocked President Jacob Zuma's recent claim that the ANC would rule "until Jesus comes back."

The ANC already has lost its first major black-majority municipality in this election, Nelson Mandela Bay, named for the ANC's star and the country's first black president.

The opposition Democratic Alliance, which has roots in the anti-apartheid movement and had a white party leader until last year, won Nelson Mandela Bay after fielding a white candidate for mayor.

The party already runs the country's second largest city, Cape Town, the only major South African city where blacks are in the minority among white and mixed-race residents.

The party's leader, 36-year-old Mmusi Maimane, has predicted victory in Tshwane.

"For far too long, the ANC has governed South Africa with absolute impunity," Maimane said. He said the idea that his party was a white one has been "completely shattered."

The Democratic Alliance angered the ANC last month by declaring that it was the only party that could realize Mandela's dream of a "prosperous, united and non-racial South Africa."

Maimane immediately looked ahead to presidential elections. "The 2019 campaign starts now," he said.

Neither party appeared to have a majority in Johannesburg or Tshwane that would allow it to govern alone, raising the likelihood of coalition governments. A more radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, contested the local elections for the first time and received 8 per cent of the vote nationwide after promising measures to help the poor.

The ANC so far has received 53 percent of votes across the country, its lowest percentage ever, with the Democratic Alliance getting 26 per cent.

The results for the ANC could put pressure on the 74-year-old Zuma to leave office before his mandate ends in 2019, political analysts said.
Bob Kerrey is supporting Hillary Clinton, and Chuck Hagel says he's not ready to lock in his final decision.

That's where Nebraska's former U.S. senators, both of whom remain prominent figures on the national stage, stand three months ahead of a presidential match like no other.

For Kerrey, a Democrat who also served one term as Nebraska's governor, a vote for his party's presidential nominee is certain.

"I like Hillary's agenda; I like who she's likely to appoint to the (U.S. Supreme Court) bench; she is committed to multi-lateral cooperation," Kerrey says.

For Hagel, a Republican, the choice may be less settled, and he is quick to point out that there always is a write-in alternative that represents a third option.

"I will vote," Hagel said during a sitdown interview with both men prior to their joint appearance Friday night at a Rotary district conference on Nebraska Innovation Campus.

"I want to hear the debates," Hagel said. "I find Mr. Trump disgusting (and) often very, very disturbing, and that probably is disqualifying. But I'm willing to see what he does during the next 90 days."

Hagel, who recently served as secretary of defense in the Obama administration, and Kerrey, a member of the commission that investigated the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S., centered on foreign relations and intelligence during their Senate careers.

And both are alarmed about Trump's recent forays into foreign policy, including statements that he might not fulfill NATO commitments to defend fellow members, along with his personal praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his leadership style.

"Trump shows a severe lack of understanding and awareness that is very disturbing," Hagel said. "And it is very disturbing and unsettling to leaders who are our allies (and) that leads to a lack of confidence in our leadership."

Kerrey said the fight against terrorism often depends on multi-lateral agreements that need to be honored.

Global environmental issues also require multi-lateral commitment and cooperation, he said.

But his concerns with Trump are even broader, Kerrey said.

"I think he's possibly dishonest and he's certainly disqualified," he said. "This is nothing we've ever seen before."

Hagel said Trump is "an instrument of anger, disconnect and distrust," a candidate who gives voice to "the powerlessness (that) many Americans feel toward government institutions, except the military."

Some of that same discontent emerged in Sen. Bernie Sanders' strong bid for the Democratic nomination, Hagel said, describing the Sanders support as "truly phenomenal."

"Politics reflects society, and there is a real political revolution going on," he said.

If Clinton wins, Kerrey said, "I think she should bring in some people who disagree with her even though they may be anathema to liberal Democrats."

"The elites need to look at themselves in the mirror," he said, and recognize the voices that are shaping this presidential contest.

"Otherwise, we have stalemate," Kerrey said.

What's particularly disturbing this year is the hatred, Hagel said.

"We don't need any more hatred," he said. "It's no longer how do we make this country better and how do we govern and compromise. We've lost civility and respect for each other."

"The determination now is not where we agree or how we can govern together; it's just the opposite," Hagel said. "We focus on the division. It's truly a blood sport now."

The disapproval rating for both Trump and Clinton is astounding, Hagel said, and that in itself is disturbing.

"It will be a very difficult next four years no matter who wins because of the anger and hatred," he said.

"The party I started out in is gone," Hagel added.

"There may be some new form of it. Or we may find new parties developing."

Arguing can be "a good sign," Kerrey said, if it is accompanied by goodwill and a commitment to reach decisions that are best for the country.

As bad as today's political division is, he said, it pales compared to America's Civil War period.

What is needed now, Kerrey said, is a spirit of openness and goodwill.

Hagel and Kerrey, both of whom were wounded in combat in Vietnam when they were young men, stand ready to help, they said.

"Bob and I have been in positions where the state and the country made investments in us," Hagel said.

"It's time for us to pay back now."
London: London Metropolitan Police announced on Friday that Zakaria Bulhan, the man suspected of killing US tourist Darlene Horton in a stabbing rampage in central London, has been charged with murder.

According to the police, the 19-year-old Norwegian citizen is of Somali descent and moved to Britain at the age of five.

He was also charged with five counts of attempted murder, in relation to the five other individuals who were injured, the police said in a statement.

He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates` Court on Saturday, it added.

Police raided his home in Tooting, south London, on Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The police said they received numerous calls starting at 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday describing a "man attacking people with a knife" between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street.

Bulhan was arrested at the scene after police stunned him with a Taser following the attack, near the Imperial Hotel and the British Museum. The suspect was taken to a south London police station after receiving treatment in hospital.

Horton and her husband Richard Wagner were in London for a summer course and were due to return to the United States the day after the fatal attack.

Florida State University, where Wagner is a psychology scholar, issued a statement saying: "There are no words to express our heartache over this terrible tragedy."
Delhi: Syrian rebels stormed an artillery base in the northern city of Aleppo on Friday to try an end the siege of opposition-held areas but the Syrian army said it had repelled the attack and killed hundreds of insurgents.

A quarter of a million civilians still live in Aleppo`s opposition-controlled eastern neighbourhoods, effectively under siege since the army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, cut off the last road into rebel districts in early July.

Fighters from a coalition of Islamist rebel groups called "Jaish al Fateh" that includes Jabhat Fateh al Sham, the former al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, Ahrar al Sham and other smaller groups, said they took part of the main fortress-like artillery academy in the Ramousah quarter in southwestern Aleppo.

The artillery base, one of the largest in Syria, is almost 2 km from the besieged opposition area. It has a huge supply of ammunitions and is used regularly to shell parts of the city held by opposition forces.

The rebels are trying to break through a strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo with a swathe of insurgent territory in the west of Syria, effectively breaking the siege.
Kampala: A gay pride parade in the Ugandan capital planned for the weekend was Friday postponed after a government minister was accused of saying mob attacks on participants would be their own fault.

Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo told AFP that minister of ethics and integrity Simon Lokodo told him ordinary citizens would be "mobilised to defend the moral values of Uganda" and that "if participants were to be beaten by a mob" they would have "brought it upon themselves".

The minister added that police would arrest anyone attending the parade, according to Opiyo.

Organisers said they had postponed the event -- which was held last year -- following the apparent threat, reportedly made at a meeting between the organisers` lawyer and a police representative.

"As the committee, we have agreed that all the remaining events of the pride week be postponed as we await a positive outcome from the already going negotiations," the organisers said in a statement.

"We will be communicating the new dates as soon as the negotiations are completed," the statement added.

The United States ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac tweeted her support for the gay community in Uganda after the organisers announced the parade`s delay.

"The Embassy stands with Uganda`s LGBTI community and Ugandans of all backgrounds and beliefs to defend the dignity of all citizens," said Malac on Twitter.

"No person should face abuse or discrimination because of who they are".

The US slapped sanctions on Uganda after it introduced tough anti-gay laws in 2013, which included life imprisonment for homosexuals.

The law was struck down a year later on a technicality, but under a colonial-era penal code homosexual acts remain illegal.

Prominent Ugandan gay rights activist Frank Mugisha slammed the minister`s comments and accused the police of complicity.

"The minister is not entitled to give or withdraw permission to hold a parade," said Mugisha, who runs the local NGO Sexual Minorities Uganda.

"This is an abuse of power and the police let him do it."

On Thursday evening police raided a club in Kampala that was hosting a "Mr and Miss Pride" beauty pageant ahead of the weekend parade.

Twenty people were arrested for attending an "illegal gathering" but were later released.

One person was seriously injured when he jumped from a window to escape from police.

Homophobia is widespread in Uganda, and gay people face regular harassment and intimidation, including from government officials and police.
Kiev: The leader of a self-proclaimed separatist republic in eastern Ukraine was injured in a suspected car bombing on Saturday, local media reported.

Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the Lugansk People`s Republic, "was wounded this morning as a result of a powerful explosion that occurred near his car," the official pro-Russian rebels` news agency said.

Plotnitsky, 52, was being treated at a local hospital along with several other people who suffered injuries in the blast in the city of Lugansk, the report said.

The rebels` news agency claimed the explosion was an "attempt on the life" of their leader.

A senior rebel official later told Russia`s Interfax news agency that the explosion was "a terrorist act" but did not go as far as to point the finger of blame at any individual or group.

Plotnitsky did not sustain any life-threatening injuries in the blast and his condition remains stable, the rebel official said.

Ukrainian authorities have already dismissed claims that they could have been behind the blast.

"The Ukrainian side is not involved in this assassination attempt," Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told journalists, adding that the explosion was likely linked to an internal power struggle among rebel leaders.

Plotnitsky, the former commander of a pro-Russian rebel group, was elected in November 2014 to head the Lugansk region in polls denounced by Kiev as a breach of a ceasefire agreement.

Lugansk is the smaller of two breakaway pro-Russian provinces that have been fighting Ukrainian government forces for more than two years.

A suspected car bombing in the Lugansk region in December killed pro-Russian leader Pavel Dremov in what rebels said was a "terrorist act organised by the Ukranian security forces."

In May 2015 Lugansk rebel commander Alexei Mozgovoi was killed in an attack against his vehicle.

More than 9,500 people have been killed since Ukraine`s mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial regions revolted against Kiev`s pro-Western government in April 2014.

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of supporting rebels and deploying troops across the border, claims that Moscow denies.
Istanbul: The United States` ambassador to Turkey has again denied allegations his country was involved in last month`s failed coup attempt, Turkish media reported on Saturday.

"I just want to say again, as I`ve said before and as we`ve said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of July 15 and into July 16. Full stop," US Ambassador John Bass said in remarks published in English daily Hurriyet Daily News.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations" targeting his country.

The July 15 military action blamed by Ankara on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has rattled Turkey`s relations with the United States and the European Union.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of supporting the plotters and warned Washington that relations will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennsylvania-based Gulen.

Erdogan has also accused the US of hiding and sheltering the preacher and described the failed military action as a "scenario written from outside" in an allusion to foreign involvement.

Shortly after the coup attempt, Labour Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further to say "the United States is behind the coup."

And this week, Turkey`s former Army chief, Ilker Basbug, claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was also behind it.

"Frankly, if we would have had knowledge we would have told the Turkish government about it immediately," Bass said.

He said the US wants to see a "strong, prosperous, democratic, confident Turkey.

"Anyone who thinks that the United States somehow profits from Turkey being divided and destabilised I think is misreading history to a profound degree."

Three days after the failed coup, Bass rebutted claims his country somehow supported the putsch.

"This is categorically untrue, and such speculation is harmful to the decades-long friendship between two great nations," he said in a statement on the embassy website.
Istanbul: The US' ambassador to Turkey has again denied allegations his country was involved in last month's failed coup attempt, Turkish media reported on Saturday.

"I just want to say again, as I've said before and as we've said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of July 15 and into July 16. Full stop," US ambassador John Bass said in remarks published in English daily Hurriyet Daily News.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations" targeting his country.

The July 15 military action blamed by Ankara on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has rattled Turkey's relations with the United States and the European Union.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of supporting the plotters and warned Washington that relations will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennyslvania-based Gulen.

Erdogan has also accused the US of hiding and sheltering the preacher and described the failed military action as a "scenario written from outside" in an allusion to foreign involvement.

Shortly after the coup attempt, Labour Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further to say "the US is behind the coup."

And this week, Turkey's former army chief, Ilker Basbug, claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was also behind it.

"Frankly, if we would have had knowledge we would have told the Turkish government about it immediately," Bass said.

He said the US wants to see a "strong, prosperous, democratic, confident Turkey.

"Anyone who thinks that the United States somehow profits from Turkey being divided and destabilised I think is misreading history to a profound degree."

Three days after the failed coup, Bass rebutted claims his country somehow supported the putsch.

"This is categorically untrue, and such speculation is harmful to the decades-long friendship between two great nations," he said in a statement on the embassy website.
Kuwait City: The UN special envoy for Yemen announced the end of peace talks on Saturday without any major breakthrough, but also said a new round of negotiations would begin after one month.

"We will be leaving Kuwait today but the Yemeni peace talks are continuing," Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told a press conference.

He said he will be holding bilateral consultations with the two delegations in the coming few weeks to work out details of a peace plan.

He also said that the two sides have committed to resume "direct talks within a month at a venue to be agreed upon".

Ould Cheikh Ahmed said Kuwait remains a possible location to host the next round.

"We have guarantees and commitments from the two sides that they are ready to return to the negotiating table," he said.

Although the talks that began April 21 made no headway, Ould Cheikh Ahmed refused to call the process a failure.

"In fact, we have not failed. We believe the Kuwait talks made great progress," he said without elaborating.

The end of the talks came just a few hours after Yemen`s rebel Shi`ite Huthis and forces loyal to their ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, appointed a council to govern Yemen.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed condemned the move.

"We condemn any unilateral steps. These do not serve the Yemeni people or the peace process," he said when asked to comment about the rebel council.

The rebels announced its creation on July 28, shortly before rejecting a UN peace plan because it did not meet their key demand for a unity government.

That condition amounts to an explicit call for the removal of the internationally recognised president, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The Iran-backed Huthis overran the capital in late 2014 before moving into other parts of Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March last year.

The United Nations says that more than 6,400 people have been killed in the Arabian Peninsula country since then, mostly civilians.

The fighting has also driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 percent of the population needing humanitarian aid.
Former Nebraska Sens. Chuck Hagel and Bob Kerrey offered a district conference of Rotarians a generally optimistic view of America's future Friday night despite deep divisions that challenge the country in this election year.

"We have lost a sense of unity and purpose," Hagel said. "And we face a tough four years ahead of us no matter who is elected president."

But a new generation will "help save us" from a political climate that has moved from attempting to defeat your opponent to trying to destroy your opponent, he said.

"We'll come out of this," Hagel said.

Kerrey said today's politics have become so divisive that "you get punished" for trying to work with members of the opposite party and "social media has made it a lot of easier to terrify people" who step outside the party line.

But, Kerrey said, "the level of competency of young people is spectacular" and the future should be promising.

Kerrey is a Democrat and former Nebraska governor; Hagel, a Republican, served as secretary of defense in Democratic President Barack Obama's administration.

Hagel recalled how Kerrey greeted him when he came to the Senate in 1997.

"Bob said why don't the two of us sit down, and bring our chiefs-of-staff, and we will list the areas where we can start working together for our state and our country," Hagel said.

"We decided not to worry about party politics," he said.

"And we decided when we disagreed, we would vote and it would be over, and we would not use it against each other and we never did."

And today, Kerrey said, "we're working together" again to secure funding and construction of a new veterans medical facility in Omaha.

Both Kerrey and Hagel were wounded in combat in Vietnam. Kerrey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The district conference of 43 Rotary Clubs in southeast Nebraska and western Iowa was held at Innovation Campus.

(An interview with Hagel and Kerrey will be published in the Sunday Journal and Star.)
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YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan visited Ararat Province on a working trip.

The trip began in Ayntap community, where the PM met locals and reviewed their issues and talked to them in person. Locals told the PM their main problem is the issue of potable water, which is being supplied with interruptions. Abrahamyan instructed responsible agencies to solve the issue as soon as possible.

Later the Prime Minister reviewed the construction of the Cultural Center of Ayntap, which will be completed during 2017.

Afterwards Hovik Abrahamyan visited Masis. A consultation took place in the City Hall, with the participation of community leaders. Governor of Ararat Rubik Abrahamyan said agricultural works are proceeding successfully.

Improvement works are ongoing in the Province in the fields of infrastructure, educational institutions, roads, water supply.

The PM visited the Golden Axe Armenian-Iranian slaughterhouse, which is operating since 2015. Approximately 3 million USD was invested in the slaughterhouse. Around 100 people are employed in Golden Axe. The resulting fur is being transported to an Armenian-Italian company, and after being processed it is exported to Italy.

Later Abrahamyan visited the Fruit-Drying Enterprise of Surenavan. The enterprise is operating since 2007, and around 250 million AMD have been invested. The factory is equipped with modern technologies. Around 300-350 tons of fruits and berries are processed here yearly.

Hovik Abrahamyan visited the Arts School of Vedi, and reviewed the current conditions.

Later Abrahamyan held a discussion in the Vedi City Hall on ongoing projects aimed at developing the infrastructure.

The PM also visited the Nor Kharberd and Aralez communities, met locals and talked about their issues.
BEATRICE -- Fires, rescue calls and medical transfers are a few of the things Beatrice firefighters handle on a regular basis, and Julie Fisher has just about done it all.

After 18 years on the job, her stories range from the satisfaction of receiving a thank you card for a life saved to the horror of learning an area firefighter had died inside a burning building.

A lot of Beatrice firefighters have experienced the same things with her, but Fishers perspective has always been unique.

Fisher is the only female firefighter in Beatrice Fire and Rescues 106-year history.

One of the challenges, of course, is fitting in, she said. I was conscientious of my surroundings and knew where I was in the work-world of men. It was important for me to be able to do the same things they can do, and I did. I made it a point to be able to.

Fisher, 51, recently retired from the department, where shes worked since 1998.

A Beatrice native, Fisher was pursing a degree in juvenile services at Southeast Community College in Lincoln when she went on a ride-along with the Beatrice fire department as research for a paper about people who work under extreme stress.

She enjoyed the experience, and then-Chief Darrell Eastin suggested she become a reserve with the department. She did, and a year later a permanent position opened up.

Fisher knew when she applied that there had never been a female firefighter in Beatrice.

There was a little bit of pressure because I really wanted to make sure that I did it with pride and could hold my own, she said. I was there to do a job and to make other women know that they can do this, too. I always tried to remain humble and carry my weight. I never had any complaints or anyone say they wouldnt go to a fire with me.

She stressed the departments old timers were respectful and helped her from the very beginning.

Still, working 24-hour shifts alongside a group of men was a new reality.

Firefighters had two rules, she said. Wear shorts to bed and lock the bathroom door.

She drew support from her coworkers from the very first day on the job.

Fisher remembers well the medical call for a woman having a stroke. The woman was Fishers grandmother.

The guys swooped down and said, Youre not taking care of her, Fisher recalled. They took care of me, and they took care of my grandmother.

One of Fishers proudest moments was receiving her badge, after working through the mandatory probationary period. Her badge was presented by then-Mayor John Bartels, who was also her guidance counselor at Beatrice High School.

To have him be the one who gave me my badge was awesome," she said. He knew me all the way through school. He was proud to see me get it.

At the department she met fellow firefighter Craig Fisher. The two have been married around two years now.

Firefighters work one day on, two days off and spouses cant be on the same shift, though Craig said the scheduling wasnt that bad.

When you think of it, you go to work then you get a me day and then you get a together day, he said.

Now retired, Julie Fisher is focusing on her side business, a mobile hot dog stand shes been operating for more than a year.

She said it's tough to leave the department and she's thankful she was able to make a difference in peoples lives.

I liked helping people, she said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The 5th International Leonid Yengibaryan Pantomime Festival will be held August 10-15 in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia.

Within the framework of the festival, French-Armenian actor, modern pantomime creative director Vahram Zaryan arrived to Armenia. In an interview with ARMENPRESS the artist said for him modern pantomime is a flexible, musical, stage art, which must touch the audience.

What attracted you in pantomime which made you choose that path?

I made that decision with my heart and soul. I first experienced theatrical shock when I was little, when I saw Marcel Marceau, Leonid Yengibaryan, Slava Polunin on TV. After watching their performances, I realized that I want to be on stage and do mimes.

After receiving education in Armenia you developed your skills in France. What achievements did you have?

I studied in Yerevans State Institute of Film and Theater, in the course headed by Guj Manukyan. Since the second course I was interested in expressive movement, experimental theater. I started visiting the Pantomime Theater of Yerevan as a spectator, I got to know actress Anush Stepanyan, director of the theater Zhirayr Dadasyan. Due to Directors Yura Kostanyan and Zhirayr Dadasyan I physically interacted with pantomime. Along with Zhirayr Dadasyan we touched upon the techniques and genres of pantomime. Prior to leaving for France I got to know the history and delicacies of pantomime due to Armenian masters. All of this had a major role in my accomplishment.

In France I was lucky enough to study in the international school of pantomime of world famous master Marcel Marceau. Along with Marcel Marceaus students, we formed a group and toured with more than 3 performances. Its already 7 years since I have my theater group in France  Vahram Zaryan Company. Through the theater group I am able to realize my ideas. What I had to say led to the creation of the group. I have collaborated with the groups members in the past also, thats why we are able to work together not only in artistic but also administrative issues.

This is already the 2nd time you are participating in the Leonid Yengibaryan International Pantomime Festival. Tell us about your impressions.

I had positive impressions from the first participation, thats why I am here again. The festival is a wonderful platform for exchange of experience. It is broadening its geography, the number of participants has increased. This speaks to the fact that there is great interest towards the festival. It is very pleasant for me to take part in the festival, I feel myself home.

What lacks in Armenia for the development of pantomime, and what problems are present in this area?

Nothing lacks in Armenia for the development of pantomime. The Yerevan State Pantomime Theater is able to represent Armenia in foreign countries. I think the mission of this theater is presenting Armenian stylistics through pantomime. Armenian medieval themes, dynamic gestures and movements are chosen, which are in line with our psychological state and history. An Armenian school of pantomime has been created, which is necessary to be proud of.

What upcoming projects do you have?

Starting September 1 we are launching rehearsals for the new Oblika performance. We are collaborating with Ensemble Rodier modern musicians ensemble. It presents live modern music. The performance will be presented not only on stage, but also in museums. Special music has been written for the performance. I have great hopes for performing in front of Armenian audiences in the future outside the framework of the festival.

Thank you for talking with us.

Interview by Angela Hambardzumyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Turkish security forces have reportedly arrested a German woman on suspicion of belonging to the Gulen movement, Deutsche Welle reported.

President Erdogan has accused the US-based cleric of orchestrating last month's failed coup.

The German citizen was detained a few days ago as part of a wave of arrests targeting alleged conspirators behind the attempted coup on July 15, German media reported Friday.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Office confirmed the reports, without providing more details. According to the "Suddeutsche Zeitung" newspaper and German broadcasters NDR and WDR, the woman is suspected of belonging to the movement of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is currently living in exile in the United States.

Turkey's government accuses Gulen of masterminding the botched coup that killed more than 245 people, but the cleric denies any involvement.

Ankara has detained or suspended nearly 60,000 people in a post-coup purge targeting alleged Gulen supporters within the military, judiciary, media and civil service.

The detained German woman was reportedly arrested after Turkish authorities allegedly found books at her residence that suggested links to the Gulen movement. She is the first German citizen to be affected by the crackdown.

Sources at the Foreign Office said the German Embassy in Ankara had been trying for days to contact her - without success. No details about her identity have been released. It was also unclear why she was in Turkey, whether she lives there permanently, or whether she has Turkish as well as German citizenship.

Gulen, once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999. Turkey considers his movement, which runs charities, schools and businesses across the world, a terrorist organization.

The Turkish government has been urging the United States to extradite the 75-year-old to Turkey so that he may face trial over his alleged involvement in the failed coup.

The US State Department said justice officials were still reviewing documents from Ankara to see if they meet the criteria for a formal extradition request.

Turkey has expressed growing irritation over Washington's delay, and what it perceives as a lack of solidarity from its foreign allies in the wake of the coup. Ankara has also pressed other countries, including Germany, to extradite alleged Gulen supporters.

Gulen's lawyer said Friday that he feared attacks on the cleric's life following Turkey's extradition demands, adding that he was confident the bid would fail because Ankara had no proof.

"We haven't seen any evidence, direct or indirect, that would be persuasive to a fact finder that there is a scintilla of evidence - electronic or otherwise - implicating Mr. Gulen," said attorney Reid Weingarten.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to Turkey later this month, according to Ankara. In the days after the coup, Kerry said Turkey must present "genuine evidence" and "not allegations" against Gulen to secure his extradition.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Two village guards were killed and one other was wounded by a PKK roadside bomb attack in Turkey's southeastern Sirnak province on Saturday, a security source told Anadolu.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the source said PKK detonated the bomb in the Beytussebap district as the village guards passed by.

Two guards died at Beytussebap State Hospital; the wounded guard was sent to Sirnak military hospital, the source added.

An air-assist operation to arrest the PKK militants is still underway.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan held a meeting with Ambassador of Iran H.E. Seyyed Kazem Sajjad.

The sides discussed a number of issues relating to Armenian-Iranian relations and stressed the importance of further development and expansion of trade-economic cooperation.

The sides also touched upon the visa-free regime deal  which was recently signed by the governments of Armenia and Iran.

The Iranian Ambassador noted that starting today; all Iranian checkpoints are notified that Armenian citizens do not require visas for entering Iran.

PM Abrahamyan and Ambassador Seyyed Kazem Sajjad expressed confidence that the visa-free regime will contribute to development of tourism between the neighboring countries and will create even more favorable conditions for mutual visits of Armenian and Iranian citizens.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in doing everything possible for the release of the Russian citizen - who is being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan. However the Ministry fears the process might be protracted, Russian Presidential envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said, Interfax reported.

Currently all possible measure are taken and search operations are underway. A long process will take place: it will be clarified as to who and how must assist in freeing the captives. Negotiations will be held, Kabulov said in an interview.

On August 6 the Russian Embassy in Kabul received report that Taliban militants have taken a Russian citizen hostage, who was in the MI-17 helicopter which was making an emergency landing.
Two Muslim-American women were kicked off an American Airlines flight this week, basically for flying while Muslim.

The women were identified as "noncompliant" by a flight attendant who said he overheard them talking with other passengers about how there was not enough food or water on their delayed plane which was sitting on the tarmac for 5 hours. Their complaints about how bad the experience was made him "uncomfortable," so he decided they must be terrorists. The flight attendant also told the women that taking photos on a plane was a "federal offense." This is just made-up bullshit.

Niala Mohammed Khalil is a Voice of America journalist, and told the story on her Facebook page Wednesday.

The person she was traveling with is a federal government worker who prefers not to be identified. Both women are employed by the U.S. government, and must undergo periodic security investigations. Neither are terrorists.

Despite this, they were confronted by armed air marshals and police officers at Miami International Airport, and interrogated as individuals who posed a security risk.

"The situation was really humiliating and it was dehumanizing," Khalil told VOA. "I mean, if it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody. It doesn't matter how assimilated you are. I don't have to wear a hijab to be discriminated against."

"I work with the Voice of America," Khalil said. "I work here every day to promote democracy and freedom to a predominately Muslim region. Yet at home, in America, my own home country, I'm faced with this type of discrimination and intolerance."

An American Airlines spokeswoman told the New York Times that the passengers were removed for "noncompliance," and disputed Ms. Khalil's account. American says religion had nothing to do with it.

"Wow. Way to cover yourselves," Khalil replied, on Facebook. "This issue of being Muslim was actually spoken about openly with the Miami-Dade police officers. There was no issue of 'non-compliance.' This is extremely disappointing."

The incident happened on Aug. 2 when she and her friend got on Flight 2239 to Washington. Khalil said the plane was delayed for various reasons, and passengers had to spend five hours on the plane, on the tarmac, with only water and pretzels. Khalil says a white guy sitting behind the her and her friend began talking with them "about the lack of customer care."

Here is Niala Khalil's first-hand account, posted to Facebook:



Last night my friend and I were removed from American Airlines (AA) flight 2239 traveling from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Washington-Reagan National Airport (DCA) because the main crew airline attendant felt "unsafe" by our presence. Yup, the only two apparent Muslim girls on the plane got kicked off. Not sure if it was my friend's statement "evil-eye" bracelet, the fact that I was watching a Pakistani drama on my iPhone, or our obvious Muslim last names that made him uncomfortable, but here's the kicker, we both work for the United States Federal government. This is the story. According to the flight attendants, our initial flight delays were due to two changes with the flight crew and then the ground crew forgot to fuel the plane. After those delays, we began experiencing heavy rains and were delayed indefinitely. After exceeding the 3 hour federal regulation, the only people allowed to deplane were those who wanted to cancel their flight or make other travel arrangements at their own expense. After over 5 hours aboard the grounded plane, we were only offered one glass of water, a bag of pretzels, and told there would be no more food or beverage. A flight attendant informed us we were not allowed to purchase in-flight food unless we were in the air and we were denied the right to deplane to get food or use the airport restrooms. Air fuel fumes also began to permeate the cabin space. At one point, a white male passenger sitting directly behind us initiated a private conversation with my friend about the lack of customer care. Suddenly, a male flight attendant walking by singled out my friend and stated, "If you have a problem, you can get off the plane." My friend replied, "I have no problemI am simply stating facts. We were given one glass of water in 5 hours." The attendant responded by once again threatening my friend, "Well, I can have you removed for instigating other passengers." The flight attendant was not wearing his name badge and did not identify himself. Since I was wearing headphones (watching my Pakistani drama), I only realized something happened when my friend's demeanor changed. She appeared shocked and visibly upset after the attendant walked away. When she and the white male passenger behind us told me what happened, I suggested we write a complaint to AA. At that time, a number of AA personnel were on the plane allowing new passengers to board our delayed flight. A female flight attendant walked by and I asked for the male flight attendant's name, given his rude and aggressive tone to my friend. There was some confusion as to whether the male AA employee in question was a flight attendant, a pilot, etc so before walking away to assist other passengers, she directed us to "point him out to me when you see him." After she walked away, we saw him again and my friend took a picture so the female flight attendant could help identify him for us. A third flight attendant walked by and told us that by taking a picture, we were committing a "federal offense". (Disclaimer: taking a photo of an airline crew member is not a federal offense, but apparently there is a publicly unknown AA policy that crew members can arbitrarily enforce with customers when a photo is taken without their consent.) The initial female flight attendant came back, asked us what happened, and we showed her the picture. She identified the male flight attendant as "Rog as in Roger" and then asked that we delete the picture. We immediately obliged and deliberately showed the flight attendant that we were deleting the picture. Thankfully, we still had the picture saved because it went to the "delete" folder. Ten minutes later, AA customer relations representative Ms. Lourdes Broco boarded the plane and kindly asked if we could follow her to the front. We happily consented, hoping we were finally going to be provided with water, but instead we were told to bring our belongings. Waiting for us at the ramp were several armed Air Marshalls and Miami-Dade police officers. When asked why we were being removed, we were informed that it was because "Rog" felt threatened by us. However, the white male passenger my friend was speaking to was ironically not removed from the plane with us. We complied with all requests and provided Ms. Broco with our version of the events. She apologized and stated that under normal conditions, the male flight attendant would have been removed from the plane, but AA couldn't spare to do that given the extreme flight delay and the many issues with the crew. She freely admitted that it was obvious that the flight attendant "exaggerated" the incident. We also overheard Ms. Broco inform the security officers that when she boarded the plane to assess the situation, she was confused because we weren't creating a scene, we were sitting in silence playing on our phones. Without asking for anything, we were assigned to the next available flight to DCA, we were offered a $200 credit for future travel with American Airlines and a $24 food voucher, but the damage was already done. We appreciated both Ms. Broco's attempt to offer us some compensation and the 5 security officers good humor in deescalating the situation. However, it didn't take away from the fact that a rude AA employee got away with treating passengers with such utter contempt and discrimination. Although we were encouraged to document the incident to AA customer relations, we still experienced insult and embarrassment as two minority Muslim-American women. For being such a "threat" to an AA attendant, it's telling that the Miami-Dade police officers joked with us and posed for this picture with the "pretty harmless" airplane menaces. This was a fairytale ending in comparison to the other largely publicized AA incidents targeting Muslim Americans (one was actually a Sikh) that occurred earlier this year. Our story also has many parallels to an incident experienced by Internet political and social commentator Cenk Uygur, who was removed from an AA flight in April 2016. Could this be a trend? We eventually left MIA at 12:40 am the next morning on AA flight number 1486, which arrived at DCA at 2:50 am on 3 August. Consequently, we both missed work that day. This entire experience was not very "American" of AA and the incident demonstrated the ongoing, indiscrete racism that I was untouched by prior to 9/11.

I guess it's now worthless to even complain about the inbound 3 hour flight delay we experienced departing from DCA to start our vacation to Miami. We hope that Department of Transportation will hold AA accountable given that new rules state that an airline can be fined up to $27,500 for each passenger on board a flight affected by egregious tarmac delays.

This story comes just one day after the reports of a British Muslim woman detained for reading a book about Syria while flying,
Sarah Safi of Gary, Indiana was kicked out of a Family Dollar store by an assistant store manager who cited the woman's traditional Muslim dress, a niqab and hijab, as being threatening. Ms. Safi, 32, recorded part of the manager's tirade on video.

Safi is a mother of four and was born in the USA. told local news reporters she is accustomed to being stared at for her traditional clothing, but hadn't been on the receiving end of such hostile discrimination before. She was going to the store to buy barbecue charcoal for a family celebration.

"I might have made it 10 steps into the store and I hear the lady behind the counter say, 'Ma'am, you need to take that off your face or you need to leave my store,'" Safi told a reporter.

At that point, Safi began to record the exchange on her cell phone. Safi, who was born and raised in Texas, moved to Gary a few years ago. She told the clerk she wears a niqab and hijab for religious purposes; the clerk, who identified herself as the manager, insisted Safi leave. "I understand, but you have to understand too this is a high crime area and we get robbed a lot. You need to remove that from your face or remove yourself from the store," the clerk is seen saying on the video. "I told her this country is a country of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and I have a right to wear whatever I want," Safi said. The Family Dollar employee told Safi if she didn't leave the store she would call the police, so Safi left. The worker also had parting words for her as she was on her way out. "Have a blessed day," the employee says on the video.

"I'm really saddened. I was born here, raised here all my life and I've never been to an establishment and been treated like this," Safi said. "I would like to sit with her and speak to her about what I believe in, because maybe if she heard and really listened to what I believe it I would open her heart."

Dollar Express released a statement:
How Toronto's one per cent outranks the rich in these other North American cities

The wealthiest one per cent of Torontonians have few peers when it comes to how much richer they are than ordinary citizens in their city.

According to a new study out of the University of Toronto, the citys wealthiest one per cent are about 100,000 times richer than the average person.

That chasm is the fourth widest out any North American city, trailing only Mexico City, Seattle and Dallas.

Toronto is a very, very rich and a very, very unequal place, one of the studys authors, Richard Florida, told the Metro.

Florida said that these elites are mostly older men between the ages of 57 and 82 who work in a variety of fields including media, fashion, retail, finance, real estate and health care.

He added that some elites on the list, like Donald Trump, inherited their riches, while others are self-made.

Kwame McKenzie, the CEO of the non-profit Wellesley Institute that analyzes societal inequities, told the Metro that it is no secret that the gap between the super rich and average citizens is growing.

And, he said, this growing wealth discrepancy is a social cancer that has manifested itself in issues with getting funding for public services, and it is also a drag on peoples health and life expectancy.

It really does cut through our social fabric in a way that isnt good for anyone, he said.

The question is, what will the government do about it?

Despite the gulf in wealth between the citys richest citizens and its elite, Toronto is actually only home to eight of Canadas 33 billionaires.

The study looked at data from Forbes 2015 billionaires listings to map where they live.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tennessee is searching for the states best small business and on top of statewide bragging rights, the winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize.

The Tennessees Best Small Business Contest is open to small business owners across the Volunteer State. Small business owners throughout First Tennessees markets, including Memphis and West Tennessee, may submit nominations between now and Aug. 21.

In addition to the grand prize, the first place winner will receive $5,000 and the second place winner will receive $2,500.

First Tennessee is dedicated to supporting small businesses because theyre vital to our economy, said David Popwell, president of First Tennessee. We work to promote strong communities and we believe that healthy small businesses are vital to our economic future.

After the nominating process concludes on Aug. 21, voting by the public will begin on Aug. 22 and wrap up on Sept. 4.

Nominations are now being accepted online and must include name, location and a photo of the company along with a brief profile describing how the small business offers great customer service.

For more information, visit www.ftb.com/smbcontest.

About First Tennessee

First Tennessee Bank is the largest bank headquartered in Tennessee, with the number one deposit market share in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and the Tri-Cities and a top-five deposit market share in Nashville. First Tennessee was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. First Tennessee and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), which has 4,300 employees. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Forbes, Working Mother and American Banker magazines. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com.

FHN-G
For a decade after Nebraskas statehood, Cherry County virtually was unoccupied land attached to adjacent Holt County for judicial purposes. After its organization and before the railroad arrived, Valentine, the county seat, was termed the toughest town in Nebraska," where saloons outnumbered stores.

The federal government proposed establishing a fort in the area near the Dakota Territory border to open a traffic with the settlements on the Loup [River] and the ranches on the Niobrara in 1878. General George Crook chose the site for the 55,000-acre military reservation about four miles east of the present site of Valentine in 1879. The following year more than 200 men began construction of the cottonwood fort with adobe buildings.

A survey party with the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad arrived in July 1882, and though they reported no buildings, when they returned within weeks, David Y. Mears had settled and built a log cabin. In April 1883 the railroad reached the area about 10 miles south of the Dakota border and had built a depot, livery, restaurant and general store, all on Main Street, and the post office, probably in Mears cabin, had been created as Valentine, named for Congressman E.K. Valentine.

The Nebraska Legislature established Cherry County in 1883. The new county was named in honor of 2nd Lt. Samuel A. Cherry. Cherry had been stationed at Fort Niobrara shortly after his graduation from West Point. The 33-year-old Cherry was murdered in 1881 by private Thomas Locke in a drunken fit. With the creation of the county, Gov. James Dawes appointed Mears, John Shores and S.T. Danley as county commissioners and arbitrarily placed the county seat at Valentine until an election could be held.

1883 also saw the opening of a U.S. Land Office, completion of the railroad bridge over the Niobrara River and the federal government erecting a warehouse to supply the Rosebud Reservation as well as the fort.

When the election to confirm the county seat at Valentine, the only settlement in the county, occurred, the railroad transported several hundred employees to the polls to insure its choice, which obviously cemented the governors decision. Valentine was incorporated as a village with a population of 250 on Mears 180-acre tract noted as being between the Niobrara and Minechaduza Rivers.

In order to provide a courthouse, Hiram Cornell purchased a building abandoned when a Wisconsin fort closed. He dismantled it, transported the materials to Valentine and reassembled it. The building later served as an opera house and hotel annex after the first purpose-built courthouse was completed.

In 1885, the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad became part of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad and two years later was a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Also in 1885 the population of Valentine was noted as 750 with the official plat filed by A.C. Macomb, a soldier at Fort Niobrara. In the late 1880s, the town nearly burned to the ground twice but both times was rebuilt.

In 1897, Omaha architect Charles Beindorffs plans for a new school were approved. The Norfolk, Nebraska brick and stone Queen Anne, two-story structure, which housed all grades from first through high school, was completed on the south edge of Valentine at Third and Macomb in 1898. Enlarged in 1908, the building was in use through 1980 when it was declared redundant and scheduled for demolition. Now renamed Centennial Hall, the oldest extant high school building in Nebraska was purchased by a nonprofit alumni organization, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and repurposed as a museum and meeting venue.

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad closed in 1992, becoming the Cowboy Trail for bikers and hikers. Fort Niobrara, once the home of 2nd Lt. John J. Pershing, finally closed completely in 1912, and, with the help of the C.C.C., morphed into todays Valentine/Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge.

David Mears' 1882 cabin was moved to the city park. The 70-foot high Smith Falls near Valentine on the south side of the Niobrara River is the tallest waterfall in Nebraska. Valentine, once the toughest town in the state, has a population of 2,737 almost exactly half of the countys total population. Although larger than two of the smallest U.S. states put together, Cherry County, with an area of 6,010 square miles is not even in the top 10 largest counties in the U. S., with California's San Bernardino County coming in at No. 1 with more than 20,000 square miles.
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NORFOLK  Four young entrepreneurs have launched a new startup called T'Work  a peer-to-peer tool rental marketplace.

Zach Davy, Kyle King and Kent Seevers, all of Norfolk, and Cody Leach, of Lincoln, launched T'Work for Norfolk on Monday.

"It's kind of like an Uber for power tools and equipment," Davy said.

The web-enabled app allows people who live in relatively close proximity to one another to rent and lend tools. Davy says the exchange comes with an online agreement, similar to rental agreements signed at home improvement stores. But T'Work allows more flexibility in how long and for how much a tool or equipment is rented.

The idea for T'Work came about when King and his wife bought a house in 2010 that needed renovations.

"They were constantly in this position where they needed a tool for a project," Davy said. "As an amateur doing a do-it-yourself project, you really don't know how long you'll need it, or what you're doing when you get started."

The cost to rent an item long-term can become so costly it would make more sense to just buy it, Davy said. But buying a tool, then using it only once doesn't make sense either, he said.

King approached the other partners about two years ago, and they've been working on its development since. The alpha version was launched in February in Lincoln, and there are plans to also launch in Omaha.

Davy said the success of the application is largely dependent upon the number of people who have items to lend. Enough people have to post tools for rent in each region where the application launches before rentals can actually begin, Davy said.
LA VISTA  Police say the ex-boyfriend of a homeowner was shot when he broke into her La Vista home and encountered an armed house-sitter.

Police say a man and a woman were house-sitting for a friend when they were awakened around 2:15 a.m. Saturday by an intruder trying to kick open the door of their bedroom.

Investigators say one of the house-sitters, 19-year-old Zachary Schmid, fired a gun and hit the intruder, who then fled.

Police say they found 26-year-old Darrick Minner about four miles away with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital for surgery. Police say he is expected to survive.

Investigators say Schmid was questioned and released.

Police have not said if Minner will face charges.
When blurred vision in his right eye escalated into cancer that spread to his lungs and later to his bones, Aaron Brix needed all the support he could get.

A world of uncertainty became clearer when Dr. Eric Avery at the Nebraska Hematology  Oncology, PC. recommended Brix for a clinical trial through the Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC), a program of the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership.

News of the medical setback rocked the world of Brix and his wife, Corey, but the assistance of the clinical trial gave the young couple assurance that they weren't going to face the journey alone. Nurses with the NCRC, as well as investigators from Nebraska Hematology Oncology, PC or Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center, accompany clinical trial participants and help them consider all possible treatment options.

Fourteen months after being accepted for a clinical trial, Aaron Brix, now 29, remains in active treatment. Through the treatment trials, new options are delivered in conjunction with conventional therapies to study whether they are more effective and safe.

Aaron Brix is one of 54 cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials this past year through the NCRC and joins over 2,000 other patients who have participated in clinical trials through NCRC since 1984. NCRC partners with both Lincoln oncology clinics as well as both hospital systems to provide patients access to cutting edge cancer treatments in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This allows patients to receive many of the same treatments available at renowned cancer treatment centers here at home, surrounded by their support system. Changes in funding from the NCI three years ago have resulted in more reliance on local funding in order for NCRC to continue its mission, according to Kelly Madcharo, director of NCRC.

How you can help

To raise some of those dollars, the Nebraska Cancer Research Center initiated its annual Colors of Hope: Cancer Research Fundraiser in 2014. This year's benefit, brought to you by Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center, is set for Thursday evening, Aug. 25 at Chez Hay, 210 N. 14th St. The $55-per-person event includes a dinner, cash bar, silent and live auctions, and a dessert auction. Michaela Emmons, fundraising coordinator for the NCRC, said the live auction will include a six-day, five-night vacation with airfare to Dublin, Ireland; a cruise to either the Bahamas, the Caribbean or Bermuda (destination to be determined by the winning bidder); and a 14-karat necklace with smoky quartz and diamond pendant, valued at $800.

Auction items will be accepted until Aug. 15. To donate an item to the auction, call (402) 327-6843. Tickets to the event may be purchased in advance at necancerresearch.org and at the door.
OSHA Launches Noise Safety Challenge

The Hear and Now campaign challenges entrepreneurs to develop a solution to noise exposure and hearing loss.

The Labor Department and OSHA are challenging entrepreneurs to develop solutions for preventing workplace hearing loss, with the "Hear and Now  Noise Safety Challenge," they announced recently.

According to OSHA, 22 million workers risk losing their hearing from workplace hazards every year, while hearing loss disability costs $242 million annually in worker's compensation.

Suggested topics for ideas were listed as: technology that will enhance training and improve the use of hearing protection, technology that alerts workers when hearing protection is not blocking enough noise, and technology that allows workers to hear important alerts or human voices while remaining protected.

Submissions are due by Sept. 30. Ten finalists will pitch their ideas on Oct. 27 in Washington, D.C. More information and a link to submit ideas can be found at https://www.dol.gov/featured/hearing.
Turkey's top diplomat escalated on Friday a war of words with Austria, calling it the "capital of radical racism" after Vienna urged an end to Ankara's EU membership talks. "Racism is an enemy of human rights and humanitarian values and the Austrian chancellor should first look at his own country," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told TGRT news channel. "Austria is the capital of radical racism," he said. Cavusoglu was reacting to comments made by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern who said Turkey was unfit to join the European Union in the aftermath of the July 15 attempted coup by a rogue faction within the military. "We have to face reality: the membership negotiations are currently no more than fiction," Kern told the Die Presse newspaper in comments published on Thursday. Cavusoglu blasted Kern's "ugly" comments. Turkey has already faced much criticism and delay in its bid to join the EU which could face further issues after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's suggestion last month that he may reintroduce the death penalty following the failed putsch. Cavusoglu said he rejected all of Kern's criticisms of Turkey, which included the statement that Ankara's democratic standards were "far from sufficient to justify its accession". Reacting on Twitter soon after Cavusoglu made those comments, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz urged his counterpart to "exercise restraint". "I urge the foreign minister to exercise restraint and sharply reject his criticism. Turkey needs to moderate its choice of words and actions," he said in German. On Thursday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker rejected Vienna's call to end talks over Turkish accession, saying it would be a "serious foreign policy mistake". "I don't think it would be helpful if we were to unilaterally end negotiations with Turkey," Juncker told German public broadcaster ARD. Turkey's EU membership bid dates back to 1963, with its formal application made in 1987 and negotiations starting in 2005.
Social media marketing has gone from being a good to have tool in your marketing toolbox to one of the first go-to platforms that new businesses promote themselves on.

Its not just new businesses. Established businesses and known brands spend millions of dollars promoting themselves and engaging with their users on a one on one basis via social media. In 2014, advertisers worldwide spent a collective $17.74 billion on social media. That figure is set to go up by over a third this year.

With that kind of money gushing into this platform, do the Davids of the world even stand a chance to stay ahead of the competition  the Goliaths with deep, unending pockets? They just might  if they play their cards right.

1. Keep the Content Engine Chugging

Content is the lifeblood of social media. Do you have at least a weeks worth of content ready and waiting in your social media pipeline? No. Then stop right there. Take a break from all that meaningless tweeting and retweeting. To stay ahead of the competition, reassess your game plan and come back on social media when you have enough content ammo in place.

Build a detailed social media calendar that takes into account your brands objectives, its competitive landscape and current events in the industry. Before your content can entertain and inform your audience, it needs to be relevant to them to grab their attention.

Twenty20s Social Media Calendar is a great tool that enables you to build a custom calendar for your business. This free tool is your ears to the ground for the latest thats going on around you.

From Earth Day to National Engineers Day, you get a heads up every week on the occasions that are around the corner. Not only do you get occasion alerts with seven days advance notice, you also get six free photos relevant to the occasion that you can use on social media.

Popular hashtags for the holiday in question combined with social media tips and tricks round off the goodies that this unique content calendar service offers you.

2. Clear Away Bad Social Karma

Despite of our best intentions, sometimes we all make careless mistakes on social media. This can be a rogue tweet by an unhappy employee from the company handle or a callous response to a customer problem by someone on your customer care team. Whatever the cause, its always the social media team that is responsible for cleaning up the mess.

Large brands that mess up have the luxury of dedicated PR agencies that can monitor their brand activity and clean up behind the brand every time something negative happens.

Now small businesses can too. Clear is a magic eraser, of sorts, for all your past social media faux pas.

This app connects your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts and scours through all your posts for words and phrases that can be directly or indirectly seen as offensive. It then presents you a report with all the offensive posts and offers you a chance to obliterate them from all social networks  for good.

Clear has interesting roots. The founder of Clear, Ethan Czahor was once the CTO for Jeb Bushs political presence on the World Wide Web. However, Czahors not-so-politically correct tweets from his days as a standup comic came back to haunt him in his high profile role. The result? He was fired from a dream job.

This tool is created as an antidote to any similar mishaps for individuals and businesses. Currently in beta, the app plans to expand its capabilities to also cover blog posts and visual content in the days ahead.

3. Automate Wherever Possible

Its tough to stay ahead of the competition, and social media management can be even tougher. Especially with the number of new networks that gain popularity every other day, theres simply never enough time to catch a breath. This is where the big boys and the experts rely on automation.

By relying on technology to take care of things that can be automated, you free up time to do things on social media that cannot be automated  like engaging with your fans. From getting curated content instantly to generating detailed reports across networks, social media automation is something which Im forever grateful for.

One of my favorite tools when it comes to social media has got to be Tweet Jukebox. This is a free tool that allows you to send out automated tweets from a library that you can pre-load in advance.

This library of content called a jukebox can accommodate thousands of tweets at a time. You can create dedicated jukeboxes for different types of content and schedule them to be tweeted create multiple folders containing tweets dedicated to specific subject areas.

See Also: PA Marketing Company Launches Livestreaming Social Media Talk Show

There are hundreds of jukeboxes with ready-made content that you can use too. There are interesting quotes, images and the like to pick from on days when youre really running low on things to post.

4. Learn from Social Media Leaders

Too often, businesses get caught up in the daily rigmarole of creating content, curating new content, publishing it, responding to fans and so on. They get blinded to all the innovation that is going on around them on social media. Yes, we all see the big viral campaign by that social media savvy brand once it breaks across networks.

But do we catch it before it becomes the topic du jour?

Small businesses especially have a lot to learn from successful brands on social media. This includes not just their flagship campaigns, but also the small things that go into making them the social media powerhouses they are. Things like which type of content works best for them, which platforms are most effective and so on.

Unmetric helps businesses see where they stand against immediate competition. It also tracks large marquee brands that have turned social media marketing into an art form that others can learn from.

Things like which type of content works best for them, which platforms are most effective, what time of day did they send out their winning posts are all tracked, measured and presented in simple digestible nuggets for you to gain insights from.

Unmetric is not just about competitive tracking though. It also does a fabulous job of helping you create content that will resonate with your target audience. It does this by tracking the latest content sensations on social media, matching them up against your audience and showing you the direction in which you need to be headed from a content creation perspective.

In Closing

Managing social media for your business is very different from what you do on social media as an individual. To stay ahead of the competition, put aside your preconceived notions about social media when you take up the task of managing social media for a business.

The sooner you play like the big boys on social media  the easier it will be to join their club.

Use this social media calendar template to create a social media publishing schedule!
An important part of marketing a small business should be gaining press coverage. But attracting media attention can be an art in itself.

Journalists like me get pitched every day, often multiple times a day. With so much coming at us, we journalists have to make quick decisions upon seeing an email or press release.

Fortunately, there are some battle tested ways to get your brand in front of the media. Here are 28 ways to get media coverage for your business.

Editors note: watch a video featuring 10 ways to get media attention for your business.

How to Get Your Business in the Media

1. Know What The Media Outlet Covers

The biggest problem with most media pitches is that they are mismatched with what the publication, show or individual journalist covers.

Every media outlet has a style all its own based on its audience. Even if they cover the same news, different media outlets will cover it from different angles. Journalists may have specific beats. So not only does your news have to match, but your angle has to match, too. You can only learn these nuances by reading, watching or listening to the media outlet repeatedly.

2. Choose Email Over Phone

Today, media pitches should go through email. Avoid the temptation to call, unless you have a very specific question. Voicemails take more time to listen to, and can be hard to forward to the right person. Busy editors will simply hit the delete key on their phone if faced with a long voicemail with garbled words.

3. Reach the Right Person

Part of a PR pros value is in finding the right person. Even here at Small Business Trends we have multiple editors and writers. An email to one wont necessarily be seen by anyone else.

Or go through the main contact form. Media outlets may use help desk software that routes communications to the right place based on drop-down menus or certain words in the message.

4. Target Regular Features

Does the media outlet have a regular feature? You can practically schedule your story to run in a print or online publication if you spend a little time to discover regular features where your companys story would be a perfect fit. Media outlets are always looking for subjects for these regular features. Search for editorial calendars, or follow their Twitter feed to spot recurring features.

And be sure to follow any instructions for that feature. For instance, here at Small Business Trends we do a weekly small business spotlight. But youd be surprised how many people dont bother to look at the Contact page for how to submit a business for consideration. Instead, they send around general email pitches. In all likelihood their email is never seen by the editor responsible for that feature.

5. Let Them Know Youre an Expert

Every three months send an email indicating you are an expert and available for media interviews. Being quoted gets you and your business recognized in your field. Editors sometimes save these emails if they should need a source. Also, create a page on your website that identifies you as an expert on certain topics, so editors can find you through Google.

6. Be Easy to Reach

Nothing is more frustrating than an expert source who is hard to reach for an interview. Journalists work under tight deadlines. Be easy to reach by phone. Put a phone number on your website for media inquiries. Return calls immediately. Oh, and if youre working with a PR pro, you need to respond to your PR rep who is trying to set up the interview for you. Weve lost track of how many times PR reps say two days later they still cant reach their client! If youre not easy to reach, you wont be contacted a second time by that journalist or media outlet.

7. Create a Resource Center for Media

Make it easy on media to cover your business. Create a media page where the press can easily grab your logo in color and black-and-white, screenshots, images of your top products, and headshots of key executives. Include high resolution versions. Also, include basic facts and figures about your business. Remember, if your business is not a main part of the story, the editor may decide to cut out your business completely rather than hold up the entire story for one missing piece of information.

8. Tweet @ Them

Twitter is great for making connections with journalists. Follow journalists on Twitter. And tweet at them if you have something relevant to say, by including their @handle in your tightly crafted pitch tweet. If theyre mobile-savvy reporters, theyll likely get a notification on their phones. Knowing that, you definitely dont want to overdo this.

9. Newsjack

Inserting your business into a breaking news situation  albeit indirectly  can have great (or disastrous) effects. There are low-key ways of newsjacking, though. Think, if theres an unbreakable heat wave and you run an HVAC business, itd be a perfect time to lend an expert voice to any news story.

9. Take Advantage of Freebies

A lot of news and trade news websites offer free events calendars or free listings of resources. Get any special events or information on these listings.

News outlets hosting these listings are usually following them in case they need to fill news and feature holes in their coverage. A well-written and comprehensive listing of yours may grab their attention and lead to a story.

See Also: 10 Ways to Accelerate Your Online Marketing and Small Business Growth

10. Invite the Media to Your Special Events

Never forget to invite the media to any special event youre hosting. Customer appreciation day, company anniversary  whatever. Give them easy access and always remind the press that youre available to speak to them on any press release you issue. At an event, hold special times where you can address the press or they can ask you questions and get information.

11. Engage on Facebook

Find media with active Facebook Pages. Share their stories. Comment on their Facebook posts. At the very least, youll get some attention from their audience. Its also a good way to get the outlets attention. Remember, a lot of reporters have their own Pages, too. Be sure to Like and engage there, too. Its a great way to get attention.

12. Start With Blogs of Media Outlets

Some outlets have outlets of their own. For example, TV stations and newspapers often have blogs on their websites. While it may be difficult to get your business in the New York Times right out of the gate, perhaps you can get covered in one of its blogs by connecting with the bloggers. And you can still technically say you were covered on the New York Times website.

13. Create Your Media Short List

Maintain your own updated roster of media outlets, reporters, and other contacts in the media industry. Break the lists down to include lists of local and regional sources and another that is industry specific. And write notes so you remember details about how to reach certain people or stories they tend to cover.

14. Offer Exclusives (Sometimes)

If you operate your business in a competitive news market, offering an exclusive to one outlet may be a benefit. Press outlets in competition with each other are always looking for ways to get a leg up.

Be careful, though. This plan could backfire and those you didnt offer the exclusive to may feel jilted.

15. Dont Brag About Other News Outlets Covering Your News

Would you invite people to a dinner party and tell them youre serving leftovers from the dinner party the night before? Dont send a pitch email that brags about all the important news outlets that have already covered your news. Its like telling the recipient he or she is second string.

16. Attend Community Events Where the Press May Be Present

Local small businesses do wonders for themselves simply by not being a stranger. Attend local community events. Set up a booth. The press is usually at these events and being there is a good chance to acquaint yourselves with them and vice versa.

17. Offer Review Products But Not Gifts

For companies with products: get to know the journalists who do product reviews. Contact them and offer a demo, trial or temporary review copy of your products. Do not offer free products or send gifts to journalists, however, as that could violate ethics rules of their employers.

18. Create a Complete Press Release

A press release today should include everything a reporter would need to write or produce a story about your business. This includes your logo, product images, screenshots, executive headshots, videos, links to online demos or free trials, and social media profile links. Also, provide facts and figures about your company including how many customers you serve, your markets, and where you have offices. The more complete your package, the more likely you are to get coverage.

19. Send Bulky Mail

Sometimes snail mailing a package with an inexpensive swag item and a personal note helps build relationships with journalists. Do not send anything expensive. Many media outlets have ethics rules prohibiting journalists from accepting items of value. But a branded thumb drive that costs $2 or a small branded notepad, along with a personal note, could be memorable without crossing the line.

20. Be Philanthropic

Be a benefit to your community, especially in times of need. Help organize or contribute to charitable drives. Get your name and your businesss name out in the community attached to something other than your business. When the press covers these charities, theyll often mention whos involved in helping. Getting your name on that list gets the medias attention  and the communitys too.

21. Be a Resource Even After Your Story is Covered

If youve gotten coverage from a specific media outlet or reporter, stay connected with them. Reporters love knowing they can rely on someone as a source. Drop an occasional email with updates about your business and let them know youre always available as a source of information.

22. Avoid Buzzwords and Tech Jargon

Every business has words and terminology specific to them. But most times, no one else really understands these buzzwords or wants to hear them. Its hard for journalists to write about your new tech product if they dont even understand what it is or does. Use plain language that clearly explains it.

23. Use Bullet Points in Pitches

The media loves information thats easy to digest. Pitch your story with some quick-hit data and facts that can be easily consumed by the audience. Use stats  but not too many  and quick tidbits in bullets to get your points across.

24. Dont Overhype

Creating a false sense of urgency wont get you much attention. Like the boy who cried wolf, over-hyping a story could cost you credibility in the future.

25. Never Harangue Reporters

Theres a line between being a go-getter and an annoyance. It may be the wrong timing for your story or there may be some other reason for lack of response by the journalist. Dont cost yourself an opportunity for coverage in the future by being pushy or obnoxious about your current pitch.

26. Do Something Unique

The media is always out looking for something unique. Make a statement via your brand. It could be a one-of-a-kind unique product youve created or have in stock, a vibrant new shade of paint on the outside of your store  anything that gets your business to stand out from the crowd. And heres the important part: be able to clearly articulate what is different. Dont assume a journalist will get it if you dont point it out and state it clearly.

27. Create Research

The media is always looking for facts and statistics. If you collect any data in your business or have observations about facts and figures in your industry, compile it into a research report or index. Update it monthly or quarterly, and issue a press release around it. One of the ways that Barbara Corcoran, the multimillionaire investor on Shark Tank, got publicity for her business early on was through compiling statistics into the Corcoran Report about New York real estate.

28. Give a Shout-Out

When a media outlet gives your business attention, acknowledge it on your site. Designate a press page to collect these references. Share stories on social media too. While journalists dont expect thanks from you, remember that the media outlets management may want to know that a story made an impact when they decide what to cover in the future.
The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out
At age 16 Lincoln East High School junior McKaylee True has already achieved noteworthy recognition in the competitive dance industry.

Appearing on Lifetime TV Networks reality show "Abbys Ultimate Dance Competition" (Season 2) at the age of 13, she took home the top prize -- $100,000.

It was a turning point in my career, said McKaylee, who has studied at her moms Lincoln studio, True Dance & Co., since age 2.

At the Adrenaline Dance Convention National Finals in Orlando, Fla., last month, McKaylee drew more national attention when she captured the Senior Miss Adrenaline 2016 title. She spent 10 days auditioning in each different dance style, doing interviews and taking classes from the most sought-after teachers in the dance industry.

Twenty-five percent of the score for the Senior Miss Adrenaline title was work ethic. So 100 percent of the time you have to be on your A game, McKaylee explained. It was grueling with an 8-to-4 schedule and nightly competitions.

When the top three finalists were named, McKaylee had 15 minutes to prepare to perform her solo, Amore one more time. If it would have gone either way, I would have been supportive (of the other finalists), she said.

Two-year scholarship

Along with the Senior Miss Adrenaline 2016, McKaylee received a two-year scholarship to travel with Adrenaline, assisting and performing across the country. At the Adrenaline finals McKaylee also received an ultimate platinum on her solo and was the top female soloist in her division. Her senior dance line from True Dance & Co. got second overall in the Gala event.

The best part of the whole experience was getting to know her fellow competitors and dancing with the best of the best on the Crew Dance team, she shared. Members of the team represented regional dance competition winners from across the country. I think its super cool that they can bring together girls from other studios and have them dance as a team, McKaylee shared. The world of dance is very competitive, and being able to come together and break down those walls is great.

As the winner of Abbys Ultimate Dance Competition, McKaylee received a two-year scholarship to Joffrey Ballet School of New York, a performing arts high school. After touring Joffrey in May and meeting with the artistic director, McKaylee decided to remain in Lincoln to finish high school. For me it wasnt a perfect fit, said McKaylee. Her favorite styles are lyrical and contemporary.

Staying in Lincoln

Her decision to remain in Lincoln was also influenced by her parents advice to stay grounded. McKaylee said she definitely didnt want to miss out on dancing with the East High School Apollonaire Dance Team. This will be her second year on the 19-member team. Each girl is on a competitive team or takes dance at least three times a week, McKaylee shared. It really helps with my competitive background to bring that to the team.

She will take the next year to begin to consider the many options open to her after high school, such as forging directly into the dance field or heading to college for further study.

McKaylee is off to a strong start with connections she has made through the reality show and her mom. True regularly brings in outside talent to work as instructors. The connections are everything, so knowing those people she brings in is really great, McKaylee said.

Agent in L.A.

McKaylee has an agent in Los Angeles and travels to the West Coast periodically. She recently finished filming for the latest version of Just Dance for the Wii. After getting back, she headed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the East High School Apollonaire Dance Team for a competition.

I think I want to go the West Coast way, McKaylee shared. That could include being featured in commercials, movies or in shows like Cirque du Soleil.

I would consider a contemporary company. That would be amazing as well, she added.
Security

Massive Breach Exposes Hundreds of Questions for Future SAT Exams

Someone with access to materials for upcoming versions of the redesigned SAT exam has taken hundreds of questions and provided them to Reuters, the wire agency reported this week.

The confidential test items included 21 reading passages  each with about a dozen questions  and about 160 math problems.

Reuters does not know how widely the items have circulated. The news agency said it has no evidence that the materials have fallen into the hands of what the College Board, which administers the SAT college entrance exam, calls bad actors, or groups that will lie, cheat and steal for personal gain, the board said.

But independent testing specialists briefed on the issue said the breach represents one of the most serious security lapses to come to light in the history of college admissions testing, Reuters reported.

To ensure the materials were real, Reuters provided copies to the New York, NY-based College Board. In a response letter to the news agency, an attorney for the College Board said publishing any of the items would have a dire impact, destroying their value, rendering them unusable, and inflicting other injuries on the College Board and test takers.

College Board spokeswoman Sandra Riley said in a statement that the organization was moving to contain damage from the leak. The College Board is taking the test forms with stolen content off of the SAT administration schedule while we continue to monitor and analyze the situation, she said.

Riley declined to say whether those steps would involve canceling or delaying upcoming tests. The next Scholastic Aptitude Test in the United States is Oct. 1.

The breach is a serious criminal matter, Riley wrote in her statement. A thorough investigation is ongoing, therefore our comments must be limited.

Colleges and universities throughout the country use the SAT to evaluate millions of college applicants each year. Thus, a major security lapse could wreak havoc for admissions officers and students alike.

Neal Kingston, head of the Achievement and Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas, called the SAT security breach a problem of a massive level, one that could put into question the credibility of the exam.

If unscrupulous test-preparation centers obtained the stolen items, the impact on the SAT would be devastating, said James Wollack, director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Placement Testing.

Since the beginning of the year, Reuters has been investigating the security of college entrance exams and the College Board, and has published a five-part series on its findings. In March, Reuters reported that the College Board has been unable to prevent foreign test-preparation operators from giving their clients an advance look at exam questions.

Back in 2014, employees at the College Board raised concerns, arguing for limits on who could access items and answer keys for the revamped SAT, Reuters reported.

In this most recent breach, Reuters reported that the stolen materials include a wealth of items for upcoming tests, including reading passages drawn from novels, historical documents, scientific journals, essays and other texts, each accompanied by questions. Also among the materials were math problems involving geometry and quadratic equations.
Grants

White House Launches $9 Million Grant Contest to Reduce Assessment Burden

The Enhanced Assessment Instruments Grant program is the next step in the presidents action plan to improve the quality of academic assessments.

The quality of state academic assessments has been under scrutiny for quite some time, and now a grant program from the United States Department of Education seeks to innovate and improve annual assessments. The Education Department is allotting almost $9 million in federal grants for states to effectively report scores and reduce unnecessary testing.

The grant program builds on President Obamas Testing Action Plan released last year. The plan aims to reform redundant standardized tests that are administered too frequently and fail to effectively measure student outcomes. As the next step in the plan, the Enhanced Assessment Instruments grant program, also called the Enhanced Assessment Grants (EAG) program, offers financial support for states to develop and use more effective assessments.

"The President's Testing Action Plan encourages thoughtful approaches to assessments that will help to restore the balance on testing in America's classrooms by reducing unnecessary assessments while promoting equity and innovation," said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. in a news release. "This grant competition is the next step as part of that plan, and will help states and districts improve tests to allow for better depiction of student and school progress so that parents, teachers and communities have the vital information they need on academic achievement."

The Education Department listed other objectives for the grant program:

Collaborate with higher ed institutions, research institutions or other organizations to improve the quality, validity and reliability of state academic assessments;

Use a variety of measures to gauge student academic achievement;

Document student progress over time; and

Develop comprehensive academic assessment instruments like performance and technology-based tools to evaluate student academic achievement.

State education agencies and state education consortiums are eligible to apply for the grants. Applicants that address these program objectives "by producing significant research methodologies products or tools, regarding assessment systems, or assessments," will be chosen to receive funding for their projects, according to the department's website.

Applications are available on Aug. 8. Applicants must submit proposals for the EAG competition by Sept. 22 and winners will be announced in January. Further information is available on the Education Department site.
- Kenya was hit by a country-wide blackout on Saturday, August 6

- Kenya power said the cause of the power outage was a technical problem

- Power was later four hours with the power company releasing a statement

Kenya Power has restored electricity after a technical fault resulted in a four-hour nationwide blackout on Saturday, August 6.

Power supply to North Rift, Western Kenya, South Nyanza, Kisii, Mt. Kenya and some parts of Central Kenya was restored shortly after 10am.

Kenya Power has restored electricity after a technical fault resulted in a four-hour nationwide blackout on Saturday.

READ ALSO: Uhuru jokes about Railas complains against his numerous foreign trips

Kenyans had woken up on Saturday, August 6, to a massive power outage that has affected the country.

Kenya Power in a statement said a technical hitch in the mainline has caused a countrywide outage and was working to restore electricity.

Kenyans have reacted with anger and frustration to the massive power outage that affected the country.

Most blamed it on the company being a monopoly as the main reason for its poor service delivery.

The power outage affected Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Some passengers were left in the dark at the airport after the backup generator failed to work.

Kenya Power in a statement said a technical hitch in the mainline has caused a countrywide outage and it's working to restore electricity.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Russia's Sakhalin II liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant has launched a tender to sell four cargoes in total in September and October, trade sources said.

Three of the cargoes will be loading in September and one in October, one of the sources said.

Sakhalin Energy, which operates the plant, is a joint venture between energy giant Gazprom -- which owns a 50 percent stake -- and Royal Dutch Shell (Xetra: A0ET6Q - news) which has 27.5 percent. Japan Mitsui also has 12.5 percent and Diamond Gas, a Mitsubishi Corp (LSE: 7035.L - news) subsidiary, 10 percent. (Reporting by Oleg Vukmanovic, editing by David Evans)
YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The Special Investigation Service of Armenia announces that the criminal case, filed under the Articles of 219 and 235 of the Armenian Criminal Code over the seized Police precinct on July 17, has been sent to the Special Investigation Service of Armenia on August 2 under the mediation of the National Security Service of Armenia, press service of the Investigation Service informed Armenpress.

Currently the preliminary investigation is being carried out by a group of 48 investigators. 44 people are involved in the criminal case as culprits, and two more have a status of suspect. 42 people are arrested, 3 people are in hospital. All the culprits have been charged under the Article 218 (taking hostage), the Article 219 (seizing buildings, means of transport and communication) and the Article 235 (illegally acquiring, using, keeping, transferring or carrying weapons, ammunition, explosive devices) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. 19 people suffered injuries, 10 of whom with taking and holding hostage.

The Armenian Special Investigation Service informs that all the actions of the culprits will be personalized based on the existing and upcoming evidence.

It also informs that the arrest against the culprits aims to prevent their possible non-proper behavior and ensure the normal process of the criminal proceedings during the early stage of the investigation. Thus, we urge the public interested in this criminal case not to assess or comment the use of that preventive measure as a punishment.

Additional information will be provided about the preliminary and interim results of the investigation.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. After the July events in Armenia the key to maintaining the stability of the situation is in the leaderships hands, Armenpress reports, executive director of Against Violation of Law NGO, former Armenian Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan said referring to the political situation in Armenian created after the gunmens laying down the weapons.

She said the mediations in the negotiation process gave their positive results. She said there will be people who will once again try to apply illegal methods, and there will be those who will go on changes with the leadership through peaceful means. I think now is the best moment to make political and personnel changes, she stated.

Larisa Alaverdyan said during these tense days (July 17-31) the journalists were in their places. We had a group of journalists who came, stood and were beaten. And now I am confident they will do everything to restore the justice, she said.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages  demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquirement of weapons and ammunition.

Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush.

Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.  Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds.

The hostages were released within a week, but on July 27 the gunmen took hostage the paramedics who came to show medical assistance to the wounded in Police station.

On July 30 a police officer Yuri Tepanosyan has been killed by sniper fire from the seized police precinct.

On July 31 the gunmen laid down the weapons and surrendered.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The Police of Armenia deny media reports on Officer Gagik Zohrabyan being involved in the July 29 Sari Tagh incidents and using excessive force and violence while in plainclothes.

The Police of Armenia officially announce that not a single incident on Gagik Zohrabyan using violence has been uncovered as result of ongoing internal investigations.

In addition, Gagik Zohrabyan has been dispatched to Sari Tagh at the instruction of the Police Chief, and has fulfilled his official duties as officer of the investigative-intelligence department, including verifying information regarding violence against reporters by persons in plainclothes. On that day, Gagik Zohrabyan himself has been subjected to violence.

Meanwhile we inform that Gagik Zohrabyan has no connection with the hooligan behavior of some Pavel Sasunyan in reporter Tehmine Yenokyans Facebook page.

Other information will be published after completing the ongoing internal investigation.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. The current leadership of Georgia attempt to contribute to the maintenance of regional balance, expert on Georgian affairs Joni Melikyan told ARMENPRESS. The expert underscored the prospects of development of Russian-Georgian dialogue in the context of consequences for Armenia.

We know how Saakashvilis party worked. I would like to note a fact: Saakashvili and his supporters were more in favor for the trilateral Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey relations development, which contradicted Armenias interests.

Though perhaps that trilateral format would include agreements and military cooperation, however the current leadership emphasis the Euro-Atlantic integration, NATO cooperation and EU membership. This way they cancel the possibility of forming a military-political alliance within this trilateral format, which Saakashvili aspired for so much, he said.

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia, Melikyan said according to latest data 17 percent of citizens support the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Although there are some indicators, however recent surveys by the American Institute of Democracy and other agencies show that neither the leadership, nor the other parties have enough public support which would have allowed saying confidently that they will have majority votes in Parliament. I can say that currently a better opportunity is being created for smaller parties for being included in the Parliament. These indicators, are of course changing, as 50 percent of the population hasnt decided or is complaining, and they might even not take part in the elections, he said.

ARMENPRESS asked Melikyan if the Armenian community of Georgia is unanimously supporting any party, Melikyan answered:  That tendency, when 80-90% of Armenians of Javakhk or Tbilisi were supporting any particular political force, vanished during the 2012 elections, when the votes were divided. Work is being done with the communities; however I cant say that they are active. Comparably the Georgian Dream, Republican Party, Free Democrats, United National Movement of Saakashvili are active.

Parliamentary elections are set to take place on October 8 in Georgia.
Rosie Kirianov wanted to be just like her older sister. Even at two years old when her sister started taking dance classes, Kirianov started taking them, too.

What started as following in her sisters footsteps has turned into a passion and long-time love of dance.

As a young beginner, Kirianov took basic ballet and tap lessons.

I remember always wanting to learn new moves or tricks, she says. As she got older, she began to also appreciate dance as a fun way to express yourself, exercise and meet new people.

Over the years, she has also learned jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, ballroom and a few other obscure styles while dancing at The Pure Movement Dance Institute. Today, her favorite style is contemporary.

I love it because it combines the elements of jazz and ballet -- which I love both -- and turns those two combined into its own style, says Kirianov. With contemporary you can express almost any emotion, which is fascinating for an onlooker to go through the experience of watching.

Kirianov has enjoyed her years dancing at Pure Movement and appreciates the wholesome, family-oriented environment provided by studio director Rhea Gill and her instructors. I have enjoyed my years at Pure Movement so much and it literally feels like my second home, she adds.

Growing pains

Kirianov says Gill has been a huge source of support and encouragement to her over the years.

When Kirianov was about 11 years old she had a growth spurt, and she currently stands 5 feet, 11 inches, which is tall for a female dancer. Kirianov says Gill was very encouraging and supportive through this growth challenge.

She [Gill] has always pushed me to be the best dancer and person I can be, all circumstances aside, says Kirianov, She has taught me so many life lessons that I will be able to carry outside of the studio that I am so grateful for.

Artistic accolades

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently honored Kirianov as a one of its 2016 Nebraska Young Artist Award recipients. The UNL College of Fine and Performing Arts annually recognizes 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theater and film, and new media.

Kirianov says she was deeply honored with this award, especially because her sister and other Pure Movement dancers previously received the award and she is proud to continue this family and studio legacy.

Kirianov has learned that dance is challenging because it requires so much of both the body and mind. Over the years, she said, she has learned both physical and mental control because of dance.

Gill says Kirianov is one of Pure Movements outstanding students not only because she is a talented dancer but also because of her extraordinary character. She is an amazing role model and I wish for all my students to have the grace as a dancer and a person that this young woman has.

According to Gill, Kirianov's confidence and determination serve as an inspiration to those around her. It has been my honor and privilege to be her teacher and in some cases her student, she adds.

Kirianovs quest for excellence extends beyond the dance studio. She is preparing to start her senior year of high school this month. She's been on the honor roll during most of high school, while challenging herself with high-level courses. She hopes that dance will always be a part of her life.

Being able to express yourself and what you feel through the movement of your body is Kirianovs favorite part of dance. She says, There are no rules in dance, almost no way that you can't move your body to express what you are trying to portray," she said. "I also love the fact that dance is so insanely diverse. Everywhere you go there is some kind of dance that usually in some way unites people and to me that is amazing.
Real Estate News What is it like to live in Franklin? Debbie Pellegris roots run deep in this Norfolk County community of roughly 33,000. A home on Union Street in Franklin is decorated. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Debbie Pellegris roots run deep in this Norfolk County community of roughly 33,000. She was born in a hospital in Milford, and from there I came right to Franklin.

Pellegri, 68, remembers her family chopping down Christmas trees on Washington Street when she was a child, and her father was a police officer here for 30 years. Later, Pellegri and her husband, Ronald (also a Franklin native), bought their house on Pleasant Street, where they have lived for nearly 50 years and raised two children. She appreciates that her children could walk to school and that their home is close to the library and Main Street.

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Pellegri retired last year after 31 years as town clerk. Through her work, she met many young couples who were drawn to Franklin for its schools, proximity to Boston and Providence, and reasonable real estate. (The median home price as of press time was $389,700, according to Zillow.com.)

Its worth noting that Franklin is technically a city, but it refers to itself as a town. While many changes over the years have benefited the community, Pellegri does rue the loss of farmland. Its sad to think kids growing up today dont know what its like to be on a farm, she said. Her own grandmother ran a farm and flower shop on Washington Street, and her grandfather made wine with the grapes they grew.

Debbie Pellegri of Franklin

To stay connected to Franklins past, Pellegri volunteers at the historical museum. People come in and theyre amazed at whats here, she said. The collection includes Native American arrowheads, antique wedding gowns, and old photographs in which residents have recognized relatives.

When she retired as town clerk, people wanted to know if she was going to sell her house  I said: No! This is where my roots are. I love Franklin. Ive lived here for 68 years, and I have no intention of ever moving. 

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As if to prove that point, Pellegri was elected to the Town Council.

BY THE NUMBERS

116

The number of books Benjamin Franklin gave the community in 1788, after the town, once known as Exeter, renamed itself in his honor. Franklin had been asked to donate a bell for a church steeple, but preferring sense to sound, he offered books for the use of town residents instead. A controversy erupted over who got to use them, according to town accounts, but in 1790, a Town Meeting vote to lend the books to all Franklin residents free of charge established the countrys first public library.

20

The number of local vendors at this years Franklin Farmers Market, held every Friday afternoon on the Town Common until Oct. 28

1796

The year Horace Mann, considered this countrys father of public education, was born in Franklin. Mann was elected to the Massachusetts House and Senate, was appointed the states first secretary of education, and then served in Congress, all along promoting the idea that education should be free and universal.

PROS & CONS

Pro

New high school

Two years ago, the building opened on time and on budget ($103.5 million), with 20 percent more core academic space, an 830-seatauditorium, modern science labs, a gym, and an indoor walking track.

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Pro & Con

Traffic changes

Franklin is reconfiguring traffic around the downtown triangle from one-way to two-way, which will aid response times for emergency personnel and bring beautification efforts, including new paving and sidewalks. It will also result in some confusion for drivers (and pedestrians) as they adjust. Another pro: The town has also removed the parking meters.

Pro

Lively downtown

The nonprofit Franklin Downtown Partnership not only promotes economic development, but also organizes popular events, including beautification day, progressive dinners, and strawberry and holiday strolls.

Franklin Historical Museum  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Franklin Town Common  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Red Brick School  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Franklins public library, which is undergoing renovationJonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Chilson Beach on Beaver Pond  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Franklin State Forest  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Dean College  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Franklin Historical Museum  Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff

Rachel Lebeaux can be reached at [email protected].
RACINE COUNTY  A 47-year-old Milwaukee man was reportedly arrested on a charge of first-offense driving under the influence with a child under age 16 in the vehicle.

Haltex Jakarta Deacon was stopped on Interstate 94 in Racine County about 3:33 a.m. Saturday for a lane deviation when a Wisconsin state trooper noticed an odor of intoxicants, according to a Wisconsin State Patrol news release Saturday morning.

After the trooper administered field sobriety tests, Deacon was arrested, taken to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital for a blood draw and transported to the Racine County Jail, according to the news release.

Deacon was also cited for operating without a license, no insurance and deviation from designated lane, the release states.
KENOSHA  Seeking to end a days-long firestorm, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump reversed course Friday and endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Trumps announcement, made during a campaign stop in Green Bay, came just a few days after he gave a shoutout to Ryans primary challenger and proclaimed he was "just not there when it came to endorsing Ryan.

Trump retreated Friday, saying: In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

He added that while they may disagree on a couple of things, they agree on a lot as well.

Hes a good man and hes a good guy, Trump said.

Ryans opponent in Tuesdays primary, Paul Nehlen, said in a statement that Trumps endorsement is appropriate and is a display of true leadership.

But he said Trumps early refusal to endorse Ryan sent a clear signal to Wisconsin voters that Ryan is not his preferred candidate in this race.

Ryan brushes

off attention

Ryan did not attend Trumps rally, spending the afternoon and evening in Kenosha County instead.

Speaking to Republicans at the Kenosha County GOP headquarters, 5901 75th St., Ryan brushed off the sudden national media attention Trump has brought to his primary race against Nehlen.

He insisted that national interest in Wisconsin politics isnt new, comparing outside influences in the primary to past state Supreme Court races and legislative and gubernatorial recalls.

We are used to out-of-state interlopers coming in and trying to hijack our system, Ryan said. This is not new for us. Its new coming from this fringe right, but its not something were used to having.

Nehlen has sought to capitalize on the attention, slamming Ryan primarily on immigration and trade. He has a rally with conservative commentator Ann Coulter scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at his Kenosha campaign headquarters, 1112 56th St.

Ryan acknowledged that taking over the speakership last year would put him in the crosshairs, but said: I do what I think is right and I dont worry about the consequences.

You put a target on your back the day you accept that responsibility, Ryan told local reporters in Kenosha. I expected it and sort of assumed something would happen where I get targeted more politically, and I never really lost sleep over it. Just comes with the job.

Trump calls for unity

Trumps previous nonendorsement of Ryan and U.S. senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., was just part of a growing onslaught of controversy and tanking poll numbers for the GOP nominee since the Republican National Convention just two weeks ago.

Trump also engaged in a flap with the Muslim-American parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq, which prompted widespread criticism, including from Ryan.

On Friday, Trump made a call for party unity. In addition to Ryan, he also backed McCain and Ayotte, who like Ryan face primary challenges.

As president, Trump said he will need a Republican Senate and House to accomplish all of the changes he wants to make. Trump added that this campaign is not about me or any one candidate.

We will have disagreements, he said. But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory.

Martha Laning, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, criticized Ryan and other Republicans for standing by their support of Trump.

Paul Ryan and Wisconsin Republican leaders either share Donald Trumps principles, or lack the political courage to stand up to his hateful and divisive rhetoric, Laning said in a statement Friday night. No matter which it is, they are letting down the people of this state and throwing their support behind a man who is temperamentally unfit to be President.
The knife attack by a mentally-challenged (?) Norwegian-Somali origin knifeman who went on a rampage in the Russell Square in London on Thursday has once again brought terror scare to the city. Though there were no initial signs of radicalisation on the 19-year-old suspect, yet it may be a new design of the Islamic State (IS) for hounding its enemies.

It is believed that the call given by the IS for carrying out wolf attacks on infidels may have inspired this killer who could finally kill one American woman and injured at least five. This may also set a new trend of employing mentally ill Islamists to take on the targets mostly in Western nations which are already on the top list of IS. It is suspected that mental health was a factor; but jihadist ideology could be the prime mover.

As Britain stands at severe levels of threat which refers that a strike is highly likely. It must, therefore, alert its police and intelligence agencies for spotting suspected individuals, mainly in crowded places. Britain is an ally of the US on the global war on terrorism since the beginning and it has been on the Islamists radar for decades. This kind of attacks will force the ordinary Britons to revisit the issues of migration and many more will support the conservative nationalists across Europe who are up in arms against the current flow of refugees from war ravaged countries like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen etc to the European continent.

Why such blunt killings have increasingly become a part of IS agenda ? Is it because of constant pressure on the IS and their dwindling impact on the fans or followers ? Is it happening as they have become too desperate to kill the infidels ? It may be all, but the main reason behind the lone attacks could be their frustration and fast losing of their territories in both Syria and Iraq.

Despite facing constant attacks, the IS is still holding on to the ground and it is surviving in their strongholds. Hence, many more like the London-type killing spree might be seen across the globe. Especially cities like London, Paris, New York, New Delhi, Mumbai, Sydney etc must be put on high alert and their respective city administrations should share intelligence details for preventing such attacks. Globally, a coalition of nations must be formed against the IS, as it is not merely a collection of psychopaths, they need to be handled with extreme care.

Their world-wide networks, financial strength, occupation of physical territories, establishment of supra-state like institutional mechanisms, superior fire power, use of the cyber space and finally the huge fan following, may have to be dealt with seriously and this badly requires joint effort of global institutions, while involving the major sates affected by IS terror strikes directly.

If it is established that the Norwegian killer is linked to IS (as it has already been celebrated by the vile IS supporters of IS the Russell Square bloodbath in the heart of the Christendom), then the security arrangements and intelligence surveillance across the big cities of the world must be reviewed at the earliest. The pertinent question that comes to anyones mind is that are we safe in our global cities like London ? Can we ensure protection of our civilians against such untoward assailants ? Most probably not and we all must rise against this global menace together this time.

Source : Daily Pioneer
Sunday Morning at the Marxist LibraryCoup in TurkeyA mysterious but an expected coup attempt took place in Turkey on a Friday evening in Turkey. The revolution was televised. The important thing everybody who had experienced numerous coups in Turkey was the total stupidity of the whole thing. The military sent tanks to hold only some of the lanes in the most congested bridge in the country, and the tanks were stuck in traffic by people going out to drink. The most central park was held by 30 soldiers. And the government TVs, internet, Mosques and the entire media was allowed to broadcast governments calls for the people (jihadists) to rise up against the coup. In the end, the government and the small time dictator Erdogan obtained a much needed and cheap victory. Even before the coup attempt fizzled Erdogan's oppression started. The list of high ranking officers and judiciary who had not knelt down before Erdogan, apparently already at hand for many years, were immediately either fired or arrested. By the end of the next day 6,000 officers and judiciary were arrested, to be replaced by Erdogan's worshiper. Did this theatrical coup strengthen Erdogan, or is this the beginning of the end? What forces clashed, what international issues, what class contradictions, what historical developments brought about a need for this fake, show uprising? Is the next step of imperialism to divide Turkey now that Iraq, Libya and Syria are de facto divided? How does this coup play into the "Greater Middle East Project (The Project for a New Middle East)" drawn by the US and Israel? Is this coup the final nail in the Kemalist ideology's coffin?Journalist Mehmet Bayram will address some of these questions and many more on the structure of the state, class struggle and the rapid movement of Turkey into Open Fascism.Sun, Aug 14, 2016 - 10:30am to 12:30pm6501 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland (just North of Alcatraz Ave.)Seating is limited, so plan to come early. We start promptly.FREE - but hat will be passed for donations to NPMLAbout Sunday Morning at the Marxist LibraryA weekly discussion series inspired by our respect for the work of Karl Marx and our belief that his work will remain as important for the class struggles of the future as they have been for the past.For info or to subscribe to our weekly announcements,Call Gene Ruyle at 510-332-3865 or email: cuyleruyle [at] mac.com For our full schedule, go to icssmarx.org
Must demand that nuclear-armed states disarm marylia [at] trivalleycares.org) by Jackie Cabasso, Marylia Kelley, Tom Webb

This analysis begins with the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, describes the U.S. nuclear testing programs in the Marshall Islands and Nevada and concludes with present day nuclear dangers. Pull quote from article: Many Americans are not aware that about 15,000 nuclear weapons, most orders of magnitude more powerful that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, more than 90% held by the U.S. and Russia, continue to pose an intolerable threat to humanity.

Must demand that the nuclear-armed states disarm

By Jacqueline Cabasso, Marylia Kelley and Tom Webb



In August 1945, the United States ushered in the nuclear age with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, incinerating tens of thousands of children, women and men in an instant. By the end of 1945, more than 210,000 people were dead. More than 90 percent of the doctors and nurses in Hiroshima were killed or injured. The survivors, their children and grandchildren continue to suffer physical, psychological and sociological effects of the bombings. Health effects caused by genetic damage to future generations are still unfolding.



In July 1946, the United States began a series of 67 nuclear test explosions over the Marshall Islands, detonating the equivalent of 1.7 Hiroshima-sized bombs daily for 12 years. The largest, the 15-megaton Bravo shot, turned the sky blood red for hundreds of miles. Birth defects never seen before and other radiation-related health effects continue to plague the Marshallese people.



In 1951, the U.S. also opened a nuclear testing range on Western Shoshone ancestral land 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, spreading fallout across cities like St. George, Utah, and tracked as far as New York. The U.S. government has linked testing in Nevada to domestic cancers and other health problems.

Lasting health and genetic effects are not the only nuclear dangers that remain today.



Many Americans are not aware that about 15,000 nuclear weapons, most orders of magnitude more powerful than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, more than 90 percent held by the U.S. and Russia, continue to pose an intolerable threat to humanity. And the dangers of wars among nuclear-armed nations are growing.



Nuclear weapons have again taken center stage in confrontations between the U.S., its NATO allies and Russia. Tensions have been intensified -- potentially catastrophically -- by the brandishing of nuclear arms by both sides.



The conflict in Europe is only one of several potential nuclear flashpoints, with new tensions and arms-racing from the Western Pacific to South Asia. In Syria, the U.S., Russia and France -- three nuclear-armed nations -- are bombing side-by-side and on different sides. An accidental or intentional military incident could send the world spiraling into nuclear confrontation.



Further, the U.S. plans to spend $1 trillion over the next 30 years to modernize its nuclear bombs and warheads, the submarines, missiles and bombers needed to deliver them, and the infrastructure to sustain the nuclear enterprise indefinitely.



At the nearby Livermore Lab, scientists are modifying a new warhead for a new long-range standoff weapon capable of launching a nuclear sneak attack.



Recognizing these growing dangers, the Republic of the Marshall Islands stepped forward to challenge the nuclear-armed states in the International Court of Justice and U.S. federal court for their failure to disarm as required by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and customary international law.



Other international initiatives to achieve nuclear weapons abolition are gaining momentum. Locally, a growing number of peace and justice advocates and their allies are opposing new weapons activities in Livermore and globally.



On Tuesday, the 71st anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, people will gather at Livermore Lab to call on the nuclear-armed states to disarm now. Nagasaki A-bomb survivor Nobuaki Hanaoka will share his experience and insights. International lawyer John Burroughs will discuss the Marshall Islands' lawsuits. The 8 a.m. rally will be followed by a procession to the gates and nonviolent direct action.



Jacqueline Cabasso is executive director of the Western States Legal Foundation in Oakland.

Marylia Kelley is executive director of Tri-Valley CAREs in Livermore.

Tom Webb is regional coordinator Pax Christi Northern California.



This article first appeared in the East Bay Times, Friday, August 5, 2016




Hartford, CT Judging from the recent Judging from the recent Essure dismissal in a Connecticut court, you might want to keep a journal to record details of your Essure injury. If you have an Essure complaint in California, however, such documentation may not be as crucial.

On August 2, 2016, Judge Winifred Smith in Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, allowed 14 women to proceed with their Essure claims against Bayer, the manufacturer. Their attorney, Lou Bograd, successfully argued that their claims were not expressly or impliedly pre-empted under federal or state law, and attorney Fidelma Fitzpatrick said that Bayer should not be allowed to hide behind pre-emption.Plaintiffs Deanna Alonzo and Desirea Harvey are represented by the Motley Rice law firm. According to the law firm, 38-year-old Alonzo was implanted with Essure in 2013. She has since suffered migraines lasting a few days, severe pelvic pain, and chronic lower back pain. She is also suffering from a severe allergic reaction to the nickel in the device. Harvey, age 33, was implanted with Essure in 2011. She claims that Essure has caused such unbearable pain that she is no longer able to work and care for her three children. The cases areCase No. 116CV290019 andCase No. 116CV290017.Despite the FDAs announcement in February 2016 that it will issue a clinical study for Essure to determine heightened risks for particular women and a black box warning on the labelling, a federal judge dismissed a Connecticut womans lawsuit against Bayer. Also in February, April Norman submitted a seven-count, 29-page Essure complaint, but it only comprised four paragraphs relating to her personal injury. And it was Normans third amended complaint. This did not bode well with Connecticut federal judge Jeffrey Meyer. He found that Normans claims are either expressly or impliedly pre-empted by federal law, or fail to establish a connection between Bayers alleged wrongful acts and her injuries, according to the. Norman failed to indicate that her Essure device was improperly implanted, that it broke, that it migrated from her fallopian tubes, caused a puncture, or that it was in any way defective. Meyer further wrote that neither Norman nor her doctor consulted or relied upon any particular information or warnings about the device."According to her first lawsuit, Norman claimed that she wanted a tubal ligation but her doctor recommended the Essure device, and she underwent the procedure in 2012. Norman alleges that she underwent the removal procedure to treat pelvic pain, weight gain, heavy bleeding, blood clots, painful intercourse, hair loss, and depression due to the Essure device.Currently, a number of Essure attorneys are only accepting cases involving fatalities or additional surgeries such as a hysterectomy. It is unclear whether Deanna Alonzo and Desirea Harvey required a hysterectomy. However, attorneys are also reviewing Essure complaints by women who have suffered: chronic pelvic pain ectopic pregnancy migration of the device or a device component puncture or tear of the uterus or colonJudge Smith found that the California women can proceed with their causes of action regarding: Bayer's alleged failure to adequately warn the FDA, and thereby the public, of Essure's potential dangers and adverse side effects Claims that Bayer breached Essure's warranties and misrepresented Essure's safety and efficacy through advertising and promotional materials that were not approved by the FDABayer is counting on the federal pre-emption law to bar further claims against it. The giant drug company claims that Essure was approved by the FDA in 2002 as a Class III medical device and therefore immune to lawsuits brought by Essure victims. As for the claims in 11 consolidated cases filed in California State Court by 14 women including Deanna Alonzo and Desirea Harvey, attorney Fitzpatrick said the proceeding improves the prospects for recovery of thousands of women alleging they were seriously injured by their use of Essure.
RACINE  The City of Racines Executive Committee met in closed session Thursday evening, at least in part to discuss an $800,000 loan the city proposed writing off in June.

The Executive Committee includes Mayor John Dickert and five aldermen  Dennis Wiser, Q.A. Shakoor II, Melissa Lemke, Jeff Coe and Terry McCarthy. Dickert said Friday that the meeting was called to keep the aldermen informed on the latest with the loan, made to the now-defunct Main-Lake LLC, between 1993 and 1995 to fund housing at 419-425 Main St.

It was really just advising the council as to whats going on, the mayor said. A lot of council members have been asking about it so we just wanted to say this is where were at.

State law allows city officials to meet in closed session to discuss strategy with legal counsel. Dickert couldnt comment on the exact progress made on evaluating the loan.

We still have to compile some information, he said.

The city initially announced it would not be collecting on the loan in a news release on June 15. A day later, at a meeting of the citys Loan Board of Review, Deputy City Attorney Nicole Larsen requested additional time for the City Attorneys Office to look into the loan a bit further.

We would request deferral until the next regular Loan Board meeting to give us an opportunity to get some additional information and present it to the committee and the council, ultimately, Larsen said at the time.

That next meeting, originally scheduled for July 14, was cancelled for undisclosed reasons. Larsen said the loan would be discussed at the August Loan Board meeting, which is set to take place on Thursday, Aug. 11.

According to the June release, Elaine Ekes, the citys consulting attorney, determined that the city would be unable to recoup the loan because the Main-Lake enterprise has dissolved. There was also no collection agreement with Main-Lakes former parent company, The Alexander Company Inc., a Madison-based real estate developer, or any sort of mortgage taken out on the loan.

The Alexander Companys president, Joe Alexander, said his company ceased involvement in Main-Lake in late 1997.
- The Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders warns that Niger Delta youths would launch attacks on any Muslim or mosque in the Niger Delta region if Boko Haram kill Christians or burn churches

- Describes the new mission by the Boko Haram new leader, Musab Al-barnawi, to kill all Christians and burn down all churches as an Islamization plot

- Warns that the Niger Delta youths in this 21st century will not accept killing of innocent Christians or burning of churches

The Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders have threatened to carry out reprisal attacks on Muslims and mosques if Boko Haram kills Christians.

Militants in the Niger Delta region have declared war on Muslims in response to threats by new Boko Haram leader Musab Al-barnawi, to kill Christians and burn down churches in the north.

READ ALSO: New leader will not save Boko Haram  FG

The Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC), in a statement on Saturday, August 6, warned that Niger Delta youths would launch attack on any Muslim or mosque in the Niger Delta region if Boko Haram kill Christians or burn churches.

According to Vanguard, spokesperson of the militant group, W O I Izon-Ebi, described the mission by the new Boko Haram leader to kill all Christians and burn down all churches as an Islamization plot.

The group warned that Niger Delta youths in this 21st century will not accept killing of innocent Christians or burning of churches.

"If they try it in the north or any part of Nigeria, we the Niger Delta youths will not see any Muslim or mosque in the Niger Delta," it said.

READ ALSO: Why new BHaram leader is a threat to Nigeria

We are not against President Buhari granting the Boko Haram amnesty if their sole purpose is to own an Islamic caliphate in the north, but they should mot shift it to the Niger Delta.

All we know and want is resource control and true federalism, if truly they believe in one Nigeria, and are working harder to build a prosperous One Nigeria, let them shift their Operation Crocodile Tears to the Fulani herdsmen and the Boko Haram that is threatening the unity and peace of Nigeria, the group said.

Meanwhile, the proclamation by new Boko Haram leader, Musab Al-barnawi that the groups new strategy will be to intensify attacks on Christians has sent fear among Christians living in the northern part of Nigeria.

According to Daily Post, churches and Christians in the north, particularly in Borno state, have been placed on alert, to avert attacks following Al-barnawis threats.

Some Christians in the north are already leaving in droves to avoid falling prey to attacks by the terrorists.

Source: Legit.ng
Mahindra XUV300 petrol 1.2 liter BS6 engine in India is rated at 109 hp / 200 Nm

The Tivoli has been one of the best selling product of Mahindra-owned SsangYong Motor Company. In fact, the Tivoli has helped Mahindra to come up with the XUV300 too, which is largely based upon the South Korean compact SUV. As the Tivoli was getting older, SsangYong has decided to bring in a much-required mid-life update.

As is the case with most facelifts, the updated Tivoli now looks sharper and more modern compared to the variant which was already on sale. For the design update, SsangYongs designers have taken a fair bit of inspiration from Tivolis larger sibling, the Korando. Overall, the compact SUV looks updated, both on the outside and inside too.

Changes arent restricted to just cosmetic enhancements. SsangYong has tried to include some additional features on the UV too. These include a 10.25 inch all-digital instrument cluster and an updated 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

However, the major highlight of the 2020 Tivoli is the all new Mahindra sourced 1.2 litre turbo petrol motor. Yup, you read that right. SsangYong has employed a new engine from Mahindras mStallion range for its latest offering. This motor is available in two of the entry-level trims on the Tivoli and comes solely with a 6-speed Manual Transmission setup.

The new engine is a 1.2 litre direct injection unit which can churn out 126hp and 230Nm of max torque. Mahindra had unveiled this motor at the 2020 Auto Expo and will be introducing it in XUV300s upcoming Sportz variant. Ssangyong says that the engine will help Tivoli to do a 0-100 kmph in 10.6 seconds, which is arguably quick for a budget-compact SUV. This same engine is also expected to be introduced in Ford EcoSport, at least for India, as a replacement for the 1 litre EcoBoost engine  as part of Mahindra-Ford JV.

In global markets, Tivoli competes with the likes of Nissan Juke, Seat Arona, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Kona, Vauxhall Mokka and MG ZS. Back at home, its Indian derivative, the XUV300 faces major competition from Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport.

SsangYong had first launched the Tivoli back in 2015 and it is often credited for turning around the balance sheet for SsangYong. It was the first product from SsangYongs stable, after Mahindra had acquired a majority stake in the South Korean auto firm. The SUV had achieved quick success and received good response from both Asian and European customers. Over the years, SsangYong has continued to invest in the brand and has introduced regular updates and even additional variants like the Tivoli Air.
We have seen our fair share of freak car accidents caught of tape (as you know, there is no shortage of accidents in our country) but this incident which occurred recently in Chandigarh will be a tough one to forget.

A CCTV footage shows that a Toyota Fortuner SUV coming towards a T junction at a decent speed. The SUV fails to slow down as it approaches the junction. In no time, the SUV takes a flight and lands on two cars (Honda City and Hyundai Verna), which were in a designated parking spot.

It is clear that the Toyota Fortuner approached the T-Junction too fast that even without the perpendicular impact from the sedan, it would have crashed into those unfortunate Hyundai Verna and Honda City which were parked. Watch the video below.

The fact that a full sized SUV took flight due to a side impact appears counterintuitive but if we look closely, the Fortuner hit the footpath head-on at a serious speed lifting the front end. Though the probability of such a thing happening in a real world condition is extremely thin, the Fortuner received frontal (due to tyres hitting the kerb) and side impacts at exactly the same instant, thus destabilizing it enough to fly like in a Hollywood movie sequence.

According to a local news report, the driver of the Fortuner is a 23 year old man. He has been injured and he was already suffering from an unknown health issue. This could explain why the SUV failed to slow down as it approached the T-Junction.

Fortunately, the sedan which collided with the Fortuner didnt suffer major damage. The same cannot be said to the Verna which seems to have suffered the most damage. Luckily, neither the Verna nor the City was occupied.

In a scenario like this, it is the responsibility of the Toyota Fortuner driver to have come to a stop before merging into the other road. But if there is a health issue, then it becomes very difficult to avoid a mishap. From what we can make out from the video, the driver of the Fortuner was already unconscious and had to be helped out by passers by, who are seen breaking the window of Fortuner.

We are glad that no innocent bystander got caught up in the middle of what could have easily been a fatal accident. We sincerely hope that the driver of the Fortuner makes a complete recovery.
Because the oceans absorb human-made carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere, its pH declines. Effects of this chemical change on tropical coral reefs can be examined in laboratory or short-term field experiments. However, a team led by Dr. Marlene Wall, marine biologist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, chose a different approach: In the framework of the German research network BIOACID (Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification), they examined corals of the genus Porites, which grow at volcanic carbon dioxide vents in Papua New Guinea and have become a dominant species there.

"It is very difficult to foresee if tropical corals are able to survive global climate change. These organisms are very sensitive to a rise in water temperatures, ocean acidification and pollution," explains Dr. Wall. "The natural carbon dioxide vents give us the opportunity to study the scenario of the future already today. Previous studies have shown that Porites is among the winners. But up to now, no one knew how they manage."

Porites corals keep their internal pH at a level at which they are able to produce calcium carbonate and grow despite higher carbon dioxide concentrations and lower pH in the surrounding water -- a significant advantage over many other species. In this way, they have established themselves under extreme conditions. "According to our observations, the pH regulation is a key feature when it comes to surviving under a lowered pH," emphasizes Dr. Wall. The findings about pH regulation in corals are published in the journal Scientific Reports.

To better understand the ability of pH regulation, the scientific team led by Dr. Wall examined corals using the boron isotope method. For these measurements, a laser is directed at the skeletons. Material that comes off during this procedure is analysed in a mass spectrometer. The isotopic composition of boron that is included in the skeleton reveals information on the coral's internal pH. "This method gives us new insights and allows for conclusions about the physiology of the coral skeleton at the time of calcification," says Dr. Jan Fietzke, a physicist at GEOMAR and co-author of the study. "You could say we look back into the future."

For the study described in the current publication, Fietzke examined the skeleton which had been formed a few days to weeks before sampling. Comparisons with pH measurements in the surrounding water proved that the boron isotopes reflected the internal pH of the coral and that it was different from the pH of the environment -- pH regulation has taken place. Based on this knowledge, cores from several decades old corals are currently being evaluated. "So we can find out when and how quickly they have acclimatized."

By looking back to the future, the researchers found out that Porites corals have a remarkable ability to level their pH for decades and thereby counteract global climate change. "But we had to learn that regulation is only possible up to a certain degree. When carbon dioxide concentrations exceed values that are expected after the year 2100, calcification and growth are lower -- and even the winner reaches its limit," according to Dr. Wall. "Our results prove how important it is to combine laboratory experiments with long-term field studies and observations. Controlled laboratory experiments provide an understanding of the pH control, but only in combination with field observations, they paint a more detailed picture about possible long-term consequences."
A new virus has been identified in association with a die-off of largemouth bass in Pine Lake in Wisconsin's Forest County.

The previously unknown virus was isolated at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's La Crosse Fish Health Center from dead fish collected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) during an investigation into a May 2015 fish kill in the northeastern Wisconsin lake.

The virus's genome was sequenced at a "virus hunting laboratory" operated by Tony Goldberg in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine. With the genome in hand, Goldberg and his colleagues scoured genetic databases to see if the virus was known or something novel.

The pathogen, according to Goldberg, was indeed new to science and has been dubbed largemouth bass reovirus. It has yet to be directly linked to fish mortality, explains Goldberg. However, the virus is a distant relative of other viruses associated with disease in other fish species, making it a key suspect in the Pine Lake fish kill.

"We can't say if it is directly responsible for fish mortality yet," says Goldberg. "But these kinds of viruses are known pathogens of fish, so we would be prudent to be concerned about it."

The new virus is described this week in the online version of the Journal of General Virology in a research report authored by Goldberg and colleagues from the Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR. Its discovery comes against the backdrop of a deadly fish pathogen, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, which was found in 2006 in Lake Winnebago. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus has since been found in lakes Michigan and Superior and, should it spread, poses a threat to Wisconsin's inland fisheries, including iconic species such as musky, pike, bass, panfish and trout.

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"Largemouth bass reovirus is only the second representative of its group of viruses," notes Goldberg, an epidemiologist, world expert on emerging infectious disease, and associate director of research at the UW-Madison Global Health Institute. "This family of viruses are emerging pathogens that infect all sorts of animals. They cause kills in marine and freshwater fisheries, including in wild and farmed populations."

Although the virus was discovered in association with a fish kill, more work is needed to understand if it is the primary culprit, Goldberg says. However, large fish kills involving a single species of fish such as largemouth bass have not been previously recorded at Pine Lake, making the virus a suspicious finding.

Should the virus be directly implicated in fish mortality, it will pose a new challenge in the control of fish disease in Wisconsin. Anglers spend roughly $2.1 billion annually in the state, according to the DNR, and the state has an aquaculture industry with an estimated $21 million annual economic impact. The Great Lakes together have a commercial fishery valued at $23 million annually.

"This is a classic example of how science is essential for managing our natural resources and the economic benefits they bring to Wisconsin," says Goldberg. "Without strong science, Wisconsin cannot hope to respond effectively to these types of emerging problems."

Identifying the new virus was made possible by "next generation sequencing" technologies. These methods enable biologists to sequence millions of molecules of genetic material in a sample and then use powerful computers to decipher the results. As the technology becomes more accessible, Goldberg expects other fish viruses to be found.

"The take-home message is that you don't have to fly to the ends of the Earth to find examples of unknown, emerging diseases," says Goldberg. "We can find them right here in Wisconsin."

There is no evidence that the new virus poses a risk to human health.
<p><em>Samantha Tungul</em><span></span></p>

Humphrey the dog was a little standoffish when his parents, Samantha Tungul and Jeremy Rood, brought home a couple of rescue pups to keep him - and them - company. "We call him Uncle Humphrey because he was always just aloof with them," says Tungul. "Never really bonded that much and kind of kept to himself." They figured Uncle Humph would be more or less the same when the couple began fostering rabbits through their local shelter in Northern Virginia a couple of years ago. They are so happy to have been so wrong. "Humphrey is the best dog foster brother, paws down," says Tungul.

Samantha Tungul

Xena and Gabrielle were the first foster rabbits - an adventurous duo who enjoyed jumping around in bed with Humphrey, Tungul says. "And both of them had no problems crawling all over Humphrey like their own little puppy mountain."

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Woman Tries Every Day For A Month To Rescue This Dog

The most recent pair are Jeremy Jr. and Sam Jr. - these rabbits were part of a hoarding case, before winding up in the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. And Humphrey, as is his wont, was smitten once again.

Samantha Tungul

"They don't really understand why this big fluffy thing keeps whining at them. He just wants them to love him back!" Tungul says.

Tungul thinks that, even if the bunnies are a bit confused by their Uncle Humphrey's enthusiastic reception, he also helps them settle into the house. They're coming out of stressful shelter environments into a brand new situation, and there's this loving, affectionate, attentive dog napping next to them, nuzzling them, keeping careful watch over his big-eared pals.

Samantha Tungul

"It's almost like he says, 'It's OK, you're safe here,'" says Tungul. "Most of the time our fosters warm up to him first and then everyone else in the house."

Samantha Tungul

One day, Tungul and Rood plan to move out of their small condo and into a bigger place. Then, they will adopt Humphrey a permanent bun. For now, it'll be a steady stream of fosters hopping through, giving them a sweet taste of home life, easing some pressure from the shelter, providing lots of fun for the humans - and, of course, making Uncle Humphrey's heart go flippity flop, over and over and over. "He's always terribly excited when they come home," says Tungul. "I just love that they bring him so much joy."

Samantha Tungul
Eighteen years ago, a young couple set up a Registered Education Savings Plan for their newborn son. Over the next four years, they invested a total of $10,000.

Both of them worked for a start-up technology company that was publicly traded. They had faith in the future of the business so they invested all their contributions in shares of the firm. The average cost of the stock over the period was $0.18 per share.The software developed by the company turned out to be highly successful and the stock soared. The firm was eventually taken over and the RESP received shares of the acquiring company in exchange for the original stock. Today the plan is worth well over two million dollars.

The son will start university at an Ivy League school this fall. Hell fly business class to the city, live off-campus in a luxury apartment, do his homework on a top-of-the-line computer, and have a generous allowance for books, school supplies, campus activities, and more. After he earns his degree, he plans to go on for a masters, perhaps at Oxford or Cambridge.

He can do this because RESP rules do not place any limit on which universities students may attend or the level of degrees they may attain. Educational assistance payments (EAPs) may be used at any qualified school in the world, provided the plan beneficiary is enrolled on a full-time basis for not less than 13 consecutive weeks.

Getting back to our wealthy student, his parents are encouraging him to spend as much of the money in the RESP as he can because they have no other children who can benefit from it. He has to pay tax on any EAP withdrawals but it will be at a rate much less than his parents pay. (Average tuition at Harvard for the 2016-17 academic year is US$59,550).

Any money that is left in the plan after he obtains his final degree will be subject to tax at a rate that many would consider usurious  the parents marginal tax rate plus a 20 per cent penalty. In Ontario, that would work out to a maximum rate of 73.53 per cent this year.

Of course, these people are in an incredibly fortunate position. Very few parents will see their RESPs grow to anything like this amount. But even people with much smaller plans can still be hit with a huge tax bill if the beneficiaries dont go on to post-secondary education.

Consider a family with two children that opened a plan years ago to send both youngsters to college. Both parents contributed, so they were the plans subscribers. The family budget was tight but they scrimped and saved. The mutual funds they purchased did well and the plan was boosted by the Canada Education Savings Grant, which provides a maximum lifetime contribution of $7,200 per child.

Unfortunately, neither child went on to college. The son dropped out of high school after grade 10 while the daughter chose to go to work and earn money as soon as she received her high school diploma. The parents were left with an RESP worth $95,000 with no one to spend it on.

They were allowed to withdraw their original contributions tax-free, which was only reasonable since they had been paid with after-tax dollars. After that, they ran into problems.

First, all the government grants they received over the years had to be repaid. The money that remained after that could be withdrawn as an accumulated income payment (AIP).

AIP payments are subject to two different rates  the regular marginal rate plus the 20 per cent penalty mentioned earlier (12 per cent for Quebec residents). The unfortunate patents were shocked when the saw the potential tax bill and tried to figure out a way around it.

There is one possibility. If the plan subscriber has RRSP contribution room available, he/she could transfer the remaining cash in the plan directly to the retirement account. Of course, it will be taxed when the money is withdrawn from the RRSP but at the taxpayers marginal rate, with no penalty. The lifetime limit on this kind of transfer is $50,000 per subscriber.

But what if the RRSP has been maxed out? If the subscriber is still earning income, the solution is to stop any more contributions to the retirement plan and wait a few years before winding up the RESP. That should provide the room needed for the transfer.

Gordon Pape is editor and publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters. His website is www.BuildingWealth.ca

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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.If theres a clear-cut hit on broadcast TVs fall lineup, its likely to be ABCs political thriller Designated Survivor, which will air on CTV.

It certainly clicked for Kiefer Sutherland, its star, when he first read the pilot script.

I had no intention of doing a television show, he told TV writers at the Television Critics Association summer conference. But I remember getting to the end of the script and realizing I was potentially holding the next 10 years of my life in my hands.

Sutherland stars as a bottom-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed president of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills the incumbent chief executive and most of his administration.

Sutherlands character, an appointee with no political ambitions of his own, is in charge of pulling the government, and the nation, back together while keeping his own family intact (Natascha McElhone plays his first lady).

This guy doesnt even want this job, said Sutherland. Literally, through the first five episodes hes trying to find an exit.

The series, said executive producer Jon Harmon Feldman, tells the journey of a man as he grows into the man he didnt know he could be, and the journey of a nation that gets a leader it didnt know it wanted.

Feldman described Designated Survivor as a blend of the aspirational qualities of The West Wing with the terrorism whodunit of Homeland and the political machinations of House of Cards.

More than any TV creator could have dreamed, the series arrives at a cultural moment when theres a hunger for outsider candidates, noted producer Simon Kinberg. The shows hero is a political outsider, so hes coming to it in an innocent way. He is uncorrupted, at least at the beginning of his term. Theres a Frank Capra-esque aspect to the show.

When Sutherland was asked if he had fashioned his portrayal on any real-life chief executives, he said he had taken a few cues from Gerald Ford, the accidental president who landed in the White House after Richard Nixon resigned.

But referring to Fords occasionally clumsy moments, Sutherland joked, Im going to try not to fall down the stairs. More of an influence, he added, is Franklin Roosevelt: I think he approached things in a very human way.

Sutherland said hes confronting one big adjustment in this role after his years on 24 as Jack Bauer, an almost superhuman defender of presidents and the free world overall. Now, as President Tom Kirkman, he is surrounded by hulking actors who play Secret Service agents protecting him.

Ive never felt so short on a show in my life, he confided.

Designated Survivor premieres Sept. 21.

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EDMONTONA judge says the military had several opportunities to prevent or lower the risk of suicide for an Edmonton soldier who hanged himself in a holding cell five years ago.

Cpl. Shaun Collins, 27, killed himself at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton after he was arrested by military police for drunk driving on March 11, 2011.

Provincial court Judge Jody Moher said in a fatality inquiry report released late Friday afternoon that things could have been done to try to save the soldier.

It is irrefutable that there were a number of potential opportunities to obviate or lessen the likelihood of Shaun Collins committing suicide that evening, she said.

Moher said no one did a computer search that night on Collins after his arrest.

A search would have found that Collins, a member of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry, had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after he returned from his second tour in Afghanistan in 2010. He had also tried kill himself, or threatened to kill himself, four times and was being transitioned out of the military.

The judge wrote that information on the soldiers mental health was available on a military computer system. But a commissionaire, dispatcher and three military police officers on duty did not do a check and placed him alone in a cell.

All three MPs readily acknowledge that had they known of Shaun Collins history of previous suicide attempts and mental health history, Shaun would have been handled entirely differently that evening, Moher said.

In addition, the judge said there were no working cameras in the cell area and cell doors provided a number of ligature points. The report quoted a federal audit that found the cellblock does not meet any current Canadian standards.

The report detailed how Collins put his shirt through the metal bars of his cell door, wrapped it around his neck, sat down on the floor and hanged himself.

Twenty-two minutes after placing him in the cell, officers found Collins and tried to resuscitate him. Although the military police building was not equipped with an automated external defibrillator, one of the machines was brought in from the trunk of an officers car. It wasnt working.

Military firefighters later arrived with a defibrillator and were able to get a spontaneous pulse from Collins, said the report.

But he was later declared dead after he arrived at an Edmonton hospital.

Canadian Forces spokesman Maj. Jean-Marc Mercier said Friday that steps have already been taken to identify and solve many of the issues, not only in Edmonton but across the country.

None of the recommendations really were a surprise, as we had conducted a board of inquiry ourselves, he said.

In the Edmonton detention room, ligature points in the cells were covered with wire mesh; cell door bars were covered with plexiglass; hooks in the washroom were removed; and a camera system was installed.

Although he did not know specific dates of when those upgrades were made, Mercier said they would have taken place during or shortly after the military board of inquiry was held, which was started in the weeks following the death and continued on for some time.

The fact that weve taken actions to correct some of the faulty aspects of the room itself, that we reviewed a full set of policies that we have, that led to new sets of orders ... and that led to changing or modifying some aspect of the training of our MPs, said Mercier.

In itself, all those facts are a recognition that something was wrong and needed to be addressed  and we have, and we continue to do so.

Moher said the military participated in the inquiry but did not fully attorn to its jurisdiction.

She also said that she cant make recommendations for the military, but reminded all provincial and municipal detention facilities to make sure staff access computer databases and continuously monitor people in custody. She said all holding cells should also be suicide proof and defibrillators or similar devices be regularly maintained.

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Robert Burns is not sure his 12-year-old cheese shop can survive construction disruption that forces customers to navigate fencing, dodge bulldozers and cross a sandy trench just to buy some brie.

Walk-in traffic has disappeared. Moms with strollers  forget it. Im treading water, Burns says in his La Fromagerie on College St. west of Ossington Ave.

Construction delays, cost increases, flooded basements and gas leaks  whats happening this summer on College between Havelock and Shaw Sts. is part of a tradition that has seen merchants suffer in recent years through work on Roncesvalles Ave., Avenue Rd., St. Clair Ave. W., Leslie St. and Queens Quay.

Whats different is that, instead of shaking their fists at the city, or the TTC, or Waterfront Toronto, these merchants have to look a little closer to home for answers on the sidewalk reconstruction and beautification.

The $3.4-million project is the brainchild of the businesses themselves, in the form of their College Promenade Business Improvement Area. In a novel arrangement, the BIA planned it and is paying  with the help of a city loan  for most of a major reconstruction that is not part of accompanying road or utility work.

The city is acting as the project manager overseeing private contractors doing the actual work.

Levy-paying BIA members who voted to plunge forward with the micro city-building plan hope interlocked stone sidewalks, new trees and lights, artistic bike posts, parkettes at intersections and more will breathe new life into their strip west of bustling Little Italy.

One catalyst was a past BIA initiative  decorative lampposts that proved unpopular with members and left unsightly, asphalt-filled sidewalk cuts for electrical lines.

Torontos other BIAs will be watching, but the experiment is bracingly real for north-side College St. business hoping the headaches will soon end for them and move across the street.

Its a big project, and we are small merchants, says Julie Fass, a BIA board member and owner of Ziggys At Home, a housewares emporium inconvenienced along with the other businesses. In the end we decided to invest in ourselves and in the neighbourhood.

Ive heard both, good and bad, she says. I feel that the grumblers are usually louder than the people who are happy. Hopefully this is a means to an end that will benefit us for many years to come.

Fass acknowledges hope is dead that each block would be inconvenienced only two to three weeks. Work started in early July and, a month later, businesses still face dirt and construction fencing.

The city now says it hopes work on the north side will be done by the end of August and the south side by the end of October, with finishing touches lasting into November. Information has not always flowed to the merchants, their customers and the delivery people who cant stop on a street narrowed to one lane in each direction.

For me, communication has been the biggest struggle and trying to provide that for other businesses has been trying, Hass says, adding the city is getting better at keeping merchants in the loop.

Lainie Knox, co-owner of Prairie Boy Bread, didnt know about construction until fences started going up, and was ill-prepared for later news that it would drag on longer than forecast.

I started crying. Im not a crier, says Knox. Our sales are down probably 45 per cent, and were a new business. And its really, really hard.

If were not here in two months because we couldnt cope with a 45 per cent drop in sales, I dont care about the (sidewalk) stones, she says. Its a failed business.

The pain is not inflicted equally. Merchants who own their buildings can cope better with a temporary income drop. Those who rely on daytime walk-by traffic are hardest hit, while businesses with online sales fare better.

Restaurants that focus on dinner are not suffering so much because construction is usually finished for the day.

Some stopped opening for lunch. Upscale Via Norte decided to shut altogether from July 28 to Sept. 2 after customers cancelled reservations, citing the temporary removal of on-street parking and other problems getting in.

Owner and chef Jose Alves says he hopes to have a finished sidewalk by Sept. 2 but I seriously doubt that.

There are, however, business owners convinced this summer of pain will produce years of gain.

Its going to be beautiful, predicts Libby Sinopoli, who has owned Ralphs Hardware, and the building, since 1995. Her complaining neighbours are, she says, crybabies.

I stay open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week to make it. Why cant you? If youre going to be make it, youve got to be 100 per cent. 

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Etobicokes Broadacres Park is one with few amenities.

Shady trees are in short supply. There are no massive playgrounds or swimming pools. Theres grass, theres air and theres sun. Anything beyond that is purely up to the imagination.

But to Leah Houston, artistic director of MABELLEarts, thats exactly what her team was going for when they settled on the spot for a summer camp for Syrian refugee children  a program created in partnership with the Arab Community Centre of Toronto and Applewood Shaver House.

What were trying to do here, what the kids are doing, is a microcosm of being a newcomer somewhere like Canada, Houston said, cutting a piece of cardboard for the groups giant hawk-head art project. You come here with litter, and you create your own world.

The camp, which runs to Aug. 5, takes newly arrived Syrian children, aged 5 to 14, and brings them together to learn about art, teamwork and, most importantly, making friends from home. The group participates in a wide array of activities, from craft sessions to swimming to running through the sprinklers  Houston calls it summer living in an organic way.

Youth mentors of Middle Eastern descent whove walked the walk of a child newly arrived in Canada help the children feel at home.

Osama Jibril, 16, is a workshop assistant with MABELLEarts. Hes been attending camps like this one ever since he arrived in Canada from Jordan as a very little boy. He knows the trick to making the kids comfortable is to always be prepared to smile.

The kids are just excited to come everyday. I love playing with them, he said. If theres one thing Im always trying to remember, its what I felt like at the time. How would I react to that if I were still that young? 

Houston says the programs aim is to support the children who may have experienced trauma as they fled their homeland, but staff avoid dredging up those experiences. The classic struggles of the refugee narrative, in particular, Houston says, is tired and not helpful.

Rather, Houston emphasizes ensuring the children have a bright and sunny time each day of the camp.

And on a recent day, the kids were certainly feeling it. Five-year-old twin brothers Mustafa and Munir Abbas were having a great time. Fresh out of a mini-inflatable pool, their favourite thing to do at the camp they say is to play on the hand-braided swings the group made and race to the sprinklers set up near Applewood Shaver House.

I want to make a big splash in the pool, and then (go on the) swing, Mustafa said, checking for his brothers agreement. The pool is the best, Munir chimed in.

Drying off on the grass beside them is 4-year-old Ryan Itahi, whose rubber ball is a favourite with the kids. Reaching into the pool, he pulls it out to show everyone. Hes not much of a talker, but he makes it clear, this ball is his.

Its orange, and it is mine. Its my favourite.

Sisters Marita Zieadeh, 11, and Selena, 6, conferred with the help of an interpreter. (Most of the children speak only Arabic and volunteers and interpreters help keep communication flowing.) The girls said they cant pick a favourite activity at the camp, but like the Abbas brothers, they sure love that swing.

It feels like youre flying, Marita says. Houston asks why Marita likes flying so much.

It feels like youre free.

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Common surveys used to screen for depression in children and teenagers are unreliable and may lead to misdiagnoses, a study in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry says.

Because general practitioners in Canada and the U.S. are increasingly using short questionnaires to identify depression in pediatric patients, Brett Thombs, a clinical epidemiologist and psychologist in Montreal, set out to systematically review 20 screening tests to see how accurately they diagnosed depression in children ages 6 to 18.

Our study shows that if depression screening were carried out using existing screening tools, many non-depressed children and adolescents would be mistakenly identified as depressed, said Thombs, who is affiliated with the Jewish General Hospitals Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill Universitys Faculty of Medicine.

Thombs review found that one popular depression-screening questionnaire developed by a major drug company was accurate 78 per cent of the time. In other words, 22 per cent of kids who didnt have depression screened positive.

There is no evidence they can come close to giving valid diagnoses, Thombs told the Star. When used properly, psychiatric medications can help people. When used on kids who dont have the diagnosis, they wont see the benefit but they will face all the side effects.

Thombs is also concerned about the effect screening would have on a health system that is already strained for resources.

We have a terrible problem taking care of kids who have really serious mental health needs, said Thombs. Theyre seeing a generalist or family doctor or not getting care at all or theyre on a terribly long waiting list. Or theyre prescribed medications when behavioural treatments would work better but theyre not able to access those treatments because of wait lists or insurance problems. If were going to bring in massive numbers of kids whose needs arent as recognizable, we have to ask, Who are we going to treat less?

Earlier this year, a federal task force in the U.S. recommended routine depression screening for adolescents in primary care settings. In Canada, provincial governments in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba have called for widespread depression screening.

Thombs  who conducted the review with colleagues in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta  said hes spoken with primary care physicians who are using the screening questionnaires not as a stepping stone to a deeper investigation that includes a lengthy diagnostic interview but to confirm a diagnosis of depression and prescribe medication.

Hopefully, there arent many service providers out there who would administer a questionnaire and prescribe medication based on that questionnaire, said Dr. Joanna Henderson, a clinical psychologist and scientist in the child, youth and family program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.

Henderson has worked with communities across the country to implement a screening tool that targets both addiction and mental health issues, opening the door so these conditions can be treated together. The screening tool she used wasnt evaluated in Thombs review.

She sees screening tools not as a path to diagnosis and drugs but as an important way to identify young people in distress and align them with services that can help.

We know that many young people experiencing difficulties dont reach out for assistance. Often, by the time young people do receive treatment, theyre far along in their difficulties.

I think its clear from this review that more work needs to be done, Henderson said. We wouldnt recommend that any service provider, physician or non-physician, use only a screening tool to base their treatment plan on. The intention of a screening tool . . . is to identify which young people need more attention. Which young people should have a further assessment of whats going on? Based on that assessment, we make treatment recommendations, which may or may not include medication.

The number of high-school students who reported taking prescription drugs for anxiety and/or depression has doubled to 6 per cent (39,300) since 2001, according to CAMHs latest annual survey on drug use and health among Ontario students.

Nearly 20 per cent of Ontario students rated their mental health as fair or poor, up from 11 per cent in 2007.

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Three people have died in a north Hamilton residential fire.

The Ontario Fire Marshal and Hamilton Fire Department have said in a news conference that three bodies were located in a Niagara St. home.

Body removal vehicles arrived on scene at 70 Niagara St., the site of the fire.

Hamilton firefighters were called to the house near Burlington St. at 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Eleven residents were home at the 2-storey house. Firefighters assisted seven injured residents from 70 Niagara St. The seven were sent to hospital. Four of the injured residents have been released from hospital. One person was uninjured.

Niagara St. resident Cheryl Sharp says her husband woke up to calls for help. She said he told her,  Get out of bed, get out of bed, theres a fire, and he ran down the street.

She said there were a mother and two infant children in the attic of 70 Niagara St. The attic was fully engulfed.

Sharp said the grandmother of the two infants was frantically calling for help. The grandmother, whom Sharp called Yvonne, was yelling, My babies, my babies.

In tears, Sharp said, Everybody is devastated, its a great loss.

A gofundme.com page has been created for a family killed in the fire.

The page asks for help with funeral costs of young Robert, and Abby as well as mom Victoria, adding that the father, Daniel, and two boys, Tayshawn and Dontay, survived the fire.

Eleven residents were home at the 2-storey house. Firefighters assisted seven residents who were sent to hospital. Four of the residents have been released.

The fire spread to the neighbouring house at 74 Niagara St. Fire crews were forced to defensive work on the first residence and fight the blaze on the second house.

No one from the second residence was injured.

Eleven fire crews were on scene at the fire.

Fire spokesperson Claudio Mostacci said damage to 70 Niagara was estimated at $200,000. Damage to 74 Niagara is estimated at $50,000.

Hamilton Fire Department posted just after 6 a.m. that the bulk of the fire had been put out by firefighters. Horizon was also called to the scene to assist with live wires.

An investigator from the Ontario coroners office is on scene. Red Cross is providing assistance to area residents.

The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating.

More to come.

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Toronto Animal Services has reportedly been called in to investigate a Toronto nightclub after photos of patrons holding a lion cub surfaced on Instagram, according to an animal advocacy group.

The images show patrons of Lavelle, a King St. W. club with a rooftop patio, carrying the cub.

This violates Toronto bylaws that prohibit possessing lions and other exotic animals, according to Animal Justice, an animal advocacy group who made animal services aware of the issue on Friday.

Its illegal in Toronto to parade exotic animals around nightclubs for marketing purposes, said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, in a statement on the groups website.

Baby animals arent toys. This lion cub should be with her mother, not used as a prop for selfies, she said, adding that Toronto Animal Services  which did not respond to requests for comment  was now on the case.

The lion cub was not associated with the nightclub and was not a part of an organized event, said Danny Roth, spokesperson for Lavelle.

A patron brought in the lion cub to the nightclub, said Roth.

As soon as security became aware of it, and were told it was not authorized, the patron was asked to leave.

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JOHANNESBURGWith 95 per cent of votes counted Friday in municipal elections, South Africas ruling party appears to be headed for its biggest electoral blow since it won power at the end of apartheid 22 years ago.

The results remained too close to call in the countrys largest city, Johannesburg, and the Tshwane metropolitan area around the capital, Pretoria. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) was challenging the African National Congress (ANC) in both municipalities. Neither party appeared to be winning a majority in those two cities that would allow it to govern alone, raising the possibility of coalition governments.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters it was too early to analyze the election results, saying it would be like reading somebodys tombstone before they die.

The ANC lost a key municipality named after its star, Nelson Mandela Bay, to the Democratic Alliance. The DA already runs the city of Cape Town, the only major South African city where black people are not in the majority, and has been pushing hard to win supporters in other regions.

The ANC, formerly the main anti-apartheid movement, has lost some support from people who say their hopes for economic opportunities have not been fulfilled since the end of white minority rule. The South African economy has stagnated since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Ramaphosa acknowledged some criticisms of the ruling party: They think that we are arrogant, they think that we are self-centred, they think that we are self-serving, and Id like to dispute all of that and say we are a listening organization.

In a statement, the ANC said that we will reflect and introspect where our support has dropped. The party so far has received 54 per cent of votes across the country, with the DA getting 26 per cent.

Scandals swirling around President Jacob Zuma have also hurt the ANC. Opposition groups have seized on a scandal over state upgrades to Zumas private home. The constitutional Court recently said Zuma violated the constitution, and it instructed the president to reimburse the state for $507,000.

Many South Africans are also concerned over allegations that Zuma is heavily influenced by the Guptas, a wealthy business family of immigrants from India. The president has denied any wrongdoing.

A more radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, contested the local elections for the first time. The party, which advocates the nationalization of industry and other measures it says will help the poor, has garnered almost eight per cent of the vote nationwide.

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PARIS  A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in northwest France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar in the city of Rouen, Mayor Yvon Robert said, calling the fire very brief.

The birthday party was a moment of joy for those involved that ... ended tragically, Robert said.

Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told The Associated Press that the first testimonies from survivors and the early police investigation indicated the fire was completely accidental.

There was no explosion, Labadie told The Associated Press. Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.

Labadie said its still unclear how many people were partying at the Cuba Libre club, adding that most of the dead were between 18 and 25 years old.

In a statement released by the French presidency, Francois Hollande expressed his solidarity with the victims families and vowed that the ongoing judicial investigation will shed light on the the causes of this dramatic accident.

Labadie said sound-insulating material on the basements walls quickly ignited and party guests had no time to escape from the basement.

At the scene of the fire, residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.

The fire  the deadliest in France since 2005  came as the country is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was also the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Daesh extremists, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight Friday. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition.

Rouens archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his deepest sadness.

Young people, some of them very young, had their lives cut short, said French junior minister Clotilde Valter. These are extremely painful circumstances for everybody.

A bar owner identified as Bruno by French TV BFMTV who was close to the Cuba Libre when the fire broke out said customers were trapped inside because the fire moved too fast.

It happened in three seconds, he said. Some customers exited on their hands and knees. Some of them tried to use a fire extinguisher, but it was too late.

In addition to the slaying of the French priest, a Daesh extremist launched a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, killing 85 holiday revelers with a truck before being shot dead by police.

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We are in the midst of yet another of Donald Trumps self-inflicted spirals of terrible news. And with prominent Republicans saying they will back Hillary Clinton and others announcing this week that they wont endorse Trump, there has been yet another round of speculation about how the party could get rid of him.

But it almost certainly cant. And even if it could, it probably wouldnt be worth the effort. Heres why.

Republicans are stuck with him

Under Republican Party rules, Trump is the only one who can take himself out of the race at this point. The only provision that exists for replacing a candidate nominated at the party convention, Rule 9, was written to apply only in the event of a candidates death or refusal to run.

Then the 168-member Republican National Committee  a body made up of the men and women from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories  would be able to name a new nominee by a majority vote. Each state and jurisdiction is given the same number of votes as delegates it has to the national convention, so the system favours larger Republican-dominated states.

There is, however, some air in the rule  which actually spells out how to fill a vacancy by reason of death, declination or otherwise  that an enterprising lawyer could try to exploit. But arguing that Trumps nomination can be rescinded by second-guessing party bosses over the word otherwise seems highly improbable.

Replacing him would be a mess

Even if Trump withdrew as the nominee, replacing him after the convention is uncharted and potentially messy territory. The rules are vague, and there is no precedent, said Benjamin L. Ginsberg, a lawyer with Jones Day who has worked on multiple Republican presidential campaigns.

Naming someone would be hard enough. Finding a suitable alternative was always the problem with the Never Trump movement. No matter how distasteful party leaders found him, they could never agree on anyone else.

Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, Trumps running mate, would seem to have a strong claim to make because he is the only other Republican formally nominated by his party. But what if others, rivals of Trump from the primaries like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, decided they deserved a shot? A new candidate would almost certainly not be chosen by acclamation. And determining who and how many are eligible would be a huge fight  one the Republican National Committee would have to resolve before it could ultimately vote.

Time is running out

Given that the process of replacing the Republican nominee would probably not go smoothly or quickly  what has for Republicans this year?  there would be very little time left for other essential aspects of a presidential campaign.

One of the issues is ballot access. Each state has its own set of rules and deadlines for getting on the ballot, which Trump and Pence have done. Getting their names off and the names of the new presidential and vice-presidential candidates on would be a logistical and legal headache. Some states, including important battleground ones like Iowa, start voting next month.

Legal and logistical complications aside, how would a candidate run a campaign under such a compressed timeline? One thing is for sure: He or she would almost certainly not have the name recognition Trump has. Convincing the countrys voters that they should elect you president is an undertaking that requires months, not weeks.

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HIROSHIMA, JAPAN  Hiroshima marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city on Saturday with a ceremony attended by about 50,000 people.

The attendees mourned the atomic bomb victims and renewed their pledge for peace in a memorial ceremony held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

In the peace declaration, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui called for action toward the complete abolition of nuclear weapons and international co-operation, quoting from the statement made by U.S. President Barack Obama when he became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima in May.

In addition to survivors and representatives of the families of victims from each prefecture, the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, representatives from 91 countries and a European Union delegation. It was the second largest number, following the 100 countries last year that marked the 70th anniversary.

As nuclear power states, representatives from the United States, Britain, France and Russia attended. From the United States, Robert Rapson, minister in charge of political affairs, attended as charge daffaires.

At 8:15 a.m., the time the atomic bomb was dropped, representatives of families of the deceased and others rang the Hiroshima Peace Bell, and attendees offered silent prayers.

In his peace declaration, Matsui quoted a passage from Obamas remarks, saying that among those nations ... that hold nuclear stockpiles, we must have the courage to escape the logic of fear, and pursue a world without them.

Matsui said Obamas statement reflected the victims belief that such a horrific tragedy should not be experienced by anyone else, and called for other world leaders to visit the atomic bombed city.

Based on Obamas remarks, Abe also called for co-operation from both sides  countries that possess nuclear weapons and those that dont  by saying, Well make efforts for realizing permanent world peace.

The names of 5,511 victims whose deaths were confirmed in the past year were added to the list of deceased victims at the Cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims. The total number of deceased victims registered at the cenotaph has exceeded 300,000 to reach 303,195.

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An Aug. 5 article about the sentencing of Mandeep Punia incorrectly said Kulwant Litt had earlier this week pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in connection with the 2009 death of his daughter-in-law Poonam Litt and that a perjury charge was recently dropped. According to a Brampton court official, Kulwant Litt still faces three charges before the court: accessory to second-degree murder after the fact, accessory to manslaughter after the fact and perjury. On Friday, Kulwant Litt's lawyer, Kristin Bailey, told Ontario Superior Court Justice Bruce Durno at Brampton court: "Mr Litt is here today to enter into a guilty plea." Bailey added that she and her firm were parting ways with Litt because of an "ethical issue" and Durno accepted Bailey's request for herself and her firm to no longer represent Litt. Crown Attorney Kelly Slate told the Star that the charge of accessory to second-degree murder after the fact is unlikely to go forward. The case has been adjourned until Tuesday and Litt remains in custody.

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For justice to be done, it must be seen to be done . . . This does not look like justice.'  Karin Brothers, Toronto

Re: Justice is done in Yatim shooting, Editorial July 29

Justice is done in Yatim shooting, Editorial July 29

Toronto cop James Forcillo has rightly been convicted in the shooting of young Sammy Yatim. Disconcerting is the outrageous claim made by his defense lawyers that a cop should be given leniency. For being a cop.

The judge wisely countered that, if anything, police need to be held to a higher standard of both having the personality and training to better handle a potentially confrontational situation.

De-escalation techniques should be a first resort, instead of going in Wild West style with guns blazing. As evidenced by the Youtube footage that tragic summer night in 2013, police training deficiencies need to be addressed and corrected.

The ever-bombastic police union boss Mike McCormack, whose unwavering first allegiance is to serve and protect his own cops rather than our best interests, defended, and even worse, exonerated Forcillo of any wrongdoing. Chilling. We are not served having him as head of the powerful police union.

Finally, the trial and sentencing could only address Forcillo's actions. That these other systemic travesties remain at large may well succeed in derailing justice.

Bottom line? Let's see if Forcillo ever sets foot inside jail.

Paul Coulter, Kincardine

Yes, he shot and killed an 18-year-old boy who presented no real threat to anyone. No question about that. But it was the Toronto Police Service that gave him the job, and authorized him to carry a gun.

The problem is that Forcillo acted like a coward and panicked at the thought of a threat  even though there was no real threat to him. Because he panicked, he shot Sammy Yatim.

Then, while Yatim lay dying, Forcillo succumbed to what hunters call buck fever, and kept shooting until his gun was empty. The court called that attempted murder, but it's a well-known problem when immature and/or untrained people use guns. As a coward, Forcillo is obviously not fit to be a policeman and, because he is subject to buck fever, he should never be allowed to own, carry or use a gun.

Still, in this case the guilty party is the police service, which gave him a job he was not fit to hold and allowed him to carry a gun that he was not fit to use.

Fire him and ban gun ownership  no question about that  but jail is excessive. He's not a bad man  just not good enough for the job he held.

Andy Turnbull, Toronto

I must respectfully disagree with your editorial. Justice has not been done  it has merely been proposed. We will not know if justice is to be done until the case has wound itself through the variables of the appeals system, which could take several years.

Only if the sentence is upheld at the final step, which is no sure thing, will we truly know that justice has been done. Right now, while Forcillo walks the streets, we can only hope for the best.

Robert Kent, Mississauga

First, I want to extend my sincere sympathies to the traumatized and grief-stricken Yatim family whose 18-year-old son and brother Sammy was brutally and repeatedly shot by police officer James Forcillo and tasered by Sgt. Dan Pravica in cold blood, at virtually point-blank range three years ago.

I strongly disagree with the decision of Justice Eileen Gillese who believes that Forcillo is no danger to the public and released him with a light punishment of house arrest until his November appeal.

Forcillo is dangerous and incompetent. The jury should have convicted him of murder, not attempted murder. There is no justice for the Yatim family and the public. However, there is just-us for Forcillo and many other police officers, their defence lawyers, the pro-police SIU, and ill-informed judges who frequently make biased judgments and stick together like Krazy Glue.

There will be more Sammy Yatims, more Andrew Lokus, more Jermaine Carbys, more racist police shootings of young black, brown and red men until there are radical changes  long-term de-escalation training, systemic anti-racism education, and debunking of mental illness myths and stereotypes in all police colleges.

Don Weitz, Toronto

I am about to make a statement that I never thought I would say: I am beginning to understand why some people carry weapons. In a society where mental illness is still so misunderstood, misdiagnosed and mistreated; in a country where Quebec provincial officers avoid being investigated for sexual misconduct in Haiti by retiring (on full pension no less); on a continent where the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal to use evidence acquired illegally; and in a world where those individuals and corporations who cause economic tragedy are never brought to justice  it becomes understandable that both police and regular citizens are becoming increasingly confused about our responsibilities to each other.

If our political, economic, judicial and social leadership no longer understands that the foundation of a healthy liberal democracy is the principle of justice, what should the rest of us do?

Barbara Boraks, executive director, Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto

The image of Const. Forcillo striding toward the courthouse with his Jesus face on reminds me why this sentencing is so important. Especially in light of what is also happening in the U.S.

In spite of what the police department thinks  that Forcillo's six-year sentence is excessive  it is exactly what is needed if there's to be a shred of confidence left that the police are abiding by the same rules that everyone else obeys.

His stubborn refusal to acknowledge that he might have made an error despite all the video evidence, his complete lack of sympathy for the young life snuffed out by his mistake cannot be tolerated by either the city or the police force that he worked for.

Const. Forcillo, with his entitled attitude, is exactly the example of a kind of person who should never be hired as police officers. Weed these types out.

M. Schooff, Orangeville

It is only fair that Const. Forcillo be punished for that overkill second volley of multiple rounds shot into a clearly neutralized Sammy Yatim. Yet, this kind of thing will just keep happening as long as police officers keep drawing their overly sensitive semiautomatic Glock pistols in high-octane situations.

It is to the credit of Metro's finest that they rarely draw their guns, and even more rarely fire them. And Forcillo was known as someone who drew his gun more frequently than most cops do  12 times over a three and a half year period.

Yet, as we just saw in Miami, when a black therapist trying to protect his autistic patient was shot by a policeman, his all-too-common question, Why did you shoot me? received the honest answer, I don't now.

Many people believe that first-responding police officers ought not to have such overkill weapons at the ready, and there should be an inquiry into whether such military-grade pistols make a mockery of the concept, Shoot to wound. Too often the officer wants to fire a single round, but ends up firing half a dozen.

Here in Canada, we need not give the gun makers the undeserved benefit of the doubt. Trauma surgeons are tired of having to go on fishing expeditions for multiple rounds, especially when each hollow-point bullet is designed to cause maximum devastation.

Ron Charach, Toronto

The sentence is totally outrageous and diametrically opposite to the heinous crime committed by the unremorseful officer. Suited and booted, he exudes total defiance in taking an innocent live. He should have been given the maximum and the prosecutor should leave no stone unturned to ensure justice prevails.

Raza Kara, Richmond Hill

Charged, tried, convicted and sentenced for attempted murder and still James Forcillo remains a free man. For justice to seem like justice to us, the great unwashed, it must be seen to be done.

So far, in this case, there is no justice.

Terry Kushnier, Scarborough

For justice to be done, it must be seen to be done. Forcillo deserves more than one night in jail at this point. This does not look like justice.

Karin Brothers, Toronto

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I started reporting on education before Ontario scrapped Grade 13  one of the biggest blunders I think I ever covered.

The excuse Queens Park gave was that we were the only place in North America that still had five years of high school.

So?

Maybe we were the only ones doing it right. Maybe its not so silly to give teens  especially todays helicopterd, hyper-praised (Good breathing!) indulged young things one more year to actually mature before they try learning on their own.

I always suspected the real reason was to save taxpayers money, with one less grade to fund.

But what was the hidden cost?

Thats the fun of covering education over time; you get to watch things play out. Some are just brilliant  full-day kindergarten, parenting centres. Others never seem to get resolved. I covered complaints about students getting condom lessons on a wooden penis  in 1987.

I wrote about Catholic schools when they still charged tuition for grades past 10. Now theyre free, but some ask why one religions schools should still get funding in a province with children of so many faiths. Its the question no politician will touch.

Thats sure not the case with the needs of students of different race and culture. Today schools are all over this. Ive reported on efforts to reduce the black dropout rate, help settle Roma refugees, recognize indigenous heritage and welcome young Syrian newcomers. This is Canada reflected in the classroom.

But with the canning of Grade 13  the last class graduated in 2003  Im still waiting for the up-side.

When you chop 20 per cent out of high school, it leaves less time for anything but the basics. Now students take fewer arts courses, less phys. ed. and feel they cant spare time for the co-op programs that offer the kind of real-world experiential learning thats now the rage at college and university.

Whats the rush?

Even the 3Rs seem to have suffered from squishing five years of learning into four. Ive watched colleges and universities scramble to run catch-up math courses for first-year students who just cant do the math that former Grade 13 grads could.

Even emotionally, has there been fallout in the growing concern about stress levels among this younger campus crowd?

Other changes in education turned out to be a nice surprise, like, of all things, the standardized tests brought into Ontario classrooms despite apocalyptic outcry from teachers unions.

These were never your American cousins standardized tests. Theyre not the drill-and-kill, multiple-choice quizzes that sucked so much class time in the United States away from creative learning, the ones that saw teachers wasting time teaching to the test.

Ontario designed them to be different. Theyre samples of regular lessons that teachers would give in class anyway. Read this paragraph and answer some questions. Write an informative paragraph. Work out this problem, and show the math. Check out some sample questions and see if they look that scary after all.

While teachers own observations are often worth gold, a standardized yardstick gives an extra benchmark you can track over time. Unlike the U.S., which often penalizes schools with low test scores, Ontario pumps extra help into schools where students struggle.

If only real estate agents wouldnt keep using them to pitch one neighbourhood over another. Test scores tend to say more about the demographic edge of the parents than the quality of the school itself. If you want to use them for anything, track a schools scores year over year; dont compare them from one school to another. Some of the most vibrant schools have low, but growing scores.

Better yet, go and see schools for yourself. What you see may surprise you. Theres a bright focus now on shoring up childrens needs. Schools talk about not just bridging the achievement gaps faced by some communities, but changing the opportunity gaps that create them in the first place.

Its just edu-speak for giving kids a leg up, which is what education is about. How fascinating its been to have a front-row seat.

LouiseBrown retired from the Star this summer after covering education and childrens issues for more than 30 years.

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Royal Bank of Scotland customers use ATMs Friday at a London branch. Amid continued Brexit uncertainty, the bank reported a loss of more than 2 billion pounds for the first six months of 2016, blaming legacy issues. (Hannah McKay/European Pressphoto Agency)

TRADE

U.S. trade decit hits 10-month high

The U.S. trade deficit rose in June to the highest point in 10 months, driven by a jump in imports of oil and Chinese-made computers, cellphones and clothing.

The deficit rose to $44.5 billion in June, 8.7 percent higher than a revised May deficit of $41 billion, the Commerce Department reported Friday. It was the biggest gap between what America sells abroad and what the country imports since a $44.6 billion deficit last August.

Exports, which have struggled this year with the strong dollar and global weakness, edged up 0.3 percent to $183.2 billion. Imports rose 1.9 percent to $227.7 billion, led by a 19.4 percent jump in petroleum imports.

The politically sensitive deficit with China increased to $29.8 billion, a jump of 2.5 percent, the widest gap in seven months.

A wider U.S. trade deficit acts as a drag on growth because it means the nation is earning less on overseas sales of U.S. exports while spending more on imports.

Through the first six months of this year, the deficit is 2.3 percent below the same period in 2015, when it rose to $250.5 billion. The lower deficit reflects the fact that while U.S. exports are down, the value of imports is down by a larger amount, reflecting the drop in oil prices.

 Associated Press

EMPLOYMENT

Women beneted most from July hiring

Women overwhelmingly found work in July, even as the nations unemployment rate held at 4.9 percent.

The jobless level for adult women fell to 4.3 percent from 4.9 percent a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday morning. Unemployment for women ages 35 to 44 dropped a full point over the past 12 months to 3.5 percent. The rate also fell solidly for women between ages 25 and 34.

The overall unemployment rate stayed the same because more than 400,000 people joined those looking for work in July.

Not all groups benefited last month. The jobless rate increased last month for adult men, Asians and people older than 55. But summer jobs meant that the unemployment rate dipped for teenagers, and fewer African Americans were unemployed.

 Associated Press

Also in Business

 From news services
David Huddleston, a character actor who already had a vast list of credits to his name when, late in his career, he took what was to become his most famous role as the title character in The Big Lebowski, died Aug. 2 in Santa Fe, N.M. He was 85.

His wife, Sarah Koeppe, said he died of advanced heart and kidney disease.

A longtime favorite NBC character actor, Mr. Huddleston specialized in big, blustery characters. Such was the title character he played in 1998s The Big Lebowski, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.

A 1990s sendup of a 1940s film-noir mystery, The Big Lebowski traces a Raymond Chandler-esque plotline, but in place of a hard-bitten investigator, it stars a stoner layabout played by Jeff Bridges. Mr. Huddleston, known for the line Strong men also cry, appeared in only a few scenes, but they are among the most memorable in the film.

Throughout his career, he played comic parts with an air of being in on the joke, a device served to deflate the very grandiosity he projected.

David William Huddleston was born Sept. 17, 1930, in Vinton, Va., near Roanoke. He grew up in Villamont, Va., where he often performed in community productions.

After serving as an aircraft engine mechanic in the Air Force, he attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where he studied acting on the G.I. Bill.

His acting career spanned more than half a century and included Broadway, television and commercial parts. In addition to playing guest roles on numerous TV dramas, Mr. Huddleston appeared in the 2005 film The Producers and in 1974s Blazing Saddles and starred in Santa Claus: The Movie (1985). He told the Roanoke Times that Blazing Saddles, directed by Mel Brooks, was probably the most fun I have ever had on a set.

His wife was his casting agent for Santa Claus: The Movie.

Things were not important to him  people were, she said. He loved entertaining and would rather sit down and talk with someone over dinner.

Mr. Huddleston had thousands of cookbooks, and he loved reading them because they told him about the history of people and locations, Koeppe said.

Mr. Huddleston was nominated for a Drama Desk award in a 1984 Broadway revival of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman, which starred Dustin Hoffman.

The acting role he loved the most, Koeppe said, was playing Benjamin Franklin in the 1997 Broadway production 1776.

The role brought together all of his interests, which included government and politics, she said. Five years after the Broadway production of 1776, Mr. Huddleston performed as Franklin at the Fords Theatre in Washington.

His wife recounted being stopped by fans on the street in Turkey.

They recognized him as the Big Lebowski even though they couldnt speak any English, she recalled.

Mr. Huddleston was married three times. In addition to his wife, survivors include a son from his first marriage.

 Los Angeles Times
Exceptional  Excellent  Very Good



(Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

We toast the slightly weird and wacky this week, with an unheard-of wine grape, a stunning rose made from Austrian cabernet sauvignon, of all things, and two outstanding inexpensive wines to help us chill in the August heat.

 Dave McIntyre

GREAT VALUE

Domaine des Herbauges Grolleau Gris 2015

  

Loire Valley, France, $14

Grolleau gris is almost certainly a grape youve never heard of. According to Jancis Robinson in her seminal book Wine Grapes, grolleau gris is a color mutation of grolleau noir, another grape youve probably never heard of. No matter. All you need to know is that this is a delicious, racy and fruity wine. Not complex, but energetic and delightful. Indulge your sense of adventure. Alcohol by volume: 11.5 percent.

Distributed by Lanterna: Available in the District at Ace Beverage, Central Liquors, Cork Market, MacArthur Beverages; on the list at Bourbon Steak, Convivial, Montmartre. Available in Maryland at the Beer & Wine Cellar and Dawsons Market in Rockville, Wine Bin in Ellicott City, Wine Cellars of Annapolis, Wine Harvest (Potomac); on the list at Full on Craft Eats and Drinks in Olney, Red Red Wine Bar in Annapolis, Wit & Wisdom in Baltimore.

Domaine des Baumard Savennieres 2013

  

Loire Valley, France, $23

Chenin blanc is a favorite of sommeliers and wine fiends because of its minerality and versatility with food, but for some reason it hasnt caught on with the general wine-drinking public. That means its affordable, and the wines from this domaine are no exception. Look for flavors of green apples and pears, with refreshing acidity. ABV: 13 percent.

Distributed by M. Touton: Available in the District at Calvert Woodley, Capital City Wine & Spirits, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Circle Wine & Liquor, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, MacArthur Beverages, Magruders, Metro Wine & Spirits, Pauls of Chevy Chase, Rodmans, Towne Wine & Liquors, Whole Foods Market (P Street NW); on the list at Central by Michel Richard, Pennsylvania 6, Whaleys. Available in Maryland at Jasons Wine & Spirits in Ellicott City, Old Farm Liquors in Frederick, Shawan Liquors in Cockeysville, Wine Source in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Balduccis (Alexandria, McLean), Wegmans (various locations), Whole Foods Market (Alexandria); on the list at Ashby Inn in Paris, Oby Lee in Alexandria, Terrapin in Virginia Beach.

GREAT VALUE

Steininger Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2015

  

Austria, $16

Rose of cabernet sauvignon? From Austria? Are you kidding me? Steininger specializes in sparkling wine, and this was supposed to be the base wine of his rose bubbly. But why not? Its delightfully crisp, with a hint of spritz to give it extra interest. The importer is almost out of this wine, so stock up now; next week may be too late. ABV: 12.5 percent.

Distributed by Select in Northern Virginia, available through Siema in the District and Maryland. Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Cheese in Arlington, Balduccis (Alexandria, McLean), Chain Bridge Cellars in McLean, Oakton Wine Shop in Oakton, Unwined (Alexandria, Belleview), Wegmans (various locations), the Wine Cabinet in Reston; on the list at Northside Social in Arlington, Trummers on Main in Clifton.

GREAT VALUE

Jas des Vignes Rose 2015

  

Alpes de Haute-Provence, France, $10

As Ive written before, 2015 was a very ripe vintage throughout France, and that isnt always a good thing for rose: Excessive ripeness can erode the crisp acidity that keeps the wine refreshing. This beautiful charmer from Provence gets the balance right, conjuring succulent berries and a zesty mintiness. Hurry and get some in case it disappears from store shelves as quickly as it vanished from my glass. ABV: 14 percent.

Distributed by M. Touton: Available in the District at Best in Liquors, Bloomingdale Liquor, Burkas Wine & Liquor, Capital City Wine & Spirits, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, New H Wine & Spirits, Rodmans, Safeway (Georgetown), Samber Market, Whole Foods Market (P Street NW), Wine Specialist. Widely available in Maryland. Available in Virginia at the Vineyard in McLean, the Wine Outlet in Vienna.

GREAT VALUE

Paul D. Gruner Veltliner 2015

 

Austria, $12 (1 liter)

This charming gruner veltliner ranks among the best white wine values year after year. In the fantastic 2015 vintage, it shows deliciously ripe flavors with the bracing acidity and herbaceous character typical of gruner. It has the added values of being inexpensive, sold in a 1-liter bottle and widely available. ABV: 12 percent.

Siema in the District, Maryland and most of Virginia, Select in Northern Virginia: Widely available.

Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.


Christine Vrooman of Ankida Ridge Vineyards presents her pinot noir during this years International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon. Ankida Ridge was the first winery from the Mid-Atlantic region to be invited to present its wines at the annual event. (Andrea Johnson/International Pinot Noir Celebration)

Virginia makes wine?

Virginias vintners are used to hearing that question when they venture far outside the commonwealth, and it didnt take long for Christine Vrooman to hear it when she presented her Ankida Ridge wines on the world stage at this years International Pinot Noir Celebration late last month in McMinnville, Ore.

I even met a couple who used to live down the street from us in Virginia Beach, she said of the initial evening event at Anne Amie Vineyards, on the eve of the annual bacchanal. That couple had never heard of eight-year-old Ankida Ridge.

The IPNC is an annual event that draws pinot noir lovers and producers for three days of celebrating, learning about and drinking their favorite wine on the campus of Linfield College in McMinnville, in the heart of Oregons Willamette Valley wine country. This was the 30th IPNC and the first in which a winery from the Mid-Atlantic was invited to participate. The event is understandably Oregon-centric, but the organizers try to provide balance by including wineries from California, Frances Burgundy region and elsewhere.

Participation in IPNC is by invitation, and Oregon and California wineries typically submit samples of the pinot noir for evaluation. Event organizers are always looking to include producers from other regions, and invited Ankida Ridge to participate based on its reputation, says Amy Wesselman, the events executive director. We continually seek out stellar new surprises for our guests to discover, and we are honored Ankida Ridge was able to join us, she said in an email.

You might be understandably surprised by Virginias cameo on the pinot noir stage. The states exciting growth in red wine over the past decade and a half has been fueled by Bordeaux grape varieties such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, with blends leading the way. Virginias hot and humid climate is not considered suitable for pinot noir, which likes cooler climes.

But Ankida Ridge has proved the exception to the rule. With just two acres planted to vines at 1,800 feet above sea level on steep slopes northwest of Amherst, in the west-central area of the state, it occupies a site unusually suitable for pinot noir, with the altitude moderating Virginias heat and humidity.

Vrooman and her husband, Dennis, planted the vineyard at their mountain retreat in 2008. Dennis Vrooman has since cut back on work in his veterinarian practice in Virginia Beach. Their son, Nathan, is the winemaker.

Ankida Ridge debuted with the 2010 vintage, from an unusually hot year in Virginia that gave their young-vines pinot noir extra depth and power and helped it gain attention. Since then, Ankida has developed a lighter style, with high-toned acidity and bright fruit reminiscent of the more delicate appellations of Burgundy, such as Savigny-les-Beaune.

That style was on display in Oregon, where Christine Vrooman and her daughter, Tamara Vrooman Lucas, who handles sales in the southeastern United States, presented their 2013 and 2014 vintages.

Most of IPNC happens on Friday and Saturday; on each day, half of the participants board buses to an Oregon winery, with the destination revealed only en route. Three or four other wineries are on board, and participants are treated to a vineyard tour, a seminar and tasting, and then lunch. (The rest of the crowd attends the main seminar  this year on Australian pinot noir  and a bacchanal lunch on the campus at Linfield.)

Vrooman was on the bus to Brooks winery, in the Eola-Amity Hills area of Willamette Valley, about 25 minutes from McMinnville. Mount Hood was lurking in the haze over the Cascade mountain range to the east, and Mount Jefferson made a cameo appearance at the end of the afternoon. After a brief discussion of biodynamic winemaking and a tasting of the outstanding Brooks Bois Joli 2015 Riesling, Vrooman presented Ankidas 2013 pinot alongside the same vintage from Brooks, Panther Creek and Alexana wineries from the Willamette Valley and Domaine Charles Audoin from Burgundy. The wines were identified only after the tasting, and several of the 50 participants were surprised when they learned which one was from Virginia. The Ankida showed more age than the others, with brick-red color and advanced aromas and flavors of mushrooms and forest leaves. (I mistook it for the original 2010 vintage.)



Five pinot noirs  Ankida Ridge from Virginia, three from Oregon and one from Burgundy  were presented during a blind tasting. (Andrea Johnson/International Pinot Noir Celebration)

I thought that was the Burgundy. It was very elegant, said Lindsay Woodard, winemaker of Oregons Retour wines, assessing the Ankida Ridge. She should be very proud of that wine.

Later that day, the Vroomans poured their 2014 vintage, noticeably fresher and brighter than the 2013, at a tasting on the campus lawn at Linfield College. One admirer was Andy Peay, who has a cultish following for his own pinot noirs from the western Sonoma Coast region in California.

I fell in love with this wine at Terrapin restaurant in Virginia Beach, Peay told me. Then he tasted the 2014. Still love it, he said. Great acid. For wine geeks, thats a rave.

Vrooman said the IPNC experience was a great opportunity to showcase Ankida Ridge specifically and Virginia more generally. I spoke to so many people about how great the wine industry is in Virginia, a very collaborative group crafting high-quality wines, Vrooman said after the weekend wound down.

And now they know that, yes, Virginia makes wine.
Dear Amy: I just broke things off with my fiance. I told him I didnt want to get married and that I didnt believe we were right for each other as a couple.

We met in college several years ago when we were both different people. I was extremely vulnerable.

The sad truth is that I just dont love him that way anymore.

He, unfortunately, does not feel the same way, and hes having a hard time coming to terms with it.

He has generalized anxiety, so any change is very difficult for him, and this is a very big change for both of us. Weve lived together for a very long time. We have a joint checking account. We have two cats. Weve built a life together.

Last year, after we graduated, I followed him to another state when he was offered a good position. In that time, I have not found stable work. Im working on becoming financially independent, but it may take awhile.

The bottom line is, I cant move out. I dont have the money, and the family members I was still on speaking terms with have refused to let me stay with them.

My ex and I agreed that were still friends and still important to each other, and hes assured me that he wants to help me get on my feet. He says that living together as friends wont be an issue.

At the same time, he continues to show me physical affection, as if nothing has changed. When I pull back, hes very hurt.

This makes me feel vulnerable, guilty and angry all at the same time. Id say hes being manipulative, but hes always seemed so inept at handling his or other peoples emotions that Id always thought him incapable of anything like that. I dont think hes doing it intentionally.

I think me not moving out is keeping him from processing the fact that were no longer a couple. But what can I do?

Stuck

Stuck: If you are truly trapped in your living situation (for now), you should do two things: Tell your ex, calmly, how you are feeling; and explain to him that physical contact is off the table.

Also, you should ease toward more distance by separating your finances, and by simply physically intersecting less often. Set up your own private space in the home. You should also look for work that you can do off hours, so you and he dont spend that much time alone together.

Obviously, you must extract yourself from this co-habitation as soon as possible; it is patently unfair to him for you to lower the boom and then stay so close in his orbit. All the same, he will have to adjust to this new reality; after an initial period of adjustment, his inability or refusal to do so will be a sign that you must go.

Dear Amy: I signed up to support an upcoming amendment to my states constitution.

The local volunteer coordinator sent out an email to everyone.

I responded with the ways I would prefer to help.

The personal reply was asking if we could meet up sometime this week, because the coordinator likes to get to know everyone on the team.

This offer makes me extremely uncomfortable. I dont think its safe to meet a stranger privately. Also, a coffee date seems unnecessary. Im already donating my time, and I dont want to give up additional time just to get to know the coordinator.

Im worried if the coordinator is doing this to everyone, it could be intimidating to other volunteers and ultimately hurting the cause. How do I politely decline and say that the offer could be off-putting to other volunteers while still being able to work alongside this person in the future?

A Cautious Volunteer

Cautious Volunteer: You dont need to educate the volunteer coordinator about how to coordinate volunteers. If you are nervous about meeting privately (understandable), then simply say, Id rather not meet privately but would be happy to answer any questions via email. Ill be available for any group meetings.

Dear Amy: Devastated Daughter described my own past when she revealed her sadness over her fathers infidelity, along with other family members gossip about it.

I wish my family members realized how much their gossip about my father increased my own sadness and confusion when my father cheated. It really hurt.

Also Devastated

Also Devastated: I completely agree, and I am very sorry this happened to you.

Amys column appears seven days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Write to Amy Dickinson at askamy@tribpub.com or Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611.
In 2006, Renee Bostick, then principal of Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, Va., addresses fifth-graders during a working lunch. Her recent removal from the job has sparked debate. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy was standing before the staff of Randolph Elementary in the school library in June when he broke the news: longtime principal Renee Bostick, whose warm demeanor and personal touch inspired deep affection within the community, would be transferred out of the school.

His announcement elicited gasps, and some teachers started to cry.

Without much explanation to the staff  and almost no explanation publicly  Bostick is set to begin the school year next month as an assistant principal at Abingdon Elementary. Murphy and other school system officials declined to speak about the move, citing personnel confidentiality. Bostick also declined to comment.

Parents who oppose the leadership change said they have heard that a central reason for Bosticks departure relates to Randolph Elementarys performance on standardized tests. In an affluent Virginia district known for its high achievement, Randolph  which has a sizable population of English-language learners and students living in poverty  was an outlier for its below-average performance. Even though passage rates for reading and math generally have risen during the past few years, the school missed the mark on a federal accountability measure when 59 percent of Hispanic students passed a math exam in 2014-2015. Meanwhile, 43 percent of students schoolwide passed that same school years state science exam.

Randolph has consistently lagged behind on passage rates in the high-performing county, often by significant margins. In 2014-2015, 86 percent of students countywide passed reading exams, compared with 72 percent at Randolph. In math, 87 percent of county students passed the exam while 68 percent passed at Randolph. The countywide passage rate for science was nearly double the rate at Randolph.





Some parents said they see Bosticks demotion as a sign that the district is becoming too fixated on data when it claims to focus on the whole child. They have questioned the wisdom of using test scores to judge a school whose students face myriad challenges out of the control of educators, including poverty, transience and language barriers.

There is a culture that is very wrapped up in test scores, said Bethany Sutton, president of the Randolph Parent Teacher Association.

Murphys decision has spurred widespread consternation among teachers and parents. The Randolph PTA wrote a petition that garnered more than 330 signatures urging the district to reconsider moving Bostick. In it, parents theorized that Bostick was being moved because of test scores.

We firmly believe that the leadership of an elementary school should be judged on a wide range of factors, with student achievement being a critical, but not sole, element, they wrote in the letter.

They pointed out that Randolphs demographics differ significantly from the rest of the county: 74 percent of children qualified for free- and reduced-price meals, and nearly 80 percent of kindergartners through fifth-graders were considered limited English proficient last school year, according to state data.

For a community like Randolph . . . there are many factors which complicate the measurement of student performance, the PTA wrote.

Randolph had begun ramping up test preparation, using Interactive Achievement  a software that mimics standardized exams  and offering extra help to students who were at risk of failing the exams. But teachers said Bostick, while supporting efforts to boost exam scores, also emphasized that children are more than numbers.

Hired 12 years ago as principal at Randolph, Bostick came from West Fort Hood, Tex., where she was an assistant principal. She had nearly three decades of experience as an educator, including a stint as a reading specialist at Arlingtons Kenmore Middle School. She has a bachelors degree in secondary education, English and Spanish and a masters degree in education. She speaks Spanish.

The school was underperforming from the outset of her tenure, with just 62 percent of students passing a standardized reading exam after her first year. Since then, passage rates have fluctuated between 57 percent and 82 percent but always have lagged behind district averages.

Bosticks defenders attributed the test scores to the high rates of poverty and the high concentration of English-language learners. Indeed, when comparing the schools English-language learners to the rest of Arlington County, they track closer to the district average.

Its not only unfairly judging her, its unfairly judging anybody who works with a needy population, said Urath Gibson, a teacher who retired from the school this year. Teachers said some immigrant children arrive at the school having never set foot in a classroom. Others disappear for weeks to visit family abroad.

But the school system has shown that it expects all schools  even those with high concentrations of poor students and English-language learners  to nab top scores on state exams.

Carlin Springs Elementary, which has the countys highest concentration of poor students, intensified its efforts to boost test scores three years ago after scores there fell. It boosted test preparation and designed special lessons focused on taking the exams.

Students at Carlin Springs saw their passage rates soar, with 88 percent passing standardized math exams in 2014-2015, compared with 69 percent at Randolph. And 76 percent of Carlin Springs students passed the reading exam that same year, compared with 72 percent at Randolph.

It is clear that the efforts at Carlin Springs paid off  the school now boasts scores better than the district average  but teachers were ambivalent about the toll that test prep has taken on learning.

[For second year in a row, test scores soar at low-income Arlington school]

Arlington regularly bests state passage rates on standardized exams  often by a few percentage points  and has among the highest test scores in Virginia, particularly in math and reading, where the county ranked ninth and 10th in the state, respectively, out of 132 school divisions in 2014-2015.

Allegra Jabo, a past PTA president at Randolph, wrote in a letter to the school board that Bosticks qualities were difficult to measure with data. She noted that Bostick helped every child attend a performance at the Kennedy Center and hosted dances and other community-building events at the school.

In order to more accurately evaluate a principal and school, we need to look at the unmeasurable aspects as well, including the things about a school that you cant assign a number to, Jabo wrote.

Bostick also brought the International Baccalaureate program to the school, which focuses on inquiry-based learning and themes. Gibson, who directed the IB program at Randolph, said Bostick was committed to giving Randolphs students the same kind of education as wealthier students in other parts of the district. She wanted to provide a Madison Avenue kind of education, wanting those kids to have just as much of the good things as every child in Arlington County, Gibson said.

Some Hispanic parents said Bostick could have done more to connect with the Hispanic community. Sonia Hidalgo, a Bolivian immigrant whose son attends the school, also worries that Bostick did not do enough to address the needs of low-performing students.

What are we doing with these activities for these kids who really need practice? Hidalgo said.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) called them thugs.

And now members of the state teachers union are comparing Hogan to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).

Hogan used the controversial word on his Facebook page to describe teachers union officials who disagreed with a recent budget decision he made to save, rather than spend, some funds.

[Hogan keeps most of legislatures fenced off money for rainy-day fund]

We provided record funding two years in a row and protected your pensions, Hogan said in a reply to a post on his page. Dont believe this phony cut propaganda from the union thugs.

Doug Mayer, a spokesman for the governor, said it was preposterous to compare Hogan to Trump.

Mayer said the word was directed at the paid political operatives and lobbyists of the teachers union who have waged a full-time campaign dedicated to misinforming Marylanders about Governor Hogans record of historic funding in K-12 education.

Mayer continued: The governor has great love and respect for Marylands hard-working teachers and all the things they do for our students.

Hogan was defending a decision he made last week not to spend money the legislature has set aside to help local governments fund teacher pensions.

The governor was responding to an online post by Jeremy Walker, who criticized the governor for withholding the money.

For the second year in a row, Gov. Hogan is withholding school funding despite budget surpluses. Last year, he withheld $68 million; this year, its another $25 million that could have been spent addressing overcrowded schools, lowering class sizes, and providing students and educators the support they need to be successful, Walker wrote on Hogans original post about spending $6.3 billion on K-12 education.

Hogan has repeatedly tried to distance himself from Trump. And for the most part, he has had little to say about Christie since the New Jersey governor endorsed Trump after leaving the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

But Chris Lloyd, an elementary school teacher and president of the Montgomery County teachers union, said Saturday that many of his colleagues are drawing parallels to Christie and Trump in Hogans description of union officials.

Its disappointing, especially as teachers are getting prepared to go back to school, Lloyd said. Its disappointing to get to a level of name calling. Using the word is a stereotype of how we view teachers who are active and engaged in their union. . . . It is his right to advocate for what he thinks is right and it is our right to do the same, but we should never resort to name calling or classifying whole groups of people into negative images.
Obituaries of residents from the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Henry Smoot, developer

Henry Smoot, 89, who with his siblings and mother developed large parcels of a long-held family farm into the central core and surrounding neighborhoods of McLean, Va., died June 20 at a hospital in Arlington, Va. The cause was a heart attack, said a son, Bart Smoot.

Mr. Smoot, a McLean resident, was born in Washington. He was a partner in Smoot & Company from 1950 to 2008, playing a role in subdividing and developing sections of the Salona Farm, which had been held by his family since before the Civil War. This would encompass much of central McLean and the Langley and Salona Village shopping centers, parcels that would become the McLean Baptist Church, a bank and other landmarks.

Robert S. Pomerance, lawyer

Robert S. Pomerance, 69, a tax lawyer who served with the Justice Departments tax division and later as counsel to the chief judge of the U.S. Tax Court, died June 23 at a hospital in Washington. The cause was metastatic papillary thyroid cancer, said his wife, Betty Ferber.

Mr. Pomerance, a resident of Chevy Chase, Md., was born in Chicago. He began his Justice Department career in 1978, then in 1992 moved to the legal staff of the U.S. Tax Court, where he retired in 2011. In retirement, he was an adjunct professor at Washington-area law schools.

 From staff reports

C.W. Bill LaSalle II, USIA officer

Claude William Bill LaSalle II, 82, who directed public affairs programs for the U.S. Information Agency in the 1980s and 1990s at U.S. embassies in the Netherlands and Congo, died June 11 at his home in Washington. The cause was complications from high blood pressure, said a friend, Ashley Wills.

Mr. LaSalle was born in Jeanerette, La., and was served as a cultural officer in Romania, India and Indonesia for the Foreign Service in the 1970s and early 1980s. He also had an executive role in Washington with the USIA and its book donation program. After retiring in the late 1990s, he occasionally worked as a State Department contractor. He served on the board of the International Book Project, an Kentucky-based organization that ships books to overseas schools, libraries and community organizations.

Eugene F. Bud Mueller Jr., flight safety supervisor

Eugene F. Bud Mueller Jr., 100, who retired from the Transportation Department in the mid-1970s as a fire safety adviser for aircraft and airports, died May 25 at his home in Washington. The cause was senile degeneration of the brain, said a daughter, Laura L. Sailer.

Mr. Mueller, a native Washingtonian, surveyed land in the 1940s for airports in the eastern United States for what would become the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a national director of the Credit Union National Association and a member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington and Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Md. A recreational pilot, he was a member of the American Flying Club into the 1970s.

Alfred D. Fred Steinberg, NIH scientist

Alfred D. Fred Steinberg, 75, a rheumatologist who researched treatments for lupus, died June 14 at a care center in Rockville, Md. The cause was complications from Lewy body dementia, said a son, Robert Steinberg.

Dr. Steinberg, a longtime resident of Potomac, Md., was born in Queens. From the late 1960s to the early 1990s, he was a senior investigator and chief of the cellular immunology section of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and he published articles in medical and science journals. As a consulting physician-scientist, he later did research for the Mitre Corp. in McLean, Va., including studying organisms used in bioterrorism and how the federal government could combat them.

He was active with the Washington Bridge League, and he ran a Torah study group at Temple Har Shalom in Potomac.

Franco J. Boccia, businessman, author

Franco J. Boccia, 72, proprietor of an auto-parts retail and wholesale business in La Plata, Md., and an Army platoon leader in Vietnam who wrote about his combat experience in the 2013 book The Crouching Beast, died June 21 at a hospital in Fairfax County, Va. The cause was respiratory failure and cardiac arrest as well as amyloidosis related to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, said a friend, James Sheahan.

Mr. Boccia was born in Rome and came to the United States with his family in 1947, settling in Washington. After working in La Plata in the 1970s, he spent about 25 years as an auto-parts businessman in Franklin Park and McHenry, Ill. He was attending the 55th reunion of the class of 1961 at Washingtons Gonzaga College High School when he was taken ill and died.

William C. Brewer, lawyer

William C. Brewer, 94, a lawyer who served as general counsel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and later as an NOAA representative to the Law of the Sea Treaty negotiations, died July 25 at his home in Galesville, Md. The cause was complications of dysphagia, a disorder that makes swallowing difficult, painful or impossible, said his wife, Collot Guerard.

Mr. Brewer was born in Brooklyn. For 25 years, he practiced law in Boston, specializing in international law, before coming to Washington in 1974 as NOAA general counsel. In 1977, he returned to private legal practice, in the course of which he was a NOAA representative to the Law of the Sea Treaty negotiations, which took place between 1973 and 1982. He retired in 1984.

In 1991, Mr. Brewer moved to Galesville from Washington. He was a member of the Annapolis Yacht and the West River Sailing Clubs. For years he rode a bicycle in the Galesville Fourth of July Parade, guiding his wife and her horse, Miss Rosie, along the parade route.

Charles M. Smith, soil scientist

Charles M. Smith, 94, a soil scientist and Agriculture Department officer in the 1980s whose specialties also included alternative farming programs and natural resources, died June 26 at a retirement center in Mitchellville, Md. The cause was pulmonary fibrosis, said a son, Dan Smith.

Dr. Smith was born in Rose Hill, Iowa, where he helped his family operate a small farm. He later taught soil and crop science at universities in the Midwest and Great Plains before joining the USDA in 1980. He retired in 1991. He was a resident of the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, Va., before moving to Mitchellville in 2011.

Gennaro Ferrigno, executive chef

Gennaro Ferrigno, 78, a Washington restaurant worker who in 1992 became the founding chef of Thats Amore restaurant in Rockville, Md., died July 23 at his home in Springfield, Ill. The cause was cancer, said a great-niece, Kristine Willhite.

Mr. Ferrigno was born in Naples, Italy, where his family ran a bakery. He came to the United States in the 1970s and worked in restaurants in Chicago and in the Washington area before he became chef at Thats Amore. In 2003, he moved from Washington to St. Augustine, Fla. About six months ago, he moved to Springfield.

Walter E. Basye, auto mechanic

Walter E. Basye, 93, a Northern Virginia auto mechanic who worked for Edmonds Motors and Dick Blanken Ford in Arlington and Jerrys Ford in Alexandria, died July 16 at his home in Alexandria. The cause was a heart attack, said a daughter, Irma Peil.

Mr. Basye was born in Arlington. He began working at Edmonds Motors in 1942 and continued working there for about 30 years. He then worked at Dick Blanken Ford and for about six years at Jerrys Ford before he retired around 1990.

Christopher Dinisio, D.C. police officer

Christopher Dinisio, 67, a D.C. police officer for 22 years who retired in 1992 at the rank of lieutenant, died July 23 at a hospital in Towson, Md. The cause was a heart attack, said a daughter, Kristen Jones.

Mr. Dinisio, a resident of Marriottsville, Md., was born in Baltimore. After his retirement in Washington, he served as a deputy sheriff in Anne Arundel County until 2006.

Richard K. Thompson, pastor, bishop

Richard K. Thompson, 73, a bishop in the AME Zion Church for 24 years and a former pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church in Washington, died July 16 at his home in Washington. The cause was prostate cancer, said his wife, Georgia Thompson.

Bishop Thompson was born in Kannapolis, N.C. He was pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church from 1972 until 1992, when he was elected an AME Zion bishop at the churchs general conference in Atlanta. At his death, he presided over 300 churches in the Mid-Atlantic.

Wylie H. Whisonant Jr., tourism consultant, commissioner

Wylie H. Whisonant Jr., 89, a tourism specialist and consultant who served in the late 1990s as commissioner of tourism for the Virgin Islands, died June 22 at a care center in Potomac, Md. The cause was metastatic prostate cancer, said a daughter, Alicia Whisonant.

Mr. Whisonant, a Washington native and resident, was a stockbroker with Bache & Co. in New York in the 1960s, then an executive with American Express. He returned to the Washington area in 1989 and became deputy undersecretary in a travel and tourism unit at the Commerce Department. In retirement, he was a substitute teacher in the D.C. public school system.

Michael Dixon, drywall installer

Michael Dixon, 63, a drywall worker on construction jobs around the Washington area, most recently for Laurel, Md.-based R&L Carmichael Construction, died June 26 at a hospital in Leesburg, Va. The cause was a heart attack, said a friend, Ken Downs.

Mr. Dixon, a resident of Sterling, Va., was born in Baltimore and grew up in Wheaton, Md. He retired about 1 1/2 years ago.

Frank A. Jose, consumer affairs officer

Frank A. Jose, 86, a lawyer who retired in 1988 as deputy director of the Montgomery County, Md., consumer affairs office, died June 24 at a hospital in Silver Spring, Md. The cause was cancer, said a son, Andrew Jose.

Mr. Jose, a resident of Wheaton, Md., was born in Indianapolis. He was a deputy attorney general for the state of Indiana before moving to the Washington area in 1961. He was a lawyer with the Federal Trade Commission and then managing attorney of Neighborhood Legal Services in Washington before joining Montgomery Countys consumer affairs office.

Lloyd E. Kurtz, plumbing, heating technician

Lloyd E. Kurtz, 91, a retired plumbing and heating technician, first with Voneiff Plumbing & Heating in Laurel and later with the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, died June 30 at a hospital in Frederick, Md. The cause was a gastrointestinal infection, said a daughter, Robin Kurtz.

Mr. Kurtz, a native Washingtonian, retired in 1988 after about 10 years with the park and planning commission. For more than 20 years before that, he had worked for Voneiff.

On retirement, he moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., from Kensington, Md. A year ago, he moved to an assisted-living center in Frederick.

Douglas D. Waters, school teacher

Douglas D. Waters, 69, a retired Prince Georges County elementary school teacher, died July 13 at his home in Lanham, Md. The cause was cardiac arrest and renal failure, said a daughter, Rachel Waters.

Mr. Waters was born in Cokesbury, Md., and moved to the Washington area 50 years ago. He was a Prince Georges schoolteacher for 30 years, mostly at Gaywood Elementary School in Lanham and mostly as a sixth-grade teacher. He retired in 1998.

Howard A. Dawson Jr., tax judge

Howard A. Dawson Jr., 93, the longest-serving judge on the U.S. Tax Court of the United States, both as an active judge and as a retired judge on recall status, died July 15 at his home in Bethesda, Md. The cause was cardiac arrest, said a daughter, Suzanne Vanyur.

Judge Dawson was born on a family farm near Okolona, Ark., and moved to the Washington area during childhood. He held a variety of positions with the Internal Revenue Service before his appointment to the Tax Court in 1962.

During his years on the court, he served three terms as chief judge, totaling six years. He wrote more than 1,100 opinions and presided over 170 trial sessions in 46 cities. He retired as an active judge in 1985 but continued as a senior judge to hear cases until his death. In 2008, the court established an award in Judge Dawsons name to honor exemplary service by Tax Court employees.

Fred C. Leone, statistics expert

Fred C. Leone, 93, who spent 15 years as executive director of the American Statistical Association before retiring in 1988, died July 14 at an assisted-living center in Galion, Ohio. The cause was congestive heart failure, said a son, Peter Leone.

Dr. Leone was born in New York City, the son of Sicilian immigrants. He served on the faculty of what is now Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and the University of Iowa before coming to the Washington area in 1973. He was co-author of Statistics and Experimental Design in Engineering and the Physical Sciences (1964), a text for applied statistics. A former resident of Silver Spring, Md., he moved to New Jersey in 2013 and to Ohio in 2015.

Harriette C. Chambliss, pediatrician

Harriette C. Chambliss, 91, a Washington pediatrician who practiced for more than 40 years with two pediatrician brothers at the Clark Clinic near Howard University, died July 14 at her home in Washington. The cause was heart and hypertension complications, said a son, Marque Chambliss.

Dr. Chambliss was born Harriette Clark in Charleston, W.Va., and began practicing medicine in Washington around 1950. She made evening house calls and, for uninsured patients who could not pay, she routinely accepted cakes or hugs as remuneration for her services, her family said.

Harriet R. Beckman, schoolteacher

Harriet R. Beckman, 85, who taught in Alexandria, Va., schools  mostly at Charles Barrett Elementary School  from 1968 to 1996 and specialized in teaching gifted and talented children, died July 16 at a hospital in Arlington, Va. The cause was respiratory failure, said a granddaughter, Kate Matthews.

Mrs. Beckman, a resident of McLean, Va., was born Harriet Rosenzweig in Brooklyn. She moved to the Washington area 60 years ago. She was a volunteer at Temple Rodef Shalom in McLean, Va.

C. Roger Nelson,lawyer

C. Roger Nelson, 100, who from 1952 until his retirement in 1986 led a Washington law firm that specialized in matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission, died July 25 at a retirement community in Bethesda, Md. The cause was cancer, said a son, Tom Nelson.

Mr. Nelson was born in Gowrie, Iowa. He served as law secretary to Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone in the early 1940s, and during World War II edited a daily publication of the Military Intelligence Service. He co-founded the law firm Purcell & Nelson in 1952.

In the late 60s and early 70s, Mr. Nelson served on the Administrative Conference of the United States, a federal agency that promotes government efficiency. He held leadership positions with the American Bar Association and the Metropolitan Club, and upon retirement mediated cases for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Alan Pearce, telecommunications economist

Alan Pearce, 78, a telecommunications economist who operated Information Age Economics, a consulting company for with high-tech businesses and government agencies, died July 10 at a family home in Lexington, Va. The cause was Parkinsons disease, said his wife, Karen Ruckman.

Dr. Pearce, who lived in Washington, was born in Manchester, England. In 1970, he became the Federal Communications Commissions chief economist. He also worked in the White House office of telecommunications and for a House Subcommittee on Communications before starting Information Age Economics in 1978.

His government clients included the Obama transition team, which he advised on how the wireless broadband sector of the telecommunications industry could deliver economic benefits, and the FCC, which he advised that the Internet be regulated as a utility.
Many serious crimes, such as robbery and burglary, are committed by young people, 25 and under. But recent D.C. police figures show that a large share of suspects in another crime, drug dealing, are approaching retirement age, in their 50s and 60s.

This disparity was demonstrated in reports made over the past three weeks of the latest arrests made by the D.C. police narcotics unit.

Ages were given for suspects in 72 of the citys recent drug arrests. Of those arrested, 27, about 38 percent, were 50 or older. Six of the 27 were older than 60, an age rare among suspects in robberies, burglaries or homicides.

The oldest person arrested by the drug unit in the later part of July was a Northeast Washington woman, 69, who police said was picked up July 30 in the 14th Street NW corridor in connection with alleged distribution of crack cocaine.

The same day, they said, a Southeast man, 60, was arrested in his home neighborhood in connection with alleged heroin distribution. The day before, police said, a woman, 62, was arrested in Southeast in connection with alleged distribution and possession of crack.
Johannes Melvin Wood, of Carriage Horse Drive in Aldie, Va., was fatally shot in his home by a sheriffs deputy after he approached the deputy with knives in his hands. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Post)

A man fatally shot by a Loudoun County sheriffs deputy Friday morning was experiencing a mental-health crisis, his family said Saturday.

Johannes Melvin Wood, 58, was shot and killed by a deputy who had responded to a call at Woods residence in Aldie after Wood refused to drop two knives he was holding, police said.

Deputies had visited the home a day earlier when Wood called 911 because he was hearing voices and felt afraid, Gary Byler, the familys attorney, said in an interview Saturday.

When deputies arrived at the home Thursday, Byler said they told Woods sister, his longtime caregiver, that they could take him to the hospital for a psychological exam.

She declined and said she would call again if she was unable to calm Wood herself, Byler said.

Less than 24 hours later, she locked herself in a room and called 911 to report that Wood was threatening her.

When a deputy arrived at the home in the 41400 block of Carriage Horse Drive early Friday, Wood met him at the door holding two knives, police said. Wood refused to drop the knives, police said, and continued to walk toward the deputy, who then killed him with a single shot.

Woods family said in a statement Saturday they were devastated and hoped his death would be a wake-up call for first responders who work with people with mental illnesses.

Im at a loss as to why they wouldnt involve a mental-health professional when the police had been there the day before, Byler said.

All indications are that the appropriate protocol was followed, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said Friday.

The county sheriffs department turned the case over to the Virginia State Police for further investigation. No updates were available Saturday afternoon, a state police spokesman said.

Woods sister cared for him for at least a decade, Byler said. The siblings lived together for about a year in the Loudoun County home she owns.

Wood worked in sales until a few years ago, when mental illness and vascular problems prevented him from continuing, Byler said. The attorney could not specify what kind of mental illness Wood had.

[Virginia deputy fatally shoots man armed with knives, police say]

The deputy, who has not been identified, worked in law enforcement for five years and has been with the department for one. He was placed on paid administrative leave.

The last person fatally shot by a Loudoun deputy was a woman wielding a knife in a Costco in 2013.

At least 137 people killed by police so far this year showed signs of mental illness, according to a Post database on fatal shootings by police. In 2015, about a quarter of the 990 people shot and killed by police had a history of mental illness.
Ingmar Guandique is escorted from the Violent Crimes Unit in Washington by detectives in 2009. Prosecutors dismissed murder charges against him in the death of Chandra Levy in late July, saying they were no longer able to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

During a recorded conversation, the star witness in the Chandra Levy murder case made a series of boastful claims. Armando Morales bragged about shooting gang rivals, obtaining hand grenades and making prison shanks out of melted foam cups.

Then he made a chilling announcement. He said he was plotting to ambush a man he thought had stolen jewelry from the woman who was recording him. He said that he planned to execute his plan in a thug way, and that he had collected a black hoodie and some dark clothing so no one could see him coming.

I came ready to do battle with that f------ thief, Morales said on the audio recording, according to a copy reviewed by The Washington Post.

But the one thing Morales did not say during the seven-hour recording: that he lied on the witness stand and sent an innocent man to prison in the case of the Washington intern who disappeared in 2001 while dating a married congressman.

The claim that Morales lied came from the woman who recorded him. She identified herself as an actress named Babs Proller and said she secretly recorded Morales on July 11 after meeting him in an Annapolis hotel. She told prosecutors, defense attorneys and the news media that Morales admitted to falsely testifying that former cellmate Ingmar Guandique had confessed to attacking Levy in Rock Creek Park.

This undated file photo shows Chandra Ann Levy, a 24-year-old graduate student. Levy vanished May 1, 2001. A year later, a hiker found her skeletal remains in the Districts Rock Creek Park. (AP)

She said she had the recording to prove it. But there is no evidence that that recording exists.

The woman, whose real name is Beate Maria Brandl, provided copies of one seven-hour recording to prosecutors, defense attorneys and The Post.

It was the beginning of the end to a sensational murder case that captivated the nation with round-the-clock media coverage.

After listening to the recording, prosecutors last week took the extraordinary step of dismissing the murder charges against Guandique, 34, saying they were no longer able to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The U.S. attorneys office declined to discuss the recording. But Moraless boastful claims and threats of violence stand in stark contrast to his testimony during the November 2010 trial that he had become a reformed man in prison.

A law enforcement source confirmed that it is Moraless voice on the recording. Moraless attorney is out of the country and could not be reached for comment.

Legal experts said Moraless statements, coupled with Brandls claims, would most likely have shattered the credibility of the prosecutions star witness, who was scheduled to testify at a retrial of Guandique this fall. An undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, Guandique now faces deportation. He has maintained his innocence in Levys death.

The guy said he was now reformed, one of Christs apostles, said Bernard S. Grimm, a Washington defense lawyer who watched Morales testify in 2010. But if you listen to him on that tape, hes still the same gang thug he was years ago. It comes down to general credibility.

The turn of events could signal the final chapter in a case that once riveted the country with speculation that a California congressman, Gary A. Condit, then 54, might have had something to do with the disappearance of Levy, a 24-year-old intern for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. She vanished May 1, 2001. A year later, a hiker found her skeletal remains in Rock Creek Park.

In the months after Levy disappeared, police and prosecutors focused on Condit before eventually clearing him as a suspect.

While they were investigating Condit, Guandique was attacking women in Rock Creek Park. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting two female joggers in the park; one shortly before Levy vanished, the other shortly after.

Police made numerous mistakes and missteps during their investigation. Some of the errors set the investigation back by weeks, even months, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation.

The case went cold until 2009, when prosecutors charged Guandique with Levys murder. They had no forensic evidence, eyewitnesses or murder weapon. Instead, they built a circumstantial case largely on the testimony of the two female joggers, with Morales as their key witness.

Morales, a five-time convicted felon and leader of a gang called the Fresno Bulldogs, told jurors that he met Guandique in 2006 in a federal prison in Kentucky while serving a 21-year sentence for drugs and weapons convictions. He testified that Guandique confessed to attacking Levy in Rock Creek Park.

He said Guandique told him: Homeboy, I killed the [expletive], but I didnt rape her.

Morales held himself out as a changed man who had turned his life around. He said he had been part of a life skills mentoring program in prison.

I got tired of all the violence, he testified.

Moraless testimony was all that directly linked Guandique to Levys death.

The jury deliberated for 3 days before finding Guandique guilty.

One juror, Sharae Bacon, said Morales had been the key to the case.

There were no holes in his testimony, she told The Post after the verdict was delivered.

Guandique was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

The case began to unravel in late 2012, when attorneys for Guandique argued that Morales had lied when he testified that he had never previously cooperated with law enforcement authorities. That information surfaced after a prosecutor in California who had known Morales contacted prosecutors in Washington to alert them to Moraless past. The prosecutors then notified the trial judge and Guandiques attorneys.

Prosecutors last year withdrew their objections to defense motions demanding a new trial. The second trial was scheduled to start Oct. 11.

The case began to unravel again July 17, when Levys mother, Susan, said she received a Facebook message from a woman identifying herself as Babs Washington. The woman, who was really Brandl, said she had important information about the case and asked Levy to call her. Levy said she called the woman the next day. Brandl told Levy that she had secretly recorded the star witness in her daughters murder trial and that he admitted that he had concocted his trial testimony.

Levy said she told the woman to contact the U.S. attorneys office and the D.C. Public Defender Service, which represents Guandique.

Brandl, 51, told The Post that she met the 55-year-old Morales at the Country Inn & Suites in Annapolis on July 6 by simple coincidence. She said she is an actress who has appeared on the Netflix series House of Cards.

She said she was moving out of her Annapolis home, staying at the hotel, when a sliding glass lobby door accidently closed on her dog, Buddy. She said that the golden retriever refused to go back into the hotel and that a man offered to help carry the dog into the hotel lobby.

I thought he was a dog lover, she told The Post.

Over several days, she said, the man told her that he had just been released from prison and showed her his prison identification. She said that on the weekend of July 9-10, she learned that the man was Morales, the key witness in the Levy case. She also said she was afraid that Morales might make good on threats he allegedly made to hurt her ex-husband. She said she decided to record Morales to protect herself.

She said that on July 11, she recorded the conversation with Morales as they moved her belongings into a storage facility and drove around Annapolis. They engaged in meandering small talk that included Buddhism, Moraless love of the military and how he lost touch with his daughter because of his criminal life. He said his mother had given him a gun as a child for protection, telling him: I can go to you in prison, but I cant have you dead.

According to a copy of the recording Brandl provided to The Post, Morales does not say he was planning to harm Brandls ex-husband. Instead, he said he was planning to ambush a man who had supposedly stolen jewelry from Brandl. On the recording, Morales said that he was going to confront that f------ ass----. Hes not gonna get away with that, he said. I gotta good plan, man. I really do. I thought on it, you know. Ill scare the s--- out of this motherf-----.

Brandl told Morales she feared that he could go back to prison. Morales then walked back his plan. He assured Brandl that he was not going to break the law because he didnt want to go back to prison. I have to follow the rules, he said.

He also bragged on the recording that he could make shanks out of 10 melted foam cups, and then stick the shank into somebodys eye and penetrate that shell into their brain and take their life.

He talked about having the car windows at a dealership shot out and then warning the owner of the business to hire his brothers glass replacement company if you dont want this to happen again.

Brandl said that after recording Morales and speaking with Susan Levy, she contacted the U.S. attorneys office and the Public Defender Service.

Prosecutors and Guandiques defense counsel interviewed Brandl. On July 21, prosecutors told the judge in the case that they had new information about Morales but did not elaborate. Three days later, prosecutors confiscated Brandls digital recorder, calling it evidence in the case.

Brandl insisted that she made additional recordings and had captured Morales saying he fabricated his trial testimony. Those recordings, if they exist, have not been provided to the U.S. attorneys office.

On the recording provided to The Post and prosecutors, Brandl repeatedly prodded Morales to admit that he did not testify truthfully at the 2010 trial. At several points during the recording, Morales stood by his testimony, saying that Guandique confessed to him that he had killed Levy.

It was an accident. He didnt know he killed her, Morales told Brandl on the recording. He went back. That was his area to steal and rob and whatever he was doing. That was his location. He went back.

Officials with the Public Defender Service said they have not listened to the recording because it was illegally recorded in violation of Maryland wiretap statutes, which bar recording a second party without consent.

On July 26, prosecutors reinterviewed Brandl. She told The Post that they asked her whether she was working for the Public Defender Service, whether members of the office had directed her or whether someone was paying her to entrap Morales.

Eugene Ohm, one of Guandiques attorneys, said the defense had nothing to do with the recording. He told The Post that his office did not speak to Brandl, whom he referred to as Proller, until prosecutors told his office about her.

We were told that Ms. Proller had contacted Mrs. Levy, who then encouraged Ms. Proller to reach out to authorities and the defense, Ohm said.

Brandl insisted to The Post that she alone decided to record Morales.

After prosecutors announced July 28 that they were dropping the charges against Guandique, Brandl posted a message on her Facebook page, where she goes by the name Babs Washington.

I became aware of information relevant to the case and I conveyed that information to the all of the appropriate people -- the prosecutors, and defense attorneys and Ms. Levy, the Facebook message says. I did this because I believed then, and believes now, that it was the right thing to do. I have no further information to provide regarding this tragic case and will make no further statements.

A D.C. police official said the case remains closed for now.

We have not uncovered any information during the course of the investigation that would warrant reopening the case, Assistant Chief Peter Newsham said. MPD will continue to pursue any new leads that are uncovered or brought to our attention.

Levys parents, Susan and Bob, said they are stunned by the turn of events that led to the undoing of the entire case. They questioned Brandls motives and said they do not understand why prosecutors dropped the case so quickly.

Im shocked at how something could unravel so fast. Im distraught that the prosecutors dropped this case, Susan Levy said. Its unbelievable that one person can disrupt so much.

Alice Crites and Derek Hawkins contributed to this report. Hawkins and Ben St. Clair are attached to the Washington Posts Investigative Unit through a program with American University.
Workers are seen during SafeTrack repairs between the Ballston and East Falls Church stations in July. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Metros recent safety problems have lawmakers and local leaders concerned that they will not be able to successfully lobby Congress and state legislatures for the additional funding that the transit system so desperately seeks.

In the past five weeks  just as Metro has emphasized safety and taken drastic steps to warn employees about negligence  the problems have been stark and steady: red-light violations, derailments, a botched evacuation, a report about years of degraded track conditions, a transit police officer accused of attempting to aid the Islamic State.

For Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), that has been disheartening.

At this point, you have to just shake your head, because every day its something, Connolly said Friday. Its very difficult in this environment to make that case and not have it fall on deaf ears.

For months, local lawmakers have tried to make the case that Metro has finally turned a corner and that the day-long emergency shutdown of the rail system in March signaled a new dedication to safety.

A train came off the track at the East Falls Church Metro station platform in Northern Virginia on July 29, disrupting the morning commute for passengers. There were no serious injuries. (Video: Lee Powell / The Washington Post; Photo: Christian K. Lee/ The Washington Post)

Metros recent record, however, has stubbornly resisted that narrative. Heading into budget talks in the fall, the summers embarrassments do not make for an optimal negotiating position.

This cannot happen anymore, said Jack Evans, chairman of Metros board of directors. It makes it really hard for me, when Im out going to talk to members of Congress and senators and business leaders, trying to get more money to Metro, and these idiotic things happen.

Dispute over Metrorail operators break almost resulted in a head-on collision

In coming weeks, lawmakers are also looking to suss out answers. Evans wants an emergency meeting of the Metro board  tentatively scheduled for Aug. 25  to discuss a recent derailment near the East Falls Church station and other safety violations that have occurred in recent weeks. (The board typically takes a month-long break from meetings at the end of the summer.)

Evanss swift action was sparked by a report released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board that concluded that the derailment occurred because the space between the tracks had spread too wide and that 30 feet of track had crossties that were damaged and ineffective.

NTSB investigators also said Metro officials may have known about problems with the tracks in that area since 2009, that they conduct track inspections much less often than agency guidelines require and that the specialized vehicle they use to detect track problems has been out of commission.

Evans, who also represents Ward 2 as a Democratic member of the D.C. Council, says he wants answers: Why were inspections on the tracks conducted once a month rather than twice a week as required? Why did supervisors not tackle work on the tracks? How long was the detection vehicle in need of repairs? And why was there not a backup vehicle?

These continuous events occur on a daily basis, Evans said. They are all really outrageous. We have to get this stuff under control.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are calling for a briefing from General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld by Thursday on Metro Transit Police officer Nicholas Young, who was arrested and accused of attempting to provide support to the Islamic State. Metro officials apparently were aware for years that Young was a source of concern.

These reports raise serious questions about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authoritys process for conducting background checks for MTPD officers, what public safety and information security safeguards were in place during the investigation and monitoring of Young, and what continuing public safety protections are being implemented, the legislators wrote in a letter to Wiedefeld.

How did an alleged ISIS supporter remain on Metro police so long? Or get hired?

And with Wiedefelds frequent appearances before local leaders and members of Congress, there is a looming question: When will the general managers grace period come to an end?

His measured approach, even-keeled demeanor and no-nonsense answers have won him some fans in Congress. At a hearing in May, the famously acerbic Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.) elicited some chuckles and raised eyebrows when he gave Wiedefeld a certificate of appreciation for firing 20 Metro managers.

This is a certificate of appreciation. Ill probably make these into gold, into silver and bronze. Youre going to get the silver, because you actually responded . . . and took action and fired people, Mica joked at the time.

But Wiedefeld has now been on the job for more than eight months, and at some point, Metros failings  infrequent inspections, a lack of safety culture  may begin to reflect on his management.

I dont know if its still the honeymoon period or not, Connolly said. But while there is great frustration with the daily negative stories, there is a sense that Wiedefeld is trying to turn this around, and he more or less has the confidence of my colleagues on the Hill.

But, Connolly acknowledged, at some point, patience wears thin, and hes going to become a convenient target. I hope that doesnt happen. He needs our support and not our kvetching.

But even as Metro and the Federal Transit Administration have come under more scrutiny of late with the transit systems very public safety lapses, there is one bright spot: U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says that he has been heartened by the recent work done in Metros jurisdictions to get ready for the establishment of a regional Metro safety oversight body.

I am encouraged to see that the jurisdictions share the U.S. Department of Transportations commitment to the safety of the WMATA Metrorail system and have taken steps collectively over the past several months to establish a new [state safety oversight authority], Foxx wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R).

Foxx said recent developments have made him more confident that the oversight body will come together in the next six months. Specifically, he praised the fact that Bowser has formally submitted legislation to the D.C. Council with the intention of getting a vote in the fall and that the three jurisdictions are working together on building a framework for the new safety agency.

This effort also is essential to ensuring that the jurisdictions are able to stand up and maintain a fully functioning SSOA as soon as practicable after the legislation is enacted by all three jurisdictions, he wrote.

Heres what expanded federal oversight of Metro safety will entail

Still, Foxx said he is keeping the Feb. 9 deadline that he established early this year.

The progress that the three jurisdictions have made to date clearly demonstrates that you are capable of meeting the deadline with continued focus, Foxx said.
A participant crosses the finish line of the Color Run's Tropicolor World Tour in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday. (Allison Farrand/AP)

TENNESSEE

41 arrested in online prostitution sting

Tennessee police have arrested 41 people in an online human trafficking sting in Nashville, with many suspects allegedly paying for sex with underage girls, authorities said.

The three-day operation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation netted 34 men, six women and one juvenile on prostitution-related charges, the agency said in a statement Friday.

Undercover agents posed as a juvenile girl in ads on Backpage.com. A total of 485 men answered the posted ads.

Eighteen men who responded to the ad paid to have sex with the invented underage girl, the statement said.

 Reuters

CALIFORNIA

2 men die skydiving; bodies fell in vineyard

San Joaquin Sheriffs Sgt. Brandon Riley said the bodies of two skydivers were found Saturday in a Lodi-area vineyard in Californias Central Valley. The skydivers, both men, had jumped in tandem.

The sheriffs office received a call about 10 a.m. indicating that a parachute was down.

Riley said they were working to identify the men, who were with the Parachute Center skydiving school.

A man answering the phone Saturday at the Parachute Center said he did not know whether two men had died.

 Associated Press

NEW MEXICO

Nuclear dump targetsDecember reopening

The U.S. Department of Energy says it is 80 percent confident that the federal governments only underground nuclear-waste repository will partly reopen in December.

That prediction comes after federal officials once promised that the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexicos Eddy County would be cleaned up and reopened by March, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

The plant has been closed since February 2014, when an inappropriately packed container of waste ruptured and contaminated part of the facility.

 Associated Press

Woman draws ire for having bear killed: A mother of three has provoked a backlash for having a bear shot after it repeatedly broke into her Southern California mountain home. The way the people in this town initially responded was disheartening, Julie Faith Strauja told the San Bernardino Sun. Ive had death threats and my address posted all over social media. The self-proclaimed animal lover became worried after a bear repeatedly entered her home two weekends ago.

 From news services
Barton Swaim is author of The Speechwriter: A Brief Education in Politics and a contributing columnist for The Post.

Those of us on the right who oppose Donald Trumps candidacy are, in one sense, to be pitied. The choice between clownish and vitriolic populism, on the one hand, and Clintonian knavery, on the other, is not one we ever wanted to make. We are bewildered and, for this election year at least, emotionally detached.

But there is something enviable in the state of detachment. Enviable because political contests  certainly this is true of the most intensely fought and consequential ones  debase emotions and sanctify dishonesty. They turn capable writers into hacks and intelligent citizens into social media bores and anonymous Internet goblins. Many bright and otherwise fair-minded people find themselves defending a favored candidate for reasons they would find silly or tendentious if that candidate werent running for high office. If Trump had never joined the contest, would prominent Republican leaders spend any time defending his quasi-fraudulent business practices or his bigoted remarks or his vicious use of eminent domain? Of course not. If Hillary Clinton had decided to sit out 2016, similarly, the mention of her history of mendacity would strike most of those now supporting her as uncontroversial. But both are running for president, and so indefensible conduct becomes defensible and statements of the obvious provoke ferocious counterblasts. Decent people besmirch themselves with stupid arguments and outright falsehoods and excuse it all with vague references to whats at stake.

I dont want to be too high-minded about this  Im sure if I plumbed my conscience, which Im not inclined to do, I too would have to admit past guilt in this regard. In any case, it all leads me to think that 2016 may be an unusual opportunity for reflection on the part of conservatives with no horse in the race. The same may be said of the (rather less populous, I suspect) Bernie or Bust movement, those supporters of Bernie Sanders who, despite the senators endorsement of Clinton, still refuse to back the Democratic Partys nominee. Both these confederations, whether theyre right on political and philosophical grounds, find themselves in a position to reflect on the nature of electoral politics in ways they probably never have before.

In the case of anti-Trump conservatives, weve spent the past several months watching heretofore principled conservative politicians, in some cases reluctantly but in every case decisively, endorse a man they know full well isnt qualified to be president. Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence: These and many others were faced with an admittedly difficult situation in which they had to choose between principle and career preservation; they chose the latter. Rubio, for instance, just a few months ago called Trump a con artist and an erratic individual to whom the nuclear codes of the United States should not be entrusted: comments he has not disavowed even as he has endorsed that same erratic individual on the grounds that his opponent is worse. Even the uber-principled Ted Cruz spent much of last year studiously refusing to distance himself from Trump, and his decision to withhold an endorsement seems to have had far less to do with principle than with the painful memory that Trump once made nasty insinuations about his wife.

Perhaps its a good time for some of us to reassess the hope and confidence were often inclined to place in politicians. We would never admit to placing hope and confidence in them, of course; were sophisticated people, after all, and take a knowingly dim view of politicians and their motives. Well, of politicians in the abstract anyway. Most are vain careerists whose convictions, though frequently genuine, are also frequently temporary  we know this. Or do we? How often have I read a feature article or watched an interview with some bright young rising star and concluded: Theres one with integrity. Theres one with intellect and foresight and the capacity to lead.

And yet  here we are.

An effective politician, lets remember, is someone who has found success at convincing large numbers of people that he or she, rather than someone else, possesses sufficient sagacity and strength of character to solve some complicated set of problems. Give me power, the politician says to us, because I am honest and compassionate and capable. Without ever making it so crassly explicit, that is what it takes to win elections.

Which ought to make us ask ourselves: What sort of person would do that? And why on Earth would I trust him with more power or put her name on my bumper? If this years all-around atrociousness prompts us to ask those questions of ourselves and one another, maybe we can redeem it after all.
The Aug. 4 front-page article GOP at new level of panic over Trump quoted former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) as saying about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, He cant learn what he doesnt know because he doesnt know he doesnt know it. That is exactly the problem. Mr. Gingrich and Republican leaders, in their willful blindness to Mr. Trumps severe character defects, keep hoping for a campaign reset and cannot see that a reset is not possible. Mr. Trump demonstrates he is dangerously unfit to be president.

John A. Berol, La Jolla, Calif.

As the GOP reaches a new level of panic over Donald Trumps candidacy and the chief strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls for a serious reset, discussion has started on ways to replace Mr. Trump on the Republican ticket. The difficulties are huge. Party leaders cannot simply say, Youre fired. However, perhaps GOP leaders could negotiate with him. They could promise him another position, something he might like even better if he stepped down and the party won. Ambassador to Russia?

Debra Decker, Washington

Regarding Eugene Robinsons Aug. 2 op-ed, Is Trump just plain crazy?

Perhaps Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is not crazy. Perhaps he just doesnt want to be president. Since he announced his campaign, he has focused on attention and generating publicity for his brand. Controversy is currency to achieve those goals. Mr. Trump seems to have little interest in the job of being president, which requires extensive knowledge, competence, restraint and willingness to consider opposing views. These characteristics are not part of Mr. Trumps repertoire. Maybe his attacks on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, fire marshals and members of his party are a way to ensure that he will not be elected. Hes already prepping his supporters for the loss by stating that the election is probably rigged, all the while sucking up even more attention.

Sophia Panieczko, Manassas
DONALD TRUMPS assertion that Russia is not going to go into Ukraine reminded us that very little reporting has been done in recent months about the state of the conflict in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, which were first invaded by Russian forces in early 2014. Thats unfortunate, because while the Wests attention has been otherwise occupied this summer, Russia and its proxies have steadily escalated the fighting.

According to the United Nations, 20 civilians were killed and 122 injured in June and July, more than double the average monthly toll of the previous nine months. The Ukrainian army, for its part, reported at least 13 soldiers killed in July. Most of the deaths came in shelling attacks by heavy weapons, including artillery and Grad rockets, that were expressly prohibited by the two peace agreements Russia and Ukraine made. Apart from brief periods, the Russian side has never fully observed the cease-fire, according to reports by international monitors.

Meanwhile, military supplies continue to pour across Ukraines eastern border, parts of which Russia exclusively controls. According to statements by Ukrainian officials, at least 19 trains carrying military hardware crossed the border in July. On Aug. 2, authorities reported that 30 tanks, 11 armored vehicles and six Grad rocket systems had been shipped in during the previous week. This despite repeated Russian commitments to pull all such weapons back from the front lines and place them under monitoring.

Its not clear how many Russian personnel are now operating inside Ukraine; in the past, estimates by NATO and other outside observers have ranged from several thousand to 10,000. Veteran analyst Paul Goble of the Jamestown Foundation reported in a recent blog post that curators dispatched by Vladimir Putins regime are attached to military units, political organizations, newspapers and radio stations, as well as other distinct institutions. They transmit orders from Moscow and control all government as well as military operations.

Ukrainian military intelligence has identified and publicly named dozens of Russian officers posted to the region. One who was captured on July 11, a platoon commander named Alexey Sedikov, said in a video posted to YouTube that Russians hold many key leadership positions, such as battalion commander and deputy chief of staff.

Not surprisingly, the Russian intervention in Ukraine resembles its operation in Syria in several key ways. Mr. Putin has employed subterfuge, deception and lies to cloud the operations and their aims. In negotiations and conferences with Western diplomats, his aides have repeatedly agreed to plans to end the fighting, while on the ground Russian forces have continued to shell and bomb.

The Obama administrations reaction to all this has become painfully familiar. Secretary of State John F. Kerry brokers plans for cease-fires; when they are broken by Russia, he expresses outrage  then returns to Moscow to strike another deal. President Obama continues to insist, as he did this week, that the way to end the conflicts is to work with Russia. The possibility that Mr. Putin has no interest in and no intention of seriously cooperating with the United States in either Ukraine or Syria is one that Mr. Obama evidently finds it inconvenient to contemplate. Sadly, Mr. Trump is not the only one who denies the obvious.
A Ukrainian soldier, left, and two U.S. soldiers climb on an armored military vehicle as they attend joint military exercises at the Yavoriv training ground, near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, on July 4. (Ivan Bobersyy/European Pressphoto Agency)

Robert H. Scales is a retired Army major general, a former commandant of the U.S. Army War College and the author of the forthcoming book Scales on War.

In November, while visiting the headquarters of the U.S. Army in Europe, I received a briefing on the performance of the Russian army in Ukraine. In a perfunctory tone, the young intelligence briefer recited the details of the July 2014 Battle of Zelenopillya, in which a single Russian artillery fire strike almost destroyed two Ukrainian mechanized battalions in a few minutes.

I couldnt help imagining a U.S. armored battalion subjected to a similar fire strike. I realized then that Ukraine had become Russias means for showcasing what might happen if we ever fought a firepower-intensive battle against it. You know, guys, I mused in the moment, this is the first time since the beginning of the Cold War that an American war-fighting function has been bested by a foreign military.

This revelation was all the more disturbing because artillery firepower has been a centerpiece of U.S. land warfare for almost a century. At Normandy, the Germans had nothing good to say about the quality of U.S. armor and infantry. But they feared U.S. artillery. The Germans could not mass fire across unit boundaries. But an American invention, the coordinated-fire time on target, could bring hundreds of guns to bear on a single target, delivering thousands of rounds simultaneously. The effect on the Germans was devastating.

During the Gulf War, the Iraqis most feared what they called steel rain. The rain consisted of hundreds of thousands of flashlight-size bomblets stuffed into artillery shells and rocket warheads. U.S. counter-fire radar, mated to multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), smothered Saddam Husseins much-vaunted artillery in a massive series of day-long barrages. The Iraqi artillery never again posed a threat to our troops.

The Ukrainian experience serves as a deadly analogue for what might happen to U.S. artillery should we fight the Russians or a Russian surrogate. New Russian firepower systems now outrange ours by a third or more. They have improved on our steel-rain technology by developing a new generation of bomblet munitions that are filled with thermobaric explosives. These munitions generate an intense blast wave of exploding gases that are far more lethal than conventional explosives. A single volley of Russian thermobaric steel rain delivered by a single heavy-rocket-launcher battalion will annihilate anything within an area of about 350 acres.

Tragically, all of Americas steel-rain munitions  millions of shells and warheads  are gone, intentionally destroyed by the past two administrations in a sacrifice to the gods of political correctness. They agreed to give up all submunition weapons after other nations (which had no steel rain) signed a treaty banning such weapons because they produce too many duds that remain on the battlefield and pose risks to civilians. Russia, China and Israel believed they had real wars to fight and ignored the treaty. As a result, a Russian heavy-rocket-launcher battalion firing steel rain produces a lethal area at least five times greater than a U.S. MLRS battalion firing conventional high-explosive warheads.

The performance of Russian artillery in Ukraine strongly demonstrates that, over the past two decades, the Russians have gotten a technological jump on us. The United States strategic drones, the ones that plink terrorists from bases in Nevada, are more advanced than Russias. But Russian tactical drones, which spot for artillery, are far superior (and far more numerous) than ours. In 2014, when the Battle of Debaltseve began, the Ukrainians reported that as many as eight Russian tactical drones orbited over their heads at any one time.

Additionally, the electronic warfare technology demonstrated by the Russians in Ukraine is the best in the world, far better than ours. During the 240-day siege of the Donetsk airport, the Russians were able to jam GPS, radios and radar signals. Their electronic intercept capabilities were so good that the Ukrainians communications were crippled. Ukrainian commanders complained that a punishing barrage would follow any radio transmission within seconds.

Does this mean that the Russian army is superior to ours? No, not at all. If we fought the Russians today, we would win. Ours is a highly trained force of half a million soldiers. Two-thirds of Vladimir Putins 800,000 soldiers are one-year conscripts whose fighting skills are questionable. The Russian air force is also no match for ours. But the Ukrainian experience tells us that the cost in blood of any such contest would be high.

A tragic decline of a war-fighting arm that once was our Armys most lethal should serve as a cautionary tale. This diminution of war-fighting capability in our European army comes at an inauspicious time: when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump publicly questions the value of defending Europe and the Obama administration is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on big, high-tech systems optimized to fight at sea in Asia. Yet in todays wars, more prosaic weapons such as small arms, mines and artillery are killing our soldiers. Add in the fact that we have forfeited what formerly was an overwhelming U.S. battlefield capability, and we can only imagine what deadly consequences may result from our good intentions.
THAILAND GOES to the polls Sunday for a referendum on a new constitution that was written by a committee appointed by the military junta that took power in 2014. The voting should fool no one. The process has not been democratic, nor would the constitution guarantee a working democracy. Whether the document is approved or rejected by voters, Thailand badly needs reconciliation of deep divisions in society over ideology, economics and ethnicity, rifts that have driven the political conflict between red shirts and yellow shirts, as the polarized factions are known. This constitution is, at best, unlikely to help achieve that reconciliation and, at worst, an invitation for continued military rule.

The referendum itself is a good illustration of how autocrats have cloaked themselves in procedures of democracy in order to cling to power. Instead of brute force, triggering protest at home and criticism abroad, 21st-century autocrats preside over referendums, talk of elections, create fake organizations and charters, and very quietly suffocate anyone who stands in opposition.

In Thailand, the drafting process of the constitution was not open. Criticism of the draft is punishable by imprisonment. There is no formal no campaign. On July 22, a 30-day blackout was ordered of Peace TV, a television station loyal to the opposition. A few weeks ago, at a university campus, students were detained by police for releasing balloons into the air inscribed with the words Campaigning is not wrong. At least 120 people have been prosecuted for voicing opposition to or criticizing the charter. No international monitors were allowed for the vote. This is a constitution born by undemocratic means.

Nor is the document itself very promising. When the military took over, the parliament was abolished. The draft constitution would reconstitute the lower house of 500 members but change the membership toward proportional representation and away from district elections, in order to reduce the power of Thaksin Shinawatras Pheu Thai Party  allies of the red shirts  which has won every general election for the past 15 years. Also, the charter would make the upper house, the Senate, an unelected body.

A second question on the ballot, if approved, would give the unelected Senate a role in picking a prime minister, leaving open the possibility of a general. Although the junta has promised to eventually relinquish power, the constitution looks to be written as a road map for the generals to hold on to their influence for a long time, while enjoying the window dressing of a new constitution.

The options for Thais are not appealing. To vote yes would enshrine an undemocratic constitution and might lead to years of authoritarian rule. To vote no, defeating the charter, could leave the junta in place longer and might lead to a new constitution that is even less promising. Either way, the West must regard this vote for what it is, a Potemkin exercise staged by modern authoritarians, not the genuine process of change that Thailand sorely needs.
Stephanie Coontz is the director of research at the Council on Contemporary Families and author of The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap.

Older generations always seem to fret about the sexual behavior and romantic lives of the younger crowd. In the 1920s, there was alarm when boys stopped visiting in the parlor and started driving girls around in what one newspaper called a house of prostitution on wheels. This worry paled in comparison to the panic evoked by the rowdy sexual revolution that began in the late 1960s.

In the 1980s, observers were rightly alarmed by the growing prevalence of early teen sex, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. In the first two decades of this century, anxiety shifted to the college hookup scene and the emergence of dating apps to facilitate casual sex.

Heres a look at some surprising takeaways from recent research about the sex lives of the millennial generation. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

Recently, however, a new concern has surfaced, with the finding that young adults, those age 20 to 24, are now having less sex than Gen-Xers or baby boomers born in the 1960s did at the same age. Indeed, 15 percent of 20-to-24-year-olds today report having had no sexual partner since they turned 18. (This is more than double the percentage for those born the 1960s; only 6 percent of them reported being sexually inactive at that age.)

Explanations abound. Some experts posit that porn and virtual sex are replacing the intimacy of actual sex. Others blame the distraction of social media, unrealistic expectations of beauty and sexual prowess perpetuated by the mass media, the pressure of preparing for careers, or the inhibiting effect of so many young adults living with parents.

Many worry about the emergence of a generation that fears the physical and emotional risks of sexual entanglements. Could we be headed for the world once described by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, where people have become so accustomed to interacting with other humans only over their devices that robots must arrange reproduction to avoid extinction?

My own sense is that the changes in the sexual behavior of millennials are less dramatic and more positive. This generation is hardly embracing celibacy in significant numbers. Most of the increase in sexually inactive 20-to-24-year-olds occurred among women; much of this is probably due to their rising age of marriage.

At the same time, most millennials have never been the sexual players portrayed in the media, nor were the Gen-Xers. Still, they face an unprecedented romantic and sexual challenge. Never before have young people reached sexual maturity so early, had so much freedom to explore their sexual desires and identities, and yet had such strong incentives to postpone making long-term romantic commitments.

Hooking up at gatherings and having friends with benefits are two ways young people handle this challenge. Whatever the drawbacks of these practices, they are safer and less exploitative than many traditional ways of dealing with unsatisfied sexual desires, such as resorting to prostitutes or seeking one-night stands with strangers.

After interviewing more than 20,000 college students, sociologist Paula England and other researchers found that fewer than half of all campus hookups involve sexual intercourse. When intercourse does occur, it is typically between students who have hooked up before.

Furthermore, hookups are not replacing relationships. Most students hook up and date during their college years. Less than 10 percent reported having hooked up without ever going out on a date or being in a long-term relationship. More than one-quarter had never hooked up at all, but instead had dated or formed long-term relationships.

As an AARP-card-carrying member of the older generation, I am more impressed by the positive changes we see in the sexual behavior of teens and young adults today than by the negative behaviors that persist. Young people are initiating sex later than their peers did in the aftermath of the sexual revolution of the 1970s. They are taking more precautions, whether by having fewer partners or practicing safer sex. The ever-widening acceptance of consensual sex has been accompanied by a much more definitive rejection of non-consensual contact. The incidence of rape and sexual assault has fallen dramatically since the 1970s.

True, in recent decades, sexual frequency among couples has declined in several countries. Distraction by computers, smartphones or work pressures may be part of the story. But another part may be the fact that women today enjoy more equal status in their relations with men and feel more comfortable saying no.

One group of Gen-Xers and millennials, moreover, seems to have discovered a new secret to sexual happiness. Among heterosexual couples married since the early 1990s, those reporting the highest marital satisfaction  and the most sex  are couples who share housework and child care. In fact, these egalitarian couples are the only couples having more sex than their counterparts in the past.

So perhaps we should spend less time worrying about millennials sex lives and more time following the models they seem to be pioneering. Dont feel pressured to have sex unless you really want to. Dont feel embarrassed about having consensual sex whenever you want to, with whomever you want to, without feeling you need to commit to either the partner or the lifestyle. But when you do commit, dont settle for anything less than the equality that forms the basis of long-term erotic and emotional satisfaction.
The Aug. 1 editorial Democrats loose talk on student loans made excellent points related to student and family debt. But Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) plan to provide free state college tuition, paid for via revenue from a financial transaction tax on trading activity, was never on firm footing. The paper on which his plan was grounded noted: We emphasize that our conclusions are not based on anything close to the type of solid foundation in research and evidence that one would normally expect in considering such an important question.

Discussions about how to use this hypothetical funny money are amazing: The money wont exist.

Heres why: A tax on financial trading activity has been tried in other nations, where it failed miserably. Trading (and the jobs and economic activity associated with it) moves to nations without such a tax. Trading these days takes place on computers, not on physical trading floors. When market migration inevitably occurs, anticipated revenue to fund programs (free college or anything else) evaporates. Thats not conjecture. Thats what has transpired in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy. Why would we jeopardize what are the most coveted markets on the planet?

Real statespeople, Democrats and Republicans alike, will base polices on honest plans and ensure that what they espouse is supported by rock-hard research and robust rigor.

Bart Chilton, Washington

The writer is a former

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading commissioner.

The Aug. 1 editorial on student loans focused on the borrower side of the Democrats proposed free college plan but ignored the funding source. The Democrats want to finance free college tuition by taxing Wall Street, specifically securities transactions. This tax would hit seniors directly in their 401(k)s. Returns on 401(k)s are hovering between microscopic and minuscule. A tax on securities transactions would drive these returns even lower and would, like other sales taxes, be regressive, hitting lower-income retirees the hardest.

Retirees have three main sources of income: Social Security, defined-benefit pensions, and 401(k)s and other savings. Social Security and defined-benefit pensions are stressed, and now Democrats want to tax the already-meager returns on retirement nest eggs. Meanwhile, seniors face high costs as they age. Health insurance and health care are more and more expensive, and assisted living in the Washington area can easily cost more than $5,000 a month.

New taxes on seniors life savings could be devastating to very vulnerable people. Its time to rethink this one.

Sue D. Arnold, Arlington
300 quake-hit families get animal sheds

Earthquake-affected families in six VDCs of Lamjung have got pens and sheds for their cattle.
THERE WAS no DNA, no forensics, no eyewitnesses linking Ingmar Guandique to the death of Chandra Levy. Nonetheless, a jury in 2010 convicted him of murder, largely because of the testimony of a jailhouse informant. So when questions arose about the credibility of that witness, the case crumbled, with a judge first ordering a new trial and prosecutors eventually deciding to dismiss the charges. The events underscore the vulnerability  critics say unreliability  of such witnesses, and that should prompt law enforcement officials to reassess their use.

In what amounts to the latest wrinkle in a mystery that has confounded the country since 2001, when the 24-year-old intern went missing in the District, prosecutors last week asked a judge to dismiss the case against Mr. Guandique. Convicted in 2010, Mr. Guandique was set for retrial this fall when the surprise announcement was made. Citing recent unforeseen developments, the U.S. Attorneys Office said it concluded it can no longer prove the murder case against Mr. Guandique beyond a reasonable doubt. The move came after a woman gave authorities recordings she had secretly made with the governments star witness, a former cellmate of Mr. Guandique who claimed Mr. Guandique had confessed to Levys murder.

It is unclear what the witness said on the tapes that prompted authorities to pull back. Also unclear is whether prosecutors still believe that Mr. Guandique, an illegal immigrant now subject to deportation proceedings, is responsible for Levys death; if they do, their dismissal of the case raises a whole new raft of troubling questions. What is apparent is the risk involved in relying so heavily on someone who, as defense attorneys contended, may have had a motive to fabricate testimony.

No data exists on how often jailhouse informants factor into cases, but University of Virginia School of Law professor Brandon L. Garrett said they are used with some frequency. His research examining the first 330 DNA exonerations in the United States found that 22 percent of the wrongful-conviction cases examined had informant testimony, including jailhouse informants and other types of incentivized witnesses. Because of the problems inherent with jailhouse informants, some think using them should be banned, while others advocate reforms, being pioneered in a few states, for stringent judicial review or videotaping of interrogations.

And its not just the accused who can be hurt when something goes wrong with a jailhouse informant. Just ask Levys parents, who are still waiting  after 15 years  for justice in their daughters death.
Like shipwrecked mariners clinging to a floating mast, many Republicans rationalize supporting Donald Trump because of the court. This two-word incantation means: Because we care so much for the Constitution, it is supremely important to entrust to Trump the making of Supreme Court nominations. Well.

In a Republican candidates debate, Trump complained that Ted Cruz had criticized Trumps sister, a federal judge. Trump said: Hes been criticizing my sister for signing a certain bill. You know who else signed that bill? Justice Samuel Alito, a very conservative member of the Supreme Court, with my sister, signed that bill. Trump, the supposed savior of the Supreme Court, thinks federal judges sign bills.

The mast-clingers say: Well, sure, he knows nothing about U.S. government, including the Constitution, which he vows to defend all the way to Article XII. He will, however, choose wise advisers and humbly defer to them.

This does not quite seem like him, but the mast-clingers say: Dont worry, he already has compiled a list of admirable potential nominees, and, stickler that he is for consistency and predictability, he will stick to this script written by strangers. This, too, does not quite seem like Trump, but the mast-clingers say: Dont worry, he has said enough to reveal what his instincts are. Indeed he has.

The courts two most important decisions in this century are Kelo and Citizens United. Conservatives loathe Kelo; Trump loves it. Conservatives celebrate Citizens United; Trump repeats the strident rhetoric of its liberal detractors.

Kelo did radical damage to property rights. The Constitution says private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. Until Kelo, the court had held that for public use meant for something used by the general public (e.g., roads, public buildings) or to remove blight. In Kelo, the court held, 5-to-4, that the government of New London, Conn., behaved constitutionally when it bulldozed a residential neighborhood for the public use of transferring the land to a corporation that would pay more taxes than the neighborhoods residents paid to the government. Trumps interests as a developer and a big-government authoritarian converge in his enthusiasm for Kelo.

Citizens United said that Americans do not forfeit their free-speech rights when they band together in corporate form to magnify their political advocacy. The court held that the First Amendment protects from government restriction independent (not coordinated with candidates campaigns) candidate advocacy by Americans acting collectively through corporations, especially nonprofit advocacy corporations such as the Sierra Club and the National Rifle Association.

Hillary Clinton favors amending the First Amendment to empower government to regulate the quantity, content and timing of campaign speech about the governments composition and conduct. It would do this by regulating campaign spending, most of which funds the dissemination of speech. The rationale for this, and for the broader liberal objective of replacing private funding with public funding of politics, is the theory that politicians are easily bought and that private contributions breed quid pro quo corruption. Trump loudly voices this proposition.

The court has said that campaign-speech regulations can be justified to combat corruption or the appearance thereof. Trump says he has made innumerable contributions to members of both parties because, When you give, they do whatever the hell you want them to do.

Before he decided to solicit contributors, he said his wealth made him the only candidate impervious to corruption. It is unlikely that he would nominate to the court people who believe that the First Amendment, properly construed, requires the deregulation of political speech. The mast-clingers should remember that Trumps hostility to First Amendment values is apparent in his desire to loosen libel laws, thereby making it easier to sue or intimidate people who criticize people like him.

Most mast-clingers are properly dismayed by President Obamas anti-constitutional use of executive orders to implement policies Congress refuses to enact. Trump promises more executive orders: Im going to use them much better, and theyre going to serve a much better purpose than hes done. So, mast-clingers straining to justify themselves by invoking the court are saying this:

Granted, Trump knows nothing about current debates concerning the courts proper role. We will, however, trust that he will suddenly become deferential to others preferences about judges. And we will ignore his promise to continue Obamas authoritarian uses of the executive branch that will further degrade the legislative branch. We will do this because we care so very much for the Constitution.

Here are the 11 justices Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he would consider for the Supreme Court if elected president. (Sarah Parnass,Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook.
Crime scene tape blocks the entrance to a house in Gilbert, Ariz., where a multiple slaying occurred last month. (Matt York/Associated Press)

Sean Kennedy is a visiting fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a conservative think tank. Parker Abt is a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

Last month, the conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch convened their political network to discuss a path forward. Top on the list was criminal-justice reform  a passion the Kochs share with President Obama.

The strange bedfellows, Obama and the Kochs, argue that crime can be tackled even as punishments are reduced, but they are running headlong into Donald Trumps counternarrative that crime is on the rise and law and order must be restored.

Obama and the Kochs insist that crime is actually at all-time lows.

Mark Holden, the Koch brothers political adviser, is convinced the evidence backs up his argument, saying: I dont think the data shows that [crime is rising]. I think it shows the opposite. I think youll see the data shows some spikes in some cities on some issues, but I think were much safer, and thats what the data shows.

Obama echoed the sentiment in his Democratic National Convention speech last month, when he said, The crime rate [is] as low as [its] been in decades.

Yet the public is clearly worried about crime, which allows Trump to continue with his law and order rhetoric. According to an April 2016 Gallup poll, 53 percent of Americans were concerned a great deal about crime and violence  a 15-year high.

So given these opposing claims, what does the data actually show?

The FBI houses a crime clearinghouse called the Uniform Crime Reporting system. More than 18,000 police agencies from across the country self-report based on FBI collection guidelines on every offense known to police, ranging from murder to vandalism, which in turn becomes an annual report called Crime in the United States.

A myriad of fact-checkers have relied on this data to disprove Trumps claims on crime.

Many, like Obama and the Kochs, note that from 1960 to 1991 crime rose dramatically in the United States but has since then fallen almost as dramatically through 2014. The consistent drop was impressive, especially in large cities.

Theres one problem, however. Most of those who reject Trumps crime claims dont cite any data beyond 2014, the last year of fully available FBI statistics. To any claims that crime has risen since then, they respond that there are only upticks in a few cities.

But the FBI reports nationwide data for the first six months of the previous year every January. In January 2016, it reported crime figures for the first half of 2015. That data showed significant increases in violent crime categories. Homicide was up 6.2 percent across the country, while rape was up 9.6 percent.

While the data reported is classified as preliminary, the 2015 FBI data is directly drawn from more than 70 percent of participating law-enforcement agencies. It is preliminary only in the sense that it is drawn only from the first half of the year and compared with the first half of the previous year  a statistically valid comparison. Academic research also backs up the FBIs newest data.

In June, well before Obamas remarks and most of the fact-checks of Trumps claims, Richard Rosenfeld of the University of Missouri at St. Louis documented, in a study of 56 major cities conducted for the Justice Department, that homicides were up 17 percent on average. Forty of the cities saw homicides increase, and 12 of those cities saw them increase by more than 50 percent.

Furthermore, data collected by the Major Cities Chiefs Association indicate that this trend has continued into 2016. In the first half of the year, homicides are up 15 percent over 2015. Non-fatal shootings (up 4 percent) and aggravated assaults (3.4 percent) both jumped in the first half of the year as well.

Our own analysis of 20 large cities, gathered directly from publicly available police department data, finds that crime is rising overall, although the increases are spread unevenly across the country.

And compared with 2014 lows, some types of violent crimes are not just rising; they are rising at alarming rates.

For example, since 2014, violent crime is up 47 percent in Los Angeles, 26 percent in Baltimore and 23 percent in Dallas.

In Chicago, arguably the worst-hit city, homicides have risen more than 70 percent since 2014. With almost 400 murders to date, the Windy City is on track to tally more than 650 murders this year alone  the most in almost two decades.

In New York City, homicide jumped almost 6 percent while rape is up 10 percent over the past two years.

Its true that in some cities, such as Boston and Oakland, homicides and violent crime have continued the long-term downward trend. However, while the rise in homicide rates is not uniform, in aggregate murder is up 21 percent in the major cities we surveyed, comparing the first half of 2014 to the first half of 2016.

Even as robbery dipped slightly, aggravated assault jumped 10 percent. Total violent crime figures for the selected cities rose 6 percent, according to our analysis.

So violent crime, in most major cities at least, is on the rise.

But why? To borrow a line from the band Buffalo Springfield, Theres something happening here. What it is aint exactly clear. Pundits and criminologists can argue about theories  but neither side is entitled to its own facts on crime.
Rep. Helen Delich Bentley in 1988. She vacated her House seat in 1994 to seek the Republican nomination for Maryland governor. (Jason Lee/AP)

Helen Delich Bentley, a Maryland journalist-turned-politician who elbowed her way as a woman into newsrooms, shipyards and the U.S. House of Representatives, distinguishing herself as one of her states foremost boosters of Baltimores port, died Aug. 6 in Timonium, Md. She was 92.

The cause was brain cancer, family spokesman Key Kidder told the Associated Press.

Mrs. Bentley, a Republican, was once described in The Washington Post as an unreconstructed American original  raised in the desert, schooled on the waterfront, propelled to Capitol Hill. She represented a largely blue-collar swath of the Baltimore suburbs in the House from 1985 to 1995.

A daughter of Serbian immigrants, she had grown up in a Nevada copper-mining town. She trained as a journalist when few women covered hard news and was hired in 1945 by the Baltimore Sun.

She vowed that she would write for any section but the society pages and found an assignment covering the port, a cornerstone of the states economy, where she said the newspaper sorely needed greater coverage.

Rep. Helen Delich Bentley (R-Md.) on Election Day in 1986. The journalist-turned-politician also served as chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission from 1969 to 1975. (Rich Riggins/AP)

As the Suns maritime reporter and editor, she discarded skirts in favor of work pants and cussed in her memorably raspy voice as wantonly as the sailors she covered. Baltimore legend had it that when a longshoreman insulted her appearance, she punched him in the jaw.

Mrs. Bentley became widely respected for her extensive sourcing, which reached from the ranks of dockhands to the higher echelons of Marylands political establishment. Outside her beat reporting, she did publicity work for port agencies and the shipping industry, an arrangement that would be considered improper in modern newsrooms but one that she said did not represent a conflict of interest.

She was one of the best reporters I ever saw, Russell Baker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and onetime rewrite man at the Sun, once told The Post. She was dogged. She knew everybody.

He added that while her connections were among her strengths, writing was not. It was always terrible to have to rewrite Helen, he remarked, because she didnt take it well.

During her quarter-century career with the Sun, Mrs. Bentley wrote a syndicated column, Around the Waterfront, and produced an educational television program, The Port that Built the City and State, which aired from 1950 to 1965.

In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon offered her a seat on the Federal Maritime Commission. In an oral history with Pennsylvania State University, Mrs. Bentley recalled her ire when she learned that a man who had never been on a ship, who knew nothing from a bow and a stern, was to be offered the chairmanship as a political favor.

She told a Nixon representative that she would take the chairmanship or nothing and that if the administration preferred otherwise, they could shove it.

Nixon relented, and Mrs. Bentley left the Sun to serve as the commissions chairman, becoming one of the highest-ranking women in the executive branch at that time. I suppose Ill have to stop swearing now that I am going to be a madam, she remarked.

She held the post from 1969 to 1975, using her clout to bolster federal support for U.S. shipyards and attracting controversy over allegations that she had also used her position to solicit political donations from the shipping industry.

She soon began eyeing the House seat held since 1962 by Clarence Doc Long, a Democrat who for environmental reasons opposed deepening Baltimores port  a move that Mrs. Bentley supported. She lost to Long in 1980 and again in 1982 before winning in 1984, a narrow victory attributed in part to President Ronald Reagans landslide reelection that year.

In Congress, Mrs. Bentley defied easy categorization. She was mainly conservative but was staunchly pro-union. She supported womens causes, including the Equal Rights Amendment, but opposed abortion rights. In the 1990s, when Serbia was widely seen as the belligerent in the Balkan wars and the perpetrator of ethnic cleansing, she defended her parents homeland, saying that there was blame to go around.

She was known most of all as a trade protectionist  her station wagons license plate read BUY USA  and as a promoter of Marylands shipping interests. She won seats on influential House committees including Appropriations and obtained funds to deepen the Baltimore port. She successfully mediated a labor dispute there in the winter of 1989-90.

The nerviness that she had shown as a journalist often surfaced on Capitol Hill.

Its like this, Mrs. Bentley, an admiral told her in a discussion of foreign-made equipment for Navy vessels, they make these parts cheaper in Korea.

The Sun recalled her retort: Well, Admiral, they make admirals cheaper in Korea, too, and maybe we should buy some!

In 1987, to highlight what she regarded as the countrys ill-advised trade practices with Japan, Mrs. Bentley took a sledgehammer to a Japanese-made radio outside the Capitol, declaring that this is what we feel about Toshiba products. Later, House Speaker Tom Foley (D-Wash.) told her, Helen, youre the most famous American in Japan since Admiral Perry.

Mrs. Bentley vacated her seat in 1994 to seek the Republican nomination for Maryland governor. She lost to Ellen R. Sauerbrey, the minority leader in the House of Delegates, who in turn lost to Democrat Parris N. Glendening. Mrs. Bentley remained active in maritime issues as a consultant, and in 2006, then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) renamed the port of Baltimore in her honor.

Helen Delich was born in Ruth, Nev., on Nov. 28, 1923. She traced her interest in maritime issues to her mother, who had come to the United States on a steamship.

Mrs. Bentley was 8 when her father died of silicosis, an occupational disease contracted by miners. She worked in a dress shop while her mother took in boarders.

Scholarships allowed her to pursue university studies, which she interrupted to work on the 1942 Senate campaign of then-Rep. James G. Scrugham (D-Nev.). He appointed her his Senate secretary, giving the future congresswoman her first experience on Capitol Hill.

In 1944, she received a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She worked briefly for a wire service before being hired by the Sun.

Eight years after leaving Congress, Mrs. Bentley tried to reclaim her old seat in 2002, when Ehrlich, her successor, left the House to run for governor. She lost to Baltimore County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D).

Mrs. Bentley co-authored the book The Great Port of Baltimore: Its First 300 Years (2006). With her husband, William Bentley, she ran an antiques business in Cockeysville, Md. He died in 2003 after 44 years of marriage. She had no children, and a list of survivors could not immediately be determined.

Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Bentley once told The Post that she did it all on my own.

Women have to be willing to work and produce, she said, and not just expect favors because they are women.

She received no favors on her last reporting assignment for the Sun, when she scored a spot aboard the SS Manhattan in 1969 as it became the first commercial ship to traverse the Northwest Passage.

Transmitting over the radio a dispatch to the newsroom in Baltimore, she used what she described as a common Anglo-Saxon expletive to convey her impatience with a rewrite man. The frequency, which was monitored by the Federal Communications Commission, was no longer made available to reporters on the ship.

The male correspondents onboard were furious, blaming me for shutting down communications, Mrs. Bentley wrote years later in a recollection published in the Sun. I realized later that sponsor Humble Oil was trying to one-up the only female correspondent onboard, and management later admitted that it had seized the chance to eliminate press traffic from the ship.

An earlier version of this obituary incorrectly reported that President Nixon offered Mrs. Bentley a seat on the Federal Maritime Commission in 1968. Nixon was elected president in 1968 and offered her the position the following year, after he took office.
Western Michigan on Friday greeted its second vice-presidential candidate in the past 10 days as Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) popped by to rally the Democratic faithful and, perhaps, make a play for disaffected Republicans uneasy with either partys standard-bearer.

Kaine didnt make quite as much news as his Republican counterpart, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who used his speech here last week to shore up the GOP tickets evangelical support by highlighting how much he and presidential nominee Donald Trump hope to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Kaines job, by contrast, was to show up in a corner of a key Midwestern state that, in the Democratic primary, gave Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) his largest margins of victory  largely with the areas the white working class.

Kaines 15-minute talk stuck to the script: the Clinton jobs plan and her activist background, Trumps insults to a Muslim family of a U.S. Army captain killed in Iraq who hailed from Kaines state and a now-worn quip about Trump tossing out a crying baby at a Virginia rally. He got personal just one time, when he referenced how thrilled his 81-year-old mother was about Democrats nominating a woman for president.

She said, This is the best night of my life,  Kaine told the audience at the Wealthy Theatre, which sits on the brink of both a heavily black, poor neighborhood and a wealthy white one. I got to thinking about how many strong women have helped me at every step along the road.

To some, those words were part of what is starting to look like a coordinated Democratic effort to have male leaders encourage support among male voters for Clinton.

Its interesting to watch the gender narrative evolve, said political science professor Molly Patterson of Aquinas College, a local Catholic school. Between Obamas Glamour column [professing his feminism] and Kaine, it seems like men being supportive of womens success is becoming more accepted and prominent.

[Clinton appears bullish Friday as Republican infighting continues]

Both presidential campaigns see Kent County, which contains Grand Rapids, and the adjacent counties as rich with persuadable voters; both Trump and Clinton took their biggest beatings from their primary foes, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Sanders, respectively, in western Michigan.

A Detroit News-WDIV poll published Thursday showed Clinton had leapt to a nine-point lead in Michigan in a four-way race that included Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party hopeful Jill Stein. Clinton led by more than 5 points in western Michigan, typically a Republican stronghold.

I actually voted for [Ohio Gov. John] Kasich, and I cant vote for Trump, said Dave Brown, a retired construction worker from Grand Rapids who watched the lineup Friday outside the theater from the parking lot of a nearby Family Dollar. I cant vote for Trump and I really dont trust Hillary, either.

But Kaine, he seems like a good man, Brown said. Well see.

The attention paid to the Grand Rapids area is unusual, said Susan Demas, editor of Inside Michigan Politics. Evangelical voters are generally wary about the GOP nominee, and their congressman, Rep. Justin Amash, was one of the first Republican officeholders to publicly refuse to endorse Trump. The DeVos family, a powerhouse fundraising clan in the Wolverine State, is also sitting out the Republican presidential campaign.

Tim Kaine is the perfect messenger, Demas said. His faith has defined his life, hes a white male and hes clearly making a play for voters who are very uncomfortable with both Trumps style and some of his substance. Tim Kaine was put on the ticket for a reason, to do that outreach to more religious voters, to white men. If thats what you want to do in Michigan, Grand Rapids is a good place to do it.

The Democrats efforts to foster unity behind Clinton seemed to be taking hold among some in the audience. Retired teacher Dave Malivuk, 63, worked phone banks for Sanders during the primary and would have liked a more progressive candidate for vice president.

Malivuk wore a T-shirt professing support for Everytown USA, the gun reform group funded by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, but he didnt complain that Kaine didnt mentioned gun violence. Instead, he cited his admiration for Kaines past as a Jesuit missionary: He spoke to me. Its unifying, its energizing, its hopeful. And thats what we need.

Still, across the street from the theater was a cadre of about a dozen protesters who favored Stein and whose pickets showed their ire over leaked emails that revealed that the Democratic National Committee had worked behind the scenes against the Sanders campaign.

And the audience inside the theater was surprisingly white, given that African Americans account for 20 percent of this citys residents. The stage that served as a backdrop for Kaines speech featured a hand-picked rainbow of boosters  groups of women in hijabs, some Asians and blacks  but the audience was far less diverse.

Michael Scruggs, the Democratic nominee for Kent County sheriff, is a black man who was irate when warm-up speaker Winnie Brinks, a candidate for state representative, gave the traditional shout-outs to down-ballot candidates but didnt mention him.

You want to know why there arent more black people here? muttered Scruggs, a former chairman of the Kent County Black Caucus and a failed state senate candidate in 2014. She just mentioned the candidate for county drain commissioner, but they didnt mention the only minority on the ballot  me! And Im on the top of the ballot!
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, converse on July 19 during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

House Speaker Paul D. Ryans red-brick Georgian revival house in this tree-lined, kid-filled Midwestern neighborhood has long been his refuge, as his wife calls it, from the divisive world of politics. But no more  not in this Donald Trump-fueled, anger-filled year for a Republican Party leader facing a primary challenge.

Fuming activists have inched close to the Wisconsin congressmans property several times as part of protests that have drawn the notice of the U.S. Capitol Police detail that watches his residence. A nearby billboard has portrayed Ryan as soft on terrorism. At one sidewalk standoff, his primary opponent  Paul Nehlen, a 47-year-old businessman with tattooed biceps and a deep affinity for Trump  cast Ryans backyard fence as an elitist barricade that protects the speaker while his constituents are exposed to the dangers of illegal immigration.

You should tear down your wall and show everyone that you will live under the same conditions as they do, Nehlen declared last month as his backers, in matching navy blue T-shirts, stood in front of Ryans bushes. They nodded solemnly as he called Ryan a tool of corporate masters.

Perhaps the most unsettling moment came when a group of mothers whose children had been killed by illegal immigrants staked out Ryans home while he was inside and tried to confront him with poster-size images of the deceased. Breitbart News, the conservative outlet that has extensively chronicled Nehlens bid, wrote that Ryan and members of his security detail fled from his guarded estate after he was spotted slamming a door on his porch.

A blurry picture of the departing motorcade was pasted on the website alongside the article, which has drawn thousands of comments, nearly all of them harshly critical of Ryan.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for reelection while campaigning with vice presidential nominee Mike Pence in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 5. (The Washington Post)

This is the bracing new reality for the speaker. Though he is expected to easily win on Aug. 9, Ryan and most Republican leaders find themselves caught in an incendiary populist vortex that is unrelenting in its animus toward seasoned elected officials, in particular those like Ryan who have encouraged bipartisan immigration reform.

Its a weird time, said former secretary of education William J. Bennett, a Ryan confidant for decades. Hes doing everything he can to be Paul Ryan, the guy from Janesville who goes to the county fairs and who used to drive around the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. But it gets nasty when they dont leave the house, the wife and kids alone.

Trump has inflamed the embers. The mogul coyly said in an interview with The Washington Post earlier this week that he was not yet ready to endorse Ryan, possible payback for the delayed and pro-forma endorsement Ryan gave earlier this year to Trump. Trumps move was extraordinary  a presidential nominee refusing to back his partys House speaker  and instantly jolted Nehlen from obscurity to the roiling edge of the Republican hurricane.

Trumps wavering lasted until Friday night when, under intense pressure from party leaders, he relented and endorsed Ryan at a rally in Green Bay.

Hes a good man, Trump said with muted enthusiasm. We may disagree on a couple of things, but mostly we agree.

Nehlen had driven to the event, about a three-hour drive north and outside of the district, to be with his people. His crushed supporters took bitterly to social media in the aftermath, though Nehlen said in a statement that Trumps early refusal was more telling.

Happy Warrior returns home, Nehlen wrote in a Twitter post after the rally, smiling in a selfie with his Trump-style red tie loose and clutching a Trump campaign banner he called a hard fought trophy.

Trumps needling began months ago when he held a rally in Janesville in late March ahead of the Wisconsin GOP presidential primary, which he lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.). Supporters booed Trumps mention of the towns favorite son.

How do you like Paul Ryan? You like him? Trump asked the crowd. I was told to be nice to Paul Ryan.

Ryan supporters, then and now, have shrugged at those theatrics, pointing to Cruzs double-digit victory over Trump, which included a 19-point win in Ryans suburban and blue-collar district, as compelling evidence of Trumps limited political capital in the state.

GOP leaders in the state and community have flocked to Ryans side as he dealt with Trumps lingering spite. Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Ron Johnson (R) of Wisconsin did not attend Trumps Friday rally. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who grew up in Kenosha, Wis., and is close with Ryan, played a central role in getting Trump to back down.

As GOP forces rush to protect Ryan from the wrath of Trump, stars from the conservative counter-establishment  former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, columnist Michelle Malkin and author Phyllis Schlafly, among others  have continued to stoke the fury here, with the faint and fading hope that Nehlen could close the gap in the final days and score an upset similar to the one in 2014 that toppled then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

I think Paul Ryan is soon to be Cantored, as in Eric Cantor, Palin predicted to CNN in May. Minutes after Trumps endorsement of Ryan on Friday, she took to Facebook to buck up Nehlens base, writing, Wisconsin, please vote for this man of the people this Tuesday!

The races are not the same, though. Ryan has remained ubiquitous in his district after becoming speaker and spent more than $600,000 over the past month on television ads. Cantor was criticized for his lack of a presence at local events, dismissed the appetite for an alternative and thought that he would comfortably coast right up until the results started coming in.

Nehlens top advisers, Noel Fritsch and Eric Odom, bring with them experience with past insurgent conservative campaigns. Fritsch worked in the Mississippi Senate primary two years ago that drew national attention for its discord, and Odom was one of the original organizers of the tea party movement. Politico has reported that a handful of former Trump campaign staffers have traveled to Wisconsin to volunteer.

On Saturday, firebrand commentator Ann Coulter crisscrossed the sprawling southeastern Wisconsin district with Ryans rival, and some Democrats have been planning to vote for Nehlen in what is usually a sleepy open primary, with the mischievous, if unrealistic, aim of making Ryans margin of victory narrow  especially if turnout is low.

Ryans district has seen its share of economic turmoil in the past decade, which Nehlens campaign insists makes his message and his emphasis on his time on factory floors, when he worked for a water-filtration company, right for the times. Janesville is home to a General Motors plant that shuttered in 2009 and once employed 7,000 workers. Many of the white working-class and middle-class people in the area commute to corporate and service jobs in Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.

At a news conference this week in Kenosha, Nehlen said anyone who doesnt believe he has a chance is buying into the narrative of the political class.

In Trumpian fashion, Nehlen railed against the worst trade deals and against Ryan for funding everything the Obama administration wants, and more, and they were shocked at what they got.

Whats Paul Ryan done? Nehlen, in his flat monotone, asked as reporters and camera crews stood silent. Paul Ryan has gone to mountain estates, behind closed doors to talk about, hmm, what do they talk about behind those closed doors at those mountain estates? They talk about bringing cheap labor into this country and flooding, flooding this country with as much free labor as we can possibly get, so we can keep the wages low.

Nehlens peculiar, even menacing, approach has been a constant throughout the campaign, beyond the scrums near Ryans lawn.

On Twitter, he has skewered Ryans longtime associates Dan Senor and Cesar Conda as puppets of billionaires and scheming globalists. On Monday, he suggested there should be a discussion about deporting all Muslims from the United States, later saying he meant only sharia-compliant Muslims.

Ryan hasnt hidden his frustration. Its kind of petty to actually do that, to go to a persons house, he told a local television station last month. Having a backyard fence for three dogs and three kids is not a half-bad idea.

Ryan was worried about the personal attacks coming so close to his wife and children last October, when he was hesitant to become speaker. I genuinely worry about the consequences that my agreeing to serve will have on them, he said then. Will they experience the viciousness and incivility that we all here face on a daily basis?

Ryan said Friday on local host Jay Webers radio show that Nehlens campaign is fueled by scam PACs and out of state donors.

Theyre not pushing conservatism. They call this alt-conservatism, Ryan said. When Weber said his foes had ties to white supremacists and fringe elements, Ryan did not argue the point.

Its a nasty, virulent strain of something, Ryan said, repeating the hosts words back to him. I dont even know what it is other than that it isnt us. It isnt what we believe in.

Polls show Ryan poised to romp. A poll released Thursday by Republican outfit Remington Research found Ryan up by 66 points, 80 percent to 14 percent, with 6 percent undecided.

Ryans campaign, typical of a well-known incumbent, has assiduously avoided doing anything that would give the race a whiff of competitiveness. He has not accepted Nehlens debate invitations, and Ryans spokesman has declined to share an advisory of his campaign stops with reporters. Instead, he has sent a listing of Ryans radio interviews.

You guys came in to cover a race thats not close, a Ryan aide wrote in an email Thursday.

Brian Baker, president of the Ending Spending super PAC aligned with the wealthy Ricketts family that owns the Chicago Cubs and backs Ryan, said his group has closely monitored the race and commissioned private primary polls. After reviewing its data, he concluded that Ryan was safe and no outside support was necessary.

Whatever the result, Ryan will move forward with battle scars, which makes the contest at least intriguing  and depressing to Ryan allies.

No longer is the partys highly respected 2012 vice-presidential nominee totally at ease in the district he has represented since he was 28. The winds that have lifted Nehlen still swirl on Capitol Hill, where the speaker has struggled at times to keep together his raucous Republican conference.

What Id tell Paul is, I told you so. When he was thinking hard about becoming speaker, I said it was always going to be one rough ride, Bennett said. He anticipated the wayward members part of it, probably not Trump.
An American citizen previously deported from Pakistan on charges of espionage was arrested Saturday in the Pakistani capital for illegally reentering the country, officials said.

Officials with Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency said Matthew Barrett was seized at a guesthouse in the capital and taken into custody, hours after immigration officials at the international airport in nearby Rawalpindi were found to have mistakenly granted him entry.

Barrett was deported from Pakistan in 2011 and barred from returning after being found in the area of a sensitive installation, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. He was charged with spying on Pakistans nuclear facilities, the ministry said. The government has a large nuclear arsenal and development program, which has been a source of U.S. sanctions and bilateral tension.

There has been no comment from U.S. officials, and no further information about Barrett was immediately known except that he obtained his visa at the Pakistani consulate in Houston. Officials said he used false documents to enter the country, but it was not known whether he was traveling under his real name. He has been charged with violating immigration laws.

The incident immediately recalled the case of Raymond Davis, a CIA civilian contractor who was arrested in Pakistan, also in 2011, after fatally shooting two men on the streets of Lahore. Pakistani officials said he had been surveilling and photographing government facilities there. The men had been following him on a motorbike and approached his car with guns drawn.

Davis was charged with murder and scheduled for trial, but he was instead allowed to leave the country in a deal with judiciary officials that inflamed anti-U.S. sentiment across Pakistan and threatened to derail the close but politically fraught relationship between U.S. and Pakistani intelligence agencies.

The CIA contractors activities exposed what has been called a secret U.S. war inside Pakistan to spy on Islamist militant groups, some of which have close ties to Pakistans intelligence agencies. Davis was said to be among a large covert army of spies operating across Pakistan.

Pakistani officials said several immigration officials at the airport in Rawalpindi and one at the consulate in Houston are under investigation for allowing Barrett to enter the country despite being blacklisted. One senior airport officer has been suspended.

Constable reported from Kabul.

Read more:

The bomb that killed 80 Hazaras in Kabul also upended their nonviolent reform effort

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Japanese Emperor Akihito is 82, has health challenges and is laying the groundwork to relinquish his role. But he may not be allowed to, and even bringing up the subject may be unconstitutional. (Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images)

For 28 years, Emperor Akihito has been a steady and reassuring presence in Japan, a fact that many people here are reminded of on a daily basis. After all, 2016 is officially known as Heisei 28, marking Akihitos time on the Chrysanthemum Throne.

But now, the 82-year-old emperor for life is laying the groundwork to relinquish his role and pass it on to his oldest son, Naruhito. That will be tricky. Not only is there no legal provision for him to abdicate, but even raising the prospect could be unconstitutional.

Under the current law, he cant abdicate, even if he wants to. There is no option but to carry on, said Yasushi Kuno, a veteran journalist who for years covered the imperial family for the Nippon television network.

Akihito is scheduled to make a pre-recorded video statement to the Japanese people Monday afternoon, during which he probably will say that he is having difficulty carrying out his official duties.

He has had health issues  prostate cancer and heart problems  and, marking his birthday in December, he said there had been times when he had felt his age.

Emperor Akihito hinted that he wants to abdicate, but the move would be unprecedented under Japan's Imperial House Law, which says an emperor serves until death. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Even if he tries really hard, he cant deny that his body is deteriorating, which means he can no longer carry out all his official duties, Kuno said.

[Sporting silver heels, Michelle Obama greets Japanese emperor]

Surviving through samurais and shoguns and wars, an unbroken male line of emperors has endured in Japan for almost 3,000 years. They are said to be direct descendants of Amaterasu, the Shinto goddess of the sun.

Abdication was relatively common until 1817, when Kokaku became the last emperor to resign his post.

But the imperial system underwent a huge upheaval at the end of World War II, when the U.S. occupying forces allowed Hirohito, the current emperors father, to remain in his position but stripped him of his powers.

The emperor was reduced to being a ceremonial figurehead who would serve as a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, according to the U.S.-written constitution. As such, he does not have powers related to government, meaning that he cannot say anything even remotely political.

That will cause some issues for Akihito, the only emperor to have begun his reign under the postwar constitution. Because there is no provision in the Imperial House Law for him to abdicate, even raising the idea would be considered political because it would require a parliamentary amendment.

So he will be ambiguous, unclear, said Takeshi Hara, a professor of politics who has written several books on the imperial system. I think he will just express his feelings.

[With WWII statement, Japans Abe tried to offer something for everyone]

Signs of the emperors wish to step down emerged last month when NHK, the public broadcaster, which has close ties to Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government, reported that it was under discussion.

The public has been supportive of the idea, with polls showing that between 77 percent and 90 percent of respondents say the government should create a system to allow the emperor to abdicate.

If he feels old and tired, its okay for him to retire, said Yukiko Sakurai, one of a group of four gray-haired women sitting in a Tokyo cafe last week. Hes old. Maybe they should set an age limit on being emperor?

Hirohito died at age 87; Akihito was 55 when he succeeded his father. His oldest son, Naruhito, is 56.

The Japanese public has warm feelings toward the current emperor. His father was considered to be above the clouds, so revered that Japanese people werent even allowed to look straight at him during the war.

But the current emperor has a different style and talks directly to the people, said Kuno, the journalist. This was particularly evident after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, when Akihito for the first time recorded a video message to the Japanese people, and then visited the disaster zone.

Any legal changes will take time, probably years, to usher through. But in the meantime, the emperors intentions probably will create headaches for Abe, whose top  and controversial  priority is revising the constitution to loosen the pacifism imposed on Japan after the war.

Abes government last month succeeded in winning the two-thirds majority needed in the upper house to try to make changes to the constitution.

[Japans emperor appears to part ways with Abe on pacifism debate]

The emperor has obliquely signaled that he disagrees with attempts to revise the constitution and has made efforts to atone for Japans wartime brutality.

I hear the emperor feels a sense of crisis over the current political situation, said Jiro Yamaguchi, a political scientist at Hosei University. Abes position on constitutional revision is completely different from the emperors position of protecting the constitution.

Akihitos coming statement, he said, could trigger a drive among the public to keep the constitution as it is.

Talk of legal changes could put the brakes on efforts to revise the constitution, said Mari Miura, a political scientist at Sophia University. But it also could inject momentum into the efforts. This could give a push to those on the revision side if all the changes could be reviewed together, she said.

Abe has other reasons to be resistant to change in the royal status. He lobbied against efforts a decade ago, when the emperor had only granddaughters, to allow women to inherit the title.

Thorny legal questions aside, there are lots of logistical considerations, much like the Vatican had to grapple with when Pope Benedict XVI wanted to step aside. Where would Akihito live? What would he be called? Retired emperor?

Read more

The Posts View: Mr. Abes big win

Japans leader stops short of WWII apology

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Yuki Oda contributed to this report.
Directly-elected executive would make country prosper: BRB

Naya Shakti Nepal Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai said changing form of government to directly-elected executive president would pave the path for the economic prosperity in the country.
Yona Yosef, 84, holds a photo taken in 1949 of herself as a teenager with her father on Aug. 2 at her home in Raanana, Israel (Ruth Eglash/The Washington Post)

At 84 years old, Yona Yosef is full of life. Her eyes sparkle as she talks about her nine children and many grandchildren. But ask her what happened 67 years ago, when as a teenager she arrived in Israel from Yemen with her family, and her eyes fill with tears.

The people came, they told me to take Saadia to the clinic, said Yosef, her voice stalling as she recalled the day she took her 4-year-old half-sister for a routine checkup for new arrivals. At the clinic, they told me to go home. They said they would bring her back. What did I know? I was only a child myself.

Yosef never saw her sister again.

Like many immigrants at the time, Yosef and her family lived in a transit camp after they came to Israel in 1949. Her fathers second wife and two children, including Saadia, lived with them.

Over the past 70 years, Israelis have become familiar with tales of Jewish immigrants from Arab lands who say their children simply vanished, possibly kidnapped, in the late 1940s and early 50s, soon after arriving in Israel. In some cases, the children were taken away, never to be seen again. In others, parents were told their babies had died suddenly.

This photo shows Yona Yosef, now 84, at age 14 posing with her father. It was taken as the family made its way from their home in Yemen to the newly created state of Israel in 1949. (Family photo/The Washington Post)

According to some theories, the children were handed to childless couples, possibly Holocaust survivors who could not conceive. Others think the babies may have been shipped to Jewish families in the United States.

[In secret mission, 17 Yemeni Jews escape civil war for new life in Israel]

Those who have studied the mystery point to the aggressive state-building process adopted by the ruling elite at the time  white, Ashkenazi Jews from Europe  and perhaps paternalistic notions they held toward uneducated Arabic-speaking immigrants who arrived penniless with multiple children. Some might have thought they were helping the families by giving their children better lives.

Many suspect that state employees  doctors, nurses, social workers and government officials  were somehow involved. But whether orders to remove children came from high levels of government remains unanswered.

Three separate government committees, the last in the 1990s, investigated the affair, but all ruled that most of the children had died of illnesses, with perhaps a minority being put up for adoption. Most of the families refuse to accept that finding.

But in recent months, the story has garnered renewed attention.

In June, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was lifting the immunity on the case and appointed government minister Tzachi Hanegbi to reopen the files and discover the truth.

The issue of the Yemenite children is an open wound that continues to bleed in many families who do not know what happened to the babies that disappeared, Netanyahu said.

Last month, Hanegbi told a news station that after looking at material from government inquiries into the matter, he is now sure that hundreds of Yemeni children were taken away from their parents, although he could not say why or where they went.

Hanegbis declaration has given hope to many families, whose claims have been continuously dismissed.

We believe that the state needs to give us answers, said Avi Yosef, Yona Yosefs son. We know that babies disappeared. Saadia was taken from my mothers hands.

Avi Yosef, a lawyer, grew up hearing about Saadia and two other children  born to his aunt, his mothers older sister  who also disappeared in the transit camp.

Its clear there was a horrible crime here on an unprecedented scale and the state does not want to reveal it, said Yael Tzadok, a former journalist who got involved in the issue more than 30 years ago when she began interviewing Yemeni mothers on her radio show.

It was difficult to hear their stories. I could not sleep at night. It was clear to me they were telling the truth, she said. There were many witnesses saying these children were taken.

Tzadok now works with Achim Vekayamim (Brothers Still Exist), a nonprofit organization set up to uncover the truth and track down relatives. Today most of the children would be in their 60s and 70s.

Zvi Amiri is one such child. When he was in his 30s, he discovered he had been adopted and started to search for his birthparents.

I always had a feeling that something was not right, said Amiri, now 64. My parents kept moving from place to place, I kept hearing that I was adopted, but it was only when my father confessed that I started to look into it.

With the help of a lawyer, Amiri obtained his adoption file and found that he had been born to immigrants from Tunisia. He found his birth mother, but she had been committed to a psychiatric facility. Possibly the toll of losing a baby had been too much for her, he said. And the documents he found in his adoption file, such as a declaration by his birth mother that she was putting him up for adoption, with no signature but only a thumbprint, convinced him that there had been a coverup.

If she did not know how to write her name, then how could she have possibly known what she was signing, Amiri said.

Only a few dozen adopted children have managed to track down their birth families. Those who lost children are not legally allowed access to the files.

Amram, another nonprofit group that helps in these cases, lists hundreds of families on its website. There are tales of newborns taken to special units where days later mothers were told they had died and stories of families with multiple children asked to give up their babies for adoption. When they refused, they also were told their babies had died.

Nurit Koren, a member of the Knesset who heads the parliamentary lobby for families of stolen babies, said she has more than 1,000 case files detailing how children vanished, and information on hundreds of families that have been making such claims for decades.

Koren is working to set up a DNA database that will help children find their birthparents  but only at the childrens request.

We dont know what really happened, but the more information we collect, the more chance we have of finding out and finding these people, Koren said. What is important is that if this did happen, and we believe it did in an organized fashion, then the state should finally recognize it and take responsibility.

Read more:

These singing sisters are wildly popular in Yemen. And theyre Israeli Jews.

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President Obama must approve operational plans to target overseas terrorist suspects with drones or other weapons outside war zones but in some cases does not sign off on specific strikes, according to newly declassified administration guidelines.

In addition to setting out the role of the president, the guidelines emphasize the importance of verifying the identity of high-value targets, even as they outline the criteria and legality of striking unidentified others when necessary to achieve U.S. policy objectives.

The guidelines provide rules for targeting U.S. citizens abroad and include lengthy guidance on what to do with captured terrorist suspects. In no event, the document says, will additional detainees be brought to the detention facilities at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

The 18-page top-secret document was declassified and released late Friday, with relatively minor redactions, in response to a federal court order. When Obama signed the guidelines, in May 2013, the administration released a brief fact sheet on procedures and criteria for such operations that were drawn from the classified version.

Those rules included near certainty that the terrorist target was present and that no civilians would be injured or killed, that the target posed a continuing and imminent threat to Americans, that capture was not feasible, and that all relevant domestic and international laws were obeyed.

[White House releases its count of civilian deaths in counterterrorism operations under Obama]

Since then, the president has made clear that he anticipates the more detailed, newly declassified procedures will govern future administrations. My hope is, is that by the time I leave office, there is not only an internal structure in place that governs these standards that weve set, but there is also an institutionalized process to increase transparency and oversight of lethal action outside war zones abroad.

There is no legal requirement that Obamas successors adhere to the same rules. But administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity about internal discussions, have said that compilation of the guidelines, and making them public, will restrain other presidents.

The president has emphasized that the U.S. government should be as transparent as possible with the American people about our counterterrorism operations, the manner in which they are conducted and their results, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said of the new release.

Our counterterrorism actions are effective and legal, and their legitimacy is best demonstrated by making public more information about these actions, as well as setting clear standards for other nations to follow, he said.

Despite its pledges of transparency, the administration has waited until Obamas waning months in office to release detailed information on drone and other lethal airstrikes. Last month, it published aggregate numbers on how many civilians have been killed by CIA and military strikes in countries including Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia and Libya.

The numbers  64 to 116 civilians and 2,372 to 2,581 combatants in 473 strikes in countries where the United States is not at war  were challenged by nongovernment groups as discounting many more civilian deaths. The figures do not include actions in the war zones of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

The newly released document was the subject of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in fall 2013. The administration, on the basis of presidential communications privilege, had denied the ACLUs petition for its release under the Freedom of Information Act.

Early this year, after Judge Colleen McMahon, in the Southern District of New York, questioned that privilege, the government said it would publicly release a redacted version.

After extended back and forth with the court over proposed redactions, McMahon last month ordered that the document be turned over to the ACLU no later than Aug. 5. It was posted without announcement Friday evening on the Justice Department website.

The PPG should have been released three years ago, but its release now will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the governments counterterrorism policies, said ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer. PPG, as the government refers to the document internally, stands for Presidential Policy Guidance.

The release of the PPG and related documents is also a timely reminder of the breadth of the powers that will soon be in the hands of another president, Jaffer said.

The documents dry, bureaucratic language seems in stark contrast to the presumably dire consequences of the actions it outlines, and it leaves a number of questions unanswered. What appears to be a description of information to be included in the profile of an individual target is blacked out.

It provides no details of how high-value targets are chosen or any geographic limitations, and it includes several presidential waivers of its criteria in the event of fleeting opportunity to take action.

Nothing in this PPG shall be construed to prevent the President from exercising his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive, as well as his statutory authority, to consider a lawful proposal that falls outside the guidelines, including a possible strike against an individual who poses a continuing, imminent threat to another countrys persons, it says.

Numerous international law experts have said that the administrations overall terminology and justification for lethal strikes are novel and without precedent.

The government has essentially invented its own set of standards . . . somewhere in between international law covering war zones and outside areas, Jaffer said. This doesnt provide any more clarity about the substantive standards the government is using.

The document does provide new details on the presidents role in deciding when a strike will be taken. Operating agencies  the CIA and the Defense Department  are to provide overall plans for detaining and/or targeting named high-value targets and other lawful targets. The plans, to be authorized by the president, must indicate with precision the counterterrorism objective and duration of time the authority is to remain in force, the international legal basis for taking action and assets that may be deployed.

Decisions by operating agencies to take strikes against high-value targets require no additional presidential approval, unless U.S. citizens are involved, although operational disagreements among top national security officials are to be brought to the president for adjudication.

Verifying a targets identity before taking lethal action ensures greater certainty of outcome and the ability to satisfy the policy standard, the guidelines say. Proposals to strike other targets  presumably the signature strikes against groups of unidentified terrorist suspects, massed outside or in buildings or vehicles  are to be submitted for approval and require written presidential authorization.

The document devotes several pages to captures and detentions of terrorist suspects  though they are vastly outnumbered by kills  which require proposals for long-term disposition for such individuals and include a screening process for any differences of opinion among departments.

An Interagency Disposition Planning Group assesses the availability, including the strengths and weaknesses, of potential disposition options. Captures of terrorist suspects have long been complicated by decisions on what to do with them. Some have been transferred to third-party countries, while others have been held aboard U.S. naval vessels for interrogation before being brought to the United States for prosecution.

Greg Miller contributed to this report.
Men walk at the Galata bridge past two Turkey flags, in Istanbul, on Tuesday. (Petros Karadjias/AP)

Dozens of special forces personnel were reportedly arrested in Turkey on Saturday, the latest development in a sweeping crackdown following last months failed coup in the country that killed more than 270 people.

Nearly 90 staff members were arrested after being identified by a commission established by the Special Forces Command in the wake of the July 15 overthrow attempt, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

The crackdown targets suspected followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accuses of masterminding the coup attempt. Tens of thousands of employees in the military, police force, judiciary and throughout the public sector have been dismissed, detained or arrested since forces loyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put down the revolt.

Turkey has also been reforming its security apparatus, with the military being brought firmly under civilian authority in a series of governmental decrees following the declaration of a state of emergency.

Earlier Saturday, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim hosted a security summit of high-level government and military officials in Ankara. Those attending included the ministers of foreign affairs, justice, interior and defense, the chief of general staff and the heads of Turkeys national intelligence agency and national police. No decisions were announced after the meeting.

Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar and cleric from Turkey. He left Turkey in 1999, and is now living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania. (Claritza Jimenez,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

As part of its anti-coup campaign, Ankara has been encouraging nightly pro-government rallies throughout the country, with officials preparing for a grand finale in Istanbul on Sunday.

The Democracy and Martyrs Rally is meant to represent the unity of the country, with Erdogan urging attendees to bring only the Turkish flag instead of party banners.

There we will stand together as a single nation, a single flag, a single motherland, a single state, a single spirit, he said.

The event will be attended by the highest levels of Turkish leadership and two of Turkeys three opposition parties. The pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party, or HDP, was not invited.
Demonstrators wave Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags during a rally in support of President Recep Tayyip Erodgan in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot half of the capital Nicosia on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. (Philippos Christou/AP)

Amid a sea of Turkish flags and the blare of loudspeakers, Nazmi Kaya beamed with pride. The 51-year-old truck driver had brought his whole family back to the motherland, as he put it, from their home in Frankfurt, Germany, to experience the chaotic, emotional aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt.

They stood in the citys central Taksim Square, the site of nightly vigils marking the successful defeat of a mutinous army faction. Kaya said the courageous protesters who confronted the coup plotters tanks were unlike anything seen anywhere else in the world.

And he says he also knows who is to blame.

We believe the United States had a full idea of what was happening, he said. The CIA was going to benefit.

Kayas certainty on the subject of alleged American perfidy in the coup plot seems widespread in Turkey. Right-wing and pro-government media outlets have repeatedly accused the United States of being somehow involved in the putsch, which saw rebel soldiers turn on the state, kill civilians and bomb the countrys legislature in an unsuccessful bid to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar and cleric from Turkey. He left Turkey in 1999, and is now living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania. (Claritza Jimenez,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

Turkish officials pin the blame on Fethullah Gulen, a septuagenarian imam who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and whose followers, say officials in Ankara, infiltrated the military and other institutions of state and were biding their time for years before moving against the elected government.

[Turkeys purge marks endgame in Islamist civil war]

Erdogan has grumbled angrily about Gulens continued sanctuary in the United States and seeks his extradition. U.S. officials say they are waiting for clear evidence linking Gulen directly to the coup attempt. The impasse marks a moment of crisis between Washington and a key NATO ally.

Im calling on the United States: What kind of strategic partners are we that you can still host someone whose extradition I have asked for? Erdogan said in a speech Wednesday that was broadcast live on national television.

This coup attempt has actors inside Turkey, but its script was written outside, he said. Unfortunately, the West is supporting terrorism and stands by coup plotters.

On Sunday, Erdogans government staged a huge rally in Istanbul, punctuating about three weeks of daily demonstrations  dubbed democracy watches  held across the country. It was meant to highlight the newfound national unity that has emerged since July 15, no matter the unprecedented government purge of state institutions and Turkish society that is still in motion. Leaders of two opposition parties joined Erdogan at the rally.

If the West wants to get rid of Erdogan and shake hands with the cemaat, said Turkish commentator Levent Gultekin, using the term commonly used for Gulens movement, then they will get a Turkey that is against their interests.

In a briefing in Washington to journalists last month, Serdar Kilic, Turkeys envoy to the United States, urged Americans to give Turkey the benefit of the doubt as it arrested, detained and suspended tens of thousands of suspected Gulenists from their jobs.

International advocacy groups have loudly criticized the crackdown, which Human Rights Watch recently described as an affront to democracy.

Still, many in Turkey say they believe its the Americans who owe Turks an explanation  not the other way around.

They point to the testimony of Gen. Hulusi Akar, the countrys top military officer, who has said he was given a chance to speak to Gulen by phone while detained by rebel officers on the night of the attempted takeover.

They speculate over the presence of putschist officers at Incirlik Air Base, which the U.S. military also uses.

And they wonder about the multiple hours it took the United States and other Western countries to condemn the coup attempt.

The American government wants to have somebody more compliant to their agenda, said Ayse Eren Yusuf, 33, who attended a weeknight vigil at Taksim with her husband.

[The execution of a former Turkish leader that still haunts Erdogan]

On the face of it, Erdogan, a conservative populist, appears to have strengthened his hand in the weeks since surviving the coup attempt. With new powers granted to him after a three-month state of emergency was declared, he has moved to bring the military further under his heel and also won unlikely cooperation from leading opposition parties.

Observers say that Erdogans heated public rhetoric is a political tool that can be put away.

Erdogan is like a magician with his followers, said Burak Kadercan, a Turkey scholar at the U.S. Naval War College. If he says keep it down, theyll keep it down.

The outrage is also a reflection of genuine grievances with foreign officials and journalists, who many Turks say they believe do not adequately recognize the trauma of the events of July 15 in a country that has a troubled history of military coups.

The current sentiment in Turkey is a mirror-image of the perceived anti-Turkism in the Western media, said Akin Unver, professor at Kadir Has University in Istanbul.

Senior U.S. leaders are attempting to mend fences with Ankara. Turkish officials announced that Secretary of State John F. Kerry will visit later this month. Earlier this week, the Joint Chiefs chairman, Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., held what were said to be cordial meetings with his Turkish counterpart and civilian leaders in Turkeys capital.

Around that time, Erdogans chief spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, issued a statement insisting that the government did not believe that the United States was behind the coup attempt.

This sort of communication and dialogue needs to continue, Unver said.

But as the crackdown rolls on, there are also real signs of stress. On Friday, a leaked internal memorandum emerged, suggesting a new purge of suspected Gulenists within Erdogans ruling party.

Even now, theyre trying to figure out who is a Gulenist or not, said Selim Sazak, a Turkey-based fellow with the Century Foundation, a New York think tank. Its an almost pathological pursuit in Ankara.

In Taksim Square, a similar level of grim resolve was on show. Murat Dost, 36, had spent the past week selling small flags on the sidelines of the rally. Its our everything, its our blood, he said, holding a red banner aloft.

Dost said a friend of his was gunned down on the Bosphorus Bridge by putschist soldiers on the night of the coup attempt and he wants to see justice.

The U.S. needs to extradite Gulen as soon as possible, he said, so he returns here and we can hang him.

Zeynep Karatas contributed to this report.

Read more:

Turkish lawyers report abuse of coup detainees

Hes 77, frail and lives in Pennsylvania. Turkey says hes a coup mastermind.

Post-coup crackdown fuels U.S. concern about Turkish democracy

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
A report published this week by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch further exposes the deliberate violation of the human, democratic and legal rights of about 1,200 men, women, and children who have been detained on the remote Pacific island of Nauru for more than three years after seeking asylum in Australia.

As the report documents, the Australian government has set a brutal model for countries around the world to punish and bar entry to the millions of desperate refugees. There are now more than 60 million globally fleeing persecution, oppression and war, mostly as a result of the wars being waged by the US and its allies, including Australia, throughout the Middle East.

Anna Neistat, an Amnesty research director who conducted the investigation, said: Australias policy of exiling asylum seekers who arrive by boat is cruel in the extreme. Few other countries go to such lengths to deliberately inflict suffering on people seeking safety and freedom.

According to the report, the traumatised refugees suffer frequent abuses, inhumane treatment, primitive housing, unpunished assaults and denial of basic medical and psychological services. Despite 915 of the asylum seekers being officially classified as refugees needing protection under international law, all are being held indefinitely, unable to leave the island.

One woman told the researchers: People here dont have a real life. We are just surviving. We are dead souls in living bodies. We are just husks.

This regime, while vehemently defended by Australias current Liberal-National Coalition government, was established in 2012 by the previous Labor government, under Prime Minister Julia Gillard, for the explicit purpose of punishing asylum seekers in order to deter others from trying to reach Australia.

The report states that the refugees endure unnecessary delays and at times denial of medical care, even for life-threatening conditions. Many have dire mental health problems and suffer overwhelming despairself-harm and suicide attempts are frequent. All face prolonged uncertainty about their future

Refugees and asylum seekers interviewed said they have developed severe anxiety, inability to sleep, mood swings, prolonged depression, and short-term memory loss on the island. Children have begun to wet their beds, suffered from nightmares, and engaged in disruptive and other troubling behavior.

Neistat and other researchers interviewed 84 asylum seekers from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Kuwait and Afghanistan, including stateless Kurds. They also interviewed several Australian-funded service providers, who supplied information despite risking prosecution under Australian law for doing so.

The refugees initially spent a year or more living in cramped vinyl tents, with filthy toilets, with temperatures indoors regularly reaching 45 to 50 degrees Celsius, and torrential rains and flooding. Those people later classified as refugees were generally provided accommodation in prefabricated units, converted containers or other sub-standard housing.

About one-third of the 1,200 people remain in the tents inside the detention centre, still subject to curfews, banned from bringing smartphones into the camp and monitored by guards.

To visit Nauru, the researchers had to go undercover to break through a wall of secrecy erected by Australia and Naurus government, which is paid millions of dollars annually to host the detention facilities. Requests by journalists to visit are invariably rejected, doctors and other detention staff face criminal charges for disclosing abuses, Facebook has been banned and human rights observers have been denied access.

The report emphasises that Australian authorities are well aware of the abuses. The Australian Human Rights Commission, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a Senate committee and a government-appointed expert have each highlighted many of these practices, and called on the government to change them.

Amnesty and Human Rights Watch conclude that the Australian government is guilty of human rights abuses: By forcibly transferring refugees and people seeking asylum to Nauru, detaining them for prolonged periods in inhuman conditions, denying them appropriate medical care, and in other ways structuring its operations so that many experience a serious degradation of their mental health, the Australian government has violated the rights to be free from torture and other ill-treatment, and from arbitrary detention, as well as other fundamental protections.

As with every previous inquiry, the Australian mainstream media largely buried the report, and the government dismissed it out of hand. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection said it strongly refutes many of the allegations in the report, but refused to provide details on which parts of the report it was refuting.

The report says the self-immolation of 23-year-old Omid Massoumali, an Iranian refugee, in April had a devastating effect on other detainees, triggering rapid declines in mental health. Massoumali was the third refugee within eight months to die in an Australian detention facility after setting himself alight in protest at the inhuman conditions.

At that time, Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton flatly defended the delay in evacuating Masoumali, who might have survived had he received prompt medical care. Dutton branded such protests as politically futile acts of self-harm and claimed that the refugees were happy to be settled in Nauru.

The reality is that Nauru, just 21 square kilometres (smaller than a major city airport), has been devastated by 40 years of Australian phosphate mining. As a result of Australian colonial rule, most of the island is uninhabitable and uncultivable. Employment opportunities are scarce and basic services, such as health and education, are inadequate.

That is precisely why successive Australian governmentsdating back to the Pacific solution unveiled by the Howard Coalition government in 2001have used Nauru, along with Papua New Guineas equally impoverished Manus Island, as a punitive location for people seeking refuge in Australia.

Labors immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said his party was deeply troubled by the Amnesty report, and Immigration Minister Dutton needed to immediately investigate these claims. This is rank duplicity. Labor, which first introduced the mandatory detention of refugees in 1992, remains unequivocally committed to maintaining the offshore detention camps.

Last year, Labor joined hands with the government to push through legislation to retrospectively legalise the Nauru and Manus camps. That bill provided the basis for this Februarys ruling by Australias High Court sanctioning the offshore regime, effectively setting a new global benchmark for the indefinite incarceration of peopleoffshore facilities outside the jurisdiction of the courts.

Likewise, the Greens immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull needed to take action on the situation in Nauru. It was the Greens who gave the previous Labor government the parliamentary numbers to remain in office as it reopened the Nauru and Manus camps. The Greens back the underlying border protection framework of stopping refugees reaching Australia, except for small numbers of carefully hand-picked people.

The truth is that Australian governments, Liberal-National and Greens-backed Labor alike, have made asylum seekers and immigrants scapegoats for the worsening social conditions being imposed on the working class. Some of the worlds most vulnerable people are being subjected to ever-more lawless imprisonment, setting precedents for wider use around the world.
The Bundeswehr, Germanys armed forces, are being prepared to be used domestically. This was confirmed by Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (CDU, Christian Democratic Union) on Wednesday in an interview with the newspaper Bild. Joint exercises will start in a few weeks.

Yes. In late summer, we will decide at the Conference of State Interior Ministers which scenarios we need to practice. In an emergency, the alarm chain must be ready, the responsibilities clear and sufficient staff available, said von der Leyen. Therefore, we will first undertake a command-level exercise, which will test the interaction between the federal government and the police authorities of several states. Three federal states had already expressed an interest.

The defence minister left no doubt that in an emergency, the Bundeswehr would not only handle logistics, but would also provide military support.

In acute cases, the police will decide what is needed to cope with a terrorist situation. In principle, the Supreme Court has made it clear that in extreme cases, the support of the military can be requested.

In an interview in the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Lieutenant General Martin Schelleis, responsible for the army domestically as chief of joint support, provided an overview of the extensive measures that are being prepared behind the backs of the population.

Upon request, according to Schelleis, the Bundeswehr can provide things like technical capabilities such as low altitude mobile air surveillance to identify fast-flying aircraft, or advise in the event of nuclear, biological or chemical threats, possibly even using mobile laboratory capabilities.

In addition, the Army could assist the police with armoured vehicles. Military police officers were already undertaking some police duties in foreign missions which do not fundamentally differ from those in Germany, said Schelleis.

In various missions abroad, our soldiers have also acquired considerable experience organizing checkpoints, dealing with explosive threats or guarding buildings. They bring knowledge and skills that could be used in a terrorist situation, the general said.

Schelleis' statements illustrate the far-reaching consequences of the planned use of the Bundeswehr inside Germany. In an emergency, the Bundeswehr also brings to the home front the knowledge and skills it has acquired in war operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Malithe disciplining and violent repression of the indigenous population!

The police-military deployment of the Bundeswehr so obviously violates the German Constitution that even advocates of a strict law-and-order policy have expressed criticisms. In a guest commentary in the business daily Handelsblatt, the head of the police union, Rainer Wendt, warned that the next war games inside the country could override what is the most valuable thing our society has to offer, our Constitution." He continued, "The men and women who drafted our Constitution knew exactly why they imposed strict limits on the deployment of the armed forces domestically.

Wendt, who advocates a massive upgrade in police powers and equipment, does not directly address this. But the prohibition against Bundeswehr missions inside Germany, as well as the separation of the police and army, was anchored in the post-war Constitution precisely because of the experiences under the Kaiser's Empire, the Weimar Republic and the Nazi dictatorship. The German military, and the Nazis' paramilitary combat formations, together with the intelligence services and the police, had served as brutal instruments of domination and oppression at home.

This calamitous tradition is now to be revived. The new 2016 White Paper on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr formulates Germany's official security policy doctrine. It states in the section "Deployment and Role of the Bundeswehr in Germany" that in order to assist the police in effectively managing emergency situations, the armed forces may, in certain conditions, perform sovereign tasks and exercise powers of intervention and enforcement.

Both the White Paper and German politicians justify the use of the Bundeswehr by citing the recent terrorist attacks in Europe. In the Bild interview, von der Leyen said, Paris has opened all our eyes. For me, scepticism now is preferable to an accusation later that we were not prepared.

In reality, measures such as the imposition of a state of emergency as in France and the use of the army domestically by no means prevent future terrorist attacks. In a statement on the massive police deployment in Munich, the Socialist Equality Party warned:

This did not make the situation any safer, on the contrary. Above all, the wars conducted by the US under the pretext of the war on terror, and in which Germany has increasingly been involved, have transformed countries like Iraq, Libya and Syria into breeding grounds for terrorist networks where there had previously been none. Moreover, there are numerous links between Western secret services and Islamic terrorists, which are supported and financed by the allies of Western powers like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

It continues: The real target of increasing state powers in the name of the fight against terrorism is the working class and every form of social and political opposition. Under conditions in which social contradictions are intensifying, the European Union is breaking apart and the next financial crisis looms, the ruling class is preparing for fierce class battles. Growing militarism abroad is accompanied by the militarization of domestic politics.

The White Paper advocates a European foreign and defence policy dominated by Berlin and dedicated to defending the geopolitical and economic interests of Germany worldwide. To this end, the military budget will be almost doubled from the current level of nearly 39 billion euros. In the section "NATO and the European Union," the White Paper states: The federal government has set itself the task and will work to ensure long-term and in the context of the resources available to reach the target of two percent of GDP for defence spending and at the same time strives for an investment rate of 20 percent in the area of defence.

As in the 1930s, the German elites know they have to establish a dictatorship in order to push through, against the resistance of the population, their plans for a massive rearmament programme and for war. This is the real reason for the exercises being carried out between the police and armed forces and for the deployment of the army inside Germany.
In the wake of the ruling Liberal Democratic Partys (LDP) gains in last months upper house election, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday in a move that presages further steps towards remilitarisation and pro-market restructuring.

The most significant promotion was that of Tomomi Inada to the post of defence minister. Inada, a protege of Abe, is well known for her extreme right-wing nationalist views. Although in parliament for just 11 years, she has already been mentioned as a possible future prime minister.

Inada, a lawyer by training, is an outspoken advocate of revising the countrys constitution to remove or modify Article 9, which renounces war and affirms that land, sea or air forces will never be maintained.

Successive governments have already eviscerated Article 9 by allowing for the establishment and expansion of the military as self defence forces. Last year, the Abe government took a further major step by enacting legislation allowing for collective self defencethat is, for Japan to more directly participate in US-led wars.

Abe, however, is keen to press ahead with a full-blown constitutional revision, having obtained the necessary two-thirds majority in the upper and lower houses of parliament. The LDP has long sought to not only revise Article 9, but also restore the emperor to his pre-war role as linchpin of the state apparatus and make inroads into democratic rights presently guaranteed in the constitution.

In pressing ahead with this agenda, Inada is a key political ally. She is a member of Nippon Kaigi or Japan Conference, the parliamentary group that promotes the lie that Japan went to war in the 1930s to liberate Asia from Western imperialism. It calls for the revision of school textbooks to promote patriotic values and remove all references to war crimes such as the Rape of Nanking.

In 2014, a photo surfaced in the media taken in 2011 of a smiling Inada alongside Kazunari Yamada, leader of the fascist National Socialist Japanese Labor Party and open admirer of Adolf Hitler. Inada claimed that she did not know who Yamada was or the politics he expoused.

Inada has a long history of defending the crimes of the Japanese military during the 1930s and 1940s. She has supported figures such as Takashi Kawamura, who, as Nagoya mayor, suggested that the 1937 Nanking massacre, in which the Japanese army murdered up to 300,000 captured Chinese soldiers and civilians, did not happen. She is also a visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine to the countrys war dead, a notorious symbol of Japanese militarism.

As the newly appointed defence minister, Inada will play a prominent role in the expansion of the Japanese armed forces and their integration into the US pivot to Asia and its preparations for war against China. Her denial of past war crimes and support for constitutional revision are in line with Japanese imperialism more aggressively prosecuting its economic and strategic interests, including by force.

Inada is the second woman to become defence minister. Yuriko Koike quit her post in June to run for the powerful position of Tokyo governor, which she won last month after defeating the LDPs endorsed candidate. Koike is a prominent member of Nippon Kaigi, visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine and supporter of constitutional change. Senior LDP figures, including Abe, maintained neutrality during the election campaign, thus tacitly supporting Koike.

The other new ministers in the Abe cabinet were selected with the aim of reinforcing so-called "Abenomics," which has faced criticism as the Japanese economy has continued to stagnate. A survey of economists by the Japan Centre for Economic Research suggested that annualised growth has slumped to just 0.1 percent in the second quarter, down from 1.9 percent in the first quarter.

Abe installed one of his close economic advisers, Kozo Yamamoto, as minister in charge of regional revitalisation. Yamamoto has been an outspoken advocate of Japans version of quantitative easingthat is, pumping huge amounts of ultra-cheap credit into the financial system. In a 2015 interview, he declared that he was worried that Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda might be facing a den of conspirators opposed to his policies of monetary stimulus.

Yuji Shimanaka, chief economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, told Bloomberg.com: Yamamoto is a mastermind of Abenomics and coming into the cabinet makes him a closer adviser. Monetary policy and the BoJ are his lifework and his beliefs wont waver at all.

However, Japans version of quantitative easing has been no more successful than in other countries in reviving productive activity. Rather, it encouraged speculative activities that have benefited a thin layer of the upper-middle class and wealthy at the expense of the majority of the population, which confront worsening job opportunities and declining living standards.

On Tuesday, the Abe government announced another huge stimulus package that included 7.5 trillion yen ($US73 billion) in new spending in a desperate effort to revive the economy. While making cash handouts of 15,000 yen, or about $147, to 22 million low-income people, the main thrust of the package is to provide assistance to business via new infrastructure projects.

In an extraordinary parliamentary session beginning in September, the government is seeking to pass a second supplementary budget and also to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a far-reaching US-led economic pact aimed at shoring up American domination in Asia and undermining China.

Yamamoto is also in charge of pushing through the necessary legislative changes to implement the TPP, which will impact heavily on highly-protected sectors of the Japanese economy such as agriculture. The LDP has relied heavily on its base of support in rural areas, which have had strong electoral weight as a result of a gerrymander against urban electorates. Another Abe adviser, Hisoshige Seko, will also promote the TPP as the newly-installed minister for economy, trade and industry.

Abe, however, is determined to exploit the TPP as the means of ramming through major pro-market structural changes that will hit not only farmers and other small businesses, but sections of the working class. Successive governments over the past two decades have already substantially dismantled the post-war life-long employment system, with 38 percent of the workforce now in low-paid casual and part-time jobs.
A pair of investigative reports by the LA Times has shed further light on how Purdue Pharmas marketing strategy for its painkiller OxyContin has contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.

Purdue Pharma launched OxyContin in 1996 based on the claim that the drug would relieve pain for 12 hours. The extended duration of the drug distinguished it from shorter-acting, but cheaper generic narcotics. Purdue marketing materials emphasized the convenience of twice-daily dosing, which it said would provide smooth and sustained pain control all day.

Except it did not work as marketed. For many patients the pain relief ceased before the full 12 hours. Aware of the problem, the company nonetheless continued to encourage doctors to prescribe the drug for 12-hour relief to ensure that insurance companies would cover the pricier narcotic and safeguard the billions in revenue the drug brought the company, according to an article published by the Times this past May.

At the same time, Purdue downplayed the risks of addiction and encouraged doctors to prescribe the drug widely for more common aches and pains.

The 12-hour interval could be the perfect recipe for addiction, Theodore J. Cicero, a neuropharmacologist at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told the Times. The combination of the reappearance of pain and acute withdrawal becomes a very powerful motivator for people to take more drugs.

Now based in Stamford, Connecticut, Purdue Pharma was founded by a pair of physicians in 1892. The company was acquired in 1952 by two doctors, the brothers Raymond and Mortimer Sackler. In the 1970s and 1980s, the company focused on developing pain medicines, launching an extended release formulation of morphine, MS Contin, in 1987.

In the late 1980s, the company began developing an extended release version of the narcotic oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet). According to company executives, OxyContin would cure the vulnerability to generic competition.

Clinical trials of OxyContin in the early 1990s found the drug to be safe and longer acting, but for substantial numbers of patients the pain relieving effects wore off before the companys 12-hour interval goal. In one study, 95 percent of the patients resorted to a rescue medication at some point in the study because the effects of the painkiller had worn off prematurely.

When a doctor who was field testing the drug as part of the FDA approval process began giving it in 8 hour intervals, the company intervened, stressing that it was intended for 12 hours. This interval was emphasized not out of concern for the well-being of patients, but because it would differentiate the drug from shorter-acting, generic painkillers.

The company declined to test the drug at shorter intervals, allowing it to argue that OxyContin had only been tested for 12-hour doses.

OxyContin received FDA approval in December 1995 with a label indicating its effectiveness for 12-hour intervals. The doctor who led the FDAs medical review of the drug, Dr. Curtis Wright, left the FDA two years later to join Purdue, assisting the company with new product development.

For the launch of the new painkiller, Purdue doubled its sales force to 600 and spent $200 million on marketing, taking out ads in medical journals promoting the 12-hour dosing. REMEMBER, EFFECTIVE RELIEF JUST TAKES TWO, reads one ad.

Drawing from evidence that emerged from court documents and a US congressional investigation, a 2011 article in the British Medical Journal observed that the companys marketing strategy was particularly remarkable given the danger of addiction and overdose posed by the drug.

The manufacturer targeted physicians who prescribed OxyContin frequently, paid its sales representatives large bonuses as an incentive to increase OxyContin sales, and issued coupons entitling new patients to free samples at participating pharmacies, the article noted.

Company sales reps sought to convince doctors that the highly addictive narcotic should not be limited to cancer patients or the terminally ill, pitching the drug for more common conditions such as back aches and knee pain. Purdue wined and dined doctors, filled their offices with company swag, flew them out for weekend junkets at expensive resorts and encouraged them to promote the drug among their colleagues.

The marketing blitz was a success. By its fifth year on the market, OxyContin was a blockbuster drug, with $1 billion in annual revenue. By 2010, it was pulling in three times as much. Since its launch, the drug has generated an estimated $35 billion in sales. The Sackler family became fabulously wealthy, with Forbes magazine pegging their wealth at $14 billion.

Meanwhile, patients suffered. For many, the drug wore off before 12 hours, resulting in the return of pain, symptoms of withdrawal and intense cravings for the drug.

In response to patient complaints, doctors began prescribing the drug for shorter intervals. This posed a threat to companys bottom line as insurers were less willing to pay for the drug if it provided no added benefits above the generic alternatives.

Company officials focused on training sales reps to convince doctors to stick with the 12-hour dosing regimen. Instead of taking the drug more frequently, company sales reps encouraged doctors to prescribe the narcotic at higher doses, which often put patients into a zombie-like state, and increased the chances of addiction and overdose. This recommendation further lined the companys pocketswhile a bottle of 10mg pills went for $97, a bottle of the maximum dose of 80mg sold for $630.

Purdue was not just making money off of legitimate doctor prescriptions. As the Times reported in a follow-up article in July, the company also failed to intervene when it became clear that certain physicians and pharmacies were funneling OxyContin pills onto a burgeoning black market.

Purdue had access to prescription data from pharmacies, which it used to target doctors writing smaller numbers of prescriptions to encourage them to write more. This data also allowed them to identify suspicious cases of physicians writing unusually large numbers of prescriptions, often at the 80mg level that was preferred in the illegal drug trade.

For example, the Times profiled one clinic, Lake Medical in Los Angeles, set up in 2008, which by the end of the year had written prescriptions for more than 73,000 pills. The illegal trafficking scheme had individuals known as cappers pick up homeless persons from the skid row area, bring them to the clinic for a perfunctory exam, where they would be written prescriptions, and then drive them in groups to pharmacies to fill the prescriptions. The OxyContin was then returned to the clinic to be packed for bulk sale on the black market.

Purdue placed physicians suspected of writing fraudulent prescriptions on an internal database known as Region Zero. By 2013, the company had 1,800 physicians on the list, but reported only 8 percent of them to the authorities.

Federal law requires drugmakers to report suspicious activity to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Nonetheless, the federal government has declined to charge Purdue with any wrongdoing.

In the case of the Lake Medical clinic, the company ignored concerns raised by pharmacists at one pharmacy, who began turning away Lake Medical prescriptions on their own. Investigations by federal, state and local officials finally shut down the clinic in 2010. Not until 2013by which point the physician had already pled guilty and a case had been built against the other drug ringleadersdid Purdue contact the US Attorneys office to offer assistance.

It would be irresponsible to direct every single anecdotal and often unconfirmed claim of potential misprescribing to these organizations, the companys general counsel, Phil Strassburger, told the newspaper.

In 2010, the company introduced an abuse-deterrent formulation of the drug. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2012 found that while patient abuse of OxyContin declined, addicts typically replaced the narcotic with heroin, which poses even greater health risks.

Patients began filing court cases against the company in the early 2000s, but Purdue managed to get most of them dismissed, while other lawsuits were settled confidentially with the court records sealed. In a 2004 court case in West Virginia, the future attorney general Eric Holder helped the company reach a settlement just days before the case was set to go to trial. Purdue agreed to pay $10 million to support drug abuse prevention programs, but admitted no wrongdoing.

In 2007, the companys top three executives pled guilty to fraud for downplaying OxyContins risk of addiction, and Purdue was ordered to pay $635 million. The fine was a small price to pay for the billions of dollars brought in by the drug.

This past May, Purdue lost its legal battle to keep court records and testimony sealed. A Kentucky judge granted a motion to unseal the records for a court case that the company had settled in December of last year by agreeing to pay $24 million while admitting no wrongdoing. The records, however, remain sealed as the company appeals the decision.

OxyContin has certainly played no small part in the current opioid epidemic and rise in drug overdoses in the United States.

A report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) earlier this year documented the dramatic rise in drug overdoses in the United States. In 2014, there were 47,055 drug overdose deaths, an increase of 6.5 percent over the previous year. The CDC found that 61 percent (28,647) of these overdoses were from opioids. Between 2013 and 2014, opioid drug overdoses increased by 14 percent. The primary opioid drugs resulting in the overdoses were heroin and prescription painkillers.

Opiod pain reliever prescribing has quadruped since 1999, states the CDC report, and has increased in parallel with overdoses involving the most commonly used opioid pain relievers.

While Purdues ruthless pursuit of profit has no doubt accelerated the rates of opioid addiction and drug overdoses, these alarming statistics reflect the immense social crisis faced by millions in the United States. The rising rates of drug abuse, addiction and overdoses take place in a context in which workers and youth face long-term unemployment, deteriorating working conditions, stagnant or declining wages, austerity and the dismantling of basic social services.

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CDC report: Worsening drug abuse epidemic across US

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The 30-year-old jogger found sexually assaulted and strangled to death this week in New York City "put up a ferocious fight" before her death, police said.



Karina Vetrano tried fighting off her attacker until the last moments of her life, police said at a Thursday news conference. Her body was found facedown in a Queens park Tuesday, about a dozen feet from the jogging trail, by her father.



A police source tells PEOPLE that Vetrano bit her attacker so hard, her teeth cracked. The source says investigators have recovered DNA from Vetrano's bruised body.



"This woman put up a ferocious fight right to the end," New York City's Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said during the news conference.



Boyce told reporters police believe the attack on Vetrano was random, and not committed by someone she knew.



Police are still searching the thick grass for additional clues, and detectives continue to comb through the marshlands at Gateway National Park in Howard Beach, looking for any evidence that can help them identify Vetrano's killer.



"We plan to chop down just about every weed in that location till we're satisfied that we've got all the evidence," Boyce said. "This is a remote area. A young lady was running  still daylight  so I am hoping somebody saw something going into the park."



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



Vetrano was reported missing just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and her body was recovered shortly before 11 p.m.



Boyce said Vetrano would typically run with her father, who decided to sit out Tuesday's jog because he was dealing with back pain.



When she didn't return, her dad called the police, who pinged her phone. It showed that she was in the brush near the park's jogging path. The father went out with police and discovered her body 15 feet from the jogging trail, Boyce said.



Boyce said his detectives are also reviewing cell tower records to see if any other phones were present at the time Vetrano was killed.



Funeral services for Vetrano will be held at noon Saturday in Queens, preceded by a Friday wake.



Vetrano was a "popular, sweet girl," one person told the New York Times. "Everybody knew her," they said.



The bar where she worked called Vetrano a "dear friend," according to the Times.



"Karina was an amazing person; she will forever be in our hearts," the business wrote on Instagram, according to the paper.



A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to an arrest of her killer.
Washington Post

In the rare moments of quiet, when Caitlin Bernard can pause to think about all that is happening throughout a post-Roe America, everything is distilled to a single image in her mind, the one that matters most to her as a physician. She sees the patient, the person who just found out they are pregnant, or that something has gone terribly wrong in a pregnancy; the person who needs Bernard's care but might not be able to reach her in time, or at all. In June, that patient was a 10-year-old child,
Donald Trump relents over Paul Ryan re-election

US presidential candidate Donald Trump has publicly backed House Speaker Paul Ryan days after snubbing him in a spat at the top of the Republican Party.
Colombias Caracol TV has boarded Birds of a Passage (Pajaros del Verano), the upcoming pic by Ciro Guerra whose black and white Amazon fable Embrace of the Serpent made Colombian film history by snagging a Foreign-Language Oscar nomination this year.

Caracol was also an investor on Embrace of the Serpent, which swept the 2016 Platino Awards held at Punta del Este, Uruguay on July 24, winning seven major plaudits including best picture, director, and cinematography.

Once youve invested in a movie that has paid off so handsomely, its very hard to say no to the filmmakers next film, said Alejandro Toro, Caracol head of co-productions.

Guerra is an official selection juror at the 20th Lima Film Festival, which runs Aug. 5-13.

Embrace of the Serpents Argentine producers MC Productions and Buffalo Films and Mexicos Pimienta Films will also be boarding Birds of a Passage. Embraces international sales agent, the Berlin-based Films Boutique, has also signed on again.

Budgeted at $1.8 million, Birds spans the years between 1968 and 1980, and will require eight weeks of pre-production in the La Guajira desert where Guerra shot his second feature, Wind Journeys. Described as a Colombian western, Birds will entail the use of animals, period costumes, and various sets, said its producer, Cristina Gallego, at Ciudad Lunar.

Principal photography begins in February and is expected to run for two months. Gallego is not expecting an easy shoot given the extreme conditions of the desert but the sacrifice will be well worth it. We want to make artistic and original films that are accessible to the mainstream, said Gallego. Birds is based on an idea by Gallego, and on a screenplay by Maria Camila Arias and Jacques Toulemonde, the late a co-scribe on Embrace of the Serpent,

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PARIS  Switzerland has chosen Claude Barrass Cannes Directors Fortnight player My Life as a Courgette as its foreign-language Oscar candidate at the 89th Academy Awards.

Produced by Geneva-based Rita Productions, My Life as a Courgette marks the feature debut of Swiss director Claude Barras.

Repped by Paris-based Indie Sales, the critically-acclaimed stop-motion toonpic scooped the Cristal prize for best feature and audience award at Annecy, before playing at Directors Fortnight in Cannes.

Based on Gilles Pariss Autobiography Of A Courgette and penned by Celine Sciamma (Girlhood), Ma vie de Courgette tells the tale of a nine-year-old boy nicknamed Courgette who has to find his way in an orphanage after his mothers death and is eventually adopted by a policeman.

Ma vie de Courgette is an original film guided by luminous artistic direction. Its story is packed with emotion, marked by resilience and a hopeful vision of human society. Director Claude Barras and screenwriter Celine Sciamma succeeded in giving children a voice: While adressing children at eye level they still speak to all generations, said the Swiss Oscar jury about the selection.

My Life as a Courgette was co-produced by Frances Blue Spirit Productions, Gebeka Films and Monaco-based KNM.

On top of being a critical success, My Life as a Courgette has been sold to most of Europe, the Middle East and Asia by Indie Sales. Deals with the UK and the U.S. are now in negotiation.

The theatrical roll-out of My Life as a Courgette kicks off in Switzerland in September, followed by France, Belgium in October, as well as Germany and Italy in December.

Oscar nominations will be unveiled on Jan. 24. The award ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on February 26.

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(PARIS)A fast-moving fire that appeared to be accidental swept through a birthday party in a basement bar in the northwest French city of Rouen, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, authorities said Saturday.

More than 80 firefighters battled the early Saturday blaze at the downtown Cuba Libre bar, and its not yet known how many people were inside at the time, Rouen Mayor Yvon Robert said, calling the fire very brief.

The birthday party was a moment of joy for those involved that  ended tragically, Robert said.

Vice prosecutor Laurent Labadie told The Associated Press that the first testimonies from survivors and the early police investigation indicated the fire was completely accidental.

There was no explosion, Labadie told the AP. Candles on a birthday cake started the fire after the person who carried it tripped on the stairs leading to the basement.

Labadie said sound-insulating material on the basements walls quickly ignited and party guests had no time to escape from the basement. Identifications of the bodies were still ongoing, he said.

At the scene of the fire, residents paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers. Images on French television from outside the bar showed a large ground-floor window broken open, burned red bar chairs and a tattered awning.

The bar fire  the deadliest in France since 2005  came as the country is on maximum terror alert after two deadly attacks last month and was also the second recent tragedy to hit Rouen, a city in Normandy. A priest was slain by two Islamic State extremists in his church outside Rouen on July 26 and his funeral was held Tuesday in Rouen Cathedral.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave an initial count of 13 dead and six injured in the fire, which started after midnight Friday. The prefecture, which runs the region, said one of the six was in a life-threatening condition.

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Rouens archbishop Dominique Lebrun, who led the public service for the slain priest, celebrated a Mass on Saturday for the bar victims and their families, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed his deepest sadness.

Young people, some of them very young, had their lives cut short, said French junior minister Clotilde Valter. These are extremely painful circumstances for everybody.

A bar owner identified as Bruno by French TV BFMTV who was close to the Cuba Libre when the fire broke said customers were trapped inside because the fire moved too fast.

It happened in three seconds, he said. Some customers exited on their hands and knees. Some of them tried to use a fire extinguisher, but it was too late.

In addition to the slaying of the French priest, an IS extremist launched a Bastille Day attack on the famed promenade in Nice, killing 85 holiday revelers with a truck before being shot dead by police.
This week's Billboard charts included the returns of rapper Gucci Mane with Everybody Looking and Kool & The Gang with "Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)" to the charts, while artists like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Drake and the Red Hot Chili Peppers made history in their own right thanks to "That Part," "Cold Water," Views and "Dark Necessities," respectively.

Kanye West Carpool Karaoke Is Coming, James Corden Promises

Here are 13 things you need to know about the Billboard charts this week:

1. Major Lazer's "Cold Water" featuring Justin Bieber and MO debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single garnered 169,000 downloads as the top-selling song of the week. Click here to read the full article.

2. Justin Bieber now carries the torch for most No. 2 hits (his third being "Cold Water") and extends his run as the male artist with the most debuts in the top two in Hot 100 history to four. Click here to read the full article.

3. Gucci Mane's Everybody Looking -- the album recorded in six days following his release from prison -- debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The rank is the rap artist's highest to date. The album was also Mane's first No. 1 on the sales-based Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Click here to read the full article.

4. Viola Beach gained a posthumous No. 1 album in the U.K. with their self-titled album. The Northern England quartet died in a car accident in February. The album was released on the Fuller Beans label by family and friends. Click here to read the full article.

5. Kool & The Gang returned with their first Billboard airplay chart hit in 10 years with their single "Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)." The hit debuted at No. 28 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. Click here to read the full article.

6. Marc Anthony's first U.K. concert hits the top 10 on the Hot Tours list. The artist's O2 arena concert in London topped $1 million in sales, earning Anthony a spot among this week's highest-grossing tour artists. Click here to read the full article.

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7. Sia's "Cheap Thrills" earns its second week at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The single is Sia's first chart-topper. Click here to read the full article.

8. Shawn Mendes' "Treat You Better" leapt from No. 21 to its now-peak position at No. 16 on the Hot 100. The single is Mendes' second-highest peaking track to date. Click here to read the full article.

9. Kanye West surpassed Michael Jackson and Frankie Valli for most top 40 hits by a male artist on the Hot 100, making him No. 10 overall, with his feature on ScHoolboy Q's "That Part." The single is West's 40th top 40 hit on the Hot 100. Click here to read the full article.

10. Chevelle's latest single "Joyride(Omen)" jumped 3-1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart. The hit is the rock band's fifth No. 1 on the airplay chart. Click here to read the full article.

11. Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dark Necessities" clocked the group their 13th No.1 on the Alternative Songs chart, extending the band's record of most No. 1s in Alternative Songs history. "Dark Necessities" is the fourth single in history that has topped all three rock airplay charts: Alternative Songs, Mainstream Rock Songs and Adult Alternative Songs. Click here to read the full article.

12. Drake spends his 12th week on top of the Billboard 200 with Views. The album now claims the title for most weeks at No. 1 since 2014's Frozen soundtrack (13). Click here to read the full article.

13. Grateful Dead's latest Dave's Picks debuts at No. 26. The album joins five others that the band has debuted on the chart in 2016. Click here to read the full article.
(Photo: Reuters)



Three SMRT staff members  two train drivers and a crew manager  have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).

The trio, who were from Tanah Merah station, were diagnosed with the disease four to six weeks ago, a Straits Times report on Saturday (6 August) said.



Two were found to have latent TB while the other was found to have active TB, which is contagious. Non-infectious latent TB can develop into active TB if left untreated.

SMRT staff from the Tanah Merah station have since been screened although the number of people tested remains unknown. Results of the testing should be out in a few weeks, the report said citing sources.

An SMRT spokesman said that the company has been actively working with the authorities to carry out contact tracing and that the process is ongoing. The two latent cases are not linked to the active one, he said.

Separately, a Health Ministry spokesman said, The risk of transmission to persons who are not close contacts of a TB case  for example, through casual, brief contact  is very low. Screening is thus generally not necessary for commuters should public transport staff be infected.

Two infectious disease specialists mentioned in the report also concurred that the risk of infection faced by commuters is likely to be low.


5 unanswered questions everyone who loves Disneys Oliver & Company still has

5 unanswered questions everyone who loves Disneys Oliver & Company still has

I love Oliver & Company for three big reasons:

1. The main human characters name is Jenny, which is my name.

2. Oliver is a cat, and cats  especially Disney cats  are my favorite.

3. Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Cheech Marin. Which is actually three reasons in one, but its fine.

This 1988 film is pretty underrated as far as Disney animated classics go, and like many 80s Disney movies, its not as fondly remembered as the films of the next 10 years would end up to be. But its still amazing for all the reasons stated above and more  even considering a few questions I still have almost 30 years after its release.

How did Oliver not get adopted from that box first, let alone at all?

When we first meet Oliver (voiced by Joey Lawrence  yes, seriously), he is in a box with some other kittens to whom he may or may not be related, and theyre kind of fighting for attention in the hopes that someone will adopt them.

OliverAdoptMe

Now, Im not one to make snap judgments, especially when it comes to cats, but Oliver stands out both in attitude and even the color of his coat! He is obviously just as good as  if not better than  the other kittens and HE JUST GETS LEFT ALONE IN THE RAIN AND WHY COULDNT SOMEONE JUST ADOPT THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME!?!!!

Theres also a whole scene where Oliver is wandering around by himself and he is trying to hang out with humans and no one cares and  I cant even keep typing. I have a lot of feelings about cats.

How did the Company meet?

You know how people (including myself) have been clamoring for a Harry Potter marauders prequel novel forever? I would be content with a prequel to Oliver & Company that chronicles how Dodger, Tito, Rita, Einstein, and the amazing Francis all met. Were some of them initially pets, or did they all grow up on the streets? What brought them together in a group specifically, considering how many dogs roam the streets of NYC?

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Id especially be interested in an origin story about Francis the bulldog. Hes very well-spoken, and I need to know what happened that made him choose roughing it over staying wherever he came from.

Francis

Was Look Whos Talking Now inspired by this movie at all?

This is extremely random, but hear me out. Georgette the poodle (voiced by Bette Midler  who, this same year, starred in one of my favorite ugly-cry-inducing movies of all time, Beaches) falling for a rough-and-tumble dog like Tito (Cheech Marin) is reminiscent of the two dogs from opposite sides of the tracks in 1993s Look Whos Talking Now. You know, the film that made this beautiful GIF a thing.

LookWhosTalkingNow

Anyway, in the beginning of LWTN, Daphne and Rocks are basically enemies  the former being a pampered pet and the latter being a proud dog of ~the streets~. By the end of the film, the two dogs end up having kind of a mutual affection for each other. I always wondered if this LWTN storyline was inspired by Georgette and Tito who, honestly, need their own spin-off movie.

GeorgetteTito

Did Oliver actually stay in touch with the gang?

We are all guilty of this at some point in our lives:

Hey it was so nice to meet you! Well grab lunch sometime, OK?

And then it never happens. At the end of Oliver & Company, Oliver is like, Ill keep in touch, promise! But then the dogs head back into the bustling city while Oliver is shacked up at 1125 5th Ave. Honestly, I dont know if Id visit  especially if I was a cat and there was no such thing as social media yet. At least theyll always have the memories. And maybe a reunion at Georgette and Titos wedding.

OliverJennyWave

Why doesnt Billy Joel ever play Why Should I Worry live?

OK, so Billy Joel obviously has an extremely impressive discography and doesnt particularly need obscure Disney songs to get by. I get it. But when I saw him live at Bonnaroo last year, I was only in the audience for one reason (well, I guess two if you count Piano Man but thats not fair)  to hear him play the iconic Why Should I Worry? That perfect tune is his song from the Oliver & Company soundtrack (he voices the gangs canine leader, Dodger).

Dodger

Not only did I NOT get my song, but I searched recent set lists, and apparently, he doesnt really ever play Why Should I Worry? But thats so sad because its such a feel-good song! Its like Hakuna Matata, but on a grimy street instead of a savanna. Speaking of which  Billy, Billy, Billy if Elton John can still grace his concert audiences with The Lion King goodness, then you can definitely give the world a little bit of Oliver & Company.

The post 5 unanswered questions everyone who loves Disneys Oliver & Company still has appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Abolishing student debt. Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Guaranteeing a right to health care.

Sound familiar? Those issues  which wouldn't be out of place in a Bernie Sanders stump speech  are also among the top priorities of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who won her party's nomination today in Houston.

And during an election season in which many voters and donors unexpectedly flocked to Sanders, Stein is hoping to harness some of that energy for her longshot presidential bid now that Sanders has conceded and endorsed former Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton.

Stein  a medical doctor and activist from Massachusetts  was also the Green Party's presidential nominee four years ago. Then, she earned about 0.36 percent of the vote nationally and appeared on the ballot in 36 states and the District of Columbia. She only garnered more than 1 percent of the vote in two states: Maine and Oregon.

But that hasn't deterred Stein from calling for a "Green New Deal" and a "truly representative democracy," which would include "open debates" as well as ranked-choice voting and public financing of campaigns.

During her 2012 campaign, Stein raised about $1.3 million, including $64,000 of her own money and about $370,000 in public funding.

Stein is again expected to receive some public financing for her 2016 presidential bid, as is Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson. The better-funded campaigns of Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump are raising their funds strictly from private sources.

Here are nine other things to know about the Green Party's presidential standard-bearer.

This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

Sources: Center for Public Integrity reporting as well as Jill2016.com, Wikipedia and filings with the Federal Election Commission and Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

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Image sources: Tar Sands Blockade/Flickr, Gage Skidmore/Flickr, Stephan Savoia/AP, Brynn Anderson/AP

Related: Stein text 4

Related: Stein text 3

Related: Stein text 1

This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

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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.
Dr KC supporters press for Karkis impeachment

An alliance supporting Dr Govinda KC on Monday submitted a memorandum to Mohan Singh Rathor, president of Good Governance and Monitoring Committee of Parliament, demanding impeachment of Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) chief Lok Man Singh Karki.
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f168314%2fbritish_brand_comebacks_header

LONDON  There are few things in this world more entertaining than a perfectly-timed Twitter burn.

Just ask J.K. Rowling. She knows.

The thing is, though, the fine art of shutting someone down in 140 characters isn't just limited to humans. Brands can  and frequently do  get involved as well.

SEE ALSO: 9 people who took on British companies and won in 2015

We've put together some examples of British brands who decided they simply weren't going to tolerate any more ribbing on social media...

1. This no-nonsense comeback from Virgin Trains.









2. This football-themed KO from Tesco.

3. This blunt Facebook rebuttal from the BBC.

Image: facebook/bbc daily politics & sunday politics

Image: facebook/bbc daily politics & sunday politics

Image: facebook/bbc daily politics & sunday politics





4. This sick burn from Tesco Mobile.

5. And this one.

6. This glorious end to a feud between libraries.









7. This no-nonsense shut down from Cadbury UK.

8. This skirmish between Iceland and Nando's, which took place after Iceland drew with Portugal in the Euro 2016.

9. Finally, this solid comeback from UK phone network O2.
As the industry struggles with diversity, several panelists at Friday nights panel discussion on ageism in Hollywood applauded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for including more women and minorities as members, but decried what appears to be a culling of older members to make room for them.

The Academy insists that its not excluding older members, and that everyone will retain their membership under the new rules. But if members havent worked in 10 years, or havent been nominated for an Oscar, or havent worked during three ten-year periods, they will lose their right to vote for the Oscars.

I actually think that it is ageist, panelist and actress JoBeth Williams said of the Academys move. We should have opened the door to more members, but not given the older members the boot.

Theyre not giving them the boot, said actress Lesley Ann Warren, noting that members who have worked once in the last 10 years will retain their votes.

I call bulls**t on that, said Kathy Griffin, arguing that the reason many older Academy members havent worked in the last 10 years is because theyve effectively been aged-out of the business.

Griffin got a huge laugh when she came out to take her seat pushing a walker, setting the stage for a long-overdue discussion of an industry problem that has left so many talented actresses of a certain age relegated to the sidelines because of a lack of opportunities.

Ageism matters and it matters to all of us, said actress Sharon Lawrence, who moderated the panel. Its important because ageism determines the stories that are told. It determines the writers and producers and directors and actors who are hired, and who gets paid. Its important culturally, and its important in how we see ourselves.

Before the Screen Actors Guild stopped publishing its earnings surveys several years ago, the surveys showed that women earned almost exactly one-half of what their male counterparts earned every year. The reports showed that as earnings for male actors slowly went downhill after they reached the age of 40, the earnings for actresses over 40 virtually fell off a cliff.

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I had a meeting with a studio head recently, Griffin said, and he named one show on their slate with a woman over 40. And I said, Youre not done, dude.

Griffin admitted that it was a little scary coming out against ageism in an industry that doesnt value older workers or complainers. But in the end, she said, she figured, What the s**t!

Like all the other panelists, Williams, who serves as president of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, said she wants to see people our age on screen. We need to get our unions to do something about this, she said, noting that her husband, a director, is over 70 and he faces discrimination.

We need writers to write for us, Lawrence said.

Im a writer, Griffin shot back, but I still need someones permission to work.

Ageism is deeply imbedded in our culture, Warren said. Im ready and always have been to embrace my age. But there just arent the opportunities.

You always know when theyre trying to push you aside, said actress Lynn Whitfield. They say, Oh, youre an icon. Well, this icon isnt going anywhere.

Whitfield later asked author and ageism expert Ashton Applewhite what can be done to combat ageism in Hollywood.

Old lives matter! Griffin interjected.

The very first act is consciousness raising, Whitfield said after the laughs died down. Start to push back individually and collectively.

My happiest clients are the ones who embrace their age, said publicist Harlan Boll.

As you get older you get wiser, said director Michael Lindsay-Hogg. But in Hollywood, you also tend to get less work. Lindsay-Hogg, who many credit with creating the music video with his early work for The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, said he couldnt remember the last time he was offered a film directing gig. (It was in 2001.)

The event, held at The London Hotel in West Hollywood, was produced by David C. Barry and Robyn Rosenfeld, with an assist from Women in Film.

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Adeles credit card was declined at H&M, proving shes literally all of us

Adeles credit card was declined at H&M, proving shes literally all of us

If your credit card gets declined, it can be embarrassing. When you know theres an error (and have the money, no doubt) it still makes you feel totally irresponsible, especially if there are other customers nearby. Adele had this happen recently at an H&M, and her pain is definitely real. Luckily, she decided to share her story with a recent audience, realizing that the best way to get over being mortified is by turning the incident into a humorous one.

I went to H&M and my card got declined. Oh my days, pretty embarrassing. Nobody knew it was me, but I was mortified, she said to her San Jose audience on July 31st.

Of course, Adele is definitely in a position to cover the charge. Forbes has her listed as earning around $80.5 million. That said, its nice to know that she still loves to pick up her clothes at H&M, and not a fancier retailer. Rumor has it that shes also a big fan of Target  in fact, shes been quoted as saying that her first go-to stops in California are Target and In-N-Out Burger  obviously, Adele knows that their menu is pretty darn stellar.

adele

Its amazing how personal Adele has been getting with her audience these days. Shes not afraid to bring people up on stage with her, and give her fans some tidbits of information about her life. Especially since not too long ago, Adele admitted that she was a little afraid of audiences.

One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous I escaped out the fire exit, she said to Rolling Stone back in 2011.  I just gotta bear it. But I dont like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot.

But the truth of the matter is, these personal stories make Adele even more relatable, and make her shows even more special. Shes kinda-sorta the person you can imagine being best friends with. Next time you find yourself perusing the clothing selection at H&M, think to yourself What would Adele buy?

The post Adeles credit card was declined at H&M, proving shes literally all of us appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Beirut (AFP) - A barrage of air strikes on Saturday near a hospital in northwestern Syria killed at least 10 civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said the raids targeted the town of Milis in Idlib province, which borders Turkey and is controlled by a rebel alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch.

The Britain-based monitor said three children and two women were among the dead, adding that the raids were carried out by either Russian or regime warplanes.

The Idlib Media Center, which publishes news on developments in the province, said a hospital was hit in the raid by unidentified aircraft and that at least six people had been killed.

The World Health Organisation said Syria was the most dangerous place for health care workers to operate last year, with 135 attacks on health facilities and workers in 2015.

In late July, four makeshift hospitals and a local blood bank in Syria's battered Aleppo city were hit by air raids in a single day.

More than 280,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 and millions have been forced to flee, including around five million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - An airstrike on a hospital in northwestern Syria on Saturday killed 10 people, including children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The hospital, in the town of Meles, is about 15 km from Idlib city in rebel-held Idlib province. Syrian government and allied Russian military planes operate in Syria but it is not known which aircraft carried out the strike, the Observatory said. Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for a halt to strikes on medical facilities. Syrian opposition groups say Syrian and Russian forces deliberately target medical buildings. Medical charity the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) said that July was the worst month for attacks on healthcare centers since the beginning of Syria's five-year-old conflict. "There were 43 attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria in July - more than one attack every day," a SAMS statement said. The Syrian government has also accused rebels of hitting medical targets in the city of Aleppo. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington in Beirut, Lebanon, and Ammar Abdullah in Idlib, Syria; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Brian Chesky

Airbnb is raising massive new round of funding that values the company at $30 billion.

That makes it the second-most-valuable US tech startup after Uber, which investors have valued around $68 billion.

Bloomberg reports that Airbnb is raising an $850 million round, bringing its total to $3.2 billion. Investors in the round have not been revealed.

The home-sharing company has been experimenting with new business areas. Earlier this week, it launched a "community center" in Japan that functions like a hotel  it will allow tourists to rent rooms  and it's experimenting with ways to provide more guidance to customers when they're planning trips. For instance, a feature called Experiences will pay locals to conduct tours of particular sights.

Airbnb is also facing increasing legal fights, which could get expensive.

In New York, the state Senate passed a bill that will prevent people from advertising short-term rentals, which would basically make it impossible for Airbnb to operate in the state if the governor signs it into law, and the company's home city of San Francisco passed legislation holding Airbnb responsible for enforcing laws related to short-term rentals.

NOW WATCH: Airbnb's new floating apartment has unreal views of the world's largest coral reef





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KAMPALA (Reuters) - Somali Islamist group al Shabaab on Saturday shelled residential areas in the town of Baidoa, west of the capital Mogadishu, hitting a hospital and likely causing casualties, the African Union (AU) peace keeping force AMISOM said in a Twitter post. The al Qaeda-allied group, which wants to topple Somalia's Western-backed government and rule the country according to Islamic Sharia law, has been ramping up attacks on both civilian and military targets in recent months. "Al Shabaab militants fired mortar shells at densely populated civilian residential areas in Baidoa town this morning," AMISOM said on its Twitter account. "One round of the mortars hit a hospital. Civilian casualties are unknown but expected." Security analysts have warned that the group could step up attacks, taking advantage of the distraction caused by campaigning for a presidential election due in August. The group has also launched attacks in Kenya and Uganda which have contributed troops to the 22,000-strong AMISOM force. In the most recent attacks, al Shabaab late last month used vehicle-borne suicide bombers to launch assaults on an AMISOM base and the headquarters of Police's Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) both in Mogadishu. The attacks left at least 23 people dead. Somalia has been gripped by violence and lawlessness since early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Flood menace continues

A flooded stream at Jagat Bazaar in Lamabagar, Dolakha, has destroyed a settlement.
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A YouTuber has helped locate a missing woman living on the streets of downtown Los Angeles.

Brooke Roberts, an Australian who is better known for social experiments and pranks, made a video while he delivered food to the homeless for the Fourth of July.

In the video, there is a scene at the two minute and 29 second mark where Roberts can be seen handing a sandwich to a woman with blonde hair. She is smoking a cigarette and reading a magazine while sitting on the gutter of a street in the notorious area, Skid Row. When Roberts hands her the bag of food she politely responds, "thank you so much."

In Florida, a young boy by the name of Evan Olsen was watching YouTube videos online. He came across Roberts' video and stopped in shock when he spotted the woman receiving the food package. It was his mother, Jaime Garlinghouse, who had been missing since November.

The family had assumed something horrible had happened to her. She had been living with addiction and mental illness for the last decade when she suddenly vanished. She had also been in trouble with the law previously.

About a week after Roberts posted his video online, he received an email from Evan's father Eddie.

"In your feeding the homeless on 4th of July video at two minutes and 29 seconds you came across a lady sitting with a red sweater black tight pants purple shoes and you gave her a bag of food [sic]," it read. "That's my son's mother. She's been missing since November. I can't believe you found her, you are a miracle, a God send."

Eddie and Evan together.

Image: brooke roberts / youtube

Eddie explained his son, Evan, had been crying for the past hour and that he needed to know the location where the video was filmed so he could try and locate the boy's mother. They couldn't believe she was alive and that they had finally found her  through a YouTube video.

"We thought she had passed away, but by some kind of miracle, my son Evan, who is 10 years old, was watching YouTube videos like he always does. It was such a relief to me, and to the whole family," Eddie said on a video message he made for Roberts. "Evan cried for an hour and a half, he couldn't even talk for 20 minutes. It was pretty amazing, he was so relieved to know she is still alive."

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Roberts and Eddie made plans to meet and travel back to the spot where the video was filmed in Los Angeles. They spent a few days walking the streets and asking people if they knew or had seen Garlinghouse. As Roberts arrived back at the hotel one evening, he received a text message from Eddie saying he had finally found Evan's mom.

The text Eddie sent Roberts after he found his son's mom.

Image: brooke roberts / youtube

Brooke Roberts explains how the story unfolded.

Image: brooke roberts / youtube

Sadly, she was not in a good state, so Eddie took her to a hotel for a shower and a good night sleep. The next day he got her a mobile phone and new clothes. Unfortunately, Eddie can't afford to support Garlinghouse but they hope to get her home to Florida soon.

Brooke ended his final video in tears, pleading for people to help by donating a dollar to the plight of Garlinghouse and her family.

Jaime Garlinghouse in the hotel room after being found in Los Angeles.

Image: Brooke roberts / youtube
A pro-Trump billboard paid for by Amish PAC is displayed in Akron, PA. (Photo: Blaine Shahan/Lancaster Online)

With more than 70,000 Amish people in Pennsylvania, and about half that number in Lancaster County, a horse and buggy trotting slowly down the side of the road hardly warrants a second look.

But a horse and buggy with an I voted sticker on the back raises eyebrows. Especially if the image is on a billboard paid for by Amish PAC, a political action committee intent on electing Donald Trump to the White House.

Thats right  theres an Amish PAC, and its backing Trump.

The purpose of Amish PACs Plain Voter Project, reads the organizations website, is to beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 by turning out a deeply conservative and often forgotten block of voters concentrated in two key swing states [Ohio and Pennsylvania]  the Amish.

Political campaigning and funding take place mostly within the world of digital media, and its the opportunity to operate in a different realm that appealed to co-founder Ben Walters, a former fundraiser with a Ben Carson super PAC. A fascinating thing for me about the project was the opportunity  in a time where were seeing hundreds of millions pumped into Facebook, Google, Snapchat  to appeal to people where the only forms of ads you can use are the old-fashioned ones. Like newspapers and billboards.

It doesnt matter to Walters, 27, that these traditional forms of ad space dont have the immense audiences of digital ones  hes trying to reach a group of people who dont use the internet or watch television. And unlike Facebook and Google ads, the ones Amish PAC invests in are relatively cheap. The cost for running a billboard for one month in Lancaster is only $1,000.

Walters says the Amish PAC has raised in the neighborhood of about $25,000 so far, which he acknowledges is an incredibly modest number for a PAC. However, he points out that the money has come from hundreds of small-dollar donors, 99 percent of whom have contributed less than $200. Its very Bernie-esque, says Walters, noting the similarity with Senator Sanders grassroots fundraising efforts.

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To Walters knowledge, none of the PACs donors are Amish. Rather, he says, the funds are coming in from conservative voters who see the PAC as a way to unlock new votes to impact the election.

Walters sees historical precedent for the impact of the Pennsylvania Amish vote in the 2004 presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. According to a paper by Donald Kraybill, sociology professor at Pennsylvanias Elizabethtown University, GOP activists scoured the country for unregistered voters eager to embrace Bush-Cheneys interpretation of traditional values. It soon became clear to them that Amish people  naturally conservative, explicitly Christian  could be an important demographic.

Their mobilizing efforts found some success. In 2000, 960 Amish and Mennonites in Lancaster were registered to vote. Four years later, the number was over 2,000. More than 500 Amish ultimately voted in 2000; a record 1,674 cast ballots in 2004.

President George W. Bush meets Amish residents in Lancaster County, PA, August 16, 2006. (Photo: Kimberlee Hewitt/The White House)

That bump is what the leadership of Amish PAC is hoping to replicate. But Kraybill cautions about exaggerating a parallel between that election and this one. What happened in 2004 is an aberration which I dont think will be replicated this year, he says. One main difference Kraybill notes is the nature of the organizing.

In 2004, the effort had a local element, with leadership by Chet Beiler, a former Amish person whose parents left the Amish church when he was 3 years old. Beiler, then-chair of the Lancaster County GOP, was able to tap into his personal connections with Amish communities to mobilize them to vote. This year, says Kraybill, the impetus is from an outside, out-of-state group, which is very different than a homegrown movement.

Another difference between 2016 and 2004 is the actual candidates, says Kraybill. Donald Trump is not George Bush. The contrast is very sharp. As Kraybill notes in Bush Fever, Bush made 44 visits to Pennsylvania before the 2004 election. A quarter of those trips were to Lancaster or an adjacent county, and some of those visits included opportunities for personal interactions with Amish communities.

During one such visit, writes Kraybill, Beiler arranged to have an Amish man, Amos Miller, escorted through a backdoor so to avoid being photographed by the press. When Bush took the stage, he winked at the man. After the conference, Bush put his hands on the mans shoulders and said, Tell the Amish churches how I need their prayers so I can run the country as God wishes.

In stark contrast, the current GOP effort to court the Amish is counting on the fact that this is the rare slice of America with little to no knowledge about Donald Trump. Not only does Trump lack Bushs comfort with faith talk and religiosity, but as Kraybill points out, his hubris and arrogance are antithetical to Amish modesty. Trump does not display the religious beliefs that would attract Amish people, Kraybill says, noting that in Amish communities, both divorce and bankruptcy are cause for excommunication.

Walters admits that lifestyle-wise, Trump couldnt be more different than Amish people. But he doesnt think most potential Amish voters know too much about the candidate. Imagine youve never read his tweets, you dont know about his Megyn Kelly feud, you havent watched The Apprentice  you just dont know a lot about him. Were still in the phase of introducing Amish people to Donald Trump.

Amish PAC is going about that task by pitching Trump to these would-be voters as an industrious teetotaling family man. Hard Working, Pro-Life, Family DedicatedJust Like YOU reads one billboard currently along Route 272 in Lancaster County.

The Amish appreciate the fact that hes a strong worker with a strong work ethic, says Walters. Hes a family man with fantastic children, and the fact that he turned over his business to family while he runs for president  that resonates with Amish. And hes a man who abstains from substances; hes never [consumed] alcohol.

Walters says hes not sure if Amish people are going to overlook character flaws, but that even if they dont, they will recognize that the alternative is Hillary. When they weigh the two together, Walters says Amish people are going to turn out for Trump.

Kraybill agrees. Those that are motivated to vote may more likely do so to prevent Clinton from being elected. The Amish historically have very strong Republican views. Some of them jokingly have said, We dont vote, but we pray Republican.

While Amish people arent permitted to hold public office or actively participate in campaigns, Kraybill says they arent forbidden to vote. Traditionally, though, Amish voter turnout is low. The church discourages them from voting in presidential elections because as conscientious objectors, they are voting for the commander-in-chief of the military  which church leaders consider hypocritical. Of course, he notes that political interest and participation varies among the more than 500 different Amish communities.

Amish PACs campaign is focused on Trump, but Walters says its endgame is to build a long-lasting relationship with the Amish. This is really the last group of potential voters thats off the grid, he notes. Were hoping to turn them into more regular voters.

Its an experiment, he says. I cant claim were going to make any sort of dramatic difference  but we can only help. We cant hurt.

First, though, Walters and his PAC are learning to navigate some awkward cultural differences. There was a bit of a controversy last month surrounding an ad the PAC placed in The Budget, a national Amish and Mennonite newspaper. Believe it or not, it got a lot of complaints because the Amish who subscribed to it thought the newspaper was endorsing Trump, says Walters. So we had to pull the ad.

The newspaper wasnt endorsing Trump at all. But its Amish readers were confused for good reason  they had never seen a political ad before.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Five days after he was traded, Andrew Miller was back at Yankee Stadium with the Cleveland Indians.

''It's kind of weird,'' the reliever said before Friday's series opener. ''It's not the most exciting thing to pitch against these guys after playing with them for the last year and a half.''

Miller signed a $36 million, four-year contract with the Yankees before the 2015 season, saved 36 games, then was bumped back to the eighth inning for much of this year after the Yankees acquired Aroldis Chapman from Cincinnati.

Miller formed the Yankees No Runs DMC bullpen trip with Chapman and Dellin Betances. The T-shirts the Yankees had been selling for $39.99 were gone from the stadium team stores Friday,

''It was neat. I've never been part of a marketing effort, I don't think,'' Miller said.

With the Yankees' record around .500, they traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for three prospects and pitcher Adam Warren on July 25, then dealt Miller six days later to the AL Central leaders for four prospects.

''I think CC made it a lot easier on me,'' Miller said in a reference to Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, who pitched for the Indians from 2001-08. ''I went by the clubhouse and was packing my bags, and he told me I was going to love it and the people and the organization were great, the city was great, this and that. He put me in contact with a couple people ... and I think that kind of eased things a little and took a little bit of the nerves out of it.''

Miller, a 31-year-old left-hander, joined his sixth big league team. He pitched for Detroit (2006-07), Florida (2008-10), Boston (2011-14) and Baltimore (2014) before signing with New York.

''Obviously we're all excited to see him, but maybe not so excited to see him in a game,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ''It's a guy that impacted our clubhouse and our team in a year and a half as much as anyone I've ever seen.''

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Girardi praised Miller for ''his willingness to say, 'I'll step down. I don't need to close. Let's just do whatever it takes to win here.'''

Miller's young son Max will miss playing in the Yankee Stadium family room. But dad already has adjusted to life after the Yankees. He was unshaven.

''It's more just me being lazy. I think I'm not a huge fan of shaving,'' he said. ''If I don't have to, I probably won't very often. But it's not any sort of statement or anything.''

NOTES: Cleveland recalled left-hander Shawn Morimando from Columbus and optioned left-hander Ryan Merritt and infielder Eric Gonzalez to the Triple-A farm team. Utilityman Michael Martinez reported after he was claimed off waivers from Boston. Cleveland designated him for assignment on July 2, then traded him to the Red Sox.
SEATTLE -- After an inconsistent first two years in and out of Seattle's rotation, 24-year-old top prospect Taijuan Walker was finally being relied upon to be a big part of the Mariners' success this season.

Because of a nagging foot injury, Walker has been unable to live up to expectations again.

Walker returns from a month-long stint on the disabled list hoping to pitch through the pain and get through another frustrating season. He's due back on the mound Saturday night, when the Mariners host a Los Angeles Angels team that knows all about injured starting pitchers.

Angels starter Tyler Skaggs returned from Tommy John surgery late last month and has already put together two scoreless outings in his first action since July 2014. Skaggs (1-0) brings a scoreless streak of 18 1/3 innings, dating back to the 2014 season, into Saturday's start.

The Angels could use his arm in the rotation as they try to bounce back from losing consecutive games for the first time since a three-game sweep in Houston from July 22-24. The Angels have provided plenty of offense in recent games, but haven't had the pitching to back it up.

Veteran Tim Lincecum was the latest starter to struggle as he gave up six first-inning runs in a 6-4 loss to the Mariners on Friday night.

"It seemed to happen pretty fast," Lincecum said.

Seattle (55-53) has its own set of problems and hopes that some rotation stability will be enough to get the Mariners back into the postseason hunt. Walker (4-7) is the latest pitcher to return to a rotation that has already had 11 different starters this season.

Ace Felix Hernandez returned from the disabled list two weeks ago but has struggled to find consistency. He turned in his best outing Friday night, when he bounced back from a rough first inning to pitch eight strong innings.

That game saw catcher Mike Zunino hit his sixth home run in only 41 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A, where he'd been working on his swing after two disappointing seasons as the Mariners' everyday catcher.
Beirut (AFP) - A coalition of Arab and Kurd fighters on Saturday seized the Islamic State group stronghold of Manbij, two months after launching an operation to capture the strategic city in northern Syria, a monitor said.

"The Syrian Democratic Forces took control of Manbij on Saturday and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Backed by air strikes from the US-led coalition, the SDF launched its offensive to retake Manbij on May 31.

The town had served as a key transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border to Raqa, the de facto capital of its self-styled Islamic "caliphate".

The SDF first encircled the town in early June and surged into it later that month.

But its assault was slowed by a fierce jihadist fightback using suicide attackers and car bombs.

Syria's conflict first erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests but has since evolved into a multi-front war largely dominated by jihadist groups.
By Ian Ransom RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - South Korea's archers routed the United States to win the men's team gold at the Rio Olympics on Saturday and restore a dynasty broken by the Americans at London four years ago. The peerless trio of Kim Woo-jin, Ku Bon-chan and Lee Seung-yun roared to a 6-0 win on a baking hot day at the Sambodromo, clinching South Korea's fifth team title and fourth in the last five Olympics. "I've been waiting for this moment, to get gold, for four years," beaming world champion Kim, who fired a 72-arrow world record during Friday's ranking round, told reporters. "We trusted each other, and it happened. It just happened." The U.S. team, who ended the South Koreans' run of three titles in the London semi-finals, were left with a second successive silver after the Koreans closed out the match in style with a run of perfect scores. Australia celebrated their first archery medal in 12 years by defeating China for the bronze. All three Olympic debutants, Kim, Ku and Lee, showed no sign of rookie nerves as they trampled over Netherlands and Australia before saving their best for the gold medal-decider. Cheered by a rowdy Korean contingent in the terraces, the trio threw down the gauntlet in the opening set, hitting the innermost gold circle six times in succession to score the maximum 60 points. More than a statement, the opening salvo was a winding blow for the more seasoned U.S. team of three-time Olympian Brady Ellison, Jake Kaminski and Zach Garrett. They shot well in response but could manage only 57 points for the set and from there the pattern of the match was fixed. The Korean onslaught was relentless. The 23-year-old Ku took the perfect score of 10 points with all six of his arrows, and missed only once. Standing on the podium in the middle of a team of world champions, Ku kissed his medal and beamed, while Lee wiped a tear from his cheek during their national anthem. The team sealed South Korea's 20th archery gold medal from 37 Olympic titles contested since the sport returned in its modern format in 1972. With its professional teams and punishing training regimes, the depth of Korean archery is unmatched and the nation will be disappointed if it fails to sweep all four titles at Rio. "There really wasn't anything we could have controlled," Kaminski, who lost the London final against Italy with Ellison, said resignedly. "I definitely feel we left it all out there." (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Ed Osmond and Bill Rigby)
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Kokrajhar, Aug 6 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal will visit Kokrajhar today to take stock of the situation arising out of Fridays terror attack which claimed 13 lives.

Sonowal briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday about the situation.

The Chief Minister, who was in Delhi, met the Prime Minister and apprised him about the incident at Balajan Tiniali market in Kokrajhar district and the steps taken to nab those involved in it.

Mirpur (PoK): Kashmiri leaders protest Pakistans move to establish military courts. pic.twitter.com/z4zxzgznvQ  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

He also informed the Union Home Minister, who assured full Central assistance to the state government.

Sonowal cut short his visit to the national capital and returned to Assam Friday evening after the terror attack and instructed state police to arrest those involved the in it.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia amount of 5 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased, one lakh rupees to those seriously injured and free treatment to other injured.

Meanwhile, Assam Police has arrested the driver of the auto used by militants to reach Balajan Tiniali market.

Additional DGP L R Bishnoi said that three to four militants carried out the Fridays attack.

He said while one militant was gunned down by security forces, efforts are on to nab the remaining attackers.

He said, three additional companies of Army arrived in Kokrajhar following the incident.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that preliminary investigations point towards the involvement of Songbijit faction of NDFB militants in the attack.

National Investigation Agency has sent a team to the site of the incident to collect evidence. The Centre is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the Kokrajhar attack.

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Assam Terror Attack: Latest spot visuals from Kokrajhar attack site. pic.twitter.com/WmY6a0UPTH  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review internal security situation in the country.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor AK Doval among others.

Later in the day, Singh had another round of meeting with Doval where he was apprised about the Kokrajhar attack.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident.

President Mukherjee called upon the Assam government and all concerned agencies to ensure that the guilty of Kokrajhar militant attack are brought to justice and law and order is maintained in the state.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, the Union Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government and is monitoring the situation closely.

He said, he is saddened by the attack and his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured. (ANI)
Vienna (AFP) - Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz opposes any steps that would bring Turkey closer to joining the European Union, he said in remarks released Saturday.

Referring to the opening of further negotiating chapters -- the process through which countries seeking to join can formally move towards membership -- Kurz voiced his opposition in an interview with the Kurier daily due to be published on Sunday

"I have a say in the matter on the (European) Council of Foreign Ministers, where it will be decided if a new chapter will be opened with Turkey. And I am opposed to it," he said.

Decisions taken by the council have to be agreed unanimously.

Kurz's comments follow criticism of Turkey from Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and Defence Minister Hans-Peter Doskozil in the wake of Turkey's recent post-coup crackdown.

The country's longstanding, and recently revived, bid to join the EU has also been undermined by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's suggestion that he may reintroduce the death penalty after the July 15 attempted putsch.

"We have to face reality: the membership negotiations are currently no more than fiction," Kern told the Die Presse newspaper in comments published Thursday.

"We know that Turkey's democratic standards are far from sufficient to justify its accession," he said.

Asked by public broadcaster ORF whether he wanted to halt the talks, Kern said he would initiate a debate on the matter at a summit of leaders on September 16.

- 'Dictatorship' -

Austrian Defence Minister Hans-Peter Doskozil meanwhile compared Turkey to a "dictatorship", adding that "such a state has no place in the EU".

"The time has come to... clearly say that the EU's negotiations with Turkey have to be suspended or ended," Doskozil told the Austria Press Agency in an interview published on Thursday.

Kurz told Kurier that his view was shared by Kern who would try to "convince other heads of state and government to stop accession negotiations with Turkey" during the September summit.

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The EU opened a new negotiating chapter with Turkey in June as part of the European Union's March migrant deal with Ankara.

Under the deal Ankara, agreed to take back migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives.

In addition to visa-free travel, the pact includes billions of euros in aid and accelerated EU membership talks.

Muslim-majority Turkey formally launched its membership bid in 2005 and since then the EU has opened 15 policy chapters out of the 35 required to join the bloc, although it has only successfully completed one.

Kern has said he does not believe that a halt to accession talks would torpedo the refugee pact.

European Commission deputy spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said last week that membership talks were measured against a series of requirements including "the respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms".

"At the moment... the opening of further negotiation chapters is not under discussion (among leaders)," she said.
France Rouen: Fire kills 13 at birthday party in bar

A fire during a birthday party at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen has killed at least 13 people and injured six.
If the need to go the emergency room suddenly arises, your first instinct is likely to be a phone call to 911not to wonder how much an emergency room visit may cost you. And in an emergency, getting the right care, and getting it fast, should be the focus.



If youre having a heart attack, youre not going to ask if the doctor treating you takes your insurance, says Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

But be aware: That potentially lifesaving trip to the emergency room may have a high price tag attached to it. A Kaiser-New York Times survey of insured and uninsured people who had difficulty paying medical bills found that ER bills accounted for the largest portion of what they owed.

Going to a hospital that takes your insurance may not prevent you from getting unexpected big bills. Here's why: About two-thirds of emergency room doctors are independent contractors, who may not be in your insurance plan, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians. And any out-of-network doctor or laboratory may later bill you for whatever your insurance doesnt cover, a practice called balance billing. There can be a whole cast of providers involved, some you never even meet, who send you a bill, says Pollitz.

In addition, if the ambulance company that transports you to the emergency room doesn't take your insurance, your out-of-network costs could be over $2,000, depending on factors such as where you live and the level of care you receive before you get to the hospital. A breathing tube, for example, may bump up the price. And if your insurer doesnt consider the ambulance ride essential, you may be on the hook for even more money

You cant completely protect yourself from these kinds of surprising medical bills, and you never want to put cost concerns ahead of getting care during an emergency. But these strategies may help.

Understand Your Insurance Policy

Ask your insurer for documentation on what the plan will and won't cover if you need emergency care. (The insurer's website or handbook may not be up to date). For example, get clarity on your ER copay and coinsurance and on what the plan will cover if youre not admitted. Your insurer can also tell you which area hospitals take your insurance. You can then ask the billing department at your hospital of choice whether the ER doctors participate in your insurance plan.

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And because most insurers cover medically necessary ambulance rides, know how your plan defines thattypically, it means you are unconscious, bleeding heavily, or in severe pain.

Questions to Ask at the Hospital

When you call 911, a dispatcher will send the closest available ambulance, so theres no way to know whether it will be in your insurance network. And though you can request a particular hospital, it's the ambulance staffs calland usually they will choose the closest facility thats properly equipped to treat you, says Scott Moore, President of EMS Resource Advisors and a consultant to the American Ambulance Association.

In certain situations, say you have a head trauma and need a CAT scan, you'll go to the hospital that the paramedics know has the equipment you need for the appropriate treatment. "If I drive past a hospital, I better have a good reason that I went to another one farther away," says Moore, who is also an EMT. If someone else calls an ambulance and you don't need it, you typically won't be billed unless you get transported, says Moore, though you may be charged for services provided on the scene.

Under the Affordable Care Act, if you need emergency care, your co-pay or co-insurance cannot be higher than your in-network rate, even at out-of-network hospitals. But the law doesnt prevent out-of-network providers from billing you for the remainder after youve received care.

At the hospital, you or the family member or friend who ideally goes with you, will need to fill out admission forms. This is the time, if it's possible, to request an in-network doctor or other service provider. At discharge, make sure you or your companion requests and keeps all paperwork, including an itemized printout of charges.

What to Do If You Get an Out-of-Network Bill

You'll probably get separate bills from each out-of-network provider involved in your emergency room care. Pay nothing until you get explanation of benefits (EOB) statements from your insurer; these tell you what the plan has covered and what your portion may be. Then, compare bills and EOBs to make sure you received the services noted and have your insurer confirm that providers who sent bills are indeed not in your plan.

Then, work on getting those bills covered. Ask your insurer whether its willing to do so. You can also contact the healthcare providers who billed you and ask them to settle for what insurance has already paid them. "Some doctors will negotiate with you," says Pat Palmer, founder and CEO of Medical Billing Advocates of America, based in Roanoke, Va. Your insurer may also negotiate with the doctor on your behalf if you request it.

If the insurer and healthcare providers won't budge, file an appeal with your insurance company. To bolster your case, ask your primary care doctor or specialist for a letter stating that your ER treatment was medically necessary. The Patient Advocate Foundation offers guidance at no charge. Professional claims consultants will also help for a fee or percentage of the amount reimbursed. You can find claims consultants via the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants or the Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals.

Finally, be aware that 23 states are working toward or already have some consumer protections against surprise medical bills. For example, in New York, these bills can now go through an independent dispute resolution process if the health plan and provider dont agree on payment amount. To find out more on what other states are doing, how to file appeals at the state level and share your story, go to Consumer Reports End Surprise Medical Bills site.





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Top pick tires for 2016

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By Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's male and female beach volleyball pairs made winning starts in their hunt for gold on Saturday, drawing on the loud home support to beat their Canadian and Czech Republic opponents on Copacabana's golden sand. Brazil's female gold medal hopes Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas recovered from one set down to win 19-21 21-17 15-11 against talented Czech pair who came close to upsetting the home script on the opening day. Barbora Hermannova and Marketa Slukova appeared to have the momentum midway through the second set but at 10-10 the Brazilians took the lead to drag themselves back into the match. A thrilling block from Bednarczuk at won them the second set sending the crowd into rapturous applause. In the deciding third set the Brazilians regained control. "We knew it wouldn't be easy," Bednarczuk told Reuters, explaining that the excitement of playing in front of a home crowd on Rio's famous beach had maybe caused them to lose a little focus. After the first set "we were able to calm down a bit and put more tactics into play," she said. Earlier on Saturday, Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt beat Canada's Josh Binstock and Samuel Schachter 21-19 22-20 to seal their credentials as gold medal favorites in the men's tournament. "It was incredible," Cerutti told Reuters, still beaming after the performance. With beach volleyball one of Brazil's favorite sports, particularly in Rio where nets dot the coastline, the local athletes were fired up by an enthusiastic crowd waving green-and-yellow flags, many wearing swimsuits. "To start an Olympics at home, to see this crowd shouting Brazil, it's a dream come true," added Cerutti. Brazil's men's pair were not given an easy ride and fell behind in the second set, but scrambled back to make it 20-20. The next point proved to be vital with the Canadians left to rue a crucial challenge that did not go their way after Binstock fouled at the net. The visiting pair said the hostile crowd, which booed at times, had made things difficult. One point later the match was over and the crowd erupted as the Brazilian winners signed the ball and launched it into the crowd. The Brazilian men will now prepare to play Austria while the women face Argentina on Monday. "The focus is to play and win... Gold comes as a result of that," said Cerutti. (Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Ken Ferris)
A birthday celebration turned into a deadly event on Saturday when an accidental fire at a bar in northern France sparked a lethal fire, killing 13 people.



The tragedy occurred in the city of Rouen, Normandy at the Au Cuba Libre bar. Six others were hurt and one left in critical condition, the BBC reports.



Authorities speculated to the news network that the deaths were the result of poisonous gases admitted by the soundproofing material in the ceiling of the building's basement, which caught on fire from candles on a birthday cake.



According to France's BFM TV, a simple fall caused the tragedy.







"Someone came down with a birthday cake with candles and fell down the stairs," prosecutor Lawrence Labadie told them, in French.



"There was fire everywhere  within three seconds," an eyewitness explained in French to the BFM TV.



Those in the basement were unable to get upstairs in time to avoid the toxic gas. Most of the young people who died are believed to be between the ages of 18 and 25, CNN reports.



Prime Minister Manuel Valls was quick to stress the deaths were the result of an accident.



"Deep sadness with regard to the tragedy which mowed down 13 young lives," he tweeted, in French. "Compassion and support for the afflicted families."





Incendie grave A Rouen : profonde tristesse face A la tragAdie qui a fauchA 13 jeunes vies. Compassion et soutien aux familles AprouvAes. a Manuel Valls (@manuelvalls) August 6, 2016



The Ministry of Interior has launched a formal inquiry into the explosion.



The Au Cuba Libre fire came 11 days after two ISIS officials armed with knives took five hostages in the city's church of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. Both were gunned down by authorities after killing 86-year-old priest, Father Jacques Hamel.



 Reporting by PETER MIKELBANK
NextShark

Jahrah, who only has a first name as customary in Indonesia, went out to collect rubber on Sunday morning in the forest in Jambi Province on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. The search parties only found success a day later, on Monday, when they discovered a 22-foot-long (6.7-meters-long) python with a bulging stomach resting in the woods. Her family then reported her missing to the local authorities, and a search has been carried out since then, Anto, the local villages chief, said.
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's interim president Michel Temer asked Latin America's biggest construction tycoon, now in jail for his role in a massive corruption scheme, for millions of dollars in political donations, a report said Saturday.

The report in Veja magazine quoted the former executive, Marcelo Odebrecht, saying that Temer asked him for "financial support" during a 2014 dinner with members of his center-right PMDB party.

Odebrecht said he donated 10 million reais (about $3.156 million at current exchange rates) to the party, Veja reported.

The information was quoted from a leaked portion of a plea deal that Odebrecht is negotiating with prosecutors from the huge corruption probe dubbed Operation Carwash, Veja said.

Odebrecht has been jailed since last year for his role in the scheme in which his company and others paid bribes to the state oil giant Petrobras in exchange for inflated contracts. The scheme involved top politicians and some of Brazil's richest men.

Odebrecht and other senior executives at his company have promised to give prosecutors the details of how they made illegal donations to politicians in the massive pay-to-play scheme.

There was no evidence cited in the report that the donation allegedly given on Temer's request was a bribe.

The report, however, was likely to stoke tensions in the capital Brasilia where Temer came to power in May after suspension of elected president Dilma Rousseff for a Senate impeachment trial.

Rousseff looks set to be removed from office within weeks, with Temer staying on as president until 2018.

Prosecutors and Temer's office could not be reached immediately for comment on the report.

Veja quoted Temer's office as confirming the dinner and a discussion on "financial aid from Odebrecht construction to the PMDB's electoral campaign in complete accordance with electoral legislation."

Temer has not been accused in the Car Wash conspiracy, although many of his allies, including several ministers, have been.

Many in Rousseff's Workers' Party have also been accused of involvement in the embezzlement of Petrobras, including her mentor and predecessor in the presidency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff herself has not been accused of taking bribes.

Rousseff however is accused of spending money without congressional approval and taking out unauthorized loans from state banks to make the national budget look better than it really was as she campaigned for re-election in 2014.
Casablanca (Morocco) (AFP) - Moroccan rescuers Saturday found the body of a woman trapped under a collapsed building in Casablanca, raising the death toll to three as they searched for more victims, witnesses said.

At least 24 people were injured in the tragedy when a four-storey building in the Sbata district came down on Friday evening, a statement from the Casablanca municipality said earlier.

It said two people were killed in the collapse and that search was ongoing for a missing woman.

Witnesses said a cafe on the ground floor had been teeming with customers and a doctor's clinic was also full at the time of the tragedy.

A taxi driver who went into the cafe to use the restroom was killed, they said.

On Saturday, the body of a 13-year-old girl was retrieved from the rubble and hours later rescuers pulled out the body of the woman.

Witnesses said that authorities brought in more specialised equipment for the search operation.

Nine of the injured have now been discharged from hospital but the remainder were still receiving care, the municipality statement carried by the official MAP news agency said.

It said the injured were in a stable condition.

Authorities on Saturday arrested the building's owner for questioning, it added.

The royal court said King Mohammed VI had expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced that he would pay for their funerals and for the hospital treatment of the injured.

Footage from the scene showed the building fully collapsed with what appears to be its concrete roof slanted over the rubble and at least one crushed car.

Firemen and rescue workers worked through the night, often having to drill through layers of concrete to be able to free trapped victims.

Hundreds of people thronged around the site, with some clambering on top of the rubble to try to help rescuers.

Witnesses said one woman was pulled alive from the rubble but her leg had been severed.

A local news website said the building had initially had just one floor but that the owner had obtained a permit allowing him to add another three.

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The new floors were completed only six months ago, reports said.

Casablanca is home to five million people, many of whom live in hazardous accommodation, including in sprawling slums.

After a string of building accidents, the housing minister in 2012 said that between 4,000 and 7,000 buildings in the city were at risk of collapse.

Two years later 23 people were killed when three buildings collapsed, in one of the worst disasters to hit Casablanca.

In February last year, a court jailed seven people over their role in the deaths to between two and five years in prison and fined them for "involuntary homicide" and "breaching urban planning codes".
Nepal-China railway technologically and economically feasible

Chinese experts have said the much-touted railway link between Nepal and China through the Himalayan highland is economically and technologically feasible.
For those who love fine mezcal, sampling micro-batch versions of this Mexican spirit typically means a trip to Oaxacas La Mezcaloteca. Founded 6 years ago by Silvia Philion and Marco Ochoa, this inviting bar presents more than 100 mezcals, all from producers that make batches as small as 100 liters or even less. Now Mezcalosfera by Mezcaloteca ($160, mezcaloteca.com), a series of limited-edition bottlings by La Mezcaloteca, brings a selection of those elusive spirits to the States. The initial release is a blend of Tobala and Madrecuixe agaves from maestro mezcalero Felipe Cortes, whose family has been making the spirit for three generations. Aficionados who miss out on this first edition, which consists of only 220 liters, will have to wait for the next release, which will be entirely different.

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 6, 2016 / Mistakes are a normal part of life. For many people, mistakes are an important part of the learning process. A close call or a near miss can actually be a sobering reminder of why you shouldn't have been doing something dangerous or illegal in the first place.

However, some mistakes are bigger than others - and some are so big they land you in jail. Knowing how to handle yourself is the first step in taking charge of your situation and working to make it right. At Broden & Mickelsen, we believe in second chances. We also stand up for people who have been unjustly accused of a crime. As Texas criminal defense lawyers, we tell our clients that knowing what to do in the event of an arrest is very important, but knowing what to avoid can be just as critical. Don't: Talk to Anyone about Your Case Understandably, you probably want to share your side of the story with the people you care about. In a crisis, it's normal to seek comfort from friends and loved ones. It's also normal to want to reassure people of your innocence. However, this can seriously hurt your case if you inadvertently say something incriminating. The only person with whom you should discuss your case is your lawyer. Don't discuss your case with the police, the prosecutor, or even your own friends and family members. The communications you have with your lawyer are confidential - the same cannot be said for communications, including jailhouse phone calls, you have with other people, including your parents or other family members. Don't: Be Rude to the Police It's just not a good idea, no matter how angry or frustrated you feel. If you have been wrongfully accused of a crime, let an experienced and knowledgeable Texas criminal defense lawyer obtain justice on your behalf. Don't give the police any opportunity to charge you with additional offenses. Don't: Waive Your Constitutional Rights You have a constitutional right to legal counsel upon being taken into police custody or charged with a crime. The police are required to notify you of the right, however, this doesn't mean they have to stop asking you questions in an attempt to elicit a confession or an admission against your interests. In fact, police are specifically trained in techniques designed to get suspects to talk. If the police pressure you to give them information beyond your personal details, such as your name and address, politely decline and continue to ask for your lawyer. Don't: Represent Yourself The constitution guarantees the right of self-representation in criminal cases - something called pro se representation. However, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. If you choose to act as your own lawyer, the judge will treat you like he or she would any other lawyer. That is, you will be expected to follow the same rules of procedure as anyone who has attended law school and passed the bar exam. Criminal trials may look exciting and somewhat straightforward on television, but they are incredibly complicated and highly technical. Experienced criminal defense lawyers spend years learning their craft. Your future and your freedom are too important to risk. Get Help from a Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer Being charged with a crime is one of the scariest experiences anyone can have. The lawyers at Broden & Mickelsen are Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. No matter what you're facing, our lawyers can help. Call 24/7 to speak to a Texas criminal defense attorney about your case. Contact us or call 214-720-9552.

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source: http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/blog/charged-with-a-crime-in-texas-what-not-to-do/

SOURCE: Broden & Mickelsen via Submit Press Release 123
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's air force sent bombers and fighter jets on "combat patrols" near contested islands in the South China Sea, in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalize such drills and respond to security threats. The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the disputed waters after an arbitration court in The Hague ruled last month that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea. The air force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said, according to state news agency Xinhua. The patrols included surveillance and refueling aircraft, Xinhua said, although it did not say when they occurred. "The Air Force is organizing normalized South China Sea combat patrols, practising tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests," Shen said. China has refused to recognize the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines. A dispute over the shoal, 124 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines mainland, was one of Manila's main reasons for bringing international legal action against China in 2013. Beijing has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to and has released pictures of aircraft flying over the shoal since the ruling. China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stoking tension through its military patrols in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims in the South China Sea. The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing's anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Ed Davies)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f130104%2fflipflops_thumb

Flip-flops may be nature's most enduring sandal  but wearers of the item face unimaginable stigma and rejection every summer, every year.

Peruse your favorite fashion blog or mainstream magazine and there you'll find it: the 1,000+ words takedown, complete with Tumblr GIFs and inscrutable memes and insufferable pun-based ledes. Some extremists go so far as to actually recommend Birkenstocks  the chosen footwear of Wesleyan hippies and wooden dolls  as an acceptable alternative. For some wearers, the stigma is so intense that they're left with no choice but to put on their sneakers and  sockless and sweating  stumble through unforgiving suburban streets.

This, my friends, is no way to live.

SEE ALSO: When birthday parties become holy birthday months

Discrimination against the flip-flop is understandable, however undeserved. The sandal leaves the foot in a vulnerable position: cold, open, exposed to winds, fluids and to judgement. Strangers can ogle at a poorly clipped toenail or errant foot hair and think: "Who is this monster, costumed in human form?" Your toes are exposed for the world to see. Your ankles are available for comment. Every time you flip or flop, you announce your hideous, abject presence  and your membership in the lowliest sandal underclass.

The flop poses a real challenge to decorum and established footwear binaries. It's elegant enough for a mini-dress, casual enough for the beach and simultaneously masculine and feminine.

It is the Prince of the sandals world.

But so much of the stigma against flip-flops isn't even about the sandal itself, but the cultural and classist assumptions we make about its wearers. Stroll down the aisles of your local Target or  if you're feeling brave, Old Navy  and there'll you find her: the unapologetically basic mom, in search of a discounted neon green flip-flop with a crass Hawaiian luau theme. She doesn't care that the sandal was undoubtedly made in a sweatshop (unlike you, who only buys clothes from high-end sweatshops). She could give a damn that neon green last trended in 1980-never or that the American flag does not belong squeezed between sweaty toes.

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via GIPHY

There she stands, bottled Frappucino in hand, prepared to battle through an over air-conditioned outlet mall with only discounted sandal scraps to protect her poor, vulnerable, mainstream feet.

"There's no such thing as a classy flip-flop," Buzzfeed wrote in an anti-flop listicle in 2013.

But there's a broad spectrum of flip-flops: those that live in the discount bin of tears at Payless, and high-end athleisure flip-flops from KITH you can only purchase online. Though there are plenty of ways to wear flip-flops and maintain your precious class status, the flip-flop is the footwear of the people.

If this male model can do it why can't you?

Image: estrop/wireimage

There's a reason the flip-flop has persisted since (an estimated) 4000 BC: it is functional, it has form, it is available for $2.99 at Marshalls if you use an illegal coupon.

Chief among the flip-flop's virtues is its very utility. While extended flip-flop use is strongly discouraged (flip-flops don't provide requisite ankle support), the flip-flop is equally comfortable outdoors at the beach or indoors, for bug slaughter. It lasts and lasts and lasts and when it dies, you don't even have to recycle it. You can throw in with the general trash, confident that you have given it a good life. A full life.

Sure, flip-flops puts the most revolting part of our body (feet) on full display. But why then do so many designers and bloggers recommend gladiator sandals, which make my calves look like sagging sacks of white jelly, or open thong sandals, which are, quite literally, thongs for our feet? How in god's name do grown adults put on those tiny humiliating sneakers socks  socks that actively seek to silence and disenfranchise your toes  and still maintain their self-respect? How are jellies still a thing? When has anyone ever looked at a closed toe sandal and think: "Hmm, that looks nice!"

via GIPHY

The war against flip-flops is a war against the most proletarian of virtues: comfort.

For far too long, I have struggled to wear flip-flops in public, afraid of my friends' self-righteous moralizing.

"You'll catch a disease if you wear them on New York streets," they say, while rubbing a gonorrhea-infested subway pole. "Ugh, no one will date you if you wear flip-flops like that," forgetting that there are far more excellent reasons not to date me. "No one wears flip-flops anymore," friends who apparently haven't left their house in thirty-five-years, warn.

But still, I wear them. And every step I take while in my flip-flops is an act of resistance. Call me basic if you want. Accuse me of being diseased, Wordpress think piece. Go ahead and deny my right to flop, Tumblr listicle.

I will not back down. I will not wear Birkenstocks. I will stand up for what I believe in (a probably-sweatshopped piece of plastic) because it is moral, because it is just and because I can't find these awesome sneakers I really wanted to wear.

Let us flip and flop our way to justice. However dangerous that mountain may be, we will look beautiful climbing it.
Nepalese migrant worker murdered in Malaysia

A migrant worker Nagendra Chaudhary from Itahari sub-metropolis -7 has been murdered in Malaysia on Friday.
Donald Trump

Donald Trump has officially thrown his support to House Speaker Paul Ryan, who is competing in a Tuesday primary in Wisconsin, ending an extraordinary four-day standoff between party leaders.

"In our shared mission to make America great again, I endorse and support our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan," Trump said at a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Friday night.

"Paul Ryan. He's a good man and good guy," he added.

The GOP nominee also reversed his initial refusal to back Sen. John McCain of Arizona, saying, "I hold in the highest esteem, Sen. John McCain. ... I fully support and endorse his reelection."

The New York businessman also announced that he is now backing New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte.

Trump, who appeared to open the rally by reading from prepared remarks, also railed against Hillary Clinton's remarks on the FBI's investigation of her private email setup before riffing on his own missteps this week.

The endorsements represent a 180-degree turn for the Republican presidential nominee, who earlier this week indicated that he was "not quite" ready to back Ryan. Trump also raised some eyebrows on Monday when he applauded Ryan's primary opponent, Paul Nehlen, a Trump supporter who openly questioned why there are Muslims in the US.

In a statement Friday, Nehlen said, "Mr. Trump's early refusal to endorse Ryan is a clear signal to Wisconsin voters that Ryan is not his preferred candidate in this race."

Trump's initial refusal to endorse Ryan was the latest wrinkle in their tenuous relationship. Trump's reticence echoed the same hesitation Ryan expressed when Trump locked up the party's presidential nomination in May. At the time, Ryan had said, "I'm not there right now," in an interview on CNN.

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NOW WATCH: 'I don't even really know where to start on answering this question': Watch President Obama respond to Trump's claim that the election will be rigged





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Addis Ababa (AFP) - At least seven people were killed during fresh clashes between police and anti-government protesters in western Ethiopia on Saturday, local sources said, while the ethnic unrest also reached the capital Addis Ababa for the first time.

Saturday's rally in the capital was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia's main ethnic group.

Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital's main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners."

Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest.

The other main ethnic group, the Amhara, has also held rallies in recent weeks.

Both groups, which between them make up some 80 percent of the population, complain that they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Sources in western Ethiopia said that at least seven people were killed during the clashes in Nemekte, in the Oromo region Saturday, though no details emerged.

In Addis Ababa, police made dozens of arrests during the anti-government demonstration which came less than a week after thousands of people from the Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar.

"This is a mass movement of civil disobedience which is not organized by political parties," Merera Gudina, chairman of the Oromo People's Congress group told AFP.

"People are totally fed up with this regime and expressing their anger everywhere".

Although small, Saturday's Addis rally was significant in that it was the first of its kind in the capital.

Also Saturday, local people told AFP there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the Oromo city of Ambo. There was also a call for a rally on Sunday in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

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Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday.

Internet access was nearly impossible Saturday in Addis Ababa itself, an AFP journalist said.

Before news of Saturday's fatalities came in, Ethiopian authorities said at least a dozen people had been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks.
By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Almost four months after a devastating earthquake hit Ecuador, a leading government minister has appealed to tourists to return to the financially-struggling Andean country. Nearly 700 people were killed and about 6,200 injured on April 16 in the strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in almost four decades, leaving about 8,650 people living in government shelters, according to government figures. Maria Duarte, Ecuador's Minister of Urban Development and Housing, said she was "totally" optimistic about the pace of reconstruction with the repair or rebuilding of 26,000 homes in the works or planned. Longer term she said the government had to improve the construction of buildings in Ecuador which is prone to earthquakes. Two tremors struck the northwest coast again in May, leading to one death in the same region as the April quake. But for now she appealed to tourists to return to Ecuador to help put the country back on track. "We have several types of victims, not all are victims due to the destruction of their homes," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a interview during a visit to New York City. "There are people who remain without jobs and whose only form of sustenance was tourism, which momentarily is nonexistent." The strongest quake in Ecuador since 1979 has tested the country's resilience at a time of economic difficulties due to low oil prices in this small member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Some $3.3 billion will be required to rebuild affected areas, according to authorities. President Rafael Correa has announced a raft of measures to finance the emergency with funding sources ranging from loans from the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral lenders to plans to sell assets and increase some taxes. But he also described many ill-built constructions in Ecuador as "death traps" built as such to "save a few pennies" and has urged residents to push mayors to enforce construction standards. Duarte said municipal building requirements were rarely respected or enforced in remote areas of the country and in the disaster's aftermath more than 60,000 inspections of buildings and other structures had been conducted. "There is a weakness at the municipal level," she said in the interview that was conducted in Spanish on Friday. "One of the great ... challenges and the great goals that we need is much, much more control over construction." The hardest-hit areas, the coastal provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, are tourist hubs whose beach towns fuel Ecuador's vital tourism industry, Duarte said. Some 1.5 million foreign vacationers flocked to Ecuador last year, contributing $1.7 billion dollars to the nation's otherwise largely oil and export-dependent economy. But that source of income is now at risk, Duarte said, with the government only releasing economic data for the first quarter of the year so far. The central bank has said it will need to revise its full-year projections for 2016 economic growth as a result of the tremor, but has not yet provided an updated figure. "Despite all the efforts we are making, there are certain regions that haven't recovered," said Duarte who was in New York to plan Habitat III, a U.N. conference on cities to be held in October in Quito. (Reporting by Sebastien Malo, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
PARIS (Reuters) - EDF Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Levy had no prior knowledge of Britain's decision to review the Hinkley Point nuclear project and will sue a French union for suggesting otherwise, the French utility said. EDF's board approved the 18 billion pound nuclear plant project on July 28, but hours later the government of new British Prime Minister Theresa May said it wanted more time to study the plan and would decide on it in the autumn. In a statement late on Friday, EDF said Levy would take legal action against the Sud Energie union for alleging he had lied to reporters by saying he had not known before the board meeting that Britain would conduct a fresh review. "Reading the entire internal email sent on August 2 by the Chairman and CEO of EDF to members of the executive committee confirms unambiguously that when the Company's Board of Directors was held, EDF and its Chairman had no knowledge of the intention of the British government to conduct a further review of the Hinkley Point project," the company said. "All that was known before the press statement issued by the British government on July 28 was that the signing ceremony originally proposed for Friday, July 29, would be postponed," EDF said. "This potential date of signature had not been confirmed, and therefore had not been communicated either to the board nor the market. There was therefore no requirement to communicate its postponement." Sud Energie stands by its comments on the issue which were made in an email on Friday to several thousand EDF employees, Jerome Schmitt, a member of the union's national bureau, told Reuters. EDF said Levy and EDF would also take legal action against any other parties making claims like those of Sud Energie. EDF's unions have said the Hinkley Point project is too big and jeopardises the company's survival. The project also led to the resignation of the group's former finance chief earlier this year while a board member quit on the day of the investment vote. A Paris court on Friday upheld the EDF board's investment decision on the Hinkley Point nuclear project in Britain, rejecting a challenge by the group's works council. A separate legal challenge by the works council, seeking to obtain the release of confidential documents relating to Hinkley Point, is due to be heard on Sept. 22. EDF and Chinese partner China General Nuclear, which holds a one third stake in the project, are responsible for the project's construction costs, while Britain would pay a minimum price for the power generated by the plant for 35 years. (Reporting by Gus Trompiz. Editing by Jane Merriman)
PARIS (Reuters) - EDF Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Levy had no prior knowledge of Britain's decision to review the Hinkley Point nuclear project and will sue a French union for suggesting otherwise, the French utility said. EDF's board approved the 18 billion pound ($24 billion) nuclear plant project on July 28, but hours later the government of new British Prime Minister Theresa May said it wanted more time to study the plan and would decide on it in the autumn. In a statement late on Friday, EDF said Levy would take legal action against the Sud Energie union for alleging he had lied to reporters by saying he had not known before the board meeting that Britain would conduct a fresh review. "Reading the entire internal email sent on August 2 by the Chairman and CEO of EDF to members of the executive committee confirms unambiguously that when the Company's Board of Directors was held, EDF and its Chairman had no knowledge of the intention of the British government to conduct a further review of the Hinkley Point project," the company said. "All that was known before the press statement issued by the British government on July 28 was that the signing ceremony originally proposed for Friday, July 29, would be postponed," EDF said. "This potential date of signature had not been confirmed, and therefore had not been communicated either to the board nor the market. There was therefore no requirement to communicate its postponement." Sud Energie stands by its comments on the issue which were made in an email on Friday to several thousand EDF employees, Jerome Schmitt, a member of the union's national bureau, told Reuters. EDF said Levy and EDF would also take legal action against any other parties making claims like those of Sud Energie. EDF's unions have said the Hinkley Point project is too big and jeopardizes the company's survival. The project also led to the resignation of the group's former finance chief earlier this year while a board member quit on the day of the investment vote. A Paris court on Friday upheld the EDF board's investment decision on the Hinkley Point nuclear project in Britain, rejecting a challenge by the group's works council. A separate legal challenge by the works council, seeking to obtain the release of confidential documents relating to Hinkley Point, is due to be heard on Sept. 22. EDF and Chinese partner China General Nuclear, which holds a one third stake in the project, are responsible for the project's construction costs, while Britain would pay a minimum price for the power generated by the plant for 35 years. ($1 = 0.7651 pounds) (Reporting by Gus Trompiz. Editing by Jane Merriman)
NSU gen convention set to start tomorrow

After a decade-long hiatus, the Nepal Student Union is set to hold its 11th general convention in the Capital from Sunday.
By Oleg Vukmanovic and Stephen Jewkes MILAN (Reuters) - Italian oil firm Eni has wrapped up long-running talks to sell a multi-billion dollar stake in its planned Mozambique liquefied natural gas (LNG) development to Exxon Mobil, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. "The deal is done but won't be announced for several months at Exxon's request," one of the sources said. Eni declined to comment, while a spokesman for Exxon said, "We do not comment on market rumours or speculation". The offshore gas reserves already discovered by Eni in Area 4 are large enough to need a giant land-based LNG export plant whose proximity to Asian and Middle Eastern growth markets makes it potentially a highly-lucrative project. But talks to bring in a technically-savvy partner with deep pockets like Exxon have dragged on due to a differences over valuations in the light of falling oil and gas prices. In 2013 Eni sold 20 percent of its Area 4 licence to China's CNPC for $4.2 billion but since then oil and gas prices have come down by more than half. However, last year Mozambique awarded Exxon three offshore exploration licence blocks of its own which sit to the south of Eni's discoveries, giving a new dimension to development prospects. "As you are aware, on October 28, 2015, Exxon was awarded three offshore blocks in Mozambique," the spokesman for Exxon said. "We look forward to further discussions with the Mozambique government on the development of a production-sharing contract for the blocks." Eni has been reluctant to sell too much of its 50 percent stake in the Area 4 permit where as operator it has already found 85 trillion cubic feet of gas. But in recent weeks Eni Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi has raised the possibility of it selling up to a 25 percent stake, up from the 10-15 percent previously on offer. The two sources said after lengthy talks, Eni and Exxon have now agreed terms and "sealed" a deal that could give Exxon its desired operating stake in the onshore LNG export plant while Eni would retain control over the Area 4 gas fields feeding it. Last week Descalzi reiterated Eni's desire to remain operator for the gas fields. "Our model is to remain and keep the operatorship or keep, in any case, a clear control on the asset - the asset that we discovered," he told analysts. While Eni will export gas as LNG from at least one floating offshore platform in the Coral field development in Area 4, the main focus of work will be on the larger land-based plants. The Coral field will remain outside the scope of the deal with Exxon, the sources said, and Eni has earmarked LNG from the Phase I development of Coral to BP. (Additional reporting by Ron Bousso in London; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopian security forces used tear gas and blocked roads in the capital Addis Ababa and other major towns on Saturday to try to quell protests against alleged rights abuses, a Reuters witness and residents said. The Horn of Africa country's Oromiya region has seen months of demonstrations over plans to incorporate some of its territory into the capital as part of an expansion scheme. The plans were scrapped after intense resistance from residents, but protesters are continuing to demonstrate against alleged abuses and for the release of people arrested during the campaign. In Addis Ababa hundreds of people holding placards gathered at Meskel Square in the center of the city before police dispersed them, a Reuters witness said. Protests also took place in the towns of Ambo and Woliso in Oromiya, where large crowds gathered early on Saturday before soldiers blockaded roads and began to shoot in the air, witnesses said. "We have rights but they are consistently violated by this government," one protester told Reuters by phone from Ambo. "They jail everyone who opposes them. All prisoners should be released." A witness told Reuters that one demonstrator was shot in Ambo as police tried to quell the unrest. A student at Ambo University said hundreds of people marched to the town's center waving opposition flags and chanting anti-government slogans, before police and soldiers dispersed the crowd by firing in the air and using tear gas. In a statement Ethiopia's information ministry said the country would not tolerate "forces that threaten the country's hard-earned peace and development gains" and added that the government stood ready "to discharge its responsibility." A 25-year development plan by the Ethiopian government, aimed at attracting investment to help industrialize its agrarian economy, first sparked small protests in 2014. But when it emerged in mid-November last year that land was to be leased near Ginchi, a town in Oromiya, bigger protests erupted. On Saturday many residents in Addis Ababa and other towns also reported being unable to use the internet although it was unclear if authorities had blocked online access. On Friday two protesters died in clashes with police in the ancient city of Gonder as anger mounted over the status of a disputed stretch of land. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Heres everything you never knew about Stand By Me

Heres everything you never knew about Stand By Me

Its been 30 years since Stand By Me was released (well, technically, itll be 30 years on August 8) and it still holds a special place in all of our hearts. The adventure film appeals to numerous generations and really hits home about growing up and what friendship truly means. This movie is SO good that we had to honor it on this momentous occasion

In fact, here is everything you never knew about the 1986 movie, according to Moviefoneyoure welcome!

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner wasnt the original director slated to work on the film. In fact, Adrian Lyne, who did Flashdance and Fatal Attraction, originally signed on for the project, but later, he was too busy to actually direct it. Luckily, Reiner was available, and he nailed it!

Leaders of the pack

When Reiner was first looking for the four leads, he wanted to find boys whose personalities actually matched their on-screen personas. I was awkward and nerdy and shy and uncomfortable in my own skin and really, really sensitive, Wheaton told Moviefone in 2011 about his role.

River was cool and really smart and passionate and  even at that age  kind of like a father figure to some of us, he explained. Jerry was one of the funniest people I had ever seen in my life, either before or since, and Corey was unbelievably angry and in an incredible amount of pain and had an absolutely terrible relationship with his parents.

Train problems

Remember that famous train scene, where the boys are almost run over on the train tracks? If youve been worried about their safety while filming that scene, no need to panic  they were never actually in any danger.

In order to film that important moment, they used stunt doubles for a portion of it  and the stunt doubles were actually girls with short hair. The studio also opted for extra-long telephoto lenses to make it seem like the train was really close when it was actually still far away. Pretty tricky, right?

Story continues

The movie almost didnt make it to theaters!

Stand By Me was originally funded by the independent studio, Embassy, which was sold to Coca-Cola. After the sale, the new management that decided the film wasnt commercial enough, so they cut it. However, Reiner managed to convince Norman Lear, who had previously owned the studio, to donate $8 million of his own money to complete the film.

The leeches were real!

Yep, you read that right. When the leech scene, which featured a swamp, was filmed, they used a man-made pond that the crew filled with water. By the time they actually shot the scene, there was real moss growing, and they had real leeches to match!

Voice issues

In the film, Wheatons character Gordie Lachance is the narrator, but the actual voice used was an adults, since the story is being told from his grown-up perspective. The original voice actor was David Dukes, but according to reports, Reiner wasnt feeling his performance, so he replaced him with Michael McKean, before finally deciding on his high school friend Richard Dreyfuss as the iconic narrator.

The name game

Stand By Me definitely has a nice ring to it, but it wasnt always the films title. The movie was originally called The Body, after the Stephen King story it was based on. Due to the fact that it sounded like a horror film or even a porno, the name was changed to Stand By Me, based on the Ben E. King song that Reiner chose to play out over the end of the film.

Boys will be boys

The leading boys got into plenty of trouble on their own while working on the film. According to reports, Wheaton would rig arcade games at the hotel so they didnt have to pay, while Feldman reportedly smoked pot with Phoenix. Reiner also revealed that Phoenix lost his virginity during a night away from the hotel (!)

Mischief

Kiefer Sutherland, who played Ace (the bully) in the film, claims that even OConnell got in on the mischief. He revealed that OConnell tied his babysitter to a bannister in order to escape to a Renaissance festival nearby, and then accidentally ate cookies that were laced with pot. The story goes that he found him later in a parking lot, woozy and crying.

Stephen King approved

The screenplay for Stand By Me was written by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans, who earned an Academy Award nomination for it. In addition to praise from the Academy, King said it was the first filmed version of one of his stories that got it right, which is high praise coming from such a well-known author.

Whats your favorite scene from Stand By Me? Do you still recite iconic lines and eat cherry Pez with your BFFs?

The post Heres everything you never knew about Stand By Me appeared first on HelloGiggles.
A man is now in custody for involuntary manslaughter after his toddler twin daughters died Thursday after allegedly being left in a hot car in Georgia, according to several reports.



Police told CNN they believe the two girls died after being reportedly left in a hot car.



"We do believe they were left in the car for a period of time," Carrollton, Georgia police Capt. Chris Dobbs said, according CNN. Autopsies were to be conducted Friday morning.



Neighbors called 911 after hearing "screaming and yelling" coming from a duplex, and authorities claim they found Asa North trying to revive his daughters, Ariel and Alaynah North, in a kiddie pool, according to CNN. The network also reported that neighbors were seen trying to cool the twins' body temperatures with ice packs. They were taken to a local hospital, but did not survive.













Authorities told WSB-TV Atlanta that they believe North may have been drinking and accidentally left his daughters in his car. The station also reported Friday marked the 10th anniversary of North's father's death.





Father Arrested for His Twin Girls' Deaths After He Allegedly Left Them in a Hot Car| Crime & Courts, Death, True Crime





A judge told North that the charges were so serious and because of his six previous arrests, he was denied bond, according to WSB-TV Atlanta. He is currently faces charges including two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless conduct, according to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office jail records. It is not known how he pled.



The twins' mother was out of town visiting a sick relative when her children died, according to Fox 4 News.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? A "Click to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



"I can tell people that he loved his babies," Asa's aunt Audrey North. "He was very proud of them from the day they was born, they was a pound apiece."



North also commented on her nephew's drinking habits.



"He drinks, but you know, he's aware of what's going on," she said. "But all we know to do right now is pray."
A determinedly less sanitized version of the classic John Hughes high-school-misfits-seriocomedy template, Some Freaks finds three young Rhode Island outcasts bonding, only to find their very different problems and types of immaturity create conflict as well as kinship, particularly as the narrative carries on past graduation. Playwright Ian MacAllister-McDonalds debut feature is a refreshingly grounded, unsentimental yet empathetic slice of D-list teenage life that goes a bit overboard in its final act, piling on humiliations in triplicate for its (by then) estranged protagonists. Still, the sum effect is easily strong enough to provide a career boost for all principal collaborators, with modest but decent prospects for niche sales in various formats.

Matt (Thomas Mann from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) has the hunted look of someone who expects the worst, and usually gets it. At school, his unexplained eyepatch gets him called Cyclops. Things arent much better at home, where he lives with a shrewish older sister (Marin Ireland) whos raising an infant alone (badly, from the looks of it) and has zero patience for her little brothers issues. Matts sole friend is the even more socially marginalized Elmo (Ely Henry), whod probably be scorned in this conformist milieu as that gay weirdo anyway, but makes things worse with a non-existent verbal filter.

Things change when Elmos cousin moves temporarily into his family home, and into their shared school. Apparently shunted here after some trouble out West, Jill (Lily Mae Harrington) is a jaded, plus-sized tough girl whose brash demeanor cant fully mask the insecurity borne from years of fat-baiting abuse. After an awkward start, she and Matt become inseparable, their new-BFF status quickly turning to first love. Thats not an especially happy development for Elmo, especially when they skip his anti-prom party to attend the formal event as a couple.

But a bigger problem arises when Jills parents abruptly require that she relocate again  to a better general situation, admittedly, but one that will necessarily exclude Matt, whos hardly in a financial position to follow on his own. At this point, the narrative jumps forward six months, as the two meet again for the first time since that parting. What should be a blissful reunion goes sour, however, as one of them has undergone a considerable transformation in the interim. This surprise, though a positive one, is greeted by the other as a threat to the essential kinship theyd felt as fellow misfits.

Story continues

Its hard not to ponder the possible influence of executive producer Neil LaBute in a climax that intercuts between the three leads, now basically incommunicado, each using a party to risk self-flagellating confirmation of their worst self-doubts. Weve gotten to know Jill and Matt well enough to understand where these masochistic impulses are coming from. But there hasnt been enough character development for Elmo to render fully credible his disastrous advance on a cute-jock classmate (John Thorsen). Similarly, the motivations of Patrick (Lachlan Buchanan), a dreamboat whos coincidentally gone from the same Rhode Island high school to Jills freshman-year college, are too poorly articulated for it to make sense that hes a sincerely smitten nice guy whod nonetheless invite her to a frat party where her humiliation is on the official agenda. While these bottom-hitting incidents work well enough in dramatic terms (and are somewhat balmed by a low-key coda), they also feel a bit too flashy, cruel, and contrived in comparison to the astute, non-melodramatic observation preceding.

Nonetheless, all the performances are very nicely turned in a movie that deliberately excludes any significant adult presence in order to immerse us fully in an adolescent world. (Though shes got a kid of her own, Irelands big sis Georgia is a grownup in legal-age-only terms, with the temperament of a toy-throwing brat.) Mann does fine working with a deeper character than he had in Earl, let alone Project X and The Preppie Connection. The comparatively unknown Harrington is terrific as a type found in every public school, but rarely given more than a few background-color lines (if that) onscreen. The production actually shut down for six months so the actress could undergo her own reverse-Raging Bull physical transformation.

Theres initially a little too much hand-held-camera immediacy, but MacAllister-McDonald quickly finds his rhythm in an assured package that draws maximum authenticity from location shooting, as well as considerable texturing from both Walter Sickerts original score and music supervisor Dan Wilcoxs flavorful various-artist tracks.

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Film Review: 'Psychonauts, the Forgotten Children'
Cute anthropomorphic critters deal with some less-than-adorable issues  like depression, murder, environmental disaster, and general hopelessness  in Psychonauts, The Forgotten Children. This arresting Spanish animated feature, adapted by co-directors Alberto Vazquez and Pedro Rivero from the formers graphic novel, offers a complex tonal and conceptual mix of a type thats not for children, and has crept into print comics for some years now, but seldom surfaces onscreen. Sardonic, cruel, funny, macabre, yet surprisingly good-hearted, this bizarre adventure wont fit into standard commercial theatrical slots for animated features. But deserved critical and fan support should eventually guide it to its niche audience.

Vazquez and Rivero have collaborated before, notably on 2011s Goya-winning Birdboy, which can now stand as a 12-minute prologue to the equally impressive feature. After recapping that shorts events briefly (an industrial catastrophe kills much of an isolated islands population, reducing the survivors to various forms of desperation, violence, and poverty in their devastated environment), Psychonauts finds the same characters several years along, no longer children but angsty adolescents.

The mute, skeletal outcast Birdboy is still viewed as a community threat for no obvious reason. His erstwhile semi-girlfriend Dinky is a mouse unhappy in her home, where she endures the endless petty disapproval of her religious-hysteric mother, adoptive father, and ill-tempered brother (a barking dog in a Santo-style mask). She decides to run away with Birdboy, as well as her best/only friends Zorrit (a timid, bullied fox) and Sandra (a rabbit plagued by literal demons who urge her toward evil deeds). But for that theyll need money, so they break into an off-limits house to steal from Pig Boy and his bedridden mother, whose apparent drug addiction is in fact itself a sort of demonic possession. A narrow escape from that den of misery hardly ends the young protagonists travails, which extend to their near-fatal abduction by a roving pack of glue-sniffing thug rats who zealously guard imagined hidden treasures in the vast dump they claim as territory.

Notable peripheral figures include black marketeer Tito Klaus; two macho police dogs who frequently try to gun down the hapless Birdboy; Mr. Reloggio, a comically naif robot alarm clock whose blundering into the outside world courts more grotesque abuses than the Marquis de Sades Justine; and frightening Psychobirds who appear to be Birdmans supernatural tormentors, yet finally emerge as the secret strength of his internal rage.

You know Psychonauts is subversive stuff early on, in a jolting bad-taste humor moment when Dinkys parents deploy a Baby Jesus doll to vividly illustrate their disappointment in her behavior. Packing a slim running time with ideas and incident, Vazquez and Riveros film does a remarkable job juggling seemingly discordant elements within an already weird framework of fey post-apocalyptic cartoon. Its by turns caustic, rude, bleak, surreal, and violent, leavened by genuine compassion for characters that have a surprising depth of pathos for all their deliberately simple, cute line-drawing appearances. (Backgrounds are by contrast rich and painterly.)

The unpredictable yet somehow organic constant tonal tilts, abetted by the films diverse mix of visual influences, pulls off a matter-of-fact overall approach to abject tragedy. This gets its starkest illustration in the brief foregrounding of a minor subplot, when one starving, indigent father-and-son duo wearily engage in mortal combat with another pair in precisely the same straits.

Though at first glance this ironically-sweet-and-very-sour mix might seem unappetizing, even repellent, it soon becomes fascinating in its oddball complexity. Among the many vastly more expensive, live-action dystopian visions of recent cinema, youd be hard-pressed to find anything as original or surprisingly poignant as Psychonauts.

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As part of our summer style series, where we get inspired by stars from the silver screen, we'll be looking back over some of our favourite movies and their heroines, in search of timeless holiday icons. We've already poured over Gwyenth Paltrow as the ill-fated but fortunately dressed Marge in The Talented Mr Ripley, and this week we're asking you to travel back with us to 2008, the year of Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Not since Diane Keaton in 1977's Annie Hall has one of Allen's films really spawned a style icon of such merit  who could forget those spectacles or that waistcoat? That is until Penelope Cruz came along as the fiery Maria Elena, for which she bagged the Oscar for Best Actress In A Supporting Role.

Allen, whose films are largely set in hot, sultry locations, or at least Americans in holidays scenarios, is largely known for his penchant towards traditional, if somewhat normcore wardrobe preferences; think loafers and slacks in Dad-friendly hues and not much else (see Owen Wilson in Midnight In Paris). Penelope's torrent of a performance as Javier Bardem's (Juan Antonio) unstable and insatiable ex-wife (they are of course married in real life) brings with it an equally riotous wardrobe, largely consisting of too much eye makeup, Bardot-hair, nighties as dresses and sexed-up cheesecloth (is that an oxymoron?).

Not only does Penelope steal the film, she transforms a rather mediocre movie into something worth watching if only to to marvel at her marvellous moods and devilish attire.

See what we meant about the hair? Her mod/Bardot do deserves its own Tumblr and that's a smokey side-eye to kill. We're into using wine glasses as accessories on holiday too, and this one sets off her broderie anglaise dress. Photo: c.Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.

Her stance, her poise, her eye contact. Whoever said great things come in small packages clearly knew their own Maria Elena. We love how this potentially girlie, summer dress with split-sleeves, has been made over in black to give Maria Elena's tempestuous character a fitting sartorial realisation. Photo: c.Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.

Only Penelope could make a squashed pork-pie hat look remotely cool. We like the Victorian pauper oddness of a hat like this plonked on top of a ferocious minx. Photo: c.Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.

Ahhhh... the lingerie as daywear and the cig as jewellery. This is what true sex appeal looks like, no? Photo: c.Weinstein/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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People with HIV snub medicines in Bajhang

More than half of the people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Bajhang do not take their medication due to discrimination and stigma attached to it.
On Monday, someone left a threatening letter using a racial slur in volunteer firefighter Kenneth Walker's mailbox, the only black firefighter in North Tonawanda, New York.



"****** ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE FIREFIGHTERS," the anonymous writer said, according to a copy obtained by WGRZ.



The writer also told Walker to quit by the end of the week "or you will regret it...."



Two days later, a fire swept through the home Walker shares with his wife and two young children, leaving it unlivable and their two cats dead, North Towanda Fire Chief Joseph Sikora tells PEOPLE.



Yesterday, police arrested Walker's neighbor Matthew Jurado, 39, a former volunteer firefighter from another North Tonawanda fire house who allegedly admitted to starting the blaze, said Detective Captain Thomas Krantz during a press conference.



Jurado allegedly told detectives the fire was not race related but that he was "upset with the fire department" because he had been recently been fired, Krantz said.



"He states he knows who wrote it," Krantz said of the racist note, "but does not want to tell us who that person was."



Walker is relieved by the arrest but "a little bewildered" since Walker had considered Jurado a friend, Robert Brennan, a fellow volunteer firefighter at Walker's firehouse and president of the Gratwick Hose Company, tells PEOPLE.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? A "Click to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



"This is a guy he trained with and he kinda grew up with in the fire department, and he lived across the street from him," says Brennan, who was with Walker last night. "They would help each other when they needed to."



Amanda Walker, Kenneth's wife, told The Buffalo News: "I am angry and relieved but in disbelief. He's been over to our home a couple of times and talked to our kids. You don't know who your friends are."



The FBI is also investigating the incident.



"The FBI has received a copy of the note left at Mr. Walker's residence and we were notified of the subsequent fire that occurred," FBI spokeswoman Maureen Dempsey said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Our office is conducting a review to determine what investigative steps are indicated under FBI policy with regard to federal jurisdiction in this matter."



Walker told WKBW the fire destroyed "everything we owned."



The country has responded with an outpouring of support for the Walkers.



A GoFundMe Page organized by another firefighter has raised over $112,000 as of Friday afternoon.



Gratwick Hose Fire Company has received over $10,000 and has been inundated with offers to help Walker  from mattress shops, furniture stores, and supermarkets to scores of people from more than 26 states, Brennan tells PEOPLE.



"One of the calls we got today is from a woman who lives in Orlando, she said 'This family needs to heal, I want to bring them down to Disney for a full vacation,' " says Brennan. "It's those sorts of things that restore your faith in humanity."



Walker had shared the racist letter with Brennan Monday night. "I was physically sickened," Brennan said.



Walker works full-time at a local factory in addition to his role as a volunteer firefighter, a position he's had for four years. He also has his EMT certification, says Brennan.



When the fire broke out, Walker and his wife  employed by a local big box store  were both at work, and the children were with their grandparents, he said.



"He is our most beloved member, a family man, a great father, a great friend," Brennan says, noting Walker has no plans to leave firefighting and is handling the situation with calm, "much better than I would."



The family is staying with relatives and Walker has no plans of leaving firefighting.



Jurado was a member of a different volunteer department, but was dismissed in July after he didn't complete the necessary training, Sikora tells PEOPLE.



On Friday morning, Jurado plead not guilty to charges of second-degree arson at his arraignment and is being held at Niagara County Jail on $50,000 bail, according to a woman who answered the phone at the North Towanda criminal court.
Madrid (AFP) - A German man who allegedly sparked a deadly forest fire in the Canary Islands by burning toilet paper has been remanded in custody, a court spokesman said Saturday.

The blaze, which has torn through a wooded, mountainous area of La Palma, one of the lesser-known islands of the Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa, claimed the life of a park ranger shortly after it was started on Wednesday.

Around 2,500 people have been evacuated from their homes to escape the fire, which the 27-year-old told police he had sparked accidentally.

"The person suspected of having provoked the fire on the island of La Palma, Scott Verdini Stump, will be remanded in custody," said a spokesman for the Canaries' High Court, Gonzalo Perez Ponferrada.

He said the suspect was "being investigated for causing a forest fire through gross negligence".

More than 350 people have been battling the blaze around the clock.

A dozen helicopters and planes have also been dropping water above the affected area which continues to burn.

Married father-of-five Francisco Jose Santana died battling the flames overnight on Wednesday.
Gisele Bundchen was quite literally the golden girl of Friday night's Olympics Opening Ceremony in Rio, where she hit the catwalk in a metallic sequined gown by Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

Strutting her stuff to the tune of "The Girl from Ipanema," the 36-year-old proved why she's the highest-paid supermodel in the world. Illuminated by a single spotlight, Bundchen's gown - featuring an up-to-there slit and long train - dazzled and twinkled while the crowd cheered on one of Brazil's crown jewels.

Read more: Ibtihaj Muhammad: 5 Things to Know About The First U.S. Olympic Athlete to Compete in a Hijab

"The fabric has been specially developed for the occasion," Herchcovitch told Vogue of the dress. "I didn't want a conventional gold, but a color that was very similar to her hair tone and skin, a golden light."

@gisele in @alexandreherchcovitch at the 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony. #Rio2016 #Getty

A photo posted by Pret-a-Reporter (@pretareporter) on Aug 5, 2016 at 4:59pm PDT

On her Instagram, the Brazilian beauty shared her pre-ceremony preparation, which included frolicking on the beach and drinking coconut water straight from the fruit itself. It's a tough life, but someone's gotta do it.

HYDRATION STATION: Gisele Bundchen drinking coconut water. (Photo: Instagram/gisele)

A photo posted by A La Garconne (@alagarconne) on Aug 5, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - A Hamas militant was killed on Saturday when a tunnel collapsed in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials and the group's military wing said.

The spokesman of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qodra, identified the militant as Khaled al-Hoor, 22.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades in a terse statement said it "deplored" Hoor's death.

Israel accuses Gaza militants of building tunnels that could be used to launch attacks against the Jewish State, and destroyed several during the devastating 2014 war with Hamas.

The Islamist movement, which controls the coastal enclave, and other militant groups such as the Islamic Jihad have a network of tunnels in the Israeli-blockaded territory, both for smuggling and military purposes.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has also destroyed tunnels Palestinians use to smuggle commercial goods, cash, people and allegedly weapons.
PM takes initiative to honour 3-point deal

Honouring the three-point deal signed by the CPN (Maoist Centre), the Nepali Congress (NC) with the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi and Janajati parties, the government on Friday decided to provide Rs 1 million each to the families of those who were killed during the protests in the Tarai.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at a spate of attacks by cow-protecting vigilantes on Saturday, urging action against people who used religion as a cover for committing crime.

Critics say killings in the name of protecting cows, considered sacred by India's Hindu majority, have increased since the nationalist premier won power in 2014.

Hundreds of people were detained in western India last month when protests against an attack on four low-caste villagers who were taking a cow to be skinned turned violent.

Modi said he would task state governments with investigating anyone linked to the attacks, and urged the public to take action against perpetrators.

He predicted "70-80 percent of them will turn out to be people who are involved in anti-social activities and masquerade as cow protectors to save themselves".

The speech was the first comment on the vigilante attacks from the Hindu nationalist leader, who has been accused of failing to protect religious minorities.

Right-wing Hindu groups in India have long demanded a complete ban on the slaughter of all cattle, citing religious scripture.

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and killing them carries a severe punishment in most Indian states.

But vigilante groups have increasingly been taking the matter into their own hands, and critics say they have been emboldened under Modi's BJP.

A police officer was killed in western Gujarat state last month when a protest against an attack on low-caste villagers who were skinning a cow erupted into violent clashes.

At least five Muslim men were killed last year by Hindu mobs on suspicion of eating beef or smuggling cows across the country.

The family of one of them, who was lynched, have been told they could face criminal charges after being accused of slaughtering a cow.

While the majority of India's 1.2 billion population is Hindu, the country is also home to sizeable Muslim, Christian and Buddhist minorities.
These new Instagram rules mean your favorite celebrities posts are about to change

These new Instagram rules mean your favorite celebrities posts are about to change

Even the savviest consumers can sometimes get fooled by all the brand new marketing strategies, but these new Instagram rules are about to help us wise up.

via GIPHY

According to Bloomberg, the Federal Trade Commission is about to crack down on the way celebs present sponsored products on their Instagram pages. The way it is now, some famous folks will ad the hashtags #ad, #spon, or #sponsored, but its not always super obvious to viewers, especially if these tags are buried at the end of a long list of other superfluous hashtags.

New obsession @sugarbearhair I have two of these a day as part of my hair care routine. They are delish! #sugarbearhair #sp A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 20, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

The FTC plans to crack down on the advertisers, not the celebs themselves by requiring disclosures at the beginning of the post or spoken verbally in videos.

Michael Ostheimer,a deputy in the FTCs Ad Practices Division told Bloomberg, Weve been interested in deceptive endorsements for decades and this is a new way in which they are appearing, he said.

We believe consumers put stock in endorsements and we want to make sure they are not being deceived.

Hanging out at the Mountain View Best Buy with @Intel Experience for the next few hours :) come by and say hi! Virtual NE-YO is also here lol A photo posted by Justine Ezarik / iJustine (@ijustine) on Nov 1, 2014 at 12:37pm PDT

The controversy comes from viewers perceptions of the ads. The FTC is worried that the celebs followers cant tell what is a paid advertisement and what is an authentic opinion about a product. This creates a deceptive atmosphere for consumers, and can lead to fraudulent practices.

The flip side to this comes from the advertisers themselves. From their point of view, this is just the natural next step in marketing, and consumers are savvy enough to sort out the sponsored ads from the rest. Lauren Diamond Kushner, a partner at Kettle, a creative agency in New York told Bloomberg that she doesnt see the big deal.

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She says, I dont know if I even think of it as an ad. They [celebrities] say, Ill do this piece and Im going to do it my way. Whereas if Im scrolling in my Facebook feed and I see a big thing from H&M or whatever, that is an ad.' She compares it to product placement in television and movies.

Thank you @lordtimepieces for my custom made #LORD watch. Use code 'LORD' for 10% off at www.lordtimepieces.com #lordtimepieces A photo posted by Scott Disick (@letthelordbewithyou) on Jul 31, 2016 at 9:14am PDT

Of course the FTC disagrees and is getting the word out to advertisers via webinars and conferences. Osthemeir says,

We hope by bringing these cases that we not only stop the marketer and influencer who didnt have adequate disclosures previously, but also get the message out that other companies should have clear and conspicuous disclosures.

Let this be a lesson to all social media users and consumers alike: buyer beware. The product that your fave Instagram star is selling might not really be her new obsession.

via GIPHY

The post These new Instagram rules mean your favorite celebrities posts are about to change appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin DUBAI (Reuters) - A leading Iranian Sunni Muslim said the execution of Sunni Islamists last week could inflame sectarian tensions in the Gulf region, while Tehran said it was merely taking a tough stance on foreign-backed terrorism. Iran executed up to 20 Sunni Kurds accused of attacks on security forces. There were no public trials and rights groups said the convictions may have been based on forced confessions. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday that "overly broad and vague criminal charges" had led to "a grave injustice". Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed surprise at the remarks. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has always taken forceful policy measures to counter regional terrorist groups supported by foreign countries," ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Molavi Abdolhamid, a leading Sunni cleric in Iran said the executions lacked "forethought and tolerance" at a time when Iran and the whole region were suffering from extremism. "Our main complaint is that the sensitive situation in our region has not been considered in these executions," Abdolhamid, who is regarded as a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni minority, said on his website. Iran and the Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia - the Gulf region's two rival powers - accuse each other of trying to exploit sectarian differences to sow discontent in the other country. In January, Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric along with dozens of Sunni militants, causing outrage in Iran. Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world. Amnesty International says at least 977 people were put to death there in 2015, compared to 320 in Pakistan and at least 158 in Saudi Arabia. (Editing by Sami Aboudi and Robin Pomeroy)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S.-backed forces trying to oust Islamic State militants from the Syrian city of Manbij took "almost complete control" of the city on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighters, launched its campaign two months ago with the backing of U.S. special forces to drive Islamic State from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier. The official spokesman of the SDF-allied Manbij military council, Sharfan Darwish, told Reuters that battles were continuing but that around 90 percent of the city had now been cleared of the ultra hardline Sunni militants . Pockets of militants are still present in the center of the city, the Britain-based Observatory said. A spokesman for the U.S. coalition against Islamic State told Reuters there had been "continued progress" in Manbij, and the coalition would continue to support the SDF for as long as the operation took. Manbij is in the northern province of Aleppo, which forms a theater for several separate battles between multiple warring sides in Syria's five-year-old conflict. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Lebanese athletes have refused to share a bus with Israeli counterparts to get to the Rio Olympic Games opening ceremony, members of both teams said on Saturday.

Lebanon and Israel are officially at war and have no diplomatic relations.

Friday's incident happened as the Lebanese team sat on the bus waiting to head to the Maracana stadium.

When the Israeli team arrived and attempted to board the bus, the head of the Lebanese team, Salim al-Haj Nicolas, demanded that the door be closed.

"But the Israeli athletes insisted on getting on," he told AFP.

A post on the Facebook page of Udi Gal, a member of Israel's Olympic sailing team, confirmed the account.

Organisers then intervened and invited the Israeli athletes to board other buses but they refused on the grounds of "security and of protocol," said Gal.

"We insisted on boarding the bus, saying that if the Lebanese refused to stay with us, they could take another bus," he said.

Al-Haj Nicolas said the Israelis had tried to force his team to leave the bus.

The two teams were eventually taken to the ceremony in different buses, avoiding an "international incident," Gal said.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan issued a new protest to Beijing on Saturday after Chinese coastguard ships and about 230 fishing vessels sailed close to what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around disputed islets in the East China Sea, Japan's foreign ministry said. The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions, less than a month after an arbitration court in The Hague invalidated China's sweeping claims in the disputed South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines. China has refused to recognize the ruling. Japan called on China to adhere to the verdict, which it said was binding, prompting warnings from Beijing to Tokyo not to interfere. Three of the six Chinese coastguard ships that were in the so-called contiguous waters on Saturday appeared to be armed, Japan's coastguard said. On Friday, a Japanese foreign ministry official said Chinese coastguard ships and fishing vessels had entered what Tokyo considers its territorial waters around the islets. Beijing claims the uninhabited, Tokyo-controlled East China Sea islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, and occasionally sends its coastguard vessels close to them. A senior Japanese foreign ministry official on Saturday issued a protest to a Chinese embassy official in Tokyo, calling on the coastguard ships to leave the area immediately and condemning the action as a unilateral escalation of tensions, the ministry said. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama had on Friday summoned China's ambassador to Japan, Cheng Yonghua, to lodge a strong protest, the ministry said. China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in a statement posted on the ministry's website, said China had indisputable sovereignty over the islands and nearby waters. "At the same time, China is adopting measures to appropriately manage the situation in relevant waters," Hua said. Japan should make "constructive efforts for stability" and not take actions that might complicate the situation, she said, without elaborating. China on Friday accused Japan's new defense minister, Tomomi Inada, of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops had massacred civilians in China during World War Two. Ties between China and Japan, the world's second and third largest economies, have been plagued by the territorial row, the legacy of Japan's wartime occupation of parts of China and regional rivalry. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Osamu Tsukimori; Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Beijing; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Raman Shrestha recommended as AG

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has recommended Raman Kumar Shrestha, former general secretary of the Nepal Bar Association, for the post of the attorney general (AG).
By Kiyoshi Takenaka TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in U.S. President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms. A peace bell tolled at 8:15 a.m. (2315 GMT on Friday), the time a U.S. warplane dropped the bomb. About 50,000 participants including aging survivors and dignitaries held a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city. Obama this year became the first incumbent U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. "The president's words showed he was touched by the spirit of Hiroshima, which refuses to accept the 'absolute evil'," the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, told the crowd, referring to the weapons. The United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. U.S. forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on Aug. 9. Japan surrendered six days later. "I once again urge the leaders of all nations to visit the A-bombed cities," Matsui said as cicadas buzzed away under the mid-summer sun. "As President Obama confirmed in Hiroshima, such visits will surely etch the reality of the atomic bombings in each heart." At the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged his determination to work toward a world free of nuclear arms. "We must not have the tragic experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 71 years ago repeat itself," Abe said. "It is the responsibility of those of us who live in the present to keep on working without cease toward that aim." U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he would consider letting Japan and South Korea build their own nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the United States for protection against North Korea and China. But Tomomi Inada, Japan's new defense minister and an Abe ally, said on Wednesday she did not believe Japan should consider possessing nuclear weapons. North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests, the latest one in January. It has also conducted a string of tests of various missiles this year. On Wednesday, it launched a ballistic missile that landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone for the first time. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Tokyo (AFP) - Some 230 Chinese fishing vessels and seven coast guard ships, including four apparently carrying weapons, sailed into waters close to disputed East China Sea islands on Saturday, Japan's foreign ministry and coastguard said.

Six Chinese coast guard ships were spotted earlier in the day and late Saturday afternoon Japanese officials said they spotted another, which seemed to be carrying arms, in the contiguous waters of the uninhabited islands.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the rocky islets -- known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China -- but it is rare for so many Chinese fishing vessels to be spotted in the disputed waters.

"We cannot be sure about what the Chinese coast guards are doing for what purposes in the waters," a Japanese coast guard official told AFP.

The 230 fishing vessels and seven coast guard boats remained in the area nine hours after they were first spotted, he added.

The fishing vessels appeared to be engaged in operation, he said.

After catching sight of the coast guard ships in the contiguous waters at 8:05 am (2305 GMT, Friday), the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau lodged a strong protest with the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, it said.

The foreign ministry, which also submitted a protest through its embassy in Beijing, demanded the vessels leave the disputed waters immediately and "never enter Japan's territorial waters", the ministry said in a statement.

"Japan can never accept activities by (Chinese) official vessels near the Senkaku islands, because it will unilaterally escalate the situation and raise tensions in the area," it said.

Saturday's protest came a day after Japanese vice foreign minister Shinsuke Sugiyama summoned Cheng Yonghua, Beijing's ambassador to Tokyo, to protest over intrusions into its territorial waters by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels on Friday afternoon.

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Tensions over the islands have seriously harmed bilateral relations.

The two sides have gradually taken steps to ease tensions through dialogue but the fundamental divide over the islands remains unresolved and tensions occasionally flare up.

Japan also lodged a protest in June after it said a Chinese navy frigate sailed close to territorial waters near the islands for the first time.
Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka continued his remarkable run at the Atlanta Open, by stunning Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 6-4 to reach his maiden ATP Tour semi-final.

Nishioka on Friday did not drop a serve as he posted his most dominant victory so far in a week that also saw him oust fourth seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The 20-year-old Nishioka advances to the semis where he will face second seeded Aussie Nick Kyrgios who won a tight match against fifth seed Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-7 (7/5), 6-3.

"I've been working on my serve a lot. More percentage, more power," said Nishioka.

"And before I was very emotional, throwing racquets and getting frustrated. But I've been more calm since Wimbledon. I think that's why I'm winning more now."

Nishioka, who is ranked 97th in the world, opened the match by breaking Zeballos and then maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the set. Nishioka lost just three points on serve in the opening set.

The second set was identical to the first, with Nishioka breaking the Argentine in the opening game and only dropping three points on serve to clinch the match.

Nishioka broke into the top 100 last month after winning the lower level ATP Challenger Tour event in Winnetka, Illinois. He also reached the quarter-finals of the Memphis Open five months ago.

Kyrgios broke Verdasco to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the final set. He dropped just five points on his serve in the final set to win the match.

With the victory, Kyrgios reaches his first semi-final since the Estoril Open in April.
Marciac (France) (AFP) - The shadow cast by the reputation of film director and actor dad Clint Eastwood is a lengthy one -- but jazz bassist son Kyle has stepped beyond it and is grabbing his own share of the limelight.

"It can be a big shadow some times," Kyle Eastwood said after soaking in the applause of thousands of concertgoers at the Jazz in Marciac festival, one of France's top jazz events.

"Obviously, it gives attention, good or bad. Obviously, some people get a pre-conceived idea of who you are or what you're doing before they actually get a chance to figure out for themselves.

"Hopefully, people listen to my music and let that speak for itself. I hope people listen to my music and judge me on that first and foremost," the 48-year-old, Los Angeles-born Kyle said Friday.

Yet he admits that the family name goes before him.

"Changing your name? It crossed my mind a long time ago when I was about to go to film university. But then I figure people would find out anyway. I would be Kyle Smith and people would know anyway," says Kyle, who has contributed music to several of his father's movies, including "Letters from Iwo Jima".

On Friday, he introduced in French the composition named after his father's famous World War II film.

Carving a niche in the music world has ensured that he has been able to make a name for himself in his own right "for quite a bit now."

Sometimes, Eastwood junior feels the need to demarcate where he and his 86-year-old four-time Oscar winner father are different, not least in their political views.

- Politically poles apart -

Eastwood senior has come out in favour of Donald Trump as his preferred choice for the US presidency, decrying what he sees as a politically correct "pussy generation" while accepting the Republican nominee has said "dumb things" during a bitter campaign.

"We have a lot of things in common but politics is definitely not one of them," noted Kyle.

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"I'm certainly not a Trump supporter and politics is one of my least subjects. My sister and I are definitely pretty opposite than my father.

"I'm not a huge Clinton fan either but I would certainly pick her over Donald Trump. (Bernie) Sanders is interesting but I don't know how realistic he is," Kyle said.

Father and son may have differing political views -- but music has always forged a bond.

"There was a lot of music around the house, predominantly jazz. Both my parents are big jazz fans," says Kyle, who credits both Clint and mother Maggie Johnson with nurturing his passion for it.

- 'Bass chose me'-

"Both my parents play a bit, music has always been important," he said.

He says he started off with piano, then learned "a bit of guitar" before "bass chose me."

Kyle's exposure to the film industry included an uncredited role notably in his father's 1980 flick "Bronco Billy" but it was music which called far louder.

"I studied movies but music was always what I liked the most," he said.

Writing soundtracks for the likes of "Letters from Iwo Jima", "Invictus" and "Million Dollar Baby" has enabled Kyle to straddle both media.

"Hopefully, we get a chance to work sometimes again," Kyle said of potential future link-ups with his father, while he has already collaborated with sister Alison, notably on "Battle Creek," which she produced last year.

Kyle's appearance at Marciac is his third and he says France is always a much-loved venue, seeing Paris as his European base while listing electronic band Daft Punk as a favourite band.
JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers had many a beach date while filming The Bachelorette, and on Friday the newly public couple took their love to Malibu for a low-key lunch date.



Dressed casually in matching grey Converse sneakers, the reality stars were spotted at Cafe Habana unwinding after a shopping trip.



The cute couple sat at a high-top table and "lightly chatted and played with their phones while waiting for their food," says an onlooker. "JoJo looked gorgeous in full makeup while Jordan was super cute in a backwards cap."



Though the restaurant was packed, the duo flew under the radar and "no one really bothered them," says the source, who adds that the two looked "very much in love."









RELATED VIDEO: How Jordan Rodgers Picked the Perfect Ring for JoJo Fletcher

Bachelorette JoJo & Jordan Reveal the Adorable Story Behind Her Engagement Ring" data-ad-channel="peoplenow" data-ad-subchannel="peoplenowupclose" data-auto-play="no">





Fletcher and Rodgers have been busy shopping for their new Dallas home this week. On Wednesday, the pair were spotted picking out furniture and decor at Crate & Barrel in Beverly Hills.



"I'll be in Dallas closer to her family, so we're ready for that," Rodgers told Chris Harrison on After the Final Rose. "My bags are packed, we have a house in Dallas, we're moving right after this."
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Most of Kenya suffered a blackout on Saturday due to a fault on a major transmission line serving the capital Nairobi, electricity distributor Kenya Power said. By 1000 GMT supply had been restored to all major regions including the capital Nairobi, West Kenya, North Rift, South Nyanza and the Coast area, the company's spokesman told Reuters. "We experienced a technical challenge that led to tripping of our main supply line ... consequently leading to a power outage in most parts of the country," Kenya Power said in a statement early on Saturday. Kevin Sang, Kenya Power's chief communication's officer, told Reuters supply was knocked out at 5:34 a.m. local time (0234 GMT) on Saturday when a fault occurred on a transmission line that runs from Olkaria in Kenya's Great Rift Valley region to Nairobi. Blackouts are common in Kenya, partly because of an ageing energy network and insufficient generation capacity. Many businesses in Nairobi and other big towns operate back-up generators. "There could be pockets here and there ... which are still off supply but most of the areas are back on supply," Sang said. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone on Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 summit, the State Department said. "The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea," the State Department said in a statement. On Wednesday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country. (Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Eric Beech)
By Lesley Wroughton, Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is still pursuing an agreement with Russia on military cooperation in the fight against Islamic State in Syria despite major setbacks and skepticism from other administration officials and U.S. allies, U.S. officials with knowledge of the talks said on Friday. "We believe this approach is still worth pursuing," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in an email response to Reuters questions, adding: "But it remains to be seen whether or not we can get there."Kerry has been pursuing a proposal that envisions resuscitating a Cessation of Hostilities agreement, creating a center where the two countries would share intelligence for targeting air strikes, and prohibiting the Syrian air force from attacking U.S.-backed rebel groups. Instead, Syrian and Russian warplanes have continued to pound rebels who are assaulting government-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo in an effort to reopen supply lines into opposition-held areas. The task of identifying acceptable rebel targets has grown harder since a major Islamic extremist group said it had cut its ties to al Qaeda. That is leading some rebels to join the renamed group and made it harder to target hardliners without hitting other units. "We've been very concerned about the situation in Aleppo and we have made those concerns plain to Russian officials," said Kirby, who noted that Kerry had spoken to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in a phone call on Friday. Speaking in Laos last week, Kerry said he hoped for an agreement early in August, but two U.S. officials said on Friday there had been "limited progress" toward a deal. "Discussions will likely continue, but there is no illusion on how much can be achieved," said another U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. SHARED DISTRUST While Kerry shares other officials' distrust of the Russians, according to several U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, he thinks the diplomatic channel must be kept open in case Russia can be persuaded to help end the violence in Syria, now in its fifth year. U.S. President Barack Obama has supported Kerry's effort, but he, too, expressed concern on Thursday about Russia's commitment to ending the violence, saying he was under no illusions about Russia's motives and they would be put to the test. "I'm not confident that we can trust the Russians and Vladimir Putin," he told reporters after a meeting with his national security team at the Pentagon. "We have to test whether or not we can get an actual cessation of hostilities that includes an end to the kinds of aerial bombing and civilian death and destruction that we've seen carried out by the Assad regime." A senior U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that during the meeting at the Pentagon questions were raised over whether to take Russia's word. "There was an acknowledgement that we were not, nor should we, take the Russians at their word," the official told Reuters. "And if this moves forward we'll have to make sure its in the best interests of the cessation of hostilities." "No doors are closed but nothing has been decided," the official added. The State Department's Kirby said the test for Russia was whether it was willing to use its influence over Assad to stop the violence and support a political transition in Syria. "The test is to see if Russia is really willing to use its influence on the Assad regime to observe the cessation of hostilities, to stop killing its own citizens, to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid, and eventually contribute to the political process," Kirby said. But a second U.S. official said progress in the talks was for now being overtaken by the battle for Aleppo. The rebels are trying to break through a strip of government-controlled territory in an effort to reconnect their area of control in the west of Syria with the encircled rebel sector of eastern Aleppo. The second official said another major factor was that Jabhat Fateh al Sham, which until last week called itself the Nusra Front, al Qaedas Syrian affiliate, is leading the drive to break the government siege of opposition-held northern Aleppo, and its fighters have intermingled with other rebel groups. (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by James Dalgleish)
Russell Square stabbings: Man charged over London murder

A 19-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a US tourist in a knife attack in London's Russell Square.
BERLIN (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's liberal Free Democrats (FDP) likened Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's purge of state institutions to the actions of the Nazi party in the 1930s in comments published on Sunday. FDP leader Christian Lindner said he saw parallels between Erdogan's behavior and aftermath of the Reichstag fire in 1933 portrayed by the Nazis as a Communist plot against the government and used by Adolf Hitler to justify massively curtailing civil liberties. "We are experiencing a coup d'etat from above like in 1933 after the Reichstag fire. He is building an authoritarian regime tailored solely to himself," Lindner told the Bild am Sonntag. "Because the rights and freedoms of the individual no longer play a role, he cannot be a partner for Europe," he added. His comments echo those of Austria's far-right Heinz-Christian Strache who said on Saturday that Erdogan's use of the failed putsch in July to crack down on his opponents was reminiscent of Hitler's use of the Reichstag blaze to amass greater power. Erdogan has angrily rejected suggestions that he or his government might have been behind the failed coup, which he has blamed on the followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric. Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possible death on the night of the attempted coup. The FDP are not currently represented in Germany's Bundestag but have previously governed as a junior coalition partner to Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU) and are a potential ally for them after federal elections in autumn 2017. However, Lindner criticized Merkel's response so far to the crackdown on Erdogan's opponents in the army, civil service, academia and media. "It disgusts me that the EU accession talks (for Turkey) have not been ended long ago. But Mrs Merkel is only cautiously urging 'proportionality'," he said. Germany's foreign minister on Friday resisted a push by Austria to halt the talks with Turkey on joining the European Union, saying the bloc needed to think more broadly about how to frame its relationship with Ankara in troubled times. (Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Rouen (France) (AFP) - A fire sparked by birthday cake candles tore through a bar in northern France early Saturday, killing at least 13 people in the nation's deadliest blaze in over a decade, investigators said.

Through the shattered front windows of the Au Cuba Libre bar in Rouen melted stools and scorched liquor bottles were visible, as tearful mourners hugged each other and brought flowers to the scene.

The dead were aged between 16 and 25. One of the six injured was in a life threatening condition in hospital.

Authorities said the bar had been crowded with young partygoers.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed "deep sadness at the tragedy that claimed 13 young lives".

Local deputy prosecutor Laurent Labadie told AFP the blaze, which began around midnight (2200 GMT Friday) in the bar's basement, was triggered accidentally.

"Someone came down with a birthday cake with candles and fell down the stairs," Labadie said, citing initial investigation findings.

"The candles were thrown onto the walls and ceiling, where there was soundproofing material. There was an immediate conflagration and gas was released."

Firefighters were soon on the scene but those inside the bar were battling deadly fumes as well as the flames.

Police said that the fire had ignited polystyrene on the ceiling of the basement room, releasing a toxic mix of gases that poisoned the victims.

- 'Like a flame-thrower' -

One witness, who gave her name as Stephanie, 36, described the moment the fire took hold.

"I was at the bar on the ground floor having a drink, when we saw the flames -- it was like a flame-thrower, everything happened so fast," she told reporters.

One of the injured was in a critical condition, the secretary general of the Seine-Maritime prefecture Yvan Cordier told AFP.

French President Francois Hollande voiced his sympathy for the victims' families and said "everything would be done" to find out what caused the fire.

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The investigation will focus on whether building safety rules were respected at the bar, particularly in relation to fire exits and flammable materials.

Under French building regulations, polystyrene panels are banned from use on ceilings, and bars like the Au Cuba Libre must be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher.

But a source at the crisis cell of the French Interior Ministry said that "unfortunately there are always people who try to get round the rules between safety inspections, which are sometimes pre-planned, sometimes unannounced".

The bar, in a busy part of town and no more than 200 metres (yards) from the River Seine was very popular with young people.

"It was more than a bar, it was family," said one 20-year-old who gave his name as Willy, standing disconsolately outside the building's ruined facade.

"It's where we went to be all together," he added.

The mother of an 18-year-old girl who died in the blaze said she had asked her daughter not to go to the party.

"But she didn't listen" the weeping woman explained, adding that her daughter had wanted to become a nurse.

- 'Afraid was another attack' -

The blaze in Rouen was France's deadliest since September 2005 when an apartment building fire in the Paris suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses killed 18 people.

It is the highest death toll in a French night spot fire since November 1970, when a blaze at a disco in the east of the country claimed the lives of 146 people, most in their early 20s.

Jittery France is on edge after a series of recent attacks by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists, including the killing of an 85-year-old priest in nearby Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

"I was afraid that it was another attack, but right away I was told that it was an accident," witness Rachid Ahmaymi, 36, told AFP. "Still I didn't sleep last night and have come back to hear the latest news."

The priest's funeral was held in Rouen's cathedral and was attended by more than 2,000 mourners shocked by the brutal killing of the elderly clergyman.

The church attack came less than two weeks after another assailant ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the Riviera city of Nice, killing 85 people and wounding more than 300 others.
France bar fire

A fire engulfed a bar in northern France, killing at least 13 people and injuring six others, CNN and the Associated Press reported Friday night.

It happened overnight Friday into Saturday morning local time, in the city of Rouen in Normandy.

Witnesses who spoke to CNN said emergency vehicles set up a perimeter around the Le Cuba Libre bar on Avenue Jacques Cartier.

The bar had apparently been rented out for a birthday party, Le Monde reported.

The newspaper, citing French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, said more than 50 firefighters were called to the scene.

Cazeneuve said a judicial inquiry was opened as investigators look at what caused the fire. Local deputy prosecutor, Laurent Labadie, told Paris-Normandie the fire may have been accidental, and several reports suggest that candles on a birthday cake may have started the blaze after setting fire to flammable sound insulation in the ceiling of the bar.

Terrorism has been ruled out by the authorities, according to reports from The Guardian and the BBC.

rouen

Terrorist attacks have plagued France and Germany over the past few weeks. Last month 84 people died in Nice after a man rammed a refrigerated truck into crowds enjoying Bastille Day festivities, and just last week an 86-year-old priest was killed and three others were injured in a knife attack on a Catholic church in Normandy.

Both of those attacks were claimed by ISIS, the terrorist group also known as the Islamic State, ISIL, or Daesh.

Barbara Tasch contributed to this report.





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Beirut (AFP) - More than 500 rebels and government forces have been killed in one week of fierce fighting to control the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, a monitor said on Saturday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights could not give a specific toll, but said the majority of those killed since July 31 were rebels and jihadists "because of the aerial superiority of the regime and intense Russian air strikes".

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said at least 130 civilians had also been killed since Sunday, most in rebel shelling of government-controlled districts.

He said at least seven civilians were killed on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh.

Regime forces on Saturday struggled to push back a powerful assault on military positions south of the battleground city.

The offensive has brought together rebels, Islamists and jihadists in an attempt to cut off a regime route into Aleppo and break the government siege of eastern districts.

Anti-regime forces have captured the armaments school and most of the artillery school at a large military academy, bringing them closer to the government's access route into the city.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- on Saturday announced having captured the two military schools and a third military position.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions in some of those buildings, and massive columns of billowing black smoke.

Abdel Rahman said the advance left the regime forces "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support".

"This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo," he said.

Repeated attempts particularly by Moscow and Washington to put an end to the fighting in Syria's battered second city have failed.

Russia and the United States support opposing sides in Syria's civil war, which has left 280,000 people dead and forced half the population to flee their homes.

The two world powers have agreed "concrete steps" to revive a tattered ceasefire and tackle jihadist groups in Syria, although details have not been made public.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama said Russia risked casting itself as an "irresponsible actor" on the world stage, particularly over its actions in Aleppo in recent weeks.
ANKARA/ DUBAI (Reuters) - A fire from a gas pipeline explosion in Iran early on Saturday near the town of Gonaveh in the southern province of Bushehr, has been brought under control and did not cause any fatalities, the news agency of the country's oil ministry said on Saturday. Earlier, a local official had told state news agency IRNA that at least one person was killed. "The fire started at 00:45 ... and was fully contained at 05:00," the head of the Health, Safety & Environment department at Gachsaran Oil and Gas Company, Mohammad Mohseni was quoted as saying by the oil ministry's news agency SHANA. "There has been no fatality. In total four people are injured," he said. Mohseni said the polyethylene facilities and the sour gas pipelines in vicinity of the 42-inch gas pipeline were not damaged. He said the fire and blast had happened during maintenance operations and a committee had been set up to investigate it further. A local official told state TV that the explosion was not an act of sabotage and "nearby villages have been evacuated as a safety measure." (Writing by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara, Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Dubai; Editing by Diane Craft and Jane Merriman)
LOCARNO  Mathias Noschis, a marketing specialist at Alphapanda, sales agent Virginie Devesa at Paris-based Alpha Violet, and Alexandre Michelin, head of Spicee, an online TV consultancy and documentary platform, are three of the tutors at Locarnos 2nd Industry Academy, the Swiss fests main training facility, targeting distribution, sales and exhibition. Running Aug. 4-9, , the Industry Academy has seen a rapid international expansion, launching overseas versions at Mexicos Morelia Festival, the Film Society of Lincoln Centers New York Film Festival, and Cinema do Brasils Boutique Cinema mini-mart. A new international initiative will be shortly announced, Variety has learnt.

Our main idea is to build a worldwide network of young professionals to generate a continuous debate and training forum beyond specific events such as Locarnos Academy, said Marion Klotz, the Locarno Industry Academy international project manager.

How Do We Work Together could be one of our mottos, she added.

The Industry Academy launched as film industry practices are evolving fast.

Noschis cited one instance: Responsibility for marketing is shifting from distributors to producers and directors. A great example of that shift is social media, he said.

He added: If a film wants to be successful on social networks, it is essential that the distributors, the producer and the director all work hand-in-hand.

Participants will have access to a masterclass from vet director Roger Corman, Still Moving producer-sales agent Pierre Menahem, Jon Barrenechea, at the U.K.s Picturehouse Cinemas and Switzerlands Yves Blosche at distributor Filmcoopi.

Participants are young execs at sales agencies  Frances Reel Suspects and Luxbox, Italys True Colours  distribution houses  New Yorks Indiepix Films, Switzerlands Cineworx, Swedens NonStop Ent.  festivals such as docufest Visions du Reel and the Vilnius Fest and exhibitors (Numax in Spain, Belgiums Sphinx Cinema).

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The Academys curriculum at Locarno ranges broadly. Alumni will build marketing tactics for three pictures screened at Locarno: Competition players Matias Pineiros Hermia & Helena and Jan P. Matuszynskis The Last Family and Michele Pennettas Pescatori di corpi in Filmmakers of the Present.

An expert in European and non-European training programs, Noschis finds the IA program quite unique: I wish I could have attended such a program when I started my career a decade ago. As a participant, you basically get two years of contacts in just one week.

The Locarno Industry Academy in Morelia focused last year on distribution. Digital distribution could be considered the current focus, according to Klotz.

Many distributors could tell you about the difficulties theyre facing regarding digital distribution. Theres still a lot of concern about these changes, she added.

A big part of our sector sees them as a menace rather than an opportunity. We want these young people to see these new forms of distribution as opportunities, Klotz explains.

Michelin shares this perspective: I truly believe that by confronting new generations of producers with the opportunities the digital disruption is offering, we can accelerate the transformation of the media landscape.

He added he wanted to build a global niche platform around news and documentaries, targeting an audience of globally curious people who are eager to pay for exclusive quality content.

Other tutors include, from America, Tribeca Fests Frederic Boyer and the Lincoln Centers Dennis Lim.

We try to open up local industries internationally by also welcoming young professionals from regions outside those where the event is taking place, Klotz added.

The Industry Academy initiative is possible thanks to the support of Switzerlands Federal Office of Culture, E.U. Media Program and the pan-European orgs Europa Cinemas, Europa Distribution and Europa International. The next Industry Academy event in Morelia will run Oct. 23-27.

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Locarno Film Review: 'This Time Tomorrow'
There's a new Lucy in town.

Lucille Ball's hometown of Celoron, N.Y., is welcoming a brand-new bronze statue of the actress on Saturday, Aug. 6, and sculptor Carolyn Palmer is anxiously anticipating how her statue will be received.

"I've lived and breathed every second of Lucy for the last nine months," Palmer tells The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the unveiling on Saturday, which would have been Ball's 105th birthday. Palmer's work is replacing a previous statue, which was nicknamed "Scary Lucy" and frightened residents so much they petitioned to have it removed.

Palmer's version of Ball stands proudly on her Hollywood star, clad in a polka-dot dress, pearls and heels with her hair curly and coiffed. The sculptor says the statue is 7 feet tall in its entirety. She says she contemplated making the statue even taller, but she "didn't want [Ball] so unaccessible to the public."

"Lucy loved people and people loved her," Palmer says of the star, adding there's a spot next to the statue where people can step up and take photos with her.

"She's glamorous," Palmer says, describing her vision of Ball.

After the critical reception the last Lucille Ball statue received, Palmer is definitely feeling the pressure to satisfy the public. "I know that there's a lot of people waiting for this," Palmer says. "I'm very anxious."

Palmer, who was selected from a national competition of 65 sculptors, says she hasn't spoken to the sculptor of the "Scary Lucy" statue, Dave Poulin, but that she has sympathy for him. Poulin himself referred to the statue as his "most unsettling sculpture." The current plan is to relocate "Scary Lucy" to a different part of Lucille Ball Memorial Park.

"I'm a thin-skinned person and artists are sensitive, and I do feel bad for that other fellow," Palmer says, referring to Poulin. "I find that the world was a little harsh on him." She adds, "That's the biggest nightmare in the world for anybody."

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When asked what nickname she would choose for her statue, Palmer stops and considers her answer carefully. "Lucy in the sky with pearls."

However, Palmer's mailman had another nickname in mind when he delivered a package to her door and saw the sculpture. Palmer recalls him walking up and proclaiming, "Oh, my God, it's lovable Lucy!"

"Some people say it's a lovable Lucy, but that's up to the public to decide for them, if she's lovable," the artist says. In the middle of Ball's Hollywood star plaque on her sculpture, Palmer has a heart in place of the typical camera icon. Palmer says she's already been getting a positive reaction from those who've taken a peek at the new statue, including a few Celoron residents who saw it when the statue was being installed. However, she's eager to see what the masses will say about her version of the beloved star.

In creating the bronze statue, Palmer hired models that were Ball's height - 5'7" - and bought retro swing dresses and a red wig. In addition to using the models as a creative tool, Palmer stood in front of the mirror and practiced different stances she thought the Ball sculpture could emulate. Palmer also watched multiple episodes of I Love Lucy, including one in which Lucy is a sculptor and puts clay all over her face.

Read more: New Lucille Ball Statue Replacing "Scary Lucy" to Be Unveiled Saturday

The most painstaking process was creating the polka dots. She made all of the polka dots by hand, rolling out clay and pressing a cap into it, then putting the results in the freezer. Palmer worked first with clay, then wax, then eventually the bronze for her final product.

Some of her loved ones told her to skip the polka dots, but she was intent on making it work. "I really think the polka dots made her more interesting, and I like them a lot," Palmer says.

"I loved working on this one," Palmer says. "Lucy was very liberating for me." Her last sculpture was of Pope Francis and she says she enjoyed going from a "rather serious" sculpture to a playful one. She adds that she has "empty-nest syndrome" now that her latest statue has left her home.

"I just hope everyone's pleased," Palmer says.

Read more: 'Scary' Lucille Ball Artist Apologizes: It Is "By Far My Most Unsettling Sculpture"
SC asks CIAA to stop action against doctors

The Supreme Court on Friday issued an interim order against the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority to stop action against seven doctors of the Institute of Medicine (IoM), Tribhuvan University.
Huge crowds of villagers following a wild elephant stranded in Bangladesh for more than a month by floods are hampering efforts to rescue it, forest officials said Saturday.

Severe floods in the northeastern Indian state of Assam separated the four-ton female elephant from its herd as strong currents in the Brahmaputra river washed it across the border to northern Bangladesh late June.

This week Indian wildlife officials travelled to Bangladesh to join local forest rangers and vets to rescue the animal, which is now struggling to stand on its feet after a journey of more than 100 kilometres (60 miles).

"It's now standing in a five-feet flood water in Jamalpur district. It is extremely weak. There are more than 10,000 people watching her from a close distance," Bangladeshi vet Sayed Hossain told AFP.

Hossain said the crowd was hampering its efforts to reach higher ground as "thousands of villagers have been constantly following the animal," even at night.

Forest official Tapan Kumar Dey told AFP a team had brought a dart gun, crane and lorry to carry the animal once it reaches dry ground and can be tranquilised -- but the operation cannot be carried out while the elephant is in water.

"Her condition is very bad. Last night it travelled 12 kilometres, but it mostly avoided dry ground because of presence of so many people," Dey said.

A trained elephant was being brought to the scene in a desperate attempt to lure the wild animal away from the water.

"It is so weak that it can't even lift its trunk. You can see her ribs from a distance," Ritesh Bhattacharjee, a visiting Indian forest official, told AFP.

The rescue bid comes days after Indian wildlife officers appealed for help in caring for eight rhino calves pulled from the floodwaters in Assam.

Scores of people die every year from flooding and landslides during the monsoon rains in India and neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh.

So far this year 96 people have died in the worst-hit Indian states of Assam and Bihar while 41 people have died in downstream Bangladesh.
Service above all else

Dr Moin Shah was a firm believer in community-based medical education and urged doctors to come out and serve the society they practiced in
LONDON (Reuters) - A 19-year-old man appeared in court on Saturday charged with the murder of a U.S. woman during a knife attack in central London this week that left five others wounded, British media reported. Zakaria Bulhan, a Norwegian man of Somali origin, was detained pending trial, charged with the murder of 64-year-old tourist Darlene Horton, the BBC said. Bulhan was also charged with five counts of attempted murder. Armed police were called late on Wednesday after a man began attacking people in London's Russell Square, a park near the site of a 2005 suicide bombing. Police said there was no evidence Wednesday's attack was terrorism-related. A British man who was stabbed in the stomach suffered serious injuries, police said. Four others - an American man, a man and a woman from Australia and an Israeli woman - suffered stab wounds but were released from hospital. (Reporting by Andy Bruce; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The questions surrounding Melania Trump's immigration status continued on Friday as the Democratic Coalition Against Trump filed a Freedom of Information Act request, seeking to make the potential first lady's immigration papers public.



The move by the anti-Trump political action committee came just a day after the 46-year-old Slovenian native responded to reports suggesting she came to the United States illegally.



"Let me set the record straight: I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country. Period," she said in a statement on Twitter. "Any allegation to the contrary is simply untrue. In July 2006, I proudly became a U.S. citizen. Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to live, work and raise a family in this great nation and I share my husband's love for our country."



Her husband  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump  has used much of his campaign preaching immigration reform and railing against illegal immigrants. He's repeatedly pushed for a controversial plan to build a wall on the Mexican border and force that country to pay for it.









Melania Trump's Immigration Inconsistencies Questioned Again as Anti-Trump Group Files Public Information Request for Her Papers| 2016 Presidential Elections, Politics and Current Events, Donald Trump, Melania Trump

The Democratic Coalition Against Trump said their request to see Melania's immigration status was inspired by a report by Politico, which found gaps in her immigration story.



The Trumps had previously claimed Melania came to the U.S. legally in 1996 on a modeling contract. Politico spoke with her original U.S. modeling agent who confirmed he brought her to New York on a H1-B visa. That left the question of how Melania arrived in the U.S. when she modeled for a series of nude photographs, uncovered by The New York Post last week.



"The nude photo shoot places her in the United States in 1995, as does a biography published in February by Slovenian journalists," Politico wrote.



"The question, of course, is whether  to use her husbandas wording  this anti-immigration presidential candidate married an illegal immigrant," the Democratic Coalition Against Trump pointed out on Facebook.





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Melania Trump's Immigration Inconsistencies Questioned Again as Anti-Trump Group Files Public Information Request for Her Papers| 2016 Presidential Elections, Politics and Current Events, Donald Trump, Melania Trump

Was Melania Married Before?



The anti-Trump group and Politico aren't the only ones questioning Melania's status. Although she has previously said that Trump is her first husband, Univision reported a claim on Friday that she was wed for four years before her 2005 Palm Beach nuptials to the 70-year-old businessman.



Immigration attorney Michael Wildes, who worked for the Trump Organization, told Univision that Melania has obtained a green card "based on marriage" in 2001.



"Ms. Trump received citizenship in 2006 and prior to that she had a green card based on marriage," he said. "Before that, she had a work visa and was in full compliance on her visas and never disrespected any of them. That has been made clear to me."



When asked to explain the marriage discrepancy, Wildes told Univision he would seek clarification  presumably from the Trump Organization, they speculate. He later emailed his response: "I didn't hear back, sorry."





Melania's Immigration Story, in Her Own Words



When speaking with PEOPLE for a previous cover story, Melania said she never thought about coming to the United States illegally.



"You need to go through the process and that's what I did because if not, I didn't even think about it, I would just stay [in Europe]," she explained. "It didnat even cross my mind."



"I needed to be legal and I need to follow the law and obey the law and that's it," she continued. "I didn't even think about it. 'Okay if I don't do it, oh let me just stay  I would just be [in Europe]."





RELATED VIDEO: At Home with the Trumps: Donald and Melania Trump Give Their Very First Interview as a Family



Melania told PEOPLE she came to the United States to model in 1996 on a visa. She explained the process:



"You come on visa and you have a few times you need to fly back to Europe to stamp the visa and you come back and have another visa," she said. "I apply for the visa after two years when I was here. I went through long process through the lawyers  you need to show all your work, why you're coming here, [etc]. I went from five years when I had the green card you apply for citizenship  you cannot even apply before."



She also said future immigrants who come to the U.S. show should do so legally. "We have a country of law, so I think people should follow the law," she said.



 Reporting by CHARLOTTE TRIGGS
By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) - U.S. authorities have found an apparent link between a Michigan man charged with illegally purchasing an arsenal of explosives and the radical U.S.-born al Qaeda recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki, the Detroit News reported on Saturday.

Sebastian Gregerson, 29, was arrested on Sunday after federal prosecutors say he traded a handgun to an undercover agent in exchange for several grenades.

A search of his home uncovered seven rifles, two handguns, a hatchet, 20 knives including two machetes and thousands of rounds of live ammunition, according to prosecutors.

Investigators also seized several CDs with al-Awlaki's name on them, the newspaper reported, citing sealed court records it obtained.

Al-Awlaki's English-language sermons calling for attacks on the United States influenced a number of militants. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the man convicted of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airplane on Christmas in 2009, trained under al-Awlaki. Nidal Hasan, the Army major who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009, exchanged emails with al-Awlaki.

Al-Awlaki was killed by a drone strike in Yemen in 2011.

Gregerson's court-appointed defense lawyer, David Tholen, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

In recorded phone conversations with the undercover agent, Gregerson discussed making homemade grenades and ways to attack buildings and law enforcement by using the explosive devices, according to a criminal complaint.

During a court hearing on Thursday, Tholen argued that Gregerson should be released on bond while the charges are pending, saying prosecutors had not provided enough information about the undercover agent.

"The government is overstating its case," he said, according to a recording of the hearing.

But prosecutors told U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona Majzoub that Gregerson posed a danger to the public, and the judge agreed that he should be kept in custody until trial.

(Editing by Frank McGurty and Leslie Adler)
Mindy Kaling has big plans for the big screen.

The Mindy Project star revealed that she's just finished writing her first feature film at Hulu's Television Critics Association press day on Friday.

RELATED: Mindy Lahiri Is 'Sizzling' in 'Mindy Project' First Look

"I just finished writing a movie," Kaling, 37, told a small group of reporters following her Mindy Project panel. "I don't have a name for it. I'm bad at naming things -- that's why my show is called The Mindy Project."

The multihyphenate shared that the movie isn't a romantic comedy, which, she admitted surprised her.

"I always thought the first thing I'd do [for the big screen] was a romantic comedy and what I realized was we write that so much on [The Mindy Project] that I kind of decided that, you know what, I'm going to save that stuff for the show and this is about something completely different," she said.

Kaling revealed more details for her upcoming movie, which she says will be set in New York City. "I have a small part in it," she said, giving a hint as to what the tone may be, adding that "it's inspired by movies I love, like Broadcast News."

RELATED: Mindy Kaling Shuts Down Commenter Who Says 'Mindy Project' Isn't Diverse Enough

"It's not in the news world," Kaling emphasized, but alluded to a possible connection to that universe.

As for how Kaling has managed to keep several balls in the air at the same time as an actress, writer and producer, she shared her secret.

"I've managed now to figure out a little routine where I pick one project, if it's a movie -- I just finished a movie -- I'm going to work on that or work on a novel or a project I'm producing, since I have a deal with NBC now," she said. "I've managed a little system in my mind."

Related Articles


Angela Martin was driving to pick up her daughter on Monday when she came upon a scene that stopped her dead in her tracks.



A woman had climbed the concrete wall of a bridge over St. Paul, Minnesota's busy I-94 freeway and appeared to be preparing to jump. Martin knew she needed to act fast.



"I called the police and told them what was happening and then I said, 'I've got to get off the phone and help because she's getting ready to jump now,' " Martin, 50, tells PEOPLE.



Martin, a mother of two and grandmother of six, rushed to the woman and begged her not to jump.



"I kept telling her, 'You don't want to do this, you've got so much to live for,' " Martin says. "And just she just kept saying, 'My mom doesn't love me, my mom doesn't love me.' So I told her that I loved her and I would do anything for her if she needed my help."



Martin's hopes that her words were having an effect were dashed when the woman threw off her glasses and turned away from her to face the traffic below. By this point, Martin says she knew her words would not be enough.



"I grabbed on to her T-shirt through the chain link fence right before she let her hands go," Martin says. "She was dangling from the fence and I was literally hanging on to her by her T-shirt and one belt loop."



Recognizing that she couldn't hold the woman up much longer, Martin yelled for help and even directed three onlookers to run down to the Interstate and stop traffic.



"One woman ran so fast and threw an orange barrel into oncoming traffic to stop it, and then she directed a van to stop below where the woman was so she would fall on the van if she did jump," Martin says.



Then, a man rushed to Martin's side to help her hold the woman up.



"I was holding her for as long as I could, but once I started yelling about 20 people got out of their cars and ran over to help," Martin says. "In the end, there were about 50 people trying to help her and stop the traffic."



Within minutes, police officers reached the scene and used wire cutters to cut a hole in the chain link fence around where the woman was hanging. After this, the group was able to pull the woman to safety.





Ethics Hero: Angela Martin, As St. Paul Strangers Prevent A Suicide https://t.co/l3CFFGl2bn pic.twitter.com/Krzqb5EThC -- Jack Marshall (@CaptCompliance) August 5, 2016





"Once that happened, we all clapped," Martin says. "It was so heartwarming, I always knew we had this kind of community, people just need to be asked."



Paramedics gave the woman medical attention on the scene. She was then transported to a hospital for observation. Martin says there's now a group of people ready to help the woman when she's released.



"I think this instance shows the great compassion so many people in our community have," Steve Linders, a spokesperson for the St. Paul Police tells PEOPLE. "People from all walks of life recognized that this woman was in the throes of a dark time and did whatever they could to save her life."
Greetings from Las Vegas, where Black Hat and Defcon, the world's biggest code cracking confabs, took place this week. If you tried to contact me, our communications were probably intercepted. Oh well.

Some highlights from the desert:

Attendees witnessed the worlds impending cybernetic future Thursday evening as seven supercomputers exchanged virtual blows, each vying to win a first-of-its-kind autonomous hacking competition hosted by DARPA, the military's futuristic research arm. The machine melee signaled a coming, if nascent age of "self-driving" cyber defense. (Congrats to Carnegie Mellons team Mayhem, whose AI took home the $2 million grand prize--and the glory!)

@defcon has it started the machines haven't moved  ROBERT HACKETT ? (@rhhackett) August 5, 2016

It's like a duck on a calm lake. Serene above, thrashing below. https://t.co/V6sd6aZSGu  DEF CON (@defcon) August 5, 2016

Ivan Krsti?, head of security engineering at , took the stage at Black Hat earlier that day to unveil--at long last--the company's first-ever bug bounty program. Beginning in September, the tech giant is inviting a curated set of hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in its code for rewards as high as $200,000. Though the payouts are greater than just about any other bug bounty programs, exploits sold on grayer markets can reach the million-dollar range.

Apple's new bug bounty has some decent payouts. pic.twitter.com/DQq849oBcZ  Kurt Opsahl (@kurtopsahl) August 4, 2016

Jeff Moss, founder of Black Hat and Defcon, cohosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in a cramped Mexican restaurant at the Mandalay Bay hotel on Wednesday night. Beneath the din of mariachi music, the shaggy-haired figurehead within the hacking community told me he had more hope that Clinton would protect Internet freedoms than Donald Trump--despite the Democratic candidates wishy-washy stance on encryption.

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I'll be speaking with the Chairman of HRC's cyber policy wg, Michael Sulmeyer Wed evening. After the paid part it is open to all interested  The Dark Tangent (@thedarktangent) July 29, 2016

While wandering about the showroom floor, I encountered a surprising recruiter wedged between , Paypal , and Raytheons Forcepoint: Snapchat. The ephemeral messaging firm is apparently staffing up its security team. Unfortunately, a booth attendant shooed this reporter away and refused to answer questions about the companys presence. Worth noting: if Snapchat wants to lock down its intellectual property, its probably too late for that.

Okay, thats my recap. Defcon is still underway, but Im headed back to the east coast to catch a graduation party for a younger cousin. I look forward to connecting to the Wi-Fi network in my own home, where fewer hackers and eavesdroppers lurk (I hope).

Have a great weekend, readers.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
Sri Lanka congratulates PM Dahal

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has congratulated newly-elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and also expressed best wishes for the successful tenure of his Nepali counterpart.
Seoul (AFP) - North Korea has accused Washington of planning a pre-emptive nuclear strike, after the US announced it would deploy its B-1 bomber in the Pacific for the first time in a decade.

The strategic aircraft were to be deployed on Saturday on the US island of Guam, the US military said last month, describing the operation as a routine rotation with the B-52 bomber.

Tensions have been running high since North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a barrage of missile launches that this month reached Japanese waters directly for the first time.

Pyongyang accused Washington of "becoming all the more pronounced in their moves to topple down the DPRK by mobilizing all nuclear war hardware," using North Korea's official title.

"The enemies are bluffing that they can mount a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the DPRK by letting fly B-1B over the Korean peninsula within two-three hours in contingency," said an English-language statement on state media.

"Such moves for bolstering nuclear force exposes again that the US imperialists are making a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the DPRK a fait accompli."

North Korea has threatened "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, known as THAAD.

Tensions on the divided Korean peninsula are also building ahead of an annual South Korea-US military exercise later this month.

On July 29, the US Air Force said it would upgrade its hardware on Guam, a US territory in the western Pacific, by sending the B-1 for the first time since April 2006.

"The B-1 will provide US Pacific Command and its regional allies and partners with a credible, strategic power projection platform," it said in a statement.

Pyongyang has repeatedly warned it may carry out pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the South and US targets, domestic and abroad. Ultimately, the North wants to be able to strike on the continental US.

The secretive state, led by supreme leader Kim Jong-un, warned Saturday it would respond to any aggression by reducing the US to a "sea of flames".

"The ever-mounting moves of the US imperialists to ignite a nuclear war are pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula into the uncontrollable and catastrophic phase," said the KCNA statement.
Lagos (AFP) - Eleven Nigerian troops have been killed in clashes with gunrunners and bandits in the violence-wracked north central region, the army said Saturday.

Military spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement that the troops, comprising soldiers and airmen, came under attack from gunmen during operations to confiscate illegal weapons from the villages of Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw in Niger State.

"While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the three locations. They however responded as necessary in line with the rules of engagement," the army spokesman said.

"Sadly, an officer and eight soldiers of the Nigerian Army and two airmen of the Nigeria Air Force lost their lives in the line of national duty," he added.

Usman said another soldier remained missing while two more were wounded.

The gunrunners also torched four military vehicles and vandalised two others.

He said eight gunmen were killed and 57 others arrested during the army operation during which a cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.

The spokesman did not specify when the fatalities occurred but the army operation in question has been ongoing for a week.

The assailants were suspected of supplying weapons to thieves and other criminals in central Nigeria, including in the capital Abuja.

Central Nigeria has been wracked by clashes between ethnic Fulani herdsmen and local farmers over grazing rights, leaving hundreds dead in recent months.

The government is proposing the creation of grazing land to prevent further clashes in a country that is struggling to end a seven-year Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
niger delta avengers

Nigeria announced on Monday it resumed payments to former militants in its oil-rich Niger Delta region, according to a Bloomberg report.

The payments of 65,000 naira per month (about $204) to about 30,000 ex-militants were stopped back in March amid lower oil prices.

In light of the news, some folks quickly penciled in a return of Nigerian oil. Production has fallen to a near 30-year-low amid on-going attacks by the newest militant group in the region, the Niger Delta Avengers.

However, given the long-run structural issues of the Niger Delta, there are still plenty of headwinds to the commodity's immediate return.

"We strongly caution against seeing this latest move as a sign that the tide has turned and that the latest wave of militancy will soon end," argued Helima Croft, the Head of Commodity Strategy at RBC Capital Markets and recently appointed member of the National Petroleum Council, in a note.

"We contend that the suspension of payments was not the principal catalyst for renewed attacks, but rather it was the decision to prosecute former militant leaders for ongoing criminal activities, including large-scale oil theft."

Screen Shot 2016 08 05 at 11.34.41 AM

Back in the 2000s, armed militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, including members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), routinely kept hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil off the market.

At its peak, MEND slashed Nigeria's output by half and cost the government $19 million in daily defense outlays, according to data cited by the RBC Capital Markets team. At the same time, the group painted itself as a "political organization that wants a greater share of Nigeria's oil revenues to go to the impoverished region that sits atop the oil."

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In an effort to curtail the losses, the government signed an amnesty agreement in 2009 and pledged to provide monthly cash payments and vocational training programs to nearly 30,000 former militants in exchange for cooperation. Some of the more influential members, including the ex-leader of MEND, Government Ekpemupolo (known as Tompolo), received lucrative "security contracts" worth nearly $100 million a year.

The arrangment was a pretty good Band-Aid. But it failed to address the fundamental drivers of instability in the region such as poverty, corruption, and the proliferation of weapons. Plus, according to the International Crisis Group, only 151 of the 15,451 graduates from the training programs found jobs with "credible organizations" by March 2015.

niger delta

Fast forward to today: President Muhammadu Buhari, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2015, has been cracking down on corruption in the region by axing expensive security contracts and issuing indictments for theft, fraud, and money laundering. Earlier in the year, the Lagos High Court even issued an arrest warrant for Tompolo.

Soon after, the Niger Delta Avengers started attacking various energy infrastructure in February, which led the country's oil production to droop by 31% to 1.4 million barrels a day, down from 2.03 million barrels a day in January.

The BBC notes that some locals in the region "believe members of the group are largely elements of previous militant groups like MEND," while others "believe the new militants are criminal elements that want to draw attention to themselves now" that former President Goodluck Jonathan is out of office.

In light of this background, Croft told Business Insider that the resumption of payments ends up looking like a move by the Buhari administration to meet the militants half-way without completely backtracking on the anti-corruption agenda, but also to undercut the militants' claims of being the region's so-called "Robin Hoods."

Plus, it's also worth noting that the recently resumed payments worth $204 a month are significantly less than the multi-million dollar "security contracts."

"Buhari would likely have to make a much more unsavory deal  one that would undercut his primary reason for being in office [namely, his anti-corruption campaign]  to secure the peace in the Delta," argued Croft in her note.

"There is nothing to indicate yet that he is ready to make such a devil's bargain."

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* Nissan also in talks with Chinese, other overseas firms-sources

* EV battery race heats up as Tesla eyes more auto production

* Nissan says talk of possible sale is "speculation" (Recasts with confirmation from sources, context on EV batteries)

TOKYO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co is in talks with Panasonic Corp and overseas companies including Chinese firms over the possible sale of its controlling stake in a car battery manufacturing venture, sources said.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday that the Japanese automaker wants to sell its 51 percent stake in Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, which makes lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The company is jointly owned by NEC Corp.

The Nikkei daily on Friday reported that Nissan was looking to sell the company because it would be cheaper to buy batteries for its electric vehicles including its Leaf model from other makers. The newspaper did not say where it obtained the information.

Talk of the sale "is speculation, and is not based on any announcement by us", Nissan said in an email. Spokesmen for Panasonic and NEC declined to comment.

Competition to supply batteries for electric vehicles is heating up due to expectations that a growing number of lower emission cars will be produced in the coming years.

Tesla Motors, which currently procures batteries for its electric vehicles from Panasonic, is planning to boost its total vehicle production to 500,000 in 2018 - two years earlier than its original target.

Nissan and Renault SA, under Carlos Ghosn, who heads both companies, have bet more heavily on electric cars than mainstream competitors. In 2009 the two companies pledged to invest 4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) to build models including the Nissan Leaf compact and as many as 500,000 batteries per year to power them.

Sales of the Leaf and those of other electrical vehicles, however, have been disappointing, meaning Nissan and NEC have been unable to lower battery costs through mass production.

Story continues

Reuters reported in 2014 that Ghosn was preparing to cut battery production by AESC and instead use packs made by LG Chem .

Nissan is also in the process of selling its 41 percent stake in auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei Corp, sources have told Reuters.

In May, the automaker agreed to buy a 34-percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp for about $2.2 billion (convert) as it seeks to better compete with bigger rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen (AG VOWG_p.DE). ($1 = 0.9020 euros) (Reporting by Maki Shiraki, Makiko Yamazaki, Naomi Tajitsu and Tim Kelly; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Ed Davies)
TOKYO (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co is in talks with Panasonic Corp and overseas companies including Chinese firms over the possible sale of its controlling stake in a car battery manufacturing venture, sources said.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday that the Japanese automaker wants to sell its 51 percent stake in Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, which makes lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The company is jointly owned by NEC Corp .

The Nikkei daily on Friday reported that Nissan was looking to sell the company because it would be cheaper to buy batteries for its electric vehicles including its Leaf model from other makers. The newspaper did not say where it obtained the information.

Talk of the sale "is speculation, and is not based on any announcement by us", Nissan said in an email. Spokesmen for Panasonic and NEC declined to comment.

Competition to supply batteries for electric vehicles is heating up due to expectations that a growing number of lower emission cars will be produced in the coming years.

Tesla Motors (TSLA.O), which currently procures batteries for its electric vehicles from Panasonic, is planning to boost its total vehicle production to 500,000 in 2018 - two years earlier than its original target.

Nissan and Renault SA (RENA.PA), under Carlos Ghosn, who heads both companies, have bet more heavily on electric cars than mainstream competitors. In 2009 the two companies pledged to invest 4 billion euros ($4.43 billion) to build models including the Nissan Leaf compact and as many as 500,000 batteries per year to power them.

Sales of the Leaf and those of other electrical vehicles, however, have been disappointing, meaning Nissan and NEC have been unable to lower battery costs through mass production.

Reuters reported in 2014 that Ghosn was preparing to cut battery production by AESC and instead use packs made by LG Chem .

Nissan is also in the process of selling its 41 percent stake in auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei Corp (7248.T), sources have told Reuters.

In May, the automaker agreed to buy a 34-percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) for about $2.2 billion as it seeks to better compete with bigger rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen (AG VOWG_p.DE).

(Reporting by Maki Shiraki, Makiko Yamazaki, Naomi Tajitsu and Tim Kelly; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Ed Davies)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration released a redacted version of President Barack Obama's once-secret policy on drone strikes abroad following a freedom of information lawsuit filed last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said on Saturday. The release of the 18-page Presidential Policy Guidance document, as well as other Department of Defense papers, follows an order by a U.S. District Court judge in February requiring the Justice Department to disclose the document, also known as "the Playbook." It sets out the law and rules the government must follow when carrying out targeted killings and the capture of terrorist suspects abroad. Obama pledged in 2013 to provide greater transparency about counter-terrorism operations, including drone strikes overseas, amid calls by some U.S. lawmakers and rights groups for more openness. ACLU's deputy legal director, Jameel Jaffer, welcomed the release of the documents, saying they provide new details about policy standards and insights into the process for targeting individuals with lethal force or for capture. "Its release now will inform an ongoing debate about the lawfulness and wisdom of the government's counter-terrorism policies," Jaffer said in a statement. The ACLU's lawsuit sought information, among other things, on the law and policies used to justify lethal force and how the government picks targets. According to the documents, published by the ACLU, strikes against high-value terrorist targets can be taken "when there is near certainty" that the person is present, and that no civilians will be injured or killed, and is necessary to "achieve U.S. policy objectives". The administration has defended its use of drones as essential in fighting al Qaeda and other militants in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen. Some drone strikes have killed civilians who were not targets, igniting local anger. "The president has emphasized that the U.S. Government should be as transparent as possible with the American people about our counter-terrorism operations, the manner in which they are conducted, and their results," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said of Saturday's release of documents. "Our counter-terrorism actions are effective and legal, and their legitimacy is best demonstrated by making public more information about these actions as well as setting clear standards for other nations to follow," he added. Naureen Shah, Amnesty International's U.S. director for security and human rights, also welcomed the documents but said more was needed to ensure the policy was followed. "The Obama administration's disclosures are welcome but they only tell part of the story and obscure disturbing practices. We still know extremely little about the standards that would govern signature strikes and so-called rescuer strikes, which have involved potentially unlawful killings," Shah added. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Leslie Adler and Paul Simao)
President Barack Obama

Barack Obama strode to the stage at last month's Democratic National Convention in an unusual speaking slot.

He spoke in the primetime hour Wednesday night, a spot typically reserved for a vice-presidential nominee.

In 2000, for instance, former President Bill Clinton spoke on Monday night of then-Democratic nominee Al Gore's convention. Former President George W. Bush, deeply unpopular in his second term, didn't show up for then-Republican nominee John McCain's party in 2008.

Obama's speaking slot was by design. It previewed an outsize role in his final campaign: Electing Hillary Clinton to be his successor in the White House.

"President Obama gives Hillary Clinton a hat trick: He can help unite the party by bringing out Bernie Sanders supporters into her camp, deliver an aggressive contrast about the threat posed by Donald Trump, and ensure that all the supporters of the Obama coalition show up in November," Ben LaBolt, a former spokesman for Obama's presidential campaigns, told Business Insider earlier this year.

Obama is prepared to campaign for his party's presidential nominee more than any sitting president in recent history. That could be a big problem for the GOP and its nominee, Donald Trump. And a huge boon for Clinton.

The president's approval rating got its own convention bump: In a CNN/ORC poll conducted after the convention, 54% of Americans said they approved of Obama's job performance. It was his highest mark since right before his second inauguration in 2013. Just 45% disapproved.

That number is significant. Earlier this year, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that President Barack Obama's approval rating had jumped to 51%  its highest point since his second inauguration.

NBC's team of political analysts called it the "most important number" out of the poll.

Story continues

"Why is it important? Because it means that Obama will be an asset to Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail unlike he was in the 2014 midterms, when his approval rating was in the low 40s," NBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Carrie Dann wrote.

The threshold might seem arbitrary. But historical precedent suggests it could bode well for Clinton, Obama's former secretary of state.

Early this year, Obama's approval rating hit 50% in the weekly average from Gallup's daily survey. As of Friday, it stands at 51%. For Obama, whose approval ratings have been stuck in the mid- to low-40% range for much of his second term, it was a notable bump.

"While it's hard to pinpoint precisely why Obama's approval rating has risen among Democrats recently, there are a number of plausible explanations," wrote Andrew Dugan, a Gallup analyst, and Frank Newport, the organization's editor-in-chief, in a post earlier this year.

One of the explanations, the pair concurred, was that "the unusual status of the Republican primary race  exemplified in particular by frontrunner Donald Trump's campaign style and rhetoric  may serve to make Obama look statesmanlike in comparison."

donald trump

Trump has come into Obama's crosshairs repeatedly as he has hit the trail for Clinton. And with good reason: More so than at any other presidential hand-off in recent history, so many elements of the current administration's legacy are at stake.

The Republican nominee has pledged to undo signature achievements on healthcare (the Affordable Care Act), the environment (historic new regulations aimed at curbing climate change), and foreign policy (the Iran nuclear deal).

Those themes will become evident as the president launches into what will be his final campaign: Preventing a Trump presidency.

"Not only does he have strong standing among Democrats and independents, but he has a unique ability to mobilize the young voters and diverse communities she'll need to win," LaBolt said.

Obama's approval ratings at this point are far better than those of Bush, his predecessor, off whose unpopularity Obama thrived during his 2008 run. His level is most directly comparable to former President Ronald Reagan, who in March 1988 held a 51% approval rating, according to Gallup.

That same year, voters selected George H.W. Bush  Reagan's vice president  to succeed him.

"Yes," said Ari Fleischer, President George W. Bush's former press secretary, when asked earlier this year if Obama's apparent rising popularity poses a problem for the Republican Party.

"Certainly, going into an election spring and summer, its better to have an incumbent president increasingly popular rather than less popular if youre the incumbent party," he told Business Insider.

The numbers present a striking contrast to some data points associated with the current Republican presidential frontrunner.

Barack Obama Hillary Clinton

A recent Gallup survey revealed that 42% of voters view Trump in a "highly unfavorable" light, compared with 16% who see him highly favorably. That's the highest negative percentage for any major presidential candidate since at least 1956, according to Gallup.

"I've been doing this [since] 1964, which is the Goldwater years," NBC/WSJ co-pollster Peter Hart told NBC of the relative unpopularity of many of the candidates earlier in the year. "To me, this is the low point. I've seen the disgust and the polarization. Never, never seen anything like this. They're not going up; they're going down."

Closest to Trump? Clinton, whom 33% of the electorate views highly unfavorably.

It helps explain why Clinton is attaching herself to much of Obama's legacy. And Obama remains favorable to wide swaths of constituencies that Clinton needs to turn out to vote in November. The president holds high approval ratings among African-Americans (90%), Democrats (82%), Latinos (73%), and voters aged 18 to 34 (64%), according to Gallup.

And despite the strong primary challenge from Sen. Bernie Sanders, in many ways, Clinton has run an incumbent-style campaign, and she has had much of the party's establishment rallying behind her candidacy.

As Gallup's Dugan and Newport wrote earlier this year:

"In comparison, the two most recent candidates running to succeed a two-term president of the same party  John McCain running to follow the unpopular Bush, and Al Gore trying to succeed the popular but scandal-prone Bill Clinton  went to greater pains to ensure they were not associated with the outgoing president."

They concluded: "Prior to that, George H.W. Bush in 1988 presented himself as a natural heir to the Reagan legacy and was able to win his own term."

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Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama arrived Saturday in Martha's Vineyard for a two-week summer vacation with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, the White House said.

Air Force One, the presidential plane, whisked the first family from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to the popular Massachusetts retreat, an island located south of Cape Cod.

Accompanying the president, first lady and teenagers Sasha and Malia were the family dogs, Sunny and Bo.

Obama and the first lady greeted some local residents upon their arrival before heading to their vacation house in the small town of Chilmark, on the western end of the island.

The White House said the Obamas will remain in Martha's Vineyard -- their usual summer getaway spot -- through August 21.
Vizag port ready for Nepali cargos

Indian authorities have fixed tariff rate for Nepal-bound cargos and have allotted space for setting up a Nepali Consulate General office
Belgrade (AFP) - Twenty-one years after they were at war, relations between Balkan neighbours Serbia and Croatia are mired in bitter exchanges, as they struggle to turn the page on their past.

Croatia, which joined the European Union in 2013, and Serbia, which is negotiating accession to the bloc, both claim to be attached to European values, cooperation and good neighbourly relations.

But in practice the former enemies -- who established formal diplomatic relations in 1996 -- are finding their opposing views on recent decisions related to their history a constant source of quarrels.

Both countries were among the six republics making up communist Yugoslavia, which began to fall apart after two of them -- Croatia and Slovenia -- proclaimed independence in 1991.

While Slovenia faced only a 10-day battle for sovereignty, Croats fought Belgrade-backed Serbs for more than three years in a conflict that claimed 20,000 lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

On Friday, Croatia celebrated the 21st anniversary of its victory in Operation Storm, a four-day offensive that saw it seize back a key area held by Serb rebels and practically ended the conflict.

But what to Zagreb was a "liberation" and "resounding victory" in 1995 is remembered as a "pogrom" by Serbia.

More than 200,000 Serbs were forced to flee their homes by the offensive and hundreds were killed, although the figures vary -- the Croatian Helsinki Committee puts the toll at 667 and the Serbian government at 2,500.

- Revisionist history? -

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic even referred to a "criminal final solution" during a commemoration for Serb victims of the operation on Thursday.

He lamented to a crowd of tens of thousands that in the space of just 70 years, the number of Serbs in Croatia had shrunk dramatically in what he called "the greatest ethnic cleansing in the history of Europe".

Before the war, Serbs in Croatia accounted for about 12 percent of the population compared with four percent today of the country's 4.3 million people.

Story continues

Overshadowing the contentious military anniversary this year is a string of political and judicial decisions that have heightened tensions between the two Balkan nations.

Croatia has opposed Brussels' decision to open negotiations with EU candidate Serbia on its judicial system, fundamental rights and security.

The hurdles, according to Zagreb, include Belgrade's cooperation with The Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and political representation of minorities.

At the same time, Belgrade has protested recent court rulings in Croatia, especially the Supreme Court's quashing of a verdict against a former lawyer convicted of war crimes for killing Serbs.

Another verdict overturned last month -- also angering Belgrade -- was the communist-era conviction of controversial Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac for collaborating with the Nazi occupiers and Croatia's pro-Nazi regime during World War II.

In overwhelmingly Catholic Croatia, many see Stepinac as a hero, saying he saved thousands of lives -- including many Serbs -- as well as showing attachment to an independent Croatia and unwavering faith in the face of communist persecution.

But Belgrade sees the Croatian court decisions as revisionist history and a "rebirth of Nazism".

- 'Diverting attention' -

Ivo Rimac, an analyst at Zagreb University, said Belgrade's reaction to recent events was "logical".

"The complacency of (Croatia's) government towards the activities of the extreme right and the promotion in the media of pro-Nazi ideas has directly provoked the deterioration of relations," he said.

Adding fuel to the fire was the opening of a monument in the Adriatic town of Draga in tribute to Miro Baresic, a Croatian nationalist who was sentenced to life in prison in Sweden in 1971.

He had been convicted of participating in the murder of the Yugoslav ambassador in Stockholm.

But Rimac also recalled Serbia's rehabilitation last year -- to the dismay of Zagreb -- of royalist General Draza Mihailovic, who was sentenced to death for collaboration with the Nazis.

Mihailovic had launched the Chetnik movement, notorious for war crimes against other ethnic groups in the Balkans including Croats.

In June, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and Serbia's Vucic signed a joint declaration on "improving relations" -- but the document risks remaining unfulfilled, especially with the EU facing more pressing matters than Balkan relations.

With Serbia yet to form a government following an April election and Croatia holding snap polls in September after a fragile right-wing government fell over a conflict of interest affair, analysts say the ongoing external rows could be useful for political elites.

"Quarrels with neighbours are helpful to divert attention," said Serbian political analyst Dusan Janjic.
serbian rowers

Serbian rowers Milos Vasic and Nenad Benik got a taste of the Rio water on the first day of the Olympic regatta Saturday.

In an unusual moment, the duo's boat capsized, tossing them into the water. According to the Associated Press, it's the first time a boat has capsized in the Olympics since Athens in 2004.

While rowers usually have to cross the finish line to complete the race, officials gave the Serbian team an exemption, pulling them into their boat and allowing them to compete in the next round on Sunday, according to AP.

After the race, both men and women rowers blasted the racing conditions, which seem to have caused Vasic and Benik to capsize.

Kim Brennan, the women's single-scull world champion, said, "I was pretty close to sinking out there ... Normally this would have been deemed unrowable."

According to The Guardian, Irish sculler Sanita Puspure called the conditions "horrific," saying:

"It was like sailing, surfing, everything all in one and a bit of rowing in the end. I was just thrown around with the wind. I couldnt get the blades in at the same time. At one stage I was blown parallel to the racing lane so I had to tack with one arm into the lane, which is probably unseen before  a person doing one-arm rowing during a race. I was pretty helpless."

Egyptian sculler Nadia Negm told The Guardian, "Thank God I didnt go under. Its the toughest conditions I have ever rowed in. It was really intense. I wish the rest of the racers good luck  if you are rowing this week you better know how to swim."

After the race, Matt Smith, the executive director of rowing's governing body, explained that they didn't postpone the race on Saturday because conditions are supposed to get worse in the coming days. He said, if necessary, because it's a small regatta, they can make up a day of missed events. However, should they have to cancel multiple days, he warned that they may have to drop events.

Story continues

While the conditions don't look especially bad to the naked eye, the water does appear choppy, and the light boats Olympic rowers use aren't difficult to knock over:

serbian rowing team

British single sculler Alan Campbell had a simple, but funny message going forward. According to AP, Campbell pointed to the Christ the Redeemer statue and said, "He needs to spread his arms a bit more to protect us."

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Miguel Duran Navia was a longshot in the 400-meter freestyle, but the significance of swimming in the Olympics was crystal clear on his face when he thought he blew his chance.

The Spanish swimmer slapped at the water and covered his face after he prematurely entered the pool during his heat. While the other seven swimmers stayed on the blocks, Duran Navia false started his race. He thought his chances in the event were over before they ever began.

Duran Navia gathered his belongings and walked off the pool deck in tears.

A few minutes later, he had to shake off those emotions and get ready for his Olympic moment. After Duran Navia left the deck, judges deliberated and determined that a sound in the crowd was the reason for the false start.

Miguel Duran Navia thought a false start cost him a chance to swim in the Olympics (AP)

The noise caused Duran Navia to flinch and slowly fall forward. He held on to the blocks for as long as possible, but eventually fell past the point of no return and jumped into the water.

[Related: Los Angeles lifeguard will swim for Syria in Rio]

His return to race didnt yield a tremendous comeback story, though. Duran Navia finished eighth in his heat with a time of 3:53.40, over four seconds slower than the 3:48.96 he swam to earn a spot in the Summer Games. He wouldve needed to finish in a time better than 3:45.43 to swim in the final.

Duran Navia will get another shot at redemption on Tuesday when hes part of Spains 4200-meter freestyle relay. Spain qualified with the tenth-best time and will need to climb to the top eight to advance to the final.
(WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO)





RIO DE JANEIRO  The sound of the leg snapping was audible from down on the floor to up in the rafters.



The next sound was a collective gasp, then a groan, then silence.

French gymnast Samir Ait Said collapsed on landing after his vault during qualifying here on Saturday, his left tibia breaking on impact and his leg twisting grotesquely away from his thigh.

The 26-year-old grabbed his leg and covered his face with his right hand as trainers surrounded him for several minutes.

A wheelchair was rolled out to the side of the mat where he lay. It wouldnt be used.

Said was strapped to a stretcher and carried off as sympathetic fans cheered.

injury

Teammates went on with their rotation, bravely going ahead despite knowing what had happened to their teammate.

Im very upset, Axel Augis told Yahoo Sports after the event. Mostly sad [for him]. All that work for nothing. Its so hard to see his work burn.

France coach Denis Charlieux appeared in the mixed zone later, saying Said had been taken to the hospital and awaited further information from doctors. He called the day a nightmare.

Its so hard to deal with something like that, he said through a translator. He would be in the final if it didnt happen.

Later in the evening, the official feed of the French gymnastics federation tweeted that Said had a double tibia fracture and wanted to return for 2020.

There were other falls on the vault Saturday; American Jake Dalton nearly faceplanted on his landing. U.S. mens coach Mark Williams told reporters the vault had a little extra kick to it. Yet Charlieux denied that there was anything problematic about the apparatus.

Said is the son of Algerians and was described in a recent newspaper account as the main face of artistic gymnastics in France. Asked to describe his personality, Augis called Said fascinating and a fighter.

When asked what this meant for the team, Augis said, Well finish maybe in last. Only the top eight teams move on to the final, and France was in eighth after two of three subdivisions.

Story continues

The IOC official Twitter account sent support for Said, writing, Lots of love from the Rio 2016 team.

(Warning: Graphic photo below.)
(Brazilian female pair result) By Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Brazil's male and female beach volleyball pairs made winning starts in their hunt for gold on Saturday, drawing on the loud home support to beat their Canadian and Czech Republic opponents on Copacabana's golden sand. Brazil's female gold medal hopes Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas recovered from one set down to win 19-21 21-17 15-11 against talented Czech pair who came close to upsetting the home script on the opening day. Barbora Hermannova and Marketa Slukova appeared to have the momentum midway through the second set but at 10-10 the Brazilians took the lead to drag themselves back into the match. A thrilling block from Bednarczuk at won them the second set sending the crowd into rapturous applause. In the deciding third set the Brazilians regained control. "We knew it wouldn't be easy," Bednarczuk told Reuters, explaining that the excitement of playing in front of a home crowd on Rio's famous beach had maybe caused them to lose a little focus. After the first set "we were able to calm down a bit and put more tactics into play," she said. Earlier on Saturday, Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt beat Canada's Josh Binstock and Samuel Schachter 21-19 22-20 to seal their credentials as gold medal favourites in the men's tournament. "It was incredible," Cerutti told Reuters, still beaming after the performance. With beach volleyball one of Brazil's favorite sports, particularly in Rio where nets dot the coastline, the local athletes were fired up by an enthusiastic crowd waving green-and-yellow flags, many wearing swimsuits. "To start an Olympics at home, to see this crowd shouting Brazil, it's a dream come true," added Cerutti. Brazil's men's pair were not given an easy ride and fell behind in the second set, but scrambled back to make it 20-20. The next point proved to be vital with the Canadians left to rue a crucial challenge that did not go their way after Binstock fouled at the net. The visiting pair said the hostile crowd, which booed at times, had made things difficult. One point later the match was over and the crowd erupted as the Brazilian winners signed the ball and launched it into the crowd. The Brazilian men will now prepare to play Austria while the women face Argentina on Monday. "The focus is to play and win... Gold comes as a result of that," said Cerutti. (Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Ask any American who invented the airplane and they would say the Wright brothers, but Brazilians would have a different answer. In the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics on Friday, Brazil continued that claim by honoring Alberto Santos-Dumont, the man they credit with the invention.

In 1906, Santos-Dumont flew his plane on the outskirts of France and was recognized around Europe as the creator of the airplane. But Orville and Wilbur Wright later proved that their first flight came three years earlier in 1903.

The question is whether the Wright brothers flight should count.

The opinion of many Brazilians is that the Wrights used a catapult and simply created a glider that could maintain a prolonged fall. In 2003, CNN looked into the conflicting claims.

Aviation experts in Brazil claim that the Wright brothers needed strong and steady winds to get the Kitty Hawk off the ground, leaving no proof that it was able to take off on its own.

American experts disagree with that claim and say the Wrights plane had to have been self-sustaining.

Even in 1903 the airplane sustained itself in the air for nearly a minute. If its not sustaining itself under its own power its not going to stay up that long, Peter Jakab of the National Air and Space Museum told CNN.

Which country really invented flight depends plenty on the definition and on the circumstances that the Wright brothers used to get off the ground.

The country of Brazil made it clear which side of the debate it is on early in the Opening Ceremony.
When Words Fail

Using art as a catalyst for healing in a society that continues to stigmatise mental health issues
pain doctor pain treatment pills

Over the past decade, the US has undergone an opioid epidemic.

Prescriptions for opioid painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and morphine have skyrocketed  and, with them, the number of overdoses related to opioids.

The trend has been decades in the making.

Increases in painkiller prescriptions are linked to a "big push" in the early 1990s from medical groups encouraging doctors to treat pain more aggressively, according to Dr. Ted Cicero, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis and an opiate-use researcher.

Though the increased focus on pain treatment resulted in increases in opioid prescriptions in most doctors initially, for years now, pain specialists have advocated using alternative treatments to alleviate their patients chronic pain.

Theres one problem: Health-insurance companies are increasingly cutting reimbursements for these alternative treatments or not covering them at all.

Steroid injections, joint injections, fluid injections, physical therapy, nerve blocks, and radio-frequency ablation are just a few of the treatments advocated by pain specialists in place of opioids. Such treatments are frequently called interventional pain treatments.

Every year, pain interventions go to the chopping block, and doctors have to figure out how to provide that treatment and make ends meet, Dr. Janet Pearl, the medical director of Massachusetts-based pain-management center Complete Pain Care and the secretary of the Massachusetts Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, told Business Insider.

A difficult choice for patients and doctors

pain doctor pain treatment

Story continues

The policies of insurance companies have forced doctors to increasingly offer pain patients a difficult choice, according to Dr. Shalini Shah, the director of pediatric-pain management at UC Irvine Health.

Pay for expensive alternative treatments out-of-pocket, use opioids and possibly suffer a myriad of side effects and risk opioid addiction, or choose to do nothing and live with debilitating pain.

Even if we want to climb a population out of the well of the opioid epidemic and give alternatives, we cant," Shah told Business Insider. "Patients cant afford the alternatives and insurance companies wont cover them."

In some cases, insurance companies have classified widely accepted procedures in recent years as experimental or investigational, therefore making them ineligible for reimbursement, despite decades of common use.

Pain physicians brought up one such procedure again and again in conversations with Business Insider: radio-frequency ablation. First used in 1931, the procedure entails a physician using electric currents to decrease pain signals from the specific nerve causing a patient pain.

While policies vary among insurance companies and even among different insurance plans at the same company  doctors say they have increasingly found radio-frequency ablation on the chopping block, despite continued enthusiasm for the procedure.

Radio-frequency ablation has been well described in literature, scientifically studied extensively, and used to be covered, Shah said. Now insurance companies are saying ablation is experimental.

A 2016 United Healthcare policy called studies of radio-frequency ablation for conditions other than facet joint nerves limited, uncontrolled, and insufficient to support conclusions regarding efficacy or duration of effect.

There are currently five randomized trials using radio-frequency ablation for lower-back pain, the most common ailment treated by pain physicians. Three studies found positive results, one negative, and one ambiguous, leading an expert review in Medscape to conclude that the procedure is effective, given "careful patient selection."

"RFA [radio-frequency ablation] offers the most precise method currently available" for pain physicians to "control their patients' pain on a longer term basis," the review read.

health insurance blue cross blue shield

United Healthcare; Anthem and various other Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated health-insurance companies; Aetna; and various Medicare-contracted payers have deemed the usage of radio-frequency ablation specifically for the sacroiliac joint  which represents approximately 15% to 20% of all back pain, according to the Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management  to be experimental or "investigational." This despite at least nine studies each showing significant levels of pain relief after using radio-frequency ablation for the sacroiliac joint.

This situation is not unusual, according to Pearl, who says that insurance companies have cut back on or cut completely previously accepted procedures under the rationale that doctors or researchers havent proven their efficacy.

'Draconian cuts'

The coverage issue hasnt gone unnoticed at a national level. In the January 2014 issue of Pain Physician, the official publication of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), a cadre of pain specialists lamented the draconian cuts to numerous interventional pain treatments by commercial insurers and Medicare in a piece titled Declining Value of Work of Interventional Pain Physicians."

The article referred to reimbursement cuts ranging from 19% to 56% for various epidural injections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Later that year, a similar group of pain specialists published an update to the cuts, noting that interventional pain physicians are struggling to keep their practices open and survive into the future because of increased regulations, expenses, and other issues.

All of the pain specialists Business Insider spoke to agreed that insurance companies have become increasingly restrictive in recent years, a situation that has made it difficult for them to provide the type of care and treatments they think is necessary for their patients.

I have to spend a lot of time figuring out what I can do for the patient rather than what I want to do for the patient and have the insurance pay for it, Dr. Houman Danesh, the director of Integrative Pain Management at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Business Insider.

Many pain specialists have begun offering their treatments at for-cash prices so that they can continue to treat their patients amid the restrictive insurance environment. While this may initially allow more people to receive these pain treatments, Danesh fears it may lead to a two-tiered healthcare system, where the affluent can afford alternative pain treatments, while the average person must either resort to low-cost generic medications like opioids or suffer the pain.

If patients are paying cash for more and more things, it becomes unaffordable for the average middle-class family, Shah said.

painkillers pain treatment

Shah was unequivocal when asked why she thinks non-opioid pain treatments have been restricted.

Simple. They cost more. It costs more for insurance companies for a physician to do a procedure on a patient or to do physical therapy. It is far cheaper for us to write a prescription for a 30-day supply of morphine. That's the only reason, Shah explained.

This reasoning is not unusual in healthcare, according to Dr. Stuart Schweitzer, a professor of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

Because insurers have a fiduciary responsibly to their millions of subscribers, insurers will frequently weigh a treatments cost into their coverage decisions, even if the treatments are medically efficacious, Schweitzer told Business Insider. Where that value-based decision-making runs into trouble is when insurers policies push patients toward dangerous or potentially addictive medications in lieu of equally effective medications that arent dangerous.

It would be scandalous if a patient had a dependency [on opioids] and the insurer told them they wouldnt pay for the counter treatment because it is cheaper for them for the patient to keep taking the dangerous drug, Schweitzer said.

And yet, that's exactly what many pain physicians contend is occurring.

If they don't allow us to treat pain effectively, then this is what you get. You go down to the lowest-cost option that is authorized, and it is painkillers, Shah said.

Part of the problem, says Dr. Neel Mehta, the medical director of pain management at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medical College, is that in many cases, the pain cannot be completely eliminated, only managed. Alternative treatments advocated by most pain physicians are not typically one-and-done procedures, but instead may need to be done periodically to treat the pain.

Because of that, insurance companies may be making an unpopular but, in their minds, necessary judgment: If patients would have to undergo these treatments indefinitely, they may as well go on opioids, the lowest-cost option.

Opioids however, may only appear cost-effective in the short term.

That's the fallacy. If you look at the long-term cost of [opioids], plus monitoring, office visits and drug screenings  its cheaper long-term to do the more advanced therapy, Dr. Timothy Deer, the cochair of West Virginias Expert Pain Management Panel, tasked with helping alleviate the opioid crisis in the state, told Business Insider.

Insurance companies do have an appeals process in place to ensure experimental treatments or denied treatments can be covered if certain conditions are met, according to Clare Krusing, spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, the health-insurance industrys trade group.

Shah said doctors appealing coverage decisions must fill out extensive paperwork, submit to "peer-to-peer" reviews with the medical director of the health plan and, in some cases, submit to a second "specialty-specific" review that starts the process all over again. Shah said the appeals process is "time consuming," "eats up countless days of work" and administrative costs for physicians, and rarely succeeds. It leaves patients back at "square one"  managing their pain on high-dose opioids.

"Imagine doing this for almost every patient, especially if you practice in an HMO-heavy area such as California. It is exhaustive," Shah wrote in an email.

The success or failure of any payers appeals process comes down to the medical reviewer, according to Pearl. While some are receptive to pain specialists concerns, there are many that deny everything, Pearl said.

The problem with pain medicine

nih clinical center in bethesda

Health insurers base their coverage decisions on the available medical evidence around safety and effectiveness, according to Krusing. This evidence includes guidelines and recommendations from medical societies as well as peer-reviewed studies in the field. When doctors or hospital systems ask for a treatment to be covered, insurers will have their medical staffs evaluate that procedure based on the evidence.

The system seems sensible enough, but the field of chronic pain is ill-suited to such an approach for a number of reasons, according to pain specialists.

The first is that pain is inherently subjective, which makes measuring it (and the effect that a particular treatment might have) a difficult task, according to Danesh. Many insurance companies have policies that say doctors providing patients with pain injections must show that a patient experienced 50% to 80% pain relief before doing the treatment again, he added.

"Pain is so subjective," said Danesh, who added that percentage-pain-relief requirements seem arbitrary when patients convey to him major qualitative improvements in their life like being able to sleep through the night, even when the pain-relief level set by the payer isn't reached. He contends that insurance companies change the numbers because adjusting to the new policy and obtaining proper reimbursement takes doctors months to figure out.

Another issue is that there are a limited number of high-quality clinical studies for pain treatments. While this is partially because pain treatment is a relatively young medical discipline, the bigger issue is that pain studies are fundamentally difficult to recruit for, according to Mehta.

The kinds of studies that insurance companies want to see before approving a procedure are expensive, require large sample sizes, and, most importantly, require physicians to provide half of the study with the treatment and the other half with a placebo, says Mehta. Single- or double-blind studies, as they are called, are relatively standard practice for clinical trials for new treatments and are meant to prevent participants or researchers from influencing the results, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Asking patients in debilitating pain to risk receiving a placebo and waiting months to measure the treatment (or the placebos) effect is a big ask, according to Mehta, who says many patients opt to skip participating in clinical trials in favor of taking opioids or, if they have the means, paying out of pocket.

'Broadening' the treatment options

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr. Thomas Frieden, speaks at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia September 30, 2014.REUTERS/Tami Chappell

In theory, competition among insurers should fix the coverage problem, according to Schweitzer.

If consumers want the alternative pain treatments, they will move toward plans that cover them, thus pushing other insurers to cover them as well.

This scenario assumes that consumers are informed and in control of their policy decisions and that some insurers are substantially better than others about covering the treatments.

This doesnt appear to be the case, pain specialists told Business Insider. They maintained that while insurers may vary about which specific treatments they cover, they're all cutting back on coverage and reimbursements for alternative pain treatments as a whole.

The issue hasnt been limited to commercial-healthcare companies either. Coverage decisions and recommendations made by the government tend to have ripple effects across the industry, according to Schweitzer, with many insurers looking to the government for indications on what to cover. Guidelines and coverage recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) and CMS have received significant pushback from pain specialists in recent years.

In a joint letter to the CDC in January, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) raised several issues with the CDCs proposed guidelines for prescribing opioids.

The letter notes that many of the guidelines' recommendations, specifically about encouraging non-opioid approaches, are difficult to implement because many of those approaches are not covered by insurance. In addition, the letter took the CDC to task for what appears to be improperly characterizing treatments, including epidural steroid injections, radio-frequency ablation, and spinal-cord stimulation  three core non-opioid pain treatments  as being associated with rare, but serious adverse events and being linked to only short term benefits.

The letter argues that interventional approaches actually can provide short-term and long-term improvement and have an extremely small number of complications. Further, the letter argued that interventional treatments are not measured equally against opioids, noting that while interventional treatments must show 50% or more in improvement in pain relief, opioids are only required to show 30%.

In a time where we are supposed to not be prescribing opioids, the options to treat pain are narrowing. They need to be broadening, Pearl said.

NOW WATCH: The FDA just released new warnings about painkillers like ibuprofen  here's what you need to know





More From Business Insider


Here it is, the ultimate evidence that Samsung has "invented" the Apple Watch. After all, Samsung did make smartwatches long before Apple did. And a Samsung patent application clearly shows images of the Apple Watch.

DONT MISS: The only bad cell company is Sprint

Yes, I am kidding about Samsung inventing the Apple Watch, but Samsung is dead serious about copying Apple. For some very strange reason, the company thought its really okay to just publish drawings in a legal document that are blatant copies of a piece of hardware belonging to the competition. Thats even more worrying considering that Samsung is copying Apple. Again.

From engineers to designers to the lawyers who submitted the documentation, it seems that nobody working for Samsung cared about the fact that drawings depicting what has already become an iconic product in this nice are present in the patent. Check them out:

Anyone whos ever seen an Apple Watch will recognize some of its apparent design markings, including the rectangular watch face, the Digital Crown, and the secondary button, and the heart rate sensor on the back. Even the straps resemble actual Apple products.

As Business Insider explains, the patent application also contains generic smartwatch drawings, so its puzzling to see an Apple product in a patent thats supposed to describe strap technology that might be seen in future Samsung smartwatch designs.

Samsung has a long history of copying the iPhone, with US courts having already ruled for Apple in the past  although Samsung managed to gain a few notable victories in appeals itself. Many people already regard Samsung as an Apple imitator, regardless of what courts say. And Samsung may not be done copying just yet.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
Manila (AFP) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to maintain his "shoot-to-kill" order against drug dealers while in office and says he "does not care about human rights".

About 800 people have been killed since Duterte won a landslide election in May, according to reports by the local press which has been tracking the maverick politician's campaign pledge to kill tens of thousands of criminals.

"This campaign (of) shoot-to-kill will remain until the last day of my term if I'm still alive by then," the 71-year-old said at a news conference in his southern hometown of Davao.

"I don't care about human rights, believe me," he said, according to official transcripts released by the presidential palace Saturday.

He said government officials who use their positions to engage in a trade that wrecks the lives of many Filipinos were first on his list.

Duterte said he was also offering soldiers and police his "official and personal guarantee" of immunity from prosecution for killings undertaken in the performance of their duties.

The president dismissed critics' suggestions some of the 402 suspects whose killings have been acknowledged by the police were "salvaged", the local police term for summary execution.

Hundreds of others have been killed by suspected vigilantes, according to unofficial tallies by local newspapers and television networks.

The UN anti-drugs office on Wednesday joined international rights organisations in condemning the rash of killings.

"The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime remains greatly concerned by the reports of extrajudicial killing of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines," its executive director Yury Fedotov said in a statement.

"I join the United Nations secretary general in condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms," Fedotov added.

Story continues

In June, UN chief Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned Duterte's apparent support of extrajudicial killings.

"These NGOs (non-governmental organisations) that are complaining to the United Nations, this is none of their business," Duterte retorted.

"I'm waging a war. I am now invoking the articles of war."

Duterte said he had no fear the anti-crime campaign would cause his impeachment and removal from office.

"The Filipino is crying for justice" from crimes committed by drug dependents, he said.

Police say more than 500,000 people have surrendered to the local authorities and pledged to stop using illegal drugs.
By Joseph Ax NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than 40 concertgoers were injured on Friday night when a railing collapsed at an amphitheater where rapper Snoop Dogg was performing in Camden, New Jersey, officials said. One person sustained serious injuries and was in stable condition at a local hospital, according to Dan Keashen, a spokesman for Camden County. Others suffered broken bones and a variety of minor injuries. A railing near the stage at the BB&T Pavilion collapsed around 10 p.m. in the middle of the concert, which featured Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, causing the show to be stopped. Social media video showed the rail falling forward beneath the weight of dozens of people, sending them crashing around 10 feet to the concrete below, as the rappers chanted, "Get up!" during the concert. The indoor-outdoor venue, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia's Center City, has a capacity of 25,000, including indoors seating for 7,000. The amphitheater's website still listed a concert scheduled for Saturday night featuring the rap group Salt-N-Pepa. Representatives for Live Nation Entertainment , which operates the venue, did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday morning. (Editing by Frank McGurty)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two rebel groups said on Saturday they had broken the siege of Aleppo after days of fierce fighting in the southwest of the city, but a monitoring group and pro-government online media outlets denied the claim. Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, said in an online statement: "Fighters from outside the city met their brother fighters from inside the city and work is under way to establish control over remaining positions to break the siege." A commander from another, more moderate rebel group also told Reuters the siege had been broken, but said it was early days and matters were "not easy". The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the siege had not been broken but that fighting was very intense in the Ramousah area of southwest Aleppo, where rebels have been battling for control of a major military artillery base. A pro-Syrian government news outlet affiliated with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said in an online statement there was no truth to reports the siege had been broken. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Its said that all good things in life are worth waiting for. Were not entirely sure Cincinnati Reds rookie Tony Renda would agree with that though. At least as it pertains to his first major-league hit.

On Friday, MLB retroactively awarded Renda with his milestone first hit nearly 72 hours after the play in question was completed, rendering the entire experience rather anti-climatic.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]

Renda, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman trade during the offseason, was called up to the big leagues on Tuesday. His first appearance came during that evenings game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and his first assignment was to lay down a sacrifice bunt.

Reds rookie Tony Renda waited three days to be awarded his first career hit. (AP)

Renda got the job done, and the Reds ended up benefiting as Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams couldnt complete the play. His throw pulled second baseman Kolten Wong off the base, resulting in an error being charged by the Great American Ballparks official scorer. Renda was also credited with a sacrifice, so it was not an official at-bat.

At the request of the Reds, the league reviewed the play and ultimately overruled the official scorers decision.

.@TRenda28's sacrifice on Tuesday has been changed to a hit. So, retroactive to 8/2, congrats on your 1st hit, Tony! pic.twitter.com/dfME1phOvS  Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 5, 2016

It looks like a solid single to center field in the record books, and thats the way it will stay. In fact, for one retroactive moment, Renda was hitting 1.000. Officially, hes 1-for-3.

Any way you look at it, a hit is a hit. Regardless of the circumstances, which robbed Renda of an ovation and ultimately a souvenir, he wont be giving that hit away.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

      

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


Credit: Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

Renee Zellweger returned to the spotlight Thursday night in L.A. for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association banquet, which this year drew stars as major as Jamie Lee Curtis, Gina Rodriguez, and Emma Stone.

So what was the 47-year-old Bridget Jones's Diary star on hand for? At the glitzy event, Zellweger took the stage to accept grants for organizations that all support children in need. She delivered a speech and happily honored the philanthropic work of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Lollipop Theater Network, among others. "I'm here tonight to accept HFPA grants in respect to several and worthwhile causes. In each case, all involve children," she told guests inside of the affair.

Naturally, the actress glowed in a simple and silky black sleeveless cocktail dress that showcased her natural beauty look and matching, pulled-back tousled locks. Following Zellweger's rousing speech, Stone paced up the steps to also accept a grant of her own, telling the crowd she was "very happy" to see Zellweger.

PHOTOS: Renee Zellweger's Changing Looks

We couldn't agree more, Emma.

--with reporting by Brandi Fowler
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - A Malaysian rape suspect who married his 14-year-old victim to avoid jail will be brought back to court for a retrial, the accused's lawyer told AFP on Saturday.

Ahmad Syukri Yusuf, 22, allegedly raped the girl, now 15, last year in a country where rape charges can incur a sentence of up to 30 years in jail and whipping.

But a court in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo island ruled last week it would not proceed with the case after it emerged the accused had married his alleged victim, sparking an outcry by activists and politicians.

"It's back to square one. The trial will be heard again. It will be difficult for me. It is a retrial," Ahmad's lawyer, Azam Trudin, told AFP.

Activists welcomed the retrial which is expected to take place end of September, with some calling for child marriages to be made illegal.

"You endorse the violent act (of rape) by allowing that marriage to take place in the first place," said Meera Samanther of the Association of Women Lawyers in Malaysia.

"We should ban all child marriages."

Child marriages are not uncommon in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

Girls below the age of 16 must obtain the permission of Islamic courts -- who regulate civil matters for Muslims -- but activists say such permission is too readily granted.

Over the years there have been renewed calls for the government to outlaw child marriages.

In 2013, a man who raped a 12-year-old girl avoided prison after he married her, provoking an outcry among rights groups. However, the following year a high court sentenced the father-of-four to 12 years in jail.

Malaysia's Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim on Thursday said authorities will in future prevent suspects accused of rape from marrying the alleged victim.
Ricci Martin, a musician, entertainer and youngest son of show-business legend Dean Martin, was found dead Wednesday at his Utah home, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The cause of death has not yet been determined, family members announced on Saturday. He was 62.

In recent years, Martin had been performing in a touring tribute show to his famous father. In the 1970s, he released the single "Stop, Look Around" and album Beached, collaborating with Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys, who produced the album and would later become his brother-in-law.

Martin performed at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas and other clubs in the 1990s with Desi Arnaz Jr. and Billy Hinsche, taking the place of his late brother Dean Paul Martin, who in the 1970s had formed a successful rock band called Dino, Desi and Billy with the others. Dean Paul was killed in a military jet crash in 1987.

Martin authored a 2002 book, That's Amore, about growing up in Beverly Hills as part of his large and colorful family. In the memoir, he recalled a party that was thrown at his family's home for his 21st birthday that was attended by, among others, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Elizabeth Taylor, David Bowie and Elton John.

Martin was born on Sept. 20, 1953. Divorced, he is survived by three daughters, Pepper, Montana and Rio; his mother, Jeanne Martin; an older brother, Craig; and four sisters, Gail, Deana, Gina and Sasha.

Read more: Rio 2016: Highlights from the Olympics Opening Ceremony
Ricci Martin, a musician, entertainer and youngest son of show-business legend Dean Martin, was found dead Wednesday at his Utah home, The Hollywood Reporter can confirm. The cause of death has not yet been determined, family members announced on Saturday. He was 62.

Gone But Not Forgotten: In Memoriam 2016

In recent years, Martin had been performing in a touring tribute show to his famous father. In the 1970s, he released the single "Stop, Look Around" and album Beached, collaborating with Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys, who produced the album and would later become his brother-in-law.

Martin performed at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas and other clubs in the 1990s with Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Billy Hinsche, taking the place of his late brother Dean Paul, who in the 1970s had formed a successful rock band called Dino, Desi and Billy with the others. Dean Paul Martin was killed in a military jet crash in 1987.

Martin authored a 2002 book, That's Amore, about growing up in Beverly Hills, Calif., as part of his large and colorful family. In the memoir, he recalled a party that was thrown at his family's home for his 21st birthday that was attended by, among others, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Elizabeth Taylor, David Bowie and Elton John.

He was born on Sept. 20, 1953. Divorced, he is survived by three daughters, Pepper, Montana and Rio; by his mother, Jeanne Martin; an older brother, Craig, and by four sisters, Gail, Deana, Gina and Sasha.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.
Destruction and rebuilding in Vila Autodromo for the Rio Olympics The house of Carlos Augusto and Sandra Regina (not pictured) who have lived in Vila Autodromo slum for 20 years with their children, is demolished after the family moved to one of the twenty houses built for the residents who refused to leave the community, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2, 2016. (REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes)

The last house of a Rio de Janeiro slum near the Olympic park that was once home to 700 families was demolished on Aug. 2. Market vendor Augusto Pereira told the Associated Press that there was too much pressure on him to leave the area and that he needed to carry on with his life somewhere else. The Vila Autodromo favela was once home to around 700 families. Most left or accepted offers of compensation or resettlement in a nearby housing complex. Favelas are dotted around Rio de Janeiro. Some are small and some house tens of thousands of residents. Until recently 20 families had refused to move out because proposed new homes did not provide paved streets and public lighting, but the issue was resolved this week for most of them. Pereira was the very last to stay in the area. I requested some conditions to leave, but the City Hall was stalling me. I was getting so depressed that I just decided to go anyway, Pereira said. Staying here during the Olympics would hurt me even more. The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics will be on Friday. Clearing space for the Olympic venues has brought a political cost for Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes. The bulldozing of Vila Autodromo was made to build a complex of 31 high rises that will become upper-class housing in the citys west zone. Paes initially said residents could stay if they wanted, but changed course and ordered evictions. He said a few months ago that the homes built in that area will cost between 3 million to 3.5 million reais ($800,000 to $930,000), but sales have been slow so far. Felipe Pena, a visiting professor at New York University who recently released an award-winning documentary on Vila Autodromo, said that the demolition of the last home in the region is a symbol of how Rios authorities dealt with the Olympics. Demolishing working-class housing next to the Olympic Park shows how much exclusion there is in these Games, Pena said. What happened to Vila Autodromo is a representation of what might happen to the rest of the country. The mayor, the governor and the interim president belong in the same party. Politicians are fine with this. Activists and lawmakers have pledged to keep the pressure on Paes to improve conditions for former residents of Vila Autodromo in their new homes. (AP) See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.
A Brazilian was shot and killed just outside the exit of the Opening Ceremony Friday night, creating even more concern that the Olympics may not be as safe as Rio officials like to suggest. With the long list of problems well known to everyone around the world, its been a tense week as athletes, officials and spectators were waiting to see if the worst would happen.

Unfortunately, this shooting, like one earlier in the week, appears to have varying stories, meaning there may not be much for people to learn if theyre hoping to stay safe. From USA Today:

According to Rios Civil Police Department, a 22-year-old Brazilian named Ronaldo Marques de Souza was assaulting people in the crowd as the 53,000 attendees were being let out of the stadium. An officer from an unidentified agency who was assisting with Olympic security responded and shot the man.

Related Links:





But photographers with the AP said they heard several shots, and then saw a gunman flee from the scene and get into a car and drive away. Whatever the case, the end result was a body in the street just about when fans were pouring out of the Maracana stadium following the Opening Ceremony.

Its obviously much worse than a broken shower or unfinished subway line, but hopefully these sorts of stories are few and far between during the next few weeks.

(via USA Today)
Russias Belsan Mudranov defeated Kazakhstans Yeldos Smetov for the gold medal (Getty)

How does a Russian judoka climb from No. 18 in the world to Olympic champion?

Over 100 athletes from Russia were banned from the Summer Games, but Beslan Mudranov and 11 other judokas from the country were allowed to attend. Mudranov took advantage of the opportunity by pulling off a series of upsets to earn the first medal of the Rio Olympics for Russia.

Despite coming into the mens -60kg tournament at No. 18 in the most recent world rankings from the International Judo Federation and earning the No. 16 seed in the Olympic tournament, Mudranov strung together five consecutive victories to earn the gold.

[Related: USA wins first medal of the Olympics in shooting event]

Along the way Mudranov defeated world No. 1 Won Jin Kim of South Korea in the quarterfinals, and eventually earned the gold with a win over No. 4 Yeldos Smetov of Kazakhstan.

The final was a battle of attrition with a Golden Score overtime required to break a 0-0 tie.

Mudranovs gold medal is the fourth Russia has ever won in judo, and the second consecutive in the lightest weight class for men after Arsen Galstyan won gold in mens -60kg in the 2012 Summer Games.

More Summer Olympics coverage on Yahoo Sports:
BERLIN (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has offered to help German investigators find those behind Islamist bomb and ax attacks in July, news magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday, citing a senior member of the Saudi government. Saudi authorities are in contact with their German colleagues, responding to new findings that show both attackers were in close contact via a chat conversation with possible Islamic State backers from Saudi Arabia, Spiegel said. Traces of the chat, which investigators have been able to reconstruct, indicate that both men were not only influenced by but also took instructions from people, as yet unidentified, up until the attacks, the report said. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on July 18 near Wuerzburg in Bavaria in which a 17-year-old refugee believed to be from Pakistan or Afghanistan wounded five people with an ax before police shot him dead. A 27-year-old Syrian who blew himself up in Ansbach, southern Germany on July 24 had pledged allegiance to Islamic State on a video found on his mobile phone, investigators said. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing, which wounded 15 people. Bavaria's Interior Minister said at the end of July that the Ansbach bomber had been "significantly influenced" in a chat conversation on his mobile phone that ended just before the attack. (Reporting by Caroline Copley; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)


Credit: Courtesy

For one lucky woman, what started out as a romantic photo shoot turned into the beginning of her life with the man she loves.



After four years of dating, Kornelius Bascombe cleverly crafted the perfect proposal to girlfriend, Rachel Jordan, by setting up a mock photo shoot that left her nearly speechless.



RELATED: 5 Creative Ways to Announce Your Engagement on Social Media



In the video posted to YouTube, the CBS producer broke down the months-long preparation behind his ingenious surprise engagement which began with him contacting a blogger who previously worked with his lady love to set the scene of a dreamy photoshoot.









In conjunction with Signal 13 Productions, the pair posed for photographer Myron Rogan using the Los Angeles skyline as a backdrop (with a helicopter for a prop!) atop the Citibank building. Midway into the shoot, Myron then instructed Rachel to spin around and toss rose petals for an action shot. Unbeknownst to her, Kornelius was on bent knee behind her holding a ring.









Though the Delta Sigma Theta soror was shocked by it all, Kornelius was more than ready to pop the question. According to the TV personality, it was love at first sight when he first met his counterpart as students at North Carolina State University.



"I was a campus leader and hosting an event, I spotted her in the crowd and immediately had a crush on her. I called her up on stage during the pep rally to play a game with me, at which point she didn't know that I liked her," the Alpha Phi Alpha frat member told Watch the Yard.



RELATED: 6 Tips to Help You Write Your Wedding Vows



In the snaps from the shoot, which Kornelius has since posted to Instagram, the newly-engaged couple beam from ear to ear as they prepare to embark on the next journey in their lives.









Congrats to Kornelius and Rachel!
As the Parade of Nations at the Olympic Opening Ceremony was droning on Friday night, coming close to an end  BOOM:

Thats Tonga flag bearer Pita Taufatofua. He is shirtless. He is all oiled up. And he did his best to break Twitter:

The sound you hear is your wife running away to the Tongan flag bearer.  Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) August 6, 2016

Tonga or Magic Mike 3, you decide. pic.twitter.com/4qVDBAVSB5  Mark (@MarkMizzouSteel) August 6, 2016

OMG THE TONGA FLAG BEARER!!! pic.twitter.com/nxaR9bUkR1  bluekd (@bluekd07) August 6, 2016

Taufatofua will compete in taekwondo in Rio. But his more important credentials came earlier in life:

Story continues

Info on the Tongan flag bearer. Of course he's a model. pic.twitter.com/CPlUDXitkQ  Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) August 6, 2016

And hes not just any old model. Hes an Uggs model:

Still waiting on a response from J.R. Smith. But in the meantime, we can see more from Shirtless Tonga Flag Bearer at his Instagram page:

If NBC doesnt put taekwondo in primetime after this, it is making a big mistake.

Check out more photos from the Parade of Nations:
At my first restaurant job, cooking at a wine bar in the Lower East Side years ago, I was responsible for shopping for produce at the Union Square greenmarket. The quality of the produceespecially in the peak of summerwas off the charts, and continues to inspire my cooking. My days of riding in cabs with cases of heirloom tomatoes and crates of berries are over, but farmers markets are still a huge part of my personal life, and certainly part of my sausage-slingin professional life: Before Brooklyn Cured products became available in specialty food markets and restaurants, I started out by offering sausages and charcuterie at the New Amsterdam Marketthe mecca of all regional produce and provisionswhen we launched five years ago. We still participate in three weekly farmers markets in Brooklyn and Manhattan because it enriches our sense of community with other farmers and food producers, as well as with people who shop in the neighborhoods that host our farmers markets. Heres what Ive learned.

Peak Season

Theres no better time to shop at the farmers market than midsummer. August is peak season for Northeast farmers and producers, and, by extension, NYC farmers markets.

Sweet New Jersey corn, an array of heirloom tomato varieties, bell peppers, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers, salad greens, herbs, gherkins, spring onions, and bushels of chili peppers are just a bit of what you can find on any given day at a NYC farmers market in August. The heirloom tomatoes and peppers at Eckerton Hill Farms stand at the Union Square greenmarket are just stunning. And Ive yet to mention the bounty of fruits that are available. Just wait til you see the sexy berries, melons, and stone fruits on display.

Theyve Got Answers

One of the coolest things about going to farmers markets is that often, at the smaller stands, the very person selling the heirloom tomatoes is the same person that grew themand the farmer can be a great resource for information. Want to know how to choose the best cucumber? Ask the farmer. Wondering if the produce was grown without chemical pesticides? Just ask. Whats this cool vegetable youve never seen before? The farmer can tell you about it. But dont try to strike up a conversation when the stalls packed; wait for a slow moment. You dont want to be that guy.

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Keep It Simple

The beauty of the farmers market is that the colors and flavors of the food speak for themselves. Less is more when youre preparing vegetables from the market. Some nice olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice are all you need to make your meal sing. Fresh herbs are also a great addition to any market salad or grilled vegetables. The market at Union Square has some really cool herbs that arent widely available, like bush basil, lemon verbena, pineapple-scented mint, and Thai basil.

Summer fruits can be great in savory applications like salads and charcuterie plates, especially stone fruits such as peaches and plums. You can pimp your yogurt with market strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. And if youre into melons like cantaloupe or honeydew, chose ones without any dark green spots on the surface. If a melon is nice and aromatic when you give it a sniff, thats also a good sign.

Endless Summer

Try stretching the bounty of summer by pickling vegetables to have in your fridge deep into autumn. My favorite summer vegetables to pickle are peppers, cucumbers, green tomatoes, and spring onions, but you can pickle so many different thingseven the white part of watermelon rinds. You can make a basic pickle brine with 8 parts vinegar (any kind you like), 4 parts water, 2 parts sugar, and 1 part salt. Bring the brine to a simmer with aromatics like garlic and herbs, turn off the heat, and pour the brine over your prepped market vegetables. Cool before you refrigerate. Pickles are great additions to salads and sandwiches, or just for straight munchin.

Over the years, farmers markets have cropped up all over NYC, so you can definitely get access to peak summer produce even if youre not near Union Square. Check GrowNYC and Down to Earth Markets for days and locations of farmers markets all over the city. Theres likely one right in your neighborhood.

Scott Bridi is the founder of the charcuterie company Brooklyn Cured and a chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.

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Robots are starting to lend a hand to humans in more ways than one. From getting people out of parking tickets to making a hearty meal for their master, it wont be long till we are literally living in the world of the Jetsons. But menial tasks aside, would you want an android put some ink on you?

That is the question being asked by Pierre Emm and Johan da Silveira, who created the industrial robot arm  Tatoue  that can give humans tattoos. How it works is they will scan the body part that will be tattooed, which is then uploaded through the Dynamo design software to translate it into a language the computer will understand. Test subjects dont have to fear the robot using lasers or new technology, as Tatoue will be using a standard tattoo gun with a needle and ink. So dont worry, it will still be the same amount of pain. Emm and Silveira told QZ they are interested in trying something new in an age old practice.

It was very interesting to us to investigate the traditional art of tattooing, which is practiced differently in various countries. Equally, the fact that there is a lack of technological evolution in the tattoo industry over the past one hundred years interested us.

Veteran tattoo artists may not take too kindly to a robot taking their jobs, as it takes years to cultivate a portfolio and some people only go to veteran artists for pristine artwork. Not too mention the robot uprising that may occur after customers voice their displeasure at shotty workmanship.

(Via QZ)
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Adam Peaty's world record lit up the opening session of the Rio Olympic swimming competition Saturday, but little-known Spaniard Miguel Duran Navia tugged on Brazilian heart-strings after a false start left him in tears.

The 20-year-old left the blocks early in his 400 metres freestyle heat and was already sobbing uncontrollably as he climbed out of the pool and walked back to collect his things.

The Brazilian crowd gave Navia a raucous hand, recognising that four years of hard work had gone down the drain, as the young Spaniard trudged despondently from the pool deck -- only to shuffle back out moments later to another rousing reception.

Confusion reigned but Navia, still visibly upset, climbed back onto the blocks in lane seven for the restart. He finished last after running the full gamut of emotions.

Swimming's governing body FINA said that Denmark's Anton Ipsen in lane three had moved before the buzzer and consequently Navia was not to blame for his false start.

"I was nervous and heard something in the stands that made me do what I did," the swimmer said. "I thought I was disqualified and that affected my concentration. I lost my head and was five seconds off my time."
STOP EVERYTHING: The first Pizza ATM has arrived!

STOP EVERYTHING: The first Pizza ATM has arrived!

Guys, dreams really do come true. Weve all heard of Cupcake ATMs, but now America has their first Pizza ATM!

pizzakim

Ohios Xavier University is the groundbreaking institution offering this tasty treat. As Time reports, the Pizza ATM (which is sort of more of a vending machine but it totally still counts) offers hot pizza 24 hours a day, seven days a week with just the touch of a button. The infamous freshmen fifteen might just become the freshmen thirty.

catpizza

A full 12-inch pizza costs $9 (which is a small price to pay for such perfection). The ATM itself is pretty simple. You choose your toppings on the touchscreen and it delivers a fresh-baked pizza through a very special pizza slot within three minutes (thanks to its magical internal convection oven). About 70 pizzas are stored in the ATM at any given time, but they may be restocking fast  especially because, according to Cincinnati.com, the only other pizza options available to students is Dominos.

We have to admit, this pizza ATM looks pretty awesome.

Guys, the stories are true! Xavier now has North Americas first Pizza ATM and we got it j https://t.co/oVJlzHXjsv pic.twitter.com/mbTvsQQmpz  Xavier Admissions (@XUAdmissions) August 5, 2016

It is the best pizza Ive ever had, and I hate to admit that as a New Yorker, Jennifer Paiotti, marketing director of XUs auxiliary services, told WCPO Cincinnati.

Thats high praise, indeed.

Its crazy to think that this brilliant contraption was once a mere normal vending machine.

One small step for pepperoni, one giant leap for pizza kind. The PizzaATM has landed @XavierUniv. #comingtoamerica pic.twitter.com/EwLc8UDv5x  Xavier Dining (@XavierDining) July 28, 2016

It seems Xavier University staff are having fun with the concept. And can you blame them? After all, is a pretty revolutionary idea.

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We sure hope our local institutions get themselves a Pizza ATM, stat. Were hungry!

pusheen

The post STOP EVERYTHING: The first Pizza ATM has arrived! appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Suicide Squad Jai Courtney Boomerang Clay Enos final

Warning: spoilers for "Suicide Squad" ahead.

"Suicide Squad" is the latest DC Comics release from Warner Bros., and as with its previous title, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," there are elements to the story that tease the massive convergence of superheroes coming in "Justice League."

For "Squad" it's the blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of Justice League member The Flash (Ezra Miller) when he captures Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) in assisting Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to form the Suicide Squad.

It turns out, however, that the sequence came together long after principal photography wrapped. The way Courtney tells it, there was no other actor with him on set when he filmed his portion of the scene.

"I didn't f------ know that was happening when we were filming," Courtney told Business Insider of The Flash appearance. "That was a surprise for me when I saw the film."

Courtney explained how he imagined the scene while filming it.

"It's part of the roundup of the squad, so my interpretation was that he had been taken out by [Rick] Flag's crew," Courtney said. "But it's not specified [in the script]."

zack snyder

Warner Bros./DC heads could've had numerous options in mind.

There's Courtney's theory of it being one of Flag's (Joel Kinnaman) men. It could have possibly been Batman (Ben Affleck) capturing Boomerang, as he's seen in the movie nabbing Deadshot (Will Smith) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). But it turns out the plan was always to have The Flash in the movie, according to "Squad" director David Ayer.

Flash was always in the movie," Ayer told Collider. "We just got lucky because 'Justice League' was happening and they had the uniform, they had the assets, so we were able to get that photography.

So instead of having Miller show up for literally one shot during production of "Suicide Squad," Ayer confirmed to Collider that "Justice League" director Zack Snyder directed The Flash portion of the Boomerang capture scene while shooting "League" in London and sent the footage to Ayer, who was in postproduction on "Squad."

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NOW WATCH: Here's how the 'Suicide Squad' cast looks compared to their comic-book counterparts





More From Business Insider


Beirut (AFP) - Syrian rebels said they have broken a three-week government siege of second city Aleppo, turning the tables on Russian-backed regime forces who are now on the defensive.

To the northeast, a Western-backed alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters scored a major victory against the Islamic State group in the town of Manbij after a fierce two-month battle.

The developments have rocked the key northern province of Aleppo, a microcosm of Syria's chaotic multi-front war that has killed more than 280,000 people.

Rebel and regime forces have fought to control the provincial capital since mid-2012, transforming the former economic powerhouse into a divided, bombed-out city.

Opposition fighters, Islamists and jihadists have waged fierce assaults since July 31 to end the siege by government forces of some 250,000 people in eastern Aleppo.

On Saturday, rebels successfully broke the siege by opening a new route into the city from the southwest, opposition officials said.

"Rebels break Aleppo's siege," tweeted the Istanbul-based opposition National Coalition.

Islamist faction Ahrar al-Sham said rebels had seized control of Ramussa on the southwestern edges of the city and "opened the route to Aleppo".

But state television said late Saturday the army had regained control of several key points in a military complex that rebels overran earlier.

"Our armed forces took control of the part of the artillery school that had been seized by terrorists... while (rebel) groups withdrew from points in the armament school," it said, citing a military source.

- 'A good omen' -

Riad Hijab, head of the broad opposition body the High Negotiations Committee, tweeted: "The liberation of Ramussa and the breaking of the siege are a good omen for Syria's revolution."

An AFP journalist in eastern Aleppo said residents were on the streets and firing celebratory shots into the air.

"Days ago, I was only thinking about how to get a bite to eat," said Ahmad Adna, a 46-year-old resident of eastern Aleppo.

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An AFP photographer said the first truck of vegetables in a month entered eastern Aleppo via Ramussa on Saturday.

The tomatoes and potatoes were destined for markets in rebel-held districts, which had seen prices skyrocket since the siege began.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that rebels in Sheikh Saeed district in the south of Aleppo had linked up with other insurgents in part of Ramussa but stressed that the rest of that area was still in regime hands.

The Britain-based monitor said rebels and jihadists had expanded their control late Saturday to seize the air force technical school south of Aleppo.

"The western districts of Aleppo are now besieged. There are no safe routes for civilians in government-held districts to use to get into or out of the city," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

The monitor said more than 700 rebels and government fighters had been killed since the offensive began on Sunday -- 200 on Saturday alone.

At least 130 civilians had been killed, among them seven on Saturday in rebel shelling of the regime-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh, the Observatory said.

The former Al-Nusra Front -- renamed the Fateh al-Sham Front after breaking from Al-Qaeda -- said on Saturday that rebels from inside Aleppo city had linked up with others on the outskirts.

Drone footage posted by the group online showed a series of explosions on the edges of Aleppo, and columns of billowing black smoke.

- IS loses Manbij -

Fearful residents of western districts watched the news on television screens in street cafes.

"Of course I have faith in the army, but I can't help being scared. Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult," said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held western quarter.

"We are thinking about how to leave," he told AFP.

Also on Saturday, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance defeated IS in Manbij.

The Observatory said the SDF "took control of Manbij... and are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists".

Manbij had been a key transit point along IS's supply route from the Turkish border to Raqa, de facto capital of its self-styled "caliphate".

Backed by the US-led air coalition, the SDF offensive began on May 31 and it entered the town less than a month later, in an assault slowed by jihadist suicide attackers and car bombs

The Manbij Military Council -- a key component of the SDF -- said fighting was continuing near the town centre, however.

"We are in control of 90 percent of Manbij," spokesman Sherfan Darwish said.

In the northwestern province of Idlib bordering Turkey, raids by either regime or Russian warplanes on Saturday near a hospital in Milis killed at least 10 civilians, the Observatory said.

Syria's conflict first erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests but has since evolved into a fully fledged war largely dominated by jihadist groups.
(BEIRUT)Syrian insurgent groups launched a fresh offensive Saturday seeking to break a government siege on rebel-held neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo, opposition activists and state media said. The militants claimed they had achieved their goal while state media denied that the blockade has been breached.

An unnamed military official told state news agency SANA that large numbers of militants had attacked the military college in southern Aleppo, adding that government forces were defending the sprawling base. SANA said the militant offensive was preceded by a number of car bombs that struck the area.

Shortly before sunset Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said that militants were able to reach besieged areas. The Observatory said that although the militants outside the city did reach rebel-held neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo, civilians still dont have a safe route to leave because of intense airstrikes and shelling in the area.

Syrian state TV said the attack was repelled and the army has regained control of areas it lost earlier in the day at the military college. It added that government forces targeted militants as they retreated from the area.

Such conflicting claims are not uncommon in Syria when offensives are underway. The militants have launched several attacks over in recent days to try and break the siege.

The government completely closed the main road into the rebel-held areas of Aleppo on July 17, effectively besieging the neighborhoods. The United Nations estimates that between 250,000 and 300,000 residents have been trapped in the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo since mid-July.

The U.N. and numerous relief organizations have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe as conditions there deteriorate.

The powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group, which is taking part in the offensive along with several other factions, posted a video that showed what it said were its fighters inside the college known as the Artillery Academy. An Ahrar al-Sham fighter in the video claimed that militants are in full control of the college showing destroyed tanks and artillery pieces captured by the gunmen. Ahrar al-Shams coalition includes the Levant Conquest Front, al-Qaidas branch in Syria which recently renamed itself and announced its separation from the global al-Qaida organization.

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It is only a matter of hours before we break the siege imposed on our brothers in Aleppo, an Ahrar al-Sham fighter said in the video as gunfire could be heard in the background.

The video appeared genuine and corresponded to other Associated Press reporting of the events.

A State TV reporter in the area said the fighting was intense inside the college. The Lebanon-based Pan Arab TV station Al-Mayadeen, that has reporters on the government side of the city, reported that Syrian government reinforcements are being sent into conflict zone.

The military college is located about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the besieged opposition areas.

Earlier Saturday, activists said predominantly Kurdish fighters are now in control of most of a stronghold of the Islamic State group in northern Syria after a push under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.

The Observatory said Syria Democratic Forces are in control of most of the town of Manbij amid fighting in northern neighborhoods and the towns center.

Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, said that IS still holds some areas in Manbij, including the major northwestern neighborhood of Sarab.

Bali said its a matter of time before SDF fighters capture the town.

If Manbij is captured by SDF, it will be the biggest strategic defeat for IS in Syria since July 2015, when the extremists lost the border town of Tal Abyad.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels stormed a major army artillery base in the northern city of Aleppo on Friday to try an end the siege of opposition-held areas but the Syrian army said it had repelled the attack and killed hundreds of insurgents. A quarter of a million civilians still live 7in Aleppo's opposition-controlled eastern neighborhoods, effectively under siege since the army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, cut off the last road into rebel districts in early July. Fighters from a coalition of Islamist rebel groups called "Jaish al Fateh" that includes Jabhat Fateh al Sham, the former al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, Ahrar al Sham and other smaller groups, said they had taken the main fortress-like artillery academy in the Ramousah quarter in southwestern Aleppo. They were now fighting to take the other military academies adjoining the artillery base that are among the country's largest. The artillery base is almost 2 km from the besieged opposition area. It has a huge supply of ammunitions and is used regularly to shell parts of the city held by opposition forces. The rebels are trying to break through a strip of government-controlled territory to reconnect their encircled sector of eastern Aleppo with a swathe of insurgent territory in the west of Syria, effectively breaking the siege. The fall of that strip would also cut off western Aleppo, which is in government hands. "There are two suicide bombers who have driven into regime posts inside the artillery base," said Abu al-Walid, a fighter with Ahrar al Sham, who said there was fighting inside the base. Hundreds of fighters were clashing with government troops only a few hundred meters from each other in parts of the artillery base after breaking into government defenses around the heavily fortified compound, rebels said. Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the outbreak of the civil war five years ago, has been divided between government forces and rebels since the summer of 2012. Seizing full control would be the biggest victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in five years of fighting and demonstrate the dramatic shift of fortunes in his favor since Russia joined the war on his side last year. Islamist rebels have poured in thousands of fighters mainly from the rebel-held province of Idlib in north western Syria and deployed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the operation that was named the "Epic battle of Aleppo". Inside the city, Free Syrian Army (FSA), among them vetted U.S.-backed groups, helped pile pressure on the army and its allies along other frontlines. Foreign opponents of Assad including Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations center. Some of these groups have received military training overseen by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The vetted groups have been a regular target of the Russian air strikes. Jabhat Fateh al Sham, which is believed to have carried out at least three suicide bombings so far, said it also killed a number of Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah fighters it said were defending the artillery school. The militant Shi'ite group that fights alongside Assad's government forces is an ally of Iranian-backed militias and the Russians in trying to help Assad regain control of the opposition-held parts of Aleppo. The deputy head of the powerful Lebanese Islamist group, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said in an interview with Reuters this week he saw no immediate end to the war in Syria. The army said it had foiled the attack on the artillery base and two major military academies. Hundreds of insurgents had been killed and much of their armored vehicles and tanks destroyed, the army said. It said the assault was the biggest by rebels against government-held areas in the last few years. "Today there was a large scale attack by the terrorist armed groups and they used all types of weapons but were are fighting this attack and will defeat them," said Brigadier General Deeb Bazi, the head of one of the military academies targeted. The army said at least a thousand insurgents had been killed since the assault began earlier this week. An army statement later said it had succeeded in containing the attack with help of allied forces and destroyed three explosive laden suicide vehicles. Reinforcements from pro-government militias were also coming to shore up army positions. Rebels said jets flying at high altitude, believed to be Russian, intensified their strikes on the area but were unable to hold back rebel advances because of the terrain. Both Moscow and its Syrian and Iranian allies see the outcome of the battle over Aleppo as decisive, counting on a crushing blow to insurgents who were on the march until Russia intervened, shoring up Assad's rule. The complex, multi-sided civil war in Syria, raging since 2011, has drawn in most regional and global powers, caused the world's worst humanitarian emergency and attracted recruits to Islamist militancy from around the world. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi and additional reporting by Tom Miles in Geneva; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Grant McCool)
Tara Reid is setting the record straight when it comes to her rumored feud with Jenny McCarthy.



During an appearance on Hollywood Today Live, host Ross Matthews asked Reid about the unforgettable showdown that happened between the actress and McCarthy last month.



"Something like that is so silly," the Sharknado star said of her heated McCarthy interview. "We're here to talk about Sharknado and to go into stuff that has nothing to do with something else and keep going and going and going. And they're saying like, 'Come on guys, let's be happy and talk about Sharknado and it didn't end that way. I was like, 'Good for you, Jenny. At least now people know you have a show.'"



ICYMI, Reid walked out of her interview on Mcarthy's SiriusXM radio show after the host continued to ask questions regarding her stint on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars and whether or not she would be getting more plastic surgery.







"Babe, I asked you, please let's not talk about this show," Reid said to McCarthy shortly before abruptly ending the interview. "We're all here about Sharknado."



When Ross asked the 40-year-old actress if she had made up with McCarthy, Reid was quick to respond.



"We never even had beef so I don't know where that came from," she said. "I think she actually purposefully did that to get ratings. Why else do that? It didn't make any sense."



Though the HTL host admitted that he would love to see the two ladies work out their differences, Reid admitted that she doesn't necessarily foresee it happening.



"I definitely don't think I'll be going on her radio show anytime soon," she said.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) on Friday disclosed $1.1 billion in third quarter cash requirements in payments and planned expenditures, about a third of the cash on hand mid-year, in a new sign of pressure on the electric vehicle maker.

The company is finishing construction of a massive battery factory in Nevada, the Gigafactory, and ramping up for production next year of a mass market sedan, the Model 3. That has raised questions about whether the company will need to raise new cash to reach its goals.

It said in the filing that it had $3.25 billion in principal sources of liquidity as of June 30, 2016, including $1.7 billion from a public offering in May and a $678 million credit line.

The filing also said that in July it had repaid that $678 million credit line and that it intended to repay principle on $411 million of 2018 convertible notes in the third quarter and could spend more on the securities.

"During the third quarter, we will be using substantial amounts of cash in connection with conversions of our 2018 Notes and we could pursue other actions to reduce our outstanding balance of convertible notes, which could require further outlays of cash," Tesla wrote in the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

If the two third-quarter payments are subtracted from the mid-year cash balance, Tesla would have $2.1 billion left over. The company on Wednesday told analysts it planned $1.75 million in the second half of the year on capital expenditures.

Tesla declined to comment beyond the filing.

Tesla, which wants to buy solar panel installer SolarCity Corp (SCTY.O) for $2.6 billion in shares, also disclosed that the value of its secured assets had limited its ability to borrow under its asset-based revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks.

Chief Executive Elon Musk earlier this week had repeated a projection that if the deal is consummated, the combined Tesla-SolarCity could require a "small equity capital raise" next year.

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REGULATORS REQUESTS

The company also said in its filing that "from time to time" it has received requests for information from regulators and governmental authorities "such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Transportation Safety Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission."

The federal regulator NHTSA is investigating a May 7 fatality in Florida in which a driver using Tesla's auto-pilot system crashed into a truck.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the SEC was investigating whether Tesla had taken too long to disclose that crash. Tesla at the time said it had received no communication from the SEC. It was unclear from the filing whether the reference to the SEC related to the crash or another matter, and Tesla declined to comment further.

As it warned in its previous quarterly filing in March, Tesla said the cost of building and operating its Gigafactory could exceed the company's current expectations.

Tesla spent $117.4 million on the Gigafactory construction in the first half of 2016 and targets spending a total of about$520 million in 2016.

(Reporting by Alexandria Sage and Paul Lienert. Writing by Alexandria Sage; editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Bernard Orr)
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc on Friday disclosed $1.1 billion in third quarter cash requirements in payments and planned expenditures, about a third of the cash on hand mid-year, in a new sign of pressure on the electric vehicle maker. The company is finishing construction of a massive battery factory in Nevada, the Gigafactory, and ramping up for production next year of a mass market sedan, the Model 3. That has raised questions about whether the company will need to raise new cash to reach its goals. It said in the filing that it had $3.25 billion in principal sources of liquidity as of June 30, 2016, including $1.7 billion from a public offering in May and a $678 million credit line. The filing also said that in July it had repaid that $678 million credit line and that it intended to repay principle on $411 million of 2018 convertible notes in the third quarter and could spend more on the securities. "During the third quarter, we will be using substantial amounts of cash in connection with conversions of our 2018 Notes and we could pursue other actions to reduce our outstanding balance of convertible notes, which could require further outlays of cash," Tesla wrote in the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If the two third-quarter payments are subtracted from the mid-year cash balance, Tesla would have $2.1 billion left over. The company on Wednesday told analysts it planned $1.75 million in the second half of the year on capital expenditures. Tesla declined to comment beyond the filing. Tesla, which wants to buy solar panel installer SolarCity Corp for $2.6 billion in shares, also disclosed that the value of its secured assets had limited its ability to borrow under its asset-based revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. Chief Executive Elon Musk earlier this week had repeated a projection that if the deal is consummated, the combined Tesla-SolarCity could require a "small equity capital raise" next year. REGULATORS REQUESTS The company also said in its filing that "from time to time" it has received requests for information from regulators and governmental authorities "such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Transportation Safety Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission." The federal regulator NHTSA is investigating a May 7 fatality in Florida in which a driver using Tesla's auto-pilot system crashed into a truck. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the SEC was investigating whether Tesla had taken too long to disclose that crash. Tesla at the time said it had received no communication from the SEC. It was unclear from the filing whether the reference to the SEC related to the crash or another matter, and Tesla declined to comment further. As it warned in its previous quarterly filing in March, Tesla said the cost of building and operating its Gigafactory could exceed the company's current expectations. Tesla spent $117.4 million on the Gigafactory construction in the first half of 2016 and targets spending a total of about$520 million in 2016. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage and Paul Lienert. Writing by Alexandria Sage; editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Bernard Orr)
(Kenzo Tribouillard via AP Photo)

Journalists are never supposed to be part of the story.

Except when they are.

Great Britains Chris Froome, the defending and three-time champion of the Tour de France, was lined up for the start of Saturdays 237.5-km road race when his name started being called over the loudspeaker. Froome hadnt yet registered his arrival for the race and needed to before it began.

Froome didnt hear the warning, but two members of the BBC did and helpfully pointed out his oversight. Froome registered and his race began without incident.

Drama at the start of the men's road race. Froome was lined up, happily waiting, while PA called for him to sign in. We've had to tell him!  Natalie Pirks (@Natpirks) August 6, 2016

So if Froome wins a medal here, hes going to name check me and (Andrew Cropper) for saving his bacon, right? Pirks later joked on Twitter.

[Related: Czech cyclist posts video of massive leak inside Village stairwell]

Froome didnt win a medal in the end, finishing 12th on a challenging course marked by devilish turns and meddlesome spectators. Froome finished two minutes and 58 seconds behind gold medal winner Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium.

Froome will get one more chance to become the second man to win both the Tour de France and an Olympic gold medal in the same year. Hes scheduled to compete in the mens individual time trial on Wednesday.

Froomes countryman, Sir Bradley Wiggins, won both the Tour de France and Olympic gold in 2012.
Things you need to know for buying Thailand Property

Paul HO Assisted by Angeline C (iCompareLoan.com)

Lets face it, Singaporeans love properties. No amount of cold water can douse their enthusiasm of properties, travel and food.

Favourite holiday destinations of Singaporeans often centers around Australia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Singaporeans love Australia for the weather, nature and space, they love Malaysia for the proximity and food and Thailand, Bangkok for the great shopping, cheap and delicious food, Songkran festival, pubs and clubs and world class beach resorts and genuine Thai massages.

Singapores high cost of living is due largely to Singapores government high land price policy. REITS raise rents and retailers pass on the cost to consumers, Car parks raise fees, hospitals beds are more expensive than hotel suites. Many Singaporeans cannot afford to retire in Singapore. Singaporeans also cannot fall sick, they can only afford to die, but cannot afford to fall sick as there is insufficient safety net and basic hospital care. Some want to retire in Bangkok or Malaysia for their cheaper healthcare cost.





Singapore is too expensive  Cannot take it anymore!!!

Secretly or openly, many Singaporeans have told me, they dont like National Service (NS) and will never fight for this country that never cared for them. This is subjective and I shall not enter into this debate. They also aspire to leave Singapore and retire in a cheaper country, maybe in Iskandar, maybe Penang, some say Phuket and some Bangkok. Even Japan may very well be cheaper than Singapore, given that Singapore is now the most expensive country on earth to live in.

In Singapore, the downpayment to buy your second or third property is prohibitive as the maximum home loan for second property is 50% of valuation nd third property is 40% valuation. Secretly or not so secretly, Singaporeans want to own their holiday homes or simply buy a home and retire away from Singapore.

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What are the 15 things that you need to know about Bangkok Properties?

1. Bangkok is King of Thailand

Bangkok is a growing city with 8 million registered residents and more than 10 million registered residents including greater Bangkok region. Accounting for 13% of Thai population.

Bangkok is a primate city. A primate city is a major city that is the political, financial and population centre of the country with no rival city within the country, hence its over arching importance.

2. Bangkok city is the 2nd Strongest City in Asean

By 2025, Bangkok is still the 2nd biggest city by GDP in the Asean region (McKinsey Global cities of the future interactive map, http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/urbanization/global-cities-of-the-future-an-interactive-map) with an estimated US$300 billion in GDP (Bangkok alone), that is 10 times that of Yangon, 10 times of Hanoi, 4 times of Ho Chi Minh and 2 times of Manila, 1.4 times of Jakarta and 0.66 times of Singapore.

It is also estimated to have a per capital income of US$51,000 by 2025, 7.5 times that of Yangon, 3.2 times of Ho Chi Minh, 4 times of Hanoi, 3.2 times of Manila, 2.5 times of Jakarta and 0.55 times of Singapore.

In short, Bangkok is important for the entire country. There is no rival city that can challenge Bangkok within Thailand. And within Asean, apart from Singapore which is a city state, Bangkok is the 2nd biggest city within Asean by a large distance. Bangkok will be a relatively affluent city.

What will that do for your property investment if the city is growing in population and per-capita income?





3. Bangkok Population is still growing

Bangkok city is forecasted to grow to 11 million registered residents in 2025.

Bangkok property prices have moved up along with the Thailands strength in the economy. Thailand is financially strong. Many regional Multi-nationals are using Bangkok as a regional HQ and stepping-stone before investing into Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos or Vietnam.





4. People movement are like HIGH TIDES and LOW TIDES

As a fat person who had just had dinner, the weight grows. The next morning, his weight drops. Bangkok is the same.

During day time, (in 2016), there might be as many as 15 million people in Bangkok, while registered Bangkok residents numbers ~8m and greater metropolitan Bangkok numbers 10m.

This means that there are 5m people moving in and out of Bangkok on a daily basis. Massive traffic jams are as common as your strawberry jam during breakfast.





5. Housing Loan for Foreigners

Foreigners are currently unable to obtain a loan from Thai banks, however they can get a Thai Property loan from Singapore banks serving the Thai property market. However Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) applies. Though some Thai banks may offer loans to foreigners, they are very strict.

Many Singaporeans take our Equity Term loan to buy a Thailand property.





6. Wealthy Thais love to Stay in Landed House, but buys Luxury Condominiums in downtown Bangkok

Due to the long daily commute, wealthy Thais often buy a posh condominium in downtown Bangkok to avoid the traffic jam. They only go home to their landed house in the outskirt during the weekends.

There is demand for the top luxury end of the Condominium market for wealthy Thais.

Apart from foreigners and expatriates, the majority of buyers are rich locals, which provides some stability as they are less likely to exit the market when negative factors surface.





7. Expatriates love to stay within Downtown Bangkok

Expatriates loves to stay within Downtown Bangkok. They love the night live, bars and clubs. Also they stay in the city centre to avoid the traffic jams.





8. Middle-income Thais Forced out from Downtown Bangkok

As downtown Bangkok gets more and more expensive, Middle-income Thais are moving further away from the city. The property prices are unlikely to drop in downtown Bangkok as the city grows in population, wealth and stature.

Middle-income Thais either Rent or buy further away from downtown, but not in downtown Bangkok. The added convenience of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and BTS sky train means that middle-income Thais can afford to cut their commute time by renting near City or buying one near city which is also near the MRT or BTS stations.

The mid-income Thais either commute to work, rent further away from downtown Bangkok or buy near the stations in the outskirts of Bangkok. Most only go back to their land homes in the outskirt during the weekends.





9. Rental Yield and a good tenant pool

Investors who are looking for healthy rental income in addition to capital appreciation would do well to look at locations that are popular with tenants. And it is best that these tenants include foreigners as well as expatriates so as to be not too reliant on any particular segment.

According to CBREs report (CBRE, Reference 1), over 90% of tenants who rent residential properties in Bangkok with rents of more than Bt20,000 per month are expatriates. Bt20,000 is about S$770 (based on S$1: Bt26)





10. Expatriates and Local Thais Love Staying Near BTS and MRT stations

Expatriates and local Thais look for condominiums near BTS skytrain as well as MRT stations, with the Thais locals even more crazy about staying near train stations due to the traffic jams and many commute daily from the outskirts into Bangkok daily.

Expatriates look for condos near the BTS skytrain, their workplace and amenities such as schools, shops and restaurants.

The sought after locations are within the central business district, specifically at Sukhumvit between sois 1-63 and 2-42, Sathorn and Central Lumpini, particularly for two- and three-bedroom units, (CBRE, Reference 1).

The area is home to modern malls such as The EmQuartier, Terminal 21, Emporium Shopping Mall and K Village, as well as luxury hotels such as Banyan Tree, W Hotel Bangkok.





11. Luxury and Super Luxury Developments  A class on its own

Some of the well-known new luxury developments located in the area include Marque Sukhumvit, a 147-unit luxury development which will be completed in December this year, MahaNakhon Tower, a 77-floor iconic mixed-used development, which was designed by German architect Ole Scheeren, as well as 98 Wireless, where the residential units are priced at an average of Bt550,000 per square metre according to developer Sansiri.

Units at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, which will occupy floors 23-73 at MahaNakhon, ranging from two to five-bedrooms are priced upwards of US$1.1 million.

According to research by DTZ (Reference 2), the take-up rate of upscale condominiums in Bangkok was 69.8% in 1Q2016, compared with 60.8% in 4Q2015. The average selling price of newly launched units of upscale condos in 1Q2016 was Bt272,770 per square metre, up 9.15% yoy.

For super luxury units, the average unit selling price are above Bt250,000 per square metre while that of the luxury units should be between Bt170,000 to 250,000, according to DTZ.

Will rentals of these iconic units be high enough to justify the high property prices? Rental yields of iconic properties tend to be lower as rents are unable to catch up.





12. More Multi-national companies moving to Bangkok

It is without doubt that prices will continue to rise as more and more multinational companies move to Bangkok with better connectivity as well as regional economic growth.

As at 2016, there is a shortage of grade A office space in Bangkok, rents are rising and prices of office buildings are rising too. This look set to have a knock-on effect on the other property segments.





13. Major Grade A cities tend to have lower Yield in the long run

As bigger developers tend to build iconic projects, and these tend to come with lots of amenities and are priced very high. There is a cap to how much rental a tenant can pay regardless of how beautiful the place is, hence an expensive place have lead to reduced rental yield. Would a fairly nicely built development in a good location fetch a better rental yield?

As in many countries, buildings are nice and beautiful when new, but as the buildings age, they depreciate. The price impact on depreciated has not yet been fully understood in Bangkok.

More and more world class iconic buildings do tend to benchmark against international price norms rather than local price norms, these can start to elevate land prices in and around these developments in prime areas.

Lower yields will tend to give you capital gains if you bought them early.





14. Prices Soar around Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and BTS Skytrain Stations

Developments typically within 200m to 300m of the Mass Rapid Transit stations or BTS skytrain stations perform better than the overall market. Developments near interchanges are expected to be even more popular.

Boutique developers such as Chewathai Public has also in recent years started to build in prime areas in downtown Bangkok as well as near interchange such as Taopoon Interchange (where the Purple line and Blue Line intersects)

Many developers had launched projects in the province to tap on anticipated demand on the construction of the Purple Line, a mass transit system that runs through Bangkok and Nonthaburi. (Bangkok Post, Reference 2)

Even while development of condominiums near BTS or MRT are popular, they may pale in comparison to BTS/MRT interchanges in terms of potential capital appreciation. This bears similarity to Singapore where the properties around MRT interchanges become expensive as commercial activities sprang up.

Surachet Kongcheep, associate director of research, Colliers International, notes that the prices of projects along the Purple Line range from Bt37,500 to 140,000 per square metre. (Colliers, Reference 3)

There is expected to be increased interest once the Purple Line opens in August 2016. (Colliers, Kongcheep, Reference 3)





15. Strange Phenomenon in Bangkok about property prices

In Bangkok, 2 side-by-side developments can be priced very differently, within seemingly similar attributes. There are instances where 1 development could even be double the price of another development just beside it.

Many developments sell based on construction quality, types of material, design and amenities within the development. As compared to Singapore, say in River Valley, selling for $1600 psf, the land cost could easily have been $1000 psf, construction cost could be $350psf, developer margin $250psf. Land price accounts for more than 50% of the selling price. In Bangkok for example, developments could be Bt20,000psf (S$769 based on S$1: Bt26) while construction cost could be Bt5,000psf (S$192 based on S$1:Bt26), margins could be Bt5,000psf (S$192 based no S$1:Bt26), hence the land price as a percentage of the total selling price could be typically less than 50%.

Super luxurious fittings, amenities, unique design all contribute to raising the cost of the development and hence selling prices.

So it is important to choose not only good locations, also focus on the design, the quality of the material used, the amenities, the finishing, furnishing and fittings. These can impact the prices of a property quite a bit.





REFERENCES

1. http://cdn.cbre.co.th/media/research_lang_file/2405/q1_16_bangkok_residential_market_view.pdf

2. http://www.thailand-property.com/blog/upscale- condominium-market- performs-well- bangkok/

3. http://www.thailand-property.com/blog/purple-line-condominium-market-may-2016/
Xalapa (Mexico) (AFP) - A landslide triggered by Tropical Storm Earl left six dead Saturday in eastern Mexico as heavy rains began to ease up, but officials warned residents to remain prepared for more floods or mudslides.

A couple and their toddler died in Veracruz state when their house was buried, the state's secretary of civil protection Yolanda Gutierrez Carlin told AFP. The couple's eight-year-old child was rescued and hospitalized.

Another young couple and their three-year-old child were killed when their home was completely swamped by mud.

Two other people were injured in the state capital when their homes collapsed and at least 40 families in the area have been evacuated as a precaution, Carlin said, also warning of increased water levels in the Jamapa river.

Heavy rains and fierce wind gusts hit Mexico Thursday after Earl weakened from hurricane status over Central America.

The storm has lost strength but rainfall in the country's southeastern states could still cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength Wednesday, striking just south of Belize's capital, said the NHC.

The Mexican authorities took no chances, evacuating 300 families living close to a river along the border with Belize in the southeastern state of Quintana Roo for fear of flooding.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Six people died in eastern Mexico on Saturday after they were buried in landslides caused by intense rainfall from the remnants of now-downgraded Tropical Storm Earl, an emergency services official said. The six deaths involved two separate families in eastern Veracruz state, emergency services spokesman Manuel Escalera said. He added that local authorities were continuing to monitor rising rivers and saturated soil that could trigger additional landslides. Earl's maximum wind speed dropped to 30 mph (48 kmh) by Saturday afternoon, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. It was located approximately 105 miles (169 km) east of Mexico City, after pounding portions of Central America and crossing Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula over the past couple days. Forecasters were still warning that the storm could produce dangerous flash floods and mudslides with rainfall up to 18 inches (30 cm) in some areas in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcula and Veracruz. The Mexican government discontinued the tropical storm warning and there were no coastal warnings or watches in effect. Before crossing into Mexico, Earl battered Belize, smashing car windows and punching holes in the roofs of Belize City's wooden houses. It also downed trees and flooded parts of the coast. (Reporting by Adriana Barrera in Mexico City, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Joseph Ax in New York and; Editing by Tom Heneghan, Jane Merriman and Paul Simao)
Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Columbus, Ohio, August 1, 2016. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)

As Donald Trumps campaign hit a new level of chaos this week, people in and around the campaign raced to assign blame.

Trumps campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is coming under increasing criticism from a variety of sources. Much of this is due to leftover ill will between the 67-year old political operative and those still loyal to the man he deposed as campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.

But even some who have no loyalty to Lewandowski have said Manafort must accept some blame for Trumps erratic performance in recent days and weeks, during which his poll numbers have taken a nosedive.

A big part of being the man in charge is managing the candidate, and hes got a tiger by the tail, said one source who has known Manafort for years.

A second source who has operated inside the campaign in the past said, If you judge a campaign manager by whether they manage the candidate, youd have to say [Manaforts] failed.

But the campaigns floundering organization and lack of a coherent message starts with the candidate, the Manafort associate said. Another longtime friend of Manaforts said it was clear that the campaign manager isnt calling the shots.

Trumps not listening to him, obviously. Pauls certainly not advising him to do this stuff, Manaforts friend said.

Trump has lurched from crisis to crisis over the past week, all of his own making. He has repeatedly criticized the parents of a slain U.S. Army captain who spoke at the Democratic convention, then joked about accepting a Purple Heart medal from a veteran. And he has revived tensions with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) by withholding his endorsement in Tuesdays primary. (As of Friday afternoon, networks were reporting that Trump was preparing to endorse Ryan that night.)

Pauls still a one-man band, the Manafort associate said. You gotta have a campaign. You gotta have a media team. You gotta have pollsters feeding in information so you can use it. You need a ground game.

Story continues

This whole thing needs to pick up. I still think it can.

One leading Republican policy adviser who spoke to Yahoo News expressed dismay with Trumps really rough week and what was described as unforced errors that coincided with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton pulling ahead in the polls.

It is really frustrating. Hillary is such a flawed option that it should be a lot easier than its been, the adviser said.

In the advisers view, Trumps success in winning the nomination on his own termswith a steady stream of combative tweets and angry off-the-cuff speeches makes it harder for aides and critics to persuade him to change his approach.

The hope that people had was that he was crazy like a fox. You know, he seemed to be doing all these things that made no sense, but looking back it worked. Theres a whole Napoleon analogy. Three times in a row Napoleon gambled everything and won, so its a little hard for the staff to say, Dont go to Russia, the adviser said. Somebody whos that wildly correct has a hard time taking his critics seriously and his critics have a hard time getting through to him.

The adviser particularly lashed out at Trumps feud with the family of the fallen soldier, which they called disgusting. Trumps comments and failure to cut his losses after the initial backlash left the adviser wondering about the state of the campaign team.

How do you not have an internal governor who tells you that is out of line in the most ridiculous way? Its just awfully difficult to not get that.

Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort is surrounded by reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Sunday, July 17, 2016. (Photo:/J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Another one of Trumps many bad headlines this week was the claim by MSNBC host Joe Scarborough that the candidate has asked members of his team why the US cant use nuclear weapons against its enemies. This goes against decades of policy that has focused on nuclear disarmament with the goal of preventing these weapons from ever being used. The campaign has disputed Scarboroughs account, but Trump has previously expressed interest in using nuclear weapons against the jihadist group Islamic State.

The leading Republican policy adviser who talked to Yahoo News expressed disbelief that Trump doesnt seem to have familiarized himself with the position every modern president and White House hopeful has held on nuclear weapons. Overall, the adviser said Trumps recent remarks and behavior have them wondering whether his entire campaign is a scam to aid his business ventures.

Theres this other thing here where maybe, just maybe, he wasnt running for president, he was just running to raise his name ID because of the value of his property, the adviser said. Is he really running for president? Is he running to raise Trump name ID? If you were really running for president you might have spent time preparing. And heres a guy who hasnt been briefed and never made an effort to be briefed on nuclear weapons.

Trump has continued to play the publicity and provocation game in the press. But despite his lack of focus and self-control, some in the campaign have blamed Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, for not stopping self-destructive cycle. Some think the two operatives are simply now riding out the campaign.

Paul and Rick are in it for themselves. Theyre gonna get a big lobbying contract after this, the Trump campaign insider said.

Manaforts regular presence on Sunday talk shows and his outsized reputation in the press as a master of the dark arts of politics  tracing back to his time working in the Ukraine for a candidate loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin  have irked some in the campaign.

The insider detailed several complaints about the campaigns organization, including the fact that many state parties, including in key battlegrounds, still do not have what is referred to in campaign language as collateral material  yard signs, bumper stickers, t-shirts, flyers and other materials for canvassing door to door.

The Republican party of Virginia, for example, said they did not have Trump yard signs yet, but were hoping to receive them any day. In New Hampshire, the state GOP said they are all out of signs and hope to have more soon.

State by state budgets were not even approved as late as last week, this source said. Coming out of a not great convention, Mr. Trump found out about this last week and went apoplectic.

Were gonna have a robust 50 state ground game? They have state directors but do they have ground games? No. There are 17 battleground states. Do they have offices in all of them? No, the source said.

The Trump campaign has aggressively pushed back against the rumors of dysfunction swirling around the campaign. In a conversation with Yahoo News on Friday evening, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said the notion of campaign discord or campaign disconnect is just absolute pure fiction.

Mr. Trump is the one whos in charge of his campaign and Paul Manafort is in charge of implementing that vision and overseeing campaign operations. Mr. Trump knows exactly what hes doing, knows exactly where he wants to go. We have a unified team and everyone is on the same page in terms of next steps, Miller said, adding, Weve seen anecdotal evidence that things have been going well over the past few days, but also empirical evidence. Reuters just released a poll showing Clintons lead over Trump has narrowed to less than three points. That shows the elasticity of this campaign and the problems Hillary Clinton has running for a third term when everyone in this country so clearly wants a new direction.

Miller further said he believes the rumors of discord are a false narrative spread by the Clinton campaign.

But the Trump insider said that communication inside the campaign is broken; the New York office inside Trump Tower, the Washington office run by political director Jim Murphy and by Rick Dearborn, a top aide to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), and the candidate and his entourage aboard Trumps plane are isolated from one another.

Tellingly, the Trump insider argued that Lewandowski was better able to restrain Trumps tendencies to sabotage himself with outrageous or offensive comments, even though Lewandowskis philosophy was to let Trump be Trump.

You never saw a meltdown last this long under Coreys tenure, the insider source said. I think [Lewandowski] was misinterpreted as a body man. The point of flying with [Trump] is whoever dominates his ear, he listens.

On the plane with Trump most regularly are spokeswoman Hope Hicks, social media director Dan Scavino, policy adviser Stephen Miller, advance director George Gigicos, advance man John McEntee, and personal bodyguard Keith Schiller.

But Trump also awards outsized status to those who he sees on television, the Manafort associate said, pointing out that Kellyanne Conway, who worked for a super PAC backing Sen. Ted Cruzs (R-Tx.) candidacy, is now at the grown up table, working out of Trump Tower in New York.

Trump loves her. He sees her on TV, he said. Trump listens to people who go on TV.

Manafort does not usually travel with Trump, instead staying in New York trying to organize a chaotic campaign that has relied for much of Trumps candidacy solely on the reality TV personalitys ability to function as a one-man media organization  as Buzzfeeds Ben Smith put it  through social media and TV appearances.

The Trump insider said he was talking to a reporter strictly out of love of the candidate, which is weird that youd have to go speak to reporters so a candidate can find out whats happening in his own organization.

He and many in the Trump campaign, he said, are hoping and praying that [Trump] reads this and says, Somethings got to change.
Yes, its hard to to tell when one enters the city limits

Yes, they will make the city more inviting

Maybe ... does it really matter?

No, the signs in place are fine

No, it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars

Vote

View Results
By Emily Stephenson and James Oliphant GREEN BAY, Wis./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favor with his party's establishment on Friday by endorsing U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week. "I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star." "We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said, Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet" - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign. Ryan, the top U.S. elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryan's Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman. Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers. Trump's endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the Nov. 8 election. In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday. Trump said on Friday he wanted a "big tent" party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their "shared mission to make America great again." Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team. Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected. Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. Its going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy, Moore said. At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the "queen of corruption" and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House. "All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament,'" he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events. "If you don't like me, that's okay. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing," Trump said. Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. "I love babies," he said. "SHORT-CIRCUITED" Clinton sought to take advantage of Trump's dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform. And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters. She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state and continuing skepticism among voters about her trustworthiness. Clinton conceded that she had short-circuited earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server. Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBIs probe in July, when he rebuked her for "extremely careless" handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed. On Friday, Clinton maintained, I never sent or received anything marked classified, while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies. Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material. The email controversy has fueled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. I take it seriously, she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans. FINANCE AND INDUSTRY LEADERS Trump's campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd ; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin. Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named. Trump's moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week. The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had criticized Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trump's insistent attacks on the pair. (Writing by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey and Susan Cornwell; Editing by Frances Kerry and Leslie Adler)
[Photo: Darren Hauck / Getty Images]

By Emily Stephenson and James Oliphant

GREEN BAY, Wis./WASHINGTON- Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favor with his partys establishment on Friday by endorsing U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week.

I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make, Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryans home state.

He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a rising star."

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends, Trump said,

Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was not quite there yet - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him.

Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign. Ryan, the top U.S. elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trumps running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him.

Ryans Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman. Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next weeks Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future.

The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers.

Trumps endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the Nov. 8 election.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clintons lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday. Trump said on Friday he wanted a big tent party with multiple viewpoints welcome.

Story continues

He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their shared mission to make America great again. Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy.

The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team.

Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected. Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidates plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade.

Its going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy, Moore said.

At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the queen of corruption and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House.

All my life Ive been told, You have the greatest temperament, he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events.

If you dont like me, thats okay. Vote for Pence because its the same thing, Trump said. Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. I love babies, he said.

Clinton sought to take advantage of Trumps dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters. She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: The controversy over her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state and continuing skepticism among voters about her trustworthiness.

Clinton conceded that she had short-circuited earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server. Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBIs probe in July, when he rebuked her for extremely careless handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed.

On Friday, Clinton maintained, I never sent or received anything marked classified, while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies.

Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material. The email controversy has fueled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy.

I take it seriously, she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans.

Trumps campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin.

Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named.

Trumps moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week. The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq.

The parents had criticized Trump at last weeks Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trumps insistent attacks on the pair.

(Writing by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey and Susan Cornwell; Editing by Frances Kerry and Leslie Adler)
By Emily Stephenson and James Oliphant GREEN BAY, Wis./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favour with his party's establishment on Friday by endorsing U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week. "I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star." "We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said, Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet" - nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign. Ryan, the top U.S. elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryan's Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman. Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers. Trump's endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the Nov. 8 election. In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday. Trump said on Friday he wanted a "big tent" party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their "shared mission to make America great again." Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team. Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected. Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. Its going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy, Moore said. At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the "queen of corruption" and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House. "All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament,'" he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events. "If you don't like me, that's okay. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing," Trump said. Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. "I love babies," he said. "SHORT-CIRCUITED" Clinton sought to take advantage of Trump's dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform. And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters. She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state and continuing scepticism among voters about her trustworthiness. Clinton conceded that she had short-circuited earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server. Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBIs probe in July, when he rebuked her for "extremely careless" handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed. On Friday, Clinton maintained, I never sent or received anything marked classified, while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies. Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material. The email controversy has fuelled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. I take it seriously, she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans. FINANCE AND INDUSTRY LEADERS Trump's campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin. Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named. Trump's moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week. The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had criticized Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trump's insistent attacks on the pair. (Writing by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey and Susan Cornwell; Editing by Frances Kerry and Leslie Adler)
By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps team of economic policy advisers is packed with moguls from the hedge fund and investment banking industries that he has railed against in the past. And none of them are women - a demographic group he needs to court if he hopes to win in November. Trumps campaign has been powered by a populist message that criticizes corporate America for outsourcing jobs, profiting at the expense of everyday workers and buying influence in Washington. The message resonates best with middle-class and working-class voters buffeted by the forces of globalization. But among the members of the 13-member team of advisers announced on Friday are hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson and investment bankers Steve Feinberg and Andy Beal, as well as a former top steel executive and a former high-ranking U.S. government official. "It is a hallowed campaign tradition. Malign an industry, but court its wealthy big shots," said Erik Gordon, a professor of law and business at the University of Michigan. The reliance on Wall Street executives comes after Trump spent much of his primary campaign lambasting the industry for paying too little in taxes. "The hedge fund guys are getting away with murder, Trump said in an interview last year. One of the best known of Trump's panel is Paulson, whose bet against the overheated housing market in 2007 netted him and his investors billions of dollars. His bets have since gone the other way, losing some $15 billion in the last five years. Don Steinbrugge, managing partner at investment consulting firm Agecroft Partners LLC, said Trump could benefit from his advisers' expertise on global capital markets if he "would listen to them. Whether Trump will heed the counsel of his conservative-leaning economic advisers or steer his own course was also raised by Lanhee Chen, who served as a top policy aide to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. "Its hard to see a consistent strain of conservative economic thought," Chen said, citing Trumps protectionist policies on trade as an example of where Trump differs from the Republican partys free-market economic orthodoxy. The panel also includes former steel executive Dan DiMicco; oil magnate Harold Hamm; Howard Lorber, the CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; Trump campaign finance chairman Steven Mnuchin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs who is now chairman and CEO of private investment firm Dune Capital Management LP; and David Malpass, a former official of the U.S. Treasury and State departments. James Pethokoukis, an economist with the conservative American Enterprise Institute, noted the absence of representatives from the tech and venture capital sectors. "If I was assembling a task force to analyze the big challenges facing the American economy and to develop solutions, I am not sure that a group like this would naturally spring to mind," he said. But the panel fits with the themes of Trumps campaign in another way. Trump often has boasted about bringing in successful business people to tackle Washingtons entrenched problems, and many of Trump's supporters see his background in business as among his biggest assets. GUY WITH A BINDER Some critics seized upon the lack of women on Trumps panel. After being asked this week to identify women he might appoint to his cabinet if elected, Trump could only respond with the name of his daughter Ivanka. Democratic rival Hillary Clinton hit Trump on the comment in a Twitter post, comparing him to Romney who, when asked a similar question during his campaign, said hed reviewed binders full of women. We know a guy with a binder, @realDonaldTrump. (He might not take your calls, though.) Clintons campaign wrote. The campaign declined to comment on Trump's advisers. Trump has struggled with women voters since his campaign began. Some 65 percent of women have an unfavorable view of Trump, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, compared with 53 percent who have an unfavorable view of Clinton. Kellyanne Conway, a pollster who works for the Trump campaign, said the emphasis on gender on the economic team is misplaced. Women voters, she said, care more about their economic well-being than the make-up of an advisory group. What female voters wish to know is whose economic plan will be better for them, she said. (Additional reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Olivia Oran, Lauren LaCapra and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Leslie Adler)
By Nick Tattersall and Alexander Winning ISTANBUL/MOSCOW (Reuters) - As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought. Turkish officials insist Erdogan's visit to St. Petersburg is no sign that the NATO member and European Union membership candidate is turning its back on the West. Rather, they say, it is the next step in a rapprochement with Russia that started weeks before the July 15 attempted putsch. But the thaw with Moscow, which imposed trade sanctions nine months ago after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, comes as Ankara's relationship with the West could scarcely be more fractious. Erdogan and many Turks have been incensed by what they see as Western concern over a post-coup crackdown but indifference to the bloody events themselves, in which more than 230 people were killed as rogue soldiers bombed parliament and seized bridges with tanks and helicopters. The Turkish government has blamed the coup on followers of a cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States, and purged tens of thousands of his suspected followers from positions as teachers, police, judges and soldiers. Western countries say the purge has been too fast and indiscriminate. So damaged are relations that Germany's foreign minister said this week there was no basis for discussions and that "we are talking with each other like emissaries from two different planets." Austria's chancellor suggested talks on Turkish membership of the EU should be suspended. "For Erdogan, this meeting with Putin is certainly an opportunity to signal to Turkeys partners in the West that it could have other strategic options," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and analyst at the Carnegie Europe think tank. "There is this perception game that Turkey could strategically gravitate toward Russia if the relationship with the West cannot be maintained. There is also an incentive on the side of Russia to use the crisis between Turkey and the West to undermine NATOs cohesiveness," Ulgen said. Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be only his second with a foreign head of state since the coup, following a visit to Ankara by the Kazakh president on Friday. Turkish officials have questioned why no Western leader has come to show solidarity. "Both Russia and Turkey are outcasts as far as the West is concerned," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry. "On the face of it, the failed coup has pulled Turkey closer to Russia. But there still remain serious differences between the two countries," he told Reuters. Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted, as well as the South Caucasus, where Turkey has backed Azerbaijan in a conflict with Armenia, a Russian ally, over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. "The meeting between Putin and Erdogan ... will show how far both sides are willing to compromise. The question is whether the current tactical de-escalation can translate into a deeper strategic partnership," Kortunov said. SIGNAL TO THE WEST Washington is likely to be watching closely. Its ties with Ankara are strained over the continued presence in the United States of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Erdogan of orchestrating the attempted coup. Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement in the coup and Washington has said it will extradite him only if Turkey provides evidence, much to the Turkish government's frustration. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Turkey in late August, officials have said, with Gulen's case likely to be high on the agenda. "At a time like this, Turkish public psychology expects expressions of solidarity and togetherness, but that's not what is forthcoming from the West," said Faruk Logoglu, a former Turkish ambassador to Washington and until recently a senior lawmaker in the main secularist opposition. While the timing of Erdogan's Russia trip could be interpreted as a signal to the West, Logoglu doubted it meant a full Turkish embrace of Russia or lasting damage to U.S. ties. "The Turkish-American relationship is like a catholic marriage: there is no divorce. Both sides need each other," he said. "It has experienced severe tests in the past and I think it will weather this one as well." Closer ties between Ankara and Moscow could be more troublesome for Europe, which sees a plan for a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, a project known as TurkStream, as a complication in its efforts to cut dependence on Russian energy. "Gas cooperation between Russia and Turkey could be scary for the European Union," said Akin Unver, assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has university in Istanbul and an expert in regional energy. "The EU wants to diversify suppliers and link eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe in the long run ... if Russia bypasses all that with TurkStream that would not help. But the EU is in no position to bargain. Politically, it is very weak." "SHORT-LIVED TURBULENCE" Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Syria would be the main topic at the meeting with Erdogan. TurkStream, nuclear power projects, and the resumption of Russian charter flights to Turkey, which stopped after the downing of the fighter jet last November, would also be discussed. Tourism revenue, a mainstay of the Turkish economy, has been decimated by the drop in Russian visitors, whose numbers fell 87 percent in the first six months of the year. The sector has also been hit by a series of suicide bombings. "The Turkish side has given a written guarantee that they will fulfill Russias recommendations on extra security measures for Russian tourists at Turkish resorts," Ushakov told a briefing in Moscow on Friday, adding that Turkey had granted Russian experts permission to check the measures on the ground. On Syria, Kortunov said there was room for the two sides to move closer together on options for a political transition to end the five-year civil war and on the shape of a new constitution for the country. "In cooperation with Russia, we would like to facilitate a political transition in Syria as soon as possible," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency. But he repeated Turkey's long-held conviction that such a move would only be possible with Assad's departure. Kalin described the recent tensions with Russia as "short-lived turbulence" in a friendship that dated back centuries. Leaders in the West might be hoping the same is true of their relations with Ankara. "The political backdrop does suggest there will be areas of convergence between Turkey and Russia," said Ulgen, the former diplomat. "What is not realistic, though, is to view Russia as a strategic alternative to Turkey's Western anchoring. Turkey remains an ally of the West." (Additional reporting by Tulay Karadeniz and Ercan Gurses in Ankara, Humeyra Pamuk in Istanbul and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow; writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Peter Graff)
Brussels (AFP) - A machete-wielding man shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest) wounded two policewomen in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday before being shot and injured, local police said.

One of the policewomen was taken to hospital with "deep wounds to the face" while the other was slightly injured, Belga news agency said.

The incident took place outside the main police station.

Belgium has been on high security alert for months since suicide bombers hit Brussels airport and a subway station near the European Union's institutions on March 22, killing 32 people.

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

Separately on July 30, Belgian authorities charged a 33-year-old man, identified as Nourredine H., with attempting to commit "terrorist murder" and "taking part in the activities of a terrorist organisation."

Belgium was also a springboard for the Islamic State cell which carried out the November 13 2015 attacks in Paris which killed 130 people, investigators say.
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Two protesters died in clashes with police in Ethiopia's ancient city of Gonder on Friday, campaigners said, as anger mounted over the status of a disputed territory - a highly-charged issue in a nation made up of a patchwork of ethnic groups. Violence broke out as police brought one of the leaders of a land campaign movement to court, according to one person who said he had been in the crowd and asked to remain anonymous. Amhara region president Gedu Andargachew did not mention any deaths but told journalists the protests were illegal and said security services would take measures against anyone who took part. Any sign of unrest is closely watched in Ethiopia, a major Western ally against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia and an economic power seen as a centre of relative stability in a fragile region. "Two protesters were shot and killed in Piassa," said one campaigner by phone, referring to a central district in the city. Clashes carried on into the evening, said another, a rare public protest in a country whose government has been accused of cracking down on dissent. Roads were blocked and access to social media limited, he added. Tensions have been rumbling for around 25 years over the status of Wolkayt district - a stretch of land that protesters from Amhara say was illegally incorporated into the neighbouring Tigray region to the north. The issue boiled over into violence two weeks ago when crowds came out in Gonder saying they were protesting against an attempt to arrest Wolkayt campaigners. Government spokesman Getachew Reda said at the time six policemen were killed by the protesters and accused an "illegal committee" of stoking ethnic untest. The dispute, while centred on a relatively small patch of land, is particularly sensitive because it challenges a division of Ethiopia along ethnic and linguistic lines, imposed by the core of the current ruling EPRDF coalition when it came to power in 1991. After toppling Mengistu Haile Mariam's Marxist military dictatorship, the former rebels set up the boundaries that they said would recognise the country's different groups and prevent any one from dominating the others through a system of so-called ethnic federalism. Protesters in Gonder - known as Africa's Camelot because of its ancient castles - say they had finally decided to take to the streets because they had got nowhere with years of petitioning senior officials, arguing that the Amharic-speaking people of Wolkayt belonged in Amhara. The protests in the region come in the wake of months of unrest in the central Oromiya province, where demonstrators objected to having land incorporated into the boundaries of the capital Addis Ababa. The government was subsequently forced to scrap that plan. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
There could be more electric vehicle charging stations than gas stations in the United Kingdom by 2020.

Thats the claim made in a new report from Nissan, which found that in four years the number of conventional fuel stations could fall to fewer than 7,870. Thats down from the 8,472 today and a far cry from the 37,539 recorded in 1970. At the same time, the Japanese electric vehicle maker predicts that the 4,100 public charging locations in use today will grow to 7,900 by 2020.

Nissan used data from London-based Energy Institute and Zap-Mapwhich charts the location of charging stationsto estimate the growth of stations.

According to the U.K. governmentfunded website Go Ultra Low, 115 electric cars were registered every day in the first quarter of 2016. At that pace, electricity could become the dominant form of propulsion for all new cars sold in the U.K. by 2027.

RELATED: Your Next Electric Car May Not Even Need a Battery

As electric vehicle sales take off, the charging infrastructure is keeping pace and paving the way for convenient all-electric driving, Edward Jones, electric vehicle manager for Nissan, said in a statement. Combine that with constant improvements in our battery performance, and we believe the tipping point for mass EV uptake is upon us.

The rapid increase in charging stations is partly due to the electric highway, a network of 296 free rapid charging stations deployed across the U.K. by energy provider Ecotricity. The chargers were strategically placed along popular highway routes and have provided more than 30 million miles of free travel since 2011.

The charging network has been so successful in encouraging the uptake of electric cars that it is now necessary to start charging for the service in order to maintain and grow the network, the company said in a statement.

Ecotricity now charges around $7 per 20-minute charge.

The United States still has a ways to go when it comes to switching from gasoline to electricity. There are around 14,000 electric charging stations nationwide, compared with 168,000 retail gas stations.

Story continues

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Original article from TakePart
Kiev (AFP) - The leader of a self-proclaimed separatist republic in eastern Ukraine was injured in a suspected car bombing Saturday, local media reported.

Igor Plotnitsky, the head of the Lugansk People's Republic, "was wounded this morning as a result of a powerful explosion that occurred near his car," the official pro-Russian rebels' news agency said.

Plotnitsky, 52, was being treated at a local hospital along with several other people who suffered injuries in the blast in the city of Lugansk, the report said.

The rebels' news agency claimed the explosion was an "attempt on the life" of their leader.

A senior rebel official later told Russia's Interfax news agency that the explosion was a "a terrorist act" but did not go as far as to point the finger of blame at any individual or group.

Plotnitsky did not sustain any life-threatening injuries in the blast and his condition remains stable, the rebel official said.

Ukrainian authorities have already dismissed claims that they could have been behind the blast.

"The Ukrainian side is not involved in this assassination attempt," Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told journalists, adding that the explosion was likely linked to an internal power struggle among rebel leaders.

Plotnitsky, the former commander of a pro-Russian rebel group, was elected in November 2014 to head the Lugansk region in polls denounced by Kiev as a breach of a ceasefire agreement.

Lugansk is the smaller of two breakaway pro-Russian provinces that have been fighting Ukrainian government forces for more than two years.

A suspected car bombing in the Lugansk region in December killed pro-Russian leader Pavel Dremov in what rebels said was a "terrorist act organised by the Ukranian security forces."

In May 2015 Lugansk rebel commander Alexei Mozgovoi was killed in an attack against his vehicle.

More than 9,500 people have been killed since Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial regions revolted against Kiev's pro-Western government in April 2014.

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of supporting rebels and deploying troops across the border, claims that Moscow denies.
The United States won the first gold medal of the 2016 Rio Games.

Olympic competition has officially begun, and 19-year-old Virginia Ginny Thrasher took home the gold medal in the womens 10m air rifle competition. The teenager won the NCAA championship for West Virginia University earlier this year.

Thrashers interest in the sport was sparked during a family hunting trip five years ago. A soon-to-be sophomore engineering major at West Virginia, Thrasher was competing in her first international shooting competition.

Virginia Thrasher (USA) of USA poses with her gold medal. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Thrasher finished sixth during the qualifying round before defeating Chinese shooters Li Du and Yi Siling. Du took silver and Siling, who earned took gold in the 2012 London Games, was awarded the bronze.

Thrasher will compete in the 50m three position event in a few days. Her gold is the third by the USA in womens air rifle, its first since 2000.


No matter where Usain Bolt is in the world, the Olympic gold medalist isnt afraid to rep for his country. With Saturday (August 6) being the 54th year of Jamaicas independence, the athlete spread a little joy and love all the way from Rio De Janeiro.

Its a great day for us, we are using this as always to push us, he explained to The Gleaner, This is normally the time when we push forward in the Olympics and we will enjoy the day as always so have fun and love each other. On August 6, 1962, the nation was officially granted its Independence from England and became an independent country. In addition to Jamaicans now having access to equal rights, it symbolized the birth of a new nation.

Like every Olympic competition, all eyes are on Bolt as he makes his return to the Mens Track and Feild 100m, 200m and Mens 4x100m relay, respectively next week. Known for being the fastest man in the world, the 29-year-old became the first player to win six gold medals in the sprinting category.

Bolt may have skipped the Opening Ceremony Friday evening (August 5), but he still plans to compete despite his previous hamstring injury. Im not fully in shape. I need more work but over time I will be fine, Bolt said last month. If Bolt dominates the three races, hell be in the legendary rankings of nine Olympic track and field titles with American sprinter Carl Lewis.

Bolt wasnt the only celeb praising his country today. Fully recovered from a reported Zika virus diagnosis, Bennie Man also shared his love for Jamaicas independence via Instagram. The dancehall legend cancelled his performance at Drakes OVO Festival last week after contracting the virus.
A Virginia mayor who moonlights as a substitute teacher has been accused of trading methamphetamine for sex, PEOPLE confirms.



Fairfax Mayor Richard Scott Silverthorne, 50, was arrested Thursday after meeting with undercover detectives at a hotel, according to a statement from county police. Police said their sting involved a dating website profile created by police and tailored to Silverthorne's interests; and their investigation was sparked by a single anonymous tip.



"Based on information obtained during the investigation, a suspect [Silverthorne] was identified who was allegedly distributing methamphetamine through a website used to arrange for casual sexual encounters between men," according to the police statement.



An undercover detective created a profile on the unnamed website and waited and "within a few days, [Silverthorne] made contact" with the detective, police allege. After their initial exchange, "the suspect communicated via text messaging" and "advised that he could provide methamphetamine for sex," police allege.







Undercover investigators agreed to meet Silverthorne "for a group sexual encounter in exchange for methamphetamine," police said. According to their statement, Silverthorne allegedly told undercover officers he'd bring methamphetamine as well as other men to the meeting.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



Detectives arrested Silverthorne at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tysons Corner, according to the police statement. Silverthorne allegedly provided methamphetamine to the undercover detectives and was subsequently arrested and charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.



Police said Silverthorne's arrest also led detectives to his alleged suppliers: Juan Jose Fernandez, 34, and Caustin Lee McLaughlin, 31.



Police said Fernandez has been charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia while McLaughlin faces felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia counts.



All three men were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Silverthorne was released on his own recognizance while Fernandez and McLaughlin posted unspecified bail amounts for their release.



As mayor, Silverthorne was re-elected in May to a third term and announced in November that he'd been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Police said Silverthorne was also employed as a substitute teacher for the Fairfax County Public Schools.



A spokesperson for the Fairfax mayor's office declined to comment Friday, and it was not immediately clear how Silverthorne's arrest might affect his role in office.



It was unclear whether he has retained an attorney or entered a plea.



According to NBC Washington, he wrote on Facebook Friday, "I ask that you allow the process to proceed before rushing to judgement (as tough as that may be)."
By James Macharia JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The African National Congress lost its grip on local government in Tshwane, home of the South African capital Pretoria, as results on Saturday gave the opposition Democratic Alliance a second big win in the ANC's worst election since the end of apartheid. The results of Wednesday's voting have reshaped the political landscape in South Africa, where the ANC has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela. Unemployment, economic stagnation and scandals around President Jacob Zuma led voters to punish the ANC, changing the outlook for national elections in 2019 and potentially emboldening Zuma's rivals within the ANC to challenge him. Saving some pride, the ANC won in Johannesburg, South Africa's economic and financial hub, taking 45 percent of the vote to the DA's 38 percent, but will have to form a coalition to govern. Wins in Tshwane and in Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the manufacturing hub Port Elizabeth, are a watershed for the DA, which also held Cape Town, a municipality that it has controlled since 2006. Last year it elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as it tries to shake off an image of a party mainly serving white interests. "It signals to everyone that the tide in our country is turning," Maimane told reporters on Saturday. The ANC still won the most votes overall, and was working to form coalitions in the municipalities where it lost its majority. "We are into negotiations as we speak," said Paul Mashatile, the ANC chairman in Gauteng province, which includes Tshwane and Johannesburg. "It's quite clear that our people, our traditional supporters, are still with us but maybe not too many people came out to vote so we need to go back and find out why." The DA will also need to form coalitions to govern in both Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay. In his first public remarks since the vote's outcome, Zuma said South Africa was a "democracy where differences of political opinion and diverse political preferences are allowed to flourish". MISMANAGEMENT The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved, and the opposition has accused Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focusing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession. Zuma rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand plummeting. The currency has since recovered and received a boost from the lack of violence during the local elections. The president survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he had broken the law by ignoring an order to repay some of $16 million in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since said he will repay some of the money, as ordered by the court. "The ANC may just become a rural party," said William Gumede, head of the Democracy Works Foundation think-tank. The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema, Zuma's one-time protege but now arch-foe, came a distant third in the local elections, with about 10 percent of the vote. Malema has drawn support with promises to nationalize banks and land and redistribute among poor black people wealth still mostly in white hands - policies that both the DA and the ANC have not found palatable. With the ANC and DA both seeking to rule in Johannesburg and Tshwane, the EFF could be courted where coalitions are needed. Malema has not revealed who he would back, saying: "If anyone comes to us, we'll talk." (Additional reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Beach House have been busy touring all 2016 in support of their two albums from last year, Depression Cherry and Thank Your Lucky Stars. During their leg in Europe, the duo stopped by the set of Charlie Rose for an interview and performance.

Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally discussed the first time they met, what it was like to record and release two albums last year, their song writing process, and more. Choosing an unlikely song from Thank Your Lucky Stars, Beach House put on an intimate performance of Rough Song, the mood set by limited lighting.

Watch their performance of Rough Song above, and check out Beach Houses interview with Charlie Rose below.

More from Pigeons & Planes
Princess Martha Louise, fourth-in-line to the throne of Norway, is set to divorce her husband of 14 years, the writer Ari Behn.



The couple's separation is amicable, according to a statement made late Friday afternoon by the Royal House of Norway .



Both parents will share joint custody of their three daughters: Maud Angelica, 13, Leah Isadora, 11, and Emma Tallulah, 7, who'll continue to live with their mother and attend their current schools.



"The children need time to come to terms with this, to get their bearings and find their feet," the royal palace said in their statement.







"We are human," Princess Martha Louise, 44, said in the statement, adding the couple had tried "everything in their power to make the marriage work."



"It's unspeakably sad for both of us to discover that the road ahead doesn't run as it once did. Like so many others, we've grown apart. We've tried everything over a long period of time a but it's impossible for us to go on," the princess said.



"We feel guilty because we can no longer maintain the safe harbor our children deserve," she said. "The marriage is over, but we stand together as parents."



The princess' own parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, said the couple's separation was "painful and sad" but that they were grateful for everything they'd experienced together as a family, and would not leave their son-in-law out in the cold.



A "We'll continue to enjoy a good relationship with Ari," King Harald and Queen Sonja said.



Behn, 43, hasn't commented publicly on the split, but it's thought that he'll settle near the family home in Lommedalen, 15 miles northwest of Oslo, so he can continue to be part of his children's lives.



 Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter.



The couple were last seen together publicly on official duty in June, when they were photographed holding hands during King Harald and Queen Sonja's jubilee celebration in Trondheim.



Shortly after their 2002 wedding the King granted Princess Martha Louise the regal title of Her Royal Highness.A





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The princess, whose younger brother Crown Prince Haakon, 43, is heir apparent to the throne, is a trained therapist who currently supports herself through her own business Soulspring.





Related Video: A Royal Lesson in High Tea





In 2014 Princess Martha Louise, 44, attracted controversy for her outspoken new age beliefs. She has recently taken to writing about horses for a specialist journal. A
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Who's saying what at the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday:

THE OFFICIALS

"Our admiration for you is even greater because you managed this at a very difficult time in Brazilian history. We have always believed in you."

- International Olympic chief Thomas Bach

"Here we stand to deliver history. History to be made by the athletes, the volunteers, the public, the youth. The Olympic dream is now a wonderful reality. The best place in the world is here and now. Rio, Brazil welcomes the world with open arms."

- Organising committee president Carlos Nuzman

THE ATHLETES

"I just hope I don't fall. That would be a real nightmare."

- Denmark flagbearer Caroline Wozniacki

"My samba dancing is terrible, horrible -- and I won't be doing it."

- Andy Murray, carrying the flag for Britain

"I got my hair dyed green and yellow for the team. My friend in Miami did it and it took about three hours."

- Jamaican sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

"I will be proud and not nervous. It is time now to think about the sport."

- Rose Nathike Lokonyen, carrying the flag for the refugee team

"It was my mum (Sue) who rung me and told me. She's been sick for a while but the doctors gave her permission to come to Brazil and she is somewhere in Rio with my sister watching on a big screen. That makes it extra special."

- Ella Nicholas of the Cook Islands who discovered she was on flag duty from her mother

"I don't think anyone's dropped the flag and I don't want to be the first."

- Ireland's Patrick Barnes

"In the past two months for sure it affected the athletes. It was a difficult situation. We were ready for the worst, the whole Russian team could have been banned, but there were reasonable people that too the right decisions. It is clear that there is a doping problem, but the clean athletes they should not suffer from that."

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- Russian volleyball player Sergei Tetyukhin

"We've got some pretty cool cloaks from back home. It's pretty special to be wearing that with all the past flagbearers that have worn it before. It just brings the mana (respect) of everyone that's gone in this team before."

- New Zealand's Peter Burling

"I'm very nervous because I get sweaty palms. I have a tendency to be a bit clumsy but I'll make sure I won't let this one go."

- Australian flagbearer, cyclist Anna Meares

"It is a very special moment, especially for the older generation in Kosovo. They have survived wars, they went through such hard times and what is happening today has been a dream for a long time for all people in Kosovo."

- Majilinda Kelmendi, flag bearer for Kosovo who are in their first Games

THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE RIO

"Tonight, the first-ever will also stand before the world and prove that you can succeed no matter where you're from."

- US president Barack Obama

"Nailed it !"

- Chris Hoy, who carried the British flag in 2012, congratulating Murray's flawless, one-handed flag-carrying technique.
A 67-year-old Southern California woman was arrested this week after cops say she beat to death another woman in her 60s in a park.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrested the unnamed suspect Thursday in Compton after homicide detectives learned deputies were dispatched to Tragniew Park in response to a Woman not Breathing call.

When they arrived they found a 63-year-old black woman lying on the ground and unresponsive.

Read: Linebacker for University of Florida Stops Sexual Assault of Unconscious Woman: Police

According to a LASD press release, detectives discovered that a group of women were at the park when the suspect became annoyed with another woman who she thought "was too loud."

Detective believe the argument quickly became physical with both punching each other and one being hit with a cane.

Read: Driver Purposely Hits Man Walking While Playing Pokemon Go: Cops

Both women ended up on the ground and continued to fight, cops say. The 67-year-old suspect then got up and walked away while the other complained she could not breathe.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The 67-year-old suspect was arrested and booked for Murder at Century Regional Detention Center where she is being held in lieu of a million dollar bail.

Watch: Pilot Tackles Passenger Who Allegedly Assaulted Flight Attendant

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LOCARNO  Something is moving in the local film industry, said on-the-rise Swiss director Lisa Blatter.

To wit: New companies are breaking through which are built in a more collective way, directors-producers focusing on the quality of a cinema which can express a political voice or build on very personal perspectives, she added.

Blatter could be describing her own career. Having directed one part of Wonderland, a milestone 10-segment omnibus feature channelling the energies and dissent of a new Swiss generation of filmmakers. Lisa Blatter awaited solo debut, Sketches from Lou which opens this fall in Switzerland via classic arthouse distributor LookNow!, is a introspective portrait of Switzerlands attitude towards romantic attachment.

Sketches depicts a nearly-30s couple Lou and Aro as they navigate the dilemmas and self-discoveries of passage to an adult commitment. Set in summer, and heading towards closure in fall, with a palette of dominant blues and greys, the intimate story is told with a methodical sensuality. It builds to a portrait of a couple which aims to be a subtle and tender portrait of a generation who is too scared to love, Blatter told Variety.

Produced by Zurich-based 2:1 Film, Sketches is backed by the Swiss Federal Film Funds BAK and the local fund Zurcher Filmstiftung.

Few locations, a small cast, very small and family-like crew: Working like a family helps me focus on the directing and it lets me create an atmosphere for the actors to really live their characters, Blatter commented.

For Blatter, artistic endeavour has always been a family concern given her writer father (Silvio Blatter, Avenue America) and artist mother (Mona Blatter). Graduating from Zurichs University of Arts and Design in 2008, Blatter teamed with two other up-and-coming talents from Switzerland Jan Gassmann and Julia Tal to set up 2:1 in 2010, where she produced documentaries  such as Maurizius Staerkle Druxs Architektur Einer Familie: Die Bohms  as well as Jan Gassmanns Berlinale-premiered Europe, She Loves.

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Blatter says she finds inspiration in Asian filmmakers  Hong Sang-soo, Kim Ki-duk or Hirokazu Koreeda. I like movies that speak up, engage an audience, provoke sudden feelingsallow the spectator to leave the cinema being reminded to live, to think, to react and to love.

She now plans one in this vein, Puppets and Warrior.

The project turns on a sense of being a puppet in the system and having to fight for inner freedom. Heteronomy vs. self fulfilment, she said.

It plays with prejudices and dreams. Its still in a very initial stage. But after this very slow and sensitive film [Sketches], Id like to make a louder film.

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Locarno Film Review: 'This Time Tomorrow'
DUBAI (Reuters) - Forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi launched a new offensive east of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday, the military command said, after United Nations-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait ended without an agreement. The offensive, which is backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, came as the Iran-allied Houthis and the party of ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced a 10-member governing council, against the wishes of the U.N. The Houthis and Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC), hold most of Yemen's northern half, while forces loyal to Hadi share control of the rest of the country with local tribes. The fighting in which more than 6,400 people have been killed, half of them civilians, has created a humanitarian crisis in one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. Al Qaeda and its militant rival Islamic State have exploited the war to try to recruit more followers and establish roots in the country, which controls major shipping lanes overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The pro-Hadi sabanew.net news agency said that the Yemeni army and allied local tribesmen, backed by Arab coalition air strikes, began a major operation to "liberate the district of Nehem east of Sanaa". The area is a key route to the capital, which has been under Houthi control since 2014. "The army and the resistance have managed to liberate a number of important military positions that had been controlled by the coup militias, most prominent of which is the Manara mount which overlooks the center of Nehem district," the agency quoted a military spokesman as saying. Fighting was also reported on the Yemeni-Saudi border, where a Saudi border guard was killed by fire directed from the Yemeni side, the Saudi state news agency SPA said, citing a security spokesman. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthis of escalating attacks along the border, where the alliance had scaled back its military operations to give the Yemeni peace talks a chance to succeed. "The militias began military operations along the border after the suspension of the Yemeni consultations," the spokesman, General Ahmed al-Asseri, told the Saudi-owned al-Hadath television, referring to the Houthis. "The Houthi militias are trying to achieve gains on the ground to make up for political losses," he added. The comments came after the U.N. special envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced that talks in Kuwait had been adjourned, promising they would resume at an unspecified venue within a month. "We will leave Kuwait today, but peace consultations will continue. We will let the parties consult their leaders," he told a news conference. Earlier in Sanaa, the Houthi-run sabanews.net news agency published the names of 10 officials it said would be on a political committee to run the country. The parties would rotate the position of president and vice president, who would be chosen from within the committee, the statement said. (Reporting By Mohammed Ghobari and Mostafa Hashem in Cairo and Mahmoud Harbi in Kuwait City; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
DailyFX.com -

Yuan Volatility Elevates During Heavy Week of Data

Fundamental Forecast for the Yuan: Neutral

This week, both the onshore and offshore Yuan weakened against the US Dollar following the advances of the prior week. As of 10:30am EDT, the onshore Yuan (USD/CNY) dropped by -0.23% to 6.6520 while the offshore Yuan (USD/CNH) lost -0.65% to 6.66831. The better-than-expected July Non-Farm Payrolls read sent the US Dollar soaring on Friday, which largely contributed to the Yuan losses this week. In terms of the Yuans daily reference rate, PBOC guidance was on a roller-coaster ride this week: The changes in the fix from Monday to Friday was +234 pips, -174 pips, +256 pips, -249 pips and +38 pips respectively. Volatility in the Yuans fix is significantly elevated, but the range of the fix remains relatively tight. Looking forward, a heavy calendar of Chinese data could further increase the Yuans volatility, with key risks from foreign reserves, consumer price index, trade, new Yuan loans, monetary supply and industrial production prints for the month of July. In addition to market drivers, the PBOC is likely to continue to guide the Yuan within a range below the level of 6.70 with psycho-social importance.

The top two gauges for investors to watch next week are monetary supply and New Yuan Loans, which may affect the PBOCs monetary policy. More specifically, traders will likely keep an eye on the gap between growth in M1 and M2, as this reveals how serious the problem that Chinese investors are currently facing: they are not short of money but lacking investment opportunities. A widening gap between M1 and M2 would indicate that the problem becomes increasingly severe. M1 is a measure for the most liquid portions of monetary supply: papers, coins, as well as checking accounts. M2 includes all elements in M1 and assets can be quickly converted into cash, such as savings deposits. In June, the growth of M2 was 11.8% while the growth of M1 soared to 24.6%.

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A lack of investment opportunities both directly and indirectly impact the gap between the M1 and M2: A) As companies are short of opportunities to expand their businesses or make new investments, they endorse a wait-and-see approach and hold a huge amount of cash in checking accounts. B) Real estate, a traditional interest of Chinese households, becomes appealing once again in such environments. For Chinese individual investors, they dont have many options except purchasing stocks and real estate. After the equity plunge last August and this January, many Chinese investors become cautious in stocks and have shifted their interest to real estate. Commercial banks are also more willing to issue mortgages to households rather than to lend to companies that are facing increasing credit risks in a slowing economy. Chinas June New Yuan Loans report revealed that households medium- to long-term borrowing soared to 563.9 billion Yuan in June, an all-time high. Their cash eventually flowed into real estate companies checking accounts, exacerbating the gap between M1 and M2 growth. The July reads of monetary supply and New Yuan loans could tell investors whether this discrepancy is improving.

Right now the PBOC is less likely to introduce more easing plans, as it wont help private sector to expand businesses and could cause more price bubbles. Four of the most powerful Chinese regulators including the PBOC have launched a series of tightened rules on Chinas financial marketsin the effort of curbing credit risks and asset bubbles. However, if investment conditions are improved, the PBOC may loosen controls on credit issuance. Such an outlook could bring considerable volatility to Yuan rates.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most important gauges for Chinas economy, as a low read may increase the odds of the PBOC adopting a more dovish monetary policy. Although China may be contending with an increasing risk of asset bubbles with Chinas Central Bank less likely to cut benchmark rates or introduce aggressive easing measures, a weak CPI reading could open room for PBOC to make policy tweaks in the future when investment conditions improve. The CPI read for July is expected to drop to 1.8% according to Bloomberg, or even lower to 1.7% according to Chinese institutions; both distant from the target-level for CPI of 3.0%.



original source

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Entrepreneur Philip JamesCEO and founder of the wine commerce site Penrose Hillis no stranger to uncertainty, risk, or adventure. He climbed Mount Everest in 2003, and has taken an unreal motorcycle trip across Europe and Mongolia. He also started his own company (which has a partnership with Time Inc).

According to James, going on an epic expedition requires some of the same skills and personality quirks as launching a new business.

You know where you are, the origin point, right at the beginning. James explained, and you know where youre trying to go[be it to the] top of a mountain or to build a successful business.

With your goal in your mind, you can only imagine the road there in fairly broad termsbeautiful landmarks and unusual pit stopsbut there may be no clear trail to follow. Even if there is, you will encounter unexpected obstacles and roadblocks along the way.

James said that, like embarking on a great excursion, you fill up with gasoline [and] have enough food and water to make it to the next village or city. But you have to accept that you cant anticipate where every rest stop may appear, nor every barrier and setback.

You cant plan around a corner or see over the horizon, James continued. There will always be twists and turns.

More than anything, an entrepreneur has to be OK with uncertaintyjust like travelers have to be flexible and open-minded.

But James notes that uncertainty is not the same thing as risk, which is cumulative. You can undertake things that are uncertain, [while] you work incredibly hard to minimize the exposure to [risk], James concluded.

For travelers, specifically, that means taking precautions (contact the embassy, give your kids the hotels business card) securing your belongings, and being intrepid. After all, some of our most gutsy trips can be the most memorable adventures of our lifetime.

Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn.
Chris Urmson, Director of the Self Driving Cars Project at Google, speaks to the media during a preview of Google's prototype autonomous vehicles in Mountain View, California September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo (Reuters)

By Paul Lienert and David Shepardson

(Reuters) - Chris Urmson, who was instrumental in building Google's self-driving car project, said on Friday he is leaving the team after seven and a half years.

Alphabet Inc's Google had named Urmson chief technical officer of the project after it hired former Hyundai executive John Krafcik to be chief executive of the project.

Urmson, who joined the project when it was launched and has been a public face of Google's autonomous vehicle efforts, testified before a U.S. Senate panel on autonomous cars in March.

Krafcik confirmed Urmson's departure in a tweet on Friday afternoon.

Urmson, in a blog post late Friday, said he was "ready for a fresh challenge." He said he was not sure what he would do next.

"Going to take some time and get some perspective from outside of Google," he wrote in a text message to Reuters.

Urmson told Reuters earlier this year that self-driving cars are coming. "Ive gone from hoping this would happen to thinking it might happen to knowing it will happen, Urmson said.

Google self-driving car project spokesman Johnny Luu confirmed Urmson's departure and praised him.

"Seven years ago, the idea that a car could drive itself wasnt much more than an idea. Chris has been a vital force for the project, helping the team move from a research phase to a point where this life-saving technology will soon become a reality," Luu said.

Google's project has had other significant departures, even as it has hired dozens of new employees. Earlier this year, Anthony Levandowski, who was product manager for Google's self-driving car program, left the project to co-found a startup with two other former Google employees.

Google's self-driving car project is expected to become a standalone company this year. In July, the project appointed its first general counsel.

Google has logged more than 1.8 million miles of autonomous driving in testing in Texas, California, Arizona and Washington state. It has said it has no timetable for making self-driving vehicles available to the public.

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Officials have said Google is preparing to make its self-driving car unit a separate company. The program is now part of its X research laboratory unit.

"The self-driving car project is in the middle of graduating from X and this is sort of a gradual process," Astro Teller, who heads the X program, told NBC News in April.

In May, Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said they had agreed to work together to build a fleet of nearly 100 self-driving minivans, the first time a Silicon Valley firm had teamed up with a traditional carmaker to develop an autonomous vehicle.

In March, Reuters reported Google's self-driving car team was expanding and hiring more people with automotive industry expertise, underscoring the company's determination to move the division past the experimental stage.

(Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish and Bernard Orr)
By Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration is preparing to elevate the stature of the Pentagons Cyber Command, signalling more emphasis on developing cyber weapons to deter attacks, punish intruders into U.S. networks and tackle adversaries such as Islamic State, current and former officials told Reuters. Under the plan being considered at the White House, the officials said, U.S. Cyber Command would become what the military calls a "unified command" equal to combat branches of the military such as the Central and Pacific Commands. Cyber Command would be separated from the National Security Agency, a spy agency responsible for electronic eavesdropping, the officials said. That would give Cyber Command leaders a larger voice in arguing for the use of both offensive and defensive cyber tools in future conflicts. Both organizations are based at Fort Meade, Maryland, about 30 miles north of Washington, and led by the same officer, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers. A former senior intelligence official with knowledge of the plan said it reflects the growing role that cyber operations play in modern warfare, and the different missions of the Cyber Command and the NSA. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. A Cyber Command spokesman declined comment on the plan, and the NSA did not respond to requests for comment. Established in 2010, Cyber Command is now subordinate to the U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees military space operations, nuclear weapons and missile defence. U.S. officials cautioned that details of the plan, including some aspects of Cyber Command's new status, are still being debated. It was unclear when the matter will be presented to President Barack Obama for final approval, but the former senior intelligence official said it was unlikely anyone would stand in the way. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration was "constantly reviewing if we have the appropriate organizational structures in place to counter evolving threats, in cyber space or elsewhere." "While we have no changes to this structure to announce, the relationship between NSA and Cyber Command is critical to safeguarding our nations security," the official said. The Pentagon acknowledged earlier this year that it has conducted cyber attacks against Islamic State, although the details are highly classified. "We are dropping cyberbombs. We have never done that before," Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said in April. The Washington Post reported last month that Pentagon leaders had been frustrated with the slow pace of Cyber Command's electronic offensive against Islamic State, militants who control parts of Iraq and Syria and have sympathizers and supporters worldwide. In response, Rogers created Joint Task Force Ares to develop new digital weapons against Islamic State and coordinate with the Central Command, which is responsible for combat operations in the Middle East and South Asia. The new task force has "the specific mission to accomplish cyberspace objectives in support of counter-ISIL operations," a Cyber Command statement said. Task Force Ares, it said, "comprises operations and intelligence professionals from each of the military services." James Lewis, a cyber security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the plan that will be presented to Obama highlights how Cyber Command, reliant on the NSA in its early years, is developing its own work force and digital tools. "It reflects the maturing of Cyber Command and its own capabilities," Lewis said. Defense Secretary Ash Carter hinted at the higher status for Cyber Command in an April speech in Washington, in which he said the Pentagon is planning $35 billion in cyber spending over the next five years. "Adapting to new functions will include changes in how we manage ourselves in cyberspace," Carter said. NSA's primary mission is to intercept and decode adversaries' phone calls, emails and other communications. The agency was criticized for over-reach after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed some of its surveillance programs. NSA's focus is gathering intelligence, officials said, often favouring the monitoring of an enemy's cyber activities. Cyber Command's mission is geared more to shutting down cyber attacks - and, if ordered, counter attacking. The NSA director has been a senior military officer since the agency's founding in 1952. Under the plan, future directors would be civilians, an arrangement meant to underscore that NSA is not subordinate to Cyber Command. (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by John Walcott and Grant McCool)
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ANGOLA  A Fremont man is facing two charges, including child exploitation, from an incident of alleged sexting with a minor.

Dominque Lynn Morton, 23, was arraigned before Magistrate Randy Coffey Friday morning on charges of child exploitation, a Level 5 felony, and child pornography, a Level 6 felony.

Morton allegedly convinced his 15-year-old girlfriend to exchange photos of herself with him in various states of nudity and he shared at least one photo with her in early July, said documents in Steuben Circuit Court.

Court documents say the girl sent six photos to Morton showing her breast, full body and vagina. He allegedly sent a photo to her of his penis.

The court record also said Morton told the victim she should send the photos because thats what a good girlfriend does.

Morton faces up to 6 years in prison for the Level 5 felony and up to 2 1/2 years for the Level 6 felony.

In court Friday, Jim Burns was appointed as Mortons public defender. His bail was set at $5,000. His next court date is Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. in Circuit Court.

Morton will be in jail until that time because he was placed on a 15-day hold because he is on probation. He also has another pending criminal case, theft, which also was allegedly committed while on probation. That case stems from a June arrest for Class A misdemeanor theft.

On Tuesday the Steuben County Probation Department filed a motion in court seeking revocation of probation from a July 2014 case in which Morton pleaded guilty to Level 6 felony failure to stop following a serious personal injury accident.
Its time to address a serious farm issue affecting our great state of Wisconsin and the Midwest.

No, Im not talking about the worker-productivity declines caused by Pokemon Go or the fact that Aaron Rodgers no longer eats cheese. Although important, they pale in comparison to the problem that I just became aware of. Im referring to the meteorological malady called corn sweat.

Recent news reports said that evaporation from corn contributed to the higher humidity associated with the recent heat wave. Oh boy. Were barely surviving mosquito-borne illnesses, tick diseases and summer reruns  and now we are forced to face the menace of perspiring maize. Its hardly safe to venture outside anymore.

There are more than 94 million acres of corn planted in the United States this year, with about 4 million acres in Wisconsin. Thats the third-highest total since 1944. And with todays dense planting trends, there are more corn plants per acre. Youd sweat too if you were crowded into tight rows in 95-degree heat.

The issue is actually evapotranspiration. Corn draws its moisture from the roots and in the process of photosynthesis the water moves through the leaves, where it then evaporates into the air. The U.S. Geological Survey says an acre of corn sweats off 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water every day. That means as much as 376 billion gallons of water evaporates every day just from corn. Thats a staggering number, almost equal to the number of online cat videos viewed daily.

Even though plant transpiration is an invisible process, that doesnt mean the water just disappears. It represents about 10 percent of transpiration moisture in the atmosphere  with the rest coming from bodies of water and from fat guys on the beach who drink too much beer on hot days. Its all part of earths water cycle.

Remember its not just the heat, but the humidity. On a hot day when the air can absorb more moisture, excessive transpiration can push dew points above 70 into what is considered the oppressive range. Its the combination that makes us as uncomfortable as Hillary Clintons wardrobe planner and Donald Trumps barber.

Speaking of our presidential candidates, why have we not considered the climate effects of the dome of hot air that emanated from Cleveland and then was recharged when it moved over to Philadelphia? And what about the permanent methane cloud that hangs over Washington, D.C?

The problem of corn sweat sure leaves me with some questions:

Shouldnt we appoint a sweat czar to investigate corn hyperhidrosis?

Why havent our seed companies come out with sweat-resistant hybrids?

Should farmers use Secret antiperspirant on the ear and Right Guard on the tassel?

If deodorants are used, will our ethanol start smelling like Old Spice?

Are we going to need to get used to the idea of eating sweet sweat corn?

Can we really believe food labels that say, no sweat was used to manufacture this product?

How much more sweat comes from alfalfa, oats and other short grains?

I suspect that none of the questions will be answered because soon it will be fall and the sweating season will be over. Our focus will be soon be diverted to more cat videos. By harvest time many will swear the whole idea of corn sweating has no kernel of truth.

Its just another government cornspiracy.
Sister Dorothea Burr, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 97, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in her 74th year of religious profession.

Sister Dorothea was born May 3, 1919, to Peter and Clara (Morarand) Burr on a farm near Rozellville, Wis. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1936, and made profession of vows in 1942. Sister Dorothea began her career with twelve years of teaching on the elementary level in Wisconsin and Iowa. With a bachelors degree in home economics from Viterbo College and a masters degree in home economics from University of Wisconsin-Stout, she taught at the high school level; five years at Marycliff High School, Spokane, Wash., seven years at Aquinas High School, La Crosse, and four years at Cathedral High School, Superior, Wis. She also taught home economics for two semesters at Viterbo College, as well.

In 1971, when Cathedral High School closed, Sister Dorothea moved to inner city Milwaukee. From 1971 to 1989, she taught sewing at Harambee School and St. Elizabeth Youth Program, while also working at a government sponsored food program. When the staff was cut, she was hired part time by Zander Home Church Vestment Company. Wanting full-time employment and benefits, Sister Dorothea was hired as receptionist and bookkeeper by Milwaukee Catholic Retirement Home where she worked for twelve years. When she retired from there, she spent two years as assistant bookkeeper and receptionist at Second Harvesters Food Bank.

Sister Dorothea volunteered at St. Marys Hospital and a shelter for battered women. Sister Dorothea then worked in the employment program at Interfaith Program for the Elderly, where after nine years of employment, she spent another seven as a volunteer assisting the poor. Sister Dorothea retired to Villa St. Joseph in 2006.

Sister Dorothea is survived by her Franciscan community; and nieces and nephews, including Virdean Meyer, FSPA of Marshfield, Wis.

Her parents; brothers, Sylvester and Delbert; and sisters, Hildegard Rogstad, Florence Kroening, Viola Fischer, Olive Jorgensen, Irene Collins, Sylveria Draxler, and Odelia Meyer, preceded her in death.

Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.

Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
It was about 6:40 p.m. on a Saturday when utility manager Mark Johnson received the alarm that La Crosses water reservoir  and subsequently water pressure  was too low for comfort.

The reservoir was emptying and there were no wells running, at least initially, Johnson said.

When the alarm was raised by the citys supervisory control and data acquisition system June 18, Johnson first tried to access the computer program remotely to turn on wells to fill the Myrick Station reservoir on Bliss Road. While the computer system kicked on one of the failsafe wells, it disconnected Johnsons remote access at least twice, stopping him from stabilizing the reservoir.

I raced down to Myrick and from there I was able to start some wells, Johnson said.

The incident left more than 30 La Crosse homes without water for more than an hour and raised alarm bells for a La Crosse Common Council member Gary Padesky, but city staff and one state expert say it was handled appropriately. The citys Board of Public Works will convene 10 a.m. Monday at La Crosse City Hall to talk about the citys standard practices and whether it should implement a minimum reservoir level to avoid a repeat water emergency.

After getting the wells pumping water into the tank through all three 20-inch supply pipes, Johnson found that the water utility had neglected to reset some of the system settings when doing maintenance on two wells. The wells are programmed to start filling the reservoir if it falls below a certain level.

We had two of those three failsafe wells that we were working on, and one came on, but two did not, Johnson said.

As a result, the reservoir dipped below 6 inches and the water pressure dropped to 36 psi, leaving 30 or 40 buildings without water in high-elevation areas of the city.

The condition was such that there was not enough pressure to push water into their houses, but those were pretty isolated areas, Johnson said.

Public Works Director Dale Hexom said the only way for the city to know for sure buildings are without water is to hear from its customers, which it did the night of June 18 before the reservoir recovered to 500,000 gallons of water with a pressure of 80 psi at about 8:30 p.m. The citys water pressure normally ranges between 90 and 100 psi and there are no standard fill levels.

We had a number of calls by the time I got down to Myrick, Johnson said. Once we responded, once the system started coming back, we actually dispatched a couple people to go out and make contact in those areas.

According to a memorandum written June 30 by Hexom, the problem was partially human error, but not due to negligence. With the thunderstorms earlier that week and two wells out of service, the system needed atypical programming to account for the unusual circumstances.

It was a mistake on our part to reset things, Johnson said. We can do a better job of keeping track of those wells and how they are programmed to come on within that system.

Hopefully we learn from these things, he added.

While the incident didnt lead to enough of a water disruption to make Johnson legally required to inform the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the incident worried Padesky, who has had concerns about the reservoirs fill levels dating back to 2012.

According to DNR drinking water engineer Charlie Cameron, the city handled the incident appropriately, flushing out the part of the system affected and notifying residents in those areas. The problem didnt reach the severity that they were required to let the DNR and the general public know.

We have requirements that if they lose water pressure down to less than 20 psi in 20 percent or more of their distribution system, theyre required to notify us right away, Cameron said.

Despite the lack of legal requirement, the silence on behalf of utility management troubled Padesky.

If it wasnt for those phone calls I got that night from people asking me questions wondering what was going on, nobody would have known, Padesky said.

Padesky brought the incident to the attention of Mayor Tim Kabat, who said city residents should always be able to depend upon getting water when they turn the tap and the city was taking reports of loss of water seriously.

In my mind, that should never be acceptable. Thankfully there wasnt any sort of emergency in that area that would have required water, Kabat said. The water utility and that service that we provide is a core service and I think we do it in an excellent ways, but there are times when even the best system has a problem. Were going to learn from this and be better.

Padesky believes it could have been much worse than homes without water. After more than two decades as a city employee, with 20 of those years spent in the water department, Padesky said the city has a long-time pattern of letting the reservoir get low, which he said would put the city at risk if left unchecked. Padesky retired in 2012, partially due to health problems, but also because of a disagreement with water superintendent Lee Anderson over the reservoir levels.

Under the old boss, if you were ever below six feet, you were in his office and he wanted to know what went wrong, Padesky said.

In comparison, the reservoir now dips below six feet on a regular basis, according to water utility measurements given to the Tribune by Padesky.

Hexom and Johnson said the system has changed since Padesky was trained in its operation. After a 2008 improvement project, the system can fill the reservoir much quicker and there is no need to keep as much water on hand.

Were operating the water system professionally and within the best interests of the city of La Crosse and not putting the city at risk, Hexom said.

The years-long pattern is something the state has monitored during its annual inspections, after receiving a complaint several years ago. While Cameron noted La Crosse runs its reservoir typically lower, but denied it was unsafe.

It was on my radar when I did my last survey, but it wasnt a red flag, Cameron said. There are communities who dont have the pumping capacity that La Crosse has and they need to have the reservoir higher.

With La Crosses high number of wells, it can maintain water pressure during normal conditions without the reservoir and refill the reservoir to its 5-million-gallon capacity at a rate of 3 feet per hour.

However, what worries Padesky is what happens in the case of an emergency, not during normal conditions.

If there was a main break and a fire, you just put yourself in a tough position, because its not staffed 24/7, Padesky said, calling it a public safety issue.

An empty reservoir and a fire in those neighborhoods that lost water would be a disaster, he said, because the same failure could prevent water from pumping out of hydrants.

La Crosse Fire Chief Gregg Cleveland said there had never been an incident where he was concerned he wouldnt have water enough to put out a fire. While Cleveland admitted to not being an expert in the water utility, he said he has to have faith in his fellow city employees and didnt believe they would disregard public safety.

I dont know whats all going on with this, but the most important thing is that we have to have trust that we open the hydrant, the water is going to be there, just as the public has faith that in a fire were going to be there to put it out as efficiently and safely as possible, Cleveland said. Thats just the long and short of it.

Padesky said he didnt want anybody to lose their job over the incident, but was disappointed in the lack of communication and said someone should be reprimanded for the error.

Mistakes happen, were all human, Padesky said. When you continuously make mistakes and nothing happens, you get a lot more careless.

Kabat denied that there will be no accountability, noting that the city will learn from the error and work to prevent a similar mistake.

The city is obviously very sorry that happened, and were going to take steps necessary so it doesnt happen again, Kabat said.

Mistakes happen, were all human. When you continuously make mistakes and nothing happens, you get a lot more careless. Gary Padesky, Common Council membher We can do a better job of keeping track of those wells ... Hopefully we learn from these things. Mark Johnson,

city utility manager
MILWAUKEE (AP)  Federal agents are investigating whether several Milwaukee-area businesses landed $280 million in government contracts by falsely claiming theyre owned by minorities and military veterans.

A search warrant filed in federal court Friday alleges the companies received contracts to perform work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Army and other agencies under federal programs to help disadvantaged companies.

According to the warrant, the companies werent actually owned or run by the people listed on the contracts. Agents raided the businesses on Wednesday.

According to an affidavit for the search warrant, a Hispanic man ran one of the businesses from 1994 to 2003 as a qualified minority business owner. That status dissolved after nine years under the programs rules.

The man along with another man recruited others to pose as heads of several companies, including two construction companies and an accounting firm, to secure the contracts. But the two men controlled the companies, allowing them to benefit from contracts that the Hispanic mans business wasnt eligible to receive. Large amounts of money moved between the companies, according to the affidavit.

The Associated Press isnt naming the men because they havent been charged.

Federal investigators have been examining the relationship among the companies for several years. A former longtime employee approached federal agents in 2014 and described the fake ownership created for the companies.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation in 2009 into possible misuse of federal stimulus money found one of the companies listed 24 jobs for projects on which no work had begun. The company got more than $7 million for five contracts, including replacing the roof and fire-alarm systems at the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee. The companys vice president said the number of jobs was a projection for the duration of the projects.
Dont overlook the role of Tuesdays primary election en route to the decisive contest in November.

Primaries typically draw much lower turnout (16 percent is projected)  and far less interest  than general elections. But if you want to help decide what your choices will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, primaries are how that happens.

In many cases, congressional and state legislative races will be decided Tuesday because candidates from only one party are running  or because the district leans so heavily toward one party that the general election wont be competitive.

Wisconsin has whats known as an open primary, meaning voters  regardless of their political views or affiliation  may choose the party primary in which they want to vote. But you must stick to one party on your ballot; you cant vote in a Democratic primary in one race and a Republican primary in another.

Heres a look at some of the state and federal races on the ballot:

U.S. Senate

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold of Middleton faces a primary challenge from Scott Harbach, a private investigator from Kenosha who has run a skeletal campaign. Harbach has no experience in elected office and very little name recognition.

The winner will face Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Oshkosh and Libertarian Phillip Anderson of Fitchburg in the fall election.

Congressional races

The national political world has watched Wisconsins 1st Congressional District in recent days, where a Donald Trump-aligned political newcomer, Delavan businessman Paul Nehlen, is mounting an energetic challenge to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, in the GOP primary. The 1st District runs along the Illinois border from Janesville to Kenosha and Racine.

Nehlens efforts notwithstanding, polls suggest he faces an exceedingly tall task to oust Ryan, who is very popular among Republicans in his district.

Democrats in the 1st District also must choose their general election contender from a pair of new faces: Ryan Solen, a Mount Pleasant U.S. Army veteran, and Tom Breu, a Janesville engineer.

In northeast Wisconsins 8th Congressional District, three Republicans  Mike Gallagher of Green Bay, state Sen. Frank Lasee of De Pere and Terry McNulty, of Forestville  are battling for their partys nod to face Democrat Thomas Nelson of Appleton, in November. The 8th District is an open seat because its current representative, Republican Reid Ribble, of Sherwood, isnt seeking re-election.

In western Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District, longtime Democratic Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse faces a primary challenge from a Bernie Sanders-aligned candidate in Myron Buchholz of Eau Claire.

Voters in the 4th, 6th and 7th congressional districts also will have primaries for their U.S. House seats.

Legislative races

Primaries in competitive legislative districts will set the stage for November.

Two Democrats, Don Vruwink and Anissa Welch, both of Milton, are running to succeed retiring Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Milton, in an Assembly district that includes parts of southeast Dane, Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties. The winner faces Republican Allison Hetz of Whitewater in the general election.

In Dane County, the next representative for Assembly District 47 will be picked from a field of three Democrats vying to succeed Rep. Robb Kahl, D-Monona, who isnt seeking re-election. No Republican filed in the district, which covers Monona, McFarland and most of Fitchburg.

The candidates are: Jimmy Anderson, 29, a nonprofit founder; Julia Arata-Fratta, 49, a Fitchburg City Council member; and H. Tony Hartmann, 59, a Fitchburg City Council member.

In Senate District 18 in the Oshkosh-Fond du Lac area  an open seat eyed by both parties  Republicans Mark Elliott of Oshkosh and Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac are battling for their partys nod to take on Democrat Mark Harris of Oshkosh in the fall.

Its a similar story in about a half-dozen Assembly districts in western and northern Wisconsin, where primaries will set the stage for general election battles in the fall.

In other districts that lean heavily toward one party, the general election winner almost certainly will be decided by who prevails in Tuesdays primary.
GREEN BAY, Wis.  Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Paul Ryan late Friday, ending a four-day standoff between the GOPs most powerful men that exposed deepening concerns about the New York billionaires presidential candidacy.

Ryan, like other top Wisconsin Republicans, did not attend Trumps evening appearance in their state.

Having refused to endorse the speaker earlier in the week, Trump said, We have to unite as he vowed to support Ryan in next weeks primary contest.

It was a stunning reversal for Trump, a candidate who is known for his refusal to admit mistakes and whose general election campaign has been defined by his constant attacks on fellow Republicans.

Trump also threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.

We will have disagreements, Trump said. But we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory.

Ryan reiterated his support for Trump hours before the endorsement, but the Wisconsin Republican noted his support wasnt a blank check and pledged to speak out against the businessmans divisive positions if necessary.

Party divisions were easy to find Friday in Wisconsin, a state that Trumps team insists he can win in November.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker skipped the evening rally, preferring to attend all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner instead of appearing with his partys standard bearer. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos offered a blunt message ahead of the presidential nominees arrival.

Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Trump, but lets get something straight, Vos wrote in an open letter to his GOP colleagues. We are Ryan Republicans here in Wisconsin, not Trump Republicans.

The Midwest mayhem underscored Trumps mounting challenges during one of the most tumultuous weeks of his unorthodox campaign. He has skipped from one misstep to the next, sparking a fresh wave of Republican defections among longtime party loyalists who refuse to support their presidential nominee  including some who even publicly support for Democrat Clinton.

Eager to change their minds, Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at Clinton.

If Hillary Clinton becomes president, he said at an earlier rally in Iowa, you will have really, in my opinion, the destruction of this country from within.

Trump called his Democratic opponent a dangerous liar, an unbalanced person, pretty close to unhinged, totally unfit to lead, and lacking the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead the country.

In Wisconsin, Trump added, Shes a monster.

The charges came soon after Clinton addressed her own political vulnerabilities while facing a group of minority journalists in Washington.

The former secretary of state sought to clarify and explain a recent statement on Fox News Sunday that FBI Director James Comey said her answers to the bureau about her use of a private email server were truthful.

I may have short circuited and for that I will try to clarify, Clinton said, though still insisting she never sent or received anything that was marked classified.

She also acknowledged many people dont trust her.

It doesnt make me feel good when people say those things, and I recognize that I have work to do, Clinton said. She added, Im going to work my heart out in this campaign and as president to produce results for people.

Yet Trumps own gaffes have largely overshadowed Clintons problems as the Democrats work to recover from a bruising primary election season.

Complicating the Republican Partys 2016 challenge are fresh signs the nations economy is strengthening under a Democratic president.

The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added a healthy 255,000 jobs in July, a sign of confidence that could point to a resilient economy.

Trumps approach to national security came under fire Friday as well, with former CIA Director Michael Morell contending the Republican nominee would make a poor, even dangerous commander in chief.

Morell, outlining his views in The New York Times, also questioned Trumps praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation, wrote Morell.

Trump conceded Friday he was wrong to claim repeatedly in recent days that he saw a video of a U.S. cash payment going to Iran.

The New York billionaire has cited a $400 million payment the U.S. made to Iran this year, delivered on the same day that Iran released four American hostages. Trump charged on Thursday in vivid detail that the Iranian government released a video of the cash exchange to embarrass America.

The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran! Trump tweeted Friday morning.

The White House has insisted the payment had nothing to do with the release of the hostages. Friday night, Trump called that explanation a lie.

In Iowa, he blamed the dishonest media for the fuss over an incident earlier in the week in which he asked a screaming baby to leave a rally.

I dont throw babies out, Trump said. I love babies.
Have you ever enjoyed a week in a summer cottage on the shore of the Mississippi River, witnessed the sun rise and set over the hills near by, swam with the kids in the river  hustled water, ice, groceries n everything to keep the family and yourself happy?

This description of a weeks vacation on the Mississippi was written nearly 100 years ago, but it could just as easily have been written yesterday. The part about hustling groceries 'n everything is particularly familiar.

This postcard, published and distributed by the Spence McCord Drug Co. in La Crosse between about 1905 and 1920, depicts one of the summer homes on Eagle Bluff, just north of La Crescent, Minn.

Starting in the 1880s, wealthy La Crosse citizens began building summer getaways on Eagle Bluff. La Crosse resident Frank Powell started the trend, building a cabin that boasted all the comforts which one could expect in those days of an abode of that sort, according to a 1920 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press article. During the next few decades, several more summer residences sprang up on Eagle Bluff, and Frank Powells original cabin went through several upgrades. By 1920, it was the summer home of T.H. Spence, the owner of La Crosses Spence McCord Drug Co., and probably the cabin depicted in this postcard.

Summer residences became popular for a number of reasons in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For La Crosse residents looking to distinguish themselves from the pack, the cottages were a symbol of prestige. A select few had the resources to build a second home, and the leisure to inhabit it, particularly in the late 19th century.

By the early 20th century, however, cabins and fresh air assumed new importance for Americans of all means. In 1920, the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press described a cabin vacation as life in the open  with cool breezes blowing across spacious screened porches during the hot days and nights of summer, and fresh, pure air untainted by dust and smoke, filling ones lungs upon awakening.

Several decades of industrialization had left cities cramped and polluted. Asthma and polio were new and alarming diseases that seemed to dwell in cities, and people began to seek refuge in the woods or by the side of lakes, rivers and oceans. The Mississippi River bluffs provided both woods and water, and rental cabins became a popular destination.
WASHINGTON (TNS)  Americas swing states, where presidential elections are won and lost, are swinging to Hillary Clinton.

Yes, there are still 94 days until the election, and anything can happen. But so far the Democratic nominee is gaining where it matters most, notably in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and elsewhere.

The map is shrinking, said Lee Miringoff, the director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in New York.

The key reason: This is a race about who you can trust, said Charles Franklin, the director of the Marquette University Law School Poll, which surveys Wisconsin voters.

That means the roughly 15 percent to 20 percent of undecided or independent voters will make up their minds less on ideology or issues than on personality. Thus far, that gives Clinton an edge.

This whole thing is a character election, said Carter Wrenn, a veteran North Carolina Republican strategist.

The swing states are considered those that have been close in recent elections. They generally comprise Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. Some analysts add Michigan, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

But this year, Virginia and Colorado are seen as tilting safely Democratic. The Clinton campaign stopped advertising in those states this month.

Clinton is getting a polling bounce and she appears to have decent leads in at least enough states to get to 270 electoral votes, said Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, which analyzes election trends.

Clintons advantages, though, mean she can begin expanding the map, said Miringoff. That would help her tie up resources for Trump in states such as Arizona and Georgia, which have been reliably Republican but are showing signs of Democratic life this time around. Sometimes you like to fight on battlefields that arent critical, he said.

North Carolina is in play because it went for Obama in 2008 but not in 2012. Trump and Clinton have been pouring time and resources into the state.

John Rundle, 76, of Carolina Shores, North Carolina, is an independent voter but will be voting for Clinton. Trump, he said, is better fitted for reality TV.

Many Republicans are torn. Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot, who said he was not there yet in support of Trump, criticized the candidates campaign so far.

Mrs. Clinton is a gold mine of indiscretion, poor judgment and downright deceitfulness, he said, but he seems to want to go after the Khan family and Ted Cruz, references to Trumps feuds with the parents of a Muslim soldier who lost his life in Iraq and with the U.S. senator and former presidential candidate from Texas.

In Pennsylvania, a Franklin & Marshall College poll this week put Clinton up by 11. The survey found a familiar post-convention pattern: Clinton has solidified her Democratic support while Trump has not done the same with Republicans.

In Florida, Clinton opened up a 6-point lead in a two-way race and 4-point in a four-way race that includes Libertarian Gary Johnson and the Green Partys Jill Stein, according to a Suffolk University Poll conducted Monday through Wednesday. She plans to campaign in the state Monday and Tuesday.

In other states, a Rasmussen Reports post-conventions survey put Clinton up by 1 percentage point in Nevada.

Theres no strong post-convention polling yet in Ohio or Iowa, but there are signs of trouble for Republicans. In Ohio, Gov. John Kasich stayed away from his partys Cleveland convention and continues to keep a distance from Trump. Kasich was in Illinois this week, campaigning for Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., whos been sharply critical of Trump.
A Twin Cities nonprofit could soon be added to the list of organizations serving veterans in need in Southeast Minnesota and Coulee Region.

Blake Huffman, a Ramsey County Commissioner and the executive director of Journey Home Minnesota and its Veterans Journey Home program, spent Thursday and Friday visiting cities including Winona and La Crosse, meeting with local elected officials, veterans groups and nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity. Founded in 2008, his organization works to build affordable homes in the Twin Cities for domestic violence victims and veterans, and Huffman said he is looking to see if he can help meet the needs of homeless veterans outside of the metro.

Were having a number of conversations, he said. Were looking to see if we can expand into the region.

With the economic and housing expansion in Rochester and southeast Minnesota due to the Destination Medical Center project at Mayo Health System, as well as a housing crunch in Winona due the high number of college rentals, Huffman said veterans living on the edge can fall off more easily.

Seeing the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah and homelessness in La Crosse, he said he was interested in expanding his organization here in.

For a lot of people its just one little thing that becomes a tidal wave into homelessness, Huffman said.

On Friday, La Crosse Area Habitat for Humanity was one of Huffmans stops, and he spoke with executive director Kahya Fox about the organization and its relationships in the community, as well as getting a feel for the demographics and economy of La Crosse.

Huffman said his organization uses a similar model for its construction projects, using in-kind and fundraising donations to cover two-thirds of the cost of a home. The rest comes from a loan from the bank, which the organization pays back by renting the home to a veteran at a low rate, with the ultimate goal of home ownership for that person.

Fox spoke about some of the projects already being done in the La Crosse community, such as the $10.4 million Kane Street Affordable Housing project, which will provide 57 units, 15 of which are dedicated to the homeless, especially veterans and families. Even with the upcoming development, the need in the community is still great, she said, and called the meeting with Huffman serendipitous as her organization itself is looking at ways to do more to serve homeless veterans and their families.

Collaborations are really great for our dollars to go further, she said. We love to partner with people and organizations in La Crosse.

Near the end of the sit-down, Huffman said his organization would definitely take an interest in expanding into Rochester and then moving east toward the Coulee Region. He said he hoped to start a number of projects in communities such as Winona and La Crosse, while building partnerships with other organizations, businesses and the community.

These guys (veterans) are sacrificing for our safety and security, he said in an interview after the meeting. I want to give back to them  help them with their safety and security.

These guys (veterans) are sacrificing for our safety and security. I want to give back to them  help them with their safety and security.  Blake Huffman, executive director of Journey Home Minnesota
Ivory Coast is the world's top producer of cocoa. Cocoa beans are used to make chocolate.

But, little chocolate is produced in the West African nation. Most of the cocoa produced in the country is sent to chocolate makers in Europe and elsewhere.

This is a common issue facing many places in Africa. Countries produce and export large amounts of raw materials, but manufacture few finished goods.

Several businesses in Ivory Coast are working to change that.

One of those businesses is led by chocolate maker Suzanne Kabbani. Her shop is called La Maison du Chocolat Ivoirien or House of Ivorian Chocolate. It is in Abidjan, the countrys economic capital.

She recently made special chocolates ahead of the countrys independence day, celebrated on August 7.

Ten years ago, Kabbani wanted to prove that it was possible to make high-quality chocolate in Ivory Coast using local supplies. But, she says it was difficult to prove to Ivorians that it could be done.

I started creating various flavors adapted to local tastes, to encourage the population to eat their own product," she said.

Kabbani uses ginger, cashew nuts and coconut grown in Ivory Coast. She works with growers to improve the quality of their crops, especially the cocoa beans.

Her customers are mostly middle-class Ivorians and people from other countries. She plans to open another store in Abidjan soon. And she plans to make chocolates that are less costly, so more people can afford to buy them.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has said he wants the country to process about half of its cocoa production by the year 2020. It now processes about 30 percent.

Large signs were recently placed around Abidjan to encourage people to buy and eat Ivorian chocolate.

Axel Emmanuel is also a chocolate-maker. He is a former banker. He says learning to make chocolate is not yet popular among Ivorians. He says that is because people believe chocolate is difficult and costly to make.

He says people ask, Why make something that others are not interested in? Who will buy it? He says Ivorians prefer to make cakes because they know they will be able to sell them.

But his chocolates are very popular. He recently began selling a less costly chocolate bar on the street. He says the quality of the chocolate is as high as his other, more costly products.

A street seller is trying to get people to buy chocolates. Good evening, Madam, he says . Chocolate made in Ivory Coast, 200 francs.

That is about 30 US cents for the 50-gram bars. Many people buy them.

At a small restaurant nearby, three men sit at a table with a large amount of chocolate they have just bought for their children.

The price is very competitive. For that chocolate bar -- 200 francs -- its very cheap.

At another table, two young people try a taste of the chocolate.

We want to see what chocolate made in Ivory Coast tastes like. Yes, its good!

Another says, "We can feel the natural taste of cocoa. Thats good! I really like that!

Emmanuel says he will try to raise enough money on the Internet through crowdfunding to attend the famous Salon du Chocolat in France. The huge chocolate conference takes place at the end of October.

His goal is to prove that chocolate made in Ivory Coast is as good as chocolate made anywhere else.

Im Ashley Thompson.

Correspondent Emilie Iob reported this story from Abidjan. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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

raw materials - n. the basic material that can be used to make or create something

goods - n. things for sale

adapt - v. to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose

encourage - v. to make (someone) more likely to do something

middle class - n. the social class that is between the upper class and the lower class and that includes mainly business and professional people, government officials, and skilled workers

process - v. to change (something) from one form into another by preparing, handling, or treating it in a special way

bar - n. a solid piece of something that is shaped like a rectangle

competitive - adj. as good as or better than others of the same kind : able to compete successfully with others


Nearly 5 million undergraduate students in the U.S. are parents.

Their path is not easy. In addition to the demands of school, student-parents face the high cost of childcare and the stress of working one or more jobs. In fact, a little more than only half of student-parents in the U.S. will finish their degrees within 6 years.

But Tsedaye Makkonen is determined to beat the odds.

Unique challenges

Makkonen is 32. She was born and raised in the U.S. state of Maryland, but her family is originally from Ethiopia.

Makkonen first sought an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Maryland 14 years ago. But she says she was unhappy with her choice of subject and did not finish her degree.

Then, after her son was born in 2010, Makkonen decided to start taking classes at another school in Maryland called Montgomery College. She plans to begin an undergraduate degree program in fine arts soon.

She says starting school again later in life and as a parent has made her a better student.

"You dont waste time. Im a single mom  so I know my time is really limited.  Theres so many places that my energy has to go in a day. And looking at the younger students, some of them come in knowing exactly what they want  But you do also see kind of a lot of students  take things for granted."

But Makkonen says that balancing work, school and parenting is never easy.

The more she studies the less she can work, which means she makes less money. Also, between work and school, the time she can spend with her son is limited.

Recent reports from the U.S. non-profit Institute for Womens Policy Research, or IWPR, find that Makkonen is having a similar experience to other student-parents.

A 2014 IWPR report said that 4.8 million undergraduate students are raising children. And a 2013 IWPR study showed that more than half of student-parents leave school after 6 years without finishing their degrees.

Makkonen says the main problem is student-parents do not receive the type of support they need. For example, parents often need someone to watch their children when they cannot bring the children to school or work. Makkonens family and friends support her however they can. But she says there is a lack of affordable childcare available to everyone in the U.S.

A recent report from Childcare Aware of America said the average cost of sending an infant to a childcare center in the U.S. is more than a family would spend on average on food for an entire year.

Makkonen admires countries like France and Denmark. The governments of these countries pay large portions of childcare costs for their citizens. But she thinks the U.S. should go further.

"If were trying to raise whole human beings and make the world or  this country  a better place for the following generations, I think childcare should be free. And not only free, it should be high quality."

Makkonens wish already came true once: In 1940, the U.S. Congress passed the Lanham Act that made childcare almost completely free during World War II. But that action ended in 1946.

However, last year Congress did approve almost $1 billion in new spending for early childhood care and education.

Programs for non-traditional students

Some schools are aware of the challenges student-parents face and offer programs to support them. For example, many universities have programs for non-traditional students. These are students who do not seek degrees right after high school.

Bonnie Anderson, who is from the state of Massachusetts, eventually took advantage of one of those programs. She had first started a degree program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst back in 1980. But she chose to not to finish after losing some of her financial aid.

Anderson instead moved to Sweden and then had three children. After returning to the U.S., she decided that she really wanted to earn a degree.

But her parents did not support the idea of her returning to school. They felt Anderson should not take time away from her children just to study. Her parents also felt she should not spend what little money she had on her own education.

So Anderson looked for a university that would offer more than just strong academic programs  she needed a place that could provide additional support for her family. She found it at Wellesley College, an all-female school in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Anderson enrolled in Wellesleys Davis Degree Program in 1995 when she was 34 years old. The Davis Degree Program is designed for students over 24 years old. It lets students choose a class schedule that does not conflict with their work or parenting duties.

But Anderson still struggled with the stress of working several jobs while studying and raising her children. At one point, she came into the office of her academic advisor crying and saying she wanted to quit.

However, her advisor would not let her quit, Anderson says.

"She was kind of like  Whatever you do, dont drop out. Im just telling you, whatever you do, you belong here. Dont drop out. And those words were like magic to me. I belong here. I belong here. No ones ever said that to me in my life."

Anderson finished her degree in 1999. She achieved her goal by turning to her friends for help, asking them to watch her children when she was unavailable.

She also made use of other services at Wellesley, such as the Wellesley Students Aid Society. The society helps lower-income students by giving them donations.

Many schools across the U.S. offer similar programs and services for non-traditional students. Some schools offer special housing to students with children or other special needs.

But a 2016 IWPR report shows that the number of schools offering childcare services to students on their campuses has decreased. The number of public universities offering services decreased from 54 percent in 2002 to 49 percent in 2015.

Diana Courson is the Associate Director for Childhood Services at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The university has been providing support to parents for over 40 years. Also, BestColleges.com put the school 9th on its 2015 list of 50 Best Colleges for Students with Children.

Courson says the school offers training programs for parents and fun events for children, as well as medical services through the nursing program. The school also built a childcare center on campus with room for 236 children in 2007.

Courson says universities must do all they can to support both parents and children.

"Stress and fatigue in the parents influences what happens with the child. ... When the school and the parents have a strong, positive relationship, that pays off in benefits for children and their learning."

Anderson believes student-parents should not be treated too much better than regular students. She says people with children must understand that going to school and raising a family at the same time requires sacrifices.

In todays market, those sacrifices may be necessary. A 2014 report from Georgetown Universitys Public Policy Institute said that by 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require more than a high school education.

Im Pete Musto.

Pete Musto reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

We want to hear from you. How do universities in your country support students with children? What are the best ways to support a student-parent? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

undergraduate  n. a student at a college or university who has not yet earned a degree

take (things) for granted  idiom. to fail to properly notice or appreciate someone or something that is helpful or important to you

affordable  adj. to be easy for someone to be able to pay for

childcare  n. the things that are done to take care of children especially when their parents are away or at work

academic  n. of or relating to schools and education

enroll(ed)  v. to enter someone as a member of or participant in something

schedule  n. a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done

stress  n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life or work

achieve(d)  v. to get or reach something by working hard

campus(es)  n. the area and buildings around a university, college or school

fatigue  n. the state of being very tired

benefit(s)  v. to be useful or helpful to someone or something


Most attention in the U.S. presidential race is going to Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. But two other candidates  Libertarian Gary Johnson and Jill Stein of the Green Party  are starting to get more attention. They are also rising in popularity in public opinion studies.

Both Johnson and Stein ran for president for their parties in the last election in 2012. Back then, public opinion studies showed Johnson had the support of four percent of voters. Stein got two percent.

Recent poll results show both candidates getting nearly two times that level of support in this election.

High voter unhappiness

Opinion surveys also show that more than half of Americans have negative views about Trump and Clinton. Political experts say this high level of dissatisfaction is getting more people interested in the Libertarian and Green Party candidates.

Robert J. Guttman is the director of the Center for Politics and Foreign Relations at George Mason Universitys Schar School of Policy and Government.

"Hillary Clinton having an untrustworthy factor of about 66 percent, Trump being even higher than that. We have two candidates out of 330 million Americans that are the most disliked Ive seen in the 40 years Ive covered politics."

It would be highly unusual for a candidate who is not Republican or Democrat to be elected president of the United States.

The last time this happened was in 1850, when Millard Fillmore became president as a member of the Whig party. Fillmore was serving as vice president under President Zachary Taylor and became president when Taylor died.

It is difficult for third-party candidates to compete with Republican and Democratic nominees. They do not receive the same organizational and financial support. The U.S. Electoral College voting system also favors major-party candidates.

But Johnson says he believes he has a chance of winning because of the "extraordinary" things that have happened in this years campaign season.

The Libertarian candidate appeared this week in his second town hall broadcast on the television channel CNN. He appeared with his vice presidential running mate, Bill Weld.

"So really our strategy is to win this thing outright, and some extraordinary things have to happen," Johnson said. "But has there ever been a more extraordinary political year in our lives?"

Johnson is a businessman and former two-term Republican governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico. Weld served two terms as Republican governor of Massachusetts.

Libertarians agree with Democrats on some issues and with Republicans on other issues. The partys name comes from the word "liberty," which means the state of people living free in society.

The Libertarian Party is more liberal than the Republican Party on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. But the party has conservative views, too. It supports lower taxes, smaller government and less military involvement abroad.

"We want the government out of your pocketbook and out of your bedroom. And I will tell you the polling shows a majority of Americans think that," Weld said during the town hall event.

The Green Party is expected to officially nominate Jill Stein and her vice presidential running mate Ajamu Baraka in the coming days.

Stein is a Harvard-educated doctor and an advocate for environmental and health issues. Baraka is a longtime human rights activist.

Also running for the Green Party nomination is William Kreml, a professor of politics at the University of South Carolina.

CNN will hold a town hall broadcast on August 17 for the Green Party.

The Green Party platform calls for government action to protect the environment from global warming and for developing renewable energy sources. It also supports full access to abortion for all women, opposes the death penalty and calls for an end to corporate campaign donations.

One sure way to get noticed by millions of Americans is for Johnson and Stein to appear on the debate stage with Trump and Clinton. But debate rules require them to first get at least 15 percent support in multiple public opinion studies.

Johnson himself said "Theres no chance of winning without being in the presidential debates."

Guttman said it is even possible that Trump might not participate in the debates. The Republican nominee has accused the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party of trying to "rig"  or unfairly control  the debates.

"I think its 50/50 if Trump will even show up. And if Gary Johnson  the Libertarian candidate whos on the ballot - gets I think it's 15 percent, so we could have Hillary Clinton debating Gary Johnson."

Along with trying to qualify for the debates, candidates Johnson and Stein are also trying to get on the voting ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the November election. Johnson is currently on the ballot in 36 states, according to the Libertarian Partys website.

Stein is currently on the ballot in 24 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Green Partys latest online map.

Even if Johnson and Stein do get on the all the ballots before the November election, they will face difficulties in getting votes.

In the 2012 election, Democrat Barack Obama received 66 million votes. He beat Republican Mitt Romney, who received 61 million. Johnson received just 1.2 million votes and Stein about 500,000.

But Guttman said 2016 is a very different political year. He expects both Johnson and Stein to do much better with voters.

"Republicans are turned off by Trump. Hillary has a high negative factor, and (Clinton Vice President candidate) Senator (Tim) Kaine from Virginia seems like the most grown-up person in the race. But most people dont vote for vice president. So yeah, this is a great year for a third-party candidate..."

He added that many voters are now "looking for alternatives like crazy." He said that means both Johnson and Stein could get more votes in this years election than any other third-party candidates in U.S. history.

Some consider a vote for a third-party candidate a "wasted" vote, because the candidate has a low chance of winning. That could stop some voters from supporting Johnson or Stein. But, Guttman says, this is not a "normal year."

"In a normal year I would agree with that. But this is so far out of a normal year that I dont think people are going to think they are throwing their vote away."

Im Bryan Lynn.

Chris Hannas reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted his story and did additional reporting for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dissatisfaction  n. feeling unhappiness or a lack of approval

pocketbook  n. amount of money someone has available to spend

advocate  n. person who supports or works for a cause or policy

renewable energy  n. energy that comes from natural sources capable of being replenished

rig  v. to manipulate or control to achieve a desired outcome

wasted  adj. not used in a good or useful way
No, that doesnt say Missouris governor appointed someone to represent a criminal defendant. It says someone appointed him to do it. How could that happen? Oh, Im glad you asked.

As you likely know from endless viewings of Law & Order, or maybe from having been arrested, you have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you. See Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963). The state is constitutionally required to make sure criminal defendants get a lawyer. The lawyers who do that work need to get paid, so the state pays them if a defendant cant. Or at least its supposed to. As people who work in that field have explained better than I can, the public-defender system is important but chronically underfunded in most states. Missouri seems to be one of those states.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouris criminal-defense attorneysand I can never resist pointing out the importance of this hyphen, because criminal-defense attorney and criminal defense attorney are two very different thingsthose people handle something like 85,000 cases a year. And, in 2015, there were 376 criminal-defense attorneys in the state.

Handling 85,000 cases.

I did the math for youthats an average of almost 226 cases per attorney per year. Every case isnt going to be active at the same time, but the guy featured in this article was said to be juggling 130 to 150 cases at any given time. That is a ridiculous caseload. They need more people. So the Missouri Public Defender System asked for an extra $23 million in funding, to which the governor responded by recommending $1 million. Public defenders arent getting paid piles of money, but that amount still wouldnt make much difference. Legislators ended up compromising on $4.5 milliononly to have the governor withhold the extra $3.5 million (which is apparently legal because state revenue is below projection).

So, the systems director appears to be thoroughly fed up with the situation and he blames Gov. Jay Nixon for it. How do we know that? Here is how we know that. On Tuesday he wrote the governor a letter pointing out some of the facts above, noting that Missouri ranks 49th out of 50 in terms of funding (I assume that controls for state population, but dont know), and saying that things had reached a critical point. Explaining that a state statute gives the director authority to [d]elegate the legal representation of any person to any member of the state bar, presumably meaning he can do that if necessary to meet constitutional requirements, he said he had decided to appoint one:

As Director of the Missouri State Defender System tasked with carrying out the States obligation to ensure that poor people who face incarceration are afforded competent counsel in their defense, I hereby appoint you, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Bar No. 29603, to enter your appearance as counsel of record in the attached case.

Emphasis added.

Can he do that? Well, he did it. Does he expect the governor to show up in court? Probably not. According to the governors spokesguy, only a judge can appoint (order) a private attorney to represent someone; the public defenders office is only authorized to delegate representation, which he said means they can hire private attorneys to help, but they have to consent. I dont know if thats true, but Im pretty sure the governor has no intention of playing ball here.

Its probably not a coincidence that the agency has already sued the governor to try to force him to restore the $3.5 million. Actually, according to this report, an initial hearing on that case is set for Monday. So no, not a coincidence.

See also Scott Greenfield, Jay Nixon for the Defense, Simple Justice (Aug. 4, 2016) (for the views of an actual, and hyphenated, criminal-defense lawyer).
Residents who live at the Mosley Motel in St. Petersburg said theyre worried the new owners are going to begin eviction proceedings soon.

The Mosley Motel in St. Pete is home to several low-income families



With the motel now under new ownership, residents will have to leave

The city's homeless program in St. Pete says they'll try and help as much as they can



This is the place I live. Its cheap, said resident Dennis Palazzolo. I cant afford to go anywhere.

The new owners, Altis Cardinal, notified residents of the sale on Thursday. The motel has 110 rooms and many families call it home.

Theres a lot of little kids around here. They need homes, Palazzolo said. You kick them out, theyll be on the streets.



*Residents at the Mosley Motel, (Josh Rojas, staff)



A Mosley manager declined our request for an interview.

The manager of the citys homeless services, Cliff Smith, said they wanted to start relocating residents months ago but the old owners would not allow them on the property. Smith said theyll start that process before eviction notices are sent.

Resident Cathy Brames, who shares one unit with three other adults, said she needs that help.

I cant afford the first, last, security and some of these people the rent is so outrageous. Thats why its so hard, she said. When youre on a fixed income. Its not easy.

The Mosley Motel, located at 401 34th St. N., has repeatedly been fined by the citys nuisance abatement board. Altis Cardinal also owns the Skyline Fifth Apartments next to the Mosley.


For nearly two decades, the case of who killed Carter Lee Evans remained a murder mystery.

Lakeland Police traveled out of state, conducted countless interviews, and re-examined evidence in the case until July 21, 2016, when one of the suspects in Evans murder was identified.

The murder of Carter Evans, a Lakeland cold case, has been solved

Police charged Patrick Chambers with first degree murder, and two counts of attempted armed robbery

Chambers was already serving 32 years on unrelated charges

It was a huge relief for the victims stepson, Ernest Greyer.

"It was like a cinderblock lifting off your shoulder, said Greyer.

A grand jury indictment charged Patrick Chambers with first degree murder, and two counts of attempted armed robbery.

"For the last couple of days I've been having no more nightmares, no more dreams, you know," said Greyer. "Homicide detectives did their job, witness came forward, case solved."

Lakeland Police said Evans was sitting on a bucket at an apartment located at 512 W. Magnolia Street, when two men approached him and Mirabeau Hyacinth, and attempted to rob them. Evans ran and was shot on his side. Investigators said he collapsed about two blocks away from there on N. Virginia Avenue, and later died.

That day, Greyer was attempting to get his stepfather over to his home, to spend time with his daughter.

I just had a newborn daughter and I was trying to get him over my house to hang out with me and he said, I'll hang out and I'll be back. And an hour later I get a phone call from my mom, frankly that my stepfather had been shot, recalled Greyer.

Greyer said his stepfather didnt know the men who shot him.

"The wrong place at the wrong time, he said. I don't think it was meant for him.

The murder suspect, Patrick Chambers, is already serving a 32-year sentence with the Florida Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.
The makers of MS Dhoni: The Untold Story have released another poster for the film featuring the lead actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The poster has the actor in the classic MS Dhoni batting stance wearing the blue Indian jersey with the tagline "The man you know... The journey you don't".

The poster was shared by the actor on his Twitter account:

The Man. The Journey . The Many unknown facets . Here's the 2nd poster of #MSDhoniTheUntoldStory pic.twitter.com/YbTZu13KVG  Sushant S Rajput (@itsSSR) August 5, 2016

The Kai Po Che actor has worked hard to perfect his role in the film even injuring himself while working on Dhoni's legendary helicopter shot.

The film, which is a biopic on Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will release its trailer on 12 August along with the release of the films Rustom and Mohenjo Daro.

Also starring Kiara Advani, the film is set to release on 2 September.
Sanjay Divecha  the acclaimed guitarist/composer whose musical career spans over three decades  is back with a new album. Launched in Mumbai on 4 August, Sanjay Divecha and the Secret mixes a global sound with Indian classical and folk music.

Divecha graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology, Los Angeles, in 1989. He then spent over 15 years in LA, playing with iconic artists like Angelique Kidjo and Carlos Santana.

While his years in LA deepened his knowledge of genres like jazz, Brazilian, African, R&B and gospel music, from 2003 onwards, when he returned to India, he also continued to explore Carnatic and Hindustani music.

Divecha took some time off after the release of his album to chat with Firstpost about his music.

Excerpts:

Why the title Sanjay Divecha and the Secret for this album?

Secret is the name of the band  comprising Chandana Bala and Raman Mahadevan on vocals, Sonu Sangameswaran on bass and Sanket Naik on percussion. Although I am the primary composer and arranger of the music, it's really a collective effort. Hence, Sanjay Divecha and the Secret.

Your previous album came out in 2007. Why such a long gap between albums?

Soon after my previous album  Full Circle  I got busy with various other musical projects. About four years ago, I started to hear an acoustic, organic sound in my head. I then went about forming the band and started the process of writing and arranging the music. It was definitely one of the most challenging projects I had undertaken both as an arranger and as a guitar player. The process of recording and mixing alone took close to three years.

What has been your greatest challenge in creating the various tracks in this album?

There are so many different influences. Firstly, the great Indian classical (both Hindustani and Carnatic) and folk. Along with this all my other global influences from blues to jazz to Africa to Brazil are part of this album. Making all of these sound cohesive was the biggest challenge. When I am mixing so many influences, the biggest challenge I face is to make it sound cohesive. I think I have been able to achieve it very well on Ota which is heavily influenced by the music of West Africa, with flavours of Indian classical music.

Fusion has become a part of almost every artist's music these days. What sort of fusion is part of this album?

Its not jazz, as one would expect from me because I am identified more with the genre.

Rather, its the Kannada song Ota, sung in its pure form by Chandana but accompanied by a global guitar and percussion sound.

Seven tracks follow. Barring the instrumental Secret, all have vocals, in languages as diverse as Sanskrit, Hindi, Malayalam, Oriya and Assamese.

I trained in sitar for five years. Later, I switched to rock and folk music. When I went to learn guitar in Los Angeles, I was exposed to jazz, Latin music and the blues. I have always loved jazz, mainly for its scope for improvisation, but I always came back to Indian music, both Hindustani and Carnatic, which is presented in this album.

For you as a musician, is composing more satisfying than writing?

I don't write lyrics, so composing melodies, chords and song structures is what I do. I then usually collaborate with a lyricist to complete the song.

Tell us about your experience with the Hindi film industry and the music scene in Bollywood.

I live in Mumbai and am part of the music community here  both the indie scene and the Bollywood industry. Although I have done some composition and arranging for the industry, I usually end up working as a session guitar player for other music composers. For my musical vision, though I find it limiting. Hence, I feel fortunate that I can dedicate time to composing my own expression.

What needs to be done to tap exceptional talent in our country as far as music is concerned?

Contemporary Western music is a relatively new concept in our culture, especially when it comes to music education. That's changing slowly with some new music schools. It's necessary for musicians to be well trained and develop good skills. Secondly, we need platforms that can give musicians a chance to showcase their talent. We need to develop a culture that would support live music. That would bring young talent to the fore.
Chandigarh: A day after the Punjab government imposed a ban on the screening of comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra, the Haryana government on Friday announced a similar ban in the state.

"The Haryana government has banned the screening of the film The Legend of Michael Mishra in the state till further orders," a Haryana government spokesman said here.

"The decision to this effect was taken in view of the reports that there was resentment among members of the Valmiki community regarding some objectionable utterances in a part of the film," he said.

The film that stars Arshad Warsi, Aditi Rao Hydari and Boman Irani was released on Friday, August 5.

"The Haryana government had received information that certain organisations and individuals were protesting against the exhibition of this film, as the lead actor, Mr. Arshad Warsi, in a scene utters objectionable words which have the potential to outrage the religious feelings of the Valmiki community," the spokesman said.

The ban was imposed after a committee, set up by the Haryana government, watched the film and recommended that the film's screening be stopped.

"The committee recommended that it was essential to take necessary action in stopping the release of this film in cinema halls and multiplexes as its release could cause communal violence and damage to public and private property, causing a serious law and order situation," he added.

The Punjab government had on Thursday announced a ban on the screening of the comedy film.

Reports suggest that the makers have removed the controversial dialogue from the film.

Kishor Arora, the film's producer said to MovieTalkies.com, "We have a valid censor certification and voluntarily removed the objectionable matter as we do not wish to hurt anyone's sentiments. It's very sad that in spite of all this we are facing difficulties in exhibiting the film. Where do we go seek redressal?"

Meanwhile the Valmiki community staged violent protests in Ludhiana demanding for an all-India ban for the film. Shopkeepers in many parts of the state downed their shutters in the fear of backlash.

With inputs from IANS
Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Friday fixed 8 August as the next date of hearing on a PIL seeking a direction for a CBI probe into Bulandshahr gangrape case.

The order was passed by the court's Lucknow bench comprising Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Vijay Laxmi after Additional Advocate General Bulbul Godiyal pleaded that the matter be taken up on 8 August. "Put up (the case) on Monday," the court said.

A woman and her 13-year-old daughter were allegedly gangraped at gunpoint by a gang of dacoits after being dragged out of their car in Bulandshahr on NH-91 when they were travelling with their family from Noida to Shahjahanpur last week.

The petition filed by an NGO  'We the People'  through its general secretary Prince Lenin on Tuesday, has sought a CBI probe into the gangrape case and proper security arrangements, especially during the night, on the highways in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, the court had asked the petitioner to file details of alleged irregularities in the case probe by the state police by 5 August. The petitioner has also prayed that he may be permitted to file a supplementary affidavit regarding the case probe.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his government plans to develop 300 villages across the country as growth centers for the area by creating city like infrastructure, from education and healthcare to digital connectivity.

The National Rurban Mission aims to provide better quality of life and employment in villages, he said at the town hall organised to mark the second anniversary of myGov app.

There is no dearth of smart cities, but shouldn't the scenario of villages change, he asked. "Facilities available

in cities must be made available to villages."

Rurban Mission is 'Smart City Plus', he said, adding 300 villages have been identified, which will be developed as

growth centre for the area.

All infrastructure identical to cities like digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and

education will be provided, he said.

"The idea is that the soul of a village is retained while amenities of cities are provided."

These villages are the ones where rural people may visit for healthcare, education or attending to other needs like

repairing or recharging mobiles.

Villages, he said, can become the growth centre of the rural economy.

On the eve of Handloom Day, Modi urged 125 crore Indians to use khadi and handloom for 5 percent of their clothing

needs.

This would boost the textile sector, which is the second biggest employment provider in the country, he said. "This

will help the poor."

Rural economy will change if the sector is provided holistic support, e-platform for global marketing and

facilities to weavers, Modi said.
Thiruvananthapuram: Asserting that there was no politics involved in denial of diplomatic passport to a Kerala Minister to visit Saudi Arabia, BJP state unit on Saturday said that it was a matter of diplomacy and two Union ministers were addressing problems of Keralites left jobless in the kingdom.

"There is no politics, it is a matter of diplomacy. Two Union ministers  V K Singh and M J Akbar  are doing excellent job in resolving crisis related to labourers in Saudi...In the present circumstances, there is no need for a state minister to go there," BJP state President Kummanom Rajasekaran told reporters.

His comments come a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed as "unfortunate" the denial of diplomatic passport to Local Self-Government Minister K T Jaleel, deputed by his government to visit Saudi Arabia to assess the condition of expatriates from the state living in labour camps after they lost jobs.

Rajasekaran also said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would make a statement on the steps taken on the issue in Parliament tomorrow.

Members of both the houses of Parliament, cutting across party affiliations, have expressed "full satisfaction" on the steps taken so far, he said, adding the state government should have faith in the central government.

The Centre had taken up the matter with the Saudi King itself and talks were progressing with Saudi authorities to end the crisis, he said.

Denial of diplomatic passport to Jaleel has triggered a row in the state. Opposition Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has said it was a serious lapse on the part of the Centre.

Jaleel has put off his visit following denial of diplomatic passport.
Indore: In a veiled attack on Pakistan, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the neighbouring country hates India so much that it was ready to let itself down in order to harm India.

"There is so much hatred: 'our (Pakistan's) own condition is quite bad, but we (Pakistan) would let ourselves down to spite the neighbour (India).' This is how our neighbour is behaving," Bhagwat said while speaking at a book-launch.

"Whenever we extend the hand of friendship, it (Pakistan) makes such circumstances that we can not offer friendship again," he said.

He also said that both developed and developing countries were getting caught in the crossfire as the tussle to become superpower was on in the world. "Global thinkers are wondering if the race to become superpower continues like this then whether the world would survive. The world is looking at India with hope for answers. If we are able to answer these questions then we can become the number one country," Bhagwat said.

Hindi translation of Vijay Deshmukh-written biography of King Shivaji, "Shakkarte Shivrai", was launched on this occasion. Bhagwat said during Shivaji's times words such as "communalism" and "secularism" were non-existent, yet he, as a ruler, treated everybody equally.

He also said the challenges to defend religion today were more or less the same as during Shivaji's times. Bhagwat however, hastened to add that by religion he did not mean any particular community.
Amidst the flurry of cookbooks and books on food that are now regularly being published, the recent book Cooking Cultures: Convergent Histories of Food and Feeling edited by Ishita Banerjee-Dube definitely warrants a read by every food enthusiast worth his/her salt.

Cooking Cultures is essentially a collection of 11 essays on food and cuisine in various cultures at different times in history. The essays cover a gamut of subjects pertaining to food and its various implications, written by social scientists, food and cultural anthropologists and food historians. In this book Banerjee-Dube presents convergent histories of the globe, kneaded together by food and cooking, offering a tale strewn together from a variety of smells and tastes, peoples and places and their multiple mixtures.

Early in the book, Banerjee-Dube writes about the volume being a mosaic of many meanings of food and cooking through fragments of smells and tastes, markets and kitchens, restaurants and menus, sharing and competition, and food taboos, to chart distinct cartographies of love and affect, being and belonging, and identity and power". It intends to probe why people eat what they do, how they relate to food practices that define what cooking is, and the many ways cuisine relates to society and social relations, to see if one can glean a culinary philosophy. At the same time, it also wishes to unravel the construction of food and cooking as blends and confection  of ingredients, innovation, spices, trans-regional and cross-cultural interaction, power and ideology, adaptation and creativity, and feeling and sentiment  that constitute cuisine as a vital element in social life. The common thread that runs through the chapters is a consideration of how food and cuisine enable people to articulate not just who they are but what they want to be; and the interplay of interesting processes and sentiments that go into the making of people as persons and of groups and communities as cultures.

Ever since man settled down to farm food from his existence of a hunter-gather, and then later began to migrate in search of greener pastures, food has been an integral part of the human narrative. This saga continues to the present day with boatloads of immigrants landing on the shores of Europe while closer home, India is no less a melting pot which continues to bubble with not only local but foreign ingredients making it a hot plate of art, culture and politics. Likewise this book argues, food, cooking and cuisines are vital ingredients that form part of delectable recipes feeding ideas and ideologies shaping and reshaping national cultures.

How else can one explain butter chicken and curry being nominated as national dishes of England while a Saravana Bhavan, serving south Indian vegetarian food finds a spot in Canada. Likewise a country already diverse as India feeds Tex-Mex to its new generation at the same time accommodates Sushi in its palate.

It is probably difficult to think of a city you would want to travel to and not realise a lot of the food you would eat there originally isnt native to the place. Imagine a city like Mumbai, previously a Portuguese foothold in the 17th century. The city would be depleted of its iconic staple street food with its harried inhabitants surely going on a hunger strike in the present day had the Portuguese never introduced their rustic pao all those years ago. It is a similar story with the evergreen Irani cafes that still sustain not only its labour force but also sees a steady clientele of college youngsters and famous Bollywood film stars.

What would Kannadiga households do of their sambar and rasam had they not known of the tomato? Or how impoverished would Punjabi homes be if the aloo in the paratha had never travelled from its original home in South America?

One could draw a cartograph of various foods and easily realise that it is as well travelled as any member of the swish jetsetting class. It will also throw up a fascinating map as old and long back in time as nations and ideas.

However, Cooking Cultures looks to paint a broader canvas of food and its multiple ramifications for individuals, societies and the ingredients themselves. The book is like a quattro formaggi topped with powerful themes like power, gender, identity, myth and nostalgia, with food forming a crisp base.

The opening essay of the book is an intrinsically complex question of indigeneity of a species, specially if the species has been introduced many generations ago such that it has ingrained itself on peoples minds and tables. The species in question in the essay are the brown and rainbow trout. The author of the essay presents his case by recollecting a harmless letter published in 2002 in The Complete Flyfisherman, a South African fly-fishing magazine about the presence of trout in South African rivers and series of responses to the letter which in this case open a can of trout! When the magazine editor PJ Jacobs suggested that trout should be reclassified as indigenous species as they had swam and bred in the rivers for more than 100 years, hardlined conservationists had taken a rather hard view of the matter forcing the editor to partially backtrack his suggestion. This leads the author to look deeply at the terms alien, indigenous and indigenised. Although the debate on trout has not fully settled, for the near future they will continue to be on the menu for South Africans.

The essays that follow are as fascinating. The Hummus Wars that were raged for the appropriation of the food between Israel and Palestine have the potential to turn foes into enemies and give peace a delectable chance in the Middle East. Another one that is unusual is on the brief history of sweets in Japan. The author of the essay presents a wondrous account of how the Japanese almost zealously guard and follow the lesser known traditions of wagashi  which are sweets made from Japanese ingredients and form an important part of their tea ceremonies.

Such hidden and popular tidbits of information are stuffed in this hearty compilation that would take the reader from Africa to Mexico to Bengal to China and other interesting places where food, cooking and cuisine binds and defines people.
New Delhi: The historic Naga Peace Accord has completed one year but ambiguity still looms large over its details. Naga society appears divided over the accord, with some disinterested as the proposal of 'Greater Nagalim' has been discarded, while some are pushing for a separate state carved out of Nagaland itself.

Manlang Phom, General Secretary of Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), a stakeholder of the Naga Peace Accord inked in August last year, says he has lost interest in the pact and would rather press ahead for a separate state of Frontier Nagaland.

"I feel our issue  the demand for Frontier Nagaland  is more important. It is better not to comment on the Naga Peace Accord, which again is very sensitive. Too much time has elapsed since the accord was inked," Phom told IANS on phone.

The ENPO is seeking a new state carved out of four backward eastern districts.

The historic Naga Framework Agreement was signed by the NSCN (IM) and the government on 3 August, 2015, nearly two decades after negotiations started between the two sides with the aim to end the six-decade-long Naga conflict.

After signing the accord, the Indian government said it would come out with the details in the next six months, but it is yet to do so. The delay is adding to rising differences among the other NSCN factions, whose support is important for the accord to become a success.

General Secretary of NSCN (Unification) Khitovi Zhimomi, whose faction was not part of the accord, said that Nagas of Nagaland were not supporting the peace deal as the NSCN (IM) leader T. Muivah was a "Naga from Manipur" who was merely speaking for his people.

"After the accord was signed, Naga inhabitants in Manipur lighted candles in celebration. But in Nagaland not even a matchstick was lighted. The people in Nagaland are still in the dark about it. How can such an accord be accepted by the people of Nagaland?," Zhimomi, who runs a "self-styled parallel government" in Nagaland, told IANS.

"We had foreseen the confusion of the deal. My government (self-styled) had declared in the media that if the accord benefits the NSCN (IM) and Naga brothers and sisters living in Manipur, let them have it. Nagas of Nagaland should not be disturbed because they have their own social and political structure," he added.

P Tikhak, General Secretary of NSCN (Reformation), which supported the accord, says that delay in conclusion of the pact is a "deliberate act" of the Indian government and the increasing differences of opinion over it was further complicating the situation.

"Uncle Muivah will have to work out a formula with the Indian government as he has already entered into an agreement. In case he is not able to manage that, then it will lead nowhere," Tikhak told IANS.

NSCN (Reformation) is the first and only faction to openly support the Naga Peace Accord.

According to sources in the Union Home Ministry, if the Naga Peace Accord becomes a reality it will only benefit the NSCN (IM) and its leadership and not the other factions as they did not join the negotiations.

According to the sources, the accord has a clause for creation of a new paramilitary force battalion to absorb the over 4,000 armed cadres of the NSCN (IM). But the cadres of the other factions have been left out.

Chuba Ozukum, President of Naga Hoho, the apex Naga civil society body and a stakeholder of the accord, told IANS: "In a democratic setup there cannot be any consensus, but at the same time the government cannot afford to listen to each and every opinion of the individuals which vary drastically."

"I am sure there is no Naga who is against the political settlement. Yes, certainly we have different tribal factions and different problems, which is quite common. It is the prerogative of the Indian government to look for a solution," said Ozukum.

Rosemary Dzuvichu, advisor to the Naga Mothers Association, also a stakeholder in the Naga peace negotiations, said: "The government is quite serious about the negotiation process. We can't afford to talk about differences in opinions regarding the accord."
Philadelphia: The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania and prominent addition to downtown Philadelphia.

Public tours of the granite temple will run between Wednesday and 9 September near Logan Circle, an open-space park in the city's center, after which it will be dedicated and only church members in good standing will be permitted to walk its halls.

"We do not build temples all of the time. To visit is a once in a generation or two experience," said Larry Wilson, executive director of the Mormon church's temple department.

Some 80,000 have already registered to tour the space, and Wilson expects to see that number double.

Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, which prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce plans for the temple.

The faithful travel to Mormon temples, which are called "houses of the Lord," to participate in and receive sacred ordinances, or rituals, such as marriage ceremonies or baptisms for deceased family members.

Philadelphia's temple will significantly lessen the commute for people like Corinne Dougherty, a church spokeswoman for the Philadelphia region. She and a car full of elderly women from her congregation currently travel nearly seven hours roundtrip to the Washington, DC, temple every other month.

Church officials have not released the cost of temple constructions, but with some of the finest building materials  from Swarovski crystal to Italian marble  the temples are not cheap. Elaborate finishes spread across each of the Philadelphia temple's four levels leave the facility in stark contrast to the much simpler meeting houses church members use for weekly worship.

A massive crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the third floor's "celestial room," inviting visitors to enter and meditate. Each level, more adorned than the previous, is believed to draw you closer to God, Wilson said.

In the temple's highest level, members get married in ceremonies that the religion believes seals families for eternity. There, natural light breaks through large windows and stained-glass in soft white, beige and blue.

"Standing here we are in the world, but we are always striving for greater holiness for ourselves and our families," Wilson said.

The temple's interior and exterior designs are as purposeful as they are ornate. Sweeping Pennsylvania countryside landscapes cover the walls of the lower rooms with depictions of the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers.

Designers also made a "conscious effort" to blend mention of the nation's founding with church history. Two crossed quills embellish moldings and wooden rails as reminders that the church's founder translated its sacred text  the Book of Mormon  in Pennsylvania and the founding fathers' signed the Constitution in Philadelphia.

A painting of the Constitutional Convention mixes with gold framed depictions of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith, the Mormon church's founder.

"If you look around you will see that there are not many flaws. And if a flaw exists, we fix it," Wilson said.

Out of respect, the church intentionally built the towering 208-foot, 2-inch temple a little shorter than the neighbouring Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The golden trumpeting Angel Moroni, standing at just more than 21 feet on the temple's eastern spire, marks the temple's highest point.

The signature angel statue will stand atop each of the church's new temples. Plans have most recently been announced in Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Peru.

Wilson expects the Philadelphia temple to spark some interest in Mormonism, calling the church's expansion to more than 15 million members worldwide in 2015 "remarkable."

"We've gone from those two members in the Pennsylvania wilderness to tens of thousands in the region and even more globally," he said.
Is this Delhis tyranny of the unelected?

Fortunately for politicians, public memory is short. If that were not the case, then the many inconsistent stands they take on important moments in history  based simply on their partys self-interest  would surely rob them of the last vestiges of their credibility.

Consider for instance, the shifting and diametrically opposite stances struck by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on the much talked about tyranny of the unelected. The stark inconsistencies revealed by both parties at different points in their respective political trajectories suggest their singular lack of belief in and commitment to the basic principles of electoral democracy.

Such periodic and cynical reversal of stands has now manifested itself in the latest (of many) face-offs defining relations between BJP and its bete noire  the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), ever since the latter came to power in Delhi two years ago. The latest trigger is a recent court decision that severely limits the administrative powers of the elected state government. BJP leaders have been crowing with delight over Thursdays Delhi High Court ruling certifying Delhi as a Union Territory, subject to the administrative control of the Lt. Governor above the Delhi legislator.

In a clear rebuff to the AAPs bid to claim its powers as an elected government, the court ruling has nullified all its major decision-making powers. That the AAP is not willing to let the matter rest here is hardly surprising.

Informing the public that his party intends to take the dispute to Supreme Court, Delhis Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said: This is not a battle of the Lieutenant Governor versus the Chief Minister. This is a battle of we the people. It is a battle between the selected and the elected. He has correctly pointed out the redundancy of elections itself, if legislators chosen by the electorate, are stripped of powers to take decisions of any significance.

Since Delhis Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung is a nominee of the central government and not elected by the people, the court decision draws attention to the contentious problem of a tyranny of the unelected in the National Capital. The present controversy provokes a simple question: why have elections in Delhi at all? And if the answer has anything to do with the recognition that, as the countrys Capital, Delhi holds a status distinct from other Union Territories, then by that same argument, Delhi should be granted full statehood. Moreover, its democratically elected government  no matter from which party  should be allowed to function without being superseded by a non-elected state functionary.

Is Delhi then witnessing a tyranny of the unelected? Strangely (or perhaps not to strangely in our fickle political culture,) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had, not very long ago, strongly criticised the very same concept he today disregards in a Facebook post. This was after the Supreme Court rejected the National Judicial appointments Commission (NJAC) and the 99th Constitutional Amendment as unconstitutional and void. In his post titled The NJAC Judgement  An Alternative View, Jaitley, wrote: A constitutional court, while interpreting the Constitution, had to base the judgment on constitutional principles. There is no constitutional principle that democracy and its institutions has to be saved from elected representatives.  The Indian democracy cannot be a tyranny of the unelected and if the elected are undermined, democracy itself would be in danger. And yet, what does Jaitley say today?

Equally paradoxically, we should remember that before the inception of the AAP as political party, the Congress  then heading a coalition at the Centre  blasted anti-corruption activists for unleashing a tyranny of the unelected. Senior party leaders described the architect of the movement, Anna Hazare, as a tyrant, and Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said: If this country and democracy has any threat, it is from the unelected tyrants. If democracy faces its greatest peril, it is from the tyranny of the unelected and unelectable.

And now consider the turmoil unfolding in Delhi today. Unsurprisingly, the Congresss position has flipped. Following the Delhi High Court ruling, Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee told IANS, "Kejriwal has wasted 18 months of his governance in a standstill mode and in this duration he has only manufactured conflict with the LG. It is just Kejriwals desire to have more power than what has been given to him by the Constitution.

Although both the BJP and the Congress once exhorted Arvind Kerjiwal and his fellow travellers to join the fray of electoral politics, jettisoning a tyranny of the unelected, today it is convenient for both these national parties to forget their own stand on the issue. Perhaps this is because neither national party has a stand, but only uses these opportunities to score political points against the rivals. The ongoing fracas in Delhi is therefore a good illustration of the sad state of the Indian political class and its abandonment of principles for political one-upmanship.
Assam: An NIA team on Saturday scoured the site of a terror attack in Assam's Kokrajhar and spoke to eyewitnesses of Friday's terror attack here in which 14 people were killed while a massive combing operation was on to nab the militants of Bodo separatist outfit NDFB(S) suspected to be involved in the strike.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who visited the attack site, told reporters that the militant who was neutralised on Friday has been identified as Manjay Islari. "He is a self-styled area commander of 16th battalion of NDFB(S) faction. We will give the body to his parents," he said.

He said that combing operation in the area has been intensified to nab those who fled after carrying out the attack on Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from here, just days before Independence Day. To a question, he said that the militants were not part of any suicide squad. "If they were part of a suicide squad they would not have fled."

An NIA team has reached the spot and was speaking to eyewitnesses, officials said. Combing operation by police, paramilitary and army is also on in neighbouring Chirang district to nab militants.

Defence sources said specialised troops, tracker dogs and other equipment have been pressed into service. The Army was also carrying out extensive area domination operations in the district to ensure swift actions, they said.

The situation was described as tense but under control by police.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the seriously injured at Gauhati Medical College Hospital and inquired about their condition. He spoke to doctors there on providing them advance medical treatment, government sources in Guwahati said.

Kokrajhar deputy commissioner held a high level security meeting with police, army and paramilitary forces to review the situation ahead of Independence Day, administration sources said.

A strict vigil was being maintained along the Assam-Bengal interstate border and international fronts with Bhutan to prevent the NDFB(S) militants from escaping there, the sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders, who visited Kokrajhar today, accused the ruling BJP government in the state of failing to take preventive measures despite the fact that militants regularly indulge in violent activities in the run up to Independence and Republic Days.

Armed militants dressed in army fatigues and belonging to the Bodo separatist outfit had opened fire and threw grenades at the crowded weekly market killing 14 people. One of the attackers, who were believed to be five in number, was killed in retaliatory action by security forces, police had said.

Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay had said that the attack was suspected to be the handiwork of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S). AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from the spot.

The Assam Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary T Y Das also held a high level security review meeting with the district administration where it was decided to continue with the security operations.
Jhansi: Union minister Kalraj Misra on Saturday charged Samajwadi Party-led Uttar Pradesh government with creating tension in a planned manner in the state and asked BJP workers to work harder to present the party as an alternative to the people.

"Tension is being created in a planned manner by the Samajwadi Party government. People of the state are fed up with the prevailing situation and want a change and BJP can provide them an alternative," he said after inaugurating a two-day BJP state working committee meet.

The minister said people in Uttar Pradesh want good governance but those who have the duty to provide security are committing atrocities.

"There is anarchy all around. BJP can be an alternative that the people are looking for and workers have to strengthen

the party unit up to the booth level," he said.

Highlighting the policies and work undertaken by the Narendra Modi-led government, he said the Union government was working in the interest of Dalits, farmers and the poor but the Akhilesh Yadav dispensation was not being able to distribute financial aid to the needy people.

On the issue of Bundelkhand, he said that the central government will propose bringing more industry to the area.

Addressing the meet, BJP state unit president Keshav Pradav Maurya asked SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to give up "putra moh" (fondness for son), saying his party will continue to oppose it.

Terming Akhilesh Yadav as the most unsuccessful chief minister, he said ruling Samajwadi Party was anti-development and also questioned the controversial remark of senior minister Azam Khan on the Bulandshahr rape.

Maurya asked workers to get prepared not only for 2017 Assembly polls but also for 2019 general elections.
Beijing: China on Saturday lashed out at the US for describing jail sentences given to four human rights activists as "politically motivated", saying American accusations are groundless and constituted interference in its internal affairs.

"The US accusations are groundless and China urged the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously, and stop making irresponsible remarks on the case," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

She said that China firmly opposes American interference in its internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Hua was commenting on the remarks made by US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner concerning the conviction of four Chinese human rights activists.

Toner had said the charges against the activists were "vague and apparently politically motivated" and urged Chinese officials to release the detainees and remove restrictions on their freedom of movement and professional activities.

"China is a country under the rule of law, and Chinese judicial authorities deal with related cases in accordance with law so that the legitimate rights and interests of defendants could be effectively protected," Hua was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

She claimed that Chinese people widely supported the trial and generally oppose any actions that endanger the national security and undermine the social stability.

A court in Tianjin had convicted them for subverting state power after serial trials in the past four days.

Of the four, Hu Shigen, described by the state media as an illegal church leader, got the longest prison term of seven and half years. He is the eldest at 61 and had engaged in state power subversion since the 1990s, Xinhua said.

All of them accepted the charges and expressed remorse, it said.
Green Bay, Wis/Washington: Republican Donald Trump acted to steer his White House campaign back into favor with his party's establishment on Friday by endorsing U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and two Republican senators seeking re-election, after expressing coolness toward them earlier this week.

"I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make," Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Ryan's home state. He also endorsed Senators John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, calling Ayotte a "rising star."

"We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends," Trump said.

Trump earlier this week refused to endorse Ryan, telling The Washington Post he was "not quite there yet"nearly the same phrase Ryan had used about Trump before finally endorsing him. Trump said in the same interview that McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.

Ryan, the top U.S. elected Republican, had no plans to attend the Wisconsin event, a sign of lingering frictions between the pair, even though Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, did endorse him. Ryan's Republican primary challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, did attend, according to a spokesman.

Ryan is expected to win the challenge for his House seat in next week's Republican primary, and he is viewed by many Republicans as a possible presidential candidate in the future. The tension between Ryan and Trump caused deep frustration among party leaders and lawmakers.

Trump's endorsement came as one of several steps to get his campaign back on track after days of controversy and falling poll numbers that have given Democrat Hillary Clinton the advantage in the race to the 8 November election.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Clinton's lead over Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from nearly 8 points on Monday.

Trump said on Friday he wanted a "big tent" party with multiple viewpoints welcome. He said he was endorsing the Republican lawmakers due to their "shared mission to make America great again."

Trump also announced a new advisory team to help guide him on economic policy. The group relies heavily on hedge fund managers and investment bankers, a group Trump has railed against. There are no women on the team.

Trump plans to release his economic policy framework in a speech in Detroit on Monday, an event that will offer him a chance to avoid theatrics and detail how he would handle economic issues if elected.

Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore told Reuters that the candidate's plan would focus on four areas: tax, deregulation, energy policy and trade. Its going to be an all-encompassing look at how we reform the economy, Moore said.

At events in Des Moines, Iowa, and Green Bay, Trump showed discipline that is unusual at his often free-wheeling rallies, calling Clinton the "queen of corruption" and defending himself against her charge that he is temperamentally unfit for the White House.

"All my life I've been told, 'You have the greatest temperament'," he said in Des Moines. He also said voters should consider supporting him because of Pence, who appeared with him at both events.

"If you don't like me, that's okay. Vote for Pence because it's the same thing," Trump said.

Trump bashed the media as well, saying reporters over-hyped an incident earlier in the week and claimed he kicked a baby out of an event in Virginia. "I love babies," he said.

'Short-circuited'

Clinton sought to take advantage of Trump's dip in the polls at a conference of minority journalists in Washington, where she pledged an all-out fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

And she did what she has rarely done during the presidential campaign: take questions from reporters.

She addressed two of the largest issues that continue to dog her campaign: the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state and continuing skepticism among voters about her trustworthiness.

Clinton conceded that she had short-circuited earlier in the week in interviews when she had asserted that FBI director James Comey had concluded that she had been truthful in her statements about use of the private server.

Clinton had repeatedly said she never sent emails containing classified material, a finding that Comey contradicted at the conclusion of the FBIs probe in July, when he rebuked her for "extremely careless" handling of classified information while recommending that no criminal charges be filed.

On Friday, Clinton maintained, I never sent or received anything marked classified, while acknowledging that some material she sent may retroactively have been considered classified by other government agencies.

Republicans have repeatedly charged that Clinton endangered national security with her handling of classified material.

The email controversy has fueled a perception among a majority of voters that Clinton is untrustworthy. I take it seriously, she said. Still, as she has often done during her career, Clinton attributed much of her low standing on this issue to attacks from Republicans.

Finance and industry leaders

Trump's campaign said his economic advisory panel included former steel executive Dan DiMicco; Howard Lorber, CEO of tobacco company Vector Group Ltd; and Trump campaign finance chairman and investment manager Steven Mnuchin.

Hedge fund managers John Paulson and Steve Feinberg, Moore, the Trump economic adviser, and David Malpass, who has served in previous Republican administrations, were also named.

Trump's moves came after many Republicans urged the candidate to correct course following a tumultuous week.

The real estate mogul and former reality television star was caught up for days in a public spat with the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq. The parents had criticized Trump at last week's Democratic National Convention. Many Republicans, including Ryan, McCain and Ayotte, were critical of Trump's insistent attacks on the pair.
BEIRUT U.S.-backed forces trying to oust Islamic State militants from the Syrian city of Manbij took "almost complete control" of the city on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighters, launched its campaign two months ago with the backing of U.S. special forces to drive Islamic State from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier.

The official spokesman of the SDF-allied Manbij military council, Sharfan Darwish, told Reuters that battles were continuing but that around 90 percent of the city had now been cleared of the ultra hardline Sunni militants .

Pockets of militants are still present in the centre of the city, the Britain-based Observatory said.

A spokesman for the U.S. coalition against Islamic State told Reuters there had been "continued progress" in Manbij, and the coalition would continue to support the SDF for as long as the operation took.

Manbij is in the northern province of Aleppo, which forms a theatre for several separate battles between multiple warring sides in Syria's five-year-old conflict.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Ralph Boulton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone on Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Hangzhou, China, and his participation in the G20 summit, the State Department said.

"The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang also discussed appropriate responses to the recent provocative actions by North Korea," the State Department said in a statement.

On Wednesday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country.

(Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Eric Beech)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Kuwaiti authorities on Saturday arrested Islamic State recruiter Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi on a tip-off given by the National investigation Agency (NIA). According to reports, Hadi had allegedly funded the Indian Islamic State operative Areeb Majeed.

#FLASH One man, Abdulla Hadi Abdul Rehman Al Enezi, arrested in Kuwait for suspected links and for terror funding and recruitment for ISIS.  ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016

Reports suggest that Hadi had paid upto $1,000 to the Indian IS recruits. He reportedly admitted his involvement in the terror organisation after his return from Pakistan in 2013.

In November 2014, Areeb Majeed was brought back to India from Iraq-Turkey where he had gone earlier that year as an IS recruit. NIA had brought him back to Mumbai through diplomatic channels after they had tracked Majeed to a city in Turkey based on a call.

Majeed, a civil engineering student from Kalyan in Mumbai, was part of a group of four who had left India on 23 May 2014 to join and fight for the IS in Iraq. While, Majeed chose to go to Mosul to fight for the IS, his other three friends Fahad Sheikh, Shaheen Tanki and Aman Tandel opted to work for the social media wing of the IS.

According to a report by The Times of India, Majeed had revealed some of the names of his associates when interrogated by NIA. The agency soon started investigating and found that Majeed had recieved money from Kuwait. Deccan Chronicle reported that the agency had sent a Mutual Legal Assisstance Treaty (MLAT) to the country seeking information about the identity of the person who had transferred the money.

This is touted as the first international arrest made by the NIA in connection with Islamic State recruitment in India.
Istanbul: The United States' ambassador to Turkey has again said his country played no rule in last month's failed coup attempt, showing exasperation with persistent accusations to the contrary, local media reported on Saturday.

"I just want to say again, as I've said before and as we've said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of 15 July and into 16 July. Full stop," US ambassador John Bass said in remarks published in English daily Hurriyet Daily News.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations" targeting his country.

The 15 July military action blamed by Ankara on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has rattled Turkey's relations with the United States, with Ankara warning Washington that ties will suffer if it fails to extradite Pennyslvania-based Gulen.

Erdogan has also described the failed military action as a "scenario written from outside" in an allusion to foreign involvement.

Shortly after the coup attempt, Labour Minister Suleyman Soylu went even further to say "the United States is behind the coup."

And this week, Turkey's former army chief, Ilker Basbug, claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was also behind it.

"Frankly, if we would have had knowledge we would have told the Turkish government about it immediately," Bass said.

US wants to see 'strong' Turkey

He said the US wants to see a "strong, prosperous, democratic, confident Turkey.

"Anyone who thinks that the United States somehow profits from Turkey being divided and destabilised I think is misreading history to a profound degree."

Bass on 18 July rebutted claims his country supported the putsch as "untrue" and "harmful."

Meanwhile, a US citizen of Turkish origin was arrested in southern Hatay province as part of a probe into the failed coup, state-run Anadolu news agency reported Friday, quoting a local governor.

Acting on a tip-off that he was a member of Gulen movement, police detained 36-year-old Serkan Golge, who said he was visiting his family in Hatay, governor Ercan Topaca said.

He was later remanded in custody by a local court.

The governor added that Golge studied at a Gulen-linked school in Turkey and then moved to the United States for higher education and worked at Nasa.

A German national has also been caught up in the purge, Berlin said Friday, after books were found at her home suggesting she had links with the Gulen movement or was a member of it.

Istanbul rally

A senior Turkish official said Turkey's intelligence found that two encrypted messaging apps, ByLock and Eagle, were used by FETO operatives to communicate messages and receive information from cells.

FETO is the name Ankara gives to the movement it claims is running a "parallel state."

"We are prepared to confirm that the organisation continues to communicate using Eagle at this time," the official added.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Saturday chaired a security summit of justice, foreign, interior and defence ministers as well as army chief of staff Hulusi Akar and spy chief Hakan Fidan.

Erdogan's government is readying for a "Democracy and Martyrs" rally in Istanbul's Yenikapi square on Sunday, which hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join.

Other rallies will also be held across the country.

The main Istanbul rally, set to be attended by opposition leaders save for those from Kurdish parties, will be the last of a series held daily since people first took to the streets to answer Erdogan's appeal for support immediately following the coup.
A 15-year old girl was killed and four other family members were wounded after al-Shabab militants fired mortars on the southwestern town of Baidoa early Saturday morning, witnesses said.

The militant group fired 11 rounds of mortars on several targets in the town including the airport and residential areas according to witnesses.

One of the mortars landed on a home killing the girl and wounding her mother, two siblings and a sister in-law. Baidoa is 245 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.

The father of the girl, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Mohamed told VOA Somali said his daughter was in grade nine in high school. He said the youngest victim, his son, is seven years old. The attack occurred at around 3:30 am when the family was sleep, Mohamed said.

Deputy Director of Baidoa hospital Ahmed Ibrahim Ali said he expects the wounded to recover.

Somali MP Sidow Aden Abadir who visited the victims condemned the militant group for the shelling.

Innocent victims were hurt in the hand of evil; may Allah bless the dead and heal the injured, he said.

Its the second heaviest bombardment on the town by al-Shabab in just over a month. In July two children were killed and 19 others were wounded after heavy mortar attack by al-Shabab.
Public invited to interfaith prayers, devotions

TWIN FALLS  Devotions and nondenominational interfaith prayers will begin at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at 328 Seventh Ave. E. For more information, call 208-221-8621. Sponsored by Bahai Faith.

Troy Sammons to speak about

work in Kenya

JEROME  Troy Sammons with Christian Veterinary Mission will be speaking on his recent missionary work in Kenya at the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Jerome, 262 East Avenue A. The Sammons family is currently on furlough and will return to South Sudan for their next missionary call. The annual church picnic will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday afternoon. It will be held at the Millenkamps Pond northwest of town. Bring your favorite side dish to share. Plan to meet at the church by 3:15 p.m.; caravans/carpools will leave the church at 3:30 p.m.

Jerome United Methodist welcomes the Rev. Elaine Steele

Jerome United Methodist Church will welcome the Rev. Elaine Steele Sunday. Steele is a retired pastor and has served Methodist churches in Idaho and Oregon for the past 16 years. She is married to Jerry Steele. On Sunday many members will be attending services at the Methodist Sawtooth Camp. Those not going to the camp are invited to attend the 11:30 a.m. service at Jerome. Coffee and fellowship are at 11 a.m. The church is located in Jerome at 21 1 So. Buchanan street. For more information call (208)-324-2981 or the Twin Falls Methodist Church office at (208)-733-5872.

Ascension gathering school supply donations

TWIN FALLS  In August, Ascension Episcopal Church is gathering donations of school supplies for all grades in the Twin Falls School District. A collection area is designated in the gathering area of the church. School supply lists for each school and grade are available there. Supplies will be given to the school district to distribute in September. Last April, more than 400 homeless children were identified in the Twin Falls School District and many families in the district are at poverty levels.

Services of Morning Prayer will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday morning, the first Sunday of the month. Stations for healing prayer will be available during both services. Nursery care is not available; children are welcome at worship services with their parents. Ascension Cafe, the adult discussion group, meets from 9:15 to 10 a.m. to discussing scriptural readings of the day. Youth Sunday school is on summer break. A fellowship coffee hour will be held after the 10 a.m. worship service.

Ascension Episcopal Church is handicapped accessible and is at 371 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls. For more information, go to episcopaltwinfalls.org .

Youth invited to attend Vacation Bible School

TWIN FALLS  Vacation Bible School for the Twin Falls Seventh-day Adventist Church and School will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 8 through Aug. 11. Children ages 6 through 12 are invited to attend. Vacation Bible School will take place in the gymnasium at 131 Grandview Drive.

Unitarians to discuss the pondering of God

TWIN FALLS  For a few moments we can ponder God and the problems we get into when we ponder God. Come with your opinions, beliefs, doubts and well put em in a blender and see what happens.

Unitarian Universalists welcomes all religious paths or none at all. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is available. The Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Ave. W. in Twin Falls.

New Life Assembly welcomes missionaries

HEYBURN  Join us Sunday morning at New Life Assembly in Heyburn to hear of the incredible ministries God is working through Sopheak and Amy Kheng. The Khengs are missionaries to the Cambodian community in Long Beach, Calif., home to 60,000 Cambodian people. Worship service starts at 10:30 a.m. with a time to meet and greet. Come and be blessed with great praise and worship, and a powerfully anointed message and ministry. A special offering will be received for the Khengs. New Life Assembly is at 254 S. Hwy. 24, halfway between Heyburn and Rupert, 1.5 miles North of I-84 Exit 211.

For more information, call Mark Burgess at 208-434-2004.

To submit information about church events and news. Contact Matt Gooch at mgooch@magicvalley.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday for publication on the Saturday religion page. Please insert Church News in the email subject line.
Mediation fails in Idaho pastor shooting case

COEUR DALENE  An Idaho man accused of shooting a pastor is heading to court after attempts at mediation failed.

The Coeur dAlene Press reports that 30-year-old Kyle Odom could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on charges associated with the March shooting of Pastor Tim Remington in a Coeur dAlene church parking lot.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh says the two sides couldnt agree on a plea deal during a Wednesday mediation session. A retired district judge served as a mediator during the session.

Mediation sessions are kept completely confidential.

Prosecutors say Odom shot Remington on March 6 and flew to Washington, D.C., the next day. He was arrested by Secret Service agents after being seen throwing flash drives and other items over the White House fence.

Fire guts northern Idaho strip mall

COEUR DALENE  Authorities say fire has gutted a strip mall in northern Idaho, causing part of the roof to collapse and ruining several stores.

Fire Inspector Craig Etherton says the entire fleet of the Coeur dAlene Fire Department, three ambulances and vehicles from other fire departments responded to the fire Wednesday night.

He says flames climbed up to 30 feet and a quarter of the roof collapsed.

The mall includes Tangles Hair Salon, Golden City Loan and Pawn and the Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Thrift Store. Etherton says there was smoke and fire damage throughout the building and its not clear whether the structure will need to be demolished.

Etherton says inspectors dont know yet what caused the fire but dont suspect arson.

No injuries have been reported.

Police: Utah woman, girl drown at Bear Lake in eastern Idaho

FISH HAVEN  A 37-year-old Utah woman and her 11-year-old daughter have drowned in Bear Lake in eastern Idaho.

The Jordan School District in Utah says Jennifer Lambourne of South Jordan taught at Eastlake Elementary and her daughter, Brooklyn, would have been entering sixth grade at the school.

The Bear Lake County Sheriffs Office says the girl was reported missing Wednesday at the lake that is divided in half by the Idaho-Utah border.

Officials say Jennifer Lambourne and an 8-year-old girl were taken to Bear Lake Memorial Hospital where Lambourne was pronounced dead. The 8-year-old girl was treated and released.

Officials say Brooklyns body was recovered from the lake at about 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The sheriffs office said Thursday it plans to release more information on the drowning.
TWIN FALLS  South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP) would like to thank McDonalds and the Kyle Family for hosting the 5th Annual McCash for Kids Event.

SCCAP would also like to also thank Townsquare Media for their efforts and a special thanks to the community for giving back. SCCAP was presented with a $2,532.46 McDonalds check and a $1,000 check from Townsquare Media that will be used to provide much needed school supplies to children of the Magic Valley.

Their support plays a key role in our success by helping those who need it most. We are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of people who answer the call to give. Your donation will help make a difference in the lives of low-income children in the Magic Valley.
ROGERSON  The Twin Falls County Coroner identified human skeletal remains found in June in a remote area of the South Hills.

The remains were those of Valentin David Sanchez-Hilario, of Burley, who was 24 when he went missing in November 2014.

Its not 100 percent, but its as close as were going to get, Coroner Gene Turley said Thursday. We talked to the family, and theyre OK with what we have.

A hiker found Sanchez-Hilarios remains June 6 in the South Hills in a very non-traveled area off Langford Flats, Twin Falls County Sheriffs Lt. Perry Barnhill said in June. The hiker passed the GPS coordinates off to the sheriffs office, who then went and secured the area, looked for evidence and treated it like a normal crime scene.

It was kind of a fluke that he found it, Barnhill said. He was just at the right place at the right time and happened to look in the right direction.

The bones were found not far from where Sanchez-Hilarios vehicle was found abandoned in November 2014. The Idaho State Missing Persons Clearinghouse listed his last date of contact as Nov. 6, 2014.

Its a little good, but at the same time a little bad, Sanchez-Hilarios mother, Norma Hilario, said in Spanish during a phone interview Thursday from San Jose, Calif.

Hilario said she was happy to have some closure, but she had still been holding out hope that he was alive.

I never thought he would be found dead, she said.

Sanchez-Hilario was born in the state of Veracruz, on the eastern coast of Mexico, and moved to the United States when he was 14, his mother said. Right away, he went to work laboring in the agriculture industry in California; he sent most of his earnings to his mother in Mexico until she was able to join him.

He was extremely hard working, Hilario said.

Sanchez-Hilario became a father at age 17 when his girlfriend, Blanca Salvador Tolentino, gave birth to a baby girl. The couple and their daughter moved to Burley in 2012, where Sanchez-Hilario worked on a dairy.

He came to visit me for 15 days, Hilario remembered Thursday. Eight days later, he disappeared.

Hilario plans to come to the Magic Valley soon to collect her sons belongings and his vehicle from the sheriffs office. While authorities believe Sanchez-Hilarios death was likely from exposure, Hilario is not convinced that there wasnt some type of foul play involved.

Identifying the remains

When Sanchez-Hilarios bones were found, they were pretty amazingly intact, Turley said at the time. They didnt look to have been scattered by animals, and there was still bits of clothing around the skeleton. Right away, the sheriffs office and coroners office believed the remains were probably those of Sanchez-Hilario based on their proximity to where his vehicle was found.

The key to identifying the remains, as Turley predicted in June, was the teeth, which the coroner said had very unique dentistry.

Turleys plan was to contact Sanchez-Hilarios dentist and confirm certain dental records, which would allow the coroner to positively identify the remains.

The problem, and the reason it took nearly two months to make the identification, was that Sanchez-Hilario had his dental work done in Mexico, and Turley wasnt able to track down the dentist to confirm the dental records. Instead, a family friend found a picture that gave a good view of Sanchez-Hilarios teeth.

The friend texted the pictures of him smiling, we compared them to the dental caps on the remains and they matched perfectly to the pictures, Turley said. If the dental work wasnt so unique, Id be less confident. But weve blown up the pictures and everything matches.

Turley still plans to conduct a bone inventory with the help of Jim Woods, an anthropology professor at the College of Southern Idaho.

With the bone inventory, well take the skeleton bone-by-bone from one table to another to build that skeleton and see what bones are present and what bones are missing, Turley said in June.

Theyll study each bone to look for suspicious markings, the coroner said. At that point, if foul play is suspected based on bone markings, the remains would be taken to Boise for a more thorough investigation.
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

Teresa M. Martinez; felony fraudulently obtained public assistance by means of a false statement, representation or omission, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony public assistance fraudulently obtained by means of false statement, representation or omission (felony), guilty, $225.50 costs, $54,962.34 restitution, one year determinate time, nine years indeterminate time, one day credited, retained jurisdiction, penitentiary suspended; felony fraudulently obtained public assistance by means of a false statement, representation or omission, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $54,962.34; felony public assistance - any person who aids/abets a person to dispose, conceal property to become eligible, $54,962.34 restitution.

Jose Hector Naranjo; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100.55 restitution, two years determinate time, three years indeterminate time, 126 days credited, retained jurisdiction, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $100.55 restitution.

Felony dismissals

Tuwina Adams-Schneider; felony controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Freddy Molina; felony fraud - two counts criminal possession of a financial transaction card or number to purchase goods or services, dismissed by court.

Driving under the influence sentencings

Jaime Cervantes Martinez; misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $250 fine, $202.50 costs, 90 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 59 days suspended, one day credited, alcohol evaluation within 30 days.

Leobardo J. Zaragoza; misdemeanor driving under the influence - under age 21, guilty, $1,000 fine, $750 suspended, $202.50 costs, 365 days driver's license suspended, 12 days probation, no contact with co-defendant Santos Mejia. May be supervised by juvenile probation.
Minidoka County

Felony dismissal

Ozvaldo Ramirez; felony criminal conspiracy, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony drug stamp tax violation, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Driving under the influence sentencings

Roman Barbone; misdemeanor probation violation, guilty, 365 days jail time, eight days credited, 7/27/16 jail pending 10/4/16 review.

Dominique Rose Lemos; misdemeanor driving under the influence; guilty, $202.50 costs, 90 days jail.

Jade Austin Snarr; misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, 180 days driver's license suspended, 18 months probation, 180 days jail, 178 days suspended, 30 days other time, 30 days other time, two days credited; misdemeanor driving without privileges, guilty, 180 days jail, two days credited.

Felony dismissal

James Harlan Little; felony theft by unauthorized control or transfer of property with intent of depriving the owner, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.
RUPERT  A Rupert woman jumped out of a moving vehicle to escape a man who said he planned to drive through a cement barrier and jump the freeway to kill them both, police say.

The man, Kenneth Edward Yates, 32, is charged with felony first-degree kidnapping, domestic battery, and possession of a controlled substance with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possessing drug paraphernalia and with violating a no-contact order.

Police say the incident happened July 20 and they were called to 355 S. 100 E. in Minidoka County for a report of a woman who was thrown out of a car and was screaming and crying. She was covered in cuts, bruising and red marks, police said.

She told police when she arrived home for the day, Yates appeared at her camp trailer, took her car keys and locked her out of her home. He later let her in, took her cellphone and locked her in the trailer with a padlock.

When Yates came back inside, the two began arguing and, she told police, Yates kept hitting her with his fists and hit her elbow with the sharp end of a hammer. She told police he tried to hit her multiple times before that, court documents said.

The woman said Yates put clothing over her head so no one would hear her screaming for help, and that he choked her and threw objects at her, crying why are you making me do this to you, then grabbed her and her purse and put her in a vehicle and started driving, court documents said.

She told police she waived at vehicles and banged on the windows to get someones attention, but Yates told her if someone turned around that he will kill her before they could get to her.

When traffic approached, he would hold her head down so no one could not see her. At one point, she said, they passed a Cassia County Sheriffs truck, but the officer did not see her.

The woman said Yates then told her that he was going to drive northbound on 100 E. from 400 S., run through the cement barrier and jump the freeway to kill them both because the woman had ruined his life.

Every time she tried to get out of the vehicle, she told police, he sped up and would grab her hair and hit her head on the steering wheel. Finally, when Yates turned north onto 100 E., the woman jumped out vehicle and escaped, and Yates drove away.

Yates is being held in the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center on a $100,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 17 in Minidoka County Magistrate Court.
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TWIN FALLS  Two firefighters from the Magic Valley and one from Nevada have been tapped as finalists to fill Twin Falls vacant fire chief position.

The city announced Thursday it has narrowed the search from eight candidates down to the final three to fill the void created by the recent retirement of Ron Clark, a 40-year veteran of the department who served as chief the last 18 years.

The finalists are Rock Creek Rural Fire District Chief Jason Keller, Sun Valley Assistant Fire Chief Charles Butterfield and Tim Soule, the deputy fire chief at East Fork Fire Protection District in Douglas County, Nev.

The candidates were selected from a pool of eight extremely qualified applicants, the city said in a statement.

City Manager Travis Rothweiler and his staff interviewed all eight applicants via Skype, then narrowed the choices down to Keller, Butterfield and Soule, city spokesman Joshua Palmer said Friday. In the coming weeks, the three finalists will come to Twin Falls for face-to-face interviews with city staff and to meet with members of the community, the Twin Falls Fire Department and the city council.

Whoever we hire will be expected to have strong partnerships in the city, Palmer said. Thats why well have them meet and do interviews with the key stakeholders.

After meeting the finalists, those stakeholders will then give their input as to who theyre most comfortable with, and Rothweiler will make the final decision, Palmer said.

Here is a look at the candidates.

Jason Keller, fire chief, Rock Creek Rural Fire District

The Kimberly resident and former Twin Falls city firefighter has been chief at Rock Creek since June 2011. The Rock Creek Rural Fire District covers the eastern part of Twin Falls County  including Kimberly, Hansen and Murtaugh  and a portion of Cassia County.

According to his Facebook page, Keller studied fire science at Lewis and Clark State College and radiation protection at Eastern Idaho Technical College.

Charles Butterfield, assistant fire chief, Sun Valley Fire Department

Butterfield has been the assistant fire chief in Sun Valley since 2013 and has spent most of his career in Blaine County. According to his biography on the Idaho State University website, where hes listed as adjunct faculty in the fire service administration department, Butterfield started as a firefighter in Sun Valley in 1995 and has also worked as a firefighter and EMT for the city of Hailey and Wood River Fire and Rescue.

In 2007, Butterfield earned an associates degree from the College of Southern Idaho in fire service technology, then went on to earn a bachelors degree in fire service administration and a masters degree in education from Colorado State University.

Tim Soule, deputy fire chief, East Fork Fire Protection District (Douglas County, Nev.)

Soule has been a deputy fire chief in Douglas County, Nev., since 2011, according to The Record-Courier. Before that, Soule worked 10 years as a division chief in in Kalispell, Mont., and five years as a firefighter and paramedic in Cleveland, Ohio.

The newspaper reported in June that Soule completed the National Fire Academys Executive Fire Officer Program in Maryland and that he currently oversees the East Fork Fire Protection Districts training and safety division.

The Canby Herald in Canby, Ore., reported that Soule was a finalist for that citys fire chief position in 2014.
TWIN FALLS  In a last-minute press conference Friday, We the People Magic Valley announced it wants U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to come to Twin Falls to show them how life in America is really going.

Earlier that afternoon, organizers called local media to say an announcement would be about the ongoing refugee issue in Twin Falls.

At Twin Falls City Park, the group said the family of the 5-year-old victim of a reported sexual assault in June at the Fawnbrook Apartments was coming to the event.

But Julie Ruf with We the People later told reporters the family couldnt make it because of the challenges of their living situation, saying theyre now living at a hotel.

After talking about the Fawnbrook case and refugee resettlement, Ruf told reporters she wants Clinton and Trump to come to Twin Falls to see how America is being changed by this new crisis. And she later added: We want to tell you how life in America is really going today.

We the People Magic Valley is a group that includes the local Act for American chapter, John Birch Society and Dallypost Tactical, a group run by Pocatello-area political activist Lance Earl.

It describes itself on a public Facebook group page as a coalition of patriots who are concerned with the direction our nation  and our community  is heading in.

The groups goals are preservation of our Republic and her Constitution, civil liberties, and governmental and United Nations encroachment on our state and community often in violation of the Tenth Amendment.

About 10 people from We the People Magic Valley stood behind a microphone, as others set up for a group picnic nearby.

After giving a statement, the group allowed for questions from reporters. A few speakers blamed the media, provided advice and told reporters what they should care about.

And they said reporters arent asking the right questions. Group members also said theyve been called names in local publications.

The Times-News, KMVT and BuzzFeed reporters, along with a couple of other media organizations, attended the press conference.

Ruf talked about the Fawnbrook case and refugee-related topics in her statement.

Refugees have been flooding into Twin Falls as cheap laborers, she said, adding after their first six months in Twin Falls, theyre living in squalor. She said many are her personal friends.

Employers also have incentives to hire refugees, she claimed, because the federal government has gotten involved.

Resettling refugees became controversial nationwide. Here in Twin Falls, news came out in 2015 that Syrians could be among the refugees to be resettled by the College of Southern Idahos Refugee Center. But so far, no Syrian refugees have been resettled here.

A petition for a ballot measure to shut down the Refugee Center failed to get enough signatures this spring.

But debate flared up again in June after reports of three boys from Iraqi and Sudanese families had, according to authorities, sexually assaulted a girl at the Fawnbrook Apartments.

We the People Magic Valley sponsored a Thursday night event, featuring Brigitte Gabriel, head of Act for America. The group focuses on national security and the threat they say radical Islam poses to America.

The Gabriel event was an incredible achievement for We the People Magic Valleys first event, Hilber Nelson told reporters Friday.

Gabriel provided a call to action, he said. The group decided to host a picnic Friday night.

The picnic would provide a family atmosphere, Nelson said, with hot dogs, activities, information and positive projects you can get involved in right away to promote civic and religious freedom.

About 25 people showed up at the start of the event.

Dino Omerefendic, a refugee from Bosnia, was walking in Twin Falls City Park and stopped when he overhead the press conference. He started asking questions.

He told We the People members he came to the United States as a refugee in 1997. He lived in Atlanta before coming to the Magic Valley. He said he has never been arrested.

It seems like youre painting all refugees with the same brush stroke, he told the group.

Ruf responded by saying shes not against the refugee program. She said she just wants it to be run correctly and says it isnt currently.

Ruf said she advocates to protect refugees from living in squalor and she believes in one law for all people.

Omerefendic said non-refugees are involved in sexual assault cases, too. Why arent we getting angry about all these other little girls? he said about the victims.

Ruf said she does get angry about other cases. She added she wants to see violence ended for all groups.

Omerefendic told the Times-News he doesnt think the group understands Muslim views. He said he has friends who are Muslims. And, he said, he feels speakers were lying a little about their views toward refugees.

The Fawnbrook case has attracted nationwide attention because it involves hot topics, Ruf told reporters  law and order, immigration and debate over what to do with the refugee population.

Despite the best efforts of city officials, it has become a national news story, Ruf said. The national media, she added, has displayed more concern about political correctness, rather than the hard truth.

Some have called the incident a hoax, she said. Theyve insulted these family members.

The attack that happened to that delicate little 5-year old girl has caused unforeseen circumstances, she said later in her statement.

The victims family is being held to a different standard, Ruf said. She said the family hasnt received any victims aid, despite what the local media has printed.

The family, she said, cant find anywhere else to move.

A goal of We the People, Ruf said, is to make sure the family gets help and that someone advocates for them.
Cheer

John Dale Jones, Jr., could have become just another statistic  another man killed at the hands of police  when court records say he attacked Twin Falls County deputies who were trying to arrest him last week.

One shot was accidentally fired from a deputys gun in the fracas, but no one was hit.

Sheriff Tom Carter praised his deputies restraint in an interview Wednesday, saying Jones could have wound up dead if it werent for the law enforcement officers who kept their cool, even as Jones continued to attack them.

The incident is a good reminder that there are still good cops out their trying to keep us  and themselves  safe, and they put their lives on the line every day. We know, of course, that all cops arent as restrained, evidenced by video after video of minority men whove died at the hands of police.

But in this case, deputies were most concerned about saving human life, not ending it. For that, they deserve a cheer from the whole community.

Jeer

Idaho Department of Administration Director Robert Geddes has decided he wont try to recover any of the $60 million paid out under an illegal state broadband contract  despite direction from the Supreme Court.

What a boneheaded move.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has said the high courts decision was clear. And state law requires officials to try to recover money paid out under illegal contracts.

Meanwhile, lawsuits could be brewing against the state over the funds. Education Networks of America and CenturyLink filed a tort claim against the state in March, and the state didnt respond in the 90 days allowed, essentially greenlighting a lawsuit. The providers are seeking roughly $7 million.

The moves are just the latest news in a long story of corruption over the handling of the statewide broadband network, which aimed to provide high-speed internet to high schools across the state.

Instead, the state bailed on the program when the high court voided the contract, refusing to pay out to the internet companies and leaving individual districts scrambling to find their own internet programs. Those companies have said, in turn, that the states refusal to pay amounts to a breach of contract and seizure of private property.

Now, Geddes decision to not recover what the state has already paid out essentially puts the ball in Wasdens court.

And once again, Wasden is being asked to clean up someone elses mess.

Cheer

Were not just cheering for team U.S.A. this Olympics  were cheering for a hometown boy.

Will Brown will represent American and Twin Falls in two shooting events. His first is 10 a.m. Saturday. His second event is Wednesday.

Join us in wishing Brown the best of luck.
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
"Leaving the mine site without cleaning up piles of mining waste and polluted sediments, and without taking appropriate measures to stop the flow of acid mine drainage from the basins and ditches left behind is simply unacceptable to the people of Boac. Until the ongoing pollution at the MARCOPPER Mine site is adequately addressed, it continues to pose a threat to water quality, and the communities and wildlife in the area that depend on clean water." - Luna "Pongkoy" Manrique, MPDO of Boac





This picture was taken last March 2015 when Manrique (in photo) joined the Army Patrol Operations

[an 8 hour walk) from Barangay Hinapulan and back.

Acid mine drainage photos by Pongkoy Manrique





In August 1995, residents near the mines were alarmed, not by an earthquake but by seepage from the drainage tunnel connected to the Tapian pit. The company then drilled a series of holes into the tunnel to plug it. Marcopper assured the municipal authorities that remedial measures they had taken had solved the problem. The people's apprehension remained.





On March 17 an earthquake that registered 3.2 on the Richter Scale was felt on the island. Seven days later, on March 24, 1996, in what was considered one of the harshest man-made environmental disaster, news came. After more than two sleepy decades, the heavily silted yet revivified Boac River was dealt a fatal blow. More dramatic than its previous episode it was, international media were appalled.





Up the river





The spillage of mine tailings from the Tapian Pit in the millions of tonnes through the very same drainage tunnel that had once killed it, was great for TV - the concrete sealing of the tunnel that had given hope to the river was flawed and eventually burst this time.





And the litany of concerned voices from government officials, politicians, the multi-stakeholders, environmentalists, parishioners, scientific experts and the tri-media reverberated in the small municipality and beyond. The people of Mogpog, too, had the opportunity to air their similar plight as far as the Mogpog River was concerned. This highlighted the common history of the two gentle rivers.





AMD flowing down into the Boac river





Noise about this episode intensified and continued for a long time, The mining company was cursed and debates reached the halls of the Philippine Senate and Congress. Five presidents have since been installed into power, yet river rehabilitation issues and the disposal of tailings deposited on the river is still unresolved today.





But DU30 has zeroed in on this one based on recent remarks about Marcopper's failure to clean up its mess.





We cannot await

natural forces to drive all the tailings away into the sea and into oblivion. The threats have become so glaring now.





Now it's 2016





Now 2016, or 20 years after all these, reports about the continued pollution of the Boac River persist. In a post dated August 5, 2016, Engr. Luna "Pongkoy" Manrique , Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of the Municipality of Boac reports:

"Abandoned MARCOPPER Mine Site continues to pollute the Boac River

"Leaving the mine site without cleaning up piles of mining waste and polluted sediments, and without taking appropriate measures to stop the flow of acid mine drainage from the basins and ditches left behind is simply unacceptable to the people of Boac. Until the ongoing pollution at the MARCOPPER Mine site is adequately addressed, it continues to pose a threat to water quality, and the communities and wildlife in the area that depend on clean water."

$70-million for sealing tunnel, building levees, dredging





Yet Placer Dome, before divesting itself of its Marcopper shares in 1997, and before being bought by Barrick Gold Corporation in 2006, claimed to have spent some $70 million in sealing "for the ages" the Tapian Pit drainage tunnel, building levees on the Boac riverbank, and dredging a channel at the mouth of the river. The said amount, according to a PCIJ report , also covered the construction of new homes, roads, and airlifting of food and other supplies to the devastated area.









Below are more eye-opening, enlightening photos from Manrique's other inspections





Boac's MPDC, Engr. Luna Manrique writes on Facebook:

Marcopper did not allow us to enter their premises to inspect the STABILITY of the Makulapnit Dam, so we chose the Hard Way, a 3 hours hike and climb along Jinapulan River. Escorted by Army Special Forces and CAFGUs we walk right into the tunnel and climb the Makulapnit Dam.

As fate would have it, Manrique and his armed escorts saw with their own eyes the acidic blue water flowing down from Marcopper's Bol River Dam





... and clear water from the Makulapnit Dam (Manrique pointing)





... the waters merge on their way to Jinapulan River down below that flows into the Boac River and finally into the Tablas Strait, the ultimate sink.





What is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) again?





From Internet sources we again find that acidic discharges from active or abandoned mines are called acid mine drainage, or AMD.





Metal mines may generate highly acidic discharges where the ore is a sulfide mineral or is associated with pyrite. In these cases the predominant metal ion may not be iron but rather zinc, copper, or nickel. The most commonly mined ore of copper, chalcopyrite, is itself a copper-iron-sulfide and occurs with a range of other sulfides. Thus, copper mines are often major culprits of acid mine drainage.





At some mines, acidic drainage is detected within 25 years after mining begins, whereas at other mines, it is not detected for several decades. Acidic drainage may be generated for decades or centuries after it is first detected. For this reason, acid mine drainage is considered a serious long-term environmental problem associated with mining.





Mogpog River is the color of copper. But it may just be possible that one day the Boac River may just turn blue, right? A toxic tourist attraction by then?





Below is one such river - the Red River in New Mexico that turned blue.









"Then came the most glaring sign of industrial arrogance. In the early 1980s, the Red River began to turn a cloudy blue, a symptom of acid drainage and high metal content" ( The mine that turned the Red River blue

Blue rivers in Marinduque





Come to think of it, we do not have to go that far now. Based on Manrique's findings, Bol River in Sta. Cruz is already blue with AMD.





But not far from the mine site is another beautiful blue river hidden somewhere in Puting Buhangin, discovered last summer by unsuspecting, young, adventuresome Marinduquenos who apparently tried its inviting, cool waters .





I must admit that after seeing these pictures posted on FB by John Oliver Hermosa, I was so intrigued that I had planned to contact another friend living in the adjacent barangay so he could take me there, too. This other friend also published photos showing him and friends having fun swimming in this same blue river.





Blue river in Puting Buhangin. Photo posted on FB by John Oliver Hermosa

Now we know it's dangerous!

Spread the word and keep off those blue rivers.

They're hazardous to your health!





More photos of the blue river courtesy of John Oliver Hermosa









Some Facebook comments to the above photo:





"Ang busilak ng tubig, ganda. Malayo ba an lalakarin dito."

"Saan po ito sa puting buhangin? Tlagang ganyan ang color ng place or enhanced na po?"

"napkaganda ng probinsya ntn dapat ipromote ang tourismo... para umunlad. ang probinsya"

"Uu Ganda nga ...tga Marinduque din Kame e ...Kaso Bata q nung huling punta. Ko Jan:)"
With so much happening in the world these days, its hard to know where to turn our focus this month.

Should we look at the economic fallout from Brexit, the British exit from the European Union? The attempted coup in Turkey and subsequent purge of real or imagined conspirators by strongman President Recep Tayyit Erdogan? Or the International Monetary Funds new warning of a slowing world economy?

Important as these and other events are, Ill shift our focus to another development that has the potential to substantially alter the international political, military and economic landscape.

Just as the Brexit vote flew largely under the radar prior to its stunning result, so, too, has a recent ruling by an international court largely escaped the attention of American media.

In July, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that China has violated the Philippines sovereignty through its aggressive island building and territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The Philippines, a small country facing aggressive behavior by its much larger neighbor, sought the ruling to settle conflicting claims over small, mineral-rich islands lying between the two countries.

Chinas expansive claims and island building in the South China Sea also conflict with claims by Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and, further north in the East China Sea, by Japan. Thus, this ruling by a respected international body has tremendous implications beyond this one case.

Some of you may be thinking: what business does an international body have telling a sovereign country like China what it may or may not do? We dont want world government.

Well, one reason it matters  a lot  is because much of the postwar peace and stability we and the rest of the world have enjoyed has been underpinned by the rule of law.

Nations have largely agreed to subscribe to and follow any number of rules and standards that replace the old might makes right attitudes that led to repeated conflict among global powers. These rules also help us settle disputes through peaceful means, rather than war.

Another reason this ruling matters is that roughly one-third of the worlds trade passes through the waters in dispute. Rising tensions in the region and the risk of armed conflict, whether intentional or accidental, have the potential to cause further harm to economies around the world.

China has refused to acknowledge the courts jurisdiction over this matter and has sharply criticized the adverse ruling, issuing verbal threats that carry worrisome implications given Chinas already bellicose behavior in the region.

With a slowing economy at home and a leadership shake-up due in another year, Chinese President Xi Jinping faces a difficult set of circumstances in his effort to maintain tight control over the countrys governing apparatus. Its anyones guess how he will respond to other countries urgings to respect international law in this case.

Absent any means of enforcing the courts ruling, and with Chinas voluntary compliance a real question, the U.S. Navy and Air Force have continued active patrols in the region  sometimes jointly with other countries  in an effort to maintain freedom of navigation and counter Chinas aggressive behavior.

With Russia threatening Europe on its eastern flank, the European Union distracted by myriad internal problems, and the Mideast in turmoil, the last thing the world needs is another potential flash point.

At the end of the day, though, what difference does Chinas saber-rattling make to us in Montana?

Well, if continued peace and stability in East Asia, locus of much of the worlds commerce and commercial navigation, doesnt concern you, then perhaps the potential impact on Montanas farmers, ranchers, miners, and manufacturers might.

About one-third of Montanas goods and services exports go to Asia, including about three-quarters of our wheat, which is by far Montanas single largest export. We also export other grains, oilseeds and beef; coal, petroleum products, and chemicals; and industrial machinery.

Rising tensions and slowing economies in our major export markets  in Asia, as in Europe and elsewhere  will have direct effects on growers and producers in Montana, with spin-off effects on other businesses that support them.

Of course, the economic impact of increased geopolitical instability and weakened rule of law is not the only concern. Almost no one wants to see the world return to the days of might makes right and gunboat diplomacy.

Time will tell what kind of world Chinas leaders envision.

Joanna Shelton was deputy secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris; held senior positions in the executive branch and Congress in Washington, D.C.; and teaches at the University of Montana. You can reach her through her website, joannashelton.com.
A hunting rifle, old parking meters, hub caps and roofing metal. Those were just a few of the items among the nearly 300 pounds of trash that volunteers dragged out during the annual Blackfoot River Cleanup last weekend.

The old parking meters from downtown Missoula, that was kind of disconcerting, said Chrissy Oschell, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks river manager for Region 2. Thats a really odd one. How did they end up in the river? There were quite a few. And some of the folks in the nearby area during the highway cleanup found a bunch.

About 78 volunteers showed up to wade, raft, tube and snorkel the stretch of river from Whitaker Bridge to Johnsrud Park. Missoula Fresh Market provided food at cost and brought tents and barbecues. The grocery store staff all got on boats to help, and the Bureau of Land Management, the University of Montana Outdoor Program and the Blackfoot Home & Community Club also chipped in.

Oschell said the volunteers found a lot of cans and plastic bottles.

We found a lot of sunglasses and shoes, lots of things that people could easily put in a mesh bag that we give out for free, she said. We found a lot of clothing, pieces of inner tubes, plastic trim from cars and a piece of a boat motor.

The good news, according to Oschell, is that the volunteers find less trash every year.

Its because were out there cleaning it, she said. But we always find trash. Its not good for the river itself and its also an eyesore. Its not something people expect to see in a natural area. We like to treat it like you treat any place thats important to you. Take out what you bring in.

Craig Holtet, the co-owner of the Missoula Fresh Markets and the Orange Street Food Farm, said that the rifle was turned over to police. He had a crew of divers who scoured every deep hole.

We found a 12-foot fiberglass oar that they had been trying to get out of the river bottom for three years, he said. We found a lot of barbed wire, parts of wooden boats with screws and nails sticking up. We found a lot of pull tabs. We found glass bottles, and I found six different full beers.

Holtet said he's been floating the river for years and thinks it's getting cleaner.

"It's neat to see the cooperation of the community come together and create a culture of people that want to take care of that situation," he said. "I might be getting kind of old and sentimental but it's kind of cool."

The free mesh bags are available at the FWP office at 3201 Spurgin Road, at both Missoula Fresh Markets and at the Orange Street Food Farm.
The Montana Knifemakers Association will host its 21st annual Custom Knife Show this weekend at Grizzly Harley-Davidson, where more than 35 custom knifemakers and suppliers will sell their goods and compete for best in show.

President of the MKA Bob Crowder said the knives on display will range from practical  pocket, kitchen and hunting knives  to collectible, decorative knives that tend to resemble sculptures more than they do utensils.

Its a nice array of handmade stuff, Crowder said. And everything is for sale.

The show kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday with knifemakers displaying their work for customers as well as judges. Crowder said awards include "Best Art Knife" and "Best Folding Knife."

Crowder said he has been making knives for 31 years and his knives tend to be more decorative now than usable.

Im an old frustrated artist, Crowder said. So I do my own Damascus steel knives and one Im bringing this year has a handle design that matches the steel. Its a real nice technical pattern and I used malachite, which is commonly used in jewelry, in the handle.

Crowder said he is looking forward to seeing what other artist have to offer this year. The best part of the show, Crowder said, is learning from other knifemakers.

Sunday will consist of educational seminars for knifemakers, professional and amateur alike, including a lecture from MKAs Mark Huston on using social media.

Most of the knifemakers, because theyre older and not so technical, some of them dont even know how to upload photos of their knives online, Huston said. So Im going to show them how to upload photos so they can show and sell knives more easily.

Huston said other seminars on Sunday will include a demonstration from knifemaker Rocco Chicarilli on how to install hidden pin bolsters, a hidden piece of steel in the handle of a knife. A tight finish separates an amateur knifemaker from a professional, Huston said.

Huston said the MKA is expecting several hundred people at the event this weekend. Knives on display will range from $175 to $500, depending on type and quality. Knifemakers will also take custom orders.

Really the show is about trying to preserve the craftsmanship, Huston said. Theyre trying to sell, too, but we want to make sure you can meet with others and talk with each other. Youll see the knifemakers walking around, finding out how other artists do what they do. They learn from each other.

Suppliers will sell goods, as well. Mac McLaughlin supplies knifemakers with high-quality wood, box elder burl, maple burl and redwood burl, which he cuts and dyes himself. He started supplying after working as a filer in the saw mill for 38 years.

Custom knives will be on display at the Grizzly Harley-Davidson on East Harrier Drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Educational seminars will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

I just like working with wood, McLaughlin said. But the camaraderie and everyone getting together and visiting is the best part of the show. Its a pretty good social event.
HAMILTON  A series of predicted strong thunderstorms over the weekend will test fire lines and could put those fighting the Roaring Lion Fire back on the defensive with a blaze thats already burned more than 11 square miles.

The meteorologist assigned to the fire, Dan Borsum, was tracking a weather pattern Friday thats normally more associated with early July than August.

The low pressure driving the system appears ready to park itself along the Washington state coast for a couple of days. Borsum said the system will draw moisture up from the southwest, which will result in strong winds and potentially powerful thunderstorm starting late Friday.

The initial onslaught on Friday and Saturday will bring dry thunderstorms that have the potential of creating powerful microbursts, he said.

On Sunday, the thunderstorms will be more organized and moving faster, Borsum said. Those storms have the potential to drop some precipitation, but whatever falls might come too quickly to offer much help for firefighting efforts.

Borsum wouldnt be surprised if a tenth of an inch, or even a bit more, of rain fell on the fire in a sudden downpour.

To be helpful for firefighting, we look for moisture to linger to make a better adjustment to the fuels that are driving the fire, he said. A quick rain like that doesnt penetrate the canopy. It may not do the job for us even if we do get a little bit of moisture.

Any thunderstorms that track near the fire could pack wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Our concern will be keeping the troops safe, Borsum said. There are a lot of burned trees on the fire. Those high winds could knock down a lot of them. In terms of making progress, progress will have to yield to safety for a couple days. Well do what we can.

Across the region, the potential for widespread lightning is creating a good deal of concern about new fires.

Chris Grove of the U.S. Forest Service told the Ravalli County Commission on Friday morning the Type 1 team could divert some of its resources to assist with initial attack on any new fires that occur due to lightning strikes.

We dont need any little ones getting big on us, Grove said.

Friday evening, Ravalli County Undersheriff Steve Holton raised to 16 the number of homes consumed by the fire Sunday. The additional homes were identified after crews were able to clear access to them earlier in the day.

Holton also ended the mandatory evacuation for the west end of Roaring Lion Road, including Moraine Drive, Judd Creek Hollow, and Springhill Road.

Earlier Friday, crews were taking advantage of the calm weather to concentrate efforts along the northeastern and eastern flanks of the fire to minimize the potential that it could spread in those areas over the weekend.

Crews were busy working on the southern parts of the fire to both mop up the existing line and construct some new line.

Bitterroot Forest Fire Management Officer Mark Wilson told the commission that Stage 1 fire restrictions may be coming as soon as Monday.

The restrictions would prohibit any campfires outside of the designated campgrounds. People only would be allowed to smoke inside a vehicle or an area thats been cleared of flammable materials on national forest lands.

Wilson said the fire behavior documented on the Roaring Lion fire has been off the charts.

Fire behavior has been out-performing the indices, he said. We havent been able to nail down why. It may be that the heavy dead fuel is a little drier than what we thought.

So far, the fire has burned about 8,000 acres and is considered 15 percent contained.

There are 735 people assigned to the fire, including five Hotshot crews, eight Type 2 crews, two camp crews, five dozers, 51 engines, 15 water tenders and nine helicopters.

On average, the fire is costing about $875,000 a day to fight.
After 16 years of operating on a 150-acre ranch near Philipsburg, Project Vote Smart plans to leave Montana after the next presidential election.

The non-profit organization  which tracks election data and politicians voting records using 20 employees and a cadre of about 40 interns  made the announcement in a summer quarterly newsletter.

In the newsletter, Vote Smart President Richard Kimball cites long driving distances to hospitals and airports, icy road conditions, and office politics heightened by close living quarters as reasons for leaving the Great Divide Ranch.

The isolation has come with problems, Kimball wrote, noting the facility resides 100 miles from the nearest airport in Missoula.

Forty interns living in a secluded ranch also had drawbacks, Kimball said.

We have all the problems a university does with the experimental, adventurous, hormonal torrent that is the young," said Kimball. "Only in the wilderness such things can become dangerous. Love was requited and denied, marriages were created, fights ensued, drinkers crashed, injuries of every sort, hospital trips too numerous to recall, some to sustain life, and distressingly, three deaths.

The Montana Standard was unable to reach Kimball by phone.

Walker McKusick, the organizations Interim National Director, told the Montana Standard by phone that he hadn't heard about any deaths at the ranch and was unsure about the injuries mentioned in the newsletter but that the organization feels it can recruit more interns during the snowy months and have better access to resources by moving to a larger market.

Were really good at getting interns out at the ranch, said McKusick. But (wed like) to maintain that in the fall and winter.

When asked whether living in a remote location led to tension among staff and interns  as the newsletter seemed to indicate  he said that in any environment theres going to be issues and that the isolation makes things tough.

All office politics aside, what remains certain is Project Vote Smart is making moves toward leaving the state.

McKusick said the company put the 150-acre ranch at 1 Common Ground for sale more than a year ago.

Real-estate listings describe the property as an idyllic Montana dream with two bunkhouses, three guest cabins, and a main research facility. The asking price is $4.1 million.

But this isnt the first time the ranch has hit the real-estate market.

After laying off four employees by email and two in person and accepting the resignation of another, Vote Smart put the property up for sale in 2014.

Adelaide Elm  a founding member of the organizations executive board and also Kimballs wife  didnt give a specific reason for the layoffs in an interview with The Missoulian in 2014 but said that the organization was working with a $1.2 million budget the previous year.

We are really cutting it down, said Elm. We are cutting back on horses, and we put in a wood boiler to replace the propane. We are economizing where we can.

McKusick, meanwhile, told The Montana Standard that Vote Smart is doing very well financially and that the organizations tax returns are available on its website.

According to those returns, Vote Smart had an annual revenue of $1.8 million in 2014, up from the previous years $1.3 million. Since 2008 the organizations revenue has fluctuated between 1.8 and 1 million, showing its second-highest-earning year in 2009 with $1.7 million.

Vote Smart, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is funded primarily through grants and donations.

Its from individual citizens giving what they can to serve our mission, said McKusick, adding that page views and donations are up from the previous year, mainly due to interest in the current presidential election. This election cycle certainly helps out a lot.

McKusick said Vote Smart will not relocate until after the 2016 presidential election but could not provide a specific time for the move.

A lot of it depends on a buyer showing up, he said. Theres a lot of stuff we just dont know.

McKusick said he doesnt anticipate layoffs and that all employees will receive offers to accompany the organization in the move.

While the future for Vote Smart may seem a bit fuzzy, whats certain is that the organizations presence in Philipsburg  a town with a population of about 850  will be missed.

About 14 Vote Smart employees live in Philipsburg, and according to Melanie Magnotto, an assistant manager for the towns Boheme Coffee Shop and former Vote Smart employee, those staff members rent apartments and patronize businesses in the community.

It will hurt when Vote Smart leaves for sure, said Magnotto. They all come downtown and eat at the restaurants here and come to the coffee shop.

A few of them, she said, even settle down in Philipsburg and Missoula.

Reed Speegle is one former Vote Smart employee who decided to stay in town.

Speegle, whos now the Town Clerk and Treasurer for Philipsburg, said he moved from his hometown in Chicago to work at the Great Divide Ranch because he was getting tired of city life.

It was a pretty big change, said Speegle, noting that people from all over the country come to work at the ranch. But I like the change of pace.
The owner of the Great Bear Show performing at this week's Butte-Silver Bow County Fair has been cited four times since 2012 for failing to provide veterinary care for one of his animals and not ensuring spectators are safely separated from the bears.

Bob Steele of Jefferson, Texas, was cited in January of 2015 when Barney, Steele's then-1-year-old cinnamon bear cub, was observed continuously scratching large areas of hair loss around his neck and the sides of his body. The same bear displayed the same symptoms Friday.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service first observed Barney's condition in November 2014 but were assured by Steele that Barney had seen a veterinarian. When the USDA returned two months later, Barney's hairless patches were larger.

The USDA citation stated "direct and frequent communication on the cub's condition has not been conveyed to the attending veterinarian in a timely manner," and demanded Barney see a vet by February 12, 2015.

In February 2016, Steele was cited by the USDA again, as Barney's condition had not improved. The USDA gave Steele until March 25, 2016, to have a veterinarian find the underlying cause of Barney's scratching and bald spots.

Steele said at the Butte-Silver Bow County Fair on Friday that the veterinarian had done all sorts of tests on Barney and found nothing wrong but would not specify. He said the vets said not to worry.

Barney had large visible hair-loss areas and was scratching his sides during and after the bear show at 3 p.m. Friday.

Steele hypothesized that Barney could have alopecia, hair loss caused by an autoimmune disorder, but also said the 2-and-a-half-year-old Barney's hair loss was normal, as young bears don't develop their thick undercoat until they're 3 and a half to 4 years old.

"If you turn on National Geographic and look at the grizzly bears on there, they look just like that," Steele said.

Grizzly bear scientists disagree.

John Heine, director of the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, said bears don't slowly develop an undercoat as Steele suggested.

"All the grizzly bears we've had, their coats have been perfect from cubs to yearlings on up," he said. "It's not like there's any bald spots."

Barney's hair loss has been observed in summer and winter, but Bear Manager Jamie Jonkel of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said bears only shed their thick winter fur around July, not year round.

"It's more of a seasonal thing," Jonkel said.

In 2012 Steele put on a show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the only separation between the crowd and his bears was a pipe and drape barrier. Steele was observed removing his three bears from their cage one by one and placing them on chairs, only locking them to their chairs when the cage was empty. The USDA report states two large male bears were not under his or any other physical control for up to 30 seconds.

Steele's barrier at the County Fair is a ring of interconnected crowd-control barriers.

After each show, Steele allows audience members to pay for photos adjacent the bears, separated by a 41-inch-wide, 62-inch-tall plexiglass board hinged perpendicular to a particle-board backdrop.

On Friday, Steele called this barrier material Lexan, the same kind used in racecar windshields. Steele called the barrier unbreakable despite one of the corners being broken off, which Steele attributed to a windstorm.

In 2012, USDA cited Steele for a plexiglass-type barrier used in photo sessions, which it said was ineffective and potentially dangerous. Also, while the bear is chained to a chair during photo sessions, USDA said the chair itself must be chained to an immovable object.

According to the USDA citation, Steele said he secures the bear chair to his trailer. Despite being next to the trailer, the chair was unsecured Friday during a photo session.

Fair Board Secretary Lisa Pedersen said Friday she was unaware of the citations but would check with Steele. She said this was the third year since 2011 that Steele's show has been at the fair.

Butte Civic Center General Manager and Fair Board member Bill Melvin said Friday that Steele's show is still on for Saturday if he follows all the rules.

"We will go out and make sure that does not happen again," Melvin said.
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DES MOINES, Iowa  A popular program offering landscape quality trees at a deep discount to Alliant Energy customers will be held at eight locations across Iowa this fall. Residential tree distributions will be held in Clinton, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque, Linn, Marshall, Washington, and Winnebago counties this September and October.

Alliant Energys Operation ReLeaf helps Alliant Energy customers save energy in their homes using trees to create summer shade and winter windbreaks. For maximum energy efficiency, shade trees should be planted within 30 feet of the east and west sides of the house. Evergreens should be planted as a windbreak on the north and west sides.

Through the program, Alliant Energy residential customers may purchase high quality landscaping trees for $25 each, on a first-come, first-served basis. These trees typically retail for between $65 and $125.

Planting a diverse mix of trees on your property and in your neighborhood will reduce the likelihood of losing a large number of trees to forest health threats, said Paul Tauke, state forester and chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry Bureau.

Tauke said they are encouraging homeowners who do not intend to treat for emerald ash borer to plant a replacement tree within 30 feet of the existing ash tree.

Foresters have been working with local partners to create a state tree inventory that will guide future tree planting efforts to keep a healthy mix of tree species.

Operation ReLeaf has 35 species of trees from which they select 8 to 12 species for each event. The species are based on the local tree inventory, and will include shade trees, ornamentals and conifers. Shade trees are 6 to 8 feet tall in 5 to 10 gallon containers and conifers are 3 feet tall.

Just a few of the advantages of yard trees are:

Decrease in household heating and cooling costs

Increase in property values

Decrease in storm water runoff, which may reduce flooding events

Beauty and personal enjoyment

All trees are purchased through a bidding process to promote local nurseries, said Tauke. This is a great way for homeowners to get a quality tree at an affordable price.

Customers are encouraged to order early as these trees sell out quickly. Advance purchase is limited to two trees per household. In the event there are extra trees available on distribution day, those trees will be released for purchase at that time. Order forms are available online at www.alliantenergy.com/releaf.

Workshops led by DNR district foresters discussing tree planting and care will be held at most tree distributions. Topics covered will include root flare and proper planting depth, correcting encircling roots, proper mulching and watering, corrective pruning to reduce future storm damage, planting around buildings for energy efficiency and emerald ash borer. As part of a state/federal pollinator grant, workshop participants in Des Moines and Washington counties, who have one-quarter acre or larger planting area, will be eligible to receive a pollinator tree/shrub seedling packet with 200 bare-root seedlings. Pollinator seedling packet order forms will be available to participants at the end of each workshop. One lucky workshop participant will receive a free landscape tree to be raffled off at the end of the following workshops: Clinton, Dallas, Dubuque, Linn and Marshall counties.

Operation ReLeaf is administered by the Iowa DNRs Forestry Bureau with assistance from local partners, like county conservation boards, municipalities and county extension offices.

Operation ReLeaf participants must be Alliant Energy residential customers.
WAPELLO, Iowa Search crews combed the Mississippi River on Saturday for the body of a male swimmer who apparently went missing Friday night.

According to a Facebook post by the Wapello Fire and Rescue, crews were called by the Grandview Fire Department to an area north of Port Louisa at approximately 6:06 p.m. Friday.

The unidentified victim was reportedly swimming in the river with a small group of people when he ventured too far from shore and disappeared under the surface of the water. The victim was not wearing a personal flotation device.

Crews from the Grandview Fire Department, Wapello Fire Department and Wapello Ambulance performed an initial search of the riverbank. Rescue boats from Wapello, Muscatine Search and Rescue and New Boston Fire Department as well as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources performed a sonar search of the area but conflicting eyewitness accounts and water depths over 30 feet in places complicated search efforts.

Crews remained on scene until approximately 10 p.m. Friday. The search resumed at 7 a.m. Saturday.
MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine Community College was host to 21 educators from Indonesia through a USAID grant. The mission of USAID is to partner to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity. (https://www.usaid.gov/). MCC was asked to participate in this opportunity because of its strong history of working with educators in Jordan and establishing an entrepreneurial program at Al Quds College in Amman.

The Indonesians learned how we teach entrepreneurism using the LEAN start-up method. Instructors were Jim Elias, business faculty member at MCC and Joel Youngs, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. In addition to time spent in the classroom, the guests were introduced to the business community through tours of Fabricators Plus, the Community Bank of Muscatine and the Muscatine Business and Industry Center. They enjoyed seeing the Mississippi River, watching RAGBRAI, and having dinner at Boonies and Pizza Ranch.

Several of the colleges signed a memorandum of understanding with MCC to further their partnership. Pictured are the guests from Indonesia with Jim Elias, Joel Youngs, Jeremy Pickard, MCC Dean of Instruction and Naomi DeWinter, MCC President.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
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 []
They would ask me what actors I saw in the roles. I would tell them, and theyd say Oh thats interesting. And that would be the end of it. --Elmore Leonard, in 2000, on the extent of his input for Hollywood's adaptation of his novels
I can't imagine this round fixture was ever popular or stylish, but it must have been cheap, because my house had four of them!! No longer. The new fix...

1 day ago
ABC News(GREEN BAY, Wisc.) -- Donald Trump has decided to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte -- after initially declining to do so and in the case of McCain, assailing him repeatedly.



Trump broke with his usual form, reading from notes. He expressed his admiration for Ronald Reagan his "big tent" theory.



We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working together toward victory," Trump said. "And very importantly toward real change. So in our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our speaker of the house Paul Ryan."



Trump initially said that he hadn't decided whether or not to endorse Ryan, in an echo of Ryan's initial hesitance to endorse Trump, although he ultimately said he would endorse the real estate mogul.

An aide to Ryan later said that the speaker "appreciates the gesture and is going to continue to focus on earning the endorsement of the voters in Southern Wisconsin."



He also threw his support behind McCain, of Arizona, who he took to task for being captured and held as a POW during Vietnam.



"I hold in the highest esteem Senator John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office and I fully support and endorse his reelection Very important. We'll work together," Trump said.



In addition to questioning McCain's military service, he also questioned his commitment to veterans.



This is a developing story. Please check back in for updates.

MORE: Trump announces he endorses Sens. McCain and Ayotte in reelection bids, after previously declining to do so https://t.co/Uc8eiP3Onp  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 6, 2016





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Calistogas Castello di Amorosa, 4045 North St. Helena Highway, will host its annual harvest celebration and grape stomp competition from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23.

The event includes wine and food stations, live music, underground tours and harvest and winemaking demonstrations. Cost is $95 for members and $125 for guests. Grape stomp teams are made up of 10 people and pay an additional $15. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 967-6274.

The authentically styled 13th-century medieval Tuscan-style castle is open at 9:30 a.m. seven days a week for general admission tours and tastings, costing either $25 or $35, or guided tours with tastings of premium wines, $40. The guided tour takes an hour and tasting another 45 minutes. It closes at 6 p.m. from March through October and 5 p.m. from November through February.

Numerous other wine tasting experiences are offered, including those ranging from $1,000 per couple to $20,000 per couple.

Castello di Amorosa owner Dario Sattui searched for a suitable piece of property for many years and bought the 170-acre property in 1993. According to Sattuis written history of the castle, the property included vineyards, a Victorian home and a building permit for a large winery building that took the former owner 13 years to procure.

Sattui writes he started drawing up plans for an 8,500-square-foot winery with caves in early 1994. He also began replanting 30 acres of vineyards with sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The replanting would take two years. The history was finished in March 2011.

Sattui had long dreamed of building an authentic medieval castle and spent years traveling to Italy studying the architecture, which included taking a tape measure, sketch pads, a camera and a hammer, if needed, to get into an abandoned and neglected building.

Little did he know when he started that his winery would take 14 years to build, that he would run out of money for its construction and have to borrow from both V. Sattui, his winery south of downtown St. Helena and Wells Fargo Bank. He also feared that it wouldnt get done in his lifetime, but it did, finally opening in April 2007.

Construction began on Jan. 5, 1995, according to Sattuis history. His crews, at one time expanded to 64 people, spent 10 hours a day, six days a week building the structure. It took the crews 10 years to build the 80 different rooms underground that make up 80,000 square feet.

The entire winery is 121,000 square feet, with 107 rooms, 95 of those are devoted to winemaking. There are eight levels, four underground and four above ground. Features of the property include a church, drawbridge, courtyard, watch tower, torture chamber with an authentic Iron Maiden, loggia, (a covered exterior gallery with one wall open to the elements and supported by arches or columns), deep-well, secret passage ways and an outdoor oven.

At the beginning of the construction, Fritz Gruber, a master builder from Austria and an expert in medieval design and building techniques, brought a crew with him to Calistoga to teach his skills to construction foreman Lars Nimskov, a naval architect from Denmark, and his crew.

Sattui brought nearly 200 containers of old hand-made materials from Europe for his project, including nearly 1 million antique bricks from torn-down Hapsburg palaces, obtained by Fritz Gruber.

Sattui writes that if the construction wasnt done perfectly, the crews would tear it down and build it again.

After 10 years of construction, Sattui replaced Nimskov with an Italian, Paolo Ardito, from Bologna as construction foreman.

The completed castle includes five defensive towers with battlements, 1,000-pound hand-hewn doors from Italy and a 12,000-square-foot Grand Barrel Room, featuring 40 Roman cross-vaulted brick ceilings. Builders and artisans were brought from eight countries to lend their expertise, including artists who spent 18 months painting frescoes inspired by those in Siena, Italy in the Great Hall.

Other artisans include Georgio Mariani of Assissi, Umbria and his father, brother and uncle, who made all the lamps, iron gates and iron pieces by hand over an open forge.

The architect for the project was St. Helenas Lail Design Group, with Doug Osborn in charge.
Bonifacio Lomeli of Napa spent seven years in the Army working as a combat medic, helping fight for his country.

Today, hes working toward learning a different form of combat  the kind waged in courtrooms or at mediation table.

Thanks to the George and Gwendolyn Goodin Scholarship, a fund of Napa Valley Community Foundation, Lomeli is now a second-year law student at Pepperdine University School of Law.

He plans to earn a joint Juris Doctorate and Masters of Dispute Resolution degree. Lomeli said he would like to eventually move back to Napa and use his legal skills to help others, especially veterans.

This Napa High School grad (class of 2004) said he always wanted to be in the Army, preferably in the infantry.

It was a personal test, he said. Back then, We were in a time of war, and my mentality was, as an able-bodied male, I should be doing something for my country.

Two weeks after graduating, his military career began.

But there was just one problem. Doctors soon discovered he had a form of color blindness.

His first choice, the infantry, was no longer an option. Given the choice of training as a licensed practical nurse, psychiatric technician, chaplins assistant, traffic coordinator or combat medic, Lomeli chose the closest thing he could get to being in the infantry  combat medic.

After being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, his career included work as a certified nursing assistant, combat medic and medical operations officer. He worked at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, and at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He deployed twice  first to Iraq for 15 months, then to Afghanistan for nine months.

By 2011, seven years later, Lomeli said he was ready to leave the military.

I realized that what I wanted from life wasnt going to be able to be accomplished in the military, he said. I needed to step away and get an education and change my career path.

I wanted my freedom back. I wanted to be able to think on my own and make my own decisions, he added.

He was most interested in getting a degree in business or economics. I wanted to understand how business and economics work, he said.

The veteran enrolled at Napa Valley College and later transferred to Sonoma State. From there, he decided to go to law school. Along the way, he continued as a recipient of the Goodin scholarship.

The scholarship, administered by the Napa Valley Community Foundation, has helped.

The veteran and his sister are the first to go to college in his family. Lomelis mother works as a court stenographer and his father is a carpenter. Lomeli said he used his GI Bill funds earned for his undergraduate tuition. Law school tuition runs more than $60,000 a year, he said.

So far, hes been granted approximately $25,000 from the fund, said Lomeli.

In an interview in the Napa Valley Community Foundation newsletter, Lomeli said the biggest thing for me with this scholarship is knowing that there are people willing to support me.

Every time I have received word that I have been chosen for this scholarship, it always makes me a little emotional because it reminds me that someone out there is thinking of me, and that they actually care, he said.

That alone gives me more than enough motivation to not only finish my education, but to do the very best that I can.

According to the Napa Valley Community Foundation, George W. Goodin was a career military man who served 28 years in many duty stations around the world. When he and his wife wrote their trust, they directed Napa Valley Community Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship for Napa County residents who had served their country in the military, or for the children of those who died in active duty.

Since its inception in 2013, the George and Gwendolyn Goodin Scholarship Fund has awarded 23 scholarships for a total of $95,750.

Lomeli said he would eventually like to go into conflict resolution or mediation, specifically helping veterans navigate the legal system.

He sees a parallel between his work helping soldiers as a medic and his work helping people with legal issues, he said. Its fulfilling.

Lomeli spent part of this summer helping at-risk veterans in a mediation clinic in Ventura County.

Some of the soldiers come back with serious issues and just to have someone with these same experience give them a hand, its huge, he said. If I can help, or give guidance, thats what Im going to do.
Two men have been arrested on marijuana-related charges after allegedly transporting and selling marijuana in American Canyon, according to the Napa Special Investigations Bureau.

NSIB was contacted after a hotel employee found a package containing $12,000 in cash shipped to an unknown recipient at a hotel on the 3000 block of Broadway/Highway 29 in American Canyon on Wednesday.

NSIB identified the intended recipient as Andrew Orsini, 24, of Windsor, Connecticut. Orsini was flying in that evening and had a reservation at the hotel, NSIB said. Investigators learned that a courier service had also delivered a suitcase addressed to Orsini.

Believing that Orsini was flying to California to purchase marijuana at prices lower than those on the East Coast, NSIB obtained a search warrant for Orsini and the suitcase.

Detectives found approximately $18,000 in cash inside the suitcase and detained Orsini at the hotel.

NSIB detectives then attempted to contact Orsinis driver, Austin ORourke, 27, of Los Angeles, outside the hotel, but ORourke fled in a Toyota Prius.

ORourke pulled over shortly after, threw out a suitcase and gave up, NSIB said. Detectives found 10 pounds of marijuana packaged in 1-pound bags in the suitcase and an additional $23,000 in cash was seized from the Prius.

Orsini and ORourke were booked at the Napa County jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, transportation and sales of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit criminal acts.
It is interesting Prof. Adam Smith ("History shows Trump's wall will provide no solutions," Aug. 2) went back centuries to support his thesis a "wall" won't work between the U.S. and Mexico, but apparently through choice or ignorance failed to mention the wall that is now being built between Mexico and Guatemala to control "drugs" and which just incidentally will all control illegals.
Democrats mantras remain the same as in 1916





Stephen Carter

If we go back a century to look at the Democratic Party platform of 1916, what is striking is not so much the differences but the similarities to that of 2016.

In 1916, the GOP nominated Charles Evans Hughes, chief justice of the Supreme Court, to face incumbent Woodrow Wilson. The nation was uneasy. Manufacturing was booming, but the U.S. was still mostly an agricultural nation, and uncertainty sparked by the Panic of 1907 had not yet subsided. The public was fearful of a potential war with Germany and skirmishing with Mexico along the southern border.

Times may have changed, but the party platforms of 1916 and 2016 show that large chunks of ideology turn out to be the same.

The 1916 Democratic platform was sunny and upbeat, as the incumbents platform always is. Nobody runs for re-election by pointing to misery and despair. And so the Democrats started out by pointing proudly to Wilsons achievements: We challenge comparison of our record, our keeping of pledges and our constructive legislation, with those of any party of any time.

Then as now, the party called for regulation to battle unfairness in the economy. The platform trumpeted the passage of the Federal Reserve Act and the creation of the Federal Trade Commission. And then there was this: We have adjusted the burdens of taxation so that swollen incomes bear their equitable share. (The top marginal rate was 7 percent.) Only Democrats could be trusted with an era that was bringing economic changes more varied and far-reaching than the world has ever before experienced.

The 1916 platform had no equivalent to todays lengthy discussions about jobs, but nevertheless tilted in the same direction. Federal workers should receive a living wage. The budget would be controlled by cutting waste and duplication. The Democrats promised child labor laws and an agency devoted to worker safety. Prison reform and better roads and bridges, were all part of the agenda.

All of these positions could fit easily into the 2016 platform. This bit, however, sounds foreign: We must now remove, as far as possible, every remaining element of unrest and uncertainty from the path of the business men of America, and secure for them a continued period of quiet, assured and confident prosperity. There is nothing similar today.

The identity politics that forms so substantial a part of the 2016 Democratic platform wasnt big in the early 20th century. Nevertheless, the great roiling crucible of American politics has always been race, and the Democrats found room to criticize whoever by arousing prejudices of a racial, religious or other nature creates discord and strife among our people. We would err, however, should we read these words through 21st-century glasses.

In the public language of the era, this was a careful sop to the solid South so crucial to Democratic electoral success. In the complex color politics of the day, a progressive could simultaneously oppose stirring up race passion and prejudice while insisting upon white supremacy based on natural superiority and refusing to amalgamate with the negro. (These words are from a 1908 pamphlet by William Henry Fleming, a generally progressive Georgia Democrat.)

What about foreign policy? The Democrats were the free traders of the day (more or less), and trumpeted their support for the Revenue Act of 1913, which had lowered the tariff significantly in return for re-establishing the federal income tax. At that time, the tariff was the federal governments principal source of revenue. The platform accepted the necessity but maintained that the level should be set with that purpose alone in mind, rather than in accordance with the demands of selfish interests. What was the right figure? There the party preferred to kick the calculation over to a non-partisan tariff commission.

As it is today, the public was fearful of foreign entanglements. The platform thus called for the use of the military principally to defend the country. The Democrats counseled neutrality in the European conflict that would become World War I, and intervention in Mexico only as a last recourse. Still the party warnedin a veiled reference to Mexicothat there must be strict accountability for wrongs done to the persons or property of U.S. citizens abroad. But the emphasis in international affairs was on diplomacy and what we would today call multilateralismvery much in line with the Democrats of today.

The 1916 platform strongly endorsed American exceptionalism. The supreme issue of this day in which the whole world faces the crisis of manifold change was the assertion and triumphant demonstration of the indivisibility and coherent strength of the nation. Although this language certainly has echoes in the 2016 platforms insistence that we are stronger together, the party today deploys this language principally not as a tool for explaining why the U.S. is special but as a means for painting their opposition as divisive.

The 1916 election was close  far closer than the Democrats had anticipated. Wilson was re-elected, but had the Republicans won California, which Wilson carried by less than one half of one percentage point, the result would have been different. As it was, the Democrats prevailed because of that solid, racist Southern bloc.

Nowadays, we tend to ignore party platforms, except when we can score political points for our side. A hundred years ago, matters were quite different. Newspapers printed details on the front page. Did the platform make a difference? Given that the U.S. then was a nation of readers rather than viewers, theres a good chance that the answer is yes.
Swedish authorities offer to create united northern army

Bulgarian interim government urges to speed up transition to euro zone

IMF: China's sharp and uncharacteristic economic slowdown will stall growth in Asia by the end of 2023

Iran: Riots in country were planned by the intelligence services of the USA, England, Israel and the KSA

Steinmeier: Ukraine war caused 'epochal break' in Germany's relations with Russia

Gas prices in Europe remain high in coming years

Ararat Mirzoyan and Toivo Klaar stress importance of hosting EU civilian mission in Armenia

Armenia's ambassador-at-large: Daily false propaganda can't cover up Azerbaijani war crimes

Taiwan MFA outraged by Putin's speech on his status and Pelosi's visit

Armenia gives no response to peace treaty proposals, Bayramov says

Netanyahu expects return to power after 5th Israeli election in 4 years

Armenian gravestone found in Trabzon, Turkey neighborhood

Pashinyan: CSTO Secretary General's report mainly reflects existing realities

Azerbaijan talks possible deliveries of its gas to international Turkish hub

CSTO leaders to meet in late November: Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border will be discussed

Dollar, euro continue falling in Armenia

Pelosi's house attacked, her husband injured

Russias Putin to have private talks with Armenias Pashinyan, Azerbaijans Aliyev

Mher Grigoryan: CIS needs a new scientific and technical agreement

Pentagon strategy doesn't rule out use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear threats

French National Assembly plans to pass resolution proposing certain sanctions against Azerbaijan

Mher Grigoryan: There are no other corridors in the trilateral statement other than Lachin's

Konstantin Zatulin: Russia should have made maximum efforts so that there would be no war in Karabakh

The Hill: The American people deserve to know how the war in Ukraine will end

Sochi to host trilateral talks of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on October 31

Poland receives first Turkish drones

Hungarian government may extend price limits on fuel and some basic foodstuffs

Armenias Simonyan attends meeting of heads of EEU countries parliaments

Polish general appointed as head of EU mission to train Ukrainian troops

Russia MP: Karabakh status decision is in fact its Armenians safety guarantee

Zatulin: West seeks to push Russia out of negotiation process at any cost

Legislature head proposes to organize, under CIS auspices, return of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan

Iran prevents bomb explosion in Shiraz crowded street

Iraqi parliament expresses vote of confidence in new cabinet

France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Putin: Moscow is doing everything possible to normalize relations between Yerevan and Baku

Annual shopping festival kicks off in Dubai on December 15

Lazarevsky Club: Minute of silence held in memory of fallen Russian and Armenian soldiers

Bayramov and US Assistant Secretary of State discuss Yerevan-Baku relations

Expansion of cooperation with Interpol is important, Armenia PM says

Armenia defense minister briefs Austria envoy on situation due to recent Azerbaijan military aggression (PHOTOS)

Australia can't rule out energy price caps

Armenia parliament speaker: Use, threat of force undermine processes aimed at establishing peace

Garo Paylan is in Yerevan

Barack Obama tries to help Democrats win midterm elections

Azerbaijan president, Russia first deputy PM discuss North-South transport corridor project

PM Pashinyan receives France-Armenia friendship group delegation from French parliament

Taiwan urges China to start talking

Armen Grigoryan and Toivo Klaar discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation process

Matviyenko: Russia will continue mediation for signing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

Politico: Scholz and Macron threaten U.S. trade retaliation

CIS premiers sign several agreements at Kazakhstan meeting

Konstantin Zatulin: Nagorno-Karabakh peoples right to self-determination must be respected

Armenia legislature head: Policy of threats, coercion is unacceptable to us

U.S. must strengthen its defense against growing threats from both China, Russia

Karabakh ex-President: Necessary to rule out mistakes, miscalculations which will have irreversible consequences

EU reaches agreement to ban new cars with internal combustion engine by 2035

Benny Gantz: Future of Israel and Turkey is promising

EU Special Representative for South Caucasus arrives in Armenia

Lazarevsky Club meeting underway in Yerevan, Moscow

Yellen sees no sign of recession in U.S. economy in near future

Cannes palm trees promenade named after Charles Aznavour

Pashinyan: Armenia agrees to work on basis of main principles proposed by Russia

CIS prime ministers meeting kicks off in Kazakhstan

Newspaper: Karabakh people to make appeal to Armenia authorities

Viking swords embedded in mound 1,200 years ago discovered in Sweden

Residents of Moldova asked not to go out into street in dark

Bloomberg reports fuel shortages in some parts of Europe

British schoolboy writes book that became bestseller

Lebanon, Israel sign deal on maritime border demarcation

Spanish prime minister twice mistakes Kenya for Senegal during his speech

Peskov: CSTO meeting to be held before Armenia-Azerbaijan-Russia summit

Putin says he is ready to negotiate with Ukraine

Putin compares Indian Prime Minister Modi to icebreaker

Putin warns Seoul about risk of ruining relations with Russia by supplying weapons to Ukraine

Interpol Secretary General visits Armenia

Putin: Russia will not abandon the historical legacy of the USSR and the Russian Tsarist Empire

Putin sees no point in nuclear strike on Ukraine

Olaf Scholz says solution can be found to curb speculative spikes in gas prices

Putin calls Russians and Ukrainians one people who find themselves in different states

Putin: We proposed Armenia give 5 districts

Putin: Washington version provides for recognition of Azerbaijan's sovereignty over whole Karabakh

Putin calls Erdogan consistent and reliable partner, although not easy one

Italy plans to double national gas production to 6 billion cubic meters a year

Putin: The West, as a minority, has no right to impose values on the world

Putin: As long as nuclear weapons exist, there is always a danger of their use

Putin outraged by US assassination of General Soleimani: What is this all about?

FM Abdollahian: Iran will not allow its interests to become plaything of terrorists

Mirzoyan and Lavrov discuss preparations for CSTO Collective Security Council

Putin proposes to discuss changing structure of UN and UN Security Council

Pashinyan's wife accompanied in Tavush by mothers of servicemen who died in first and last days of war

Shell reports almost $9.5 billion in profits

Putin calls on West not to shift blame on intrigues of Kremlin

Hungarian PM expresses readiness to buy electricity from Azerbaijan via Georgia

Newsweek: The biggest foreign threat to the U.S. is not Russia or China. It's the EU

Putin: In recent years, West has taken steps to exacerbate situation in world

Armenian Defense Minister and French delegation discuss possibilities of developing defense cooperation

Australia to send 70 soldiers to UK to help train Ukrainian troops

Scholz condemns Turkey's stance questioning Greek sovereignty

Armenian Defense Ministry: Azerbaijan hands over 10 bodies of killed servicemen to Armenian side
The steps taken by Russia prove that Moscow is trying to bring closer the positions of the Karabakh conflict parties through mutual compromises, former U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza, told Voice of America.

According to him, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov has put a new offer on the table, trying to review the framework agreement, which was drawn out with the help of the Minsk Group in Madrid back in 2007.

The Madrid principles have mainly remained unchanged during the last years, no radical changes having been made in the framework agreement, since it was the only logical way to solve the issue, the former diplomat said.

In Bryzas words, the heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan had reached a principled agreement on the framework agreement and a final agreement was expected to be reached, this being followed by long-lasting talks aimed at drawing out the agreement.

However, according to him, the process didnt advance, since neither President Aliyev nor President Sargsyan had sufficient confidence towards each other in order to inform the citizens about complex decisions.

He also noted that the crisis which took place in Yerevan in the recent weeks was first of all conditioned by the disagreement of the authorities round the possible compromises in Karabakh conflict.

The issue concerns new compromises, which will bring the parties closer, Bryza said. In his words, certain people in Armenias political system do not wish to make compromises, this resulting in the aforementioned crisis.
YEREVAN. - Armenias Founding Parliament radical opposition group member Jirair Sefilian has sent another letter from Vardashen criminal-executive institution, where he refers to the demand of President Serzh Sargsyans resignation and further process of struggle.

The misinformation which was circulated a few days ago by [Karabakh MP] Vitaly Balasanyan on that the Sasna Tsrer [armed group] members and I have abandoned the demand of Serzh Sargsyans resignation, was immediately dismissed both by the representatives of the Sasna Tsrer group and me two days later.

Unfortunately, that misinformation continues to be circulated, this time, however, by the opposition figure, dear Nikol Pashinyan. The latter points out to my letter sent on July 31, saying that I didnt raise the demand of Serzh Sargsyans resignation there. Unfortunately, he has misunderstood the content of the letter, specifically failing to notice the introductory paragraph, where it is apparently mentioned that the content of this letter exclusively refers to the proposal of possible negotiations as a happy medium, as a result of which the [armed group] members were to lay down their arms. I reiterate, it exclusively referred to laying down the arms by the members and preventing bloodshed.

Being in isolation and not fully disposing of the information, I thought of such a strategy to prevent bilateral bloodshed, and I dont know, there might be another man or Nikol Pashinyan, who might find another way to prevent that danger.

Considering that this false information was dismissed that day by the Sasna Tsrer members and I learnt about Varuzhan Avetisyans speech at the moment of laying down the arms, and also read the 7-point demands mentioned in an interview given by Founding Parliament President Garegin Chookaszian to CivilNet, I accept Nikols conclusion with perplexity.

Going ahead and taking advantage of the occasion, I urge Nikol and opposition members to perceive the seriousness of the moment and do everything possible to make meaningful Sasna Tsrers sacrifice, our insurgent peoples readiness to sacrifice and, above all, the unity and solidarity with each other.

In order not to leave the movement without leaders, I urge to form various supra-party formats and rush to liberate our country as soon as possible.

Finally, I will try to re-edit the political agenda raised by us in the recent years, as well as the pan-Armenian political objective agenda of Sasna Tsrers demands in the following sequence:

1. Set free PoWs and political prisoners

2. Formation of confidence government /with anti-crisis and transfer phase program/

3. Serzh Sargsyans removal

4. Snap parliamentary and presidential elections
On Friday, July 15 2016, the world stood still as a coup was attempted in Turkey.Tanks rolled into the Turkish Capital, Ankara, with soldiers blocking the popular Bosphorus Bridge. The state-run TV station, TRT, was taken over by soldiers; and at 11:25pm local time, a faction of the military issued a declaration saying the political administration that has lost all legitimacy has been forced to withdraw.



However, a few hours after the onset of the coup, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressed the nation via FaceTime, urging Turks to march into the streets and face-off with the soldiers. They listened.



In no time, thousands of Turks, unwilling to see their democratically-elected Government overthrown by a military coup, poured into the streets and clashed with soldiers. As scenes of chaos unfolded, the soldiers were eventually overpowered by the mob, and they surrendered. At 2:51am, Saturday, July 16th, the coup was over leaving in its wake, over 200 dead, and more than 1400 injured! Erdogan flew into Istanbul at 3:20am, to a heros' welcome. He immediately laid responsibility for the failed coup squarely on the shoulders of an influential Turkish moderate Muslim cleric, Fathullah Gulen, who had been on self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania, since 1999.



Gulen and Erdogan are former allies who fell out in 2013. Since then, Erdogan has continually accused the Gulen-movement of plotting to oust him.

Erdogan vowed a crackdown on all those who had orchestrated the coup. A 3-month state of emergency was imposed, with the President urging his countrymen to keep on taking to the streets, until the threat was over.



In an unprecedented and unexpected show of unity, the opposition parties came together to condemn the failed coup. With widespread support of the citizenry and a state of emergency in place, Erdogan immediately embarked on a purge. More than 58,000 public sector workers have so far been thrown out of their jobs. Tens of thousands of soldiers, judges, and others believed to be associated with Gulen have been arrested. Thousands of private schools, universities, charities, and other institutions believed to be associated with the Gulen-movement have been shut down. The Turkish Government even went beyond its own borders, asking another sovereign nation- Nigeria- to shut down 17 schools which it says are affiliated with Gulen's movement! It has also called on the United States to extradite Gulen back to Turkey to face charges.



As the purge continues, there have been widespread allegations of mistreatment of those detained. According to Amnesty international, detained soldiers have allegedly been starved and even raped. The human rights organization has condemned the purge, stating that the world was witnessing a crackdown of exceptional proportions in Turkey at the moment;" and that while it is understandable and legitimate that the Government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law, and respect freedom of expression.



Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even before the coup occurred, has been seen as a dictator who has constantly sought to crackdown on his opponents, and consolidate his power within the country. Turkey has one of the worst freedoms of expression record globally, with tons of journalists imprisoned for criticizing the Turkish Government. The faction of the military which orchestrated the coup, claimed that they had done so in order to protect Turkey's secularist nature from the Islamist grasp of Erdogan and his ruling AK party; and while their means of achieving this aim was illegal, it seems that the Turkish President has indeed used the coup as a cover for actualizing his agenda within Turkey.



The imposed state of emergency allows Erdogan to pass laws as he sees fit. He has now begun restructuring the military to prevent any further dissent. With the President going to great lengths to supposedly punish those responsible for the coup, one only needs to look at the retributions already embarked upon, to realize that there is a wider agenda at play one which may not be so palatable for democracy when the dust settles.



Democracy and the rule of law thrive on the fact that the voices of all (supporters and dissenters alike) will always be heard. But by the time all is said and done, there may not be enough members of the opposition left standing in Erdogan's way, to check the excesses of his high-handed Government.



A coup- whatever the motive(s) - will always be seen as an unlawful and illegal way to bring about a change of Government; and it will be condemned as such. But while the Turkish people will no doubt take pride in their role of suppressing one, it is highly likely that someday soon, they will become strangely aware, that they have also unknowingly aided and abetted the rise of a 21st century Pharaoh!
12:38

Thais on Sunday voted in a referendum on a new junta-backed Constitution that could pave the way for polls next year even as critics feared it would strengthen army's grip on power.

About 50 million voters will answer 'yes' or 'no' to the question -- Do you accept the draft constitution? They are also being asked a supplementary question, whether or not the appointed senate should be allowed to join the lower house in selecting a Prime Minister.

If the majority of voters say 'yes', the draft becomes the Constitution, enhancing the military government's legitimacy in the run-up to an election which Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 coup, has promised will happen next year.

Results of the referendum will soon be announced after voting closes.

Prime Minister Prayut and other key government figures openly announced a couple of days back that they would vote "Yes" in the referendum.

The military junta which took power after a coup in 2014 called for the Constitution to be rewritten to ensure "clean politics" in the country. The referendum is likely to be a judgement day in Thai politics.

Not only will the fate of the new draft Constitution will be determined, but the outcome could also be significant for entities such as the military-created National Council for Peace and Order and politicians from different parties.

If the Constitution does not pass, what will happen is uncertain, but the military government will remain in control.

The way this referendum has been run by the military authorities has been widely condemned by human rights groups because of the ban on campaigning, which has seen dozens of people detained and charged.

As a result, public knowledge of the draft Constitution is limited.
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"The explosion occurred after an IED (improvised explosive device) struck a police van in Khak-e-Jabar district late on Friday," Xinhua new agency quoted a police officer as saying.

The unit was travelling towards Kabul from the neighbouring district of Logar province.

The officer blamed the Taliban militant group for the attack.

--IANS sm/py/vm

( 84 Words)

2016-08-06-15:26:03 (IANS)
Reid made waves last month when she walked out off McCarthy's radio show mid-interview when the latter asked a few questions on "Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars".

On Friday, Reid landed a dig at the former Playmate Of The Year at "Hollywood Today Live". When co-host Ross Matthews broached the topic, the 40-year-old confided her belief that McCarthy had 'purposefully' manoeuvred the interview into a quarrel "to get ratings", reports dailymail.co.uk.

Reid said: "You know, good for you, Jenny. At least now people know you have a show."

She claimed there was no other reason for McCarthy to have, in her view, started the argument.

"We never even had beef so I don't even know where that came from," she said.

While on McCarthy's show, the New Jersey native was promoting her role in "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens" and struggled to turn the conversation back to the TV movie.

When McCarthy persisted in bringing up the TV series, Reid said: '"Babe. I asked you, please let's not talk about the show. We're all here about 'Sharknado'."

--IANS nv/

( 221 Words)

2016-08-07-03:20:01 (IANS)
Sasha Obama, younger daughter of US President Barack Obama, is taking some time off from the comforts of the White House to work at a seafood joint in Massachusetts. Sasha, 15, who has lived for eight years in the luxurious confines of the White House, is learning how the other half lives this summer, the Boston Herald reported. The First Daughter took up the job at Nancys -- a seafood joint on Marthas Vineyard at Cape Cod in Massachusetts where the Obamas like to visit for the summer vacations. Sasha, using her full name, Natasha at Nancys, has been familiarising herself with the service industry and her duties include collecting cash, bussing tables and prepping the restaurant before it opens for lunch. She has been working downstairs at takeout, said a server, adding We were wondering why there were six people helping this girl, but then we found out who it was. Sasha was accompanied to her summer job by a contingent of six Secret Service agents, who sat outside the restaurant in a large Suburban SUV and on the takeout benches while the Presidents daughter served hungry tourists, the Boston Herald reported. The food joint is a favourite stop for the Obama family, who always pop in for a seafood feed when they are on their annual Marthas Vineyard vacation. The Obamas youngest daughter has been working an early four-hour shift at the busy, 350-seat restaurant, finishing up just a half hour after it opens for business at 11.30 a.m. According to the BBC, photographs show Sasha wearing the restaurant's uniform of blue T-shirt and cap and working at a till. The Obamas have been attempting to raise their daughters as normally as possible, which may be why they are letting Sasha get a taste of working a summer job in a restaurant -- a big change from life in the nations capital. Her last day at work is Saturday, when the rest of the Obama family arrives for vacation. Sasha and her older sister Malia, who will attend Harvard University in 2017 after taking a gap year", attended their first-ever state dinner in March. --IANS ask/rn/bg ( 367 Words) 2016-08-06-17:48:02 (IANS)
Maintaining that there is no conflict between Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and himself, Puducherry Chief minister V Narayanasamy today said that he had visited Raj Nivas to have a dinner with her two days ago. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Narayanasamy referred to the Delhi High Court order on the powers of the Lt.Governor and said the powers of the Delhi Lt.Governor was prescribed as per constitution 239 (AA). As far as Puducherry is concerned, the powers of the Lt.Governor and Cabinet were prescribed as per the constitution and also as per the Union Territory's Act 1963. After taking note of her powers and the powers of the Cabinet the Lt.Governor is functioning, he added. He said the Union Government in a circular had agreed in 2014 to allot 100 percent centrally sponsored schemes for Puducherry as well as to the North Eastern states and added that the centre would be pressurized to allot the same now. On the GST draft bill, he said the revised draft bill would be forwarded to all the states after its passage in Parliament to be implemented with effect from April 2017. The Union Territory had putforth its demand to compensate the loss under the GST quarterly, he said, adding that his demand to permit units with a turn over of more than Rs.10 lakh a year be brought under the tax frame work was considered in the revised bill. Asked about the new education policy, Mr Narayanasamy said the minorities are opposing it and he could give a reply only after studying it fully.UNI PAB CS 1153 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-874164.Xml
The fourth Foreign Office Consultations between India and Thailand were held in New Delhi on August 4.During the talks the Indian side was led by Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) and the Thailand side was led by Apichart Chinwanno, Permanent Secretary, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the FOCs, the two sides held deliberations on the entire gamut of bilateral relations including the follow up on the outcomes of the recent State visit of Thailand Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on 16-18 June.They also discussed about celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, cooperation in economic trade and investment, political, defence and security related matters, connectivity and increase in people-to-people ties, a MEA official said.During the consultations both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern at regional and multilateral level including cooperation in ASEAN, BIMSTEC, ACD, UN and other international organisations.UNI MK PY ADG 1245 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-874212.Xml
Customs says there are about 100 identified cavities in the present wagons which have been running between India and Pakistan for trade.

They have requested Indian Railways to do provide special designed good wagons

Customs also asked for special scanner to do rummaging to stop smuggling bid between the two countries through the Attari-Wagah rail and road.

Last Friday, the Customs Preventive Commissionerate officials seized one Kg of white coloured/granular material suspected to be Heroin from a Pakistan based good train at Attari railway station in Punjab.

The value of the recovered heroin is estimated to be five crore rupees in the Indian market.

An empty goods wagon, 68 DN, train arrived at Attari railway station at 2:50 P.M.

Upon the rummage of empty wagons, the custom officers detected two concealed packets from the cavity of the empty wagon wherein the drug powder was recovered.

The recovered heroin has been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. (ANI)
Speaking at the launch of a guide book on Swachh Survekshan (Sanitation Survey) of 500 Cities, Naidu said, "MODI means Making Of Developed India."

"Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that Swachh Bharat should become a Jan Andolan, not a government programme," he added.

Swachh Survekshan 2017 would be conducted by the Ministry of Urban Development in January 2017 to rank SDO cities/towns with a population of one lakh and above in the country to encourage cities and towns to actively implement the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban initiatives in a timely and innovative manner. (ANI)
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani will present Sant Kabir Awards and National Handloom Awards tomorrow on the second National Handloom Day at the main function which will be held in Varanasi. The first National Handloom Day was celebrated last year and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest in the main event held in Chennai on August 7, 2015. The second anniversary will be celebrated across the country tomorrow. Ms Irani would be the chief guest on the occasion. Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy would be the Guest of Honour. Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta and Uttar Pradesh Textiles Minister Mahboob Ali would also grace the occasion. Besides the main event in Varanasi, there will be many other programmes. The day will also be celebrated at state level in all states. It will also be celebrated in more than 200 handloom clusters. Doordarshan will also broadcast a special hour-long programme on the day in the evening, an official statement said. The 7th August was notified by the Centre as the National Handloom Day to create awareness about the importance of handloom industry and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in general and to promote handlooms, increase income of weavers and enhance their pride in particular. This date has been chosen due to its special significance in India's freedom struggle. It was on this day in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched, at a massive meeting in the Calcutta Town hall. The movement involved revival of domestic products and production processes. UNI NY SW AE 1430 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-874329.Xml
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to Sir Gangaram Hospital (SGRH) here after she had taken ill at Varanasi during a roadshow four days ago, is recovering and doctors are happy with her progress. The health bulletin issued by the SGRH hospital this afternoon said Ms Gandhi is making steady progress and her all vital parameters are normal."Dr Prateek Gupta, Orthopedic Consultant and Dr Sanjay Desai from Mumbai who operated on Ms Gandhi for shoulder injury are happy with her progress and she walked and did some exercise today," the bulletin further said. The Congress president had returned to Delhi on August 2, after cutting short her roadshow in Varanasi because she had fractured her shoulder when she fell, following spells of dizziness in the scorching heat. Senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said it was dehydration, which caused fever to Ms Gandhi.UNI RG SW AE 1605 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0377-874553.Xml
Senior BJP leader and Union Micro, Small Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj Mishra today alleged that the present Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was conspiring in communal violence in the state. " UP is witnessing a state sponsored communal violence just to appease a particular community," he charged. Addressing the inaugural session of the BJP state working committee meeting here, Mr Mishra said suicide and exodus of the farmers in Bundelkhand, turn of events in Dadri case and exodus from Kairana proved how the Akhikesh Yadav government was working to appease a particular community. He said criminals were ruling roost in the state and even the state ministers were openly coming out in support of the criminals thus showing their inclinations towards crime. The Union Minister also gave details about the funds sent by the Centre to the state and how it was not utilised by the Samajwadi Party government. He also claimed that the central funds had been hiked by several times during the NDA regime for UP and denied the charges of the UP government that the state was being ignored. UNI MB PR AE1654 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-874573.Xml
Giving a clarion call for the formation of the next government in the state, Uttar Pradesh BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya today gave a slogan of "SP-BSP-Congress mukt UP ' similar to the line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call of 'Congress mukt Bharat'. "People of the state are fed up with Goonda raj and corruption of the SP-BSP regime and they have seen the Congress activity at the Centre too. Hence, now people have made up their minds for giving BJP a chance in the state," he said during his presidential address on inaugural session of the first working committee meeting of the state party unit here today. " Mr Akhilesh Yadav is the most unsuccessful Chief Minister of the state and both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party are hand-in-gloves safeguarding each others interest. An example shows that even after Lokayukta ordered CBI probe against BSP leader Nasimuddin Siddique, Mr Yadav has not done so to protect him and expects the same when they are out of power from the BSP,'' Mr Maurya said. "The Bua(Mayawati) and the Bhatija (Akhilesh) would not be spared by the people and the BJP this time," he said. Mr Maurya, MP from Phulpur in Allahabad , also announced that if BJP comes to power then high-level probe would be ordered in all the cases of corruption since the SP and BSP governments came to power in UP in 2004. He added during the present SP government under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav , scam to the tune of Rs 3 lakh crores have occurred, besides he held the CM directly responsible for the failures and the bad law and order in the state. "When policemen of the state are not safe after 1500 policemen were attacked and 150 killed, then what will be the condition of the common people,'' he stated. "The recent gang-rape in Bulandshahr is a glaring example about the law and order is in the state, besides now the Chief Minister too is trying to defend his controversial minister, whose statements and involvement cannot be denied in most of the the communal violence in the state during the recent past. The minister also now claims that the rapes were a political conspiracy thus defending the criminals involved in the crime,"he alleged. In his 24-page speech which he read out in more than one hour, Mr Maurya gave elaborate description on the Center's pro-people schemes and how the UP government was trying all out efforts to derail it and denying its benefits to the people of the state. The BJP state president criticising the BSP and the SP over the Dayashanker Singh , said the party had done its duty by sacking the leader, but it is shameful for both the parties to protect a leader (Nasimuddin Siddique) for making derogatory remarks against his family. " BJP is always with the family members of the party and will go to any extent for their respect," he said. Mr Maurya also commented on the Congress saying that state president Raj Babbar had been imported from Mumbai and the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit from Delhi. "It is an insult to the Congress leaders of UP that they have been ignored and outsiders have been given the opportunity," he said.He said BSP was not playing its role as a dedicated Opposition party and its leader was just interested in staying in Delhi and only issuing statements. ''They are not meeting the people, even Dalits , who are the most harassed community in the SP regime as atrocities against them has risen to manifold. Earlier, the two days BJP working committee meeting was inaugurated by Union MSME minister Kalraj Mishra in the presence of BJP national vice-president and in-charge of UP Om Mathur, general secretary Arun Singh, Organising secretary Shiv Prakash, union Ministers Manoj Sinha, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Ms Krishna Raj. Several BJP MPs , legislators and former presidents were present in the meeting. Two resolutions-- political and agriculture- were also tabled in the session. Tomorrow, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh would be the chief guest at the concluding session.UNI MB PR AE 1652 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-874596.Xml
Rejecting reports published in a national daily newspaper that there was a stone pelting incident on non-local students at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Police today said the news item is bereft of the facts, frivolous and concocted. A police spokesperson said here this afternoon that the story published by a daily national newspaper is bereft of the facts, frivolous and concocted. "There has been no incident of stone pelting in the NIT Srinagar campus or on the students," he added. The spokesperson said as per the institute authorities, the date of classes and registration has been extended for the autumn session 2016.UNI ABS QAB RJ AE BL1756 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0136-874860.Xml
Private sector companies are less interested in the compliance with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in comparison to Public Sector Companies. Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal has said 69 per cent public sector companies contributed in the CSR whereas only 43 per cent private sector companies are making their contribution in this.During 14-15, government reviews 4257 companies for making contribution in the field of CSR. Out of them 169 were public sector companies whereas 4088 were from private sector.Out of 169 public sector companies, 116 made their contribution of 2364 croes. 53 companies did not make any contribution in this field. But in case of private sector companies, out of 4088, only 1790 contributed Rs 5665 crore in CSR. Around 2298 companies did not make any contribution.To suggest measures for the better implementation of CSR by the companies, Government had set up a High Level Committee to suggest the monitoring the progress of implementation of CSR policies by the companies. UNI ADP SW AE 1803 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0429-874742.Xml
Universities play an important role in recognising the eminent personalities in the society and reorganising them, along with the formation of a responsible students society, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam said today. While presenting the 'Prathibha awards', instituted by the Kannur University to five eminent personalities of Kerala under various fields, Mr Sathasviam said that when a varsity recognises people outside the academic arena, it is a proof of inclusively understanding the pulse of the society. The gesture of Kannur University today shows its magnitude of the commitments towards the society, by honouring five eminent people of Kerala, the Governor added.He also pointed out that some higher education centres like Universities were not trying to select people from outside from the academic society and they did not know the pulse of the society. Mr Sathasivam said every varsity moulds thousands of youths into graduates and professionals, but the University must transcend the boundaries of class rooms and student register. As a center of higher education, every varsity has to strive towards achieving excellence in every thing it undertakes like teaching or research of other innovative initiatives. Mr Sathasivam said every varsity, with its academic, social and political activities, may represent small sections of the society. However, a varsity's idea and concept of excellence are often guided only by the yardsticks of academic expertise, and may fail to see the achievements and talents of those outside the academic frame work. Mr Sathasivam presented the Prathiba award to Vanidas Elayavoor (Culture and Secularism), Kaithapram Damodharan Nambaoodhiri (Music), Fr Davis Chirammel (Social Service), K R Meera (Literature) and Manju Warrier (Film). Ms Manju Warrier could not attend the function, so her parents Madhavan Warrier and Girija Madhavan received the honour. Kannur University Vice-Chancellor M K Abdhul Khadeer presided and Pro-Vice Chancellor T Ashokan and Registrar Balachandra Keezhoth also addressed the gathering.UNI AK RJ 1822 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-874836.Xml
The passenger was travelling from Hyderabad Airport to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways flight EY 275 on August 1, GHIAL said in a statement here today.

After the detection by the baggage screeners, the passenger was handed over to the Customs Department, and later it was confirmed that the substance was the prohibited drug Ephedrine.

The quantity of Ephedrine, which was intercepted, is valued at Rs.1.2 Crore in the International Market.UNI KNR CS 1846

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-874970.Xml
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to clarify his stand on the issue of total ban on alcohol in the country. He said Lord Krishna was the first person on this land to have enforced total prohibition. He also alleged that the RSS was practising double standards on cow protection. "RSS is the power behind the throne which we know as the BJP. What is the stand of the RSS on `Nasha Mukt Bharat'. RSS talks of 'Hindutva' and Hindu nationalism and cow protection, let them explain their stand on total prohibition in the country'', said Mr Kumar, while addressing a rally at Ghatampur town here. Asking the RSS to hold Shakhas for the stray dry cows roaming on roads rather than luring the youth with impressionable mind, Mr Kumar said, ''I often travel in UP by road and I find the stray cattle's mostly the dry cows are the single biggest cause of the accidents leading to loss of precious lives besides huge loss to the economy. RSS can certainly do a great job for protecting the cows if they hold `Shakhas' for such stray cattle''. Launching a scathing attack on the RSS for cow vigilantism Mr Kumar accused the saffron outfit of practising double standards on cow protection. "RSS talks of protecting the cow but their cadres assault the minorities and poor dalits in Gujarat who are practising their traditional occupation of skinning the dead cows and at the same time the RSS and BJP leaders have no inhibition in using the shoes made out of the hide of the cow'. Asking the people to take the photograph of the shoe wore by the RSS-BJP he said ` ask those leaders whether their shoe was made of hide of cow, calf or the bull, they will never answer your question''. Target ting the RSS for opposition to culling of the wilder beast better known as `Neel Gai' in Bihar, Mr Kumar said, ''Neel Gay is damaging vast tracts of the standing crop of Arhar pulses in many areas of Bihar and the state government with the permission of the Union government ordered their killing''. "The RSS should also hold `Shakha' for protecting the Neel Gaay as the prime minister Narendra Modi has forgotten to honor his promise of providing 50 per cent bonus along with the minimum support price to the farmers''. Mr Kumar, who is also the national president of the JD(U) urged the people to vote for the Janata Dal (United) in 2017 state assembly elections for RSS and alcohol free Uttar Pradesh. He also asked the UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to overcome his inhibitions and muster the courage to ban alcohol in the state for bright and stable political future. "If Akhilesh Yadav has any doubts over the social revolution that has been unleashed in Bihar following the implementation of prohibition then he should send some of his confident person to his state and let him have a firsthand experience'', said Mr Kumar. "People of Uttar Pradesh have done many political experiments in last few decades. You are again going to polls in few months and whole nation is watching you. This time give the JD (U) a chance for a liquor and RSS free Uttar Pradesh'', said the Bihar Chief Minister in Ghatampur town of Kanpur Nagar district. Ghatampur is a kurmi dominated area, the fellow caste of Mr Kumar. With the objective making a dent in the Kurmi vote bank of the BJP Mr Kumar has addressed a series of political rallies in district like Varanasi, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Allahabad having sizeable population of the OBCs Kurmi community. Appreciating a recent judgement of the Supreme Court where the apex court held the adulteration in milk as heinous crime Nitish Kumar said, ''All laws and regulations relating to food industry be made more stringent and laws for drugs and psychotropic substances for curbing the drug abuse be also made more stringent''.Mr Kumar defended the recent amendment in Bihar prohibition law saying,'A canard is being spread that Bihar government has enacted a draconian anti liquor law. Yes law has been amended to make it more effective but it's far from being draconian''. He also accused the BJP in Bihar, saying the party had earlier supported the law in April, but they opposed the amendment and staged walk out from the state assembly.UNI MB PR 1919 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-874997.Xml
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group will set up its first ever India Technology Center here. The Centre will be dedicated to software and mechanical engineering. The new Technology Center will support ZF's global development teams while enabling the company to accelerate local product development. ZF's first Technology Center in India will be fully operational by January 1, 2017 and is expected to have a workforce of 2,500 engineers by 2020, according to a statement received from Minister for Information Technology and Municipal Administration, here today. According to Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG,"This new facility is a significant investment for ZF in India. We are harnessing the skilled talent pool that India has to offer in order to develop superior technology solutions for our global as well as local customers". Over the years, ZF has been successful in localizing high technology products in India. "As demand for software engineering grows, we will exponentially increase our capacity to help meet our customers' growth aspirations, the CEO said. With this Technology Center, we are reinforcing our global R and D footprint as well as our commitment and investment in the rapidly emerging Indian market," the CEO said. UNI KNR CS 1949 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-875105.Xml
Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterJ Jayalalithaa today requested Andhra PradeshChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to urgentlyintervene and facilitate the release of 32 personswho were arrested and remanded to custody on the suspicion of alleged forest related offences. In a demi-official letter to Mr Naidu, copies ofwhich was released to the media here, the Chief Ministersaid ''"I write to you to bring to your attention a matter of deep concern regarding the arrest of 32 persons from Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Chennai Districts of Tamil Nadu in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh''. She said ''I am also deputing two advocates of the Tamil Nadu Government to liase with your officers in securing the immediate release of the 32 innocent persons from Tamil Nadu." Ms Jayalalithaa said it is reported that these persons were travelling from Chennai to Tirupati by Garudadri Express when they were arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Police at Renigunta Railway Station. It is also learnt that these 32 persons have been chargedunder Sections 109 & 120B Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Section 20(1)(d) of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act,1967, and subsequently remanded to custody and are lodged in Chittoor Jail. 'These persons, who were only passengers in a train have been arrested on the suspicion of alleged forest related offences. It is not clear how they have been accused of forest related offences when they were nowhere near the forest', Ms Jayalalithaa said.UNI CS RSS 1940 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-875163.Xml
On the eve of the Handloom day tomorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon the youth of the country to make use of e-platform to boost the sale of khadi and handloom products to change the face of village economy. The Prime Minister also stressed that villages should not be allowed to die as they were the soul of India. "Khadi was once a symbol of the freedom movement, and now your motto should be "khadi for nation and khadi for fashion,'' Mr Modi said and underlined the importance of upgrade and modernisation of the handloom sector. "Sell these poor's products at e-platform to transform the face of villages," he said at a town hall event on completion of two years of MyGov. He said his government had launched the Rurban(Rural-Urban) Mission under which urban facilities would be provided in rural areas. "We want urban amenities in villages, but we do not want that villages should lose their identity. We should not let villages die as it is that the should of India resides,'' Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister in this context stressed that development of the agriculture by abandoning traditional ways and adopting scientific methods was a must to save village economy. UNI NAZ SW SB 2027 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-875138.Xml
Two youths died on the spot and two others sustained injuries when their taxi skidded off the road and rolled down in a 500-feet deep gorge on Pathiyan Road in Thanamandi tehsil.

The deceased were identified as Mohammad Ishfaq and Mohammad Shabir, both residents of village Pathiyaan.

The injured were identified as Danish and Tahir while one of them was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu.

Meanwhile, protests broke out in Sunderbani tehsil of the district over an alleged sacrilegious act.

''An alleged sacrilegious act was reported in the area following which people staged demonstration demanding action against the culprits,'' said a police official. UNI VBH PR SB 2037

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More than 100 migrants broke through police barriers at the Italian border town of Ventimiglia and made their way into France today, the local Italian police chief said.They stopped on rocks near the port at the French Riviera town of Menton after breaking through in the afternoon and were still there in the evening under the surveillance of French police, said Ventimiglia police commander Giorgio Marenco."Both the Italian and French forces at the border were taken by surprise," Marenco told Reuters. The French Interior Ministry and representatives of the Alpes-Maritimes region around Menton were not available for comment.A video posted on the website of Nice Matin newspaper showed a stream of people picking their way across rocks, followed by police in riot gear. A few started to walk into the sea.It was not immediately clear how they got past police cordons.Many of the hundreds of migrants who arrive by boat in Italy every day aim for northern Europe. Ventimiglia's craggy seashore became the site of a temporary migrant camp last year, which was later cleared away by police.Most of the more than 94,000 people who have arrived in Italy by boat this year travelled from sub-Saharan Africa to Libya where people smugglers, who have taken advantage of the breakdown of order there, charged them hundreds of dollars for the passage, often in unseaworthy boats.The city of about 24,000 residents opened a reception centre to house the hundreds of migrants who had been sleeping rough under a bridge.About 150 migrants left the centre shortly after midnight yesterday and walked to the shore, where they remained for hours before heading for France."The migrants who have reached Ventimiglia over the past three years have one aim: to pass into France," Marenco said.REUTERS AKC -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-873975.Xml
South Africa's ruling party was in a close race early today in two major cities after losing one other key municipality in its worst electoral performance since the end of apartheid.The African National Congress has ruled virtually unopposed since it ended white-minority rule in 1994 with Nelson Mandela at its helm. But its grip on power is being shaken against the backdrop of high unemployment, a stagnating economy and a series of scandals that have dogged President Jacob Zuma.The party was still leading in the overall count in the nationwide municipal vote, with 98 per cent of ballots counted.But it lost to the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) in the municipality of Nelson Mandela Bay, which includes the city of Port Elizabeth, a key manufacturing hub and port city."We've lost Nelson Mandela Bay, we've conceded that we've lost it," Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said.The DA was also narrowly ahead in the country's economic hub of Johannesburg, while the ANC held a slim margin in Tshwane, home to the capital Pretoria.The DA, which last year elected its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, as part of its efforts to shake off its image as a party that mainly serves white interests, has retained control of Cape Town, which it has held since 2006."Now we've got to do everything in our power to make sure where we govern we govern well," said Maimane, who declared that his party had won in Tshwane, well before the final tally.Final results are due late today.The ANC has lost support among voters who feel their lives have not improved and the opposition has accused Zuma of mismanaging the economy. Millions of urban voters are now looking beyond its liberation struggle credentials and focusing on an economy teetering on the edge of a recession."The ANC may just become a rural party," said William Gumede, chairman of the Democracy Works Foundation, a think tank.Voters are losing patience with Zuma, who rattled investors in December by changing finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand currency plummeting. The rand has since recovered, and received a boost from the peaceful vote.Zuma survived an impeachment vote in April after the Constitutional Court said he breached the law by ignoring an order to repay some of 16 million dollar in state funds spent on renovating his private home. Zuma has since apologised and said he will repay some of the money as ordered by the court.The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party led by Julius Malema, Zuma's one-time protege but now arch-foe, was running a distant third with about 10 per cent of the vote.Malema has drawn support with promises to redistribute among poor black people wealth still mostly in white hands - policies that both the DA and the ANC have not found palatable.But neck-and-neck races between the ANC and DA in Johannesburg and Tshwane mean the EFF could be needed for coalitions there, but Malema has not said whom he would back."If anyone comes to us, we'll talk," Malema told reporters when asked whether he would join a coalition.Robert Besseling, head of the EXX Africa business risk intelligence think tank, said the EFF will play "a key kingmaker role" in coalition-building negotiations."Ideologically, the EFF is closer to the ANC, though it will be loath to support the ANC which it has acrimoniously opposed in the National Assembly," he said. REUTERS AKC 0450 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-873997.Xml